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Piper Anderson #6

Battling Destiny

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Michael Cooper has his life together. He is the successful lawyer all his friends turn to when they find themselves in trouble, and he and his beautiful wife just welcomed their newborn daughter to the world. In just under two years, he went from a cocky bachelor to a quintessential family man with a close-knit group of friends. Yes, Michael Cooper has his life together. Until the news that his father has died forces him to return to his hometown in Ohio.

Any feelings of grief and loss over his father are overshadowed by the idea of having to step back into a world he has spent years trying to forget. He knows, all too well, the reach of his mother's manipulation and the grip of his father's spiderweb like empire. It took everything he had to leave Ohio all those years ago and make a life for himself in Edenville, NC. Now, in the wake of his father's death, will he have the strength to leave it all behind again? Will Jules, the one woman who understands him the most, stand by him when the truth about his family comes to light? Can Michael battle the destiny that’s been thrust upon him and make his way back to the simple life he’s fought so hard to build?

Piper Anderson Series:
Book 1: Chasing Justice
Book 2: Cutting Ties
Book 3: Changing Fate
Book 4: Finding Freedom
Book 5: Settling Scores
Book 6: Battling Destiny

Piper Anderson Extras:
Choosing Christmas - Holiday Novella - Chris & Sydney's Story
Betty's Journal - Bonus Material(suggested to be read after Book 4 to avoid spoilers)
Saving Love - Piper Anderson Series Novella

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2014

303 people are currently reading
182 people want to read

About the author

Danielle Stewart

108 books610 followers
Writing is a way to make a lot of different people do exactly what you want them to do. When I can’t get my toddler to listen to me, I turn to my characters. They always cooperate!

I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina with my husband and seven year old son. I have perfected the ability to write in a noisy house and create story lines while folding laundry.

Ten Things to know about me:

1. I have a fear of whales. All whales. The noise they make. The sight of them (even on tv). I don't think this phobia has a name and I've never met anyone else who feels this way. I blame it on the 3D movie when I was 7 at the Boston Museum of Science. (Thanks Dad.)

2. When I get hungry it brings out the worst in me. My friends and family know to keep me well fed. They pack snacks now.

3. I can cook but not bake. Not even a little. Not even a box of brownies.

4. If there is a song I like it is normal to hear me listening to it a hundred times (give or take) in a row.

5. I do not, under any circumstances, read directions. Who has time for that? Making mac & cheese by the seat of my pants for the last 25 years.

6. Like a black-out drunk, I have lost hours of my life mysteriously to Pinterest. If you haven't tried it yet... don't. Save your self.

7. Before I became a mother, lots of things grossed me out. Now nothing does.

8. My favorite food is food... my least favorite food is no food. I love food. (apply the same rule to wine)

9. I do not have a green thumb. I have the kind of thumb that kills any type of plant ever given to me. Whatever kind of thumb that is... I have it.

10. Writing has changed my life. Not just the career it's created but the way I feel when I write. If you have something you love to do I hope you get the opportunity to do it.



Piper Anderson Series:
Book 1: Chasing Justice (FREE)
Book 2: Cutting Ties
Book 3: Changing Fate
Book 4: Finding Freedom
Book 5: Settling Scores
Book 6: Battling Destiny
Book 7: Chris & Sydney Collection (Choosing Christmas & Saving Love)

Betty's Journal - Bonus Material (suggested to be read after Book 4 to avoid spoilers)

The Edenville Series:
Book 1: Flowers in the Snow (FREE!)
Book 2: Kiss in the Wind
Book 3: Stars in a Bottle
Book 4: Fire in the Heart (pre-order)

The Clover Series:
(Book 1 & 2) Half My Heart & Change My Heart (FREE)
(Book 3) All My Heart
(Book 4) Facing Home

The Rough Waters Series:
Book 1: The Goodbye Storm(FREE)
Book 2: The Runaway Storm
Book 3: The Rising Storm

The Barrington Billionaire Series
Book 1: Fierce Love (Free)
Book 2: Wild Eyes
Book 3: Crazy nights
Book 4: Loyal Hearts

The Piper Anderson Legacy Mystery
Book 1: Three Seconds to Rush (Free)
Book 2: Just for a Heartbeat
Book 3: Not just an Echo

Stand Alones:
Yours for the Taking
Sweet Rendezvous
Running from Shadows

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5 stars
316 (62%)
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142 (28%)
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44 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa Gibbs.
802 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2017
Wow, we really knew nothing about where Michael Cooper came from but we certainly find out in the book. Michael is summoned back to Ohio upon hearing about his dad's death. Unfortunately for Michael, he never told his wife about his family. He leaves without telling her a thing in order to keep Jules and his daughter safe but best laid plans run amock and Jules finds him in Ohio.

His family we come to find out is a manipulative bunch of rich people who have more skeletons in their closet that even Michael knew and he knew there were a lot.

Jules is easily swayed by his mom and sister but Piper remains ever skeptical and Michael enlists her help to keep Jules from falling for his mom's charade. Jules is sucked in none the less and comes off as a snotty bitch at times but if you have read the previous stories Jules had a big heart and she just wants to help Michael mend fences with his family.

They are a twisted and sick bunch that is only out for themselves and Michael managed to escape it before any damage could be done. His family stoops to new lows in this book.

There were twists and turns and we see how Michael managed to come out on top despite his crazy family. Eventually Jules comes around but it's almost too late. Thank goodness Piper called Betty and the calvary came to rescue them.

Michael knows that not all family is created by blood and he knows his friends are his true family. It's astounding as to the lengths his family had gone through to keep Michael running the family business. There were twists and turns in this book and it kept me glued to my seat.

I must say though that if I didn't know Jules as I did from the previous stories I would have given up reading this book. But I am glad I didn't. Ms. Stewart write flawed characters that are true to life, except maybe Betty, she sort of seems like a superhero who knows that love can ge taught and it can heal you if you let it.
Profile Image for Sheila E Dunbar.
72 reviews
June 21, 2018
Best books ever can’t stop reading !

These books warm my heart I feel apart of these peoples lives you can tell a. Good writer by the way they bring you in too your story and leave you feeling apart if it I can’t stop reading about these people ❤️
271 reviews4 followers
March 12, 2021
Another amazing beautiful book.

This is the first lot of books i have ever read where I have to buy the next book just to see how it all finishes..It is such an interesting story full of love and courage . It just keeps surprising me with new twists along the way.
5 reviews
June 10, 2018
Love this series

Love the series, can't wait till then next book. Need more like this to read, keep up with Piper series
47 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2018
Wow

Another story that was amazing. Couldn't put it down. Hung on every single word. Best series ever. Wow, just wow!!!!
Profile Image for Shy.
249 reviews19 followers
February 13, 2015
I almost didn't finished the book. A little past half of it and I was all set to putting it down, close the book and walk away from it... Then Betty arrived and to save the day (as well as this reader's day)...

Since book 1 of this series, I have soft spot for Michael. He's my favorite among them all. He's the one I fell in love with among the male characters. I think part of his part that had me drawn to him was the mystery that was his family. And alas, it's here. The book that will tell all of his story finally arrived. As I dove into the book yesterday, I actually felt anxious on how it turned out. Well, with everything that has been going on with this "Edenville gang' I was prepared to expect the worst. So I started digging in, reading about his family. What I wasn't prepared for was the role of Jules in all of it all. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I felt so disappointed and annoyed with her I was set to walking away from reading Michael's story. After all, there's no way I can get inside the book to slap her into waking into sense. And that's when Betty turned up. She didn't slap Jules for me. But she made reading about her actions bearable.

You might wonder why I gave it five stars even with all the disappointments and annoyance that Jules gave me. It's not because I love Danielle Stewart and her writing. Nothing can make me give a book 5 stars no matter how I like the author if I don't like the story. So why?

Being annoyed with Jules and all that, was where I found the beauty of this novel as I took sometime to mull over the story in my head after I've read it. It didn't go the way I wanted it. The characters (or at least a character) didn't react the way I want her to be based on how I came to know her in reading this series. I expect better judgement from Jules because after all they had been, with Piper's dad, with Willow and Jedda's parents, I expected her to learn how not all parents could be as loving as Betty or how not everyone was made a heart of gold. But then, Jules being sort of different from what I expected her to be made me look at things in another perspective.

As humans, we are bound to make errors. All of us at one point of our lives called a bad judgement. But it's still alright, because it's the reason we have friends and family - to correct us, to support us, to help us stand up again when we fall. When our faith for human kind falters.

This Piper Anderson series had led me to a roller coaster ride of emotion, adventure and learning that in the end, I am thankful to Danielle Stewart for writing it the way she did. After all, nothing is more boring that a story which you already know how it will end just after the opening acts. And this series was far from boring. Every page, every character, every event brought me something that had made me realized things and learn a thing or two, helped me see things differently and made me want to look at the world in a new perspective. It's as if I were part of everyone's journey until it come to a very well ending. And I can say I am very happy.

For those who love, romance, suspense, drama and even a few hilarious acts, I highly recommend reading this series. It's worth your time and money.
Profile Image for Tracey Quintin.
107 reviews7 followers
September 29, 2014
Danielle Stewart has done it again! I could not put this page turner down! Absolutely amazing, as is EVERY book Danielle has written in this series.

This story, as with every book Danielle has written, has a part of ME in it. Danielle has this gift of truly connecting me as a reader. She makes me feel like she's capturing part of my life in her stories. I honestly have SO many things highlighted in this story that touched me to the core.

What a remarkable man Michael is and LOVED finally finding out what made him the man he's been in prior books in this FANTASTIC series. This is an absolute MUST READ and has lots of twists and turns you don't expect.

I never give anything away in my reviews regarding the actual storyline, however there is a specific line in THIS book that says: "I wish everyone in the world had a Betty." Danielle IS my Betty and I wish everyone in the world would read this book and every book Danielle has written. Why you might wonder? Because today while reading this I realized not only do I feel part of me is in every book, I also realized that in every book I've been taught a life lesson or made to realize something about myself I didn't see before.

For those of you who have read the entire series, you'll be pleased to know that characters from other books in the series aren't forgotten :-)

I had the biggest smile reading the epilogue to this...you will too!!

This series HAS to continue, SO in love with it. Another superbly written book!
Profile Image for Cynthia.
448 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2014
Upbringing - contributes greatly to character formation.
Past - we all have one, what you do in the present has the greatest impact.

Battling Destiny is Michael's story. A story with lots of twist and turns.
Earlier books in the Piper Anderson series shows Michael to be an upstanding, straight laced guy.
As Michael's past surfaces, you experience the turmoil, the fear, the anxiety, the love and support.
This story does not disappoint, it's intriguing and a supportive story. Always loved Betty love her even more now.

A wonderful read. The author beautifully shows character development. I would recommend this book and series to ALL
Profile Image for Kylie.
1,133 reviews11 followers
July 4, 2015
This 6th book in the Piper Anderson series is fantastic, and probably my favorite!

This story of trust and deceit, love and evil, god it just touched a special place in your soul.

Family is family, whether the DNA matches or not. When in doubt, or stuck between a rock and a hard place, the Edenville crew is always there to back you up... Even when not everyone sees eye to eye.

I can't honestly put into words how this series impacted me. It's the perfect touch of suspense, horror, love, romance, and triumph. Good versus evil, and good wins out. This truly is one of the best series' I've ever read! It's highly recommended.
436 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2014
Battling Destiny is the final book in the Piper Anderson series. Throughout this series Danielle Stewart has done an amazing job creating a wonderful cast of characters. The depth that each characters has is just that, amazing. In this book we finally see about Michael's past. He has always appeared to be so put together. To find out he grew up in a house of a power/money greedy mother that looked the other way of her husbands crimes as long as she was able to maintain an appearance. Trying to put his past behind him and being forced to deal with it has put Michael in a troubling spot.
Profile Image for Donna.
290 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2014
I love this series and Battling Destiny was no exception! Michael has helped everyone, but when he most needed it he wouldn't ask. Would this close knitgroup allow that and would he accept it. Mixing his families was something he didn't want, but he released he truly needed one of them if he was to survive this.
Profile Image for Maritza.
307 reviews10 followers
October 3, 2014
So sad this series is over!!!! :'( I have loved every single book, and this ending was a little short...at first I was like "wait...what?... That's it?!" And then I turned the page....hello Epilogue! Now after reading that, I can say the book long with the series had the most very perfect ending.....
Profile Image for Tonya VanWinkle.
Author 5 books14 followers
January 19, 2017
Michael's Story

I wondered all along what his story would be, again I enjoyed the book and was not disappointed. This book also has a bit of language, not a lot but it is there, if that turns you off of a story. All in all I loved the Piper Anderson series, Betty, of course being my favorite character. Who now has her own series; Edenville Series.
Profile Image for Shirley.
846 reviews
March 10, 2020
Wow! just wow! Didn't know Michael had it in him lol this is all about what Michael is hiding and it's not anything I thought but better this book tests Michael and Jules relationship to the max and of Betty is just as wonderful as in all the books I'm sorry to see the last of them but glad to read about Chris and Sydney in the next book can't wait
Profile Image for Shauna Mc alary.
114 reviews2 followers
September 29, 2014
So so sad that this series has came to an end. I absolutely loved every book that was part of this series. I hated jules in parts of this book but at the same time knew why she was feeling the way she was. I LOVE BETTY ❤️
Profile Image for Cary.
2,296 reviews
November 15, 2014
I've said it before and I say it again now... these characters have more than their fair share of horrific issues to deal with! It just keeps going and going. Still the characters who have found themselves each pull for the one in trouble and their loves seems to save their souls! Clean but gritty.
26 reviews
June 14, 2015
Loved continuing the story of the family

Families are not always about blood. It's good friends that get us through good times and bad. Good series of life's stories for this bunch of what used to be lonely confused err d folks.
20 reviews
October 29, 2015
She does it again

As expected there was a major crises to be dealt with in this 6th book in the series. However, don't try to guess what it might be, just climb aboard and enjoy the ride as you have in the previous books in this series. Then just wait for it because there is more.
40 reviews
April 28, 2016
Good, better, best and all wonderful reads.

This series of books I found very satisfying. They were about finding family, accepting love, and in the process weaving a story were justice in found. The best is characters live happily ever after.
Profile Image for heather harris.
5 reviews
October 24, 2014
Great book series

I have enjoyed reading each of the books in this series. I enjoyed the contrast on Michael's family and Jule's.
10 reviews
November 4, 2014
Great

This is a wonderful installment of the series. I couldn't put this book down. It's a must read! Danielle did it again.
Profile Image for Joni.
49 reviews5 followers
November 7, 2014
Awesome book yet again. These book always end with me wanting more. I love the characters and how they grow from book to book. I especially enjoyed the epilogue in this. A surprise ending!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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