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Willfully Compelled
A centuries-old legend foretells of twins who will one day save the earth. Lysandra and Leondra have been raised by their parents with the notion that they could possibly be those destined twins.
A once kaleidoscope-colored land is now brown. Water sources have become nonexistent leaving behind only lethal bodies of water. Animals and people disappear beneath the tempting waters never to resurface.
As the world falls apart the twins become separated. Alone and injured, Lysandra ventures forward trying to locate and reunite with her family. Instead she slips beneath the river's surface discovering a new world where no human has ever survived before.
A prophecy. A dying world. Twins, Leondra and Lysandra are compelled to make the ultimate sacrifice for an entirely new world.
Book One of the Unintentional Sacrifices Series.
Containes mature content.
A once kaleidoscope-colored land is now brown. Water sources have become nonexistent leaving behind only lethal bodies of water. Animals and people disappear beneath the tempting waters never to resurface.
As the world falls apart the twins become separated. Alone and injured, Lysandra ventures forward trying to locate and reunite with her family. Instead she slips beneath the river's surface discovering a new world where no human has ever survived before.
A prophecy. A dying world. Twins, Leondra and Lysandra are compelled to make the ultimate sacrifice for an entirely new world.
Book One of the Unintentional Sacrifices Series.
Containes mature content.
ebook
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 30, 2015
Thanks to Rockstar Lit PR for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I am a sci-fi fan and this was right up my alley. The first thing I noticed when reading this book was the sense of desolation, loneliness, danger and grief. I felt so bad for the main character Lysandra. Her family was gone and her best friend was fading. There was no salvation to be had in this post-apocalyptic world, no safe haven. Every animal and person was out to survive in any way possible. I wasn’t sure where the author was taking this, but an underwater world was unexpected and appreciated.
At the initial description of the underwater creatures, I wasn’t sure if I could get into that but I quickly warmed up to it. I loved how there wasn’t a person acting as a villain. Surviving and helping the Earth rebuild was the plot and all of the other issues were bumps in the road.
According to a legend Lysandra and her identical twin sister Leondra are supposed to save the world. How you say? The reader doesn’t know until almost half-way into the book. I loved the idea that they both had power, but their powers weren’t identical. Leondra had power thru words and Lysandra had power through her song [music]. Together, the twins would use their powers to re-establish (for lack of a better word) the land above water. Lysandra is introduced to the underwater creatures (mer-people doesn’t seem to fit so I won’t use it) royal family and feels an intense attraction to one of the Princes. The story shoots off from there with so much action, sexual tension, and pressure to save the world with a huge dose of grief [on Lysandra’s part] about lost family and etc etc. I definitely enjoyed this book and loved how the author set up future issues with the gods and with the twins’ future children. I’ll definitely continue this series.
May 6, 2015
I am mixed on this book. I enjoyed it and loved the concept but didn't love all the characters. I think it was Leondra and how she treated her sister at first that got my dander up.
The premise of the book is a interesting plot twist to other books that are of the mercreature variety. Sure we still have the gods in the mix but we have a new way of looking at this and the ending with the gods and that prophecy was not expected I can tell you that.
Lysandra and her family are from the land but her and her sister can live in land or water. Strife has come to earth and her family and her struggle to survive. All of earth does for that matter. Lysandra gets separated from her family and she goes through so much. She is one strong tough cookie the only thing that truly haunts her is the loss of her sister in her world.
So Lysandra ends up in the water and this is where the story really gets fascinating. Minos and Demetrius both vye for her attention as Lysandra learns of their world. Which is fascinating. their mating ways, feelings about fidelity everything is fascinating. the King is actually fun and mischeivious. Anyways turns out that Minos (my favourite) is meant to be Lysandra's mate. Poor guy what she puts him through is horrendous.
While he waits for Lysandra to accept him, he learns more about her and finds he doesn't want to follow the ways of his people and share her. When he must so that she can be satisfied because if he does try it will break the fragile start they have it kills him. As he is learning how to pleasure a human it's fun to read. He is so attentive and kind. Minos is her ying. He is patient and kind. Protective and fierce as well. He can calm her and helps her along the way in the journey of healing her heart and finding her family. Watching their love come together and seeing Lysandra accept him is sweet. Maddening for Minos but sweet how he is with her.
Lysandra at times was frustrating. This was when Minos was waiting this was occurring. She did string him along but seeing why and how she was feeling helps to ease the frustration towards her. The journey to find her family is when we really get to know her and Minos. This is where these two will have you fall for them.
When they are reunited Leondra is horrible. Just horrible. She is what has me waffle. We hear all these wonderful things and than wammo she is horrid. Poor Demetrius he is mated to her. She does get better but still her beginning has you on the growling train.
As they learn more of their fate and are mated the story changes. The gods tell them more of what they are to have come. Minos not thrilled with it and I get the feeling this will come to a head and a compelling one to. We see the couples grow and see what love is. They learn to work together and help each other. Minos is so sweet. His protectiveness beyond the top but since he is so darn loveable it's forgiven.
Together these twins are fated to save the world but they have many challenges along the way. Lysandra especially and I have a feeling her and Minos are going to be put through the ringer and his patience tested. We see a beginning to their fate in this book but really this book gives us the background needed to go forward.
A artfully written story of twins fated to help the world and there journey to find themselves, who they are, their mates and accept their fate in life.
The premise of the book is a interesting plot twist to other books that are of the mercreature variety. Sure we still have the gods in the mix but we have a new way of looking at this and the ending with the gods and that prophecy was not expected I can tell you that.
Lysandra and her family are from the land but her and her sister can live in land or water. Strife has come to earth and her family and her struggle to survive. All of earth does for that matter. Lysandra gets separated from her family and she goes through so much. She is one strong tough cookie the only thing that truly haunts her is the loss of her sister in her world.
So Lysandra ends up in the water and this is where the story really gets fascinating. Minos and Demetrius both vye for her attention as Lysandra learns of their world. Which is fascinating. their mating ways, feelings about fidelity everything is fascinating. the King is actually fun and mischeivious. Anyways turns out that Minos (my favourite) is meant to be Lysandra's mate. Poor guy what she puts him through is horrendous.
While he waits for Lysandra to accept him, he learns more about her and finds he doesn't want to follow the ways of his people and share her. When he must so that she can be satisfied because if he does try it will break the fragile start they have it kills him. As he is learning how to pleasure a human it's fun to read. He is so attentive and kind. Minos is her ying. He is patient and kind. Protective and fierce as well. He can calm her and helps her along the way in the journey of healing her heart and finding her family. Watching their love come together and seeing Lysandra accept him is sweet. Maddening for Minos but sweet how he is with her.
Lysandra at times was frustrating. This was when Minos was waiting this was occurring. She did string him along but seeing why and how she was feeling helps to ease the frustration towards her. The journey to find her family is when we really get to know her and Minos. This is where these two will have you fall for them.
When they are reunited Leondra is horrible. Just horrible. She is what has me waffle. We hear all these wonderful things and than wammo she is horrid. Poor Demetrius he is mated to her. She does get better but still her beginning has you on the growling train.
As they learn more of their fate and are mated the story changes. The gods tell them more of what they are to have come. Minos not thrilled with it and I get the feeling this will come to a head and a compelling one to. We see the couples grow and see what love is. They learn to work together and help each other. Minos is so sweet. His protectiveness beyond the top but since he is so darn loveable it's forgiven.
Together these twins are fated to save the world but they have many challenges along the way. Lysandra especially and I have a feeling her and Minos are going to be put through the ringer and his patience tested. We see a beginning to their fate in this book but really this book gives us the background needed to go forward.
A artfully written story of twins fated to help the world and there journey to find themselves, who they are, their mates and accept their fate in life.
May 5, 2015
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. The beginning was a little better because towards the end I felt like the author just kept throwing crap at us, trying to cram so much into the book. I wish that Mrs Pierre would have ended book one before the “weddings.” or once the Gods made their appearance and dropped the bomb shells on us. Then picked it back up in book 2, I know I know most of you are thinking WHAT! NO! Give it to me all at once, BUT to me this book would have been ten times better had the author ended it there and gave us a break because truthfully my brain still hurts from the over kill.
Now Lysandra I LOVED. Like beyond loved her. She is feisty and loyal, and so sweet. She refuses to leave those she cares about behind and even went after Phoebe her friend that had died. To me Lysandra was my favorite character by far. Her sister,.. yeah not so much. How can you blame your sister for HER boyfriend’s death when she wasn’t even there? How can any sister even want to go after her sister’s boyfriend, but these 2 aren’t just sisters they are twins so to me when Leondra was pissed because Lysandra wouldn’t ‘share” her boyfriend with her sister I was done. Completely and overly done with her. So I rooted for Demetrius not to claim her. Yeah I know horrible of me but come on Girl was a little crazy and needy and selfish. (as you can see I so did not like her character). She changed toward the end and that was all well and good but it still didn’t help my feelings for her.
Minos, Demetrius brother, and Lysandra’s mate was wonderful, hell so was Demetrius. I enjoyed reading when they were there and their lack of knowledge about human women is awesome. I love how Lysandra has to walk them through sex and all things human. And when they actually get to have sex? I about died. Mermaids aren’t used to having their women be able to move in different positions and wrap their legs around them. And OMG was it HOTT! Ah.
I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, because trust me you want to read this one for yourself, BUT I will say I CAN NOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2! I’m sitting on pins and needles waiting over here for that release day. Or for when the author puts it on a blog tour either way IT NEEDS TO HURRY UP!
Now Lysandra I LOVED. Like beyond loved her. She is feisty and loyal, and so sweet. She refuses to leave those she cares about behind and even went after Phoebe her friend that had died. To me Lysandra was my favorite character by far. Her sister,.. yeah not so much. How can you blame your sister for HER boyfriend’s death when she wasn’t even there? How can any sister even want to go after her sister’s boyfriend, but these 2 aren’t just sisters they are twins so to me when Leondra was pissed because Lysandra wouldn’t ‘share” her boyfriend with her sister I was done. Completely and overly done with her. So I rooted for Demetrius not to claim her. Yeah I know horrible of me but come on Girl was a little crazy and needy and selfish. (as you can see I so did not like her character). She changed toward the end and that was all well and good but it still didn’t help my feelings for her.
Minos, Demetrius brother, and Lysandra’s mate was wonderful, hell so was Demetrius. I enjoyed reading when they were there and their lack of knowledge about human women is awesome. I love how Lysandra has to walk them through sex and all things human. And when they actually get to have sex? I about died. Mermaids aren’t used to having their women be able to move in different positions and wrap their legs around them. And OMG was it HOTT! Ah.
I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, because trust me you want to read this one for yourself, BUT I will say I CAN NOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2! I’m sitting on pins and needles waiting over here for that release day. Or for when the author puts it on a blog tour either way IT NEEDS TO HURRY UP!
May 8, 2015
3.5 stars
I still feel torn about this book. This is my first read of SP's and it hooked me. Very descriptive, unique and fresh voice that drew me in as a reader and had me turning the pages as fast as I could. A refreshing take on sci-fi romance.
There were three points that drove me crazy.
The communal sex. I know, call me a prude but it was just too much. Numerous moments of "ewwwwww". With EVERYONE and the King all up in everyone's business, let me just say I would be fully human. And very difficult, if not impossible, to convince me otherwise. As the series goes on I have to wonder if the free love will work, especially for Minos and Demetrius, as they fall more and more in love with their mates.
Leondra. The way she attacked and was so despicable to Lysandra was horrific. Must admit that even with her about-face I felt no big love for her. There was a big deficit in her character's heart. For all the supposed good in her she came across as the mean twin, petty and spiteful. Then just blah.
The timeline. Felt very fluid in the beginning, then rushed at the end. The story has so much detail, many characters and personalities that make it even more important to keep a clear story line.
While there were some distractions for me, the things that were well done made the story. The beauty and love that built between Lysandra and her new home, her surroundings, and all the creatures- fish and men alike-were stunning. There were so many lovely and touching times, mixed in with laugh out loud situations. The little jellies, the sea turtle, the instant connection between her and Minos, as well as her and Demetrius.
Definitely worth a read, intrigued to see where their story goes.
I still feel torn about this book. This is my first read of SP's and it hooked me. Very descriptive, unique and fresh voice that drew me in as a reader and had me turning the pages as fast as I could. A refreshing take on sci-fi romance.
There were three points that drove me crazy.
The communal sex. I know, call me a prude but it was just too much. Numerous moments of "ewwwwww". With EVERYONE and the King all up in everyone's business, let me just say I would be fully human. And very difficult, if not impossible, to convince me otherwise. As the series goes on I have to wonder if the free love will work, especially for Minos and Demetrius, as they fall more and more in love with their mates.
Leondra. The way she attacked and was so despicable to Lysandra was horrific. Must admit that even with her about-face I felt no big love for her. There was a big deficit in her character's heart. For all the supposed good in her she came across as the mean twin, petty and spiteful. Then just blah.
The timeline. Felt very fluid in the beginning, then rushed at the end. The story has so much detail, many characters and personalities that make it even more important to keep a clear story line.
While there were some distractions for me, the things that were well done made the story. The beauty and love that built between Lysandra and her new home, her surroundings, and all the creatures- fish and men alike-were stunning. There were so many lovely and touching times, mixed in with laugh out loud situations. The little jellies, the sea turtle, the instant connection between her and Minos, as well as her and Demetrius.
Definitely worth a read, intrigued to see where their story goes.
April 26, 2015
I reviewed this book for Wicked Women Book Blog so I received an ARC of this book.
Oh my, I really loved this book! At first, I couldn't see what this author had in mind. The world, being in such bad shape with things looking so dismal and grim, every day is a struggle just to survive. What is Lysandra suppose to do when she is separated from her family and everything she knows? Nothing can truly prepare her for what is to come. She longs to reunite with her family. When all hope is lost, she ends up in the river to all new adventures and troubles.
This book was a new experience with different types of characters than I have read before. When I met them I just fell in love, but there is one that is difficult to like at first. I also question how in the world is this possible? Senayda Pierre does a wonderful job answering these questions to where I'm like of course, why didn't I think of that? Even though a lot of things are answered and seem to be wrapped up, there are still things left unknown that I can't wait to find out!
There is a quote in the book I love that I think we should all keep in mind and listen to.......
"Resentment can be a living breathing thing. You can feed it with bitterness and envy and allow it to grow. Or you can starve it and allow all the negativity to die. It's your choice."
Oh my, I really loved this book! At first, I couldn't see what this author had in mind. The world, being in such bad shape with things looking so dismal and grim, every day is a struggle just to survive. What is Lysandra suppose to do when she is separated from her family and everything she knows? Nothing can truly prepare her for what is to come. She longs to reunite with her family. When all hope is lost, she ends up in the river to all new adventures and troubles.
This book was a new experience with different types of characters than I have read before. When I met them I just fell in love, but there is one that is difficult to like at first. I also question how in the world is this possible? Senayda Pierre does a wonderful job answering these questions to where I'm like of course, why didn't I think of that? Even though a lot of things are answered and seem to be wrapped up, there are still things left unknown that I can't wait to find out!
There is a quote in the book I love that I think we should all keep in mind and listen to.......
"Resentment can be a living breathing thing. You can feed it with bitterness and envy and allow it to grow. Or you can starve it and allow all the negativity to die. It's your choice."
May 1, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked pretty close to the beginning of the story. The story was a little different, it was more sci-fi without the outer space. It took place under water.
This story starts off with one of a set of twins out in the wilderness trying to stay alive. The earth is basically over. A lot of stuff has died and there isn't much left for the civilization. Animals have started turning on people and the earth is dying. Lysandra is trying to stay alive with her friend Phoebe since they were separated from her family. Phoebe dies of starvation and was really weak. All of a sudden her body gets pulled into a river and Lysandra decides to jump in after her even if it means she will die. When Lysandra breathes in deeply and feels her lungs fill with water she doesn't die. She can actually breathe. It turns out that she is one part of the legendary twins that will save the earth. After this is realized and she is now a part of the kingdom under water she searches for her twin sister and her family. Together they are supposed to fulfill the prophecy.
A lot happens in this story and pretty much keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was really good and I couldn't put it down. I wasn't happy with the ending though. It is kind of a cliffhanger and I didn't want to stop reading.
This story starts off with one of a set of twins out in the wilderness trying to stay alive. The earth is basically over. A lot of stuff has died and there isn't much left for the civilization. Animals have started turning on people and the earth is dying. Lysandra is trying to stay alive with her friend Phoebe since they were separated from her family. Phoebe dies of starvation and was really weak. All of a sudden her body gets pulled into a river and Lysandra decides to jump in after her even if it means she will die. When Lysandra breathes in deeply and feels her lungs fill with water she doesn't die. She can actually breathe. It turns out that she is one part of the legendary twins that will save the earth. After this is realized and she is now a part of the kingdom under water she searches for her twin sister and her family. Together they are supposed to fulfill the prophecy.
A lot happens in this story and pretty much keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was really good and I couldn't put it down. I wasn't happy with the ending though. It is kind of a cliffhanger and I didn't want to stop reading.
April 30, 2015
Lysandra is trying to survive in an unknown world after being separated from her loved ones and thinking that they may be dead. The only survivor with her is her best friend, Phoebe, who is not fairing well. Lysandra has no idea as to what is to come but tries her best to hold on and survive in this post-apocalyptic world.
The world that Senayda creates is dismal and invokes the feelings of despair, grief, and desolation in the reader and yet manages to capture your attention and have you wanting more.
As I began reading, I was unsure as where this story was going, but even with the few mentions of water, I wasn't expecting an underground world beneath the water.
This underwater world captivated me and made me want more. Unlike anything I have ever read, I was not sure how I would like this book, but in the end it truly mesmerized me.
I gladly give this book 4 stars and look forward for more from this author.
The world that Senayda creates is dismal and invokes the feelings of despair, grief, and desolation in the reader and yet manages to capture your attention and have you wanting more.
As I began reading, I was unsure as where this story was going, but even with the few mentions of water, I wasn't expecting an underground world beneath the water.
This underwater world captivated me and made me want more. Unlike anything I have ever read, I was not sure how I would like this book, but in the end it truly mesmerized me.
I gladly give this book 4 stars and look forward for more from this author.
June 29, 2015
Thoughts: Willfully Compelled was a bit of an odd read for me, but it definitely stood out with its originality. I can honestly say that I have never read anything quite like it! The story brings us a post-apocalyptic world in which everything is barren and empty and everyone is out for their own survival. – including Lysandra who becomes separated from the rest of her family. Other events occur, resulting in Lysandra discovering that she can somehow breathe underwater! A whole new world opens up….one that has a prophecy that seems to pertain to her and her twin sister. If they are the twins the prophecy speaks of, then they may be just the ones to save the world….
I loved the originality of this book. It was enough to keep you guessing – and definitely enough to keep you flipping the pages to see what happens next. I also enjoyed the explanations that the author offered up…not just in regards to the prophecy and/or the saving of the world, but also the evolution of this new species and how it ties in with the human world. The cons? For me, I honestly did not like Lysandra’s twin, Leondra. She was very immature, selfish, and just annoying for the most part. I could put up with her, but I found her the far more dislikeable twin of the two. She has an unwarranted resentment toward Lysandra that was just crazy! If it wasn’t for the amazing likeability of the other characters then she quite possibly could have ruined the book for me. Additionally, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of time stuck on people’s…..(clears throat)….private areas. While a lot of it is warranted (explaining the differences between the two species, particularly as it pertains to mating, etc.) Some of it was a bit excessive though….at least in my opinion. This new species is also not monogamous, and the twins aren’t expected to be either – but the chemistry between some of the characters bothered me. For example, Lysandra and the King. Not to mention the attitudes – I can’t really see Leondra being okay with a lot of things in this new world, particularly the those pertaining to sex.
The ending may also bother some readers, since it leaves a lot of things unanswered in a very obvious build-up for book two.
Overall, I found it to be a very good, very enjoyable read – and I can’t wait to read the next one and see how events unfold!
Rate: B+
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
I loved the originality of this book. It was enough to keep you guessing – and definitely enough to keep you flipping the pages to see what happens next. I also enjoyed the explanations that the author offered up…not just in regards to the prophecy and/or the saving of the world, but also the evolution of this new species and how it ties in with the human world. The cons? For me, I honestly did not like Lysandra’s twin, Leondra. She was very immature, selfish, and just annoying for the most part. I could put up with her, but I found her the far more dislikeable twin of the two. She has an unwarranted resentment toward Lysandra that was just crazy! If it wasn’t for the amazing likeability of the other characters then she quite possibly could have ruined the book for me. Additionally, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of time stuck on people’s…..(clears throat)….private areas. While a lot of it is warranted (explaining the differences between the two species, particularly as it pertains to mating, etc.) Some of it was a bit excessive though….at least in my opinion. This new species is also not monogamous, and the twins aren’t expected to be either – but the chemistry between some of the characters bothered me. For example, Lysandra and the King. Not to mention the attitudes – I can’t really see Leondra being okay with a lot of things in this new world, particularly the those pertaining to sex.
The ending may also bother some readers, since it leaves a lot of things unanswered in a very obvious build-up for book two.
Overall, I found it to be a very good, very enjoyable read – and I can’t wait to read the next one and see how events unfold!
Rate: B+
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
May 5, 2015
Living in a desolate world, barely surviving living with little hope left. This book starts out in the worst possible conditions of the earth, struggling to survive. I had no idea how this was going to play out with such a dramatic entrance.
Lysandra had her best friend. That's it. She lost her family, her boyfriend... everything. Now search for a bit of salvation and food and water, she is does the unthinkable. She will not let the water creatures take her friend. Phoebe is all she has left in this world.
But we quickly discover this isn't the only world that exists. There is a whole new world waiting for her, it just happens to be underwater and the knowledge she gains in this experience is powerful and empowering. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, but it is the melody inside that will change the course of things, people, animals... everything.
When I started this book, I was apprehensive. I thought I am not sure if I can do this with the talk of underwater creatures and so much death and desolation. This book just starts with a punch and there is no turning back. I read it straight through and I was immersed in a who new world. A new kind of adventure. This is not a book I would pick up normally, but once I started reading it, I couldn't get enough. I had to know how these two worlds tied together and if there was indeed a salvation for this planet in peril.
It is a great read, completely unexpected and worth each minute of darkness to see the light again.
Lysandra had her best friend. That's it. She lost her family, her boyfriend... everything. Now search for a bit of salvation and food and water, she is does the unthinkable. She will not let the water creatures take her friend. Phoebe is all she has left in this world.
But we quickly discover this isn't the only world that exists. There is a whole new world waiting for her, it just happens to be underwater and the knowledge she gains in this experience is powerful and empowering. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, but it is the melody inside that will change the course of things, people, animals... everything.
When I started this book, I was apprehensive. I thought I am not sure if I can do this with the talk of underwater creatures and so much death and desolation. This book just starts with a punch and there is no turning back. I read it straight through and I was immersed in a who new world. A new kind of adventure. This is not a book I would pick up normally, but once I started reading it, I couldn't get enough. I had to know how these two worlds tied together and if there was indeed a salvation for this planet in peril.
It is a great read, completely unexpected and worth each minute of darkness to see the light again.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews