What do you think?
Rate this book
Embracing Destiny
In 1890, five year old Randa Brewster was snatched from the loving arms of her Seminole mother by a father who, when he could not sell her to a workhouse, left her in the care of her prominent grandfather in Philadelphia. Life for Randa in the Brewster household was hard because of an uppity aunt and a pair of cousins who considered the young girl beneath their standing. They labeled her the shame of the elite black Brewster family, a dark mark on the good Brewster name, and made her life miserable because of it. Unwanted and unloved in a house filled with strangers, things looked bleak for Randa, but her circumstances took a sudden and dramatic change when her grandfather was made aware of her plight. Vowing to her that things would be different from here on out, her grandfather took a shy, introverted little girl under his wing and over time molded her into a strong, intelligent young woman. After the death of her beloved grandfather, the now wealthy Randa, thanks to a deathbed blessing, moved to Tullahassee, Oklahoma with the desire to locate the mother she was taken away from, but what she found instead was a life she never imagined she would ever have.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2015
29 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 14, 2017
Love historical romance and the history of out people. This book remindes me of the blessing series by Beverly Jenkins, also about freededmen and native americans. Love the two main charaters. I know you can give us another story from them or other characters in the town.
Love historical romances, and espically when it involves us. I appreciated how she researched and kept it close to history while weaving the fiction in it. Love the main characters and how Randa came into her own self awareness. Of corse Sutton is all that. I am looking forward to more stories like this. This story remindes me of the blessing series by Beverly Jenkins.
Love historical romances, and espically when it involves us. I appreciated how she researched and kept it close to history while weaving the fiction in it. Love the main characters and how Randa came into her own self awareness. Of corse Sutton is all that. I am looking forward to more stories like this. This story remindes me of the blessing series by Beverly Jenkins.
July 29, 2019
Destiny of love!!
Oh what a story! Plus history lesson as well! I cried n laugh and got angry... but the ending was beautiful! Im happy finally for Thomas who finally got enough courage to leave that witch of a wife Vesta, and found happiness! Randa and Sutton their bantering and love- hate relationship was priceless!
Oh what a story! Plus history lesson as well! I cried n laugh and got angry... but the ending was beautiful! Im happy finally for Thomas who finally got enough courage to leave that witch of a wife Vesta, and found happiness! Randa and Sutton their bantering and love- hate relationship was priceless!
April 29, 2022
Powerful and Exciting
Ms. Lee does it again. This is an exciting story with romance, love, thrill and intrigue. I always learn so much about history involving African Americans and Native Americans from these stories. It had me laughing and crying. So glad there is still passion and it's tactfully done. Please keep writing and I will keep reading.
Ms. Lee does it again. This is an exciting story with romance, love, thrill and intrigue. I always learn so much about history involving African Americans and Native Americans from these stories. It had me laughing and crying. So glad there is still passion and it's tactfully done. Please keep writing and I will keep reading.
November 27, 2023
Such a wonderful story…
Such a wonderful story! I felt like a resident of this all black town. The author did a amazing job describing this town and its residents. I could visualize the town and residents as I read the story. I enjoyed the history between blacks and the American indigenous people.
Such a wonderful story! I felt like a resident of this all black town. The author did a amazing job describing this town and its residents. I could visualize the town and residents as I read the story. I enjoyed the history between blacks and the American indigenous people.
August 21, 2017
Excellent
These two people reminded me of a book I read many time by Beverly Jenkins titled Topaz i enjoyed the information you found as well. In fact, the information on Tallahassee is priceless. Keep writing and will keep reading.
These two people reminded me of a book I read many time by Beverly Jenkins titled Topaz i enjoyed the information you found as well. In fact, the information on Tallahassee is priceless. Keep writing and will keep reading.
March 3, 2023
I almost didn't read it.? WOW
Randa was stolen and mistreated almost her life but moving to Oklahoma changed her . Love the town and its people. Her grandfather would have been proud
Randa was stolen and mistreated almost her life but moving to Oklahoma changed her . Love the town and its people. Her grandfather would have been proud
May 1, 2024
Excellent - Did not disappoint
Vivian Rose Lee has done it again. This book was entertaining as well as informative. The way she wove the history of African and Native Americans into the romance of Randa and Sutton was superb. Highly recommend this book.
Vivian Rose Lee has done it again. This book was entertaining as well as informative. The way she wove the history of African and Native Americans into the romance of Randa and Sutton was superb. Highly recommend this book.
January 31, 2018
I loved this book and I hope there's more to.come.from this story
April 22, 2019
Great Romance...
Huge history buff, it was a great read involving blacks and Seminoles in Philadelphia and Oklahoma. I loved the instant Love that sparked between Randa and Sutton.
Huge history buff, it was a great read involving blacks and Seminoles in Philadelphia and Oklahoma. I loved the instant Love that sparked between Randa and Sutton.
August 25, 2019
Sutton and Randa
I love anything Vivian writes.This book alil different but good none the less.it wasn't as spicy as the other books but a good read.
I love anything Vivian writes.This book alil different but good none the less.it wasn't as spicy as the other books but a good read.
June 19, 2021
Wonderful Read
This story had me sad angry, hopeful and laughing. I couldn't stop reading. You could feel the fire between Randa and Sutton scorching you through the pages.
This story had me sad angry, hopeful and laughing. I couldn't stop reading. You could feel the fire between Randa and Sutton scorching you through the pages.
August 25, 2023
It's a story of how it began, and I love it.
January 21, 2024
Nice Change- African American and Native people out West. We do have a story that can be told. Yes!
Nothing like a story based around the West
Nothing like a story based around the West
August 19, 2019
Embracing Destiny by Vivian Rose Lee is an engagingly immersing novel that holds you right there and reading! It pulls on the emotions and fills the heart. In this journey, we witness Randa and her growth to be a feisty, loving, caring, determined and strong willed woman. Through many things that would have crushed most, she rose and stood solid and directed.
Vivian Rose Lee penned a novel that is chucked full of colorful characters that are so engaging and even angering. At times I wished I was there to partake in whatever action was occurring at the moment. Thank you for such a wonderful tale. Looking forward to reading more by her.
Vivian Rose Lee penned a novel that is chucked full of colorful characters that are so engaging and even angering. At times I wished I was there to partake in whatever action was occurring at the moment. Thank you for such a wonderful tale. Looking forward to reading more by her.
June 27, 2015
I loved the plot and the storyline but there were some things that bothered me to the point I had to lower my rating to reflect that the finished product was just "okay" for me.
The story is based on an African American/Seminole woman and an African American/Seminole man in an all black town in Oklahoma. The story is historical and takes place in the early 1900s. Protagonists are Randa and Sutter. She (Randa) is the illegitimate daughter of a man in a wealthy Philadelphia famiky. Upon the death of her grandfather she becomes the heir to the family fortune. He (Sutter) is an educated man who, while trained as a lawyer, spends most of his time tracking and scouting for the government. We are told that he is well off but we never learn where his money comes from.
Randa is delivered to her father's family when she is five years old. As a young child who speaks no English (she only speaks her mother's native Seminole language) she is totally dependent upon her family. So who is this family? Her father, a man who she doesn't know, who leaves her at his father's house and takes off. Her grandfather, who initially leaves her care to his daughter-in-law. Her Aunt, the daughter-in-law assigned to care for her, who begins to mistreat and abuse her while treating her as a slave while her husband (Randa's uncle - her father's brother) watches and does nothing because his gold digging wife also runs over him. Lastly, in following with the Cinderella theme, we have her two female cousins who follow their mother in tormenting Randa.
Eventually the grandfather becomes aware of the treatment Randa is facing and takes over her care and upbringing. They become extremely close and when he dies he leaves the majority of the family fortune to her. Problem? Since when do fictional money hungry bullies ever let a penny get away let alone a half of a million dollars in the early 1900s? You guessed it... they don't. She runs, they chase, it's on.
Sounds good... doesn't it? I thought so. Here's where it fell flat for me. This book needs an editor. We're all human. I get it so I can read through some spelling errors or grammatical snafus where you chose the wrong word but when it begins to become so distracting that it takes me away from the story we have a problem. This story took it there for me.
Another issue is that there were times when the author lapsed into history lessons, I know there's a fine line you walk when you're writing a fictional story about a factual place that's steeped in history but the reality is that you have to walk it. The story would be moving along and then suddenly fall off into wording that made me feel as if it was straight from a high school history book. While the information was interesting most times it wasn't even necessary for the story. If it would have blended into the story smoothly I would have probably been less frustrated.
Lastly, and most importantly to me, there were times when it felt like the author either forgot her own book or changed her mind on the direction she was going to take. If your character says in one breath that they are not going to do something then 5 pages later you put up half of the exact same conversation and he happily agrees then I have a problem. If the author can't remember what the characters say and/or do why should I?
Overall I was extremely disappointed. This had the potential to be a really good book but it just missed the mark. The author did leave a blurb at the end saying that she started this book years ago then found it, picked it back up and finished it. Maybe that's the problem but it doesn't change the issues.
Recommend? No. Not this one.
The story is based on an African American/Seminole woman and an African American/Seminole man in an all black town in Oklahoma. The story is historical and takes place in the early 1900s. Protagonists are Randa and Sutter. She (Randa) is the illegitimate daughter of a man in a wealthy Philadelphia famiky. Upon the death of her grandfather she becomes the heir to the family fortune. He (Sutter) is an educated man who, while trained as a lawyer, spends most of his time tracking and scouting for the government. We are told that he is well off but we never learn where his money comes from.
Randa is delivered to her father's family when she is five years old. As a young child who speaks no English (she only speaks her mother's native Seminole language) she is totally dependent upon her family. So who is this family? Her father, a man who she doesn't know, who leaves her at his father's house and takes off. Her grandfather, who initially leaves her care to his daughter-in-law. Her Aunt, the daughter-in-law assigned to care for her, who begins to mistreat and abuse her while treating her as a slave while her husband (Randa's uncle - her father's brother) watches and does nothing because his gold digging wife also runs over him. Lastly, in following with the Cinderella theme, we have her two female cousins who follow their mother in tormenting Randa.
Eventually the grandfather becomes aware of the treatment Randa is facing and takes over her care and upbringing. They become extremely close and when he dies he leaves the majority of the family fortune to her. Problem? Since when do fictional money hungry bullies ever let a penny get away let alone a half of a million dollars in the early 1900s? You guessed it... they don't. She runs, they chase, it's on.
Sounds good... doesn't it? I thought so. Here's where it fell flat for me. This book needs an editor. We're all human. I get it so I can read through some spelling errors or grammatical snafus where you chose the wrong word but when it begins to become so distracting that it takes me away from the story we have a problem. This story took it there for me.
Another issue is that there were times when the author lapsed into history lessons, I know there's a fine line you walk when you're writing a fictional story about a factual place that's steeped in history but the reality is that you have to walk it. The story would be moving along and then suddenly fall off into wording that made me feel as if it was straight from a high school history book. While the information was interesting most times it wasn't even necessary for the story. If it would have blended into the story smoothly I would have probably been less frustrated.
Lastly, and most importantly to me, there were times when it felt like the author either forgot her own book or changed her mind on the direction she was going to take. If your character says in one breath that they are not going to do something then 5 pages later you put up half of the exact same conversation and he happily agrees then I have a problem. If the author can't remember what the characters say and/or do why should I?
Overall I was extremely disappointed. This had the potential to be a really good book but it just missed the mark. The author did leave a blurb at the end saying that she started this book years ago then found it, picked it back up and finished it. Maybe that's the problem but it doesn't change the issues.
Recommend? No. Not this one.
June 28, 2015
Hated for it to end
Ms Lee has the best story ideas. Always filled with love and drama. Embracing Destiny is no different. She, however, still needs a good editor or proofreader. The grammatical errors can be somewhat overlooked because the story is so interesting. Feisty Randa and stubborn Sutton were made for each other. A great cast of good and evil secondary characters rounds out the tale. Interesting history lessons too. I hope to read Robert's story. Miss Lee please get a proofer.
Ms Lee has the best story ideas. Always filled with love and drama. Embracing Destiny is no different. She, however, still needs a good editor or proofreader. The grammatical errors can be somewhat overlooked because the story is so interesting. Feisty Randa and stubborn Sutton were made for each other. A great cast of good and evil secondary characters rounds out the tale. Interesting history lessons too. I hope to read Robert's story. Miss Lee please get a proofer.
November 12, 2015
“Embracing Destiny” had been one of my books to read for six months. When I started reading it I became intrigue of how the charters came to life for me. The story kept me turning pages I couldn’t put it down. The story takes place in the nineteenth century but the flow of the story was not you’re typical 1989 flow that I was accustom to. I fell in love with Sutton and Randa back and forth reveries. Reading how a docile Randa developed into a strong no nonsense woman was the height of the story for me, Great book a must read you will not want to put it down.
June 7, 2015
A must read!
I have enjoyed every book written by Me. Lee and this one was no different. I finished it in 4 hrs I could not put my kindle down, to the point at every red light I stopped and read. I can't wait for the next release from Me. Lee hopefully it's a book from the Heart Series
I have enjoyed every book written by Me. Lee and this one was no different. I finished it in 4 hrs I could not put my kindle down, to the point at every red light I stopped and read. I can't wait for the next release from Me. Lee hopefully it's a book from the Heart Series
January 22, 2018
Outstanding
Once again this author did not disappoint. Her ability to educate and entertain is refreshing. I wait in great anticipation for any and all books she writes . Her ability to tell a story in any genre is remarkable. All of the characters she develops are fascinating and captivating. Her books hold the reader hostage to the very end.
Once again this author did not disappoint. Her ability to educate and entertain is refreshing. I wait in great anticipation for any and all books she writes . Her ability to tell a story in any genre is remarkable. All of the characters she develops are fascinating and captivating. Her books hold the reader hostage to the very end.
June 25, 2015
Good Love Story
I loved the story line. It kept me interested and couldn't wait to pick it up. I only wish the editors had caught the grammatical errors. It's an excellent love story.
I loved the story line. It kept me interested and couldn't wait to pick it up. I only wish the editors had caught the grammatical errors. It's an excellent love story.
July 27, 2015
Embracing Destiny
What a wonderful story I felt like I was part of the family I hope that there's another one enjoyed it.
What a wonderful story I felt like I was part of the family I hope that there's another one enjoyed it.
October 25, 2015
WOW Read!!!!
What a great book, I could not stop reading. This was a really well written book. You feel for the characters. I hope this author has more books like this.
What a great book, I could not stop reading. This was a really well written book. You feel for the characters. I hope this author has more books like this.
May 25, 2021
Loved the history lesson. Great story .
April 19, 2017
Different but good
Hope this is o be of several black/native American historical romance books from "Vivi". I enjoyed it thoroughly as it made me think of one of my favorite authors, Beverly Jenkins. I so much enjoyed the Howard family series and was sceptical about such a different setting; however, the transition was so smooth that I was happily surprised.
My only question is when is the next in the black/Seminole series?
Hope this is o be of several black/native American historical romance books from "Vivi". I enjoyed it thoroughly as it made me think of one of my favorite authors, Beverly Jenkins. I so much enjoyed the Howard family series and was sceptical about such a different setting; however, the transition was so smooth that I was happily surprised.
My only question is when is the next in the black/Seminole series?
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews