Decision and Destiny: A Spellbinding Saga of a Governess, a Family's Dark Secrets, and the Dangerous Power of Love

Colette Trilogy #2

by DeVa Gantt

A spellbinding saga of a remarkable american family . . . The beautiful, frail Colette Duvoisin trusted governess Charmaine Ryan with her worries, her dreams, and the care of her beloved children. But now Colette is gone—leaving her three young ones devastated . . . and the house of Duvoisin in turmoil. To her children's horror, their father, the enigmatic Frederic Duvoisin, weds his mistress and sister-in-law, Agatha, soon after their mother's untimely death. A scheming and dangerous adversary, Agatha has no love for her predecessor's offspring, ruthlessly wielding her newly won power while guarding her own dark secrets. Meanwhile, a rivalry between Colette's stepsons—suave Paul and cynical John—is reignited, drawing battle lines among family, friends, and servants. When Frederic suddenly emerges from his self-imposed isolation, he touches off a struggle for patriarchal supremacy that threatens to lay the entire Duvoisin empire to waste. At the center of the storm is innocent Charmaine, who must come to terms with shattering truths about the family she once believed she knew—and decide who among them deserves her admiration, her derision, her devotion . . . and her heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2009

Reviews

[Diana von Abendsternchens bunte Welt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bei Der Fluss der Erinnerung habe ich leider zu spät fest gestellt das es sich hier um Band 2 einer Trilogie handelt. Dennoch habe ich das Buch gelesen. Ich vermute das mir so einiges an Vorwissen fehlt, gerade auch der Tod von Colette der hier in der Kurzbeschreibung und auch im Buch immer mal Thema ist.

Charmaine arbeitet für die Devoisins als Gouvernante und ist dort für die 9-jährigen Zwillinge Jeanette und Yvette sowie dem 3-jährigen Pierre zuständig.
Die beiden älteren Brüder Paul und John hegen seit jeher einen Konkurrenzkampf. John ist lediglich zu Besuch auf der Insel Charmante. Zunächst hält Charmaine Abstand von John. Er kommt ihr nicht sehr freundlich vor. Er scheint jedoch auch von ihr nicht viel zu halten. Da er sich viel um seine jüngeren Geschwister kümmert, muss auch Charmaine diese Zeit mit ihm verbringen. Gibt es anfangs immer Diskussionen wandeln sich diese später in Gespräche und irgendwie auch leichte Neckereien.

Zu seinem Vater Frederic hat John ebenfalls kein gutes Verhältnis. Hier herrscht nur Abstoßung und Hass. Warum das so ist erfährt man im Laufe der Geschichte. Auch Charmaine kommt langsam hinter dem Familiengeheimnis. Als eines Tages dann auch noch ein tragischer Unfall geschieht und die Situation zwischen Vater und Sohn eskaliert verschwindet John von der Insel.

Ich möchte nicht viel mehr verraten. Auf jeden Fall werde ich mir Band 1 auch noch besorgen um die Geheimnisse und das Verhalten zwischen Vater und Sohn mehr zu verstehen. Leider habe ich gesehen das Band 3 nur als E-Book erschienen ist. Finde ich persönlich schade, da die Trilogie somit nicht vollständig im Regal stehen kann.

Der Schreibstil hat mir hier gefallen. Auch die Ausarbeitung der Charaktere. Charmaine kam so manches Mal naiv herüber, war mir aber ansonsten sehr sympathisch. Die Zwillinge waren auch vom Charakter sehr unterschiedlich. So war ein Mädel mehr draufgängerisch und die andere eher etwas zurückhaltend. Pierre wurde als kleiner aufgeweckter Junge dar gestellt, der seine verstorbene Mutter sehr vermisste.

Auch das Cover hat mich angesprochen. Ich fand die Farbwahl und die Gestaltung sehr ansprechend. Es zeigt auch das das Buch nicht in der heutigen Zeit spielt. Da mir auch der Klappentext zusagte, hatte ich mir dieses Buch gekauft.

[Audrey_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I did like it but some parts had me a little bored. I will say that the end picked up a bit, and I did really enjoy that part of it. About 3/4 of the way through I was crying so you know it was a good part… overall I do recommend this book (start with the first) but I wouldn’t read it if you’re usually a fantasy reader.

[Melina · Rating 4 out of 5]

John oder Paul? Am liebsten keinen von beiden... Und Triggerwarnung: Mal wieder eine Vergewaltigung

[Paula Hess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't realize it was the 2nd in a series
Ok read but historical romance is not my choice of reads.

[Misfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Small spoilers possible if you haven't read the first book***

Book #2 in Gantt's trilogy picks up where A Silent Ocean Away Colette's Dominion left off and continues the story of the Duvoisin family on their island in the West Indies. Widowed patriarch Frederick Duvoisin unexpectedly marries his first wife's sister Agatha, while his estranged son John returns to the island and old resentments are reignited. Charmaine continues on as governess to Frederic's three youngest children helping them with their grief over the death of their mother, while his illegitimate son Paul is still determined to seduce the innocent Charmaine. John's visit enables him to reestablish a loving relationship with his younger siblings, but his bitterness at his father's rejection continues to eat away at his soul, and he takes much of that out on Charmaine whom he assumes to be a wanton seductress.

Will Frederic and John resolve their differences? What secrets does Agatha have and who is the mysterious blackmailer holding them over her head? Which of the two brothers will Charmaine chose? Is it possible that Collette's presence is still in the house guiding the family's fate? A major tragedy eventually strikes the family - will John and his father be able to finally heal the old wounds? Hate to tell you, but there's still one more book in the series and that's not out until later this year so we're all going to have to wait for the answers.

While I found the writing in this volume much improved over the first book, it's still not as tight as I'd have liked to see it. I kept wondering what an author on a scale of Du Maurier could have done with this storyline and taken a good book and made it into something awesome. That said, I did enjoy it and had a hard time putting it down and will be readingForever Waiting Colette's Appeal when it comes out.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story aspect of this book very much. That is the reason I gave it 4 stars. However, I did not enjoy the writing style of this author. I really love books written about this period but the author made little to no attempt at taking the reader back to the 1800's. The language sounded as if I were talking to you today. Fun story though and now I will definitely read the other two books. Reading them out of order is probably not the best way to enjoy the storyline.

[Beth Essex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that this was the second book in a triology when I started it. That said, it was good as a stand alone story. I have since order the 1st and 3rd book and look forward to reading them. The story is set on a fictional island off of Virginia, but not a part of the U.S. in the early 1800's. Charmaine Ryan, a governess to the Duvoisin family is the heroine in this story of horror, mystery, and love.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the trilogy is engrossing read and guilty pleasure as the drama sucks you in. It's all about the drama. There is less tension and suspense, but more resolutions and character development. The book builds up to big reveals, both surprising and blatantly obvious, and sets the stage for more to come in the conclusion.

[Daniece Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immensely enjoyed the 2nd book in this trilogy. There were many mysteries that began to reveal themselves & the reader begins to reach a deeper understanding of each character and their behavior. Though as I read the final page I immediately downloaded book #3 "Forever Waiting" as there are still many unresolved conflicts.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy was cut wrenching with its tragedies. I had to pause many times to catch my breath and wipe away the tears. That said the love story that twist through and ends it ,is well worth reading! I loved them!!

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As tragic and heartbreaking as it is suspenseful and mysterious. I will be counting the day's until the final installment of this trilogy is released later this year.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waiting for the third book...its like watching a movie half way. Ugh.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read---not quite as good as the first book but still worth the read!

[Janel · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://bibliophibian.blogspot.com/200...

[Kathleen]

DeVa Gantt has written a family saga that had me turning pages and staying up late. I just finished the second book and can't wait to begin the final one.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK CLUB BOOK

[Alexis Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. I was looking forward to the next.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Quick read, held my attention and made me want to and actually did...order the whole trilogy! A fun one, nothing serious, but gets your interest and emotions going! :)

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the second in this trilogy
I liked the first one better
and am hoping the third is good. :)

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriging series that takes place on an island called Charmanties.
The family is wealthy and has a ton of secrets. Fun series that wraps up all of the loose ends in the final Book 3 neatly.

[Nancyann0926 Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story! Couldn't wait to read book #3

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Dgoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just really like this series, onward to the next one!!

[Barbara Keune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of a beautiful series enjoying

[Debra Reedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first.