Destiny Unleashed

Perfect Destinies #4

by Sherryl Woods

Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods released on May 25, 2004 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 25, 2004

About the author

With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."

The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.

Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.

A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.

In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.

When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found this on a free bookshelf in a guesthouse in Chile. There's a reason someone left this one behind! It's cheesy and terrible. Should have known when I quickly discovered the lead character's name was "Destiny."

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destiny Carlton has decided to take on her greatest challenge at the age of 53. She heads to London to become the head of the European Division of Carlton Industries. Her nephew wonders whether Destiny is up to the challenge. What her nephew doesn’t know is that their biggest rival is an old flame of Destiny’s. Will the flame be rekindled or will business and family ties destroy Destiny and William’s love forever?

Sherryl Woods has created some well-developed characters. You can feel the anguish that Destiny feels when she is pulled between an old flame and loyalty to her family. William’s love pours through each page as he tries to convince Destiny (and her nephews that she raised) that their love was meant to be.

The story also takes you back to Destiny’s and William’s time in Provence.

If you enjoy romance novels, “Destiny Unleashed” is definitely a book that should be added to your want to read list.

[Chana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho Hum is about the best I can say about it. The dialogue is uneven, the characters changing moods so quickly that if the story was not so simplistic one could get confused. The words interfere with the story somewhat for example all these synonyms for a verbal answer: retorted, protested, acknowledged, whispered, agreed. Actually she kind of uses these in rotation but protested is the one most frequently used. Makes sense with the story line as Destiny protests her feelings for her old lover William, William protests Destiny's mistrust of him, Richard protests his Aunt Destiny's taking the job in Europe and then spending time with the enemy, the wives protest their husband's unromantic suspicion of their Aunt Destiny's relationship with William etc. Lots of protesting going on here. Also, Destiny "chuckles" a lot. That bothers me. Chuckling, it seems masculine and stilted and just weird. When is the last time you used the word chuckling in conversation, or even in writing?
I thought the book, while not offensive, was a waste of my time.

[Barbara Moyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destiny unleashed

Love the series of books hope there's more to come. Read almost all of her books thank you for your stories

[Maria (Lectumari) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia de reencuentro, de amor maduro, de un amor que ha perdurado durante veinte años, que a pesar del tiempo y de las circunstancias de la vida se ha mantenido vivo, lo malo es que ahora son sus sobrinos los que creen que su tia está cometiendo un error, ya que William es su máximo competidor en los negocios, y su afán de protegerla para que no le hagan daño pueden volverlos a separar.
Mezclada con los recuerdos de su amor de juventud cuando eran jóvenes, libres de responsabilidades y cargas familiares, ahora han madurado, pero cuando están juntos la ilusión los vuelve a abrazar, los envuelve haciendo que nada más importe, conocemos lo que ya habíamos intuido en las anteriores historias, la muerte de su hermano, la crianza de sus sobrinos, ese cambio de vida tan abismal pero que asumió sin mirar atrás, sin arrepentirse aunque eso le costó un corazón roto.
Una historia tierna, dulce, con toques divertidos porque Destiny es mucha Destiny, una mujer de armas tomar, que no se amilana ante nada, que maneja todo con guantes de seda y voluntad de hierro, con la aparición de todos sus sobrinos y sus esposas, que no dudan en dejarlo todo para ayudar a su tia, y Richard que el pobre no sabe que con su estrategia para que su tia vuelva a casa no hace más que ayudar a William a recuperar a su antiguo amor, y eso da lugar a situaciones la mar de divertidas y a algunas que hacen que se te encoja el corazón.
Un broche magistral para una serie que me ha encantado desde el primer libro, historias todas ellas sencillas, entretenidas, que te dejan un dulce sabor al acabarlas.👏👏

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving up a love she had treasured with all her heart, Destiny left William in Provence to raise her three nephews after their parents were killed in a plane crash. Now twenty years later, they are reunited as business adversaries.

I love the way in which Sherryl references their memories of the past to give the reader a clear picture of their past love and why they never got over each other. Destiny is one tough lady, in business and in family, with a heart of gold. She made perfect matches for her three nephews and now she finally gets her HEA! I enjoyed the series very, very much. I say, you go, girl!!! 😊

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I was looking for a romance story, something easy to read, not to involved, with a decent story line, and this is what I picked. I guess, it fit the profile. Two people turned their backs on love, one to take care of her now orphaned nephews and one to reconcile with his family. Now 20 years later they've connected again and the old flame still seems to be burning. She has some family obstacles to overcome so she can have both her family and the love of her life. A decent read. 

[Natalie Mazzini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this whole series and I’m glad Destiny got her happy ending, but I felt as though this story just dragged on. I felt as though the book could have been wrapped up sooner, and Richard’s unwillingness to budge and approve of Destiny’s relationship was redundant and annoying. While I’m glad I read it and finished the series, I do think this book was my least favorite of the four and therefore slightly disappointment.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading Sherryl Woods Destination Paradise series and fell in love with Destiny and her three nephews, Richard, Mack and Ben. Destiney raised her nephews after their parents were killed in a plane crash. The boys are now grown and Destiny sets out to find the perfect wives for them. Then she heads to London, where she meets up with her old flame. This is a fun series to read.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Excellent read. One of Sherryl Woods best books, and I've read most of them.
Has love, business and family all at the centre of a great plot

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book of the series, it is now Destiny's turn to live after she made matches for her three nephews by taking over the company's Europe division steers her to an old love.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and charming end to this series. But maybe in a few years, with a new generation being born, Aunt Destiny could come for a visit and stir things up....please....

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun romance

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the story sounded familiar...I read it in September of 2016...oh well I guess they all sort of blend together after awhile.

[F · Rating 2 out of 5]

I completed the book but found the two main characters' relationship to be a bit taxing to read. I also found the subplot of a mystery leaker of business secrets to be a slow walk as well.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great conclusion to a 4 book series.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely contemporary romance! Destiny and William's story is perfect for those looking for a guaranteed happily ever after.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good wrap-up of a very wholesome love series.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but predictable

[Barbara]

Love Sherryl Woods

I love
Sherryls story lines very personable like you are right there. Everyone. Because she's an amazing author. Love het

[Pamela Rabon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 1st, 2nd and now the 4th. Finally, I found the 3rd. This is a good romance series.

[Gail]

Enjoyed book. A quick read

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in Sherryl Woods Perfect Destinies series. This one is Destiny's story and what a one it is. She left home more than twenty years ago and settled in Provence. There she became an accomplished artist and fell in love with William Harcourt. Then tragedy struck. Her brother and his wife were killed in a small plane crash. They left three little boys now with no parents. Destiny uprooted her whole life leaving William behind and went back to the states to raise these three boys.

She fell in love with the boys as if she were their own mother. Raised them all to be strong willed, accomplished men. She even used her matchmaking skills and found each of them their perfect soul mate. Now that they are grown she feels it is time to take care of herself. From here is where it really takes off. It is a twisting and winding road for her. She thinks she wants a second chance at love but she isn't sure.

If you have read the others in this series you have to read this one. I really enjoyed it and hated to see this series come to an end. Well deserving of all five stars.

[Marcia Haskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry to see this series end

This is the fourth in the series about a family whose members are reluctant to consider getting involved with 'their perfect mate'. This final book involves the woman who changed her life when her son and daughter-in-law die in a plane crash. She left her life in France to take on the role of surrogate mother to her 3 nephews and steered them into marriages with their soul mates.

Now it's her turn to find her way back to her own love over 20 years late. This story presents us with a woman, Destiny, who spent her life raising the 3 boys and bringing them to adulthood, marriage and children. Now it's her turn to learn what she is capable of doing and to decide if William was, and remains, the other side of herself. As she struggles with learning her own capabilities, finding a strong relationship and overcoming the objections of her family Sherryl Woods presents us with portraits of strong people. I liked all the characters in this book and enjoyed watching them come into their own as they struggle to 'have it all'.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book that ends the series of A Perfect Destinies. The question for Destiny Carlton is did her first real love die or it is still alive and well? Living and painting in the South of France, Destiny met and fell head over heels in love with William Harcourt but when tragedy hit her family, she turned and gave up everything for her three nephews who needed her now.

Now the boys are raised and happily married, Destiny realizes that she needs more in her life and her old flame William has provided the perfect outlet, work. It was a gamble but he decided that if he really wanted Destiny back, he needed a plan and attacking her family's company in Europe was just the trick to get Destiny back to London. Great read

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods was the 4th in a series about a woman (aunt) who gave up her art and lover in order to raise her three orphaned nephews. When we meet up with Destiny Carlton in this final installment, she is heading to London in order to trap William Harcourt (her former lover) and stop him from ruining her family's business.

Much of this story is predictable but I like finished series. So, it was a good "listen" and conclusion to the family saga.

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Patricia Solla · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is book 4 and you are saying where's book 3? You have to look back in my book list to find book 3 I read it in November of 2012 and it made me want to read the rest of the series. This is the last book and the story of the aunt herself and what happened so many years ago and what's going on now that's about to reconnect her with the man she was involved with. Turn about is fair play as the nephews (sort of) and their wives (definitely) work to get Aunt Destiny together with her lost love.

[Allison Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destiny Carlton spent 20 years raising her brother's children after he and his wife were killed in a car accident and now at 53 she has decided to run the European office of Carlton industries over in London England. Her one great love, William harcourt has been trying to steal business from them and Destiny sets out to have revenge on him especially since he left her many years ago when she took over the raising of her nephews. However she hasn't reckoned for the passionate sparks that fly when they meet again. A fun read with a little spice to it!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destiny Unleashed is A Perfect Destinies Novel by Sherryl Woods. It is a great book. Unlike many of Sherryl’s other books, it does not deal with family in the same way. Here, the main character, Destiny Carlton, leaves the family home to go to England to run the European side of the business. She becomes estranged from her family over her decision to see a competitor, William Harcourt, outside of business. Why would she risk the business she so carefully cared for when her brother died? She wanted it intact for her nephews and now she is risking it? Why?