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Finding Destiny (Sons of Destiny #9)

by Jean Johnson (Goodreads Author)

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 · rating details · 149 ratings · 19 reviews

Four brand-new novellas, from the national bestselling author of the Sons of Destiny series.

The slave...Chanson, a privileged Arbran dyara, discovers an unexpected connection with the excitingly different Eduor, a bracingly sexy war-slave who desires his freedom.

The knight...The Arbran diplomat Sir Zeilas must turn the Guildaran people from former enemies into allies. But...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by Berkley Trade (first published November 11th 2010)

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Jul 29, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, berkley, paranormal

I very much have enjoyed reading the series that originated this anthology so was very excited to hear about this book. I read a good clip about the stories on her website:

It holds four stories, all set in the Sons of Destiny universe, each one a different flavor: village life, steampunk, palace life, and pirates. Each tale leads to the next, with each one set in a new kingdom, so you'll get the chance to explore new corners of their world with familiar faces...starting with the tale of what ha...more

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Jan 02, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Finding Destiny by Jean Johnson
Paranormal Romance –Jan 4th, 2011
4 stars

Finding Destiny is a collection of 4 short novellas set in a magical world that’s made up of various nations which focus on stories set in: Sundara (the desert), Guildara (the hi-tech), Aurul (the most prosperous), and Jenodan Isles (the seafaring).

Sundara - In the first novel, a Mandarite nobleman turned slave, Eduor has arrived at Sundara, ready to begin a new life as freed man. When he meets the graceful priestess/dyara, C...more

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Jul 15, 2011 WillowBe rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ye-olde-swords-sandals, love-friendship-and-duty

This book is a series of 4 novellas. The first is most notable for the object of desire being an identifiably African woman. Her eager swain is all blonde-haired and blue-eyed with a past of sexual abuse at the hands of women. If you like IR, and I do, and you're a sucker for the damaged- but-needing-the-love-of-a-good-woman-to-to heal type male, as I am, then this gentle romance ith "mildly graphic" sex- is for you. I mean, it's not graphic to me (look at my tags!), but I guess it's a 6 on the...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-romance, sensuous, wizard-witch

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4 stories of the lands populated by the Sons of Destiny - the 4 sets of twins.

The first is in the country of Sundara, a desert land... Eduor was a noble of Mandara, where men ruled and women were slaves. (they never explained daughters, hmmmm ). The women servants greeted the men on their knees, prepared to suck their penises - at their majority, they took concubines, who had no choice in the mattter. Eduor was well educated, knew many languages, and he did not abuse, and found pleasure in the w...more 4 stories of the lands populated by the Sons of Destiny - the 4 sets of twins.

The first is in the country of Sundara, a desert land... Eduor was a noble of Mandara, where men ruled and women were slaves. (they never explained daughters, hmmmm ). The women servants greeted the men on their knees, prepared to suck their penises - at their majority, they took concubines, who had no choice in the mattter. Eduor was well educated, knew many languages, and he did not abuse, and found pleasure in the women's pleasure, but he did not question the order of things. And Eduor's family were sent to fight in the war against Natallia, where women ruled and men were slaves. Eduor was captured, forced into slavery. His first master beat the slaves. Then he was sold to an older woman, a merchant, for his language skills. She did not beat him, but withheld food and water if he did not use his tongue (which is very long) to pleasure her and her neice. On a merchant caravan trip through Sundara, his master dies, and he is free (the law of the land where it happened.

An Arbron knight, Sir Zeilas, assists him... taking him to the nearest town, buying him a set of clothes, teaching him to plow. at Oba's Well, Eduor meets the dyara Chanson. Her only magic is over the water, the rain, channeling it into cisterns. Eduor takes over the farm of one of the men who left to defend another village, and uses his learning to teach the young and to write letters for the illiterate.

and Eduor and Chanson get close - when injured, and in the bath, Eduor tells her of his youth and his hated years as a sex slave, and the actions he could not tolerate (her kneeling before him, being told what to do). And as they get closer, she is mindful of him, and makes sure to ask, to make sure that he wants the touches she gives, and to communicate what she wants but to accept no. And they fall in love, and he finds he wants to pleasure her with his tongue, that it is beautiful with her.

Then we follow Sir Zeilas to Guildara, in the northern country - mountains, cold, machines/technology. Guildara is a new country, formed at the fall of Mekhana with its false gods and tortures, supression of magic and freedoms. They are based on guilds, free enterprise, voting, and a new deity. they only want peace, are seeking treaties with their neighbors, and preparing a defense against a section north bent on conquoring them. Marta is Consul-in-Chief, voted in by the guilds, sanctioned by their goddess Guildra, for a five year term. They quickly agree that duty takes first place, but that they would find time to get to know eachother personally... and zeilas finds pleasure in bringing forth her smiles and her laughter, something she has little of otherwise

In the spring, the north attacks - they are prepared with their war machines (interesting crosses of our tanks, cannons, horses with twists), and with magic, and with Sir Zeilas... but when Sir Zeilas falls under one of the north's war machines, Marta thinks he is dead... and then through a portal come 30 knights from Aurul, who turn the tide and help capture the north leader. Aurul has a prophecy which calls for marta's aide., Gabria, to go to them as an emissary, and hence why they have sent the knights in their time of need.

And Zeilas' horse protected him, and they lift the machine with magic... and Zeilas and Marta announce a marriage. Their first night together is enhanced with a crankman - essentially a windup, metal vibrator. Cute.

Then we follow Gabria to Aurul, to Seer King Devin. As Seer, their god Ruul inhabits his body (his eyes turn gold) to make prophecy, to bless individuals, to hear cases, to run the government. Ruul has chosen Gabria to be Devin's mate, and the 'vessel' of the next seer king. Gabria takes all in stride, knowing that her people need this alliance, but she is fearful of Ruul, fear based on their false god, who took the life of her father and had her family living in hiding and in fear for many years. Gabria and Devin have a week to themselves - 3 days to get to know one another, 3 days of sex, and 1 day of celebration. And Ruul chose well in her - they get along, her point of view is good for his role, and there is attraction. She asserts herself as needed, and insists on her way in the privacy of their quarters, more compliant in the 'public' eye. She is a virgin, though she well used her crankman, remembering friends and maids telling how often men want sex, and thinking she did 4 times a week, and men wanted more? Devin is a wonderful lover, and hopeful that one day she will want to have sex with him when Ruul is there... which she does at after 4 months, when she feels love for Devin (and vice versa), is pregnant, and no longer fearful of Ruul. hmmmm

and the Aurulian Captain of the Guard, Ellett, is sent by Ruul to use a gentle touch to stop the pirates of the Jenodan Isles. Their raids on Aurulian merchants has increased. He will find his destiny on the Pirate's Ride. Mita is the pirate captain and mage. She pits herself against Ellett, and when in mage combat, of power against power, he distracts and wins her with a light kiss. Trust begins, they bed one another, and fall in love. She is strong in body, magic and mind, and very attractive to Ellet. And as they talk, they determine that a con man is on their island, representing himself to be of Auru and imposing taxes and conflict there. the con man is of a 3rd country, and together they bring to light his lies, and bring peace. And then Mita is made emmisary to the Auru, and she ane Ellett can marry. (less)

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Mar 20, 2011 Tamara rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't know that I would call this book 9 of the sons of destiny as it doesn't take place on Nightfall island and Nightfall is only mentioned in passing, but the stories were wonderful as always. While I find Jean a little long winded in the discriptive department. (I am more interested in the characters than the decor) I skim those parts and consentrate on the stories. i LOVED HOW THE BOOK PROGRESSED WITH ONE CHARACTER FROM EACH STORY MOVING FORWARD TO HAVE THEIR OWN STORY. Y ONLY COMPLAINT IS...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasyromance, anthology

posted over at alternative read

I have not read the Sons of Destiny series but from what I can figure out that is not necessary and neither are they mentioned here. Those 8 books about 8 brothers take place on an Island only briefly mentioned on this book since they make chocolate there. Instead this anthology is about 4 kingdoms and 4 couples falling in love.

The Slave is about Eduor who used to be a nobleman in a country were women were only there to please men. But he ended up a sex slave in an...more posted over at alternative read

I have not read the Sons of Destiny series but from what I can figure out that is not necessary and neither are they mentioned here. Those 8 books about 8 brothers take place on an Island only briefly mentioned on this book since they make chocolate there. Instead this anthology is about 4 kingdoms and 4 couples falling in love.

The Slave is about Eduor who used to be a nobleman in a country were women were only there to please men. But he ended up a sex slave in another country and is now damaged. But in the desert kingdom of Sundara he starts a new life as a farmer and falls in love. This story was my favorite as he had his problems with the past and she was so kind and sweet. It is a nice love story about how love can heal. Though I must mention that when I read her name, Chanson, I thought she was a guy.

The Knight was my least favorite story. I do not know what made it so, perhaps it was that the country was so high-tech with motor horses and electric dildos. In it we meet Sir Zeilas who we already met in Eduor’s story. Zeilas is a diplomat who is sent to the new country of Guildara to build a relationship. There he falls for their leader. But I just felt something was missing, perhaps chemistry, perhaps it was the technology like I said. Because of they were that advanced then it should spread and nothing would be left of this old world.

The Mage is about Gabria, who we again met in the previous story since she is sent to another kingdom as an envoy. This story was better again but I do wish I could tell you about the freakiness of her love story but that would spoil it. Personally I thought one thing was rather gross, but it would not have been gross if it hadn’t happened before. Oh yes I am cryptic but you will see. Still it was a nice story about getting to know someone and making a new life.

The Pirate is about Captain Ellet who is sent to the Jenodan Isles to take care of a pirate problem but falls for the pirate instead. Nothing wrong with a bit of pirate loving and there is also another story in it since they are trying to figure out what is wrong on Jenodan. Someone is causing trouble.

All in all a nice enough book about an interesting world. I would certainly like to read about Sundara and Aurul again. And like always, some stories better than other ones.(less)

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Aug 23, 2011 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: purchased, erotica, magic, paranormal-romance

My mind loves threads. Threads that tie one thing to another for a whole picture. Ms. Johnson did a great job with this anthology like book. I enjoyed the Sons of Destiny series. This 9th one was a great return.

The Slave
This one started out slow for me. Still, I enjoyed it because I like the stories where a person works hard and is rewarded for his efforts. This was a sweet story which introduced my favourite character, Sir Zeilas.

The Knight
Sir Zeilas is the sweetest man. I liked everything abou...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Mollie *scoutrmom* rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of fantasy romance

Shelves: fantasy, romance, read-in-2011

This collection of four novellas is based in the world of Johnson's wonderful Sons of Destiny series, but works well as a stand-alone. It may be read any time after the second book in the series, and the events in this collection do not affect the characters in the series.

I liked that the stories are mostly based on one character's point of view, and that the only insight we are given into the workings of the minds of the other characters is through the dialogue.

There was nothing deep or dramati...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Bobs (Reader Unbound) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read-list, a-bit-disappointing, first-time-i-read-this-author, first-in-series, curiosity-shot-the-reader, i-so-wanted-to-like-this-book, no-great-impression

To be honest I only read the first story. I just could not make myself read the other ones. I was bored out of my mind on page 2. If you ask me I am a hero for actually making it to the end of the story.
I do not even remember the character's names ( well I was never good with names), but I do remember that the man has a strange tongue and the woman was a priestess that was a lot of experience in the passionate affairs. And that just about sums it up.

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Feb 10, 2011 Darcy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

I was disappointed with this book. When I noticed that it was #9 within the Sons of Destiny I was excited to get back to those characters that I had learned to love over the last 8 books. Sadly we saw none of them, and there was only a slight mention of anything Nightfall. What this book encompasses is the same world, with some of the same things in it. I wish it would have said the world of the Son's of Destiny.

This book is made of 4 short stories, where one character from the just finished sto...more

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Mar 09, 2013 gremlin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was an interesting collection of four novellas set in the world of the Sons of Destiny, but otherwise unrelated to that series.

Each novella had a new couple in a new kingdom with a different feel. One of the cool bits is that (except for the first) a side character from the story moves on to become the main character of the next.

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May 19, 2012 Mad about rated it 5 of 5 stars

Collection of short stories all based around the same world as the sons of destinies
The main character from each book is mentioned in the previous so you see a chain of events with new people and places. Each one was compelling and thoroughly enjoyable

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Jan 27, 2011 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: keepers

A group of four related stories - this one is set in the time soon after the Convocation of the Gods in the Brothers books. These stories are more about love and romance than conflict.

And ignore the cover, it's striking but has no bearing on the story.

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Aug 18, 2010 Wlfgrl rated it 5 of 5 stars

oh godd i am going to be picking this up i cannot get wnough of wolfers body and kelly bossyness heyy hope gives it all the teist with her seer powers and i love her gosh i mean this id going to be great

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Aug 20, 2011 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars needed more in the stories.

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Aug 08, 2012 Barbara ★ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-witches-wizards, paranormal-magic, anthologies, zzcover-brown, read-2012, h-h-abused-tortured, pirates, climb-that-mountain-high, series-r-us

I'm not a fan of anthologies and didn't realize this was one when I picked it up. (This just happens to be one of my "must buy" authors.) This is four connected stories set in the lands of the Sons of Destiny world but without any real connection to the first eight books. I could have done without The Slave story as it was just mediocre but the other three were very good and could have been even better had they been longer.

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Feb 02, 2012 Karen Desmond rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've always enjoyed this series. Following a character from one story to the next is a nice touch. My personal favourite was Aurul.

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Feb 04, 2011 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

I loved this collection of stories from the world of the "Sons of Destiny" series.

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May 05, 2011 Zaanodes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-jean-johnson, s-sons-of-destiny, chlng-mt-tbr-2011, dtb

I really like this series.

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May 23, 2013 Kim Vandeusen rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 21, 2013 Hina marked it as to-read

May 21, 2013 Allanna marked it as to-read

May 21, 2013 Dinna Ken marked it as to-read

May 20, 2013 Andrea Spykman rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 19, 2013 Coyora Dokusho rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 17, 2013 Patricia Evans rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 15, 2013 Bobbi Essinger marked it as to-read

May 12, 2013 Katrina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-romance

May 12, 2013 Antoinette Miley marked it as to-read

May 10, 2013 Kendra marked it as to-read

Shelves: default, paranormal

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About Jean Johnson

Berkley/Jove Authors Bio

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author, science fiction author

Jean Johnson currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, has played in the SCA for 25 years, sings a lot, and argues with her cat about territorial rights to her office chair. She loves hearing from her readers, and has a distinct sense of humor. Rig...more

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Finding Destiny (Sons of Destiny #9)

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