Meeting Destiny

Destiny #1

by Nancy Straight

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Ebooks, Urban Fantasy

291 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2010

About the author

Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband and two children.

She has written ten novels (3 x Paranormal Romance, 4 x Mythological Romance and 3 x Suspenseful Romance). Nancy enjoys reading all types of Paranormal and Young Adult literature.

Reviews

[Megs ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book to review for the Read2Review program in the Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Addicts group. Thanks to the mods and the author for providing this book for us to read.

My feelings for this book are all over the place. The book started off great. From page one we are brought right into the action. Our main character, Lauren, works at a fast food joint, and she has always felt she is able to feel things, and get warnings of danger which can help her prevent bad things from happening. She's also had dreams in which a stranger visits her and claims he is her destiny.

Her love life is non-existent. She's caught in relationship with a friend, Seth, that she has known she was a child, but never really felt sparks with. She soon meets Max, and finally realizes what she has been missing out on all of these years when she feels the chemistry for him.

The story starts out feeling like a romantic drama, and about halfway it feels like a totally new book. The story turns into more of a mystery, and it confused me, because I was no longer sure of what the point of this story was. It seems like Lauren has a hero complex, but are we supposed to really care about her journey to save an innocent guy that she just met? I didn't even really mind reading about this, but it wasn't nearly as thrilling as the beginning or end of the book. This is the reason I am rating the book 3.5 stars, actually. Was the main theme of this story Lauren and Max's romance, their destiny and what they are supposed to be together for, Lauren's need to help everyone out of tough situations?? Meanwhile, also trying to hook up Seth with his chick he's supposed to be with. Then throw in a little murder mystery about a couple that was never even mentioned in the book until their deaths. I don't know it seemed like just too many things to care about in such a quick book.

The story started off so well, and it ended with a bang. It is definitely an ending that makes you want to read the next book asap, but sadly I almost didn't get to the ending. I feel like the story lost focus in the middle somewhere, and it did drag on a bit. Had the story not been such a short, quick read for me I doubt I would have gotten to the ending, and that makes me sad. The ending was amazing.


As far as characters go I really enjoyed both Lauren and Max. Both of them were completely honest, and fun to read about. They both called each other out on things they did wrong which I found refreshing. I am sick of reading about couples that become so obsessed with each other within three seconds and just go along with everything. This is something I think that usually happens much more in the teen stories, though, so I feel like the characters were well written as 20-somethings.

The series has potential that's for sure. I am not sure if I will be purchasing the rest of the series, but I am considering it, which is a good sign.

3.5/5 Stars Paranormal romance, and fantasy lovers alike will probably enjoy this book. It is an entertaining read, and I just hope that if I continue this series the books will be great all the way through. I want to love the whole book as much as I enjoyed the beginning and ending of this book.

By the way, that Dreamscape Covers group did a fantastic job!

[Diana Stormblessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to start by saying that I am so mad at the ending. I mean, I've read cliffhangers before, but rarely do I finish a book with a huge need to start reading the next one RIGHT NOW! I have a billion other books to read, but I still am ready to drop everything to go get the next book. With that said, on to the review....

The book opens with a bang (no pun intended, read the book for clarification). From the very beginning I was drawn into the story. There were a ton of twists and turns, and it was never a dull moment reading this. If I didn't have to work I'm sure I could have finished it in a day. I don't want to summarize the story since you can read about it in the blurb. I'm actually so excited to write this review I just wanna jump right into all the things I love about this book, mainly, the characters.

Lauren- She's our heroine. She's brave, smart, sarcastic, caring, loyal. I connected with her right away. It was actually really amazing reading her actions and dialogue. Its like almost everything she did or said would have been exactly the same as what I would have done (not everything, she's definitely braver than I am, but the everyday stuff). As realistic heroines go, she's truly one of my favorites.

Seth- Lauren and Seth's mothers have been best friends since they were in school. So much so that they moved in next door to each other, and even got pregnant within 2 months of each other. Therefore Lauren and Seth grew up as best friends. So close that it was just assumed that they would end up together. And Lauren never really had a reason to dispute that. Seth is a sweetheart of a character. He totally loves Lauren. My heart broke for him when Lauren met Max. Talk about a boyfriend to root for. Reminded me of how much I loved Zak from Shattered Souls (go read that one, too).

Seth


Max- I want to preface this by saying that I'm especially in love with Max because he reminds my of an ex (named Max), but even outside of my personal bias, he was wonderful. Sweet, passionate, hunky, but still realistic as a person. He gets jealous, he gets mad, basically, he has flaws. He was a very realist good guy.

Max


If you read my reviews, you know how much I 1) hate love triangles, and 2) hate love at first sight stories, but I have to say, this one was something else. I felt like the way the author wrote it, it was all believable. Nothing about these points made me angry at the least. That's right, there were no eye roll moments.


I'm just as shocked as you are.

And as I already stated, the cliffhanger! Oye. Talk about taking a most unexpected turn. I will definitely be picking up the next one, probably sooner than later.

For more reviews, check out http://nightlyreading.wordpress.com/

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meeting Destiny is full of action, romance and suspense. I guarantee it will leave you on the edge of your seat wanting more!

The book starts out with Lauren, the main character, getting shot during an attempted robbery at her job. One of the paramedics who respond to the call is Max. Lauren and Max feel an instant connection, but there are some complications that come in between them.

I loved, loved, loved the characters in this story. The author did such a great job etching them out and making them seem real. None of them are one dimensional, even the seemingly background characters. The author gives them expression that makes them easy to connect to. And, wow!, she has a way with dialogue. The conversations in the story never felt forced or fake.

Lauren is tough, smart, sarcastic, caring and loyal. She doesn't take crap from anyone while at the same time always standing up for what she knows is right, even when others may not agree with her. She has a deep concern for her friends and will stand behind them or stand up for them in any situation.

Seth is your typical boy next door and Lauren's long-time "boyfriend." He is so sweet to Lauren, and she loves him, but not like she knows she should. The author does a great job framing out their relationship and their feelings towards one another.

I'm completely in love with Max….I don't know what else to say about him. I love that the author didn't make him so perfect that he was not realistic. Max has his faults, but those things just make him all the more loveable. I really like the fact that even though Lauren and Max felt an instant connection they did not hook up right away. Their relationship was given time to develop, and they were given time to get to know each other.

So, that brings me to the end of the story…and seriously, you'll be running over to Amazon or wherever you buy your books for the next in the series! I'm already looking forward to find out what happens!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve ever written. I love the characters in this story. Lauren is a girl that isn’t helpless. She’s courageous, intelligent, and determined to live her life on her own terms. Her strength and independence are what all the other characters gravitate to – to include the man that has loved her, his whole life and the man that has been visiting her dreams for years, claiming to be her destiny. The story is eerily believable, with paranormal events sprinkled in forcing the participants to accept things they can’t prove but know are real. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omigod, that's the end?!?! I need the next book now!!

But, let's start at the beginning. Lauren works at a fast food restaurant. A customer comes into the restaurant and Lauren instantly has a bad feeling about him. The man attempts to rob the place and Lauren ends up taking a bullet to protect a kid. When the paramedics arrive, Lauren realizes that one of them is the man she has been dreaming about, she has even nicknamed him her "destiny." Too bad Lauren already has a boyfriend, and Max has no idea he that they are destined to be together.
I didn't expect to like this book nearly as much as I did! Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop! There is a paranormal aspect that I didn't expect, and I'm hoping to learn more about in the next book. There are mild sexual references, but nothing that would this book inappropriate for teens. I cannot wait to read Destiny's Revenge.

[Sandee is Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone wants to meet their soul mates.
Everyone wants to be with that special person.
What if he/she does appear to you in a dream?
Would you believe that he exists?
What if fate decided to intervene and you did meet, would you leave the person you are with now to be with him/her?


When Lauren turned 18, she has been getting dreams about a man whom he hasn't met yet.
Lauren called him her "destiny".
Silly as she said it might be, she wanted him to be true.
Unexpectedly, Lauren gets shot during an attempted robbery in the place where she worked.
Fate decided to intervene.
The man of his dreams came.
He came in the form of an EMT named Max who had amazing green eyes.
Only problem was she was currently attached to Seth, her longtime best friend.
How would she weigh things?
Will she stay Seth, the person whom she'd known all her life or leave him and be with Max the guy who has been haunting her dreams and turned out to be a reality?


This book was totally amazing!
I wasn’t expected to be this hooked with this book.
I am just saying it because I got this book from the author but because it's true.
The book was just awesome.
Books like these should be promoted more.
There are a lot of things to love about this book.

The pacing was good.
The action was already there on the first few pages of the book and progresses as the story goes along.
It didn’t dwell too much on Lauren the first chapter; it focused more on what happened with Lauren and how she met Max.
You get to know more about Lauren and her struggles as the story goes which for me was very good.

The characters:
Well I couldn’t help but just love Lauren.
I am not a usual fan of insta-love but with this book I have to make an exception.
The instant chemistry or connection between Lauren and Max was so good I wanted to hug them for real.
I found my heart skipping erratically with Lauren every time I read of Max.
Swoon-worthy Max.
*Sigh*
Anyways, back to Lauren!
I liked her ability to sense what people were like.
It was a unique ability that I think I haven’t read in any books yet.
She used it without any regard for herself which was why she became a hero!
I don't want to give any more details on that.
I know I have to hate her for you know leaving her boyfriend Seth for Max but I wasn’t mad for some weird reason.
I was actually wanted her to leave Seth.
I know its bad but what can I do? The connection between Max and Lauren was all over the place.
I could feel it so strongly that I could almost feel the electricity they feel when they're together.
Don't get me wrong Seth is a good guy.
I liked Seth and was happy for him in the end.
He was understand and loving.
But he was destined for someone else.
*Ooopppsss was that a spoiler?*

Now my favorite character!
Max!
I just adored Max!
I would have traded places with Lauren if I get to be with someone like Max.
I mean he was smoking hot.
*Geeezzz!*
Those green eyes I could almost see them.
But seriously, putting all his gorgeousness aside, he was perfect.
He was cool.
He loved the outdoors.
He respected Lauren.
He did not take advantage of her in any way.
He had a little jealous side though which I found real cute.
If I had someone like Max as a boyfriend, I would feel like I won the lottery.

There was a character that I didn’t really expect him to be.
Paul.
I wouldn’t tell you more about him but he was definitely one of the twists I did not expect.
So was the ending.
It was not a cliff hanger but I was a little sad about the ending.
Poor Max.

I loved how Ms. Straight made myth about how souls connected with each other.
It was very creative.
This book exceeded expectations.
It didn’t just exceed it totally soared higher than what was expected.
I love every minute of it.
Only thing I would have to negatively comment on was the cover.
I was not really crazy about it.
The girl was pretty and all but I would have preferred something more creative, something that would give more justice to the contents of the book.


I give this book a 4.5! :D

[Shelly Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long book, so if you want a sit down and cuddle under a blanket all day kind of read, this is it.

There's a lot that goes on in the book. I LOVE the way her and Max met. Those first 30 pages were the most riveting and sweet of the whole book in my eyes. Except for the last 4 pages. GAH! Nancy! What a cliffhanger. I have to pick up book two now, and I hope, seriously hope, that you don't break my heart, Nancy. Max better hop the first fighter jet out of there! lol

I love Max. He's such a sweetheart, though I wished he'd been in the book a little bit more.

If you love a good, in-depth mystery or suspense, I'd definietely recommend this to you.

4 solid, anticipating the sequel, stars from me.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meeting Destiny was totally not what I expected. From reading the description, I prepared for an easy young adult read with a paranormal bite. Instead, what I got was a wonderfully written realistic story about a girl named Lauren who has an extremely keen sense of intuition.

The story reads like half realistic romance and half thriller, there were some parts of it that had me on edge. The start of the story reaches out and draws you in with full-blown action. Lauren is working a restaurant when she feels an acute sense of danger about a man, and quickly acts in getting a child and her friend to safely. The man turns out to be an armed robber, and she gets shot in the leg, and that is where she encounters Max, a paramedic who she has been dreaming about for years.

What followed on from here was the unravelling of Lauren's relationship with her best friend, Seth. She handles this while trying to find out more about Max. What struck me about the writing from the very start was how detail-enriched it was. From the doctor's visit, to the injury, to the events that follow, the writer does not skip a beat or brush over the details. That's why I found it to be very realistic as opposed to paranormal. Lauren's abilities are not paranormal; she just has a very strong intuition which leads her to avoid some very hairy situations.

Some parts of the book dragged unnecessarily, particularly the start when Lauren was in the hospital after the injury. Nearly halfway through she finally gets out and the relationship progresses with Max, and that's where things turn exciting. She's had a dream about him for years, where he came to her and said he was her Destiny, and she needs to find out how to communicate this to him.

This self-published work is very impressive, with better writing than a lot of published books out there. The characters are very real, complex, and likeable. Their emotions are wrung out, and heart-wrenching at times. The twists and turns that follow are very unexpected, and you're left with a sudden jolt of an ending.

I am really impressed with this book, but think it should not be marketed as more of a contemporary romance/thriller rather than a paranormal YA title. It has more of an adult flavour to it (although nothing explicit) and I think it will definitely appeal to a wide range of readers. Glad this is a series!

Check out Happy Indulgence for more reviews!

[Charlotte Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight is a paranormal romance that reads like a thriller. Once you start you won't be able to stop.

Even if the romance between Lauren and Max hadn't wrapped itself around my heart and pulled me through the story with breath-taking urgency, the suspense alone would have. At times it was unbearable. I stayed up all night reading and was too tired to write a review (or anything else) the next day. It's a good thing the sequel wasn't available. I would've kept reading until my eyes bled.

Anyway ... here I am a couple of weeks later, having read several other books that also need reviewing (I know, I know. I'm a horrible, ungrateful reader). I thought about Max and Lauren for days but I wanted to refresh my memory, so I clicked it open, intending to skim through a couple of chapters for five or ten minutes.

Big mistake.

You can't skim this book. Not even the second time through. I'm forcing myself to stop reading (at 10%) so I can write this.

If you've read my other reviews, you know how important "the story" is to me. I'll forgive typos, bad grammar and excessive narrative description if I connect with the story. And I'll forgive absolutely anything -- no matter how horrendous the writing -- if I experience real emotions with physical reactions: pounding heart, sweaty palms, laughter or tears.

Well, "Meeting Destiny" made me feel all of that and more. (I'm a little in love with Max. Sorry Pete).

But here's the good news: There's NOTHING to forgive. What a delight to find such a well-written, polished, better-than-traditionally-published story. If there were any editing errors at all, I sure as heck didn't find `em. I'd give "Meeting Destiny" ten stars if I could.

If you've made it this far, I've failed as a reviewer. Stop reading this, right now, and go click that little "Buy Now" button at the top of the page.

EDIT: OMG! The sequel is out!!!! Guess you know what I'll be doing for the rest of the day!

[Amanda The Book Slayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Cow! That was really intense, I loved it. I felt like I was riding Drop Zone at Kings Island. I practically spent most summers at Kings Island. Anyone from that area knows what I am talking about. For all of you who haven't been there here are some pictures.

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Passengers free fall down 264-feet. Once released, gravity accelerates the circular 30-foot wide passenger vehicle to a maximum speed of 67 miles-per-hour! It is awesome!

In Meeting Destiny the anticipation built and then Bam I was free falling. The end really took me by surprise. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Before I start in on the things I enjoyed about this book I wanted to say Thank you to Nancy Straight for writing a book with the Main Male Character being an EMT. I think these people are over looked often, but do so much. If it weren't for EMT's my Hubby would have died 3 weeks after we got married. I thank you men and women from the bottom of my heart.




Now on to the book review.


Things I liked:

*I liked how people go through their life looking for their soul mate. Some people have dreams and some stumble around in the dark for a while. Don't worry there are "people" making sure it all works out.

*I liked how Lauren was a strong willed, honest main character. It seemed like most people could relate to her. I was so glad to see her dump Seth. He is a great guy but they weren't comparable in that way. In the words of Meredith Grey from Grey's Anatomy "You're my person." In Lauren's world Seth is her person, just not the type of person he wants to be. We can't help who we fall in love with!



*I loved Max. It had a Greys Anatomy feel to me. You know sexy man who saves you. Both are hot for each other etc.

*I liked how Max switched jobs to become an EMT because he felt like it was a better course. Do what makes you happy in life is an important message for young people. It is okay to change your mind and take a different road. Sometimes that is what leads us to greater happiness.




Not Sure:
*There was tons of sexual frustration going on. Which on one hand was sweet that Max wanted to wait but I was starting to feel bad for Lauren. I am all about jumping feet first instead of dipping a toe in.


Warning:I did not see the ending coming. Seriously it was a huge shocker. You are now forewarned to have the next book ready. You don't want to look like this when you finish this book....



Favorite Quotes:
"I felt the flush of embarrassment on my cheeks as I asked quietly, "Like,chemistry, a little?"
Max stood still as a statue staring at me sitting almost straight up in my bed. His smile faded a little as he leaned into me and whispered, "You mean like this?" He softly slid his hand behind my head, pulling my lips up to his. Gentle at first, then increased intensity until I found that I had wrapped both my arms around him, wires protruding from every direction, and my entire body tingled. I grew lightheaded as he eased his face away from mine. He gently lowered my head back to my pillow and moved his hand to my face. Max traced my lips with his index finger. After a few outlines of my lips, he responded quietly. "Chemistry, huh? No, I hadn't noticed." His wide smile reappeared with a vengeance. "

"The jealous part of me hoped he was being called to help an old fat man."

"The physical therapist arrived at eight on the dot. Her name was Gretchen, but I liked to think of her as Ivan, Ivan the Terrible."

"Well, I guess it's up to you. I think you have two options: Option 1- You can call her at work and ask her to coffee. Option 2- I guess I can borrow your car and try to stop a bank robber or something. If we get really lucky, I'll get shot again, then she'll definitely call you asking for another interview with me." I could see Seth's face flush a bright red when I continued, "I've got to say, given our second option, I would prefer you try calling her at work first to set up the coffee date."

"Lauren, I love you. I don't know how I ever lived without you. I'm guessing that I probably wasn't really living before you..."

"You said we were only taking what we could carry on our backs - I'm not a pack mule!"

An excellent read overall. It is one I could re-read just to enjoy the growth of characters and intrigue. Don't forget to purchase the next book with this one. The ending will drive you crazy till you do.


Last but not least, Thank you to Nancy Straight for allowing me to have a copy for an honest review.

[nightlyreadingheather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how much I have enjoyed this book! I have read quite a few lately that I have not been able to connect to, so this was a great surprise!

The book starts off with Lauren at work. Her boyfriend,

Seth
is saying goodbye and her friend, Melissa is working the register. Lauren notices a strange man walk into the restaurant and all the hair on the back of her neck stands at attention. She quickly gets Melissa to go do some other chore so that she can take care of the strange man. Long story short, the scene escalates and Lauren ends up getting shot.



The funny part is that Lauren does not even realize that she had been shot in the first place! The paramedics arrive and Lauren takes notice to one paramedic in particular. He looks VERY familiar and it dawns on her where she has seen him before. In her dreams!!!


Max

is the paramedic that helps Lauren on the way to the hospital. This is the start of a chain of events that Lauren has a hard time believing in and one that helps her find her true love!

I don't know ladies, both Max & Seth are pretty swoony! Seth is described as blond hair, gorgeous and the guy that typically every girl would throw herself at. Max is described as bulky with amazing eyes! Which to choose??

I loved the storyline and since it was so new and exciting, I was not able to guess where the story was going next! The one issue that I had was that the characters were adults, Lauren was 22 going on 23 and her parents still treated her like a child. There were a few times that I had to keep reminding myself that these were adults and not high school kids.

The character of Lauren was written well and I was able to feel and cry for her at times during the book.

Now, the ending is set up on a cliffhanger



and you will want the next book in the series IMMEDIATELY, just like I did, Destiny's Revenge, look for the review coming soon!

I would like to thank R2R and the author for allowing me to review this book!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me preface this review by saying that Nancy Straight is truly a lovely woman, and many people enjoy her Destiny Series. Indeed, I was really looking forward to reading Meeting Destiny when I received the eBook for the Meeting Destiny Blog Tour. The cover is beautiful and the premise sounds promising. However, I only made it to page 95 out of 291 before I essentially skimmed/speed-read the book until the end.

The opening scene of Meeting Destiny was a pretty intriguing one. The main protagonist, Lauren, is working her job as a cashier at a fast food joint, when she gets a funny feeling about a man standing in line. Sure enough, the man quietly pulls a gun on Lauren and demands money and food. A little boy nearby, unaware of what's happening, begins to whine about the toy selection. Aggravated, the gunman begins to point the gun towards him, and Lauren jumps over the counter, shields the little boy, and gets shot in the thigh. The gunman escapes before the police and paramedics arrive.

Enter "Prince Charming" stage right. Max, a paramedic, comes to rush Lauren to the hospital. As they are prepping Lauren for the ambulance ride, she gazes into Max's eyes and realizes he is her Destiny; the same man who has appeared in her dreams every night since her first year of high school.

That sounds like quite an exciting beginning, right? "So," you ask, "what exactly didn't work for you, BlookGirl?"

Well, simply put, Lauren, was a hot mess. I felt that she has a few "Mary Sue" characteristics, which are really a disservice for the character she could have been. She possesses a special "gift" (which ultimately saved the little boy at the beginning of the story), two hot guys are in love with her, and the people in her town worship the ground she walks on after her stunt in the fast food joint. Seriously, the mother of the boy sent her a $20,000 check! I just didn't feel any of it was realistic.

Lauren's special "gift" is that she can sense the true character or intentions of a person. This is what caused her to be alert when the creepy guy walked into her work, and what has helped her protect her friends and family in the past. On top of that, in her nightly dreams, a man (presumably Max) tells her that he is her destiny, that they have known and loved each other in past lives, and that they will eventually come together again. This is all very interesting, but I didn't get a chance to really care about any of it.

The first 95 pages of Meeting Destiny bears witness to how immature, shallow, and vapid Lauren is. That may sound harsh, but I have about three pages of notes where my growing irritation toward her character is quite apparent. Since practically elementary school, Lauren has been dating Seth, her life-long best friend and neighbor. It's clear throughout the story that Seth is crazy about her, and that she really does not feel the same about him... or wait, maybe she does.

Take a look at these quotes I highlighted, and you'll see what I mean:

"If this were the case, then meeting Max couldn't be wrong; it's something I had to do for Seth. Lying to myself was silly. I knew that regardless of how Seth felt about me, I would never feel the same way. I would give anything to feel that pulse from Max's touch again."

Then, on the very same page...

"I should be thankful that Seth feels so strongly for me and figure out a way to feel the same for him."

In a nutshell, Lauren and Seth have a relationship of convenience. Their mothers were best friends before they were born, they live right next door to each other, and it was just always assumed that they'd wind up together. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely relationships that develop in this manner; however, the way Lauren handled herself with Seth, especially in regard to Max, just really... well, frankly, pissed me off.

And then there's the relationship between Lauren and Max. Ugh. Insta-love! © I am so over this portrayal of relationships in Young Adult literature. Lauren's heart beats like mad when Max is around, she feels a literal "shock" when they touch, and she practically has a panic attack whenever he leaves her side. After one brief meeting. They may be "soul mates", but Max never even realizes this throughout the book. I kept waiting for him to "recognize" her. Then, after she meets Max, Lauren turns into a bit of a stalker (calling every few minutes) and over-dramatizes their encounters, or lack thereof. I would perhaps be a bit more forgiving if Lauren were 14 years old, but she's in her early 20's. I don't feel that she is a good role model for either age group.

Neither of the two "love interests", if you can call them that, interested me whatsoever, which is unusual. Seth seemed like a good guy at first, but when Lauren tries to break it off with him, he goes OFF THE RADAR! Seriously! He refuses to let her break up with him! Check out this quote:

"Whatever you want, take your time. Give me a call when you want to see me again. I'll be patient. Like I told you - I love you enough for both of us. When the realization hits you that you've made a huge mistake, call me. I promise not to hold any grudges."

Who says stuff like that?! It seemed so condescending and, in a way, possessive.

Thankfully, Seth eventually does get over Lauren and moves on, but it wasn't enough to redeem him as an interesting character.

I think my biggest issue overall was the complete lack of character development. I can usually forgive a shallow character if they grow and mature throughout the book, but I didn't see that in Lauren. She was way too dependent on Max (who, oddly, kept flitting in and out of the picture) and made some really downright dumb decisions. I was also disappointed that Lauren's "gift" and its purpose were not well-explained, but I assume that readers will learn more in the two books that follow.

There is an interesting concept in the book, wherein we learn that each person (soul) has a purpose, and is predestined to play a specific part in another person's life (i.e., protector, soul mate, instigator, anarchist, etc.) I really like this idea and wish it had played out a bit more within the story. Again, this concept is likely fleshed out later in the series.

There is also an unexpected murder in Meeting Destiny, as well as a mysterious woman, which lends some intrigue and mystery, and the ending is quite a cliff-hanger, but it feels... off and a bit tacked on. I've heard that the second and third books are much better than the first, so for those contemplating reading this series, keep that in mind.

Overall, Meeting Destiny was an interesting read, but not really my cuppa coffee. With that said, kudos to Nancy Straight for successfully self-publishing a series that many people do enjoy! I am certainly in the minority here at GoodReads, and that is perfectly okay. Not every book is "for" everyone who reads it.

If you have read this book, I'm interested to hear what you thought about it, so please feel free to comment on BlookGirl so we can chat!

[Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Sorry for my language, but I’m having a WTF moment here. I’ve only had that on a few occasions with book cliffhangers. Okay, cliffhangers are written to get you excited or anxious to read the next book. But only a few come out of nowhere.

Its past midnight and I have work tomorrow, but I had to write this while it was fresh in my mind. This book is well written and well executed.

The main characters are well developed. First there is Lauren. As far as my book gal pals go, Lauren has been added to my short list. If she were real, she and I could be friends. She is selfless, loyal, heroic, kind, and so many of the qualities I would want in a friend. She is not perfect either. But if she was, she wouldn’t be well written.

Let’s talk guys. First I’d like to say, there are two guys in this story but it’s not a love triangle in the sense most expect. So for those that don’t like love triangles, it’s not what you think here. But let’s get to our guys. Both guys are decent guys. Neither is a bad boy and this story doesn’t need it. Actually funny enough it was refreshing to read it that way. Guys don’t have to be jerks for us girls to fall in love. But don’t get me wrong, once again neither is perfect. There is Max a great all around guy with a heart of gold and emotions worn on his sleeve. Then there is Seth. He is the guy every girl should want.

I can’t say much more without giving away spoilers but to say that I had this book for a while. Don’t be foolish like I was. Don’t wait to read this one. If you like paranormal romance with more romance, read this. No vampires, werewolves, etc that I know of, yet there is that paranormal element. It’s an interesting view on her world building around Lauren's abilities.

I would be remiss not to mention the romance. Okay, the romance straddle the line of believability, but the author sold me on all the reasons why it happened the way it did. So I never questioned the length of time. It was destiny, lol.

I would recommend this to everyone. There isn’t much in here as far as steaminess than there is on an average network tv commercial. So all can enjoy.

My book boyfriend is Max. I heart Max. If you want to know why I chose Max over Seth, you’ll have to read the story.

[Hot Stuff Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://freak-ya-tastic.blogspot.com/2...







Review:

This book is the first one of a series.

Thanks to Nancy Straight and to the group Making Connections on Goodreads I had the opportunity to receive a free e-copy of this book and I discovered a wonderful story. Now, I want to buy it in paperback.

This book is more new-adult than young-adult but can be read by teens.

What surprises me the most in this book is how the author succeeds to write a novel in which there're everything from a powerful romance to murders and myteries. Of course, the romance is a huge part of the plot but thanks to the main character - Lauren - who is a strong young woman very independent, the romance serves the plot without it being boring or too much.

Tanks to the writing style, that works perfectly with me, I couldn't put down the book. I was hooked since the chapter to the last one that made me curse because I don't have the sequel!
By the way, authors can really be awfully sadistic.

More seriously, I love the relationship between Lauren and Max that seems to never go the easiest way which is perfect for the readers. They're cute but flawless or unbelieveable. Thé mysteries that are still around them arouse even more my curiosity.

Though, I'm a little disappointed to not see a little more of Seth. He's, maybe, a little too fast to fade away.

The inner voice of Lauren is never annoying to read. She's a perfect narrator that's well-built thanks to the author's writing style that's fluid, easy to read, well documented and precise. Everything seems to strike right.

I'm eager to know what will happen in the sequels that are already available. I spent a wonderful time with Lauren and Max so thank you Nancy Straight for your story.

A must read for me!

[Shannon Dermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW – GREAT FIRST IN A SERIES

This story is a romance where nice guys are the heroes and where bad boys need not apply. Still you will fall hard for the hero in this one and the other guys isn’t half bad either. This is a story of love kindled into a flame where sparks fly with passion until the fire burns bright in bountiful romance.

This story took me under its wing and never let me go as I soared through the heavens reading it. I’m an earlier riser. So I thought I would start this book early in morning before my day began. Several hours later, I found myself so gripped by the story so much it was hard to put down. This was a page turner to the bitter end where Nancy shows real skill in writing an ending you can’t even fathom. I admire her greatly.

There is real magic when an author can make you feel what the main character is feeling so strongly while your reading. I found myself riding Lauren’s emotional coattails. Nancy is a gifted way of crafting a story. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next book.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I just finished "Meeting Destiny" and it is so good! Nancy Straight's debut novel is a wonderful tale. I love the romantic/young adult angle the books takes in addition to a paranormal storyline that blends in perfectly with the characters. Not since "A Discovery of Witches" have I fallen in love with characters in a book. Lauren and Max are such great characters; I cannot wait to continue their story in "Destiny's Revenge"! As for Mrs. Straight, all I can say is Brava! Her writing style is wonderful and maintains an adult, yet youthful dialogue among her characters. It is refreshing to read a story in the young adult paranormal genre that does not use teenagers (who usually have too much free time on their hands) as the main characters. Self-published, Mrs. Straight's work is clear and concise; the editing is better than some best-sellers I have read as of late. Her Destiny trilogy is a must read and I highly recommend it!

[Julie(Reading By The Beach) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of Meeting Destiny from the author, Nancy Straight, through Smashwords. And that wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic group Making Connections on Goodreads!


Meeting Destiny is a dazzling story where it is easy to get swept up in the heart-warming romance and spine-tingling suspense. Nancy Straight's characters display real characteristics, making them come to life right before your very eyes. Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster because Meeting Destiny has endless emotions! It's effortlessly easy to become attached to Lauren(and Max, for that matter), as she stays true to herself, rights her wrongs and evolves into herself. Word of advice: Buy all 3 books before you delve into this adventure. You're going to want them at your fingertips when you come to the end!

For a full review, visit my blog at http://readingbythebeach.blogspot.com...

[Nicole Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren has had a reoccuring dream since high school. She dreams of a guy telling her that they are destined to be together and that she must be courageous for them to come together and that they will have many obstacles to over come to truly be together. She meets said guy when she jumps in front of a child to save him from getting killed during a robbery at the burger joint she works at. Max, the guy is the paramedic that arrives and saves her.

This is a fabulous love story of two people that are destined to be together and quite honestly, if you don't have the second book sitting next to you the ending sucks, LOL. Because you are going to want to read the next one right away. I would defintely recommend this to anyone that enjoys romance.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very well written, in my opinion is has been nicely edited. I really liked Max, he was likable and I loved how he wasn't perfect. Yes, he looks like a freaking model but he has his flaws. Same with the main character, she has certain powers and has to make a lot of decisions and she makes mistakes too. I really liked that in this book.
I don't consider it paranormal, it's just slightly paranormal. It's more about romance then paranormal. It's good though and I really want to read the second book after the spectacular ending.

[GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for a book free on the kindle! I normally don't expect much from books free on the kindle, but I was surprised by this. There's elements of suspense, paranormal, and romance. It's so obvious what's going to happen though, but I like the whole "I have a vibe" thing. It's definitely interesting, and I felt really sad at one point when one of the character dies. There's not that many twists or unpredictable parts to this novel - but it's just ... different.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. It definately makes you think about your decisions that you make and the influences around you. I was intrigued by the names of the influences and that people can serve more than one position in your life. The ending definately made me want to jump straight into book 2.

[Derinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gripping story. I do not know rather to be stunned or elated. This was a very captivating book. Usually you can get a feel for the events and endings in books. But this book, had me totally blinded the whole way. Amazing really. So glad I do not have to wait for the next book!

[Laura's Book Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME just downloaded book #2!!!!

[Kayla Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved this book! your hooked by the first chapter!i couldn't put the book down, I read it in a day!

[Keren Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, let me address the cover. From the lovely font used for the title to the beautiful model chosen, I love this cover. It's beautiful.
When I was asked if I was interested in reading this, it was obviously the cover that I saw first and it instantly drew me in. I am a cover- magpie as my friends know.
If you were to put me in a bookshop that was split into only two sections, the Gorgeous Covers and the Not So Gorgeous Covers, I would only shop in the Gorgeous section. Shallow? Yes. But I won't make apologies for who I am. This cover spoke to me before the contents of the book did. It said "Come, read me, fall in love" - so that is exactly what I did.

I sit here at my computer, nervous as hell. You won't see that because you read the words only after they are published in this post. But I am so nervous. This book broke my heart into about a gazillion tiny pieces and I am not sure my words or the words of any other, can truly do it justice. All I can do is try.

I knew this before I read this book that it was a Paranormal Romance so obviously I was prepared for romance. But I was not prepared for someone to reach into my chest, pull my heart out and stomp on it a few dozen times before shoving the mangled mess back in. Why do I feel like this? You will have to read it for yourself and find out. I can't share all my thoughts, it would contain far too many spoilers. But what I can share, is this:

MEETING DESTINY is about a girl called Lauren Davis. She is visited in her dreams for years by a man claiming to be her 'Destiny'. But Lauren is in a relationship with Seth, her best friend. Their parents were best friends and bought houses next door to each other. Seth and Lauren grew up together, went to school together, so the next natural step - dating each other.
Lauren believes her dreams are just that, dreams. She's with Seth so how can anyone else be her destiny?

Little does Lauren know that Destiny is about to cross her path.

During a failed robbery attempt at the Tasty Burger where Lauren works, she meets a stranger and experiences a kind of chemistry she has never known. She comes to doubt the relationship between her and Seth. Are they really a good couple? Or are they better off as just friends? This is something you will have to read the book yourself to find out!

The thing about Lauren, she has a keen intuition and sense of people. She can tell if they have good or bad intentions. One could say she has a kind of sixth sense about things. It was this that made the robbery attempt just an attempt.

Throughout this book, you don't really learn how or why Lauren has this gift. But that's okay because it is jam packed with so much action that you don't mind not knowing. You just hope to be explained to a little more in book two.

There were so many ups and downs in this book for me. It was like Nancy put me on a roller coaster wearing a blindfold. I didn't know where the twists and turns might be, I just had to hope that it would all turn out right in the end. In the beginning, it was like the ascent of the roller coaster, it was going along at a decent pace, things were nice. In the middle, there were the loop-the-loops and things that made your tummy funny. But then the end, that was most akin to being left at the height of a huge precipice - hanging there for a few minutes - then being dropped into a black hole.

I laughed, I cried, my heart stopped once or twice along the way. I fell head over heels in love with Max Meyer. No, I'm not telling you who he is.
Lauren had her ups and downs. She was happy, she was sad. Every time she felt an emotion, I was dragged right into feeling just the same.

The biggest emotion I felt was at the end. I was so in love and happy that I could not see the end coming.
I can't and won't give you any hint as to what happens, all I can say is, I am welling up now remembering it.
My heart was shattered into too many pieces for me to be able to find them all and put them back together.
I can only hope that book two - DESTINY's REVENGE, can help heal a broken heart.

In all honesty, I went through a range of emotions after I put MEETING DESTINY down. I felt sad and couldn't stop crying. Then when the tears finally dried, I was seething with anger. After that anger subsided, I felt more understanding and acceptance. But boy it was a rough ride.

I'm sorry if you came here hoping for a review that tells you more of what is going on in the book. I just don't feel that I can tell you without ruining it for you. It's a journey each person must experience for themselves and I encourage you to go and buy this book to do just that.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I am now off to take a short break before book 2 so that I can pace myself for when book 3 comes out the end of January.

Original review at www.gothicangelbookreviews.blogspot.com

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that captivated me from the very first page. It starts off the story with a heroic act and really sets up the beginning of the novel well. The writing style was easy to get to grips with and the characters were really great to get to know and I loved each and every one of them. The story kept me hooked throughout and I found it really difficult to put the book down to go and do something else. There never seemed to be a dull moment and hearing it all from Lauren’s perspective is really nice.

The characters in this novel are all so loveable. At times I wanted to pick Seth up and hug him and then at others I wanted to strangle him dry. He was so lovely, yet infuriating, and I could totally see him as a real, live-standing person and I loved that about him. I love that Lauren didn’t really see the effect she had on him either. But then there’s Amanda... oh... I love that. Lauren was such a strong and brilliant protagonist and I instantly felt a connection with her. She was interesting to read and I liked getting to know her better. I loved how much she cared about the people around her and she honestly just had a heart of gold. She made mistakes and didn’t really know how to be in a couple but she did what she could and that was just... inspiring to read. We all are just struggling through this life, and she was doing exactly that in her own world.

Max. Max gets to start a new paragraph because there are so many things that I love about his character. I love how patient he is with Lauren. That he doesn’t want to rush her or ruin their relationship. I love how, even though he gets angry with her, he never really yells at her, he just gets silent and solemn and keeps it all inside instead. I love that she manages to bring out a side of him that others can’t and I adore how much he helps other people and has such a sweet and sensitive and lovely side. And just... yes, he was definitely my favourite person in this novel. I hope to be able to read more of him in the next book!

I liked the romance in this novel. Romance, for me, is always difficult because I don’t like it when it’s too fast-paced or doesn’t really feel like it fits right. While it is fast in this book, this is explained through the idea of Destiny and when they finally get to spend more time together, it is so noticeable that they just fit together so well. Lauren is quite out-going and tends to follow her own train of thought and Max is patient and while he doesn’t always like it, he always supports her in her decisions. But really, I just loved witnessing the relationship grow and develop as they went through different battles of life. I especially, especially, especially loved the ending... oh... it was so good!

The storyline of this novel wasn’t like your typical paranormal novel, and by that I mean, the paranormal aspects didn’t really feel like the centre of the story and it was easy to feel that what was happening, and how Lauren reacted to things was just natural. The way it was described as being a sort of ‘sixth sense’ made it really feel normal, as opposed to para-normal. I actually really liked this about this novel and felt that it made it seem even more intriguing. And it certainly made the last few moments of the book really stick out in one’s mind. It was such a cleverly deployed style and I adored it so much! Nancy Straight really got into the nitty and gritty at the end there.

The only major problem I had with the novel was deciding whether it was a YA or an adult book. Eventually I think I would conclude that this is more of a YA book. The style makes it an easy read and while it’s main protagonist is twenty-one, I would still suggest that she is a young-adult and with no forward or explicit scenes, I would definitely feel that teenagers would be able to read it and enjoy it. It was also sometimes hard to believe that she was twenty-one from the way that she acted, which was a slight issue but this was easy to ignore and didn’t detract from the rest of the lovely and fun-to-read story.

If it hasn’t been noticed before now, I just thought that I would mention that I absolutely adored the ending and am going to have to wait as patiently as I can before I get the chance to read the second book! All I really want to do is run off and read it now. The ending, for me, really made the rest of the book better. It was what really caused this book to stick with me. Brilliant endings are an easy way to win my heart.

[Tee Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine that, before you were born, your soul was destined for a certain course and was set along that path by other souls that it came into contact with. Your soul mate, that terrifying moment with an attacker, the temptress that steals your friend's husband...all of it was predestined and would come about at some point in time. A lot of people don't believe in fate at all, but I like to believe that, to an extent, things happen for a reason greater than what we can see and understand at the time. Meeting Destiny takes that idea and turns it into a full-blown paranormal entity, with our souls being set to cross paths with other souls that will lead us to a certain outcome. Though I wasn't 100% sold on the idea at first, I ended up really enjoying this book and couldn't put it down!

Summary:
When a terrifying experience at work has Lauren playing heroine for a group of strangers, she ends up seriously wounded. But Lauren can't believe her eyes when the EMT that is keeping her alive looks just like the man that's repeated the same message to her in her dreams every night for years. She just knows when she sees him that he's the one, her "destiny', but suddenly her condition goes from bad to worse and Lauren isn't sure what to make of it all when she comes to. But Max is there, drawn to her bedside at the hospital by some unknown force, and that is all the proof Lauren needs to know that they were meant to follow the path that he told her about in her dreams. But the sixth sense Lauren has always prided herself in may be more than just a convenient quirk, as it has her taking risks and changing the fate of others without even knowing it. Lauren is determined to prove to Max how their destinies are intertwined, but doing that when she doesn't even fully understand it herself becomes quite the challenge.

My take:
I really loved the concept that things were set in motion from the start, and our souls are pushed to certain outcomes by other souls that play certain roles in our lives. It was a neat concept that was unique in it's own way from the usual 'predestined' plots. Lauren's sixth sense in the beginning of the book was hard for me to buy into, but as the story went on and I saw why she had those feelings, it became more believable and I really liked that twist. I like how confident she is in her ability to sense danger, she makes for a great heroine and I am really anxious to see if she ends up having other senses or powers in the rest of this series. Max was such a sweet and sexy character, I just loved how he started out confused about his sudden feelings for Lauren but then just went with it and ended up believing in her all along the way. Lauren made some decisions along the way that had me wanting to slap her, and I was SO pissed at both of them when Max decided to give them space and leave for training, but in the end it always led back to them being destined to be together.

I was surprised to see the characters in Meeting Destiny were both into their twenties. i'm used to the YA books with 16-18 year-old heroines, so it was a nice change to have characters that were past that teen stage. I was hoping that, because of this, they'd get a little more leeway with how far their physical relationship went, so I was stomping my foot like a toddler every time one of them would put the brakes on things!! I mean, yeah, they hadn't been together long at all, but good lord the sexual tension between them drove me mad!! =)

The twist at the end of this book, combined with Lauren's psychic link to Rewsna, will make for some very interesting plot possibilities with the rest of this series!! Lauren clearly is going to have some enemies along the way, and I'm very excited to see what will happen with her and Max in the process. Heading on to the sequel very soon, especially after the cliffie at the end of this one!!

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS!!!

Before I start my review, I want to thank the R2R team on goodreads and Nancy Straight for letting me read this wonderful book!

Okay...where should I start. To say I actually enjoyed this book...would be an understatement! I loved this book! Although, it was a paranormal YA book, I would say it’s more a love story. And that’s what I loved about it. I am a hopeless romantic, so...that was definitely not the issue! LOL ;p

Reading this book was a lot of fun. I loved everything about it. There was no slow beginning or really cheezy moments leading up to the action, you get it right from the start! I just loved how the author added the action, romance, mystery and even humor to the story. It was very nicely balanced...and it definitely made me look forward to reading more and more!!! So, thumbs up for that!

So, in the story we get to meet Lauren. She was a really different character type from the usual we see in YA books but a very enjoyable character nonetheless! I loved her personality and just loved her generous heart and will to do the right thing and help the innocent! She was very selfless and I loved that part of her personality! We find out that Lauren has a special ability to judge people's intentions and throughout the course of the story, she discovers that she can use this to her advantage and actually help others. What I really liked about Lauren was that no matter how many times she finds herself in the path of danger, she always keeps an open mind and somehow pushes through and solves the problem. In short summary, you could say Lauren is one KICK ASS heroine!! LOL =)

In the story, Lauren also has this dream where a man comes to her and tells her that he is her destiny, and she must find a way to him. She doesn't understand the dream much less pays attention to it...that is until she meets Max Meyers! Their connection is instant! And can I just say that under the circumstances in which they meet, the connection was intense! At one point you actually feel that powerful draw and just wish you were in her place (but Shhh...don’t tell Lauren I want Max, she might just kill me! ;p) Max, Max, Max.....*sigh* How can I describe him with so few words....well...for starters he’s sexy, strong, cute, sweet, caring, protective, humble, funny and has the most amazing heart melting smile, you’ll ever see on a guy!! YUMMMMY! I know that Seth plays a part in the story too, but I just didn’t feel it with him..srry! If you read the book, you’ll know why Max captured my heart! He is just amazing and swoon worthy....nothing else I can say about it! ;)

Overall, I would say the story is full of some very intense events, twisty moments, and just exceptional scenes that make you wanna scream, “WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!”. I loved how the story played out with its plots and mystery weaving but also with the characters! To say in a moment’s time..the characters really do grow up and learn a lot about themselves! Full of love, action, mystery and even your very own paranormal aspect, Meeting Destiny will leave you breathless. I am very anxious to read the second installment 'Destiny's Revenge' and can’t wait to see what happens with Lauren and Max. I was heart broken at the end of the book....but that is why I am dying to read the next one! I just wanna know “WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!”
Ms. Straight you did a phenomenal job and I loved every part of your book! It was a very fun read and I would classify it as a “very edgy, full of anticipating moments, and a definite page-turner”. I would recommend this book for sure to anyone looking for a great book to pass the time!!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even before I learned about the blog tour, I already picked up this book for my Kindle. So when I was invited to join the tour, I was beyond thrilled. I think Meeting Destiny is one of those books that will always remind me of the word "soulmates" and of course the word "destiny".

Lauren and Max are destined to be together. Lauren had always dreamed of him for years and when she finally meet him, she's certain that he's the only one for her. She broke up with her bestfriend and sort-of-boyfriend Seth to pursue Max and make him remember everything he said in her dreams. But meeting Max didn't make her life less complicated since Lauren isn't just an ordinary girl. She has the ability to sense danger around her and other people.

Max is a dreamy kind of guy--gorgeous, strong, dependable and a gentleman. There seems to be more about him to discover in the next installment. I want to know everything about Max and how he and Lauren will fulfill their purpose and their destinies together. Lauren is independent and strong-willed, though I think she should be more open with Max about things and her decisions. But then, that made her who she is.

The story is full of suspense and never-ending mystery. It will keep you guessing up to the last page. And the ending? What a cliffhanger! Does it have to end like that? Oh my Max. This will certainly make you anxious to read the next book.

Overall, the story is good, entertaining and gripping. The mysteries that surrounds Lauren and her abilities, Max and his purpose, and their stories together that are waiting to be told makes this book a very good start for a compelling saga that you might not want to miss.

P.S. One reader told me via Amazon that my review somehow confused her. I gave this book a rating of 3/5 but when you read my review, it seems like I really liked it. Maybe, I didn't explained it much in my review, but I think I owe it to my readers and followers. I don't want to change my original stand/thoughts once I already posted. I only give my honest opinion because I believe in integrity. So, I've decided to just further explain my thoughts on why I give it a 3/5 instead of a higher one.

I honestly liked Meeting Destiny and I'm still looking forward to read the next books in the series. A rating of 3 out of 5 doesn't mean a "negative" review for me. It was actually ok. In Goodreads, it means "I liked it", and in Amazon it means "It's OK." In my blog, I mean it as "A Good Read". The only thing that I've forgotten to mentioned (which probably caused the confusion) is the reason why 3? I've been too busy babbling on the good stuffs that I forgot to mention what I didn't like. Well, honestly, there's nothing hated about the book. It's just that the relationship of Max and Lauren didn't do it for me that much... I'm still waiting for something deeper... something strong that will make my heart tingles, and my body tense when I read about them. Something that is more than what they have in the book. Nevertheless, this book is good. I meant it and I still do. :) So sorry for the confusion. xo.

[Stina Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review here: http://zodiacbookreviews.blogspot.com...

I absolutely ADORED this book! If I could give Meeting Destiny an infinite rating to show how much I love this book, I would do it in a heartbeat. Meeting Destiny has everything it takes to make my favorites list: the characters are real and lovable, the romance is absolutely swoon-worthy, the story is intriguing and engaging, and most importantly--MEETING DESTINY MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING. The number one thing a book has to have to become a favorite of mine is that it has to make me feel something deeply. It has to make me feel emotionally attached, and Meeting Destiny did just that.

I really liked how the paranormal doesn't take a front seat in the story. Lauren's dreams help her recognize Max, her "destiny" when she finally meets him. Her "sixth sense" warns her of imminent danger and a vague sense of people in general. Then there's her, I guess you could say "guide," Rewsna, who gives her advice telepathically when she truly needs it. These aspects are subtle and are seamlessly woven into the story without overtaking it and drowning out the other aspects of the story.

I thought that the roles a soul plays in the day-to-day life of another was interesting. There's Tempters, Instigators, Protectors, Anarchists, and Mates. We know that Max is Lauren's Mate, but it's cools to see her make the connections between herself and others in her life.

I loved Lauren and Max as the main characters. Lauren has a heart of gold and a strong sense of justice. Max is patient and has a great capacity to love. And Lauren and Max together just makes me want to sigh. Their love may be fast-paced, but that's explained as Destiny in action. It's sweet and pure and totally makes you want to swoon. I also like that Max is still somewhat of a mystery by the end of the book.

I found Meeting Destiny to be reminiscent of Kristie Cook's Promise. Lauren, Max, and even Seth have their counterparts in Alexis, Tristan, and Owen. The story of a young woman with a special purpose, always in danger, and meeting her soul mate are also similar. Even the ending is similar. Though their frameworks are parallel, these two books are also very different. I didn't notice the similarity until I was thinking about what to write for this review; but just as Promise and the Soul Savers series made it's way into my heart and quickly became one of my favorite series, I know that Meeting Destiny and the Destiny series will become a favorite as well.

I can't say much about the ending, but I will say that it's a really emotional part of the book and not what I was expecting. I want to badly to know what happens next after such a powerfully emotional ending. I can't wait to see what's next for Lauren and Max.