Fate's Hand

The Celtic Prophecy #1

by Melissa Macfie

She came to Salem to start a new life, but the gods have other plans. The Coven, a group of Druid leaders initially tasked with protecting the balance, has been polluted by greed. Their leader, Cormac McBrehon covertly plans to steal the abilities of the next high priestess if only he could find her. Alex Sinclair is weary after 600 years of searching for a legend, for that is who she must be. Having nothing but a vague reference from ancient prophecy and the cruel insistence of the gods, he has combed the centuries for her. Racing, with life or death hanging in the balance, he must find her first. Brenawyn McAllister has come back to the fabled city of witches to the only family she has left: her grandmother. From the onset of her move, she is accosted and pursued, identified through obscure visions as a potential, though she knows nothing of magic. A devote Catholic, Brenawyn questions her faith when too many events, irreconcilable with her own beliefs, refuse to be ignored. Can Alex convince Brenawyn that she is the woman for whom he has been searching? Can he teach her to use her powers in time to defend against the Coven?

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Amazon

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2015

Reviews

[Sadaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review and here it is: It was fan-freaking-tastic!

We have got smart and resourceful Bren who is in mourning for her husband (who died three years ago) and trying to rebuild her life as she moves in with her Nana. We have the perfect villains: Good guys gone seriously bad. Then there is Alex, the irresistible charmer and can I just say I fell in love with him real fast. There is magic and godly arrogance threatening their survival but somehow their trials bring out the best in them as they discover what the gods have in store for them.

I was dying for some good old mythology and this book did not disappoint at all! Even though much of the mythological aspect is creative I never would have guessed. The prophecies were just incredibly alluring and transported me to the world of gods, mystery and magic! I think they were a wonderful way to reveal the tale and needless to say I shed tears at all the right points. It was a bit confusing at times because they myths were unfamiliar but the author made sure that the reader could keep up.

All the characters were necessary and they all had strong stories of their own which I loved. I especially loved Leo, Bren's Nana. The main characters were exactly what they should be and the baddies had plenty of space too. The pace was just right. There was not one boring minute.

If you love mythology, then this awesome combination of witch-y magic and godly mischief is perfect for you. Considering this is a debut novel, I cannot recommend it enough. Also, I hope the next book comes out soon because I can't wait!

[Raven Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I expected at first!

I have to confess the prologue kind of put me off and I was tempted to not continue reading. Not being one to give up quickly on a new book, I forged on. I'm glad I did! It turned out to be a wonderful story and I look forward to reading the next books in the series. I just wanted to note that even though some of the Celtic gods mentioned here are not considered part of the modern pantheon, the Celts were not exclusive to Ireland and the surrounding isles so it's likely they might have been included at some point. It doesn't distract from the overall story. I love the fact the author made Alex's speech verra Scottish in the writing. So many wouldn't bother. It made it much easier to read it with that beautiful accent of a Scotsman. The bare chested kilt was a nice touch!

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced, well-written fantasy that crosses reality...as Bren is about to find out. The emotions are portrayed extremely well (the toilet scene has fear oozing from the pages).

Its Scottish roots give it an authentic feel and suit the genre and title. The characters are intriguing, if not all likeable. There is strong language, yet it fits in with the characters. I didn't like the sex scenes but that's personal preference and not to say that it is a bad story.

Overall, it sets a good fantasy story within the realms of believability - great storytelling that will make the pages turn quickly.

Worth a look.

[Larry Forkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story with all the right components to keep you glued to the page from start to finish. If you enjoy Celtic brogue (like I do) then you're in for a treat since there's a lot of it in this book. The plot is well-paced and the characters are realistic and written in a way that makes you care about what happens to them. I can't wait to get started on book 2!

[Erik Sapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is interesting, but moves slowly. I really wanted to like the book, but instead found. myself skimming along in order to finish quicker. Part of me wants to read the next book, but I am not sure I can force my way through.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked the storyline but it was a bit messy here and there with the jumps from 1 pov to the other (But that also coul be because of the PDF). The epoligue was a bit rushed but the ending was finished apart from 1 part that is for the second book

[bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of an ending. It was interesting up to that, but frustrating breaking point. It doesn't feel safe enough. Low 3.

[Angel Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME

Loved this book...kept me interested, although this is not my usual type of reading material. I will look for more of ur writing

[S.K. Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brenawyn returns to Salem but something is hunting her. An ancient prophecy will flip her whole world upside down. I enjoyed the story, it was easy to get into and I would recommend it.

[A.J. Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 stars. Read on to see why you might be inclined to give it up to 5.

I was really excited to read this book based on my interest in Celtic mythology and its influence on my own work in progress. So I jumped at the chance to read it. There are things I love about it and other things not so much. There are six questions to which I pay attention when I review.

1. How quickly do I get into the story?
2. Can I relate to a character?
3. Can I picture the fantasy realm?
4. Is the use of sexual activity and cussing used judiciously (if at all)?
5. Is it well written and easy to read?
6. Do I hope for a sequel because I want more?

Let me be fair: I generally read YA fantasy and am not big into gore, and in the beginning, there is definitely descriptive gore, albeit in small amounts. This made me set down the book initially, although I am glad I went back to it, generally speaking. After I read past the beginning, there were some really interesting characters. I related to the protagonist and her struggle to accept her identity. One of the other characters speaks with a strong Scottish accent, and while it took reading aloud initially to understand it, his accent became part of the book’s charm. The author wove together some wonderful elements of Scottish and Irish mythology. It is clear that she had done a lot of research, and this is always a plus for me. One of the negatives, though, is that part of the storyline contained detailed sexual scenes which, although useful for plot advancement to a point, could have been written less graphically. They really took away from the story for me. I would say the same is true of some of the cussing. There is a single word in the English language that is offensive to me regardless of context and it is used in this novel. That said, the author’s command of the English language is superb, and I was never once distracted by grammar issues. It was very readable. Finally, I am torn about reading the next book in the series. I don’t really want to read erotica, even in small snippets, but I am intrigued by the modern twist on the mythology and I would like to know what happens to the protagonist. For this mixed review, I give it a 3 out of 5. I suspect if you love the Celtic lore, and you don’t mind erotica, cussing or gore, you will enjoy it as a 5 out of 5.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Source: I received Fates Hand Directly from the Author Melissa Macfie. Via LOP, On Goodreads. In return for my opinion and Honest Review.)
Brenawyn moved to Salem, to start a fresh life, to move on from the death of her husband. But fate and the Gods have another idea. Brenawyn finds her life a whirlwind as she struggles to believe the magical goings on around her. Moving in with her Grandmother Leo also brought her towards Alexander Sinclair. Alex makes Brenawyn want more than she thought she was capable of, But Alex holds dark secrets, That Brenawyn's Mind will rebel against! Brenawyn finds herself the Target, with the Coven tracking her; Is she destined to be the Prophesied Druid High Priestess, Can she activate her powers; And will she join the coven, or will they Kill her? After 600 years of searching can Alex protect her?

Fates hand is what I would call an enjoyable read, Malissa drags you into not only a magical ancient Celtic world of Gods, Druids, magic and the Oracle. But a modern day romance, set in the present day.
Fates Hand is an actioned packed, heart pounding fantasy. But this Book also takes on the Genre of a Thriller, with the disturbing ways the coven use to hunt Brenawyn, With just a sprinkling of Romance.
I found it slightly difficult to slip into Brenawyns world, and for a short time found the Galic Dialogue difficult to wrap my mind around. It slowed my reading down, which in turn I lost the fantasy playing out in my head. However as I got used to it, I found I managed to pick it back up again. I found, and I feel you will also, that Fates Hand is such an entertaining read, that even as you struggle with a little of the Galic Dialogue, it will keep you turning those pages. ( It's addictive! ) Anyone who loves a Fantasy or likes to enter into the Celtic world, this book is for you! I thoroughly recommend this as a 4.5-star read! And I for sure will be reading Book Two.!

[Chelsea Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fascinating! I loved it from the beginning all the way to the end. The mix of celtic lore and a modern girl in a modern society was perfect! This book is definitely a must-read if you love mythology or even if you just love suspense and a sexy love interest (shoutout to Alexander Sinclair right there). The author did a great job making this book feel authentic, especially with Alex's accent! As an American, I found him just as hard to understand as I do my real-life Scottish friends (this is a great thing btw!!). It was perfect and Brenawyn and Alex were adorable together. I can't wait to watch their relationship develop in the sequel! Leo was also written perfectly, she seemed like the most amazing sassy grandma who also happened to be a druid. I wish she was my grandma. The only thing I wish this book had was a bit more explanation as to what exactly Brenawyn being who she is meant. I didn't exactly like being as in the dark as she herself was, because it made it a little confusing as to why the Order was after her in the first place. I did, however, appreciate the footnotes and the glimpses of the story from other character's perspectives because of the depth it did give the story. I wish this book was longer because I desperately want to know what happens next!!
***I WAS GIVEN A COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR FREE IN EXCHANGE FOR A FAIR AND HONEST REVIEW***

[Annette Dahl "Old Vicarious Reader" · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ended up to be a really good book. It was free and when they're free I put them down easily. I didn't think I would like this one but I stuck with it. The celtic accent troubled me in the beginning so I didn't think I was going to like it, but I'm glad I tried this story again. And, once I gave the story a chance I couldn't put the book down.

The Celtic accent drove me crazy, (I wish it came on audio), but the plot pulled me in with great facination. It a paranormal stories that took me time to understand, and truthfully by the end of the book I'm still confused with the mythology concept. Nonetheless, this was an excellent read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fate’s Hand is a wonderful debut novel that makes you fall in love with the author’s writing and look forward to her next book. If you’re into fantasy books full of mysticism, come join the club of Melissa Macfie’s fans. If you like action-packed, mind-twisting, but at the same time elegant and gentle novels, again, you won’t be disappointed. This book is quintessence of thriller and romantic novel, and it just couldn’t leave me indifferent. I sat to read a few pages before sleep and found myself turning page after page late at night, as it’s impossible to put the book down not knowing what happens with Brenawyn next. Judging by the book cover, you may think that it is about medieval times, but the heroine is a modern-day American girl whose life once changes drastically. She’s pursued by the gods and is believed to be the priestess. Her strong character deserves respect! And the love storyline complements the general plot very nicely. The author is generous enough to share with us some juicy details. The only thing I would change about this novel is its size, as 200 pages is almost nothing for a great book like this, so I wish the author inspiration and I will definitely read the next book!

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the wizardry of Harry Potter, the rich history of Celtic and Druid mysticism and a modern day romance story, you will love this book! The publisher's name, "Can't Put it Down Books," couldn't be more appropriate, as I picked up the book intending to read a chapter or two and read nearly non-stop until I had finished it.
In the interest of full disclosure, the author, Melissa Macfie, is my niece and I am extremely proud of her and the work she has accomplished with this book. Melissa teaches high school English in Carteret, N.J. (a town where I lived while growing up) and has been awarded Teacher of the Year. This is her first novel and I can't wait for Book Two in the exciting trilogy she has written.

[Lakshmi C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gripping read and a fun page turner. The lead Brenawyn is central to a prophecy and is being pursued by Gods who believe she is the high priestess. Brenawyn is not aware of her heritage and that danger is closing on her. Alexander is a tormented and complex character, the readers will definitely root for him. The book has Celtic mythology and Druid magic which was interesting and unique. The Coven is ruthless and disturbing, their actions add to the intensity of the story. The book has a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Jennifer Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it

I actually really liked the story line but gave it only three stars because I was annoyed with the language. I understand that the Author was trying to keep to the old language but for me it was distracting. It reminded me of talking to someone with a heavy accents and not understanding a Damon thing they said. So if that doesn't bother you, I suggest you read the book. As much as it bothered me, I still want the next one to know what happens.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author at a workshop in New Hope, PA last February. I purchased the book directly.

The Celtic dialogue initially drove me crazy but once I got into the story I enjoyed the story. I'm glad I didn't give up on it because of the dialogue. I don't believe the dialogue adds to the story, it could easily be left out.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmmm

Well could be 3,5stars for the broken English storyline good though a little hard in the beginning because he is Scottish and she is writing with the accent,until you start to read with that

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out alright. The characters are interesting, the plot seems like it could be good.

Then, there's the whole I'm-a-slave-to-the-gods, they-forced-me-to-rape-her-but-I-tried-not-to thing.

No thanks.

Icky.

[Susan Lee Thuener · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celtic magic book 1

I found the magic in this story hard to understand. That plus the Irish accent and demons rushing around was a bit too much for me to fathom. If you are able to get past that you might enjoy it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. The story moves along quickly and sucks you in. It was a great read! Definitely worth the read. Just be forewarned that this series is not complete, so if you're like me and would rather have a complete series, book 3 will not be released until 2017.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to win this copy from the author. Very well written. Suspenseful and kept you wanting to read more and not put it down. Did not expect the story line but the author pulled it off.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but it took me sooo long to read

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celtic Fairy tales

Based on Scottish gods and goddesses and the history of the druids. The dialect brogue was difficult to follow at times, but the story was good.

[Kevin]

I couldn't get into the book after a few chapters.