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Following Destiny
Paranormal romantic mystery with a twist... Down on her luck, Andrea Duncan is excited when she inherits a house and a very special ring from the grandmother she never knew. Suddenly she is hearing voices and discovers the ring opens a portal that allows her ancestors to speak to her. A very friendly local Sheriff and an over-sized mutt named Heidi bring laughter and love into her life. Then a serial killer focuses on the young woman when she gets in his way. Must Andrea die to follow her destiny?
218 pages, ebook
First published October 24, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 18, 2009
4.5 stars
Andrea Duncan has come into an inheritance at a most opportune time in her life. She was down on her luck, couple that with the worst year that you would not wish on even your dog and she was at the end of her tethers. To find out that you had a grandmother that you knew nothing about but also that you have inherited a house and a few other things in the bargain as well was a mixed bag of blessing for Andrea.
One of the things that came as apart of the inheritance along with a pile of stacked up paper work was a ring. This ring was unlike anything that Andrea has ever known or heard about and thank god she was not the type that jump a mile when things goes bump in the night – because there were voices coming from that ring. Andrea is rightly concerned about the ring and it’s strange power or confusion in this case, but the benefits of small town living, a roof over her head and now she finds out that the local Sheriff actually made house call, she has no problem regulating the ring to the background of her life.
Sheriff Mason Keeler day is long enough as it is with goings on in town without adding a personal beef to his agenda, but he was not a happy bunny. Andrea’s grandmother Rose was a friend of the sheriff and for all the time he had known Rose, there was no granddaughter in the picture - now one had presented herself as soon as she died – he was not happy. Mason’s is objective if nothing else and is prepared to hear Andrea’s side of the story – but what he was not expecting to do was to perk up from sexual interest as soon as he met her – that was definitely new.
Few things happens right from the moment Andrea and Mason shook hands and it only gets worst. Firstly the ring chose that moment to let her know it’s opinion of the sheriff and the voice’s were liking him – alot.
From there on in Andrea’s time in town become her happiest as well as the scariest of her life, not only does she find something with Mason that she never knew she had the chance of finding, but a serial killer was on the hunt and after being foiled in his latest attempt his eyes are set firmly on Andrea and that is one thing Mason nor the voices will allow.
Along with a serial murderer, nosey neighbours, a ugly dog as well as a new job, Andreas new life in town was moving on whether she wanted it to or not. Some she deals with in classic Andrea style but some she has no choice but to lean on Mason and Mason was strong enough to bear all of Andrea’s burdens.
I must admit writing this review has been a little difficult for me – for the mere reason that it’s one of those books that it’s hard to sum up without giving away the plot. It’s also had a multitude of story line that should make this book a convoluted mess – but it is clear that Ms. Vickery is fastly becoming very skilled at putting the pieces of a puzzle together and creating a stunning body of work.
Highlights
Right from about fifteen pages into FOLLOWING DESTINY I was caught up in this story – I didn't know where it was going, but with little descriptive words, the right protags, coupled with some some less than savoury goings on – I was not letting go of this book until I was finished.
The main protags were protags that you could like – right from the first meeting they were solid, no nonsense characters. They were well developed and everything about them was destined for great things, because anything less and there would be dire consequences.
Once of the big pluses of this book for me was the whole small-town set up – I found this to be one of the stronger points of the books. The insulation of small-town living gave this book that extra boost – the character that are part and parcel of the set up, the stuff they take for granted and the fact that nothing is private but par for the course and if truth be told, looks to be the national past time.
This is my third book by this author and without a doubt, Ms. Vickery’s strongest strength as an author is her ability to put the pieces of an elaborate puzzle together and create a mystery that makes my hair stand on end – very, very well done.
There are a number of story lines running through this book - that without a doubt should have been convoluted at best and ridiculous at worst, but Ms. Vickery weaves her magic and everything falls into place. With timely changing of scenes, interlinking the plot lines and giving the individual storyline’s there chance to run it’s course – the meatier section of FOLLOWING DESTINY was well played out.
I must mention the dialogue in this book. It was a mix bag, but it stands out very clearly. There is the spirit in the ring with there confusing repetitious voices that just gave me the shivers, then there was the nosey conspiracy dialogue of small town locals and off course Andrea and Mason’s two step dance around their increasing attraction.
I love romance suspense more than any other genre, no matter what else I read I always come back back to it, FOLLOWING DESTINY had a lot of time invested into it. From the town setting, to the details of the serial killer and his mindset along with how a community close rank and protect their own – this was Ms. Vickery at her best.
The flow of the book was spot on- I would like to say it was rushed to complement the serial killing plot line, but it wasn’t. It was an ever increasing pace that ended with a bang that was just right and tied up alot of loose ends that would have niggled me otherwise.
The supernatural element in this book was well timed and well played as well. The ring and all it represents was like an aide more than actually a being so the book felt very real. It was always in the background and like any psychic ability only shines when danger is around… I liked that aspect of this book as it allowed me to enjoy the book without concentrating on “the ring” and all it’s possibility.
There was a nice balance to this book. Despite the dark underbelly of what was happening in the dead of night, there was little beams of sunrays in the pleasure people took in their neighbours, the fact that animals and kids were treasured, the elderly was not forgotten and even the less than likable characters were given there day to shine.
There is a solid ending to this book, not a two pages rush job that will leave you unfulfilled. With the numerous characters as well independent story lines, it was nice to see where they all were before I closed this book.
Look Out for
I refuse to say Lowlights in regards to this book, because there wasn’t any. It wasn’t full of high octane drama or over the top emotional drama and if you are not a fan of this genre FOLLOWING DESTINY wont work for you.
One thing I would caution about in this book is the strength of the support characters, they are so well developed, so defined that some come with their own little satellite of story possibilities, that I was really pushed not to have the hump when the scenes moved on and I was left wondering.
Bottom Line..
A bloody difficult review for me to write but I think I got all the main points. This book was not perfection by no means, but FOLLLOWING DESTINY stood out because of small things, the supernatural element being only one, others were so wonderfully crafty that I can easily say that I most definitely recommend this book as a must read.
Andrea Duncan has come into an inheritance at a most opportune time in her life. She was down on her luck, couple that with the worst year that you would not wish on even your dog and she was at the end of her tethers. To find out that you had a grandmother that you knew nothing about but also that you have inherited a house and a few other things in the bargain as well was a mixed bag of blessing for Andrea.
One of the things that came as apart of the inheritance along with a pile of stacked up paper work was a ring. This ring was unlike anything that Andrea has ever known or heard about and thank god she was not the type that jump a mile when things goes bump in the night – because there were voices coming from that ring. Andrea is rightly concerned about the ring and it’s strange power or confusion in this case, but the benefits of small town living, a roof over her head and now she finds out that the local Sheriff actually made house call, she has no problem regulating the ring to the background of her life.
Sheriff Mason Keeler day is long enough as it is with goings on in town without adding a personal beef to his agenda, but he was not a happy bunny. Andrea’s grandmother Rose was a friend of the sheriff and for all the time he had known Rose, there was no granddaughter in the picture - now one had presented herself as soon as she died – he was not happy. Mason’s is objective if nothing else and is prepared to hear Andrea’s side of the story – but what he was not expecting to do was to perk up from sexual interest as soon as he met her – that was definitely new.
Few things happens right from the moment Andrea and Mason shook hands and it only gets worst. Firstly the ring chose that moment to let her know it’s opinion of the sheriff and the voice’s were liking him – alot.
Andrea pushed open the screen door extending her right hand, “It’s nice to meet you,
Sheriff.” Catching a quick glimpse of the stone in the ring on her index finger, she saw it begin
to glow just before her small hand became engulfed by his large one. She heard the whispers
begin. Closing her eyes, she silently prayed for them to stop. Instead, they grew louder and she
actually understood what they said.
A gruff male voice said, “He is a valiant knight.”
“He will help you meet your destiny,” whispered a husky voice sounding neither male nor
female, but somewhere in between.
“You shall trust him with your life. He will be important to us all,” said the female voice
Andrea remembered from the night before.
Andrea jerked her hand free of the sheriff’s and grabbed the door facing in an effort to steady
her trembling body. Taking several deep breaths, she wished she was anywhere but here.
Following Destiny © Rebecca Vickery
From there on in Andrea’s time in town become her happiest as well as the scariest of her life, not only does she find something with Mason that she never knew she had the chance of finding, but a serial killer was on the hunt and after being foiled in his latest attempt his eyes are set firmly on Andrea and that is one thing Mason nor the voices will allow.
Along with a serial murderer, nosey neighbours, a ugly dog as well as a new job, Andreas new life in town was moving on whether she wanted it to or not. Some she deals with in classic Andrea style but some she has no choice but to lean on Mason and Mason was strong enough to bear all of Andrea’s burdens.
I must admit writing this review has been a little difficult for me – for the mere reason that it’s one of those books that it’s hard to sum up without giving away the plot. It’s also had a multitude of story line that should make this book a convoluted mess – but it is clear that Ms. Vickery is fastly becoming very skilled at putting the pieces of a puzzle together and creating a stunning body of work.
Highlights
Right from about fifteen pages into FOLLOWING DESTINY I was caught up in this story – I didn't know where it was going, but with little descriptive words, the right protags, coupled with some some less than savoury goings on – I was not letting go of this book until I was finished.
The main protags were protags that you could like – right from the first meeting they were solid, no nonsense characters. They were well developed and everything about them was destined for great things, because anything less and there would be dire consequences.
Once of the big pluses of this book for me was the whole small-town set up – I found this to be one of the stronger points of the books. The insulation of small-town living gave this book that extra boost – the character that are part and parcel of the set up, the stuff they take for granted and the fact that nothing is private but par for the course and if truth be told, looks to be the national past time.
This is my third book by this author and without a doubt, Ms. Vickery’s strongest strength as an author is her ability to put the pieces of an elaborate puzzle together and create a mystery that makes my hair stand on end – very, very well done.
There are a number of story lines running through this book - that without a doubt should have been convoluted at best and ridiculous at worst, but Ms. Vickery weaves her magic and everything falls into place. With timely changing of scenes, interlinking the plot lines and giving the individual storyline’s there chance to run it’s course – the meatier section of FOLLOWING DESTINY was well played out.
I must mention the dialogue in this book. It was a mix bag, but it stands out very clearly. There is the spirit in the ring with there confusing repetitious voices that just gave me the shivers, then there was the nosey conspiracy dialogue of small town locals and off course Andrea and Mason’s two step dance around their increasing attraction.
I love romance suspense more than any other genre, no matter what else I read I always come back back to it, FOLLOWING DESTINY had a lot of time invested into it. From the town setting, to the details of the serial killer and his mindset along with how a community close rank and protect their own – this was Ms. Vickery at her best.
The flow of the book was spot on- I would like to say it was rushed to complement the serial killing plot line, but it wasn’t. It was an ever increasing pace that ended with a bang that was just right and tied up alot of loose ends that would have niggled me otherwise.
The supernatural element in this book was well timed and well played as well. The ring and all it represents was like an aide more than actually a being so the book felt very real. It was always in the background and like any psychic ability only shines when danger is around… I liked that aspect of this book as it allowed me to enjoy the book without concentrating on “the ring” and all it’s possibility.
There was a nice balance to this book. Despite the dark underbelly of what was happening in the dead of night, there was little beams of sunrays in the pleasure people took in their neighbours, the fact that animals and kids were treasured, the elderly was not forgotten and even the less than likable characters were given there day to shine.
There is a solid ending to this book, not a two pages rush job that will leave you unfulfilled. With the numerous characters as well independent story lines, it was nice to see where they all were before I closed this book.
Look Out for
I refuse to say Lowlights in regards to this book, because there wasn’t any. It wasn’t full of high octane drama or over the top emotional drama and if you are not a fan of this genre FOLLOWING DESTINY wont work for you.
One thing I would caution about in this book is the strength of the support characters, they are so well developed, so defined that some come with their own little satellite of story possibilities, that I was really pushed not to have the hump when the scenes moved on and I was left wondering.
Bottom Line..
A bloody difficult review for me to write but I think I got all the main points. This book was not perfection by no means, but FOLLLOWING DESTINY stood out because of small things, the supernatural element being only one, others were so wonderfully crafty that I can easily say that I most definitely recommend this book as a must read.
May 18, 2016
Following Destiny by Rebecca J. Vickery is an enjoyable contemporary thriller with a few paranormal elements interwoven into the story. Considering how many paranormal shows that are on the television these days, I thought the premise of the story quite clever. Plus the characters are well developed and the plot moves along at a very acceptable pace.
The story revolves around Andrea Duncan who inherits a house just when she needs it most. She never knew her grandmother who left her the house, but she immediately feels at home in it. However, she starts to hear voices that appear to come from a very family heirloom that warns her of a serial killer that is on the loose in her new hometown. While she struggles with figuring out the clues the ancient ring is trying to tell her, she gets involved with the local sheriff who also befriended her grandmother.
I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by David Quimby.
He did an admirable job and he provided differing voices for each of the characters. His narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book. I recommend this audio to anyone who enjoys serial killer thrillers with a hint of the paranormal. I was provided a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.
The story revolves around Andrea Duncan who inherits a house just when she needs it most. She never knew her grandmother who left her the house, but she immediately feels at home in it. However, she starts to hear voices that appear to come from a very family heirloom that warns her of a serial killer that is on the loose in her new hometown. While she struggles with figuring out the clues the ancient ring is trying to tell her, she gets involved with the local sheriff who also befriended her grandmother.
I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by David Quimby.
He did an admirable job and he provided differing voices for each of the characters. His narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book. I recommend this audio to anyone who enjoys serial killer thrillers with a hint of the paranormal. I was provided a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 23, 2010
This was a fast paced story with some mystery and romance thrown in. Good read on a cold night.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews