Destined for Divinity

Almost Human, The Second Trilogy #3

by Melanie Nowak

Almost Human ~ The Second Trilogy ~ Volume 3
Sindy is a vampiress of little morals and large aspirations...or at least, the old Sindy was. Love and friendship are becoming more important to her, and after becoming an accomplice to kidnapping and an agent of betrayal, she would be willing to settle for escaping the tangled web she has woven without getting herself dusted.

Felicity is being held for a ransom that no one of sound moral conscience should be willing to pay. Coven Master Arif, a vampire whose terrifying talent of mind-control holds her more tightly than chains, wants control of The United One; Alyson. A vampire of great power unlike any other, Alyson is a good friend to Felicity and a dear covenmate of...

Cain, a vampire who declared his love for Felicity, but left her to fulfill her dreams of having a human family. Since renouncing his vampiric tendencies, Cain’s existence has been one of self-sacrifice and benevolence. To rescue Felicity, he would have to betray Alyson and endanger the world, an act that would torture his conscience for eternity.

Perhaps Felicity’s husband Ben can rescue her, but to ensure Felicity’s safety he would have to play by Arif’s rules. Is Ben willing to make a deal with the devil to retrieve his wife? Or should he put his differences aside to try and work with Cain, his former rival, to find a solution? Cain may be able to help rescue Felicity, but is he willing to give her up...again?

Alyson has never been one to meekly follow others. Is it time for The United One to take a stand of her own? Her blood dictates that her divine destiny is to rule vampire-kind. Maybe it is time to lay down some rules! A battle is sure to ensue...can Alyson protect everyone she loves?

Will Felicity survive Arif’s wrath to keep her life...and her humanity, or when all is said and done, will she find herself ALMOST HUMAN?

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2015

About the author

Melanie Nowak is author of the venomous vampire series ALMOST HUMAN, and a happily married mom of two boys. She holds a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, and lives with her family on a peaceful mountaintop in the forest of upstate New York. She has always had a vivid imagination and a fascination for the paranormal. Acting and singing are loves of hers as well. However, upon conceiving the idea for her ALMOST HUMAN series in 2003, she discovered a previously unknown passion for writing! Now she puts her over-active imagination to good use, creating characters she loves, and she gets to play all of the parts!


Visit the author's website at: http://www.MelanieNowak.com

Reviews

[Grammy 1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ITS HERE AND IT IS GREAT...

5*****Stars



For those of you who have not begun reading this series…Now is the time to…you must catch up! For those of us who wait for the next in the series, the long awaited ending to the second trilogy is HERE!

To catch any newbies up who haven’t heard about this series, Ms. Nowak had begun a vampire series before vampires stories were ‘the rage’. Her vision was to write a series of 4 trilogies, 12 books - what an undertaking. After she wrote Book 1 of the first trilogy in 2004, Fatal Infatuation, she was refused by publishers telling her, vampire books wouldn’t sell. Eleven years later we are excited to be reading her newest release, Book 6 ending the second trilogy. These books are full novels, but are not stand alone, for continuity they are best read in order. You can read the second trilogy without having read the first - but why would you want to miss a thing?

Through the years, Felicity, Cain, Mattie, Ben Alyson, and Sindy have had a revolving storyline as we followed them through college, and now beyond. Cain, an elder vampire, came to a quaint town in upstate NY to handle a vampire issue, only to fall in love with a young human woman. The secondary characters we learn about through Cain’s history and through the following stories.

What happens in the First Trilogy, ***SPOILER*** as Cain leaves Felicity so she would remain human, tugs at the heart strings of readers who are die hard Team Cain. Ben who has stepped up in her life after Cain leaves her, has given her everything in a loving relationship and many readers are Team Ben. But when Ms Nowak begins one of her books with Cain sitting in front of a huge fireplace, logs snapping brightly, at his huge estate, playing ‘What is Felicity doing now?’ in his head, I am sure many shed a tear for him and his sacrifice...I did.

There are characters you love to hate, and your opinions might change. Sindy was such a bad girl and we disliked her from the start, yet now by book 6 we have learned to feel sorry for her, and maybe even like her a bit.

Ms Nowak knows how to take you on a writing journey, with wonderful ideas brimming from her mind, a story filled with adventure, great descriptions so that you feel you are there, with characters who you know and love and root for….There is something there for everyone; mystery, kidnapping, death, destruction, swashbuckling fights, and the simmer of what will be next.

The completion of the second trilogy satisfied me, yet the irking thought of ‘what now?’ still runs through my head. Follow The Blood!!!



Review by Gloria Lakritz

Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild

[H G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts with a little reminder of what was going on in the last story, and then continues where the last left off. You still have the main characters from the first five books and you get to meet a few new characters. There are so many things going on in this story, it will keep you on the edge of your seat while reading; and just when you think you know what will happen next, there is an unexpected twist!

Allie is still learning all of her powers and relaxing on the road with Mattie, when Zach makes an appearance and causes quite a shock and more than a little trouble. Felicity has been kidnapped by Arif and his coven of vamps; and of course Sindy is still getting herself into all kinds of trouble too. Ben and his father, the vampire hunter, work with Cain and the other vampires to try and save Felicity. Will they be able to work together? Will they be able to save her before something bad happens? Will Arif finally get what he deserves?

This is an amazing story and I absolutely love this series! The author has a way of writing that brings you right into the story. She has you feeling for what the characters are going through. I laughed a few times and even got a tear or two while I was reading. The fight scenes are so descriptive that it felt like I was right there watching and rooting for the “good guys”. I love all of the characters, but Sindy is my new favorite. I went from hating her at the beginning of the series, to feeling a little bit sorry for her at times. She tries so hard to be good and deep down is a good person when it really counts; she just always gets herself into something that isn’t the easiest to get out of.

If you haven’t read the first five books, I recommend you start with book 1. This series just gets better and better. Can’t wait for the next one to see what plots unfold next.

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 is the last one in the second trilogy and it's time for Allie to step things up. She is undoubtedly awesome and has more powers than any other vampire in the world. But, things get complicated when the guy she accidentally killed shows back up. Allie had Sindy turn him so that she would feel better and give him a second chance. Due to her circumstances, she can't change people. Turns out neither should Sindy. Zach finds Allie and he has white eyes too. But Zach ends up being a real problem for her. And that's before things get really complicated. Arif has one of his guys abduct Felicity. It's his objective to get the blood of the United One no matter how he has to do it. Force has not worked out on several occasions and finesse hasn't worked too well either. Now he has turned to leverage by taking someone not only close to Cain, but to her as well. Allie never really wanted to be in a position of power, but it seems like she is going to have to put on her butt kicking boots and storm the castle. Time to make things right. As for Sindy, she is being held against her will at Arif's as well, and she is getting a little bit of return for her past evil deeds. However, the extent of her torture goes beyond even what she deserves, I think. Arif can be very brutal. But Sindy finds an unexpected friend, and that helps things. I have to say, to me, each book just kept getting better and better. I am fully invested in the Almost Human Series and can't wait to see what the third trilogy will hold. Personally, I am rooting for Cain to find some solace and hopefully love. The guy needs it. As for Felicity, she will probably always love Cain. But she has Ben too. Who knows what will happen there? But it sure seems like she's in for the long haul with Ben.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO happy this book is finally out. We are back with the gang: Cain, Mattie, Alyson, and Sindy. They are trying to unite the vampire race but they don't really know how. While they are dealing with individual problems they are not seeing this big picture until it is almost to late. We still have Arif to deal with and he is wrecking havoc everywhere. I have to admit that he is very organized and knows how to multi-task. Sindy is still battling through her morals and ethics verse her wants. Through this story we see her grow up a little and surprisingly I don't hate her at the end. Let me tell you I absolutely disliked her and couldn't wait for her to die off or something. I was hoping that Sindy and Cain wouldn't develop a deep relationship because she was not for him at all. Unfortunately they do care for each other and we see their relationship grow. Allie is still impulsive and immature. We see her become more responsible in this book and grow a little more in the United One role. I'm glad Mattie is being more assertive in his role as husband and mate because I always felt like he was being stepped on. Cain has some soul searching to do. He is so far into other people's issues that he has lost himself. I'm glad we see him moving onto the role of mentor that he so loves. I think it gives him peace. The best part is that Felicity and Ben are back. If you want to know more get the book....

Overall I was very upset about the long wait however, I thought the story was intense and emotional. I was very happy with everything and I'm hopeful I don't have to wait long for the other trilogy to start.

[Sue Remsing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Followed this series for over seven years. I have journeyed with these characters from their youth to the adults they became some human some almost human. This series has stayed with me through the years. Each book that is written brings me right back as thou I just read the previous book yesterday. Melanie Nowak is one of my favorite authors, I look forward to continuing this journey with these wonderful friends I come know. This book deserves 5 plus stars. Begin the journey you won't be sorry!

[Traci Wallace]

I think its a little ridiculous the waiting in between these books, especially with as many as this author plans to spread this story out. Its a shame because when I first read the 1st 3 books, I was hooked, not so much anymore

[Amy Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerfully Addictive!

First, I love Nowak's work, and I read the story of Destined for Divinity through her release of the novellas, Home of the Bloodthirsty Enemies and Allies, Vicious Survival, and Divining Destiny. I've looked at the three different reviews for each novella, and am including portions of those thoughts in this review, and some of my new thoughts on the story. here is a change in the character and it shows growth and depth. Something in this story really impacts the reader, and the characters, and there is a dramatic cause and effect. The characters have depth and soul. Cain is a strong, powerful vampire, but is faced with a life-changing decision, that not only affects him, but others as well. All the characters that are involved in the story have their own story and are also connected with each other. This is a very indicative story about the consequences of ones morals and any decisions that one must make. Nowak keeps the reader engaged throughout each story, looking forward to more. The writing and storytelling and showing the audience these characters, is amazing. Giving the readers the insight into the fine line between humanity and immortality, and each has its own flaws and perfections.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.....what a culmination of images, happenings, miracles and adventures. Fast paced with unexpected twists and turns. In my opinion the most sophisticated book of the trilogies leaving me wanting more. Yet, without the foundation of the first trilogy and the preceding books of this trilogy, would not be able to appreciate just how good this book is. So many themes brought to conclusion but introduction of more yet to come! Have really enjoyed this series and love the additional characters introduced and fleshed out. Mending friendships, new loves, conquering evils, baselining a new culture and day. Entertaining and engaging and fanning my thirst for more.....more Almost Human stories! Happy New Year to the cast of characters and kudos to Melanie Nowak the author. Hope to see more this year, 2024!

[Natasha Banton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, this book in the (Almost Human, the second trilogy) was a fantastic read. The characters in the book were still at their best and I felt sorry for Zach. The one thing I was glad about, was that he was alive again. Reborn. I would never have seen that coming.

I thought Arif was an interesting character. I thought he was being helpful towards Zach as well as Sindy. I'm glad that she was very helpful and kind towards Zach.

Overall, I thought this was a very interesting read and would love to begin the third trilogy to continue with the adventure of every character within the book.

[Amba Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are engaging and make you want to get to know more and the story line is unique. This book moved along....I hate a book that drags. It is a intriguing read, not the best book of literature you'll ever read for sure, but an interesting and entertaining one nonetheless.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited so long for this book and although for the most part I enjoyed it, I was disappointed that Cain wasn't featured more. I really wanted to see an interaction between him and Felicity. Afterall, I am rooting for them to get together at some point. It was extremely disappointing to get to the end and not have the two characters ever have a conversation. I hope the next book in the series makes up for it. I am still very interested in reading more about the characters and am hoping the wait for the next book release won't be years in the making. Cain continues to be my favorite vampire character of all time and I just want to read more about him.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant!

There is so much depth and spirit to all the characters in these books. It makes my own heart sad every time I come to the end of the next book, aching to meet them again. Its hard to sum up just how much I love these books. Melanie Nowak, thank you!

[Haylee Wolsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this next chapter in the series. Looking forward to what happens next.