This weekend I am featuring the lovely Nancy Straight who authored the Destiny series. Tomorrow, March 4th, Nancy will be by to answer a few questions for us all. She'll be celebrating her birthday with us, so come prepared to sing to her! :-)
Meeting Destiny
By: Nancy Straight
ISBN: 2940011054235
Published June 27, 2010
Available Format: Paperback, ebook
My Rating: ★★★★★
Smashwords' Synopsis: 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. Soon, Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren.
Meeting Destiny is a terrific (older) young adult paranormal novel. The main character is in her twenties, about to graduate college, so her life is a bit more mature—although there is absolutely nothing R-rated about his book. Still, it's nice not to have to listen to an angsty teenager for a change.
Lauren is authentic, easy to relate to and very likable, which is good because we are thrown directly into her life from page one! Nancy does a perfect job introducing each of the characters and weaving them all together very nicely. I could pick a person from my own life that would fit almost perfectly into most every role of the story—from the bratty kid to the meddlesome mother (not MY mother, of course!).
The paranormal aspect of the story is handled brilliantly. Lauren's 'premonitions' are introduced very realistically, as if it is just something that comes naturally rather than something that is suddenly forced upon her. Even her bizarre connection and history with Max is written so that it is very believable and easy to digest. I think that really makes this novel more unique—there really is more of a contemporary fiction edge to it, even though it certainly has the paranormal elements. They don't really take center stage; Lauren's life is the focus. I love that!
Overall, I definitely recommend this, especially for YA paranormal lovers. I think it will give you a little bit of a breather, while still satisfying that paranormal appetite J… I am looking forward to diving into book two of the series ASAP!
