Love
has existed since the beginning of time. For Ashlin Thomas, love was
an illusion that she desperately wanted to make a reality.
Returning
home to Savannah, after her aunt’s death, Ashlin must deal with the
harsh realities life has dealt her.
As
Ashlin begins sorting through her aunt’s personal effects, she
stumbles upon a journal. Not just any journal, but the words of her
great great great grandmother, Sophia.
Two
love stories intertwine with each other as Ashlin reads the beautiful
words, written over a hundred years ago.
The
intense connection Ashlin feels with Sophia begins to allow her to
find herself. Never thinking love was possible for her, Ashlin now
sees it is within her grasp.
But,
life is never perfect. Life is never fair.
When
faced with the decision that could change Ashlin’s future … will
she sacrifice one love for another, or will her predestined heart
lead her home?
I've
not read a historical romance in quite a while so was slightly
nervous as to how Predestined Hearts would read. I've never read a
duel genre book either but was intrigued as
to how the contemporary and historical
aspects would meld together. The
result? A beautiful and
amazing love
story, leaving me
with a lasting impression.
Ashlin
Thomas and Gael
Stowe are our
hero and heroine from the contemporary storyline and their story is
told from alternating POV. Ashlin
is in Savannah for her beloved aunt
Leelyn's funeral
and the pair meet up when
she has a meal at
Gael's restaurant. As the pair get to know one another they discover
that they have a common link. The
connection is uncovered after
Ashlin begins reading an old journal she's
discovered that belongs
to her great-great-great grandmother Sophia.
Sophia
and Daniel are our historical couple,
although there is far more to their story than we originally lead to
believe, adding both sadness and intrigue.
I
really don't want to spoil the enjoyment of this unique
book by revealing more details
about what happens. Both
the nineteenth century and contemporary plots weave together
seamlessly making the story flow effortlessly,
creating a refreshing and heart-warming
page turner. Each genre will have you
crying tears for joy and sorrow, with heavy
doses of angst, love and steamy scenes.
Both nicely tied together with hope and
everlasting love.
Both
authors have done a fabulous job crafting something very special,
exciting but more
importantly memorable.
4½
Stars
***arc
generously received in exchange for an honest review***
Historical
Gazing
around the room, I searched for Daniel. My father and mother were
busy talking to Mr. and Mrs. Stowe along with two other couples, whom
I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing. A young gentleman had been
talking my ear off and I was in desperate need of fresh air.
Turning
to him, I asked, “Will you please excuse me? I am in need of some
fresh air.”
“Shall
I join you?” he asked.
I
quickly shook my head. “No. No, that will not be necessary. I have
a slight headache and need some time alone.”
Nodding
his head, he smiled and took a step back, giving me a quick bow.
Returning the polite gesture, I began toward the kitchen. One look
over my shoulder showed my mother watching me intently. I’m sure
she was distressed at the idea of me wandering off and being late to
sit down for dinner.
Somehow
managing to find my way to the back gardens, I smiled and inhaled a
deep breath. All I smelled were azaleas. I walked along the
cobblestone pathway that intertwined among Magnolia trees and some of
the most amazing flowers I’d ever seen. My mother would be green
with envy were she to lay her eyes upon this colorful garden.
“It
goes on forever,” I whispered.
“One
can easily get lost back here.”
I
stopped the moment I heard his voice. Closing my eyes, I placed my
gloved hands on my stomach to calm the butterflies. Inhaling a deep
breath through my nose, I slowly blew it out as I turned to face him.
Daniel.
His eyes widened and he licked his lips. I raised the corner of my
mouth and bowed slightly. Daniel walked up to me and smiled, causing
my knees to shake. For a moment, it felt as if the earth was moving
and I fought to stand upright.
He
took a step closer to me as his eyes moved about my face. When they
landed on my lips, I instinctively licked them. His eyes were ablaze
with fire. I took a step back as he took another step forward. My
breathing increased as I felt something I’d never felt before.
Desire.
Want.
Need.
Contemporary
A
light rap on the counter brought my attention to the man in front of
me. He had dark-brown hair that was tousled about in disarray. His
warm brown eyes melted through me. The five o’clock shadow from the
stubble on his face showcased his strong jaw line. He was sinfully
gorgeous and I could feel my insides turn all gooey from the sight of
him in front of me.
My
mouth was dry as he looked at me expectantly. In that moment, it was
as if something within me altered and changed. I couldn’t explain
it.
Get
it together, Ashlin.
“I’m
sorry. It’s been a long day. Can you repeat what you said?” My
voice came out fairly normal, which I was proud of, versus the crazy
energy I felt pulsating within me.
He
gave a gentle look; it wasn’t cocky or knowing, but only sweet. “Is
there anything I can get you?”
Smiling
back, I responded, “I’ll have the beef stew and a water.”
“Good
choice. Coming right up.” He rapped his knuckles on the counter as
he walked off to the left.
I
wasn’t paying attention to how his white shirt was rolled up to his
elbows. Nope. And I wasn’t paying attention to how his khaki pants
hugged him in all the right places. Nope. And I for sure wasn’t
staring at him as if he would be sex on a stick. Nope.
Seriously
get it together, Ashlin. My life has turned inside out and the last
thing I need to be thinking about is sex.
The
man turned back toward me and I looked up at the television screen
that was above, hoping I wasn’t caught ogling the bartender. I
need a life, seriously. Time passed and before I knew it, a
steaming bowl of beef stew with a little plate of bread was set in
front of me.
It
smelled delicious. “Thank you.”
The
bartender smiled. I glanced back to my stew as I ate.
He
responded, “You’re welcome.”
Taking
a bite, it was one of the most delicious stews I had ever tasted. I
moaned in appreciation.
“It’s
that good, eh?”
I
licked my lips and felt heat creep up on my face. Not realizing I had
closed my eyes, I tentatively opened them and glanced at the
bartender, who was looking at me more intensely than before. “Oh, I
did not mean to do that out loud.” Picking up my napkin, I dabbed
the corner of my mouth. “Give my complements to the chef. It’s
incredible. I’d love to get the recipe.”
He
leaned on the counter. “I’ll let the chef know. I know him pretty
well, and I’d say if he could get that type of reaction out of
every beautiful woman who ate the stew, he’d serve it all the time
versus only on special occasions.”
The
bartender moved a little closer to me and I smiled at his playful
face while wanting to reach out and trace that devastatingly handsome
jaw line. Conspiringly, he whispered, “I’ve heard that the recipe
is a family secret. You’d have to marry the chef in order to get
it.”
I
giggled as he winked at me. “Okay, if I get that desperate to have
it, I’ll know to bring a ring and my bended knee.”
He
chuckled and stood. “So, what brings you to Savannah?”
“Is
this where I lay all my troubles on the line for the bartender to
listen and give advice?” I teased with him as I cocked my head.
He
shrugged as he mixed a drink. The bar was otherwise vacated except
one person at the end who nursed a beer. “I happen to listen and
give advice for free on Wednesday’s.”
My
smile was wide. There was something magnetic about this man and I
didn’t want our conversation to end. “Well, it’s a good thing
it’s Wednesday.”
“Yes,
it is.”
Kelly
Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for
making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams
for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!
She’s
also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for
something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone
sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.
In
her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the
Texas hill country and write.
One
of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with
Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her
golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul
brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that
day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.
LINKS:
Twitter:
@author_kelly
Kristin
Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import
Manager. Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and
writing. While visiting her father one weekend, he suggested that she
should take up writing again. With family and a career, she didn’t
give it a lot of thought, until a story entered her mind and wouldn’t
leave. It just kept forming and developing over a couple of months.
At
the beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down,
but she kept it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and
before she knew it, she had the makings of a novel.
Kristin
tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to
travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International
Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author”
on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.
Stay
connected with Kristin Mayer:
Twitter:
@author_kristin
Email: kristinmayerwrites@gmail.com
