Destiny's Choice
by Victoria Saccenti
Destiny’s Choice, the
exciting, long awaited sequel of Destiny’s Plan, is now available.
Pick up your copy through the following vendors.
Praise for Destiny’s Choice:
“A
riveting tale of a love that is as powerful as it is dangerous.”
– Readers’
Favorite.
No one evades
Fate. Especially when the escape route is cracked and full of holes.
As a naïve young woman, Marité
Muro nearly drowned in a maelstrom of confusing emotions stirred by two very
different men. One whose tortured soul tugged at her heart, another whose
scorching touch made her innocent body want…more.
Four years in a Spanish prep
school gave her time to gain perspective, and now she’s come home to Florida
knowing what she wants. The one man she’s never been able to forget, and she’s
ready to prove their age difference is no obstacle.
Vietnam left scars on Brian
MacKay, some visible, some invisible—and infinitely more dangerous. His war
buddy’s sister-in-law has ripened into a tempting, irresistible woman, but she
is forbidden fruit. Yet she challenges his resolve until, in a moment of weakness,
his demons slip free.
Marité isn’t sure why the man who
held her closer than skin is suddenly holding her at arm’s length, but she
isn’t afraid to fight for him. Even when someone returns from the past who
could destroy everything. Her home. Her family. And Brian’s love.
Review by pearls
A sweeping love story across time and land. The social customs of courtship from traditional Spain and Cuba are played out against the free love of 1970's Florida as women are pursued by the men who love them. The focus of the story is Marite', who is loved by two very different men. Both are fighting their own destructive demons. Confused as she awakens the sexual woman inside herself, Marite' must chose between two non-traditional choices. Meanwhile, her cousin Lorrie lives with her boyfriend and her cousin's friend Rafe engages in a traditional courtship for the love of his life. The novel takes the reader on a journey of emotions as love and grief hold their sway. Set during a child's christening, a time celebrating new beginnings, the story also shows how the past impacts the present and the future, raising the question of starting over with a clean slate and of paying penance for absolution. And while Marite' may have made her choice, is it Destiny's choice?
***
Excerpt:
Brian paced like a caged animal from wall to wall. He prowled to the window and stared out into the dark, starless night. After long moments, he resumed the pacing again. Much as Brian had attempted, even prayed for it, neither Morpheus nor any of his dream spirits would grant him rest tonight. He’d questioned the wisdom of this visit from the start, but in the end, despite his reservations, he had caved in. Matthew had piqued his curiosity, or so he convinced himself. Curiosity was just the excuse. He had another more compelling motivation: Marité. She was the beginning and the end of his need. He had to see her again, feel her warmth even for a tiny second, catch a whiff of her scent. Yes, he had welcomed Matthew’s push, and his friend had known he would.
The last time he saw his angel of light, she had been a woman in the making, a breathtaking promise. As she escaped into the night, she had taken his soul. Today, she was the reality and the truth. Beauty in all her splendor and glory. Back in Vietnam, Brian had made fun of Matthew’s love for reading and his fondness for Khalil Gibran. Brian had once called him a sap, which Matthew took in his stride. Careful what you say, you may end up eating your words… As he walked another circle, karma had its revenge. Gibran’s words surfaced in his mind:
She shall come with the spring leaping upon the hills. Yet in truth you spoke not of her but of needs unsatisfied. And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth.
Except he was thirsty. Parched, in fact. Tormented by her nearness, he only had to stretch out his hand…
But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted.
Brian had been mesmerized, enchanted past hope and redemption. His mind argued back like a hated enemy, thrusting Amanda’s crumpled body, a reminder of the terrible past to the forefront, and shoving a mountain of fresh guilt upon his soul.
“No, no,” he protested. “I tried. I offered everything my heart could give. She knew, she said she understood from the beginning. She said it was enough, but she lied, she lied about everything… It was never enough.”
He dropped his body on the mattress, defeated by Amanda’s unwanted resurgence. Would he ever find any peace, any forgiveness? In frustration, he shook his head against the pillow. To the amazement of his anguished spirit, Amanda’s countenance slowly disappeared, overpowered by Marité’s face. Her image intensified from a forbidden vision to a full-body fantasy, a sight he always repressed.
Tonight, he lacked the strength to push it away. She was so close, scant feet away, down the hall from his room. He could still feel the warmth of her skin in his hands. He could envision her golden body stretched out naked on pristine linen sheets, her soft arms reaching out, demanding his embrace, her silky breasts and erect nipples reaching for his touch, her long beautiful legs entwining around his waist, her body urging to be taken… Brian’s soul roiled between the exaltation of spiritual love and the vortex of carnal desire. I shouldn’t, not tonight, not tonight. He was nothing but a sinful, woeful man, overwhelmed by a love and a need he had absolutely no right to pursue and had faithfully resisted. The more he refused and suppressed it, the more his body protested and demanded under the weight of unfulfilled want.
To his utter shame, he faced the final defeat. He allowed himself a rare pleasure: to feel and live in the vision. With her name on his lips, Brian gave his lonely, withering heart the empty solace only his hand could offer…
About the Author
A native of Cuba, Victoria grew up
in the nucleus of the prestigious Alonso family, founders of the National Cuban
Ballet. She acquired a love for books
from her mother, and an insatiable curiosity to see and explore the world from
her father. As a result, she has lived
in several countries and has circled the globe at least twice. From her journeys,
she has gathered an eclectic collection of stories and anecdotes to feed and
inspire her muse. She writes
generational sagas and romances with complex emotional content. The human
condition is her favorite theme, the whims of a capricious Fate her preferred
conflict, and a happy ending despite life’s struggles is the ultimate goal of
her stories.
She is the author of Destiny’s Plan and Destiny’s Choice, books one and two of the Destiny’s Series, and a contributor to The Ultimate Guide to Dorothy Dunnett’s THE GAME OF KINGS, by Laura
Caine Ramsey. She is a full-time
moderator at Outlander Book Club freeforums.org, a member of the Romance
Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Florida Writers
Association. She’s an avid fan of Dorothy Dunnett’s works, in her rare off
times you will find her rereading any of The Lymond Chronicles or House of
Niccolò books. Central Florida is home, but if she could convince her husband,
she would pack her computer and move to Scotland, a land she adores.
Other books by Victoria Saccenti
Destiny's Plan
#99cents
Blurb for Destiny's Plan
When Raquelita Muro and Matthew Buchanan meet by chance on a Greyhound bus between Texas and Tallahassee, neither suspects Fate is about to take over.
Raquelita, a gentle girl under the heel of her abusive mother, finds this kind young man a miracle. Matthew, an idealistic young soldier, discovers this sweet-natured girl is an angel in need of a guardian. However, the next stop on Matthew’s journey is Fort Benning to report for deployment to Vietnam, while Raquelita’s destination is set at her mother’s whim. Regardless of the forces tearing them apart, they discover a way to secretly span the distance, to end up closer than ever. But Fate is rarely kind. The vagaries of war—and the unstable tempers of Raquelita’s mother—intervene, leaving both ill-fated lovers feeling there is no hope for their love.
Set in the turbulent era of the Vietnam War, Raquelita’s and Matthew’s story is one of love, loss, lost faith, shattered memoires, deferred dreams and broken promises. Will Fate tear apart these two damaged souls, leaving them desperately alone forever, or will they finally overcome Fate, their bond stronger than they ever thought possible?
Review by pearls
5 Stars
| My favorite part of this historical romance novel is that it explores so many different types of love. Young love, unrequited love, mature love, free love, familial love. It also explores duty, to your country, your family, your loved one, and to your own self. The Vietnam War, a time of epic social upheaval, is the perfect setting for this exploration as Raquelita and her family are faced with changes, both within and outside their family. Is a chance meeting on a bus part of Destiny's Plan, and if so, what is that plan? Get swept up in the winds of change as one twist after the other leaves you wondering what the ultimate outcome will be. |
Review by TinkNCognito
5 Stars
This is such a terrific coming of age story. Set in the 1960's, it is the story of two young people who meet on the train - Raquelita heading to a new life and Matthew heading to war. It was love at first sight.
It is the story of fate and destiny. Beautifully written, it kept my interest. It showcases an interesting part of our history and tells a wonderfully compelling story.
Great first book from a new author.
It is the story of fate and destiny. Beautifully written, it kept my interest. It showcases an interesting part of our history and tells a wonderfully compelling story.
Great first book from a new author.
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