REVIEW/ GIVEAWAY: Visions of Destiny (Complete Series) by Kallysten Pt. 2

One of my absolute favorite indie authors, Kallysten, has just released Visions of Destiny (Complete Series). It's a book comprised of 10 short stories. Just look at this cool teaser slideshow that she put together for it!

Book Teaser: Visions of Destiny

View more PowerPoint from Kally Sten

Visions of Destiny

(Complete Series)

by Kallysten (Goodreads Author)

The Blurb

Daisy’s first mistake was to tell her friends that the famous seer Sam Woods is a family friend; her second one, to let them convince her to organize a soiree so that they may meet him. They are excited and can’t wait to be given a vision of their romantic future. Daisy, on the other hand, still doesn't see the point in being told what Cupid is preparing for her.

One by one, Daisy’s nine friends will get a glimpse of the crucial choice, the passionate night, or the unexpected encounter that will shape the rest of their love lives. Will Daisy join them and ask Sam to reveal her future to her before the night is over?

(This ebook collects the ten short stories from the Vision of Destiny series, whose themes include M/F, M/M, M/M/F, vampires, BDSM, fantasy and contemporary romance.)

Since this book is made up of 10 different short stories I felt that I needed to review each story individually. I mean, I wouldn't want any of them to feel neglected!

There are a few things that remain constant in these stories and so I didn't dwell too much on them in the individual reviews. One thing that you can always expect from Kallysten is her ability to draw you in and get you to want to know her characters. I think that that is why her series' resonate so much for me. I want to learn more about the people and there world. Like for this series, there are more than 10 different people to learn about. By reading their stories I feel like I know them. That I could easily be hanging at that party with them. By golly! I want Sam to show me my future! LOL! Another thing that you get with every installment in this series, is some good knee weakening lovin'. Kallysten is fantastic at weaving a web of desire with her writing whether it be M/F, M/F/M or M/M.

Sixth Vision of Destiny - Cathleen

Another one of Daisy’s friends has received a vision of his future from the seer Sam Woods, and that vision is so far removed from Brett’s current life that he can hardly believe it. As he forgets what he saw, Daisy wonders, what was the point of it all?

But after talking with Woods, as she realizes how much he wishes he could see what Brett did, see himself in love and loved in return, Daisy can only share his loneliness, and she could almost wish for a vision of her own — almost, but not quite.

It’s this same loneliness that pushes Cathleen to ask for her turn, and the vision Woods offers her shows her the man that will give her the companionship and love she craves — a man half her age.

Torn by the fear of how others, including her own son, will see this age difference, Cathleen has kept her relationship with Alex a secret. It is now time for her to decide if she should end it altogether, or if she can allow herself to enjoy the love she had nearly given up on finding.

My Review

This story has been my least favorite in the series so far. It's a "cougar" story, though I hate using the word because of the negative connotation that comes with it. I've not read many older woman younger man books but I think that they're not my style. I have an extremely hard time connecting with the characters. That being said this story was still an enjoyable read. The whole let's not get caught feel at the beginning of the vision was easily palpable. The nervous excitement that Cathleen and Alex felt was contagious.

Though I had a hard time connecting to Alex and Cathleen as a couple, it was clear to this reader that they didn't lack a connection to each other. There was this one part in the story where Alex lightly brushed his forehead against Cathleen's. The small gesture contained a wealth of emotions. Understanding, unity and supports are only just a few of them. For such a tiny thing, something that would go noticed or seen as an accident, to mean so much only proves the depth of their bond.

Daisy continues to learn more about this installment. She realizes now that what he does is not as she had once thought. There is definitely some vibes flowing between these two. It's funny, at the beginning of the series (a few hours ago in the story timeline) she thought he was a fraud and didn't even want to be in his presence. Now? Well, it looks like in a few hours she's managed to do a full turn around!

Seventh Vision of Destiny - Rachel

As the night advances, Daisy starts to feel under pressure. The seer Sam Woods, Daisy’s friends, even her sister all push her into accepting a vision of her romantic future. But Daisy won’t budge: she believes that there are things she shouldn’t know about her own future, and by refusing she clings to the core of who she is.

The core of Rachel’s identity is exactly what comes to light in the vision Woods gives her. She has been living a ‘normal’ life by day, and the life of a BDSM submissive by night, being very careful not to let her two worlds meet. But when, after a night of hard play, her Master offers to push their relationship into the light, making the most important decision of her life is strangely not as difficult as Rachel would have expected.

My Review

Oh wow! This one has me really thinking!

A lot of my book friends are really into reading BDSM. Not me though.I'll read it and I enjoy it but it's not a must read sub-genre for me. I've come to think that like with all genre's there are good examples of writing and bad examples. This story was a good one.

The BDSM world in this story was realistic but also different. Actually, I think it was just the couple that was different this time. Rachel (as Sheila the sub) had full and utter trust in her Master. I was so happy to be able to feel that. I mean, that's supposed to be one of the basic tenets of sub side the BDSM lifestyle right? Trust that your Dom will take care of you? However, that trust isn't something that I always feel when reading these types of books.

Though the club scene wasn't hard core is still held a good amount of action. I think that this story would be great for newcomers to this genre. While reading this you're exposed to the different aspects of the D/s relationship. The story makes it clear that it's different strokes for different folks in the BDSM world just as it is in any other. You still have to find that person whom everything just clicks. Apparently Rachel felt that click with David.

One more thing...

The sudden change in Rachel and David's relationship at the end of the vision left me with whiplash. I was pleased with the HEA but to go from what seemed like a few time a month to full time in the blink of an eye was a little much for me to swallow.

Eighth Vision of Destiny - Brad

Daisy’s soiree is slowly winding down: midnight and the New Year are approaching, and most of her friends have received visions of the one choice that will shape their romantic life. With just enough time for one more vision, it is Brad’s turn to go to the seer Sam Woods and get a peek at things to come.

Earlier in the evening, Brad’s girlfriend, Joan, was shown their married life and children, and Brad can’t wait to see what he expects will be the same idyllic future. However, he discovers something else entirely, something that leaves him – and Daisy – shocked and asking questions for which Woods has no good answers.

My Review

I sit here with tears in my eyes as I try to come up with words to describe what this installment in the Visions of Destiny series had made me feel. Talk about a tear jerker! I, like everybody else, thought that Brad would see a nice jaunty romp with Joan. But nooooo. Stop right there. Do not pass go because instead we see Brad at a crossroads that was never expected.

The strength of emotion that Kallysten evoked from me with this story is not surprising but it was unexpected. I was not prepared for the depth of this story. The pain.... The longing... THIS was what I was talking about earlier. This connection (to Kallysten's characters) that has made my heart weep for Brad. Made me feel as if I too had been dealt the blow. *sigh* I marvel at Kallysten's skill. She's truly a master at her craft.

Have some tissues by you when you read this one people!

Ninth Vision of Destiny - Jack

Throughout the evening, the seer Sam Woods has shown Daisy’s friends the choices and partners that will shape their romantic lives. Now that the New Year has come, they celebrate the end of the soiree and take their first steps on a path that will lead all of them to love – and for some of them, to heartache, too.

It was heartache that caused Jack to leave the soiree earlier when he guessed that his girlfriend’s vision showed her a future without him. Now, he returns and asks to see for himself. What he discovers in the vision Woods offers him is the very thing all Special Enforcers fear: his awakening as a vampire. When the opportunity arises to kill Angela, his Sire, will he seize it and avenge his own death, or try to move on toward a future with her?

My Review

As the night draws closer to it's end, things seemed to have quieted down with the gang. All but Daisy had been given a glimpse of future happiness and the new year was about to start. Then, at the last minute, Jack comes back to the cottage. Hoping to learn what Lydia's vision entailed, he managed to get Sam to at least show him his own future. What he see though is a Special Enforcers (Vampire Police) nightmare.

Jack's story had a different feel to it than the others. We get to see him not only at the beginning of a new relationship but also at the beginning of a new life. As a newly turned vampire it was a nice change of pace to see him acclimate to his new circumstances. Though he was still Jack, contrary and controlling, it was cool to be able to witness the differences that came over him. One thing that I noticed that particularly caught my interest was his feelings about killing humans. I like that he stuck to his guns when it came to his beliefs but it thrilled me that he kept it real with himself and recognized that he would have easily slain a human if his Sire desired it from him.

Final Vision of Destiny - Sam

With the last of her friends gone, Daisy finds herself alone with Sam Woods. After the nine different visions the seer experienced during the evening, he confesses to having trouble differentiating reality from the images of the future he saw. Feeling more comfortable with him than she did at the beginning of the night, Daisy invites him to stay in her guest room.

Troubled as he may be, Sam still hasn’t given up on giving Daisy a vision of her future, haunted by the thought that maybe, just maybe, she is the person whose life will be linked to his – the person he has been looking for in each vision. As they take a stroll on the moonlit beach, he asks her one last time to let him show her future to her. In the end, though, it might be Daisy who offers Sam a vision of his own…

My Review

What a remarkable ending! Though I thought that Daisy and Sam would have some sort of future together, Kallysten managed to make it come about in a whole new and surprising way. I LOVED how this final vision was totally different from the rest. I can't say much more because I absolutely loath spoilers but this last story finishes off the series perfectly! I actually did one of those fist clenches and said "Yes!" at the last sentence LOL!

Thank you so much for joining me as I reviewed all 10 of the Vision of Destiny stories. To celebrate all ten of the short stories finally being available in one book Kallysten has decided to do 10 giveaways! One (1) person will receive an ebook of the complete series and nine (9) others will be able to choose which story they'd like to win! Good luck!

You can see my review of the first 5 stories HERE

Don't forget, First Vision of Destiny, Alicia's story, is available for free HERE

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