Mundie Moms

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Destined Blog Tour: Destined by Jessie Harrell

We're the next stop on the DESTINED blog tour hosted by our friends over at Good Choice Reading. Today you can read my review, enter to win an e-book of DESTINED and read an DESTINED extra!!
Published by: Mae Day Publishing
To Be Released on: November 17th, 2011
Source: ARC from author to review
4.5 stars: I Really Enjoyed It
Pre-Order from: Amazon

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell -quoted from Goodreads

I am a huge sucker for a well written Greek mythology re-telling, and Destined delivers a story that's engaging, witty, fast paced and fun. This is a story that I feel isn't as well known as the other, and I really enjoyed Jessie's unique re-telling of Cupid and Psyche's mythology! I've not read a story that centered on Eros before and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's an exciting blend of romance, passion, and there's an enticing character chemistry between Eros and Psyche that kept me turning the pages.

I adored the characters. Eros and Psyche are both flawed, yet strong characters. They start off not wanting anything to do with each other, but end up falling for each other in such a natural way. I loved how the two of them earned each other's love. I loved how determined both were about earning the other's love. Eros is the one that surprised me the most. He's so passionate, honest and when he could have easily forced Psyche to love him, he gave her the choice, though she didn't stand much of a chance in telling him no after all he does for her. Psyche herself is not just a beautiful person on the outside, but inside. She herself just wants to be loved for who she is, and surprisingly finds that in someone she first despised. One of the things I really admired about both characters is the fact they own up to their flaws and mistakes, and don't make excuses for them. They both do some stupid things, but in trying to correct their mistakes they earn admiration and respect from each other. I really adored their love story *sigh*

This story wouldn't be complete with out a bit of a betrayal and of course jealousy. The betrayal in this story was fabulous! Jessie did such a great job at creating a love story about an act of betrayal. The jealously that stems of this was written perfectly into the story. I'll admit, I didn't see that one coming, though I should have. I really enjoyed the way in which Jessie revealed pieces of information at all the right times. It made the story flow so well and kept me completely invested in what was going to happen next. Destined is rich in details, character development, mythology and has a well thought out plot line that left me wanting more. I loved that the story is told in alternating points of view between Psyche and Eros. There's plenty of romance along with heartbreak, pain, hope, love, passion and redemption within in the pages of this story. I think fans of Greek mythology will really love this well written, unforgettable story. It's a clean cut, must have read that I highly recommend picking it up!

Enjoy this Destined extra:

Exile is supposed to be punishment. Temporary exile, temporary punishment.
The last time I shot Zeus with my arrows and made him seduce a mortal woman in the form of a goat (it seemed funny at the time), he imposed the later sentence. Six weeks in Media. Six weeks in a region where the gods are ignored in favor of some sort of religion called Zorastrianism. Whatever that is.
Without the prayers and tributes, I figured I’d be dead on my feet by the end of those weeks. I was right about being dead on my feet, just wrong about the reason.

***

Greeks don’t build places like this. An artificial hill, surrounded by a low, stone wall, rose up to meet the night sky. At the top, flames licked at burning logs, reducing them to brittle bones. The air stank of sandalwood as revelers pressed against each other, battling for space to toss their meager twigs into the hungry inferno.
Hunkered down in a rough wool cloak, I’d snuck in to watch the religious ceremony. I stayed against the perimeter, hoping to enjoy the spectacle anonymously. But the flames cast these creepy-seductive shadows against the walls, making me feel watched. And present in the moment of the dance.
The longer I watched, the more I wanted to join the swirling crowd. The movements of those performing the ritual were hypnotic, reminding me of the way Maenads twirl for Dionysus. But one figure dancing before the firelight stood out from the rest.
Her slender hips pulsed with the rhythm of the drums. Her soft, brown curls swirled down her back, caressing her shoulders and barely tickling her waist. I watched her move, entranced by the the way motion flowed from her.
When she turned her head and caught my prying gaze, her eyes were as emerald as any gem. Finding my stare, she narrowed her lids for a moment. Then she smirked, shot me a wink, and went back to her dance.
That was all the invitation I needed.
For the next two weeks, I was lost in her embrace. The world didn’t exist for me beyond her. When she spoke my name, my heart nearly liquified. Her laughter was like the delicate clinking of coins. She made me forget my temporary exile. Forget everything aside from her perfect face. Her delicate name.
Lelah.
The way the word rolled off my tongue was a music all its own, smooth and velvety. I’d have stayed with her forever if she’d asked me.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she asked me the one question I was foolish enough to answer: who are you really?
When I told her my true name, she laughed. Only this time, it wasn’t tinkling and merry. It was raucous and jarring. Her head tilted back as her chortles escaped up her throat and tangled around me. Mocking me. She didn’t believe.
She didn’t believe in me.
The more I persisted, the weaker she laughed. The dimmer her eyes grew. In a moment of blind outrage, I ignited my inner light, intending only to show her a spark of my divinity. As my skin began to glow beneath the surface, Lelah scrambled backward in our bed like a crab. Her legs tangled in the sheets and she fell to the floor, shrieking. Forever shrieking.
“Sorcerer, get out!”
Where her eyes used to be awash in love, they were now mired in fear. I wanted to hate her for denying me, sending me into another sort of exile, but the fault was just as much mine. Had I not met her in a country that denies the gods? At a ritual for another religion?
I was a fool for thinking she’d believe in a concept so foreign to her. I was a fool for not recognizing that she’d never believe in me.
And so I left, scraping up the pieces of my broken heart and encasing them in a wall thicker than the one surrounding the bonfire that first night. My temporary exile turned out to be the least of my punishments; it was nothing in comparison to the wrenching pain of lost love.
So I vowed never to trust again. Never to love again. Especially not a mortal. Once my heart was whole, I would never again let it be shattered. For nearly two years, I kept that promise to myself. I found comfort in the arms of various nymphs and women, but I never let myself get attached. Never let down my walls.
And then came Psyche.
________________________________

Thank you to Jessie and Good Choice Reading, we're giving away an e-book of Destined! This is open internationally and to enter, please leave us a comment, along with your email address. This giveaway will end 48 hours after our post is up and Jessie will be using random.org to choose the winner.

Be sure to visit the other stops in the Destined blog tour for your chances to win more fabulous prizes.

34 comments:

  1. I cannot wait to read this book! It sounds amazing!! :)
    sarabara081(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. Thank you so much for the glowing review and for letting me post a unique story here on your blog. I'm honored that you participated in the tour and hope your readers love the myth as much as you did!

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  3. Couldn't agree more with the review!! I loved Jessie's portrayal of the story. :)

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I can't wait to read this!

    lmarste@yahoo.com

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  6. I got so excited, I thought I had already bought it!! LOL But this is on my TBR and I'll be getting a copy as soon as it comes out! :)

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  7. I sooo want to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
    khashway(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. Yay, more Greek mythology please! I heard about Destined on another blog, and after reading the summary, I knew I had to read it. :) Your review just confirms that, so thank you for the giveaway!

    ~DJL
    djlibrarian3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. This sounds good!

    missymyt(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. Awesome review! Destined looks like a great read! Congrats on your upcoming release!!!

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  11. High drama and romance. Teens who are curious about Greek myths will eat this up!

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  12. Am a sucker for greek mythology!!! Thank you for the giveaway!

    celine8olivia@gmail.com

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  13. A very nice review. I wanted to read the story before, and after reading the review I really want to read it. Congratulations, Jessie. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Beverlysmcclure(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. Sounds like an amazing story. The review makes me want to read it right this second!

    lovemibooks@aol.com

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  15. I would've guessed that this is a Harlequin Teen title. I'm off to look up Mae Day Publishing! (extemter at hotmail dot com)

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  16. Sounds like a great story. Great review.
    ljldml@gmail.com

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  17. I'm really looking forward to this read!

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  18. Ever since I read the synopsis for this book I am dying to read it! it sounds like such a cool retelling of the Eros and Psyche story! :)
    virginiadi7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. Greek Mythology! Need I say more. Okay maybe I do. I really want to read Destined! Better?

    Gabbie-ethela AT hotmail DOT com

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  20. Thank you for the compliments on my review. I'm really excited for you guys to read this book! It's so unique and well written.

    Good luck to everyone for the giveaway!

    Jessi- You are so welcome! THANK YOU so much for stopping by the blog today! I'm thrilled to be apart of the tour.

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  21. Awesome!

    chelsielichty@gmail.com

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  22. Psyche and Cupid's story is my favourite of all of the Greek myths.

    After reading your fantastic review, i am dying to get my hand on a copy of it, but since i can only read ebooks and listen to audiobooks due to an eyesight problem, winning this would be fantastic.

    BTW i am a dedicated follower of your site. You are my favourite blog on the net.

    Thanks for all you do.

    Louise

    loubriony@gmail.com

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  23. I love the story of Eros and Psyche, and would love to read this interpretation. You review has me desperate for it.

    It sounds AWESOME!!!

    Gracie

    audiobookangel.com.au

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  24. OOPS i mean audiobookangel@gmail.com

    Sorry

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  25. Wow that excerpt was really powerful. I hope to read this soon.

    paranormalindulgence(at)gmail(dot)com

    -Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)

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  26. thanks for the giveaway!!! would love to win!!

    mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  27. Thanks for the giveaway...very excited to read it=)

    ansindt@hotmail.com

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  28. I can't wait to read this book sounds so good thank you for the great giveaway!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  29. I literally cannot wait to read this, sounds amazing and is now a must read for me!! Crossing fingers

    june111(at)att(dot)net

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  30. Louise- Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I truly appreciate that. :) If you love Psyche and Cupid's, I think you'll really enjoy Destined. It's well written and I loved getting lost in their story.


    Thank you for all your comments! I'm excited for you guys to read DESTINED!

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  31. I think this book sounds fantastic! I'm so glad that I didn't miss this blog tour. I'm a greek mythology lover so I'm definitely going to enjoy this book. Thanks so much for the chance to win and for introducing a great new author to me.
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. This book sounds so good! I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. Congrats to Lena who won the ebook copy of Destined. And thank you to everyone who expressed their enthusiasm for Destined and to Katie for hosting me on MM! For more chances to win copies of Destined, please swing by the rest of my blog tour stops - now through 11/23.

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  34. Congratulations Lena!!

    Thank you so much Jessie!

    Thank you to everyone who entered.


    THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!!

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