Publication Date: January 1, 2016 Lawson Gartner Publishing eBook & Paperback; 326 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Before queenship and Camelot, Guinevere was a priestess of Avalon. She loved another before Arthur, a warrior who would one day betray her.
In the war-torn world of late fifth century Britain, young Guinevere faces a choice: stay with her family to defend her home at Northgallis from the Irish, or go to Avalon to seek help for the horrific visions that haunt her. The Sight calls her to Avalon, where she meets Morgan, a woman of questionable parentage who is destined to become her rival. As Guinevere matures to womanhood, she gains the powers of a priestess, and falls in love with a man who will be both her deepest love and her greatest mistake.
Just when Guinevere is able to envision a future in Avalon, tragedy forces her back home, into a world she barely recognizes, one in which her pagan faith, outspokenness, and proficiency in the magical and military arts are liabilities. When a chance reunion with her lover leads to disaster, she is cast out of Northgallis and into an uncertain future. As a new High King comes to power, Guinevere must navigate a world of political intrigue where unmarried women are valuable commodities and seemingly innocent actions can have life-altering consequences.
You may think you know the story of Guinevere, but you’ve never heard it like this: in her own words. Listen and you will hear the true story of Camelot and its queen.
Fans of Arthurian legend and the Mists of Avalon will love Daughter of Destiny, the first book in a historical fantasy trilogy that gives Guinevere back her voice and traces her life from an uncertain eleven year old girl to a wise queen in her fifth decade of life.
Looking for a historical novel that has suspense, romance and can't-put-it-down appeal? Well you've come to the right place. Daughter of Destiny by Nicole Evelina is the first book in a series about Guinevere. I for one have always been intrigued about this historical figure whether fact or fiction. This author did this story right! From the writing and detail given, it is obvious that Nicole did her research. She told this novel in little bits and pieces that just kept adding up for me. I was very invested in this one and can't wait for the second one to be revealed.
Guinevere is dependent on no one. She is an intelligent, caring, compassionate young woman who is easy to relate to and believe in. Guinevere will tug at your heart strings and make you excited to read what happens next. Every character that plays a part in Guinevere's story is magnificent. The pace and pages of this book were perfect. Nothing was drawn out and it ended at just the right point to get you psyched for the next one.
The story starts with Guinevere being shipped off from her parents and the home she loves in order to go to Avalon and figure out where her visions are coming from. She is stripped of her mother and the teaching of weapons. She is lost and alone when she arrives but quickly sees a future in Avalon. The women she learns with are like sisters to her expect for one who is always completing with her. Just when Guinevere can see a future at her new home, things happen that force her to leave.
That is just a taste of this novel. If you want more pick it up. I can't believe it only has 9 reviews so far on Goodreads. This novel deserves the praise and reviews of all readers.
Praise
"A gripping read that brings a wonderfully depicted Guinevere tumbling out of the shadows of myth." - Anna Belfrage, author of The Graham Saga
"Nicole Evelina shows a deep and passionate love for the Arthurian world, and her re-weaving of the story of Guinevere and Arthur makes for enjoyable reading. With more volumes to come, if you like stories of Camelot, ancient priesthoods, magical Avalonian dreams and embattled romance, this is for you." - John Matthews, author of 'Arthur of Albion' and 'The Camelot Oracle'.
"Colorful and exciting...love all the characters. You will have a ball with this book." - Serena Scott Thomas, actress and audio book narrator
About the Author
Nicole Evelina is St. Louis-born historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her first four books are coming out in 2016:
- Daughter of Destiny (January 1 – This is the first book of an Arthurian legend trilogy that tells Guinevere’s life story from her point of view)
- Camelot’s Queen (March 23 – The second book in the trilogy)
- Been Searching for You (May 23 – a contemporary romantic comedy that won in the single title romance category of the 2015 Great Expectations Contest (sponsored by North Texas RWA) and the 2015 Gold Rose Contest (sponsored by Portland RWA) and is a finalist in five others.
- Madame Presidentess (July 25 – Historical fiction about 19th century American Presidential candidate Victoria Woodhull, the first American woman to run for President) She hopes to have the final book in Guinevere’s Tale available in late 2016 or early 2017.
Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, and Sirens, a group supporting female fantasy authors, as well as a member of the Romance Writers of America, Women Fiction Writers Association, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Women Writing the West and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
She is one of only six authors who completed the first week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness in 2014. Nicole has traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon.
Her website/blog is http://nicoleevelina.com and she can be found on Twitter as well as on Pinterest, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and Tumblr.
To win a paperback copy of Daughter of Destiny (Guinevere’s Tale, Book One) by Nicole Evelina please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below. Two copies are up for grabs!
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on February 26th.
You must be 18 or older to enter.
Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Only one entry per household.
All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, February 8 Review at The Mad Reviewer Spotlight at Unshelfish
Tuesday, February 9 Review at Bookish Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, February 10 Review at Curling up by the Fire Guest Post at To Read, or Not to Read Thursday, February 11 Review at Just One More Chapter
Friday, February 12 Review at Broken Teepee Interview at Author Dianne Ascroft's Blog
Monday, February 15 Review at Laura's Interests Review at Puddletown Reviews
Tuesday, February 16 Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, February 17 Review at Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne Spotlight at Passages to the Past
Thursday, February 18 Review & Interview at Singing Librarian Books
Friday, February 19 Review at Book Nerd
Monday, February 22 Review at Seize the Words: Books in Review
Tuesday, February 23 Review at The Baking Bookworm Review at The Hive at Black Tea & Mil
Wednesday, February 24 Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Thursday, February 25 Review at A Literary Vacation Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shel
Friday, February 26 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Guest Post at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
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