4 ½ Wine Glass #Review of Devoted to Destiny by Lisa Kessler

 

Title: Devoted to Destiny
Series: The Muse Chronicles #5
Author: Lisa Kessler
Format: Kindle, 232 pages
Published: January 22, 2018 (Amazon Digital Services, LLC)
ISBN: ASIN: B074TD7ZB3
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5 Wine Glasses

Mason Knowles is a carpenter with a secret. He's a Lycan, cursed by Zeus to shift into a wolf. With each transformation, the curse becomes stronger, threatening the man to succumb to the animal forever.

Clio Clarke is the human vessel for the Muse of History, devoting her life to studying the past. But when destiny brings Mason into her present, Clio realizes she still has plenty to learn about love and trust.

Mason discovers he's Clio's Guardian, gifted with inhuman strength, however, it will take more than might to stop an immortal from hurting her. He'll sacrifice anything, even his own humanity, to keep her safe, but this shift could be his last.

Linda's Thoughts:
“He had the body of a god and a Southern drawl that made her toes curl.” 

Devoted to Destiny by Lisa Kessler is a wonderful sweet and hot paranormal urban fantasy romance. It’s the fifth installment in Lisa’s planned seven-book series chronicling the latest rebirth of Zeus’ nine muses and their guardians. When I was a youngster, I remember my quest to read every book on Greek mythology in our local library. LOL! The librarians all knew me and would put aside any new books on mythology that would come in. The subject fascinated me then and it still does now. This is the story of sexy carpenter Mason Knowles and the Muse of History, Clio Clarke.

Not thwarted by, and in defiance of the continuing danger posed by the Order of Kronos, Clio and her sister muses are back to focusing on getting their theatre renovated and open for business. Clio wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for the heroic efforts of the theatre’s talented carpenter, Mason. He miraculously saved Clio’s life in the fire set by the Order. To her dismay, Clio finds that she’s strongly attracted to Mason, but she won’t allow herself to give in to their chemistry as she’s holding herself back for her guardian. Her sister muses who have found their guardians, have all fallen in love with them. Clio doesn’t want to ruin what she could have with her guardian by falling for Mason. Of course, if Mason knew that she actually has the Muse of History inside her, he’d probably think she were crazy and run.

Mason holds secrets of his own. While he’s good at what he does and is extremely reliable, his top priority is tracking his cousin’s murderer. He’s been doing so for years and feels that he’s finally close to making her pay for her crime. He’s also strongly attracted to Clio, but his mission to make his cousin’s murderer pay must come first and he can’t allow himself to be sidetracked. Besides he harbors another dark skeleton in his closet – one that would mean that an HEA for him and Clio cannot be in the cards.

I loved both primary characters, enjoyed catching up with the other muses and their guardians and welcomed an influx of a few interesting new and/or turned characters too! Not surprisingly, our villain wasn’t likeable in the least. There are a multitude of secrets held dear in this tale. Will Clio and Mason get the message that they are stronger together before it’s too late?

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Devoted to Destiny:

“I can’t control the rest of the world, but give me a stack of wood and some tools, and I can shelter you in a storm.” 
--- 

“She reached up to caress his cheek, breathing him in. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”

He shook his head, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Impossible.” He carefully removed her glasses and then folded them and set them on the nightstand. “You know that even if we fumble through this, fall off the bed, and pull a muscle, it won’t matter. I’ll still want you as much as I do right now. Probably even more because I’ll want to be sure we try again until we get it right.”
--- 

“You're a strong guy."
He shot her a crooked grin. "You inspire me.” 
--- 

“Tell me what you want."
Before her brain could engage, she kissed him again and whispered, "You. You're what I want.” 

Devoted to Destiny can work well as a stand alone read if that is your preference. That said, I recommend that you read the series in order because while each book has its own fully contained HEA and danger element, all the books are linked by the main plot which has been building with each new release.

Lisa Kessler is one of my favorite authors. Seriously, I have inhaled everything she has published and I continue to eagerly look forward to each new book! Devoted to Destiny is a well-written, engrossing and emotional love story with exciting character development, surprising twists and a danger plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats! Fans can only hope that the muses and their guardians are able to stay ahead of the perils ahead. I’m holding my breath waiting for the next book in the series which will be Tera’s story. She is the Muse of Dance and, her book, Dance of the Heart, will release June 2018! I can’t wait!



Suggested Reading Order: 
Book 1 - Lure of Obsession
Book 2 - Legend of Love
Book 3 - Breath of Passion
Book 4 - Light of the Spirit
Book 5 - Devoted to Destiny
Book 6 – Dance of the Heart (June 2018)
Book 7 – Song of the Spirit (Winter 2018)