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The Chronicles of the Great Oak #1
A Destiny to Love
Melanie Simmons has felt out of place and alone her entire life.
Abandoned by her mentally ill mother on a playground at age seven. Then tossed from one bad foster home to the next. She was finally made an emancipated minor at age sixteen, after being hospitalized from fighting off a rape attempt by her foster mom's boyfriend.
Now nineteen, she finds herself waiting tables at a slum diner. As she scrapes by to support herself through college, she can't stand being a young woman living in 1993. Her days are exhausting, as she dodges daily sexual harassment from every male she comes into contact with. She wishes she had lived in a time when guys knew how to be gentlemen. A time when there was genuine romance, and love that lasted a lifetime.
Melanie is befriended by a strange, old woman. An unknown relative who wants to share with Melanie her inheritance and the secrets of the family she never knew. Secrets that have been kept for generations and explain her mother’s mental illness and her disappearance. Secrets that will help Melanie learn where her place is, or when it is…as she clings to the hope for a Destiny to Love .
Abandoned by her mentally ill mother on a playground at age seven. Then tossed from one bad foster home to the next. She was finally made an emancipated minor at age sixteen, after being hospitalized from fighting off a rape attempt by her foster mom's boyfriend.
Now nineteen, she finds herself waiting tables at a slum diner. As she scrapes by to support herself through college, she can't stand being a young woman living in 1993. Her days are exhausting, as she dodges daily sexual harassment from every male she comes into contact with. She wishes she had lived in a time when guys knew how to be gentlemen. A time when there was genuine romance, and love that lasted a lifetime.
Melanie is befriended by a strange, old woman. An unknown relative who wants to share with Melanie her inheritance and the secrets of the family she never knew. Secrets that have been kept for generations and explain her mother’s mental illness and her disappearance. Secrets that will help Melanie learn where her place is, or when it is…as she clings to the hope for a Destiny to Love .
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2023
About the author
Jenny Davis
3 books15 followersJenny Davis has had an obsession with books and writing since she snuck up into her family's barn hayloft and met her BFF Nancy Drew at age seven. The Chronicles of the Great Oak series is a story that started rattling around in her head when she was a teenager...now 30 years later brought to life.
Jenny has a Master's degree in Nursing and works as a Registered ICU nurse. When she's able to escape the hospital chaos, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her extremely spoiled fur babies.
You can learn more about this Romantasy Historical Fiction series and Jenny's upcoming releases by joining---The Chronicles of the Great Oak Instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/bornfromthe...
Jenny has a Master's degree in Nursing and works as a Registered ICU nurse. When she's able to escape the hospital chaos, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her extremely spoiled fur babies.
You can learn more about this Romantasy Historical Fiction series and Jenny's upcoming releases by joining---The Chronicles of the Great Oak Instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/bornfromthe...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 28, 2024
That was one hell of a book.
It’s not the normal genre I read, but I am so so so glad I did.
This story it just grips you and you don’t want to stop reading it.
I finished it in one sitting when o finally had a chance to sit down and read it.
It gives “Pearl Harbor” the movie vibes, with the love story, and the romantics.
It goes into history which has always been one of my favorite subjects.
My husband asked if he can read it next, as a history buff he was so interested when I was explaining the book to him.
It’s a sweet, love story. No spice but honestly it’s not needed in this book.
The story holds itself together without needing any help.
I highly recommend it.
It’s not the normal genre I read, but I am so so so glad I did.
This story it just grips you and you don’t want to stop reading it.
I finished it in one sitting when o finally had a chance to sit down and read it.
It gives “Pearl Harbor” the movie vibes, with the love story, and the romantics.
It goes into history which has always been one of my favorite subjects.
My husband asked if he can read it next, as a history buff he was so interested when I was explaining the book to him.
It’s a sweet, love story. No spice but honestly it’s not needed in this book.
The story holds itself together without needing any help.
I highly recommend it.
August 1, 2024
Such an amazing story, I loved how all sorts of random specific details of history were brought in and and different family members were brought forwards and backwards into different time periods. Can't wait to read the others.
September 28, 2023
"A Destiny to Love: The Chronicles of the Great Oak: Book 1"
by Jenny Davis
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ( 5 outof 5 🌟)
The author's portrayal of Melanie is both raw and realistic. Her journey from a traumatic childhood, including abandonment and abuse, to her current struggles as a young woman in 1993 is depicted with striking authenticity. Melanie's daily battles against sexual harassment provide a sobering reflection of the era's challenges.
What sets this book apart is its clever integration of supernatural elements into a contemporary setting. The mysterious elderly woman who befriends Melanie and unveils family secrets adds an element of intrigue and magic to the story. These secrets promise to unravel the mysteries behind Melanie's mother's mental illness and disappearance, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
The book's exploration of Melanie's longing for a different era, one with genuine romance and lasting love, taps into universal themes of yearning and hope. Melanie's search for her true place and destiny becomes a poignant thread throughout the novel.
Jenny Davis's writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into Melanie's world with vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters. The emotional resonance of Melanie's journey and her quest for love and identity is palpable, making it easy for readers to connect with her.
"A Destiny to Love" promises to be a promising start to "The Chronicles of the Great Oak" series. It seamlessly weaves together elements of drama, mystery, and the supernatural, offering a rich and multi-layered reading experience. If you're a fan of character-driven narratives that explore themes of resilience, family, and the pursuit of true love, this book is a must-read. Davis's storytelling prowess shines, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
by Jenny Davis
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ( 5 outof 5 🌟)
The author's portrayal of Melanie is both raw and realistic. Her journey from a traumatic childhood, including abandonment and abuse, to her current struggles as a young woman in 1993 is depicted with striking authenticity. Melanie's daily battles against sexual harassment provide a sobering reflection of the era's challenges.
What sets this book apart is its clever integration of supernatural elements into a contemporary setting. The mysterious elderly woman who befriends Melanie and unveils family secrets adds an element of intrigue and magic to the story. These secrets promise to unravel the mysteries behind Melanie's mother's mental illness and disappearance, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
The book's exploration of Melanie's longing for a different era, one with genuine romance and lasting love, taps into universal themes of yearning and hope. Melanie's search for her true place and destiny becomes a poignant thread throughout the novel.
Jenny Davis's writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into Melanie's world with vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters. The emotional resonance of Melanie's journey and her quest for love and identity is palpable, making it easy for readers to connect with her.
"A Destiny to Love" promises to be a promising start to "The Chronicles of the Great Oak" series. It seamlessly weaves together elements of drama, mystery, and the supernatural, offering a rich and multi-layered reading experience. If you're a fan of character-driven narratives that explore themes of resilience, family, and the pursuit of true love, this book is a must-read. Davis's storytelling prowess shines, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
November 6, 2023
I absolutely LOVED "A Destiny to Love". I picked it up one night, thinking I was too tired to read, but I wanted to just get a feel about the book by reading the first couple of chapters before going to sleep. I could not put it down. I read your book almost straight through! I did eventually stop to get a few hours sleep before picking it back up and finishing it.
I've read several time travel romances and seen several movies of the same general idea. My favorite so far being, "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jayne Seymour. "A Destiny to Love" was even better. It's better than any other time travel romance I've ever read or seen. I would love to see it made into a movie as long as the script stayed true to the book.
I loved the book, "The Horse Whisperer", but was disappointed with the movie as the ending was completely different from the book. I preferred the ending used in the book.
I've never even thought about walking through an opening in a tree as a way to time travel. It's a wonderful concept and I loved every time it happened within this story.
I hope Jenny Davis will be writing many more books and I look forward to reading each and every one.!
Well done! 5 completely deserved stars!
Note: I received a paperback copy of this book from the author to read and hopefully post my honest review. I do not know the author nor had I any prior association with them before reading this book.
I've read several time travel romances and seen several movies of the same general idea. My favorite so far being, "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jayne Seymour. "A Destiny to Love" was even better. It's better than any other time travel romance I've ever read or seen. I would love to see it made into a movie as long as the script stayed true to the book.
I loved the book, "The Horse Whisperer", but was disappointed with the movie as the ending was completely different from the book. I preferred the ending used in the book.
I've never even thought about walking through an opening in a tree as a way to time travel. It's a wonderful concept and I loved every time it happened within this story.
I hope Jenny Davis will be writing many more books and I look forward to reading each and every one.!
Well done! 5 completely deserved stars!
Note: I received a paperback copy of this book from the author to read and hopefully post my honest review. I do not know the author nor had I any prior association with them before reading this book.
October 12, 2023
I received this book as an ARC.
Jenny Davis. What can I say. This book definitely tugged my heart strings. I went through so many emotions throughout this book. First of all, I lost my daddy about 2.5 years ago and to read that Melanie connects with her father. Lord. SPOILER AHEAD. When he stated he will be the one to sacrifice himself for his daughter...I CRIED. Oh gosh did I cry. I just remember the love I had for my father and how much he had sacrificed for me. I loved the storyline and the twists the book had. Definitely kept me on my toes as to what happens next. I absolutely cried again when the Margaret made her choice. You know what you were doing when you wrote this book.
And what was that cliffhanger at the end?! I NEED to know what happens to Marg. Like yesterday (:
I really enjoyed this book! Great GREAT GREAT read IMO.
Jenny Davis. What can I say. This book definitely tugged my heart strings. I went through so many emotions throughout this book. First of all, I lost my daddy about 2.5 years ago and to read that Melanie connects with her father. Lord. SPOILER AHEAD. When he stated he will be the one to sacrifice himself for his daughter...I CRIED. Oh gosh did I cry. I just remember the love I had for my father and how much he had sacrificed for me. I loved the storyline and the twists the book had. Definitely kept me on my toes as to what happens next. I absolutely cried again when the Margaret made her choice. You know what you were doing when you wrote this book.
And what was that cliffhanger at the end?! I NEED to know what happens to Marg. Like yesterday (:
I really enjoyed this book! Great GREAT GREAT read IMO.
March 9, 2024
A perfect rainy Sunday read.
A Destiny to Love by Jenny Davis is a cosy, feel-good time-travel love story and family saga, the first book in The Chronicles of the Great Oak series.
The novel is mostly set in the forties and fifties but the dialogue and characters feel modern and the historic events of those decades, which are intrinsic to the story, are seamlessly threaded throughout. The plot moves along at a steady pace and has some subtle surprises.
The ending is a tantalising segue into books two and three in the series, leaving you wondering what will come next, just who is the latest mysterious time-traveller and what on earth have they done with Margaret?
A Destiny to Love by Jenny Davis is a cosy, feel-good time-travel love story and family saga, the first book in The Chronicles of the Great Oak series.
The novel is mostly set in the forties and fifties but the dialogue and characters feel modern and the historic events of those decades, which are intrinsic to the story, are seamlessly threaded throughout. The plot moves along at a steady pace and has some subtle surprises.
The ending is a tantalising segue into books two and three in the series, leaving you wondering what will come next, just who is the latest mysterious time-traveller and what on earth have they done with Margaret?
February 29, 2024
As I read this book, I was immediately captivated by the poignant narrative of Melanie Simmons, a young woman who has endured a lifetime of hardship and adversity.
It is a beautifully crafted tale that will resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level. Davis's evocative prose and richly drawn characters breathe life into this unforgettable story of love, loss, and the search for belonging. As I turned the final page, I was left with a profound sense of hope and the belief that, no matter the challenges we face, there is always the possibility of finding our own destiny to love.
It is a beautifully crafted tale that will resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level. Davis's evocative prose and richly drawn characters breathe life into this unforgettable story of love, loss, and the search for belonging. As I turned the final page, I was left with a profound sense of hope and the belief that, no matter the challenges we face, there is always the possibility of finding our own destiny to love.
January 8, 2024
Read in Progress: A very well written time travel romance written in the first person point of view which makes for a compelling delightful read. This edge of your seat drama with compelling plot twist, relatable characters, back and forth dialogue will keep you read and not wanting to put this down. A must read; congratulations author.
January 28, 2024
An amazing story of love and time travel! I'm not usually a huge fan of time travel stories, as I often find things confusing or contradictory. This author, however, does an AMAZING job!! Everything makes sense and the story itself is extremely entertaining, keeping me eagerly turning the page. The author must be a time traveler herself, it's the only explanation! ;-)
January 17, 2024
An excellent book on a combination of romance and time travel. The author definitely kept my interest in the storyline. The characters were very likeable. What a wonderful series this book is going to make. Kudos to the author. A++
March 11, 2024
So I'm a sucker for a time travel novel.
This one has a strong story idea, but the writing is pretty rough. I feel like this could have been a 5 star read with a solid editor. Still, I'm on to book 2.
This one has a strong story idea, but the writing is pretty rough. I feel like this could have been a 5 star read with a solid editor. Still, I'm on to book 2.
December 16, 2023
That was magic and fire.... So very masterfully woven and shared. I could see it all play out in my mind's eye. That cliffhanger...when are you Margaret??
June 18, 2024
What an incredible story.
So amazing and the mind that created it, was more than I can describe.
The story skipped back and forth between times, but I loved every bit of it.
So amazing and the mind that created it, was more than I can describe.
The story skipped back and forth between times, but I loved every bit of it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews