The Devoted: one woman's journey to fight for her freedom

The Devoted by Catherine Cho is a story of family and fate. As a young Korean woman whose father is a leader in an infamous crime organization. When she becomes entangled in their dangerous world, she fights to break free. Eunha was raised in Hong Kong by her grandmother, along with her brother, Solomon, in a quiet village. Their father is a Dragon Head within the Triads. Eunha is shielded from the violence and fear and her only companions are her brother and their friend, Kai. When she grows up and marries into a respectable Hong Kong family, her world begins to fall apart when her young son is kidnapped. In her desperate search for him, Eunha finds herself in the criminal underground and face to face with Kai, who is now a Dragon Head himself. Does Eunha give into the life she tried so hard to leave?

The Devoted is the debut novel by Catherine Cho. It is a mystery thriller filled with family drama, forbidden love and one woman’s determination to choose her own destiny. As I started this story, I was captivated by Eunha’s story as she recounts her past and battles the present for her son and her future. However, it felt as if Eunha was telling us what happened rather than readers experiencing it with her. I expected more suspense, more violence and more of a fight from Eunha. Overall, I am torn by this story. It is well written, beautifully lyrical. I liked Eunha. I liked that it was a different story of underground organized crime; however, it did not have the thrilling action that I expected. That being said, I may not have been the audience for this book. If you enjoy crime mystery thrillers, I recommend checking out The Devoted. 

The Devoted is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Ismeni: a story of love, passion and fate

Ismeni by Tosca Lee is a prelude to The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen. It is a story about a mysterious beauty born under a bad omen, a destiny set by the stars of her birth. Set in Saba (present day Yemen), Ismeni grew up feared by her people. Her beauty was considered unnatural and many were weary of her as they expected misfortune when she was around. But Ismeni prays for one thing: to live an invisible life. To live her life in relative peace. But it was not meant to be as she caught the attention of Prince Agaziah, the king’s youngest son. Through war and twists of fate, she becomes queen. 

I haven’t read anything by Tosca Lee and when Ismeni was offered to me, I was intrigued. I recently finished a bible study on the Queen of Sheba and her story was fresh in my mind. Ms. Lee writes a beautiful story that was so engaging I forget it was a short story and over before I was prepared. I am looking forward to reading The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen to see if Ismeni’s wishes and dreams see fulfillment when her daughter comes to the throne. Ismeni is torn between the love of her heart and her societal duty. It is a story of love, passion and fate. I recommend Ismeni. 

Ismeni is available as an eBook

The Keeper of Happy Endings: a story about fate, second chances and hope

The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis is a story about fate, second chances and hope. Soline Roussel is well versed in the business of happy endings. For generations, the women of her family kept an exclusive bridal salon in Paris. Where magic is worked into each stitch. It is said that every bride who wears a Roussel gown is guaranteed a lifetime of joy and happiness. When World War II arrives in Paris, Soline is faced with devastating loss after another. She arrives in America with one simple dress box. She places all her memories in it, stowing them away, determined to forget. Decades later, another young woman is dealing with her own tragic loss. Rory Grant is left reeling after her fiancé goes missing with no words as to his whereabouts or if he is even alive. When she comes across an old store front, she becomes determined to open her own art gallery. Inside the storefront, she discovers Soline’s old dress box. What happens is an unlikely friendship between Soline and Rory. While they both believe they were destined to meet, their connection would have a profound impact on their future. 

The Keeper of Happy Endings is my first book by Barbara Davis and it was widely praised and recommended. Now I can see why. It is a beautiful story of love, loss and finding hope when hope seems lost. From the very beginning, I enjoyed Soline’s story as well as Rory’s. Although there were a few twists and “aha” moments that I saw them coming before the big reveal. However, figuring out the twists didn’t take away from the emotional impact of the story. It is also more than just another historical story about war and love lost. It is about the eternal struggle between mother and daughter, the constant push and pull that they seem to be engaged in and the influence that one generation has on another. The Keeper of Happy Endings also serves as a reminder that hate doesn’t change with time. One of my favorite quotes is “People always find a way to justify their hate—and give others an excuse to fall in line. They put words in people’s mouths, plant them like viruses, then watch them spread.” Words that ring true today as they did over eighty years ago. I highly recommend The Keeper of Happy Endings. 

The Keeper of Happy Endings is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook