Predestined

This was a well written book! Characters were well developed. I didn't know there was another book that went with it, and I actually read them out of sequence. The other was written well enough to understand without reading this one but together they are wonderful!!!

I bought this book thinking it was going to be a freakish, outter limits with an erotic twist, but that's not what I got at all. I got a story filled with factual/mythical knowledge about the faerie and Ireland during the time it takes place. I've done quite a bit of research about the Tuatha de dannan and this book follows just about any historical tellings about them. I loved this book and am awaiting the arrival of Garland's newest in the mail right now.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques In a land of fantasy and magic, ancient promises must be fulfilled... Tynan has been captured by an evil sorcerer in service to the Romans. Prophecy tells of the legendary Dark Chieftain who will claim the territorial goddess as his mate, free the faeries from imprisonment, and return magick and peace to the lands. When Tynan arrives, they suspect he is the one to fulfill the prophecy and desire to stop him at any cost. Bryna is an orphan, abandoned at birth and slave to the Romans. She has no knowledge of her family and therefore knows nothing of her true identity. All she has learned was at the side of her beloved Druidess teacher. Fate has great plans for Bryna, beginning with the rescue of Tynan. Now Tynan and Bryna discover a bond between them that was totally unexpected yet unable to be resisted. She does not believe Tynan when he tells her she is his mate for she in convinced her dreams tell her otherwise. They are meant for a destiny greater than she ever expected, but first she must accept her true nature and learn to harness its powers. Can Bryna and Tynan overcome the treachery set on separating them forever? What of her hidden spirit? Can she accept her Predestined fate in time to save Tynan's people? Predestined by R Garland Gray is a fresh vision of the land of the Fae and its connection to the world of humans. Her concept of forsworn vows passed on through the generations by blood is fascinating to explore along with Tynan and Bryna. Magick plays a key role, as is typical of fantasy romance, but its effects on the land and its people is revealed in a unique way. The action lulls in some places, and the conflicts can be somewhat anticlimactic, but this story is more character driven, which makes the slower pace work well. There are still enough surprises to the tale which will make readers eager to find out what will happen next. Ms. Gray paints a vivid picture with her landscape of twilight beauty. Readers can see the stone fortress and brilliant moonlight and will feel the rain and wind in their hair. This world is one of magick and enchantment, which is reflected in the land and trees. One will long to travel along the feypaths and experience the life and festivals of Bryna, Tynan and company. Come along and enjoy their world, it is guaranteed to be a thrilling adventure. (c) Kelley A. Hartsell, February 2006. All rights reserved.

Almost two decades have passed since newborn Bryna was abandoned. Raised as a slave to the Romans, she has no family that she knows of and no friends except an ancient Druid Derina. The Sorcerer has chained a naked Tynan to an ancient stone hoping that this one is the Dark Chieftain of Prophecy. Derina sends Bryna to help the prisoner; she starts by bringing water with crushed apples. Meanwhile Tynan hears voices of fairies crying to him to rescue them from the darkest lowest dungeon. He is the Dark Chieftain who will break the spell that binds the fairies in the pits beneath the keep. His only hope to escape rests in rescue by the territorial goddess not by a Roman slave even if he admires her courage and in spite of his predicament desires her. PREDESTINED is a terrific Ancient Britannia romantic fantasy that grips the audience the moment that Bryna serendipitously provides water to the chained Tynan. This is more a fantasy than a romance though the latter is heavily imbued in the fast-paced plot. Tynan is a terrific champion seeking his ally the territorial goddess but ironically as he is attracted to his rescuer he fails to realize who she really is. For that matter the Sorcerer fails to comprehend who his slave is. While these two rivals seek the key female, readers have a fine time knowing what we know as R. Garland Gray provides a colorful historical tale that will elate fans of both genres. Harriet Klausner

"Predestined" is one of the best paranormal romances that I've read in a very long while. Bryna and Tynan were wonderful characters that truly reached out and pulled the reader into their story. This was a romantic but at the same time sensual read that held my interest until the final page. Without a doubt this is a "top drawer" read. Bryna was orphaned and left along the shores of an ancient loch but was found by a healer named Derina. Derina never tells Bryna of her true ancestry and Bryna grows up feeling alone and lost. She is the slave of a Roman Centurion and is called "witcheyes." When Derina comes to her and tells her that she must fulfill her destiny and save the prisoner that is kept in the dungeon Bryna does as she says but does not understand how the Dark prisoner has any connection to her, let alone how he could be her destiny. Tynan is known as the "Dark Chieftain" and he has a prophecy that he must meet. He is chained naked in a dungeon and suffering when a cloaked figure comes and despite the danger helps him to escape. It is not long before Tynan realizes that his rescuer is indeed the mate that he has been looking for. Bryna is Fey and she is the territorial goddess that is meant for him. Problem though is that Bryna has no idea who or what she is. Despite this she trust Tynan and is drawn to his dark beauty and the safety and home that he represents. Separate they are weak, but together they are strong. Will they be able to defeat the evil sorcerer and find peace in which to love? Or will Evil win? Ms. Gray is an exceptional author and one that paints a vivid picture with her words. The reader won't be able to help but be drawn into her magical world, nor will they be able to help falling a little in love with Tynan themselves. This is a strong debut read and one that I have no trouble recommending. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.