Many thanks to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for my invitation into this Blog Tour!!
This was a book which blurred the lines between fantasy and contemporary. The author N. J. Simmonds, with her words, has taken a belief and woven it into a fantasy. Something I would call as a deconstructed faith mixed with a vivid portrayals of fantasy. Add to it a dash of mystery and a saga of romance lasting through all our 1000 reincarnated lives, you would have the true Path Keeper.
Zac and Ellie, the two main characters, who met in this life. One was celestial, the other earthly. One kept watch over life, and the other lived that life. The two interacted when they were supposed to just intersect. The two fell in love when they were supposed to part. She was his and she didn’t know. He knew he was always hers, her everything!! They were different in so many ways, yet their love was same, deep and strong. They became aware of each other in this life and the past. Soon they came to know this was one love story which was never supposed to happen.
A story interwoven over a thousand years, foretold at the beginning of life when the souls were born, a story which would face the wrath of the angels, a story so forbidden that heads have parted to silence. A path new was forged where there was only wilderness. A new life, a new fate, the power rested with the one pure. Where even the archangel had to bow, admit that everything was fated, yet that fate was fluid, changed by free will and the power of love.
There were a lot of scenes written which resonated with me, some of the beliefs have always been followed by me. Yet my niggles caught up with me. I tried hard but couldn’t like or connect with Ellie. Some graphic sexual scenes were skimmed over as I didn’t feel the story needed it. It would have vibrated with more energy if it had been a clean love story.
Zac was good, there would be a lot of Zac-mania happening. Overall, I liked the book, and it was pleasantly different, meant to be read with an open mind and no preconceived ideas.
I received a digital copy if the book from Anne Cater and publisher BHC Press, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be read here
Natali Drake, who writes under the pen name of N J Simmonds, is an accredited member of the Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists’ Association. When she’s not busy working on her YA fantasy romance series she is also a freelance writer and brand consultant. She has written articles for various UK newspapers and online publications with two of her essays appearing in THE MOTHER BOOK published by Selfish Mother. In 2015 she co-founded the online magazine THE GLASS HOUSE GIRLS and is a regular contributor.
Originally from north London, Natali studied Feature Writing at City University and began her career in corporate publishing and marketing before moving to Spain to write, and to raise her family. She now divides her time between her two homes in the Netherlands and Spain with her husband and two daughters.
What if our lives were mapped out before birth? Does anyone have the power to change their destiny?
Ella hates London. She misses her old life in Spain and is struggling to get over her past—until she meets Zac. He’s always loved her but isn’t meant to be part of her story. Not this time. Not ever. Little does she know that his secret is the one thing that will tear them apart and force her to live in a world that no longer makes sense. A world full of danger, lies and magic.
THE PATH KEEPER is a passionate tale of first loves, second chances and the invisible threads that bind us. Can love ever be stronger than fate?
Publication Date: 28th May 2019
Publisher: BHC Press
20 Responses
I, too, would have skimmed over the sexual scenes. Sometimes they are just not needed.
Exactly… There could have been so much of an energy in that book
Sigh. Unneeded sex scenes annoy me. Sounds good otherwise.
And a rape scene… Not sure if it was essential to the plot
Ugh, if it’s not essential, it shouldn’t be there.
This concept sounds quite good, but I agree, unnecessary sex scenes do nothing for me either. Nice review Shalini, you have intrigued me for sure.
Thank you so much… It was a good one Carla
ah, the gratuitous sex ploy didn’t work for you, huh? i’m with you! wouldn’t have worked for me either.
Hehehehe it is a young adult… I know they have sex… But this was a love story of many generations… Why would it need sex? And a rape?
The concept of this book sounds incredible and it is no mean feat to write one covering such ground and genres … a pity is slightly misses the mark in certain places.
Exactly. The concept was so powerful, maybe sex is needed to show love or maybe not. According to me, when love was shown over 1000 years, sex was not needed. Ah well, so I think 🤔
Exactly! There is a lot to be said for subtlety.
I find the whole book concept that you described a little confusing. Throw in gratuitous sex and rape and it’s just not worth my time.
Well, it was not about all that… But those parts weren’t essential
This–> “Some graphic sexual scenes were skimmed over as I didn’t feel the story needed it. It would have vibrated with more energy if it had been a clean love story.” I so agree with you, it was the feeling I got as well!
Great review!
Maybe sex sells in books. Thank you so much ❤️ are you eager to read book 2? I am not really keen if it has the same kind of vibe happening
I think I would give book 2 a chance yes… that ending was pretty bomb… but will see 🙂
I am not really sure… I am curious to know the Mother’s story
Yes! The mother’s story would be interesting one indeed! I think I’d also find interesting on how exactly this story would keep going… now that he.. you know… big secrets and stuff 🙂 but I guess time will tell whether I will pick up the book or not 🙂