This week started in reflection but I'd like to end it with a bang.  That's where Nadja Notariani comes in handy.  Please allow me to introduce her to those who've not had the pleasure of enjoying her bloggy and publishing presence.

First, I heard about Claiming the Prize, and the second taste of wonderful writing came in the form of Her Dark Baron.  Third time's DEFINITELY charming with The Third Fate.

Book description from Amazon:
~ 'One Fate be granted mortal man, used for evil or good as the inner voice directs. Alas, the divine spark draws the eyes of the Fates, the Second Fate sparingly gifted by their hands. Be warned offspring of the gods; guard your gifting well. For if the Third Fate be unleashed, the soul lays bare before one so touched by the gods.' ~


Cautious and quiet by nature, Paige Kinnell watches life unfold from the sidelines, maintaining her simple existence as a shield to hide behind. But underneath her shy, careful ways, Paige senses a disconnect with the world around her, indulging instead her ever curious interest in the legend and lore of time nearly forgotten. 


One chance encounter with an ancient of the undead begins an unraveling of reality as Paige knows it, leaving her to sort through dreams and enchantments, discovering along the way that one's Fate can be mere illusion, and that the consequences of opening her heart to another may cost dearly. 


Cael Maccinnis, the handsome Highlander she's met, seems the answer to every unspoken longing of her heart, even as he awakens dark, secret desires buried within her soul. As strange and unnerving changes begin occurring in her mind and body, Paige has no choice but to face her life's unnatural turn and confront the frightening implications. For within Paige's past a secret lay dormant, hidden even from her. This truth, guarded well and wielded by the Fates themselves, becomes the catalyst invoking the power of The Third Fate.


~~~~~~
Me and Myself are still having a girl-fight over which one could claim Cael so I will have to share a brief bit of our thoughts:

We loved the story from beginning to end.  It starts with a steady pace, one where it's good to pay close attention to things because Nadja uses great writing techniques to slip things in here and there.  There's no instant expectation of a happy ending just because it's a tale of romance.  Readers earn a fitting ending that we found very satisfying.  Me and Myself obviously want to trade places with Paige, but are aware that's not happening.

If a little Highlander romance is right up your alley, I would recommend giving this story a try.  Does anyone else here remember another Highlander, the immortal Duncan Macleod played by Adrian Paul?