Customer Reviews

Chosen by Desire (The Guardians of Destiny)

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Author Kate Perry's book, Chosen by Desire, is listed as part of The Guardians of Destiny Series, with Marked by Passion released first. She has other titles in contemporary romance; Project Date and Project Daddy. Kate Perry is a 7th degree black belt Kung Foo San Soo and collects swords. She resides in San Francisco , California with her love, Nate.

In order to secure a teaching position at UC Berkeley, Carrie Woods needs to write the doctoral thesis of a lifetime. Her plan? To break into a Chinese monastery and search for proof that the mythical Scrolls of Destiny are real. Except when her plan goes all wrong and she has to "borrow" the scrolls, Carrie finds herself the target of someone who wants the power they can provide. As some of those powers from The Book of Water are unknowingly being passed to her, Carrie accepts a position translating ancient Chinese texts with a man who is not who he appears to be. Max Prescott is all too happy to strip Carrie of her stolen scroll and replace it where it belongs. Being one of the Guardians, it's his job, after all. But his unrelenting attraction for her was not planned, and he's finding difficult to do his job with the innocent-eyed blonde under his roof. Worse, he finds himself having to protect not only the scroll, but Carrie as well. And the enemy is closer than they think.

I reviewed the first book in this series, Marked by Passion, and loved it. But I found this second book, Chosen by Desire, to be much more powerful and engaging. The first book was told in first-person, and this one was in third-person. The hero and heroine were relatable, the heat between them scorching. This is listed as a paranormal romance, but also fits the lines of urban fantasy. The plot was very fast-paced and action-packed, leaving the reader to get hooked from page one. I like that she brought back Rhys, Gabe, and Rick from the first book, as they made excellent secondary characters and added to the story-line nicely. It was also nice to see the quirky humor in this one that was present in the first book, cleverly breaking up the tension. The setting was perfect, as well.

Chosen by Desire is another winner by Kate Perry, and one not to be missed by paranormal romance fans!



Kelly Moran,

Author and Reviewer

I was asked by the publisher, Hatchette Book Group, to read and review Kate Perry's Chosen By Desire. If you're into romance novels, you'll definitely enjoy this! It's got a unique supernatural twist to it that creates an intense storyline.

The main character is Carrie, a young PhD student trying to come up with something groundbreaking- something that will help her stand out so she can get a professorial position at UC Berkley. Her research is on a Chinese emperor who was said to possess the power of the five elements. The myth said he divided the powers into scrolls which were then given to "Guardians". The sole purpose of the Guardians was to keep the scrolls (and hence, the power) from falling into the wrong hands.

As luck would have it, Carrie discovers the location of the journal of this famed emperor. After traveling all the way to China and finding the journal, Carrie is faced with no choice but to "borrow" the document. Unfortunately for her, Max witnessed her act of theft. Max realizes Carrie has made off with more than just the journal, and is forced to go after her and get the stolen goods back. Max employs Carrie with the intent to discover her motives, but didn't count on falling for her in the process. Meanwhile, Carrie realizes she is in way over her head when she starts receiving threatening phone calls about the things she stole. After a mess of murder attempts, false accusations, and snooping around, Carrie manages to discover who has been threatening her as well as figure out her feelings for Max.

I'm more of a historical romance reader, but I decided to have a go with this book and was pleasantly surprised! The story line was very engaging, and moved along at a pace that didn't allow me to become bored. It was definitely a fast read, taking me only two days to get through. The plot itself was a unique spin on romance novels with its use of ancient Chinese magic. As with most romance novels, this one is not lacking in "Rated R" content. Unlike many books that get a little too hung up on including as many sexy scenes as possible (thus making the book seem like nothing more than cleverly concealed porn), this book was very tastefully written.

Something that struck me early on while reading is that this is a surprisingly funny book! I related well to the character of Carrie in her mannerisms and way of speaking. I found myself smiling and laughing quite a lot throughout this book, which is unusual for me. The author develops every character well, even the minor ones like the police inspector, Rick.

I love that the author included a prologue! It's always so frustrating when you read a good love story and you never find out how everything turns out! The prologue was a "6 months later" piece, which helped to tie up a few loose ends. I was actually enjoying the reading so much that I continued and read the author's note (which, for the record, was also incredibly funny).

If you are a romance reader, give this book a read! I will definitely be checking out the rest of the Guardians of Destiny Series!

Gabe and Rhys (Marked by Passion) are on the sidelines and Gabe's pal Carrie takes the spotlight when she travels to China in search of evidence proving existence of the mythical Scrolls of Destiny in order to pump up her thesis and win her dream teaching job. Carrie doesn't mean to, but somehow she manages to steal a journal with proof of she needs and, unknown to her at first, one of the scrolls themselves - the Scroll of Water. Carrie's theft doesn't go unwitnessed, though living like a monk Max, the Guardian of the Scroll of Metal, senses that the scroll is in Carrie's possesion as she makes her get away. Max is sent to recover the scroll and is told to use any means necessary to make sure that the knowledge of its existence is contained.

Chosen by Desire had an old style romance feel - You'll recognize the plot line ... the leading man thinks that the leading lady is trying to 'play' him and is really in cahoots with an old foe. So the leading man is sure that her sweet innocent nature is all an act and he doesn't trust her but lusts for her. In this case the old foe is Rhys, the man Max loved like a brother, until Rhys 'betrayed' him, stealing Max's love and getting her to try and steal Max's scroll. This 'Big Misunderstanding'- because Carrie is just what she seems, sweet and not scheming - is not one of my favorite plot devices - but it does serve it's purpose here to build the tension between the pair and when Max inevitably gives into the irresistable attraction the steam factor, fortunately is anything but old school though :)

One other thing that bothered me about Chosen by Desire, was that it seemed like the Book of Water, which was rejected by its herditary guardian, had chosen Carrie - it sort of jumped into her bag and Carrie started manifesting powers of water. But in the end nothing is made of this or explained and I found that a bit disappointing.

Chosen by Desire, the second book in Kate Perry's The Guardians of Destiny, was okay but not as good as the first book Marked By Passion, on the whole it felt a little forced and the reason may be that the author originally planned to follow Gabe and Rhys through the series and the publisher wanted the next book to be about Carrie. And it is pretty obvious that the series will continue in this vein because, Perry sets up the next leading lady for the next Guardians of Destiny book TEMPTED BY FATE.

Author Kate Perry wrote an entertaining novel. I enjoyed the humor as well as the drama throughout the story. I haven't read any urban fantasy novels and, looking back now, I think this was a good book to try. It's not too unbelievable. I found myself enjoying the romance between Carrie and Max, the mystery involving the scrolls, and the special powers possessed by Max and the other Guardians of Destiny.

When I finished the book I bought the first in the series: Marked By Passion. I look forward to reading about what happened before Carrie came into the picture. Recommended to fans of Urban Fantasy/Romance.

Carrie has never stolen anything in her life, until now. Her career is at stake, and the only thing she needs to do is find proof of the Guardians of Destiny is to find Wei Lin's Journal. Unfortunetly, it's hidden away in a monastary in China, but that won't stop Carrie. She takes the tour through the monastary multiple times before she is confident enough to sneak into their archives room. Just a few snapshots and she'll have what she needs, until she's just about caught! She stuffs the journal along with a few scrolls into her bag before she's noticed.

Max notices the blonde woman stealing from the archives room of the monastary. How can such a sweet, innocent looking woman go as far as to steal from a monastary? It doesn't surprise Max when he finds out that Carrie is friends with his rival and lost brother, Rhys Llewellyn. He knows that the two of them are up to something, and he's not going to let them get away with it.

After reading and reviewing the first book in this series, Marked by Passion, I was really interested to read more about Gabe's best friend Carrie Woods. Luckily, this second installment is focused around her. I liked Carrie' character far more than Gabe, although she does have her own problems as well. Carrie seems like someone I could actually befriend, because she is smart, funny, and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She does have some commitment issues though, due to some problems in the past.

I'm not sure I can say whether I liked Max's character or not. He is very arrogant, and with being used to getting what he wants, he is a bit pushy with others to get just that. It didn't surprise me to know that him and Rhys butt heads in their past, as they are both the same type of character. Despite his flaws, he is a very caring character. At times it causes him to be over-protective, but it's only because he truly doesn't want harm to come to the people he loves.

This installment was pretty much paced just like the last installment, although I enjoyed this story even more. There was plenty of romance, when I needed it most, as well as some action. I was a little sad that there wasn't nearly as much paranormal focus as I would have liked, and I noticed this in the first installment as well. I would definitely recommend this book if you like a good action packed romance though.

I really liked the twist at the end of this installment. I was expecting it like I was expecting the end of the first installment. I literally had to stop and say, "Your kidding me!?" Although I should have seen it coming because it was sitting right in front of my nose the whole time. It just wasn't dangling like a piece of meat. I'm really excited to read the third installment now, and hoping it will focus on another featured character from this book. I can't honestly tell you who though, because it will give away some bits to the story.

I'd like to thank Anna Balasi of Hatchette books for sending me an ARC of this book. It was a great second to a very good series.

Carrie Wood went from San Francisco to China in order to finish her thesis that claims the Scrolls of Destiny exist. Her goal to teach at Berkley foster her ambitions so she sneaks inside a monastery to take pictures serendipitously but quickly realizes the gig is up. Instead of fleeing gently into the night, she rationalizes that she borrows with plans to return what she takes; she steals the Book of Water.

Carrie misunderstands what she purloined as the scrolls make her a target for those greedy with the need for power even as she gains some from the Book she possesses. Meanwhile Metal Guardian Max Prescott is sent to retrieves the stolen artifacts. He hires the thief to translate selections of Chinese text from his personal collection. However, he is angry at himself and her because he has no time for his deep attraction to a burglar.

The Guardians of Destiny urban romantic fantasy (see MARKED BY PASSION) is a fast-paced action thriller from the moment that Carrie questions why she is stealing the scrolls and never slows down as a mutual enemy craves what she took. Max is a fun to watch his agony of falling in love with a person he considers a lowlife academic crook. The return of the stars from the previous entry enhances an entertaining often amusing taut thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Carrie Woods, a scholar of Chinese history, has a burning ambition to teach at Cal, but first she needs something really special for her thesis, something that will get the attention of the board, something groundbreaking. To gain the information she needs, Carrie travels to a Chinese monastery, and there she steals (she calls it borrowing) precious ancient scrolls and documents.

The mysterious, Maximilian Prescott, a monk, who is living at the monastery is immediately captivated by her, but knows he must find a way to recover the manuscripts, while at the same time is sexually fantasizing about her.

Will Carrie fall in love with Max? Will he find out her secret? Will she risk her career goals to be with him? Can trust between them be restored?

This is a romantic paranormal mystery that is so erotic, so sizzling, the reader is in danger of being consumed by its heat. The book is filled with passion and danger. A red hot read.

I have been cooped up on the couch for the past 24 hours and had time to read two of my review books. Chosen By Desire was the first on the pile. The cover is super hot. What? Doesn't a hot cover make you want to read the book? This being the second in the series, and me not reading the first I was a tad behind the story. Kate Perry does a good job of filling in the blanks. I didn't feel that I was missing a lot but would have loved to read the first book ahead of this. Carrie is a strong character and I loved her dialogue. She doesn't take crap. I enjoyed reading about Max his desire and agony for Kate. He doesn't have time for a thief.

The book is fast and full of thrills. Kate Perry is a great writer with a mix of intrigue, romance and fantasy. Now I need to put the first and the third book on my Christmas list.

Carrie Woods wants nothing more than to prove the existence of the scrolls of destiny. She gets a tip on where they may be located and fly's to china to search a Chinese monastery for Wei lins journal about the scrolls. Unable to view them without being caught she shoved the book and some other scrolls in her bag. Feeling guilty she felt like everyone was watching her. But the gaze of a very handsome monk worried her the most, as if he was seeing straight into her soul. Chalking the feeling up to nerves she left back to San Francisco will the book and scrolls. Soon she finds herself at the handsome monks' home commissioned to translate some of his fa.ily texts. Finding out that this man is not a monk did not comfort her, instead she felt he must know what she did and is toying with her. Despite the feeling she couldn't keep her thoughts off him. She fantasized about him all night and only to be distracted by him during the day but unwilling to give into urges. She desperately did not want to be her mother who fell in love and had to give up her dreams for a man who left them after carries fifth birthday. Then to add to her problems she keeps getting harassing calls threatening her, saying they know what she stole and the will take it from her. Carrie knows her life may be in danger but what scares her most is her heart may be the one in the most danger, from max.

Maximillian Prescott is mesmerized by this beautiful woman who just stole a scroll from the monastery, not just any scroll but the scroll of destiny. He knows he must go after her but he didn't want to. For fear he will repeat past mistakes he made with a beautiful face.

Once max gets her in his home he is not sure if he can keep his distance from her. But every time he remembered she had stolen a scroll it was a painful reminder of his past betrayal. Then to make matters worse she admitted to knowing Rhys. He must be in on this to send a beautiful woman yet again and get her to steal from him and then betray him once again. No he couldn't let her get to close, but every time he tries to stay away he finds himself drawn in by her again. She is in his every thought. Can he trust her? Can he trust himself?

I loved this book it was just as good as the other one I just enjoyed Carrie so much more than Gabe. Max has a moment when Rhys and Gabe are there with him and Carrie and Gabe is mouthing off as usual and max thinks to himself how dose Rhys put up with her without duck tapeing her mouth. Then he thinks I must have some in my tool box some ware. It was hilarious I couldn't help myself but laugh. Carrie is so innocent and sweet and her mother is a hoot, when she tells Carrie that she'll send her some sex toys. Carrie is a bit embarrassed by her mother's openness but I thought it was very funny. Max is very hot and overbearing in that alpha male type of way. I thought he was just yummy. Rhys still has my heart but I just loved max too. I can't wait to read the third book in this series. If u haven't checked this series out you should add this one to the ever growing TBR list!