Gastien Part 2: From Dream to Destiny (The Gastien Series) [Kindle Edition]

Caddy Rowland (Author)

Book Description

"I am Gastien Beauchamp, artist and lover. Any Frenchman would tell you that a peasant could never own property in nineteenth century France. Yet here I am, in my very own studio. The personal cost was horrendous. I barely survived the choices I made, and my sanity was pushed to its limits.

Still, I finally now have security, peace, and freedom. For the rest of my life I can spend time "making love to the color", making love to beautiful women, and enjoying the wild nightlife of bohemian Montmartre. What more could a man need or want?

Then, one night, I see her. One look at Sophie, and my heart wants to betray me! I try to tell myself that I know better. Who needs love, anyway? I am already married-to my art!

No woman would ever understand and accept my lifestyle; nor am I about to give that lifestyle up. Not when I paid so dearly for it! Besides, I am too badly damaged to ever open up my heart...and if Sophie found out about my past she would not want to even know my name. I can't take that chance. I have had enough pain to last me a lifetime."

This historical fiction novel is book 2 of a 5 book drama/family saga for adults (The Gastien Series). Each book can stand on its own, but is most compelling read in order.


Historic people, places, events and things in this book: Au Lapin Agile, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Exposition Universelle, bourgeois, bohemian artists, Chat Noir, Le Procope, Notre Dame de Paris, Le Procope, Moulin de la Galette, Moulin Rouge, Place du Tertre, Pigalle, opium dens, absinthe, hashish, Impressionism, abstract painters, nineteenth century Paris, influenza

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the amazing story of Gastien...even more captivated by Gastien and all the other characters in this book than I was in the first...so engrossed in everything going on that I read the whole book in a day, laughing, crying and feeling compassion for all of the characters especially Gastien himself...experienced every emotion there was and I was emotionally drained by the end, but emotionally drained in a good way." Jenny, Bookaholics blog

"Caddy Rowland has done such an amazing job with these two books I know that I will ALWAYS make it a point to read EVERYTHING that she writes. Caddy is master of the roller coaster of emotions. It will have you crying one minute and laughing out loud the next." Christina Irelan, Intoxicated By Books
"Sophie and Gastien have entered the realm of epic romance couples. They prove that true love is unexpected, unconditional, passionate, and flawed." Beccie Weaver, Bookies Book Reviews
"..be prepared for the parade of emotions you are going to feel with Gastien and his choices. There is definite happiness, a touch of romance, a splash and a rub of lust, and there is sorrow...a gritty and raw look at the life of a young man who has convictions and sticks to them no matter the cost." -Liz, Fictional Candy

"Gastien is an engaging character, and his journey is brought to life with some great writing and a strong narrative structure...Paris is brought to life vividly and the novel is filled with interesting characters...-Chris Algernon IndieBookSpot

About the Author

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Caddy Rowland grew up in the Midwest with a stack of books that almost reached the ceiling before she was five. Books, along with her vivid imagination, have always been some of her closest friends.

She lives in Minnesota with her husband, who was her high school sweetheart. They are owned by two parrots. Besides being a writer, she is an artist. One can often find her "makin' love to the color" (painting) with loud music blaring.

Her goal as an author is to make readers laugh, cry, think, and become intimately connected with her main characters. She writes dramatic novels showcasing the sublime joy and bitter tragedy of being human.

Product Details

• File Size: 669 KB
• Print Length: 469 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 146809081X
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Caddy Rowland (December 13, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006LR8W4C
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,543 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read! March 23, 2012

By Liz @ Fictional Candy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is book two in the Gastien Beauchamp series, taking place from 1855 - 1899. This book starts with a lot of review of the previous book. Of course, I recommend you read Part 1, The Cost of The Dream. But if you don't, you will get the basics of it throughout this book. I must say, I enjoyed this book much more than the first. While both books are dark and portray a very honest look at Gastien's life, this one had a bit more lighthearted moments that made it better for me.

Ok, so trying to focus on this book, and not so much the both books together. Gastien is now an adult, living in his studio in Montemartre. He is pretty much the same as he was previously. My views of him as a person are not terrific. I think he is selfish and immature, and a bit of a whiner when he doesn't get his way. He fills his life with superficial women, and this always leaves him looking for something more - as he is constantly reaffirming he does not want to be in love. Sex, painting, drugs, and drinking...these are all things that Gastien is a happy and willing slave to. Frankly, it began to be a bit tiresome to constantly have to deal with his insecurities and troubles that his addictions caused him. Just as it is in the real world when you have to deal with a self centered addict.

See, this might seem like I am bashing the book. Oh no, I'm not at all. I found this an enjoyable read for the most part. On the down side, there was a lot of repetition that I could have done without. The thing is, this story is not sugarcoated. Gastien group up relatively poor, left home with nothing, went to the "big city" and he knows what scraping bottom feels like. He was so low he had to scrape bottom just to look up. He got a few breaks here and there, made many sacrifices for his one true love (his art) and landed in a pretty good situation in Montemartre. You get to see his whole life, and not just the good parts.

He finds love, real true love, in a young girl named Sophie. This relationship is not without its troubles, but they have open and honest communication, and they make it work. I can't imagine how, but they do. When they first meet, he is flustered and makes slips like asking for a kisskey instead of a whiskey one night at the pub when she is a waitress. These little details really add to the story of their romance. It doesn't happen with a flash bang like in shorter novels, this romance is nurtured and grown until it becomes the rare flower that it is.

There is quite the cast of characters in this book, and you really get a chance to know them. One of my favorites is Gastien's best friend, Mic. Mic is... well, after being Gastien's friend for decades he should qualify for sainthood. In fact, there is a scene where Mic is reminiscing and you get a quick view of Gastien from his eyes, from the first moment he saw him on the street. This was so touching and beautiful, it really shows that family is indeed not just the people who you share blood with, but rather those who you share life with.

There were a few surprises in this book that I didn't see coming, and I'll leave those unspoiled. Lets just say that in this book you should be prepared for the parade of emotions you are going to feel with Gastien and his choices. There is definite happiness, a touch of romance, a splash and a rub of lust, and there is sorrow. Like I've said before, I am not necessarily sure this is a "feel good" book. If you are looking for the next power couple in the fiction world on a whirlwind romance of lust and love, you should look elsewhere. This is a gritty and raw look at the life of a young man who has convictions and sticks to them no matter the cost. It's a good story, and if you like historical fiction, I think you will enjoy it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT February 19, 2012

By Beccie Weaver

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was asked to review "Gastien: From Dream to Destiny" when I was done reading it. If you haven't read the first book in the series, I highly recommend doing so before tackling this one. I enjoyed this book much better than the first; it wasn't as emotionally draining which made it easier to read. Though there is more romance than in the first book, it's very different from the typical romance novel. This is a very sexually charged book which may put some readers off, but it's well worth reading. I have love/hate emotions for Gastien. I had to remind myself that his views on subjects were that of a man from his time period and not a modern day guy. I can't help but admire his honesty, originality, and strength but his behaviors are appalling. He's a drug addicted alcoholic with monogamy issues. He'll act irresponsible one moment then turn around and be tender and caring. His background makes some of his actions understandable be he needed to grow up sooner than he did. I enjoyed that Caddy wrote this story to span Gastien's entire life once meeting Sophie. That may seem like a lot to fit in one book but she hits the highlights. I imagine the missing years would have been boring. Sophie is a one of a kind woman. Her love for Gastien is so immense that she's able to accept all his flaws despite her family's disapproval and hatred. I liked seeing Gastien fall in love; it was very comical in the beginning. I was surprised that their relationship lasted. I thought for sure Sophie would get tired of Gastien's infidelity and immaturity. I enjoyed seeing Gastien as a father as well. I could feel the love he had for his son even if he wasn't the best at showing it. He truly tried to be what he thought a father was but it was predictable that he would end up disappointing his son. As their son got older he became a very unlikable character. He was a snotty, selfish, brat who could never see past other people's opinions and dislike for his father to see all the good in him. I thought after Gastien confided his past to his son that would make him more understanding towards his father, but he didn't seem to care. The ending was unexpected and I cried for Gastien's pain. Caddy was able to write a beautiful conclusion for Gastien's story but left me wondering how she would continue this series. I was able to see how with the brief preview of the third book. I give "Gastien: From Dream to Destiny" 5/5 stars. Sophie and Gastien have entered the realm of epic romance couples. They prove that true love is unexpected, unconditional, passionate, and flawed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional roller coaster January 20, 2012

By Dayton F. Larson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We learned to live along side Gastien Beauchamp in Part 1. Now in Part 2, its an emotional roller coaster. Heart throbbing page turner. Written remarkably well. Merci beaucoup Caddy Rowland.

More About the Author

Sign up for new book release information by copying and pasting this in your browser: http://eepurl.com/rfjaX

Caddy Rowland grew up in the Midwest with a stack of books that almost reached the ceiling before she was five. Books, along with her vivid imagination, have always been some of her closest friends.

She lives in Minnesota with her husband, who was her high school sweetheart. They are owned by two parrots. Besides being a writer, she is an artist. One can often find her "makin' love to the color" (painting) with loud music blaring.

Her goal as an author is to make readers laugh, cry, think, and become intimately connected with her main characters. She writes dramatic novels showcasing the sublime joy and bitter tragedy of being human.