AN UNEXPECTED DESTINY
By Cheryl Barton
When it comes to romance novels, I love a series. In my last review, I covered Cheryl Barton’s For You I Will, part of her Sister Act series. Kasey’s story was compelling and uplifting, and it encouraged me to check out the stories about her sisters, Destiny and Nivea. That being said, I bring you The Unexpected Destiny.
Destiny Lockhart is the oldest of the Lockhart sisters. The director of corporate and marketing communications connected with the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, as the only African American woman to hold the position, she is a powerhouse in her career. Her love life and her personal life, however, have left her with a need to control, stemming from bad experiences in high school and a crushing prom night when she lost her virginity, a night she has kept secret even from her sisters Kasey and Nivea.
Lincoln Cole is a movie and TV show producer. He and his brothers own a high-profile, highly successful Black-owned entertainment media mecca, and they have made a deal to do their next film project in Atlanta. In addition, the deal also includes shooting footage in the stadium, which puts him in direct contact with Destiny, the woman from his past. Yes, the sex was off the charts on prom night, but due to his immaturity in handling their post-sex conversation and miscommunication all those years ago, Destiny wants to avoid him by any means necessary. And she had—until now.
Destiny also has a rival for Lincoln’s affections: Thalia Mendez, who dated Lincoln in high school and has been in an off-and-on, friends-with-benefits arrangement with him. A Mean Girl in high school who never grew out of it, Thalia is now an entitled diva actress who is featured in Lincoln’s latest movie project, and she wants to pick up where she and Lincoln left off to further her movie career and feather her nest with the accoutrements of a phyne, wealthy husband.
Will Destiny be able to shed the embarrassment and insecurities of her past with Lincoln? Will Lincoln show Destiny how he truly felt and feels about her? Will Thalia drive a wedge between them by using her Mean Girl tactics?
Barton brings it, and she brings it so well. It is vital to represent positive images of successful African Americans in media and business, as she illustrates in her description of both Lincoln’s company and her characters. She reminds us, as readers, of how childhood scars can follow us into adulthood if we allow them to. And of course, there is sisterhood. Many of my favorite scenes were between Destiny, her sisters, and her BFFs. Finally, there is the importance of communication, talking things out to get to the root of the matters. Once Lincoln and Destiny did that, love had room to grow and blossom.
The Ultimate Destiny is available through Amazon and Barton’s website, www.cherylbarton.net.
Thank you, Cheryl, for bringing another gem of Black Love to the table. Nivea, your story is next!