I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The strength of family and the bonds we share together in the face of horror and adversity come to a dramatic conclusion in author Cathy Burnham Martin’s “Destiny of Daring: Never Forget”, the third book in the Destiny trilogy.

The Synopsis

The highly anticipated conclusion in the Destiny historical fiction trilogy delivers unexpected twists linking the World War I era Armenian saga with a present-day search for ancestors and cultural harmony. In the waning years of the Ottoman Empire, true Armenian family stories deliver a slice of life reflection on the violent and volatile times that required sincere bonds of family and friendship, risk taking, and unfathomable courage to live.

This fast-read historical novel weaves human strength and mercy into the fabric of unspeakable horrors and political terror. “Destiny of Daring… Never Forget” completes the Gulumian story of extraordinary human compassion and the will to survive. As the Armenian saying reveals, “You cannot escape from destiny.”

While helpful for background, having read Books 1 and 2 is not essential to read Book 3.

The Review

This was a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author did such an inspiring and heartfelt job of bringing the story of this family to life, and the way the author was able to mesh the stories of previous entries in the series to a brand new narrative that hones in on the heart of the story, which is all about family, connection, and culture all blended into one.

The heart of this narrative proves to be the story’s relatability overall. The backdrop of the tragedy and cruelty of the Armenian Genocide during WWI by the Ottoman Empire is a shocking connection to the modern-day horrors of the Middle East for the innocent lives being lost daily. Yet the author’s heart and compassion in the narrative here give this reader hope for a brighter future tomorrow.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and memorable, author Cathy Burnham Martin’s “Destiny of Daring: Never Forget” is a must-read historical fiction read. The balance of modern-day and historical context this narrative holds, the rich character dynamics at play in this story, and the thoughtful approach to the core themes of this story made this a compelling read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating:10/10 

About the Author

Coming November 1, 2023, is the finale in The Destiny Trilogy. “Destiny of Daring: Never Forget,” which brings more unexpected twists in telling the story of the author’s Armenian family roots from the days of the waning Ottoman Empire during World War I. While reading Books 1 & 2 provides a hauntingly powerful and family-focused foundation, it is not essential. The historical fiction will be released in paperback and eBook formats, with the audiobook to follow. For more information, check her website at GoodLiving123 (dot) com or the publisher’s website at QTPublishing (dot) com.

Cathy Burnham Martin’s first published attempt at writing happened in Grade 5, when her poem was featured in the local newspaper. That was back when her parents refused to let her have the then-popular Chatty Cathy doll, stating that one chatty Cathy in the house was more than enough. Though poetry took a back seat, she has since driven her writing and blabbing proficiencies along a highly eclectic career path through recruiting, acting, marketing, broadcasting, and even bank organizing.

This professional voiceover artist, journalist, corporate communications geek, and dedicated foodie earned numerous awards as a television news anchor. She acknowledges that her broadcasting skills enjoyed extremely humble beginnings, as she often appeared in the rows of children watching cartoons and playing games like “Name the States” and “Simon Says” on WMUR-TV’s “Uncle Gus Show.” As an adult, she has written, produced, and hosted dozens of groundbreaking documentaries, TV specials, and news reports, ranging from the Moscow Super Power Summit and the opening of the Berlin Wall to extensive coverage of New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primaries.

A born storyteller of Eurasian descent, Cathy showed questionable promise as she made up ghost and crime stories for weekly elementary school Show & Tell sessions, including one that sounded so real that local police were summoned to interview the imaginative first grader. Such antics led to her first acting role, when she proudly played Peter Rabbit in a neighborhood production. It turns out she got the role because the older children wanted to avoid being the kid who’d get spanked for tearing their shorts while escaping under the farmer’s wire fence in every performance. She landed future roles more admirably, and remains a member of the Actors Equity Association, media coach, and business speaker, including status as a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association since 1995. Cathy Burnham Martin has been dubbed the “The Morale Booster.”

In her early educational path, she frequently arose as a class clown and a challenge for her teachers. At their retirement celebration, her team of kindergarten teachers announced that Cathy had been both the most creative and the most challenging student in their 30-year-career. A perfect twist of fate has found Cathy enjoying adjunct college faculty work, teaching persuasive public speaking and communications. She proved to be a much better-behaved student when she earned a Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communications at Northeastern University in 2009, where she also received the highest academic honors.

Her parents’ insistence in extensive involvement in the community invited the volunteerism bug to bite her, and Cathy continues to actively serve on boards for corporations and non-profits, including the Manchester Community Music School. Cathy Burnham Martin was also the 2009 recipient of Easter Seals’ David P. Goodwin Lifetime Commitment Award.

Though her father once trained under the executive chef at Boston’s famed Copley Plaza Hotel, and her mother quickly gained Best-Cook-In-Town status, Cathy admits that her own earliest recipe creations evolved out of laziness and a desire to use fewer ingredients and take less time. Her passion for great tasting, simple cooking led to the celebrated KISS™ Keep It Super Simple original recipe cookbook series.

Publisher: https://qtpublishing.com/

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