Cruel Destiny

"Our souls fused in the most intimate way as we sat there in silence, comforting each other, healing together."

GAH.....I thought Emmanuelle Snow played with my emotions with Pink and Country but I am hear to say that is nothing compared to what she does with Whiskey and Country. Nick's early story hit me on such a deep level very quickly in this book. If you have read Pink and Country you have met him and Dahlia and know the story of them but that isn't where this starts.....it starts with Nick months before Dahlia enters his life. Nick has just done most likely the hardest thing he will ever have to do in his life and starts spiraling down into a depressive state. One night a man knocks on Nick's door bearing a gift....a gift that will put his life on a completely different path than he ever imagined.

The spiritual journey that Nick ends up on will have anyone believing in fate. There definitely was no better road for him to travel than the one that led him to Green Mountain, TN. It is here that he is awakened after the tragedy he suffered. He is able to slow down and enjoy life and adjusts to small town living much faster than he expected to. Of course meeting Dahlia Ellis on his first day in town may have played a part in this sense of peace he has come to experience. Dahlia is also awakened upon meeting Nick....I whole heartedly consider it love at first sight. He is the breath of fresh air she so desperately needed yet didn't realize it until he was right there in front of her.

Emmanuelle Snow gave these two a hot instant connection but it is nothing compared to the build-up that takes place over so much of the book...that is even HOTTER! I feel like the way these characters are written they connected on the emotional level first by taking things slow, building a friendship all while the simmering heat was just slightly below the surface. Nick and Jack's instant connection almost rivals that of Dahlia and Nick in the sense that Nick really is a great guy with a caring heart. While what these two had to go through was nothing short of horrible it seems they were meant to experience that in preparation for each other. It made/makes them who they are today.

The Carter Hills Band series just keeps getting better and better with each book. I have been through the ringer emotionally with all of them I have read so far so which makes the stories that much more enjoyable for me. Emmanuelle Snow is very talented with her words and getting them just right so her readers are feeling what her characters are feeling. I cannot wait to see what else she is going to give us out of this series!

Cruel Destiny (formerly Whiskey and Country) is the story of Nick and Dahlia, two characters we first meet in Pink and Country, book one of the Carter Hills Band series. It tells the backstory of how they got together, but more importantly, their journey through grief. I had to put my book down and walk away for awhile after that particular scene in the beginning because it absolutely broke my heart.

Emmanuelle Snow has a special talent for turning you into an emotional wreck with the most beautiful words possible and Cruel Destiny was no different. Nick had my heart and watching his journey unfold was wonderful. And then the chemistry between him and Dahlia…you just wanted these two to be happy after all the pain and loss they had previously experienced.

Another amazing book in the series, though I would suggest reading the two previous ones first.

I received copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.