It's a Party: Oppression by Jessica Therrien

I am so excited for fellow campaigner Jessica Therrien. Today, February 28, her first novel, Oppression, officially launches. *insert the sound of fireworks here*

To help her celebrate, several bloggers are joining her Virtual Launch party and talking about fate/destiny. Why? Because, in Oppression (Children of the Gods, Book #1), "Elyse discovers that her destiny is deeply intertwined with the fate of the future."

My thoughts on destiny…

destiny

n., pl., -nies.
1. The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot.
2. A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control.

I don’t like to think that our lives are predetermined, beyond our control. It might be true, but I'd rather believe that I make mistakes, learn from them, and pave my own way. Is "my own way" preset, and I’m just supposed to figure out how to get there? Maybe, but that still leaves things ultimately in my hands.

One thing I know for sure… as an author, I completely embrace the idea of destiny. When I write, I am Fate for my characters. Everything is predestined, although occasionally a character speaks up and suggests alternate ideas or endings. A strong character has the power to thwart my best intentions or plans.

Could I have hit on something? Maybe there is a predetermined path, but only for those who yield to it. People who don’t speak up and fight for a different way. For others, the ultimate destination is limited only by what they can achieve and what they are willing to fight for.

What are your thoughts on Fate?

*****

Did I forget to mention there are party prizes?!?! Please visit here for details and to find out even more about Oppression!

Summary (from Jessica’s blog): Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal.

For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability.

Or so she thinks.

Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her.

Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to centuries of traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

Buying options: 

$0.99 E-Book

Amazon Kindle Edition (US)
Barnes & Noble NOOK Edition (US)
Amazon Kindle Edition (UK, France, Germany)

$12.99 Paperback
Amazon (US)
Barnes & Noble (US) - on sale for $7.79
Amazon (Canada)
Amazon (UK, France, Germany, Japan)

Stay tuned for my review and Jessica's interview here on Thursday, March 8 and check out the other stops on the Oppression Blog Tour here.