Gotta Be Destiny Review

5 out of 5

News producer Destiny Reynolds's life oftentimes feels like a dream - she has a good job, a great girlfriend to confide in, "interesting" parents who love her unconditionally, and a sexy, talented man who makes her sigh with sheer satisfaction.

And then she wakes up from her dream and realizes that her man is not only a cheating dog, but he's also a cheating dog with a fiancée on the side.

Right at the beginning of debut author Karamel Brown's novel, GOTTA BE DESTINY, you're brought into the drama that is Destiny's life, a life where now she wants nothing to do with men and wants to reconnect with herself and get that promotion at the station she's been wanting for a while.

And then fate steps in and one frigid morning, Destiny finds herself at a gas station with a sexy-voiced, handsome man holding the nozzle ready to fill her tank...and perhaps refill her heart with love.

Of course, things don't run smoothly. The handsome man in question, Seth Martin, has just got out of his own crazy relationship and has rededicated himself to God, a move that instantly frightens Destiny off. She hasn't been to church in so long, she fears getting struck upon even entering a church. But those fears are quickly pushed aside when Seth, a man full of patience, of heart, and of understanding, waits for her heart to tell her what's true: that she has fallen for Seth.

And then she professes her feelings and on the precipice of a love high, Destiny's world comes crashing around her when Seth's ex returns with news that rocks Destiny and Seth's relationship and again, makes Destiny question her choices in men and her inability to truly be happy. Will the spiteful, neck popping ex and her life-altering news forever shatter the relationship? Will Destiny be able to look beyond the news? Will Seth be able to show Destiny that she's truly the one for him? Will fate, destiny, faith, and belief intervene and show the couple what's really the truth?

Well, to get the answers to those questions, you have to read Brown's debut novel, a novel that I'm a huge fan of. GOTTA BE DESTINY is a story that's fun and light - who doesn't want to read about the crazy friendships of women, crazy exes, crazy drama, and crazy blossoming, dramatic new relationships? It's also a story that can touch you when you least expect it as faith and belief stay strong threads in the story.

We all know or are a Destiny - vulnerable, bubbly, loving, fearful, excited, sexy, silly - a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and wants to have a blessed life with a good job, good friends, and a good man that honestly and truly cares for her...that is, if she could only release the demons of relationships past and leave room for something good. And because we know or are a Destiny, we will no doubt root for her happiness and take the journey with her and she tries to find her happiness. She's a strong enough character to follow, and Brown writes a story that is solid enough to make you want to follow Destiny...right to the end.

I look forward to seeing what this young author brings to us next.

QUICK, you have 50 words - pitch us your debut novel, GOTTA BE DESTINY, and make us want to race out and buy it!
Gotta Be Destiny is an Urban chick-lit read that’ll take you on the literary ride of your life. Follow Seth as he leads Destiny past Broken Heart Boulevard to Let Me Love You Avenue. Jam packed with comedy, drama, and sensuality, Gotta Be Destiny will leave you hungry for more.


Every story has a backstory, that event or experience that sparked a story to life...what is the backstory of GOTTA BE DESTINY?
Gotta Be Destiny actually came to me one night while I was in bed trying to sleep. During the middle of tossing and turning, Destiny’s story popped into my mind. After writing the first few pages, I knew I had something worth pursing, so I saw it through.


What are three of your guilty pleasures?
Curling up on a frosty winter night with a Kayla Perrin novel.
Watching my favorite movie of all time – Low Down Dirty Shame.
Getting up on my off day in a pair of tattered sweats and cranking out my next outline for a book.


GOTTA BE DESTINY is rooted in faith; one of the ways the main characters bond is through prayer and talk of the Lord. How important was it for you to develop faith in this novel?
It’s funny, but I never really thought about weaving faith into the story until I was solely introduced to Seth’s character. I was thinking he’d be your average tall, dark, and handsome hero. So I put the twist by adding his whole I’m living the life of a saved man spin to it.


Do you think you will integrate faith into future novels?
I honestly don’t believe faith will come into play in my future novels. Maybe two to three years into my writing career I’ll write a series of faith books and maybe even call my characters. Faith, Hope, and Love.


At the end of the day, what do you hope the reader will get from reading GOTTA BE DESTINY?
At the end of the day, I hope women can walk away from this book and say wow, I can relate to the realness of the characters as well as the plot.


What is the ideal space for you to write?
In my room at my desk…with Jill Scott playing in the background.


GOTTA BE DESTINY is your debut novel, and you chose to self-publish. Talk to us about your decision to self-publish. 
Self-publishing was probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make. After I struggled with the issue for a few months, I felt that I was more than a conqueror and decided to step out on faith. It hasn’t been easy, but nothing worth having ever is.


What has the self-publishing journey been like?
The self-publishing journey has been fulfilling as well as challenging. Fulfilling in the aspect that I have total creative control over everything. On the flip side, I have to do wear ALL the hats, Marketer, Publicist...on and on...


Do you have a standard process to your writing? Are you an outliner or a jump-right-in writer?
I’ve been converted to outlining (lol). A very wise woman (I believe you may know her, lol) showed me that outlining is your best friend. If you find yourself in a jam, it gets you right out of that and back on track.


Do you ever listen to music when you write? If so, what songs were on your GOTTA BE DESTINY "soundtrack"?
Music was all I listened to while I cranked out Destiny. The songs that would be on this soundtrack would be Keyshia Cole’s entire first CD, and the Miseducation of Lauren Hill.


What's your favorite thing about GOTTA BE DESTINY?
The way the main characters Seth and Destiny gravitate to one another. Seth is drawn to Destiny like a moth to a flame. After meeting Destiny, he realizes she’s broken up about her last relationship, and he’s trying with all his might to melt the ice that surrounds her heart.


What three adjectives best describe GOTTA BE DESTINY?
Hilarious, off the chain, and honest.


What three adjectives best describe YOU?
Determined, crazy, and bright.


How do you spend your time when you're not writing?
Reading or watching Girlfriends.


Dream-on: The movie adaptation of GOTTA BE DESTINY is greenlighted! Who would play the main characters, Destiny and Seth?
Destiny – Lauren London (This Christmas, ATL); Seth – Brian White (Stomp the Yard)


If there was a soundtrack to your life, what would be THREE MUST-HAVE TRACKS on that disc?
Musiq--Teach Me, Jill Scott--Wanna Be Loved, Floetry--Say Yes.


What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on my third novel, The Socialite’s Guide to Survival.

To learn more about Karamel and GOTTA BE DESTINY, check out Karamel's BLOG and her MYSPACE page!