"The highly acclaimed Trust saga concludes with Essence of Trust, the final book in the trilogy"
Melinda Rucker Haynes' highly acclaimed Trust saga
concludes with Essence of Trust, the final book in the
trilogy. This book picks up some years after Breach of Trust, after
two legendary Samurai swords have disappeared and changed
the lives of five incredible people, among others. Mike and
Dorel Gabrielli's son Marty is now at the cusp of manhood,
and only beginning to come into the powers he has inherited
through multiple lifetimes, one of which was Dorel's
beloved grandfather. Rian Farsante and Jonathan "Spence"
Spencer, soulmates who are loyal friends to the Gabriellis
have been torn apart by Spence's lust for power which has
led him to use his abilities for the dark side. All of them
have been affected by the power infused in any wielder of
the swords, their lives irreparably changed. Ancient legend, dating far back in Egyptian history, if not
farther, speaks of the coming of the One, a powerful
Essence that will control the world. Whether that control
is used to destroy or to heal the world as we know it
remains to be determined. Ian Stoddard, an extremely strong
psychic spy for whom Mike, Spence, and Rian all worked at
one time, believes Marty to be the One, and seeks to use
Marty's powers to take over the world. Time is running out
as all players, good or bad, race to defeat an evil
stronger than any of them can imagine; that is at the
beginning, the very heart of the mystery of the swords. Can
all of them find their destiny and use their powers for
what they are meant to before this evil consumes them,
possibly even costing some their current life? As with the previous two books in the saga, the story line
is very complex due to the very nature of its reincarnation
plotline. However, in this book, less focus is placed on
past lives, though they do have an integral role, with the
focus this time being on the here and now... and what is to
come. One will find this book is not one to be rushed
through, but is meant to be savored and read slowly so as
to grasp the true meaning of the story and the symbolic
nature of so many things, or people, found within. Many
questions will be answered, and yet a few are left hanging,
perhaps for effect, or something more? Readers must pick up
this book for themselves to make that determination. Also
be forewarned, there are multiple, totally shocking, plot
twists that will make readers gasp aloud in disbelief and
shout "that can't happen that way!" The previous two stories were more of an action tale, with
an underlying love story. Though the undercurrent of a love
story is evident here, it is not as strong as in the
previous two stories, in this reviewer's opinion, but it is
most definitely there. There are actually several different
kinds of love, to include romance, experienced by the
characters, which makes this an even more powerful story
then the previous two. Readers will feel Rian's pain as she
watches her beloved Spence fall deeper into the dark arts,
knowing there is not much she can do to help him. A
familial kind of love is evident here as well, between the
Gabriellis and Rian and Spence. Marty, though showing the
typical behavior of a young boy his age, also has an
underlying wisdom of the ages, that will amaze and
captivate readers, making them wonder how he knows so much
for one so young. How everyone comes together in the paths
Destiny has chosen for them will engross the reader right
through to the very last page of the book. Essence of Trust indeed ends this chapter in a strong saga,
but ends it in such a way to give one hope that maybe, just
maybe, if destiny is kind, we may at some future date get
to cross our paths with those friends... and enemies...
found between these pages. Only the fates know for certain. © Kelley A. Hartsell, April 2005. All
rights reserved.
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted August 24, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 2, 2007
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