The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

ARC Review: Destiny of Dreams: Time Is Dear by Cathy Burnham Martin

Book Details:

Author: Cathy Burnham Martin
Release Date: 31st August 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 242 pages
Publisher: Quiet Thunder Publishing
Blurb:
What happens when an American girl of Eurasian descent finds herself suddenly immersed in all facets of her Armenian ancestry? Told with an often soulfully introspective voice, “Destiny of Dreams” follows the true story of a teenager and her grandfather, retracing loving, learning, and terrifying footprints of the past. While survival remains center stage, love and courage must emerge, or all will be both lost and forgotten. More fact than fiction, the author reveals her Armenian roots in this historical novel, chronicling her family members’ love, strength, and resolve to both survive and thrive in treacherous times. Reflecting the traumas suffered by all people displaced from their original homelands, this Armenian story focuses on one family’s challenge to find light in the dark days of the waning Ottoman Empire. Anyone with the diaspora in their family heritage will relate. Whether thinking of Jewish people from Israel, Africans scattered through slavery, Armenians fleeing annihilation in Turkey, so-called boat people escaping Asia, or Syrians fleeing life-threatening violence in their own nation, humans continue to rise up in the face of the toughest times. Who would emerge from extraordinarily desperate places, and how could they choose to set positive examples of humanity during highly inhumane times? Set in the early 1900s and flashing forward to the 1960s, the story’s themes ring with tolerance and intolerance, dreams and destroyers, family and friends, amidst challenges that eerily parallel life in current judgmental scenarios.

Written for Young Adult and Adult audiences, the book contains some explicit descriptions and a couple of disturbing, though not graphic, violent scenes. While not gratuitous, the depictions may be unsuitable for young readers

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Destiny Of Dreams: Time Is Dear by Cathy Burnham Martin is a beautifully written historical fiction book about survival and the darkness that plagues our society.

This book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, along with quiet graphic descriptions of violence, which lent this book an air of seriousness that otherwise would have been missing. I liked reading this book from cover to cover because the plot was very engaging, the writing was good, the characterisation was well done and the execution of the story was really good.

I would recommend this book to all historical fiction buffs. Although do keep in mind that this book has some graphic violent scenes (for those who might find them triggering.)


You can also read this review on:

Goodreads



I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
August 2021
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Catharsis by Daniel Zea Ray

    Book Details: Author: Daniel Zea RayRelease Date: 8 September 2025Series: Genre: Science-Fiction, Romance, CyberpunkFormat: E-book Pages: 588 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Catharsis is a thrilling blend of science fiction, epic adventure, and unforgettable romance.Perfect for readers who love fast-paced sci-fi adventures, strong heroines, and…

  • Book Review: Corporate Coach Approach: A Systematic Guide to Career Development by Nicole Fronek

    Book Details: Author: Nicole FronekRelease Date: 28 June 2025Series: Genre: Continuing EducationFormat: E-book Pages: 158 pagesPublisher: Painted Gate PublishingBlurb:In the modern corporate environment, career advancement does not typically occur by chance, but rather through intentional action. Corporate Coach Approach…

  • Book Spotlight: Time’s New Dawn: A Dark Time Novel by D Gordon

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring D Gordon for their latest release, Time’s New Dawn. Book: Time’s New DawnAuthor: D GordonSeries: Dark Time (Book #1)Publication Date: 12 August 2026Publisher: Pages: 320Genre: Science-Fiction, ThrillerAvailable in:…

  • Book Review: When Squirrels Fly by D. E. Carr

    Book Details: Author: D. E. CarrRelease Date: 28 July 2026Series: Genre: Format: E-book Pages: 347 pagesPublisher: She Writes PressBlurb:For fans of Connie Willis, Lucy Lyons, and Janet Evanovich, a debut cozy mystery with a speculative bent, set in…

  • Book Review: Constants by E.B. Miller

    Book Details: Author: E.B. Miller Release Date: 6 July 2026Series: Genre: Science-Fiction, Speculative FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 286 pagesPublisher: Evil Eye PublishingBlurb:Mark Robson is trapped in flux.Every 18 minutes and 32 seconds he wakes up in a new reality, then…