In The Hand of Fate (The Belanger Creek Ranch Series Book 3) by Gloria Antypowich, readers see the marriage of Christina Holmes crumbling due to her rare congenital condition, MRHK syndrome. She has managed to keep it a secret at her current workplace, the Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Services. Her condition makes her ashamed and also makes her wary of getting into intimate relationships. Tim Bates knows Christina from the time he joined Swift Current and he had no high opinion of her. But over the course of four years, they have come to know each other better and have started enjoying each other's company. The twist in the story happens when Tim discovers a picture at Belanger Creek Ranch. Will something unexpected happen in the lives of Tim and Christina?

The plot has many dimension to capture the attention of readers and keep them guessing and glued to the book. The story is all about family bonding, friendship, unconditional love, loyalty, mystery and how dreams can come true. The author manages to weave a lot of things together with expertise, without losing the fluidity and pace of the plot and happenings in the story. All the characters are well sketched and they give good support to the main characters of Tim Bates and Christina Holmes. The narration is descriptive and the imagery is wonderful. Third in the Belanger Creek Ranch Series, this romantic fiction can stand on its own and readers will be able to connect with the plot easily, even without reading the first two books.

Gloria Antypowich's The Hand of Fate: Book Three of the Belanger Creek Ranch Series kicks off with the main characters from the series all gathered to share Easter dinner. They were truly a "family" by heart, not by blood. Yet, Tim Bates discovered something that threw him into a tizzy that evening. Christina, having feelings for him she had not yet explored, wanted to understand and be there for him. He wasn't ready to share his discovery though. The passion between them was something they both kept denying until Christina admitted she had feelings. But, Tim still needed to deal with his secrets and open his heart to allow Christina in. Somehow Ollie Crampton was connected to Tim's deceased mother, and he needed to find out how. Of course, Christina had her own secret and needed to share it with Tim if they ever hoped to have a relationship. Antypowich advances the story fairly quickly and continues it even after Tim and Christina get married. She puts Shauna Lee, a mutual friend, in a position that has a great impact on the Bates' lives. Even more, Antypowich brings a private investigator mildly into the mix to reveal the truth about Tim and Ollie.

You will discover a unique take on a modern romance in The Hand of Fate. If you have not read the first two books in the series, it is highly advised that you read them first. Otherwise, you may very well be confused by the numerous characters. Antypowich doesn't really give you much back story on the other characters or how they are connected to each other. This made the story hard to follow initially. Also, the author jumps between in depth events with Tim and Christina to Ollie and Ellie to others. Often the details go above and beyond what a typical romance novel might include. Yet, there are a number of beautiful and intriguing pieces within the storyline. From Ollie and Tim to how Tim and Christina might be able to have their own biological children, this is one to stick with because you will discover a heart-warming tale.

The Hand of Fate has some spots I found to be a bit choppy in the writing, but Gloria Antypowich has a woven a story of sweet love and perseverance into this contemporary romance novel. The Belanger Creek Series is different, and helps The Hand of Fate stand out in the romance genre. Where will Antypowich take you in the fourth book in the Belanger Creek Ranch Series?