Tag Archives: Jacquelyn Frank

The Phoenix Project / The Science of Pleasure by Jacquelyn Frank – reviews

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THE PHOENIX PROJECT / THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE (The Morphates #1 & #2) by Jacquelyn Frank-reviews

THE PHOENIX PROJECT
(Morphates #1)
by Jacquelyn Frank
Genre:sci-fi/paranormal/urban fantasy/dystopian/post apocalyptic

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-Release Date March 27, 2018

In a hidden desert lab compound, unwilling subjects are held for experimentation with an unthinkable goal—the genetic mutation of human beings . . .

All Amara knows is that the complete lack of freedom, the endless experiments and personal indignities have tested the limits of her sanity. But nothing prepares her for being locked away—naked—with a sexy ex-cop . . .

The department shrink always told Nick Gregory he had a hero complex that was going to get him killed one day, or worse. This is definitely worse. Even drugged so that his most basic animal instincts are uncontrollable, he is driven to protect the beautiful female with whom he’s supposed to mate. One way or another, he will escape this hell . . . and take her with him.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE PHOENIX PROJECT is the first instalment in Jacquelyn Frank’s multi-genre sci-fi/paranormal/urban fantasy/dystopian/post apocalyptic MORPHATES erotic romance series focusing on a scientific experiment known as the Phoenix Project that resulted in a hybrid human known as the Morphate. This is former federal agent Nick Gregory, and Amara’s story line.

NOTE: THE PHOENIX PROJECT was originally released in the 2010 Nocturnal Anthology.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Amara and Nick) THE PHOENIX PROJECT follows federal agent Nick Gregory as he is thrown into a world  he knew nothing about. Investigating the disappearance of a number of people Nick finds himself one of the many, a part of a scientific experiment that goes horribly wrong. An anti-aging protocol has somehow been modified such that the victims are turned into hybrid beings of man and beast. To ensure the survival of the fittest, the new creations are thrown together in an effort to ferret out the weak and the strong, as well as forcing the interactions between potential mates. Enter Amara, Nick’s alpha mate, and the woman with whom he will fall in love. In order to survive Nick and Amara must prove they are worthy of the title of alpha, as well as ensuring the survival of everyone involved. Escape is the only option in the hopes the government will come through with a mandated policy in order to prevent the destruction of the beasts known as the Morphates.

THE PHOENIX PROJECT is an action packed, entertaining and intriguing story line that looks at the possibility of scientific research used for nefarious purposes. The premise is provocative and dramatic; the characters are charismatic and strong; the romance is erotic, intense and fated by DNA- the relationship between Amara and Nick is highly sexual and animalistic. I do have a concern about the origin of the Phoenix Project and how potential life-saving research resulted in hybridized DNA-some background information is warranted. There is no mention of the how and why. I am hoping for more information in the upcoming sequel.

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Reviewed by Sandy

________________

THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE
(Morphates #2)
by Jacquelyn Frank
Genre: sci-fi/paranormal/urban fantasy/dystopian/post apocalyptic

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-Release Date June 26, 2018

In the Name of Science

Dr. Jenesis DeBruehl once hoped that her scientific research would have positive ramifications for humanity, only to have her work twisted by the evil Dr. Eric Paulson and used to torture innocents.

Seven years later she finally has her own lab again, despite her checkered past. Kincaid “Kin” Gregory is a Morphate, one of the people mutated by Paulson. Now running the lab that Jenesis is joining, Kin is surprised by the lust he feels for the human woman. While Jenesis struggles with her guilt over the role she played in Kincaid’s mutation, he encourages her to use him as her personal test subject. No limitations. With Kin’s body all hers, Jenesis is about to make a whole new kind of discovery

••••••••

REVIEW: THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE is the second instalment in Jacquelyn Frank’s multi-genre adult, sci-fi/paranormal/urban fantasy/ post apocalyptic Morphate romance series focusing on a scientific experiment known as the Phoenix Project that resulted in a hybrid human known as the Morphate. This is scientist Dr. Jenesis DeBruehl, and alpha Kincaid ‘Kin’ Gregory’s story line. THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading book one The Phoenix Project for some backstory and history. Kincaid Gregory is Nick Gregory’s brother (The Phoenix Project).

NOTE: The Science of Pleasure was originally released in the 2013 anthology The Pleasure Project.

Told form dual third person perspectives (Jenesis and Kincaid) THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE fast forwards the series seven years in that the government has disbanded the scientific research that resulted in a catastrophic experiment by a man hoping to create a more powerful being. Genetic experimentation into cellular death and recovery (anti-aging protocol) known as the Phoenix Project was headed by Dr Jenesis DeBruehl, but unbeknownst to our heroine, the results were used by her mentor, Dr. Eric Paulson, to create a hybrid army of immortal beings. Enter Alpha leader, and former police officer Kincaid Gregory, and the man with whom Jenesis will fall in love.

Jenesis DeBruehl was caught up in the disaster that destroyed so many lives. Her life ruined, and her reputation shattered, seven years later our heroine finds herself working for the very people, beings, she helped to create. Kincaid Gregory is more beast than man but meeting the woman who discovered the cellular tag that delivers specified cellular mutation commands pulls at the primal longing of a male for his mate. Hoping to take down Dr. Eric Paulson, Kincaid and Jenesis put together a plan, a plan that wasn’t as well thought out as our couple had hoped.

The initial relationship between Jenesis and Kincaid is caustic and acerbic as Kincaid struggles with the knowledge that the woman with whom he would fall in love is the very woman responsible for the mutation that destroyed so many lives. The $ex scenes are aggressive, erotic and intense-Kincaid’s beast is animalistic in his taking of our story line heroine.

THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE is an intriguing, imaginative and intoxicating tale of the potential for the human race to destroy itself through scientific discovery. The premise is dramatic and intense; the characters are spirited, charismatic and animated; the romance is fated by passion and need.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Hunger (The Energy Vampires #2) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

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HUNGER (The Energy Vampires #2) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

Hunger

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 8, 2017

Two strangers—one warm and human, the other deadly and craving—become pawns in an all-out vampire war as this series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Nightwalkers saga heats up.

As an energy vampire, Halo enjoys the chase for human blood—if it’s pure and consensual. But Halo goes from hunter to hunted when he is knocked unconscious and taken hostage by vicious sycophants. As he comes to, he realizes that he’s naked, starving, and trapped in a sealed room. With him is a deliciously human female, tempting him to feed—except her blood is heady with the scent of poisonous drugs. Never has nourishment been so near, yet so far . . . and it’s all part of the sycophants’ sick game.

The last thing Felice Mendoza remembers is everything going black. She awakens stripped, drugged, exposed, and alone—with a vampire. Halo is at once savage and tender, terrifying and alluring. Felice senses that her only chance to escape depends upon his survival. Given the choice between Halo and his enemies, Felice surrenders to his ravenous hunger. It’s a calculated risk—and a delirious pleasure. As Felice is ushered into a world as dangerous as it is desirable, their fight for deliverance is only the beginning.

•••••••••

REVIEW: HUNGER is the second installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s contemporary, adult THE ENERGY VAMPIRES paranormal, romance series. This is energy vampire and hunter Halo, and antiques dealer Felice Mendoza’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: Energy vampires are aliens, descended to earth years before, who soak up their nourishment from the sun, and feed off the energy (not blood) of humans who are pure in body and spirit. Those e-vampires who cross to the dark side, getting their nourishment from the energy of impure humans, become known as sycophants. The energy vampires have been pulled into a war where the ultimate target is the Queen of the vampires, and all that she rules.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Halo and Felice) HUNGER follows two strangers-one human female and one e-vampire male-who find themselves imprisoned by an unknown jailer. Not only is Felice Mendoza unaware of the existence of the supernatural but our heroine is ‘drugged’ in an effort to force a starving Halo to turn to the dark side. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between Halo and Felice as they struggle to break free of their captors, and the fall out when Halo walks away from the woman with whom he has fallen in love. A good portion of the story line takes place in a secure room (cell) where our couple struggle to stay one step ahead of an unknown threat to their safety and lives

HUNGER and the Energy Vampires is a different kind of vampire series in that the vampires feed off energy and not blood. Humans are considered cattle; fodder and food at an all you can eat open restaurant; and it is forbidden to allow a human to know about the vampire’s existence-memory wiping is a frequent threat against our story line heroine. Impure energy, such as that from addicts, alcoholics and the like, will eventually turn the energy vampire into a sycophant-a self serving, vampire addict who is all about the next fix or high.

Saying that, although the concept is intriguing, the series failed to pull me in due to the less than positive treatment and consideration of humans. It’s not that I believe the humans should be treated as royalty but it is the way in which the author designed the series, and has the characters justify their misconduct towards humans. In the end, the energy vampires are snobs and bigots; reverse ‘specieism’ as it pertains to their earthly hosts; supernatural supremacists who care little for the humans from whom they feed and use. I think, if the author had presented her characters with a little less vitriol and venom towards their human counterparts I would have had more empathy for the story line characters. Perhaps it was the constant and continuous reminders (memory wiping/ bigotry) that lessened my enjoyment of the story line.

There is some great back and forth banter between our leading couple. Felice is a strong heroine who has fallen for the brooding and maddening vampire-she sees something in Halo that others have failed to accept. Halo is a hunter of the sycophant-and in this his duty is to the Queen, and not to fall in love with a human female. The series premise and story line is interesting in its’ concept but lost something in its’ presentation; the characters are colorful; the romance struggles with too many preconceived notions but there is a definite spark between our leading couple.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Bound in Darkness (Immortal Brothers #4) by Jacquelyn Frank-Review and Giveaway

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BOUND IN DARKNESS (Immortal Brothers #4) by Jacquelyn Frank-Review and Giveaway

Bound in Darkness Banner

Bound in Darkness
Immortal Brothers #4
by Jacquelyn Frank
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Genre: fantasy, mythology, romance

Bound in Darkness

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 24, 2015

After drinking from the fountain of immortality along with his brothers, Maxum is condemned by the gods to be entombed in the earth. Even though he has now been granted a reprieve by day, each night he is buried anew, his rock-hard body immobilized, his bones crushed by the pressure. When he emerges, his body heals, but his spirit remains scarred. There is only one way for Maxum to be completely free: He must kill the god who cursed him.

The task will require tremendous power, so Maxum embarks on a quest to gather talismans to equip him for the battle. Then an earthy wench seduces him and steals one of his magical amulets, but he catches her. Finding herself between a rock and a hard place, she strikes a bargain. The beautiful and alluring Airianne is a skilled thief—and she can help him in his acquisition of the talismans. Will this stealthy seductress also try to steal his heart—or will their boldness end up getting them both buried?

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: BOUND IN DARKNESS is the fourth and final installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s adult IMMORTAL BROTHERS paranormal, fantasy romance series focusing on four brothers cursed by the gods and goddesses, in their search for immortality.

Two hundred years earlier, four brothers went in search of the waters of Immortality and upon the discovery drank from the forbidden streams. The gods and goddesses were angered and cursed each brother to suffer eternal damnation and pain. This is Maxum and Airianne’s storyline. BOUND IN DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Maxum and Arianne) BOUND IN DARKNESS follows Maxum as he sets out on a quest to destroy Sabo-the god of pain and suffering-and the god who condemned Maxum to an endless cycle of being entombed and crush within the bowels of the earth. Maxum, along with his rag-tag band of forgotten warriors, traverses the lands in search of five artifacts said to be imbued with magical qualities-qualities Maxum needs to defeat the god of pain and suffering. A beautiful thief will take off with one of Maxum’s prized possessions, and in the ensuing weeks Arianne will become a full fledge member of Maxum’s group, helping him to defeat the god who has destroyed his life.

Jacquelyn Frank’s BOUND IN DARKNESS takes much of its’ characteristics from Tolkien’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The author combines archers, elves, Orcs, mages, dragons and magical rings of invisibility; add the possibility of a talking and walking tree, and a final battle between the gods wherein our hero becomes a god himself to reign over the world and all of its pain and suffering. Even the journey from town to town becomes a quest into the unknown.

BOUND IN DARKNESS is a tale of adventure; a quest for power and magic; a journey that will end the suffering of the fourth and final brother but not before he must sacrifice his ‘immortal, human’ life for that of omnipotent power. The fourth installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s IMMORTAL BROTHERS series follows a different path than the previous three installments wherein our hero is not tasked with fighting a war but brings the war unto himself. In this, BOUND IN DARKNESS, can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. The premise and basic outline are familiar but entertaining; the characters a mixed assortment of the good, bad and ugly; the happily ever after a welcome relief. There is plenty of action; a continuous saga in search for the unobtainable; and a romance that pushes our hero to both a lover and protector.

Reading Order
Cursed by Fire
Cursed by Ice
Bound by Sin
Bound in Darkness

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway beige

Jacquelyn’s publisher and The Reading Cafe are offering a paper copy of BOUND IN DARKNESS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Jacquelyn Frank on Facebook.

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8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from November 21-24, 2015

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Bound by Sin (The Immortal Brothers 3) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

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BOUND BY SIN (Immortal Brothers #3) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

Bound by Sin

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2015

After being chained to a star to burn endlessly as punishment for stealing immortality from the gods, Jaykun has been unshackled to wage war alongside his brothers, in the name of a goddess. But his freedom comes with a price: Each night Jaykun must still suffer—his body burning from the inside out. One early morning, recovering from his torment, he encounters a beautiful stranger on the beach. Naked from her midnight-black hair down to her sandy toes, she approaches him with starry-eyed innocence and the unmistakable full body of a woman.

Soon Jaykun is swept up with the force of a comet, his desire for her hotter than any sun. His brothers fear he is blinded by her radiant beauty, that she has been sent by their enemies to seduce and destroy him. Jileana is indeed from another world—one Jaykun cannot begin to imagine. But will their passion burn brightly enough to light their way through the darkness that threatens to consume all in its path?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: BOUND BY SIN is the third installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s adult, IMMORTAL BROTHERS mythological romance, paranormal fantasy series focusing on four brothers cursed, by the gods and goddesses, in their search for immortality. This is Jaykun and Jileana’s storyline. BOUND BY SIN can be read as a standalone but for backstory and cohesion, I strongly suggest reading the series in order.

SOME BACKGROUND: Two hundred years earlier, four brothers (Dethan, Garreth, Jaykun, Maxum) went in search of the waters of Immortality and upon the discovery drank from the forbidden streams. The gods and goddesses were angered and cursed each brother to suffer eternal damnation and pain. Each of the brothers will sacrifice for love landing them in the favor of the gods with a happily ever after. Jaykun’s punishment is to suffer an endless cycle of burning from the inside out-like a star going supernova on a nightly basis. Maxum’s story will be told next in BOUND IN DARKNESS (November 2015).

Told from third person perspective BOUND BY SIN follows the building relationship between Jaykun and Jileana-a young woman whose naivety and surprising beauty is unexpected near the battlefield and waters, and in Jaykun’s life. Jaykun has been freed from eternal damnation but still suffers the nightly fiery burns as will be witnessed by our storyline heroine. While Jaykun enjoys the ministrations of the strange female, Dethan and Garreth begin to suspect there is more to the young woman than meets the eye. When Jileana invites Jaykun to visit her forbidden world beyond the waters, our hero finds himself a virtual prisoner in a gilded cage until the rising of the next moon. Jaykun will soon find himself enmeshed in a political coup and uprising when, Jileana’s Empress is threatened, by members of her own royal family.

The attraction between Jaykun and Jileana is immediate and palpable but there is something otherworldly about Jileana. Her time on Jaykun’s world has an expiry date, and with it so too does their growing relationship and love. Jaykun has been burned by a former love and with it comes betrayal and issues of trust. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of graphic sexual imagery.

Dethan and Garreth, Jaykun’s brothers play secondary and supporting roles throughout the storyline. Our series heroes are currently on location, warring and pillaging on behalf of the gods. We are introduced to Jileana’s family, including several of her over protective brothers and father, as well as the Empress, whose control of her own people is questioned and usurped. The requisite evil not only threatens Jileana’s future, but the future of her people and world.

The world building focuses on the continuing wars between the gods and goddesses as each brother must fight in the name of Weysa, the goddess of conflict, as she continues to demand obedience and subjugation. We are transported to Jileana’s world of immortal creatures with supernatural powers. Jileana’s true species and distinctiveness are easily identifiable early in the story but the path to realization is slow as the storyline builds and allegiances are drawn.

The premise is slow to build as the storyline focuses on the relationship between our leading couple while keeping Jileana’s identity a lightly, veiled secret. Most of the conflict arises within Jileana’s world where our hero is tasked with saving a world and species he knows nothing about. The characters are colorful and magical; the romance is hopeful but Joykun’s issues of trust have left our hero without the ability to love. We are offered a quick glimpse into Maxum’s mind- the final brother whose need for revenge is calculating and cold.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight black and orange

Cursed by Fire Feb 15CURSED BY FIRE
Immortal Brothers 1
by Jacquelyn Frank
Genre: fantasy, adult, paranormal, romance
Release Date: February 24, 2015

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: February 24, 2015

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of CURSED BY FIRE

For centuries, Dethan has been trapped in a fiery inferno for defying the gods and snatching the power of immortality. Condemned to have his battle-hardened body licked by flames only to regenerate and be consumed all over again, Dethan has lost all hope—until the Goddess of Conflict appears. She will release him from torment—if he’ll use his power and strength as a warrior to raise an army and defeat a fierce enemy faction of gods.

Free to live as a man once again, Dethan meets Selinda—heir to the throne of Hexis—and his thoughts quickly turn from the conquest of cities to the conquest of this headstrong beauty. Betrothed to a cruel, calculating powermonger, Selinda needs a champion, and so Dethan enters into another bargain: If she will share her bed—and her body—with him, Dethan will save her city from destructive forces within and without. As the lovers ignite a searing passion, Dethan will risk all—even the wrath of the Goddess of Conflict—for a chance to make Selinda his forever.

_____________

Cursed by Ice Mar 15CURSED BY ICE
The Immortal Brothers 2
by Jacquelyn Frank
Genre: adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance
Release Date: March 31, 2015

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 31, 2015

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of CURSED BY ICE

As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. Again and again, his fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest—only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess—in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war.

Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. But while laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on—a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Terrified of her strength, the city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her ultimate salvation—or lead them both to greater destruction?

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Cursed by Ice (Immortal Brothers 2) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

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CURSED BY ICE (Immortal Brothers 2) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

Cursed by Ice

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 31, 2015

As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. Again and again, his fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest—only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess—in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war.

Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. But while laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on—a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Terrified of her strength, the city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her ultimate salvation—or lead them both to greater destruction?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: CURSED BY ICE is the second installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s adult Immortal Brothers fantasy series focusing on four brothers cursed, by the gods and goddesses, in their search for immortality. This is Garreth and Sarielle’s storyline. Although CURSED BY ICE is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone but I suggest reading the series in order as background information and world building continues to develop throughout each successive storyline.

Two hundred years earlier, four brothers went in search of the waters of Immortality and upon the discovery drank from the forbidden streams. The gods and goddesses were angered and cursed each brother to suffer eternal damnation and pain. Garreth’s punishment was to suffer the endless cycle of freezing and defrosting, and the accompanying pain that follows. When Garreth’s brother Dethan ( CURSED BY FIRE book 1 ) found love and was forgiven, Garrett was released from bondage to take over the command of the army of the gods. Although free during the daylight hours, Garreth would return to the same suffering each sundown only to be granted the same freedom several hours later.

Weysa, the goddess of conflict, continues to demand obedience from Dethan and Garreth, and as such the brothers are commanded to continue their battle against an enemy of the gods. Conquering the city of Kith, the brothers discover a town dependent upon slavery and a woman who controls a dangerous beast. Enter Sarielle, a young woman who is soul-bonded to a wyvern and the woman who will melt Garreth’s frozen heart.

The slow building storyline is similar in context to Jacquelyn’s CURSED BY FIRE. Weysa, the goddess of conflict, has commanded Garreth to enter into battle and secure the outlying cities, towns and villages in her name. As it pertains to Garreth’s never ending curse, it was not as large of a plot point as was Dethan’s fiery burn in CURSED BY FIRE. Garreth’s nightly pain and suffering was almost an afterthought in the storyline. Sarielle, a former slave, will become Garreth’s captive; her soul-bond with the wyvern reveals an intimate connection at a physical and visceral level. Garreth is ever the protector; his attraction and need for Sarielle continues to build throughout the story. He is a cursed man, who has fallen in love, but knows that he will not claim Sarielle when he is tied to the gods for all time. The $ex scenes are intimate and revealing.

The secondary characters include Davine, a young house maiden who will both befriend and betray Garreth and Sarielle. Dethan, Garreth’s eldest brother, returns as Garreth’s companion in battle but also becomes Garreth’s greatest threat to his relationship with Sarielle. I had a difficult time liking Dethan in his own storyline CURSED BY FIRE because of his attitude and cold demeanor, and with Garreth’s tale my animosity towards Dethan increases with his ill-conceived notions about Sarielle and his brother. Dethan is a threat to his brother’s happiness and is determined to destroy Garreth’s relationship with Sarielle, hurting his own brother in the process.

Jacquelyn Frank’s mythological world building continues as the all powerful and all knowing gods and goddesses battle for the rights to control the humans, and in doing so, punish those responsible for defying the gods. As Garreth honors his debt to the goddess of conflict, yet another brother, will be freed from perpetual bondage only to return each evening to suffer the same fate as his brothers’ before. CURSED BY ICE introduces a series of mythological creatures including mages, wyverns, were-dragons and the Fae.

CURSED BY ICE is an interesting and detailed storyline of fantasy and myth, the supernatural, and a happily ever after-for now. As each brother is granted a temporary freedom to serve and protect, he will come face to face with his future in yet another battle to prove allegiance to the gods.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss.

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight

Cursed by Fire Feb 15CURSED BY FIRE
Immortal Brothers 1
by Jacquelyn Frank
Genre: fantasy, adult, paranormal, romance
Release Date: February 24, 2015

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: February 24, 2015

For centuries, Dethan has been trapped in a fiery inferno for defying the gods and snatching the power of immortality. Condemned to have his battle-hardened body licked by flames only to regenerate and be consumed all over again, Dethan has lost all hope—until the Goddess of Conflict appears. She will release him from torment—if he’ll use his power and strength as a warrior to raise an army and defeat a fierce enemy faction of gods.

Free to live as a man once again, Dethan meets Selinda—heir to the throne of Hexis—and his thoughts quickly turn from the conquest of cities to the conquest of this headstrong beauty. Betrothed to a cruel, calculating powermonger, Selinda needs a champion, and so Dethan enters into another bargain: If she will share her bed—and her body—with him, Dethan will save her city from destructive forces within and without. As the lovers ignite a searing passion, Dethan will risk all—even the wrath of the Goddess of Conflict—for a chance to make Selinda his forever.

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Cursed by Fire (Immortal Brothers 1) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

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CURSED BY FIRE (Immortal Brothers 1) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

Cursed by Fire

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: February 24, 2015

For centuries, Dethan has been trapped in a fiery inferno for defying the gods and snatching the power of immortality. Condemned to have his battle-hardened body licked by flames only to regenerate and be consumed all over again, Dethan has lost all hope—until the Goddess of Conflict appears. She will release him from torment—if he’ll use his power and strength as a warrior to raise an army and defeat a fierce enemy faction of gods.

Free to live as a man once again, Dethan meets Selinda—heir to the throne of Hexis—and his thoughts quickly turn from the conquest of cities to the conquest of this headstrong beauty. Betrothed to a cruel, calculating powermonger, Selinda needs a champion, and so Dethan enters into another bargain: If she will share her bed—and her body—with him, Dethan will save her city from destructive forces within and without. As the lovers ignite a searing passion, Dethan will risk all—even the wrath of the Goddess of Conflict—for a chance to make Selinda his forever.

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: CURSED BY FIRE is the first installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s adult, Immortal Brothers fantasy series focusing on four brothers who defied the gods and goddesses in the search for immortality. This is eldest brother Dethan, and heir to the throne of Hexis-Selinda’s storyline.

Two hundred years earlier, Dethan and his three brothers went in search of the mythological waters that, if drunk, would imbue immortality. The gods were angered, and cursed the four brothers to suffer for all eternity for stealing from the gods. Dethan, the eldest, was sentenced to burn in hellfire over and over. When Weysa, the goddess of conflict, demands obedience from the former warlord Dethan, he is commanded to rise up an army and defeat an enemy of the gods. If he fails, he will be set afire, once again, for all eternity. Dethan is a man who is very sure of himself, his abilities and his power; he is determined to free himself of the endless nightmare that has become his life.

The storyline follows Dethan as he enters the city of Hexis, a mortal city, where the scarred but beautiful Selinda catches his eye. As the heir to the throne, Selinda has been promised to an abusive man who hides his true intent from the current ruler; he has set his sights on the crown. With the city on the cusp of war, Dethan offers up his experience as a general in return for Selinda’s hand in marriage and a vast amount of gold. What ensues is a city’s preparations for war, and Selinda’s relationship with Dethan threatening her family and any future happiness when the man to whom she was promised is determined to destroy everyone who stands in his way.

The storyline and thusly the relationship between our leading couple is slow to build. Their attraction to one another is immediate but the connection lacked any excitement or palpable energy. The early promise of sexual allure and enchantment never quite reached a breathtaking level.

There is a vast amount of detail imparted to the reader as the author puts her own spin on the world of mythological gods and goddesses, fantastical names, retribution and magic. There is no specific connection (that I am able to discern) to any real or historical lore and folk tales; the series is an imagined fantasy world by Jacquelyn Frank.

The secondary and supporting players are a mix of peons, slaves, soldiers and sometimes over the top characterizations of evil. Our heroine Selinda is a woman weakened by the knowledge that her father is but a puppet to his number one man; her self-esteem is low; and her self image reflects the emotional and verbal attack against her character. There are moments of physical, emotional and verbal abuse directed at both Selinda and her father, yet neither one breaks character to stop what is happening.

Jacquelyn Frank’s introduction to the Immortal Brothers series is well written with descriptive narration and colorful text yet some detail and information seems to be lacking about the world of which we have entered. Frank’s mythological gods and goddesses are an evil culmination of powerful beings that demand obedience and worship. There are moments of betrayal, revenge, hope and love combined with an impending war on the horizon. Dethan must prove himself worthy lest he suffer eternal damnation burning in Hell.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Dangerous by Jax (Jacquelyn Frank)-a review

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Dangerous by Jax-a review

Dangerous

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 5, 2013

A body that won’t quit
Clothes that are barely there
Eyes that openly invite him to take what he wants

Devon Candler is nothing like the helpless, vulnerable woman Liam expected when he agreed to provide security for her secluded Catskill Mountain estate. Yet her life is at risk. Her enemies monsters. Her secrets devastating.

Liam Nash is a trained killer who takes no prisoners, fears no man. But to him this woman is seductively, devastatingly. . .

Dangerous.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Well JAX (AKA Jacquelyn Frank) did it again. She created another world for me to fall in love with! I have to give you a brief over view of this book before I touch on the characters/story line, so you can understand what is what and who is who!

A slightly futuristic/paranormal setting in the common world. A long while ago, a devious Dr wanted to create an anti-aging remedy for the human population. In the process, he ended up creating an entirely new species from the humans he used as his test subjects. They are referred to as Morphates who believe themselves to be superior to the human race, are faster, are strong, who develop fangs and claws and have the urge to drink blood. They are aggressive, immortal, sexual creatures who have been accepted for the most part by the human society as long as they remain in the “Dark Cities” that house common human criminals. In other words, they are to keep company with the “human scum”

Of course, there is always a few that want world domination … lol 😉

Liam Nash is our hero and he is the head of a top notch security team that has been hired to protect our heroine Devon Candler. Not knowing she was a woman, let alone the most incredibly sexy, beautiful woman he has ever seen, throws Liam back a bit. The force of attraction these two have for one another is nothing short of animalistic … which is appropriate … read the book and you’ll understand why! LOL

Devon Candler, smart as she is sexy has developed a weapon that can destroy the Morphates. The Morphates know it too and need to destroy Devon first to ensure that her weapon and secrets do not get out. Assassin after assassin has been sent to kill Devon, but she always seems to get by and survive. She researches Liam and discovers he has successfully killed a Morphate before and hires him immediately to provide her with the additional security.

Liam has never mixed pleasure and business .. until now. He just can’t seem to help himself with Devon as she drives him to levels he never knew existed. He is fiercely protective of her and as the story unravels he begins to discover so many secrets and what drives Devon to do what she does. He is nothing short of amazed by her … he soon realizes and is confronted by his team that the very desire that drives him to protect her is the same desire that can get her killed.

This is a sexy read that is filled with passion, action, and secondary characters that I cannot wait to read more about. I really enjoyed the world Jax has created here and how it came to be. I loved the science that she explains and the medical interventions that are used. Actually I loved it so much that I wanted MORE. There wasn’t enough diving into the Morphate world and I craved that. I had questions that I wanted answered and this is where this book lost a point for me. Maybe we’ll be lucky and have JAX deliver another book and turn this into a series.

Here is a snippet from the book that gave me a good chuckle and goes to show how the sexual tension goes on between Liam and Devlon.

“Is it better for you from the front or the back?”

He’d ask the question with just enough innuendo to get himself slapped. But this was Devon, and she wasn’t exactly the shy and retiring type who got easily affronted. Her eyes widened as she absorbed the intent of the remark, and he could swear he saw her mouth twitch at the corners.

“I think both,” she said softly, a tilt to her head adding speculation to the answer. “We can start from the front, and …. assuming you don’t get too worn out, we’ll finish from behind.”

“And if I do get worn out?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Then I’ll just have to lay you out flat on the bed and do you like that.”

Can you believe this is conversation about stitching up his shoulder?? BAHAHAHAH! WINK!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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Cover Reveals May 30, 2013

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Cover Reveals-May 30, 2013

 

Cupcakes Trinkets etcjpg

 

TITLE: Cupcakes, Trinkets and Other Deadly Magic

AUTHOR: Meghan Ciana Doidge

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2013

Synopsis: If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have told you that the best cupcakes were dark chocolate with chocolate cream cheese icing, that dancing in a crowd of magic wielders — the Adept —  was better than sex, and that my life was peaceful and uneventful. Just the way I liked it. That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.

Genre: Urban Fantasy (Adult/New Adult)
Cover Artist: Irene Langholm (who has done all my other book covers as well.
Release date: June 21, 2013

Giveaways and goodies will be revealed via my blog all through June, including chances to win an eARC before the release date. http://www.madebymeghan.ca
 

 

Red Stone Security Box Set 1

 

TITLE: Red Stone Security Box Set #1 (1-3)

AUTHOR: Katie Reus

SERIES: Red Stone Security

RELEASE DATE: Available Now

 

 

 

Red Stone Security Box Set 2

 

TITLE: Red Stone Security Box Set #2 (4-6)

AUTHOR: Katie Reus

SERIES: Red Stone Security

RELEASE DATE: Available Now

 

 

 

Against the Ropes

 

TITLE: Against the Ropes

AUTHOR: Carly Fall

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2013

 

 

 

First Ink Aug 2013

 

TITLE: First Ink

AUTHOR: Laura Wright

SERIES: Wicked Ink Chronicles

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

One Steamed Night

 

TITLE:  One Steamed Night

AUTHOR:  Lara Nance

SERIES: 1 Night Stand

RELEASE DATE:  N/A

 

 

 

Promise May 2013

 

TITLE:  Promise

AUTHOR:  Susan Kaye Quinn

SERIES:  Debt Collector

RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2013

 

 

 

Becoming a Legend June 2013

 

TITLE:  Becoming a Legend

AUTHOR:  B.Kristen McMichael

SERIES: The Blue Eyes Trilogy

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

 

Prince of Shadows Dec 13

 

TITLE:  Prince of Shadows

AUTHOR: Tes Hilaire

SERIES:  Paladin Warriors

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Forsaken jan 14

 

TITLE: Forsaken

AUTHOR: Jacquelyn Frank

SERIES: World of Nightwalkers #3

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

 

Silence of the Wolf Feb 14

 

TITLE: Silence of the Wolf

AUTHOR: Terry Spear

SERIES: Wolf Series #13

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

16 marsden Place June 13

 

TITLE: 16 Marsden Place

AUTHOR: Rachel Brimble

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

Seducing Eve May 2013

 

TITLE: Seducing Eve

AUTHOR: Michelle Miles

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 

 

Heart of Stone Dec 13

 

TITLE: Heart of Stone

AUTHOR: Christine Warren

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Remember Me

 

TITLE: Remember Me

AUTHOR: Amaleen Ison

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE:  2013

 

 

 

The Unbound Jan 14

 

TITLE: The Unbound

AUTHOR: Victoria Schwab

SERIES: An Archived Novel

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

 

The Water Witch Sept 13

 

TITLE: The Water Witch

AUTHOR: Juliet Dark

SERIES: Book 2- Fairwick Chronicles

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

Do or Die Feb 14

 

TITLE:  Do or Die

AUTHOR:  Suzanne Brockmann

SERIES:  Reluctant Heroes

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

Hearts in Darkness May 2013

 

TITLE:  Hearts in Darkness (re-release)

AUTHOR:  Laura Kaye

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: Available Now

 

 

 

The Day He Kiss Her apri 2014

 

TITLE: The Day He Kissed Her

AUTHOR: Juliana Stone

SERIES: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake

RELEASE DATE: April 2014

 

 

 

EmbraceMe aug 2013jpg

 

TITLE: Embrace Me

AUTHOR: Rebecca Turley

SERIES: Notice Me

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Damaged June 2013

 

TITLE: Damaged 2

AUTHOR: H.M.Ward

SERIES: Damaged

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

AddictedToYouCover.June 2013jpg

 

TITLE: Addicted to You

AUTHOR: Colina Brennan

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

Darker Days Aug 2013

 

TITLE: Darker Days

AUTHOR: Jus Accardo

SERIES: The Darker Agency

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Kiss It Better July 2013

 

TITLE: Kiss it Better

AUTHOR: Linda Kage

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Off The Record June 2013

 

TITLE:  Off The Record

AUTHOR: Sawyer Bennett

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

Eternal Sin Nov 13jpg

 

TITLE:  Eternal Sin

AUTHOR:  Laura Wright

SERIES:  Mark of the Vampire

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

To Dance With the Devil Nov 13

 

TITLE: To Dance with the Devil

AUTHOR: Cat Adams

SERIES: Blood Singer #6

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

The Armies of Heaven June 2013

 

TITLE: The Armies of Heaven

AUTHOR: Jane Kindred

SERIES: House of Arkangel’sk

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

Malicious Mischief

 

TITLE: Malicious Mischief

AUTHOR: Marianne Harden

SERIES: Rylie Keyes Mystery

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

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