4/5 Review: Bound by Sin by Jacquelyn Frank

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. 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 to her sandy toes, she approaches him with starry-eyed innocence and the unmistakably full body of a woman.

Soon Jaykun is swept up with the force of a comet, his desire for this woman hotter than any sun. His brothers fear he is blinded by her radiant beauty, and 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 the way through the darkness that threatens to consume all in its path?

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Jacquelyn Frank’s ‘Bound by Sin’, is a really good read.  It is part of the Immortal Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.  You won’t be lost as you read because she does an excellent job of providing information to the reader.  I enjoyed Jaykun and Jileana’s relationship.  Jaykun has to burn every night as a punishment because of a wrong doing against the gods.  During the day he has to campaign to spread the word of his goddess Weysa, while on a campaign against the city Kriza, he meets Jileana.   He is at the cove where he decided to ‘burn’ for the night when he realizes that he is being watched.  When he can see again, he finds himself being watched by Jileana.  She is openly curious about the beauty of the man who burns like a star, that is until she realizes the pain he is in every time he must burn.  As Jaykun and Jileana become closer, he finds out that she is not what she appears, but rather is a selkie.  She lives on an island that is protected by storms so no one that is not invited can get on it.  She invites Jaykun to the island and he accepts it in a diplomatic form, this way he can talk about the goddess Weysa while he is there.  He becomes friends with the empress and helps her settle the problems that have been plaguing the selkies.  While this book was good and the storyline was quite enjoyable, I found some areas to be rushed, while others seemed to drag.  The interaction though between Jaykun and Jileana was very believable.  The way the story was written made it seem like they had a lot of time to get to know each other, which is something I appreciated.  While I enjoy the ‘insta’ love trope, sometimes it’s good to read about a pair that takes some time to really get to know each other. 

4/5 Review: Cursed by Ice: The Immortal Brothers by Jacquelyn Frank

 

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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My Thoughts/Review: OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!! This story had me on the edge of my bed all weekend. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. It starts with a slow build up which I totally loved. It took me on a ride that started with sadness to tears to wonderment to outright anger. The emotional roller coaster was the best thing about this story because you were rooting for Garreth and Sarielle and then you were like what the heck?

 This story held me captivated because Jacquelyn Frank does such an awesome job of weaving something new into her story. Yes it is about immortal warriors, but HOT DAMN what Warriors they are. 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 sex scenes are intimate and revealing oh so Sexy.

To say I was thoroughly surprised at this book is an understatement. Not really in the reading mood, I started the book only to become immersed in the story. Frank's imagination has created an amazing world. Her characters are amazing and fun and yummy. ooooh so yummy! Even with his hot and cold emotions, you will just adore Garreth. Frank keeps you guessing what will transpire between Garreth and Sarielle the entire time. The ending was well done leading into the next book of the series.

Cursed by Ice is one of those books that won't let go once you're done with it. I just finished the book and already I want to read it again. So full of mystery, romance and witty  references you are sure to love every word Ms.Frank has written.

Review: Forged by Jacquelyn Frank

When Katrina Haynes discovers a large man lying wounded in the snow, she fears he is at death’s door. But as Kat tends to his injuries, she quickly realizes that they’re the least of her worries. With an irresistible Scottish brogue and a strange ability to harden his chiseled body like a statue, the stranger awakens a desire she is unable to resist—and a fascination about the intriguing world he exists in.

As a proud Gargoyle, Ahnvil must safeguard the Nightwalker to whom he’s sworn fealty. But as this bewitching woman nurses him back to health, arousing an almost uncontrollable hunger within him, he is possessed with the fierce impulse to protect her as well. And he will have to shield her—for by coming to his rescue, Kat has placed herself in the middle of a supernatural war . . . and exposed herself to dark, powerful magic. As human and Gargoyle forge an unbreakable bond, Kat will discover that despite his intimidating strength and size, one thing Ahnvil does not possess is a heart of stone.

All I can say is WOW!!. Absolutely AWESOME! I loved both Ahnvil and Katrina's characters they were both well developed and enjoyable. Kat brought out the best in Ahnvil and I like they way she embraced her new-found powers and all the things she learned, instead of running away from the unknown or denying what was going on she tried to understand and be a help instead of a hindrance. As female heroines go she is one of the better ones. 

Jacquelyn Frank does some very different and interesting things with the world she has created-giving us not only demons and magic, but also endless possibilities  of shape-shifters, vampires, and soul mates. For this reason I believe the series will appeal to even the more jaded paranormal romance readers.

I cried, laughed and had a tangle of emotions while reading this book. Make sure you read all the other Nightwalkers books first, starting with JACOB. Best book I have read for in quite some time. Usually I can guess the plot before it happens, this book kept me guessing. Jacquelyn is still the same witty, talented and funny author that we all love.

Ms. Frank is weaving a brilliant world of supernatural beings, smooth steamy sensuality and heart-wrenching emotions, Ms. Frank has produced a delightfully engrossing series that has completely captivated me. Ms. Frank's ability to bring to life these fine and honorable Demons - characters usually reviled in most books - leaves me on the edge of my seat and anticipating future installments with bated breath.