Series Review & Giveaway for The World of the Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank

Join me as I review the first three books in author Jacquelyn Frank’s World of the Nightwalkers series.  While set in the Nightwalker world which Ms. Frank had already created, it is not necessary (though it is beneficial) to read the previous books in the series.  I would recommend however that you read these three books in release order. I will be doing mini-reviews of each book.  To enter the giveaway please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Forbidden

By Jacquelyn Frank

World of the Nightwalkers, Book 1

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: 352 Pages

ISBN:  978-0749955342

ASIN: B004W3IE22

About the book: 

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

Introducing the existence of additional Nightwalker races yet to be discovered, Ms. Frank introduces us to Docia Waverly, a normal human who finds herself drawn into an ancient battle when she’s pushed off a bridge and plunges to her death.  Arriving in the “Ether”, Docia is given the choice of being sincerely dead or of coming back to life and sharing her body and spirit with a “Bodywalker”.  Not realizing exactly what she’s choosing, Docia naturally chooses life and wakes up in the hospital unsure of what’s going on.  All she knows is that someone seems to want her dead and that the person she’s sharing her body with seems to have enemies of her own.

Lightly drawing on Egyptian history and myth, Ms. Frank quickly introduces us to the “blending”; where two spirits share one body forming a symbiotic relationship where the “Bodywalker” extends the host’s life, provides strength and a form of magical defense.  Ms. Frank also introduces us to Ram (aka Ramses II), Docia’s newly appointed “Bodywalker” guard, who tries to make her transition easier and ends up falling for the woman he thinks hosts the spirit of the “Bodywalker’s” queen – who is meant for another man. 

The scenes between Docia and Ram are fun, full of action, lively dialogue and good chemistry.  The secondary characters surrounding them are equally well developed and I especially liked Docia’s brother Jackson, his best friend Leo and a “Bodywalker” named Cleo (Yes – she too was a queen at one time). Ms. Frank also does a good job developing the villains in this story and it was interesting to meet the woman in charge.

Do Docia and Ram have a future together?  Or will Docia end up on the arms of another man? You’ll have to read Forbidden to find out.  I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series. 

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns

Forever

By Jacquelyn Frank

World of the Nightwalkers, Book 2

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: 352 Pages

ISBN:  978-0345534903

ASIN: B009JU6TD4

About the Book: 

New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank returns with the sizzling second book in her sensual new series set in the World of the Nightwalkers—where alluring entities known as Bodywalkers face the ultimate threat.

After being brought back from death, police officer Jackson Waverly receives the shock of his life: he has become host to a Bodywalker, a spirit that is reborn in flesh and blood, and part of a proud, ancient race that uses its extraordinary gifts to battle dark, evil forces. Jackson’s spirit is a powerful one—none other than the Egyptian pharaoh Menes, who longs to reunite with his eternal love, the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut.

While Menes is obsessed with finding the perfect vessel for his queen, Jackson cannot stop thinking about Dr. Marissa Anderson, the gorgeous precinct shrink who keeps pushing him to confront his grief over the loss of his K-9 partner. But what Marissa really arouses most in Jackson is intense desire, which is exactly what Menes is looking for. To fight a great enemy, pharaoh and queen must join; but to host Hatshepsut, Marissa will first have to die. Fate has given Jackson a profound choice: save Marissa from Menes’s plan or keep an entire species from the brink of extinction.

Picking up where Forbidden ended, Forever gives us the story of new “Bodywalker King” Jackson Waverly (Docia’s brother) and the woman he loves, Dr. Marissa Anderson, the police department’s shrink.  Like all physical hosts, Jackson died and was given the choice to “blend” with a “Bodywalker” in order to come back to life.  While agreeing to be the host for Menes (the first Pharaoh to unify Egypt), Jackson never realized all of the changes the “blending” would bring; especially the part about having to out of the daylight.  On top of avoiding the sun, Jackson also has to deal with his, growing attraction to Dr. Anderson, and Menes growing attraction to her too.

Conflicted about her attraction to Jackson, Dr. Marissa Anderson soon realizes something has really caused Jackson to change.  When she becomes a witness to a battle between Jackson and two supernatural beings, Marissa can’t believe what she’s seen.  Giving Jackson a chance to explain, Marissa finds herself in the difficult situation of knowing, but not being a part, of an upcoming world changing event. 

Ms. Frank does a good job developing the romance between Jackson and Marissa, though Jackson is conflicted about Menes wanting Marissa to become the host for his queen (since Marissa would have to die).  Continuing the world building she began in Forbidden, we learn more about the “Bodywalkers” and their enemy, the “Templars”.   We also learn more about the relationship between Menes and the “Bodywalker Queen”, Hatshepsut, and what their union means. We also get to see some of the characters from Forbidden as they continue to play a part in the story.  

Will Jackson and Marissa’s relationship be able to survive the sacrifices they’ll be required to make? Will Marissa agree to become the host of a “Bodywalker”? You’ll have to read Forever to find out.  I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 Crowns

Forsaken

By Jacquelyn Frank

World of the Nightwalkers, Book 3

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Release Date: January 7, 2014

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: 370 Pages

ISBN:  978-0345534910

ASIN: B00DXKHGTC

About the book: 

New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank continues her scorching and sensual new series set in the world of the Nightwalkers, where alluring entities known as Bodywalkers are the vanguards against the raging forces of darkness.

As a mercenary, Leo Alvarez has signed on for a lot—but he never signed on for his best friend becoming host to the soul of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Jackson is now inhabited by a Bodywalker, and Leo is forced to grapple with a realm of supernatural beings far more dangerous than anything he’s ever encountered.

But when Jackson is wounded by an attack from a demon god, Leo must team up with another supernatural creature—a Night Angel—to save his friend from utter destruction. With skin as black as midnight, hair as white as snow, and a body of pure perfection, the Night Angel arouses a burning desire in Leo, even as he refuses to be intimidated by her power—or the power of those who would destroy his friend. An unusual alliance is forged, electrified by sexual temptation, and together the two must unite their strengths to bring down a supreme evil.

Taking us back into the World of the Nightwalkers, Ms. Frank gives us the story of Leo Alvarez, friend of both Docia and Jackson Waverly (Bodywalkers), and Faith, a Night Angel, who gets drawn into the ongoing battle taking place among the Nightwalkers.  Having discovered the existence of a supernatural battle because of his friends, Leo Alvarez is slowly healing from being tortured by an evil “Bodywalker”.  Although he doesn’t want to know, or become involved with, anymore supernatural beings, Leo finds himself dragged back into the battle when his friend Jackson is seriously injured.  Looking for a way to help save his friend, Leo finds himself partnered with Faith, a different kind of Nightwalker. 

A supernatural with contrasting features, skin black as midnight and hair as white as snow, Faith is the first Night Angel introduced in the Nightwalker world.  Pulled into the Nightwalker battle to help save Jackson, Faith finds herself working with Leo, a man whose experience with the supernatural has been anything but enjoyable.

Developing both characters as the story progresses, Ms. Frank brings two people together who will have to learn to trust each other for their very survival.  Soon what begins as a reluctant friendship becomes a mutual attraction and Leo will have to decide if he’s willing to open his heart.  Filling the pages with plenty of action, lively and humorous dialogue and some smoldering passion, Ms. Frank kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. 

Will Leo and Faith open their hearts, and their minds, and become more than partners?  Will they be able to help Jackson make a full recovery?  You’ll have to read Forsaken to find out.  I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next book set in the World of the Nightwalkers. 

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns

About Jacquelyn Frank

Jacquelyn Frank is the New York Times bestselling author of the World of Nightwalkers series (Forbidden, Forever, and Forsaken), the Three Worlds series (Seduce Me in Dreams and Seduce Me in Flames), the Nightwalkers series (Adam, Jacob, Gideon, Elijah, Damien, and Noah), the Shadowdwellers novels (Ecstasy, Rapture, and Pleasure), and the Gatherers novels (Hunting Julian and Stealing Katherine). She lives in North Carolina and has been writing romantic fiction ever since she picked up her first teen romance at age thirteen.

Learn more about Jacquelyn at her website,

 jacquelynfrank.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of all three books as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.