Rapture

Jacquelyn Frank's books can be hit or miss for me. I enjoyed her Nightwalker series; hated one but loved others. Ecstasy was also enjoyable but Rapture is freakin' awesome; it is Frank's best book. It's a perfect blend of the type of romance I love to read. Tastefully erotic with hints of dom/sub sexuality but with a story that pulls you in; Magnus and Daenaria work to remove the evil seeking to twist the Shadowdwellers' religious order. The focus of the novel is development of the emotional relationship between Magnus and Daenaria. They both must overcome emotional barriers and build trust but they are perfect for one another; the chemistry between the two feels true. Frank creates a perfect tension between the characters and also the storyline but the tension and twists are NOT NOT pulled to the extreme where you want to scream or throw the book. I'm a fan of they type of romance novels that is heavy on emotional and physical development with a good storyline to move it along. Rapture is a wonderful romance novel!

This is the best book JF has written....maybe 2nd to Jacob but this was great from page one. Great wording,pacing, & tension. Dae is the best kick-ass heroine and I loved every hard edge, foul mouthed, fighting, vulnerable inch of her. A real woman heroine willing to fight for and with her man despite her flaws is such a rarity these days. I LOVED her! Magnus was so conflicted with his desires and his responsibilities and sense of right and wrong it was beautiful to watch him crumble and rebuild himself. No one does fight scenes and tension like Ms Frank. I could envision every scene. She sets up the next book perfectly and I am ASSUMING she will answer some of the unanswered questions. This book is full of heat, heat, heat and perfect ending line EVER. I loved every bit of this book! The perfect ride!

"Rapture" is an amazing read...But it is not for the faint of heart...the book was an emotional rollercoaster plumbing the depths of human strengths, weaknesses, and depravity. This book stands alone, but it does continue on from where the last book, "Ecstasy", leaves off. "Rapture" has more intrigue and suspense - we see glimpses of Trace, who we met in the last book...and we see a bit of the Twin Regents who rule the Shadowdweller world. But the book truly revolves around Dae - a woman who had lived in slave-like captivity with her Aunt and Uncle, and Magnus - the Shadowdweller's high priest who was betrayed and left for dead in "Ecstasy". The character development in this novel is the strongest in any of the books from either the Nightwalker or Shadowdweller series so far. Dae is a funny, witty character with complexities and baggage that make her so real. She'll make you laugh, she'll make you cry, and she'll amaze you with her inner beauty despite all the horrors and wickedness that she lived through. Magnus is a great match for Dae. He is strong, intelligent, and reliable, and he eventually recognizes the true strengths and inner beauty of his match. Although his occasional traipsing into male chauvinism can be frustrating at times and has you rolling your eyes...these negative qualities are so typical of even the best of men in real life, and makes him a little more believable and genuine. I think that's the core strength of this book...it feels the most "real" of all of the Nightwalker and Shadowdweller books. There are some scenes in this book that are very disturbing and upsetting...but Ms. Frank delves into the dark evils that exist in every society and every religion...Where innocence is preyed upon by the power hungry and corrupt. You go on a trip through the hell and helplessness that victims suffer, and she makes thirst for justice burn in you as it does in her characters. Although tried and tested, her heroes emerge stronger and better. We get glimpses of the not so sterling qualities they possess as well as their strengths and triumphs. Just like all of us, these characters are presented with all their best qualities as well as their worst. And they are even more lovable because of their lack of perfection and because of their victories over their less attractive traits. There is a "Happy ever after" in this book, yet as in life, it is not neat and tidy. So, although they neutralize the current threat, there is still a greater one that is affecting the Royal House, and the siblings that are currently ruling the Shadowdwellers. You know that they'll make it through things together, but that it won't be an easy journey. If you have been following the series, we do get some answers as to who was behind attacks in "Ecstasy"...but there are more questions that still need answering because the corruption is entrenched much higher up in the food chain. And that leaves you wanting more...and waiting impatiently for the next b

Lets start off with how Jacquelyn Frank brings great details to her story writing. Throughout the book Magnus is the epitome of the perfect warrior/man. He has this intimidation about him that makes him incredibly sexy. Daenaira is a strong minded woman with this innocence that seems to be the perfect match for a man like Magnus. She is his warrior woman. This book was hard to put down because it makes you want to get to the next chapter of their steamy love story. If you are looking for a rough, pushed up against the wall, out of control emotions, detailed writing paranormal romance novel, this ones it! Can't wait for the next one.

The Shadowdwellers live underground in a complex metropolis of caves and tunnels underneath the mountains of Alaska. They are the Nightwalkers who avoid the rays of the sun which destroys them with the slightest contact; they thrive in the moonlight. The war is over and the monarchy is restored. There is new hope that the race will become more honorable, tolerant and technologically advanced like the other nightwalker races. Daenaira has been treated as a slave by her uncle and aunt for eight years, forced to wear a shock collar to enforce her obedience. The day comes when she is sold and before she leaves her aunt's home is shocked into unconsciousness. When she awakens she is in Sanctuary, the church of the Shadowdwellers led by High Priest Magnus who enforces the law and the morals of his people. He informs Dae that the goddess Drenna gave him visions that she was to become his handmaiden. Dae takes awhile but soon trusts Magnus and finds some serenity in Sanctuary even though treachery by unknown people wanting more power has her watching her back. He has enemies who want him dead, but they had not counted on the ferocity of the innocent in love protecting like a lioness her beloved; nor the priest also in love willing to die to keep the former slave safe. The second Shadowdweller book (see ECSTASY) is more complex and delves deeper into the culture of the Shadowdwellers that is much different than our own. Magnus and Daenaira are a fascinating coupling as he has justifiable doubts about having a hand maiden who has the duties of a wife since the last handmaiden tried to poison him while she fears people after the torture her aunt put her through. .Unlike his former handmaiden who he had for decades and was celibate with, he can't control his desire for the woman the goddess chose for him. Jacquelyn Frank is one of the best paranormal romantic fantasy authors writing today and is a favorite of this reviewer. Harriet Klausner