Flame's Dawn

Hell to Pay #3.5

by Jillian David

All's fair in love and war when specialist Jane Larson and Captain Barnaby Blackstone give into their lust for each other while stationed in Vietnam. As the world disintegrates around them, their one night of passion ends with her evacuation back to stateside duty.

Years later, Jane is neck deep in an undercover DEA operation gone horribly wrong. Kidnapped and then committed to an asylum, she has no hope of escape from the clutches of a notorious cult leader. The only thing that sustains her through the pain is her memories of Barnabyoeven as she knows she'll never be with him again.

Little does she realize that Barnaby has spent several of his years as an immortal, Indebted killer yearning for the fierce and beautiful woman who had unlocked hope in his cold, hard soul. When his sixth sense leads him to her hospital room, he sets her free, but in the process attracts the attention of an otherworldly maniac intent on revenge. To save Jane from the dark forces surrounding her, Barnaby must reveal his deepest secret. Can she live with the man he's destined to be, or will the truth leave her lost to him forever?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Genres: Paranormal Romance

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2016

About the author

Sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.jilliandavid.net/newslett...

To hear about deals, freebies, and new releases from Jillian, click FOLLOW on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jilli...

Award-winning and bestselling author and physician Jillian David quickly writes then slowly edits medical romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense books. She loves to use medical situations and characters to drive drama in her books. Her favorite cell is the platelet and her least-favorite organ is the pancreas. She fully believes that curse words, when appropriately deployed during surgery, are hemostatic. Which also explains why no book of hers will ever bleed out...

According to multiple starred reviews, Jillian's books cause sleep deprivation and a drop in productivity, as well as visceral responses from her vivid descriptions -- side effects which might qualify as a breach of her Hippocratic Oath to 'do no harm.'

Here's what readers are saying:
- "You will not want to start this book right before bed like I did because you won’t want to go to sleep."
- "...a highly original, paranormal, second chance, romantic suspense novel on steroids, and it kept me turning pages until dawn, and it gets 5 bleary-eyed stars from this reader."
- "I started this incredible paranormal suspense filled love story and couldn't put it down. I stayed up the entire night reading it."
- "Such an awesome read. As soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. I even stayed home from the gym just to be able to finish this in the same day."
- "(T)his author sure knows how to write torture scenes and make you feel the physical abuse the characters are going through!"
- "(T)his (writer) can make you twist around in your seat in an effort to not pee yourself from fear."
- "Jillian writes incredibly interesting characters in situations that keep you reading late into the night, even if you have to work the next morning."
- "Just read the 4-book story (The Cowboys of Copper River series) to the end, started yesterday afternoon! Couldn't put it down, except for 3 hours when I fell asleep early this morning."

YUKON VALLEY, ALASKA (medical romance)
1) Dr. Alaska
2) Paging Dr. Breakup
3) Five Alarm Love

HELL TO PAY (paranormal romance)
1) Immortal Flame
2) Relentless Flame
3) Flame Unleashed
4) Flame's Dawn

HELL'S VALLEY (paranormal western romance)
1) Legacy of Lies
2) Legacy Lost
3) Legacy of Danger
4) Legacy Found

PROJECT MORPHEUS (military romantic suspense)
1) Fallen Comrade
2) Hidden Comrade
3) Silent Comrade

Want a FREE BOOK? Sign up for Jillian's newsletter here: https://www.jilliandavid.net/newslett...

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flame’s Dawn is a prequel in the Hell to Pay series by Jillian David. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the author.

In this book we get to know Barnaby who later plays an important part in the lives of the characters you met in the three books in this series. It is 1968, in the midst of the Vietnam War. Captain Barnaby Blackstone has been drawn to the beautiful Jane who is a linguistics specialist, but he keeps their friendship platonic. He doesn’t feel worthy of her. You see, Barnaby is an indebted. An immortal who signed a contract with the devil himself in exchange for help and now spends his eternal life hunting and killing dark souls with his special glowing knife which feeds the devil’s appetite for darkness.



“Unworthy as a man? Laughable. He was no man. He was an ungodly scourge upon this world. Barnaby, the wretched creation of Satan, was the thing nightmares were made of.”<.i>

Barnaby possessed a sort of sixth sense and when walking past the office where Jane worked that night, he was drawn in. As they talked in her office, the base is attacked. Barnaby and Jane hid in a closet and once they knew they were safe, passion took over. But, directly afterward, Jane is evacuated back to the states. That is the last time she would see Barnaby, thinking him dead, for six years.



After returning to San Francisco, Jane joins the brand new office of the DEA. But with very little training, she goes deep undercover in a drug ring run by a cult leader. Jane soon discovers their crimes run much deeper than drugs but before she can get the evidence she needs, they force her to take drugs and much worse, eventually putting her in a mental hospital to keep her quiet.

Barnaby is in San Francisco and again feels that sixth sense kick in which draws him to the hospital where he again saves Jane. They go into hiding but Jane sees things that aren’t possible. Barnaby moves faster than humanly possible or can jump farther than any man possibly could. As her abductors follow them, Barnaby is forced to admit to Jane what he really is. By now, Barnaby is hopelessly in love with her. Will she ever be able to accept him? Or will she run?



I enjoyed this glimpse of Barnaby. He is searching for scrolls that might contain the information how to break the curse that forces him to continue to commit murders. Jane opens his heart, something Barnaby had long since given up on. This is a short book and can either be read before the Hell to Pay series or after as I did. It definitely helps me to understand Barnaby better knowing what he has been through.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrate the release of Jillian David's final book in the Hell to Pay series! Grand Prize the ENTIRE SERIES - Runners up will each receive an eCopy of Flame's Dawn

International where allowed - Click on Banner to enter!

How can one desperate wish made with love turn into an eternity of servitude to evil? Barnaby found out and has paid the price since the 16th century as an indebted to the devil. Fast forward to Viet Nam, where finding evil souls to feed his blade and his master is a bloody banquet. In war, rarely is there any beauty or hope to find but Barnaby finds Jane, a linguistics expert, brilliant, brave and so very human and his heart screams for her, but his dark secret stands between them. Separated by war, time and distance, only Fate could have intervened when Barnaby once again finds Jane, a betrayed, beaten and abused shell of the woman she was. Can Barnaby save her from the clutches of a Minion, the vilest of the master’s servants? Is this one more cruel trick or will Jane stand by the man he wants to be and the monster he is?

The final book in an amazing series, Barnaby’s backstory needed to be told, to give life to the man who plays an important role in each book of the series. Jillian David’s Flame’s Dawn is the perfect series sign-off that left me a little sad, yet so impressed with this author’s ability to draw her characters with such detail and care. Her plots are intense, the emotions run high and gives a new and poignant meaning to “the devil made me do it,” because it was all for love.

I received an ARC edition from the author, Jillian David in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Hell to Pay - Novella Prequel
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Publication Date: February 29, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781440597190
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book – Flame’s Dawn
Series – Hell To Pay #.05
Author – Jillian David
Publication Date – February 29, 2016
Genre – Paranormal Romance
Type – Companion Novella
Cliffhanger – No
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts - Story
Throughout this series, we have met Peter, Dante and Ruth and each time Barnaby was there as a human helping each one break their contract (without spelling it out word for word).

Now we finally get to read Barnaby’s story of his true love, Jane.

I was ecstatic when Ms. David told me that she had a novella coming out about this hero and I couldn’t get my hands on it fast enough. And, again, she transform my boring, simple life into one of adventure, danger and love.

Ms. David’s writing is perfect, especially her descriptive terms and ability to launch the reader into the scenes that unfold.

Re-Cap
We travel back to the late 1960’s in Vietnam where Barnaby and Jane spend time together knowing that the lust and love they feel for each other is unforgettable. But circumstances arise and they are separated and years later Barnaby is an immortal while Jane is in trouble.

Will these two reunite? And will Barnaby figure out how to become mortal again?

Reason for Reading – Author Request
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 4 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
HEA (Spoiler) – Yes
Would Read More from Author? Definitely
Recommend To – Everyone who loves a romance with a bit of the paranormal aspect thrown in.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In four centuries roaming this earth, I have never loved a woman the way I love you, Jane.” – Barnaby Blackstone

Good Lord, what was this prequel?!?! And here I was, always hesitant about the stories before everything in a series "really" began! Well, OK, except in this case, because Barnaby was a secondary character who played a major role in the four other Indebted getting free - I needed to know his story!

And I sure as hell wasn't disappointed! I finally got to see how Barnaby was in his... umm, can we call it youth if we're talking about an immortal guy...?



OK, I'll call it that for now. In any case, just as I was curious to see Barnaby in the same light I saw Peter, Dante, and Odie, I also wanted to meet his Jane. And to witness the moment he broke his contract, because, yeah, that's a major part in every book of this series. He doesn't, which might seem bad for others, but for me, it shows just how awesome Jillian David is. More on that in a few.

Now, I may have read all the books coming AFTER this one, but that didn't take the fun out of reading Flame's Dawn. I have finally come to the conclusion that Jillian David never gives the same kind of surprises in her stories. The main theme and the concept may be the same, but each book delivers different shocks, different expectations, and all in completely different patterns. Each of her stories feels like a hidden treasure - one that has a giant red bow on top of the chest, because it also comes as an early birthday/Christmas present! You simply have no idea where it will lead, or how it will get to the climax that will leave you breathless, but you're certain it will be spectacular!

Apart from the 'HOLY-WOW-THIS-IS-AMAZEBALLS' feeling that you get when you see the events in her stories unfold in the most unexpected of ways, there's no denying that she can also scare the crap out of anyone like there's no tomorrow. It's not that she has the goriest stuff in there, or the psychological warfare she unleashes is something we haven't experienced in such books before. It's the fact that she weaves her words in a spell full of tension in the air, and the constant fear that something is either behind the next corner, or chasing after you, and you're not sure how to mentally proceed - that traitorous mixture of false safety and well-earned caution does wonders to keep the pages turning and your heart trying to thump its way out of your chest.

She's one of the few writers who can keep scaring me and making me try to climb the chair I'm sitting on backwards. I really won't mind at all! Her work is exceptional, and believe you me, her characters never fail to impress. Deep, complex, with real fears and flaws and honest mistakes that any true human being would make. And when they come to be together, as one, the result is simply hot! And magical - but also, hot, did I mention that?

“There’s nothing I want more than to be with you for whatever forever means for us.” – Jane Larson

***I was given a review copy via Reeading Alley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com/

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella has a very intriguing premise that stands out amongst the sea of paranormal tales out there. David’s well developed concept of the Indebted not only had me intrigued throughout this story but also set the series up well. The novella itself was well written with a plot that had me on pins and needles throughout. Vivid descriptions combine with intense storytelling to create a whole that I didn’t simply read, but also experienced.

I enjoyed how well-developed David’s characters were, without ever going overboard on character development. I felt as if I really got to know them, while still wanting to know more. It was a true introduction to new friends. I also enjoyed getting to know these two. While I may not have always agreed with their choices, they did make for a fantastic story.

With this novella David has created a tale that not only sets the stage for her Hell to Pay series, but also is a fantastic read on its own.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok but not well developed. There is no progression of the relationship. They're literally together two times before they decide they're in love & going to be together. This is a prequel but a little confusing till about 75% because I didn't really know what Barnaby was. It felt like I should've read the full length novels first. Not a bad book but not great either.

Spoiler ahead.........


*trigger warning: rape (not shown on page but part of plot)

[Geneva Handleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian's Hell to Pay series is one of my absolute favorites and to get Barnaby's story finally is so bittersweet. She says she is now done with series, so a hole is left in my reading list now. The story does not disappoint in any way whatsoever. Barnaby is at his finest hour, full strength as an Indebted with a heart of gold.


As an independent reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock, I give her five full bleeding hearts for his story and an awesome closure to the circle of characters I have grown to love so much. As always, the sex scenes are both steamy and sweet at the same time. I'll be rereading these over and over for sure!!

[Liana Smith Bautista | Libervore Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review, which was originally posted on book blog Will Read for Feels.

I’ve been looking forward to Flame’s Dawn, the prequel to Jillian David’s Hell to Pay series, since learning it would feature the great love story of Barnaby Blackstone, the former Indebted who was so helpful during the books published earlier in the series. Learning it would take place during the period around the Vietnam War only made me more excited, as I grew up watching TV show China Beach and movies like Forrest Gump; Good Morning, Vietnam; Born on the Fourth of July; and Heaven & Earth. What sealed it was David’s playlist for Flame’s Dawn, which she recently shared with Will Read for Feels.

When I finally got to sit down with this book, I was pleased to see that the author had definitely decided to start the action in medias res. Chapter 1 drops us down right in the middle of the Vietnam War, where the world has gone to hell. Our two main characters, Barnaby and Jane, find each other here. And they have a moment in time that means more than they expected it to, but when the promise of a future is almost in their grasp, it is snatched away and they must find each other again. Of course, a whole world of nasty happens between then and a happy ending.

This book is jam-packed with action, and the two characters have one essential thing in common: they’ve both got spines of steel. It’s something that shines through over and over again, by the very truth of everything they’ve survived to get to the point where they can achieve a happy ending.

Barnaby’s is the character that really shines through the most in this novel, something we’ve seen hints of in earlier books. He exhibits a combination of caring, a need for restitution, and a desperate desire to get out of the terrible life he is trapped in, where he is a slave forced to kill the evildoer. Jane was someone you had to admire for her ideals and what she was willing to go through for them, but I did find myself on occasion wishing she had taken a more active role in the butt-kicking.

This was an intense, action-packed read that was definitely a great bookend (in many ways front and back) to the Hell to Pay series. If there’s one major item I would’ve wanted to see here, it was that the author saw the story through all the way to their happy, settled lives, in which Barnaby achieves his Meaningful Kill and settles into life with Jane.

All things considered, this book, and the way each read in this series has improved with every installation, left me pretty excited for Jillian David’s next projects—she shared that she currently has the starts to two new series in the works, and one even has ties to the Hell to Pay series, so keep an eye out for more information on those to come in the future!

[Ruby Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

A great story that completes the series, but also leaves room for more questions.

A great story that completes the series, but also leaves room for more questions.

I was sad when I finished reading the Hell To Pay series a few months ago, and now that I've finally found the courage to read this prequel novella, I'm sad all over again, but also kind of hopeful. Sad, because the series is really over, but hopeful because there are a few questions left unanswered that could possibly be explored in a future series/book/novella? *is hopeful*

Throughout the first three books of this series, Barnaby is a constant character, but he's such a mystery. We know he was an Indebted, we know he was the first one to perform the "Meaningful Kill", and we also know it was all because of Jane, his wife. This novella offers a glimpse into their relationship, we get to see them fall in love and save each other, both literally and figuratively. I loved learning more about Barnaby. I loved learning more about his life, about why he became a servant of Jerahmeel, and we also get to see the beginning of the end for the Lord of Hell. I loved Barnaby's sense of duty, his courage, and how ingenious he was in some situations.

Jane is adorable. I can see why Barnaby fell in love with her. I absolutely loved her myself, and I am so sad we didn't get to meet the "present" version of her in the previous books. She's a strong woman, a stubborn one, but also a bit reckless. I was also a bit sad for her, learning a bit about her history.

I have to say though, the ending was not what I expected. That wasn't a bad thing, but it left me a bit confused. One, because I wasn't expecting it, and two, because it left the door open for some interpretation. I am glad though that the book didn't end as I wanted it to, because, in a way, we already know what "the end" is for Barnaby and Jane. I still have questions, though.

The plot was pretty fast paced, and it kept me on the edge the entire time. I love the "Author's Notes" at the end. Not being so familiar with the US history, it was really nice to learn a bit more about the events mentioned in the book, if only just to explain a few things. I also loved the musical references. All in all, a great way to really end the series, a story that needed to be told, and I'm very happy I found the guts to read it.

[Ottilee B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sorry this series has ended but now we read how it began, at least for these characters.

Although this is called a 'Prequel', I feel it should be read last.

This story is all about Barnaby and Jane, and there subsequent relationship. They meet the first time in Vietnam (in communications) and later (1974) in the Haight section of San Francisco, where he feels her presence-- in an insane asylum. Seems she is one of the 'new' women recruited to be in the DEA, the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Luckily there is but a mention or two of Jerahmeel but no sightings. There are Minions however. Prominently displayed.

I recommend this series but please, take my advice and read this LAST..

I was given a copy via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

[Geneva Handleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian's Hell to Pay series is one of my absolute favorites and to get Barnaby's story finally is so bittersweet. She says she is now done with series, so a hole is left in my reading list now. The story does not disappoint in any way whatsoever. Barnaby is at his finest hour, full strength as an Indebted with a heart of gold.

As an independent reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock, I give her five full bleeding hearts for his story and an awesome closure to the circle of characters I have grown to love so much. As always, the sex scenes are both steamy and sweet at the same time. I'll be rereading these over and over for sure!!

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flame’s Dawn by Jillian David is a prequel to her Hell to Pay series.
I have read the whole series, and loved it, so I inhaled the next chapter of this series.

This is about Barnaby. Having read this series so far, I know how this ends. And it’s a great story. We hear so much about Barnaby through the other books in the series, and how he interacts with the other characters, it was great to read his story. Only downside …… It wasn’t long enough

[Janie Weimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending to this series. This book would NOT have been nearly as enjoyable if I hadn't read the first 3 books. For that reason, even though it's a prequel, I recommend readers read this book last. It's so much more satisfying to see what Barnaby's past was like. His character makes so much more sense having seen him through the first 3 books in the series. Sad and hopeful. Hot and tender. Would have loved to spend more time with Barnaby and Jane. 4.5 stars

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

This paranormal romance takes a fresh approach to the demon-lover scenario with a man who sells his soul to the devil and becomes an indebted killer.

Read full review in the 2016 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.