Pleasure

Shadowdwellers #3

by Jacquelyn Frank

Beyond our world lies a land where darkness reigns—the land of the virile, sensual Shadowdwellers. Yet their mysterious abilities are no match for the power of desire. . .

Double Your Pleasure. . .

Discipline. Penance. Order. A

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Adult

352 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

I live in Asheville NC and have written a book...or two...or is it ten?

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each book in the Shadowdweller series, in addition to being a romance novel in every sense, clued the reader in to a certain aspect of Shadowdweller society; Ecstasy introduced us to their culture and their world, Rapture shared their religion and their spiritual beliefs, and now Pleasure worked to shed some light on the politics that governed this admittedly unstable world. Ms. Frank’s writing is lyrical without being boring, poetic without being trite, and I found the conversations between the characters to easily be my favorite part of the whole story.

That doesn’t mean that Pleasure is a perfect book, however. In both stories, there’s a definite undercurrent of feeling insecure and inferior, of being unworthy, and of ignoring one’s accomplishments in the face of imagined character flaws, and that meant that the train to Angstytown left on a fairly regular basis. Ultimately, those elements were used to make important things happen in the story, which is a definite good thing, because personally I can only read so much of that before I start to lose interest.

If you’re interested in reading Pleasure, I highly recommend starting with the beginning of the series, which starts in Ecstasy. I really don’t think the series will make much sense or be much fun if you start with the third installment. The end of Pleasure made it seem like future installments were a possibility; I’d definitely read them if they did happen.

Read the whole review and more at What Book is That?

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. I liked the Nightwalker series very much, but it left many loose ends. I know the author has since stated that she will write one more in this series, to tie up those loose ends, but it feels like her heart isn't really in that story anymore. I got the same sense with this book. I like the Shadowdweller series. I liked the first two books. This one felt much more hastily written, with less care. If felt like the author was ready to move on, and had to fulfil obligations to us readers regarding longstanding plot lines.

Further, I'm ok with reading sex in a story, when it adds color and depth to a story, not when it is the very canvas, or foundation, that the story is layed upon. Sex just for the sake of sex holds no interest for me. I can see that in every movie at the theater, countless websites (if I chose to), and in most other media outlets. This book felt to me like: ....plot element, plot element, (insert sex scene here), plot element, (Add more sex here), plot element, etc.....

This book was divided into two stories. The first one dealt with the Penance Priest Sagan and finding his love. Sagan found his love, fell in lust, then willingly gave up his entire life for his love in about 35 seconds. There characters were entirely two dimensional and I felt cheated, since I was really interested in Sagan from the last book in this series. It was entirely unrealistic and felt rushed. That story wrapped up, start to finish, in about 90 something pages. The next story was the long anticipated story of Chancellor Malaya and her body guard Guin. I liked the plot line, but still felt that the author took little care to develop the story and use her writing craft with the same deft that she has used before. Again, I was really into that story and felt cheated that it wasn't developed with more care.

To put it succinctly, I was disappointed. If I begin to read a series, I want the same care for the stories and characters at the end of the series, as is given at the beginning of a series.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it a 4.5 star if I could. The first 100 pages of this book is about Sagan. The story was very rushed and the characters had no connection in my opinion. Then we finally got to Guin and Malaya's story, now there is a connection!!! Great love story for those 2...

[Lisa Lap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly this book, which teases a story about Sagan in the summary, is very short on Sagan's story. The story that is there is wickedly delicious if not a little rushed in the soul searing devotion. However, the secondary story of Malaya's discovery of her bodyguard's Guin eternal love to her is a wonderful story to read. We seen Giun's loyalty and devotion to Malaya throughout the Shadowdweller series to date - and it was no surprise to the reader how he felt about her. Watching her discover those feelings was at times frustrating - because how could she have been so blind? It was also enjoyable to watch her determination when she did realize how Guin felt to get him into her bed; and to succeed.

And finally the evil Acadian is revealed and dealt with. What a horrible climatic end with Malaya agreeing to Acadian's demands if she releases Guin only to learn he'll never remember their love. Oh - on the edge of your seat exciting for a few pages. ;)

Very nice third installment.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't realized it but this is actually two separate stories enclosed in one book. I thought there was something wrong with my ebook when I came across a second prologue and chapter one. I loved Sagan getting his HEA but everything happened so fast and was so rushed that it wasn't very satisfying for this reader. Then I spent the remainder of the book waiting for Sagan's story to continue which is does at the very very end of the Malaya and Guin's story. Sagan and Valera had such promise so this was a little disappointing.

I loved seeing Malaya finally figure out Guin's feelings for her. There story was filled with insecurity and feelings of inferiority which got a little annoying but Ms. Frank pulled it out in the end. I totally loved the final senate meeting!

I know this is the last in the series but it seems unfinished to me. Where is Tristan's story? And what about Rika, isn't Valera going to save her too?

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guin is appalled at the thought of Malaya being forced into a loveless arranged marriage. It is even more impossible for him to bear when she changes the laws but agrees to this atrocity not understanding what she will be giving up. He loves her and knows he can never keep her, but won’t it stop him from trying to show her what love is really about.

As a Sanctuary priest, Sagan’s life is all about discipline. When he is literally heaved into Valera’s life, his life is changed forever. He knows he should turn away from this natural born witch, but his intense love for her makes it impossible to do. Knowing he can’t stay with her and have a life outside of her, Valera sends him home only to have him return for her and to change the ‘Dweller status among the Nightwalkers.

When the two worlds collide, Malaya finds herself on the floor making life or death choices she could never had imagine she’d make.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no denying that I was looking for closure but to have it divided was a bit mind stopping. I get my fix with not just one romantic completion but two. Each with a reason for being the way that it was. When Sagan was dragged off in book two, I was confused and hurt that the strong, quiet priest was to be no more. Then I get to Pleasure and find that it was just the beginning for what was in store for Sagan. He finds his little piece of heaven in the one place that he was not supposed to seek it. The female human witch was the curse of the nightwalker world. They were the bane of their very existence. Valera was no ordinary witch. She had seen for herself the destruction that could be caused when one did not understand. She chose a different direction. This was the difference needed to find her true purpose in life.

Malaya’s first duty has always been to her people. Guin’s first duty has always been to her. For fifty years he has been there for her through it all. He has watched over the one woman that he has loved though things that should have broken him down, but he knew that he must push forward. Malaya has chosen to give in to the counsel but not all the way. Guin has had his fill of just being in the shadows. How far he takes things will shock even his mistress Malaya.

This one was hot, sensual, mysterious, pleasurable. The doors all come open here. We gain alliances. We lose close ones. We sacrifice the ultimate. Everything has a way of being done in the name of love.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

O wow! Guin was such a strong man. 50 years he waited for Laya to come to her senses and when she did all hell broke loose. The villain was so smart and she used so many people she should have been made to pay in some way. Quick death always seem like they got away after causing so much suffering.

I am always amazed how when people attain power how they forget that it is a privilege to serve and not a right and they look down on the people they are supposed to protect and help. I like that Ms. Frank addresses that in such a great way! Kudos for being political and entertaining!

This did not feel like an ending though!!! There is so much still to clear up. What of Rika, what happens now with the "little witch", did they get all the assassins sent after Ashla, will Magnus and Dae have a baby, what of Guin and Malaya's child??? I feel like there is need for another book to close off this series!

[RU · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read this entire series (Nightwalker and Shadowdweller) and this book was such a disappointment! I got the distinct impression that the author had no desire to finish the series (the villain was killed & no new one given and neither Amazon nor the authors website gives any information on another book in the series but touts a completely new series and world of books starting up soon) and crammed the last two story lines into one book. She failed to give each of them the attention they deserved: the first story was too short, rushed, and failed to wrap up all open ties and the second story was also rushed and the ending occurred too quickly, especially with a build up taking two books for the villain. I hope she eventually comes back to this series/world with the attention it deserves and she showed in the previous seven books.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sagan and Valera's story was short and sweet. I really enjoyed it, especially the cats, but their HEA isn't really going to be a HEA in the long run...which was a little disappointing.

Guin and Malaya's story started off really slow. It took me quite a while to get into it. But it ended up being really great. Is this really the end of the shadowdwellers? I feel like there should be more.

Tristan needs his story, Rika's situation remains to be settled, which I was hoping Valera would be a part of. Trace and Ashla's situation was kinda solved in a round about way but not really, and also Magnus and Dae now have new problems. If this was the end of this series then I am not satisfied.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Last in the series. This book wraps up the rocky relationship of Queen Malaya and her bodyguard Guin. They have been main characters in the series. Also, the political conspiracy is concluded and all loose ends are closed. I read this book to find out who did what and the end of the story. Again it would be better if the love scenes and language were less. I ended up skipping over them with an eye-roll. The author is talented with description, but character consistency in regards to the language is shaky. There are certain personalities and situations in the whole series where the use of profanity is out of character and inappropriate. When that happens the story suffers.

[Sassy Jacksun · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!
I think I've re-read this book four or five times. My favorite part about Ms. Frank's "Shadowdwellers Series" is the unique view she presents about different dimensions--mis-understood worlds/populations of people who hide because they are afraid of persecution.
The world she creates is well-rounded, believable, and sexy. In addition, through this world, she challenges some of the real world problems without being preachy, or distracting from the fun fantasy ride she has crafted.
If you haven't read Jacquelyn Frank yet, you are missing out.
Sincerely,
Sassy

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sagan" enthält zwei Liebesgeschichten - zuerst die von Sagan, einem Bußpriester, und Valera, einer Hexe und dann die von der Kanzlerin Malaya und ihrem treuen Leibwächter Guin.

Die Geschichte von Sagan und Valera hat mir gut gefallen; die beiden kommen sich ganz unkompliziert näher, was ich erfrischend fand, und die Autorin hat trotz der kurzen Zeit, die sie miteinander verbringen, die innige Verbindung zwischen ihnen gut dargestellt. Die Probleme, die wegen ihrer Beziehung zu erwarten sind, wurden ebenfalls thematisiert, allerdings ging das ein bisschen zu schnell. Sagan darf mit keiner Frau intim werden, die nicht seine Dienerin ist, und sein innerer Konflikt hätte besser herausgearbeitet werden können. Ich fand es schade, dass man nicht mehr über ihr gemeinsames Leben zusammen erfahren hat, da die Romanze der beiden nur etwa ein Drittel des Buches einnimmt und damit alles rasch abgehandelt wurde. Trotz dieser Kritik mochte ich die beiden zusammen und die Liebesgeschichte war zu großen Teilen gelungen.

Zwischen Malaya und Guin sind die Verhältnisse um einiges komplizierter, nicht zuletzt durch das Heiratsgesetz, das angewandt werden soll, um die Kanzlerin zu vermählen. Guin, der seine Herrin seit Jahrzehnten heimlich liebt, kann damit verständlicherweise nicht umgehen, schon gar nicht, als die beiden sich näher kommen und er glaubt, dass er sie nur für kurze Zeit haben kann. Ihre Romanze ist leidenschaftlich und voller Zerrissenheit. Gerade Guins Gefühlskampf war eindringlich dargestellt und die Konflikte zwischen ihnen haben gut zu den Persönlichkeiten der Charaktere und den äußeren Umständen gepasst. Man hat die ganze Zeit auf ein glückliches Ende für die Beziehung gehofft, obwohl es lange düster aussieht. Auch die Geschichte der beiden hat mir gefallen, allerdings fand ich es schade, dass Malayas Zwillingsbruder keine größere Rolle spielte, was ich aufgrund des engen Bandes zwischen ihnen erwartet hätte.

Neben den beiden Liebesgeschichten gibt es noch den Handlungsstrang um die große Verschwörung gegen die Regierung, die seit dem ersten Band eine konstante Bedrohung war. In diesem Buch müssen die Figuren erneut teils schreckliche Verluste erleiden und um ihr Leben kämpfen. Acadians Identität war für mich schnell offensichtlich, die Charaktere mussten dagegen leider einiges durchstehen, bis sie sie enttarnen konnten. Der Autorin ist es dadurch gelungen, bis zuletzt Spannung aufrecht zu erhalten.

Obwohl die Verschwörung aufgeklärt wurde, habe ich aber nicht das Gefühl, dass die Reihe zu hundert Prozent abgeschlossen ist. Gerade in Bezug auf die Paare aus den ersten beiden Bänden bleibt einiges offen (Wird es wirklich gelingen, die Bedrohung für Trace' und Ashlas Baby zu eliminieren, oder wird Guins alter Freund scheitern? Werden Magnus und Daenaira nach ihrem entsetzlichen Verlust, dessen Folgen ausführlicher hätten behandelt werden können, noch ein Kind bekommen und trotz allem glücklich sein?), die Regierung erscheint kaum stabil und nachdem die Kanzlerin ihr Glück gefunden hat, hätte ich mir auch für Tristan eine große Liebe gewünscht. Deshalb mochte ich zwar das Buch "Sagan" gerne, doch es ist für mich kein richtiges Ende für die Schattenbewohner, und ich kann 'nur' 3,5/5 Sternen vergeben.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the series lost a little of the umph the first book had. The plot was fantastic and the romance was romancing. This book was almost exclusively about the relationship dynamics between MCs. Don’t get me wrong, when the action popped off it was fantastic. But there was a fuck of a lot of talking and sexing in this book, and I came for a pound of flesh with a jug of love. As Grandma Krabs said in the “Spongicus” episode of SpongeBob “Boring! I want to see some body parts!”

I also wasn’t the greatest fan of focusing so much on the witch romance and then completely dropping her from the plot until she was useful. I was interested in the romance between the chancellor and her bodyguard, but I think it could have been balanced with something else because they went back and forth a lot. Also what was up with him wimping out 2/3 of the way in and leaving her guard? I thought he’d left so he could help her from the shadows, hiring an old friend to get rid of the bounty hunters and leaving the chancellor “wide open” so the big bad would get more sloppy and try to strike. Guess I expected too much of him. He ditched her because he loved her? Knowing full well that he was leaving her vulnerable? What? It would have been a great spot to put a cut scene to the witch’s romance which was much less dysfunctional.

Something else I noticed with the entire series, with all this talk of rulers and the ruling class, what, or who are they ruling? We never see any of the subjects except that random bar scene in this book, and that was a killer’s den. Where’s the little girls skipping home from market or the old timer watering their yard? We have no concept of what the “kingdom” really looks like besides a vague schematic of the palace and the knowledge the rulers move with the seasons.

Side note, why did the female chancellor allow that douchenozzle call her anything but her title. People have been disemboweled for less… just saying.

Overall, this book was okay.

[Laverne Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.50 star average for both stories. This Audible Escape audiobook is narrated by Kristen Potter and tells the stories of two Shadowdweller couples. (BM/WW) The first couple’s story is a insta lust tale involving Sagan, the Shadowdweller Penance Priest or M’jan Magnus’ second, and a natural borne witch and former necromancer. The hooligans who kidnapped Sagan from the Sanctuary during his fight to aide Daenaira takes him to Alaska and Valera’s reclusive dwelling; she inadvertently kills his captors, nurses Sagan back to health temping him to end his 10 years of celibacy...ultimately, Sagan gives up the priesthood in order to have her and to have her accepted. I gave this story 2.50 stars because it was insta lust and not romantic the idea that a devout Priest like Sagan would quit the priesthood within a a month of meeting and sexing a witch. The second story, (BW/BM) 4.00 Stars, is much better and there is romantic chemistry between the Chancellor Malaya and her body guard of more than 50 years, Quinn, theirs is the story of the Princess and the Mercenary Pauper. They have tons of snarky exchanges and playful threats of violence and firings or leaving before Malaya comes to realize the depth of their love for each other. For the peace and prosperity of the Shadowdweller Realm, the council is calling for Malaya to enter into an arranged marriage, this drives Quinn bat shit crazy and he threatens to leave; but not before making love to Malaya and letting her in on his feelings. He also feels unworthy and the senate or council agrees; but Malaya and Tristan and Magnus and Trace stand up for Quinn and call the other out on their privilege and sense of self importance.

[Christina Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of people are giving this book a bad rap because there are two books in one for this book. I enjoyed it, but then again I wasn't surprised because I had read reviews and knew what to expect. I thought that the story seemed a little rushed because the author was trying to tie up loose ends and end the trilogy. Obvoiously, this could have had more installments to the story and fans would have felt better, but for whatever reason the author opted to keep it a trilogy.
Sagan and Vals story was sweet and Val seems to be a great addition to the world of shadows.
Quin and Malaya...about time! I loved their story and how they came together. I think the tragedy of Magnus and Daenaira was horrible and could have been left out. I think that their tragedy didn't have to happen and to me really didn't add anything except for me thinking how much is one family expected to take!

[Shelly Argeneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich war etwas verwirrt, weil das Buch "Sagan" heißt und ich somit eigentlich mit einer Story von ihm gerechnet habe. Diese kam auch aber nur ca 150 Seiten lang danach ging es nur noch um Malaya und Guin. Ich liebe die zwei aber dann hätte man das Buch anders betiteln sollen😅
Ansonsten fand ich es total schön wieder von altbekannten Charakteren zu lesen und neue kennen zu lernen.
Die Geschichte rund um Sagan war nicht allzu spannend, es ging mehr darum wie sehr er Valera liebt und wie er mit ihr eine Beziehung führen soll, weil er das ja eigentlich nicht darf.
Dagegen ging es bei Malaya und Guin mit der Hauptstory der gesamten Reihe rund um Acadian weiter. Ich musste bei dem Buch oft geschockt die Augen aufreißen, weinen sowie auch verliebt lächeln🙈 Das Ende war einfach so unfassbar toll und ich bin schon etwas traurig, dass dies nun das Ende der Reihe war 🥲

[Reena Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review also on Ramblings of an Amateur Writer: http://reenajacobs.com/blog/2010/05/n...

I’ll start by saying that I had mix feelings about this book. Pleasure was more of two and a half novellas spliced together rather than a full novel with a continuous storyline. It took me a while to warm up to the book.

The story started where her last novel Rapture left off with Sagan. We find out what happened to him and meet his heroine, Valera. For me, Sagan played such an insignificant role in Ms. Frank’s other novels, I really had no interest in him. Unfortunately, the way the storyline played out, at the end I still had no interest in Sagan or Valera.

One item that continued to bother me with the Sagan/Valera story line was the lack of urgency. I had this issue with the characters in Rapture also. It reminded me of Stephan R Covey’s self-help book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” in which he talks about the Time Matrix activities which includes four categories, urgent/important, urgent/not important, not urgent/important, and not urgent/not important.

For Nightwalkers, everything seems to fit into the two Not Urgent category, which doesn’t seem to make sense to me. Think about it. If our President’s life were in danger, it would be bumped to the Urgent/Important category. If someone kidnapped your child, it would be in the Urgent/Important category. There seems to be too much dinking around and sex when bad things are about to jack up their world. If the main characters don’t care enough to do something about a potential disaster, why should I?

Another other thing which bothered me about the Sagan/Valera saga, and I don’t think this is much of a spoiler since every romance has a scene where the hero and heroine part ways for whatever reason was their departure from one another. It reminded me of the old romances. “Run, Johnny. And don’t look back! You run as fast as your legs can carry you.” Kinda of cheesy, but oh well.

As the story progressed, I began to wonder where was Sagan? I couldn’t understand why no one had thought to bring him forth to ferret out the culprit with his mind reading skills. I don’t know. It didn’t jive with me. Sure having him use his powers would end the novel, but I still like things to unwind logically.

****

Guin and Malaya’s story I liked better and actually had been looking forward to it after the last novel. In many ways it touched me. I thought it awful to have the one you love romantically bump and grind another in your presence. It seemed odd at times, making Guin’s love more brotherly. It was hard for me to put myself in his shoes even though I sympathized with him.

As far as sex in the novel, I liked some aspects of it while others not so much. For instance, I found the characters thinking or talking too much without a lot of action. I always imagine good sex to be too sensual and breathtaking to have a coherent conversation. Not the case with Malaya and Guin. They had all sorts of conversation. And when not talking, they were heavy in thought. It made the time they spent in sexual exploring seemed more like an examination—just too clinical to blow my mind.

Then again, it had a bit of realism to it. The idea of being distracted or stressed during the midst of sex can lead the mind to wander rather than getting wrapped in the erotic senses. But then, would the sex be as mind blowing as the characters said if they were so distracted? I’d prefer not to have distractions rule majority of the erotic scenes though. To me, good sex is free of external worries. I also found Malaya to be a bit inactive during the sex scenes, kind of like a limp doll. It might have been because she was too busy thinking to bother with moving.

Malaya’s ignorance annoyed the heck out of me. Sure, she didn’t realize Guin was interested in her at first. I can see that. But once he came out and said it, why did she continue to play dumb? Well, actually, it wasn’t even playing, she just was oblivious. I don’t know. I can’t imagine anyone being that blind or being that far out of touch with reality.

****

Drae and Magnus made a significant appearance in this novel. I’m not sure why, since they already had their story. Personally, I didn’t think the two deserved such a large role in a book featuring other stars. I don’t like the secondary character POV, but this area definitely made the exception. For once the secondary characters had more at stake (Drae and Magnus). It was definitely fitting to see the world through their POV. But then again, why did they have such a big role in this novel anyway? The shift pulled me out of the Malaya/Guin story. Even so, as a separate storyline, I thought it was well done. I would have loved Ms. Frank to pull something like this in Rapture instead of this novel, though.

It brings to mind advice I found on Nalini Singh’s website. She suggested thinking of the most horrible thing you could possibly do to a character, and then do it. Awesome job, Ms. Frank! It truly brought out my empathetic side for Drae and Magnus. Only thing, the details of how the culprit managed to accomplish the evil deeds were a bit sketchy. I would have liked the details brought to light. As it was, I really don’t believe the culprit could have gotten away with it all.

So, let’s fast forward! I may have had problems getting into her books, but one thing for sure, Ms. Frank really knows how to write an ending. Kapow! I think this is why I continue to come back to her books. Her endings are so powerful it’s easy to forget the struggles of getting to the finish.

The Nightwalkers novels build upon each other. Definitely start at the beginning (Ecstasy) if you plan to read these books.

[Kim Shumaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasure is actually two stories - Sagan & Valera and Guin & Malaya. I gave this 4 stars because I wanted so much more of Sagan & Valera...at the very least a novella. Their story had so much potential and I felt it deserved more than a couple of chapters at the very beginning of the book.
Besides that - excellent book.
Guin & Malaya's story was wonderful. It was a great finish to the series.

[Anna S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es sind zwei Geschichten in einem Band.
Im ersten Teil geht es um Sagan.
Dieser Teil ist mir etwas zu kurz gekommen. Zum Ende hin, ging es dann zu schnell.

Im zweiten Teil geht es um Malaya.
Mit ihr wurde ich überhaupt nicht warm. Sie hat dieses ''Ich Opfere mich für die Allgemeinheit'' Flair das ich überhaupt nicht mag.

Dieses Buch hat mich etwas enttäuscht.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dear Patricia,

you, that is: I, had the brilliant idea to start a How I Met Your Mother month in February. Which led to two different review styles, one of which I, that is: You, am testing right now: The Letter To My Future Self (You).

Patricia, you weren't (and maybe aren't) a reader I would wish to have if I were an author. You are picky, you are bitter. You complain about things and then complain about the lack of them. There is simply no way to please you, and the lack of readers and followers proves my point. Only the most resistant ones can bear and humor you and I know that you appreciate them very much. (Yes, you did dance when.. But I don't want to embarrass you in front of all these people.)

When you read Pleasure by Jacquelyn Frank you didn't have high expectations. The first book was a big fail and you hadn't read the second yet, so when you picked it up, you were very wary, expecting another Ecstacy. Rest assured that while Pleasure is not on your keeper shelf, it was much better and about as good as the second installment. With some restrictions, because you simply liked Dae the heroine of Rapture much more than the heroes and heroines of Pleasure. And yes, the plural: There were two couples in Pleasure and to your delight, Frank did not use the mating bond-ish stuff here again. (and again and again.. and again.)

The first story in the book is about Sagan, a 'Dweller and priest, and Val, a witch. The problem with being a witch is that people in  Frank's world will confuse you with a necromancer, which is not good. Necromancers are the Big Evil and you wouldn't want to be one. Most Dwellers, demons, vampires etc. do not even know that there is a difference. Val's and Sagan's story wasn't very long though. It took a third of the complete novel and was an enjoyable read. Since it is more of a novella than a full novel, you were confused about the rating: While there was some depth, as a reader it was hard to be satisfied with the (all but non-existing) explanations Frank threw at you concerning the protagonist's emotions.

The second story, about Malaya and her bodyguard, confident, and best friend Guin, was even more difficult: For him it was love on almost-first-sight but it took her.. 50? more? years to realize what she felt for him. To realize that she might have feelings for him. And then there was the class divice: She's a queen and he a ex-criminal. Ex, because the day he met her his life changed. And oh, the tropes. He wasn't good enough for her, he was tortured, he was her bodyguard.

While their story, too, had occasionally made you excited, the author didn't fully use the potential that was there. Had the focus of the story shifted just a little further, being on the characters and not only on their lovelife (meaning sex) you would have enjoyed Pleasure much more. As it is, you felt like Frank was too restricted by the non-written laws of the mystery that is Paranormal Romance.

Plus-points for no mating bond. In the traditional sense, that is. The couples in Pleasure obviously were very serious about their relationships, and had, to an extent, the ability to know what the other one felt or thought (Sagan) or simply knew the other one that good (Guin) and yes, there was some fuckload of Insta Love and Insta Lust, but instead of using the popular "Fate said we're meant to be, so come and have sex with me" excuse, they actually made the choice to try it. That is something you very much appreciated back then, when you read it. And back now, while you are writing the review. (Also, this writing style confuses you. Very much!) And I really hope that even though it'll make it harder to find good reads for you, that you still feel the same about Fate. Do. Not. Disappoint. Me.

You would like to give this book more starts because the fact alone that there wasn't that much of the fate crap should be rewarded, but then: Should one rate books because they lack Suck? Or because they feature Awesome? (And I am not talking about the guest blogger with the name 'Awesome' here.) But yes, Pleasure was much better than some of Frank's other novels, so when you wrote this review, you just thought: 3 stars.  The thing is, you won't reread this one. I don't think there was any scene that was very reread worthy. (Unlike the one in book One. Gideon, nom nom nom!) Maybe the one with the cat. Do you remember? God that was a little frightening:



So Patricia, I hope my review helped you. Frank is still an author you do appreciate. She is someone whose books you pick up when you're in the mood, when you're having a reading-block etc. But she could also do much better.

All my best,
hope you are having steamy sex with a super cool person right after you finish reading this,
Patricia.

[Jana Giacomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy this authors works! Her stories keep your attention and her words flow in such a smooth style. The reader of these books really brings those words to life! Can't wait for the next series that continues these writings! Off too the "World of Nightwalkers"!

[Ida Jagaric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, good read. :) Some of the earlier parts were tiresome in how romance novels keep lovers apart with these forced, unrealistic conflicts. ugh. But once the characters hooked up it was just lotsa sexy times! ;) And the story is good and I still find myself fascinated by this world!

[Aurian Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains two stories, the first one is a short story about Sagan, and the second story is the main one about Chancellor Malaya. Still, they are a little bit connected.

Sagan was poisoned and abducted in the previous book. His kidnappers have taken him topside, planning to take him somewhere, when they stumble upon Valeria and her little house in the middle of the Alaskan nowhere. Planning to have a bit of “fun” with her before they move on. But Valeria is a natural born witch, and she plans to just subdue them with her magic. But using defensive magic means making a high voltage blue light, and that burns them both to a crisp immediately. Now she understands why they had her turn of all the lights in the house and douse the fire in the hearth, but it was not her intention to kill them!
But now she has their prisoner to take care of. Her cat familiar tells her the man is poisoned, and she needs to heal him, even though he has already gotten an antidote.

When Sagan awakens, he has no idea what he is doing with a normal human. He has lost all memory of the last few days and cannot even remember his fight. But he has not been attracted to a woman in decades, ever since his handmaiden died he has put all his energy in training an the duties of a penance priest. Which is, partly, hunting down Sinners who have committed crimes in Dreamscape and Shadowscape. And Sagan is very good at his job. He knows that a relationship with a human is a Sin, but he just cannot repent something that feels so good. Even when he finds out that Valeria is a witch, a deadly enemy of his race, it does not deter him. He sees the good in her, and feels nothing of the taint that deathmagic leaves behind. But he knows he cannot stay with her, he is needed in Sanctuary.

But can he really leave her behind after nine glorious days in her arms?


Now that they know that Arcadia is still alive, the woman who tortured Trace, their main advisor, for a whole year, the Chancellors Malaya and her twin brother Tristan are determined to find out who she is. She is a Senate member, and so hiding in plain sight. The Senate is planning on forcing Malaya to marry due to some arcane law, and her bodyguard for the last 50 years, Guin, is not going to stand for it. He has spend those 50 years keeping her safe and he wants her to be happy, and that means a marriage for love, not for state reasons. He knows Malaya will do everything for her people, but he won’t have it. He will leave her if it comes to that. He has witnessed her having casual relationships with other men before, as he is never more than a few feet away from her, even in her bedroom, but this will be too much. He doesn’t care about those lovers, their society is very open to sexual relationships. He loves her too much to stand for it. Of course Malaya is too blind to notice that, she treats him like a close friend, until he lashes out of her, and her eyes slowly start to open. Still, she thinks a short affair between them before her marriage will be fine, not understanding it will never be enough for Guin.
Still, she can’t stand to loose him, and is desperate to find a way out of the Senate’s demands. Her brother has been acting like a fool for the last six months, knowing about this, and not knowing how to tell her. If only she had known sooner, perhaps she would have been able to come up with a plan to thwart them. She does not intend to give in to the Senate’s demands, as their rule is a monarchy and not a democracy, but they are also big on tradition, so she cannot ignore that old law. But they can change it for the future.

In the meanwhile, Arcadia is planning and exacting her revenge on Marcus and Dae, for killing her beloved daughter. She was so close to taking over Sanctuary, and now most of her allies are dead. They will pay for that, and pay heavily. Still, she has her own pawns in Court, and she will get to Malaya, especially now Guin is out of the picture …


I totally planned to stop reading in time for bed, but when it was that time, the book was incredibly good and suspenseful, I could not stop. And even when that bit was over, I just had to know what would happen, how they would find and defeat Arcadia, and before I knew it, the clock had struck twelve. This is not a good thing on a Sunday night with a busy work week ahead. Still, I would never have been able to sleep without knowing the end.

I loved the book. I loved Guin, for his quiet devotion to his mistress, and how he had his own standards and would not settle for crumbs. He is a very big man, strong and completely self assured and capable. A trained assassin who fell for his intended target 50 years ago.
Malaya was a bit spoiled, and a bit naïve, even though she grew up in wartime, and knows how to fight. She comes over as sheltered, and happy to behave to archaic standards. I usually like my heroines a bit more though. Still, she has a big heart, she is very smart, and she does get what she wants.

I do hope there will be a story with Tristan someday.

9 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

[Samantha Kauchis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah... This book was literally 2 novellas jammed together. It felt like Frank was trying to wrap up this series as fast as possible.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmmm okay

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more and felt like this book was very rushed (especially the first story).

[Laura Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novella followed by a novel --- made for a disconnected story -- apart they are good stories

[Cassandra Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely have you on the edge of your seat with drama.

[Kathy Sue Stumpf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book & this series!!! I don't usually read this genre, but bought my sisters books and she had these. I'm keeping this book & will definitely read this series again.