Veena’s review of Forged (World of Nightwalkers, Book 4) by Jacquelyn Frank
Paranormal Romance published by Ballantine Books 29 Apr 14

This series seems to have gathered steam and appears to be on the fast track toward “Squeeworthy.” The World of the Nightwalkers gets more interesting with each book, as we encounter new species and the battle lines are drawn between good and evil.  The world building is superb as the author begins to flesh out and color in this new world. She’s also now ready to bring both her series together by engineering an “up-close-and-personal encounter” between the new and original Nightwalkers.  It is fitting that the first couple in the crossover be the much-loved demon Jacob and his druid spouse Bella.  

Gargoyles, as we learned in earlier books, were created for use as slaves by the Templars. Ahnvil was the first to feel disgust for his role in their evil that caused him to engineer an escape, along with many of his fellow brethren, and defect to the Politic of body walkers. Unfortunately for him, he’s been captured while out on mission, but there’s a chance to escape along with a young woman who’s willing to bet her life on freedom with his help.

Kat is hiding away in isolation when an injured man falls from the heavens in the midst of a blizzard. Fortunately she was trained as an ER doctor before being forced into hiding, so she’s able to use her skills to patch up her visitor and keep him alive. Ahnvil has been grievously wounded in his escape from captivity by the Templars. He’s heart sick because the young body walker who helped him win his freedom herself perished in the attempt.

As he starts to recover his strength, he begins to bond with Kat. I love the scene where he raids her larder and refrigerator. I almost felt like he’s an overgrown puppy who doesn’t realize his strength. In the meantime Kat has managed to get embroiled in Ahnvil’s adventures by fusing herself into the artifact that he liberated from the Templars during his escape. The compound in New Mexico is the only safe haven where he can get the answers he needs to free Kat and keep her safe. Plus, he needs his anchor stone, which is stored there, in order to stay alive. As they make tracks for the ranch, Kat bumps into Bella as she and Jacob are in Washington on a vacation.

The two couples are invisible, but ingenious Kat manages to figure out how to communicate with Bella and bring them together with the other Nightwalkers, thereby bridging the two sides together, both of whom were cursed never to know about each other. Clearly this encounter will play a pivotal role as the series continues. I think it is very cute that Kat is suffering from an illness where she has extreme sensitivity to light. Hmmm. Of course, it’s not hard to guess that she might be in for a surprise about her true family tree.

I enjoyed Kat and Ahnvil’s story, as well as continuing to learn more about this fascinating world the author has created. I am now hooked to the series and cannot wait to see how the future continues to unveil, and hopefully we’ll have a chance to catch up with the lives of the delightful original Nightwalker characters.

Grade: B

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes a seductive new paranormal romance set in the World of the Nightwalkers, as a battle-scarred bodyguard and a sensitive beauty risk their lives—and their hearts—in the face of evil.

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.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: