Veena’s review of Forever (World of the Nightwalkers, Book 2) by Jacquelyn Frank
Paranormal Romance published by Ballantine Books 28 May 13
Jacquelyn Frank has been a long-time favorite for me, but Forbidden, her introduction to the Body Walkers, a new species of Nightwalkers, was so disappointing that I actually abandoned the book way before the end. Given the opportunity to read and review this book which is the next in the series, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to read it but I am so glad that I did not abandon the author nor the series because this book brings all the magic that I associate with the author’s writing back with the right blend of romance and mystery.
Jackson Waverly is a policy officer undergoing depression upon the loss of his K9 companion, when his sister becomes host to a body walker. On a rescue mission to save his sister, he himself is killed and becomes host to Menes, a powerful Egyptian pharaoh. Two powerful personalities work to blend themselves into one host, which makes for a very interesting mix as it emerges to the outside world.
Marissa Anderson is the department’s shrink tasked to work with Jackson to help him deal with the psychological effects of losing his faithful companion and partner. While they are both attracted to each other, their professional capacities prevent them from taking the attraction any further until Menes inhabits Jackson’s body. Menes is looking for a host for his beloved queen Hatshepsput and settles on Marissa as the perfect complement to him, Hatshepsut and Jackson. Now all Menes needs to do is to get Jackson out of his shell and pursue Marissa without him actually coming to the realization that Marissa will need to die in order for all to come to pass as they wish. There’s some interesting stuff about foursomes but with two bodies. Go figure that one out.
Of course, it’s not all moonlight and roses. There’s evil afoot, both Jackson and Marissa work for the police department after all. In addition, on the night that Jackson dies, he and his friend make some powerful enemies as they rescued his sister. The bad guys have some serious magic on their side and invoke the dark side of body walking and magic to attempt to prevent the union of Menes and Hatshepsut and get their revenge.
It’s a cute read and I truly am glad that I did not give up on the author or the series forever.
Grade:B
Summary:
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.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
