Jacob

Nightwalkers Series, Book 1

By: Jacquelyn Frank

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers - the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer.

For 700 years, he has resisted temptation. But not tonight... Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He's heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total... until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn't in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire. Bring on the night.

©2006 Jacquelyn Frank (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"I loved this book!" (Christine Feehan)

great

i loved this story line. action, adventure and romance all good. i was totally hooked from the beginning.

Great for road trip!

Any additional comments?

I have read this book, and listened to this recording on a couple of driving trips. It brought a new perspective to the story, hearing someone voice their interpretation of characters' voices!! Not necessarily what I had imagined in my head, and it made the story fresh.

New Beginnings

Wonderfully romantic and enchanting world of what I had previously been prejudice about. Who would of thought a demon could be so enthralling?

REMARKABLE !!!

Where does Jacob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right up there at the top. I was astounded by this book. This was my first Jacqueline Frank book & my first time listening to Xe Sands as narrator and I hope that this partnership continues.

What did you like best about this story?

The story plot was not a typical paranormal/supernatural/immortal plot and JF’s imagination and thought that went into the creation of the demons’ elemental essences was nothing short of incredible.

What does Xe Sands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her narration and inflections for the different characters drew me into the conversations and I forgot that it was only one narrator. She did an excellent job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I believe that when the demons were describing to Isabella what they were, their elemental lifeblood, was the most heartfelt and soulful part of the book.

Any additional comments?

I appreciated how JF continued to enhance Isabella’s personality and being. The story just continued to expand & intensify the world of the demons and other Nightwalkers.

Great Series

I absolutely love this series but the narration isn't so great. I would have liked more passion in the reading, not monotoned, especially when someone was supposed to yell, there was no loudness to be heard.

Fun Chemistry in this Paranormal Romance

Jacob offers an awesome twist to the typical paranormal romantic narrative. Story revolves around a hybrid Human-Druid who has a chance encounter with a justice-seeking Demon. They are destined to be mated though for centuries such was taboo. Isabella is no doubt a modern woman whose character is strong yet feminine. Jacob, though old fashioned, makes every effort to respect her differing cultural background. Well developed and fairly realistic good guys and bad guys.

The chemistry between characters is very well written, and Sands does an excellent job of narrating the key parts of the story. Time and money well spent!

This was a great first book... on to read Gideon, Book 2.

EXCELLENT !

Where does Jacob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I LOVED IT! I did NOT want it to end. There were so many emotions in the story that it just HELD my attention and for a NOVICE READER that is saying a lot. But my taste may differ from many other readers; but for me IF it does NOT grab me at the beginning it is very hard for me to get through it.I did NOT want to STOP LISTENING to this, there was thrills, fears, fantasy, erotic romances and lots more. When I did finish I was sad but came back here to see IF there were any more books by this Author....WOW I found BOOK 2 and immediately got it and read that all the way through as fast as the first.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything!

What about Xe Sands’s performance did you like?

ABSOLUTELY an awesome Narrator, she pulled you into to the story as IF you were actually there and experiencing all that was going on!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes the erotic romance between fanasy and human, AWESOME! Sent chills all over my body!

Any additional comments?

A must read IF you like Fantasy books.

Jacob...Loved it!

I am now a fan of narrator Xe Sands and Jacquelyn Frank. These two are a great pairing. this book was great from beginning to end. I am a bit addicted to these paranormal romances with all their intensity, drama and "heightened" EVERYTHING basically! This is the first in the Nightwalkers series and I hope the others are equally as good. The lead male in this one, Jacob, is such a great character as is the lead female Isabella. Sand's voice, OMG, so wonderful, both her male and female characterizations were awesome, and with the accents she gave the demons, I was truly a fan. This story brought to life a world of demons, humans, and love and had me riveted from chapter one!

A light PNR romance.

Overall I liked this book, but there was some inconsistency that were glaringly obvious that annoyed me a bit. Such as Jacobs age. First he's 2 century's, then 400 years, then 6 century's, and on the summary it says 700 years, only towards the end did he settle on 600 years. But despite stupid details like that I really did enjoy the story. I was surprised that this book was quite funny. There was some action but mostly this is a romance. I do like the world that Jacquelyn Franks has built and I think there is lots of possibility for the series. I will give the author the benefit of being a new author for all the holes in this story, such as Bella just up an leaving her life without a thought. I mean did she have a job, friends, sister, or even bills?

I have decided that I'm not a huge fan of Xe Sands, I have listened to many things read by her before and have the belief that I would have enjoyed the book better if someone else had read it. I don't understand why editors pick women to narrate a male part, when the books point of view is mostly from the male, or vice versa. Although this book is from both Jacob and Bella's point of views. This story is good enough that even with the mediocre narrator I am going to listen to the next book.

Heartstopping !! Underworld plus a hot firey love

Would you listen to Jacob again? Why?

YES. I could not STOP listening to this book. I was stealing myself away just to continue it. I couldn't get enough. I would absolutely listen again. Xe makes listening such a rare experience.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how heartstopping not only the sex (or near sex) scenes were, but also the action was. The plot and storyline are right up my ally. If you are a fan of an Underworld ,Sci-Fi type stories/movie PLUS a HOT HOT steamy love line- This is for you.

Which character – as performed by Xe Sands – was your favorite?

I loved Xe's performance of Jacob. Her interpretation of his voice was my favorite. However, each voice she did, I could picture them sounding that way in my head. Xe has a gift. This book was made for her to narrate...Each voice, each accent was absolutely indivualized..and real.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. Extreme reaction as in 'steering wheel-gripping' reaction. While driving down the road I was gripped by several scenes. Almost each sexual encounter by Jacob & Bella (not just the sex, but the near-sex between the two). Also, one or two of the action scenes left me hanging.
***Warning: Spoiler"****
At their wedding, when Lana was summoned and Bella along with her were gone. I was gripped by that moment. Devistated and needing to know what would happen next. My heart was pounding.

Any additional comments?

I will read the sequals to this book, however, I find myself wishing there was more for Bella & Jacob.