• Pleasure

  • Shadowdwellers Series, Book 3
  • By: Jacquelyn Frank
  • Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
  • Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (618 ratings)

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Pleasure  By  cover art

Pleasure

By: Jacquelyn Frank
Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
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Publisher's summary

Discipline. Penance. Order. A Sanctuary priest's life revolves around such things. But when Sagan is taken captive and thrust into the Alaskan wilderness, he encounters a woman who challenges his faith and his self-control. Valera is a natural born witch who almost lost herself to the lure of dark magic. By rights, Sagan should shun her, but convention will count for nothing in the face of a passion that could change the world of the Shadowdwellers forever....

As Chancellor of the Shadowdwellers, Malaya's first duty is to her people. Her bodyguard, Guin, knows this only too well. For tradition's sake, Malaya must marry, and the thought of this lush, vibrant, woman in a loveless union is impossible for him to bear. Guin loves Malaya-not as a subject loves his queen, but as a man craves a woman. And even if he cannot keep her, he'll show her everything she stands to lose....

©2009 Jacquelyn Frank (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Frank exercises her own unique brand of spicy sensuality and blends it seamlessly into the dangerous political drama. Passion, intrigue and betrayal mix it up for devastating results!" ( Romantic Times)

What listeners say about Pleasure

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A PLEASURE TO LISTEN TO

First let me say, yes this has 2 stories in 1 book however the characters mentioned in the first (shorter) story return towards the end of the second story so it's vital to get their backgrounds to show us the who, what and why magic is used (I'm not going to spoil it for you) but please bear this in mind.

J.F's books are like taking a ride on Disneyland's Space Mountain for the first time - you just don't know what's coming next - there's a lot of "oooohs" "aaarghhhs" and "ahhhhs" to be had. Plenty of interesting characters enrich a paranormal world that's lived mainly in the shadows where plots and sub plots are thrown in to a great story that'll keep you enthralled. Both stories have romance and sex but the second story is more intense and hotter.

Worth a credit? If you're a fan of sexy fantasy/romance listens (with handsome hunky alpha men - let's face it girls, and sorry boys, but if we're going to dream then let's dream big!) then JF's books are a must have for your library - so that's a big fat YES. However, they're not really stand alone books so do yourself a favour and download EVERYTHING available by this talented gifted author ........ then if you can - sit back, forget everything and enjoy.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

False Advertising

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

No one. This book is a rip-off. It was advertised as a novel. However, in reality it was a short story with an abrupt end and then with no delicate transition it went into a completely different story that was simply a teaser plot for spin-off future books. The story (if you can call it that) was clunky and awkward with no cohesive plot, just false advertising about one. I typically enjoy this series but I think I'll pass on future installments.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jacquelyn Frank again?

After feeling ripped-off by this book, not likely.

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

Decent narrator, but not much material to work with.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Extreme disappointment, disgust, and a feeling that I had just wasted hours of my life on a crappy book.

Any additional comments?

Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time or money on this book.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Pleasurable

Pleasure is the third book in the Shadowdwellers series. It actually contains a novella and a novel within the book. The novella is about Sagan. A sanctuary priest that is taking as a hostage after he is wounded in battle. During his transportation through the Alaskan wilderness, he is accidentally rescued by a natural born witch, Valera. Although this two are suppose to be sworn enemies, they feel an instant connection between them that is undeniable. Sagan ponders whether to betray his faith to love something that is forbidden from him and Valera wonders if he can love her even though she is a witch. I have read the Nightwalkers Series and it’s nice to finally read Sagan and Valera story. They were mentioned in the last book of the Nightwalker series, Adam, but never go into too much detail about their background. In this novella, we finally get the back story of how their love came to be.

The novel is about Malaya and Guin. Malaya is the co-ruler of the Shadowdwellers and Guin is her trusted bodyguard. Guin has been at Malaya side for the last fifty years, protecting her from harm, being her friend and silently loving her, always knowing that she is out of his reach. Malaya thinks highly of Guin and values his friends and companionship but is clueless about the love that he has for her. Everything goes wrong when an ancient law is brought to life, proclaiming that Malaya had to get married. Guin only wants what is best for Malaya and he knows that an arrange marriage will never give her the happiness she deserves. Guin gives Malaya an ultimatum if she accepts this law, he will leave her forever. I’m hoping this book isn’t the end of the series because it left some questions unanswered and conflicts unresolved. But it was a good book. I really enjoyed the conflict between Guin and Malaya. Malaya is ditzy to be such a strong female and Guin is very bull headed. I think that made it more enjoyable.

Kristen continues her narration of this book as with the previous two. I do love her readings.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Vicious but DELICIOUS!!!

I'm truly hoping that eventually there's a fourth book in this Shadowdweller series; each book has gotten better and better! This third installment was written somewhat as two separate stories, with the first being Sagan's story---sexy, quick, and---oh did I say sexy :-) The paths of the main characters in both stories eventually cross toward the end of the second story which focused on Guin and Malaya. If you enjoyed learning about Guin and Malaya in books one and two, trust me their burgeoning romance explodes in this third book....my ears were on fire and I loved every minute. Excellent story!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Novella and a Book, oh my!

I was so very happy that this release came as a novella and a book as the next installments in the Shadowdweller series. So often we are forced to buy a separate anthology just to hear one novella in a series we are following, and that irks me. In Pleasure, we are given a novella first (appx 3 hours long) and then a book.

In the novella: Sagan, a penance priest for the Shadowdwellers disappeared after an altercation with the evil villianess Acadian in the last book in this series, Rapture. He was presumed dead, but on the way to whatever torture Acadian had planned for him, he's rescued by Valera, a human magic user. Magic users are usually the arch enemy of all the Nightwalker races, including the Shadowdwellers. This novella is short, and I will admit the deep affection did seem a trifle rushed, but overall, I bought it.

In the longer story (at over 8 hours, I'd call it a book in itself), the queen Malaya and her bodyguard Guin are the focus. We've had hints of this relationship going beyond the professional, at least on Guin's side, in the previous books. This was a well told and action packed love story. Again, the villain Acadian is still at large and up to her old tricks. Guin and Malaya are torn between their feelings and their duties. I found it a satisfying and well told love story, with plenty twists and turn on the way to their happily ever after. Acadian if finally revealed, and at least a part of the story arc is tied up.

Kirsten Potter did a great job with the narration. Well worth my credit!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Glad I tried it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you enjoy Frank's rich and complex characters, you will enjoy this book. She introduced a few new characters as well as embellished a few of the standards. I enjoy "meeting" each player with their particular twists and motivations. In this particular book there was less interweaving of characters and that was a disappointment, but the fleshing out this culture with Frank's prose is facinating.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tristen. I would like to learn more of his past. He was a hot, self sacrificing underdog who wins. Yea!

Have you listened to any of Kirsten Potter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to other pieces.

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

It kept me entertained.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed the mix

I enjoyed the mix of story lines in this installment. Quick plot and steamy interactions. Can't wait for more!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This book brings in new and previous characters from the series.

Once again a fantastic performance by the narrator. This book brings in new and previous characters from the series. Guin and Malaya aren’t my favorite love story of the bunch, but it was entertaining to see how two of the most stubborn characters would fight for dominance and butt heads. Sagan and Valera’s romance was so short and I wanted a little more! Their story kind of concluded as a part 1 and then in part 2 they show up at the very end of the book. We get a little more of my favorite characters of this series Magnus and Daenaria. I loved the book and whole series! I will definitely be looking at more from this author!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Great storyline and lots of action and romance. Plus I really liked the main characters. The only drawback to the night walkers seres is that they use sex like an Olympic sport; they are even trained in it. Most of the characters have had numerous sexual partners; it trivializes sex the whole sex act. Dayanara is the the only virgin as a main character that I have read about in the series.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unfulfilling End to series

This was a very unfulfilling ending to the Shadowdwellers series. So many threads were left hanging and since this was written about a decade ago I don’t expect the series to ever pick up again. It is a real shame as this was a very interesting world that Frank built, this book actually is weaker than Rapture the previous book.

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