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Jaden's Journey #1
Jaden's Heart
Jaden's Heart is an LGBT romance novel, which explores the passion between an Immortal woman and a homeless human in our modern world. Jaden struggles with her duties to her people, wail navigating a new romance and the pain of an old flame. Jaden's Heart explores the aftermath of abandonment, slavery, rape, and betrayal. A tale that fuses ancient Egypt and Europe with contemporary lore and mythology. Contains Adult Content.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2015
About the author
Melanie Jackson
2 books11 followersMelanie Jackson is an LGBTQ+ romance fictional writer. She currently lives in Littleton, NH with her husband, Corey and cat, Salem. Melanie was born with a rare medical condition called FFU (Femur, Fibula, Ulna Dyspepsia) and dyslexia. Despite a hard childhood, she loved reading and telling stories to her five younger siblings. She always knew she wanted to become a writer/author. Melanie came out as bisexual in 2006 and graduated as an LNA that same year. Shortly after, she met her husband Corey and they were married in 2011. In 2015, she wrote her first book, Jaden's Heart.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 3, 2017
DNF at 38%. First book by a new author and it shows. Awkward and sometimes forced dialogue paired with insta love, both things I don't enjoy in my readings. Then there's the weird tone dissonance. It goes from warm fuzzies to rape, torture and murder and then back to the warm fuzzies until another rape/torture/murder/death flashback.
Then this 900 years old vampire billionaire acts like a teenager and tells everyone and their mother how she now has a human lover. Immortals who are better kept in the dark instantly know about the fragile human Alexis and where to find her. Then she goes away for a 2-4 weeks and doesn't arrange a protection detail. What can go wrong, eh? I bet it is used later in the book but I don't care about any of this to stick around that long.
The characters are flat and so is their insta love relationship which is based on some kind of magical bond again, god, I hate those. Both are rape survivors and both don't seem to be affected by it much besides some occasional and horrific flashbacks to these events with a tear or two. They don't waste any time to fall in bed together, no apprehension of physical intimacy at all. And soon after "I love you" is dished out without any reserve and sadly without any substance behind it too.
Then there's the "duty" towards the council of the Immortals which is not explained at all. In fact the book mostly tells but rarely shows and that is my main problem with it. The result is that I don't care about any of the characters nor the confusing events. The high rating this book currently has is very misleading.
Then this 900 years old vampire billionaire acts like a teenager and tells everyone and their mother how she now has a human lover. Immortals who are better kept in the dark instantly know about the fragile human Alexis and where to find her. Then she goes away for a 2-4 weeks and doesn't arrange a protection detail. What can go wrong, eh? I bet it is used later in the book but I don't care about any of this to stick around that long.
The characters are flat and so is their insta love relationship which is based on some kind of magical bond again, god, I hate those. Both are rape survivors and both don't seem to be affected by it much besides some occasional and horrific flashbacks to these events with a tear or two. They don't waste any time to fall in bed together, no apprehension of physical intimacy at all. And soon after "I love you" is dished out without any reserve and sadly without any substance behind it too.
Then there's the "duty" towards the council of the Immortals which is not explained at all. In fact the book mostly tells but rarely shows and that is my main problem with it. The result is that I don't care about any of the characters nor the confusing events. The high rating this book currently has is very misleading.
November 30, 2017
Jaden’s Heart is the second paranormal book that I have read this month and I loved both of them. This is a love story about a vampire or immortal (they prefer being called “immortals”) and a human teenager. It’s a love that breaks all immortal rules and that puts the main character, Jaden, in a position to make difficult decisions to pursue her love for Alexis.
The book is very dark and can sometimes be even difficult to read, but in my opinion it’s balanced out with the love story of Jaden and Alexis, who develop an intense and passionate relationship. The author creates an interesting world where the past, the present and the future converge and merge. Right now I am reading the second book because the end of this book leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and I can’t wait to know what is going to happen.
The book is very dark and can sometimes be even difficult to read, but in my opinion it’s balanced out with the love story of Jaden and Alexis, who develop an intense and passionate relationship. The author creates an interesting world where the past, the present and the future converge and merge. Right now I am reading the second book because the end of this book leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and I can’t wait to know what is going to happen.
December 29, 2015
Two of the quickest ways to kill a story for me is to give me multiple point of views and for it to be peppered with errors, that is unless the plot is strong enough to override my pet peeves, thankfully this one was – to a point.
I will admit I was apprehensive about agreeing to review this story when I first laid eyes on the cover. I am not a huge fan of young adult stories and the seated girl looks extremely young. Despite that, the blurb was intriguing enough to entice me to do so. Thankfully the story does not read like young or new adult. In fact the content is very adult and not for the faint hearted. Jaden is over 900 years old and Alexis comes across as far older than her years, not surprisingly given her hard start to life. Her father is a vile man, of the worse sort. There is a scene in this story that I’d caution readers sensitive to rape and/or incest to tread with caution. It is mostly off page, but detailed enough to know full well what occurred.
A number of things in this story took me by surprise, some I would have liked more of. A few things were introduced then dropped out again. For example, the first sex scene featured the heroine and two of her male friends, and occurred in a BDSM club. I wrongly thought it was setting the stage for more kinky delights, however nothing of the sort reoccurred. There were a few hot, albeit brief scenes, between the two ladies, but they too faded to black as the story progressed.
I enjoyed going on this long ride with Jaden and Alexis, and found myself rooting for them all the way. Annora was a mixed bag and even though her point of view was slotted in here and there, I never got a grasp on her character. I thought she’d create a lot more mayhem than she did. There are constant references to the time Jaden was her slave, but again it was a gray area, something left for the reader to surmise about.
The ending, well I don’t know what to say about that or how I even feel about it. Anyone needing a HEA won’t find it here. I could say it was a HFN, but then no it wasn’t that either. Was it a cliffhanger?
For most of this story I thought I’d give it 4 stars. Then around the 85% mark Alexis Tanner all of a sudden was referred to as Alexis Turner, numerous times. For an author to forget their character’s name is one thing. For two editors to miss it as well is something else. I guess this could be seen as a lesson to indie authors to thoroughly do their homework before enlisting the service of a small editing service.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
I will admit I was apprehensive about agreeing to review this story when I first laid eyes on the cover. I am not a huge fan of young adult stories and the seated girl looks extremely young. Despite that, the blurb was intriguing enough to entice me to do so. Thankfully the story does not read like young or new adult. In fact the content is very adult and not for the faint hearted. Jaden is over 900 years old and Alexis comes across as far older than her years, not surprisingly given her hard start to life. Her father is a vile man, of the worse sort. There is a scene in this story that I’d caution readers sensitive to rape and/or incest to tread with caution. It is mostly off page, but detailed enough to know full well what occurred.
A number of things in this story took me by surprise, some I would have liked more of. A few things were introduced then dropped out again. For example, the first sex scene featured the heroine and two of her male friends, and occurred in a BDSM club. I wrongly thought it was setting the stage for more kinky delights, however nothing of the sort reoccurred. There were a few hot, albeit brief scenes, between the two ladies, but they too faded to black as the story progressed.
I enjoyed going on this long ride with Jaden and Alexis, and found myself rooting for them all the way. Annora was a mixed bag and even though her point of view was slotted in here and there, I never got a grasp on her character. I thought she’d create a lot more mayhem than she did. There are constant references to the time Jaden was her slave, but again it was a gray area, something left for the reader to surmise about.
The ending, well I don’t know what to say about that or how I even feel about it. Anyone needing a HEA won’t find it here. I could say it was a HFN, but then no it wasn’t that either. Was it a cliffhanger?
For most of this story I thought I’d give it 4 stars. Then around the 85% mark Alexis Tanner all of a sudden was referred to as Alexis Turner, numerous times. For an author to forget their character’s name is one thing. For two editors to miss it as well is something else. I guess this could be seen as a lesson to indie authors to thoroughly do their homework before enlisting the service of a small editing service.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2015
Writing Jaden's Heart was one of the greatest experiences ever. It came with amazing challenges and opportunities for learning and growing not only as a writer but also as an individual. I look forward to writing more books in the future and I hope everyone enjoys this book.
December 23, 2015
Great Story
I gave it five stars because I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters. Between the two love and action my kind of story. Can't wait for the next book
I gave it five stars because I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters. Between the two love and action my kind of story. Can't wait for the next book
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November 20, 2017I absolutely love the cover!
That said... I stopped reading at 40%. Poor, stilted 1st person writing and shallow characters. Jaden and Alexis fall in love right away and literally U-haul. Then Jaden wants her human gf to move to a different country and is already thinking about turning her into a vamp. So f/f. Lol.
Their relationship is unbelievable. I know 'love at first sight' can happen, but the author really fails to sell this relationship. Why do they even like each other? I know Jaden likes Alexis because her blood smells/tastes absolutely fantastic (is that a valid reason), but why does Alexis love Jaden? I have no clue.
The author also could have elaborated more on the relationship between Annora and Jaden, but that doesn't happen in the first 40% of this book. I am actually quite surprised I read this far. Guess I am a sucker for f/f paranormal.
That said... I stopped reading at 40%. Poor, stilted 1st person writing and shallow characters. Jaden and Alexis fall in love right away and literally U-haul. Then Jaden wants her human gf to move to a different country and is already thinking about turning her into a vamp. So f/f. Lol.
Their relationship is unbelievable. I know 'love at first sight' can happen, but the author really fails to sell this relationship. Why do they even like each other? I know Jaden likes Alexis because her blood smells/tastes absolutely fantastic (is that a valid reason), but why does Alexis love Jaden? I have no clue.
The author also could have elaborated more on the relationship between Annora and Jaden, but that doesn't happen in the first 40% of this book. I am actually quite surprised I read this far. Guess I am a sucker for f/f paranormal.
July 19, 2017
A happy, fairytale romance (Not!)
I dearly loved Melanie Jackson's vampire love story. The characters are engaging and the plot is imaginative. Jaden, our vampire protagonist, is old and lonely. Alexis, our young and fair haired damsel, is homeless in heartless LA. One cold winter evening when their paths cross, the story begins. Jaden's taken with the taste of the blood that she drinks from Alexis. She commands her prey to forget their encounter. Alexis sees something within Jaden's icy blue eyes that calls to her. She doesn't forget Jaden or their encounter. Alexis is set upon by three men ready to subject her to the same treatment that received from her father. Jaden rescues her and brings her home.
If you guessed that they share soulmate love, give yourself an A+ or a gold star. Do not expect the obligatory HEA. There is a second book. The ending hits the pause button on this grand romance. It doesn't feel like a cliffhanger, but like an intermission. I'm sure that I've read this book before. It didn't stop me from finishing it a second time. Expect high drama from some lowlife bad guys. Feel the heat of forever love between an Immortal and a human. I want them to have that elusive HEA, but time and book two will tell.
I dearly loved Melanie Jackson's vampire love story. The characters are engaging and the plot is imaginative. Jaden, our vampire protagonist, is old and lonely. Alexis, our young and fair haired damsel, is homeless in heartless LA. One cold winter evening when their paths cross, the story begins. Jaden's taken with the taste of the blood that she drinks from Alexis. She commands her prey to forget their encounter. Alexis sees something within Jaden's icy blue eyes that calls to her. She doesn't forget Jaden or their encounter. Alexis is set upon by three men ready to subject her to the same treatment that received from her father. Jaden rescues her and brings her home.
If you guessed that they share soulmate love, give yourself an A+ or a gold star. Do not expect the obligatory HEA. There is a second book. The ending hits the pause button on this grand romance. It doesn't feel like a cliffhanger, but like an intermission. I'm sure that I've read this book before. It didn't stop me from finishing it a second time. Expect high drama from some lowlife bad guys. Feel the heat of forever love between an Immortal and a human. I want them to have that elusive HEA, but time and book two will tell.
December 18, 2015
Jaden's Heart is a page-turning lesbian romance that sparkles with the true-to-life feeling of falling in love. However, it explores much more than passion between an Immortal woman and a homeless human girl in the urbanized 21st century.
Duty divides Jaden’s time between healing her emotional wounds and defending the heroes of a civil war fought long ago. The gut-wrenching story explores the aftermath of abandonment, rape, and betrayal.
Using the history of our world as a backdrop, Jackson has weaved a remarkable tale that fuses ancient Egypt and Europe with contemporary lore to create a new world that’s easy to get lost in.
Filled with characters you’ll root for as well as love to hate, contrasting settings of grandeur and poverty, and titillating sexual encounters, Jaden’s Heart is well worth the read.
Duty divides Jaden’s time between healing her emotional wounds and defending the heroes of a civil war fought long ago. The gut-wrenching story explores the aftermath of abandonment, rape, and betrayal.
Using the history of our world as a backdrop, Jackson has weaved a remarkable tale that fuses ancient Egypt and Europe with contemporary lore to create a new world that’s easy to get lost in.
Filled with characters you’ll root for as well as love to hate, contrasting settings of grandeur and poverty, and titillating sexual encounters, Jaden’s Heart is well worth the read.
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December 4, 2017A bit icky for me. Another reviewer nailed the reasons why I couldn’t finish on the head. Insta-love (stop with this!!!), swinging from love to rape/torture was very uncomfortable also. Add in the ! After most spoken dialogue and it feels like the centuries old vampire is, like, totally vapid. The issue of consent with their first encounter was uncomfortable and I have the feeling this huge power gap between the MCs will bother me further so I won’t persist.
No stars only because I DNF and can’t right rate.
No stars only because I DNF and can’t right rate.
December 30, 2017
So many secrets, so much doubt and love. I started it and couldn't stop reading.
April 22, 2018
“You see, the sun and moon were once passionate lovers. One day a god saw the sun's beautiful golden hair and became jealous of the moon. So to keep them apart, he banished them to the sky, forever to chase each other. But, every sunrise and sunset they see each other for the briefest of moments.”
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews