Lover Enshrined (BDB #6) By J.R Ward

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love...

Grace's Review:

I have to admit that the first part of Lover Enshrined was really hard for me to get through. I kept getting distracted and wanting to read something else. In other words, I just didn't want to be in Phury's head! He is an addict! Since Ward is excellent at writing in the 3^rd person, we get to see Phury at his worst and fall rock bottom before making that pivotal choice to seek help. His journey is raw and emotional as he deals with constantly feeling like a failure and fighting the demons...er, the “wizard” in his head. His addiction gets so bad that it even forces Wrath to make a choice in regards to the Brotherhood!

All along Phury is oblivious to Cormia, her needs, and her job as First Mate. This was frustratingly hard to read since it resulted in very little romance between them. Really, Phury? I cannot pick a “Bring on the romance, Brother” moment because there is none! Sorry, guys! Maybe Rehv can help me out in that department when I read his book, yeah? But I totally understand that Phury has to get to a better place before being able to open his heart and share his life with someone. It's sort of like a take-care-of-thyself-first kind of thing.

Cormia also goes through her own journey of self-discovery in this book. She has to find a way to balance her selfless nature while discovering who she wants to be. I really enjoyed her making friends throughout the story, specifically with JM and Bella.

So much happens in this book, especially towards the end. There's action and bloodshed. We get an update on a certain character, which was a nice surprise, and we get introduced to someone new. John Matthew gets a little bolder, which kind of left me salivating there for a moment...uh huh! Rehv, Xhex, Qhuinn, Blay and Lash are all prominent and the story lines involving them really does make Lover Enshrined worth reading!

 

Lover Unbound (BDB#5) By J.R Ward

In Caldwell, New York, war rages between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now the cold heart of a cunning predator will be warmed against its will...

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous, son of the Bloodletter, possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her...

Grace's Review:

I freakin' LOVED V's story!

In this installment of the BDB series, we found out who Vishous' mother is and what she expects of him. However, before he reluctantly moves forward to his destiny, his and Jane's lives intersect under unfortunate circumstances. Now I must say that I absolutely love Jane! She is strong, intelligent and is perfect for V. I love the moment when she realizes that he is a vampire, being more curious rather than shocked and afraid. As a trauma surgeon, her scientific mind starts racing with fascination. She even sticks her finger in his mouth to touch the tip of one of his fangs without reservation. Yeah, I probably would do this too, especially if the vampire I meet looks like any of the Brothers!

We get to find out about V's tragic past that results in him leaning towards darker sexual tendencies. As Vishous and Jane bond, of course he would want to take her to his penthouse, and we all know what goes on there! I actually enjoyed how this part was written. It wasn't too over the top and, in a way, it was a new experience for both of them.

Lover Unbound also continues with more of the young trainees Blay, Qhuinn, John Matthew and Lash. John Matthew hits a huge milestone in his life, doesn't he? There is also less on the Lessers and more with what goes on in The Other Side with the Scribe Virgin and the Chosen, which I found to be a refreshing change. Then there is Phury! The book sets it up nicely for his story!

Finally, I'm a little unsatisfied with what happens to Jane at the end. It still didn't discourage me to give a rating of anything less than 5 stars. I was told there is a reason, so I will read on to find out.

Favorite "Bring on the romance, Brother!" moment: When Jane comes home to find V waiting there with flowers...awwww! He's just a big sap when it comes to her!

Which Brother would you like to come home to?

 

Lover Reborn (BDB #10) By J.R Ward

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward’s “different, creative, dark, violent, and flat-out amazing”* Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a vampire warrior crosses the line between life and death…into a world of dark dreams and darker desires.

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment is a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance- and is unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, desolate netherworld—he turns to the angel to save his former mate, only to despair at the path he himself must take to set her free. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vies for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past, and a future that he doesn’t know he can live with… but can’t seem to turn away from.

Rhonda's Review:

 J.R. Ward absolutely rocked this book!!

Caldwell, New York is the home to my favorite Vampire world.  And here is where the FINE males of the Black Dagger Brotherhood reside.  When I picked my first BDB book Dark Lover 2 years ago, I would have never imagined the journey I was about to embark on.  It was instant love, and after reading the 8 books that were published at the time, I was so lost when I was finished.  After dragging myself out of my funk at the loss of a new BDB book to read, I am now among the many that eagerly anticipate the next arrival. I started seeing gradual changes in the series around book 6, and then with the big changes to the series in Lover Unleashed, I am thrilled to say that Lover Reborn was everything I hoped it could be and more. 

The Warden has put Tohr through the wringer for quite some time now. I knew this book would be an emotional one, and I wanted  Tohr’s heroine to be a worthy one,  I wanted his book to justify all the anguish he’s been through.  When I found out who his heroine would be, I was worried.  After an awkward encounter, Autumn and Tohr fell into an easy friendship.  Having known each other before, it was easy to believe they could.  Tohr finds out his Wellsie hasn’t moved on to the Fade, but is stuck in the In Between, and only he can set her free to move on.  But as time ticks on, Wellsie is soon at risk of being stuck in The In Between forever.   Autumn has suffered in her own past and the thought of being with a male is a no go for her, as well as Tohr still being in love with Wellsie, he has no interest in another either.  Autumn helps Tohr find answers to the questions he has in regard to Wellsie’s position. As their friendship forms, Autumn is pretty straight forward with Tohr, and doesn’t sugar coat for him.  Then Tohr becomes incredibly weak from not feeding, and Autumn decides to do this for him without hesitation, but with the first bite, the doors to other possibilities are opened, and explored.
I really liked Autumn, because she didn’t try to change Tohr, or become jealous of Wellsie’s memory.  Instead she was just willing to love and accept the broken man the way he was. 

Along with Tohr, we get heavy doses of Xhex and John.  Being newly mated, they run into major issues because John is all protective of Xhex, and wants to keep her from fighting alongside the Brothers because he’s so afraid he’ll end up like Tohr.  Well Xhex is not the kind of woman to be tamed that way.  I loved revisiting these two, because I love John and Xhex is just so kick-ass!! 

One of the changes to this series that I have loved is less of the Lessers!! Hallelujah!!  And this continues to be the case.  Although there  are still the fight sequences, they aren’t getting into the story line.  Instead we have Xcor and his Band of Bastards,  and I am really enjoying this much, much more.  I think Ward hit a stroke of genius with this addition, or either she is genius in the way she has done it. Whichever the case I love it!

Now for Quhinn, OMG!! EPIC!! That’s all I can say, I soooo CAN NOT wait for the next book!!! The time has come for him to finally get everything he deserves!!

And if you’re wondering about the sexy bits, there are lots and lots of sexy bits in this book!!

This book completely wrung me out! There is the humor that the Brothers are known for, and tears, lots and lots of tears.  I expected it to be emotional but this book had my tear ducts fully functioning by the second or third chapter.  And the series of events that take place just kept them in working order.  I loved this book so much, and it is one of my very favorite of the series. 

 

 

Lover Reborn (BDB#10) By J.R Ward

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Now back in the Brotherhood - and unrecognisable as the vampire leader he once was - Tohrment is physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair. When he begins to see his beloved in his dreams - trapped in a cold, isolating netherworld - Tohr turns to a self-serving fallen angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. When he's told he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed . . .

Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King's throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past, and a very hot, passion-filled future . . . but can his heart let go and set all of them free?

Sam's Review:

I'm  done – I’m finally done! This book was one huge muther f*gger! But it was fantastic. It was so much better than the previous book and Tohr just stole my heart. There was so much going on in this book that Im not sure I’ll be able to get it all out in one review, but I’ll try my darnest!

Firstly I’ll start with Tohr. This guy just blew me away. No lying, I was not in any way interested in him or his story.  And then there was his deceased mate Wellsie. I never felt a connection with the couple, but did feel sad for Tohr when she died – now 15 months on after her death, Tohr is still grieving her loss. Ward brung his grief to the story really well, and made me feel all heart wrenched too. Throughout most of the book Tohr is grief stricken – and there are times when I wanted to smack him upside the head for how he treated No’One  and others – but in retrospect it all fitted so well with the story and made the book more realistic.]

On to Lassiter, OMG! This is the Ward equivalent of William from LOTU. I love him, his character, everything. He is a smart arse, and heck – HE IS SHINNY!! - His relationship with Tohr is strained in the beginning but in the end is just another blossoming bromance. Lassiter is stuck between a rock and hard place and has found himself in the position of trying to help Tohr past his grief so that Wellsie can move into the fade.

No’One. I think, I speak for alot of people who initially thought “who the heck is that?”. No’One is Xhex’s mummy! I completed forgot all about her. But she is the quiet type with alot of the world on her shoulders. She is described as beautiful but would have liked her features to be in more detail. Tohr and No’One’s relationship wasn’t the hottest of the all brothers, but it was more real, if that makes sense? The relationship was more about moving beyond grief.

Xhex and JM  have a huge supporting role in this story. The two are going through the roughest patch in history. I was strung out reading about these two people who clearly had all the love in the world for one another but couldn’t move beyond their differences. No matter though, these two shared some steamy page time and the cabin scene is still making me breathless!

Quinn and Blay: I feel gut wrenched. I want these two together so bad. Has one author ever made me want something more!!? And just when you think there is no hope that these two are gonna get their move on, Ward throws in one last scene that gets you on your seat then poof! Its gone.

This book was long; so long in fact that it took until 18% in to the book before Tohr and NoÓne actually had a scene together. There was a lot of secondary going on and I wish there was more time for hero and heroine. I wanted to get to know their relationship better.

The book was obviously good. Its the kind of book that you can’t think of anything else when you put it down – that in its self should be the cue to read it. BDB fans will love it. I love Wards humor and am so excited for the next one – If its Quinn I will die a happy woman!

 

Lover Revealed (BDB #4) By J.R Ward

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

Grace's Review:  

I have to admit when I started reading this series I was intrigued with Butch's character by the end of Dark Lover. I was wondering how things were going to end up for him being that he's a human living with the vamps...The Brotherhood, and yet not being able to fight with them, since they won't let him. I felt for Butch as he got frustrated with being caught between two worlds, feeling like an outsider on either side and feeling unworthy of winning Marissa's heart.

I loved the pairing of Butch and Marissa! As the story unfolds we find out a lot about Butch and how his family treats him. It turns out he has a lot of things in common with Marissa and can truly understand her situation. Marissa annoyed me at times throughout the story, but in the end I loved how her character finally found a sense of purpose with her immortal life. These two together...wow! Butch is so HOT, especially after...after what? Well, I won't say. Butch's journey is quite interesting and left me speechless at times along the way!

Now I have to mention the relationship with Butch and V. When an encounter with The Omega leaves Butch with a certain ability, at least Butch is able to use this new found ability for good use, but not without consequence. He has to rely on V even more now, which tightens their friendship. I'm so curious to see what happens, if anything, between them now!

Lover Revealed is a solid book in the series with bits of the other characters dispersed along the main story line as well. John Matthews story continues as he tries to deal with his emotions regarding Tohr and Wellsie. We also see more of Rhev in action...yeah! Now on to V's story! I want to get to know him better.

 

 

 

 

Envy by J.R. Ward

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. And a man and a woman treading the lines of danger, desire and deliverance ...As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas DelVecchio Jr grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father. Hired to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in Veck is both professional and arousingly personal. But Veck and Sophia have a common interest. He's Jim Herron, a mysterious stranger enlisted to save the soul of a killer's latest victim, one precariously hovering between heaven and hell. Before Herron's job is done, Veck and Sophia will be inexorably drawn into a battle of good against evil, where the risk is nothing less than total damnation.

Rhonda's Review:

After reading Lover Unleashed, I learned that DelVecchio who became Detective de la Cruz’s new partner in Lover Unleashed would be the key player in the next book to the Fallen Angel’s series. I will say that I adore Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and I have liked her Fallen Angel’s series okay, but was never left eager for the next book, so I didn’t read this right away.  Well the Warden worked her magic with this book. It was exactly what I would expect from Ward and I loved every single page and loved Jim, Adrian and Eddie even more. And the H/h were so cute and sweet together. But make no mistake DelVecchio is all alpha male! 

As the playing field of good vs. evil is again open for round 3, Envy begins where Lover Unleashed ended. Veck is waiting for the serial killer David Kroner in the woods, and has his own brand of justice he’s ready to deliver.  After blacking out and waking up to a bloody mutilated Kroner, and not having any recollection of the events that had taken place, Veck finds himself under scrutiny and also  assigned a new partner from the Internal Affairs Division.  Veck is the son of a convicted serial  killer, and has had his struggles being the son of Thomas DelVecchio serial killer extraordinaire.  Well, it’s not just his father’s fan club out to cause him trouble,  Devina is back and ready to play.  She manages to throw her influence all over the place in this story, starting with Veck who begins to think he has a multiple personality disorder.  Devina hardly leaves anyone untouched as she tries to secure the win in this round.  But Jim is bringing his “A“ game this time, going so far as to barter himself to Devina for information that Nigel won’t give him.

When Veck and Sophia Reilly first meet, the undeniable attraction spells trouble for the both of them.  Reilly seems to be a bit of a loaner, and very by-the-book when it comes to her job.  She’s smart, organized and careful, also kind and compassionate when it comes to Veck.  That is until Veck becomes a suspect in the murder of Cecilia Barton (Sissy).  From this point, the story goes full steam ahead until the end.  And what a ending it was!!

I don’t want to give too many details here, because this story was so enjoyable to unravel. There is a continuing story going on here with Jim and the girl Sissy from the previous books.  There is a bit of forensics involved as well, but wasn’t overdone, I mean these are cops we’re dealing with in this story. Besides I like that kind of stuff anyway.  I loved Veck and Reilly and how they didn’t spend a lot of time denying, avoiding or analyzing  their attraction to each other. Jim Herron has grown in to his powers more, even if he’s not sure how, it’s awesome!! I have found myself liking him more and more with each book.  I also loved the continuing story of Adrian, Eddie, and Jim. The growth of all the characters even Devina is so enjoyable. Devina was very enjoyable in a “love to hate” sort of way.  JR Ward keeps straddling the fence on the M/M storyline, never fully giving in to it…yet.  Maybe she’s testing the waters, who knows.  But there is a scene involving Eddie and Adrian where she touched down with the tip of her toe.  ;)   Nigel and Colin are still in the “fade to black” stage.  Now at the end of this story I was left wondering if we are going to cross back over to the BDB series some with this one, which I really liked.  I think for the readers of this series, most will find this one to be so much better.  So if you’ve started this series, and haven’t gotten to this one yet, I urge you to take the plunge.