Lover Unbound by JR Ward

Rating: 4.5 stars
published 2007
528 pages


I have been totally wrapped up in the Brotherhood for the last couple of weeks and had been anticipating V's story. With the very first book, Dark Lover, I took an instant liking to Zsadist, who quickly became my favorite brother, however as I continued to read I fell in Love with Vishous. I said in an earlier review that all of the brothers were faced with their own private hell, each experiencing some sort of personal torture that would classify them as a "Tortured Hero". Cindy W. warned me that V would tie with Z for the most tortured and I have to agree. The knowledge of who is mother is and how he came to be, why he was forced to endure the hatred of his father and experience the life that he did was unsettling. How could a mother sit back and watch her son go through this hell that had been his life? As you become privy to V's memories you see that she really hadn't just sat back and done nothing, she ached for him and did the little that she could to help him with out interferring. I found myself sympathizing with both mother and son on several occasions, even though I really wanted to hate the mother.

V's love for ?, yeah the question mark is on purpose. I went into this book knowing that there was an undercurrent of feelings for Butch, and was almost expecting something to happen between the two of them. Maybe it was wishful thinking I don't know, because I really can't see the brothers with anything but the opposite sex. I was elated that he became the bonded male and was able to experience what he witnessed and felt from Butch and Marrisa, but I am so not feeling what Jane's outcome is. Couldn't Ward have brought her back some other way. I will learn to live with and except this because I did get my HEA for this couple. My cold hearted bastard has a heart and it is warm (OK Hot), caring and giving.

I can't wait to read Lover Enshrined... I have a feeling that Phury the quiet and selfless one is really going to grow on me.

Lover Revealed by J R Ward

Rating: 5 stars
Published 2007
480 pages

Synopsis: 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.

Review: I am completely amazed! How do I do a review on this book, any of the BDB books, without putting in lots of spoilers. Who am I kidding with the fan base that this series has, I am probably one of the last people in the world to have started reading it.

Butch, the human cop, is feeling out of place and wants to help the Brotherhood more. He knows the battle against the Lessers is not his, yet he feels that he must help. When he happens to see a civilian getting chased down an alley by a couple of these slayers he jumps into Hero mode and tries to save the day. He winds up being tortured for information and lands in the hands of the Omega. Returned to the Brothers with something dark inside him, Butch is taken to the vampire clinic under strict quarantine.

Marissa knows something is not right when she sees a couple of the brothers leaving the vacinity of her brother's lab. Eventually she ends up in the room with Butch without proper protection. Everything comes to a head with her feelings for Butch and his for her. Concerned for her safety Butch pushes her away. Then Havers gives her the boot...what a great brother than one is!!!

There is a twist that comes in and new information is revealed, This Human is definitely not going anywhere!

I enjoyed Butch's story. Butch was so sweet and gentle with Marissa. I love how they finally came together.

Going to start Lover Unbound soon. I can't wait to read Vischous's story, it aught to very interesting!

For the first four books this is the order of my favorites:

1. Lover Awakened (book 3)

2. Lover Eternal (book 2)

3. Dark Lover (book 1)

4. Lover Revealed (book4)

None of the stories lacked in anyway, I just seem to be partial to Z and Rhage. From what I am hearing from everyone I am sure that V's story is going to be somewhere at the top. Can't wait!!

Lover Awakened by J R Ward

Rating: 5 stars

Published 2006

464 pages

Lover Awakened is the third book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This was Zsadist's (Z) story. I love how J R Ward doesn't just give you one brother's story. You know who the story belongs to, but there is so much more given. She doesn't just tease you with glimpses, all the brothers get a significant amount of face time in these books.

Z is the most tortured brother. I say the most because I really think that all of them have their own little private hell that they are faced with, Tohr being the only exception to this point. In Lover Awakened you are privy to Z's private thoughts and memories; learning what he went through as a blood slave, how he was rescued, and how he survived. You see Z for the broken vampire that he is, understanding where the anger and isolation comes from. I loved watching Z grow in this book and really understanding what he was battling on the inside.

This series is really working on becoming the best one that I have ever read!!!

Lover Eternal by J. R Ward

Rating: 4.5 stars
pages: 464

Blurb:

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetite. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin.

Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him. When Mary Luce is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world, she must rely on Rhage's protection. Knowing that Mary feels the same intense animal attraction, Rhage must make her his alone...

Review:

This is the second book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It took me a little while to get into this book. I don't know if it has to do with the months in between reading Dark Lover and starting this one, but I am so glad that I waited to read until I got all of the series. I have a feeling that I will be reading nothing but the BDB books.

Rhage was one of my favorites from the first book. I was intrigued by his demon. I wanted to know why it was there, if he would ever be rid of it, how it really affected (or is effected) him. I am completely in love again... I am sure I will fall in love with each brother as I read. Rhage did a complete turn around in his behavior after hearing Mary's voice. The tenderness and the protectiveness that he showed her was such a treat to read about. Then you have the very sick Mary, who has been through so much that has given her a strength that I don't think she even realized she had. In order to be together these two must over come some pretty big obstacles, breaking the rules and beating down self inflicted barriers.

In a way I feel like this book could have actually been the first book. It gave so much more information on each of the other brothers. You are able to get glimpses into each brother's history and start to understand the idiosyncrasies of each. You meet a potential new brother, John Matthew has not been through the change yet but he bares the mark of a warrior.

I was brought to tears a couple of times while reading this. I don't know if it because it is an emotional time or if it was the story itself, but I was definitely touched by the kindness Wellsie and Tohr showed this 20+ yr old orphan and John Michael's feelings while sitting at the dinner table. I thought I was going to have to undergo a round of ribbing from my husband for crying out loud when Mary received the information from the doctor and Rhage contacted the Scribe Virgin. I got so immersed in this story that I can't wait to read the rest of the books so I can't make sure that this HEA remains an HEA.

I'm off to start Lover Awakened!!

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

ROR Winter Challenge #14

SRC

Published 2000

352 pages

Rating: 5 stars

The Viscount Who Loved Me is the second book in the Bridgerton Series, giving us Anthony's story. Reading this so close to The Duke and I was probably a mistake in some parts. I am not rating it less though, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it definitely deserves a 5 star rating, however it just wasn't as good as The Duke and I.

Anthony has decided it is time for him to get married. And Anthony always gets what he wants. Struggling with some very personal issues and fears he surmises a list of attributes that his future bride must possess, the most important one being that he MUST not be able to fall in love with her.

He meets the Sheffield sisters and instantly sees that they younger, Edwina, is a perfect match to his criteria while the older, Kate, is exasperating. Kate is Anthony in female form! So why is that he is drawn to Kate and not Edwina? It was fun to watch Anthony struggle with not achieving or getting what he wants. The banter between Anthony and Kate was great. I think the funniest part of the book was the Bridgerton Pall Mall game. Having played many of family games (primarily with my mother and aunts...who also love to cheat when ever possible) I can definitely relate and it just cracked me up.

There wasn't as much interaction with the Bridgerton siblings in The Viscount Who Loved Me, which I am thinking is why I thought that it was a good book but not as good as the Duke and I. The sibling quarrels and rivalry is something that definitely makes this series so good!!

All in all it was a great book and I definitely continue to recommend reading this series!!

Dark Lover by JR Ward

Published: 2005

393 pages

Back Cover: In the Shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers- six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...

The only Purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate- Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead...

Racked by restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both...

Review: I had never even heard of this series before meeting up with the people on Shelfari. I have been missing out on some serious action with these brothers.

Dark Lover started out a little slow, but once it picked up it did so with a BANG! The scenes are hot and passionate. There is a lot of action. It sets you up very well for the next several books in the series, introducing you to all the key players. I am definitely hooked and can't wait to get to the next one in the series. I might just forsake the rest of my reading list just to read this series!!!

A definite must read for anyone who loves a good Vamp book!

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Winter ROR #3. Read a book that has a “D” word in it for December
SRC: book 1 in the Bridgerton series
Published: 2000
371 pages
Rating: 5 stars

Back Cover: The duke and the debutante made a bargain to keep the ton's matchmakers at bay- but what happens when the charade becomes all to real?

Review: I read the third book in the series some time ago and it created an interest in the series but now the interest has grown into a definite need to read about the remaining siblings (and maybe a reread of An Offer From a Gentleman).

The Duke and I had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I was laughing out loud, cursing the father (and the duke occasionally), misty eyed, and yes sighing again and again! Daphne is the fourth in line of the Bridgerton 8 children, the oldest daughter. She has entered her second season as a debutante with a smidgen of marriage proposals all turned down for very good reason. She has started to loose all hope of finding a match that is tolerable. Her mother Violet, on the other hand thinks quite differently and is deemed one of the most eager Mamas of the ton.

Simon has just arrived back in England and has been warned that now that he has received the Dukedom he has become the most eligible bachelor in town. The Mamas and their daughters are going to be all over him. He strikes up a deal with Daphne to keep Violet from parading her in front of every suitable bachelor in England and to keep the marriage minded Mamma's away from him.

These two are a match made in Heaven however!

Another Highly Recommended must read. If you have not experienced the Bridgertons you are definitely missing out on a great time!

The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

ROR Winter Challenge #2. Title read and reviewed during the Fall Challenge (Cindy W)
SRC: Book two (book 1: The Raven Prince, read '08)
Published 2007
345 pages
Rating: 5 stars

back cover: THE ONE THING A LADY MUST NEVER DO
Wealthy Lady Georgina Maitland doesn't want a husband, though she could use a good steward to run her estates. One look at Harry Pye, and Georgina knows she's not just dealing with a servant, but a man.
IS FALL IN LOVE...
Harry has known many aristocrats- including one particular nobleman who is his sworn enemy. But Hary has never met a beautiful lady so independent, uninhibited, and eager to be in his arms.
WITH HER SERVANT.
Still, it's impossible to conduct a discreet liaison when poisoned sheep, murdered villagers, and an enraged magistrate have the county in an uproar. The locas blame Harry for everything. Soon it's all Georgina can do to keep her head above water and Harry's out of the noose... without missing another night of love.

My Review: I had a rough time of getting started with this book. I don't know if it was all the activity that comes with the holidays or if it was just slow getting started. Being stranded in a car for eleven hours definitely cured me of whatever it was holding me back in getting into this Hoyt novel. I must say that it was definitely worth the wait!
I enjoyed the relationship between George and Harry much more than I did with Anna and Edward from The Raven Prince. I think it may have to do with the idea of forbidden love. George has waited so long... well not really waited so much as prolonged what seems to be the inevitable, only to find love in the arms of her "servant". George definitely knew what she wanted. You could definitely feel the internal struggles that both George and Harry experienced. This novel will definitely put you into a great big SIGH mode...sweet, passionate, and mysterious! The mystery surrounding this couple definitely added a little umph to the story line! While I wasn't completely taken by surprise with who was guilty of poisoning the sheep, it was rather surprising nonetheless.
The Loepard Prince is by far my favorite of the three Elizabeth Hoyt novels that I have read. It definitely earns a spot on my keeper shelf.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Serial Readers Challenge List

Here is my list for this Challenge. I will be adding as I go!
Link back to the host CPQ!!

Princes Trilogy by Elizabeth Hoyt:
1. The Raven Prince (book 1 read inn 2008)
2. The Leopard Prince (book 2)

Legend of the Four Soldiers by Elizabeth Hoyt:
1. To Taste Temptation (book 1)

Bridgerton by Julia Quinn:
1. The Duke and I (book 1)
2. The Viscount Who Loved Me
3. Offer From a Gentleman

The Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward:
1. Dark Lover (book 1)
2. Lover Eternal
3. Lover Awakened
4. Lover Revealed
5. Lover Unbound
6. Lover Enshrined
7. Lover Avenged

The Lords of Satyr by Elizabeth Amber:
1. Nicholas
2. Raine

Midnight Breed by Lara Adrian:
1. Kiss of Midnight

Elementals by Dawn Thompson:
1. Lord of the Deep

Hosted by CPQ

1. Read books in series/trilogies/related by author. (Julie Garwood’s Lion’s Lady, Castles, The Gift are related.) For a series to count you must read each book in that series during this calendar year. (Rereads and audio books welcome!) If you previously started a series and do not wish to re-read, then only the titles read after 01/01/09 will count towards your total books read. You will not however get "credit" for total series read. Only series started and finished in 09 will count toward the prize for # of series read. For example I started Lynsay Sands Argeneau series this fall. For me to get credit for all 9 books I will need to re-read the first 3 sometime in 09. The series does not have to be read in order, or in succession to "count"! (so if I read #4-9 this spring and next fall re-read #1-3 then I get full credit. Otherwise ...I only get credit for the 5 books read, but not for reading the entire series.) I think I just made that about as clear as mud.

2. The Challenge will begin January 1st and last until December 31st 2009.

3. Post your list on your blog and link it back to this post. Please comment to this post when your link is up. Your list is not something, you need to decide in advance. Please add as you go!

4. Please rate and review each title on your blog. When you do so, please label it SRC or Serial Readers Challenge so we can all read your reviews and maybe be inspired to try a new series for ourselves.

5. There will be prizes! Woo Hoo! Some of the prizes may be simple online trophies, and some will be book give-aways. (Titles to be determined) Prizes will be given for most books read, most # series read, most pages read, and some maybe at random! (my favorite kind!! Yay!)

6. To wrap up the challenge next winter, comment to this post linking your wrap-up post by December 31! Prizes will be awarded January 2010!

Sign up early and spread the word!