PNR Review: Lover At Last: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood [Hardcover]

I've finished "Lover at Last" the 11th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.

Product Description

“The hottest collection of studs in romance” (New York Times bestseller Angela Knight) returns as #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward brings together two of the most beloved people in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world — at last.

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another.

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: it seems Qhuinn has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young. It’s hard for Blay to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. And Qhuinn needs to come to terms with some dark things before he can move forward.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together finally become one.

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South with her family.

Product Details
Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: NAL Hardcover; 1 edition (March 26, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451239350
ISBN-13: 978-0451239358

My Review:

Qhuinn and Blay are the main storyline but there are four others interwoven into theirs:

1.  Xcor and Layla
2.  Assail and Sola
3.  Trez/IM and a Chosen
4.  Xcor and The Band of Bastards

If you haven't started this series the romance between Qhuinn and Blay started in Lover Enshrined with a hot kiss between the two.  They have been best friends since childhood who have been there for each other for love and support but that almost was severed when Blay's feelings for Qhuinn nurtured into an attraction which Qhuinn couldn't handle knowing that Blay wanted him as a lover.

Qhuinn resisted and pushed Blay away by putting up a front that he couldn't be gay or even remotely attracted to men and he enjoyed having sex with woman.  We learn he was banished from his family because of different colored eyes one green and the other blue though I don't believe that was the only reason.  This pushed Qhuinn to embrace being a man by doing manly things like getting tattoos, piercings, working out, etc.

This caused Blay to turn to Saxton Qhuinn's cousin as his first male lover (Lover Mine) and Qhuinn took Layla a Chosen's virginity during her needing because they both wanted a child of their own to love (Lover Reborn).  Saxton has made it clear that Blay isn't spoken for but Qhuinn thinks it's too late to claim him.

In Lover At Last Blay is in a long-term committed relationship with Saxton and Qhuinn has finally admitted to himself and Layla that he loves Blay.  Their relationship is broken because Blay treats Qhuinn with scorn and disdain and they can't even have a civil conversation.

Saxton breaks up with Blay because he's fallen in love with him but knows it won't be returned ever (though it hurts he will recover).  Saxton seems to be getting over Blay by sleeping with someone else and enjoying the nightlife while visiting his aunt.

Meanwhile it looks like Layla is losing the baby and Qhuinn is taking it very hard.  Blay is there for support and Qhuinn begs him to use him to get back at Saxton for cheating on him.  Blay can't stand to see Qhuinn in so much pain so he asks Payne to help with Layla and it looks like she is still pregnant.

Boy do Qhuinn and Blay get it on - many times and it was so hot and sexy (the lube thing didn't bother me because they both were really into it).  Especially the furniture breaking and the couch scenes.  I really liked the last chapter I thought it was really tender and caring.  I can't wait till their mating ceremony and hopefully that is in the next book!

I wish that Blay was honest with Qhuinn about the status of his relationship with Saxton sooner (though I understand why he didn't - he's trying to protect himself).  I also wished that Qhuinn told Blay how he felt about him instead of keeping it to himself which would have prevented the problem and they would have been together sooner. 
 

Favorite Quotes:

Blay:

"Just so we're clear, your cousin is giving me what I need.  All day long.  Every day."

"You disgust me".  "You need to get the "___" out of my life."  You stay the hell out of my business!"

"Aren't you going to ask me why Saxton and I were never going to work?"

"Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally ... in love with you."

"Back off!"  "He's with me."  "We are!"

"You suck!"

Qhuinn:

"Yes I do, don't I?"  "And you like me to."

Blay's parents:

"People! For the virgin sribes sake!  My beautiful, healthy, smart, priceless son is gay - this is nothing to mourn!"

"I couldn't be happier for you both!"

"This is so wonderful.  I have another son - two sons!  Come here, I have to hug you.  Two sons!"

5/5 - Qhuinn and Blay
4/5 - Rest of the story

Thanks Penguin Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

*I will update more later today or tomorrow! 

PNR Review: Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Lover Enshrined" the 6th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other — six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now, a dutiful twin must choose between two lives.

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 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 sees the emotionally scarred male behind all his noble responsibility. But while the war with the Lessening Society grows more grim, and tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love.

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series of vampire books. She is a winner of the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA award for Best Paranormal Romance and is a multiple RITA nominee. A graduate of Smith College, she was a double major in History and Art History with a medieval concentration in both and she still longs at times for a return to those days sitting in dark lecture halls, looking at slides of old triptychs and reliquaries. Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was a corporate attorney, serving for many years as the Chief of Staff of one of Harvard Medical Schools premier teaching sites. Her idea of absolute heaven is a day filled with nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot and the Brothers, of course.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: Signet (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451222725
ISBN-13: 978-0451222725
My Review:

Phury is fiercely loyal to the Brotherhood and has sacrificed himself to be the Primale Chosen.  He is responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodline alive and he is to father sons and daughters that will make sure the traditions stay alive and to ensure there are warriors dedicated to fight their enemies.

Cormia is the Primal's Chosen mate and she wants to win not only his body but his heart all to herself.  She is also dealing with some tough issues and needs to overcome them.

Phury is on a downward spiral because of his feelings for both Bella and Cormia.  He is smoking The Red Smoke even more now and hits rock bottom.  He has to decide between life or death.

There are other storylines going on around the main one with John, Quinn and Blay doing some growing up and dealing with some tough situations, Lash is even worse then anyone thought, Rhev and Xhex characterization are fleshed out more and Zsadist is trying to cope with the fact that Bella can die because of a troublesome pregnancy.

I wasn't really feeling this one because there wasn't any chemistry between Phury or Cormia.  It was hard for me to understand how he could fall in love with her when it's quite obvious he's in love with Bella.

I was more interested in the secondary storylines and would skip over any scenes with Phury and Cormia except for the love scenes.

3/5

Book in series:

1.   Dark Lover
2.   Lover Eternal
3.   Lover Awakened
4.   Lover Revealed
5.   Lover Unbound
6.   Lover Enshrined
7.   Lover Avenged
8.   Lover Mine
9.   Lover Unleashed
10. Lover Reborn
11. Lover at Last - March 26, 2013

PNR Review: Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Lover Unbound" the 5th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.

Product Description

The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. 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 a 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 does not include her ...

About the Author

After graduating from law school J. R. Ward began working in health care in Boston and spent many years as chief of staff for one of the premier academic medical centres in the U.S. She lives in the South with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 528 pages
Publisher: Signet; First Printing edition (September 25, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451222350
ISBN-13: 978-0451222350

My Review:

Vischous has temporarily lost his premonitions and telepathy abilities which has left him depressed.  Even though he is happy that Butch has found a mate he is feeling lonely and lost.  He is mortally wounded from a gunshot wound in a battle with a Lesser and he finds himself in the emergency room of a beautiful doctor.

Dr. Jane Whitcomb can't quite believe her own eyes when she operates on the strange patient on her ER table. She's never seen anything quite like what she finds inside his chest cavity and is determined to capture every moment for the medical books. Being prepared for anything is what makes her an excellent trauma surgeon. She isn't quite prepared, however, for her intriguing and fearsome patient to capture her.

Only half-conscious when his Brothers retrieve him from the hospital recovery room, V knows only that Jane must come with him. And so the Brothers heed his wishes and kidnap the doctor against her own wishes.

Although imprisoned with her patient against her will, Jane is determined to give him the best care she can provide.  Soon they become much more than just patient and doctor though V's vow to the Scribe Virgin will most certainly keep them apart forever.

V has had a traumatic childhood filled with torture betrayals which has caused him to have an fierce loyalty to ones he trusts and love in this day and age.  He clings to the ones in his life especially Butch and Jane because of the lost of caring he suffered and this protectiveness extends to his fellow Brothers and their Shellans.

V is the only one that sees through Jane's nonsense attitude and sees a hidden depth of passion only for him.  He is determined to break through her walls of ice to free the passionate women hidden inside.

V's book has some emotional and tear-jerking moments (make sure you have some tissues) and will grab at your hearts.

4/5

PNR Review: Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Lover Revealed" the 4th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.

Product Description

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now, an ally of the Black Dagger Brotherhood will face the challenge of his life and the evil of the ages. 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. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers ... 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, found by a miracle, the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Signet (September 9, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451229681
ISBN-13: 978-0451229687

My Review:


I feel so sorry for Butch because he had a broken childhood, use to have a coke addiction, got kicked off the police force and is recently an alcoholic.  His life even gets worse when the Lessers kidnap him, beat and torture him and the kicker is when the Omega puts a piece of himself in his stomach.  He starts blood and other fluids start spewing black and he gains some interesting powers.

During his recovery he runs into Marissa the beautiful vampire he has been pining for in the last couple of books.  There is a misunderstanding between them which her brother Haven set up so Butch thinks Marissa doesn't want anything to do with him.

For me I didn't really feel the connection between Butch and Marissa (well more on Marissa's part).  I felt the connection more between Butch and V (which I think it was getting to close for comfort between them).


3.5/5

Other books in series:

1.    Dark Lover
2.    Lover Eternal
3.    Lover Awakened
4.    Lover Unbound
5.    Lover Enshrined
5.5. The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insiders Guide 
6.    Lover Avenged
7.    Lover Mine
8.    Lover Unleashed
9.    Lover Reborn

PNR Review: Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Lover Reborn" the 10th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.


Product Description

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward’s novels of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continue as a vampire warrior crosses the line between life and death … and ventures into an erotic world of dark dreams and darker desires.

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been unrecognizable from the vampire leader he once was. Physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair, he has been brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel. Now, fighting once again with ruthless vengeance, he is unprepared to face a new kind of tragedy.

When Tohr begins to see his beloved in his dreams — trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld far from the peace and tranquillity of the Fade — he turns to the angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. But because Lassiter tells him 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?

About the Author

J. R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South with her family.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 592 pages
Publisher: NAL Hardcover (March 27, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451235843
ISBN-13: 978-0451235848
My Review:

This book picks right up from the end of Lover Mine with alot of relationship drama.  The four major storylines are Tohrment and No'One, John and Xhex, John and Tohrment and The Band of Bastards.  There are two mini story lines thrown in Qhuinn and Layla and Lassiter.

Tohrment is still recovering from his lost of his shellan Wellsie and his unborn child and treated No'One as his punching bag.  I'm not convinced of Tohrment's romance with No'One whose name is revealed later but happy that he has finally moved on.  Glad to see that No'One has grown a backbone and isn't a damsel in distress.

The Qhuinn and Layla storyline is an interesting one and I understand why it's an important one.  Layla knows Qhuinn is in love with Blay and she even falls in love with someone else (what a complete surprise) who is a major threat to the BDB and especially Wrath.

Lassiter plays more of a role in this book and his sense of humor will make you laugh and wish he was hanging with you.

I didn't really like the break up between John and Xhex.

3.5/5

Thanks Penguin Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Lover Mine: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (Hardcover)

I've just finished "Lover Mine" the 8th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.

Product Description

The hot new novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood by the #1 New York Times bestselling author

John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was-or his true identity.

Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable.

My Review:

Hmm I afraid to say anything that will ruin spoilers for readers who haven't read this yet! 

John/Xhex:  I have to admit I wasn't really a fan of John or Xhex's before this book (I can hear all the boos an hisses)!  Well you won't be disappointed because J.R. Ward came through with a solid storyline when Xhex was a prisoner of Lashes and how she escaped and when John and the Brotherhood were looking for her!

John/Tohr-Darius/Tohr:  I was glad to read how Darius and Tohr first met and worked together.  I was happy to see Darius take Tohr under his wing and took care of him. 

Lash/Omega:  Wow I didn't know the Omega was that kinky and cruel.  Also didn't know that Lash was also that kinky and cruel too!  This plot was really dark and sadistic!

The BB Ghost Story:  I was going huh how does this fit in the storyline?  Figured out near the end because we find out who the Ghost was!

Payne/Wrath/V/Scribe Virgin/N'One:   All of these plotlines were well written and I can't wait to see more in future books.  Glad to see more of Wrath since we don't see much of him!
Lassiter/Trez/iAM:  These three should get their own books and they were a hoot especially Lassiter!  I loved how protective Trez and iAm are of Xhex.

Blay/Quinn:  Hard to review this part without giving anything away!  All I'm going to say is:

Qhuinn + Blay = Team Qhuay

For me the best parts are the scenes with Qhuinn and Blay!  I can't wait till their book comes out!

Now I will have to wait another year before the next book comes out with Payne and Manny?

5/5

Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 7) (Hardcover)

I've just finished reading "Lover Avenged" the 7th book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward.

Product Description

The brothers are back — the latest installment in J. R. Ward’s sizzling #1New York Times bestselling series.

J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood novels have introduced readers to a “different, creative, dark, violent, and flat-out amazing” (All About Romance)world. Now, as the vampire warriors defend their race against their slayers, one male’s loyalty to the Brotherhood will be tested—and his dangerous mixed blood revealed…

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood—even though his sister is married to a member, for he harbors a deadly secret that could make him a huge liability in their war against the lessers. As plots within and outside of the Brotherhood threaten to reveal the truth about Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world, Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him—and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

My review:

I have to admit I wasn't really a fan of Rehvenge but after reading this book I have to admit it was pretty good. 8/10

Spoilers:

Glad to see that Tohr is back and I'm really sad about Wrath and John Matthews (never expected him to do that).

Can't wait till the next book which is suppose to be John Matthews and called "Lover Mine."

Waiting for "Covet" (about fallen angels) the new series by J.R. Ward.