Book Review: The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward

The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood)

by J.R. Ward
April 10, 2018
Pages: 463
Sola Morte, former cat burglar and safecracker, has given up her old life on the wrong side of the law. On the run from a drug lord’s family, she is lying low far from Caldwell, keeping her nose clean and her beloved grandmother safe. Her heart, though, is back up north, with the only man who has ever gotten through her defenses: Assail, son of Assail, who never meant to fall in love—and certainly not with a human woman. But they have no future, and not just because she doesn’t know he is a vampire, but because he is no

t about to stop dealing arms to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Fate, however, has other plans for them. When Assail falls into a coma and lingers on the verge of death, his cousins seek out Sola and beg her to give him a reason to live. The last thing she wants is a return to her past, but how can she leave him to die?

As a lethal new enemy of the vampires shows its face, and the Brotherhood needs Assail back on his feet, Sola finds herself not only a target, but a mission-critical force in a war she doesn’t understand. And when Assail’s truth comes out, will she run from the horror . . . or follow her heart into the arms of the male who loves her more than life itself?

Sola and her grandmother relocated to Miami to stay safe from a drug lord and his family. Giving up her life as a thief has proven difficult but keeping her grandmother safe is of the highest priority. Assail has fallen in love with a human woman but knows they can never have a life together. She doesn’t know he’s a vampire or a drug addict for that matter. Assail falls into a coma and seems to be on the edge of death when his cousins decide that Sola is the only one who can bring him back. The cousins persuade Sola and her grandmother to return to Caldwell to visit Assail and hope that Assail's love for her can return him to the land of the living.

The Brotherhood has a new enemy that leads to more questions than answers. The deadliness which they have never seen seems to be connected to a lost or possibly stolen artifact. Assail decides that the only way to truly be honest with Sola is to come clean about everything even though he knows he risks losing her forever. To battle this new-found enemy, the Brotherhood turns to Assail to connect them with a contact from his former life to supply them with much-needed ammunition.

Ward always does a masterful job of weaving her stories. The main story, which is Assail and Sola, is artfully done while setting the path for future books with the new enemy the Brotherhood is facing and a glimpse at a possible new trans that has all kinds of possibilities.

Getting 5 sheep

DeniseB

About the Author:
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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.

Book Review: Blood Fury (Black Dagger Legacy) by J.R. Ward (no spoilers)

Blood Fury (Black Dagger Legacy)

by J.R. Ward

January 9, 2018
Ballantine Books

Pages: 432

A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with a connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous. Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?

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Peyton has always been a rich playboy that has never taken anything serious even when he joined the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program. Peyton was sure he had found a perfect love until she mated with someone else. Even though he knows that he can’t have her, he still pines away and puts another trainee in danger due to his actions.

Novo is a strong female who feels like she needs to prove herself to everyone and does not want to be distracted by things like love. When she catches Payton’s attention she is sure they can just use each other to scratch and itch and both find themselves in unchartered territory.

Saxton, the solicitor for the King had his heart broken and is absolutely sure he will never love another until he notices a connection between himself and Ruhn. Saxton is sure Ruhn is not gay and tries to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself.

This was more of a romance novel than Ward’s other books. Usually there is a good dose of romance, sex and passion that goes along with the main story and fighting but this was pretty much just two romance stories. The writing was still excellent and the book was good but not the what I normally expect from a book from this series.

Review: Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy #1)
Review: Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2)

Getting 4 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
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.

   

Book Review: The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15) by J.R. Ward (no spoilers)

The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15)

by J.R. Ward
April 4, 2017

Ballantine Books (Random House)
Pages: 544

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.

As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

Layla knows that she can’t love Xcor, but can’t seem to help herself. She doesn’t know what to do to save him from a horrible death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Layla puts everything on the line to try and help him.

The chemistry between Xcor and Layla is incredible. You can’t decide whether you should hate him or cheer for him. Beware, there are some shockers ahead in this installment that you won’t believe! Ward’s books are so well thought out and written, it makes reading them such a pleasure. If you are a fan of this series don’t miss this installment. If you’ve never read the Black Dagger Brotherhood I highly suggest you do, you won’t be disappointed.

There were at least three side stories started in this book that didn’t go anywhere. My guess is that Ward was laying the groundwork for future stories, but it was slightly distracting since it pulled the focus from the main story and left you wondering what was going on with each of them. Hopefully, some of these stories will come sooner rather than later and won’t leave us hanging for long.

Getting 5 sheep

DeniseB

About the Author:
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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.

Book Review: Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2) by J.R. Ward Spoiler-free

Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2)

by J.R. Ward

December 6th 2016
by Ballantine Books

Pages: 480

The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.

For Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his tortured conscience will tear them apart.

Rhage, the Brother with the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most dear.

As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.
Blood Vow is the second book in the Black Dagger Legacy, which is a spinoff of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Never fear though the Brothers are still very much a part of this great series. The comraderie and humor among the Brothers is excellent and leaves you smiling and laughing throughout.

The first time Axe saw Elise his world was tipped upside down. He doesn’t form attachments and definitely doesn’t do vanilla or rich for that matter. When Axe is tapped to interview for a bodyguard position he is shocked to find out it is for the Elise. The moment he realizes it is her he is determined the job will be his. Elise is thrilled when her father decides to allow her to continue at the university but only if she has a body guard. She is surprised when it turns out the bodyguard will be Axe. Their connection was instant, but the two of them are just so different. Even though it was obvious where this story line was heading it didn’t diminish the story or how much I love series.

Rhage and Mary are continuing with adoption process for Bitty. There are so many things that could happen and ruin their little family. Rhage would do anything to protect his females but sometimes even the beast can’t control fate.

JR Ward is one of my favorite authors and this was a great read. There were some aspects of the story that were obvious and you knew where it was going but with that being said there were some really surprising twists as well. The sex scenes are always hot and oh so delicious!

Review: Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy #1)

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
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.

Second Look Book Review: The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) by J.R. Ward

The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14)
by J.R. Ward

Hardcover, 508 pages
April 5th 2016

Rhage and Mary return in a new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 
 
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from.

As I love to say with one of my favorite authors, 528 pages just wasn’t long enough. Once again Ward brought a fantastic story with Book 14 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Rhage and Mary will be together forever, even in the Fade but Rhage realizes that even though Mary cannot have children he really wants one. Mary thought she would always be content with no children but what if she could have a child, would that change her life? Bitty has had a tough life and has never had anyone she could rely on.

Layla is trying desperately to keep the twins within her womb for as long as possible to give them the best chance of survival. All the bed rest is killing her especially since she can’t stop thinking about Xcor even though she knows it is wrong.

One of the things I enjoy most about these books is that there are multiple stories going on at the same time. It’s not all focuses on one couple or story line. It also gives a peek into what books might be coming in the future. My guesses from this story is we might be seeing a book about Manny in the near future as well as more on Vishous and Assail. Though I did read on JR Ward’s facebook page that the next book will be about Layla and Xcor and I can’t wait.

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
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.

  

Sheep Book Review: The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) by J.R. Ward *spoiler-free*

The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14)
by J.R. Ward

Hardcover, 508 pages
April 5th 2016

Rhage and Mary return in a new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 
 
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from.

After reading all that plot info you might be thinking "sounds good!" or something along the lines of "oh hells to the yes!!!".. ..well sadly I was a bit let down with the latest BDB installment. I can't help it, I've got high expectations for this author and I am just not willing to give those up. She's amazing. She can write the mess out of anything and THIS time she kinda failed for me. 

Pretty much the majority of The Beast is about Rhage and Mary deciding if they want to be parents. We follow their single minded story of becoming "possible" parents and how they feel about it all. Then there's more time talking about feelings. It's a lot of emotional ice cream dates and crying about what they may or may not be missing when it comes to kidos. I dunno, it was just a bit bland for my tastes. 

Sure there are those tasty side plots, that J.R. Ward is famous for, about other characters in her world. Layla and her pregnancy move along in that progression. Lessers and humans getting more wise to the paranormal world. Everyone in the mansion seems to love and support each other all the dang time, almost to the extreme side of  smothering. V and Doc Jane are what they are, loving their jobs and just kinda humping each other when it suits. It's just all too easy plot wise and the puzzle pieces just fit too easily it seems. 

Overall, I like this author. Shooooot I kinda really frelin LOVE  this author and her series, but this installment was a let down for me. This one bad apple won't stop me from keeping the BDB love boat going, I'm just wishing there was a stop in Ensenada for Pina Coladas and nights we wont remember or regret! 

Getting 3 Sheep
KD 

Book Review: The Shadows (Book 13 Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward

The Shadows (Book 13 Black Dagger Brotherhood)
by J.R. Ward

March 31st 2015

by NAL

592 pages

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...

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Trez had finally found his soul mate but there was no way he was telling her. Not only was his life complicated because he was pledged to mate the Queen of the S’Hsibe daughter and had been avoiding that forever but also because he was not worthy of his beloved Chosen Serena.

One of the most riveting Black Dagger Brotherhood novels yet! This story tugged on emotions more than any other book has in a very long time. Loved getting to know more about both the Shadows which has always been somewhat a secret. Up to this point Trez and iAm were always in the background of the series and you weren’t sure if you were supposed to like them, love them or ignore them.

Not as much fighting as some of the other books and that was okay. The Lessening society and some of the other drug kingpins were on the fringe keeping you wondering throughout the whole book. Also, there were two or three other story lines going in the background that definitely need to be resolved. Hopefully, this means that the next two or three books in this series will work with these storylines. As always one of my favorite series and can’t wait for more!

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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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.

Book Review: The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) by J.R. Ward

The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12)
by J.R. Ward
ebook, 592 pages
Published April 1st 2014 by Penguin Group (USA)
J.R. Ward's # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

Oh where to begin…I won’t give away any spoilers for The King, but there is no way to talk about the book without mentioning spoilers from previous books. If you are still somewhere in books 1-11 you can be excused from this review….shoo!

Oh, where to begin! Everything started with Wrath in Dark Lover (Book one) and I fell fast and hard for these warrior vampires. They were larger than life and oh so alpha. No one writes pain and angst like JR Ward and she ups her game with The King. Over the last 11 books Wrath has had a lot of shit hit the fan and he is on the verge of cracking under the pressure. He has to come to terms with his blindness, what it truly means to be king and a good husband. Ward makes it as hard and emotionally draining as possible. There are also sections of flashbacks about Wrath’s mother and father and we learn Wrath is very much his father’s son. I thought Ward wrapped Wrath and Beth’s story up well. They will of course be in future books, but Ward has been transitioning in a new cast to take the helm.

While Wrath’s story is the main focus of the book there are multiple major storylines going on. One of my favorite is Assail and Sola. I am a sucker for forbidden love (in this case vampire/human) and anti-heroes. She has no idea vampires exist and I can’t wait to see how she takes it. Assail lives a violent lifestyle and falling in love with a human would be a weakness he can’t afford to have.

Xcor and Layla’s story had very little page time, but their story affects a lot of characters: Qhuin/Blay and Throe. Throe isn’t happy with Xcor’s change of heart in their cause and I think he might be heading for the dark side.

We learn a bit more about Shadows iAm and Tez and they world they come from. I haven’t connected to these characters for some reason. Maybe because their storyline felt rushed so Ward could set up the next book which will be called The Shadows. Not as excited about this one, but it will be filled with other storylines I do care about.

I really hurt for Saxton in Lover At Last. He gets very little page time in The King, but we learn more about his family life, and it isn’t good. I just want to give him a big hug and tell him he will get a HEA one day.

I wanted Wrath and Beth’s story and Ward delivered (see what I did there? <G>). Throw in Assail and Sola’s story and her sassy grandma and I was glued to the book cheering and crying all the way.

5 baby lambs

SharonS

Looking for spoilers for Lover at Last by JR Ward?

Lover at Last by JR Ward
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: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

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. 

I was going to write a review, but I think I missed that boat. If you want the classic review you can find it:

Goodreads: 4,655 ratings/1,424 reviews 
Amazon: 423 customer reviews 

I am going to give you my overall thoughts then I am going to give you all the dirty spoilery details (hidden behind the page break so you don't have to worry about seeing them unless you want to) I can remember because there are some readers who aren't interested in reading m/m, but desperately want to know what is happening with the characters. I read this when it came out and I can’t recall everything so if you have questions about what happened or if I got something wrong let me know and I will answer or fix it!

My thoughts (sort of review)
I love m/m romance and I have been waiting for this book for a long time. The book is about Blay and Qhuinn getting their HEA and they do, but it was all about the sex in this one. If you were avoiding this book because you didn’t want to read gay sex then you better stay away cause they get down and dirty. Honestly, you can still read the book because the gay sex doesn’t jump out at you from nowhere. You can avoid those parts. Anyway, I know good gay romance and JR Ward did a fair job with it, but she doesn’t write m/m for a living and it shows. The romance element was missing from the sex and that was disappointing. The ending was a little rushed and cheesy. The bar is symbolic of of their relationship and I get why Ward would have them hash things out there, but having the emotional climax of their story happen there didn't work for me.

The book has a ton of POVs and other character story lines.  You might get whip lash as JR Ward switches between them with each chapter. Normally this would frustrate me in a bad way, but in this case it kept me turning the pages. I would be angry as a chapter ended because I would have to wait till the author got back around to those characters to find out what happened, but then I would get caught up in the next chapter and frustrated when that one ended. Bottom line… page turner!

All our favorite brothers are here, but their HEA have been told so Ward is bringing in new characters for the romance. There is still a lot of story for our favorites in the series and I like where she is going with them. The Band of Bastards are trying to overthrow Wrath as king and they have made some unusual alliances. A new drug lord, the vampire Assail, has come to town and he has allegiance only to money. I really like this character and can’t wait for his HEA with the human Sola. Then there are the Shadow brothers Trez and iAm.

Squee quotes:

Blay thinking about Qhuinn: “Hair? Brushed if it was lucky. Cologne? Gunpowder and orgasms.” 

“As his voice resonated inside his own skull, he resolved to listen to himself. No further. This would go no further. He’d long ago lost his heart to that male. There was no reason to lose his soul, too.”
Blay admitting his feelings to Qhuinn at the end: “Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally… in love with you.” 

Trez being badass when he catches a guy mistreating a female at a club (Holy crap! What are shadows?) “I’m going to come at you from behind. You won’t know I’m there, and you won’t live through what I’m going to do to you. I promise you this” Yup, Shadows had a special way of disposing of their enemies, and though he preferred low-fat meat like chicken or fish, he was willing to make exceptions." 

My fangirl heart gives 5 Sheep

The reviewer in my head gives 4 Sheep

FOR SPOILERS click to read more

Sheep Book Review: Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward

Lover Reborn, by PNR author J.R. Ward, is the tenth book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. With the grief-stricken Thorment facing the past and trying to find love after loss, Lover Reborn takes the reader on one heck of a journey!

Plot:

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?

Spanning the course of a year, Ward takes the reader on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and inner demons. With the loss of his shellan Tohr has been stuck in a major rut, unable to break the chains holding him in the past. But with his lost love's soul on the line he’s got to get a grip and try to set her free from the In Between where she’s currently fading away to nothing. Such a man of worth and a beloved character, plus being smexy as all get out only adds to his overall appeal. An alpha without needing to be caveman about it, I've been pulling for this hero for a long time now.

I had no clue how this book was going to turn out. Was Tohr going to remain the man I knew him to be or would he change so drastically he would take on a totally new persona? Yes and no to both of those, because while he does make some major leaps and bounds in both the good and bad columns I was totally entranced and completely engaged in this epic story. Having personally lost someone very dear to my heart I was feeling this male's pain page by page, even when he was being a complete idiot and major jackoff. (Still love you though!)

No’One is our female lead, cast away in a prison of her own making this woman has to face her painful past and the daughter, Xhex, she left behind. Torn to shreds both emotionally and physically, this gal's one bleeding heart-o-pain with a side serving of suffering thrown in for giggles. But underneath all the sorrow and suffering is a woman who just wants to find peace and happiness. She didn’t grab me at first and I am still not sure if she was the right person to join up on the Tohr-needs-a-makeover bus but by the end I was comfortable with her.

John and Xhex have some major portions of this book dedicated to them as well. Picking up only a few weeks after Lover Mine the newly bonded pair hit some major relationship bumps that could possibly tear the two apart for good. But issues about sex and equality bring some much needed light to an area that’s been ignored in previous stories. The men folk aren’t the only ones who can kick ass and take names. But can a bonded male accept, truly accept, when his woman’s on the battlefield?

It’s been said by some folks (Sharon) that the BDB is turning into a soap opera of sorts. And I say, yeah ok, so what? I grew up watching Days of Our Lives and I love that show to this day. The drama keeps things interesting and the plot twists bring everything back around in the end. The BDB is such an amazing body of work it doesn’t really matter, when a writer can deliver this many solid hits and keep things spicy yet believable than it’s a job well done in my book.

Tons of plot-building with side characters like Blay and Quinn which will only add to the anticipation of their dedicated storyline. Layla and the Band of Bastards take off in new directions and our fun-loving Maury watching Angel Lassiter adds to plot in the best way he knows how. I don’t know how much longer this series can sustain but I’ve booked my life-long ticket and intend to enjoy the ride!

Getting 4 and 1/2 V and Z back tattooed sheep

KD