Review: Lover Mine (#8)

Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of Xhex and John Matthew.

Whoa. OK, so there is ALOT that goes on in this book. Dang. Some of it, I think, is setup for future books and not just the next one that focuses on Payne.

I really love the character of Xhex - and the only part that I thought was a little lacking was in her backstory. I'm hoping that will come out in a later book or books.

But what I love, love, loved about this one - the possibilities of a relationship between Qhuinn and Blay. I've been hoping for that since those characters were introduced....but I just didn't see it happening. But now....the beginnings are there.

Review: Lover Avenged (#7)

Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7) by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one was the story of Rehvenge and Ehlena.

I really didn't expect to care about these two as a couple. I mean, Rehv is a pimp, drug dealer, all around mafia boss who is also half vampire and half sympath.

Ehlena is a sweet (vampire) nurse who is caring for her ailing father while trying to pay the bills.

I just didn't expect there to be chemistry. But....oh was I wrong.

Like the last few books in this series - there are lots of other things going on as well. But in this one, all that extra stuff seemed to flow so much better. It enhanced the main storyline rather that hinder it.

I loved that we got a good continuation of Wrath and Beth's story, as well as the beginnings of the story with Xhex and John.

All in all - I LOVED this book.

Review: Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story (#6.5)

Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one was a continuation of Bella and Z's story.

Ahhhhhhhh. LOVE IT doesn't even begin to explain how I felt about this story. I absolutely love Bella and Z as a couple. LOVE THEM. So to have their story expanded to include their daughter, Nalla....well....it was just the frosting on an already delicious cake.

Review: Lover Enshrined (#6)

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story of Phury and Cormia.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. I had heard that it was the weakest of the series - and on some accounts, it is. I didn't begin to care about Phury and Cormia as a couple until the last part of the book. And by last part, I mean, literally, the last 5 or so chapters. There was SOOO much that went on in this book that didn't involve them, I felt like they were almost a side story.

But, that being said, I didn't *hate* the book. I simply would have liked to see more of Phury and Cormia coming together as a couple and less of everything else.

If I could, I would probably give this 3 and a 1/2 stars. I'm only giving it 4 because it does set up some interesting scenarios for the future of the Brotherhood and the vampire race as a whole. But the Phury/Cormia story is just a 3 star deal. Sadly.

Review: Lover Unbound (#5)

Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was the story of Vishious and Jane.

Vishious gets shot and is taken to a human hospital, where Dr. Jane saves his life. When the brothers find him at the human hospital, they bust him out and kidnap Jane in the process.

While I actually enjoyed the growing relationship between V and Jane - I feel like the ending was a little too forced and wrapped up a little too neatly and conveniently. It just seemed....I don't know....odd.

I'm interested to see how the relationship is handled in future books.

Like I said - I quite enjoyed the love story part - but the ending was meh.

Review: Lover Revealed (#4)

Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the story of Butch and Marissa.

Butch, the human cop who now lives with the Brotherhood - and Marissa, known as one of the most beautiful vampires - who has also been ostracized by her aristocratic family for things they deem socially unacceptable.

Maybe it was just me - but there seemed to be WAY more sex in this book than the last ones. I don't know. I may be wrong about that, but whatever. It was HOT.

I also enjoyed the running feminist theme that was going on with Marissa, who was learning how to stand up for herself in a society (the vampire aristocracy) that wants to keep her as property. It was nice to see her gradually change and get stronger throughout the book.

Another (surprising) thing I enjoyed.....the "bromance" between Butch and his best friend/roommate/vampire, Vishous (or V). While the book did sort of hint that V's feelings could easily have moved to more than that of a bromance.....things never went in that direction.

Overall - I have enjoyed this series so much. I've fallen in love with all the characters, especially the men. They are all given a strong backstory - so you really know exactly what kind of life they have lead outside of the time frame of the book.

As long as the BDB books are being written.....I'll keep reading.

Review: Lover Awakened (#3)

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of Z and Bella.

I do love a tragic hero - and you just about can't get any more tragic than Z. OMG. My heart broke for him over and over again in this book. And God love Bella - she would not give up on him.

Of all the paranormal romance books that I've read so far....if there were ever a character that deserved a little "happily ever after", it's Z. I'm not saying he does (or does not) get it, but I'm saying he damn sure deserves it.

I absolutely loved this book. Beautiful and tragic - all at the same time.

Review: Lover Eternal (#2)

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of Rhage and Mary.

OMG - I loved this book. Oh my. I....just.....I have no words to express how much I loved this story.

It made me cry my eyes out, it made me laugh....loved it, loved it, loved it.

And - I think I fell in love with Rhage. *Sigh*

Review: Dark Lover (#1)

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved everything about this book. The relationship between Wrath and Beth......the relationship between the members of the Brotherhood.....everything. And especially sweet little Fritz. Awww.

The love story aspect was great - not amazing - but really, really great. The sex was hot, but more than that....it was very sweet, which was a surprising aspect in a book about vampires.

The names of the members of the Brotherhood do seem sort of, well, lame. I mean, Wrath, Phury, Tohrment? Really? But as the book goes on, you just sort of get used to it.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series. The bar was set high with this one......I hope the others live up to this one.

Review: The Darkest Lie (#6)

The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of Gideon and Scarlet. Gideon - possessed by the demon of Lies and Scarlet - possessed by the demon of Nightmares.

Of all the LOTU books I've read, this one might just be my favorite. I love the character of Gideon....and have throughout the series, so I'm glad he finally got his own story.

There were some great twists involving their demons and Gideon and Scarlet seemed to have more emotional ups and downs as compared to some of the couples from previous books. And maybe it's just because I really liked Gideon, but the sex seemed to be much hotter in this one than some of the previous ones. Hmmm.

What I didn't like: Well - it's more of a minor annoyance, really. Gideon is the keeper of lies, right? So....this means he can't ever utter the truth or he suffers tremendous pain. If he wants to tell someone they're pretty, he has to tell them they're ugly. If he's hot, he has to say he's cold. Everyone that knows him knows how to translate his "Gideon-speak"....but it does get kind of annoying for the reader. But, because of Gideon's character, I did find myself kind of charmed by his "affliction".....eventually.

I can't wait for the next book in the series - this one did a good job of setting it up! Well, setting up the next TWO books, actually.