Lover Unleashed - J.R. Ward

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THIS SERIES THERE ARE SOME BRIEF SPOILERS!!

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either. 

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul. 

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

So after reading the last book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) series Lover Mine I was ready for this one!! I just cannot seem to get enough of those leather wearing, hip hop listening, bad ass vampires who stalk the night in Caldwell!!

I remember while reading the earlier books in the series I really liked Manny and actually felt really bad for the guy when the one woman he thought maybe he could be with ended up dead. Although as we know she was dead but her ghost form remained and she is mated to Vishous! And when Payne was introduced I loved her from the start and thought she was probably one of the most interesting characters in the series. 

The relationship between Manny and Payne is so sweet and heartwarming. I found myself smiling like a complete goof ball when I read their scenes...lame I know but I don't care!

We also learn about the demise of Payne and Vishous' sire brought on by Payne. 

Soon there is a new band of vampires in Caldwell looking for revenge and soo much more. But through it all Manny and Payne come together and realize that despite their differences (uh well human and vampire) true love really does conquer all.  The particular lines that really got a hold of me and struck me straight in the heart was this on pages 53-54:

                  It finally happened, he thought as he burrowed under his shirt and took hold of his heavy cross. All his life he'd wondered why he'd never fallen in love, and now he knew: He'd been waiting for this moment, this woman, this time. The female is mine, he thought. 

After that I was lost and I knew I would have a soft spot for Manny. 

Another reason I loved this book so much was honestly for all the Vishousness that we got, LOL! I have made it no secret that he is by far my favorite character in the BDB...okay if I'm being completely honest with you guys Vishous ranks second only to Eric Northman from The Sookie Stackhouse books as by far my favorite fictional male character. After him is Harry Potter, LOL!!! In this book we get to see a kinder and gentler side of V and see just how must pain he carries and even after everything Jane and he go through they still find in each other their peace and grounding. 

Also I have to say this I'm not one of the many fans of the storyline of Qhuinn and Blay and no it isn't because I'm close minded or whatever...just so you know I watch Glee and I was routing for Kurt and Blaine so NEH! Anyway I just never felt that deep connection that other's must. I honestly felt that between Qhuinn and Layla was the most chemistry. I mean I have to admit there was more chemistry between Butch and V when V fancied himself in love with Butch so again it was not from not liking the whole male on male scenario. 

Also, after reading these books I have noticed that there is no power on this Earth that keeps those members of the BDB away from their shellans.  I mean every time in the books when the two meet instantaneously the males permeated the marking scent but we have never experienced this with Qhuinn and Blay. So I ask how could it be possible that they end up together? When with the others nothing, not even their own selves, have kept them from mating with the women in their lives. Also why have neither of them used the marking scent while in each other's company? UH because they obviously are not meant to be more than friends. Again look at V and Butch they started out the same way (although Qhuinn seems to think he is in love with Blay and Blay likewise feels the same - which I think might be real) but now they have the strongest bond and we all know that V does not do well with emotions. 

So I'm sorry if Blay and Qhuinn end up together I will feel cheated because it is like that is the easy way out. But some might argue that if they don't end up together that would be the easy way out. 

I just feel that when Qhuinn is with Layla he feels free to be himself there is no need to hide. He even admits his alleged love for Blay to her when he has not muttered a word to no one else. I just feel that she would be good for him and Blay deserves some happiness and while I love Qhuinn I just get this feeling that they would just be to toxic together.

OKAY I will shut up now and congrats if you made it this far past my confusing babble, LOL! I wish I had a gold star to give you but alas verily I find myself naught in possession of a golden star...OK seriously I'm starting to speak like one of the Chosen in these books...time for bed!!

OH YEAH if you want to read it for yourself just go here -->Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 9)

Overall Rating:

Sexiness Rating: (I'm telling you 5 isn't quite enough, LOL!!!)

Currently Reading: Claimed by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean

Up Next: Seducing the Governess by Margo Maguire

Listening To:  Yes AGAIN sorry I love it!!  :)

Lover Mine - J.R.Ward

 SPOILER ALERT!! DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!!!

Description:

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. Long divided as a terrifying battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.


John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.

Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates.

I know this review is a long time coming but after events in real life my thirst for reading was just not there but I think it is back!! At least I hope so for the Mt. Everest of a "to be read" pile...yeah I asked him...and no that is not weird at all!!

Alrighty on with the book - My first thought after finishing this book was I hope beyond hope this is not the last Black Dagger Brotherhood book...I mean I still have questions burning and looming...like what will happen with Qhuinn? Will he get over his unsure feelings for his best friend Blay? Or will he be willing to let Blay go and be with his cousin Saxton and be happy? Therefore allowing himself to find happiness with Layla. Also, as for Layla she has been my favorite secondary character throughout this series (that is not a Brother because as we all know that honor goes to Vishous...yummy). Also yeah Xhex dusted Lash back to his maker the Omega in the way they do all lessers but is that permanent? Or will Lash's daddy dearest the Omega resurrect him or has he honestly and truly washed his hands of his son? Also what about Payne, the other daughter of the Scribe Virgin and the twin sister of Vishous? I've become very interested in her story and want to see her get some happiness after having been centuries in a frozen like state by her mother. Also what of the Scribe Virgin and the Far Side? Since all the Chosen have left for the Other Side to live her light has dimmed? Will her brother, the Omega, finally have his vengence or what is to come? Also what is going to happen with Torhment and Lassiter?? OH sooo many burning questions!

So needless to say I have a lot of questions I want and need answered!! Whew that was a lot but now back to the story of John and Xhex.

We met John in the story of Mary and Rhage and at the time he was unaware of his vampire origins thinking himself only a useless skinny nothing but thanks to another vampire, Bella, who realized what he was and was able to help him find his way to Tohrment. Torhment showed him what he truly was and helped in transition into a foreign world...the vampire world.

Xhex we met in either the first or second book...not sure...but she is half vampire - half sympath and she is a no-holds barred kind of girl. A fighter by nature she hates the sissy stuff but even when John was a pretrans (before turning into a full fledge vampire) she was attracted to him and boy oh boy was she after he...shall we say filled out!! HAHAHAHAHA!!

At the end of the last book Lover Avenged Xhex helps save Rehvenge but in the process that little punk Lash kidnaps her and holds her captive. So the John and the Brothers go on the hunt for her. They find the house she is but because of the spell Lash has over her they can't see her and soon thereafter she breaks free because Lash was going weaker and therefore couldn't up the field he had around her to the full effect. After escaping John finds her and brings to back to the Brotherhood compound for treatment.

Soon we are learning the lives behind both Xhex and John and in their common backgrounds the two forge a strong bond and soon even the ever resistant Xhex has given her heart to John even though from the first moment he met her she had his. Soon they go on the hunt for Lash to exact their revenge for all he had done not only to Xhex but to John while they were in training together.

Although, soon poor Lash finds out his daddy despises him and wants him dead and soon he starts melting like a bowl of jell-o in the sunlight turning to a shadow just like daddy dearest. The culmination is John finally allowing Xhex to have her closure and she is the one to dust him and in that moment Xhex finally realizes that she could never love anyone more than John so with that the two get mated at the end.

Also throughout the books you know that John is really Darius reincarnated. Darius is the father of Beth (Dark Lover). They just think Darius is John's father but unfortunately it didn't come out that he was really Darius...which is another question I have!! Also we find out that Darius and Tohrment are the ones who saved Xhex's mother from her sympath captor and helped her deliver her baby but right after the birth she kills herself. However, the Scribe Virgin lets her stay on the Far Side to work as a maid and in the end Xhex gets to meet her and needless to say Tohrment was a bit surprised being as how he was the one to bury her body!

WHEW...that was a whole heck of a lot!! Sorry if I rambled I am really tired!!

Also if you want to read this story (just to understand what the heck I'm talking about) you can go get your own copy here --> Lover Mine: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

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Lover Avenged - J.R. Ward

SPOILERS!!!! SPOILERS!!!! SPOILERS!!!

Description:

Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he’s a sympath, his identity is a deadly secret- the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll against Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in a darkening world- Elhena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him- and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.



Sorry for the delay in posting this but have been muy mucho stuff in real life going on that this is the first time I feel like I can breathe...anywho onward to the review!!

OK so as I said in my last post the rankings of the Brotherhood could change at a whim well after reading Rehvenge and Ehlena's story it thrust Rehvenge up to number 2...so far no one else has caught my eye like Vishous...ohhhh sooo yummy!! Yeah Rehvenge caught my eye previously in the other books but man oh man he just jumped out at me in this book I mean how can you resist a hot, sexy vampire with amethyst eyes and a mohawk...ahhh I don't think you can and I for one was chanting GO FOR IT EHLENA!! Oh and she did!! Also I'm glad that Bella found out about her father and Rehvenge's part in his death but also the reasons behind...if ya ask me the b**tard had it coming!! I really loved the story between Rehvenge and Ehlena. It was hard on both sides...neither was expecting love but it hit them right over the head like a hammer!!

Also you got a peek at Wrath in this story and his and Beth's love and relationship is put to the test and in the end their love overcomes everything...his final blindness and his lying about fighting.

I really loved this book...I think it is my favorite although Vishous is still my numero uno Brother!!!

OMG I'm sooo ready for Lash to get his assets vaporized into the next dimension it sooo isn't even funny!! I'm ready for John to give him what is coming to him and was a little disappointed that it wasn't Rehvenge but the next book Lover Mine I think will be the culmination and the ultimate showdown which I cannot wait to read. Again I haven't gotten far with it because of the family stuff but hope to pick up and finish it soon!!

ALSO be on the lookout for my next blog...I went to see Eclipse and the short version...I FREAKIN' LOVED IT!!!

If you want to read this book just go here --> Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 7) and to read the first six books in the series just go here --> J.R. Ward Box Set

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