Lover Eternal and Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

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After a surprise introduction to the world and the black dagger brotherhood created by J.R. Ward through the first book in the series the “Dark Lover”, I did not waste time of moving on. I acquired the other five books and started reading the next two novels.

Lover Eternal, originally published in 2006 is about Rhage’s story – the vampire with the strongest appetite within the brotherhood, 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.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships, is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage’s protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. Her faith in miracles was lost years ago. But when Rhage’s intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves…

What I like about this novel is the imperfections of Rhage as a vampire warrior and Mary as a human that makes them both perfect for each other – an impeccable reminder of the Beauty and the Beast classic tale of love. As the name implies Rhage has so much rage in him – uncontrollable temper causing him to change into a deadly beast. But when Mary (a human) comes into his vampiric life Rhage’s beast is tamed under Mary’s voice and passion. Plenty of emotions are involved in the story I feel attached to what Mary is going through first as human scared of Rhage, then as a woman falling in love for Rhage. I even like this novel better than the first and read it much quicker. The paperback novel’s 440+ pages is definitely not to be alarmed for as it could definitely turns out into a quick and smooth read. There were many intimate moments but don’t let it fool you as well because the plot of the story is very strong and entertaining it’ll hook you right through its first page. And the title is also obvious I am sure it’ll make the story eternal in my head for a very long time.

Lover Awakened, the 3rd book in the series also published in 2006 is Zsadisht’s story – the former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

Who would think I would read this book the night after spending with Lover Eternal. Crazy alright! – But inconvenient time couldn’t stop me from getting to know Zsadist and feeling sorry for his past. In this book the author (Ward) has victoriously made me pity for Z to the extent that I wouldn’t mind at all if how many Lessers he’d kill so just he’d feel relieved. Although there were several times I wanted to punch his face for pushing Bella away from him. Thank goodness for Bella’s persistent on her love for Z, it all turned out picture-perfect in the end. There is definitely a sadistic and animalistic way of portraying Zsadist as the main character but I kind of like him raw and stubborn – it drives the unconditional love of Bella for him and awakens Zsadist from a long nightmare of his past. There is a happy ending after all.

In Which I Finished Them All

Regardless of my demanding priorities and poor time management on my schedules lately I managed to read several novels I’ve been meaning to indulge myself into reading for quiet sometime now. I also realized my best reading hours fall into the time nearing midnight up to the wee hours in which I find it relaxing and more indulging. Here’s the list of what I’ve read so far in no particular order:

LAMENT (the faerie Queen’s deception) by Maggie Stiefvater

The story is about a 16-year old Deirdre Monaghan, a gifted harpist who can see faeries, hear their thoughts, possess certain magical abilities. Then she met Luke who happens to be another gifted musician in a mysterious way and later Dee finds out his connection to the Faerie Queen in which the intensity of her life’s adventure begins. What I love about this book is how the author convinces me to continue on reading after chapter one. It is the part that captures my interest in music through the lyrical words and the emotional tension Dee is experiencing on the stage together with Luke. The scenery and expressions are very touching I could almost hear them sing and play their instruments. I think that this novel is not only suitable for young adults but also for any other adults whose lives are touched not only by faerie stories but also by music of new age. If not for the recommendation of Christine and for loaning this book to me I would have not been able to experience the chance of such vibrant pleasure with the faeries. Thank you.

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Julie James

After reading James’ two previous novels – Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect I had been excited waiting for her third and promising novel “Something About You” – so that early Tuesday morning I was ecstatic to get my hands on this novel at BN. And you know what? It was worth the trip because I loved it! The story is about two sworn enemies – a female lawyer Attorney Cameron Lynde and an FBI agent Jack Pallas when their paths met once again during a crime scene. The tension between the two characters is what makes the plot interesting in itself. Of course there’s always that sexual awareness and tension between the two but James has mastered her skills in creating a flirtatious scene into a masterpiece that pulls you all the way to the end of the story. The dialogues are hard to miss and the sophisticated romance it creates is memorable even after you move on to another book.

Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl

The story is about Jane Morgan who maintains a respectable yet boring life as an office manager trying to hide a rough childhood. Then she met William Chase and thus the romance begins – Chase with his tattoo-covered biceps and steel-toed boots reminds her of the past and pulls her into a fantasy-filled moments. There are many sexy-raw-steamy scenes in this novel in which the author could magnetize the reader into... – just like Her leading you on…If you’re not afraid of that kind of magnetic stuff then you should read the novel and see it for yourself.

WAKE by Lisa McMann

The very first novel I’ve read from this author got me into thinking of a dream catcher story by Stephen King or of the TV show “Medium”. It’s nothing like that actually as this young adult novel is about a seventeen-year old Janie getting sucked into other people’s dreams. And those strange moments could happen anytime anywhere she’s close to someone dreaming – like literary asleep dreaming. Some of those dreams haunt her when she met Cabel and became a participant in his dreams. Honestly, the young voice in the story sound believable to me even if the story is fictional and I think it’s because of how the author presents the story in present time – moment by moment events like you’re closely hearing the tic tac sound of a timer. The scenes are vivid it pulls the reader right into the mind of the characters. This book is first in the series and I just also got the Fade the second book. I look forward reading it. Thank you sister Diane for introducing me to McMann! (and Let's go Yankees...)

DARK LOVER by J.R. Ward

The last but not the least of my pleasurable moments is a Dark Lover the first in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I know, I’m so behind with this but it doesn’t matter at all as it wouldn’t take me long to catch up. This is because the novel about vampire story (although the theme has been used and overused for quite awhile) somehow brings unique and fresh thrill into an edgy and entertaining romance between Wrath the leader of the brotherhood and Beth Randall half-human-half-vampire. The sexual tension between the two is the important ingredient in the story filled with trust and love between brotherhood and how they survive against their slayers. What I like about this novel is Ward’s powerful voice injected into the story – its believable dialogues, vivid scenes and dangerous passion between Wrath and Beth. The novel is written in third person but I could see and feel right through each character’s mind and emotion. I also think that the conflict between vampires and slayers as well as between the brotherhood and Wrath are just icing on the cake because the love between our hero and his heroine is what the makes the story a bloody thrill and mesmirizing romance. This book was also loaned to me by Christine – I owe you a lot girl. Thanks.

SO what's next for me in bookblogging? I plan to switch into reading Scifi novel by Ann Aguirre starting with her first in the series “Grimspace” while continuing into the In Death Series by my very own favorite author – J.D. Robb – starting with Holiday in Death. This time I plan to concentrate into hearing the audio book alone I’ve recently borrowed from another friend. You know who you are – thank you.


XoXo,
Natalie