Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 7: Lover Avenged

Yep... I think I have fallen for every brother and now Rehvenge.

What an awesome story. My heart is still stuck on John, but I'm also totally enthralled with the others. This one took me four days to read. A lot longer in comparison with the others.I blame my own writing and work. If I didn't have to work and support my husband, I would've read all day and gotten it done sooner!

Rehv as he's known throughout the book is such an interesting character. Full of self loathing and a savior complex. He feels like everyone is worth of love and care save himself... he feels he is worthless, worth no one's time, and is willing to sacrifice himself for everyone else.

His story begins in tragedy and just kind of wanders around a garden of thorns and landmines. When the addition of Ehlena comes in, you just sit back and watch. You know what will happen- Beauty and the Beast a la vampires and sympaths.

It's totally easy to call, but at the same time, you are glued on that story... on them. They are a fun combination. A spunky, spendthrift nurse and a angry, self hating, drug dealing pimp. You would think oil and water... and you're right. But man is it fun to watch.

You also get to know Xhex and the Moors more, which is great. I'm hoping with the next installation we'll learn ever more about these guys and John Matthew and his boys.

I am really enjoying this series as I'm sure you all can tell. In the last 15 days I've read all seven of the BDB books and I've enjoyed every single one! :)

Anyone know how I can get a hold of J.R. Ward so I can thank her with much gusto and fervor?!

An open letter to the loves of my life, my girlfriends.

Dearest Friend,

When life looks dark and the trail lost, think about all you have rather than all you've naught.

“I admit it’s tempting to wish for the perfect boss – the perfect parent – or the perfect outfit. But maybe the best any of us can do is not quit, play the hand we’ve been dealt, and accessorize what we’ve got.”
- Carrie Bradshaw

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.  ~Judy Garland

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.  ~David Carradine

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  ~Dr. Seuss

"Made a wrong turn, once or twice.
Dug my way out, blood and fire.
Bad decisions, that's alright.
Welcome to my silly life.

Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood.
Miss 'No way, it's all good', it didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing, underestimated.
Look I'm still around.

You're so mean, when you talk, about yourself you were wrong.
Change the voices, in your head, make them like you instead.
So complicated, look happy, you'll make it!

Filled with so much hatred, such a tired game.
It's enough! I've done all I can think of.
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same."

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocDlOD1Hw9k&w=640&h=390]

Enjoy the rain as well as the sun :)

I love you and I think your perfect!

-B-

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 6: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

Lover Enshrined... encapsulated... controlled... captured.... frozen.

 

 

Although this one was much shorter, this book had a lot of heart.

Between the main story about Phury and the subplots of John, Quihnn, Blay, Bella, Z, and the others as well, you become enshrined.

And you can see each one of these storylines mingling within each other and how each of the characters has an entrapment. Phury's addictions, Cormia's prison-like home, Rehv's nature, John's emotions, and Blay's heart, Bella's pregnancy, Z's past, hell... even Lash's patronage.

I was really impressed with this one when it came to the story line, the continuity, the push and pull between all the characters for dominance. I really liked Phury and Cormia... their story was so strong and passionate and not just because of the physicality, it's that mental connection of them both being captives to their situations and how they rose above that both separately and together. It was so beautiful.

Something about Cormia's character called to me. Maybe it's my situation in my life at the moment. The call of duty outweighing the need for independence and chasing your own desires... it really hit home for me.

Cormia seems so weak in the beginning, such a pushover. She's so willing to submit and serve, but as she breaks out of that shell, with the help of Phury, John, and Bella... she finds out that she is a living, breathing choice. Not just a Chosen one. She has more to her than subservience and duty. With each of these stories I fall in love more and more with these characters.

It was really well done and I can't wait to start number seven.

This was such a quick read, it took me less than eight hours and I had to work today too. It was just that.... enthralling? What's the right word.
Just a good read :)

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 5: Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward

Okay, so yeah, read this one in about 5 hours and sobbed my eyes out for the last 20 pages.

And when I say sob, I don't mean delicate, feminine little ribbons of saltwater softly trailing over flushed cheeks... no this was a torrential, cathartic, snotsobbing-style weeping. It wasn't pretty.

Vishous' story was so full of pain... I thought Zsadist's story was painful... it was. This mounted that pain and made it it's bitch.

God, my stomach still hurts.

The ending was fantastic and I adored the tête-à-tête that was V and Jane co-mingling and challenging each other. It was such a beautiful, real, raw love story. Add the mother stuff, well, for those of you who know me in real life, this all really affected me.

Vishous' story is just poignant. I don't want to say more and ruin others reading, but this was an extremely good one.

I think V's story and Z's story are by far my favorite so far.

Can't wait to read on!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 4: Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

Awwww Butch!!!!

Okay so this was a great one too! I loved the story of Butch and his history as well as him coming together with his mate. It was so well done!

We still have all the subplots going on around us with John and Tohr, Bella and Z, Wrath and Beth as well as we get another peek into V's world and his story is compelling.

I'm guessing the next one is about this one brother. He needs his story told badly!

The action sequences were really well thought out and executed and of course the lemons were wonderful as well :)

I am truly enjoying these stories!

Oh and an update on my girl Rheana- she had her baby today :) Congratulations!!!!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 3 by J.R. Ward

Holy...
I'm just... there are no words!

This story was probably the best and it has the most pain. The emotions of this story just ripped my heart out.

There was an amazing ending, but the subplots just tore me apart. My heart is still hurting!

"I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came...and I was awakened."

Truly a fantastic story about Zsadist and his twin Phury, but also Bella, Thor, John, and Wellsie. All of them woven together in such a beautiful tapestry. It was fantastic, but it hurt!

The story of Bella and Zsadist is so wonderfully told and I just achingly intense. I devoured this book and wanted so badly to read more and more of their story.

I'm eager to read on, but after the emotional gutting of this book, I think I need some time off. There's no rebounding from some of the things you learn in this book, but I'm hoping the next books will have positive things like Nalla.

Oh who am I kidding, I'll probably start four tomorrow morning...

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 2: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

This was some awesome.

Usually sequels aren't as good as the previous, but sincerely, this was actually better. It was action packed which is always good. It had a good amount of smutty goodness. It also had this incredible love story.

Rhage and Mary and just... wow. I'm so attached and I want to see more of them!!!  I was actually threatening physical harm to a pregnant woman whom I adore because I was so emotionally bound up by their story! *hangs head in shame*

I was bummed there wasn't a lot of Beth and Wrath in this one, but you got a lot of the other brothers which was nice. I dreamt about Bella and Zsadist last night, that's how intense their story line was as well as Mary and Rhage.

It's just good people. Can't stop raving. I bow down to Rheana... she recommended these to me months ago and a shoved them off thinking I wouldn't get hooked. I was wrong. She was right. Praise Rheana.

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood: Dark Lover Book 1 by J.R. Ward

What a fun read!!! Ward has a great way of mixing old lore and new age all together to make a really fun, exiting fiction story that keeps you entertained for 300+ pages.

I really enjoyed learning about Beth and the brothers. All the different personalities mix together and you can tell it will be fun to learn more. I've heard the Zsadist/Bella book is the best, but I would like to know more aobut Wellsie and Tohr too! See? I've fallen in love with the whole bunch.

I hope we'll see more Beth and Wrath throughout the other books. I know they'll be about the other brothers, but I really liked Beth. I always enjoy a feisty heroine!

Excellent brain candy fun. These would be good beach/summer vacation reads!

I must be bored: ABCs of BooknerdBecca Thanks @rustysgirl8

I got an update from my girl Angel with this and I have nothing to do at work today and can't read, so I am doing this:

A. Age: 30

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore you dislike: I hate vacuuming and mopping with a fiery passion.

D. Dogs: A dalmatian named Bella who just turned 10 years old!

E. Essential start to your day: Hit the snooze twice then bring the Internet up on my phone to check my email while I let Bella out.

F. Favorite color: Greens of all kind!

G. Gold or silver: Silver!

H. Height: 5′ 4.75”<--- that three-quarter inch is important!

I. Instruments you play(ed): As a child I played the violion, viola, and cello. Had to give them up to be in choir.

J. Job title: Teacher/Corporate Trainer/Novel Beta

K. Kids: N/A

L. Live for ______: the moment.

M. Most embarrassing moment: My entire life has been a Murphy's Law experiment.

N. Nicknames: Bec, Becky, Birdie, Peanut, Bex, Crash, SugarBear, Ace Ventura, Zonagirlie.

O. Overnight hospital stays: I was born very premature so I spent a lot of time in hospitals my first few years. Then when I was 28 my GI system crashed so I spent a lot of time at hospitals again strangely enough, for a lot of the same things that were wrong with me when I was an infant.

P. Pet peeves: Chronic poor grammar, abusing/neglecting animals or children, littering. The list could go on.

Q. Quote from a movie: Head up, young person! - If you know this movie, you will be awesome to me.

S. Siblings: I have a 32 y/o brother named Rick, a 27 y/o sister in law named Lisa, a 32 y/0 brother in law named John, and a 28 y/0 sister in law named Jen.

T. Time you wake up: During the week about ten til 7, on the weekend it varies from 7am to 10am depending on the evening prior :)

U. University attended: University of Arizona

V. Vegetables: I like most vegetables. I am allergic to mushrooms though.

W. What makes you run late: Insomnia. I always end up exhausted and can't stop hitting snooze.

X. X-rays you’ve had: How much time do you have? Head, knees, fingers, wrists, shoulder/colarbone, spine/neck, jaw, teeth, ankles/feet... I'm accident prone.

Y. Yummy food you make: I love to make casseroles. I also love to bake breads and cupcakes for people. So far no complaints.

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Big cats. All of them.

Okay now your turn! Link me to your list! Can't wait to read them :)

Book Review: Realize by @kfwritesbooks AVAILABLE NOW!

Such a beautiful fun story of lust and love :)

When Kerry first asked me to beta for her I nearly fell down. I've been a fan of hers for a long time and follow her blog- http://kerry-freeman.blogspot.com

 

Here are my thoughts on her new story Realize:

I was hooked the moment I started reading. It's full of the awkward first love that we all go through, but there's also so much heart and soul in this story.

My only complaint was that it wasn't long enough! I wanted more Ryan and Will!!!!

And if we can get a sequel with the adventures of Nick, I'd be one happy lil camper :)

Here's a link to Kerry's blog where you can read a lil' snippet: http://kerry-freeman.blogspot.com/2011/03/excerpt-from-realize.html