Review : Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

 
Title : Lover Enshrined
Author : J.R. Ward
Publisher : Signet Eclipse
Genre : Paranormal Romance
ISBN : 978-0451222725
Series : #6 Black Dagger Brotherhood
Release Date : June 3, 2008
Rating : 4/5 - Very Good.

Description from Goodreads :

As Primale of the Chosen, the fiercely loyal Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of his race. But his first mate, the Chosen Cormia, wants not only his body but his heart for herself. As tragedy looms over the Brotherhood’s mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love…

Review : 

Phury has sacrificed himself in order to protect the bloodline of the Brotherhood.  It is his job to be the father to many sons and daughters that will later in life protect the traditions of the vampire race, and fight any who may wish to vanquish it.  He is Primal of the Chosen, an honor among his people, and one that he should be proud.

Cormia is destined to be the first mate of the new Primal of the Chosen, but she wishes to be the first and only.  When first given the task she feared it, and wished she wasn't chosen to be the first.  Since meeting the Primal, Cormia has fallen for him, and she is determined to win not only his body as she is taught to, but also to win his heart.  She will have to try hard as Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure, joy, or the love of a woman.  Phury must decide in his heart what is more important for his race, and himself...love or duty?

Phury was never one of my favorite characters within the Black Dagger Brotherhood, but he's growing on me.  He's a male that looks out for others, and harbors guilt for those he has failed.  It's difficult for him to let things go, and this drives him crazy.  While he is very giving toward his brothers and those in need of him, he is also quite selfish.  Some of the things he does are quite stupid, and not only hurt himself but those around him. I had doubts about Phury being able to do good for the race of the vampires in this installment, and worried where this story would leave the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
 
Cormia is gentle, kind, and unknowing of the world that the Brother's live in.  She has only ever known the whiteness of the Chosen's Sanctuary, and is in fear and awe of the new world around her.  Simple colors make her giddy, yet she feels guilty as though she is wrong for enjoying what her eyes have been gifted to see.  I particularly enjoyed being able to witness Cormia's changes throughout the novel.  It was as though she were a child that had just been brought into the world, and has to learn how to talk and walk, although it wasn't as complex.

I've read each and every installment up until Lover Enshrined and I still can't get enough of this series.  There is a great deal of action in this series, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Each of the characters of the Black Dagger Brotherhood have their own problems, and they either find a way to deal with it, or surpass it, and that alone is one thing that keeps me coming back.  I want to see these characters succeed, and thrive, but I also fear for them, because they live in a dangerous world.  I can only hold on for the ride.

Read an excert of Lover Enshrined here.

Read the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series in Order : 

Dark Lover : Wrath's Story
Lover Eternal : Rage's Story
Lover Awakened : Zsadist's Story
Lover Revealed : Butch's Story
Lover Unbound : Vishous's Story
Lover Enshrined : Phury's Story
Lover Avenged : Revhenge's Story
Lover Mine : John Matthew's Story (Coming April 2010)

Where did I get this book? : 

I received my copy from an online swap site.  It was so long ago that I can't recall which.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com.  If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits. 

Review : Covet by J.R. Ward

Title : Covet
Author : J.R. Ward
Publisher : Signet
Genre : Paranormal Romance
ISBN : 978-0451228215
Series : #1 Fallen Angels
Release Date : September 29, 2009
Rating : 3/5 Good

Description from Amazon :

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option.

Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

Review :

Jim Herron never really thought about much in life, until the day that it all changed. He has a whole new job title, that is nothing like his previous position. He is a fallen angel, and his job is to save the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. He thinks it's crazy, but when the fate of the world is in his hands, he can't afford to fail.

Vin DiPietro has worked his way up to the top, and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants now. Money, and power are easy for Vin, but the love of a good woman? You can't buy happiness, and now Vin will have to trust a fallen angel to help him both save his soul, and keep the woman he loves.

When I first picked up Covet, I was expecting it to be just like Ward's previous series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. While some of the language is the same, namely refrencess to shitkickers and glocks is right on, the actually story line itself is completely different. While the BDB gives off a paranormal feel, this first installment in the Fallen Angel Series feels more like a romantic suspense to me.

There isn't much paranormal activity in the beginning or even the middle of this novel. It all starts barreling toward you at the end, and while our main characters Jim and Vin are learning, we learn with them. The only similarities between this novel and the BDB Series is probably the fact that the men in these novels are described as brick houses, full of power, and seem to be very territorial and protective of their women.

I liked how this novel was not only supposed to be a paranormal story, but how there was an underlying mystery in it as well. It was suspenseful, and I couldn't help but turn the page to find out what happened next. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

Where did I get this book? :

I purchased my copy through BookDepository.com in order to participate in the Blog With Bite discussion.