User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
How to Write a Paranormal Romance Step One : Create a Sue
This is a female lead that can either be a Mary Sue, a Jerk Sue or a Sympathetic Sue. Just an FYI, most writers go with a Mary, as the ideal of women remaining virgins until they find “The One” is allegedly still vastly appealing to the masses. I suggest creating a heroine that’s never even been
attracted to a man before. It makes it seem more like it's fate when she meets the male lead and less like you’re trying to shove antiquated beliefs down your reader’s throats.
Step Two : Create a Ragebeast
Your male lead should be over six feet tall, have dark hair, tattoos and so much testosterone-inflated muscle that he has to walk through doors sideways. The less he talks, the better. In every scene that you’re tempted to give him dialogue, instead make him brood over something. You’re going for caveman here, modern women don’t want a partner that can communicate feelings or sympathize with emotions. We just want someone who can bench press twice our body weight.
If you really want to make us swoon, make him a prince too, or an uber-alpha, or a frigging
king. That will fulfill the Princess Fantasy that half of us are infected with thanks to those assholes over at Disney.
Step Three : Make these two the exception to each other’s rules.
Emotionally cripple the male. He shouldn’t believe in love. Not until he sees your Mary Sue. When he finally lays eyes on her however, you can take that caveman frown and turn it upside down. I suggest blaring Foreigner’s
I Wanna Know What Love Is on repeat while writing this scene as it will really help you capture the emotion your readers should be feeling at this point.
And remember that lack of attraction to the opposite sex you’ve afflicted Mary with? Well, when she lays eyes on your beast of a male lead her va-jay-jay should turn into the river Nile.
Step Four : The shmushing together of squishy bits
Sex. Add it. Lots of it. On a bed, in the bathroom of a club, a stairwell, an alleyway, you get the drift. Just know that the more you mix it up, the better. Repetition is the bane of the sex scene’s existence. Also, we’d really appreciate it if you could avoid using these phrases:
1. Slippery juices
• This brings up safety concerns
2. Clenching womb
• She’s having sex, not a baby
3. Pulsating sausage
• I like breakfast cooked, thanks
4. Squelch
• I shouldn’t have to explain this one
Step Five : Don’t forget the mystery!
As tempting as it may seem, you can’t just fill up three hundred pages with nothing but relationship angst because if you do
I WILL people may hate you. You’ll want to add in an
actual plot line to avoid that. Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Make up a creepy crawly bad guy, have him kill some innocent people and maybe torture a kid or rape someone and your readers will immediately hate him and get behind your MCs and their fight for ‘good’. You don’t even have to get that heavy with it. In fact, you can probably squeeze it in between your gymnastic-inspired sex scenes.
Step Six : Climax, the literary kind
Have the bad guy kidnap the heroine. Feel free to let him slap her around a little and hint at the terrible things he’s going to do to her but don’t get too carried away here as you may offend those with delicate sensitivities. Just before the villain can carry out these dastardly plans, have the hero save your Mary Sue. What? Well yes that’s a little damsel-in-distress-ish but trust me on this, everyone else is doing it too and no one’s complaining about it yet. You want readers or not, lady?
Step Seven : HEAs; they’re not just for fairy tales and contemporary romances
End your book on a high note. Your readers don’t want cliffhangers or dead male leads. They want to see a white dress or a bad guy with coins on his eyes because your ragebeast eviscerated him before rescuing the heroine and taking her back to his ‘lair’ to bang the hell out of her regardless of her emotional, mental or physical bruises.
One plus of going light on the plotline (like I suggested) is that it makes it easy to wrap things up in a nice little bow. You’re welcome.
~*~*~*~*~
Okay so this all sounds rather critical, and it is. I'm sure you're wondering "So why the four stars?". Well, in my opinion, this author takes all the themes I've mentioned and does them
well which makes for one entertaining and sexy read.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Rating: really liked it
You have got to be kidding me.
What author names her main characters, the members of the incredibly dark and dangerous black dagger brotherhood of vampire warriors....*inhales*
...Wrath, Tohrment, Vishous, Rhage, Phury and Zsadist?
And as if that isn't hilarious enough, Ward just doesn't get enough of superlatives to describe how extremely dangerous her vampires - a bunch of interchangeable Conans the Barbarian - actually are. Allow me to quote:
"Rhage was a towering male, big, powerful, stronger than all the other warriors. He was also a sex legend in the vampire world. Hollywood beautiful with the drive to rival a barnful of stallions. Females, vampire and human alike, would trample their own young to get at him. But when Rhage's beast came out everyone looked for shelter and took up praying." You know, I was har-har-harring in both amusement and disbelief when I read that..well..nonsense. BUT when you consider that Rhage is just one of the 6 brothers and there are actually 5 more Chippendales in line, waiting to be introduced in painful flowery language as well, let's just say I wasn't laughing anymore. Realization hit me; I actually paid 11 euro's for this trash, which was exactly what I paid for
Let the Right One in as well. And there you have it; there is no justice in this world.
The problem with
Dark Lover is that you might presume this is an entirely different book. You may get lured in by this exciting sounding black dagger brotherhood of vampire warriors, erotically charged dark fantasy stuff and the fact that
Dark Lover is a big fat Goodreads hype. However, what you see is not what you get; which is a silly written fluffy romance novel with large quantities of your typical fluffy romance novel sex (think; celibate, big, bad and totally handsome vampire king falls head over heels in love with this super-gorgeous 25 year old chick and makes her orgasm a dozen of times for the FIRST TIME in her life. Again, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!).
I can imagine that
Dark Lover can be fabulous escape-the-daily-grind material. So why don't you test yourself by reading the next part. If Wrath totally turns you on, I suggest you get your paws on this book asap! ^^
"Wrath was 6 feet, 9 inches of pure terror dressed in leather. His hair was long and black, falling straight from a widow's peak. Wraparound sunglasses hid eyes that no one had ever seen revealed. Shoulders were twice the size of most males. With a face that was both aristocratic and brutal, he looked like the king he was by birthright and the soldier he'd become by destiny. And that wave of menace rolling ahead of him was one hell of a calling card. As his cool hatred hit..." Sooo..peaches anyone?
Rating: really liked it
*channeling Johnny Cash *
"Six foot six he stood on the ground,
he weighted 235 pounds
But I saw that giant of a man brought down
to his knees by loooove." A few dear Goodreads-friends pressured me into reading this and I must say: I'm pleasantly surprised (3,5 stars).
An interesting and unpredictable plot? Not really. Cliché? Very. Romance and sex? At times the romance was almost sappy and the sex was good but I actually had expected it to be hotter (it's quality people, not quantity!).
But despite all of the above: I understand the attraction of the books! I liked this book. I might even be on the verge of loving this book. And I really liked Wrath. And I liked the rest of the boys. And I'm fascinated by Zsadist. And I want to read his book (#3). Fast. So I'm buying book #2 (about Rhage) while I'm at it. And I heard book #4 is about Butch. And I want to read that too.
Did I get addicted? Maybe. But I think I might know why.
It's because the Brothers are a girl’s fantasy come true. Cause doesn't every girl grow up fantasizing about a guy who is tough and cool but has a soft spot for you? Everybody's scared of him, except for you. Because he loves you. A lot. And no one else. Snapping somebody's neck while he's buying you flowers. *sigh* Meet the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Rating: really liked it
I originally wrote this review in a more innocent time. A time, if you can imagine, when I was a lot less cynical and a lot more likely to give books a break.
So I did the obligatory drool over the Black Dagger Brotherhood men whilst expressing frustration at the multiple POV's (SO MANY!). I complained about the content and nature of Wrath and Beth's relationship but let it slide because, hey it was just some light-hearted fun.
A couple of years ago I was at my mother's house when a large, terrifying spider began its battle charge toward me with murderous intent gleaming in its eyes (witness accounts may vary...)
In case you are unaware, I have a deep and unabidding terror of anything with more than six legs.
The spider racing toward me looked something like this:
Nobody else at the scene of the event picks up details like I do...Because she loves me (presumably) and to put a stop to my earsplitting girlie shrieks of "Kill it! Kill IIIIIIIIITTT!" (less presumably) my mother whacked it triumphantly with a shoe.
It is at this point that hundreds of small, though equally malevolent spider spawn emerged from the crushed remains of their mother, all equally intent on destroying me one little piece at a time.
[image error]Each one was chanting this in their tiny babyspider voices as they rushed toward me with evil in their heart and malice in their eyes...I count this as the most traumatic moment of my life. I find it extremely ironic that it was a vacuum cleaner, the bane of my life, that rescued me that night while I jumped on the couch in a fit of apoplectic terror.
And it is with equal terror that I look upon the undead spawn that has filled the market since Dark Lover first emerged into the reading sphere.
Rating: really liked it
Before I continue with my review, I just want to say this. I fricking love this series!
I cannot express how much I love this series, this book was probably one of the reasons why I admire J.R.Ward so much.
The series focuses on a society the "Black Dagger Brotherhood" of vampire warriors who live together and defend their race against de-souled humans called lessers.
This series just had me wanting more and more. Literally, after finishing one book I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next, and I've never had that feeling before.
Usually after reading a book, I take a break from the series, read something else then come back to it, but this series just had me hooked.
I will admit this though, I'm not a huge fan of reading third person books, I'd rather read from the first person, but after reading Dark Lover, I got used to it after the first couple of chapters, and by Lover Awakened (which is my favorite) it didn't bother me at all.
The series as a whole is genius, like how did J.R.Ward do it?
I had moments where I had to put the book down and gasp because of how the story was turning out. Saying that, in this series we have an M/M romance, and it was the first M/M book I've ever read, and can I just say that reading an M/M book is hot..like really hot. I'm embarrassed to say this because it takes a lot for me to swoon and get a reaction, but boy did I need to have a break from Lover at Last (which is book #11).
I'd recommend this series to anybody, it has everything; Romance, action, vampires, and easy to like characters especially Zsadist.
You know what, I might read this series again.
Rating: really liked it
It's your fault.All you Goodreaders.
I was sucked in by the high ratings for this series. And the fact that I couldn't go
anywhere on GR without this little red paperback popping up and waving at me.
'Read me. Love me. I'm totally worth it' blah blaaahh.
No.
Where were the characters???
Seriously. Where were they?
WHY were they?
I could not for the life of me identify who was who and why they were there. And
WHY did they fall in love? Are you, J.R.Ward, trying to sell me this idea of love-at-first-sight-but-first-I'm-going-to-shag-him-senseless-to-be-sure, again????
Don't misunderstand me Goodreaders. I'm not adverse to filth on paper. Sex is brilliant. It's fun. I wish I had more of it.
But surely there has to be more than just sex and filth to a good romance?
I need suspense. I need the romance to develop. Goddammit I need a
heads-up before the clothes come off.
I will not continue with this series.
I will, however, keep this little red book on the bottom shelf should the need for quick filth arise in future.
But I doubt it.
Rating: really liked it
"Wrath was six feet, six inches of pure terror dressed in leather. His hair was long and black, falling straight from a widow's peak. Wraparound sunglasses hid eyes that no one had ever seen revealed. Shoulders were twice the size of most males'. With a face that was both aristocratic and brutal, he looked like the king he was by birthright and the solider he'd become by destiny."
*sigh*
Fantastic start to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series!
We get the world building, the awesome characters, the terrible bad guys, and an amazing main couple!
Just! Perfect!
The storyThe Black Dagger Brotherhood is the only force between vampires and the evil lessers. They are here to protect the vampire race, and lead them.
Wrath is the only pure vampire left, he is their King, although he doesn't want to assume the role.
After one of his closest friends gets killed by the evil enemy, Wrath decides to honor his friend's request, and protect his daughter, Beth.
Beth doesn't know who her parents are, or that she is part vampire, but after a scary huge guy enters her apartment, her life completely changes. She is drawn to him sexually (how could she not be), and doesn't know what to believe when one of her cop friends accuses him of being a murderer.
Wrath wants Beth, even though he doesn't want to, but he needs to protect her, and when her change hits, she will need his blood to up her chances of survival.
Will he be able to stay away from her? Will he be able to watch her mated with someone else without ripping his throat out? We'll see :DDD
"He had her on the bed and under him in a flash of movement, and he pushed up her skirt and tore off her panties with vicious impatience. He didn't treat her blouse or bra any better. There would be time to savor later. Now was all about raw sex."
The world building - Excellent! There is a huge dictionary with everything explained in detail, so it REALLY helps, even though all of it is explained in the book as well, but my suggestion is to read it BEFORE you get to the book, you will understand everything a lot better :)
How the vampire thing works - Well this will be explained in the book gradually, but the most important thing you need to know is that they DON'T DRINK FROM HUMANS. They can eat food just like normal people, but need blood to survive and stay strong, and that blood has to be from a vampire.
They're BIG and BADASS, hmmm maybe HUGE and KICKASS would do better ahahhahahah, anyway, they don't do sunlight, and well, all the other tidbits you can find out for yourself :))))))
The writing - This is VERY easy to read :) Well, at least for me :) I love the way they talk, and swear, and act. We get both MC POVs, even some from the supporting characters. Love that :DDD
The characters - We are introduced to a LOT of them in this first book. It's hard to keep up in the beginning, but with them having such unusual names, you'll have no problem remembering who's who :)
The BDB guys are uber-interesting, and we meet some characters from the vampire nobility, as well as some humans that will appear later :))
The bad guys, Mr. XYOPMGblablablablabla are pretty irritating :DDD but OK they're the bad guys, I guess it shouldn't be a shock ahahahha :D
The sex - It's pretty hot, with lots of sex scenes, even though i admit it gets hotter in the next books :D Still, Wrath has that something, mmm mmm mmm <3
"God, everything about him radiated sex, from the strength in his body to the way he moved to the smell of his skin. He was like no man she'd ever come across before. And her body knew it just as clearly as her mind did."
Nearing her 25th birthday, Beth has no idea that she's about to go through the change and become a vampire.
The first encounter with Wrath was full of terror, but when she saw him again *fans self*
They both know there is an attraction between them, only Beth doesn't try to fight it like Wrath does.
She realises how extraordinary he is, and falls in love with the fierce vampire King :))))
As a human, Beth is pretty weak physically, and has no sex urges, until she sees Wrath :D Oh man and what a way to discover them ahahahhahahah
Those two can't get enough of each other, even though it isn't rational, but when it comes to mates and their connection... Yep :D
So, even though she is weak physically, as a characters she is fantastic, strong, willing to fight for Wrath and standing by him when he needed it. Just loved her :)
And when she comforted Rhage, that was one of my favorite scenes in the book :)
I forgot how great a relationship Wrath and Beth had, because they are the first couple, but truly, I love them and their story <3
"Your language is beautiful," she said.
"There are no words worthy of you."
He is the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the vampire king. His blood is the strongest, and that's why he was needed to help Beth through her transition.
The attraction was a surprise, but one Wrath couldn't avoid. He wants Beth like no other before, and even though he fights it all the way, he knows he wants to mark her and make her his leelan.
He is King, but doesn't feel worthy of the title. He has a sad history, and the way his parents died... But soon he will have to make a choice, because the Brotherhood will not survive without strong leadership, and the lessers are growing more and more powerful by the day.
I just have to say, Wrath is HUGE and badass and pretty cold at the beginning, but we get to see him "melt" and show more and more of his emotions, and that ending with Beth, OMG! I totally forgot about it and it was so so great to see <3 He just loves her so much and I just love him for it even more!!!!!
He was a jerk a few times ahahhah but the poor guy's people skills are like ZERO ahahhahhah :DD
Some of my fav scenes were with Wrath and Fritz :DD so funny, and of course with Beth, the transition, the ending *sigh*
So perfect for each other <3
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the other characters:
"You're pathetic.'"
Tohr hissed. "And you've been dead for hundreds of years. You're just too mean to find a grave and lie down."
"Christ, I know I'm ugly," he snapped. "But don't fear me. I'm not a total savage."
"I'm happy to take you on, asshole," Butch said. "I'll probably end up losing, but I fight dirty, so I'll make you hurt while you kill me."
"Worship me, gentlemen." V lit a hand-rolled. Flipped the gold lighter shut. "And I might let you play with the buttons."
"Yeah." Rhage sighed. "All I want is one good female. But I guess I'll settle for quantity until I find her. Life just sucks, doesn't it?"
Best series ever. True?
Rating: really liked it
UPDATE : Thanks for all friends and people who have like this review and commenting. Glad I can make you smile and laugh ^_^.
Black Dagger Brotherhood is masterpiece, and it will always be =) My feeling right now :
Allright, this is the first book that start my love for BDB series, and when I know this book will be translated a year ago (at February 2010), I'm excited!!
Waiting 2-3 months later, no news...
Waiting 2-3 next months later, still no news...
And then at July, the publisher said that their try so hard to translated this books! Yeaaah, I'm waitiiiiiing...
Waiting, and waiting, they said this book wll be published at November, and then they decide to decline until December
I'm still waiting...
And then they said again, they decline it until March this year!!
Alright, still I'm waiting, and then when the cover for translated version is coming up :
I'm speechless and said :
IS IT A JOKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE????????????? 
What the f*ck with that cover !!!
.
.
.
Yeah, right =_="
I think if J.R.Ward know about this cover, she will go ballistic!!
For the publisher (in this case, GPU) : Thanks to make our dream ruined! You already destroyed this GREAT series with your awfully cover choice. It doesn't matter if you said that the story is great, the story is good. Yes, I know about that! But what with people that don't know about BDB?
They always buy a book based it cover!
Did you know what they're thinking when see this book at bookstore? They will think this is a book with "WTF Cover"!! and leave them!
Ahh, dunno if I want to buy this translated version or not! Note : There are people said that the model at the cover look alike
Keanu Reeves!! No way, at last Keanu is sooo much better!! (Cut that crappy hair!)
I'll buy this book to know about the translated version, because my friends said this book lack of romance.. Huh? Really? Then, it make me more curious. Will show you all my "NEW COVER" after I bought this!
.
.
.
Which I'm not do it. The cover like a hot poker in my eyes *cries*
Rating: really liked it
[
(hide spoiler)]
Rating: really liked it
J R Ward’s BlackDaggerBrotherhood Series is beyond….............
I decided to read the entire series...yes again!!!!
I AM BDBSESSED...
I have always loved the first book in the series......my first intro into this amazing world, and Wrath & Beth's story has remained one of my favorites..
It's liking going back home, visiting "people" that have become my friends.
Beth is such a fabulous character - perfect queen material...
“Whoa. Fangs. She had fangs.
She leaned in, prodded them a little. Eating with those puppies was going to take some getting used to, she thought.
On impulse, she brought up her hands, turned her fingers into claws. Hissed.
Cool.”And Wrath...he sure knows what he wants!!!
Some of the quotes I loved in this book:
“With a deliberate shrug, he stepped free of the hold on his shoulder. “Tell me something, boys,” he drawled. “Do you wear that leather to turn each other on? I mean, is it a dick thing with you all?” Butch got slammed so hard against the door that his back teeth rattled.
“Tell me something,boys. Do you wear that leather to turn each other on? I mean, is it a dick thing with you all?” And Rhage......
I am so invested in the series that I am unable to keep away from anything BDB......
and so onwards to Rhage and his shellan next!
First reviewed in 2012Third or fourth time I have read this book...and love it more and more....I am so totally addicted to the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series...no, so beyond totally obsessed!!!! And yes, I will read it again and again and again!!!!!!
I have become so obsessed with this series....crazy really....I don't remember even being so into a series like this....after reading the entire 8 books twice, I felt a "compulsion"....yeah, right...Wrath making me pick his book up again...!!!!! I loved it even more than the previous times...Wrath and Beth are just an amazing couple.....I hope that the new book coming out in 2012 will have more about them....so gotta go....and start on Book 2.....
Going through a vampire, paranormal romance period, I had been reading books in this genre but had never read any of JR Ward’s books until I picked up the first 5 novels in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series which were being sold at a discounted price.
I began reading DARK LOVER, the 1st book in the series and could not put it down. I wanted to finish it and go onto the next one. I was totally hooked.
Set in modern day Caldwell, New York a war is going on between vampires and
Wrath, the last purebred vampire is king and leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a group of vampire warriors fighting the evil Lessing Society, which is bent on eradicating vampires.
He has been asked by his closest friend, Darius who is murdered by the lesser, to look after Beth, his half human daughter. Beth has never had a serious relationship and longs for some excitement in her life. She becomes totally enthralled with Wrath. He seduces her on their first meeting and enters a sensual world that she never could imagine existed. The sex scenes are so erotic and sensual and sizzling HOT….
We meet the vampire warriors….OMG….deliciously HOT, DANGEROUS, SEXY and SO DESIRABLE…..with names like Vishous, Rhage, Zsadist, Phury, Tohrment, who love rap music, clubs with names like Screamers!!!.. black leather, fast cars, fast women- absolute superstuds that can be deadly in combat but have a tender and sensitive side as well. I loved the way the characters were named….
You are taken on an exhilarating ride filled with fast action, sensual romance and a vampire world you have never seen before.
I love JR Ward’s style of writing and you lose yourself in a world of exciting fantasy.
You lose yourself in this dark and exciting world and you want to discover everything in it.
To help understand some of the terms and dialogue in the story, a glossary helps you the descriptions.
I recommend the books are read in the series reading order.
Rating: really liked it
I should have known by the summary that this book would suck ass, but alas, I was blinded by that s*xy sounding name, Wrath. Curse Ms. Ward for being intelligent enough to make that up. With a name like Wrath, I was expecting some sensual sinning to take place, but all I got was a blind, leather duster wearing vampire thug who introduces us to ridiculous supernatural turf wars, rap music, and the f bomb. Even worse, the supposed world of sensuality began as a cable guy fantasy gone wrong. This book was tragic. Tragically stupid.
I realize that Wrath is a vampire, but I can’t suspend my belief enough to buy into anyone, supernatural or no, being able to smell what someone looks like. If you are able to smell someone so strongly that images form in your mind, that person is made of stink and you should run, quickly, in the opposite direction. Also, someone named Wrath has no business cuddling with anyone except the devil. Seriously, am I supposed to believe that someone named after one of the seven deadly sins is capable of falling in love with someone so insipid?
And can someone explain the mythology to me? Actually please don’t, but seriously, if vampires don’t need to drink human blood to survive, why should they have to hide? And why would they drink human blood?
Lastly, what’s up with the peaches?
Rating: really liked it
Dark Lover is book one in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. This is a book I’ve been saying for years that I wanted to read but just never took the plunge. So with a little urging from my friend, I finally did it! Wrath was waiting to welcome me into the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Wrath is a pureblood vampire, the last of his line, the only pureblood left on the planet. He was the king and treated with reverence. Only he did not want this title. He felt himself unworthy. All he wanted was to work alongside his brothers in taking out the evil lessers. If he himself died in the process, so be it.
But then, one of his brothers was killed but not before telling him that he had a half human daughter that was close to transitioning. She had no idea of what was coming. It’s the last thing Wrath wants, but in respect to his fallen brother, he will help her until she’s safe, and then hand her off to someone else. Then he met her, and everything changed.
Beth Randall grew up in the system. Now she works as a journalist at the Caldwell Courier Journal. Lately she’d been feeling tired, out of sorts. Her life certainly hadn’t turned out as she hoped, her career a seemingly dead end. Maybe she just needed to relocate.
When Beth is visited at night be the largest man she has ever seen, she should be screaming, running away. Instead she can’t ignore the attraction she feels to him, something she hasn’t felt in a very long time. Wrath only wanted to explain to Beth what was going to soon be happening to her, to tell her about a world she didn’t know existed. Instead, something awakened in him that had been long dead. He can’t ignore the craving he has for this half human woman.
“Heaven. Now he knew what heaven was like.” There is so much more to say here. We meet and get to know Wrath’s brothers and many others in his world. We also learn of the evil the Brotherhood fights against, one in particular whose darkness horrified me. Beth was so courageous. She accepted this new truth and also, she allowed herself to trust her instincts when it came to Wrath. As much as Wrath wanted to think that he was going to be able to walk away, the bond between them grew.
“There are no words worthy of you.” 
One thing that I really loved about this and surprised me was the humor. It wasn’t all dark at all. There were so many lighthearted moments. I mean, you have this group of deadly fighters who love spinach crepes. Maybe that’s a bad example, but there really were so many moments that made me smile.
Just know that throughout the book, there are many things happening at the same time and you will be on the edge of your seat. There are no slow sections at all. You have no choice but to keep flipping the pages. I loved this introduction to this world and look forward to the next book, Lover Eternal, which is Rhage’s story.
“His partner. His lover. His queen.” For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Rating: really liked it
Disclaimer: I am currently being held hostage by a PNR-loving troll. I therefore cannot be held responsible for the contents of this review. Do you seriously think I'd give a Freaking PNR Novel a 5-star rating of my own free will? *eyeroll*AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
IT HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I JUST GAVE FIVE FREAKING STARS TO A FREAKING PNR NOVEL!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Note to self: breathe Sarah, breathe.Okay. I can do this. My life will never be the same but I can do this. The fucking PNR gods are with me. I am invincible. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky (view spoiler)
[sorry, that wasn't me speaking, that was the alcohol I've been consuming to accept this new PNR-loving persona of mine (hide spoiler)].
It's official people!!!!!! Hell just froze over!!!!!! It's official people!!!!!! The end of the world is near!!!!!! ←
okay Sarah, better tone it down with the exclamation points (view spoiler)[this is me talking to myself, in case you were wondering (hide spoiler)]. You lost enough friends as it is when you gave this book a 5-star rating, do you want to lose more? No? Right. That's what I thought. Good girl. Okay, I need to calm down. You have to admit, though, this is such breakthrough for me! No wonder I have such a hard time dealing with it!
I'm the PNR HATER around here! I think of Pack Challenge, The Warlord Wants Forever, Pleasure Unbound, The Bloodline War (I could list them all but I don't have all day) and I want to murder
their authors someone! OMG. Something just occurred to me. Does my
loving liking this book mean I'm human after all?
Oh, no. This is it. I'm doomed. Oh well. Worse things have happened. I guess. Then again, maybe not? Do YOU know? I don't. Well not right now anyway. Maybe tomorrow (view spoiler)
[Oops, I think the alcohol is speaking again (hide spoiler)].
Note to self: focus Sarah, focus. Okay, I can totally do this. I am brave and fearless. More or less. So. This is PNR. Which means the expression "suspend disbelief" takes a whole new dimension here. Think of it as "suspend disbelief" to the power of 100. No. Wait just one second here. We're not going anywhere here. You thought we were? Guess I fooled you then.
HA. Anyway, I was going to tell you why I
loved liked this but I think I'll just tell you why I shouldn't have
loved liked it instead. It will be much faster.
You're welcome.
①
Ridiculous character names. I mean, seriously? Wrath? Vishous? Rhage? Phury? Tohrment?
Yummy Zsadist? Am I the only one thinking of the seven dwarves here? I am? Never mind.
②
Suspend Disbelief to the Power of 100, example #1:
What girl in her right mind would have
unprotected sex with a
super hot thug-looking,
deliciously mysterious unknown bastard who breaks into her apartment in the middle of the night?!
Please Sarah, do try and refrain from raising your hand here, some of your dear friends wouldn't understand.
③
Suspend Disbelief to the Power of 100, example #2:
Wrath: "Nice to meet you Beth, you are half-human half-vampire. Fangs growing in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, NOW!"
Beth: "oh okay. No biggie. Can we have sex first?"
Me: "Hey Beth, what did you do today?"
Beth: "Oh, you know, same old, same old: went to work, stopped to get Chinese food on the way home,
had my first orgasms ever with a total stranger met a delightful gentleman, grew some fangs."
Me: "damn Beth, don't you ever get bored?! No offense girl, but you really need to get a life."
④
INSTA-FISHING-LOVE. Need I say more? Didn't think so. Oh wait. Maybe I do. Need to say more, I mean. Because there's insta-love and there's insta-get-married. Wow.
These people don't fool around, do they? Well they do but –hey! Will you take your mind off the gutter for just 5 seconds?! Damn. I meant fooling around, not [quote unquote] fooling around. This is PNR. We're talking about PURE, BEAUTIFUL LOVE here. Not physical, you know, stuff – EW, EW, EW.
You people are GROSS.
⑤
Lovey-dovey crap to the maxxxx. It surrounds me! It's everywhere! It's like a bacterial infection! I can't fight it!
Someone please call 911! Too late, I think I just died. I'm seeing fluffy bunnies and pastel-colored rainbows everywhere. This is the END.
⑥
Wrath is nothing but a sick love puppy in a lethal bastard's clothing. A decaf asshole, if you will. A big, cosy teddy bear in leather pants. With throwing stars. And daggers (obviously). And guns. And stuff. But still
a little too diet for my taste. Now
MY Z is something else altogether. Please don't get excited girls, I already did the
Bam! Poof! Gone! on him and he's safely stashed away in my high security harem. So don't waste time getting all hormonal on me. His ass is MINE. I repeat.
His ass is MINE.
Yes, I'm talking to Z, not to you, silly girls *eyeroll* (Ange seems to think Vishous is hers. Hahaha. She's so funny. Slightly delusional, but very funny nonetheless.)
⑦
HEA. HEA? HEA?????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Go away, go away! Please tell me HEA means Horribly Ever After!!!! Please!!! OMG OMG I need my pills now! Where are they?! Someone please give me my pills NOW!!!
Phew, that was a close one! A huge thank you to whoever passed me the pills. I'll be eternally full of grate.And the moral of this review is: ① + ② + ③ + ④ + ⑤ + ⑥ + ⑦ =
BLOODY HELL. I LOVED IT ALL.
This. Freaking. Book.
► It's PNR.
► It's not STOOPID.
► It's not RAPEY.
► It doesn't promote DEMEANING behaviour towards women.
► It's a
BLOODY SHRIMPING MIRACLE.
•
Book 2: Lover Eternal ★★
•
Book 3: Lover Awakened ★★
[
Pre-review nonsense]
BLOODY. FISHING. HELL. Take all the lovey-dovey crap away and I'm giving this 8 stars. And this is bloody PNR. And I don't even like bloody vampires. Damn.
BDB WTF!!
Rating: really liked it
nothing but respect for MY kingfuck i love this series with my whole heart
pain in the neck podcast episode 1, where we review the first half of dark lover!
Rating: really liked it
5 Wrath's Leelan StarsFirst read 2014
Reread March 23, 2017
SpoilersOMG I Love this book, this series and this Author! The Black Dagger Brotherhood is one of my top ten favorites series of- all- times. There is just something about this series that made me fall in love from book one. No matter how many times I read these stories they never get old. Dark Lover does an amazing job of laying out this new and exciting paranormal world. The Black Dagger Brotherhood world is a kick ass world filled with kick ass dark heroes that steal your heart and melt your panties. Each brother is sexy, unique, intriguing, and totally amazing in their own way. Dark Lover is Wrath's book.
"You don't know this yet," he said grimly. "But you are mine."-Wrath 
Wrath is the legendary Blind King. With his failing eye sight, dark past, and his insecurities about being able to lead his people Wrath has refused to ascend the throne. He instead serves his people by being a warrior, and killing lessers, until Beth. Wrath was surly, closed off, and at times an asshole. But Wrath was a multifaceted character. He was also loyal, sweet, caring, and sexy as hell. Beth Randall Thought she was a normal boring everyday human, til a sexy tall dark "man" shows up, rocks her world and tells her she is half vampire. Beth was sweet, understanding, supportive, but she was also sassy, independent, and didn't let people walk on her. Beth had a lot thrown at her but she handled it well. Beth was a great mate for Wrath.
“I'm going to talk to her." "And how's that going to go? You're just going to walk up to her and say, 'Hey, I know you've never seen me before, but I'm your dad. Oh, and guess what? You've won the evolutionary lottery: You're a vampire. Let's go to Disneyland!” -Darius and Torh 
"Beth, I want to stay with you, but you have to understand, you'll be a target. And I don't know how to keep you safe enough. I don't know how the hell to - " "We'll figure it out," she said. "We can do it together."-Wrath and BethBeth and Wrath were very cute together. The bigger and badder they are the harder they fall and Wrath fell hard and fast for Beth. I loved the way Wrath was with Beth and I love how protective Beth was of Wrath. They had great chemistry between them and a sweet love. I really loved the uniqueness of this world. The way vampires had to feed from other vampires not humans, the way they bond and mate, the fact that you have to be born vampire, and the bad guys(Lessers). The Lessers were gross and creepy in their differences. I mean come on pale, blonde, impotence, soulless humans that smell like baby powder lol that is original. I also loved that all the brothers were foul mouthed, hard asses that have the sexy bad boy vibes flowing. Especially Z there is just something about Z that makes me want to melt. I liked Butch a lot too. Dark Lover is a great start to an amazing series and it does an epic job of pulling you in and making you fall in love with the brothers. I'll be a J.R. Ward fan for life!
"I wish I could see your face clearly," he said, frowning as if trying to focus his eyes. "Just once, I wish..." She put her hands on his cheeks, feeling the rough stubble of his beard growth. "I'll tell you what you'd see," she murmured. "I love you. That's what you'd see."-Wrath and Beth 
