Review: Lover Awakened (BDB #3)

Summary

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward focuses on Zsadist and his past. As the brotherhood continues to search for Bella, Zsadist's emerging feelings for Bella start to become evident. As Zsadist fights his emerging feelings for Bella, we start to see glimpses of his past. Throughout this book, Zsadist struggles to cope with his past and reconcile his personal beliefs with his unprecedented feeling of emotions.

Review

This was a beautiful book about personal change and redemption. I think that Zsadist's story is raw and emotional. Out of all the brothers, Zsadist is the most unpredictable and has the most potential for violence. It is good to finally know the details of his past and to understand what made Zsadist so numb and uncaring. At some points during Zsadist's exploration of his past, I wanted to scream at him. He lives his life stuck in the past, and it is frustrating when he refuses to accept himself. I think that is one of the reasons I like Bella so much. She knows when to push Zsadist and voice the frustration I feel, but she also knows when to stop. Ward also explores Zsadist's relationship with his twin brother, Phury. Reading the previous BDB books, I always thought that Zsadist was an enigmatic character. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering who Zsadist is and exploring the relationship he has with his brother and the one he develops with Bella.

Rating 5 out of 5

Review: Lover Eternal (BDB #2)

Summary

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward is about a woman who simply wants to lead a life free of complications. However, when her cancer returns, her life is turned upside down. The man who has been calling the hotline unwittingly entangles Mary into a life full of danger and desire. When she goes on a date with a man she doesn't remember meeting, she cannot believe that he could actually be interested in her. Despite the fact that he does like her, she has remain strong so she can deal with her illness, and that means keeping him at arms length.

When Rhage meets her for the first time, something magical happens. Her voice soothes him. In an attempt to get to get closer to her, he sets up a date. Things get complicated when they are attacked by lessers. The lessers know where she lives now, and he has to protect her. He goes against the command of his brothers when he brings her to his place. Rhage must pay a price for his disobedience. As things get steamy, they also get complicated. Rhage has a secret. He has a beast inside of him, and it wants her.

Review

Before I started reading this book, I did not know what to expect. It is the second novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward. As I started reading, I was slightly disappointed in the change in characters. After reading Dark Lover, I had really come to like Beth and Wrath. However, as the story progressed, by disappointment disappeared. While the story might focus on different characters, those character become just as enthralling as the ones in the previous novel. I especially love Rhage's acceptance of the beast inside of him and his commitment to the woman he loves, regardless of the consequences. I am anxiously waiting for the third novel to become available at the library. I heard great things about this series, and it is definitely living up to my expectations!

Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review: Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1)

Summary

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward is about a woman who is thrust into a world that is entirely unfamiliar to her. Beth grew up as an orphan, never knowing who her parents were. When she meets a mysterious stranger who shows up at her apartment one night, it leads her on a road to discover who she is and where she came from. Lucky for her he shows up, otherwise, she would not survive when her very nature turns against her.

Wrath is a warrior. His duty is to protect his race and his people. His destiny is to lead. He has vowed to protect his dead brother's daughter as a favor. However, things do not entirely go to plan when he meets her. There is something about her that entices and endears him to her. However, taking a lover is not something he has ever wanted or planned on. That is, not until he meets her.

Review

Dark Lover is an enthralling novel with an abundance of romance and passion. Ward does a fabulous job of characterizing the hero and heroine.  I love when the lead female character is strong, and Ward does a great job of  creating a strong heroine in Dark lover. Beth, is a strong character who is does not let fear stop her, but she also has depth. She is a great match for her male equivalent. Wrath is a warrior who lives to protect his race and his brothers. Over the course of the book, the reader is able to see a change in him as he learns to accept love.

Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Blog Hop

Hey everybody. The spook-a-licious blog hop is ending soon. Monday the 24th is the last day to participate in this amazing event. The blog hop is a number of blogs that have joined together to celebrate their readers. The participating blogs are giving away lots of cool prizes. Head on over to http://enchantedmusebloghoptours.blogspot.com/ for a list and link to all the participating blogs. I hope everyone has fun during the tour!

Paranormalcy Book Review

     Summary

     Paranormalcy by Kiersten White is a story about a young girl who has grown up bagging and tagging paranormals. Everything is fine until a young man named Lend breaks into the center, and someone starts killing paranormals. That is when Evie starts to question herself and her role at IPCA. Who is killing the paranormals, and what is Evie?

Review

    Paranormalcy is a story of a young girl's self discovery. Kiersten has a way of drawing the reader in from the very beginning, and Evie's story is unique. I have never read a story quite like this. This was the first of Kiersten's books that I have read, and I was rewarded with a unique and compelling story that filled me with satisfaction. I enjoyed the characters the most. Kiersten's book is filled with various types of paranormals. There is more than just the typical vampire and werewolf. My favorite character would have to be Cresseda the water elemental. She answers Evie's questions in a vague manner that is typical of immortals while still seeming to care about Evie. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I am anxious to read the second book in Kiersten White's trilogy Supernaturally. 


Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Book Giveaways

I promised to share some book giveaways. Here are a few giveaways that I thought were interesting.

Head on over to Hobbies on a Budget at http://hobbiesonabudget.com/book-bonanza-giveaway/ to enter the Book Bonanza Giveaway. She is giving away over 20 books to a lucky winner.

There is another great giveaway: Escape and Emjoy. Visit http://www.joanswan.com/buzz.giveaway.htm and enter a chance to win a copy of Fever!

The last giveaway for today is a chance to win Dearly Departed at http://www.firstpagepanda.com/2011/10/first-page-and-giveaway-dearly-departed/

Wickedly Charming eBook Review

     Wickedly Charming is a book about fairy tale characters who did not live happily ever after.  Prince Charming divorced Cinderella and moved to the "Greater World" and met Snow White's evil stepmother Mellie. Things aren't always what they seem. What if the archetypal fairy tale characters are not who everyone thinks they are. That is what Charming and Mellie discover in Kristine Grayson's Wickedly Charming.
     This book was a cute take on fairy tales. It was a story of discovery, growth, and romance. The hero and heroine (h/h) are dynamic characters who overcome their insecurities and find love in the process. The story starts out with Mellie ranting against the unfair portrayal of archetypes. As the story moves along, several interesting plots develop. However, towards the end, Grayson wraps up some of the subplots too quickly and easily, leaving the reader not completely satisfied. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a heart-warming tale of a second chance at happily ever after.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars