Review of For the Love of a Vampire by M. Leighton

Title: For the Love of a Vampire (Blood Like Poison, #1)
Author: M. Leighton
Published by: Self Published
Pages: 278
Source: Obtained free from Amazon (on 12/27/2012)
Format: ebook
Rating: 2 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Like most seventeen year olds, Ridley Heller thought she had her future all planned out. What she wanted most in life was to get out of small town Harker. Her only goal was to keep her mouth shut and her grades high so she could win a cheerleading scholarship to Stanford. But that was before she met Bo. 

In Ridley’s wildest dreams, she could never have planned for someone like Bo, for a love so intense it left her breathless. No human girl could.

A haunting stranger that watched her from afar, Bo stole Ridley’s heart from the moment she laid eyes on him. But he has secrets. Bo’s a vampire. Both his past and his present are a danger to Ridley, but the biggest threat is not her blood; it’s her heart. He’s feeding a thirst for revenge that will cost him his life, and it may already be too late. 

The more darkness Ridley uncovers, the more she realizes that her life will never be the same—with or without Bo. Can she sacrifice her future and her heart for someone who has a death wish?

M. Leighton brings a different twist to the typical young-adult vampire love story.  

While we are all used to the typical girl meets cute mysterious boy, but soon realizes something is different about him story, For the Love of a Vampire adds a interesting twist.  Bo's father was killed a while ago and now he's out for revenge, but the act of the revenge itself is literally killing him. 

I liked that Bo wasn't a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.  He's a bit dark and a lot mysterious, but he's actually a great guy underneath it all...um well, besides the whole revenge thing.  He makes Ridley not only want to be a better person, but to actually act like one too. She's not living the easiest life and she tries to coast through by just ignoring everything around her.  Her 'friends' are actually quite horrible people.  I don't like conflict or anything, but I don't think I could have just sat there a let them talk like that or get anyway with things they did.  I felt like this was a good example of peer pressure and how wanting to be like everyone else sometimes causes you to ignore things that are blatantly wrong and hurtful.  I'm not condoning anyone's  behavior, but I'm sure this is something that happens is school everyday and I'm glad that the author showed this is unacceptable and something needs to be done.  By saying nothing to bullies you are encouraging them without using words.  I'll stop ranting now...    

This novel started out really well.  I liked the internal conflict that was going on with Ridley between who she truly was and how she outwardly acted.  I even liked originally meeting Bo and him challenging her to do what was right, however, the story kind of deteriorated from there.  There was huge case of insta-love between Ridley and Bo and I just didn't get it.  They were not connected in anyway that I knew of and yet they were in love by the second day.  That was just too much for me and it seemed to override everything else happening in the story.  The plot was interesting, but I felt like everything happened too fast and with not enough detail.  The whole thing, their romance and the conflict, seemed to speed along without the reader getting to savor what was happening.    

I think this would have been a great story if Ridley and Bo's relationship slowly built as the story continued as well as, flushing out more of the conflict.  M. Leighton was creative with her character's circumstances and the plot behind the story, which brings a lot to the table, however, it just didn't come together for me.   

Reviewed of Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood #7)
Author: J.R. Ward
Published by: Penguin Group
Pages: 672
Source: Purchased
Format: ebook
Rating: 3 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood-even though his sister is married to a member, for he harbors a deadly secret that could make him a huge liability in their war against the lessers. As plots within and outside of the Brotherhood threaten to reveal the truth about Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world, Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him-and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

With another installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood our knowledge of these deadly and sexy creatures grows.  While Rehvenge may not be part of the brotherhood and was always seen as the big bad drug lord, Lover Avenged brings out a completely different side of this warrior and what he'd do for love.

Ehlena and Rehvenge made quite the couple.  I think out of all the mates I have liked Ehlena the most.  She's down to earth and willing to fight for what she thinks is right.  She's determined and carries herself with a dignity that far surpasses those of the glymera.  Along with this couple we get to see more into the lives of the other brother especially Wrath and Beth and John Matthew and Xhex.  I love how intertwined each of the brothers stories are and it's kind of a treat when they make a larger reappearance in the later books.  I've missed some of them greatly and wish we'd get more glimpses into their lives.

The pace of this novel was a little off for me.  I found it quite slow at times and I didn't enjoy any of the scenes with the lessers.  In fact, I kind of skimmed over those because I couldn't connect to them at all.  Even though this wasn't my favorite book in the series, J.R. Ward left us with a cliffhanger that makes me eager to read the next book. 

Review of To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory

Title: To Kill a Warlock
Author: H.P. Mallory
Pages: 210
Source: Obtained free from Amazon (July 3, 2012)
Format: ebook
Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: The murder of a dark arts warlock.A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.

Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world.

When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.

To Kill a Warlock is a hilarious read that is pure enjoyment.

Dulcie is a fun character. She's spunky, quirky and really wants to be a romance writer...oh and she's also a fairy. Dulcie is somehow corralled into working with this gorgeous stranger to catch a murder, and her life gets flipped upside down in the process. While the situation may not be ideal, Dulcie is the type of character to do what is needed of her, even if it means red leather, and black feathers.  I did really liked Dulcie as a character, but I wish she would have had a little more depth.  She was funny, but I felt like by the end of the novel I never really got to know her. For me, if I don't feel attached to the main characters I have a hard time connecting with the rest of the book.

H.P. Mallory made sure to not forget any paranormal creature as she was writing To Kill a Warlock. We've got vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, loki and even a gnome. I loved the interesting mix of paranormal creatures and the plot that intertwined them all was easy to follow and kept you wanting more.  There are some fun scenes where Knight is partially possessed by the creatures blood and he becomes quite the horny teenage boy.  I was literally laughing out loud and could feel Dulcie’s frusteration. 

To Kill a Warlock was a fast read that quite entertaining.  It is one of those reads I would consider "mind candy", but hey who doesn't like a treat every now and then?  If you're looking for a book that's light, fun and easy to get lost To Kill a Warlock is the perfect choice.

Review of The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

Title: The Emerald Talisman
Author: Brenda Pandos
Published by: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Source: Obtained free from Amazon (12/27/2011)
Format: ebook
Rating: 2.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

The Emerald Talisman started out with so much promise.  In fact, I flew through the first third of the book.  The writing was good, the plot enticing, and the characters quirky and fun.  Then for some reason it changed for me.  It didn't hold my attention or feel like anything that was extra special.  It turned into one of those novels that you feel like you've already read. 

Julia has led a hard life and it just got more crazy.  She did seem caring and used the gift of empathy to help her friends, instead of using it to her advantage.  I'm not sure how much she would call it a gift, but it seemed to help her out at times as much as it was a burden.  I liked Julia, but felt she was a bit obsessive and was annoyingly stubborn at times which put not only herself, but others at risk.  She didn't think very clearly and instead acted on emotions alone.  This is not someone I'd like in my corner when facing blood thirsty stalkers.

The story was good, but not very original and it got a bit weird at the end.  A lot of major events happen at the end without any real explanation.  The conflict of this story did get resolved, but I think Brenda Pandos also used this novel to set up her next in the series by leaving the readers with some major questions. 

While it wasn't my favorite read, I still think I'll check out the next in the series to see if some of those questions get answered. 

Review of Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Title: Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12)
Author: Charlaine Harris
Narrator: Johanna Parker
Published by: Recorded Books Inc.
Length: 8 sound discs (9 hr., 30 min.)
Source: Libary
Format: Audio
Rating: 3 stars

Summary from Goodreads:  With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Sookie, Sookie, Sookie...we are on the 12th book and people are still trying to kill you.  Don't get me wrong, I love this series.  I've read and listened to all the books, however, they are all starting to sound the same. 

After Sookie is summoned to Eric's house to entertain Felipe de Castro, all hell brakes loose when they find a dead girl on Eric's front lawn.  After the last book I expected the wrath of Felipe de Castro to be a little more terrifying.  He is supposed to be this big bad vamp and yet a lot of the book didn't focus on that.  In fact, it didn't focus much on vampires at all much to my disappointment.  I wanted some quality Eric time and this book didn't deliver that, instead it focused mostly on Sookie.

Sookie is her typical self; a little flighty, quick tempered, and forced into awkward and dangerous situations.  However, she does seems to be doing a little soul searching in this novel.  She looks over her life and all the things and people in it.  I think this may be leading up into the big decision that the next (and last) book in the series will hold.  Who does Sookie really belong with? Eric, Bill, Sam, Alcide or someone completely new and human? 

The plot was pretty much the same as all the rest of the books in the series.  Though the ending does bring a bit of a surprise that I wasn't expecting.  Overall, I felt like this book was pretty much setting up everything for the final installment of the series.  It wrapped up a couple of loose ends and set up some decisions Sookie will have to make about her life. 

Even with its predictability and typicality's it was still a fun book to listen to.  I enjoyed listening to Johanna Parker read as Sookie.  I know she's narrated some Meg Cabot and Jennifer Weiner books, but to me she will always be Sookie. 

Review of Sunrise at Sunset by Jaz Primo

Title: Sunrise at Sunset
Author: Jaz Primo
Published by: Rutherford Literary Group
Pages: 430
Source: Obtained free from Amazon on June 18, 2012
Format: ebook
Rating: 2 stars

Summary from Goodreads: My name is Katrina Rawlings, and I am a vampire. I declare that with neither pride nor ego. I am simply nature’s most dangerous predator. On occasion, it’s a very valuable quality. It helped me protect Caleb Taylor one day when he was very young. But that single, traumatic day is behind him now; wiped from his memory, or so I hope.

Caleb has finally matured into a rather striking young man, and believe me, I like what I see. I’ll readily admit that there are issues for us to confront and overcome, though a sense of mutual commitment isn’t one of them. I’m feeling hopeful for our future together, in fact. But an adversary from my past has returned to haunt me, and she’s trying to get back at me through Caleb. That was her first...and last...mistake. I’ll protect my Caleb at all costs, and I’ll make her regret the day she was born.

 I had not heard of this book before the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge decided to do this as a June read-a-long.  I normally enjoy paranormal romance novels so I was excited to read it, but this book did not click with me. 

It had the right elements...gorgeous but dangerous vampire chick, humble male love interest with a past connection to said vampire, blood, romance, and of course some action, but they didn't seem to come together. 

Katrina was bossy, controlling and overprotective.  If I were Caleb I don't think I could have handled how disrespectful she was in taking control of his life.  I felt she went a bit overboard with trying to protect Caleb against her enemy by secluding him from everything.  I did, however, like that Katrina wasn't portrayed as some harmless being.  She was vicious, dangerous and blood thirsty. For the other characters, Alton and Paige who were two vampire friends of Katrina's were an improvement.  You got to see more into their lives and who they were as "people."  They were interesting and lively and made you want to know more about them.    

The plot itself was lacking and needed some work.  I liked to overall story but I felt the execution was a little befuddled.  The "planing" scenes were drawn out, whereas the action was over in a few pages.   I also did fully believe Katrina's and Caleb's love for one another; it felt insta-romance, but without any real conviction. 

I enjoyed the beginning of this story but the rest didn't live up to my expectations. 

Happy Fourth of July for you all Americans.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and get to see some fireworks tonight!

Review of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jessica's Guide Dating on the Dark Side
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Published by: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt             
Pages: 351
Source: Obtained free (on December 30, 2011) from Amazon
Format: ebook
Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.

But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

What would be your reaction if you find out not only that someone else is a vampire but you are too? 

It seems lately in YA literature that characters just accept the paranormal like we do colored hair, tattoos or piercings.  It is not a shock to them, more they expect it and accept it.  I find this a little unbelievable (in YA lit...not the colored hair, tattoos and piercings which I all like).  If someone told me they were a vampire I would think they were crazy.  This was my favorite thing about Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.  It takes Jessica a long time and a lot of proof--given multiple times--for her to actually believe that Lucius is a vampire and that she is too.  I think that proves how down to earth and real Jessica is. 

At first Lucius is kind of a jerk and very pretentious.  The one thing I did love about him is that he had a great appreciation for the generously proportioned female form.  He kept telling Jessica that she was beautiful and not overweight.  I loved the way he seemed mesmerized by her curves.  He was a true gentleman in that way.  I think it also showed his true nature when he tried to blend into society for her.  He tried to change himself so the shock and surprise would be easier on her, even though it was harder on him.  That goes a long way in my book! 

The story itself was good, but I was hoping for a little more action, both physical and romantically.  While I do enjoy reading about the situations of everyday life (well at least everyday that involves a vampire) I wish there would have been more nail biting, sitting on the edge of your chair, scenes.  I also felt the ending was a little rushed.  They rest of the book took it's time getting to each point in the novel but the end felt too fast to me.

Overall I enjoyed this novel and I can't wait to see what is in store for Jessica and Lucius in the next novel.   

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 504
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Format: ebook
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads:  Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

 Vampires, Undead, romance, hatred and blood...This book has it all.

I must admit that I had a really hard time getting into this book.  It wasn't until 150 pages or so that the tempo started picking up for me.  I didn't really like the story up until that point, but other bloggers had warned me about so the slow start, so I knew it was going to get better.

Allie is one of those characters that grows throughout the story.  I felt like I really got to know her through all the trials she's been through and I liked the type of person she turned out to be.  She had a hard life before the start of this novel and then during it things got infinitely more complicated.  She was a strong individual and I think her inner strength is what made her a survivor. 

There is a lot of action and adventure crammed into The Immortal Rules.  As slow as the first part went, the last part really flew.  I almost wish that we would have got to spend some more time with Allie as a vampire and the predicaments she got into.  The part of the story covered in this book alone could be a trilogy by itself, that is how much action happens.  There are sword fights, gun shots, blood and death.  But never fear, because there are also sweet moments and a bit of romance. 

While I'm not much for cliffhangers I'm happy about the ending of this book.  Some loose ends were tied up, but there are still enough mysteries left to hook you for the next book.   

Review of Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story by J.R. Ward

Title: Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story (Black Dagger Brotherhood #6.5)
Author: J.R. Ward
Published by: New American Library
Pages: 91
Source: Bought
Format: ebook
Rating: ★★★

Summary from Goodreads: Readers met and fell in love with Zsadist and Bella in J. R. Ward-s third New York Times bestselling novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Awakened. As a former blood slave, Zsadist bore the scars from a past filled with suffering and degradation until Bella came along and helped heal his emotional wounds. Now, though, with the birth of their child, the demons of his past have been resurrected, called forth by the innocent eyes of his beloved daughter, Nalla. Unless Bella and Nalla can bring him back with their love, he may be lost to them forever.

Can you go through a slump when reading about hot, fierce, deadly, and drop dead sexy vamps?  Apparently I have.  This book and the last book just were not up to par for me.  I'm sure it had something to do with Father Mine being a novella, but I really hope the rest of the series goes back to being as fabulous as the first couple books were.  I must admit that never really been a huge fan of novellas because I don't think you're given enough time to really get into the story or the characters.  That being said, I probably need to go into a novella with a different style of thinking than when starting a book.  Enough senseless rambling...on to the story.

In Father Mine, Bella and Zsadist are going through a rough time.  Zsadist can't quite connect with his child and in fact won't touch her.  His past is taking over his future and torturing him by making him think he isn't enough for his daughter.  This breaks my heart.  A child is so innocent with no prior judgement and to think that Zsadist is already scared of what Nalla's going to think of him is heartbreaking. 

As always I love the little tidbits we get about the "other" brothers in each story.  It's nice to get little flashes of their lives even when the book is not solely based on them.  One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is part of the ending.  I loved the scenes with the new doctor and what Zsadist endures for his daughter. 

Father Mine was a really short read that somehow still packed in action (of both kinds *blushes*), romance, and lots of love.  J.R. Ward creates these characters that you can't help but become attached to and it was nice seeing a little bit more of Zsadist. 

Adult Review of Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4)
Author: J.R. Ward
Published by: Penguin Group
Pages: 332
Source: Bought
Format: ebook
Rating: ★★★★★

Summary from Goodreads: Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

Another wild ride with the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  This time around it's Butch's story.  I always liked Butch because he's a little ruff and rugged around the edges.  He somehow incorporated his human butt into the dangerous mix of the brotherhood.  Because of his human strength and abilities he was always around to help, but yet never really became part of the action. 

Even though Butch isn't a brother or even a vampire, that doesn't mean he didn't fall for one.  Butch and Marissa have seemed to dance around their attraction for a while.  I'm glad that in Lover Revealed it is faced head on.  I thought it was sweet that even though they come from two different worlds (literally and figuratively) that they still care for one another and are willing to risk it all to be together.  Marissa is so polite and refined and I love how tenderly Butch treats her.  He seems to transform around her and she definitely softens those edges.

Though all of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books involve a vampire and it's soon to be mate (along with lots of steamy scenes that will leave you feeling quite toasty) they have a huge theme of brotherhood and loyalty.  This is what I love most about the series.  In Lover Revealed it explores the bond between Butch and Vishous.  In fact, I never really thought much about Vishous before and now I'm obsessed.  Good thing the next book Lover Unbound is his story.  I can't wait!

Review of Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Title: Burned (House of the Night #7)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Length: 13 hrs
Source: Library
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ★★

Summary from Goodreads: Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her.  But how?  He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates.  And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left…

Can you put back together a broken heart?  What about a shattered soul?  Zoe is mentally destroyed after she witnessed Heath's death and now her soul floats in pieces in the Otherworld.  I wasn't a huge fan of Zoey in this novel.  She was always this strong and independent women who not only did what was right, but stood up for what she believed in.  Now she is decimated and doesn't know how or even want to get her soul back together.  She seems lost, almost child-like, and needs not one, but two men to come and save her.  I'm all for the knight in shining armor, but this series was all about female strength before and now this seemed to do a 180.   

The other major situation going on during this Zoey drama is Stevie Rae and her love life.  She is one messed up country bumpkin.  She constantly makes bad choices throughout the novel that not only get herself, but others in trouble.  She is keeping secrets that will destroy the people closest to her.  She was really bossy in this novel and I think she should have stepped back and evaluated her situation before she acted.  Again more drama.

The actual audio part of this novel was really nice.  I'm a little confused why they keep switching narrators for different books in the series.  I enjoyed listening to Caitlin Davies narrate, but it just seems to me it would make the most sense to have one person narrate the entire series. 

When I first started this series I really like it.  I loved Zoey's friends, but we don't get to see a lot of them in this novel.  I miss their witty commentary and the spice they added to the story.  I also really enjoyed that this was a matriarchal society.  They were all strong women with a nice balance between females and males in positions of power, and I thought it sent a good message to young girls.  In Burned though I thought most of the females made poor decisions and I missed their strength.

For the last two books I've been getting bored with the series and I feel like it's the same old drama.  Has anyone read the entire series?  Do the next couple of novels get better?  I'm wondering if I should stick it out until the end or just give up on it.  

Adult Review of Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood #3)

Author: J.R. Ward

Published by: Penguin Group

Pages: 464

Source: Bought

Format: ebook

Rating: ★★★★

Summary from Goodreads: A 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...

When I asked people what was their favorite Black Dagger Brotherhood novel almost everyone responded that it was Lover Awakened.  For some reason the resident bad boy of the brotherhood was the one that melted everyone's hearts.  Did I end up agreeing with everyone...YES (though I may be kind unqualified to answer this because I've only read three of the books so far).  This novel invoked so many unexpected emotions and had more depth then the usual paranormal romance. 

Zsadist flat out scared me in the other novels.  Don't get me wrong, I found him extremely sexy and hot as hell, but he was one to look at and not touch.  While other novels hinted at his past as a blood slave this novel really told us the down and dirty of what went on.  There is no glossing over the horror in this novel and Zsadist's background is one to make you understand his tough exterior.  If that doesn't melt your heart on Zsadist than the ending will.  Zsadist and Bella's story is one of change and hope.

Bella knew she wanted Zsadist from the minute she saw him.  No matter how much he scared her and mistreated her, she knew there was more behind the hard exterior and scared face.  I really admire her.  She knew what (or should I say who) she wanted and went after it.  She saw something good and pure in Zsadist that not even his brother could find.  She never gave up hope and for that I think she is a saint.

This is one steamy book.  I'm sure I was blushing multiple times while I was reading this book.  J.R. Ward sure knows how to write scenes that will leave you feeling more than a little warm and breathless.  She also knows how to write huge unexpected twists.  There is one part in Lover Awakened that I'm extremely sad and upset about.  I don't want to give too much away, but I felt heartbroken and angry that she overturned a wonderful and pure situation.  I'm sure it will lead to a future story line of importance but at the time it seemed unnecessary.

If Lover Awakened doesn't make you addicted to this series than I don't know what else will.