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Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #8)
by J.R. Ward
by J.R. Ward
Shawna's review
bookshelves: jr-ward-jessica-bird, pnr-vampires, favorite-romance-series, series-black-dagger-brotherhood, tattoos-piercings-body-art, rt-book-reviews-top-pick, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, badasses-hunks-in-leather, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, sizable-packages, made-me-cry, 2010-reads, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, favorites, friends-to-lovers, hero-beta, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, i-read-own-faves-keepers, man-man-lovin, hh-deaf-mute-speech-disorder, cheating-hearts-fidelity-issues, satisfying-secondary-romance, psychic-special-abilities-powers, hh-physical-mental-disability-ill, assassin, hh-warrior, 4-to-5-stars, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, hero-tattalizing, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, best-secondary-characters-ensemble, badass-kickass-motha-fucka, best-friendships, hero-brooding, hero-besotted-so-smitten-its-sexy, heroine-miss-independent, heroine-tomboy-lady-in-pants
May 24, 10
bookshelves: jr-ward-jessica-bird, pnr-vampires, favorite-romance-series, series-black-dagger-brotherhood, tattoos-piercings-body-art, rt-book-reviews-top-pick, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, badasses-hunks-in-leather, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, sizable-packages, made-me-cry, 2010-reads, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, favorites, friends-to-lovers, hero-beta, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, i-read-own-faves-keepers, man-man-lovin, hh-deaf-mute-speech-disorder, cheating-hearts-fidelity-issues, satisfying-secondary-romance, psychic-special-abilities-powers, hh-physical-mental-disability-ill, assassin, hh-warrior, 4-to-5-stars, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, hero-tattalizing, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, best-secondary-characters-ensemble, badass-kickass-motha-fucka, best-friendships, hero-brooding, hero-besotted-so-smitten-its-sexy, heroine-miss-independent, heroine-tomboy-lady-in-pants
Recommended for:
Fans of the badass Brothers!
Read from May 11 to 13, 2010
** spoiler alert **
4 ½ stars – Vampire/Paranormal Romance
Okay...It goes without saying that I’m a total hussy for the Brothers, that the BDB series is my favorite, and that the ‘WARD’en is brilliant, and I totally expected this to be another no-brainer 5-star read. But unfortunately, it juuust didn’t quite get there for me (shocking...I know!), mainly since I felt a little bit cheated in the romance department due to all the Lash/Lesser distraction and because there was just so much filler. I mean, Lash’s evil manifestation through physical deterioration and mental decline into total cuckoo-ville got waaay too much word time. And what was with the completely irrelevant haunted southern mansion sub-plot?! I could have done without that interruption for sure. I also felt like the flashback sub-plot with Darius and Tohr was a bit disruptive to the overall flow and pace of the story, but at least it tied in really well at the end. Although I’m still utterly confused about whether John Matthew is supposed to be Darius reincarnated or is he just his son?
I’ve always liked John Matthew and ached for his suffering and found Xhex to be a mysterious, intriguing, and kick-butt heroine, but I just didn’t picture them becoming a BDB power couple like Zsadist and Bella, Rhage and Mary, or Wrath and Beth. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and totally captivated by their intense connection, personal struggles, emotional turmoil and growth, and journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and healing. I just wish there had been more time devoted to their relationship and romance because it was so complicated, touching, volatile yet tender, passionate, heart-wrenching, and blistering hot!
By far, my favorite aspect of Lover Mine was the explosive sexual tension and volatile emotional conflict between Qhuinn and Blaylock...YOWZA! They (Qhuay) flat-out stole the show, IMO. I just kept wishing and hoping that Ward would give us a nice, fat, juicy Qhuinn/Blay steak! I expect (fingers crossed) that they will get their own story, or at least a novella, at some point, and I really hope there’s a big HEA coming their way. There better not be a Marissa and/or Jane sell out this time either...I want a Qhuinn/Blay mating, darnit!
So, although this wasn’t my favorite or a perfect 5-star read, the BDB series still kicks major ass! Now, I just wish there wasn’t such a long, agonizing wait until the next book! 4 ½...almost 5 stars!
And whew boy, what a sexy, hot cover! I love the nail scratch marks on his chest!
Okay...It goes without saying that I’m a total hussy for the Brothers, that the BDB series is my favorite, and that the ‘WARD’en is brilliant, and I totally expected this to be another no-brainer 5-star read. But unfortunately, it juuust didn’t quite get there for me (shocking...I know!), mainly since I felt a little bit cheated in the romance department due to all the Lash/Lesser distraction and because there was just so much filler. I mean, Lash’s evil manifestation through physical deterioration and mental decline into total cuckoo-ville got waaay too much word time. And what was with the completely irrelevant haunted southern mansion sub-plot?! I could have done without that interruption for sure. I also felt like the flashback sub-plot with Darius and Tohr was a bit disruptive to the overall flow and pace of the story, but at least it tied in really well at the end. Although I’m still utterly confused about whether John Matthew is supposed to be Darius reincarnated or is he just his son?
I’ve always liked John Matthew and ached for his suffering and found Xhex to be a mysterious, intriguing, and kick-butt heroine, but I just didn’t picture them becoming a BDB power couple like Zsadist and Bella, Rhage and Mary, or Wrath and Beth. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and totally captivated by their intense connection, personal struggles, emotional turmoil and growth, and journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and healing. I just wish there had been more time devoted to their relationship and romance because it was so complicated, touching, volatile yet tender, passionate, heart-wrenching, and blistering hot!
By far, my favorite aspect of Lover Mine was the explosive sexual tension and volatile emotional conflict between Qhuinn and Blaylock...YOWZA! They (Qhuay) flat-out stole the show, IMO. I just kept wishing and hoping that Ward would give us a nice, fat, juicy Qhuinn/Blay steak! I expect (fingers crossed) that they will get their own story, or at least a novella, at some point, and I really hope there’s a big HEA coming their way. There better not be a Marissa and/or Jane sell out this time either...I want a Qhuinn/Blay mating, darnit!
So, although this wasn’t my favorite or a perfect 5-star read, the BDB series still kicks major ass! Now, I just wish there wasn’t such a long, agonizing wait until the next book! 4 ½...almost 5 stars!
And whew boy, what a sexy, hot cover! I love the nail scratch marks on his chest!
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Quotes Shawna Liked
“You never knew the last time you were seeing someone. You didn't know when the last argument happened, or the last time you had sex, or the last time you looked into their eyes and thanked God they were in your life.
After they were gone?
That was all you thought about.
Day and night.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
After they were gone?
That was all you thought about.
Day and night.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“As Qhuinn looked at his best friend's handsome face, he felt as if he'd never not known that red hair, those blue eyes, those lips, that jaw. And it was because of their long history that he searched for something to say, something that would get them back to where they had been. All that came to him was . . . I miss you. I miss you so fucking bad it hurts, but I don't know how to find you even though you're right in front of me.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“I would hold you up. I will ever hold you up and hold you dear, lover mine.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“John leaned in and pressed his lips to hers; then he stretched out beside her. His body was exhausted but, his heart was alive with a joy so pure it was like the sunlight he didn't get to see anymore: He was a mute-ass motherfucker with a nasty past and a night job that involved fighting evil and slaughtering the undead. And in spite of all that...he'd gotten the girl.”
― John Matthew thinking of Xhex - J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― John Matthew thinking of Xhex - J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“No, you've got it all wrong, John." Reading his emotions, she shook her head. "You're not half the male you could be because of what was done to you. You're twice what anyone else is because you survived.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Or, God, maybe this was just life. For everyone on the planet. Maybe the Survivor's Club wasn't something you "earned," but simply what you were born into when you came out of your mother's womb. Your heartbeat put you on the roster and then the rest of it was just a question of vocabulary: the nouns and verbs used to describe the events that rocked your foundation and sent you flailing were not always the same as other people's, but the random cruelties of disease and accident, and the malicious focus of evil men and nasty deeds, and the heartbreak of loss with all its stinging whips and rattling chains... At the core, it was all the same.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Then you would hold me up, wouldn't you." He traced over her features with his fingertips. And as he did, for some strange reason, he felt the arms of infinity wrapping around them both, holding them close... linking them forever. Yes, he mouthed. I would hold you up. I will ever hold you up and hold you dear, lover mine.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“The truth was...he was in love with her. Totally over-the-line, no-going-back, not-even-dead-would-he-part kind of shit.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Fuckin' A... hope didn't so much spring eternal as it drowned out common sense and self-preservation.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“The essential truth of life, he was coming to realize, wasn't romantic
and took only two words to label: Shit. Happens.
But the thing was, you kept going. You kept your friends and your
family and your mate as safe as you were able. And you kept fighting even
after you were knocked down.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
and took only two words to label: Shit. Happens.
But the thing was, you kept going. You kept your friends and your
family and your mate as safe as you were able. And you kept fighting even
after you were knocked down.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Say the word. Say the word and I won't go.
Say the word, Qhuinn. Do it and I'll spend the night with you.
Better yet, why don't you just kiss me-”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
Say the word, Qhuinn. Do it and I'll spend the night with you.
Better yet, why don't you just kiss me-”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Some things are destined to be -- it just takes us a couple of tries
to get there.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
to get there.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“The male who'd just arrived laughed as he embraced Qhuinn. "You have such a way with words, cousin. I would say...trucker meets sailor crossed with a twelve-year-old.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Ride?" Rhage snorted. "Please. That thing is a sewing machine with an air dam taped to it. My GTO could dust the fucker in fourth gear from a dead stop."
When there was an odd sound from behind, John looked back. So did the three Brothers.
"What." Xhex bristled and crossed her arms over her chest. "I can laugh, you know. And that's . . . pretty damn funny."
Rhage beamed. "I knew I liked you.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
When there was an odd sound from behind, John looked back. So did the three Brothers.
"What." Xhex bristled and crossed her arms over her chest. "I can laugh, you know. And that's . . . pretty damn funny."
Rhage beamed. "I knew I liked you.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
“Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they were right for each other. He'd read that book, seen the movie, bought the soundtrack, the DVD, the T-shirt, the mug, the bobble-head, and the insider's guide. He knew every reason they could have been lock and key.
But just as he was aware of all that aligned them, he was even clearer on how they were damned to be ever apart.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
But just as he was aware of all that aligned them, he was even clearer on how they were damned to be ever apart.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Mine
Reading Progress
| 05/11/2010 | page 226 |
|
44.14% | "JM/Xhex and Blay/Qhuinn are breaking my heart. I keep hearing that Elton John and Kiki Dee duet in my head..."Don't go breaking my heart." 3 comments |
| 05/12/2010 | page 286 |
|
55.86% | "I love Blay!" 13 comments |
| 05/13/2010 | page 512 |
|
100.0% | "Hmmm...A lot to wade through and then the ending was way too brief. *sigh* A year 'til the next book...at least Crave will ease the wait." |
Comments (showing 1-27 of 27) (27 new)
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Ronda
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rated it 5 stars
Nov 07, 2009 03:19pm
I love it - can't wait for it to come out.
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WHEW .... when I first saw this cover I lost my breath!! Xhex's nail scratches are perfect, and the red color absolutely fits their hot relationship!! I can't wait for April 2010 :D
Fantastic review, Shawna!Too bad i still can't get the nerve to read it. Shocking, i know! My consolation is that by the time i get started, you will all be in withdrawal so my waiting will not be so bad.LOL
Riya wrote: "Roddy I haven't read it yet either! I want Blay to not get his heart broke so I'm being a coward"Not you too, Riya?! Did Deanna put you up to it? *pouts* LOL!
Thanks, Rossy! I know what you mean...sometimes waiting closer to the next release date makes the wait less painful. That's why I haven't read Beneath the Skin yet.Thanks, Daisiemae!
I love the cover too... I haven't finished reading so I can't comment, but after reading all of your comment, I know I'll never disappointed...
I never new I would be routing for the guys but there you have it! I agree, the mansion subplot really upset me. I had absolutely nothing to do with the story and she could have attempted to tie it in a little better in the end.
That's one of the reasons I don't get as "hyped up" anymore to read the BDB series. Ward just goes in different directions and the "main characters" just get lost in all the blah blah blah. I don't remember the first few books in the series being like that. It's almost as if she can't fill a whole book with just one couple anymore. Oh yeah, and the cover IS hot!!!!
I agree, Barbara. I did re-reads of my favorites, Lover Eternal and Lover Awakened fairly recently, and there was just such a stronger romance element in them. But I still 5+ star love them all except Phury's book, Lover Enshrined, and this because the main romance got so little development and there's just too much lesser and other distraction. Oh well, I'm still a huge, devoted BDB fan!
I just read "The Story of Son" and was blown away by how much the WARDen's style has changed. It was much more like her first 3 BDB novels. The lessers are getting too much time IMO, and while I've just started Lover Mine, I expect I will love it, you're right...it's just not like her earlier books with more time devoted to the love story, and the sub-plots staying just that-sub-plots.
Shawna - I agree, the only non-5 star romances were Lover Enshrined and this one, which are probably my biggest peeves with them. I LOVE Lover Eternal.My review was very similar to yours. I wanted it to be 5 stars very badly but I just couldn't give it.
I'm going to be slow on this book-I know it's usually 2 days or so for me, but I'm reader Lover Mine on my iphone, so it's not easy...but I hope to have it done soon, and then I can join in with everyone!!!! Can I jump in and say that I had such high hopes for Lover Enshrined as a die hard Phury lover, and was soo disappointed not by the love story, but by the lack of love story. I mean way too many points of view, way too much sub-plot, and soo not enough Phury and Cormia! Especially after they finally got together for the first time...what a waste of potential!
Well said Shawna and I completely agree with your rating and why --I felt the same way. The sub stories got on my nerves but I liked how Ward brought it all together in the end. I was confused too with the Darius/JM story. Was he Darius reincarnated or not --unclear and no idea if we'll get that info later either. And the tension btw Blay and Qhuinn --verrrry smokin' hot ;D
Thanks, East! I'm hopin' there's a lot more in store for Blay and Qhuinn 'cause they're explosive together!
Although I’m still utterly confused about whether John Matthew is supposed to be Darius reincarnated or is he just his son? Have you read the Insider's Guide, Shawna? It was only one brief mention, but J.R. Ward did come out and say that JM is the reincarnation of Darius. It was nice to have the outright confirmation, but I've always assumed as much and probably would have even more so after reading Lover Mine, because of the two personalities that Xhex saw integrating within him right before he had the deja vu moment in the alley.
