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Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #9)

J.R. Ward

Start date: September 1, 2013

Finish date: September 30, 2013

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Black Dagger Brotherhood …more
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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 103 posts · 33 views

last updated Sep 26, 2025 08:29PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Nov 25, 2010 Trish rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, j-r-ward, paranormal-romance, vamp-romance, favorites, bdb

I always love reading the BDB books even if the books are close to 500 pages. I still feel as though it needs to be longer so that I can read more about the story of the hero/heroine. Funny tid bid- I decided what the hell I want to finish this book so I am going to take it over to my parents house while I visit with my sister and BIL. He is an avid reader so of course he picked it up and questioned the story line. I did my best to explain it and tried to tell him it is not all about loving or l I always love reading the BDB books even if the books are close to 500 pages. I still feel as though it needs to be longer so that I can read more about the story of the hero/heroine. Funny tid bid- I decided what the hell I want to finish this book so I am going to take it over to my parents house while I visit with my sister and BIL. He is an avid reader so of course he picked it up and questioned the story line. I did my best to explain it and tried to tell him it is not all about loving or lovers. And he turned to the page of the shower scene between Manny and Payne and quickly put it down. lol!! From then on I was asked how is the lovers/loving.

I loved this 9th book in the series. I understand some readers felt this was a filler and not as good as the past books. I would agree with that opinion but still loved this one. I like the fact the the story of the BDB is going to continue and with the new characters being introduced including Xcor and the band of bastards. I am really interested in how their interaction with the BDB is going to play out.

This story was about Dr. Manuel Manello and Payne, twin sister of Vishous, Chosen female, and daughter to scribe virgin. They are introduced due to the injury Payne occurred in the previous book by her combat training with Wrath in Lover Mine. "Manny is called in to treat her as only he can- and he is soon sucked into her dangerous secret world." The book is about the two trying to figure out how to find their way in her world and his world as her past catches up to her.

Vishous, Jane, and Butch are also front and center in this book. I enjoyed reading more about the threesome and how their relationship had progressed/regressed since Lover Unbound #5. I will admit Vishous is one of my favorite brothers and I was dying for more storyline on him. I felt his story ended way to soon and I needed more. He is truly one tormented brother with a ton of issues but a super big heart.

This book is not as gritty, shocking, or eventful as the previous books but it was still a pager turner for me. I would like to read more about murhder since he was introduced in #8 LM, Poor Quinn was tormented with his own rules on how he should love and behave, got a small taste of Blay living his life and moving on with Saxton, Layla was ever present doing her Chosen duty, and the rest of the brotherhood made small appearances in the book. ...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Lisarenee rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own

The Black Dagger Brotherhood - A group of elite vampire warriors sworn to protect their people and King - Wrath. Doesn't hurt they're also some of the best looking, sexist, loyalest and, at times, scariest group of guys you'd ever have the pleasure or displeasure to meet.

Payne, it was discovered in the last book, is Vishous' (V's) twin sister and the daughter of the Virgin Scribe and the Bloodletter. She is now in the "real" world and still paralyzed. Jane has done all she can to help her, but d The Black Dagger Brotherhood - A group of elite vampire warriors sworn to protect their people and King - Wrath. Doesn't hurt they're also some of the best looking, sexist, loyalest and, at times, scariest group of guys you'd ever have the pleasure or displeasure to meet.

Payne, it was discovered in the last book, is Vishous' (V's) twin sister and the daughter of the Virgin Scribe and the Bloodletter. She is now in the "real" world and still paralyzed. Jane has done all she can to help her, but decides Payne's best chance for recovery is Dr.Manuel Manello (Manny), Jane's her former boss and friend. We will finally get to know more about Manny and find out what the connection he has to the Brothers.

A new, or should I say old, set of warriors enters the land of Caldwell, New York. The Bledletter's band of warriors is now being led by Xcor. As there seem to be no lessers left in Europe they've decided to come to America. A new story line that has to do with Payne will be revealed and it will put her life in jeopardy. They will also end up being another force that the Brothers will need to eventually deal with. I look forward to seeing what Ward will do with this group.

Meanwhile, Jane and V are having marital problems. Some of the problems are caused from abuse V suffered from his father. Something V is still trying to deal with. This part of the story I liked because Ward doesn't do the classic fairy tale ending. Let's face it in real life seldom do we fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. There are almost always bumps in the road and if you ask any long married happy couple what's their secret they will almost always tell you it's something you have to work at. So kudos to Ward for letting her book mimic, at least in some ways, real life.

Qhuin is still dealing with his feelings for Blay. Again kudos go out to Ward for portraying the feelings of a person who has not yet 'come out of the closet' about his sexuality. Even though I'd probably classify Qhuin as a bisexual as opposed to gay, he is having trouble dealing with the fact he might just end up in a long term relationship with another man. I also like the flip side of this story which is that of Blay's. He already knows his feelings and has to deal with the person he loves not being able to reciprocate.

Something I didn't care for in the story is the BDSM angle that comes along with V. While I applaud Ward for making it clear something like child abuse doesn't just magically go away once the abuse stops, I kind of don't care for all the whips, chains, masks, etc that go along with V's story line. I don't understand the lure of this stuff and, to be truthful, I find it a bit creepy. Was hoping Ward had gotten the whole BDSM out of her system with V's book. If she goes more and more into this I will need to stop reading her series. That is one story line I just don't want to explore or read more of. Granted, she's kind of not fully delved into this area and kind of dances around the hard core stuff. When it comes to Ward, however, I've always sensed she tries to test the waters with her readers before taking the big plunge to gauge how her readers respond to wherever she's thinking of leading them.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Notes: BDSM and homosexuality are in this one.

Favorite Quote:
Vishous, the one who always had an answer for everything, seemed to get tongue-tied. But then he said, "You're the reason I get out of bed every night. And you're the reason I can't wait to come home every dawn. Not the war. Not the Brothers. Not even Butch. It's...you."

Song that danced through my head with this one:
Sexual Healing as sung by Marvin Gaye ...more

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Aug 01, 2011 is mee... kissa rated it it was ok

nope. not enough to redeem it. i liked the V, Jane, Blay and Qhuinn parts. But that's it. Nada on the main romance. Plus, what the hell happened to the climax? where was the climax to this story?! more like an anticlimax. not the best one you've got Ward. I think it's the one i like the least.
(view spoiler) ...more

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