Book Review: The Beast by J.R. Ward

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The Beast
Black Dagger Brotherhood #14
Author: J.R. Ward
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: April 5th 2016
Review Source: NAL

Rhage and Mary return in a new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a series “so popular, I don’t think there’s a reader today who hasn’t at least heard of [it]” (USA Today).
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

So here we are, another day, another Black Dagger Brotherhood book. I was looking forward to reading The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) by J.R. Ward for so long. Not only do I look forward to any BDB book, but I loves me some Rhage, so I was so excited when this was released. I immediately jumped right into it as soon as it arrived on my Nook. As fans of the series know this was Rhage’s second book (J.R. Ward has begun a second round of books in the series about each character) and we were now moving a step up in his relationship with his shellan (term for a vampire’s wife in the series) Mary, and their desire to have a family.

I will admit in the first quarter of the book I was a little underwhelmed, which totally bummed me out because I absolutely love this series. It/Rhage just came across as so melancholy in tone. Rhage who is our usual goofball was being a total downer and we didn’t really know why. The reason is revealed thankfully not too far into the book, but it still gave me cause to feel a little disconnected to the characters and the plot at first. Then we were also introduced to yet another sub-plot. I have to also admit that all the additional sub-plots that have popped up into this series in the last few books have been exhausting and rather annoying. The reason I loved the first go round of this series was because they focused on the brothers so much. Yes, there were the Lessers (the evil army they are fighting a war against), but we got to spend so much time with the brothers in those original books. Then J.R. Ward started adding sub-plots. Okay, I can handle a new sub-plot in each book to keep things new, fresh and interesting, but in this book alone I counted at least four additional sub-plots on top of the Rhage and Mary storyline. The jumping around to different characters and scenarios was giving me whiplash.

With that said I did feel like once I got past the first quarter of the book things really started to get interesting and much, much better. The sub-plot with the character Assail (which at first I couldn’t stand) actually really got good, whereas I could have done without the one with the human girl and the reporter. The story with Layla had its good and bad parts for me. I’m over the whole thing with her and Xcor being dragged out. It has been dragging out over several books now already. It’s like let something happen to bring this thing front and center or just forget about it. I’m slowly getting over it and I don’t want to because I think it could play out to be a really juicy bit.

I don’t want to give away details because that would obviously just ruin it for you. I still think it is a must read book. I love this series and no matter what I will continue with it until the end. This book wasn’t bad at all, like I said it really did pick up and I got super into it after the initial first few chapters, I just wish J.R. Ward would concentrate on the sub-plots she has already started instead of adding new ones with each book and then dragging out the old ones forever. I mean, if she doesn’t start taking care of what is already there while adding new ones, we are going to end up with 100 sub-plots in the upcoming books and the chapters about the actual brothers will be almost nonexistent. This is the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I would like to focus back more on them.

Overall I give this particular book four stars. Again, I loved the book, I love Rhage, I just wish there had been more about just him and not so much on other characters who aren’t brothers.

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I agree with Pauline 100% when it comes to what she said about The Beast. I was "bored" with the 1st half of the book in a sense. I'm use to so much with these Vampires and Ward took a calm route with the beginning of The Beast. All the sub-plots and secondary characters I could really do without sometimes. I was expecting more about Rhage and his Mary and I didn't get it till sometime after the half way mark of the book. And that's when the magic happened. What I love about Ward and BDB was strong in the second half of the book and at this point I could not put the book down for a second. So this is why I agree with Pauline also in giving the book a 4 star rating. And as always, can't wait for the next installment in this BDB world.

Book Review: Bully by Penelope Douglas

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Bully
Fall Away #1
Author: Penelope Douglas
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: January 5th 2015
Review Source: New American Library

My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went to France for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way in hell I'll allow him to ruin my senior year. He might not have changed, but I have. It's time to fight back.

I'm not going to let him bully me anymore.

If you're like me and loooove an angsty romance, Bully is going to be something you want to immediately pick up. The tension between Tate and Jared had my stomach in knots and had me questioning my morals. I mean to be quite frank with you Jared was evil. Literally, he was a bully. He made it his life's mission to make Tate’s high school experience miserable. So you would think I wouldn't love it, I hate bullying, but damn you Penelope Douglas you sucked me in and had me throwing all my previous reservation to the wind.

Okay, let me paint you a little picture about Bully. First Tate moves in next to Jared when they’re in grade school, Tate and Jared become best friends, then something happens, and the bullying ensues. For her junior year Tate spends a year abroad in Europe, no Jared, no bullying. But she's back for senior year and she’s got her “ain't takin’ no shit pants’ on and starts to stand up against her bully which ignites that sweet unadulterated angsty tension we all know and crave!

So yeah, this book’s main guy was most definitely an ass. But we know this, he knows this, she is clearly not oblivious to the fact, but there's history, another story to be told. And you just have to read it to find out how it all unfolds. Good luck to you kind romance reader, I needed chapter breaks because their story had my stomach in knots, but those are my favorite kind of books!

Waiting on Wednesday: J.R. Ward's The Angels' Share

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Angels' Share

A Bourbon King Novel #2

Author: J. R. Ward

Release Date: July 26th 2016

Publisher: NAL

In Charlemont, Kentucky, the Bradford family is the crème de la crème of high society- just like their exclusive brand of bourbon. And their complicated lives and vast estate are run by a discreet staff who inevitably become embroiled in their affairs. This is especially true now, when the apparent suicide of the family patriarch is starting to look more and more like murder…

No one is above suspicion—especially the eldest Bradford son, Edward. The bad blood between him and his father is known far and wide, and he is aware that he could be named a suspect. As the investigation into the death intensifies, he keeps himself busy at the bottom of a bottle—as well as with his former horse trainer’s daughter. Meanwhile, the family’s financial future lies in the perfectly manicured hands of a business rival, a woman who wants Edward all to herself.

Everything has consequences; everybody has secrets. And few can be trusted. Then, at the very brink of the family’s demise, someone thought lost to them forever returns to the fold. Maxwell Bradford has come home. But is he a savior...or the worst of all the sinners?

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Plenty of time to read The Bourbon Kings first:

Read Yara's review of The Bourbon Kings HERE. 

Blog Tour: Misconduct by Penelope Douglas | Excerpt | Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on MISCONDUCT tour for Penelope Douglas. This tour is hosted by Berkley.

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Misconduct
Author: Penelope Douglas
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: December 1st 2015
Publisher: NAL
 

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Fall Away series who never fails to deliver a “powerfully written contemporary love story…”*

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

** This is a New Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.**

I am officially OBSESSED with Penelope Douglas now! Douglas is a new to me author as of this year and I have now read all but one book by her. So you can only assume I loved this book just as much as the rest and that assumption is a definite and complete hell yeah. I know now not to have anything planned for the day when I start a Douglas novel because it will soon become my  only priority (sorry pup).

Now that we know that I am obsessed with this woman’s work, let’s discuss Misconduct and our very sassy Easton and our DILF Tyler. Easton and Tyler meet at a swanky New Orleans party, not much happens at the party, or after, but they’re both ingrained with each other’s touch, the memory, the longing with what could’ve been. When the two see each other again, it’s six months later and Easton is Tyler’s son’s teacher, not an ideal situation for our future lovebirds. Something else that was not ideal was how rude Tyler was in the beginning, but what was ideal was the way Easton didn’t take any of his shit. She’s intelligent, witty, competent, independent, and (my favorite) sarcastic.

While Tyler wasn’t the most ideal gentleman in the beginning, his character did evolve into someone I swooned over. While I never like talking too much about the story when it comes to a romance or contemporary novel since you can give away a lot of the plot with just little information, I will tell you that Easton’s character has been one of my favorites from Douglas thus far. We get a lot more information on her, past and present and what shaped her into the woman she is today. I’ll find that a lot of romance stories brush past getting to know the person and focus on the sex and the relationship, but reading Misconduct I felt like I actually got to know Easton outside of her relationship. We got to see party Easton, career Easton, tough Easton, and weak Easton. We see so much of her and I think that’s what drew me into this story so much.

Take my advice, if you like sexy romance novels with kickass women, grab a copy, download a copy, devour your copy. Then come back here and thank me. Then if you enjoy this go and buy all of Penelope Douglas’s books and let’s have a party!

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EXCERPT

Attendees laughed and danced inside, while the two of us, alone in the cold night with only a few other people lounging around the large balcony, carried on with our stolen moment.
“I should really get back, though,” I suggested, pulling away.
My brother was no doubt looking for me.
But he reached out and grabbed my hand, narrowing his eyes. “Not yet,” he urged, looking behind me toward the ballroom.
I stopped, not making a move to take away my hand.
He stood in front of me, his chest nearly touching mine.
“You’re right,” he whispered, his breath falling over me. “I don’t really like a lot of those people, and they don’t really know me.” His voice turned hoarse. “But I like you. I’m not ready to say good night yet.”
I swallowed, hearing the soft trickle of a slow jazz tune drifting out from the ballroom.
“Dance with me,” he commanded.
He didn’t wait for a response.
Sliding a hand around my waist, he guided me in, and I sucked in a sharp breath, my body meeting his for the first time.
Raising my arms, I put my right hand on his shoulder and my left hand in his as I let him lead me in a small circle, remaining in our own small, private space. Chills broke out down my arms, but I didn’t think he noticed.
I let my eyes fall closed for a moment, not understanding what made him feel so good. My hands tingled and my legs felt weak.
There was rarely ever a time when I felt drawn to a man. I’d felt attraction and passion, and I’d enjoyed sex, but I’d never opened myself up to someone long enough to connect.
Now I found myself not wanting this evening to end any way other than in his arms.
That’s where I wanted this to go. I didn’t need his name, what he did for a living, or his family history. I just wanted to be close to someone and feel good, and maybe that would be enough to satisfy me for the next few months until I needed someone again.
Shaking my head slightly, I tried to clear my thoughts.
Enough, Easton. He was good-looking and interesting, but I didn’t see anything in him that I hadn’t seen in any other man.
He wasn’t special.
Looking up, I asked, “You’re not enjoying the party, so what would you rather be doing right now?”
He shot me a small, sexy smile. “I like what I’m doing right now.”
I rolled my eyes, covering up how much I also liked him holding me close. “I mean, if not this?”
He twisted his lips, looking me over like he was thinking. “I’d be working, I guess,” he answered. “I work a lot.”
So he’d rather be doing work than schmoozing and drinking at a Mardi Gras ball? I dipped my head, breaking out in a laugh.
“What?” He pinched his eyebrows together.
I met his eyes, seeing the confusion. “You prefer work,” I stated. “I can relate to that.”
He nodded. “My work challenges me, but it’s also predictable. I like that,” he admitted. “I don’t like surprises.”
I instantly slowed, nearly stopping our dance.
I said the same thing all the time. I never liked surprises.
“Everything else outside of work is unpredictable,” I added for him. “It’s hard to control.”
He cocked his head and brought his hand up to my face, running his thumb along my cheek.
“Yeah,” he mused, leaning in while his hand circled the back of my neck possessively. “But there are times,” he said softly, “when I like to lose control.”
I closed my eyes. Jesus.
 “What’s your last name?” he asked.
I opened my eyes, blinking. My last name? I had kind of liked keeping specifics off the table. I didn’t even know his first name yet.
“Easton?” he pressed.
I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you want to know that?”
He stepped forward, charging me slowly and pushing me backward. I had to keep backing up so as not to fall. “Because I intend on getting to know you,” he said. It sounded like a threat.
“Why?”
“Because I like talking to you,” he shot back, his voice thick with a laugh he was holding in.
I hit the wall behind me and stopped, glancing over at the people sitting at the table across the balcony.
He closed the remaining distance between us and dipped down until his face was a couple of inches from mine.
I locked my hands behind my back, instinctively tapping the wall with my fingers and counting in my head. One, two, three—
“Do you like me?” He cut me off, a playful tilt to his lips.
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I turned my head, but I knew he saw it anyway.
“I don’t know,” I answered casually. “You might be too much of a gentleman.”
The corner of his lips curled, looking sinister, and he threaded his hand around the back of my neck and through my hair, gripping my waist with the other and pressing his body to mine.
 “Which means I’m still a man, only with more skill,” he whispered against my lips, making my breath shake. “And there’s only one place I won’t be careful with you.”

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Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author living in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter. Her books include the Fall Away series (Bully, Until You, Rival, Falling Away, and Aflame). Please look for her new erotica, Corrupt, releasing Nov. 17th, and her new contemporary romance, Misconduct

   

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J. R. Ward Shares Excerpt from The Beast!

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Is it April yet???

The WARDen shared on her Facebook an excerpt from The Beast: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

THE BEAST

Black Dagger Brotherhood #14

Author: J. R. Ward

Release Date: April 5th 2016

Publisher: NAL

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Excerpt from The Beast Manuscript:

Mary was up on her tiptoes, leaning over the top of the bureau, trying to put a pearl stud into her earlobe and missing the hole. With her head titled to the side, her deep brown hair flowed over her shoulder, and man, he just wanted to stroke the stuff. And what do you know that wasn't the only thing he wanted to get his hands on. The clean cut of her jaw caught and held the light from the crystal sconce on the wall and her cream silk blouse draped over her breasts and her slacks fell to her flats. No make up on her. No perfume.

But that would be like touching up the Mona Lisa or hitting a rose bush with some Febreeze.

There were a hundred thousand ways to detail his mate's physical attributes and not one single sentence, or indeed an entire book, that could come close to describing her presence.

She was the watch on his wrist, the roast beef when he was starving, and the pitcher of lemonade when he was thirsty. She was his chapel and his choir, the mountain range to his wanderlust, the library for his curiosity and every sunrise and sunset that ever was or would ever be. With one look or the mere syllable of a word, she had the power to transform his mood, giving him flight even as his feet stayed on the ground. With a single touch, she could chain his inner dragon, or make him come before he was even hard. She was all the power in the universe coalesced into a living, breathing thing, the miracle that he had been granted in spite of the fact that he had long been undeserving.

Quite simply, Mary was his life.

Yeah... even after all this time, he was still feelin' her.

-The Beast, pg. 8 of the manuscript

Book Review: The Bourbon Kings by J. R. Ward

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The Bourbon Kings
The Bourbon Kings #1
Author: J. R. Ward
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genre: Romance
Release Date: July 28th 2015
Review Source: NAL

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege—and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal....

For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

I have been following this book since the first second it pop up on our radars that it was coming out. That cover right there is pretty sexy and the model isn't even showing some body part. Kudos to the design team on that. So when The Bourbon Kings arrived at my door step, I think I saw double rainbows in the sky. Fans of the WARDen will not be disappointed even if the Brothers (Black Dagger Brotherhood series) are not related to this series. 

First Ward gave us the Brothers, then she gave us the Fallen but now we have the Bourbon Kings. If you love stories about family drama, betrayal, romance and deceit, this is the series to read starting with The Bourbon Kings. This book falls nothing short of any of those genres I just mentioned. I had no idea that the Bourbon world could be so shady, then add the prestige Derby lifestyle to the mix and you got yourself one insane mixture of drama. 

The Bourbon Kings is written with the same style we appreciate from Ward with all that snark we get sucked in with, but here it's fitted for this type of novel and it works. I was hooked few chapters in, needing to know what was going to happen next and who else would pop up dead. I believe that fans of Ward will enjoy reading this book, even if this type of background is usually not something you care to read.

When has Ward ever let us down with her books? And if your not familiar with J.R. Ward's books, its past your time to correct that. Pick up your copy of The Bourbon Kings and dive into the world of these southern families and their Bourbon. 

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“The Bourbon Kings are just like my Black Dagger Brotherhood vampires, flawed heroes for strong women who live and love in a vivid, ever-changing world of passion and excitement. Readers can expect the same big emotions, epic storylines and soul-deep love stories in these books — as well as those signature, OMG, I have to know what happens NEXT! kind of endings.” - J. R. Ward (official press release)

The books have already been optioned for television by Endemol Studios, the entertainment and production company behind the international hit TV series Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Wipeout, Hell On Wheels, The Fall and Peaky Blinders, among others.

Cover Reveal: THE BEAST by J.R. Ward!!!

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Calling all WARDen Fans!!! The next cover in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series has just been released and its a "BEAST" of a cover.

This might be one of my top 5 favorite covers now in the BDB series.

THE BEAST

Look at Rhage in all his "beast" glory!!!! THE BEAST will release April 2016. Click on picture to be taken to Amazon and you can enter your email to be notified when you can pre-order. 

Book Review: The Shadows by J.R. Ward

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The Shadows
The Black Dagger Brotherhood #3
Author: J.R. Ward
Reading Level: Adult
Genres: Paranormal Romance | Urban Fantasy
Released: March 31st 2015
Review Source: NAL & Purchased

The #1 New York Times bestselling author returns to the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood as two brothers bound by more than blood fight to change a brutal destiny.

Sold by his parents to the Queen of the s’Hisbe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer for years. On the run from a destiny of sexual servitude, he’s never been able to rely on anyone...except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing—and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Selena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around...but by then, it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due, and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Now Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others—or abandon the female he loves. When tragedy strikes and changes everything, iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice....

The 13th novel in The Black Dagger Brotherhood, The Shadows, which is about previously introduced characters, brothers Trez and iAm, who have worked for Rhevenge in his businesses, hit my Nook on March 31, 2015. Just like with most fans of the series I was ecstatic to see that it was on the longer side page wise. When you read a series in progress, and know you will have to wait for a period of time for the next book to come out, you just want to be able to prolong the experience for as long as you can. I will be completely honest though, after finishing The King, and learning that the next book was about The Shadows, I wasn’t super excited. It’s not that I didn’t like the characters of Trez or iAm in the previous BDB books, it’s just that I am a snob when it comes to the brothers and just want to read all about them. I’m usually that reader who will read fast through the stuff about the Lessers, Band of Bastards, or Assail to get back to what the brothers are doing. So for me, to read a whole book dedicated to characters who weren’t the brothers, it triggered reluctance in me about getting into it. But with that said, when the book arrived in my Nook, I still was excited because I know J.R. Ward always includes supplemental story lines in all her books other than just the main one, so I knew the brothers would still be there in some capacity.

Boy was I blown away! This book was excellent! It really fleshed out the characters of Trez and iAm in a way that made me really care about them and what happened to them in a way that in past books it definitely did not. In the past we just knew them in connection to Rhevenge and Xhex, but didn’t know the personalities and struggles behind them. There is a story between Trez and The Chosen Selena, and a story between iAm and a member of the S’Hisbe, aka someone in their shadow community. This book simply has it all. There is deceit, drama, action, love, sexiness, and…immense sadness. But J.R. Ward leads us on a journey to show us how one comes out on the other side better for what they had experienced. I will admit that I cried like a baby towards the end of this book but that isn’t to say that there aren’t happy endings. Ward showed us that even though the happy ending some characters and readers may want isn’t necessarily the one they get, it still works out the way it should.

There is also the usual side stuff with the Lessers, the Band of Bastards (Xcor and Layla), and we even see a bunch of Rhage’s POV which I believe is Ward’s way of setting up the next book, The Beast, which we can safely assume will be his book (plus she seems to be sticking with her initial order and since The King was second round for Wrath, Rhage would be next). Rhage is definitely struggling with something that we aren’t really clear on in this book, but like I said…she will probably delve into that in the next book.

All in all I would have to give this book a 5 star rating. I went into it not super excited because with the introduction of all these new characters I don’t want to move further and further away from the original brothers, but Ward has done it again. She has managed to incorporate some new blood (pun intended) into the series without taking away what originally made us all fall in love with it in the first place. Just like with the Rhevenge book before them, I welcome Trez and iAm into the family and mansion, and hope they will be part of the story for a long time to come.

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I am 100% on board with everything Pauline said about The Shadows. I also wasn't expecting to be blown away by this novel since I knew it wasn't focused on the Brothers, but sure enough The WARDen has once again cast her magically prose and made us fall just as hard for these non-Brothers.

I'm not sure how many readers are left out there that haven't started this series. If you read adult fiction and love paranormal romance, then your seriously way behind on your reading. This series should be a staple in your reading repertoire. Whatever it cost or how ever many book are printed, this series is worth every second of your reading time. I continue to say that The Black Dagger Brotherhood is my ALL-TIME favorite adult series. It's the series that keeps on giving.

 

Book Review: Hero by Samantha Young

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Hero
Author: Samantha Young
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released:February 3rd 2015
Review Source: NAL

The emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren’t his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets,. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again…

Hero was WICKED!

Samantha Young keeps getting better and better. Seriously, I cannot get enough of her. She sure knows how to keep us flipping those pages. From the moment I opened Hero, I knew I was in for a crazy-amazing ride. She sure knows how to hit the sweet spot. No wonder her fans, like myself, love her so much. So fans, prepare to be blown away. This is Samantha at her  best... yet.

Hero… Hero is the story of Caine and Alexa. Two unfortunate souls broken by the same man. Along with a history that keeps them apart. Resentments are high. But when attraction meets, these two cannot keep away from each other. As they try hard to keep it cool - they fall for each other faster than a cannonball. Ah, the beauty of love. Only love can defeat such tragedy - any tragedy at that.

Even though Caine made Alexa’s life miserable, the way she presents herself... you will love Alexa. She fought back to keep calm. She sure is one of a kind. Caine and Alexa were meant to be. And damn, these two sure do know how to bump heads. Which was the ONE *winks* of the most entertaining things about this book. You will laughed with them. These two will keep you amused. But if you’re looking for a hot-steamy book to read, then Hero is the one to read.

There - I said it with no spoilers. You have to read Hero. A must. It’s so good that is great. So stay away from spoilers and trust me with this one. Go in blindly. Hero is funny, sweet and sexy, yup, all in one book. The perfect book for lovers of romance.