J.R. Ward - Lover Avenged

Rehvenge, drug dealer and club owner is glad that his sister Bella is happily married to Zsadist, one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood vampires and mother to his young niece. But what his mother and sister don’t know is his dark secret and he hopes and prays that they never will find out. Unfortunally there is one woman who knows everything and she uses it to blackmail him into sexual activities. Rehvenge can only hopes that his injuries will take his life soon enough to end this all.

Ehlena is a nurse at the vampire Havers clinic and is taking care of her sick father. She is the only nurse who assists Havers with the injuries of the scary Rehvenge. The other nurses are terrified of the man, but Ehlena consider it as her job and will help him wherever she can. But after seeing him during his latest visit, she is concerned about his health and makes a house visit, not knowing that it will turn both their lives upside down.

Although they both know it’s better to stay away from each other, they cannot ignore the growing attraction between them.

Lover avenged by J.R. Ward is the seventh novel in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. In the last couple of books we already saw the new direction Ward was going, not only the romance between the main characters, but also one or two secondary storylines. Of course this book is about the relationship between Rehvenge and Ehlena, but we also see the struggle Wrath has with this sight and accepting his leadership as a King. Besides that we also see more of John, Qhuinn and Blay, I call them the three musketeers and really enjoy their conversations and actions.

The relationship between Rehvenge & Ehlena starts slow, because Ehlena doesn’t want to get involve with someone, she is taking care of her sick father and doesn’t need the distraction. Rehvenge has a dark secret he wants to keep, so getting involved with a woman isn’t a great idea. But we all know that love and fate have a mind of their own, so I was glad to see their love growing. I totally love the part where Rehvenge was taken and Ehlena went to Xhex for help. Then both turned to vampire King Wrath for back-up. Although Rehvenge isn’t a brother warrior, they all were ready to kick some ass and save him.

The huge friendship bond between John, Blay and Qhuinn is just terrific; they stand by each other no matter what. We see John struggle with his feelings for Xhex, finding out what exactly he feels for her. But also his relationship with his adopted father Tohrment, the trust between them is gone when Tohr left him behind after Welsie’s death. Now Tohr is back, but the relationship is still painful. I do hope we see the bond between father and son grows stronger again. And WOW, what about Blay and his feelings for Qhuinn, we all knew this was coming, but will it be possible to see that grow into a relationship or will Blay find someone else to love. I have a lot of questions unanswered, but I do hope to find out more in the next novel.

I honestly can say that Lover Avenged is one of the best novels in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

J.R. Ward - Lover enshrined

Phury has searched for years, to find his twin brother Zsadist, who was kidnapped as an enfant. Both brothers are Black Dagger Warriors, an elite of men who protect the rest of the human and vampire race from their enemies. Now his brother has found happiness with Bella and a baby on the way, but Phury still suffers from guilt and pain that his twin suffered from. To control the pain, he becomes addicted to the Red Smoke, a drug that allows him to escape his emotional pain. But soon enough the addiction take control of his life and he is becoming a danger to the Brotherhood. The only thing to do is to put the Brotherhood behind him and take full responsibly to become the Primale of the Chosen, the father of the next generation of warriors.

Cormia is one of the Chose and the Primal first mate; hopefully she will bear the first of the next generation of warriors. Although she is his first mate, every other Chosen will also trying to bear the Primale’s children. After spending time with Phury and falls in love with him, Cormia is not sure if she is willing to share him with the other females, it would only break her heart. She’d rather give him up and the world she grown to love, than to bear the heartache of sharing Phury.

Phury is becoming more and more addicted and soon it will not be enough. He’s falling in love with Cormia, but would probably loose her if he cannot overcome his addiction. But can he also take other Chosen to his bed, or can he come up with a solution to have Cormia, his warrior life and the next generation of warriors.

Quote Phury – Zsadist:
He shook his head again.” I don’t think I’m wrong to ask for some acknowledgment. I’ve been invisible in this family all my live.” There was a stretch of silence. Then Z spat “For fuck’s sake, get off the cross. Someone else needs the wood.”

This is the sixth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I believe it is a great one. In Vishous’s story you could taste the new direction J.R. Ward was going and she continued this in Phury’s book. Not a normal romance story anymore, but a book with two or three storylines. Beside the storyline about Phury and Cormia, we find Rhevenge and his secret life and of course John, Qhuinn and Blay are definitely getting their own place in the book.

The relationship between Phury and Cormia starts slow, but when Phury finally realize she is the one for him and only she. He will finds a way to have her and come with a plan to secure the next generation of warriors with the Chosen. The whole thing about his addiction was good; we all know he was addicted and it wasn’t a surprise to find out how deep in was in this stuff.

The other great thing in the book was the relationship between Zsadist and Phury, of course Zsadist is himself, all hard and straight to the point, but that is just the way we love him. And Phury needs that to see what he’s doing with his life and finally takes matters in his own hands.

And of course the great bond between John, Blay and Qhuinn. The way those three get along, is fabulous to read about. Just the way they defend each other is just fabulous, you could say they are brothers for live and I really like that. They are part of the warriors now.

I truly can say I enjoyed the story and I cannot wait to read more about Rhevenge and his secret life.