TITLE: Lover Mine
SERIES: Book #8 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward
NARRATOR: Jim Frangione
PUBLISHER: Penguin Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: April 27, 2010
FORMAT: Unabridged Audiobook, 21 hours and 56 minutes
GENRE: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
The hot new novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood by the number-one New York Times best-selling author.
John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was-or his true identity.
Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable.
John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was-or his true identity.
Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable.
MY REVIEW:
Wow – just, wow!!
This book totally knocked my socks off!
After the cliff-hanger in Lover Avenged, I could hardly wait to start Lover Mine...and it did not disappoint!
**SPOILER WARNING!
Xhex is one tough chick! I love her!! Lover Avenged ended with Lash kidnapping Xhex, and this one continues right where we last left off. John Matthew is devastated, thinking that Lash has surely tortured and killed Xhex. He gets her name written in the old language tattooed across the back of his shoulders, just as the Brothers would have done during a Mating Ceremony. In his case, John Matthew does it as a memorial to Xhex. It is heartbreaking, and you can feel his pain.
John Matthew actually succeeds in finding Lash’s lair but, because of the spell that Lash has put in place, no one can see or hear Xhex in the bedroom. She reaches out and touches John Matthew’s face, and he reacts to her touch and covers her hand with his own. He can feel her, but he cannot see her. He dismisses this as being just his imagination. He sees her blood, and he is certain that he is too late.
Luckily for Xhex, Lash is going through a sort of transformation which has weakened his spell. She is able to escape the barrier and heads for her basement apartment. John Matthew finds her there, barely alive. John Matthew lovingly takes care of Xhex and moves her to the Brotherhood’s mansion.
I was captivated by the developments in John Matthew’s and Xhex’s relationship. They are totally hot together, and Ward has made another sexy duo! Xhex is the perfect partner for John Matthew, and not just because of her mind-reading ability (which comes in handy when you are with someone who can’t speak!). They bring out the best in each other, and they love each other just as they are.
I did a lot of weeping in this one! Keep that Kleenex box handy!! Here is just a sampling:
Xhex to John Matthew: “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.”
John Matthew to Xhex: “Yes", he mouthed. "I would hold you up. I will ever hold you up and hold you dear, lover mine."
It was nice to see John Matthew lose the attitude that he developed in Lover Avenged. Patching things up with Tohr was a long time coming.
I had a feeling where the sub-plot of Darius and Tohr was heading, and I was right! Nice tie-in, Ward! But you completely blindsided me with No’One!
I was also totally clueless about the Eliahu Rathboone sub-plot! I did not see that one coming, and I am really intrigued where that one is going to lead! It smells like trouble!
Qhuinn is still resisting his urge where Blaylock is concerned, and there are a couple of intense scenes with the two of them. I feel so sorry for Blay, poor guy!
Once again, we end on a cliff-hanger with Wrath sparring with Payne. Tragedy strikes, and we wait with baited breath to see what happens next!
Again, I noticed some technical issues with this audiobook. On several occasions, I could actually hear the technician say "ok" before Frangione starts narrating. Other than that, it was fine. I love Frangione. His narration is impeccable! I could listen to him all day long!!
MY RATING: 5 stars!! Superb book! I could not put it down!!
This book qualifies as:
Design by Parajunkee Design
How Ward linked 'No-one' caught me totally off guard too!
ReplyDeleteGreat review again
TToria
xo