Lover Reborn Review

Title: Lover Reborn
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Author: J.R. Ward
My Rating: 5 Sizzlin' ♥'s

First Thoughts:  A beautiful transformation & love story...

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward’s “different, creative, dark, violent, and flat-out amazing” Black Dagger Brotherhood series continues as a vampire warrior crosses the line between life and death…into a world of dark dreams and darker desires.

Synopsis:

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance, unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld—Tohr turns to the angel Lassiter to save his former mate. The only way to rescue her is for Tohr to love another. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vie for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past and a hot, passion-filled future. But can his heart let go and set all of them free?

Review:

As I slowly make my way through the series, I am both blessed and cursed to have the opinion of many former readers shared with me.  It's truly amazing how varied likes & dislikes are on these books as the series progresses.  I started Lover Reborn with the disappointment of some readers weighing heavy in my mind & heart.  Would this be the BDB book that finally disappointed me?  Would it make me fall out of favor with the series?  I am so freakin' happy to shout NO from the rooftops!  I loved this book just as I have each one that proceeded it!  5 stars is not enough!  I laughed, cried, cursed, & stopped breathing a time or two while reading it. The romance is perfect, the love-making singed the pages, the suspense is off the charts, the relationships complicated, and as always, the many plot lines flawlessly woven into another magnificent, un*freakin'*believable story. Once again, I bow to you, J.R. Ward!

Lover Reborn is rich in character, relationship, & plot development.  As always, Ward weaves characters & plotlines flawlessly, mingling backstories & the present.  I won't try to rehash the story as it needs to be experienced without spoilers.  I will say that Tohr has a long, hard road to recover from & accept the loss of his mate & unborn son.  Watching his transformation unfold was painful & yet beautiful to see.  Ward does an amazing job of peeling back the layers in such a way that I experienced Tohr's agony, heartache, & then guilt over "feeling" something for someone else in such a way that I swear I lived & breathed his pain.  At the same time, we watch love bloom in No'One/Autumn - love that she never thought possible for her.  We see her dare to reach out in love & compassion, dare to hope & dream, and finally, dare to stand up for herself and demand more.  What a beautiful story to witness.

As always, many other storylines are advanced.  There are some truly magnificent, touching scenes...Tohr & John, John & Xhex, Qhuinn & Blay...always pain, sometimes love.  I'd be amiss to end without mentioning the angel, Lassiter.  What an awesome addition as he plays counselor, motivator, ass-kicker, & brings some delightful, much needed humor to the story.  Lover Reborn is a Page Burner...immediately upon finishing, I added it to my Favorites Shelf.  A Must Read!  And now, finally, on to Lover At Last!!

My Rating:  5 Intense, Heart-Stopping ♥'s...And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart...xxx

Sandra

IWSG: Never Give Up!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers whose purpose is to share with and encourage other writers. Writers can express doubts and concerns and offer & receive encouragement and guidance.  IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  Be sure to check out other IWSG writers/bloggers here:  IWSG Members

Never Give Up:

It's hard to believe it's April 1st today!  This year is flying by so quickly.  I'm scrambling to meet goals and deadlines, continuing to move ahead with my writing goals, marching forward with the dream/goal of having my first book published in 2015 or early 2016.  I won't lie - it's not easy.  Like everyone else, my life is busy.  I often feel like a hamster on a wheel, continuously running in circles and wishing for more time.  Does anyone else ever feel this way? 

It's a constant battle to maintain a regular, protected writing schedule, but I made a commitment in January to set weekly writing goals and a writing schedule and see them through. I'm happy to report that while it's a challenge, it is working.  I can't say every day is productive, but I can say I'm making the effort...putting the words on the page.  I hope the end results is a book I can be proud of and that readers will enjoy, but either way, I'll be able to say, "I never gave up."  And in the end, that's what's important - whether you're talking about writing a book, meeting other goals and commitments, or just traveling on down life's road.  

I learned life lessons at the knee of my Southern Baptist mother where honesty and true grit & determination meant everything.  "I can't" was not allowed in our vocabulary.  Many years later, I can still hear my mother's voice saying, "Can't never could do anything...you'll never know if you don't try."  Well, Mom, I still don't know where my story will end but nowhere in it does it say, "I gave up."  

Best of luck to all those participating in the A-Z Challenge!

Cross My Heart...xxx
Sandra