Happy Release Day for B N Toler!! Congrats on the release of 'Hybrid'! Enter our Giveaway for your chance to win a eCopy!

 

 

 

 

Congrats B N Toler on the release of your second book! The

 

Healer Series is just awesome!

 

If any of you have read 'Healer', then you will love 'Hybrid'!!!!

 

 

 

Hybrid

B N Toler

Blurb

 

 

My Aunt Lucy used to say, “If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” She said many wise things I never heeded when she was alive. I want to be the woman that’s okay with hiding from what she fears and letting her big, strong man protect her. But that’s not me. I hate to be scared. I hate the feeling that there is an evil out there that could hurt me if it finds me. But mostly, I hate that so many before me lived in fear and died at the hands of evil. That is why I cannot find peace within. There is no peace for me while Healers suffer the atrocities of others.

I know Rhett would protect me at all costs. He loves me. And that is why I must leave him behind. It’s impossible to justify hurting someone you love—or many you love—to do what you truly believe is right. Lucy also used to say, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I get what she was trying to tell me now. Hindsight is twenty/twenty. Sometimes we choose a path we think will lead us toward a noble cause, full of ambition and altruism, only to look back and see we’ve run over and crushed the ones we love most along the way. I can only pray that one day those I love will forgive me.

I woke up and I left. I left Rhett, the man who saved me from myself. The man I love. I left my brothers—my best friends.

I left.
But leaving led me to more. I found answers. I found others like me—who want what I want.

But most importantly, I found myself.

My name is Aldo Lawson.

I’m awake.

And I’m a Hybrid.

 

 

 

Buy the book !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B N Toler is a happily married, mother of three, and HEALER is her first self-published book. She has worked in several fields, including real estate and orthodontics, but writing has always been one of  her passions. Though she has written many stories, HEALER is the first one she ever really fell in love with.
Some of her other passions include reading and music. She enjoys most genres including fantasy, erotica, romance and supernatural. She loves to find a book she can't put down. Some of her favorite authors include Charlaine Harris (The Sookie Stackhouse Series), Karen Marie Moning (The Fever Series), Sylvia Day (The Bared to You series), and recently she's become a big fan of Samantha Young (On Dublin Street). 
B N Toler loves music and listens to pretty much anything. She's a big fan of blue grass, country, and anything old school. Some of her favorite singers and bands are Johnny Cash, Elvis, Eric Church, The Bootleggers, and old school hip-hop like Salt n Pepa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Krystle's Review - Reaver by Larissa Ione

Reaver
Larissa Ione

Blurb-

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood...

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Oooooo-kay. All I want to do is go outside and scream, “ I LOVE THIS BOOK!!”



This book, is exactly how it should be. I have been waiting forever for Reaver and Harvester to get together! Soon as I found out that it was in the works I was ecstatic, but then I had to wait for it to be published...and that was like...torture! BUT, once I was able to get my hands on it, it was so worth the wait, haha!

“Verrine,” he whispered. “I want you. Damn . . . I remember you.” – Reaver to Harvester.

I should have had a refresher course before I read this one, since it's been a year that I read Rogue Rider. Took me a minute to remember all of the secondary characters – Archangels/Fallen Angels – but then it all came together. I'm excited about getting to know Revenant a little bit more in the next book. Hopefully he and Reaver will be able to, kinda-sorta work things out.

I loved the flashbacks that Reaver and Harvester would have for back when they were Verrine and Yenrieth. But what Yenrieth said to Verrine, on what she thought was the best day of her life, ughhh, my heart broke for her! Although, I can understand why he would say it to her, seeing that she did keep a huge secret from him, but he didn't need to go as far as he did.

Even after all she endured from him, she still went thru with her oath and watched over his children as if they were her own. That. Is. Love.

As always, I was so glad to see returning characters. That's what makes this series so great, you're connected with ALL of the characters, whether they're evil, or good! Even though the book focuses on two main characters, it always breaks off so you can see what everyone else is up to as well. That's what makes this my favorite series. I'm quite certain, after reading this book, that Harvester/Verrine is my favorite female out of the whole Demonica/LoD Series. I love her attitude and spunk, she's so bad-ass! I was especially glad to see that she didn't change at all after a certain...life-changing-event she underwent.

I could go on and on and have a huge love-fest for the book, but I'd reveal too much, so I'm not going to do that. All I can say is READ IT!!



Anytime Sheoul is mentioned, and how it's described, I always picture it as a certain Zone from an Online Game I play. Shard of Fear – from Everquest 2 .. It just seems sort of perfect with the red atmosphere, demons, structures, and even a Harrowgate. (Pictures Below)

 

 

 

Maybe a Harrowgate? :)

GIVEAWAY!!!

Head on over to Author Tina Pollicks Blog Here :

http://tinapollick.com/harvest-moon-paranormal-anthology/

And enter for your chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card! We're celebrating the release of the upcoming PNR themed Anthology 'Harvest Moon' !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Spring Sale for "Lexia" !

Rachel stopped by and wanted to let you all know that she is having an awesome sale to kick off her spring season in Australia ! We really enjoyed reading this book and we know you will too, so CHECK IT OUT!

 

 

 

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Blurb

Lexia thought she was normal, ordinary...

Lincoln thought he’d spend the rest of his life seeking revenge...

Find out what happens, when the one you love is your enemy...

When Lexia sneaks out one night to go to a party, she hardly expects to be attacked by vampires. Much less be able to kill them with her bare hands.
That night triggers events Lexia can't escape and soon she struggles to keep up a facade around her friends and family.
And then there's Lincoln; she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But Lexia senses he wants something more dangerous than a simple romance.
Lincoln has secrets and what she learns changes her life forever.
A story of love, loss, and, betrayal.
Lexia and Lincoln’s lives will never be the same again.

 

 

 

 

 

Links

 

 

Amazon UK / Amazon US

Review by Krystle : Healer by B.N. Toler

I really loooooooooved this book!!!!

I received this copy from the author for an honest review, and found myself not wanting to put it down! The whole story just blew me away.

This story is told by Aldo from 2 different times in her life. The present (or what she thinks is the present), where she's 24, and then from her memories at being 17. She, her brothers Whit and Hudson are triplets raised by their aunt Lucy, and they all have a special kind of ability to them... They're Healers. Healers can hear hear the energy that humans have thru their vibrations and pitches and when someone is in need of healing they pull energy from other sources (people) and push that energy into the person in need. They call themselves 'Healer Robin Hoods'. Though they cannot interfere with a person who is on the verge of death.

Healers that practice healing on others don't generally stay in one area too long, for fear of being caught by Vampires or Blood Healers. A Healer's blood, is much more divine than any other persons blood. Blood Healers are Healers that have been turned by a vampire and are able to walk in the sunlight.

When Aldo was 17, there was an accident at a store she was at where a little girl got hit by a truck. She can sense that her vibrations and pitches are consistent so she knows that she can be saved. Rushing around trying to decide who has the best energy to pull from, she decides on the driver who hit the child.... But he starts pulling HER energy.. So now she's pretty freaked out because not only did she just meet another healer, but SHE is the energy source!! So she cuts off his connection with her. Now with him shocked and amazed she's a healer, Aldo starts to push her own energy into the child. Which is a big no no, since she's just draining herself.

After she comes too from blacking out, the other healer stuck around to introduce himself as Thomas and they talked for a little bit. But later on in her dreams is where she really gets to know him, since she also has the ability absorb any information by a single touch. . . In her dreams, Thomas is there, they talk some more / she asks him questions.. All the while thinking it's her own subconscious she's speaking with, when in actuality he is IN THE DREAM with her; he's a dream walker.. In the dream he invites her to meet him at a restaurant, and that's when he tells her that he's 25 and finds out that she's only 17. That's pretty much just crushed Aldo's world, especially when he calls her a kid.

He decides she's more like the sister he's never had and befriends her and her family. They all become very close with Thomas; Aldo even falls in love with him. Then one day, when her aunt has scheduled a healing at their house, she sends Aldo and her brothers away for the afternoon.... Their lives will never be the same....

I could really go on and on and on and ON about this story, but I don't want to give too much away!!!! Ahhhhh! I just really love how it was all done, and how it came together. Ms. Toler did an amazing job! It kind of had me thinking of the movie “Inception” just from all of the dream sequences.

A few things I will say is that I am in love with Rhett's character, and hope he kicks Thomas's little ass when they find him LOL. . . *Dramatic Music* !! When Rhett and Aldo arrived at the farmhouse, he looked it over and said, “Interesting”.. I kind of had an idea of what was happening, loved it, great idea!

Also, I think it'd be pretty neat if Aldo became a Blood Healer.. With Rhett.....*swoon*!!!

 

Can't wait for the next book!

“I never thought I would be able to feel for someone again, because I shut myself off to it. She saved you and because she did..., I found you.” - Rhett Mason

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Learn more about the author

 

B.N. Toler

 

Get the Book

 

Amazon / Barnes&Noble

Q&A Session with new author Rachel Raithby on her debut book "Lexia" !!!

Well, it's almost release time for Rachel's first book "Lexia"!!!!

 

July 27, 2013

BLURB:

Lexia thought she was normal, ordinary...

Lincoln thought he’d spend the rest of his life seeking revenge...

Find out what happens, when the one you love is your enemy...

When Lexia sneaks out one night to go to a party, she hardly expects to be attacked by vampires. Much less be able to kill them with her bare hands.

That night triggers events Lexia can't escape and soon she struggles to keep up a facade around her friends and family.

And then there's Lincoln; she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But Lexia senses he wants something more dangerous than a simple romance.

Lincoln has secrets and what she learns changes her life forever.

A story of love, loss, and, betrayal.

Lexia and Lincoln’s lives will never be the same again.

 

 

EXTRACT

 ~ From chapter 2 ~

As she turned up the drive a sickening chill set in the pit of her stomach. Lexia lengthened her strides, each crunch of gravel making her cringe. There was movement up ahead in the shadows. She stopped while her eyes adjusted to the dark and then took a step back as she saw what waited for her.

 A woman stood ten yards ahead blocking her path to safety, only she wasn’t a human woman; she had blood red eyes that glowed in the darkness and ghostly white skin pulled sharp over her bony face. Her clothes were torn and dirty, clinging tight to bones that seemed to jut from her skin. She held her hands by her side, each long nail curled and ready to strike.

“What do you want?” she called, surprised how strong her voice sounded even though she was shaking with fear.

“You killed my mate, bitch!” the woman spat, leaping for her with lightning-fast speed, closing the space between them in seconds. Lexia had no time to think over the woman’s answer or even time to draw breath and scream. She felt cold, hard steel grip her arms and then cool air rushing past her face. When she hit a tree, pain exploded throughout her body. She gasped as she connected with the hard, ungiving surface, all the air rushing from her lungs. For a second Lexia just laid there, stunned, unable to move even a finger; tears pricked at her eyes as she tried to deal with the pain. A voice screamed in her head, get up, it told her, you can’t just lay here and be killed! FIGHT.

 

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We're so excited for your debut release “Lexia”, what do you plan to do on release day? Are your friends/family throwing a party for you?

Hey thanks for having me here! I’m having a launch party and giveaway on Facebook/Twitter and my family and friends are coming over for a few drinks. I will probably need a few for my nerves lol. Over the last few weeks of receiving reviews, I’ve had quite a few glasses of wine! So far they’ve all been good so I’ve been celebrating not drowning my sorrows ha ha!

When and what inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always been the type of person that daydreams and I’ve always thought how nice it would be to be a writer but until I read Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series I never really considered it seriously. One morning I woke up with this urge to write and I haven’t looked back! I finished most of Lexia’s first draft when I was on holiday last year, lying about all day in the sun with nothing to think about, had my imagination in over drive.

Which authors have influenced you the most?

Well I’ve already mentioned Nalini, I also followed Kitty French through her experiences as she self-published, knowing that it wasn’t just me who struggled with formatting and twitter! Made me feel a lot better and I decided to give it a go.

Are there any special childhood books you kept near and dear that encouraged you to further your career as an author?

There are two books I still have from when I was young and I read them now to my children. Enid Blyton’s, Snowball The Pony and Magdalen Nabb’s The Enchanted Horse, as you can see I was pony mad as a child and still am! I read anything that involved horses and my favorite childhood fantasy was dreaming about running away on my pony Penny.

Which genre do you prefer to read?

Fantasy, Paranormal, I read a lot of YA books but I’m also getting into erotic romance.

If “Lexia” went to the big screen, who would you cast for your characters? :)

 

Lincoln - Tyler Hoechlin

Lexia – Megan Fox

Alice – Candice Accola

What sort of process takes place when you write? Do you make up an outline beforehand or do you just begin writing?

With Lexia I just woke up with a scene in my head and I decided to write it down, it was a scene from about half way through and Lexia jumps from her bedroom window after something! Then I’d just write bits and pieces that popped into my head. I then started to really think about the story and joined everything up.

But I have started another story (Fantasy) I just had an idea and decided to write out a basic plotline and with this book I’ve easily wrote from chapter one – two and so on.

So with Book 2 of The Deadwood Hunter series I tried to write a plot but just couldn’t do it, I’ve ended up doing like I did with book one and writing random chapters, I even have a few for book 3!

So as you can see my minds a bit random and does what it likes!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Editing! When you know something has to go but it’s so difficult to hit delete. Also I find it hard sometimes keeping track of what the reader knows and not what I know; I already know most of the secrets so it’s hard making sure I let them out at the right time.

Do you have the T.V. Or radio on for background noise while you write, or is it too distracting?

I have no choice with one child home all day and another home after school. I’ve become very good at shutting out the sounds of cartoons and children’s screams, but if I had a choice I’d just have some quite music on in the background and have no interruptions. Sometimes I just need to be alone to make sure the story is as best as it can be.

How many books will there be in the “Deadwood Hunter Series”?

Three I think, I have an ending in mind but I’m not sure how many words it will take to get there!

What are some of your ideas for future books after the “Deadwood Hunter Series”?

I’ve already started a fantasy novel, it’s about a Seer and a Dragon shifter, and the books set in a completely different world with lots of magic and people that can control the elements. This book will be a YA book I think so far there is no steamy sex in it ha ha.

What did you enjoy most about writing “Lexia”? World Building, Romance, Character Building, etc...

I loved writing Lincolns POV, he’s so confident and cheeky, and I’m always smiling when I write him. I liked writing Lexia’s fighting scenes too; I’m a sucker for a good action movie.

Do you discuss your characters/ideas with your friends or husband to gain any insight from them?

I gave the first draft of Lexia to my mum to read, she read’s paranormal romance all the time and I knew she’d give me insight into what needed working on. I know what people think when I say my mum thinks it’s good, but if I’d wrote a load of crap she’d have told me lol And I love her for it!

I also talk through my ideas with my Hubby and he’s even more honest then my mum! If I need someone to make me feel better, I’d have to go to my grandma ha ha.

Who is your Book Boyfriend?

Wow! It’s so hard to choose one! Okay from YA it has to be Richelle Mead’s Dimitri belikov from Vampire Academy, and for a man that knows all kinds of wicked treats, Lucian Knight from Kitty French’s Knight & Play books.

What sorts of hobbies do you busy yourself with when you're not focused on writing?

When I’m not writing or running about after my kids, I like to go see my horse and if I ever have time I love to paint or draw.

Thank you so much for having me on Booknatic’s girls! I hope you love ‘LEXIA’ as much as I do!

 

Thank you for hanging out with us Rach! =)

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Author Bio

Rachel was born and raised in N.E, England and then moved to New Zealand in 2008.  She now lives in Queensland, Australia with her husband, two children and the family dog and horse.  LEXIA is her debut novel, and she is currently working on the next book in The Deadwood Hunter series and also a YA Fantasy novel. 

Rachel would love to hear from you, you can find her at www.facebook.com/RachelMRaithby or email rachelmraithby@gmail.com  or visit her website at www.rachelmraithby.com

 

 

 

 

Review by Sky: Beautiful Monster by Bella Forrest

It was the cover that first captivated me. I felt a pull, a need to discover the story withheld in the loving, embracing expressions. The title just makes it even more intriguing. Though later as you read on, you realize the characters aren't portrayed as described. It doesn't affect the story line, though.
The synopsis grabbed me as well, my love for theater is a great one, vampires and theater! Different, yet curious!

This is one of those fantastical stories where two complete opposites collide and love blossoms right before them. Beautiful Monster makes a completely unique dive into the paranormal world, as this whole story takes place at a popular performing academy. It's one of the biggest performing schools in the nation, and a complete dream school for Amy. Only thing holding her back, her father and her impending doom of HIV.
Amy has been sneaking into the academy pretty much half of her life, when her father leaves for work, who works there as a chef. This very school is what developed her passions for performing and spent all her free time home schooled hours studying different techniques and making friends around the world who share the same ambition.
Amy suffers from HIV, carried from her mother at birth, and lives a sheltered and poor life. Her father is over paranoid of losing her and won't allow her to do a single that that would exert more energy than needed -- not even a quick walk down too the grocery store. Though, Amy finally had enough with that, she began to spend longer days at the theater, refusing to let her life dully fade away. But this particular day, call it what you will, wrong time at the wrong place, or... right... Amy is trapped in a swarm of people headed for the backstage for the Scholarship contest program. Her destiny ties her fate when she can't seem to get pass the crowd and is ushered by the professors to get back stage and wait her part. Realizing this is exactly what she wanted...she takes the dive.

Then there's Liam, who is the hot, young, Hollywood grandson of retired school headmaster, and holds a dark, deep, and dangerous secret. When he takes over the business for his grandfather and sets out to cast the roles of the schools first scholarship program of the year play, Beauty and The Beast, he sees the beautiful girl Amy glide across the stage. He has no idea Amy is not actually a student at his school, but is captivated by her beauty, expertise, and... something off with the scent of her blood. He's dead set on her, and casts her as his Belle.

Who would ever suspect a shy, outsider girl would captivate the heart of Hollywood's most talented heart throb? Trouble arises when she discovers his dark secret, hearing his cry in the middle of night... Her handsome man, transitioned into a terrifying, black eyed monster, chained to the wall of the schools basement cellar. He spills out his heart  but she stays huddled across the room, unable to speak, or think, absolutely no idea how to react.
It takes a Twilight turn when word gets out that Liam's sire is headed for their town, to confront him of his crime of sharing the vampires world to a human girl.

The end of the books keeps you wondering what's to become of their relationship, will he turn her into a vampire, and will any more lives be lost?

I rated this book 4 stars.
Beautiful story, with lovable, real characters, and a unique setting. Forrest tells an enchanting story in such a creative, almost poetic manner.

Get the book here!
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Monster-ebook/dp/B00CJWRN1Q

NA- No Sex

Who's excited for "Lexia"? ... We are!!

We're really excited for Rachel Raithby's debut book "Lexia", and can't wait for it to come out!

 

Check back later on this blog for a interview with the author, as well as a review.

 



Review by Sky: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Vampire Academy

I am so incredibly late starting this series, and believe me when I say I regret it! 

 It was just that I am such a huge fan of vampire novels, and it seemed like everyone started jumping on the YA Vampire Bandwagon after Twilight, and the mythical race was slowly being ruined for me after every book I gave a chance to. Well, I am catching up fast now! There is a lot of high school-ish drama in this book but it does not over-shadow the fantastic power of this story!

This is probably one of my most favorite vampire worlds to this day. So totally different, so creative and original. This is a Y-A book that reads like an adult book at times, told in the first perspective of Rose Hathaway, a strong-willed, unruly, sarcastic yet very intelligent and badass heroine! (can you tell I love this character?)

Richelle’s vampires are divided upon the Royal Vampires, Moroi-Mortal vampires who are amongst families who are in line for the crown by rankings.   Then we have, Dhampir’s. Half human, half Moroi vampires who are raised to be guardians of the Moroi, assigned to their subject in their younger years at the Academy. They are to learn to protect their assigned Moroi from the Strigoi’s…The bad, immortal  vampires who were once Moroi, but betrayed their bloodlines for power and immortality and seek to destroy  the Moroi’s.

Rose is best friend and assigned to Lisa, a royal Moroi who has powers not many other vampires contain. A few years before the story takes place, Rose and Lisa were in a car wreck that killed Lisa’s family and Rose severely injured… Lisa’s mysterious power when she cried for her friend, resurrected Rose and a bond was formed. Rose can now feel and enter Lisa’s mind/emotions. When Rose suspects someone is after Lisa shortly after, she made the rash decision of taking Lisa and running away.  They lived amongst humans at a college campus for two years before being caught by the enigmatic, powerful and quiet, (and hot) Russian Guardian trainer, Dimitri.

When they are brought back to the Vampire Academy, life changes drastically for both Lisa and Rose. Something is not right in the air, and it seems everyone is after them, especially Lisa. But why? Rose is assigned to afterschool training sessions with Dimitri to catch up on her missed years of guardian training, leaving Lisa alone after hours, trouble finding her every time they turn their heads. 

The tension between Rose and Dimitri is electric!

The series of events and conclusion left my jaw hanging wide open. Unexpected turns and reveals left and right before we are taken to the next book in the series.

I found this first book entirely captivating hanging on to every word to guess what’s going on, who is after Lisa and Rose, and keeping my fingers crossed for Rose to get to Dimitri’s heart wholly when she becomes legal, that is!! X_X

I also love how there is romance that keeps you on your toes, but unlike most YA series of the likes, this story does NOT revolve around it!

Richelle Mead has me spellbound, I now must own every book of hers in my collection, and read them over and over! Thank you, THANK YOU for making such a strong and willed successful heroine!  Rose is amazing through and through!

Review by Krystle : Raphael (Vampires in America #1) by D.B. Reynolds

Really liked this story, was a quick and easy read. Stayed up till 4 in the morning trying to finish it but alas, sleep won :( . With only 16% left to go I finished it as soon as I woke up 4 and a half hours later.... Yeah so it was pretty good haha!

Raphael is the Vampire Lord of this region (Malibu area).. Kind of funny when you think of a vampire living in a beach type setting, loved that.. Someone near and dear was taken from him, right out of his own house by one of his own people while he was away on business. Since he has both a vampire and human armada as his disposal he figures he would hire a human P.I. named Cynthia (Cyn) from the area to get her point of view on what she thinks the humans would do with the victim.

As the investigation goes on they fall for each other, but she's under the impression that the person she's hired to find means more to Raphael in a more “serious manner”. Which isn't the case, but she finds out at the very end of the book that his feelings/attraction for her are more than physical. Needless to say we don't quite get a very HEA, but it's a series so I'll definitely keep reading! Especially since a lot of people I talk to on GoodReads loves it! :)

I thought it was neat how they explained that all of Raphaels “Children” are connected to their makers. Meaning that their wills are his command, and so on... And that Cyn was a no nonsense kind of girl who can most definitely take care of herself and call people out when they're being assholes (you'll see what I mean =P )!

4 Stars !!

Review by Krystle : Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Lover Avenged

J.R. Ward

Okay so I know I said that Butch was my favorite from the BDB... But that was before I read about Rehv............HE is my favorite now, half Sympath-half Vampire, with his mo-hawk, amethyst colored eyes, and don't mess with me attitude.

It's no secret that the last two books weren't my favorite, I was kind of hesitant to start this one since I had such high hopes for V and Phury, but Ward knocked it out of the park with Rehv's story. He and Ehlena are so sweet together.

Ehlena

Works as a nurse at Havers's Clinic and takes care of her elderly father. She and her family were once a part of the Glymera until scandal had them disowned. Rehv is a regular patient at the clinic and all of the nurses are pretty much scared to death and uncomfortable around him so they draw straws on who treats him. With Ehlena being late for work the night he came to be treated, she went ahead and volunteered to see him. Said it would make up for her late arrival.

Rehv came in for his usual – antivenin for scorpions the Sympath Princess liked to use on their monthly “activities” and his dopamine. While he was being examined, Ehlena noticed that his arm had a blood infection (Sepsis) from all of his non-sterile injection sites. With him being the macho man that he is, he kept that from Havers and just took the antivenin and dopamine. Later on Ehlena realized this and got in touch with Rehv, just to make sure that he get his arm treated. Or so she kept telling herself. The phone call that they had was so cute. It was like they were teenagers sneaking on the phone in the middle of the night. I loved it. But he still refused her help with the infection in his arm.

Now the second phone call that they have, changes everything between them.. After she has a breakdown in an ambulance from delivering a male civilian vampire to his family after he was brutally murdered by the lessers, she realizes that life is too short. So she reaches out to him again.

Rehvenge

Rehv's had a rough life. Highest part of the aristocracy, living with a secret about what he is. The monthly visits from his sister, the Sympath Princess are really wearing him down. She's both completely in love with Rehv and blackmailing him for sex/rubies in exchange on her keeping what he is quiet. From the way the author describes how they look, it sounds pretty hideous. Pretty much androgynous, no wonder poor Lash was confused as to why he thought he was having feelings for a man when he was meeting up with the “Sympath King”, and it turned out to be the Princess the entire time. I loved that LOL..

All Sympaths are sociopaths, and full Sympaths can go out in the sunlight (that was pretty neat). None of this pertains to Rehv tho since he's not a full Sympath. And the kicker is that the males have a little extra something going on with their “man-parts”. So if he and Ehlena were to get down to it, the cat would be out of the bag so to speak and she'd find out that he's not just a Vampire. Defintely creates a damper in their relationship..

He's the best brother in the world, loves Bella with all of his heart and would do anything for her and her daughter Nalla.. Wasn't his fault that his mother was raped by a Sympath, making him an outcast. He got his revenge when he got older tho. On his father and his step-father....

*Swoon he is my favorite!*

What else is happening with the BDB......

Wrath and Beth

Again you have a lot going on with all of the other characters, it was a pretty emotional book. Especially with what's happening with Wrath and Beth. He's not being truthful with her or the brotherhood about his fighting, and then halfway thru the book he loses his sight completely :( . Not too sure how I feel about this, I know I wasn't happy when I first read it. Only because he's suck a bad-ass fighter, and it's what he loves to do still! Even if he is The King, he still has his brothers' backs.. Love that concept about him.. When Mary brought him his seeing eye dog George, a golden retriever (which the author has lol) it was really cute. I knew Wrath would love him. How could you not love a dog? :)

John Matthew and Xhex

These two are a nuclear bomb waiting to go off.. So much tension between these them. After John thinks that Tohr is leaving him and the brothers again, he'd had enough of that emotional rollercoaster and went to Xhex, not wanting to go back to the mansion. She told him to go and stay at her basement apartment, it's quiet and no one will find him there.. Then something happens between them and little innocent John boy who wore his heart on his sleeve, is no more.

Review : Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

Yup. It’s official. This is my favorite BDB installment, and most definitely my favorite Brother, no doubt about it. I am on book 6 at the moment, fifth is great too! But, we will get to that some other time!

This book focuses on Zsadist, known as the most feared Warrior of the Brotherhood. We have been introduced to him fleetingly among the previous books, but here we learn more about his excruciating, heartbreaking, dark past. He’s illiterate, addicted to pain, vicious in the manner he treats people, even his own Brothers, he refuses to have sex, but only if the girl has her hands on the wall and doesn’t touch him, but one thing that captured me the most, he’s also an artist.(Even if it was just a subtle scene! I am a sucker for a tall, handsome talented fictional man, what can I say! Oh, and whom also sings like an angel)
I have always been intrigued by this character. His frightening personality is highly contrasted by the emotion that shocked everyone at the wedding ceremony in the first book, by just how much soul he put into the old traditional song of their long lost language. That’s when I knew, this man was going to break my heart.

With the previous affection attempts by a curious female vampire, Bella-friend of the Brotherhood and sister to a symphath, who runs the club the Brotherhood hangs out at- made towards Z, he began to crack a little and helplessly begins to wonder what it would be like to be with a female that strangely enough cares about him. The fear of his past refused to let him experiment, so he kept pushing her away, but she’d keep pushing right back.
But, the third book- and if you haven’t begun this series yet, then I will be careful as not to make any major spoilers- But Bella was put into danger when the ever creepy Mr. O, the lesser with some major personal issues that not even the Omega can cure *rolls eyes* , gets his nasty paste-white hands on her and kidnaps her and keeps her as pet. This dude cages her up, feeds her, calls her wife, but reminds him of his sister who was killed.O_0 Mr. O has made his way up to the top of my most-disliked villains of all time, by the way.  But anyhow, Z realized too late just how much he cares for her, and spends all his time locating her for a rescue mission.
Zsadist unleashes the hero buried deep within him, frantically searching for Bella, not believing she could be as dead the Brothers and civilian vampires claim her to be. He truly feels in his heart it isn’t so. For a female to be so interested in him, is brave all in itself, she most likely is just as brave when it comes enough to protecting her will to live.
Events transpire to the finding of Bella, and the romance and heart break begins. He wants to unfold and be the man Bella knows is inside of him, but every time his body reacts to her subtle seductions, he punishes himself; locks himself up and Bella could even swear she heard the sounds of sobbing. This poor, damaged man..pire… It’s obvious he covers his weakness with rebelling and rage because as a Warrior, he can’t afford to let his dark and abusive past get in the way of his duties, but when it comes to affection and adoration, he recoils, afraid to do the wrong thing, and afraid of consequences. But, under all that animalistic rage tendency, he’s soft, protective, and to me, is just a big ol’ teddy bear.

We are presented with a sequence of flashbacks between Phury Z’s twin,and Z himself, of the rescue mission he set out to find his long lost brother. (Z was taken from home as an infant to use as a slave for a rich glymera female vampire, and used for his large warrior… uh… *cough* “dagger” and blood.) Another problems arise Phury battles the vow of celibacy he has taken his whole life when his feelings for Bella ensues. After all the years of protecting Z and standing by his side when no one else would, he struggles to overcome his feelings for her, battling the happiness he feels for his brothers own.

 The story as a whole though, I’ll admit how frustrating the story lines *can* be in this series. While I understand that some of the side stories tied into each book, gives a perspective of another brother and leads up to the next book, and gives us a full insight the daily lives of the Brothers interactions with each other, and at times that’s just fine, but it gets super frustrating when it gets dragged on endlessly, distracting the reader from the stuff that’s really going on. Some of the extra insights were very vital for the next book, we have John who showed up to the brotherhood, a young vampire nearing his transition, but no one can solve his background though they believe he is the son of Darius, the vampire who died in the first book, the Queens father, and then Tohr and Wellsies drama. I always had my suspicions of what were to come of Wellsie and her “situation”, but this kinda took me for a loop. (no spoilers) And the endless creepiness that is the Omega and lesser alike.
All I cared about was Z and Bella, and their creepy lesser Stalker, Mr.O.  I also may also be the first one to admit, while most J.R. Ward BDB sex scenes are super cheesy, this one, however, did not fail to impress me. But, in total of this series, we undergo a series of guessing what’s going to happen next, mystery, thrills, romance, heart break, laughter, I honestly shed a few tears for this poor vampire. His story was written so well, I was totally consumed by it and wanted nothing more than to reach out and hug him! Oh, and back off, because he is my Bookboyfriend! *nods*
If you find yourself beginning this series soon, just be prepared for a lot of information. These are long novels and though each book is based on one Warrior from the Brotherhood, you will be introduced to many characters, and forced to focus on many other point of views, including moments in the head of the lesser that overtakes the Forelesser position (lead lesser)who are on the hunt  for warriors, for their own motives.


***Terms you need to know of the BDB series mentioned in this review***
- Glymera-Social core of the aristocracy
- Lesser- De-souled human who hunts vampires and works for the Omega
- Omega- Malevolent, mystical figure  who seeks to extinct the vampire race out of hatred for The Scribe Virgin
- Scribe Virgin- Mystical force who is counselor to the king and keeper of vampire archives
Interesting Facts:
** Vampires are in fact, the good race in this series, and the Brotherhood protects their race and the humans. In fact, some of them even pray.
** There is a lot…a lot of hardcore sex in these books. Some more disturbing and or cheesy than others.