Black Dagger Brotherhood Part 1: Upcoming Release & Giveaway

There are a few of us on the Waves of Fiction team that are HUGE fans of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. So, for those of you that have been keeping up with the books, you'll know that March 2013 marks the EPIC month that we'll FINALLY be getting the long anticipated Qhuay book!! 

PURE EXCITEMENT!! 

So as we lead up to the release date, each week we'll be sharing mini reviews of the books and running a giveaway of Lover at Last. Check it out!

Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11) by J.R. Ward
Expected publication: March 26th 2013 by NAL Hardcover

About the book
Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

Book Reviews for Black Dagger Brotherhood Series 1 - 3

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward
Published September 6th 2005 by Signet Eclipse

My Thoughts

Okay, I'll admit, rave reviews, everyone was reading them, so I was curious, just downright curious. There were parts that I found very interesting, such as the back stories, the vampire lore, plot and setting. But then, there were aspects of the story that I struggled with, mainly the Lesser's part in the plot.  As I continued with the series, that remained to be the case. I loved learning about each brother, but the lesser scenes were where I started to skim the story.

Overall, I liked Wrath and Beth's characters and it was nice to see Wrath's alpha male tendencies scale down toward Beth and turn into something more genuine at the end. My favorite part in the book has to be during Beth's transition. FINALLY a female vamp protagonist that isn't exempt from the harsh and painful transition of becoming a vamp. I was kind of hoping that the Scribe Virgin would show some sympathy on Wrath and help him with his visual affliction at the end, but it's nice to see an author who doesn't feel all her characters should be perfect.

Intriguing ending with the Darius situation that made me a little curious as to how that will all turn out. So I had decided in this book, that I would definitely continue with this series. Intriguing!!

3 Suns

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood #2) by J.R. Ward

Published March 7th 2006 by Signet

My Thoughts

This second installment in the BDB series was MUCH better than the first. Okay, yes, a guy with the name Rhage that wears leathers and shitkickers is not my normal pick for a fictional man lurves, but when the guy sports a tatt of a dragon out of control, you can’t help but stop and take notice!

I really liked Rhage in this book. Much, much more than Wrath from book one. Now grant it, he was a little shocking and somewhat skilled in areas other than taking down the lessers if you get my drift, but heck I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I read those scenes with interest.

What really got me was Rhage’s ability to be true to himself and Mary. He was honest and willing to let down his guard even when releasing his defenses left him hurt and angered. Great character development on the part of Rhage. Now Mary, with a name like that, you’d expect her middle name to be Sue… well no. Not by a LONG shot. She was flawed, not the best looking girl on the block and for most of the book the best you can hope for was that she'd beat the cancer card she was dealt. I loved her character and I loved her scenes with Rhage. Well done and quite steamy.

I continued to struggle with the lessers and omega scenes and dreaded when I’d come upon those chapters.

Overall, this book hooked me as a BDB fan and there was no stopping me. Loved it!

4 Suns

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood #3) by J.R. Ward
Published September 5th 2006 by Signet

My Thoughts

I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came… and I was awakened. ~Z

Considering my preferred genres, I surprised myself with how much this series intrigued me and kept me reading about the Black Dagger Brotherhood. These books are definitely not for everyone, some scenes are graphic and others are quite cringe-worthy. But for me, there were aspects of the books that I really enjoy and which seemed to draw me in and capture my attention. Overall, I’ve become captivated by the paranormal world that JR Ward has created and the band of brothers that make up these books.

Lover Awakened shares the story of Zsadist and his is one that is much more dark and torturous than the other brothers. His past as a blood whore had me cringing as I read his back-story and after a few snippets of reading what he had gone through, I immediately had enough. But what kept me going was seeing how little by little Z began to drop his defenses and eventually heal from his past and foster a meaningful relationship with his brother Phury and shellan Bella.

As with the first two books, I really struggled with the lesser scenes and more so in this book because it involved the torturing of Bella who I really came to like quite a bit.

There were a few surprises and a signature cliffhanger that left me curious as to how this story would progress, but when it comes to Z, I liked his ending and how he eventual healed from the wounds of his past.

3.5 Suns

And now for the fun!! Waves of Fiction will be giving away a copy of Lover at Last (BDB #11) by J.R. Ward to one lucky Waves of Fiction follower. The winner will have a choice of either a hardback from The Book Depository or an eBook from either US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble. So if TBD ships to you or you can accept an eBook from Amazon or B&N be sure to enter to win this much anticipated book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway