Lover Forbidden (The Blackdagger Brotherhood) by JR Ward-review

♥️⚔️Lover Forbidden (The Blackdagger Brotherhood) by JR Ward-review tour♥️⚔️

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 9, 2025

The aristocracy is making a run for the throne…

When Lyric goes out for the night, she’s not ready for a brush with death—and she’s really not ready for the male who comes out of nowhere and saves her. Her family, especially her father, Qhuinn, are so relieved she’s okay, but all she can think about is her mysterious savior.

Without telling anybody, she seeks out Devlin, and they are immediately drawn to one another. Her near-death experience has given her a fresh appreciation for life and the desire to live it to its fullest, but she has no idea that he’s hiding a secret—or that he could be the key to ending the war between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the lessers forever.

••••••

REVIEW:LOVER FORBIDDEN is the twenty-third instalment in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACKDAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on a group of vampire warriors known as the Blackdagger Brotherhood, and their King Wrath, son of Wrath. This is Lyric, daughter of Quinn, Blay, the Chosen Layla, and her hellren Xcor, and Devlin aka Dev’s story line.LOVER FORBIDDEN can be read as a stand alone but I recommend some working knowledge of the series, especially the last few instalments for back story and cohesion.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Lyric and Dev, LOVER FORBIDDEN follows several paths including the building but ultimately forbidden romance between our story line couple. Lyric is a popular social media influencer who has come to the decision she wants something more, but a stormy wintery night, finds our heroine rescued by the man with whom she will fall in love. Dev is struggling with a direction in life, and rescuing Lyric from a falling billboard finds our hero pulled into the aura that is our story line heroine but both Lyric and Dev keep secret about who and what they are, something that will eventually split our couple apart when secrets revealed threaten any possibility of a future together.

Meanwhile, LW aka Little Wrath, heir to the vampire throne is embattled in his own personal and private war. A near fatal injury finds Little Wrath rejecting the female who is hoping for a future with LW, but LW struggles with the possibility that his future is compromised, and no longer his own.

The Lessening Society, determined to eradicate the vampire hierarchy and take control, found themselves a new leader, a new Omega, and with it, but ultimately the same target. The Omega is using the vampire aristocracy in his war against the people in charge, a war Lash and Devina’s story continues to build since their relationship jump off in LASSITER, wherein the vampire and demon’s fight for power is only the beginning.

The complex world building focuses on the second generation of vampire warriors, sons and daughters of the Blackdagger Brotherhood. Expected to follow in their parents’ footsteps, a different future may await as life changes set each on a different path.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and powerful secondary and supporting characters including many of the original BDB vampires, their shellans, and hellrens, and second generation vampires and warriors.

LOVER FORBIDDEN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, acceptance and love. The premise is detailed, dramatic and edgy; the romance is fated but struggles in the face of perceived betrayal and revelations of heartbreak and lies; the characters are numerous, charismatic and energetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

For more information about J.R. Ward, visit:

https://jrward.com/

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Darius (Blackdagger Brotherhood-Prequel) by JR Ward-review

Darius (Blackdagger Brotherhood) by JR Ward-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 5, 2023

Darius, son of Marklon, isn’t looking for love the night destiny comes to claim him. He’s also not interested in crashing his new car. But when a human woman runs out into the road and he must swerve to avoid killing her…everything goes off course.

Disillusioned by his King’s lack of leadership and the losses in the war against the Lessening Society, Darius finds purpose in protecting a woman he cannot make his own. Love finds a way, however—until the truth of what he is comes out and she leaves him in horror.

Unbeknownst to them both, Anne is carrying his young, a female who is destined to be Queen—and after a tragic reunion, he vows to protect their daughter. Resigned to perpetual sadness, he is determined to serve the memory of his beloved no matter the cost…unless by some miracle, fate sees fit to once again bring them together.

••••••••

REVIEW:DARIUS is the prequel storyline in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACKDAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal romance series focusing on a group of warrior vampires known as the Blackdagger Brotherhood. This is the story of Darius and Anne, Beth’s parents. DARIUS can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion, I recommend reading or having some knowledge of book one DARK LOVER.

DARIUS was first released in audio format in July 2022.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including domestic assault, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person (Darius), and third person perspective DARIUS  follows the short lived relationship between Beth’s parents Darius and Anne, and the resulting birth of the vampire’s Queen.

ON the night they met, Darius, son of Marklon, rescued and saved the woman with whom he would fall in love but as a member of the vampire species, and the Blackdagger Brotherhood, Darius is unable to reveal the truth, or claim the woman who would give birth to his only young. As Darius and Anne’s relationship began to grow, Anne’s past would seek vengeance, revealing the truth about the who and what of the man with whom she was falling in love. Twenty years would pass before Anne would once again come face to face with Darius, twenty years in which Darius watched from afar as his daughter grew into the woman who would control the King’s heart.

Several of the series characters make cameo appearances: Fritz, Vishous, Zsadist, Phury, Havers, Xhex and JM, Beth and Wrath.

DARIUS is a revealing, emotional, action packed and heart breaking story of love, betrayal, acceptance and loss. The premise is edgy, haunting and tragic; the romance is tender and fated ; the characters are animated but doomed.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Facebook Twitter Goodreads / Website/

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

Visit the JRWard Facebook Page

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Lassiter (The Blackdagger Brotherhood 21) by JR Ward-review

Lassiter (The Blackdagger Brotherhood 21) by JR Ward-review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

Lassiter, the fallen angel, is too good at the savior business. In his new role overseeing the fates of all vampires, he’s influenced outcomes he shouldn’t have- so the Creator is calling him home. But the angel has a reason to stay in Caldwell. He’s bonded with a mysterious female who’s seemed to appear from out of nowhere… and has powers that defy all reason.

Rahvyn is well aware that she doesn’t belong in the present. And she never intended to stay, for her true place is in the past. Lassiter proves to be undeniable, however, and she lets herself fall for the angel- until a secret he’s been keeping comes out and she fears that for him, it’s not about love, but duty.

As the Omega’s son reestablishes the Lessening Society, and the Brotherhood must resume the deadly war- an unfathomable tragedy occurs. In the aftermath, Rahvyn has to decide whether to stay and help- or save herself from an immortal heartbreak she knows will crush her very soul…

•••••

REVIEW: LASSITER is the twenty-first instalment in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACKDAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal/fantasy romance series focusing on a group of warrior vampires known as the Blackdagger Brotherhood. This is fallen angel/ Scribe Virgin Lassiter, and Rahvyn’s story line. LASSITER should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading book twenty LOVER ARISEN for back story and cohesion-the current timeline has been building for most of the series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

**If you have not read any of the previous, recent instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives LASSITER follows several paths including the building relationship between fallen angel turned Scribe Virgin Lassiter, and Rahvyn. At the end of LOVER ARISEN Lassiter had sacrificed his soul to save the Band of B&stards warrior Balthazar, and in doing so, felt himself unworthy of love, especially the female that called to his heart but something or someone was pushing our story line couple together, a push that would end with the possible destruction or savior of the BDB.

Meanwhile, the Lessening Society has returned with a new Omega. Lash, the son of the previous Omega, was desperate for power and control but found himself falling for Devina, the demon, who using the ancient Book of Spells, called Lash back from extinction. As Lash considered his journey towards the ultimate battle for power, he never considered someone else or something else has been marked into play.

Nate, the adopted son of Muhrder and Sarah returns as he continues to pine for our story line heroine. Nate, whose life once hung in the balance between life and the Fade, has returned, his immortality no longer in question but his future questionable in the face of the return of the Lessening Society. The Lessers are growing in numbers with the return of the Omega but someone else Is building their own army of Lessers, Lessers who are now of the female persuasion.

Like most of JR Ward’s recent story lines, there are many plot lines and characters called into play. As to the numerous pathways, several events begin to unfold but not all of the Brothers are present or accounted for. By way of mention, some return in the wake of the near destruction of the vampire society, while Lassiter’s mating brings together the love and support of many of the Blackdagger Brotherhood. Two fallen angels have returned to reclaim our story line hero but Lassiter continues to have business on Earth, he refuses to abide by the Creator’s demands.

Now to the numerous unanswered questions and concerns. Is LASSITER the end of the series, or the current series ARC? Does the author have plans for a spin off? -she already attempted with the Blackdagger Legacy. The epilogue advances the series thirty-three years, where we are witness to a few of the next generation. The thirty-three year time jump leaves many unanswered questions yet reveals a couple of surprising twists: More Needings? More Young? More Brothers? More Mates? More Angels and the purpose of more fallen angels? What happened to the Lessening Society? The Lessers? Davina and Lash? And of course, the reformation of the Glymera and its’ need to rule with discrimination and power? Or with the return of the fallen angels-Adrian Vogel and Eddie Blackhawk, and of course the demon Devina (originally from the Fallen Angels series)-does the author have more stories planned for her Fallen Angels?

As to some of these questions, when an author recalibrates a series that may be struggling, they inevitably return to what was once popular and strong: the Lessers, the Omega; the Glymera for example-all part of the original BDB series and wars. Ward is not the first, nor the last, to try a recharge using previous premise and plot lines but it often screams of desperation. Long time readers and fans know when a series is struggling and bringing back what was, is not necessarily, the way to go.

The anticipatory factor surrounding the story for certain characters is always fierce and strong but there is often a let down due to the excitement and build up of a beloved character(s). I have seen this happen before in this series, and with many other authors and their own series, and the results have always been the same. Yes, there are those diehard readers and fans that will accept everything and anything but a critical eye will see what is missing; what is not there-satisfaction, realization and accomplishment. Lassiter and Rahvyn were not the primary focus of the story but Lash, Devina and the return of the Lessers, as well as Nate and the future of the BDB. LASSITER felt like an introductory story to the next chapter/arc of the series, and in doing so, lost much of the momentum that is our Fallen Angel Lassiter. Lassiter’s free spirit, sassiness and innocence is missing.

LASSITER is a detailed and complex story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love, secrets and lies. The premise is impassioned; the characters are numerous, animated and brooding; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of secrets and the unknown.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Facebook Twitter Goodreads / Website/

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

Visit the JRWard Facebook Page

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