Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Form: Book
Series: Dark Hunters

Channon, enjoying a day at the museum studying her favorite exhibit, a dragon tapestry finds herself swept into the arms of a sinfully handsome man who weaves all sorts of amusing stories about who he is, where he’s from and even explanations of the tapestry she’s so obsessed with. At first, she just thinks Sebastian is full of charm and wit and it just successfully trying to impress her, but soon finds he speaks mostly the truth as she is swept into a world she never imagined with a man who makes her weak in the knees.

Dragonswan is the prelude to Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. I have been impressed upon by some “friends” over at the Karen Marie Moning web-forum, to read. This first book was a mere 86 pages, and was an okay short story – but I wasn’t overly impressed myself. But given that it is a novelette, I’m not going to base my opinion of Sherrilyn Kenyon as an author or the series in general by this one little read.

Kenyon did do a good job at developing the characters in such a short book, enough that you did want a bit more than what you were left with. The book did have sufficient romance and action for it’s size as well. I just like a bit more depth I guess.

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood’s bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood’s mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love….

Fantastic! The story is really coming together – I can almost see how some things will play out. This book kept me going. Once again, it was more what was going on outside of Phury and Cormia that kept the book intact for me than their story – although it was very good. Cormia must come out from being a part of an entire entity of beings and discover who she is, and Phury must find himself in the mess his life has been since the day he was born. It’s a great combination. I recently read where someone didn’t feel Phury truly get over Bella – but I disagree, I believe Phury was getting over Bella from the very beginning of the book when he was drawling the picture of her with her hair up. Cormia was already seeping, unknown to him, into his mind.

I loved the tenderness that came out of John Matthew towards Cormia in this book too – he really did help her in her discovery process I believe. I just wish that the boy …er, man…would communicate more. He sees things and does things and truly needs to tell people about them instead of doubting himself all the time. Of course I think it will come eventually. I’m just curious if eventually he will get his own book, or if his story will continue to be told on the sidelines. Same with Blay and Quinn.

I’m anxiously awaiting Lover Avenged while reading the guide book.

Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous, son of the Bloodletter, possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father’s war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time–until destiny he didn’t choose takes him into a future that cannot include her…

Lover Unbound is probably my 3rd favorite dagger book, after Lover Awakened and Dark Lover. I really enjoy the backstories on the Brotherhood a lot. And in this book’s case, I actually liked the side stories (John, Phury) more than the main story itself. I expecially like seeing Zsadist come out even more in this book. He IS my favorite brother afterall. Some things I did like about Vishous’ story included his release of Butch, and even more so Butch’s explination about how his attraction to him was more about caring for someone other than himself for the first time rather than love.

What I didn’t like was how Jane came back in the end. Oh, I wanted her back of course – but the how it was done was a little wonky to me. Didn’t really sit well with my “oh yeah, that could happen,” imagination.

Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood

Butch O’Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he’s the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He’s got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who’s way out of his league. If he can’t have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers…

Fate Curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he’s found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him…

Another book down on my newest obsession. I am in love with this series. I love the action – but I’ve said that before, haven’t it? Butch is such a great guy! Even before his big “revelation” he is totally on board with the BDB and their mission. He loves these boys like they are his family – and I think it’s awesome. I’m doing my best here, not to give away the book, but I will say that I wish there was a little bit more foreshadowing of Butch’s fate, I think that would have tied the book in a bit better. Just an opinion though.

Marissa, on the other hand, I wasn’t digging her to much. She was all lust and lacked understanding. I wish she would have opened up to what was going on and stopped being so selfish. She didn’t want to loose Butch, but geez – was the guy suppose to sit around and continue to corrode his liver for his entire life? He needed a purpose, a job – and when he finally got one, instead of being a supportive, loving gal – she decided to walk out. Not cool in my book. So far, I think she is my least favorite of the females. But I DO like her new initiative of having a Vampire social services type deal. That’s awesome, and I hope plays more of a role in the books to come.

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion and terror his only passion – until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for each other begins to overtake them, Zsadist’s thirst for vengence against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past and find a future with her….

This is my favorite BDB so far! Zsadist is a sheep on wolves’s clothing running witless from love, attention or even interaction with anyone. I loved his transition from scared out of his mind to personable vampire. J.R. Ward is doing a wonderful job with this series, the story line keeps moving. I’m already excited to start the next book in the series, because I can’t wait to find out what happens to Butch.

My favorite part of this book is without a doubt Zsadist’s first kiss. I swear I could feel the emotion radiating off Zsadist and out of the book at the sensation of this intimate touch.

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He’s the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover – for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships, is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage’s protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage’s intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves…

I must say I’m hooked on another series. I really do love it when a series wraps you up into not only the life of the main characters of that particular book, but interweave the stories together so that they capture your attention, making it somewhat impossible to just read one. Well, as long as they are good books that is.

Lover Eternal was a great story. I really enjoyed how J.D Ward causes the two characters strengths and weaknesses to compliment each other, sort of how that happens in real life…except the whole vampire thing of course. Some of the better parts include how Rhage stands up for his feeling and for Mary despite the rules against humans. Part and particle to the story, I like how she is bringing out Butch as a character, in the end he starts taking control and pushing out instructions. Part of me is thinking, ‘what right does he have doing that,’ where the other part is saying, ‘This is who he is. This is what he does.’ I’m very interested in all the brothers, and their stories – but I’m also looking forward to seeing Butch and even the new warrior, John, in the books to come.

I still have a hard time with the names of the Brothers. On one hand I like it, they are warriors, they are dangerous. On the other hand I’m thinking it’s over the top. Not only that, but what person (human) in their right mind would trust someone called “Wrath,’ or “Rhage?” And the spellings, making them more name-like, yet still reminds me of people who use special spellings to make their baby names different. But the books are good enough that it’s something I definitely can live with.

The Vampire’s Bride by Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Atlantis Series

He is Layel, king of the vampires, a master seducer no woman can deny. But since a rogue horde of dragons killed his beloved over two centuries ago, Layel has existed only for vengeance…until he meets Delilah.

Wary of love, the beautiful Amazon wants nothing to do with the tormented vampire. Yet there’s no denying their consuming desire every time he nears her.

Neither trusts the other – nor can they survive alone. For in an impossible game of the gods’ devising, they’ve been trapped on an island, about to face the ultimate challenge: surrender to the passion that will bind them forever…or be doomed to an eternity apart.

…source: back of book…

I’m thinking that The Vampire’s Bride is wrapping up the Atlantis series, and I say that that is probably a good thing. While I sort of enjoyed the series, I definitely enjoy the Lords of the Underworld series a lot more. The extensive story line really helps, while the Atlantis series is more bits and pieces that somewhat connect. This was a good book – not excellent, and most certainly not horrible.

For some reason I had a hard time picturing Layel, and that drove me crazy. I like being able to visualize the characters. His red lips and white hair – I don’t know, I kept coming up with a crazed Albert Einstein. So visually I didn’t stick to the book’s description. I did enjoy Layel and Delilah’s interaction, which is probably what made the book good. I like the heat between two opposing forces who are unnaturally drawn to each other.

As for the active story line – the battle for the best creatures on Atlantis, I actually felt fell into The Hunger Games a bit. It was a little different, but the idea was similar. I was a little niffed when in the end the gods decided – ‘eh, we decided not to kill you, instead you will be punished in such and such a way.’ When what I really wanted was for the god’s to keep their word, but for the winner to come up with an all inclusive “booty” for their winnings; i.e. “I want you to return everyone who participated back to Atlantis in the state you pulled us out.” Something that would have allowed for everyone to keep their memories of what happened on the island, yet the ultimate happily ever after. I also had hoped for a reconciliation between the vampires and the dragons…who knows, maybe she’s got more Atlantis up her sleeve…

The Nymph King by Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Book
Series: Atlantis

Females young and old beautiful and plain crave Valerian’s touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure…until he steals Shaye Holing from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom.

The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she’s inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the warrior’s arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire…

Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because there’s one thing Shaye doesn’t know…

That when a nymph discovers his true mate, she’s his for life.

…source: back of book….