A surprise disappointment from JR Ward...but I still love her books!
342906
Summary:

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

This is the ninth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward and its the story of Dr. Manuel (Manny) Manello and Vishous' sister Payne.

I am very addicted to this series, I love that it has a mix of romance, drama, humor.

Payne is injured after sparring with Wrath, the King of all Vampires.  She has paralysis in her lower body and needs surgery.  Dr. Jane Whitcomb, Vishous' mate cannot perform the complicated surgery and decided to bring in her previous boss and friend doctor Manuel "Manny" Manello, whom thought Jane dead.
It was love at first sight....Manny is instantly enthralled with Payne. And he helps her walk again.
In this story we get to see not only the relationship between Manny and Payne, but we also see how Jane and Vishous are cooping with their relationship.
Vishous has a lot on his plate and is having a very hard time dealing with his twin sister's injury, her having to fall in love with a human male and also his relationship with his wife Jane. Vishous has his own issues from when he was abuse by his father so all these new things going on around him are threatening to destroy his relationship with Jane.

The book goes back and forth between the twins and their relationships.

At some point I felt somewhat cheated that I was seen more of Vishous than Payne and getting to know her more. Don't get me wrong I love Vishous but I was not expecting this book to have a lot of him in it.

However, we do get some answers that left us hanging at the end of Vishous' book Lover Unbound.  But I felt like Lover Unleashed left me with even more questions about Payne and Manny, like what is he now? Will he become a vampire? Can he be turn just like Butch? What about a mating?

We also see Butch and Vishous strange relationship come forward again...there is some BDSM between the two.

This book was nothing compare to the previous one in the series.  We got answer to some questions but were left with even more.  I felt a little cheated out of getting to see more of Payne and Manny. There was supposed to be a big confrontation between someone from the past with Payne and that didn't even happen.  So there was really no big fighting in it.

I was disappointed at how Payne was portray in the prior books, and how she was in Lover Unleashed, she came off as not very smart, somewhat nave, and a quitter. Where was that fighter that was able to kick Wrath's butt? She wanted to end her life when she thought she could not walk and that just doesn't seem like the same Payne we read about before.

We still don't know what is going to happen with the Quinn and Blay. They are not talking as much, which is sad since they used to be best friends.

You might think that I didn't like Love Unleashed but I actually loved it, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.  I just hope that we get to see more of the main characters in the next and hopefully we will see more of Payne and Manny.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Lover-Unleashed-Black-Dagger-Brotherhood-Book-9/dp/0451233166/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 9)</a>
1085525
Love JR Ward and all she writes, I have yet to find a book or story by her I didn't love. This one was too short!!! Still a good story!
992263
Biggest downfall about theses books and others written by Ward is that they read too quick!
Wish I could wait until the entire series is written, but I'm hopeless I can't!
3651310
I've LOVED all the books in this series and couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I've read it but with no fan fare and I actually tossed it aside more than once. Mac rambling on and on did not really add to the story. I found myself skipping ahead to get to some dialogue and that is something I've never done with any books written by this author. Is this a transition book, is all the rambling Mac does something the author had to clear her head of ? The lack of interaction between Jada and Ryodan was a huge disappointment. I mean really, we don't need to be reminded every other page that Jada is now different and she suffered. MOVE ON. Tell us a story, don't drag us thru muck and mire so you can endlessly keep repeating what we could understand in a few paragraphs. We are looking for a STORY and not constant repetition. Believe me, WE GET IT. The story did progress but not enough to make it a thrill to turn the page. I still love the characters but don't know if this will blossom into another great series. Seems to me the publishing company has also dropped the ball for the audio book. We understand that the previous, awesome narrators couldn't do this book and that is a HUGE error not to mention disappointment. They didn't do the author any favors with that blunder. Read the story and try to enjoy it but it isn't a ride that this author usually takes you on. It's a kiddie ride with a hundred page manual compared to the other books.
4809345
I am a huge, huge fan of Mo Hayder's "Walking Man" canon of novels, featuring Detective Jack Caffery, SGT Flea Marley, and, of course, "The Walking Man" himself.  This book was disappointing to me.  First of all, Walking Man does not even appear at all!  Secondly, unlike her previous books, Ms. Hayder seems to have demonstrably eased off on the descriptive usage of her usually-enthralling horror and mayhem, which I found to be a real negative.  Thirdly, while Jack and Flea are still intriguing protagonists -- and their love/hate relationship is becoming more and more fascinating -- the other characters (including the evil antagonists) were not particularly interesting, IMHO.  Mo is still a sensational author, and I will always buy and read her books.  This one, however, fell short of my usual expectations of her writing.
522790
As a dedicated HM Ward fan, I feel it's my duty to read all of her books. I love them all, but this series, although good, is losing its luster. At the beginning, I don't think her intention is where the book is today. Without spoiling this book, all I can say is it could have been two chapters, cliffhangers for the endings are getting old, and she is on the verge of losing a fan. Far fetched and I am feeling taken- end it soon or give us one final, solid book- enough, already!
3153323
The title of this book really fit my mood when I finished reading it. After all of the excitement of waiting and anticipating the latest book from Julie Garwood, this one really killed my joy of reading it. As mentioned in another review, there was just too much hype on the FBI and her childhood devotion for the governmental agency. Boring! Now don't get me wrong. I still love and will love Julie Garwood's books, but this one and the last two contempory books (Heartbreaker and Mercy) left me hanging without in real closure. What I mean by this is, it's like going to a restaurant and ordering something that sounds wonderful on the menu and when you get it, you feel let down. The let-down feels like you could get the same thing out of the frozen food section at the grocery store.(Which will probably taste better and is cheaper.) So many--what I think are--important variables of the book were left out. For instance, more detailed info on John Paul, how his military career really impacted his life (which was mentioned briefly), why all of a sudden he fell so deeply IN LOVE with Avery, what did Avery think of his hometown, what kind of family reunion he received when he brought Avery home, did they ever have any children, etc.
Julie's historical romances are absolutely WONDERFUL! Would recommend any historical romance to anyone, on any day! Although, I am an avid collector of all of Julie Garwood's books,I'll probably wait to purchase her next comtempory novel. Hate to say this, I'll try to catch it at the flea market or a local thrift store.
I'll say this much and then I gotta go. Julie, when and if you do a contempory novel on Noah Clayborne, please elaborate more on his family background, which will probably give his character more essence. Noah is a hottie and the character deserves to be recognized much better than John Paul. By this I mean John Paul was a spin-off from Mercy and he should have been built up a whole lot better. In my opinion, you do/will do your spin-off male characters a great in-justice when 90% of the focus is on a "so-so" female character.
The anticipation to read her latest novels (Heartbreaker, Mercy, and Killjoy) was like taking a much needed vacation, but when I finished reading them, I felt like all I got was a stinking T-shirt.
For the romantic in me, better closure for the "happily ever after" chapter(s).
Still, love ya and your work. Hang in there!
114515
I'm a big fan of JC. I've read many, but not all of her books. Unlike many readers, I'm not a huge fan of Lucky. I've liked the stories where Lucky has appeared, but I'm not a die-hard fan of Lucky.

My biggest complaint about this book is that JC built readers expectations about the final confrontation between Lucky and the Armand...but didn't deliver. As I read the book, I couldn't wait until Armand felt that he had control of Lucky...but really didn't. I couldn't wait until she kicked his ass. It didn't happen.

I felt that after the confrontation that wasn't, the book was tied up with the epilogue written in choppy paragraphs that almost seemed like she'd tired of the story and just wanted it to be over.

Will I still read JC? Yes. Another Lucky book...probably not.
2568436
I have been a loyal follower of her Blackdagger Brotherhood series for many years. Of course, I had to read her newest series. This one is proving to be another series to eagerly wait for!! All hail JR Ward!!!
3708586
Very disappointing, considering I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels series.

Wonder what JR Ward wrote first, The Story of Son or the Black Dagger Brotherhood as if you have read BDB first, there are holes in Son
1234956
***This review contains spoliers*** I really love Jody Picoult's writing.  My favorite books of hers have been Plain Truth, and of course, My Sister's Keeper. She writes love and pain and joy using words that allow the reader to truly visualize the invisible.  As you can tell, I am a big, big fan.  However I think in trying to enrich a somewhat lacking main plot, Picoult picked the wrong story line to push front and center in Handle with Care.  I was much more intrigued throughout the book with Amelia's character, and the impact Willow's disease was having on her.  I have a daughter with bulimia, so maybe I am more sensitive to this than other readers.  But to me eating disorders in the US are a huge problem and Amelia's story was much more interesting than Willow's was.

On a side note, like several other reviewers, I feel the ending was a cop out.  It felt like she was going for the shock ending like she did in MSK, but this time it really missed the mark.  I sort of felt like "stupid kid" and "let's send Amelia back screaming to the psych ward blaming herself again for Willow's stupidity because the pond wasn't filled in so she could skate."

Here's the ending I would have liked.  The trial for this case ends mid book, and the rest of the book is about how in the end the money DIDN'T make the family any closer.  Once it was clear they'd be able to get all of the material things needed for Willow's care, would the money have really fixed all the damage that was done in getting it?  That would have been a stronger statement than the too-karmic ending of "you got your money, now you lose your daughter"
829851
I liked the book but it is not A.Q, J.C, JAK's best work.  I enjoyed the change of historical background and I heard there will be more books in this series and I look forward to that. Even a bad AQ book is better then most other novels.  I have also heard that these characters are featured but not the main characters.  I think that A.Q failed to make the main HERO interesting... he was too similar to her past heroes with a limp.  She told us about his past injuries but leaves the story of his injury unsolved ... who the heck shot him?  If she answers that in the future, okay ... but I will be terribly upset if she does not.  TO me that was as interesting a story as the dilemma/ mystery in this heroine's story.

As to this book ... the relationship between Oliver and Irene was lack luster... too contrived.  I just did not feel it and question will it last once the excitement dies down and they settle to life after the mystery.  I found that Ms Quick's over description of the clothes and cars and environment took me out of the story.  I think she should have put an index or glossary of her research especially the on-line stuff and that would educated and entertained readers but not needed the overly descriptive narration that slowed the story .... do I really need to know the backstory of a DRAPE SUIT?  Such over description takes me out of the story.

I will read her books in the future as she is my favorite author but I just might wait for the paper back release instead of plunking $20 for a hard cover ... and NO I do not read on Kindle cause it gives me a headache.

NONNIE
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3363031
I know a lot of BDB fans were not excited for this book. JR Ward alienated so many people (myself included) with the ending of The Shadows, and frankly, a lot of people hate Layla. I hated Layla for a long time, so I get that. But I actually was looking forward to this book because I love a tortured hero and Im all about forbidden romance. Ive kinda been burning for this pairing for years.

There were things I liked in this story, but a great deal that I didnt. Im going to talk about the plot some, so if you haven't read the book and you want to stay entirely spoiler free, consider yourself warned. My main problem with this book was that Ward set up the conflict with the utter annihilation of Qhuinns character. Im not saying Qhuinn makes bad choices. Im saying, I hated Qhuinn. I wanted to set Qhuinn on fire. Qhuinn was unrecognizable from the character weve known in all the books leading up to this one. That is not ok. Hes not just an ass. He is cruel, violent, and vindictive. He is beyond horrible to Layla, and frankly, speaks to Blay in a way that is completely at odds with the devoted mate he has always been up until now. Ward turned this character into something else to force the story where she wanted it to go and I am not down with that.

Im also disappointed that Xcor and Layla start the book already in love. Yes, weve had a ton of building in previous books but I wanted the money scene where they finally reveal their feelings, and (especially for Xcor) its earth shattering and we get that big FINALLY moment. Their love was a given and I felt cheated. Dont get me wrong, they are lovely together. I felt their desperation over their stolen moments and their abiding love, which is something Ward gets right. I just wish we wouldve had a big moment when they put their feelings out there for the first time.

As you know, these days Ward is all about the subplots, none of which I cared for. I especially Hated Trezs story with a Selena lookalike. Hated with a capital H. I hated Tohrs backslide. And I was completely unmoved by Vs emotional disconnect from Doc Jane. I had to fight the urge to skim often in the side scenes, when I wasn't contemplating throwing my ereader in frustration.

I am interested in anything to do with the Band of Bastards. And the flashback scenes with Xcor broke my heart. Poor Xcor. He reminds of Zsadist. (Who I miss, BTW.) Such a gentle soul who has endured so much misery. I love how Layla changes him. He is so good to her! So heartbreakingly devoted and utterly in love with her. It's so lovely how she sees him... as a good man and a warrior. And I enjoyed her finding her own identity.

I also thought the big climax scene was pretty awesome.

But the resolution was super-rushed and way too easy. Especially when it came to Qhuinn. As much as Ward turned his character on a dime at the beginning, she did it just as quickly at the end. It felt shallow and unsatisfying.

Overall, I found the book very uneven. It had some really satisfying moments. But just as many disappointments.
284715
Well, that was not what I was expecting at all. Wow. I think I need a coffee. Or a nap. I deserve a nap after 460-pages of a book I didn't understand, right??

The "not what I expected" part is my fault because, a) my eyes zeroed in on the "criminal underworld" part of the blurb and skipped the "clairvoyant" part. And b) Paige is 19 so I thought it was a Young Adult book. Ah, no. Maybe it could be YA, but it reads like Adult. (On Goodreads it's shelved as both...because that's not confusing at all.)

My brain died! I just...I just didn't get it. At all. And my bookish soul is weeping because I wanted to like this book so badly. It was so complicated (and huge) and detailed (and huge) and intense (and huge). Right now I feel like banishing myself to the picture book section, because I just felt like a preschooler trying to read an Encyclopaedia. I feel dumb. And I don't like reading books that make me feel dumb.

Part of my problem was we're thrown into a world that basically has it's own language. Even after 100-pages they were tossing words and phrases that I had noooo idea what meant. And then they started abbreviating everything! No! NO. Like this:

"So they're not really numa."
"Still dangerous," Liss said. "Rotties can use them. The last thing we need is an ethereal weapon Scion can use."
Julian shook his head. "Scion would never use numa. They're repulsed by clairvoyance."
"Not by the Rephaim."
"I doubt they like the Rephs," I said. "They're clairvoyant. They just don't have a choice but to obey, with the Emim at their doorstep." THE BONE SEASON (pg. 124)

Okay, sorry, can you run that by me again IN ENGLISH?

But this could very well just be me! I have a looot of friends on Goodreads, and most of them have rated this book 5 and 4-stars! Wow! It's also sold in 20 countries and shortlisted for awards. Sooo...for now, I'm just going to assume it's my brain that rejects this book.

But it did have cool aspects! Like it was sort of dystopian (I like dystopian) and it was set in England (sort of). And...and...it was...different.

Characters? Paige was pretty tough. Okay, everyone was tough in this book. Because if they weren't, they died. Blood splatters, okay? Once they've been flattened with a fist, they get up and are flattened because they've been dream walking, and then they're flattened because they're slaves to sadistic angel/vampire...things. (They're not called angels or vampires...but they appear to drink blood at times and fallen angels are mentioned.) Basically it's gritty. I admire the characters just for surviving.

But you know what? This is a series of...wait for it...seven books! It's pretty heavy on the description and backstory and interior monologuing. If that was pruned a little, maybe it could be two books? Forgive me, I'm in editing mode at the moment.

Okay, self-five for me. I did it. I got through it. I'm just going to take that nap now.
4728869
I love J.R. Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  That being said, this book didn't completely meet my expectations.  Don't get me wrong - the book was great, it just wasn't up to the hype I gave it in my head.  :)  Although, if Ms. Ward wrote on a cocktail napkin I'd read it and likely enjoy it.
1936252
After waiting Forever(it seemed) I must admit I was disappointed. I kept losing track of ppl, I dunno I just was easily confused by all the different storylines and had a hard time keeping everyone straight.... Good points tho as usual lots of good sex! LOVE the Blah/Quinn storyline. JR Ward enough said!!
40455
It's a shame that the first review seen in the Amazon reviews of The Bourbon Kings only received 2 stars since it may have deterred others from being introduced to old Southern Kentucky money and the family dynamics that tries to maintain its southern tradition.  Do not let the 2-star review deter you!

This is quite a break-away from JR Ward's BDB or Fallen Angel Series' and shouldn't be compared to the paranormal intrigue that make up our beloved Caldwell after dark.  However, under JR Wards nom de plume, Jessica Bird, the Bourbon Kings becomes the sophisticated next generation of southern royalty found in such novels as Unforgettable Lady and Irresistible Bachelor.  However, The Bourbon Kings is deeper and more complex than these earlier works (which I adore too) and provides  an elaborate foundation that is the base which will support the next novels in the series.

Each character relates to the family money in his/her own way as dysfunctional as it may seem.  The first reviewer refers to the characters as "cartoonish" and shallow.  How can anyone expect spoiled, over-indulged, self-absorbed adults surrounded by incredible wealth to be any different? Depth of character comes from hardship, suffering and sacrifice which begins to unfold as the story progresses.  Gin is the classic spoiled, reckless princess and the consequences of her actions have yet to be realized.  Yet, as with all of JR Wards/Jessica Bird's novels, inner strength and happiness only surfaces after humility is found and inner strength rises from within.  Gin's story has yet to completely unfold and hopefully we will see her happy ending in the series novels to come.

Lane, our star and hero, evokes one word - savior.  As readers, we have faith, even with the last page, that Lane will continue to uncover the sins of his father and  salvage the family history and their legacy while ultimately uniting with the love of his life, Lizzie.  As Lane is the savior, Edward is our hope. Hope that he will find the strength to heal physically, mentally and emotionally, triumph over the tragedy inflicted on him  and find the love of which is he is so deserving.  We have yet to fully meet middle brother, Max, although it appears by the end of The Bourbon Kings that this may be on the horizon.

Their father, William Baldwine, is singularly the most ruthless, cold-hearted, character that you love to hate.  He has placed his family on the brink of ruination and has had more than a hand in the tragedies and insecurities that plague not only his children but and anyone whose life he has unfortunately touched.

JR Ward has, once again, succeeded in developing an intricate foundation, creating a plot fraught with intrigue, deceit, love and devotion.  Each of the characters, like fine aged bourbon, are developing into deep, rich personalities, maturing and growing over-time with the acute attention to detail that we have come to expect from JR Ward and which only she can deliver!!!!  Can't wait for Book 2!!!