- reply -- Sandra, 11:31:45 10/12/10 Tue
yea this paragraph is okay but mostly its all bullshit........
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- Taking Care of Business by Megan Hart & Lauren Dane -- Lynda/WA, 18:09:13 03/30/09 Mon
One conference, two friends, two men who know how to take care of business.
After leaving the wrong man, Leah Griffin’s not ready to look for the right one. All she wants is to survive the conference she’s planning and spend some time with her best friend Kate Edwards. She’s not expecting the conference services manager to be so tall, dark and handsome…or so eager to please. It’s Brandon Long’s job to make Leah happy, but after a scorching interlude in her hotel room, neither can deny business has become pleasure.
Smart, driven and successful attorney, Katherine Edwards has spent her life making the right choices. Directly counter to those right choices, she’s involved in a long distance, secret love affair with a co-worker. Charles Dixon is a bad choice she can’t help but make – over and over. A conference and a promotion bring Kate back to Pennsylvania and suddenly, Dix wants far more than a few nights in random hotel rooms. He wants something permanent and Katherine has to figure out if sometimes a wrong choice isn’t exactly what a woman needs.
As the back blurb says, this book is about two couples, two best friends and their men The book begins with Leah ending a relationship as she’s heading out the door to a weekend conference. She has been increasingly unhappy and dissatisfied with the entire relationship. She was losing herself in her former relationship and over the course of the book, discovers who she is with Brandon.
Kate is a high powered lawyer that has been having a secret long distance liaison with Leah’s coworker, Charles “Dix” Dixon. Because of her past, Kate is very reluctant to get involved with a business associate. Dix is a divorcee that is very involved with his teenaged daughters and sort of by default his ex.
The two romances were developing concurrently. And yes, shockingly for a Black Lace book ,I do use the word romances! The authors flipped from Kate to Leah to Brandon and Dix. The authors did a masterful job of meshing the emotions of the couples and the external conflicts.
This book is very much about the entire journey, not just the destination. You see the relationships and people evolve. This wasn’t a book just about sex but clearly about the couples.
If I had any complaints, Leah and Brandon’s story ended a little abruptly. It would have been nice if their reunion lasted more than three pages and had come about a little less abruptly.
And of course since it is an erotic romance there is plenty of hot, hot sex! The foreplay was amazing. I wouldn’t have thought that a list of work duties could have been turned into sexual foreplay. For readers that have taboos they don’t want to read, rest easy with this book. Even though the sex scenes are hot, they aren’t going to trip taboo triggers.
I would very much recommend this book and plan on reading more by both Megan Hart and Lauren Dane. BTW - I went over to Amazon to see about leaving a rating. The books that popped up in the section “customers also bought” were Lora Leigh, Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, and Maya Banks. That to me is one heck of a recommendation.
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- TWILIGHT series by Stephenie Meyer --
, 18:06:15 11/12/07 Mon
First, I want to say how much I am enjoying this series. The books, characters and story are so compelling. They are hypnotic, in a way. I only have a problem young teens reading these books and getting the wrong idea of what love really is.
The first book I think focuses on Bella's OBSESSION of Edward way too much, and confuses it with love, at first. I felt the first half of the book was almost creepy as a result. Obsession is not love, and I hope there's someone telling these young girls reading these books that.
I did love the story and their growing relationship, which is so complex, yet beautiful.
The second book I though was great, too, but also through a lens of maturity and age and perspective. Bella's depression in the second book is almost painful. Her description of the months she was a zombie and the early days when she was catatonic was very well-done -- disturbingly so. I also don't like how she always talks about hoe Edward is her entire life. To the point that when she is being pulled under by the current and waves, she thinks about suicide.
I'm only halfway through the third book, but those are my thoughts on the first two. Like I said before, my main concerns are not problems I see with the story itself, but rather that so many such young girls are reading this -- many, I'm sure, without a mother/other influence reading them along side and discussing the darker sides of the books. I just worry about that.
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- S Meyers series -- randomacts, 19:18:31 12/02/07 Sun
- I'm glad you posted this Ana, my daughter has read them, and I haven't. You can bet I'm going to read them now, and make a decision about whether or not she will be reading any more of them. Kids have a hard enough time figuring out what love is, then to be "taught" it's something it ISN'T is a lot scary to me... (NT) -- Aimee, 12:33:20 02/17/08 Sun
- Ana, you hit the nail on the head. My 13 year old daughter & I read the books before we saw the movie. I know she has a healthy understanding of reality vs. fantasy, but this makes me wonder if I've done my job in differentiating between love and obsession. We're going to have this conversation tonight. Aims, I think you'll love the books! (NT) -- BAM, 10:49:47 01/07/09 Wed
- Dark Curse by Christine Feehan -- Beth, 09:38:11 09/18/08 Thu
For a while I almost gave up on the Carpathians. The men were all very lovely, but the stories were beginning to feel interchangeable. Every book seemed to present a new piece to the puzzle (we have no babies, we have someone hunting down psychic women, we have vicious parasites, suddenly we have mages...), but none of those pieces seemed to fit together. It was frustrating. And getting bloody difficult to remember which couple was which.
But suddenly, all that's changed. Over the course of the last 2 or 3 books, it's gradually been revealed that all the misfortunes of the Carpathians have been engineered by one person: Xavier. And in Dark Curse we found out just how evil he really is.
This was such a great book. Questions were answered so that they could lead to more possible plotlines:
* Will the aunts have HEAs? - Their development should be so interesting. How do you overcome the trauma of hundreds of years trapped in the ice and bled out?
* Is Razvan redeemable? Did you notice that Lara's mother was NOT his Lifemate? My guess is, next book he will be rescued and the way will be cleared for him to get a story.
* Andre and Tariq go computer dating? I wonder if this is a way to hook up a few mates in a hurry. One couple per year is just way too inefficient to build an army!
* Dominic in the enemy camp? More inevitable trauma.
* And my favorite speculation: What did happen to Ivory? They all assume she's dead, but there's never been a body. You know what that always means...
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- BLOODFEVER and the hero -- , 10:54:42 10/29/07 Mon
Who do you think Mac will end up with? JB? V'lane? Maybe Christian?
For me, I think it has to be Barrons. I can't even explain why I feel that way, it just has a sense of rightness to it for me. Even if it doesn't make complete sense, the others make far less sense to me.
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- I hope will be JB - posted more about this below - but I think that she could be distacted, possibly for a while but some of the others along the way.... I think she needs to trust JB and doesn't as yet IMO. (NT) -- Melanie, 13:06:15 10/30/07 Tue
- Well, call me sick but I want her to be with V'lane.*G* I think,however,that she will end up w/JB.Barrons just hasn't pushed my buttons like the Fae prince has,imagine that,LOL.I need to know more about him,I think,(don't we all) b/c while I find him intriguing and mysterious,it is only during the moments of sexual tension between he & Mac that I feel more,I dunno,connected with him? (NT) -- Boadicea, 14:30:19 10/30/07 Tue
- NO CHOICE BUT SEDUCTION by Johanna Lindsey (A Malory Novel) -- Robin, 08:01:09 06/28/08 Sat
No Choice but Seduction by Johanna Lindsey
Whats it about?
Boyd Anderson is tired of the sea, even though he owns his own ship. His family mostly lives in London now since his sister Georgina married into the Malory family, as did two of his other brothers. While on a trip back to the London Office, he is considering what he wants to do now since he would like to start a family, get married, etc.
Katey Tyler has lived all of her life in a small New England town and now that her mother has passed away, she receives an inheritance her mom held for her from her mothers estranged English relatives. Katey and her friend/maid decide to see the world.
On her trip to England to deliver a neighbors 2 young nieces, Katey meets Boyd Anderson (on his ship) and his overwhelming attraction to her scares her into lying about being married, so that he will leave her alone. After the trip, she inadvertantly rescues Tony Malory's daughter from a kidnapping scheme and while Boyd is helping to locate the young Malory girl, he finds her with Katey, who, because of a comedy of errors, he believes IS the kidnapper.
After its cleared up, Katey is angry, and won't speak to Boyd. The Malory's are grateful and want her around, which means she has to avoid Boyd. Boyd asks James and Tony for advice on how to win her and we get the title answer: "No choice but Seduction". (And who better to give tips on seduction than 2 former rakes!)
Throw in some long lost relatives of Katey's deceased mom, a day on a deserted island, add in a couple of pirates, and a few other surprises that I won't reveal here, and you have a story that circles back around to a happy ending.
My take on it:
For whatever reason it felt forced and a bit contrived. Just too many elements 'coincidentally' happening.
One of the things I didn't like is one of my pet peeves. When you have a child of 7 in the book who talks just like an adult. I really don't like this, and it makes it unbelievable for me.
Boyd as a leading man, wasn't much of one, to me, although I know its hard to keep up with James and Tony (grin). I will say that I did get a tear in my eye at one point, which means I was involved with the characters and story.
I'm glad I read it because James and Tony make me want to read any book about a Malory, and they play prominently in this book. I laughed out loud at some of their dialogue and James is just so JAMES!
Bottom line: If you are like me, a fan of the series and have to read it, you might want to try the library. I'm glad I did!
Robin
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- Lover Enshrined by JR Ward --
Bo, 16:51:06 06/06/08 Fri
First let me say,I did not finish this book.I read about 400 pages of it,give or take,then skimmed the rest.It is rare for me to leave a book unfinished,esp. one I have read at least 100 pages of,b/c by then I am interested enough to keep going.Usually.
I'll get the minor annoyances out of the way first,the pet peeves,as it were.
1.At times I felt like I was reading a manual on text messaging.I hate texting,only do it for special occassions,etc.The ppl who love it & use it,fine.But to have this much in a book,it felt shoved down my throat,like it was a demo on proper texting,abbreviations to use,etc.Enough already,did she have to go into detail,in italics,of every flippin' text!?!?!?
2.Brand-name dropping.The Brothers are LOADED.LOADED.I get it already! There is such a thing as too much detail,esp. when it feels like it's being used to emphasize wealth or style,rather than character.I don't care what kind of clothes he wears,what kind of watch,etc.Partly b/c I'm just not into fashion(Duh! *G*) but mostly b/c I felt positively inundated with the label dropping.At times I felt like the book was an ad for the mall or something.Like maybe the top designers made a deal with the WARDen on the side,feel me?
3.Whatchu doin,sitcha a$$ down and finish reading this complaint! *G* The slang is getting crazy.Permeating everything until I'm not sure where I'm at,and if the brothers who are saying it are the same ones I've met already.
Okay,now that those are out of the way,here's what really wadded me up.This was supposed to be about Phury and Cormia.Instead they got swept to the side & John Matthew,Qhuinn and Blay got center stage.I understand that all the Brothers,save Tohr (whom I'll get to in just a moment) have had their stories told now,and that the boys are the next crop.With Rehvenge & Payne coming as well,I'm sure.But I found myself saying 'Okay,fine,now what about Phury & Cormia??? What are THEY doing????' I felt like not nearly enough attention was focused on them,esp. given how long the book is.I felt like what time was given to them was only about Phury's drug addiction,and the stupid wizard.I'm a LOTR fan,I LOVE the Ringwraiths,but,as with the brand-names & the texting-INUNDATED!!!!!
Overkill,really.And I was hoping,kept expecting,really,to see Cormia confront Phury about the drugs,to have that be the turning point for them.For her to kind of save him,I guess? Instead he just kept turning into a bigger junkie.I felt like he had already hit bottom and Ward was trying to push him through the street.Again,overkill!!!! And it seemed really out of character,when Phury asked Z to thank him for saving his life.If he was really the selfless,giving person we've come to know,I don't think he'd do that,no matter how messed in the head he was.I'm pretty selfish sometimes,so I find it esp. out of character for someone like Phury.The sex scenes were hot,for the most part,between them.Theater hand job,yeah.The classroom.Very good,and I would have liked to have seen them continue there.Instead,we get him acting like a mad-dog by the pool,which should have been hot,started out to be,then ended up ruined,for me,by something that tried to dance on the knife's edge between rape & rough,wild sex and fell off.I'm still not sure which side it fell,and the dialogue after,the beat-down,just skews things even worse.
And of course I could have done without yet another homoerotic sideplot between Qhuinn & Blay.I was disappointed before I even got to that part,in skimming,and that just topped it,for me.I had a bad feeling Ward was using V as bait,fishing to see how/if ppl would bite on a homoerotic storyline,and now I'm sorry that it seems I was right.And it pisses me off,b/c didn't we just go through this crap with Butch & V already??? I don't care if they swing that way,but it's not my thing & I just don't want to be there for it.I am a little ticked that Ward feels the need for yet another homoerotic storyline,and that unlike some other authors,I feel like what was written was the warning,rather than a 'heads-up' of sorts from either the author or publisher,in the form of either a plog,synopsis,etc.If she told ppl on her board,fine,my bad,b/c I don't go there.
Next thing.Qhuinn's new job.In a way,very,VERY cool,I enjoyed the whole 'I've got your back' feel to that,I do love that kind of undying loyalty between warriors.The tattooing scene was cool,esp. Qhuinn getting the extra of the date,spelled out.It helped to take some (certainly not ALL) of the sting away from the hush-hush boot to Phury out of the Brotherhood.It was a brilliant fix on Wrath's part,although it will prolly come back and bite himin the a$$ eventually,which is pondered in the book.BUT,I can't help but wonder about two very important things.One,how is that going to make John Matthew feel,over time.Emasculated,perhaps,even if only a little.Which is bad,considering the inner demons he's already struggling with as a result of his rape.Two,what happens when John is inducted into the Brotherhood as Tehrror(sp?).Just too weird.
Lash being the Omega's son,hmm.Explains why he's such a shite,like Phury said,something was always off.Interesting that he can still eat & drink and have sex.He's prolly going to be the counter for Butch,a.k.a. the Destroyer,I'm guessing.
Tohrment.Hm.I was soooo overjoyed to see him,FINALLY,after all this time.So sad for him.So relieved when it seemed he would reunite with Wellsie and the baby at last,even though I felt a little jipped if that was all we were going to get for him.But then there is the business of Lassiter,as I skimmed I saw that.Maybe I missed something important in not finishing,but here is yet another otherwordly character.Just like Rehv's 'Princess' and his Moor guards,from the s'Hisbe-whatever.I was sooo disappointed that yet another fave para author started adding beings into a world with enough conflict already.Lash being turned into a lesser would surely provide enough material for the next 2 or 3 books,at least.She's good enough to have strung that out without losing momentum.
Hm,what else.Are you sick of my mouth yet.Xhex and her little barb-wire business.*sigh* Do we have to go there? It's getting a little weird for me,all this self-torture stuff.I did enjoy,though,the crack she made to John about saying her name when he comes,and the way he turned it on her in the note.Funny and sexy.
Okay,I'm done.Sorry if I've run on too long,PO'd anyone,but that's my take on it,and the many reasons why the only Ward I'll ever read again is Zsadist's book.(Lin,if you need to pull any or all of this,I'll understand.)
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- LOLROF, Brilliant! You accomplished your aim. I couldn't finish reading your textspeak. OMB I am getting old. LMAO (NT) -- Auntie Frannie, 06:11:41 06/07/08 Sat
- LOL Bo! Ana and I were on the phone and we mentioned how much fun it is to talk books with you. I love your passion. I have a feeling I'll be long winded so mine will go inside. --
, 07:44:50 06/07/08 Sat
- LOL, I can see how some of that would bother, and some did bother me, but no tthat much. I knew going into the book that while it was supposed to be Phury & Cormia she had branched out and had a slew of toher things going on. The thing that drove me the most bonkers was the texting I'm afraid. I HATE texting - 'nuff said. As for Xhex and the whatever it was called all I could think of was shades of that priest in DaVinci Code. Overall I did enjoy it though. (NT) -- Tammy, 16:20:36 06/07/08 Sat
- I'm glad someone enjoys my wild ranting,LOL! I always love to talk books with anyone who will put up with it! The texting & name dropping really jolted me.Leiha,I was waiting for you to say bring on the homoerotic stuff,I would have wondered who you were & what you did with my friend if you hadn't,LOL! Yes,yes, honesty with the audience! I'm going off on a tangent here for a minute,to make my point,bear with me,inside>>> -- Bo, 21:25:50 06/07/08 Sat
- Yay I finally got and finished reading my book. You know I adore how involved the people here get with books. (sigh) Me too. I feel like I visit friends when I read a long running series so I love seeing so much passion in others as well. First off I have to say that I figured this series was going UF and read them as such. So it didn't bother me as much that there is so much other stuff and the romance about 50%. I'm gonna go long so I will go inside too >>>>> -- Chez, 16:13:22 06/12/08 Thu
- OMG I'm so glad I stopped by....I thought it was just me that was getting irritated by this series as a whole! Butch's book was admittedly better than I'd thought it would be, V's book was just one big disappointment, and this book *UGH*. It seems like each new book in the series is a bigger and bigger disappointment to me! *sigh* (NT) --
KelliJo 
, 23:38:38 06/07/08 Sat
- I wasn't bothered by the brand-name dropping, but I was VERY annoyed by the author's neglect of the H/H of the dang story. I was upset a few times by the fact that THEY were almost lost in the telling of everyone elses situations. I loved seeing the others again, but the jist of the story wasn't supposed to be about all of them . The homo-erotic stuff could please just GO AWAY. I admit I skim the parts with the lessers, it's too.... something, I dunno. Not interesting to me that's for sure LOL (NT) -- Aimee, 20:58:34 06/10/08 Tue
- OK I just started the book today so haven't even read 2 pages yet but after reading all this I can tell you right not that the TEXT shit is going to make me NUTS as I hate it.. I even had my company make it impossible for me to get a text message. (as no matter how many times I told people NOT to text me some just kept it up...) My thoughts, though not about the story line are that I think some authors are USING romance>>>>inside --
£inda, 23:29:58 06/15/08 Sun
- The Warrior - Kinley MacGregor -- norma, 11:42:40 01/04/08 Fri
What a great book! and the ending . . wow. Spoiler here;
is Kieran a Dark Hunter? hmmmm
if so. very cool!
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- BLOODFEVER and sex -- , 10:51:13 10/29/07 Mon
Do you miss the sex in this series, so far?
I would have loved if Mac and Barrons had gone AT IT on the floor in the cave when he rescues her, but I just know that it's going to be worth the wait when it happens.
I do miss it. But not as much as I thought I would.
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- BLOODFEVER and the hero -- , 10:53:07 10/29/07 Mon
- I haven't actually missed it in part because I just think Mac is not at that point yet with any of the possible options and it wouldn't feel right. I just don't think she trusts JB enough to let allow anything more to happen. I'm also pretty sure she's a virgin from various things in the books and don't think she'll rush into anything to quickly. That said what did happen in the cave was incredibly hot, especially given they were both pretty much fully clothed - and a mark of characters and a story that are really living for me! I have to agree Ana that I want it to be Barrons but I think it could be a long and probably more 'twisted and maze-like' than 'winding' road before they get there but I'm looking forward to the ride!! (NT) -- Melanie, 13:02:57 10/30/07 Tue
- I haven't missed it as much as I thought I might,b/c the other stuff has just been so intense.That scene in the cave was hot yet disturbing in a way,too-considering he had just busted her nose.Yeah,I know it healed right up,but still,OMG! KMM has always done some of the best sex scenes ever,so I'm sure when it finally happens,it will be mind-blowing,no matter if it's with JB or V'lane,or even someone else.I have to say,though,that KMM has really brought V'lane to life for me,extremely well,and that his scenes just come alive.All of Karen's writing has always come alive for me,but the stuff with V'lane just seems to have a life all its own,if that ,makes sense.Of course no one can ever top MINE for me,but I think V'lane might be my second fave KMM hero,LOL. (NT) -- Boadicea, 14:38:29 10/30/07 Tue
- I would probably miss the sex, if I went into the series expecting it. KMM has said all along that this series isn't romance, and while I love everything she has written, I love this new direction she's going even more! (NT) --
Aimee, 12:20:04 02/17/08 Sun
- Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning -- , 10:49:12 10/29/07 Mon
What do we think Jericho is? The tattoos are important. Do you think he's some sort of werewolf? The sound of the monster underneath his garage could be him. ALso he talks about scents a whole lot.
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- This is under heavy debate on the KMM website. I think he's a sorcerer and possibly a druid as well. Similar to Cian. He's not very forthcomming with information and I think it's entirely possible that he already knows or at least knows of Cian and Dageus (who KMM confirmed were the 2 Scots he ran into at the house in Wales) (NT) -- Melanie, 12:44:39 10/30/07 Tue
- I've seen the werewolf theory,and I think those sounds are either him in his 'true' form,or else someone/something he's keeping captive.Mac needs in that vault,bad.The tattoos point to protection from dark stuff,I think,just like Cian,but other things just don't add up.The Shades leaving him alone,for instance.Good catch about the scent thing,Ana-I hadn't thought of that or paid much attention to it. (NT) -- Boadicea, 14:42:20 10/30/07 Tue
- What surprises did you get in A Lick of Frost? -- Beaty, 18:00:38 10/25/07 Thu
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- SIX kings? How is that going to work? What happens to the rest of the guard? -- Beaty, 18:05:47 10/25/07 Thu
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- Any predictions or rumors on where Laurell is going with this series? -- Beaty, 18:07:12 10/25/07 Thu
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- Obviously, the king is mad. What did you think of his amorous intentions? -- Beaty, 18:03:41 10/25/07 Thu
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- I love the dogs. I'm sure what they all signify, but I love them! Anyone have ideas on what's going on with the dogs? -- Beaty, 18:04:59 10/25/07 Thu
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- Merry has her own sithen! Any comments? -- Beaty, 18:06:32 10/25/07 Thu
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- I used the discussion format for my questions/comments on A Lick of Frost by Laurell K Hamilton. Please feel free to add any more you can think of. I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to discuss your feelings with you. Overall impressions - Loved it - Hated it or anything in between..... -- Beaty, 18:09:18 10/25/07 Thu
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- Lover Unbound by JR Ward -- , 14:32:30 10/10/07 Wed
Okay,forgive me Lina for pushing your post down,but I've got a crazy idea and didn't want it to get lost down there.
I have the most insane feeling that the reason the Bloodletter's paternity isn't listed on his diary/journal thing is this-he is somehow descended from or related to the Omega! Why else would it be omitted? That's certainly something they would want kept quiet,right? 'They' being the Scribe Virgin and her father,whoever that may be.(Still not sure if she was meaning God by that,or what) I also think that may be the reason that V can 'heal' Butch.I'm sure part of it is that V is the SV's son,and she's the counter to/for the Omega,so naturally he would 'cancel out', if you will,the evil Omega crap that Butch has ingested from the lessers.BUT,what if the reason V CAN take it in,absorb it or get rid of it,whatever,is that the stuff is also being absorbed by V b/c he descends from the Omega? Yes,I'm reaching,but stay with me,LOL.I think maybe that is why the Bloodletter was so evil,why V had that S&M side that he couldn't let go of,even after Jane came along.I don't think it's just the way he was raised,what he knew & was brought up with/exposed to.If he does descend from the Omega,somehow,through the Bloodletter,then doesn't it make sense that he would always have some of that nature inside of him?
I'm also insanely curious about who/when/how/why the Bloodletter died.I want to know about the sacred ceremonial skull in the Tomb-whose is it? I know they say it's from the first ever Brother,but has it ever been mentioned,who that is? I've thought about it being the Bloodletter,and V not knowing that.Wouldn't that be fun,LOL.
Okay,on to the rest of the book or I'll go nuts.I was VERY glad to see the closure of the whole Butch & V sexual thing.That's partly why I held off on getting this,but Ward did it in a great way that I was comfortable with.I definitely didn't like 'being there' for that little S&M session V & Jane had,but it's just not my thing.
I feel vaguely dissatisfied with John Matthew's transition,although I was sooo glad to finally see it! I just wanted more out of it,but I can't put my finger on what was missing.I really,REALLY enjoyed all the flashback type feelings and visions he got,though.Like when he killed the lessers before his trans.I don't believe he is Darius' son.I think he is the reinc of Darius.Has it been 110% confirmed he is Darius' son,and if so,where, so I don't feel like an idiot,sticking to my convictions.
I also loved the camaraderie between him,Qhuinn,and Blaylock.She is totally setting them up for future BDB books,which I love.After all,except for Phury and Tohr,all of the original Brothers we started with have had their stories told,right?Although I have to say,I keep wondering at Blaylock's reticence to get laid.I think it's entirely possible that Ward was prepping us and using V as bait for a homoerotic storyline,fishing to see how people would take it,and that Blaylock is maybe gay? I know,I know,I'm reaching based on the one fact of him not lusting for women all the time like Qhuinn.I reach a lot,LOL.
I am totally jonesing for Payne's story-she is going to be so kick-ass,I think.I am waiting to see if she can rival SK's Tabitha Deveraux for my very fave heroine.
And I have to say,how absolutely sucky it would be,being a Chosen.Those poor girls need a night on the town,LOL.How awful,to live in a world of no color,no emotion,no friendship.They remind me of the Borg from Star Trek-they are like a 'collective' or whatever.*shudders* I LOVED Cormia's 'I am me,I am me'.I didn't care for her meekness and submissive nature,so to see her thinking that and then when she tried to break away as they dressed her,WOOHOO!!
Yes,it's cliche,but-YOU GO GIRL!!! *G*
I am NOT happy with Jane being a ghost.I think it was a partial cop-out,and I also wonder about her sister.Why tell us in the beginning,that she came back,and then all we get is just that vague BS about her towards the end.Uh-uh.That's still open,as far as I'm concerned.I think I actually would have liked it better if V had re-animated Jane and she did turn evil,then somehow got 'cured' in later books,or even at the end of the series.That wouldn't have been a HEA,but neither is this one,IMHO.
One last thing,and then I'll shut up for now.Not many books make me cry,and rarer still is an author who can do it twice,but I did.While I didn't get the shakes and bawl like in Z's book,I cried a little in this one-the part where V is going to cut off his good hand when he is about to re-animate Jane.That line-'The one he could touch people and things with.' So sad!!!
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- Re John Matthew - JRW has been pretty upfront that he is the reincarnation of Darius. He's mute because that was the sacrifice that had to be made to accomplish. And I know the timeline is wrong - JM and Darius were alive at the same time for years, but that will no doubt be explained in his book. Interesting that now, after transition, Z has begun to sense the truth about John Matthew. Love the way their relationship iss growing and I suspect Z may be important in helping JM to get over his issues re sex. And I really like the idea of Xhex as his mate. (NT) -- Beth, 22:28:38 10/10/07 Wed
- Bloodletter - Surely he's far too evil just to disappear from the scene with no further retribution? I've also wondered about a connection to the Omega because the missing paternal bloodline has got to be important. I'm not sure it was fully explained why the Scribe Virgin chose Bloodletter (not exactly prime fatherhood material) and it would be interesting to know more about that. Maybe through Payne? Speaking of which, why is she in stasis? Slaughtering Bloodletter in a particularly diabolical way would be a nice thought. (NT) -- Beth, 22:45:23 10/10/07 Wed
- Totally agree with the whole Ghost thing being a cop-out. she could have found some many other ways to bring her back. Their were just so many inconsistencies in this book. This just did not seem like the same V we have been reading about in the prior books. The S/M thing didn't really bother me, what did was the fact that she made him go against his nature and that would never happen in a real S/M situation. The romance lacked so much of what we got in Z's book, i really missed the inner conflict of it all. IM really worried that we will loose Phury as well in the next book (NT) -- Nally
, 06:30:15 10/11/07 Thu
- Very interesting theory about the Bloodletter/Omega Bo. I'm also feeling shortchanged over Jane being a ghost and wondering what future books will reveal or alter around this. It reminded me of SKs 'Sins of the Night' with Alexion and Danger - somewhat dissatisfying - not a true HEA IMHO! At best their story feels unfinished. (NT) -- Melanie
, 11:58:21 10/11/07 Thu
- I agree with so many of everyones points! >>>INSIDE, I typed too much!!! -- Susie
, 16:00:26 10/11/07 Thu
- Pretty much ditto what the rest of you think, except I didn't/don't have a problem with the M/M stuff or the BDSM it's all good for me.. LOL but the ending is killing me.. I mean a GHOST????? Give me a break.. I read the ending first of course so it wasn't a surprise to me but still didn't care for that part!! But like the rest of you, it won't stop me from reading her work.. *G* (NT) -- £inda, 17:31:22 10/25/07 Thu
- Does anyone know the meaning of the white stag? -- Beaty, 18:01:58 10/25/07 Thu
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- LOVER UNBOUND - J R Ward -- Lina, 12:10:12 08/28/07 Tue
OK, so I finally finished the 500+ page book and had to sit back and reflect for quite a bit on all the stuff that was revealed in it. My initial thought was that I LOVED how the book was an even split between V's story and the overall developments/goings on the brotherhood and the world J.R. Ward has created! I love that! I can only handle so much one-on-one between h/h and the mushy relationship stuff of let's discuss our feelings and where they originate from from 65 angles drives me bananas! This book was seriously action packed and there were basically THREE stories going on at all times: Vishous, John Matthew and the Chosen!
Here are some of my thoughts on the book, the good, the bad, etc...
1) She clearly addressed the wierd sexual vibes between V and Butch! I was somewhat satisfied by the end result, but V is prolly my least fave Brother because of his weird sexual preferrences!
2)SPOLIER ALERT! - It's a good thing that she maintained V's identity and didn't make him go all Eagle-scout after finding his mate. Instead the heroine got a glimpse of his world... SO DIDN't care for the sex, but then it's not my taste!
3)The heroine is a kick-A$$ doc, but I'm not sure that the glimpses into her past connected to the overall story in any way... especially when it came to her sister!
4)JUICY SPOILER - less than 50 pages in to the book, you get to learn a WHOPPER of a secret about V, and find out what the deal is with his "glowing" hand! An unexpected and STRONG opening to the book!
5)You get a real good look inside the world of the CHOSEN and the Scribe Virgin! Of course politics exist everywhere, and JR did a great job of showing that it affected even the "holliest" - the chosen, the directrix and the Scribe Virgin herself!
6) JUICY SPOILER - toward the end of the book, you don't learn, no you get SMACKED IN THE FACE with revelations about PAYNE and who/what/where she is... WOW!
7) We get to whitness the CHANGE of a couple of more trainees!
8) We get to meet a NEW HUMAN MALE who will clearly have a huge role in upcoming books! Can't wait for this!
9) JUICY SPOILERNow picture this for a second - a sexual vibe between John Matthew and Xhex (the bouncer from Rhev's club)!!!! Yeah, WOW!
10) You get a good hard look at PHURY and his so called celibacy! He meets his heronine in this book, and things are happening already....
Again, my most fave part was all the cool stuff that happened/was revealed about everyone, my one dissappointment was the state of V's heronine at the end of the book... of course this was romance, so HEA is guaranteed, but still... I feel V and Jane's story is not at an ultimate HEA yet!
so there you have it... what do you think???
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- I'm on the edge of my seat and can't WAIT to get my hands on this book!! Thanks for the peek! (NT) -- Ronlyn, 12:13:04 08/28/07 Tue
- While I'm excited for this,I am anxious about there being any more homoerotic stuff.She stepped over my personal comfort zone just a little in the last book & the series will end for me if she goes any further. I am looking forward to learning about his hand,that was always something I was interested in.Always want to know more about the Scribe Virgin & the Omega,too! I'm looking forward to hearing about Payne and learning some more about Phury.The lack of a concrete HEA will prolly bug me a little.Thanks for the spoilers Lina! (NT) -- Boadicea, 13:26:07 08/28/07 Tue
- OMG OMG I can't wait to read this book. Lina you are one lucky lady to get a ARC. (NT) -- Cheryle, 16:14:27 08/28/07 Tue
- Okay I finished the book this weekend. Gotta love pre-orders. Anyway I agree with you Lina this is definately not an ulitmate HEA. All in all I am happy with the book, my favorite is still Z though. (NT) -- Cheryle, 04:38:38 09/18/07 Tue
- HUGH SPOILERS in my post, so I will put it inside. Just finished the book>>> -- Ana, 19:09:16 09/26/07 Wed
- I absolutely loved this book. Suited my tastes perfectly lol. But really, I thought it was handled well and didn't go too far. Lina, I agree about the sister. It was totally forgotten. I don't get it. Ah well. I'm actually starting it over again because I just know I missed a few things. But I loved the chemistry between V & Jane. I actually love V more after reading this book. As much as I adored Zsadist's story, this one created far more curiosity for me. I like that we got a close up view of the scribe virgin & the chosen. Love it! Hehe I'll post more after a reread I'm sure! (NT) -- Jolene, 21:14:07 09/26/07 Wed
- I'm really torn here. Loved some aspects, but I thought maybe V and Jane got a little shortchanged by all the other events. On the other hand, which of those other revelations would I have postponed? Ummm, none of them!!! For the ending, it feels unfinished. There are still further revelations for V - why is Bloodletter's father not listed in the Chosen's books, for instance? How is Manny his brother? Much to think about... (NT) -- Beth, 09:03:57 09/27/07 Thu
- Well im glad i wasn't the only one that felt shortchanged. This book in a way felt more like a setup for eveyone else's story and V and Jane were just thrown in there to get some of his story told. I felt cheated with this ending. I hated Cormia and can't see her as Phury's female. Uggh she just wasn't strong enough in my opinion. And the Scribe Virgen...what was up with that! All that power and this is how she treats her kids?? She isn't any better then the bloodletter and i can see and Feel V's resentment. Can't wait for Payne to wake up..because thats when shit's really gonna fly! The only satisfaction for me was Butch and V's closure. That was done excellently (NT) -- Nally, 11:52:07 09/27/07 Thu
- Okay, I have to admit, I read this one last week, it's just been hectic around here. I completely forgot this part of the board even existed. Okay, I didn't feel shortchanged, I felt kind of pissed about parts of this book. I agree with the statement that it doesn't really feel like a true HEA for V and Jane, so I'm reallly hoping there's more on them like there has been for the rest. V and Z have been my favorite brothers always, so I was glad that I finally got their stories. I don't really have anything to add to the above posts, except that I tend to agree, all except about the homoerotic situation... that's never really bothered me so I wasn't really uncomfortable with that. But like we like to say, to each their own, so... um, yeah. All in all I enjoyed it, J.R. Ward is a fabulous author and it would take something horrible for me to stop reading her. (NT) -- ChrisMM, 12:52:10 09/27/07 Thu
- LISA KLEYPAS - SUGAR DADDY -- Robin, 15:39:15 05/07/07 Mon
I'm just about done with Lisa Kleypas's SUGAR DADDY. Has anyone else read this? I would like to discuss it, and I'll put my comments up in a few days, just giving you a heads up! Anyone want to come and play??
Robin
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- Okay, I finished the book, and I gotta say. REALLY ENJOYED IT! Wonderful characters, I cried once, and felt like I couldn't sit still in my chair while I read certain chapters....anyone else want to discuss? If not, I'll do a review and submit to the cafe..... (NT) -- Robin, 19:00:16 05/11/07 Fri
- Sorry, I don't know that I've read this one yet. My TBR pile is huge. I would love to hear about it. I'm not one of those people who gets upset at a bit of a spoiler. (NT) -- ChrisMM
, 22:29:45 05/21/07 Mon
- I agree that the first half of the book was the set up, or backstory, and I'll also go a little further and say that it wasn't very 'light' (not the first half). I'm so used to her historicals and they have a different flow. To me, this book showed how good Lisa K is at wielding her craft. How to make the story so full and make the characters so real, while writing in 1st person is a skill that not all authors have. I did cry in this book and I really fell for Gage.... YUM. I would definitely get any book by her, she doesn't disappoint, whether its contemp or historical. (NT) -- Robin, 19:12:17 05/29/07 Tue
- And I adore her heroes!!! (NT) -- Reny, 13:43:04 09/27/07 Thu
- A couple tidbits from the 8-13-07 Sherrilyn Kenyon booksigning in Vegas -- , 10:55:12 08/14/07 Tue
I tried my best,I really did,but Sherri has her lips zipped tighter than Simi holds her credit card during Diamonique hour on QVC,LOL.But here's a few things worth knowing.
Okay,the gasp & near-riot inducing question was:
Will Nick have a book? I can't remember if she said no at first,but she did say she didn't know,that it would be up to him,if he could be redeemed,b/c he's so complex now.She did say she would like for him to have a book.
Remember Cael,from Darkside? He will appear in future books,Sherri said.
She also said that Apollo and Styxx are 'all over Ash's Book.' WOOHOO!!!!I figured Apollo would have to be,but we haven't seen Styxx in a while,so that will be good.
For anyone who had wondered what her new 'Nevermore' series is about,she said there will be something up soon,I think she mentioned the publisher doing a big promotion thing for what it's about.If I recall,the first in that series won't be out until next year.
That's about all I can think of,if I remember anything else I'll add to this post.So,nothing really earth-shattering,except for Nick maybe not having a book.
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- Elizabeth Vaughan War Trilogy. Spoiler alert!!! -- Sarah, 20:12:44 04/17/07 Tue
My fav scene was when Keir catches Xylara alone bathing with guards all around. He kinda swims up out of a water and catches her leg and there are just no words. Augh!
I loved the theme of not having love without sacrifice, kinda a balance thing I love to see in books at the moment. Reminded me of JR Ward and the whole free will and balance (no gift should be given without sacrifice). This theme really tugs at the heart strongs for me and rings so true. Loved the whole speaking truths thing to. Cannot wait for another one by her!
Very, very cool!!! Anyone else read it????
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- More Black Dagger Brotherhood revelations from J.R.Ward... --
Lina, 17:27:03 03/07/07 Wed
THE SCRIBE VIRGIN upholds two principles: free will and balance (no gift should be given without sacrifice). However, SHE was GRANTED the single act of creation wihout a sarifice in return, which has created an unbalance in the vampire race... We are/will witness the effects of this unbalance as the race is shifting...
WRATH's unwillingness to assend as king for 300 or so years, caused the race to be stuck in their old ways/customs/rituals.... (hence the London-ton-like glymera???)... things are going to change quite a bit to catch up with the times...
PAYNE, who will be the first female to be inducted into the brotherhood (and will be called a BROTHER!!!) is apparently someone we've already met... J.R. said she soooooo wished she could tell us who she is, but of course, she couldn't...
TOHR - will return soon, in one of the upcoming books. She will not wait til Tohr's book to bring him back. But he will come back quite messed up and in a dark-dark-dark place...
PHURY's external good looks and polished appearance are a mask for seriously dark things going on inside of him... there's more to the drugs... He's become so co-dependent, and focused on living his life for Zsadist, he's seriously in a weird place right now trying to figure out who? what? why? where? next.... His book is #6, right after V's...
In regards to the not-so-subtle homoerotic/bi-sexual tendencies noted in the books (esp. the latest), while it doesn't sound like any of the brothers will be hooking up with someone of the same gender, J.R. said that she's not opposed to the what the voices tell her... She believes that basically any love is good love, with the exception of maybe sheep... she won't go there... *LMAO* (those were her words! I swear!) Although... you never know about Vishous...
We will learn about the fate of the CHOSEN... soon!
After being alone for so long the Brothers are all of a sudden all hooking up one after another... J.R. said "DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT'S A COINCIDENCE?"
VISHOUS's book is even fatter than all the ones that came before it, and I quote J.R. "Which is probably a point of pride for him, because well, let's face it... Size matters!" She also said his is the hardest book she had to write/plot/etc... And you know how she dedicates each book to the brother it's about? J.R. said she was very tempted to just flip V the bird instead of words *LMAO*
If I remember correctly, in addition to the Brothers and Butch, the remaining 3 of the originally planned 10 books will cover Rhev, John Matthew and Payne.
Vishous's female is going to be a seriously kick-a$$ girl (which means I'm going to love her *EG*)... J.R.'s words were "She'll knock you into tomorrow..."
OK... that's all I can think of for now... if I remember anything else, I'll come back and add on...
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- Awesome bits,Lina,thank you!!! More anxious than ever to meet Payne,and Jane now,too,since she will also be kick-a$$!! I am not,however,anxious to read anymore of the homoerotic stuff,LOL.She crossed my personal comfort line towards the end of LR,and I will be disappointed if she goes further,even.Dangit,we need our discussion NOW!!! *G* (NT) -- Boadicea, 17:50:54 03/07/07 Wed
- Bring on the homo-eroticsm, LMAO! I think it's hot! Now all we need is a 3way! Thanks for all of the tidbits. I love how well she has everything planned out and her willingness to give spoilers, LOL. (NT) -- Leiha, 18:16:04 03/07/07 Wed
- The Butch-V thing is like this (not just my theory, backed up by JRW on her board) - V was raised in an incredibly brutal manner and has never had any concept of emotional love or intimacy. The BDB bond is not based on that. Along comes Butch, and there's a powerful emotional connection which V doesn't understand and the lines get blurred. I suck at expressing this, but the point is, without Butch providing the first dent in V's armor, there could be no Jane. I guess he would not even 'see' her (her being human) or more likely destroy her. (NT) -- Beth, 22:45:18 03/07/07 Wed
- Do you think that Payne is Xhex? And do you think the pronouncement is Sex or Zex or something else. It drives me NUTS reading a book and not too sure how a name is pronounced!!! I have no idea about the coincidence think JR mentioned. (NT) -- Susie , 13:37:09 03/13/07 Tue
- OMG, I'm so excited. I'm bouncing in my chair right now. WOO HOO!!!!! This series is just getting better and better!! (NT) -- Ronlyn, 16:24:06 03/13/07 Tue
- I just finished the book yesterday and it was great. I am with Susie I am not sure how to pronounce her name. I kept calling her Zex only because of Xena Warrior Princess LOL. As far as Butch and V and their relationship, I did not see that as a homoerotic nature. They are two parts that make a whole. I think they just sensed it without knowing what that bond was. (NT) -- CherDWag, 06:36:14 03/14/07 Wed
- Payne and Xhex are not the same person... oh and I have to share this... I picture Xhex as China, the WWF wrestler! *LMAO* (NT) -- Lina, 18:43:10 03/18/07 Sun
- Black Dagger Brotherhood secrets, as revealed by J.R. Ward on 3-06-07! -- Lina, 20:43:38 03/06/07 Tue
OK here goes...
1. TOHRMENT is coming back, maybe book 9 or 10. He will get his HEA, and apparently we've already gotten a glimpse at his heroine in one of the books 1-3!
2. When REHV cries, he sheds tears of blood! He's Bella's half brother, which Bella doesn't know, just as she doesn't know that Rehv is half-vampire/half-sympath. He and Bella had different fathers. Rehv's father was a sympath. Bella is ALL vampire. Rehv's HEA will be one of the original 10 BDB books J.R has planned.
3. LASSITER (whom J.R. really loves and can't wait to write the story of) is an ANGEL!
4. PAYNE will be the first FEMALE vampire to be inducted into the Black Dagger Brotherhood!
5. JOHN MATTHEW will also be one of the original 10 HEA's. He WAS indeed raped! In absnence of Tohr, Z is stepping in as his "father" figure.
6. J.R. plans to continue the series past the original 10 books planned, and #11 is going to be QUINN's story!
when I'm somewhat human again tomorrow, I'll come back and reveal the rest! So Whhadya think?
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- You do realizee this means a wait of 3 frickin' years for Tohr's HEA??? I knew he was way down the line, but I hadn't considered what that meant in actual time. I generally dislike conveniently miraculous revivals of dead characters, but it's hard to see a replacement for Wellsie. Rhev I find pretty tough to like, so his redemption will be interesting. And Lassiter has made a few appearances on the BDB Forum - LOTS of intriguing backstory there! Finally, Z & John Matthew will be a great combination - who better to understand JM's pain? BTW, JM won't ever get his voice back (his sacrifice for reincarnation), which should make for major complicatons. (NT) -- Beth, 22:37:02 03/06/07 Tue
- LOL Beth - it's OK! I can wait for Tohr story for a few years, because if his book came out any sooner, I'd find it wierd that he recovered the loss of his Welsie so quickly. BTW - Welsie IS NOT coming back and Tohn is not dead, just disappeared... RHEV - is such a hugh mystery, to like him, we really need to know more about him, but I think the eniigma-like thing is verrra intriguing, I for one can't wait to see his cover stripped! JM is going to be so complicated to write, which is why she's unforlding his tory slowly through the other books. I think maybe when he gets his special powers after his change, one of them might be some sort of a "mind" voice.... you know, like he can talk to you in your head??? (NT) -- Lina, 01:47:39 03/07/07 Wed
- . (NT) -- ., 17:32:49 03/07/07 Wed
- Well hell, you have to sleep!!! I'm dying here to hear the rest!! I LOVE that she is bringing back Thor. I can't wait!!! guess tomorrow I'll have to make a stop at the book store to get the latest!! (NT) -- £inda, 00:19:06 03/07/07 Wed
- Hmmm -- I wonde if Thor's Heroine is the Choosen that Rhage feeds from? (NT) -- Ann
, 07:18:44 03/07/07 Wed
- Awesome scoop chick! I thought Tohr's book was sooner, that is a bummer! I love JM and am enjoying his journey and look forward to him and Z bonding. I don't remember Lassiter. I need to do a re-read, one of these days, LOL. Thanks for the scoop! (NT) -- , 08:09:16 03/07/07 Wed
- SO long to see Tohr again,ARGH!But,you're right,Lina-it'd be strange for him to recover from Wellsie so quick.Plus,the wait will make for powerful,emotional scenes,once he returns.Now,I want to meet Payne!! Another warrior chick,she'll be like Tabitha Deveraux on crank times 500,OMG,I can't wait!! Only thing is,she'll need a MAJOR ass-kicking Brother for a mate,no civie for her- be too weird.Will she have her own book,do you think? *crossing fingers* 'Cause I'd like to meet THAT man,LOL! John Matthew-yeah,towards the beginning of LR it almost seemd like he'd get his transition in this one(hey,this IS the SPOILER BOARD,RIGHT? *g*) but it could be good to wait for his story,also.I think it is very cool that Z is stepping in-if anyone could understand him,that's the guy,right there.Now,Rehvenge,I am sort of so-so about....I do think we need to learn more about symphaths before we understand what makes him tick.Right now he just irritates me.And I'm with Leiha on not remembering Lassiter. (NT) -- Boadicea, 12:41:00 03/07/07 Wed
- I loved the books. Butch was awesome, but ladies im so totally in love with Vishous i can't wait for his book. My favorite is still Z but if V continues this way i think im going to be head over heels for him. TEll me what y'all thought about some of those semi homosexual vibes we were getting. I don't think she meant them as same sex attraction, it think it stretched a bit deeper! WE really need a discussion (NT) -- Nally, 15:29:48 03/07/07 Wed
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:06:32 10/19/06 Thu
Our laws grant us certain rights, even when we break the law. Does Julian go too far when bending those rules?
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- NO!!! OMG,that was part of what made this book so great-his absolute ruthlessness and willingness to do whatever it took to extract information from the sleazeballs.I was telling P.C. that Julian reminds me VERY much of Detective Vic Mackey(he's a cop on my fave tv show,"The Shield)b/c he showed the same intensity and determination,the same corruptness that you wish to God more of our cops showed.EVERY single time he was interrogating a suspect,it felt vivid and real to me,like I was seeing him do it,or at the least,watching an ep of "The Shield",with a hot sexy new detective *G* More criminals would be off the streets if there were more cops like this in real life! At the risk of getting political,any rights these fuc*heads had went right out the window when they chose to manipulate and destroy another person's life. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:53:23 10/19/06 Thu
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:10:33 10/19/06 Thu
What ultimately opens up Julian’s heart to Tessa?
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- I think a lot of it is when he realized that she genuinely wanted to catch Maria's killers,that she cared more about someone else than herself,and that showed him that she was true about her feelings for him as well. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:31:24 10/19/06 Thu
- I think that's an interesting observation, Bo. I hadn't thought of that. I think you're right. What I was thinking about with this question is Tessa's emotional openness. It's her tears that first break through him. He's never received tenderness from a woman, and when he realizes that she truly is concerned about him (after he's been shot), it stuns him. The little boy inside him who, from the age of 2, only experienced abuse CRAVES what Tessa offers. Even though she's the one who seems to need him the most (protection), in truth he almost needs her more (emotional salvation). For me, this was absolutely key to understanding both of them. His desperate need for tenderness and her emotionalism, which is a quality she hates in herself. Her tears, of which she is ashamed, end up being the key to their survival and their love. Did that theme come through? (NT) -- P.C., 20:27:24 10/27/06 Fri
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:03:46 10/19/06 Thu
What qualities do Tessa and Julian have that enable them eventually to break free of the pasts and build a life together?
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- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:05:32 10/19/06 Thu
As Tessa works on her investigation, she struggles to balance the ethical demands of her job with the needs of the police department, a challenge that investigative reporters sometimes face. Along the way she managed to make everyone angry—her editor, Julian, Chief Irving. Did she strike the right balance? What would you have done?
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- Someone is ALWAYS going to be pi$$ed,no matter what-that's just life.I think she did a wonderful job,and I think she went on instinct,which is generally thought to be the hallmark of a GREAT cop/investigator."Following a hunch",right? If she had worried about pi$$ing this one or that one off,had resisted probing into the messy things b/c somebody might get their panties in a wad,then how would anyone ever know what was going on,and that something needed to be done about it? Personally,I can't say what I would have done-I like to think I've got ballocks galore,and I've been told by more than my Mom that I am rash,LOL,but I don't know if I could've been gutsy enough like Tessa. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:58:28 10/19/06 Thu
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:07:55 10/19/06 Thu
When Tessa pushes Julian to talk about his past, he explodes and has violent sex with her on the floor. What drives him to act like that, and why isn’t Tessa angry with him?
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- He keeps such a tight lid on himself,and he has a lot of guilt for the failed attempt he made at getting Burien,but he has never talked to anyone about what went wrong,at least not in a way that would help him overcome his guilt.The last thing he wants to do is seem weak or get to personally involved with someone who could get hurt like that again,but Tessa isn't mad b/c he is finally venting something,at least,finally letting her into something of his life beyond their present crazy situation. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:45:43 10/19/06 Thu
- You can bombard a truly guarded past all you want, and find that it might've been easier to break into Fort Knox, because all you'll get in return is a whole lot of explosion debris and fireworks. (NT) -- ..., 02:32:33 10/20/06 Fri
- Great comments. The key is that Tessa understands that he's acting out his anger and hatred for himself. His shame over what he does is what forces him to open up. All of his rage and fury rises up and lashes out at her -- and vanishes when she doesn't resist and instead gives him love and tenderness. I loved writing this scene. *sniff* Julian owned my heart, I have to say. (NT) -- P.C., 20:54:44 10/27/06 Fri
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:08:47 10/19/06 Thu
Is Tessa’s initial neglect of her mother forgivable?
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- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:09:35 10/19/06 Thu
During the course of her investigation, Tessa moves from suspecting gangs to looking into the lives of homeless teens to sex trafficking. How are the three related?
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- Many kids in poor neighborhoods turn to gangs for protection and something to do while their struggling parents are holding down 2 or even 3 jobs sometimes-a lot of them,if I'm not mistaken,still practice the ritual of "jumping" you in,and then "out" as well,if you ever want to leave the gang.(Having the sh*t beat out of your by the rest of the gang as a rite of initiation,very common)If and when the parents DO find out about their kid's involvement with gangs,many times the kid is thrown out into the street immediately.They turn to drugs and prostitution to survive,or are taken in by people who give them false promises of a good job with steady income and a roof over their heads.The kids are desperate and feel like they have nowhere else to go,no one to turn to for help.If they are already a junkie when the sex traf. people find them,it just makes it that much easier to coax these kids into going along,just to have that high they want so bad. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:38:33 10/19/06 Thu
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:11:22 10/19/06 Thu
Neither Tessa nor Julian has had an easy life. How do their respective personal histories impact their relationships with the opposite sex, and how do things change when they meet each other?
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- Well,Julian has kept himself so focused & closed off to anything but nabbing Burien that no one truly knows who he is inside,and he doesn't really trust anyone,with good reason.Tessa has a lot of shame & anger,IMHO,from her past b/c of the situation with her mother and Granddad-she has triedto shut people out as well,b/c the ones who were supposed to be closest to her were the ones that seemed to fail her.I think Julian had to learn to trust & give information and let himself open up,and Tessa had to realize that sometimes you CAN trust people to protect you if they say they will. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:29:18 10/19/06 Thu
- I can be the greatest, nicest, most accomplished, (insert any adjective here) person you have ever met, or I could be the biggest evil on this side of hell, either way you'll never know exactly who I am, because for every step you take toward me, I'll take two steps back. It's what a personal horror does to a person for the rest of their life. (NT) -- ..., 02:27:16 10/20/06 Fri
- When I'm writing, characters become real to me. What struck me about both of them is that they both came from pasts that tended to isolate them. Julian was very clearly isolated by the nature of his work, but also by the fact that he never opened up emotionally. Tess had a more normal life, but she hadn't told anyone about her past, meaning that even her closest friends didn't know the "real" Tessa. Both of them come from pain and violence and neglect, though different versions of it. Tessa doesn't trust men and doesn't want to become like her mom. And Julian has never had a relationship with a woman that was anything other than carnal. He's never given all of himself to a woman, nor has he ever received nurturing or caring. But you're right—they're forced to trust. I think they intuitively relate to one another's suffering, and they each find something in the other that they've never had before. (NT) -- P.C., 20:22:24 10/27/06 Fri
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION -- £inda, 20:12:18 10/19/06 Thu
In the story, María Ruiz and the other trafficking victims are taken out in public but never ask for help. Most of us imagine that if we were kidnapped or abused we would try to escape or ask for help at the first opportunity. Why do these girls—and the real victims upon whom they are based—fail to ask for help?
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- I think the biggest reason is fear!! (NT) -- £inda, 20:22:18 10/19/06 Thu
- Because their captors hold them by drug addiction-shhot them full of sh*t when they are first kidnapped,that way they get dependent on it and have to have their "fix",so they will do pretty much anything for it.That,and the threat of physical violence if they don't cooperate,sometimes it's not just themselves that are threatened,but the rest of their family,even younger siblings. (NT) -- Boadicea, 20:23:40 10/19/06 Thu
- When you're young and being abused, your abusers hold an enormous amount of menacing power over you! NO ONE can ever truly understand this, unless they have experienced it first had. Trust me, no amount of logic, common sense or spirit of survival is helpful when you've been abused long and hard enough! Harming/killing your family members, should you ever rebel against them or seek out help, is one very effective threat to keep your mouth shut! (NT) -- ..., 02:21:26 10/20/06 Fri
- Most of us WOULD just IMAGINE, but would never trully know the horror of living their lives and the choices they make... (NT) -- , 08:39:37 10/21/06 Sat
- Exactly! One of the things I hear a lot that irritates me as a woman and a journalist is stuff like, "Well, why didn't she leave the jerk?" about abusive husbands or, "Why didn't she fight harder?" about rape victims. But the truth is until you've survived a situation like this you have no way of knowing how terrifying it can be to be subjected to violence. Some kinds of violence shred the body; some shred both body and soul. Traffickers use all kinds of means to control their victims, and most vicitms are hidden in plain sight, according to the fed. (NT) -- P.C., 20:12:23 10/27/06 Fri
- HARD EVIDENCE DISCUSSION by Pamela Clare -- £inda, 20:13:19 10/19/06 Thu
Hard Evidence deals with the horrendous and very real crime of sex trafficking. What are some of signs discussed in the book that might indicate a house or apartment is being used as a forced brothel?
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- I just finished the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, my thoughts: -- Ronlyn, 09:00:45 10/24/06 Tue
WTH is wrong with calling people by their name? Anything other than “Brother” “My Brother” or “Son” talk about driving me to distraction. Remind anyone else of a college fraternaty? LOL.
Overall I really enjoyed the books. I found them somewhat hard to get into, but liked the underlying story, so it kept me going.
At first I had a hard time keeping everyone straight, but by the 2-3rd books I was good to go.
My favorite scene, when Pfury, V & Butch all wake up in bed together after Bellas needing. Cracked me up.
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- OVERBOARD???? -- , 04:31:41 10/16/06 Mon
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm going to post INSIDE about this, but I have a bit of a gripe about Sherri's new novella in the anthology "LOVE AT FIRST BITE"
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- Midnight Honor by Marsha Canham -- , 18:02:04 10/14/06 Sat
This might be the first time I've EVER felt this way,wanting the heroine to end up with someone OTHER than the main hero! ARGH! I knew Anne wouldn't end up with John MacGillivray,from the back cover blurb,but it still made me so sad and pi$$ed off.I cried when John died at Culloden,even though I figured it was coming,after the "goodbye" kiss he gave her before going to the Moor.
I really feel that John was the better man for her.Angus never impressed me,even when his reason for supporting the English was revealed.Maybe I was prejudiced against him early on,but I just never felt his love for Anne,the way I did from John MacGillivray.John reminded me a bit of Jamie Fraser-maybe that's the problem! *G* But I cried several times over this book-scenes that showed the true depth of John's love for Anne.It was just heartbreaking for me,to see two people so obviously meant for each other,and here she is,tied to Angus.John could have taken TOTAL advantage of her need for comfort and reassurance after she miscarried her baby-she was accepting of his support,yet he did the honorable thing and brought Angus home.
I am almost ashamed to say it,but a little part of me wanted her to cheat on Angus with John,to be with the man I felt was her true mate.The rest of me is reluctantly admiring of the fact that she never did,that her marriage remained intact.What a difficult book! And the way she brings the battlefield to life,well,it just adds to the emotional impact.I will read them all together sometime (Pride of Lions,Blood of Roses,then this) but I think this one will never be a HEA for me.It'll be one of those books I read for a good cry.
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- What in the heck did V do to Butch and what does that make him?? And why was Zsadist the only who smelled him differently? -- Nally, 13:34:33 09/12/06 Tue
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- V told Butch he was still human, but what KIND of human, enhanced? Maybe this will make him more alluring to Marissa? And she wants him to call her? Like, what changed her mind? Did SHE smell something different like Z?? (NT) -- Michele N, 13:41:10 09/12/06 Tue
- V & Butch-whoa!!! I think something is going to happen to Butch that will be the reason for V's blood being in him.I thought,while he was going through-whatever- after drinking it,that he was turning into a vamp.But,haven't they always kept him from participating in their fights/hunting of lessers? Maybe V did that as a sort of "acceptance" ritual so Butch can fight by their side? I think,if he is going to end up as Marissa's mate,that he will have to turn into a vamp,somehow.Or,maybe she can feed from him now that he has a male vamp's blood runnning through him.Butch is waaay too agressive & territorial to share Marissa w/ any other male,even for just feeding pruposes for her health.Did you all see the way he reacted in the excerpt at the back of the book? If that doesn't scream "my woman",I don't know what does,LOL. (NT) -- Boadicea, 13:45:31 09/12/06 Tue
- Did I mention we met JR Ward at RWA? Well Lina talked to her about LA since she had an ARC and told Lina some tidbits. I would suggest getting her here to tell you what she knows, it's good, EG! (NT) -- , 15:55:19 09/12/06 Tue
- What did you all think of the scene when they all realized Bella's needing had started? I thought it was one of the hottest parts of the book,the way Wrath just went after Beth like that,and then Rhage,pracitally grinding into Mary right there in the dining room or whatever.Then the three "bachelors" trying to stone themeselves into oblivion while Zsadist was w/Bella,that,to me,was hysterically funny. -- , 16:45:20 09/13/06 Wed
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- OK, Bo, I think I forgot to move your Revhenge/Reverend comment, I'm sorry. I was trying to find it to respond to. I am a dummy because I never figured out the connection until it was spelled out and then I was like D'oh! What do you guys think of his character? -- , 16:04:14 09/12/06 Tue
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- LOL,no problem!!! I thought they were one & the same when he reflected on how he did dirty work,but it help[ed get his family things.And,when he is doping himself up for the first time & sympaths are mentiioned,I thought'hmmm..is he the reverend?' I still feel like I should have known earlier,though.I have mized feelings about him.On the one hand,I think everything will be okay b/c he IS Bella's brother,on the other hand,I can see him being a potential threat to the safety,anonymity,and security of the Brotherhood in the future.He has a hold of sorts over Phury,too-although I am extremely glad Phury flushed that heroin,who knows if he will go to the reverend to buy again? Oh-I remember now what my thought was before>>> -- Boadicea, 19:09:50 09/12/06 Tue
- I kinda of figured it out in the middle of the story when he got all freaked out with Phury and was asking questions about the bothers b/c that's where Bella was staying. I think will see more of him in Butch's story because of Marissa and the feeding (NT) -- kelly c, 19:27:16 09/12/06 Tue
- Arrrgh... I've decided I don't want to know spoilers in the future, cuz this is totally killing me. I KNOW what's going to happen to Bella's brother. Eeek! (NT) -- , 20:46:34 09/12/06 Tue
- His Bently gave it away...but i wanted him off the dopamine so he could kick some lesser ass! (NT) -- Nally, 17:51:46 09/13/06 Wed
- I'm an end-reader, so I knew. If this were any other series, I'd be thinking, 'redeemable bad boy hero coming up...' (though I wasn't wild about the whole prostitution/drug dealer thing). But JR Ward isn't afraid to do the unexpected, so I don't know - could go either way. And the repercussions for the Brotherhood, if he's truly evil, would be hugh. Very much like the symphath idea. And the more I hear about them, the more I dislike the glymera. (NT) -- Beth, 22:39:42 09/13/06 Wed
- So I have another question .... am I a complete sicko or does anyone else really want to know JUST WHAT the Omega does to the ones he ....visits/likes? I also want to know just WTF the Omega looks like. I mean the Scribe Virgin is like one side of the coin or is she completely different and therefore the Omega can be a monster? -- Chez, 19:57:50 09/15/06 Fri
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- I keep imagining the Omega anal raping all the lessers who piss him off so I don't need any more detail on that point,LOL.But it does seem like they are used & abused past the point of that,even-maybe the whole business of him needing a channel or whatever has something to do w/it.I DO want to know just what he/it looks like,though-So far,the best I can come up with in my head is some kind of cross between the monster/devil king from "Legend" and a Ringwraith from LOTR. (NT) -- Boadicea, 21:03:57 09/15/06 Fri
- I'm thinking rape is part, but something more intense and shattering than anything that could be done by a human. And his appearance could be quite mundane - the monster is in our minds. One thing I couldn't decide (and actually, I still haven't finished, so excuse me if this is revealed) - Does the Omega know what David/O is up to? It didn't seem so. (NT) -- Beth, 09:56:24 09/17/06 Sun
- Im hoping he opens them up and shocks them with a taser. But then again..i got a sick mind like that. LOL! (NT) -- Nally, 07:13:07 09/18/06 Mon
(NT) -- Chez, 15:47:07 09/18/06 Mon
- There is one bit of these books that I don't really get ... or hasn't been explained. If when the lessers get popped and they end up back with the Omega, they can come back. Is it different if they pop themselves rather than the brotherhood. Cause it seems to be they come back when they do it, but you don't seem to hear from them again after the brothers kill them. I'm hoping this is the case as I seriously HATED David the O jerk for what he did to Bella. Also, I loved how even though creepy icky things WERE done to Bella they were never totally spelled out very much. I mean I get the eyes and the carving into the tummy, but thankfully for my weak stomach it wasn't relished and described ad nauseum. -- Chez, 23:43:15 09/14/06 Thu
So what do you all think about the lessers ability to come back. Ooh another question ... what's with the jars? Does it make a difference if there jar is taken by the brothers?
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- I knew about the jars before but now I can't remember. I know it's not like a prize as speculation was farther down the board. Let me think on it for a minute and check my e-mail. (NT) -- kelly c, 06:23:38 09/15/06 Fri
- That's what I wondered,too,Chez-if only suicides & them offing each other were eligible for return.*G* I might be the only one who wants Mr.O back-I actually want to see Tohr go after him & exact his revenge for Wellsie & the baby,i think it is his right.I want the whole,bloody thing,down to the last detail.I have a feeling I won't ever feel fully satisfied unless Tohr can either kill O himself,or possibly deal the Omega the finishing blow.As far as the jars go,I'm not sure.If it's not a prize/trophy like I once thought,dunno what it could be.Hey,maybe the Borthers collecting the jars has something to do with why lessers aren't heard from again,after being killed by the guys? Maybe a lesser has to have that jar to re-animate or whatever.Don't they carry their jars around w/them at all times? And what's in them-isn't it just their hearts? (NT) -- Boadicea, 09:43:49 09/15/06 Fri
- Their Souls are in the jars -- without the souls, they can't come back -- that's why the brotherhood collects the jars and distroys them. The Lessors can come back as long as their soul hasn't been destroyed. (NT) -- Ann, 18:53:35 09/15/06 Fri
- The violence aspect is interesting, because she does it a lot. How do the Lessers torture the civilians they capture? We know the tools they use, but the rest is left to the reader's imagination. I like this - if I wanted gut-wrenching detail, I'd be off reading American Psycho. (NT) -- Beth, 09:44:53 09/17/06 Sun
- I think O will come back - that's why she established in this book that it's possible to do so and also that the Omega has an affection (is that the right word?) for O. (NT) -- Beth, 07:43:33 09/23/06 Sat
BOOK DISCUSSION FAQ 
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