Review: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Eternal
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, #2
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: March 7, 2006
Pages: 464
Rating:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed bu a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

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

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

Starting LOVER ETERNAL, it was kind of slow like book 1, Dark Lover, but I quite enjoyed the story of Rhage and Mary. Rhage is a complete flirt. Also he is hot, tortured, funny and a total romantic. He is basically the ladies man. Rhage has got to be my favorite warrior. And he will do anything to save his woman.

He is absolutely perfect. I wouldn't mind spending an evening with this guy. But, Rhage has a dark side of him, deep within him hides a beast which is powerful and should be feared. This was a curse given to Rhage as punishment by the Scribe Virgin. And he cannot control the beast. Mary is very strong and she has been through so much. Her mother died and he has been through cancer, but now the cancer returns. Mary ends up friends with a young man that is unable to speak and through this young man she becomes sucked into the world of vampires.

I will not fall in love with you," she said. "I can't let myself. I won't." "That's all right. I'll love you enough for the both of us."

I think that LOVER ETERNAL was a big improvement from Dark Lover. I still wish the story would've just been focused on Rhage and Mary though. I think this couple has been through so much and are both tortured in a way. I like that Mary is still so strong even knowing about the cancer. And reading this, I know that she has the ability to always be strong for Rhage when he is scared about the beast.

I thought it was much better than Dark Lover, but there were still a few moments where I wanted to put the book down. I decided to stick with Rhage and Mary and follow them through the story and not worry about the other storyline with the brothers. I was just focused on the main couple. I don't really find any of the other stuff that interesting or that good to keep my attention. But as far as the love story, it was amazing! I was really impressed and adored Rhage and Mary.