The Chosen - JR Ward

Ok, let me start by saying that I love the WARDen and I love the Brothers. However, I do not like Layla, nor did this book get me to like her, so understandably, this was not my favourite of the series, cos I do not like her!

So now you know, The Chosen focuses on Layla and Xcor. And their "forbidden love". Cos you know, Xcor is the badass that tried to kill Wrath. And Layla, well, she's one of the Chosen. Blah.

But, I have to give it to her. She goes from weakling to a strong woman who takes shit from no one. Not even a Brother.

However, I did have some issues here. First off. Xcor tried to kill Wrath, and not only is he forgiven, but his Band of Bastards get to move into the house while Tohr who has ALWAYS been loyal gets put on probation! WTF???

But you know, Lassiter does bring some laughter to the whole scene, so all's forgiven. Sorta. Kinda. Let me think about that one.

The Beast - JR Ward

Ok, ok, I know, I know. I read this ages ago, but got a little lazy with my blog writing. Time to catch up.

The Beast is all about Rhage and Mary. Yes, they got their HEA, but that doesn't mean their story has ended. It continues. It grows.

This is probably one of The WARDen's most predictable books, but it is wonderful nonetheless.

This is a book that will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you sigh. It is funny, sexy and heartwarming.

Rhage contains the beast. He's a Brother. A fighter. But there's something that causes him to feel insecure. He makes a stupid choice that nearly costs him his life, and he's fully aware of what he did.

Mary is his beloved shellan. If/when Rhage passes, she will join him into the Fade. That was the deal they made with the Scribe. But when it looks like his time has come, Mary fights to keep him, because there's a part of her that needs to stay here.

Both feel guilty over their decision. And they need to learn how to find their way back to each other. They learn what's missing and how to fix it.

And while I love their story, let's not forget the others. We learn more about Assail and OMG, I love him! There's more to V, and who doesn't want more of him.

The only downside, is I'm not a Layla fan, and this book made me dislike her even more. But have no fear, I'll still read The Chosen when it comes out.

Blood Kiss - J.R. Ward

I'm a huge JR Ward fan, so spending the week before Christmas, curled up with her latest book, was great!

Blood Kiss is the beginning of a new series, a spin-off to her very popular Black Dagger Brotherhood. We meet new characters, as well as check in with some favourite Brothers. 

Here is the story of Paradise, the blooded daughter of the king's First Advisor. As a member of the elite glymera, she's expected to marry into the elite, have children, have servants, and live a very boring and restrictive life. But she wants more. She applies, and gets accepted into the Black Dagger Brotherhood's training program, where she not only learns to fight, but learns how tough she really is!

Craeg is the opposite of Paradise. He is poor.  He wants to train with the Brotherhood, and eventually, take revenge on those he feels caused his father's death; the glymera.

The story of Paradise and Craeg was great. But what made this book even better was the return of Butch and Marissa. We haven't heard much of them recently, so it was great to see them again.

Marissa must deal with the death of a badly beaten Jane Doe that shows up to her clinic. Not wanting to burden Butch with everything, she keeps it inside. Butch meanwhile, must deal with the ghosts from his own past. Together, they must try to find their way back to one another.

It was nice to get back to the Brotherhood, and meet new characters too.

The Shadows - J.R. Ward

Meet Trez and iAm.

The Shadows.

Twin brothers

born into the S'Hsibe tribe.

When their parents sell

Trez to the Queen of the S'Hsibe

he and his brother escape the territory.

And while Trez leads a life

of self-destruction,

iAm lives to protect his brother.

The Shadows focuses,

primarily,

on these twins.

Trez has fallen in love with

the Chosen Selena,

but tragedy has fallen.

And now he's torn between

his love and his fate.

The romance and love

these two have is beautiful.

While Trez does what he can

to fulfill Selena's wishes,

iAm returns to the territory in hopes of

finding a cure, an answer.

Not having ever thought of himself,

iAm is now torn between

helping his brother

and meeting his destiny.

Happy Days: 41-50

You know, 

once you start this journey,

you come to realise how easy it is

and how incredible it is.

I'm halfway through my 100 days.

And there are days I think

"oh gosh, what is making me happy?"

And there are times

I want to take a few pictures

and have them on reserve

for another day.

But I don't.

It's amazing

how even some small things

can make you happy.

Day 41 - Going for a massage

Day 42 - A cappucino milkshake

Day 43 - BBQ with friends 

Day 44 - Turtle Cheesecake

Day 45 - The King is here 

Day 46 - Some down time to read and have a coffee

Day 47 - a great find at the library

Day 48 - My Grease date

Day 49 - Grease, with adults this time

Day 50 - A perfect Sunday

What makes you happy?

The King - JR Ward

It's here.

It's here.

It's here.

Yes, 

The King 

is a book I have been waiting months for.

And I was so happy to get it.

The disappointing part,

was having to work, 

and not spend the day it came out,

sitting in bed,

reading.

For anyone who is not familiar with

The Black Dagger Brotherhood,

where have you been???

So The King

is mainly about,

well...

The King, 

Wrath!

His shellan, Beth

wants a child.

The glymera wants him dethroned.

What's a guy to do?

We learn a lot about his parents

which was great.

I loved learning about them.

And along with the Wrath story

there are some sub-stories.

(Often these seem to get in the way of Wrath's story.)

Assail and Marisol's story was great.

 I want more

(hint hint WARDen).

Xcor and Layla

is one I'm undecided about.

Most people love to hate him.

I'm not sure if I'm still loving the hate,

but I'm not loving the love.

John Matthew,

my favourite Brother,

had a few more seizures.

I soooo want to know the cause.

Why do these happen mostly around Beth?

Is there a Darius connection?

iAm, Trez and Selena 

was a great sub-plot.

I'm utterly chuffed to learn

that the next Brotherhood book

will be about them.

Let the countdown begin.