Blood Vow. J. R. Ward

Published: Hachette NZ
Date: 6th December 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages:459
Genre:Paranormal
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ
Rating:
                   

Trainees at the Black Dagger Brotherhood's training centre continue to prepare for the fight against the Lessening Society, but fighting is the last thing on Axe's mind. Still plagued with guilt of his father's death, the brooding loner finds himself battling an unlikely attraction to Peyton's bright, aristocratic cousin, Eise.

Elise feels it too- and when the two are thrown together in unusual circumstances Elise must decide whether she can trust Axe to help her uncover the mystery surrounding her cousin's death.

Meanwhile Mary and Rhage are in the process of adopting Bitty, a young pretrans orphan, until the appearance of a young male claiming to be Bitty's blooded uncle threatens to tear the new family apart.

Blood Vow by J. R. Ward is #2 in the The Black Dagger Legacy, an offshoot of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The first book introduced us to the new trainees and was very action oriented. It followed mostly Paradise and Craeg. For this one I predicted it could be all about Peyton another trainee, however while it did include him considerably the main focus was on Axe and a cousin of Peyton's - Elise.

Whereas #1 was full of action this one is more of a relationships book and I really loved it. As well as Axe and Elise we also follow Rhage and Mary and their newly about to be adopted daughter Bitty. Including a good deal of the Brothers made my reading of the book so enjoyable. Rhage makes a fantastic daddy, Mary is a superb mother and Bitty is a young thirteen year old who adores them both. But it turns out the question is - will they get to keep her?

Axe has lost his parents, he doesn't have a cent to his name, although he is fortunate enough to still have his parents' house to live.  When we meet him he is still very angry and addicted to kinky sex. He is at loggerheads with Peyton, and there is constant tension between the two. His mother left himself and his father years back and Axe is cynical and not about to indulge in anything romantic or loving.

Elise is part of the glymera, (nobility) she is intelligent and strong, yet the family she lives in is dysfunctional and she has a father who is over protective and shows no signs of affection.  She is attracted to Axe and their relationship begins to develop from the first time they set eyes on each other. However while alike in some things they are different and it will take some time for them to iron out all those differences.

This book moved along at a great pace, the characters developed over time and I was totally engaged the whole time. I loved the dialogue, the action, and the introduction of a new character. 

Those Brothers are as we know badasses with such mushy centres that just melt for their loved ones, and they are out to make the world a better and safer  place. I loved Lassiter (fallen angel) in this one, he was wonderful and I loved his last scene. Gave me a big chuckle.

Actually this book is amongst some of the best Christmas stories I have read this year. Really looking forward to #3. J. R. Ward has me hooked.

The Bourbon Kings J.R. Ward

The Bourbon Kings
J. R. Ward
Published: Piatkus
Date: 28th July 2015
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 424
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ.


The Bourbon Kings is the start of a new series by J. R. Ward set in the southern state of Kentucky.  The Bradford family for generations have produced a fine number of bourbons that have given them wealth with all the privileges that go with it.

But the Bradfords are also a seriously dysfunctional family.  The mother lies in a drug induced stupor in her bedroom - we never really meet her as such. She is the Bradford side of the family. The father is as evil a character as you will meet anywhere.  He leaves a stench wherever he goes. He could very well be the downfall of this business.

Edward is the eldest of the children, and can he tell a story of how his father's evil, corrupt and abusive ways have touched him.  Maxwell we only meet as a child, he is a shadowy figure yet to have his story revealed.  Lane when the book opens has just returned to the family home because his mother has been ill.  No, no, not the one in the room upstairs, but his chosen mother - Miss Aurora the cook. For all intents and purposes any humanity in this family can be traced back to her I am sure. Lane was in love with Lizzie the head gardener but things went south and he has never really recovered.  Now he meets up with her again.  Virginia or Gin is the only girl, she seems spoiled and indulged, but there is most likely more to her story that will give us greater understanding about her on down the track.  In the meantime I fear for her - she is about to sell her soul to the devil. They seem to be an alcoholic and promiscuous family on the whole.  So privileged they don't even know how to pack a suitcase!

This is the story mostly of Lane, his development as a man going from nowhere to perhaps somewhere,  finally ready to stand up and be somebody.  It is the story of the reawakening of his relationship with Lizzie - who can pack a suitcase and a whole lot more!  She is intelligent, strong and independent and she is not prepared to be mucked around with. However she does know how to admit when she is wrong.

Edward is fascinating and out of all the family I want to know more about him, and I want to see him reclaiming who he must obviously have been once.  He has guts, but there is too much cynicism and reliance on alcohol. Not that I am judging! He's been through hell.

While this first book has a conclusion of sorts, more like a deep breath pause, the story of this family is in no way finished.  We are left with a bit of a gory cliffhanger. I can live with that but I will be surely waiting for 2016 to swing round and hopefully it will bring the next episode in this family soap drama.