Lover Eternal

Lover Eternal
JR Ward / Paranormal Romance

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
(click the title)


When I finished book one and sighed deeply over Wrath, I didn't think it could get any better.  Then I started reading Lover Eternal, met Rhage and every romance book crush I've ever had flew out the window and paled in comparison. I have three words for you ... OH. MY. GOSH. I've only just finished reading the book and still my heart is racing, my insides are melting and I'm pretty sure I'll still be sighing this time next year. All I can say is this book has to be THE most erotically sensual, sexy as hell, beautifully romantic, gut wrenchingly raw book I have read in a very long time. Heaven forbid I suddenly become illiterate and the world of books was closed to me but if it did, this would be the book I'd hope would be my last. The story was AMAZING. I instantly fell into the story and it seriously became a burden to have to do anything that prevented me from reading. Ok here's something you have to swear to secrecy over but I even snuck into the restrooms at work because I couldn't wait a moment longer before I had myself a HUGE dose of Rhage. My addiction to the Black Dagger Brotherhood has become very permanent and it's all because of this glorious warrior.

So who do I talk about first? Rhage or Mary? I love knowing that alot of the books I've been reading lately, the female lead has been strong. Not strong as in indestructible but strong in character and in their ability to deal with anything and everything asked of them. I adored Mary. She's my favorite because even though her body was failing, her spirit was strong and she handle each situation with grace with very real reactions. I loved reading her responses to Rhage and how she had her insecurities about being with him. Once she was solid on the sincerity of his love for her, there was no going back. She embraced him fully, beast and all, to the complete astonishment of the brothers. I understand her resolve to be strong and not show vulnerability and equally cheered for her when in the face of losing it all, she didn't let the vulnerability deprive her of her heart and Rhage. She was a pure JOY to read.

*Insert GUSH here* When I see Santa this year, I know what I'm going to ask him for Christmas... Rhage. What a MAGNIFICENT MAGNIFICENT character. That man pulled on my heart strings HARD right from the beginning and all throughout the book I wanted desperately to swap places with Mary. Rhage broke my heart because from the first book, he was painted as the “whore” of the Brotherhood with a new girl every night, sometimes even two. He was forever commented for his gorgeous appearance, earning the nickname "Hollywood”. It made me wonder a little just how seriously he’d been taken and wondered whether it phased him a little. For that brief moment talking with Tohrment, he revealed himself honestly and it really set the tone for the rest of the book. One of the things he struggled with was the curse of the beast within him and it was amazing to watch the reaction he had to it. You would think with that kind of power he would use it to his advantage and it definitely helped him in his fight against the lesser, but there’s that vulnerability that he may eventually hurt the people he loves. In fact, it was the very first thing he asks, despite the pain, when he becomes himself again. There was so much that I loved reading about him, his devotion and protection of Mary, the frustration he had as she kept him at arms distance, of the hurt he felt when he needed to protect his heart but most of all I couldn't get enough of the sheer sensuality that just OOZED off him. It was intense to read how Rhage could be this senseless killing machine but be incredibly sensual the next. There were so many scenes that had me melting or extremely flushed (I told my workmate one scene and almost had to excuse myself for a moment) but the way he talked to her, the way he seduced her was breathtaking. I think one of my favorite scenes was just little into the story when she fed him breakfast - goosebumps and fever worthy. Do I really need to go on? I loved peeling back the layers and learning not everything is as it seems.

Aside from falling hopelessly in love, there was something in the book that I wasn't expecting- Zsadist. You want to read about a tortured, hostile, EXTREMELY misunderstood bad boy? Look no further because he IS the poster child for it. My first impression was "Wow, scary much?" but I really started seeing there was a method to his madness and that nurture instinct kicked in so hard I wanted to reach in and hold him (chances are if I did he'd eat me...literally LOL) I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that book 3 Lover Awakened is his book. Sigh .... I smell another phenomenal read ahead.

The only thing left to say is to please don't be like I was, don't hold yourself back from reading this book. Regardless of whether you love the hot sensuality of romance or you skim over it, Lover Revealed really is a fantastic read and incredible story. It's a book full of sexy romance and an absolute MUST READ. If it wasn't for the fact I'm devouring the books every chance I get, I'd be kicking myself for being so stubborn. Enjoy!

Ratings: 5 stars and SCORCHING



(Favorite Zsadist Quote)
"What is your name?" she murmured.
He cocked an eyebrow at her and then went back to staring at his brother. "I'm the evil one, in case you haven't figured it out."
"I wanted your name, not your calling."
"Being a bastard's more of a compulsion, really. And it's Zsadist. I am Zsadist."


(A snippet from one of my FAVORITE scenes)

"Shouldn't you have something?" she said.
"Not until you are full."
"What if I eat it all?"
"Nothing would please me more than to know you are well fed."
Friends, she told herself.  Just friends.
"Mary, eat for me." His insistence had her opening her mouth again. His eyes stayed on her lips after she'd closed them. Jesus. This didn't feel like friends"

(Here's the quote that had me COMBUST every time I read it - I re read say.. 100 times!)

"I don't want to stop, Mary"
His thumbs caressed the skin of her throat and then pressed into her jaw and angled her head back. "I want to get you hot. Hot enough so you don't feel anything but me. So you don't think of anything but what I'm doing to you. I want you liquid" (HOT DANG)