Lover Arisen (Black Dagger Brotherhood 20) by JR Ward-Review & Giveaway

LOVER ARISEN
Black Dagger Brotherhood #20
by JR Ward
Release Date: April 5, 2022
Genre: adult, paranormal, vampire, romance

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Possessed by the demon Devina, Balthazar is once again on the hunt for the Book of Spells—and fighting an undeniable attraction to a woman. As a thief, he has stolen a lot of things…but he never thought his heart would be taken by another. Especially not a human.

As a homicide detective, Erika Saunders knows there is something otherworldly going on in Caldwell, New York. Mutilated bodies that cannot be explained are all over her case list—and then there are her nightmares in which she’s hunted by shadows and captivated by a mysterious man who is both a suspect and a savior.

When Devina’s wish for true love is finally granted, Balthazar and Erika unwittingly become the gateway for the rebirth of an old enemy of the Brothers. Will the very thing that brings them together lead to the ultimate destruction of the Brotherhood? Or will they have to lose everything in order to save the race’s most sacred defenders?

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REVIEW: LOVER ARISEN is the twentieth instalment in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on the elite group of vampire warriors known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This is Band of B&stards warrior Balthazar, son of Hanst, and Caldwell New York homicide detective Erika Saunders’ story line. LOVER ARISEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order or the previous book Lover Unveiled where Balz and Erika’s story begins. As per JR Ward’s style of writing, LOVER ARISEN follows several intersecting paths including the beginning or ending for another story line couple.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including memories of violence and death, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. If you have not read book 19, Lover Unveiled, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from numerous third person perspectives including Balthazar and Erika, following several paths, LOVER ARISEN continues to focus on the take down of the demon Devina, and the search for the location of an ancient tome, the Book of Spells. Balthazar is desperate to rid himself of the demon known as Devina, a demon who has taken possession of our story line hero in the wake of our hero’s last robbery and theft. Balthazar is desperate to locate the Book of Spells in the hopes of uncovering the how and why of his current predicament but a trip to a local bookstore has Balthazar, once again, coming face to face with the woman that calls to his heart, a woman who has seen more than anyone could have ever imagined. Enter Caldwell homicide detective Erika Saunders, and the woman/female with whom Balthazar will fall in love but not before Balz sacrifices himself to stop the insanity of Devina’s possession. What ensues is the building relationship between Balthazar and Erika; the return of an old enemy 2.0; and the relinquishment of love and a happily ever after for someone else.

Homicide detective Erika Saunders knows there is something else going on in Caldwell New York, something ‘other’, something not easily explained or understood, and meeting Balthazar our heroine knows immediately he is the answer to her questions. Falling for Balthazar means being pulled into a life she knows nothing about but a life that has experienced the devastation and horrific atrocities of monsters and demons. Hoping to eradicate the demon Devina from his life and his mind, Balthazar goes on a quest to uncover the truth but desperation calls for a violent end, an end to the possibility of his own future and love.

Nate, the adopted son of Muhrder and Sarah has fallen for the young vampire female Rahvyn but a night on the town ends in disaster, and Nate hangs between the precipice of life and the Fade. Female vampire Rahvyn aka Elyn, struggles with her powers, powers that are beyond that of anyone who has come before but with her powers comes the control between life and death, and in this, Rahvyn battles between head and heart knowing to use her powers, means someone else’s choice has been taken away. Nate isn’t the only being to have fallen in love with Rahvyn but to save someone means to sacrifice someone else.

The relationship between Balthazar and Erika begins in Lover Unveiled where Balthazar has had to wipe the memories of our story line heroine. Erika is struggling to remember recent events, a black void where several hours has gone missing. Literally running into Balthazar triggers something within Erika Saunders, a trigger wherein she knows Balthazar has something to do with the missing time. Balthazar knows that Erika is his mate but his life is no longer under his control.In an effort to protect the people he loves, Balz finds solace with our story line heroine, a solace that may be short lived in the face of his position with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the Brothers make cameo appearances including Wrath, V, Butch, Rhage, and Tohr, while others by mention or recall; Jane, Manny, BDB doggen Fritz; and our beloved Fallen Angel aka Scribe Virgin Lassiter. We are introduced to Erika’s partner Detective Treyvon Abscott. Lassiter’s story line is next….yay !

LOVER ARISEN is the beginning of a new series arc for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. It is the story of family and relationships, betrayal and vengeance, love and acceptance, sacrifice and hope. The character driven premise is detailed, complex and captivating; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are energetic, powerful and engaging.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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J.R. Ward is the author of more than thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There are more than fifteen million copies of her novels in print worldwide, and they have been published in twenty-six different countries around the world. She lives in the South with her family.

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