THE BEAST (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) by J.R. Ward-Review and Giveaway

THE BEAST
The Black Dagger Brotherhood #14
By J.R. Ward
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 5, 2016

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world…and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from.

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REVIEW: THE BEAST is the fourteenth installment in J.R.Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. THE BEAST is the continuing story of the sexy vampire Rhage, and his shellan Mary Luce. For fans of the series, we are all well aware of Rhage’s alter ego-his other-and in this Rhage’s other makes an appearance or two throughout the story.

THE BEAST focuses on relationships and family-primarily Mary and Rhage’s- and their struggle as a couple together and apart. As the Black Dagger Brotherhood family continues to grow, Rhage will come full circle facing a future that is missing ‘something’ or ‘someone’ while Mary consoles with an orphaned child now under the care of the woman’s shelter known as ‘Safe Place’. Throughout the previous story lines Mary and Rhage have struggled with their relationship-growing further apart with each successive story.

We are witness to a battle with the lessers, the slayers, and the re-appearance of the Omega. Rhage will discover that running into battle without the support of his brothers means the likelihood of facing your immortality-head on.

As per JR Ward’s writing style, there are several ongoing and developing stories:

LAYLA: The Chosen known as Layla is currently on bed rest while she carries Qhuinn’s son and daughter. But Layla suspects a prisoner has been brought into the BDB household when she discovers that the man with whom she is falling love is in danger of going into the fade. The resulting anxiety finds Layla facing a crisis of her own.

ASSAIL: Our intrepid cocaine-addicted vampire is lost without the human woman that calls to his soul. Assail finds himself working for the Black Dagger Brotherhood, infiltrating into the Glymera, and discovering that there are dark and dangerous secrets hidden behind locked doors and secret walls. Assail will prove that he is worthy of a future- with whomever it will be.

XCOR: Hoping to catch some action in the battle with the slayers, Xcor will come face to face with the Brotherhood, and the resulting aftermath finds the ‘Bastard’ imprisoned while he struggles to recover after a life-threatening attack.

THROE: Here is another member of the Band of Bastards who is trying to secure a future, with or without the aid of the others. Throe’s infiltration of one of the Glymera households starts an investigation that finds Assail at the forefront of a rescue that doesn’t end too well for some of the others.

There is another side story developing that involves several human miscreants, drug addicts and reporters. A grainy video has been uplifted to You-Tube showing a ‘monster’ on the loose, and a female investigator finds herself facing a future she never knew she had.

Most of the members of the Brotherhood , their mates (and their household guests) play secondary and supporting roles although many by way of mention only including Trez and iAm. Payne, Jane, and Manny are all called into action for their skillset of medical, surgical and healing abilities; some will be injured, while others struggle to survive-not everyone will live to see another day, and in this there is another story line developing as to the who, when and why.

THE BEAST is an emotional story line about family, loss, and the future. JR Ward blends lighthearted moments with an imaginative story line about one couple’s desires, wants and their needs while facing a future, looking for something more. The premise is intense, intoxicating and uplifting; the characters are familiar and energetic; the romance is a rebuilding of a relationship that has struggled with insecurity and differing paths on a journey meant to bring two people back together. J. R. Ward will captivate your imagination; pull you into the story line; and never let go when the passion and emotions roll away with your soul.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

JR Ward’s publisher and The Reading Cafe are graciously offering a HARD COVER copy of THE BEAST to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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