It’s a very special day here at Under the Covers, one we have been eagerly anticipating for the last 12 months. It’s Black Dagger Brotherhood release day. All of us are such massive fans, it’s scary sometimes and a good job none of us live near J.R. Ward, otherwise I fear some serious stalking behaviour would crop up. So, I have prepared for today; stocked up on tissues for the inevitable tears; snacks and drinks are piled nearby so I don’t have to move and my kindle is fully charged and ready to go. Now let’s see what the WARDen has to offer me this year with The Beast.
However, we recognise that some people (the “crazies”) haven’t started this series yet, or have stopped reading it. We know, it’s a big commitment, The Beast is the fourteenth installment in this series, so it requires a considerable investment. Totally. Worth. It. And, by the time you have finished reading my brilliant and well thought out reasons why you should pick up the Black Dagger Brotherhood, you will be think so to.
This is a PNR series…so you really can’t escape the sex, and frankly why would you want to? Ward writes some sizzling scenes between our fearless warriors and the women brave enough to face them. Not that it is all about the sex, but some of these guys wield their sex appeal like a weapon, and damn if it isn’t lethal. But it isn’t just their body parts that have you swooning, Ward knows exactly how to write a sex scene…and turn it into a love scene, it’s less about two bodies coming together, but two people.
“Shh.” He cranked her head to the side with a twist of his wrist, exposing her throat. “When I want you to beg, I’ll tell you.”
Oh the feels…I can say that I have cried reading every single one of these books. Some of those tears were happy, some of them…not so much. Regardless of the cause of my tears, I am always pleased for them, Ward always gets me to a place when I am so invested in her story and her characters that I can’t help the emotion welling up. Any author that has the power to move me so, deserves my loyalty, so although these books aren’t always easy to read, they are always worth it.
“I miss you. I miss you so fucking bad it hurts, but I don’t know how to find you even though you’re right in front of me.”
As much as I love to be moved and have some tears drawn out of me, sometimes you want something that makes you smile, makes you laugh. And amongst some of the fairly dark and occasionally tragic happenings in BDB, we are treated to some hilarious moments between the Brothers, between the heroines, between all these people whose lives Ward has thrown together. It adds a warmth and light to the series that keeps you coming back for more as the bonds of friendship and love are strengthened with laughter.
“How’d you pick the breed, Fritz?”
“I, ah…chose him…” The doggen cleared his throat. “I chose him over the Labrador because he sheds more.”
Wraths blind eyes blinked “Why would that be a good thing?”
“Because your staff enjoy vacuuming. I thought this would be a lovely gift for them.”
Wisdom. You don’t normally hear much about wisdom in a PNR series right? And yet, Ward’s insight and turns of phrase often have me nodding and thinking. Ward is a skilled writer, with a distinctive style that at times can almost be poetic, she writes about love, friendship, good, evil and that murky grey bits in between. Who said romance couldn’t also be intelligent?
“All right, then, her first rule for the rest of her days: no more looking outside for definitions. She might not have any clue who she was, but better to be lost and searching than shoved into a social box by someone else.”
Well, I can’t give you all the reasons for reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood without mentioning the Brothers themselves can I? Warrior vampires protecting their race from evil, all of them big, muscled, gorgeous and lethal, and therefore irresistible. Everyone has their favourite of the Brothers and they all have something different to offer, from the broody, tortured hero, to the king afraid to let his race down and the warrior women, finally bringing a little feminism to the archaic vamps. Suffice to say, pick up the series and you will soon be falling in love.
“Because that’s what the Brotherhood and their families were. Close as siblings, tighter than blood because they were chosen.”
Have you started reading it yet?
Annnnnd I will stop myself there, before I start waxing lyrical about my love of historical romance and fantasy as well; no one needs to know about my elf fantasies. As you can tell, I adore and day dream about most romance genres, and my three big loves are 1) reading about romance 2) writing about romance and 3) talking about romance with my gals. Which, is why I love Under the Covers so much, I get all my bookish needs satisfied and don’t get judged when I talk about my favourite characters like they are real people. Which they are right?
- Battered Hearts series by Kele Moon - January 24, 2023
- Meet the Chase Brothers by Lauren Dane - January 23, 2023
- It’s magical at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - January 10, 2023
Thanks Suzanne!
Agree 100% with every reason! Today and the day I receive my virtual signing are going to be two of the happiest days EVER! And yes, I buy both editions. You can’t have enough BDB!
I started this series last month because of all the posts I’ve seen on the blog over the years. I just need to finish The Shadows and then I can move to The Beast.
Yayyyyyyy and ummmmm well….. I hope you’re prepared for THE SHADOWS, but just know there’s a happy place awaiting you in THE BEAST! Can’t wait to see what you think!
Yep, compelling argument there. I love this series, too.
i totally agree!!!! the black dagger brotherhood is awesome!!!! my very fav vamp warriors!!!!!
All great reasons!
Summed up so perfectly, Suz!!!! <3
Very compelling reasons that I agree with 100%. The BDB is, hands down, my favorite PNR series and I love getting lost in the fantastic world that J.R. Ward creates.