Lover Mine: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

Written by J.R. Ward

Narrated by Jim Frangione

The hot new novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood by the #1 New York Times bestselling author John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was -- or his true identity. Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
• Release date: Apr 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9781101154892

J.R. Ward

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

Reviews for Lover Mine

[purpledog-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of John Matthew and Xhex that I have been wanting to read but did not want to jump ahead. I was not disappointed. I just love this series.

[nicolefromcarmel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Typical JR ward book. All of them are pretty interchangeable. That's not to say I don't enjoy reading them. I don't like the use of the serviced but it is common theme in many of the books, so push through them. Also, the word true is over used.

[mykake-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. I was surprised by how some of the characters were protrayed, but it worked well. Cannot wait for the next one.

[asgwilli · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

OMG! I so loved this! My heart is aching with love right now! This was so my favorite of the series!

[fueledbycoffee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These books are campy, cheesy, adventurous, and original. I hate that I love reading these.It reminds me of when I go to the grocery and buy something like fiery hot Cheetos, or bacon flavored SPAM. Or even those cheap pot pies in the frozen section, or a bag of pork rinds. I have to shop produce first because then I can...or ONE can hide them under the healthy food. You don't want people to know that you love those things but you can't stop buying them from time to time, or in this case, reading them. So I've heard....

[texasbooklover7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I still love this book even the second time around!

[akaria-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lover Mine: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Good

-Xhex. I've loved Xhex since LR and have enjoyed the dance of attraction between her and JM. Seeing her finally accept love was beautiful. I was hoping that she would maintain her toughness and for the most part she did. I loved how she rescued her damn self and didn't need the others to come get her. Hell, they couldn't even find her! If Ward had turned the only badass female in the series into another damsel in distress I would've thrown the book out right then.

-JM finally grows a set. Thank the Virgin. I know he's been through a lot but the male's never ending whining was starting to drive me crazy. He manned up and now is truly a man of worth. The scenes where he takes Xhex through his childhood really showed me how much he's grown and how much he trusted Xhex.

-Darius/Tohr flashbacks. I loved how Darius took care of Tohr when he was so young. The love and respect they had for each other. Makes me hurt for modern Tohr. He's lost so much.

-Blay finally got laid. Thanks be to the Scribe. The male is just a year or so out of transition. Stop moping over some guy that may or may not be into you and find yourself a slice of happiness.

-Payne. She's made it to this side and she's pissed the Scribe lied to her about Vishous. I can't wait to see her and V bond and the reactions of the Brotherhood. April is sooo far away. Waiting for her story will be sweet torture! The male set up to be her HEA I don't really care about but maybe Ward will change my mind.

Bad

That paranormal reality show crap. Sweet Virgin in the Fade why did that go on so damn long? It really took up space that could've been used to flesh out other things. I think Mhurder's going to be a great character but this was a shoddy way to introduce him.

I must be the only fan in the BDB fandom that doesn't really care about Qhuay. I love Qhuinn and Blay a lot but they are young males barely out of transition. They just aren't interesting to me. I'd love to get slices of life with them but the whole Qhuay angst makes me want to shove a dagger in my eye.

Where was Beth? JM is her long lost brother and a female he cares about is missing. Where is she to support him? Beth is the whole reason JM exists in the first place and they share one off screen encounter? I call shennanigans!

No'One. So we finally find out she's Xhex's mom. This should've been a very powerful scene. Not something tacked on the end as Xhex is getting ready to be mated. And Xhex just accepting this stranger dropping in from the Otherside? I don't buy it. It was too rushed.

Ugly

Ward needs to stop with the rape and kidnapping. I know it serves up big drama but enough is enough. It's starting to feel like a cheap ploy for emotion and it shouldn't. Obviously if the raped or kidnapped person is the hero or heroine they will survive the ordeal because we need the HEA to happen. So why do it?

Horrible use of the healing power of sex. I really couldn't buy the whole 48 hours after freeing herself from the son of all evil Xhex was ready to get down with her male. Even though it's a romance I still wanted to see a little more time go by before she jumped in the sack with JM. I didn't want the whole book to focus on her getting over it but isn't there something in between?

Where was Rehvenge? I kept turning pages looking for how he and Xhex connected. Twenty five years he whored himself out to the Sympath Princess to keep their secret. How did they even meet? Did I miss something? Seriously, I'm doing a re-read of LAv because it seems like a big honking hole to me. I know everything can't be put in but maybe if less time was spent on the reality tv show there could've been more time for the Xhex/Rehv relationship. They were a big part of each other's lives and he should've been in LM more.

[drhapgood · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow, where did this book come from? After about the third book in a series, I pretty much give up on being surprised by what an author brings to the table.

Surprise. This book was significantly better than previous books I've read by this author. Some may criticize this book as too "neat," but I found the final resolution of several seemingly-disparate plotlines satisfying. Well, satisfied to the point of crying for MORE PLEASE!

Focusing on John Matthew, this book also does a great job of progressing the stories of the other members of the Black Dagger brotherhood. Blaylock's story was particularly powerful. Not saying I enjoyed parts of it, as it was as painful as it was truthful. Well, until the author remembered she's writing a romance, and completely backed off from how much it sucks to love someone who will never love you back.

Anyway . . . very good story.

[susanbevans · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lover Mine, the 8th installment in J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, is possibly my favorite in the series yet! It's hard not to be moved by John's storyline, and not to "root" for him tirelessly over the span of the last few books as he discovered his true identity and found a real family. He is maybe my favorite brother-who-is-not-quite-a-brother-yet, and I was very pleased with his "happily ever after" with Xhex as well as his re-connecting with father-figure Thor.

Lover Mine is full of action and the drama and angst that is synonymous with the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Fans of the series will also be delighted with the glimpses into Darius and Thor's past with Xhex, and the bit of avenging closure we've all been waiting for for several books now.

There are a couple of issues with Lover Mine - the paranormal reality side-story was irritating and confusing, at least until the end of the book and the "big reveal;" and for some reason, the set-up for the next book, Payne's story, was boring and distracted me from the main story. Still, overall Lover Mine was a big win in my book, and I will be looking forward to the next installment in 2011.

[msralways · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have liked John and Xhex's relationship, but i think that J.R forgot how Xhex was before she was taken at the end of Lover Avenged. By the end of the book, Xhex was very sweet and I think she lost a little bit of herself on the course of the book, but it still was a great read. I can't wait to be done with Lover Unleashed so that I can start with Lover Reborn. People are saying great things about Tohr's story. :)

[schatzi_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'd been looking forward to reading John and Xhex's story for a while, ever since the tentative flirting relationship started between them. There's a lot of angst in their romance, but Xhex is one awesomely tough cookie, and they make it through.I could have done without thee whole "Lash rapes Xhex repeatedly" thing at the beginning of the book, because I really hate it when strong female characters (who are in very short supply in this series) are raped. But Xhex adapts, like she always does, and in the end, I was relatively happy with how the book ended. I especially like the whole "destiny" thing between Xhex and John/Darius, in which it's revealed that Darius saved the life of Xhex and named her.The whole thing with Lash, once again, bored me, and by this time I wanted him to die a slow and painful death. I didn't exactly get my wish. The Lesser Society is really coming across as a circus show now, not anything like the group of murderers who are pretty much taking down the vampire race, and I find them more laughable than anything now. The less time dedicated to them in future books, the better, I think.What really stole the show for me in this book was Blaylock and Qhuinn's troubled friendship/relationship. Blay's love for Qhuinn has always come across as one-sided on his part, but in this book, it's revealed that Qhuinn does have feelings for Blay - he's just stuck in this whole "I have to accomplish what is on my mental list to be happy" kind of funk. And Blay definitely isn't on that list, at least not yet. I didn't mind Blay's relationship with Saxton, who is Qhuinn's cousin; in fact, I was rather happy about it, because seeing Blay pine for a guy who treats him poorly isn't exactly fun, and I really like the character of Blay. I have a feeling that Qhuinn and Blay will end up together eventually somehow down the road, and I'm looking forward to reading that story if/when it happens.I felt like the whole story with Rathboone was a giant waste of time, even at the end when it was revealed why it was included. And I really have a hard time liking Payne, and I know that her book is next in the series,so I'm not exactly jumping at the bit to read it.

[mlsimmons-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I did love this book. It was a great read. I did think that there were too many different stories going on in this book. Blay/Quinn, John/Xhex, Thor/Darius, Payne/No'One/Virgin Scribe, the deal in South Carolina and of course Lash. I think it could have been a little shorter, but I loved the story of John Matthew and Xhex. The ending was a little sappy, not that that is a bad thing. Sappy is good sometimes, it just through me off with Xhex (or maybe that made it seem even more sappy). As always with BDB, I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book. I am also extremely interested in who the next book will be mostly about.

[kassilem · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What the heck! The scene that was supposed to happen towards the end of the book where John finds out he's Darrius never happened! Such a disappointment, since it's obvious at this point. Total buzz kill. But aside from that?... yea like always the books are great. Not epic, which is why I give them 4 Stars, but great entertainment. And addictive. Have I mentioned that before? Very addictive. But alas, I'm still waiting for the next book from my library. Last one Ward has written for the series at this point; about Payne, Vishous's twin, and probably the human Manny. I wouldn't mind another one after that about Quinn and Blay. But then I'd be content. After all, all the Brothers have been written about. She's got to end it somewhere. But there's still holes and loops for Quinn and Blay, enough to write a book about. I'm crossing my fingers. In the meantime, I think I'm going to take a break before I get into Payne's story. She's a bit of a mystery, and this would be a good spot to branch into something else for a little bit.

[romsfuulynn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can get the facts of what happens from lots of sources - this is the John Matthew/Xhex store and is very well done. Ward doesn't hesitate to have really bad things happen to her protagonists and deal with the consequences, and some of her exploration of kink goes considerably beyond happy fluffy bunny tie him/her up with ribbons. (Not that there's anything wrong with vanilla kink that is purely symbolic.)

This does seem to me to have a higher than usual icky/goo/gore factor.

I only finally read the Ward books because so many people I trusted said that they were good reading once you got past male vampire characters with names like Rhage and Tohrment... (that's a pretty big "get past" I admit.)

I do think that Ward started writing these and set up an unsustainable construct in her worldbuilding and then managed to mostly pull it down around her characters heads (this is the whole "Scribe Virgin" afterlife religion that is set up in the early books and knocked sidewise.)

The trick is that she ends up getting you emotionally involved and caring about the fate and experiences of these tortured people (ok, vampires & people) that she writes about and rooting for them.

She also manages to write really over the top alpha male types and heroines who are genuinely either kickbutt or matches for them in other ways without triggering my "throw the book at the wall" reflex.

The pop culture style references to music/clothing etc get a little over the top, but again she makes it work for me. I don't think near immortal badasses listen to Pete Seger or the Carpenters...

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I keep wondering what crack she puts into the pages, seriously, the character names are plain crazy and the wierd names for people and things are just plain daft, but once I start reading I find it hard to put them down.This is the story of the mute John Matthew and his relationship with Xhex and about history, pain, getting it wrong and getting it right in relationships. Sometimes there's too much going on and it's hard to keep track of a single plot line but overall it's interesting and compelling reading, the romances are well drawn with strong female characters but enough with the tiny women and huge men. Supernatural race or no supernatural race, when you start breeding for big warriors you're going to get some females who also fall into this sizing. Granted the males have a change that comes over them but why not the women?Diverting, addictive and I love them despite my reservations.

[once1upon1a1chapter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The battle between good and evil rages on in the newest installment of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Lover Mine is John Matthew and Xhex’s story. In previous books, these two have shared intense fellings for each other but did not establish a permanent relationship. At the end of Lover Avenged Xhex was kidnapped by Lash when the Brotherhoods stormed the sympath colony to save Rhevenge. Lash is the ForeLesser and bad boy son of the Omega.Lover Mine by JR Ward picks up right where Lover Avenged left off. John is fervently looking for Xhex. His hope is to find her alive, but being out in the field with the Brotherhood, John realizes he very well just may be searching for a body. John seeks out Trez and iAm to try and get any information that may help locate Xhex. The Shadows have information about a drug meeting between Lash and Caldwell’s biggest importer. From this meeting John and the Brothers are able to track Mr. D (Lash’s second in command) back to a non-descript brownstone. It’s obvious that Xhex had been kept here, but because of Lash’s spell, no one can see that she’s still there and they leave without her.There are also several secondary story lines that weave into the main story. Depending on what kind of reader you are, this will either distract from or enhance the main story. For me, it made it better and did not detract from the main story at all.My interest in this series has been heightened again because of Lover Mine. There are so many questions that I would like to have answered and so many happily ever afters I still want to see. I took my time reading this book so I could savor it. The writing is superb and flows well. New elements were added to the series, conflicts resolved and yet there are still things that hold my interest. I cannot wait for the next book. Lover Mine is an amazing story and Ward is such a talented author. I’ve heard several people say that after the last couple of books, they were giving up on the series. To those people, please read Lover Mine before you make that decision. In the end Lover Mine really adds to the continuing saga of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and will have a place on my keeper shelf.

[bookwormdreams · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was waiting for this love story a long time so the ending was just anti-climatic. Too ordinary somehow. Maybe the problem was that I expected that whole Darius/John connection to be resolved... I don't know. And reactions of other characters to the whole thing are just too weird. John gets seizures and starts twitching on the floor... reaction is - nothing. Everybody's cool. Just weird and not real.

[marymuse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

To me, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is like a boyfriend you just can't quit. You know he's bad for you and he doesn't treat you right, and yet, you still keep coming back. I refer to this series as my book "crack", because I keep reading even as I know I should put the book down and go onto better things. However John Matthew and Xhex were two of my favorite characters from their introduction and to see their relationship finally grow into...well, something...is why I picked up this book.I'll admit some of the other plot lines bored me. I could care less about Lash or the Lessors, and the couple in the hotel was boring in the very least. Yet, John Matthew, even though I knew how this was all going to end, was the character that kept me reading.In spite of my issues with the world building, the vampires, the well...everything...J.R. Ward delivers a unique street-wise take on vampires and their society as well as characters with which you can empathize. The story kept me turning pages, and isn't that all we really ask out of our books?

[mlleehreen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think Lover Mine is hands-down the best installment in the entire Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It's also the most eccentric. It's got the best emotional payoff - there's no other character who's developed as much as John Matthews has, no other Brother who stole our hearts as a scrawny little pre-trans, and no other romance that's been drawn out from book to book the way John and Xhex's has. I was a little worried that Lover Mine wouldn't live up to my expectations - and I was absolutely thrilled when it did.

As usual with JR Ward, we're following about ten different plotlines in Lover Mine. There's the lead story of John Matthews and Xhex, which is tied up in Lash's plotline. Xhex is my favorite of Ward's heroines; she's the first one who really feels like an equal to me, the first one who can take her place among the Brothers. As John Matthews and Xhex get closer, there's a lot of give and take - they protect one another, they support one another. It's not a one-way street. Sometimes Xhex leans on John Matthews; sometimes he leans on her. Sometimes she saves his life, and sometimes he saves hers. There are so many wonderful, poignant moments. And smoking hot ones, too. The Lash plotline is...satisfying. Let's just say that he gets what he deserves...and that's before the Brothers, or Xhex, get within striking distance.

And then there's all the other stuff.

We get a lot of Blaylock and Qhuinn - I know there's been some conflict about this couple and no matter what Ward does, she'll make some of her fans angry. Personally, after reading Lover Mine, I can say that I will be absolutely furious if Qhuinn and Blaylock don't get their happily ever after. FURIOUS. I don't care how it happens, if the couple is strung out as a side-plot for another five books and all the gay sex happens "off-screen" - if they get their own book I'll be overjoyed - but man, I will accept no substitutions. Those two are meant to be. As for Blaylock's love-interest in this book, Saxton - well, it was nice of him to show up and force Qhuinn to deal with his feelings, but I hope he disappears as soon as possible.

But there's more! There are fully 3-more significant subplots, and the book frequently switches its POV among them. We get a fair amount of Payne, Vishous's twin sister who's been trapped in the Scribe Virgin's territory. And then we have a subplot about some Paranormal Investigators at a haunted Bed & Breakfast. I wish I could say this was the wackiest subplot; it certainly feels the most irrelevant. It's about some jaded Hollywood types producing a show about supernatural phenomena, but until they visit this Bed & Breakfast all their things that go bump in the night had to be faked and fudged in post-production. This time, they've found a real ghost. By the end, we get a hint about why we read endless pages about these people, but don't expect too much.

Lastly, we get the wackiest of the sub-plots. It's a flashback about Darius and Tohrment. This one at least relates directly to the main plot about John Matthews and Xhex, but reading it is excruciating. Ward's old-timey speak is just...horrible. It's always "verily" this and "indeed" that and how about a "repast" or some "victuals". And then there are the little wink-wink, nudge-nudge moments, like when Darius thinks to himself how nice it would be if only the Brothers had some way of communicating to one another instantly, across great distances (like a cell phone, get it? He wants a cell phone!). The way this thread was written pretty much killed any emotional impact it might have had on me. But it did make me laugh.

So yeah, the best but also the most eccentric. It's like the quintessence of the whole BDB series, all distilled into its most potent forms. The odd language and frustrating digressions, the endless branding, but also the excitement, the emotional intensity, the intense friendships among the brothers and the sizzling romance between the protagonists. A fantastic read.

[fireweaver_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

ok, 2.5 stars maybe. to be fair, i did stay up a hair late to finish it.

dear jr ward, why the hell do i still read your trash? don't get me wrong, i really like a deliciously trashy book on regular occasion (we're not in black tie discussing 'war & peace' at my house EVERY day after all), but lately, the "deliciously" part is missing from yours. gigundously hulking male rescues beautiful female from some weak baby-powder smelling baddie, epic bouts of multi-orgasmic sex ensue; good guys and bad guys hate each other for no discernible reason. rinse & repeat with the next novel. problem was with this one was that you kinda pooped all over your characters with this book and the result is just lazy as all get-out. the most interesting, complex, kick-ass, female character you've ever written (a leather-bound independent assassin iron goddess!!!!) was swiftly reduced to as much as a damsel-in-distress as any other chick in this series (and then some. seriously, she had a tortured enough past without you needing to knock her down to the hero's level by making her a rape victim). lengthening the plot by making it the standard romance novel cliche of failure to communicate just added insult to injury. sigh.

the best part about it was a thoroughly delightful subplot where the sweet gay kid finally gets sophisticatedly seduced by someone who's pleasantly right in the head...and then after chapters of pounding hetero sex, ya cut away without even the slightest suggestion of how that sweet seduction went down. sigh.

you can do better than this. hell, you HAVE done better, and that's probably why i'm still sticking around, hoping you'll do so again.

[nerdybookreview · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These books only seem to get better. I have to admit, I have a weakness for J.R. Ward and her books and they are a true pleasure. I find this is exciting in a society where many of us has branded vampire books the “same” or unoriginal now, or even cast them aside after the “disaster” of Twilight, depending on your personal view, but J.R. Ward really brings a refreshing twist to the paranormal-romance sector. Her books continue to engage me and don’t fall at any hurdle. I’ve yet to find one that I didn’t like! For me, “Lover Mine” was the book I’d been highly anticipating in the whole series since we were first introduced to John Matthew and his history, I wanted to really delve into his life. However his story is not the part I enjoyed the most, believe me, his story is fantastic, mind-blowing, thrilling, hot, emotional; you really have it all! However, I felt like it was eclipsed by the dynamic that was Qhuinn and Blay. You may have noticed my post of the cover which is to be their book, being released next year which I’m very excited about. Qhuinn and Blay although they didn’t take up a large proportion of the actual book because we did focus largely on John and Xhex seemed to have an aura around them that drew me in and really had me clenching my fists and turning the pages to find out more about them. By the end my heart was certainly in a twist and I’m looking forward to picking up the next BDB book. This book really links in where we left off from the previous book and I think Ward has a real talent to interlink her stories at key moments to keep the flow of the tale. I don’t feel like we’ve stilted or skipped anywhere along the way across the series that has been detrimental to reading and this flow is really great! It’s also good that the stories are separate entities whilst linking to the whole series and this enables you to read it without having to remember everything from the previous novel. Nevertheless these books are not a series you can just start reading in the middle. They are complex narratives, filled with lots of characters that you need to be introduced in order too. In this instalment we get some very tense and emotional moments that I enjoyed because although the book is in the paranormal realm we connect to the characters and the situations. I think the idea that Xhex is gone and John is in morning really can connect to a lot of people who have lost somebody. Another part of the novel allowed excerpts from Darius’ past life and I’m loath to admit that I usually find these parts boring, at least I did in Vishous’ past, but in “Lover Mine” I lapped them up eagerly and found them really connecting to the storyline. I also felt that we gained a different perspective to Xhex than we’d previously seen and I really enjoyed that! If’ you’ve read any of the other BDB books, I’m sure you’ll understand Xhex is a tough character and whilst we know lots of John’s past, I think this novel worked to develop her past through both John and her. Unlike the other novels which in large focus on the male and developing his past, I felt although this one centred on John, we learnt more about Xhex through him which brought a different twist to Ward’s previous books. Overall this book is well written, thoughtful, entertaining, light-hearted whilst being deeply emotional and it works really well together. Ward manages to make each novel unique and never feel repetitive like some authors fall into a pattern of repeating the same ‘format’ and I adore that about these novels. For me, there hasn’t been a fault to find yet, and I hope I continue to read on without them. I urge you to go stock your shelves with Ward because you’ll find it hard to be disappointed with her!

[deserie4comfort · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lover Mine is the eighth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward. And let me say first and foremost, Ms. Ward does NOT disappoint! As always with Ward’s books, especially that of the BDB series, I find that I can not put the dang books down and as a result the house is a mess, the dishes are dirty, and the work gets put on the backburner so basically her books are like my crack, or often referred to in our house as “book crack.” This book definitely fed my addiction and only made it that much stronger. This book is the story of John Matthew and a symphath Xhex. In previous books the attraction between these two was strong, yet Xhex always held back due to her nature and her history with Vampires of the Brotherhood. **It is still rumored and basically confirmed in this book that JM is the reincarnation of Darius; however, Ward has yet to write the realization by JM to that fact into the series. There are a lot of events that occur with JM and X that I will not get into, as reading the book yourself is the whole point, but let me just say that the action scenes do NOT disappoint, nor do the sexy steamy sex scenes for which Ward is known. I also enjoyed the ending of another character, again no spoilers, because honestly he (okay it’s a he) was really starting to get on my nerves.Furthermore, the relationship between Blay and Quinn takes a crazy turn that will shock most readers and leave the majority of them with tissues. I look forward to additional insight into their relationship in future books and would have to say that my only complaint in this book was that instead of Quinn it was Saxton and there was no closure. Yet I know, a story for another book, just as well.ALSO, a huge surprise is in store for readers during the last 100 pages when four individuals realize they are related, no all to each other, but in pairs. One team of twins, and one mother-daughter team. Again, bring the tissues.Lover Mine is packed with action, danger, mystery and scorching hot love scenes. If you are new to the series I would recommend you read them in order, starting with Dark Lover, as there is too much history in the following books that you would miss and feel lost. I have to say, Ms. Ward did a phenomenal job at this book and I look forward to the next one, which I suspect will be about Paine. I am just bummed that I have to wait until next year for such a book. 5 stars out of 5, word up!

[guiltypleasures_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great book, not my favorite, there was a little too much going on with the backstory for me. But I love John Matthew and can't wait for Quinn & Blay to get a story...I kinda would love to see a committed menage, Quinn, Blay and Layla....D

[damarisgcr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just love this series so much! I was writing a review earlier and for some reason it goes erased! I finally finished this book today and I am very sad it has ended because now I have to wait for the next in the series! I love the world J.R. pulls you into and how real it all seems. This book brought a tear or two out of me at some parts with John and Xhex and Qhuinn and Blay. I love Qhuinn and Blay and I would really love to see them together. To some people they get freaked out by a gay couple in a book, but I love it! I also feel that it makes the book seem more real. Now sadly I have to wait for the next book in this series. A must read!

[sarahzee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Call me crazy I just don't like JM! Love Xhex though, Review to follow.

[darlenesbooknook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow – just, wow!!This book totally knocked my socks off!After the cliff-hanger in Lover Avenged, I could hardly wait to start Lover Mine...and it did not disappoint!**SPOILER WARNING! Xhex is one tough chick! I love her!! Lover Avenged ended with Lash kidnapping Xhex, and this one continues right where we last left off. John Matthew is devastated, thinking that Lash has surely tortured and killed Xhex. He gets her name written in the old language tattooed across the back of his shoulders, just as the Brothers would have done during a Mating Ceremony. In his case, John Matthew does it as a memorial to Xhex. It is heartbreaking, and you can feel his pain.John Matthew actually succeeds in finding Lash’s lair but, because of the spell that Lash has put in place, no one can see or hear Xhex in the bedroom. She reaches out and touches John Matthew’s face, and he reacts to her touch and covers her hand with his own. He can feel her, but he cannot see her. He dismisses this as being just his imagination. He sees her blood, and he is certain that he is too late.Luckily for Xhex, Lash is going through a sort of transformation which has weakened his spell. She is able to escape the barrier and heads for her basement apartment. John Matthew finds her there, barely alive. John Matthew lovingly takes care of Xhex and moves her to the Brotherhood’s mansion.I was captivated by the developments in John Matthew’s and Xhex’s relationship. They are totally hot together, and Ward has made another sexy duo! Xhex is the perfect partner for John Matthew, and not just because of her mind-reading ability (which comes in handy when you are with someone who can’t speak!). They bring out the best in each other, and they love each other just as they are.I did a lot of weeping in this one! Keep that Kleenex box handy!! Here is just a sampling: Xhex to John Matthew: “You're not half the male you could be because of what was done to you. You're twice what anyone else is because you survived.” John Matthew to Xhex: “Yes", he mouthed. "I would hold you up. I will ever hold you up and hold you dear, lover mine."It was nice to see John Matthew lose the attitude that he developed in Lover Avenged. Patching things up with Tohr was a long time coming.I had a feeling where the sub-plot of Darius and Tohr was heading, and I was right! Nice tie-in, Ward! But you completely blindsided me with No’One!I was also totally clueless about the Eliahu Rathboone sub-plot! I did not see that one coming, and I am really intrigued where that one is going to lead! It smells like trouble!Qhuinn is still resisting his urge where Blaylock is concerned, and there are a couple of intense scenes with the two of them. I feel so sorry for Blay, poor guy!Once again, we end on a cliff-hanger with Wrath sparring with Payne. Tragedy strikes, and we wait with baited breath to see what happens next!Again, I noticed some technical issues with this audiobook. On several occasions, I could actually hear the technician say "ok" before Frangione starts narrating. Other than that, it was fine. I love Frangione. His narration is impeccable! I could listen to him all day long!!MY RATING: 5 stars!! Superb book! I could not put it down!!

[talksupe3blogspot · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

read full review at talksupe.blogspot.comThis is the best one in the series!

[niinac_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Finally the story of John and Xhex (pronounced Hex)! I've been waiting for this, throughout book 2 - 7 we've been witness to their chemistry developing, and now here is Lover Mine! This book continues right where Lover Avenged left us, Xhex has been imprisoned by Lash, son of Omega, in a supernatural prison where no one can hear her, see her or sense her. Being as warped as he is, Lash has ended up completely obsessed with Xhex, loving her in his twisted way. Xhex against all odds manages to keep hold on her sanity while Lash repeatedly beats her and abuses her, her only goal to escape or die taking the bastard with her.And then there is John, who realizes that there is a chance he might not find her and tries to come to terms with his feelings for her and the fact that if they find her dead, she's gone forever, and if they do find her alive she still might not care for him after all. John being mute creates a story that is very intriguing to read especially his communication with others who normally aren't chatty.In all a very delicious story, lot of darkness and pain in it, but all the light in the book saves it from being grim.We also get a look into Blay’s and Quinn’s relationship, where the two fight what is expected of them and what they want, and what they can’t have.Now, I have to say this is my favorite book since Eternal Lover, I can't help it I'm a sucker for the ‘will they won't they’ love stories. And this is third book I'm giving full on five stars, I friggin' loved this! I wish I could tell you more, but you have to read it for yourselves.Kidnapping, imprisonment, tattoos, unrequited love, revenge, vengeance, brothers in shitkickers and leathers armed to the teeth fighting for the existence of their race - this one is a keeper!By now I am well obsessed with the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, and can safely say it's my favorite series I have ever come across, beating even Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series!

[charlee2_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow! what a bombshell when (spoiler alert) Qhuinn revealed that he was gay. I was totally caught off guard when this was revealed and my mouth dropped open and I had to read the page twice! Kudos to Ward for managing to capture this reader offguard.

[bluedragonfly81 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First, I gotta say Qhuinn and Blay are killllling me!!!!!!! Okay, I feel better. I really enjoyed this book. We see a different side to Xhex...she's more open and vulnerable than we have seen her, and I really think she makes a good match for JM. I loved all the scenes with those two together. We also get some major surprises, but...spoilers, lol! I LOVE how Ward weaves the plots together and even though I'd sometimes like to skip the Lesser parts and just read about the main couple, I realize how much I would miss. I was spoiled because I took a break reading the Brothers (don't know WHAT I was thinking), so I read Rhev, JM, and Payne back to back...now I know I was spoiled and the wait is going to kill me