Lover Avenged

March 16, 2009
Ward powers into hardcover with the tangled seventh title in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, picking up four months after the end of 2008's Lover Enshrined
. Rehvenge, a “symphath” vampire who gets energy from manipulating others' emotions, is recruited by a group who want to displace vampire king Wrath, a gruff, determined vigilante. Rehvenge is also falling hard for vampire nurse Ehlena, who disdains his affections and focuses on caring for her ailing father. Ward easily juggles numerous personal and political plot lines, keeping the tension revved high while moving forward with subplots that have lingered for several books and will please longtime fans seeking resolution. New readers may be a little lost despite a helpful glossary, but the fast pace and cliffhanger ending will have fans wishing they could start the next book right away.

May 15, 2009
Rehvenge is a hero only to humans and vampires who dwell on the dark side. The addicts. The hedonists. He sold his soul and numbed his body long ago to protect his family, and it is a price hell pay until his death. His was a unique prison few could understand, certainly not someone as beautiful as Ehlena. But she also understands what its like to be imprisoned by duty. As the war between lessers and vampires grows direr, and their world is threatened as well from within, they find in each other a kindred soul and the courage to break free. Best-seller Wards hardcover debut in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (Lover Unbound, 2007;Lover Enshrined, 2008) is both dark and poignant, raw and beautiful, staying true to its strong urban fantasy roots while moving the romance back into the prominent role fans enjoy. With the bad guys gaining the upper hand and a few of the favorite characters going through challenging times, the story is not always easy to read, but well worth the journey.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)