The world has changed for the brotherhood, since the beginning when the King met his mate Beth. The numbers to the brotherhood have increased, but the number of lessers has increased. They have become more cunning and powerful. There are enemies everywhere and are gaining access to more money and technology. The world is changing around them, and keep who they are and what they do a secret is getting more and more difficult with the power of the smartphone. For Rhage and Mary, life seems just about perfect for them. However Mary and Rhage are drifting apart in their relationship. Rhage is struggling with his own insecurities and Beth is working through her self doubts and overcoming the past. But when Rhage is almost killed, and Mary is the ticket to saving his life, their world is turned in a direction they didn't see coming. But as Rhage and Mary learn to be honest with each other again, But Rhage and Mary will need to make a choice, that could change their relationship and their future forever...
Plot and Story Line
I know....I took forever getting to this one but quite frankly I was SO dang nervous picking this one up here. This book was quite different and I honestly didn't know what to expect. My main focus was Rhage and Mary. They are still my favorite couple that Ward has written. There are quite a few of them I love, but these two I fell in love with from the very beginning. So it was nice to see how their "happy ever after" has been progressing.
She was the watch on his wrist, the roast beef when he was starving, and the pitcher of lemonade when he was thirsty. She was his chapel and his choir, the mountain range to his wanderlust, the library for his curiosity, and every sunrise or sunset that ever was or would be. She was all the power in the universe coalesced into a living, breathing thing, the miracle that he had been granted.
Well marriage and/or mating is a challenge, and we see how these two deal with self doubts and insecurities. At the beginning of the story, we see Rhage fighting with his brothers against some lessers. Then we are taken to Mary, who is dealing with her own test. She is helping a little girl "Bitty" who suffer from a trauma that Mary relates on a personal level. I found it very interesting to see how J.R. Ward started this book. By seeing Rhage and Mary kinda on their own "mission". But when it really matters, they come together, work out their issues and become even stronger than before. Now this couple tore me to shreds emotionally....wow this book totally packed a punch for me. Seeing how they work through their issues, and certain development that really adds more depth to their relationship. I loved the way these two grow even closer than in the first book Lover Eternal.
"Life didn't have to be perfect...for true love to exist in it"
We see Rhage and Mary come in contact and build a strong connection with this little girl Bitty!! Now I adored Bitty, and Rhage really connects with her. Its like he is the Bitty whisperer or something. Mary has been working hard to connect with Bitty who suffered through an abusive father, and her mother has recently died. Now seeing Rhage and Bitty together is priceless. Nothing is sexier than a big alpha male be charmed by a little girl. And so many fun moments between these two from introducing her to ice cream, to showing her the beauty of horses in his GTO engine and how she is charmed by his beast.
“Rhage! You have a dragon! A pet dragon! I got to rub his tummy!”
Now the brotherhood....it was quite interesting seeing what has changed, since the last book I read was book 10, so there is a bit that I have definitely missed out. The angel that loves to play with Rhage (and man I love the tricks he plays on Rhage...hilarious) and is obsessed with TV was hilarious but he is solid and loyal. We get some scenes between V and Jane that was interesting. What I found unique was how adding a couple of children to the mansion adds curiosity and questions to have kids for the other couples hehe Its like a plague or something and it was fascinating seeing characters that had no issue with remaining childless suddenly ask themselves questions about having kids. hehe I would have liked to see more of some of the other couples but toward the end we get some moments that were "put a smile on your face". I was curious about the teaser we are left with dealing with Layla and her love interest in a enemy of the brotherhood. So I am curious to see if that thread will be continued. If you like this author and have fallen in love with this series as I have....this is definitely a must read especially if you fell in love with Rhage and Mary.
The Cover
I just adore this cover....ever since it came out it is the BEST cover of the series!!! I love the night stormy scene, and the intensity of the pose here and all that muscle!!! LOVE the abs and pecs here.
Overall View
The Beast is a story for fans of the BDB series will enjoy even if you have fallen away from it....you will adore these fun moments between Rhage and Mary!!! Intense and Heartwrenching
I really enjoyed this book for what it is. Now, these books are super unconventional and you need to not have super high expectations for having lots of deep emotional depth to the story. It has that element, but the primary focus is the smexy times and boy are they HOT. But I love seeing the unique take on the fairy tales and twisting them in such a unique way. I found that I really adore The Beast in some interesting ways and while it's not my favorite of the series, I really got a kick out of seeing this menage like love really work itself out. I am not really for the extra scenes of other players becoming involved in the "scenes" so that I think is the main issue I do have with this series. I am a reader who really needs exclusivity in the relationship and even though its all consensual (consent plays a big role in these books and I highly appreciate that from this author) I really found that I got such a kick out of seeing Beast, Belle, and Gaeton work out their issues and see the importance of transparency within the relationship. And as a plus, it gives the reader a teaser for the next book "The Sea Witch" which is a retelling of one of my favorites that we rarely see so it should prove interesting to see how that all plays out in the end.
I will be honest that this book took me over a week to read, and I don't think it was the actual story and the writing, but I just wasn't in the reading mood this past week. I did find this book pretty intriguing even if it contains secrets and lies and of course when the truth does come out its at the WORST time it could come out.
The story begins when our heroine, Ava Sutton, is fleeing with her best friend Grace to escape a man that would use them for his own means, who is also Grace's brother who is cruel. Ava is the smart and cunning of the two, she devises a plan that will help them escape Grace's brother and his evil plans for them. But they will have to hide their true identities. And she must convince the Tor Maclean to marry her, to save their lives. But what starts out as a innocent lie to save their lives turns into something far dangerous and one where Ava begins to lose her heart to this big and brawn highlander who has his own trust issues and has been betrayed before and the last thing Ava wants to do is hurt Tor...because he has been so good to her. But then their enemy has tracked them down and she might have to risk losing the man she loves to save him and his clan...but will their love be enough against their enemies?
I actually had a blast with this story and even though I read it over several days, I always was pulled in quickly into the story. What we have here though, is a highlander romance that is built on secrets. And yes you understand why these two ladies are keeping this secret, because it could cost them their lives if they tell the truth and also they don't want to put this clan in danger. But as the story progresses we see the conflict that Ava feels about not telling Tor the truth. Tor is a wonderful hero though. Yes he does have trust issues, and he has been betrayed before. But he is also hardworking, honest, will do anything to protect his people and is kind. I loved how protective he is of Ava even after the truth comes out, no matter how hurt he is or angry he is with Ava, he will do anything to see her safe. Now Ava isn't a doormat nor is she a woman in need of a knight in shining armor, she is strong herself and can defend herself and she does it quite nicely. I loved how her brain works and that she never gives up and how protective she is of those she cares about. This is where Ava and Tor are SO much alike, because of what they are willing to sacrifice for those they love the most.
I am curious to see how this series will progress and seeing how it is connected in the future. I am having a fun time with this author and her writing though. She really brings a good balance of Scottish history and romance together. And man the way she writes her heroes....yep just GRAB her books and you will see why I am falling in love with her writing style and the SWOONS!!! SIMPLY CAPTIVATING!
The Beast of Beswick was such a fantastic book here and boy I was hooked on this story. This is the first book in her Everleigh Sisters Series. I just love a great Beauty and Beast retelling and this one takes the CAKE. Its always refreshing to find a new author to love and I really had such a blast with this one. She is one of those that really pulls you into a story and honestly it was the heart of the characters that really tugged at my emotions for this one.
What this book begins with is our heroine is very protective of her sister but they are orphans and their uncle is their guardian at least until Lady Astrid turns 26 which she is just a handful of months short of. But when her younger sister is about to be forced into a marriage that caused much pain and grief for Astrid she knows that she needs to come up with a plan to save her and so she goes to the formidable and scarred Duke of Beswick. Nathaniel Harte fought in the war and came back heavily scarred and keeps to his estate and terrorizes his servants and his hobby is shattering priceless artifacts of his father whom he despises. But the moment Astrid comes to him with a plan, he is not ready for this formidable and courageous young woman who stands her ground and isn't fearful of his scars. They come to an agreement, Astrid will catalog his father's artifacts for an auction and he will let Astrid and her sister stay in his home while they hide from her uncle until she comes into her inheritance and they can't be touched. But plans don't always go the way you expect and a fierce love builds between Beswick and Astrid, but will Astrid lose her sister in the process? And will their love be worth fighting for?
The Beast of Beswick was such a powerful story that sweeps you away into this historical world of danger, villains and secret desires. We have such a great relationship that we see between Astrid and her sister, we see a fun yet passionate romance build between Beswick and Astrid and some unique plot formatting especially toward the end that kept me on the edge of my seat. I honestly was on tinderhooks through most of this story and highly impressed with the few shocks along the way. I am so EAGER for Isobel's story. Because her character is what really surprised me the most. Through most of the story we see her character be so shy and timid, but we see her true strength come out in the love she has for her sister and crafting her own future on her own terms and I have a feeling her book will pack a powerful punch.
you need to decide whether you let your scars rule you.
The romance that forms between Astrid and Beswick was so fascinating, Astrid is such a strong heroine, ballsy and very set in her own ways. She knows herself and has that confidence and surety that pulls Beswick's attention. There is such powerful chemistry that builds between them that is gravitating in a unique way. They both contain very strong personalities but we see how they really balance each other in various ways. I loved seeing them get past their hurdles and realize their love for each other and fight for it!!
An empowering love story that will take you on an adventure of laughs, endearing characters and fascianting plot points to keep the reader engaged until the very end!! Truly Empowering!
The Beast of Clan Kincaid is the first book in this series and I was completely hooked into this book. This is my first Lily Blackwood and she is simply fantastic to read. If you love Julie Garwood, Mary Wine or Sue Ellen Welfonder....this author is for you. This series doesn't have long books, not more than 300 pages, so it doesn't take very long to get through but honestly this author could write a 600 page book and it wouldn't be a trial to read. Her writing voice is simply incredible and had me not wanting to put this book down. This is not an easy story though to read especially in the prologue.
The Beast of Clan Kincaid begins with out hero, Niall Braewick, he is the oldest son of the Laird Kincaid. But when he was just a boy, their clan was attacked and betrayed and his parents were murdered and he and his two other brothers were smuggled away and hidden and seperated. Now Niall, is an adult and a warrior and mercenary, fighting for money and food, trying to gain allies and funds to take back what is rightfully is and what stolen from his family. But while posing as a warrior to fight for the Laird MacLaren, he meets the lovely daughter Elspeth. He knows that he has a mission and he can't think of a better one than having Elspeth as his wife. He knows that she is innocent from the crimes of her father, and has a gentle kind heart. He has been so focused on getting back his clan and land, that he has never done anything for himself and even though he knows that her father has a different suitor in mind for his daughter, he finds himself quickly falling in love with her but he knows that even if he does managed to marry the lass, she will come to hate him because of who he is and his mission to get justice for the wrongs done against his parents.
The Beast of Clan Kincaid is a story that brings together a enemies to lovers romance with a mix of insta love. There is a strong chemistry between Niall and Elspeth. Elspeth wants Niall more than any other man that her father and step mother have in mind for her. She is attracted to Niall, very strongly, but she senses that there is more to Niall than meets the eye. He may be a powerful warrior, but she also sees a man that is protective and gentle at times especially with her. She knows that she can never have him as her own, but she wants him more than any other. We see, of course, the strong connection between these two. You just want them to come together, but they both have some obstacles to overcome in this one here. We see how much they adore and respect each other. I was curious to see how this book would actually play out because of how it is set up but boy Lily Blackwood did a tremendous job in penning such a beautiful love story. It is guaranteed to give you all the feels that you expect in a story such as this one.
I did really love the way that the plot unravels. and the progression of the love story. Even though technically I categorize this as a instant love romance, we also see that the story's focus is them finding a way to be together with what challenges they have to face. When they realize how much they want to be together (which happens in the first half of the book) they know it won't be an easy road for either of them. Seeing the secrets being revealed and the delightful surprise in the end for Niall was unexpected but gives you warm fuzzies. The world building that is written here is superb, and I have to give a "high five" to the author because she really build the highlander world so well and I have a feeling we will see a lot more of it in the next two books. There was in depth detail and cultural aspects that opens the readers mind to imagine what the author is building here. I was highly impressed with the way the setting and plot was developed in this book.
Overall I found The Beast of Clan Kincaid to be a story of adventure, highland thrills and pleasures and a story to keep you on edge and packed with all the delcious romantic feels!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!!!
Beautiful Lawman is a story that brings two souls that are from opposite sides of the tracks...will these two strong personalities be able to find a balance in co-exist in a world that says otherwise?
Beautiful Lawman was such a beautifully written story and I have to say that other than book one, this book is one of the most well-written books of the series and I fell head over heels in love with it. There was just nothing better than this book and I never wanted their story to end. It brings some interesting elements that you wouldn't really expect and they just fit so well into this story.
This marvelous book has some key players that you are destined to fall in love with.....
Hale Walters, the current sheriff and lawman, he is driven, hardworking and sees in black and white and from a respected family
Piper Walsh, our courageous heroine, is hardworking, protective of her family and will do anything for those she loves
I would like to say that out of all the books in this Devil Rock series, I would say that Beautiful Lawman made the biggest impression on me. I honestly just couldn't get enough of this one and just wanted more and more of Hale and Piper because when it ended, even though it had me in tears and smiles I just fell in love with these characters so much I just didn't want the book to end. However, the story doesn't begin with smiles that is for sure.
Our tale begins when Piper is desperate to keep her current job which is waitressing at a strip club and bar. She refuses to dance, but being a waitress where she can just wear her jeans she is more than okay with. She is barely keeping it together with supporting her teenage sister and having to provide for both of them since their parents made horrible errors in judgment and now their older brother is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Piper bears a ton of guilt on her shoulds, and in the later part of the story, we learn just how big of a loud she has been emotionally and mentally carrying. However, she is hardworking and will do anything for her sister. But when her sister gets arrested for being out with friends late, Piper ends up having to quit her job to pick her up from the station where she has a little run-in with Hale. Hale and Piper tangle in words but there is a sizzling bond between them even though they don't think very highly of each other. Soon though, Hale starts to see a different side of things and Piper begins to realize how dedicated and good-hearted Hale really is. But will their love be strong enough to stand the tide of secrets and a forbidden love...
What a whopper of a story and boy this just had me on tenterhooks and I never wanted to put it down!! I read this book easily in one sitting and considering I struggled with the past couple of books, that is saying something. I was very nervous to read this book, but after reading some positive reviews I knew I needed to pick it up and so glad that I did because it was AMAZING!! One of the best contemporary romances I have had the pleasure to read this year. What impressed me the most was the way this author handled "opposite side of the tracks" issue here. Because they really are on opposite side of the tracks. Our hero is from a community respected family, a lawman and women are always chasing after him. Then we have our heroine, who comes from a family that most spit on. Her family always has the tendency to be on the wrong side of the law. Her mother and brother have been in prison, although her brother is innocent, in the eyes of the town they live in, no one looks highly on their family. Piper has to resort to a strip bar for work because no one respectable will take her on. I really admired Piper's courage and tenacity. She has this inner strength most people would die for to have. She definitely doesn't have it easy, and doesn't complain. She does what she can to make sure her sister will succeed in life and I love how dedicated she is. She also isn't afraid to speak her mind to the Sherriff who is drop-dead gorgeous. It was pretty awe-inspiring to see Hale learn more about Piper and realize she isn't like her family, and when he learns the truth about her situation I just wanted to cheer him on because he becomes so worthy of her. He truly stands by her even if she doesn't accept it always.
Beautiful Lawman is a true delight to read and will spin you here and there and sideways in all manner of good ways, A MUST READ FOR ROMANCE LOVERS.....TRULY REMARKABLE!!
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beautiful Sinner is the fifth in the Devil's Rock series and boy I have gotten a kick out of these books here. I have such a weakness for those bad boys that need love too...that underneath the tough exteriors have hearts of gold. And with each hero of this series, I fall in love all over again and it was like that with Beautiful Sinner. The Devil's Rock series centers around characters that are ex-cons and Sophie Jordan has handled these books very well so I was pretty excited to get an ARC copy of Beautiful Sinner, especially since it features the brother of the heroine from Beautiful Lawman ---Book four.
The story begins with a small town event, Gabriella is there to congratulate her niece, but then she finds herself locked in a closet with the man rumored to have been falsely accused of murdering her cousin...Cruz Walsh. Its rumored that the Walsh family is no good, but with the recent marriage of his sister to the local sheriff, Gabriella knows that there is more to the family than meets the eye. Even though she is nervous around Cruz, she has also had a crush on him for years. She knew him well in high school, and in the dark, they had the most sensual encounter, a kiss she has never forgotten nor the explosive chemistry. But she is torn between her feelings for Cruz and her job as a journalist to find out everything she can about him. But Cruz and Gabriella have always had a connection and now that they are in close proximity, nothing will stop them from embracing what they have both wanted for years.
I have to say that I truly had so much fun with these characters. I normally don't care too much for journalist/reporter characters, they just seem to be so selfish and not caring about who they hurt just for a story. But this was NOT the case with Gabriella and I found it so refreshing. Sophie Jordan had me breathing a sigh of relief with this book. Of course, we have a second chance romance here, and some secret identity. Cruz at first doesn't realize that its Gabriella that he shared that passionate encounter with in High School. But the moment they kiss again in present, he realizes who she is and that she is the one that got him through the worst of it in prison. Cruz is such a strong and honorable hero. I love how devoted he is to his family, and how horrid people can be. The town really treats him horribly and after spending years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, he definitely didn't deserve such harsh treatment. But Gabriella really surprises you in this book because she stands up for Cruz even though her family will probably cast her out for it.
I've always wanted you, Gabriella Rossi. In the boathouse...I didn't know it was you, but I wanted it to be. In prison, in the dark of night, when I dreamed of the girl I kissed in the boathouse she didn't have a face...so I gave her yours.
Now even though I enjoyed the romance and the slow growth of intimacy between the characters, the reason my rating is so much lower is the pacing of the book. Being engaged in a story is one of the most fundamental elements in a story for me to enjoy it. Now I did read this pretty quickly, but honestly, I was hoping it would be more engaging. I didn't fully connect with the story like I really wanted to. I felt like I only got the "surface" outlook on the story instead of the full depth of it like I have come to expect from Sophie Jordan.
Overall I found Beautiful Sinner to be emotional, leave you with tears and smiles love story with endearing characters and a second chance romance that is deserved....A FUN TALE OF STRENGTH AND LOVE!
Beautifully Cruel is a story I have been hearing about for the past month or two since it was released in May, and it has been all over Romancelandia and I have been really intrigued especially in the descriptive alpha male goodness and so I grabbed this one up. And heads up if you are on KU than this is part of that subscription. So go and grab it up because this is a book you don't want to miss out on and I have had this book on my kindle ever since it was released. Now I will say that title really kept me from reading it, doesn't exactly encourage me to read it to be honest, but after seeing all the positive reviews I knew that I needed to give this story a shot and I am so happy and boy this book is ADDICTIVE....Literally stayed up so late reading this one.
Loneliness and solitude are two totally different things. All the times I’ve been loneliest have been in a crowd
So Beautifully Cruel is about a year long wait for our couple. Truvy is a college student, about to take the test and hopefully pass the bar to become a civil defense attorney. And she works as a waitress and there is a gorgeous as sin beast of a man that comes in and the sexual tension and connection between them is undeniable. And for a year its been temptation for both of them. Until the beast "Liam Black" makes a move, a move he knows is dangerous. Truvy is a woman he wants more than any other, but he doesn't want to put her in danger because his life is an unknown and he doesn't believe he is good for her. But Truvy isn't a shy woman, she is a fighter especially when it comes to a man she is falling hard for and will prove to be more than a worthy match for him.
I don’t know what kind of women you’re used to, but my mother didn’t raise a worker bee. She raised a queen.” I stare at him without smiling. “And I don’t give away the honey for free.
Beautifully Cruel was a story I never expected to love as much as I did, this is hands down the best book I have read from this author so far. I adored every single moment and just couldn't get enough of it. It was quite interesting to see the tension build between these two. And quite frankly there were factors that come into play that I didn't expect but surprisingly I didn't have much issue with. For example I did want to share that there is kidnapping that comes into play here. But the way this element is written, just worked perfectly for me. And all the REVEALS.....I honestly never expected. I honestly just thought this was a typical mafia romance but NAW this author really knows how to throw the curveballs and shocks and delights and I just wanted more. I know this is a stand alone novel but I am hoping she does Ian's twin brother's book. She really teased his character and I would love to see it. Probably won't happen but *crossing fingers*
You’re my queen bee. My unhealthy obsession. The reason I haven’t been able to sleep in a goddamn year
Overall I found Beautifully Cruel to be a stunning, sexually charged and vivid romance that pulled me in completely with no reservations....A BEAUTIFUL READ TO ENTICE, ENGAGE, And ENCHANT!
