Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Mary has had more then her share of hardships. She spent a large portion of her adult life watching her mother succumb to a long, cruel, debilitating sickness. Close on the heels of her mother's death she was diagnosed with Leukemia and had to endure the pain, suffering and disfigurement that accompanied her fight with cancer. Two years later, her illness has returned, bringing with it another war for Mary to wage.

Rhage is the stunningly handsome, physically flawless warrior of the brotherhood. Within him lives a beast with an insatiable appetite that is only quelled by chaos, carnage, blood and sex. For a century Rhage has not only battled the forces that threaten his people but has endured the ceaseless struggle of controlling the beast within.

In this second tale of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, two hardened, battle-weary warriors come together in their biggest campaign yet- the fight to save each other. Cue music...

Ok so the cheese factor was a little high in this one and the ending was blotched and rushed but I'll forgive Ward anything because she only did what I silently asked her to do which was write another suspenseful, action packed, romantic story in which there is phenomenal vampire sex. I like her take on vampire legend and lore. The rituals of the brotherhood and the character of the Scribe Virgin are a nice change from your standard issue "undead blood suckers who prey on cheerleaders" stereotype. Even Rice wrote her vampires as dirty evil playboys who just roamed around sucking on people. Ward's vampires are a very spiritual, ritualistic people....who just so happen to listen to rap music and drink beer.

I liked this book but I didn't love it. Something was just missing. I'm not sure what- maybe it was the over-description of Rhage's hawtness that occurred every 2 pages. It became a little repetitive. I did have a little cry when Rhage viewed Mary's treatment scars. Reality kind of crept in during that scene and I say kudos to Ward for doing that.

Still unquestionably devoted to Ward but while I wasn't disappointed in this book, I wasn't overwhelmed by it either.