If you haven't read the Black Dagger Brotherhood... well that's just crazy. Get out there and read it you won't be disappointed! :)

This is the 6th book in the series, and they just keep getting better and better. The author is truly a talented writer. It was amazingly intense. In this installment J.R. Ward really gifted her fans with so much information about the world and the people in it. This book wasn't just revolving around the main two characters, there were quiet a few story lines going on, and it was great learning more about the characters.

Reviewed on June 5, 2008 ( )

This was another awesome book in this series. I love how she ends things too, you get some closure but you're also left wanting for the next book. Again, I was left with tears in my eyes at the end when Zadist came out of the woods; it seems like this is a common theme with Ward's book - I can't seem to finish any of the BDB books without crying at least once. [b:Lover Avenged|5098079|Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7)|J.R. Ward|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NL4IFYZTL._SL75_.jpg|5164827] comes out at the end of the month in Hardcover and I swore to myself I wouldn't buy it and that I could wait for the paperback in December, but I don't know about that now. I can't wait to see what happens with Lash, John Matthew, Tohr, Xhex, Lassiter, and everybody else for that matter. Plus now we've got Payne to deal with too, just what is she going to bring to the table? ( )

"Lover Enshrined",the sixth book in J.R. Ward's Black Dager Brotherhood series, is as amazing as the previous ones. I will agree with other reviewers who have said that stories have shifted into a more "urban fantasy" genre rather than straight Paranormal Romance. I totally embrace this 'shift' because I like 'urban fantasy' tremendously. That is not to say that Ward loses the romance factor. These books still have strong and addictive romantic storylines. In Lover Enshrined, the romantic tale finds Phury mated to the Chosen Cormia. Cormia is innocence and purity while Phury is a troubled drug addict with a hero complex. He wants to save everyone else, yet totally neglects to care for himself. I've always liked Z's twin and some of this book was hard to get through because of this. We see him as an addict, hurting himself and those around him. He is in danger of losing everyone he cares about. Cormia's scenes are delightful as we watch her interact and discover everything life on this side has to offer. These two are obviously meant to be together and its slightly annoying how long it takes Phury to get his head out of his butt and come around. The other storylines are stellar as always. The John, Qhuinn, Blay storyline took over quickly as my favorite of the interwoven story arcs. Things unfold in Lover Enshrined that will change their lives forever. There is an awesome scene between Wrath, John, and Qhuinn that had me emotional as well as a scene late in the book that had me breathless and teary. Rhevenge's story is coming together as well. We see more about him and his other nature. It made me very eager to see him soon as the star in the next book. The Lessers are back in a big way- bombing and killing all over the place. The Omega has a secret weapon in his reserves that will amaze you! This book as a whole was absolutely pivotal. We will be feeling the effects of the events in this book for books and books to come. I like the direction Ward is taking this series and I am most definetely in for the long haul! ( )

Continuing with my Black Dagger Brotherhood theme, I read Lover Enshrined, which is book six in the series, and Phury’s story. Phury, in my opinion, is the brother that has gone through the biggest personal transformation. He has gone from being Zsadist’s keeper and resident celibate to being a masochist and the Primale of the Chosen. (In layman’s terms, the Primale is the equivalent of a stud, responsible for ensuring the future of the vampire race. On top of the changes, he is also still struggling with his own personal demon -- crippling addiction.

In the last installment of the series, Phury went to the other side and brought back with him the Chosen Cormia. Cormia was to be his first mate, however, five months have since passed, and the two have yet to seal the deal. The reasons for this are varied but basically boil down to a lack of understanding and communication between the two of them (you have to love it when the scenarios portrayed in fiction are true to life). Unwilling to be a failure in his endeavor as Primale (but equally unwilling to sully the pure Cormia) Phury returns to the other side to choose a different first mate. Of course, by this time, Cormia realizes that she has fallen in love. She also knows that the Primale cannot be mated to a single female. Choosing solitude over watching the man she loves be with others, Cormia returns to the other side and request to become a Sequestered Scribe.

All the while, there are many and varied sub-plots clamoring for your attention. Honestly, that was my biggest complaint about this installment. While I love John Matthew (his innocence and chivalry are so endearing) and company, it almost felt as though this book had two competing (rather than complimentary) story lines. It kind of jumped around a bit, which was distracting. If you had started reading this series by picking up book five, you could have easily kept up. Not so with book six. There was just too much going on to follow had you not read all that had come before.

All in all, Lover Enshrined was a very good read. And a must read if you are planning on reading book seven, Lover Avenged. Skip this volume, and you will be sooo lost. Three and a half stars. ( )

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