Product Description

Phury, Zsadist's twin brother and a vampire in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, makes the ultimate sacrifice and stands in for a fellow brother to become the chosen - one who will save the brotherhood's bloodlines. Tormented by the love he has for his twin's mate, he devotes his passion to the higher good of his race and forbids himself from being distracted by a romantic relationship. The war with the Lessening society is graver than ever, and the brothers need the few warriors they have to fight. Phury is resigned never to divert himself with love or put his brothers in jeopardy, until he comes face to face with the only woman who can tempt his heart and make him question his chosen destiny...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7579 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Review
Tautly written, wickedly sexy and just plain fun' Lisa Gardner 'erotic paranormals are frighteningly addictive...In just two years, the first three books in the series have earned Ward an Anne Rice-style following, deservedly so; this entry should prove no less popular' Publishers Weekly

About the Author
After graduating from law school J. R. Ward began working in health care in Boston and spent many years as chief of staff for one of the premier academic medical centres in the U.S. She lives in the South with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever.

Customer Reviews

Feeling ambivilant about Phury's story
I'm frustrated in how to start this review for I'm torn in two. At one hand I want to rave about the second generation brothers and because we are heading for exciting times plot wise but the romance is subdued to a minor voice. So where to start this review...at the beginning anyone would say, so that is where I'll start.

The beginning of LOVER ENSHRINED is one that opens up with a whole can of trouble as The Omega takes the war between the Brothers and the Lessers in to a new direction. With an intriguing prologue J R Ward gives an appetizer for what is to come and with flipping to the next page I was confronted with Phury and his reason for his red smoke addiction. I soon found out that behind the exterior of his gentleman-like-behavior there hides a tortured warrior that is desperate for a lifeline. Though "The Wizard" was not really my thing I could feel Phury's pain radiating from the pages still I also feel that his addiction is a bit overdone and makes Phury look weaker. The need that drives Phury to help others is not always appreciated or wanted and it results in a friction between him and Zsadist.

With Cormia J R Ward struck an innocent cord with me and I loved her discoveries of movies, the swimming pool and food. She is above all a gentle woman that loves to help those in need and for that she understands Phury so well. They seem to have a connection together but they do not go further than causing a spark and a sizzle here and there as again the romance feels rushed and doesn't have a lot of pages in this novel. Phury's tormented feelings and Cormia's own insecurities make them outward almost distant of each other, while their inner struggles speak of such a different tale. This made it difficult for me to get connected to their journey of love and in the end I did not witness that all consuming love that makes my heart sigh in appreciation.

The no.1 in this novel that will keep you reading on and on was the plot. As Qhuinn, Blay and John Matthew grow more comfortable in their own skin it is the sense of change that vibrates through the pages, luring you to keep on reading and that is what I did. The second generation brothers get tighter and tighter together as more is revealed about them and they just made my heart pound in anticipation. Qhuinn, Blay and JM are being readied to enter the Black Dagger Brotherhood but there are also many events that make you witness that male bonding which I loved so much with the original BDB Brothers.

When the war with the Lessers is entering a new chapter keeping everyone on their toes we also get to know more about Rhev, we follow Bella and her pregnancy and we get to meet Lassiter. The various storylines intertwine together and give an intriguing read altogether. Still with Phury and his struggles something is laid bare that I did not expect. It is with the actions of the Brothers towards one of their own in his greatest hour of need, that felt out of character and did not sit well with me. The whole Black Dagger Brotherhood magic seems to have passed on to the second generation and was emphasized by lack of interactions among the Brothers.

The Omega turns the scale in to his favor and the ripples of one action doesn't seem to end and with this J R Ward shows her talent that once more she could surprise me at various moments of this BDB episode. Though she gave me new things to discover, new characters to meet, plot intrigues to unravel it was the underdevelopment of Phury and Cormia's love that couldn't lift this story to the great heights of the first few novels. I was hoping to get caught in a soaring romance and perhaps Phury and Cormia are not this kind of couple together but I missed heat, I missed need....wanting, I missed the absolute hunger of a Black Dagger Brother for his Shellan.

It is with LOVER ENSHRINED that the author created a vibrant plot that speaks of intriguing twists and turns which I enjoyed myself with but I'm also sad for I feel I need to say goodbye to something unique within this series and let go of further expectations of a soaring romance included in the BDB stories.

Reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves

Feeling ambivilant towards Phury's story
I'm frustrated in how to start this review for I'm torn in two. At one hand I want to rave about the second generation brothers and because we are heading for exciting times plot wise but the romance is subdued to a minor voice. So where to start this review...at the beginning anyone would say, so that is where I'll start.

The beginning of LOVER ENSHRINED is one that opens up with a whole can of trouble as The Omega takes the war between the Brothers and the Lessers in to a new direction. With an intriguing prologue J R Ward gives an appetizer for what is to come and with flipping to the next page I was confronted with Phury and his reason for his red smoke addiction. I soon found out that behind the exterior of his gentleman-like-behavior there hides a tortured warrior that is desperate for a lifeline. Though "The Wizard" was not really my thing I could feel Phury's pain radiating from the pages still I also feel that his addiction is a bit overdone and makes Phury look weaker. The need that drives Phury to help others is not always appreciated or wanted and it results in a friction between him and Zsadist.

With Cormia J R Ward struck an innocent cord with me and I loved her discoveries of movies, the swimming pool and food. She is above all a gentle woman that loves to help those in need and for that she understands Phury so well. They seem to have a connection together but they do not go further than causing a spark and a sizzle here and there as again the romance feels rushed and doesn't have a lot of pages in this novel. Phury's tormented feelings and Cormia's own insecurities make them outward almost distant of each other, while their inner struggles speak of such a different tale. This made it difficult for me to get connected to their journey of love and in the end I did not witness that all consuming love that makes my heart sigh in appreciation.

The no.1 in this novel that will keep you reading on and on was the plot. As Qhuinn, Blay and John Matthew grow more comfortable in their own skin it is the sense of change that vibrates through the pages, luring you to keep on reading and that is what I did. The second generation brothers get tighter and tighter together as more is revealed about them and they just made my heart pound in anticipation. Qhuinn, Blay and JM are being readied to enter the Black Dagger Brotherhood but there are also many events that make you witness that male bonding which I loved so much with the original BDB Brothers.

When the war with the Lessers is entering a new chapter keeping everyone on their toes we also get to know more about Rhev, we follow Bella and her pregnancy and we get to meet Lassiter. The various storylines intertwine together and give an intriguing read altogether. Still with Phury and his struggles something is laid bare that I did not expect. It is with the actions of the Brothers towards one of their own in his greatest hour of need, that felt out of character and did not sit well with me. The whole Black Dagger Brotherhood magic seems to have passed on to the second generation and was emphasized by lack of interactions among the Brothers.

The Omega turns the scale in to his favor and the ripples of one action doesn't seem to end and with this J R Ward shows her talent that once more she could surprise me at various moments of this BDB episode. Though she gave me new things to discover, new characters to meet, plot intrigues to unravel it was the underdevelopment of Phury and Cormia's love that couldn't lift this story to the great heights of the first few novels. I was hoping to get caught in a soaring romance and perhaps Phury and Cormia are not this kind of couple together but I missed heat, I missed need....wanting, I missed the absolute hunger of a Black Dagger Brother for his Shellan.

It is with LOVER ENSHRINED that the author created a vibrant plot that speaks of intriguing twists and turns which I enjoyed myself with but I'm also sad for I feel I need to say goodbye to something unique within this series and let go of further expectations of a soaring romance included in the BDB stories.

Reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves

I'm Very Disappointed - But I Had To Give It 3 Stars...
I hardly know what to say! I was hooked from Dark Lover to Lover Revealed. I don't know what's happened. She just seems to have 'lost her Mojo' somehow. Maybe she's gathering her strength for next lot.

WHY I'M DISAPPOINTED?

1) Because the storyline was everyone else's EXCEPT Phury's. I agree with some of the other reviewers that it read like a 'middle book' or bridge to the next in the series. His story was - I hate to say this - BORING!

2) Because Cormia just worked my nerves until she started standing up for herself, but that took SOOOO LOOOONG!

3) Because I think the Wizard was someone we should have been introduce to a little earlier on in the series. I didn't like that surprise.

4) Because I ended up having little empathy with Phury's character, except when he was treated badly by his family as a child and maybe he feels he has nothing to hang on to since he no longer had to take care of Zsadist.

5) Because he started taking heroin. In Lover Awakened, he almost succumbs to it and we breathe a sigh of relief when John Matthew inadvertently stops him. He's so grateful, so it's surprising when it pops up so vehemently again - and becomes a feature! Doesn't make sense...

6) Because he's thrown out of the Brotherhood - until he gets help! Everyone else gets help within the Brotherhood. Why couldn't the Brothers have tied him up in the Tomb and made him go Cold Turkey? That would have been a great storyline.

7) Because this Lassiter (Angel) bod, thinks he can just 'join' the BDB. Who is he?

8) Because the Scribe Virgin is becoming somewhat redundant.

Nah! Doesn't work for me...

This book just didn't stand alone like the first four did. It's a continuation of Lover Unbound. One reviewer thought it was 'HOT!' Good lord, woman! What have you been reading!!?? Have you read the first four in the series!? You'd spontaneously combust!!


WHY I GAVE IT 3 STARS?

1) Because of the 3 new 'little brothers': John Matthew, Blay and Qhuinn. I'm looking forward to their adventures - especially regarding the Lash situation.

2) Because Rhev's dark weirdness has made me curious. How does he fit in?

3) Because I'm dying to read Qhuinn's story. Can hardly wait to see what JR will come up with for THAT one...

4) Because JR is STILL the UNDISPUTED QUEEN of erotic suspense. That 'thing' between John Matthew and Xhex? Now THAT was hot!!!

Apologies for the lengthy review but I had to end on a good note...