Making Drug Dealers Look Sexy

"“Funny, transformative events were not always scheduled and not always expected. 
Yeah, sure, your change turned you into a male. And when you went through the mating ceremony, you were part of a whole. No longer just yourself. 
And the deaths and the births around you made you view the world differently.

But every once in a while, from out of the blue, someone reaches the quiet place where you spend your private time and changes the way you see yourself. 
If you’re lucky it’s your mate…the transformation reminds you once again that you are absolutely, positively with the right person: because what they say doesn’t touch you because of who they are to you, 
but because of the content of their message. "
--JR Ward, Lover Avenged

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: NAL Hardcover, 527 pages

Publication Date: April 28th, 2008

Source: Bought
Goodreads
Previous Books in Series: Dark Lover & Lover Eternal & Lover Awakened & Lover Revealed & Lover Unbound & Lover Enshrined & Father Mine

Goodreads Description

Caldwell, New York, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It's also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious night club that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood.

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood-even though his sister is married to a member, for he harbors a deadly secret that could make him a huge liability in their war against the lessers. As plots within and outside of the Brotherhood threaten to reveal the truth about Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world, Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him-and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

My Thoughts

Man, I've missed Caldwell. I very painfully paused my massive binge read of this series to enjoy a few BEA gems--very well worth it but I've missed my boys so here I am once again. I was SO excited to finally get into that mohawk'd head of Rehvenge's...mmm, sexy. And speaking of sexy, can we TALK about this cover?! Holy hell. Hi there! Hey boy, whatcha doin later?! K, I'm done.

In previous books I found Rehv totally intriguing. This huge, scary pseudo-mobster--yes, my Sicilian blood did get a little hot with all the manly testosterone and all-around dominance going on. But of course, you know there is a lot more going on beneath that sable coat and Armani three-piece. I also need not point out my love for the misunderstood broken soul of a man. Rehv was shaping up to me my guy. And he so totally proved he was. While previous books shows us so much of the hard-ass businessman, this book shows us so much of the pain and vulnerability he has. I loved this. I felt his despair and how impossible his situation was. It broke my heart. The selflessness he shows for the ones around him was astounding. He gives up so much to protect others and never once thinks about himself. *tear*

Ehlena was perfect for him. And HOLLA BACK for the love interest being a nurse!! Go girl!! YES, yes I am completely biased but shit, I am proud of my profession and I never get to read about the sexy man falling in love with the hot nurse. Seriously, it's about damn time. No disrespect to other professions out there but hot damn, while my job is not glamorous by any means I do good work for humankind and I would like that represented...by having a hot man fall in love with one in a book. Sorry not sorry. While I like a lot of the females in these books, Beth and Bella being my FAVES, I found a new-found favorite with Ehlena. Not only because she is a nurse but she is female of legitimate worth. She is sassy, snarky, doesn't back down, and follows her heart. She expects so little for herself and it breaks my heart how little value she sees in herself. And it's not in a self-pitying way it was more this is what it is. Seeing her let herself feel and do things that make her happy made ME happy. She deserves all she seeks. Love her.

While Rehv and Ehlena are a forefront storyline, we get SO much of Wrath and Beth--EEP! Wrath and Beth will always be favorites of mine and rank right below Bella and Zsadist. They just make my heart melt with their love. It was so amazing to get an extended peek and update as to what is going on with them. They continue to melt my heart and I adore them. How these men, especially Wrath, treat their women is how it should be for all men in real life. AKA you worship the ground they fucking walk on. Also love when Rehv says something like males are the stronger of the pair but the shellans run the show. Damn right, bro. Know what's up. Emo moment-I soooo hope to find a man that thinks like this. I am all for male dominance and assertiveness but you treat me with respect and reverence and we'll be good. 

The common theme I continue to love and tear up over, besides the love between the men and their women, is the undying loyalty to one another. The Brotherhood is so much more than killing lessers and fighting. They love one another, go to bat for one another, and will kill to protect each other. This kind of show of affection is so admirable that I always cry a little when they go all bromance on each other. 

Of course, I continue to obsess over these and love reading them. I love how the story continues to evolve and it has me hooked every step of the way. OH OH OH and John Matthew's spotlight is to come next with Lover Mine--I AM SO EXCITED FOR MORE JOHN MATTHEW!!! YIPE!!

Should You Read This? Of course. Love love LOVE the Brotherhood.