Lots of people have posted their thoughts about the Lover Enshrined, the latest book in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Here’s my take on it. 

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood’s bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood’s mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love . . .

I have a confession. When it comes to Ward’s books, I’m a subplot skipper. I skip over most of the lesser stuff and—if I’m being completely honest—the John Matthew (JM) stuff. I typically read enough to get a sense of what’s happening, but I focus on the main story. With Lover Enshrined, there’s a good main story there, but I really wanted to see more of Phury and Cormia together. What’s there is nice, but I wanted more.

Spoilers begin here; continue at your own risk.

Much has been discussed about Phury’s addiction. At times the depiction seems realistic, but other times . . . not. A book can only cover so much, but the transition happens quickly. And I was surprised the brothers weren’t more sympathetic. It sets up a beautiful scene at the end, though, the most memorable scene in the book. 

This time around, I read more of the JM stuff than ever, and I’m intrigued. I’m going to have to go back to the previous books and read more to get the history there. He and Xhex have terrific chemistry; I’ll be interested to see how that evolves.

A much-anticipated character returns in this book. It was good to see Tohr back. He’s accompanied by a character I don’t remember . . . maybe he appeared in a subplot I skimmed? Otherwise, I have no idea who he is.

In any case, this isn’t the most memorable love story in the series, but I enjoyed the read. Lover Enshrined: 4 out of 5.

I’ve had Kathleen Nance’s Day of Fire for a few years now, so I decided it was a good choice for TBR Day. It was a nice read.

Canada: For over a century it’s been closed off, quarantined. Now, in 2176, its people thrive. The country still needs peacekeepers, though—and the Mounties are there. Be It All. Do It All. Those are the high-tech police force’s twin mottos. They’re Day Daniels’s mottos, too.

But things are heating up. Someone or something called the Shadow Voice is broadcasting treason, and Day’s determined to stamp it out. Seeking the source of the threat, Day enters the techbar, Flash Point. There she meets Lian Firebird, an enigmatic government operative. He offers—no, insists—upon joining her trek to the legendary Citadel. Well, Day decides, Mounties work alone, but she can still do and be it all—even with this hunk at her heels.

Day of Fire is part of the 2176 series. I’ve read one of the other books in the series a year or so ago; I didn’t feel lost while I read, so the story stands fine on its own. The world Nance creates is an interesting one.

I enjoyed the glimpse into Day’s life as a Mountie. Less enjoying was Day’s black-and-white thinking. Given her background and job, Day’s devotion to law and order is understandable. Her insistence that things be done her way was less understandable. I ultimately liked her, but had some frustrating moments along the way. For this reason, I wasn’t as invested in the romance as I wanted to be.

I was more intrigued by Lian and his background, especially since it is revealed slowly throughout the book. Day of Fire is every bit as much about Lian’s journey as it is Day’s, and I thought the ending was especially strong. It was nice the way the threads of the story came together.

Day of Fire: 3.5 out of 5.

I posted a column today at Romancing the Blog. Hope you’ll check it out!