Book cover of Dark Lover

Book description

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than…

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Why read it?

7 authors picked Dark Lover as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I lost sleep reading this book. Lying in bed, I told myself, “Just one more chapter.” The next thing I knew, it was morning, and I could hear the garbage truck in the distance. Did I put the book down and get my day started, or make sure the trashcans were put out the previous night? Of course not! I was engrossed. I needed more, and I needed to know everything! I needed to know what would happen to the main character and how the Black Dagger Brotherhood worked.

At the time, this book was like nothing else I’d read…

Jr Ward is an amazing author. She was one of the reasons why I decided to start my vampire series. You got to read this series it will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Why? Vampires of course! I was looking for a series that wasn't the same traditional story and I found it in this series.

I felt passion when reading this book. You could tell the author put a lot of hard work into this series and it helped me by showing me it’s okay to switch up the rules on a story told a hundred times…

Be forewarned, I think of this particular series as vampire popcorn. A group of warriors—some “real” brothers and others chosen brothers—caught in a lifelong war with a group that wants to obliterate their kind. The thing is, J. R. Ward started out as a romance writer, and these, as war-ry as they are, are really about each brother finding his mate and bonding with her. I read them all in a row, and the immersion was delectable. Loyalty—genuine loyalty, on all levels: body, heart, mind, spirit—wins my heart any- and every time. Besides that, her writing is a true…

From Susan's list on The best chosen family romances.

If you love Dark Lover...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

JR Ward has this way with her storytelling. She combines clever dialogue with hilariously funny one-liners. Each character has their own tragic background, and you spend a good portion of the book wanting to hug them. Once you read Dark Lover, I guarantee you'll want to finish the entire series.

I make no apologies for being a serial series reader and this one makes every one of my top ten must-read lists. You want action? Read this. Intrigue? Done. Vamps with questionable morals and snarky attitudes? All here. Romance? Definitely. Escapism? J.R. Ward is a queen of storytelling with a flair for walking on the darker side without crossing over. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is my top recommendation for anyone seeking to dip their toes in the paranormal romance genre.

What is paranormal romance without hot vampires? Only these aren’t the usual sort. This team of “brothers” is honor-bound to protect their people and their king from an evil presence wreaking havoc in upstate NY. I love this series because the world building is incredible, the romance is very steamy, and the relationships between the so-called brothers is sometimes laugh-inducing, sometimes heartbreaking. I particularly love character backstories on the darker side, and this series certainly fits the bill.

If you love J. R. Ward...

Book cover of Katie’s Gamble

Katie’s Gamble by Kara O'Neal,

Katie's Gamble is an unexpected, unique story about a young woman who's trying to support her younger siblings by keeping her family's confectionery shop open.

In order to do that, she has to take on her older brother, who's a notorious gambler in Louisiana. Additionally, she has to outsmart Rowdy…

Honestly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this one. I don’t think any other vampire romance in the world grips its readers the way the Black Dagger Brotherhood series does. Yes, it’s a romance, but you won’t find any sugary sweetness or melodrama here. These characters are deep, flawed, and intoxicating in a way that always has me ripping through the pages, reading as fast as I can. The relationships are mature and complicated. There’s death and loss, children and family, toxic backstories, trauma…not all of them get a happy ending. Keep the tissues close. You have been…

From J.D.'s list on The best vampire books for adults.

If you love Dark Lover...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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