After Reading: DARK LOVER by J.R. Ward (and giveaway winners!)

By: Meradeth Houston on 7:49 AM

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much to all who entered the giveaway last week! The winners should be on the widget above and I've sent them all emails. It was great to hear from you all and hopefully I'll be able to do something like this again :)

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

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams. (Goodreads)

Okay, so I've been hunting for more books in this genre (paranormal romance) because lately some of my books have been drifting in this direction, but holy-gratuitous-sex Batman, I'm not sure about what to think. I mean, there were some interesting characters in this one, and some decent world building, but from the opening scene that involved a near-rape (which I will always find disturbing though turned into a pivotal part of the plot later), to the two main characters basically not even speaking before jumping each other, I did have my issues. Look, I understand chemistry's power, but to completely throw reason out the window? Like total and complete defenestration of any willpower? Come on! Also, this novel read a little too much like magically solving all of Beth's issues and fulfilling all her wishes. Never had a family? Poof, you did have a supernatural dad who watched over you forever and now are queen to a group of men who act like your family. Never had money? Poof, your dad was wealthy beyond all measure. Sigh, that's just dull to me. Make the MC work for it! (Not that I would, personally, ever turn down someone suddenly handing me millions of dollars...hell, even a dollar....) Anyhow, it was a decent read, but not enough to pull me into the next one, but good enough for hot summer nights :)