Lover Mine: BDB book 8

Product Description
John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was-or his true identity.

Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable.

Review 
I can’t get over how much I enjoyed this book! I read the BDB books in quick succession, and although Lover Mine is not the last book in the series, it really does bring the stories shared so far together in a very fitting way. 

Since John Matthew was first introduced as what the reader can only guess is the Darius reincarnate, he has been a character that draws one’s attention.  He journey has not been an easy one, since he was raised human and had no idea what he was.  Dealing with feelings of abandonment and no longer willing to be a victim, JM forces himself to face his challenges head on and move forward.  The only thing that holds him back is his burning love and desire for Xhex.

This story continues a couple of weeks after the conclusion of Lover Avenged, in which Xhex was captured by Lash, son of the Omega. Since the story line was similar to one we have already seen in the series (Bella was also held captive by a lesser) Ward includes a terrifying spin; she made it clear from the beginning of Lash’s turning that he was not impotent like the other lessers. During her captivity, Xhex was repeatedly raped and beaten by Lash.  And even though she fought back against him, Lash’s POVs were full of accounts in which he states that he enjoyed fighting Xhex, all of which are shudder inducing.  Poor Xhex!

I just loved the Darius/Tohr back story.  It may have been a bit too much to make the plot as “full circle” as it was, Darius and Tohr save the woman who gives birth to a daughter, whom Darius names Xhexania, but it was such a sweet element to the overall effect of the story.

What surprised me the most was how much Rehv was missing in this story.  I’ve come to accept, albeit grudgingly, that the brothers we have all come to know and love show up less and less as the series progresses, but I mean up until now Rehv has been penned as Xhex’s closest friend, and yet there was hardly any mention of him. I found this majorly disappointing.  Also, on John’s side, given the major reaction he had upon first meeting Beth, I had hoped that they would have developed a more meaningful relationship, one in which they learned more about themselves by learning about each other.  It would have made for a more emotional draw in the story since they both didn’t really have parents growing up.

I was also disappointed that the Blay/Qhuinn side story didn’t get more play time.  We spent the first half of the book in Blay’s head and the latter in Qhuinn’s, and it is painful to see them fighting their feelings for one another!  I want them to be together!!!

Murhder’s side story was interesting but WAY too drawn out.  (Is it just me or would the spelling of that name made more sense if it was Mhurder?) I felt like there were more important things to deal with than the filming of a ‘ghost’ show than to be stuck in the POV of the show’s producer. Which only makes me ask more questions… Who the heck has Murhder been feeding on to survive?  And where will he fit in the future of the series?  Obviously, he is going to make a come back, but why?

Over all, this series has been so much fun to read! The ups and downs have carried me through all month long.  I’m a new fan to the series, and obviously haven’t followed since the beginning, so I don’t know what I would have done with myself if I had to wait in between book releases.  The next book is planned to be about Payne and Manny, and although I’m interested in their story, I’m not dying to know what is going to happen like I have been at the conclusion of these last few books.  I will say that because the storylines are so interwoven, I don’t see any of the books as being good stand alones.  You must read the complete series, in order, to get the most out of the books!