Caldwell, New York – Present Day

Two of the Black Dagger Brotherhood vampires are suffering. Vishous, better known as V, lusts after his best friend, Butch, who is happily married to Marissa, and Phury lusts after his twin brother’s wife, Bella. Neither knows what to do to alleviate their problem. V goes to his one-room penthouse apartment used for only one purpose -- for the willing women he brings there. It is all set with chains, whips, masks, and other tools. He doesn’t get satisfaction from the rituals he performs, but it seems to take the edge off of his anger and depression. His cruel father had trained him well. He wears a glove on one of his hands which glows and can be lethal.

The Scribe-Virgin, counselor of the king and dispenser of privileges, appears, informing V that a woman, his first wife, has been chosen for him. He will have the honor of being the Primale of the Chosen, and will bear many children from several women. The male children will become members of the Brotherhood, and the females will join with the Chosen. V is dismayed and angry at further revelations about his birth, but cannot refuse the scribe-virgin’s command. The Chosen, Cormia, is equally dismayed to have such a brutal man for a lover.

Now, with only five members of the Brotherhood, it is of utmost importance to have the ranks of the Brotherhood and the Chosen continue to grow in order to fulfill their mission of protecting the vampire citizens. Their enemies, the lessers, continue to expand in number. They are soulless, gradually turn pale, smell like powder, and are deadly in their fight against the vampires.

Dr. Jane Whitcomb is on call the night they bring a wounded V into emergency after his fight with a lesser. When V awakens in a human hospital, with one look at Jane, he sees a vision, and he knows that she belongs to him. Butch and Phury have to rescue him before daylight, and V has them bring Jane to their mansion as well. She is a feisty woman who doesn’t take kindly to being abducted.

Meet old friends and new in LOVER UNBOUND, J. R. Ward’s latest book on the Black Dagger Brotherhood. We find young John, who is ready for his transition; Wrath ruling over the Brotherhood; Z working with the young men in training, and as always, they are all fighting the evil lessers as Jane and V fall in love. V is a fascinating character, handsome, strong and tattooed, his father was unbelievably cruel to him when he was a youngster. He always feels that his childhood warped him and that he is not normal, but he can also be charming and protective. Can the human Jane be his saving grace? She is intelligent, strong, and fearless. They are both compelling characters. The Brotherhood’s life style can be a bit shocking, but they always redeem themselves by falling in love with the right woman. This book is sexier with fewer entanglements with the lessers than in the previous novels.

LOVER UNBOUND is another winner and a Perfect 10 in this fabulous series of friendship, love, sex, and violence. It is a book you won’t want to put down once you begin. J. R. Ward is a wonderful story-teller -- she has created a dark, fascinating, imaginary world and makes it feel very real. I eagerly await her next book about Phury, LOVER ENSHRINED.

Marilyn Heyman