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Book Review of Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Bk 8)

Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Bk 8)
habrewer avatar reviewed on + 43 more book reviews


Lover Mine is the story of John Matthew/Darius that fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood have been waiting for since he was introduced in Lover Eternal.

John Matthew had a rough life and had to grow up fast, not only was he mute, he was a pretrans vampire and didn't know it. Wrath, along with the brotherhood, took him under their wing and started his training beside other pretrans males. Throughout the books we have seen his friendship with Blay and Qhuinn flourish, while his problems with Lash have just taken a turn for the worst.

Lover Mine takes place about a month after Lash, son of the Omega, abducted Xhex. While John Matthew and the brotherhood search for her, Lash is holding her hostage in his brownstone with a magic spell. Xhex can't get out, she is invisible to everyone but Lash and she is determined not to give up without a fight. She is growing weaker and knows that she has to find a way out soon or she will die.

John Matthew is frantic to find Xhex because she is his mate, even though he's not ready to admit it to anyone. He visits a tattoo artist and has her name carved in his back, in tribute to her. He is not eating or sleeping because of his need to find her, he's running on empty. He can't believe it when Rhev and the boys show up at his door with a message from her on his cell, she's alive.

The trip down memory lane was very touching, I loved seeing John Matthew's softer side with Xhex. They both have tortured pasts and are good for each other. There are several moments between them where I had to stop and catch my breath. JM has grown so much over this series that he definitely deserves a female that is as strong as he is. Their love scenes are very steamy but I expected nothing less after John gave her a note for her to say his name the next time in a previous book.

JM isn't the only one with relationship issues, Blay and Qhuinn are also struggling with their feelings for each other. Blay is in love with Qhuinn but Qhuinn's long-term plans involve a female of worth, not Blay. The sexual tension between them is so strong, but unanswered until Qhuinn's cousin Saxton asks Blay out on a date. Qhuinn is very protective of him but underneath it all, he's jealous of Blay and Saxton.

There are so many things I loved about this book from the tender moments between JM and Xhex, Lash getting what he deserved, and learning more about Payne and the chosen. The next book was set up at the end with the mention of Manny and many of the pending storylines were wrapped up. We also got to visit with the brothers and their shellans. The war continues with the lessening society and more fighters are needed to help the brotherhood defeat the Omega.

I was a little confused by the story about the paranormal reality show until the end. It was slighty distracting because the breaks would come when I would be really involved in the book. The glimpse of Darius and Tohr's history through entries in Darius' journal were also distracting, although the need becomes apparent at the end.

Personally, I have been waiting on this book since we met JM and I was not disappointed. There are so many things going on that it's hard to cover everything in one review. Overall I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to everyone. If you have not read the previous books in this series, you might be a little lost because they are best read in order. I give Lover Mine 4 1/2 flaming hearts.