Lover Eternal

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood

Happening: Rhage's story, book 2

Author: J.R Ward

Pages: 441

Lover Eternal Rhage's story. Rhage crossed Scribe Virgin that a long time ago (think of her as a God-like Queen of the vampires.) Rhage did something naughty, she possessed him with a dragon-like animal. When Rhage being overly emotional, he transforms into the beast and goes nuts. So to keep the animal at bay, he goes into the brutal death matches and have a bunch of meaningless sex.

So basically animal a convenient excuse for the hero can act as an asshole.

Mary Luce has just found out that her cancer has returned. So she's a little upset because of it. So she befriends a transient young man who turns out to be a vampire, who is approaching his age of maturity. This is how she comes in contact with The Brothers, and that's where Rhage is deeply infatuated with her. Basically, it's love at first sight on his part, but Mary takes some time to get used to the idea. Rhage is a god in the looks department, and she is certainly not special. Plus the whole matter with cancer.

The action itself clustered around a bit, but essentially Mary falls under the radar of the Lessening Society, as Rhage want to protect her. But how can they be together when Mary is a sick human, and a animal possesses an uncontrollable Rhage?

There are some very good moments in Lover Eternal - most of them coming after Rhage discovers that he is "bonded" with Mary. He goes from macho wounded warrior to love sick puppy, and it's kind of endearing. There are stumbling blocks though, and when he fails her, it makes the characters more interesting and real.

The Cover is HOT! 

I give this book 5 of 6