Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Mine
Author: J.R. Ward
Info: Website | Facebook
Release Date: November 30th, 2012
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Pages: 656
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, & Lover Avenged
Age Group: Adult

 John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.

Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates

John, oh my John. It's strange, but I'm actually not as in love with him as others are. My heart belongs to only one brother and that's Rhage, but most seem crazy about John. I think it has a lot to do with the whole mute thing. They see a vulnerability and they just fall for it, or something like that. But, anyways, I don't hate him either. He's cute, I'll give him that.

Well, anyways, this story was great and different. I loved the way things start to shift and get a closer look at Xhex, the first female fighter the Brothers have had to deal with. She is strong, independent, and headstrong, and I think that works to both her advantage and disadvantage. Her advantage, because she is able to go out in the daylight and she's sneaky so its difficult for her to be found. But, disadvantage because its obviously going to take a lot of work for John and Xhex to find balance. John still has this overprotective side to him when it comes to her. 

Though, the way they work together is amazing. 

And, at one point, I actually felt sorry for Lash. Not only do the number of people that are after him could make up a village, now he has an added problem that just, honestly, confuses me. I really don't know what to make of him or anything. I won't hesitate to say though that he had it coming. 

Honestly, I'm amazed I made it this far and I'm still loving the books. Ward is very consist, and for a series this big with so many story lines I could just imagine how the planning goes. I would probably lose my head in all honesty. And she keeps up with the next-story setting, or at least that's what I call it. Her books just have a way to set the stage for the next book to come, and I wish I had seen a little bit more of Payne, but instead she just jumped in and started on Blay and Qhuinn, in my opinion. I mean, their important obviously, but there's still two more books before them so give us time, Ward, please. 

And on that note, there's also the problem that John and Xhex didn't get much of a spotlight, or at least the way that past books have put attention to the main couple. I mean, I still remember when back in Dark Lover the story was centrally about Wrath and Beth. But, I guess the story has increased and a lot is really taking place. 

Overall, this story was amazing. John was a complete joy to read and Xhex was just as stressful as she promised to be from a glimpse of the passed books. 

This book series keeps getting hotter and hotter. And when the ending comes, whenever that will be, I'm sure that Ward will leave us with an epic ending! Until then, enjoy the changes and the way things are progressing.