*****Beware Lover at Last Spoilers*****

At an event today in Cincinnati, Ohio, J.R. Ward revealed that the next book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series will be titled The King, and will focus on Wrath and Beth, who will be trying for a baby.

The King will be out in 2014. More details as we get them, of course.

What do you think? Surprised, excited, disappointed?

If you’re a long-time Black Dagger Brotherhood fan, you know every book lays the groundwork for the next.

While immersed in the heady, angsty romance of Qhuinn and Blaylock in Lover at Last, I wasn’t thinking about whose story might come next. Instead I was wanting them to get out of their own way to make it work. (Read our spoiler-filled discussion post, if you want the details.) However, the second I hit the last page, my mind started churning scenarios.

What would happen in the next book and would the next love story be the one I wanted most?

On my ultimate wishlist would be Xcor and Layla’s story. There is a huge emotional upheaval quotient here. By being with Xcor, Layla would be betraying everyone she knows and loves. Could the traitor turn things around for his Chosen? It’s hard to say. I expect their journey requires losses, compromises, and epic sacrifices. As much as I can’t wait for that story, I doubt J.R. Ward is ready to tell it.

[Whose story could she be ready to tell?...]

Here you have it: A complete play-by-play of all of the events in J.R. Ward's Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11), out today. This review is made up ENTIRELY of SPOILERS and is intended only as a place for fans to gather and discuss the book AFTER reading it, so if you have yet to finish, steer clear of anything after the jump. Go finish the book, then come back. (There's a non-spoiler-y First Look of Lover at Last here to whet your appetite, plus a Qhuay timeline!)

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW THE JUMP.

SPOILERS SO MAJOR THEY WILL RUIN THE BOOK FOR YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

[Ready to discuss allllll the Lover at Last things?!...]

EDITOR'S NOTE: This here is a NON-SPOILERY post! To talk spoilers (as in, any major events or developments in Lover at Last), visit our Lover at Last SPOILERS POST!

J.R. Ward
Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11)
Penguin / March 26, 2013 / $27.95 print, $14.99 digital 

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: it seems Qhuinn has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young. It’s hard for Blay to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. And Qhuinn needs to come to terms with some dark things before he can move forward…

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

It wouldn’t be a J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood novel without name brands and pop culture, and Lover at Last doesn't disappoint. From John Matthew and Qhuinn discussing how the Antichrist is surely coming due to the fact that Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber are on the radio to Mr. C talking about Channing Tatum looking “hot as fuck,” through these references we get glimpses into what makes the BDB books so enjoyable.

[Channing Tatum's hotness IS oft discussed these days...]

Many, many readers have been waiting for today—the day when J.R. Ward's Lover at Last is released, revealing Qhuinn and Blaylock's story.

We've asked before how you sneak in reading in What Would You Do? like taking the long way to work or taken a sick day, but what if those strategies are not possible—but you're still desperate to dive into your book?

How do you read when on the job, or taking care of your kids, or doing errands? How do you read when you can't just sneak away from life for awhile?

P.S. Watch this space—we've got a lot of BDB coverage coming your way! Already up are a Lover at Last sweepstakes and a Qhuay timeline. Today we'll have a non-spoilery Lover at Last First Look AND a discussion post/spoilers thread for those who have finished the book!

Tomorrow – oh, frabjous day! – sees the release of the long-awaited, hotly-anticipated, still (and sadly) somewhat controversial Lover at Last, the eleventh novel in J. R. Ward’s wildly successful vampire-laden Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It is controversial, in case you’re somehow unaware, because this latest tome is Ward’s first major foray into the M/M (Male/Male) genre, the titular lovers at, indeed, last being Qhuinn and Blaylock, both worthy males and aspirants to the Brotherhood who have been dancing around each other in that wayfor a good long while now.

But how exactly did we get here?

We first met Blaylock (Blay to his friends) in Lover Awakened the third novel in the series, and one which deals mostly with the love of Zsadist and Bella. He was aboard a bus with other young Brotherhood candidates, all of them small and weak, having not yet gained the impressive height and musculature their transition to adulthood would later accord them. Blay’s introduction coincided with one of Ward’s more enjoyable plot developments, a new class of pre-trans trainees arriving to take lessons from Tohrment and Rhage and Phury and the rest, giving the series a kind of Ender’s Game-esquq edge that took it away even further from straight up PNR, broadening its scope and presenting us with BDB: The New Class. Still, Blay had only a couple of lines, was merely a device to establish the outsider status of John Matthew (the youngster with whom we were then best acquainted), and he could easily have fallen by the wayside, never to be dwelt upon again. But then…

[There wouldn't be a place for Qhuinn, right?]

Log in or register to enter for a chance to win a special signed copy of Lover at Last by J.R. Ward!*

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

Click here to log in or register to enter for a chance to win a copy of Lover at Last signed by J.R. Ward!*

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins March 25, 2013, at 12 pm ET, and ends April 8, 2013, 11:59 am ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Click here for details and official rules.

Today marks the time on the calendar for all of us to spring back an hour. Sure we lose an hour, but it marks the beginning of spring and a chance to brave the great outdoors once again with our favorites real-life and fantasy heroes. Before we can get to images of frolicking in the fields, we want to know: Out of all of the romance heroes you read or have read, which one would you be willing to give up an hour for? We have a few of our personal favorites and some favorites from the genre, but who would you choose?

Time image courtesy of nicolasnova via Flickr.

In a 2-part discussion (Part 1 is here), Kate Nagy and Rachel Hyland talk their differing levels of interest in J.R. Ward's forthcoming Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, Lover at Last, which will focus on the relationship between Qhuinn and Blaylock (Qhuay).

Look, I get it. I get why my esteemed colleague Kate Nagy has some reservations–to put it mildly–about the imminent J. R. Ward manlove-fest that will be Lover at Last. Every time (and, oh, there have been times, trust me) that she refers to the couple as “Blah” and “Qwhine,” or calls Blaylock an “emo ghey nightwalker,” I can’t help but chuckle, because that’s really very clever and she’s not entirely wrong.

Unlike Kate, however, I like that about them. Where Kate sees annoyingly asinine reasons having kept the youngsters apart lo, these many books so far, I see a deeper truth, extending far beyond Qhuinn and Blay and the BDB, and even beyond the romance genre as a whole: the difficulty of accepting who you are, of being someone you never thought you’d be, because all you want is to be “normal.”

Take this passage, from 2010’s Lover Mine:

Just as Blay was who he was, Qhuinn was the same: Even though he wished he could be out and with the... male...he loved, he couldn’t make himself go there.

But by God, he was going to stop running from his cowardice. He had to own his shit—even if it made him hate himself to the core. Because maybe if he did, he’d stop trying to distract himself with sex and drinking, and figure out what he did want.

Apart from Blay, that was.

[Time to figure it out, Qhuinn...]

In a 2-part discussion (part 2 will be up tomorrow), Kate Nagy and Rachel Hyland talk their differing levels of interest in J.R. Ward's forthcoming Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, Lover at Last, which will focus on the relationship between Qhuinn and Blaylock (Qhuay).

Let me begin by saying that I really like the idea of J.R. Ward’s lovestruck vampires Qhuinn and Blaylock finally, finally getting their joint act together in the forthcoming Lover At Last. I don’t have the least problem with the idea of two hot male vampires getting it on, and I don’t actively dislike either character. (Although Qhuinn was walking a mighty fine line there at one point.) And, as I’ve noted before in Mainstreaming M/Male Romance in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the prominent depiction of what promises to be a committed gay relationship in a popular mainstream romance series is, culturally, huge. Good on J.R. Ward and good on her publisher for agreeing to it.

And yet…and yet. I am not excited about Qhuay. I can wait quite easily for Lover at Last to drop. In fact, I may have been known to refer to the two, upon occasion, as “Blah” and “Qwhine.”

OUCH! I can feel all those shoes you’re flinging in my direction, and I can hear your outraged voices: What in the world is my problem?

[The thought may have crossed our minds...]

Have you stuck a toe in the paranormal romance waters and found yourself wanting to sink to its depths?

It’s understandable. There’s a brilliant escapism with paranormal romance. The swooning is there, as you expect, but most everything is on a grander scale. The alpha males are turned up to eleven, thanks to their non-human status. The black moments involve fighting against one’s nature and/or being forced to accept it. More often than not there’s blood.

And a whole lot of primal passion. Who doesn’t want that?

If you’re one the road to becoming a paranormal romance aficionado, let H&H show you where to start. Here are some of the quintessential PNR series; these are the books you’ll find fans reference all the time. The ones we compare new authors to and the ones we re-read.

And, yes, it’s more than just vampires.

[So—they don't all bite?...]

When did J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series become a family saga?

Hear me out: When it began, way back when Dark Lover introduced us to Wrath (no inappropriately-placed “h”), it was a paranormal romance—a vampire, the leader of the vampires, in fact, was charged with protecting the half-breed daughter of his friend, who is killed in battle. Mating scents occur, as does hot sex, and Wrath and Beth end up as a couple at the end of the book.

*******SPOILERS*******

Happily Ever After, right?

Not so fast; several books in, and Wrath is keeping secrets from Beth, secrets that affect his ability to lead his people properly. Other couples from the vampire family have since bonded and mated, and all of them live and eat together in a gigantic hidden mansion with devoted servants.

If one of them misses First Meal, it’s remarked upon. Rather like a wealthy family whose patriarch insists his entire family sup upon his table.

[Sometimes you do choose your family...]

Happy Inauguration Day for our U.S. readers! (and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, too). Washington, D.C., is completely abuzz this a.m. with President Obama Inauguration 2.0. Speaking of swearing-in... What about in our romances? Actual swearing. In our romances.

Swearing can be excellent comic relief or stress—all that pent-up sexual tension! Swearing can also add a level of severity to a romance. Case in point:  The Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) is a minefield of F-bombs, sometimes for comic relief, but mostly for expressing anger and displaying testosterone.  

Sometimes, swearing in romances can add an extra urgency to the speaker’s message, and the payoff is even greater when the conversation is sexually charged. The characters are so overwhelmed with emotion and at such a loss for words, only profanity can help deliver their message. Our historicals can get bloody passionate and our paranormals can get fucking insane. Fans of Zsadist in the BDB series might remember this heart-aching scene:

“Make Love? Make Love?” He spread his arms out. “Bella... all I’ve got to offer you is fucking. You won’t like it, and frankly, I won’t like doing it to you.  You’re so much better than that.” —Zsadist, Lover Awakened

Damn. Did that make your heart skip a beat? (Or did the F-bomb ruin it?)

[Only you can say...]

Click here to log in or register to enter for a chance to win a special SIGNED copy of Book 2 in J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Eternal!*

Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #2)

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 a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times 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 on Rhage’s protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. Her faith in miracles was lost 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…

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins January 15, 2013, at 12 pm ET, and ends January 29, 2013, 11:59 am ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Click here for details and official rules.

Click here to log in or register to enter for a chance to win a copy of Lover Eternal signed by J. R. Ward!

Restaurants have suggested wine pairings with their food—e.g. this beef dish goes best with a hearty red.

I’m thinking bookstores, or maybe even publishers, should pick up the habit. There’s the obvious: a dark merlot would match a vampire book.  Chicklit set in New York or London goes with something trendy and served in a pretty, silly glass. But what about picks based on specific authors?

I’d say Debbie Macomber calls for hot chocolate with a lot of sugar and loads of marshmallows. At the other end of the spectrum, I recently read Cherie Priest’s Bloodshot and even though it’s a vampire book, I think that would call for something dry and quirky. I’d pick sake for her if that drink wasn’t so based in Japanese culture.  

For Ilona Andrews’s books, whether they’re from the Edge or Kate Daniels series, you’ll need something home-brewed and quirky, like wine made from berries collected in dark woods. For the Kate books, maybe Russian tea served from a samovar. Sip the tea from a glass, with a filigree holder. Don’t forget to hold a sugar cube between your teeth, the way the Russians used to.

[What's next on the menu?...]

This year was an interesting one for romance novel readers. With the astronomical success of E.L. James's Fifty Shades trilogy, we suddenly found ourselves accused of reading “mommy porn” and advocating the “abuse of woman.” Romance had taken a drastic turn; BDSM and erotic romance became the “it” genres to read and the market was instantly flooded with clueless ingenue heroines and broody billionaires with dubious sexual histories. Covers became monochrome with a single object as the focal point rather than the customary hero and heroine portrayed in dishabille. I’m not dismissing the “revolution” but I’m ready for a change.

I’ve read phenomenal books, good books, average books, and some books I’d rather just forget about this year. I left no genre untouched, but found myself rather rather dismayed with romances overall. Again, Fifty Shades set the bar, a rather low bar, and we found ourselves at the mercy of angst-driven, emotionally draining trilogies. I’m not a fan of romantic trilogies. I see no reason to drag out a romance over three books unless there is a viable plot line that is completely separate from the romance.

So what am I looking for in 2013?

[Tell us!...]

After a year and a half of recapping Once Upon a Time for Heroes and Heartbreakers, I find that the real attraction for me isn't the love story of Snow White and Prince Charming. Instead, the reason I watch is the draw of the Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin character brought to life by actor Robert Carlyle.

He's referenced as the dark one, and yet there is a spark there! Deep in that black heart of his he knows what love feels like. It's obvious when he talks to Belle, Emma, and Henry. Combine that with his maniacal behavior, chittering laugh and outlandish costumes and you have hit GOLD!

 So now lets look at some other baddies from television, film, and books we unabashedly love.

Sir Guy Gisbourne (BBC's Robin Hood, played by Richard Armitage)
He's insecure, not too smart, and motivated to get ahead by doing practically anything Prince John tells him to do. He does some really despicable things, but the torture is read in his eyes, deep pools of regret and dishonor. What is he really looking for? Acceptance and love? Tell me, what women doesn't want to fix that? Let's not forget all his leather outfits too; who knew Sir Guy was a goth?

[You're not always cute, and never cuddly, but we love you, bad boys!...]

Worldbuilding can make or break a book for me. If the setting is strong enough, I’m able to sink into the novel. I’m an escapist reader, so I want to be transported elsewhere. It’s the reason I read primarily paranormal and fantasy novels.

What’s even better is when the world crafted in the book takes on a life of its own—when the city where the characters live and work becomes a character in its own right, I’m straight-up in love.

The best settings are the ones that influence the life of the protagonist. They aren’t just the surroundings, but what shapes the book, the plot, the people. Here are a few of my favorites.

Downside
In Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series, Churchwitch Chess Putnam lives in the seedy Downside part of Triumph City. It’s the place with endless fires and air tinged by the slaughterhouse. This neighborhood is a maelstrom of filth, depravity and drugs. It mirrors, in many ways, how Chess sees herself. Drugs, sex and violence are all part of Downside, but there’s also this hope of getting by. Less people using facades to get through the day, because you are what you are in Downside.

Would we want to live in Downside? No, but how could a place like that not shape the people who live there?

[That's probably why they call it Downside...]

J.R. Ward offers another teaser from Lover At Last, and comments, “I think this is my fav quote from the book, and I have to share”:

Straightening up so the full force of that cold blast hit him square in the face, Qhuinn glared into the rush, picturing those pines ahead that he couldn’t see because his eyes were watering from the wind. Opening his mouth, he screamed bloody murder, adding his voice to the maelstrom.

You can read the rest at Ward's Facebook page.