Paranormal/Futuristic
Lover Enshrined
By Natasha Smith
Apr 23, 2008 - 5:07:33 AM

Phury is at a crossroads in his life. Just when he should be fulfilling the Scribe Virgin’s prophecy as the Primale, he finds himself alone. It is almost as if he doesn’t know how to function day to day. His inner rage at his life often times takes him to places that are better left alone but with Phury, that is how he copes. His Chosen first mate, Cormia, is still in the BDB compound, but she and Phury have yet to bond. While situations throw them together daily, Phury’s inner turmoil and focus gets in the way. It isn’t until his mating instinct kicks into high gear that Phury even admits what he feels for Cormia. In acknowledging his feelings, his actions set a precedent for times to come. 

Cormia is supposed to be the perfect Chosen – the one woman who would be first mate to the Primale Phury of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. If that is the case, why is she so discontent? Why does she want to go outside and run free? Why does she want Phury for her own? Unable to answer these questions herself, she does what she learned to do best while being a Chosen. She waits. She waits for the opportunity to show Phury that he is a male of worth and that she loves him. 

Two hours ago I finished reading LOVER ENSHRINED. Since closing this book, I have been pondering this story, wondering what I could possibly say that would make readers understand what a truly outstanding novel LOVER ENSHRINED is. Scenarios run through my mind and as each one becomes clear to me, I am not sure that I possess the talent to do LOVER ENSHRINED justice. But I will try. 

Phury. Talk about a male of worth. Did his characterization seem realistic? I work with men of his type daily. Men who struggle to decide if they are worthy of even the most simplistic things in life.  And then I see those same men come to terms with their failings, pull up their pant strings and go about living their lives as men who have learned from mistakes but who haven’t given up on the life they have been given. In all of his multicolor-haired glory, that is how I picture Phury in my mind. He is steadfast, he is loyal, and above all, he is worthy of love.  He just needed a push in the right direction. Then you have Cormia. What a wondrous creature she is! Beautiful, shy, the almost perfect Chosen. Her one flaw? She wants to be free.  Free to run, free to explore, and free to be in love with the one man who needs her love the most. 

It goes without saying that the entire plot and premise of LOVER ENSHRINED is nothing like I envisioned. It is better in fact, because of all the scenarios and scenes that ran through my mind prior to reading this novel, none of them were like I thought they would be. Did I think that Phury would find happiness? I had no doubts. Did I know he would find happiness in the way he found it? No. I had no clue as to how that would turn out. Then there were the surprises that Ms. Ward effortlessly wrote into the pages of LOVER ENSHRINED. Did some of them actually surprise me? Definitely. More than once I was wide eyed and astonished at some of the facts and side stories. Because of this, J. R. Ward’s unlimited talent as a writer continues to astonish and mesmerize me with each Black Dagger Brotherhood installment. Her ability to weave lore, magic, and the surreal into her novels and make them absolutely amazing just puts me in complete awe. Then there are the emotions she brings forth.  Several times I found myself reaching for tissues while reading LOVER ENSHRINED and if anyone else can read this book without tearing up at least once, then I hold you in high esteem. LOVER ENSHRINED is truly one of the most brilliant novels I have ever read and I know others will feel the same. Doors on future stories were opened and some doors on past questions were closed. As for the brothers? Their lives continue and it is with bated breath and some sadness that my wait for the next installment, Lover Avenged, has begun.

LOVER ENSHRINED releases on June 3, 2008. I fully recommend reading the prior five installments before reading Phury’s story.  LOVER ENSHRINED is fully understandable without reading the other books in this series, but no one should miss the world and loves of the incredible men known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood.