Lover Unleashed Audiobook

By: J.R. Ward

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Published by: Penguin Audio-03/2011

Hot

 Black Dagger Brotherhood Series – Book 9
18hrs and 37 mins

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

Sample

My Thoughts

This is the ninth book in the exciting and thrilling Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and if you are unfamiliar with it, I recommend starting with the first book, Dark Lover. This is a continuation of these character’s lives, I don’t think it can be enjoyed as much without the back story and what a back story it’s!!

Again, just like in all the books in BDB series, be warned of the sexual content these are not for the faint-hearted or prude, but for the open-minded reader/listener, definitely an adult listen. This is a greedy, emotional, sexy and entertaining as hell paranormal romance on the border of urban fantasy, in fact, some might categorize it just that, particularly after this installment where it seems that  for a big part of the book  the main protagonists, Paine  and Dr. Manello,  took a back seat to the rest of the characters.
The introductions of  new kick ass- hot vampires are hinting to where this fabulous series might be heading My man Vishous completely steals the spotlight; if you are a big fan you will be real happy with this story. It’s very apparent that J.R. Ward decided to give us some closure, or should I say? A better story than the one we got on Lover Unbound (Vishous’s book) although, I didn’t have any complaints about that book (after listening to the audiobook) it seems that more than a few readers did, no complaints from the audio community, nothing but high ratings for Lover Unbound.

This book is a bonus for all Vishou’s fans; on the other hand, if you enjoy these books because you love the way Ms.Ward develops the romantic relationships and the way the main couple takes center stage in each book, then you will be a little disappointed with this entry, I had to admit, the chemistry between Dr. Manello and Paine wasn’t the best in the series.
Now, do you want to know how I really felt about this book? I loved every minute of it!
Is it the best in the series? Not really.

Is it one of the best listens of this year? Hell yeah!

I read the book and then I listened to it, and I can honestly tell you this was only a 4 hearts read, but after the magnificent narration by Frangione I put this book solidly in the 5 hearts category.

I did enjoy the romance, but it wasn’t the main focus of my indulgence in this book. I just love J.R. Wards uncanny ability to drag you into this vivid world and throw you right in the middle of it all, allowing you to deeply experience this emotional world and its larger than life cast of characters amid all the drama and turmoil that I have come to be so addicted to.
I highly recommend this audiobook, and even if you’ve already read it, you will love the way Jim Frangione adds a different dimension to this book, as well as the rest in this series,
I truly and thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook from the first chapter to the last.

4.34 stars  based on 579 ratings on audible.com
4.19 · rating details · 7,779 ratings ·  1,554 reviews 

Narration

I always look forward to that time of the year when I’ll be taken back to this phenomenal world by the excellent narration and interpretation by Jim Frangione. He does a masterful job with the characters. He truly captures their personality to the max. His voice might not be unique, sexy or strong, but it’s just plain cool.  He delivers with precision J.R. Ward’s style of writing, not to mention the perfect and authentic delivery of the urban dialogue that I love so much in her books.

I have always given Frangione a pass for his female voices, which frankly, are far from the best, but I do it because of the incredible job he does at bringing this world with all its angst, thrills and over the top drama to life.
To me, he’s as much a part of this world as any of the characters; I can’t imagine anyone else reading this series.

What else can I say about Jim Frangione’s delivery that  I didn’t say  before in my previous reviews, except that he is; what Davina Porter is to the Outlander and Anna Fields to Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s Novels, in  other words, the perfect complement to a match of an author and narrator that brings you not just a book, but an experience. His excellent portrayal and rendition of these novels are a long way from the following statement I read on a website:

With every book getting an average of 4.25 stars and an average amount of listeners at 550 on audible.com, I have to say, that statement sir/ma’am! is highly debatable. True that?

The Author

J.R. Ward

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