Product Description

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1677 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 480 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Newbies to Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood may struggle to fill in the backstory, but these erotic paranormals are well worth it, and frighteningly addictive. The six "brothers" are vampires: enormous, tattooed, tormented warriors who protect other vampires from destruction by the "lessers," desouled humans in the evil Omega's Lessening Society. Hero and ex-cop Butch is the only human allowed into the Brotherhood's inner circle, but Butch is no mere human, a fact suspected by one of his vamp colleagues, and confirmed by the sinister plans of the Omega. The book is fully committed to its urban sensibility, the vampires' rarified language (a glossary is provided) and their revved-up sex drives, and it all works to great, page-turning effect (with the notable exception of a chick lit–like attention to designer brands). Though Butch's love interest, the virginal, aristocratic vampire Marissa, initially elicits more annoyance than empathy, she grows a spine as the book progresses and Butch's destiny comes to light. In just two years, the first three books in the series have earned Ward an Anne Rice–style following, deservedly so; this entry should prove no less popular. (Mar.)
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Review
Dark fantasy lovers, you just got served. -- Lynn Viehl

It's tough to keep raising the bar in a series, but the phenomenal Ward manages to do just that! From book one, human ex-cop, Butch O'Neal has seemed like the odd man out in her vampire brotherhood, but in this amazing novel he definitely comes into his own. The world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to grow and become more layered, ramping up the tension, risk and passion. This is awesome stuff. -- Romantic Times, Top Pick 4 stars

J.R. Ward's unique band of brothers is to die for. I love this series. -- Suzanne Brockmann

The Brotherhood is the hottest collection of studs in romance. -- Angela Knight

Review
J.R. Ward's unique band of brothers is to die for. I love this series. (Suzanne Brockmann)

The Brotherhood is the hottest collection of studs in romance. (Angela Knight)

Dark fantasy lovers, you just got served. (Lynn Viehl)

Customer Reviews

series is great - book 4 a bump in the road
I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. Yes, there may be some repetitions since the book is about one small group of warriors. But it doesn't bother me much. When I read this book I found myself turning the pages to read about V. I can't wait to read his story. Butch is cool, but Marissa was getting on my nerves. She has everything going for her and yet, it takes her the whole book to finally grow a spine.In this book I found that I actually needed to read about the villains, as there were some major tidbits on the brothers.
All in I'd say the book is a good read to stay in the flow of things (especially with John)but it is not my favorite.

Best so far......
I have read each of the Black Dagger books through Lover Revealed and I have got to say that this series is the best I have ever read! I read this particular book in one day. I absolutely couldn't put it down. I am growing so attached to these Brothers....I don't want to finish the last one!

ALL BDB BOOK ARE AMAZING
L O V E I T!!!!!!!!!!! i have always loved Butch. great book really.