Lover Eternal is the second book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The book centers around a main couple and also the brotherhood. This particular book focus’ on the brother Rhage. He is one of the younger members of the brotherhood. He is known for his Hollywood classic blond hair, blue eyes, and killer body. Killer is a great word for it because if made extremely angry due to a cure he transforms into a dragon. Now I know that the dragon’s appearance isn’t as a I imagine it. But I imagine that he looks like HAKU from Spirited Away minus the extra long tendrils.

You are probably wondering why this vampire is cursed? Well Rhage wasn’t in control of himself and ended up killing an owl which is sacred to his deity, the Scribe Virgin. She decided this would be a good curse to keep in control of himself. When he transforms into the BEAST, as it is referenced, he doesn’t have memory of what happened. So when he transforms back he is physically weak and ill for several days. A way for him to keep the beast from getting restless and transforming is in the form of sex. So Rhage, begins to start having multiple one night stands. This is something that he hates. He doesn’t sleep with married, mated, or the same woman twice. This earns him a playboy type stigma in the race. A nice little incentive though is that he has a time limit for how to be cursed and he is getting close to the end. Except there’s a woman coming into his life and things are about to change.

The start of this book has him coming down from a transformation during battle. He is at the compound – Darius former residence that has been turned into the royal residence and housing for the brotherhood and their shellans (wives).  The compound has a lower level that is a training floor and built in hospital. This floor is where he meets Mary.

Mary is a human who happens to know sign language and has helped her vampire neighbor Bella,of whom she doesn’t know is a vampire yet, discover a pre-transitioned male of the race and take him to the brotherhood. Mary has suffered a lot in her life. She has scars from her battle with Leukemia. At the start of the book we learn that it has come back in full force. By her doctors orders she will not make it this time.

Mary is tenacious and caring which flows well Rhage’s own charismatic and good humor. They start off rocky but then they fall into sync as they let each other in. I think that this is by far my favorite book because was romantic in all the right places, angsty, and made your heart just ache for them. I love their chemistry. Ward did beyond an excellent job with this pairing. I know for sure that they will be my OTP for life. There is great world building, the glossary is super helpful, and the plot flowed on point every step of the way. I most certainly recommend this book to you! I do want to let you know that you will have to read Dark Lover the first book though to understand everything. Because this series bleeds into each other and Ward doesn’t go back and explain everything. I do give this book a 5 out 5 stars and I look forward to reading book three!