BLOOD VOW: A Tale of Bad to the Bone. Or is it?

​I have a confession to make. I’m not a diehard J.R. Ward fan. Okay, here me out before you start Googling my address and plotting out my death. I didn’t say I wasn’t a fan. And in all fairness, I didn’t discover her until the BDB books were well under way and I HATE reading a series out of order. By the time I did discover J.R. Ward’s books many of the books were not in my local bookstore and this was way before I had a Kindle and the every-addicting “1-click” option. 
 
Several of her BDB books are on my shelf, but not all. There’s so many that I’m not sure which ones I have read and haven’t at this point, because I know the Brothers so well.  Which is why when I found out she had a new series, I put BLOOD VOW on my Christmas list.
 
Oh, and I just found out there is a book before this one. So clearly, I need to act fast and get caught up.
 
With that said, I loved BLOOD VOW.
 
When it comes to writing amazing, tortured souls that reach out and grab your heart, J.R. Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon are the queens. They also have the art of crafting an epic arc down to a science. Axe’s backstory broke my heart. As a mom, I couldn’t imagine leaving my child, no matter the promise.  As a wife and a mom, I can’t imagine my beloved husband walking away from my children and me or how I’d react. Knowing me, I’d get pissed and show him that I’m better off. Pray I never have to test that theory. With that said, I can only imagine or well, believe, the pain and heartache, self-doubt and destructive behavior Axe went through.
 
I loved going on his journey, sharing in his pain, but more, sharing in his discovery of love and acceptance. Not to mention he was brave, selfless and incredibly sexy. And I’m not just calling him sexy for his good looks or those amazing abs, but more so in the way he felt about Elise, and how he would have given his life to protect her. Now that, my friend, is très sexy.
 
As for Elise… She was smart, determined, focused, and a woman who was willing to risk everything she knew for what she wanted. How can you not like her or root for her to get everything she wants and needs? Fiercely loyal and with a strong and rather pure heart, she was the perfect mate for Axe. It will be interesting to see her in future books and how she might progress.
 
Now, while I have not read every book in the BDB series, I have read LOVER ETERNAL with Rhage and Mary and loved their story. Having them back, getting to see this chapter in their lives was like visiting with old friends.
 
I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I can honestly say, you should read this book. If paranormal isn’t your thing, you should still read this book because the BDB series and the Brotherhood Legacy are so much more than just a tale of vampires. It’s love, life, struggle, acceptance, laughter, tears, and in the end…a smile.