*Have You Heard? * Audiobooks For Your Listening Pleasure* The Beast by J. R. Ward

The Beast (A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward
Also by this author: The Shadows, The Bourbon Kings, Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy, #1), The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings #1), The Angels' Share (The Bourbon Kings, #2), The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15), Devil's Cut (The Bourbon Kings, #3), Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy, #2), Prisoner of Night (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #16.5), The Savior (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #17), The Sinner (Black Dagger Brotherhood #19), The Jackal (Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp, #1; Black Dagger Legacy, #5), A Warm Heart in Winter (Black Dagger Brotherhood #18.5), Lover Unveiled (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #19), Lover Arisen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #20), Lassiter (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #21)
Published by NAL, Penguin Audio on April 5th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 508
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 045147516X
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Rhage and Mary return in a new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a series “so popular, I don’t think there’s a reader today who hasn’t at least heard of [it]” (USA Today).
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…
For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…
And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

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I have a confession . . . I have never read any of the books in J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Shocking I know, but I actually  began the series with the audio version of Dark Lover and because I enjoyed it so much, I stuck with audiobooks as I listened my way through to The Beast, the latest in the adventures of the Brotherhood.  Because Lover Maria has already written an excellent review of the book (with which I totally agree!), this will be just a follow-up to cover the audio version.

I can’t say enough about Jim Frangione as the narrator of this series. He is definitely the voice of the Brotherhood! He has just the right tone to be believable as a tough guy or a lover. And, in this particular book, he is superb in the role of a little girl! Believe it! Mr. Tough guy segues from being a hard-nosed Brother to being a child with no problem! If you haven’t followed any of the links from my earlier reviews to learn more about this fascinating narrator, clicking here will provide a good opportunity as Mr. Frangione discusses his preparation to narrate The Shadows, Book 14 in the series.

I want to touch briefly on what I perceive as a slightly different tone in The Beast. Rhage has always been a favorite among the Brothers because of his ridiculous good looks and huge appetites and, even though he harbors a beast within that awesome body, he is basically gentle and sweet-natured. While all the Brothers are fiercely loyal to each other and devoted to their shellens, there seems to be a saccharine quality to this book that I haven’t sensed before. Those of you who are addicted to hot vampire sex will be more than satisfied although, for the first time, I felt some of the sex was gratuitous. No spoilers  . . . but “Did that just happen?”moments are strewn throughout the book like Lesser body parts after a battle with the Brotherhood: Ms. Ward really lets her imagination soar. My favorite thing about The Beast? All the new characters who are introduced because I know they will have stories to be revealed in future books! ?