A Warm Heart in Winter

A Caldwell Christmas (The Black Dagger Brotherhood World)

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best-selling author J.R. Ward is heating things up this winter with a holiday novel featuring some of her most iconic Black Dagger Brothers.

Featuring one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s most iconic couples, Blay and Qhuinn find themselves looking forward to their official mating ceremony. When tragedy strikes just before the happy event, all hope seems lost - and everyone in the Black Dagger Brotherhood rallies around the two of them. Will a freak winter storm bring the unthinkable, or will a warm heart in winter ensure that true love is not lost?

©2020 Love Conquers All, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Jim Frangione portrays vampires Blay and Qhuinn as they prepare for their mating ceremony. Qhuinn goes on an emotional journey, starting with his dark past and proceeding to his joy with Blay, followed by a tragic loss. Frangione's voice has listeners experiencing the roller-coaster ride. As a snowstorm rages, Frangione adds to the tension as trees crash down and the house plunges into darkness. Blay and Qhuinn are part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood that protects the vampire race. Frangione provides the Brothers with distinct voices, allowing the listener to easily follow who is speaking. Listeners will be fully engaged with all the characters." (AudioFile Magazine)

Meh ...

So I would say that at face value the summary is not misleading but I made assumptions about the things left unsaid. I also had expectations based on previous books in the series. So my first assumption was that the storm wasn’t a mere storm but the new enemy or a sign of it. Nope just a storm with very human struggles. Not to say that the ending wasn’t touching but we were given the Elle nugget at the beginning and I kept waiting for it to reveal something impressive or nefarious. Nope just a thread left dangling that needed to be trimmed up and given closure. It was heart warming but also a let down. There are no big intense fight scenes. There is also only a blip of the ceremony mentioned in the summary. And by this point I was so covered in sap I hit fast forward wanting to know the ending. I was actually hoping for a cliff hanger as it may have hints of future excitement. But alas no cliff no lead in. Its missing the gripping conflict from previous books as there was no real mystery or enemy. The only real teasing mystery is the Elle thread and when that’s revealed your like “I feel mean saying this but ... is that it!” So it wasn’t awful just boring for a JRW BDB novel and as it didn’t even get close to my expectations I was left wanting ....

Tears and Joy

You can't pick up this complex and wonderful series just anywhere. We have known Qhuinn and Blaylock since the fourth book of the series ("Lover Revealed," 2007), when they were weak and puny "pre-trans" vampires in the BDB training program, and it's been a long and eventful journey. Flashbacks and reminiscenses provide the basics, but this gift for fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood requires familiarity from the get-go. I found the mating ceremony at the end to be a bit over-the-top sweetsie; I like my Qhuinn with a little more of an edge, but given the emotional journey he endures here, it's mostly believable.

The central event and relationship of the book is not the mating ceremony, however, but something much more tragic. One reviewer warned that readers who have experienced loss because of a loved one's own choice should approach this book this with care. That reviewer is correct. The story is tragic and beautifully written. It speaks to deep pain and very real human emotions that have nothing to do with the paranormal world of Caldwell. Again, although the book gives basic background, it is much more meaningful if you've followed the characters over their entire journeys.

As with most books in this series, there are hints and set-ups for what's to come. J. R. Ward is a master at this, and she does it without clliffhangers, which is GREATLY appreciated. The key figure here is Lassiter. The war in Caldwell has changed, and Lassiter is evolving with it. No spoilers, but readers who haven't delved into Ward's parallel "Fallen Angels" series might want to give those six books at least a scan.

Very touching but an emotional nightmare

I love bdb! I have read and listened to them all multiple times. While Ward hits on some pretty rough topics in every book, this one hit me hard. Having a family member who gave up as Lucas did made this very emotional read for me. I had to turn it off, take breaks, and push myself to finish it. Her points and realizations on the subject are on point and made it even more real. I have to say if some one you know and love has taken their own life I would not recommend this book if it is still raw. If you are struggling with their decision long after the fact then this might be the words you need to hear. I know when I have time to process Wards insightful words I will be better for it.

The true capacity of vampires is ignored.

In general, I love the stories and characters in them, but I always astounded at how inept Ward makes her vampires in these books. We have read about how the brothers are training the new fighters in all sorts of combat, bombs, etc., but then she writes about how one of the main brothers is not trained to care for a knife wound. Give me a break. Each brother has lived for many many years and have coped with fights, but you are going to tell me each brother does not have field wound care knowledge for a knife wound?! Stop thinking of your vampires as simpletons, but hardened warriors. They have lived through more combat situations and should all have the better than average wound care knowlede of an EMT or army medic as they have all lived long enough and had the time to gain the experience they need to treat every type of wound in the field. For goodness sakes they are training new recruits. Each brother should have the complete knowlede they are giving the new trainees or maybe they need to each go through the course themselves before training others. Just my 2 cents. Stop underestimating your creations Ward. They should be better than how you present them with the many years in combat and battles they have gone through. They are not humans and have higher than human knowledge. Treat them that way.

Love, Christmas and J. R. Ward

Once more the tears struck. This is one of those books that could either depress the reader or motivate. Not being overwhelmed by the love and examples of choices in this book is impossible. If, like me, you love Qhuinn and Blayl this story is powerfully delightful. If, like me, you love Z, this book is one of the reasons why. If Lassiter is one of the reasons you smile and laugh alone like a crazy person then you'll read this book ASAP. The tears are gone now and the smile remains, another reason I love BDB and J. R. Ward 's books.

No One tugs at your heart strings like J.R.Ward.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood for all that it is made up of big strong alpha makes who fear nothing ---------well nothing except feelings that is----------- is an emotional rollercoaster. All books have a theme, there is usually some danger, confusion and suffering before a resolution is reached. But oh the males of the Brotherhood. Unlike other series where each member gets their own book and then onto the next there is a continuity to this series. We are often drawn back into existing members lives dismayed to find there is no happily ever after only a happy right now. Because after all that's all life can really offer you ------- right now, no one truly knows what comes next, unless your name is Lassiter that is. I love that the Author ( to use a phrase from the brothers) keeps it real. Several of the brothers suffer from PTSD though it's not called this, and often react in ways which show that although they have found love and are very happy with their loveds ones, the nightmares still come. This book features most of the brothers and their mates but its main focus is Quhinn and Blay, I didn't even realise that At the end of their book Lover at Last there was no proper mating ceremony. So this book starts off as usual with Quhinn on patrol in downtown Caldwell when happens to get injured Blay goes into panic mode convinced Quhinn is at deaths door. Blay has been having some thoughts about a proper mating , stupid thoughts, like does Quhinn not see them as a long term couple, does he not consider Blay part of his future? . Quhinn is oblivious to Blays feelings as far as he is concerned they ARE mated . Then a damaging storm hits which brings danger to everyone in the mansion and while dealing with the damaging effects of the storm, the situation takes a turn for the worse and it becomes a life and death situation for some, causing Quhinn to undergo an emotionally devastating event. But there are a mansion full of people ready to support him as he finds his way through the pain, Blay being the first in a long line.

🌻No action, in this one🌻

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻V from Kansas 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Although I always love any glimpse into the BDB world, this story read more like a novella, rather then a novel. It definitely gave the listener an update into Quinn and Blaylock’s lives and it gave us more insight into Lucus’s personal life before the raids, however, there was no glimpse of the new threat, in town.
Don’t get me wrong, I always am eager for any glimpse of my favorite vampire world but, this book definitely lacked the usual action of a full length BDB novel!

There are M/M intimate scenes 😉!

boo hoo boo hoo

JF was great as usual, nothing but professional
the story was a soap opera - simply exhausting

Another great book by J.R. Ward!

Superb!
One question though, When are V and Jane going to have their mating ceremony?

Love this series!

This series never disappoints!!!! I never thought I would enjoy learning of a relationship between two men so much but that just shows you that love is love.

This was so good!!! Love Blay and Quinn

I’ve read some reviews and heard people say in the Facebook pages, that this one was boring. I completely disagree!!! I love Blay and Quinn and their story and have been waiting for more! So that... and the fact that Jim Frangione could read me the phone book and I’d be enthralled make this a great listen for me!!!

Can’t wait for more!!!