The Bourbon Kings

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

The number-one New York Times best-selling author of Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege - and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal....

For generations the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege - as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly's head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted - and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane's beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions - professional and intimately private - ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

From the Hardcover edition.

©2015 J. R. Ward (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

“Get ready for summer’s most sinful indulgence. The drama never stops in this tale of family secrets, lost love found, rivalries, delightfully nasty villains, and deliciously appealing heroes. The clothes, the whiskey, and the gorgeous Kentucky backdrop will sweep you away. The privileged and the downtrodden never had it so good. Put on your derby hat and join in the fun.” (New York Times best-selling author Susan Wiggs)

“Breathless fun! J. R. Ward moves her trademark dark and sexy from the world of warrior vampires to the halls of the Kentucky elite, where the family members’ claws are just as sharp and the consequences just as deadly. I couldn’t stop turning the pages!” (New York Times best-selling author Lisa Gardner) 

“I want my Bourbon in bed! J. R. Ward delivers a sweeping saga where family roots run deep and passion sizzles hotter than a Kentucky summer. Potent and heady, one taste just isn’t enough.” (New York Times best-selling author Gena Showalter) 

Yes it's Dallas with Bourbon but I loved it

No it's not the Brothers or even the Fallen Angels but I still loved this new JR Ward series. Yes, it was a little cheesy like Dallas - but hey, I don't need real life heartache and drama. I like over-the-top fantasy - it is FICTION after all. If I wanted reality I would write my own book. I love Wards writing style and this one did not disappoint. If she keeps writing 'em I'll keep buying.

Guess it's just not for me.....

Dallas Anyone???I was so excited waiting for this release but was disappointed by the narration and the story in general. It was like reading an episode of Dallas. The story was mostly about a very rich southern family and all the ways they are messed up. The characters were all cold and all about themselves, I didn't connect with any of them. There really wasn't much in the way of romance either, yes there was a love story side line but it was very unemotional and not hot at all. The narration was very monotone and his voice wasn't meant for female narration. Maybe I just had to high of expectations because it was JR Ward but needless to say I won't be continuing with this series.

JRW OPENS THE DOORS TO HER SWEEPING SOAP SAGA

This is the introduction of the Kentucky Bradford family - a very wealthy, privileged and influential Southern family made up of several dysfunctional characters ruined by their heartless, mean, cruel and manipulative Father. This listen is like a Dallas type Soap Opera and slowly introduces you to the the cast of players..... the Father, three of the four Bradford siblings Edward,Tulane (aka Lane) and the only daughter Gin, Tulane's bitchy Southern Belle wife, Lizzie the love of Tulane's life and ex girlfriend and other various lovers and characters. It's rich in descriptive details of the Palatial Mansion, the opulence and indulgence, the upstairs/downstairs roles of the staff and the toxic feelings encountered within those walls. It occasionally flashes back in time to show just what an awful abusive childhood the siblings had at the hands of their Father.

I've been a fan of J R Ward for many years with her Black Dagger Brotherhood of Vampires, her Fallen Angels series and her standalone listens and with all of them you feel the passion, the romance, the chemistry between all the characters and the love however I didn't feel any of it with this listen. I was so conflicted because as this saga slowly unfolds on the one hand it goes from one depressing drama to another... with both brothers constantly drinking or are drunk, one brother is disfigured, disabled and disillusioned, three cases of lost loves, threats and catastrophic lies, a not very descriptive sex scene and a rape scene. Yet, on the other hand I can see that this is a very intricate and deep foundation of an ever growing and more addictive storyline which includes the Bradford Bourbon Company's shaky future, embezzlement and disappearing funds, accusations, mysteries, secrets, lies, suicide, murder, where is Max the fourth sibling and many other sub plots. However, the bigger focus is on the delicate relationship between the reluctant Hero Lane and the love of his life Lizzie and will she ever forgive him.

Worth a credit? Told from multiple POV's, a good narrator who had to tackle many different dialects and both male and female voices and a storyline that had a little romance but plenty of angst, heartache, complex characters with broken spirits, twists/turns, drama and, although it didn't leave me with that 'feel good' feeling, it did leave me looking forward to what's going to happen in the next instalment for the Bradford siblings. Yes creditworthy so long as you're not expecting the typical J R Ward listen or a straightforward sexy romance.

Just Ok

Normally I'm a fan of JR Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Decided to give this a try but found the characters to be just OK. Didn't really get invested in any of them. The narrator's voice was annoying when acting the female characters parts, making them all sound like whiners.

Bourbon, intrigue, betrayal & love-a PERFECT recipe!

This story is something of a departure for Ward and its a brilliant beginning to what promises to be an intriguing and complex storyline. As someone who works in Louisville in the world defined by bourbon and The Derby, I must say "The Warden" has nailed it! While the story has all the elements of the traditional "romance novel" the story has so much more to offer; anyone who has ever stood in a line hoping for a chance to buy THAT collectible bottle of bourbon-cough, Pappy Van W,cough-will find this fictitious family's business backstory interesting. The information on the challenges and realities of bourbon production and distribution are spot-on and offer an insiders perspective to the making of a product with a rich culture and heritage that is uniquely Kentucky. Wards strong characters -even the caricature ones-shine a light on the struggle to maintain historical ties of southern identity while adapting to an ever-changing society. A very worthy read indeed.

JR rewrites "Dallas"

A terribly long, not so good narration of what I can only compare to an episode of Dallas. The characters are unlikeable enough that going on with the series is a waste of time for me. Loved BDB up til a couple of books ago, when she should have wrapped up the series, instead of adding uninteresting side characters for BDB's spinoff series.

Great start!

Exhilarating,great, I love the series already! Do not change the narrator please.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not disappointed at all . Hurry up with book 2,

Loved this narrator, loved the details and the quick witted humor

He slipped so well between characters and those accents really were enjoyable!

I loved the quick witted humor, I actually had a couple great laughs!

I wish I could have heard the real ending ! What happens next?!!!!!!

Book hangover :/

hard to like.

Ordinarily a huge fan of JRs work, it was hard to like any of the characters in this book. I caught myself rolling my eyes and shaking my head at numerous of their words and actions. The spoiled rich kids are hard to sympathize with.

Extreme Disappointment from a long JR Ward Lover!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who hasn't ever been introduced to Ward's BDB series, or her FA series. Someone who isn't from the South and can handle the terrible "drawl" of the narrators voice, which didn't change from character to character. Each male character sounded like the same person, hard to distinguish between them, and each female character sounded like the same character also.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I am not sure yet. Something that will make up for this disappointing listen

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Alexander Cendese?

I'm not sure. He has a nice tenor to his voice, but his accent and nuances for this book were terrible.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

honestly, no. I was rolling my eyes throughout the whole book. The characters were hard to like and feel connected to.

Any additional comments?

Just extremely disappointed in the book and narration both. The characters were hard to like, not really any "fleshing" out of them. Normally JR Wards books stand out as WOW, that's one heck of a plot. This one I've already tried to forget. It was boring and exactly like thousands of other stories out there.