In love with a Zsadist

So ok, I'm in love, a couple of times over. Recently, I received a treasure trove from Flipkart and gloated over it for a week before I started reading. While I began with the delicious Kresley Cole, I became immersed in JR Ward's books before I knew what had hit me, and it's been like a drug ever since. The last time I felt so excited and light as air was when I read Ignatius' story in A Confederacy of Dunces, and since the author offed himself right after he wrote that, I was denied any further fixes.

But Ward never stops; she is, of course, one of the lucky ones who found her calling and as any writer of worth (haha, inside joke) knows, the story tells itself. But the author's sensibilities is the crucible it must go through and lor' luv 'er, Jessica knows what matters in this world and sinks herself deep into love, loyalty, the pain that forges character, loss and courage. The thing, though, is this: Each is doled out with such a level of intensity that the reader is thrilled to the toes. You know, that's what matters in daily life, not what you do but how deeply you feel. Cutting roses for a bouquet? You better feel the petals and inhale the fragrance and poke at the soil and admire your stretch of garden and imagine the way the arrangement will play out on the wooden table in the kitchen. You thought you could just cut and run? Sure you can, if you're brain-dead.

It's the same with friendships. You just want to hang with people you don't really give a damn about and listen to them warble about their kids and their job and the game Saturday night but at least, hey, you aren't alone? They are a waste of space and you are wasting your time. Instead, get into a band of brothers who fight the good fight and fall in love with all the lightheartedness of a boulder. You will have a favourite and his name will be Zsadist, with his inner core of sweet and an outer layer of pure intimidation. It's his suffering that calls out to you, though, and the way he deals with it, like a man. Your next favourite will be V, short for Vishous. Goatee, light eyes, smart and sexy as hell. Then there's Rehv whose screaming masculinity and absolute power comes close to, I don't know, mainlining H? He's also got purple eyes.

And then it's, surprise, surprise, the gay boys Qhuinn and Blay. Now I have no particular interest in the gay scene but after reading the conversations between Q and B, I want a whole book dedicated to them. They are so cool, so strong, so in love, so honourable. Ward, I'm sorry to report, has said she might do a novella because she has to keep her (straight) fan base in mind.

I also draw the line at the very wimpy female characters who hum and haw their way through these warriors' lives, but I especially dislike Jane, V's chosen. I hear Ward was not satisfied with V's story either and I can tell her why: Jane is just not the right mix for him, even though Ward has made her almost masculine keeping V's tastes in mind (subtle touch, LOVE his relationship with Butch). I like Rhage, Wrath, Beth, Butch, John and Bella, and I can tell Ward does, too. She, and the reader, don't much care for Phury, though. He's just too damn needy is what it is.

One point of embarrassment: awful proofing in the BDB books and Ward doesn't seem to know the difference between wretched and retched and on http://www.lovevampires.com/jrward.html, she seems to think roll means role (unless that's the interviewer's problem).....what the what?!

But honestly, if these books aren't made into movies it would be a crying shame.