If you have been a reader of the blog for a while, you no doubt are aware I am something of a fan of Jessica Bird, a.k.a. J.R. Ward. I happen to think the author is beyond cool. I was blown away by Dark Lover and still to this day am in love with that book as well as Lover Awakened. Hey… everyone has a favorite brother.
When it came time to for Lover Enshrined I thought it would be tres nifty to have her CP, the ever nifty Jessica Andersen do the interview… we got lucky (or they gave in so I would shut up), at the end of the interview you can read how YOU can get lucky *G*
Dr. Jessica Andersen, author of the newly released paranormal Nightkeepers, interviews J.R. Ward, otherwise known as the WARDen, author of the also newly released Lover Enshrined. Read on…
Hey Duckies, author Jessica Andersen here! I don’t know where you all are at, but here in the Northeastern USA it’s hot as blazes. Hello, early heat wave! In an effort to cool things down, I thought I’d keep it light today. I’m joined by my good buddy and critique partner, J.R. Ward, and we’re going to do a little quacking about her awesome new release, Lover Enshrined, the sixth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
Jessica Andersen: Hey JR, dude. Thanks for agreeing to do this mini-interview!
J.R. Ward: Actually, thank you for doing it!
JA: Staying on that ‘keep it light and cool’ theory, I thought we could do a ‘these are a few of my favorite things’ list… so here goes. As always in the BDB books, Lover 
Enshrined has got a ton of great zingers and one-liners among the characters. What’s your favorite line in the book, and why?
JRW: Man, there are a number of them! I think my fav is when Wrath is explaining to John Matthew that the last time Lassiter, the fallen angel, was on the planet there was a plague in central Europe. Lassiter’s response: “Okay, that was SO not my fault.”
JA: Building on that idea, what’s your favorite scene in Lover Enshrined?
JRW: Lemme think… the one with John Matthew on page 497 (I’m quoting the page to avoid a spoiler) just tore at my heart, in a good way and a bad way. I also like the one with Phury on page 492… that was just a great scene (it’s the one where he emerges from the Scribe Virgin’s private quarters.) That one also leads up to my favorite line in the book: “He finally felt like the hero he had always wanted to be.” But my absolute favorite scene… was the one at the end when Z comes to Phury, with the Brotherhood. Got me all teary when I wrote it to be honest. It was so great to see the twins reunited and the Brothers all together… and yeah, that’s my fav.
JA: Thinking of the series as a whole, which of the book covers is your favorite, and why?
JRW: You know, I like them all but I think Dark Lover is my favorite. I love the red and the black, plus it was the first one and set the standard for them all. So, yeah, have to go with the king on that one!
JA: Okay, shifting the topic slightly, what’s the funniest thing a fan ever asked you, either online or during a public appearance?
JRW: Actually, I’d have to say it wasn’t a question, but how a question was raised. This lovely woman who always attends the Cincinnati signings, lifted her hand up to her face, putting it on her forehead (to indicate she had something to ask). The thing was, she had her fingers orientated so that it put a loser sign on her forehead as she looked up at me. I busted out laughing and was like, are you losering me at my own signing?! Of course everyone cracked up- she 
handled it very well, though. And she’s still coming to the signings!
JA: What was your favorite song (or songs) to listen to while you were writing Phury? Did you mainline the opera, or was the soundtrack straight up ZeroSum fare, or…?
JRW: Huh… well, I listened to opera a lot, yes. But as always there was rap and hip hop in my ears while I ran during the writing of the book. And when I run I plan a lot so even Phury was touched by the likes of Fifty and Pac and Kanye and Lil Jon and Jay-Z…
JA: When you’re treating yourself, what’s the treat? Chocolate? Massage? White water rafting?
JRW: Right now? Breyers vanilla and coffee ice cream!
JA: And now for the lightning round… please answer the following with a word or phrase only, no explanations:
Favorite DVD? “The Office”, any season
Favorite guilty pleasure on TV? “Flavor of Love”, any season
Favorite guilty pleasure in the fridge? Ice cream, see above
Favorite word for the Chicago Manual of Style? Okay that’s a trick question! LOLOLOL geeee I’d have to go with c***sucker.
JA: And finally, what is your favorite recent release about the Mayan 2012 doomsday and the men and women who are bound to protect us from the apocalypse?
JRW: OMG, it’s totally Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen! Have you ever heard of her? Fabulous writer, wicked sense of humor… and excels at fondue. You.are.welcome.
JA: And there you have it, Duckies! Straight from the WARDen herself, a little light fun on a hot day.
on second read-through – going slower this time – can’t wait to see Rhev meet his match!
**Trying not to get all goobery here**
Hi, WARDen! How’s it hanging? I absolutely love your books and you take as long as you need – as long as you keep rocking the awesome stories out! My question is:
Are you ever overwhelmed by the response fans have to your books? They have caught on like wildfire and we all love them so!
I have a different fave everytime I try to pick one. Here is a mood/brother chart:
Wrath – when I want to be thoroughly loved and need that big, bad man to hold me tight
Rhage – when I need to nurture a man that usually needs no-one
Zsadist – when I want to walk on the edge
Vishous – when I need a little discipline
Phury – when I want to cuddle with the sexiest man around
Rhevenge – well, he just floats my boat – what a wonderful bad boy/gentleman
The rest, well, what can I say – their time will come…..
Despite this book not totally being about Phury, I really loved this book. It basically forced to to love JM and Rehv more than I ever thought I could.
Hi J.R.!
I love your definition of “short” story! !24 pages!!! WOW!!!
I loved LEn. I especially loved the BDB world building. It seems all the more real to me now. I am very much looking forward to future installments. BTW, I am SO loving Quinn. He is becoming one of my favorites. 🙂
Question: Do you see any of yourself in any of the Brothers, or Shellans?
Be well!
Lover Enshrined was probably the hardest book for me to read, due mostly to Phury’s addiction and Hero complex. I know you’ve said V’s book was hardest to date for you to write. That said, do you ever actively dislike any of the Brothers?
As difficult as it was to read, Phury’s book was intense and satisfiying, a turning point in your on-going storyline. You have given us characters that have form and substance. You make me wnat to read and savor every word. Thank you.
Hey JRW:
I love Phury’s book! It’s so exciting and elegantly written I’m in awe.
Now I know from yesterday’s interview you hate to fly (me too! If I wasn’t blood related to my family they’d be fond memories but as it is I’ve got to fly coast to coast to visit with them), however, any chance you might toodle out to the West Coast for an appearance?
Congrats on the great story!!
Doc Jess, I’ve got NK but I haven’t had time to crack it. Will do so on my much needed vacation! I’m sure it’s great!
FWIW, the compendium is a ton of fun! [Doc Jess skips off, whistling innocently because she’s always a book ahead of everyone else .]
RowanHastings- I hope you enjoy NK!
Miraphone- I’d tell you NK is awesome, but I’m admittedly biased .
Kath- Thanks for loving the book 🙂
Sibyl- You can try me with a Troubleshooters question… Suz has been an autobuy for me since her Intimate Moments days. No guarantees on my knowing the answer, though, as my brain’s a bit full these days.
WARDen thank you so much for such an awesome series, I think LEn made me cry the most and I can’t wait for the next installment in May and hope there are many, many more to come.
I have one question, I am not that internet savvy and it seems that you put up a lot of good stuff on your BDB board, is there some way for that stuff to get to fans who like me just can’t figure out how those boards work, every time I try I get lost or just don’t get the flow and I give up, guess you really can’t teach an old dog new tricks!
And to Doc Jess- loved, loved, loved Nightkeepers- thanks now I have a new series to love!
Thanks so much for all your hard work ladies needless to say keep em coming and I’ll keep reading!
hex2late- Hey baby! You’ll see Nalla’s birth in the Compendium but KEEP READING! on the others. *pats self on the back* The leaf is doing so good today! I r proud of myself! LOL
RowanHastings- I would love to hopefully someday get up that way. I’ve heard that its beautiful!
Vicki- Lash- yeah. WOW. ‘Nuff said.
Mira- DEFO read it! It’s AWESOME!!!
I so love this series JR. I have enjoyed it tremendiously and I think you for the world of the BDB. You set a standard that’s hard for others to follow. I hope you know that. I have to say, Zadist and Vishous are my favs but I’m definatly looking forward to Rehvenge’s story as well as Quinn’s (if he gets a book) which I hope he does. John Matthew is a fav too so I look forward to reading his story. Good luck with the BDB and I hope to get a signed book sometime if you’re ever SC way. Thanks for all you do! Lisa W.
Thanks WARDen for all the amazing stories! I’m with you, Dark Lover is the best. Of course I do have a small thing for Wrath so that might be a part of why it’s my favorite but I also loved him in LE and the way he took care of business.
Thanks for sharing your brilliance
Hi Warden, 2chats in 2days you are a busy lady. thanks for taking the time to chat.BTW totally feel you on the Pac, especially the picture.
JR you so rock !!!!
Thanks for the wonderful series.
All the brothers have a special place in my heart.
Also Thanks for recommending another awesome read of “The Night Keepers”
Sybil-Isn’t “Into the Fire” Suz’s new release that isn’t out (for public consumption) until July?
Hi Jessica,I have read just about all of your intrigues and am really looking forward to reading NK ,thanks for the stories.
I enjoyed LEn very much, you had a lot going on and you managed to keep it cohesive and moving forward. John’s development and growth as well as his interactions with the others are intriguing and seeing Wrath throw his “crown” on was fun.
I was very happy that the scribe virgin did not get her way and though it was not as good as the “b*#%ch slap” she so richly deserves it was a definite gut punch. Please let the scribe virgin get her “slap” soon you know how important this is to me as it is the only question I ever ask.
Thanks
U-vonne u-stands for unique
Hello JRW and JA!
I’m trying to think of a good question, but really, I don’t want to hear a one-sentence answer, I just want to KEEEEEEP REEEEEADING!! I love the immersion effect of these stories.
My favorite thing about LEn is how it positions the BDB universe for such massive change. Nothing we “know” about its social structure from the previous books will necessarily hold true in the next ones, and I can’t way to find out what is going to happen next.
The highest praise I can give a fantasy series is that when I try to put a book down, I just can’t quit thinking about what it would be like to live in that universe. Everything about it is so clear, it just seems impossible that it only exists between the pages of books.
Thank you once more for the great stories and the great care you take of your fans. MUAAH!
Hi there!
What a great day, well except for the fact that it’s freakin 100 degrees here in NYC! Oh yum, coffee ice cream sounds so good right now. Thanks for this great Q&A.
Phury and Cormia’s story is terrific. And I’m running through the Nightkeepers as we speak, omg, I was really into this stuff as a kid, so it is great to travel back. Thanks Dr. Jess – especially for the strong world building. Yippee.
I too, also want to know who/what did Qhuinn see at that door?
Also, one of my favorite lines from Phury’s book? “I’ll mark you up like a calendar.” by the Rehv. Love, love, love it; still has me laughing.
Thank you both again for such great, cool fun.
As ever,
SH
Loved LEn and already ready for the Compendium and Rehv!
(I refuse to ask a question cuz I just don’t want to hear KKEEEPP RREEAADDIINNGG – LOL)
Hi WARDen!!!
I’ve just began LEn and may I say from word one I began holding my breath… yea well, ok i finally let it out!LOL. I just want to thank you for bringing this world of The Brothers and the Vampire Society to all of us. It truly does get into your system and stays with you always. The characters are so realistic with all the flaws they each have, that we accept them much more readily than the perfect people that are usually in romance novels. Not to say the guys aren’t perfect looking!!! Thanks,again… V.
I just wanted to say that I love all of the books and am totally excited for the compendium and Rehv’s book!
Thanks for sharing the brothers with us.
I turned my sister on to them and she made a BDB mix cd for me. Bonus!
One of my fav parts is V and Rhage looking at Wrath with “Who Me?” expressions, and “Flinchers get f***ed, the steady ones get the goods.” Don’t know why, it just makes me smile.
Love me some V!!
whoohooo Loved loved loved Phury and you made me cry there at the end. Can’t wait for Rehv’s book and JM’s and Quinns, and the rest lol
Two questions actually will we eventually being seeing more of Payne and does V know about her. And will she get her own book.
oh well technically I guess that was 3 quesions.
Love the books
Okay, just had to post quick (again!) and say that, weak as I am, I had to run to Hastings on lunch and buy Nightkeepers. Wow, it looks great! Is this the first in a series, or am I starting in the middle? Can’t wait for another great read 🙂
Also, noticed Warden didn’t even KR me 🙁 Guessing my question about Ehlena being Sympath or vamp was too specific? Sorry if so 😉 Love all the books, so I’m sure whatever will be great.
Hi, had to get more coffee! Argh ok I’ll catch up!
Joni.G – I’m glad your liking the series, I do too 😉 as for the symbols, it’s the whole ‘coffin thing’ again. I know they mean something and it will be explained but the how, why and when errhm is a KEEEEEEEP REEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAADING!
Claryce Yes J.M is Darius reincarnated, the S.V did a cool time whammy and put D back. But he had to make sacrifices to do so, so he can’t talk or remember his past life.
Syb Afraid so baby girl, but he is sooooooo going to be worth the wait and the lucky, lucky, lucky lady is
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Ehlena – she’s the blonde nurse that gets Butch a coffee and then helps with the evac at Havers.
I forgot to say I had one request, please give us a brother or two who are into heavy metal instead of rap, I am so NOT into rap, love the opera though but I need me a fellow head banger!
Thanks so much for sharing the brother’s with us!
WARDen, luv the BDB, Thanks a bunch. I will say that I have found a new integue with John Matthew. Yeah, that last scene he was in, had me like OMG, this is one of the reasons we love ya’. And yes I was teary eyed with the scene ending on pg 497. Am so looking foward to Rehvs book. Keep writing them, and we’ll keep reading them
WARDen, luv the BDB, Thanks a bunch. I will say that I have found a new integue with John Matthew. Yeah, that last scene he was in, had me like OMG, this is one of the reasons we love ya’. And yes I was teary eyed with the scene ending on pg 497. Am so looking foward to Rehvs book. Keep writing them, and we’ll keep reading them. You had me form the first page……
Dear JR Ward and Jessica Andersen,
Fantastic interview!
JR, I LOVED Lover Enshrined! OMG…that is all I can think to say about it! I read Dark Lover when it first came out and even though waiting for each Brothers’ story has been hard…they have all been so worth it! I love how you bring the Brothers’ and their world right here, alive, in full color and surround sound. You have an incredilble gift and thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing it with us.
I also wanted to thank you for the interview you did with Jessica. Great recommendation!
Jessica, I picked up Nightkeepers and have finished it! Loved it! I haven’t really read much about the Mayan civilization, and wow…well I think that I am going to be doing a little more reading about the civilization that you have sparked an interest in for me. I look forward to your next book!
Thank you so much! JessMiller
WARDen, I’ve got to tell you, your books are now my absolute favorites. I started with V, and now I’m hooked, I think I’ve read them enough to have them memorized!!
And now, that I have bday money, w00t! I’m going to have to go get Nightkeepers! Another obsession to start!
LOVE the BDB and JR Ward… Look forward to reading Jessica’s book as well.
I discovered the BDB thru the miracle of Amazon recommendations and am the most devout of readers. I’ve even dragged my BFF into the fray and she’s loving it. I would adore seeing this come to life on the big or little screen but would also hate it because there isn’t enough commitment in any producer or company that would have the commitment and the $ to do JR Ward’s masterpieces justice. My only complaint about these books are that they’re too good and impossible to put down so it’s over before you know it.
bean, Naomi and Terri- Thanks for giving Nightkeepers a look-see, I hope you enjoy the heck out of it!
Yvonne, Sarah, KimF and Jessica Miller- Hugs, and thanks for letting me know you loved the book!
Laurie B- LOL on the lunchtime bookstore run! I hope you love NK, and yes, you’re starting in the right place. It’s the first book of a series that (I hope) will run until the end of 2012!
Hello again Kath Yes the Brothers all feature in the Compendium/Insiders guide. It’s jammed full of stuff and I can’t wait until you all get it!
Aww thanks Ashley and I hope when you did get to sleep eventually your dreams were Brothertastic!
Shana Glad you love the series as much as I love writing it! The door will be revealed, not sure when though!
Robin thanks I love doing them too! Hmm good question you know what I’ll have to ask Fritz, I’m sure he has counted LOLOL and If I’m ever in Louisiana – you got it baby girl!
Well it can vary from day to day but I like writing in the morning, try and do the correspondence in the afternoon it can be up to 14 hours some days – thats when I REALLY love my coffee pot and need hugs from my dog!
Laurie Yeah, I too have met great people since I started on this roller coaster – which I plan God willing not to get off anytime soon, the BDB keeps me pretty busy but…I never say never!
Katy Second read??!! You go girl!
Thia O.M.G I love your chart!!! Hmm, more surprised than overwhelmed. I mean I always loved the Brothers but it is a surprise how many others do too, and just how much they mean to them. I have the greatest bunch of fans, but they keep me grounded too. I think I’m pretty lucky.
Tiiana I feel ya on the loving JM and Rehv 😉
Correct me if I am wrong… but NiN has been in a book… a lot or maybe even books? I want to say for sure in Zs. And Nine Inch Nails isn’t rap. 😉
When does the antho come out? Or has that been scheduled yet? There is still one right? I just remember JR Ward and Kenyon.
Know who else is in it yet?
Doesn’t suppose you wanna make me REALLY happy and tell me when the next SSE will be out *g*. pllllleeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeeee
Love the Brothers WARDen and thank you so much for bringing them to us. As a Z lover I cannot wait for the Compendium and that lovely not-quite short story.
I have a “time-frame” question. LEn starts twenty years ago but did the Omega go back in time to do what he did or did that actually happen 20 years ago? I’m guessing he went back in time but I wasn’t sure.
Doc Jess, I bought NightKeepers when I got LEn but after finishing Phury, I needed something lighter (way too much to think about in LEn!) but NK is the next book in my TBR pile.
Hi Warden,
I love your books and each one holds a special place in my heart. Phury’s book blew me away and I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on the compendium and Rehv’s book.
But what did Quinn see???? No, no, no keeeeeeep Reeeeeaaading
I am begging here. Please Pretty Please with Sugar on It
Okay figured it was worth a shot 😀
**Jessica Anderson,
I am halfway through Nightkeepers and loving every moment of it. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Thank you both for great books,
Susan/dragonsdy
we should get a nightkeeper novella and a bdb in one book… how soon til you two can work that out 😉
Oh, and I wanted to do a shout-out to Doc Jess!
I am LOST in NightKeepers! It is an amazing book so far, you have acquired yet another fan who is dying to delve deeper into your world! I totally love Strike LOL
Thanks WARDen, for answering! Your days sound hectic, but I can’t imagine spending so much time with the Brothers is a hardship 😛
I’ll keep my fingers crossed re: a Louisiana visit!
Jeannie/LL uhm yeah, would have been longer too, well you know me and Z oh where was I? I swear my editor is a saint putting up with me and my wandering page counts! MMM Qhuinn!! YUM!!! I don’t see myself, but there are definitely times I can relate to their feelings. But I try not to base any of them on people I know as it’s not fair but I’m sure there are influences out there 😉
Jan Thanks! Phury was the perfect gentleman to write but, boy did I bawl like a baby at parts!
Bean If I can I will! Then we can compare flying horror stories LOLOL
Doc Jess And she says she not evil PFFT what ever!
JR, I just love the Brotherhood and enjoy reading all their stories! I can’t wait until the next one.
My question for you is: (SPOILER)When Cormia was in the Scribes Temple using the crystal bowl she saw a blond lesser with fangs will she tell the Brotherhood about this or will she keep it to herself?
Love all the books; just finished Doc Jess’ last night!!!
Have to say my favorite BDB novel is still Rhage’s…but I’m looking forward to JM’s!!
Thanks for the great reading!!!!
Yes it is the July book.
I have this thing about reading out of order *g*. But I was wondering if Izzy’s has been in other Troubleshooter books and if so which ones. I am thinking he has. Just too lazy to have to wade through and figure out which ones 🙂
I loved Phury’s book. I have to buy a second copy cuz someone stold my work bag which had my copy in it!!!
Jessica –
I went and checked, I have Nightkeepers in my TBR! It just got bumped to the front! Can’t wait!
WARDen, I met you at the RWA booksigning in Hotlanta and you were very gracious. That is probably why your fans love you so! Keep it up!
Question based on SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
When you wrote the scene with the nurse getting coffee for Butch in LA did you know or get a sense she would come back and be important later? I mean, was she a ‘coffin’?
And BTW: by West Coast visit I mean LA/Hollywood. Lotsa cellies out here! 😀
Sybil:
Yes Izzy has been in almost all of them, if only in a secondary capacity. I’m too lazy to check, too 😉 I hear ya on the out of order thing–I started with V (what a way to start!!) then went backwards with the BDB books, then re read them all in order. What a muddle!
Sybil-Izzy was introduced in other books. I’m terrible at Suz’s order and titles but he was definitely in “Into the Storm” that I think was three books ago??