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.
Sorry you won’t be at RWA this year. Hope to catch you next time.
I just started watching The Office and I love it. I know what you mean about watching it for hours and hours. 🙂
Z’s my fave so far.
Picked through the interview and comments to avoid any spoilers! Got Nightkeepers and Lover Enshrined arriving any day in the post – yes I live in the boondocks!
Can’t wait! Dark Lover is still my all time fave – the excitement of finding a fabulous new series to read – and Wrath.
Dark Lover was the 1st romance novel that i ever read. now the brothers are as real to me as my own family and i have thousands of new friends on the boards. THANKS WARDEN!!
ever since reading NK i’ve developed a paranoia of the apocalypse, but have much hope for survival because magic is real! THANKS DOC JESS!!
Syb Oh sorry Syb, the UF vs PNR – With the Brothers, I simply write the stories as I see them in my head – but there will always be romance and HEA’s. And the S.S.E theres definitely 2 more just not sure when LOL
Hey JR!
I just wanted to pop in and say that I loved Lover Enshrined. I’ve always had a soft spot for Qhuinn, Blaylock, and JM so I really enjoyed the scenes with them in it. I’m so so excited for JM’s book to come out. I know it’s going to be awesome.
I’m a huge fan and will continue to buy the books after they come out in hardcover, but do you know if the first 6 books in the series will come out in hardcover after Lover Avenged has come out in hardcover? I’d like to have a set of the books in hardcover and have a set in paperback too. You’re the only author who I’d spend that kind of money on. lol
Thanks for being such an amazing author!
I loved Phury’s book. It was great seeing him conquer his addiction. The way each book brings out more about the wolrd of the BDB is amazing. I can’t wait for Rehvenge.
K, what’s an SSE?
Yvonne The insiders guide comes out in Oct 08 so you don’t have to wait til May woohoo! Aaaaand it is full of stuff from the Boards and then some – lots of goodies and tid bits so worry not 😉
Lisa.W My pleasure baby girl – I wouldn’t have it any other way! And I think you’re requests will be met 😉
Kim Whats not to love about Wrath 😉
Kim.FWORD! And Syb was good enough to have me so here I be LOLOL
Sarah My pleasure baby girl, glad you like Doc Jess’s book woohoo!
Love the books – I actually take a day off work they day they are released and sit in the book store all day and consume. Yeah I occassionally stop for something to nosh!
Wonderful stories, really 3-d characters – books my friends and I have read over and over and over again – dreaming for the next one.
Thank you for such an amazing series!!
I have absolutely love this series! I didn’t know if I was going to wait for Phury to come out. I hope you continue writing more books. This is the best series that I have ever read.
Hey Alyssa! How have you been? Long time no see. geeze ward how the hell you keeping up with all these comments?
And I WANT a spoiler. hmph give us something really cool
or you know a hint when the next SSE will come out……..
hmmm or don’t and just send it to me 😉
J.R.-I know this is probably a KR, but I’m going to try anyway. : )
Does Payne know that she has a twin? We know V doesn’t know about her, but conversely….???
You are evol. Will you please at least set a damn date. ::pout::
Kim F
I haven’t read any of Dr Jess’s Harlequins, what would you rec? I want to check out the line to see if we can spotlight it later.
I must admit ice cream is my downfall. I am an ice cream junkie! Mint Chocolate Chip is my fav.
I am completely in love with your BDB series I can’t tell you how many times I have read them and thought about the complex characters. You have a wonderful talent for brining the Brothers to life. My favorite Book was Rhage’s and Phury’s would be a close second. The end of Phury’s book had me crying like a baby.What an awesome touching scene!
I have always thought that the Brothers would make an awesome Movie and or series on HBO OR an other cable channel. Have you been approached about this at all and if not tell me who I can write to get the ball rolling! 😉
Phury is so sexy! I wish I could smoke coffee scented ciggeretts. But I dont think I’d dig the wizzard mocking me. I would love to win the complete BDB set because a few of the books I borrowed from the library and my Mom wants to read the serries.
U-vonne I know I know LOL. I have a feeling that Payne and mommy dearest will quench your desires LOLOL but you know me KEEEEEEEEEEEEP REEEEEEEEEEEEEEADING!!! ps Glad you enjoyed Phury and thanks as always for the support 🙂
Nicola O. Muuah! Back at you baby girl and I’m glad you love them as much as I do 😉
Stephanie Coffee ice-cream, your going to share that, riiiiiiiiight?? Yup yup Rehv is such a bad a$$ < see why I love him?! Qhuinn + doors = KEEEEEEEEEEEP REEEEEEEEEEEEEADING! 😉
VaRaceFan the leaf occasionally slips though, LOL
VishousBabe Thanks! Glad you loved LEn but please dont forget to breathe eeeeeeeeek!!!
Great interview. I agree that I loved when Phury become the hero he wanted to be.
No questions, just being a fangirl, here.
Thank you for THE BROTHER’s storys and i cant wait for the next in the series.I dont really have a fav because they are all my fav. I have my Mother reading them also and my Aunt and my Brother and any one I run into at the bookstore.Again thank you Warden for the awesome books and keep them coming!
Great Interview.
My favourite line of the book comes from Xhex. Who’d have thunk? You know, the line she gives to JM. HAWT!
Hey JR!
I really enjoyed LEn. It was a great setup to many interesting things to come…and I anxiously await, lol.
I have a question about the ribbons for Nalla’s crib: How are the colors determined for the human shellans? What’s the Mary/Rhage and the V/Jane ribbon colors? And also, if uncle Rehv doesn’t have a shellan yet, does he not get to pledge a ribbon?
Thanks!
Thank You WARDen for another fantastic trip to Caldwell.
I can’t wait for the next time. 🙂
I can’t think of a question that is non-spoiler so I’ll just have to wait and see how things shake out.
Another Excellent Read!!
I love you’re books Warden. They keep me sane eventhough the cellies are so insane. 😉 Pass on the love Warden and keepem comin’.
ChrisYEY!! Me too, hope you like ’em as much as I do!
Samantha WTG Pimpin’ the Brothers *is proud* ooh a BDB Mix huh?! Hmm interesting, maybe I should get one of those!
Pamk I cried too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Payne – oh boy will you ever – sparks, baby, sparks!!!
I really enjoyed reading LEn……I really started to understand Phury better. I really loved that the next generation of warriors are joining the fight too. I really can’t wait for Rhevenge’s novel. I really think he’s the most interesting of all the characters. And I absolutely love all the Brothers names, especially the spellings. 🙂 Thank you so much for writing such a great series!!!!
TxBecky- I hear you on needing something light after an intense read. I went on a Rachel Gibson binge after I finished writing the sequel to NK (Dawnkeepers, Jan ’09).
Susan, Robin and Jennifer- shout-out back atcha! Thanks for loving NK 🙂
Thia- thanks for bumping up NK in your TBR pile!
Kiley- yes, the idea of an apocalypse is seriously freaky, but remember… party in the bomb shelter, 12/21/2012!
LaurieB am sorry baby girl – ready? KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEADING!!!! < extra big one by apology for missing your Q! Bad WARDen!
One other question…Are these books now or will they at some time in the future be available in audio form? My mom is vision impaired…
I kinda feel like a fool but what is SSE?
Hee hee, you are so cool!! I got my first KR!!:) Gotta go tell the cellies. WOW.
Yvonne funny you say that I can see ceratin people rockin’ the heavy metal 😛 Feel free to guess amongst yourselves LOLOL
Debbie_D My pleasure baby girl, thank you for reading them 🙂
Patricia Vasquez Thanks!! And I plan to keep writing and writing and God willing write some more!
Jessica Miller *blush* Glad you love them baby girl and I LOVE LOVE LOVE writing them! So long may we both be happy LOLOL
Naomi You say obsession like its a bad thing LOL Glad you love the Brothers and way to go on getting Doc Jess and YEY!!!! for bday money 😀
Thank you for the great interview! I adore JR Ward’s series and I just finished reading her latest book.
Flavor of Love — I never would have guessed that!
Okay, another question, but this one is for a cellie who can’t post here (at work, no no, etc) She wants to know if you could tell us how much time elapses between the end of LEN and Rehvs book, or if that is a KR? We are working on a timeline 😉 Thanks much!!
Love the BDB. Just finished LEn and wanted to say thanks for reuniting John and Tohr. This series keeps going new places and it’s so exciting. I’m hooked!
Great, great book. I loved Phury’s book! I have to say…. my favorite line…. was Payne’s opener. That was RIGHT up my alley girl…..!
Just wanted to say thanks for a terrific series-keep writing faster!!! LOL
Electra
Hi WARDen a lot of things happened 25yrs. ago in the books is there any significance to that? Sybil,My favorites are Classified Baby, Meet me at Midnight, and my really, really favorite is Red Alert. Hope this helps.
JR- you are AWESOME! Just when I thought I couldn’t be more in love with this series… you do it again! LEn is my favorite so far… Tohr is home, YAY! JM is awesome and I am positive that Payne is going to kick butt and I can’t wait!
THANK YOU!!!
Wow there are a lot of comments here lol I loved the interview and have to say that I look forward to Nightkeepers (should be arriving any second!!) The BDB is one of my favs and that could never change. I was blown away with Phury’s book. At the end of every chapter I had to take a deep breath because they were like mini cliffhangers. Of course they were resolved to a point later on in the book, but oh man was I antsy to jump ahead to see what happend with the characters.
So one of my favs were scenes with a certain Fallen Angel, I can tell already that I’m going to love his parts, er, in the books that is 😉
Oh and I just gotta say my fav ice cream… Cotton Candy flavored, yum 🙂
Much love to JR and Jessica and of course
**KISSES TO THE BROTHERS**
Forgot to ask my question. Silly me.
Do the Brother’s and civilians just live in the Caldwell area or do they live all over the World, just the U.S.?
Thanks bunches.
Oh JR Ward! You rock! I loved Lover Enshrined! I’m totally looking forward to Rehv’s story!!! Keep em coming!
*scares at calendar* * am going to explode before the next book comes out. Thanks for the hours of great entertainment! You are an awesome writer.
I loved Lover Enshrined! I stayed up til after midnight so I could finish it. Zsadist is still my favorite brother and thank you so much for writing about the BDB! Can’t wait for October, I think the Compendium comes out just in time for my birthday.
Hi JR,
I hope there will be new Jessica Bird books soon.
Great books, great series, great author… (I haven’t read Dr. Anderson yet, but I’m sure I’ll shortly be saying the same of her. lol.)
What more could a girl ask for?
P.S. If Phury were a real person, I would be declaring my undying devotion after reading Lover Enshrined.
Hi JR and Jessica!
Thank you for this interview! Given how good friends you are this must have been fun for you to do :-D. I read LEn last week and I’m totally hung up on JM, Qhuinn and Blay. JR you created a great dynamic between the three of them. I loved the scene in the PT suite! Hands down, my favorite of the book. I’m really looking forward to the Compendium in October! I’m still hoping there might be something new abotu V and Butch (I admit it, I’m addicted), but truly, any new information on the Brothers will be welcome 😀
Have a great day!
Just read Dark Lover and I loved it! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
What Jane said…
J,
Once you’ve cloned yourself and are able to write Billy and Mac O’Banyon’s stories — I will be divinely happy. That is, until I finish reading them, then I’ll start pining again.
I love the O’Banyons, and of course, Alex Moorehouse!!!!!
{She reaches for the brown paper bag, breathing deeply.}
SH
The whole set autographed, I am so up for that! I have to tell a funny here, I am a middle aged lady and not really “with it” as far as current slang goes. My BF got me my first BDB book because he had never heard me mention J.R.Ward so he felt safe in getting it, of course I was immediately hooked. There was a little extra in the whole scenario though, now when my daughter talks I actually understand her because she talks like the Brothers! She is so totally impressed because mom knows what she is saying. Thank you for great books and the insight into my kids as well!
JR – Thank you so much for writing such enthralling books. I get ‘sucked in’ to each book and it takes me weeks to come back down again after each read (and even the re-reads)!
Will Phury and Cormia’s Mating Ceremony be in the Compendium?
Will Layla get a HEA?
What authors do you read when you have a spare moment or two?
Thanks for such great books!
TerriI’m sure you’ll LOVE Doc Jess’s book – I know I did MUUAH!
JameyGlad you and your BFF love them and they keep getting longer so who knows eventually it could be a case of finishing one just in time for the next LOLOL
TxBecky The Omega, the BEEP BEEP BEEP (self edit) went back in time!! GRRR
Susan you guessed right but I’d say it was more a KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEADING!!!! But don’t worry I’ll definitely hook you on the deets baby girl!
Syb interesting idea there 😉
Robin It’s hard but someone has to do it LOLOL