This most certainly was a part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood's World. I will give caution to those that have not yet read Blay and Qhuinn story, Lovers At Last (bk11), go back. To fully accept and enjoy the struggles of getting these two through their mating ceremony, I have to say that their original story is a must. But if you just want a really good holiday read then you can step right in and find it a good one. I for one am someone that want the who story. Leave nothing out for me. So yes, go back. Okay that is enough of me proding you. Qhuinn and Blay have been through a lot and this time is no different. There are obstacles in the way of them making the mating complete. There was a lot here to hold on to. There was a lot here that held you in place and had you think about a few things. This was more than just getting someone down the aisle. This was the culmination of many things in the life of both Qhuinn and Blay. I have to admit to hold on to the edge of the my seat a few time and maybe even holding back a tear or two. Regardless of all that, I always find a very well crafted world and fab characters to get lost in and find friendship and family with. Love the series as a whole and love each story for what they are a new piece to the world created by J.R. Ward. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Entertaining Great world building Page-turner Wonderful characters

4.5 stars--A WARM HEART IN WINTER is instalment 18.5 in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal romance series focusing on a group of vampire warriors known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood. A WARM HEART IN WINTER is the continuing story of Blay, aka Blaylock, son of Rocke, and Qhuinn, aka son of Lohstrong. A WARM HEART IN WINTER can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

NOTE: A WARM HEART IN WINTER contains scenes of M/M sexual situations and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective A WARM HEART IN WINTER focuses on a winter storm that is about to shut down Caldwell, New York, and leaving a deadly path of destruction in its’ wake. On a late night call, Quinn finds himself the victim of an attack while helping a young girl after a motor vehicle accident. Fearing for his mate’s life, Blay comes to the decision that he and Qhuinn should embark on an official mating, to make their union formal in the eyes of the people they love. Meanwhile, Qhuinn’s brother Luchas continues to struggle with his recovery, in the aftermath raids three years earlier, raids that have forced Luchas to reflect on his life, and everything that has happened, before, during and after. As Qhuinn comes to terms with what happened in the past, Luchas makes a decision about his life going forward.

A WARM HEART IN WINTER is a story of family and friendships, relationships and love; of struggle and acceptance; of heart break, pain and loss. JR Ward pulls the reader into an emotional and tragic story but a story that is impassioned, genuine and real.



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I was so glad to read A Warm Heart in Winter. I really like both Blay and Qhuinn and don't mind more of their story and always Ward delivers.

I think one of the things that I like about her writing is the way you can laugh, cry, and get pissed all on the same page. It takes a good author to do that. For most of this book, I felt that way. I was almost physically tired after reading it.

I know that sounds silly but it's how I felt.

I was a little shocked at something that happens in the book. I would wish for a holiday style book it would have been happier. Silly I know, but still how I feel. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the story because I did, but I'd have loved to have had the whole book be a happy ending not just the ending of the book.

I do know that's not how Ward rolls and if I'm going to read her then I have to deal with that fact. That might be why I didn't get overly upset with the shocking things that happen in this book. I know by now how they are going to go.

As a whole, this is a good story that you'll enjoy if you're a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Many of your favorite characters are in the story and you get to visit with them. I'll mention that this is a long book, like 400 pages or so. It drags a bit at the end which makes me think it could have been a little shorter.

I'm glad for Blay and Qhuinn are happy and ended their story. They both needed more to their story and this gave it to us.

More Blay and Qhuinn! In A Warm Heart in Winter, readers are treated to the preparations for Blay and Qhuinn's mating ceremony and I am HERE FOR IT!

Of course, nothing will be simple or straightforward. However, you get peeks at readers favorite characters from the series as many help to plan the ceremony. There is lots of emotion as well, and I did tear up quite a few times. Ward knows how to punch you in the heart with all the feels at JUST the right time. Add in the drama of a fierce winter storm and you  have a beautiful holiday story with tons of heart and the humor readers expect from the BDB!

I would be remiss not to mention that Blay and Qhuinn have not had an easy road. Readers are polarized by these two-you either love them or hate them. I felt that their original story, Lover at Last, didn't really focus on them entirely and their story was a bit condensed. Having said that, readers get more Zhadist, and I think they will love that.

If you are a fan of this series, you will delight in the story-you probably delight in all the BDB books! I think that this series, despite its length (which can seem daunting), always pulls me back in. A Warm Heart in Winter continues this tradition for me, and I suspect, thousands of readers!

I love going back to Caldwell and the amazing world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Author JR Ward delivers a fantastic addition to the series and to Qhuinn and Blay's story.

I have loved these characters from the first time I met them. Their book, Lover At Last was great but I wanted more. You know they say be careful what you wish for? Well, they were talking about author JR Ward. She gives our boys an amazing story in A Warm Heart in Winter, but, she doesn't make it easy.

The story is heartwarming, heartbreaking and had me crying, as well as, laughing out loud. It has everything I need to keep me engaged and wanting more. It is about love and loss; family and friends; overcoming the past and looking forward to the future.

I love that we get more of Zsadist in this book. He might be my favorite Brother, if I had it in me to pick. I wanted another book for him, too. His connection with Qhuinn warms my heart. And of course, Lassiter! He gets better with each book. We are also treated to the other BDB characters, fans know and love.

This story focuses more on the characters themselves than the war with the enemy. Author Ward answers many questions but, as always, creates new ones. That's ok with me because I don't want this series to end.

Out of this whole series, Blay and Qhuinn were always, and still are, my favorite couple from this series. This series has so many great couples, story lines, and characters (Lassiter!!). These little novella's are such a nice bonus for us. I love getting glimpses of the characters we love and visit ones we haven't seen in a while (as the main plot of a book). 

Visiting my guys again, seeing everyone else, getting a BDB book in December! I loved everything about this book. Anyone who is a fan of this series needs to check this one out!!

Even though Qhuinn and Blay are a mated couple living within the Brotherhood mansion, they’ve never gone through the official mating ceremony, nor have they felt the urge to do so given how beautiful their unofficial one was. But Qhuinn is a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and it’s something they all have done. When he faces a life threatening situation and suffers a tragedy, Qhuinn must confront his painful past and family history in order to embrace an unshackled future.

I’d forgotten how ugly Qhuinn’s family was to him before he found the Brotherhood and just how important Blay was to his mental salvation. The fact that he could forgive his blood brother Luchas for his role in running him away from his family speaks volumes about the man. Their relationship is precious and it was heartwarming to see them together, though heavily laden with guilt and forgiveness. But the real heart of the story belongs to Blay and Qhuinn’s relationship, how they express themselves with each other and are co-parenting Qhuinn’s twins. It doesn’t hurt that they are one of my favorites in the series.

The story begins with an unusual interaction that puzzled me until the end of the story where it all makes sense and ties together. I loved the focus on family and those relationships, even beyond Qhuinn & Blay, though theirs is the most compelling. There are some powerful moments involving Zsadist (Z) and Lassiter, the Fallen Angel and successor to the Scribe Virgin, too. It’s a moving story made even more impactful by the exceptional narration of Jim Frangione whose storytelling skills can’t be overemphasized. He just hits the right tones at the right moments so you capture absolutely everything. I will always listen to this series and enjoyed everything about this story!

J.R. Ward is releasing a sweet romance story of Blay and Qhuinn finally getting their proper mating ceremony. And it’s such a cute yet sexy romance read. Blay and Qhuinn have always meant to have a proper mating ceremony but things get very busy when you are in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. But you cannot deny true love when you get the all time proposal. And it’s so sweet that everyone wants to help plan the ceremony. Like I would definitely help if I can (unfortunately I cannot). But to the subject, Blay and Qhuinn will discover their true love for each other again. Things will get messy cause that’s life. But love for each other is always the key. It takes a moment to realize that but it will always come back no matter what.

Blay and Qhuinn look forward to their official mating ceremony, but tragedy strikes. The Black Dagger Brotherhood rallies around them, and hopefully, they can weather the storm.

It's been a hot minute since I last read Black Dagger Brotherhood books, so I was actually grateful for the terms listed before the start of the novel to refresh my memory on them. These vampires, for those that haven't read any of the books yet, are sensitive to sunlight, can possibly live for a thousand years or more, generally adhere to strict gender roles, and transition into their full vampiric ability after being full grown. They marry, have children, and are part of a whole separate society from humans, with their own mythology, language, and traditions. Blaylock and Qhuinn are gay, a relative rarity, and utterly besotted with each other. Even though Qhuinn is stabbed at the beginning of the book, he still flirts with Blay, cracks terrible jokes about his virility, and is generally the imposing-looking biker dude stereotype.

There are hints of troubles that other vampires went through in prior books of the series, but nothing overwhelming. It's a large collection of found family and men who are sworn brothers in arms, some of whom found their mates and started having children. A formal mating ceremony between Blay and Qhuinn isn't even mentioned, but there are a series of disasters in the house during a terrible snowstorm that hit upstate New York. Woven into that story are occasional scenes with the human teenager that Qhuinn was helping at the beginning of the book. It all comes together in the end, and Qhuinn finds closure.

As warriors, the vampires had been through considerable trauma, and only some of them had reached out for help. The one that did get actual therapy helps Qhuinn, pointing him in the right direction of recovery. It's not treated as a joke or weakness by anyone involved, which I appreciate; none of the Brotherhood ever puts down the mental toll that their battles leave behind. They rally together as a family, creating the support network that they all need. This was always one of the greatest features of the series: no matter how badass the characters are, love, support, and family are still important and fulfilling.

While the Black Dagger Brotherhood books are part of a rather extensive series, this read fine as a stand alone, and so much more. Vampires, Christmas, and romance?? What a great intersection of themes, not found very often.

When one of their nieces asks, Blay and Qhuinn realize they’ve never had a formal mating ceremony. They definitely love each other, already have two young, and no one questions their commitment to each other. But will an official mating ceremony be the statement that makes their love even stronger? Before they have much time to focus on that, the storm of centuries hits! There’s insane wind and cold temperatures, shattered windows, a tree making its way inside and most importantly, non-operational daylight shutters. As all the occupants of the house are taking care of repairs, is one of their own going to be lost forever?

This was a really good book. There was so much going on, and all of it ended up fitting together. Overall, I’d give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for those who like their Christmas stories a bit less traditional. While this series is fantasy and vampires, the way the author tells it makes it feel natural.

I enjoyed getting more of Quinn and Blay! I love this pair. I enjoyed how J.R. Ward draws the reader in and delivers an immersive experience. Her writing allows the reader to “see” this story. I felt the cold from the snowstorm and I was holding my breath, waiting to see what was next! I enjoyed seeing all the Brothers, some more than others, but I was here for this story! I loved the holiday feels this book had as well.

This book was more BDB than any of the last few books in the series. This had everything I wanted, more of the brothers, more family moments, and way more emotion. I cried three times. And once was legit full on tears, setting the book down to collect myself, type of crying. I was so not expecting these things to happen.

This tiny MMP packs a solid punch. While a nor’easter slams Caldwell, things at the mansion are anything but smooth. You would think that having a snow day would be fun but one thing after another seems to go wrong.

Blay and Qhuinn aren’t my favorite couple, if I’m being honest. So spending more time in their heads didn’t sound like fun to me but this book changed my mind. Their love story is definitely one of the rockiest we’ve seen, sprinkled with the craziest family dynamic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It makes me so very happy to see how far they’ve come.

Fans will be happy to see who else’s POV we get in this book. It was nice to be back with him and see that even people, or vampires in this case, still have to continue working on yourself even if you have a family. Having a family isn’t always the sure fire way to normalcy. There will always be demons you must destroy.

Last, but definitely not least, we have Lassiter. That angel is one of a kind. He can drive you crazy one minute, and the next have you in tears. I adore him. His scenes are evolving and it makes me stand up and take notice. The angel is definitely growing into himself. We better all hold on.

I wasn’t planning on talking so much about this but again, this little book packs a punch. There’s so much more I could say but I’ll let you just read it for yourself.

BLAY AND QHUINNN!!!!!

Okay, I have to say, this is a book written for the BDB fans. The only reason I enjoyed this so much was because Blay and Qhuinn are my babies and I wanted to see them happy. Do we see them happy? Yes. But we also get 400+ pages of them being really really sad.

This book really explores Blay and Qhuinn and the hurt and heartbreak they've experienced and experience again because of what occurs in this book. We do get a lot of Zsadist in here, which warmed my heart so much. Zsadist is there for Blay and Qhuinn and offers them support and guidance through the grief they experience. I loved seeing so much of Zsadist and we also got so much of Qhuinn's babies and the other children living in the mansion. This was just such a treat because we got to see the characters all just living and interacting with one another.

Did this add anything to the overall series? Not really. The ending did drag a bit, but the reason I just loved reading it so much was because it was just a heartwarming (and sad) look into the lives of our favorite characters. Nothing is added to the overall plot of the series or the new villain in the main books, but it was a nice chance for some characters to heal and find happiness.

Earlier this year J.R. Ward brought us another novel in her long-running Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire series, The Sinner; the start of a new offshoot, The Jackal; and now the Christmas-themed A Warm Heart in Winter, which will be published on Tuesday It continues the story of Qhuinn and Blay, who were the subjects of Lover at Last. A holiday gift for her readers, the new novel gives Ward a chance to lovingly catch up on all her BDB characters but also offer the suspense and deep emotions her books are known for as she advances the saga.

A love story like no other!
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The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a tightknit group of men and their family, extended or just a member of the brotherhood. Their connections are intense and their bonds are strengthened through experiences.

Many of the stories are deep and fierce. These men are fighting for the greater good and can be vicious in one moment; emotional and loving the next. Oftentimes you’re literally holding your breath from one page to the next.

In this new release, Ward delivers a story that is raw and intense, bouncing your emotions from profound sadness to extreme delight. This story is a love story and it’s one like none other you have experienced.

Yes, this is a series and through the series, you get to know these people intensely, so I would recommend reading one or two books before this one so that you can appreciate the gift Ward has brought us.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood lives on and it’s truly making a mark in the literary world. Bravo!

Christmas came early in the form of A WARM HEART IN WINTER! JR Ward hit every mark with this book for a holiday romance that packs an emotional punch.

I've never been a big fan of Qhuinn's and wasn't quite sure how I'd react to this book, but I can safely say it's one of my favorites of the entire series. As A WARM HEART IN WINTER is a "novella", it's much more character-driven than we usually see. The diabolical Devina is nowhere to be seen as things at the mansion get crazy when a nor'easter winter storm blows in. Qhuinn and Blay appear to be doing well, settled into their relationship and little family with Layla and Xcor. An off the cuff comment by Bitty reminds Blay that he and Qhuinn haven't yet had a mating ceremony. With that on his mind, the sensitive Blay allows insecurity to set in regarding his relationship with Qhuinn and when a tragedy befalls the mansion, Blay finds himself broken hearted and unable to connect with Qhuinn.

Qhuinn really shines in A WARM HEART IN WINTER. He's forced to face some things that he's shoved aside, resulting in character growth that brought me to tears. Seriously, I've never been able to warm up to Qhuinn, but in this book I felt an incredible, intimate relationship with him that has changed the way I look at him. And, Blay's part in A WARM HEART IN WINTER really moved me. It's clear to me that, like Ruhn, Blay is a sensitive soul. Seeing him hold steady even as his heart hurts for Qhuinn made me love him even more.

As most of the book takes place at the mansion readers will enjoy time spent with all the characters. For some, there are just glimpses, but the Brothers are right there when Qhuinn needs them, especially Zsadist. We get to see more of Zsadist than we have in awhile and his fans will swoon over his scenes! And, then there's Lassiter. Like with Qhuinn, I wasn't much of a fan. A WARM HEART IN WINTER changes that for me as well, so kudos to JR Ward for changing my mind not once, but twice.

A Blay and Qhinn story convinced me to jump back into this series.

Blaylock and Qhuinn have had a long and complex history. They have been friends since before their transition. While Blay was loved by his parents, Qhuinn was rejected by his parents because of his deformity (one blue eye and one green eye). Qhuinn was raised like an unwanted orphan and he mostly watched his parents dote on his older brother and sister from the window of his room in his second-hand, threadbare clothes, until the day they finally tossed him out of the house and removed him officially from the family records. The only thing that kept Qhuinn from giving up on life was his friendship with Blay.

But along this journey not everything was puppies and rainbows between these two best friends. Blay was obviously in love with Quinn since they were teens but Qhuinn, always treated as an unwanted freak and outsider in his own family, was not ready to accept that he was also gay. For many years, Blay had to watch Qhuinn on his nightly sexcapades with strange women. And for awhile Blay gave up on his dream of being with Qhuinn and was in a relationship with Qhuinn’s cousin, Saxton. Then Qhuinn fathered the twins, Lyric and Rhampage with one of the Scribe Virgin’s Chosen. Layla, complicating his relationships with everyone.

Qhuinn and Blay had a rocky relationship for many years until Qhuinn was finally ready to admit that his feelings toward Blay were so much more than friendship, but even after all this time as a couple, you still saw that Blay struggled and had moments of doubt about Qhuinn’s feelings and Blay’s place in Qhuinn’s life. They are mates but they never had a mating ceremony. Blay fears that Qhuinn might simply change his mind at any point and walk away from him. I imagine most of that had to do with the fact that it took Qhuinn so long to accept the love that Blay has offered to him.

A blizzard hits Caldwell and things the mansion go sideways which has everyone distracted by power outages, broken windows and falling trees. While chaos reigns and everyone is running around trying to make the mansion safe, we lose a member of the household.

Even though we don’t see too much of him in this story, I feel the most for Lassiter in what happened. Since the fallen angel has taken over for the Scribe Virgin, Lassiter knows that is coming and even he says that he is bound by some rules, one of which is not to interfere with fate. In many ways, Lassiter makes it harder on himself spending so much time with the Brothers and their families. As he builds a personal connection with all of them, it must be so much harder to know when something bad is coming and not being able to intervene or even give a warning that might stop something bad happening to these people he cares about. The Brothers are as close to a family that he has and yet he can’t interfere and even nudge them in a way to keep them safe.

I am a few books behind on this series and while things have changed a smidge, it was nothing that I couldn’t follow along on. Even though I do have some issues with the worldbuilding in the BDB universe, there are a few characters in this series that I really like such as Rhage and Mary and Blay and Qhuinn and need to pick up a book to find out what is happening to them.

5 stars
This brings back many of the popular characters but I loved that it focused on my true favorites Blay and Quinn, and also Zhadist.

I will admit that I was disappointed in Blay and Quinn's first book, Lover at Last, because I felt their story was overshadowed by so many other stories and characters, and we got more angst than couple time with them. But in this one, I was thrilled to see more of Blay and Quinn and their passion, their bond, and the family they have made together with the twins, Layla, and Xcor. There are challenges and realizations. There are scares, emotional events, regrets, grief, and some fears. And a winter storm has the potential to cause damage. But these two stand by each other even when they are not sure how they can truly help.

I just love these two so much. They are could not be more different in appearance and style, but their connection born of friendship and built on trust, understanding, and love is simply beautiful and passionate. And this book gives them all the respect and support that they are due. I truly felt like this is finally Quinn and Blay's well-deserved happily-ever-after.

And Z will always hold a special place in my heart. He is the brother with the most demons and self-worth issues and I love seeing him with Bella and Nalla. But he is a man (well a vamp) who still struggles at times with those old scars and issues. But he has so much to offer even when he has a hard time seeing it. I enjoyed his contributions to this story so much.

And Lassiter still intrigues, me especially as he is stepping into his new role. And some of his scenes are also so significant. He can bring comic relief, but he also has big responsibilities.

There are often new characters this author brings in and I spend time trying to figure out how they fit into the big picture. And the ones that were woven into this story that did not seem to truly fit, make sense in the end.

This is no doubt a true BDB book, but with a winter/holiday backdrop. It brings us the characters and multiple points of view (but not too many to overwhelm). There are conflicts and situations that will test the characters and provide opportunities where they will have to work together. There are some surprises and danger. And there is the brotherhood, friendship, and loyalty that this group excels at. But I felt like there were also more opportunities for meaningful conversations, self-actualization, personal growth, and just more emotional content in this one. It also really lets Quinn and Blay shine. It shows the depth of their mate bond and how they are willing to do whatever needed to make the other truly happy.

Circumstances for all of them will never be perfect due to the nature of their existences and threats, but there was a little bit of perfect in this one for sure. It really did touch my heart in so many ways and I finally feel like Quinn and Blay got what they deserved this time. And it also made me love Z and Lassiter even more too.

Family, reconnecting, sharing joy, and love for each other. That's what Christmas and the holidays are all about. Not everyone comes from a family or a home where that happens for them. Some come from broken desolate places and are only able to find that love in the here-and-now.

A Warm Heart in Winter encompasses all that for me. It's a wonderful look into the Brotherhood during the holiday season, but it's also a look into Z and Qhuinn. How the broken can be healed with personal love, yet still have lingering issues that don't just magically disappear. It's real. It's work. It's love.

I cried throughout this read. Its therapy via printed pages. Thank you to J.R. Ward for acknowledging that even with a happily-ever-after trauma takes time to heal and people are a forever work in progress.

Mixed in the "real" are some beautifully poignant moments that make A Warm Heart in Winter a stand out in the series. Whatever holidays you celebrate, I wish you love.

~Tanja