You’re my sonshine after the rain
“The Story of Son” by JR Ward - Dead after Dark Anthology
First up, Sayuri, you are da bomb sister! *thumps chest twice and throws down the peace sign*. Second of all, JR Ward’s “The Story of Son” goes a mighty long way in erasing the pain in my heart as a result of Phury’s book. Which kinda makes you wonder - if JR Ward was more than capable of making one fall in love with a virgin vampire, why she couldn’t do the same for Phury because…Michael Leeds is one sexy ass vampire who needs to be chained to my basement STAT!
Because Sayuri has very quickly and steathily called dibs on Michael *growls silently*, I can do not but sing of his praises from afar. Trapped by his own mother for about fifty over years since he was 12 years old, Michael has known nothing about the outside world, living in the basement of his momma’s house; shut off from human contact. Once a year, when the thirst for blood becomes too much for him to control, Michael is given a female body to drink from for 3 days. On the third day, Michael wipes clean his blood donor’s memory with the whole mind control thing and his mom’s creepy butler (I MISS YOU FRITZ!!) comes to take the girl away. The VERY lucky girl in question in this instance is Claire. A hardworking career driven, ball busting Mergers & Acquisitions lawyer who makes no apologies for her ambition, or her love of the corporate game. Tasked to deliver and to explain to Eliza Leeds (Michael’s psycho bitch of a mother) the changes in her will, Claire drives to Caldwell (I am SO getting my ass there and checking the basement of every house I come upon), gets herself drugged (and I am going to demand to be served Earl Grey tea now at every strangers’ house at Caldwell I come upon). When she comes to, she realises that she’s lying upon a large bed, upon velvet sheets, surrounded by dozens of books and candlelight.
Michael appears thereafter, his chains dragging silently (as silent as chains can be) behind him, explaining in an incredibly gentle way that he isn’t going to hurt her and that all he wants is to be spanked. Oh wait. No, that’s just me. JR Ward is truly a tease. That’s the only explanation I can think of that would justify her having a gorgeous, ripped, entirely too gentlemanly vampire chained up and me not being the heroine holding the key, and a pot of honey. Michael drinks from her and Claire’s heart starts a racing at the erotic act. And while she sleeps, Michael watches quietly from the broody shadows, and then lovingly sketches her. Claire soon discovers the sensual portrait Michael had drawn of her and somewhat jealously asks if he has drawn a sketch of the other women who had the good fortune of being locked in the basement with him. Happily for Claire, Michael confesses that he is only intrigued by her, and is thoroughly confused by his reaction to her, and of his need to take many cold showers. Jealous of the human males whom Claire had earlier taken as lovers, Michael is a chocolate covered love popsicle to which I must lick. All over. When Sayuri isn’t looking. Cos really when towards the end, Claire manages to spring Michael free and brings him to her colleague Mick’s house (who happens to be one of Claire’s few ex-lovers), Michael is incredibly possessive and calmly informs Claire that he will not hesitate to bite Mick if he inappropriately touches Claire. *Swoon*. A jealous vampire lover is totally on my list of things I want Santa to bring to me for Christmas.
Now I know y’all are dying to hear about the sex because I know I am not the only one whose mind has made the gutter a home. Though initially apprehensive about Michael’s ability to turn up the hot factor, I realise quickly that I need not have worried. Oh Michael. So talented, and such a quick learner. Seriously the scenes between Claire and Michael were kinda steamy, especially when Michael goes all growly and dominating, and Michael’s innocence of the female anatomy is pretty hot, especially since the boy is a curious cat who is willing and happy to do and try everything and anything. That, coupled with the whole bitey bitey sucky sucky thing that the vampire boys in JR Ward’s book do oh so well, makes for good reading in this horribly bleak weather.
My only complaint is that JR Ward didn’t have more chapters to work with because really, I would have loved to have read more about Claire and Michael’s bonding. No, not like that dirty minds! Claire seemed to go from terrified and angry at her capture to enthralled and in love very quickly and though I am not one to judge because if I found an incredibly beautiful looking man looking at me as if I were his heart’s treasure and who was also hung like a giant redwood, I would probably hop on the love train faster than fleas on a dog. Fans of JR Ward should definately not pass up the chance on this one though fair warning - none of our favourite Brothers appear so do not get your hopes up of seeing a random black leather wearing hip hop bobbing 7 footer lurking about. Check back for a review of the rest of the stories in the “Dead After Dark” anthology!
PS: Sayuri - How about working out some sort of time-share agreement? 
Sayuri said,
December 9, 2008 @ 2:38 am
Wasn’t it just great? All hawt and sultry and intense, like great vintage Ward. I am so happy you liked it S. I think another bad story from JR would have nailed her coffin shut for you.
I have to agree it would have been better if it was longer. Do you think it was set in the BDB world? I have to say if it was there were some glaring irregularites so I decided it wasn’t. For the sake of my sanity.
Timeshare..hmmm. I think I could swing that. I have so many of them dibbed now I barley get to see them but once a fortnight. I wouldn’t want them to get rusty and lose all thier skillz! Plus with so many new guys auditioning, time-mangement has become a bit of an issue.
How about every Sunday/Monday? He is completely devoted to me but I think I could persuade him *g*
Bridget Locke said,
December 9, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
I’ve come to the conclusion that this book can’t be set in the BDB world, or it is, but only to a certain extent, because as Sayuri said, there are some glaring inconsistencies.
And I’m sorry if this doesn’t make much sense. I’m running a high fever and my brain is not communicating all that well. *sigh*
I thought the sex was hot, but at the end when she finds out and stuff, that really made me kind of mad. Can’t remember, but I am. Or am I? Ugh.
Sheridan Sakura Carlotta said,
December 9, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Sayuri - I cannot think about some of the inconsistencies and unanswered questions with regard the story. Like you, my sanity must be preserved above all else. I miss vintage JR Ward. I was inspired to go back and re-read Wrath and Rhage’s book (mine) after “The Story of Son”, which I did, much to my utter delight. Also, Sunday & Monday works well for me
hah!
Sheridan Sakura Carlotta said,
December 9, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Oh no Bridget! I hope you feel better soon! The only reference to the BDB world that JR Ward had mentioned in the book was when Claire wondered whether there were “others like him” but that’s about it. I thought the sex was pretty hot too though what I didn’t understand was how quickly she managed to come out of the memory spell he put her under. Amongst other things. Sigh. Let us stay in the warm and fuzzy of JR Ward!
La Lola said,
December 9, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
When we’re talking about glaring inconsistencies, I guess we’re talking about him being able to drink from human women and not be weak, and her slowing her ageing process by drinking from him kind of thing? I dunno, coz if she didn’t want to set it in the same universe, then she shouldn’t have situated the story in Caldwell.