The Bourbon Kings

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese

The number one New York Times best-selling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege - and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal...

For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege - as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted - and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: Not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions - professional and intimately private - ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

©2015 J. R. Ward (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Get ready for summer’s most sinful indulgence. The drama never stops in this tale of family secrets, lost love found, rivalries, delightfully nasty villains, and deliciously appealing heroes. The clothes, the whiskey, and the gorgeous Kentucky backdrop will sweep you away. The privileged and the downtrodden never had it so good. Put on your derby hat and join in the fun.” (New York Times best-selling author Susan Wiggs)

“Breathless fun! J. R. Ward moves her trademark dark and sexy from the world of warrior vampires to the halls of the Kentucky elite, where the family members’ claws are just as sharp and the consequences just as deadly. I couldn’t stop turning the pages!” (New York Times best-selling author Lisa Gardner)

“I want my Bourbon in bed! J. R. Ward delivers a sweeping saga where family roots run deep and passion sizzles hotter than a Kentucky summer. Potent and heady, one taste just isn’t enough.” (New York Times best-selling author Gena Showalter)

Bourbon, intrigue, betrayal & love-a PERFECT recipe!

This story is something of a departure for Ward and its a brilliant beginning to what promises to be an intriguing and complex storyline. As someone who works in Louisville in the world defined by bourbon and The Derby, I must say "The Warden" has nailed it! While the story has all the elements of the traditional "romance novel" the story has so much more to offer; anyone who has ever stood in a line hoping for a chance to buy THAT collectible bottle of bourbon-cough, Pappy Van W,cough-will find this fictitious family's business backstory interesting. The information on the challenges and realities of bourbon production and distribution are spot-on and offer an insiders perspective to the making of a product with a rich culture and heritage that is uniquely Kentucky. Wards strong characters -even the caricature ones-shine a light on the struggle to maintain historical ties of southern identity while adapting to an ever-changing society. A very worthy read indeed.

So Damn Good!!!!

#teamJRWard
I love all of her stories but I can't wait to hear what happens with the B Kings!

Can't wait till the next one.

Great story line and kept me hooked until the end. Only downside is that we will have to wait until the next book to find out what happens.

I didn't like the narrator

I will try the e-book I did not finish the audio book because I did not enjoy the narrator.

10 STARS!!! SOUTHERN COMFORT LIVES AND BREATHES!!!

JR You blew me out of the water - As a Fan of your Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels, I was a bit worried about this new series but knew I had to give this a try. WELL, Lane "Tulane", Lizzie, Chantel, Edward, Gin and company were all this and more - ESPECIALLY in narrative/Audible form! You have found your BK narrator! My Lord Alexander Cendese is your epitome of Southern Comfort! Just as Jim Frangione is your BDB!

I'm listening again just to enjoy the incredible flow and depth of this story and these characters! You have (in my eyes) amped up your writing since the beginning of BDB, through that series and the Fallen Angels with every book - the growth and evolution is amazing! Every book is better than the last! Save for a few personal favorites! As always, your book will be listened to and read again and again - and part of my favorites collection. Thank you for the gift, I LOVE that you write these intriguing books and they include Love and relationships. Some critics view this as a downfall - they can't critically acclaim a book that not only Brilliant - Accurate, Resonant - but includes Love - they can't give you the acclaim they give Patterson, etc.... CRAZY! In my eyes, all of history, all happenings have real people (or your composite of a person) real people tend to have relationships, Love in the mix that affects events and their lives - it's integral to every story - it invests me and makes the story truly Live in my eyes.
Thank you!

Great story, terrible performance

The story was fascinating, but the reader's terrible southern accent and terrible breathy voice for the female characters was so awful that it really detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Yikes.

great ride!!!

I felt like I was watching an original episode of Dallas, or General Hospital! Such a good story! Want more!

Awful Narrator...Great Book...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Bourbon Kings to be better than the print version?

Not in this instance? Usually I enjoy the audio books but this narrator was truly awful. His narration of female voices comes across as "valley girl mixed with whiny simpleton". I think I would have preferred to read this one in print, it's that bad.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course my favorite character is Lizzie but I think we all tend to root for the strong, educated and fierce female heroines.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator made me wish I had purchase this on in print.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Devilish Intrigue and savage delight!

Any additional comments?

Well written with a cast of characters you will root for from beginning to end!

Different but good

Stalled on getting this as it was so different from Jr's regular stories. I did enjoy it, enough that I got the second book in the series. Very like Nora Robert's.

Drama at it's best

What does Alexander Cendese bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice draws you in ... He is great at male characters and accents ... the ladies? not so much but I've yet to hear a male narrator make a lady sound like an actual woman.