Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark)

Burning Dawn
by Gena Showalter
Release Date:  April 29, 2014
Publisher: HQN Books
Book #3 in the Angels of the Dark series
(also listed as book #10.5 in the Lords of the Underworld series)
Number of Pages: 384
Kindle Edition
Source:  MCL
Paranormal Romance M/F
Rating:  XXX
Read 9/6/19 to 9/8/19

A tormented past has left Thane with an insatiable need for violence, making him the most dangerous assassin in the skies. He lives by a single code: no mercy. And as he unleashes his fury on his most recent captor, he learns no battle could have prepared him for the slave he rescues from his enemy’s clutches—a beauty who stokes the fires of his darkest desires.

Elin Vale has her own deep-rooted scars, and her attraction to the exquisite warrior who freed her challenges her every boundary. But Thane’s unwavering determination to protect her means she must face her greatest fears—and enter a world in which passion is power, and victory means breathtaking surrender.

Woo boy! Thane just breaks my heart.  I have a feeling his “brothers” are going to do the same when I get to their stories.  I can’t even count the number of times I was holding back tears.  Not only from Thane’s story, also from learning more about Elin.  The insecurities of both of them really brought out the mama bear in me. 

There was so much going on in this story, but Elin and Thane kept finding time to connect.  It was like they couldn’t help themselves.  And once Thane gave into that overwhelming chemistry he had with Elin, he turned into the most romantic and soft-bellied warrior.

Elin also had to get past some things before she gave into the pull Thane had over her.  Once she did that, she was all in and it was oh so sweet.  I loved the way they both tried to protect the other, even when the other didn’t think they needed protection.  It was especially sweet when the human Elin would try to physically protect the immortal Thane. 

As well as the two main characters having amazing chemistry, the side characters really rounded out the connections of everyone at the Thane’s club.  The other waitresses at Downfall really took Elin under their wing and gave her a sense of family that she hadn’t had in so long.  Readers of this series already know the brotherhood Thane has with Bjorn and Xerxes, that same familial feeling extended out to Elin once they got to know her.  Not to mention the mysterious Adrian and his protectiveness of all the women and his silent judgment of Thane.  Put them all together and it was paranormal romance gold.

4.5 stars