She should be his mortal enemy.
Ancient dragon shifter Rhys awoke from his slumber hungry for revenge against the witch who killed his sister. When his hunt takes him to the rebuilding city of New Orleans, he finds a woman he can’t keep his eyes off—but she’s a witch. While Rhys wants to despise all of Dallas’s kind, even he can’t deny that she's beautiful, kind and…adorable. And her pet baby dragon only increases his fascination with the sexy woman. Protective instincts he never knew he had take over him as they hunt powerful monsters. He’s forced to confront everything he thought he knew about witches as his life is turned upside down.
But he wants her anyway.
Dallas Kinley is used to being hated because of what she is. Witches have always been the pariahs of the supernatural community. Until now, when the world needs rebuilding. Even though she wants to keep her distance from Rhys, vampires and humans are dying in New Orleans, so she vows to help him hunt down those responsible. But finding the enemy comes at a heavy price, because Dallas is hiding a terrible secret. As they race against the clock to find the murderers, she can only hope his need for revenge won’t rip them apart. Especially when he finds out what she’s been hiding from him.
Author note: Book can be read as a stand-alone complete with HEA.
Rhys is a broody and angry dragon shifter that came out of hibernation still bent on revenge. His sister was killed by a witch thousands of years ago and he is still determined to track her and get vengeance. He knows it could be a suicide mission, but feels it is his duty. And that brings him to New Orleans.
On a routine assistance mission for the Alpha of New Orleans, he crosses paths with Dallas. She is a witch that uses her magic for agriculture and also happens to be raising an orphaned dragonling named Willow. She is kind of a loner, untrusting, and used to being judged for what she is. They are thrown together on an assignment and the more time they spend together, the more an unexpected attachment grows between them.
When unusual dark witch activity happens in the city putting supernaturals and humans at risk, they end up in the middle of the fray. And Rhys finds himself very protective of Dallas and Willow. But Dallas has some secrets that could change everything and Rhys still has his own mission and has never planned his own possibility of a future...but he also is keeping a secret from her.
I fell for the sweet dragonling, Willow. I loved that Dallas is good-hearted but also strong and talented in her own right. And Rhys is protective, possessive, brave, and ready to fight for those he cares about. I loved seeing them work together and find a connection since both had the tendency to push people away before they could get hurt.
I am enjoying this mixed setting of New Orleans with all kinds of supernaturals. This brings back the side characters we met in Ancient Protector. This sets up some future stories and I am already really excited about the NOLA Alpha, King and hope he gets his own story in the future.
Rhys is an ancient dragon shifter, recently arisen from a centuries long hibernation following the murder of his sister. Intent on vengeance against the witch who killed his sister, his hunt leads him to New Orleans where he will have to confront everything he thought he knew. He is tasked by King, the Alpha of New Orleans, with protecting the witch who will help develop additional gardens to keep the population fed. His agreement is hesitant but he knows he owes it to King.
Dallas is used to being judged for what she is. Born a witch, she has always kept her distance from others, though she is known for her ability to nurture a garden. She is determined to do as little harm as possible. When King asks for her help in setting up neighborhood gardens throughout New Orleans, she reluctantly leaves her little haven in order to make sure the people around her have what they need.
Dallas and Rhys explore New Orleans, they find themselves also searching for whoever is behind a rash of human and vampire murders. Working together, they each have their own agendas, but the secrets they keep may rip apart the peace they have found working together.
I quickly fell in love with both Rhys and Dallas, and Dallas’s pet dragon, Willow. I loved the addition of Willow, a true dragonling, and the preconceived notions her presence in the story forced the characters to address. Rhys is determined and rigid, but he is also loyal and invested in protecting those around him. Dallas has a kind-heart and would do anything to help her neighbors. The two of them working together was a recipe for success as they would go to all lengths to make things right.
This came at the perfect time for me. I loved the diversion of PNR and shifters. This story stands alone nicely, though there are returning characters from Ancient Protector. The return to this version of New Orleans is a perfect blend of post-apocalypse, paranormal, and romance. I cannot wait for more from this world, and am most excited to learn more about King, the alpha of New Orleans.
Ancients Rising Series on Goodreads
Covers linked to info on Author's website
Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.
However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.
However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.
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