Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark)

Gena Showalter is back. If you have to ask where she went, you haven't been reading some of her latest books. The past few have definitely failed to measure up to her earlier offerings, especially in the sexual arena. But I believe if you liked the Lords of the Underworld books from the days of Lucien and Aeron, you will definitely enjoy Burning Dawn. It's angsty, snarky, and very sexy.

This is Thane's book. As the story begins, he doesn't even know who he is anymore. He is being held as a sex slave by the Phoenix who captured him in the last book. But a brave halfling named Elin sees more in him. She risks her neck to break his addiction and help set him free, hoping he will get her out of the camp where she, too, is a prisoner.

Her plan works. She and Thane escape, and he grants her protection as an employee in his club. He also takes all the Phoenix (Phoenixes? Phoeni?) who were at the camp with them and proceeds to torture them without mercy. So who could blame Elin for keeping her half Phoenix heritage to herself? Of course, this sets up The Big Secret that you know is going to come back and bite them just as they start to fall in love.

Thane's a pretty good tortured hero and I enjoyed watching him learn to love. I liked his emotional commitment; how he goes all-in with Elin; how loving her prompts him to want to be a better man. Elin is a pretty good heroine and she grows a lot too. I like that, despite her youth, she has not only had a sexual relationship before, but a real loving one. (Showalter loves virgin heroines, so this is a pretty novel thing.) Her sass and smack-talk are a little over the top at times: very reminiscent of Anya, or Kresley Cole's Valkyries.

My only other beef: the constant misunderstandings between Thane and Elin. Neither ever gave the other time to explain things. They would storm off and invariably Something Bad happens. All of those snap judgments started to feel a little contrived and got on my nerves a bit.

But on the plus side: The sex is rockin. As hot and satisfying as the Showalter books of old. There is no message. It's just classic-style sexy PNR. I think fans will be so pleased. I also think loyal readers will enjoy the LotU crossover. It's a bit more than in the earlier books of this spinoff, IMO, and it makes me (even more) excited to read Torin's book.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. And I'm a little sad not knowing for sure if there will be any more. There are threads left open here and I'm afraid we'll never get resolution on them. I have wanted a Xerxes book since the beginning, Gena. Hook me up!

Rating: B

*ARC provided by publicist for review

Finally! I had begun to despair a bit after reading a few of the books before this one. I'd given up and stopped reading them, but recently decided to go to the library to read this one before I decided if I wanted to buy it (I'd become leary of sinking my money into stories I might not like). I'll be buying it so that I can read it again later.

***LIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD***
Thane was a badly damaged person emotionally and had to take a few wrong turns before he figured things out. He didn't instantly throw out centuries of thinking of things the old way, which would have been rather unbelievable. He messed up a few times, but learned quickly enough that I didn't start to hate him and was able to feel sorry for him instead. He did have to suffer the consequences of his actions because Elin didn't just instantly forgive and forget everything, which is a pet peeve of mine. I really hate when a character does something really hurtful but faces no consequences or even the threat of consequences as a result of their poor behavior. He really feels badly about it and tries to make it up, but has to realize that it won't just go away because he said sorry. Actions have consequences. However, when he finally figures things out and goes all in, he is ALL in! Elin was also damaged, but learned to be a stronger person. I do wish the she had figured her own stuff out sooner, though. It was getting a bit tiresome by the time she finally got it. They needed each other and fit together well by the end. I loved the strong bond between Thane, Xerxes, and Bjorn and how she fit into it. Now I need Xerxes and Bjorn's stories. Please!

Some books suck. This book swallowed. It really went beyond sucking. Here's why: It had potential. It was a great contender for a great book. Then it failed. I hate when that happens. The book was far too busy with paranormal creatures who were not clearly defined, described or identified. I had no idea what was going on for most of the book. When I thought I had things figured out, here comes another creature from the great who-the-heck-cares. The dialogue. Ugh. That was the worst part. On the one hand you have this strong, life-hardened, old (like centuries old) warrior guy, Thane. He falls for a young, silly, trash talking bubble head, Elin, whose conversation includes terms such as "pimp hand", "Gah!", "suck it", and "you jelly?". Their romance is just not believable. Elin seemed more like the tween daughter of Thane than his love interest. The author's frequent use (read: overuse) of pop culture terms makes the book seem dated and heavy handed in its attempts to be "cool" or trendy. I get that she is trying to market to a demographic. Maybe I need to accept that I'm not a part of that demographic. Anyway, I didn't totally despise the book. With some editing, dialing back of the pop culture addiction, and drastic thinning of the species ranks, I think it could have been a decent read. As is, it was a horror story... and not in a good way

I do not read Showalter religiously but have picked up enough of her books over the years to be pretty familiar with her style and her evolving trends. For a while there, people were concerned that she had toned down the sex to the point that she was losing a big part of what constituted her stories. Well, friends, I don't know if this is the first book where the trend reverses, but the sex is here.

I realize this is a bit like saying that you read Playboy for the articles - highly suspect - but I don't really care whether my romances have explicit sex in them or not. I generally skim or skip when the action gets too hot and heavy. (If I want erotica, I know where to find it.) I read Showalter because she manages somehow to go really super dark in her plots - hyper-violence! epic battles of good vs. evil! superbeings clashing over world-shattering stakes! - while still being really whimsical. Sometimes maybe a little on the verge of too much, maybe. The women in this book sounded to me like a Cosmo quorum. But it's still playful and breezy and good-spirited and leavens the darkness nicely. Fantasy-horror-rom-com.

Sometimes I have a problem with Showalter's world building. She's been at it so long and has built such an amazing canon that I'm constantly stumbling over plots and people I don't remember or just don't know, and I've run into a book or two where I felt sidelined by subplots or set-up for a future book. That wasn't an issue at all in Burning Dawn. There were references to the broader mythos and, yes, some groundwork, but it never distracted from the main story or left me confused.

Anyhoodle, if you pant over alpha men and flippant women with a heart of gold, if your stomach doesn't churn when people are disemboweled or beheaded in fiction (or if you can push past it), if you can handle a story that is simultaneously grim and bouncy, AND if you do not shy at some pretty explicit shenanigans between (and above and nowhere near) the sheets, this could be the book for you.

Fun times. I recommend.

I couldn't put this one down! It has been a bit of awhile since I found a book that left me so hooked and distracted that I read at work instead of worked. This book did that. It was delicious, hilarious, passionate, intense, and emotional. I mean the words Elin came up with and the way she could turn a phrase; it was hilarious and fun. Loved her. Her emotional struggles were real and I sympathized with her dilemma. Thane was intense and larger than life. Their relationship was entertaining and enjoyable to watch unfold. The conflict was large and posed a problem, one that was realistic and formidable. The villain had to be big and bad to give our couple a challenge and he did. I truly enjoyed watching Thane open up and fall in love. I loved watching him work to win Elin. There isn't anything I didn't love about this story. The only negative is the undetermined amount of time I am going to have to wait till book 4 is released. There is no cover yet for it or a blurb, which bodes ill and a long wait in store.

Review: Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark #3) by Gena Showalter
Release date: April 29, 2014
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars
Blog Post: [...]
REVIEW:
Burning Dawn is the third book in Gena Showalter's Angels of the Dark Series and my favorite book so far in the series! I absolutely loved it and rate it right up there with her Lords of the Underworld series which is one of my top 5 favorite paranormal romances. I liked the first two books in this series, but this one was off the charts. The scorching hot chemistry between the characters singed the pages. Thane and Elin's story takes the reader along on their emotional journey and had parts that made my heart break for the characters, but also had parts that made me laugh out loud. Thane and his two best friends had me laughing whenever they got together. I absolutely can't wait for the guys to get their stories! Elin and her girlfriends were so much fun too. I just love Gena Showalter's writing style and this book was one of my favorites! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

*Review copy provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading Gena's book's since the beginning and I have loved every single one. However, this one reminded how much I missed her writing from the beginning of the Lords of the underworld's books. It was fun and witty. It made me laugh and that is not mentioning how sexy and unintentionally romantic Thane was. So. Freaking. Hot. What is sexier than a Neanderthal angel sending you chocolates, and throwing any being that looks at you wrong off the cloud? Nothing. And that's before they really get it on.

But the best part of this and really all of Gena's book's? The dialog. Whether it is internal or not, it is just damn good and always worth it. I will always be a devoted fan, really, but this book cemented it.

Welcome back Gena. I'm sure you have seen and heard it a million times but this book is so damn good. Loved it! And I can't wait for Torin's book!

This is book 3 of the Angels of the Dark. It was an excellent addition to this series. I really enjoyed this story just as much as the first two in the series.

This book is the story of Thane and his soulmate Elin. In the beginning of this book we meet Thane as a slave to the Phoenix princess. He meets Elin and they both escape the Phoenix camp together and that is when the sparks start between Thane and Elin. Then Thane learns something about Elin and gets pissed but then realizes that he needs her.

I really enjoyed the way the relationship between Thane and Elin grows. It was slow but steady at points. The relationship had its up and downs like any real relationship does. But their love for one another conquers all the bad.

I can't wait for the next installment to the Angels of Dark series. I give this book 5 stars and would recommend this series to anyone that enjoy paranormal romance stories.

For this review, I asked my wife to give me her opinion, which is based on considerable experience with this particular fiction genre. I gratefully acknowledge her authorship of the following review:

Initially, the book started out well with an imprisoned celestial being with wings and an imprisoned halfling human working together to escape the evil Kendra. After the daring escape, there were hundreds of pages to read which felt like walking in mud - slow and not fun. While reading the book, I had the impression that the author took elements from other books, put them in a bag, shook them up, and tried to write a story. While the execution felt choppy and forced, the dialogue came across as juvenile which might have been appropriate for teens on earth, but seemed out of place for celestial creatures trying to fight for their lives. During the last 100 pages, there was certainly plenty of action and some of it confusing, but overall felt pretentious.

My Rating: A, Loved It
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by publisher.

Burning Dawn is the latest title from Gena Showalter’s Angels of the Dark series which follows a group of desperate and dangerous angel-like “Sent Ones,” each whose status within the heavenly plane is in serious jeopardy. This “Army of Disgrace” is in need of some redemption or they will be permanently kicked out of the heavens. The book picks up shortly after the closing events from the previous story, Beauty Awakened, and I recommend a quick refresher before you dive into this one. Thane, a warrior Sent One, was captured and enslaved by his ex, Kendra, the phoenix princess of Clan Firebird. The book opens with Thane heavily drugged and out of his mind with lust for Kendra. Realizing that Thane is probably her only hope of escaping, another captive, Elin Vale (outwardly human, but half-phoenix), decides to help Thane break from the addictive poison Kendra is feeding him.

The story quickly shifts back to a more “heavenly plane” setting once the pair gain their freedom, and Thane is reunited with his besties: Xerxes and Bjorn. In addition, the reader is introduced to a healthy cast of characters (I took notes to help keep me straight.) From this moment on, I was thoroughly and completely hooked.

Burning Dawn stands out as a bit different than the first two books in the series. While the previous books focused heavily on the necessary redemption aspect of Army of Disgrace, Burning Dawn hardly mentioned this need at all. In addition, the female lead is not human and she is well aware of paranormal life, unlike the prior books. Finally, the book stayed almost completely focused on the main couple - sharing the story only from either Thane’s or Elin’s POV. I feel that all of these points, especially the last one, made for a more streamlined and engrossing story. Other than some confusion in the opening of the book, about what was going on while the pair was still at the phoenix camp, the overall story flowed well--blending humor, action, and romance in near perfect balance.

One of the best things about Burning Dawn is the easy camaraderie Thane shares with his closest friends, and Elin creates with her new coworkers and roommates. There is a lot of easy banter and outright humor that left me laughing out loud more than once. Here is just one of the many examples I could pull for you. When Elin is told to go help clean up the special room Thane used to “entertain” his many woman, Elin thought to herself “Love nest mop-up wasn't what Elin had signed up for. It wouldn't even look good on her resume.”

On the whole, I completely adored both Elin and Thane as both individuals and as a couple. Elin's mix of innocence contrasting with her knowledge of how rough life really is makes her sweet and sassy. She is a series of contradictions. She's part phoenix but abhors violence to the point it makes her ill. She is very literal, which makes her child-like. For example, the staff girls warn Elin not to harm Thane, and she frets because in order to save Thane, she cut his arm with glass to wake him from his drug-induced captivity. Every time Elin was on the page, I grew to love her more.

Thane is a very alpha-male with a soft spot only for Elin. This makes him so endearing and swoon-worthy. He can’t explain why, but life is different when she’s around, and he sees the good surrounding him. He can’t seem to get out of Elin’s intense draw, and luckily for the reader, he doesn’t fight it for long. And although he makes some big mistakes, I appreciate that he quickly recognizes his blunders and works hard to make amends. It was refreshing to have an alpha hero who is quick to figure things out, and have conflicts resolved almost immediately, rather than let issues fester until the end of the book.

Together the pair share some intense chemistry and sexual tension. *fans self*. I like how Elin and Thane had similar life paths, just different results... She won't forgive herself for the death of her mortal husband, so she remains abstinent. Meanwhile, he won't forgive himself for what happened to Xerxes and Bjorn when they were all held captive (long ago), so he tortures himself and his lovers, using them to try and fill a big void. Generally, the pair are very open and honest, which I found enhanced their relationship.

The primary conflict for the duration of the book involves the attempts to locate one of the demons that murdered the Sent One’s leader, Germanus (in a previous book). It is during this time that we learn more about the overall going-ons of the Sent Ones and the heavens. Several characters from earlier books make appearances, but are not crucial to any part of the book. In addition, there are some hints and indications about what is going on with Bjorn and a possible HEA introduction for Xerxes. Even with mention of characters and events from the earlier titles, one could probably read the book as a stand alone without issue.

The final battle was just how I like them: swift, brutal, but not too gruesome. The level of action and detail provided were perfect - emotionally draining at times, but immensely satisfying in the end. There is just one minor (super tiny) issue that I had, which I won’t reveal due to spoilers. It has to do with a panacea of sorts, which didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story, and in the end, I didn’t have a big issue with it. However, this wasn’t the first time it was part of a book, and if it is something that is used over and over in the future, it will become problematic for me.

All in all, Burning Dawn is a wonderful story with just the perfect amount of romance, sexual tension, action, and humor. I fell hard for both Elin and Thane, connecting with each, and I enjoyed everything about them. I loved their no-nonsense attitude and open demeanor. They are perfect together. I felt the storytelling this time around was sharp and focused. We only had two POVs - the hero and heroine. And although we had glimpses and forward movement with both Xerxes and Bjorn's stories, it was viewed from Thane's perspective. This helped created a cohesive tale that kept me engrossed from beginning to end.

Oh my!!! I’m still on cloud 9 literally after reading Burning Dawn. Not only because it’s Thane’s book, but because Gena did not disappoint at all with the 3rd installment. In fact, Burning Dawn just jumped to be a TOP favorite of Gena’s books and believe me I’ve read her LOTU and Alien Huntress series. Let’s just say it became my second favorite after Darkest Kiss and it’s all because of the couples in these books. I literally had a hard time putting down Burning Dawn and when I had to put it down…I was constantly thinking about it. I’m still thinking about it after finishing it.
Some people say that Gena has been losing her sexy touch to her books lately, but oh….Burning Dawn will prove everyone wrong. Oh it definitely will because hello it’s Thane’s book. Thane is not your typical Sent One because he is what you would call a sex addict. He’s not your typical sex addict though, he needs pain during sex on himself or the women he uses. He has his reasons behind the pain and how Gena opens upBurning Dawn, you’ll just want to continue reading to find out what makes Thane the way he is. When Thane walks into a room, silence falls, immortal women start drooling, and immortal men try not to make eye contact because well, he’s one dangerous, scary, intimidating, sexy assassin. Just thinking about him the way Gena describes him…*sigh* Yup..Thane just became a top favorite book-boyfriend for 2014. I’m jealous Elin won him over. **** Oh…and ladies his “Jumbotron” is pierced and not just in one place. =)
Elin is the lucky gal that wins the heart of Thane in Burning Dawn and she’s perfect for him. The way she meets Thane is during her time at the Phoenix camp that has been using and abusing her due to her being a halfling. She has been through a lot in Burning Dawn and she needs the help of Thane to rescue her from her fate with the Phoenixes, and for her to maybe even get revenge for what was done to her family. Thane though is there trapped as well by another Phoenix who is using him and he’s under her spell. Elin will have to get the courage to help get him out of that spell, and hopefully he will help her and protect her for what is to come. Thane becomes intrigued by Elin after he helps her and he has no idea why. He has never felt this way about any woman before, especially one like Elin. Elin though has to keep a major secret from him otherwise she’ll end up like the Phoenixes that had Thane. (Let’s just say this is when Thane shows is scary side)
Elin’s spunky, feisty, funny personality is complete opposite of Thane, but these two were definitely meant to be. Thane is confused with Elin several times in the book and I don’t think I’ve ever seen this Sent One be confused ever. (LOL) If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you already know how Thane is and he shows another side of himself in Burning Dawn. I didn’t think anyone, but Lucien from Darkest Kiss would win over my heart, but Thane definitely did. He has a horrible past and so does Elin. Poor Elin! For someone like her who went through so much, she is handling it well, but she has the help of Thane, Bjorn, and Xerxes now and Thane’s workers at his club. Elin meets friends that help make her open up more and these immortal gals, I hope to see more of in later books. (They were hilarious together)
Gena gives us the LOTU too in Burning Dawn and she ends up continuing what happened in The Darkest Craving with William in this book. The Sent Ones want to help and LOTU end up helping Thane during something that happens with Bjorn in this book.
I could go on and one about Burning Dawn…but don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Let’s just say this book will definitely keep you turning the pages. The smexy times between Thane and Elin are SCORCHING!!! Oh my! Be prepared to have a cold shower after reading their scenes together. Elin is one lucky gal. (Oh…Elin ends up making Thane beg…hehe) Gotta love a gal who can make a Sent One succumb to begging. She evens leaves him wanting more. =)
Gena’s writing style is addicting to read because of how she is able to keep up with all her characters, manage a dramatic action-packed storyline, and pull together two characters with some very HOT moments together. I have no idea how she does it because she has so many characters to keep up with and she manages to pull in other characters from another series into the mix. Let’s just say she is friggin’ amazing with it all. I adore everything about her Angels of the Dark series, and look forward to reading more Sent Ones who they end up with. I definitely need Xerxes, Bjorn, and Axel’s books. (especially Axel)
One last thing….the ending of this book was EPIC! Gena put these characters through bloodshed, tears, torture, and a lot more that throughout the book, but that ending. Yeah…be prepared to go through hell with the characters due to your emotions going haywire for them. Poor Bjorn has his own drama in this book that you will want to pay attention to.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to paranormal romance readers out there. You must read the first two books first before reading this one. I would even recommend reading the LOTU series. There is reasons behind it at all due to how Gena is able to mix her two series together.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very well written story. The word choices painted very vivid pictures. THe characters were well fleshed out, and the alpha was different. He had a true bad boy character, not a semi one, he crossed lines, all the time, and made no apologies for it. I was really enthralled with this. I enjoyed the heroine too, just sometime, her language seemed off for her age. Maybe it was just me, having once taught high school and having two teenagers, but at times, her word choices seemed too juvenile for early twenties. That wasn't something that made me want to stop reading, but stood out to me a few times. The plot was edgy, lots of twists and turns. I did think at times that what drove the two apart was a bit not overdone, but done too long, but it kind of went along with the heroines maturity level I was speaking about before, sometimes she just seemed to teenager. Still, I would recommend this book. It was a fun beginning of summer read for me when I want this type of romance to sit by our lake and read. I've read lots of Harlequin authors, and this was definitely one of the better ones I would say for a great mix of plot, characters and description, even though it is only my first by this author. I will definitely be looking for more.

In the author's latest Angels of the Dark book, Thane is sex on a stick -all women love him or at least want him in their bed! His dark nature and sleepy bedroom eyes with a touch of cruelty have resulted in him being kidnapped and turned into a sex slave by an amorous and poisonous Phoenix named Kendra. But although he has been reduced to near madness from the evil Phoenix, he scents another woman he wants more. As he breaks from his chains he hunts down a fragile human named Elin. Elin is also a slave to Phoenix. Punished because she is half-Phoenix and an abomination. Tortured and humiliated she sees Thane as a way to escape her terrible captivity. She steals a cure that will help Thane battle the poison Kendra has used to brain-wash him. Together they successfully escape the Phoenixes. Elin wants to leave but Thane wants he to stay safe with him at his bar. Elin reluctantly agrees to being a waitress. She find herself unwillingly attracted to Thane. But she knows Thane is not for her, or is he?

Snarky and humorous -this is a book Gena Showalter fans will get a kick out of. The hero Thane is ultra sexy in a very bad boy sort of way. So reading this tough hero become infatuated with a very fragile half-human/half-Phoenix with a smart mouth is fun to read. Thane is used to a little pain and torture in his sex but with Elin he wants to be gentle and finds a wonderment when they are together. I like that she healed him and gave him more humanity. I also liked the other immortals at the bar as they taunt, tease and give each other a hard time all in fun. Thane and his two friend at the bar are particularly a riot to read. As they encourage each other and seem to have boy time cleverly joking and supporting each other, too. A little dark but plenty entertaining. The only down side to this book would be that sometimes I felt Elin was a bit too timid. Also, this book is part of a series and interconnects with many of the characters in her prior books. While you don't need to have read the authors other books it really helps the reader navigate and appreciate this book better if they had.

Wow from man-whore to commit to one woman, Thane went through a lot but with help from the halfling Elin (E-Lynn). This takes place after Koldo and before Torin stories, so keep that in mine. Really grads your attention from the start, I started it at 4ish yesterday and finished by 8 the next morning, I couldn't put it down so I read throughout the night. Elin will have to face her free life away from her mother's people where they treated her like a dog and forced her to see unexplainable acts and what her own father and husband murdered because they were weak humans. Thank will have a lot of change in his life and it's all going to be for the good but he is scared of what will happen next.

"Something in her called to something in him – like to like – and a part of him he’d never known, a part once hidden even from that forgotten corner, responded. It was strong, this something. It was alive. Demanding. And it was saying, This one. Take her."

This book. Oh, the things I felt while reading it!

The first book already started different than the Lords of the Underworld. Yes, the Lords made guest appearances but Wicked Nights and Beauty Awakened have set the pace for 'different'. More dark. Gena concentrated on showing us the difference between good and evil, with the Sent Ones. They're not Angels. They're more badass than Angels. They're fiercer.

And Thane is the fiercest and baddest of them all. But oh, how that changes!

“You… you… Thane, you have dimples."
“I do?”
“You really do.”
“Do you like dimples?”

In Wicked Nights he was defying Zacharel, the leader of the Army of Disgrace with every step. They all did. But that changed, gradually, from one book to another. They all got to go through the death of their leader, Germanus and that united them, solidified them. Thane and his friends, his brothers, Xerxes and Bjorn, were three men on a mission. Find Germanus' murderers. But in Beauty Awakened, due to his love-'em-and-leave-'em hobby, Thane lands himself into a big pile of trouble, becoming addicted to one nasty and crazy Phoenix. But Elin, half-human, half-Phoenix herself, manages to free them both and after that, he's doomed. He's a goner.

And he welcomes it when he comes to realize he can't fight it, it's not worth it when he can have something beautiful. Something beautiful that was born out of something bad and ugly.

“But I do believe something good can come from something bad. You, Elin. You are my good. Give me a chance, and I’ll prove it.”

I melted, I swooned and laughed a lot more at this one than the previous two. It was hotter, as was well. Thane is one intense sexy bastard and I think I've gone and fallen in love with him. Don't get me wrong, I love them all. But Thane? He's placed on that pedestal, next to Maddox, Strider and William, my favorite Lords and whatever William is.

“She’s made for me. Mine.”

Elin is a lucky bi*tch, let me tell you that. But, of course, that in true Gena fashion, there was a boom in the last twenty pages of the book, making me say, noooooo because that just couldn't be. My heart stopped twice. But of course it's a HEA. Luckily, Gena loves those!

5+++ stars! Bring on the next Angel book!

*waving pompoms* Let it be Bjorn!

Thane and Elin meet in a Phoenix camp where they are both prisoners. Elin sees a chance to escape, helping Thane out of the sexual trance that he's in. She's not doing it out of the goodness of her heart...well not only for that reason. She knows he is a Sent One and she figures he will owe her and she needs a place to hide out. After a successful escape, Thane takes Elin to his club, Downfall where she starts earning money as as a barmaid and she couldn't be more thrilled. She just has to keep her secret; she's not fully human.

Thane as the Phoenix, Kendra, that enthralled him in his dungeon and he has no intention of letting her go. It wasn't the first time he was tortured and it brought back every horrible memory of a time that he will never be able to forget.

Surprisingly, Elin brings Thane peace that he hasn't felt in hundreds of years. He feels protective, jealous, all emotions that he has never felt for a woman. He respects her like he doesn't respect women. But he doesn't know her secret and when he finds out crap hits the fan.

I think Gena Showalter did a great job with the third book in this series. It really highlighted the relationship between Thane and Elin and how you have to be accepting of the past of one another. It also shows how close Thane, Xerexes, and Bjorn and be because of an event that was out of their control. I really thought this book was great and I look forward to the next book.

Gina Showalter takes us back to her sexy roots in her latest offering in the Angels of the Dark series. I loved this book. This is the Gina Showalter I remember from The Lord of the Underworld Series.

Thane is extremely hot but kind of a nut. He craves violence in and out of the bedroom. Sadly, he's had a rough past. He meets Elin Vale, who has baggage of her own, when she helps him gain back his senses while being held captive as a sex slave for Princess Kendra. Elin is a slave at the same camp. She is a Halfling (half human/half Phoenix). Thane is instantly attracted to her, saves her from the enemy and brings her back to his home to protect her, where she works as a waitress in his bar. His attraction to her grows more intense the more he is around her. He is very protective and OTT possessive of her, ready to take out any male who finds her attractive and/or dares to speak to her and when Elin is put in danger, look out because Thane is going to go nuclear. They both try to deny their attraction to one another but it's to no avail. Soon, they are growing closer both as friends and then lovers and Thane is finding that being with Elin, brings out his softer side and his desire to be a more gentle lover. The only thing I found frustrating about these two is they both jumped to conclusions about each other and would shut each other out before they were allowed to fully explain themselves. Although I guess there would be no drama if there weren't any misunderstandings.

It's a super steamy; hot and sexy love story. I enjoyed.

Burning Dawn is the third book in the Angels of the Dark series by Gena Showalter. Showalter’s Angels of the Dark series is a spin-off or companion to her Lord of the Underworld series. Can you read one without the other? Sure but what’s the fun in that? I fell in love with Showalter’s LOTU series and when I got the opportunity to read Burning Dawn for review I jumped at it, even though I haven’t read the previous books in the series. I’m so happy that I did.
There’s romance, action, a bit of suspense, and dodge-boulder (yes dodge ball played with boulders). This is such a fun and entertaining read. Very fast paced, filled with laugh-out-loud moments and feels that will catch you off guard. Seriously have some tissues next to you just in case.
The romance was steamy but still sweet. I loved how Thane grew as a character to become someone worthy of loving his Elin. Elin in turn becomes a stronger person capable of dealing with the danger that surrounds Thane and the world he lives in.
The take-you-by-the-seat-of-your-pants action driven plot will keep you turning pages well into the night. I read it in about four hours. I could not put it down. I absolutely loved every minute of it and you can be sure I will be going back to read the first two books before continuing on in the series. I do want to mention I was not lost at all while reading this book, so I do believe this can be read as a standalone. If you love paranormal romance, you have got to give Gena Showalter a try. She is a definite must read for me every time.

Summary:
Thane is a warrior. Because of a terrible past, he loves violence and shows no mercy. He's become the most dangerous assassin, but in the previous book he was captured and turned into a sex slave. Elin helps to set him free and the two escape together. Just getting free isn't enough for him though, Thane tortures and kills all of the Phoenix and the way out. Even though Elin sees something in Thane, she isn't quite ready to give over to him and explore some of the darker parts of herself. Unfortunately, she just can't shake him. He's determined to protect her and every time they separate, something bad happens.

My thoughts:
Alright, so the steamy parts of Showalter's books have not been there throughout this series. She hasn't seemed like herself and she has seemed quite preachy. This book finally brings some of the old Showalter back. Her sex scenes are definitely hot in this book. Plus, Elin is not a virgin. There is no "saved myself" preaching done within this novel. Both Thane and Elin are not reminders of what we really should be like. Both of them are darker characters with a lot of flaws that stay flaws. I felt like I wasn't getting knocked over the head with religion in my romance, which was very good. The only thing that I didn't really like was Elin is a bit whiny. I wanted her to grow a pair and stop throwing tantrums about halfway through the book.

~ 5 Burning Stars ~ 

Fabulous! Spectacular! Magnificent! 

I became addicted with Ms. Showalter’s work, with her Lord’s of the Underworld and she has added to it with her Angels of the Dark series. I love love love Burning Dawn. I feel in love with Angels of the Dark series at the start and have been waiting for the next installment with avid anticipation. Ms. Showalter knows how to create an intriguing world with fantastically unique characters and I enjoy her writing style. 

Burning Dawn is book three in the Angels of the Dark series and can be read as a stand alone, but best read in series order. It’s non-stop romance and action.

I loved everything about this book. The relationship building. The chemistry between Thane and Elin was scorching. We are taken on their emotional journey. Thane turned out to be a much more deeper character then I ever thought and Elin is hilarious once she comes into her own. Their where parts that just made my heartache, but also parts that made me laugh. I loved the camaraderie between Thane and his two besty-best friends and Elin and her girlfriends where so much fun. I enjoyed the insight into Thane’s club and the employees that work there. You see a family kind of atmosphere. I can’t wait for the guy’s stories as well as the rest of the angel's in the Army of Disgrace. 

Ms. Showalter has created a seductive read, with sexy angels. It’s an extraordinary, phenomenal, and emotional journey into the Angels of the Dark. 

"He lived sex. Breathed sex. Ate sex. He was sex."
Holy hotness! From the very first page . . . I was hooked, riveted, and on the edge of my chair. There are so many twists and turns. I was truly looking forward to Thane’s story and Showalter delivered!

While held captive as a sex slave, Thane is poisoned by a wicked Phoenix, unable to control his bodies lascivious response to her. When Elin sees the fierce hero for the first time, she quickly devises a plan to save them both.

Vengeance can make anyone dangerous, even an angelic warrior of the Almighty . . . especially when Thane’s already teetering on the edge of losing his wings and falling from grace. He is fierce, powerful, and protective of those he considers his, yet brutal to those who wrong him. The care he exerts toward Elin, a tenderness he doesn’t show others, made me fall head over heels for him.

But secrets . . . oh, the secrets they keep destroy them as they struggle with their attraction for one another—talk about being on an emotional roller coaster just waiting for the plunges.

Thane is one of my favorite characters and I couldn’t wait for his story. Sometimes I worry when I have a fav hero before reading their book because I have certain expectations for their “woman.” Elin held her own in the immortal world and I was proud of her. (If you like the Harpy’s from LOTU you’ll like Elin). She is young and a little timid, but there is a hidden strength inside of her just waiting to burst through. And like every character on their path in life, she has to grow. Her journey made her so much more real. Even the strongest of women still have a vulnerability. The fact that she wasn’t just discovering herself, but also helping Thane “weed” through his own demons gave me a deeper respect for her.

Desire and heat were definitely not lacking between Thane and Elin! Oh. My. Goodness. The tension and powerful attraction between the two was palpable—scorching, searing from the inside and radiating out. Let me just say the scenes are super hot!
The only way I can describe it--Woot Woo!

The world-building is so in depth—the character’s so developed, colorful, and rich, that they reach a spot inside of you and pull you into them. I love seeing the Lord’s, Anya, and the Harpy’s pop in, meshing the two series together. I loved it. :)

Reviewed by Annie and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

In the third instalment to the Angels of the Dark series, Gena Showalter talks her readers back to that comfortable place of mystical creatures with larger than life attitudes.

From page one, I found myself falling in love with Elin Vale. Her upbeat narration is a wonderful contrast to Thane’s more stoic POV. It brings the humor and the character while also maintaining a sweetness that compliments Thane’s darkness nicely.

Thane has an obvious dark side to him. I wondered how Showalter was going to handle this, but I didn’t find him to be over the top or annoying which worked out in his benefit. I think it worked so well because as sweet as Elin is, she isn’t a fragile, weak thing.

I’ve noticed in Showalter’s recent books her stories have gotten longer. There’s more internal dialogue as well as choppier, shorter sentences. For the most part, it works but there are some instances where I felt it could have been cut back slightly, especially concerning Thane.

Nevertheless, BURNING DAWN is my favorite in the series. Gena Showalter has impressed me yet again.

I'm still trying to figure out what I think of Gena Showalter as a storyteller. "Burning Dawn" is my third book that I have read and I'm still not sure what to think (although I have been advised that if I want a good Showalter story, the early stuff is worth a look).

"Burning Dawn" is as ridiculous as "The Darkest Craving" which was the previous Showalter book I read. I don't think that book is part of the "Angels of the Dark" series but if I had to compare, I'd say I prefer "Burning Dawn". Thane, the hero, has been imprisoned at a Phoenix camp by a Phoenix named Kendra. Elin, the heroine, is half-Phoenix, half-human and also imprisoned. Elin is able to save Thane who is being poisoned by Kendra and he in turn breaks himself and her out of the camp.

Since this all has to do with angels and immortals and whatnot, it is, as noted previously, ridiculous but I read manga so I don't necessarily consider ridiculous a bad thing especially when it is a fun story and the dialogue and characters that populate "Burning Dawn" are fun, witty characters. OTT? Yes, quite OTT but again, it is fun and sexy and all that good stuff.

So I put this book in a column of a reason to keep trying out Showalter books because I did like it.

I may have done a little happy dance and here's why: Burning Dawn reminded me why I fell in love with Showalter's writing in the first place. A strong, spunky heroine and a determined hero with great chemistry. A big bonus was getting sneak peeks into the happenings with the Lords; it added a lot to the overarching story between the two series and helped refresh my memory on their happenings.

With her first two Angels of the Dark books her whit and steam seemed to have dried up. The same happened with Kane's story in the LOTU series. I was beginning to worry that one of my favorite authors had lost her drive, but then she comes back swinging with Burning Dawn.

Elin has been through a lot, but Showalter made sure that the girl kept her spark and her strength. I never thought of her as weak and was so pleased to see a strong willed, snarky, confident female lead again. Her friendship and banter with the other immortals reminded me why Showalter is such a great author. I wish I was hanging out with these girls and mixing crazy drinks at Downfall! Legspreader shots anyone?!

I fell even more in love with Thane, Xerxes and Bjorn. These three have such a great bond and despite their hard edges they have so much love for each other and those who are important to them - it's a great blending of light and dark. Their character growth as members of the Army of Disgrace is done gradually and believably and keeps you wondering what is up for them next. I can't wait to read their stories.

The plot moved along well and the relationship between Elin and Thane felt real - with real issues and not inane set backs just put in to make the book longer. Their chemistry and why they complemented each other was well-thought out and never felt forced. Showalter makes a compelling case, without being obvious, as to why these two belong together. She also brought back the steam and detail (whew!), which had sadly been missing from her previous books.

I look forward to the next AOD story as well as reading Torin's book. I hope she continues to gives us strong and likable characters like she has throughout most of her books - these badass warriors deserve equally kickass heroines!

I used to read a ton of Gena Showalter’s books, but over the past few years have slacked off. I felt they got redundant. Because of this, I probably missed the change everyone describes in her writing style. I felt that this book was on par with her earlier books. It reminded me a lot of the Lords of the Underworld series. This is the first I’ve read in this series and I wasn’t lost or behind by not having read the previous ones. The characters were pretty good. I liked that Elin had some sass and was able to think for herself and be a relatively strong character. Too often, the female character is this virginal damsel in distress. Thane was pretty good. He was a bit controlling, but that is usually the case with these types of books. I did like that he was working through his own struggles through the book. The only thing I didn’t like was that I felt like the redundancy was there. It’s like the story line is practically the same just with different characters. But, overall, it was a good read and was something I’d recommend to anyone who enjoyed her earlier books.

Ms. Showalter is an excellent writer. That said, she seems to be falling into a rut where the male characters are essentially the same, and the female characters are sort of weak and needy.

I want to in part blame the current trend of the series - - - the very notion of a series is that the characters, locales, etc. carry from one book to the next. That means that after a couple of books, they seem to blend into one another. The heros are always deeply conflicted, defensive, closed off. UNTIL - they meet the woman, who in an instant lets them see the error of their ways, helps them become all sweet and gentle, so to speak.

Again, Ms. Showalter has done a jam up job of building her world and the inhabitants. But the characters seem to be just variations of the same.

Don't know if I'll read any further books in this particular series, even though I did enjoy it.

Really loved Thane. It was harder to fall in love with Elin. Yes I got that she was a human in a brutal paranormal world, but man I wished she was stronger and less immature. She did grow, and I enjoyed her growth very much, but it still was not enough to make me fall in love with her.

I loved Thane. I was even okay with his instant obsessiveness with Elin. What disappointed me was how quickly he gave up his need for pain during sex. I never really bought that because she was so pure and lovely...he didn't want it anymore. "A tormented past has left Thane with an insatiable need for violence, making him the most dangerous assassin in the skies."

I never got the proof he was the most dangerous and awesome thing. LOL...and I badly needed to see it.

The plot and action bits were good. Not really fast pace as most of the story centered around Thane and Elin romantic journey which was great. But there were times I hungered for more action and world building.

Overall a good read, and I am dying for Xerxes and Bjorn story...

Burning Dawn, the third book in the Angels of Dark series is the heartbreaking tale of the Sent One Thane, a fierce handsome warrior battling his tormented past. In order to control and purge the darkness that torments him, Thane turns to violence and pain, which leads him into the clutches of Kendra, a Phoenix who has the ability to addict and enslave men. Kendra commands Thane to her Phoenix camp where she holds him prisoner as a sex slave and it’s at the camp that Elin Vale, a Halfling imprisoned by the Phoenix, encounters the handsome winged warrior. Elin desires nothing more than to escape the camp so she devices a plan to help Thane in hopes that he’ll whisk her away with him so she can go back to the human world, where she can get a job, save up a nest egg and start her dream bakery.

With Elin’s help and influence Thane is able to escape Kendra’s spell and exact revenge upon his enemies but what he ends up discovering is that revenge and pain aren’t what he needs to blight out his tormented past, what he needs is love and trust from a woman he craves more than anything, Elin, but Elin has her own emotional scars to work through and the vengeful warrior living in a world where death and blood are a common occurrence isn’t exactly the future she has mapped out for herself.

Thane’s growth from ruthless cold warrior to tender hearted mate is a swoon worthy story. In the beginning he’s intent on battling the feelings he’s developing for Elin. He questions whether he is even worthy or capable of a relationship built on tenderness instead of pain but as he gets to know Elin he sees the same pain reflected in her and he quickly realizes that just as she is worthy of tenderness, love and happiness so is he, with her.. His love for Elin is sweet and any man that will send chocolate to romance a female gets extra points in my book and puts him at the top of my list of BEST Alpha male book characters. Seriously, hot, kind, fierce and gives chocolate to swoon a female, THAT IS perfection!

One of the things I adore about Gena Showalter is the way she writes female characters. I instantly fall in love with them and want to declare them my new book character BFF. Elin starts off shy, unsure and fearful but her wit and sarcastic comebacks quickly make her an endearing character and more than worthy as a soul mate to the extremely smoldering hot Thane. If I could jump into the pages and hang out with Elin on one of her Friday girl’s night out I would be beyond thrilled (Gena Showalter think you can hook that up?) Her verbal comebacks are hilarious and Bonka Dunk has mad boulder skills.

I have to say this book was my favorite so far in the series. The romance between Thane and Elin was full of twists and many heartbreaking moments but it turned into a beautiful love story. The bromance between Thane, Xerxes and Bjorn is the bromance of all bromances. Those three had me wanting to read more moments with them hanging out, happily joking and teasing one another, and the bond that develops between the females of Scorgasms, all I know is my dream is to hang out with those females one night. I may not be able to handle 16 drinks but I’ll pose for some Anya portraits and practice my boulder throwing skills.

I highly recommend this book. It’s a great read, fun, full of action and romance. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series. I’m itching to know what’s going to happen to Bjorn so far it doesn’t look good. I want to know more about Xerxes and Axel, aka Most Beautiful. Merrick sounds like an intriguing, very hot, male as does Adrian the Berserker. So many more stories to come!

This book was so great! But then again, this review is biased, as I am a big fan of Gena Showalter and am working my way through all her books. This book has everything her previous books have.....a fast moving plot, fun characters that are well rounded and likable, and an exciting, creative world where mortals and immortals intermingle with results that vary from passionate to violent to hilarious. One of the things I love about this author's books is that (at least with a lot of her books, but possibly all) the books in any particular series don't need to be read in order to understand what's going on. I bounce back and forth between different books in the various series of hers and I have no problem keeping up with what's going on.

This book has it all....Sent Ones from heaven, demons from hell......with some sirens, vampires, fae, harpies and the ever regenerating Phoenix. The action in this book is non-stop and the plot is intricate and fun. Some of the witty banter between the characters is hilarious!

Oh, and if you read the book, you will understand why I titled my review this way........ :-)

Plot:

Thane is captured by the seductive Phoenix named Kendra. In the last book, Beauty Awakened, she said she poisoned him with her body and soon he will only want to make love to her. Elin is a part of Kendras camp as a slave herself, and frees Thane thinking he will rescue her in the process. This book is basically about Thane wanting revenge on the Phoenix and soothing his past demons, and Elin finding her strength and love through Thane.

Let's start with Elin:

Elin starts off as a weakling. She vomits when sighting blood, screams when anyone tries to harm her, and as someone said in the book "You're the type of girl that guys want to save". What I love about Gena's writing is Elin's character - along with others - change through out the book. She's not the same as she was from page one and that is admirable. One thing that caught me off guard is her "swearing". I put that in quotes because it's not... she substitutes it weirdly. Example: when people are harassing her at the bar, she was about to say "Shut your big, fat mouth hole".

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! At first I was like "did she just say MOUTH HOLE?", then I got annoyed because she sounded like she was in the 6th grade, then I found humor in it. She's adorable in an annoying way when she tries to swear. Thankfully Elin tones that down after a while and doesn't say anything else like "sweet juicy sparkles!" (again, like wtf?)

She's a likable character and a great candidate for Thane's heart.

Now onto Thane:

OHHHHH THANE COME TO MAMA!! He wants revenge on the Phoenix because they enslaved him, and while doing so tries to gain Elin's affections. I have to say that Thane is one of the most dynamic characters in any of Gena's books. He's unpredictable in a good way, and his personality is admirable... he fights for the people he loves and will do anything to keep them safe.

Not only does he have a relationship with Elin, he also has one with his best friends Bjorn and Xerxes. They were tortured in hell together and in the end became very close. They would die for each other and sacrifice their own happiness so the other person can have a good life. This type of relationship warmed my heart and it was a nice touch to show his empathy and strength. Thane is not only extremely good looking, he also has a personality that shines.

The writing:

In the recent past Gena has strayed away from the love scenes leaving fans pretty devastated. GENA IS BACK PEEPS!! The smex in this book is amazing! She is the queen of making me feel hot and bothered. I'm so glad and happy to share that piece of news. Gena also goes out of her boundaries and writes smex scenes that aren't in any other book. No, there isn't S&M in this book (Thane loved it in the past) so if you're looking for that it won't be there.

Burning Dawn is one of few romance books where the character says what they like about the other person that's NOT looks. Thane and Elin talk about personalities as well. Their characteristics go deeper then how they look on the outside and it was mind blowing! I loved hearing what Thane loved about Elin's personality. It made both of them relatable to me, and that's something romance books are lacking. Props to Gena!

One thing that was a little distracting from the plot was all the misunderstandings. Thane would say something and Elin would take offense then leave. Elin would then say something that Thane would see as offensive then leave. This happens way too many times in one book. Their communication skills are off and it affects their relationship. Thankfully, as I said before, both characters grow through out the book so they become adults and hash things out without taking offense and not talking to each other for days.

I give this book 4/5 stars. This is a MUST READ if you're a fan of her books.

Gena... I love you. Keep writing books and DON'T STOP DEAR GOD DON'T I NEED MORE!!!

Although the story line wasn't bad and I enjoyed it, the adolescent dialogue was so distracting that it made for a very frustrating reading. I don't know many teens who even speak the way the characters did! If the author is aiming for the young adult audience- although with some of the sexual content I wouldn't think that to be the case- that needs to be clearly stated in the synopsis. This is the 2nd book I've read by this author in the Angels of the Dark series and I remember this also being an issue with that book although not to the extent I found in this book and not enough that I obviously chose to read another by her. As I have to assume now that this is her style of writing, I won't be reading any more of her books.

UF/PNR, M/F

This is book three of a spin off of another series that's got at least 10 books to it. If you haven't read the previous books, you're going to be a little lost. I've read them so long ago that even I felt lost a bit here and there in the reading. It was very hard to determine the location and time frame in the beginning of the book...felt way more medieval than current day. And, even though I finally figured it out that it was in fact modern day, with most of the characters running around in robes instead of modern clothes, I still struggled to stay in the story. I can say I liked every other book of Ms. Showalter much better than I did this one, but it was alright.

I really, really liked Burning Dawn. I really like the Angels of the Dark series- I love the way the Lords of the Underworld and the Sent Ones mingle. So many hot guys in this world.

So do I think this is a standalone book? I think you could possibly read it as a standalone, but I believe you would end up having a lot of questions. Why? This book brings back characters- or at least references some of them- from past books. If you truly want to understand the world, you should read both the Lords of the Underworld AND Angels of the Dark series.

Elin was an interesting blend of sassy and timid. She was hilarious- I mean seriously - jumbotron? hahaha I laughed out loud a few times.

Thane was just scrumptious manmeat. I wouldn't mind having my own Thane- no wings required. ;)

Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do...especially if you've read Lords of the Underworld and the first two books in Angels of the Dark.

Whose book am I most looking forward to reading? Gosh, Axel is rating high...however, Xerxes and Bjorn? How could I not want their stories yesterday!

I've never read a book by this author before.
This series is really interesting! I particularly like the main characters in this book.
The story opens to find the hero and heroine captured by their enemies, and being tortured.
Heroine helps hero escape captivity. He is drawn to her, and takes her home with him and has her work in his bar.
Sparks fly.
Heroine is hiding a birth secret - she is half Human, half the enemy. When hero finds out, he gets mad and kicks her out.
She leaves and is captured by the enemy.
He goes to rescue her, gets injured. She tries to rescue him.
They all live happily ever after.

Honestly, the "fantasy" element in this book is really lame. Go with it as a vehicle for the romance, which is almost certainly what it is intended for. A lot of moments are very Mary Sue. I didn't really care, though, because the romance between the two characters is interesting.

Imagine that an invisible world exists alongside our visible world and that the invisible world is inhabited by spirits and principalities as numerous as grains of sand on a beach. This book, part of the Angels of the Dark Series, is a paranormal feast that gives space to far too many entities to name, some too difficult to even pronounce. There are Fae,, Phoenix, Vampires, Angels, Sent Ones, Demon princes, serpents, gorgeous, minions and more. Spirits and principalities in high places warring against flesh and blood. Amidst all the paranormal activity is a romance between Thane, who has likeness to a fallen angel, and Elin, who is half human and half Phoenix. Burning Dawn presents an interesting view of the spirit world and the power of spoken words however it takes conscience effort to understand the varied dynamics connecting the story.

I have not read this author before and know that this is the third in a series. Fortunately, it was not too difficult to feel included and to get up to speed.

Thank is an immortal demon hunter caught by a Phoenix and held hostage as a sex slave. In a drugged state, he scarcely remembers who he is. Elin Vale devices a plant to rescue him, and in the process - rescue herself. Once freed, Thane becomes dangerous in the skies as he takes flight and vengeance for the wrong done to him and to Elin. His unwavering protection of her becomes Elin's undoing and their passion goes past boundaries. If for not one secret.

I really liked this book. My only caveat was the timidity of Elin's character. But, I also can easily see why it was that way.

A definite read worth your time!

Received the actual book from the author, and it was SIGNED! (Excuse me while I fangirl over here)

OH MY WORD!!!! This book was so HOT! It was go from word one and didn't stop. Thane wasn't my favorite in the previous books, but I sure changed my mind after reading his book.

Thane was so sexy and I knew when he fell for a girl it was gonna be hard and forever. I loved Elin, the little halfling. She didn't think she was all that, but with her new girls and Thane she rocked it. (ha, ha I made a funny that you will have to read the book to get) This book had everything: Thane and his boys, sex, romance, cameo's from the Lords and their ladies, more sex, and a bromance. It was so good and I needed that after how bad Kane's story was (sorry Ms. Showalter, but it sucked). Now how long do we have to wait for Torin's book, and then Xerxes and Bjorn's and Axel's and....

Job well done, Ms. Showalter.

I really liked Gena Showalter's earlier books from Immortals After Dark series & the Lords of the Underworld series (which is mentioned way too many times in this book). This Angels series is an off shoot of LOTU.

It was hard for me to finish this book due to the extremely immature dialog from the Heroine and ALL female characters in this book. Very bad characterization and story development did not flow. They were all such tragic characters it would be besst for them to just ceist to exist.

Our Hero "Thane" a bad a$$ warrior with wings (but who is not an angel) is a tortured soul who while imprisoned meets and is rescued by Elin, one of the most immature and annoying herioines ever to grace the pages of a series. One page she is shy and cowardly, the next reckless, bold and mouthy. While a transformation from week to strong based on experiences, is great if well written, this was not. I felt like I was reading a bad tween (Teen Nickelodeon script) the language was very cliche and very very immature and was a big distraction from what little story development there was. It felt llike Thane at over 1,000 was trying to make out with a middle schooler. I kept having to backtrack to see if I missed something but unfortunately I had not.

The only saving grace in the book was the relationship with Thane and his two best friends. All of their back stories are dark (too dark, "this is a freaking romance book"). There were many many almost sex scenes and then oops misunderstanding or sorry I'm hiding a secret let me walk away now scenes, it was very repetitive. There were way too many characters, with no backstories or relevance in the book. The cycle of move a step forward, take 5 steps back was too much, too often.

Elin, was immature, wishy washy, and inconsistant. Her family was killed and while she is being intimate with Thane she repeatedly brings up her late husband? In regards to some very intimate times.Yeah, any man would be Ok with that even for the woman he loves. The end was rushed, unfinished and unsatisfying. Just looking at the backstory for the other two main characters I think they are too dark for my taste and I will not read them.

I loved this book... I've always been a big G. Showalter fan ever since I read the very first from the LOTU series... Her books always have the perfect essence of cute, romantic but definitely hilarious...

This story is of Thane and Elin, who are total opposites [and of course we all know, opposites attract]... They're romance started in a really cute way, with him being confused as to why he has weird feelings for the 'human'... Elin is the complete opposite, she is so happy and extrovert [although she has lived a tragic life as well, loosing the people she loved in a violent way], her inner dialogues are soooo hilarious, they've brought me bouts of laughter time and time again...

Their dynamic is great... Big strong macho guy, who finds his weakness in a slip of a girl, well, young woman, anyway...

Definitely a must read

I've read all of Gena Showalter's LOTU books as well as this series. I LOVED her writing up until recently, when I felt that her tone and style did a 180. This novel is no exception to that feeling. Thane had potential to be an interesting character, but the leading lady, Elin, was obnoxious. She spoke like a teenage girl and her depth of character was completely lacking. She was unlikable to the point that I wanted to root against her.

The dialogue between Thane and his two friends as well as between Elin and her girl friends was immature; I felt like I was reading something written for young adults. The sex scenes were cringe-worthy and super cheesy. The plot between Thane and Elin seemed to take a back seat to world-building for upcoming novels. I was rolling my eyes through 75% of this book and really had to push myself to finish it (I have a hard time not finishing things that i start). I'll consider reading Ms. Showalter's next book but I'm not committed to it.

I have been reading other reviews and seeing how people felt Gena was off her game, but I must disagree! It is just my opinion, but Gena has rocked out on basically all of her books and she does a great job of setting the stage for the stories to come.

Thane's book was a really good read. I have loved his character since he appeared in Wicked Nights (Zacharel's Book) and I enjoyed Elin. Although she is physically weak, I enjoyed her spirit and her confidence in herself. I soooo cannot wait to read Bjorn and Zerkes book.

I received this book for free in order to provide an unbiased opinion of it. It is the story of Thane, an angel of sorts, and Elin Vale, a half human/half Phoenix. Unfortunately, I started this book in the middle of what appears to be a series. It was very confusing at first, with a lot of characters and back-stories that I did not know, as well as jargon. Because of this, it was difficult for me to enjoy the book. What should have been a light read turned into a lesson in this particular world with a lack of understanding as to why Elin was a "slave" and why she wanted to open a bakery (?) to what the heck is going on with Thane and his BDSM tendencies. As predicted, Elin is the first person Thane has touched without the use of "external devises" and they eventually get together. The how of that mating is mixed up in this complex new world. I am sure if I had started with Book 1, this book would have seemed better, but as a stand-alone read, it is confusing and difficult to follow.

Gena's awesome writing is continued with this hot page turner. The romance and real life feel of this story kept me hooked.

Elin and Thane are perfect for each other. They both have a past they would rather not have endured but that's what has made them who they are. It pulls them together and once they realize it, it's all over.

Elin is in the top 5 heroines for me ,she is that bad ass and Thane is her perfect match. As always Gena rocks this out of the park!

I really loved this book. This was an awesome love story and the character's interactions were beautiful. I loved Thane in the two previous stories, but I loved him even more in his very own story. Thane was a scarred warrior who needed to find redemption and Elin was that redemption. I can't wait for Bjorn ans Xeres find their HEA and live happily ever after. But I am also looking forward the the next book in the Lords of the Underworld series which is Torin's story.I love this series. Gina is one of my favorite authors.

This is one book in a series, however, don't let that dissuade you from reading it if you haven't read previous volumes. The story proceeds at a steady pace and has an interesting idea: one of the protagonists is an ancient angel who becomes besotted much to his surprise. The book is steamy and sultry, but also is written well; it is an enjoyable afternoon read. Showalter is one of the better modern Harlequin authors.

Gena Showalter knows how to make the bad boys irresistibility sexy. So it was no surprise that Thane is both irresistible and sexy – also VERY badass. Erin is sassy and her tenacious attitude is fantastic. The attraction between Thane and Elin is smoking hot – obsessive. As always the writing is flawless…

I love the bond between Thane, Bjorn, and Xerxes – I cannot wait to read about them…plus Axel and Adrian. Bonus mention of the Lords of the Underworld.

I was extremely hesitant to read this book, as many of you can attest to, because of the change in writing that this series and the LotUW has gone through. Ms. Showalter use to be an instant buy for me anytime that I saw she had a new book come out but that has changed recently. I was pleasantly surprised by this book because it seems that Ms. Showalter has gone back to her previous writing style. This book hooked me from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed Elin as a heroine and Thane as a hero. The story moved along nicely and the love scenes are back up to par with her previous books. The snark and commentary of the women in this book harkens back to, as another reviewer states, Kaia and the rest of the harpy's from Darkest Surrender, which made me laugh every time. You get to understand a little better why Thane, Bjorn, and Xerxes are as close as they are. I recommend this book to everyone that loves the early LotUW books.

Wow, just wow! This book was incredible. I think that this might be Ms Showalter's best book ever...and maybe the best book I've read all year. It had everything - humor, tenderness, romance, and steam. I love, love, loved Elin. She was a great heroine with adorable quirkiness. Thane was swoon worthy and his transformation was touching. I STRONGLY recommend this book, you will not be disappointed - it is a must read! I couldn't put it down and stayed up all night reading.

Gena has done it again!
This book was exciting, funny and lovely. This book revealed more of the relationship between Thane, Bjorn and Xerxes in a funny and touching way.
Elin, the heroine, also surprised me! At the beginning of the book I thought she was going to be a damsel in distress (which she was in the beginning) but as the book progressed she came to her own strength! So much that she ended up saving the day;)!
I loved the way Thane would soften up for Elin (and only for Elin) and how, with her help, little by little he got over most of his trauma.
I combination with heart stopping action this book is a shining 5 star for sure. Keep up the good work Gen;)!
Can't wait for the next book in the series AND The Darkest Touch OFCOURSE;)

Burning Dawn is #3 in Gina Showalter's Dark Angels series. No worries if you did not read the first books since it stands alone. Thane and Elin did not disappoint in this hot paranormal romance. Lots of drama, sizzling chemistry, and snarky dialogue. I love Ms. Showalter's books...they are like money in the bank.

Thane is a deadly warrior with a dark past. He's never felt protective of a female until he rescues Elin Vale. A reputation for no mercy on the battlefield and the bedroom keeps Elin dodging him with bravado and a smart mouth. She's hiding more than her feelings. Thane and Elin are damaged, but find trust, healing, and love. Demons, drama, and steamy romance...just a fun read.

I did receive a copy of the book from the author for an honest review. I enjoy her books and always recommend them to readers looking for something new.

I ADORE Gena Showalter. Her books are always amazing. She is extremely detailed, with a captivating plot line and fiery hot passion between the characters. She is an amazing author and I recommend all her books. Burning Dawn has slightly more explicit content then the others, due to the main characters demons, but that honestly only makes this particular book all the more interesting.

"Why must I read Gena Showalter?" You ask. Do you like intriging characters, romance, humor, with a little action and sex thrown in for good measure? Then Gena is your girl. In this 3rd installment of the Angels of the Dark series, I hadn't read books 1 or 2 yet. YES, I know I have been slacking, but with Gena's series you don't have to read each one to know what is going on but she gives you just enough information on the other characters to make you wanting to go get them and learn more about those handsome dark angles and why they are the way they are. Being a HUGE fan of the Lords of the Underworld series I loved seeing glimces of or talk between the Angles about some of my favorite boys. So, if you are a fan of the Lords of the Underworld you will love these books too! Thane and Elin story will leave you wanting more. So pick up Buring Dawn today or start with Wicked Night (the first book) and read them in order. It doesn't matter how you do it. You will be hooked from the first sentence.

Good book, and it's ok as just a stand alone. Although, compared to her much older books, I prefer her old books more.

This book was a nice pleasant read that is good while it lasted, but soon to be forgotten amidst the droves of other paranormal romances. Perhaps it's in change in writing styles, but there seemed to be a lack of sexual intensity. Good read, but probably not worth keeping on the overloaded bookshelf.

I have always been a big fan of Gena Showalker. This book kept me riveted until the end. I really enjoyed the banter and tension between the two main characters, Thane and Elin, and how Thane feels a peace around Elin he never felt before until he learns the truth. But in the end, well you have to read the book, no spoilers here. But a lot of suspense, tension, romance and humorous banter leaves you entertained.

Thane and Elins story totally kicks butt. I could not put the book down. If you have read the two other books in the Angels of the Dark series, then I promise you will love this one. I can hardly wait to see who's story comes next.

Holy crap this book was good! I've read all of Gena Showalter's books and they're all pretty good but the love scenes kind of blow. This one was absolutely perfect though! Showalter's last couple books seemed tame and boring and I was worrying her writing was going downhill but this book more than makes up for it. The love scenes in this one are hot, hot, HOT. Like on par with Kresley Cole hot. I can't wait to read her next one!

I usually begin my reviews by letting my readers know how I acquired the book at hand (purchase/author/publicist/etc.) so I have to be honest here and state that I do not know who precisely is responsible for having sent me Burning Dawn, the third book in Gena Showalter’s Angels of the Dark series. I received the book directly from the publisher last week and it came as a rather unexpected – but very happy – surprise. I have entered countless contests hoping to score a galley as I really wanted to read this book, and apparently my efforts were successful, even if I am presently unable to credit the source.

The Angels of the Dark is a series that centers on the Army of Disgrace, one of the seven defensive forces of the heavens. “Six of those forces were well respected and admired. The AoD, not so much. They were a group of wild, untameable mercenaries in danger of losing their homes, wings and immortality; in other words, permanent time off for wicked behaviour. The twenty or so men and women were on a year-long probation, their every action scrutinized. One more screw up, and they would be adiosed forever.”

Fans of the series already know a little bit about Thane, the hunkalicious Sent One featured in Burning Dawn, as he has been mentioned in the previous two books. I knew that Thane was a brooding, bad-boy angel warrior whose taste for a certain type of dark debauchery was bound to be his downfall. The nightclub that he owns is even named “The Downfall” so you just know that this is one angel with a mile-wide naughty streak. Kinky angels, right? What’s not to love? So of course I had to read his book!

As usual, Showalter brings the goods – Burning Dawn is brimming over with her usual colourful cast of supernaturals, running the gamut from angels to demons and everything in between. Sprinkle in the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere of a night club that caters to the immortal crowd and you know that you’re reading escapist material at its finest. Don’t let that dissuade you however… While Burning Dawn is a quick, easy read, there is actual substance woven in between the hot sex scenes and dodge-boulder games. Gena does three things very well – 1. She writes strong, witty female characters that you either want to be friends with or emulate yourself, 2. She writes tough alpha-males with hearts-of-gold who need to be saved from themselves as much as they need to save someone else, and 3. She writes about real friendship and the ties that bind seemingly disparate individuals into families with bonds that are much stronger than those merely of blood. In this Burning Dawn does not disappoint.

Another plus with this particular series is how it blends into Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series so seamlessly. Characters and timelines intertwine nicely, allowing Gena to give both series the attention that they deserve while not taking away from the other in any way. I love the fact that I don’t have to go into either Lords of the Underworld or Angels of the Dark withdrawal in between books since the two series complement each other so perfectly. I wish that more of my favourite authors could achieve this!

As much as I love the series and Gena Showalter in general, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I thought that Thane lost some of his edge once it became apparent that he finally won the trust and love of human-phoenix halfling Elin. I guess it’s just his inner-angel coming to the forefront (he is a Sent One after all) but a tame Thane just doesn’t do it for me the same way that bad tempered Thane did. Oh well, Axel and Merrick are still on the naughty list and hopefully they’ll provide more of a challenge than Thane did. After all, as Merrick says, “The hardest battles have the sweetest victories”.

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A great trip to the land of angels and demons. Angels that are SOOO sexy and hot alphas!!
I loved how Elin came from being a scared slave girl trying to survive into the strong woman who takes on Thane, as no one as ever done. She actually becomes kind of scary while Thane discovers his sweet, possessive but poetic side. I loved them together, such a strong connection and depth of feeling. Beautiful story really !!

I have been reading Gena Showalter for a long time and I used to love her. But it's getting difficult. Many of her books are hard to read because her protagonists can go through some torturous stuff, but there is a great pay off with the love story. I didn't feel much love or connection between Thane and Elin.

I am so sad that I am finished reading this book. I loved it from beginning to end and was routing for Elin, and Thane the entire time. The whole series is a great read, with a different spin on the paranormal genre where sent ones (similar to angels) fight evil, and find their soul mates. With epic battles and HOT love scenes what's not to love! I can't wait for the next book.