Dawn's Awakening
By Lora Leigh
The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate—and realizes it’s
far too easy to lose total control…
One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormentor from Dawn’s past reappears—and threatens to destroy their new found love, along with their lives…
Dawn's Awakening is a powerful book that engages a reader in its characters' emotions, passions, hopes and fears. Ms. Leigh once again shows us that there is a very human and endearing element to a Breed romance that is irresistible. As least, I find it so.
Dawn is a character I could cheer for. She has been physically and emotionally battered and betrayed all her life. If you've ever read any books of Ms. Leigh's Breed series before, then you know about the brutality and torture the Breeds endured before being freed and recognized as a people with rights. The scene where I was shown Dawn's rape, along with Seth, was horrible. I came away from that scene a hundred percent vested in wanting Dawn to be healed, to find love and to surmount the stranglehold her memories had on her. I needed to read this story.
Seth is her hero, and mine. He's a human who knows all about the Breeds and to his shame, his father had had a hand in financing their creation. Now he's doing everything possible to support and protect Sanctuary - the Breeds safe home and stronghold. He's had ten years to focus on building his corporation to be a force to be reckoned with in defense of the Breeds. His drive is more personal because he is Dawn's destiny and in a way, he's protecting her the only way he thinks he can. He suffered the separation from the Mating Heat for a decade to protect her and he thinks enough time has passed because he no longer physically suffers. Can you say tortured hero? Seth is perfect. His heart is still Dawn's but how can he give it to her when he thinks she's unable to accept it? He knows the temptation is too much - better to not tempt his pain or hers - he stays away. See? Strong yet tortured.
When a threatening situation brings them together, the heat is on. The Mating Heat is the catalyst that makes them face the truth about themselves. I get a thrill reading scenes with Breed mating. The biting, the purring, the ripped clothes and the passion kept me turning the pages in a flurry. Ms.Leigh knows how to write the hottest romance scenes with characters that have the most sensual and seductive ways. It's a joy and an allure I can't resist.
Seth's treatment of Dawn during her crisis of facing her past was strong, supportive and was just about the most romantic as a hero can get. Seth may not have the Breed's animal senses but he knows Dawn's needs and he's there for her every step of the way.
The most poignant moment of the book for me came from a surprising theme in this story. The Breeds were taught that they were creations of man, therefore soulless and not worthy of God's notice. That broke my heart. You can see that these are people, and their code of honor and ways of life are guided by an inner sense of what's right and wrong. Seth's impassioned speech to Dawn was powerful and spoke to the heart - not just Dawn's but mine too. This scene gave Dawn's Awakening a depth I've not experienced before and it garnered from me a healthy respect. I am impressed.
With an awesome cast of secondary characters, steamy hot animal attraction, suspense, an effective evil villain and the tease of a mystery Breed who has set his sights on one of the other Breed females, Dawn's Awakening is a jewel in the Breed series and Ms. Leigh has another winner. I even hazard to say it's one of the best so far. Can't wait until the next one. Who will get their HEA next?
Rating:

Reviewed by Xeranth
