Dawn Unearthed (Ravenwood Coven #1)

by Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

The moment Sage Reed makes her way to Ravenwood, she knows the small town lives up to its mystical lore—even if she doesn’t believe that she’s a witch. After losing her husband, she’s ready for change, and her aunt’s bookstore affords the perfect opportunity.

Rome Baker has secrets of his own—even some that he’s kept from the town he calls home. But when a striking and intriguing stranger saves his life the moment she steps into his path, his inner bear knows that she’s the one for him. However, with the town under fire, he worries he might run out of time before he can show her what they can have together.

A new enemy is on the horizon, one who hides in the shadows, whose history is steeped in lies. And if Sage and Rome aren’t careful, Sage’s new powers won’t be the only thing that spirals into flame.

Themes: Paranormal, Witches, Shifters, Vampires (Oh My!)

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

An all new paranormal series begins by one of my favorite authors, a series filled with Magic, danger and the connection between mates that is undeniable. For those of us that are fans of other Carrie Ann Ryan PNR series, you might be going into this one with a few expectations, but let me tell you now, LEAVE THEM BEHIND. Yes the series has shifters, yes there are witches, but other than that this world is unique and truly a world all it’s own. Sage Reed is heading to Ravenwood to see her Aunt, determined to make the small town into her new home, despite the rumors of magic that she’s heard about the town all her life. Just as she arrives a hellacious storm hits the town and she finds herself stranded on the side of the road, with no way to get into town, but then the world begins to get even stranger. Rome Baker has no idea that the sexy witch that just saved his life is the niece of one of the witches in town, all he knows is that he feels and instant connection to her and he won’t let her get away. As Sage learns more and more about her destiny and the powers that she has been denying her whole life, which are now becoming uncontrollable, she needs to lean on the sexy Bear-shifter as her touchstone. Together with their friends and family, Sage and Rome have to defeat and evil that is back to try to take over their town, but like all evils, the darkness can easily seep into the cracks in the town’s foundations and surprising villains are uncovered. In the end, their love must hold against tragedy, deadly foes, and the long-foretold darkness that is coming for the town of Ravenswood, if Sage and Rome or any of their friends want a chance at an HEA. OMFG how to describe how much I loved this story?! Sage was the quintessential newbie witch, learning to trust not just her powers but her own strength as a woman, as she discovered more and more about herself. As tragedy after tragedy struck their crew, Sage found a way to not only strand strong, but to prove her worth and fight back for those she loved. She was sweet and loving with her family and Rome, intelligent and brave as she found her place in the town, and refused to give up when her enemies tried to tear her down. I also loved how committed she instantly was to protecting a town she’d never even seen and to the people that instantly stole her heart, despite her beginning disbelief in magic. Rome was the sexiest bear-shifter and also one of the best male leads I’ve read in a while. Yes he was strong and alpha, but he also showed vulnerability enough that he wasn’t unattainable or devoid of lovability. Dealing with his own issues within his pack didn’t prevent him from stepping up and wooing his mate, helping her find her path, and protecting the town as a whole when he could easily have left them to their own devices. I will say I cried a hell of a lot in this story but I am coming to understand that Carrie Ann likes to make her readers ball their eyes out at least twice in each story just for grins and giggles before she gives the couples the happy ending they deserve. The fire and passion between these two is there from the beginning and despite all that is thrown at them their feelings and fire never seems to waver, even when it doesn’t make a lot of sense to either of them. I am positively DYING for the rest of this series and to see Sage’s sister witches find their Happy and of them to ultimately kick evil bad guy ass together. Another all new world of magic and mayhem that instantly drew me in and hasn’t let me go yet.