Before the Dawn Mass Market Paperback – October 2, 2001

I read this book every two years because it’s such a great love story. Suspense, action, and pure love. Must read

My Reaction:As usual, Beverly Jenkins has an amazing plot and I read this one in less than a week. It was just that good. It had mystery, intrigue, beautiful setting and a gorgeous alpha male that’ll set any woman’s heart ablaze. Five stars all the way!Summary/PlotRyder Damien is happy his father passed away and he hopes his dad burns in hell.However, his father left more than just his trail of failures and woes. He left behind a beautiful, ebony bride named Leah Barnette.When Leah accepted Louis Montague’s marriage proposal, he bequeathed her a generous amount of wealth, but little did she know that he left behind two angry sons back in Denver and a thirty year history steeped in gold and blood. After meeting Ryder, she no longer wants to stay in Denver, but the looks between them grows hotter, then the caresses and finally things heat up so much will either back away even if being together could cost them their lives?As I said before Beverly Jenkins is masterful when it comes to storytelling. I’ve been a fan since Wild Sweet Love!

Another great read. Love the author’s voice, the characters, the history, the setting. I find myself wanting to read more and more about these characters and places.

This and every other book I have read by Beverly Jenkins is absolutely amazing! If you are a fan of romance novels I highly recommend this one!

Before the DawnI thoroughly enjoyed the story of Damien Ryder, Leah, Cecil, Helen, Eloise, Sam, etc. As always, Ms. Jenkins tells a good story with a little romance, with a little African American history. I high recommend. I give the content 5 stars, and the artwork 2 stars.Negatives:The physical description of Leah and Ryder were quite clear. However, the artwork on the cover doesn't jive. I give the cover a one star. It doesn't accurately portray the Leah and Ryder physically. She describes Damien as being tall, dark, with straight, long black hair. He occasionally wears it in two plaits. The dude on the front isn't dark skinned and he has cornrows.The description of Leah is off too. She describes her as dark, with think hair. However, the sistah on the front hair is short and looks permed.Lastly, the artwork doesn't suggest this is a historical romance novel at all. It looks like all of the other cheesy romance novels on the shelves. If I had not already discovered Ms. Beverly, I would not have given the book a second look, if I saw it on the shells of my local grocery store.Lastly, I don't think the lovers have to be half-naked and look like they are about to the thang to draw quality readers. I love the covers with the period costumes.With that said, I recommend this book as an enjoyable and easy read.

Recommended read. Hooked me immediately and I couldn't put it down. Great story, compelling characters, accurate history, well written, thoroughly enjoyable. I always love reading about places I'm familiar with, although I'm still a little young to have visited Denver in 1886. Not a new release (2001), but I'm just catching up with my miles-long reading list. If you don't know about multi-award winning author Beverly Jenkins and you like fast pace and mildly erotic romantic fiction with a bit of suspense, here's another writer to explore.

I enjoyed this book but it took to long for me to dive in. I Loved Ryder, he was to me, one of the sexier BJ characters. His attitude, his words, his beauty in general, but it still wasn't enough to make this storyline hit me. I think maybe because for half of the book, he and Leah were apart, then they were at odds with each other. After a while I was so sick of her unnecessary secrets, then her being mad for him not trusting her secret-keeping self, I was like forget her already. When they did finally get it together I was pleased with their relationship, it just took to long to get there to me. Even the usually very enjoyable love scenes seemed a bit off (no fault to Ryder, he was sexy), it just seemed too explained at times, if that makes any sense. Still an enjoyable read but not my favorite.

Love and trust will prevail all the time. Hate can be a monster of life and cause pain for the future