Former Navy SEAL Kingsley Maddison is a sexy, determined alpha who isn’t looking for Mrs. Right. That all changes when he meets his neighbor, a beautiful single mom who doesn’t have time for romance. Divorced, abandoned emotionally, and financially adrift, Dawn Foster is just trying to keep her head above water. She’s doing whatever it takes to survive in an expensive city, better her career … better her career prospects, and keep her family afloat. It isn’t easy, but she does it all for the two little people who depend on her to make nothing but right moves.
Love isn’t on her radar until she meets King. But is the sexy, single alpha who makes her heart race the right choice?
King is rusty in the romance department, but he knows Dawn and her kids are meant to be his. He’s ready to prove to her that he’s in it for the long haul, stepdad duties and all
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Wonderful new series. King and Dawn seem like complete opposites but as they get to know each other, their walls come down and love comes in.
“I’m not saying it was love at first sight, but if you keep talking like that, Kingsley Maddison, we’re going to have to explore our options.”
I think every woman dreams of a knight in shining armor, who swoops in and rescues her from her mess of a life. In reality, only a small percentage of us actually get one. But, for Dawn Foster, her knight may not come in on a white horse, but he does come in on motorcycle!
Kingsley “King” Maddison, ex-Navy SEAL, was on company-ordered R&R after being on the wrong end of mission gone bad. Fighting bad guys is what he does – he’s done it for as long as he can remember. What he didn’t expect was being brought to his knees by the fiery, single mom who lives in his building. He’s not looking for love – in fact, he’d written that off a long time ago. Not only doesn’t he have the time, any woman out there deserves better. But Dawn just might make him believe he might deserve it too. Now, he’ll do whatever he needs to do to make sure Dawn and her kids – no HIS kids now, all they’ve dreamed of.
Dawn Foster is treading water, but she’s still afloat. A single mom with two kids, one with medical issues, an ex-husband who can’t be bothered to be a father to his children, and debt out the wazoo, she’s doing anything she can to make a better life for the three of them. When the sexy, tattooed, muscled man in her building becomes entrenched in their lives, she doesn’t know what to make of it. Who is this man and where did he come from? Could it be her life is turning around? He seems too good to be true, but then again, a girl’s gotta dream, right?
I loved these two, and the whole cast of characters. His military/work buddies are the kind that have his back one minute, and then throw down the ribbing and the insults the next! Dottie? She’s hilarious and the Mama Bear that always watches out for her six-foot-something cubs. Love her so much!! I’m so excited for this series and this book was a great start!!
Before Dawn. Wow!! What an incredible story! I have to admit to being a big Suzanne Halliday fan and am always worried about whether I’ll like the new book as well as her previous books. I’ve yet to be disappointed. The book has the HOT factor of an alpha but it is also so incredibly sweet as little Nicole wraps King around her pinky or when Jack declares himself the man of the house. This book has all the feels and I can’t wait to see more of this series. I’m ready to one click before I even see the blurb.
Kingsley Maddison – Better known as King or Lee is an ex Navy Seal, Delta Force. No longer serving he is now running an exclusive security agency in New York City. Along with a cast of characters that I simply fell in love with. If you don’t laugh when you meet Dotti and her colourful way with words then there’s seriously no hope for you. SHE IS SOLID GOLD!
King was brought up by his sister Antoinette ‘Toni’ after the death of their parents. She dropped everything not even blinking. Hell, the glimpse we get of Toni and I’m already wondering if and when I’ll get her story.
He’s not what I expected. And I have to say that I freaking loved this character. Everything about this man had me from page one. Preferring the solitary lifestyle and staying out of the limelight.
Dawn is our single mom. I won’t say she’s struggling though, she does what millions of single woman out there do bringing up their kids on there own. And doing it while kicking ass and taking names. She is such a real and fresh character. The love she has for her kids Jack and Nicole is second to none.
Everything she does is for her kids. Her ex is an absolute total waste of space. This douche takes asshole to the next level. I seriously wanted to jump in and kick his ass. His lack of empathy towards Jack is sad but his total denial of his daughter Nicole proves that he’s just a sperm donor. Not a father.
How our two leads meet? Dawn rents an apartment in the building that King and Jon own. Jon? Is a buddy from his Delta Force Days and he’s also his partner in the agency. Dawn looks after Jon’s fish while he’s away on assignment. It works for both of them. The cash Jon pays Dawn helps. It’s here she meets King. These two really don’t know how much they need each other. And watching it play out as you get deeper into the story you’ll see what I mean.
While she works during the day she also goes to school working towards getting her teaching degree. She has a vision for her and her kids. She see’s a better future.
The way Jon is with her two kids? Squee! This man will melt even the most cynical of hearts. He’s a doer and if he see’s something that needs to be done he does it. The attraction between these two is a slow build. The chemistry is blindingly hot.
I’m excited to see where this series goes. If book one is any indication you know you are in for one awesome journey.
I can always count on Suzanne to deliver whenever I pick up one her stories. They are engaging. Your invested from start to finish. The attention to deal is something I look for in a read and she never lets a reader down. There’s a reason she’s my go to for all things romance.
The secondary characters that we meet all scream out for their turn. Get ready that’s all I can say.
If your looking for a story you can invest in then STOP and jump into Before Dawn.
Very intense romance. Very well done sexual predator element. Very well done deadbeat dad element. Excellent handling of the recovery from the repercussions of such events. Interesting perspective of women in today’s society. Ran a bit long. Was ready to be done after IKEA, or maybe a bit before.
Would read again and loved the characters in this story
Wonderful story! Great characters and both a heartwarming and exciting premise. Really lovely!
At times I felt this book was written by two different authors. Sometimes the dialogue was great, sometimes it was forced. The dialogue and narrative sometimes was heavy on the slang, more so than I would have expected. I felt the first half of the book was a big heavy handed on the single mom mantra, yet Dawn suddenly just gave in to King’s overt somewhat dirty talking flirting. I felt the author glossed over Dawn’s trauma as well as the issues with her ex husband. It was very rushed. I also thought the leap from the kids calling King Mr. Madison to him tucking them in was way way too rushed considering all the “single mom, protective of her kids” talk. for educated characters in their thirties. Lastly, the sex toy discussion and chapter was gratuitous and added absolutely nothing to the story. All of that being said, there was some snappy dialogue, the supporting characters were strong and I will likely read Jon’s story,
When you dive into a Suzanne Halliday story, you are diving into a story that captivates you from beginning to end. Well this one is icing on a cake and it is a new series she is starting. This series is going to be epic.
King and Dawn have this fun beginning, fun middle and one amazing ending. Can’t wait to read more- here is more of my review below on this link.
YouTube- https://youtu.be/_RrKy3N4PX8
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Before Dawn is the first book in Suzanne Halliday’s new series called Nightwind and what a way to start a series!!!
Former Navy Seal and co owner of Nightwind Security meets divorced, down on her luck, mother of two and what happens next will keep you reading, watching around corners and rooting for a HEA!!
A bit too long of a story. There are quite a few chapters I think were unnecessary. They are a cute couple and I am glad they got their HEA!
Language was a bit too much for me.
Holy Cow! Before Dawn was so, so SO GOOD! Kingsley “King” Maddison is a former Navy SEAL turned investigator is struggling with some wartime demons and didn’t plan on finding himself a family while recovering from his latest assignment. Dawn Foster is a single mom of two amazing kids that has had a string of crappy system-fueled hits that just seem to keep on coming. Their chance meeting over a fish tank sets them both on fire and they see something in each other that is undeniable. Dawn and the kids bring some much needed peace to his warrior soul and King steps up in ways she never could’ve dreamed. Together they can work to build the happily ever after that they both thought would never happen for them.
Suzanne hit it out of the park, once again. I devoured every page. The secondary characters are also fantastic. I can’t wait for the second book she has planned (After Midnight) and am hoping we get to see even more books with this series.
I’m always excited to read a new series so when I started this I had no idea what to expect. Except I know anything Ms Halliday writes is always good. I was drawn in from the beginning I couldn’t put it down! As always the characters are complex and compelling and you feel their pain as much as their joy. King is wow! A hot sexy dishevelled Alpha with a soft centre. Dawn is a feisty, determined and amazing woman, mom and friend. As you get to know the other characters you can see the tight family they already are and merging their two worlds brings some fun times ahead. This story will make you mad, sad and joyously happy as you journey through their development. My heart hurt for both of them but then it soars with happiness as they find their way together through the aftermath of what was nearly a tragedy. Great start to a wonderful series and I cannot wait for the other characters to have their stories told.
Kingsley a.k.a “king” or “lee” is the all around Man, navy seal, delta force and now co owner of a security team, raised by a sister after losing their parents. Dawn who is divorced and trying to keep a roof over her and her family rents an apartment in the building King owns with his partner Jon. King doesn’t let people in easily and hides his heart, Dawn just wanted to do what i best for her two kids. but what happens when you insert an alpha male who knows what he wants. well let the sparks fly!
Loved this short story & totally fell in love with these characters especially Jack & Nicole. Loved the instant connection between King & Dawn. I knew right away King would instantly connect with Jack & Nicole too. As I was reading I so wanted to reach into the book & just throat punch Allen & Dawn’s teacher. This is a story you should not miss. I am super excited to read the rest of the series.
Fantastic slow burn!!
Kingsley “King” Maddison is the real deal, he checks all the boxes.
Dawn Foster is a fierce, divorced mother of two amazing kids.
These two belong together and we know it before they do. The way Ms. Halliday builds up the emotions and sexy chemistry with them is so well done.
King and Dawn navigate a relationship while dealing with a useless ex husband/sperm donor and sleazy professor with the help of some awesome friends and family who I hope to see more of in this series. Truly a great romantic read with just the right amount of steam.
Before Dawn begins a new series for Suzanne Halliday. She has an amazing talent for creating multilayered characters that lure you into their story. King and Dawn have both taken their licks by life. Even bruised and battered King can see something special in Dawn. I loved how he became the single mom’s greatest cheerleader without trying to take over her life. The relationship that develops between King & Dawn’s children is the icing on the cake!
Dawn & King are both fun characters. Not that they have a lot of time for “fun” per se, but I just mean that they were well written & were fun to read about! The way that Dawn is with her kids, the way that King instantly connects with them, even before he really realizes it… thumbs up! There’s some actiony stuff going on, but mostly this is more character driven, and includes build up for the next book / couple in the series. : )
This story is fantastic. It truly is. I give it a solid TEN STARS! After an abrupt unexpected surprise meeting, King and Dawn gravitate towards each other slowly and cautiously. As their lives become entwined over time they discover love and combustible passion. King is a man hardened by life in the military and used to living on his own terms unfettered by romantic commitments. Dawn is a hardworking single mother of two bright, sweet, and precocious children who are the center of her world. When King and Dawn’s worlds collide the puzzle pieces of their fractured hearts simply fall into place. This book has it all – interesting and likable characters, romance, passion, humor, quirky side characters, great dialogue, intrigue, and most definitely a guaranteed happily ever after.