Before the Dawn

by Beverly Jenkins

Leah Barnett can't believe how far fate has carried her: from Boston to the towering Colorado Rockies...and into the life of an angry, ruggedly sexy man. Ryder Damien is not about to welcome this beauty with open arms, however, especially since Leah was the one who won the affection of Ryder's late father and now may inherit, his considerable wealth. But when she stands before him in the flesh -- proud, vulnerable, and intoxicatingly lovely -- desire replaces hatred in Ryder's heart. Yet can passion survive this wild land and its dangerous men...and the most breathtaking peril: untamed love?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, African American Romance, Audiobook, Westerns

384 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Beverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.

She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.

Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase. 

To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net. 

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great historical from Beverly Jenkins! I really loved the beginning and end of this book, but it did kind of drag in the middle. This book starts out with Leah marrying the man who loved her mother. She marries him on his death bed so that she can be provided for when he dies. She has to go and settle affairs with his sons, whom he's been estranged from for decades. She meets Ryder, the eldest son and her new stepson, and they immediately butt heads. But then they have to have a marriage of convenience to save Leah from crippling debt. So much was going on in the beginning and I loved the hate to love relationship between Leah and Ryder. Ryder is so hardened and angry, but he couldn't deny his attraction to Leah. With most Beverly Jenkins, there was a villainous character trying to cause harm, and that was entertaining as it played out at the end. I really loved the unique set up for this book and would definitely recommend!

[sometimesrobinreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't come across a Beverly Jenkins book I didn't love. Like most of the books I've read by Jenkins, I finished it within 24 hours. The way she weaves romance with a history lesson is unmatched. Leah and Ryder are definitely one of my favorite couples penned by Beverly Jenkins. Their banter was so cute and funny. I can see me re-reading this book in the future.

[Fashionista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially read this book several years ago. I have re-read it many times. That's how good this book is. I love the historical setting, the mystery, and the sexiness of the tortured hero. Ryder is sooooo HOT!

[AlexTRBG · Rating 5 out of 5]

New fav Beverly Jenkins alert!!! Before the Dawn was everything, definitely top 3 by her for me atm 🥲👏🏽

The story follows Leah, who begins this book by marrying her somewhat father figure on his deathbed (crazy I know lol) to inherit his fortune. But before he dies, he asks her to go back to Colorado and handle some unfinished business to give him some peace. Once she makes her way there, she meets the two sons her late husband abandoned years ago and finds herself in serious legal and financial trouble 😅 Thankfully one of those sons (Rider 😮‍💨💕👌🏽)steps in to help her… but naturally he wants something from her in return 😜💕

This book had everything: rich historical detail, a fun and swoony romance full of hilarious banter and chemistry that I couldn’t get enough of, and even a surprise murder mystery that kept me guessing to the very end.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This Beverly Jenkins read had such a great setup! The heroine marries a man on his deathbed and then it becomes her romance later with his estranged son.

Leah Barnett ends up marrying a man on his deathbed when the story starts. He loved her mother, he helped Leah with schooling growing up, and always treated Leah like the daughter he never had. With her mother gone now as well, he wants to be able to help Leah once he’s gone and decides the best way is for her to become his widow. After Leah agrees and they wed, he tells her that after he passes he wants her to go to the Colorado Rockies to find his two grown sons he left over 20 years ago. When Leah arrives in Colorado she meets one of his sons, Ryder, who is very angry and bitter towards his late father and in turn not a fan of Leah because he assumes she was a gold digger who married his father.

I liked seeing the hate to love vibes between Ryder and Leah. He is very pulled to her but also tries to keep his distance since he assumes her marriage to his father was real and his father is the man he hated the most. When Leah arrives in Colorado she finds out her late husband had substantial debts there and ends up in a bit of trouble where Ryder ends up helping her and offering her a deal. The plot and drama that unfolds kind of took away from the romance in this one for me. I still enjoyed it but the first half I did enjoy more.

[Brooke ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

Wow.

I mean. Genuinely wow.

My cousin and I are attempting to read more of the authors going to BRBF next year, and Beverly Jenkins is one we simply wanted to read because she is counted as one of the OGs! After reading Zane, we wanted to continue reading through some authors from the 90s and 2000s and wow.

WOW.

The storytelling, the artistry that went into this book...im speechless. The plot twist?? My wig??? Shes missing??? I am genuinely obsessed with this book yall dont understand. Ryder and Laila? OMG. The prose in this book? Yall. I don't even want to do an analysis because you HAVE to experience this for yourself just go in blind. Just experience- no thoughts head empty.

I won't lie in the beginning I was very confused and lost for a lil bit. Historical Romance always does that to me for a bit, but once I caught on to all the names and the time period?? HONEY!! Obsessed. I literally could not put this book down i mean...wow. I literally threw this back in a day.

I just. This is a masterpiece. Like not even exaggerating. This reminded me of why i love reading. Of why I love a book that sticks with you and becomes part of your being. UGH! I see why people say authors in the 2000s and 90s are in a league of their own truly.

Beverly come get your baddies chain FORREAL!!!! DAMN!

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story wasn’t my favorite of Ms. Bev’s, learning about the Sand Creek Massacre was hugely impactful and I’ll be thinking about it a lot.

I think time jumps might have made the relationship a little less uncomfortable to read - the MMC, Ryder, essentially buys the FMC, Leah, and they sleep together pretty quickly despite the MMc saying he would pressure her at all. The subplot about Leah’s inheritance was interesting and there are three unsolved murders as well as.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This book has my least favorite Beverly Jenkins hero to date but the rest of the book was so damn good that I’m gonna let his sorry ass slide.

Seriously, everything about Ryder was such a turn off personality wise. He jumped to conclusions over literally everything and then he would run off and throw tantrums. That shit is not cute and he never grew on me therefore I didn’t believe in his and Leah’s love story. He was easily the worst thing about this book for me besides the villain. I wanted him to grow up and stop being so childish.

Leah on the other hand was fantastic. She carries this book on her shoulders. I love her character. She’s very determined and smart. She knew how to pick her battles and was very strategic. She deserved a much better hero.

I liked the plot and the ending was really awesome. There was a really intense confrontation that had me on pins and needles and I loved the way it was resolved. While the romance did absolutely nothing for me, Leah, the writing, the plot and some of the side characters (particularly Sam) were so great that I’m giving this four stars. Not a favorite but still a very entertaining read.



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[Bookswithshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg! I was so conflicted throughout this entire book. Mostly because of Ryder. This man was stressing me tf out when half the time all he had to do was listen to Leah and believe her. Leah, I love Leah. I love how she stuck to her guns the entire time and her overall strong personality. And the plot twist? I didn't expect this one, it really took me by surprise!

[Jerrika Rhone · Rating 4 out of 5]

AH SHITE!
70% Done: BJ knows how to write the heck out of a villain.

90% Done: Ryder is obnoxious. His constant waffling is such a huge turnoff. I made it hard for me to finish.

[L. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah Barnett inherited her mother's tavern, the Black Swan, upon her mother's death. The Black Swan was a Boston establishment that serviced sailors of color. At the books opening, Leah is struggling to run the business, barely getting by on the money coming in. Louis Montague (Monty), her mother's longtime boyfriend, is near death and convinces Leah to marry him so that she may claim his Colorado estate. It's not until the marriage is official that Montague surprises Leah with the revelation that he abandoned two sons when he left Colorado. Determined to fulfill his wishes, Leah boards a train to Colorado with Cecil Lee (Monty's close friend).

When she arrives in Colorado, she is confronted by Montague's past in the form of his son, Ryder Damien. Ryder is angry with Monty and blames him for the death of his mother, who is a Cheyenne woman. And the make matters worse, Ryder accuses her of marrying his father for money. Although Ryder is rude and hostile, Leah can't help but be affected by the longhaired Ryder. Determined to fulfill Monty's wishes, Leah continues on her quest to claim the inheritance but is hampered by legal issues. There's a court judgment against the estate that she must pay off. If she is unable to pay the debt, she may forfeit her freedom and her inheritance. Ryder offers her the money...if she'll be with him.

Before the Dawn is an intriguing tale from front to back. The book had everything I liked in a romance—lies, scandal, regrets, secrets, mystery, and peril around the corner. It was an adventure. It raised the hairs on the back of neck...in a 'can't put the book down until I get to the end because I just want to see who the danger is' kind of way. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Ryder and Leah. I also appreciated the Western United States history and Native American history weaved into the story. I enjoyed the breathtaking scenery as well. Characters like Seth (the other brother), Cecil, and Samuel made this even better.

Leah was feisty and definitely up to the challenge of defending Monty's wishes and herself. But who in their right mind could resist Ryder? He was the bomb. And I'm glad she couldn't resist him for long because their love affair was akin to a thrilling spin on rollercoaster. Loved it.

This is the first book by Ms. Jenkins that I listened to on CD. I have to say, I enjoyed the experience. The reader added a layer to the written word and I found myself wishing I could get my hands on other audiobooks of Ms. Jenkins novels. In fact, after this one, I picked up Winds of the Storm on CD. If you like a fast paced adventure with a HOT romance, you'll love Before the Dawn.

[K2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenkins never disappoint

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary 
Leah Barnett, has come a long way. With her mother having passed away, a man who has always been like a father to her, Louis Montague leaves her all of wealth upon his death if she agrees to marry him on the day of his death. Leah inherited her mother's business, but she is struggling to make do. Monty sees her as the daughter he never had, and wants to make sure she will be taken care of. So Leah reluctantly agrees, knowing how important it is to him. But there is one last request, to make sure the two sons he had but had never really been a father to, and so she travels to Colorado to fulfill Monty's dying wish for his two sons. Along with her, is Cecil, Monty's best friend. But upon arriving, she meets one of his two sons Ryder, who is full of anger and bitterness against his father. He views her as a money grabbed, and doesn't trust her at all. But when she is put in a difficult position, fork up fifteen thousand due to past debts Monty's never fulfilled or go to prison. Ryder makes her an offer she can't refuse, be his lover and he will give the fifteen thousand to the courts to save her from prison. Soon though, Ryder and Leah feel a connection to each other. However lies and past secrets could tear them apart forever.
The Hero 
Our delicious hero is Ryder Damien. Ryder is one of the most powerful men in the state. Despite his rough upbringing, with no father, his mother murdered, and raised by his Cheyenne grandmother, his life hasn't been an easy one. He is used to many despising him for his mixed roots. But despite that, he has made much wealth for himself. Ryder despises his father, whom he blames for his mother's horrific demise. What I grew to really like about Ryder is seeing how much he learns in this book. You see quite a bit of character growth. He tends to make rash judgements and I love seeing him getting turned upside down with Leah. Ryder was quite a fun hero to get to know though. I loved seeing his fortitude, strength against so much especially when he was young. He is a fighter and a sensual lover.
The Heroine 
Leah was a heroine I just wanted more of. She is a character that in the beginning you aren't too sure of. But we see she gets thrown into a horrible position and has to make a difficult choice. But she never gives up on the truth and believing in Ryder. She stands on her own though, and even though she keeps certain things from Ryder, it is very understandable why she does so. Before she travels west, she doesn't have a clue what she is getting herself into. She has always known love with her mother, Monty and Cecil. They are her security blankets. But we see how much she stands on her own when they are taken away from her. She is one tough little cookie, proud and spirited but still has a sweet nature too.
Plot and Story Line 
This story takes us from the streets of Chicago to the small workings of a town in Colorado near Denver. This is a period of growth of the State of Colorado. And wow does this author wow me each time that I happen to pick her up. This time we see more of the damage that many American's dealt to the Native American's of the time. We see this because Ryder is half Cheyenne. Some horrors happen to him when he is a boy that is just heartbreaking but in reality is what makes him into the strong capable man that he has become. I did like seeing how Beverly Jenkins brings in the historical relevance without taking anything from the story. Its more set up as a background for the characters. I did enjoy the interactions between Ryder and Leah in the beginning. Some fun bantering, powerful chemistry becomes built up and some hard lessons are learned between these two that are so spirited and have to learn what it takes to make a relationship work. We also have a shocker in the end where we learn the truth behind all the secrets of the past. And the true villain---turned me upside down. I almost passed out, it was such a blow but what a turn of events that happen here. We also see that Ryder and Leah have to climb through some mountains of mistrust before they get their happy ending. Ryder is the type of man that LEAPS to conclusions, but in the end he always makes up for it in other ways. I loved the way that Leah handles him though. She is firm yet understanding too. I liked that balance and there are some good side characters to fall in love with. What a powerful love story this turned out to be and I am only eager for more from this author.
The Cover 
I really love the purple background, it definitely fits the cover so well!!! And braided hair on the hero----different but so COOL!!
Overall View 
Before The Dawn is a romance that takes the reader on a ride of adventure through the Colorado Rockies----through secrets, misunderstandings, truths that are revealed and above all a happy end to make you sigh in happiness. TRULY A GEM!!!

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, Romance & Mystery

Another amazing tale from Ms. Jenkins. She has written another thrilling romance adventure! Not only do we get history and romance, but she has added a little mystery flava. The heat and chemistry between Ryder and Leah is intense. Reading her novels make me feel like I'm transported right back in time. It's like watching a very entertaining blockbuster movie. All I can say is I hope she never, ever stops writing her historical, romance novels. All her characters are unforgettable, main and secondary. The storyline flows with flawless effort! You will NEVER, EVER be disappointed when reading a Beverly Jenkins novel!

[Macknificent Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Mrs. Jenkins, but I did not enjoy this book. The cover art doesn't match the character, the ML was awful, and, worst of all, it was skimpy on the Black history. I read this as an audiobook the narrator was... not the best choice. The way he read the awkward love scenes and voiced everybody was so off-putting. The ending was probably the best part of the book, even that wasn't really satisfying.

*sigh*

They can't all be winners, I suppose. I'm giving one star because it's Beverly Jenkins and one star for the FL & side characters, but that's it.

Now leave me be so I can read her next book, A Chance at Love.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

-Romance/Chemistry: Fell flat
-Mystery/Suspense element: Attention grabbing. I wished there was more since the chemisty between Leah and Ryder wasn't there in my opinion.

[Mrs Tee Booktique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah and Rider kept entertained and guessing…the plot twist was everything!

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this though I greatly disliked the manufactured way this was plotted.
I just love BJ🥰

[M.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite Authors, Ms. Beverly Jenkins. I was never a lover of romance novels especial historical romance featuring African Americans as that was not a very good time in our history. This is the 1st romance and also the 1st historical romance I ever read, and I was a little skeptical, but gave it a try anyway & I was hooked from page 1. The story of Leah and Ryder, is my favorite romance and triggered my love for this genre. I have probably read about 10 times and I still love it.
Leah Barnett has been thru a lot recently, her mother’s death and now the man who is like a father to her, Monty, is dying. Leah loves working and owning the Black Swan, a tavern in Boston left to her after her mother died. As a last ditch effort to provide for Leah after his death Monty marries her so she can claim his estate he left 30 year earlier in Colorado. What he doesn't tell the beautiful young woman is that he was not a very good man in those days and he also left behind 2 sons, who hate him and each other. Seth, the smooth talking, privileged child of a Creole woman he married, sees her as his ticket to making his dreams come true and Ryder, now a very successful businessman,the son of his Cheyenne mistress,is very bitter man who has hated his father all his life for causing the death of his mother and for having to live a very painful life as his illegitimate son. When legal trouble arise for the new Ms. Montague, due to her dead husbands dealing, she has no place to turn except to Ryder who is all too happy to help, for a price. Will Leah be able to sell herself to her step son to stay out of jail or will she fall for his smooth talking half-brother…

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this story and the reader, Thomas Penny, was fantastic. This was a romance, thriller, and mystery rolled into one. A dying man with extensive life regrets, two hate filled sons, a scorned woman, secrets, lies and deception....What more ould you want in a book? I fell in love with Cecil, Samuel, Monty and Ryder. Leah was a tough cookie and held her own. all she wanted was a better life and to see the World. What she received instead was trouble and more trouble but, in the end she triumphs. This story shows great examples of what greed, manipulation and the disregard of human emotion does to others.

[Amiee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was "ok"...but many times, I was simply bored! I thought the story was a little farfetched. Ms. Jenkins had romance, mystery, history....maybe it was too much?

Synopsis:
Tavern manager Leah Barnett can scarcely believe the path that destiny has chosen for her. Travelling from Boston to Colorado, Leah has come to face Ryder Damien, the son of her mother's recently deceased lover. Ryder, an angry, ruggedly sexy man, is incensed that this woman will inherit his father's fortune-even if he hadn't seen the man in 30 years. But Leah's charms are many, and soon anger is the last thing in Ryder's heart.

The last chapter is a whirlwind!

[Senora]

Great book! The characters were very well described and visible to the mind. The novel was filled with romance with a twist of mystery. I couldn't put it down. I reside in colorado. The time period described was interesting and peaked my curiosity. It was almost like stepping back in time in Colorado.

[Jen (mrs-machino) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the plot of this book and Leah was a wonderful heroine, feisty but not foolhardy. I appreciated how Ryder’s mixed heritage was used to show the atrocities committed against Native tribes, but he felt a bit exoticized for it. I also really didn’t like the villain’s motivation, it felt like it hadn’t aged well.

[Greyland Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Not a favorite of mine.
Trigger Warnings: loss of parents, cancer, racism, Sand Creek massacre, mention of military violence, graphic & mass murder mentioned, displacement, poisoning, and gun violence

[Rebekah Weatherspoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of this book is wild!

[Vanessa Dodo Seriki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t see that coming...

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, even when a Ms. Bev book doesn’t work for me for whatever reasons, I still can’t put it down, the story just draws me in. Same is the case for this book. I just didn’t love the way Ryder kept believing the worst in Leah, either assuming she had loose morals and basically insinuating that she had just married his father for his money. As always, I love a Ms. Bev heroine unreservedly and Leah was great but Ryder always jumping to the wrong conclusions about her was annoying. This book seemed very different than Ms. Bev’s other histroms and I’m not sure why - I think maybe it lacked a sense of close knit community and the themes definitely involved a lot of murder and the villain was not who I thought it would be. Regardless, I’m loving reading Ms. Bev’s histrom backlist - it’s a true delight every month!

[Eleonora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I left this book for last while reading Jenkins' backlist because of the premise. The heroine is the hero's stepmother but, as always with Jenkins, it's complicated. I loved how this conflict was explored up until the end, culminating in a dramatic court hearing (another Jenkins’ classic) and how it involved the hero’s feelings for his dead father. I also enjoyed to see the hero, Ryder, lovesick: when I read that he was comparing women to horses I knew he was in for it. The story has a murderer subplot too and even if I knew who had done it I enjoyed reading it.

As always I loved all the bits on history, from the Knights of Labor to Sand Creek, which was heartbreaking to read even if I already knew the story.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Bev is someone I can trust with tropes I don't always love. This one is the mistress trope, and it is never my favorite. The way that this one worked out for me was truly just Queen Bev doing the work, and telling the story accurately to history. Need to be picking up more of her constantly!

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah and Ryder’s tangled romance was spicy and emotional! With a bit of mystery, nefarious characters, and some painful, vulnerable layers to peel back...man, this was a great read!