Beyond the Darkness, Katie Reus’ third book in her Darkness series, is an entertaining sexy, paranormal romance with nice mix of suspense, action, and romance. Forced into hibernation centuries ago by her controlling parents, what Dragon shifter Keelin Petronilla longs for more than anything is to be free to make her own choices and live her own life free from other people’s control. After she awakens from hibernation, she’s determined to never be under anyone’s control ever again. Even her attraction to Dragon Alpha Bran Devlin is not going to stand in her way. A former black ops agent, Bran doesn’t want to control Keelin or take away her freedom. Despite being a born dragon Alpha and clan leader, Bran isn’t sure he’s ready to be mated himself until meeting Keelin. After all, she is his mate.

Keelin enjoys her independence to the fullest tending bar for half-demon, bar owner Bo Broussard and spending her free time with members of the wolf pack who have become like family to her. Her attraction to Bran is a complication for which she isn’t prepared. The attraction between Bran and Keelin has been simmering from earlier in the series but can no longer be denied when Bran invades Keelin’s territory. Keelin is willing to have a casual relationship but nothing more serious. Bran accepts, but he plans to become more than just Keelin’s casual lover. The attraction between them is anything but casual, it’s fiery and intense, and even Keelin has trouble keeping her feelings for Bran under control. Keelin’s plans to keep it casual and avoid letting Bran into her life in any meaningful way are further complicated by a powerful, villainous enemy who seems determined to kill her.

Although Bran is an alpha dragon, he is unlike any Keelin has ever known. He respects her, doesn’t try to control her, or run her life, and is patient enough to give her time by agreeing to her terms for a casual fling when his feelings for her are anything but casual. Keelin is stubborn, fiercely independent, and has a lot more fight and power than her petite frame might suggest. Nevertheless, until they are forced into close quarters while trying to figure out who is after her, she doesn’t fully appreciate just how different he is or how right he just might be for her. Bran is fiercely protective, possessive, deep and intense, and, strangely enough, a little more chill than most alpha dragons. Although being mated wasn’t in his plans, he’s ready to change his plans and his life to make room for Keelin because she’s his mate and he needs her in his life.

A secondary storyline in the novel is the charming opposites attract, will they/won’t they potential for a transition from friends to lovers between Bo and Nyx, another bar tender, which completely grabbed my attention. The sexual chemistry and tension between these two is intense, and their friendship is sweet. Nyx also was coddled by her family and is trying to establish her own independence. She is intriguing with the secrets she’s keeping. Bo on the other hand has a reputation as a serious player that he’s ready to put behind him to pursue Nyx. I’m sure they’ll face even more obstacles, including ones I won’t mention because I don’t want to spoil anyone, but they are tricky. I can’t wait to read the book focusing on their romance.

Reus’ description, character development, world building, and pacing are all on point, drawing you into the story and the character’s lives, keeping you invested to the very last page. Readers who enjoy steamy paranormal romance with dragon shifters, demons, wolf shifters and other fae creatures should enjoy this one with its nice balance between romance, suspense, and action.

Lots of dragon shifter drama in this one!

Keelin is a fifteen hundred year old dragon princess who has awakened from hundreds of years of hibernation to discover a modern and more liberated world. She is tired of being sheltered and wants to enjoy her new independence to its fullest.

Bran Devlin is the Alpha of a different dragon clan who has identified Keelin as his true mate, but is having difficulty with her commitment phobia. Bran’s inner dragon becomes even more insistent once it becomes clear that Keelin is being stalked by a dangerous enemy.

Keelin and Bran’s undeniable chemistry and courtship from the core of this story. But Katie Reus adds fabulous secondary characters in the form of siblings, friends, and two very formidable warrior Dragon Parents. It’s all very sexy and very fun.

I really enjoyed this story. Bran was a wonderful character, I thought Keelin was going to be annoying but she turned out to be pretty likable. Overall a very good read and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

This series keeps getting better. I enjoyed Keelin and Bran's journey to love. They are perfect opposites for each other. I loved the plot, characters and twists that run throughout this book and series. I really enjoy how characters are woven into each book, but you don't have to have read other books to follow the action.

I've been reading the Darkness series of Katie Reus in random order. So, after reading parts 2 (Taste of Darkness), 7 (Guardian of Darkness), 8 (Sentinel of Darkness) and 9 (Darkness Rising) I now read part 3 (Beyond the Darkness). Although the stories are stand alone, I think it would be better to read them in order. But still, it is a very enjoying story. Keelin has come out of hybernation and has been enjoying her freedom. After being smothered by her parents for ages, she is living a life on her own now and she will not be going back to her parents. So, when she senses her parents waking up as well, she is determined to stay away from them. And away from every guy, who wants to dominate her.
Alpha dragon Bran Devlin was never planning on marrying. But when he met Keelin, his dragon decided she was his. But where females are normally throwing themselves at Bran, Keelin seems to try to stay away. And although sparks are flying (even literally!), she steers clear of the hunky dragon.
However, Bran is determined to make her his. Especially when there is danger lurking. But how to convince the stubborn female that becoming his mate is not the same as surrendering her freedom? Find out for yourself in this exciting read, with twists and turns and suspense along the way. Four out of five stars from me and I'll go get part 4 (Hunted by Darkness) because I'm really curious about Nyx' story. Because she is just awesome! Thank you Netgalley for providing the arc.

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Dragon shifter Keelin has spent centuries in hibernation and after all that time she’s not about to let her well-meaning but overprotective family keep her down. However, when she meets fellow dragon shifter Bran her plans for that independence are threatened, he’s the Alpha of his clan, he’s sexy, and he’s convinced that Keelin is his mate. Keelin just wants to have fun and Bran is willing to play along for awhile but when a powerful being targets her, Bran is more than ready to stay by her side and protect her no matter what.








Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Whether it’s romantic suspense, contemporary, or paranormal romance, Katie Reus is always going to deliver.

Keelin and Bran were good together even when they weren’t officially mates. I completely understood why Keelin wanted her independence and I fully supported her even though it was obvious she was fighting a losing battle. I am glad that she had enough of a backbone to stand her ground against her family who may have been well-meaning but were totally wrong for wanting to suffocate her with their overprotective attitudes.

I had a little trouble warming up to Bran in the beginning though. I just don’t care for caveman/overprotective males and Bran was borderline unlikable. But despite his tendency to act possessive, he wasn’t a bad guy. I liked that he wasn’t afraid to humble himself in order to show Keelin that he was capable of respecting her as an individual.

While Beyond the Darkness is Bran and Keelin’s story, it makes time to build reader interest in the supporting cast while making it an action-packed story. I love the way Reus’ books are paced because they’re not to fast but not too slow either and you can always just jump in whenever and not feel like you’re lost.

Click It or Skip It? Click It. Katie Reus’ shifters are always a win.

Bran was there for Keelin when she was attacked a while back and he hasn't been able to stop thinking about her since. He's back in town on a mission but the fire between them is not stopping. They're both dragon shifters and he wants to make her his mate but she doesn't want that because she thinks she'll lose her freedom if she has a mate. So they just get to know one another slowly and the sexual tension was real. Even though they started out a little slowly with their first meeting when they meet a second time weeks later, they can't deny the sexual chemistry is there.

There's another secondary romance going on between Nyx and Bo. He's the owner of the bar she works at and is a half demon but doesn't originally know what kind of shifter Nyx is which made the mystery interesting.

Watching these couples get to know one another was so much fun but Bran and Keelin were the hero and heroine of this story so we saw more of them than the other two. But there's danger right around the corner for Keelin which has Bran feeling all kinds of protective for her and trying to keep her safe even though she doesn't think that she really needs his help sometimes. So when she runs off to figure things out with her family and doesn't tell him where she's going, his dragon goes crazy and stops at nothing to make sure she's safe. Seeing his animal side come out like that was sexy as hell.

The bad guys are bad, like really bad. There's kidnapping, torture and murder going on and when we find out what the bad guy is and why he's after Keelin it really ratchet's up the danger in the story. I loved the world building as well as all the different paranormal creatures that were in this book and how we know things are going to get interesting for Nyx in the future.

While this book started off a little slow for me, it sure did pick up and the story stayed crazy and engaging until the end once it pace picked up.

Disclosure: I was given an ARC via NetGalley but all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Something was just off for me this go around, folks. I'm normally a huge fan of this author's romantic tales. The writing seemed to jump around too much, especially between the multi-character cast and just wasn’t overly engaging. It meandered between too many things/people instead of staying focused and riveting. When an author uses the words “and stuff” as actual dialog repetitively it makes me question the effort being put into the script.

Sure, this alpha leader dragon shifter hero was head over tails for this leading lady. That always works for me, especially knowing he’s been celibate since meeting her because she was the one for him at first glance in a previous book. Speaking of which, back then I was intrigued by her strong character. Now, however, I found her on and off again downright annoying, irrational, and frustrating. Whining about growing up with overly protective parents and how it really, really, really ruined her life got old. Pushing the hero away because he wanted a serious relationship speaks for itself. She just wanted him as a play thing apparently. How romantic...not! Having bad guys mysteriously know your every move and kept attacking you, yet plan to leave town unguarded on a whim...Wow! Sounds like a pretty stupid thing to do, don't you think?

The smexcapade at the bar/smex club where she worked had me embarrassed for both of them. It felt inappropriate and thrown in way too early for the sake of smexing things up. Overall, I wasn't that crazy about how any of the hot and heavy scenes were written.

I’d recommend books 2, 6, 7, and 8 over this one. (Taste of Darkness, Saved by Darkness, Guardian of Darkness, Sentinel of Darkness).

Title: Beyond the Darkness, Series: Darkness (Book 3), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 345, stand-alone but part of an on-going series, alpha leader dragon shifter hero, dragon shifter heroine, writing jumped around too much, wasn’t as good as I had hoped.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a post release copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Can't wat to read more from this author.

In this paranormal romance dragon shapeshifter, Keelin is spreading her wings away from her protected family and doesn't want someone to control her life again. But life isn't always easy and someone is trying to hurt her. Bran is the one who saves her life, he is also her mate. It takes a while for her to realize that Bran is not like her parents and to accept him as a mate.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley

Whenever I get the opportunity to read this author I sure do but not always in the order I would like. It is worlds I get much enjoyment from that this author overrides wanting turning into have to with in I jump. I adore the worlds with dragons with this one having just that. Keelin yearned for one thing and when that happened she went her path that will pick your curiosity. You know there has to be something that causes the adrenaline to pick up for a reader with danger being that in here that comes after her. Then you get to see some banter because of stubbornness that also goes hand in hand with the one whom wants to help her. Bran cause us to sit right up with this now going into hyper drive turning those pages. When I see where this all lands I was one happy camper for reading this out of order for me.

Dragon shifter Keelin Petronilla spent centuries in forced hibernation dreaming of one thing: freedom. Now she’s living life on her terms—she’s ditched her clan for an unruly wolf pack, she tends bar for a half-demon, and she’s loving it…until a powerful supernatural being targets her. She intends to handle the mysterious attacks on her own…without the help of dragon Alpha Bran Devlin. Sure, he’s sexy in that hot, scowling possessive way, but Keelin wants to live her own life in her own way. Former black ops agent Bran Devlin is a born dragon Alpha and leader of a fierce clan. Getting mated was never part of his plan—until a feisty dragon princess gets under his skin in a big way. But she doesn’t want a mate; she just wants to have a good time. He plays along, but when a dark and powerful being marks her for death, he’s determined to stay by her side in spite of her protests. Now that he’s found his mate, he means to keep her safe no matter what the cost…even if he has to risk it all.
I know this book came out a few years ago, but somehow it just recently found its way to my view to be able to view. As with all other books by this author, it was great. I loved both main characters as they move along their journey to try to have an HEA. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

An Outstanding Paranormal Romance . I volunteered through Netgallery to read an advanced readers copy of Beyond The Darkness . Dragon shifters , wolf shifters , half demons , Demi gods and vampires this story has them all . Keelin is a dragon shifter she works at Bo Broussards supernaturals only club . After being in protective hibernation for hundreds of years she wants her independence and moved to Alpha Finn Stavros territory in Biloxi where she lives with the pack . While Keelin and her friends Nyx and Ophelia go out to the shifter fights .
Little does she know she is in danger .
Bran Devlin has arrived in Biloxi for two reason Keelin is one and investigating the disappearance and killing of dragons is the second . Bran is going to convince Keelin she is his mate . Soon it's apparent Keelin is being hunted and the attraction is smoking hot between Bran an Keelin .
They enlist their friends and relatives and some questionable allies for information and assistance . This story is fantastic really action packed , intense , suspenseful , intriguing . It keeps you on the edge of your seat . I highly recommend reading this story .
I really enjoyed this story .

ARC received for review

Bran and Keelin we meet in the previous book, and it was just a hint of maybe something then. Now Keelin is away from her dragon clan, and spreading her wings in NOLA with Stravos wolf pack. Bran follows and things heat up. Plus there's a bad guy after her that has to be taken out.

Beyond the darkness by Katie Reus.
Dragon shifter Keelin Petronilla spent centuries in forced hibernation dreaming of one thing: freedom. Now she’s living life on her terms—she’s ditched her clan for an unruly wolf pack, she tends bar for a half-demon, and she’s loving it…until a powerful supernatural being targets her. She intends to handle the mysterious attacks on her own…without the help of dragon Alpha Bran Devlin. Sure, he’s sexy in that hot, scowling possessive way, but Keelin wants to live her own life in her own way.
A very enjoyable read. I do love my shifter books. Couldn't put it down. Brilliant read. 5*.

I thought that this was a really good book!

There is action and romance in spades and I thought that the plot was well developed. The book was completely additive and I could not put it down!!

The characters were well developed and I really loved getting to know them.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended and I am definately looking forward to reading more books by Katie, I have read a few of her books so far and she does not disappoint!!

What a great story - lots of going on. Good solid writing and loved the paranormal elements. A+ overall

This is the 1st book I have read in this series and I feel that reading the previous books would be of benefit …. giving the characters a better setting within the story .

Keelin is the only daughter of the Petronilla Dragon clan's Alphas ……. she woke from hibernation over a year ago and is still coming to terms with the modern world BUT now her parents are starting to come out of hibernation
Will they still treat her as fragile and unable to look after herself ? …..she is worried .!
Bran Devlin, the Alpha of the Devlin Dragon clan , knows that Keelin is his mate but his possessiveness frightens her , although contrarily her dragon loves it , she is reluctant to acknowledge his claim fearing being dominated once again .
But Keelin has more than Bran to worry about - she is attacked by three demons …………….. Why ? Who ?
What is the connection to the bracelet she wears ?
It takes Bran and Keelin's family and friends to keep her safe , all the while the mating heat continues to grow .

This is an enjoyable book and I will certainly be reading the others in the series .
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Bran and Keelin shifters love comes, self estimate is missing. She only wants freedom, until she needs help. He is Black Ops, has a goal To protect and love her. Interesting story. GivenARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and and KR Press.

3.5 rating

This book picks up a month after the previous book. Bran is the alpha of his clan and meets Keelin, who has recently been reunited with her family after being presumed dead. Bran realise she is his mate but Keelin doesn’t want to be a mate. Even though she doesn’t want a mate she still spends time with him and we get a lot of nice scenes of them together. Eventually she realizes that she has feelings for him and gives in to being his mate. These two really worked and complemented each other.

Reus created great characters, a solid plot and storyline and a very satisfying epilogue. I can’t wait to read more of this series.