Katie Reus has done it again. She just draws you in. I love her stories intertwine with so many of the other books and bring back our favorite characters. I do have to say baby Dragon Willow stole the show but Dallas and Rhys were outstanding! Dallas, a witch is brought into New Orleans from her farm by King to help guild and places gardens. Rhys come to New Orleans to seek vengeance from a witch who killed his sister. Along the way he meets and falls deeply for Dallas, but she is holding a secret about the witch he is hunting and its her mom! The learn to trust and believe in each other. Lots of drama, action, and mating manifestations! I love the side dialog with King, which helps lead into the next story. Overall a great book and can't wait for the next. Always a one-click buy for me!

Ancient Enemy by Katie Reus

2nd book in the Ancients Rising series. Better is read in series order but can be read as a stand-alone. Paranormal romantic suspense.

The world changed when dragons decided to take over the world. After the battles were over, paranormals greatly outnumbered humans and now rule the government and the rebuilding cities.
Rhys is searching for the witch that killed his sister. His plan is revenge and death even if he doesn’t survive. Dallas left her coven years ago because she didn’t like the lies and dark magic. They work together to help rebuild New Orleans and track down the missing humans and vampires.

Fast moving and suspenseful. Great chemistry and sexy interactions.
Love dragonling Willow. So adorable.

I appreciated and enjoyed the “play” time they all engaged in. Realizing your troupes need down time just as much as discipline is critical .

Excerpt:
“He’d never seen this ridiculously playful side of her before, not fully. And he liked it. Despite the tension that seemed to live in his shoulders, he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face.
“Is King turning down a challenge?” Marco, one of his youngest wolves, walked out of the shadows in human form, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He was a warrior, not a beta, but he wasn’t challenging King.
“I’m pretty sure he did.” Aurora’s grin was infectious.
Sighing, King stripped off his jacket and tossed it to Marco. “Let’s do this.”
“So what’s the challenge?” Marco asked.
“It’s not actually a challenge,” Aurora said as they started across the lawn where various shifters were patrolling or just relaxing. “He’s just going to deflect my lightning bolts with his magic sword to blow off some steam.”
Marco let out a low whistle. “Oh, hell yeah. The whole pack will want to watch this. I’m gonna take bets on how many he can hit.”
“You gotta do better than that,” Aurora said. “It should be more along the lines of how many he can hit per minute. Otherwise that’s just sad because you know he’s going to hit all of them.” “I’m right here!” King said, even as he fought another grin. When he was around her, he felt decades younger. He didn’t have the weight of his people, his city, on his shoulders. He was just King.”
Excerpt from Ancient Enemy by Katie Reus

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.

Rhys thinks he needs a Dallas for revenge. These two have instant, intense chemistry. There’s still much unrest in the city. Rhys and Dallas work together to help King. Lots of action and intrigue. Omg, I want my own Willow!

Rhys is an ancient dragon shifter, recently arisen from a centuries long hibernation following the murder of his sister. Intent on vengeance against the witch who killed his sister, his hunt leads him to New Orleans where he will have to confront everything he thought he knew. He is tasked by King, the Alpha of New Orleans, with protecting the witch who will help develop additional gardens to keep the population fed. His agreement is hesitant but he knows he owes it to King.

Dallas is used to being judged for what she is. Born a witch, she has always kept her distance from others, though she is known for her ability to nurture a garden. She is determined to do as little harm as possible. When King asks for her help in setting up neighborhood gardens throughout New Orleans, she reluctantly leaves her little haven in order to make sure the people around her have what they need.

Dallas and Rhys explore New Orleans, they find themselves also searching for whoever is behind a rash of human and vampire murders. Working together, they each have their own agendas, but the secrets they keep may rip apart the peace they have found working together.

I quickly fell in love with both Rhys and Dallas, and Dallas’s pet dragon, Willow. I loved the addition of Willow, a true dragonling, and the preconceived notions her presence in the story forced the characters to address. Rhys is determined and rigid, but he is also loyal and invested in protecting those around him. Dallas has a kind-heart and would do anything to help her neighbors. The two of them working together was a recipe for success as they would go to all lengths to make things right.

This came at the perfect time for me. I loved the diversion of PNR and shifters. This story stands alone nicely, though there are returning characters from Ancient Protector. The return to this version of New Orleans is a perfect blend of post-apocalypse, paranormal, and romance. I cannot wait for more from this world, and am most excited to learn more about King, the alpha of New Orleans.

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ANCIENT ENEMY is one of those books that you think - I'll just read a bit before I go to bed and find yourself finishing the whole book! Rhys and Dallas are such tortured souls who really do belong together.

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

Complete review may be found at: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=71356

A big thank you to NetGalley and KR Press, LLC for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is part of a series. It is the second in a new series, which is an offshoot of her previous series. I felt it reads well as a stand alone. I was a bit confused as to why Willow wasn't liked. She is a dragon not a shifter so that makes her bad??? I liked Willow. Enjoyed the growth of Rhys. Good book. 3.5 stars

This is book 2 in this spinoff series and it even better than the first one! (And I really liked that one). I think the setting of this one was a big reason why I liked it so much, the rebuilding of New Orleans and all the secondary characters we met in the first book made this book one I couldn’t put down. Then add in some huge secrets, evil witches, a sneaky lion, a pet dragon and a sexy dragon shifter...I read it in one sitting.

Rhys is a dragon shifter and he’s on a mission to find the witch that killed his sister to gain immortality. This search leads him to New Orleans. He meets Dallas, a witch that’s helping feed the people of New Orleans as they rebuild with her magic. She agrees to help Rhys find the witch he’s looking for, but they find more than they planned on between the danger than surrounds them and the heat between them.

We return to New Orleans after the fall to another dragon shifter. We have Rhys who is a brother of Lachlan. But he’s got a separate path. He’s seeking revenge for a loved one who was taken painfully away thousands of years ago.

Dallas is a witch with powers no one really knows about and for good reason. Her mother is evil, but she’s completely different. And she has a pet dragon. Willow is not a shifter but a real dragon and her bond to the dragon is off the charts.

This book also has more of King and the wolves and a whole new set of issues that New Orleans is struggling to handle. When vampires and humans are turning up missing they have to work smart and quick to save them and stop what’s going on.

This is the second book in this series and is a spin off from the darkness series This is Rhys's story he is the brother of Lachlan who starred in Ancient Protector the first book in the series and this picks up almost from where that book ends.

Rhys has awoken and he is determined to find the witch that drained and killed his sister he has centuries to stew on his thoughts of vengeance which has led to a hatred of all things witch He is inexplicable drawn to New Orleans where they are trying to rebuild the city Once he arrives he meets Dallas and is instantly attracted but she is a witch the one thing he hates but he has been tasked with helping her and soon his protective instincts kick in Can he realise that not all witches are evil and give what he and Dallas have a chance You will have to read to see But I can tell you one thing you are going to fall in love with a little dragonling called Willow who almost steals the entire book.

Will his need for vengeance come between him and a brighter future ...

After reading the previous book, impossible to miss the next and those to come after.
There is everything here to keep you on edge, dragons, tigers, wolves, lions, witches, vampires and so on.
From sexy shifter dragons to their mythical animal counterpart, to a powerful witch linked to her land, then a surprising alpha wolf manipulating magic, or a lion testing everyone’s patience, this book is a nonstop adventure with plenty of sexy or fun times.

Rhys has been for so long driven by his need for revenge he forgot everything else. His family, his clan but also he does not know anymore what it is to live.
Until a young witch awakens feelings and sensations deeply buried. If he will see past her specie, he will learn there is much more to her than he always thought about her congeners.
Dallas has lived with this hate against her own all her life, as if her lot wore the blame of the world.
If so, religious people, politicians should be hated or to follow this series plot, dragons and dragon shifters.so it is understandable, she prefers to keep to herself or loneliness than deception and betrayal when people turn their back to her once they know who she is.

So the encounter of Rhys and Dallas is like mixing fire and oil, it is to be explosive. Yet, they are no immature younglings, they take the measure of the other and are able to accept when they were wrong. Up to them to be more if they can let the past go.

5 stars
Can’t wait for Avery and Mikael story and later King and Aurora’s.

I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

If you are already into or want to dip your literary toe in the romance waters of dangerous drama filled paranormal shifter romances, special ops, and/or private security themed tales, Katie Reus could likely really rock your world, folks. Especially if sizzling hot instant attraction, alpha possessive, protective heroes and perfect for them sassy heroines float your boat, as well. Those are common elements in all her books.

In this particular case and series, dragon shifters rule the roost. Well, with a lot of help from their old and newly acquainted shifter friends (witches, vampires, lions, tigers, and bears..Oh, my!). Each book is a steamy stand-alone but connected to the same on-going, world upheaval conflict.

Rhys, the hero, wasn’t looking for love, but it sure found him. In fact, his dragon heart was brimming over with a searing to the soul, unquenchable thirst for revenge, leaving no room for anything else. However, one look at Dallas, the knocked his scales and socks right off, gorgeous, powerful witch, and he was the one done for. Even the big secret between them did not phase him when push came to shove. Yeah, there was no knuckleheaded thinking, hesitation, or moments of doubt on his part, my fellow romance book loving friends.

Dallas did a time or two question their future together. Mainly because she just didn’t quite give this dedicated dragon his full due. Steadfast and loyal seemed to run through his veins as pure as his dragon blood. He always had her back, right from the get go. Sacrifice and a strong will to see good triumph over evil were some of Dallas’s driving forces.

Oddly, despite everyone cooing, gushing, and loving on Dallas’s baby pet dragon, Willow, I struggled with trying to capture a realistic mental vision of that fictional creature. I think it all started when it was compared to a rhinoceros. For some reason, I couldn’t get that image out of my head. I kept picturing a huge, awkward rhino with small bat like wings! Yeah, color me crazy, but I didn’t think it was scripted to fit the cute as a button image meant to be portrayed. Since it was mentioned a lot, it irked me I wasn’t enchanted by the supposedly little, big guy. Ultimately, I had to create my own version in my head and just roll with the general concept.

What I do know is this author never seems to fail to deliver me likable main couples I can’t help but root for. Here’s to hoping this review has been helpful to you in some way and that you’ll feel the same.

Title: Ancient Enemy, Series: Ancients Rising (Book 2), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 227, stand-alone but part of a series, ARC review, powerful witch heroine, dragon shifter hero, very graphic smex scenes, other type shifter characters, some violent scenes, romance safe, no OW/OM drama, no love triangle, no cheating.

Book 1 - Ancient Protector (Lachlan/Star)
Book 2 - Ancient Enemy (Rhys/Dallas)
Book 3 - Ancient Enforcer (Avery/Mikeal)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Dragon shifter Rhys is burning with thousands of years of rage when he wakes from his Hibernation. He hunts a powerful witch who killed his sister to gain immortality. His instincts tell him to go to New Orleans, and while he's there the Alpha of the region, King, requests his help in return for allowing him to stay and handle 'something'. This leads him to meet Dallas, a witch farmer in the countryside with a dragonling named Willow. King needs her to help rebuild in the city after The Fall and assigns Rhys as her shadow. Little do they know, there's a darkness growing in the city...

This book is second in the Ancients Rising series but can be read as a stand-alone. It may help to read the earlier book about Lachlan and Star along with Reus' Darkness series. I may have enjoyed it even more with a better understanding of the world.

That being said, I loved reading this book. Rhys was very protective of Dallas from the start, and we saw lots of internal conflict on his part between his attraction and his prejudice. Dallas was kind and strong-willed with a clear moral compass. Willow was ADORABLE and I really want to see more of her and her connection with Dallas. Rhys' fatherly interactions with Willow were almost too much. There were a few chapters thrown in that focused on King and Aurora which, at the time, seemed a little out of place. I found myself skimming so I could get back to the main couple. Now that I know this is book 2 and that book 1 focuses on Star and her crew, I bet these characters are from the first book and with more background would be more interesting to read.

This was a fun read and I truly enjoyed it. If you like dragon shifters, witches, and fated mates, this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This book was soooo good. The characters were relatable funny, supernatural beings (there's a demigod), and there's a pet Dragon, add New Orleans to the backdrop and you have a tale to keep you happy and warm on a cold night. Rhys and Dallas are from two different worlds and times. They have something in common that can either bring the together or tear them apart. A one sitting read, that is a stand alone within the Ancients series but you will want to read them all.

This author has done an incredible job with her world building. There are a plethora of supernaturals and New Orleans for the setting is perfect. I loved book one and this one topped it. There is a lot of action to go with the steamy romance. Rhys will be your next book boyfriend. Dallas is one of my favorite female characters. She's so strong and kind, with a well of strength. There is a lot going on in this one. I don't want to spoil anything but the epic battle scene had my heart racing. I can't wait for book three.

ANCIENT ENEMY by Katie Reus. I did enjoy this book. It is filled with all sorts of supernaturals/paranormals so if you enjoy dragons, witches, vampires, wolves, etc - this is for you. Rhys, a dragon, and Dallas, a witch, complemented each other beautifully. He is on a mission of vengeance and she is a good witch, sweet and only wanting to help others and do good. It was a bit of a slow burn for these two, but I enjoyed their getting to know each other. There is plenty of bad guys and action throughout, too. For me, the only drawback was the big secret and how long it took to come out. I also would have liked to have seen a bit more drama in relation to the secret. But, depsite that, I found this book to flow easily and at a good pace. This is a book two of the series and the author does recap some of what happened already but I found I could easily follow along without having read book one already. (Received NetGalley ARC for honest review)

I love this series! This one can easily be a stand-alone book but the history does enrich the story. I enjoy most stories about New Orleans because the city is so magical itself. The character of Dallas is my favorite so far. She is kind hearted and has built her own community of friends and a pet dragon. When called upon to help the city rebuild, she meets Rhys and finds danger. Readers will enjoy the world building and character development!

Rhys is a dragon shifter who has been waiting thousands of years to get vengeance on the witch who killed his sister and he has a hatred for all witches. But when he accompanies some wolf shifters to invite a witch to help the Alpha of New Orleans rebuild the city, he is bowled over by the young witch Dallas and her dragonlet.

Dallas has rejected blood magic and spends her days improving the yields of plants and crops on her farm. Witches aren't well regarded by shifters and she tends to keep away from others, but the brooding dragon shifter somehow brings her a sense of peace.

PNR novellas are a bit like Marmite, you either love them or hate them. Yes they are formulaic, yes everyone is uniformly good-looking, if they have any defects they are of the adorable variety. There's lots of insta-lurve and fated mates etc, etc. If you don't like that sort of thing then don't buy this book. But if you do like a dragon shifter (and frankly, why wouldn't you) then this is a fun romp from an assured author who understands her genre. It's sexy, fun, fast-paced and the plot keeps you engaged from start to finish. While the novella format doesn't give the plot room to grow, it also helps to avoid the J.R. Ward-style repetition which other PNR novels fall into.

Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

An Amazing and Outstanding Paranormal Romance . I absolutely love this story . I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Ancient Enemy through Netgalley . I couldn't put it down . This story is book two in the Ancient Rising series and these series just get better and better .
Ancient dragon shifter Rhys awakes just as angry and vengeful as when he was before hibernation . He arrives in New Orleans and meets the beautiful and kind witch Dallas Kinley . Rhys is searching for the witch who betrayed and killed his baby sister . Dallas has secrets that could destroy the growing feelings between her and Rhys . Dallas and Rhys are in for the fight of their lives . The story has everything I look for in a paranormal romance action , suspense , close ship bonds , strong heros and heroines . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

I am absolutely loving this dragon shifter series! I love dragons! And this one has a bonus of an adorable baby dragon named Willow who is just too cute!! But this story is about Rhys, a very old dragon shifter and also Lachlan's (from Book 1) brother, who is as gorgeous as a dragon as he is when he is a man. And Dallas, who is a witch, and amazing. I love both of these characters so much!! Rhys should not want Dallas, but he does more than anything. It seems it is fate. On his journey to find the witch who killed his sister, he and Dallas end up working together. She is afraid once he finds out what she has been keeping from him he will no longer want her though. I love this story and how difficult it is for Rhys and Dallas to fight the inevitable between them. I also adore Willow. The other characters in this series so far add so much to the story too which I love because it gives the story so much depth. I hope we get books about all of them!!!

Ancient Enemy (Ancients Rising #2) by Katie Reus.... I'm loving this series..this second book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Rhys(dragon shifter) Dallas (witch) he is seeking revenge against the witch who killed his sister. Dallas doesn't belong to a coven..she is a farmer and loves the land. There is danger, evil, shape shifters, and a strong attraction between Rhys and Dallas that can't be denied. There are some old friends we meet again and plenty of steam and angst to get us to a very HEA. This book can be read as a stand-alone but I strongly advise reading Ancient Protector. I can't wait for Ancient Enforcer.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Easy-to-read Entertaining Funny Great world building Haunting Happily Ever After Page-turner Romantic Scary Steamy Tear-jerker Unpredictable Wonderful characters