Book Review: Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis

The third in a trilogy that includes Stevie's Chase and Left at the Altar, Morning Side of Dawn follows the story of "supermodel" Cassie "Cassandra" Cameron, who is being stalked and thinks she may have had enough of the world of modeling. Enter Dar Cordell, a friend of her brother's who is the only one able to protect her while her brother and sister-in-law are out of town on a much-needed family vacation and her sister-in-law's brother and his wife are dealing with a difficult first pregnancy. Dar is attractive, an athlete, and a double leg amputee who hides away from the world when he is not competing in - and winning - races. The two romantic leads are, perhaps, overly perfect - a supermodel and a super athlete, but this is a romance novel, after all, and they have their faults as well. There are many obstacles in their way, not least of  all their own stubbornness.

What sets this book apart from others in the romance genre is the handsome Dar Cordell, a very rare example of a double leg amputee being the leading man/hero of the story. Justine Davis realistically portrays his physical experiences and reality while, at the same time, showing him as attractive and desirable exactly as he is. If you like "wounded hero" romances, this is definitely one of the better examples of that genre. And it is not a bodice-ripper, although it does have its intimate moments which are well worth the wait as the story builds and Cassie and Dar's friendship and romance build along with it. It is sexy without being smutty, and it leaves you wanting more.

While this book is best read after reading the other two in the trilogy first, it also stands well on its own. It is intelligently written, well-researched, and, most importantly, it engages the reader in a way that makes you really care about what happens, not just to the main characters, but to the supporting characters as well. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys wounded hero romances, and Dar Cordell is one of the best wounded heroes I've encountered in all of my reading. Justine Davis has shown real commitment to her material and to the various characters who are included in these books by writing a trilogy rather than stand-alone novels, and I have yet to find any other romance novels that even come close to giving us another hero like Dar Cordell.