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Infinity Chronicles #1
Darkest Before Dawn
What happens when you toss together a jaded immortal who has all but given up on the idea of love and a twenty-six-year-old whose mundane life has started to spiral?
Kari is a twenty-six-year-old trapped in the nine-to-five nightmare as a lowly fact-checker for a local newspaper. Her love life wasn’t doing much better after finding out her boyfriend had left her for one of his dance pupils. Between looming deadlines and a best friend who keeps trying to set her up on blind dates. She needed a change and fast.
What she didn’t know was that change would come in the form of a dark, secretive man who saved her life one night when she was attacked by a creature from lore. He has promised to protect her at all costs from paranormal forces who seek to bring humanity to its knees. Something ancient about him pulls at her heart and soul.
Can she learn to trust him, realize her own strength, and the part she has to play in saving humankind? Or will she fail and bring about the apocalypse…
Kari is a twenty-six-year-old trapped in the nine-to-five nightmare as a lowly fact-checker for a local newspaper. Her love life wasn’t doing much better after finding out her boyfriend had left her for one of his dance pupils. Between looming deadlines and a best friend who keeps trying to set her up on blind dates. She needed a change and fast.
What she didn’t know was that change would come in the form of a dark, secretive man who saved her life one night when she was attacked by a creature from lore. He has promised to protect her at all costs from paranormal forces who seek to bring humanity to its knees. Something ancient about him pulls at her heart and soul.
Can she learn to trust him, realize her own strength, and the part she has to play in saving humankind? Or will she fail and bring about the apocalypse…
ebook
First published September 7, 2022
About the author
Kat McNulty
6 books3 followersKat McNulty is an Oklahoma native and Systems Integration Specialist by trade, a self-proclaimed coffee gremlin by day, and a storyteller at heart. Fueled by caffeine, dark chocolate, and a lifelong love of anime—especially Sailor Moon—she’s passionate about romance novels, cosplay, and chasing adventures whenever life allows. She lives with her fiancé, Chris, her two daughters, and four fur babies who either keep her company or keep her on her toes during writing sessions.
(And yes, she feels really weird referring to herself in the third person.)
(And yes, she feels really weird referring to herself in the third person.)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 2, 2025
Darkest Before Dawn is an enthralling blend of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, packed with tension, mystery, and a slow-burning romance that keeps you hooked from the very first page.
Kari is a relatable and engaging protagonist—trapped in the monotony of everyday life, only to be thrust into a world of danger, magic, and a destiny far beyond her imagination. Her journey from an ordinary fact-checker to someone capable of facing ancient threats is compelling, with just the right mix of self-discovery and suspense.
The immortal protector trope is done masterfully here, with the dark and enigmatic stranger bringing both intrigue and emotional depth to the story. Their chemistry crackles, making every interaction feel charged with unspoken tension and growing trust. The action sequences are vivid, the stakes feel real, and the world-building is immersive, pulling you into a battle that could determine the fate of humanity itself.
This book is perfect for fans of paranormal romance with strong female leads, intriguing lore, and high-stakes adventure. And with Ring of Fire as its sequel, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Kari is a relatable and engaging protagonist—trapped in the monotony of everyday life, only to be thrust into a world of danger, magic, and a destiny far beyond her imagination. Her journey from an ordinary fact-checker to someone capable of facing ancient threats is compelling, with just the right mix of self-discovery and suspense.
The immortal protector trope is done masterfully here, with the dark and enigmatic stranger bringing both intrigue and emotional depth to the story. Their chemistry crackles, making every interaction feel charged with unspoken tension and growing trust. The action sequences are vivid, the stakes feel real, and the world-building is immersive, pulling you into a battle that could determine the fate of humanity itself.
This book is perfect for fans of paranormal romance with strong female leads, intriguing lore, and high-stakes adventure. And with Ring of Fire as its sequel, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
September 30, 2023
This book really deserves a 4.5!
This book captured my interests the whole way through. From start to finish there is action, there is romance, and there is a well thought out plot line. It was easy to fall in love with the main characters. There are plenty of great descriptions and quoteable lines.
I would have like to see more of the side characters storylines and history and arch; specifically Christina and Charlie's. But maybe that will come in book two.
There were a few grammatical issues such as missing commas and some paragraphs that needed be indented but overall it was not enough to distract me from the main plot line which is still fantastic.
I will be reading the second book in the series and I would recommend this book to a friend!
This book captured my interests the whole way through. From start to finish there is action, there is romance, and there is a well thought out plot line. It was easy to fall in love with the main characters. There are plenty of great descriptions and quoteable lines.
I would have like to see more of the side characters storylines and history and arch; specifically Christina and Charlie's. But maybe that will come in book two.
There were a few grammatical issues such as missing commas and some paragraphs that needed be indented but overall it was not enough to distract me from the main plot line which is still fantastic.
I will be reading the second book in the series and I would recommend this book to a friend!
November 12, 2025
Immortal Protector
Immortal Protector is a thrilling, darkly romantic adventure that effortlessly blends the supernatural with human emotion. Kari, a twenty-six-year-old stuck in the monotony of office life, finds her world upended when a mysterious, jaded immortal saves her from a deadly creature. As he pledges to protect her from forces that threaten humanity, Kari must navigate fear, trust, and a growing attraction that challenges everything she thought she knew about love and destiny. This story is a gripping mix of romance, suspense, and paranormal intrigue, perfect for readers who crave high stakes, emotional depth, and a hero who is as enigmatic as he is powerful.
Immortal Protector is a thrilling, darkly romantic adventure that effortlessly blends the supernatural with human emotion. Kari, a twenty-six-year-old stuck in the monotony of office life, finds her world upended when a mysterious, jaded immortal saves her from a deadly creature. As he pledges to protect her from forces that threaten humanity, Kari must navigate fear, trust, and a growing attraction that challenges everything she thought she knew about love and destiny. This story is a gripping mix of romance, suspense, and paranormal intrigue, perfect for readers who crave high stakes, emotional depth, and a hero who is as enigmatic as he is powerful.
June 11, 2025
This book was a total surprise, in the best way. Kari is one of the most relatable protagonists I’ve read in a while: sarcastic, emotionally guarded, and kind of fed up with the world. Her bond with the immortal wasn’t just steamy, it was rooted in mutual growth and understanding. I loved the rich supernatural lore, which draws on familiar myths but spins them in an original way. Also, the action scenes were legit intense. If you're into Buffy, early Supernatural, or angsty paranormal romance that still leaves room for humor and heart, don’t sleep on this one.
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July 24, 2023I ended up DNFing at about 65%, but will circle back around to it once I can get the physical copy! The kindle version has a lot of errors (spelling and formatting) in it, and being dyslexic, I wasn't able to push through and my brain wasn't processing the story correctly!
I love the story idea though, so I'll definitely be revisiting this when I can :)
I love the story idea though, so I'll definitely be revisiting this when I can :)
August 10, 2023
This was not my typical genre of book, but once I started reading it I didn’t want to stop. I fell in love with the characters, and storyline. If you are a fan of vampires or romance books this is definitely worth reading. Or if you are looking to branch out in your reading I would check it out. The story line draws you in, and you will be waiting for the next book just like I am.
January 26, 2023
Great writing...interesting characters and storyline
This book has a great storyline however I'd rate it 18+ for some adult acts in the book. Lots of suspense. Well thought out characters and interesting twists. I'd recommend to anyone that enjoys vampires and slayers.
This book has a great storyline however I'd rate it 18+ for some adult acts in the book. Lots of suspense. Well thought out characters and interesting twists. I'd recommend to anyone that enjoys vampires and slayers.
August 7, 2023
I love the book so much I didn't want to put it down and with the twists and turns that happen through the book I didn't want to put it down I wanted to k lw what happened next I can't wait for book 2
August 7, 2024
I read this book straight through in a day earlier this year - something I hadn’t felt compelled to do in ages. This book helped me remember that I love reading! The romance itself was provocative, but I also loved the main plot line. Vampires, Slayers, special powers, the world at stake - what’s not to love? I could really feel the tension & the stakes rising as the story progressed. I’m definitely invested in the characters, and am anxiously awaiting the next book to see how they continue to develop. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2026
Y’all, WHY are we sleeping on Darkest Before Dawn by Kat McNulty?!
If you grew up loving Buffy the Vampire Slayer or enjoy The Dresden Files, you need to get this book on your radar! This story gave me all those delicious ’90s supernatural vibes with vampires, witches, danger, humor, romance, and some seriously fantastic world-building. It was so damn scrumdiliumptious, and I could NOT get enough!
Kari Summers is my kind of FMC. She starts out living an ordinary nine-to-five life, but when she’s thrown into a supernatural world, you get to see just how brave, compassionate, resilient, and strong she really is. And Xander? Y’all. An ancient vampire with a serious mission to save the world who suddenly finds himself completely smitten with a woman he probably shouldn’t want? YES, PLEASE. He’s got that delicious touch-her-and-die energy, but there’s also this beautiful tension between what he wants and what he believes he has to do.
The slow-burn romance, found family, high stakes, and incredible paranormal world-building had me completely hooked. If you love From Blood and Ash, Fourth Wing, or The Serpent and the Wings of Night, I really think you should give this series a chance. I enjoyed those books, but something about Darkest Before Dawn pulled me in even more. I genuinely don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about it!
This was also my first audiobook narrated by Sarah Kuklis, and she was fantastic! Solo narration can be tricky, especially with a cast of different characters, but Sarah made everyone feel believable. Listening to her was like discovering a supernatural ‘90s television series I suddenly wanted to binge. I’ll absolutely be looking for more of her audiobooks.
And a little personal note: I’m lucky enough to call Kat a friend. She’s not only a talented author but also an incredible cosplayer and one of the most genuinely wonderful people I know. That said, I purchased this audiobook myself, and my enthusiasm for this story is entirely genuine. In fact, I loved it so much that I’m planning to buy the physical book, too!
Seriously, y’all. Stop sleeping on this series!
If you grew up loving Buffy the Vampire Slayer or enjoy The Dresden Files, you need to get this book on your radar! This story gave me all those delicious ’90s supernatural vibes with vampires, witches, danger, humor, romance, and some seriously fantastic world-building. It was so damn scrumdiliumptious, and I could NOT get enough!
Kari Summers is my kind of FMC. She starts out living an ordinary nine-to-five life, but when she’s thrown into a supernatural world, you get to see just how brave, compassionate, resilient, and strong she really is. And Xander? Y’all. An ancient vampire with a serious mission to save the world who suddenly finds himself completely smitten with a woman he probably shouldn’t want? YES, PLEASE. He’s got that delicious touch-her-and-die energy, but there’s also this beautiful tension between what he wants and what he believes he has to do.
The slow-burn romance, found family, high stakes, and incredible paranormal world-building had me completely hooked. If you love From Blood and Ash, Fourth Wing, or The Serpent and the Wings of Night, I really think you should give this series a chance. I enjoyed those books, but something about Darkest Before Dawn pulled me in even more. I genuinely don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about it!
This was also my first audiobook narrated by Sarah Kuklis, and she was fantastic! Solo narration can be tricky, especially with a cast of different characters, but Sarah made everyone feel believable. Listening to her was like discovering a supernatural ‘90s television series I suddenly wanted to binge. I’ll absolutely be looking for more of her audiobooks.
And a little personal note: I’m lucky enough to call Kat a friend. She’s not only a talented author but also an incredible cosplayer and one of the most genuinely wonderful people I know. That said, I purchased this audiobook myself, and my enthusiasm for this story is entirely genuine. In fact, I loved it so much that I’m planning to buy the physical book, too!
Seriously, y’all. Stop sleeping on this series!
August 10, 2023
It was an amazing book. I feel like it flowed really well.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews