BONUS: This ebook edition includes the prequel short story, “Bite the Hand That Bleeds.”Enter a world of immortal danger and desire—and discover an incredible fate borne of blood. Tendra: One minute, I’m a bartender in gritty Mission City; the next, I’m whisked away by a vampire named Athan who tells me that I’m the lifeblood of his clan. It sounds unbelievable, but he’s got evidence I can’t … unbelievable, but he’s got evidence I can’t deny. Turns out, Athan belongs to an underground society of vampires who feed only on humans with their consent. Their enemies have no such qualms, and they want me dead. The only thing standing in their way is strong, sexy Athan. And the closer we get, the more tempted I am to let Athan feed. . . .
Athan: How could I have known when I snatched this snarky, beautiful human off the streets that she would change my destiny? As a loyal soldier, I must deliver Tendra to our future king—my brother. Empowered with the blood of ten generations of the Gregorie breed, she is fated to rule as our queen. But there’s something between us that’s so intoxicating, so carnal, I can’t help wanting Tendra for myself . . . even if it’s treason.
Praise for Blood Guard
“Engrossing . . . Athan and Tendra’s journey marks a promising beginning to [Megan] Erickson’s newest series. . . . Their chemistry is pleasantly intense.”—Publishers Weekly
“Sexy alpha vampire warrior + feisty heroine + Erickson’s signature humor sprinkled in = my own personal catnip. What a sexy, entertaining read!”—USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Blackwood
“Blood Guard caught me wonderfully off guard—a road trip paranormal romance that twisted my heart in all the right ways.”—Sarah Robinson, bestselling author of the Kavanagh Legends series
“Megan Erickson knows how to bring the heat! With a kick-butt heroine and a hero to die for, Blood Guard kept me reading all night long.”—New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff
“Lots of action and tons of sexually charged encounters. This book will fulfill your craving for the supernatural. A five-star read that is worthy of fang marks.”—Books and Boys Book Blog
“Megan Erickson plainly hooked me right in and made me wish to never get out. A kickass heroine and a vampire in touch with his feelings showing more humanity than possible . . . Just amazing all around!”—Alleskelle
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Can’t wait for the next
4.5 stars!!!
I’m always looking for the next paranormal book that will leave me satisfied and Blood Guard was it for me. This was a great read that I finished within a few hours. Once you start this book it is absolutely hard to put down. I loved the character, Tendra and Athan were perfect together and I enjoyed watching them develop a closeness over their journey. Their chemistry was off the charts and I rooted for them knowing she was promised to another. This is a great paranormal read that has action, betrayal, death, revenge, suspense, twists and turns and a love that can’t be denied. The war is just beginning and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I loved Zeb’s characters so I hope we get more of him and I’m definitely wanting to know more about Idris. So, I’m excitingly waiting for the next book in this series. The only thing that I could have be mentioned less in this book was how much training Tendra’s mother put her through because it seems as if it was mentioned on every page in the beginning of the story. However, that did not take away from this great read.
I’m dying for the next book! This was a great read, no emotional whiplash from insta love, the characters relationship builds at the appropriate pace for their circumstance. Tendra and Antha were perfect characters with just the right balance of vulnerability and strength, and love their names. This is a steady read with the appropriate amount of action and steam where necessary.
This is my first read by Megan Erickson, but it won’t be my last. Blood Guard is well-written and engaging. It’s not a loaded with action, paranormal romance, but Athan and Tendra’s journey is certainly interesting, especially with Tendra’s snark and face it head on attitude. The world of the Gregorie vampires and their enemies takes shape as Athan explains Tendra’s destiny to her. The chemistry and sexual tension builds and things don’t go quite as the noble Athan had planned on their trip to deliver Tendra safely to his brother. Overall, the story is an entertaining romance with the added bonus of suspense, intrigue, political corruption, family loyalty and betrayal, and fan yourself steamy times. I’ll be eagerly anticipating the next Mission novel.
3.75 stars–BLOOD GUARD is the first installment in Megan Erickson’s contemporary, adult MISSION paranormal, erotic, romance series. This is vampire Blood Guard Athan and human waitress Tendra’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Athan and Tendra) BLOOD GUARD introduces the world of the Gregorie vampire-their enemies, a rival vampire clan, known as the Valarians who want to enslave all of humanity as blood banks, and the Quellens (assassins for hire). With the impending arrival of the King-to-be’s Sanguivita, the Gregorie clan prepares for a future awash in unmentionable powers.
Our heroine Tendra is a strong female character; the Sanguivita of the Gregorie clan-the sole human provider of blood to the king-a position she is ill prepared for, and a position of which, she knew nothing about. Athan is Gregorie vampire royalty but a royal designated as the Blood Guard to his brother’s future bride-a spare to the heir, so to speak but a spare whose position within the royal elite will soon come to light. Athan has been tasked to safely escort his brother’s future bride to her new home at the Gregorie compound but the compound has been compromised, and the royal family struggles to stay one step ahead of an unknown threat. What ensues is the building relationship between Athan and Tendra, and the potential fall out when the truth about the royal legacy and the Sanguivita prophecy is fulfilled.
BLOOD GUARD is a story of insta-love; of forbidden romance between soul mates; two people pulled together by love and fate; and the unmistakable allure of what should have been. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is a palpable, sexual attraction between our leading couple-an attraction that does not go unnoticed by the man in charge. Fair warning, there are some M/M, F/F sexual situations between non-relevant characters but situations that explain the attraction and desires during vampire feedings.
We are introduced to Athan’s brother Idris; his best friend Zeb, and Tendra’s co-worker and friend Ruby. There is a large assortment of secondary and supporting characters who come and go throughout the story including Athan and Idris’s father King Connell. Idris’s story line is next BLOOD VEIL November 2017. Here’s hoping the author has plans for Zeb’s HEA.
The world building reveals some of the backstory and touches briefly on the history of the Sanguivita-her role as the sole human blood provider of the Gregorie king including the potential power her blood can gift to the rightful heir. Athan’s earlier years, including his relationship with his brother, struggled in the face of their father’s power and control- a control that will dissipate as the Sanguivita takes her place on the throne. I was hoping for some more information as to the reasons why the Gregorie vampires chose the town of Mission-perhaps it was the availability of the old, underground subway system that allows for a secret city beneath the town.
BLOOD GUARD is a fast paced and intriguing story line. The premise is sexy and energetic- there was nothing earth shattering or new but the story line kept me entertained and interested in the fate of the leading characters; the romance is intense; the characters are colorful and charismatic. Megan Erickson’s BLOOD GUARD is a great start to a new series. I hope you give it a try.
Blood Guard by Megan Erickson
A Mission Novel #1
What if you really REALLY wanted someone and knew s/he was not for you – I mean – the prophecy of years says that the Sanguivita (Tendra) belongs to the king in waiting and that is Idris and not his brother Athan. BUT Athan and Tendra are drawn to one another in spite of the rules and the prophecy. They need to get from the human area to the Gregoire stronghold and it won’t be easy as assassins, two different groups of non-aligned vampires and turncoats from their own clan try to keep them from achieving their goal.
I loved Tendra – what a tough kick*ss woman she is! I also loved Athan and how tender, caring and sometimes clueless he was. Idris shows promise and I believe his story is coming in the next book AND there are a few other characters mentioned, like Zeb and his cousin Wyatt, that could easily end up in stories of their own. It will be interesting to see where the author goes with this series and I look forward to finding out.
If you like vampire stories with strong H/h characters and a bit of a different take on things then this might be a book you would enjoy reading. I would like to thank NetGalley and Loveswept for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars