BLOOD GUARD (Mission #1) by Megan Erickson-a review
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About the book : Release Date September 12, 2017
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 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.
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REVIEW: 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.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
