Blood Guard by Megan Erickson
Series: Mission #1
Published by Loveswept
Published on: September 12, 2017
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 213
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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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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So many vampire books, so little time… I do love a good vampire book and if it’s got a new spin to it, even better. And remember I said good, because there are just so many out there, but not all of them are good. I thought this one by Megan Erickson was good and I think it was due to it having an actual new to me, spin. My thanks to Net Galley for providing me a copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
Tendra, or Ten as likes to be called, is pretty much alone in the world after her mother’s death. She lives in a rundown apartment with her cat, Brex, and works as a barmaid. After moving pretty much constantly her entire life, Mission City has been her home for five years. But she is thinking of moving on. When she is abducted by Athan, a vampire, he tells her that she has a part to play in keeping the human race free from bad vampires known as Valarian’s. Valarian’s have no love for humankind and seek to kill them indiscriminately for their blood. Athan is part of the ruling vampire family, the Gregorie Clan. His father is king, and his brother is the heir to the throne. And to keep things interesting, they have been waitng for ten generations of her family for Tendra to be born. She is human and wants to stay that way.
Ten is feisty, stubborn as the day is long, and has a snarky mouth, to say the least. Athan is strong, smart, and more than a little bit attracted to Ten-as she ultimately is to him. He was given the job to protect Tendra, pretty much when he as born. And because of his job, he is forbidden to have or act on any feelings for her.
What follows is a journey from Mission City to the Gregorie Clan stronghold. A journey that starts underneath the city in an underground world that only the Gregorie Clan can access. There they meet other vampires and slowly word gets out that Tendra has been found. Throughout it all, Brex is by her side and proves to be very helpful. Of course things happen to draw them out of the underground and that’s when a lot of the action and violence happens, because it’s not just the Valarians that are trying to keep Tendra from reaching the stronghold.
I love a story that features a feisty and strong heroine, in addition to a strong alpha male. And this book fills the bill for that. Add to that the underground adventure they share, the horrible bad guys, the forbidden romance, twists, betrayals, the violence they encounter and endure, and you have a book that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. There’s a lot more to the story, but I think I will leave it at that.
This was my first book by Megan Erickson, but I promise you, it won’t be my last-especially since this is the first book in the series. There’s at least two other vampires that I would like to read a book about. I recommend this to adult paranormal romance readers and even some urban fantasy fans might like this book as well.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Oh this sounds good! Some of my favorite qualities in my characters, this one is definitely headed for the TBR pile!
Tanya recently posted…Review ~ Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake @DeborahBlake
Oh, good! I hope you enjoy it if you get to read it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Blood Guard by Megan Erickson (@Mollykatie112, @MeganErickson)
This is an author I am familiar with but have not yet tried. Like you I enjoy a good vamp book. These characters sound great!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…The Lying Game: A Novel by Ruth Ware
I did enjoy this book and the characters. The underground world was really well done, I thought.
Lorna recently posted…Review: Blood Guard by Megan Erickson (@Mollykatie112, @MeganErickson)
I sometimes like a book/series more because its got a refreshing take on lore than other elements. I do like reading her previous books so I’ll definitely try this one.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Interview with Elizabeth Silver and Jenny Urban #Giveaway
Her previous books are contemporary romance or does she do other paranormal ones? I can’t believe I had never read her before! Do you have one you liked to recommend to me?
Lorna recently posted…Review: Blood Guard by Megan Erickson (@Mollykatie112, @MeganErickson)
I read an m/m dystopian paranormal she did, but I thought there were others, too.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Review: Friendly Fire by Cari Z.
I’ll have to look. Thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Blood Guard by Megan Erickson (@Mollykatie112, @MeganErickson)
It’s been forever since I’ve read a vamp book and even longer since I’ve read a good one. Glad this was a good one for you!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Whispers of Warning by Jessica Estevao
Yes, I haven’t lost my love of vampire books yet, although I read a lot of shifter ones as well. Thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Blood Guard by Megan Erickson (@Mollykatie112, @MeganErickson)
It has been a while since I read a good vampire book. I seem to be locked into shifters for the time being. I think Jeaniene Frost is really the only vamp books that I’ve read in a long while. This looks really good though. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Lock In by John Scalzi (@mlsimmons, @scalzi, @audible_com)
Thank you Melanie. I do like my shifter books, but I still have a thing for vampires! Especially if they have a new lore. I loved Jeaniene Frost’s books as well 🙂
I think that my fave kind of PNR is crossed with urban fantasy. This sounds perfect for me.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Art Book Review: Dare to Sketch by Felix Scheinberger
I am the same way, there’s just got to be some romance somewhere in a UF, although I am able to wait through a few books for it to happen- either way, early in the series or a few books in.
I’ve read Megan Erickson before, her books with Santino Hassell really speak to me. LOVED Strong Signal ♡♡♡
I need to try some others by her definitely. Thanks for the recommendation!
This is the second fantastic review I’ve read about Blood Guard … I know I am missing out on the awesomeness that is Megan Erickson!!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Breaching the Contract by Chantal Fernando ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@ChantalFernando, @GalleryBooks)
I hadn’t read her either but I am glad I finally did!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Blood Guard by Megan Erickson (@Mollykatie112, @MeganErickson)