3.5-4 stars

I have been a fan of Megan Erickson's writing for awhile. She is definitely an author that can write several different genre's successfully.

Blood Guard was a good start to this series and it held my interest throughout the entire book. I did feel like there were some cliche scenes written, but overall I would definitely recommend to readers and I look forward to book 2.

Blown away
It's been a while since I've read a paranormal that I couldn't put down. From the first word I was pulled into a world that I wanted to be a part of. The characters had depth, the plot had purpose, and the dialog wasn't filled with a bunch of made up words and overblow history that makes a story drag.
Rival clans, deception in the ranks, and prophecies make this a binge worthy book that will leave you wanting more.
#Mission

I liked this book

Blood Guard, A Mission Novel, Megan Erickson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance,Sci-fi and Fantasy

Sounded a great start to a new series. It was OK, though, nothing exciting. I found it hard the way Tendra(Ten) accepted the whole vampires/Sanguinata thing so easily "oh, mum moved us around a lot, we never really had friends, that must have been why..." Plus - she left a note....I'd still have been a bit more shocked, stunned, doubting.
Then the insta-lust that turned to love - well its that sort of book but I still found it a little quick. The sex scenes were a little OTT for me, I love sex in a story if it fits, but this felt a bit put there just to spice things up rather than as an essential part of the story.
It also felt a little bit of a One Plot type of read  i.e. Athan and Tendra have to fight to get back to his home and the others, but then there was a turn about at the end that lifted it for me. Overall its was a bit underwhelming though. I did find it hard to believe no one else in the vampires guard or family had picked up what was happening, that something planned for years was hidden so well. 
I might give book two a go, maybe there will be more overall story than just a sexy vampire romance read - I hope so but...

Stars: Two and a half to three. Its got potential for me if it picks up a bit but of course it'll be perfect for others as it is.That's reading, very subjective ;-) 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

This was a unique twist on what has often become a nearly predictable vampire romance story line. The different factions that were involved and how they came to be as well as the role of the heroines blood made this story unique. This story was well written and edited making it a pleasure to read. I look forward to more.

This book was an absolute thrill ! Megan Erickson is, and always will be one of those accomplished writers who never miss with their books, and frankly, while I was scared to see her diving into paranormal urban stories lately with "Daring Fate" first, and the"Mission" series, I was also intrigued. Man, I shouldn't have doubted !

Blood Guard was a delight from start to finish. A fast paced book, with characters that had grit, depth and layered personalities. Tendra was my spirit animal with her courage and patience in the face of peril, and Athan was the perfect illustration of virility, loyalty and a whole heap of smoking hot vampire !

The world building was beyond intricate, especially for the first installment of the series. Authors often tend to leave a few loopholes when building plotlines in multiple book series, but Megan exceeded all my expectations. Reading this, you'd think the woman has been a versed connoisseur of vampires forever.

Undoubtedly, a personal touch to such an ancient myth as vampires is essential to create an enjoyable read, and Ms. Erickson added details that shaped her world the way she liked it, while still maintaining that original feel of vampire might (ain't nobody sparkling around here, people !)

Over in all, a wildly enjoyable read, and I cannot wait to see what will be cooked up with Idris and miss Celia in "Blood Veil" ! <3

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.

I really liked this book, I totally binge read it! It's so entertaining and fun. My rating is 3.5 mainly because of some cliche scenes and the main thing about the first part of the book where Tendra gets kidnapped and told she is the Chosen One to be the queen. Plus I'm a bit tired of white characters and this one has white MCs and I also believe the second book will also have white MCs.

Either way, I totally enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for romance you all know this and Athan and Tendra are really sexy and their romance is cute at the same time. Plus queen/king tropes make me veeeery weak. Tendra is the soon-to-be, most-awaited vampire Queen and Athan is her "bodyguard" who is going to help her get to his brother, the soon-to-be king. Of course many things happen and you'll see what comes of all of this.

I'm excited to see what happens in the next book because this story has lots to give for sure. I would love to get more of the vampire world and to see the interactions with characters I loved in this one. I love Megan Erickson's books so much and her stories are always so enjoyable. This one wasn't up to some of my favorites from her but it was fun and definitely this world has more to give and I hope the next books are 10/10.

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It put a slightly different spin on vampires from anything else I’ve read before. I love any and all vampire related books, but this one was different and I really, really loved that. The author did a really great job of adding different elements regarding this vampire world and the prophecy was very intriguing.

The world building was perfect! It wasn't as extensive as I have seen in some other paranormal/fantasy books, but this is not a bad thing, at all. Especially when just the world building can put you to sleep and make you uninterested in a book when it's too over the top. This was just right!

The main characters Tendra and Athan where amazeballs! Ten was a bad ass chick who could hold her own during a fight (to a certain extent) and Athan was a very protective male (to a certain extent). Together they just fit, and this was evident throughout their time spent together. But we get to see the whole I want you, yet I can’t have you scenario play out. The somnus....so cool! The sanguivita...also very cool!

One thing I was missing from making this a 5 star read....maybe just a little bit more of the fireworks between the two MC's. You could tell they belonged to one another, yet there was some extra oomph missing throughout the process of them actually realizing they belonged to one another. I also did not like the fact that Athan wasn’t a supreme alpha male. I’d like to see more alpha, especially since he would leave Ten alone during different periods of the book and of course they ran into trouble when this happened. I mean….

I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of paranormal vampire romance. This is going to be a great series, I can feel it! Not to mention, I’m super duper excited to see what happens in the next book!!

Tendra is a waitress in a city called Mission. As she comes back from a shift, she is pretty much kidnapped off the street by Athan.
Athan later informs her that he is here to protect her, that he is a vampire and that she is the “Sanguivita”, basically a blood bank for the future king of a vampire clan who happens to be Athan’s brother, Idris.
Her first reaction is to believe he’s an insane person but then she starts to believe (seeing him healing helps).
They then both go on the run to try to get to Athan’s clan’s compound without being killed by vampires from opposite clans who are hunting her.

The first books I’ve read from Megan Erickson were her Bowler University series. Since then, I’ve impatiently waited for all of her books to come out, one-clicking them without even reading the synopsis.
This was the second fantasy romance of hers I’ve read. And it was just as good as all her other books were.
See, Megan Erickson writes amazing characters. I always fall in love with them in some ways. They’re all different but they’re always layered, complex and flawed. This is what makes her books so great.
Tendra was amazing, funny, badass, snarky... I fell in love instantly. It took me a bit more time for Athan but it was inevitable.
Their relationship might have grown a little fast for me but I’m a cynic and in the end, it all felt right.
The world it was set it was a pretty classic vampire world in my opinion but it still just worked. I cannot wait to learn more about Mission and those different vampire clans.
I’m really looking forward to the next book.

I have been looking for a vampire story I could sink my teeth into--see what I did there--and BLOOD GUARD hit the spot.

I always enjoy Megan's writing, her snarky characters, and witty banter. Tendra and Athan did not disappoint. Both were both strong characters without being obnoxious and I admired their sense of loyalty to their families as well as their "call". The tension between the two was face-fanning! At times the story felt a little rushed, and I do wish it had been longer, BUT I am happy to see there is another installment. I'm looking forward to reading Idris' story next.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review BLOOD GUARD.

When's the next one coming out?!

I loved this one! Megan Erickson is so good at writing supernatural romance.

The characters' love story doesn't feel insta-love(ish) despite taking place in the span of about a week, which I appreciated.

Really good start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Erickson, as always!

GAH!!!!!! Words for this, I don't really have 'em. All I know is that Tendra is one of the BEST heroines that I have read in a good long while. I don't read a ton of m/f these days because so many heroines, I wanna slap with a fish, but not Ten. Nope. She was sassy and bold and self aware. No self-induced drama or pointless miscommunication, just a lot of action, some serious steam and a heck of a beginning to a great new series from a stellar author.

The connection between Athan and Tendra was palpable. I could feel it. I ached for them to find their way. I tore through this book like I stole it, and I hi lighted so many passages. I'm such a thirst queen that I already wanna know when the next one is coming!

Interesting take on the Vampire mythology. Liked the characters, liked the story, liked the turn it took once Athan changed. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I want to learn more about Idris