I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed GUARDIAN'S BOND.

Priest has finally found his mate, but she knows nothing of the clan ways so he has his work cut out for him to win her heart. I liked Priest. He has a lot of life experience and seemed to have a pretty level head. He is very protective of those he considers part of his family. Kateri doesn't believe in anything that doesn't make sense and Priest and the way she feels about him doesn't make sense. Katy didn't grow up knowing about the clan world. On top of that, her father hated who he was, so he pushed his 'logic and fact' life on her from an early age and she is having a really hard time finding a way to let that go. Katy was very stubborn and I wanted to just squeeze some sense in her a few times, but I understood where she was coming from and I had a hard time holding her stubbornness against her. I was very frustrated with her though at quite a few moments.

The romance was slow, but burned bright. I enjoyed watching the characters learn each other. The world was interesting and I enjoyed the pace at which information was given out. The characters are easy to like and learn about. Priest and Kateri's relationship is a big part of the story, but so are all the characters and the journey they are on.

New mates are introduced at the end of GUARDIAN'S BOND and it once again deals with a character that grew up knowing about the world and one who didn't believe in it, so I'm sure book two will be just as interesting. I look forward to reading more.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3,5 Sterne: Fantastisches und innovatives Worldbuilding sowie interessante Charaktere, deren Chemie gestimmt hat, die aber noch etwas tiefgründiger ausgestaltet sein könnten. Bezüglich des Plots hat mir eine treibende Kraft gefehlt, die noch mehr Spannung erzeugt. So plätscherte die Geschichte an einigen Stellen ein wenig dahin und wurde nur von der Lovestory getragen, obwohl der Stoff viel Potenzial für mehr Action und den einen oder anderen Plot Twist hergegeben hätte.

This was an awesome introduction to a new series! I loved the details, all the different dynamics, and this excellent story of Priest and Kateri coming together. A truly great read!

I really liked Priest, his pull towards Kateri, and this captivating alpha presence he had. He oozed sexiness and power. Kateri I liked a lot. I loved watching her discover new things and fight her feelings against all the changes happening. It made for a great push and pull between the two. Together they were challenging and playful and really entertaining. I thought they had great chemistry and heat, there is definitely a good amount of hotness for sure.

I loved learning all the ins and outs of their world even though it was a lot to take in at the start. After it was laid out and I had the gist of everything, I was all in. There's a good cast of characters introduced and really like the different connections. It's a really intriguing, well thought out world and I enjoyed learning all the ends and outs of how everything works, the shifter element involved, and all the different rolls that people play.

The couple coming together are the main focus but there's a nice bit of underlying drama happening as well. I thought there was a really good build to the action and I liked the intensity of it. I assume this is something that will play out over the course of the series.

Overall I thought this was great and I found it exciting to read. There was a lot to learn but I really like the building world presented, all the different shifter things happening, and how everything ties together. I also loved the growth both the main characters experienced as they came together. I'm ready for more!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

Wow, quite the ride! I utterly adore the Men of Haven series, so I was delighted to see a paranormal series and Rhenna Morgan does not disappoint! Guardian's Bond is a dark, edgy, and sensual ride through a world you haven't seen before. Priest and Kathy fit each other and I adore Priest for his strength and patience. If you like a book boyfriend with a darker edge, he is a perfect candidate;).
My only negative is that it felt a little slow at times, but quite honestly there was no way for the author to speed it up. I just wanted a little more action, but I have a feeling we will see more in future books.
Overall, a great read that leaves me hungry for more, especially with this final scene.
Thank you to Carina and NetGalley for the ARC.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Rhenna Morgan is one of those authors that I just count as my favorites, and I will seriously buy anything that she writes because her books work for me in just the ways the I adore a solid romance. So when I heard about her new series, I was over the top excited because I was curious to see what she would do. She tends to do wonders with switching genres, so I was so intrigued. I honestly don't even think I read the blurb before reading it, I just started reading and my world was blown away....so let me tell you why....

Priest Rahandras has lived alone for so many years. Ever since his brother betrayed their people and slaughtered so many of them, Priest has had a part of that darkness living inside of him and he wonders if that darkness will overcome the good in him. He is focused on protecting those he protects and teaching everything he can to those vulnerable. His primary goal is to rebuild his clan, never suspecting that he would meet his mate. Everything in him, the man....the jaguar...and the darkness all pay attention from the moment he sees her walk into his shop with her brother and her grandmother, an elder that he never thought he would see again. But now he will have to prove himself worthy to his mate, who is clueless to their ways and customs, and show her that she is worthy of love and passion.

You’re my mate. Nothing ranks higher for me than winning you and I won’t quit until you accept me

Kateri Falsen has been trained her whole life to focus on the logical and the "facts" and to not ever to rely on her emotions. But her life gets turned upside down when her parents are murdered, and both she and her brother's lives are in grave danger. Her grandmother insists that they go to the one man that can protect them. Kateri doesn't understand her connection to this scary male who is very intimidating, but she senses something deeper and even though she isn't used to relying on her instincts, she starts to realize that he calls out to the deepest part of her.

“I’m not a kitten.”
“Yes, you are.” Spoken right beside her ear, low and daring her to argue otherwise. “Fearless and so ready to grow into your claws you can’t hardly stand it, but curious enough to get into trouble.”

From the first part of the story we are sucked in completely into this book, I mean honestly, I read a few paragraphs and I was HOOKED....Rhenna Morgan surely knows how to bait me the right way because this book did everything I am looking for in a romance and MORE. What we see in this story is seeing a group of people trying to survive a great evil that is hunting them but there is only one powerful enough to save them...Kateri.

A young woman who was never told of her talents or her heritage because of fear and now Kateri will need to make a choice...ignore what she feels, or embrace her destiny and save her people that need her. We see such growth and changes in Kateri and such a beautiful journey that she goes on. Seeing this logical thinking woman learn how to rely on her instincts and her heart. And boy does our hero know how to court a woman. Man just thinking about our hero gives me all the yummy tingles.

I love that in this book, he has to prove he is worthy, that he doesn't rush her before she is ready and that he accepts her for who she is and only wants to stand by her side and be her support. LOVE that so much. We see that Priest slowly teaches her how to defend herself, to embrace those parts of herself that she has ignored, and shows her the desire they feel for each other and a tender yet powerful love builds between them.  There is a great villain in the story and I am guessing will be in the series too, because wow he is craft and cunning but our Kateri is one powerful woman!! She really packs a punch and when she is protecting those she loves....watch out folks because she kicks ass.

Whatever the cause for the rigid structure that controlled her life, he was prepared to fight it. To annihilate whatever barriers caged the woman inside and show her how sweet life felt when lived outside any pre-defined paths.

We get introduced to some fun characters and I do want to mention the worldbuilding in this book which is so superb. Honestly, I LOVED the details and getting pieces of the puzzle with each chapter and learning more about the nuances of this world that Morgan introduces to us. I seriously was so drawn into this world that when the book ended I was like WHAT???!!! It can't be over already....but alas it is....I will just have to try to be patient (not my strong suit) and wait for book two.

Overall I found Guardian's Bond to be a stimulating, edge of your seat, give you a thrill straight down the spine and strikes emotionally provoking to the heart that leaves you breathless and aching for more!! EXHILARATING!



 

This was a really cool paranormal world. There are shifters, but not how you'd think. In this world, they live in clans and are called on soul quests to find their companion animal, as well as their magic which makes them either a warrior, seer, healer, or sorcerer. It almost felt Native American in some ways. Also, only the males of their race know when they've met their fated mates, and since the women don't know this, the men have to work really hard to win them, which I found awesome.

The couple in this book was Kateri and Priest. Kateri had a very scientific mind and was also very curious. Long ago, she'd buried her real personality to satisfy her dad, who wanted her to be a planner and all logic. Priest was strong, very powerful, and also sympathetic due to what happened with his awful brother. I loved watching him do his best to court Kateri.

I loved the side characters of Kateri's brother Alek, and their grandmother, Naomi. Priest's wards, Tate and Jade, were great, too. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Tate's story, since we know who his mate is.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I had a hard time putting it down. As Kateri and Alek learned more about their new world, I was intrigued. The romance was quite steamy, and I loved how supportive Priest was of Kateri. The action didn't really pick up until the end, but that was okay with me, since I was pretty interested in watching Kateri's growth. I think if you like unique paranormal worlds, strong characters, and steamy romance, you may want to check this one out.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator did a good job.

Guardian's Bond is the start of a new series by Rhenna Morgan featuring a sexy, commanding high priest and his ever so skittish mate. It brings a world rich with magic and custom as good against the evil greed of one man who refuses to stay dead.

Let's start with what's wonderful with this story. Priest. Priest is magnificent. He's commanding, confident and dedicated. He's high priest of his clan and he takes his role seriously. The depth of his caring and nurturing for his people is boundless. He is indefatigable in his commitment to bringing the clan together, training them, protecting them, and helping them thrive. Aside from that, his patience is immense, especially when it comes to dealing with his mate, Kateri. There were times when I wished he'd pushed a little harder and was a little less patient with Kateri. His gentle teasing, his directed nudging and his tenderness is only surpassed by his sexiness and his passion. That man will melt your Kindle with his hotness. If nothing else, read this story to get to know Priest. You'll fall for him as much as I have.

For the first half of the book, I did not like Kateri. At. All. She was held back by her logic and her fear. Yes, she was curious and inquisitive, but she was also filled with so much fear that she was afraid to take a chance at what life and Priest had to offer her. She held back her own chances of happiness and love. That frustrated the ever-loving heck out of me and I wanted her to get the eff over herself. She was the reason I didn't enjoy a large part of the book and I kept wanting to put it down. She tried my patience sorely. I could tell she had fire and passion within her, if only she had the courage to let go and take hold of what fate had in store for her. Not just a mate in Priest but a wholeness she never had. When she finally accepted who she was and embraced her potential, she was stunning and a great match for Priest. And the book got a heck of a lot better.

I enjoyed the world building around the Volan and their culture and magic. Ms Morgan has build a rich world filled with potential. I also loved the way she handled how the male Volan recognises his mate, and what had to be done in order to court and woo said mate. I like the way this story ended with a glimpse into the pair for the next story in the series. It was tinged with hope and a little bit of humor. The tone it set was perfect. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.



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3.75 STARS almost a four...

Now this is what we call a true destined lovers book, perfectly executed with just about the right amount of slow burn romance thrown in the mix. I loved every bit of their journey together.

Priest is not your typical A-Hole male character, but a gentleman with the right dose of dominance that you just cab't help but fall in love with.
For Kateri, she's great. I liked her most of the time but her constant denial got; at some point (let's say the majority f the book), very annoying and repetitive. her holding out for that long was just unnecessary and down right stupid.

And I'm not hating on her, it's just that when you spend 80++% of the story focused on the dragging aspect of the already established relationship is just tiring, especially when there was more important deadly matters at hand.

just saying...

But overall it's clear that I devoured the book, and if it was not for the much needed sleep I would've definitely finished the book in one sitting !


Fated mates - slow burning romance - no cheating- +18yo and definitely a HEA.

This is absolutely your next read!

This was my first book by author Rhenna Marks and I throughly enjoyed entering this new world of hers. I loved the idea of a shifter community that is more than simply shifters but also these magical beings who are connected to the earth through am otherworldly being, I think of her/him as a god like being though S/He is never called such, rather S/He is The Keeper of this communities magic and gifts. I also really enjoyed the idea that The Keeper is never one thing, person, etc. It is all dependent on the person that journeys to their 'soul quest'. I also really like the idea that this is not a given, it is not a must. You can refuse the soul walk and there are no repercussions. You'd totally be missing out (ha) but this is not about being a forced 'gift' or something that you have just because of having been born to a certain community. As Merida in Brave said

"There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it."
This fact of choosing ones fate in a Paranormal Romance gave Guardian's Bond a twist and a feel that we haven't seen before in the genre and I really appreciated the new life that it brought. Of course one thing that you can't just get rid of though is fated mates and I am so happy that is still a part of this story line.

I really enjoyed getting to know Priest and Kateri individually as well as a couple. They are both strong characters who's back and forth draws you in and keeps you hanging waiting for the moment when everything aligns and they become the mated pair they are meant to be. Kateri puts up a good fight, ha, but I really enjoyed that Priest gives her all the time she needs to acclimate to the new life she has discovered as well as what being a mate means. There is a kindness to all of his rough edges that make him so utterly likable. He is this big dark, brooding man who has been single handedly keeping his community together and thriving, he's not only become this grumpy alpha, after a fight with his very own brother who was trying to take control of the community through force after becoming jealous that The Keeper didn't give him what he believed he deserved, Priest takes on the darkness that had been surrounding his brother. It now lives within him and colors his every thought. Kateri brings a light with her that surrounds the darkness allowing Priest to feel the freedom and happiness that has eluded him for so long. I really enjoyed seeing them come together and how they change each other. I also am quite enthralled with all the secondary characters and can't wait for them to have their own stories and see how the entire series develops over time.

If you are looking for a new Paranormal Romance with a slight twist to the typical plot lines definitely give the Ancient Ink series a try. I think the you will be pleasantly surprised with everything.


~ HAPPY READING ~

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