Protecting his Vampire Mate is the 3rd in the Blood Bonded mates series. Paranormal romance, part of a series, this follows Bryan as he comes to terms with events from the previous book, and his fated mate Tobias.
From the blurb:
BRYAN
After everything I've done, I don't deserve love. Especially not from Tobias Hawthorne—the brave, gorgeous, annoyingly perfect warlock who insists he's my fated mate.
Actually, I might already be halfway in love with him, but Tobias doesn't need to know that. Because it can't happen. I can't put him in danger. Not when I've hurt so many people already. Instead, I'll use this darkness to hunt monsters and make the world a safer place. Love doesn't factor in. And if I just keep telling myself that, maybe someday I'll believe it.
TOBIAS
At fourteen, I cast a spell to see the face of my fated mate. I never expected it to be a vampire. And I denied it for years. Then I met Bryan, and my world made sense for the first time. Until he left.
It's fine. I'm the coven's go-to warlock for banishing big bads. Work keeps me distracted. Except when it doesn't. Which is always. But Bryan needs space, and I'll give him anything he needs, even if it hurts. But then a demon shows me a future where Bryan dies. I have to protect him, no matter the cost. He doesn't want a warlock bodyguard. Too bad. I'm not going anywhere, even if saving him makes him hate me.
Protecting his Vampire Mate is a 90,000-word MM paranormal romance novel featuring a golden retriever warlock who just wants to protect his mate, a stand-offish vampire who needs ALL of the love, only one bed, haunted houses and spooky ghosts that need to be banished, overcoming trauma, spicy scenes, lots of magic, and a guaranteed happily ever after with no cliffhanger. This is book 3 in the Blood Bonded Mates series. It contains some violence, mentions of death/loss of loved ones, on-page depictions of mind-control, strong language, sexual scenes between men, and passages depicting consensual blood drinking, as one might expect from a male-male vampire romance. Please see the front matter of the book for a discussion of potential triggers. This book is intended for mature audiences.
Rogue's review:
- fated mates
- paranormal
- series
This is the third in a series, and does follow on from the previous book, and events from that book directly influence this story. Bryan and Tobias are fated mates, Tobias is a warlock and cast a spell years ago to see the face of his true love, and that showed him Bryan. It's not straightforward as Bryan was subject to a nasty spell that took all his will away and forced him to kill members of Tobias' coven. While this is Tobias and Bryan's story, it's also a story of Bryan coming to terms with what was done to him against his will.
I really felt for Bryan, being forced to do all those terrible things and carrying all that guilt. I like that he didn't take the easy way out of having his memories erased. I also understand not wanting Tobias close and wanting time to deal with all that alone. I liked Tobias too, while he didn't want to let Bryan go he did give the space that was asked for. Until he felt he had to help, and even then he respected Bryan's wishes. These two do work well together, I liked seeing their relationship grow over the course of the book as they became closer. Tobias instinctively understands what Bryan needs, and it was lovely.
I liked the story too, Bryan finding himself and his purpose, and Tobias finding a new path away from what he always thought he'd be doing, bringing them closer together. I really enjoyed this but do recommend reading the previous book first.
Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's review:
I'm very much enjoying Jay Castle's Blood Bonded Mates series and was looking forward to Bryan and Tobias' romance. I felt so awful for Bryan. To be trapped in his own mind and forced to witness his body do horrific things all the while he could do nothing about it. It must have been its own form of hell. I can't imagine going through that and coming out the other side the same person as before. Unfortunately, Bryan feels the same while also shouldering all the blame for something that was out of his control.
Thank goodness for Tobias. He really was such a good mate. He gave Bryan space when he needed it, but as soon as Bryan's spiraling led him into trouble Tobias was there. He didn't care if Bryan wanted to be alone. Tobias wasn't letting him out of his sight until he was sure his mate was safe. I respected the warlock so much for that.
Spending time together gives Bryan a glimpse into what his life could be like if he could just forgive himself. He doesn't think he deserves a mate as wonderful as Tobias after what he's done. It takes a lot of work and patience on Tobias' part, but he eventually gets it through his mates thick skull that whether or not he is the man for Tobias is a decision Tobias should be allowed to make himself. Bryan had a lot of healing to do, but with Tobias by his side I knew those two would be just fine in the end.
Protecting his Vampire Mate is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited SubscriptionProtecting his Vampire Mate
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