Guardian's Bond

***5 Stars*** Rhenna Morgan doing up a new series? A PNR series and has a character named Priest? Ummm...Yes. Please. *making grabby hands* Hand it over. Now. (Mind you now was when the series was announced many moons ago but I needed to make a point) Soooo I may have followed *cough* stalked *cough* a certain site closely for it to become available and quickly clicked on that baby when it did. And though I did have to wait a bit before diving, I was not disappointed. Guardian’s Bond is a lush, vibrant, smexy, sensual start to a and all kinds of intriguing start to a new series with a bunch of characters I want more of, even the baddie. Priest. Yup, I’d totally worship at the altar that is Priest. No questions asked. No shame. Total kowtow and be absolutely at peace with the decision. The man is the kind of Alpha AF that is calming while causing you to anticipate more, even when that more is not something you cannot put into words, but know you simply want more of. He’s kind, compassionate and has a sensuality that radiates off him without effort. Kateri. The funny thing about Kateri is that while she did frustrate me, I totally got where she was coming from. I understood why she held back because I would more than likely do the same, at least on some level. But outside of her hesitation about certain things, she’s intelligent, fierce and sassy. She’s also protective of those she calls her own and gives as good as she gets. Priest and Kateri’s journey is that perfect blend of insta and slow burn that has you loving how the intensity builds between them as they get to know each other, but wanting one of the to desperately pull the trigger so all that nummy sexual tension can be released because you know it will be explosive...and OMG it was. Seriously, don’t bother with panties...just don’t...and have B.O.B nearby and ready to go. The angst was low, but the push/pull was real and with all going on around them I definitely didn’t mind at all and loved where they were at in the end. This is very much a first in series where there is a lot of world building information being doled out, but it’s done in such a way that it didn’t feel like a full on information dump, it’s more of a learn as you go situation. This does keep the pace of the story at moderate one, but I never felt as if it dragged. I actually liked it because I could absorb all the little details without feeling overwhelmed and found the world simple, yet plausible and intriguing. The characters are all distinct and well written, and I have made it known that certain ones are not to come to harm *BSEG*. And with how things were left at the end of the book, not only with the whole baddie sitch, but that little tease of what’s to come next, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book! ~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

As the High Priest of his clan, Priest has some of all the gifts his people control. After a showdown with his brother, he is left with a darkness that threatens to consume him. Struggling to rebuild his clan, the last thing on his mind is finding his mate. However, the moment he comes face to face with Kateri he recognizes her for what she is and he will do anything to make her his. Katy grew up without knowledge of her birth right. After the brutal death of her parents she learns of the mystical world that exists and is hers to one day accept or deny. She was raised to always take the path with the most logic. The decisions she has made for her life were compelled by not her own longing but that that had been forced upon her. Now she is faced with a decision to accept Priest as her mate as well as the magic that could be hers. I loved these characters so much! Priest is the perfect protective hero of not only his heroine but of his people. Even as he worries that his darkness will consume him he yields to the light that he finds with Katy. Katy had no reason to trust in this new world she had just learned of. It makes no sense even if she has seen it with her own eyes. Learning to accept it demanded acceptance of who and what she was and I enjoyed the journey she traveled to find her truth. This was a well written, fast paced read that has a little different slant on most shifter books I’ve read in the past. I enjoyed the world building as the author laid out layer upon layer of foundation for not only this story but for further books in this series. The characters are fully developed and secondary characters added to the overall depth of the story without stealing from the hero and heroine. The ending is a happy for now with a set up for the next couple. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley and Carina Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Dual POV Safe – no ow/om drama No apparent triggers

I can't put into words how amazing this book is. Rhenna has blown my mind with this book. I wasn't sure I was going to like it but one chapter in I fell in love with it. Kateri and Priest, they are not your typical couple in this book. This is one paranormal romance that I need more of immediately.