4 stars. A great addition to this series! This was Idris and Celia's story. Celia is a nurse in Mission City. She doesn't know it, but she's the half human/half vampire hybrid daughter of the Valerian vampire king. She was raised by humans in foster care, never knowing her parents, and having no idea vampires even exist. Idris is the brother of Athan (from Blood Guard), who is the king of a rival vampire clan, the Gregories. The Valerian vampires are mounting a fight to begin a war on humans to kill them all off so vampires can rule the world. The Gregories want to live in harmony with humans. Idris wants to kidnap Celia to hold her hostage in order to force a meet with her father and stop him from starting a war. He begins watching her and saves her life from some hired killers, before kidnapping her as well. When Celia is being kept by Idris, he teaches her about vampires and about her culture. As they spend time together, they begin trusting each other and, eventually, fall for each other. There is some suspense as the two vampire clans clash, but it all works out for Celia and Idris in the end.

When I read book one in this series, Blood Guard, I liked it, but I felt the writing style was somewhat YA feeling. Some things were cheesy and sometimes I didn't feel the emotions that I was supposed to. But the story was interesting and original. When I read the prequel, Bite the Hand that Bleeds, it was a very different feeling. It was very sexy and not YA at all. I liked it too, but it didn't match Blood Guard in writing style. This book, Blood Veil, seems like a combination of the two. It did not feel YA to me, but it was not quite as sexy as Bite. There is a very good story and some sexy moments. I enjoyed this combination in this book the most, making it my favorite of the series so far.

I really like Celia and Idris. Celia was a loner, always feeling different from most other people, but having no idea why or that she was an actual vampire. She never had a relationship or let anyone get very close to her. Idris had lived a long time as a vampire, but he was also a little innocent in terms of his knowledge of humans and never having had his own relationship. The two were very sweet together. Their story was sexy and emotional.

Overall, I enjoyed Celia and Idris's story and seeing how their relationship developed. I continue to enjoy the world building in this series and suspenseful feeling. I also really liked the way the ongoing series story arc headed in this book and look forward to more from this sexy, suspenseful series!

"Never knew it was possible to feel like this. To crave someone so deeply, to be consumed with it."

Ever since I finished Blood Guard, I've been dying to get my hands on Idris's book! After the way things ended in Blood Guard, Idris had one purpose...revenge! The Valarian king was his target and his daughter the perfect prey to carry out his plan.

Celia grew up in foster care, never having known her parents or having any family. She lives a quiet life, surrounded by a few close friends...but mostly just going through the motions. She's haunted by nightmares of bleeding trees and shadows in the night, and with no one to talk to she thinks she may be beginning to lose her mind.

Her life takes a drastic turn when a strange creature tries to kill her in the middle of the night. Things take an even weirder turn, when another imposing figure saves her life and kidnaps her.

Idris's plan just got a curveball. He wasn't planning on taking Celia so early, but it appears that someone wants Celia dead and that just won't do. Not until he gets what he wants. And what he wants is information on her father.

At first, Idris doesn't believe that Celia has no clue about her bloodline, but the more time they spend together, the more he realizes that Celia is telling the truth. And as he gets to know her, the more he realizes that he wants to protect her. But now he must figure out how to reconcile his anger with her father, with the fact that he's falling for his enemy's daughter.

"And I didn't miss the fact that when I looked at Celia - I felt like I had purpose. What worried me was that I wasn't quite sure where that purpose would lead either of us."

I was absolutely glued to the pages while reading this book. It's fast paced and addicting. The easy bond between Celia and Idris was all kinds of swoony.

Celia was a smart, strong and likable heroine and Idris was a broody, torn yet protective hero....a fabulous combination to have me immediately invested in these characters. I was rooting for them from the moment that spark appeared...and little by little, I watched that spark ignite into love.

However, I do have to say that I enjoyed the first half more than the second. In the second half things progressed a little too quickly for my tastes. The pacing in the first half felt natural and organic, whereas in the second half it was as though the author put her foot to the gas pedal...a list of scenes and events that needed to happen and a certain number of pages to achieve that.

I was still engaged in the story and characters, but it was as if the effortlessness of the first half disappeared. Certain scenes and plot points felt forced and rushed in order to tick off a checkmark in the story (I'm looking at you "first time Celia and Idris are together").

But even though the pacing and some scenes threw me off in the second half, the emotion was still there. I was still invested in these characters, still rooting for their survival and relationship...and still glued to my kindle anticipating what would happen next.

I believe this is the end of the road for the vampire world Megan Erickson created, and I've got to say...I most definitely enjoyed the ride.

If you're in the mood for an engaging and addicting vampire tale with broody and protective heroes and smart, strong, fiesty and immensely likable heroines...this is the series for you!

The difficulties of the Gregorie vampire clan continue in this second installment of the Mission series from Megan Erickson. Idris, King Athan's brother has been watching the half-human/half-vampire daughter of the enemy Valerian vampire clan. Thinking to use her as a means to draw out the opposing King, Idris has been keeping an eye on Celia for some time.

Athan is very cautious about using Celia as a bargaining chip, and Idris ends up ignoring his brother's advice. He gets Celia into a heap of trouble when his plan goes awry. Making everything worse is the fact that he's developed feelings for Celia and Celia has developed feelings for Idris, especially since Athan warned Idris against getting too close to the dhampir.

This story was set up much like the first book in the series. There's a whole lot of no-we-shouldn't at the same time they are going for it. I didn't get quite as invested in Celia and Idris as I did Tendra and Athan though. Not sure why because I can't put my finger on exactly why, and I still enjoyed this story.

When Idris is forced to do the unthinkable, Celia's life depends on her special powers that were hinted about earlier in the story and we learn exactly the meaning of the title, Blood Veil.

Overall, an enjoyable read. I do like how these vampires move about in the Mission undetected and the world that Megan is building in this series. I hope there will be more.

An ARC was provided for review.

This is the second installment in this, series and since I really enjoyed reading the first book "Blood Guard" , I was very curious about this one ;)

This second book is about Idris, Athan's (Blood Guard) brother. He has been send to keep his eye on princess Celia, the daughter of their enemy. Idris wants to use Celia as a pawn to get to her father. After everything that has happend in the first book....Idris is ready for some revenge.

Things don't really go as planned (when do they ever?). Celia doesn't know anything about "his world". She was fostered and raised as a regular human child... and when she gets attacked, he ends up saving her.... and taking her with him.

But what happens when he starts to develop feelings for this pawn...

This book is pretty heavy on the insta-love/insta-lust. Normally with PNR it doesn't really bother me, but for some reason I was a bit annoyed with how easily Celia gives in. I just wanted her to fight it a bit more. I mean she is kidnapped by a vampire...so you would think that fear would override everything else ??? This is personal though...I am just a fan of feisty, strong kickass heroines ;)

Other than that, I really did enjoy reading this one. What can I say... I love me some badass vamps !!!

I do have to say that I enjoyed the first book a bit more. Maybe that's because I just liked Kendra (book 1) more. Anyways...I am very curious to see what will happen next ;)

An ARC was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession

This second book in Megan Erickson's Mission series brings all the action and adventure that we saw in Blood Guard only this one is more of an enemies to lovers romance. The conflict between the Gregorie Valarian clans is what brings Idris and Celia together with the twist that Idris has plans to use her for revenge and Celia has no idea of who she even is, let alone knowing anything about vampires. Of course, nothing goes as planned, which is to be expected and was certainly predictable with this type of story. Regardless of the predictability of certain things in the book, the endearing characters and witty dialogue, along with a fast-paced storyline held my interest from start to finish. Idris makes quite the journey from brooding vampire deadset on revenge to doing what is best for his family and clan, and Celia is the very definition of a damsel in distress who learns what it means to love and sacrifice. Blood Veil can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend starting at the beginning to get the impact of Erickson's vampire world and it's wonderful characters.

Blood Veil takes place shortly after book one, Blood Guard, and the stories are very similar. Both have heroines who don't know their heritage, get kidnapped by vampires, and join their side when the hero explains the situation. Celia's not the subject of a prophesy like the heroine of the previous book, but the mythology surrounding her isn't revealed until the end.

The mythology in this series is so interesting and it doesn't get enough page time. Can I maybe get a book about a vampire librarian who spouts obscure facts? I want to know everything!



I really want to love this series. The world is interesting and did I mention I love the mythology? But I've had issues with the execution in both books, this one even more than the first. Celia meets her father but never does find out why she was in foster care or what happened to her mother. Then the villain mentions something that should have caused a major POV shift for Idris but he doesn't even seem to notice. In fact, the series storyline seems largely forgotten even though potentially major things happen. Too many plot points just aren't followed up.

I liked seeing a different side of Idris after meeting him in Blood Guard and the romance is fine, though it could have been more original. But I was really disappointed with Blood Veil. It had so much potential that it just didn't live up to. Fortunately, it was a fast read so I didn't have too long to be frustrated with it.

If there's another book in the Mission series, I'll probably give it another chance because I want so badly for it to work. But so far it's really not.

This one wasn't for me. Maybe if I'd read the first book and been invested in the characters already, but I couldn't connect.

2.5 stars

Megan Erickson is back with the second book in the Mission series and I have to say it’s BLOODY FANGTASTIC. Yes, it really is worth the shouty caps.

I have inhaled this book twice I got my hands on it and I am forcing myself not to go back for a third time already. I LOVED this book. Again, sorry for the shouting but it deserves it. This series is a must read for paranormal fans.

Idris and Celia had me glued to the pages from the start and to be honest long after I finished the book I was still thinking about them.

I admit to being desperate to get my hands-on Idris’s story simply because I knew he was going to give story and boy did he. This powerful vampire never did quite what I expected which only made him all the more appealing.

Then along comes Celia, a half breed who doesn’t know her origins and who ultimately will become the one to bring Idris to his knees. She has a backbone and a voice and isn’t afraid to use it. I adored her.

Put her together with Idris and watch the sparks fly even as they flee from danger. Watching Idris show her the new world she will be part of was mesmerising. Seeing Celia accept it, awesome.

Be warned, there is a couple of scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages as fast as you can to see what happens next. I know I did. I may have even forgone sleep because I couldn’t put the story down. Well played Megan Erickson, well played indeed.

While this book can be read as a stand-alone, I have no doubts that if you read this on it’s own, you will be racing to grab Blood Guard before you are finished. Plus if you have read Blood Guard, you will be happy to know that Athan and Tendra, plus my favourite side character all make appearances and a few new faces join the club too.

I loved this book so damn much and have my fingers crossed that the series continues because this is a fresh new voice in the genre and we, okay I need more.

I went in on this with pretty high expectations. Book 1 in this series got a solid three stars from me, but I was hopeful for this second book since Blood Guard’s plot ended on a high note.

This book follows Celia, an orphan who lives a very ordinary life, and Idris, a vampire. Idris is consumed by revenge and ruled by his emotions because of what his father did to him in book 1. Idris gets the idea to kidnap his enemies’ secret daughter, the Valarian princess named Celia, to get his revenge.

When Celia is unexpectedly attacked by another vampire, Idris finds himself saving her life. After that he decides to keep her as leverage while he negotiates with her father, who she has never met before (duh, she thought she was an orphan). Throughout all of this Celia and Idris find themselves fighting their attraction to each other.

This book just didn’t work for me. Even between all the action I didn’t really care about what happened to these characters. Idris was too obsessed with his revenge plot, Celia was kind of boring. The plot was really predictable, and the romance didn’t manage to keep my attention, it’s the perfect example of insta-love.

I can see readers who loved the first book fall in love with this one, but I think I’m calling it for this series.

I liked the first book of this series, but unfortunately this one was a miss for me. I know we use suspension of disbelief, especially in PNR, but her reactions were way to bland for me. Dads a vampire? Oh, ok. I didn't connect to or believe any of the characters. Just didn't work for me.

3.5 stars for this sexy vampire romance! Rival clans have different agendas where humans are concerned - some want to peacefully co-exist with them ( the Gregorie) while others want them enslaved (the Valarians). This makes for complicated and bloody clashes between them. Idris of the Gregorie has plans for Celia, the daughter of the Valarian King, though she doesn't know her heritage having grown up in foster care. The Valarians and Gregorie are engaged in a nasty battle for supremacy, complicated by the Quellan, hired vampire asassins who work for the highest bidder. When Idris saves Celia from an assassination attempt, she's thrust into a whole new unbelievable world, and Idris becomes her protector, which complicates his plan to kill her father.

As this is the second book in the series, there is a good wrap up of the events from book 1 in the first few pages such that this one reads well as a standalone. The worldbuilding is well done, setting up the different clans and their motivations, as well as the good guys and bad guys. Idris and Celia gain a quick connection, insta-lust leading to insta-love. Their love scenes are intense and sexy and some interesting vampire lore helps lead them to a happy ending. It wouldn't be a vampire romance without some blood and beheadings so expect some violent and action packed scenes. All in all it's a sexy and entertaining read.

This review will be posted at sale sites during release week. It's been posted at Goodreads.

Blood Veil is book two in Megan Erickson’s Mission series. While it didn’t have the same spark as the first one, once I started reading I couldn’t put it down!

Idris’ world turned upside down after revelations from book one. He has to forge a new existence, but first he wants revenge. Enter the woman who can bring it to him, Celia.

I quite enjoyed both of these characters. Idris is really clueless where human women are concerned, and its fun watching him try to navigate it. He’s got the alpha gene, for sure, but he has to play a waiting game with Celia. Nothing goes as planned and Celia ends up his captive. It’s revelation after revelation.

I really admired Celia. She doesn’t know her background and she doesn’t trust easily. Her connection to Idris takes her off-guard, but she just meets everything head-on. And there are some pretty big enemies after her.

A little over halfway, however, I noticed that book two fell into the same trajectory as book one. It threw me off enough that it took a chapter or two to get back in the story. I’m glad I waited it out because I may have balled my eyes out and fell more in love with these two.

This is a definite page-turner, and I really hope Zeb will get his book next. Fans of PNR romance can't go wrong with this series!

4 stars!

The second in command of the Gregorie vampire clan, Idris is set on revenge for all that his father and the Valarian king did to him. Watching over his enemy's daughter has Idris on pins and needles. There is something about the human that intrigues him. She is selfless and kind. She is shy and works herself to death. She looks unwell and seems to know nothing of her heritage. But Idris won't be fooled by the beauty that is haunting his every day. An orphan for as long as she can remember, Celia grew up alone. Now a nurse in Mission City, she lives a hard life but has some friends that have become her family. Dating is not on her radar, even if a certain colleague is determined to change that. When a creature attacks her at home, Celia knows she is about to die. If not for the intervention of the formidable vampire who steals her away and changes the reality of her world completely. What starts as a rescue/kidnap mission, soon turns into lust and love between a larger than life vampire and a mixed breed human who has an ancient secret and more enemies than she ever knew. With hot passion, evil action, and unexpected twists, Blood Veil follows in the footsteps of Blood Guard and proves to be a fun read for lovers of the gender.

Sometimes I feel like receiving ARC's can be a curse. Why? Because when you come across series' that are really good and interest you, you find yourself waiting almost LONGER than the "normal" reader. And THAT is torture!!!!!

There are only a few things that prevented me from giving this a full 5 stars. I know, I can be picky sometimes. Sorry. But I think when I explain, you'll understand. Or not. What ever...LOL

***Although this could probably be read as a standalone, don't. Read the first one before diving in to this. You'll understand the characters more and won't wonder what the heck's going on in some scenes***

Idris is the brother of the newly crowned Gregorie King, Athan. If you read the first book, then you'll remember Idris. He's the one who sacrificed himself, literally, to save the Queen. Well, turns out, Idris is still bitter about his father's betrayal is chomping at the bit for revenge. So how is he going to get it? Easy. Kidnap the Valarian King's hybrid daughter and use her as ransom. Not only to end the war, but to murder the King himself. But....the plan is easier said than done.

Celia is the hybrid. There's a problem though. She has absolutely NO idea what she is, nor does she know anything having to do with her parentage. She's grown up in foster care her entire life, works as a nurse, and up until the night someone tried to kill her, lived a blah life. We should rewind back to when someone tried to kill her, right? Yep. And thankfully Idris was there to save her. But....is he really her savor?

Ok, let's get the "almost there" parts out of the way. I felt as though one particular character was pointless. Like, I spent a full chapter reading dialogue that to be honest, didn't really effect the story. Then, a comment is made between Idris and Zeb (love this guy from the first and wished I saw more of him in this one) regarding "smelling" Celia, but then that's it. Nothing else. Like, why was it even mentioned if smelling her wasn't something that was going to come up later? What can I say, I latched on that for some reason. And then....sigh...the first intimate scene between Idris and Celia was....forced (Not physically, but ON PURPOSE), so I lost that romantic feel that I was looking for which only made the moment....eh for me. Ok, so now that I've mentioned my "issues", that's why it's not a full 5 star. I'M PICKY, I KNOW!!!! But I still gave it 4.5 stars!!!!! Because it's still a freaking amazing story!!!!!!!!!!!!

The good stuff? Yep, totally LOTS of that going on. The inter-turmoil in Idris is real and completely expected. I mean, I'd be a little bit jaded if my father wasn't afraid to kill me. Jus sayin'. And although he's got a serious vendetta, you can see the change in him throughout the story. Celia is super sweet and caring. Not at all what the perception was. The chemistry between these two wasn't explosive, but instead actually felt genuine. The suspense was awesome. Athan and Idris working on their relationship was touching.

And now? Now I sit and wait for the next one.

Crosses fingers that it's before summer.....One can hope, right?

reviewed by Chris

I'm round up from 2.5 stars to 3, because I'm generous like that.

I've been looking forward to reading Blood Veil ever since I finished Blood Guard. I find Megan Erickson's characters and world building compelling, plus what's not to like about vampire/human romance? Here for it.

Where Blood Veil goes right is with the alpha male angst, the mystery and the smoldering chemistry. That's reason enough to read it, honestly. However, where Blood Veil falls apart is in how rushed it is. I don't think you could really appreciate this book as a standalone even though it technically should be. There simply isn't enough explanation of the lore. Plus, I don't hate instalove but this was next level instalove.

No spoilers here, but what stopped me from putting this solidly in a three category was the ending. They find out something huge about one of the main characters and no one asks for a single second how it will effect their future beyond the immediate. I need more answers!

Blood Veil was a great book. I had not read a vampire book in a long time, so I had no idea what to expect. I really enjoyed this one, the characters were very interesting. I read this book very fast, i did not want to put it down, the plot grabs the reader right from the start. I highly recommend this one!

I'm feeling a bit ambivalent about this one. There was a cheesy feeling for me. I actually had a Twilight flashback when Celia was speaking to Idris about what he was. And sure her panic attacks were mentioned, but I never got a feeling of disbelief from her. UMMMM you just found out that vampires are real, and your father was one and you don't even think "NO WAY". She just was like "Oh. OK. Yea, I get to meet my Dad!"
I have always enjoyed Megan Erickson books, so I will read her again. But this one was not for me.

**3.5 stars** Blood Veil is the second book in Megan Erickson’s Mission Series. This one features Idris, second in command in the Gregorie Vampire Clan and Celia Valarian, the daughter of the Gregorie Clan’s archenemy, King Valarian. I was very much looking forward to reading Idris’ story. After the events in book 1, Idris so deserved a HEA.

Idris didn’t want to want & crave Celia, especially seeing her as the enemy, but the feelings could not be denied. The chemistry between these two was palpable. Idris falls hard and will do anything to protect Celia. Celia wants to find out more about her family and where she comes from. There’s just something about Idris that she knows she can trust him and she feels safe with him. The feelings come fast for her as well. Danger is just around the corner for these two though. There are some very bad vampires after Celia. Will they be able to escape the danger or will Celia be lost to Idris forever…?

Blood Veil was an entertaining read. While the love part came a little fast for me, I still enjoyed the storyline and these two characters. Megan definitely knows how to write the sexy!

While this can technically be read as standalone, I think you would get the most enjoyment of this story by reading book 1 (Blood Guard) first to get the backstory of Idris and the Gregorie Vampire Clan.

**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Megan Erickson has written a compelling and hot paranormal romance. Excellent plot. I enjoyed reading about Celia Idris. She has created a unique world and made it sexy as well. Liked it a lot.

Whelp... I liked this story. There was great potential, but in the end, I felt like it fell just short of my expectations.

This is a PNR about Idris, a vampire consumed by revenge; and Celia, a nurse who grew up in foster care, and knows nothing of the danger her actual family heritage poses to her.

There were a lot of things that I really did like about this book. The characters are flawed but likable, the plot, while somewhat predictable, was entertaining, and there were some new vampire characteristics that kept it from being completely vampire-redundant. I suppose if you are looking at this as part of the series (which I realize it is), then the ending would not have felt so abrupt and unfinished. However, as a stand-alone (which is how I received it), I felt like there was something missing. If this were a present, it would be a box with a stick on bow on top. I want some wrapping paper and a ribbon around the box; maybe even a handmade bow. Perhaps if I’d read Book #1 and was invested in reading Book #3, I’d feel differently.