Thank you to Waterhouse Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really did want to love this book because I am a huge fan of the vampire genre and a lover of paranormal romance, so I was ready to love this.
Unfortunately, the author relied heavily on the insta-attraction trope and within short hours of having met, the main characters were ready to dive into bed together. The reason this doesn't work, in this instance specifically, is because Erin, the ER nurse, first meets the vampire, Dante, after he's basically vandalized the blood bank; there's blood everywhere and he himself is covered in blood and wearing a homeless man's stolen clothes, yet she takes him home (I can only assume it's because he's easy on the eyes and because there's this inexplicable connection between them) and moments later confesses that for some unknown reason she trusts him. Then she proceeds to lie to her brother, a cop, providing Dante an alibi. I'm just not convinced that one's libido, even a raging one, would lead a person to lose all logic and good sense. Accordingly, these first chapters did not bode well for the rest of the plot, such as it was.
There really wasn't much of a plot, only captivity flashbacks (the reader has no idea how Dante escaped his captor and nor does Dante explain his ten-year absence to his family) and a series of anticlimactic encounters between Erin and Dante in which he rejects her again and again (just as things are heating up) for her own safety as he doesn't trust himself not to hurt her. It becomes repetitive and boring after a while. To be honest, I forced myself to finish this book. If indeed there was sexual tension and good chemistry between these characters, I didn't notice it, and that's not for want of trying. As I said, I wanted to love this.
The book drags, short as it is, and finally ends on a very unsatisfying cliffhanger. I don't mind cliffhangers but this one and the characters themselves don't inspire me to continue the series.
Had I paid for this book, I would have felt cheated and very disappointed. I do however commend the author for putting her own spin on the vampire lore: her vampires aren't immortal and are able to eat normal food if blood is scarce, though they cannot survive without blood for long. I prefer my vampires immortal and a little more traditional, but I do appreciate the author's creativity.

I selected this novel because of the author never thinking I would like a vampire series. However, I was drawn into the unique world of vampires and humans and read the entire series in one week!

Blood Bond is a great start to the Blood Bond Saga, my only complaint is that I wish it would have been longer. Loved this author's modern day tale about Vampires. Dante and Erin's story is off to a great start and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

This was a quick read, the first in an episodic series. I really liked the hero, the vampire Dante, who has been held in captivity for ten years since he was a teenager. We get glimpses into what happened to him during that time, but we don't find out who the mystery woman is who kept him prisoner, or how he escaped. I liked his vulnerability, the raw anger and confusion he displays as he tries to process what has happened to him, and the heartbreaking scenes when he reunites with his family.
When he meets Erin, a human nurse, they both feel an immediate, undeniable pull to the other which causes them to act irrationally and out of character. There is a constant back-and-forth as they are drawn together by their mutual attraction and then Dante leaves for fear of not being able to control himself and drinking her blood. This happens countless times, so the whole plot feels like it's going around in circles. Combined with the fact that we are left with more questions than answers by the end, the book was somewhat confusing and dissatisfying. It might be different if you read the next few installments right away, but as a standalone it's quite disappointing.
I am also not a fan of the undeniable attraction trope which leaves the characters unable to make rational decisions, or decisions at all really, because they are complete driven by an inexplicable instinct. I prefer romances in which people fall in love with one another for who they are and not because some supernatural force decides it has to be, but that is purely personal preference and I know a ton of people who love the fated mates trope. 2.5 stars.

You would have to be crazy to not fall hard for Dante and admire Erin. Helen is a master at drawing you into these amazing stories. My new favorite book boyfriend is definitely Dante. I cant wait to read the other books to find out out how their story ends. The sexy scenes definitely made me blush in that good way. I dont want to give away the story for you but if you love supernatural books, vampire books you will love this series.

hello and thank you for letting me read this book Ms. Hardt. im not much of a vampire person but this book had me at the begining from start to finish .. GREAT BOOK . I sure will be reading more from Ms. Hardt she can write her butt off thank you again for letting me read this.

A spooky and steamy mix. Dante has been released after being kept in bondage for ten years. He runs into Erin and there is instant attraction. He is trying to fight the attraction while he comes to grip with his new normal but there is no stopping it. An intriguing start to this wonderful series.

Wow what a way to start a vampire series. This book was shot but worth the read. It very suspenseful and mysterious. I can’t wait to find out who “Her” is and what happened to Dante’s father and uncle. There’s still so much mystery, along with hot steamy passion coming from Dante and Erin. I can’t wait to read the next book.

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review:

Blood Bond is the first installment in the Blood Bond Saga, written by Helen Hardt. The book follows a tormented vampire and an ER nurse, who have a rather odd encounter in the blood bank at a hospital. At first glance, both Erin and Dante feel a pull towards each other that neither can explain. It starts off mysterious and new, from Dante's point of view before switching to Erin just as they meet each other. The story continues to switch between the two main characters giving the reader a wonderful perspective into both of their lives and the struggles they share with each other.

Because the book is a saga I found that there wasn’t enough of a character arch or a really detailed plot line, but the first book did a wonderful job of using it’s cliff hanger and the tension build up to intrigue me enough (and frustrates me enough) that I need to read the rest of the saga!

I think this book is a great late night summer read. Quick paced, easy to read and the characters are instantly likable. An all around great paranormal romance story about an ER nurse and a vampire.

Dante Gabriel is starving. What he craves is red gold human blood. After being held captive as a blood slave to a female vampire for years, he has finally escaped. Unchained at last, he follows his nose to the nearest blood bank to sate his hunger.When I started reading I couldn't put it down. Helen Hardt is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5)
Content Rating:18+
Genre: Paranormal/Vampire Romance

Blood Bond: 1 does a reasonably good job of introducing the reader to the Blood Bond Saga Series and all the main characters. But, I felt that this book was more of a prologue. Looking at the subsequent books, I now realize this is a serial series.
Blood Bond is the first book that I have read by Helen Hardt. Although it was easy to read, I did feel that the writing fell short, and there was a lot of repetition in the dialogue. The story was engaging and did keep me reading.
Dante, our alluring, gorgeous vampire, has escaped after being held captive for ten years by a female vampire. Dante makes his way to a hospital blood bank where Erin, an ER nurse, catches him vandalizing the blood bank. Dante and Erin do have a certain amount of chemistry. Unfortunately, I felt that their attraction was rushed; I am not a huge fan of insta-love.
Reader beware, this first part does end in a bit of a cliffhanger. I am planning on reading the next installment in this series. Unchained: Blood Bond: Volume 1 includes parts 1, 2, & 3. And as luck would have it is now free on Amazon.
*** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. ***

This paranormal romance series will hook you from the first chapter! I absolutely loved all the characters. It had me on the edge the entire novel and had me looking for more once it ended! I’m diving into the rest of the series now! Available on KU!

I received a copy of Blood Bond Saga Part 1 by Helen Hardt from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, this novel missed the mark for me. I felt that the plot should have been interesting given the story's summary, but the plot wasn't evenly paced and the main characters' chemistry was just not believable. Plus the male main character, Dante, gave me whiplash with his "I want you, but no, I can't/shouldn't/don't!" back and forth. Dude, pick an emotion and stick with it like a grown up. This just struck me as a flat novel altogether.

I'd give Blood Bond Saga Part 1 by Helen Hardt 2.5 stars.

The idea of writing from two points of view isn't new, but it's gotten increasingly more popular. I felt whipped around in Blood Bond. Plus the "nurse" was presented like an all knowing swami of hospital jobs. In reality she wouldn't have done but a quarter of what she was an expert at.

I have been completely sucked into this story. Pun unintended. There is some excellent world building going on and I love the characters. And what a cliffhanger! I cannot wait to keep reading!

As I hadn’t read a book with vampires for a while, I decided to give the Blood Bond Saga a go, especially when I saw there was a prequel novella. I think a prequel novella usually gives you just enough to make the decision whether to read on into the series.
The cover is red, representing the blood vampires consume, and has a couple on the cover whom I would presume are Dante and Erin the two main characters in the novella.

In the prologue we immediately meet Dante, who is being held against his will by a woman calling her self the ‘Vampire Queen’. Though she keeps Dante ‘comfortable’, it is her version of comfortable as he is tied up and not allowed to leave. He is fed, and given plenty of water to replenish his blood supply. When the Queen visits him she drinks his blood, hinting at it being very powerful and precious.

Dante, manages to escape, or maybe he was allowed to escape he just can’t seem to remember clearly how he got out, but he is thankful he is out. He is so ashamed at being overpowered and held against his will subjected to tortured and other acts he doesn’t wish to remember. On his release or escape Dante is naturally hungry for blood, he ends up in a hospital emergency room blood bank where he meets Erin. Dante is immediately drawn to her, wanting her physically and wanting her blood too. He describes how her blood calls to him, and that she has an addictive, unique scent he basically cannot get enough of. Dante needs to find his family, though he is unsure if there will be any of them still living in the area as he is unsure how long he been held captive. When Dante moves into his Grandfather’s house, they reveal he has been gone ten years and that those that went searching for him never returned. Dante is confused and his emotions and desires are all over the place. His grandfather tries to tell him he still has so much to learn as he was still at such a young age when he went missing.
His grandfather, Bill, asks Dante to tell him what was done to him whilst he was missing, but Dante feels too ashamed to retell anyone, let alone his strong pure bred vampire Grandfather. Bill allows him time to settle in but assures Dante there is nothing he can say that will change how he see’s him. That he seriously needs to talk about it. Bill also explains to Dante that he has yet to learn control and advises him to stay away from relationships, that he needs to open up about what happened to him whilst he was held captive. The trouble is Dante just can’t seem to stay away from Erin, and if he can’t have her yet, then nobody will have her either!

One of my favourite characters other than Dante and Erin, was Steve who is a hospital orderly, who is very bright, cheery and a great gossip, knowing everyone’s business and secrets. The character I loved to hate was Dr Bonnaville, or rather Dr Bitchville as she is called behind her back in the ER. I’ll be honest I have my suspicions about her, I think maybe she could be a vampire, or at least someone who knows about the supernatural beings in the area.

I did enjoy the novella. It got a little steamy and perhaps graphic wording but it fit with the plot and wasn’t so explicit that it put you off reading the book. I enjoyed the history of the Gabriel family parts and as for the romance, well I am already pairing characters off. Perhaps Erin’s brother Jay & Dante’s sister Emilia that’s presuming she isn’t in a relationship, I kind of get a hunch she could be pregnant too! I would also possibly pair Lucy, Erin’s friend in the ER with Dante’s cousin, and vampire River. There are so many ways this book series could progress, I mean there’s the woman who held Dante captive and made him call her the ‘Vampire Queen’. Why did she want Dante? Does she have anyone else hostage? Who is she?

So, to sum up the book did become a little slow paced for my taste in a couple of places, then I was a little surprised about how descriptively steamy things got lol but by the end I was hooked and would like to read more. I felt like this was a good introduction to the characters, and revealed some of their back stories. I have been left with SO many question, theories and thoughts!!

Wow I loved this read the intensity, the boldness, the uniqueness of this read is fantastic! I had been really wanting to read a good paranormal romance but sometimes they are hard to find when there are so many corny ones out there! but this one sure hit the spot! it makes you wish you could find your very own vampire! I cant wait to read the 2nd part! I highly recommend this book its great through every page!

An interesting start. I've never read a Helen Hardt book so I wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed trying to figure out the who's and the what's especially between Dante and Erin. I'll be interested in picking up the rest of the saga and getting some answers.

This book is so good Helen is a master at writing. With her bold switch from contemporary characters to vampires she rocked the genre to a t. Dante Gabriel has escaped slavery from the female vamp that has had him for years. And now he is starving. He ends up at a blood bank that he sniffs out. Erin a ER Nurse is sent to that same Blood bank and sees him vandalizing the room she just went in. She knows she should tell on him but can't help feeling protective and wanting to help. I can't was it to read the next installment of this series.

Blood Bond Saga is a good quick read. It keeps your attention and makes you want to more about what will happen.