Hunted

Book One of the Guardians' League is off to a great start. "Hunted" by Amelia Elias is quite simply one heck of a ride. Diego Leonides is one of the Guardians, a born vampire sworn to protect mortals and fight outcasts (evil vampire's who kill their prey enabling them to get around in the daylight). He has lived for 1000 yrs and has been able, in all that time, to stay happily unmated. Until of course, by accident (she hits him with her car) he meets Sian Lazuro. Injured and unconscious, Diego decides it would be safer to take Sian to his home. There he plans to, with his abilities, heal her wounds, erase her memory and send her on her way. That is, of course, until he notices the next day the tattoo that signifies they are bonded mates. Having no idea how this happened he knows that he has no other choice but to except this. Now he has to explain to an unconscious Sian not only how she came to be in his bed, but also they are now mated, forever.... If that's not enough Sian is running for her life, because of her testimony a murderer was convicted and sentenced to prison. A sentence he has yet to served, because right after the trial he escaped. At the same time, descendants of vampire slayers who wiped out Diego's family are back and after him. If they don't kill each other first, they may just have a chance to beat their enemies. If you like Christine Feehan's, Carpathians, and Sherrilyn Kenyon's, Hunters. You are in for a real treat with Amelia Elias new Guardian series.

Sian Lazuro is getting tired of running for her life. Several years ago, she witnessed a brutal murder and after testifying was put in the Witness Protection Program. Suspicious after having been found several times, she eventually left on her own, and has been in San Francisco for six months. Only, she thinks she has been found again. While she is attempting to lose a sedan tailing her, she accidentally hits a man with her car, injuring herself in the process. Diego Leonides is out minding his own business, chasing down an outcast vampire, when he gets hit by a car. When he sees the injured driver, he decides to take her home with him to heal her head injury. Diego is a centuries old vampire, who has dedicated his life to killing the outcast vampires who drain their victims dry. He is a slayer for the Guardians' League and is a protector of both humans and vampires. He is also the patriarch of his clan and although he is now the only member of his clan, he must fulfill his duty and provide heirs. He has resisted for over a century, but in Sian he finds his bondmate, the one woman who can complete him, whether he likes it or not. Sian and Diego initially have quite a few barriers to their union. Sian can't afford to trust anyone and Diego doesn't like the fact that both of their choices are taken away with the bonding. Added to their personal complications is the man who wants Sian dead for testifying against him and a variety of outcast vampires and vampire hunters who want Diego to pay for being a slayer. Sian and Diego must come to the realization that together, they can defeat any enemy. I loved reading Hunted; it was quite simply a beautiful story with amazing characters. Diego is the perfect man for Sian, after his initial reluctance, he realizes he cannot live without her and sets out to convince her to be with him. Sian is incredibly vulnerable because of her past and watching her slowly learn to trust again was lovely to read about. When Sian gives in to her feelings for Diego, their passion is hot enough to set the sheets on fire! James, Diego's steward, is both hilarious with his quips and admirable for his commitment to Diego and he adds yet another layer to Hunted. There are several interesting secondary characters introduced in Hunted and I will be anxiously waiting to see if their stories are told in the future. This was my first book by Amelia Elias, but it won't be my last!! Shannon Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

First installment in The Guardians' League series (stand-alone novels with shared characters that may be read in any order but work best in the correct order). Witness to a brutal murder, Sian Lazuro didn't count on the killer escaping moments after his conviction. Three years later, she's learned the hard way there's only one person she can trust--herself. When she wakes up in bed with a gorgeous stranger who claims to have saved her life, she's understandably wary. Diego Leonides is like no one she's ever met before. Sensual, mysterious, and clearly delusional, he insists not only is he a vampire, but she's now his eternal mate. Diego never dreamed he'd find his mate by getting hit by her car, and he's no happier about their sudden bonding than she is. The only survivor of a massacre that wiped out his entire Clan, he's spent the last century avoiding taking a mate. Now he finds himself stuck with a woman running from a murderer just as the descendants of the vampire slayers who killed his family arrive in San Francisco to finish the job with him. Arranged marriages are hard enough on a vampire without having to convince his mate that the real bloodthirsty fiends are the mortals... So refreshing to find a vampire who isn't maudlin and depressed about it! Diego's hot, sexy, and pleased to be what he is. Sian's a great heroine! This is a terrific story and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

This is just a great book. The characterisation is wonderful, and the wit sparkling. The sex is pretty hot, too! A great story of love, revenge and sexy vampires. I can't wait for the next Guardian's League book!

I really enjoyed this story. Diego isn't a typical depressed, angst-ridden vampire--he loves what he is. Sian is a strong heroine who isn't so strong you can't identify with her. I can't wait for the next book in the series!