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Bonds #1
Bonds
Half the village of Breccan lies dead – slaughtered. All that stands between Antony Cardover and his freedom is his wife, Isabella, or so he believes.
In his wrath at his wife’s adultery, Antony trades his soul for the chance of vengeance. His price? An eternity as a monster – a man bearing a vampire curse. To stop him, the curse must be broken. To break the curse, Isabella and all her descendants must be destroyed. The catch? Only Antony can break the curse.
With Breccan in mourning and Antony on the rampage, only one person can help. Anna Martindale, a witch shunned by the villagers, entombs Antony within a stone sarcophagus, bound by spells and buried in hallowed ground for the rest of time.
Breccan breathes again. Time heals.
That was four hundred years ago.
Seventeenth century spells, however, are no match for twenty first century living. As Ramply Homes moves in, the secret of St Martin’s churchyard prepares to move out.
As the church is desecrated, the spells that hold Antony break. Soon, Becca Martin, a descendant of Isabella, is plagued by dreams of a time and a man she cannot possibly have known.
As her nightmares become real, Becca has no choice but to contact the one person who will be able to help; someone she has not spoken to in a decade – her mother.
Here, Becca discovers the truth about her ancestry and is forced to face up to whom and what she is. Only a wooden box and her gift hold the key to her survival.
Four hundred years ago Antony failed. He will not fail again.
In his wrath at his wife’s adultery, Antony trades his soul for the chance of vengeance. His price? An eternity as a monster – a man bearing a vampire curse. To stop him, the curse must be broken. To break the curse, Isabella and all her descendants must be destroyed. The catch? Only Antony can break the curse.
With Breccan in mourning and Antony on the rampage, only one person can help. Anna Martindale, a witch shunned by the villagers, entombs Antony within a stone sarcophagus, bound by spells and buried in hallowed ground for the rest of time.
Breccan breathes again. Time heals.
That was four hundred years ago.
Seventeenth century spells, however, are no match for twenty first century living. As Ramply Homes moves in, the secret of St Martin’s churchyard prepares to move out.
As the church is desecrated, the spells that hold Antony break. Soon, Becca Martin, a descendant of Isabella, is plagued by dreams of a time and a man she cannot possibly have known.
As her nightmares become real, Becca has no choice but to contact the one person who will be able to help; someone she has not spoken to in a decade – her mother.
Here, Becca discovers the truth about her ancestry and is forced to face up to whom and what she is. Only a wooden box and her gift hold the key to her survival.
Four hundred years ago Antony failed. He will not fail again.
302 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2013
161 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Marie Anne Cope
11 books61 followersMarie Anne Cope is a captivating voice in supernatural and thriller fiction, known for blending dark, provocative themes with storytelling that hooks readers from the very first page. Originally from Manchester and now living in the picturesque landscapes of North Wales with her three feline companions—Jasmine, Texas, and Stoker—Marie’s work takes readers into shadowy worlds where suspense, fear, and emotion collide.
Marie burst onto the literary scene in 2013 with her debut novel, Bonds, the first in her acclaimed supernatural series. With follow-up instalments—Broken Bonds, Bonds Re-Bound, and Eternal Bonds—Marie has firmly established herself as a tour de force in supernatural fiction, seamlessly blending romance, danger, and the dark unknown.
Marie’s talent for complex characters and razor-sharp tension took a new turn with The Ellie Lawrence supernatural crime thriller series. Ellie is a private investigator and werewolf who tackles both real-world crimes and supernatural mysteries, blending suspense with dark, paranormal intrigue. Fans of supernatural thrillers and gripping crime stories will find themselves captivated by Ellie’s journey.
Beyond long-form fiction, Marie has earned a reputation for delivering bite-sized horror with her Tales From A Scarygirl short story collections. In 2024, she surprised her fans by venturing into contemporary romance with Chasing Rainbows, a heartfelt tale of Jessie Ellis rebuilding her life and finding an unexpected second chance at love.
Writing under the pen name M A Cope, Marie has also created The Misfits, an enchanting series for younger readers, where a quirky group of supernatural friends embark on life-affirming adventures.
________________________________________
Awards & Achievements
• Winner, Murder Mystery Competition, Wrexham's Carnival of Words (2025) - One Haunted Night
• Finalist, Golden Stake Literary Award at the International Vampire Film & Arts Festival (2020) for Bonds
• Winner, Short Story Competition, Wrexham’s Carnival of Words “2017) – Two Days (Romance)
• Quarter-Finalist, Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (2012) for Bonds
Marie burst onto the literary scene in 2013 with her debut novel, Bonds, the first in her acclaimed supernatural series. With follow-up instalments—Broken Bonds, Bonds Re-Bound, and Eternal Bonds—Marie has firmly established herself as a tour de force in supernatural fiction, seamlessly blending romance, danger, and the dark unknown.
Marie’s talent for complex characters and razor-sharp tension took a new turn with The Ellie Lawrence supernatural crime thriller series. Ellie is a private investigator and werewolf who tackles both real-world crimes and supernatural mysteries, blending suspense with dark, paranormal intrigue. Fans of supernatural thrillers and gripping crime stories will find themselves captivated by Ellie’s journey.
Beyond long-form fiction, Marie has earned a reputation for delivering bite-sized horror with her Tales From A Scarygirl short story collections. In 2024, she surprised her fans by venturing into contemporary romance with Chasing Rainbows, a heartfelt tale of Jessie Ellis rebuilding her life and finding an unexpected second chance at love.
Writing under the pen name M A Cope, Marie has also created The Misfits, an enchanting series for younger readers, where a quirky group of supernatural friends embark on life-affirming adventures.
________________________________________
Awards & Achievements
• Winner, Murder Mystery Competition, Wrexham's Carnival of Words (2025) - One Haunted Night
• Finalist, Golden Stake Literary Award at the International Vampire Film & Arts Festival (2020) for Bonds
• Winner, Short Story Competition, Wrexham’s Carnival of Words “2017) – Two Days (Romance)
• Quarter-Finalist, Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (2012) for Bonds
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 18, 2022
Now I love me a good horror book and I love me a vampire book and one with a bit of romance, and I haven’t read a decent vampire/horror/romance book for an age! Well until NOW!
Man! I LOVE this book! It has everything I want in a twisted vindictive evil vampire story. It has the backstory of how it became, it’s tragic, it’s intense, and it’s just entertainment in the purest form for me! I got to the stage where I didn’t want to sleep as I just wanted to sit there and read and keep reading until the end.
I mean there are more books in this series, thank god as I think I have found my new obsession! It’s such an addictive story as we learn about the past through flashbacks and diary entries, and the present day with Becca Martin, trying to understand what the heck is going on.
Becca’s life was just floating along until they discovered that sarcophagus, beautiful as it may have been, that harbours a dangerous “man” hellbent on revenge. Jakes, the Inspector in charge, also has links somehow, I feel more than just an interest and I hope he is back in the next book for us to learn more.
But it’s not just vampires that make an appearance, we have witches and warlocks! I mean it was a feast of magic and darkness and it was delicious!
Oh, WHAT A STORY! I can’t explain how much you need to read this book, but I don’t want to spoil anything as I read it without reading the blurb, because I was sold on hearing it had Vampires in it. Fabulous twists and the writing is engaging and flows. It enabled me to lose myself in the book and ignore everyone and everything as I got sucked in the story (not literally ;)) I could sit and sing about this book all day! The cover is enticing and mesmerisingly hypnotic and, guess what, so are the words inside.
Have you guessed that I loved it?
Man! I LOVE this book! It has everything I want in a twisted vindictive evil vampire story. It has the backstory of how it became, it’s tragic, it’s intense, and it’s just entertainment in the purest form for me! I got to the stage where I didn’t want to sleep as I just wanted to sit there and read and keep reading until the end.
I mean there are more books in this series, thank god as I think I have found my new obsession! It’s such an addictive story as we learn about the past through flashbacks and diary entries, and the present day with Becca Martin, trying to understand what the heck is going on.
Becca’s life was just floating along until they discovered that sarcophagus, beautiful as it may have been, that harbours a dangerous “man” hellbent on revenge. Jakes, the Inspector in charge, also has links somehow, I feel more than just an interest and I hope he is back in the next book for us to learn more.
But it’s not just vampires that make an appearance, we have witches and warlocks! I mean it was a feast of magic and darkness and it was delicious!
Oh, WHAT A STORY! I can’t explain how much you need to read this book, but I don’t want to spoil anything as I read it without reading the blurb, because I was sold on hearing it had Vampires in it. Fabulous twists and the writing is engaging and flows. It enabled me to lose myself in the book and ignore everyone and everything as I got sucked in the story (not literally ;)) I could sit and sing about this book all day! The cover is enticing and mesmerisingly hypnotic and, guess what, so are the words inside.
Have you guessed that I loved it?
May 20, 2016
I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The fact that this book was given to me for free in no way affects my opinion of the book.
When I read about the book I felt like I had to read it. Once I started reading it life seemed to get in the way, but not for long. The book called to me every time I got the chance to read.
I felt a deep connection to the characters, because they were built so well. Their looks, and their personality were extremely easy to connect with. This is one of the things that made this book so good to me. I like to be able to get to know, and connect with the characters, and to feel what they feel. This book did exactly that, and that kept me hooked.
This book kept me up tonight, because I just couldn't go another day without finishing the book. Not finishing it drove me nuts, because the book was so well written. I mean magic, and when I say magic it actually seems so real. You get a double take from the past so that you don't miss any part of the story. I never once had any confusion with this book. The story was complete in every way. The author made sure you didn't wonder; "well how did this happen?" Which was great, because that means you got every bit of the story that you needed to make sure you aren't missing a thing.
Because of certain violent, and mature situations I would recommend this book to adults.
When I read about the book I felt like I had to read it. Once I started reading it life seemed to get in the way, but not for long. The book called to me every time I got the chance to read.
I felt a deep connection to the characters, because they were built so well. Their looks, and their personality were extremely easy to connect with. This is one of the things that made this book so good to me. I like to be able to get to know, and connect with the characters, and to feel what they feel. This book did exactly that, and that kept me hooked.
This book kept me up tonight, because I just couldn't go another day without finishing the book. Not finishing it drove me nuts, because the book was so well written. I mean magic, and when I say magic it actually seems so real. You get a double take from the past so that you don't miss any part of the story. I never once had any confusion with this book. The story was complete in every way. The author made sure you didn't wonder; "well how did this happen?" Which was great, because that means you got every bit of the story that you needed to make sure you aren't missing a thing.
Because of certain violent, and mature situations I would recommend this book to adults.
May 20, 2013
I won this as part of a good reads giveaway.
From the start I was hooked. This is a well written intriguing book and I really enjoyed the plot. It was a nice change to have the vampires as the enemy and with no question to that. This was a light, quick and refreshing read.
I have seen a number of reviews that state this book slowed down towards the middle, but I did not find this. I enjoyed this all the way through. I would certainly recommend this to anyone with an interest of the supernatural. An all round solid piece of literature .
From the start I was hooked. This is a well written intriguing book and I really enjoyed the plot. It was a nice change to have the vampires as the enemy and with no question to that. This was a light, quick and refreshing read.
I have seen a number of reviews that state this book slowed down towards the middle, but I did not find this. I enjoyed this all the way through. I would certainly recommend this to anyone with an interest of the supernatural. An all round solid piece of literature .
February 18, 2013
Been waiting ages for this since discovering Marie's talent on her blog at http://scaryramblings.blogspot.co.uk.
Bonds is absolutely superb.
Bonds is absolutely superb.
February 18, 2013
I couldn't put this book down, it is breathtakingly atmospheric and very well written.
May 29, 2013
This was a really good and intense read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 6, 2018
I enjoyed this vampire tale because unlike the sexy, tortured vampires that have women falling all over them until they meet their soul mate and they have their HEA, this vampire is a monster. Any decency that he may have once possessed is gone and he s evil.
I understand Antony’s anger and why he would have wanted to destroy Isabella and her lovers, but Anna had done nothing to deserve his wrath. She helped his father when he was ill, she warned him about Isabella and tried to keep them apart, but he was determined to have her. She showed her true colors on their wedding day, so he should not have been surprised when she strayed.
The way that others in the village turned against Anna was wrong, if it wasn’t for her they would all have died; not to mention all the time she had helped them when they were ill or when she delivered their children; it wasn’t her fault that her daughter was a whore.
Now, several centuries later Anna curse is about to fail because of the greed of a developer who refuses to listen to the warnings that he is given. His assistant, Becca has started to have strange dreams and the things that are happening to her will make her realize that the stories that she heard as a child are true and that unless she embraces the heritage that she has been running from for over a decade she Antony will kill her because she is one of the last descendents of Isabella and she also looks exactly like her. Other than her looks, Isabella and Becca do not share other traits, but this will not save her from Antony. He’s had plenty of time to plot his revenge as he was locked away over the centuries and he plans to make Becca suffer before he kills her. Will she find the strength and knowledge that she needs to save herself and others before it is too late?
4.75/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
I understand Antony’s anger and why he would have wanted to destroy Isabella and her lovers, but Anna had done nothing to deserve his wrath. She helped his father when he was ill, she warned him about Isabella and tried to keep them apart, but he was determined to have her. She showed her true colors on their wedding day, so he should not have been surprised when she strayed.
The way that others in the village turned against Anna was wrong, if it wasn’t for her they would all have died; not to mention all the time she had helped them when they were ill or when she delivered their children; it wasn’t her fault that her daughter was a whore.
Now, several centuries later Anna curse is about to fail because of the greed of a developer who refuses to listen to the warnings that he is given. His assistant, Becca has started to have strange dreams and the things that are happening to her will make her realize that the stories that she heard as a child are true and that unless she embraces the heritage that she has been running from for over a decade she Antony will kill her because she is one of the last descendents of Isabella and she also looks exactly like her. Other than her looks, Isabella and Becca do not share other traits, but this will not save her from Antony. He’s had plenty of time to plot his revenge as he was locked away over the centuries and he plans to make Becca suffer before he kills her. Will she find the strength and knowledge that she needs to save herself and others before it is too late?
4.75/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
June 28, 2019
I purchased a signed copy of Bonds from Marie-Anne Cope at an author event in October 2018. It was in the run-up to this event I first found out about Marie-Anne Cope and her work.
After reading the blurb for Bonds I decided that I needed to read this series. In November me and my fella headed to Wales for a holiday so I grabbed my signed copy of Bonds and took it with me. I read Bonds in a little over a day! Once I started reading I quickly became hooked.
Bonds is the story of Antony Cardover and Becca Martin.
Becca is living life in denial. Why? Because she is a witch, but Becca has spent many years refusing to accept this. Becca’s grandmother tried explaining her ancestry to her but Becca didn’t want to accept it. So she has spent many years denying her ancestry and living a normal life.
Anthony is a very old part of Becca's family history! Anthony has but one goal to break the curse that was placed on him 400 years ago. And he will stop at nothing to succeed this time!
Bonds is written incredibly well. It shifts effortlessly between Becca’s life now and Anthony’s life 400 years ago. The way the story is told allowed me to build a very clear image in my own mind of the events that will happen in. The way in which the past and the present are explained created a clear understanding of why the characters are the way they are. Anthony’s past explains his behavior both then and now. Becca’s past also gives an insight into why she chose to deny her which ancestry, but now with Anthony on the loose she might have to come to terms with it and finally accepts who and what she really is.
After reading the blurb for Bonds I decided that I needed to read this series. In November me and my fella headed to Wales for a holiday so I grabbed my signed copy of Bonds and took it with me. I read Bonds in a little over a day! Once I started reading I quickly became hooked.
Bonds is the story of Antony Cardover and Becca Martin.
Becca is living life in denial. Why? Because she is a witch, but Becca has spent many years refusing to accept this. Becca’s grandmother tried explaining her ancestry to her but Becca didn’t want to accept it. So she has spent many years denying her ancestry and living a normal life.
Anthony is a very old part of Becca's family history! Anthony has but one goal to break the curse that was placed on him 400 years ago. And he will stop at nothing to succeed this time!
Bonds is written incredibly well. It shifts effortlessly between Becca’s life now and Anthony’s life 400 years ago. The way the story is told allowed me to build a very clear image in my own mind of the events that will happen in. The way in which the past and the present are explained created a clear understanding of why the characters are the way they are. Anthony’s past explains his behavior both then and now. Becca’s past also gives an insight into why she chose to deny her which ancestry, but now with Anthony on the loose she might have to come to terms with it and finally accepts who and what she really is.
April 23, 2016
Becca's world is our world. The town in which Becca lives has grown around the tale of Anna, Isabella and Antony Cardover, everyone knows the story but not many actually believe it any more. Including Becca.
I felt quite sorry for Becca actually, it would seem she didnt really have much in the way of magical instruction before her 16th birthday, and the events of that birthday had her running scared from her craft. And I cant say I blame her. And nothing that came after really prepared her for what she was about to face.
I don't think its possible to read this and not feel sorry for Antony in some way. I know many people would be filled with a similar anger if they had been betrayed in the same way. The curse that came next was hardly something he sought out, he didn't know what would happen. And yes I am aware that once the demon was a part of him he was no longer in control of his actions... but I cant quite bring myself to forgive him his actions. Had he only killed those who 'had wronged him' perhaps then... but he took great pleasure in showing off his new strength. And even with Anna, the woman who he had previously cared greatly for, he took great pleasure in killing her daughter in front of her. So no, I wont be swooning over Antony Cardover any time soon.
I loved the way this story unfolds, taking part in two different centuries and slowly revealing its secrets to us. Right from the blurb this book had my attention and I was hooked from the prologue.
I look forward to reading the next instalments of Becca's story.
I felt quite sorry for Becca actually, it would seem she didnt really have much in the way of magical instruction before her 16th birthday, and the events of that birthday had her running scared from her craft. And I cant say I blame her. And nothing that came after really prepared her for what she was about to face.
I don't think its possible to read this and not feel sorry for Antony in some way. I know many people would be filled with a similar anger if they had been betrayed in the same way. The curse that came next was hardly something he sought out, he didn't know what would happen. And yes I am aware that once the demon was a part of him he was no longer in control of his actions... but I cant quite bring myself to forgive him his actions. Had he only killed those who 'had wronged him' perhaps then... but he took great pleasure in showing off his new strength. And even with Anna, the woman who he had previously cared greatly for, he took great pleasure in killing her daughter in front of her. So no, I wont be swooning over Antony Cardover any time soon.
I loved the way this story unfolds, taking part in two different centuries and slowly revealing its secrets to us. Right from the blurb this book had my attention and I was hooked from the prologue.
I look forward to reading the next instalments of Becca's story.
May 5, 2016
I was lucky enough to be given a copy of Bonds for a honest review and seeing as the Fantasy and Paranormal genre are right up my street I jumped at the at the chance to read it.
Becca is a young woman with a long family history of Wicca/Witches. From a young age her grandmother introduces her to the ways of the Wicca, but Becca doesn't want to except her ancestry. That is, until she has to confront a Vampire called Antony Cardover, who is intent on finishing a job he started four hundred years earlier.
I loved the way the writer sweeps you from present to past and back to present again with ease throughout the book, the characters are believable and likeable, you feel their pain and suffering in terrifying situations.
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it, fast paced and on the edge of your seat, definitely keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next.
It may be slightly predicable but for me, it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book in anyway at all.
Becca is a young woman with a long family history of Wicca/Witches. From a young age her grandmother introduces her to the ways of the Wicca, but Becca doesn't want to except her ancestry. That is, until she has to confront a Vampire called Antony Cardover, who is intent on finishing a job he started four hundred years earlier.
I loved the way the writer sweeps you from present to past and back to present again with ease throughout the book, the characters are believable and likeable, you feel their pain and suffering in terrifying situations.
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it, fast paced and on the edge of your seat, definitely keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next.
It may be slightly predicable but for me, it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book in anyway at all.
January 18, 2017
Bonds by Marie Anne Cope is a visceral, fast-paced tale of ancient wrongs and present dangers. Making use of motifs familiar to readers of vampire literature, Cope’s skill is in weaving a story that starts four hundred years ago and lands - ground-shakingly - in the here and now. Using short, episodic chapters and allowing the cast of characters to speak for themselves, the pace and tension gather momentum towards a thrilling ending. At the centre of the story is Becca, a thoroughly modern girl living in a world of battered Fiestas and coffee makers. Working on a project for her impatient boss, she is thrown into the arms of a troubled soul with a long, long history. Their encounters are violent, occasionally bordering on the erotic; the promise she makes to him is possibly not one you would expect. The story starts big and just goes on getting bigger and bigger.
July 12, 2018
From the very start I found myself pulled in to the story flowing through this book. Marie has produced an array of likeable and realistic characters in her story telling. Once I started to read it I found it very difficult to put it down. A great read by a new and interesting author. I look forward to reading the next one soon.
January 6, 2014
Superb book author will happily accept feedback on the book
January 18, 2018
I liked Becca, she as believable and the story is strong. It would convert well to film as a classic vampire movie.
June 16, 2022
The book starts with Antony killing his wife in front of her mother, Anna (a witch) seeking the ultimate revenge a year after discovering that Isabella was unfaithful to him. But Antony isn’t a normal man. He was cursed by a warlock and turned into a vampire. His curse will only be lifted once he kills Isabella and all of her descendants. In order to stop Antony’s rampage Anna entombs Antony in a sarcophagus and he is buried in the grounds of a church. Fast forward 400 years and Becca is currently working on an excavation at St Martin’s Church. When she crosses the threshold into the cemetery Antony is woken. With Antony awake, Becca finds she is haunted by him. She has nightmares that leave physical manifestations on her like puncture marks on her neck and bruises to her skin which is quickly followed by what can only be described as day dreams that are real. As it transpires Becca is a descendant of Isabella and Antony now has a new target. Will he be successful in his plan to free himself from his tomb and lift the curse even if that is at the expense of Becca’s life?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It kept me guessing and there was definitely that eerie feeling especially when Antony appeared either in Becca’s nightmares or in her daydreams. That scene when Becca stepped into the grounds of St Martin’s Church it was clear that Becca sensed something and felt like she’d been there before. There’s something that connects Antony and Becca and this is explored in the book but I think there’s more to their connection than history. The story goes backwards and forwards in time and switches between Becca and Antony’s narrative so the reader has an insight into what happened in the past and what each character is thinking and feeling.
Becca as a character was quite interesting. She’s from a line of witches but she ran away from her heritage at a young age. Since then she’s been living a life where she pretends her heritage doesn’t exist until she inadvertently awakens Antony. But in order to defeat Antony she has to come to terms with who she truly is, the fact that she’s a witch and embrace who she is. As for Antony yes he isn’t a particularly nice man. He’s a vampire, a monster and he’s out for vengeance. However, saying that his origin story was quite interesting especially his relationship with Isabella who craved attention and being faithful to Antony wasn’t her top priority. His interaction with the warlock was also intriguing and how he became a vampire because it’s not what I was expecting. I’m also really interested to learn more about the warlock because I’ve got an inkling that he’s going to play quite a big part in the rest of the series.
The book did end on quite a nice note. However, this is the first book in the series and the words ‘to be continued’ were featured at the end which was intriguing. There was a preview of what is to come in the second book and I am truly excited to find out what happens next in Antony and Becca’s world. I think I might have just found my newest favourite supernatural series.
A book I would describe as a cross between horror, paranormal fantasy with a dark theme and a hint of historical fiction. If you like paranormal dark fantasy books with witches and vampires this is the book you need to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It kept me guessing and there was definitely that eerie feeling especially when Antony appeared either in Becca’s nightmares or in her daydreams. That scene when Becca stepped into the grounds of St Martin’s Church it was clear that Becca sensed something and felt like she’d been there before. There’s something that connects Antony and Becca and this is explored in the book but I think there’s more to their connection than history. The story goes backwards and forwards in time and switches between Becca and Antony’s narrative so the reader has an insight into what happened in the past and what each character is thinking and feeling.
Becca as a character was quite interesting. She’s from a line of witches but she ran away from her heritage at a young age. Since then she’s been living a life where she pretends her heritage doesn’t exist until she inadvertently awakens Antony. But in order to defeat Antony she has to come to terms with who she truly is, the fact that she’s a witch and embrace who she is. As for Antony yes he isn’t a particularly nice man. He’s a vampire, a monster and he’s out for vengeance. However, saying that his origin story was quite interesting especially his relationship with Isabella who craved attention and being faithful to Antony wasn’t her top priority. His interaction with the warlock was also intriguing and how he became a vampire because it’s not what I was expecting. I’m also really interested to learn more about the warlock because I’ve got an inkling that he’s going to play quite a big part in the rest of the series.
The book did end on quite a nice note. However, this is the first book in the series and the words ‘to be continued’ were featured at the end which was intriguing. There was a preview of what is to come in the second book and I am truly excited to find out what happens next in Antony and Becca’s world. I think I might have just found my newest favourite supernatural series.
A book I would describe as a cross between horror, paranormal fantasy with a dark theme and a hint of historical fiction. If you like paranormal dark fantasy books with witches and vampires this is the book you need to read.
June 19, 2022
My Thoughts: I had no idea what to expect from this book, kinda felt like it would be your typical vampire/witchy story, think vampire diaries crossed with charmed.. apparently my idea is stuck in the ‘fluffy, teen drama” of the supernatural and I couldn’t have been more wrong!
Rebecca Martin Is hearing voices & having dreams that end with her waking up with bruises and marks that shouldn’t be there.. could the stories she was told on her 16th birthday be true?
This is the kind of book that is easy to get lost in because it’s not ‘real life’ but dark and twisty enough to make you look over your shoulder at the littlest noise. Let me tell you that reading this in the garden on a windy day is not a good idea 🤦🏻♀️😂
Antony is a thing of nightmares and Dick definitely lives up to his name!
The story was told in 2 time lines and I’ll be honest the one from 400 years ago definitely sucked me in more, but I think that’s just because I wanted to know how we got to the events that are happening in the current day.
I can’t wait to see where the series goes next, it’s been a while since I’ve dived into the supernatural/fantasy genre and this has just reminded me how much I love it!
Rebecca Martin Is hearing voices & having dreams that end with her waking up with bruises and marks that shouldn’t be there.. could the stories she was told on her 16th birthday be true?
This is the kind of book that is easy to get lost in because it’s not ‘real life’ but dark and twisty enough to make you look over your shoulder at the littlest noise. Let me tell you that reading this in the garden on a windy day is not a good idea 🤦🏻♀️😂
Antony is a thing of nightmares and Dick definitely lives up to his name!
The story was told in 2 time lines and I’ll be honest the one from 400 years ago definitely sucked me in more, but I think that’s just because I wanted to know how we got to the events that are happening in the current day.
I can’t wait to see where the series goes next, it’s been a while since I’ve dived into the supernatural/fantasy genre and this has just reminded me how much I love it!
June 13, 2022
This was such an easy read. Although it is an adult novel the pace and feel of it reminded me of some of the retro YA horror novels I enjoyed from the 90s, which isn't a bad thing at all. In fact I think that's what really got me more intrigued as I'm on a bit of a #pointhorror kick at the moment.
Set in a modern time period, but with scenes in the past, we follow a tale full of witchcraft and curses, magic spells and vampirism.
I wasn't sure what to expect but it was such a gripping read. I found I kept reading one more chapter and then one more, and as a result finished very quickly.
If you enjoy stories that feature vampires as darker creatures and not just love interests then this might be one you'd like to consider trying.
It's the first in a series and I will definitely read the others in the future.
Set in a modern time period, but with scenes in the past, we follow a tale full of witchcraft and curses, magic spells and vampirism.
I wasn't sure what to expect but it was such a gripping read. I found I kept reading one more chapter and then one more, and as a result finished very quickly.
If you enjoy stories that feature vampires as darker creatures and not just love interests then this might be one you'd like to consider trying.
It's the first in a series and I will definitely read the others in the future.
June 19, 2022
This is the first of Marie Anne's books I've read. It's not the genre of book I'd normally read. This sounded different from the normal vampire books, and it was, a lot different.
It's set in modern times, which is unusual in itself. Its dark, very dark and brutal.
Marie Anne has crafted some very real, believable characters. You are almost within the pages living the story alongside Becky and Antony.
The book switches back in time and you learn about Isabella and her role in the whole thing, quite a vital one too.
I was absolutely gripped by this, it had a one more chapter style, that led to finishing the book in almost record time.
The writing style is very visual and I would absolutely love to see this on the screen, it would be a wonderful modern take on the many vampire films that have come before.
It's set in modern times, which is unusual in itself. Its dark, very dark and brutal.
Marie Anne has crafted some very real, believable characters. You are almost within the pages living the story alongside Becky and Antony.
The book switches back in time and you learn about Isabella and her role in the whole thing, quite a vital one too.
I was absolutely gripped by this, it had a one more chapter style, that led to finishing the book in almost record time.
The writing style is very visual and I would absolutely love to see this on the screen, it would be a wonderful modern take on the many vampire films that have come before.
November 24, 2016
I enjoyed this book, having never read a vampire genre before, it was refreshing to see the 'baddie' had a back story which made me feel a little sorry for him!
What this book needs is editing. The word 'had' is overly used and doesn't need to be once past is established. One chapter was impossible to read and I flicked forward, feeling frustrated, but got back into the story once I edited it as I read through, using the correct words.
That said, I loved the cover, really drew me in. I did enjoy the characters and was able to see them clearly, to a point! Having seen the next book's cover in the series, I did not envisage the 'baddie' having stubble!!
The author can weave a story, and I'm glad to have read her debut novel.
What this book needs is editing. The word 'had' is overly used and doesn't need to be once past is established. One chapter was impossible to read and I flicked forward, feeling frustrated, but got back into the story once I edited it as I read through, using the correct words.
That said, I loved the cover, really drew me in. I did enjoy the characters and was able to see them clearly, to a point! Having seen the next book's cover in the series, I did not envisage the 'baddie' having stubble!!
The author can weave a story, and I'm glad to have read her debut novel.
June 17, 2022
From the first page this story had me gripped as I was pulled straight into Antony’s life and his thirst for revenge. Although what he did was horrific I felt so much sympathy for him as I read more about his life and I could kind of understand why he did it. His haunting of Becca is brilliantly written as she struggles to cope with what she’s learnt and what she needs to do. I found DI Jakes to also be a compelling character and with Marie’s description I found I could very easily picture him in my mind.
I found Marie’s writing to be compulsive reading and as the tension ramped up I could barely turn the pages quickly enough. Bonds is the first in this series but after reading this first book Marie has put me under her spell and I will definitely be reading the others.
I found Marie’s writing to be compulsive reading and as the tension ramped up I could barely turn the pages quickly enough. Bonds is the first in this series but after reading this first book Marie has put me under her spell and I will definitely be reading the others.
October 16, 2022
Yes, yes, yes! Give me more! I have found my next vampire obsession! 😁 So long Edward Cullen, so long Salvatore brothers, even so long the original and best Dracula... 😱 Antony Cardova is here and he is dark, alluring and murderous!
This is a wonderfully addictive read with short chapters that trap you in the "one more chapter" cycle for far too long. I also love how the history within the story about what happened 400 years ago is told. At no point did I feel like I was away from the action. This book is gripping and suspenseful in all the right ways.
I won my copy of Bonds, but I have bought my copy of Broken Bonds (Book 2) already as I am desperate to continue this story.
This is a wonderfully addictive read with short chapters that trap you in the "one more chapter" cycle for far too long. I also love how the history within the story about what happened 400 years ago is told. At no point did I feel like I was away from the action. This book is gripping and suspenseful in all the right ways.
I won my copy of Bonds, but I have bought my copy of Broken Bonds (Book 2) already as I am desperate to continue this story.
April 7, 2019
A clever concept and an intriguing story. Found in some places the story dipped but I persevered and found the last third of the book a lot more gripping and interesting. The diaries of Carla are where the story for me picked up and started to draw me in. Not a bad book and am interested to see how the next one continues.
February 20, 2025
Loved it!
No this Vampire doesn’t sparkle. The characters don’t have insta-love and it’s refreshing. What you do get is a centuries old story of betrayal, a MMC who is unapologetically hell-bent on revenge and a strong MFC who is torn between fighting her destiny and accepting it. On to book two hoping it’s just as good!
No this Vampire doesn’t sparkle. The characters don’t have insta-love and it’s refreshing. What you do get is a centuries old story of betrayal, a MMC who is unapologetically hell-bent on revenge and a strong MFC who is torn between fighting her destiny and accepting it. On to book two hoping it’s just as good!
July 6, 2022
Bonds by Marie Anne Cope.
Bonds Series Book 1.
A four-century-old secret. A vampire curse.
Can she uncover the truth about her family before it destroys her?
A brilliant read. Great story and characters. I liked Becca but wasn't sure about Anthony. 5*.
Bonds Series Book 1.
A four-century-old secret. A vampire curse.
Can she uncover the truth about her family before it destroys her?
A brilliant read. Great story and characters. I liked Becca but wasn't sure about Anthony. 5*.
July 1, 2019
Great!
I really enjoyed the story and the characters involved. The back story and changing points of view were easy to follow.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters involved. The back story and changing points of view were easy to follow.
Want to read
January 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/14/2022)! 🎁
April 24, 2022
Loved this book lots of good twists and turns
May 7, 2022
This is the first book overseas by this author but I really enjoyed it. The history, the paranormal, and how they connected to the present story. I'll definitely be moving onto book 2.
December 30, 2022
Sacrificed a kitten. Ugh.
December 29, 2024
So far so good. Now reading book 2.
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