Blood Moon Bound

Blood Moon Brides #1

by Sherilee Gray

Shut away since childhood by her cruel parents, Delphine longed for the day her mate—a powerful vampire warrior and mysterious member of The Five—would save her from an agonizingly lonely existence. But with their identities kept secret, she never imagined he'd be the Five's brutal and battle-scarred commander.

Over the centuries just one thing has kept Constantine sane: dreams of the sweet female destined to be his and a life after war without pain or bloodshed. Every part of him hungers for Delphine, yet when he learns who her stepfather is—the male he's vowed to destroy—he knows he must give her up.

But keeping his innocent bride at arm's length won't be easy—especially when Delphine ignores the battle lines completely and launches a ruthless campaign to win his heart...

Author Note: Please check inside the book or on the authors website for CWs.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Romantasy

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2023

About the author

Sherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand with her husband and their two children. When she isn't writing sexy contemporary and paranormal romance, searching for her next alpha hero on Pinterest, or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other.

Sign up for Sherilee's newsletter for updates and giveaways: http://www.sherileegray.com/contactne...

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon Bound is book one in the brand new series, Blood Moon Brides, by Sherilee Gray. WOW, WOW, WOW!! This book is amazing! I fell instantly in love with this new world Sherilee has created and I could not put this book down!!!

Constantine Caputo has lived a life filled with war, with blood and pain. Constantine is the Commander of The Five. A group of warriors, the most ruthless, terrifying and brutal of vampires. He was home in Roxburgh when he first felt it, the pull, like a magnet, he was drawn to her. His mate. She was too young but he would wait until she was twenty one. Then she would be his.



Constantine was a brutal warrior. His future mate was an innocent who had been kept completely sheltered from the world once his intentions were made known. But during those years while he waited, Constantine realized the step father of his future bride was his mortal enemy. How can he mate with his Delphine when his priority is to end her father? He will have to choose, his mate or his revenge.

Delphine Albertan has been a literal prisoner in her own home her entire life due to her cruel step father. Now her new life is within her grasp, a chance to be free, to be loved. Only the mate that has chosen her doesn’t seem to want her. Can she win him, convince him he needs her as much as she needs him?



This book was amazing and I instantly fell into this new world Sherilee has created. Delphine was so innocent, so sheltered. But she also was so brave and had an iron will. She was falling for her new mate and would do everything in her power to make him fall for her as well. I adored the way she taught herself about romance! Commander of the five most ruthless vampires in existence? Most feared being of their race? He didn’t stand a chance!

This book was sweet, so sexy, even humorous, but at the same time dark and menacing. Constantine was dark, broody, scary even, but also possessive and definitely had a soft spot for his new mate. Now I’m on the edge of my seat, waiting to see which of the five will be next!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent vampire romance!!!!!
Blood Moon Bound was a tantalizing introduction to Sherilee Gray's new vampire series and it was fucking amazing!!! And this cover is eye catching and hot as hell !!!! When it comes to vampire romances I'd like to think I'm a expert!!! I've read so many!!! So when I say you have to read this one,I'm not kidding!! These vampire warriors aren't for the faint of heart! The five brothers in arms are all unique and each will get their story! But first up is Constantine and Delphine's story and its full of passion,angst and some really hot vampire sex!!! Constantine is the commander of some of the oldest and most deadly vampires and they have protected and fought the fae for a very long time with the only promise of having mates of their own someday. The fae and the vampires wars are finally over so now all five can pick their mates.Each warrior has picked his mate and on their chosen's 21st birthday under the blood moon they will claim and mate. Constantine is a cold and scarred hardened warrior who is out for revenge and he will finally make Douglas pay for killing a woman who he cared about and even though Delphine is his bride he will use her to extract his revenge but what he doesn't count on is falling in love with his beautiful and very innocent bride. Delphine and Constantine couldn't be more different but theirs a magic in their chemistry from the beginning and while the physical attraction is instant and the interaction hot, its all one-sided with Constantine trying to control his hungry and although he feeds and brings pleasure to his wife he withholds totally bonding with her.
But once she starts asking questions about taking and bonding its over for this hard edged warrior and he can no longer fight the hunger and it gets hot as fuck!!! I can't wait for more of this series!!! And the next book is Nero and Mina's book!!! Nero is the oldest and it was hinted that he has some darker tastes!!!! Sign me the fuck up!!! Fanged, tattooed scarred warriors are right up my alley.
Until next time Luv's😉💋

[T.P.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by Sherilee Gray and I loved every second of it. This vampire romance is done wonderfully as we encounter Constantine, an exquisite warrior, who has lead numerous battles against the fae with the sole promise of finding his fated mated at some point. When the time comes, Delphine enters his life and becomes his bonded.

The FMC here has been quite sheltered and she has no idea what is expected of her when it comes to this bond. She was sweet, innocent and very naive. Usually I am not a huge fan of such main heroines, but she was an absolute gem as she was brutally honest with her bonded and her questions were very direct. Despite Constantine's reluctance and determination not to open his heart, the young lady manages to shred all the barriers and what grows between them is tender, genuine and very heart warming.

I really enjoyed this story as it did have quite a few elements that did mash quite well. There were times when I laughed as Constantine's reaction to some of Delphine's questions and actions was simply hilarious. At the same time, this story touches upon darker elements such as being kept in a gilded cage and lacking normal communication and tenderness from others. Incredibly well crafted love story and I am glad that each member of the Five will get their own story, so I am off to the next one.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!!! This book is literally EVERYTHING I crave! I struggle to even find the words how much I loved this story so much.





Constantine is the commander of warriors who have fought a long and hard war. He has always kept his eyes on his promised prize. Delphine. I loved that his reaction to her was the fast and furious swelling of want, desire and need. While he battled against his own internal conflict, he never wamted his issue with her father to affect his actions with her in a hurtful way.





Delphine was young in experience but more than willing to learn anything Constantine wanted to teach her. And if he wasn’t going to do it, she’d teach herself. I loved her innocence, her natural naivete and the way that her simple curiosity brought him to his knees.





This couple lights up the pages and yet retains its feeling of sweet innocence. There is a dark edge of danger as well and all of it together pulled me into this new and amazing world. I didn’t want it to end and I’m anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

Dual POV
Safe h a virgin; H not a manwhore; no om drama; ow does not cause drama but something that happened to her affects the H and his decisions - he had feelings for her but she was not the love of his life
Triggers parental emotional neglect

[Lori R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was fanfuckingtastic. It was vampirely delicious. It WOWed me in all the ways.

I am so in love with this author’s writing. This first book in a new series is so ridiculously and insanely good. The prologue alone was enough to tantalize and get my heart beating faster with anticipation.
 
Delphine and Constantine together were PURE. FIRE. I was so pleasantly surprised by how MF sexy a scene could be without sex. MY. GAWD. Zings in my things and tingles galore.

Constantine is powerful, fierce, hugely protective, a warrior. And you’d never guess by looking at him, but he’s also kind and caring underneath all those muscles and tattoos and scars. The way Delphine (Del) chipped away so sweetly and innocently at the stone and ice that surrounded his non-beating heart was utterly beautiful. The passion…holy hell, their passion LIT UP the pages with fiery and intoxicating deliciousness.

And I must mention the growls, the snarls, the stares…*big huge heart eyes*…yes. please. Those were very tasty. So much hotness with Constantine teaching and showing Del all the things she’s never experienced. And her eagerness to learn was adorable. While these two were sexy AF together, they were also cute and sweet and I couldn’t help but fall hard for them.

With each turn of the page, I eagerly awaited another scene that made me grip my kindle tighter and rocked my socks off. I’m happy to say I got those scenes and more, lots more. I devoured this book with wild abandon. It was SO GOOD. Intense, heart-pounding goodness from the first page to the last.

This story gave me EVERYTHING. It especially gave me the craving and need for the next book. What a yummy little tease at the end. Cannot wait!!

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was bummed out it was a short read but I’ve read good stuff from this author so I figured she would make it worth it.

Unfortunately, when the theme of the story is based on revenge for another woman, I have an issue. Mind you, this is a woman he slept with, shared things with. She was killed by the h’s stepfather.

This excerpt at 70% (Samara is the OW):


“Samara deserved retribution for what Albertan did, and she would get it. I hadn’t been able to give her everything she wanted from me; I’d left when she’d asked me not to, choosing war and death over her time and again. I’d driven her to seek refuge in that sadistic fucker’s dungeon.
Samara was dead because of me. I couldn’t let myself forget that. I didn’t deserve peace or happiness.”


Anyway, the h is very sheltered and naive. I prefer my heroines to be a little more badass. Especially at 80% and I’m afraid that it’s coming to an end at any time.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I get into the review, I would just like to thank the author for this ARC in exchange for a honest review!

Trigger warnings? Nope!
The FMC was abused and emotionally neglected by her Mother and her Step Father.

Safety?
FMC is a virgin. She is also innocent to the extreme, as in when she gets aroused for the first time she feels embarrassed because she got so wet. She was kept untouched for the MMC.
MMC is not a virgin. Has been with a OW since meeting the FMC.
There are two OW in the story.
The first OW is a person that the MMC was “platonically” with for years, they seen other people and were not monogamous but they were definitely something. MMC did not tell the OW1 about the FMC at first, and she had to find out on her own. After that she started acting weird (she had feelings for the MMC) and distanced herself from him. She fell in with the wrong crowd, and then was murdered by the FMC’s Step Father. After the first time the FMC feeds from the MMC, he thinks about how he wants the OW1 back and how she was perfect for him. He compares the FMC and OW1.
OW2 was a misunderstanding.

My thoughts?
The first book I read by Sherilee Gray was A Curse of Darkness, which is the first book in The Thornheart Trials series.
So when I went into this book, knowing it was set in the same universe, I expected something similar but it was not.
This book focused more on the relationship itself, and the complications that came along with it. The FMC was not treated like an adult, because she was not taught how to live life. She has no knowledge of her own body. She had no idea how to cook, to the point that she tries baking cupcakes for the MMC and she burns her hand trying to take the pan out. She did not even think to grab an oven-mitt to protect her own hand. She was also lead into the mating completely blind, with no knowledge of what would happen. She was already shielded from a young age, but it became much more intense once she was claimed by her mate (the MMC).
The MMC is a war-hardened commander. He has had plenty of past partners and has lived a life full of violence. There was the definite trope of “super innocent FMC x jaded MMC” and it came out in different parts of the book. He was so determined to respect the memory of OW1 that he resisted mating with the FMC. He was so sure that she was no good for him, that he (imo) neglected her emotionally. Which (for me) was painful to read about. She was so sacred yet eager for his affection that when he held back it hurt her feelings.
It was also the fact that the FMC’s experience of her “learning about her body” was throughout a spicy romance novel. While I thought it was a good touch because that is how some romance readers learn their own bodies, I would have absolutely adored scenes of the FMC being educated on how to enjoy life(and her body). Playing board games. Baking. Cooking. Shopping for clothes she feels comfortable in (all of her clothes were packed by her Mother). A scene of her own body being explained to her without sex being involved. Anything to further her out of the innocent mindset she was forced into.
Then the FMC is left in the dark again. She sees the MMC with OW2 and he’s being affectionate with her physically, and then they just leave in a car together. This then leads to the FMC being left with only staff who tell her nothing for three whole weeks. Even when she gets to talk to the MMC and she’s asks about the OW2, he basically ends the conversation and hangs up.
So needless to say, the conflict in the story was definitely caused by lack of communication during these events.
However, even with the details that I wasn’t jazzed about I still really enjoyed the story. Sherilee Gray can wove together a romance that has me not wanting it to end. The epilogue was so sweet, and if she ever writes a bonus scene of the MMC and FMC’s future together (first holiday? first birthday?) I will definitely be signing up to get it.

[Mikky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger/Content Warnings: Off-page torture and mentions of what was done, blood play and bloodletting, also the heroine lowkey touches the hero intimately while he's asleep which gives off rape-y vibes

I know this book will not be for everyone but it was a fantastic read for me! The naive and sheltered heroine with the all-powerful mate who is reluctant to be with her *for reasons* but will burn worlds for her is just *chef's kiss*

This is the vampire paranormal romance I want to read, always. The sassy, mouthy, and defiant heroines are great too but this is my bread and butter. I don't know what that says about me but I love it!

Even though I adored this book it wasn't without criticisms. Delphine (the naive and sheltered heroine) definitely only existed to give Constantine a reason to exist in this story. Her life revolves around him. She has no hobbies or friends that don't intersect in some way with him and his world directly. She's so desperate for friends that she'll wholeheartedly trust in his employees and Constantine makes it so easy for those same employees to deceive her. She's so naive that she can't differentiate between an employee who comes off a little too strong from the beginning and an actual person who wants to be friends with her. Which considering how much abuse she's gone through it's weird how trusting she is of everyone right off that bat.

Constantine was so used to being on his own and dealing with his own sh*t that he doesn't know when to include Delphine in decisions or plans. It eventually ends up putting her in danger because he can't bother to trust her. I'm glad he learned his lesson but she didn't need to pay the price for that.

I could have done without that epilogue and the third act break up. I truly think it's just a me ick but I dislike the epilogue where the war soldier who has spent a century fighting on the front lines is shown to have settled into domestic life without any issues and has a kid and because of that everything is perfectly fine. I have a hard time believing that reality but ok, you do you I guess.

I'm intrigued enough about this world the author created to try out the next book. Judging by the synopsis it seems to have gone in a very different direction than this one. Hopefully, it's something I end up loving too!

P.S. The covers for this series so far are SO DAMN DREAMY!

[Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

Tropes : vampires, mates, possessive H-virgin h
Ending : HEA (set 3 years later with a baby girl)
Triggers : violence, blood, attempted sexual assault
Spice : 🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OW OM (OM was H’s worker that was actually working for the bad guy, he and the h just danced together tho so no cheating here)
Kink: blood play, oral

Hero : Constantine (100s)
Heroine: Delphine (18)

The one thing that I dislike from this book is how the H kept mentioning his dead ex-lover. 50% of the reason why he claimed the h was bcs she was the step daughter of the OW’s killer.

Yes he wasn’t in love with the OW and they were pure physical back when she was still alive, but he kept mentioning her throughout the book and it wasn’t cute at all.

Other than that I like the h, she was the typical super naive and innocent h. She was cute in her cluelessness.

Overall an okay book.

[Michelle S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeeeeeeeeeee
I was so lucky to land an ARC of the first book in Sherilee’s new series Blood Moon Brides! This story is a long novella and I couldn’t put it down. Read it in one sitting it was so good!!! The story allows us a look in Sherilee’s expanded world to involve the vampires that have popped up in her other novel series. And I am so on board! Delphine played a great role in her naivety and showed a great progression in her strength and character development despite its short length. I loved how Constantine was able to evolve giving us internal dialogue to show his effort and eventual ability to express his true emotions to our heroine…ugh chef’s kiss. I just wish it was longer and had more plot but who could give up that HEA! Thankfully we even got a blurb of the second installment in this series to wet our pallet for what Sherilee will give us next!!! 😉 And ummmm hello when did this magical world of her creation include fae???? I can’t wait to read what she had for us next!!!

[Mateja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having previously read The Thornheart Trials (which is one of my fav series), this felt slightly different. The whole vampire world felt very mysterious and exciting and I found myself desperately wanting to know more about "The Five".

Delphine and Constantine were a sweet couple. It was fun to watch Delphine unintentionally being suggestive and Constantine barely holding onto his control. 🤣
However, I think Delphine was too innocent at times which felt unnatural, although I do understand she's been sheltered most of her life. I would have loved to see Delphine grow out of that innocence into more confident and self assured woman.

Overall, it was another great read from Sherilee and I honestly cannot wait for Nero and Mina's story.

A big thank you to Sherilee Gray for this ARC ❤️

[Vashti · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC...Wow!!!

[Севдалина · Rating 4 out of 5]

Константин и Делфин

📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣

Авторката ни отвежда в един вампирски свят, по-различен от всички които познаваме. Щом навърши 16 години, всяко вампирско момиче започва да излъчва силна енергия, която да привлече тяхната половинка. В мига щом усети половинката си, мъжкия вампир трябва да се срещне със семейството й и да предяви своите претенции. След това в продължение на 5 години мъжа и момичето могат да се срещат и опознават, преди да станат кръвни половинки в навечерието на кървавата луна, когато навършват 21 години. Единствените, които не следват този ред на нещата са "Петимата" войни, воюващи срещу Фае и пазещи вампирското общество от стотици години. Древни безмилостни воини, чиято самоличност никой не можа да знае... докато и петимата не трябва да се явят на церемонията на кървавата луна, за да предявят претенции върху половинката си.

Делфин живее с безразличната си майка и жестокия си садистичен доведен баща Дъглас. Дъглас иска едно от Делфин, да я омъжи за заможен вампир и да се радва на благата, парите и позицията, които ще донесе подобен съюз. Фактът, че съдбата е избрала за нейна половинка един от "Петимата" прави Дъглас неимоверно щастлив... докато не разбира, че точно половинката на Делфин е мъжа заклел се да го унищожи.

За Делфин появата на половинката й значи да избяга от ада в който е живяла, от страха, забраните, заплахите. Значи да има дом, семейство и поне един човек, който да го е грижа за нея. В лицето на своята половинка тя не вижда древен вампир покрит с белези от безбройните битки, не вижда звяра под маската на цивилизован мъж. Тя вижда само някой, който би моглада обича, и ще направи всичко по силите си, за да намерят щастието заедно.

Константин е водачът на "Петимата". В мига в който открива своята половинка той не иска нищо друго освен да я закриля и пази. Когато обаче, много близка негова приятелка бива убита, той се заклева да отмъсти на злодея отнел живота й. Щим се оказва, че това е именно Дъглас, доведения баща на неговата половинка, Константин е готов да жертва щастието, което една половинка носи, за да отмъсти. Той вярва, че Делфин обича доведения си баща и тъй като е решен на всичко да убие Дъглас, той се опитва всячески да държи Делфин на ръка разстояние. Но докато опитва да пази половинката си от постоянните атаки на наемни убийци, той все повече и повече се привързва към Делфин.

Това за мен е първа книга от тази авторка. Тярбва да призная през голяма част от времето се чувствах леко объркана, тъй като не получаваме много информация за този нов вампорски свят, в който авторката ни въвежда. Но едва след като изчетох авторовата бележка на края на книгата, осъзнах, че това е не��о като спин офф поредица на друга поредица на авторката. Света в който ни отвежда с тази книга ми напомня доста на Братството на черния кинжал. Група закоравели воини, които водят битка с врага, за да защитят расата си. Те са мит, нещо страховито за което се говори шепнешком. И петимата обаче намират своята половинка едновременно. Тази книга е първа от поредицата. И имайки предвид, че имаме 5ма воини, следва да очакваме още 4 книги, в които действието се развива паралелно с това в тази книга. Хареса ми цялостната идея на книгата. Много ми хареса колко Алфа е главния, но това, че криеше всичко от главната за "да я предпази" е малко изтъркано и доведе до куп проблеми. А Делфин ми дойде с една идея прекалено наивна, но не беше голям проблем. Само дето тоя Джон я лъготеше така яко и тя не се осети. Но като цяло ще чакам следеащата книга от поредицата.

[Rosemary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was like a mafia romance, but with vampires instead. The FMC is 21, but has been isolated and practically imprisoned in her home, from the time she was 16. Her personality is trauma. She also legit has inner monologue and emotional intelligence of a 10 year old. I'm not joking. She knows nothing about her body and sex. She's all "why am I wet, I can't touch my secret place". His personality was "me warrior big and strong and revenge". He swung wildly from hot to cold. He also didn't communicate with her AT ALL. Then comes to her rescue, with the "I love you"s . This was juvenile and I won't be continuing. I've liked other things from this author, so I'm surprised. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm too jaded for 18-22 year old virgins who are TSTL. I've had a string of those, so maybe I've reached my limit. YMMV

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean.. this cover though.

Quick and enjoyable read. The FMC was beyond naive about quite a lot of things (understandably) but she was honest and straightforward so I appreciated that. I very much wish this was longer as things got resolved quite quickly and with the brief intro we got of the other Five, I am intrigued. Despite it being a fated mate trope and low page count, the resistance and turmoil between Constantine and Delphine didn't make it feel like an insta-love which I really liked. I look forward to Nero and Mina's story.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a steamy, action packed, emotional, immersive experience. I can’t wait for the next book!
Vampires ☑️
Fated Mates☑️
Chemistry ☑️
Action ☑️
Hot Sex☑️
The Vault from The Thronheart Trials (Nero) ☑️
Set up for a wild ride ☑️
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review.

[Ash P Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowza! Sherilee does it again. More broody heroes with dark pasts and the one female in the world fated for them. Delphine’s innocence is the perfect antidote to Constantine’s jaded personality. He’s world weary and her honesty (he literally asked for it) breaks down all the barriers he’s put up over the centuries. Of course his plans to keep her safe are bound to blow up because he’s too occupied with himself and fails to understand what she needs from him (hey he should have been honest with her too). But yep this series is going to spawn a serious set of die hard fans.

Advance Review Copy provided for voluntary review consideration.

[Lilouae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miscommunication trope the whooooole book, and insipid characters.
I finished it though.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

So, that was certainly something.

I'll be the first to admit that while yes, I am a fan of SG's work, this particular book was a bit meh for me. Maybe more than a bit tbh. It also stepped all over my cringe nerve. 😬

While I did enjoy the overall plot and general story I can assume is being told throughout this series. This book felt more like smut surrounded by some other off page events we never actually see. It was certainly no where near the fleshed out type of quality I've come to expect from SG so I'll I admit I was a little surprised.

**Spoilers ahead!**

Now, tbh this book was mostly fine until a few things occured and basically tossed what little enjoyment I had out the door.

1. The MMC Constantine calling the FMC Delphine "little one" 🙄🫩 and while I totally get that Constantine was some ancient powerful vampire warrior...I also found it ick. Just ruined everything the further I got into the story. Particularly because of Delphine and her situation.

2. Delphine. I had no opinion of her for much of the book tbh. And then I was rolling my eyes and cringing and just no. Yes, I absolutely understand that she was severely sheltered and intentionally left ignorant of so many many things about life. But her behavior and thoughts were off-putting to say the least. Because, I'll be honest, homegirl might have been twenty-one but she had the emotional maturity of a twelve-fourteen year old. Her emotions were absolutely all over the place. Extreme highs and extreme lows and jumping to conclusions and spiraling over the smallest thing. The desperation that drove her to never be alone again or to feel wanted was overwhelming much of the time.

The author tried to write her as this innocent naive young woman who, with her first taste of freedom, blossoms and gains confidence. Constantine especially helped nurture her growing confidence as well. But it was wasted on the fact this chicks naivety and innocence that Constantine liked to wax poetic about since apparently it was catnip to a vamp like him was so extreme it ruined everything.

I'm talking about the fact Delphine was so sheltered and restricted she had no fucking clue what mating meant. What it entailed. She had not a single notion about her own fucking body either. She about ran away in mortification because she became wet and orgasmed when she first fed from Constantine. She never touched herself because it wasn't allowed. She didn't know what to call her own body parts or his. She didn't even know what sex was or that it was the final step in finalizing the mate bond!

It was awful. I was mad on her behalf because it was by design she was left this clueless about literally everything. But the worst was the fact you have Constantine basically teaching her everything from the ground up. And all the while calling her "little one" left and right which only fed even more into the image that this ancient vampire just mated a child bride imo regardless of her physical age.

So to say I didn't enjoy the smut or blood play is an understatement tbh.

I could not see Delphine any other way. I couldn't. The power dynamic between the two couldn't be bridged it was so bad. Delphine literally had no power. And she had no idea how to do anything or even how to feel about anything either that she just felt like a needy, high strung, bubbly and immature blank slate.

3. Despite all that the fact we spend almost the entire book listening to Constantine repeatedly say he isn't going to mate Delphine was so frustrating. I mean he completed the blood bond but he had no intention to mate her fully, which means actually having sex with her. Which he was happy to teach her about everything but actual peen in the vajayjay. And it took one moment where Delphine finally speaks up for herself for his "monster," something I assume is like the beastial predator part of is vampirism, to take control and chase her down and he gives in to sexing her up.

Not once before that does he speak to her like a real person. Neither knew diddly squat about one another. He shared the smallest of details when Delphine prodded him, otherwise he was grumpy and silent.

Which was a huge disappointment when he should have been manning the hell up and telling his mate about his revenge plot on her stepfather. But no, nooo! He used the excuse that Delphine loved her stepfather and knowing he planned to kill him, he couldn't mate her because she didn't deserve that.. Because he just knew she'd hate him for it. So he manipulated and confused the poor girl all for the sake of an assumption his dumbass never actually confirmed! Yes, he did outright ask what she thought of her stepfather ONCE and she almost spoke the truth but her trauma response had her regurgitating the words her stepfather always forced her to repeat by praising him.

And that was just stupid he didn't detect her lying to him about that singular thing when literally every other time in the book she lied or withheld anything from him he was nagging her immediately to "not lie" to him and to be honest with her thoughts. Convenient, right? 🙄

But Constantine was sooo dramatic and misguided because he blamed himself for his childhood friend/lover Samara being murdered by Delphine's stepfather. All because he went back to the front lines of the fae war. Because that's reasonable! 🤷🏻‍♀️ But it got worse because he used Samara's death as an excuse not to mate with Delphine. He felt he "owed" it to Samara's memory to not mate with the daughter of the man who killed her. And while ordinarily I would think that's a decent reason, in this book it was not.

It was a dumb reason because one, he was an ass and assumed Delphine adored her stepfather and kept hiding behind the idea she'd hate him when he killed her stepfather by not mating her fully. Two, he also assumed Delphine was going to be in the image of her stepfather before their official introduction and I suppose he expected her to be a horrible spoiled brat, which was beyond wrong. And last but not least, number three: He never once considered explaining to Delphine who Samara was to him and how she died, even without naming her stepfather as her killer.

Samara's death was such a huge part of the plot and motivation for everything Constantine did regarding his mating with Delphine and not once does anyone, particularly Constantine, actually explain it to her! He intentionally withheld that from her and tbh considering how it drove him to treat her the way he was during their mating she had every right to know, and it made him no better than her awful parents for keeping shit from her.

4. The paper thin character of John and how blatant and obvious it was he was working for Delphine's stepfather and was manipulating her by trying to be her friend.

It was so painful to read their interactions because they were so useless in how in you face they were. The way he was written, how he behaved and spoke was literally screaming: I'm gonna be the one to kidnap her for her stepfather by the end!!

And that's exactly what happened. 😒🙈

5. Delphine. Again. Homegirl gave me a headache with her over the top emotions. I swear, she was jumping to so many conclusions and spiraling over everything it was dizzying. The lead up to her making the very "was obviously was gonna happen" runaway event was so laughably dramatic. That girl hadn't met a conclusion she didn't like to jump on.

And it only continued to prove my opinion of her. I couldn't see her as anything else than a child who had no common sense or inkling how to deal with life and her big emotions. Especially when it came to trusting everyone around her. She was beyond painfully naive, to the point she let herself be manipulated by literally everyone.

6. The fact Delphine was a vampire too? In the first chapters it was, to my memory, never outright said she was in fact a vampire. It wasn't until she was with Constantine at his home that he offered to feed her from his vein after questioning how she'd been feeding all these years.

While it wasn't all that hard to make the assumption she was one even before then considering her stepfather and his uncle were mentioned as such I would have preferred more clarity in the opening chapters. Because for a moment I thought she was simply human.

Annnnd that's it. I've purged it so now it can't bother me anymore. 😂

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon Bound🌚

Blood Moon Bound is the first book in a new series by Sherilee Gray and is just as good as the first time I read it❣️

Delphine is claimed verbally by her mate at the tender age of sixteen but will have to wait until she is twenty-one before he will claim her under a Blood Moon🩸 She does not know who her mate is, only that he is one of The Five and a warrior that helps protect the Vampires from the Fae and has done so for hundreds of years.

A fantastic paranormal story that I really enjoyed. Delphine is a sheltered and naive young woman but she also has a heart of gold and grows into her own with her battle hardened and tough mate😍 Can’t wait to read the next book as we finally get to learn more about the Vampire we all know as Nero…I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75stars-BLOOD MOON BOUND is the first instalment in Sherilee Gray’s adult BLOOD MOON BRIDES erotic, paranormal, romance series focusing on The Five ancient vampire warriors-Stefan Valiente, Rainer Beiste, August Drapała, Nero Kossek, and Constantine Caputo. This is ancient vampire Commander Constantine Caputo, and twenty-one year old, vampire Delphine Albertan’s story line.

NOTE: NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Five ancient vampire warriors have returned from the war with the Fae, and each will be presented with their fated mate, a virgin female who is unaware of the position in which she is about to be thrown-claimed and bonded by a man who has lost all emotion and the ability to feel.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Delphine and Constantine) BLOOD MOON BOUND follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Like all virgin brides betrothed to the Five ancient vampires, Delphine has been secluded and kept pure in preparation for her twenty-first birthday but Delphine is struggling with Constantine’s lack of attention, and his disappearances that will leave her alone for days and weeks. As their relationship slowly turns personal, Delphine believes Constantine has betrayed her, and searches for someone to take her away but all is not as it appears to be, and our heroine will become a pawn in a much darker game of winner take all.

The world building focuses on the building relationship between Constantine and Delphine, as well as Constantine’s need to avenge a former lover and friend, as well as his new bride. Delphine has emotionally suffered at the hands of someone who should have protected her heart, and Constantine is determined to make them pay.

The relationship between Delphine and Constantine is a fated mates but Constantine has lost all ability to feel, and in doing so, begins to push his bride out of his life. Delphine, like the other brides is naïve and unaware of what to expect as a bonded bride, and in this, Constantine must slowly take control of the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and impassioned.

We are introduced to the other ancient vampires: Stefan Valiente, Rainer Beiste, August Drapała, Nero Kossek,, and their new mates, as well as Constantine’s right hand man John, and Delphine’s parents Douglas and Miriam Albertan. The requisite evil has many faces.

BLOOD MOON BOUND is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and deception, acceptance and love. The premise is haunting and twisted; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are dynamic and charismatic.


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[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: 𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐌𝐂, 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩, 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 🩸 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲

This is a longer novella length story with fated mates and vampires set in a gothic modern world. The FMC, Delphine, is sweet and innocent but deeply curious about her mate. She has been sheltered since she was told her mate is a member of The Five, a group of powerful warriors. She was locked away from the outside world at age sixteen to keep her safe. For five years, she has waited to know the identity of her mate and now that she is twenty-one, it’s time to be claimed under the Blood Moon. But Delphine is shocked her mate is Constantine Caputo, the ruthless commander of The Five.

“𝑵𝒐, 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎.”

The moment Constantine discovered his mate he knew he would stay away until she was of age and even then, he’d have to keep his distance since her stepfather is his enemy. But Delphine’s sweet innocence and curiosity is too much for Constantine to deny and he is drawn closer to his mate.

“𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆.”

Delphine has suffered years of mental abuse, manipulation, and neglect from her mother and especially her stepfather. Despite Constantine’s coldness toward her, he does show her kindness and she is eager to please him.

I really enjoyed their story - it is a hopeful new beginning for Delphine and a chance for Constantine to find peace with his mate. There are *plenty* of spicy moments between them. Delphine is truly sheltered and knows nothing of pleasure but Constantine is all too eager to show her 😏 I liked that her first time wasn’t instantly enjoyable for Delphine and Constantine had to take his time with her.

Overall, this was a fantastic story and although it is shorter than her other works, it doesn’t feel like it. The next book will feature another bride and a member of The Five!

[Amber Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Trope: vampires, touch her and die, fated mates



This book had me in a chokehold from the first page. Sherilee has done it again. She’s created unique characters and woven a story to suck you in and leave you breathless after each turn of the page. Even with the length of the book you are enraptured by the dynamic of the FMC and the MMC, both trying to navigate this new life that was planted at their feet. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down.




Delphine: sweet,innocent, sheltered. She is so pure and retains that purity in every sense even when she grew up knowing nothing and living in a home with an abusive step father and unfeeling mother. She is curious and intrigued by new things. She wants to learn what this new life has to offer, even with a brutal and powerful warrior mate that should frighten her but instead leaves her wanting to more.



Constantine: Ruthless, controlled, cold. As commander of the five (ruthless vampire warriors) Constantine had known nothing except war,bloodshed, and death. One look at Delphine and his walls he carefully built up start to crumble. He can’t allow himself to feel anything for the small female the fates have gifted him. But he can’t seem to let her go either. Tormented by his guilt and past he will do everything in his power to get revenge even if it means denying himself the first good and beautiful thing to fall into his lap.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would probably give it a solid 4 stars because this author doesn’t disappoint. The story was good and the characters were interesting and I liked that it was a short read.

But. I’m giving it 3 stars because of two things I struggled with.

The first thing was a “me not you” type of issue. The story was hot and spicy….all the f time… Like embarrassingly juicy and it kept on delivering sexy time after sexy time after….You get it. For me, at this particular moment I felt it was more smut than I needed right now. And I should have saved it for an another time.

Then the second issue which is my biggest issue as well, it was that the hero was hung up on his ex almost the entire book. Every choice he made for more than half the book was to avenge his former lover… And every time he rejected or held the heroine at a distance was because of his ex. I didn’t like it. I don’t want that. He should only be hers and she his. Why couldn’t the author make Samara (Samira? Samora?? Whatever… ) a half sister or a family of some sort instead? I get the story and how important it is to the couples beginning, but why not have Samara be an important PLATONIC part of the hero’s past…. You will still get all the revenge and struggle, but not the feeling of the other woman part.

Okey. That’s it.

May read the second. May wait for a “better” time.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completely enjoyed this quick read from Ms. Gray. This story, like all the others she has written, pulled me in from the first sentence and held me tight until the last word.

In this series, Five soldiers who guard the borderlands find their fated mates; Constantine being the commander of them all. This is Constantine and Delphine's story, both vampires living on the periphery of the town of Roxburgh where so many of Ms. Gray's fascinating characters reside (the Knights of Hell, The Thornheart Witches, and the Hellhounds). Those stories are connected to this one through the vampire Nero and his club, The Vault, which is a blood bank and disco, of sorts. Several characters from past books visited The Vault for various reasons (within their own stories--not this particular book) so it is fascinating to see the connection of how they all fit together in a way.

This story is spicey, dark, traumatic (for the characters), and just a little bit too short--but oh-so worth the read. Of course there is a HEA--and a nice little epilogue, too.

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 Stars

I loved Blood Moon Bound. It had a Beauty and Beast vibe to it which I loved. It was a quick read with steam, revenge and wonderful characters. I couldn't devour it fast enough. I loved the premise of it and that it's set in Roxburgh which is one of my fave worlds ever. I loved that this time around we are in vampire territory and it touches on a bit of their politics and bonding rituals. I loved the taste of this world, warriors and mates that I got and can't wait to read more. Book two can't come fast enough for me. This was an awesome start to what I expect to be a great series. I definitely recommend it.


Copy provided author

[viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Sherilee Gray for the ARC!

I loved how innocent Delphine was in everything intimate and how Constantine had to basically teach her. I think my favorite parts were when she was driving him crazy with need and lust and she was totally clueless about it. I just wish it was longer because I could definitely read more chapters about them being together. It seems like the other books will be about each member of the Five and their mates so I’m excited about that!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terri All Spice Archive · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down once I picked it up. It's a short novella, but it had me hooked. I am a big sucker for fated mates and Sherilee did not disappoint. I found the whole blood moon and mating ritual and process interesting and loved the mentions of Roxborough (heres hoping for some cameos). It was fast past as expected from a novella but went the right speed for the amount of chapters. Writing is fantastic as always and of course my only complaint is that I want more! Can't wait for the next one!.

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the freaking feelings! 😭😍❤️
I'm absolutely in love, enthralled, addicted to this new fantastic series; Constantine and Delphine love story is EVERYTHING I love in a fated mates book and even more!!! ❤️‍🔥
I loved to see Con's walls fall, one by one, in face of the lovely Del; she was exactly what he needed and viceversa... damn, I can't even described all the rollercoaster of emotions I felt while reading! 😭🖤
The next book can't come soon enough!, these broody vampires already had my heart and soul! 🖤🔥

[Book Devourer · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF but I’m sure that it didn’t matter as there was no plot beyond “Dark scary vampire resists (badly) having sex with his fated mate.” The female characters was too innocent and virginal; in many cases that she felt like an actual child, and pretty much gave me the ick about someone having sex with her. She made very few decisions and all of them were pretty dumb. Erotica is great but if you like any sort of plot, intrigue, or interesting events happening around that, you will not enjoy this. Also, the vampire aspect is played down very much in this book, insofar as to be irrelevant.