Oath of Blood and Joy

French Quarter Vampire Enforcer #1

by M. Guida

Missing girls in New Orleans have one they're never found alive. I'm about to join their ranks. Unless the vampire enforcer tracking me can shatter every rule—and every precedent.My name is Joy, and I've always lived up to it—smiling through problems, finding silver linings, believing tomorrow will be better. But over a month ago, my optimism met its match when I was kidnapped while searching for my missing best friend.

Now I'm a prisoner of New Orleans' most dangerous crime lord, thrust into a world I never knew existed. Vampires are real. Vampire mafia? Also real. And something is stirring inside me—a power I can't explain that's the only reason I'm still alive.

They say he's coming for me. Enzo. The vampire mafia's most feared enforcer. Cold. Ruthless. Merciless. The man leaves a trail of bodies wherever he goes. The whispers about him terrify even my captors.

But when his dark eyes find mine in the chaos of my prison, I see something impossible. Recognition. Possession. As if I belong to him. As if I've always belonged to him.

I don't know this vampire. Don't trust him. And I absolutely refuse to accept his ridiculous claim that I'm his "fated mate"—whatever that means. I didn't even believe vampires existed, and now this terrifying man with perpetually furrowed brows thinks he owns me? I've spent weeks fighting my captors at every turn—I'm not about to stop now.

But when his cold eyes find mine, something deep inside me responds. No matter how loudly I tell myself this brooding, dangerous creature is my enemy, my stubborn heart won't listen. And as my mysterious powers grow stronger, I'm running out of options for allies in a world I never knew was real.

The human mafia won't let me go without bloodshed. And as ancient power awakens within me, I find myself caught between two worlds with ties to both.

My captor thinks I'm leverage. My would-be savior thinks I'm his. But neither of them knows what I'm becoming—or how my relentless optimism and newfound power might be the most dangerous weapon of all.

Oath of Blood and Joy is a steamy enemies-to-lovers vampire mafia romance featuring a joyful but fierce heroine and a gorgeous, grumpy vampire enforcer. Get ready for intense action, mind blowing plot twists, sizzling forbidden romance, and dark supernatural fireworks that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

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

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2025

About the author

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and shifters all attend Legacy Academy.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural. https://geni.us/akJn

You can also join her private Facebook page-Legacy Academy https://geni.us/aksDhUZ You'll become a legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy I am following M Guida, because she put out a call for ARC readers for Cry Of Blood And Joy. I jumped all over it…because, I love vampires! Seeing it’s Book II in the series, I had to see about Book I, Oath Of Blood And Joy. It was on sale for $.99. Yeah.

I love books that take place in familiar places and I have spent a lot of time in New Orleans. Sorry to say, I haven’t run across any supernatural creatures…yet. I do have my fingers crossed.

Girls are going missing in New Orleans and when Joy’s best friend, Stephanie was kidnapped, she made it her personal mission to find her. Unfortunately, during the process, she, herself, was kidnapped. Enzo is the vampire mafia’s most feared enforcer and he knows he has to save her. She doesn’t realize why, but he will burn everything down if he must.

For Joy I would burn the world to ashes.

The vivid, detailed descriptions had shivers crawling up and down my spine. The battles were ferocious and bloody and I loved it, but we do have moments of light and laughter. We have all kinds of creatures: vampires, dark demons, golden demons, werewolves, nephilim, angels, unseelie, dark fae….

I love everything about Oath Of Blood And Joy. I was so engrossed, I zipped through the pages. Before I knew it, I reached the end. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, but it was a good stoppping place. I’m not sweating it, because I have Book II, Cry Of Blood And Joy at hand.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book boasts a captivating storyline and intricately developed characters that hold my attention from beginning to end. If you crave a robust plot and rich character development, this book absolutely delivers. However, I did find myself wishing for a bit more excitement, so if you’re after steamy or intense romantic moments, this might not completely satisfy that desire.

Though it's evident that this book is part of a larger series, the author effectively provides enough background for it to stand on its own. I dove into this story without reading the previous installments and was able to follow along seamlessly. After reading this, though, I know I'll backtrack and read Ms. Guida's "French Quarter Vampire King" series.

The first installment in the "French Quarter Vampire Enforcer" series, 'Oath of Blood and Joy', offers a thrilling dark vampire mafia romance filled with tension and intrigue. It features an enforcer who is relentless in his quest to find his Joy. Joy, however, perceives her situation as being a prisoner in a gilded cage, despite Maximo Barone's assurances that her confinement is for her protection against Enzo. Yet, Enzo remains determined to reclaim his fated mate!

This book encapsulates everything I adore in a dark mafia romance: danger, drama, action, suspense, yearning, and an undeniable heat. The supernatural elements heighten the intensity and pulse-racing excitement! Plus, we get to immerse ourselves in the captivating French Quarter Vampire universe, which is an exceptional bonus. I am truly impressed by how Guida crafts a world and characters that invite you to feel like an integral part of the narrative.

[Chasity Haskins · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could have been good. But it was wildly over descriptive and used the terms… ancient, centuries, and predatory, or predator almost every page. We get it they are centuries old. They are ancient. They are predators. It was not necessary to say it over and over and over and over and OVER again. I bet if I went and counted each term was used more than a dozen times in the first half of the book. If you’re looking for spice this isn’t the book for you. The story line is good and suspenseful but I won’t be reading the next books. I love descriptive writing. I’m a massive fan of Diana Gabaldon who is known for her very descriptive writing…. This one was waaaay overly descriptive. To the point that I started skimming pages. Over all it seems like this was first book for the writer and it was poorly edited. It’s unfortunate because this story line has such potential.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy DuPont is one of a number of young women that has been kidnapped recently and was due to be sold off by a human mafia organisation. She became susceptible to these thugs whilst out handing out leaflets about her missing best friend Serenity, who she had attended college with. What she didn’t know, was that the vampire king’s most feared enforcer, Enzo Di Salvo, had actually been watching her, to keep her safe. Unfortunately, he was distracted by an explosion at Crimson Stakes, his boss’ casino, which was close to where he had been watching her. By the time he had run in and back out again, Joy had disappeared! The first time Joy saw Enzo, was at the vampire king’s supposed execution and he was ripping into her brother Steve’s throat and she pleaded for his life. She had heard of Enzo and he was a figure to be feared, often the last person someone would see, if they were on a list for death. He is a monster and a feared enforcer, but to her there is a strange look of recognition and it seems her plea may have been heard. But she doesn’t know what happened to her brother, nor her father. The human mafia that has Joy, seem to believe she is something other than human and use a witch, Marsha, to unlock these abilities. The other young women and girls the mafia have taken, as due to be sold at auction, just as her friend Serenity was, have become friends of a sort, especially one called Zoe. The mafia boss, Maximo Barone, deals in human trafficking, something the wolves, vampires and Unseelie mafias refuse to touch. Maximo had told her she was being hunted by Enzo, the Santi family’s enforcer, trying to make it look like he took her for a good reason, but really, he wanted her for these new abilities.

She tries to keep her cheerful self present, trying to find out any information she can about her brother, Enzo, and everything that has happened to her and her friend Serenity. The news of her new abilities gives her hope that she can save Zoe and the other girls. If Enzo is really looking for her, he might end up being her saviour and that of the other prisoners being held with her. Marsha Cadieux is Simon Cartier’s enforcer, a witch who could use her magic in ways far beyond physical punishment, and she has enjoyed hurting others and has a cruel streak. But when Marsha, who is a witch, forces her hand and pushes her to use these abilities she knows nothing about, she hurts Zoe to force her to comply! If Joy can’t learn how to use her abilities, then Maximo will put her into the auction and her future would be a death sentence! The first time Enzo saw Joy, he recognised her as his fated mate, like Angelo and Serenity, who are fated mates. He will do anything to get her out of Maximo’s evil hands and ensure she is safe with him by her side. Marsha wants to pull the darkness out of Joy, replacing her light with dark, thus corrupting her and making her a lethal weapon for whoever controls her! Her power is very rare, she can control shadows and use them for any purpose she wants, due to her Unseelie heritage, something she had never known about. Once her powers are unlocked by Marsha, Maximo gives her a book to learn about her heritage and powers. But it is taken from her when she uses her new powers to escape her prison room. Enzo however, is searching for her because she is his fated mate, but also on his boss Angelo’s orders due to his fated mate Serenity being best friends with Joy.

Enzo asks Keir Rankin, the Unseelie mafia king for help to find Joy and Keir suggests they make an example of Simon, who holds the human slave auctions, along with the wolf king, Trystan. That is another favour or debt that Enzo will have to pay. Somehow, Steve has managed to break the Unseelie chains that were restraining him, even though they are unbreakable, and is determined to join Enzo to save his sister. The safehouse Enzo takes Joy to is somehow discovered by Maximo and he almost kills Enzo with some strange poison, in a fight he should never have been able to win! Joy is back in his hands and now even more closely watched. She won’t give up on gaining her freedom, but the task seems ever more difficult to achieve. What Maximo managed to do to Enzo, brings reminders of Balthazar’s treatment and imprisonment of Serenity. Nobody should have been able to stop Enzo so easily nor know what would incapacitate him to such a degree. Enzo won’t stop and whenever he is near, Joy seems to have more control over her new powers, even if it is just when he is in her dreams. But there is danger from Angelo, if Joy’s powers become too dangerous to them, then he will want her killed so she can’t hurt their organisation. For Enzo, that is an order that he would refuse to obey, even after some three hundred years as Angelo’s enforcer. Maximo has some far-reaching plans in place and has hidden away somewhere none of the other mafia kings can find them, and what he is and those around him are, is far more dangerous than any could have known! Rescuing her once more, Enzo won’t be happy until he tracks down and kills all those that were involved in harming Joy. But news of her father is not something Joy’s grief can deal with and her shadows attack the very person closest to her in her normal life, leaving Angelo wanting her dead, including those that stick by her side! A dangerous cliffhanger of emotions and understandable reactions, that could cause huge problems for Joy and Enzo. I can’t wait to see what happens to them next.

I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Latoya Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the Audio instead

Although I downloaded the e-book, I purchased the companion audible version. I listened while I worked. I’m not a fan of the female narrator. Everything was spoken in a shaky and scared voice. I do understand that the majority of the scenes called for a little acting to go along with it, but it just wasn’t on point. I give her an E for effort though. After a while it didn’t bother me. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed it better if I physically read it.

However, the story was interesting enough, which allowed me to finish it. The story idea was pretty good. I never read any of the other books and had never read anything from this author before. It was painfully obvious that there was a lot I was missing out on. Many things alluded to a prior storyline that wasn’t in this book. After a few of those incidents I realized that there were books prior to this. Although this is the first book in this particular series, it’s a part of a world in which I should’ve read the prior books in order to better understand and connect the dots.

I love to read . For 2025 I read 135 books. My Goodreads goal was 100, if that’s any indicator of how much I love to read/listen. Unfortunately, because I was missing background information that was bought and wasn’t feeling the female narrator, could be the reasons why I didn’t love this book. I enjoyed it, but I did not love it. I probably won’t read book number two or any of the prior books.

However, I encourage everyone who likes paranormal romances to give it a try, especially those who have a prior knowledge of this world in reference to the King stories. Definitely try it out and for those who will physically read it versus listening to the audible - You’ll probably benefit a lot better than I did.

[Lareina Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I downloaded the e-book, I purchased the companion audible version. I listened while I worked. I’m not a fan of the female narrator. Everything was spoken in a shaky and scared voice. I do understand that the majority of the scenes called for a little acting to go along with it, but it just wasn’t on point. I give her an E for effort though. After a while it didn’t bother me. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed it better if I physically read it.

However, the story was interesting enough, which allowed me to finish it. The story idea was pretty good. I never read any of the other books and had never read anything from this author before. It was painfully obvious that there was a lot I was missing out on. Many things alluded to a prior storyline that wasn’t in this book. After a few of those incidents I realized that there were books prior to this. Although this is the first book in this particular series, it’s a part of a world in which I should’ve read the prior books in order to better understand and connect the dots.

I love to read . For 2025 I read 135 books. My Goodreads goal was 100, if that’s any indicator of how much I love to read/listen. Unfortunately, because I was missing background information that was bought and wasn’t feeling the female narrator, could be the reasons why I didn’t love this book. I enjoyed it, but I did not love it. I probably won’t read book number two or any of the prior books.

Lastly, I encourage everyone who likes paranormal romances to give it a try, especially those who have a prior knowledge of this world in reference to the King stories. Definitely try it out and for those who will physically read it versus listening to the audible - You’ll probably benefit a lot better than I did.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a bit dark for my tastes but overall a really good story. There were references to a prior series which I hadn’t read so at first I was a bit confused as to who all these people were that they were talking about, but if you keep reading you can pick it up. I did find the whole supernatural mafia thing cool. I also enjoyed that this is a fated mates romance but it’s also not insta love. It’s ongoing and happening maids so much action and lots of shady dealings. If dark romance is your jam then you will definitely enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathryn]

DNF at 43%. I don't like the plot, the whole kidnap and kidnap again and kidnap back thing...it also relies too thoroughly on the prior series for my taste. The MMC is constantly setting up the plot for the next book I assume based on the summary I just read. He repetitively says every chapter how he'd do anything for her, even go against Angelo, etc. I was interested in the world building of a vampire mafia but it's not done particularly well and it is just all these random supernatural families who begrudgingly work together in a mafia like way I guess, but it seems like one needs to have read the prior series to fully get it. I'm out.

[Faith Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this family of vamps!

Enzo is definitely one of my favourites & I'm so glad that he's found his fated Chosen One. The threat they all face now is truly mind bending. Everything ended on a very surprising note; not what I was expecting, at all.

The whole series from Ms Guida has been incredible. Her characters are so lovingly realised & given real substance. I'm a sucker for vamp stories (yes, I know what I did there!), & these are some of the most entertaining around. I'm away to get the next book, now.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun addition to the series and it's just as dark as the previous books ;) Expect to get caught up in Enzo and Joy's romance as it unfolds amidst action, drama, danger, bad bad guys and the fated mates pull. I really was engaged waiting to see what had happened to Joy, what her heritage was, and if she would be rescued/get free. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to see how their story continues to unfold :D

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a riot to read if you like dark romance with deadly characters, fated mates, evil mafia supernaturals and a few surprises. But Joy and Enzo's story was so much fun to read with its action, darkness, drama and supporting characters to keep things hopping. I was glued to the end to watch it all play out. Had to see if Joy would get free and who would survive to the end.

[Shelly Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Enzo has been looking for Joy since Angelo brought home Serenity. It’s going to be hard to keep her safe since Ari is back and they need her blood to open the portal to the elder area.

I can’t wait for the next book to see if they can stop the portal from opening. I wonder if we will see some of our other friends that closed the portal the last time.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, talk about drama, darkness, action and danger all rolled up into one. That's exactly what happens in the first installment of French quarter vampire enforcer. This is a book you definitely don't want to miss.

[Amanda Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It didn't 100% keep my attention but it was still good.i enjoyed reading it and I can't wait to read the next one. There wassome spice but not dirty words. M Guida uses different words for all of the parts.