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Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover for ASIN B004EPZ250

After Maya is turned into a vampire against her will, vampire and Scanguards bodyguard Gabriel is charged with protecting her and finding her attacker.

Gabriel has never guarded a body as perfect as Maya's. Moreover, Maya's enticing blend of vulnerability and strength is difficult to resist. Yet resist he must. Even as the sexual tension between them rises and the rogue vampire closes in on them, Gabriel refuses to give into his desire. Despite the intimacies they share, Gabriel fears that if he ever reveals himself fully to her, Maya will react like other women have, running from him, and calling him a monster, a freak, a creature not worth her love.

Will Maya prove to be the one female who cherishes all that Gabriel is?

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2010

169 people are currently reading
2361 people want to read

About the author

Tina Folsom

489 books2,695 followers
Tina Folsom is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. She's always been self-published and has found tremendous success with her paranormal series, Scanguards Vampires, Venice Vampyr, and Out of Olympus, selling more than 2 million copies of her 50 titles (which includes titles in German, French, and Spanish) in almost 4 years.

Tina writes about hot alpha heroes, bad boys, and kick-ass heroines. Fast-paced plots and steamy scenes are her specialty. She loves vampires and the concept of immortality, and now also writes contemporary romance and has launched the Eternal Bachelors Club series.

Tina is a one-women-enterprise. She writes constantly and translates her own books into German, her native language. Her books are available in e-book format, as paperbacks, as audio books, and in foreign languages.

Tina Folsom was born in Germany and has been living in English speaking countries for over 25 years, the last 13 of them in San Francisco, where she's married to an American. Tina has always been a bit of a globe trotter: after living in Lausanne, Switzerland, she briefly worked on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, then lived a year in Munich, before moving to London. There, she became an accountant. But after 8 years she decided to move overseas.

In New York she studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts then moved to Los Angeles a year later to pursue studies in screenwriting. In 2008 she wrote her first romance. She now has 18 novels in English and dozens in other languages.

Sign up for her newsletter on her website to be kept apprised of new releases: http://bit.ly/TinaFolsomNews
Tina raffles off a $100 gift card to one lucky subscriber every month, so don't miss out!

You can also follow her on Facebook.com/TinaFolsomFans or Twitter: @Tina_Folsom

Tina also loves getting emails from her readers: tina@tinawritesromance.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
Profile Image for UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish.
1,097 reviews1,748 followers
July 6, 2015
Well, isn't this a kinky little morsel!

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Okay, I have mixed feelings about this story. It started out strong... intriguing, exciting, kinda heartbreaking... then fizzled out and I found myself skimming just to find out what happens to 'the bad guy.' I can't pinpoint what exactly went wrong, but what was a 5 star read to start, ended up just being okay. I want to see more of Gabriel and Maya in future books, and I hope to see their relationship has flourished.

I'm very much looking forward to Yvette's story, next!
Profile Image for Beth (^v^)/.
116 reviews65 followers
March 31, 2013
Here's the story, of a lovely lady...



Who was living quite peacefully on her own. Til the one day where the lady met this fellow...



Well technically, this fellow found her as she was dying. So, let me back up a bit.

The lovely lady, Maya, was rescued from a savage attack by an unknown vampire assailant. She is brought to the home of the Scanguard Vampires, where they have to make a decision whether she dies or becomes a vampire.

Gabriel, the fellow from earlier, decides to save her life and turns her into a vampire. If you remember Gabriel from previous books, you might remember that Gabriel has the gift to unlock memories. This is extremely helpful as Maya does not remember anything about her attack. And of course, they're instantly attracted to each other.


I could do without the insta-love but no story is perfect.

Gabriel himself has a lot of issues. He has a very large scar across his face, which women seem to be afraid of. Oh and his other affliction, which you will find out about later...


Yep, that was pretty much my reaction

Anyway, they find themselves drawn together, even while seeking out Maya's attacker. This was by far the most well-written and engaging Scanguard novel so far. Maya was actually a complex character and a good adversary for Gabriel. Also, their sexy times were... unusual. I've actually read kinkier/weirder stuff before but...





It was a fun read. Definitely 4 stars!
Profile Image for Louise Kemp.
58 reviews13 followers
July 11, 2012
It's another five stars from me for Ms Tina Folsom. The thing I love about these books is that they don't take themselves to seriously, which for me make the books that more enjoyable. They have the right amount of action, adventure, suspense, HOT sex and humor. I love how the vampires are described as still living with flowing blood and heart beats, this makes much more sense to me instead of them being 'walking dead' as some authors describe them. I will say that I'm a big fan of JR Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood, but unlike those books Ms Folsom makes her books so much more light hearted and enjoyable, once a start a book I cannot put it down. After all how could you not chuckle at Samson and is erectile dysfunction or Amaury and his only way to cure his headaches is with sex!! Gabriel's 'problem' doesn't disappoint and to be honest I so want to blurt it out but you need to read and find out for yourself!!
Gabriel is the vampire in charge of the New York division of Scanguards and still in town after helping rescue Nina in the last adventure. He is called to Samson's home to help a young woman Maya who has been attacked and turned against her will by a rouge vampire. Gabriel feels a lustful connection to Nina straight away, but has never known the love of a woman due his medical problem. Whilst trying to get help for himself from a local witch he is also trying to help Maya come to terms with her new life, her thirst for his blood and their attraction to each other. Maya is in danger not only does she have to come to terms with her new vampire life but the rogue is also out there stalking and waiting to claim her. You are also rewarded with appearances from the other Scanguard vamps, Yvette, Zane and Thomas.
I will certainly carry on reading these fabulous books :o)
Profile Image for Sabrina.
30 reviews
May 10, 2013
I can't help but chuckle just thinking of this book...

Gabriel is basically described as a hideous looking man, but I could never picture him as ugly or scary. I disregarded the scar, ponytail, ugly looking man he is describes as and made him my own beauty haha.

Anyways, on to the book *chuckle*...

Gabriel is a hard ass, basically. He hasn't gotten any in a long time. Every time he tries, the women run away in fear. What is it that they run away from *chuckle*, well my friends, you have to read.

*Maybe a spoiler*- He's meets Maya after she attacked and then turned, he is instantly protective of her. Here it goes back to, well the obvious is about to happen, right? Yup. Well halfway through the book they get intimate *chuckle*, and she sees what he is embarrassed of. She doesn't mind it though. Honestly, I can't even get to the plot of the freakin' story because when I read what that "abnormality" was and what it was after they were intimate *chuckle*, my jaw hit the floor. My first thought was "oh. my. god. My mother recommended this book. How embarrassing and...awkward..ewww!" But my second closest thought was "oh holy jesus that is not hap-- surely not? Oh dear, that did say that, that is happening! She actually likes it like that..oh dear.." Anyone has read this, knows EXACTLY what I am referring to.

Guess, I could get to the plot, huh? So someone is stalking Maya. Gabriel is trying to get to the bottom of who it is. Boy, who it is will surprise you! Read this book, I recommend it. Actually start from the first book in the series. I'm glad I did, especially with Zane.
Profile Image for Ezi Chinny.
2,658 reviews534 followers
December 29, 2014
★★★¾. I liked this one. Gabriel is the #2 in Samson's Scanguard Vampire operation when Samson asks him to assist with the integration of a newly turned vampire Dr. Maya.

Gabriel is so turned on by her, but he can't do anything with her because his man-sword is deformed. Due to his issues with his junk, Gabriel has always gone for prostitutes and quickies with people he can hypnotize and wipe their minds, never a real relationship with someone he cared about.

when Mara rejects human blood, she is forced to drink Gabriel's blood but the intimacy of the act is driving them sexually insane. What is Gabriel to do about his man junk issues? can it be fixed, if not, will Mara accept his deformed man-sword?

I haven't read her other series, but I understand that Tina Folsom did a crossover here. Apparently, Gabriel is half vampire/ half satyr, so that's the problem with his johnson. I swear I found this book amusing, though my husband didn't think my jokes were funny!
Profile Image for Saimi Vasquez.
1,900 reviews90 followers
December 7, 2021
Maya es una doctora trabajando muchos turnos nocturnos, el problema es que siente que alguien la persigue y tiene miedo de estar sola en la noche. Una noche sus miedos se hicieron realidad cuando fue atacada por algo que no era humano. Pero el problema mas grande que tiene ahora no es solo el ataque, sino que su acosador la transformo en algo que nunca hubiera esperado que existiera, un vampiro. Entrar en el mundo de los vampiros es quizas lo mas dificil a lo que ha tenido que afrontar, pero peor es que resulta que no es un vampiro normal tampoco y no ayuda que sienta una atraccion demasiado grande por uno de los grandes vampiros que la protegen.
Gabriel tiene un problema fisico que no sabe como solucionar, siglos deseando a una mujer a quien amar, con quien compartir su vida y que lo quiera por lo que es, con todos y sus defectos, lo ha llevado a tener una vida solitaria, pero todo cambia una noche cuando Sansom lo llama a su casa y le encarga a una mujer recien convertida en un ataque. Lo que no espera Gabriel es sentirse tan atraido por esa mujer, y el deseo que siente de estar con ella es tan grande que haria cualquier cosa para quitarse su problema y hacer el amor como siempre lo ha querido.
Tanto Maya como Gabriel deberan enfrentar al acosador que resultara ser la persona que menos esperan, causando un gran dolor por la traicion que hara temblar a todos en Scanguards.

De verdad el libro como tal fue bastante interesante, hasta que el autor se fumo eso de que ellos eran medio-vampiros, y de que el traidor era uno de los mas cercanos. Fue una lastima que eliminaran asi a uno de los personajes a los que estaba comenzando a apreciar dentro de la serie, y que lo hicieran parecer como un loco cualquiera. Si el autor hubiera logrado conseguir alguna causa (como la de Luther del libro pasado) que lo obligara a volverse loco, lo hubiera aceptado de una mejor manera, pero la forma como lo transformo de uno de los personajes solidos, divertidos a un acosador sexual loco, fue demasiado extremo para mi gusto.
El otro punto fue el de hacer a ambos personajes hibridos y que solo la bruja supiera de ellos, eso es otra de las cosas que me parecio exagerado, porque no sencillamente ir con el tema de amor predestinado como los anteriores o quizas alguna otra forma de que funcionara la relacion extrana entre ellos.
Pero bueno, las cosa siguen interesantes, asi que seguire con la lectura de la serie.
Profile Image for Liz F.
719 reviews
July 1, 2012
Hot, hot, hot!! Another sizzling, sexy good time from Tina Folsom!!!

Ok, so you've probably read my reviews of the 1st two books of this series so I'm just going to jump into this one...without lube. (snicker, snicker!)

Now, we know Gabriel from before. He runs the New York office of Scanguard. He's in town (San Fran) helping Samson with this and that (this=Book 1, that=Book 2!). And now its his turn. Gabriel has this....issue. Like a serious issue. Do you remember in Book 1 or 2, where they talk about this giant scar on Gabriel's face? It goes from like his eyebrow to his chin or his ear to his chin or something? Anyways, it sounds pretty awful and painful. But since he has it, he obviously got it BEFORE he was a vamp, right? Right. Let me tell you how he got it. He had just been married in 1863 (in Philly). It was his wedding night. Now, we've all read historical romances and we all know what happens between a man and a woman on a wedding night. Well, I guess its STILL what happens!! Anyways, so he's in his new bride's room and he takes his pants off. And she FREAKS!!! Yeah, he's got a thing with his thingie. Know what I mean? A growth above his penis. And his wife freaks out, runs away, gets a knife and slices him up as she calls him a devil. People were psycho back in the day!!!! So he has intimacy issues due to his deformity....and that's an understatement!

Then Maya stumbles into his life. She was attacked on her front steps by a vampire. It just so happened that some of Scanguard's people walked by as the attack was happening and brought her back to Samson's. Because it was a vampire attack, Samson and Gabriel want to solve what happened. Maya doesn't remember anything and she's not in any shape to talk after her attack anyways. Gabriel takes one look and her and decides that he'd give his life to make sure she's safe. But Maya is fading fast. Her attacker was interrupted during the feeding. It looks like the attacker drained her dry and was attempting to change her!! So in order to save her, Gabriel gives her his blood so that the transformation complete. But will she be happy that he saved her?? Or would she rather be dead than be a vampire?? Will she even believe what she has become???

What a great book!! The story is STUPID GOOD!! I mean, its not stupid. Its so good that I went ga-ga stupid!! Maya is a urologist (of course, since Gabriel has a wiener problem, right??). But other than that, I didn't see ANY eye-rolling plot points. You know what I mean, right?? The sex was....umm...it was just wow. It was so hot. Let me give you a little too much info: I don't dig anal. I've never really read a book that had it in there. This one does. And holy shit, it was hot.... Oh my god! LMAO!!! I just said holy shit when talking about anal!!! LMAO!!!! And they get IN. TO. DE. TAIL. For realsies!! And like I said, I don't dig it. But it was SO hot!! I can't believe it!!!! Anyways, enough about the sex (yeah right!). There was the mystery portion of the story and it was really good!! You won't BELIEVE who her attacker is!! I was sure it was one guy and then I was sure it was another and then I couldn't decide!!! Gah! So good!!

Now I know you've heard me bitch about too many story lines. In this book, the author is setting us up for the next book, about Yvette. But it wasn't obvious. Yvette has a larger part in this story so it seemed completely natural. Tina Folsom really gets it. She brings it ALL together and ties it up in a pretty little bow!! Oh and the whole penis problem....amazing how she works it out. I mean, there's a reason for his little growth. I didn't guess it but you certainly may. This was such a great book on several levels. You have GOT to try Tina Folsom out. She's be up there as one of your favorites in no time!! I swear it!!! :)
Profile Image for Lisa - (Aussie Girl).
1,449 reviews217 followers
January 30, 2013
It's official!. The Scanguards Vampires series has tipped over into "guilty pleasure" territory with the revelation that the hero Gabriel is . Easy to read,smutty but engaging this series is a fun, light hearted read between more complex paranormals and urban fantasy.
Profile Image for Carmel (Rabid Reads).
706 reviews391 followers
January 27, 2011
I spent half of this book trying to figure out what was up with Gabriel's manhood and the rest feeling scandalized once I found out. As a result, I made quick work of this novel! But be forewarned, there's a reason why this one comes with a sexual content advisory! Gabriel's Mate isn't solely about toe curling action mind you, it's also a great story.

I immediately developed a crush on Gabriel. He hasn't had the easiest of existences. Add to that the fact that he's a vampire ergo immortal. His torments follow him for all of eternity; you can't help but feel sorry for him. Not only does he have a nasty scar across his face that repels women but there's also something wonky going on in his pants that's caused him to be celibate for years. I've never been so curious about a character's man parts before! Light isn't shed on his problem until half way through the book. Let me just say this: I think Gabriel is too much man for me! I bet you're curious now too!

Gabriel's Mate revolves around the growing romantic relationship between Gabriel and Maya. He holds her hand through her transformation into a vampire and immediately feels drawn to her. Maya doesn't instantly feel the same way. I enjoyed spending time in both of the characters' minds. Readers get to witness Maya and Gabriel's internal arguments in which their brains don't agree with their bodies. It's no surprise that pleasure wins! There's an interesting twist thrown in at the end that really brings the story full circle.

As far as the nookie content is concerned... it was abundant, hot and at times down right scandalous! If you were to judge this book by its cover you'd be almost dead on. Except it takes a while for Gabriel and Maya to jump each others' bones because we don't know what's wrong with Gab's junk. But when they do finally get it on, sparks fly! The r-rated action's hotness increases until the end and culminates in an oh-my-god-is-it-hot-in-here finale. What used to be Gabriel's curse is now a gift. Reminder: this book is not for the squeamish!

Don't let the high sizzle factor lead you to believe that the story itself is flaky. Quite the contrary, it's intriguing and the naked action doesn't overshadow it. Gabriel's Mate is a fun read that will have you feeling and thinking about all kinds of things! Yes, some of them will be naughty. For those of us looking to unthaw in the dead of winter, this book will make you hotter than any blanket!

http://rabid-reads.blogspot.com/2011/...
Profile Image for Penelope Fletcher.
Author 27 books1,348 followers
July 11, 2011
I’ll keep this review short but sweet. If you like a bit of kink with your vampire romances you’ll like this book. I have read all of Ms Folsom’s books available via iBooks, and this was my favourite because it was the most unique.

Gabriel, a vampire with a peculiar deformity is rejected by all females and resigns himself to living a singular, sexually frustrated life which proves difficult as vampires in this book are exceedingly sexual beings. Then along comes a beaten, bloody, half dead and half turned vampire, Maya. He falls for her, she falls for him, he turns her, and there are many delightful mix ups, twists and turns, and general “I like you do you like me too” shenanigans as she tries to come to terms with her new life as a vampire, and her inexplicable craving for Gabriel’s blood (as opposed to human blood).

Now, I don’t want to give away the main juicy bit, because then I would take away the delicious shock, fit of giggles, wistful thinking then embarrassing visuals that come with it. My boyfriend became rather concerned when I kept looking at his groin then away with a speculative expression (didn’t realise how much I was doing it until he mentioned it). I’d never come across a situation like it in any other vampire romance I’d read before, and it takes a quite a bit for a book to surprise me. I do wish Ms Folsom's covers were a little less typical though.

http://indiebookreview.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for April.
2,640 reviews175 followers
August 28, 2016
Check out my other listens at Eargasms Audiobook Reviews

I am not happy with the turn of events in this book!! I am going to need to take a break before I continue the series, I really did not appreciate who the Rogue turned out to be, he was my book crush!

The story is really well do, exactly what I have come to expect in this series. Really full and rich stories. I was kind of annoyed about the whole deformity situation, really took forever for us to find out the details. The whole Rogue story was a bit more interesting than the whole drama of his issues.

The steam factor was quite delicious. Way more foreplay and oral action, to be expected with the uh, problem. Once they hit the sheets, or the living room wall, it was hot and heavy!! Yummy steam that in the end almost made me wish my fella had the same problem!!

This book is narrated by Kevin Foley, who does a great job. He has distinct and consistent voices for all the characters. His tone is very soothing and comfortable to listen to throughout the book. Terrific job with both the men's and women's voices. He gives happy ears.

There are several threads left open at the end of the book that I am sure will lead into the next couple books in the series. While I am quite sure they will be wonderful, I do need time to get over my disappointment of losing a book crush.
Profile Image for Danielle (Danniegurl).
1,943 reviews108 followers
June 5, 2017
This was so much better than Amaury's book. Gabriel is super lonely due to what he believes to be a deformity. We learn how Gabriel gets his scar and I feel truly bad for him and how he's had to live his life. Maya is a Dr and gets attacked and turned into a vampire. Her life completely changed.

The person who turned her, I started having suspicions about a person but wasn't completely sure I was correct. But the hints dropped were not subtle at all and I was correct in who I thought was the stalker rogue.

Maya and Gabriel are great together. Even though this was a bit of insta love, you could still see how they came together what drew them there and how authentic their feelings were.

I will be interested to see if Maya can help Yvette and what happens with Gabriel and Maya and if they can

Still better but still not knocked socks off.
Profile Image for Crystal _ Reading Between the Wines Book Club.
1,524 reviews331 followers
January 3, 2011
Quickie Review:
This third novel in the Scanguards Vampires series does not disappoint! There is so much mystery and suspense you can’t put the book down, a definite page-turner! The plot is unique and fabulously well written, the emotions intense, all the characters are well developed, there are witty & humorous dialogues between them and several surprising twists thrown in. But don’t be fooled, this isn’t a light romance. There are dark and bloody scenes along the way but you can’t have vampires without a little blood here and there.
The main charters have a sizzling chemistry and every single side character is intriguing. And the love scenes *fans myself* Wow. They don’t get any hotter then this! Set some time aside for this novel because once you start, you will become totally immersed in it.
This entire series is a must read and I look forward to more books to come from it!
Profile Image for Karla.
987 reviews1,108 followers
July 13, 2011
I really wanted to like this book, because I was looking forward to reading about Gabriel. It wasn't all bad and there were some things I really enjoyed. My biggest issue was with Gabriel's "problem". It was just to weird for me. If it was part of him initially, that would have been okay, but I felt like it was brought into the story for the extra "heat factor" and it just turned me off. He could have held his own just the way he was. Still a good series, I'm just hoping Yvette's book will be better.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,108 reviews86 followers
August 22, 2012
4.5stars actually

So it took me a while to get to this one but it was definitely worth the wait. So far this is a great series and luckily it’s still early enough in the series so that there is no repeating on the stories.

Disfigured, tortured, delectable yet sensitive Scanguards second Gabriel has been lonely and alone for many years. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any hope on the horizon for changing his situation until Dr. Maya Johnson is turned into a vampire against her will and he’s assigned to ensure her protection. The horrors that Gabriel has had inflicted on him and had to live with are both told in detail and cleverly alluded to as the story draws you in. Before I knew it, as a reader I wanted to be protective of Gabriel as did Maya. Not to be outdone, Gabriel felt understandably protective and anxious for Maya, he was very self-aware and was careful not to inflict or project his desires onto her. Maya’s reaction to her new lifestyle felt realistic and like more new vampires should have – I for one enjoyed her foibles.

I liked the suspense of trying to find out who and where the rogue vampire was and I felt sorrow at losing one of the original characters. I noticed some gaps but they weren’t distracting enough to stop my enjoyment of the book. The wrap-up to the story was rather neat but worked and I am anxious to start the next chapter of this exciting series.
378 reviews13 followers
July 11, 2011
3.5 stars rounded up

Follows the series pattern with unlikely romance blooming in the shadow of a dangerous threat. However, there are some twists in this book. Our heroine is a beautiful human doctor, Maya, who is turned into a vampire against her will at the onset of the story. She is rescued by the Scanguards team and Gabriel, handsome but disfigured, is asked to watch over her until they catch the rogue vampire who turned her. The two have an immediate connection, which is explained later in an interesting twist. I enjoyed this story, and though I liked the back story on why Maya and Gabriel connected like they did, I was disappointed to figure out early on who the "bad guy" was. Nonetheless, Gabriel was a great leading man and overcoming his challenges made for a heartwarming element to the story, making up for other shortcomings.

This book set us up for a bunch of future additions to this story. The next book is about Yvette, our first female Scanguard lead. However, I can't wait to read books about Zane and Thomas (maybe Thomas and Eddie).

The Scanguard series is no Black Dagger Brotherhood, but it is certainly fun enough to read and I look forward to future editions.
Profile Image for Camilla.
465 reviews86 followers
December 3, 2010
This series just keeps getting better and better..

It's not that often I get hooked, just from reading the prologue, but thats exactly what happened with this book.. I couldnt wait to find out what had Gabriels new wife freaking out like she did..

I read this book in one go, and I think I wouldnt even have noticed if my house had caught on fire..

I loved this story, and I loved Gabriel and Maya together.. And when I say that they are -perfect- for each other, I'm really not exaggerating.. But you'll see.. ;o) Because damn.. Gabriels "little problem" ? Must be a nice party trick to have.. lol I hadnt seen that 'coming' thats for sure.. But when we finally find out what it is, it was just right.. For him and for Maya..

Speaking of that.. These books are seriously hot!
I absolutly love books that can get me emotionally involved while also having hot as hell sex scenes..

I loved Maya. She was just kick-ass, and also a little nymph, but seriously, who wouldnt be that, if they had a sexy vamp like Gabriel to play with?

Loved it!

5 stars..
Profile Image for Donna (BLHmistress).
171 reviews85 followers
February 6, 2011
Review:

Ok I have been sitting here trying to figure out just exactly how to review this book for one I knew going in I was going to love it or at least I hoped I would, after reading one of Tina's other works in another series I became a fan almost immediately. Let me say this one didn't disappoint and even though I hadn't read the first two books in this series, I didn't feel lost at all.

Let me just start by saying I adore Gabriel. I could be wrong but this is the first I have read a vampire with insecurities and still be her knight in shining armor so to speak and that was a refreshing change for me. Don't get me wrong I love my broody vampires but I think I almost love the vulnerable vampire more.

I know you wondering what I thought about the issues he had, to say I was totally floored would be an understatement. My mind was racing the whole time I read this trying to figure out what they were and what could be that bad to make him feel like he was a monster to women and you don't wanna know what I had been thinking it might have been(I was at one point tempted to skim ahead to find out but I didn't). I felt like a detective trying to figure out what was up with Gabriel and Maya who had her own issues that no one could figure out either and I loved every minute of it.

Maya was easy to connect to as well, I liked the fact though she was scared she did so without being whiny. The twist Tina took regarding her turning surprised me and I won't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil it for who hasn't read it yet.

Now on to the good stuff, we all know we love these scenes admit it! I want so badly to be able to mention one my favorite scenes but I can't, lets just say I wish I had a man who would do what he did just because it needed done. The build up was almost as hot as the actual acts.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I say run don't walk and get this book. This is the third in the Scanguard series but it can be read as a stand alone with no problems though after you do read it , I can almost guarantee you will want the first two, I know I do.


My Rating for this book is a 5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Mojca.
2,132 reviews164 followers
August 18, 2011
After a rather disappointing second installment in this series, I was quite apprehensive about picking up Gabriel’s Mate. My worries were unfounded, though, because I simply loved it.

The pacing was great, the characters amazing (I adored Gabriel and Maya both individually and as a couple), the plot nice and tight, and the suspense just right. Sure, the villain was obvious from the get-go, but that didn’t deter from my enjoyment. It heightened it, actually, since I was curious as to how the characters would discover the truth, and how it would all end. Let me just tell you, that part of the plot ended perfectly.

The rest was also great. A little bit predictable, a little bit “shortcutted” to fit together (Gabriel’s “handicap” – which wasn’t as bad as he thought, Maya’s “differences”), it seemed a little too easy, but still, it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of this book. The romance was sweet, Gabriel was too cute for words, Maya was his perfect counterpart, the sex was hot...The conflict was intriguing, there were vampires...What more would I want from an erotic vampire romance?

I loved the first installment in this series, but this one joined it on the top-spot. I couldn’t say which book was better, because they were different, Samson’s had more humor (mostly thanks to his predicament), while Gabriel’s had more drama, Samson’s book flowed a little better for me (there was no easy resolutions), while Gabriel had a better heroine (Maya accepted her new life without much trouble, didn’t wallow in denial like Delilah did, didn’t have any TSTL moments), while both heroes were to-do-for, drool-worthy specimens of vampire hunkiness.

What more can I say? I loved this book, Tina Folsom is one of my favorite authors, and I even came to like Yvette and I’m not squeamish about reading her book anymore.
Profile Image for Tracey.
1,473 reviews70 followers
November 26, 2012
I love a paranormal romance, great escaping the realms of normality and this series does that fabulously.

This is Gabrieles story, he gets assigned guarding a newly turned vampire (who had been turned against her will). Instantly he is attracted to her. He has personal problems he doesn't want to share, eventually he will have to though if he has any hope of moving forward - also he has to find her attacker, let the vampire romance ride begin :)

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Giving this book 4 stars as could have had a pinch more angst, but still really enjoyed.
Profile Image for Tanya .
304 reviews5 followers
July 16, 2012
I loved this book! Gabriel is a vampire who has in this series stole my heart.

Gabriel is the head of Scansguard at the New York office but still in San Francisco after helping to rescue Nina at the end of the last book, when a female human is bitten and turned against her will by a rogue vampire. Sampson asks Gabriel to stay and attend to Maya to ensure she makes it through her transition. The last thing Gabriel wants is to be helping out this female however as soon as he see's her the attraction is instant.

As soon as Maya comes around after her ordeal the feeling is mutual..

Will they be each other's happy ever after?

Another scorching read which I couldn't put down!
Profile Image for Dina.
1,221 reviews54 followers
October 11, 2019
Got the chance to have another taste of this lovely bit and it's reminding me of how just plain beautiful Ms. Folsom's work is <3

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5 another devouring-worthy stars!!

(Originally read in 2015)
One of the fastest reads! And that's not because it's short.. the length was absolutely right.. nope it was one of those, you wanna keep reading to know what's gonna happen stories..

And boy what a story!

Absolutely delicious ;)
Profile Image for Justadele.
924 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2016
Oh dear it was all going so well but it's a DNF at 84% a Satyr? & with extra appendages no just NO!
Profile Image for GuisBell.
1,299 reviews31 followers
December 30, 2017
Uno más que cae en las redes del amor y el que diga que no va caer, es el primero que termina cayendo, jajajajaja...
Profile Image for Jo ★The Book Sloth★.
485 reviews447 followers
March 28, 2013
If the previous books were 3-stars-worthy, this one would go for a 3.5, maybe even a 4 at some points.

We have Gabriel...



Gabriel has a secret that keeps him from being intimate with women often, a secret that when they discover it they recoil from him in terror. The last time he loved a woman he ended up with a scar that destroyed his face so he doesn't believe there is a woman who would love him out there. When the gorgeous Maya is turned against her will and lands in his arms he can't help but hope that she will accept him as he is but experience has taught him not to expect much.

And we have Maya...



Maya wakes up in an unknown house, with strange people all around her who tell her that after a rogue attack she's become a vampire, something that a week ago she would consider a legend. If that wasn't enough she seems to accept only one type of blood and that comes in a bottle named Gabriel. With her world upside down Maya has to find her place in a new world, learn how to control her new body and see where her overwhelming attraction to Gabriel will lead, all that under the threat of the Rogue vampire out to get her.



In general I liked this book more than the previous in the series. For starters I liked both heroes. Maya is a strong woman who takes what life throws her way and makes the best of it. I have a soft spot for survivors!

Gabriel is the classic tortured-scarred-emotional wreck of a hero that we come across so often in RNR but his "secret" gives him the unique quality that the previous heroes in the series lacked.

One thing I didn't like was the fact that once again we knew the bad guy halfway through the book. Where is the mystery? The suspense?

My two other not favorite parts were:

a) The love at first sight thing again. I know I complain about it all the time and then melt again when I find some swoon-worthy hero but I need a better romance development... I don't mind the lust at first sight but I want to see the "love" part growing by getting to know the heroes. I felt that whenever one of them had doubts they f*cked their way through them.

b) I don't mind weird sex in my books but at some points I draw the line. This book straddled the line between what I find acceptable and what not.

So I guess I'm done for now... 3.5 stars.



PS. I really wanna see a Thomas-Eddie romance!xD
Profile Image for Jess.
751 reviews63 followers
December 31, 2011
Gabriel is a second in-command Scanguard who is haunted by his past, not only emotionally but physically with a scar down one side of his face. Gabriel is different from others and has a sensitive private issue that doesn’t allow him to get close to women due to him feeling unworthy and a freak. All Gabriel wants is to be accepted and to be loved for who he is;

“At night, he could pretend to be an ordinary man with ordinary desires and dreams: for a loving wife, a family, a welcoming home. He knew he would be a good husband, gentle and loving, if only he was given a chance. 65 But in all the years since his transformation he’d never met a woman who hadn’t looked at him with horror. He’d never even tried to make advances on any of them for fear of rejection.”


When Maya, who is a doctor, is attacked by a Rogue vampire and half turned she is sheltered under the protection of the Scanguard and Gabriel has an instant attraction toward her. When it comes to light that Maya’s turning isn’t taking effect, her human side is fighting back against the change and her vampire side isn’t strong enough; that she is dying because the rogue who tried to make her a vampire only half completed the job and she needs more blood, it’s Gabriel who offers to step up and save Maya. When Maya first awakens and seeing Gabriel’s scarred face, she is shocked and frightened but as she is around him more, she sees him for who he really is and isn’t effected by his facial scars. The first kiss that Maya and Gabriel share gives him hope that he has found someone who accepts him and as it turns out the pair share a very deep connection that makes them the prefect pair.

I loved the steamy scenes in this read, I couldn’t get enough of Gabriel and Maya and when Gabriel develops his certain...Talent, holy hotness. I could have read more and more about this couple, it was great how Maya finally found someone who could satisfy her and complete her just as Gabriel found someone who loved him for everything that he is. This read hooked me in right from the start, I couldn’t stop reading. For all those paranormal romance lovers out there, this series is one you have to try.



*Received for review by publisher*
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