Format Read: eBook
Number of Pages: 271 pages
Release Date: June 14th 2010
Publisher: Carina Press
Formats Available: eBook
Purchasing Info: GoodReads, Author’s Website,Carina Press

Book Blurb:
Worlds within worlds await through the Maya Bloodgate…

Dr. Jaid Merritt doesn’t do digs. The last time she ventured into the jungle, someone died. Now she’s content to decipher Maya glyphs from pictures sent to her by her famous archaeologist father. But when he goes missing while trying to perform a ritual based on her translations of an ancient codex, Jaid must put aside her fears and travel to Guatemala to find him.

After misusing the Bloodgates to bring his twin brother back from the afterlife, the Maya priest known as Ruin was cursed by the gods to stand as the guardian for all time. He was unable to stop Dr. Charles Merritt from opening the gates, and now demons roam this world. The last thing he wants to do is hurt the beautiful woman who is somehow infused with his magic, but if she uses the codex to retrieve her father, Ruin must do his duty. And this time, he won’t fail. Even if it kills him. Again.

My Thoughts:
The Bloodgate Guardian handles a new topic for me: Mayan history and legend. This novel is about Dr. Jaid Merrit, the Un-Indiana Jones. Alone for that term I love this book. Just kidding. Jaid is a born archologist. Her dad is a famous personality in this area and he sacrificed most of his personal life to become what he is, Jaid always stood in his shadow. She is an even greater mind than he is but since a dramatic accident in her past she has a huge fear of actually attending a dig, so she stays at home and loses herself in decrypting the Mayan language. She definetely is not one of those kick ass heroines. She’a afraid- a lot but I can totally related to that. She felt so real- exactly like I would feel if I would been thrown into that story.

So what happens? The last few months she decrypted a special text for her dad and when she receives an video mail form her dad telling her that it works, she can’t believe her own eyes. She sees how her dad falls into the deep Gate in an Mayan Temple- The Bloodgate. What should she do now? Just give up all hope and live with the fact that her dad is for always lost or should she be stronger than her fears and actually go on a dig? She does the second and it is an action packed ride.

We meet Ruin at the actual Bloodgate. First thing: I completely adore his name. I’m so happy Joely could keep it because it fit him just right. I love the way it reflects his history. Nothing better than a name with a meaning. Ruin is the gatekeeper and older than we can imagine to ever become. He has issues with himself and his past actions. He’s one of those brooding heroes I love so much. He made a huge mistake in the past, or so he believes, and he just can’t forgive himself. He wants to safe his damned brother but he also believes that this would make everything worse. And with worse I mean causing apocalypse. He has a very set mind and won’t change his opinion a tiny bit. When he meets Jaid his hardness starts to crack. He never felt that way near a woman. She is everything he would have not even dared to dream of. He’s fascinated by her mind and character and would do anything to save her and keep her happy. That’s a thing he was always afraid of. He always was the selfless brother and he has a hard time accepting his unconditional love for Jaid.

I loved the way Ruin and Jaid interacted. They fit together and you can feel the chemistry in every word they spoke. That’s a thing I noticed in more than one of Joely books: she knows how to make the couple “perfect”. They aren’t all the same but they are unique in their own way but every time I read one of her books it feels like: Yes, that’s the way they should be. They aren’t without flaws or an easy fit but just never could imagine one of them with a different character. Her couples are more real than most in romance novels- they always speak to my heart and touch me deep inside.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book, besides the romance, was the wonderful detailed way Joely described the Mayan history and artifacts. Perhaps that’s the dormant archeologist in me waking up but I was highly fascinated by each small piece of information or tidbit of background info about that topic. I have to admit that Mayan history wasn’t something I was interested in before, I was always an Egypt kind of girl and I have a million of books to prove that, but Joely drew my attention and yes I already watched a few documentations about the Maya’s after finishing this book. Reading the Bloodgate Guardian felt like watching Indiana Jones- thrilling and fascinating and even better with a spicy romance.

The Bloodgate Guardian is more story than romance focused and I surprisingly I liked it even more because of that. The story building is masterly done and I’m so intrigued by the whole setting that I can’t wait to get book 2 in this series.Highly recommended for everyone who likes a thrilling plot, breathtaking action and touch of romance.

I give The Bloodgate Guardian 4,5 out of 5 bookies.

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Susi

Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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