Gabriel's Mate (Scanguards Vampires #3): Fast-paced, scorching vampire romantasy

Tina Folsom

May 2011 · Scanguards Vampires Book 3 · Tina Folsom

About this ebook

Maya never asked to become a vampire.

One violent act shatters her human life and thrusts her into the secret world of Scanguards—an elite, vampire-led security firm sworn to protect both mortals and immortals from those who abuse their power.

Assigned to guard her is Gabriel, Scanguards’ most formidable enforcer and second-in-command. Feared by enemies and allies alike, Gabriel lives by one rule: justice without mercy. His mission is clear—hunt down the rogue vampire who turned Maya and make him pay. Falling for his charge was never part of the plan.

But Maya isn’t the broken victim Gabriel expects. Beneath her fear lies resilience, compassion, and a quiet strength that stirs emotions he’s spent centuries burying. Haunted by rejection and convinced he is more monster than man, Gabriel keeps his distance, certain that if Maya ever sees the beast within, she’ll flee.

Maya, however, sees something else entirely.

As danger closes in and Scanguards faces a threat that reaches beyond one rogue vampire, the bond between protector and protected deepens. To survive, Maya must embrace her new existence—and Gabriel must decide whether he’s willing to risk his heart for a love that could finally redeem him.

A Beauty and the Beast–inspired paranormal romance set in the Scanguards universe, where powerful vampire protectors, found family, and redemption collide in stories of passion, danger, and everlasting love.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Lara Adrian, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Midnight Breed series: "I'm addicted to Tina Folsom's books! The Scanguards® series is one of the hottest things to happen to vampire romance. If you love scorching, fast-paced reads, don't miss this thrilling series!"

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Scanguards Vampires series is full of fast-paced action, scorching love scenes, witty dialogue, and strong heroes and heroines. Vampire Samson Woodford lives in San Francisco and owns a security/bodyguard company, Scanguards, which employs both vampires and humans. And eventually some witches. Throw in a few immortal guardians and demons later in the series, and you'll get the drift! Each book can be read as a standalone and always centers around a new couple finding love, but the series is more enjoyable when read in order. And of course, there are always a few running jokes - you'll understand when you meet Wesley, a wannabe witch. Enjoy!

Scanguards Vampires

Samson's Lovely Mortal (#1)

Amaury's Hellion (#2)

Gabriel's Mate (#3)

Yvette's Haven (#4)

Zane's Redemption (#5)

Quinn's Undying Rose (#6)

Oliver's Hunger (#7)

Thomas's Choice (#8)

Silent Bite (#8 ½)

Cain's Identity (#9)

Luther's Return (#10)

Novella: Mortal Wish

Blake's Pursuit (#11)

Fateful Reunion (#11 ½)

John's Yearning (#12)

Ryder's Storm (#13)

Damian's Conquest (#14)

Grayson's Challenge (#15)

Isabelle's Forbidden Love (#16)

Cooper's Passion (#17)

Vanessa’s Bravery (#18)

Patrick’s Seduction (#19)

The Scanguards Vampires series has it all: love at first sight, enemies to lovers, meet cute, instalove, alpha hero, fated mates, bodyguard, band of brothers, damsel in distress, woman in peril, beauty and the beast, hidden identity, soul mates, first love, virgins, tortured hero, age gap, second chance love, grieving lover, return from the dead, secret baby, playboy, kidnappings, friends to lovers, coming out, secret admirer, last to know, unrequited love, amnesia, royalty, forbidden love, identical twins, partners in fighting crime...

Ratings and reviews

3.5 stars — Another reread, and another one I originally rated 4 stars but didn’t leave a review for. And it’s not that on reread I’m not enjoying these books, but definitely not to the same degree I did some 7 years ago. There are these subtleties in the writing that keep tweaking me, and I can’t always put my finger on it, but I can’t shake it either. In this one I started to feel…almost sexual shaming. There’s something distinctly old school about the way these characters think about sex and relationships and fidelity. Now, part of that could be that these are characters who have been alive for centuries, and so are still holding some old school beliefs, but they’ve lived long enough in the modern world that that should have worn off. These are not super overt things, and I’ve definitely seen them in other romances, don’t get me wrong. They just seemed a bit more out there in this one. Things like if I don’t keep my partner sexually satisfied, they will go somewhere else to get it. There was more in that vein, but I’ve apparently forgotten them. In a slightly different vein, the supposed darker desires (anal sex) of our characters was conveyed in a very shamed manner. And I get that many characters would genuinely think that, but it didn’t feel resolved at the end…I didn’t feel like the characters saw the act as less shameful, just that it was okay because of what they were. I wasn’t impressed with that. While I may not personally be interested in various sexual acts/kinks, I don’t feel like someone who is should be ashamed of that. *sigh* I was also not impressed with the way Gabriel’s scar and deformity were handled. I find it seriously hard to believe that every woman would scream in terror from him. Was he just convinced because of a few bad encounters, and then perhaps was projecting? Maybe. But seriously. Something about that whole thing just irked me. So why still 3.5 stars? Again, I’m enjoying the world, the large cast of characters, the action/plot. And despite the things mentioned above, I did enjoy Gabriel and Maya and feel for both of them. The twist that surrounds who they are was interesting and unique. And the bad guy was HORRIBLE. And I’m still intrigued by what’s going to happen in the future! Again, the steamy scenes started off good but got a bit long for my tastes. I don’t know. I’m still interested. I’m still entertained. *shrugs*

it's exciting and romantic to the same time. I can't wait to start book 4. Robin Erichsen Wewoka ok

Very good read.. erotic and also a book that u don't want to put down.. The only negative is that although the ending us fantastic I wish that story would continue.. :(

About the author

Tina Folsom is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Her bestselling series, Scanguards Vampires, has sold over 1 Million copies worldwide. Tina has written over 50 books, which are published in English, German, French, and Spanish. Tina writes about Vampires (Scanguards Vampires and Venice Vampyr series), Greek Gods (Out of Olympus Series), Immortals and Demons (Stealth Guardians Series), CIA Agents (Code Name Stargate), and Bachelors (Hamptons Bachelors Club).

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