Grace Gilder and her brother, Sebastian, are left owners of the Gilda Inn. Underneath the Inn’s sign reads Pilgrims Welcome. Of course, Grace would give it all up and be homeless to have her mother back again. The tavern would be their only home now, to live and be joint owners, as she and Sebastian make the tavern most comfortable for the wayfaring guests. Finn Equain, the son of a wealthy landowner, and heir to a huge estate, holds a book, Precepts of the Roicans, one that if his father knew he had, would give him a trashing. From reading the book, Finn knows some of the darkest secrets of the Roicans, one being their similarity to vampires needing blood to exist. While some of the Roicans are moral, others wish absolute power. Finn knew sometimes it was hard telling good and evil humans apart, let alone any Roicans. Knowing the secret and telling others could put him at risk. While staying at the Inn, he has the privilege of meeting Grace. In time, they strike up a warm friendship and Finn feels he can trust Grace, so he shares the secret of the book. Finn likes the Tavern/Inn. It holds a charming elegance that makes him feel he belongs, and Sebastian and Grace make him feel at home. As his feelings for Grace grow, he knows he must protect her from the secret, especially when others are out there wishing to do more harm than good.

Bloodchained is like no other book. For one, the talented Diana Laurence pulled together a group of readers, sixty-three in total, to get input surrounding different features on the story. By communicating with the readers, and organizing their input and ideas on the book, she crafts a tale that comes together brilliantly. I thought this premise was like a labor of love with everyone lovingly adding their special ingredient into the pot to make it perfectly seasoned. Paranormal and historical romances are two of my favorite genres, and the way this story revolves around both genres is pure delight. The characters’ emotions are remarkable. There are moments for laughter, and sometimes for a few tears, as Grace, Sebastian, and Finn, along with the other characters, exhibit wide range of emotions through love, disloyalty and deliverance that engages the reader at every turn of the page in this unique read.

Reviewed by: Linda L.