Paranormal/Futuristic
Bloodchained
By Robin Snodgrass
Oct 11, 2007 - 9:58:32 AM

Grace Gilder and her brother Sebastian run a fashionable inn on the road to Audacacia, home of the famous Temple of Love.  Pilgrims stay at Gilder's Inn as they journey to implore the power of the Temple to intervene in matters of the heart.  Grace and Sebastian inherited the inn when they were very young.   They have turned it into a top-notch public house with their hard work. Grace loves two things in the world above all others, her brother and their inn.

Finn Equain is the son of a very wealthy family.   He harbors a secret obsession with the Roican people that could bring shame upon his entire family.   The Roicans are a legendary race of blood-drinking immortals with supernatural powers. Finn is an enigmatic, morose fellow who has little love for anything.

Finn learns that Roicans are an ancient race who much like vampires must have blood to survive.   However, unlike vampires, Roicans only need blood once per lunar cycle, and then only from their blood mate.   They are nearly indestructible with one exception…they will die without the blood of their mate.   Finn also discovers that most Roicans are admirable and moral people. However, there are some that wish to be rulers of the world. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell the good from the evil.

By the time Grace and Finn meet, circumstances beyond their control have set major plans in motion. Finn and Liam, along with his gorgeous sister Nessa, are staying at Gilder's Inn during their pilgrimage to the Temple.  The fates of these five people are intertwined and their futures will be decided by the supernatural powers in play.   What surprises await them at the Temple?   Whose petitions will the Temple powers grant?   Whose will be denied?   Ultimately, can love conquer evil?

Diana Laurence had the inspiration to get her fans involved in the writing of a book. BLOODCHAINED is the result of this novel idea.  Laurence gathered a group of readers and polled them about the various aspects of the story.   She asked for input and opinions as the story progressed. This unusual approach to novel writing has produced a story that will thrill paranormal and historical romance lovers alike. The world in which Grace, Finn, Sebastian, and the others live is an old fashioned one.   The Roicans are a paranormal race with extraordinary abilities such as healing and mind control. The blending of these genres is definitely a winning combination.

The romances, and there are more than one in this novel, are at times sweet and at other times extremely intense.  Laurence has imbued her characters with traits that range from one extreme to the other, from honor to depravity. I cried at heartbreaking moments in the story.  At other moments, I laughed at the quick wit exhibited by several of the characters.   Through it all, I enjoyed this story of love and passion, betrayal and redemption.  Grab a copy of this superb book and experience the world of the Roicans for yourself.