What makes us human?Centuries old, the vampire never dreamed he’d meet his end in a silver cage. Or by a human’s hand.After years of torture, he’s ready to give up hope. Until he meets his torturer’s beautiful daughter.Trapped in a life she didn’t choose, under her father’s control, Evangeline longs for escape. For freedom.Until the vampire calls to her.Will she risk everything to free him? Or … freedom.
Until the vampire calls to her.
Will she risk everything to free him? Or will the secrets in her blood destroy them both?
Not all vampires are evil.
Not all humans are weak.
Love to last an eternity is within reach—if death doesn’t claim them first.
You’ll love this steamy romance because a vampire’s bite can claim you forever.
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I really want to mark this as post-apocalyptic and dystopian, but the thing is, it really isn’t. It just kind of has that feel sometimes. I think it has that feel because of where Evangeline grew up.
Vampires exist. But, they are ruled by a group called the Conclave. Nicola is a member of the Conclave and he wrote up a law that controls the way that vampires feed. They aren’t allowed to drain humans anymore, and they can’t bespell them. His law also set up blood banks where humans could donate blood for the vampires to drink. While not all vampires want to follow this law, the fact is that it is good for everyone, and it’s a way to let everyone live together in peace.
Nearly one hundred years later, Henry takes his pregnant wife, Marie, into the bunkers with more members of The Hand of God. They are a radicalized terrorist group, who believe that vampires are evil. His goal is to find a way to make vampires mortal so that they can all be killed.
After that, we start jumping a bit in time. We meet Evangeline as a young girl, used as bait to capture Nicola. Then we jump forward to follow Evangeline several times.
I thought that this was a really interesting book, with an incredibly interesting premise. I like the world that Eddy came up with, and her framing of the way the vampires work and their bonding is reasonably unique, I think. I love Evangeline. She’s strong and fierce and not afraid to do what she thinks she should. I do feel sorry for her though, for what she has to go through. I hate her dad. He’s a major ash-hole.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This love story is by turns both gut wrenching and heart warming. Though this story spans 18 years, deals with vampures and takes place mostly in 2031, it touches deeply on issues facing us today such as religious zealots and bigotry. Nicola and Evangeline’s bond is created when he rescues her as an eightvyear old chile and it grows stronger over the next 18 years although she has no idea he’s alive and being held in captivity as a science experiment. Evangeline is unbeknownst to her is also a science experiment thanks to her father. Together, Nic and Eva overcome overwhelming, unpredictable and life endangering odds all the while becoming closer by the minute. Now it’s up to them to destroy the work her father has been doing in order to protect the vampire race.
I am in awe of the power and depth of emotions I felt while reading this book. The edge of your seat moments and anticipation of what might happen next made it nearly impossible to put this book down. Nic and Eva’s connection and special bond was palpable and beautiful. I am so glad I found this book!
First let me state, I received an Advance Reader Copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review. Also this author is new to me & hopefully not for long.
Holy shiznet!!! This read was gr8. Evangeline, (Eva), is such a strong, sassy human woman. Nicolo, (Nic), is a hot, sexy vampire. Eva’s father Henry, is one sick puppy. All he does to Nic is sick and distorted, but the way he treats his own child really makes me hate him. There’s so much going on that it makes this story interesting. I can’t wait for the next one. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
This is the first book in the In the Blood Series. This story is so well written, I love it! It’s suspenseful, entertaining, captivating and fast-paced! I love the two main characters Nicola and Evangeline. Their chemistry is really strong. They are both strong. Now, I can’t wait for the next book in the Series. The narration was really great and entertaining! This was my first listen to Anna Castiglioni and it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed my listening. I’ve listened to this audiobook through the Romance Package.
Thought it was great! If ever turned into a movie, I’m there. I love how it was descriptive and different from most other vampire stories. I never would’ve thought to describe the marks like that, but that is one thing that made it great because it was different. Highly recommend giving it a shot even though I didn’t want it to end like that lol. First book I read by her and was not disappointed. Impatiently waiting on more.
Very original!
This is a good read and one I enjoyed a great deal. The characters were well defined and interacted in both expected and unexpected ways. The story line was unique and was fairly well drawn out. I would recommend.
I enjoyed reading about the world this author created. The hardships the characters go through makes their triumphs that much sweeter. The story is well written and the main characters have depth.
I loved this book!! I couldn’t stop reading until it was finished.
I am torn between three and four stars, but as I’m not a romance reader, I think it would probably be unfair to give it just the three. I’d worry I gave it three because I didn’t enjoy the romance in the story.
I did enjoy the story line, however. And I mostly enjoyed the characters. Enough that I read till the end in only a couple of days.
The prose could do with a bit of polishing, and I’d wish it had gotten a few more read-throughs before being published, to catch the inconsistencies and repetitions.
Over all, though, it was very enjoyable, and I practically tore through it.
I was lucky enough to stumble across this fantastic read when I was looking for a riveting new book. Though it was a bit of a slow start I couldn’t help but be intrigued by both Nikolai and Evangeline’s characters. The more I read the better I connected with their characters. Evangeline was intelligent, strong-willed, courageous, kindhearted yet fiery when she needed to be. I loved how she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Nikolai was strong and fiercely protective. The connection between them is undeniable and withstood the test of time. When the two are reunited the story really picks up and kept me on the edge of my seat anticipating what new twist their story would take. It has been quite some time since I have read a paranormal book that has kept me spellbound like Secrets in Blood has. Secrets in Blood was an entertaining, suspenseful, and gripping read and I look forward to continuing Nikolai and Evangeline’s story in the next book!
I loved this book. It has me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. Eva was raised kind of sheltered believing that all vampires were evil but she knows better because of Nic. Nicola spent years being held captive and tortured but Eva helps him. Will they or will they not bond? Will they stay together? Can they escape what is out to destroy them? All these questions are running through your head and you see their love grow. It’s epic.
Aiden Snow and Grace Grant did such a good job narrating this. I got lost in their voices and almost forgot they were there (which I am aware is an odd thing to say!).
I loved this story so much. It’s an angle on vampires I’ve never read before and I thoroughly enjoyed it, it held on to me from the beginning and didn’t let me go. The characters are so beautifully written, I felt myself willing them to succeed and also chastising them in my head. I could have more than happily stayed in this world with these characters a lot longer. I want to give it 6 stars.
Definitely holds your interest. One minute in tears the next eagerly hopeful. Very tender, loving, scarey story.
A hard to put down read. Riveting story
In this world, vampires exist and are known to humans. This book defines the lines of humanity, but who is the monster? This book makes me look at horror of what we are capable of as humans. In the midst of pain and terror, love is found, a connection and bond formed. Well written and the characters are deeply developed, even the side characters.
I couldn’t put this book down. It kept me hooked until the last page!
I loved this book! I don’t usually read vampire stories but this one caught my attention. This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be looking for more in the future. A well written book with interesting well developed characters that intrigued me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Emotional – Engaging – a unique must-read!
This was the first in a duet, the second half is already released, though I am hoping the author continues this as a series
Secrets in Blood starts out a bit on the slow side – there is a lot of details that are presented within the first few chapters but I was so thankful for the slow build – once the adventure begins there really isn’t a place to take a breather – Lots of angst and “Oh no you didn’t moments” sprinkled with enough plot twists and surprises that felt like I was on a tilt-a-whirl – then we have the romance between Eva and Nic, this was beautifully portrayed, allowing the reader to easily follow their journey and fall in love with love
The Details:
The Hand of God Ministries is on a mission to ensure that the vampire race is eradicated. A team of top scientists is brought together to research a serum that will accomplish this. They have everything they need except a test subject – Nicola, ever calm and charismatic, finds himself the new guinea pig for the HOG Ministries.
We follow both the good doctor, Evangelina and Nicola over a 15+ year journey
A few of the cast:
Let’s start with Daddy Dearest – Henry – could there be a better protagonist? I do not want to give any surprises away so I will just say he is the man you love to hate. I have so many questions about what happened during his “research”. I am really hoping that book two gives me those answers.
Evangelina – this is what a heroine, IMO, should be, strong, intelligent curious to a fault, feminine but has no qualms about correcting your misguided and slightly misogynistic beliefs when they rear their ugly heads. Yeah – I really liked her she was a “Piccola donna esuberante”
Nicola – What a perfect creation for a male lead. He seems to radiate a sense of composure and tranquility, except when Evangelina is threatened – can’t tell you because it would ruin the surprise
Overall?:
I would recommend if you enjoy paranormal .
There are a couple scenes that I wish the author had gone into more detail but it did not detract from the overall story.
This is a full-length story that does continue in a second book.
I loved this story.