An antique book dealer in Dublin, Aideen Godwin, purchases an unopened crate at the estate auction of Michael Meyrick. A collector of the arcane, Meyrick was also rumored to be an Arch Druid and psychic. Expecting to find several priceless manuscripts, Aideen opens the crate to find one red leather-bound book and an unusual, smooth but misshapen dark red stone wrapped in moth eaten velvet.

As Aideen translates the ancient manuscript of sorcerer Cenn Cruech and his search for the Bloodstone, she begins to have erotic visions of Cenn. Collapsing after one such vision with the warm Bloodstone still in her hand, the Bloodstone imparts its secrets to Aideen and gives her the key to fulfilling her deepest desire - to travel through time to Cenn in Kenmore.

Cenn has visions of a powerful sorceress who controls the Bloodstone he has been searching for to help his people. A mystical evil force has been attacking Cenn's people with a grey fog covering the land for two years. When Aideen arrives with the Bloodstone in hand, Cenn believes Aideen's power will save Kenmore and he demands that she pledge herself to him. Cenn wants Aideen to pledge herself not only as a sorceress and apprentice but also as his wife. Aideen on the other hand has no desire to marry nor does she believe she has any mystical powers. Can Cenn with Aideen's help defeat the evil that surrounds them?

The Bloodstone Chronicles is a good paranormal romance of sorcery and Celtic mythology. Ms. Vermont has a great concept for a series. Although I enjoyed the story, I wanted more details of settings and motivations for the characters. I never got a clear feel of Kenmore or the people that inhabited the time in which the tale was set. I was also confused by Adieen's compulsion to give herself to Cenn so quickly. Overall the book left me in anticipation for the next installment. The Bloodstone Chronicles has the potential to be a wonderful series.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Larenda Twigg
November 2, 2003