The Bloody Ruin Asylum & Taproom

Sam Quinn #7

by Seana Kelly

I’m Sam, the werewolf book nerd owner of The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar. My husband, Master vampire Clive, has been asked to go to Budapest to interview for a position in the Guild, a council of thirteen vampires who advise the world’s Masters. The competition for the recently vacated spot is fierce. I worry about Clive, as it quickly becomes apparent that the last person to hold the position didn’t leave voluntarily.

Ever the supportive wife, I’m tagging along. I researched Budapest and had a long itinerary of things to do. That is, I did. When we arrive, we find out that the Guild headquarters is in the ruins of an abandoned insane asylum. Awesome. If there’s one thing I love, it’s being hounded by mentally unstable Hungarian ghosts.

Let’s just say this isn’t the romantic getaway I’d been hoping for. With Clive in top secret meetings and a bunch of creepy Renfields skulking around corners, nowhere is safe. I want to help Clive because I know he really wants the job, but the other Guild members are ancient and scary powerful. Between you and me, I thought Vlad would be taller.

Wish us luck! We’re going to need it.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2024

About the author

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, and one fish. When she's not dodging her family, hiding in the garage and trying to write, she's working as a high school teacher-librarian. She's an avid reader and re-reader who misses her favorite characters when it's been too long between visits.

She's represented by the delightful and effervescent Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this series!! Seriously, one of my top five UF series of all tim. And I read a LOT of UF! It’s everything one can possibly want and the writing is absolute top shelf. If you haven’t, race over and get the first book… just make sure you have the time to indulge, cause you won’t want to put one single installment down.

You can thank me later. :)

[Spasticnontastic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and adore Sam, a necromancer werewolf & book nerd owner of The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar. Her husband, Clive, is a Master Vampire. Along with their dog, they enjoy a blessed life, except for the occasional supernatural threat.

Clive has been invited to interview for a position in the Guild, a council of thirteen vampires who advise the world’s Masters. Leaving her beloved bar and pooch behind, Sam travels with him. Their trip takes them to Budapest, and an abandoned insane asylum where the vampires meet and dwell. Kelly hooked me from the start and I devoured this one.

While each book contains a full story, like most urban fantasy, I recommend listening in the order of release. Relationships, Sam’s history and how she obtains her growing number of allies will make for a more enjoyable experience discovering them in order, and ya know, spoilers.

The vampires aren’t exactly happy to see Sam, although most are hospitable. Sam is uneasy, but not just because of the vamps. A strange painting and hostile ghosts behaving outside of the norm cause issues. When she explores the city in search of food and history, she runs into the local weres, who want blood. It seems vampires are violating and killing people in the city. A direction violation of supernatural laws. Naturally, Sam investigates and what she discovers shocks her.

Fae, possession, and ghosts seeking help held me captive. Vlad the vampire and others added danger, snark, and some gray hairs for poor Clive. Sam tackles things head-on and without fear. I love how tenacious she is. She is also skilled at reading people and the situation.

Samantha Desz narrates the series and captures the characters’ personalities, snark, tension and emotions perfectly. I highly recommend listening.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Quinn is a brilliant character.

She's twentyfive, owns a magical bookstore, is a rare female werewolf (from the.original werewolves family the Quinn's) and also a Wicche, also from a respected line the Corey's. At seventeen she survived an attack and abuse by another werewolf and his pack which left her with physical and mental scars. Sam relocated to San Francisco after the attack and this is where she opened her bookstore with help.from Clive (the vampire master of the city) who appointed himself her protector. Now, Sam is married to Clive (see previous books in the series) and her life for the last year has been bouncing from.one conspiracy or attack, against her or Clive. Her homicidal.aunt trying to destroy her, Clive's maker consumed with hatred towards him are just two of the fire they have faced. When an invitation comes from Hungary for Clive to join the Vampires ruling body he is excited (it's the greatest honour a Vampire can recieve) Sam is happy for him and wants so much for him to.he accepted but in arrival.things feel.off, no one is happy Sam is with Clive, .........even though she was invited........then there's the venue an old abandoned asylum, which is full.of.ghosts. Sam is very uncomfortable staying there but determined to put on a bright face for Clive, till the Vampires start acting weirdly........almost like they've been hypnotized.............

[❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

Too much graphic abuse for me. The narrator wasn't my favorite either. This saddens me as I've loved all the previous books in the series. This won't stop me from trying the next one though.

[Emmalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my automatic reads and one of my absolute favorite series. Sam is back and this time she and the hubs (Clive) are of to Hungary for a super secret vampire guild meeting that Clive has been invited to attend. Sam, being the supportive wife, is going along to lend support and watch Clive’s back, but who will be watching hers? From ghosts, a creepy asylum, werewolf packs, creepy paintings, master Vampires acting out of bounds and.. Vlad the impaler on scene.. Sam had a mystery on her hands and a lot of action to try and stay alive.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars:)

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues to be such fun! Yes, they were away from town and all the regulars, but Vlad was awesome, and it was interesting in Budapest. The ghosts were certainly active.... Clive and Sam stay the cute pair, and fortunately the author has dialed back some of the bedroom filler as we've had plenty of that for the series. Personal peeve that I hate long passages of italics and there was that here, but ah well, it's minor. The local werewolf pack was definitely not as friendly as some others. Sometimes it was interesting and sometimes irritating, although understandable. I do feel bad on some of the nicer vanps toward the end....

[Linda Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

This series is so much fun. It takes you on a rollercoaster ride through good and evil, love and hate, mis-understandings and reconciliations. The Bloody Ruin is no exception. Sam, werewolf and necromancer, is a wonderful lead character, complex and engaging, with a nice line in snark. In this book Sam accompanies her vampire husband, the gorgeous and powerful Clive, to a vampire council in Budapest, where they face new threats and enemies. Will Sam survive meeting Vlad? Read and find out!

[Jenny Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous as usual

This one might be my favorite yet. Got to love a new snarky vamp. You need to read this series. It’s one of my favorites. You will not be disappointed. But start at the beginning. It’s way more fun that way.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always worth the wait.

What more can you ask for? Characters with depth and personality? Done. Inteligent sense of humor, plot twits you don't see coming, and dynamic storylines that weave through the series and enrich your experience. Thank you, and please keep writing!

[Illana Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Quinn always entertains

Loved this book. Sam is such a good character. So much fast paced action with a hint of political intrigue.
Good background in Budapest.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this series. It has everything: werewolves, selkies, vampires, demons, mermaids, elves, witches, humans, gnomes, trolls and probably other species I've left out. Always entertaining with lots of action as well as romance, this book adds the vampire Vlad the Impaler to the story. There's also a surprise appearance by the Queen of Faerie. Sam and her husband, Clive, triumph again with a little help from their friends. Have to wait til next year for the eighth book in the series.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always exciting to read anything by Seana Kelly. She is an auto-buy for me. Intense action and enough chills and thrills to keep you turning the pages. Can I also say I really like Vlad? Marvelous

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! Action packed, funny with just the right amount of snark! Characters are loveable, interesting & entwined with just the right amount if mystery.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the Sam Quinn urban fantasy series about a werewolf with necromancy skills who’s marriage to a vampire gets her into all sorts of strife from supernaturals who disapprove of their union or fear their powers. Sam and Clive travel to Budapest to try and get him a spot on the powerful vampire Guild, but immediately finds themselves under attack from all sides.
This series is one of my guilty pleasures and I like how Sam no longer has to be rescued all the time and can use her own powers to defend herself. She’s a fun character and I enjoy the snarky humour. Looking forward to the next one.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story and I can't wait to see what Vlad does in San Francisco!

[Perri Calix · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPECTACULAR, PHENOMENAL, EPIC!!!!!

Seana has done it again! What an amazing and fun book. Like her previous books, once I started I could not put it down, from page one til the last page. This book had everything you would want in a book, epic romance, mystery, battle, betrayal, friendship etc. It was an extremely well written book, the continuity was off the charts good and the characters were so fascinating! I absolutely have a new favorite character, Vlad!!! He was so freaking funny, powerful and just plan awesome, I truly adore him lol. I cannot get enough of Seana's books, she truly has a gift and I am honored to be able to read her incredible stories.

Sam & Clive are on their way to Budapest to meet with all the Ancient vampires that oversee all the vampires in the world, because Clive is having a job interview for a position with them. Unfortunately, things are bad from the start for Sam, first being that the vampire headquarters are in an old asylum, full of powerful ghosts and other things.

The vampires and their human servants treat Sam like crap, so the usual. Clive though, allows no one to insult her. Strange things are happening in the asylum and vampires that Clive has known for a very long time are acting strange.

Sam runs into the local wolves who do not take kindly to her presence and definitely not with the vampires. They positively loathe vampires. They are trying to find where all the vampires are to kill them because they have been finding bodies around the town of kidnapped victims, near drained of blood, vampire bite marks and reeking of vampires.

Sam and Clive do no believe it at first, but then they walk in one night and find more kidnapped victims and the vampires sexually assaulting them and draining them. Clive gets poisoned before he can help, but Sam intervenes and saves all the humans, with the help of an unexpected vampire, Vlad the Impaler. Cadmael also helps but reluctantly.

Vlad turns out to be hilarious, powerful and becomes a very good friend to Sam. Vlad long ago when he was human, fell in love with a woman who was attacked and changed into a werewolf. He did not care and they married and loved each other as much as Clive and Sam love each other. Unfortunately, in that time hunters were prominent and while Vlad was away, impaling people lol she was killed while in wolf form. Sam reminds him of his beloved and not just because they are both werewolves. Vlad is also part wicche on his mothers side and he is able to see and hear ghosts and is able to help Sam with all the ghosts around the asylum.

Cadmael and Sam also fight a LOT in this book and in the end of the book, Sam finally finds out why he despises her so much. Turns out that when Cadmael was human, he had a beloved son who was his world. One day his son was attacked and killed while on a hunt and when Cadmael got their a wolf was eating his body. The wolf then attacked him and then changed back into human form and it turned out to be a supposed friend of Cadmael's. He left Cadmael to die in the forest, but a vampire came along and changed him instead. Cadmael got his revenge on the wolf but he was still shattered and wanted to be with his son in the afterlife. He decided that Sam was going to be the one to deliver his true death and since she has not done it yet, he has despised her because he believes she is keeping him from reuniting with his son in the afterlife.

Vlad, Sam and Clive also find a hidden section in the asylum and find the remains of a child werewolf girl that was obviously tortured, experimented on and then killed long ago. They find where her family was buried and take the remains there to bury with them. But they were interrupted by the local wolf pack and it turns out the little girl was actually the alpha's missing little sister. He did not take the news well. But later forgives and respects Sam for bringing her home.

While Sam is placed into a setup and needs to fight her way out of the evil vampires. Cadmael takes the time to tell every vampire in the room (a lot of vampires) all of Sam's secrets, like that she is a powerful wicche, a Quinn wolf and more. The action would mean that the word would now spread and Clive and Sam would never have peace because Sam would be hunted forever more. To stop that from happening, Vlad and Clive gave the signal and agreement to each other and then proceeded to kill every vampire in the room and over half of the ruling vampires, leaving just Sam, Clive, Vlad and Cadmael.

Turns out that Cadmael was constantly getting possessed by an ancient and evil Fae Prince, that was out to kill Sam. Sam ends up badly injured and nearly dies at Cadmael/evil Fae hands, but survives. Sam ends up mentally fighting the Fae in Cadmael's head, which is how she found out about his past.

Sam gets help from Arwen and Arwen's uncle Bracken, to find out who the prince is and finding out who the woman is that Sam keeps seeing glimpses off. Turns out that the evil Fae prince is King Finvarra's brother and when the evil Fae prince kept stealing women including one of the queens beloved friend, she went after him but Finvarra helped his brother escape into the human world, where he as been creating havoc ever since. The evil Fae prince is utterly insane though, making things worse.

Sam, Clive and Vlad, manage to find and save a lost mermaid that was VERY dear and close with the queen of Faerie. Sam calls for the queen for aid in getting the mermaid to safety and dealing with the evil Fae prince. The queen arrives and is murderous with anger at the evil Fae prince. She finds his hiding place in the asylum, where she found more bodies of her people and him in a bed, missing all his limbs are badly damaged because before the women died that managed to butcher him pretty good (go them!). The queen then deals with him. As a thank you to Sam, she heals all her wounds and gives Sam the memory of what she did to the evil Fae prince.

Sam, Clive, Vlad and Cadmael manage to escape the asylum before the local wolf pack finds it and blows it up. Sam managed to get some of the ghosts to pass over and be at peace before she left. Sam, Clive, Vlad and Cadmael are flying back to San Francisco together and now need to work out what to do about the remaining ruling vampires. Vlad is excited to be coming with Sam and Clive and I have to admit I am hoping beyond hope that he sticks around and joins the Sam club because he is just freaking awesome.

So we have some unanswered questions and I cannot wait til the next book to find out what happens next. I HIGHLY recommend this book and all of Seana Kelly's books to everyone. 100 Stars!

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this latest book this series - my favourite so far. (I'm sure I say that about each book in this series, but they just keep getting better and better!)

Clive is called by the vampire Council to a guild meeting in Budapest and is encouraged to bring Sam along with him. The vampires are not a fan of Sam what with her being a werewolf and all, but they are not all openly aggressive towards her, thank goodness. They are staying at the guild's hidden secret headquarters in an abandoned, derelict former mental asylum. This whole place gave me the creeps and when Sam encounters more than a few violent ghosts and their visions/memories, Sam was totally creeped out as well.

Clive also realises that something is not quite right with all the vampires too and is determined to work out what is going on behind the scenes. Add in a few encounters with the local werewolf pack and this trip is more than either of them were expecting.

I loved the introduction of Vlad in this one and he seemed like a good one to be on Clive and Sam's side. Cadmael not so much just yet - he needs to prove his worth a bit more still! But now everything has changed, Sam, Clive and Vlad have managed to do what was necessary and I can't wait to see what happens to them all next.

This was such a great read and I could hardly put it down. Luckily the next one will be released soon, so not too long to wait! I definitely recommend this series - it's a great urban fantasy with a touch of sweet romance, a heroine with a tragic background, but one who has grown into a strong, formidable woman and a hero who loves his wife unconditionally, will do anything for her, but will also let her do what she needs to do to fight her own battles.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, this book was loads of dark, fun, romantic awesomeness. Sam and Clive are just great together and constantly challenge my expectations for what mess they can get into.

This book is all about “the guild,” a super secret group of vampires that essentially polices the nocturnes. It’s invite only, and Clive just so happens to get on the short list of potential candidates. As a supportive wife, Sam comes along to what she only later finds out is a renovated asylum which is lousy with ghosts and general bad juju. Right from the start, things do not go as planned and it is clear there is something going on that is affecting the attendees.

Sam, of course, meets the local werewolves in the worst way possible and ends up making frenemies. It’s through this relationship that we learn some of the local lore that could potentially explain some of the awful things Sam has witnessed both in real life and from the ghosts. Oh, and did I mention Vlad is real in this world and we meet him? Of course he is a part of the guild and he ends up joining our band of good guys to do… a lot of things that I won’t spoil. Don’t worry, though, because even though Sam makes gigantic messes everywhere she goes, thing usually end up better because of it.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about Seana Kelly's writing that flows like waters of a deep river. You're always moving with the current, caught within it's relentless flow. You have moments of white knucked tension through the rapids where you aren't sure if you'll come through in one peice, and moments of quiet tranquillity where you see the depth of the water beneath you and just breathe.

This series starts with some gut-wrenching tales and I confess they continue to have genuine moments of tragedy. In this tale the stories of an old asylum are savage and brutal, no less so than the fate of many wonderful women in real life would have mirrored these fictional characters.

Despite the tragedy underlying much of this series, I continue to read it because there is an optimism that pervades Sam and Clive. The vibe is very much, well now we are here what can we do to make this as good or positive as possible. I admire that and I try to live my life in a similar way.

I recommend this series highly, and that of the as yet unfinished Sea Wicche series. It's take some time to see past the darkness, but the river current awaits and will carry you away to something brutal, beautiful and moving.

[Storm]

Placeholder - Currently reading or will be scheduled to be read in 2024 after this releases. I'm committing to binge reading the entire series once this last book releases, or when it's April 1st when r/fantasy starts, whichever is later.

Read the seventh book of Seana Kelly's Sam Quinn Series for Reddit Fantasy's 2025 Bingo Square TBD.

Note: Use for HM, Food or Drinks Bingo Card as this has a food and drink word in the title and the story does contain elements of food/drink since it is set in a Bookstore and Bar.

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[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this one, Sam is supposed to be the side kick, just along to do touristy things, while Clive does important vampire things. Quickly Sam is pulled into some crazy crap through ghosts at an asylum. While dealing with this, Sam meets the local shifters, who hate vampires, with a passion, turns out for a good reason and ends up working to help them with their problem. Clive and a couple others are there to help too, which shows these shifters that not all vamps are awful.

Towards the end, things get really sticky as the ghosts seem to be screaming at Sam for help and she can't not help them. She managed to learn some interesting things, putting one of the vamps in her cross hairs, kinda not his fault. By the end, every one is safe, with the help of the fae queen and she makes sure the horrible asylum will not be able to hurt anyone else.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great entry in the series

This is another great story in this series. We meet some new players and are in familiar territory with people wanting to kill Sam and Clive. We also get to revisit familiar characters including a cameo by Sam’s cousin Arwyn from the Sea Wicche series.

The storytelling is so well done. The story arc moves well and so much of the action is riveting. There are known enemies and those that are unknown. And as one threat is seemingly handled another much larger one makes itself known.

It was a quick, all in one sitting read as I didn’t want to put it down. Of course now I’m bummed that I’ll need to wait so long for the next book, especially with that ending paragraph!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fascinating adventure for two of my favorite UF characters. The stakes (haha) are very high at a meeting with the MVPs of the vamp world in a most peculiar location. Sam has an unexpectedly challenging and painful situation to deal with... and she thought she was going to sightsee and eat lots of good food. Silly girl!! After much ado, mysteries are solved and there is a dramatic resolution to a couple of formidable problems.

As always, #7 of this wonderful series is well written and intriguing. I love the world and characters created in this world!!

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is something else

Sam and Clive have many things to do on this trip. Sam has to meet the locals and make sure to say hello. She also has to meet the local ghosts. Clive has to meet the vampires to see if he qualifies for a place on the council.
I mean these 2 cannot stay out of trouble. They run around putting out fires with the locals. The vampires are aholes and I think that Sam is cooler than anyone around. Clive is about to kill everyone but Sam. Sam is making friends which is something and I like this book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m Sam, the werewolf book nerd owner of The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar. My husband, Master vampire Clive, has been asked to go to Budapest to interview for a position in the Guild, a council of thirteen vampires who advise the world’s Masters. The competition for the recently vacated spot is fierce. I worry about Clive, as it quickly becomes apparent that the last person to hold the position didn’t leave voluntarily.
Ever the supportive wife, I’m tagging along. I researched Budapest and had a long itinerary of things to do. That is, I did. When we arrive, we find out that the Guild headquarters is in the ruins of an abandoned insane asylum. Awesome. If there’s one thing I love, it’s being hounded by mentally unstable Hungarian ghosts.
Let’s just say this isn’t the romantic getaway I’d been hoping for. With Clive in top secret meetings and a bunch of creepy Renfields skulking around corners, nowhere is safe. I want to help Clive because I know he really wants the job, but the other Guild members are ancient and scary powerful. Between you and me, I thought Vlad would be taller.
Wish us luck! We’re going to need it.

Heather's Notes
I really liked this story. I always enjoy Sam and Clive. I liked that Sam can take care of herself (and Clive) lets her, but he is also there for her when she needs him. Did feel like some parts where glossed over, and the author could have done a better job with the some of the threads (did we really need to kill everyone??) Still a good story and I plan on reading the next one.

[MELISSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam’s and Clive’s short, simple trip to Budapest turned into bloody vampire action and ghostly nastiness. How a simple meeting of guild vampires made into a complicated mess shows even more of the creativity of Author Seana Kelly. Action, historical vampire politics and Sam’s unflinching compassion conflict throughout with a tense finish. Well done. Again, I listened to this in audio with Samantha Desz continuing her outstanding narration of so many characters.

[Shelly Friday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

I love the characters in the Sam Quinn series, and this installment did not disappoint! The humor is great, the plot kept me on my toes, and I loved the new characters. Vlad was exceptional and I am happy to read that he will also be in the next book. I am also a fan of the Sea Wicche books and love the cross overs. Keep them coming please!!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read from Seana Kelly!

Funny, emotional and sweet, with an excellent and engaging storyline. I have loved Sam since the first pages of 'The Slaughtered Lamb' and love her more with each book.

Another trip abroad for Sam & Clive turns into an intriguing adventure with some old friends and new faces aiding and some not so helpful.

Looking forward to the next one, can't wait for next year!