Kerrelyn Sparks - Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire

Russell wakes from a coma to find he's become a vampire. Now he has a thirst for revenge. Determined to hunt down the master vampire who turned him, he's used to working alone . . . until he meets Jia. She is after the same vampire for murdering her parents and insists she can help Russell on this mission. Reluctantly, he agrees, and sets up some ground rules:
Rule #1: Their partnership is strictly business. If he holds her a little too close . . . if she looks at him with those exotic eyes . . . well, that has to stop.
Rule #2: He's in charge. Jia isn't used to taking orders and questions every move he makes. So he stops her the only way he knows how.
Rule #3: Don't fall in love. But the kiss that was supposed to quiet her awakens something else in him . . . something forbidden. Because Jia is engaged. To someone else.

Comment: I've been following this series for a long time. As it happens with most long lived series, some books captivated me more than others, I liked some characters better and now it seems this is to be the last one, at least with the set of characters we've known for some time being protagonists. I think the author took the right decision, she is ending a series while it's still not completely obsolete and it laying down the path for any spin off or something to come back one day without the readers feeling it's a "oh no". As for this last book, I liked the plot parts, not as much the romance.

 

In this book we finally have Russell' story. He's the vampire changed by Master Han and has wanted revenge ever since he realized his new condition and how much time has gone and that his family is all gone now too.

In his aim to end Master Han, Russell lives like a hermit and doesn't allow himself to dream about a future. Then he meets Jia, a young woman who ruins one of his best chances to kill Master Han because she too wants to be the one doing it, after all the harm he caused to her family. Jia and Russell join forces but a revelation is going to shock everyone...

 

For the most part, I liked this story. The plot developed interestingly and even presented a twist I surely did not see coming, which added some drama to the whole thing. I assume some readers missed the more humorous side of the books, but to me this part worked out quite well.

Towards the end, some characters go to Hell to rescue someone and it's a new way to show off a reunion scene. I think it was a bit too much, but well...

There's a revelation that seemed really surprising and I don't think any reader would have seen it coming. Good that the author had some surprises to deliver yet.

 

Throughout the books we've seen many heroes and villains and in this last installment we can sort of remember all that, considering the amount of appearances we see or hear about. I assume this is something many authors do and it's a sort of good bye. I think the effect wasn't as smooth as the author would have preferred, but the intention was there.

If one thinks about this as the final installment, of course expectations come up. I always thought the final scenes would have more than half the cast showing up and it happened...it wouldn't be easy to dedicate much time to every couple and I liked the glimpses of some of them but at the same time I wanted more. It's hard to say good bye even when some books didn't quite meet my expectations.

 

As for the romance, I wasn't as sold on that. In my opinion Russell had a lot to go through emotionally, some things we only learn in this story and his relationship with Jia felt rushed, just another thing to get out of the list of things to do. I did like Jia but their courtship and relationship filled too many clichés in a way. I think I'd have liked to see something different, although I'm actually glad theirs wasn't one of those too heavy on the humor stories because his background and emotional scars were difficult to overcome.

It doesn't mean Jia didn't have her issues, but to me this will always be Russell's book. It was great they found happiness and some hope for the future, of course I liked there was an HEA and plans for their lives but maybe if some relationship details had been addressed differently...

 

All in all, this was a good enough installment. Not my favorite, either for the sequence of vents or as the final book, but all things considered, it wasn't as bad as I feared.

I really wish the romance had been smoother, more thoughtful.

I'll cherish this adventure though and thankfully it never went downhill with too many things complicating an already substantially full world.

Let's hope for greatness again from the author.

Grade: 7/10

Kerrelyn Sparks - How to Seduce a Vampire

Vampire Zoltan Czakvar is on the hunt for the truth about his father's death. He's been searching for a very long time—since 1241, in fact. And he is not about to give up, even when he's attacked by a woman with striking blue eyes and a hell of a right hook!
Neona is also on the hunt. She's looking for a mate, and she thinks muscled Zoltan will work just fine. After all, men are good for only one thing. Soon, though, she realizes there's more to this handsome vampire than just sexual prowess. But she's keeping a secret from Zoltan, something so big that it will rock the vampire world.
Can their newfound love survive . . . even if their passion means the destruction of her world?

Comment: This book is the most recent installment int he Love at Stake series by the author and it was released back in April but only last week did I read it. Too many books, not enough time, that is the question!

This book continues the adventures of the good vampires (and other beings) in the fight against bad vampires and, now, demons.

This is Zoltan's story, a recurrent character from many books ago. Zoltan is fighting the enemies that showed up in recent books. Then clues about his late mother give him the first hints about who she was and where did she came from make him travel to uncover that mystery. 

Neona is the woman he meets while he's looking for more clues and he feels connected to her. The more he knows about hr, the more he feels she is destined to him. And when he finds out her secret, her origins and the role she plays in the upcoming battle against one of their enemies, what everyone finds out is too unbelievable t be true.

This is another book full of advenure and the author's trademark funny moments and situations. Still, I have to say the latest books have a much more serious tone that wasn't there in the first books of the series. Maybe it's a natural evolution or simply the way the stories need to be told, but frankly I liked it because it adds a bit more drama to the series which I think is helping. Not that funnier books aren't bad, it's just that this darker tone gives more substance to the world, in my opinion.

What I'd change is the constant sex descriptions. I get it that it's part of the whole set up but more than the amount of sex scenes is how they are shown, which after a while can become repetitive. I don't mind that the characters have the time or the inclination to have sex but maybe with less description wouldn't be bad.

This story continues the fighting the Chinese enemy we've met some books ago. There is always something new to learn, to deal with and to wonder about in every new book. This one isn't an exception and there are findings that will give a turnabout to the whole vampire world...I am curious to see how far the author will go with these new elements and how much importance they might get in the overall idea.

The plot has enough elements, scenes and moments to keep the reading interesting and progressed. The main character's relationship isn't as brilliant but it does have its moments although the descriptive sex could be avoided a bit more and of course, the fastness of the love feelings showing up could also be played differently so it wouldn't feel as rushed. I think Neona's character is fresh enough to incite interest but not completely amazing to be a huge surprise, something I think these types of stories need.

All in all, i enjoyed the story and kept turning the page, which is something every reader adores and finds compelling. I'm curious already about the next book and what might be in it that will give me that elements of surprise again. As for this one, I think it filled all the needed spaces to be successful, but it sure needs something more (or less, depending on what) to be much better and even perfect.

Grade: 7/10

Kerrelyn Sparks / Lisa Kleypas

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he's ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo.
Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There's even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal's gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored?

Comment: This story is the most recent installment in the Love at Stake series by Kerrelyn Sparks. I consider myself a fan but this book didn't manage to have a romance as strong as other before. I thought it was pushed and seemed rushed every time. The plot was actually better because it provided some developments in the overall story line. I hope the following one can have a better balance which I thought this one didn't.
Grade: 6/10

*  *  *

All London is at Julia Wentworth's feet—and anything she desires is hers for the asking. But the glamorous leading lady guards a shocking secret: a mystery husband whom she does not know, dares not mention ... and cannot love.
For years Damon Savage has been searching for the stranger his parents wed him to without his consent, hoping to legally free himself from matrimony's invisible chains. And he is astonished to discover his "bride" is none other than the exquisite lady he'd hoped to make his mistress! But though his wife by law, Julia will never truly be Damon's—until he conquers her fears, his formidable rivals ... and her proud, passionate, and independent heart.

Comment: This book was romantic, and I liked both main characters. Their romance was a bit
unbelievable and I confess I was hoping for the to hurry up already...but in the end,all was well.
But I had the feeling while reading, this set was full of cynicism and coolness, meaning, everything was treated with such distance, such method I thought feelings didn't really matter. Nevertheless, I was happy for the couple, I liked reading this and I am interested in reading the sequel. 
Grade: 6/10

Kerrelyn Sparks / Jayne Castle

It's not every day that Elsa Bjornberg feels delicate, not when she hosts a home renovation show where she can effortlessly demolish a kitchen. But from the moment she meets Howard Barr, this bear of a man makes her feel like a woman. And the way he looks at her, as if she were a pot of honey he'd like to lick . . .
Howard is not like most men. For one thing, he's a shapeshifter. And he always thought his celebrity crush would never amount to anything more than drooling at Elsa on TV. When his meddling vampire employer gets involved, the star is suddenly within his grasp -- and within a hair of her life. For an ancient curse forbids their newfound love, and Howard is suddenly torn between his desire for her and his desire to keep her alive.

*  *  *

Life is complicated for Lydia Smith. She's working at that tacky, third-rate museum, Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, trying to salvage her career in para-archaeology--and dating the most dangerous man in town. Just when she thinks she might be getting things under control, she stumbles over a dead body and discovers that her lover has a secret past that could get him killed. Just to top it off, there's trouble brewing underground in the eerie, glowing green passageways of the Dead City.
Of course, all of these problems pale in comparison to the most pressing issue: Lydia has been invited to the Restoration Ball and she hasn't got a thing to wear.


Comment: Another pair of books I've read, both of them another installment in a series I've started before.

Wild About You is the latest book in Kerrelyn Sparks' paranormal series and focuses on Howard, he's a shifter and is a recurrent characters since the first books. He is in a journey to catch some wolf shifters, guilty of murdering people from his past, and at the same time meets Elsa, she works in a tv show renovating houses and he has a crush on her...

Elsa is a big, Swedish young woman and she never felt very feminine but after meeting Howard, that changes. However, her past isn't as simple as one might think and she discovers she's got an affinity to the forest...

I lied the book, it's true to the storyline and mentions many of the subjects still on the table to be solved, which gives the reader an idea of continuity; I liked that.

The romance is actually sweet and has it's hot moments too. Not the very best, but very good anyway.

After Glow is the sequel to After Dark, a story included in Harmony, the fist book I've read by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle. This After Glow keeps the same storyline of the 1st book, with the same main characters. In a way it allows the reader to understand better some things we've learned about in that first book but it also has some news I wasn't expecting to see.

Emmett and Lydia take their relationship to the next level, although not as smoothly as one might imagine. Still, I liked the story and was glad to see this book explained the things left unsolved in After Dark. I'm curious about the next books, I'll try to get them soon but I don't think I'll read another one so fast, schedule doesn't allow it. Still, an interesting world to read about.

Kerrelyn Sparks - Wanted: Undead or Alive

Phineas McKinney thought New York City was tough, until he was attacked by Malcontents -- evil vampires who consider mortals to be snacks. Saved by the good vampires, Phin swore to devote his now undead life to stopping the Malcontents. He's got his job cut out for him when word comes that their enemy may be hiding in Wyoming. What does a city boy like him know about horses and campfires? Good thing he's got Brynley Jones with him . . . if only she didn't hate every vampire on earth. Bryn believes vampires are seductive and charming, and that makes them dangerous. So she's more than a little annoyed about teaming up with Phin, even if he is the only bloodsucker able to make her inner wolf purr. But as they hunt down the new leader of the Malcontents, danger threatens . . . and Phineas and Brynley discover a passion that will rock the foundation of their supernatural world.

Comment: Another book in this series.
This is the latest book in the Love At Stake series and it's Phineas turn.
Phineas was rescued in book #3 and has been working with the god vamps and enjoys being part of the big family that they all are.
Brynley is the twin sister of Phil, the hero of book #7, and she is a rebel at heart because her father wanted her to marry someone for power. These two keep fighting because it's the best way to fight their attraction. They're very different and both think it would be impossible for them to be together. But when they go on a mission together they talk and realize maybe it wouldn't be as difficult as they think to be together.
This story follows Phineas, a good vampire but he feels alone because everyone around him is finding someone to love and he jokes about being the Love Doctor but is still alone. I felt for him and it was interesting to see him gaining the protagonism. We always have an idea about characters and sometimes in their books we see them differently...to be honest I never saw Phineas as protagonist but I liked seeing trying to be happy.
Brynley was funny and caring and I think they are a good couple. She obviously had her issues but it was a nice change from the usual heroines (he's a shape shifter). I liked them together because they're an odd pair and in the end an even stranger one, but it was ok, I enjoyed it.
This story also moved things along in terms of plot. Once again, we see more conclusions about the bad guys, although some of them are still very mysterious and I'm actually quite interested in seeing what next will come from them.
It's always fun to watch beloved characters and how they're still happy with their lives, this is one of the reasons I love series, we get to watch our favorite characters all the time even when they're no longer the protagonists.
Just one thing bothered me here, well it's not exactly a bad thing, jut a little small tiny thing...Phineas told the truth to his brother and he's now a part of the vamp world, still human, but knows about them. I mean...did he really? I guess it's ok but the why he had to know I didn't buy, it was too easy.
Apart from this, I liked the whole book. Like I said once, not the best books in the whole world, but mostly light, funny and entertaining stories to decompress. I'll keep reading them, for sure.

Kerreyn Sparks - Sexiest Vampire Alive

The secret is out ... Vampires do exist!
When a video reveals to the world that vampires live among us, it's up to "young" vamp Gregori Holstein, VP of Marketing, to persuade the U.S. government to declare the video a hoax. But first the president wants a favor, one that requires Gregori to spend forty-eight hours in very close contact with the First Daughter.
Abby Tucker would rather spend her nights in a lab than attend her father's state dinners. She's dedicated her life to finding a cure that will save her dying mother and needs only two more ingredients. To find them, she'll have to venture into the most dangerous region of the world -- with a vampire. Her Armani-clad escort may be Undead, but he still makes her heart race. And the greatest danger won't be the predatory hordes lying in wait for them; it will be her undying desire for the Sexiest Vampire Alive.

Comment: Another installment in this series.
This time it's Gregori's story, a newbie vampire we've known since book #1 and that has fed from synthetic blood since then, never feeding of humans. This is why he is chosen to be a representative of vampires in a meeting with the president of the US. Since the vampires were revealed to the world, our heroes decide it's time to have an alliance in order to protect many good vampires from vampire hunts.
Then there's Abigail, the president's older daughter, a biochemist who wants to help her mother winning a decease but she needs some plants that exist only in China and vampires being able to show up anywhere kind of would help, so the president eventually allows her to go with Gregori and some other vamps there to retrieve the plants to her experiences.
Of course things aren't that simple and the evil new vampires (and a demon too) make an appearance again and this side of the plot line gets a bit more complicated because they're real bad vampires.
In terms of plot, things do get heavier, I mean, there's things happening, this isn't just another book about vampires finding love, it gets interesting and more deep the more it evolves...and I'm glad it still has some humor, something I've loved since the beginning.
The romance happened a bit fast. Ok, ok, it's paranormal, but still..too fast in my opinion. This means my idea of their relationship isn't exactly balanced but I guess they won't miss time to sort it out better. Some things about their personalities did make sense to justify some of their actions so in that area I was relatively happy with the way we were told about their motivations and decisions.
I think, comparing to other books I preferred in the series, this was a bit of a disappointment, not totally, just close, but it's hard to do the same thing over and over and not have some things better than others, but I hope the latest book, which I'll read next month, is one of the best sort.

Kerrelyn Sparks - Vampire Mine

NOTHING ON EARTH CAN MAKE THIS VAMPIRE FALL IN LOVE... After 499 years of existence, Connor Buchanan has arrived at an inescapable conclusion: he is a cold-hearted SOB. He's been watching his friends -- those poor romantic fools -- plummet off the cliff into love like a dazed herd of sheep. But not Connor. He knows that love leads to nothing but heartache. UNTIL MARIELLE... She is an angel cast down from heaven for disobedience. Trapped in mortal form, she finds a protector in Connor, a Scottish vampire haunted by a dark past. Marielle hopes to heal his broken heart and earn her way back home, but suddenly she has these . . . feelings. This strange yet pleasant physical yearning -- for a vampire! Is this the work of a demon luring her into hell, or has this angel found heavenly bliss?

Comment: Another book in the Love at Stake series.
the previous book was so good or me I was a bit afraid this one might feel lacking and to be honest it is. I mean, the book is not bad, but when one compares it to the other one...and even if we say we don't, our inner reader certainly does.
So, this is the story of Connor, he's been lonely for a long time and always said he didn't understand why so many of his friends were falling in love, but Connor has had a bad experience because of love and his reasons seem likely when we know of them.
Marielle is an angel of death (and accidentally causes something that will change another something in the story - ha sorry about the cryptic message but it's spoilerish) and is stripped of her wings because she disobeyed to many times.
These two find each other and slowly each one learns something from the other and they fall in love. It's sweet, really.
Obviously this is fiction so it's understandable why Marielle doesn't know anything about her body and other things around her. But I must say some things seem a bit too much like when she didn't know she might have "private parts" like she calls it lol
The romance, like I said, is sweet and doesn't happen that fast, considering this is fiction, but it's acceptable in relation to the plot.
Talking about plot, finally some actions happen and I'm happy to notice that things do move along, in the last books many things happen and make the books more alive and in constant motion, it's not only the love story and the plot there to excuse the page number, no. The plot changes and I'm eager to know more things because what's been happening is very interesting indeed.
This is a series I'm very happy to be following. It's both funny and entertaining and has a happy ending every time, which is all this romantic fiction thing is about. Can't wait for the next one.

Kerrelyn Sparks - Eat Prey Love

WANTED: Bride. Must love children. Mortals need not apply.
Carlos Panterra is looking for a mate, a woman who will love and care for the young orphans he's recently taken under his wing (or paw, as the case may be). When the shape shifter spies the beautiful Caitlyn, it's like sunshine amidst the darkness. At last, he's found the perfect woman, except ...
Caitlyn Whelan is mortal. Worse, her father is the head of a CIA agency bent on hunting the undead. Still, Caitlyn knows that Carlos is the man for her, shape shifter or not. So she jumps at the chance when her sister offers her a job to work with him, determined to show Carlos their attraction is more than just animal magnetism. But danger lurks in the night, and their unleashed, untamed passion might just get them both killed ...

Comment: Another book in the series by this author. The last one I've read wasn't anything special, but this one rocked!
I think it was very well written and the pace was perfect.
Carlos wants a mate to help him with some orphans as well as to continue the species because his kind is almost extinct, but it's not so simple because there are so few were panthers around and he feels time is getting away.
Caitlyn is reunited to her sister Shanna (protagonist of book #1) after a long time and in the same night she makes peace with her, she meets Carlos. The attraction is mutual but Carlos thinks a human mate wouldn't do and tries to get away but after Caitlyn accepts to work for Angus' company, they start working together and caitlyn decides to take the risk and goes after Carlos.
I think the story is very interesting, there was always something happening that made me curious and eager to know what would happen next. We meet new characters and close to the end there's even a feel of suspense and a new villain apparently arrives which means more possible storylines. I must say the plot is very interesting at this point.
The romance convinced me and the end too. I finished the book very happy with the way things were. Carlos accepted that some things aren't as predictable as they should and Caitlyn realised happiness isn't as simple as it she might want. The concessions both have done are believable and this makes the end much more perfect.
I can't wait for next one, if it's good as this one, I'm sure I'll love it.

Kerrelyn Sparks - The Vampire and the Virgin

Olivia's packing list:
1. Sunscreen
2. Bathing suit
3. Flip-flops
FBI psychologist Olivia Sotiris was looking for a cool ocean breeze, sand between her toes, and a break from her crazy, chaotic, and sometimes all-too-dangerous life. But when she escaped to the small Greek island of Patmos, all she got were meddling grandmothers trying to marry her off. Can't they see that none of the men around interests her--except Robby MacKay?
Robby's packing list:
1. Synthetic blood
2. More synthetic blood
3. Jogging clothes
(even vamps have to stay in shape )
Robby needs to cool off, too, since all he can think about is revenge on the Malcontent bloodsuckers who once held him captive--but then he meets Olivia, the beauty with wild curls and a tempting smile. When a deadly criminal from a case back home tracks her down, Robby will have to save her life--along with giving her a first time she'll never forget . . .

Comment: Another installement in the Love at Stake series.
This is the story of Robby and Olivia. They meet in Greece, when both are in vacations, Robbie's are a bit forced but he is there.
I had hopes for Robbie's book, but from the title alone I could see it wouldn't be as interesting as others. And although it had funny moments it's nothing like the 4th and 5th books, real laughing material.
What I liked in the story was the constant presence of known characters, I like seeing more of characters that were protagonists before, who had central stage or not, it's fun to see them all as a family like this.
Also good was the evolution in the storyline, we see what the bad guys ared oing and although it's bad at least allows the story to flow which means more people can have HEAs. Of course, it's all a bit predictable, but thse books aren't misteries, so no worries there.
What I didn't like...the romance. I don't particularly like love at first sight stories and in this case it was also a bit rushed. Still, considering the circunstances of how they met, the issues in their lives and the natural fears a relationship could mean, I think it wasn't all bad, just rushed.
In the end, it wasn't a favourite but the world appeals to me, and I'll keep reading, the next one next month.

Kerrelyn Sparks - Forbidden Nights With a Vampire

Vanda Barkowski is in trouble.
As the owner of a hot nightclub, she's more unconventional than most of her fellow vampires, and if some think her a little out of control, then so be it. But after three former employees filed a complaint about her temper, Vanda is sentenced to an anger management class. Worse, Phil Jones agreed to be her sponsor. Phil, the mortal who is forbidden to her . . .
If Vanda knew who--or what--Phil really is, she'd reconsider her attraction to him, for his true nature is wilder than anything she'd ever imagined. He has tackled the beast within and now is the perfect person to help Vanda with her rage . . . if only he can keep his cool when she makes him so undeniably hot. But with rogue vamps on the loose, will they ever have their forbidden nights?

Comment: I like this author's series a lot. I mean, books #1 and #2 aren't my favourites and I stopped reading them after those, but months later I went back and read at once, books #3, #4 and #5. All great reads and much funnier and interesting than the first 2.
In this book, we have the story of Vanda and Phil, two characters we've known for a long time. We knew they were attracted to each other but never acted on it, so now it's finally their turn.
Vanda has had a terrible past, both right before and after she became a vampire, and she is frightned of wolves, something Phil can't help but...being.
I think this isn't the strongest book in the series in terms of romance,. I that area I think books #3 and #4 are best, but in terms of plot, this is it. In this book, things happen and the war against the bad vampires takes a deadly turn and I think this will be the starting point in new plot possibilities. At least, it seems so.
I think the best thing about the series is the humour and the funny, cool characters in it. This isn't a serious series, it's not about perfection. The series focus on romance and vitality and sometimes we just want to forget things and be immersed in an impossible world, but full of joy. I think it's perfect to decompress from bad things, to empty one's mind of problems. Sometimes this is as important as a strong book.
I'll keep reading and in the next months will be up to date with the series.