- Title: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire
- Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
- Series: Love at Stake #1
- Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance/Humor
- Category: Vampires
- Website: http://www.kerrelynsparks.com/
- Challenges: Mount TBR
Summary: After testifying in a murder trial against a member of the Russian Mafia, Shanna Whelan was whisked away from her home and family by the Witness Protection Program. She started a new life in New York City as a dentist in SoHo, working the night shift at a 24hr clinic. It has been a long time since anything interesting has happened in her life, but that all changes when Russian hitmen AND a gorgeous stranger show up at her clinic on the same night.
Roman Draganesti is the leader of one of the largest vampire covens in the United States. His scientific research, and his invention of synthetic blood, has made him a hero in both the human and vampire worlds. It is no longer necessary for Vampires to feed from humans, allowing the vampire community to become more self-reliant and less dangerous. Not everyone in the vampire community is happy with this change, however. There is a group of deadly vampires who believe synthetic blood is an abomination, and those who choose to consume the blood are traitors to their race. These vampires will use any excuse to start a war with Roman’s coven.
One night, during a scientific experiment gone awry, Roman loses one of his fangs. If he doesn’t get it repaired before daylight, the socket will heal and he’ll be one-fanged for the rest of his life. Not willing to risk such an embarrassing situation, Roman turns to Shanna’s 24hr (human) dental clinic for the procedure. Roman shows up only moments before the Russian Mafia – who have hired a vampire assassin to put an end to Shanna’s life. Roman needs a dentist, and Shanna clearly needs rescuing, so Roman saves her life and brings her to his home.
Shanna has no idea that Roman is a vampire at first, nor did she know that such creatures really existed. When she begins to piece things together, she is torn between her strong feelings for the man who continues to save lives, and the terror she feels at the thought that he isn’t human. Facing their emotions might prove to be more difficult than facing their many enemies.
Review: I used to stay away from novels that have comedic titles like this one. I made the assumption that they would be similar to satire movies like Vampires Suck or the Scary Movie franchise, which I don’t care for. Now that I’ve read a few of them, I’ve realized that I jumped to the wrong conclusion. How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire had plenty of humor (especially in the first half) but there was also danger, romance, and an interesting cast of characters. I really enjoyed it. (PLUS, there is a clan of men who are Scottish Highlanders AND vampires in Roman’s coven….. how could I not love the combination of my two favorite types of male characters??)
Most of the humor in this book came from Shanna’s inner dialog, confusion, and irrational behavior. However, the vampire characters add plenty of humor also. The difference is that the vampires are very serious creatures, so their humor comes from the serious way they handle situations that are completely ridiculous. Picture a bunch of vampires trying to pump synthetic blood through a life-like sex doll…. the purpose being to find ways to feed vampires without endangering humans. Their goal was clearly noble, but the circumstances are absurdly funny.
As much as I liked the book, there were a few weak points. The humor of the story began to die down in the second half of the book, and it was almost non-existent by the end. I missed it – it was my favorite part of the book. The second half introduces a more intimate relationship between Shanna and Roman. While I liked the romance, I didn’t think the physical scenes between them were written very well.
Lastly, I wasn’t crazy about how a few of the plotlines were resolved in the end, but I’m willing to reserve judgement on this until I read how they are continued in the next book. This book did not offer any suggestions about how Roman and Shanna would eventually address Shanna’s aging while he does not. It also did not provide an actual wedding – merely the suggestion of one. And, while there is a final confrontation, the book ends with more looming conflict for the cast than what existed before the confrontation. There was a lot of unfinished business.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series, and I recommend that PR and UF fans give it a shot. If you think you might be open to a more humorous approach to these genres, then this would be a great place to start.
You are so right about snubbing books because of there title. I have been guilty of this also. It sounds like this was a fun well rounded read though. I will have to give it a shot. Great review.
Hi Rebecca, I just finished the 2nd book in the series, and it did close up some of the loose ends from this first book. I was happy about that, but I was so-so on the plot in the 2nd book. I was REALLY surprised to see that there are 12 books in this series already. Sparks must be cranking these out 2 per year, because this first book just came out 6 years ago. In any case, I’m going to keep reading them, so I’ll keep posting reviews. Thanks for stopping by!
It sounds like a funny read, however, I hate humor, and plot that disappoint. Too bad that the 2nd book is so-so though. It’s hard to imagine the author cranking up 12 books for the series.
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I don’t usually look for humor in Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance either, but I thought I’d branch out a little this year and try a few new things. The results have been a mixed bag, with some good experiments and a few that were far less successful.
Thanks for stopping by!
The reason the story hadn’t ended completely by saying when they were going to get married and stuff like that, I believe it was a very good book. And you have to think that maybe Kerrelyn had plans to make make it a series (which she does). So important details would be revealed later in the series.
PS. The next book comes out on TUESDAY!!! Wanted: Undead or Alive! I’ve read the excerpt and I’m so excited!
Oh, and the second book, I’ve never read. To me, it wasn’t the best out of the series, and it’s not the book that you have to read to understand what’s going on, or, to get some important details that you missed or something for everything to make sense.