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Publisher:
Avon
Release Date:
January 29, 2008
Genres:
Paranormal Romance
Vampire
ISBN:
eBook
No
ISBN
Print
9780061118456
Bookmark Rating:
Reviewed by
Jennifer Ray
Review Posted:
May 2008
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An
immortal living in the public eye must occasionally disappear for a decade or
three. Even with modern-day advancements such as plastic surgery to explain
away an eternally youthful appearance, a vampire must periodically leave the
life he has built to prevent rousing suspicion amongst the human populace.
Ultra-famous fashion designer Jean-Luc Echarpe has stretched the limits of his
current existence and is preparing to sequester himself away in a small Texas
town for a time before re-emerging to the world with a new identity. It
promises to be a long, lonely life – until he meets the inimitable Heather
Westfield.
The single mother, schoolteacher, and budding designer shows Jean-Luc a world
such as he has never known for himself. A world of love, hope, and family. But
once again, he unwittingly puts a woman he cares for at unacceptable risk as his
centuries-long enemy resurfaces to destroy everything Jean-Luc cherishes.
Last
year, I reviewed the third book in Kerrelyn Sparks LOVE AT STAKE
series, read the first two, and loved each so much that I have purchased all
three for several friends as ‘just because you have to read these’ gifts.
Needless to say, I was more than eager for the new release in this saga,
THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR!
As her fans have come to expect, Ms. Sparks does not disappoint readers with the
new edition to this addictive paranormal romance series. Infusing the stories
with a heavy dose of humor, balanced with the darker side of the paranormal
world her characters inhabit. See, just as with humans, you have good Vampires
and you have evil Vampires. The good Vamps drink synthetic blood and co-exist
peacefully with the human population, protecting them from the threat of the
Malcontents.
The Malcontents are the evil vampires, who thrive on taking human blood and life
whenever possible, and work overtime to destroy the good Vamps. We don’t like
the Malcontents, obviously. No big news or spoilers here, this is just part of
the series premise.
But what is new is Jean-Luc. While we’ve seen the handsome French designer in
previous stories, he remained somewhat of a mystery, appropriate until his own
book, of course. I was intrigued by him before, but what we learn of his past
and his personality in THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR shows us a somewhat
tragic hero who is undeniably fascinating. His sense of honor is only rivaled
by his utter loneliness, having lived a life devoid of true commitment due to
the constant threat posed by his nameless, faceless foe.
Leave it to a heroine as bright and quirky as Heather to shake up Jean-Luc’s
world to the 'nth' degree! Heather is a breath of fresh air for both Jean-Luc
and for the reader – completely guileless, this woman has a capacity for love
and understanding that surpasses most. But will that extend to the Vampire who
loves her when she discovers his true nature?
Readers new to the LOVE AT STAKE books will be glad to hear that
Kerrelyn Sparks writes each of these stories so that they work admirably well as
standalone stories, making it easy to jump right in with the title that most
interests you. Of course, each book introduces the main characters of future
books, so reading them in order certainly enhances the experience.
For a wonderfully romantic and thoroughly entertaining read that will make you
alternately laugh with delight and sigh with romantic longing, pick up your own
copy of LOVE AT STAKE, BOOK 4: THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR!
Note: This review was originally
written by Jennifer Ray for another review site. It is being reposted at
Wild on Books. |
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