Book Review – How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 1)
Now this is more like it! I started with Book #2 (which was good, but not great). Book number one (this one), however, was hard for me to put down. I laughed a ton, and found the romance was quite intense. Roman Draganesti is the perfect vampire! Handsome, intelligent, rich, spiritual (as a human, he was a Monk) and completely in touch with his emotions.

I admit, like most books of the genre, some may find them easily predictable. They frequently follow a typical story format (and even have similar characters), but it is the depth of emotional connection between the characters, and the humorous dialogue that sets each of them apart. This one, in my opinion had that depth.

The story is about a dentist (Shanna) who is in hiding (she is in the Witness Protection Program for having witnessed a Russian Mob Coup, and testifying against them in court). She finds herself in a bind when she is re-discovered by the mob. They find her working the late shift, at her dental clinic, just shortly after, “Roman Draganesti”, the gorgeous vampire comes to her clinic to get his fang repaired (yeah – it fell out from lack of use…see I told you he was sweet – no biting from him!)

Roman was expecting to be able to use mind control on the dentist so that she wouldn’t remember implanting an actual vampire FANG, but the initial consultation proves fruitless as her mind repels his attempts and she cannot easily be influenced.

When the mob surrounds the clinic, Roman, realizing only that the female dentist is being targeted, rescues her, and takes her into hiding to his personal town home. Shanna, not knowing whether he is trustworthy, but not having any other safe options, flees with him. While living within his entourage, she discovers his soft side (which she falls in love with), and shortly thereafter, his dark side.

Here are some examples of worthy “laugh out loud” moments:

A little blurb from the initial rescue attempt:

He moved back still gripping her wrists. “I need you to trust me, Shanna. I can protect you.”

Her headache returned with a vengeance, cold pain stabbing at her temples. She gathered all her strength, every fiber of resistance, and rammed her knee into his groin.

Breath whooshed out of him, strangling his shout before it could erupt from his throat. Only a few garbled croaks emerged. He doubled over and fell to his knees. His complexion pale before, turned a mottled red.

Shanna winced. She’d gotten him good. She spotted her gun beneath the patio table and ran to collect it.

“Holy Mother of God!” he gasped, supporting himself on all fours. “That hurts like hell.”

“It’s supposed to, big guy.” She dropped her Beretta back in her purse, then sprinted for the staircase.

“I never – no one’s ever done that to me.” He gazed up at her, his contorted expression of pain mellowing into a look of stunned wonder. “Why?”

Tee hee!!! Couldn’t you just envision that perfectly? A big bad vampire gasping in pain just like a mere mortal male! ha!! I don’t know why that made me laugh so much. Maybe I’m just mean!

Another one of my favorite parts that was very well written, and again, incites us to laugh loudly was when Roman has convinced Shanna to let him hypnotize her (she thinks it’s to get over her fear of blood) but Roman takes advantage of the situation to have her install that Fang before his mouth seals it off (they are not alone, he is accompanied by his lab technician Laszlo). He disturbingly discovers that not only can he control her mind, but she can completely read his (which is unusual in vampire mind control). This scene takes place while she is under his “hypnosis”.

He would have to be very careful with his thoughts. Only think about  safe subjects.

Regrettingly his mind wanders (onto subjects not usually spoken in public), and Shanna comments on his thoughts.

Laszlo was gasping for air. “My God, how did she come up with such a–an outrageous–” he narrowed his eyes, switching his gaze to Roman. “Mr. Draganesti! How could you?”

Yup! I’m still giggling like a schoolgirl!

Lots more comedy like this (but to quote them would give up some spoilers, so I won’t). You’ll also enjoy some danger/action adventure, some romantic tension (loves me, loves me not), a steamy encounter or two, and just a read-full of fun!