How To Tame A Beast in Seven Days by Kerrelyn Sparks ~ Review

Title: How To Tame a Beast in Seven Days (The Embraced #1)
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Length: 416 pages
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Source: Review Request
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Luciana grew up on the Isle of Moon, hidden away because of her magical powers. But when her father arrives, he offers her a choice: remain on the island or return with him and marry the Beast of Benwick in order to save their legacy—and her father's life.

Lord Leofric, the Beast of Benwick, has not been touched since he was a child. Born with the power to harness lightning, he is a danger to everyone he touches. When he meets his betrothed, he expects a loveless, lonely marriage...until he discovers she's vastly more powerful than he realized. But is she strong enough to withstand his touch?

If they can survive, their love will alter the future of the kingdom. But will their extraordinary powers cost them everything?

How To Tame a Beast in Seven Days was a fantastic book. Set in a fantasy world, it pulled on my roots of high fantasy reading and made them proud. A world that is detailed and vibrant, with people to go right along with it. There are even dragons!!!! Combine that with a beautiful arranged marriage style romance, I think I found a truly winning series.

The Embraced are a group of people born under a certain moon and grow up to be blessed/cursed with strange and sometimes terrifying powers. Luciana is an orphan growing up on the Isle of the Moon, the one place where Embraced are not feared and reviled. She was sent there to protect her from those that would kill her for what she is. She loves the island and her 'sisters,' but when her father (surprise!) shows up, she finds out that her history is completely different than what she believed.

Returning with her father to the mainlands, Luciana will have to convince the world that she is another person as she prepares to marry the Beast of Benwick, a man rumored to kill all who come near. And so begins our romance. Of course, the Beast has a surprising history and personality. I'm wasn't sure how Kerrelyn Sparks was going to get these characters together for a while. Everything was stacked against them and both were terrified of what might happen.

There are some crazy twists and turns as Luciana and the Beast travel to the capital. Attacks, deaths, discoveries, and along the way we get to meet some really great secondary characters that I feel just might show up with a story of their own - I certainly hope so.

While I enjoy a good twisting tale, there were a few times that it seemed like a twist was thrown in to drag the story out just a tad, and then we had a bit of a rushed ending. Overall, I loved the world, I loved the characters, and I can't wait to see what they are going to do next.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

ARC Review: The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake, #14)
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel (384pgs)
Release Date: Aug 27, 2013
Reviewer: CaroleDee

He's Out of Control

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?

BAM! Book number 14! Can you believe it?!

Usually by book 7 of a series you'll find a lull in story, or repeated story-lines. Fortunately Sparks keeps it fresh with this newest installment of Love at Stake. The humor is still there, but you also get a very serious story of a guy that feels less of a man, and an awkward geek finding love.

I think part of the success of this series are that the characters are so different.  I've heard authors say that their characters speak to them, so I can only imagine the 100's of voices that must be flowing through Sparks' mind at one time. lol.  From book to book you get individuals with wonderfully unique quirks.

I don't want to give away too much plot, because there is a wonderfully heart warming twist and it would stink if you knew about it before hand. Just know that Dougal and Leah are meant to be. They have their ups and downs, but what fun would it be if they didn't!?

The action in this one is kept to a minimum, but the villain story line in Asia is still going strong. Hopefully in the next book we'll get to see a good 'ol fashion showdown between our wonderful Romatech saviors and the evil vamps causing problems out east.

So, great addition to the Love at Stake series! If you've read them to this point don't stop now! If you haven't checked out this series, pick it up today! You'll be in paranormal romance heaven :)


*OH! And guess who's back for another appearance? That's right, VANNA ;)  Love that doll!

Just to get you caught up, Here's the Love at Stake series reading order:

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, #1) 

Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, #2)

Be Still My Vampire Heart (Love at Stake, #3)

The Undead Next Door (Love at Stake, #4)

All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (Love at Stake, #5)

Secret Life of a Vampire (Love at Stake, #6)  

Forbidden Nights with a Vampire (Love at Stake, #7)  

The Vampire and the Virgin (Love at Stake, #8)  

Eat Prey Love (Love at Stake, #9)  

Vampire Mine (Love at Stake, #10)  

Sexiest Vampire Alive (Love at Stake, #11)  

Wanted: Undead or Alive (Love at Stake, #12)  

Wild About You (Love at Stake, #13)  

The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake, #14

 

Connect with Kerrelyn:
Website | Facebook | Amazon Author Page| Twitter | Goodreads

ARC Review: Less Than a Gentleman by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: Less Than a Gentleman
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (352pgs)
Release: July 2, 2013
Reviewer: CaroleDee

Between searching for the missing Munro sisters and South Carolina being all but lost to the British, Captain Matthais Thomas has more important things to worry about than finding a bride. But his mother has other ideas. When Matthais finds a beautiful woman in his bed who claims to be his betrothed, he is suspicious of her identity…and determined to discover the truth.

Caroline Munro had few options. The British burned down her home, and now, traveling with her very pregnant sister, Caroline is pretending to be someone she’s not so they can have a safe place to rest. But she didn’t count on a matchmaking matron or her rogue of a son…and certainly never dreamed she would fall in love with a spy.

*Sequel to The Forbidden Lady*

I love Sparks' Vampire books, so when I saw the opportunity to read one of her historicals I jumped quick and wasn't disappointed!

Out of the hundreds of historicals I've read in my lifetime I can't remember reading an American Revolution themed book. Now that I have I'm hooked :)
Since I'm originally from the South it was pretty awesome to read a fictional accounting about some of the sites that I've actually visited. *Thanks mom and dad for dragging me to those battlefields. lol*

Carolina and Matthias' courtship was hilarious to read. There were so many double entendres that I literally laughed out loud at. I've come to expect great humor from Sparks, but I really think she outdid herself in Less Than a Gentleman. There was a great buildup to their physical relationship, and when it happened it was HOT!

An absolutely wonderful read! I think anyone who enjoys a comical read with some pretty serious undercurrents will enjoy this one as well :)

If I could talk her into writing a historical paranormal romance I would be in heaven!

About the Author

Kerrelyn Sparks’ first paranormal romance, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, zoomed out of the bat cave so fast it became Borders bestselling debut romance of 2005.
 
Each book in the Love at Stake series has become a USAToday bestseller.  When the fourth book, The Undead Next Door, landed on the New York Times bestseller list, even the Undead sat up and took notice, which made Kerrelyn a bit nervous.

She lives in the Greater Houston area with her husband, children, and a house full of garlic.  So far, there are no vampires in her family. Werewolves are another matter entirely.

You can follow Kerrelyn via

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

ARC Review Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: Wild About You (Love at Stake, #13)

Author: Kerrelyn Sparks

Source: Edelweiss

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: Novel (approx 384)

Published by Avon Books

Release Date November 27, 2012



Handsome Howard…Hunky Howard… Hot Howard…

It’s not every day that Elsa Bjornberg feels fragile, 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 was 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 the 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. 

ARC Review Sexiest Vampire Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: Sexiest Vampire Alive (Love at Stake #11)
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pgs
Release Date: September 27, 2011

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.


Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

4.5 Stars! Funny, Sexy, Romantic ...

This is the eleventh in the Love at Stake series, one of my favorite paranormal romance vampire series. This story combines vampires, werebears, weretigers, a demon, the First Family, a whirlwind romance and even a weredolphin.

While this story takes place about two weeks after the end of the previous book in the series, Vampire Mine, it is a stand alone story which features many of the characters from the series but in such a way that it is not necessary to read the other books in the series first, but it will make you want to go back and read the others if you haven't. This is a not to be missed series.

The general vampire population is in a panic and hysterical in fear over the YouTube video claiming vampires are real. However, in a ironic twist, the general mortal population is calling it a hoax.

Gregori, a vampire for only eighteen years and reputed playboy/womanizer, is mystified as to why he is so enamored with the president's mysterious 'other daughter'. Unfortunately she continues to act afraid of him and alternatively, to treat him like a bug under a microscope. Additionally she's forbidden to him. Of course while this is going on, his mortal mother continues to nag him for grandchildren.

Abigail feels she has to save her mother from the lupus disease at all costs and has virtually put her life on hold while she rushes to find a cure or at least a way to improve her health. Abby is shocked to not only find vampires are real but that a real vampire has the hots for her and even worse, she for him. She tries to keep her interest in him clinical but fails miserably. She is determined to enlist his help in teleporting into China to find three special plants to help in her research.

The chemistry between the two is steamy.

Phineas, a.k.a. Dr. Phang, is in rare comical form in this story. Marielle's angel friend, Buniel, makes a cameo appearance. Newly turned vampire Sean, Shanna's dad and head of the CIA's special ops team to eradicate vampires, is featured as a secondary character with his own drama going on.

Some of the humorous lines from the story:
"Good God, if she was any thinner, she'd be two-dimensional."
"A straight guy can't be nice?"
"You're choosing me 'cause you think I'm an Undead Pillsbury Doughboy?"
"I'm too sexy for my cape, too sexy for my fangs-"

I read this in one sitting because I enjoyed the story so much. Fans of the paranormal romance and sexy vampire genres will like this as will fans of Katie MacAlister's Dark Ones series and Lynsay Sands' Argeneau series.

Review Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks

Eat Prey Love  (series Love at Stake #9)

Author: Karrelyn Sparks

Source: I purchased

Genre: Paranormal romance- shapshifter

Length: Novel

Authors website 

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 . . .

Rating-

Sexual-

Kerrelyn Sparks never falls to make me laugh, I love this series. Eat Pray Love is the same as all of her books fun and sexy. I was very pleased how Carlos and Caitlyn found each other and the adventure they had together. I loved the emotions between the two lost sisters and I hope to get to read about the brother one day, I don't know about the rest of you but I think he needs a female vampire. It would be nice to see all of the Whelan siblings all together. Maybe that will help dear old dad come around. I love how Sparks keeps to the storyline and the romance in this series.This is a true paranormal romance story.