The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (266 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by XeranthemumHe’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?
Shivers, action, romance, re-romance and third chances are in store for readers in this roller coaster of a tale from Ms. Sparks. What is a re-romance? It’s the only way I can describe the amazing story of Dougal and Leah. By the time I reached the happy ever after, I was a believer in love, destiny and that true love conquers a lot of things, even the thwarting of free will. This is a novel hard to put down just because so many interesting things kept popping up in each chapter.
My favorite thing about reading a story written by Ms. Sparks is the funny jokes and hilarious scenes that she puts her hapless heroes and heroines in. I had the hardest belly laugh at the scene with Dougal and the blow up doll. The descriptions the author used had me in stitches. On the tender side were the scenes where the dialogue was very reminiscent of The Princess Bride. Remember ‘As you wish’? It was romantic in the movie but how Ms. Sparks wove it into The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo was simply sublime.
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The saddest part was Dougal’s music. Music has power in this story and the author used it quite effectively. It lifts, it saves and it heals. I was truly affected by those scenes.
Leah is a fine heroine. She’s smart and her initial introduction to the world where vampires are real was funny and understandable. Her hysterical hysteria was fun to read although I acknowledge I’d probably react the same way as her. I would also more than likely mirror her reaction to Dougal. How could any red blooded woman not? He wears a kilt and makes no excuses for how he wears it. If you get my drift. I also enjoyed her encounter with Bunny and finding out about Josephine.
Another fascinating aspect of this particular story is the author’s exploration of demons and angels. I am not a fan of the demon fad so I’m thrilled that Ms. Sparks kept demons as they should be – as the ultimate villains. And I liked that she didn’t make this story dark. It’s more like pre-dawn – dark but not. Master Han and Darafer are perfect bad guys, totally unredeemable and commendable foes. But just when a reader thinks that the good guys are going to get their heads handed to them because Darafer seems unstoppable, the author pulled some lightness out of her hat and had a great battle take place. Not everyone makes it but I understood why they couldn’t. Still, I was sad.
I enjoyed Dougal’s teasing of Leah. It was so cute because he never let her get away with hiding. The part when she wanted to make sure he had a heartbeat inspired the scenes and dialogue afterwards and they had me snickering.
The hottest parts are when Leah succumbs to Dougal’s ‘oots’ and Scottish charm. He’s romantic in his words and deeds and was a wonderful hero. Okay, so he beats himself up a bunch, mentally chastising and flagellating himself over a past failure and that sort of got old after a while. But I understood its use as a plot conflict and motivation so I could forgive its presence. There is so much to like and enjoy about the hero so I didn’t let it bother me, much. Thank goodness Dougal is so sexy.
Did I sniff and tear up at all during the story? You bet I did. Right after Briathos gave a reluctant hug I just blubbered with happy tears and sniffles. What happened and how the Ms. Sparks chose to write it, the words she used to describe how it affected the heroine, really touched my heart. It was very special.
Secondary characters provided a riot of a good time. I had incredible fun reading the byplay between all the personalities and when the author introduced a new female character that scared one of the supposed big bad supernatural guys, I had a grin from ear to ear. What I didn’t expect was a potential side romance to come out of meeting this new character. It was cute and endearing.
The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo is a busy, exciting and very romantic book that was impossible to put down. There were so many fascinating and interesting things that happened in every single chapter that I was compelled to keep reading. I really liked the dynamics between Leah and Dougal and I find it especially pleasurable when characters I’ve met in previous books come out and play too. This is a standalone read for sure but having read most if not all of the previous books in the series, I find my reading experience is fuller and richer for having done so. Fans are going to find a lot to enjoy in this latest adventure and new readers might just find a new author to love. I know I do.
This “Love At Stake series is the BEST you’ll ever read! The romance is between adults who are mature and very believable with all of the series’ characters woven throughout and it’s like catching up with your favorite cousins. All one big happy family with a lot of excitement and action thrown in, but without the gore and just casual, quick and meaningless sex. Kerrelyn Sparks writes so well you can actually hear the Scottish brogue and see the courtesy, respect and passion incorporated in each story. I love the way she incorporates all the characters and I highly recommend that if you want true romance and (SPOILER ALERT) happy endings and not just quickies with different characters or teen romnce– this is a great series!