It’s been awhile since I read a Love at Stakes novel by Kerrelyn Sparks, but Vampire Mine was definitely a great way to get back into the world.
Nothing on earth can make this vampire fall in love . . .
After 499 years of existence, Connor Buchanan has arrived at an inescapable conclusion: he is a cold-hearted SOB. He’s been watching his friends—those poor romantic fools—plummet off the cliff into love like a dazed herd of sheep. But not Connor. He knows that love leads to nothing but heartache.
Until Marielle . . .
She is an angel cast down from heaven for disobedience. Trapped in mortal form, she finds a protector in Connor, a Scottish vampire haunted by a dark past. Marielle hopes to heal his broken heart and earn her way back home, but suddenly she has these . . . feelings. This strange yet pleasant physical yearning—for a vampire! Is this the work of a demon luring her into hell, or has this angel found heavenly bliss?
While I haven’t even read all of the Love at Stake series, when I was given the chance to read Vampire Mine, I took it. I was familiar enough with the story arc that I knew I wouldn’t be missing too much by skipping a few novels and I was right. I’m not sure what has happened in the past, but I never once felt like I was out of the loop or I was missing something that was incremental to the story arc. That right there is probably what I enjoyed the most about Vampire Mine – the fact that I could jump into the middle of this series and not be lost. In fact, the exact opposite has occurred – since I don’t know what has happened, I want to go back and find out. At the same time, I can see the possibilities for a few new stories. We already know Gregori will have his story told next in Sexiest Vampire Alive (9/27/11), but I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last of Brynley and Phineas.
As for our main couple – Connor and Marielle – they were amusing. I wouldn’t say they were the best couple I’ve read, because quite honestly, they really didn’t hold my attention all that well. They were sweet and cute together, but I much preferred the scenes where Marielle was trying to get used to her new human body. That whole naive innocence had quite a few great lines. Although, that may be the one area where not reading the previous novels may have hindered me. I don’t have that connection to Connor’s tormented soul that made me want him to have a HEA. From everything I’ve seen recently, he seems to be one of those previous side characters that people have been wanting to see get a HEA, and for me, he was just another alpha male finding his mate. Of the two, I have to say that Marielle was the stronger of the two characters and she’s the one I really enjoyed reading.
As for the plot, fans of the series may get a slight…now what vibe. I don’t want to give away what happens, because it’s big. Even I know that and I’ve only read the first two or three novels in the series; however, Sexiest Vampire Alive is going to be a game changer for this series because a pretty big plot arc will find its resolution in Vampire Mine. Fans of the series may know what I’m referring to, but even though this resolution occurs, there’s still a lot to look forward to. Of that I’m sure of.
Overall, Vampire Mine was an enjoyable read, but it really didn’t keep my attention. Not like a few books I’ve recently read have. Although, I have to be honest, this could be due to the fact that I was reading a print novel. I’ve really been into using my Kindle lately and seem to be able to fly through stories with it; but when it came to a print version, I had to remind myself that I was reading an actual book instead. I’m not sure if this impacted my impressions or not, but while I wasn’t absorbed into the story, I never once wanted to stop reading it. I wanted to see what happened with Connor and Marielle and to see if they succeeded in what they were training to do. I have a feeling fans of the series (those who have read all the books) will enjoy Connor’s story more, but if you haven’t been following the series, I wouldn’t hestitate to jump into Vampire Mine. If anything, it’s going to make you want to read the previous novels even more.
Read Order:
How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire
Vamps and the City
Be Still My Vampire Heart
The Undead Next Door
All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire
Secret Life of a Vampire
Forbidden Nights with a Vampire
The Vampire and the Virgin
Eat Prey Love
Vampire Mine
Sexiest Vampire Alive (9/27/2011)