Vampire Mine by K. Sparks

KSparks-Vampire MineIt’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)

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.