Helpful Score: 9
I had a great time with the first book in the series (this is the second), the writing style and tone of which reminded me very much of Lynsay Sands' vampire romance series.
This book was cute but there was really no tension in it at all. You'd think a vampire romance would find a way to sneak in some romantic or suspenseful tension somewhere, but nope, straight cutesy-poo all the way. Kinda gently funny. Good for if you're looking for a soft read, but definitely not for anyone looking for something edgy.
I liked the idea of a reality show for a book plot -- it's a fun concept. This is still a good series, but this installment didn't quite have the spark of the last one.
This book was cute but there was really no tension in it at all. You'd think a vampire romance would find a way to sneak in some romantic or suspenseful tension somewhere, but nope, straight cutesy-poo all the way. Kinda gently funny. Good for if you're looking for a soft read, but definitely not for anyone looking for something edgy.
I liked the idea of a reality show for a book plot -- it's a fun concept. This is still a good series, but this installment didn't quite have the spark of the last one.
Helpful Score: 4
Darcy Newhart has only been a vamp for 4 years now, but every day she longs for her previous life: the sun, the beach, and the man of her dreams, an Apollo-like Sun God! Little did she expect to meet him on the set of her new reality TV show, The Sexiest Man on Earth. Now Adam, an Undercover agent for the Vampire Stake-Out team, has been accepted to participate in the competition, undercover of course. He falls hard for Darcy, not realizing at first that she's a vampire, and she's totally smitten with him as well. But can things work out between them when they're both from two separate worlds... and when one of them is actually a vampire slayer.
I'm not sure I enjoyed this second book in the Love at Stake series as much as the first, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Some of the events were a bit too far-fetched to be believable, even in a novel based on fantasy such as this is. A few times I found myself thinking, "yeah right, as if that would happen". Beyond that however, there was some good action, the romance scenes weren't too sappy, and it was a pretty enjoyable read. :-)
I'm not sure I enjoyed this second book in the Love at Stake series as much as the first, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Some of the events were a bit too far-fetched to be believable, even in a novel based on fantasy such as this is. A few times I found myself thinking, "yeah right, as if that would happen". Beyond that however, there was some good action, the romance scenes weren't too sappy, and it was a pretty enjoyable read. :-)
Helpful Score: 3
Another great book in this series though it doesn't feature any of the vamps from the first book as the main couple. I wasn't expecting to like this one as well due to the vamp being female and the mortal being male. I tend to think of the vamp as more dominant/stronger but the guy in this one has strong psychic powers and the ending surprised me a bit as did the ending of the 1st book but the couple is happy and even in the 3rd book they're still happy with their choice so that makes it ok for me. Some funny moments as Darcy(a vampire who doesn't want to be a vamp) tries to make it in vampire tv by running a vampire reality show for the ex-harem of a coven master to find a new master though there are some humans entered for a 'twist'. They don't know they're competing for a harem..just think it's money! very good series.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is gives you insight to Shannon's father and his CIA agents. It is about one vampire who does not like being a vampire. Some people might enjoy the benefits of being a vampire or even fantasize (can you say live forever and superhuman strength?), Darcy Newhart did not. Four years ago, she lost her job, her family, and her freedom (not to mention her life) when she was turned without her consent. Yet things are looking up. Now that Roman Draganesti, the Master of the harem to which she belonged (how medieval is that?!), was engaged to a mortal woman, she has the chance to change her life (okay, afterlife). Contacting the Digital Vampire Network (DVN for short), she pitches a new show and is hired to direct the first Vampire reality show: The Sexiest Man on Earth. One CIA agent falls hard for Darcy Newhart who he thinks is a mortal to only find out she is undead. Now his entire world comes crashing down. How can vampires be good? He is part of a reality show gets close to many vampires he is suppose to seek out and terminate. He can't because he has fallen in love.
Helpful Score: 1
This was another great book in this series. It has great "vamp light" humor for those who aren't into the darker, horror vampire stories. Even though it's not necessary to read these in order, I highly recommend it due to the recurring characters and their sub-plots.
Helpful Score: 1
This was another great book in this series. It has great "vamp light" humor for those who aren't into the darker, horror vampire stories. Even though it's not necessary to read these in order, I highly recommend it due to the recurring characters and their sub-plots.
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! This one was hot!
Heather S. (suitechic1979) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 17 more book reviews
I am enjoying this series of books so far. I will have to admit both books for me started out somewhat blah and boring in the beginning, however it was worth the read as the plot in the books begins to grow. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This book is awesome!!! She is an excellent writer.
Summary: Who says a vamp can't have it all?
Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius â the firstâever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a superâsexy and live contestant named Austin....but Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blond director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman â living or dead â as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?
This is the second book in the Love at Stake series. I read the first one on an all night work shift...it was good, this one was way better. I love the depth Sparks brings to her characters, how you can actually see them caught between disaster and happiness and longing and pain. Its amazing. I love Darcy and Austin, they are adorable together, now I am ready to see Connor get his girl. I am a bit annoyed that Darcy couldn't see past her anger to not blame Connor so much, he just wanted to try and help and she is always, well, not very nice to him. I do have to say the ending is a bit predictable, not the end end, but the climax, it is pretty predictable, not complaining though, it is still a very good story. There is a sufficient amount of steam in this book...I'd say somewhere between the first book in this series and the third Anita Blake. I enjoyed this book and will continue to enjoy it as well one my favorites I think.
For more information or for purchasing visit Kerrelyn Spark's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/book-review-vamps-and-city-by-kerrelyn.html
Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius â the firstâever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a superâsexy and live contestant named Austin....but Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blond director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman â living or dead â as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?
This is the second book in the Love at Stake series. I read the first one on an all night work shift...it was good, this one was way better. I love the depth Sparks brings to her characters, how you can actually see them caught between disaster and happiness and longing and pain. Its amazing. I love Darcy and Austin, they are adorable together, now I am ready to see Connor get his girl. I am a bit annoyed that Darcy couldn't see past her anger to not blame Connor so much, he just wanted to try and help and she is always, well, not very nice to him. I do have to say the ending is a bit predictable, not the end end, but the climax, it is pretty predictable, not complaining though, it is still a very good story. There is a sufficient amount of steam in this book...I'd say somewhere between the first book in this series and the third Anita Blake. I enjoyed this book and will continue to enjoy it as well one my favorites I think.
For more information or for purchasing visit Kerrelyn Spark's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/book-review-vamps-and-city-by-kerrelyn.html
Danielle D. (Love2Read212) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 12 more book reviews
Cute, funny light vampire romance- although the series gets better as it progresses
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
I instantly recognized this story so I assume I've read it before. However I don't remember a single thing about it so I may as well read it again.
Austin Erickson is a vampire slayer who works for the CIA's Stake-Out Team. His job is to find the CIA director's daughter who was apparently kidnapped by vampires. In his search he comes across Darcy Newhart, the director of the reality show, The Sexiest Man on Earth. He is instantly smitten with Darcy whom he believes is human no vampire at all.
The premise is good and once I was able to ignore the babble of the ex-harem women, the story was much easier to swallow. I'm not a fan of reality television so that stuff just irritated me. However, I did like Austin and I found his internal struggle amusing. I love her but she's a vampire, shouldn't I kill her?" Rather entertaining personal dialogue. Darcy is an interesting heroine - an innocent do-gooder turned vampire against her will.
I was trapped at work today with nothing to read but this book so I was forced to finish it. I'm glad I did because it is a good story and it continues the backstory from [book:How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire|263179] which I absolutely loved.
Austin Erickson is a vampire slayer who works for the CIA's Stake-Out Team. His job is to find the CIA director's daughter who was apparently kidnapped by vampires. In his search he comes across Darcy Newhart, the director of the reality show, The Sexiest Man on Earth. He is instantly smitten with Darcy whom he believes is human no vampire at all.
The premise is good and once I was able to ignore the babble of the ex-harem women, the story was much easier to swallow. I'm not a fan of reality television so that stuff just irritated me. However, I did like Austin and I found his internal struggle amusing. I love her but she's a vampire, shouldn't I kill her?" Rather entertaining personal dialogue. Darcy is an interesting heroine - an innocent do-gooder turned vampire against her will.
I was trapped at work today with nothing to read but this book so I was forced to finish it. I'm glad I did because it is a good story and it continues the backstory from [book:How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire|263179] which I absolutely loved.
Amanda H. (steelplace632) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 60 more book reviews
I enjoyed #2 in the Love and Stake series. I just dove right into this book without reading any summary and actually question a key point in the book which I will not divulge. I really like both of the main characters. It was a little slow in the beginning but picked up fast.
Hayley M. (Zachaustlily) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 227 more book reviews
love this series. Can't wait for the next one.
Holly J. (zhollywood) -
Not as good as the first one. I had a hard time getting into it because of the twist in the usual vampire/mortal love plot line. Usually, that's a good thing. In any case, once I lightened up a bit, I enjoyed it. The ending was a bit on the sappy side, but the scientific premise is plausible without being improbable, due to it's limitations.
The vamp reality show story line was a hoot!
The vamp reality show story line was a hoot!
Sherri B. (sharalsbooks) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 259 more book reviews
After being quite disappointed with the first book in this series, I wasn't at all sure I would like this book or even want to continue reading the series. I really enjoyed the premise of this book. A vampire reality show that mirrors The Bachelor type shows we are inundated with on television would be a lot more entertaining to watch, in my opinion, especially when there is a mix of human and vampire contestants.
Characters from the previous book make an appearance, as expected, but happily this story does not focus too much on them. I struggled a little bit with my memory of the first book because it's been six years since I read it so a lot of the details were fuzzy. Even so, those murky details did not keep me from enjoying this story, which I did, and more than the first book.
Now that my interest in this series has been rekindled, I will be looking for the next book.
Characters from the previous book make an appearance, as expected, but happily this story does not focus too much on them. I struggled a little bit with my memory of the first book because it's been six years since I read it so a lot of the details were fuzzy. Even so, those murky details did not keep me from enjoying this story, which I did, and more than the first book.
Now that my interest in this series has been rekindled, I will be looking for the next book.
love this series!!
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Darcy Newhart has been a vampire for only a short time, but she still longs for her old life. Trying to make a life for herself, she gets a job as the producer of a new reality TV show where mortals and vampires vie for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. She just has to make sure a mortal doesn't win the competition. If only she wasn't distracted by a mortal contestant named Austin. But Darcy doesn't know that Austin Erikson is a CIA agent working for the Stake Out Team. He has infiltrated the TV show to get information on the vampires working at the TV station. And, he has his eye on Darcy.
I found this book thoroughly entertaining, even better than the first book in the series. It's light and fun. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I found this book thoroughly entertaining, even better than the first book in the series. It's light and fun. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Fun, Quick.. can't wait for another one
A lot of fun! Darcy comes up with the idea of a "sexiest man in the world" reality show for the vampire television network. The catch is, some of the contestants are mortals (and two are vampire slayers). Rather predictable, but there's a lot of laughs and a bit of suspense.
*Note, it helps to have read her book How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire before reading this title*
Darcy Newhart needed to make it big with her boss and creating a reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of Sexiest Man on Earth was her only way. Little did she expect to find herself falling for one of the contestants - one of the mortal contestants!
Darcy Newhart needed to make it big with her boss and creating a reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of Sexiest Man on Earth was her only way. Little did she expect to find herself falling for one of the contestants - one of the mortal contestants!
Patricia S. (Dixietrish) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 11 more book reviews
Great book!!
Barbara F. (daylilylover) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 768 more book reviews
Great series!!
WHO SAYS A VAMP CAN'T HAVE IT ALL? DARCY NEWHART THOUGHT IT WAS A STROKE OF GENIUS-THE FIRST-EVER REALITY TV SHOW WHERE MORTALS VIE WITH VAMPIRES FOR THE TITLE OF THE SEXIEST MAN ON EARTH. BUT DARCY DOESN'T KNOW THE WORST OF IT. AUSTIN ERICKSON IS A VAMPIRE HUNTER. A GREAT CHANGE FROM THE REGULAR VAMPIRE STORIES.I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK.I WILL LOOK FOR MORE BOOKS BY KERRELYN SPARKS.
Rachel H. (scrapbooker) reviewed Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Bk 2) on + 147 more book reviews
After spending the last four years living in a vampire harem, Darcy Newhart knew her television career was over. Even if the vampires, nice as they are, were willing to let her return to her former life, everyone thinks she is dead. So when the chance to work for DVN, the Digital Vampire Network, presents itself, Darcy seizes the opportunity. Inspired by the popularity of reality television, Darcy proposes the idea for a show called "The Sexiest Man on Earth," in which a vampire harem picks their new master. What the vampires at DVN don't know is that to give the show a twist, Darcy plans on including a few mortal men among the candidates. What Darcy doesn't know is that one of those mortals is Austin Erickson, a CIA agent whose mission is to kill vampires.
Darcy became a vampire against her will (she was being saved after an attack by an evil vampire) and ends up falling in love with a mind reading vampire slayer named Austin. It takes Austin a while to figure out she is a vampire because everytime he tries to read her mind all he gets are pictures of sun, beach, etc (of course all these warm thoughts are Darcy thinking about Him...lol)
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and this one was pretty good also. I thought the ending was a little hurried though. But, it was good.
Really good book!
This is a delightfully yummy vampire romance with a nice ending twist. It picks up right at page one and keeps you interested through the ending. A must read.
Who says a vamp can't have it all?
Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius--the first-ever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a super-sexy and live contestant named Austin...
But Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blonde director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman--living or dead--as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?
Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius--the first-ever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a super-sexy and live contestant named Austin...
But Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blonde director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman--living or dead--as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?
Monica G. (champsmom) -
Another enjoyable read in the series, there was a few parts that I found irritating but I feel it deals more with her own perception of vampirism.
Storyline was much better than the first book in this series. Ending has a surprising twist which works out perfectly for Darcy and Austin. Can't wait for the next book.
Much better than the first. Darcy was turned into a vampire four years ago. Now she is producing a reality show for the Digital Vampire Network and unknowingly gets involved with a CIA vampire slayer.
Second in a series. I love this series.
Angela C. (rolltide1al) -
Great book by Sparks. Must read if you love paranormal books.
Uhhhhh...it was okay.
I absolutely loved this book. If you like books on vampires and romance, this is the perfect book for you.
Second book to this series and its better. Darcy is the newest of Roman's Harem women but was turned against her will by Connor. She wants to get back into her field of work, news broadcasting, but she finds her self starting a new reality show to the DVN for the other harem woman to get out there and find their own master/ love interest. She is in charge of finding the men and she wants to add a new twist to the show by adding living men with the undead men. Thats where she meets her 'Apollo-Sun God' Austin. All through out taping the show with Gregori she feels a connection with Austin and fights is along the way until she gives in and gets hurt by it. Austin is undercover CIA agent and is there to get intel on the Vamps for his boss Shanna's father but his feelings get in the way of his job. Austin doenst see these Vamps as blood crazed fiends but like regular living people, and he will do anything in his powers to make Darcy fall head over heels for him and help her with her being alive.
I couldn't get past the 2nd chapter. Just didn't hold my interest.
