Wanted: Undead or Alive, by author Kerrelyn Sparks is the 12th installment in the 'Love At Stake' saga, one in which I am DEEPLY invested. So did our leading man and woman hold up the high expectations I've come to put on Sparks? Absofreakinloutley!
Plot:
He's a vampire from the big city . . .Phineas McKinney thought New York City was tough, until he was attacked by Malcontents—evil vampires who consider mortals to be snacks. Saved by the good vampires, Phin swore to devote his now undead life to stopping the Malcontents. He's got his job cut out for him when word comes that their enemy may be hiding in Wyoming. What does a city boy like him know about horses and campfires? Good thing he's got Brynley Jones with him . . . if only she didn't hate every vampire on earth.
She's a werewolf princess . . .Bryn believes vampires are seductive and charming, and that makes them dangerous. So she's more than a little annoyed about teaming up with Phin, even if he is the only bloodsucker able to make her inner wolf purr. But as they hunt down the new leader of the Malcontents, danger threatens . . . and Phineas and Brynley discover a passion that will rock the foundation of their supernatural world.
Phineas has been around in the series for a little while now. Known as Dr. Love, the man's goal in the beginning was to play matchmaker for his fellow vamp friends and overall sex stud to the ladies. What may have started out as a funny joke turned into a title he couldn't shake but one he rolled with anyway. I was really looking forward to reading how Kerrelyn was going to play this out, only because I knew him as a one trick pony for so long. BUT she gave him a major makeover without changing the man we've grown to love for his funny banter and witty jibes with fellow friends. He's been described to resemble a "young Denzel Washington" so it's no wonder the female community have been falling at the sexy man's feet. *fans self*
Bryn was a bit of a shocker for me, she's put off such stay away vibes I didn't really picture her being the one to snag the Love Doctor, but again Kerrelyn works it out and makes the "sparks" (get it? see what I did there?) fly! The country gal and the city boys interactions were hootin' funny at times, yet sentimental during others. These two really come a long way from the first to last pages but it all plays out with solid believability. Had some major City Slicker movie flashback moments but loved every second of it.
With a new set of dangerous issues coming into play this latest book takes a fresh turn that will only help carry the saga along as a whole. You add in some hysterical commercial shoots, vivid countryside detail, well written characters, smexy men, entertaining plot-line and laugh out loud moments and you have yourself another solid hit from Sparks. I love this series and will happily continue on 'till the end that I hope doesn't come too soon.
My one and only little tiny downside is almost no mention of my lovely man-candy-Scottish-beef-cutlet-chiseled-warrior Dougal. [It's a word, yet again I looked it up!] *sighs and makes dreamy eyes* He's been a back burner for too long and I'm carrying the Dougal torch loud and proud people!
Getting 4 and 1/2 'home on the range' Sheep
KD
Wanted: Undead or Alive hits shelves March 27th, make sure to reserve your copy below!
