Real Vampires Have More to LoveAuthor: Gerry Bartlett
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Glory St. Clair Series Book #6
ISBN: #978-0-425-23697-0
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (352 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
Glory St. Clair is a vampire with problems. First there’s her on-again, off-again lover Jeremy Blade, back in town and expecting her to fall into his arms again. Doesn’t he remember that they have issues? And what about smoking hot rock star Israel Caine? He’s back, too, and sinking his fangs into someone else. Glory told him to move on, but did she have to be so thin? At least Valdez is still loyal. But her former bodyguard is no longer dogging her. Instead, he’s now a hunky guy determined to share her apartment and maybe something more. So much man-candy is enough to make even a gal with a liquid diet feel a sugar rush.
No time to enjoy it though, with a pair of hunters playing beat the clock as they try to win the fortune a techno-freak billionaire left behind. The stakes are high and Glory’s the prize in this vamp hunting contest. Dodging arrows and arranging a bachelorette party for her BFF may just prove to be too much for even this clever vamp who has more to love…
What I’m talking about:
NOTE: I have not read any of the first five books in this series.
Glory St. Clair has one hell of a messed up life! She’s been around the block for a few centuries, but still hasn’t learned to be completely self-sufficient. Glory has recently (something that happened in an earlier book) left her long-time love, Jerry, and opened her own vintage clothing store to make it on her own. But as soon as Jerry strolls back into the picture, she turns to him for love. She also is playing a dangerous, flirtatious game with her one-time body guard, Rafe. When Jerry leaves town on business, all hell breaks loose in Glory’s life. She is nearly killed, blackmailed, starts an affair with Rafe, drugged, threatened, beaten up, and has to deal with Rafe’s demonic ex-wife. Yet she manages to keep it together while planning her best friend’s wedding.
Vampires Have More to Love reads like a soap opera. Glory can be over the top, immature and needy. She drove me nuts at times. She proclaims that she wants to make it on her own, yet leans on a man at every turn. And she cannot stay out of trouble. Some of it is not her fault, but most of it is. She isn’t smart and tries to “fix” things without trusting those that could help her the most. She keeps secrets and lies to cover her butt, but in the end, it’s all part of her undoing.
The book started slow. We learn of threats to Glory’s life and meet her maker and love, Jerry. They immediately hop back into bed together, but I felt there was NO chemistry between them. The first 100 pages were campy and short on substance.
But then the action came: plot twists and shake ups that really improved the quality of the story. I adored Glory’s relationship with Rafe and found their romance HOT! Once you peel back the layers, the underlying story was actually quite satisfying. But you have to deal with bumbling Glory and her never-ending problems to get to the core. As for Rafe – he is sweet, romantic and SMOKIN’ HOT! I totally cheered for Rafe, and I just don’t get why Glory is so hung up on Jerry. But I bet it’s akin to skipping Twilight and starting the Twilight Series with New Moon and then wondering why Bella chooses Edward over Jacob. I suspect that Jerry and Glory have shared many wonderful moments in the previous 5 books, and therefore, the chemistry was already established.
Glory did have some great redeeming moments – when she stands up for herself and fights the demon, or her other enemies – the Energy Vamps. She is witty and sharp during these moments and I actually started to like Glory.
The last quarter of the story saved the whole book for me. Glory realizes what is truly important to her and how her life should be. She finally does what she needs to in order to set her life down the path she chooses. If you are looking for a light-hearted romp with a soap-operatic plot line, you will enjoy Vampires Have More to Love.
My Rating:
Liked it, there were a few issues – recommend (B)
I have to admit, I love campy soap-opera-like books (when I’m in the mood for one – usually after I finish a few too many angsty books in a row). This looks cute, but I’d probably have to read the first 5 books before tackling this one.
Great review, Twimom!
I love this series for a fun campy read! Really Gloria can be frustrating and increasingly funny. It is mostly the side characters that I love though 🙂 I can’t wait for this one to come out!
MK: I think that I would have liked it a lot more if I started from Book 1. There is some good humor in here too!
Felicia: I’d love to hear what you think of it after you’ve read it! Thanks for stopping by!
I like the cover..lol
This sounds quirky and fun…nice review!