The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake #14) by Kerrelyn Sparks- a review

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About the book: Release Date August 27, 2013

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he’s ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo.

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There’s even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal’s gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored?

Review:

This entry into the Love at Stake series begins with Dougal having issues with his “bionic” hand. But, those problems pale in comparison to what happens when the beautiful Leah enters the lab and he sees her on one of the security monitors. He is immediately drawn to her, and for some reason, his dragon tattoo reacts as well. Seems Dougal lost a love three hundred years ago and Leah invokes her memory.

Once Leah enters the labs at Romantech, she is ushered into a particular lab and shown slides of samples under microscopes. Leah is renowned geneticist and is immediately curious about what she is seeing. But, once they start to tell her about the existence of vampires and such, she thinks she’s being punked. Once Dougal sees that she’s upset, he intervenes on her behalf. He thinks that the work they ask of her is too dangerous, but, once the others finally get through to her about all of the people she could potentially help, she decides to stick around.

Dougal takes it upon himself to be her friend and protector and hopefully more. Problem is, Leah still isn’t convinced about this whole vampire thing. To top it all off, once she finds out about their death sleep, she is plagued by indecision. How can something or someone be dead one minute, and alive the next? And, the fact that Dougal makes her feel more alive than she has ever felt scares her. Leah is a genius and went to college at fourteen and has been socially awkward ever since. She’s never had a true friend, but that’s about to change…………….

Once things get rolling, Leah is kidnapped by the bad guys and Dougal is furious. He has failed to keep her safe, but once they get her back, she is so devastated by the events that played out, Dougal makes the ultimate sacrifice in order for her to be happy again. What sacrifice you ask? You’ll have to read to find out, but let me tell ya, you may shed a tear or two………….

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo is a wonderful addition to the Love at Stake series. A lot happens in this book. We get a new species or two introduced into the storyline. Well, not “new”, but new to this particular series. Old threats are taken care of as new ones emerge. I loved that we get to see old friends and make new ones, as always. That’s one of the things that Sparks does that I love. You don’t have to continually wonder what others are up to. Sparks also writes with humor, which is always a plus for me. This is one of my “go to” series. It is such a nice departure from the darker things that I (we) read. I always look forward to the next installment after I finish one of these books. Now, the waiting begins……………

Reviewed by Vickie M.