REVIEW: Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

In Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake #16) by Kerrelyn Sparks, Thirty-nine years. That’s how long Russell was in a coma after being turned into a vampire against his will by the evil vamp Master Han. Since awakening he’s been working off-and-on with some other vampires, the good ones, who are after Master Han and his army. The evil vampire is also the cause for were-tiger princess Jia’s tragic family history. Losing her parents and brother has given Jia the same objective as Russell: to rid the world of Master Han, bringing his forty year reign of terror to an end.

“Stay here. You have family and a future. Enjoy your life. I’ll take care of Han, and when I’m done, I’ll bring his golden mask to you and lay it at your feet.”
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. “I know you would. I believe you, but…I need more.”

Jia would like nothing better than to team up with Russell and use both of their strengths to defeat Han. But Russell works alone. Or he has in the past. But something about Jia gets under his skin like no one else and soon he caves to her offer. Their close proximity throws their concentration off during their recon missions. And sparks are flying between them at an alarming rate. Russell knows Jia should be off-limits, since she just found out she was betrothed to a were-tiger prince. But neither one of them can stop what is happening, which leads them to wonder what they will do if something bad should happen to either one of them.

“Nothing can keep me from you.” Russell cradled her face with his hands. “Not even hell.”
She smiled in spite of the tears in her eyes. “That’s my cowboy.”
“Anything for my princess.”

What a wonderful way to end the Love at Stake series! With ginormous battles and scenes involving nearly every character from the last sixteen books, Russell and Jia’s story is about as epic as it gets.

So, in Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire we finally learn all about Russell and his mysterious background as well as getting the details about Jia’s tragic past. I won’t spoil it by sharing the secrets. But I will say that there are a few surprises that I didn’t see coming. At all. Author Kerrelyn Sparks did a fantastic job of giving readers just enough information to build theories on who Master Han was, what happened to Russell to make him such a solitary guy, and what was driving Jia in her mission to kill Han. Ms. Sparks also kept the story moving at a great clip while building the passion and emotions between Jia and Russell.

I thought Russell and Jia were such an interesting pair. He was a bit grouchy and definitely a loner. No one quite knew who’s side he was on in the fight against Master Han. But leave it to Jia, with her “Pollyanna” demeanor as Russell would say, to trust that he was one of the good guys. I had a lot of fun reading the scenes where they bickered and sought for control over every situation. There was such a fun rapport between them, in addition to the romance, that I couldn’t wait to see how things turned out for them. I can’t say that Jia and Russell had an easy time finding their way to their happily-ever-after, considering they went to hell and back. But then again, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. 😉

I think paranormal romance fans will really enjoy Jia and Russell’s heartwarming love story. And don’t worry…author Kerrelyn Sparks has hinted that there may be something more in the works for Love at Stake fans in the future. *crosses fingers*

Book Info:

Published December 30th 2014 by Avon | (Love at Stake #16)

New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks delivers the exciting conclusion in the Love at Stake series, where a Marine-turned-vampire finds love with the shifter princess forbidden to him…

Russell wakes from a coma to find he’s become a vampire. Now he has a thirst for revenge. Determined to hunt down the master vampire who turned him, he’s used to working alone . . . until he meets Jia. She is after the same vampire for murdering her parents and insists she can help Russell on this mission. Reluctantly, he agrees, and sets up some ground rules:

Rule #1: Their partnership is strictly business. If he holds her a little too close . . . if she looks at him with those exotic eyes . . . well, that has to stop.

Rule #2: He’s in charge. Jia isn’t used to taking orders and questions every move he makes. So he stops her the only way he knows how.

Rule #3: Don’t fall in love. But the kiss that was supposed to quiet her awakens something else in him . . . something forbidden. Because Jia is engaged. To someone else.