In How to Seduce a Vampire Without Really Trying (Love at Stake #15) by Kerrelyn Sparks, Zoltan Czakvar is a Coven Master vampire who’s been around for so many centuries that he’s gotten into a bit of rut. He works continuously. And he’s only had a handful of serious relationships that always seem to fail when the “newness” of dating a vampire fades in the woman’s eyes. Then a chance encounter with warrior woman Neona changes Zoltan’s life forever. Not only has he never before seen such a strong, exotically beautiful woman, but he grows to love her wit, feeling a need to watch 
over her. That possessiveness extends to her family and the sacred land they are sworn to protect. A land that may hold the key to secrets surrounding his mother and father’s death back in 1241.
‘This was what he needed. A new quest. He would discover the secrets of Beyul-La and win the heart of Neona. If she didn’t kill him first.’
Neona and her family have lived in Beyul-La for many centuries, keeping the secrets that are hidden in the caves from outsiders. Especially men. None are allowed on the sacred grounds. When a male intruder is spotted on their land, Neona and the others are sent to eliminate the threat by any means necessary. If the man is strong and capable though, they are allowed to mate with him to keep their family alive, but they must then kill him. Neona spots Zoltan and after battling him, realizes that he is exactly the type of man she should mate. He’s gorgeous, a fierce warrior, and is seemingly intelligent. But he also stirs something within her that could cause her to lose her heart and that can’t happen. When outside forces threaten both Neona’s people and Zoltan’s vampire friends, they face a war with the potential to change their future forever.
“A man can till the soil and plow the field.”
“We have a donkey.”
He snorted. “You can’t replace a man with a donkey. They are stubborn creatures who won’t do as they’re told.”
Her brow arched. “And there’s a difference?”
He gritted his teeth.
Well, Kerrelyn Sparks has done it again. Although I think Dougal is still my favorite in the Love at Stake series, Zoltan and Neona’s story was equally as entertaining and was full of plot twists that had me glued to the pages.
‘She was different. Somehow, her fate was linked to his. They were connected. He wasn’t sure how, but he knew in his gut that she belonged with him.’
For such a long running series, How to Seduce a Vampire still seems very fresh to me. The storyline was an interesting one. I can’t really give much away as the secrets kind of build upon each other, but Zoltan and Neona’s lives intersect each other in some surprising ways. I didn’t know if I would care for Zoltan. For some reason I had him pegged as an aristocratic, stern vamp, which I suppose he is in some respects. But he was actually a lot more caring and funnier than I expected.
The running commentary about his being beaten up by Neona and her questioning his intelligence I found hysterical. As well as his communicating with animals…especially her snow leopard Zhan. Funny stuff. But as funny as the book was, there were also some wonderfully romantic moments. Neither Neona nor Zolton thought they would ever find lasting love, so theirs is a story many centuries in the making and well worth reading about.
How to Seduce a Vampire is a terrific paranormal romance that is easy to read as a single title or as part of the Love at Stake series. Highly recommended!
Book Info:
Publication: April 29th 2014 by Avon | Love at Stake #15
From New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks comes the next adventure in the Love at Stake series, featuring a Master vampire and his love affair with a woman of many secrets . . .
Vampire Zoltan Czakvar is on the hunt for the truth about his father’s death. He’s been searching for a very long time—since 1241, in fact. And he is not about to give up, even when he’s attacked by a woman with striking blue eyes and a hell of a right hook!
Neona is also on the hunt. She’s looking for a mate, and she thinks muscled Zoltan will work just fine. After all, men are good for only one thing. Soon, though, she realizes there’s more to this handsome vampire than just sexual prowess. But she’s keeping a secret from Zoltan, something so big that it will rock the vampire world.
Can their newfound love survive . . . even if their passion means the destruction of her world?
