Book 4), The Undead Next Door (Love at Stake

"The Undead Next Door" is the fourth book in Kerrelyn Sparks' vampire series, previous books being "How to marry a Millionaire Vampire", "Vamps and the City" and "Be still my Vampire heart". The vampire hero of this book is Jean-Luc Echarpe, head of the European Coven and famous fashion designer. Unfortunately the fashion press are beginning to notice that Jean-Luc doesn't seem to have aged for thirty years and still looks incredibly young for someone who designed for Marilyn Monroe. Jean-Luc knows that it's time for him to go into hiding for twenty-five years before re-emerging as his own son. His chosen hiding place is the small town of Schnitzelberg in Texas where he decides to go out with a bang with a fashion show, before hiding underground for a quarter of a century.

However at the opening of his clothing store a few weeks before the fashion show his attention is taken by a young woman who appears to be copying his designs. Heather Westfield is rather more curvy than the models at the store and her life hasn't worked out as she hoped when young but she still feels she can design dresses that people like her can actually wear. When she finds herself talking to the strange French man, and being offered a job, it all sounds wonderful. Unfortunately a crazed old man tries to attack and kill the Frenchman and Heather wades in to help, which now means that the assailant, who the French man names Lui, knows about her and her life is in danger.

The Frenchman introduces himself as Jean-Luc Echarpe and tells Heather that she and her household will now need to be protected. As Heather gets to know the various other people around Jean-Luc, including Emma and Angus from the previous book, she finds that things don't add up. How old is he? How long has the warfare between him and Lui going on? Why does her housekeeper have strange visions about blood and teeth and darkness? As Lui begins to try to get to Heather in order to upset Jean-Luc the town of Schnitzelberg seems less safe than it used to be and Heather has to rely on Jean-Luc, despite being unsure of him and his history.

As usual with this author the pacing is good, the characters interesting and appealing and the world of the Vamps and the Malcontents well described. It's not necessary to have read any of the previous books in the series to understand this one although there is quite a large cast of characters to get to know in this book if not being previously familiar with them. Heather is a particularly good heroine because she's intelligent and works out the vampire/immortal thing before she's actually told which means the reader doesn't have to wade through pages and pages where the vamp is trying to prove what he is. Like all the other books in the series, this is a good lighthearted read.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Vampire and fashion designer Jean-Luc Echarpe only wanted a quiet place to settle down. Society has noticed his continued youthfulness and the small town in Texas seems the perfect spot to hide away until he can recreate himself years later in the guise of his son. Unfortunately, a killer wants Jean-Luc dead... and mortal Heather Westfield is now his target as well. Is there any hope for love between a mortal and a vampire?

Kerrelyn Sparks always injects just the right dose of humor in her books and THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR is no exception. I won't reveal spoilers but suffice to say that I'll never think of the word cockroach solely as a nasty bug anymore; instead, my first thought will be of THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR and the very clever twist Ms. Sparks brings to the word!

And oh, what great characters! Heather is a gutsy heroine, willing to overcome her fears. Jean-Luc is a true Alpha hero, determined to protect Heather but willing to let her make her own choices as well. The sparks simply fly between these two very stubborn people.

Kerrelyn Sparks does a phenomenal job with creating memorable characters, and her secondary characters are no exception. Fidelia is a hoot and I sure hope she makes an appearance in future books! Heather's daughter, Bethany, is absolutely adorable as well. In fact, it's hard to find a character (other than the villains, of course) that I don't like in this series as each one is well developed and yet uniquely different.

THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR is another fun installment in the Love at Stake series. The story easily stands alone although fans will enjoy visiting with some of the past characters. Bravo, Ms. Sparks for yet another hit!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Jean-Luc had to leave Paris because the people were begining to wonder why he wasn't aging. So he decides to open a new fashion shop in the States. But not in New York or Los Angeles, no he opens one in a small town in Texas. What he doesn't count on is that he will meet his match in Texas. Heather will turn his life upside down and he will never be the same, but how do you explain someone that you are not only a very successful fashion designer but also a Vampire. Will she be able to accept his true nature or will she be so scared to run away? To complicate the situation even more suddenly Jean-Luc's archenemy appears and threatens everything what is dear to him, especially Heather.

Ms. Sparks did it again. THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR is an absolutely fascinating and spellbinding story. You can't help yourself but to fall in love with the very charming Jean-Luc and it is so much fun to see how he has to adjust his life to the life in a small town. Heather is a strong and unusual heroine, who is the perfect counterpart to Jean-Luc.

In THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR the readers will also meet beloved characters from the previous books of the Love at Stake series again. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, this reviewer would recommend the other books prior reading THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR, not only to get the whole background knowledge but also for the pure reading fun.

Ms. Sparks confirms with every book why she is on this reviewer's auto-buy list, because she is one of the best authors of funny Vampire books.

So if you are looking for a book to brighten up you day, pick up a copy of her books.

Courtesy of Loveromances and more

Audiobook
It was the typical HEA read I expect from this series/author filled with humor and lusty bits. it should have been great I love her characters but the voices, ARGUH ! The French vampire had the cheesiest cartoon worthy accent (Pepe le Pew), the Texan woman was so dang terrible think Foghorn Leghorn and you are close.
(I hated hearing her voice) The Scotsmen who were done so well in the previous book by the previous narrator sounds like sickly women. How could I could I enjoy what should have been sexy, scary, smart, interesting, intriguing but was like listening to a 70's cartoon ?
BAH ! I am stuck with this ridiculous French accent in my head. Pepe le Pew go away !

Heather Lynn Westfield is attending the grand opening of famous and brilliant fashion designer Jean-Luc Echarpe's newest store. While Heather is sketching one of his designs, making it more appropriate for the average woman, the very mysterious and now very angry Jean-Luc himself approaches her. Once Jean-Luc sees what Heather is really doing, he offers her a job, agreeing that her ideas have a lot of merit. Then his archenemy Lui arrives and Jean-Luc becomes her protector as well as her boss.

The more time Jean-Luc spends with Heather the more he wants her, but he's a vampire and he's sure she'll reject him. Heather finds herself falling for Jean-Luc as well but she's made mistakes in the past and she's being cautious now. Heather knows there is something different about Jean Luc and when she discovers what it is, she also sees that he and his friends can have more feeling than most of the mortals she knows. With Lui after them, will she have the chance to tell him though?

The Undead Next Door is a funny, sexy and action-filled romance. Heather is a yellow rose of Texas, with her charming drawl and her laid-back style and Jean-Luc is Paris, vogue and sophistication. They make a surprisingly good couple. The Undead Next Door is a good story with a lot of heart and some heat too!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Sweet Heather Westfield has an adorable daughter, an overbearing ex-husband, a feisty nanny, and too many dreams that were never fulfilled. The talented designer/seamstress stayed in her small Texas town to appease her mother and became a school teacher instead of pursuing her ambition to be a fashion designer. When one of the world's top names in couture opens a boutique nearby, she is drawn to the life she gave up, and to the man who has designed fashions for some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

World-weary Jean-Luc Escharpe has seen it all since he was transformed into a vampire centuries ago. A skilled swordsman, he fought as a lieutenant-colonel in the vampire army, and in later decades, pursued his skills a businessman and designer. His career has kept him in the public eye a little too long, however, causing many to wonder how the designer who clad Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant still looks so young and handsome. What he needs is some time away and a place to hide out. But on the eve of his self-imposed isolation, he meets a beautiful woman who has been burned by love. Heather awakens long-dead feelings in Jean-Luc and makes him start to wonder if he could have another chance at love after all.

But with a crazed killer bent on revenge tracking Jean-Luc's every move, being around him is not exactly the safest place in the world. Then there's the whole undead element thrown into the mix. Jean-Luc is certain a relationship with Heather would never work out because she could never accept him as he is. But Heather has some surprises up her homemade sleeves: she's declared a war on fear, and this Texas sweetie vows not to let anyone stand in the way of what she wants. And she wants Jean-Luc.

The Undead Next Door, Kerrelyn Sparks' fourth book in the Love At Stake series, is a thrilling, fast-paced detour through the beautiful Texas Hill Country with two wounded but strong souls. As usual, the story resonates with Sparks' trademark humor, wit, and warmth. There's something here for every reader as the author deftly combines history, humor, deep emotion, and paranormal elements for a deeply satisfying love story.

I just discovered this author after reading one of her shorter stories. Now that I've read a few of her other books I'm really loving not only her concepts and storyline but all the characters. Normally when an author brings past characters into future books it turns out annoying but she not only makes it work but makes it enjoyable. And this book has to be my favorite so far. There's just something about Jean-Luc and I also really liked the heroine, Heather. The title is misleading but with such a great book, who cares :)

Totally enjoyed the characters,
I dislike the continual repetition on why these couples either harp on why they don't belong together.
I do like the twist and turns of their enemies.
I'd recommend this read to anyone who enjoy action, romance and paranormal adventures

Although everytime I read on of the books from the Love at Stake seres I eat it up, this one, I definately couldn't put down. Jean-Luc is the one character in the series that stands out the most to me out of all the books. His character is so strong, witty, charming and sweet at the same time that you can't help but fall for the guy just like Heather does.

The book starts out with Jean-Luc, a famous fashion designer, moving from Paris to a very small town in Texas. He's EXTREMELY unhappy about it because since he's a vamp and doesn't age, people in Paris have caught on to him not aging. So for his, and every other vamps safety, he moves to Texas and opens a store for his clothes. But the store is just a cover. Because in only weeks, he plans to close it and disappear under the home he's built for himself in the basement for the next 25 years until he can return to the fashion world posing as his son. The night of the store opening, he sees Heather. He falls head over heels for her and her 4 year old daughter. But they're all in danger from another vamp who threatens to kill Jean-Luc and Heather.

Jean-Luc struggles with his love for Heather, and she does the same. He feels guilty for having to tell her lies to keep his secret of being a vamp safe. And he wants so badly to tell her the truth, but fears she will reject him. And Heather's catching on to the strange things. She questions his honesty because she wants to trust him, but sometimes feels she can't.

Overall, it's a great book in the series. And if you do read the books out of order (like I did...) you don't get lost. You may question something, but you pick up on it later. And when you do finish all of the series, you quickly understand everything.

The Undead Next Door is the story between Jean-Luc and Heather. Heather is a teacher and single mother in a small Texas town. She has always dreamed of more from her life. Jean-Luc the Europe Coven Master has relized that he needs to go into exile because the public is starting to wonder about him so he opens a shop in Texas. He has been afraid of relatiships for a long time because of his enemy Lui who insist on making Jean-Luc suffer by killing the women that he loves. You also find out something that is eye rollingly in almost ever vampire series now days. A good book though that was humorous and hard to put down.

This book follows a very charming character from the background of the Love at Stake Series, Jean-Luc. He's an overexposed fashion designer who the public notices never seems to age. What can he do? He doesn't want to give up his fashion empire! He desiceds to "hide out" in Texas of all places and then come back as his grandson to take over in like 20 years. Everything goes well at his new opening until he thinks a woman is stealing his designs. It turns out she just thinks she can make them better. All this combined with self-esteem issues, a bad guy who still wants you deal and the Shanna/Sean family war you get a little of everything! You NEED to read this book and the whole series.

This is the first Kerrelyn Sparks book I've read. I found Kerrelyn to have a good writing voice and great humor. I thought the story was cute enough, entertaining plot.

I dropped one star for one flaw. Kerrelyn Sparks mixed up some of the dialogues, she would have the centuries old vampire talking like a woman from Texas, kind of irked me. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable read.

I would recommend to others, especially if you're a vampire fan.

Wannabe fashion designer Heather Westfield is ecstatic that renowned designer Jean-Luc Echarpe has opened one of his Le Chique Echarpe boutiques in her small Texas Hill Country town. She sketches some of his work only to have Jean-Luc stop to talk to her. However, sword carrying assailants attack Jean-Luc who tells Heather to stay out of the fray as he has it under control; still she tries to come to his rescue only to conclude he somehow does have it under control.

Jean-Luc realizes that his enemies will assume that Heather is his current lover. To keep her, her daughter Bethany and her housekeeper safe, he demands they stay with him. As she wonders how he gets away with sleeping all day and her odious former spouse complains about her sleeping with her lover in front of their daughter, Heather and Jean-Luc fall in love. However, he knows he owes her one key explanation as to why he sleeps away the day; he and some of his close friends are undead, but he loves her too much to make her dinner.

Kerrelyn Sparks latest vampire romance (see HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE VAMPIRE) is an amusing tale due to the lead couple whose first encounter is his accusing her of stealing his design. The support cast enhances either the feel that vampires are real (includes stars of previous stories in the Sparks' saga) or personalizes the heroine like her child does. The story line combines humor and danger as the size 12 woman rips his skin off for being arrogant yet protects him from a nasty villain. Fans will enjoy the gender battle between the vampire designer and the wannabe Texas designer.

Harriet Klausner

I have read Kerrelyn Sparks other books in this series and they are great, but this one is my favorite so far. It is funny,romantic,sexy, intruiging. I never wanted it to end. The hero is sweet and sexy and I wanted him for myself. The sexual energy and tension gave me tingles.
I just wish she could whip out the next book in about a week because I hate to wait for the next one. Do yourself a favor and get all the books in this series, you won't be disappointed.

Maybe if I would have started at the very beginning of the series I might have liked this book but I don't even think that would have changed my mind. I really didn't feel any connection between Jean-Luc and Heather. It seemed very forced to me. I thought the love scenes were short and not very sensual.

The relationship between Heather and her daughter was very sweet but I liked the daughter more than I did Heather. Actually the babysitter was my favorite. If Heather would have had the spunk that she had then I might have liked her.

There was alot of potential to this story but it just never reached that point. The ending was adrupt and it left you wondering. I won't add to that because I don't want to spoil the ending for those that have not read it yet.

If this book represents the series than I do not think I will be reading any more of this series, sorry to say.

I love this series so much Kerrelyn is an incrediable storyteller. I loved all the updates in this books on past characters. I loved Jean-Luc he was so sweet and, Heather was quite interesting just an average girl getting a second chance at love. I think what's so special about the male characters is they are all so protective which is sweet. I can't wait for the next one with Ian's story. Keep it up Kerrelyn!

This was more like a preteen girl's fantasy story about an unexceptional young, plump, divorced mother of one who has an unexceptional ultra-famous French fashion designer vampire fall madly in love with her and her little girl, puts a punishing spell on her obnoxious ex husband, and gives her the opportunity of a lifetime to design clothes for other plump women under his famous fashion label. Oh yeah, there's a really lame "bad guy" who shows up briefly.

The only interesting part of this story was the feisty Hispanic gun-toting nanny and a sexy description of the hero/heroine's first kiss. Their sleeping together near the end wasn't even noteworthy. Also, the narrator's rural Texan drawl and French accents were both cringe-worthy.

While the Undead Next Door was not my favorite book from the Love at Stake series, it did deliver an engaging plot line and of course a steamy romance. Jean Luc was not my favorite leading male, he didn't seem quite as deeply masculine as some of the other Vampire men. However the book was good to read and I enjoyed it as I do with all books in the Love at Stake series. So although I've read better I still feel it deserves 4 stars.

The Undead Next Door is another great success story that was born under Kerrelyn Sparks's creat writing.
The story is a fallow up of the previous two great books in this series, How To Marry A Millionair Vampire and Be Still My Vampire Heart.
This story is funny, whitty and grabs and holds you untill the end.
You get to know the main two characters, Jean-Luc and Heather who both are charming,funny and intellegant characters.
A definate must read.

First off, Kerrelyn Sparks is the author that first turned me towards the many vampire romance series, and so I followed her books with excitement. And then she decided to write 'The Undead Next Door'. This has got to be one of the worst books I've ever read. I got 100 pages in and I wanted to use brain bleach on myself so I could erase what I had just read. Heather (I guess, she's "lager", but I can't remember the details too well--oh wait, I can, because it was jammed down my throat about her "size" constantly) is overbearingly flacid and boring. I would've rather her get killed by the hero (who's sexuality I questioned--c'mon, hes a fashion designer? Yeah, and in Texas, the birthplace of cowboys.)

So, heres my recommendation. Read her first couple of books. They are amazing. But when you roll around to this little gem. You might want to change your mind about picking it up. This is reminiscent of Stephenie Meyers' 'Twilight' series. The first three books are entertaining, but dear GOD I wish I could go back and erase any reminents of 'Breaking Dawn'.

Stay away from 'The Undead Next Door', your brain will thank you later.

I thought this was a wonderful novel. It just makes me want to learn more about the other Vamps and find out what's going to happen between them and their arch nemesis! Jean is certainly a "cut" above the rest.