How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire

Shanna Whelan is top of the Russian Mafia’s hit list after being the only survivor therefore witness to a mass murder in a café. Her new life and identity, Jane Wilson, only contain one thing from her former life: dentistry. Her biggest problem (if you forget about the Mafia) is her fear of blood.
 
Roman Draganesti is the inventor of synthetic blood. He’s handsome. He’s rich. He’s a vampire. He sunk his fangs into something he shouldn’t have. His problem: he lost a fang doing it and he needs to find a dentist who will fix it before the night is over, otherwise he’ll be known as the only lopsided eater for the rest of his immortal life.
 
One fateful night sees Roman going to pay Shanna/Jane for help. It’s the same night that the Russians decide to pay Shanna a visit.
 
Once Roman saves Shanna form the assassination attempt they’re thrown on a journey of discovery. Shanna’s found the man of her dreams, Roman’s found the cure to his fang problem but, will Shanna be able to overcome her fear of blood in time to save him from an eternity of ridicule? Will their deep attraction go any further?
 
I read this book on recommendation of a friend. Although Roman and the other vamps are the normal, can’t come out at day, sort of vamps I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So much so I found myself still reading at 2am on a school night…morning.
 
Shanna is just a normal woman who wants a normal life which is what makes her so real, even when things get tough she still thinks that. Her love for Roman doesn’t go without its problems though. He has a harem which is an old vampire tradition which shows power and status. Her problem with this tests Roman’s want for her love, against his need for power. Which will triumph in the end?
 
Roman is a vampire who wants to make the world safe for humans and vampires which he sees as his only redeeming quality but not enough to wash him of his past sins. Even though he’s turned into a ‘monster’ he still has all the good nature of his former self. For him, after saving Shanna, she’s the only important thing in his life and he’ll do anything to protect her.
 
Whilst Shanna and Roman are the protagonists of the story, Sparks brings life to all the other characters too. Gregori is a very ‘disco’ laid back vamp who is with the modernist movement of vampires. His easy charm and clever wit are brought foreword in a clear way which makes you instantly like him. Laszlo, a scientist, is a nervous chap who has the habit of fiddling with the buttons on his lab coat – which is almost all the time. Even Tommy the pizza delivery guy, who is only in two scenes, is made very real. His boyish charm and open flirtation create an easy going human who likes to take every opportunity.
 
It’s all these little things, her major attention to detail which make this supernatural novel very…human. I found that I sympathised with all the characters even if I didn’t necessarily want to.
 

Mixed in with the emotional roller coaster that is Roman and Shanna’s love life, the mafia’s interference and the devastation that they cause there are some laugh out loud moments. For example, Shanna wakes up one day to find Roman in her bed and she thinks that he is dead because she doesn’t know that he is a vampire yet. She insists to the guards (who know that he is) that he’s dead even though he’s not. The reactions of all the characters involved and the strangeness make for a priceless moment that I couldn’t stop laughing at.
 
I think that Kerrelyn Sparks has a great writers craft and with this being her very first book she is ready to impress. Her attention to detail is amazing and her description of places, people and their feelings makes you want to be a part of the gripping story. I would easily recommend it to everyone even if they’re not all that into vampires.
 
Comedy. Romance. Action. 
Everything the doctor ordered.