Book Notes - This is a quick, fun read

Author: Kerrelyn Sparks Date Read: 9-28-08

Title: The Undead Next Door Pub. Date: February 2008

Publisher: Avon Books mass market pbk (Imprint of HarperCollins)

Genre: Romance (Contemporary)
Sub-genre: Paranormal/Supernatural/Vampire Fantasy

Pages: 369

Appeal Characteristics: Combines supernatural fantasy with standard conventions of Contemporary Romance; love between mortal woman and vampire hunk; humor;
Pacing: Fast-paced emotional roller coaster; complications

Characterizations: Heather Lynn Westerfield, mortal
Jean-Luc Echarpe, vampire
Roman Draganesti, vampire
Angus MacKay, vampire in kilts
Robby MacKay, vampire
Emma MacKay, vampire wife of Angus

Lui, vampire of many names (Jacques Clement, Damiens, Ravaillac, etc)
Fidelia, mortal psychic & Heather’s babysitter
Bethany Westerfield, Heather’s mortal daughter
Shanna Draganesti, mortal wife of a vampire

Story Line: Heather Lynn Westerfield has always wanted to be a fashion designer, but Heather lives in Schnitzelberg, Texas, and Schnitzelberg isn’t exactly the heart of the fashion world. Then Jean-Luc Echarpe (E-sharp) world-famous fashion designer opens a shop in Schnitzelberg. He designs evening wear for vampires because he is a vampire. But the recently-divorced full-figure Heather doesn’t know that. Jean-Luc likes full figured women because they look healthier than most mortals. Lui, a vampire assassin, has been killing Jean-Luc’s girlfriends for more than 3 centuries, and Lui mistakes Heather for Jean-Luc’s mistress when Heather interferes with Lui’s attempt to kill Jean-Luc. So Jean-Luc becomes honor-bound to protect Heather and her extended family from Lui and the Malcontents. Heather comes to believe Jean-Luc is an immortal (like in the Highlander movies) but when she tries to learn Jean’s secrets and discovers he’s a vampire, she doesn’t see how they can have a future together. Will true love conquer all? Is there a way they can be together after all? Lots of humor, sexual tension, and plot twists in this “trashy” romance.

Frame: International jet-setter vampires meet small-town Texas mortals; high fashion

Plot Summary: Everyone in Texas carries guns; vampires carry swords; Teas mon meets Dracula
Similar Authors: Stephenie Meyer, Laurell K. Hamilton, Anne Rice, Lynsay Sands, Michelle Bardsley, Katie MacAlister, Mary Janice Davidson, Michelle Rowen
Geographical setting: Texas Hill Country
Time period: Now
Series: Love at Stake
Subject Headings: Romance--fiction; Texas—fiction; vampires—fiction.