Reporter Darcy Newhart has been forced to keep a low profile since her "abduction" four years ago. Presumed dead by the human world, she finds herself struggling to make her place in the vampire community. As an honorary part of Draganesti's harem, Darcy sees her master's wedding as a new opportunity for her: she's going to get a job working for DVN the Digital Vampire Network. She develops a reality show to pick the man best suited to taking over Draganesti's harem - only there's a twist: the gaggle of vamps just might end up picking a mortal to be their new master. Now it's up to Darcy to keep the human contestants safe, the female vamps happy and the ratings up, all while avoiding one attractive man who sees a bit too much.

Sparks has done an excellent job in creating a realistic vampire world. Following the trend of author's who eschew their heroines and heroes munching on people, she's divided the vampires into two factions, the Vamps and the Malcontents. The Malcontents live in the dark ages, chomping on tourists and making a nuisance of themselves. But the vamps of Darcy's circle drink yummy treats like Chocoblood (a synthetic mixture developed by Draganesti) and watch soap operas on DVN - they're just like you and I, only with fangs, and a really bad sense of fashion.

Draganesti's harem provides great comedic relief for the story. While Maggie and Vanda, close friends of Darcy's try to adjust to 21st century life, many of the harem cling to their old ways. There's Princess Joanna and her middle age garb, Cora Lee with her hoop-skirts that won't fit in most cars, Maria "that is evil" Consuela who compares everything to the Spanish Inquisition, and their ringleader, Lady Pamela, a snooty vampire who's attitude is anything but progressive. The combination of all of these personalities in one house, wielding power for the first time in their lives gives us a secondary story that's not only entertaining, but also enthralling. The reader is drawn into their search for the perfect man and charmed by their path to female empowerment.

The love story itself plays out quite quickly, starting as a searing attraction and veering into forbidden love. As their secrets are slowly revealed, they develop a firm relationship that one believes could end with a happily ever after. Hot sex scenes are interspersed with quiet moments, in which Darcy finds sanity and strength in Austin's arms and a real relationship is built.

I missed Sparks' debut novel How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire when it first came out, but after reading the sequel, Vamps and the City, it's moved to the top of my list. While Vamps definitely stands alone, Sparks has created a vampire world so funny and compelling this reader most certainly wants more.

--Amanda Waters