Customer Reviews

A Sigh for Life's Completion

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4 star:		(2)
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It begins with mystery and intrigue and ends with a sense that these characters love you as much as you love them. The characters are real, they have their struggles and imperfections yet the element of humanness is profound. That is why I especially like this story, the vampires are more human than human. They are compassionate, patient, and forgiving, even to those who threaten their way of life. Though the small group has its disagreements, the alpha vampire, Paul, easily keeps them in check and holds them to a high standard of moral and ethical principles! But they do have to feed, creating their dilemma, and so they feed off of the blood of criminals, and they hunt the worst kinds: murderers, rapists, child molesters, and hard drug dealers. While they are opportunists to an extent, they show their victims mercy by numbing the pain, letting them feel tremendous pleasure, and even letting them feel the satisfaction received by their consumer. Paul and his discreet party shape shifts at will, surfs and reads people's thoughts and intentions, telepathically communicate, and heal miraculously. The story unfolds with Paul falling in love after two hundred years to a young bar owner. As he carefully weaves himself into Lauren's life he quests for her love and acceptance before letting her in on his secret, though in the process others take notice. Since Paul has kept Lauren's mind from questioning too much too soon she remains oblivious until she discovers retractable fangs while he sleeps. This subtle manipulation of her emotions causes Lauren to question their nature while Paul yearns to pump her full of venom and evolve her into one of them. Disgusted that they kill people, will Lauren's heart continue to wrap cords around Paul or will she reject him? His worst fear!

I admit it did take me a while before I finished A Sigh For Life's Completion, though each moment I picked the book back up I was instantly thrown back into a story which embraces all of us in its own way. I was delightfully surprised at how Sarah Kuhns' first novel was less of a vampire piece and more of an examination of the humanity within, as well as what makes us all distinct. Kuhns has an unparalleled handle on the truth; she exhibits her unique grasp of the need for acceptance and love, and shows the significance of the simple bonds made amongst unlikely family, while pulling the reader into an effortless story that is both riveting and personal. Most importantly, I found it so refreshing that the relationships amongst the characters surpassed the notion of the sexual, overemotional, or even the intoxicated, and moved toward a very realistic and comforting reality which is not far from ideal.

The way in which Kuhns is able to incorporate the beauty of a life where all are accepted as they are is nothing short of spot-on. She has found a way to allow for the darkest and most real parts of all humans (and non-humans) to be what is also most defining, without beating a dead horse in the genre. I am thrilled to see where the series goes, and what it teaches me about myself.

From The Written Universe:

A Sigh For Life's Completion by Sara Kuhns
ISBN 0-7414-5395-9
Infinity Publishing
Trade paper, $19.95

In a nutshell: if you like vampires and want a new slant, read this book.

Sara Kuhns illustrates the vampire's perspective, making some parts of humanity the real 'monsters' in this story.

Lauren is running a tavern that is barely making ends meet.
Paul enters her life, she makes new friends, business at the tavern turns around and life is good.
But Paul is not what he seems.
Paul is a vampire. A vampire with a conscience for the very humanity he must feed from in order to survive.

Kuhns weaves an intricate story whose characters fairly leap off the page. The characters are all clearly defined and could easily support books on their own. Even supporting players are given enough depth to keep them interesting.
Alex, Lauren's partner in running the tavern, forever the skeptic, but affable; the Twins - Jael and Jaytee who play pivotal parts in the story as it unfolds; Jasper, the quintessential bar fly; Jonathan, Paul's first in command; Lily, Jonathan's lady; Lou, the retired police detective; Jerry, the priest. All these characters are written so distinctly, you'd swear you've been hovering in the background watching the action of this story play out.
While the city is never specified, it's easy to imagine the neighborhood the tavern is located in, the tavern itself, Paul's home...all these places come to vivid life.

Vampires with a conscience is not a new theme by any means, but Kuhns succeeds where I believe Anne Rice failed - none of Kuhns's vampires whine about what they are, and they have a true respect and appreciation for the human condition, oftentimes seeming more human than the humans they move amongst.
Kuhns's vampires are able to push thoughts and emotions to one another and to the humans they encounter. As this capability grew more prevalent as the story unfolded, I got to where I wished it really were that easy to calm someone or communicate with them.
Make no mistake though, these vampires can and do mean business when conditions warrant.
I was happy that certain plot twists didn't twist the way I thought they would and that one of the main conflicts I saw coming took a left turn I wasn't expecting.
Kuhns's writing is sure, painting vibrant characters one really cares about, and crafting a plot that maintains your interest.

I found myself taking a bit longer than usual to read this, not because it lagged, but because I wanted it to last and didn't want to end it too soon.
If you are a dedicated vampire fiction reader, then you do not want to miss this book.

This is Sara Kuhns's first novel. I look forward to more from this gifted writer.

For more on Sara, please go to her website: [...]

Vampires, werewolves, and fairies seem to be all the rage today when you read a book. The elements of most stories have become commonplace. Not so, with A SIGH OF LIFE'S COMPLETION. Sara Kuhn's first published book takes the reader on a journey: the story of Paul Christian. How he loved and lost, when he became a vampire and how he influenced those before we, the readers, come to the present are an intricate part of this romance. And it is a romance, first and foremost, but without a lot of graphic sex. If you need this to read a romance then look elsewhere.

At times a bit longwinded (the reason for four stars instead of five) this narrative encompasses the story of Paul and Lauren. He is not written as the glorified overglossed vampire as so many other authors have done so. He needs blood and his victims die. He loved completely once before and did not choose to become a vampire but he has tried to always remember that. I think if someone really believed in the concept of vampirism and romance then Paul would be the one you'd want to meet. He is interesting, smart, and as good as he can be. Not perfect, he knows this and realizes some things can't change but he'll try to do his best. How his relationship with Lauren, a human who doesn't know what he is for most of the story, grows and causes him to change is interesting.

There are also many good secondary characters and their stories. The May-December romance between Jonathan and Lily, the gay love of Sean and Caleb and the odd but endearing relationship of Jael and Jaytee. Other important people emerge during this odyssey with notable hardships and experiences.

If you enjoy a paranormal romance and want to read something different try A SIGH FOR LIFE'S COMPLETION. Don't be scared of the price or the unknown publishing company. The story was written and edited well and, at 401 pages with small print, it will take you awhile to read.

This is a really great book for a number of reasons. First, it takes a look at the human side of very different people - vampires, and puts them into the context of how they survive while trying to live in a morally responsible way in light of their "condition". The character development is rich, colorful, believable, and the story weaves between the present and an amazing historical context. This is not just another vampire book, but different than all others I've read out there because of how the characters deal with being vampires. The main character, Paul, really has a lot of dilemmas on his hand as his "family" of vampires try not to stress the city they live in, and deal with Paul falling in love with a human. It is a fun, emotional, dramatic, and exciting read. Don't miss this one!
------- H. Rock in Philadelphia

From the beginning the main character will draw you in. He is such a kind and comapssionate person. Who says Vampires dont have souls. Sara has an amazing way of drawing you into each character. I found myself relating to each of them in their own way. I laughed, I cried, I felt amazing peace at times. There are conversations with Lauren and her Dad, there is a letter from a priest. To think that Sara has these thughts as a person makes me realize just how wonderful she is.

I suggest you get this book you truly, truly, will not be disapointed.

This book is one of my all time favorites.
In short It's about a twenty something, vegetarian girl who's dealing with death of her father and inherits his bar. Although she keeps to herself, she falls in love (unknowingly) with a vampire.
The love scenes aren't sappy or superficial, and you feel the pain and joy of the characters as if they are people you know.
I found myself wishing that they were actual people so that I could be friends with them too. :)

She's currently writing a sequel and I can't wait to read it over and over as I have done with her first book."

This book is filled with lovely descriptions painting a picture so vivid that you live in the book. Excelling at dialogue and character development, Kuhns draws us in to a community being built before our eyes, by need, circumstance and love. The vampires are real, they are dangerous but humane, the struggle between lovers to reveal and discover secrets builds in intensity and the story line is riveting. I'm ready for the next book, actually I want to live in this book of outsiders who find a place to belong, an age old theme brilliantly written. With acceptance of our differences we become the same.