A Sigh for Life's Completion

by Sara Kuhns

Forget everything you thought you knew about vampires—they just don’t exist. But there are others with similar appetites and they certainly appreciate how well the folklore has protected them.

How do you deal with having to dine on the humanity you adore? Feast on the miscreants. This is Paul Christian’s choice. A seemingly mortal man, he has numerous special abilities. Unfortunately, well, most unfortunately for some, he needs human blood to survive. Paul leads a cautious and comfortable life – until he falls in love with Lauren, owner of a failing tavern. Suddenly, her business picks up and she finds herself surrounded by new friends and a sense of family. And she begins to sense something else... Strange things start to happen as Lauren gets sucked into Paul’s life.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires

407 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2009

About the author

One of my earliest memories is of writing. Poems, little stories by a little girl... words were the best presents I could give. I grew up writing poetry and participated in the Chicago poetry circuit in my twenties. At that time, I was also painting and testing the fit of my voice in longer writings.

In my thirties, I returned to school for a teaching degree. I have taught English in the public school system from some of Chicago's worst neighborhoods to those struggling economically in Phoenix. In both, it has been my privilege to witness the strength of humanity rising from adversity. I've also conducted adult education writing workshops and occasionally I do a bit of freelance editing.

In 2009, I published my first novel, A SIGH FOR LIFE'S COMPLETION, a literary take on the urban fantasy genre. I'm drawn to addressing social alienation; loneliness; the search for purpose and meaning in life; the tug of right against wrong within us all; and the beauty that can be found in surviving adversity.

I am currently writing my second novel, a sequel, which takes place in my new home: Los Angeles. I am quite behind, but so close to completing it. Life happens. Sometimes it's hysterical, others devastating, Both inform my words.

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 day 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, 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. He needs blood and his victims die. He loved completely long ago 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 most likely 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 some wonderful secondary characters and their stories. There is the May-December romance between Jonathan and Lily, the m/m love between 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.

***UPDATE***. May 1, 2013. I wrote Ms. Kuhns because I was curious to know if she would ever write more about these fascinating characters. This is her reply. "I am writing a sequel, tentatively titled "Vagaries of Life and Reason." I anticipate completion this fall (or sooner!) and publication at the end of the year (or early 2014)."

[Mandy Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this book by the author, Sara. If not for that fact, I may never have read it. And I am so glad she did. I loved it.

The characters are some of the best conceived I've had the pleasure to 'meet' in a long time. It's almost as if Sara is writing about people she actually knows. My favourites are probably the twins who aren't twins, and the main character, the vampire Paul.

I was a little reticent about reading a vampire love story - I've seen so many films on the subject and read a couple of books, and they all seem to descend into one of two things - outright mushy puppy love or any excuse for a bit of soft porn. 'A Sigh For Life's Completion', however, breaks the trend. Yes, there's romance, there's love, and there's even a bit of flesh 'on display', but there is a gritty reality too, and a sharp wit.

All in all, a fantastic read for any lover of the horror/vampire romance genre.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. I hope more people find of about it so I'm giving it 5 stars. I've not really read anything like it, but it does have a touch of the romantic and emotional tones of Anne Rice, but focused much more on humans and how we would react to finding out about supernatural creatures, who weren't necessarily bad, but did have to kill to live like any animal including man.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a book about vampires; that's not the point. I read somewhere that Sara Kuhns self-published this, not because it is bad, rather that this one is hard to categorize, doesn't fit snugly as a peg in a round or square hole. Maybe a polyhedron would be better. There is plot, there are developments, she just takes her time getting there. It's wonderful spending that time getting to know these characters; I was not bothered in the least by languid progression of story. One of those books that I was sad to see finished.

[Alma Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I neared the end of this book I stopped reading it, simply because I didn't want it to end. I wanted to savor the characters, turn them over again and again in my mind, so I was content to let them exist in my mind where I left them off in the book when I stopped reading. You can see the characters, know the characters. Kuhns' development of them makes you care about them, makes you picture the setting. You can see yourself in those places, walking down those streets. So worth the read and definitely worthy of a reread.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful telling and a fresh take on vampires in today's society. A story of daily life, different people, the art of redemption, and the power of the decisions we make. A love story, a crime story, a philosophical statement. Kuhns' characters are real within pages and stay with you long after you set the book down. If only I could visit Lolly's Bar and spend a few hours soaking in the magic and mystery. Thrilled and hoping for the sequel to come out soon!!!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sigh for Life’s Completion tells the story of Lauren, a lonely young woman trying to salvage her late father’s failing bar business, and a 19th century English vampire, Paul Christian, who falls in love with her. Set in a small city in the American Midwest, the novel is a subtle, character driven take on the vampire romance. As the story develops, we learn both Lauren and Paul’s backstories in detail. We also become acquainted with Paul’s close-knit vampire family, whose lives are intertwined with his and eventually Lauren’s as well. The loving, supportive atmosphere that her strange new family provides for Lauren is eventually threatened, however, when two human acquaintances of Paul’s—a retired detective and a local clergyman—begin to compare notes.

Although the slow pace of the novel’s early chapters might put off some readers, the strong characterizations of Lauren and Paul, along with the emotional quality of key scenes later in the book reward the patient reader. The novel also asks a serious question: How can someone who must kill in order to survive resolve his need for sustenance with his genuine concern for others, both human and vampire? Paul’s effort to grapple with an earthly food chain in which his kind are at the top of the chart takes A Sigh for Life’s Completion beyond the confines of the paranormal romance genre. I loved the book and recommend it to anyone looking for something special in vampire fiction.

[Sas astro · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star because the premise was good but otherwise the book really needed a good edit. At 30% through I felt as if I had been reading it forever so at this point it became a DNF

[T.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 bar 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 bar, 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 bar is located in, the bar 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.

[Jessica Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sigh for Life's Completion is my absolute favorite book. I read it every year (and after six reads, I'm still not tired of it). I fall in love with a different character every time. While there are vampires in this book, that's not really what it's about. It's about all the ways we find family in unexpected places. There are so many different kinds of love depicted in this novel, each of them different and meaningful. The plot is rich and dynamic, the characters drive the story, and it gets me every time. Thank you, Sara Kuhns, for this amazing book. Now go read it (again)!

[Toastkat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't get far in this before I gave up. This has the feel of a first book, and not even a full-on debut. This feels like a book written for a competition and hastily self-published while the creative writing award was still hot. There are typos galore, the pacing is awful with jumps through time and space that you have to read over multiple times to keep up with, and characters are introduced left and right without giving the reader a chance to identify the character or their significance to the story. I cannot recommend something as unfinished as this.