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 WOW...It Keeps Getting Better I must say that I love Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark Series with her fantastically funny, strong and sexy immortals however I was hesitant when reading the synopsis of this story considering it deal with two characters not introduced previously in her series ( to tell you the truth I wanted more Lykes and to learn about Reign and her Berserker). I wondered how a crazed vampire and a ghost none the less would appeal to me. I was so wrong. This book is fantastic. Conrad is a tortured soul who was a hired assassin who is insane with bloodlust and the "thirst" where as Neomi is a ghost who will murdered in the highlight of her life by her ex-fiancée. I thought...how could this be interesting. BOY WAS I WRONG. This is book is fantastic and compelling as they two discover and fight for each other. As in her other books there is the wonderful Nix and predictions and we get to Mari and Bowe right in the action. The sexual chemistry between Conrad and "his little ballerina" is amazing as Neomi shows Conrad what he's been missing in life. The commitment to help Conrad from his brothers along with the guilt for past transgressions makes the story even more compelling. Then there are "hints" to future stories as the Worth Brothers look for their Bride not to mention the Demons Rydstrom and Cade look for their mates. I must say that I thought that last book was the best, but the true love story between the two characters really hooked me. This book is one great read! The Immortals After Dark series just keeps getting better When Néomi Laress, a prima ballerina in the 1920s, was murdered by her jilted ex-fiance, her spirit remained fused with her New Orleans home, Elancourt. For 80 years, Néomi wandered the rooms of Elancourt, lonely, bored, and with only the newspaper for reliable entertainment. Néomi doesn't cherish her existence as a ghost, but rather accepts it and all that comes with it--including being forced to relive her brutal death every month on the night of the sliver moon. When the Wroth brothers, feared vampires who are members of the Forbearers (a group of vampires who refuse to drink directly from the vein), bring their brother Conrad into her midst, at first Néomi is eager for the company. But when she sees the violent madman in her haven, she begins to wonder if she was right to be so eager... Conrad Wroth was changed into a vampire by his brother Nikolai, without approval or consent. Hating what he is, Conrad has devoted his life to getting even with his brothers, and he will see them dead for what they are. In the meantime, he has built a name for himself as an assassin, and a deadly one at that. Drinking the blood of his enemies, Conrad has become strong with the power of numerous immortals, though the price for that power is retaining the memories of those who he has murdered, which manifest as hallucinations that border on madness. When his brothers catch up with him in New Orleans, Conrad is ready for a fight. When they bind him in mystical chains and keep him prisoner in a haunted mansion, he vows revenge, even as he becomes fascinated with the ghostly ballerina who lives there... Dark Needs at Night's Edge is the fourth book in Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series (the first three are, in order, A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1), No Rest for the Wicked, and Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (The Immortals After Dark, Book 3)) and I have to say that this is one series that just keeps getting better. Fans of this series will remember the Wroth brothers, Nikolai (who finds his Bride in Myst the Valkyrie in the short story collection Playing Easy to Get), Sebastian (who mates with Kaderin the Coldhearted in No Rest for the Wicked), and Murdoch (who mates with Daniela the Ice Maiden in the upcoming short story collection Not That Innocent). After learning about their history in the earlier books, I had an image of Conrad as coldhearted, a man without remorse who killed for pleasure--and for me, there's no hero in that. But Kresley Cole has a way of changing my mind about things, and in this story has crafted Conrad as a man on the verge, who can only be brought back by the love of his true Bride. The transformation that overcomes Conrad when he encounters Néomi, and the way he reforms over time just proves that you should never say never. Conrad went from being a bloodthirsty lunatic to a devoted mate, willing to do anything, sacrifice without measure, and move mountains to ensure his true love's happiness. The fact that the woman in question was a ghost didn't stop him, and he became determined to help Néomi find her corporeal self. And Néomi. I do love Kresley Cole's heroines because these women aren't shrinking violets; they give as good as they get, and Néomi is no exception. The idea of the heroine as a ghost has been done before and badly (think Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5)), so I was a little leery about this choice. But Néomi is infused with character and doesn't just sit back and accept that she will remain bound to her home for all eternity. She knows what she wants--Conrad--and she's willing to do anything to get him. It also helps that she's sultry, a former burlesque dancer, and doesn't just bend to Conrad's will. When he fights with her, or his rage returns, she either sends him on his way or puts him in his place. Delightful! The Immortals After Dark series gets better with each new story, and Kresley Cole as a writer continues to hone her talents, delivering dazzling new characters and infinitely more creative plots with every new offering. This series is one to cherish, and I can't wait for the next story Dark Desires After Dusk (The Immortals After Dark, Book 5) (where Cade the rage demon finds his mate), which comes out in May.  Fun premise Another fun read from Kresley Cole. It kept me interested as a ghost and vamp are an unusual combination. A few appearances from familiar characters enticed me to buy this one (Nix and the demon brothers). I did feel a bit dissapointed as this book didn't further the overall story as much as I hoped. A good read but maybe not a keeper. How a petite ballet dancer brought a raging mad vampire to his knees... IMMORTALS AFTER DARK SERIES: Playing Easy To Get (Anthology that includes an IAD novella to kick- off the series) A Hunger Like No Other No Rest For The Wicked Wicked Deeds On A Winter's Night Dark Needs At Night's Edge Dark Desires After Dusk The girl can write! Kresley Cole delivered another winner. This story brings back the main couple from "Wicked Deeds", as well as The Wroth brothers (Nikolai from "Playing Easy", Sebastian from "No Rest", and Murdoch whose story we are eagerly awaiting), to play major roles. The fourth Wroth brother is named Conrad. Of the four vampire brothers, only Conrad became a "fallen" vampire... one who takes blood straight from the vain. By taking "living blood", Conrad also receives the memories of his victims. With 300 years of collected memories tormenting his mind, Conrad is at the peek of madness. His brothers have one chance to imprison Conrad and try to help him get well. Otherwise, Kristoff, the king of vampires, will have Conrad hunted down and slain. Nikolai has purchased an old abandoned home in New Orleans. It is the perfect place to hide Conrad with the bespelled chains that will hold him prisoner during his recovery. Néomi has lived in her dream home, Elancourt, for eighty years. As a young and successful ballet dancer, she bought and restored the home with a loving touch. She never could have imagined it would become the scene of her murder. When her enraged ex- fiance plunged a knife through her heart, Néomi couldn't bare to die. Fighting her passing with every last breath, Néomi's spirit stayed in her home. For the next 8 decades, she remained in Elancourt as a ghostly prisoner, never able to leave her property. In her loneliness, Néomi prays for new tenants to move into her home. Her quiet and mundane existence comes to a startling end when three men bring their mad brother into Elancourt. Dragging his chains across her marble floors, punching holes into her walls, this madman is not welcome... until Néomi learns that Conrad can see and speak to her. For the first time in 80 years, Néomi is not isolated. Over the following weeks, Conrad and Néomi become precious to one another. They cannot touch, but they can communicate. Secrets of their pasts are shared, but neither holds any hope for a happy future. Néomi dreads the day when Conrad will leave her home. Conrad begins to make plans for finding a sorcerer who can give Néomi a corporeal body. Although there is no way to prove it while she has no physical shell, Conrad is becoming convinced that his little ballerina is actually his destined Bride. As the two fall in love, they can only express their desire through words of fantasy mating. Some how, once his enemies are no longer a threat, Conrad is going to find a way to make those spoken fantasies reality. Knowing that a vampire's Bride is his enemy's best weapon, Conrad must first slay his would be assassins. To avoid sinking back into madness, he must do it without taking their blood. I struggled a bit between giving this book 4 or 5 stars. My one complaint is the fact that most of the story took place in Elancourt. I missed Cole's usual exciting adventures. I found myself waiting and waiting for the couple to break out of the home and travel together a bit. There were only a few times when the story left Elancourt, and none of them were with Conrad and Néomi leaving together. Still, the intense love story won me over. All told, the score would be 4.5 stars. Definitely not to be missed! Want to read the whole series? (Believe me, you do!) Here are the links: Playing Easy to Get (Anthology that includes the first IAD story... Nikolai's story!) A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1) (The best of the series so far, and one of my personal all- time favorite romance novels!) No Rest for the Wicked (The Immortals After Dark, Book 2) Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (The Immortals After Dark, Book 3) Dark Needs at Night's Edge (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 4) Dark Desires After Dusk (The Immortals After Dark, Book 5) Can't get enough Kresley? Here is her latest historical romance series: The MacCarrick Brothers Series: If You Dare (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 1) If You Desire (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 2) If You Deceive (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 3) | |||||||||||||