Desire the Night

A vampire and werewolf join forces in this entertaining, briskly paced supernatural romance. Centuries-old vampire Gideon Marquet has been imprisoned by Verah, a witch who uses his blood to restore her youth and forces him to kill innocent victims to keep himself alive He’s surprised when his latest “food” turns out to be the werewolf Kiya “Kay” Alissano, daughter of her pack’s leader. Mutual assistance in an escape pact turns quickly to attraction, despite Kay’s intended betrothal to the unpleasant Victor Rinaldi, son of a rival pack leader. Soon Kay and Gideon are on the run from Verah and the members of both werewolf packs. Ashley (His Dark Embrace) offsets the somewhat cardboard villains with an appealing young heroine whose werewolf traits permit a balanced relationship with the powerful vampire. Gideon’s untraditional teleporting ability seems contrived primarily for plot convenience, and the casual treatment of rape is disturbing, but the action and romance keep pages turning. (Sept.)