Night’s Surrender

The enjoyable seventh book in Ashley’s Children of the Night series (after Night’s Promise) once again demonstrates her impressive talent for steady plotting, distinctive characters, and clever, inventive stories. A car accident ends the anticipated first date between 26-year-old Abbey Marie Cordova, the only human in her family who has not yet accepted the “Dark Gift” of vampirism, and Nick Desanto, a 2,000-year-old vampire seeking to regain his humanity. This unexpected event sets an unconventional courtship in motion. Abbey flees to her family farm; Nick, using his preternatural powers to pursue and stalk her, is caught by her father, who raises questions about his intentions. As Nick courts the alluring Abbey in an old-fashioned way, dangerous complications swirl in the background. To keep Abbey safe, Nick whisks her off to Transylvania, where he hopes to acquire a brew that will restore his humanity. The mix of romance and pulse-pounding vampire adventures makes for a fun and thrilling read from beginning to end. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Literary. (Sept.)