Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Kresley Cole
Pocket, May 2008, $6.99
ISBN 9781416547075

In 1927 in New Orleans Neomi Laress was a highly regarded ballerina when she was murdered by her former fianc Louis Robicheaux. However, she never moved on; instead she has haunted her newly restored estate Elancourt, for the eight decades since he killed her.

Vampire Conrad Wroth hates himself for his inability to control his need for blood. Worried about him, his brothers take him to Elancourt to keep him away from people while hoping he will regain his sanity. However, when he meets the shadowy phantom haunting the estate, he wants to help her, but has no idea how as he cannot even touch her. As they fall in love, Conrad notices his rage and torment has abated and he prays for a miracle; he turns to paranormal expert Mariketa the Witch to provide the means to achieve his objective.

The Cole mythos (See Immortals After Dark tales such as NO REST FOR WICKED and A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER) continues to be one of the best romantic fantasy environs for sub-genre fans. The latest is a terrific star-crossed romantic fantasy between a vampire and a ghost; they share in common love and a lust for life though both are not mortally alive. His caring brother and Mariketa add depth to a wonderful tale of a ghost who learns love is so much better on the soul than revenge and an angry vampire who learns love is so much better for the soul than uncontrollable rage. This is another winner from an author who keeps writing super romantic fantasy.

Harriet Klausner