Night's Promise

Children of The Night #6

by Amanda Ashley

"Ashley should be on your must-buy list." --"RT Book Reviews""A master of her craft." --Maggie Shayne

For beautiful heiress Sheree West, vampires are more than a fantasy. They are an obsession. Night after night, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s goth club scene. Searching for a lover who is more than a man. A creature of the dark who lusts for her blood. A legend who lives in the shadows and not just her dreams. Then, one fateful night, she meets him. . .

Derek Blackwood is no ordinary vampire. Descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra, and blessed with unearthly powers of seduction, he is everything Sheree wished for--and more. When he takes her in his arms, she is powerless. When he kisses her neck, she is his. But when the full moon rises--and passions flare--something is unleashed in Derek that he's never felt before. Something wild. Something dangerous. Something no vampire can control or stop. . .even for the woman he loves.

"Amanda Ashley is a master storyteller." --Christine Feehan

Genres: Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Werewolves, Historical Romance, Ebooks

ebook

First published February 4, 2014

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Details***

NIGHT’S PROMISE was pretty good. A few tactics were not my favorite, but overall, I really liked Derek and Sheree.

So we meet Derek all grown up and he is struggling to piece together who he is. The hole left by not knowing his father, Kyle, really starts to bug him as he finds him going through weird cravings and changes.

Enter Sheree Westerbrooke who actively dresses gothic and visits ‘vampire’ bars as a way to feed her love for them. At this point I thought this book was going to be a breeze. Not only would you assume that Sheree would accept Derek, but that she would be okay turning and everything that goes into being a vampire.

Not. The. Case. I sorta struggled with Sheree because of her flipflopping. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Derek, but she had moments of pure panic and hatred toward what he was. Derek still had to watch himself around her. I would have loved to see more of an open acceptance, for Derek to have been able to ‘wow’ her with everything he was. They did have a pretty good romance and I loved their impromptu marriage.

Adding to the mess is the constant appearance of Pearl and Edna, whom I refer to as the Oldies. They somewhat grew on me this book, but I could always do without them.

The trouble comes in the Kyle’s dormant wolf gene activates in Derek. His fear of the full moon and losing himself in a violent killing spree is a struggle for the entire family who is worried.

Sheree is the source of calm for Derek and with her around, he’s able to slowly control his inner wolf. However during a full moon that goes bad, Derek lures her outside and they are ambushed by the local town. Hit with a fatal gunshot wound, Derek turns Sheree.

Now this is where I usually have a problem with all of Amanda Ashley’s characters. Why in the world are they getting mad at the ‘man they love’ for turning them when it saved their life?!

Sheree’s anger lasted forever it seemed and I just kept thinking, ‘you’d be dead if he hadn’t’. They act like they were turned on a whim at the height of their life. Sheree struggled with all that she lost and she couldn’t see what she had gained.

Luckily, it was putting on a wedding for their family that finally pulls Sheree and Derek back together. Even though she schemed to take the antidote, Derek never gave up on her.

I always love reading about this happy vampire family that continues to grow.

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Ms Ashley's work since I stumbled upon her book Nights Pleasure and boy what a great read that was! So I was very keen to read this the latest offering in her Children of the Night series and happily it doesn't disappoint . If you are looking for a paranormal story full of mystery and romance then this author always delivers and if you want to lose yourself in a darkly seductive world then you should definitely pick up Nights Promise.
This story centres around Derek Blackwood a vampire who is descended from the strongest vampire of all and is a man filled with loneliness as he watches those he cares for find happiness and a sense of peace. Restless he visits a club that caters to goths and those who wish to glory in the vampire myth but there he finds a human woman whose very essence calls to him .
Sheree West has led a privileged life in many ways but is still searching for that elusive Mr Right. Oh plenty want to be Mr Right Now but none satisfy her inner hunger. The problem is Sheree is obsessed with vampires and everything that has ever even written about them. Sheree is always hoping to meet one and frequents clubs hoping that one night her search will be over but meeting the sexy and enigmatic Derek is something much more than she ever expected.
From the first time he touches Sheree it's as if a light goes off in Derek and Sheree feels it too but could it just be his vampire wiles at play? Sheree has bitten off way more than she can chew with Derek but can she find safety and happiness in his arms? Hunters are closing in and Sheree is travelling a dangerous path as she gets closer to Derek. Derek's past is about to come to light and as he fights to protect Sheree will she be in even more danger from his own inner beast?
Fabulous fun as this very talented author yet again mixes a top notch story with believable romance. Loving the relationships covered in this book as we get to see couples from previous books as well and learn how the family dynamics come into play. Maybe that's the secret to Ms Ashley's success , giving her characters a real sense of life and family obligations.
This is not a light and fluffy read . This is paranormal romance that will leave you breathless as the characters fight for their love. A wild and wickedly sensuous ride that takes the reader on a passionate journey.
Buy it!
Arc received from Netgalley

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3.5 read for me.

Night’s Promise is a delightful entertaining read capturing the excitement and magic, anticipation and hesitation of young couple tenderly falling in love. That the hero in this story is a vampire with a secret gene and the heroine is a human who sought out vampires but never expected to meet one makes this vampire romance appealing as themes of trust, acceptance, and loyalty abound.
Derek Blackwood is a rarity as he is one of the few “born” vampires and the son of the powerful Queen of Vampires. Derek’s growth and maturity into manhood was not without challenges but he was learned to live in a human world. Wealthy, beautiful Sheree Westerbrooke has an obsession with vampires, dressing in black and frequenting Goth nightclubs hoping to catch the eye of a vampire. Sheree is well aware that the men at the club scene all say they are vampire, so when first laying eyes on the handsomely sexy Derek she plays along with his claiming to be a vampire. Upon learning that Derek is indeed a vampire, and she is deeply attracted to him, Sheree realizes she has to face the challenges of falling in love with a vampire or leave and become the “socialite” wife her mother wants. Derek has never felt an attraction/connection to a woman like he has for Sheree which is why is open with her about who he is. But, Derek is holding a back a secret fear – he feels is turning into a werewolf and has no idea who he will be after the full moon.
While the storyline was a little slow in the beginning, it quickly gains momentum. There are a couple of surprises that showcases Ashley masterful skills to effectively combine romance and vampire action without either feeling cheated. And yes, of course there is the fresh viewpoint she adds to vampire culture. I enjoyed not only the moments of tenderness and vulnerability between Sheree and Derek but those of Mara.
At first I was quite sure how Ashley was going to follow up the emotionally captivating storyline of Mara, Kyle and Logan from the last book but I was pleasantly surprised. This book is not as an intense story but overall I found this to be a fun and clever read illustrates that young love is universally the same whether human or vampire.

[Marilyn Rondeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful heiress Sheree West, has always been obsessed by vampires. Having wealth, and no obligations to anyone but herself, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s goth club scene subconsciously searching for a fantasy lover, someone who is more than just a man. Sheree questions herself and begun to realize that her search for a vampire has no basis in reality and is considering returning home. Or, has the more than handsome otherworldly man that just walked into the club been the one she’s waited all this time for?

Derek Blackwood is not just any vampire - he is descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra. Lately, he’s felt different. It’s not something that he or his mother can fathom but it’s very disturbing so when he’s drawn to Sheree, Derek realizes that there is something about her that calms his mind whenever he is near her. However, when the uncontrollable beast inside him begins to flare, will the love Sheree feels for him be enough to bring Derek back from the point of no return?

*** Having come in a little late (Book 6) on Ashley’s Children of the Night series it is definitely not a stretch to say - this book can definitely stand alone! Actually, I can say that I picked this book out by accident, thinking it was by a different Ashley and didn’t notice until later that it was written by Amanda Ashley instead. However, being a fan of most all genres I took it in stride and was happily surprised as to how much I enjoyed it.

Both Sheree and Derek were fleshed out pretty well. Being that this was the only book I’ve read in the series I was pretty much invested in the story right from the start with great writing and a most interesting plot. What I must say is that Mara, Derek’s mother, was an amazing character and based on the brief history of her life I am sure that previous volumes detailing her life and her husband Logan must have been amazing. Be that as it may, NIGHT’S PROMISE was a great story.

Surprisingly for me where it almost seemed like just another vampire romance, Ashley threw in a great plot device and zinger regarding Derek’s biological father’s latent gene pool which came as a surprise not only to Derek but to his mother as well. It was up until now an unknown secret that two old lady vamps – Edna and Pearl – had suspected and knew the truth of, which depending on Mara’s dislike of the two old ladies, could have gotten them killed!

Bottom Line: Rather than reveal more of the fascinating plot of NIGHTS PROMISE just take my word and grab a copy or download it and totally enjoy!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

[♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a hard review for me & I am not sure I will make sense, because I am totally on the fence with this one.

I liked it. Sometimes I had to roll my eyes though at the cheesiness. It was funny, but one of those funny where I'm not sure it was supposed to be & I was entertained. It's definitely not a deep dark book. Even though people get killed all over the place!

The synopsis does not really give you any idea what's going on in this book, which is almost weird to me. It's almost a synopsis of the first 1/2 of the book.

Duh... You know it after the second chapter, that the guy is also 1/2 werewolf! PLEEEASE! It's not a suspenseful thing! It's totally in your face!! Don't even say it's a spoiler. If you aren't guessing that...No comment!

Soooo obsessed girl with vampire figurines everywhere in her room, Sheree, has a vampire fetish. She goes on club strolls dressing like a vamp bride, but turns down all the fakes. A real one comes along & she can't guess?? Well, not for a while!! She dreams of him... oooooo! And she watches Dracula, the movie & cries when he dies...hmmm

Derek is staying with his mother & step-father in southern CA. Two old lady vampires are stalking him. They were funny!They kidnapped him as an infant & know he has some werewolf blood in him. They want to see if he changes during the full moon. His mother knows them from before & decides to go see them...

Well, my fence part is that it's a good story, but the language was often cheesy. "Drink from me, my love!" is a cheesy line. There are a few, but since this is an advanced copy, I am not sure they are permanently placed in the book. Amanda Ashley can write & her niche is her Vampire books. I do like them, but she has an older writing style, that sometimes gets on my nerves. It's like watching Alfred Hitchcock vs. M. Night Shyamalan. Both good, just totally different styles.

To wrap up my review... I liked it, I didn't love it, and I will definitely read more.

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- Night’s Promise by Amanda Ashley

Sheree believes in vampires and she is determined to find one. She is living in LA and has a list of night clubs to visit. She is on a mission. She knows she is right.
Darek Blackwood is an anomaly. He is the son of Mara, the queen of the vampires. He is one of few born a vampire. When he sees Sheree in his favorite club, he is instantly drawn to her. He buys her a drink and makes plans to see her again. He visits her during the night. He can’t stay away. She finds herself drawn to him also. The more time they spend together the farther she falls.
When Darek’s world enters Sheree’s and threatens her, Darek tries to protect her by staying away. It is impossible for him to do. She calms him like no other and he decides he needs her. Sheree learns what he truly is but something else is happening to him that he can’t stop. She has to decide if she can stay with him or be safe. You have to be careful what you wish for.
I really like the Night Series from this author. I have read most of them and am familiar with the characters. I would recommend them all for everyone to read. It was fun to read about the family of characters that she has developed and catch up a bit.
Darek was an awesome character. He was different in the fact he was born to a vampire mother. That is a fascinating storyline in itself. Then add in the werewolf angle and I was hooked. It was an interesting spin.
Sheree, on the other hand, was not my favorite character. She spent a lot of time changing her mind which annoyed me. There were moments when she acted like a spoiled child and it did not endear her to me. However, overall I think that this was a good story and a fabulous addition to the series. I give it a 4 out of 5.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally gravitate towards vampire books, no offense Twilight fans, just not my thing--except for this book. I really liked the relationship with Derek and Sheree, and almost swooned every time he called her "love", instead of the overused "babe". I also really liked Derek's mom, Mara, and I am interested in reading the other books in the series to get more of her story. I was nervous when starting this book that I would be completely lost, since it is the end of a series. Thankfully, this was not the case. There are brief explanations of the adventures of the books leading up to Night's Promise, which seems to be a very adventurous, and romantic, timeline. There are a lot of sub characters, but it doesn't get too confusing, and there is a dynamic duo that seems to be the comedic relief.

The only thing that really bothered me in this book is that both of the main characters are unemployed, yet are very wealthy. I am probably biased since I have worked as much as I could since I was able to work, and appreciate earning my living, but I digress. Even with that bothering me, I still really enjoyed the book and was able to breeze through it. The chapters were only a few pages long, so there are many chapters, but it is necessary with each chapter pertaining to certain perspectives.

Please note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book for free on Goodreads First Reads for a honest review. This is the first book I have read by this author, Amanda Ashley and it will not be the last. I fully enjoyed the story of Derek and Sheree. I most defiantly will be reading the others in this series. I want to read Mara (his mom) and Logan's story.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy via goodreads.

I'm really excited to go and get the rest of this series, ive slowly found copies of the previous books and loved them all so far.

[bunny]

i have nothing against this genre, but maybe it’s not for me. i couldn’t finish this book.

this book is in the middle of the series. it reads like a very good college kid wrote it. the author is way more interested in the mother of our hero and her sex life than she is in the lead characters. every time his mom has a scene, it ends in a steamy moment with her lover. while the main characters fumble around sort of connected and in love all the sudden.

i lost patience for the mythos quickly, haven’t touched it in months.

things to remember:
2014
i think not a virgin
heroine is wealthy, searching for vampires
hero is part werewolf maybe
his mother is a reluctant advocate
her mother is against them and wants a waspy marriage

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was disappointed in the last book but this one made up for it :)
I'm back to loving this series. No smut just implied sex and heat right up to that point. I get to decided what they are actuall doing. I prefer that as to a blow by blow of the sexual activity.

[Tabitha Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! Smooth from start to finish.

[Tywanna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Two Thumbs Up!

[Myra Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Still found it a good read. I will be reading the rest of this series too.

[Eileen Dandashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The old adage don’t judge a book by its cover, should be: Don’t judge a book by its cover nor title.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I chose this book for three reasons: its cover,title and author. Its title Night’s Promise – that tipped me off. Oh, good, another historical romance.

I got part of it right. True, the author was unknown to me, but the book was not historical romance! It was about vampires and werewolves. Now, I’m not an avid reader of anything to do with vampires. But I have read some very good series, The Twilight Saga Series by Stephanie Meyer, P.C. and Kristine Cast, their series House of Night Novels and my most beloved Christine Feehan’s Dark Series. You couldn’t call me a fan of everything to do with vampires. There is something about how each of these writers write, captivate and draw the reader into a make believe, yet believably real. Why would I want to read more vampire stories if none will captivate me as these authors? I was in for a shocker. I loved Amanda Ashley’s work. Night’s Promise is book 6 in her Children of the Night Series. As I read, it gave me the best of feelings about vampires. They’re supposed to be mean, evil, twisted beings. Like my other favorite vampire writing authors, she drew me in and enveloped me by creating wonderful characters with very real concerns about the direction their lives were going. Without a doubt, I enjoyed and delighted in Ashley Amanda’s world of vampires, hunters and werewolves.

Title: Night’s Promise (Children of the Night Series), Book 6
Author: Amanda Ashley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published by: Zebra Books (February 4, 2014)
Pages: 352
ASIN: B00ENMXSOQ

Ashley should be on your must-buy list." --RT Book Reviews
"A master of her craft." --Maggie Shayne
"Amanda Ashley is a master storyteller." --Christine Feehan

This is what Amanda Ashley says about herself on her author page on Amazon: “I write paranormal romances for Zebra Books, and I love it. Most of my books are about vampires because, I admit, I'm fascinated by them. I also admit I don't like most vampire movies. I'm not really into blood and gore in living color on the screen, although I do love the movie, Dracula, starring Frank Langella. I just close my eyes from time to time.”
“I also write historical romances as Madeline Baker.”

Children of the Night Series:
Night’s Kiss, Night’s Touch, Night’s Master, Night’s Pleasure, Night’s Mistress, Night’s Promise

About the Story: For beautiful heiress Sheree West, vampires are more than a fantasy. They are an obsession. Night after night, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s Goth club scene. Searching for a lover who is more than a man. A creature of the dark who lusts for her blood. A legend who lives in the shadows and not just her dreams. Then, one fateful night, she meets him. . .

Derek Blackwood is no ordinary vampire. Descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra, and blessed with unearthly powers of seduction, he is everything Sheree wished for--and more. When he takes her in his arms, she is powerless. When he kisses her neck, she is his. But when the full moon rises--and passions flare--something is unleashed in Derek that he's never felt before. Something wild. Something dangerous. Something no vampire can control or stop. . .even for the woman he loves. (official blurb)

[Denoramae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid addition to the paranormal romance field. The writing is crisp and the story line captures the reader and holds your interest throughout the book. This is the 6th book of the series and the first I have read, but I was able to follow the plot line and characters easily without feeling bored with catch-up material or lost without 'inside' knowledge of earlier books; a difficult challenge for any writer, but well handled by Ms Ashley.
Sheree Westerbrooke, slightly spoiled heiress more along the lines of a fictional Disney princess rather than a Paris Hilton, sets out to find a real vampire. She is sure they exist, 2000 years of myth and legend have to based on something. To find one, she moves into the goth club/pseudo vamp scene in LA/Hollywood of the 'sometime in the future'. Needless to say she meets one. Derek Blackwood, one of the few naturally born vampires and direct descendant of the an ancient bloodline. Their attraction is powerful but they don't rush it, rather get to know each other and Sheree learns Derek is a vampire before she commits herself to him. She also learns that he is more than just a vampire and this struggle is not only dangerous to him but could be deadly to her.
There were a couple of mis-steps in the story line. Derek is able to come to Sheree and bite her, but the next time he comes to her house he has to wait for an invitation and she can rescind it. There rules of daylight and daylight waking seem a bit flexible but the explanations are reasonable. At one point, Sheree worries about photos being taken as vampires would not show, like mirrors and Derek reassures her that with the change-over from the use of silver in photos that vampires appear just fine. This seems the best explanation for why mirrors shouldn't reflect vampires as they were traditionally silver coated, by I am not sure if that is true any more.
Overall a good book, full of well developed characters and good story line with nice plotting. I did not feel the need to turn to the back of the book to get it over with and it held my attention.
I won my copy on Goodreads but I would gladly read others by this author and put on my list of authors to watch for and purchase in the future.

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth novel in the Children of the Night series is a mesmerizing vampire romance with an intriguing twist.

Vampires are an obsession for Sheree west and night after night she immerses herself in L.A.’s goth club scene searching for a legend who lives in the shadows not just her dreams. Derek Blackmore is no ordinary vampire and everything Sheree ever wished for – and more, but something wild has been unleashed in Derek. Something dangerous, something no vampire can control or stop… even for the woman he loves.

This steady to fast paced plot sends shivers up the spine with delicious romance, suspense and a sexy vampire. The author brings the life to each and every scene with vivid imagery and details that draw the readers and make them feel like they are part of the story. The characters are bewitching with strong presence that grab the reader’s attention and keeps it to the very end.

The attraction between Sheree and Derek leaps off the pages, the sex scenes sizzle with passion, and the romance sends sparks flying with emotional turmoil and conflict. The author makes it easy for the reader to get emotionally involved in the characters with her well written scenes and vibrant descriptions of their lives. The Queen of Vampires describes Sheree as “Honest of Heart” a description that fits her well as she seems to be strong but innocent when it comes to Derek and vampires while being just a little too “wishy washy” when it comes to herself and what she wants.

The emotional drama and personal conflict that Derek must endure adds spice and depth to the story and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with anticipation to see how the issue is resolved. And to make things even more interesting, there are characters from the previous books, some family, friends, enemies and some that no one is sure whether can be trusted or not. Add it all together and this makes for a fascinating and exciting vampire romance.

I love all the Amanda Ashley’s vampire books both the ones in this series and the others and I must say that this one was a little surprising, in a good way of course. I can’t wait to read the next vampire romance she creates for us lucky readers.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Originally Written for Book Bliss book blog. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.**

Review: 3 stars

General: I am not sure if my issue following this book was due to it being a series but I do not think so. The background was well given for the characters and the world, however I would recommend this not be the first book of Amanda Ashley's you read. I have heard her name for years and when I had a chance to read this I jumped on it and wish I had read others first, but could still navigate this better.

I couldn't connect with this book at all. From start to finish I was only about 80% involved in the world I was reading. There were far to many character names being tossed around, that may have been less confusing if I read their novel but in this case was overwhelming. There was also no real plot for me. It lacked that dramatic tension and only had sexual tension. I also felt it jumped POV far to quickly. The second I felt comfortable in someone's head I was put in someone else's. I love POV shifts but think it shouldn't occur 4-5 times in on chapter between 3 characters.

I do enjoy the over pictures painted and the world created by Amanda Ashley. I felt she really knew her world and if I had read others in the series I think it would be apparent as well. I felt like it was so close to hitting a point where I would like it that perhaps had I not had such high hopes I wouldn't have been as let down.

Sheree: Sheree for me an impossible character to connect with. She flitted around from here and there and used having money as an excuse. She was very two dimensional and while she had some interesting traits- her obsession with vampires, her determination and her snarkiness - I just found her more annoying than compelling.

Derek- Derek was kind of an anomaly to me. His history seemed to have some inconsistencies that had me entirely confused about his age. But I enjoyed being in his mind. I can't really explain why but I enjoyed his thought process and found myself easily attracted to and connecting with him.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Up front, Night's Promise is the first book I've read in this series, though not the first book I've read by this author.

It was a light and fluffy paranormal romance, drawing on characters established in previous books in the series.

If I had been reading a paperback copy instead of my ebook version, I would have thrown it at the wall several times. The writing was, for me, too breezy - everyone and everything felt very superficial. Events would happen, and then decisions would be made about to handle them... and then in the chapter immediately following, someone would just chuck that decision out the door, nullify it somehow.

I found Sheree, the heroine, to be lacking in substance. She's a nice young lady from a wealthy family who holds no job, seems to have no skills. Her identifying traits are that she's obsessed with vampires and goes out to California to find one, and that she then falls in insta-love with Derek, a vampire.

Mara and Logan also feature heavily - for the first third of the book, any scene they're in typically ends in them distracting each other from Derek's problems by having sex (the latter almost entirely off-screen). I didn't really believe the mother-son relationship between Mara and Derek - other than her overprotectiveness of him, they never really spoke to each other like a mother and her son. I also found Mara's special status a little frustrating - she seemed invincible, having outgrown normal restrictions vampires face, and generally that made any threat feel less threatening.

Being the sixth in the series, I have to imagine that I'm missing whatever the appeal here is. Perhaps if you're looking for something light and fluffy, this is a great choice? I just couldn't get into the book at all. I recommend passing on it - there's plenty of other paranormal romance novels out there.

To view my complete review, visit To Each Their Own Reviews

I received this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Night's Promise. Amanda Ashley
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
This is book six of the “children of the night” series. I've not read earlier ones, but its not difficult to pick up the general theme. It's clear from the way this novel is set out some of the events that have passed in earlier books. I like the idea of “born” vampires, Derek was perfect in his role and I felt the attraction between him and Sheree. Mara and Logan too were realistic characters. So why wasn't this book a hit for me? Well, somehow it just felt too “light”, too clichéd almost, with warring Hunters and Vampires, a blossoming romance between human Sheree and vampire royalty almost Derek, and the two dotty, elderly scientist sisters popping up all over the place. Each time something happened it was over with so quickly that the event almost passed without notice. There was some humour too, that could have been fun but that just didn't work for me. Maybe I just need my vampires deep, dark and dangerous, and plots that are more involved and intriguing. This novel just felt too easy to read for me, I seemed to guess what was going to happen when I want to be surprised at the turns in plot. As always – I’m just one reader, and everyone wants different things from their reading.
If you're looking for an easy to follow story, with characters that fit the plots, and aren't worried about the lack of overall depth in plot of people then this book may well appeal. For me though I need a bit more. Of course for those that are following the series as a whole, and who will of course enjoy this style of writing this will be a perfect wrap. At £3.72 for 336 pages, its a decent length and well priced for the genre. Just shame its not my kind of read.
Stars: two and a half. A well written book that just didn't engage me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley

[Books With · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Meet the Family

With Derek Blackwood (Prince of the Vampires) and Sheree Westerbrooke (your usual shopping-spree-going, Tai-Chi-practicing, vampire-curious, rich and single debutante) at the center, Night’s Promise boasts a full cast of memorable characters. From Derek’s mother, the most powerful and impossibly beautiful vampiress Mara, to Louise McDonald, a vampire hunter out of her prime, there is an interesting character at every turn that keeps the story rolling.

2. Prepare to be swept away.

Literally. Not only do the characters of Night’s Promise come with vivid personalities, and a rich variety of back story, they (that is, the vampires) are always dissolving into mist, slithering in and out of dreams, and teleporting off to far-away lands like Romania and Philadelphia. If you’re into vampires, werewolves, and their respective myths, Night’s Promise has that in glorious, blood-sucking abundance. With Derek Blackwood and his immortal family, Amanda Ashley has built an empire of darkness and mystery in which the reader is a special guest. Wooden stakes dipped in holy water? Check. Full moon and carnal lust of all kinds? Double check. Night’s Promise explores them all and is sure to satisfy all your cravings. From the streets of Los Angeles to the dungeons of Transylvania, spend too much time in this fascinating kingdom, and you can almost smell the sweet scent of blood in the air.

*ARC Provided

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 6 in the Children of the Night/My Night series

This book was about Mara's son, Derek Blackwood. Derek was born to Mara and a human who had a recessive werewolf gene. Derek has inherited that gene and after he meets Sheree Westerbrooke, he starts to struggle with his vampire/werewolf tendencies. He becomes dangerous and aggressive. It comes down to if Derek is willing to trust and love Sheree.

The love story (to me) fell flat, I didn't feel any chemistry between Derek and Sheeree. They just fell in love with each other, but you don't know why. The werewolf/vampire struggle was interesting and different, unfortunately, that was really only the last 1/3 of the book. It was great to see Edna and Pearl again! Those two are really fun! There were vampire hunters who emerged at the beginning of the book (had their own chapter), but then not again. And then at the end of the book Derek turned Sheree into a vampire to save her life Sheree hates Derek. But, then they had a big wedding when Sheree hated him.... I don't understand why Sheree would do that if she said she never wanted to see Derek again...? Stupid girl. And then all of a sudden (I guess) she stops hating him. Found that puzzling and off-putting. Slow beginning, interesting last 1/3, but then I was dumb-founded at the ending (marring, for the second time, someone you hate.) Not my favorite in this series or by this author, who I adore.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


This book continues where the last one (Night's Mistress) left off. This book continues on telling Derek Blackwood's story. (Mara's son- Mara the main character from Nights Mistress)
In my opinion Nights Promise comes off as a teen geared story based on the mentality, maturity and the personality of the main characters Derek and Sheree.
I didn't personally care for Sheree's over stereo typical obsession, dependency or her gullibility. I didn't care for Derek and Sheree as a couple either. I didn't feel the chemistry that usually makes a great couple or connects a reader to their journey together.
However it was nice getting to see glimpses of Mara's future and what comes of her. I am also a fan of the vampire world Ashely has spent so many years building and it's always nice as a fan getting to return to it.
Its worth the read for anyone that is a fan.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So as the first book that I have read in this series and incidentally the last in the series, I can say that while there is definite back story with the other characters you can easily read Night's Promise as a stand alone. One thing about Amanda Ashley's writing is that it took me back to my first ever romance novel where the love scene's were more glazed over than described, and with her style of writing it works. This isn't a hot and heavy sex book but rather a heart felt 'love at first sight', 'learning about you' romance.

I'm not sure that the hunter thing worked out for me though. As the story moves on you get that hunters are after them, even if it's not 'them' specific but rather vampires in general. But you get this bit with a hunter who is after one last big score before she retires and you see her twice and then she's dead. I would have rather had that bit drawn out until the end. Maybe the author was just trying to kill off the characters as a ending the series move, but it seemed like all the hunters kept getting killed. So I guess they weren't very good to begin with?

I'm going between 3.5 and 4 stars on this one. It was a wonderfully sweet romance and I was happy with it in the end so I'm thinking 4 stars on this one.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I went into Chapters earlier this week, I was very excited when I saw this on the shelf. I hadn't been aware that Amanda Ashley had come out with a new book. So I was very happy to have found this.

I haven't read the earlier book corresponding to this one, where Mara someone reversed and turned human and had a baby, but this book was very well done at covering all the details of that aspect that I didn't have to read that book first to know what was going on.

I haven't read an Amanda Ashley book in quite a while, and this brought me back into the mood that I think I am going to re-read the rest of this series. This book was very interesting in the fact that there was new aspects being introduced in the story - a new type of hybrid vampire/werewolf. I thought that was a really good idea. Why not? It added a twist to the story line,and not only that, it put a strain on the relationship between Derek Blackwood and Sheree West, and despite everything that happens throughout the story, Sheree manages to look past all that for the man/beast, that she loves.

One thing that I really liked about this was that it wasn't all about the vampire getting the girl, and then jumping to the more intimate scenes. This book was all about the plot, and I really appreciated that.

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

For beautiful heiress Sheree West, vampires are more than a fantasy. They are an obsession. Night after night, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s goth club scene. Searching for a lover who is more than a man. A creature of the dark who lusts for her blood. A legend who lives in the shadows and not just her dreams. Then, one fateful night, she meets him. . .

Derek Blackwood is no ordinary vampire. Descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra, and blessed with unearthly powers of seduction, he is everything Sheree wished for—and more. When he takes her in his arms, she is powerless. When he kisses her neck, she is his. But when the full moon rises—and passions flare—something is unleashed in Derek that he's never felt before. Something wild. Something dangerous. Something no vampire can control or stop. . .even for the woman he loves.


i gave this 5/5 stars because it was truly amazing and the best book of the series hands down, no discussion. Sheree and Derek are so perfect together. and i loved seeing Mara and Logan again.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for...
Heiress Sheree West has always wanted to find a vampire but when one comes knocking on her door her life is turned upside down and she finds herself caught in a supernatural war.

Derek Blackwood is a born vampire, with his mother being one of the strongest of all the vampires. When he sees Sheree, something inside him begins to change, unleashing a new side of Derek he never knew existed.

Night's Promises was an entertaining and intriguing story. From the Goth clubs of California to the castles of Romania, we watch Sheree and Derek discover the secrets of Derek's past. I enjoyed this story, but felt it lost some of its impact with character vacillation. A pleasant, engaging contemporary romance, Night's Promise is a marvelous addition to the Children of the Night Series.

I received this ARC copy of Night's Promise from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for an honest review. This book is set to be published on February 4, 2014.

[Brandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's book like this that make me wish I wasn't one of those people that can't stop reading a book after they stop it. It was painful to have to keep going. The storyline was slow and uninteresting. There was no true climax in the book, even when Derek changed to werewolf form. I thought the connection they was between them, that was thrown in our faces throughout the whole book, that the meaning of that would come out. I thought we would find out that the "bad feeling" Sheree had about the serum would come to light. Then the end of the book was nothing but Sheree whining and acting like a 5 year old child. Her attitude through the whole book sort of annoyed me. I felt no connection to the characters like I do in the other books I read. The storyline was too slow and went nowhere through the whole thing until the last several chapters when they crammed everything in but still left so many things unsaid. I used to truly enjoy Amanda Ashley's books but, honestly, after this, I don't believe I will be picking up another of hers.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first "Children of the Night" book, but I think it read well as a stand alone.

Sheree is a wealthy woman obsessed with vampires. Derek is a born vampire, son of the most powerful queen of the vampires. They run into each other in a vampire bar (of course) and immediately begin their start and stop romance. Between the two of them, there are enough doubts (about themselves or their partner) to stall their relationship at just about every turn -- and that's before Derek finds out some shocking news about his genetics.

There's a lot of quick love and even quicker decision making in this book. There are vampires, werewolves and meddling old ladies thrown in for good measure. We also got a lot of POV swapping between short chapters. While there are bad guys (vampire hunters), the book was definitely more about Derek and his journey to acceptance.

[Veronica R. Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you haven't read any other books in this series, I recommend reading Night's Mistress prior to reading this one. Even though the author provides enough backstory, it will make this story flow much easier as I noticed in a few reviews that some readers had a hard time getting into it. That wasn't me! I was hooked at the beginning, in the nightclub! I would have liked to have learned more about Sheree's past. I felt that she needed a little more character development. Regardless, I enjoyed it. I'm still wondering if Edna and Pearl ever did hook up with some men???

What I enjoy most about the author's writing is that she uses everyday terminology, so the reader doesn't have to look up words that are rarely used in the English language! I'm looking forward to her upcoming novel, Beauty's Beast, which will be released in the fall.