When Count Ignatio Magonoff comes across Lady Leslie stranded on the side of the road his good manners and breeding make him bring her into his home. His need for a companion, especially one that draws him as she does, allows her access to his bed. But her taking of his life to provide him with immortality is not something he craved from her. After playing rough games with Leslie he starts to grow weary of the "gift" when upon leaving a party for Vampires they encounter a pregnant woman and her doting husband stranded on the road. The pregnant woman, Margaret, calls to Ignatio like no other with her innocence and her soul. Knowing that not even for sustenance could he harm her or her husband, Ignatio invites them to his home. Ignatio does what he can to control Leslie's voracious appetite for blood and sex until the mortal humans can leave. Things are never easy, and rarely simple. Margaret and her husband, Jamie, are now caught in a world they did not know existed, but will forever be touched by its hand.

Ms. Summers sets the stage for what is bound to be a stirring tale. Although this story is well written with an engaging plot, it seemed to wander around. Although the story did not ever seem to be fully resolved, we can hope that it will continue in a story about Margaret's son, Jamie Stuart. All this aside, the Gift of the Night flyer is compelling and darkly erotic.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Sara Sawyer
September 8, 2004