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Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Many women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride McTierney's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered—something no self-respecting werewolf can accept...
But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win, in the special hardcover edition of #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Night Play.
New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular in the #1 spot. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre in which she writes. With more than 60 million copies of her books in print in　more than one hundred　countries, her current series include The Dark-Hunters, The League, and Chronicles of Nick. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures.
Stunned, Bride McTierney stared at the letter in her hand and blinked. She blinked again.
It couldn't really say what she thought it said.
Could it?
Was it a joke?
But as she read it again for the fourth time, she knew it wasn't. The rotten, cowardly SOB had actually broken up with her via her own FedEx account.
Sorry, Bride,
But I need a woman more in keeping with my celebrity image. I'm going places and I need the kind of woman at my side who will help me, not hinder me. I'll have your things delivered to your building. Here's some money for a hotel room tonight in case you don't have any vacant rooms.
Best, Taylor
"You sorry, sycophantic, scum-sucking dog," she snarled as she read it again and pain engulfed her so profoundly that it was all she could do not to burst into tears. Her boyfriend of five years was breaking up with her ... through a letter that he'd charged to her business account?
"Damn you to hell, you filthy snake!" she snarled.
Normally Bride would sooner cut her own head off than cuss, but this ... this warranted serious language.
And an ax to her ex-boyfriend's head.
She fought the urge to scream. And the need she felt to get into her SUV, go over to his television station, and pound him into itty-bitty bloody pieces.
Damn him!
A tear rolled down her cheek. Bride wiped it away and sniffed. She wouldn't cry over this. He so wasn't worth it.
Really, he wasn't, and deep inside she wasn't surprised. For the last six months, she'd known this was coming. Had felt it every time Taylor put her on another diet or signed her up for another exercise program.
Not to mention the important dinner party two weeks ago at the Aquarium where he had told her that he didn't want her to join him. "There's no need in you getting all dressed up for something so boring. Really. It's best that I go alone."
She'd known the minute he'd finished speaking that he wouldn't be around much longer.
Still it hurt. Still she ached. How could he do such a thing?
Like this! she thought angrily as she waved the letter around like a lunatic in the middle of her store.
But then she knew. Taylor had never really been happy with her. The only reason he had gone out with her was because her cousin was a manager at a local television station. Taylor had wanted a job there and, like a fool, she had helped him to get it.
Now that he was safely ensconced in his position and his ratings were at the top, he pulled this stunt.
Fine. She didn't need him anyway.
She was better off without him.
But all the arguments in the world didn't ease the bitter, awful pain in her chest that made her want to curl up into a ball and cry until she was spent.
"I won't do it" she said, wiping away another tear. "I won't give him the satisfaction of crying."
Throwing the letter away, she seized her vacuum cleaner with a vengeance. Her little boutique needed cleaning.
You just vacuumed.
She could just vacuum again until the damned carpet was threadbare.
Vane Kattalakis felt like shit. He'd just left Grace Alexander's office where the good-and he used the word with full rancor-psychologist had told him there was nothing in the world that could heal his brother until his brother was willing to heal.
It wasn't what he needed to hear. Psychobabble was for humans, it wasn't for wolves who needed to get their stupid asses out of Dodge before they lost them.
Ever since Vane had crawled out of the swamp with his brother on Mardi Gras night, they had been lying low at Sanctuary, a bar owned by a clan of Katagaria bears who welcomed in all strays, no matter where they came from: human, Daimon, Apollite, Dark-Hunter, Dream-Hunter, or Were-Hunter. So long as you kept the peace and threatened no one, the bears allowed you to stay. And live.
But no matter what the Peltier bears told him, he knew the truth. Both he and Fang were living under a death sentence and there was no place safe for them. They had to get mobile before their father realized they were still alive.
The minute he did, a team of assassins would be sent for them. Vane could take them on, but not if he had to drag a hundred-and-twenty-pound comatose wolf behind him.
He needed Fang awake and alert. Most of all, he needed his brother willing to fight again.
But nothing seemed to reach Fang, who had yet to move out of his bed. Nothing.
"I miss you, Fang," he whispered under his breath as his throat tightened with grief. It was so hard to make it alone in the world. To have no one to talk to. No one to trust.
He wanted his brother and sister back so badly that he would gladly sell his soul for it.
But they were both gone now. There was no one left for him. No one.
Sighing, he tucked his hands in his pockets and turned onto Iberville as he walked through the French Quarter.
He wasn't even sure why he cared anymore anyway. He might as well let his father have him. What difference did it make?
But Vane had spent the whole of his life fighting. It was all he knew or understood.
He couldn't do as Fang and just lie down and wait for death. There had to be something out there that could reach his brother.
Something out there that could make both of them want to live again.
Vane paused as he neared one of those women's shops that were scattered throughout the French Quarter. It was a large redbrick building trimmed in black and burgundy. The entire front of it was made of glass that showed inside where the store was littered with lacy women's things and delicate, feminine tchotchkes.
But it wasn't the merchandise that made him pause.
It was her.
The woman he'd thought he would never see again.
Bride.
He'd seen her only once and then only briefly as he guarded Sunshine Runningwolf in Jackson Square while the artist had sold her artwork to tourists. Oblivious to him, Bride had come up to Sunshine and the two of them had talked for a few minutes.
Then Bride had walked out of his life completely. Even though he'd wanted to follow after her, Vane had known better. Humans and wolves didn't mix.
And definitely not wolves who were as screwed up as he was.
So he'd sat idly by even while every molecule of his body had screamed out for him to go after her.
Bride had been the most beautiful woman Vane had ever seen.
She still was.
Her long auburn hair was pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head that left curls of it to caress her porcelain face. She wore a long, black dress that flowed around her body as she jerked a vacuum cleaner across the carpet.
Every animal instinct in his body roared to life as he saw her again. The feeling was primal. Demanding.
Needful.
And it wouldn't listen to reason.
Against his will, he found himself headed toward her. It wasn't until he had opened the burgundy door that he realized she was crying.
Fierce anger tore through him. It was bad enough that his life sucked, the last thing he wanted was to see someone like her cry.
Bride paused her vacuuming and looked up as she heard someone entering her shop. Her breath caught in her throat. Never in her life had she seen a more handsome man.
Never.
At first glance his hair was dark brown, but in reality it was made up of all colors: ash, auburn, black, brown, mahogany, even some blond. She'd never seen hair like that on anyone. Long and wavy, it was pulled back into a sexy ponytail.
Better yet, his white T-shirt was pulled tight over a body that most women only saw in the best magazine ads. It was a body that was meant for sex. Tall and lean, that body begged a woman to caress it just to see if it was as hard and perfect as it appeared.
His handsome features were sharp, chiseled, and he had a day's growth of beard on his face. It was the face of a rebel who didn't cater to current fashions ... one who lived his life solely on his own terms. It was obvious that no one told this man how to do anything.
He ... was ... gorgeous.
Bride couldn't see his eyes for the dark sunglasses he wore, but she sensed his gaze. Felt it like a smoldering touch.
This man was tough. Fierce. And it sent a wave of panic through her.
Why would someone like this be in a shop that specialized in women's accessories?
Surely he wasn't going to rob her?
The vacuum, which she hadn't moved a single millimeter since he'd entered her store, started to whine and smoke in protest. Drawing her breath in sharply, Bride quickly turned it off and fanned the motor with her hand.
"Can I help you?" she asked as she struggled to put it behind her counter.
Heat suffused her cheeks as the motor continued to smoke and spit. It added a not-so-pleasant odor of burning dust to the potpourri-scented candles she used.
She smiled lamely at the devastatingly hot god who stood so nonchalantly in her store. "Sorry about that."
Vane closed his eyes as he savored the melodic Southern lilt of her voice. It reached deep inside him, making his whole body burn for her. He was swollen with need and desire.
Swollen with a feral urge to take what he wanted, damn all consequences.
But she was scared of him. His animal half sensed it. And that was the last thing his human half wanted.
Reaching up, he pulled the sunglasses off and offered her a small smile. "Hi."
It didn't help. If anything, the sight of his eyes made her even more nervous.
Damn.
Bride was stunned. She wouldn't have thought he could ever become better looking, but with that devilish grin, he did.
Worse, the intense, feral look of that languid hazel-green gaze made her shivery and hot. Never in her life had she seen a man even one-tenth as good-looking as this one.
"Hi," she said back, feeling like nine kinds of stupid.
His gaze finally left her and went around the store to her various displays.
"I'm looking for a present," he said in that deeply hypnotic voice. She could have listened to him speak for hours, and for some reason she couldn't explain, she wanted to hear him say her name.
Bride cleared her throat and put those moronic thoughts away as she came out from behind her counter. If her cute ex couldn't stomach her looks, why would a god like this one give a rat's bottom about her?
So she decided to calm down before she embarrassed herself with him. "Who is it for?"
"Someone very special."
"Your girlfriend?"
His gaze came back to hers and made her tremble even more. He shook his head slightly. "I could never be so lucky" he said, his tone low, beguiling.
What an odd thing for him to say. She couldn't imagine this guy having trouble getting any woman he wanted. Who on earth would say no to that?
On second thought, she hoped she never met a woman that attractive. If she did, she would be morally obligated to run her over in her car.
"How much are you wanting to spend?"
He shrugged. "Money doesn't mean anything to me."
Bride blinked at that. Gorgeous and loaded. Man, some woman out there was lucky.
"Okay. We have some necklaces. Those are always a nice gift."
Vane followed her over to an alcove against the far wall where she had a mirror set up, with a multitude of beaded chokers and earrings that were on cardboard stands around it.
The scent of her made him hard and hot. It was all he could do not to dip his head down to her shoulder and just inhale her scent until he was drunk with it. He focused his gaze on the bare, pale skin of her neck ...
He licked his lips as he imagined what she would taste like. What it would feel like to have her lush curves pressed up against his body. To have her lips swollen from his kisses, her eyes dark and dreamy from passion as she looked up at him while he took her.
Even worse, he could sense her own desire and it whetted his appetites even more.
"Which is your favorite?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.
There was a black Victorian choker that had her scent all over it. It was obvious she had tried it on recently.
"This one," she said, reaching for it.
His cock hardened even more as her fingers brushed the black onyx stones. He wanted nothing more than to run his hand down her extended arm, to skim his palm over her soft, pale skin until he reached her hand. A hand he would love to nibble.
"Would you try it on for me?"
Bride trembled at the deep tone of his voice. What was it about him that made her so nervous?
But then she knew. He was intensely masculine and being under his direct scrutiny was as excruciating as it was disconcerting.
She tried to put the necklace on, but her hands shook so badly that she couldn't fasten it.
"May I help?" he asked.
She swallowed and nodded.
His warm hands touched hers, making her even more jittery. She looked in the mirror, catching sight of those hazel-green eyes that stared at her with a heat that made her both shiver and burn.
He was without a doubt the best-looking man to ever live and breathe and here he was touching her. It was enough to make her faint!
He deftly fastened the necklace. His fingers lingered at her neck for a minute before he met her gaze in the mirror and stepped back.
"Beautiful," he murmured huskily, only he wasn't looking at the necklace. He was staring into the reflection of her eyes. "I'll take it."
Torn between relief and sadness, Bride looked away quickly as she reached to take it off. In truth, she loved this necklace and hated to see it go. She'd bought it for the store, but had wanted to keep it for herself.
But why bother? It was a six-hundred-dollar handmade work of art. She didn't have anywhere to wear it. It would be a waste, and the pragmatic Irishwoman in her wouldn't allow her to be so foolish.
Pulling it off, she swallowed the new lump in her throat and headed for the register.
Vane watched her intently. She was even sadder than before. Gods, how he wanted nothing more than to have her smile at him. What did a human male say to a human female to make her happy?
She-wolves didn't really smile, not like humans did. Their smiles were more devious, seductive. Inviting. His people didn't smile when they were happy.
They had sex when they were happy and that, to him, was the biggest benefit to being an animal-rather than a human. Humans had rules about intimacy that he had never fully understood.
She placed the necklace in a large white box with a cotton pad in the bottom.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from NIGHT Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon Copyright © 2004 by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Welcome to some grade A book crack!! Really, there isn't much more to say about this book. I devoured it in a few sweet hours and was ready to hop onto the next hunky piece of man meat in the dark hunter series. This whole series is nothing more than simple book crack and I love it! Every book in this series, so far, has held onto the same basic plot line - hunky tortured male falls in love with insecure woman. Can she love him back? Is he worthy? Is she worthy? How will their love survive? What the hell is up with the sexy piece of flesh named Acheron? See, it's the same thing over and over again, but man does it make for some great relaxing reading.
What's different about Night Play - not much. OK, so the lead male character Vane isn't a Dark-Hunter, but he is a Were-Hunter Wolf. No matter what Vane is in the story, these guys are all the same, usually immortal hunks with a tortured past that are amazed to fine themselves drawn to these modern day women. The best change in this book is the plus sized heroine, Bride. It was a nice change compared to having believe that Barbie doesn't have a love life and needs a hunky man to help repair her self-esteem, pleeease. Give me a story about a real woman any day, and all the more better that she gets to play sex kitten with the hot love stallion.
You almost can't go wrong with this series. Yes, some books are way better than others. No, the reading isn't strenuous or thought provoking. Yes, the series should be read in order, but you could probably manage just fine picking up any of them and reading it solely. My recommendation: Pick up the book, get into your favorite reading spot, grab some coffee, and relax with some simple reading. You won't regret the series.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I love this book and have read mutliple times...I like the fact that Bride isn't a skinny mini and Vane loves her no matter what size she is...I hope Sherrilyn has some more plus size love interest for these hunky men!!!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is by far one of my favorites out of the Dark-Hunters series. I absolutely love Vane and Bride.
This movie will have you wooting as Vane proves to the world that thin doesn't always mean beautiful. You find yourself wishing you were Bride as Vane defends her from a @sshole ex in the most hilarious ways.
Watch as this wily wolf works his way into your heart and your permanent book collection!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Vane and Bride are just an awesome romantic couple! It was fun to get into the head of a Were-Hunter for the first time in this series (not counting the hard to find short story, Dragonswan, which I actually read after this novel). Life and romance through the eyes of a wolf is incredibly fun, new and very humorous at times. I love that he sees the beauty of a full-figured woman because women are beautiful in all shapes, sizes (and colors). If I were Bride, I'd want to part of Vane's pack too. His brothers are great characters too and can't wait to hear more about Fang's story!!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Jan 11 00:00:00 EST 2008
Loved it!! Loved him! Vane was one of those guys with a painful past too, but unlike Zarek, he didn¿t wallow in it. He came to terms with it and didn¿t let it dictate his present behavior. He accepted it and moved on. He wasn¿t always brooding or angry, he could laugh and make jokes and never felt like he was deprived of his childhood. He never felt sorry for himself. His powers are up there with Acheron¿s! Hot! He knows a lot about Ash-much more than any of the Dark-Hunters. He could wield his magic precisely and he had tons of it!! I give the books I love the most the shortest reviews because I can't think of any criticisms. I mostly love Vane because he saw Bride for who she was. We plus-size ladies can be so selfconscious that it is hard for us to believe anyone can find us sexy. Vane is my hero!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Zarriah
Posted Sat Apr 14 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This is my favorite book in series. I agree this is some grade A book crack as has been stated already. But this book with Vane and Bride, is the best so far.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Feb 23 00:00:00 EST 2012
This is one of my favorite books! Must read!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Feb 03 00:00:00 EST 2012
I am completely, utterly, unconditionally hooked to Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter Series. I loved this book because it brought in a whole other element to the Dark-Hunter, the world of the sexy Were-Hunters and Vane. Wow wee! How I love these books. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2011
I loved that this one had action but mostly just simply a GREAT love story. I love Bride, I love how Vane loved her exactly the way the was and did not want her to change. I felt for Fang. And the fact that Fury got his brothers back that was great! I love all the books but this one I read in one sitting just to read how much Vane loved Bride. Must get!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I Also Recommend:
This was a twist compared to the DH novels that came before. While Vane's parents were the villains, the murder plot against him was more toned down. It was interesting to have the focus more on Vane & Bride's relationship. Think I will have to start adding these to my bookshelf instead of borrowing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Not everybody enjoys the type of books that I like to read. What I liked is the way she starts her series and you can easily continue the reading even if you stop for awhile and then continued. I like stories that are part GREEK mythology and and part now. Her books are not long and drawn out
there short and to the point. My only draw back is that these series of books are not bundled you need to purchase them separately. When I finish this series I will start the others. If your the type of person who likes fantasy and SYFY then these series would be right up your ally.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Jun 12 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Vane is such a hunk and Fury is so funny that when you put them together with Bride you end up with a book you'll read over and over!
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Posted Wed Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Great Book
This is one of my most favorite Dark Hunter books. Perfect balance of romance, action, and sacrifice. Loved it!!
Anonymous
Posted Mon May 12 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Babe?
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Apr 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Cool.gtg bbt
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2014
Stops crying I am sorry i shouldnt hae told you sorry
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2014
Walks in wearind a bikini
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Posted Sat Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2014
*nodds slowly*
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Posted Fri Jan 31 00:00:00 EST 2014
Could not put this book down, continuing to read the series they are all wonderful!!!!!!
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Posted Fri Dec 13 00:00:00 EST 2013
At result 5
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Many women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride McTierney's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered—something no self-respecting werewolf can accept...
But how does a wolf convince a human...