After Dark (Vamps Series #3) »

What good is a designer dress if someone puts a stake through it?

It's the most important event of the season in New York's upper-crust vampire society. The Rauhnacht Grand Ball has everything you need for a night of scandal and intrigue: gala dresses, stolen boyfriends, forbidden love . . .

Then a team of vampire hunters shows up and ruins everything! The surprise attack by Van Helsings is the worst gate-crashing ever.

In the aftermath, half sisters Lilith and Cally scramble to regain their footing at the exclusive Bathory Academy—and in the world of high fashion, where both have star potential. When new suitors turn the romance up a notch, it's almost enough to make the half sisters forget their intense rivalry. Almost. But shared blood between vampires is not easy, and before long Lilith and Cally find themselves face-to-face again.

Children's Literature

The Rauhnacht Ball is the highlight of the vampire social season. Callie is lucky to be included; after all she is half human and the unrecognized out-of-wedlock daughter of Victor Todd. And she has been intimate with Peter van Helsing, "descendant of the legendary scourge of the vampire race." Alas, the evening goes horribly wrong when the Van Helsings attack the party. In the chaos, Callie inadvertently kills Peter's father (she is blessed or cursed with the Shadow Hand). But undead life goes on and Callie is thrilled that Sister Midnight, owner of a chain of trendy boutiques, adores her clothing designs and will arrange for a fashion show at her exclusive boutique. And (given her relationship with Peter is most likely at an end) Callie finds a new love interest in Lucky Maledetto. Unfortunately their fathers are sworn enemies. Of course, Callie's demi-sister, Lilith ("a manipulative, messed-up, chronically insecure bitch") is still very much in the picture and hoping her alchemy work with Exo will lead to the development of a special anti-vanishing cream that will make her fame and fortune. Read the first two books before beginning this third book in the "Vamps" series; with all the loose ends left hanging at the end of this title, there is sure to be a fourth. Underage drinking, implied sexual activity, some obscenities. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen