Night’s Gift
$2.99 – $16.95
Night’s Vampire Series
After Virginia’s heart is torn apart, she moves to a small city and tries to build a new life. One night, she decides to investigate a mysterious old mansion that she passes each day. Petrified by what she witnesses as she peers through a window, Virginia attempts to flee…Awakening inside the mansion, Virginia comes face to face with its secrets — Teresa, a mysterious beauty; Max, a seemingly sinister old man; and HIM, the Count Basarab Musat, a Transylvanian vampire who manipulates and controls everything, and everyone, who crosses his path. When Virginia realizes she is the count’s prisoner, she is forced into playing a dangerous game — her very survival depends on the outcome. Virginia prays every day to be free from the evil world she has stumbled upon — where the undead are so alive!”Night’s Gift” is the beginning of Virginia’s story…
Written By Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour
Edited by Bethany Jamieson
Excerpt
Introduction…
I am relating this story to you through my eyes … for it is only my eyes that are capable of seeing into hearts that did not exist; my eyes that can weep for that which was lost; my eyes that are capable of showing any emotion beyond nothingness. It is only my pen that would dare to tell such a story — for those I resided with for a time would not want such secrets to be known.
This is a story that must be told. It is a story that, as you read it, you might believe was written as a Hollywood movie script. It is a story that you’d never dream you would actually ever live. It is my story — a part of my life that can never be erased from my memory — which will live on for eternity. For eternity itself has sealed it within its pages.
Despite all that he could not do for me, I shall be forever grateful to Max for the scraps of paper he provided me with during my sojourn at the house. I have gathered together the scattering of scribbles I was able to write, and I have managed to decipher the majority of my words. However, many of my pages were written beneath a torrent of tears, smearing a great many of the letters into unintelligible scratching. As a result, some of my story has been recreated, a little at a time, from whatever memories I have managed not to suffocate. I believe it is all here — the love, the hate, the lies, the deceptions, the pain, and the sorrow.
There was no hearty laughter where I have just come from, for there were none truly alive save I. And even though there were moments when I laughed with ‘him’ as we talked and bantered issues past and present, his laughter was never truly authentic. Mine was, but at this moment I cannot bring genuine laughter to surface after what happened to me inside that house.
Are you one who loves to take a risk? Are you willing to turn the pages and discover the truths about my life? Then read on. I will share my moments with you in the hope that I might save at least one person from becoming immersed in such evil as I was. Before becoming overly curious about what appears to be an abandoned building, you might think twice. Before you risk a look beyond ‘any’ window sill, read my story!– Virginia
Kim Makarchuk –
“Night’s Gift” is a page-turning twist on the classic vampire novel. – Kim Makarchuk
Bethany Jamieson –
Cushnie-Mansour brings an ageless fantasy alive, quite literally in what could be your own backyard. Beautifully written, a must-read for any vampire lover. – Bethany Jamieson
Mariette Havens –
Absolutely stunning and intense, “Night’s Gift” is the first in what promises to be a gripping series. – Mariette Havens
Judi klinck –
Cushnie-Mansour weaves a suspenseful tale, one I found difficult to put down. Her eloquent description and plot design bring her characters alive. A great read. – Judi Klinck
Jerusa Hunter –
“Night’s Gift” is an excellent display of human emotions. The humanizing of evil is interesting. Virginia is the ultimate normality. – Jerusa Hunter
George Hatton –
“Night’s Gift tells a good tale and tells it well. All the characters are believable, even though they exist in a parallel world – real and occult. – George Hatton
Justin (Amazon Review) –
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is amazing! Only had it for 2 days and can’t seem to put it down. I have now purchased all 6 books and can’t wait to read them. Thanks for an amazing read. – Justin (Amazon Review)
Kindle customer review –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the book
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Loved the book looking forward to reading more of the series and seeing how things progress for Virginia and her son. – Kindle customer review
legomaniac (Amazon review) –
The first in an un-put-downable Canadian vampire series
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 15, 2019
I could not put this book down! I had thought I was done with vampires…having read all of the series out there. But this series was different, better. It is set in a wonderful Canadian city, Brantford, where I live. The main location of action is a real one, Yates Castle, a creepy old house near the railway tracks. I bought the first one from Coles, read it in a day, and immediately returned to buy the next two in the series. This book is a guaranteed excellent read! – Legomaniac (Amazon Review)
Amazon Reviewers –
A new twist on the vampire genre – Night’s Gift, Book one of the Night’s Vampire Series
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 19, 2019
Curiosity kills the cat, but it didn’t exactly kill Virginia. Instead, it spiralled her into the world of old vampires going back to the beginning of the vampire curse. Night’s Gift is the beginning of Virginia’s story. It is a story of love and deceit; of longing to stay; of longing to run; of survival. You cannot help but to fall in love with the characters, human and vampire, at the beginning of this series, and I know, once started, you will crave for more. – Amazon Reviewer
Bexx (Amazon Review) –
Night’s Gift
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on June 14, 2011
This is a great book for anyone who likes vampire stories. This page turner keeps you wondering what is going to happen until the end of the book. – Bexx (Amazon Review)
Lorraine A – Amazon Reviewer –
An Excellant Story Teller
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
Mary has created an interesting spin in the Vampire genre, by giving a Canadian flavour to her stories. The cliffhanger ending leaves you anxious to read about Virginia in the next installment. – Lorraine A (Amazon Review)
Amazon Reviewers –
Customer reviews from Amazon Customers
4.5 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings as of February 2023
5 star – 68%
4 star – 16%
3 star – 16%
Cin (Goodreads review) –
Vampire stories are not my favourite type of books to read. I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program. Thanks for sending me this book. I enjoyed reading this. The story is captivating and it’s hard to put this book down. I would definitely check out other books in the series. I have recommended this book to my friends. Nice book! – Cin (Goodreads review)
Gayle (Goodreads review) –
I would have given this book 2.5 stars, actually. The beginning of the book started off, just all right for me. It was okay..not great. The style of the writing seemed lacking somehow, almost juvenile. As the story unfolded, it got more interesting and towards the end, I couldn’t wait to find out what happens to Virginia. I sound like an American Idol judge, here. Started off ‘iffy’ but picked up and ended well.
I bought this book because I love a good vampire story. I also spent some of my youth, growing up in the city of Brantford. I saw the author interviewed by Nancy Richards on our local news station. At first I wasn’t real impressed with the very ‘classic’ vampire spin on this one, though. I prefer a more modern flavour. Ms. Cushnie-Mansour convinced me otherwise, however. Kudos and congratulations on her debut novel. I liked it and look forward to her next two books in the trilogy. – Gayle (Goodreads review)
Sally Wolf, a Goodreads Reviewer –
Virginia always had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the night she stumbled onto Count Basarab’s porch was no exception. Drawn to the window by an unknown force Virginia peeps in to see two individuals in an argument. Frightened she tries to flee but is knocked unconscious by a statue. She awakes to find herself being watched by a beautiful woman. Who informs her that her fate is now to be determined by the Count. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape Virginia decides to play a very dangerous game to stay alive.
This is one of the best books I have read in a while the characters are fantastic, the plot is moving and the pace is smooth. This Romantic Vampire novel is a must read and is going into my to be read again shelf. – Sally Wolf (Amazon Reviewer)
Stacey Mosely (Goodreads review) –
Marys richly textured characters immediately draw you into their world and hold you captivated in a a fantasy of real and genuine human emotions. So fluidly you follow Virginia, as if a shadow in the room, through her fears of the world around and as the fears in her heart collide. Captivating you and leaving you wanting more ~ thankfully Mary lets us continue to follow this family through Books 2 and three: Night’s Children and Night’s return! – Stacey Mosely (Goodreads review)
Wendy (Goodreads review) –
This was my introductions of this series, Mary M. Cushin-Mansour was at chapters in Guelph and as I always do bought her book because she took the time to promote it . When I started reading the book , it got me instantly. The book has many characters which makes the story that much better, I was never into vampire books much until this book. I finished reading in days of my purchase . The story about a vampire and the women he loved ,truely and completely was going to be a hard sell, but ….. well you will just have to read it to find out. Enjoy!!! – Wendy (Goodreads review)