Once Burned audiobook

5 Electrifying Stars*Spoilers*First read 3/2/2014 Reread 12/2/2015 Re reread 11/28/2019Reread 4/27/21Reread 8/15/2021 to refresh because I'm making custom Leila and Vlad funko pops!Reread 5/2/22"I'll ask a second time," his deep, slightly accented voice said. "Who are you, and how the hell are you inside my head?"-Vlad "What made you choose the name Vlad?" I asked, unable to resist adding, "It's not the most original vampire name you could have picked, after all." Instead of being offended, that little smirk was back. "I'm the only authentic Vlad. Everyone else is merely an envious imitation."-Leila and VladOnce Burned, the first book in the Night Prince series, was WOW....... Dayum Vlad is so yummy! I have loved Vlad since the first time I read about him in the night huntress series. I can't tell you how happy I was when I found out that my favorite fire starter was getting his own series. I will say there was a ton of embarrassing dancing. I might be scarred, but I'm still tasty-looking, aren't I? Too bad you're not getting any of this no matter what that vision showed. His lips twitched, but he held out my chair without comment. It wasn't until after I sat down that he responded to my mental gauntlet. "If your goal is to dissuade me from seducing you, taunting me with promises of failure won't work." He settled himself into his chair with an easy, arrogant elegance. "I enjoy challenges, but I don't think it will be long until you're in my bed."-Leila and Vlad "No, I do my torturing in the dungeon like any other respectable castle owner," he said, amusement clear in his voice. "And the fourth floor isn't merely mine. My most trusted staff members have their rooms there, too."-Vlad What this book is about When Leila was young she touched a downed power line, it didn't kill her but it left her with some life changing side effects. She electrocutes anyone she touches and if she touches anyone or thing with her right hand she can see their past sins and sometimes the future. She is kidnapped by four crazy vampires that plan to use her powers to find another vampire(Vlad) that they want dead and then they plan on killing her. Not wanting to die and having no one to turn to she contacts through a mental link, the vampire they want her to find. But she tells him that some vampires are looking to kill him and have kidnapped her, and she ask for his help. But will this vampire really help her or is she trading one prison for another?"This is our true tie," he whispered, his breath falling hotly onto my lips. "You're meant for me, and I will have you."-Vlad "I never set a standard that I won't keep myself, and if you ever want out, you need only say the word. But mean it, Leila, because once I leave, I'm gone forever." Vlad's eyes bled back to deep copper as he spoke, and though they were no longer glowing in that inhuman way, somehow, they were more compelling. "Right back at you," I said, matching his unyielding stare. "Is that all?" His lips twisted. "No. I can give you honesty, monogamy, and more passion than you can stand, but not love. That emotion died in me long ago, as I suspect you already know." "Good," I replied in a steady voice. "I was worried that you'd turn into one of those obsessed, emo movie vampires, and that would be embarrassing for both of us."-Vlad and LeilaVlad was a damaged,dangerous, complex, and sexy character. There are so many sides to Vlad one book would never be able to do him justice. Vlad is dark, has lived through things that would have broke most people, but he is a fighter. He is loyal to his people and protects whats his with the utmost ruthlessness. This book only made me fall more in love with Vlad. Leila is perfect for Vlad. She is brave, strong, but after living everyone elses worse sins and pain she has a darkness in her too. She stands up to Vlad, which no one else would dare, and she doesn't play games she just tells it like it is. I loved Leila almost as much as I did Vlad."What, after you finish shish-kebobbing Maximus for no good reason?" I snapped. He actually had the nerve to look at me as if I were the one overreacting. "No good reason? I ordered him to protect you. Instead, his actions resulted in you nearly burning to death. Did you think I'd let him off with a tongue-lashing?" "I didn't think you'd go pole-happy on him," -Leila and VladVlad and Leila are smokin' hot together. OMG I loved that Vlad was Leila's first and that he treated her like it was a gift and not a burden. I hate when H act like a virgin H is a burden. Not Vlad he told her how special it was. Then the shower sex *fans self* yummy. Jeaniene Frost is a talented writer who has made me fall madly in love with so many of her characters. This book was an amazing read, the plot, the MC, everything. I loved it and can't wait to read the next one. "Such a reckless, foolish risk," he muttered, but when he brushed my hair, his touch was gentle despite his hardened tone. I smiled, holding up my hand. "Reckless, maybe. Foolish, no. You were right. This is a formidable weapon." He clasped it, absorbing the current it contained without a flicker in his expression. "Yes, but you are still only human." I laughed, the sound of it drowned out by the crunch of rocks as the mountain continued to shudder as though in the throes of birth pangs. "So was Van Helsing, yet in every movie, he beat the vampire in the end. Never underestimate the power of humanity."-Vlad and Leila

OH. MY. GOD!!!! It is finally here! The book we have all been waiting for in the great world that author Jeaniene Frost has created. We finally get Vlad in all of his sexy glory. I admit that when this book arrived for me to review, I almost fell over from excitement. I screamed in joy, overheated at the sexy cover, and even told my family to get the heck out of the way while I ran for my favorite reading chair. The family went without dinner. They were not allowed to bother me. All regular chores ceased as Vlad arrived in my mailbox. We start off in the story reading about Leila and her life. She is disfigured due to a freak accident long ago by touching a downed power line and has joined the carnival as an entertainer. She is aware of vampires in the world because her partner for her act is a midget vamp. Don't let Marty's small stature make you think he is a puny vamp though. He is like a Father figure to Leila and he has a heart bigger than most regular sized people. When Leila is kidnapped by other vampires, she is forced to use some of her other 'gifts' that came about after the energy absorbed from the power line. She can touch things with her right hand and send out electrical shocks. She can also see glimpse's of the past, present and future with a small touch. She pulls these glimpse's from leftover essence that a person leaves behind on things. The vampires that have kidnapped her are working for a stronger vamp who is searching for Vlad. He wants revenge on Vlad and will use any means necessary to get him. When Leila is forced to use her gifts, she is surprised to learn that Vlad can hear her spying on his present. She figures he is the less of the two evils and asks for his help. Vlad comes to the rescue and sweeps Leila away to his castle in Romania so they can work together in finding the bad guy.As they try to work together, Leila finds herself attracted to the mysterious and ruthless Vlad. He has the sex appeal and strength she craves. Leila has never been in a relationship before due to her 'shocking gifts' and is venturing down a new path with Vlad. Her gifts have no real effect on Vlad and she can't believe how wonderful it feels to touch someone without hurting him. Vlad is his typical confident and arrogant self knowing how he is having an effect on her since he can read her mind. What ensue's is heated glances, confident flirting and a bunch of sexy time!Oh yes, by this time in the book you are wondering the same thing. Trust me in saying that the author does not disappoint in describing in glorious detail the image of Vlad's body. Before you even ask, yes there is even another hot and steamy shower scene that involves a very excited Vlad. *swoon*As things get even more dangerous for Vlad and Leila, Vlad brings her family to his castle as well for protection. We get to meet her father and Leila's sister, Gretchen. To see Leila so close to a man is shocking to say the least for them. Especially when they notice Vlad is able to hold her hand with no show of pain.The author does not disappoint with her flair of hilarity whenever Vlad is around. He is even hilarious when Bones and Cat decide to make a brief appearance in the book. Again, Bones loves to tease Vlad and he grabs the chance to tease at him when he teaches Leila how to block Vlad from reading her mind.If I had one complaint about this book, it would only be the ending. I can't even really call it a complaint though. The way it ends, you are left hanging with the knowledge that their story is far from over. Since this is going to be at least a two book series, we have to wait until the next book to have some things resolved. This was very frustrating only because we have waited so long as it is for Vlad to have his own book. Now the reader has to wait again!Overall the story sucked me in, chewed me up then spit me out. It left me wanting to read the story all over again. I wanted Vlad before, but now I need more Vlad. To say it is going to be a long and torturing wait is an understatement. If you haven't read about Vlad before, you are missing out on one of the sexiest alpha vamp's in the paranormal genre!

5 stars – Vampire/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy RomanceThoughts Before Reading:I am practically panting and salivating for Vlad’s book!Thoughts After Reading:I am practically panting and salivating for Vlad’s next book!Like I said in my status update...Bones might be the reigning king of chapter 32, but Vlad is the Night Prince of chapter 23! Yowza! Inferno hotness!But in all seriousness...Bones is one of my all-time favorite Romancelandia husbands, and even though Vlad made a powerful showing, Bones still rules my loins supreme.Although I wouldn’t be opposed to a Bones/Shawna/Vlad ménage...just sayin’ I’m totally game for that, Ms. Frost, should you ever need a new character to shake and kink things up a bit in the Night Huntress World!Vlad is enigmatic, blazing hot, darkly possessive, and compellingly cruel, and I enjoyed his relationship with spunky Leila. Other than my disappointment with the ending, I loved being Once Burned and can’t wait to be Twice Tempted.My favorite quotes:“Two Leilas seemed to be battling it out inside me. The first was outraged that he still considered it a fait accompli that I’d give in to him, and the second...that slutty bitch was wondering what Vlad looked like naked.”“If I didn’t want you so much,” he said in a deadly purr, “I’d let you keep fucking me with your gaze, but you make me impatient.”

Vlad, Vlad, Vlad, VLAD!!!!!!!!!

I gave this four stars.*Rocks backwards and forwards*What is happening to me?! What am I turning into?I just really liked how plot-heavy is was. And it's not Cat or Bones whose relationship I'm happy to put away for now. I liked Vlad as a character but I thought it was Leila who really made this novel. It's not the usual backwards and forwards.Her: "I really like him but I don't know if he likes me."Him: "Wow. I really like you."Her: "He's just saying that because he wants someone. I wish it were true."*Sexual tension**Interruption**Lots of sex**Plot resolution**Happily ever after*It can get a bit tiring, but this wasn't and I really want to see where Frost takes it from here.But...but... I have to wait SO LONG!!!

Having met Vlad before in the Night Huntress Series, I was really excited that he would be getting his very own book.Once Burned the 1st book in the Night Prince Series begins when Vlad rescues Leila, whose gifts may be a way that vampires could take him down.He takes her to his castle in Romania, where he promises to protect her and also to give her the real story of Vlad aka Dracula…… The story is told by Leila’s POV – transformed instead of being killed when she touched a power line, she’s left with a gift of her right hand sending bolts of electricity to anyone she touches. And guess what??? Not only does she meet someone who is not “zapped” by her lighting right hand…but he’s damn gorgeous and hot….. Sparks fly when they are near each other – Leila is totally besotted…. …..she’s so totally into Vlad…. Vlad is totally obsessed with Leila….for the first time in thousands of years, he has found someone that touched something in him that he thought he had lost….but still, he holds back…… He’s faced with so many demons from his past and enemies who want nothing else but to destroy him. He can’t let himself be distracted by someone like Leila.I really liked this story and finding out Vlad’s history and learning more about the person he is.Leila was an interesting character. A lot of issues in her life and liked seeing her facing them and coming through a stronger person. I actually liked her a lot!!!Loved the interaction between Vlad & Leila and the secondary characters…most of all…Cat & Bones…swoonnnnnnnnnnn!!!The story ended pretty suddenly and I suppose one could say that the epilogue leaves us with a somewhat cliffhanger…but knowing that we are going to get more of Vlad and Leila….that was enough for me.Can’t wait for book #2.My favourite quote:

Vlad:"People frequently bore me, sometimes amuse me, most often irritate me, but rarely intrigue me."The sexiest version of Dracula that I have ever read......And I am so happy that he has been paired with a equally badass heroine.Leila is a strange girl who works in carnivals . She knows about monsters. She lives with “freaks”. The people of Gibsonton are a bearded lady, the lizard scale tattoo guy, the eight foot guy, the fourteen-inch waist lady etc. But maybe the scariest monster that she knows is Marty, the four foot and one inch co-worker who has been protected her for years like a daughter and who is also a VAMPIRE.Yes, Leila knows about vampires and she knows that she needs to avoid them. So when she is kidnapped by a vampire gang, she is not surprise but she is definitely scared. Unfortunately Leila is uniquely gifted and theses vampires know that. After a tragic accident when she was a kid with a downed power line, Leila can electrocute whoever she touches. And moreover, she can see their most vivid memories of their past and sometimes she can even predict their future.Thus, this vampire gang wants to use her in order to find another vampire by touching one of his items and trap him. This vampire is Vlad. And he senses Leila straight away. He does not really care about these four idiotic vampires, but he senses that Leila is unique and he wants her. The scene when they meet for first time, I think is one of the most intense scenes of the book and undoubtedly my favourite."I've met monsters. You're not one of them."And then, Leila and Vlad are in Romania and Leila tries to understand whether she is just a prisoner because Vlad does not seem to want to let her go. There will be sexual tension building. Leila resists without even knowing why. Maybe because she is a virgin?!? Thankfully there is not any kind of virginal sacrifice attitude by her. She even flirts with another vampire to prove her point. When the erotic scene happens, it is mind-blowing.If you loved Vlad in Night Huntress, you will fall in love with him all over again. He is the perfect antihero. Sarcastic, largest than life, ruthless, attractive and well... he is bad.Leila definitely can give him some esoteric balance, if he lets her. "I do my torturing in the dungeon like any other respectable castle owner."

Reread 9/2020Upgraded to 5 stars upon a reread. I can't believe that the majority of my friends haven't read this series, it's so amazing. Humor, adventure, and hot at the same time. I'd write a real review but I'm too lazy.---------6/14-----------------4.5 starsVlad was cool, Leila was awesome. That is all.Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥

I’m a big fan of Jeaniene Frost’s books. Her Night Huntress series rocks my world – hello – it’s Bones, and he is just one of the best alpha heroes out there. But I will say, the past few Bones and Cat books haven’t been my favorites in the series. So when I sat down with Once Burned, the first in her new Night Prince spin-off series featuring Vlad (currently two books are planned) I was very excited for this one. I adore Vlad, who makes many appearances in her world. And I really enjoyed this book.Before we get to Vlad, let’s talk about the heroine, Leila. As a teenager, she touched a downed power line, electrocuting herself. When she woke up, she had a scar that ran from her temple down to her right hand. But that was just the beginning. Now, If she touches someone with her right hand, she sends many volts of electricity through them. She also can see someone’s worst sin through a single touch and if she touches an object that someone else has touched, she can get a psychic impression of that person, sometimes in the past, and sometimes visions of the future. These odd abilities prevents Leila from living a normal life (in which she use to excel as a gymnast), which is how she finds herself traveling with a circus, performing in a sideshow using her acrobat abilities. Her good friend, and vampire Marty (who is all of four feet tall) can handle her electricity to an extent, allowing her to perform and touch him without fear.Her odd abilities get noticed by the wrong type of person, and she ends up being kidnapped by not so nice vampires. They give her items to touch, demanding to know when in the future the owner of these items will leave his closely guarded fortress. When she touches them, and sees the owner, she doesn’t realize the powerful being she is connecting with. Vlad is a very old vampire, who has the ability to control fire, which makes him very feared. When Leila “looks in on him” he is able to communicate telepathically with her. Once she convinces him through speaking with him through her mind, that she is kidnapped and the baddie vamps are after him, Vlad soon comes crashing through the hotel room, causing much fire and taking Leila back with him to Romania. He knows the baddie vamps were just puppets for someone much more evil who will eventually try to nab Leila again. He keeps her with him to keep her safe, and uses her abilities to try to figure out who his enemy is.Vlad, also once known as Tepesh the Impaler comes from a long line of Princes who have been slaughtered. He has kept his people safe for 500 years and for that, he has kind of earned his arrogant side, and yet is comes off as very sexy in this book. He is able to read Leila’s mind, so he constantly knows what she is thinking which is frustrating for Leila, but amusing for the readers. Vlad is a very cool dude. He has a temper and once someone starts to annoy him, everyone around him can usually smell smoke if he hasn’t already lit someone on fire. But around Leila, he plays it cool. He is enamored with her, and with all of his arrogance he knows she will eventually be in his bed.Since Leila electrocutes everyone she touches, she has lived a lonely life. While she can touch a vampire, and he or she won’t immediately keel over, she can’t touch a regular vampire for too long, eventually harming that person. But Vlad is different. Since he can control fire, she can pump as many electrical volts as she wants into him, barely causing him to shudder. This opens a door for Leila, knowing that this sexy, yet dangerous man could be her lover. Vlad is so sexy in this book and I really enjoyed how their relationship unfolds.I led my armies from the front, Vlad had said. The proof was all over his body, from the scars that adorned his skin in random white patterns to the muscles that flexed and bunched with his slightest movement. If he’d looked like one of those effeminate magazine models, I wouldn’t have felt such a powerful swell of lust, but there was nothing boyish or plastic about Vlad. He was devastatingly masculine, and all of that untamed sensuality was now mine to savor. The knowledge caused another rush of heat between my legs.“If I didn’t want you so much,” he said in a deadly purr, “I’d let you keep fucking me with your gaze, but you make me impatient.”My one disappointment is that we don’t get Vlad’s point of view, this book is only told in Leila’s POV. I don’t mind that with her Night Huntress series but I really wanted to hear Vlad’s voice and thoughts.While Bones and Cat make a very brief appearance, we meet some new people in this book. Maximus is Vlad’s second in command and I really like him. He hasB&N a small attraction to Leila at the beginning of the book which plays out nicely. Vlad also has a group of humans living at his castle that have a small part. Marty, who is a father figure to Leila also has a role in this book.As two books are planned (maybe more) for this series, this one doesn’t end with a completely settled HEA, which I’m glad for. These two, while they definitely have an attraction for each other, need to get to know one another a little better before love comes into play.The villain is pretty evil and I also like that people die in this book. It is a dangerous world, and Jeaniene Frost allows that violence to come through. It is paired well with the sexy romance and humorous lines.Very much looking forward to the next book.Rating: B

December 2021: It's so weird to think back on how much I disliked this series the first time I read it. It's even weirder that it has become a favorite (apparently?) because I'm pretty sure this is the only book that I've read 4 times start to finish. There's something about this series and these characters that's comforting? I don't understand why my brain decided that either. *shrugs* It was still as good as I was expecting and no I'm not tired of these characters yet even though I've read this particular book twice this year oops._____________________August 2021: My third reread is in the books! 😂 I had NOTHING to read (looks away from my TBR pile of 190+ books) so I decided to reread. I'm totally not feeling guilty or overwhelmed by the amount of I books I want to read but have no motivation to thanks to the mood I'm in. Being a Mood Reader™ has proved to be very counterproductive to reading new books lately 😅_____________________Originally posted at: This is a reread and boy does this book bring back memories! I used to love Vlad in the Night Huntress series. His series started off with a bang but he got progressively worse as the books went on. Eventually, I ended up disliking this series as a whole. I have an inkling as to why though I only have my very old review of the fourth book to go on. Layla is a sassy and spunky character with a backbone of steel. I really like how she stands up to Vlad and how she gets herself in and out of very drastic situations. I also like that she keeps Vlad on his metaphorical toes because he never knows what she's going to do next.Vlad as a secondary character was better than as a main character. This novel showcases how controlling, domineering, and bloodthirsty (haha) he is. He came off as sarcastic and aloof in the Night Huntress series and I can't say I prefer him in his own books. I believe my problem with this series is with how his controlling and domineering nature get progressively worse as the novels go on.Overall, this novel was very entertaining and a great start to what I once hoped would be a great series. I'm hoping I can rationalize his traits enough to enjoy this series again because it is a good vampire series.The Audio Book:The narration was great! All the characters were distinguishable and there were no weird noises in the background of the recording.

Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks It was in 2011, what seems like forever ago, that Jeaniene Frost wrote some of the most *squee* educing words on her blog ever. “I am also contracted to write the first two books in a new series featuring – you guessed it – Vlad as the hero.”OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!I swear, there was a small worldwide earthquake the day Jeaniene announced that caused by all the women who *squeed* upon hearing that news.For any of you read the Night Huntress series, you are well aware of whom Vlad is. Hard to miss him really. Jeaniene writes him as being the ‘real’ Vlad who inspired Dracula, but don’t remind him of this because he hates that. He’s nothing like the book’s version of ‘himself’ and he’s not impressed by it all either. Kind of funny actually. But what you have to know most of all about Vlad is that he is made of awesome…and he knows it.I LOVE his character. From the very first time I read him in the Night Huntress book, I fell. He’s this tough no-nonsense man who pretty much gets off on intimidating people, yet there is such compassion to him. He doesn’t let you see it often, but it’s there. You see it well in the Night Huntress books when he reaches out to Cat and you see it in Once Burned when he reaches out to Leila.I have to admit that I really wanted to dislike Leila. After all, she is going after Vlad and he’s mine. MINE! Er…I mean…yeah. Leila is not what I expected her to be. For some reason I assumed that Vlad’s ‘woman’ would be a no-nonsense chick who could smack him around a bit, but Leila is not like that. Leila is smart mouthed and very strong, but she’s not quite the warrior I pictured. And you know what? Screw the idea I had, Leila works better. She doesn’t take Vlad too seriously and she doesn’t take his ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude. Nor does she try to change him in any way. He tells her up front what to expect from him and she’s not delusional in expecting anything otherwise. And even though the end of the book didn’t end with a clean HEA, I think Leila is a great match and I am anxious to see how she breaks down his walls completely.Vlad has power over fire but he’s not the only one with fun abilities. Leila’s abilities are really neat. She can channel electricity and she can see an object’s owner’s past, present and future just by touching it. Because of her abilities, she hasn’t been able to touch anyone without shocking them – literally. This has left her very alone. You feel sad for her but I never felt pity for her because of how she handles it. It’s how her life has to be led so why dwell on it. Her attitude is awesome and I feel it makes you like her even more.The story in Once Burned is very interesting. Someone is trying to get to Vlad – what a surprise there, that he would have the ability to p*ss someone off to that extent *note sarcasm* – and Leila is taken by the bad guys to try and track him. Instead, she calls him for help and that’s what starts it all. There is some closure at the end of this book but there is still a lot to be answered and discovered. I would not call this a cliffhanger but you definitely want the next book to come out like…now, so you can get to all the juicy bits that you know are waiting for you.There is only one little part of this book that had me scratch my head and that was how Vlad encouraged Leila to ‘date’ Maximus, one of his men only to ‘take it back’ soon after. I felt bad for Maximus since he was pretty much set up to fail. He’s a nice guy, I really liked him. I found him sweet and sexy. I don’t quite get why that was done. But other than that little point that didn’t click with me, I loved loved loved this book.You do not have to read the Night Huntress books to enjoy Once Burned. You will, of course, know a little bit about Vlad if you do but he is very well explained in his book that you don’t miss much if you just jump straight to this one. And Leila isn’t introduced in the Night Huntress books at all so there no feeling lost when it comes to her either. That means even those who are not caught up with Cat & Bones’ books can enjoy Once Burned. And I really think you will.Jeaniene did not disappoint with this book. People, like me, who are crazy about Vlad and who had probably too high expectations for this book won’t be disappointed. He is still the arrogant jerk we love to lick and Leila really is a good match for him (damn it). A wonderful pairing in a captivating book set in an imaginative world. Once Burned is a wonderful paranormal romance read and a terrific beginning to a fun new series. I can’t wait for the next book.5 starsGiggle worthy quotes “If he wasn’t a dangerous vampire whose intentions toward me were still suspect, I’d have reveled in a smolderingly attractive man holding my hand. For the past decade, that had only happened in my dreams. With a flash of discomfiture, I remembered Vlad could hear my musings. A current slid into him, powered by my embarrassment. Instead of pretending that he hadn’t caught my thoughts, his mouth curled into a sly smile. ‘That one tickled. If electrocution is your way of flirting, I commend you on your originality.’” —– “’Leila, this is my friend and honorary sire, Mencheres, a his wife, Kira,’ he said, indicating the long-haired Middle Eastern man and the blonde. ‘Also let me introduce my friend, Cat.’ The redhead, and for some reason, she looked familiar. ‘Her husband Bones’ – here Vlad smiled coolly at the short-haired brunet – ‘is not my friend.’” —– “His lips twisted. ‘No. I can give you honesty, monogamy, and more passion that you can stand, but not love. That emotion died in me long ago, as I suspect you already know.’ I took a deep breath, fighting a twinge that made no sense because he was right. I had guessed that about him. ‘Good’, I replied in a steady voice. ‘I was worried that you’d turn into one of those obsessed, emo movie vampires, and that would be embarrassing for both of us.’”

Re-read with the UF crew at BB&B3.75 StarsVlad fans this one is for you.“I’m the only authentic Vlad. Everyone else is merely an envious imitation.”Vlad was one of my favorite characters from the Night Huntress series and in this book I don’t think he disappoints. JF did a great job of making Vlad completely likable while still impaling people who fail him on stakes. You could read this book without reading the Night Huntress Series but I think that it wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable.Leila has the unusual talent of generating and conducting electricity. This makes dating impossible when a mere touch can electrocute your date, even if ‘sparks flying’ is supposed to be a good thing. She can also see the past and the future when she touches objects and/or people. This has been the burden she has carried over the last ten years it also makes her a hot commodity once it is discovered.Someone is trying to ambush and kill Vlad and Leila has agreed to help him figure out who his enemy is. But sparks really do fly when they start spending time together. He is the first man able to touch her without dire consequences. Add to that he is deadly sexy and just admit it resistance is futile. “Vlad Tepesh, former voivode of Wallachia and the most arrogant, deadly, frightening man I’ve ever met.”His lips curled with disdainful amusement. “Compliments won’t sway me any more than the word please, Leila.”I enjoyed the pacing and getting to know Vlad a little better although I would have loved to see a few chapters from his POV. The sexy deadly vampire who lost his ability to love long ago, or did he? Still the story was engaging and there are a few pretty hot scenes thrown in for good measure. Definitely entertaining, even though Vlad and Leila are no Cat and Bones the dynamic is still strong. Here is hoping the next book in this series is just as fun.

It’s so good to be back in Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress World and it’s been a while – probably almost a year since the last Cat and Bones story and that was just a novella. I had to spend a few moments reacquainting myself with the rules. Can the vamps go out in the sun – yes unless they’re newbies. Does a wooden stake kill them – no. Do they sparkle in the sunshine – nope!It only took a few minutes with Vlad for it all to coming back but we’ll start with Leila.After touching a live power cable, Leila has been left scarred and with unusual abilities – she can channel electricity and, with a single touch, she can telepathically read people – things that were, things, that are and some things that have not yet come to pass. (Just had to get in a LOTR quote there!). She works as a carnie with her partner Marty, a dwarf vampire. After an accidental encounter in the street, Leila garners some unwanted publicity by saving a passer-by’s life after seeing a vision of her murder.Before she can say "Listen to them - the children of the night.” she is abducted by a gang of vamps hired by Vlad’s enemy in an attempt to coerce her into using her telepathic skills to locate him. She does and he can sense her instantly and they talk and he comes to her and what an entrance he makes - he explodes onto the scene like a Rock Star in a stadium. Be still my beating heart!Vlad takes her under his protection and takes her to his castle and their relationship begins. Vlad has centuries of hurt buried beneath that sardonic exterior and, even though he cares for Leila, he says he can never love her but Leila is falling in love with him. Vlad is very much the Vlad that we’ve known for several books – grimly mocking, stern, brusque, deadly and still in the impaling business if anyone crosses him. He rules his people with an iron fist but they respect him as well as fear him. Leila is a good partner for him – she’s fiercely loyal (something Vlad values above all else), brave and a little vulnerable. With her electric personality and Vlad’s fire-starting capabilities you’d expect their sex to be hot and they don’t disappoint, positively setting fire to the pages. Not quite the vaunted heights of Chapter 32 but almost!There’s a great host of secondary vamps and I developed a great fondness for Maximus and I do hope he finds love soon – as Vlad points out, he’s muscular, virile and single. With Shrapnel and Marty, there’s plenty to flesh out a whole series.Vlad’s enemies are closing in and there’s a very thrilling climax to the story when we get to see Vlad at his very most deadly – angered by the threat to Leila. After the big showdown, things are left very unresolved between Vlad and Leila and I think it pays to remember how we left Cat and Bones at the end of Halfway to the Grave and remember this is just the first of a series and that there is a long way to go yet – got to keep that sexual chemistry fizzing for the next one. Nice but short cameo from Cat & Bones and Mencheres & Kira with Bones antagonising Vlad, as ever. Vlad is described as resembling Aragorn in the novel but I think I found a vamp that better depicts him. So, a great beginning to the series – 4 star paranormal romance

"You're hot, big deal," I shot back, refusing to let his knowledge of my most intimate thoughts daunt me. "I'm attracted to a lot of hot guys. If Chris Hemsworth were here, I'd light him up like a firecracker with his fast I'd jump on him.""And that would kill him," Vlad noted.Oh wow!! Once again Jeaniene Frost has blown my mind!! While reading Once Burned I had the same euphoric feeling I had while reading Halfway To The Grave for the very first time. Although Bones and Vlad are completely different, right now I can easily say that Vlad has stolen my heart and Bones has some serious competition!! Once Burned is a spin-off series to The Night Huntress series, and now that I've read it I'm already eagerly anticipating the next installment. While luxuriating in this romantic story it was easy to imagine the arrogant and rightfully earned Vlad Tepesh looking as stunning as the cover model Paul Marron with his chiseled body and jaw dropping features. I'm in complete and unremorseful Fangirl mode about yet another well deserved fictional male character. "That one tickled. If electrocution is your way of flirting, I commend you on your originality." Meet Leila an outcast who also goes by the name Frankie.I absolutely adored Leila and I couldn't picture any other heroine playing her role. She's has had a dark and dreary past full of heartbreak and tragedy. What I admired most about Leila was that she embraced her nickname Frankie, shortened from Frankenstein and didn't let her disfigurement prevent her from living a fulfilling life of her choosing. Her freakishly horrific accident as a young girl occurred when she touched a downed power line that left her with a tragic yet awesomely cool disability. That disability came with consequences though because she is left scared and disfigured, yet still stunningly beautiful inside and outside. Not only must she avoid touching those she comes into contact with because she may electrocute them with her touch, but she also has the fascinating gift of psychometry. One of the most prolific character traits about Leila is that she doesn't allow her tragic past to dictate her future. She is strong willed, sassy and is determined not to live in fear of rejection or shame of her abilities that I found freakishly awesome. Wow, electrocuting an unsuspecting person with one touch, or reading another's past or future with one brief passing, how fascinating! Bones nodded. "Better, but still not slit-your-own-throat annoying. Come on, Leila. Do you want this or not?" "Perfect. Repeat that whenever Tepesh is around you, and he'll run screaming in no time." With the unforgiving gift of Psychometry, with one touch Leila can sense the persons most unforgivable sin, or regret or future and therefore she avoids contact with everyone she encounters at all cost, except her work partner Marty. Luckily Marty can withstand the electric shock much easier than the average human, well because he's not a human, he's a vampire. When Leila joined the circus as an entertainment act her partner given to her was Marty, and through their father daughter like relationship they truly have an endearing and charming family bond I enjoyed. Auburn Hair's name was Jackal, according to what his friends called him. Their names sounded equally made up, so I mentally referred to them as Pervert, Psycho, and Twitchy since the last one couldn't stay still.Shortly into Once Burned Leila is kidnapped by vampires looking to seek her services to destroy a powerful vampire and when she glimpses the brutal vampire they look to kill she finds herself frightened because whereas these men seemed scary they in no way can compare to the fire wielding merciless killer she viewed that smiled with glee while watching the death of another at his hands. Another shock Leila/Frankie discovers is that while using her gift of voyeurism Vlad senses she's watching him and when he demands to know her identify, she quickly must chose whether to trust the vampire who is as gorgeous as he is frightening or the relentless vampire kidnappers that are holding her hostage. "If you betray me with another man, I'll burn him to death in front of you." When Vlad first showed up in the Night Huntress series, I was instantly mesmerized by his character and when I heard he was starring in his own spin-off I was certain that I was going to get a charming, soft hearted loyal vampire. Hot Damn was I wrong!! The best thing about Once Burned is that Jeaniene Frost saves all his delicious and ALPHA glory for his Night Prince series. He's her best kept secret, even though I said that with Mencheres in his own book, but seriously Vlad has so much depth and character to him that it's almost like reading about an entirely different character. "It must be important or he wouldn't dare disturb me now," he murmured. Then he drew away to look at me. "if it's not, I'll kill him and return to you directly." He's ruthless and demands loyalty, he's possessive with what he deems "his", his witt kept me laughing while readung, his charm had me swooning his every word, his mysterious side left me yearning to know more about him, and his arrogance that made him such an ass has pushed me into full fangirl obsession mode with Vlad. Tepesh is simply intoxicating, and days later I'm still thinking about him washing his rock hard aroused body in a icy cold shower. Squuueeeeee! "Good, because I wouldn't enjoy killing you. Thus far you're not boring or irritating; a rarity. I also reward those loyal to me, Leila, but know this--you need not fear anyone else asking as your under my protection."From the moment I started reading it was difficult to put the book down because with every page I kept saying to myself one more chapter, but there wasn't even a chance to stop because the pace was exhilarating, exciting and I was eager to discovery the face behind the kidnapping. I enjoyed the setting in Romania at Vlad enormous compound with all his eccentric antiques and loyal staff, antiquated timepieces, and abundantly rich living arrangements. "We all belong to Vlad," he said, patting my knee in a comforting way.Maximus's gaze went from gray to bright green in an instant. "Not like she does, so remove your hand or I will remove it from your body. No one touches her except Vlad."Together with Leila's Psychometry help, Vlad and those loyal to him set out to discover the true identity and location of the person desiring to use Leila's gift to ultimately draw an unsuspecting Vlad out and kill him. But Vlad Tepesh is a brutal force to be recognize with because he's so powerful beyond other supernatural beings that he's not easily killed. Not only is he immune to Leila's electrical shock but he's also a mind reader, immune to fire, Telekinesis wielder and a Voracious warrior in and out of the boudoir.I shivered at the graze of his mouth and his seductively growled words. If he used that same tone of voice in bed, he could probably get away with skipping foreplay.He laughed. "I very much enjoy foreplay. Didn't your vision show you that?"Once Burned is a must read for fans of paranormal romance and especially Jeanine Frost fans!!! This book was amazing, and while this book has plenty of spark for romance lovers, the action scenes were flawless with plenty of flames erupting on the battle field as well as behind closed doors. Whereas Leila is sassy, brave and strong willed, Vlad is protective, masculine, Alpha and oozing sexual appeal. My only Dissapointment is that now I must wait for the next installment in the exhilarating romantic adventures of Vlad and Leila. Read this book immediately!!!!! I loved it. SHOUTY capitals!! "I've let few people touch me in friendship, fewer still as a lover, but none in anger without extracting my vengeance......yet you struck me, and I did nothing." His voice deepened. "If you don't find sufficient apology in that, then you don't know me at all."ARC provided for review courtesy of Avon My review can be found here: http://missvainsparanormalfantasy.com...