Review: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Title: Once Burned
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 26, 2012 
ISBN-10: 006178320X
ISBN-13: 978-0061783203
Source: Self Purchase
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She's a mortal with dark powers...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

He's the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames. (Goodreads)

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Review

I have loved everything I have read by Jeaniene Frost and Once Burned was no exception. I will admit that I wondered if this new series would be so much like the Night Huntress series that I would feel like I was rereading the same storyline. But, in Once Burned Jeaniene Frost has a fresh new story with many new characters that I now want to read more and more of.

Mmmmm… Vlad, I feel like I have been waiting for his story for forever. I have always loved what I got to see of him in the Night Huntress series and in Mencheres book, Eternal Kiss of Darkness. In all of my previous glimpses of Vlad he was normally around those he counted as friends. In Once Burned I got to see just how ruthless, dark, and cold Vlad could really be. I liked seeing just how dangerous this powerful vampire could be. There was no question from me how Vlad has survived for so long, or how he commands all his people. Vlad protects what is his with an iron…errr fiery fist.

“When someone threatens me or endangers a person under my protection, I make an example of him.

Vlad is one vampire I would never want to cross, but I would love to be under his protection… Um, or just under him. LOL

He is HOT in more ways than one!

Leila is someone who knows all to well how to be careful. Leila shocks anyone she touches, but her touch is not just some static electricity, if Leila is not careful her touch can kill. I loved Leila! My heart poured out for her. She has an awful accident when she is young and because of that she can’t touch people or be touched by them. I pretty sure I would have gone completely insane if I were her.

My chest tightened with an ache that was as familiar as it was useless. Yeah, Dean knew why fantasizing about my legs—or any other part of me—was pointless, and I’d long ago accepted that there were some things I’d never have.

See! Don’t you want to give Leila a hug…not that that would be easy or anything. I enjoyed seeing Leila’s character grow as Once Burned progressed.

Leila and Vlad’s romance…

Oh, this was so much fun to read! Even though Vlad is scary as all get out, Leila will not be pushed around by him. So what does Vlad do to prove a point to Leila? He opens up vampire dating season on her. Y’all it was hilarious. I really enjoyed watching Leila try so hard to not be interested in Vlad. She really did try to feel something for another vampire while Vlad allowed there to be an open season on her dating rights, but in the end her pull toward Vlad was just too strong. Well, in all honesty I never expected anything else--He produces fire, she electricity…It kind of makes sense. That and the fact that they drive each other just crazy enough that as I was reading all I could think was HURRY UP AND GET TOGETHER!!!

“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.”  

Oh so hot, and the ability to back up all that arrogance! Why do I love that so much?

The supporting cast…

I love it when an author makes their supporting characters just as interesting as the lead characters. Jeaniene Frost is so good at this! Leila has been away from her family for some time, but she has found a stand-in father with Marty, a vampire who has been looking out for her for years. I loved Marty. He thinks of Leila as the daughter he lost and does everything he can to protect her. I want him to have awesome things happen to him in the future. I also want Vlad to start being nice to him. Another character I am wanting to see more of in future books is Maximus. Maximus has it bad for Leila. He was so sweet to her on their date, that of course didn’t go anywhere because she really does want Vlad, but I just can’t get enough of Maximus. I want to know more about him. I think he and Leila will end up being very close frinds, as long as Vlad doesn’t kill him for looking at Leila.

If you haven't read any of Jeaniene Frost’s other books you would be fine to start with this series and not be lost. Though I do recommend all her other work as well. If you like paranormal romance at all get your hands on this book. It is so good!!!

Happy Reading,

Awesome! Reread worthy.

Recommended For

Adults: For language, sex scenes, and violence.