Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages: 346
Source: Library Loan
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Review Date: September 7, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Book Synopsis: 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...
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.
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages: 346
Source: Library Loan
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Review Date: September 7, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Book Synopsis: 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...
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.
I really enjoyed this book. Of course the cover caught my attention first...but the summary really sealed the deal. I've really been in to PNR and UF genres for a while now, so of course I had to check it out. The synopsis seemed promising and it delivered.
First let me point out what's probably obvious! Vlad is one sexy bad ass vampire. I rarely drool over male characters, but he has the drool factor for real! Even with all his hotness, he has a lot of issues. I mean seriously, the man impales people... tortures people all in the name of due diligence! He is very old, so that probably plays into his no nonsense and mean persona. That also lends as to why he's so controlling with everything, including Leila.
Leila was the perfect counter weight to Vlad. He's so off the wall, his significant other must be not only smart and witty but also strong willed and can stand up to him. Leila is able to do just that. I really liked that Leila was not just your ordinary human. Her abilities probably are what make her more of an match with Vlad. She can protect and take care of herself and the people she cares about. I like that. As I always say, I like strong female characters. To me, nothing is worse than reading about a little helpless woman.
I also like that the story had many layers. We see that both Vlad and Leila have had a rough past and that contributes to them being who they are today. Leila and her accident, her family and other guilt issues. And Vlad with his constant state of being un-trusting because of how many times others have tried to kill him.
My one gripe would be the ending. I feel that it was sort of "blah". It was obviously left open ended for the next book but nothing had closure. Usually at least one story line is concluded, while another story lines continue on. Not in this case. It kind of felt like it was just abruptly cut off. Not only that, there was no real cliff hanger.
Despite the ending, I'm looking forward to the follow up Night Prince Series book due out in spring 2013. In the mean time, I've noticed Ms.Frost's other series, Night Huntress, and I'm definitely adding those books to my TBR list!
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“That one tickled. If electrocution is your way of flirting, I commend you on your originality.”
“No, I do my torturing in the dungeon like any other respectable castle owner,”
“My body is the only thing that’s truly mine, so I don’t give it away as though it’s worthless.”
“We are all more than the sum of our sins,”
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
Get the Kindle version here: Once Burned: A Night Prince Novel
