Review: Bound by Flames by Jeaniene Frost

Title: Bound by Flames
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Prince, #3
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Pages: 342
Rating:

Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…

“You aren’t just my weakness, Leila.” Vlad drew me next to him, one hand sliding along my jaw while the other caressed my back. “You are my destruction, because if I were to lose you, it would finish me.” 

I couldn't write my fabulous review without spoilers, so be warned. I swear the books in the Night Prince Series get better and better with every book. I am highly impressed. BOUND BY FLAMES has got to be my favorite in the series and at this point I am so glad that Frost decided to extend the series to one more book. Frost, let me tell you, just keep writing more, because you're doing awesome with the the World of the Night Huntress. I could definitely do with another book on Mencheres and Spade.

In BOUND BY FLAMES, Leila and Vlad and still on the hunt to find Szilagyi. Vlad finds out early on that Leila had been careless and reckless at one point to the hunt for Szilagyi and decides to permanently remove her from the situation, which enrages Leila. But eventually make up and finds themselves face to face with Szilagyi in the end only to find they have maybe an even greater threat than Szilagyi.

Compromise Lesson One: Pull a dick move, and your dick gets denied. Every woman knew that, and now, so did the vampire sitting next to me. 

Like I said before this BOUND BY FLAMES was so freaking awesome. We have Vlad trying to protect Leila for her own good and her being angered by what he did. I understand both sides, but once Leila hears Vlad's side of things, she understands and forgives him. Awwwww. Vlad can be quite the romantic vampire. I just love how much he loves her and is willing to endure her anger and hatred if it means she is alive.

At one point Leila gets kidnapped yet again, Surprise Surprise!, and had to undergo the ultimate torture. I have to say, the torture really got me, it was sickening to read, it was like I had to close my eyes like I was actually watching it. And, (view spoiler) Szilagyi is one sick fuck! And another thing too, all of this was being video taped and sent to Vlad. Thank god, Vlad reaches Vlad in the end and a bunch of awesome shit goes down. Like I said, great book and looking forward to the conclusion to the, Night Prince Series.

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Review: Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

Title: Twice Tempted
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Prince, #2
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: March 26, 2012
Pages: 360
Rating:

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

“I never turned any of my previous lovers because I didn’t want them to feel how little I cared. You I loved, yet you left me because I wouldn’t verbalize my emotions. That will probably happen again, but if you could feel what you mean to me, Leila” —his voice deepened— “words wouldn’t matter.” 

I absolutely loved TWICE TEMPTED. I loved it even more than the first in the Night Prince Series, Once Burned. I think I just liked the plot more this time and I enjoyed it 10X MORE!. I am at this point wishing Mencheres & Spade had a second book! You'll quickly become addicted to Vlad and totally glad that you are!

“Vlad made a sound too harsh to be a growl. "You won't be satisfied until you've brought me to my knees, is that it?" "Why not?" It shot out of me with all the recklessness of my still-broken heart. "You brought me to mine.” 

Vlad was amazing as usual and I just love that man! I love my Alpha men the most for the most swoon worthy quotes the sputter from their mouths and I seen Vlad in a different light in this book. He truly shows that he ultimately cares and loves Leila. I was like so what if those three little words don't pop out of Vlad's mouth, how can she not know that he loves and cares for her. I believe actions can show you better than words sometimes. But I understand Leila wanting more.

I let out a scoff. “I’m not trying to fight his enemies for him.” “In his eyes you are, and worse, you’re ready to die to do it.”

Leila mostly annoyed me in this book and I think she did a little bit in the last book as well, I just can't remember. She's human and she puts herself in danger all the time. There were few times where she could've avoided the danger, but she does it anyway. I know it the way of many heroines, but it just bothered me more with her. Maybe because she seemed so needy and stubborn at times that I kind of became fed up with it all.

“You’ve never had angry sex. I’m about to show you what you’ve been missing.”

Vlad and Leila as a couple, OMFG! Spark Fly! I loved everything! Things happened in TWICE TEMPTED that I didn't even think were going to happen in this book or possibly not at all. Leila being kidnapped again? Ooooohhhh! BIG SHOCKER! I mean, really! She was kidnapped?! GASP! Vlad offered Leila a lot of things in this book that should make her feel like his queen! And we got to see Vlad and his reasoning for the one thing Leila wants from his lips.

“Fourteen hundred and thirty-one.” I blinked. “What’s that?” “The year I was born, which is not, as you’ll note, yesterday.” I stifled a groan. Busted already.

TWICE TEMPTED ended like out of nowhere and I really think that is something Jeaniene Frost NEEDS to work on. Her endings of her books. Possibly include an Epilogue, I don't know. It was like where's the rest?! Anyway, I'm happy because at the end includes an excerpt for the next Cat and Bones book, SQWEEEEEE! And I'm freaking excited!

“Yeah, well, Bones and I had a couple months of relative quiet. Guess it’s time to liven things up again.”

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Review: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Title: Once Burned
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Prince, #1
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Pages: 346
Rating:

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.

"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."

I feel like I have been waiting for ONCE BURNED forever. I mean this is Vlad's book, so it's a MUST that it just has to be out of this world amazing, right? We first met Vlad in the Night Huntress Series and it was instant love from there on out! Unfortunately, Vlad's book didn't hold up to my expectations too much! Don't get me wrong it was still great, but I was hoping it would be as great if not better than the first Night Huntress book, have the same vibe, but it wasn't.

“Why would I seek to break your heart?”
“Because you can be a merciless bastard at times,” I answered honestly.
A smile flitted across his lips. “True, but I want you with me.” 

I liked Lelia as the heroine! She has had a hard life and has had heartbreak time and time again. She had this accident a long time ago and now and cannot really touch anyone because anyone who comes within contact of her she can electrocute them with her touch. And if she touches an object she is able to read/see the person's past. Which I believe is called psychometry. Leila is not as bad-ass as Cat is of course, but in her attitude she is. She is very strong-willed too, which I love. There were parts where I wanted her to give in to Vlad so bad!

“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.” 

I loved Vlad! How could I not! Vlad is very alpha to me and I Just love it! I especially loved his scenes with Lelia! They were so cute together! I couldn't get enough. Vlad is ruthless and can sometimes be cruel which Leila has a big problem with, but I think he is perfect for her! I did feel with ONCE BURNED something to Vlad was missing that caused me to not like the book that much and I think it was that sarcastic attitude Vlad has every time Bones shows up and makes you laugh, that was it! I missed that! And it felt like a big missing piece! I felt like my favorite part was when Bones showed up because we got that!

I loved the first half of the book and I think it was because we were meeting everyone and we get to watch Vlad trying to seduce Leila and I think I Just liked it when they were stuck in Vlad's castle in Romania! The second half of the book was very flat for me. I was bored. I kept putting down the book. I really think that I had such high expectations for ONCE BURNED that it fell flat for me. I still liked the book, I just didn't love as much as I felt I should've.

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Review: One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

Title: One Grave at a Time
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress, #6
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Pages: 384
Rating:

The grave is one wrong step away. 

Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving--leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit. 

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But how do you kill a killer who's already long dead?

ONE GRAVE AT A TIME was everything and more after my slight disappointment with the last book. I think I didn't realize how much I actually missed Cat and Bones until I started reading this book and then my love came back blasting in at full speed. Cat and Bones are back again this time are trying to capture a bad guy who is already dead and the question that arises is how are you suppose to kill someone that is already dead.

ONE GRAVE AT A TIME is more filled with action then romance if you ask me, so if you're hoping for some sexy Cat and Bones time then you may be slightly disappointed. I wasn't because the story kept me turning the pages faster than ever. I was so into the story that I couldn't stop.

"Before we met, I'd fly for hours to clear my head," Bones said, his voice reaching me even over the rush of wind. "It was the closest I came to finding peace, but though several of my mates could fly, I always went alone. I never wanted to share this with anyone until you."

I just love the relationships in the Night Huntress Series so much. I think each and every character in this series has brought a smile upon my face one time or another. Even though there is not that much Cat and Bones sexy time, we still get a few tender moments between them that I loved. Also my heart broke for Spade and Denise for what they endured which makes me love their relationship even more and Ian? Oh, sweet sex-fulfilled Ian.

"You're shagging a woman who can turn into a dragon? Blast you, Charles, I am sick with envy!" "Not now." Spade muttered.  

We have more Ian this time around and I have to tell you I love him. Every time he opened his mouth I couldn't help but put this huge wicked grin on my face.  He. is. HILARIOUS! I also have a new favorite character that is somewhat hot for all of our favorite master vamps. You will love this character that brings more humor and giggles to the book.

Was this my favorite Night Huntress book? No, but I loved it just as much as the other books. Pick up this book Night Huntress fans, you will love  ONE GRAVE AT A TIME and if you haven't picked them up yet then what the hell are you waiting for?

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Review: This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Title: This Side of the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress, #5
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 22, 2010
Pages: 357
Rating:

Danger waits on both sides of the grave. 

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

I honestly feel like I have been waiting years and years and years for the fifth Cat and Bones book to come out. I mean they are one of the most talked about couples in the Urban Fantasy Genre, but THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE was not as exciting as I thought it would be.

There are quite a few mixed reviews out there for this book. I have been waiting forever to see what will happen next for Cat and Bones only to find the book not as entertaining as the other ones, don't get me wrong it was still good, but not as good as the other ones. I felt like this book could have been better. And one thing preventing me from giving THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE 4 stars was that I didn't see that spark/sexual tension between Cat and Bones. It was like one of those book when the couple gets together and the book continues on about their relationship and it is boring to read about that couple. NO! I am not suppose to feel that way!

I am mad that I feel that way. I don't know if maybe I hadn't read the other book in so long that I just could not feel for this book. Maybe that's it. Part of me thinks that maybe it's because Cat and Bones didn't really have a big obstacle to their love. Like in the previous book it was Cat's insecurity and the whole Bones eventually turning Cat into a vampire/has to protect him from Don/Tate's jealousy/Cat's father/Ian stuff in book 2/Gregor. We had all that and now we didn't really have an obstacle for this couple in this book. I never felt like Cat was in any real danger in this book also. Also the rumored Chapter 21 in this book to me doesn't even compare to One Foot in the Grave's Chapter 32, my opinion anyway.

Even though there were some things I didn't like, come on how could I not like some things in a Cat and Bones book. This book still had the humor from the previous books. Oh, Vlad. I love you. I am so glad to see some of my favorite characters back. We also got Spade and Menchere's lovers in this book which was awesome. So read First Drop of Crimson (Spade) and Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Mencheres) books. Although we did get some Cat and Bones moments I didn't feel like I had one that I really liked like in the other books. And we get to hear about the first half vampire, total shocker.

Timmie gave Bones and me a speculative glance. “Before we go, I gotta know: If mind-reading abilities are real, there’s something else I wondered if fiction got right about vampires–” “Ask me if I sparkle and I’ll kill you where you stand,” Bones cut him off with utmost seriousness."

OMG. Tate and Justine redeem themselves. Okay. Justine I understand, but Tate. I think he gave into the Cat's never going to want me thing way too soon. Maybe recent events caused him to have a change of heart. I really actually loved Tate always going after Cat. If there was no Bones, he would be perfect for her. We do have a moment in this book where a character we may have come to love dies. And yes, it made me tear up quite a bit. I love like all of the Night Huntress characters and have a place in my heart for each of them so I couldn't help tearing up.

All in all this was my least favorite book of the series and it actually really tears my apart to give a Cat and Bones book 3 stars. I hope this doesn't happen again though. I am nervous about the next book, One Grave at a Time. I am curious about how the sixth book will play out, what will happen and all of that. I have theories after this book that I would love to share if we feel like chatting.

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