Smash & Mel review Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

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.

Smash: HEY MEL! I’m so happy we’re able to do this review together. We are sure to swoon our faces off, I’m sure.
Mel: I’m thrilled to be here. You know how much I lurve me some Vlad, so this could get a little gushy. *grins*

Smash: You made me laugh when you said you were taking the day off work to immerse yourself in his fine behind.
Mel: It was Vlad Day, baby.  His royal hotness must be celebrated.

Smash: Was it worth it?
Mel: I didn’t get to take the whole day off but I did stay up half the night finishing it and it was worth it!! Who needs sleep when you have a smokin’ hot Romanian?

Smash: Oh lawdie, yes! My first question for you is: Did you know it was going to be from Leila’s POV, and if not, were you surprised? Unhappy?
Mel: No, I didn’t know it was going to be from her POV and I was a bit confused, at first.  Once I got into it, I was happy because we got glimpses of him and I felt that was more important.

Smash: Agreed. I was kinda pissed at first. I thought, maybe she is going to do one chapter from Leila’s POV, one chapter from Vlad’s…but once I got into the story, I was way more happy to experience Vlad from her POV. I don’t think it would have been the same in his head all the time.
Mel: I agree with that.  I think seeing his past from her was more moving, I guess you could, say since she literally felt his pain and his sins.  As much as I wanted to hate her for stealing my man, she was really frakkin cool.

Smash: Her powers were interesting. I love a good psychometrist and was pleasantly surprised at how JF wrote those scenes. It was very personal and intense when Leila had visions.
Mel: Im gonna go all geek girl here (cause I am) and mention that I loved her electro ability.  It really reminded me of Gwen from Angel.  I always wanted to be able to do that.  It’s neato and different.  It’s not often you get elctro girl.  And a carnie?  What’s not to love?

Smash: Ha! Angel! *swoon* Yes, I think her abilities were cool. I find the story of her obtaining the abilities a tad odd, but hey, if you are going to live through that experience, you damn sure should get something out of it. Not sure Leila thought that way though. Not too happy about her abilities, that is, until Vlad proved to her how useful she could be.
Mel: Plus there’s the smexy time he had to offer….

“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.”

Smash: LOL! You totally just jumped right into that. I like your style.
Mel: It’s Vlad and the GMS just takes over.  What can I say?  I can’t help it, yo.

Smash: Were you as impressed with Chapter 36 as I was? I mean, honestly. I think I had sweat around the collar.
Mel: Let’s just say after our Twitter banter, I was looking forward to it and while reading it, I kinda needed a shower but more of the cold variety.

Smash: *snort* Truer words have never been spoken. I loved that Vlad was also pretty selective with whom he shared his body. All that time to sex it up and homeslice is picky and doesn’t screw everything that moves.
Mel: I really liked it.  Not that I didn’t respect him before but after reading that, I totally swooned like a lovesick teenager.

“My body is the only thing that’s truly mine, so I don’t give it away as though it’s worthless.”

Smash: Vlad commands the respect, yo.
Mel: Yes, yes he does.  Plus, all those jabs at Bones about being a whore were kinda funnier since Vlad was selective with his lovers and Cat made all the vamps out to be pervy freaks.

Smash: Ahhh. I was glad that Cat & Bones, Mencheres & Kira had a cameo.
Mel: I was glad they stopped by but it was sooooo brief. I almost felt like she threw them in just to have them.  Bones was funny and gave Leila great advice though.  Always has to stick it to the Bloody Showhound.

Smash: Ha. I agree with you about their brief visit and never really thought about it until now. Maybe JF thought they needed a cameo to please the adoring, maniacal fans?
Mel: I lurve me some Cat & Bones but honestly, it was all about Vlad, for me.

Smash: As it always has been for me. Ever since that Romanian uttered his first words. It was love at first snark.
Mel: For me too, and then the speech he gave Cat on the cliff.  It always stuck with me.  It’s just so damn true.  I actually plan to have those words tattooed on me one of these days.

Smash: Very powerful and poignant, indeed. Now, I have another question for you. This is a good one: Do you think Vlad likes to be called the Impaler? *waggles eyebrows*
Mel: He could impale me. *grins*  Actually, I think he wears it with pride.  He does torture keep his guys in line that way.  I found that funny but I’m a little sick and twisted.

Smash: You truly are kick ass. I love me a sick and twisted individual. I found it interesting and emotional to watch those scenes from Leila’s POV. She was totally shocked and horrified by some of his behavior.
Mel: She was but I think that’s what made it so powerful.  She could see into his soul.  See all of his evil deeds and yet, she still fell in love with him.  That’s powerful stuff, yo.

“We are all more than the sum of our sins,”

Smash: Or powerful sex. Probably both.
Mel: Definitely both.

Smash: I am a tad sad that we didn’t get more snark. He was definitely hella serious during this book. However, I began to enjoy those times where his personality shined because they were so perfectly placed. They hit the spot.
Mel: I enjoyed seeing him in that light.  The only real kindness we ever saw in him was with Cat, so I knew that when he actually found someone he was interested in (more than friendship), that it would be intense.

Smash: Vlads’ technophobia had me giggle profusely! He is definitely a product of older times.
Mel: I found it funny too because Mencheres is older than dirt and he seems to embrace it all.  It’s those little quirks that give these characters such life.

“Good. If you checked your e-mail every five minutes, or keep texting and Tweeting in the middle of our conversation, I might snap your neck out of sheer principle.” 

Smash: Ha. You just made me think of Mencheres talking in slang. LOLs for days, people.
Mel: “The shit’s gonna splatter.  Start buggin, yo.”

Smash:  hahahaaaaaaa. Woooo. Great personalities, all around. Ok. Any other thoughts on Vlad, Leila or the story?
Mel: I personally like that the story ended the way it did and that if was so open for more.  It was kinda like when Halfway to the Grave ended.  You had no idea what was gonna happen but you knew you had to keep reading.  I need more Vlad and Leila and I really wanna know what’s up with her….

Smash: I think Leila is going to provide some very interesting storyline in the future. She surprised me with her wit and humor and rawness. I enjoyed her character far more than I expected.
Mel: I did too, and Marty.  How frakkin great was he?  I hope we get more of him in Twice Tempted.

Smash: Marty! He definitely looked out for Leila. I think he is going to be around for more entertainment.
Mel: That would rock.  I just hate having to wait cause I’m not the most patient person in the world and well, I lurve that fire-wielding Romanian.

Smash: OH! You just made me think of something. I can’t say, because it would spoil, but were you surprised at how well they meshed, physically?
Mel: I thought it was kinda hot.  Well, really hot.  She needed him and I think it was the difference and vulnerability in her that just sucked him in.

Smash: Damn men always go for innocence and vulnerability. Remember that, ladies!
Mel: I can fake innocence and vulnerability with the best of em. *grins*

Smash: LOL. You don’t fool me. Well, maybe you do…HEY! Ok. Chapter 36 was BOSS. Vlad was serious but we still get snark and some great vulnerability and back story, and Leila was a great surprise. That about sums it up for me.
Mel: I’m still not thrilled she ganked my man, but she’s awesome so I’ll let it go.  For now.

Smash: And that, ladies, is the beginning to Vlad and Leila’s interesting, hot, engaging and entertaining relationship…

Favorite Quotes

Mel:

“I was worried that you’d turn into one of those obsessed, emo movie vampies, and that would be embarassing for both of us.”

Smash:

“Don’t. I’m all sweaty and bloody,” I protested.
“Heavens, not sweat and blood,” he replied mockingly.
I managed to smile. “Smartass vampire.”

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