Showing posts with label Jeaniene Frost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeaniene Frost. Show all posts

Review // Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

January 29, 2022

Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

“Only fools pity survivors their scars and you should never kowtow to fools.” - Vlad

────── ♔ ──────


Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost


Night Prince #2
Release - March 26, 2013
Genre - Paranormal Romance / vamps
Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library / I own a copy
Length - 389 pages
Publisher - Avon


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.

My Two Cents

3 "I don't know which torture is worse... Leila or what Vlad can do in his dungeon?" stars

Vlad's worst enemy might be dead so it's safe for him and Leila to really be together. Or not. Leila runs away, drama ensues, they get back together, powerful enemies are still on the prowl, betrayal hits close to home, and Leila can't act like a grown up even once.

I'm saying it again... I really don't like single perspective stories. Especially when they come from a character like Leila. I guess I'm supposed to like her. She's the light to Vlad's darkness, her innocence versus his jadedness and blah di blah blah. But I couldn't get over how childish she was. She was like every bad cheerleader stereotype without being a cheerleader. She couldn't decide who she was much less what she was supposed to do or feel. Love... this lady didn't have a clue. Every time she was horrified or appalled by something Vlad did or said, I had to ask myself "This chick realizes he's VLAD THE IMPALER, right?!"

I was going to quit while I was ahead, but for some reason I kept reading this book. The author's writing keeps making me want to continue, then I get stuck with all that is Leila, and not even my craven curiousity for Vlad makes it a pleasant experience. I wish I could get inside his head. Maybe that would make me want to read further, but this is probably the end for me. If Leila isn't leading on Vlad's best friend, she's trying to turn Vlad into a pussy, a real punk bitch, and I'm just not here for that. I don't need to read romance that serves to try to emasculate its alpha hero.

Why couldn't Leila be a better character? Why did she have to ruin everything for me? Gosh, if she was a fraction of all that's awesome about Veritas, I'd be okay. Sadly, she's not. I'm hoping Cat in the Night Huntress series is better. Please tell me it's better. Please tell me it's dual pov. And if it's not, please tell me that I'll enjoy it anyway.

Excerpt

I searched for one online, but I'm just going to put down some bits. Maybe you can see why I can't stand Leila...

"You're with Maximus." A statement, not a question.
I shrugged even though he couldn't see it. "That's none of your business."
Flames appeared, crawling up from his hands to his upper arms. "Oh, but it is."
Then his eyes opened and he sat up, looking around as if to pinpoint my location. I waved my hand back and forth, pleased when he didn't so much as glance in my direction. Vlad always seemed to know where I was before when I spied on him, further proof that none of this was real.
"It ceased to become your business when you walked away from us without a backward glance," I said, relishing the chance to unload some hurt. Thank you, subconsious!
"I walked away?" His snort managed to be both contemptuous and elegant. "I offered you everything, yet you spurned it all. I've had enemies be less merciless in their dealings."
I grabbed his shoulders but my hands went right through. So much for shaking some sense into him!
"Me merciless? All I wanted was for you to love me, but according to you, THAT was asking too much."
Those flames extinguised. Good. I didn't want to dream about him accidentally blowing up his plane.
"Words." His tone sharpened. "I shared my house, my bed, and my blood with you, as well as offered you a place in my life forever. What are words compared to that?"

I HATE LEILA SO MUCH!!

---------------------------------------------


"You've proven to be the exception to my rules."
Those burning lips made the cool pressure of his fangs feel that much more erotic. Still, a deep-seated hurt overrode the passion slamming into me.
"Not all of your rules."
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."
He released me so abruptly I had to use the couch to steady myself. Without his body against mine, I felt cold despite the pleasant warmth of the room.
"I told you that you can't have it both ways, and that's true for us as well."
Did I miss something? "What are you talking about?"
"I'm Vlad the Impaler," he said, biting off each word. "I've survived for over five hundred years because if someone crosses me, I kill him, and if I am betrayed, I exact my revenge. I told you this when we met, yet you're still upset when I act on it."
"Oh, you don't have to remind me how merciless you are," I said, bitterness leaping to the surface.
"Obviously I do," he replied. Then he cupped my face with hands so heated they felt like brands.
"You claim to love me, but the man you love doesn't exist. That man wouldn't have survived years of beatings and rape as a boy because sheer hatred kept him from breaking. That man wouldn't have impaled twenty thousand prisoners to terrorize a larger advancing army because fear was the only tactical advantage he had, and that man wouldn't have imprisoned one of his closest friends for lying to him over a woman he was enamored with. I am not that man."
His hands dropped and he stepped back, his expression still frighteningly intense.
"You see, you don't want me to love you. You want the version you've made up. The knight, even though I'm the dragon and I always will be."

OMG I really can't stand this chick. She's in her first relationshp and thinks everything should go the way she wants. This male has lived HUNDREDS of years, most of them as an immortal, and she wants him to act like a human. Actually, even most human men wouldn't abruptly become the person she wants them to be. She plays way too many games and I don't have time for them.


About the Author

Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information

Review // Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

January 27, 2022

Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

“People frequently bore me, sometimes amuse me, most often irritate me, but rarely intrigue me.” - Vlad

────── ♔ ──────


Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost


Night Prince #1
Release - June 26, 2012
Genre - Paranormal Romance / vamps
Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library / I own a copy
Length - 223 pages
Publisher - Avon


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.

My Two Cents

3.5 "Not sure what y'all are talking about" stars

I was very interested in reading Vlad's story after meeting him in the Night Rebel trilogy. I wanted to know more about the firestarter who was also fireproof. And I'm so glad I got to read this book because not only was he cold, deadly, and extremely hard to kill, he was someone who had really lived, suffered, and survived.

However, I couldn't really get into this story because of Leila. She was a hard pill to swallow. While reading this book, I kept thinking about all the people who told me that I would love Vlad's story more than Ian's. You were wrong! Leila was no Veritas. There's just no comparison. And we all know how much I absolutely hate single perspective stories, but they're easier to enjoy if I enjoy the voice telling the story. I didn't enjoy Leila's voice.

Here's the thing... single perspectives are like listening to someone tell you a long story in a monotone. There's no inflection, no variety, no excitement. At least most of the time. That's what Leila's voice was like. A solid hum that I wanted to silence so badly!

Even Leila's 'super powers' didn't give me enough. She was delusional, irrational, immature, and I hate saying this... but she was unworthy of someone like Vlad. It also didn't help that I felt absolutely no chemistry between them.

I wish I could get Vlad's side. It would make such a difference. And since the bad guy wasn't caught in this book, I'll be reading the next one, hoping beyond hope that I'll get something different.

Excerpt


About the Author

Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information

Review // Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

January 21, 2022

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

“Are you incapable of being afraid?” I asked with admiring exasperation.

“No.” Now his tone was clipped. “When you vanished with Phanes, and every prophetic feeling I had screamed that you’d die if I didn’t find you, I was terrified.”

────── ♔ ──────


Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost


Night Rebel #3
Release - February 23, 2021
Genre - Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / vamps, demons, lesser gods
Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / one real scene
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library
Length - 364 pages
Publisher - Avon


Set in the Night Huntress World, ancient deities are poised to wreck havoc, unless vampires Veritas and Ian can stop them!

A gift from the gods…

Veritas and Ian have finally defeated their worst enemy, but the power it took to pierce through to the netherworld has unexpected consequences. Soon, Veritas is forced to rely on the last person she trusts—a golden deity named Phanes, who seeks far more than a temporary alliance with the beautiful vampire.

Can unleash hell…

But an escape from the netherworld soon pits Veritas and Ian against supernatural beings seeking to rule over mortals once again. Now, they must rally friends and foes alike—if the vampire council doesn’t execute Veritas first. Plus, a wedge between Veritas and Ian threatens to destroy their love. Can they stand together against the unearthly powers about to be unleashed? Or does their love—and humanity—not stand a chance?

My Two Cents

4 "Not the ending I was hoping for" stars

I don't think I have to tell you how much I've enjoyed the three books that make up the epic love that existed between Ian and Veritas. I don't have to... but I will!

At the end of the last book, Ian and Veritas finally took down the baddest of the bad. At least as far as they knew. No one (not even I) could guess that things could get so much worse. I'm talking the apocalypse is coming worse.

A self-important, arrogant, evil, and kinda had to go demon was bad enough. Having to hide her true nature was bad enough. Worrying about losing Ian was bad enough. But when Veritas unwittingly lets free three lesser known gods to wreak havoc on the world... yeah, no one was prepared for that.

So I loved these books. I loved Ian. I loved Veritas. I loved their friends and family. I loved the plots. I love the worlds that were created. I loved the author's words. I'm just really feeling the love right now. And while I didn't exactly love the way this particular book ended (I'm greedy and needed more of a happy ending), I'm in love so it doesn't change a thing.

I'm in love with the lengths Ian and Veritas would go to keep each other safe. Their love is everything in these stories, even if the plot is what takes up most of the space. It's their feelings, their emotions, the fact that they were each other's first... THAT'S what kept me going.

And don't even get me started on the side characters. I'm told most of them had their stories told already and I cannot wait to dive into them! Can someone tell me if there will be more for V's brother, Ashael? I want to see him again and again and again. I also hope this isn't the last time I see Ian and Veritas. They need to make several appearances in the future. And please... someone please... can we get a petition started for their dad's story? I'm intrigued by this male. Seriously, I'm desperate for him to get a story. The way he talked about how their kind loves... yeah, I need all of that.

Excerpt

Two hard knocks on the door woke me. I hadn’t intended to fall asleep after Ian made good on his promise to fuck me into a state of temporary muteness, but I had. Then again, I’d done a lot of things I hadn’t intended to do over the past two days. What was that saying about making the gods laugh? All you had to do was tell them your plans?

“Sod off, whoever you are,” Ian said without opening his eyes.

The door burst open in a shower of wood, revealing Cat.

Ian cursed as he leapt up from the bed. “Really, Reaper? Kicking the door in? This isn’t even your house.”

“I know, but this news is important and I drew the short straw, so I’m here and Spade isn’t,” Cat replied, looking anywhere except at Ian. “Figured it was the best time to interrupt since the horses finally quit stomping up their stalls from all the racket. Unless that banging around was you two and not the horses? Wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”

I got out of bed, too. Now Cat was almost staring at the ceiling to avoid looking at our nakedness. How silly.

“We don’t have anything you haven’t seen before,” I said before adding dryly, “even if I am Death’s direct descendant.”

“It’s not you,” Cat said, her strained tone proving that, if she were human, she’d be blushing. “It’s his, um…you know.”

“You barged in for a reason, so spare us your Puritan modesty and get to it,” Ian said impatiently. “Besides, you must have seen a cock piercing before, and if you haven’t, Crispin owes you an apology for being such an unimaginative lover.”

“Fine, let’s get this over with,” Cat muttered, and dropped her gaze below Ian’s waist.

“Wow,” she said after a stunned moment. “Really jammed that thing right in there, didn’t you?” Then, her head tilted to the side. “Is that one single bar straight through the tip? Or are there two different piercings on either side-?”

“Focus, Reaper,” Ian interrupted.

“Right,” Cat said, shaking her head as if to clear it. “What did I come in here for again? Oh, yeah. We’re all in deep shit.”

About the Author

Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information

Review // Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost

January 19, 2022

Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost

“Whether you’re Veritas the Law Guardian, Ariel the vampire-witch, or Death’s scary demigod daughter. Doesn’t matter. In all your forms, in every manifestation of yourself, I love you.” ~ Ian

────── ♔ ──────


Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost

Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost


Night Rebel #2
Release - January 28, 2020
Genre - Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / vamps, demons, demigods
Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / one real scene
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library
Length - 387 pages
Publisher - Avon


Some promises are meant to be broken...

Veritas spent most of her life as a vampire Law Guardian. Now, she's about to break every rule by secretly hunting down the dark souls that were freed in order to save Ian. But the risks are high. For if she gets caught, she could lose her job. And catching the sinister creatures might cost Veritas her own life.

Some vows are forever...

Ian's memories might be fragmented, but this master vampire isn't about to be left behind by the woman who entranced him, bound herself to him, and then disappeared. So what if demons, other Law Guardians, and dangerous, otherworldly forces stand against them? Come hell or high water, Ian intends to remind Veritas of the burning passion between them, because she is the only person seared on his mind--and his soul...

My Two Cents

5 "I laugh in the face of danger" stars

I'm starting off by saying that this series is AMAZING!! Seriously, if and when you meet Ian, you'll be so freaking thrilled. Add Veritas to the mix... non-stop excitement!

Seriously, if you haven't started this series yet, why not? What is stopping you???

While I'd love nothing more than to tell you everything that popped off in this book, to tell you all of the things I loved, I can't. No spoilers, right?

So here are some of my favorite things...

🪄 Ian, of course. This vampire is a constant surprise. His sarcasm, his wit, his charm, his fearlessness, his bravery, his honor, his passion... what is there not to love?
🪄 Veritas was also catching me off guard. When we left off, she sacrificed her own happiness for Ian's. Could her heart be any more true? And then when he does whatever it takes, pissing people off along the way, how was she supposed to resist him? And then her powers? Only gets better. Oh and her family gets bigger *hint hint*
🪄 the magic is always fun. When they both go against Dagon (again), I was blown away by how much I enjoyed those scenes.
🪄 everything. Seriously, there wasn't a moment of boredom, annoyance, frustration, or the like. I was engaged, entertained, and in love!

The ending of this one introduces some new drama for the next one and I can't wait to find out how it all unfolds. As long as these two remain together, I'm good.

Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost

Excerpt

You can find the first three chapters here: https://www.jeanienefrost.com/night-rebel-series/wicked-bite/

About the Author

Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information

Review // Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

January 17, 2022

Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

I didn't care if this was stupid or too soon or dangerous or would leave me heartbroken. I needed him like I'd never needed anything before.

────── ♔ ──────


Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost


Night Rebel #1
Release - October 30, 2018
Genre - Urban Fantasy / vampires, demons
Primarily Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / only one real scene
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library
Length - 326 pages
Publisher - Avon

The Rule Breaker...

Master vampire Ian is unrepentant, shameless...and every shade of wicked. He's made one too many enemies in his two centuries of existence, including Dagon, a demon who now lays claim to his soul. Ian's only chance to escape Dagon is to join forces with a Law Guardian, but he's never been able to abide by the rules for long.

The Law Maker...

Veritas' normal role is police, judge, and jury to reprobates like Ian. But she has her own ax to grind with Dagon, so if she can use Ian as bait...well, all's fair in law and war. As they scour supernatural hotspots to perfect their trap, Veritas soon realizes Ian's carefully cultivated, devil-may-care roguish image hides something much more powerful. And Ian discovers Veritas has shocking secrets of her own. As they're drawn to each other with a passion as intense as their peril, either love or justice will prevail. But each will have devastating consequences.

Find Shades of Wicked here:

Goodreads * Amazon


My Two Cents

4.5 "Ian is dee-lish" stars

I've been told that I can't call myself a lover of PNR unless I've read a few authors... and Jeaniene Frost was one of them. I can happily say that not only have I tried this author, I loved what she gave me to read!

Ian was absolutely ridiculous. Powerful, intelligent, sexy, this male blew my mind with the way he lived his life. He was the exact opposite to the cool, collected and calculating Veritas. I loved the dynamic between them. How he riled her up, drove her mad, made her burn.

And when they really started to get to know each other, when they saw and realized the truth of one another... what they had became so beautiful.

"You won't fail." His voice vibrated from his intensity. "People like you have the rarest form of bravery. Friends and lovers might be willing to die for each other, but that's partly selfish. Risking everything for people you don't know is real bravery. You made all those people Dagon killed yours to avenge when you didn't have to. Then you became a Law Guardian so you could funnel more persecuted people to safety while also punishing those who abuse others. All this puts you right under the council's nose, but you did it anyway. You are awash in that rarest of braveries, Veritas. Dagon doesn't know it, but he doesn't stand a chance against you."

Long story short, Ian gave up his soul for no reason, the demon who owns him is evil to the max, Veritas wants to kill said demon, and she and Ian team up to take him down. We get to meet other characters who I'm told have their own stories out there (Hello Bones, Cat, Mencheres, etc.). We get to meet the grim reaper? I don't know who the beautiful male is that is also Veritas's father, but I'm hoping to learn more about him. He sounds yummy!!

I do wish there was more sex in the story (I know, I'm such a dirty little ---), but Ian and Veritas are so hot together. Call me greedy but I want more! I loved the cliffy at the end and while I don't know what will happen next with this couple, I'm here for it. I'm here for all of it. I don't even have to tell you I found a new author to collect stories from.

Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

Excerpt


About the Author

Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information