Once Burned: A Night Prince Novel

Written by Jeaniene Frost

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

“An author who delivers only the best.”
—Romantic Times

“Put Jeaniene Frost on your must-read list!”
—Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author

Spinning off from her wildly successful, New York Times bestselling Night Huntress novels featuring vampire soulmates Cat and Bones, Jeaniene Frost kicks off the thrilling new Night Prince series with Once Burned. Vlad Tepesh, the ruthless master vampire and inspiration for Bram Stoker’s dark legend (but don’t dare call him Dracula) encounters a mortal woman with unimaginable power…including the ability to enflame his cold heart. Paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans who hunger for the novels of Kim Harrison, Christine Feehan, and Charlaine Harris are going to love The Night Prince and this dark and steamy tale of supernatural attraction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jun 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9780062207142

Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series and the Night Huntress World novels. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to nineteen different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling—by car. Airplanes, children, and cookbooks frighten her.

Reviews for Once Burned

[dbookwhore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So I am a crazed Jeaniene Frost fan, I love and am thoroughly addicted to her Night Huntress series. When I found out Vlad was getting his own branch off series I died, death by excitement of course. Vlad is one of my favorite characters in The Night Huntress series. I fell in love with Vlad as soon as he broke onto the scene in Jeaniene Frost’s novels. Frost does a great job of taking Dracula and bringing him into this century as Vlad but still keeping him the impaler.

Once Burned starts off really strong, and wastes no time throwing readers into the story. Leila the love interest in this book is an ordinary girl who was in an accident that caused her to have some shocking abilities. I had mixed feelings throughout the story about Leila's abilities. Early on in the story Leila had to worry about touching people, and couldn’t get on airplanes, and couldn’t use electrical devices. I was worried Leila’s abilities weren't going to play out smoothly with the story during the latter half of the book and it turned out I was right.

First in the beginning of the story Leila has to expel the electrical currents before she showers on lightning rods, but then later she jumps right into the shower for a hot and heavy sexy scene with Vlad. I may have missed something, but I’m pretty sure she needed the electrical expel before she could get wet. Leila also later uses a cell phone to call Vlad for help but it was okay apparently because she was wearing some guy’s gloves, not the special gloves Vlad made for her. I just think this particular ability was complicated and was difficult to work into the story. I think Leila's psychic-ish abilities are awesome; I loved that she could touch objects and read past, present, and future from the human essence left behind. I think the psychic abilities alone would have been perfect, but the electrical thing got complicated.

I also kind of missed the old Vlad in this story. Vlad in The Night Huntress series was comic relief. Vlad always had a smart butt reply, and his banter was hilarious. In Vlad's new series he is a different guy almost, very serious but that could be because the entire book someone is out to kill him. I would have liked to see the chemistry between Vlad a Leila a bit stronger, but I think this is going to get stronger as the series progresses. Now the sex scenes between Vlad and Leila did have chemistry, and in fact was incredibly hot in more way than one. Sweat worthy if I don’t say so myself.

All and all I did enjoy the story. I easily would read a hundred pages at a time without realizing it. Other than the few hick ups above that distracted me, I loved the story. I am definitely going to be picking up book two in the series. I want to see if the electrical abilities are explained better in the next book, and of course I want to see the chemistry intensify. I've read the great work Jeaniene Frost puts out, and I can't wait to see her take this series and make it as amazing as The Night Huntress series. This book is recommended to adult readers only, and is best for lovers of the Paranormal Romance genre.

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You would think that being electrocuted would be the worst thing that could happen to someone, but for Leila it was just the start of her problems. Now her body conducts electricity and she really can't touch people or electrical things without doing damage. And if she does manage to touch someone, she has visions of that persons past and sometime the future. So life pretty much sucks. She seeks refuge with carnival performers and finds a father figure in Marty, a vampire who can stand her touch so can perform acrobatics with her. When she accidently lets word of her ability to see the future slip out, she becomes the target of another vampire who wants to use her to locate his enemy, Vlad Tepesh. No really, the actual Prince himself. But Leila is able to communicate with Vlad and they form an alliance.Really don't want to say anything more. It is sort of complicated.I LOVED this book. I never thought I would say that about a book with a bare chested man on the cover, but I did. This is the beginning of the Night Prince series but it is part of the Night Huntress world so I need to go back and catch up on those because it seems that Vlad appears in those books too. This book is definitely paranormal romance, but Leila is a great character as well as Vlad who is, quite frankly, drool-worthy. There is plenty of action and just the right amount of sex for me which is about 2 really good romps. The next book is out in 2013.

[liz_s_24 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a phenomenal read!! Just like all of her other books are!! I sure do hope Ms. Frost never stops writing! That truly would be a sad day in literature! I am definitely going to be recommending this book and will keep it in my collection of books to reread over and over!! If this is your first Jeanine Frost book, I suggest you go to your nearest book store and purchase all of the other wonderful novels she wrote!!

[pollywannabook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban FantasyDracula and Frankenstein…the greatest love story never told? Could be, at least in the talented hands of Jeaniene Frost. To be fair, Frankie (aka Leila) isn’t Frankenstein’s Monster. She’s a young women who was struck by lightning and has lived with the scars (both mental and physical) and side effects ever since which include premonitions and the inability to touch anyone with out electrocuting them. When she’s abducted by vampires intent on using her abilities, she ends up aligning herself with Dracula.Having met Vlad in a previous Night Huntress World book, I’ve been anxiously looking forward to his full story. Jeaniene Frost writes unbelievably sexy and complicated vampires, and she didn’t hold back with Vlad. He has a well earned reputation as The Impaler and Frost doesn’t brush that away or really even soften his actions by giving him noble motives. He’s a seriously scary guy who know the threats surrounding him are real, and goes to great lengths to ensure the consequences for going against him are swift and brutal. Vlad’s not a monster. He doesn’t get off on torture, nor does he seek it out, but neither does he bat an eye at doling out his famous method of punishment when he sees fit (and he sees fit a lot).Finding a woman to complement a man like Vlad is a big order, yet once again Frost delivers in Leila. Neither too stubborn or reckless, she nonetheless holds her own with Vlad and it wasn’t hard to see why he thawed around her. Likewise, Leila’s interest in Vlad went well beyond his supernatural immunity to her touch. Chemistry and mutual respect built the groundwork for their romance…and a steamy premonition or two.ONCE BURNED might be the best book yet from Jeaniene Frost. Scintillating romance, provocative characters, and a supernatural world that just gets better as it gets bigger. My only complaint would be with the ending, since it really leaves all of the personal resolutions for the next book. However, when the story is a satisfying as this though, it’s worth the wait for the sequel. No details are available yet, but we can expect Night Prince #2 sometime in 2013.Sexual Content:Two graphic sex scenes

[sunnysd_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Running off to join the circus didn't solve all of Leila's problems, but taking the name Frankie and perfecting a death-defying gymnastic act keeps most people from finding out Leila's secrets. A lightening strike left her scarred... capable of killing shocks, and able to see the past, present and future with only a brush of her right hand. When a chance encounter reveals her talents to the world, suddenly she's a very valuable commodity. Abducted by vampires, she makes a deal with the prince of vampires, Dracula, but has she abandoned the fireplace only to burn in the fire?Was up way to late finishing this one - definitely a keeper. Likeable main characters and a good hook on the end.

[jaguar897 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars

While I am a huge fan of the Night Huntress Series, I haven’t been a big fan of the Night Huntress World Series. The World Series seems to lack much of the humor and badassness that makes the original series so great. Mencheres, Spade and Vlad are awesome side characters, but on their own they loose some of their zest. I think Frost has improved on the World Series with Vlad’s installment though.

Vlad has always been one of my favorite side characters in the series. He’s an arrogant, ruthless SOB and I love his deadpan humor. I especially love his interactions with Cat and Bones. While Vlad remains as arrogant and badass as ever in Once Burned, he lacks his usual humor. There are some funny moments and zingers, but they are too few of them.

His love interest, Leila, was interesting at first, but then she started to bore a bit. As a child Leila had an accident that left her with the ability to shock people in both the literal and metaphorical sense. She’s able to see the past, current and future of anyone she touches and is able draw out the essence of a person by touching objects they touched. Her power was really interesting, but the accident and family drama part of it weren’t handled well. The accident and guilt Leila carried were drawn out for the better part of the book. When everything was finally revealed it was anticlimactic and it just felt stupid that she felt guilt over what happened. Also, the resolution of the guilt happened so quickly it was a blink and you miss it moment. Other than this, I did like Leila and I think she has potential to develop into a better character.

Together Leila and Vlad have great bedroom chemistry…on par with Cat and Bones, so that’s saying something. *wiggles eyebrows* However, I didn’t really get the attraction outside of the bedroom…not on Leila’s part, but on Vlad’s. I didn’t see what he saw in Leila. There was no real build up to their relationship. It was built on insta-lust. Yes, Leila resisted a bit in the beginning, but her resistance lasted like a day or so. For the most part their dialogue and interactions were rather “meh”. There were few moments that distinguished this book from the thousands of other romance novels out there. However, I do think there is potential there as Leila and Vlad come to terms with what happened at the end of this book. I’m glad that their relationship wasn’t settled in this book because that would’ve been a big disappointment.

The mystery part of the book was intriguing. That is part of the reason why this book got bumped to 3.5 from 3 stars. I liked the villain and the extent of his evilness. There is a lot of potential for conflict in the next book, which makes me look forward to seeing what happens next.

Overall, I think this latest installment is an improvement on the Night Huntress World Series. By the way, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the other two. While Mencheres and his wife make a small cameo in this book it’s not crucial to the story.

[srfeike · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ok, so I admit it…I have not read the Night Huntress series. I know. I've been meaning to, and I even own the first three, but I have just never gotten around to reading them. But, I have been hearing so much about Cat and Bones and Vlad…how yummy and sexy he is, you know? So, when Once Burned came out, a story about Vlad, of course I had to check it out…Leila has lived her life pretty much a freak of nature. She has basically been forced to live a life of solitude. Vlad is the sexiest vampire in the world (that's my opinion, not necessarily Leila's). He is also one of the oldest and most feared vampires in the world. When Leila and Vlad cross paths, sparks fly…literally.Leila was a strong character. Even though she had been shunned her whole life, she was still proud, stubborn, and stood up for herself rather than just letting the big, strong, sexy vampire come to her rescue. Vlad was…Vlad. Really not much else to say. Mysterious, sexy, dangerous.The story was great, fast-paced and action packed with just the right amount of steamy romance. The writing style was great, with touches of humor thrown in to keep you chuckling. And yes, I will now be reading the Night Huntress series. Bring on more Vlad!

[pacey1927 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am a huge Jeanine Frost fan and I have adored Vlad from the moment he was introduced into the Night Huntress world so I had some high hopes for this series. I loved the Cat and Bones stories and while her Night Huntress World spin off didn't live up to the original series they were still enjoyable. "Once Burned", and it pains me to say this, was disappointing.My first complaint is the biggest. The unique and original Vlad has turned into a bland any-vampire romance character. Seriously, I would never have realized this was the same character had his name not been the same. Then there was the story. While mildly entertaining, it was also slow moving and I never really felt a strong connection between Vlad and Leila. And I did really like Leila. Her unique abilities really worked in my opinion. She made the story readable. When the action was at the forefront of the book, the story was much more entertaining and enjoyable than when the romance was the focus. Again, I just never bought their romance. It was a lot of insta-love which was the exact opposite of the tension and attraction readers could feel sizzle on the page between Cat and Bones.The book took me way too long to get through. Unfortunately that usually signals that a book is slow moving and not very engrossing. While this isn't a bad book, it just doesn't live up to the standards Jeanine Frost has set for herself. This is a sub-par offering. I hope her follow up is stronger. I don't want to give up on Vlad but I just can't see how this introduction could lead to a strong spin off series.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Oh Vlad how I lust for thee… Action-packed and intriguing characters, you just can’t go wrong with a Jeaniene Frost novel. Opening Sentence: I parked my bike in front of the restaurant, wiping the perspiration from my upper lip. Excerpt: Yes The Review: Leila Dalton has one heck of a problem on her hands. She can electrocute someone just by touch but her right hand is a real troublemaker. When a woman accidentally brushes her hand, Leila sees the woman’s murder. Always wanting to do the right thing Leila stops the murder even though she knows she will be seen as a freak but being a freak is something she can handle ever since she touched a power line. She has the scars to show for it running from her right temple down to the all-seeing right hand. Leila knows she is in for some trouble when her heroics make the news. In order to hide her secrets, Leila travels around in a carnival performing gymnastic tricks with her vampire partner, Marty. (Marty is more like a father figure to Leila.) Unfortunately it is the winter season, so no traveling for Leila, as she is kidnapped by a group of vampires while she is training. These vampires want to use Leila’s powers to track down one scary vamp in Vlad. But Leila already knows they will kill her once they have their information so when Vlad knows he is being spied upon Leila makes a deal with the devil. In this case, better the devil you don’t know than the devil you know especially when you know they will kill you once your usefulness is done. Vlad flies in to the rescue, literally, wanting to know who is spying on him. He also plans to use Leila to find out the information. Vlad is surprised by Leila’s abilities and is intrigued by her. When Leila foresees herself in an intimate situation with Vlad, she wants nothing to do with him. She has been warned that Vlad will only break her heart, but she also knows how arrogant and self-absorbed he is, so she does her best to stay away from him. But when she finds that she wants to be in his company whenever he is around she cannot hide it anymore. It really doesn’t help that Vlad can read her thoughts so he knows exactly how she feels. Leila gets torn into the vampire underworld, where two sides want her power. She has to decide whether being held by Vlad is really such a bad thing because either way she will never be free. She will always be hunted for her power. She doesn’t mind helping Vlad but she doesn’t like how her father, her sister and Marty have been turned into pawns for her cooperation. Vlad really only uses Marty against her but he makes her realize what could happen to her family. Leila decides to follow her heart and the path that will keep her with Vlad. I am a HUGE Jeaniene Frost fan, so it didn’t take long for me to devour Once Burned. I love her characters and Vlad and Leila are no exception. Vlad is dark, self-obsessed and overly macho. He knows he is a big baddie in the vampire world and he does what is takes to keep his reputation. He wants to make sure everyone is scared of him. Leila understands Vlad’s act but she doesn’t want to believe it until it affects her. She is strong and impetuous, running into situations that realistically should have gotten her killed. Thankfully, tall, dark and handsome runs to her rescue. The vampire world is revealed in small doses which is nice and refreshing for fans of the series so they don’t get dumped everything in the world but Once Burned doesn’t really show the complexity of the world that Jeaniene has created especially for new readers. I would wholeheartedly recommend reading the Night Huntress series first so new readers can see why fans of this series love Vlad so much. Once Burned is told strictly through first person with Leila as the narrator. This is what throws this story, for me, from being paranormal romance into being more urban fantasy even though the setting isn’t in an urban area. The plot is action packed and gripping from start to finish. Overall, Once Burned is a thrilling read. There is a bit of an open ending with the book regarding the villain but there still is a bit of a satisfactory ending. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the series Twice Tempted and know what is next for Leila and Vlad. Notable Scene: His hands left my back to weave in my hair. Then he leaned down until his face was very close to mine. “I never set a standard that I won’t keep myself, and if you ever want out, you need only say the word. But mean it, Leila, because once I leave, I’m gone forever.” Vlad’s eyes bled back to deep copper as he spoke, and though they were no longer glowing in that inhuman way, somehow, they were more compelling. “Right back at you,” I said, matching his unyeilding stare. “Is that all?” His lips twisted. “No. I can give you honesty, monogamy, and more passion that you can stand, but not love. That emotion died in me long ago, as I suspect you already know.” I took a deep breath, fighting a twinge that made no sense because he was right. I had guessed that about him. “Good,” I replied in a steady voice. “I was worried that you’d turn into one of those obsessed, emo movie vampires, and that would be embarrassing for both of us.” His laughter rang out before changing into something rougher and infinitely more sensual. Emerald overtook his gaze once again. “Enough talk,” he muttered, and lowered his head.FTC Advisory: HarperCollins/Avon Romance provided me with a copy of Once Burned. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[bookwhisperer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my Vlad!!!! I have loved this character, so deeply that I completely flipped when I found she was to creating a series solely for him. Once Burned started very differently from other Frost novels leaving me wondering if this story would have the splendor that every other Jeaniene Frost novel is known for. No longer than it took for this thought to process the pace of this novel took off like a bullet. While Leila and Vlad are no Cat and Bones this has started another incredible journey that Frost readers will be desperate to explore. Uncharacteristically to Frost Novels it appears love will be a struggle for the Night Prince novels. Fans will sympathize with Leila future battle to overcome Vlad memories and carefully constructed walls. This has also been the first human to have such incredibly unique powers, and I can wait to see if the future will hold a transformation for her as well. Like so many other times with Frost novels we are left in suspense til spring of 2013. I absolutely do not know how I will survive this time!

[fishgirl182 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fans of Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress Series have been clamoring for a Vlad book for a while now. When Frost announced last year that he would finally be getting his own story, I am think there was a collective squeal from Vlad lovers around the world. I was excited to see how Frost handled portraying the vampire from whom all other vampire legends derived. This was a really fun book. I love Jeaniene Frost because her books are usually action packed, funny, and have some good steamy love scenes. Once Burned delivered on all counts. It wasn’t quite as funny as a Cat and Bones book but I think that’s only because Bones is such a cheeky character. I think Vlad is much more serious than Bones so the feel is a little more serious but still highly entertaining. While Vlad has made many appearances in the Night Huntress series, his past has remained a bit of a mystery. In Once Burned, we learn about his past and the events that shaped him. Having lost everything before and been betrayed, he is wary to trust. But he is not as cold and ruthless as he seems. It’s obvious that he cares for Leila even if he won’t say it in so many words. There is a scene in which Leila gets into his head and sees him picking out what to wear in order to meet her family that made me go “awwww” a little. I really, really liked Leila. She’s lived a lonely life, estranged from her family and unable to touch anyone. But she doesn’t wallow in self-pity and or invite sympathy. She’s tough and brave and extremely loyal, often putting herself in danger to help others. I love that she isn’t afraid to stand up to Vlad and calls him out when he’s acting like an arrogant ass. Her unusual powers are what initially make her intriguing to Vlad but it’s her compassionate and fiery nature that really draws him in. Since this is a Jeaniene Frost book, I expected the chemistry to be hot and I wasn’t disappointed. There are also some fun secondary characters to keep things interesting. Maximus and Marty stand out the most and I do hope that Maximus finds a girlfriend one day soon. Cat and Bones make a very brief appearance, which is fun. Their scene is quite brief but it was nice to see them. The only thing I was really disappointed in was the ending. For some reason I thought Vlad was just getting a book, not a whole series. But it looks like Frost has been contracted for at least two Vlad books. If you’ve read Cat and Bones then you know that Frost isn’t always the queen of closure and the ending of the book feels somewhat unfinished. Since I thought this was the only book, I was expecting it to wrap up neatly and was surprised at the abrupt ending. But that's my only real complaint. But other than that small issue, this book lived up to my expectations and more. Now I just have to be patient and wait for the next book to come out. :(

[arbjames · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first volume of the spin-off from the Night Huntress series that features Vlad (yes, THE Vlad, as in Dracula)as the main character. In the Night Huntress series, readers were provided only brief insights into his character, which is fully developed in this new series. Frightening, yet honorable, he manages to woo Leila Dalton, who is not without her own secrets and abilities, amidst various attacks by old enemies. Cat, Bones, and Mencheres make a brief (VERY brief) appearance. The end of the novel is quite interesting--it's very uncertain how, or even if, Leila and Vlad's relationship will continue. I'll definitely read the second volume. Spin-offs for me are usually disappointing. However, as a fan of the original Night Huntress series, I can honestly say that I was not disappointed in the least.

[readsalot81 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am normally NOT a fan of the 1st person POV in romance.. but this book totally turned that around. Just got lost in the story, probably one of my favorites in terms of all the books she's written! :D

[itentertainsme · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

**spoiler alert** Jeaniene Frost's "Night Huntress" series was recommended to me when I got my new Nook last January. I downloaded the first one, just to try it out, and then spent the next two weeks devouring the whole series. One of my favorite characters in that series (besides Kat and Bones, obviously) was Vlad Tepesh, so I was glad to hear that he was getting his own spin-off.First, let's begin with the horrendous book cover. I'm aware that authors don't generally get much say in the design of their book covers - though perhaps they should, because this one is particularly bad - so it's not necessarily a reflection on her. For the record, Jeaniene Frost is classified as "Urban Fantasy" - but the cover of this book is clearly raunchy romance with BDSM kings. The main plot of Once Burned really has nothing to do with romance - though, granted, there is romance involved - after all, it is a book about vampires and romance is a standard MO for vampire books these days.My point is, the book's cover sends the wrong message about the book's content. Truthfully, I probably wouldn't have purchased the book if I didn't already know what to expect from Jeaniene Frost. With that statement, we can segue into the book's content. As that earlier sentence implies, I already have a clear idea of what I can expect when picking up a Jeanine Frost novel, and this one was no exception. It hooks you in from the first chapter and doesn't let go until the very end. Frost is a master at balancing character development, plot development, and romantic development while maintaining the appropriate pace.As mentioned in the introduction, Once Burned is a story about Vlad - and how he found love again. Leila is human, but with a special "gift," thanks to an accident that nearly claimed her life (and did claim her mother's) when she was a child. Ever since this accident - which involved a downed power-line - anyone who touches her skin immediately receives a shock treatment. In addition, Leila can see the person's worst sins - and sometimes more, depending on the type of contact she has with the person. She crosses Vlad's path when some vampires kidnap her in an attempt to use her to figure out where Vlad is so they can kill him. Thanks to Vlad's mind-reading ability, when she seeks him out for the vampires, he is able to sense her and read her mind, which enables her to warn him and tell him where she's located so he can come kill the others.Of course, this is where it gets a little crazy because, though he saves her life, they are unable to figure out who sent the vampires after him in the first place. In an effort to keep her out of their master's hands, he takes her back to his home until the mess can get sorted out. Naturally, this creates the perfect environment for a new romance - if only Leila wasn't so opposed to the idea. While they are sorting out their relationship and their differences, Vlad also has to work hard to figure out who's trying to kill him so he can stop them before they succeed. I won't tell you who is behind it, for obvious reasons, so you'll just have to go read the book to find out for yourself!Of course, Cat and Bones make an appearance, which is blended well within the story without making it seem contrived or out of character. As Cat and Bones are the two who started the whole thing, I love seeing brief glimpses of them in these spinoff stories. Now, operating under the assumption that Jeaniene Frost didn't have a say in her cover design, this book gets the full six stars because it is well-written from start to finish, and Frost demonstrates her professional story-telling abilities yet again. I would recommend this book for any Jeaniene Frost fan, or anyone who loves a good urban fantasy with a little bit of romance thrown in the mix.**Original review posted on honestreviewscorner.com**

[literaladdiction · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Our Review by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:I've been a Jeaniene Frost, Night Huntress fan since day #1. I love Cat & Bones, and have a soft spot for Spade, but I have been in love with Vlad since he was first introduced in the series and would anxiously await any parts in the novels where he would be called in for one reason or another. That all being said, I was anxiously awaiting this book and actually feared I may have been expecting too much since I was so excited for it. I needn't have feared, Jeaniene delivered and then some! Once Burned gives us Vlad (THE man that ALL of the Dracula myths were based upon) in all his sexy, cocky, powerful, undead glory, and introduces a loveable, relate-able heroine and some villains that you will absolutely love to hate.Leila is human, but with some 'extras'. She is able to conduct electricity through her body, and is psychometric. In attempting to deal with her 'additions', she's sequestered herself in a small town with a family of traveling carnies and is working as a trapeze artist. After being snatched up by some bad guys, she's thrown into a world that she knew existed, but never thought to be immersed in, and finds herself directly linked to a powerful vampire who's apparently #1 on everyone's hit list.Vlad, having his mind reading abilities in addition to his pyromania, realizes when he's being spied upon psychically by Leila. The 2 are inevitably thrown together to sort out the wicked plot that is not only jeopardizing Vlad and Leila's lives, but that of their friends as well.Leila is a great strong heroine and in my personal opinion, a wonderful match for Vlad. The two together are dynamic and explosive and the best part is that Leila's no damsel in distress. She's definitely her own woman, and while Vlad doesn't change for her either (thank goodness - he remains the same arrogant, sarcastic, sometimes merciless but never without a reason Vlad we've come to know and love), he accepts her feisty side and even encourages it.Take these two utterly fantastic leading characters and throw them into the Night Huntress world that never fails to amaze with an action packed storyline full of intrigue, danger, twists, turns, and surprises around most corners, etc and you end up with one incredible read!The first installment of the Night Prince series spin-off was an amazing addition to the Night Huntress World. My only complaint was the abrupt ending because dang it... I want the next book NOW! LITERAL ADDICTION gives Once Burned 5 Skulls and is eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was another great paranormal romance from a master of the genre. Vlad Tepesh has been a recurring character in other books in this world but now he gets his own romance. When some vampires kidnap Leila to use her talents at touching an object and seeing the past, present, and future of the owner, she comes into mental contact with Vlad because he is the vampire her kidnappers are looking for.Vlad rescues her and takes her home with him. His ability to read her mind lets him know that she is a victim and not a lure. It takes a while for Leila to get used to the idea that Vlad can read her mind but she adjusts to it. Her experiences with touching others and knowing their most shameful secrets has made her more open to having her thoughts out there for him to see. Vlad is a very frightening hero. He doesn't hesitate to kill to protect those who are his people. He is also arrogant. Of course, he is also beautiful and one of the only people Leila can touch without killing. Her ability to know about objects wasn't the only result of being electrocuted when she touched a downed power line. She also is electrified herself. She can't touch anyone without electrocuting them. But Vlad's element is fire. Not only can he accept her touch, he revels in it. Together Vlad and Leila have to find out who arranged her kidnapping and who wants to kill Vlad. It was great watching the two of them develop a relationship. Despite his vast age and power, Leila is a match for him. She won't let him push her around and, unlike everyone else around him, he doesn't bow down to his commands. I can't wait until the next book in the series to find out more about Vlad and Leila.