Book Review: Twice Tempted

Twice Tempted (Night Prince Series #2)

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Published by: HarperCollins

Release date: March 26th,  2013

Source: E-book owned by reviewer

Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google

Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Audience: Ages 18+

THE RUNDOWN:

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.

WHAT WENT DOWN:

At the risk of having things thrown at me, I have to admit that Vlad has bigger presence than even Bones on a page. Frost's writing of Drac is such that even when he's mentioned in passing, he commands your full attention... which makes him one of her sexiest and most intriguing characters yet.

Leila and Vlad were bound to run into more problems, with others, friend and foe, and also with each other. The obstacles Frost provided for them were successful in creating such feelings as suspense, heartbreak, and frustration for me. One complication in particular that I adore is Maximus. His feelings for Leila and his attempt to keep her for himself once Leila left the infamous vampire made me uneasy and also root for him a little, mainly because I feel he deserves happiness, too. Unknowingly to them, Vlad and Maximus weren't only bonded by loyalty and friendship, but by loneliness.

Betrayal was a big player in Twice Tempted. This took form in Shrapnel's deceit and attempts to destroy Leila, the involvement of Vlad's former lover, Cynthiana, Maximus's actions, the suggestion that both Leila and her mentor Marty had perished, and finally in Vlad's lie that he could ever let his Leila go.  

One of my very favorite parts of the book, besides a hilarious cameo appearance by Cat from Frost's Night Huntress series, was Vlad's proposal and the ceremony that almost immediately followed. For a vampire that's lived half a millenia, nothing could be more romantic than being impatient for one's hand in marriage. 

With an old enemy returned and a lot of unresolved situations, the next in the series promises to be just as great as the first two installments!

THE "DOWN LOW":

Whoa, nelly!

Vlad the Impaler is the single vampire in Jeaniene Frost's world that can claim to be both cold and SCORCHING! Whereas with anyone else I would find such rigid stoicism and an overall detached outlook as infuriating or a total turn-off, that is so not the case with Vlad. With him, it's both endearing and incredibly, incredibly sexy. Leila is beyond frustrated with him having always held her at arm's length that she actually leaves; but that makes her one smart cookie. In protecting herself from what she perceives as lukewarm feelings from him, she actually triggered his realization of his grand love for her.

Way to go, Leila!

The sex between these two got even hotter once she was turned - a feat I did not think possible.

Way to go, Miss Frost!

To the reader, I highly recommend the first sexual encounter of theirs after she's turned. I also suggest you bring a bucket of ice with you so you can cool off....

Favorite quote: “As if I’d settle for anything less than making you completely mine...”