Jeaniene Frost
Twice Tempted
Avon / March 26, 2013 / $7.99 print, $6.64 digital
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.
As romance readers we ask a lot of the hero. Some days we want him to be charming, other days the brutish alpha. He should be caring, but also the bad boy. He should be a leader, but also be willing to follow the heroine because she is his world.
They are unrealistic expectations in our world, but often are acceptable in between the covers of our favorite books. What makes Jeaniene Frost's Twice Tempted so brilliant is that the heroine Leila wants a real relationship with Vlad—as in The Impaler—and she wishes things could work like she fantasizes about.
She is real.
Only trying to get the vampire Dracula was based upon to open up about his feelings and consult others before acting is about as effective as applying your makeup by mashing your face into a wall. You’ll gain color, but it won’t be pretty.
This is where Jeaniene Frost’s brilliance comes in. She could have taken the easy route and made Vlad melt for Leila. She could have softened him. It wouldn’t have been true to his character, but readers would have devoured the sex scenes and gone with it. However, it wouldn’t have resulted in as achingly wonderful of a book. Instead, Frost challenged Vlad (and readers).
Leila makes a stand. She chooses to make it clear what her expectations are. She needs his heart, his love, or there is no point in continuing their relationship. She behaves like an adult and wants to have open communication about what she needs from the relationship.
Then she does a handful of not-so-adult things that show us just how silly people can be when they’re in love.
Vlad also does some crazy things because he’s in love.
These things push them apart while upping the pining ratio to a zillion.
The relationship growth for both them is wonderful. The acceptance of compromise on both sides is difficult and a hard-fought battle. Leila can’t change who Vlad is, and he’s terrified that she would never love the true him.
When they’re finally honest with one another about their pasts and their hopes and what they’re willing to do to be together, it’s heart-rending. (And, of course, Vlad continues to showcase incredibly impressive bedroom skills.)
Twice Tempted is an emotional powder keg, and the explosion of chemistry between the pages is consuming. If you’re ready to accept Vlad for who he is, and watch a woman expose his heart, dive into this one as soon as you can.
Learn more about or pre-order a copy of Jeaniene Frost's Twice Tempted (out March 26):
While Chelsea Mueller runs Vampire Book Club, she won’t turn down a sexy werewolf, demon or faerie. Her appreciation of Alexander Skarsgard is well documented. Bother her on Twitter — @ChelseaVBC — she likes it.
