Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost [Review]

Twice Tempted (Night Prince #2) by Jeaniene Frost
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 22, 2025

Night Prince
1. Once Burned
2. Twice Tempted - Paperback | Kindle
3. Bound by Flames
4. Into the Fire

Related Series
(Find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Night Huntress
1. Halfway to the Grave

Night Huntress World
1. First Drop of Crimson

Night Rebel
1. Shades of Wicked

Jeaniene Frost
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

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 . . .

Thoughts on Twice Tempted: I decided to dive back into Vlad and Leila's world (after a long absence) and HOO-BOY is it good. Vlad has the fire and the smolder while Leila brings the sparks. Kind of literally, really. Let's just say I'm enjoying being in their world again and leave it at that.

Ha. No. Let's not leave it. Why? Because these two have some SERIOUS baggage. Vlad doesn't want to admit he's in love with Leila because love is a weakness. TO BE FAIR, he comes from a time when his weaknesses were used against him in the most horrific ways and he's not willing to open himself up to that sort of vulnerable position again. BUT...Leila kind needs the words. She's not willing to take anything less than all of Vlad since SHE'S already heart deep and she deserves someone who loves her.

Thus begins a kind of harrowing adventure where Leila leaves Vlad, almost gets blown up, has to face the fact that someone is trying to use her against him, and she has to figure out who to trust. Which is easier said than done because Vlad has a lot of enemies since he's not exactly a subtle kind of guy when it comes to cheesing people off.

The good news? Leila isn't dead (despite Vlad's fears) and she's going to have a long, long life (probably. unless someone ends her) figuring out Vlad's quirks. On the downside, the lady comes PERIOUSLY close to losing said life on several occasions. But then I guess that's just some of the baggage that comes with loving a guy who is known for skewering people who make him angry.

Betrayers are uncovered, bad guys are dealt with (mostly), and Leila and Vlad are working on figuring things out.

Ride or Die by Hailey Edwards [Review]

Ride or Die (The Body Shop #5) by Hailey Edwards
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 20, 2025

The Body Shop
1. Fair Market Value
2. Amber Gambler
3. Midnight Auto Parts
4. Cheater Slicks
4. Ride or Die - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy
1. How to Save an Undead Life

Black Hat Bureau
1. Black Hat, White Witch

The Potentate of Atlanta
1. Shadow of Doubt

Hailey Edwards
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kierce sacrificed himself to save Frankie, and now it’s her turn to rescue him. Whether he wants her to or not. That means venturing into Abaddon, the land of the dead, and hoping she can locate him within its shadowed depths before Dis Pater notices his favorite toy is missing. But Dis Pater isn’t the only deity she has to fear.

Frankie’s father has learned of her journey down to his domain, and he won’t take no for an answer when he welcomes her into his home. As if one MIA parent materializing wasn’t bad enough, her mother arrives with her own emotional baggage in hand. Forget the perils of traversing the underworld. Navigating this family reunion just might be what kills her.

Thoughts on Ride or Die: Oh.My.Goodness. Kierce is in a bad place (literally) after sacrificing himself so he didn't hurt Frankie and Frankie is VERY NOT OKAY WITH THAT. The being in a bad place part. I mean, she's also not thrilled with the sacrificing because seeing the guy she has feelings for (regardless of how hard it is for her to admit to said feelings) getting hurt for her is difficult, but being a God Blood does give Kierce a measure of immunity against death so there is that.

On the downside of things, having an immunity to death also means a person can be hurt and tortured in horrible ways and not die. Which is (unfortunately) also a reality when you're the Viduus of a death god.

Anywho. Frankie doesn't care what she needs to do to get Kierce out, she's willing to do it. Well, provided her siblings are also kept safe. It turns out she's not cool with sacrifice on any level, except maybe her own. That said, Frankie also gets hit hard with a whole lot of truths she wasn't looking for. Like who her parents are. Which was really something she wasn't expecting to find out so the truth of that kind of threw her (not to mention that her dad is kinda a douchenozzle with some mad scientist aspirations and NO THANK YOU. Her mom's pretty cool, though). However, finding out her parentage also put some things into perspective. Like why her abilities are a little off center and why she has the type of bond she has with Anunit.

Let's just say this was a VERY satisfying ending. Frankie gets answers (so many answers). The bad guys get their comeuppance (so much comeuppance). The past is unveiled and feelings are admitted to. That last part might have been the hardest for Frankie. She's a lady who likes to play her cards close to the vest and finding out what she found out about herself had her questioning a lot of things that were and could be. Fortunately, her friends and family pulled her out of her head and made sure she knows she's loved. GOOD STUFF ALL AROUND!

Horned to be Wild by Honey Phillips [Review]

Horned to be Wild (Harmony Glen) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 19, 2025

Harmony Glen
1. A Troll in the Hay
2. Hiss and Tell
3.Big Enough to Bite
4. Never Been Gargoyled
5.Purring for her Lion
6. Bread with the Orc
7. Horned to be Wild - Paperback | Kindle
8. Foxer Upper
9. Can't Help Growling in Love
10. Time to Stirrup Love
11. The Genie's Wish
12. Reptile Dysfunction

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Big horns. Bigger… heart?

When city artist Lila inherits her great-aunt’s cottage she expects rustic charm—not a fixer-upper with a failing roof and a grumpy, reclusive minotaur living next door. Torin is big, brooding, and annoyingly attractive. He might have the social skills of a tree stump, but every time he stomps to her rescue she’s more intrigued.

Torin likes his life quiet, his woods undisturbed, and his horns—and his heart—well out of sight. Unfortunately his deliciously curvy new neighbor has a way of bypassing all his carefully crafted rules. She’s sweet, sassy, and impossible to ignore.

But Torin has spent years hiding, and Lila’s presence threatens to upend the safe, quiet life he’s built. As the town's art fair approaches, Torin must decide if he’s ready to show more than his carvings to the world!

Thoughts on Horned to be Wild: A monster friendly locale with serious small town vibes? Sign me up, besties! Seriously. I'm down for the monsters and the poorly kept secrets that roam the streets.

First up, there's Lila. She just inherited a serious fixer-upper from her great-aunt and she's ready to simmer in small town life. Plus, she ditched her obnoxious ex (who was super dismissive of her art) and she's totally not planning on starting any relationships in the near future. Which, AS ONE KNOWS, is the exact recipe to summon a hunky, grumpy minotaur who has a few trust issues.

Which brings us to Torin. He's heart-wary and has absolutely ZERO intention to get involved with his new neighbor. But Lila is persistent and kind and she's nothing like the woman who shattered his heart. Also? She's has serious appreciation for his wood carving and slowly chips away at his walls with her sincere compliments and obvious love of the things he makes.

One (not-so) secret library project, (more than) a few household repairs, a super obnoxious ex, a mischievous (and matchmaking) goat, a storm, a minotaur who is a wood carving cinnamon roll, and a lady who is willing to fight for the monster who matters to her most. *thumbs up*

A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence by Stephanie Burgis [Review]

A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence (The Unexpected Adventures of Lady and Lord Riven #2) by Stephanie Burgis
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 30, 2025

The Unexpected Adventures of Lady and Lord Riven
1. A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience
2. A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence - Paperback | Kindle

Stephanie Burgis
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Margaret, Lady Riven, never expected to find herself married, much less enjoying a honeymoon with her vampiric husband. Of course, they’ve only agreed to stay married for logical, practical reasons, but Lord Riven has kept his promise to supply her with excellent tea and even better company as they travel together across the continent. Unfortunately, her newfound notoriety has traveled along with them – so she’s delighted when they arrive at a secluded inn deep within the Black Forest, far from high society.

However, the inn is full of lethal supernatural creatures who find Margaret’s arrival anything but welcome—and for all of Margaret’s academic prowess, she’s infamously inept at making friends. When a new threat appears in her own mirror, she finally realizes that the greatest danger is to her heart...and she’ll have to rely on a remarkable assortment of newfound allies to help her save the immortal vampire who holds it.

Thoughts on A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence: Margaret and her vampiric husband are on their honeymoon tour (after successfully beating her morally bankrupt family in court and getting her inheritance back) and they're making waves. Actually, one of Margaret's papers has made some waves and Margaret is desperate to stop all the horrible socializing that comes with the recognition. Hence, she and Lord Riven have booked a stay at an isolated inn in the Black Forest.

The inn comes with some colorful (and slightly unfriendly) individuals, but Margaret is used to being snubbed (ahh, the price of being a woman in academia) and the solitude is worth it.

Except...there might be something going on in the forest. Something that could put Margaret, Lord Riven, and the others in danger. Margaret's going to have to win over the supernatural inhabitants of the inn if she hopes to figure out what's going on before something very bad happens. Unfortunately, that means Margaret's going to have to socialize. Something she's not very good at and genuinely tries to avoid. (To be fair, Lord Riven has no problem shouldering the socializing side of their marriage. In fact, he kind of enjoys it after spending time with only himself before Margaret crashed into his life.)

A little danger, a nefarious plot, some delightful flirting, acceptance, good tea, and a newly married couple who have no problem with their other half's quirks. GOOD TIMES!

Robber's Road by J.L. Bryan [Review]

Robber's Road (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #22) by J.L. Bryan
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 18, 2025

Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper
1. Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper
2. Cold Shadows
3. The Crawling Darkness
4. Terminal
5. House of Whispers
6. Maze of Souls
7. Lullaby
8. The Keeper
9. The Tower
10. The Monster Museum
11. Fire Devil
12. The Necromancer's Library
13. The Trailwalker
14. Midnight Movie
15. The Lodge
16. Cabinet Jack
17. Fallen Wishes
18. Sunset House
19. The Funtime Show
20. Miracle Mountain
21. Mortuary Manor
22. Robber's Road - Paperback | Kindle
23. Evermore Plantation

J.L. Bryan
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

According to legend, a ghostly car haunts the old, rarely traveled road twisting through the woods outside town. Those who wish to see it must follow three rules: drive at night, turn off all the lights inside and outside the car, and silence the car's radio or sound system.

Driving in darkness and silence, navigating only by the light of the moon and the stars, generations of teenagers and other reckless thrill seekers have dared each other into trying to see the legendary car. Some have crashed and died, only adding to the road's stories of danger and death.

New problems bring paranormal investigators Ellie Jordan and Stacey Tolbert racing to the scene, where they face a crash course in how to stop a lethal, yet somehow beloved, supernatural legend before it drags more innocent lives across the finish line.

Thoughts on Robber's Road: I must say that I genuinely enjoy what Ellie and Stacey have to go through as they work on figuring out the whos and whys of the hauntings they're investigating. I mean, there's usually food involved (good food, based on Stacey's unwavering dedication to finding decent eateries in the places they're in) and a whole lot of research (which Ellie doesn't mind engaging in, but Stacey is not a huge fan of). Plus PLUS there is cool, creepy history they get to unearth.

Honestly, these investigations might be a little dangerous (most of the time), but food, library time, and piecing together fact from legend gets a thumbs up from me. (The danger part is a little problematic, tbh, but you take the good with the bad!)

So. This time around, Ellie and Stacey are investigating a haunting on a dangerous road. We're talking a literally dangerous road. One with no guardrails and hairpin turns. And once you throw in the ghostly car that likes to menace folks things get really weird. It also doesn't like survivors. Which means Ellie and Stacey have their work cut out for them as they race (kinda literally) to figure out what's what before another survivor is claimed.

Like I said, I genuinely enjoy all Ellie's adventures from the initial setup (and Ellie's vague distaste of all things outdoorsy) to the research to the piecing together of how to stop whatever it is they're dealing with. GOOD STUFF all around!

RtP's Week in Review (02/08/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Destined to the Reaper by Regine Abel [Review] - Back in the Shadow Realms!
• Destined to the Lycan by Regine Abel [Review] - More Shadow Realms!
• Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts [Review] - Classic NR!
• Mage Assassins & Other Misfits by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen [Review] - Kit!
• There's Something About Dragons by Sara Ivy Hill [Review] - Dragon love!
• Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood [Review] - Vampire/Slayer love!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• Lights Out (Into Darkness #1) by Navessa Allen
• The Grim Steeper (Witches' Brew Mysteries #3) by Gretchen Rue
• Currently reading
• The Logical Girl's Guide to Mating with a Werewolf by Lola Glass

Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood [Review]

Hot for Slayer (Scared Sexy #1) by Ali Hazelwood
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 24, 2025

Scared Sexy
1. Hot for Slayer - Kindle
2. Falling
3. Spicy Little Curses
4. Space Vampire
5. Beautiful Nightmare
6. My Boyfriends Are All Monsters

Ali Hazelwood
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When Aethelthryth—“Ethel” to her modern-day Manhattan neighbors—finds her sworn nemesis Lazlo Enyedi with no memory of who or what they are, an ancient hunt becomes an unexpected chance at forbidden passion. He’s crashing on her couch, solving her sudoku puzzles, and looking at her like she’s his eternal flame (minus the whole bursting-into-ashes part). As his memories slowly return, Ethel realizes she might be in danger of losing more than just her head…

Thoughts on Hot for Slayer: I must say that I dug the vampire and her dedicated slayer. Aethelthryth has been dancing through the years with the man sent to end her bloodline and while they've come close to ending one another, circumstances have a way to keeping them thisclose from succeeding. For a vampire who longs for a connection, Ethel is willing to take her fleeting encounters with Lazlo and let things be.

Then Lazlo swoops in to save her from an ignoble death and suddenly Ethel has a sexy man with no memory crashing on her couch. A sexy man with no memory who makes her feel things and bats her loneliness away. Which is dangerous since she's pretty sure Lazlo's going to go back to trying to end her once his memories return.

I liked this one a lot. Ethel is a decent individual who lives by a pretty moral code. She might need to drink blood to survive, but she does it in a way that she can live with. Well, maybe not live, but you get the point. Meanwhile, Lazlo has his own code and it takes a bump on the head and some forced proximity before things move in the direction they need to move in with these two. *thumbs up* all around.