One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

August 30th 2011, Avon Books
358 pages, E-book
Borrowed from the Library
Sixth in Night Huntress series
Adult Fiction

Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones.

Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving-leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Favorite Quote:

“That face. That body. And you know he’s packing. Look at the angle on that dangle.”

Cover Review:
I don’t know why I dislike these covers so much. I simply do. Although, I really like the color composition on this one.

Opinion:

When I finished This Side of the Grave I immediately downloaded the next from Overdrive. I read a couple of reviews on Goodreads that weren’t as favorable as usual for this series so I was a bit hesitant. I found that I actually liked the villain in this one better than I have for about 3 books. The only thing that disappointed me was there was no satisfying end.

Cat and Bones relationship, one of the main sources of the bad reviews I found, is just typical. After a time of being married there is an attachment type of love that is deeper and more comfortable, but way less “OMG! I must strip your clothes off now!” So I thought it was actually very realistic and comfortable.

I loved Tyler, the homosexual medium. He was over the top in such a fabulous way as to be a constant source of humor. That quote above is just one of the many times in which he made me blush. I can totally see him with Ian, so I kinda hope they will end up together.

I was annoyed at the subplots not being wrapped up either. The main storyline ended in an anti-climatic way and the subplots just never got any closure. I feel as though she is doing this in order to draw another book out of the series, but I’d rather it would end on a high note than to be dragged out to a point where it becomes boring.

Side note: There was no appearance of Vlad! This broke my heart slightly. I really need to get started on his series. I bet it’s fab!

Rating:

Rie (@missiontoread)

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

February 22nd 2011, Avon
357 pages, E-book
Borrowed from the Library
Fifth in Night Huntress series
Adult Fiction
Amazon | Book Depository | Indie Bound

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .
With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"; the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Favorite Quote:

“No matter what happens, you will never lose me,” he whispered. “I am forever yours, Kitten. In this life or the next.”

Cover Review:
This scene is beautiful, but sadly it is NOT in the book. I wish they would have depicted the bridge scene. Now that would make one powerful cover!

Opinion:

I bought this pre-order, read a few chapters, got annoyed, put it down, when I was cleaning out my hoard of books to send to the sis I sent her this one as well without me reading it. More than a year later I borrowed it late at night from my library and I finished it at about 5 hours later. I don’t know what my issue was the first time around. This is amazing 5th book in an amazing series. The passion levels are so incredibly high, the plot is slow but incredible, and Cat is forever the heroine that I wish I could be.

Okay, so if you’ve read my reviews on the first 4 you know I am a bit obsessed (to put it mildly) with Vlad. I would totally let him suck my blood all day long. He is so present in this book which makes this girl incredibly happy!

Bones and Cat are in that comfortable. We both love one another, so we are completely secure in our relationship. I think the experts call it the “attachment” phase. This makes for a solid base behind the amount of assaults thrown in their direction. It brings such fun, emotional, passionate adoration to a book full of evils.

I’m just gonna sum it up with. Read this series. Like now. It’s one that would be at the top of my list for books you must read!

Rating:

Rie (@missiontoread)

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

July 2010, Avon

384 pgs., E-book

Library Copy

Second in Night Huntress World Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness . . . And now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.


Opinion:

When I began this book I honestly did not believe I would enjoy it as much as I did the rest of what she’s written. What I found was the best book in the both series.

Menechares always seemed so cold, old, and unwilling to confirm to today’s society. What I found was a book that had more depth than anything else I’ve read of hers to date. Menechares is powerful enough to kill hundreds with mere thoughts, but strong enough to hold his power in check most of the time.

Kira, I’m more in love with than Cat. She is relatable, but strong enough to survive in a world that is so different than our own. Her heart is what is going to heal Menechares of years of grief and torment.

There is enough action to keep this book from being boring, but balanced enough to lend to great characters.

Again I recommend this book and anything she’s written.

Rating:5+/5

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First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

February 2010, Avon
384 pgs.,  E-book

Library

First in the Night Huntress World Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a breathtaking new journey to the dark side of desire.

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows—her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield—and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness—and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human—even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together . . .

Because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost.

Opinion:

I usually do not read series that are off-shoots of a main series and honestly, I hadn’t paid much attention to Spade, but I simply could not wait for the release of book five. I had to get more of this world, so I borrowed it from my library.

I didn’t put it down from the moment I started it. Spade has emotional strength I haven’t seen in any of the other characters. Denise is brave and after losing her husband she is unselfish in the most primal of ways. She’d endure amazing amounts of pain in order to protect her family.

This isn’t as humorous as the Night Huntress series, but it is more heartfelt. The author mentions she’s afraid of children in her bio, so hopefully she’ll follow up this book with understanding that the need for children doesn’t vanish overnight. And we will see Denise struggling with that in the upcoming Night Huntress book.

Rating:5/5

P.S. Btw, this was the first e-book I’d ever read. I thought I’d hate e-books, but I’ve come to love them. So much easier to read a backlight e-book in bed when trying not to wake the hubby.

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Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

July 2009, Avon

400 pgs., Paperback
Personal Copy
Fourth in Night Huntress Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

Her deadly dreams leave her in grave danger...

Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.

Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.

Opinion:

This is the saddest in the entire series so far. It tore my heart apart and healed it again.

As always the bond between Cat and Bones is undeniable. Cat is strong and doesn’t let Bones rule. Bones is strong and protective and oh so sexy.

I’ve got to say my favorite character is not one you’d expect, Vlad. I’m secretly in love. He’s on Cat’s side and doesn’t care for Bones. Most of the people helping Cat seem to only be there as a loyalty to Bones, but not Vlad. Vlad truly cares for Cat and since Cat quit the Special Forces she needs that connection.

The dream hacking kinda got on my nerves, but the rest of it is superb.

 I can’t wait for the next one to be released.

Rating:4.5/5

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At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost

December 2008, Avon

342 pgs., Paperback

Personal Copy

Third in Night Huntress Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

Some things won't stay buried . . . at grave's end

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

Opinion:

The third in the series is a heart-stopping, tearful, ride. When Cat’s father finds her Bones is put in a position where he must chose Cat’s emotional safety over her immediate feelings which leads into yet another fight.

This couple fights for their relationship through circumstances that would test the most devoted marriage.

Mencheres and Bones team up to fight a war that will take the members of the team past all of their limits.

This is my favorite book within my current favorite series, so I would say it’s a definite must read. From page one you’ll be on a twisty-turvey ride that is the best I’ve read lately.


Rating:5/5

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One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

April 2008, Avon

384 pgs., Paperback

Personal Copy

Second in Night Huntress Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again

Opinion:

If you’ve read my review over the first in the series, Halfway to the Grave,you’ll know I adore this series. This book starts off without a major component of how great this series is. Cat has set up her life with the help of the government and is in charge of a special agent force specializing in killing vampires that have transgressed against humans. Her soldiers are great backup but they have reservations about the undead, but those are removed when agents are lost and Cat needs their help.

I love this book almost as much as the first. A definite must read.

Rating:5/5

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Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

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Cover via Amazon

October, 2007, Avon

384 pgs., Paperback

Personal Copy

First in Night Huntress Series

Summary from Avon

Flirting With The Grave…

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.

In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side … and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

Opinion

 This is my favorite series to date. Cat is fearless, incredibly witty, and holds her own against a Master vampire. She is a fully vetted character and is the girl next door with a twist. She stands up for those that are weaker than her and is loyal to those she loves even when they don’t deserve it. She is my favorite kick-ass female in paranormal fiction. The choices she makes are unselfish even when they are completely the wrong decision to make. Bones is one of the most powerful vampires in the world and yet he mostly treats Cat as an equal.When we meet her she is killing the undead without prejudice until she meets Bones when she finds that she is wrong about her preconceived notions about vampires as a side effect of her indoctrination from her mother.

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