Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, #1)

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Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1)

by Jeaniene Frost (Goodreads Author)

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 51,472 ratings · 3,721 reviews

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 unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle r...more

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by HarperCollins (first published October 30th 2007)

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Aug 21, 2010 Kat Kennedy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People who balance out their literary diet with Junk Food Fiction.

Shelves: romance-romance-romance, kat-s-book-reviews

I remember someone explaining, chemically, how a cheese burger works. How the fatty meat combined with the fatty cheese and the white buns make a cholesterol parade in your blood stream that gives you endorphins that make you happy when you eat it. Something about that combination, seems to give our bodies a buzz. They were explaining that THAT'S why cheeseburgers and Mcdonald's in particular are so damn popular. They're addictive foods because we get addicted to the buzz of eating them.

When it...more I remember someone explaining, chemically, how a cheese burger works. How the fatty meat combined with the fatty cheese and the white buns make a cholesterol parade in your blood stream that gives you endorphins that make you happy when you eat it. Something about that combination, seems to give our bodies a buzz. They were explaining that THAT'S why cheeseburgers and Mcdonald's in particular are so damn popular. They're addictive foods because we get addicted to the buzz of eating them.

When it comes to reading, I'm not much different. Combine action + sex + supernatural and you may just have a readership. I guess I'm not the only one because publishers have jumped on this ship like it's the only one with booze and half naked young men and women grinding up against each other (see I'm trying to use subtle images to get you addicted to my reviews. Is it working?)

They must have been delighted when Frost walked in the door because her novel is pretty much the combination of sex, action and supernatural elements without ANYTHING else. Most of the dialogue is about sex, arse kicking or discussing supernatural elements. This book is a cheeseburger. A big, greasy, delicious, ketchup covered cheeseburger.

The sex orginates from Spike/Bones and Cat, our main protagonist who is a half vampire. Some other characters come into this story but they're not important because they're not having sex.

They team up together to fight vampires. They stab, decapitate, crush, kick, punch, tear, bite, shove and knife their way through every single encounter. Kapowi! (See this is the action part of my review. Settle yourself in bitches, because you're about to get addicted!)

The vampires in this book can be good or bad and their eyes glow green when they're using their Vampire Powers of Awesomeness TM. They mesmerize their prey into obediance and take "sips" out of them. (There! Bam! You're now addicted! Don't try to fight it, just give in and ride the pleasure wave)

So, I enjoyed it in the guilty pleasure way that you enjoy a cheeseburger while you're eating it. Afterward though I felt vaguely dirty and lost. Life was sadly lacking in sex, action and supernatural. I went and kicked my husband in the head but to my IMMENSE surprise he didn't immedately tackle me and make love to me with blazing green eyes. I must be doing something wrong.

The last part of the novel dragged a little bit until a vampire started throwing cars around - because we can't possibly go thirty pages without someone bleeding out of one or more places on their bodies...and then having sex. While being a vampire.

See, I TOTALLY understand why this book was recommended to me. It's EXACTLY the kind of sexy, kinky shit I'm into and I really enjoyed it (so thanks!) but then I also recognize that this is a cheeseburger. It was SUCH a cheeseburger that I started to feel cholesterol moving through my synapses and forming some brain version of diabetes.

Give it a go. It was fun, flirty, dirty, and quick (Oh my goodness, it sounds like a just described a hooker!)If I hadn't kept thinking to myself, "Damn you, Frost! Stop baiting me with supernatural smoochies!" then I would have been able to enjoy it more for what it is. Junk Food Fiction.

Just remember, Kids. Junk Food Fiction is a SOMETIMES read.(less)

like 221 likes · see review

Feb 17, 2011 Lyndsey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: about-vampires, about-slayers-supernatural-hunters, genre-urban-fantasy, reviewed-2011, reviewed-4-stars, my-top-urban-fantasy

Calling all Spikeaholics. Warning. Warning. Sexual content abounds!

This book is the perfect fit to fill the Buffy-sized hole in my heart.

Cat is a part vamp/part human, super-strength, vampire-slaying goddess with eyes that glow green when she gets riled up. She has been slaying since the age of 16. Bones is her sleek-and-sexy, bleach blonde, British vampire sidekick who also slays vampires for kicks. And for the bounty. Together they form a kick-ass team who love to heat things up on the dance f...more

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Aug 01, 2010 Tatiana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of very light paranormal romance

Shelves: 2010, series-dropped-lost-steam, romancelandia

2.5 stars

I feel a little torn about this book. Can't say I didn't enjoy it in some way, but at the same time I can hardly say anything in its defense.

What I liked:

1) Spunky dialog.

2) Dirty talk.

3) Steamy hooking-up - Bones is a very generous, attentive and giving lover, if you know what I mean.

What I didn't like:

1) This is not urban fantasy, this is paranormal romance. The majority of the book is dedicated to flirting, snogging, hooking up, and love confessions.

2) Many complain that Bones is Sp...more

like 48 likes · see review

May 10, 2013 Melissa *Pervy Nerd* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

*****5 Bone Lovin' Stars ;)*****

Catherine *Cat* Crawfield

is a half breed (half human/half vampire) and she is a badass ass kicking vampire slayer!! She is out for vengeance against her deadbeat vampire daddy and is taking it out on any vamp that crosses her path...that is until the smokin' hot vampire bounty hunter Bones captures her....

Crispin *Bones* Russell

is a sexy ass bounty hunter with an uh-mazing, sexy British accent...So freaking yummy!! I just wanted to get him and kiss him all over....more

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Feb 05, 2011 Eastofoz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Readers who love heroes with accents and lots of wit

Recommended to Eastofoz by: Auntee

Shelves: paranormal, 1st-person, e-book

If it weren’t for the hero this book would be like any other vampire PNR, this poster boy for “hot honeyness” totally steals the show from page 1. The writing overall is quite good with strong characters but the best thing about it is the Brit speak. Those one liners from the hero will either have you laughing your head off (though I wonder if the Brit speak would be as funny for someone from the UK?) or melting in a little puddle of goo :)

The series starts out with the heroine, Catherine, who’s...more If it weren’t for the hero this book would be like any other vampire PNR, this poster boy for “hot honeyness” totally steals the show from page 1. The writing overall is quite good with strong characters but the best thing about it is the Brit speak. Those one liners from the hero will either have you laughing your head off (though I wonder if the Brit speak would be as funny for someone from the UK?) or melting in a little puddle of goo :)

The series starts out with the heroine, Catherine, who’s half vampire. She’s made it her mission in life to kill all vampires as revenge for what they did to her mother. During one of her killing sprees she meets Bones, the oozer of sex hero. Bones is a vampire bounty hunter. They lock horns and end up having a “jolly good” time together as the story goes on.

Bones reminds me of JD Robb’s Rourke in a way. He’s got the quiet mystery about him, he adores the heroine and is always there when needed. Yes he’s one of those heroes who ends up getting the heroine out of more than one bind, but it’s well done so that you don’t feel like she’s only got the role of damsel in distress. If you mess with her in any way whether you're weak or strong he’ll kill you without batting an eye and he does it all with the most brilliant bit of funny/menacing lingo.

Though there is romance, it’s more PNR with romance than romance within a PNR framework. It reminds me a bit of Katie MacAlister’s Aisling Grey Guardian series with a splash more romance. There could have been more development we’ll say when they’d “get down to business” instead of making it a quick paragraph or two and the focus could have been more on the h/h than the vampire hunting at times. This happens more at the end so I felt a bit short changed there which was why I couldn’t give it a 5 star rating. Some of the action packed scenes at the end were also a bit too long I thought -got a little UF-y. It’s also written in the first person which is not a favourite of mine but it didn’t bother me here. You had enough of the hero’s side to get a good feel for his character. I wasn’t too keen on Cat’s decision at the end –very frustrating which of course goes to show that the author wrote a good book if they can get such a rise out of you (lol!)

If you do decide to pick up this book, a word to the wise: get book 2 with it otherwise you’ll be pulling out your hair what with the ending. It’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll be itching to know what happened. One of the best endings I’ve read in a good while.

So it’s quite a good start to the series. No excessive world building, original writing, laugh out loud scenes, a hellcat of a heroine and a jalapeno hot hero –good thing books 2 to 4 have already been published ;)
(less)

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Jul 24, 2009 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: keepers, paranormal, 2009-reads, humor, books-with-nookie

Great book.

Lots of laugh-out-loud fun.

Best dialogue I've read in a very long time. Brilliant!

Sexy vampires and a kick-ass heroine.

Do I need to point out that the paranormal genre is NOT my favorite? It doesn't matter - this author's writing style and fantastic sense of humor sucked me right in.

No need for me to write a review on this one since I am probably the last person on GR to finally read it, but I am posting a few of my favorite quotes ...

"Lucifer's bouncing balls, Kitten, not again!"...more

like 70 likes · see review

Jul 13, 2009 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Hot vampire lovers; PNR and urban fantasy fans

Shelves: pnr-vampires, urban-fantasy, jeaniene-frost, 2009-reads, badasses-hunks-in-leather, bikers-sexy-as-sin, favorites, hero-bad-boy-playboy, hero-im-gaga-over, heroine-i-adore, best-top-favorites, i-read-own-faves-keepers, favorite-romance-series, marry-me-bones, hero-alpha‎, hero-cad-rake-rogue‎-scoundrel, hero-i-wanna-marry, series-night-huntress-nh-world, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, pnr-angeldemon-fae-magic-witch-misc, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, hero-gigolo-prostitute-escort, hero-expert-skilled-voracious-lover, first-person-pov, assassin, favorite-love-scenes, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, hero-addict-excon-lawtrouble-thief, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-naïve-virgin-like-a-virgin, hero-attractive-handsome-heartthrob, 5-stars-or-higher, best-wittiest-banter-dialogue, paranormal-romance, best-snarkasm-humor, heroine-redhead, hero-or-heroine-illegitimate, hero-daddy-warbucks-wealthy, sizable-packages, hero-walking-hardon, a-all-time-fave-hero, a-all-time-fave-heroine, a-all-time-best-of-best-fave-dik, pnr-ghosts-spirits, pnr-living-walking-dead-zombies, pnr-occult-magic, yowza-hotness, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-bad-guy-ruthless-villainous, hero-brooding, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, hero-commoner-self-made, hero-black-sheep, hero-authentic-uber-rake, hero-redeems-himself-reformed, a-all-time-best-top-50-fave-dik

5+ stars – Vampire Romance/Urban Fantasy

I know a review isn’t really necessary for this book since there are already so many raves for it and lots of Cat and Bones fans, so I’ll just use my review as a means for gushing over how much I loved it!

Bad-ass half human/half vampire Cat Crawfield, armed with her acerbic wit, bitchy attitude, flaming red hair, slut gear, thigh-high leather boots, and silver knives, stakes, and bullets, slays vampires with a gusto that makes Buffy look like a girl scout....more 5+ stars – Vampire Romance/Urban Fantasy

I know a review isn’t really necessary for this book since there are already so many raves for it and lots of Cat and Bones fans, so I’ll just use my review as a means for gushing over how much I loved it!

Bad-ass half human/half vampire Cat Crawfield, armed with her acerbic wit, bitchy attitude, flaming red hair, slut gear, thigh-high leather boots, and silver knives, stakes, and bullets, slays vampires with a gusto that makes Buffy look like a girl scout. She’s a kick-ass heroine who uses her barbed sense of humor and snarky personality with as much effect as her stakes and stilettos and knives and kitten heel boots!

Cat’s sarcasm and internal dialogue are hilarious, and the wickedly sexy, fun, spicy banter and romance between Cat and Bones is five-alarm fire hot! There are sooo many belly-laugh-out-loud moments in this book and funny quotes (just check here on GR for some examples).

Now for the foremost reason why I loved this book...Bones, Bones, Bones, Bones, Bones...wistful sigh and dreamy shudder. Bones gives Edward a major run for the money for the top yummy vampire award! He just flat-out takes the stake...cake! Need some examples?

Bones in leather on a bike, Bones calling Cat “Kitten” and “luv”, Bones’s sexy mix of Aussie/English phrases (“sod off wankers”) and humor, Bones’s surprisingly sweet, tender, romantic side and fierce love for his ‘Kitten’, and most of all the scene where Bones drinks from Cat had me fanning myself and nearly fainting! He can drink from my neck any time, day, where!

For you PNR lovers, it’s told strictly from Cat’s POV and does have an urban fantasy feel and slant, but the romance between Cat and Bones is sexy, sweet, and flat-out combustible...very satisfying...except for a seriously frustrating, ‘say it ain’t so’ cliffhanger ending that had me immediately starting on the next book (very glad I didn’t have to wait for it) to carry on with the Cat and Bones saga!

So to pretty much sum it all up....Marry me, Bones! Very big 5 stars!(less)

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Feb 20, 2011 Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Urban Fantasy fans

Shelves: own-but-need-to-read, pnr, vampires, keep-a-spare-pair-of-knickers, my-hottie-harem, first-book-in-series, ebooks

I started reading this book months ago, read the first two chapters and dropped it. Don’t ask why. I don’t even know myself. I picked it up again and am wondering what the hell was wrong with me back then!?

Halfway to the Grave was a solid UF read. For me, UF is either a hit or miss with me. I either love it or hate it and I think with the Night Huntress series, I never really gave it a chance because I dropped it all those months ago. But sitting my ass down and reading it actually paid off in t...more I started reading this book months ago, read the first two chapters and dropped it. Don’t ask why. I don’t even know myself. I picked it up again and am wondering what the hell was wrong with me back then!?

Halfway to the Grave was a solid UF read. For me, UF is either a hit or miss with me. I either love it or hate it and I think with the Night Huntress series, I never really gave it a chance because I dropped it all those months ago. But sitting my ass down and reading it actually paid off in the end and now I know why this series is such a hit!

First off, I want to talk about BONES! I loved him! He ran the show for me. With the diamonds and cream complexion, those glowing green eyes and that British accent? What’s not to love about the guy!? But what really got me was the fact that he knew exactly who he was as a person. He seemed so sure of himself the entire time, making Cat second-guess her beliefs that all vampires are bad. I expected the hero to be a tortured one who loathed himself and what he was. Sooo not the case here. Bones accepts that he’s a vampire and that fact alone causes Cat to change her perspective of the bloodsuckers. It’s refreshing.

But Cat was the one reason why I put this book down the first time. Cat is a half-breed, a result of her mother being raped by a ruthless vampire. So she hates who she is, hates what happened to her mother, and runs around town killing those with no heartbeats. She is soo fucking bitter that her entire life is dedicated to ridding vampires from the world! I hate to say this but someone should have bitchslapped her and tell her to wake the fuck up and stop feeling so sorry for herself. I’ll be honest, I didn’t like Cat in the beginning. She was annoying and rash and never thought before she spoke. How could I relate to an immature girl who hunts vampires because she irrationally hates them? But halfway through, she realized her faults and THANK THE LORD FOR THAT! I nearly pulled my hair out! When she finally came to accept herself and stopped being so hypocritical, I began to respect her more.

Also, Cat can be pretty badass when she wants to be! I have a feeling that she’ll continue to be a kickass heroine that I’ll grow to love more and more.

I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series. With an ending like that, I can already feel my fingers itching towards One Foot in the Grave.

Favourite Quote:
“Right, then, mate, terribly sorry for my unspeakable rudeness, and I do beg your pardon,” he said with admirable humbleness when Timmie cracked it open. Only I could pick up the slight edge to his voice as he went on. “I can only say that it was caused by my natural affront to the notion of her as my sister. Since I’ll be shagging her tonight, you can imagine how I’d be distressed at the thought of rogering my sibling.”
“You schmuck!” I brust as Timmie’s jaw dropped. “The only thing you’ll be shagging tonight is yourself.”
“You wanted sincerity,” he countered. “Well, luv, I was sincere.”

***Rating edited*** After reading the rest of the series, I changed this rating from 4 starts to 3 stars.(less)

like 25 likes · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Lady Valee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

So this is my second time reading this book and I must admit I even liked it much more than the first one. I still believe this book is not as good as are the rest in the series but definitely a 5 star read IMHO.

There's nothing better than a good UF with tons of romance on it. Don't you agree? And it gets even better because all the books in it are about the same couple so we get to know them really well. You will have to agree with me when it comes to Cat and Bones, there's just not better roma...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Aestas Book Blog rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, book-1-of-my-fav-series

This is one of THE ABSOLUTE BEST PNR/UF series out there!! With one of the strongest long-lasting couples. Here's how I see Bones... are you drooling yet??

like 44 likes · see review

Aug 09, 2009 Kathrynn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Kathrynn by: Auntee

Shelves: romance-paranormal, funny, own, series-nighthuntress_frost, 2009, reviewed, theme-kick_butt_action, theme-does_not_end, favorites, theme-hero_heartthrob

Although the spine indicates this books as a paranormal romance, I feel that it was more a kick-butt, fiction, with a dose of romance. The romance was NOT the main focus of the book, but a nice addition. Very mild steam, not graphic. However, the action scenes were graphic and gory.

Enjoyed the humor! A lot of laugh-out-loud moments and cute one-liners. :-) The h/h made a good team. Catherine Kathleen Crawford "Cat" was half vampire/human and due to her mother's prejudice for all vampires became...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Arlene rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Arlene by: Booker Challenge - Lora

Shelves: favorites, paranormal, read-2011, vampires, urban-fantasy, adult

Blimey! That was bloody brilliant!

Thank you so much to my Street Corner Booker friend Lora for challenging me to start the Night Huntress series. She anticipated I would love the series, but I bet she never guessed I’d need a drool bib for Bones! Whoaza! I know this guy isn’t real, but I still need to say…. IS.HE.FOR.REAL? :O Pass the laminator, I’m updating my list. XD

There is so much I enjoyed about Halfway to the Grave, where to start? It’s funny, sensitive, full of action, and bad a$$ momen...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Sunny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This is one of my favorite series of all time. Meet Cat and Bones!

This is one of the best couples of all time! The love I have for this series... there are no words.

Meet Cat:

One word: Badass

Half vamp who tries to do the world justice by getting rid of all the evil vampires...

Bones:

Two Words: Bigger Badass

He is the best leading man ever!! Even over Dimitri Belikov and Jericho Barrons.

He fell in love with Cat and never ever apologized for it! If you were talking to Bones it would kinda be like thi...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Kelly Maybedog Hawkins rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: what-modern-fantasy, what-vampires, who-christmas-every-day

I don't have a lot to say about this because there isn't anything to pick apart; this will be half a review. I was initially hesitant to even pick the book up because I am so tired of vampire stories. I heard good things about this one but at one point I had it home from the library and it didn't look that interesting. I had too many books so I sent it back. It was only after seeing even more good things about it that I went back and looked at it again. I am so glad I did as the book was so good...more I don't have a lot to say about this because there isn't anything to pick apart; this will be half a review. I was initially hesitant to even pick the book up because I am so tired of vampire stories. I heard good things about this one but at one point I had it home from the library and it didn't look that interesting. I had too many books so I sent it back. It was only after seeing even more good things about it that I went back and looked at it again. I am so glad I did as the book was so good I couldn't put it down.

It has everything I look for in an urban fantasy: lots of action, lots of peril, a strong heroine who saves the day a lot, a gorgeous and kind leading man who is wonderful. He is dangerous to bad guys but not at all scary around her. He's protective but she's puts him in his place when he is being too much so. She doesn't allow him to baby her. He's not dark and brooding, he's easy going and in good humor most if the time! It's a believable world and the vampire mythos is interesting in that there is one. There's even a creation story versus an evolutionary one about how vampires came into existence!

The heroine is hot but she dresses like a normal person most of the time and isn't lusting after spiked heels as she's running for her life. She is untrained to begin with but before she is really take seriously as a vampire hunter, she trains and trains and trains. That is so refreshing. She is believably capable of going after them. More than once I thought of Buffy. The vampires don't just fall into her lap either: there is a lot of sleuthing and trial and error before getting she and the hero get their vamp.

I like that the mom is neither good nor bad, that she does both. I also love that the heroine is blind to the bad as is appropriate for a daughter. I love that vampires aren't all black and white either. Relationships in general are great in the book and the love story is perfect. I really like that although she's young and does stupid things, he is mature and doesn't play mind games back. And best of all, I can actually understand why an old vampire would fall in love with her.

So the book was perfect for me and I am alredy requesting the next one from the library. I highly recommend this book even if you are sick of Twilight-esque vampire stories. It's that good.

Hunh. I did have a lot to say after all.(less)

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May 03, 2012 Buggy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: shelf-09, lit-boyfriend, paranormal-rom, vampalicious, top

Opening Line: "I stiffened at the red and blue lights flashing behind me, because there was no way I could explain what was in the back of my truck."

I'm a little late jumping on this bandwagon but anyways...
I really enjoyed HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE and will definitely be reading the rest of this series in part because of the delicious hero Bones. He is absolutely fantastic and oh so sexy, reminding me on one level of Edward from Twilight in his unwavering love and protectiveness of Cat but of course...more Opening Line: "I stiffened at the red and blue lights flashing behind me, because there was no way I could explain what was in the back of my truck."

I'm a little late jumping on this bandwagon but anyways...
I really enjoyed HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE and will definitely be reading the rest of this series in part because of the delicious hero Bones. He is absolutely fantastic and oh so sexy, reminding me on one level of Edward from Twilight in his unwavering love and protectiveness of Cat but of course different in that Bones is ALL MAN. HTTG is a fast paced, action packed, somewhat bloody yet utterly amusing read. With a spunky impulsive heroine, delicious, bad boy hero and a unique modern storyline involving the Vampire hunter theme.

Catherine Crawford (Cat) is just your average half Vampire college student who in her spare time trolls the local bar scene seeking out the undead and killing them. Her hope is that one day she will come across the vampire that raped her mother, otherwise known as dad. One night while stalking her next target Cat gets more than she bargained for when she attempts to take down Bones, a two hundred year old, British speaking, Vampire, bounty hunter. Upon learning that she's half vampire Bones quickly turns the tables on the feisty and impetuous Cat, kidnapping her then forcing her into an unwilling partnership. Bones feels that together they'll be unstoppable since she's cunning and has the strength of a man. She's also pretty darn good with a dagger and deadly with a stake. And since other vampires can't sense her she'll also make the perfect bait. Cat in turn agrees to let him train her under the condition that he helps her find her dead beat dad.

Throughout Cat's training she's determined that as soon as she can she's going to take Bones out too. After all her mother always told her; the only good vampire is a dead vampire. As Cat gets to know Bones however she soon realizes that not all Vampires are created equal. And when the bodies start piling up he may very well be the only one she can trust even though its becoming apparent that Bones has some secrets of his own.

The sexual tension between Cat and Bones is awesome especially during their training sessions and I really appreciated the gradual build up within their relationship, slowly becoming friends as Cat lets down her prejudices. Bones is simply lovely, never wavering in his feelings towards her which at times proves difficult. He has been written as a bad boy so when he falls for Cat...*Sigh. The story races toward an exciting, blood splattered, cliff-hanger of an ending setting things up perfectly for One Foot in the Grave.

My only regret with HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE would be that it has been written in the first person as I would really liked to have heard what Bones was thinking occasionally. I also wanted more love scenes, there were just too many fade to black moments. All this however just signifies to me a great book, when I want more. Cheers (less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Brenna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Brenna by: Megan

Shelves: audible, fave-series-book-1, kindle

Hallo, luv!

And... another series that I am officially OBSESSED with!

I had ever heard of this series, although I had heard the name "Bones" here and there from my good friend, Megan. She insisted that the audiobook of this was amazing (yeah, yeah, yeah, she was right, but don't tell her that... :P) and once I added it on here I couldn't believe how many people love this series, so that made me super curious. I now see what all the hoopla is about! The fact that this is an adult series is really...more Hallo, luv!

And... another series that I am officially OBSESSED with!

I had ever heard of this series, although I had heard the name "Bones" here and there from my good friend, Megan. She insisted that the audiobook of this was amazing (yeah, yeah, yeah, she was right, but don't tell her that... :P) and once I added it on here I couldn't believe how many people love this series, so that made me super curious. I now see what all the hoopla is about! The fact that this is an adult series is really exciting to me, I've read quite a few YA series lately, and this is exactly what I need/want right now!

The chemistry is off the charts between the two main characters, Cat & Bones! I felt like their relationship happened a little bit fast (especially considering the intense hate for vampires that Cat has), but I still loved every second of it! I don't know why, but I was constantly surprised by them. Bones seems like a cocky, tough guy when you meet him, but then he shocks you by being beautifully honest with his emotions. I love that about him! He made me swoon. BIG TIME! & I must congratulate him on making me tolerate (& maybe even like a little bit :/) the nickname, "kitten." I know I've ranted about that in past book reviews, but I like it better coming from Bones, that speaks volumes about how much I love this guy! <3 And Cat, she was hilarious! I was very happy to be in her head during this book, she is quite entertaining. Smart, funny, witty, tough, but with a bit of dorkiness that makes her so lovable and relatable.

"I’m saying I’m a moody, insecure, narrow-minded, jealous, borderline-homicidal bitch, and I want you to promise me that you’re okay with that, because it’s who I am and you’re what I need."

I would never have imagined this book ending the way it did when I began. Of all the scenarios I had cooked up in my head when I started about where this story would be, this was absolutely NOT one of them. It kept me guessing and I really love not knowing where this is going to lead. All I know is I want more BONES and NOW!

"If you run from me, I’ll chase you. And I’ll find you…."

4.5 stars (less)

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Feb 15, 2013 LibraryLass rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, 2009, para-romance, monthly-challenges, 2011, 2013

This series has been on my TBR shelf for a while and I have put off reading it again and again. WHY???????

Just finished this one and cannot wait for the next. This had a bit of everything; humour, romance, vamps, suspense and a hot, hot, hot hero. Loved the whole premise of the book. Everytime I heard Bones' voice in my head it was with a real pommy accent so BIG well done to JF. So many others have gone before me raving about this series, I won't waffle on too long. Suffice to say, wonderful re...more

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Jul 13, 2009 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of JR Ward or Kresley Cole's IAD--or anyone who enjoys a wickedly exciting paranormal

Recommended to Auntee by: All my GR buddies

Shelves: paranormal-romance, 2009_reads, husband-worthy_hero, keepers

Awesome F-U-N!! I loved this book--I'd rank it right up there with any of the BDB books. Jeaniene Frost writes in a similar witty style as JR Ward does, which I love. I swear I had a smile on my face for 90% of the book. And it was HOT! Not quite erotic, but plenty steamy. I knew that I was in for some steamy reading when the hero Bones was trying to train the heroine Cat not to blush when he 'talked dirty to her'. Whew! There was also tons of action with Cat as a kick-ass, yet vulnerable, lovea...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Midu Hadi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: UF/PNR fans

Shelves: abuse, crime-fiction, fantasy, romance, serial-killers-and-other-murderers, vampires, 212books, series

3 n a 1/2 Stars actually!

Loved this book!!
The story opened in the perfect way.
I loved every bit of the action and of course, it had one of my most favorite things in it-a kick ass, smart mouthed heroine.
I did not like Bones right away. But gradually, he became awesomer and awesomer.
Another thing which always tips the scales for me is good humor and this book had that down pat.
I also loved Spades and would want to read more about him and meet Ian.
There was no one big bad wolf till the very...more

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Jul 25, 2012 AH rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: zzread-april-2010, own, vamps, first-in-series

I had heard so much about this series. I am wondering why I didn't read it sooner.

I absolutely loved this book. It captivated me from the first page. I could not put it down. It was fun, it was exciting, it was sexy. I fell in love with Bones. He struck me as an "anti-Edward." I loved Cat and her lethal vulnerability. I loved how their relationship developed.

Great book.

like 16 likes · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Kat Lowe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, romance

This book is a perfect example of 'good trash'. It's basically shameless escapism for people who like to grin at:

1) Killing the bad guy. (The heroine, Cat, might be only half vampire, but she's mighty quick with a silver stake.)

2) The tropes of modern society. (Frost has a razor sharp satire knife, and damn if she didn't cut me a couple times.)

3) Vicarious sex. (I seriously wish the sex was a bit less graphic, because my pre-teen daughter found my copy while I was cooking dinner and the first 25...more

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Nov 07, 2011 DMS rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed

I hadn't intended to read this book from the moment Amazon suggested it to me. The notion of a "half vampire" character just didn't appeal to me, and it sounded like it fell squarely into the paranormal romance arena, which isn't my thing. Since then, I've had three different people strongly recommend it as something I would like. Granted, these three have track records for enjoying appallingly bad -- uh -- having tastes different from mine. I resisted the first two, but the third actually gave...more I hadn't intended to read this book from the moment Amazon suggested it to me. The notion of a "half vampire" character just didn't appeal to me, and it sounded like it fell squarely into the paranormal romance arena, which isn't my thing. Since then, I've had three different people strongly recommend it as something I would like. Granted, these three have track records for enjoying appallingly bad -- uh -- having tastes different from mine. I resisted the first two, but the third actually gave me her copy, leaving me feeling oddly obligated to attempt to read it.

I put it off for a few months. I took the time to read a few really dry novels so that I would be in the mood for something rompy and less rigorous. I opened a bottle of Chenin Blanc. Basically, I did everything I could think of to reduce my obvious bias against this book short of home lobotomy.

Clearly, I should have powered up the drill.

If you're looking for a book about a child of rape on a quest to avenge her mother and her mother's people against her father and his people while having a complicated relationship with a man she loves who often treats her poorly and a society largely biased against her because of the circumstances of her birth, the book you're looking for is Who Fears Death. Technically, I've summarized the premise of both, but while it is relevant subject matter in one, for Halfway to the Grave, it is simply a backdrop for the sort of fucked up relationship drama that I’d like to believe only exists in romance novels.

The second star is awarded for having a sense of humor. Not for the supposedly witty banter I see referenced in so many reviews. Not for her thanking him for showing her what it means to be loved, though that was also hilarious. No. This is a book where romance starts with a training period that, for reals, involves several weeks of being beaten unconscious, taught how to look and act like a whore, and repeatedly reprimanded for showing any hint of self respect. Where consent is the conclusion to the following logical argument:

1. I will kill you if you don’t do what I tell you to.
2. I would never have sex with you without your permission.
3. Tell me you want to have sex with me right now.

After that, the relationship consists of him controlling what she wears, what she eats, the décor of her apartment.... The funny part? The great evil this healthy, vibrant couple is determined to take down is a sex trafficking ring.

The jokes pretty much write themselves.

If this is your kind of thing, go right ahead and enjoy it. Just. Please. Stop recommending this shit to me.(less)

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view all 5 comments

Kelly Maybedog Hawkins I think your summary is astute and perfect. In any other book, I would see as you did, I think. I don't know why this one felt different to me.

Just a...more I think your summary is astute and perfect. In any other book, I would see as you did, I think. I don't know why this one felt different to me.

Just a couple more comments which really just support your arguments:

I agree that there was no need for her to be a college student but I did really like that here was the main character of a UF novel that valued education and was trying to still do that. Still, she never finishes.

I am not comfortable with anything other than very mild BDSM of any couple and I agree some is worse than others. I've been reading a series where there is a by couple who engage in BDSM. Nothing horrible is shown,must implied, but other than that they have this perfect, beautiful relationship, although its not completely equal (the Dom has old money). Sometimes it bothers me a little but not always.

My point, is I am uncomfortable with BDSM wher it is clear that one character isn't a submissive just in fun but instead act fearful and is humiliated, even outside of thembedroom. I agree that this isn't something I'm comfortable with in gay erotic, either. Interestingly, I haven't seen a female who was the submissive in the more mainstream BDSM erotic I've read. (With one exception where BDSM was a way for her to show her wonderful man who she hurt over and over tht she did trust him. It Was still awkward For me, though because she was emotionally terrified to give up control.) It's usually this whore-looking woman with a whip. That actually bothers me, too, because it's all about humiliation rather than control and pain. I think playing with dynamics of control can be very erotic; I just don't like humiliation and cheesy outfits. :)

When she protests that she won't take his money it's because she doesnt want to be dependent on him and doesn't want to feel like a prostitute. But at that point I myself was like, "You aren't a finance major are you?" and "Failed logic 101, didn't you?

She actually did almost kill him with a very well-thrown knife. If it had been a couple of millimeters to one side he would be dust. But it was only that one time, I know.

I don't if I said this, but in the second book she trains her men the same way, albeit without the romance and sex...well, on her side. One of the men is in love with her and she could pound him into the ground without really trying give that she's half vamp. But it's a woman over a man which is so not the way our and her society works so it's not the same, I know. I absolutely see your point about the poor dynamic.(less)
updated Nov 07, 2012 11:37pm

DMS I did really like that here was the main character of a UF novel that valued education and was trying to still do that

YES!
Nov 08, 2012 11:54am

Dec 28, 2007 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of paranormal romance novels

Shelves: paranormal-romance

I just finished this novel, and I'm not happy. This is Frost's first novel, and it is AWESOME...great plot, great writing, great sex scenes, laugh-outloud dialogue...just a pure delight. And I am totally in love with the vampire, Bones. One of the best vamp characters ever.

So why am I not happy? Everything fell apart at the end. It switched from being a wonderful paranormal romance novel to one of those exahusting urban fantasy novels. One action scene after another until you lost track of what...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Hanife rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr, 2011, friends-book, favorites, reading-turkish, recommendations, favorite-author, made-me-laugh, made-me-cry

Bu yorum aynı zamanda Romancekolikte yayınlanmıştır.

Kedicikle tanışın!

Kendisi bir vampir tarafından annesinin tecavüze uğramasından 5 ay sonra yarı vampir olarak doğmuştur. Çoğu vampir özelliklerine (duyu,hız vs) sahiptir ve bu özelliklerini annesininde vampirlere karşı öfkesininde teşviğiyle vampirleri avlamakta kullanıyordur. Her zaman ki gittiği barda pusu kurmuşken hiç bir vampir karşısına çıkmaz. Sonra bir masada oturan vampiri gönüp yanına yanaşır ama reddedilmiştir. Kendine başka bir av...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Greta is Erikasbuddy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Greta is Erikasbuddy by: AH

Shelves: during-turtle-walks

2nd Review
For: Audiobook
Read: June 25 to July 11, 2012
When: During turtle walks

Good grief!!! My original review for the book is below, but I decided to listen to the series in audio form and my bud, Sunny, told me that I should take a trip down memory lane and refresh myself with Book 1. I can't tell you how happy I am that I took her advice.

Not only is this book amazing but the narrator is out of this world. She truly brings this book alive and I adored every voice she came up with. And she's...more

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Jun 24, 2010 Fani rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, urban-fantasy

I'm not sure if the heroine's mother is the worst I've read about, or the one in Nora Roberts' Born In series takes the prize. One thing is sure: they both are b*****s.

This book reminded me somewhat of Sookie Stackhouse, but with much more action and violence. I had no idea before I started it that it was more humorous than dark; I was fooled by the dark colors in the cover I guess.

All in all I liked it and had a fine time listening to it. It didn't bore me at any time which is more than I can...more

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Sep 01, 2008 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, vampires, 2008, favourite, urban-fantasy, romance

This is one of the best ones I've read all year. If you enjoy Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books I think you'd like this too. It has the same small-town (Middle America?) setting, and a great heroine. Catherine "Cat" Crawfield is half-vampire - her mother was raped twenty-two years ago and harbours an obsessive hatred towards them. Growing up, Cat was aware she was different from the other kids but not until she was 16 did she learn the truth. Now she spends her weekends hanging out at ba...more This is one of the best ones I've read all year. If you enjoy Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books I think you'd like this too. It has the same small-town (Middle America?) setting, and a great heroine. Catherine "Cat" Crawfield is half-vampire - her mother was raped twenty-two years ago and harbours an obsessive hatred towards them. Growing up, Cat was aware she was different from the other kids but not until she was 16 did she learn the truth. Now she spends her weekends hanging out at bars picking up vampires, letting them take her to secluded places and then staking them through the heart.

One night, though, she picks the wrong vampire: Bones is a great deal older than the others she's picked off, and sees through her instantly. As a vampire assassin and bounty hunter after some big vampire, ah, fish, he thinks she's working for someone and doesn't at first believe her story. When he does, though, he figures that with some training she could be very useful to him as bait and killer.

Naturally, what starts out as a business arrangement soon gets close and personal - Bones falls for Cat first, while she has a lot of hang-ups to work through; and oh my, isn't he dishy? Sometimes the colonial British voice is a tad overdone, but at least Frost is consistent, and it could certainly have been more hamy. The pacing is excellent, and the character development superb. Written in the first person, you still get a very clear perspective of Bones - which isn't common, actually, unless the author is particularly good, but there are some lovely lines in this that capture Bones and Cat's changing attitude towards him. I found it quite subtle. I also loved the plot device Frost is using to keep them apart - which is what makes this more romance than fantasy: a main character who swaps bed partners is not a romance character.

For a debut in this genre, you can't get better than this. Well worth it, no complaints (unless I've forgotten them). I'm already hopping to get the second book.(less)

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Sep 16, 2010 Veeta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-all-time-favorites, paranormal-romance

Sumprit,5 bintang ga cukup buat gw...10 bintang deh gw kasih...hmpfh
biasanya gw ga gitu demen ama cerita yang banyak eksyennya apalagi vampir-vampiran tapi ga tau kenapa pas gw kelar baca buku ini gw ga bisa berhenti baca...baca teruuuus....teruuuuuus ampe akhirnya nyadar gw dah kelar baca ampe buku ketiganya...sialnya gw dulu lupa nyimpen ebuk ke 4 di astak jadinya pas mudik kemaren ga sempet baca deh...
ceritanya komplit banget...ada eksyennya,kocaknya juga banyak....sering banget gw baca ampe...more

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Jun 01, 2009 Adrienne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-loan

i love::love::loved::this story::funny::sexy::and sometimes serious::bad-ass vampire slayers::Cat fiesty go-get-em type of girl::Bones well he's just plain sex on legs::and ::a true gentleman when it comes to cat::what isn't there to like about him::i just wish i'd found this pair earlier::but::it was well worth the wait::

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Jan 25, 2012 Elisandra Franzmann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book-reading-challenge-2012, audio-books-i-have, books-about-ghosts, books-about-the-supernatural, books-about-vampires, books-from-2007, books-just-for-the-fun-of-it, books-that-has-vamps-with-a-twist, books-with-a-kick-ass-lead-characte, books-with-bad-ass-covers, e-books-i-have, ghostly-reading-challenge-2012, reading-challenge-2012, the-review-made-me-want-to-read-it, books-hot-hot-hot, books-with-forbidden-love, books-with-good-vamps-and-bad-vamps, books-about-ghouls, books-reviwed, books-that-make-u-think, books-with-five-stars-review

Reviwed on 01/14/2012

WARNING!!! THIS IS A TOTALY FANGIRL REVIEW, MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS AND SURELY CONTAINS MASSIVE VISUAL AID THAT CAN AND WILL CAUSE BONERS IN GIRLS AND, POSSIBLY BOYS TOO. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

The Plot - Is not that special, really. Girl is the result of a rape committed by a vamp. Mother resents her and she kills vamps so she can get back at her dad (that she never met). Meets a vamp and makes a deal with the devil. The plot is not what got me, really.

The Characters - I lov...more

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About Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince 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....more

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Books by Jeaniene Frost

One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, #2)

Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, #4)

First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World, #1)

This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, #5)

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Quotes from Halfway to the Grave

“I'm saying that I'm a moody, insecure, narrow-minded, jealous, borderline homicidal bitch, and I want you to promise me that you're okay with that, because it's who I am, and you're what I need.” — 2,437 people liked it

“If you run from me, I will chase you, and I'll find you....” — 960 people liked it

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