Heather read and liked Shawna's review of Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, #4):

"5+ stars – Vampire Romance/Urban Fantasy

Considering this is one of my top preferred PNR series, that Cat and Bones are my favorite kick-ass romance couple, that Bones is my #1 all-time beloved bad boy vampire hero, and that I LOVED the ...more 5+ stars – Vampire Romance/Urban Fantasy

Considering this is one of my top preferred PNR series, that Cat and Bones are my favorite kick-ass romance couple, that Bones is my #1 all-time beloved bad boy vampire hero, and that I LOVED the previous three books, especially my favorite One Foot in the Grave; my expectations for Destined for an Early Grave were incredibly high. After all, it’s Jeaniene Frost, who writes some of the snarkiest, funniest, and most entertaining dialogue that I’ve had the joy to read.

So, was it all that I hoped it would be? For the most part and overall, yes, but boy was it an emotionally frustrating journey, and I was tense and discouraged with the way things stood and/or were headed for Cat and Bones for about 200 pages of the book.

Cat and Bones have battled countless rogue undead together, defeated a malevolent Master vampire hell bent on their destruction, and were married the old fashioned vampire way, with a sacred-until-death blood bond, so they should be enjoying a smooth sailing HEA right? With a manipulative, vengeful, cunning Master vampire named Gregor claiming marital rights to Cat, not on your undead life.

The story picks up soon after the events of At Grave’s End with Cat and Bones embarking on an extended holiday for some much needed R&R, but their plans for a romantic Paris holiday are ruined by the powerful Master vampire Gregor, known as the Dreamsnatcher, who’s terrorizing Cat’s dreams. Seems that Gregor is convinced Cat belongs to him, and he’s ruthlessly determined to win (steal) her back. Now Cat and Bones face their toughest enemy yet, their own pride, insecurity, jealousy, and fear, as they battle against Gregor’s claims and unconscious hold over Cat.

Cat and Bones come to blows over their disagreement of how to handle things; he acts controlling and overprotective and she acts reckless and impulsive. They have some rather nasty arguments and fights (including an all out brawl turned sparring match that was smokin’ hot), both say some mean, hurtful things that they don’t really mean, and things get rather dicey for our beloved couple. Sounds like a marriage to me; just swap family, sex, and money problems and your spouse leaving his shoes in the living room and dirty clothes on the floor for the marital strain of a merciless dream snatching vampire, and there you have it.

There were numerous times that I wanted to scream out loud in utter annoyance over Cat and Bones’s immature, stubborn behavior and bad communication. I worship at the altar of Bones, but he pissed me off on several occasions. Cat just quite wasn’t her usual snarky, lovably bitchy self and spent a lot of the time battling her inner demons instead of the rogue undead. Several of the key secondary characters play an intriguing part this time around, including Spade, Vlad, Mencheres, Cooper, Rodney, and Cat’s mom Justina, and a fun new character, a ghost named Fabian, has an important role in the story.

With lots of thick tension and intense drama, it’s the heaviest of the series so far, but luckily there’s still plenty of Frost’s winning dialogue, clever banter, and zingy, hilarious one-liners for some nice belly laughs. I would have liked more romance and tender moments between Cat and Bones, and of course more sex (there’s only 2 short scenes); but through it all the strength of their love shines through and their persistent devotion to each other holds tough.

Frost must have a clear vision for where she intends to take the series because she once again managed to pull things together brilliantly and kept me hooked, even when things weren’t looking very promising for our beloved duo. I just need to keep my faith in Frost and Cat and Bones....and of course have patience until the next book comes out! Luckily the first book in the spin-off Night Huntress World series, First Drop of Crimson, featuring Bones’s best friend and fellow vampire Spade and Cat’s human best friend Denise comes out January 26, 2010 and should help tide me over! Big 5 stars!

Here are some of my favorite funny moments/lines (possible spoilers ahead if you don't want an advance screening of a few scenes/lines).

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Cat referring to all the stares Bones receives from women when they are out on the town, (page 16)

“...the lustful glances thrown his way made me wish he wasn’t such a damned bowl of eye candy.”

Cat worried that she insulted Bones’s vampire gal pal while waiting in the bathroom line during the opera’s intermission, (page 18)

“Bring me some liquor, Bones, fast, to take my foot out of my mouth.”

Cat putting an uppity, skanky society bitch at a Paris Opera House in her place when she directs verbal come-ons at Bones and unwisely eggs Cat on, (page 19)

“He f**ks even better than he looks”, I settled on saying. Several heads turned. I didn’t care; I was pissed. “And that beautiful face is going to be clamped between my legs as soon as we get ooome, don’t you worry.”

Cat teasing Bones about his ardent romantic antics in a Paris alley, (page 21)

“Are you crazy? There are half a dozen vampires nearby-” “None within eyesight,” he cut me off with a chuckle. “They can hear, Bones” I continued to object, facing the building as he spun me around. He continued to laugh. “Then do be sure to say flattering things.”

Cat feeling insecure compared to Annette at a party, (page 300)

“Next to her, I felt like Carrot Top in drag.”

There’s also a nice reference and homage to “The Matrix” in a scene that had me laughing hard.

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Whew, this review turned out long, but I love this series!
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Heather read and liked Jenny's review of Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, #4):

"I LOVED this book and fell in love with this series from the start, not only because Jeaniene Frost brings in a wonderful mix of paranormal fantasy and romance, but she writes in a way that gives the book so much detail you find yourself lost in the ...more I LOVED this book and fell in love with this series from the start, not only because Jeaniene Frost brings in a wonderful mix of paranormal fantasy and romance, but she writes in a way that gives the book so much detail you find yourself lost in the story! I won an ARC of this story in one of Frosts 8 birthday contests and was absolutely extatic. I cant wait for the rest of the story to unfold in the coming books and I am dying to reread the series already!!!(less) "