One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Series: Night Huntress #2
Published by Avon, Blackstone Audiobooks on October 13, 2008
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 357
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple 
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 Bones awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline rush 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 Cat tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever … and Bones won’t let her get away again.
I’m so excited to talk about One Foot in the Grave, in general, I love the second book in a series! Second books are where often learn deep dark backstories and they often have some great action because the main characters are already set up. This book is no exception!
SPOILER ALERT!
I’m probably going to do some spoiling in my comments so if you haven’t read this book, well you might learn some things if you keep reading.
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I’d just like to say right off the bat, I don’t like Tate. I didn’t like him at the beginning of this book. I didn’t like him in the middle and I especially didn’t like him hanging around the house when Cat and Bones had their marathon sex session. Cat calls him her best friend, and I say, no he isn’t.
The only person I like less is Cat’s mother – she is still the worst. And of course, there is Annette, I like her about as much as Tate. I wonder, will one of these characters have a redemptive arc? I have confidence that Jeaniene Frost could manage that with Annette and Tate, but I don’t know about Cat’s mom. Speaking of which, when we learned that Cat’s dad has a very different recollection of the night Cat was conceived, I wasn’t surprised at all. It made sense.
I think Jeaniene Frost made an excellent writing choice at the beginning of this book. I highly approve of the time jump. We get to skip over the months that Cat spent mourning the loss of Bones and the training of the team.
I was also very pleased with the direction this book takes. There could have been a whole thing where Cat and Bones stayed apart and there would have been so much angsty drama, but instead, we get reunion sex like no other, and then Bones joins Cat’s team. I was surprised that Bones was going to be willing to make new vampires out of the soldiers, but that is a new direction and I look forward to seeing what happens. Will that mean a spin-off story for Juan as a vampire? Who knows. (I mean all the people who have read these books already know, but I have no idea what is going to happen next!)
In this book, we learn more about how the hierarchy of vampires works and there is a new major power player, Mencheres. In my area, there is a big car dealership called Mancari’s. So whenever there was a Mencheres scene, I pictured the great vampire as a car salesman.
I think my favorite part of this book was the wedding of Denise and Randy. I liked that Cat has a friend she can confide in after spending her first two decades without friends so I love that she is not alone anymore. Cat and Bones’ wedding was a bit of a bummer for me- I would have liked it to happen later in more of a “want to get married” not “have to get married” situation. But who knows, maybe in a later book there will be a romantic affirmation of vows or something.
I don’t know what is going to happen in book 3, but I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Cat’s crummy father. And I’d venture to guess it wasn’t turning into a vampire that made him suck, he probably sucked before then too!
I almost forgot about the Dave thing at the end. That was surprising. Boy, there was a lot packed into this book!
What did you like best?
Games:
Who said (enter the answer in the Rafflecopter, don’t put in the comments)
Who said “You’re a freak. Why wouldn’t you want a freak also?”
There are other options in the rafflecopter for you to enter discussion questions and quotes to share.
The quote for Who said “Well, strike me pink” in Halfway to the Grave is Spade / Charles.
The villains were Hennessey and the Governor.
Share your review/ thoughts on One Foot in the Grave:
I thought it might be fun to link up reviews so we can find them all easily. It can be a link to Goodreads or a blog, or wherever you have a review (short or long).
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If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.
Observations and questions you shared from Halfway to the Grave:
(Thank you so much for sharing!)
- Several readers have mentioned they picture Bones in their head as Spike from Buffy.
- The difference between the Cat at the beginning and the Cat at the end is extraordinary and I am really going to enjoy re-reading them as Cat grows!
- I had forgotten how much I hate Cat’s mom.
- I just was hooked from the beginning and the ride was fabulous!
- Mencheres! Dave! Grendel!
- I am so disappointed in Don.
- When Bones first tried compulsion on Cat, she said that she felt the urge to do it, just a bit. Was it possible for Cat to be compulsed if the vampire was very powerful?
Quotes you readers shared from Halfway to the Grave:
“Don’t kiss me like a woman if you’re going to treat me like a child.”
“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.”
“If you run from me, I will chase you, and I’ll find you.”
“It’s what you reminded me of when we met. An angry, defiant, brave little kitten. And every once in a while you’re cuddly like one.”
“You’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met, yet you’re scared to death of your own mum. Don’t you realize? It’s not me you’re hiding in a closet—it’s yourself.”
“Give in to the fear for effect? One stink platter, coming right up.”
“You’re not a woman,” he said finally. “You’re the Grim Reaper with red hair!”
“Lucifer’s bouncing balls, Kitten, not again!”
“Come and get me, bloodsucker.”
“Let’s go, Kitten, before you kill someone else. ”
“There is only one way to fight, and that’s dirty. Clean gentlemanly fighting will get you nowhere but dead, and fast. Take every cheap shot, every low blow, absolutely kick people when they’re down, and maybe you’ll be the one who walks away.”
COYER FB Chat – Sunday February 13
Challenge is adopting our Read-along. You can read about COYER and join that challenge HERE. On the Sunday after the review posts, they will host a FB room (like we do for COYER book club) at 12 PT, 2 CT, 3 ET and 9pm Europe, for a one hour chat. You do not have to join the COYER challenge to participate, only the Facebook group.
Here’s your to-do list:
- Find your copies of these books, borrow them from a friend, get them at the library or buy them.
- Read Book 3, At Grave’s End, by March 11.
- Make note of a favorite quote or two as you read the book.
- If you haven’t read the books before, make a list of questions you have for the discussion. If you have read them, please don’t spoil new readers.
- Think of some great questions for Jeaniene Frost for the Q & A post!
- Link up your review on Goodreads, FB or other site to the post.
- Join the COYER book chat on the Sunday following the post.
- Enter the giveaways!
Schedule:
We are doing one book every 3-4 weeks, posting on Fridays. We will have a review for the books with the team here at Books of My Heart plus some of our friends. We are following the author recommended reading order.
Feb 11: One Foot in the Grave – Victoria @ First of All
Mar 11: At Grave’s End – Kimberly @Caffeinated Reviewer
Apr 1: Destined for an Early Grave – Stephanie @ Once Upon a Chapter
Apr 29: First Drop of Crimson – Kai @ Fiction State of Mind
May 20: Eternal Kiss of Darkness – Jen @ That’s What I’m Talkin About
Jun 10: This Side of the Grave – Brandee @Unconventional Bookworms
Jul 8: One Grave at a Time – Lorna
Aug 5: Once Burned – Lexxie @Unconventional Bookworms
Sep 9: Twice Tempted – Angela @ Angel’s Guilty Pleasures
Oct 7: Up from the Grave – Melanie
Nov 4: Bound by Flames – Sophia
Dec 2: Into the Fire – Berls @ Because Reading
Q & A with Jeaniene Frost
Miss a post?
Jan 14: Halfway to the Grave – Melissa @ Tea & Books
Jeaniene Frost has also been kind enough to commit to a Q & A post. I will collect questions for her through September 19th. I will send your questions to her and she will pick 3-5 questions and send me the response. I will post her answers in the December 2 post. So think up some great questions for her!
Bonus round – Read a Series in a Month January 2023:
Jan 8: Shades of Wicked – Carole @ Carol’s Random Life in Books
Jan 22: Wicked Bite – Robin
Feb 5: Wicked All Night – Anne
These are Sunday noon posts. There will be one COYER FB Chat at the end of the series on Feb 5th.
Be sure to enter the giveaways!!!
Giveaway:
For US new print copy of Destined for An Early Grave and for Intl from Book depository.
Grand-Prize Giveaway:
For a US winner, this will be 12 digital copies ( your choice of her books) generously provided by Jeaniene Frost (US only) but they can be from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Kobo.
For an Intl winner, it will be $50 at Book Depository.
About Tavia Gilbert
Tavia Gilbert (SAG-AFTRA) is an award-winning narrator with more than 150 audiobooks under her belt. Contemporary and literary fiction, biography and memoir, fantasy, romance, children’s literature, science, religion…Tavia’s range of genres is a direct result of her intuitive interpretation, clever diction and pacing, and sensitivity to each author’s or publisher’s needs.
Classically trained in voice and theater, Tavia attended the University of Washington and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Original Works in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts. She has been singing in choirs since she was 12 years old and has been working full time as a voice actor since 2006.
Tavia is also a producer with nine years experience. After moving to Portland, Maine in 2001, she studied audio documentary production at the Salt Institute. With 11 years of paralegal experience, Tavia has a clear understanding and appreciation for the business side of her world, including contractual language and legal strategy. Her creative eye, vivid personality, and experience and contacts help her cast the highest caliber of artists, including actors, musicians, videographers, and other talent. Her clients hire her again and again, recognizing her exceptional work and the advantage they have in someone with both a creative and business mind.
About Jeaniene Frost
Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.
Jeaniene lives in Maryland with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.
About Victoria at First of All
Victoria is an ardent reader who has been reviewing books off and on for years. When she isn’t reading, she’s either out for a run or working on writing a Cozy Mystery and dreaming of being published someday. Living in the Midwest, the winters are long which leaves plenty of time for adding to her never-ending TBR pile of Mysteries, Thrillers, Romance, Paranormal Romance, and YA. If she isn’t holding a book from the library or listening to an audiobook, she is likely advocating for Breast Cancer research and support for BRCA genetic mutants like herself.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
Oh my goodness… I don’t remember anything that happened in this one. It’s funny how I forget what happens in early books after I’ve finished a series. Glad you are enjoying so much!
This is my absolute favorite from the series so far (that I’ve read but I’ve only read thru July on our reading schedule) Somehow I thought if I didn’t read the 7th book it wouldn’t be over or something. Now I’m going to forge ahead and read them all. I own them already.
This was my favorite book in the Night Huntress Series. It continues to be the benchmark most other books struggle to pass.
The first book had a thriller aspect to it, which was amazing but stressful to read at times.
While this one still has a bite to it, death doesn’t feel so imminent and Cat’s resourcefulness is so engaging it heartens her separation and the trials she endures.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s my favorite too. I’ve only read thru July on our schedule though and that was about 10 years ago. I LOVED reading this one again.
great cover and title.
Yes the cover for this one, all the covers are awesome because motorcycles.
Victoria thank you so much for joining in the Read-along and sharing your thoughts here. I agree about Denise and Randy as I’m so happy for Cat to have people who are her friends and care about her as her instead of using her for a change.
Great series. I also didn’t like Tate at all, there was nothing to like.
I had two questions. How come Anette is the same vampire age as Bones, but she isn’t nearly as powerful? With Cat not being very inconspicuous working for Don, how come Bones didn’t find her sooner? I loved their reunion. Bones is awesome throughout. Cat can be a bit childish sometimes.
When and how do we submit comments or questions? I missed that.
You can enter comments, questions and quotes into the rafflecopter. You have to enter an email address and a blog post comment to show the rest of the options on it. I will add these to the next post though. I don’t know everything about the world so someone can correct me if I am wrong. I am guessing that Annette is not as old as Bones, because didn’t Bones turn her? Also, perhaps it matters who turns you whether they are a Master or a new vampire? Or even how old you are when turned, as Bones was young and Annette was rather old. I am sure Bones had seen the results of operations but the team doesn’t live where the operation happens and there were many involved besides Cat, also they maybe “cleaned up” everything after an operation so it would be hard to find their base. They certainly were keeping it secret since any vampire might want to destroy them if they found them.
Thanks! I don’t know how to get to the Rafflecopter. But I’ll get the hang of it, I hope. Started reading the 3rd book.
Looks like fun, and I like reading the questions and observations too 🙂
We always include those on the Read-along from the previous book. This series is especially quotable and hilarious.
Yes, I did enjoy Cat and Bones reunion. Cat’s mother is something else but she does love Cat. I love all the books in this series!
I’m enjoying the reread so much since it’s been 10 years. But after July will be new to me.
My favorite part here was the wedding too! Cat and Denise’s friendship is cool and oh, poor Noah 😬 I love how they tried to have a normal relationship when they reunited, I mean, going out on dates, etc. It’s so cute 🖤
That was awesome and just another aspect of Bones trying to give her everything she might need. He’s the best.
So it said that I should leave a comment after posting a link. So here I am, saying again, how I LOVE this series 🥰
Also, A question. How do I join the FB room chat?
You need to join the Facebok group. I emailed to check the easiest way to do that and I just heard from the group admin. I will add the group URL in the post above on the Read-along the link for Facebook group, and you can request to join.
This sounds like such a great series! I have only read the first book–which I enjoyed. I think I have this one on my TBR.
This one’s my favorite. I’ve only read as far as July and it was 10 years ago. So I’m really enjoying refreshing the story.
Loved this book too!
My fav. So much happened and it was funny with lots of plot twists.
One Foot in the Grave has SO much going on in it! Tate is a tool, Cat’s uncle is a big jerk hiding secrets, Annette is a see you next Thursday and Bones is just… Bones. And I cannot forget the hottest, most explosive vampire sex scene I’ve ever read!
Well said! I don’t like Tate. She’s not into you, get over it! Bones is awesome in the way he loves and supports her. He’s really uprooting his whole life to move there and be on the team. I’m mad at Don. But we talked about in the chat today how he is probably clinging to the hope that the vampire is why his brother went bad. He’s realizing it is the person is corruptible or not, vampire has nothing to do with it, and it hurts.
I’m yet to read One Foot in the Grave.
Well it’s a treat so I hope you get a chance to read it, and can join us as we read along.
Great review!! “Cat calls him her best friend, and I say, no he isn’t.” <– Yes! 100 times yes! I hope he gets a redemptive arc though, I think he has potential.
It's funny you say that those who've read this know where it's heading and yet, it's been so long, I don't recall 99%. Like for this book, the only thing I remembered was Bones came back and it was HOT LOL! So we will both be surprised together 🙂 Great Review!
It’s sad how munch I’ve forgotten but it’s great for me to refresh myself with the Read-along. Thanks so much for sharing your review.
Yes I’ve definitely read half this series and I can’t wait to finish reading this whole series for this Read Along. I have loved this series since I read Halfway To The Grave in 2014 and can’t wait to actually finally finish reading it.
Yes I got stuck in the middle and am looking forward to finishing this series and world. I look forward to you joining us!
Definitely, thank you so much for doing this awesome read along of this series!
It’s my pleasure. I pick series I want to read.
Also definitely read One Foot In The Grave and the part that really got to me was when Cat thought Bones had died and she had to step up and be the leader Bone’s would have wanted her to be even though she was dying inside because he was no longer with her. And when he was able to return, their reunion was off the charts the best part.
I don’t think Cat ever thought Bones died. She had to say he died and substitute Lazarus’ body so others would think he died so they wouldn’t go after him. I agree that the reunion was the best. What? You can fly???!!?!
Could have been that although the way she and Annette were acting made it seem like they truly believed he was gone for good. And yeah the flying thing was a very big surprise for them and I can’t wait to see what other powers she gets!
I loved this series as a whole! ♡
This is one of my favorites. I have only read through June so I am looking forward to finishing the world. Thank you so much for sharing your review and thoughts.
I really do need to read something by this author some day. Especially seeing how much you enjoy them! Thanks for sharing this fun post!
Well you are certainly welcome to join us as we are just 2 books into the series. It has more romance than the average urban fantasy I think.