Death’s Excellent Vacation – Spotlight & Review
Death’s Excellent Vacation – Anthology
Book Description:
“The editors of “Wolfsbane and Mistletoe” and “Many Bloody Returns” deliver a new collection-including a never-before-published Sookie Stackhouse story.
“New York Times” bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Katie MacAlister, Jeaniene Frost-plus Lilith Saintcrow, Jeff Abbott, and more-send postcards from the edge of the paranormal world to fans who devoured “Wolfsbane and Mistletoe” and “Many Bloody Returns.”
With an all-new Sookie Stackhouse story and twelve other original tales, editors Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner bring together a stellar collection of tour guides who offer vacations that are frightening, funny, and touching for the fanged, the furry, the demonic, and the grotesque. Learn why it really can be an endless summer-for immortals.”
My Thoughts:
As with any anthology with several authors, there were a few stories that I LOVED, some that I really liked, some that were just ok and a couple that just didn’t do it for me, but all in all it was a good read. I also found a couple new authors that I’ll be looking into, so that’s always a bonus!
Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse short, Two Blondes, was excellent and the only thing wrong with it was that it was too short, lol. A full length novel about Sookie is too short for me, I can never get enough of these characters! Sookie and Pam go away for a weekend and while attending an unexpected business meeting they come across unexpected complications.
Jeaniene Frost’s – One For The Money: Cat & Bones’ vacation is interrupted when her uncle needs them to do him a favor. As always, any story about Cat & Bones, it was filled with suspense, danger, action, some smexy time, and great characters including Cat’s mom and Fabian the ghost. I always love a Cat & Bones adventure!
Meanwhile, Far Across The Caspian Sea by Daniel Stashower is about a young aspiring writer/journalist. He takes an entry-level job at a non-fiction publishing house and interacts with some pretty eccentric characters. There’s a surprise at the end.
A. Lee Martinez – The Innsmouth Nook Two men open up a bed and breakfast in a small strange town and strange things occur that lead to a completely unexpected ending. Creepy creatures, that’s all I can say without spoiling it.
Jeff Abbott – Safe & Sound A self involved TV journalist uses the disappearance of a college student in an attempt to boost her career. They all travel to the tropical island where he disappeared, despite a rude awakening of the paranormal kind, she never lets up in trying to put a self promoting spin on things up until the end.
L.A. Banks – Seeing Is Believing A young woman who has the gift of “sight” goes on a working vacation to New Orleans to gather supplies for a werewolf problem at home. She meets a young man who is able to help her and finds out just how special he really is.
Katie MacAlister – The Perils Of Effrijim Aisling Grey’s demon Effrijim or “Jim” as he likes to be called is sent off to be taken care of or supervised, while Ash & her family go on vacation. Calamity ensues when her caretaker’s apprentice banishes him to Akasha. Hilarious!
Christopher Golden – Thin Walls Aman who lost his wife a year ago goes on a “farewell” tour of all the places she loved as a tribute to her. He’s kept awake half the night at the hotel he’s staying at by, shall we say, some overly enthusiastic people in the next room. This story plays out in a surprise ending.
Lilith Saintcrow – The Heart Is Always Right A gargoyle saves a woman that he’s attracted to and then finds out that she’s very special. He’s very conflicted with what he knows he has to do with her and with his feelings for her. As always, Saintcrow’s writing and characters had me enthralled right up to the end.
Chris Grabenstein – The Demon In The Dunes A Man reminisces of a long ago summer when he was in his teens and on vacation for the summer with his family and friends. About a night where he & his friends snuck out to meet some girls and he saw a demon in the dunes. Interesting twist.
Sharon Newman – Home From America A great story of a fourth generation Irish man wanting to go to Ireland to find his roots. He ends up going with his whole family for a family reunion and is in for a big surprise!
Toni P. Kelner – Pirate Dave’s Haunted Amusement Park A newly turned werewolf returns to her favorite childhood vacation spot to be alone & come to terms with her situation. She comes across a vampire who is the owner of the Pirate themed amusement park she loves and the sparks fly!
Buy Death’s Excellent Vacation at:
At Grave’s End – Spotlight & Review
At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost
(From Back Cover)
“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.”
Anyone who’s been reading my blog for awhile knows that I am a huge fan of this series, and Ms. Frost does not disappoint with At Grave’s End, the third book in the series. It’s like a run-away train that you’re hanging on to for dear life because you can’t stand to not find out what’s going to happen. I always find myself totally wrapped up in the characters, their situation, their feelings and the outcome. Absolutely outstanding writing! This series would make for a wicked TV series or movies. I would so love to see it all on screen.
Cat and Bones are just wicked together and the surrounding cast of characters are varied and really well rounded. The plot flies, the danger is intense, the characters grow and the world building is phenomenal. If you haven’t been reading this series, then you are missing out on some seriously awesome urban fantasy. Run, don’t walk to pick up Halfway To The Grave, One Foot In The Grave & At Grave’s End.
Click HERE to read my review of Halfway To The Grave.
Click HERE to read my review of One Foot In The Grave.
The next book in the series, An Early Grave is due to be released July 28th, 2009!
One Foot In The Grave – Spotlight & Review
One Foot In The Grave by Jeaniene Frost
( From The Back Cover )
“You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide . . .
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.”
The second book in the Night Huntress series comes out swinging! Cat and Bones practically ignite the pages they’re so hot together. This book comes in a few years after the ending of Halfway To The Grave and hits the ground running. Cat’s saucy attitude, mad fighting skills and her kick-ass team come up against some dangerous situations that kept me flipping the pages with anticipation.
I am totally hooked on this series and if you’re an Urban Fantasy fan then this is definitely a must read! The plot is engaging, the characters addicting, the world-building phenomenal and the writing fantastic. I can hardly wait until the next book in the series At Graves End which will be out next month, Dec 12th. Jeaniene Frost is another author to add to my favorites and my auto-buy list.
Halfway To The Grave – Spotlight & Review
Halfway To The Grave by Jeaniene Frost Nov.’07 by Avon Books
Format:Mass Market Paperbound
Published:October 17, 2007
Dimensions:384 pages
Published By:Harper Morrow Group
The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN – 10:0061245089
ISBN – 13:9780061245084
(from back cover) “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 unholy partnership.
In exchange for 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 newfound 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.”
I flat out loved it! It’s an action-packed, sexual-tension filled romp through the paranormal life of Cat, whether she wants it or not. Cat comes into her own and begins to accept who she is. Great, great reading. 
This is the beginning of what promises to be an awesome urban fantasy series! If you are a Buffy fan, this is similar to the “grown-up” version. I’m also happy that the next novel in the series, One Foot In The Grave will be released on April 29th 2008.
I’m reading Personal Demons right now and enjoying it. The review will be up soon as well as a surprise, but you’ll all have to check back to find out what it is! Hope everyone had a great weekend.
( Moved over from my original blog & edited a bit )
6 Comments.
Posted by UFR:
I’m looking forward to reading your review of Personal Demons. 
Posted by Judi:
It seems like you and I have a good mix going because the books you’re reading and reviewing are the ones I have yet to pick up! 
I hear you on finding more time. I think my TBR pile is almost ridiculously huge now, but I’m always buying more, lol.Posted by Amber:
Posted by Judi:
You and me both! There are so many great new series I follow now that I’m thinkig I’m going to have to write a best-seller book to support my book-buying habits!! LOL 
Posted by Amber:
I have also thought about writing a book to support my book habit…
Posted by Judi:
I know some people think that the market is over-saturated, but I say “Bring it on!!”, I’m LOVING all the new Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance!!I remember 10 – 15 years ago when besides Anne Rice, it was a good year if I found one or two books about vampires. No thanks! I’ll take the way it is now. 🙂
About Me
I read Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Light Fantasy, Young Adult and Graphic Novels in said genres. I’ve also been known to read the odd historical romance if they involve uber-sexy highlanders, vikings or knights & if they involve some time travel and a lot of humor. Heh! 😀 If any Authors, Publicists or Publishers would like their books reviewed or would like to schedule a Guest Blog or Giveaway please contact me at sidhevicious@gmail.com
Please see the BIOS page for more info on our reviewing style and for other info.
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