7) One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

The Blurb :

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.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But how do you kill a killer who's already long dead?

My Thoughts :

For some unknown reason I decided to give this book a miss when it was released. The Night Huntress series used to be a must buy for me but something kept me from snatching this one up when it came out. So while using my Audible credits I came across it and decided I would give listening to Cat and Bones a chance.

The story, plot and characters were as I remembered and expected. Well written, exciting and lots of action. I really enjoying this installment in the series and can't believe I missed out on reading it when it came out. Of course the wait didn't hurt me too much and despite it being a great story I think I appreciated it more after having such a long break from the vampire husband and wife duo. After all they can be a bit much at times.

The audio version was well read and the narrator was as usual not the voice I was expecting when it started. After a while I got used to the voice and she became Cat and I liked her. However being British I have to say I am not a fan of her 'Bones' voice. Although living in Austria I have to admire her German take on things.

This series is a must read. Yes I didn't buy it when it released but it still stays on the must read list. One Grave at a time was a good addition to the series and maybe I won't wait as long to catch up with Cat and Bones next time. Maybe I will visit them on Audible again...

38) This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

The Blurb -

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.

My Thoughts -

So we make it to Night Huntress book five and I have to say that things aren't as exciting and fun in Cat and Bones world this time around. The series has come a long way over the years but somehow this new installment felt a little dry and flat. Sure quite a few things happened and some of them will have an effect on what comes next but on the other hand I felt like nothing really happened.

Cat and Bones are always portrayed as the perfect amazing couple in the Urban Paranormal Fantasy genre but to be honest I am starting to find them somewhat annoying. Their little chats about their love for each other make me quite nauseous and I never really know who wears the trousers in the relationship. The sex scenes are not tiring for the couple but they do make me yawn. I get the feeling that both of them are just trying too hard and want to prove something that doesn't need to be proved.

While I enjoy the other vampire characters in the series I have to admit I can't remember much about them and had completely forgot the whole Kira story. So I felt a bit confused as to her abilities when it came up. Also Cat's mom returns again and manages to find yet another place in the story. It doesn't matter what happens, the woman always seems to pop up again and again even though she is not needed. In this new release prepare yourself for the passing of one of the 'team'. Don't get too upset though! In true paranormal style it looks like the character won't be gone for long. Why kill him off then?

The plot this time was weak and jumped all around the place. One moment they are in that place, then suddenly there and within pages over there. I have to say I felt dizzy and wasn't sure where everyone was at any one time. Cat gets the job done in the end but I didn't think she really worked much towards it but cheated and used yet another new power. She used to be kick-ass cool but now she just sucks up a new ability, struggles to use it and then pow! All done and dusted!

I really love this series for what it is but this book was, as you can tell, a bit of a disappointment. Maybe I was expecting too much or this was just one of the bad apples and things will get better next time. Who knows. Book six will tell us more but I am really going to have to think long and hard about if I will pre-order it or not.

Contest Winners!

There is one author contest that just closed and also the Monthly Giveaway is now over! Did you win something this time? Let us have a look :)

Maria V. Snyder was my guest last week and she was giving away a signed copy of her latest release 'Spy Glass'. This is the third book in the Glass Trilogy and if you have been following the books then you really want to know what happens to Opal :)

So congrats to -


Pink Panther!!!


I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did! Please keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

Next up is the results of the Monthly Giveaway! Five books were put up against each other and for me it was no surprise to see who won! Here are the results -

Blood Law By Jeannie Holmes got 20.37% of the votes.


Total Eclipse By Rachel Caine managed to get only 18.52% of the votes.


Bring On The Night By Jeri Smith-Ready looks sad with only 16.67% of the votes.


Almost To Die For By Tate Hallaway got a surprising 18.52% of the votes.


But the clear winner was Eternal Kiss Of Darkness By Jeaniene Frost with 25.93% of the votes.

So who has won a copy of the winning book? Well done to the lucky Amberkatze's Book Blog newsletter subscriber with the email address beginning with -


rae_reads!!!


Congratulations! See the information below on how to claim your prize. If you didn't win this time then keep trying! There is another author contest coming and unless something goes horribly pear-shaped there is usually one every week :)

How to claim your prize!

Please contact me via email - Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot eu within the next 7 days to claim your prize. Your claim will go quicker if you send me your address.

If you won a contest where you can choose your prize, then please make sure you state in your email which book you would like. This will help things go alot quicker!

If you email me and don't get a reply within 48 hours please post on the blog letting me know. Some email gets eaten by my spam filter. If a prize isn't claimed after 7 days I will, if the author agrees, pick another winner.

Please also note that I can not be held responsible for prizes that come direct from authors. I will check with them for you if you haven't received your prize but I can not hunt down your mail! Any prizes that come from myself could come from a 3rd party eg. Amazon or Bookdepository. If I am sending a prize myself please be aware that it could take a few weeks to reach you as it is coming from Europe.

Never miss out on a new Author Event, Contest or Book Review! Subscribe Now!

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August Monthly Giveaway!

September is here and it is time to take a look at what books I read in August and for you guys to decide which one you all want to win!

Just go to the poll and vote for the book you want to win or the one you think deserves to win! Remember! You may not actually win the book. Here is a little info about each book on offer. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -


Blood Law By Jeannie Holmes


Total Eclipse By Rachel Caine


Bring On The Night By Jeri Smith-Ready


Almost To Die For By Tate Hallaway


Eternal Kiss Of Darkness By Jeaniene Frost




How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for! To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The poll will stay open for votes until Sunday 12th of September 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced later than day.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

For more chances to win -

Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.

Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu





Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

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114) Death's Excellent Vacation by Charlaine Harris & Others

Blurb -

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.

Review -

I am not a huge fan of anthologies (as some of you already know) but the previous selections edited by Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner have been well put together with some really good short stories. So when I saw Death's Excellent Vacation on Amazon it immediately got added to my pre-order wishlist and I was very excited about a new Sookie story!

As with Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and Many Bloody Returns, Sookie fans are rewarded with a short story about our favourite barmaid. This time around the story involves a trip with our favourite female vamp, Pam. 'Two Blondes' is the first story and by far the best in the book. Sure there are other stories in the book that shine but Sookie will always win. Especially with Pam along for the trip. It is worth buying this book for this story alone.

Up next was an author I haven't come across before, which seemed to be a 'thing' in this collection. Sarah Smith's offering called The Boys Go Fishing was not my favourite in this book and even though her books sounded interesting I wasn't feeling the same after finishing this short story.

Jeaniene Frost was a part of this collection and one of the big names that appears on the cover. Of course there is nothing to moan about here. As always Jeaniene wrote a great story with her famous characters Cat and Bones taking the lead. 'One for the Money' is definitely the second reason for buying this book. Fans are rewarded once again.

The second author that meant nothing to me was Daniel Stashower with his story called 'Meanwhile, Far Across The Caspian Sea'. Another miss and not so short. This was followed by another unknown called A. Lee Martinez with 'The Innsmouth Nook'. This wasn't a bad story and actually would have made a nice novel. It is a shame it was squashed down into this anthology.

The fourth unknown author came next (yes I am keeping count 2 big names to 4 unknowns) and that in the form of Jeff Abbot and his story 'Safe and Sound'. This was surprisingly good. A little long-winded but in the end quite a nice read. This is one of the unknown authors that I actually may look up.

Next came a name we all know! Thankfully! L.A. Banks didn't get her name on the cover but she did add a very fascinating story. Well done to her for taking the book back into something readable!

Then the next author needed no introduction. Katie McAllister treats us with a story from Jim's perspective and gives us a little snippet of Aisling and Drake life. How I enjoyed 'The Perils of Effrijm' and Katie's witty style! Oh how I mourned it being over! I hope Aisling will be back someday. I really do miss her!

So where are we? 4 big names to 4 unknowns. So now comes a 'I kind of know him'. Christopher Golden is an author I have heard of but for the life of me I am not sure where. That aside he writes a bloody good story! I liked this one a lot and was a bit annoyed when it was over. I wanted to know what happened next. 'The Walls' was a nice sexy but spooky story that could be extended on.

Lilith Saintcrow was next up and if you don't know who she is then you must have been sleeping under a rock for the last few years. Lilith really manages to make an impression with her books and this short story was no exception. For a second I was surprised that she wrote a gargoyle story but I was quickly elated because there are definitely not enough gargoyle stories in the paranormal genre. Nicely done!

The next two stories were more unknown authors. That makes it 6 to 6 and 1 I kind of know. However these two unknowns really made up for the previous unknowns. 'The Demon in the Dunes' by Chris Grabenstein (Chris Gravestone? Really?) wasn't so much paranormal but very scary and 'Home From America' by Sharan Newman was worth its weight in gold. Quick nice reads.

Last up was Toni L. P. Kelner. Another author that I don't really know except for the previous anthologies she has edited with Charlaine Harris. So that makes it 6 to 6 and 2 I kind of know authors in this collection. The last story wasn't too bad. Pirates, vampires and weres mashed together in a story that could also do with being expanded on.

So all in all this isn't a bad anthology but it wasn't great either. Compared to the previous two put together in this series this wasn't the best. However there are quite a few rewards in there for fans and also a couple of nice little stories to spook you before bed. However if you want to wait for the cheaper version then do so. There isn't anything in here that won't keep except maybe the Sookie and Cat stories. However you can read them in the bookstore ;)

109) Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

Private investigator Kira Graceling should have kept walking when she heard the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse. But her mentor's words 'Save one life' pop into her head and she finds herself going into an unknown situation. With her experience and training she hopes to at least keep the victim alive until the police arrive but what Kira finds is beyond her imagination and looks more like a nightmare.

The victim is Mencheres, a master vampire who thought he had seen everything there was to see. The Kira comes into his life and changes his outlook on things. While he knows he has to wipe Kira's mind and send her away, there seems to be more than one problem stopping him from doing this. Firstly he can't seem to erase her memories and secondly he wants her.

An old enemy is finally catching up with Mencheres and Kira as a result is also in danger. Will the master vampire manage to clear himself of the mess he has found himself caught up in and will he be able to keep Kira alive while he tries.

Love, action and the paranormal comes together once again in another amazing Jeaniene Frost novel. Although this is only a spin-off from her Night Huntress series, this is still worth reading because it has the same elements of a Cat and Bones story but with just other lead characters. Oh and Cat and Bones also make a few appearances!

Mencheres is a vampire that any lover of the Night Huntress series knows of. Eternal Kiss of Darkness is the story of his long life and ultimately a story of how a vampire can still be forced to deal with huge life changing decisions however old they might be.

I hope that Mencheres and Kira make an appearance in the other series because they were really nice characters to get to know. It will be nice to see how they are getting along after a few months or even years together. Also I would like to see how Kira's sister gets on. Maybe she will be the focus of another spin-off?

While I enjoyed this book I am still more in love with the Night Huntress books. This just sated my hunger until another Cat and Bones novel comes out. It also made sure that I added The Other side of the Grave to my pre-order list so I don't miss it when it comes out.

A must read for any fan of this author and her vampire series. Jeaniene Frost is on my must buy list and I am sure she will be staying there.

Sunday = Winners!

Sunday is the day the winners get announced on Amberkatze's Book Blog! So who are the lucky winners this week?

Author Nancy Holzner was my guest this week and I all hope you took the time to read the amazing interview and not just enter the contest ;)

Nancy said she will send a signed copy of Deadtown, her debut book, to the winner. So who gets the book? Congrats to -


BrigidsBlest!!!


Keep reading to see how to claim your prize. If you didn't win then make sure you add Deadtown to your wishlist or go and order yourself a copy! It really is one you don't want to miss!

Today was also the last day to enter the Monthly Giveaway! There were five books to vote for but only the one with the most votes will actually go to the winner.

In third place we had - Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy

Second place went to - Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

But the winner with 44% of the votes is - First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

So the winner of this months Giveaway will get a copy of Jeaniene Frost's First Crop of Crimson!

And the newsletter subscriber who won is the email address beginning with -


simplystacieblog!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize! If you didn't win the monthly giveaway this time then make sure to check in later on in the month for the next vote and win!

How to claim your prize!

Please contact me via email - Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot eu within the next 7 days to claim your prize. Your claim will go quicker if you send me your address.

If you won a contest where you can choose your prize, then please make sure you state in your email which book you would like. This will help things go alot quicker!

If you email me and don't get a reply within 48 hours please post on the blog letting me know. Some email gets eaten by my spam filter. If a prize isn't claimed after 7 days I will, if the author agrees, pick another winner.

Please also note that I can not be held responsible for prizes that come direct from authors. I will check with them for you if you haven't recieved your prize but I can not hunt down your mail! Any prizes that come from myself could come from a 3rd party eg. Amazon or Bookdepository. If I am sending a prize myself please be aware that it could take a few weeks to reach you as it is coming from Europe.

February Monthly Giveaway! Vote and Win!

I can't believe February is nearly over! It only seems like last week that the January Monthly Giveaway finished! So it is time to celebrate another month of reading and see what book you all want from my Febraury reads!

As always there are five books to choose from and vote for. So make sure you go to the poll and vote for the one you want to win or the one you think deserves to win! Here is a little info about each book on offer. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -


Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy


First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost


Unknown by Rachel Caine


Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler


Gone by Lisa McMann


How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for! To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The poll will stay open for votes until Friday 5th of March 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced later than day.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

For more chances to win -

Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.

Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your extra entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu

For more prizes -

I will draw more than one winner if I have enough money in the Amberkatze's Book Blog Amazon account. You can help fill this account by using one of the following links below to make your purchases on Amazon.com or Amazon.de

20) First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

The night isn't safe for humans and Denise MacGregor knows this more than anyway. Her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield and Denise's friendship with the 'Reaper' cost her dearly. If she hadn't grieved enough in the last year then now she is. Her family is dying one by one and Denise knows there has to be more to it than just a simple heart problem. What she doesn't realise is that a demon is involved.

There is a family secret and the demon coming to collect what he is owed has decided Denise can help him. She is unable to reach Cat and her husband Bones and goes to the only other person she can think of who could help. Spade is one of the last people Denise wants to see but her life and family could all die if she doesn't do something.

Spade is very powerful and has been a vampire for a long time. He wants to help Denise as much as possible but doesn't know what effects she could have on him now that she has been branded by the demon. Soon Spade is in too deep and his feelings for Denise are growing. However he has to be very careful because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost.

This first book in the Night Huntress World series is good enough to eat. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about Cat Crawford's adventures with Bones but reading about Spade and Denise was just as good and down right addictive. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. The same style, energy and action was packed into this book as those in the Night Huntress series. There is nothing wrong with this spin-off.

At first it was slightly confusing to think 'Denise and Spade' instead of 'Cat and Bones'. However after the first couple of chapters I was right in there with the new main characters. I enjoyed the fact that some of the other characters from the Night Huntress series played a part in this book. Bones, Cat and Ian were all present as well as a couple of others. I felt right at home with the gang and loved reading about things from another perspective.

This reminded me alot of the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands and I hope there will be more. Of course I missed Cat being the main focus but this story was just so well written, with a sit on the edge of your seat plot, that I can't find fault with the new turn the series is taking. Well done to the author for another great read. Keep it up!

191) Undbound by Harrison, Drake, Frost, Pettersson & Marr

Five bestselling authors get together share five unique stories. Kim Harrison, Jocelynn Drake, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson and Melissa Marr are just some of the biggest names in the Urban Paranormal Genre and there is no doubt that the short tales in this collection will be good.

Dark, deadly and totally supernatural, each story is exactly what readers have come to expect from such amazing authors. Kim Harrison starts things off with a story set in her Rachel Morgan world about Jenks. This series is the one that got me into the genre and it was great to have Jenks telling a story for a change. This small tribute has left me ready for a new Rachel adventure. The sooner the better!

Next up was Jeaniene Frost's contribution and this story is certainly for all the fans out there. Bones takes the lead in this story set back before he was with Cat. It also clears up a little bit about why he wasn't allowed into New Orleans which was a subject in the last Night Huntress book. Bones is a fun character to follow and it was interesting to see things from his perspective for a change. I really hope this amazing author writes from this side again sometime.

Vicki Pettersson is the next writer in this anthology and she adds something from her Zodiac series. The narrator is JJ but the story is just as good as any other set in this world. Granted this series is not on my must buy list but it is on my must read list, which makes this story a welcome addition to the story so far.

The Fire Starter, Mira, is the lead of the next story. Where the previous three authors visited the worlds that have made them famous but from another perspective. Jocelynn Drake keeps to her main lead and tells a short story about the vampires she is famous for. A shame that this was so short. Another well written story from a great author.

Last up was Melissa Marr. I haven't had much experience with this author but what I have read I liked alot. However this short story didn't grab me as much as I hoped. Maybe it was because she wrote something completely different than her usual fae theme? Whatever the reason, it was still a good story but just not to my liking. It hasn't put me off visiting the author again in the future.

All in all this was a very good anthology. You won't hear me say that very often but this book does have some of the Crème de la Crème inside. Someone really knew which authors to put together for a well balanced book. Bravo for getting a good anthology together for the genre. Well worth reading!

154) Destined For an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield met her undead lover Bones met six years ago. Since then they have gone up against the rogue undead, a master vampire and some other things that go bump in the night. Now they have declared their love to one another with a blood bond and it is time for a much needed holiday. Hopefully Cat's weird dreams won't spoil her time in Paris.

Although Cat doesn't know that her dreams are dangerous until the welcoming committee in France tell her so. It seems that a powerful vampire named Gregor is visiting her in her dreams and if he catches her he can snatch her up for himself. But the question Cat is asking everyone is why does Gregor want her? Why is she so special? The answer she gets isn't one she is happy to hear and starts a chain of events that will have Cat wishing they had stayed home.

Book number four in the Night Huntress series is the best yet! I thought the three previous books were great but Destined for an Early Grave made them look boring. So much emotion, so many revelations and a load of action is what you can expect from the newest installment in one of the best vampire series around.

Cat and Bones have their relationship tested to the limit and the cracks appear. Until the end it isn't sure what will become of one of the favourite urban paranormal fantasy couples. Alot of changes come to pass in this one and I am eager to see what will happen to the characters next. How will things continue for Bones, Cat, their friends and their family?

The Suspense is high and the stakes too. This is one series that I won't be missing and the upcoming spin-off, First Drop of Crimson, can not come too soon for me. If you are a lover of the paranormal genre and haven't read this series yet then you should be ashamed of yourself. This is one of the best, if not the best, vampire series you will find.