Review: Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance (that's what it says on her website!)

Pages: 358

Copyright: 2007

Rating: 5 Stars

This has to be one of the best books I've read so far this year - I mean it has to be to pull me out of my reviewing/reading slump, right? I also think I must be the last urban fantasy reader on the planet to start this series. If there IS anyone who hasn't read this, put your hand up and confess if it's on your TBR pile *silence*

So how do I review such a book? I'm just going to have to dive right in there and start talking about Bones. Oh. Sweet. Lord. He is the hottest freaking vampire hero I've read yet! Talk about having it all - a chiseled body, golden hair (I'm thinking Brad Pitt in Troy...but then I'm always thinking Brad Pitt in Troy), an accent, a territorial attitude, a wicked sense of humour and man enough to express his emotions to the woman he loves. *Sigh* Although the violence at the beginning did make me slightly uncomfortable, I knew he'd be an Anti-Hero of sorts.

Favourtie Line? Okay this one comes close but the other one's too raunchy to write on my blog:

'You're not a woman, you're the grim reaper with red hair!'

Which brings me to the kick-ass heroinne, Cat. Someone I know told me she makes Sookie look like a whinger and it was pretty much true. Not that I don't love Sookie, Cat just has a certain 'Come and get me,' attitude where Sookie is a little more fragile. Anyway, Cat's character is layered with well-developed emotional complexities that you just know it's going to take more than one book to unravel. I like that about her, it's like all the mystery of her personality isn't dissolved magically by the love of Bones...although he certainly steps her in the right direction (wouldn't be a good hero if he didn't!).

The action in this novel is steadily paced but once you reach page 250 the rocket boosters really go off and you fly through the rest of the book. It was so suspenseful that I even read it crossing the street (I looked for the green man first, promise.) I was thoroughly impressed at the way Jeaniene Frost didn't let her characters off lightly either...they created one hell of a mess in Halfway to the Grave and the author was going to make damn well sure they stuck around to clean it up in Book 2, thank you very much. And oh, don't I want to watch them clean it up. Man that makes me sound like a pervert...oh well. Maybe reading all this stuff has made me slightly peverted. All I can say is that I have been told to look forward to Chapter 32 of One Foot in the Grave...and look forward to it I shall!

If you're a fan of the series, I would love to hear from you. Do the rest of the books live up to this firecracker of a novel? Does the tension between Cat and Bones manage to sustain itself? I guess what I'm saying is should I just go ahead and read all three in a row now because I am SOOOO tempted. I definitely know I'll be going straight on to One Foot in the Grave.

BTW, I completely owe reading this novel to Teddyree's review on Royal Reviews a few months back. She planted the seed big time with that and after Queen of Happy Endings read and loved it too, I was SOLD.

Dear DIary: On Writing

It's been a long time since I've pressed that 'New Post' button. In fact, it's been forever since I've really even looked at anyone else's blog or participated much in the internet or emails. I can't really tell you why because I don't really know myself. The best I can come up with is that I feel as though something is shifting within me that I couldn't quite articulate. So I'm using my blog today as a completely cathartic sort of self-evaluation. Your choice as to whether or not you're as though something is shifting within me that I couldn't quite articulateinterested in reading it...this post is really just for my own benefit.

I guess my biggest issue is I'm not sure if I'm actually growing and developing here or if I'm just being typical old Annie, trying to find something to grab onto because the ground's a little shaky at the moment. I may have no trouble making commitments but I definitely struggle with sticking to them. I get so excited by new ideas and I will approach a project with truckloads of enthusiasm that unfortunately wanes after an embarrassingly short time. SO how do I know if these feelings are part of my normal pattern of behaviour or if they are genuine and should be listened to? I'm taking a good look at myself right now and I don't really know what I see anymore.

The loudest voice inside me at the moment is the one telling me to shift away from identifying myself as a writer/wannabe author. Yes, I love books and yes it is absolutely one of my life goals to be able to create those stories for myself and my family BUT I just don't know that I should be focusing on it anymore. I feel like for years I have let the writing part of me become my identity because it felt special. But mostly, I feel like I developed the personality of a writer without the results to show for it. So my writing became my public face, it gave me a security net, it gave me the ability to feel 'different' and provided an excuse for slipping into reclusiveness. I feel like slowly over the past five years instead of my writing being the secret part of me, my personality became the secret part of me that only those closest to me really knew.

Two years ago my life shifted and up until a few weeks ago I thought I'd really learnt all the lessons I needed to from it. I thought I was more mature and wiser then I had been beforehand. Now, I feel like back then somebody was grabbing me by the shoulders and shaking me hard but I didn't REALLY listen and now I feel like they're doing it again. Only this time, I think I can hear a little more clearly. I think that I'm not following my true path in life. I think that I wanted writing to be my 'path' so badly that I've forced it on myself for five years because I was too terrified of letting it go. I wanted to do something special with myself, without realising it I so wanted to make everyone proud of me and live up to the expectations I put upon myself. I didn't realise on a soul-level that I was only letting myself down this way and holding myself back from all the things life could bring.

I will always be someone who can write but my gut is telling me that writing should be the secret I hold close to my heart and only indulge when I'm truly moved to express myself. I don't want to keep telling everyone I'm writing a book only to have to feel uncomfortable when they ask me how it's going because I haven't made any progress. I don't want to continue to feel guilty for watching TV or reading for heaven's sakes. I don't want to feel guilty for living and enjoying my life because I tell myself I should be writing about somebody else's! I do have stories within me, I do live a lot of my time in my imagination and I don't expect that to go away because I no longer want to write those ideas down. Everybody has great ideas. Everybody has fantasies. Not everyone has the stamina to write a book. So I'm throwing this dream to the wind. I'm giving myself permission to give up on this because now that I can see truly my own motivations, I'm not sure I was ever destined to be an author.

If over the years life provides me with the skills and the passion to do this, then I will know that being a writer was always my destiny, I just had to do some living first. If I never feel the calling to do this again, then I'll know that this moment, this decision to let go was absolutely right. I vow that if this desire resurfaces again I will pick up the pen out of passion not out of guilt.

In the meantime, I'm going back to uni and chasing a new dream.

So now, maybe, a blog renaming is needed?

Buddy Review with Ibeeeg - Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

About the Fever Series
Karen Marie Moning's 'Fever' series is an urban fantasy series that pits our heroine, MacKayla Lane, against the villianous Fae of Irish mythology with the help the super-sexy and super-enigmatic Jerricho Barrons. This series began with Darkfever (published in 2006), followed by Bloodfever (2007), Faefever (2008) and most recently, Dreamfever (August 2009).

How's the Buddy Review Work?
Ibeeeg from Mom - Musings and I both read and loved this book! We've emailed each other questions. You can read my thoughts at her blog and her thoughts on my blog.

Synopsis for Dreamfever

He has stolen her past, but MacKayla will never allow her sister’s murderer to take her future. Yet even the uniquely gifted sidhe-seer is no match for the Lord Master, who has unleashed an insatiable sexual craving that consumes Mac’s every thought—and thrusts her into the seductive realm of two very dangerous men, both of whom she desires but dares not trust.

As the enigmatic Jericho Barrons and the sensual Fae prince V’lane vie for her body and soul, as cryptic entries from her sister’s diary mysteriously appear and the power of the Dark Book weaves its annihilating path through the city, Mac’s greatest enemy delivers a final challenge...

It’s an invitation Mac cannot refuse, one that sends her racing home to Georgia, where an even darker threat awaits. With her parents missing and the lives of her loved ones under siege, Mac is about to come face-to-face with a soul-shattering truth—about herself and her sister, about Jericho Barrons…and about the world she thought she knew.

Buddy Review with Ibeeeg from Mom - Musings:

There was a lot of anticipation leading up the release of this novel. How did you cope waiting for Dreamfever?
Dealing with the anticipation of Dreamfever’s release was not difficult for me. The reason was because I was fairly disappointed with Faefever. That dissppointment gave me a sense of detachment. With that said, I was incredibly curious about what would happen with Mac.

Instead of reading the book you chose to listen to the audiobook. Why? How did you like the audiobook?

I decided to not read Dreamfever because I could not obtain it from the library. I was a bit disappointed that it came out in hardcover. I could not bring myself to cough over the $20.

I do have an audible.com account and it had a few credits laying around. I decided to a credit towards Dreamfever. Believe me when I say, I am so glad that I did! The audibook rocked! I truly loved the narration by Natalie Ross and Phil Gigante. Their voices were incredible. I will say, it did take a tiny bit getting use to the Southern accent of Natalie Ross. Yeah, I know, Mac is from the South but still....

Once I became accustomed, I cannot picture Mac's voice any other way. Ms. Ross did a superb job with all the female voices. On to Phil Gigante, all I have to say is...OMG, could he do a better Barrons voice? Ummm...NO! I already was on Barrons side but listening to Mr.Gigante's Barrons voice just put me over the top. Loved it. His other male voices were incredible as well. Both the narrators had great intonations which help to keep me on edge. Did I like Dreamfever as much as I did because these fabulous narrators? I ask myself that question numerous times, the answer, "I am not sure." What I am sure of is that I will be listening to Shadowfever on audiobook.

What has been your favourite book of the series so far? Did Dreamfever make the cut?
Gosh…my favorite book? Dreamfever.

I really feel like this book rocked! It had so many elements in the story that I enjoy – suspense, action, adventure, fantasy, sexual tension. The storyline flowed from page to page. It also intensified and changed up as Dreamfever progresses. It answered some questions but yet added far more questions. Weird, but for this Fever story, the added questions works for me. Along with the elements and great storyline, we have a rock solid heroine in Mac as well as a incredible hero (if we should call him that). Mac and Barrons, I felt grew in this story.

It’s time to publicly declare your loyalty – V’Lane or Barrons? (I bet I can guess your answer!)
Publicly huh? *very big smile*

Hands down, my loyalty goes with Barrons. Did you guess? I bet you did. While listening to Dreamfever, I knew for sure that Barrons is it, for me and I hope for Mac. I even thought, if he turns out to be the “bad guy” so be it as I will still be incredibly in Barrons corner. Oh yeah, bad guy or good guy, he has my loyalty.

KMM has promised a happily ever after in Shadowfever. Who do you think Mac’s HEA will be with?
My God, Mac had better have a HEA and it better be with Barrons. *wink* That is what I want. Who do I think she will be with? Barrons…but that is because of my strong desire? *shrug* Who knows? I will say, I think Barrons is a better match for Mac than V’Lane. I think V’Lane is a lot of talk but truly is not a whole lot of action (in every meaning of the word, every meaning). I have thought about Christian as I think he is great. He is great. But nah…I do not think he is for Mac.

Were you like me, wishing that Mac would stay Pri-Ya for another 100 pages?
Umm…Yeah! Seriously, those were some hot pages. I really loved it. By the way, the audiobook version was incredible all the way around but this Pri-Ya area was great! Yet, I will admit, if (she better) and when Mac hooks up under her very aware presence of mind, the hook up will be far more intense, IMHO.

Is there anything you would’ve changed about Dreamfever?
Change? Hmm…Like you, the whole Shide-Seer business did not hold me real well. I wanted that part of the storyline to move along a bit more. Yet, at the same time, I know this is an important part of the story. I would like far more banter between Mac and Barrons. Ha, what’s new?



SCROLL DOWN FOR THE SPOILER QUESTIONS…











Don't say I didn't warn you....










What was your opinion on the cliffhanger? How’d it leave you feeling?
You know, I did not like the cliffhanger with Faefever. I was very disappointed and felt like I needed to read the next chapter. With Dreamfever, I did not have those feelings. Yeah, it is a cliffhanger and doozy at that but it felt right. Though again, I really loved Dreamfever through and through. Of course, I cannot wait for Shadowfever. I want answers! I want the HEA. Yet, Dreamfever’s cliffhanger works for me even though it left me with a pounding heart, out stretched hands, yelling…”Wait! Wait! What has just happened? Who is the beast? OMG….”

What was up with V’Lane disappearing in the last half of the novel and not coming back? Do you have any theories about the white lady?
I think that Mac called V’Lane into a forbidden area. I think he vanished because he trespassed on some sort “treaty” per se. I think Mac, inadvertently put V’Lane is some sort of danger.

Gosh…I have been thinking so much of who Mac and Barrons are that thinking of who the White Lady is, her role just hurts my brain. LOL. No, I do not have any theories? Do you?

Do you think the LM was Mac’s fourth lover? Do you believe there’s any possibility it was Barrons or V’Lane?
I do not think LM was Mac’s fourth lover, seems below him. Nor do I think it was Barrons as I think her really despises that the fae can make other Pri-Ya. I wonder, did he, himself, have experience of being turned Pri-Ya at some point or was a witness others being Pri-Ya? He seemed to know what to do to help Mac come back from Pri-Ya. V’Lane? I think not. Again, it would be below him. I think he would want Mac all to himself.

The scene where Mac’s Dad is using his eyes to plead with her not to walk through that mirror to rescue him absolutely gutted me. Do you think that both of Mac’s parents will still be around at the end of Shadowfever? Do you think Barrons made it in time?
Yeah…this was emotionally for me as well. Golly, I would like to hope that Mac’s parents will be around. I hope they are because if not, Mac will be a bigger mess than she is now. Did Barrons arrive on time, hmmm…a big part of me says that he had to make a choice – Mac or her parents? I think he chose Mac. I am thinking that her parents are being held by the LM.

Christian - dead or alive? Do you think he’ll play a big part in the plot? What about the other MacKelters? Do you think they’ll make a cameo?
Christian – alive. I think he still has a role to play but how big…I am not sure. I really like Christian and think he has great potential. I heard elsewhere (do not remember where) that there may be a series with Christian at the center…I hope so.

Okay, Rowena says she answers to a council…who do you think that is and what is she trying to hide?
I am not certain who the council is. I have not thought about it much. I will say that I think Rowena has an agenda that is vastly different than the one she presents to the Shide-Seer. I have a feeling that she is not all that “good”. There is something not on the up and up with Rowena.

What did you think of Mac’s enhanced Shide-Seer abilities? Do you think they’ll develop in the next book?
I like Mac’s enhanced Shide-Seer abilities. I think it has to do with her prophecy, what ever that may be. In other words, I think she was born with far more power and greatness than a regular Shide-Seer. I do think her abilities will develop even more in the next book. I also think she needs Barrons to develop these abilities to the fullest.

MacKayla Layne – hope of the world or end of the world?
I think she is the hope of the world.

Hit me with your Barrons theories!
Barrons…for a bit there I was thinking he is the Unseelie King. Then I thought, no, he cannot be. Then I would think, yet again, he is the UK. Finally, I have decided that he is not the UK. In the earlier books, I thought Barrons was that boy who was held prisoner with the Fae Queen and that he was eventually turned Pri-Ya. I trashed that thought.

I am not sure who Barrons is but I am sure of a few things:

1. He is incredibly powerful. So powerful that others fae, unseelie, hunters, LM are all fearful of Barrons.

2. We never see him in the day of light. If we do, then I cannot remember it.

3. I think there is some sort of dark magic going on in his blood. I also think that he does not like the Dark Magic.

4. I think he has some sort of curse upon him. He needs to break this curse for which he thinks having the Book along with the other elements will help break said curse. Mac is his hope.

5. I think he was the beast, this is his curse. Does he die. No. I think his Barrons self is separate from the Beast. Besides, they are in another world full of illusions and such that when killed in the Beast form allows for the human form to still go on.

6. Barrons is ancient. I think he is connected to the MacKelters in some druid way.

7. Overall, Moning has done a great job in keeping Barrons secrets, well, secret.

Finally, if in Shadowfever you could find out who Barrons was or find out who Mac really is (but not both) which would you pick and why?
This question is easy for me. I would pick Barrons. I am ever so curious about who Mac really is but I am dying…I tell you … I am dying to know who Barrons truly is. I can live without fully knowing about Mac.

Thanks for the Buddy Review Ibeeeg! This was great fun - I look forward to doing it again :-)

BBAW Interview with Gina @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

For the BBAW's, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gina from Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. Gina's blog is so adorable and she writes fantastic YA reviews - I'm glad the BBAW's gave me the opportunity to discover it!

How long have you been blogging and how did you get started?
My blog first came to life in 05/2009. I started it purely out of my love for books and reading...but also had a little push from a coworker/friend. I had no idea how to set it up! It was an entirely new world for me (not the internet, just blogging...).

Why did you choose Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers as your blog title?
I chose Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers as my blog title because ....well, it fits! I mean, I love books, and my initial mission was to post a new review each day. Now I realize why I received chuckles and smiles from those I told! It takes a bit of work to get a good blog post out there! In the end, I try to post something new everyday...whether it be a book review, Dessert (smile break), or Roving Reader entry. Anything to help satisfy all the other insatiable readers out there!

Your cooking theme is gorgeous! How did you come up with it?
The cooking theme came to mind when I was looking for a new template for my blog layout. The initial blogger one was fine and all, but I wanted something a little more fun after seeing all the really gorgeous ones out there. In my search, I came upon some free templates over at Gisele Jacquenod & Birdie that were undeniably adorable....in a good way! This one just fit the bill in look as well as my title.

Who are your book blogging friends?
My book blogging friends....hmmm, that's hard to say as it seems you make more every day on here! How about a few of the more frequent ones? Bri @ BriMeetsBooksBella @ A Bibliophile's BookshelfJoAnn @ Ink and Paper

What’s your favourite author website to visit?
Favorite author website: Honestly, it's whatever one I am currently reading and enjoying. Most recently...Becca Fitzpatrick, author of the upcoming YA book "Hush, Hush".

Your thoughts on reading challenges or memes?
Reading Challenges: I don't participate in many of these at the moment. It's not that I don't find them interesting...most sound really great! It's just that I don't like to be tied down to a certain set of books just in case my "reading mood" changes.

Favourite genre?
Favorite genre: Hands down, YA fiction. But I do enjoy fiction, kids, some biographies...(see why I chose my blog title?)

Which one book would you take to a desert island?
A book for a desert island...oh boy. It really depends when you ask. It changes as I keep adding more to my "read" library. Right now, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I liked it...it may not be the most classically written novel, but I did enjoy the tale she told and the characters created.

Are you a fan of audio books?
Audio books are a creature of their own. Have I listened to one or two? Sure, but did I really enjoy them as much as a physical book? Not really. I like my imagination to create their voices and images in my mind...the reader on the audiobooks does not always do them justice (just my opinion!).

What’s your opinion on books to movies?
Books to movies can be a good thing....it gets people interested in the original work most of the time and thus helps increase the number of active readers. The drawback? More often than not, the movie does NOT live up to the original written creation. They capture a glimmer but not the whole mirage. *Sigh*

Do you prefer to get your books from the bookstore or the library?
Bookstore! The library is great, but I don't usually have time to get there when its open!

Seeing as you’re a fellow Twilight Fan – Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Team Edward all the way! (You?) Jacobs makes a great friend, but Edward captures your heart.

What’s the next book you plan on reviewing?
The next book I'm planning on reviewing.....Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri. (Unfortunately, it wasn't my fav, but I will still try to do it justice...)

Are there any upcoming events on your blog?
My blog is still in its baby steps phase and so I haven't even begun to contemplate upcoming events other than the ones currently running. We did just get our first author interview! (Becca Fitzpatrick)

What have you learnt about blogging since starting?
Since I started my blog, I've learned that it takes a lot more than a pretty picture and a few well placed words to keep it going strong! To connect with readers, you have to keep up the frequency of the posts! Also, you don't have to necessarily review NEW books constantly. It's good to revisit old favorites and "new" finds....you may uncover something that another reader may enjoy just as much as you did!

Any final thoughts?
I'd just like to say thank you for the interview, both giving and receiving...this was an enjoyable BBAW (my first!) and here's to everyone expanding the list of sites they currently follow with a few more good finds! When you stop by my site, feel free to leave a comment or suggestion on what you've read or would like to see! And of course as always....happy reading!