Outtakes from the Grave

Publisher's Summary

Revisit Cat and Bones in this companion anthology to the Night Huntress series, and see what could've happened.

With deleted scenes - some never before seen by the public - and alternate histories, forgotten side plots, additional love scenes, and increased personal revelations, this anthology is the culmination of a decade's worth of hidden work that went into Cat and Bones' story. While writing the fourth book in the series, author Jeaniene Frost, at the insistence of her husband, pursued the idea of getting the first one, Halfway to the Grave, finally published. Paring her stories down to only the scenes that kept the pacing taut and advanced the main plot was a ruthless process.

Though she loved the original versions of the stories, it is sometimes a necessary evil to "kill your darlings", as Stephen King would say. In the end it was worth every strike of the pen - Cat and Bones became a reality. The Night Huntress series went on to be a New York Times best-selling series, winning awards, spawning several spin-off series, and amassing a cult following across the nation.

Here, Jeaniene Frost has amassed all of her extra writings from the first four books that have been heretofore hidden away on old disks and CDs and in long-forgotten emails, and guarded behind password-protected files, to reveal the what-could-have-beens in the lives of Cat, Bones, Mencheres, Vlad, and more.

©2015 Jeaniene Frost (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A MUST for any JF fan

Wow, just wow!!!! I really enjoyed the authors notes and reasoning why the scenes never made it into the original books. Reading all the deleted or cut scenes took me back through all the books without having to re read them all over again. This was most definitely a treat for her Fans, thanks you Mrs. Frost!!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

LOVED IT! MADE ME WANT TO RELISTEN TO THE SERIES!

What made the experience of listening to Outtakes from the Grave the most enjoyable?

ALL OF IT!! If you are a fan...listen to it right now!

What did you like best about this story?

It was like visiting old friends...alt endings, other stories...it was very entertaining!

What does Tavia Gilbert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Tavia is a true artist, I love listening to her..she is great...she brought this whole series to life for me..I would listen to anything she narrated!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I wish they would make this series into a movie!

Any additional comments?

I was thrilled to see this available on audible, and about kicked myself I didn't notice it for a month! I enjoyed these extra stories, and alternative versions...it was like visiting old friends, I laughed and shed some tears...I was excited for Cat and Bones..and disappointed some times too...The dress shop was HILARIOUS! And I loved the alt middle to book 4 at the end...I hate that this series ended, but I do like that I get to visit these characters in other books and novellas...This set of stories made me want to give this whole series a relisten...and I probably will..it will be the 4th time I think...but who is counting?

I RECOMMEND!!!!!

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Inspires to reread series

I wondered how this book would go and if it would be worth a credit. Albeit, the series is phenomenal, an outtakes and deleted look didn't seem like a good read. But I'm glad I spent that credit because it is definitely worth it! I've enjoyed this book so much that I realized how much I miss Cat, Bones and their posse. The alternative and deleted scenes were explained why they were cut and added context helped me understand which scenes they were a part of. It brought my love and interest for this series back to life!

Tavia Gilbert transcends each character's uniqueness sublimely. I love her interpretation. Frost and Gilbert is an awesome tag team duo. The top in my handful of favorites.

I'll be starting from the beginning (again) of this series now. So, go and spend your credit or purchase this audiobook. It's a worthy investment.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Gosh I missed this novel :)

I did not think I would enjoy deleted scenes... I am sooooooooo wrong! I did not realize how much I missed Bones and Cat, I think I will go back and listen to the whole series again. I did not like Tavia's narration for Bones in the beginning, but by the third book she just grew on me and I can't imagine anybody else narrating Bones at this point. Thank you to both Jeaniene Frost and Tavia Gilber for wonderful job!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Awesome addition to the series!!

Any additional comments?

The Night Huntress series is one of my favorites. I was bummed out to see the series end so getting the chance to hear more of Bones and Cat’s story is fantastic! The outtakes and deleted scenes are easy to follow thanks to the author comments letting you know where the scene would have been. I could not stop listening I ended up listening all night. This is an awesome addition to the series!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

How Do I Love Thee?

Outtakes From the Grave (Night Huntress 7.5) Jeaniene Frost/Tavia Gilbert

This is a compilation of deleted scenes, pieces of books and ideas that were either cut out or never made it in to the published versions of the Night Huntress Series. This is one of my all-time favorites and the first Audible book series that really hooked me into the paranormal romance genre. It's smart, sexy, funny and just totally awesome.

Tavia Gilbert is the PERFECT narrator for this series. I love it when a fabulous series ends up being narrated by just the right person to perform it, and this is definitely one of those times. I thank Jeaniene Frost for doing the work to make this anthology happen. This compilation is like a love letter to the fans. I actually started getting a little choked up during the intro. Cat and Bones are as much beloved to me as Harry and Dumbledore, so I can get a little emotional. If you knew me, you would understand the gravity of that statement.

Heat factor is about a 6/10 (if 1 is Jane Austen and 10 is Lora Leigh). The sex is hot and frequent but not to the point where it takes center stage or detracts from the story.

Favorite moments: The short story of when Cat and Denise first met and Juan's unfortunate incident of calling Cat Kitten. The alternate stories before the reunion in book 2 and after the heartbreaking piano scene were great, though I am glad the published versions were the ones that "made it in."

If you love this series half as much as I do, get this now. You will not regret it. If you haven't experienced this series yet........WAIT........WHAT? Go put Halfway to the Grave in your cart right now!! WHAT are you thinking? You don't have time to read reviews!

11 of 15 people found this review helpful

This book is so much more than SIMMERING.

I have "read" all of the Night Huntress novels on audible. I have to say Tavia Gilbert is truly amazing in the way she can portray so many varied characters. Though the most breathtaking talent belongs to Jeaniene Frost for inventing such complex, faceted characters in a fully formed beliveable world that you can completely imagine its existance. The love story between Cat and Bones is so beautiful and the sex scenes, well, they just ruin real life. It had only occured to me as I listened to this book of outtakes that I am a true fan. I think I'd listen to Cat and Bones argue over what to have for dinner, or who's turn it is to take out the trash. But really hearing all these other bits and pieces really helps make the world complete.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outtakes

Great to hear the deleted scenes! Always enjoy Bones & Cat scenes! Most excellent! The editor should have allowed the wedding dress & wedding dress scene in the book. Now a days marriages seem to be a throw away option & I don't believe represent the happily ever after as it once did. Happily married for 20 years!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An education in writing and fun

This was so educational about the writing process and all the revisions that make up the final product. Loved all the deleted scenes and alternate storylines. So glad this exists. :)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wow, wow, wow!!

Reading this book made me long for my beloved Cat & Bones! I know the series has ended, but oh, how I miss them. I'm going to read them all again right away, 4th time now btw. If you haven't read this series, get on it, it is by far the best, in my humble opinion, it is the series on which the rest are judged. Funny, romantic, dramatic, and an easy read, they are to be devoured. If you have read the series, which ended a few years ago, this book is just plain awesome! Brings you right back to the first time you read about the firey redhead and her super sexy vampire beau. Sigh. Loved it.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Outtakes

I brought this based on other readers reviews but I honestly was not expecting much. I thought this was an attempt to get more money off the readers by feeding them scraps left over from the series. How wrong was I. These outtakes were not scraps ....they could have been & in my view should have been in the original series. They add depth to the story, all well written & are not any 'left overs' on a cutting room floor. To say I loved it is an understatement. Nothing left me disappointed & I loved the author's comments. A real gem

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great

Listening to the outaked u just know that sometimes it's best not to shorten books.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved the Outtakes

I have always loved the Cat and Bones.
It wasn't until I read this book that I realised how brilliant the previous books had been. I will have to reread them.
Some of the outtakes I feel should have been part of the published work, especially the final chapter which I particularly enjoyed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A MUST READ......

I have to say firstly that when I saw this book title & what it was about I was dismissive as I loved Cat & Bones just as they were, but!!
This book is a marvellous addition to the Cat & Bones collection it fleshes out things you didn't know you really needed to know & alternate scenes which I thought were all brilliant even if I did want to write hate mail for a start as a true Cat & Bones fan lol, as for the audio books which I love listening to (that is an understatement) I would just like to say a huge thank you to Tavia Gilbert your Bones voice especially still makes me smile, you are the true character voices no others would be good enough.
A 1st class book with author insight & an even bigger thank you to Jeaniene Frost for imagining & bringing these characters & their friends & foe to life for I have laughed & felt so sad & all the emotions in between along the way with your creations.

Another great book

just great.. an insite into the characters and what could have happened just as enthralling ad the published versions.