Earlier this week, I announced the three winners for my WICKED BITE contest. In that post, I said how much I hated disappointing so many of you because over a thousand people entered, so 99.7% wouldn’t be happy with the results. I wasn’t blowing smoke, readers – I really DO hate that. I wish I could give gifts to everyone, but with things like Arcs (advance reading copies) or chocolate boxes (upcoming holiday contest, stay tuned!) or gift cards (same comment!), there’s only few winners per contest because I am not Oprah :).
However…I now have something for all of you. Last month, just for fun, I wrote out the first time Cat and Bones met from Bones’s point of view, and published it in two blog posts. When I did it, I thought a few people might get a kick out of it, but that’s about it. After all, HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE came out a dozen years ago next week, and in publishing’s time-line, that’s damn near back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
That’s why I was shocked in the best way when over a thousand of you commented on my social media pages and/or messaged me to say you wanted more.
So, I didn’t tell you at the time, but I wrote more. I could only squeeze out a month to do so because I’m under deadline for the third Night Rebel book (more Ian and Veritas! Yay!) but in that month, I wrote about 30k words. That might not sound like much, but for context, it normally takes me four months – yes, four! – to write the first 30k of a book, as my editor can wearily attest. We’ve all heard of “comfort reads.” Well, this turned out to be a “comfort write” for me, and I didn’t even know that existed until now. In short, it made me happy and nostalgic and I loved it. I must have missed Cat and Bones more than I realized, plus writing from his point of view versus hers also made their story feel fresh to me (can something be both fresh AND nostalgia-inducing? Yes it can! Do I use too many parenthesis, em-dashes, and exclamation points in my posts? Yes – I do! :))
That brings us to the subject line. As my gift to you, readers, once a week for the next several weeks, I will be posting a free, weekly, UNFINISHED serial retelling the very beginning of Bones and Cat’s relationship from Bones’s point of view. Once again, this is not a new Cat and Bones book, nor is it an entire novel. It’s only about 30K words (novella size) focusing on the very beginning of their relationship. I can’t do the rest now or my editor – and Ian, heh! – will kill me for neglecting the third Night Rebel book. Seriously, can you imagine how pissed Ian would be, not to mention how smug Bones would be, over me taking a month’s time-out on Ian’s third book to write this? It makes me laugh just thinking about it! I will be creating a special section on my website so all the chapters will be in the same, easy-to-find place, but don’t expect that until next week. For now, they’re on my blog. Also, as a nod to this partial serial being from Bones’s point of view, I’m calling it THE OTHER HALF OF THE GRAVE. I’m also only posting it on my website so I have just one place to correct any spelling/grammar/other errors I might find after posting it. So, don’t look for this on my social media pages; you’ll only find it here. Also, this won’t be up forever. It’s a limited-time free gift.
Expect the new chapter next week, and every chapter once a week after that. I’m not specifying a particular day because I’m juggling a lot of things, plus I’m migraine-prone, so I never know when one will lay me out. However, I mentioned the twelve-year anniversary of Cat and Bones’s first book, didn’t I? *grins* That’s your hint as to when the next chapter will drop next week. In the meantime, if you haven’t read the first two chapters yet, they’re HERE and HERE.
I’m so happy to finally give a gift that I can share with all of you, readers! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
And speaking of Ian, Veritas and the Night Rebel series, don’t think I’ve forgotten about them! Over the next several weeks, I’ll also be posting more snippets from WICKED BITE, plus more Arc contests, and you remember I mentioned chocolate gift boxes and gift card prizes, too? Well, all of that will be happening over the next several weeks on my website, too. We’re going to light it up on here from now until the end of January when WICKED BITE releases, so come out for the fun, gifts, and of course, free reading :).
Revi Wolk says
I’m so excited!!!!!! I’ve missed cat and bones so much! Although I’m dying for more Ian and Veritas!
Misty Van Nostrand says
Sweet!!!
Susan Potter says
I love, love, LOVE reading one of my favorite books from Bones’ perspective! This adds so much to the story. Not only does it allow us a fresh look at the first meeting of Bones and Cat, it also adds a depth to the story, makes it more dimensional. Your talent at writing creates characters that are so full of life, they make me feel as if Cat and Bones are real people that I care about who just happen to have their lives put to paper. I only wish it could be done for all the first books in all the series. Can you imagine seeing the meeting of Vlad and Layla from Vlad’s point of view?! Maybe one day it will happen, perhaps becoming your signature move for all your series! Just the first book though.
Thank you for sharing all these people with us!
Aly P says
This is beyond cool! Thank you Jeaniene and I can’t wait to read ALL the books 😀 😛
Manda says
Ohhhhhhh this makes me SOOO happy!! Thank you so much for doing this for us Jeaniene!!!
As says
And what about Thimoty, dear Jeaniene ?
🙁
We Really want to know him…
Kiss kiss
Michelle E. says
OMG I LOVE Cat and Bones so glad your revisiting them in this way! I can’t wait to read it all! Especially since I’ve been rereading the series recently! Thank you so much for sharing this in this new point of view!
wont says
Seriously, can’t wait!!
Dawn says
You just made my day. Thank you 😊
Kkelly says
Happy dance!! I can’t tell you have many times I’ve re-listened to all of the books. A fresh perspective to a much loved story😻
Shiloh says
SQEUALING…
Shiloh says
Actually, SQUEALING… so excited I forgot how to spell.
Crystal says
Yay! I miss this series so much! This is my go-to when nothing else will keep my attention. Love this series! Love reading from Bones pov!
Kaye says
I was smiling the whole time I was reading that ☺️ I can not wait for more of cat and bones and I’m so excited to read more from bones’ view! And I am counting down the days till I can read more of Ian and Veritas 😊 thank you so much!
Michelle A says
This is amazing! Thank you Jeanine!
Rachel says
This is fantastic news!! Thank you very much!! <3 <3 <3!!!
Jennifer Faulkner says
Oh my Bones! This is better than Christmas! Maybe, we can get a future Cat and Bones book. 😊 hint hint. Thanks you so much. I love these characters.
Julie says
So excited. I just re-read all of the books and spin offs. I missed everyone 🙂 but esp. Cat & Bones. My copies are so worn that I may need new ones- the spin off books are all on the IPad.
Tricia says
Woohoo!!!!!
Susan dickson says
Magnificent. It is Christmas come early. I love cat and bones.
Perhaps after you release all the chapters on your website, you could sell an electronic copy for charity. I would love to have it to keep. I reread your books a lot.
Thank you, the more the better x
MaggieD says
What an awesome idea! 👍
Holandessa says
You’re the best^^
Hildur says
Wow! Thank you sooo much *biggest smile in the world*
Hugs!
Heather says
I love you, will you marry me?
Tracey says
Yah! Love Bones and Cat!!
Rebecca Ross says
Thank you so much for writing more from Bone’s pof. I’ve missed him and Cat so much!
Molly says
Yay! I love the Bone’s perspective. It is new and nostalgic all at once. Thank you!!!
Magda says
YES!! That’s the best new I heard in a long time! Cant wait!
Jenny says
You’re awesome, thank you!!
DeAnna says
Thank you so much for your amazing gift. You are not the only one who has missed Cat and Bones, even though I’m glad they got their happily ever after.
Can’t wait for Ian’s book. And don’t worry, Bones is one of four people that Ian “might” forgive you for devoting a little time to at his expense.
KC says
This is fabulous! I love Bones and Cat and miss them dearly.
MaggieD says
Soooo excited. I love Cat and Bones and miss them heaps. Thanks for being such a generous author with your snippets and chapters and teasers. I’m REALLY hoping you might eventually, when you have the time and Ian isn’t hogging all the limelight, extend this into a full novel. OMG, the whole series from Bones POV 😳😳😳 Wouldn’t that be awesome! 😋😉🙂
Emily says
Thanks so much!
Tracy says
I love Cat, Bones & YOU! Thank you so much for this! 📚❤️
Jen says
You seriously are the best! Reading the first few chapters from Bones’ POV has made it feel new and nostalgic at the same time! Thanks for loving us so much as to gift us with these chapters! We love you Jeanine! ❤️
Chris Woodley says
I’m loving the Bones POV. I think it gives us a more understanding of the character. His thoughts, feelings and actions while he’s away from Cat. It’s another story. Thank you so very much for taking the time to give us a little of the magic that is Cat & Bones.
Ps. I named my Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bones. 😉
Mary Breneman says
Yea!
Kim says
Thank you! Somehow I missed the first 2 chapters but I am so excited to read them now. I have missed Cat and Bones so much.
Layla says
So excited!!! Thank you!!!
DeAnna says
Just for those who were wondering, Halfway to the Grave was published on October 30th, 2007.
Also, for those of us who are also feeling nostalgic for the Night Prince series, YouTube’s very own Epic Rap Battles of History has just given us Vlad the Impaler vs. Count Dracula. Pretty sure Vlad would have an apoplexy if that was physically possible for a vampire.
Kym says
Omgosh Yay!!! Thank you!!
Kat says
How f##king awesome!!!! I kneel at your feet in praise!!! I loved when you did this before!! I love to hear bones point of veiw,let’s face it if bones read the phone book I’d get wet!! Lmao !!! Can’t wait to read!!! Much luv fangirl Kat v.💋💋💞💖😉
Carol says
Thank you I miss bones and cat so much they where totally the best
Denise King says
The first snippet from Bones pov has me re-reading Cat and Bones series. I had all except book 5 for my Kindle, so I bought that one too lol. I started reading them before Kindles were a thing and had forgotten just how much I loved those 2. I’m on Home for the Holidays now. I’m itching to get back to it instead of the 2 arcs of other beloved authors lol.
Jessica says
This is amazing! Thank you!
Jennlor says
Thank you😍😍😍😍😍
Linda Bellagamba says
Thank you from your Italian reader!
It’ll be a good English lesson to read Cat & Bones in english. I can’t wait!
❤️
Alexisa N says
THANK YOU!!!
It’s awesome you took the time to write this for us all. I love getting a peak at things from another major character’s perspective.
Chyrrelle Nance says
I’m totally screaming like a little kid on Christmas! 😂😂😂
Thank you!
sweetfe says
Thank you for the gift!
Have you tried keeping a food diary to help identify the cause of your migraines? https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraine-trigger-foods#1
Gidget says
Sweet!! Bones is one of my favorite characters. Ever. I’m so excited!
Sammie says
Ahh!! This is so great 🙂 I would totally buy this novella! Thankss 😆😆😆
Claire Leblanc says
Thank you for giving us this version. I absolutely love Bones . Cant wait for each week.
Debra says
Jeanine….I love this side of Bones. I always wondered why he did what he did. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Always,
Debra Lee
Nicole says
Loving this! I think I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time! So much fun reading, glad to hear there will be more!
Sandra Tessier says
How exciting, can’t wait. It’s my favourite series.
Tamye Whitener says
That line about Ian being mad, and Bones being smug, made me laugh. I could so easily see the two of them. Bones, puffing out his chest with a smirk on his face, and Ian grimacing while his eyes showed a bit of green. 🙂
Christine says
I love reading Bone’s point of view. Thank you so much for doing this!
Amanda King says
I love this! Thanks so much.
Evonna says
I love the Other Half of the Grave. It’s the same Cat and Bones we know and love but from his perspective. I have often wondered in certain parts of the book during every read/reread what he was thinking in places (stuffed in a closet) or when Cat is always posing as bait (especially without her panties). I am secretly hoping for the whole series from his POV. I have especially wondered about his thinking in Destined for an Early Grave! I can’t get enough. Patiently waiting for the next chapter =)
Carmela says
Love cat & bones, can’t get enough. Can’t tell u have many times I’ve read & reread the series. Awesome
Mayssa Ribeiro says
Hi Jeaniene, I really want to know if it’s worth to continue participating to win one of the awards because I live in Brazil and could you send me the gift if I win?
By the way, I’m loving Bones’s point of view, I’m your fan, I love you and the amazing characters you created !!!
Jeaniene says
If the contest says international, I’ll ship to anywhere in the world if you win. My last contest had a winner from Bangladesh, in fact :).
Michelle Lees says
Truly awesome, can never get enough of Cat and Bones.