Before we get to the contest stuff, I have to say what a great time I had at ApollyCon last week. I got to hang out with old friends, meet new ones, and chat with readers, which are three fabulous things right there. Throw in getting lots of new book recommendations, and you have a very happy Jeaniene! Here are just a couple pics from Apollycon. The first one is me and Melissa Marr, who’s been my friend and critique partners for nearly 18 (!!) years.
Note: In the next picture, the “choking” wasn’t only consensual, it was demanded. They even came with tee-shirts that said “Jeaniene Frost, Choke Me Please!” Lol.
Have I said lately how much I love my readers? Writing can be a lonely process, and the business of publishing makes it easy to get imposter syndrome. But when a reader says “This book helped me through a hard time” or “I saw myself in the heroine” or “I stayed up all night to finish!” or any of the kind things readers have said, it’s like they’re beaming a ray of sunshine right into my creative soul. I can’t tell you how much it means to me, readers! I’d hug you all if I could!
Now, to the winners of last week’s “Never Say Never” contest. I asked what you couldn’t resist, and you spilled the tea. As promised, there were two winners of this contest, picked randomly because I can’t choose between you. Without further ado, the winner of the $15 Amazon egift card is:
Anita Klaboe, who said, “Chocolate is my vice. I hide it in drawers and when my husband finds it, I have to find a new spot to hide it.
And the winner of any “book of their choice” from my backlist is:
Christine Fowler, who said, “I can’t resist indie bookstores and cats. Visiting new indie bookstores is a must for me when traveling and I always leave with a book (…or four). And I will stop absolutely anything if I see a cat LOL.”
Congrats, Anita and Christine! I have your email addresses from when you made your comments. I will be contacting you through them with instructions on how to claim your prize, so be sure to check your emails!
If you didn’t win, so sorry, but you have ANOTHER chance, which brings us to the “She Said / He Said” contest. We’ve all heard that there’s two sides to every story. I ended up taking that premise literally with THE OTHER HALF OF THE GRAVE, which is my hero’s version on the beginning of his relationship with Cat in the Night Huntress series. I started writing “Bones’s side of the story” just for fun, and posted the first few chapters on my website blog, but two unexpected things happened. First, I LOVED telling Bones’s point of view, and realized how many things Cat (and readers! And me!) had missed when their story had only been told through Cat’s eyes.
Second, and perhaps most surprising, a lot of readers demanded more. The first book in the Night Huntress series had released over a decade ago, so I thought I was the only one who still cared about it. Well, readers proved me wrong. THE OTHER HALF OF THE GRAVE debuted on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller list. I loved writing “Bones’s point of view” so much that I did it with a second book, BOTH FEET IN THE GRAVE. I’m probably stopping there since I have new stories to tell, but by switching point of view, I saw events, people, places, and even my paranormal world in a whole new light. There really was another side to a story I’d thought I knew everything about.
My question to you is, if you could get “the other side of the story” from any book, tv show, or movie, which one would it be? Each person who replies will be entered to win one of the two prizes I’m giving away for this post.
The first prize is a $15 Amazon egift card (open to US readers only.)
The second prize is any book from my backlist, winner’s choice which. This part is open to international readers as well as US readers. See all of my books HERE.
Contest starts NOW and ends Thursday, May 9th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced on my blog the next day.
Good luck, and remember, check back on the blog next week to see if you won, plus, there will be another giveaway soon!
I would love to have the entire Night Prince series from Vlads perspective! I would really enjoy his reactions to Leila’s thoughts firsthand. From the initial meeting in his mind, to the hotel, to feeling his response to her “death”, then Max’s betrayal, and his interactions with Leila’s family-especially Gretchen! I mean, I would have loved to see what he picked up on in her thoughts. lol. And to feeling his reaction to him “seeing” her vision of them in the bed together! *SWOON* then to be able to experience when he finally lets go and decides to let himself be in love with her. EPIC! Also would love to be in his head when he has interactions with Bones. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t love that!!
I would LOVE to read Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy’s point of view to see what goes through his head the entire time.
I would really like to know Ian’s thoughts in the night huntress especially when it comes to his relationship with bones and his thoughts about Cat.
From the Anita Blake series by Laurel K. Hamilton I’d love Jean-Claude’s POV. I bet it’d be poetic.
J.R. Ward’s Lover Awakened. Bella’s point of view.
YES!!! THIS WILL BE EPIC!
Would love to know Vlad’s POV ! 🙂
I want to find out what happens to Gretchen and find out the backstory of Liotta I’m very interested in the Cherokee backdrop and Ian backstory from when he met Mencheres you have let little bit but l am sure there is so much more
In the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich, I would love to know Joe Morelli and/or Rangers point of view of the series.
I would like vlads side for the entire night prince series. I would also love Rhysands side of the entire ACOTAR series. It’s awesome to be able to read both books in tandem, so you can have both sides happening at the same time.
Bound by Flames
Anything from Vlads story.
My choice for “the other side of the story” is Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter series) by Nalini Singh. I would love to see the story through Raphael’s eyes.
Vald’s story
I’ve recently read the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown and would absolutely love Julian’s POV but a POV that I think would be amazing (and very informative) would be R2-D2’s from the entire Star Wars saga – that little droid has seen some shit!
I would love to see Tate’s POV – getting past his infatuation with Cat, and his hatred of all things ‘Vamp’ and maybe find himself a female of his very own – with the kicker being she’s a supernatural like a vampire, witch, ghoul, werewolf or a previously unknown species? I’d like to see this dedicated man find his own happiness!
Omg! yes yes!!!! That would be perfection
Ian AND Vlad’s points of view would be amazing!
Honestly, I absolutely loved the two books from Bones POV and considering he is my most absolute favourite male character ever I really want to hear the rest of his story. Especially book four. That was a very heavy one. I fell in love with Bones in my teens. I don’t even remember how old I was. Seventeen maybe. I’m almost 29 now. He is still my number one. The Night Huntress series is the only one I have enjoyed reading a retelling from another character’s POV. I usually find them boring. But not Bones. He is just that good. And you of course, for creating him in the first place.
I absolutely agree to all of this. I would die to see all of these books from bones POV but most especially the 4th book. Holy cow when he found her gone from that room. 🤯. His pov shed so much insight into it. We obviously knew he loved her but I didn’t have any idea the depth of it like how it was described when it was playing through Annette’s betrayal and how deeply it hurt him because she knew just how devastated he was. I knew he was upset but seeing this side of it really hammered home just how hard that must have been for him. I really hope she finishes the night huntress books from bones POV. I’ve never cared for books that do the other wise but this, this was perfection
I’m with Charisse. I can’t get enough of Vlad. I’d love to read from his perspective. And tell Debi Murray I got dibs!
Love you lots, Jeaniene. It was great seeing my picture from the 2009 signing. You’re a gem.
I’d love to get Drevan’s perspective from Ingrid Seymour’s Demon Hunter trilogy! We only get a few pieces here and there, but the side characters have more backstory that is not explored in the series. Plus it’d be great to hear his thoughts throughout his adventures with Lucia 😉
I’ve noticed in Hollywood that it has been a trend these last few years to take a villian we’ve known for decades and give them more depth with back stories and new perspectives. I’ve loved that for a lot of villains. Like what makes them tick? What happened to put them on this path? Every once in a while though, I’d sometimes like a villain to just be a villian… pure evil. Not everyone needs a redeeming quality or story. That being said, I’d love to see the story from Morgoth or Sauran’s point of view (LOTR). We have books and letters, but nothing really in live action medium and it’s such a fascinating story. Rings of Power should’ve been that, but alas…
I love The Big Bang Theory. Leonard is my favorite. I would love more about his childhood and college life.
As much I would love to see Vlad or Damon Salvatore point of view…. I can’t help but say Spade. He was my foot into the rabbit hole of Jeaniene Frost books and all other book boyfriend have to compete with that God like of a man. I’d LOVE to know what was going on in his head.
The book I would most like to see the other side of Vlads in the first two books of the night prince books. I feel like there was a lot going on with him when Layla left and finding her. But also when he first meets her and what his thoughts were. But if we are talking about things other than your world I would love to see more from spike from Buffy and what is was like to go from the big bad to being how he is in the last season.
Uhm, excuse me?! Did you really just ask me to pick ONE book or movie that I’d like to know the other side of the story? ONE?! I’d love to read every book I’ve read with another POV 😉 Every. Single. One.
Definitely Destined for an Early Grave in Bones perspective. The whole Gregor storyline and when he left Cat… would love to know his thoughts!
I have read so many books. I began with Jeaniene in 2007, which started my reading journey. There have been so many book boyfriends over the last 16 years of reading and Bones has always been the ultimate man. If I had to choose one male POV to have an entire book about it would be Xaden Riorson’s POV from Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing and Iron Flame books. The small snippet we received in the holiday edition of Fourth Wing was VERY revealing of his feelings. The next book would be amazing with dual POV and his love for the FMC Violet.
Thank you for your books. They rescued me from a dark time in my life and gave me the escape I needed.
I would love a short story from the Ilona Andrew’s Inn Keeper series from Beast’s POV. I have a (non magical) Shih Tzu so I’m biased on wanting to know more about the little monster and where he came from and what IS he?
I know you said you would probably quit writing Bones POV after book 2….BUT…. I completely agree with Brandy, I really had hoped that we would get Bones POV at least thru Destined for an Early Grave. Knowing what was going on with him when he left Cat seems like a really big hole.
Additionally, I can’t argue with anyone saying Vlad’s POV either because….it is Vlad after all.
I’m a sucker for classics so getting Gone With The Wind or Pride and Prejudice from the MMC POV would be great but I can’t deny that I’d DIE to get more from Bone’s side. I want his POV from their time apart when he left her.
I’d love to hear Vlads point of view from your books lol, but not counting your books? Probably Goliath’s from Gargoyles the TV show.
Hi, I would love to have Vlad’s POV . I love that series!! Ty
Dracula
I’d want vlads POV
I always wanted Jamie Fraser’s viewpoint in Outlander (the book).
I’ve been listening to the Percy Jackson series as a happy buffer between some sad books and I’d love to hear Annabeth’s point of view. Out of your series I’d love to hear Vlad’s point of view just bc he seems to have lots of his emotions locked down most of the time.
Okay, this is a hard ask, but if we’re talking your books, definitely a Vlad POV. Vlad was my absolute favorite. Otherwise, an Xavier POV from the Empyrean series would be amazing. Any show? I would have loved more Vampire Diaries from Damon’s POV.
I would like to say first thank you so much for your amazing writing because when I entered the fantasy world your books were my first encounter and until day today i haven’t read anything that good. There are several characters I think would be interesting to explore more. Like more about Mencheres’s past and his point of view, the entire Night Prince series from Vlad’s point of view and his life through the centuries. Also, I am curious about Justyna’s perspective and what happened to the fourth-person Timothy on the Alexander and his prospective?
Destined for an Early Grave ( but seriously all of the Night Huntress world books. Just take my money 💰 already). I would love to know what was going on in Bones’ mind during this book. We saw how Cat took things when she thought she lost Bones. To see his side though. I’m seriously hoping we get this story eventually.
I know this doesn’t apply but honestly I would like my husband’s POV 😬🤣 I want to know if he truly finds my jokes funny like he says he does! Other than that, I agree with almost everyone, Vlad’s POV would be greatly appreciated!
From your books, I’d love to learn more about things from Vlad’s or Mencheres perspectives. The concept of how they felt in their own stories, especially with Mencheres future sight predictions.
From not your books I’d love to see Avatar the Last Airbender from the perspective of the cabbage man!
I’d love Jean Claude’s POV from LKH’s Anita Blake series.
Bones’ POV has been epically amazing. Thank you!!!
Buffy from Spike’s POV!
I am driving home from Texas.
I am reading Funny Story by Emily Henry right now and am dying for Miles’ POV.
Undoubtedly, I would die of happiness if we get a book from Vlad’s POV or their series continuation.
I would definitely love to hear Vlad’s side of the story. I bet his reactions to Leila’s thoughts would be so fun. Or even his interactions with Bones.
Ok I’m going to echo other people and say that I really really want to read Destined for an Early Grave from Bones’s POV. And maybe not all of At Graves End but at least an excerpt of his thoughts and feelings during Cat and Tate in the limo.
In answer to the original question, I love the Tairen Soul series by C. L. Wilson. I would love to have that whole series from Rain’s POV. He was “along for the ride” for a lot of what was happening to the main female character.
I would love to see No-Face from Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, he is my favorite character from that movie and is such a unsung hero.
Definitely Vlad! Would love to hear his protected, then logical, then tortured thought process, that led to his finally giving it up and going all in for his love for Leila! Night Prince is my favorite of all the series! If Vlad thought Leila was maddening he should know how many times I wanted to rip him off the page and slap him silly! But then again, maybe I should rethink that. After all, no one would think of actually striking Vlad and I wouldn’t want to end up on the pole for a week!
Hmmm, the bad guys in the Star Wars movies…
Ian and Vlad sides of there stories. The girls had their limelight the boys need it to! Also Max and Leila’s sister(maybe)❤️
I’d love to read the first book In the paper princess series. In the 2nd & 3rd books there are a few Chapters with Ella’s POV and some with Reed’s POV but in the first book we only get to see Ella’s thoughts. I really want to know what sexy prick aka Reed was thinking, tho 😉
I would like to have Vlad’s perspective from night prince series.
I’d love to re-read the entire series from Bones POV. I really enjoyed the new perspective.
Having Vlad’s and Menchere’s POV would be great too.
I really liked the Throne of Glass series and would have liked to see more of it though Rowan Whitethorn’s POV.
Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice
Damon Salvatore from the vampire diaries perspective is the one I’d love to read. His character changes so much throughout the series.
Tales of an Extrodanary Girl Series – Gena Showalter. I would love to have it from Romes perspective. From the first book on how he met this strange girl and in book 2 when he lost his memory and had to try and regain it.
But as many have mentioned before I would love to get the whole Night huntress series from Bones perspective I just love him and it is interesting to see it from his perspective. And in book 3 we would have gotten to see Bones deal with Cats father and in book 4 when they are seperated. And later dealing with the ghost and Cats former job. I would like it all! We can never have to much Bones! We need some special editions of all the books from the Night huntress world. We need to upgrade them to nice hardbacks!! XD
I would pick Curran’s POV from Magic Triumphs!
I LOOOOOVE the Kate Daniels series!!!!
Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Is it unfair if I said I wanted book three in the night huntress series from Bone point of view 😅 it’s one of my favorite in the series! I would also love to see The night rebel series from Ian POV.
I would love to hear Vlads side! That would be amazing!!!
I want more from bones POV. I’d love Vlads aswell…
aside from that maybe the charmed tv show… but in the POV of the Elders (preslaughter that is)
I love this contest! It made me think and go through all of my favorite books and think about it. My answer
Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series. I would love to hear Adam talk about Mercy
So many have already mentioned Vlad, literally hot and dangerous so I’ll say:
Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews from Hugh d’Ambray’s POV.
I wanna see Scars perspective from The Lion King. Cause why do you hate your family so much lol.
I would love the backstory/other perspective from Draco. Harry Pottter books. Or even Hermoine’s
I’m on a Dune kick right now, so I’d love see more of the story from Chani’s point of view. I know the stories were written in a different era and I love what they’ve done with her character in the recent movies.
I’d want the POV of Conor and Alessandro from the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews
Oh I really really want Darius’s POV from DDVN series by KF Breene. I love those books. Would love to see it from his POV.
The whole A Court of Thorns and Roses series from Rhysand’s view
I’d love to see the other side of the story of the Jane Yellowrock Skinwalker series of books by Faith Hunter (Bruiser is Jane’s Bones).
I would want to know what Michael was doing between Underworld Awakening and Underworld Blood Wars! I hate that he didn’t get to be in the last two movies.
My all-time favorite series across all platforms is the Night Prince series, I’d love to read from Vlads perspective! Thank you 🙂
I would love to get the other side of the story from Nebula from Guardians of the Galaxy! The movie franchise has hinted about her tough childhood and “evil sister” foil to Gamora, but I would love to see her impressions of all our favorite characters and what made her the flawed character she is now.
Vlad’s perspective would be great.
I have quite a few, but maybe because I have been watching Camp Cretaceous lately, the first thing that popped into my head was Blue. I really want to know more about what she was doing on the island after it was abandoned and after the letdown (at least for me) for her part in the third movie. It would definitely take someone very creative to try and imagine what it would be like as a dinosaur. Obviously, it would involve a lot of guess work, but if someone went all in (without trying to anthropomorphize her), you could explore some really neat ideas.
Hi am Sandra I’m a 54 year old AL. fan of yours. I’ve followed several series over the years. First to come to mind is Roarke from the J D Robb ( In Death) series, second Susan Tucker from the Sneaky Pie and Rita Mae Brown series, third Sean Evans in the Ilona Andrews’s Innkeepers Chronicles and last but not least, any of Anita Blake’s men in Laurell K Hamilton series. I know this is a long winded sentence, but I don’t watch TV much anymore. All the movies I care for come from books so I can get unanswered questions solved by reading the book. By the way I discovered L K H, you, Patrica Briggs and Jennifer Ashley in a shared Anthology, so big Thanks
I read so many authors and books, it’s really hard to pick one. My favorite character would be Vlad. He’s powerful, shameless and really doesn’t care what another paranormal thinks. When he loves, he loves. When he fights, he fights to the death for the people he cares for and loves.
Hello, Jeaniene!
If i could get “the other side of the story” from someone it would be from IAN in your Night Rebel series books. The first thing i ever read from your writings was Shades of Wicked and i instantly fell in love with IAN. Later on, i loved all the other boys – Bones coming up on the second place in my rankings, BUT IAN remained my number one favorite all along, holding a special place in my heart. Why? I guess it’s because of his duality: the fact that at the beggining he presents himself as a carefree and careless person with literally NO SHAME in his actions; when in fact, deep down, he has such a big heart and is actually A HERO as it was shown throughout the book series…melted my heart. And i didn’t even talk about his amazing sense of humour, always making me laugh. That being said, it would be really, really nice if we could peek into his mind and see what he was thinking while he was talking to Veritas because in ,,The Other Half Of The Grave” i saw that from the beggining, Bones was so, so caring for Cat (he just didn’t show it like an open book, or Cat couldn’t see past that because of her mentality) and when i read HER side of the story i believed he was just a bad boy and that was that, only later (trird/fourth book), him becoming so caring. So i can’t help but wonder what was in Ian’s mind when he finally fell in love with someone, having to give up all his ,,non-caring person” charade and truly open up and get vulnerable.
Would love to hear Vlad perspective. Another book would love to hear Samwise Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings.
I would want “the other side of the story” of the Kate Daniels series! While Ilona Andrews have been gracious enough to write some scenes from Curran’s POV, I would love to read the whole series from his perspective.
Thank you for the giveaway!
i would love any of your characters. i would love any one you put out. keep up the good work. have a great day.
Thank you for the opportunity first of all.
I can’t give one answer, unfortunately. I would really love to see the entire Night Rebel Series from Ian’s POV and Asael’s POV. It seems Asael might be able to provide more tea on dear old dad. And Ian of course is a MUST because he is so outrageous and such an amazing character that it seems he wants to jump out the pages of the books.
Julia Mejia Saenz
I think that most books that only have 1 side of the story should have both. Luckily allot of authors are now writing that way. BUT I would really like to get Artemis in the Dark hunter series by S. Kenyon’s view on all the awful things she does and how she justifies it.
I always love a book, seeing actors presenting the story is sometimes a bit of a let-down since they don’t look like I imagine the characters.
I would choose Bones’ POV from the original version of Destined for an Early Grave, as pieced together from the book and Outtakes. I’d really love your original vision for their third and fourth books from Bones’ POV because the Vlad factor cracks me up and I’d love to know what was going through Bones’ head when he had no memory of Cat and was raw-dogging his way through New Orleans, what went through his head with Spade in the airplane, and his second first impression of Cat after having his memory wiped! PLEASE make it so!
Would definitely like to know Ian’s thoughts about Cat and Bones.
In your world, Vlad’s side would be great. In all of media, that’s a little tougher.
I do like seeing things from both sides of the story though.
I would like Derek’s side of the story from Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews. I would love to know his thoughts and where he’s been to get to where he is now.
Labyrinth from Jareth’s POV lol
Green Rider by Kristen Britain. I would like it from the point of view of the king.
Gosh, there are so many. I’m a fan of Nalini Singh and love Angels Blood. Would really love to dig into Raphael’s psyche. Another recent favorite is Derek from Ilona Andrews’ Blood Heir. We know he’s had a really rough time since we first met him in Magic Bites. Would love his own story.
I’m torn between Adam from Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series and Darius from Demond days vampire nights series by KF Breene. I love both those series.
Its so hard to choose, I would love to read Vlad’s POV too!
Thanks for the contest!
Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series. I know in the later books you get some of Adam’s POV, but I wish I could have gotten more from all the books from his perspective.
I recently read (well, this one was an audiobook version) The Wolf Hotel Series by Nina West. I would love to hear his side of the story!
This is assuming that I can’t choose one of your books… if this is an option, I’d go with the rest of Bones’s or Vlad’s story.
Xanders’ from The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros or Rhysands’ from ACOTAR series by SJM. But so many more to be honest… I just love books with his point of view or his side of the story.
Thanks for the chance! It was so nice meeting you at ApollyCon, you have no idea but you made my day.
I would love to hear more from Don’s POV. Because of his brother, he started his team. Did he believe in vamps before Max? I want to know how he managed to get funding, how he got the team together. How he found out about Cat. He was on a mission and brought it to fruition.
It would be interesting to see what was going through the mind of Count Dracula (the original). Surely there was some emotion at play and not just unthinking hunger.
Magic Bleeds from Erra’s POV.
Have you seen Clue the movie? I’d love to see it from the victims perspective.
I’d love to read more from Bone’s POV (Night Huntress series), Vlad’s POV (Night Prince), Ian’s POV (Night Rebel), Ren’s POV (Wicked saga), Luc’s POV (Origin), etc. To sum up: Just give me for every freaking book that exists another POV!!
That’s a hard one. I’d choose between Roarke from J.D. Robb’s In Death series or Adam Hauptman from Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series. I’d truly love to know who they were before they met Eve and Mercy respectively.
Ever read the mindf*ck series by S.T. Abby? I think it would be interesting to see what the ‘bad guys’ thought. Like Kyle, for example. I mean, he was a psychopath, but when he heard his ‘friends’ were killed, was he scared or at least worried?! Or Christopher Denver’s POV, after all was he the reason this whole horror started.
So many, but Ian from the Night Rebel series would be great!
I absolutely love bones pov but I would also be interested in vlads or Ian’s pov. Mainly vlads due to his history and past love issues along with the issues with Frankie dating. It would also be nice to see vlads insight with dealing with bones and his hosting cat during their separation during the gregor stuff.
Def Vlad!
I would have loved for Jane Austen to do Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s point of view.
I alway want Vlad pov of the entire Night Prince series ! his reactions to Leila’s on everthing ! Him falling in love !