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Showing posts with label Elemental Assassin Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elemental Assassin Series. Show all posts
Monday, March 25, 2013
Review: Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep
Deadly Sting
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Books
Elemental Assassin #8
ISBN: #978-1451688993
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book, audio
Book Source: Edelweiss
About the book:
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Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.
Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me — Gin Blanco, aka the Spider — it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’ priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.
Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.
What I’m talking about:
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Note: this review contains spoilers from earlier books in the Elemental Assassin series.
It’s been one long month for Gin since she killed her lover Owen’s ex-fiancee at the conclusion of the last book, Widow’s Web. Giving Owen the space he requested, Gin puts on a good face and keeps her tough exterior, but inside she’s a wreck. Lucky for us, her brother Finn attempts to help lift Gin’s spirits by taking her shopping for some fancy digs to wear to an gala showcasing items from the late Mab Monroe’s estate. Of course, this is Ashland and we are talking about Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, so even a simple shopping trip has its hazards. And only Gin would get excited about the store being robbed while she’s in the dressing room! It’s a great opening sequence that sets the mood for the entire book.
The story moves forward to the opening gala where Gin reluctantly attends with Finn. As soon as Gin arrives, her magic alerts her to some bad vibes coming from the museum stones. Yet even after she witnesses some odd behavior from a few of the giants working there, Gin keeps quiet about her bad feelings. Then to top it all off, since this is an event for all the movers and shakers of Ashland, it’s no surprise to this reader when Owen shows up with a date... one that happens to be wearing the same dress as Gin! It is a classic moment!
Soon after everyone arrives, things go downhill and get real ugly. There is a massive heist underway and everyone is held captive. Once again, it’s up to Gin to save the day. It’s not an easy feat, and there are twists and complications every step of the way.
About three-quarters of the book occurs at the museum and only over the course of only a few hours. I felt that the single locale and short timeframe of the situation added an urgency and intensity to the story. It was hard for me to put the book down since there were no breaks in the action. Additionally, reading the events unfold through the POV of Gin kept me on my toes and continually guessing at what is going to come her way next.
Ms. Estep is an amazing storyteller. The carefully detailed descriptions--from food I want to devour to scenery I feel like I can step into--makes the story so enjoyable to read and easy to visualize. Ms. Estep knows how to reveal clues at the just the right time to keep me glued to the pages. And her characters pack an emotional intensity that doesn't drive me away or interfere with action.
As for that emotional intensity... let’s talk about Gin and Owen. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too torn up at the end of the last book when Owen said he needed some time. I get it - a lot had just happened. However, the opening of Deadly Sting paints a more detailed picture of Gin. Learning of Gin’s loneliness and heartbreak tore me up inside. The gala is the first time that Gin and Owen see one another in a month. The moment was funny because of the fact that his date was wearing the same dress as Gin, but my heart shattered, unlike at the end of the last book. Gin loves Owen, but pride and insecurity get in the way.
As the book progressed, the pair has opportunity to talk open and honestly. Generally, one of my pet-peeves in books occurs when characters engage in deep dialogue or sexually-driven thoughts when in the midst of intense and dangerous circumstances. That is why I loved the fact that Gin acknowledges that “right now” isn't an appropriate time for the pair to discuss their issues, but then goes on to note that they may die that night and she wants to get out all the things left unsaid for the past month. I genuinely delighted in the honest, raw intensity of Owen and Gin, and Ms. Estep's ability to convey the mixed-up and heart-wrenching emotions that go along with the pair. I also liked Owen’s own introspection on things that had happened because it gave me better insight to why he is acting the way he is. Since I don’t want to give any spoilers, I’m not going to say how things are left between the pair at the end of the book; however, once you read it, I’d love to chat!
After the heist is over, Gin is determined to find out who is ultimately behind the events that occurred at the museum. There is a great scene near the conclusion of the book that is very satisfactory, especially to long-time readers of the series. (no spoilers!). I was completely entertained with how Gin handles the situation.
Deadly Sting is another excellent piece of work from Ms. Estep. I enjoyed the fact that roughly seventy percent of the story takes place in the span of a few hours and in one location. Despite this, the story never went stagnant. The movement was constant - whether it was the action (which there is a lot of, many dead bad guys per usual) - or the constant thoughts running through Gin’s head. The continuing love story between Owen and Gin was emotionally powerful and rich. I adore Gin’s family and friends and how close sisters Bria and Gin have become. Gin may need to kill alone at times, but she embraces and relies on the fact that they are always there for her. All-in-all a great read.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Contest Winner - Widow’s Web
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for my interview with the amazing Jennifer Estep and entering the giveaway. A special thanks goes out to my new and continuing Google Connect Followers.
The Winner as selected by Rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I am sending the winner an email to contact me with their full name and mailing address. Please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your information so the author can send you the book. You have until Monday September 10, 2012 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Author Interview: Jennifer Estep
Hello Readers! Today I bring you author Jennifer Estep. Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books and the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. She is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series.
Jennifer is a Southern gal through and through: sassy, sarcastic, and just a tad crazy. She spent her formative years doing the usual kid things – playing, hanging out with friends, and making up wild stories in her head. She says that it’s the last one that’s gotten her into trouble. Now, after many, many years of toil and trouble, Jennifer has achieved her dream of being a bona fide, published, fiction author. She says that she plans to keep on keeping on – writing, dreaming, making up wild stories in her head. And getting herself into trouble.
Widow’s Web, the seventh Elemental Assassin story, released last week. Keep reading to learn more about this story and be sure to check out my review of Widow’s Web HERE. And for a chance to win a copy of Widow’s Web, keep reading!
Please help me welcome Jennifer to That’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Jennifer, welcome and thank you for stopping by.
Jennifer: Thanks for hosting me on your blog. I appreciate it.
Twimom: Okay, as you know, I am a late-comer to Gin (heroine of the Elemental Assassin series), and I want to thank you for your patience and for being helpful finding me a great entry point with the novella, Thread of Death. Although I was able to easily jump into your wonderful series at that point, can you give me (and my readers) some background about Gin, the Elementals and your series?
Jennifer: Thanks for all the nice words about my books. I appreciate them.
The Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series focuses on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.
Twimom: What does the future hold for Gin and the Elemental Assassin series?
Jennifer: Widow’s Web, the seventh book in the series, was published on Aug. 21. I can’t say too much about that book, other than that I do have a plan for Gin and the other characters. As of right now, there will be at least ten books in the series, so Gin will definitely be facing down some more bad guys.
Twimom: Okay, I guess I will have to just wait. Eagerly wait.
You also author young adult urban fantasy series, the Mythos Academy series. Will you share with us a bit about this series as well?
Jennifer: The Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series focuses on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.
Twimom: What was the drive to create a YA series after having two adult series? Do you prefer writing one over the other? Do you have a preferred genre to write?
Jennifer: I just thought that my Mythos Academy series would work better as a young adult series. Plus, you always want to grow and stretch as a writer. I had been wanting to branch out a little and write in another genre, and writing a young adult series let me do that.
I don’t really prefer writing in one genre over the other. They all have their challenges, and it’s been fun for me to tackle the different genres.
Most of my books have some of the same elements in common – a strong, sassy heroine, magic, romance, and lots of action/fight scenes. I would just say that I’m telling a little more of a coming-of-age story with my Mythos Academy books.
Twimom: Do you have any other projects in the works that you would like to share with us?
Jennifer: Deadly Sting, the eighth book in my Elemental Assassin series, is set to be published in April 2013. Crimson Frost, the fourth Mythos Academy book, will be released on Dec. 24, 2012. So right now, I’m pretty busy working on both of those series.
Twimom: And your readers are thankful that you are working on those books! I always like to ask authors about their reading habits... What types of books do you enjoy reading? What is your favorite read so far in 2012?
Jennifer: I like to read just about everything – all kinds of romance, young adult, westerns, mysteries, thrillers, spy books. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary romance and young adult books, which are two genres that I really enjoy.
One of my favorite reads so far this year is The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen. It’s an epic fantasy young adult book that’s about an orphan and some other boys who are recruited to try to impersonate a long-lost prince.
Twimom: What upcoming 2012 releases are you most excited to read?
Jennifer: I’m looking forward to Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas, which was published in August. I really like her contemporary romances. I’ve also heard a lot of good things about Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, a young adult book, so I’m looking forward to getting that one as well (it’s already out). I’m also looking forward to Shadow’s Claim by Kresley Cole, which is a spin-off from her Immortals After Dark paranormal romance series.
Twimom: Jennifer, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you. I really enjoyed meeting you at 2011 Authors After Dark in Philly, and hope we can meet up again!
Jennifer: Thanks! I appreciate that, and I enjoyed meeting you too. Happy reading, everyone!
You can find Jennifer on line at
More on Widow’s Web (Pocket Books; August 21, 2012)
I used to murder people for money, but these days it’s more of a survival technique.
Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back in town, she thinks he’s hers for the taking. Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.
GIVEAWAY:
Thank you to Jennifer Estep for stopping by today and also for generously donating one (1) copy of Widow’s Web to giveaway. To be entered, please use the RAFFLECOPTER form below. As part of your entry, please leave a comment answering the question: Have you ever read a YA and adult series from the same author (if so, who)? You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated. Contest is open from August 27, 2012 until September 1, 2012 at 12:01 AM EDT. Contest is restricted to US mailing addresses only. One (1) winner will be selected from eligible entries. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail. If you have problems with the RAFFLECOPTER form, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Review: Widow's Web by Jennifer Estep
Widow’s Web
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: Aug. 21, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Elemental Assassins #7
ISBN: #978-1451651775
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town.
Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back in town, she thinks he’s hers for the taking.
Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.
What I’m talking about:
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Widow’s Web picks up only a few weeks after the conclusion of the last book, By a Thread. The opening is an amazing gut check that will leave you speechless for a couple of moments. It starts with Gin on the job - hunting her prey and preparing to take out her latest target. We learn the intricate details of how she prepared for this kill, and the scene is amazing. Ms. Estep is a masterful story teller, and she sucked me into Gin’s world so quickly.
All-in-all things are going well for Gin. She and Owen are closer than ever, and even the attempts on her life aren’t as frequent as they were after Mab’s death. But all good things must come to an end for our heroine, and that happens the moment Salina Dubois strolls into Underwood restaurant. We discover that this gorgeous southern belle is Owen’s ex, and she has her sites on reclaiming Owen as her own. Once again, Ms. Estep expertly weaves a scene that conveys an immense amount of intimate emotion and reaction. The fact that the story is told from first person puts the reader right in Gin’s head, and my heart was breaking as she notices all of the signs of someone who may still be in love with another.
As the story progresses, we learn that Salina may not be the polite charmer that Owen remembers. Owen’s sister, Eva, and underworld gambling racketeer, Phillip Kincaid, both have much to say about Salina, none of it good. Unfortunately for Gin, she’s now in the middle of an ugly situation -- fighting siblings, enemies reengaged, and meanwhile, she’s watching her lover distance himself. This story is full of layers that Gin must peel away to determine where the truth lies. Ultimately, Gin must make some difficult decisions, which add much to her character and the tale. It was hard for me to read at times because I was so worried about what might happen, but in the end Ms. Estep takes the story in the direction it needs to go.
Gin is one of my favorite heroines. She’s an assassin with a heart. She has had so much bad in her life, that she values the good so dearly. And I love that Gin is smart. She notices everything around her, and puts pieces of the puzzle together. There is no finding a clue and then filing it away for another day. Since we are privy to her POV, we figure things out as she does. For example: Gin notices how quickly Kincaid eats and compares it to how she ate when she lived on the streets. That gives us quite a bit of information, rather than letting us figure it on our own.
I also enjoy how Gin’s relationship with her sister, Bria has progressed. In the last book, they began to open up and let go of the past. Ms. Estep has taken their connection another step forward, in fact, Bria even refers to Gin as the Spider without cringing. The pair are learning how to balance their opposing careers (assassin and police office) while continuing to support one another.
Finally, we witness a more emotional, vulnerable Gin. She has a lot on the line as she debates internally how to deal with Salina and what Salina means to Owen. Ms. Estep strikes my heartstrings as she takes Gin on an emotion-filled ride with highs and lows that left me wanting more. Gin is growing past her history with Mab and onto a life that is free of revenge, which opens up so many new avenues for our heroine.
In the end, this story moves and flows. As per usual, there is lots of action and adventure. Widow’s Web has both highs and lows, and I, for one, am happy to take on both ends of the spectrum with Gin as my guide.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
Friday, March 2, 2012
Review: By a Thread
By a Thread
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: Feb. 28, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Elemental Assassins #6
ISBN: #978-1451651768
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.
Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun.
But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.
What I’m talking about:
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As I stated when I reviewed Thread of Death (review HERE), I am new to Ms. Estep’s Elemental Assassins series, but with the “blessings” of the author herself, I jumped into the series with both feet, and am I glad that I did!
The story takes place shortly after the events in Thread of Death, which featured the funeral of underworld figure Mab Monroe. Our heroine, Gin Blanco defeated nemesis Mab in book #5, Spider’s Revenge, in a climatic duel. Now the word is out that Gin is in fact the assassin known as the Spider, and everyone wants a piece of her, especially Mab’s former associate, Jonah McAllister. So at the suggestion of her friends and family, Gin takes a long overdue vacation with her younger sister.
I could go on and on about the plot of By a Thread because it was such a fun story. It had all the right elements - action, love, intrigue - but what I adored most was that we watched Gin’s relationships with her sister, Bria, and her lover, Owen, grown and deepen. By the end of the book I had tears in my eyes because of the emotional bonding I witnessed.
However, let me back up a little here. This book is action packed! I was literally skipping words to find out what was going to happen next - I could not read fast enough. I was often on edge, sometimes even mentally “covering my eyes” because I was continually waiting for something else to go wrong with Gin. Even though she agrees to go on vacation, trouble has a way of finding her. I felt bad for Gin as she fought to protect her sister’s BFF, unpacking her numerous weapons, doing the tough jobs, while her sister watched her with an eye of almost disgust. But it was a good thing Gin doesn’t know how to take a break from the life of an assassin, because this time they tangled with one of the most vicious vampires known to walk the earth. And let me tell you, parts of this book were a bit gruesome, made more cringe-worthy out of concern for Gin.
Randall Dekes is a evil, sadistic vampire with no redeeming qualities. He makes an excellent villain, especially when he takes on and tortures Gin. He also has ties to Jonah McAllister, which makes him enemy number one.
As I said earlier, although a thrilling ride, the best parts of this book are the emotional pieces which stirred my heart. I loved the little nuggets and memories from Gin’s deceased foster father, Fletcher. In addition, Ms. Estep does a superb job portraying Gin's longing to be close with her sister. In opening scenes when she travels with Bria to Blue Sands--it was heart breaking. I could feel Gin's self-doubt and her desire for her sister's love.
And when it comes to love... I ADORE Owen! Owen and Gin are ideal for each other. Individually, they aren’t perfect, but accept each other for who they are, even when they make mistakes. It’s like they know each other on a sub-atomic level and are just content to admire and love the other as is. And when Owen says to Gin "You're mine," rawr!
This was my first full-length Elemental Assassins book, but I easily jumped right in. Gin reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: sometimes the battle is hers alone to fight; she wants to help others; she has a good heart. I loved how Gin really came into her own and accepted who she is and what she does. I think you will too!
My Rating:
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Purchase Info:
Monday, January 30, 2012
Review: Thread of Death
Thread of Death
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: Jan. 31, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Elemental Assassin #5.5
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, might have finally killed her nemesis, Mab Monroe, but that doesn't mean that it's smooth sailing. Gin goes to Mab's funeral to say her goodbyes and runs into some of Ashland's most notorious underworld power players, including Jonah McAllister and Phillip Kincaid. McAllister wants her dead, and Kincaid has his own murky motives when it comes to the Spider, and Gin once again finds herself fighting for her life. Only this time, she might wind up in the cemetery right next to Mab.
What I’m talking about:
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I have been hearing great things about Ms. Estep’s Elemental Assassin series for a while now. I’ve wanted to read it, but by the time I got around to it, the series was already four books in, and I just didn’t have the time to commit to reading four to five books. (Lame excuse, I know!). Anyhow, I’d been chatting with the wonderful Ms. Estep and asked her when would be a good time to “jump in” to her series. She suggested this novella, and I’m so thankful she did!
For those unfamiliar with this urban fantasy series, it centers around Gin Blanco, an assassin whose parents were killed by nemesis assassin, Mab Monroe. The first five books centered on Gin (aka the Spider) trying to take out her long-time adversary, culminating with a massive elemental battle between the two in Spider’s Revenge, where Gin finally defeats Mab. (Note: I did NOT read the first five books.)
Thread of Death is a nice little story - a “day in the life” of Gin - that bridges the story arc ending in the past book with Mab’s death, and a new one starting in the upcoming By a Thread (February 28, 2012, Pocket Books). In this novella, we find Gin recovering from her battle with Fire Elemental, Mab. Gin is also an Elemental, able to manipulate Stone and Ice to her advantage (there are also Air Elementals). I’m still learning about Elementals, but I got a feel for what they can do in this story.
The story takes place over the course of one day - the day of Mab’s funeral. It is also Gin’s first day out and about. Surrounding Gin is a close-knit group of friends and family, including her sister, Bria and her lover Owen. These friends are among the few that know Gin is actually the Spider. As Gin psyches herself up for leaving her home, the reader is given details about each of Gin’s friends. Ms. Estep provides in a sense, a tutorial of who’s who in Gin’s life. I quickly got a feel for who was important to Gin and why. I also learned where there were problems in this small group.
At the funeral, Ms. Estep gives the reader more insight into the major players (i.e. crime bosses and thugs) in town, and I have a feeling she was setting the stage for what is to come. Gin is being strategically hunted by Mab’s long-time associate, Jonah McAllister, and he begins with his plans at the funeral.
One thing I liked about this story was how it was told through the first person point-of-view of more than one person. The majority of the story is relayed via Gin, but we also get into the head of Jonah McAllister and Phillip Kincaid, a man I believe who will play a big part in what is to come. It is an effective way to give the reader a big picture view of the world.
As someone who is new to the series, I felt like Thread of Death was one of those mid-season recap TV shows - you know the ones where they toss in a bunch of old clips to try and bring the viewer up to speed and prepare for what is to come. And as such, Ms. Estep is extremely successful. I feel like I can tackle the upcoming story with little question about back story. I may be missing out on some emotional investment, but I feel after reading this story, I can move forward.
My Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
ARC Review: Spider's Revenge
Today I have a special review post from the lovely Danni. Danni won my Spider’s Revenge ARC Giveaway, and today she takes over That’s What I’m Talking About to tell us a little more about Jennifer Estep’s newest release.
Danni is a stay-at-home mom who loves to read. Luckily she gets enough free time to indulge in her passion. Paranormal romance and urban fantasy are her preferred genres, and she loves a hot shifter story! Please welcome Danni to That’s What I’m Talking About!
Spider’s RevengePublisher: Pocket Books
Elemental Assassins #5
ISBN: #978-1439192641
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book: |
Old habits die hard. And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.
Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen.
Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters she hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second.
Good thing I’ve got my powerful Stone and Ice magic — and my irresistible lover Owen Grayson — to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me...no matter what I have to do to make that happen.
What Danni is talking about: |
Gin is finally ready to face Mab Monroe. Finally ready to take down the person that destroyed Gin's family and set her on the path of becoming the Spider. The action starts right off the bat with Gin making an attempt on Mab's life right in her own home while Mab is entertaining guests. Of course things can't be that easy for Gin. And she also discovers that there are tons of bounty hunters in town going after a bounty on both Gin and her sister, Bria. Gin has to stay in front of all the bounty hunters, and make sure her sister stays safe.
When Gin isn't making an attempt on Mab, she is plotting. And she isn't plotting alone. Much to her chagrin all of the people that she has protected in the past and have become her friends all want to do their part to help Gin. Gin doesn't know what to do with that kind of support.
The final face-off is pretty extreme. While she may have help taking out Mab’s guards and the bounty hunters, the actual fight with Mab is one-on-one. I won’t spoil the end for readers, but I will say that Gin does finally have some words with Mab before the elements start flying.
I enjoyed this book and spent my reading time feeling both anxious and excited. The buildup to this showdown was pretty immense, and it lived up to the anticipation. I loved seeing Gin grow, and all the events that have led to this showdown revealed in their own time.
Danni’s Rating: |
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Contest Winner - Spider's Revenge ARC
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for a chance to win an ARC of Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep. I especially want to thank Jennifer for giving me this awesome ARC!
Every person that commented was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.The Winner:
~Danni
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I’m sending the winner a message; please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so I can send you the book ASAP! Due to the time constraints of the review, you have until Thursday September 8, 2011 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Remember: You must have the book read and review to me by September 26, 2011. (I will work with you if there are problems, no worries!)
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Spider's Revenge ARC Giveaway
When I was at Author's After Dark this past August, I had the privilege of meeting the very talented and insanely sweet, Jennifer Estep. At the public book signing, she gave me a copy of her upcoming ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SERIES fifth release, Spider's Revenge (September 27, 2011; Pocket Books). Unfortunately, I haven't read this amazing series yet (it's on the TBR pile!), and I cannot due justice to Ms. Estep's work by reading the 5th book without the knowledge of the first four. So this is where one of my readers gets lucky!!I am going to giveaway the ARC of Spider's Revenge to one lucky person. HOWEVER, there is a catch... since this is an ARC, we owe it to Ms. Estep to publish a review. Therefore, if you win this book, you will need to do a guest review for That's What I'm Talking About. Don't let that scare you - the review can be as short or long as you like. I just ask for some details about what you liked/didn't like and a rating. I'll format it and post it to my blog. Your review will be featured on September 28, 2011.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Old habits die hard. And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.
Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen.
Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters she hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second. Good thing I’ve got my powerful Stone and Ice magic — and my irresistible lover Owen Grayson — to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me...no matter what I have to do to make that happen.
In order to get the review posted on time, I am holding a SHORT contest, and I will priority mail the book to the winner ASAP. Due to constraints, the contest is only open to US mailing addresses. You must have the book read and review to me by September 26, 2011. (I will work with you if there are problems, no worries!) Again, since this is the fifth book in the series, I'm really looking for people that have already read the series.
The Rules: To be entered, you must leave a comment telling me your favorite book in Ms. Estep's Elemental Assassin Series to date. You do not need to be a google follower of my blog, but it always appreciated. Contest is open from September 3, 2011 until Tuesday September 6, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it so I may contact the winner. One entry per person. Contest is restricted to US mailing addresses only. One (1) winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Winner shall provide a review of the ARC by September 26, 2011, which will be posted on That's What I'm Talking About on September 28, 2011. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.
Thanks and Happy Reading!
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