Review: Snared by Jennifer Estep

Irony 101—The Spider herself snared in someone else’s web …

Another week, another few clues trickling in about the Circle, the mysterious group that supposedly runs the city’s underworld. Gathering intel on my hidden enemies is a painstaking process, but a more immediate mystery has popped up on my radar: a missing girl.

My search for the girl begins on the mean streets of Ashland, but with all the killers and crooks in this city, I’m not holding out much hope that she’s still alive.

A series of clues leads me down an increasingly dark, dangerous path, and I realize that the missing girl is really just the first thread in this web of evil. As an assassin, I’m used to facing down the worst of the worst, but nothing prepares me for this new, terrifying enemy—one who strikes from the shadows and is determined to make me the next victim.

I have made no secret that I love this series and recommend it to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy as much as I do.  But I am constantly amazed at how Ms. Estep keeps coming up with the sick and twisted characters she does. Probably says something about me that I love it so much lol. But the main bad guy in this one is truly one sick twisted freak.

We also have the whole gang back in this one. I love that about her books. Even though most are not blood kin they are kin that were chosen and that type of family is usually the best to have. We also find out more about Gin's mama and see snippets of her past.  And as in real life we learn in this book that most folks aren't truly good or evil they sort of walk the grey line. Makes for more interesting lives and books.

On one hand I am hoping that we find out about the circle soon and that Gin kills them all but on the other I hope that doesn't mean the end of this series.  Either way I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. I give this book 5 stars and I was given it in exchange for consideration of a review which in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

Review: Unwanted by Jennifer Estep

The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella—from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, the foster brother of Gin Blanco, and a fan favorite of readers of the series.

The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.

But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.

Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes

Review:: 
I must say after the events of the last book I needed for Finn to be okay. He had to do something that would have to be extremely hard and IMO almost impossible. This book made me mad for how the folks treated Finn. It wasn't his fault his mother was a psycho witch from hell. And I was happy that that he helped out the family of one of his friends that was killed by her and her goons.  I hope in the subsequent books that he forgives himself for only being human and wanting what everyone wants which is family. I give this book 4 stars and I was given this book Via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I cannot wait until the next book to see if they can figure out who is running the show and shut them down permanently.



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Review: Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep

Which is stronger: blood ties or a battle-tested friendship? That’s the question Gin Blanco asks when a friend’s long-lost relative strolls into town. The suspicious reunion is a surprise for everyone—and a big problem for Gin. Book fourteen in the New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series RT Book Reviews calls “unbeatable entertainment!”

It’s not easy being queen bee of an underworld abuzz with crooks and killers. Wielding my potent Ice and Stone elemental magic will only get me so far—my real secret is my tight-knit makeshift family, a motley crew of cops and criminals, dwarves and playboys. My foster brother Finnegan Lane is my right-hand man, but when his suddenly not-dead relative comes back into the picture, I’m the one on the outside looking in.

It’s funny how life works: one minute your best friend is rock-steady, and the next he’s doe-eyed and buying into this whole loving-relative routine to the point of ignoring you. I’d like to be happy for Finn, I really would. But all of my instincts are telling me that beneath the syrupy sweet demeanor and old-fashioned charm, this sudden interloper is planning something. The whole shtick leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This person might have avoided the grave once, but I’ll put anyone who hurts Finn in the ground—for good.

Just when I think that this series can't get any better Ms. Estep takes us in a whole new direction. This is one of my favorite series because it has it all action, great characters and family. Maybe not the traditional one but family none the less.  Sometimes the family you make is better than than the family the good lord gave you. And in this case it most certainly was. My only issue was what Finn's long lost relatives motive was. I couldn't believe that Gin and the rest of the gang couldn't figure it out.  Said relative kept saying how predictable Gin was since Fletcher had trained her. But dayumn their end game was crystal clear to me. No one in Gin's family not getting that was a bit of a disappointment to me but I can overlook it because sometimes when you are two close to the issue you can't see the forest for the trees. But that being said it did detract from the story for me and is why I didn't give this book a higher rating.
This story took a turn that I was not expecting and set the stage for more books I hope. At least it left me wanting more. And another thing this book did was gave us more back story for Gin which I love.
I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review and I give it a 4 star rating.

Review: Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep

Product Description

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

I absolutely love this series. And in this book Jennifer pulls us further into Gin's world and we learn more Owen whom I am hoping is a good as he seems. Mab makes a bad mistake in this book by going after Bria and of course we all know how Gin handles threats to those she loves. This allows us to find more about Gin's powers and how she's just as powerful an Ice Elemental as she is a Stone. I'm hoping Gin takes Mab out cause we find out that she'll use anyone to get information that she needs. I am so looking forward to the next book this to see her get her just deserts lol. I am going to give this one a 4 1/2 stars. I purchased this book for my own personal use.

Revew: Venon by Jennifer Estep

Product Description


What kind of assassin works pro bono?

It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.


I think in this series that this book is my absolute favorite. The story line just keeps getting better and better. And I want to be Gin when I grow up. She's not afraid to the right thing no matter what others think of her. And her little growing "family" rocks. Her brother Finn Omg you have to get him the right woman. I can't wait to see him fall. And the new hottie Owen can we say yum on all levels. He is perfect for Gin and I am so glad the butthead is gone. She needed to kick his ass to the curb at their first meeting. Only thing wrong with this series is that the books can't come fast enough to suit me. I so want to know the back story of the twins and hope that eventually we get it.

If you've not read this series you need too cause it is an emotional coaster rideroller ride from start to finish. Gin is a fantastic heroine who really cares about people in general and lord help you if harm or
attempt to harm one of hers cause you'd just better stay out of dark alleys and always look over your shoulder.

I give this one 5 stars. I bought this all by myself at amazon. Here are the links to the first two books in the series.

Venom Author Jennifer Estep Guest Blog

Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Pam for having me on the blog today. Thanks, Pam!


Some of you might know me as the author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. The books focus 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. The first two books in the series are Spider’s Bite and Web of Lies. Venom, the third book, came out on Sept. 28. Tangled Threads, the fourth book, will be published in May 2011, while the fifth book (untitled) will be released in October 2011.


I’ve also sold a young adult urban fantasy series called Mythos Academy. The first book is called Touch of Frost and will be out in August 2011. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 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 finds herself shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendents of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, and more.

Since Pam likes to scrapbook, I thought that I’d talk about one of my hobbies today – cooking. Those of you who have read any of the books in my Elemental Assassin series know that my heroine Gin Blanco runs a barbecue restaurant and that cooking is one of her passions in life. In the books, Gin makes everything from cookies to cakes to sandwiches.A lot of people have asked me if I like to cook as much as Gin does, and the answer is yes. I’m totally addicted to the Food Network, and I’m always on the lookout for new recipes to try. I wish that I had more time to cook – and read too, of course. ;-)

My mom is the one who got me interested in cooking. That woman can bake like nobody’s business, and she’s always whipping up sweet treats. If it has sugar in it, she’ll make it at least once. I guess you could say that I’m taking after her. I went through my recipe box the other day, and the majority of the recipes were for desserts. LOL.


Anyway, I thought that I’d also share a recipe today. I get my recipes from friends, family, magazines, and more. I’m not sure where this one came from, since my mom and I have been making it for years, but it’s quick, easy, and is one of the best chocolate cakes that you will ever have. Enjoy!



Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

1 small package instant chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1 (12 ounce) package mini chocolate morsels


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 10 cup Bundt pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding, and sugar. Add water, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Stir in sour cream and mini chocolate morsels. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 1 hour (check at 50 minutes) or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.



You can find a few more recipes on my website at http://www.jenniferestep.com/books-series/elemental-assassin-series/. Scroll down until you see “Gin’s Recipe Box.”



What about you guys? Do you like to cook? What are some of your favorite hobbies?

                                                                         

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep

Synopsis
My name is Gin, and I kill people.
They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South — when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way — good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this cold hearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction...especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

I was fortunate enough to win this one on one of Ms. Estep's blog giveaways. I hadn't read anything by her before and I am glad I remedied that. This book rocked. I loved that even though bad shit happened to Gin that she wasn't so jaded that she killed whomever came down the pike. She had standards and would even do jobs pro bono just because certain folks needed killing like Detective Caine's partner. I didn't think Gin was as badass as she portrays herself. Yes she's a survivor but then again she's had to be. And Detective Caine is a good guy but dang sometimes you have to have shades of gray. I hope in subsequent books that he loosens the hell up for something other than a quick wham bam thank ya ma'am.

This book is fantastic and rocks from start to finish. It is an action pack adreanal rush inducing read from first page to last. And it leaves you wanting more more more.
I give this one a 5 stars.