Urban Fantasy Review: The Spider by Jennifer Estep

The Spider by Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: ARC
ISBN: 1451689012
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date:  December 24th 201
Number of pages: 400
Source: Edelweiss

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

I received this ebook from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Summary:

The tenth book in the bestselling and “outstanding” (Romantic Times) Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series finally reveals for the first time the origins of Gin Blanco’s career as the deadliest of assassins.

For the first time, the origins of Gin Blanco’s career as the deadly assassin “the Spider” are revealed in full. In a story that pre-dates the other nine books in the series, Gin Blanco goes through her paces to become the most feared assassin in the Ashland.

Review:

This is currently one of my favorite series and every time I finish a book it’s the saddest moments because I remember the waiting for the next one is going to be real long. Usually I get an ARc and let me tell you it’s an emotional moment and I love to share the news. Jennifer Estep is my Idol at the moment and her two series are my addictions. I don’t even want to think about saying goodbye to Gin and Gwen.

So I had my doubts about this particular story because it’s set in the past, precisely ten years and Gin is starting to create a name for herself as an assassin. Don’t get me wrong seeing Gin in action is always perfect, but I was thinking about those sidekicks of her that I love, like Bria and Owen. I think is clear for everyone my love for this big family, but now imagine my surprise when I get to see them playing a part in this story? I was so happy to see Xavier again and Owen.

I loved seeing a different Gin, she’s a little insecure, but clearly is still learning her way in this dangerous assassin world. Fletcher was another great surprise in this book, the story for me was made for Gin and her big heart, because the moment she discovered a girl was in harm’s way everything changed. I loved seeing her falling in love, because we can see she’s just human and make mistakes like everyone.

Contact the Author: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

SERIES IN ORDER

#0.5 – Poison
#0.6 – Web of Deceit
#0.7 – Spider’s Bargain
#1 – Spider’s Bite
#1.5 – Web of Death
#2 – Web of Lies
#2.5 – Wasted
#3 – Venom
#3.5 – Tangled Dreams
#3.6 – Tangled Schemes
#4 – Tangled Threads
#4.5 – Spider’s Nemesis
#5 – Spider’s Revenge
#5.5 – Thread of Death
#6 – By a Thread
#7 – Widow’s Web
#8 – Deadly Sting
#8.2 – Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks
#8.5 – Kiss of Venom
#9 – Heart of Venom
#10 – The Spider
#11 – Poison Promise

Paranormal Romance Review: Bound by Night by Larissa Ione

Bound by Night by Larissa Ione
Series: MoonBound Clan Vampires
Publisher: Pocket
Format: ARC
ISBN: 1476700192
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: September 24th 2013
Number of pages: 400
Source: edelweiss

 Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

I received this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Summary:

The first installment in a sexy new paranormal romance series by Larissa Ione, author of the bestselling Demonica series!

A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD
Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE
A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever.

Review:

I got this book because I loved the Demonica series. So that gave me a very nice taste of Larissa Ione work. This book was more about explanations, because it’s the first in a series, so the author was introducing us to her new universe and I liked knowing these characters.

So in this new universe the humans know about the vampires and enslaved them a few years ago, but they also made them ginea pigs and experimentation is very disturbing. The humans are not the good guys and the free vampires live in the wild, they created clans and live in caves. Nothing to rudimentary, because they actually made a very nice living. We also discovered that vampires fight among each clan, but hey are living in a truce at the moment.

The humans almost destroyed the vampires, but Nicole is hoping to find a cure to vampirism, her family is really important and they have a company that is specialized in vampires, but Nicole doesn’t really know everything that is going on and her stepbrother is actually an ass. But Nicole is the good girl and her fear is only because she was attacked really young and almost died.

On the other side we have Riker and he’s a nice vampire, doesn’t kill humans for fun, but his mate suffered a lot with Nicole family and he resent her a lot, but he’s a nice guy and I liked the way he accepted Nicole.

It was a big book but the story was really good and I liked Nicole.

Series in Order

#1 – Bound by Night
#2 – Chained by Night (Expected publication: August 1st 2014)

 

Review: Just One Night, Part 2: Exposed by Kyra Davis

Part 2 of the Just One Night series. One passionate night with a stranger turned Kasie’s world upside down, and just when she thought she was getting the hang of things, her fiancé finds out…
You should sleep with a stranger —those words whispered in her ear by her best friend became a challenge Kasie took to heart. Suddenly, the man who gave her the most shocking pleasure in that upscale Vegas hotel —a man whose name she never bothered to find out —is her company’s biggest client.
As this unknown man becomes Mr. Dade at the office, and Mr. Dade becomes Robert in the bedroom, Kasie’s passion won’t let her deny him anything he wants. But when her fiancé, Dave, finds out, there’s no telling what he will do to keep her, or what Robert will do to steal her away once and for all.

Title: Exposed

Author:  Kyra Davis

Series: Just One Night

Publisher:  Pocket Star

Format: ebook from Edelweiss

ISBN: 1476713138

Genre: Erotica
Release date: March 18th 2013

Number of pages: 128

 

 

The first novella showed a woman completely lost trying to find something to hold on. She was scared and afraid of disorder. Everything in her life had to be simple and pretty much perfect. I believe the first novella should had showed how that woman was only running away from the inevitable and how in reality she just wanted to belong to someone and be a little submissive.

I believe Dave was the wrong person since the first novella, but the way he acted on the ending and how he showed no respect for her in this book was completely wrong. He treated her like a whore most of the time and blamed her for the way things changed, but he had some guilt there too.

I like the way she’s is taking charge of her life and fighting for things she desire, but I think the most important thing is how she’s just learning to control her fear. I liked this book so much better than the first, because for once things are looking like they will be good for a change.

Series In Order

#1 – The Stranger
#2 – Exposed
#3 – Binding Agreement

 

  

Review: The Fetish Box, Part Three: What Remains by Nicole Camden

The breathtaking final installment in the Fetish Box eBook series, where anything is possible…when passion is unleashed, only time will tell what remains…In an attempt to seek out the source of the violence against her friends, Mary takes on a role she’d never imagined she’d play—a role that requires Mary to embrace the darkest parts of her soul.
For the first time in her life, Mary understands who she is and where she belongs. What remains when you take away the sex and fun and adventure…is love. Love for her new friends, love for her lover, and love for the mother she never knew. She’s willing to risk anything—do anything—to keep them safe…

Title: What Remains

Author: Nicole Camden

Series: The Fetish Box

Publisher:  Pocket Star

Format: ebook from Edelweiss

ISBN: 1476728488

Genre: Erotica
Release date: March 25th 2013

Number of pages: 125

Third and final novella of this series. I don’t think this book needed this breaking. I felt in some moments that it would be better if it were a single novel. I get it why it was done, but some times it was strange.

So now we discover how is terrorizing Mary and how her life after a few weeks. Overall things are good and she settled in a relationship with John. These two are really nice together and Mary demonstrated in this novella that she can be a switch and John is not afraid to let go.

I liked their relationship, even if the first time was a bit strange for me, but now they are practically living together and everything is okay. John is not running for the hill, so that’s a plus.

Max was different since the begin and I was hoping for a better finale. We are left just wondering and I wanted more.

Series in Order

#1 – Open All Night
#2 – What Escapes
#3 – What Remains

Review: The Fetish Box, Part Two: What Escapes by Nicole Camden

The breathtaking second installment in the Fetish Box eBook series…open the box and see what escapes…Mary is surprised by the deep feelings that follow in the wake of her first sexual encounter, but fascination with her lover John doesn’t dim her desire for the unapologetically lusty Irish bar-owner, Max. Feeding one hunger has unleashed other needs, and Mary wants to experience everything her new life has to offer.
But Mary’s dark desires aren’t the only ones swirling in the depths of The Fetish Box, and violence erupts amid the passion. When one of the men is attacked and the people at The Box put in danger, Mary realizes that some desires are more dangerous than others…

Title: What Escapes

Author: Nicole Camden

Series: The Fetish Box

Publisher:  Pocket Star

Format: ebook from NetGalley

ISBN: 147672847X

Genre: Erotica
Release date: March 4th 2013

Number of pages: 125

 

 

So things are starting to get a little sinister and the sex shop was almost destroyed by some men. We know nothing about but it could be some woman jealous ex-husband. Mary pseudo relationship with John is improving and we can see he has some feelings for her, but is still a bit insecure and afraid.

Max I still don’t understand because sometimes he looks just like a player, but another times we can see he’s trying to hide things, related to Mary mother.

Still don’t understand how this relationship will end up, maybe a menage one day, maybe just fuck buddies, bu things are uncertain for sure.

Series in Order

#1 – Open All Night
#2 – What Escapes
#3 – What Remains

  

Review: Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

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.

Title: Deadly Sting

Author:  Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin

Publisher:  Pocket

Format: ebook from NetGalley

ISBN: 1451688997

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: March 26th 2013

Number of pages: 400

 

Not my favorite book, maybe because Gin is practically alone most of time or maybe because the action took course for just one night and I like the building expectation. There was not as many Finn jokes, plus Owen is still being upset and moody.

I liked the book after the first 40%. Gin started a plan and tried to save everyone, even if some of them didn’t deserved. Plus there’s also a bit of investigation along the way. I liked the end and how Gin as always almost died, but still had some smartness in her to make a joke.

I liked Gin doing her best and her ideas were really good for the entire evening, but her sidekick gang was almost missing on the action with little participations of Owen and Bria. I like more when we get to see Gin along the family, it makes her seem more human and loved.

The end was a surprise for me, because I did not expected Gin’s actions, but it was quite fitting after everything she’s been through this past months, now we just have to wait to see the next drama unfold and hope for Owen get back on the wagon.

SERIES IN ORDER

#0.5 – Poison
#0.6 – Web of Deceit
#0.7 – Spider’s Bargain
#1 – Spider’s Bite
#1.5 – Web of Death
#2 – Web of Lies
#2.5 – Wasted
#3 – Venom
#3.5 – Tangled Dreams
#3.6 – Tangled Schemes
#4 – Tangled Threads
#4.5 – Spider’s Nemesis
#5 – Spider’s Revenge
#5.5 – Thread of Death
#6 – By a Thread
#7 – Widow’s Web
#8 – Deadly Sting
#9 – Heart of Venom (Expected publication: August 27th 2013)

Review: Widow’s Web by Jennifer Estep

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.

Title: Widow’s Web

Author:  Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin

Publisher:  Pocket

Format: ebook

ISBN: 1451651775

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: August 21st 2012

Number of pages: 384

 

 

This book was not my favorite for one simple reason: Owen and the way he became so blind after this Salina showed up. He’s such a guy and couldn’t even believe his own friends and family. She created a big fat lie and he fell for it years without once thinking it could be something else.

I always liked Owen and the way he treated Gin in the other books, plus he’s a really good brother. He had some problems and became successful after living on the streets, but that did not explain why he became so blind with anything related with Salina. She was his first love and suffered a lot in her life too, but she’s very powerful and can handle herself just fine.

I liked how we discovered more about Owen past and his connection with Kincaid. I never really thought Philly was all that bad, but after this book, he’s more like another addition to Gin’s big family.

So this book was all about Salina and how she came back to execute her revenge against the people that left her father die on Mab’s hands, but also she wants to become the new boss in town. Gin since the begin can see she’s more than just a pretty and has a hard time doing what she wants and accepting what Owen and Eva wants.

I felt really bad for Gin, because she was stuck and no matter what she chose the path would definitely lead to pain.

SERIES IN ORDER

#0.5 – Poison
#0.6 – Web of Deceit
#0.7 – Spider’s Bargain
#1 – Spider’s Bite
#1.5 – Web of Death
#2 – Web of Lies
#2.5 – Wasted
#3 – Venom
#3.5 – Tangled Dreams
#3.6 – Tangled Schemes
#4 – Tangled Threads
#4.5 – Spider’s Nemesis
#5 – Spider’s Revenge
#5.5 – Thread of Death
#6 – By a Thread
#7 – Widow’s Web
#8 – Deadly Sting (Expected publication: March 26th 2013)

Review: The Fetish Box, Part 1: Open All Night by Nicole Camden

An enchanting eBook debut about a world where your fantasies come true and nothing is quite what it seems. Come on in to realize your heart’s darkest desire…Virginal twenty-two-year-old Mary has just inherited a sex shop in Florida from her mother. After a long drive from California, she arrives at her deceased mother’s house only to be confronted immediately with two equally sexy strangers: the strong, silent John and the irreverent, taunting Max. She’s innocent, almost completely untouched, but feels a completely uncharacteristic pull to each man. Shocking even herself, she realizes it’s not an unwelcome desire.
Max is a playboy who knows how to give women what they want, but John… John might just be able to give Mary something even she doesn’t know she needs…

Title: Open All Night

Author: Nicole Camden

Series: The Fetish Box

Publisher:  Pocket Star

Format: ebook from NetGalley

ISBN: 1476727872

Genre: Erotica
Release date: February 11th 2013

Number of pages: 125

 

It was an introduction book where we met John and Max, both are deliciously sexy and made Mary panties caught on fire. She’s a sweet virgin girl, that loves art and discovered her mother, who she never met before, was the owner of a sex shop and a pub. Mary inherited all of it, along with some of her partners, John works on the sex shop and handles the security part, while Max has an awesomely sexy ascent and manage the pub.

Both are gorgeous and made Mary really think about having sex for the first time. She’s not waiting for a marriage or anything, just never met anything that really made her want to take the leap, but this time, both guys are making her consider.

So John made a proposition and she decided to accept. So John and Mary were about to consummate when the book ended.

Series in Order

#1 – Open All Night
#2 – What Escapes
#3 – What Remains

  

Review: By a Thread by Jennifer Estep

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.

Title: By a Thread

Author:  Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin

Publisher:  Pocket

Format: ebook

ISBN: 1451651767

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: February 28th 2012

Number of pages: 356

 

This series was a great surprise and I was following Gin revenge against Mab, but the reason that actually made me jump ahead to this book was the fact that Mab is gone now and I wanted to know how different Gin life would be after Ashland discovered she is actually the Spider.

I’m not surprised but there were several attempts of killing her, making it seems like Jonah McAllister is really after finishing her, but I liked the fact that she wasn’t happy about it and it didn’t change her life.

Her relationship with Owen is still very strong after they admitted their feelings and now the only real problem she has is how to connect with Bria. Finn being really nice and all decided a vacation was in order and I liked to see Gin in a different place and having fun once in her life with family and friends.

Not surprising danger found its way to Gin and she became involved with another Gig. Collie was Bria best friend since childhood, so when Gin discovered a big and bad vampire was trying to kill her and buy her restaurant, she jumped to help.

Several things made me really this book would not be perfect. At first Gin didn’t make a plan to actually kill the vampire and there were rumors about his abilities and the fact he had elemental in his side, but Gin never really discovered before the job. She decided to give him a chance to back off, but was surprised by the fact he knew who she was and Jonah was actually his buddy, so things didn’t turn up very good.

I’ve never see Gin so careless, but I blame Donovan Caine, can you imagine his back? I was never much of his fan, but this book made me really hate and of course love even more Owen.

I liked the action, but it wasn’t Gin style. Fun book and I had a feelings things would be bad before they turned good. Bria finally accepted Gin jobs and her reasons, so in the end it was all worth it.

 

SERIES IN ORDER

#0.5 – Poison
#0.6 – Web of Deceit
#0.7 – Spider’s Bargain
#1 – Spider’s Bite
#1.5 – Web of Death
#2 – Web of Lies
#2.5 – Wasted
#3 – Venom
#3.5 – Tangled Dreams
#3.6 – Tangled Schemes
#4 – Tangled Threads
#4.5 – Spider’s Nemesis
#5 – Spider’s Revenge
#5.5 – Thread of Death
#6 – By a Thread
#7 – Widow’s Web
#8 – Deadly Sting (Expected publication: March 26th 2013)

Review: Thread of Death by Jennifer Estep

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.

Title: Thread of Death

Author:  Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin

Publisher:  Pocket Books

Format: ebook

ISBN: 1451685327

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: January 31st 2012

Number of pages: 100

 

Another novella in this series but this one was different because showed different POVs during the events of Mab funeral. We can see Gin, Jonah McAllister and Phillip Kincaid thoughts.

This was a fast and full of action scene. We can see several underground bosses trying to occupy Mab’s place, but for one day the decided to play nice and visit the funeral. Including the one second hand of Mab, Jonah McAllister, now unemployed and looking for a new boss.

Everything was going fine when a sniper decide to sharp shooting at Gin and a few other Bosses, so of course everyone ducked for cover and Gin did her best. But unfortunely he didn’t share the name of his employer.

Things are not over and after Gin says her final words to the finally deceased Mab Monroe, a few dwarfs decide to finish Gin. Another attack and we can see Gin in action. Phillip Kincaid was still on the area and is now convinced about the Spider real name. looks like trouble is coming in Gin’s way.

 

SERIES IN ORDER

#0.5 – Poison
#0.6 – Web of Deceit
#0.7 – Spider’s Bargain
#1 – Spider’s Bite
#1.5 – Web of Death
#2 – Web of Lies
#2.5 – Wasted
#3 – Venom
#3.5 – Tangled Dreams
#3.6 – Tangled Schemes
#4 – Tangled Threads
#4.5 – Spider’s Nemesis
#5 – Spider’s Revenge
#5.5 – Thread of Death
#6 – By a Thread
#7 – Widow’s Web
#8 – Deadly Sting (Expected publication: March 26th 2013)