Review: Widow's Web by Jennifer Estep

Widow's Web
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Elemental Assassin Book #7
ISBN:  1451651775
ISBN13: 9781451651775
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

The seventh book in the hugely popular Elemental Assassin series by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Estep—Gin Blanco is back and ready for action.

My name is Gin, and I kill people. It’s something I've been doing for years as the assassin called Spider, but now, it’s turned into a necessity on my part just to survive all the lowlifes in Ashland who are gunning for me. The underworld is still in turmoil, and I seem to be on everyone’s hit list these days.    

To add to Gin’s problems, her lover Owen’s ex is in town. Salina is back in Ashland to reclaim an old family legacy—and she thinks that Owen is hers for the taking. Also in the mix is Phillip Kincaid, a casino owner and all-around shady character who has a mysterious connection to both Owen and Salina.    

Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. Her water elemental magic makes her a dangerous enemy—and someone who can go toe-to-toe with Gin’s Ice and Stone power. But Gin is determined to get to the bottom of Salina’s deadly scheme, even though it just might cost her everything…including Owen.

The great story lines and characters of the Elemental Assassin series keeps me entertained and on the edge of my seat for more. I practically stalk Jennifer's websites checking in on her progress of not only the Elemental Assassin series but also her YA series Mythos Academy. Im hoping they both go on for a long time to come.

Even though Gin has retired from the assassin business her and her friends enemies still keep her busy, Just when she gets rid of one another jumps up in their place. WIDOW'S WEB revolves heavily on Owen's past. There have been many hints about his past on how he became the rich man he is now but Owen's past involves a lot more then I would have ever expected and it definitely comes back to bite him in the rear. Gin's relationship with her sister is doing great and gets better with each situation that comes up. Gin is slowly letting others help her in dangerous situations but she still needs to work on that as she unfortunately learns by the end of book 7. Kincaid is a big part of Owen's past and I really enjoyed getting to know him. I have a feeling we will see a lot of him in the future. 

** SPOILER ALERT**Read at your own risk or after you have finished reading the book*
Some heavy emotions happen between Gin and Owen in WIDOW'S WEB. I feel that the situation plays out in a way that makes complete sense so even though my heart hurts I have no doubt it wont last long. I am kinda shocked that Gin isn't more upset with Owen though, the way he acted really ticked me off and I wanted to smack him upside the head a few times. She was very understanding of his feelings and I hope he gets his head out of his butt quickly. **SPOILER OVER**

Jennifer has a fantastic way of bringing each and every emotion to the front of your mind and you cant help but fall into them right along with the characters. Jennifer does not hold back in WIDOW'S WEB and you will be emotionally drained by the end.  Bring on DEADLY STING I'm dying for more.

I gave it 5/5 stars

Guest Post & Giveaway: Surprisingly Supernatural by S.J. Drum

UFI welcomes S.J. Drum Author of Surprisingly Supernatural. Thanks for Joining us!!

In celebration of my newest release, Surprisingly Supernatural, I’d like to introduce you to the story’s villain, Xin. 

Xin is one evil bastard. He’s the leader of the dark Zentry Elf Clan and demands terrible acts carried out by his elves, all in a bid to become more powerful. Xin has a whip fetish…and not the sexy kind. He enjoys dressing like “a Hot Topic mascot”, as Elaina (the heroine of the story) would say. 

Elaina sees Xin as a clichéd evil turd and wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, he’s the father of one of the story’s two heroes, Zane. Despite Xin’s poor choice in clothing and turd-like behavior, he does wield powerful magic and is a very legitimate threat to Elaina and the men she loves.

 

Xin

Height: 6' 3"

Build: Fighting Fit

Eyes: Dark Brown

Hair: Black, shaggy

Hobby: Anything that'll make him more powerful

Occupation: Zentry Clan Leader

Favorite Song: "Figured You Out" by Nickelback

 

Xin’s story is in: SURPRISINGLY SUPERNATURAL by S.J. Drum

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As SJ Drum, I am a writer of Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance Novels. Under the pen name Clara LaVeaux, I write Contemporary Women's Fiction with strong romantic elements.

I have a terribly expensive and utterly useless BA in Studio Arts with a minor in Psychology.

I currently live near Yellow Springs, Ohio with my husband and two small children. When I'm not changing diapers or writing, I enjoy scuba diving and have been known to make an elephant do a headstand.

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Find Sara and her books

Website / Facebook / Twitter

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Surprisingly Supernatural
 

  When Elaina moves to Yellow Springs after the death of her parents, she discovers her mother’s life was steeped in secrets and there’s something very strange about the town and its residents. There’s a pixy clan taking up residence in her inherited home, a gorgeous but strange elf bent on making her his, and a handsome, troubled man who seems to be able to read her mind. Thrust into a supernatural war, Elaina’s forced to choose sides between the two men who’ve begun to mean everything to her.

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 US ONLY

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New Releases: 8/19-8/25

Mon Aug 20

Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens
The Guardian of Bastet by Jacqueline M. Battisti

 

Tues Aug 21

 

Heaven (Halo, #3) by Alexandra Adornetto
The Raft by S.A. Bodeen
The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies, #3) by Pittacus Lore
Savage Redemption by Alexis Morgan
Shifter's Destiny by Anna Leonard
Widow's Web (Elemental Assassin, #7) by Jennifer Estep

 

Happy Reading!!

Guest Post & Giveaway: The Vampire Hunter's Daugher by Jennifer Malone Wright

UFI welcomes Jennifer Malone Wright Author of The Vampire Hunter's Daughter. Thanks for Joining us!!

Top Ten Songs on my Vampire Hunter’s Daughter Playlist

So, a lot of people seem really interested to know what kind of songs are on my playlist for The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter. So, I’m going to give you the top ten songs. There are several playlists that I have for the book, because I use different music for different scenes, but I’ll give you the ones that I like to listen to the most.

1. Arms by Christina Perri

This song is from her album Lovestrong and it’s one of my favorite ones because I use it a lot to write scenes with Chloe and Drew. If you have read the book and listen to the lyrics, you will see why this is their song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeW0Sl0tNS8

2. Rolling in the Deep by Adele

Rolling in the Deep is from Adele’s album, 21. I use this song for a lot of different scenes, mostly beginning fight preparations. I love the drum beats in this music, it gets the adrenaline going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqjGEb4QtYg

3. Bury me with my guns on by Bobaflex

This is from their album Chemical Valley. I like to use this for fight scenes because I can totally envision Chloe running around with her guns and fighting vampires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3EoNyJtU7o

4.  9 Crimes by Damien Rice from the True Blood Soundtrack

I like to use this song when I’m writing sad scenes or anything really emotional. The original version of this song by Damien Rice is different, but still good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XurKbueIM8

5. In this River by Black Label Society

I love this song. I got to see it live once! Anyway, again, I use this song for sad or emotional scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HUr9UKAxiY

6. Master of Puppets by Metallica

From the album Master of Puppets.

Ok, so, I’m a huge Metallica fan. I listen to a lot of Metallica when I’m writing anyway, but here is one that I love to use for fight scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z-hEyVQDRA

7. Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven

I normally listen to a lot of classical music or music without lyrics when I write. But, Moonlight Sonata was used a lot while I was writing The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter, for all different kinds of scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0WMYCtOqeU

8. Crystal by Stevie Nicks

From the Practical Magic soundtrack

I love, love, love this song. It’s one I listen to just to relax me and get me in the mood for writing. It gets the flow going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVO7nj49odY

9. I will follow you into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie

From the album, Plans.

This song is great for emotional scenes. I use this song for lots of different places in The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6XZsau7CSk

10. Broken by Lindsey Haun

From the Broken Bridges Album

This is a great song. I play this song whenever Chloe is feeling defeated and needs strength to go on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7l98wiQx0s

 

__________________________________

Jennifer Malone Wright resides in the beautiful mountains of northern Idaho with her husband and five children. Between the craziness of taking care of her children, whose ages range from fourteen all the way down to six months, and being a homemaker, Jennifer has little time left for herself. The time she does have left, usually leading far into the night, is spent working on freelance work or her beloved fiction.

When she grew up, Jennifer always had her nose in a book. She has been writing stories and poems since grade school. This love of the written word and her strong interest in the paranormal is what has led to her first novel “The Birth of Jaiden.”

In addition to being a mother and homemaker, Jennifer is also a very proud military wife. Moving around the country for the last ten years has made her a bit of a nomad and she finds it difficult to be in one place for too long.

Jennifer is also the author of The Birth of Jaiden, a paranormal novel filled with action, suspense, and even a love story.

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Find Jennifer and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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The Vampire Hunter's Daughter: The Complete Collection 

 This special edition of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter contains parts I-VI, the complete collection. Fourteen-year-old Chloe witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire. Before the vampire can kidnap her, there is an unexpected rescue by a group of vampire hunters. Overwhelmed by the feeling of safety, Chloe passes out and they whisk her away to their small community.

When Chloe wakes, she comes face to face with the only other living relative, besides her mother, whom she has ever met: her grandfather. Chloe’s mother kept her hidden from the family; now, Chloe tries to unveil the family secrets. Through her grandfather, she learns her mother was a vampire hunter. In fact, her entire family is descended from the powerful bloodlines of vampire hunters. Chloe agrees to join the family she has never known for one reason only: Chloe vows to kill the vampire responsible for her mother’s murder.

With vengeance in her soul, Chloe is even more determined to follow through on her vow when she discovers the true identity of her enemy and how he is connected to her.

Experience the world of vampires hunter’s, vampires and mythology with Chloe in this exciting series.

__________________________________

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Week in Review: 8/12-8/18

Books Ive Bought/received

* Surprisingly Supernatural by S.J. Drum- eARC- Author

Books I Read

Love on the Run by Katherine Kerr
Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Reviews Posted

Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
Sin's Dark Caress by Tracey O'Hara
Shade's of Blood by L.M. Pruitt

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Monday Author L.M. Pruitt stopped in for a guest post to promote all of her books.

* Wednesday Imogen Rose visited with a guest post and giveaway to promote her newest release Integration.

* Thursday a giveaway for A Wolf at the Door by K.A. Stewart went up.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

*If you see something on my books Ive read list that you are dying to know about let me know I'm back logged on reviews and can move it up on the list if I know people are wanting one.

 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Winner: Seawitch by Kat Richardson

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Hardcover Copy of Seawitch

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

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Congrats!! I have emailed winner who has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or I will pick another.

Review: Shades of Blood by L.M. Pruitt

Shades of Blood
Author: L.M.Pruitt
Release Date: July 6, 2012
Publisher: Tor Teen
Jude Magdalyn Book #3
ISBN:  9781938601
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Bewitching Book Tours

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Felipe, one of New Orleans's most infamous--and crazy--vampires is back in town. And to say he's unhappy is an understatement.

Duprees and Williams have to track down Felipe, fast, before he claims any more victims. If that means making a deal with the Devil--otherwise known as St. Germaine--and using an untrained dhampir, so be it.

If that wasn't enough, I've also got rebellious teenagers, feuding couples, and a suddenly full social calendar.

The more things change...

This is a fun series. Each installment adds a new element to the series and SHADES OF BLOOD adds more then one.

Jude is getting more pregnant with the twins and I cant wait for them to finally come. I love that each book reveals a little more about the "bumps" although now they are known by name. The twists that come concerning them in SHADES OF BLOOD is a doozy. I don't think I really expected what was revealed, but I was not overly shocked when I found out. There is a brief relationship problem between Jude and Theo but it is quickly settled. Jude isn't as hostile towards Williams, They seem to have come to a bit of a truce. Elizabeth and Rion, I cant even begin to tell you the stuff that goes on between them. Frustrating describes it to a T.  Comte St. Germaine is back and I have to say I really like him. The only issue I have had with the series comes from book 1 SHADES OF GREY. Jude's very best friend is murdered and she seems to grieve for only 2 seconds and then it was hardly ever mentioned again. SHADES OF BLOOD revisits that time and sorta gives a little more feeling towards the situation. Still not totally happy with it but it made it a bit better.

The ending. He's back? Why? ugg what a way to spring it on us and then end. Can't wait to read book 4. 

I gave it 4/5 stars