KISS OF VENOM (Elemental Assassin 8.5) by Jennifer Estep-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: July 22, 2013

The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella—from the hero’s point of view! Owen Grayson is bound and determined to get Gin back…if her enemies don’t get her first.When you have a history of dating an assassin, a night out on the town can turn deadly—fast. Owen Grayson is still wracked with guilt over the end of his love affair with Gin Blanco, and there aren’t enough gin and tonics in all of Ashland to ease his heartache. But when Gin happens to show up at the same nightclub, he isn’t the only one hoping to get her alone. Some shadowy figures will do anything to take down the Spider, Gin’s assassin alter ego, and Owen will do anything to protect her. This could be the way to win her back, or at least give her a night off from fighting for her life—if Owen can survive…

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REVIEW: KISS OF VENOM is a short story-novella 8.5- in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series focusing on Gin Blanco –The Elemental Assassin. Kiss of Venom is a storyline told from Owen’s POV (Gin’s ex-lover) and one that occurs between DEADLY STING and HEART OF VENOM. If you are a fan of Jennifer’s Elemental Assassin series Kiss of Venom reveals Owen’s inner most thoughts and turmoil following his heartbreaking split from the woman he loves.

This particular novella allows the reader inside Owen’s mind as he ruminates about everyone he has wronged in his life. Although most people’s list is lengthy, Owen knows that the four most important people in his life have suffered due to his inability to see the truth and admit when he is wrong-Phillip, Cooper, Eva and Gin.

For followers of the series, all of Owen’s heartbreaking decisions revert back to his inability to see the ‘bad’ in Salina and his refusal to protect the woman that he loves. He knew that Salina’s presence in his life has hurt those that he loves but he was still reluctant to face the reality of the situation –that Salina was going to kill everyone in her way including Gin.

The storyline is somewhat cathartic for Owen as he must accept that he was wrong and yet it is not in his nature. He is a strong male; has accepted Gin for all that she is and has done; and yet he is unable to let go of his feelings for a former love. In this, Owen has placed everyone in danger and knows that to right the wrong, there is some major groveling on the horizon.

There is no one -on -one time between Owen and Gin-this story focuses on Owen and Phillip as they resolve to protect Gin from would-be assassins as they begin to wonder how all of this is connected to Mabs Monroe-the one time mob leader and enemy of the The Spider.

One thing I will point out-I did not feel this story was of the same quality as the previous novels and novellas in the series. The writing was simple-no detail-and the conversations lacked any emotion or feelings. Even the conversations between Owen and Phillip felt forced and unnatural. Yes these two best buds have been estranged for some time but I had a difficult time with the overall presentation. The voice did not feel like Estep; I did not feel a connection to the characters although I desperately wanted to sympathize with Owen because I want the sensuality of this couple back in my fantasy life.

But, if you are a fan of the Elemental Assassin series, Owen’s thoughts and ramblings about his life are an interesting and necessary addition. The reader delves deeper into Owen’s mindset at the time of Salina’s murderous rampage but that still does not excuse his actions that nearly cost him the lives of everyone he knows and loves.

Reviewed by Sandy.

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Carniepunk: PARLOR TRICKS
(Elemental Assassin #8.1)
by Jennifer Estep
Release Date: June 2013

CARNIEPUNK: Parlor Tricks (Elemental Assassin #8.1) by Jennifer Estep

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 3, 2013

PARLOR TRICKS can be found in the Carniepunk anthology released June 2013, but is a FREE download as a single short story from Jennifer Estep.

ORDER LINKS: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Come one! Come all! Witness Gin Blanco—aka the Elemental Assassin, aka the Spider—go toe to toe against the Esmerelda the Amazing’s Wheel of Death and some dangerously creepy clowns! Only at The Carnival of Wondrous Wonders!

REVIEW: PARLOR TRICKS is a short story (found in the Carniepunk Anthology) in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. Although this particular storyline is not pertinent or instrumental in the Elemental Assassin series ( and it does not further the current storyline) it does show a side to Gin as her relationship with her sister Bria grows closer with every otherworld encounter.

The premise follows Gin and Bria as they search for a missing sixteen year old girl last seen at the travelling carnival in Ashland. As fans of the series know, nothing is as simple as a missing girl. Bria and Gin will soon discover that there is more to the carnival acts than meets the eye. Someone knows something but everyone is afraid to talk. When Gin and Bria find themselves on the receiving end of some elemental magic, it will take the actions of two sisters to stop the Amazing Esmerelda and uncover the secret to her everlasting youth.

PARLOR TRICKS can be found in the anthology CARNIEPUNK released June 2013 but is FREE as a standalone. Among Jennifer’s fellow contributors are Rachel Caine, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, and Rob Thurman, and also includes Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Gay, Mark Henry, Hillary Jacques, Jackie Kessler, Kelly Meding, Allison Pang, Nicole D. Peeler, and Jaye Wells. Each short story brings the mysterious world of the travelling carnival onto the pages of Carniepunk. If you are a fan of Jennifer Estep, Parlor Tricks is a bonus short story featuring Gin and Bria in the supernatural world of the Elemental Assassin.

Reviewed by Sandy