That's What I'm Talking About...: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Quickie Review: Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City by Meljean Brook

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“Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City”

Author: Meljean Brook

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012

Publisher: Berkley

Iron Seas #1.5

ISBN: #978-1101564639

Genre: Steampunk Romance, Novella

Format(s): e-book *it can also be found in the mass market edition of The Iron Duke (Jan. 2012)
Book Source: Author

About the book:

Eight months after The Iron Duke, can their marriage survive a new danger?

After Mina is called in to investigate the murder of an aristocratic bounder, her husband Rhys—known to the world as the Iron Duke—must overcome his fear for his new bride before his need to protect her tears them apart. But when she invites him to join her at the murder scene, a search for a mysterious killing machine puts her in more danger than ever before…a danger that leads straight back to Rhys.

What I’m talking about:

The Invisible City is a lovely epilogue, yet completely stand alone novella, to the first book in Ms. Brook’s Iron Seas series, The Iron Duke. Newcomers to this marvelous series could read and enjoy this story, but it is a real treat to fans of Mina and Rhys... seeing them in action after they’ve been married for a few months.

The story centers around the daily lives of newly married couple Inspector Mina Wentworth and “The Iron Duke,” Rhys Trahaearn. The pair have a deep and richly full backstory which makes up The Iron Duke, so I will not go into that here. Although Rhys has always been the center of public attention (being hailed as the country’s savior from the Horde occupation), now Mina must endure similar notoriety. There is humor in how Mina deals with the press and society, and even more so in how she adapts to Rhys’s oppressive concern for Mina’s well-being. It is a joy to watch the pair continue to adjust to one another, learning to deal with the quirks and to love whole-heartedly.

Mina is called in to investigate the murder of Viscount Redditch, a man who was very vocal about wanting to prevent factories from installing automatons. The novella follows the inspector as she pieces the clues together. Tied into the murder is Mina and Rhys’s “adopted daughter,” Anne, which creates a personal component to the story. This added “glitch” gives heart to what could be just another murder mystery. Overall, the clues are easy to follow and the whodunit entertaining, even providing a couple twists despite the shortened length of the story.

The best part of the book is following Mina and Rhys as they continue to struggle with insecurities over marriage and their place in one another’s lives. For fans of the series, it’s more than an epilogue - there is no “riding off into the sunset,” but rather a glimpse at a favorite couple as they proceed forward in life. The Invisible City is an delightful novella for both fans of the series and newbies alike.

My Rating:

Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)

Purchase Info:

Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City

Reviews in the Series:

“The Blushing Bounder” (Wild & Steamy)

"Here There Be Monsters" (Burning Up)

The Iron Duke

Heart of Steel

Riveted

Labels: 4 stars, Berkley Sensation, Iron Seas, Meljean Brook, novella, romance, steampunk, Twimom Review |

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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Review: Riveted by Meljean Brook

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Riveted

Author: Meljean Brook

Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012

Publisher: Berkley

Iron Seas #3

ISBN: #978-0425256046

Genre: Steampunk Romance

Format(s): Paperback (416 pgs), e-book

Book Source: Publisher, Author

About the book:

A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland’s inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magical—and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on an airship, searching for her sister and longing to return home. But that home is threatened when scientific expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard, looking to expose Annika’s secrets. Then disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, with their very survival depending on keeping the heat rising between them—and generating lots of steam…

What I’m talking about:

Although Riveted is the third book in the Iron Seas series, it is a completely stand alone story. The only knowledge you need from the prior books is the history of Ms. Brook's world - one where the Horde (Khan's) invaded much of Europe and Africa, infecting the people with nanoagents and ruling for a long time. However, she explains much of the basics along the way, so newcomers can jump right in. You can also check out Ms. Brook’s Iron Seas Primer on her website HERE.

The story follows Annika Fridasdottor and her journey to find her sister, Källa. Annika left her small, isolated (and completely hidden from the outside world) settlement to travel the New World as an engineer on an airship, and for four years, she was unsuccessful in her quest. It was fate that brought David Kentewess into her life. David, a vulcanologist headed to iceland aboard Annika's ship, is searching for the small village his mother hailed from so that he can fulfill her dying wish. It doesn't take long for David and Annika to realize his mother is from the same place as Annika.

First, a bit about our main couple. Annika is a kick-butt heroine in her own quiet, subdued way - although she would disagree that she is even a heroine. She is fiercely loyal, smart and unique. Living most of her life in isolation, she has an almost innocent nature, yet she is extremely knowledgable and capable. She is mostly on her own, making few friends and keeping even those at a distance. She feels a fast rapport with David, who is a bit of a loner himself. David’s mother and several of his father’s native people were killed in a huge accident caused by inventor Paolo di Fiore. David himself was grossly disfigured, losing two legs, a hand and one of his eyes. Although he has supplemented his losses with nanoagents and prosthetics, he is regarded by most in the New World as a monster. The fact the Ms. Brook can turn a damaged man who isn't handsome into a sexy hero says a lot about her mad writing skills. Since neither Annika nor David is “proper” or adheres to society’s conventions allows for a genuine relationship to develop beyond all expectations (and I love it!).

There are so many layers in this story. The first as mentioned, is Annika’s search for her sister. The next involves David’s wish to find his mother's home and Annika's opposing desire to keep her village hidden and protected. David’s unquenchable need to locate this mysterious village is what first brings him to Annika. After unsuccessfully attempting to garner any information about Annika’s home, he lays his cards on the table. It was because of his abruptness and honesty, followed by a genuine apology, that allows Annika to trust David. This is a perfect example of how the pair breaks through protocol and expectations to reconcile, thus creating a stronger bond.

Another layer of the story revolves around the di Fiore family - Paolo, a father whose visions and ideas rival those of DaVinci, and Lorenzo, the psychotic son willing to do anything to make his father's wishes come true. Early on, David has a run in with Lorenzo, who attempts to hire David for his father’s latest project. Although David turns down the offer, it’s not the last we see of Lorenzo. This part of the story caused a bit of nail biting for me, but kept me glued to the pages--eager to find out how David and Annika would right the wrongs occurring around them.

Although the storytelling and intricately woven plots make this book well worth the read, it is the powerful emotions the story stirs that make it a favorite. Time and time again - scene after scene - I was absolutely blown away by the intensity and genuine honesty of raw emotions aroused within myself. First, there is the innocent desire that two lonely people feel for one another. It is sweet and even slightly erotic. Ms. Brook brought the lust to a slow, simmering boil that eventually exploded on the pages.

Next there is the determination in both David (to see that his mother's final wishes are met) and Annika (to protect her village and people). In the scene when David bears all about his mother’s death, I teared up. I was torn. I felt for both and wished to find a solution to this dead end. It was so well written.

The entire situation with the di Fiore family brought an array of emotions to the surface. It was so hard for me to read Annika and David go through what they did - to witness them pretend everything was okay when it wasn’t.

I could go on and on about the many scenes that stole my heart. However, when David proclaims his love to Annika and Annika’s subsequent goodbye to David are probably my favorites. Just thinking about them now causes my heart to swell and frankly my eyes to tear up. I wish I was more articulate and could describe the immense emotional reactions. But my longing to see the couple happily together grew as their longing to love one another deepened. Love it!!

Riveted is a love story at its core. The love of a man and woman, the love of a person for his/her family, the love for life, the love of home. All of these are so wonderfully detailed and described. The story warmed me from the inside out and I know it will stick with me for a long while.

So I’ll just conclude with WOW! What an absolutely wonderful book. Like I said before, I cannot put into words how lovely Ms. Brook’s writing truly is. Her world-building skills and ability to detail the scene without overburdening the reader is superb. The multifaceted story lines are interesting and captivating. But it’s the characters and their journeys that will keep you thinking about the book long after you’ve put it down.

My Rating:

Personal favorite - a must read (A+)

and has also earned the title of one of...

Purchase Info:

Riveted (Iron Seas #3)

Reviews in the Series:

“The Blushing Bounder” (Wild & Steamy)

"Here There Be Monsters" (Burning Up)

The Iron Duke

"Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City"

Heart of Steel

Labels: 5 stars, Berkley Trade, Iron Seas, Meljean Brook, My Favorite Books, romance, steampunk, Twimom Review |

1 comments

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Review: Blackstone's Bride by Kate Moore

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Please welcome Ang, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...

Blackstone's Bride

Author: Kate Moore

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012

Publisher: Berkley

ISBN: #9780425250884

Genre: Historical Romance

Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book

Book Source: Publisher

About the book:

When the scandalous Lord Blackstone returns to London, fashionable ladies cast inviting glances his way and his friends celebrate his infamous exploits. No one guesses that the lurid tales of his harem and the famous painting of his voluptuous mistress are a cover for an honorable promise and a secret mission to stop a deadly foreign agent.

Only one woman remains unmoved by Blackstone's seductive ways. Banking heiress Violet Hammersley believes she has firm control over her passions and her life. That is, until her brother goes missing with a report vital to the British government--and the government puts Blackstone on the case. Now, if Violet wants to find her brother, she must work closely with the man who once broke her heart--without succumbing to the powerful impulse to fall for him again...

What Ang is talking about:

Violet is the heiress to a banking fortune who's brother, Frank, has gone missing, and Blackstone has been hired by the government to find out why and where he went. He does this while posing as Violet’s fiancé, all of which is complicated by their past relationship and the way things dissolved between them. The tension between Violet and Blackstone is written extremely well, and the changes that take place in the relationship are written with a subtle hand, making it fun to read and experience with them.

A large part of the novel is spent clue-searching by Violet and Blackstone and trying to figure out who is the actual bad guy. However, because Violet is still very young in many ways, her impulsiveness and inability to see past the obvious, coupled with her outright cold treatment of Blackstone often left me wondering if she was going to blow her cover. Blackstone, on the other hand, with his life experience is all nobility and heart disguised as a rake who continually fights an internal battle between playing the role he has been given and giving into his heart. Both parts are well written and kept me page turning.

I did struggle, however, with the stiffness of the characters through the first 2/3 of the book. Even once they kiss each other, the battle and tension don't subside any and it wasn't until the couple decide to address their baggage and actually speak about the past that things begin running much smoother for them and for the case. This was a relief for me because the internal battles were starting to overshadow the story line.

I found this book to be a intriguing and fast paced read once I got pass the first two or three chapters which weighed things down a bit. I found the characters to be entertaining, if not a 100% believable, and the story line interesting, if not entirely plausible.

Despite its few flaws I think if you are looking for a quick poolside escape, that is about more than just a couple jumping into sex at every other page turn, you will enjoy this book, I did. (Not that you will be let down in the passion department--there are plenty of scenes for those that are looking for sex as well.)

Ang’s Rating:

Liked it - recommend (B+)

Purchase Info:

Blackstone's Bride

Labels: 3.5 stars, Berkley Sensation, guest review, historical romance, Kate Moore |

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The Trouble with Magic Giveaway

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Hello readers...

Thanks to Sourcebook Publishing, I have one (1) copy of The Trouble with Magic by Patricia Rice to giveaway to one (1) lucky winner.

About the book:

Felicity Malcolm Childe's gift for experiencing visions through touch has always been more curse than blessing. She sees horrifying images each time she brushes her hand against another person, and she is forced to cover herself from toe to finger to deflect the vicious onslaught. Only the maddeningly handsome Ewen Ives harbors no guilty secrets to cause her pain. He is betrothed to another, and he is at odds with the Malcolm family- but he is Felicity's only hope. Will they find the spell to remove her gift? Or will Ewen forget their mission once he sees Felicity without her unsightly head to toe garments?

I adore Ms. Rice’s Magic Series and have this one waiting on my Kindle. This delightful series blends an historical setting with a touch of magic and always lots of romance. I am not a big “historical romance” reader, but I enjoy how Ms. Rice takes the genre and adds the paranormal-ish twist! What about you... do you have a preferred genre to read? Do you like when an author blends two genres together?

The Rules: Thank you to Sourcebooks Publishing for generously donating one (1) copy of The Trouble with Magic to give away. To be entered, please use the RAFFLECOPTER form below. As part of your entry, please leave a comment answering the question: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you like blended genre stories? You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated. Contest is open from August 29, 2012 until September 5, 2012 at 12:01 AM EDT. Contest is restricted to US and Canadian 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.

Thanks and Happy Reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Labels: books, contest, giveaway, Magic Series, Patricia Rice, rafflecopter |

5 comments

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Review: Primal Possession by Katie Reus

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Primal Possession

Author: Katie Reus

Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012

Publisher: Signet

Moon Shifter #2

ISBN: #978-0451237781

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format(s): Paperback (362 pgs), e-book

Book Source: Publisher

About the book:

To protect her, he will unleash the beast within…

As his pack’s second-in-command, lupine shifter Liam Armstrong gives orders and takes what he wants—until he meets red-headed, blue-eyed December McIntyre. Liam knows the human beauty is his intended mate the moment he sees her, but December is far too strong-willed to accept his protection.

December, whose brother is the town sheriff, has every reason to mistrust shifters after one killed her youngest sibling. But the forceful and handsome Liam has gotten under her skin in a way she hadn’t thought possible, and the desire she feels for him is almost too much to bear.

When a radical hate group targets all humans known to sympathize with paranormal beings, December is attacked in her bookstore. Reluctantly, she turns to the only one who can help her: Liam. And he is going to take her to places within herself she never knew existed.

What G & U are talking about:

Primal Possession is the second release in the Moon Shifter series by Katie Reus. Gikany and Una had a few issues with the previous book, and we are happy to say that some of those issues were absent in this book. There are a few pet peeves in the novel but overall we enjoyed it and thought it was good.

In Alpha Instinct we were introduced to December and Liam. Ever since their meeting, Gikany and Una have been eager to read this book. We enjoyed their interactions and the obstacles that they would eventually need to overcome and we could not wait to see it play out. In Primal Possession we see it play out and although it doesn’t go exactly as we thought, it was still enjoyable. Their interactions were heartfelt and intriguing. Their passion and desire for each other was palpable. We would be doing a disservice if we did not mention that Liam and December’s romance just steams off the pages (Una had to wear contacts so her glasses didn’t fog up).

However, we felt there are a few moments where December seemed a bit weak, always listening and doing as her brother or Liam directed. Though she would rankle, she still would go along with them. However at the end of the novel she seemed to have gained some strength in her backbone. There is a scene…it’s a total spoiler so we won’t tell you it, but it was just brilliant! With December’s past overshadowing her and Liam’s protective instincts going “stupid”, it was satisfying to see them work it out.

The pace of the Primal Possession was simple and flowed nicely. It’s not overly complex; the clues are there to figure most of the plot out. However, it is the interactions and the mythology of the world that keeps us fascinated. The introduction of the Fae was thoroughly intriguing. We were surprised at how powerful they are and we are eager to see what type of role they will play. Also, with the mention of vampires, we are anxious to see them play a part in this series as well. Gikany and Una enjoy how in the Moon Shifter series that the world isn’t just unwrapped and handed to us. We are slowly immersed as if on a need-to-know basis. It helps to give the paranormal an air of mystery which we enjoy.

Thankfully there were not too many point-of-views (POVs) in this novel. It was very easy to follow and those POVs we had were integral to the plot and character development. We loved how we are given the foundation and introduction in Primal Possession for the couple in the next book, Mating Instinct. If you are interested there is a teaser chapter at the end. One element that is mentioned and seems to be an ingrained issue is the reoccurrence of men leaving to “protect” their woman or for their own good. Your mate is in danger and you leave so she will be safe, just seems so idiotic (which, Erin, a female shifter so eloquently points out). We cannot wait to see Erin’s story, by the way.

Even with the few pet peeves, we liked Primal Possession better than Alpha Instinct. Gikany and Una enjoyed Liam and December’s story and look forward to reading about Jayce and Kat’s story in Mating Instinct. Considering what transpired in Primal Possession we may receive third degree burns from just holding the book! As preparing for this review, we found that there is a 1.5 novella in the Moon Shifter series. Needless to say, we are going to pick it up and check it out. However, we didn’t notice anything while reading Primal Possession that hinted at us missing something. So feel free to jump in with Alpha Instinct if you enjoy paranormal romance, and especially hot shifters.

Their Rating:

Liked it - recommend (B+)

Enter to Win:

Contest from Aug. 28 - Sept. 2, 2012

Purchase Info:

Primal Possession: Moon Shifter #2

Reviews in the Series:

Alpha Instinct (Book 1)

Labels: 3.5 stars, G-U Review, Katie Reus, Moon Shifters, paranormal romance, shifters, Signet |

2 comments

Author Guest Post: Katie Reus

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Hello Readers! Today I bring you romance author Katie Reus. Katie fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her publishers include Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, Ellora’s Cave and earlier this year the first book in her new paranormal series released from NAL/Signet Eclipse (Penguin).

Regardless of genre, she always includes a happy ending. When she’s not creating stories she loves spending time with her husband and son.

Please help me welcome Katie to That’s What I’m Talking About.

Thanks so much to Jen for having me here! I met the fabulous Jen not too long ago at AAD in New Orleans. She’s funny and totally adorable and I love her hair. We first met at Pat O’Briens, my first night there (I think it was her second?) right off Bourbon Street. Everyone there was drinking hurricanes! Well, except me. I had just finished some ridiculous lemony way-too-sugary concoction at the last bar we were at so I had moved on to water (yes, I’m a wild one) at Pat O’Briens. Somehow I still got a hurricane glass to take home with me at the end of the night because of a lovely woman, but that’s another story.

So for my post today since I now associate Hurricane drinks and the fabulous Jen together, I thought I’d share what the hurricane recipe is. I was a bartender after all, many years ago, so it feels only appropriate.

Hurricane Recipe:

2 oz light rum

2 oz dark rum

2 oz passion fruit juice

1 oz orange juice

½ oz fresh lime juice

1 Tbspn simple syrup

1 Tbspn grenadine

Garnish: orange slice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake then strain into a Hurricane glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and/or cherry.

Whoa, that’s a lot of fruit and sugar! Probably why it’s so delicious and goes down so smoothly ;) I’ll admit, I’m not much of a sweet drinker. I prefer red wine or something along the lines of a Blue Moon in the beer department. Pinot Noir is my fave red wine and Riesling is my fave white wine. So what’s your favorite beverage? Doesn’t have to be alcoholic! Leave a comment and be entered to win a print copy of Primal Possession (US only), my upcoming release in the Moon Shifter series!

Thanks so much, Katie! It was so awesome finally meeting you and hanging out at AADNOLA! I sure hope we can do it again some day! (And let me tell you all, Katie has the FABULOUS hair!)

You can find Katie on line at

Her Website

Twitter

Facebook

Her Blog

Review: The CEO and the Cowboy by Starla Kaye

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The CEO and the Cowboy

Author: Starla Kaye

Release Date: July 9, 2012

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

ISBN: #978-1613333327

Genre: m/m Romance – light BDSM

Format(s): e-book

Book Source: Publisher

About the book:

The whole thing about relationships and feelings confuses the heck out of Calhoun. He’s a simple cowboy and he’d been planning to marry a long-time friend for a while. When he finally realizes it doesn’t feel right, he lets her go. He probably shouldn’t have gone to her wedding to another man, but she wanted him there. But that’s when he really gets confused. His eye is drawn to a seriously hot businessman…and that sure does unnerve him…and yet….

Emotionally burned by the last man he thought he’d loved, Daniel isn’t anxious to replace him. But there is something about the proud, bedroom-eyed cowboy who shows up at his friend’s wedding. The CEO isn’t even sure if the cowboy’s gay, although the heat firing between them makes him wonder…

What he does know is that he plans to find out.

What B is talking about:

Calhoun Cordell is a successful rancher who works hard, lives honestly, and doesn’t back down from a challenge. So when an uneasy introduction at his former girlfriend’s wedding turns everything he thinks he knows about himself upside down, he’s determined to figure out why.

Daniel Patterson doesn’t understand why he can’t take his eyes off the seemingly straight cowboy talking to his best friend’s new bride, especially so soon after being hurt in his previous relationship. Still, he can’t resist trying to get to know the handsome stranger better when the opportunity presents itself.

The CEO and the Cowboy is a quick, steamy look at a new romantic beginning, and hopefully a “happily ever after,” for its main characters. The brief backstory and lack of details in Cal and Daniel’s tale were somewhat limiting, but the direct nature of their first night together was exactly what I’d anticipated.

Although The CEO and the Cowboy doesn’t lack for highly erotic depictions of the sexual relationship between the two main characters, the characters’ personalities were missing a certain vibrancy, making it more difficult for me to get wrapped up in their story. Calhoun, in particular, seems to be inconsistent in both his confidence and voice, and both characters’ speech borders on being too simple in places, which conflicted with the image of the successful, grown men presented at the beginning of the story.

The CEO and the Cowboy is a short and sexy introduction to two characters I’d really like to know more about in the future. Cal and Daniel have the potential to be great characters, if given more room to develop, and I very much wish theirs was part of a longer story. As an erotic short, The CEO and the Cowboy definitely delivers, and is a good choice if you want explicit content that can be read in less than an hour. While I had some difficulties with parts of the story, I think it’s a good addition to Decadent's line of books, and would like to see more of Cal and Daniel in the future.

B’s Rating:

Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)

Purchase Info:

The CEO and the Cowboy

Labels: 3 stars, BDSM, Bs-review, Decadent Publishing, GLBT, m/m romance, Starla Kaye |

1 comments

Contest Winners - AADNOLA Books & Swag

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I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for my recap of my adventures at Authors After Dark and entering the giveaway. A special thanks goes out to my new and continuing Google Connect Followers.

The Winners as selected by Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS!!

The winners are in order of the prizes 1-5. I am sending the winners 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 I can send you the books. You have until Wednesday September 5, 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!

Labels: AADNola, Authors After Dark, books, contest, giveaway, swag, winners |

2 comments

Author Interview: Jennifer Estep

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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

Her Website

Twitter

Facebook

GoodReads

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.

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Labels: Author Interview, books, contest, Elemental Assassin Series, giveaway, Jennifer Estep |

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Disclaimer

About our reviews: The reviews posted here are the writer's own honest opinion of the book, not a judgement on the subject matter or author. We read for pleasure and at the request of authors and publishers. We do not receive compensation for our reviews, other than the copy of the book to read for the review.

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