SHARPEST STING (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #18)

The truth won’t set me free—but it will probably get me killed ...

As Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, I’m used to having a target on my back. But ever since I started investigating the secret society known as the Circle, that target seems bigger than ever.

Still, I’m trying to relax and enjoy the events leading up to my friends’ wedding when I learn that an old enemy has returned to Ashland. And that’s the just beginning of my latest nightmare. Soon, I have Circle goons watching my every move, but I have no choice but to continue searching for a key piece of evidence against the evil group.

The deeper I dig, the more horrifying secrets I uncover, and the more dangerous things become for me and my friends. Just when I think I finally have a handle on things, a shocking revelation shatters my heart and leaves me with an ugly realization—that betrayal is the sharpest sting of all ... 

Release Date: October 8, 2019

Jennifer Estep

Elemental Assassin #18

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Sharpest Sting is the newest book in the Elemental Assassin series from Jennifer Estep. As it is the 18th book in the series, I have to warn readers not to try and start with this book.

I found Sharpest Sting to be a bit darker than recent books in this series. The discovery of the leader of The Circle organization and his connections to Gin and Bria while expected, still threw me a bit the more Mason revealed about his relationship to their father Tristan. I've always felt like Gin was a pretty strong elemental. She has taken on so many elementals and always found a way to come out on top. Mason however seems to be 100 times stronger than any of the other elementals Gin has taken on. Makes me wonder if it is partly due to them both having stone magic and from the same family line, or if it is because Mason only has one elemental magic while Gin has both stone and ice magic. 

I have to say the history of who all was involved in The Circle was very interesting to me. I had suspected many were in cahoots over the course of the series, but to have it finally confirmed was gratifying. I will say I was way more shocked than I should have been to learn about Fletcher's involvement though. I honestly have seen him through Gin's eyes and I think even though he was an assassin, she saw him as more of a savior for saving her and Bria than seeing his assassin persona first. 

I really felt like this story was much more emotional as Gin learned more about her biological family as well as her adopted family. She also seemed to feel at a loss so many times on how to deal with the situation and keeping her family protected. I have to say I still have questions when it comes to Hugh Tucker and his motives. Now we added Liam Carter into the mix and I'm honestly not sure really what to think of him either. I'm going to continue to reserve judgment on both for now.

I'm never really surprised when Gin's memories start coming to her in dream form in each book. I sometimes wish I had that skill. It always seems like just when Gin needs instruction from Fletcher or a memory of a conversation, she always has just the right memory dream. Honestly, I really felt like in this book, the conversations with Fletcher in her dreams seemed to give her little comfort and she had to figure out how to protect herself almost on her own this time.

Sharpest Sting left me with so many questions, and I really need those answers. I still enjoy this series so much and especially love the time Gin spends with her family and friends. Those relationships have grown so much over the course of this series and it honestly helped this super emotional story as I knew Gin had support as she struggled through her feelings of betrayal. I look forward to seeing where Ms. Estep takes us in the next installment of this series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B-)

VENOM IN THE VEINS (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #17)

Blood might be thicker than water, but venom is stronger than just about anything …

It was supposed to be a nice, quiet, simple dinner with friends—but nothing is ever nice, quiet, or simple when you’re Gin Blanco, the Spider, notorious assassin and current queen of the Ashland underworld.

This time around, someone seems to be targeting Stuart Mosley, the president of First Trust bank. Lots of people have grudges against Mosley, but the more I investigate, the more Mosley’s problems seem to be connected to some of my own, especially when it comes to the Circle, the evil, shadowy group that is secretly responsible for much of the crime and corruption in Ashland.

But when another blast from my dark and deadly past as the Spider comes to light, I wonder if I’ll be able to survive this dangerous new enemy, who has a burning thirst for revenge that will only be satisfied with one thing: my death.

Release Date: June 12, 2018

Elemental Assassin #17

Jennifer Estep

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza' Review:

The Elemental Assassin series of books is the first series of books I read when I discovered the Urban Fantasy genre. Gin Blanco and her friends and family remain some of my favorite characters I've every read. Venom in the Veinsis the newest story in the Elemental Assassin world.

Part of what I love about the series is the consistency of Gin and all of her friends. While Finn, Bria, Owen, and Silvio seem to take most things at face value, Gin is always sure there is more than meets the eye...and usually right on the money. When Finn's boss Stuart Mosley is the victim of a mugging and attempted kidnapping, everyone else thinks it is just a random occurrence, and Gin totally feels like there is more to it. I love how suspicious Gin is of everyone in Ashland, especially as she has plenty of reasons for her concerns.

As Gin is still diligently trying to figure out exactly who is behind the evil group the Circle, a blast form the past seems to come back to haunt her. Alanna Eaton is the daughter of Amelia Eaton, whom Gin killed many years ago. It turns out that Amelia was part of the Circle, and her daughter Alanna is back in Ashland and wants to take over where her mother left off. From all the flashbacks in Gin's dreams, it appears that Alanna was even more evil than her mother if possible.

We wouldn't have an Elemental Assassin book if Gin didn't run into major trouble that only she could figure out how to survive the experience. I still absolutely love how Gin's mind works through all the twists and turns thrown her way. I sometime wish her memory of the past came to her a bit sooner than right when she puts herself into danger though. I have to say that Mab remains my favorite villain from this series and while I like some aspects of the Circle, it seems to just be branching out more and more over each book. I thought I had a few things figured out when we first met Hugh Tucker, but now I'm a bit confused as to why he continues to almost be in Gin's corner part of the time and ready to let her almost die at other times. Add in the mysterious Mason, who we finally might know more about, and the notes from years ago from the Circle, and my confusion level increased. I'm really hoping we get the full mystery of the Circle and how involved Gin's family was in the Circle soon.

Venom in the Veinswas a good addition to the Elemental Assassin series, but I think it left me with more questions than answers for the first time in a long time with this series. I loved time with Gin and all her friends and family and have to say that even after 17 books, I'm still hooked on the series. I'm hoping we get a few more answers with the next installment in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B-)

SNARED (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #16)

If you don’t know Gin “the Spider” Blanco, you don’t know dangerous female heroines.

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. 

Release Date: April 25, 2017

Elemental Assassin #16

Urban Fantasy

Pocket Books

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I've been a fan of the Elemental Assassin series from the very first book. Honestly it is one of those series I generally read and listen to the audiobook later because I love the series so much. I'm really enjoying the mystery of the members of The Circle and the leader of The Circle. 

Snared was a good addition to the Elemental Assassin series. I will say I wish we had a bit more focus on discovering more of the members and the leader of The Circle, rather than suddenly having a serial killer in Ashland. I'll just say, I find it hard to believe Gin, especially with Silvio as her assistant, had no idea there was a potential serial killer in Ashland. Yes she had been busy, but she is normally better about keeping up with everything in Ashland. I did enjoy the Dollmaker storyline, especially as we learned the motive behind the killer's mindset. 

I did want more from the Circle, especially as Gin was going after Damien Rivera as the weakest link of the members. I have to say I'm totally and completely intrigued by the vampire Tucker and the fact that while a member of the Circle, he seems to keep saving Gin. I do think he has probably done so for the last time without having issues with the leader of the Circle.

I had a couple of other issues with Snared, but honestly they are issues that have popped up before in books, so it isn't something that will keep me from reading and enjoying each book. Gin has an innate sense to go with her gut instinct and yet there were several times in Snared she ignored her gut and there were issues because of it. I get because of childhood trauma she could have blocked out memories about people from her past. However, it seems like her dreams that give her back those memories always pop up after she has met the person from her past without recognition. I get it a time or two, but it seems to be a running issue for Gin. She is such a smart and kick-ass character, I find it hard to believe her memory could be that bad. 

I will say even with the issues I mentioned, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of Snared nor would it ever keep me from continuing to read the series. I love seeing Gin continue to work to clean up Ashland and work with her friends to solve each problem as it happens. Honestly, Snared made me even more excited about Gin's future battle with the members of the Circle. 

Rating: 4 Stars (B) 

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29aRbza
Amazon print: http://amzn.to/29bMlD8
Barnes & Noble ebook: http://tinyurl.com/jnglk5b
Barnes & Noble print book: http://tinyurl.com/hldg9cr
Books-A-Million: http://tinyurl.com/h7ac7ff
Google Play: http://tinyurl.com/hgm5779
iBooks: http://tinyurl.com/hwgr5g2
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/hxpcw3q
IndieBound: http://tinyurl.com/jquk9bw

Audible: http://tinyurl.com/lgw4a9j
Amazon audiobook: http://amzn.to/2n8wSHT

NICE GUYS BITE (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #15.5)

New York Times bestseller Jennifer Estep continues her Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series with a novella starring Silvio Sanchez, the vampire assistant of Gin Blanco, as he goes on a holiday date that turns out to be more deadly than romantic.

Working for Gin Blanco (aka the Spider, the assassin who runs the Ashland underworld) doesn’t leave much time for romance, especially with Gin’s holiday party planning in full swing. But when he catches the eye of a charming gentleman, Silvio finds himself going out for coffee.

All’s fair in love and war, though. Just as Silvio is starting to enjoy himself, he realizes he’s being watched. His nice guy date doesn’t sense the danger, and Silvio wants to keep it that way (and, well, keep the guy alive) so Silvio ends the date early—only to be abducted by some villainous giants. 

Will Silvio survive the night and make it back to the Pork Pit in time for Gin’s holiday party? Only if he decks the hall with bodies...

Release Date: December 12, 2016

Pocket Books

Elemental Assassin #15.5

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Nice Guys Bite is Silvio's story and from his point of view. As much as I love the series being from Gin's point of view, I love when Ms. Estep gives us a story from another character's point of view as well.

I adore Silvio and how hard he works to keep Gin in charge of the underworld in Ashland. Especially since he stops her from killing people just because they are getting on her nerves on a regular basis. I love that although Silvio works for Gin, they have really become great friends and Gin pushes him to go on his coffee date with Martin. 

Of course, being in Ashland of course nothing is as it seems. Silvio must fight of giants to protect himself and Martin and as with anything else in Ashland, things aren't always as they seem. I had always adored Silvio, but I absolutely loved him after watching him battle giants with the strength he gained from drinking their blood, and his battle of wits against an unsuspecting enemy.

It seems that the Ashland underworld never takes a break, not even for Christmas. I loved everything about Nice Guys Bite and am now more than ready for the next full-length story in the series.

Rating: 5 Stars (B+)

UNRAVELED (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #15)

After the shocking revelations of the previous book, Bitter Bite, the world of Ashland’s become even more sinister, and Gin Blanco (aka Ashland’s most fearsome assassin, the Spider) no longer knows who—or what—she can count on. Only one thing is for certain: danger and new enemies await Gin in Unraveled, Book 15 in the New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series that RT Book Reviews calls “unbeatable entertainment!”



What could go wrong when you’re trying to unravel a decades-old conspiracy?



As the current queen of the Ashland underworld, you would think that I, Gin Blanco, would know all about some secret society controlling things from behind the scenes. I might be the Spider, the city’s most fearsome assassin, but all my Ice and Stone elemental magic hasn’t done me a lick of good in learning more about “the Circle”. Despite my continued investigations, the trail’s gone as cold as the coming winter.

So when Finnegan Lane, my foster brother, gets word of a surprising inheritance, we figure why not skip town for someplace less dangerous for a few days? That place: Bullet Pointe, a fancy hotel resort complex plus Old West theme park that Finn now owns lock, stock, and barrel. At first, all the struttin’ cowboys and sassy saloon girls are just hokey fun. But add in some shady coincidences and Circle assassins lurking all around, and vacationing becomes wilder—and deadlier—than any of us expected.

Good thing this assassin brought plenty of knives to the gunfight … 

Release date: August 30, 2016

Pocket Books

Elemental Assassin #15

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I countdown between each Elemental Assassin books as it comes out and then devour each one like there is no tomorrow, only to have to wait another 6 months for my next fix. Jennifer Estep has had me hooked on this series since the first book and I love each new adventure with Gin and her friends and family.

I liked that we took a little vacation from Ashland for Unraveled. With everything that happened with Finn's mom, I felt like they all needed a little bit of a break from the normal battles with the underground world of Ashland. I will say I missed seeing JoJo and Sophia, but loved getting more time with Silvio, Lorelei, and Phillip.

I have to say I loved the trip to Bullet Pointe to the Old West theme park Finn had inherited from his mother. It was so completely cheesy and over the top and I could totally see Deidre's hand in some of the changes that had been made in the hotel. Gin is hoping to find out more about The Circle while in Bullet Pointe and Finn is hoping to find something genuine about his mother while there. While Roxy and Brody are your typical bad guys from the series, I have to say that Hugh Tucker is keeping me guessing and I'm loving the mystery of The Circle and watching Gin unravel each of the strings to learn more and more about The Circle. I loved that Gin's memories once again helped her solve her current problem. However, we actually got to see her interact with her mom and sisters and it is very rare for Gin to have dreams about her family. 

I loved the battle between Gin and Roxy and Brody. Since Roxy and Brody had taken Finn, Owen and Bria hostage, Gin was pretty much on her own in the fight and pulled it off in true Spider style. Of course she had new back up with Silvio, Lorelei, and Phillip, but Gin took care of most of the bad guys in her own way. I have to say I felt a little bit like Gin was going a bit old-school with her battle plan to take out Roxy and Brody and I love how her mind works. 

I found Unraveled to be a story that kept my attention from the very first page and I honestly didn't want to put the book down. Again, while I missed time with Jo-Jo and Sophia, I love getting to spend time with other secondary characters, who are becoming new favorite characters for me. I also have to say the mystery of The Circle and all Gin learned in Unraveled have me chomping at the bit for the next book in this series. Luckily, we only have to wait until April 2017 for the next fix in the Elemental Assassin series with Snared.

Rating: 4 stars (A-)