• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Jennifer Estep’s Website
• List Price: $7.99 US
• Publisher: Pocket; Original edition (September 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439148015
• ISBN-13: 978-1439148013

Preorder Venom at:

• Amazon
• Book Depository

It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most.

To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists.

At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.

Gin is out for revenge and she’s finally set her sights on Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who killed her family. To do that, Gin has to hide her identity and cloak her powers (Stone & Ice magic). On top of the plot to kill Mab, Gin is out to kill the man whos making her vampire friend Roslyn’s life a nightmare. This man, Elliot Slater, just happens to be Mab’s right hand man and that makes things a bit more difficult for Gin.

There’s also a new hottie on the scene, Owen Grayson and he won’t take no for an answer, but Gin’s decided to take her chances with him. Oh, did I forget to mention the new Detective in town, Bria Coolidge, just happens to be the baby sister Gin thought was dead?

Venom is the third book in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assasian Series and I have to tell you, it is the best of the bunch! I can’t rave about it enough and it’s killing me not to tell you all the big details of why this book kicks just as much ass as Gin does.

Can I tell you how happy I was to see Detective Donvan Caine GONE. I couldn’t stand him, he was such a jerk to Gin, his morals just too black and white for me. Thankfully, Gin has a new love interest in the form of Owen Grayson and he turns out to be the perfect combo for Gin.

Gin just kicks all sorts of ass people, I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series because the events leading up to Gin and Mab’s standoff are epic! Of course Jennifer Estep had to leave us with a cliff hanger, not very nice Madam Author. Not nice at all. But I can tell you, the action is intense this go around and if you don’t sit from cover to cover, somethings wrong with you

Jennifer Estep does action like no one else does, Venom is a page turner that turns into an all night cram session.

Love is a wonderful thing. Unless you don’t get a choice in the matters of your own heart.

Jocelyn has loved Max since the day she met him. Even when he scares her enough to leave, she can’t resist going back. No matter how many times she tries to break free from him, she ends up in his arms and bed again. Not this time. Jocelyn needs to be free and Max isn’t going to stop her from walking away — no matter how hard he tries.

Seleste deLaney’s Website

Buy Of Course I Try at Decadent Publishing

Spaz: I went out of my usual comfort zone reading this short story. I don’t usually go for short stories, and I prefer full-length novels over anthologies. In addition, I very rarely pick up erotica unless it is part of a series blended with another genre.

WLP: *nods* me too, short stories don’t usually do “it” for me.

Spaz: With that being said, what a pleasant surprise Of Course I Try is! Because of its length I don’t want to talk too much about the story in detail because I don’t want to give away anything, but I really enjoyed it. The story starts off right from the get-go with one steamy scene, then it grabs on to you and takes you on a hot suspenseful ride.

WLP: I have to admit, when I read that opening scene I went “Oh no”, I thought it was going to be all sex, all the time, what a wicked surprise!

Spaz: I really enjoyed Ms. DeLaney’s writing style, the story moved and flowed well. I could envision the heroine Jocelyn Reyes, her friends, and her world seemingly centered around Max Shaw very clearly. It was jarring but fun to be on this ride with her, stuck in a helpless feeling of being out of control, and trying to figure out why. The story’s consistent suspense level throughout was nicely concluded and the mystery was revealed.

WLP: I had a feeling Max was too good to be true. Little did we know..hmph.

Spaz: This is a very short, very fast, very exciting ride with a nice paranormal twist. I look forward to meeting Jocelyn again, hopefully in another short story, or maybe a full-length novel? I definitely would like more!

WLP: Me too! Do you hear us Seleste?

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• List Price: $7.99 US
• Publisher: Pocket (August 24, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439123128
• ISBN-13: 978-1439123126

Buy Demon From The Dark at:

• Amazon
• Book Depository

“Those who betray me do it only once.” – Malkolm

I have done something different with this review and have used plentiful quotes throughout to highlight my favorite parts. If you consider quotes too much of a spoiler, please use caution browsing this review. The review overall is spoiler-free.

Demon from the Dark is the 9th full-length novel in the Immortals After Dark series and as I’ve mentioned previously in my review of Pleasure of a Dark Prince, this is one of my most cherished Paranormal Romance series. We are quickly approaching The Accession, described as “a kind of mystical checks-and-balances system for an ever-growing population of immortals. Occurs every five hundred years. Or right now…” I heard from a few fellow readers that they felt the beginning was a bit too slow. For me, that was not the case. I felt the beginning was necessary to remind us that certain events have happened in previous books and they needed to be tied together. Think: characters have gone missing in just about each book leading up to this one. I strongly recommend re-reading the Epilogue of Pleasure of a Dark Prince, because it is filled with events that set up the events of this book. I did not remember a lot of references made in the beginning and someone pointed me to the Epilogue of PoaDP leading me to several “A-Ha!” moments.

Demon from the Dark picks up right where Pleasure of a Dark Prince left off. We first meet Malkolm Slaine, and learn of his background and just how he has been so betrayed and tortured on the most fundamental of levels. We also pick up with Carrow Graie right after she has been captured and held prisoner by The Order. I just knew Carrow would be kick-ass and she totally was. We previously knew her as being Mari’s best friend, who threw the pool party for her fellow witches in Rydstrom’s pool while he was away – without his knowledge. Known as Carrow the Incarcerated, we expected a crazy party girl, but she was so much more than that. There was absolute method to her madness. Her inner dialog throughout the book was one of my favorites of the heroines in the series so far. Some of my most favorite quotes of her inner dialog:

• Those bastards had posted bail for Carrow’s latest disorderly conduct charge—proudly earned!—and then lain in wait outside the Orleans Parish Correctional.
• “We’ll get a pad near Andoain so you can still go to spell school there. I’ll pack lunch”—bag leftover pizza—“for you every morning.”
• He had nice even teeth, surprisingly white. In a way, even his fangs were sexy. Because his second bite aroused you. Shut up, inner Carrow!
• Ruby crossed her little arms over her chest, jutting her chin. “You’re not leaving me behind. Or I’ll do a spell to make you smell like ass. Forever.” Carrow raised her brows. “Harsh, Ruby, harsh.” I think I’m the one who taught her to say “smell like ass.”

In addition, one of my favorite things about reading each book in this series is Kresley Cole’s obscure 80s & 90s pop culture references and this book did not let me down! Here are some of my most favorite laugh out loud parts:

• What would Ripley do? When in a jam, Carrow often thought of how Ellen Ripley, the legendary badasstress of the Alien quadrilogy, would figure her way out.
• Added to this, Ruby was now singing They Might Be Giants’ “Particle Man.” Over and over. Carrow had taught her to sing it on repeat to annoy others—not herself. She muttered to the ceiling, “Amanda, I never knew.”
• Carrow leapt to her feet. “Ruby, damn it! I said no.” Lanthe yanked her to the other side of the cell, muttering, “Gods, Carrow, why didn’t you just snap, ‘Mummy has a headache! Go fetch Mummy’s scotch!’? Ember cried, “Hide the wire hangers!” Ruby asked, “Why hide the wire hangers?” Portia patted her head. “May you never find out.”

Mostly, in case you can’t tell from my previous gushing, I just dig the way Kresley Cole writes. Once again, the dialog of the female characters new and old are rich with snark, humor, and awesomesauceness. Have I mentioned how much I love Kresley Cole’s female characters?

“Miss Lanthe?” the sorceress repeated, her blue eyes gleaming dangerously. “Why don’t you just buy me a minivan, zip me into mom jeans, and shoot me in the face?”

In this story, she brings two desperately lonely people together: Carrow, who surrounds herself with people but still is the lonely child inside whose parents never wanted. Malkolm, who seemingly never stood a chance against the solitude of the life into which he was born. I can’t even summarize his loneliness, it is tremendous. Carrow and Malkolm both battle their personal demons to keep one another, and at times it is very raw. Malkolm is quite possibly Ms. Cole’s most tortured hero yet in the series. The anxiety level in the middle of the book was astronomical. You just aren’t sure what pivotol decision Carrow is going to make, and it takes on the feel of watching a train wreck; waiting to see where all the pieces will land, then how the people will move on from it. In addition to some seriously hot smexy scenes that Ms. Cole does so well, there are also many tender moments between the two of them. The sweet things Malkolm would do for Carrow in the only ways he knew how were so swoon-worthy. Here is just one example of one of my favorite scenes between the two of them:

When she beckoned to him with a grin, he glanced over both shoulders. Then he hiked a thumb at himself with his cleft chin proudly raised. And Carrow thought, I think I just fell into like with him.

The Lore and all the creatures within it are just plain cool, and at times, scary! One thing is clear from this book – the big WAR is coming between the many different species of immortals, and I have a feeling that will tie in to hopefully (!!!) and eventually a Nix the Ever-Knowing story. Next up… Regin the Radiant! I’ve said it before and I will say it again. If you are a fan of Paranormal Romance and you have not started this series, you are seriously missing out.

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Jennifer Estep’s Website
• List Price: $7.99 US/$9.99 CDN
• Publisher: Pocket; 1 edition (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143914799X
• ISBN-13: 978-1439147993

Buy Web of Lies at:

• Amazon
• Book Depository

You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coal mining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man . . . dead or alive.

Time for another Review Revisited. Spaz has once again beaten me to the punch and already reviewed Web of Lies, but I wanted to get in on the action! Once again, I totally agree with Spaz..go figure.

In the second installment of Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin’s Series we find out Gin has retired from the assassin business and is working once again at the Pork Pit, the restaurant she inherited. Of course, retirement doesn’t go easy for Gin especially when an attempted robbery happens in the restaurant which is quickly followed by a shooting. At first Gin thinks the two are related but they turn out not to be and Gin comes out of retirement…she was bored anyways.

I loved Web of Lies, you can tell Ms. Estep is more comfortable with the world she has created. The story is action packed and there are so many twists and turns, you can’t stop reading. There is also all sorts of snark, Gin is awesome for the snark people. She is fast becoming one of my favorite novel characters, because she is so cool headed in the face of all the danger she puts herself into.

I have to tell you, I cannot stand Gin’s love interest Detective Caine. He grinds my gears to no end, his morals make him come off so high and mighty, he just isn’t good for Gin unless he can get the hell over his black and white attitude. He doesn’t deserve Gin I tell you!

I still had a few issues with Gin’s overuse of certain terms, “soapy scent” and “mmm” in relation to Detective Caine. I get it Gin and it creeps me out! There was also a little too much summary of what happened in Spider’s Bite, which is great if you are reading Web of Lies as a stand alone, but irritating if you’re reading the books back to back, which I was.

Web of Lies totally sets you up for Venom (released September 2010), with new characters coming in and old characters leaving, it makes you really anticipate whats coming next for Gin.

September is going to be one hell of a month here at WLP…I’m so excited, I had to share early.

To kick off September, Synde from Cemetery Cat Design is giving away a special piece of jewellery. The contest will start on Sunday and run for a week, but it’s not going to be simple. Even I didn’t know the answer, which you’ll all find very sad soon enough.

Also there will be a giveaway for No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Venom by Jennifer Estep.

Speaking of those two wonderful ladies, I am pleased to share it with you all BOTH of them will be stopping by for interviews! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to have them both here. Sherrilyn Kenyon was the first Paranormal Romance I’d ever read and she created a monster, actually two since Spaz’ first PR was a SLK!

So stay tuned, September is going to be exciting…..

Don’t forget, you have 1 more day to finish with Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews before we have our discussion maybe next week?

**Banner Design by J @ TwoScoopz

It’s almost time people…September 7th Sherrilyn Kenyon’s No Mercy comes out!

And for your viewing pleasure:

The short list is out and I was shocked (honest to goddess) that I made the shortlist for both catagories I entered! 

Best Spectulative Fiction Blog and Best Author Interviews

I have to thank all you fellow bloggers who voted for me, from the bottom of my TBR Pile. And I want to congratulate all my fellow bloggers who made the short list. Okay this is sounding so award show speech to me (I’mma let you finish Taylor).

Thanks to the Authors who let me torture, I mean interview them and for writing such awesome books! Good luck to my fellow bloggers!

This bracelet is full of whimsy. A Beautiful Harpy charm (from green girl studios) has a harpy on one side and a star on the other. It is hanging from silver plate chain and is paired with beautiful absinthe green Swarovski roundels. Toggle clasp is sterling silver 7″

Synde’s Shop – Cemetery Cat Designs

• Reading level: Young Adult
• List Price: $17.99 US/$19.99 CDN
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 24, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439023513
• ISBN-13: 978-0439023511

Buy Mockingjay at:

• Amazon

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

The story so far:

Katniss has been through hell and back, as a Tribute from District 12. She’s had to fight for her life every step of the way, even if it means killing for survival. It’s all lead up to this moment, the Capitol (led by President Snow) is angry with Kat and they will do anything to get to her…including bombing her District, killing hundreds of people in the process. Katniss is now leading the rebellion, just so she can get to President Snow.

I have to be honest with you all, the hype surrounding this book just didn’t live up to the original Hunger Games for me. Mockingjay takes a total tone change mid book and it’s not for the better IMHO.

Please keep in mind, I am trying to do this as spoiler free as possible. There WILL be discussions about this book in the comments, so please if you haven’t read the book avoid the comments where I will be able to discuss this in depth with those who have read the series in full.

I felt that in this, the final book in the series, Ms. Collins killed off characters just because she could. Not many of the deaths had an impact on the book, except for one and even then I felt it was unnecessary. It was like she was putting Katniss into all these positions to see if she could break her and really, after all this character has been through I felt the ending was lackluster at best. And there were a lot of deaths, many of which I felt there was no real point to.

Katniss was always a strong character to me, but towards the end of the book it was like she was an all new character. After all she’d been through, now she’s impacted? WHAT?! After all the deaths, just one (though a big one) changes her so deeply, changes her feelings towards her best friend? Through out the book Katniss is used non-stop, no descion is really her own and that’s not the Katniss we knew in books 1 and 2. That’s what really brough it down for me in terms of rating, because this isn’t the Katniss we’ve read about previously.

The previous books in the series always left me thinking, but this left me with “that’s it?”. The situation with Gale was too tidy, no ending at all with no real closure. The situation with Peeta was way too cut and dry, how all of the sudden he’s “okay” made no sense to me. I also saw the climax coming from a mile away, so when it happened I wasn’t shocked or stunned.

What I loved about Hunger Games and Catching Fire, was there wasn’t an easy resolution to any of the problems Katniss faced but with Mockingjay things seemed so easily fixed. When Katniss comes out of her coma, it seems like everything around her is fixed and it made no sense to me as a reader.

I was disappointed with the final book in the series, it just cleaned up too nicely and didn’t match the hype for me. Mockingjay just didn’t have the same feel as Hunger Games and Catching Fire did.