Review: Tangled Threads

Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin, book 4) by Jennifer Estep

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Tangled Threads (1)

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead.

Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too.

The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

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Review:

It's so cliché to say this after finishing a book in a series, but this is my favorite one yet! This book and series is worth all the buzz. Gin is one of my favorite females of the Urban Fantasy genre, and basically just my favorite female lead in general. She's the perfect antihero. Not only that but I love how Estep doesn't justify Gin and her motives, she accepts that she is a monster. A monster with a heart, but one never the less. Oh and she's unapologetic.

Gin doesn't fall prey to sex hang-ups, judging others (how can she do that after all she's done and lived through), she's actually witty, and despite her legendary status as the Spider she is human. Not quite to the degree of us normal non-assassin types, but that's the true charm. Because despite all of her badassery she is human, she's relatable, and I adore how Estep has realized Gin.

From the get go Gin has been so real and a character I respect. Which is funny considering she's a despicable assassin. The thing is her codes and rules are what set her apart. Especially since she does still have a heart. And since Fletcher's death she's slowly becoming even more alive. Which may or may not make her stronger in her show down with Mab. (But I think having more to live for and protect is what makes Gin amazing.) This is Gin's hero journey and I love it. Especially because it's accompanied by Gin just taking out the villains in good old fashion blood baths. Which only highlights how human she is by worrying about love and how things will turn out once those loved ones find out who she truly is as the Spider. Because she can't take that back and she won't.

Now let's get back to her stone cold heart that's waking up. Tangled Threads made me extremely nervous on how the yummy Owen Grayson would be handled and Gin's little sister Bria. Gin might be tough but she got her self in a bad way with Detective Asshole (Donovan Caine) and had her heart broken. More than she'd like to let on. So things started off a little rocky. Then Owend and Gin started earning one another. It sounds tacky, but Owen and Gin are my new favorite couple. They're relationship is real and I don't feel like it's just a trope to make fans squee.

That said I loved how everything else played out in Tangled Threads. Obviously Mab has to handle her Spider issue and what better way to kill an assassin than with another assassin. Elektra was amazing! Talk about despicable killers to show the other side of the coin. It's interesting getting all of these extra glimpses of Mab, especially when interacting with her hired assassin.

Bria is a very interesting character and I already love her. Even if she has the power to totally break Gin's heart. Not to mention that little Finn and Bria thing we were all kind of hoping for . . . well I won't spoil it. It's magical how amazing Gin's family is and it's a treat getting to be with them. I'm especially looking forward to some back story on the Deveraux sisters. More of Fletcher's ties to Gin's family is revealed and it's perfect. The pacing of Tangled Threads is on point and the whole book moves so effortlessly. It setups so much for the future books, but it didn't feel like a setup. The journey to take down Mab isn't going to be easy, and I love that Gin won't stoop to Mab's level. Gin won't hesitate to take out her enemy, but she still has her own set of rules to live by.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor, some dark themes, and yes there be sex scenes.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black Widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)	Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black Widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)	Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black Widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)

Review: Venom

Venom (Elemental Assassin, book 3) by Jennifer Estep

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Venom (3)

What kind of assassin works pro bono?

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.

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Review:

Ahhhhh! So good. Keri Arthur taught me one thing about hating the male love interests. When the new man shows up, or the despised male lead finally turns around, things can get really good. Ah, so good. Owen Grayson. Amazing. Amazing.

Now I'm not going to go on and on like my last review, because to be far Venom is not a romance. But Gin is coming into her own. she’s realized finding her path is realizing the type of people she needs in her life. She's tough and though she's said she knows who she is and will have no regrets about what she's done. She still fears what others will think, in the back of her mind where she doesn't want to admit it. For me that makes her more real, and human. We've all picked the wrong man—person. Made justifications for them, why we are the bad guy and don't deserve them.

It was wonderful watching Gin come to see Owen Grayson. Because the man is sexy! OK, sexy isn't a reason. The Detective Caine was sexy, but he was a total evil asshole. Owen is protective, and alpha, and he does what needs to be done to protect his family. He's worked hard to get where he is, and knows the world isn't black and white. There are gray areas and sometimes terrible things need to be done. The funny thing is even though Owen has done some bad things in the past, he has more compassion and heart than Caine. Argh! There's just no words to describe how much I loved Owen and Gin together. It was a real treat getting to know him, and . . . just read it!!!

OK, enough about that I loved getting to meet Gin's sister as well. Like Gin, Bria is a force to be reckoned with. All of the interactions between the two are amazing and it's building this burning anticipation for them to REALLY meet. Bria is filling Caine's shoes in Ashland as the straight and narrow cop. Which worried me at first, but Bria is not the female version of Caine. No . . .I . . . I love her too!

Which brings me to the most shocking words: I love all of the characters so much. From dark Sophia and light and wonderful Jojo, to Finn the smooth operator, O-W-E-N, Bria, and well there's so many. It's wonderful to be in love with so many characters like this! To see how they all work together and interact. To fear that they might die . . . because Elemental Assassin is that kind of series. Oh, and I enjoy the evilness and wickedness of the villains. Things aren’t wrapped up fast with them, these are epic villains.

Gin has finally decided what she wants to do with her retirement, and finding her way there is quite the journey. Once more is that even though Fletcher is dead Estep shows readers and Gin who the man really was. As the plot unfolds and the mysteries come to light readers will find an even richer story than the previous books. Estep has out done herself and it's safe to say the Elemental Assassins universe is perfection for me. Everything comes with consequences and the characters' lives go on and develop. Again I have to mention how they all interact with each other and how it drives the plot.

Isn't it amazing to be rooting for killers. Hoping that Gin will get her revenge. Venom is filled with monsters, and only those who have danced with the monsters—and at times become monsters themselves—can truly be heroes in Ashland. Venom is a rush and as Gin takes those first few steps at setting up her revenge game fans can’t help put foam at the mouth for more.

Sexual Content: Oh, it’s here. Plenty of sexual humor (Finn!), dark sexual themes, and so on. It’s very gritty at times. The book follows a serial rapist/killer. Nothing too over the top, but it’s dark.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black Widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)	Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black Widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)	Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black Widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)

Review: Web of Lies

Web of Lies (Elemental Assassin, book 2) by Jennifer Estep

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Web of Lies (1)

Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.

I'm Gin Blanco.

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 coalmining 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.

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Review:

My love of the first book can not be emphasized enough. Which is probably why I was running scared for a while only able to bring myself to read the first book over and over again. See I have a problem. When I read an amazing first book, this fear takes over that the second book—and following—will never be able to hold a flame to the sheer awesomeness that was  the first book. It's happened, and sadly so often that I have developed this reading phobia. Or what I sourly call the “First Book Wonder, Shitty Series Terror”. It exists. I swear, despite it's lame name.

The first part of Web of Lies was not as instantly mind blowing or as addicting as Spider's Bite. It's still infinitely better then a lot of other Urban Fantasy titles I've been reading. We've gotten to know the Spider and Web of Lies is showing how the death of Fletcher Lane and the decision to finally retire is affecting Gin. It's always a good sign when the actions of the previous book shape and evolve the next book, and the entire series.

Falling into the pages of Web of Lies was like coming home, and what's better is seeing someone as tough as Gin redefine herself. Realizing that even if the choices she's made in her life are horrible, maybe even the actions of a monster, she would still stand by them. Make those same choices. Part of Gin might be playing around with the idea of being a better person—even while she hides from her “fuzzy” feelings—she understands she will never be that type of woman and doesn't want to be. Which is why I had a hard time with how her emotions jumped so crazily ahead with her crush/lust of Donovan Caine.

It boggled me how a woman so patient and able to think things through. Went from the casual crush/lust she had for Caine in book 1, to this . . . love? Obsession? It was the weakest point of this book. Especially since Caine's actions cut Gin deep. More than Gin, or myself, would like. Especially since Caine's so called moral high ground made him more of a monster to me. No really. Not sure how anyone that read that mine scene—towards the end—between Caine and Gin could resist the urge to slit Caine's throat for Gin. That moment was excellent in showing that hiding behind so called morals and saying you're a good guy, doesn't mean jack.

Estep does a wonderful job playing in the gray areas here. Good guys may not really be good guys, and the monsters are sometimes the ones actually battling the evil. Don't get me wrong, the bad guys are bad. Down right evil, the best of the best for despicable mobsters, lawyers, corrupt miners, and such. Having a heroine like Gin is perfect because these villains need someone not afraid to shed blood and get dirty. Gin has morals and I think it's important that showing how Caine's high-and-mighty ones can be bad and Gin's morals mixed with her dark side make her the person that I'd want on my side. Especially after a scene with Mab Monroe and Gin. Holy cow.

Gin's a sexy strong lead, it’s only natural she has her own stable of man candy. Thankfully it's not all Caine. Yuck. Blessedly within six pages of Owen Grayson entering there was a light at the end of the tunnel! What a great character and I like that readers, and Gin, aren't 100% sure who he is. However, I know one thing. Owen is one heck of a love interest at this point. One that I hope will wash away the stain of Caine.

OK, now that I've over analyzed the romantic aspects of the book let's move on. (Honestly I swear the romance is not the focus!)

The cast of characters in Web of Lies is so awesome. Finn is such an smooth player, and a smart character. It's so sweet how Gin and him interact together. Proving that family is what you make of it. Not blood. Jo-Jo gets more page time here and it's wonderful how she's stepping into Fletcher's shoes as a guide/parental type figure. Sophie, the Goth dwarf, is another cool character that I was very excited to get more page time. These three characters make up Gin's family and it's wonderful to watch them all interact and care for Gin. Especially in helping her realize all of Fletcher and show her what the old man really meant by retirement.

New characters are introduced and I'm exited—hoping—to have them in future books going forward. What makes a series stronger and truly last is the connections that the lead has in that universe. The more connections there are the further it goes in creating a believable world. Which many non-fantasy fans always laugh at me for. It's a fantasy verse, it's not supposed to be real! But we the fans know better.

After a slower start than the last book things get back to good ol'Gin assassin fun. Our girl will always be the Spider even if she goes down a different path. Despite my instant dislike for Caine I do appreciate the “bad romance”. Showing that even an amazing assassin can fall prey to misconceptions about people and love. Web of Lies is an example of what good character building can do for a series. The first book introduced us to the Spider, however this book shows us how Gin is becoming more than that. The gritty realism is appreciated from the “romance”, to how dangerous being an assassin is, injuries, and shows all the ugly things that dark fantasy fans want. It's nice to have an anti-hero hero as dark and messed up as Gin. Besides, who doesn't love reading about amazing cooking along with planning assassinations and other assorted activities? Gin is definitely one of my book BFFs.

Sexual Content: Oh, quite the sex scene. Plenty of sexual humor, talk of rape, and some other dark/taboo sexual things mentioned. Gritty. (It’s not scary dark or anything. If you normally read darker reads it’s nothing that will explode your mind.)

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)	Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)	Spider’s Bite (1) Web of Lies (2) Venom (3) Tangled Threads (4) Spider’s Revenge (5) By a Thread (6) Widow’s Web (7) Deadly Sting (8) Heart of Venom (9) The Spider (10) Poison Promise (11) Black widow (12) Spider’s Trap (13)

Review: Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy, Book 2) by Jennifer Estep

Genre: Paranormal YA
ISBN: 0758266944
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle 
Goodreads: Kiss of Frost

At Mythos Academy, teen warriors in the making train to take up their roles protecting humankind. With her snarky, self-deprecating voice and strange gift of psychometry - the ability to know an object's history just by touching it - Gwen Frost is an outsider both to the students of the Academy and the rest of the world. But now that she's taking private tutoring with the Academy's most notorious young Spartan, and has Nike's own sword to protect her, she's ready to make mark...

 

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Review:

For debut titles there is a certain amount of leniency that you will allow a writer. You can overlook things that would normally bug you because this is the debut title introducing a whole new world. Well, Estep used that get out of jail card on her debut YA book, Touch of Frost, which I enjoyed despite it's over obvious plot. This time around Estep makes all the same mistakes, but I can't overlook them this time.

The plot “twists” and climaxes were so obvious that I almost wanted to put the book down. I knew everything that was going on before the author even introduced the new characters. After a while I kept thinking, surely an author of Estep's caliber could not write something this predictable? Right? Before even a little hint could be put out there I knew where this story line was going. Yes I'm over emphasizing it, but who wants to read a book that you can predict from the first page.

I'd like to say that this time the great cast of characters saved the book and that I enjoyed them fully. However, I really can't. Gwen is annoying in her “I'm just a gypsy and need to prove myself” mind set and her obvious stupidity. The whole time she was lusting after Logan while he's trying to get over her, was boring. Jealousy as a plot devise for developing a love story has never been something I've been interested in. It only ever seems to make the characters look ridiculous and pull out traits that make them seem unredeemable. Besides that, Logan shacking up with another girl while he's obviously in love with Gwen did not earn him any points—unless you like your men slutty.

Sure I'm greatly disappointed with this second title in Estep's new YA series, but I did enjoy it. After all she is the creator of the Elemental Assassins series, it's clear this author has mad skills. It's just that I was expecting her to tap into into those—many times mentioned—skills and produce something other than comfort food for the paranormal genre. There's progress in Kiss of Frost that is clearly going to lead up to an amazing plot, kick ass battles, and a yummy love story. Just at this point it's nothing that you couldn't have thought up yourself.

Sexual Content: Kissing, talk about sex and hooking up, and some sexual humor. Pretty clean all and all. Nothing that will shock the kiddies.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Touch of Frost (1)  Dark Frost (3) Crimson Frost (4)	Paperback |  Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Touch of Frost (1)  Dark Frost (3) Crimson Frost (4)

Review: Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy, Book 1) by Jennifer Estep

Genre: Paranormal YA
ISBN: 0758266928
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback |  Kindle
Goodreads: Touch of Frost

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

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Review:

In the world of Urban Fantasy I’ve come to acquire a sweet tooth for certain things.  Vampires and werewolves, Valkyrie, unique takes on witches, fairies, well done (and I mean really well done) love triangles, demons, and most of all Greek Mythology are a guaranteed purchase.  Jennifer Estep’s debut into the YA world of Urban Fantasy (or paranormal YA) instantly made my list with it’s promise of Greek Mythology and Valkyries!!   Her Elemental Assassin series already made my must-purchase-at-all-costs list and I just new this author would dazzle me.

Gwen is an interesting change from the Assassin in Esteps adult series.  She’s weak physically and has a clear moral compass that she lives by.  While most people might run to safety after finding a dead body with its throat sliced open, Gwen would rather make sure that the victim really couldn’t be saved.  While I had been hoping for a strong kick-booty heroine to add to my YA shelves, Gwen clearly has other strengths to admire.   Not only does she have nerves of still, but she’s a nerd girl—with comic books, nerd references, and hoodies to go with—and I can’t say no to a fellow nerd.

After the death of her mother Gwen is pulled into Mythos Academy.  Where Valkyries, Amazons, Spartans, and other mythological legends go to school to learn how become Patheons, who fight against the Chaos. Basically the the good (Patheons) Vs. evil. Gwen doesn’t know why she’s been pulled into Mythos, she’s not a warrior.  She’s a decedent of Gypsies, all of her family members just have a magical quirk.  Her grandmother can see the past and future, her mom could tell when someone was telling the truth, and her gift is . . . well a little more awkward. She can touch any object and get it’s whole live story, that includes people.

A lot of the book deals with Gwen's sadness over her mother passing, blaming herself for her mother’s death, and learning to be happy again.  It also deals with her self-doubt about her place in the Academy, and her worth.   The way she kept knocking herself down over the potential love interest was annoying. Considering that the only guy she kissed was fantasizing about another girl, it’s understandable.

It’s a nice addition to the realm of teen heroes.  Gwen is gaining her footing, building up sidekicks—er, I mean friends.  Catching the eye of the hot guy, and get this he’s a Spartan.  (Yes, 300 is mentioned and joked about.)  Big secrets (which are way too obvious to the reader) come out of the closet and Gwen is learning she has what it takes to be a true Champion of the Gods.

The book’s plot and “giant twist” was so obvious that I wanted to strangle, the author for thinking that her readers would be too stupid to see it.   Estep’s dazzling writing, fantastic characters, cool world, and the allure of the “magical school” helped to appease me.  This series has room to grow, places to explore.   In the end this wasn’t what I was expecting from Jennifer Estep, yet it was just what I needed.  With ancient gods choosing champions to battle it out  and deceit at every corner, it spells wicked fun!

Sexual Content:  Teens are getting it on and BJ are the norm.  Gwen doesn’t participate in any of this, but the kids are definitely frisky critters.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

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Previous book(s) in series: Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads: Touch of Frost (2)  Dark Frost (3) Crimson Frost (4) Paperback |  Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Kiss of Frost (2)  Dark Frost (3) Crimson Frost (4)

Review: Spider's Bite

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep

"My name is Gin, and I kill people."


My name is Gin Blanco. They call me the Spider — the most feared assassin in the South (and a part-time cook at the Pork Pit BBQ joint.) As a Stone elemental, I can hear the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet and feel the vibrations of the soaring mountains above me, though I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.


After a ruthless Air elemental double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way. I may look hot in a miniskirt, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble when irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine agrees to help. The last thing a coldhearted killer needs when she's battling a magic more powerful than her own is a sexy distraction ... especially when he wants her dead just as much as the enemy.

Thoughts:

With a series name like Elemental Assassin, I was expecting all kinds of awesomeness—and the book delivers. Even the cover is lethal!

Assassin characters have always interested me, if a book has a main character that's an assassin I'm there. Sadly enough, not to many authors have been able to pull off this character. The means to how they got to that point are generic, and the character is some how elevated as being a good person and their blood spilling ways justified.

Estep really makes Gin a believable killer. She didn't wake up one day and say, “Hey I think I'd like to kill people, that's a good career path!” A chain of tragic childhood events bring her to a point where she needs to survive, and things fall in to place for her to become an assassin. Gin has even carved out the best of life she can manage being an assassin. Her handler and son have become her family, and she tries to aspire to be a cook when she's not killing. Gin was a great character, she new what she was doing was wrong and even refers to herself as a monster at points in the book. Gin does keep to a moral code and tries to only go after “bad” people. She even does some “pro-bono” work for some abused people.

Following Gin on one of her kills at the beginning of the book is really fun (I know, I know we're killing people here). The work and planning that goes into each kill and all of the steps that need to be taken to remain anonymous. After all our girl is the Spider, one of the best killers out there and in high demand.

The love interest was such a great match. He's the only clean cop in the city, and after Gin killed his unsavory partner, he's out to bring the killer in. Gin has had her eye on him ever since, his purity or the fact that he's trying to find her draws her in. The events end up leaving the cop with only Gin to help him as the whole system is corrupt and all he can do to stay alive is trust in the honor of an assassin. Watching his growing attraction to Gin was definitely a highlight of this book for me. After all he's a saint, how can he be attracted to such an evil person. Someone who killed his partner. Maybe his world isn't black and white, maybe there are shades of gray.

The other side characters are very colorful and very lovable. Each one was a treat on the page and I loved getting more information on them. They all interacted in the world and made for great dialogue. The giant evil villain that is probably going to be spanning this series is fantastic. I love the fact that both evil villains in this book are female—women evil villains always seem to be more vicious and absolute fun!

My only complaint is the F-bomb is thrown out there a lot, like candy at a parade. Gin is a kick-booty, very witty character she can come across just as cool minus the swearing. Or maybe just a little less, as it is part of her character.

Bottom Line:

It's great learning about our witty assassin as the story progresses. I completely fell for our killing lady and I am DIEING for more! (Every pun intended.) Need is the word that pops into mind about this book. I NEED to know where Gin is headed now that she's “retiring” and that cliffhanger ending. The love story is on the NEED to know what's going to happen next. Just give me the next book, I NEED it.

Sexual Content:

Naughty thoughts are running through Gins mind about our good cop and there is a very steamy closet scene. Oh, and some heavy petting at the bar.

5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession.