Hi everybody!! Tori here. Due to time constraints from a new job, Helyce was nice enough to let me slide into her space today to review two of my FAVORITE authors, Jennifer Estep and Molly Harper.
Venom in the Veins by Jennifer Estep
Elemental Assassin, #17
Paranormal Romance
June 12, 2018
Self Published
Gin Blanco, restauranteur and Ashland’s latest boss of its underworld, is shocked when Stuart Mosley, Finn’s boss and Gin’s friend, is assaulted and almost kidnapped. Between parties and date night with Owen, Gin’s investigation a new player in town who has a bone to pick with Gin. Vampire Alanna Eaton has come back to Ashland to buy back the family estate and pay Gin back for the murder of her mother, Amelia. A member of The Circle like her mother, Alanna has resources galore at her back and a reputation for a killer bite but so does Gin and when push comes to shove, Gin proves that the venom in her bite is deadly.
Jennifer Estep’s deadliest assassin is back and once again must use her skills to protect a friend in the 17th installment; Venom in the Veins. Set in the small town of Asheville, North Carolina, Gin aka The Spider, a former assassin for hire turned queen of the underworld, has experienced multiple changes since the beginning. A former loner who was an assassin by night and restaurant owner by day, Gin’s alter ego is now out in the open and she is surrounded by friends, family, and a lover. When her favorite banker is attacked, Gin must search her past to find answers. Solid world building and a well-established character base have left the bulk of entertainment to the plotlines, but I fear the time has come to Estep to wrap it up. The feeling of deja vu is strong as we follow a familiar path and watch Gin once again fight a new enemy for things she has done in the past. The push on the arc was welcomed and I like that Estep is still able to surprise me with the actions of a longtime antagonist. While I enjoy this series overall for its female-centric arc, I’m ready for the final battle between Gin and the Circle.
Grade: C+
Previous Elemental Assassin Series Reviews
Ain’t She A Peach by Molly Harper
Southern Eclectic, #2
Contemporary Romance
June 12, 2018
Gallery Books
Frankie McCready, the town coroner, and local embalmer is not pleased her one-night stand has relocated to Lake Sackett and has been hired on as the local interim sheriff. With her teen nemesis causing mayhem and destruction with his pranks, his parents threatening her job, and her parents’ overly smothering love, Frankie has enough to deal with without being shadowed by an overzealous cop trying to prove a point.
Eric Lindon left the Atlanta PD for Lake Sackett due to an “incident” involving a Segway and zombies (don’t ask). He was not impressed by Frankie’s houdini act after they spent the night together and is even less impressed by her now. The town’s laid-back attitude leaves a lot to be desired but Eric finds it growing on him…if he could just get Frankie off his mind.
I love Molly Harper’s writing. Zany humor, eclectic characters, outrageous storylines, and pure southern charm light up the pages as Harper revisits her fictional town of Lake Sackett, GA, picking up the storyline from Peachy Keen. As always, the family is the base on which love and laughter rest. This quick read doesn’t disappoint with its hilarious narrative and smooth flowing storyline. Harper hits the nail on the head as she talks on the idiosyncrasies of small-towns, multi-generational families living and working together, and the power of love. The slow-burning romance works best with this couple as Frankie and Eric must work through their own issues before they can truly accept and act on their attraction. Of course, no Molly Harper book is complete without the usual cast of supporting characters whose own crazy antics will leave you in tears as they offer advice, shoulders to cry on, escape plans, and dogs to adopt. I adored Frankie’s parents, especially her father. Understandable in their overly protective ways, I liked how Frankie gently cut the apron strings. The ending was a tad far-fetched, but it all worked out perfectly in the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed Frankie and Eric’s story and can’t wait to read book three. I am crossing my fingers it will be Duffy’s story.
Grade: B
Previous Southern Eclectic Series Reviews
Ain’t She A Peach sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the mini-review, Tori.
I can’t recall having read anything by Loreth Anne White, but her book sounds appealing. I’m wondering though if it will prove too dark for me. Hmm…. Thanks for the review, Helyce.
Hi Kareni, I wouldn’t classify this as dark–but I guess it would depend on your threshold. I did not specify some of the cases that are dealt with so as not to spoiler…but there are cases of rape discussed in past tense.
Thanks for the added detail, Helyce. This could well work for me!