Review ~ Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me— Gin Blanco, aka the Spider—it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’s priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.
Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

I'm just going to be straight up and say I really liked Deadly Sting.  I am holding off a smidgen due to my feelings towards Owen, but more on that later.  First we must discuss the pacing of this book.  It was CRAZY!  We moved from one crazy, killing, action scene to the next without much time for breathing.  In fact, I both listened and read the book so I wouldn't have to stop for silly things like driving.

I think Gin ranks up there with one of the toughest heroines I've read.  Her magic and physical fighting skills earn her a pretty good spot.  The final fight scene requires all that Gin is able to pull together, and after a whole night of work, she's really going to have to dig deep.  This opponent is a tough one and motives may surprise you.

Now I will discuss Owen.  I don't want to give anything away, but damn, he needs to get his head in the game.  Was that crazy bitch worth losing everything he and Gin had?  I just don't get it.  I thought he was so much better of a man than Donovan, but now I've been left to wonder.  I'm so frustrated with him.  I just want to scream at him.

This is definitely a great addition to the Elemental Assassin series and creates a great intro into future storylines.  I would definitely recommend, despite my frustration with Owen.  I would give Deadly Sting 4.5 stars.  I am subtracting .5 of a star for Owen.  I'm sorry, I just can't get over him.  All  I want is some happiness for Gin, and he is disappointing me her.

Read for:  FUN
Challenges:  Audio Book Challenge 2013 and 2013 Ebook Challenge
Published:  03/26/13

Bad Boys of Romance Giveaway Hop!

You know you love them. Those "bad boys" of romance. We're celebrating them and all their naughty deliciousness with the Bad Boys of Romance Giveaway Hop! Mmmmhmmm.

Which "bad boy" revs your motor? Is it a hero? Villain? A secondary character?

Be sure to hop around and check out all the bloggers and authors giveaways! There's a new one on each site!

Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt. There's only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody stop her-beautiful museum curator Ava Harrison. Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.

Warriors. One word and basically all the motivation I need to pick up a book. Does it matter whether they fight for good or evil? Well, I can't give a confident answer on that. Too many variables. I can be swayed. I'm not going hide it!

Warrior Ascended by Addison Fox is the first of the Sons of the Zodiac series, and because I must make sure that he is given the love he deserves, Rantings of a Reading Addict is giving away a signed copy of this first book featuring Brody and Ava, as well as a $25 GC to either B&N or Amazon. It IS a series after all, you must complete the Signs! :)

Make sure to visit all the other Bad Boys of Romance stops on the hop and get entered in all the giveaways going on!

My Giveaway!

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Bad Boys of Romance Grand Prize Giveaway!

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Now jump on to the next participant and see who they chose as their special bad boy!

Review ~ Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Goodreads Synopsis ~ 
Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more. After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted. Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe.

My Review ~

Frost Burned is the seventh installment in Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson series. Mercy is pretty much on her on for this book.  Her mate has been taken and she must find him, all the while ensuring the safety of her stepdaughter.

Mercy has always been a favorite for me.  She is strong and is really able to look out for herself.  This is proven in Frost Burned as well.  Her mate abilities are growing but she needs to learn to harness them and put them to good use.

There is lots of good werewolf, shifter, vampire and even fae action in this book.  I did find the story dragged on a little and the final action scene at times didn't make sense to me.  I think if I had done a reread of the previous books, then I might not have had all the confusion during this scene.  I'm finding this with a lot of the longer running series that I am reading so maybe it has something to do with my memory!

Now that the link between Adam and Mercy is getting so much stronger and showing such interesting potential, I can't wait to see what obstacles they overcome next!

Read for ~ FUN!
Challenges ~ Audio Book Challenge 2013
Published ~ 03/05/13