Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome the wonderful Jennifer Estep to the blog today to chat about being author, life and her newest release Poison Promise (Elemental Assassin)
Jennifer, can you please share with us a little about yourself
JE: My name is Jennifer Estep, and I’m the New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.
The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
JE: My mom used to take me to the library every Saturday when I was a kid, so that’s how I fell in love with books and reading in the first place. So I think wanting to write my own stories and be an author grew out of that love of books and reading.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
JE: Some of my favorite writers are Robin McKinley, Donald Westlake, David Eddings, Ian Fleming, Lisa Kleypas, and too many others to name.
Every time I read a really great book, it always inspires me, and I hope that I can write something just as good one day.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
JE: I’ve always enjoyed fantasy stories and strong heroines, so writing urban fantasy seemed like a natural fit for the kind of stories that I wanted to tell. I also write young adult and paranormal romance.
I have ideas for books in different genres, and I’d love to write a western or a heist book someday. But I will probably always write urban fantasy just because I enjoy it so much.
What are some of your writing rituals?
JE: I know a lot of authors listen to music while they write, but I don’t do that. It’s just me and my computer with no distractions. I always joke that the only thing I need to write is dead silence. LOL.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
JE: Poison Promise, the 11th book in my Elemental Assassin series, will be released on July 22. My heroine Gin Blanco has to protect someone who witnesses a horrific crime, so there’s a lot of magic, action, and adventure in the book. I hope everyone has as much fun reading the book as I did writing it.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
JE: Many times in the series, Gin finds herself getting into trouble because she’s trying to protect her friends and family, and that’s what happens in Poison Promise as well. Being a protector and watching out for people is one of the core things that drives Gin, so it sort of naturally leads to a lot of story ideas.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
JE: Right now, I’m working on Black Widow
Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
JE: In the first chapter of Poison Promise, Gin gets into a fight with a couple of vampires.
What would you be if you were not an author?
JE: Good question! I would probably still do something book-related, like be a librarian or work in a bookstore.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
JE: I have about 40 books waiting in my TBR pile, so I’m looking forward to catching up on books/series by Katie McGarry, Sarah J. Maas, Alex Bledsoe, Scott Lynch, and several other authors.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
JE: Thanks for hosting me on your blog! I appreciate it.
If folks want more info on my books, they can check out my website at www.jenniferestep.com or follow me on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
Happy reading, everyone!
A little more about Jennifer:
Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, Spider’s Revenge, By a Thread, Widow’s Web,Deadly Sting, Heart of Venom, The Spider, and Poison Promise, along with the e-shorts Thread of Death, Parlor Tricks, andKiss of Venom, are the other titles in her Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. The Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtime paranormal romance series are her other works. For more on Jennifer and her books, visit JenniferEstep.com and @Jennifer_Estep.
Find Jennifer here: Website | Blog | Facebook| Twitter (@Jennifer_Estep) | Goodreads
*****
Poison Promise
Pub Date: 07/22/14
Amazon
In book eleven of her New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series, author Jennifer Estep continues “one of the best urban fantasy series going on the market” (Fresh Fiction).
Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.
There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…
I love, love, love this series!! I think my fav character is a toss up between Gin and Finn 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
GIN!!!
My favorite character is definitely Gin, but JoJo and Sophia are pretty awesome too.
do I have to pick just one 🙁 i love them all
Uhm. I love Finn, he’s hilarious! And Sophia is pretty cool too
I love all the characters in this series that’s what makes it so good. I love that Fin is so much fun, I think he keeps Gin from being to depressed and dark. I love Owen because his strong for Gin and accepts her for who she is. But of course I love Gin the most because she’s such a strong independent person and I really like reading about strong independent women. It’s such a nice change from the delicate flowers waiting around for a man to save them.
My favorite character is Gin! She is so strong but she also loves so fierce all the people in her life!
Gin, of course. Although several other characters are tied for my second favorite character!
Love the books can’t wait to read the new one!!
Gin. No one else can rival her awesomeness in the series.
I pick Gin.
Don’t have one; haven’t read it
That’s a difficult decision….I love Finn – he makes me laugh. Owen – who wouldn’t want a loving and understanding boyfriend.
Hi, everyone! I want to say thanks again to the folks at Books-N-Kisses for featuring me on the blog. I appreciate it and all the nice words about my books/characters. Glad that you are all digging Gin and her adventures. Happy reading, everyone!
Gin!!