Friday, October 7, 2011

Interview + Giveaway: Jennifer Estep and Spider's Revenge


I'm hugely excited (as always) to welcome author Jennifer Estep back to the blog today to talk a little about her latest urban fantasy release Spider's Revenge. Anyone that reads the blog with some frequency knows I harbor an intense amount of love for Gin and company, and this latest book is my favorite of the series thus far (you can read my review HERE). If you like damaged and flawed characters who draw you in with the dark beauty of their imperfections, then look no further than the Elemental Assassin books!

Warning: This interview does allude to certain events that take place in Spider's Revenge, so if you've yet to pick this one up, read with some caution.

In Spider’s Revenge we finally get the epic showdown between Mab Monroe and Gin. What made you decide to have it take place in book five as opposed to the final book in the series?

Well, I think I still have a lot of Gin stories left to tell, and I didn’t want readers to have to wait until the very end of the series (whenever that may be) to see Gin and Mab finally go toe-to-toe.

Besides, Gin and Mab have been circling around each other for five books now, including Spider’s Revenge. It just made sense to end their story arc here. Hopefully, readers will think that I delivered a truly epic battle between the two of them. Fingers crossed anyway.

Now that Gin is starting to find true happiness with Owen, do you think she would look back on her time with Donovan and change anything? Perhaps say something when she previously kept silent or let him really see how much his poor opinion hurt her?

I don’t know that Gin would change anything that happened between her and Donovan since Donovan leaving is what let her find Owen in the first place. But I do think there are some unresolved issues between Gin and Donovan, and I hope to explore those in a future book.

The Finn/Bria physical relationship progresses a bit in this tale though we don’t get to read too much about it. Is there any chance there might be a Finn/Bria short story in the works with a few more, um, details about their new dynamic?

A couple of folks have asked me about that. Everyone seems to love Finn, which I’m sure he would appreciate. LOL. I think it would be a fun story to write, and I may get to it someday, but I don’t have any plans to write it anytime soon. Right now, I’m pretty busy writing the Elemental Assassin books, along with my Mythos Academy young adult series. But I’ll never say never.

Some of my favorite aspects of Gin’s character are her flaws which are beautifully blended with her strengths to make her feel real and layered. If you asked Gin what she considered her greatest flaw, what might she say?

I think Gin would say that she’s not quite cold-hearted enough. Gin can be ruthless anytime she needs to be, but she just can’t turn away from someone who needs her help – no matter how much trouble it’s going to cause her or how much danger it puts her in.

We know what the runes for Gin, Mab, Owen, JoJo, Bria, and Gin’s late mother and older sister look like, but Finn is currently rune-less. What do you imagine his to be?

Well, Finn is rather shameless about his greedy nature, so it would probably involve money. Finn has a key ring shaped like a dollar sign, and he is very vocal in the books about how much he loves money and the finer things in life. So I think a dollar sign would be as good a rune as any for him. LOL.

Did you go through a lot of different scenarios and outcomes for the Gin/Mab battle, or did you know how things were going to play out all along?

I knew that I wanted Gin and Mab to have a huge battle, and as I’ve been writing the series, I thought about how things might play out and how Gin would pit her magic and wits against Mab’s. A couple of things have cropped up as I’ve been writing, things that I think make the battle even better, so I’ve added those in. I just hope that readers like Spider’s Revenge and think that I’ve done justice to the Gin-Mab story arc.

If Gin were to go on vacation, how many days (or hours) do you think it would take before she found trouble or trouble found her?

Funny you should ask that since that’s pretty much the theme/plot of By a Thread, the sixth book in the Elemental Assassin series that will be out in March 2012. In fact, I’ve been calling that one my Gin on vacation book. But the answer is not long at all. Trouble has a way of finding Gin, and she definitely has a way of dealing with it.

What are you most excited about moving forward with this series now that Gin and Mab have finally battled out their long-standing history?

I wanted to give readers a complete story arc with the first five books in the series, and I hope I’ve done that. But I am excited about moving forward because it gives me a chance to reboot the series a little and focus on some villains besides Mab. I think there are a lot of bad guys for Gin to battle, and I’m having a lot of fun coming up with them and their magic/powers.

Also, I like a happily ever after ending, but I’ve always wondered what really happens after the end of the story. What are the consequences of the heroine killing the villain or slaying the dragon or saving her kingdom? What happens next? What sort of new problems crop up because of the heroine saving the day the first time around?

So that’s definitely something that I’ll be exploring in By a Thread and the seventh Elemental Assassin book (untitled) which will be out in August 2012. Hopefully, folks will want to see what’s next for Gin.

Happy reading, everyone!

Thanks so much for stopping by Jennifer! For more on Jennifer, her Elemental Assassin series, and her fantastic young adult Mythos Academy series you can find additional information here:

Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon

GIVEAWAY

Jennifer is generously offering up a copy of Spider's Revenge to give away on the blog today, yay! To enter, please just leave a comment with a valid email address so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway is open to US residents only and will run through midnight EST on Tuesday, October 11th after which time a winner will be chosen and announced on the blog. Good luck everyone!

SPIDER'S REVENGE

Old habits die hard. And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.

Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen. Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters she hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second. Good thing I’ve got my powerful Stone and Ice magic — and my irresistible lover Owen Grayson — to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me … no matter what I have to do to make that happen.

50 comments:

  1. yippee! I jut recently started this series and have been kicking myself for waiting so long! I didn't really read the whole interview as I don't want to ruin too much of what happens in the book (though I accidentally read a summary and it kind of told me what happens, in a major way, but I knew it was heading in that direction...I'm just curious to see how this progress past that huge point!) but I digress....thanks for holding this giveaway! I can be reached at atselec@gmail.com.

    As always, a pleasure!

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  2. I love that we are getting a mini finish to the arc but that the story will continue on. Awesome giveaway of one of the most awesome books this month.
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

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  3. I love this series! Thanks for the giveaway.


    Van
    Littopandaxpress(At)yahoo(dot)Com

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  4. Thanks for the Jennifer Estep spotlight. Love this series.

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  5. I've loved Jennifers books for a while now. I got addicted to her Big Time series, then Gin, and now her newest teen series is awesome. She's a wonderful writer who knows how to draw you in. I even got my librarian hooked!

    peachgirl82 at yahoo dot com

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  6. Can't wait to check out this series. i've been hearing a lot of really good things about it.

    ~Kayla
    kcrochet002@gmail.com

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  7. I am super excited to read this! Gin is such a kick a@@ chick! I am thinking this will be the next book club book that my girls and i read :)
    kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. LOL- its the hot-pants cover!! Does the giveaway include a pair of hot-pants?? Cause I want a pair of hot-pants please.....:D

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  9. I was really happy with the way the Gin/Mab battle ended. I've been disappointed with lots of scenes that were suppose to be a huge, climatic ending but I was really satisfied with what happened in this book.


    Stephanie G
    sgradel(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. I agree with Jennifer, as much as I love a happy/optimistic ending, I always wonder what life is like after and how things evolve. I have the first book in this series on my bookshelf and I think it's about damn time I pick it up!

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  11. Scarlett -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series so far. If you haven't checked them out yet, there are several free short stories on the Excerpts page of my website.

    Lisa -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series, and I appreciate all the nice words about SPIDER'S REVENGE.

    Van -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Vivien -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying my books.

    Peaches -- Thanks! I appreciate the nice words about my books. If you like the Bigtime series, I've done a new e-story for that series called A KARMA GIRL CHRISTMAS.

    Kayla -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the books.

    Kristina -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series, and I hope you and your club enjoy the book.

    Tina -- Nope, no hot pants are being giving away. LOL.

    Paranormal Haven -- Thanks! I'm glad you liked that scene. I really wanted to deliver on everything I had set up leading to that.

    Rummanah -- Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the post. Hope you enjoy SPIDER'S BITE too.

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  12. I think their showdown was epic. I feel that if Gin wouldn't have suffered as she did it wouldn't have been as realistic. Also, I'd just like to let you know that I had 2 favorite scenes from that book. The first was when Bria comes down and wakes Gin up from her nightmare and stays with her. I was blubbering like a little baby. Sister stories always get me and that one was beautiful and perfect. My second favorite was toward the end, Owen and Gin are together in the bedroom and she is going to go fight Mab the next day and he says what he says and I just wanted to cry and laugh and hug my Kindle. I'm going to stop now because I always ramble too long. I'm excited for the Donovan/Gin future explore because I want her to confront that particular demon. I always love a good ex showdown. :D

    jtheunknown{at}gmail{dot}com

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  13. I haven't started this series yet, mostly because I only have books 3&4 right now, but I really want to read it because it sounds like a series I would really enjoy.

    thanks for the giveaway (the more books I have at the end of the series, the more pressure I can put on myself to get the first two...lol)

    jlynettes @ hotmail . com

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  14. Jen -- Thanks! I'm glad you liked those scenes so much. That's the sort of thing that every author wants to hear. I appreciate all the nice words about the book.

    Sablelexi -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the series.

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  15. I've always wondered too what happens to the hero/heroine after they finish whatever it is they've wanted to do. Do they lead an ordinary life or does something else happen? So, I think it's cool that Estep decided to conclude the Gin and Mab arc before the series ended so that she could explore that question.

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  16. Poor Gin. I wish she could take a proper vaca without any trouble following her. Maybe someday...and on a different planet. Heh.

    Can't wait to get started on this series. It sounds so exciting with its mix of action and romance.

    Pick me!
    missie at theunreadreader.com

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  17. A Canadian Girl -- Thanks! I always wondered that too. In some stories, it seems like getting rid of the villain would just create more problems and more challenges for the heroine to face.

    Missie -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the series. Actually, Gin goes on a vacation in the next book, BY A THREAD. But it doesn't turn out quite like she expected.

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  18. I love this series and couldn't read the last book fast enough. I hope Jennifer is busy on the next one. I have Jenny to thank for getting me started on the series. Thanks to both of you.

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  19. Cathy -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series. And yes, I am busy working on the next two books.

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  20. This is a great series. I love the characters in the books and Gin is an awesome heroine.

    terilhack at gmail dot com

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  21. I just got the first book in this series!!! So excited to start it!!!

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  22. I like that last part, yes what happens after the dragon is slayed and the kingdom saved? Lots can still happen :)

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  23. Teril -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Bookish Brunette -- Thanks! Hope you enjoy SPIDER'S BITE.

    Blodeuedd -- I think so too.

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  24. Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I'm glad to read that Jennifer hopes to explore those unresolved issues between Gin and Donovan. I'd love to see him make a final appearance and grovel a bit...
    Can't wait to read Spider's Revenge!

    angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com

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  25. (not an entry) Oh I loved this interview. Is it bad of me to wish that one book it has Gin kicking Donovan in the bootay? ;)

    TEAM OWEN... no, wait... Owen is MINE (sorry, Jenny... )

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  26. I love the Elemental Assassin series and I can't wait to find out what Gin is up to next in Spider's Revenge.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  27. Fantastic series! I love Gin, she's a badass chick! We need more heroinnes like her!

    I loved the battle between Gin/Mab and I understand what you mean about what happens after. I can't wait until Gin takes her Vacay, this sounds exciting and I don't think I can wait until March 2012!

    Fantstic Blog Post, Jennifer! Thanks, Jenny!

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  28. OOooooohh! I can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

    mystifyingparanormalreviews[at]gmail[dot]com

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  29. Amy -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Melissa -- Thanks! Glad you are digging Owen.

    Barbara -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.

    Kristi -- Thanks! Glad you enjoyed SPIDER'S REVENGE. I appreciate all the nice words about the book.

    Mariya -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.

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  30. "Old habits die hard." I love that phrase! My older sister used to say it all the time, even when it didn't make any sense in the conversation LOL! Sort of like whenever you learn a new cool word and you want to say it as much as you can! x)

    This series sounds SO GOOD! I really need to start it soon! Who doesn't love a kick-butt character like Gin? Plus, I really like the cover!

    Awesome interview! :)

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  31. It is nice to get some closure on the whole Mab thing, and not have to wait till the very end of the series. And I love Gin and can't wait to see what else she gets into in the next installments!

    eyesofblueice (at) gmail (dot) com

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  32. Awesome thank you so much!

    chelle2006 @ aol.com

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  33. Yup...yet another series I must read now. Why, oh why, must you do this to me?!?!

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  34. This is one off my favorite series, yay! Thank you for the giveaway!

    jbronderblogs at aol dot com

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  35. I wanna read this series so bad!!!!

    Heather

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  36. Whoo! Elemental Assasin! I love you Gin! *calmly gets off table top*
    Dollar sign. LOL.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com

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  37. I love the Elemental Assassin series can't wait to read this book thank you for the great giveaway!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  38. Sounds interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!

    mysticsandmoonbeams(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. I can't wait for Gin and Mab throw down! This is just a great series. Thanks for the giveaway!

    tiahmichelle(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. I have so been haunting this tour that I am sure Ms. Estep is going to get sick of seeing my name LOL I would love to read Spider's Revenge. This tour has been fun with a little different something along the way. Thank you for sharing with us today and for the lovely giveaway opportunity.

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  41. I would love to read this! I can't wait to read what happens!!!!

    wade2121(at)gmail(dot]com

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  42. I can't wait to give this series a try, I keep hearing wonderful things about it. Thanks for the chance!

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  43. I love the Elemental Assassin series! Gin is such a wonderful and believable character, and her struggles, relationships, and heart truly make each book in the series a page turner. I have to say that I love Finn! Would love to read about his adventures someday!

    cbabasa810(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. Mimi -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the series. And I like the covers a lot too.

    Lexi -- Thanks! Hope you enjoy the Gin-Mab showdown.

    Michelle -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.

    Melissa -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the series.

    Jessica -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Heather -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the books.

    Linda -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Latishajean -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Darcus -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.

    Tiah -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Denise -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book. And I'm glad you are enjoying the blog tour.

    Wade -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.

    Lieder -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the books.

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  45. I've really been wanting to get my hands on this book. Thanks for hosting the contest.

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  46. I love this author! Not going to enter it since I already won the book! LOL But goodluck to everyone else!

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  47. Perfect timing for this giveaway. I'm working on books 2-4 right now. I just need this one to review, and I've got an Elemental Assassin review for every Friday in November. ;)

    onabookbender [at] gmail [dot] com

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  48. Jasmyn -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.

    Savannah -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the series.

    Amanda -- Thanks! Hope you are enjoying the series.

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  49. I've been meaning to start reading this series--I've only heard good things about it! Thanks for the giveaway op!


    Smiles!
    Lori
    serena423[@]yahoo.com

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  50. Lori -- Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the books.

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