Title: Heart Stings
Series: Elemental Assassin #19.5
Previous books in this series: 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) | Bitter Bite (#14) | Unraveled (#15) | Snared (#16) | Venom in the Veins (#17) | Sharpest Sting (#18) | Last Strand (#19)
Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5) | Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks (#8.1) | Kiss of Venom (#8.5) | Unwanted (#14.5) | Nice Guys Bite (#15.5) | Winter's Web (#17.5)
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Adult, urban fantasy
Publication date: May 9th 2023
Published by: Jennifer Estep
Source: eARC from author for review
Add it on Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | B&N
Synopsis: Heart stings can be the most dangerous wounds of all...Lorelei Parker has had plenty of “heart stings” in her life—moments that are both happy and sad. With her grandmother’s recent marriage, Lorelei has had far more good times than bad lately.That all changes when a ruthless Ashland underworld boss starts threatening her, but Lorelei is determined to figure out why the other crime boss is so interested in her thriving business. She vows to use her elemental Ice and metal magic to do whatever it takes to defend herself and her family.Also in the mix is the mercurial Hugh Tucker. Lorelei doesn’t know what the vampire is up to, or if he’s a friend or an enemy. Tucker might even be something else, something more—if Lorelei can stay alive long enough to figure out whose side he’s really on...Note: Heart Stings is a 38,000-word novella from the point of view of Lorelei Parker. It takes place after the events of Last Strand, book 19 in the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. Heart Stings first appeared in the Dirty Deeds 2 anthology in 2022.
We haven't had anything new in the Elemental Assassin world in a little while, so this novella was such a nice treat! And yes, I did just finish re-reading this series last month, but I still missed it, okay? 😆
This novella takes place about a month after Last Strand, and it is told in Lorelei Parker's POV. I love this character so I was very excited to get a novella in her POV. Especially because of her odd relationship with Tucker, Gin's former sort-of-enemy. Lol. He and Lorelei had this passive aggressive flirting thing going on (as Bria so eloquently put it lol) that I really loved. And you bet that continued in this novella! It was SO good! I loved their banter and the sexual tension between them!
One thing I love about all Jennifer Estep books is the action, and this novella had quite a bit of it. It was great! Like Gin, Lorelei has two different types of Elemental magic: Ice and Metal. Unlike Gin, she doesn't have nearly as much raw power. But that doesn't even matter because it's all about finesse for Lorelei. Lorelei is very smart and uses her magic in some very interesting ways. It was awesome! I always enjoy seeing the ingenious ways the characters get themselves out of sticky situations.
I loved this so freaking much! It was so cute! I love Lorelei so I was really happy to get something in her POV. And I’ve always found Tucker to be a very interesting character because even though he started out as a bad guy who tried to kill Gin multiple times, there was more to the guy. We get to know him a bit more in this novella, and at this point I actually really like him. Especially because he was very sweet at times. Yeah, who would’ve thought. Lol. But yeah, this was great! It may require a re-read before the year is over just to tide me over until the next Elemental Assassin novella comes out in the Fall though 😆
No comments:
Post a Comment