Review: Only Rogue Actions (Galactic Bonds #5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Rogue Actions

Series: Galactic Bonds #5

Previous books in this series: Only Bad Options (#1) | Only Good Enemies (#2) | Only Hard Problems (#3) | Only Cold Depths (#4)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: October 14th 2025

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: A WOMAN WHO DREAMS OF THE FUTURE...

Once upon a time, I was Vesper Quill, a lowly lab rat using my seer magic and engineering skills to repair broken appliances at a Regal-owned corporation. These days, I’m one of the most infamous and wanted fugitives in the Archipelago Galaxy, along with Kyrion Caldaren, my partner.

Kyrion and I are hiding out on a distant planet when we are offered a chance to train at a prestigious facility in hopes of better understanding our truebond, the psionic connection that lets us share thoughts, feelings, skills, and more.

Mastering our magic is the only way we can hope to defeat our many enemies and make my dreams of a safe future a reality, so Kyrion and I accept the invitation. But evil forces are at work, and our training exercise is not what it seems, plunging us both into another deadly situation with only bad options.

A MAN WHO CAN’T ESCAPE HIS PAST...

I’ve always been Kyrion Caldaren, a Regal lord with telekinesis, telepathy, telempathy, and other powerful psionic abilities. I might have gone rogue from the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite warriors, but my fighting skills are as sharp and deadly as ever.

Vesper Quill and I need help with our truebond, so we agree to participate in a rigorous training exercise designed to test the depths of our connection. But a new enemy has other plans, and we’re soon separated and confronted with one dangerous obstacle after another.

But my love for Vesper is stronger than any forces set against us, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make my way back to her—and kill anyone who gets in my way.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

This is one of my favorite series because I love the blend of sci-fi and fantasy... and this is also by one of my favorite authors 😆

Review: A Touch of Treachery (Section 47 #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: A Touch of Treachery

Series: Section 47 #3

Previous books in this series: A Sesnse of Danger (#1) | Sugar Plum Spies (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: August 26th 2025

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep serves up a new, action-packed adventure in her Section 47 urban fantasy world. This series features secrets, lies, and superspies with amazing magical abilities, along with dangerous missions, double crosses, and a swoon-worthy romance. Perfect for fans of Alias, James Bond, Jason Bourne, Nikita, True Lies, and Netflix’s Bodyguard.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS . . .

My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m on a mission to capture my nemesis. As an analyst for Section 47, a secret spy organization, I use my magical form of synesthesia to track down paramortal criminals, but one villain keeps eluding me—Henrika Hyde.

Henrika claims to have answers about my father’s death on a Section 47 mission years ago, and she has also created a horrific new weapon capable of killing even the strongest paramortals, which makes her my number one target. Helping me is Desmond Percy, a powerful galvanist who is my partner both inside and outside Section 47.

Desmond wants to take Henrika down just as badly as I do, but our mission quickly goes sideways, and soon we’re surrounded by enemies on all sides with no idea whom we can truly trust.

A TROUBLING FUTURE . . .

The name Desmond Percy is well known inside Section 47, since I’m one of the organization’s top cleaners, aka assassins. Charlotte Locke and I have been tracking Henrika Hyde for months, and when we finally get a lead on her location, we jump at the chance to take down the weapons maker once and for all.

I’m determined to help Charlotte get the answers she is so desperately seeking, as well as taking my revenge on Henrika for killing my best friend.

But the deeper Charlotte and I dig into Henrika and her murky motives, the more dangerous our mission becomes. Henrika is playing her own spy game, and Charlotte and I are just the pawns she is using to achieve her own evil ends—caught up in a deadly legacy of treachery.

My rating: ★★★★★

I think it goes without saying that I loved this book. Jennifer Estep is my favorite author, so I can definitely be biased 😆 But it really was good! We haven't had a new book in this series for quite some time, so I was particularly excited about that, especially because urban fantasy remains my favorite genre to this day. And this series is filled with spies, assassins, and a ton of really cool magic! I love it!

Review- Write Your Own Cake: Tips for Writing a Long Series (Write Your Own Series #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Write Your Own Cake: Tips for Writing a Long Series

Series: Write Your Own Series #2

Previous book in this series: Write Your Own Cake: A Worldbuilding Essay

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, nonfiction, writing

Publication date: January 14th, 2025

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep continues her Write Your Own Cake series with an essay about creating and authoring a long book series. Estep is the author of more than 50 fantasy and science-fiction books, including the long-running Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

Writing a book is hard. But writing book after book with the same characters and settings? Well, that is even harder.

Whether you are penning epic fantasy adventures, pulse-pounding thrillers, or swoon-worthy romances, writing a book series comes with its own unique challenges. This essay offers some tips and tricks for setting up your initial worldbuilding and magic system in anticipation of writing multiple books in the same series. It also offers suggestions on characters, tropes, and more that can help keep an ongoing book series fresh and interesting for both authors and readers.

Note: Write Your Own Cake: Tips for Writing a Long Series is a 2,100-word essay about writing and worldbuilding.

My rating: ★★★★☆

This is Jennifer Estep’s second book in this Write Your Own Series, which is nonfiction and all about how to write books and series and all that good writing/author stuff. I mentioned in my review of that previous book that I will literally read anything this woman writes, even this. Lol. And here we are again! 😆

Review: Only Cold Depths (Galactic Bonds #4) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Cold Depths

Series: Galactic Bonds #4

Previous books in this series: Only Bad Options (#1) | Only Good Enemies (#2) | Only Hard Problems (#3)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: October 29th 2024

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC from the author for review

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Synopsis: A WOMAN WHO CAN’T CONTROL HER POWER . . .

Everyone knows the name Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat working in a Regal-owned corporation, but thanks to my truebond with Kyrion Caldaren, I’m now one of the most wanted fugitives in the Archipelago Galaxy.

Kyrion and I have spent the last few weeks avoiding bounty hunters, along with the Arrows, the elite Imperium warriors tasked with capturing us. Now we’ve journeyed to a distant planet that’s supposed to be a refuge for truebonded couples, but when new enemies appear, we’re once again in grave danger.

As a seer, inventor, and engineer, I’m skilled at figuring out how things work, but I can’t quite understand my growing magic and newfound psionic abilities. The clock is ticking, and if I don’t figure out how to tap into my power, I’ll doom myself to a gruesome fate, along with Kyrion.

A MAN WHO CAN’T LET GO OF HIS FEAR . . .

As Kyrion Caldaren, I’m used to being respected and feared, especially given my telekinesis, telepathy, telempathy, and other powerful psionic abilities. What I’m not used to is being on the run, but as a rogue Arrow, I’ll do anything to protect Vesper.

Just when I think we’ve finally reached a safe haven, trouble finds us again, reigniting all my fears about losing Vesper.

When the cold depths of our enemies’ plan are finally revealed, the truth is more terrifying than anything I could imagine. Soon Vesper and I are fighting for our lives again, but even with our growing truebond power, this is one battle we might not survive.

My rating: ★★★★★

It probably goes without saying, but I loved this book 😆

Review: Only Hard Problems (Galactic Bonds #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Hard Problems

Series: Galactic Bonds #3

Previous books in this series: Only Bad Options (#1) | Only Good Enemies (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: February 20th 2024

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC from author

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Synopsis: PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE...

My name is Zane Zimmer. To most folks, I live a seemingly charmed life as a Regal lord and the heir apparent to the powerful, wealthy House Zimmer, and the gossipcasts breathlessly follow my every swaggering move across the Archipelago Galaxy. I’m also a powerful psion capable of telekinesis, telepathy, and telempathy, and my deadly skills and prowess with my stormsword have made me the golden boy of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force.

But even golden boys have bad days, and the truth is I have more hard problems than I can solve.

The Techwave is building weapons to use against the Arrows in hopes of toppling the Imperium and taking over the galaxy. But even more worrisome is the fact that my old rival Kyrion Caldaren has a powerful new ally in Vesper Quill. Together, the two of them just might destroy everything I’ve sworn to protect.

I’m supposed to be relaxing with the other Regals during the Summer Solstice celebration, but when an enemy threatens the festivities, I’m forced to leap into action. As an Arrow, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family and the other Regals, even though my actions will cause only more problems—and just might end up being the death of me . . .

Note: Only Hard Problems is a 47,000-word book from the point of view of Zane Zimmer. It takes place after Only Good Enemies, book 2 in the Galactic Bonds science-fiction fantasy series.

My rating: ★★★★★

I love Zane so I was very excited when I found out we were going to get a novella in his POV! And I was even more excited when said novella turned into a full-length novel! More Zane!

Review- Stings and Stones: An Elemental Assassin Short Story Collection by Jennifer Estep

Title: Stings and Stones

Series: Elemental Assassin

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 28th 2023

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review (but I also bought a paperback lol)

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Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep serves up an Elemental Assassin short story collection featuring danger, magic, and a touch of romance. Perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Faith Hunter.

Flash back to one of Gin Blanco’s many missions as the assassin the Spider. Learn more about Gin’s relationships with her mentor, Fletcher Lane, and her foster brother, Finnegan Lane, and see what trouble the other characters get themselves into when Gin’s not around. From a ghost’s lost love to a villain’s origin story, this action-packed collection has something for every urban fantasy and paranormal romance fan.

The Stings and Stones collection features ten short stories told by various characters:

“Spider’s Bargain” — Gin Blanco
“Web of Death” — Gin Blanco
“Web of Deceit” — Fletcher Lane
“Poison” — Finnegan Lane
“Wasted” — Finnegan Lane
“Tangled Dreams” — Jo-Jo and Sophia Deveraux
“Tangled Schemes” — Bria Coolidge
“Spider’s Nemesis” — Mab Monroe
“Haints and Hobwebs” — Gin Blanco
“Parlor Tricks” — Gin Blanco

Note: Stings and Stones is a 67,000-word collection of Elemental Assassin short stories. Some of the stories previously appeared on Jennifer Estep’s website, while others have been featured in anthologies. The print book of Stings and Stones also includes Spider and Frost, a crossover novella featuring Gin Blanco from the Elemental Assassin series and Gwen Frost from the Mythos Academy series.

My rating: ★★★★★

I’ve read all of these short stories before but I am so glad that they’re all bundled together in one book now! Yay! This book contains a bunch of Elemental Assassin short stories, all in different POVs. You have Gin, of course, but you also have Finn, Bria, Fletcher, and more characters! It was great!

Review: Spider and Frost (Elemental Assassin #19.6, Mythos Academy #6.5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Spider and Frost

Series: Elemental Assassin #19.6 | Mythos Academy #6.5

Previous books in the Elemental Assassin 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 the Elemental Assassin 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)

| Hearts Stings(#19.5)

Previous books in the Mythos Academy series: First Frost (#0.5) | Touch of Frost (#1) | Halloween Frost (#1.5) | Kiss of Frost (#2) | Dark Frost (#3) | Crimson Frost (#4) | Spartan Frost (#4.5) | Midnight Frost (#5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: September 26th 2023

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep delivers an epic team-up featuring beloved characters from her Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series and her Mythos Academy young adult series. This crossover novella, Spider and Frost, mixes magic and mythology in an action-packed adventure. Perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Rick Riordan.

WHEN AN ASSASSIN . . .

My name is Gin Blanco, and I’m on vacation. Sort of. As the assassin the Spider, it’s hard for me to completely relax, but I’m determined to enjoy a scenic train ride and a nice, quiet lunch before heading back home to Ashland.

My plans change when Gwen Frost boards the train. The girl says she’s heading back to Mythos Academy, the fancy private boarding school, but I can’t shake the feeling that Gwen is hiding something—and is in far more trouble than she realizes.

. . . MEETS A CHAMPION

My name is Gwen Frost. I might have saved the world from Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos, but I’m still chasing down Reaper villains. It’s all part of being the Champion of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

I’ve been assigned to protect some mythological artifacts that are being transported via train to Mythos Academy, but some Reapers are hot on my trail, and they’ll do anything to recover the artifacts—and kill me.

Also on the train is Gin Blanco, who claims to be the owner of the Pork Pit barbecue restaurant. My psychometry magic keeps whispering that there’s more to her than meets the eye, although I can’t tell if Gin is a friend, an enemy, or something else entirely.

Note: Spider and Frost is a 28,000-word crossover novella between the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series and the Mythos Academy young adult series. It is told from the points of view of Gin Blanco and Gwen Frost.

Spider and Frost takes place after the events of Last Strand, book 19 in the Elemental Assassin series.

My rating: ★★★★★

I didn't know what sort of trouble Gwen Frost was in, but I was going to help her get out of it.

I cannot express how excited I was for this novella. I love both the Elemental Assassin series and Mythos Academy, so having a story where Gin Blanco meets Gwen Frost is just-

Review- Write Your Own Cake: A Worldbuilding Essay (Write Your Own Series #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Write Your Own Cake: A Worldbuilding Essay

Series: Write Your Own Series #1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, nonfiction, writing

Publication date: February 2022

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis: When it comes to writing, worldbuilding is like making a cake. Why a cake? Because every author starts with the same general ingredients of characters, plot, and setting, but it’s how each author combines and adds to those ingredients that makes a book an author’s own unique creation.

This essay offers a few tips and poses some questions for figuring out the things you enjoy and do best as an author, so that you can write your own cake, whether it’s a big, bold epic fantasy adventure, a subtle, nuanced mystery, an emotion-packed romance, or something else.

Note: Write Your Own Cake is a 2,000-word essay about writing and worldbuilding. It first appeared as part of the Scribbler subscription box in November 2018.

My rating: ★★★★★

When I say I'll read anything and everything by Jennifer Estep, I literally mean everything...

Review: Only Good Enemies (Galactic Bonds #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Good Enemies

Series: Galactic Bonds #2

Previous book in this series: Only Bad Options

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: July 18th 2023

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: A WOMAN ON A MISSION . . .

My name is Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat, toiling away in obscurity developing brewmakers and other household appliances. But thanks to my seer magic and my own ingenuity, I’m now a Regal lady and the head of a successful corporation.

My mission? To destroy the Techwave, the dangerous group that has stolen my designs and plans to weaponize them against the Imperium. But when my mission takes an unexpected turn, I’m once again surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

Further complicating matters is Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord whose fate is bound to mine. Kyrion doesn’t realize the two of us still have an unwanted connection that puts us both in grave danger . . . or does he?

A MAN SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES . . .

My name is Kyrion Caldaren. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’ve been tasked with tracking down and destroying the Techwave before they seize control of the Archipelago Galaxy.

My other mission? Find a way to assassinate Lord Callus Holloway, the Imperium ruler who wants to take my psion power for his own. Holloway is also a threat to Vesper Quill, who haunts my thoughts, despite the broken bond and distance between us.

When I realize Vesper is in danger, my priorities change, and I vow to use all my telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities to help her. I will save Vesper from her enemies and mine—even if I have to burn down the whole bloody galaxy.

My rating: ★★★★★

I have been eagerly anticipating this book ever since I read Only Bad Options last year. As some of you may or may not know, I’ve been really into sci-fi lately—that is all I want to read these days, so this series came at a perfect time. Especially because it’s so good! This is Jennifer Estep’s first foray into the sci-fi genre, and she is doing it so well! Plus, she weaves fantasy elements into it and it made it that much better! It was so good! I can’t get over it!

Review: Heart Stings (Elemental Assassin #19.5) by Jennifer Estep

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

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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.

My rating: ★★★★★

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? 😆

Review: Conquer the Kingdom (Gargoyle Queen #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Conquer the Kingdom

Series: Gargoyle Queen #3

Previous books in this series: Capture the Crown (#1) | Tear Down the Throne (#2)

Previous series: Crown of Shards

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: March 7th 2023

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from author/Netgalley for review

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Synopsis: Magic reigns, plots abound, and a new love might not conquer all, in this must-read finale to the epic Gargoyle Queen trilogy by international bestselling author Jennifer Estep.

Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn't been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can't tell who is friend—or foe.

Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren't what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.

With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic—or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall...

My rating: ★★★★★

We all knew the same unsettling truth—that we needed to figure out what Milo was plotting before he struck again and finally found some way to conquer my kingdom.

I don't read a lot of high/epic fantasy, but I always give Jennifer Estep's books a shot, no matter the genre, because I know I'll like them. I really enjoyed the Crown of Shards series when I first read it all those years ago, so I was very excited to find out that there would be another series set in the same world. And honestly, I think I liked the Gargoyle Queen series more, which is saying something! So reading this was bittersweet because even though I was excited to see how this series would end, I didn't want it to.

Review: Sugar Plum Spies (Section 47 #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Sugar Plum Spies

Series: Section 47 #2

Previous book in this series: A Sense of Danger

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 8th, 2022

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS...

Most spies take a break for the holidays, but not me, Charlotte Locke. As an analyst for Section 47, a secret spy organization, I normally use my magical form of synesthesia to uncover lies and track paramortal bad guys from the comfort of my cubicle. But tonight I’m going out into the field, along with my partner, Desmond Percy, a powerful galvanist.

Instead of enjoying Christmastime in the city, I’m in a German castle, dressed like a toy soldier and masquerading as a waitress at a swanky Christmas Eve party. My mission? To gather information that will help Section 47 track down a dangerous enemy.

Despite the glitz and glamour, I can’t shake the sense that something is wrong—and that Desmond and I might not leave the party alive.

DANCES OF DEATH...

My name is Desmond Percy, although I’ve had many aliases during my years working as a cleaner for Section 47. But I’ve never had a real partner until Charlotte Locke.

My part of the mission is simple: pretend to be a guest and keep an eye on things at the party while Charlotte uses her synesthesia to track down the information we need. But what starts out as a sugar plum dream quickly turns into a holiday nightmare.

Forget the mission. All I want for Christmas is to keep Charlotte safe.

My rating: ★★★★★

I'm always excited to read a Jennifer Estep book, especially if it's in a new series where there is still so much of the world to explore. The Section 47 Series is full of spies, assassins, and magic—a combination I’m really enjoying!

Literary Nails: Only Bad Options (Galactic Bonds #1) by Jennifer Estep

It's been a minute since I last did some book-inspired nail art, but I read Only Bad Options not that long ago, and I of course loved it, but also the cover is just stunning! I knew I had to attempt some nail art inspired by it!

Review: Only Bad Options (Galactic Bonds #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Bad Options

Series: Galactic Bonds #1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: September 20th 2022

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC from author for review

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Synopsis: Space opera meets Bridgerton in an exciting new science-fiction fantasy adventure by bestselling author Jennifer Estep. Perfect for readers looking for a mix of magic and technology and for fans of soul mates and enemies-to-lovers stories.

A WOMAN WHO SEES EVERYTHING...

Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research and development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp starcruisers, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me.

I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

I don’t think things can get any worse until I meet Kyrion Coldren, an arrogant Regal lord who insists that we have a connection, one that could be the death of us both.

A MAN WHO CAN’T FORGET HIS PAST...

The name Kyrion Coldren strikes fear in the hearts of people across the Archipelago Galaxy. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’m used to being a villain, as well as the personal assassin of Lord Callus Holloway. Even the wealthy Regals who live on the planet of Corion are afraid of me.

But everything changes when I meet Vesper Quill. I might be a powerful psion with telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities, but Vesper sees far too many of my secrets.

Thanks to an arcane, unwanted quirk of psionic magic, the two of us are forced to work together to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and outwit the dangerous enemies who want to bend us to their will.

My rating: ★★★★★

Sometimes in life, you have only bad options.

Ever since Jennifer Estep announced that she was writing this book, I was ALL IN. Last year I fell into this rabbit hole where all I wanted to read was sci-fi, and I’m honestly still there, so this book came at a perfect time for me! Plus, Jennifer has never written sci-fi before, so I was very excited to see what she would do with the genre, and it turns out that it was amazing! I loved this world! But that should come as no surprise because I pretty much love anything this author writes 😆

Review: Tear Down the Throne (Gargoyle Queen #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Tear Down the Throne

Series: Gargoyle Queen #2

Previous series: Crown of Shards

Previous book in this series: Capture the Crown

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: May 3rd 2022

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from author for review

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Synopsis: Bestselling author Jennifer Estep continues her Gargoyle Queen series with a highly anticipated sequel to Capture the Crown: Gemma Ripley must protect her kingdom and herself from threats of war, assassination, and a dangerous attraction that could break her reign... or her heart.

Crown princess. Clever spy. Powerful mind magier. Gemma Ripley of Andvari is all those things, but these days, she’s also extremely worried. Her problem? Figuring out how to stop an enemy’s plot to somehow use magical tearstone weapons to conquer her kingdom.

Gemma’s quest for answers leads her to a trade Summit between the various kingdoms. Among the other royals in attendance is Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta and her son, Prince Leonidas—Gemma’s charming and dangerous nemesis.

Gemma knows that Maeven always has a long game in motion, and sure enough, the cunning queen invokes an arcane tradition that threatens the fragile truce between Andvari and Morta. Despite her best intentions to keep her distance from the Morricones, Gemma once again finds herself thrown together with Leo and battling her growing feelings for the enemy prince.

When a series of deadly attacks shatters the Summit’s peaceful negotiations, Gemma realizes that someone wants to tear the royals down from their thrones—and that this enemy just might succeed...

My rating: ★★★★★

My favorite book of the year last year was, without a doubt, Capture the Crown! I’m not a big fantasy reader—high/epic fantasy, I should specify. But this series, I LOVE IT! But if you know me, it should come as no surprise because you know that Jennifer Estep is one of my favorite authors 😆 Tear Down the Throne was one of my most anticipated books of 2022, and it definitely lived up to my expectations! I absolutely loved it!

Review: A Sense of Danger (Section 47 #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: A Sense of Danger

Series: Section 47 #1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 2021

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC from author

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Synopsis: A SPY . . .

My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m an analyst for Section 47, a secret government agency that tracks terrorists, criminals, and other paramortal bad guys who want to unleash their abilities on an unsuspecting mortal world. I have a magical form of synesthesia that senses danger and uncovers lies—making me a stealthy operative.

I’m trudging through another day when one of Section’s cleaners—assassins—takes an interest in me. I don’t need my synesthesia to realize that he is extremely dangerous and that he will do anything to achieve his goals—even if it means putting me in the line of fire.

. . . AND AN ASSASSIN

I’m Desmond Percy, one of Section 47’s most lethal cleaners. I’m also a man on a mission, and I need Charlotte Locke’s skills to help me keep a promise, settle a score, and kill some extremely bad people.

Charlotte might not like me, but we’re stuck together until my mission is over. Still, the more time we spend together, the more I’m drawn to her. But at Section 47, you never know who you can trust—or who might want you dead.

My rating: ★★★★★

Oh man, I was so excited to dive into a brand new Jennifer Estep world—you guys know how much I love her writing! And I absolutely loved this book! But no one is surprised. Lol.

Review: Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Capture the Crown

Series: Gargoyle Queen #1

Previous series: Crown of Shards

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: July 6th 2021

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from author for review

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Synopsis: Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy.

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne…

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was insanely good. I read this back in February, so it’s been a couple months, but even back then I knew with absolute certainty that this would definitely be one of my most favorite books of 2021! It was THAT good! I loved every second of it!

Review: A Karma Girl Christmas (Bigtime #3.5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: A Karma Girl Christmas

Series: Bigtime #3.5

Previous books in this series: Karma Girl (#1) | Hot Mama (#2) | Jinx (#3)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, paranormal, superheroes

Publication date: September 2011

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis: It's Christmas time in Bigtime, New York, but society reporter Carmen Cole isn't in the mood to celebrate since her husband, Sam, has to go on a business trip and might not make it home for the holiday. But Carmen has plenty to keep her busy, since she moonlights as Karma Girl, a member of the Fearless Five superhero team.

On Christmas Eve, Carmen, as Karma Girl, is assigned to guard toys, clothes, food, and more that are intended for needy children and their families. But an ubervillain also has his eye on the toys and plans to steal and then sell them to the highest bidder. Carmen will have to use all her empathic powers just to stay alive, not to mention make sure Christmas is a happy one for all the kids who are counting on her. It's all in a night's work for a superhero...

Note: This is a 14,000-word story that takes place after the events of Jinx, the third book in the Bigtime series. It can also be read as a stand-alone holiday story.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

So it’s Christmastime and Carmen, aka Karma Girl, is assigned the task of guarding a toy store, because not even the children can have nice things in this world. Not without villains messing things up 😒 The villains in question are Caveman Stan, who is a disgusting misogynist, and The Mintilator. He’s a germaphobe and he makes people wash their hands and floss... WHAT?!

Review: Jinx (Bigtime #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Jinx

Series: Bigtime #3

Previous books in this series: Karma Girl (#1) | Hot Mama (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, paranormal romance, superheroes

Publication date: December 2013 (first published August 2008)

Published by: Jennifer Estep (1st edition by Berkley)

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis: Thanks to her unwanted superpower, fashion designer Bella Bulluci may be the luckiest woman in Bigtime, N.Y. But luck can be good or bad, and it seems like just as many embarrassing things happen to Bella as do positive ones.

Like when a charity event that Bella plans get crashed by Hangman, a deadly ubervillain who's after a prize sapphire that's on display. Hangman almost succeeds in stealing the jewel for his evil ubervillain boss, Prism, but Bella's luck helps her escape with the sapphire—along with some help from the suave and charming Debonair.

Debonair's not an ubervillain, but he's not really a superhero either. Still, Bella can't help but fall for him, despite her personal vow to have as little to do with heroes and villains as possible. But with Hangman and Prism still after the sapphire, Bella's going to need every bit of her luck power just to survive...

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Friends, me and this series are just not getting along. And this is very hard for me to admit because you know I love all things Jennifer Estep 😩 But I have to be honest! My main issue with this series is the instalove. If it wasn’t for that, I feel like I would enjoy it a lot more.

Literary Nails: Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep

I've been wanting to do some Elemental Assassin nail art for a while now, but I've been holding off cause I'd have to hand draw what I wanted to do. BUT book 19 in the series, Last Strand, just came out this past week, so I thought it would be the perfect time to attempt this.