Guest Post & Giveaway ~ Jennifer Estep Author of "Spider's Bite"

When I contacted  Author Jennifer Estep for a Guest Spot after reading her latest Urban Fantasy Novel "Spider's Bite" An Elemental Assassin Book, (first in the series) and she said yes, you better believe this princess was doing the "happy dance"! In case you don't know what that is, you kinda' shake your hips and throw your arms up in the air and then, at the same time while making two fists and singing "WOOO -- WOOO" or somtimes I throw in a "Go Me,  Go Me,  GO-HO GO MEE-HEE".  Admit it...you just did that, you TOTALLY did! You did the happy dance!  C'mon... admit to it...  Alright. Alright. I have WAY more important things planned for today, but I swear, try it later on and you'll be happy ALL day!

This isn't the first book of Jennifer's I've read, it's just the first one that I've gotten to share with you!  Spider's Bite was just made available for purchase yesterday on the 26th of January and I am not kidding when I say
"Don't walk, RUN out and get it!" 

Along with her Guest Post, Jennifer has been nice enough to offer a *signed* copy of "Spider's Bite" for one of my reader's to win! So if this excites you in ANY way, I suggest you keep reading!  First let me tell you a little bit about the book and then I'm going to give Jennifer the mic! What? Like you didn't know I had a mic? This is a CASTLE people, we have EVERYTHING!

 
 
About Spider's Bite -
 
My name is Gin, and I kill people.


They call me the Spider. I’m the most feared assassin in the South—when I’m not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don’t use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I’m out for revenge. And I’ll exterminate anyone who gets in my way—good or bad. I may look hot, but I’m still one of the bad guys. Which is why I’m in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I’m battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction . . . especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

Gin Blanco is Fantastic! I love EVERYTHING about her! I can already tell that this series is a keeper for me! I absolutely loved the "Big Time" novels, but this is something totally different! And I can almost guarantee that if you're a lover of Urban Fantasy or just a strong female heroine, then get ready for a ride that you won't want to end! Don't believe me? Well...

You can read the entire first Chapter Here!
For a whole list of Jennifer's Books -- Go Here!


About the Author - Jennifer Estep

By night, Jennifer Estep is an author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes 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.
The first book in the series, Spider’s Bite, will be released on Jan. 26, 2010 by Pocket Books. Web of Lies, the second book in the series, will be released in June 2010, with Venom, the third book, to follow in October 2010.

Jennifer is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series for Berkley. The Bigtime books feature sexy superheroes, evil ubervillains, and smart, sassy gals looking for love. Titles in the Berkley series include Karma Girl (2007), Hot Mama (2007), and Jinx (2008).

By day, Jennifer is an award-winning features page designer for a daily newspaper with a wide range of media and journalism experience. She’s also a certifiable fangirl and an authority on fantasy literature and culture. Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and other writing groups.

Jennifer’s books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Southern Living, and a variety of other publications.

And now I promise to stop talking and turn the mic over to Jennifer! Please make her feel welcome!

*Standing Ovation From The Crowd*

Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Amy for asking me to guest blog. Thanks so much, Amy!

My name is Jennifer Estep, and I write the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books, The first book in the series, Spider’s Bite, was released on Jan. 26. Spider’s Bite focuses on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who finds herself double-crossed on her latest hit and framed for a murder that she didn’t even commit. Along the way, Gin teams up with a sexy detective to find out who set her up and why – too bad the detective wants her dead as well for killing his partner. Only one thing is certain – if Gin has her way, then someone’s going to die …

Spider’s Bite is my first foray into urban fantasy, which is one of my favorite genres to read and write in. Why do I like urban fantasy so much? Here are some of the reasons why:

1) Really strong heroines: Nobody can kick magical butt like an urban fantasy heroine, whether it’s Rachel Morgan in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison or Laurell K. Hamilton’s vampire hunter Anita Blake.

2) Cool magic worlds: One of my favorite things about urban fantasy is the variety of worlds to explore, from gritty cities to spooky castles and everything in between.

3) Interesting creatures: Vampires, werewolves, fairies, zombies, dwarves, giants, pixies, gremlins … if it’s creepy, crawly, nasty, sexy, scary, or just plain evil, it’s in urban fantasy.

4) Action scenes: There’s nothing I love reading more than a good action scene, when everything’s on the line and all hope seems lost. But somehow, the heroine always manages to save the day – and usually blows something up while she does it.

5) Sexy guys: After a hard day of fighting the undead, it’s always good to have a sexy guy to come home too – another reason that urban fantasy heroines are so darn lucky.

Now, all of these things are awesome enough by themselves. But do you want to know what the really cool thing about urban fantasy is? The fact that you can get all of these things – strong heroines, interesting magic, creepy creatures, great action, and sexy guys – in one book. I like books with a little bit of everything in them, and so writing and reading urban fantasy is right up my alley. And I have a feeling that I’ll be enjoying all that the genre has to offer for many years to come.

What about you guys? What do you like about urban fantasy? What are some of your favorite urban fantasy books? Share in the comments.

SPIDER'S BITE GIVEAWAY!!

This book is going to be signed and sent from Jennifer herself

So, I ask that you have a US or Canadian Address that the

book can be sent to! It's open to anyone that FOLLOWS

with either a US or Canadian Address in which to receive the book.

Most important you must follow through Google Friend Connect!

Don't know how? Go here to get instructions!

I want you to head on over to JENNIFER ESTEP'S site and tell me one thing you've learned or I want you to think of a question you'd like to ask Jennifer! You MUST do this step to QUALIFY! If you choose the question option, you get +25 per question you ask with a limit of TWO QUESTIONS per person. leaving you with a total of +50 for asking Jennifer TWO QUESTIONS that have to do with today's post, her writing, her series, something VALID please!

Also to qualify, I ask that you please leave your name/nickname

in each post you leave.  Something that separates you from everyone else

so that it will be clear if you are chosen as the winner.  You must also leave

 me with your emailing address so that you can be contacted (even if it is in your profile).

This contest is open to ANYONE that Follows with GFC - Anywhere In the WORLD!

*But, you MUST have either a U.S. or CANADIAN ADDRESS to

accept the book for you. Overseas shipping is not available for this contest!

*This Contest ends 2/24/10*

Entries

There are Changes so Make Sure You Read!

+5 If you Subscribe by Mail

+5 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway (Leave Link)

+10 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see link at bottom of blog)

+10 If you add me to your blog roll (and link it back to my blog)

+10 If you Blog about the Contest in your Sidebar (Link back)

+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (Link back)

+20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (Leave @name)

+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

So, spread the word about Park-Avenue Princess!

It's only a *Click* to Follow and We're NOT that far away!!

103 New Followers to be Exact!

And Because I'd like to get to my 1,000th Follower and

Huge Giveaway as Quickly As Possible

I'll now be offering...

+50 for each and every NEW follower you bring me

(They just have to mention it in their post! You will BOTH Get the Points!)

YES EVERY PERSON YOU SEND!

(All of these will be verified before they count towards your entries!!)

Separate your entries one per post! (either each or just +5 for example)

Or you will only have One Entry Regardless of What You Do!

So...SPREAD the Word! It's ONLY A Click & a Follow!

We need 103 new followers for the BIG CELEBRATION!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!!

KISSES and TOODLES!!