Heart Stings (Elemental Assassin 19.5) by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
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.

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Heart Stings by Jennifer Estep is a novella (19.5 book) from her wonderful Elemental Assassin series.  This novella takes place after Last Strand (finale), and is focused on Lorelei Parker. Lorelei has become friends with Gin and her gang, and with Gin away on vacation, she helps her grandmother plan a wedding, since the last one was destroyed by an attack (Last Strand).

Lorelei is being threatened by the underworld boss, Clyde, who wants to buy her shipping business, and she keeps refusing.  She knows he will attempt to force her to accept, but Lorelei is ready to defend herself and her grandmother, with her elemental ice and metal magic ability. At a restaurant, having dinner with her family, Hugh Tucker stops over to say hello.  The attraction between the two of them sizzles, but both do not trust each other.  Lorelei overhears Tucker accepting a job working for Clyde, and is concerned if he is an enemy to her, or he has other plans. When she and Tucker end up in the same room, the both succumb to their feelings.

At the party, Lorelei is kidnapped by the underworld boss, and she learns the real reason for his wanting her shipping business. Clyde plans to find what he is looking for; he also plans to kill her; as well as kill Tucker. But Lorelei doesn’t worry, as she uses her elemental ice magic to stop Clyde, saving herself and Tucker, who also joins in to help defeat Clyde and his giants.

What follows is an exciting, romantic and wonderful story! I loved seeing Lorelei and Tucker together, as they were very steamy. Since this was a novella, it was nice to spend time with Lorelei, and see how she uses her powers to protect others.  Though I was not a big fan of Tucker in this series, he turned out very good in this story.

Heart Stings was very well written by Jennifer Estep, which was a fun short story, and I loved every minute.  Lorelei was a great heroine in this book. I hope sometime in the future, we get to see the heroes of Elemental Assassin, such as Gin, Finn, Owen, Bria, Silvo, Sophia, Jo Jo, along with Lorelei and Tucker. If you have not read the Elemental Assassin series, it is time for you to start now.

 

Sandy’s Review:

HEART STINGS is instalment 19.5 and novella in Jennifer Estep’s contemporary, adult ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN paranormal/urban fantasy series. This is business woman, ice and metal elemental Lorelei Parker, and vampire Hugh Tucker’s story line. HEART STINGS can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading LAST STRAND for back story and cohesion. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. HEART STINGS takes places approximately one month after the events of book 19-LAST STRAND, and the disastrous wedding reception of Lorelei’s grandmother Mallory Parker and her new husband Stuart Mosley.

NOTE: Heart Stings first appeared in the Dirty Deeds 2 anthology in 2022.

Told from first person perspective (Lorelei Parker) HEART STINGS follows Lorelei, a one time smuggler turned shipyard owner who is struggling with the likes of crime boss Clyde O’Neal. A dead body in her backyard, threats against her life, and vampire Hugh Tucker working for Clyde meant Lorelei Parker was in the direct line of fire, as Clyde O’Neal demanded ownership of Lorelei’s shipping yard but there is something in the shipyard that Clyde desperately wants, and Lorelei is standing in the way of Clyde’s demands.

HEART STINGS is a story of desperation and greed, flirtation and attraction, forgiveness, acceptance and love.The fast paced premise is intriguing and enchanting; the romance is subtle; the $ex scene is passionate; the characters are magical and determined. HEART STINGS is an exciting and interesting addition to the Elemental Assassin series where two previous- secondary characters finds their own happily ever after.

Copies supplied for review

 

 

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