Journal Entry 1 by cheesygiraffe from Florence, Alabama USA on Thursday, April 29, 2010

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. 

Journal Entry 2 by cheesygiraffe at PUF, BookObsessed Swap -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (5/6/2010 UTC) at PUF, BookObsessed Swap -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to Rianonne.
Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 3 by Rianonne from Wien Bezirk 22 - Donaustadt, Wien Austria on Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Arrived safe and sound in Vienna! Thanks a lot for sending cheesy :-) 

Journal Entry 4 by Rianonne at Wien Bezirk 22 - Donaustadt, Wien Austria on Sunday, August 22, 2010

Gin Blanco is an assassin with a vivid back story, yet I know there is so much more to her that has not yet been revealed. Her character is such an extreme contrast to her reluctant lover, Donovan Caine. I found myself identifying more with Gin's jaded bitterness than with Caine's upright morality. I like Finn, Gin's just like but not quite a brother, very much especially the way her gets her to show a lighter, more personable side.
The concept of Elementals holds a lot of promise and dwarves, vampires and giants also make large appearances which I liked a lot.
Heavy on action and mystery, "Spider's Bite" has a completely fulfilling story that includes a bonus cliffhanger ending which promises more of the same intensity seen here. There is a very dark, in-your-face quality that might deter urban fantasy fans that enjoy lighter fare. Bold and not afraid to get her hands dirty (or her entire body covered in blood), Gin Blanco kept me completely captivated and left me eager to dig right into the sequel. I'm such a licky girl to have it here already, thanks to Amberkatze :-)