Jennifer Estep - Venom

More praise for Jennifer Esteps thrilling Elemental Assassin series SPIDERS BITE

Bodies litter the pages of this first entry in Esteps engrossing Elemental Assassin series. Urban Fantasy fans will love it.

Publishers Weekly

When it comes to work, Esteps newest heroine is brutally efficient and very pragmatic, which gives the new Elemental Assassin series plenty of bite. Shades of gray rule in this world where magic and murder are all too commonplace. The gritty tone of this series gives Estep a chance to walk on the darker side. Kudos to her for the knife-edged suspense!

Romantic Times

The fast pace, clever dialogue, and intriguing heroine help make this new series launch by the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series one to watch.

Library Journal

Loaded with action and intrigue, the story is strong and exciting. With a knock-out, climactic ending and a surprising twist that I didnt see coming, I was definitely impressed. This dark, urban fantasy series has a promising start.

SciFiChick.com

Electrifying! Jennifer Estep really knows how to weave a fantasy tale that will keep you reading way past your bedtime.

ReadingwithMonie.com

The Elemental Assassin titles are also available as eBooks

Spiders Bite is a raw, gritty, and compelling walk on the wild side, one that had me hooked from the first page. Jennifer Estep has created a fascinating heroine in the morally ambiguous Gin BlancoI cant wait to read the next chapter of Gins story.

Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author of Archangels Kiss

Watch out world, here comes Gin Blanco. Funny, smart, and dead sexy.

Lilith Saintcrow, author of Flesh Circus

I love rooting for the bad guyespecially when shes also the heroine. Spiders Bite is a sizzling combination of mystery, magic, and murder. Kudos to Jennifer Estep!

Jackie Kessler, author of Shades of Gray

Jennifer Estep is a dark, lyrical, and fresh voice in urban fantasy. Brimming with high-octanefueled action, labyrinthine conspiracies, and characters who will steal your heart, Spiders Bite is an original, fast-paced, tense, and sexy read. Gin is an assassin to die for.

Adrian Phoenix, author of Black Dust Mambo

A sexy and edgy thriller that keeps you turning the pages. In Spiders Bite, Jennifer Estep turns up the heat and suspense with Gin Blanco, an assassin whose wit is as sharp as her silverstone knives. Shell leave no stone unturned and no enemy breathing in her quest for revenge. Spiders Bite leaves you dying for more.

Lisa Shearin, national bestselling author of Bewitched and Betrayed

KARMA GIRL

Chick lit meets comics lit in Esteps fresh debut. A zippy prose style helps lift this zany caper far above the usual run of paranormal romances.

Publishers Weekly

Secret identities and superpowers take on a delightful and humorous twist in Esteps exciting debut. Fun and sexy. Heres hoping for more Bigtime adventures from this impressive talent.

Romantic Times

Hilarious and, an even better trick, real. Who among us can say wed seize our destiny the way brokenhearted Carmen does? Karma Girl kicks ass!

MaryJanice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of Undead and Unfinished

Outrageously entertaining. Jennifer Esteps exciting new voice will leap into readers hearts in a single bound.

Rachel Gibson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing But Trouble

HOT MAMA

Snappy and diverting.

Entertainment Weekly

Smokin. Feverishly clever plotting fuels Esteps over-the-top romance.

Publishers Weekly

Its back to Bigtime, NY, for more sexy, sizzling and offbeat adventures with those zany superheroes. Esteps twist on the world of superheroes is kick-ass fun!

Romantic Times

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN
THE ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SERIES
BY JENNIFER ESTEP

Spiders Bite

Web of Lies

The sale of this book without its cover is unauthorized. If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that it was reported to the publisher as unsold and destroyed. Neither the author nor the publisher has received payment for the sale of this stripped book.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2010 by Jennifer Estep

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

First Pocket Books paperback edition October 2010

POCKET and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or business@simonandschuster.com.

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.

Cover design and illustration by Tony Mauro

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-1-4391-4801-3
ISBN 978-1-4391-5545-5 (ebook)

As always, this book is dedicated to my mom, grandma,
and Andre. Your love and support make me a better person.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks go out to all the folks who help turn my crazy words into a real book.

Thanks to my super agent, Annelise Robey, and to my equally super editors, Megan McKeever and Lauren McKenna, for all their editorial advice, input, and encouragement. Writing about Gin wouldnt be nearly as much fun without your support.

Thanks to everyone who read the rough draft of Venom and helped me with a plot point. Your comments were insightful and greatly appreciated.

And finally, to all the readers out there. Its been a pleasure sharing Gin and her adventures with you.

Happy reading!

1

The bastards never even would have gotten close to me if I hadnt had the flu.

Coughing, sneezing, aching, wheezing. That was me. Gin Blanco. Restaurant owner. Stone and Ice elemental. Former assassin. And all-around badass. Laid low by a microbe.

It had started as a small, ominous tickle in my throat three days ago. And now, well, it wasnt pretty. Watery eyes. Pale face. And a nose so red and bright even Rudolph would have been jealous. Ugh.