Friday, December 21, 2012

Author Interview, Review and Giveaway: Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep (Mythos Academy #4)

Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: December 24, 2012
Paperback, 384 pages
Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal
 ISBN: 9780758281463
Mythos Academy #4





Interview with Jennifer Estep



What three things do you need in order to write?
JE: I need my computer, my wireless mouse, and some quiet time to write.
 
What's your favorite season?
JE: I like fall and winter the best. I love the warm days and cool nights of fall, and then snow in the winter.
 
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
JE: I think it would be cool to go to Alaska. That’s one place that I’ve always wanted to go. Maybe I’ll get there someday.
 
What your favorite treat at Christmas?
JE: I love dessert, so I love all the sweets at Christmas, especially things like chocolate cake and chocolate fudge.
 
What's the first sentence of Crimson Frost?
JE: The first sentence of Crimson Frost is: “I have a confession to make.”
 
Tell us what is Crimson Frost about.
JE: Crimson Frost is the fourth book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.

In Crimson Frost, Gwen is put on trial for crimes that she didn’t commit, so she has to deal with that, as well as figuring out what the bad guys are up to. Basically, the book and the series are about myths, magic, and monsters.


Dish, who’s your favorite character?
JE: Vic, Gwen’s talking sword, is one of my favorite characters to write. He’s just so snarky and so full of attitude. He’s a lot of fun for me to write.
Crystal: I like Vic too, he has this voice in my head, and it's always been clear.  I just find that funny. I love his snarkiness, now I want a snarky sword :)
 
As a NC girl myself, what made you choose Asheville for the setting for the Mythos Academy?
JE: I thought the area would be a cool setting for the book, so that’s why I came up with the fictional town of Cypress Mountain, where the academy is located.
 
What can we expect next from you?
JE: Crimson Frost will be out on Dec. 24. Midnight Frost, the fifth book in my Mythos Academy series, is set to be published in August 2013. Folks can visit my website at www.jenniferestep.com for more information on my books.
 
Thanks Jennifer!
JE: Thanks for hosting me on your blog. I appreciate it. Happy reading, everyone!



My Review:
Another high-octane installment in the Mythos Academy series, Crimson Frost starts with Logan and Gwen's first date that goes all wrong and the end result has Gwen on trial for setting Loki loose. Gwen and her friends know she didn't do it, but can they prove it in time to save her?

I loved this book. I have loved this series from the start. I adore Gwen and her "not-so-sure about herself" self. I love that she has friends that will stick with her through thick and thin and I love that she has a snarky sword that Jennifer mentions in my interview with her.  I love that all of this can tie together in book after book and keep me reading.  I will confess to being scared before I read this. I read a review that kind of scared me, but then I read the book myself and found out that that review did not apply to me. Again we're all different.  I felt this book was fresh even though it did have Gwen on trial and reviewed things she had done.  I felt the characters continued to grow and were more developed and as most of you know that is one of my favorite things.  And it added some characters as well.  There was a lot of fresh material, and plenty to keep you interested from beginning to end.

The action definitely keeps the book moving.  This is another example where my husband was watching You Tube videos and usually I am easily distracted, but I was so absorbed in Crimson Frost I was able to tune out all that was going on around me.  That is the mark of a truly good book to me.  Ms. Estep brought me right into Mythos Academy and among Gwen and her friends and gave me a front row seat.  I was hooked from the first page until the last and I will be eagerly awaiting Midnight Frost.  Do I really have to wait until August?

If you enjoy the Mythos Academy books, then this is another solid installment that reveals more about the world and the characters.  The writing and pacing is solid.  The book is intriguing and very hard to put down once you start.  And it will leave you eager for the next book in the series.  Thank you Ms. Estep for another entertaining book in this series!


My Rating: 4.75/5.0


About the Book:
For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…


About the Author (from Goodreads.com): 
Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin adult urban fantasy series for Pocket. Books in the series are SPIDER'S BITE, WEB OF LIES, VENOM, TANGLED THREADS, SPIDER'S REVENGE, BY A THREAD, and WIDOW'S WEB. THREAD OF DEATH, an e-novella, is also available.

HAINTS AND HOBWEBS: AN ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SHORT STORY can be found in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE.

DEADLY STING, the eighth book, is set to be released on March 26, 2013.

Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington.

Books in the series are TOUCH OF FROST, KISS OF FROST, and DARK FROST. CRIMSON FROST, the fourth book, is set to be released on Dec. 24, 2012.

FIRST FROST, a prequel e-story to the series, is available as a download. HALLOWEEN FROST, an e-short story, is available in the ENTANGLED e-anthology.

Jennifer is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series. Books in the superhero-themed series are KARMA GIRL, HOT MAMA, JINX, and NIGHTINGALE. A KARMA GIRL CHRISTMAS, an e-story, is also available.

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Giveaway:
Thanks to Jennifer, I have one copy of Crimson Frost (paperback) to give away (US only).  Just use the Rafflecopter below.  Ends 12/31, I'm giving this one a little more time due to the busy holiday season. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


FTC Information: I received this book from the author through her publisher for an honest review.