Fandemic by Jennifer Estep

Series: Bigtime #5
129 p.
Published: 6/2/15
Source: From author for review

Piper Perez has always wanted to be a superhero. Always wanted to wear a cool costume, have amazing abilities, and save the day. There’s just one problem—Piper doesn’t have any superpowers.

So she focuses on other things. Facts, figures, memorabilia. Piper knows and collects it all, about both the superheroes and the ubervillains who roam the streets of Bigtime, N.Y. Piper’s friends jokingly call her a fandemic—someone who is a superfan of all things superhero. The nickname is truer than anyone knows, especially since Piper can’t stop thinking about Swifte, the speedy hero who broke her heart months ago.

But someone has been killing off Bigtime’s heroes and villains. When one of Piper’s friends is murdered, she vows to do whatever she can to help bring the killer to justice, superpowers or not. All the clues and information she gathers lead her to believe that Swifte is the killer’s next target. Piper has always wanted to be a hero, and now she’ll have to use all of her fandemic knowledge to save the man she loves—or die trying…

My thoughts:

Another Bigtime book! I so enjoy these tongue in cheek superhero books! I was also very curious about this couple, Piper and Swifte, and I was so happy to get this one in my hot little hands! :) This is also a great series for those that enjoy Jennifer Estep's other stories since there are tidbits (or easter eggs) from this world that leak into the other worlds. It makes everything just a bit more fun!

While this is a short story, it isn't short on romance. You are introduced to this couple in another book and so I actually recommend reading these in order. One story does tend to build on the others and I also think it is important in the way the characters are introduced in the series. So you are pretty well versed on these characters here and that is why I think this short book works. For example, the romance is fast but it doesn't feel like instalove since we knew of them prior. I also love the action in these stories and not all the heroes in these books have power. It is no different in this particular story.

I give this book 4 stars. It is another fun adventure into the superhero world of Bigtime. I recommend it to fans of Jennifer Estep and those that want something fun.

Available for $2.99

Amazon Kindle / Barnes & Noble / GooglePlay / iBooks /Kobo / Smashwords
Karma Girl (Bigtime #1) is on sale in the same places for $.99!

Guest Author Post: Jennifer Estep and Bigtime Superheros

Greetings! First of all, I want to say thanks to Melissa for hosting me on her blog today. Thanks so much, Melissa.

I recently e-published Nightingale, the fourth book in my Bigtime superhero paranormal romance series. The book focuses on event planner Abby Appleby, who finds herself in the middle of a battle between sexy superhero Talon and his evil ubervillain nemesis Bandit.

So today, I thought I would talk about some of the things that all superheroes (and ubervillains) need. Here goes:

A cool costume: We all know that a hero is only as cool as his or her costume. You want something with a sleek design in a color that reflects your personality or perhaps even your superpower. Just don’t go too over the top with things. Folks will probably take you a little more seriously if you wear dark-colored leather, rather than a neon yellow, plaid spandex suit with orange polka dots.

Superpowers: What would a hero be without a superpower or two? Whether you have the ability to shoot fire out of your fingertips or can bench-press a car with one hand, your superpower goes a long way in determining what kind of hero you are and how you fight evil. 

Gadgets: Of course, you can still be a hero, even if you don’t have an actual superpower. All you need are some gadgets to help you through those sticky situations. Like Talon, who uses an electro-shock visor, among other things, to help him fight evil. 

A secret lair: You have to store all those extra costumes and quirky gadgets somewhere, so what better place than a secret lair? Just make sure it’s someplace where your significant other, best friend, or mom or dad won’t accidentally stumble into it.

A secret identity: It’s hard to be a hero without having a secret identity. If you don’t want to have to pay the bills for all the property damage from your latest fight with your ubervillain nemesis, then it’s best to keep your real identity a mystery to everyone – including that cute guy you keep saving from bad situations over and over again.

So there you have it. Some essential items for every superhero (and ubervillain). What about you guys? What do you think superheroes and ubervillains need?

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times bestselling author. Books in her Bigtime superhero paranormal romance series include Karma Girl, Hot Mama, and Jinx. A Karma Girl Christmas, an e-story, is also available.

Jennifer also writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books and the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. Visit www.jenniferestep.com for more information about her books.

Where to get the Bigtime series:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Nightingale

by Jennifer Estep 

Anxious brides. Drunken businessmen. Panicked partygoers. As Bigtime, New York’s premiere event planner, Abby Appleby is capable of handling almost any crisis, but even she’s not prepared when she finds herself in the middle of a fight between superhero Talon and his ubervillain nemesis Bandit. Abby manages to save Talon, but the superhero is temporarily blinded, so she takes him back to her loft, where the two wait out a snowstorm. During a blizzard that shuts down the city, Abby and Talon grow close, and he starts calling her Nightingale because of her love of music and singing. 

But Abby is afraid of what Talon will think when he can see the real her, so she conceals her identity from the sexy superhero, and they go their separate ways. However, Abby discovers that Talon is looking for Nightingale, looking for her—and so is Bandit. The mercenary ubervillain thinks that Abby has information that belongs to his boss, the mysterious Tycoon. Abby knows that she’s in serious trouble and that not even Talon—or the Fearless Five—may be able to save her…

Giveaway! 

To celebrate the new book in this series, Jennifer is giving away this ebook in either the Kindle or Nook formats! Just fill out the form below to enter. Because it is an ebook it's international! Good luck!

Nightingale (Bigtime #4) by Jennifer Estep

Anxious brides. Drunken businessmen. Panicked partygoers. As Bigtime, New York’s premiere event planner, Abby Appleby is capable of handling almost any crisis, but even she’s not prepared when she finds herself in the middle of a fight between superhero Talon and his ubervillain nemesis Bandit. Abby manages to save Talon, but the superhero is temporarily blinded, so she takes him back to her loft, where the two wait out a snowstorm. During a blizzard that shuts down the city, Abby and Talon grow close, and he starts calling her Nightingale because of her love of music and singing. 

But Abby is afraid of what Talon will think when he can see the real her, so she conceals her identity from the sexy superhero, and they go their separate ways. However, Abby discovers that Talon is looking for Nightingale, looking for her—and so is Bandit. The mercenary ubervillain thinks that Abby has information that belongs to his boss, the mysterious Tycoon. Abby knows that she’s in serious trouble and that not even Talon—or the Fearless Five—may be able to save her…

This is Jennifer Estep's Bigtime series. Karma Girl, Hot Momma, and Jinx are the 3 novels prior to this one as well as the novella, A Karma Girl Christmas. You don't have to read them in order, but I do recommend it only because you get a better feel for the characters (some who were former main characters in the other books) appear as secondary characters in this book.

This book, like the others, is just full of fun. It has enough cheesy-ness in the names to make me smile and enough adventure and romance to make it interesting. In this one we have Abby who has super-senses and yet does not want to be a superhero and Talon, a superhero without any super powers (think Batman). They get together in an unusual way and find themselves drawn to each other. I admit I had a bit of a problem with them falling into bed so easily and quickly, but it didn't bug me enough to lose my enjoyment of the whole story.

There was also Abby's self-esteem problem that at times you wanted to shake her and tell her to stop it, but we have all been there and it isn't an easy thing to overcome. Still, would have loved to see her gain confidence a bit earlier in the story. Even so, it made me like "Talon" more when this forced him to be completely straight with Abby about his feelings. This made the romance so much sweeter.

I give this book 4 stars. It's a fun book about superheros and I recommend it to anyone who loves to just sit back and enjoy a story. If you like Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series I think you'll love this one too. The writing is much lighter in tone, but it still has that same sense of adventure. It's very adult and a lot of fun. All the novels run about $3.99 at your favorite ebook seller.

I received this ebook from the author and no compensation for my review was given.

Where to get the Bigtime series:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Smashwords
And guess what? Well, guess! Okay, I'll just tell you... Jennifer Estep is going to be on the blog tomorrow with a post and giveaway!

A Karma Girl Christmas by Jennifer Estep (Bigtime #3.5)

It's Christmas time in Bigtime, New York, but society reporter Carmen Cole isn't in the mood to celebrate since her husband, Sam, has to go on a business trip and might not make it home for the holiday. But Carmen has plenty to keep her busy, since she moonlights as Karma Girl, a member of the Fearless Five superhero team.

On Christmas Eve, Carmen, as Karma Girl, is assigned to guard toys, clothes, food, and more that are intended for needy children and their families. But an ubervillain also has his eye on the toys and plans to steal and then sell them to the highest bidder. Carmen will have to use all her empathic powers just to stay alive, not to mention make sure Christmas is a happy one for all the kids who are counting on her. It's all in a night's work for a superhero ... 

Note: This is a 14,000-word story that takes place after the events of Jinx, the third book in the Bigtime series. It can also be read as a stand-alone holiday story.

This is a cute short novella within the Bigtime hero series. It takes place after Jinx but can be read as a stand-alone. I must say though I enjoyed it more after reading the series since I was already acquainted with the superhero/ubervillan people.

Karma girl takes center stage in this book. It's her job to protect the presents from any ubervillan looking to make a name for themselves as the most evil of all. I mean stealing from underprivileged kids is pretty evil. Hijinks ensue, ubervillians expound on their evil plan, and situations arise for our heroine. Does she get out? Does she win the day... er... night? Well, it is a feel good Christmas story, so of course! No surprise there (and no evil laugh... don't faint) but it is just another fun ride within this campy group of stories. I give this book 5 stars. It delivers within a short story exactly what it promises.... fun.

I was given this ebook by the author for my review and no compensation was given.

Before you go... letting you know that this cute story is only $.99 at Amazon, and B&N.

Of course this isn't Karma girl and friends, but I thought it was a fun pic to add... ;)

Bigtime Series by Jennifer Estep

 Karma Girl (Bigtime #1)

Bigtime, New York, is not big enough for both Carmen Cole and the superheroes and ubervillains who stalk its streets. An intrepid reporter, Carmen's dedicated her life to unmasking the spandexwearers, all because her fiancŽ turned out to be a superhero, and a cheating one at that-sleeping with none other than his nubile nemesis.

Exposing the true identities of the nation's caped crusaders and their archenemies has catapulted Carmen from her sleepy southern hometown to the front pages of the country's biggest newspaper, The ExposŽ. Hobnobbing with millionaires and famished fashionistas is all in a day's work for a woman on the trail of the Fearless Five and Terrible Triad. But when Carmen gets the scoop of her career, her life comes crashing down around her. And even Bigtime's sexiest superhero, Striker, may not be able to save her.

When I got a chance to review this series I jumped at it! I've been so curious and became even more so when I got a couple of quick references to "Karma Girl comics" in the Elemental Assassin Series and The Mythos Academy Series. So, the question remains... did I enjoy this book? Oh yes I did! It was a fun adult book with a couple of smexy scenes within. It was fun, campy without being over the top and completely entertaining. Yes you figure out the identities of the superheros and ubervillians way before the characters do, but quite honestly that was part of the point of the book. If you think about it, really, it is any different than what you get in comic books? Seriously... how many people were fooled by Superman's glasses? LOL

I give this book 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone looking for something fun to read that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Alternative covers:

Hot Momma (Bigtime #2)

By day, Fiona Fine is a successful couture designer, catering to the high society players of Bigtime, New York. By night, she's Fiera, a member of the heroic Fearless Five who can create and manipulate fire with her bare hands.

Fiona's personal life, though, isn't so hot. She still misses her fiancŽ, who was killed by ubervillains a year ago. Still, men admire Fiona's smoking assets, and she decides to get back in the dating game- especially after she meets Johnny Bulluci. But this notorious playboy has plenty of secrets to go along with his sexy smile. And, with two new ubervillains in town who are intent on raising hell, Fiona's love life might just crash and burn.

This book takes place after the first one, but is more about Fiera (Fiona) and Johnny Angel. It still is campy and fun as the first, but I have to admit, I didn't "warm" (heh) up to Fiona as I did Carmen in the first book. I liked her well enough and enjoyed her story, but I think she is just a bit too much on the selfish side for me. Still, I would have missed this story if it wasn't told. I enjoyed seeing how she took her broken heart and mended it, kicking Johnny's ass and dealing with a new love. And despite what I said about her selfishness, she finds her heart as well within this story. How that all comes out you'll just have to read it to find out. I give this one 4 stars. 

Alternative Covers:

Jinx (Bigtime #3)

Thanks to her unwanted superpower, fashion designer Bella Bulluci may be the luckiest woman in Bigtime, N.Y. But luck can be good or bad, and it seems like just as many embarrassing things happens to Bella as do positive ones. 

Like when a charity event that Bella plans get crashed by Hangman, a deadly ubervillain who's after a prize sapphire that's on display. Hangman almost succeeds in stealing the jewel for his evil ubervillain boss, Prism, but Bella's luck helps her escape with the sapphire star along with some help from the suave and charming Debonair. 

Debonair's not an ubervillain, but he's not really a superhero either. Still, Bella can't help but fall for him, despite her personal vow to have as little to do with heroes and villains as possible. But with Hangman and Prism still after the sapphire, Bella's going to need every bit of her luck power just to survive ...

 This was another fun book. I really enjoyed Bella and her dislike of all things super. Either villain or hero. However, Debonair makes Bella reconsider things once he has her in his "den of seduction". She isn't the type to go after someone who seduces many women for the thrill... but something about him attracts him despite her aversion. This combo makes it for another fun book. One where we see if two very shy people can overcome their "press" and make a connection.

My only complaint was Bella's attitude with her body. She constantly complained and worried over nothing. However, it is resolved in the end and don't we all know someone like that? ;D I also wanted to kick Debonair in the @ss and liked him but didn't (if that makes sense) until he was fully himself. In other words, when he was neither Debonair or his alter identity but his true self to Bella did I enjoy and root for him fully. I really LOVED him then.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars and recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun campy book.

Alternative Cover:

All these books are currently $2.99 in ebook format. 

Amazon, B&N, Kobo

I was given all 3 ebooks from the author for my reviews and no compensation was given.

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey

From the book: There is no pity in Santa Olivia. And no escape. In this isolated military buffer zone between Mexico and the U.S., the citizens of Santa Olivia are virtually powerless. Then an unlikely heroine is born. She is the daughter of a man genetically manipulated by the government to be a weapon. A "Wolf-Man," he was engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and senses, as well as a total lack of fear. Named for her vanished father, Loup Garron has inherited his gifts. 

Frustrated by the injustices visited upon her friends and neighbors by the military occupiers, Loup is determined to avenge her community. Aided by a handful of her fellow orphans, Loup takes on the guise of their patron saint, Santa Olivia, and sets out to deliver vigilante justice - aware that if she is caught, she could lose her freedom... and possibly her life.

When I first picked up this book, I was thinking that it was another version of a werewolf story. Not exactly, it is more of a sci-fi superhero story. In fact, parts of it reminded me of the tv show, "Dark Angel." If you look at the cover, her coat is made to look like a cape (and I do love the cover).


This book is such a great read. Even in the slower parts of the book, it builds tension as to what is coming next. You also have great characters in the book, all you either like right away or learn to like as the story goes on. And although there is some vigilante justice, there isn't that much in the book as perhaps you'd like, but it makes sense in the story. Plus, you really root for the Santitos (the orphan's nickname) because of why and how they chose to help the other unfortunate people in the outpost. It's just a fun ride and one that keeps going until the end. Unfortunately, it is the end why I could not give it 5 stars. It lost it's star because of the way it ends. It leaves way too many open questions. I couldn't find out if there was going to be another sequel or if this book is a stand alone.  So, if it had given me, say 10 more chapters or guaranteed me a sequel (which I would certainly read), then it would regain it's last star.


It is an adult book. I must also say that there is sexual content, some violence and a lot of cussing. So, I wouldn't recommend it to the very young set. Otherwise, I do recommend this book wholeheartedly! It is such a good read. I give it 4 stars! Oh, and before I forget, there are parts to the book I would not recommend reading while in the presence of a sensitive, empathic dog (maybe that's just me...). In other words, make sure there is a tissue around in at least one or two parts of the book.