Jinx

by Jennifer Estep

Book Overview

Sparks are going to fly in this new superhero romance from the author of Karma Girland Hot Mama. Bella would feel better about being born into a family of superheroes if her own superpower was something she could control-or at least use. But static electricity? That's less a power than a jinx. Then she stumbles on two things no supergirl should be without: an ubervillain and a dashing-if shady-stranger named Debonair. Bella's about to learn just how...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425220621
• ISBN13: 9780425220627
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.1" x 6.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Jinx

Bella Bulluci wants nothing to do with superheroes or ubervillains, too bad she is completely surrounded by them in her city of Bigtime. Add in the fact that her family has a history of being superheroes and that she has a power that is more of a hindrance than a help and you have a few of the facts of her current life. Bella has a huge passion - the arts. As a matter of fact, she has been working hard on a new exhibit and gala for the museum. It's almost time for the opening and now she has to hope luck is on her side - oops maybe she should not have thought that. Debonair is a hero, if not a superhero, who has a secret. He has wanted Bella for a long time. Debonair is nothing like his real self when the mask and costume goes on; he can be the playboy as Debonair. During the gala, he will have the chance to show Bella his stuff when an ubervillian crashes the party to steal a gemstone. Bella has not changed her mind about being involved with any of the above, but there is something about Debonair that makes her wonder if maybe he could change her mind. But danger follows anyone who protects the innocents and Bella has already lost a loved one that way. Debonair and Bella come together again to defeat the ubervillains who stole the gemstone and threatened her. When the smoke disappears and the dust settles, can Debonair show Bella that not all superheroes are a bad choice or is this romance going to go "poof" and disappear? Fair warning; do not drink while reading Jinx as you will spend a good portion of the time laughing. Bigtime is full of superheroes and ubervillains and their alter egos, Bella is surrounded by them but would like to just live a nice normal life - yeah right like that is going to happen. Debonair is well known by Bigtime as his other self. As Debonair he is thought of as a playboy and a hero that may or may not be good. Flames and sparks came every time Bella and Debonair come in contact together. I loved both Bella and Debonair and just how they fit together. I also loved that the plot was fast paced and kicking. After my exposure to Bigtime, I will never forget all that a superhero and ubervillan go through the next time I see a superhero cartoon. The humor, passion, outrageous costumes and super gadgets let Jinx be fun loving and perfect for escaping the real world for a few hours. Jo Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Enchanting Review: Jinx

JINX JENNIFER ESTEP Paranormal Romance Berkley Sensation Rating: 4 Enchantments Bella Bulluci is the odd one out in her family. She is the only one who does not want to be a superhero or be around super heroes. It is the super hero life that got her father killed and her brother almost killed. If only people would listen to her, life would be so much easier. Bella however is not without her own power. She is jinxed. She can't seem to eat a meal without something spilling on her, or falling on her face in front of a very important person. Nor can she manage to stay away from trouble. Trouble mainly named Debonair. Debonair is one of Bigtime's most notorious ladies men, known for his lair of seduction and also his three time man of the year award with the slaves for superhero sex group. He is also a thief. Has he stolen more than just artwork this time? Has the ever famous Debonair stolen Bella's heart? JINX is the third story in the Bigtime superhero series. Bella Bulluci is the daughter, granddaughter and sister to the Johnny Angels of Bigtime. It is this superhero life that she cannot stand. She does not understand why everyone would want to have powers. She would much rather her static electricity charge would just go away. Someone wants a priceless gem and is willing to kill anyone who gets in his/her way of getting it. Bella must accept the power she tries to ignore and trust the people she wants to avoid if she is going to save Bigtime and her heart from mass destruction. JINX was a cute superhero story. It was a very light, fast read that really grabbed you from the first page. I sat down and read it in one sitting. Before I opened the cover I thought, oh great a superhero story. I am not a big fan of the comic books superheroes so I had reservations about this story but I was pleasantly surprised. It was not at all what I was expecting. Bella cracked me up. That girl has some horrible luck! I loved Debonair. The only flaw that the book really has is the secret identities are really easy to figure out. I realized who Debonair was from the point where most of the characters were introduced at the art show, and as the story progressed it was not hard to figure out who the villain was. Also with all the superheroes and ubervillians it was quite difficult to remember who was good, who was bad and who was in between. But this could be because I have simply not read the first two books. This is the third book in the series and with the exception of confusing the characters it does stand alone. If you are looking for a cute, paranormal, humorous story, then I suggest you check out JINX. Jennifer Estep is the author of the Bigtime superhero series, and also the author of the New series, Elemental Assassin. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://www.jenniferestep.com/index.php Jennifer Enchanting Reviews November 2008

Catch the Buzz! A larger than life town - "super" characters you can relate to

Bigtime, NY fashion designer Bella Belucci doesn't much care for the superheroes and ubervillains that run rampant in her town. All that spandex, ugh -- and who would want to take over the world anyway? All that responsibility! It wasn't bad enough that she'd been born into a family of heroes, her brother's engagement to her fashion rival, Fiona Fine, a.k.a. The Fearless Five's "Hot Mama" Fiera, had added another handful to the dinner table. She definitely had no intention of becoming one herself. Her own powers were mercurial at best. And what kind of lame power was "Luck" anyway? Her power was a jinx, and worse yet she couldn't even control when it would assert itself especially if she was angry or upset. Having supercharged telekinesis was like living in a ball of static electricity and more often than not her luck was bad. Even when it was good, it was more often than not followed up by an equal and opposite reaction. What Bella does love is the arts, which is why she'd been elected as chairperson of the Friends of the Bigtime Museum for Modern Art. She and the fundraising committee are in the final stages of planning their annual fall-benefit. Their meeting takes place at the estate of Brighton Berkley, whiskey billionaire and richest man in town, and his new wife Joanna James. During the course of the planning session Bella is reminded that the other members of the committee had outvoted her and decided to have a masquerade ball as the main event. More spandex, ugh. Just the thought of it sends a warning signal through her body. Her luck is about to act up again, sending her to the powder room to clean up the mess she'd created. For once her bad luck is a blessing. When she hears a peculiar popping sound in the next room, she discovers Bigtime's master thief and major heartthrob, Debonair, lifting a priceless Pandora painting from her host. Of course the incorrigible playboy can't resist making a play for her, distracting Bella long enough to teleport away before she remembers to pull the fire alarm. Naturally the robbery is all over the news the next day. Bella hated superheroes, so why couldn't she stop thinking about this one -- his black hair, blue eyes and so sexy smirk. The one thing she would never do is date a superhero or whatever the leather clad lothario was. And how was this going to affect her benefit since most of the town's wealthy, including Berkley, had promised to lend priceless pieces to the museum for a special exhibition? Bad publicity, just the thought of it put her capricious luck on the fritz. In one week she'd had enough bad luck to last a year and to top it off she had a sneaking suspicion that the handsome thief in question was following her. Pop! Bella didn't want to be a superhero, or to design fashion really. What she wanted to be was a museum quality artist. Yes, Bella loved art - which is how she finds herself the first bachelorette up for bid as part of the gala benefit auction. Much to her surprise Devin

More fun in Bigtime!

I highly recommend this series. Jennifer Estep's 'Bigtime' world is full of romance, adventure and just plain 'ole fun. I was hooked at Karma Girl and Hot Mama & Jinx have not dissapointed. The story quality has not faultered. Bella's truely a superhero in her own right. I can't wait for the next one! and the next one....

Campy but fun!

Bella Bulluci is sick and tired of superheroes and ubervillains! Is it too much to ask that she have a moment's peace from all the chaos? Unfortunately, Bella has her own superpower- or rather, her own super JINX. Bella's so-called power is luck, but this means that randomly odd things happen to her constantly, generally leaving her embarrassed. She's determined that nothing will interfere with the upcoming fund raiser for the local museum... but a couple ubervillains have something else in mind. In the process, Bella finds herself frequently in contact with Debonair, a masked man who is neither a superhero nor an ubervillain but has the ability to transport. Will Bella forsake her dislike of superpowers when the attraction between Bella and Debonair heats up? Jennifer Estep returns readers to the town of Bigtime, a campy but oh-so-fun look at superheroes and ubervillains! JINX is the third book in the series but is easily a stand alone story. While spoilers of a sort are revealed for the earlier books, the identities of all of the superheroes and ubervillains are never truly in question. In fact, this is part of the allure of the series as Jennifer Estep perfectly captures the tongue in cheek humor of the not-so-secret identities. Bella's super powered luck, what she calls her JINX, provides for some absolutely hysterical moments. Who can't help but love a woman who's practically cursed with a form of klutziness, even when it works to her advantage? However, her aversion to the whole world of superheroes is where her heart is truly displayed. Bella cares deeply, so deeply that she is willing to eschew love itself if it will protect her from the pain of the long nights waiting on a superhero to return safely home. Her pain and fear reach out to the reader as it is easy to understand where she is coming from. Debonair is a fascinating and very lovable hero. His shyness despite his playboy image makes him absolutely endearing, even when he is doing his best to maintain his cocky image. His love for Bella shows through in everything he does and I couldn't help but cheer him on as he wooed Bella. Once again, Jennifer Estep has a hit on her hands! The storyline is fun, the characters are well drawn, and the humor hits just the right note. Keep them coming, Ms. Estep, as I can't wait to visit Bigtime again! COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES