Free/Bargain Romances in May 2013

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by Blossom

We don't have cable either. Just our Roku. I only watch Once Upon A Time other than that I read. Hubby is the TV watcher. It's all he does. *sigh*

I don't read Tessa Dare. I found her stories too modern, the writing, the plots... well at least the ones she writes for Avon. The first ones she wrote for the other publisher were different.

I read Eloisa James is more of a fairytale romance writer like Teresa Medeiros would you agree?

Yes, I agree but I love her Fairytale romance. She has just enough history. I really enjoyed Kathleen Kennedy's Fairytale romances as well. Nicole Jordan's title is a 2nd in the Legendary Lovers series. You already know I love Lecia's stories. Vicky's book is just something I want to read.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I keep up with the New Adult scene Not something I'm interested in but others here might like it. Maryse says it's going in her top reads of 2013. Other blogs I follow and Facebook groups have been talking about it non stop. It's a sweet read not a dark one.

Well feel free to keep me informed, not that I need anymore recommendations, but NA seems to be my niche right now. I added Sweet Relief to my watch list so when/if it comes on sale I'll likely just grab it too! LOL

Loosheesh, if we stayed away, wouldn't we be in as much trouble?

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by worktolive

If you don't like Tessa Dare, you probably wouldn't like Eloisa James either. Even though I believe she's a history professor, her books are very modern. They are what DA calls "mistoricals"

Personally, although I recognize the historical inaccuracies, they don't bother me and I love both authors. Real life in the 1800's was pretty grim, especially for women, so I'm fine with authors whose characters act more modern and whose plots are completely unrealistic for the times

Technically, the publishers hardly ever let some authors be correct with the history. Like the earlier discussion this week, you can make some readers angry because they would not like the heroine to be 13 or 14 when they get married. Or younger. They make them edit it. I heard this from a panel of authors at a RT convention. This was the answer to the question about some mistakes or historical inaccuracies. The publishers do not think that "normal readers" really care about the history as much as the romance in the book.

This was the panels combined answer. I am sure some publishers are better than others. Some authors are better than others. But I enjoy the reading. I am not picky.I just want to read.

Oh Blossom, I came out from under the bed today. I do not have Windsong. I do have all of the Fortune Trilogy, the Alexander trilogy, and several of the Indian romances but no Windsong.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by auntykatkat

Technically, the publishers hardly ever let some authors be correct with the history. Like the earlier discussion this week, you can make some readers angry because they would not like the heroine to be 13 or 14 when they get married. Or younger. They make them edit it. I heard this from a panel of authors at a RT convention. This was the answer to the question about some mistakes or historical inaccuracies. The publishers do not think that "normal readers" really care about the history as much as the romance in the book.

This was the panels combined answer. I am sure some publishers are better than others. Some authors are better than others. But I enjoy the reading. I am not picky.I just want to read.

Oh Blossom, I came out from under the bed today. I do not have Windsong. I do have all of the Fortune Trilogy, the Alexander trilogy, and several of the Indian romances but no Windsong.

Oh I so do not want to read about a heroine that young. *grimace* Although I do have historicals where the heroine starts off at 14.

My problem is that the publishers seem to be banishing history in their stories. No telling of why that particular time period was exciting or dark. If we are to sell non regencies romances authors need to expound in at least a couple paragraphs. If the reader is not familiar with the time period then the book becomes confusing. I think my biggest peeve about this is the world building. There is none, almost everything focuses one the h/h and how much they physical want each other. If you take that part out there is no real story to be told.

I don't have a problem if say the writer invents lingerie or even underwear before it's time or any other clothes. I do want what I read to be believable. I read a book where heroine was very brazen in public and you and I know in the regency period it would have caused a scandal. It was as if the author had written the book to go against everything a woman of that time was taught to do. I threw the book in the trash because the author had no real understanding of the time period nor did any research. I was ticked off with how the heroine behaved especially to the hero in public without any consequence to me that is just not believable. I can't read something like that.

I also have a problem with modern dialogue especially catch phrases. It takes me out of a story. The last book I tried to read was a regency that in the second sentence said. "Wish me luck!" That was a DNF right there.

Now on Eloisa James I just purchased a Audible of her Duchess in Love. I listened to the sample and was pulled in right away. I plan to listen to it either tonight or tomorrow while hubby watches his JAGathon.

You have to read the Fortune Trilogy! It's awesome! I have Scarlet Ribbons, McKenna's Bride, Rachel's Choice, Morgan's Woman and just got in the mail this week Tender Fortune and waiting on By Love Alone to get here. Her Native American series will be in ebook in June! So I will grab those! Windsong is one of her older books, very hard to find a good copy.

[Blossom]

I know I am late and thanks for posting what you bought this week. I have been battling all day with ANTS! Yes they decided they were going to come inside my kitchen and run in circles. I asked the Landlord to spray outside twice and he says okay but nothing has been done. So Today I had to man the battle stations and keep vigilant for signs of the enemy after I set up a barricade of Baking soda (yes it works) hit them with my spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. Finally got rid of them all.
I deal with this every year but usually they will spray but we had a change in management late last year.

So I'm not going to ask what did you buy this week? I know many of us went HOG WILD! That's okay it's the start of summer and we need books to read.

[Blossom]

Okay for my week I bought alot of backlist titles. 25 ebooks, 2 paperbacks and 1 Audible.

Spoiler:

Self Published

• Colorado Captive by Charlotte Hubbard
• Colorado Moonfire by Charlotte Hubbard
• Outlaw Moon by Charlotte Hubbard
• Missouri Magic by Charlotte Hubbard
• Pirate's Bride by Lynette Vinet
• Secrets to Surrender by Linda Hilton
• Shadows by Starlight by Linda Hilton
• Sweet Texas Magic by Evelyn Rogers
• A Love So Wild by Evelyn Rogers
• Time Without End by Linda Lael Miller
• Tonight and Always by Linda Lael Miller
• For All Eternity by Linda Lael Miller
• Pirate's Angel by Marsha Bauer
• Treasured Embrace by Marsha Bauer
• A Heart's Masquerade by Deborah Simmons
• Desire by Phoebe Conn
• Loving Fury by Phoebe Conn
• Full Moon Dreams by Lori Handeland
• La Desperada by Patricia Burroughs

Mainstream

• Taking Shots by Toni Aleo
• Once a Maverick by Theresa Michaels
• Once A Lawman by Theresa Michaels
• Once an Outlaw by Theresa Michaels
• Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
• How to Pursue a Princess by Karen Hawkins

Paperback

• Tender Fortune by Judith E. French
• By Love Alone by Judith E. French

Audible

• Duchess in Love by Eloisa James

[Blossom]

Okay now for the question I was going to ask for those who don't want to list everything. What new author did you discover this week that you are most excited about?

For me it was Phoebe Conn. I found some of her books at Open Library and then realized she had some ebooks out and even one that was a previous freebie I already own! She is a Zebra Author and the blurbs on her books just sound awesome!

[Blossom]

Here's my Kobo list...38...Don't know the total and don't want to know

As you can see, most of these are clearing out my watchlist for completing series... so not so bad, right? Not REALLY impulse buys..

There is another handful from Amazon, mostly free, but i'm not gonna list those

Freebies never count! I think my total is around $60 I'm not sure.

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Okay now for the question I was going to ask for those who don't want to list everything. What new author did you discover this week that you are most excited about?

I am reading Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series for the first time. I have several reading friends who love this series. I have talked with them about it at length, but didn't think I would like certain parts of it. But the whole Psy Civil War and the character of Kaleb has intrigued me over the years. I usually never start out of order (in fact I am somewhat fanatical about reading in order), but I read book 10 and just finished 11 today. I bought all of the earlier books this week. So I am doing an old-fashioned glom and plan/hope to read them all before June 4 when Heart of Obsidian releases.

While part of me is kicking myself for not trying the series sooner, I think sometimes we discover a book or author when we are meant to. And it's been a long time since I've read so many books by a new-to-me author all in a row as I like to avoid author burnout. 9 more full length books, 5 novellas, and some short stories from the author's website. Wish me luck!

Originally Posted by Blossom

Freebies never count!

Agreed which is why I haven't been listing them since we started our weekly lists.

Hope the ants stay away, Blossom.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

I am reading Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series for the first time. I have several reading friends who love this series. I have talked with them about it at length, but didn't think I would like certain parts of it. But the whole Psy Civil War and the character of Kaleb has intrigued me over the years. I usually never start out of order (in fact I am somewhat fanatical about reading in order), but I read book 10 and just finished 11 today. I bought all of the earlier books this week. So I am doing an old-fashioned glom and plan/hope to read them all before June 4 when Heart of Obsidian releases.

While part of me is kicking myself for not trying the series sooner, I think sometimes we discover a book or author when we are meant to. And it's been a long time since I've read so many books by a new-to-me author all in a row as I like to avoid author burnout. 9 more full length books, 5 novellas, and some short stories from the author's website. Wish me luck!

Hope the ants stay away, Blossom.

Oh I just listen to a podcast with her that was done last year Friday. I plan to start the series as well! I have the first Audible and my library has the rest of the series.

Thanks I hope the little creepy things do too! I will see come tomorrow if my strategy works.

[library addict]

My library only had books 10 and 11, hence the spending spree for books 1-9 plus the novella collection.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

My library only had books 10 and 11, hence the spending spree for books 1-9 plus the novella collection.

I belong to 3 Overdrive libraries so I can usually find the book I'm looking for. If my local doesn't have it FLP or Bklyn will.

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Now on Eloisa James I just purchased a Audible of her Duchess in Love. I listened to the sample and was pulled in right away. I plan to listen to it either tonight or tomorrow while hubby watches his JAGathon.

You have to read the Fortune Trilogy! It's awesome! I have Scarlet Ribbons, McKenna's Bride, Rachel's Choice, Morgan's Woman and just got in the mail this week Tender Fortune and waiting on By Love Alone to get here. Her Native American series will be in ebook in June! So I will grab those! Windsong is one of her older books, very hard to find a good copy.

I have read the Fortune Trilogy. It has been a long while ago since I read it. But since I still have it, that means it is part of my keeper books. I think I will re-read them. Have you gone to http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk ? I was on there last night, and on the Windsong page is a list of places that have the book for sale. Surprisingly, they are all in the US.

Does re-discovery count. I think that I spent the most and got the least. I bought a year worth of credits at audible. The author I re-discovered was Elizabeth Lowell. Audible has her Medieval trilogy. They also have the Only series. I predict I will be spending more credits.

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by library addict

I am reading Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series for the first time. I have several reading friends who love this series. I have talked with them about it at length, but didn't think I would like certain parts of it. But the whole Psy Civil War and the character of Kaleb has intrigued me over the years. I usually never start out of order (in fact I am somewhat fanatical about reading in order), but I read book 10 and just finished 11 today. I bought all of the earlier books this week. So I am doing an old-fashioned glom and plan/hope to read them all before June 4 when Heart of Obsidian releases.

While part of me is kicking myself for not trying the series sooner, I think sometimes we discover a book or author when we are meant to. And it's been a long time since I've read so many books by a new-to-me author all in a row as I like to avoid author burnout. 9 more full length books, 5 novellas, and some short stories from the author's website. Wish me luck!


Agreed which is why I haven't been listing them since we started our weekly lists.

Hope the ants stay away, Blossom.

Oh, me too!! I started book 1 last night. I've already read Kiss of Snow (book 10) and loved it. I meant to backtrack and read the whole series but never got around to it. Now I'm hearing all the hype about Heart of Obsidian and of course I want to read it but can't till I read the series from the start My sister promised to read them with me last year but she went off and read them all by herself, naughty child

I don't know about finishing by the time HoO gets here but I'll give it my best shot (unless I get distracted by other stuff )

[NixLapi]

Good morning! Starting this week off with some historical romance freebies from Jennifer Blake:

Royal Passion (Roya Princes of Ruthania #2)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0099TX42Y
org. published 1991 by Fawcett

Midnight Waltz (Louisiana Plantation Collection)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008IKA5Z4
(org. published 1984 by Ballantaine)

Southern Rapture (The Louisiana History Collection)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0098O4X84
(org. published 1987 by Ballantaine


And thanks again Blossom for that GR thread - didn't take me long to add all those Zebra authors to ereaderIQ!