Free/Bargain Romances in June 2013

[Sydney's Mom]

I am currently reading the last book in the Crossfire series, and it is a long one, so I won't be looking for new books for awhile. Good thing, because I lost internet for 2 days with all the storms - I was so afraid my LPL would be putting up its monthly Harlequins! They come out anytime between the 2nd and the 8th.

Crossfire started out so well. Second book I couldn't get into. I can't comment on this last book, yet. Anyone else read it?

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

Yes, LOL, well I totally do that kind of reasoning also! [just not usually 7.99, I really try not to spend more than 5 if possible, but that's just me]. I think we just each need to find our niche and what works for each of us within our budgets. Mine is evolving and, well, we'll see how it works this week. One thing that has helped me a lot with the 99cent1clicks is that I check reviews at Goodreads and for the most part it has to be over 4 rating. And as always with us, there's exceptions to every rule. I also think that keeping track of what I buy during the week to post on Sundays has helped me realize how much I'm spending [or not]!

What is your perspective on gift certificates? When I get my gift certificates I feel like it is not my money, so I get that 7.99 book or heaven forbide a 12.99 book. That is why I like ARe, I can get my free book code and use it at Omni Lit to pick some of the more mainstream books and use that code. I did that on a 15.99 book called Alex and Nicky. It was a very interesting book that I would have never gotten otherwise.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

I feel ancient that you've never heard of the end of Gone with the Wind. Forget the book, it's one of the most famous movie scenes ever. (I've actually never read the book completey, just seen the film).

As I said earlier, I was actually trying to avoid spoilers in my earlier post yesterday but some felt that by listing the couples for the books they hadn't read yet would color the way they read the earlier books in the series. Which I can totally see. So even if info like that is in the books' blurbs and technically not a spoiler it's easy enough to add the spoiler tags. Better safe than sorry.

I didn't exactly grow up in the place that watches those types of movies. I remember seeing it at the video store but it wasn't something my family would watch.

The only reason I own the book is years ago I was taking a course which required me to read the book and Forever Amber. I never finished the course due to hubby's sudden deployment and then we got orders to move but I still have the books.

Now I have read Pride and Prejudice. I read it a few years ago after my friend assured me it had a HEA. I loved that book. I plan someday to read another one of her books.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by worktolive

This is a good idea. I need to check Goodreads more often. I do usually sample any book that I'm actually going to pay money for (I don't sample freebies) and that has helped cut down on the impulse buys. If I'm not sucked in by the sample and cursing when it stops abruptly, or if I notice significant grammar problems, then I don't buy the book, no matter how good the reviews are.

Oh, that's a very good rule! I forget about sampling lots of times because it's not available on the Canadian Amazon site so only do it when I can't decide if I really want a book or not. But yes, that is an excellent 'rule' to help cut down impulse buys.

I actually do have a $50 monthly book budget and I usually manage to stay under it. I will admit though, that I cheat just a bit on the budget. I trade used paperbacks through Paperback Swap, but I don't count the mailing costs. Technically I should count those as a budget item.

I technically don't have a budget. I just know I'm very frugal and that my book buying needs to come under control. I think for a couple of weeks I was spending $20ish a week which is a bit more than I feel comfortable with so I'm trying to keep it down to $10-$15ish a week instead. I think your rule on paperbacks should stand, a swap is a swap! [hey, we all have our own addendums to book buying!]

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I am currently reading the last book in the Crossfire series, and it is a long one, so I won't be looking for new books for awhile. Good thing, because I lost internet for 2 days with all the storms - I was so afraid my LPL would be cutting up its monthly Harlequins! They come out anytime between the 2nd and the 8th.

Crossfire started out so well. Second book I couldn't get into. I can't comment on this last book, yet. Anyone else read it?

Is that Sylvia Day one? I read that there are going to be 5 total in that series. Fans seem to be leaving bad reviews because of her decisions to change it up.

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Better yet get the audio version. I find Angela Dawe voice excellent. She can really make the story come alive.

I throughly agree. She really does a great job. I have just finished Heart of Obsidian. I absolutly loved it!!! I also agree with library addict, I will re-listen to this one just like Patricia Briggs Frost Burned earlier this year.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by auntykatkat

What is your perspective on gift certificates? When I get my gift certificates I feel like it is not my money, so I get that 7.99 book or heaven forbide a 12.99 book. That is why I like ARe, I can get my free book code and use it at Omni Lit to pick some of the more mainstream books and use that code. I did that on a 15.99 book called Alex and Nicky. It was a very interesting book that I would have never gotten otherwise.

A gift is a gift, it should be something a bit frivolous, but for me it still has to be something I would normally want/buy, maybe just a bit over my preferred price. Does that make sense?]

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I am currently reading the last book in the Crossfire series, and it is a long one, so I won't be looking for new books for awhile. Good thing, because I lost internet for 2 days with all the storms - I was so afraid my LPL would be cutting up its monthly Harlequins! They come out anytime between the 2nd and the 8th.

Crossfire started out so well. Second book I couldn't get into. I can't comment on this last book, yet. Anyone else read it?

I read the first 2, unless I can get the new one for a very cheap price I'm not in a rush to buy it. IMO they were well done [for the subject matter], but just a wee bit past my comfort zone. If you don't mind I would like to know what you think of it when you're done!

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

A gift is a gift, it should be something a bit frivolous, but for me it still has to be something I would normally want/buy, maybe just a bit over my preferred price. Does that make sense?]

It does.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

I read the first 2, unless I can get the new one for a very cheap price I'm not in a rush to buy it. IMO they were well done [for the subject matter], but just a wee bit past my comfort zone. If you don't mind I would like to know what you think of it when you're done!

I just returned my Audible of book One. It was on my TBR list but after seeing the stunt the author is pulling I'm not interested in getting stuck in a series. I will get another Psy-Changling Audible with it.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by auntykatkat

I throughly agree. She really does a great job. I have just finished Heart of Obsidian. I absolutly loved it!!! I also agree with library addict, I will re-listen to this one just like Patricia Briggs Frost Burned earlier this year.

I can understand wanting to re listen or reread there is so much to take in the first time. The world building is just phenomenal. It's a series you must really pay attention as your reading it or you will miss stuff.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

Thanks, and that's so weird that you bring this up, but yes I figure if I don't do the 'it's only 99 cents 1-click' thing a few times, this will justify buying a few of the books I really want that never come on sale in the $5ish range. I'm going to try this maybe once a week, ie if I'm 'good' this week, will allow myself Tangled. Great minds think alike!

99 cents is the only thing I can afford this week. Luckily I haven't come across any I must have this yet.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

I also think that keeping track of what I buy during the week to post on Sundays has helped me realize how much I'm spending [or not]!

Same here I didn't realize how bad I had gotten till I started listing my book buys for the week.

[worktolive]

Originally Posted by auntykatkat

What is your perspective on gift certificates? When I get my gift certificates I feel like it is not my money, so I get that 7.99 book or heaven forbide a 12.99 book.

Gift certificates are like found money. I always use those for books that are out of my price range but that I really want (and often have been waiting to buy for months). They feel like such a treat when I finally do buy them.

[danicca]

There was sort of a sequel to Gone With the Wind. I don't remember the author (it wasn't Mitchell) because it was years ago and I got it from library. I read it specifically because of the way Gone With the Wind ended.