Free/Bargain Romances in June 2013

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Atunah

I think that is why I am so behind all these series. I read one and then I have to go on to something else. I don't want to burn out. The only series I had to inhale all that there was, were the Fever series by Moning and the Chicago vampires by Chloe Neill.
I was barking at my cat and my husband when I was reading the Fever series. Don't talk to me, don't look at me. I might have growled.

That happens very very rarely though to me. I have to switch it up. Not just with series, but with romance subgenres. I go from historical, to paranormal, to some contempo and back to historical. And I mix in some urban fantasy.

I am though quickly falling out of love with NA. When I read Easy and Slammed I was so exited. And now I can't find anything that isn't annoying emo whining to me. And many that I read are really just contemporary romance to me. I do think there has been a lot of jumping on the bandwagon.
And I also come across a lot that isn't even edited before its thrown out there.
Rule was one of those. And I read the suppose edited version. It was insulting.

But I really have to recommend Tangled. Its like a grown up contempo and it was so surprising to me. Refreshing.

That is exactly how I am too! Only series I have read back to back was Stephanie Plum and The Nightwalkers series. I get tired of genres easily. I am a mood reader. I must be in the mood to read it. I always have at least 3 books going. One Indie, One contemporary and one Historical or paranormal. I save the Indie books for bedtime because I can easily overlook grammar issues when I am ready for bed. My current Indie: Rock Chick Regret I've been reading for months. Happy to say I'm finally at 75% of the book.

Right now I have no idea what to read next. So many books but nothing is speaking to me to read it.

[apesmom]

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

I'm very leery of UF with angels/demons so I'd have to first overcome this mental roadblock before I could even think of giving this series a try.

I get that. I'm that way with magic and witches/sorcerers. There has to be very defined world rules and no convenient wish it into being spells. I rarely find anything I like in this genre but I do really like Cullen in Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi series and Page & Lucas in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld.

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by apesmom

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

That is very good to know. Like Looshesh I too have mental roadblocks when it comes to these type of characters. I remember when I started reading The Nightwalker series and saw the word Demon. I almost stop reading it. Her versions has nothing to do with the biblical beings. I was able to mentally separate the word from the elemental beings she created and enjoy the series.

[Atunah]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Right now I have no idea what to read next. So many books but nothing is speaking to me to read it.

I been having that same issue a lot lately. Really almost all year. I have been doing something I really never done before, starting several books at once. I just can't make my mind up. I feel restless. Then once in a while I get one that grabs me and I read it through and then I am back to the "what-to-read" mood.

But guess what I picked up today, something you been talking about. The Cowboy takes a Bride from Lori Wilde. One of my overdrive libraries had it, no wait, so I snatched it. I don't usually read these small town romances at all. Especially set in Texas. Maybe because I live in Texas. . Imported though from Germany.

But anywho, I thought I am going totally out of my usual romance zone and I really really like the writing and the story already. Only 10% in, but I can tell by then. If it keeps up like this, I'll be really happy.

You also touched on something earlier about the emotions and tensions of the romances of old and how its missing in a lot of the newer stuff. That is very true. I think that is why I love all these re-released backlist titles so much. There was just so much adventure, full fleshed characters, growth and emotional buildup in those. I think that made the pay off in the end just feel more satisfying.

Some of these newer ones I read they start to deflate early in the book. You know, some tension, they hop in bed and then everything is all about them having sex again. Now don't get me wrong, I like me a steamy read, but I like it to be sexy and I like them to be sexy and steamy on the emotional level. I guess its hard to explain. I have to feel through the characters. Just make me feel something.

But yeah, so far I am impressed with Lori Wilde.

[G-ma]

Originally Posted by apesmom

I get that. I'm that way with magic and witches/sorcerers. There has to be very defined world rules and no convenient wish it into being spells. I rarely find anything I like in this genre but I do really like Cullen in Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi series and Page & Lucas in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld.

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

Sooooo very HOT!!!!!!

[library addict]

Originally Posted by apesmom

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

Sadly, I don't like vampires. But I have a ton of stuff in my TBR pile, so it's not like I am truly hurting for things to read

I have spent much of the day browsing and updating my To Buy List while I listen to the golf game. I will have a very short purchased list again tomorrow.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by apesmom

I get that. I'm that way with magic and witches/sorcerers. There has to be very defined world rules and no convenient wish it into being spells. I rarely find anything I like in this genre but I do really like Cullen in Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi series and Page & Lucas in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld.

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

Geez, between you and G-ma I'm moving Guild Hunters WAY up on my TBR list!

[worktolive]

Originally Posted by Atunah

You also touched on something earlier about the emotions and tensions of the romances of old and how its missing in a lot of the newer stuff. That is very true. I think that is why I love all these re-released backlist titles so much. There was just so much adventure, full fleshed characters, growth and emotional buildup in those. I think that made the pay off in the end just feel more satisfying.

Some of these newer ones I read they start to deflate early in the book. You know, some tension, they hop in bed and then everything is all about them having sex again. Now don't get me wrong, I like me a steamy read, but I like it to be sexy and I like them to be sexy and steamy on the emotional level. I guess its hard to explain. I have to feel through the characters. Just make me feel something.

I like a good sexy scene as much as the next girl, but it frustrates me to no end when those scenes are just used as filler. Romances have a shorter page count these days anyway, and I almost resent all of the endless sex scenes because they are taking away pages that could have been used for character development goshdarnit!

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by library addict

Sadly, I don't like vampires. But I have a ton of stuff in my TBR pile, so it's not like I am truly hurting for things to read

I have spent much of the day browsing and updating my To Buy List while I listen to the golf game. I will have a very short purchased list again tomorrow.

I don't like vampires either, and angels not a lot, but I enjoy a lot the Guild books.

[worktolive]

Originally Posted by apesmom

I get that. I'm that way with magic and witches/sorcerers. There has to be very defined world rules and no convenient wish it into being spells. I rarely find anything I like in this genre but I do really like Cullen in Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi series and Page & Lucas in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld.

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

I'm just the opposite of you, I love witches/sorcerers (Cullen is such a cutie) and I'm not at all a fan of angels/demons, but I'm pretty sure I have the first Guildhunters book in my TBR pile (I think I won it in a contest) and y'all are definitely making me want to bump it up to the top.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by worktolive

I like a good sexy scene as much as the next girl, but it frustrates me to no end when those scenes are just used as filler. Romances have a shorter page count these days anyway, and I almost resent all of the endless sex scenes because they are taking away pages that could have been used for character development goshdarnit!

So very true! Entangled Books are very bad on this. Really alot of books are. It becomes all about physical relationship between the couple and not much of a emotional one is built which makes the romance not very believable.

Character development and characterization are very important more important than the sex. The sex needs to be used as a character arc not just a filler in the story.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Atunah

But guess what I picked up today, something you been talking about. The Cowboy takes a Bride from Lori Wilde. One of my overdrive libraries had it, no wait, so I snatched it. I don't usually read these small town romances at all. Especially set in Texas. Maybe because I live in Texas. . Imported though from Germany.

But anywho, I thought I am going totally out of my usual romance zone and I really really like the writing and the story already. Only 10% in, but I can tell by then. If it keeps up like this, I'll be really happy.

You also touched on something earlier about the emotions and tensions of the romances of old and how its missing in a lot of the newer stuff. That is very true. I think that is why I love all these re-released backlist titles so much. There was just so much adventure, full fleshed characters, growth and emotional buildup in those. I think that made the pay off in the end just feel more satisfying.

Some of these newer ones I read they start to deflate early in the book. You know, some tension, they hop in bed and then everything is all about them having sex again. Now don't get me wrong, I like me a steamy read, but I like it to be sexy and I like them to be sexy and steamy on the emotional level. I guess its hard to explain. I have to feel through the characters. Just make me feel something.

But yeah, so far I am impressed with Lori Wilde.

Oh! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Although it took me a month to get over it. It really hit me hard because of the Daughter/Father relationship and then the hero was so tortured. The second one isn't as angsty but she did an amazing job with both.

I love the older books! I have pretty much stop buying the newer stuff coming out unless it's something I must have. I can use my library for those if I want to try them out. I see me getting pickier on the books I buy if I keep finding authors like this who raise the bar.

[NixLapi]

Originally Posted by Atunah

I am though quickly falling out of love with NA. When I read Easy and Slammed I was so exited. And now I can't find anything that isn't annoying emo whining to me. And many that I read are really just contemporary romance to me. I do think there has been a lot of jumping on the bandwagon.
And I also come across a lot that isn't even edited before its thrown out there.
Rule was one of those. And I read the suppose edited version. It was insulting.

Nothing makes me drop stars on a rating faster than an author who couldn't be bothered to get her book edited (or even proof read!). I left a rather seething one-star on one like that this year and it has since apparently had massive updates, but it had it's chance and I'm not going back. Sad to hear that about Rule though, it's on my TBR from before I implemented my must-read-sample-first rule on self-published books.

Originally Posted by Blossom

That is exactly I save the Indie books for bedtime because I can easily overlook grammar issues when I am ready for bed. My current Indie: Rock Chick Regret I've been reading for months. Happy to say I'm finally at 75% of the book.

That is a GREAT idea! I have three indie's I'm struggling through and of course they were all paid so I feel like I need to finish them. Finally moved one to my abandoned list on GR.


If anyone hasn't one-clicked Maverick yet I just finished it and gave it four stars, quite enjoyed it. A refreshing change from all the very dark angst in NA AND it was well edited! Totally worth $0.99 for a nice contemporary with a hot sports hero.

Now to decide what to read next...

[NixLapi]

Try Me (One Night with Sole Regrets) by Olivia Cunning free at Kobo & Smashwords (and iTunes)

If you don't already have it... I only recently started this series, and *fans self*, she writes rock star erotica very well!

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by apesmom

I get that. I'm that way with magic and witches/sorcerers. There has to be very defined world rules and no convenient wish it into being spells. I rarely find anything I like in this genre but I do really like Cullen in Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi series and Page & Lucas in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld.

Just so you know Singh's Angels are definitely NOT anywhere in the neighborhood of soul saving do-gooder angels. I don't recall any theological discussion at all in any of the first 3 books (I'm behind in this series too.) They're more like ancient, world-ruling, mega-badass vampires with wings. And hot!

Thanks; I'll keep this in mind. I don't mind vampires at all, sorcerers I normally drop in the same basket as angels/demons, and witches I take on a case-by-case basis. Thea Harrison's Elder Races series is an autobuy for me and I remember wrestling with myself on whether to buy Oracle's Moon, which is about a djinn, who's one of the Demonkind. I eventually bought the book and loved it but I told myself I'd quit reading at the first hint of anything sketchy.

Originally Posted by NixLapi

If anyone hasn't one-clicked Maverick yet I just finished it and gave it four stars, quite enjoyed it. A refreshing change from all the very dark angst in NA AND it was well edited! Totally worth $0.99 for a nice contemporary with a hot sports hero.

Now to decide what to read next...

Surfer dude?! And only $0.99? Bought, so bought