Free and bargain romance ebooks + Discussion December 2013

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by Blossom

It doesn't have to be one your read in 2013 it could be your favorite romance of all time. I wouldn't worry about people wasting money on one of your recommendations. It's a risk we all take when we buy a book.

I'm with Joykins, I thought it was 2013.
Then I would say the Thoughtless series by S.C. Stephens. I've already re-read them twice and I know I'll re-read them again and again. As for older books, I don't remember! LOL

[Keslynn]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I really enjoy Urban Fantasy and it is the genre that I have read the most in. I have a pet peeve though when UF with romantic elements (which I feel applies to Kate Daniels) written by a woman (and I know Kate is a husband-wife team) is often labelled "romance". The Dresden Files also has romantic elements (really, there is little fiction that doesn't) but because it is written by a man it doesn't get the label "romance". I'm referring to the "Genres" listed at the side of the book's listing on Goodreads. I can check any of my favourite UF series and this pattern holds.

Ilona Andrews also writes a fantastic Paranormal Romance series called the Edge. My opinion is that to be labelled "romance" a book or series has to feature a H/h that get together by the end of the book, and in a series each book has to also follow this rule. Therefore neither Kate Daniels, Harry Dresden nor Cat and Bones would be officially "romance". I'm interested in what all of you long-term romance readers think.

Agreed about UF written by women being unfairly categorized as romance when it doesn't really fit.

As to your other point, I think Cat and Bones definitely qualify as romance while also being solid UF. Their relationship plays a central part in each book even though each book doesn't always (but usually does) end with a HEA for them.

Kate Daniels and the Edge series are more definitely UF to my mind.

Everyone has their own specific genre borders though so I know opinions will differ.

[hannahi]

I didn't have great luck with romances this year. But I only read 54 books according to Goodreads. It took me a while to get my reading mojo back after having my 2nd child in June 2012. I finally got it back and have been able to read about a book a week for the last couple of months. Anyhow these were my top romance reads:

The Devil and the Deep by Amy Andrews
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
Ripped by Sarah Morgan (only a novella, wish it were longer!)

[mrscoach]

OK, so trying to narrow down my ONE favorite book. Umm, this will really date me, but Johanna Lindsey's stuff has always been on my keeper shelf. Those Malory men were just so sexy. But I guess my favorite, I read it until I had to throw it out in a move because I lost part of it, would be Warrior's Woman. Cheesy and cliched, but who doesn't want a warrior like that willing to do anything to please them?

But there is so much good stuff since then I haven't even gotten around to checking into replacing my pbook with an ebook. Christine Feehan, JR Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon (fading fast) are my newest obsessions.

So, put me down for Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey. I think.

[Jane A]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I really enjoy Urban Fantasy and it is the genre that I have read the most in. I have a pet peeve though when UF with romantic elements (which I feel applies to Kate Daniels) written by a woman (and I know Kate is a husband-wife team) is often labelled "romance". The Dresden Files also has romantic elements (really, there is little fiction that doesn't) but because it is written by a man it doesn't get the label "romance". I'm referring to the "Genres" listed at the side of the book's listing on Goodreads. I can check any of my favourite UF series and this pattern holds.

Ilona Andrews also writes a fantastic Paranormal Romance series called the Edge. My opinion is that to be labelled "romance" a book or series has to feature a H/h that get together by the end of the book, and in a series each book has to also follow this rule. Therefore neither Kate Daniels, Harry Dresden nor Cat and Bones would be officially "romance". I'm interested in what all of you long-term romance readers think.

Well, both Kate Daniels and Cat & Bones are a series with a good romance, then. I don't really care, as long as it fulfills my romance requirements. I haven't read Harry Dresden.

But, if you are requiring the H/h to get together by the end of each book, what about all the new serials with cliffhangers coming out? They are labelled romance, aren't they? And what would be the difference between those and Cat & Bones, say, whose really strong relationship (including some hot love scenes) develops over the course of a number of books. Just musing here, I don't have a problem with your definition, it's just more rigid than mine.

The thing that defines a romance for me is that it has an HEA at the end of the day and a fairly strong romance between the H/h amongst the other plots. I realize there are some UF series that do not, so no, they aren't romances. Maybe we should call Kate Daniels et al crossover books, or label them UF AND romance.

I have seen a few New Adults called "romances" that apparently do NOT have an HEA, and I find that disturbing. They aren't romances, either. I'd have to throw the book against the wall if I inadvertently read one ending like that. Okay, you got my 2 cents.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I really enjoy Urban Fantasy and it is the genre that I have read the most in. I have a pet peeve though when UF with romantic elements (which I feel applies to Kate Daniels) written by a woman (and I know Kate is a husband-wife team) is often labelled "romance". The Dresden Files also has romantic elements (really, there is little fiction that doesn't) but because it is written by a man it doesn't get the label "romance". I'm referring to the "Genres" listed at the side of the book's listing on Goodreads. I can check any of my favourite UF series and this pattern holds.

Ilona Andrews also writes a fantastic Paranormal Romance series called the Edge. My opinion is that to be labelled "romance" a book or series has to feature a H/h that get together by the end of the book, and in a series each book has to also follow this rule. Therefore neither Kate Daniels, Harry Dresden nor Cat and Bones would be officially "romance". I'm interested in what all of you long-term romance readers think.

I totally agree with you. You can say the same about Mercy Thompson, or Eileen Wilkes's books. Not romance for me. Romantic elements? Yes. Romance? No. It's the same in a sense, for me, with Eve Dallas and Roarke. The first three/four books, specially the first one, are more a real romance. The others? Not so much.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

1] Stop buying whole series from new author unless I’ve read the 1st one
2] Finish more series than I start
3] Be even more choosy on starting new series/authors, I have enough authors that are autobuys
4] Stop falling for nice covers!
5] And most importantly, spend more timing reading books than I do about books!

I've actually succeeded in #3 over the last couple of years, but OMG, I am so bad about #1. Since I often buy books a year (or more) before I get around to buying them, I feel like I have to keep collecting the series - then get disgusted when I read (and hate) the first one!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I totally agree with you. You can say the same about Mercy Thompson, or Eileen Wilkes's books. Not romance for me. Romantic elements? Yes. Romance? No. It's the same in a sense, for me, with Eve Dallas and Roarke. The first three/four books, specially the first one, are more a real romance. The others? Not so much.

This is why I said the one romance book you want others to read I took don't consider UF books romances. Just like I don't consider Stephanie Plum romance. A romance follows a specific formula that these other books don't.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

That would require me to have any of my romances in paper format

Thanks for compiling the list! Whoever creates the January thread tomorrow, would you mind copying the list of recommendation into the first post so it's easy to find?

That's the idea. I like to have this done before the big ball drops tonight.

[FizzyWater]

I'm not sure this would be my "favorite of all times", but it is the one I currently think of when you ask what I'm likely to re-read when I want a book that will definitely satisfy.

The book is "To Rescue a Rogue" by Jo Beverley. Disclaimer: I *love* tortured heroes, and this poor guy definitely is.

[Blossom]

Okay if you haven't please get in on our little project. What is the one romance book you want others to read in 2014? It doesn't have to be a book you read this year. It can be your most favorite romance or any romance you've read. It could that one you tell everyone "You must read this!" Also if you change your mind on your submission please let me know you have till 12AM EST to get them in or change them.

This list will them be posted in the new thread tomorrow.

Here's our list so far:

• Addicted to You by Krista & Becca Ritchie (Blue2u)
• His Wicked Ways by Darcy Burke (KyBunnies)
• A Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (Blossom)
• Knowing the Score by Kat Latham (library addict)
• Silken Threads by Patricia Ryan (ScalyFreak)
• The Double Cross by Carla Kelly (Joykins)
• The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson (pisceschick)
• Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews [Urban Fantasy] (Jane A)
• Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught (Terisa de morgan)
• Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey (mrscoach)
• The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan (booklover6)
• The Devil and the Deep by Amy Andrews (hannahi)
• To Rescue a Rogue by Jo Beverley (FizzyWater)
• Venetia by Georgette Heyer (Carmelreader)
• Highland Rebel by Judith James (Atunah)
• Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood (auntykatkat)
• Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight (NixLapi)
• Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas (Venus)
• The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (Loosheesh)
• Embattled Hearts by J.M. Madden (laurla)
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Christi C)
• The Fire and the Fury by Anita Mills (TC-ME)
• Love, Cherish Me ~ Rebecca Brandewyne (Christyv)
• To Die For by Linda Howard (Ararose)
• The Last Hour of Gann by R Lee Smith (TallMomof2)

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

I'm not sure this would be my "favorite of all times", but it is the one I currently think of when you ask what I'm likely to re-read when I want a book that will definitely satisfy.

The book is "To Rescue a Rogue" by Jo Beverley. Disclaimer: I *love* tortured heroes, and this poor guy definitely is.

Me too I love a good torture hero.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

I'm with Joykins, I thought it was 2013.
Then I would say the Thoughtless series by S.C. Stephens. I've already re-read them twice and I know I'll re-read them again and again. As for older books, I don't remember! LOL

So you want to me to change it to Thoughtless?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by hannahi

I didn't have great luck with romances this year.

I think very few of us found any real good romances this year. I can't really think of any that I'd put on my keeper shelf.

[library addict]

January's DANL selections are up.