FREE/BARGAIN — Romance & Discussion

[sufue]

The Tears of the Rose is the second in the Twelve Kingdoms series by Jeffe Kennedy. It has dropped to $1.99 at Kindle and Kobo US (coupon/VIPable). Having read a couple of Kennedy's other series at the recommendation of @library addict (and liked them), I've been picking up additional titles in other series when they go on sale. Now I've managed to pick up the three main titles in this series, so I can start reading!

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFP7YCW
Kobo US: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the...-of-the-rose-2

Spoiler:

Three sisters. Motherless daughters of the high king. The eldest is the warrior-woman heir; the middle child is shy and full of witchy intuition; and the youngest, Princess Amelia, she is as beautiful as the sun and just as generous.

Ami met her Prince Charming and went away to his castle on the stormy sea-cliffs—and that should have been her happily ever after. Instead, her husband lies dead and a war rages. Her middle sister has been taken into a demon land, turned into a stranger. The priests and her father are revealing secrets and telling lies. And a power is rising in Ami, too, a power she hardly recognizes, to wield her beauty as a weapon, and her charm as a tool to deceive. . .

Amelia has never had to be anything but good and sweet and kind and lovely. But the chess game for the Twelve Kingdoms has swept her up in it, and she must make a gambit of her own. Can the prettiest princess become a pawn—or a queen?

[sufue]

TBR = To Be Read

usage:

"TBR pile" from the old days of DTB (Dead Tree Books = paper books) where TBR piles could overwhelm one's bookshelves, or in extreme cases, one's house...

"TBR list" from the modern days of today, where a big TBR doesn't have to overwhelm one's house - just one's electronic storage media, and possibly one's brain...

Originally Posted by DNSB

<plaintive voice>What's a TBR?</plaintive voice> I have trouble keeping unread books, they disappear into the read pile too fast.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by sufue

TBR = To Be Read

usage:

"TBR pile" from the old days of DTB (Dead Tree Books = paper books) where TBR piles could overwhelm one's bookshelves, or in extreme cases, one's house...

"TBR list" from the modern days of today, where a big TBR doesn't have to overwhelm one's house - just one's electronic storage media, and possibly one's brain...

Seriously, I know what a TBR is. What I don't have is the ability to build up a TBR. Given an outlier reading speed, I tend to go through books faster than the average jackrabbit. See this post for a bit more information.

I will admit to have about 2000 science fiction hardcovers and about 3500 paperbacks including most of my Ace doubles collection still in the basement. When I add in my wife's collection, I suspect we may look like we are ready to either film an episode of Hoarders or open a rather specialized branch library.

[sufue]

I've read and liked Jennifer Estep's Crown of Shards series, so I've had her on author watch at eReaderIQ for a while, and now the second and third titles in her Black Blade series are on sale at Kindle UK. And the first one is available at my library, so I can read in order if I decide to go for it...

This series looks a little more YA-ish than Crown of Shards, but I'm not above a YA read from time-to-time. We shall see...

Dark Heart of Magic, #2, £1.56
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00TE7O9AC/

Bright Blaze of Magic, #3, £1.59
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0138NHG02/

[sufue]

Aaah, sorry, I missed the point

I too read way fast (apparently fast enough that I missed the point), but I seem to still build up quite a list. I mostly blame MR with everyone posting freebies and really good sales!

And I find my reading speed varies a lot depending on "how" I'm reading a book. Some authors/books, I read just for the plot, and those I burn through really fast, probably as fast as you do from your other post. But, if I like the writing, or the setting, or if it's non-fiction that I'm really interested in, or if it's a technical book for my job, I can really slow down too.

I keep telling myself that once I retire my list/pile will get shorter/smaller...but retirement is sadly probably further out now due to coronavirus than it used to be...sigh!

Originally Posted by DNSB

Seriously, I know what a TBR is. What I don't have is the ability to build up a TBR. Given an outlier reading speed, I tend to go through books faster than the average jackrabbit. See this post for a bit more information.

I will admit to have about 2000 science fiction hardcovers and about 3500 paperbacks including most of my Ace doubles collection still in the basement. When I add in my wife's collection, I suspect we may look like we are ready to either film an episode of Hoarders or open a rather specialized branch library.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by sufue

And I find my reading speed varies a lot depending on "how" I'm reading a book. Some authors/books, I read just for the plot, and those I burn through really fast, probably as fast as you do from your other post. But, if I like the writing, or the setting, or if it's non-fiction that I'm really interested in, or if it's a technical book for my job, I can really slow down too.

I keep telling myself that once I retire my list/pile will get shorter/smaller...but retirement is sadly probably further out now due to coronavirus than it used to be...sigh!

Technical writing especially when you need to keep referring back to other pages is a lot slower.

As for retirement, my wife is retired and her TBR hasn't really shrunk since she now has more time to look for new reads. For myself, they are still paying well for me to play with my favourite toys which makes work enjoyable. I still like this Byte magazine cover though these days, the rest of the family would have their own devices under the tree. Ah, when Dr. Dobb's Journal of Computer Calisthenics & Orthodontia (or Running Light Without Overbyte) used to arrive each month. Fun times.

[cfrizz]

My TBR pile is growing, but the only books I will delete are the ones that I will stop reading when I realize how bad they are or with characters who are too young, stupid etc. Those I dump knowing I won't read them ever.

The rest will just have to stay in my pile until I get around to them. My pile would decrease if I could stop re-reading my favorites!

[library addict]

I used to read faster than I seem to have lately. I would blame the whole pandemic, but my slow down started somewhat before that.

I still have plenty to read. The 220 books I deleted didn't make much of a dent in Mount TBR. If I can make it through about 25 more of Jayne Ann Krentz' old category books (aka Stephanie James, Jayne Castle) I will actually have completed my entire physical TBR pile (only because I purchased all of the unread Nora Roberts books in digital during one of the big Kobo sales a few years back so they've moved to the digital list).

I feel that will be an accomplishment! I thought I was going to finish my print TBR last year when I read all of my old Carla Neggers books, but I'd forgotten I put the JAK books on the back of my shelf when the dog was a puppy and decided he liked to eat library books.

I have reread a lot more than usual this year so am behind on my planned new reads. I have started several of them multiple times, but wasn't in the mood to meet new pretend people. And I know it's me not the books. A few authors have managed to capture my attention lately, so hoping I've turned the corner there. I can't really call it a reading slump since I was still reading, just not new books.

[Terisa de morgan]

I totally understand you, library addict. I don't know the reason but...it's the same for me.

[sufue]

And me! A lot more re-reading than normal...

I think it's just a normal stress reaction - when enough other things are stressful in my life, I think it is less effort, and thus less stress, to enjoy something familiar - and that I know I will like.

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I totally understand you, library addict. I don't know the reason but...it's the same for me.

[worktolive]

I'm in awe of anyone who can manage to delete unread books from their TBR mountain! I certainly can't.

Anyway, as if I don't have enough, here are 2 more books that I picked up on sale for $0.99 this week - Two authors that I love, so of course, I couldn't resist one-clicking.

Primrose and the Dreadful Duke by Emily Larkin - this is a Regency w/ a touch of magic

Spoiler:

An irrepressible duke, a bookish spinster, a devious murderer … Regency house parties have never been so hazardous!

Oliver Dasenby is the most infuriating man Primrose Garland has ever known. He may be her brother’s best friend, but he has an atrocious sense of humor. Eight years in the cavalry hasn’t taught him solemnity, nor has the unexpected inheritance of a dukedom.

But when Oliver inherited his dukedom, it appears that he also inherited a murderer.

Oliver might be dreadfully annoying, but Primrose doesn’t want him dead. She’s going to make certain he survives his inheritance—and the only way to do that is to help him catch the murderer!

Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen - hockey romance

Spoiler:

Everyone knows the girl is off limits. But it's so good to be bad.


There’s this girl...
Heidi and I have been trading hungry looks all year, and everything she does makes me smile. But I don't do girlfriends, and I certainly can't get involved with the league commissioner's daughter. I need shots on goal, not a hookup and a widely misunderstood paparazzi photo.
Can I resist her, though? The way she teases me should be a game penalty for interference with my libido. 


There’s this guy…
Jason wants me, but he won’t admit it. That man looks at me the way a hockey player eyes the lunch buffet after practice—and I love it.
But when victory is finally within my grasp, I blow it and humiliate myself. Even then I can’t even avoid him—as the team intern, I’m in constant view of his hard body and cocky smile.
I need another chance. Jason Castro is about to learn the true meaning of an overnight sensation.

[sufue]

Now That I've Found You is, per the title info, the 15th in Bella Andre's Sullivans series, which makes it also apparently the first in the (presumably spin-off) New York Sullivans series. Although in the full blurb it says it's the second in the New York Sullivans. Whew! Regardless, it is free right now at Kindle US and UK, and at Kobo US. Probably also at Kobo UK, but I'm too lazy to change countries and check.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B0Q5QSS
Kobo US: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/now...rk-sullivans-1
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B0Q5QSS

Spoiler:

World-renowned artist Drake Sullivan doesn't paint women. Ever. Not when he knows all too well just how destructive painter/muse relationships can be. But on the day Rosa Bouchard walks onto the cliffs outside his Montauk cottage, Drake is so captivated that he can't stop himself from bringing her life on canvas.

Shocked and horrified by the nude photos of her that have just hit the Internet, reality TV star Rosa's every instinct is to run from her Miami home and hide. After driving all night, she ends up in Montauk, New York, where she doesn't know a soul and plans to lie low until she can figure out how to deal with the media firestorm--and her own mother, who seems all too happy to sell out Rosa's happiness for more fame, more fans, and more money. The very last thing Rosa expects is to find, and to fall for, a sinfully sexy man like Drake Sullivan.

Drake has never felt this way about anything he's painted...and he's definitely never felt this way about a woman. When they kiss, everything but sweet, breathless desire melts away. But can he convince Rosa to trust--and to love--again after such a devastating betrayal?

NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU is part of Bella Andre's USA Today and New York Times #1 bestselling series about The Sullivans. While it can easily be read as a stand-alone story, you'll likely enjoy reading the other books too.

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians #1) by Kit Rocha (A/5 stars)

Purchased:

[sufue]

Chaos Reigning is the third and final title in Jessie Mihalik's romantic space opera Consortium Rebellion series, although there is some indication via her blog (like an opening sentence for a future book) that sometime in the far future, after other commitments, she will write more in the same world, presumably with a new story arc. Anyway, I've really enjoyed the three titles in this series.

Chaos Reigning has dropped to £1.99 at Kindle UK.

link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WCPKG1M

Spoiler:

Interplanetary intrigue and romance combine in this electrifying finale to the Consortium Rebellion series.

As the youngest member of her High House, Catarina von Hasenberg is used to being underestimated, but her youth and flighty, bubbly personality mask a clever mind and stubborn determination. Her enemies, blind to her true strength, do not suspect that Cat is a spy—which makes her the perfect candidate to go undercover at a rival House’s summer retreat to gather intelligence on their recent treachery.

Cat’s overprotective older sister reluctantly agrees, but on one condition: Cat cannot go alone. Alexander Sterling, a quiet, gorgeous bodyguard, will accompany her, posing as her lover. After Cat tries, and fails, to ditch Alex, she grudgingly agrees, confident in her ability to manage him. After all, she’s never found a person she can’t manipulate.

But Alex proves more difficult—and more desirable—than Cat anticipated. When she’s attacked and nearly killed, she and Alex are forced to work together to figure out how deep the treason goes. With rumors of widespread assaults on Serenity raging, communications down, and the rest of her family trapped off-planet, Catarina must persuade Alex to return to Earth to expose the truth and finish this deadly battle once and for all.

But Cat can’t explain why she’s the perfect person to infiltrate hostile territory without revealing secrets she’d rather keep buried. . . .

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) by L Penelope (A/5 stars)
• Breath of Dust & Dawn (Earthsinger Chronicles #1.5) by L Penelope (A/5 stars)

Purchased:
none