FREE/BARGAIN — Romance & Discussion

[Tarana]

This is a cross post from the audiobook special section. I noticed that Chirpbooks.com has all the Dragon Lords and Lords of the Var series from Michelle Pillow on sale for $.99-$2.99. This falls under erotica. Must use the app and can't download to a computer so you can't archive. Make sure it works on your device (there are some freebees if you search FREE in the search box to try it out). Available only in N. America. Barbarian Prince is the 1st book of Dragon Lords and The Savage King is the 1st book of the Var series. Time limit: one has 7 days left of the special and the others have 10 days.

[worktolive]

Free from Serena Bell:

Hold On Tight

Spoiler:

A military hero with scars. The son he never knew he had. And the woman he could never forget.

Mira Shipley is far from home, raising her son on her own—and the babysitter has just quit. Then salvation appears, in the messiest—and hottest—form possible: Sam’s real dad, who’s an Army Ranger. Jake Taylor was Mira’s first love—her first everything—and she always vowed that if she ever saw Jake again, she’d tell him he had a son. But she wasn’t expecting him to be so wounded and angry. Part of her wants to walk away—but she knows she needs to be patient with him.

That was before he volunteered for childcare duty.

Now they’re under one roof together. There’s no way to keep this alpha warrior at a distance. No way to protect her own heart, or her son’s. No way to deny the wild chemistry between them. It’s a recipe for the deepest intimacy of her life. The most intense connection she’s ever known. And maybe, if she and Jake can both overcome their fears, a recipe for…family.

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Demon Moon (The Guardians #2) by Meljean Brook (C/2 stars)
• The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove #5) by Amanda Quick (A/5 stars)
• The Assassin’s Curse (The Emperor’s Edge #3.5) by Lindsay Buroker (B/4 stars)
• Conspiracy (The Emperor’s Edge #4) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Shadows Over Innocence (The Emperor’s Edge #4.5) by Lindsay Buroker (B+/4 stars)

Still on Silver Silence in my complete Psy/Changeling series reread since I haven't started it yet. Hopefully this week.

Purchased:

[worktolive]

Here's another free book by an author I really like. Don't go into this one hungry - lots of food pron in this book.

Her Big City Neighbor by Jackie Lau

Spoiler:

When small-town engineer Amy Sharpe inherits a house in Toronto, she decides it’s the perfect opportunity to start over and go back to school. Away from the family that takes her for granted, away from the ex who expected so much and gave little in return.

The new Amy enjoys wandering around the city and frequenting bubble tea shops, German beer halls, dim sum restaurants, and coffee bars serving Japanese pastries. She has a roommate with the same name as her favorite fictional character, and a group of friends who meet at a cider bar every couple of weeks.

The new Amy is also in lust with her brooding, tattooed next-door neighbor, Victor Choi, who is far from friendly but looks really hot cutting the grass without a shirt. Too bad the grass doesn’t grow faster.

As she starts telling him about her daily adventures—and as a little kissing in the garden becomes a regular activity—Amy begins to feel more than lust. But she fears she’s falling into her old patterns in relationships and refuses to let herself be underappreciated again.

Is Victor really more than a hot fling? And what’s he hiding behind that grumpy exterior?

[Tarana]

Not sure where to put this but since Jane Austin books are normally under Romance, this seems the best place for someone who enjoys the genre to find this.

Pemberley By Maria Grace $.99 Amazon only

Fitzwilliam Darcy, gifted with the ability to speak to England’s dragons, must track down a stolen egg — and he needs Elizabeth Bennet’s help. But can the two carry out the dangerous mission when they keep butting heads at every turn?

[worktolive]

Free box set: Mimi Jean Pamiloff writes humorous PNRs and I've enjoyed others of her books.

The Librarian's Vampire Assistant Box Set 1-3

Spoiler:

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a Horribly Sunny Mystery (with a sprinkle of Romance), The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant Box Set: Books 1-3.

BOOK 1: NOBODY MESSES WITH HIS LIBRARIAN. . .

Who killed Michael Vanderhorst’s maker? It’s a darn good question. But when the trail brings Michael to hellishly sunny Phoenix, Arizona, his biggest problem soon becomes a cute little librarian he can’t seem to stay away from. He’s never met a bigger danger magnet! Even her book cart has it out for her. And is that the drug cartel following her around, too? “Dear God, woman! What have you gotten yourself into?”

Things go from bad to worse when local vampires won’t play nice.

Can this four-hundred-year-old vampire keep his librarian safe and himself out of hot water? Can he bring his maker’s killer to justice? Yesterday, he would’ve said yes. But yesterday, he didn’t have a strange connection with a librarian. Yesterday, people weren’t trying to kill her.

BOOK 2: HOW MUCH LONGER CAN HE KEEP HIS SECRET AND HIS FAVORITE HUMAN SAFE?

Michael Vanderhorst has always been a lone wolf. Or lone vampire? Whatever. Point is, this ancient gentleman vampire is obsessed. She’s quirky, a horrible dresser, and the cutest librarian he’s ever seen. The question is, why her? In four hundred years, no one has ever captured his attention like this. He must find out, which is why he just signed on as her new assistant.

The problem is, she has no idea vampires exist or that she’s just broken one of their laws. As the leader of his territory, Michael has been ordered by his council to turn her or kill her. “Over my dead body!”

To overturn the ruling, Michael needs the council on his side, and right now they’re asking him to hunt down and execute five hundred vampires no one can seem to locate. Unfortunately, his assassin days are long over, and he’s not so sure he can go back to killing.

But with Miriam’s life on the line and their unusual bond growing stronger each day, will he dust off the old sword or give her the bite that will make her his forever?

BOOK 3: FALLING IN LOVE WITH A LIBRARIAN JUST CAN’T GET MORE AWKWARD...

Michael Vanderhorst is not your usual vampire. For starters, he works in a library, is in love with Miriam, his hot nerdy human boss who has no clue what he is, and he looks like a college student.

In reality, Michael is an ancient deadly vampire, an ex-assassin, and is currently the de facto king of his kind ever since their ruling party disappeared. To where? He doesn’t know, but if he wants his life back, he’ll have to find out. (Mystery!) Especially because a civil war is brewing, and being king makes his librarian a mark for his enemies. She is, after all, his biggest weakness.

With a global uprising about to explode, Michael must give her the protection of his army. Only one problem: She must become his queen first. But every attempt he makes to tell her the truth is met with extreme hostility. “Vampires aren’t real. That’s crazy talk, Michael!” Clearly, the topic frightens her.

With time running out and her life on the line, Michael is left with one option: Marry her. Without her knowing.

Can he pull it off? And what will happen when the fight comes to their door?

[library addict]

Away from home so I can't do all the links (sorry!)

Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh (Psy/Changeling Trinity #3) on sale for $1.99

Spoiler:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us on a new adventure in this next novel of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series...

The end of Silence was supposed to create a better world for future generations. But trust is broken, and the alliance between Psy, Changeling, and human is thin. The problems that led to Silence are back in full force. Because Silence fixed nothing, just hid the problems.

This time, the Psy have to find a real answer to their problems--if one exists. Or their race will soon go extinct in a cascade of violence. The answer begins with an empath who is attuned to monsters--and who is going to charm a wolf into loving her despite his own demons.

Kobo


The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy (Forgotten Empires #1) on sale $2.99

Spoiler:

In the Forgotten Empires magic is forbidden, dreams are destiny, and love is the greatest power of all…Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, the lush romantic fantasy world of the Forgotten Empires series will sweep you away.

A PRISONER OF FATE
As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Lia will do anything to keep her people free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father’s, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it’s up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor’s bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…

A PRINCE AMONG MEN
Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Lia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?

Kobo


The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy (Forgotten Empires #2) on sale $2.99

Spoiler:

A desperate alliance. A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate come together in Jeffe Kennedy's The Fiery Crown. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, the lush romantic fantasy world of the Forgotten Empires series will sweep you away.

WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed Conrí, the former Crown Prince of Oriel—a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart—Lia expected the wizard’s prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia’s dangerous bid to save her realm doesn’t lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrí towards a future neither could predict…

OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?

Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom—he’s been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia’s spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife—’til death do they part?

Kobo

FWIW, Book 3 comes out May 25th.

[sufue]

Sin & Magic is the second in KF Breene's Demigods of San Francisco series, which I've read most of, and have liked all that I've read. Although the entire series is KU, Sin & Magic has dropped to $0.99 at Kindle US right now, so if you don't have KU, or just want to have the book and not have to return it, this is your chance...

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/Sin-Magic-Dem...dp/B07KV1ZDP3/
Kindle US/Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/Sin-Magic-D...dp/B07KV1ZDP3/

Spoiler:

I've agreed to work for a Demigod. My job? Find the spirit of his mother and release her before his vengeful father finds out and kills us all.

Have I lost my mind?

Thankfully, I don't have to do it alone. Kieran has brought in help: a Necromancer who loves to flirt with danger. Bria can help me find the clues to free Kieran's mom.

She can also help me learn my potent and extremely terrifying magic.

But as we work deeper into magical San Francisco, we uncover a minefield waiting to explode. I'm learning that there are far worse things than death.

And the first book in the series seems to be sort-of long term at $2.99, which is not too bad, with occasional bumps up or down from there. So if you want to read in order, but don't have KU, it won't set you back too much. And besides, who can resist a book titled Sin & Chocolate...

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J3BR4Q7
Kindle US/Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J3BR4Q7

Spoiler:

Some people are ordained for greatness...

Those people usually have a lot of drama in their life. Drama I happily do without. I live in a forgotten corner of nowhere for a reason: there is safety in anonymity. I have enough problems just trying to get by.

But when Kieran, a sinfully sexy demigod at the pinnacle of power, crashes into my life, suddenly my whole world is turned upside down.

He's harboring a deadly secret, one that could destroy all he holds dear. He thinks I'm the key to his salvation, and he wants me to help him claim vengeance.

He also wants me with a passion that burns my body from the inside out.

To ignore him is impossible, but to give in to my desires, even for a night, would thrust me into danger I might not survive.

Can I resist the temptation?

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor’s Edge #5) by Lindsay Buroker (A/5 stars)
• Beneath the Surface (The Emperor’s Edge #5.5) by Lindsay Buroker (A/5 stars)
• Forged in Blood: Part 1 (The Emperor’s Edge #6) by Lindsay Buroker (B/4 stars)
• Forged in Blood: Part 2 (The Emperor’s Edge #7) by Lindsay Buroker (A/5 stars)

Finally started Silver Silence in my complete Psy/Changeling series reread.

Purchased:
none

[sufue]

If you missed the short-lived freebies from @worktolive's post a few months ago, these three books are now on sale for $0.99 each....

Originally Posted by worktolive

There is a group of authors writing Paranormal Women's Fiction featuring characters that are over the age of 40 (rare enough in romance, but even rarer in paranormal fiction ). One of my favorites is the Leveling Up series by K.F. Breene. Some of the series don't have much romance, but this one does have a nice slow-burn romance - three books in and although they are attracted, he's resisting because of his past. . However, I have hope because the newest release is called Magical Midlife Love.

Anyway, the first three books in the series are free through tomorrow, 2/24. The fourth is not free but it's in KU so it can be borrowed.

Magical Midlife Madness

Magical Midlife Dating

Magical Midlife Invasion

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:
Nothing new, but I am up to Rowan in my complete Psy/Changeling series reread.

Purchased:

[library addict]

After Glow by Jayne Castle (Ghost Hunters #2 aka World of Harmony) on sale for $2.99 normally $7.99

Spoiler:

Return to Harmony—where nothing is as it seems.

Life is complicated for Lydia Smith. She’s working at a tacky, third-rate museum, Shrimpton’s House of Ancient Horrors, trying to salvage her career in para-archaeology—and dating the most dangerous man in town. Just when she thinks she might be getting things under control, she stumbles over a dead body and discovers that her lover has a secret past that could get him killed. Just to top it off, there’s trouble brewing underground in the eerie, glowing green passageways of the Dead City.

Descending into these twisting catacombs, Lydia will learn just what it’s like to put her heart—and life—on the line…

Kobo

Google Play

Apple Books

Amazon

This one was originally published back in 2004. But her books (and Penguin titles in general) rarely go on sale. The metadata now lists it as book 2, but it was originally on her site as book 3 (as before goodreads, etc started the .5 listings for novellas). So some of the sites (like Kobo) still have it listed as #3.

It is the second full-length book in the series as well as the second full-length book with this heroine & hero, so not sure how well it would read as a stand-alone.

FWIW, the series did not start overlapping with the Arcane Society until book 5 and then some of the books were also part of trilogies, but even then I do think her books usually can be read as stand-alones as the overarching plot lines aren't as integrated as say the Psy/Changeling series. There's usually an on-going mystery or big bad organization they are fighting, but the individual mysteries are solved within one book. This is a rare case where it is just a continuation of the romance of Lydia and Emmett (their first book, After Dark, did end with an HEA which is never in jeopardy here. They simply have a new mystery to solve.)

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• The Promised Queen (Forgotten Empires #3) by Jeffe Kennedy (A-/5 stars)
• Legacy by Nora Roberts (C+/3 stars)

Also almost up to Alpha Night in my complete Psy/Changeling series reread (technically up to Seedlings).

Purchased:

[worktolive]

I posted about Elizabeth Stephens' Xiveri Mates SF Romance series a few weeks ago. The third book is free this week. This is the only one I haven't read yet - it's more of a standalone, outside of the main story line. The reader advisories that are part of the description are pretty accurate.

Taken To Sasor

Spoiler:

Mian
Don't run. Don't fight. Just hide. That's all we can do against the Sasor barbarian horde – huge megalithic aliens, born to fight, who can shape shift at will into monsters. We're only human, and me, just a slave among them.

Getting caught is not part of the plan, but when they raid our village, I do the only thing I can think of to spare the whole. I offer myself up to their leader. Infuriating, and strangely funny, I have a lot to learn – his languages and customs, the roles I'm meant to fulfill in his tribe, and how to keep him at arm's length when he's seemingly everywhere, blocking any chances I have to find a mate, and keeping me at his side.

Neheyuu
She's funny, this human. A fast learner, already adapting to our language with ease. She's forgiving. Quick to smile, it's easy to smile back. Too easy. She's slipping under my skin, infecting me and my manerak.

The monster that I can become seems more ready to do her will than my own. Like she's controlling it. I should let her go. I should let her find a mate. I should let the tribes that come for her, take her...

My manerak says no. Its defiance is something I've never felt before and I will need to find a way to deny them both – but how can I when my manerak wants her close?


A grumpy, alpha alien snakeshifter meets a sweet, no-nonsense human heroine in Taken to Sasor, a full-length (100k words), standalone, interracial, shifter romance. While part of the Xiveri Mates series, Taken to Sasor can be read in any order and stands alone with fresh characters and a guaranteed HEA. YES for fated mates, enemies-to-lovers, world-building, action adventure, and extra steamy bits. NO for cheating, harem or love triangles. Violence, including an attack scene against our heroine, may be trigger warnings for sensitive readers.

[library addict]

On sale again

Originally Posted by library addict

The Bride Test (Kiss Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang on sale for $1.99

Spoiler:

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart...

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he's defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can't turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn't go as planned. Esme's lessons in love seem to be working...but only on herself. She's hopelessly smitten with a man who's convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme's time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he's been wrong all along. And there's more than one way to love.

Kobo

Google Play

Apple Books

Amazon


FWIW one of my favorites from 2019 (Geez, was it only last year this came out? Time has no meaning.)