FREE/BARGAIN — Romance & Discussion

[DNSB]

The XYL is now tempted to listen to some of the audio books just to get the pronunciation of the names.

The series order comes mostly from my wife's comments that she would have preferred to read the prequel before reading most of the series.

[apesmom]

Deal!

Cobra Elite Box Set (books 1 - 3) by Pamela Clare - $0.99

Spoiler:

Join the members of Cobra International Security as they find love and danger around the world. The Cobra Elite Box Set features three pulse-pounding military suspense novels by USA Today Bestselling Author Pamela Clare.

Hard Target — When a US senator asks Cobra to protect his daughter, a midwife volunteering in Afghanistan, Derek’s gut tells him to turn the senator down. The last thing he wants to do is babysit an aid worker. But Jenna isn’t just another assignment. She’s also the younger sister of his best friend, the man who died taking bullets meant for him. There’s no way Derek can refuse.

Hard Asset — On the run from a genocidal madman and his army, Connor will have to use all of the skills he learned in Delta Force to keep Shanti safe.

Hard Justice — When Quinn McManus’ best friend from his days in the British Special Air Service is found dead in an alley in Glasgow, he turns to Elizabeth Shields to help him find the man who did it. As they cross the line from friends to lovers, they find themselves in the sights of a stone-cold killer

Kindle | Kobo

[apesmom]

On sale again

Alpha Night (Psy-Changeling Trinity #4) by Nalini Singh - $1.99

Spoiler:

Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.

Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.

Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death…

Kindle | Kobo | Google

[apesmom]

Freebie!

This one has been near the top of the UF/PNR charts for a very long time.

City of Thorns (Demon Queen Trials #1) by C.N. Crawford

Spoiler:

I never thought I'd be singing happy birthday to myself in a dungeon. And yet when a sinfully sexy demon crashes happy hour, that's exactly what happens. He’s known as the Lord of Chaos, and he’s mistaken me for my succubus doppelgänger.

Happy birthday to me.

When he tastes my blood, he finally understands I’m mortal. And I realize we have something in common: we both crave revenge. So we make a deal: I can stay in the forbidden city to hunt for my mom's killer. In return, I’ll help him get the vengeance he craves. I just have to pose as a sexy succubus. One problem--he's my number one suspect.

And that’s increasingly hard to remember as he teaches me my role: seduction. With each heated touch I drift further into peril. And if I fall under his seductive spell, death awaits me.

Book#2 - Lord of Embers is also on sale for $0.99

Spoiler:

Once, I was a broke college student. Now, it seems I'm destined to rule as the Lightbringer--queen of the demon realm. Except I have competition in the form of Orion, the Lord of Chaos. Like me, he has been marked as a leader. We can't keep our hands off each other, even if he swore an oath to kill me.

It seems we both want the same thing--the crown. And in this battle of wills, only one of us will be left standing.

Book #3 releases on June 13th

[apesmom]

This week . . .

Faith McMann by T.R. Ragan

#2 - Outrage - 3.5
#3 - Wrath - 3.5
Listened on KU. Dark suspense. Either the narration got better since book 1 or I just got used to it, overall OK. Series is OK, decent enough that I listened until the end of book 3. I'm having a harder time finding KU books to listen to.

Dogwood Lane by Adriana Locke

#1 - Tumble - 4
Listened on KU. Narration is good. Sweet contemporary, will probably pick up with the rest of the series at some point.

Gathering of Dragons by Milla Vane

#0.5 - The Beast of Blackmoor - 4
Listened on Overdrive. Narration is excellent.

The Others/World of the Others by Anne Bishop

#6/1 - Lake Silence - 4.5
#7/2 - Wild Country - 4.5
#8/3 - Crowbones - 4.5
Listened on Overdrive. Narration is excellent. I remember binging the the first 5 in the series so I saved up these ones to binge again. I forgot how much I loved this world.

Lazy Girl's Guide to Magic by Helen Harper

#1 - Slouch Witch - 4
Listened on Overdrive. Narration is OK but I don't understand why the main character is voiced with an American accent and everyone else is Britsh. Entertaining so far, right on the edge of cartoony but hasn't crossed it yet.

Finally gave up on my library and got the Brooklyn membership. Tons on my list to listen to for months, $50 well spent! It will help take a few chunks out of the slopes of Mount TBR. I have no idea what criteria my library uses for purchases but they obviously aren't buying what people are recommending, otherwise they wouldn't be hitting the new arrivals screen with no reservations.


Purchased:

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Mind Over Matter by Nora Roberts (F/1 star)
• Private Scandals by Nora Roberts (C-/2 stars)
• Unforgiven (Deep Ops #5) by Rebecca Zanetti (B+/4 stars)

Ended up rereading the entire Deep Ops series in audio (though one of the novellas had a different narrator).


Purchased:

[library addict]

Ultimate Courage by Piper J Drake (True Heroes #2) on sale for $2.99

Spoiler:

LOVE IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY

Retired Navy SEAL Alex Rojas is putting his life back together, one piece at a time. Being a single dad to his young daughter and working at Hope’s Crossing Kennels to help rehab a former guard dog, he struggles every day to control his PTSD. But when Elisa Hall shows up, on the run and way too cautious, she unleashes his every protective instinct.

Elisa’s past never stays in her rearview mirror for long, and she refuses to put anyone else in danger. But with Alex guarding her so fiercely yet looking at her so tenderly, she’s never felt safer . . . or more terrified that the secrets she keeps could put countless people in grave peril. The only way for both to fully escape their demons will take the ultimate act of courage: letting go and learning to trust each other.

Kobo

Goggle Play

Amazon

It's not coming up for the sale price on Apple Books. Also I am getting an error message for Amazon so hopefully the link goes to the kindle edition. Everything I look up on Amazon is telling me "We're sorry, an error has occurred. Please reload this page and try again." at the moment

[apesmom]

Several Sourcebooks freebies. Many have been previously free but I found a few I didn't already have so it's worth a look. I'm not seeing the freebies on other platforms yet.

Hell or High Water (Deep Six #1) by Julie Ann Walker

Spoiler:

When the world is in chaos and the center cannot hold, the men of Deep Six are here to join the fight. Jump right into the action if you're ready for:

Former Navy SEALs who thought their fighting days were behind them
Fearless women who don't back down from Black Ops OR stubborn military men
A ragtag group of specialists who can solve any problem—even on the high seas
A hero who will risk everything for the woman he can't live without
New York Times bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. series doesn't pull any punches in this action-packed romantic suspense.

Only two things could make former Navy SEAL Leo Anderson return to the world of weapons and warfare. First, a capsule of chemical weapons lost on the ocean floor, and second, a plea for help from the one woman he can't seem to forget—CIA Agent Olivia Mortier.

Now, working together to race against the clock, Leo and Olivia must find the missing capsule while battling the intense desire burning between them. If they can survive, can their growing attraction become more, or will everything go up in flames?

Hungry Like the Wolf (SWAT #1) by Paige Tyler

Spoiler:

INTRODUCING SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM
They're tight
They're on target
They're as alpha as men can get

The Dallas SWAT team is hiding one helluva secret...they're a pack of wolf shifters.

The team of elite sharpshooters is ultra-secretive-and also the darlings of Dallas. This doesn't sit well with investigative journalist Mackenzie Stone. They must be hiding something...and she's determined to find out what.

Keeping Mac at a distance proves impossible for SWAT team commander Gage Dixon. She's smart, sexy, and makes him feel alive for the first time in years. But she's getting dangerously close to the truth-and perilously close to his heart...

Cowboy Wolf Trouble (Seven Range Shifters #1) by Kait Ballenger

Spoiler:

A wolf shifter romance like you've never seen before—cowboys by day, wolf shifters by night, this clan of secret wolves lies just beyond the mountains. A world filled with intrigue and possibility is closer than you think.

For centuries, the shifters that roam Big Sky country have honored a pact to keep the peace. Even bad-boy rancher Wes Calhoun, former leader of a renegade pack, has given up his violent ways and sworn loyalty to the Grey Wolves. But his dark past keeps catching up with him...

Human rancher Naomi Evans only cares about saving the land that was her father's legacy. Until the day she finds an injured wolf on her ranch and discovers a whole new world—a supernatural world on the verge of war—and Naomi, her ranch, and the sexy cowboy wolf stealing her heart are right in the middle of it.

Every Last Breath (Final Hour #1) by Juno Rushdan

Spoiler:

The Clock Is Ticking:

48 hours
2 covert operatives
1 chance to get it right
Maddox Kinkade is an expert at managing the impossible. Tasked with neutralizing a lethal bioweapon, she turns to the one person capable of helping her stop the threat in time: the love of her life, back from the dead and mad as hell at her supposed betrayal. Recruiting Cole to save millions of lives may be harder than resisting the attraction still burning between them, but Maddox will do whatever it takes, down to her final breath...even if it destroys her.

When Maddox crashes back into Cole Matthews's life, he wants to fight back. He wants to hate her. But the crisis is too strong to ignore, and soon the two former lovers find themselves working side-by-side in a breakneck race to stop a world-class killer with a secret that could end everything.

Beyond Risk (Florida Wildlife Warriors #1) by Catherine Mann

Spoiler:

Former Florida Fish & Wildlife Officer Charlotte "Charlee" Tanner still carries the guilt of a tragic drowning accident that occurred on her watch. She hoped moving back home to central Florida would provide a safe haven—until she learns that her beloved wilderness is full of twisted lies and deadly secrets, including the fact that the death that's haunted her was no accident...and she was the intended target.

Tough and decisive, Lieutenant Hunter Boudreau has just been promoted as a law enforcement officer with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, though not everyone on the force is happy about the change. Despite the friction at work, Charlee is his best friend, so when she comes under fire, he's not letting her out of his sight until the killer is caught. But Hunter has secrets of his own, and Charlee is determined not to let anyone else die for her.

As danger closes in and Charlee and Hunter's attraction threatens to consume them, Charlee has to decide whether she can trust Hunter. And to save Charlee, Hunter will have to trust her, too.

A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing (SEAL Wolf #1) by Terry Spear

Spoiler:

Her instincts tell her he's dangerous...
His powers of persuasion are impossible to resist...

While her overprotective brother's away, Meara Greymere's planning to play—and it wouldn't hurt to find herself a mate in the process. The last thing she needs is one of his SEAL buddies spoiling her fun, even if the guy is the hottest one she's ever seen.

Finn Emerson is a battle-hardened Navy SEAL and alpha wolf. He's a little overqualified for baby-sitting, but feisty Meara is attracting trouble like a magnet.

As the only responsible alpha male in the vicinity, Finn is going to have to protect this intriguing woman from a horde of questionable men, and definitely from himself.

[sufue]

If you missed Smoke Bitten when @apesmom posted it almost a year ago, it's on sale again, although at $2.99 now, instead of $1.99. But that's still a pretty good price for a most-recent-in-series book (at least until the next one comes out in a couple of month). The links in @apesmom's post are still good.

Originally Posted by apesmom

A couple good ones in today's daily deals, both are the most recent in their series.

Smoke Bitten (Mercy Thompson #12) by Patricia Briggs - $1.99

Spoiler:

I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I'm going to need them.

Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill—until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.

Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything—even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.

It won't, can't, remain.

Not if I have anything to say about it.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

{edited other book}

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Eye of Truth (Agents of the Crown #1) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Blood Ties (Agents of the Crown #2) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Duty Bound (Agents of the Crown #3) by Lindsay Buroker (B+/4 stars)
• Elven Fury (Agents of the Crown #4) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Dragon Tear (Agents of the Crown #5) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Nightwork by Nora Roberts (D-/1 star)

Purchased:

[apesmom]

This week . . .

Gathering of Dragons by Milla Vane

#1 - A Heart of Blood and Darkness - 4
#2 - A Touch of Stone and Snow - 3.5
Listened on Overdrive. Narration is excellent. Slow start on Book 1 and it was a little challenging to keep track of who was who on the audio, but it got very good. Barbarians, dinosaurs and sorcerers and gods that walk among them. There is sooo much lore in this world, hard to keep it straight. Book 2 was not as strong. Next one out 5/23/23, mainstream publishing schedules are so stupid.

Steel & Stone Universe by Annette Marie

#1 - Chase the Dark - 4
Books are on KU but listened on Overdrive. Narration is very good. Different world from a favorite author. There's a short wait on each of these so can't binge the audio.

Go Team by Linda Howard

#2 - The Woman Left Beind - 4.5
Listened on Overdrive. Narration is very good. Love the heroine.

Forty Proof by Shannon Mayer

#5 - Midlife Zombie Hunter - 4
KU. One to go and another to be published 8-29.

Purchased: none

[library addict]

Originally Posted by apesmom

Gathering of Dragons by Milla Vane

#1 - A Heart of Blood and Darkness - 4
#2 - A Touch of Stone and Snow - 3.5
Listened on Overdrive. Narration is excellent. Slow start on Book 1 and it was a little challenging to keep track of who was who on the audio, but it got very good. Barbarians, dinosaurs and sorcerers and gods that walk among them. There is sooo much lore in this world, hard to keep it straight. Book 2 was not as strong. Next one out 5/23/23, mainstream publishing schedules are so stupid.

A Dance of Smoke and Steel has been delayed about multiple times. The book was originally scheduled for Dec 2020, but she asked for an extension (possibly a couple of times?) It was rescheduled twice in 2021, then for Jan, Apr, June and finally November 30, 2022, but that date got pushed due to the supply chain issues.

FWIW the author was going through a divorce plus I imagine the pandemic affected things. So I'm glad she asked for extra time to make the book what she wants it to be. Plus the May date will get more of a push from the publisher than they do for November books so glad it got moved. I'd rather wait. And it's nothing like the six year wait between the initial novella The Beast of Blackmoor and book one. (FTR I read the novella and book one a few weeks before book two's release as I'd been saving them up).

ETA: you can read more about it here, here, and here.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by library addict

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Eye of Truth (Agents of the Crown #1) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Blood Ties (Agents of the Crown #2) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Duty Bound (Agents of the Crown #3) by Lindsay Buroker (B+/4 stars)
• Elven Fury (Agents of the Crown #4) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Dragon Tear (Agents of the Crown #5) by Lindsay Buroker (A-/5 stars)
• Nightwork by Nora Roberts (D-/1 star)

Purchased:

You've encouraged me to read the last Nora Roberts' work

[apesmom]

Ilona Andrews on sale, they aren't available on Google and prices have not dropped on Kobo.

The Kinsmen Universe - $0.99

Spoiler:

** PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED - This is an anthology edition of the Kinsmen Universe, which includes SILENT BLADE, SILVER SHARK, plus a new short story, and three original illustrations.**

Family is everything. Talent is power. And revenge is sweet.

In a distant, future world Kinsmen-small powerful groups of genetically and technologically advanced families-control vast financial empires. They are their own country, their own rulers, and their only limits are other Kinsmen. The struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport: in business, on the battlefield...and sometimes in the bedroom.

Silent Blade
Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder.

On the planet Rada, Meli Galdes' family is of minor rank, and were relying on her marriage to Celino, the razor-smart, ruthless leader of the powerful Carvanna empire. When he abruptly breaks their engagement, he ruins her family and guarantees that Meli will never marry, as no suitor will oppose the rich and influential Carvannas.

But Meli has a rare, secret, lethal-and valuable-talent. As a melder of energy, she's capable of severing anything in her path. So she 'leaves' her family and trains to become one of the best and most lethal of assassins, all the while covertly guarding her family's interests. Now she's ready to quit; but she has one more assignment.

To kill the man who ruined her life.

Silver Shark
Claire Shannon is a killer...and her weapon is her mind.

Born on a planet torn by war for over 300 years, Claire is a soldier: a psycher, with the ability to read, control, and destroy the minds of enemy psychers and to infiltrate the biological network where they battle to death.

When Claire's faction loses the war, she barely escapes extermination from both sides, as her talent brands her as too dangerous to society. By so-deeply burying her ability that she avoids detection, Claire is instead deported to Rada as a refugee, where she must find work to remain. She finds a job as personal assistant to Venturo Escana, a premiere kinsman; one of Rada's most wealthy entrepreneurs—and most powerful psychers.

She thought she had left war behind, but now she must hide her skills and her growing feelings from Venturo...and this battle might just cost her everything...

I guess you'd call this romantic science fiction. It's the first 2 novellas in the series and is essentially Hidden Legacy on another planet. I liked both stories.

Sweep in Peace (InnKeeper Chronicles #2) - $0.99

Spoiler:

Dina Demille doesn’t run your typical Bed and Breakfast. Her inn defies laws of physics, her fluffy dog is secretly a monster, and the only paying guest is a former Galactic tyrant with a price on her head. But the inn needs guests to thrive, and guests have been scarce, so when an Arbitrator shows up at Dina's door and asks her to host a peace summit between three warring species, she jumps on the chance.

Unfortunately, for Dina, keeping the peace between Space Vampires, the Hope-Crushing Horde, and the devious Merchants of Baha-char is much easier said than done. On top of keeping her guests from murdering each other, she must find a chef, remodel the inn...and risk everything, even her life, to save the man she might fall in love with. But then it's all in the day's work for an Innkeeper…

Haven't read this series yet.

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

You've encouraged me to read the last Nora Roberts' work

To be fair I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it. I just didn't like the main character and his romantic lead felt barely in it, so....

I only have 7 of her books left to go and I will have read everything. One single title which I hope to start today and two trilogies.