Free and bargain romance in April

[ATDrake]

I broke down and joined also, and I'm a definite no-romo (the only reason why my romance count reached ~15 out of 250+ books last year was because I bought a bunch of Roberta Gellis historical romances* via Baen and elsewhere when they were on sale based on the strength of her Mercedes Lackey co-write Elizabeth fantasies, and I tried some of the cracktastic-looking freebie things as well).

But I figure it's offered on really good terms which I'd like to support to encourage the publisher to offer a more general version, the credits roll over so I'm not stuck picking a book every month that I highly unlikely to read, and hopefully they boost the less-romantic historicals section and expand the book club genre selections.

Plus, I think Blossom recommended Shana Galen to me as a not-too-romancey writer who did plotty intrigue/adventure spying historicals in another thread, so I'm willing to try out her thing from next month's selections so there's at least one thing I can read.

* And to be honest, I was hugely unimpressed with half of what I read, because of the genre clichés making the pointless relationship drama very annoying.

Sit down and talk like adults and get over yourselves and your contrived childish willful misunderstandings! I thought romances were supposed to end in people projected to ride off happily ever after into the sunset, not in couples therapy before the inevitable murder/suicide, which is where I would see half of those people winding up, if it weren't for the narrative conventions of Romancelandia, which demand HEA no matter how dysfunctional and ill-suited people are.

Well, thankfully there was a bunch of decent political maneuvering and intrigue centred around actual historical events to read in there as well.

[pisceschick]

Originally Posted by melmac

In today's newsletter from Discover a new Love they have given a Sneak Peak at the Clubs May Freebies, they are

Catherine Mann - Under Fire
Shana Galen - Lord and Lady Spy
Katherine Kennedy - The Lord of Illusion
Terry Spear - Heart of the Highland Wolf

I think I've pretty much convinced myself that I need to join this club

You guys might double-check your archives before making May selections, if you shop at multiple ebook stores. That Shana Galen book was on sale for several weeks at $1.99 (I think that was the price) in September/October.

The Highland Wolf might have been recently, as well... It sounds familiar but I don't pay much attention to PNR books to know for sure.

[Britomart]

I got both the Galen and the Spear book recently, which means there must have been a freebie or discount for both. I wouldn't have gottem them otherwise, as they are not among the authors for whose books I pay full price.

Now Kennedy's books have been more miss than hit for me recently, and I haven't read anything by Catherine Mann yet. I might wait until the June announcement is posted before I decide whether to get Under Fire or keep my May freebie for June. It's a pity I can't use it up in advance, as I would have liked all of the April books.

[JNCalif]

Sit down and talk like adults and get over yourselves and your contrived childish willful misunderstandings! I thought romances were supposed to end in people projected to ride off happily ever after into the sunset, not in couples therapy before the inevitable murder/suicide, which is where I would see half of those people winding up, if it weren't for the narrative conventions of Romancelandia, which demand HEA no matter how dysfunctional and ill-suited people are.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

Thank you for a good giggle! I completely agree - and I love romance novels!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Britomart

I got both the Galen and the Spear book recently, which means there must have been a freebie or discount for both. I wouldn't have gottem them otherwise, as they are not among the authors for whose books I pay full price.

Now Kennedy's books have been more miss than hit for me recently, and I haven't read anything by Catherine Mann yet. I might wait until the June announcement is posted before I decide whether to get Under Fire or keep my May freebie for June. It's a pity I can't use it up in advance, as I would have liked all of the April books.

Catherine Mann is a very well known Harlequin author. During the HQ coupon back in January I bought her entire Wingman Warriors series since then I've been buying her other books.

I've heard nothing but raves about Terry Spear's books but haven't read any. Shana Galen is new to me. ATDrake it wasn't me who recommended her. I did recommend Joanna Bourne a few months back.

I picked up a couple of Sourcebooks with Kobo coupons for 87 cents a piece. New authors for me. I like the new club though right now other than what's coming out I don't see anything I haven't bought or been given already.

[ATDrake]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I've heard nothing but raves about Terry Spear's books but haven't read any. Shana Galen is new to me. ATDrake it wasn't me who recommended her. I did recommend Joanna Bourne a few months back.

Darn, I thought that bickering Napoleonic War spy couple premise sounded familiar and would be a reasonably safe bet. I guess I'll just have to read the Galen samples and skim the customer reviews to see if anyone helpfully complains about "too much intrigue, not enough romance!" like IIRC they did the Bourne stuff you recommended. Thanks for setting me straight.

At least you can try out Terry Spear for free, since I think you've been around long enough to have picked up both of her Wolf books which Sourcebooks offered a while ago.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

Darn, I thought that bickering Napoleonic War spy couple premise sounded familiar and would be a reasonably safe bet. I guess I'll just have to read the Galen samples and skim the customer reviews to see if anyone helpfully complains about "too much intrigue, not enough romance!" like IIRC they did the Bourne stuff you recommended. Thanks for setting me straight.

At least you can try out Terry Spear for free, since I think you've been around long enough to have picked up both of her Wolf books which Sourcebooks offered a while ago.

I do have the ones you mention. My library has them all so I don't need to buy Terry Spear's other titles if I like the first book. I am looking at the Mann book because it's' one of the ones I would of bought anyways.

[AnemicOak]

Merciless by Diana Palmer is the Diesel Deal of the Day (for the next 19 hours or so, or until they "run out"), it's $1.60 in DRM'd ePub.

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/index.p...eal_of_the_day

[Wald07]

Picked up Terry's Spear's "Heart of the Wolf" @ X-mas for .99c (on Kobo).
I see it's now $6.59. Why?

Anyways, I really enjoyed it, and with some other coupons I bought the rest of the wolf ones from her.

I've also been reading Tina Folsom, with great enjoyment. (Scanguards Immortals)

And my fave author before these is Michele Hauf. Love her!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Merciless by Diana Palmer is the Diesel Deal of the Day (for the next 19 hours or so, or until they "run out"), it's $1.60 in DRM'd ePub.

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/index.p...eal_of_the_day

I own all her Long Tall Texan Books. She's not for everyone but she did pioneer Modern Western romances. She's an autobuy for me.

[Wald07]

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Wild-...aGJSnBwjWA&r=2

Haven't read it yet, but hey- free is good! (From Kobo)

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Throu...GsCHZ-_6FQ&r=5

Just release this month! Free!

and another I've read from Kimani Press I think.
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Irres...TtOl87IoLQ&r=1

Zodiac Club?
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Forep...TtOl87IoLQ&r=2

[apesmom]

Kindle Freebie

Crimson Rogue (Crimson City #6) by Liz Maverick published by Love Spell 2006

From the four strata of Crimson City rogues: vampire, werewolf, human, demon. These rebels, rakes and unsung heroes have turned their backs on the extravagant vampire skyway, the gritty werewolf underground, the iron-fisted human stronghold and the fiery power of the demon underworld. Walking a thin line between heaven and hell, they make their own rules and follow their own destinies. Ironically, they will be the ones to determine if the City flourishes or fails.

Cydney Brighton knows them well, for she too is now rogue. Having escaped hell, she's discovered that the City is not what it once was--and neither is she. Only one man understands her, understands what it means to be someone or SOMETHING beyond control. He's ready to come out of the darkness, and part-man, part-machine, he's willing to sacrifice almost anything to make himself whole. The future is theirs.

[apesmom]

Kindle Freebie

Orchids in Moonlight by Patricia Hagan - published by HarperCollins 1993

Together the lovers rode the terrifying Sierra ranges. Jaime Chandler, searching for her father, was in the care of the one man who could lead her safely to San Francisco. Cord Austin, kidnapped and raised by the Apache, had been branded a savage by white society.

His bitter past had made him vow never to let passion sway his heart, and his passion for Jaime was a mirage he vowed to leave behind on the dusty trail. Still guarding the dark secret of his heritage, Cord rejoined the vaqueros on the golden coast.

The search for her father led Jaime to a clifftop castle lush with vineyards and exotic flowers. Through a web of intrigue, deceit, and danger, she and Cord had to find their way to seize again the dazzling dream their destiny had promised.

[Blossom]

Diesel ebooks Deal of the Day is The Rake by Georgina Devon for $1.20. This is a Harlequin Historical published in 2004.

Description:
The Rake Has Found A Bride...

When Juliet Smythe-Clyde is forced to spend several nights in the devastatingly handsome Duke of Brabourne's house -- unchaperoned -- her reputation is in tatters. And despite his cynical nature, Brabourne can't help but feel sorry for her. So when all his strategies to restore her in society fail, he offers for her hand in marriage. But when the exasperating, flame-haired young woman agrees to be his wife to save her honor, will the notorious rake be reformed as he finds himself falling for his bride?

I picked this one up.

[apesmom]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Diesel ebooks Deal of the Day is The Rake by Georgina Devon for $1.20. This is a Harlequin Historical published in 2004.

I picked this one up.

I grabbed it too. I've gotten several nice bargains from the Diesel deal of the Day since I started paying attention to it.