Free and bargain romance ebooks + Discussion July 2014

[Venus]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

I really need to read Linda Howard. First Loosheesh recommended them, and now you. I do have 1 or 2 of hers, now to move them up my TBR pile. And I also have had The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers since it came out. Need to move that up too!


Thanks to coupon fairies and finally getting ONE 75% code on my last day of playing the KC, I was bad this past week and bought 31 books for $36. [these were all books I did NOT buy last contest so...it all works out, right?! ] I've been under budget 5 weeks of last 7 so I really am cutting down. I think reading mostly my auto-buy authors for the past few weeks has helped.

I just finished Thrive, the newest book in the Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie and absolutely loved it, another 5 star. I honestly can't remember the last 5 star read I had!?! Such a good feeling when a book you've been highly anticipating goes beyond your expectations.

Can I enjoy Thrive as a standalone even though it is part of a series?

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

I really need to read Linda Howard. First Loosheesh recommended them, and now you. I do have 1 or 2 of hers, now to move them up my TBR pile. And I also have had The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers since it came out. Need to move that up too!

Howard was an autobuy author for me for many, many years. It took me over a decade to finally give up on her newer books.

My advice is to stick with the 90s/very early 2000s Howard. Not all of her early Silhouette/category books have stood the test of time; though I still adore her Kell Sabin books (eagerly awaiting their release in digital providing she doesn't "update" them as was rumored) and Duncan's Bride. She writes a lot of real jerk heroes, but in such a way that you love them despite of it.

Kill and Tell, Mr. Perfect, Open Season, Dying to Please are all good stand alones.

He writing style really changed in the mid-2000s.

[BuyMore]

$.99 Box Set on sale!

Hot Alpha SEALs: Military Romance Megaset (Amazon | Kobo)

12 New York Times, USA Today or Award-winning bestselling Hot Alpha Authors brings you this Military Romance Megaset for your reading pleasure:

THE KISS OF A SEAL by Award-winning Author Anne Elizabeth — Jessa Grainger’s world is rocked by the kiss of a SEAL, SO-1 Link Tyler. It wouldn’t be a problem for an ordinary person, but being a Navy Consultant working on the Amphibious Base as well as being engaged to a SWCC man make the situation very sticky.

NIGHT WITH A SEAL (Hot SEALS #1) by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Cat Johnson —When navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy, it makes SEAL Jon Rudnick question his future. So does Alison Cressly, the one woman he can’t get out of his head.

HOT BAYOU SEAL by Award-winning author Cindy Dees — SEAL Ford Alambeaux is a busted up SEAL on his way out of the teams. Trina Zarkos is being tossed out of SEAL training like every other female candidate…until they’re thrown together on a way off-book mission to see if she can play with the big boys or not.

DELTA: RETRIBUTION by USA Today bestselling author Cristin Harber — Fallen Navy SEAL and Titan Group’s Delta recruit Trace Reeves wants nothing more than a one-night stand to forget that his twin brother was killed-in-action. But when his one-time fling becomes his high value target, the lines blur between her rescue mission and saving himself.

WATCH OVER ME (An Uncharted SEAL story) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin — Deke Warrick’s unsanctioned detail is to keep tabs on a congressman’s niece while she vacations in the Caribbean. He’s determined to keep his distance, from the beautiful Nicky Martir—until she’s snatched from their hotel room.

SEAL'S OBSESSION (A Take No Prisoners story) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elle James — Mission: Halt pirate activities off the coast of Honduras. SEAL TEAM 10's Jack Fischer goes undercover as a deck hand on a medical boat where he finds himself falling for the dedicated Dr. Natalie Rhoades.

The SEAL (a Sex, Lies & Spies novella) by USA Today bestselling author Gennita Low — Mari Lords is tasked by her father to steal the seal that is an important clue in a round-the-world treasure hunt called The Game. When her opportunity comes during a party, she finds another kind of SEAL, Angel Marcello.

UNBREAKABLE SEAL by USA Today bestselling author J.M. Madden — Maxwell Tate fights against a psychotic dream world, until he no longer knows what’s real. Lacey Adams knows she can’t save all of her cases, but can she salvage the unbreakable SEAL?

MISTER BLACK by Award-winning author P.T. Michelle —He is Black: a deadly enforcer and masterful seducer. I am Red: a justice bleeder and willing participant. When our secrets converge in a passionate encounter, stepping out of the shadows just might be worth the risk.

STONE HARD SEAL by Award-winning author Sabrina York —When Ryder “Stone” Maddox’s meets Lily Wilson—a senator’s daughter who is definitely off-limits—he’s determined to keep his distance, despite her irresistible allure. But Lily has plans of her own…to put his heart of stone to the test.

SEAL’S PROMISE by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Hamilton —Navy SEAL T.J. Talbot, SEAL Team 3's bad boy, makes a deathbed promise to protect and care for his fallen buddy's wife and child. The only problem is, she hates him.

BREAKING TIES (a SEAL Team Heartbreakers story) by bestselling author Teresa Reasor — Navy SEAL Oliver Shaker is blindsided when he learns that not only does his wife, Selena, have a life-threatening illness, but she’s also pregnant, stretching their marriage to the breaking point.

I'm getting this box set mainly because of J.M. Madden, Cristin Harber, and Teresa Reasor. Some of the others sound pretty good, too.

[Blue2u]

apesmom, Venus, library Addict: The only Linda Howard book I have is 'Now You See Her'. Gah, I thought I'd bought more. Is that one ok to start with? Remember I'm not really a romantic suspense lover!

Originally Posted by Venus

Can I enjoy Thrive as a standalone even though it is part of a series?

No, and it's not that the books are really cliffhangers per se, it's that the stories are tightly entwined with each other. The first book, Addicted to You is on sale for $.99 at Amazon, the books are also at Kobo but not marked down right now.

[Blue2u]

Attention hockey fans : Free at KOBO, Breakaway by Catherine Gayle. It's supposed to be free at Amazon too but doesn't come up for me [geo-restricted].

blurb: She’s reaching for a breakaway pass.

Dana Campbell has spent the past seven years in self-imposed isolation for a crime she didn’t commit. The danger is well in the past, but her panic attacks make it impossible to have a normal, healthy relationship with a man. Even her counselor has given up on her. She has to find someone she trusts to help her fight through the panic, or her seven-year ordeal will become a lifetime sentence. There’s only one man she feels safe enough to ask.

He got caught with his head down.

As the captain of the NHL’s once elite but now fading Portland Storm, Eric Zellinger knows a thing or two about keeping his focus on the job. Questions are flying about his ability to lead the team back to the playoffs. If they don’t make it, he might be shipped out of town. It’s the worst time possible for his best friend’s kid sister to divide his focus. How can he give her what she needs without jeopardizing both the Storm’s playoff hopes and his future with the team?

It’s her only chance, but it’s his last shot.

[Britomart]

Free from Amazon US DE:

Midsummer Midnight by Parris Afton Bonds (orig. Harlequin, 1985).

MADNESS! That time of Midsummer-Midnight when all is revelry and debauchery in Macedonia. That unbelievable moment when Damon Demetrios kidnaps Helena Hamilton, a journalist whose by-line draws as much interest as her subjects. He wants her to cover the Macedonian struggle for freedom. She wants him for all the wrong reasons ~ the worst being the freedom fighter, irrevocably wedded to his country, has the ability to make her forget the independent principles she believes in. Then there is the knowledge she won’t ever be able to forget him, that long after she escapes he’ll haunt her like a madness.

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

apesmom, Venus, library Addict: The only Linda Howard book I have is 'Now You See Her'. Gah, I thought I'd bought more. Is that one ok to start with? Remember I'm not really a romantic suspense lover!

Yes, it is a stand-alone. Though not one of my personal favorites, it's not a bad book. It has a paranormal element which is not something she does a lot of.

Most of her backlist is romantic suspense. She did write some historicals if you'd rather go that route. A Lady of the West, Angel Creek, and The Touch of Fire. I read them when they were first released, but don't recall if they had a lot suspense or not.

[Venus]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

apesmom, Venus, library Addict: The only Linda Howard book I have is 'Now You See Her'. Gah, I thought I'd bought more. Is that one ok to start with? Remember I'm not really a romantic suspense lover!

Thanks Blue about your help with 'Thrive'. I started with Linda Howard's ' After the Night' and loved it. Maybe that would be a good one for you to start with.

[Blue2u]

Gah! Those of us waiting for July 28 for Lead - Stage Dive 3 by Kylie Scott, might want to check out Kobo Mexico store...

[AnemicOak]

I debated posting this in the Romance thread or not since it's only kind of Romance in my recollection. Open Road Media is offering their version of Emma by Jane Austen for free at...
Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | B&N | Google

The timeless romance starring one of Jane Austen’s most unforgettable characters

Emma Woodhouse is a privileged young woman whose greatest pleasure in life lies in matchmaking for anyone but herself. Written, by Austen’s own admission, as “a heroine whom no one but myself will much like,” Emma’s charm and wit exist in constant tension with her capacity for selfishness and vanity. Despite her intelligence, Emma stumbles from one catastrophe to the next—from a misguided attempt at securing a husband for her friend Harriet Smith to her disastrous meddling in the affairs of new arrivals Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax—before ultimately falling into her own unexpected happy ending.

Both a discerning look at the strictures of Regency England and an enchanting comedy of errors, Emma remains a classic two centuries since it was first published.

This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

I know it's a PD book so it's free all over the place, including the very nice version HarryT did for the MR library, but figured folks might be interested in a classic put out by a semi-mainstream publisher.

[gweeks]

Originally Posted by gweeks

Does the discussion include story ID? I can sometimes do SF IDs, but I have no idea for romance ones. If you'll do IDs I'll pass one along.

Probably regency. The heroine owns a coaching company. One of the scenes has the hero with some of his friends driving one of the heroine's coaches under her drivers supervision. It's a HEA romance.

I hope I kept the descriptions right.

If anyone is interested, my google fu finally came through. I just got confirmation.

No Place For a Lady by Louise Allen

Greg

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by gweeks

If anyone is interested, my google fu finally came through. I just got confirmation.

No Place For a Lady by Louise Allen

Greg

I'm glad you figured it out!


Free: Books 1 and 2 of Marked Series by J.M. Sevilla. Both rated pretty highly but of course I haven't read them yet.
blurb: There are three things Lily Evans immediately notices about her new neighbor, Jay Lincoln. The first is his monstrous size, the second is the malicious way he glares at her, and thirdly, but most importantly, the three scars that mark his right eye. She knows the smart thing to do is stay away, but she has never met or seen anyone like him. The more time she spends with this frightening yet captivating man, the harder it becomes. He can make her hairs stand on end but he also has a sweetness to him that tugs at her heart. Soon she finds herself merged into his world full of murder, revenge, and deceit.



BTW, TOTALLY loving Lead, stayed up waaaay past bedtime because I just couldn't put it down.

[NixLapi]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

Gah! Those of us waiting for July 28 for Lead - Stage Dive 3 by Kylie Scott, might want to check out Kobo Mexico store...

[treadlightly]

Thanks to Loosheesh for recommending The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley in the 2014 Recommendations post. I'm enjoying that series as much as I did Lisa Kleypas's Wallflowers series. A question - are these the "mistoricals" that you guys refer to?

[AnemicOak]

Laid Bare (A Brown Family Novel Book 1) by Lauren Dane has dropped to $2.99

It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with wild, uninhibited rocker Erin Brown. What happened between them got under his skin—even if love wasn’t in the cards just yet…

Now that they’re back together, picking up where they left off is tough in light of Erin’s troubled past. As Todd earns her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Todd’s best friend, Ben, comes to play, arousing their deepest fantasies. The passion they share transforms Erin, but it may not be enough to face the evil she thought she had left behind.

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