FREE/BARGAIN — Romance & Discussion

[apesmom]

FREE

Game On by Tracy Solheim (Out of Bounds #1) previously published by Berkley 2013

Spoiler:

Can the Devil of the NFL keep his hands off his coach’s sister-in-law?
The only way to win is to score…
With a reputation for fast moves on the gridiron and even faster moves off the field, Shane Devlin is a player in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, his bad boy persona has made him a risky prospect as a quarterback—and only the Baltimore Blaze are willing to give him a chance. But he’s about to take a hit he never expected.
Working for the Blaze, Carly March knows too well how jocks think—and what they think with—so she’s always made a point of keeping ballplayers at arm’s length. But when she shares a kiss with the devilishly handsome Shane, she finds it hard to play by her own rules—and even harder to resist him. Can a football hero and a business-minded beauty try to take it all the way? Or will their mutual attraction cost them the big game?

Kindle | Kobo | Google

[apesmom]

I only managed to finish 4 books this week, but I didn't buy anything new, so there's that. I spend too much time sifting through KU, the list keeps growing.

• The Alchemist and an Amaretto by Annette Marie (Guild Codex #6) - 4
• Slaying Monsters for the Feeble by Annette Marie (Guild Codex #7) - 4.5

Really enjoying Zylas' growth in the Demonized sub-series.

• Magical Midlife Dating by K.F. Breene (Leveling Up #2) - 4
• Magical Midlife Invasion by K.F. Breene (Leveling Up #3) - 4

This series makes me laugh at least couple times each book. Only 2 books to go in this series then back to DDVN, I don't want to forget about it. This author is a new favorite, Demigods series is definitely on the list too.

Did anybody make any notable new discoveries in KU this week? You guys are making me want to start the Stariel series but it will have to wait until I finish up either GCU or DDVN.

[library addict]

Weekly Report

Read:
None

Purchased:
None

Another "non report". I have been watching a bunch of old The Dusty Wheel episodes on YouTube (a Wheel of Time talk show) as my brain just didn't want to read this week. I tried starting a multitude of books and was like Nope

[apesmom]

A couple sales

Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4) by Ilona Andrews is $2.99

Spoiler:

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

Yay, now I have the entire series, it's one of the first things I'll read when I take a KU break.

And a blast from the past. This was the first romance I ever read, pilfered from my mom's stash. . .

The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss - $1.99

Spoiler:

The Wolf

Noble Aislinn grieves as the Iron Wolf and his minions storm through her beloved Darkenwald. And she burns with malice for the handsome Norman savage who would enslave her. . .even as she aches to know the rapture of the conqueror's kiss.

The Dove

For the first time ever, mighty Wulfgar has been vanquished - and by a bold and beautiful princess of Saxon blood. He must have the chaste, sensuous enchantress who is sworn to his destruction. And he will risk life itself to nurture with tender passion a glorious union born in the blistering heat of hatred and war.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by library addict

Weekly Report

Read:
None

Purchased:
None

Another "non report". I have been watching a bunch of old The Dusty Wheel episodes on YouTube (a Wheel of Time talk show) as my brain just didn't want to read this week. I tried starting a multitude of books and was like Nope

Sorry...

[apesmom]

On sale

Lothaire (IAD #12) by Kresley Cole - $1.99

Spoiler:

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past…or risk everything for a future with her?

Kindle | Kobo | Google

[sufue]

Kathleen Woodiwiss - wow, that is a name I had forgotten. Much like you, I remember sneak-reading some of her books when I was really young, before I went off to college. Then in college I was pretty much too busy to read anything that wasn't assigned . And after graduation, I sort of started back up in a new place. Over the years, I've found my way back to a few authors (Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney), but Woodiwiss wasn't one of them. Thanks for the memories - I'll have to re-read and see if I still like her books !

Originally Posted by apesmom

A couple sales

{edit other books}

And a blast from the past. This was the first romance I ever read, pilfered from my mom's stash. . .

The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss - $1.99

Spoiler:

The Wolf

Noble Aislinn grieves as the Iron Wolf and his minions storm through her beloved Darkenwald. And she burns with malice for the handsome Norman savage who would enslave her. . .even as she aches to know the rapture of the conqueror's kiss.

The Dove

For the first time ever, mighty Wulfgar has been vanquished - and by a bold and beautiful princess of Saxon blood. He must have the chaste, sensuous enchantress who is sworn to his destruction. And he will risk life itself to nurture with tender passion a glorious union born in the blistering heat of hatred and war.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

[worktolive]

Originally Posted by apesmom

Did anybody make any notable new discoveries in KU this week? You guys are making me want to start the Stariel series but it will have to wait until I finish up either GCU or DDVN.

In Paranormal Women's Fiction, Elizabeth Hunter has two really good series in KU, one is the Glimmer Lake series, the second is the Moonstone Cove series. Both series feature three women in their 40's who suddenly develop various paranormal powers. In the Glimmer Lake series, the three women are already best friends when they develop their powers, while in the Moonstone Cove series, their first introduction to each other is during the incident that triggers the powers. All 6 books are very enjoyable, with great friendships, great relationships between the women, their partners, and their kids, and decent mystery plots.

She also has a shifter series, Cambio Springs, in KU that I haven't read yet, but I've loved all of the books of hers that I have read, so this series is probably good also.

[apesmom]

Originally Posted by worktolive

In Paranormal Women's Fiction, Elizabeth Hunter has two really good series in KU, one is the Glimmer Lake series, the second is the Moonstone Cove series. Both series feature three women in their 40's who suddenly develop various paranormal powers. In the Glimmer Lake series, the three women are already best friends when they develop their powers, while in the Moonstone Cove series, their first introduction to each other is during the incident that triggers the powers. All 6 books are very enjoyable, with great friendships, great relationships between the women, their partners, and their kids, and decent mystery plots.

She also has a shifter series, Cambio Springs, in KU that I haven't read yet, but I've loved all of the books of hers that I have read, so this series is probably good also.

Thanks! I had previously added Glimmer Lake to my list along with Irin Chronicles. I'm also keeping an eye on her big Elemental series to see if that ever gets added to KU.

[library addict]

Originally Posted by worktolive

She also has a shifter series, Cambio Springs, in KU that I haven't read yet, but I've loved all of the books of hers that I have read, so this series is probably good also.

I really loved the Cambio Springs series when I read it a few years ago. (It was wide then). The series has a different take on shifter mythology. Here is what I said at the time.

She started finally writing Sean's story and we had a few chapters in her newsletter last year . She'd planned to post a chapter per month. Sadly, she still hasn't finished it. And I understand; she has to write the books that pay the bills. But it is still a bummer so I am glad I hadn't started it yet.

If you have her newsletter Dust Born so far is:

• Part 1 January 15, 2020
• Part 2 posted March 16, 2020
• Part 3 posted May 16, 2020
• Part 4 posted July 15, 2020

FWIW, you can read and enjoy the series. I'd still recommend it. There's just some overarching plot elements left dangling.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by apesmom

A couple sales

Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4) by Ilona Andrews is $2.99

Spoiler:

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

Yay, now I have the entire series, it's one of the first things I'll read when I take a KU break.

And a blast from the past. This was the first romance I ever read, pilfered from my mom's stash. . .

The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss - $1.99

Spoiler:

The Wolf

Noble Aislinn grieves as the Iron Wolf and his minions storm through her beloved Darkenwald. And she burns with malice for the handsome Norman savage who would enslave her. . .even as she aches to know the rapture of the conqueror's kiss.

The Dove

For the first time ever, mighty Wulfgar has been vanquished - and by a bold and beautiful princess of Saxon blood. He must have the chaste, sensuous enchantress who is sworn to his destruction. And he will risk life itself to nurture with tender passion a glorious union born in the blistering heat of hatred and war.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

What a memories! I think this is one of the first book I purchased in this genre (loooooong time ago)

[worktolive]

For Amazon prime subscribers, one of the free First Reads book choices this month is an actual romance (not romance adjacent or women's fiction like most months).

Love Comment Subscribe by Cathy Yardley

Spoiler:

From award-winning author Cathy Yardley comes Love, Comment, Subscribe, a fun, feisty romance about high school frenemies turned unlikely collaborators.

Back in high school, Lily Wang wanted to be popular, but she considered herself lucky to be part of a tight group of oddballs and honors students called the Nerd Herd. Now, at twenty-eight, she feels like she’s finally on the cusp of succeeding as a beauty influencer—if she can hit five million subscribers, brands will take notice and she could get her own makeup line.

Fellow Nerd Herd alum Tobin Bui has had a lot of success as a YouTube gamer. But the road to online stardom has been rocky. First, he disappointed his parents by dropping out of college, and now, after years of pranks, skits, and playthroughs, he’s struggling to come up with new content to satisfy his ever-growing fan base. His agents say he needs cross-audience appeal, a new twist.

When Nerd Herd frenemy Lily approaches Tobin about teaming up to do a video to bolster her brand and reinvigorate his, he agrees. But when their first collab video goes viral, their relationship heats up too. With the whole internet watching, will these two former misfits finally realize they’re perfect together?

[DuskyRose]

A "Romance Bookworms" - Stuff Your Kindle Day 02Sep21

https://www.romancebookworms.com/kindle

[apesmom]

Freebie

This author is on my KU list to try, but not this particular series. This looks like her newest series with book 2 just releasing today.

The Noose of the New Moon (Wolfbrand #1) by Helen Harper

Spoiler:

Devereau Webb is in uncharted territory. He thought he knew what he was doing when he chose to enter London’s supernatural society but he’s quickly discovering that his new status isn’t welcome to everyone.

He’s lived through hard times before and he’s no stranger to the murky underworld of city life. But when he comes across a young werewolf girl who’s not only been illegally turned but who has also committed two brutal murders, he will discover just how difficult life can be for supernaturals - and also how far his own predatory powers extend.

The Noose Of A New Moon follows on from the events in Midnight Smoke, the third book in the the Firebrand series although it can be read separately.

[apesmom]

I had this series tagged to wait for it to appear in KU but both books dropped to $0.99 so I'm biting. It has strong ratings on Amazon and KU. The 3rd book is due out 10/5

The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar (Sam Quinn #1) by Seana Kelly - $0.99

Spoiler:

Welcome to The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar. I’m Sam Quinn, the werewolf book nerd in charge. I run my business by one simple rule: Everyone needs a good book and a stiff drink, be they vampire, wicche, demon, or fae. No wolves, though. Ever. I have my reasons.

I serve the supernatural community of San Francisco. We’ve been having some problems lately. Okay, I’m the one with the problems. The broken body of a female werewolf washed up on my doorstep. What makes sweat pool at the base of my spine, though, is realizing the scars she bears are identical to the ones I conceal. After hiding for years, I’ve been found.

A protection I’ve been relying on is gone. While my wolf traits are strengthening steadily, the loss also left my mind vulnerable to attack. Someone is ensnaring me in horrifying visions intended to kill. Clive, the sexy vampire Master of the City, has figured out how to pull me out, designating himself my personal bodyguard. He’s grumpy about it, but that kiss is telling a different story. A change is taking place. It has to. The bookish bartender must become the fledgling badass.

I’m a survivor. I’ll fight fang and claw to protect myself and the ones I love. And let’s face it, they have it coming.

Kindle | Kobo | Google

The Dead Don’t Drink at Lafitte’s (Sam Quinn #2) - $0.99

Spoiler:

I’m Sam Quinn, the werewolf book nerd owner of the Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar. Things have been busy lately. While the near-constant attempts on my life have ceased, I now have a vampire gentleman caller. I’ve been living with Clive and the rest of his vampires for a few weeks while the Slaughtered Lamb is being rebuilt. It’s going about as well as you’d expect.

My mother was a wicche and long dormant abilities are starting to make themselves known. If I’d had a choice, necromancy wouldn’t have been my top pick, but it’s coming in handy. A ghost warns me someone is coming to kill Clive. When I rush back to the nocturne, I find vamps from New Orleans readying an attack. One of the benefits of vampires looking down on werewolves is no one expects much of me. They don’t expect it right up until I take their heads.

Now, Clive and I are setting out for New Orleans to take the fight back to the source. Vampires are masters of the long game. Revenge plots are often decades, if not centuries, in the making. We came expecting one enemy, but quickly learn we have darker forces scheming against us. Good thing I’m the secret weapon they never see coming.

Kindle (Kobo and Google haven't dropped yet)