FREE/BARGAIN - Romance + Discussion - 2014

[apesmom]

Hachette price drop

Tamed by a Highlander (Children of the Mist #3) by Paula Quinn - $1.99
Kindle | Kobo | Google

Spoiler:

A LOVER'S PROMISE

Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king's army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary-both in the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he's never forgotten his bonnie lass. And he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.

A LADY'S DESTINY

The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information . . . only to find herself face to face with the one man she swore she'd never trust again. Though Mairi's body still craves Connor's touch, she can't forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor-even if it means losing her heart to him again.

Just an FYI - I will no longer be checking prices and posting links for Nook books because #1 - Nook always seems to be at least a day behind everyone else with matching price drops and #2 - Nook is dead to me after they suddenly decided to no longer support direct downloads from the website.

[apesmom]

Avon price drops on historicals

The Devil of Clan Sinclair (Clan Sinclair #1) by Karen Raney - $1.99
Kindle | Kobo

Spoiler:

True love blossoms in the Scottish Highlands in the steamy historical romance The Devil of Clan Sinclair, the first book in a new series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney.

When Countess of Barrett Virginia Traylor’s husband dies without an heir, she’s left in dire circumstances. The estate will go to his cousin unless Virginia can produce a son before the allotted time is up. In desperation, she turns to Macrath Sinclair, the self-made Scottish millionaire she loved before her father arranged her failed marriage.

After a whirlwind affair results in her bearing a child, Macrath discovers he’s become a father and steals the baby away.

While Virginia tries desperately to convince him to relinquish her son, Macrath realizes that he’ll do anything in his power not to give up the son…or the boy’s maddening, irresistible mother.

The Witch of Clan Sinclair (Clan Sinclair #2) by Karen Ranney - $1.99
Kindle | Kobo

Spoiler:

Logan Harrison is looking for a wife. As the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, he needs a conventional and diplomatic woman who will stand by his side and help further his political ambitions. He most certainly does not need Mairi Sinclair, the fiery, passionate, fiercely beautiful woman who tries to thwart him at every turn. But if she's so wrong for him, why can't he stop kissing her? He is completely bewitched.

Mairi Sinclair has never met anyone like Logan Harrison, the perfect example of everything she finds wrong with the world. He's also incredibly handsome, immensely popular, and impossible to resist. His kisses inflame her and awaken a passion she can barely control.

Can two people who are at such odds admit to a love that would bind them together for life?

The Sum of All Kisses (Smythe-Smith #3) by Julia Quinn - $2.99
Kindle | Kobo | Google

Spoiler:

Sarah Pleinsworth can’t forgive Hugh Prentice for the duel he fought three years ago that nearly destroyed her family, sent her cousin fleeing, and left Hugh himself with a badly injured leg. That’s fine with Hugh, who can’t tolerate Sarah’s dramatic ways. But when the two are forced to spend a week together, they find that unexpected kisses, and mutual passion, may have the power to change both of their minds.

Moonlight on my Mind (Second Sons #3) by Jennifer McQuiston - $1.99
Kindle | Kobo | Google

Spoiler:

To ruin a man's life once takes a regrettable mistake. To do so twice takes a woman like Julianne Baxter.

Eleven months ago, Julianne's statement to the authorities wrongly implicated Patrick, the new Earl of Haversham, in his older brother's death. The chit is as much trouble as her red hair suggests, and just as captivating. Now she has impetuously tracked him to the wilds of Scotland, insisting that he return home to face a murder charge and save his family from ruin. A clandestine wedding may be the only way to save her reputation—and his neck from the hangman's noose.

Julianne has no objection to the match. More and more she's convinced of Patrick's innocence, though when it comes to igniting her passions, the man is all too guilty. And if they can only clear his name, a marriage made in haste could bring about the most extraordinary pleasure . . .

The Scandal in Kissing an Heir (At the Kingsborough Ball #2) by Sophie Barnes - $1.99
Kindle | Kobo | Google

Spoiler:

He is the next Marquess of Wolvington . . .

She is a lady with nothing but beauty and wits . . .

Together they share a forbidden kiss .

Lady Rebecca is determined to find a husband on her own terms, rather than marry any of the aging suitors her greedy aunt and uncle foist upon her. Her chance comes at the Kingsborough Ball, where she meets several potential grooms . . . yet no one compares to the dangerously handsome Daniel Neville.

Notorious rake and heir to the Marquess of Wolvington, Daniel Neville is in need of a bride, but finding a lady who’s willing to accept his past is an entirely different matter. When he spies a stunning woman across the ballroom, Daniel believes he’s found her . . . until scandal erupts around them. How can he convince Rebecca to take a chance on him . . . and on the love that could be theirs forever after?

Finding Miss McFarland (Wallflower Wedding #3) by Vivienne Lorret - $0.99
Kindle | Kobo | Google

Spoiler:

Delaney McFarland is on the hunt for a husband—preferably one who needs her embarrassingly large dowry more than a dutiful wife. After the unspeakable incident at her debut, Delaney knows marrying for love is off the table, but a marriage of convenience—one that leaves her free to live the life she chooses—is the next best thing, never mind what that arrogant, devilishly handsome Mr. Croft thinks. Delaney plans to marry for money … or not at all.

Ever since the fiery redhead burst into his life—in a most memorable way—Griffin Croft hasn't been able to get Miss McFarland out of his mind. Now, with the maddening woman determined to hand over her fortune to a rake, Griffin knows he must step in. He must help her. He must not kiss her. But when Griffin's noble intentions flee in a moment of unexpected passion, his true course becomes clear: tame Delaney's wild heart and save her from a fate worse than death … a life without love.

[apesmom]

paranormal Kristen Ashley's on sale for $0.99

Ghosts & Reincarnation series
1. Penmort Castle - Kindle | Kobo
2. Sommersgate House - Kindle | Kobo
3. Lacybourne Manor (this one is usually $0.99) - Kindle | Kobo
4. Fairytale Come Alive - Kindle | Kobo
5. Lucky Stars - Kindle | Kobo

Mathilda's Book of Shadows
1. Mathilda SuperWitch - Kindle | Kobo

Three Wishes - Kindle | Kobo

[worktolive]

I finally got around to checking my Samhain account. Definitely not a fan of the new layout. I hate that I now have to view the books in my library by cover instead of in a list. And, has anyone been able to figure out whether the "Coming Soon" section is still around? It seems like not only have they done away with it, they've apparently done away with the pre-order discount.

It used to be that you could get the 30% release week discount up to three or four weeks in advance. I would check the Coming Soon section at the beginning of the month and place pre-orders (with the discount) for any books I was interested in that were being released in the next few weeks, then I didn't have to think about it again, and didn't miss the discount. I just checked a couple of the books in the new releases section that have a "pre-order" banner and none of them are discounted, not even the ones that are being released next week.

As for the loss of our wish lists, I'm absolutely baffled as to how any company could have made such a boneheaded move.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by worktolive

And, has anyone been able to figure out whether the "Coming Soon" section is still around?

I think the books with the pre-order banner are meant to take it's place. Poor substitute IMO.

It used to be that you could get the 30% release week discount up to three or four weeks in advance. I would check the Coming Soon section at the beginning of the month and place pre-orders (with the discount) for any books I was interested in that were being released in the next few weeks, then I didn't have to think about it again, and didn't miss the discount. I just checked a couple of the books in the new releases section that have a "pre-order" banner and none of them are discounted, not even the ones that are being released next week.

I think they've got some error(s) going. Right now this weeks books aren't discounted nor are any pre-orders. I suppose it's possible they're dropping the pre-order discount (hopefully not), but they just sent out an email mentioning discounts on this weeks releases and no discount shows. However if you look at the Sept 23rd releases from a few weeks ago they're still discounted.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by worktolive

As for the loss of our wish lists, I'm absolutely baffled as to how any company could have made such a boneheaded move.

I am still waiting for a reply to my email to their customer service, and still intending to report here when I get it...

[briefcandles]

Free @ Kobo

Scandal
by Carolyn Jewel

The earl of Banallt is a reformed rake determined to win the heart of the only woman he’s ever loved.

Two years after the death of her husband, Sophie Mercer Evans still has no use for Banallt. It’s true she knows him better than anyone, and that’s why she'll never forgive him his past and the mortal insult he dealt her. And yet, when her life is falling apart, it’s Banallt who stands by her.

Scandal is published in North America by Berkley Books, a division of Penguin-Putnam. It was a 2010 RITA finalist for Best Regency Historical. It has also been included on at least one list of the 100 Best Romances ever. My agent called this book a “tour de force.” I hope you enjoy the story of Sophie and Lord Banallt, who surely does prove himself deserving of his heroine’s love.

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by library addict

First, back. We've missed you. And yes, the Rock Kiss series was a surprise. Nalini apparently wrote the first book for fun in her spare time

Second, as you may or may not have seen earlier, I do not believe these books are or should be classified as NA. They are not coming of age stories and none of the characters are independent for the first time. The rock band the series revolves around has been together for a nearly a decade and the heroine of the first book had graduated and was working as a librarian for several years. The heroine of the second book is well-established in her career and is two years older than the hero (she's 29). I think a few posters at Goodreads tagged the first book as NA, but that's not the way the book is labeled anywhere else that I've seen.

That said, I do not think the first book, Rock Addiction, was as good as the second, Rock Courtship. The first book though introduces all of the characters and has a lot of subplots involving the other characters. The two stories are basically set concurrently. I had a lot of issues with the first book, particularly the hero. But I loved the heroine and supporting characters. The second book is a long novella and so the focus of the story is almost exclusively on the romance. I gave Rock Addiction a C+/3 stars and Rock Courtship an A/5 stars. But YMMV. Also as I said earlier in the thread (or it may have been the previous thread) Rock Addiction starts slow and the second half of the book overall is much better than the first half. Plus I think the tone of the second book is different than the first one.

I do think the second book would work as a stand-alone, but since the first book gives a lot of background info in the characters you'd be missing out on some of the depth of the romance if you just jump into book two. So if you are planning to read the series, I would start with the first book. But then I am one of those people who likes reading series in order. Also, I know several readers who did not like the first book at all, but enjoyed the second.

Trying to avoid spoilers. if there's anything specific you want to know just ask.

ETA: There is a lot of sex in these series. I would not classify them as erotica or erotic romance by any means, but from the reviews I've read I think the books just weren't what some fans of her paranormal series expected. The books are much more in the vein of her earlier Silhouette titles.

Thanks for the detailed reply! They don't sound like NA to me either. Being they're by Nalini Singh I was initially curious but from what you mention here I think I'll pass. I'm leery of anything marring the good feeling I have about her Psy-Changeling series, and I think these might (at least the first book).

I suppose you've already read Shield of Winter? I was tempted to buy it but I'll wait till the series ends (providing she still plans to wrap it up soon).

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

Thanks for the detailed reply! They don't sound like NA to me either. Being they're by Nalini Singh I was initially curious but from what you mention here I think I'll pass. I'm leery of anything marring the good feeling I have about her Psy-Changeling series, and I think these might (at least the first book).

I suppose you've already read Shield of Winter? I was tempted to buy it but I'll wait till the series ends (providing she still plans to wrap it up soon).

I read Shield if Winter when it released. I had some quibbles with it but overall liked it. I think I gave it a B (not at home to check Calibre.) Nalini said she would probably wrap up the initial story arc with the next book and folks who were reading for that would be satisfied. But she plans to continue with the series as she has lots of stories to tell. There's a post from a few months ago on her blog about the future of the series. I am on my phone or I would post a link.

[apesmom]

Originally Posted by briefcandles

Free @ Kobo

Scandal
by Carolyn Jewel

Awesome, I've had this on a wishlist! Still $4.99 on Kindle. BTW - formerly published by Berkley 2009.

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by library addict

I read Shield if Winter when it released. I had some quibbles with it but overall liked it. I think I gave it a B (not at home to check Calibre.) Nalini said she would probably wrap up the initial story arc with the next book and folks who were reading for that would be satisfied. But she plans to continue with the series as she has lots of stories to tell. There's a post from a few months ago on her blog about the future of the series. I am on my phone or I would post a link.

I found the post. She warns against reading it if you haven't read Shield of Winter Anyway, I'm pleased she's wrapping up the present story arc, and moving in another direction with the series. The timing feels right and natural.

[Atunah]

I am going to have to scroll back on this thread and get some ideas. I am in a reading block. I can't stay with a book. I tried a few different ones now, each in completely different sub genres and I just can't get into the stories.

It happens once in a while, but I hate it. I want to read, but everything is just a drag it seems.

Maybe I can fish something out of the sales and recommendations from the last few weeks.

I need a severe page turner.

And I was going to ask, how is Kybunnies?

[Blossom]

Maybe try an Audiobook? It's how I get out of reading slumps. I also always try for a book with a 5 star rating.

[Fbone]

Per HC email:

The Governess Club- Louisa by Ellie MacDonald [Avon Impulse] is 99c at most retailers. Available at library's Overdrive collection.
https://play.google.com/store/books/...d=dTKEAwAAQBAJ

[Fbone]

The Illicit Love of a Courtesan by Jane Lark [Harper Historical] is $1.99 at all retailers.

https://play.google.com/store/books/...d=cUqzAAAAQBAJ