Free and bargain romance ebooks + Discussion January 2014

[silverraven]

Originally Posted by library addict

I thought about creating a blank library in Calibre of all my print books, but it would be such a huge task to tackle. Even though I got rid of about half my books when I moved, I still have a lot (1000ish). And since I have the information in Word ultimately be just duplicate info (albeit with pretty covers )

You can use a bar code scanner with this software and keep track of your 'real' books if you wanted to go to the effort.
http://www.collectorz.com/book/
I have used the trial version and manually typed in info. It's nice, but I just don't care enough to catalog my 'real' books. I'll just go look at my shelves, I'm old school!
S

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by silverraven

You can use a bar code scanner with this software and keep track of your 'real' books if you wanted to go to the effort.
http://www.collectorz.com/book/
I have used the trial version and manually typed in info. It's nice, but I just don't care enough to catalog my 'real' books. I'll just go look at my shelves, I'm old school!
S

Goodreads app has a bar code scanner feature too. I use it.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by NixLapi

I'm fascinated by how everyone organises and stores their eBooks! I keep one Calibre library with all the books in it - I use tags and custom columns to sort, and only delete if it's a DNF or a freebie I shouldn't have 1-clicked. I have under 2500 eBooks though so maybe it's a volume thing?

I'm curious what those who have separate libraries do if a series has freebies and paid in it? Or how you keep track if you only have later books in a series but still need the first ones? I use Goodreads a lot, but live in fear of loosing all my data should it ever disappear!

My libraries are not permanent. My main library is in two databases, one for print books and other for ebooks, and a spreadsheet where the new books and their publishing date are written down.

[library addict]

Free: Rescue Team by Candace Calvert (Book 2 in Grace Medical series)

Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.

As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found. Tyndale House Publishers

Kobo

B&N

Amazon

[NixLapi]

$1.99 sale - It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor #7) by Jill Shalvis

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B009CKS2ZE/

[NixLapi]

Originally Posted by library addict

I have a list in Word of all the books I need to buy. I also have Word documents by author of all my books I own labeled with the format (paperback, hardcover, and/or digital). If I am missing a book, it is still on the author's Word page, but I highlight in yellow (if a book is pre-ordered I highlight it green). The Word documents contain book title, original publication date, and series info in addition to what format. I used to keep all of my books on index cards by authors, but moved over to Word in the mid-90s. Not sure if I was just starting out if I would do it all the same way, but it's a system I have had in place for years so it works for me. These Word lists are in Dropbox so I access them from my phone, tablet, etc. if needed.

Wow! That makes perfect sense for when you started but I can not imagine the upkeep. Commitment!

[nkd431]

I have all my paperback books in Library Thing. Bar code scanner works well here. Have almost 5000. Yikes.

Then switched over to ebooks and calibre. Am considering (?!) downsizing the physical book collection as they become available as ebooks.
Have even resorted to scanning in a few desired backlist paperbacks, vintage Harlequins that will never go digital.

Am in a bit of a quandary as to what to do with the paperbacks. My local used bookstore has stopped taking pre2007 and obviously I have quite a few of those. Have no desire (currently) to open up shop on ebay so am at a bit of a standstill. Any ideas?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by nkd431

I have all my paperback books in Library Thing. Bar code scanner works well here. Have almost 5000. Yikes.

Then switched over to ebooks and calibre. Am considering (?!) downsizing the physical book collection as they become available as ebooks.
Have even resorted to scanning in a few desired backlist paperbacks, vintage Harlequins that will never go digital.

Am in a bit of a quandary as to what to do with the paperbacks. My local used bookstore has stopped taking pre2007 and obviously I have quite a few of those. Have no desire (currently) to open up shop on ebay so am at a bit of a standstill. Any ideas?

Donate them to the library. They will take them. Pre 2000 romances are best ones out there IMO.

[apesmom]

Freebie

Kissing in the Dark (Grayson Brothers #4) - Wendy Lindstrom (Leisure 2005)
Kindle | Kobo | Smashwords

Book 1 has been a frequent freebie

A woman with a hidden past. To protect her, he must risk everything...his badge...his heart.

Desperate circumstances set Faith Wilkins on the run and straight into Sheriff Duke Grayson's protective arms. Duke believes Faith is a struggling widow, intelligent healer, and loving mother. Faith needs a husband, and Duke intends to be that man. Their blooming friendship and explosive attraction reinforce his decision to marry Faith. When he discovers that his beautiful new bride lied about her identity and is hiding from a man with the power to destroy their family, her betrayal slices to his core. He built his life and career on a foundation of fierce integrity, and his marriage to Faith is based on trust and a love deeper than any he has ever known. But as Duke uncovers her secrets and former life, the truth about his wife rocks their new marriage. Can he forgive Faith and put everything on the line--his badge, his family, his heart--to save their marriage and protect the woman he loves?

[worktolive]

Originally Posted by nkd431

Am in a bit of a quandary as to what to do with the paperbacks. My local used bookstore has stopped taking pre2007 and obviously I have quite a few of those. Have no desire (currently) to open up shop on ebay so am at a bit of a standstill. Any ideas?

Paperback Swap and

BookMooch

You choose which books you want to list, then when someone else requests one of yours, you get notified and you wrap it up and ship it out. Media mail costs $2.53 for a paperback, so that's your cost, but in return, you get credits that you can use to request other books for free. The only problem is that if you are trying to cut down on the number of books you have, this doesn't work, since you are trading your used books for credits that you use to request someone else's. The best part about it though is that you now have access to used books all over the country so you don't have to wait for something you want to show up in your UBS. Also, receiving a book that you've requested is a thrill that never gets old. It's like Christmas all the time with random book presents waiting for you in your mailbox.

Definitely donate some to the library. Most libraries sell book donations to raise money. You get the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting your local library, and you can take a tax donation for the value of the books ($0.50 to $1.00 each).

[Tarana]

Am in a bit of a quandary as to what to do with the paperbacks. My local used bookstore has stopped taking pre2007 and obviously I have quite a few of those.

Is the money important to you or is donation ok with you? If you need cash, consider offering it as a lot on Craigslist. Alternatively, have a garage sale and advertise it well as such (especially true for scifi & fantasy).

If money is not important, I've donated books for 'take a book, leave a book' at hospitals (areas where they do infusion therapies), county jail, senior retirement community, senior center for my city to give a few ideas. My mom's final batch of paperbacks will all be going to the senior retirement community as they have a tough time getting 'guy' type books.

If you want to try swapping some books out in order to obtain other paperbacks that aren't in ebook format, you can join paperbackswap.com. If you do, list me as a reference (QuiltedKnitter). Since we traded off far more paperbacks than we want back, most of my credits go to swapadvd.com for movies.

[Blossom]

On Sale @ Amazon $1.99

Kindle Romance Daily Deal:

The Raider by Jude Deveraux
(Montgomery 08) Colonial America
Pocket Books 1987
Note: Can anyone tell me how stand alone this book is? I want to read it bad but I don't want any spoilers given away from previous books.

Returning to Warbrooke, Maine, after ten years abroad, Alexander Montgomery doesn't like what he sees. Redcoats are running rampant over the town, intimidating citizens and imprisoning patriots. Alexander vows to take action. By day, padding his coats, he's the fat, foppish fool devoted to drink and indolence. By night, masked, astride a black horse, he's the fearless Raider, striking terror into the hated Redcoats.

What Alexander hasn't counted on is his childhood friend Jessica Taggert, who's grown into a beautiful and sensuous woman. Jessica despises the coward she thinks Alexander has become, but she thrills to the midnight kisses of the Raider. Then Jessica's home is destroyed by the British and she must marry for protection.

[VictoriaP]

Originally Posted by Tarana

If money is not important, I've donated books for 'take a book, leave a book' at hospitals (areas where they do infusion therapies), county jail, senior retirement community, senior center for my city to give a few ideas.

Thanks so much for this idea! I've a bunch of paper books to get rid of, and nothing to swap them for (I need a paper to ebooks swap, I think!) But as we're spending a lot of time at the closest hospital right now, and a good bit of it in the oncology infusion center, I'll check with them to see if they have such a thing set up.

And thanks to all of you for posting both book deals and recs for good stories. Books are about the only thing keeping me sane at the moment, and though I typically just lurk here, I wanted to let you know that I'm grateful for all you do.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by VictoriaP

Thanks so much for this idea! I've a bunch of paper books to get rid of, and nothing to swap them for (I need a paper to ebooks swap, I think!) But as we're spending a lot of time at the closest hospital right now, and a good bit of it in the oncology infusion center, I'll check with them to see if they have such a thing set up.

And thanks to all of you for posting both book deals and recs for good stories. Books are about the only thing keeping me sane at the moment, and though I typically just lurk here, I wanted to let you know that I'm grateful for all you do.

Sounds like a difficult time, good thoughts and prayers to you. Reading keeps my sanity most times too so I understand.

[auntykatkat]

Originally Posted by Blossom

On Sale @ Amazon $1.99

Kindle Romance Daily Deal:

The Raider by Jude Deveraux
(Montgomery 08) Colonial America
Pocket Books 1987
Note: Can anyone tell me how stand alone this book is? I want to read it bad but I don't want any spoilers given away from previous books.

It has been so long since I read this book, but I can say that it stands alone very well. To me, the series is not what it is like today. It really just tells you that it follows a family over the "centuries." This book starts the more recent history since the one before is still considered a medieval romance. And for another thing, according to Fantastic Fiction it is also the start of another series; the Taggerts. So I think you are quite safe.

Auntykatkat