FREE/BARGAIN — Romance & Discussion

[sufue]

This week Joffe's Free Friday books (often, but not always, good through the weekend) include a romance: When Hearts Are Light Again by Emilie Loring

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095Z3F183
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B095Z3F183

Spoiler:

As World War Two rages, problems arise in a factory making parts for military aircraft. Is sabotage afoot?

The Clifton Works is doing its bit for the war effort, but it seems treachery has crept into the plant — parts are mysteriously defective, and trucks are hijacked. Then, a strange woman eludes the guards to warn of sabotage. Is she telling the truth, or is she overwrought at the disappearance of her son?

Captain Gregory Hunt, nephew of the owner of the Works, is recalled from service to investigate. He is engaged to Lila Tenny, but it is to Gail Trevor — his uncle’s lovely and invaluable secretary — that he turns for help in solving the mystery.

When Hearts Are Light Again will appeal to Loring’s many fans, and all who enjoy classic romance novels.

[sufue]

And now, Before Times: 3 Valkyrie Bestiary Prequels, which seems to be pretty much what its title indicates, is free at Kindle US and UK.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VRSV87M
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09VRSV87M

Spoiler:

Before Times, 3 Valkyrie Bestiary Prequels:

The Last Door to Underhill: In the last hours of the Flood Wars, a fae princess makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the human world.

The Girl Who Cried Banshee: Kyra Greene is a pest controller, not an exterminator. She has to be clear about that when the pests can be anything from pixies to dragons. But when her fledgling business teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, Kyra takes on a job that blurs those lines.

Three Half Goats Gruff: Kyra Greene, pest controller of fantastic beasts, takes on a rock troll and meets the man who will haunt her dreams for the next three-hundred and twenty-one nights. Come sing around the campfire with satyrs and discover how Kyra found one little lost cephalopod.

Before Times tells the tales of Kyra Green, pest-controller of extraordinary beasts and Leighna Icewolf, Queen of the Fae—two warriors learning to navigate new roads in a world where magic is the only rule of law. Each story takes place 1 to 50 years before the events of Dragons Don’t Eat Meat, Book 1 of the Valkyrie Bestiary Series.

[sufue]

The Potter's Niece is the second in Rona Randall's Regency romance series, The Potters Saga. It's free today, and probably - but not certainly - through the weekend, as one of Joffe's Free Friday books.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGS17WLH
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CGS17WLH

Spoiler:

Over twenty years after the The Drayton Legacy, eighteenth century life in the potteries continues.

Joseph Drayton is dead and has been replaced as Master Potter by his lame brother, Martin.

Max Freeman is presumed dead and Olivia, the daughter he never knew, fights a solitary battle against prejudice and the avaricious ambitions of her mother, the pretty, selfish Phoebe.

Olivia’s decision to abandon her claim to the Tremain estates and join the Drayton Pottery shocks her family. She will be relegated to the lowest of labourers in her uncle’s firm.

While Olivia works her way up from the humblest ranks, the Freemans — united with the Draytons through marriage — are involved in schemes and feuds.

Agatha, widow of Joseph Drayton, hopes to procure the Tremain inheritance for her dilettante son Lionel, while Lionel himself wonders why his father’s body was found naked in an outhouse so many years before.

Phoebe defrauds her mother-in-law and is torn between the security of her home at Tremain Hall and the charms of a new lover, Roger Acland.

Meanwhile, Olivia can love only one man, the village farrier who has returned from a mysterious past in America, with complications in his personal life creating obstacles in hers.

The Potter's Niece is a study of human emotions at their most raw — jealousy and greed; love and despair.

There are also a mystery and a non-fiction book for free, posted in the appropriate threads.

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Cold Case Scandal (Hudson Sibling Solutions #4) by Nicole Helm (A/5 stars)

Purchased:

[sufue]

A box set of the first three books in Annabel Chase's Federal Bureau of Magic series, titled, accurately, but not very imaginatively, Federal Bureau of Magic: Boxed Set, Books 1-3 is on sale for $0.99/£0.99 at Kindle US/UK. The price drop is due to a Kindle Countdown Deal good for about six more days.

The first one was free a while back, but this is still a nice price, even just for two. I've read some other books of Chase's, but haven't read any in this series. Still, I liked the ones I did read...

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0828CW5Q1
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0828CW5Q1

Spoiler:

Welcome to Chipping Cheddar, where supernaturals are hidden in plain sight.
This box set contains the first 3 books in the Federal Bureau of Magic cozy mystery series, including:

GREAT BALLS OF FURY
Annoying but loving family? Check.
Picturesque small town with a hot police chief? Check.
A rescue hellhound, a black cat with attitude, and a pet python that thinks he’s a puppy? Triple check.
My story has all the hallmarks of a sweet and cozy supernatural tale, but there’s a twist— I am evil. Well, I’m supposed to be evil thanks to both nature and nurture, but I fight it with every fiber of my being. I just want to live a normal life. I even joined the FBI instead of the Federal Bureau of Magic, until my powers reared their ugly head and the agency sent me packing back to my hometown to fight magical crimes instead. Now I’m back in Chipping Cheddar, living with my evil family, with a new job and all my old baggage. Oh, and there’s a dead body, which was definitely not an accident. So there you have it.
Welcome to my world.

FURY GODMOTHER
Be careful what you wish for...
I've only been back home a few weeks and already strange events are happening all over town. Wishes are coming true to the delight of those affected. Despite the seemingly good fortune, I need to put on my Federal Bureau of Magic badge and get to work. I can't let supernatural shenanigans disrupt the natural order of life here, no matter how awesome they seem. When their good luck starts to take a dark turn, I have to kick my efforts into overdrive.

Can I crack the case before these dreams-come-true turn into nightmares?

NO GUTS, NO FURY
I'm less than thrilled when the Federal Bureau of Magic sends a training instructor to make sure my skills are up to snuff. Agent Quinn Redmond is an uptight fae with a rigid approach to rules and regulations that even a do-gooder like me finds stifling. When an eerie fog settles over the town, residents begin acting out in response, resulting in overtime hours for Chief Fox and local law enforcement. Things take a deadly turn when one of the residents ends up dead and I worry his death is only the beginning.

Will I manage to shine a light on the situation or is the whole town destined to remain in a fog?

The Federal Bureau of Magic Cozy Mystery books are full-length humorous paranormal cozy mysteries.

[sufue]

The Queen's Price is the twelfth and most recent in Anne Bishop's Black Jewels series. It's on sale for £1.99 at Kindle UK.

Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B3HD5FMK

Spoiler:

Enter the dark and sensual realms of the Black Jewels in this sweeping story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga of three young women who must navigate life within the powerful SaDiablo family—and come to terms with Witch, the Queen who is still the heart and will of that family.

The Queen’s price is to stand against what you know is wrong. To stand and fight, no matter the cost to your court or to yourself. Especially to yourself.

Zoey, a young Queen-in-training at SaDiablo Hall, is wounded...and vulnerable to taunts and criticism. When an opportunity arises to befriend a stranger seeking sanctuary at the Hall, she puts herself and others in danger by ignoring Daemonar Yaslana’s warning to back off.

Meanwhile, the witch Jillian’s family prepares for her Virgin Night, the rite of passage that assures a woman will retain her power and her Jewels. The trouble is Jillian secretly went through the ceremony already. Now she has to explain the omission of that detail to her powerful and lethal family. And the High Lord of Hell’s daughter, Saetien, travels to Scelt to find out about Jaenelle Angelline’s sister—and perhaps to discover truths about herself.

With some guidance from Witch, these three young women will learn when to yield because it is right—and when to take a stand, even if they must pay the Queen’s price.

[sufue]

I've noticed over time that Helen Harper is really good at putting the first book in a series free for a while, but I don't see many (any?) of the rest of the books in her series go on sale. But, luckily, they are KU, and I have that, so I don't get stranded...

And, right now, that's the case with Box of Frogs, which is the first in Harper's Fractured Faery series - it's free, and the rest are KU. And I really liked her Slouch Witch series, and also a couple of other series, so I'll give this one a try.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C26QFHM
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C26QFHM

Spoiler:

SHORTLISTED FOR THE KINDLE STORYTELLER AWARD 2018

One corpse. Several bizarre looking attackers. Some very strange magical powers. And a severe bout of amnesia.

It’s one thing to wake up outside in the middle of the night with a decapitated man for company. It’s another to have no memory of how you got there - or who you are. She might not know her own name but she knows that several people are out to get her. It could be because she has strange magical powers seemingly at her fingertips and is some kind of fabulous hero. But then why does she appear to inspire fear in so many? And who on earth is the sexy, green-eyed barman who apparently despises her?

So many questions ... and so few answers. At least one thing is for sure - the streets of Manchester have never met someone quite as mad as Madrona…

Be warned. This is book one of a new laugh-out-loud urban fantasy trilogy that encourages snorts and sniggers, and which contains an edge of your seat cliffhanger!

[sufue]

This is a repeat Joffe Friday Free romance for today, originally free several months ago...

Originally Posted by sufue

Another Joffe romance for "Free Friday", but although I'm late posting it, it's still free as of early Saturday morning...

The House that Alice Built, by Chris Penhall
Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6FJWLQR
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C6FJWLQR

[sufue]

Maybe I should have complained about this sooner , because two days later, here's the second book in this series, Quiver of Cobras, going for free.

There is a warning in the blurb that this one ends with "ends with a nail-biting cliffhanger", and I am not at all fond of major cliffhangers. But at least the third one is out, and available on KU if you have that.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DTKNP1T
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DTKNP1T

Spoiler:

One wondrous faery with stupendous magical skills and a superior mind (not to mention incredible modesty). One drop dead gorgeous, green eyed stud muffin and his evil Fey brother. And the end of the world. Maybe.

Madrona might still not remember anything about her past, and she might be more of an evil villain than a fabulous super hero, but that doesn't mean she can't also be a super spy. With Rubus desperately searching for the magical dragon sphere which can return the faeries back to their homeland - and cause the apocalypse in this land - she doesn't have much choice.

Someone with wit, intelligence and strength has to step up and save the world ... and if that person happens to look super sexy while doing it then that's just an added bonus.

This is the second book in the urban fantasy series, The Fractured Faery, and ends with a nail-biting cliffhanger.

Originally Posted by sufue

I've noticed over time that Helen Harper is really good at putting the first book in a series free for a while, but I don't see many (any?) of the rest of the books in her series go on sale. But, luckily, they are KU, and I have that, so I don't get stranded...

And, right now, that's the case with Box of Frogs, which is the first in Harper's Fractured Faery series - it's free, and the rest are KU. And I really liked her Slouch Witch series, and also a couple of other series, so I'll give this one a try.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C26QFHM
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C26QFHM

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:

• Badari Medic (Sectors New Allies #18.5) by Veronica Scott (B/4 stars)

Purchased:

[sufue]

Joffe’s Free Friday books this week include a thriller, a romance, and a Napoleonic-era historical novel. They are free today, and probably – but not certainly – through the weekend.

The free romance is a Regency romance: Fair Wind of Love by Rosalind Laker.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH4BLNSD
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CH4BLNSD

Spoiler:

A NEW LIFE. A NEW WORLD.

Recently orphaned and disappointed in love, Sarah Kingsley leaves England and joins the flow of emigrants to Canada in the early years of the nineteenth century to make a new life for herself.

But on the ship she became irrevocably committed to caring for the two young children of a dying fellow-passenger, promising to reunite them with their father who was awaiting them in Ontario. She was backed in her decision by a young doctor, Phillip Mannings, but he had no idea of the hazards and hardships she was to face when the man was not to be found . . .

Fair Wind of Love is a moving historical saga that follows a young woman through the ups and downs of youth and the men she falls in love with as she attempts to build a new life in an unknown world. This is the story of the one she stays with and the one that she will always hold dear to her heart.

The other two books are posted in their appropriate threads.

[library addict]

On sale for $1.99 again

Originally Posted by apesmom

Deal, sci fi/romance

Chaos Reigning (Consortium Rebellion #3) by Jessie Mihalik - $1.99

Spoiler:

Interplanetary intrigue and romance combine in this electrifying finale to the Consortium Rebellion series.

As the youngest member of her High House, Catarina von Hasenberg is used to being underestimated, but her youth and flighty, bubbly personality mask a clever mind and stubborn determination. Her enemies, blind to her true strength, do not suspect that Cat is a spy—which makes her the perfect candidate to go undercover at a rival House’s summer retreat to gather intelligence on their recent treachery.

Cat’s overprotective older sister reluctantly agrees, but on one condition: Cat cannot go alone. Alexander Sterling, a quiet, gorgeous bodyguard, will accompany her, posing as her lover. After Cat tries, and fails, to ditch Alex, she grudgingly agrees, confident in her ability to manage him. After all, she’s never found a person she can’t manipulate.

But Alex proves more difficult—and more desirable—than Cat anticipated. When she’s attacked and nearly killed, she and Alex are forced to work together to figure out how deep the treason goes. With rumors of widespread assaults on Serenity raging, communications down, and the rest of her family trapped off-planet, Catarina must persuade Alex to return to Earth to expose the truth and finish this deadly battle once and for all.

But Cat can’t explain why she’s the perfect person to infiltrate hostile territory without revealing secrets she’d rather keep buried. . .

Kindle | Kobo | Google

[library addict]

Read:

• Lake of Sorrow (The Curse and the Crown #2) by Lindsay Buroker (B+/4 stars)

Purchased:

[sufue]

Caged by Fate is the fourth and most recent (for now, until October) in the Alpha Territories series by Shannon Mayer. It's $0.99/£0.99 at Kindle US/UK right now as a Countdown Deal, good for about two more days. It's also KU, but if you don't want to count on KU, or don't have KU, here's your chance to get it for a nice price. I haven't read any in this series, but have liked some of Mayer's other series.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4HTMTL9
Kobo US: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HTMTL9

Spoiler:

I am the Queen of the Werewolf Territory, a place that has always been my sanctuary, and yet I must leave my people if I am to save them.

Our world is falling apart, and I must take the task my father set to me, and heal the Veil that protects us all.

A deadly journey lies ahead of me, and no one can know that I am leaving—too many would steal the crown with me gone. With a small, secret contingent I go across the water to the human realm, a land I’ve never set foot on to find the gemstone that is the key to our salvation.

If only that were my single crux. My heart is torn between the man I am hunting down, a man who stole my heart along with a jewel he had no right to take, and the man who stands at my side.

One human with abilities he should not have. One vampire with a mouth that sets me on fire and leaves my body aching for more. Neither should be where I set my heart as a queen. And yet…I am drawn to them both.

I must keep my eyes on the literal prize…and I must not let my heart lead.

[sufue]

Joffe's Free Friday romance this week is Just Friends which is the second in the Friends series by Lucy Keeling

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ9Q1QNV
Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ9Q1QNV

Spoiler:

What happens when a fake relationship sparks a very real attraction?

Polly Bowman’s friend Bailey has always been there for her in her time of need. He’s gorgeous, there’s no doubt about it, but he’s her brother’s best friend. And friends is all they’ll ever be.

So when Bailey asks Polly to be his fake girlfriend to keep his mum’s worries at bay, she accepts. It’s what any good friend would do.

Only Polly finds it a little too easy to play at being the perfect couple. And now she’s falling for her brother’s best friend . . .

As the fake-relationship act turns into some very real and very explosive chemistry . . . Polly begins to wonder if they can ever really be just friends?

The other freebies this week are a mystery, and a WWII thriller, posted in their appropriate threads.