The Crown of Embers is book 2 in Rae Carson's series that began with The Girl of Fire and Thorns. It has really complimentary reviews behind it – including a 4.34 average on Goodreads. This book is currently on sale for $2.99. It has a cliffhanger ending, though, so be ye warned.
In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny. Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen.
But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey.
With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds.
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I know I've featured this book before, but Rebellious Desire by Julie Garwood is still .99c at Amazon. If you're craving more Garwood after reading Ransom for the book club this month, this is a great price to add more to your collection.
Of all the dukes in England, Jered Marcus Benton, the Duke of Bradford, was the wealthiest, most handsome–and most arrogant. And of all London's ladies, he wanted the tender obedience of only one–Caroline Richmond. She was a ravishing beauty from Boston, with a mysterious past and a fiery spirit.
Drawn to the powerful duke, undeterred by his presumptuous airs, Caroline was determined to win his lasting love. But Bradford would bend to no woman–until a deadly intrigue drew them enticingly close. Now, united against a common enemy, they would discover the power of the magnificent attraction that brought them together…a desire born in danger, but destined to flame into love!
Thanks to Monique for the heads up that The Bridegroom Wore Plaid is free at Amazon and Amazon.ca – Canada, you too! WOO HOO!
Ian MacGregor is wooing a woman who's wrong for him in every way. As the new Earl of Balfour, though, he must marry an English heiress to repair the family fortunes. But in his intended's penniless chaperone, Augusta, Ian is finding everything he's ever wanted in a wife.
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Box sets are very popular – and I'm sure readers like grabbing a handful of books for a dollar or less. The authors who are part of “The Summit Authors” group have assembled box sets of their backlist titles by trope – which I think is a pretty ingenious idea. Here are the three they've released so far.
The Marriage of Convenience Box Set features four older novels from Judith Arnold, Patricia McLinn, Cynthia Wright and Patricia Ryan for .99c.
Cry Uncle by USA Today bestselling author Judith Arnold
With a hit man after her, Seattle architect Pamela Hayes runs as far as she can: to steamy Key West. Local bar owner Jonas Brenner will lose custody of his orphaned five-year-old niece unless he can convince a judge he’s a responsible father. What he needs is a wife to persuade the court his niece is living in a stable environment. What Pam needs is a new identity. Joe offers her a deal: if she marries him and takes his name, no hit man is going to find her. In return, she can pose as Joe’s wife, dutifully caring for his wild-child niece. A marriage in name only—no sex, no emotions, no love. Which, once Pam and Joe move in together and the sparks begin to fly, is easier said than done.
Falcon’s Fire by RITA Award winner Patricia Ryan
Martine of Rouen resolves never to fall in love after her mother drowns herself in despair over a broken heart, but for her brother's sake she allows herself to be betrothed, sight unseen, to Edmond of Harford. The union has been negotiated by lowborn knight Thorne Falconer in exchange for the estate he covets more than anything–certainly more than love. Thorne never suspected he'd have to protect Martine from abuse at the hands of the brutish Edmond and his vicious brother, but he does, in the only way he can–by marrying her himself.
A New World by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn
When his Irish eyes are smiling, she's in danger of losing her head … and her heart. Even when she agrees to marry him, Eleanor refuses to be charmed by the Irish balladeer she hires to strum up business for her Cape Ann restaurant in Massachusetts. Yes, she feels his spell, but bitter reality has taught her that dreamers drift on, leaving heartache. Cahill finds the woman he wants to share his future with in strong-minded, too-practical-for-her-own-good Eleanor, but he must convince her … and time is running out.
Of One Heart by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Wright
When the reckless Marquess of Sandhurst is forced by King Henry VIII into an arranged marriage with a young French widow, he conceives a bold masquerade to outwit the king. Disguised as a humble portrait painter, Sandhurst travels to the French court to have a look at his would-be bride. In this magical novel of love and renewal, Cynthia Wright illuminates the world of Tudor England and Renaissance France.
The Bodyguards Box set features five bodyguard stories for .99c.
When a woman is in danger and a hot guy is assigned to protect her, the stage is set for spellbinding romantic suspense. The bodyguard is supposed to keep things strictly business–but forbidden fruit is always the most tantalizing! Their lives are on the line, their hearts are involved, and rules are made to be broken. This boxed set features five full-length romance novels with bodyguard heroes:
Taken by the Cowboy by USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean
Newspaper columnist Jessica Delaney crashes her car in a lightning storm and soon finds herself dodging bullets in the Wild West. She's tossed in jail for a murder she didn't commit–and the handsome, sexy sheriff in charge of her arrest has danger written all over him. Jessica needs to get home, but first she has to trust Sheriff Wade to protect her from a gang of outlaws bent on revenge. But soon she must choose between the life she longs for in the future… and the greatest love she's ever known.
The Bodyguard by USA Today bestselling author Kathryn Shay
When Cord McKay saves Stacey Webb from an attack, she has no idea he's played a devastating role in her past. After a second incident, she insists he become her bodyguard. Cord tries to remain distant and remote, but a vehicle accident and a kidnapping attempt bring Stacey and Cord together–and nothing can stop the irrepressible attraction between them.
His Forbidden Touch by RITA Award finalist Shelly Thacker
Disgraced ex-knight Royce Saint-Michel finally has the chance to reclaim his birthright–if he agrees to escort the lovely Princess Ciara across a war-torn land to her royal wedding… and ensures that she arrives untouched. The princess and her bodyguard set off alone, but forbidden desire soon proves even more dangerous than the assassins on their trail. With the fate of two kingdoms hanging in the balance, will Royce and Ciara do as honor and duty demand… or surrender to the longing in their hearts?
Aphrodite's Passion by New York Times bestselling author Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner)
Tracy Tannin has always felt ordinary and dull, but when she finds an antique belt in her grandmother's attic, suddenly everyone wants her–or maybe they just want the belt. Superhero Hale has no interest in mortals, so when he starts to crave the mortal he's been assigned to protect, he knows it must be the belt. Because no way can a guy like Hale fall for a girl like Tracy. Right?
A Burning Touch by RITA Award winner Patricia Ryan
Mansfield, NJ, is burning up building by building–and it's Detective Jamie Keegan's job to bring the arsonist to justice. His captain orders him to consult beautiful India Cook, who claims to be a psychic. Convinced she's a con artist, Jamie tries to deny the chemistry simmering between them–but that becomes impossible when India's life is threatened and he's compelled to become her live-in bodyguard.
The Reunion Box set features four novels plus a novella for .99c
He’s the man from her past… the one she tried so hard to forget. They once shared a romantic relationship, only to have it end. Now he’s back and turning her whole world upside down. Will she risk her heart again—and will their love last this time around? This boxed set features four full-length “reunion” romance novels and one novella:
Hot Shot, Novella #2 in America’s Bravest by USA Today bestselling author Kathryn Shay
Paramedic Brody O’Malley is happy with single life until a class reunion where he meets Emma Walsh, the only woman he ever loved. But because he broke her heart, she refuses to rekindle old flames. But Brody has other ideas and sets out to change her mind. And what Brody wants, Brody usually gets.
Wild Wind by RITA Award winner Patricia Ryan
Alex was left deeply scarred when his beloved Nicolette married his cousin Milo solely in order to bear the son who would fulfill the terms of her inheritance. Now, nine years later, Nicolette is still childless and Milo debilitated by wine sickness. Explaining that he and Nicolette will be homeless and destitute if she doesn’t produce an heir within fifteen months, Milo begs Alex to seduce his wife, sire a child, then disappear. It is an indecent but irresistible proposal, sweeping Alex and Nicolette into a firestorm of forbidden desire.
Rodeo Nights by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn
Time hasn't dimmed their bone-deep passion. But passion wasn’t enough a decade ago when Kalli left her rodeo bull-rider husband Walker Riley, unable to bear her overwhelming fear for him. Now they’ve committed to working together to save a Wyoming rodeo for the man they both love. Walker faces down charging bulls for a living, but losing Kalli again just might break him.
One Good Turn by USA Today bestselling author Judith Arnold
When Luke met Jenny, he was lost and struggling. Her optimism, trust and love gave him the courage to face his demons and slay them. Then she vanished from his life. Seven years later, she reappears—only she’s not the same cheerful idealist he’d fallen in love with. Can he rescue her the way she’d rescued him? Can he give her the strength to slay her own demons?
From Glowing Embers by RITA Award winner and USA Today bestselling Emilie Richards
Once, Julianna was plain Julie Ann, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who dared to love the son of the town's most powerful family. Gray loved her, too, and married her to give their unborn child a name, but sometimes love isn't enough. Ten years later they meet again. She is successful, beautiful, and certain that a decade ago he betrayed her, but despite their painful past, both are helpless to deny a love that never died.
‘Crown of Embers’ looks really interesting – and it’s on sale for $1.99 @ Amazon!
I love Patricia Ryan’s old historicals. Her “Falcon’s Fire” would be more than worth the price set of the Marriage of Convenience box set on its own.
Alice from Canada thanks you so much! Three boxed sets @.99c…how can I go wrong!!
$10 to anyone, anyone who can find a member of the nineteenth century English aristocracy called ‘Jered.’ ^^
I recall reading Judith Arnold’s One Good Turn, from the Reunion boxed set mentioned above, years ago when it was a Silhouette Special Edition (?) and it was very moving. Trigger warning for rape in the book, but Arnold’s depiction of the aftermath and the hero’s helping his friend/love interest through her PTSD seemed realistic and heartfelt.
I just finished The Girl of Fire and Thorns and loved it so I am thrilled to see Crown of Embers on sale.
BTW, apropos of different book review, Elisa in Girl of Fire and Thorns is fat. Although a kidnapping and forced march do tone her up and slim her down some, she is never as thin as those around her. She accepts it and so do our romantic leads.
@Tam – I wonder, if another character has to go visit him, the other characters will say, “He went to Jered!” Because awesome!