The amazing team at Sourcebooks let us pick some of their books to go on sale! It was really hard to narrow it down, but we hope you love the selection!
Edit: The sale ends Sunday, April 23.
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Under Her Skin
Under Her Skin by Adriana Anders is 99c! Readers warn that this is a contemporary romance on the darker side, but many say this is a great debut by Anders. I actually bought this when it was last on sale and was thrilled to see it out in the wild at my local independent bookstore. If you missed out on the sale last time, you’re in luck!
Battered by a life determined to tear him down, this quiet ex-con’s scarred hands may be the gentlest touch she’ll ever know.
…if only life were a fairy tale where Beauty was allowed to keep her Beast
Ivan thought the world was through giving him second chances. Who’d want a rough ex-con with a savior complex and a bad habit of bringing home helpless strays? Everyone in Blackwood, Virginia knew he wasn’t good enough for the fine things in life; they knew he was too damaged to save. He just needed to keep his head down, work himself to the bone, and pretend he was content with the lot he was given.
Until she came into his life. Until she changed everything.
Until he realized he would do anything, fight anyone, tear the world apart if it meant saving her.
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Heir to the Duke
RECOMMENDED: Heir to the Duke by Jane Ashford is 99c! Several readers on Goodreads found the heroine unlikeable, but Redheadedgirl gave this one a B+:
The resolution involves some secrets, and some parenting, and a lot of growing up and being less “family fixer” and more “head of the family but let your sequel bait brothers figure their own shit out (why do you need a bishop, anyway?)”
Delightful. Didn’t give me a good book noise, but engaging and fun and hey, we don’t get to go to Brighton a lot. Yay for new places!
Nathaniel Gresham, the handsome Viscount Hargove, lives a life devoted to familial duty. As his father’s eldest son, Nathaniel’s identity remains the “heir to the Duke of Langford.” But this quiet, restrained life changes the minute he marries sweet Lady Violet Devere.
Oppressed by her family all her life, Violet is longing for her marriage vows to be spoken. Though her arranged marriage to Nathaniel was not a match made for love, they’re both looking forward to the comparative freedom of married life. And Violet is determined to show Nathaniel how to enjoy it, both in and out of the bedroom.
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A Promise of Fire
RECOMMENDED: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet is 99c! I absolutely loved this book and it’s the best book I’ve read so far this year. I gave the book an A:
I can say, without a doubt, that A Promise of Fire is going on my keeper shelf. I want more of these characters and I want more of this world. I cannot remember the last time I wanted to both savor and devour a book, and Bouchet’s writing is so engaging and magical that I wish she had some sort of backlist I could dive into for the next few months. If you’re even slightly tempted by this review or from the chapter one excerpt, buy this book. Because I need more people to discuss it with, pronto!
KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER…
“Cat” Catalia Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods—and her homicidal mother—have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.
BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm—until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin’s fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.
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Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet is 99c! The first book in the Kingmaker Chronicles, doesn’t quite end with a cliffhanger (more like some unresolved issues), but trust me, you’re going to want to know what happens next.
SHE’S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD…
“Cat” Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat’s tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what’s a girl to do when she knows it’s her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world—for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom…or not at all.Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
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The Duke’s Disaster
The Duke’s Disaster by Grace Burrowes is 99c! Readers loved the marriage of convenience element of the plot, though some didn’t like the main characters: the hero was a jerk and the heroine needed a backbone. Have you read this one?
Noah Winters, Duke of Anselm, exercises the pragmatism for which he’s infamous when his preferred choice of bride cries off, and her companion, Lady Thea Collins, becomes his next choice for his duchess. Lady Thea’s mature, sensible and even rather attractive-what could possibly go wrong?
As a lady fallen on hard times, Thea doesn’t expect tender sentiments from His Grace, but she does wish Noah had courted her trust, lest her past turn their hastily arranged marriage into a life of shared regrets. Is His Grace courting a convenient wife, or a beautiful disaster?
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The Duke and His Duchess
The Duke and His Duchess by Grace Burrowes is 99c! This is a historical romance novella and features the couple (now married) from the previous novella, The Courtship. Readers really seemed to enjoy the romance between a husband and wife, especially since they have several kids!
Percival and Esther Windham had to beat the odds and face down gossip when their brief courtship resulted in marriage. Five years later, they have four children in their nursery, a ducal estate to care for, ailing family members needing care, and more trouble on the horizon than even a strong marriage might endure.
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Tangled in Texas
Tangled in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell is 99c! I mentioned this in February 2017’s Hide Your Wallet because it was recommended to me by a fellow romance reader. Readers enjoyed this emotional second chance romance, but others found the writing a bit dense.
It took 32 seconds to end his career.
But it only took 1 to change his life.Thirty-two seconds. That’s how long it took for Delon Sanchez’s life to end. One minute he was the best bronc rider in the Panhandle and the next he was nothing. Knee shattered, future in question, all he can do is pull together the pieces…and wonder what cruel trick of fate has thrown him into the path of his ex, the oh-so-perfect Tori Patterson.
Tori’s come home after her husband’s death, intent on escaping the public eye. It’s just her luck that Delon limps into her physical therapy office, desperate for help. All hard-packed muscle and dark-eyed temptation, he’s never been anything but a bad idea. And yet, seeing him again, Tori can’t remember what made her choose foolish pride over love…or why, with this second, final chance to right old wrongs, the smartest choice would be to run from this gorgeous rodeo boy as fast as her boots can take her.
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Zero to Sixty
Zero to Sixty by Marie Harte is 99c! This is a contemporary romance with a lonely mechanic hero. There’s also an adorable stray dog named Cookie. This can definitely be read as a standalone, but some found the hero a little too gruff for their liking.
BAD BOY SAM + GOOD GIRL IVY =
LEARNING TO LOVE AGAINAfter her last disaster of a relationship, Ivy Stephens is content being single. She has her job, her apartment-and the cute little puppy she’s seen hanging around. When he escapes, she finds her search efforts aided by a big, burly, devastatingly handsome man. One who claims a prior claim on her dog.
Sam Hamilton is at loose ends since his best friend fell in love. He finds a sense of purpose in rescuing strays. The puppy who’s stolen his heart just happens to run into blond, beautiful Ivy. And Sam can’t help hoping she’ll take in one more stray-him-for good.
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The Infamous Heir
The Infamous Heir by Elizabeth Michels is 99c! This is book one in the Spare Heirs series. It features a prize-fighting hero who suddenly takes over his brother’s title of nobility. Readers wanted more chemistry between the hero and heroine, but many really loved the hero. I mean, based on the book’s description, who wouldn’t?
The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ethan Moore: The Scoundrel
Lady Roselyn Grey’s debut has finally arrived, and of course, she has every flounce and flutter planned. She’ll wear the perfect gowns and marry the perfect gentleman…that is, if the formerly disinherited brother of the man she intends to marry doesn’t ruin everything first.
Ethan Moore is a prize-fighting second son and proud founding member of the Spare Heirs Society-and that’s all he ever should have been. But, in an instant, his brother’s noble title is his, the eyes of the ton are upon him, and the lady he’s loved for years would rather meet him in the boxing ring than the ballroom.
He’s faced worse. With the help of his Spare Heirs brotherhood, Ethan’s certain he can get to the bottom of his brother’s unexpected demise and win the impossible lady who has haunted his dreams for as long as he can remember…
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Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress
RECOMMENDED: Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress by Theresa Roman is 99c! Redheadedgirl reviewed the book and gave it an A:
I really enjoyed everything about this book. The characters were fascinating and not the standard duke (I don’t have anything against the standard duke, mind, but I like reading about the 99%, too). I loved Joss’ identity issues, and the setting made me so happy. I also really liked that there wasn’t an evil villain in the background twirling his mustache and cackling. This was a delight.
This book is also nominated for a RITA and guest reviewer, LauraL, gave it an A- for our RITA® Reader Challenge:
I think almost everyone has felt to be the outsider at some point in their lives and I think everyone would love a second chance. In Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress, Theresa Romain brings together two outsiders who live in the shadows of the glittering ton during the Regency and gives them the opportunity for second chances.
One good proposition deserves another…
Heiress Augusta Meredith can’t help herself—she stirs up gossip wherever she goes. A stranger to Bath society, she pretends to be a charming young widow, until sardonic, darkly handsome Joss Everett arrives from London and uncovers her charade.
Augusta persuades Joss to keep her secret in exchange for a secret of his own. Weaving their way through the treacherous pitfalls of a polite world only too eager to expose and condemn them, they begin to see that being true to themselves is not so bad…as long as they’re true to each other…
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The Sport of Baronets
RECOMMENDED: The Sport of Baronets by Theresa Romain is 99c! This is the prequel novella to her new Romance on the Turf series. Redheadedgirl wrote a Lightning Review for this book and gave it an A-:
I’m usually not a fan of novellas. If the hero and heroine don’t already know each other, I often don’t buy the progression of relationship in such a short length. The fact that Hannah and Bart knew each other already (and they were well into “I hate you, I hate you, I can’t stop thinking about your hair”) helps make the relationship seem organic and reasonably paced. My only wish was that it was longer.
An original novella introducing Romance of the Turf, Theresa Romain’s exciting new Regency romance series…
The lives of Sir Bartlett Crosby and Hannah Chandler have been marked by fierce competition between their elite families…the perfect breeding ground for a mutual attraction neither can deny.
Bart hopes to conquer “the turf” through victory in a much-touted match. Should his heavily-favored colt win, the Crosby reputation and fortunes would be revived. Bart’s plan seems poised for success until the lovely Hannah Chandler, daughter of a noted rival trainer, turns up claiming ownership of the colt. When Hannah insists on claiming her purchase, the prize colt disappears from Bart’s stable. Theft or treachery? As Hannah and Bart rush to solve the mystery before race time, they uncover a scandalous truth about their families’ pasts-a truth that has the potential to either destroy both their futures, or to guide them to a love they never imagined.
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A Gentleman’s Game
RECOMMENDED: A Gentleman’s Game by Theresa Romain is 99c! Redheadedgirl read this historical romance and gave it an A:
Theresa Romain basically created a series just for me, and the first full-length book just confirms it. She reached into my head and found the references and plot that would make me happiest, and gave those thoughts a beautiful cover and said, “Here!”
In Book One of Romance of the Turf, a refreshing new Regency series from rising star Theresa Romain, a mystery demanding to be solved brings unlikely allies together in more ways than one…
How far will a man go
Talented but troubled, the Chandler family seems cursed by bad luck-and so Nathaniel Chandler has learned to trade on his charm. He can broker a deal with anyone from a turf-mad English noble to an Irish horse breeder. But Nathaniel’s skills are tested when his stable of trained Thoroughbreds become suspiciously ill just before the Epsom Derby, and he begins to suspect his father’s new secretary is not as innocent as she seems.To win a woman’s secretive heart?
Nathaniel would be very surprised if he knew why Rosalind Agate was really helping his family in their quest for a Derby victory. But for the sake of both their livelihoods, Rosalind and Nathaniel must set aside their suspicions. As Derby Day draws near, her wit and his charm make for a successful investigative team…and light the fires of growing desire. But Rosalind’s life is built on secrets and Nathaniel’s on charisma, and neither defense will serve them once they lose their hearts…Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
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The “romance” in A Promise of Fire ruined it for me. A man who coerces a woman into serving his family by threatening the people she loves isn’t love-interest material to me. And his brother trying to make him jealous for lols? Ha ha ha. Women get murdered every day because men think that shit is “funny.” Then there was the literal battle to the death with the unrepentant abductor’s former lover because every woman other than the heroine has to be a psycho to distinguish her as the “good” one. Ugh.
I kept hoping she’d kill them all in their sleep, go back to the circus, and get her real friends’ help dealing with her family issues. Alas.
It’s one of those times I wonder if I read the same book because I would have expected many, many people to call it out as problematic (even if they enjoyed it on its other merits), but I heard nothing but praise. I was truly shocked by how divergent my experience was—WAY outside the normal variance.
Anyway, there’s one non-A rating for those who haven’t read it yet to consider.
Also, Audible’s having a site-wide 50% off sale!
Does anyone happen to know if there’s rape in Under Her Skin? A quick skim of Amazon reviews only references ‘abuse’. I’m interested but really am totally done with rape as cause of emotional pain/trauma even (especially?) if it’s handled well. Just don’t have the fortitude anymore. Thanks in advance!
@CatG – unfortunately I don’t know the answer to your question but I agree totally. Even if it’s “handled well” I can no longer stomach rape as a plot point in anything.
Can someone please run a website called “Is It Rapey?” that gives people warnings about movies, TV shows, books, etc.? It would be so helpful.
@CatG – I did find a review that says the heroine was raped by her abusive husband in “Under Her Skin”.
@CatG Reviews on Goodreads mention that there is rape. I haven’t read the book myself, and the reviews I read didn’t inspire me. Then again, I’m not usually into the deep dark tortured heroes and heroines (except for some paranormals).
@Megan M. A website like that would be amazing!
@Ren Benton: The romance is the weakest part of these books, IMO. Not just for the reason you mention, but there’s a tonal mismatch. The romance is sort of giggly and juvenile but the rest of the story very much isn’t. The romance also isn’t that interesting. The book would have been significantly better as straight fantasy, with the relationship sort of getting wrapped up with a light touch at the end of the series, in my view. The Blue Sword is an excellent example of how to do this (and of so many other things, sigh…).
Thanks, y’all, I’m going to give this one a pass. And I would totally bookmark an ‘Is It Rapey?’ website!
@Ren YOU AND ME BOTH. I was really alarmed by how she was gaslighted by everyone around her too.
Also I brought it up in the comments of the review of that book on this site if you click through. The response I got was… not very comforting tbh.
@Ren Benton I made it through A Promise of Fire without too much trouble but hated Breath of Fire. I read some reviews where people were troubled by the opening scene, which involves an alphole meltdown/stupidity, but none that I found mentioned a later scene that was even more disturbing (without spoiling too much, it involves some icky sex and one of the male protagonists).
Bouchet did some good worldbuilding and writes action scenes well, but she also took the heart out of them by powering Cat and her healers up too much. They’re almost indestructible so none of the fights had any weight. I’ll be skipping the third book but would read other stuff by this author if she tones down the alpha-ness of her heroes.
@Ren Benton and others – so nice to hear I am not alone. I enjoy the story and the whole world that’s going on in these books and I try so, so hard to ignore the romance. I’m reading Breath of Fire only because I care what happens in the overall story, and it’s really hard going because I have to put it down to avoid raging (and it’s a library book, so I can’t chuck it across the room).
Oh also I’d like to recommend Jeffee Kennedy’s Twelve Kingdoms/Uncharted Realms series instead. I haven’t read them all since I’ve been skipping around in the series so I can’t do a full blanket recommendation around but I deeply love Edge of the Blade (which also has a Black heroine, but she’s the only nonwhite heroine of the bunch) and the series is full of strong women who support each other. I think Kennedy is also very aware of the kind of pitfalls that Bouchet falls into (NLOG-ness, abusive dynamics between heroes and heroines) and avoids them so it makes her books less of a potential landmine. (Her heroes apologize! Amazing!)
I’m also going to issue a trigger warning for The Talon of the Hawk. I loved it a lot but the heroine has an abusive father and while I think her depictions of how victims of abuse rationalize and minimize their abuse, I think it’s still good to give a heads up about it. There is also a recounting of a rape, but it is not detailed or romanticized. That said, if you like fighter/soldier heroines like Tamora Pierce’s Alanna or Kell books this book has that. Same for Edge of the Blade, which is by far my favorite read of the last month and if you like Rachel Bach’s Paradox series you will like this.
Sorry I didn’t finish a sentence:
*I think her depictions of how victims of abuse rationalize and minimize their abuse is spot on and very gently written without blaming the victim
Breath of Fire is unreadable. It reads like the author isn’t very experienced and rushed through writing it to capitalize on her earlier success. A good editor could have salvaged this, but didn’t.
I will happily be the voice of dissent here. I LOVED Promise of Fire, I recognize and to an extent agree with all the criticisms, but for me it just worked. I felt like it was a book that had everything…action, adventure, romance, humor, awesome world building. If you haven’t read it give it a shot… only 99 cents!
As to BREATH OF FIRE–I had a hard time getting into it, I admit, but once I started I loved it. Once your past the first quarter it moves a lot smoother, and by the end I was bummed it was done. It’s still a sequel, not as awesome as the first, but fun. Especially if you like action/adventure.
Sale is for US residents only
@CatG and others: I got Under Her Skin last week. The heroine was raped by her ex, but also severely emotionally and physically abused by him, so the rape is not the main focus of her PTSD. Also, this happened before the book starts, so there is not a graphic scene of rape. I understand being done with rape as emotional shorthand/fridging motivation for the hero, and I think the bad, bad cover blurb for the book makes it sound like that’s what is happening here (honestly Uma’s name is not even in the blurb, much less her POV). Reading the book it didn’t feel that way to me. I thought the abuse/aftermath of abuse was handled really well. I liked the book
Accidentally on Purpose (the third Heartbreaker Bay book) by Jill Shalvis is $1.99 at Amazon. Just thought I’d alert you in case anyone else has been waiting for it to go on sale.
Thanks Ren Benton. Your first paragraph summed it up perfectly, honestly I was appalled by the whole story and the overwhelming praise for such a hideous romance.
How long is this sale good for?
I *really* liked A Promise of Fire but came to a screeching halt at the beginning of Breath of Fire and haven’t been able to continue. I put it aside thinking I’d try again later, but some of the other comments here aren’t making me hopeful.
@LostShadows: Will ask! Please standby!
I also found the relationship dynamics objectional in the Amanda Bouchet books, which was a bummer because otherwise I enjoyed them.
I’m going to pick up Tangled in Texas for sure, can’t resist a book with a physical therapist protagonist 🙂
@CatG-There is a reference to rape in the heroine’s past as she is a victim of domestic violence but we don’t see one on page or as part of the story.
For readers in Germany: many but not all of those are also on sale at amazon.de (between 0,49 and 0,99€). Happy reading everybody!
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@Everyone: The sale should end on Sunday!