Category: Books

Books

Free Books Worth Reading, Part 2

Cora Lee

Not that anyone needs more books–we’re supposed to be reading from our TBR piles, after all 😀  But free books–good free books–are hard to resist. And who knows how long they’ll remain free?

The following books are for Kindle in the US, not because I am affiliated in any way with Amazon, but because that’s where I shop.

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Undeniable Rogue by Annette Blair–The first in the Rogues Club series, this is a Regency like no other I’ve read. Yes, there’s a handsome Duke and a woman to be rescued, but that’s only part of the story. The fabulousness of this book lies in its characters. I connected with them pretty quickly and rather strongly–so much so that even when the story was less than exciting, I wanted to keep reading to see what happened to Gideon and Sabrina!

Silver Storm (The Raveneau Novels Book 1) by Cynthia Wright–One from my TBR pile. The e-book has a publication date of November 2013, but it looks like a re-release of an older title. Set during the Revolutionary War, the blurb promises history, romance, and pirates! It’s the first in a sort of double series totaling nine books.

A Grosvenor Square Christmas by Shana Galen, Vanessa Kelly, Anna Campbell, and Kate Nobel–Not a full-length novel, but a collection of four Christmas-themed Regency novellas all centered around a common event. All four were well-written and fun, yet short enough to read each in one sitting…without neglecting housework, meals, or children 😉

Twelfth Night (A Lady Julia Mystery) by Deanna Raybourn–I haven’t read this one myself, but there are so many positive reviews of the Lady Julia books it has to be worth reading. This is the newest novella in the Lady Julia series. Her family gathers together for Twelfth Night revels when an abandoned infant is found, and seems to be connected to a haunted cottage. It’s only 51 pages, but it’s now on my TBR list.

Secrets of Midnight by Miriam Minger–Another one from my TBR pile (hence the Challenge!). A lord must find a bride per his father’s will, and ends up with a parson’s daughter in Cornwall. A marriage of convenience is one of my favorite storylines, so I’m totally looking forward to this one. And it doesn’t hurt that the heroine’s name is Corie 🙂

 

 

Books

Cora’s TBR Challenge Check-In

Cora Lee
Photo Credit: Jorge Royan
Photo Credit: Jorge Royan

It’s June, fellow readers! We’re halfway through the year! Are you halfway through your TBR commitment?

I missed our check-in last month with a nasty, wouldn’t-let-me-go migraine–I couldn’t even look at a book for nearly two months. But a couple of weeks ago the pain finally dissipated. My diet has become more severely restricted to avoid even possible migraine triggers–so I haven’t had chocolate in months!–but I feel almost good. (And yes, there is at least one doctor’s appointment in my future.)

And last week, I went on a little book binge 😀

Two of the books I read had been on my kindle for over a year (over two years in one case), so I’m now current on my TBR Challenge commitment. The teacher-hiring season has also begun, and in just a couple of months I’ll be back in a classroom somewhere, so I’m hoping to get ahead of schedule on this challenge (and the others I’m participating in, too). There are just too many days when I come home from school too tired to even read, so I’m trying to prepare for it ahead of time.

How have you all done since last we talked? On track? Woefully behind? Or surging into summer?

If you missed the beginning of the challenge, you can still join in! Check out my original post or my TBR Challenge Page for more information.

Books, Friday Favorites

Friday Favorite: David Tennant and Benedict Cumberbatch read Mansfield Park

Cora Lee

Mansfield Park is 200 years old this month, and BBC is celebrating! Beginning Monday, May 12, BBC Radio 4 will be re-airing a radio play of Jane Austen’s third novel that was first recorded in 2003, featuring David Tennant as Tom and Benedict Cumberbatch as Edmund. The 10-part broadcast will begin at 2:00 BST, and a new installment will air each day over the course of two weeks.

Not in the UK? Never fear, overseas listeners can tune in here.

More information can be found here.

David Bennedict

Books, Friday Favorites

Friday Favorite: Kindle Countdown Deals

Cora Lee

I’ve always been budget conscious (my family would say cheap), but I’ve been especially so since I lost my job back in November. Even after the lawsuit settlements and publishers lowering prices on e-books, some are just too expensive for me.

But a girl still needs to read.

Our Friday Favorite this week is especially for those of us with tight purse strings and voracious reading appetites. Amazon has introduced Kindle Countdown Deals to their array of e-book discounts and sales. These are books that are enrolled in the KDP Select program (and so are self-published), that are discounted deeply for a short length of time.

The books span all genres, but are only available for Kindle devices and apps (the apps, though, are free). Clicking on a book brings up its details page, which includes the original price of the book, its discounted price, and a clock telling you how much longer the discount is good.

Do you have some e-book settlement money in your Amazon account? Using it on the Countdown Deals is a good way to find new authors without spending money out of pocket!

Kindle Countdown Deals

Books

Cora’s TBR Challenge Check-In

Cora Lee

It’s been three months since I issued my TBR Challenge. How are you doing? Have you discovered any books that are so good you wish you’d read them sooner?

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My non-fiction books, most of which I have yet to read.

It’s been nearly a month since I picked up a book from my TBR pile, but April has been a bit bumpy for me so far. I began the month with a migraine, and even though it wasn’t as severe as migraines I’ve had in the past, I still couldn’t read (or do a lot of other things, for that matter). And it lasted for over a week–normal for me, but discouraging nonetheless.

Once I was back at full strength, I succumbed to the pull of the library. Bringing home new books always makes me feel better, but with a tight budget “bringing home new books” has come to mean a trip to the library (or the Overdrive website). There are so many great books out there that I don’t yet own–a lot of which I found shopping with my Amazon settlement money–I couldn’t resist picking some of them up. So, while I’ve done some reading the past two weeks, the books haven’t come from my TBR piles.

Luckily it’s only April. I still have four months before I’ll be going back to work, and that’s plenty of time to wade through the TBR!

Books, Writing Life

Book Covers: The Good, The Bad, The Imaginary

Cora Lee

Every unpublished author dreams about what his or her book cover will look like (maybe the published ones do too!). Something that sums up the story, of course. Perhaps the model(s) should resemble the main character(s) a little. If it’s a historical novel, any people pictured should be dressed in clothing appropriate for that period (though I’ve seen that thought ignored enough times).

But what else?

Bright colors or muted ones? Lots of skin or something more demure? Detailed or simple?

When I imagine my future book cover, I see something like this:

nearly-a-lady

There are a lot of covers out there with sweeping scenery and heroines in vibrant flowing gowns, and they’re beautiful. But the uncluttered simplicity of this one appeals to me. I like the softness of the lavender, and the fact that it looks easy yet professional. The models are even wearing clothing that invokes a Regency frame of mind.

But my favorite part about this cover is the way the models are interacting with each other. I’ve always been more fond of beta heroes than alphas, so I like that he’s holding her gently instead of bending her over or pinning her against a tree. I also adore the expression on his face, eyes nearly closed as if he’s drinking her in with his other senses. That she is wearing a similar expression–and caressing him sweetly–seals the deal for me. In fact, it was part of the reason I bought the book 🙂

What are your favorite covers? Have you ever bought a book because of the cover? Have you ever not bought a book because of the cover? Is there anything special you look for in a book cover?

Books, Friday Favorites

Friday Favorite: British Men Poetry & Prose

Cora Lee

 

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My good friend Emily shared this with me earlier in the week, and I haven’t been the same since 🙂

For your listening pleasure, this week’s Favorite is a playlist put together by 8tracks user SADarcy. It includes a Pride and Prejudice excerpt read by Matthew Macfaddyen, Several Shakespeare sonnets read by David Tennant, and an excerpt of North and South read by Richard Armitage. Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch also feature prominently, and Kenneth Branagh and Alan Rickman make appearances as well.

Ready?

Listen here.

See the full list of poems and excerpts here.

Enjoy!

 

 

Books, Writing Life

Reading/Writing Fun: Quick 5

Cora Lee

I saw the reading version of this on Carol Cork’s blog and thought, since I am both a reader and a writer, that I’d adapt it a bit and do both activities. Here’s what I’m working on. What are you reading and/or writing?

Photo Credit: Johannes Jansson
Photo Credit: Johannes Jansson

Reading Fun

1. Which novel are you currently reading and the author? Undeniable Rogue by Annette Blair

2. What is the opening line of the book? By this time tomorrow, he would be wed.

3. What are the hero and heroine’s names? (on the remote chance you’re not reading a romance, give the name of the main character). The hero is Gideon St. Goddard, Duke of Stanthorpe. The heroine is Mrs. Sabrina Whitcomb.

4. What is the first sentence of the second paragraph of Chapter 9? Then he placed her hand on his arm and covered it, possessively, with his own.

5. What’s next on your TBR pile? Any one of about 400 books!

~~~

Writing Fun

1. Which novel are you currently writing? A second-chance Regency romance titled The Only Exception.

2. What is the opening line of the book? Kate Sedgley stood in the center of her uncle’s study, waiting for him to finish writing in the leather-bound ledger on his desk.

3. What are the hero and heroine’s names? (on the remote chance you’re not writing a romance, give the name of the main character). The hero is John Kendall, Earl of Wrexham. The heroine is Miss Katherine Sedgley, otherwise known as Kate.

4. What is the first sentence of the second paragraph of Chapter 9? I haven’t gotten to Chapter 9 yet 😀

5. What’s next on your TBW (To Be Written) pile? The untitled Christmas novella I started working on a few weeks ago (I’m working on it simultaneously with this one, actually).

Books

Cora’s TBR Challenge Check-In

Cora Lee

It’s March fellow readers! Has your TBR pile gotten any smaller?

IMG-20140218-00029I have to say, doing this challenge here on the blog where everyone can watch my progress has been motivating. I’m actively searching for more time to read to ensure I make my goal…sometimes to the detriment of my to-do lists!

One thing that’s helped me this month is finding books in different formats. I snap up little mass market paperbacks at my local library used book sales, but when I get home I have such a hard time reading that tiny print! The book goes in the TBR bin and ends up staying there. But I live in an area with a IMG-20140218-00030wonderful library system–what they don’t have, they can get. So I looked up my mass market paperbacks and found larger version that are much easier to read.

Presto! Two more books climbing out of the TBR bin!

Are you making progress with your commitment? If you missed the beginning of the challenge, it’s not too late to join in the fun! Check out my TBR Challenge Page for more details.