Jan 11 2013

Daily Deals: A historical and three paranormal / fantasies

By Jane • Book Deals • • Tags:

Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling by Michael BoccacinoCharlotte Markham and the House of Darkling by Michael Boccacino. $ 1.99

From the Jacket Copy:

When the nanny to the young Darrow boys is found mysteriously murdered on the outskirts of the village of Blackfield, Charlotte Markham, the recently hired governess, steps in to take over their care. During an outing in the forest, they find themselves crossing over into The Ending, “the place for the Things Above Death,” where Lily Darrow, the late mother of the children, has been waiting. She invites them into the House of Darkling, a wondrous place filled with enchantment, mystery, and strange creatures that appear to be, but are not quite, human.

However, everything comes with a price, and as Charlotte begins to understand the unspeakable bargain Mrs. Darrow has made for a second chance at motherhood, she uncovers a connection to the sinister occurrences in Blackfield and enters into a deadly game with the master of Darkling—one whose outcome will determine the fate of not just the Darrows but the world itself.

Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling is a Victorian Gothic tale about family ties, the realm beyond the living, and the price you pay to save those you love.

I thought the title of this book was unique and intriguing. You can get the $1.99 price at either Amazon or Apple. The book page has a lot of chopped up reviews so I’m guessing the story is a mixed bag with unexpected plot twists.

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Blood of the Maple Dana Marie BellBlood of the Maple by Dana Marie Bell. $ $2.52/$2.99

From the Jacket Copy:

A seduction-gone-wrong leaves vampire Parker Hollis with a new vegetarian lifestyle and on the run from a vengeful witch. Moving to small-town Maggie’s Grove, Parker meets a redheaded dryad with green, leafy blood that draws him in a way he hasn’t experienced in decades. His new neighbor smells divine, and it isn’t long before craving gives in to need.

In a unique community of supernaturals, tree-loving outcast Amara Schwedler has never quite fit in. She’s scarred by a traumatic incident and feared by the local townsfolk. She’s convinced Parker will look elsewhere for a mate once he discovers she’s not one of the O-positive set, and can’t believe it when Parker finds her irresistible.

When the witch who’s been plaguing Parker’s life discovers the newfound attraction between Parker and Amara, she takes out her anger on the town. Can the supernaturals of Maggie’s Grove accept Amara and band together in time to withstand the assaults of the enraged witch?

78,000 words

One of the tags on All Romance for this book is “vegetarian vampire.” This three star review gave a more full explanation of the story and made me click the buy button.

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How to Deceive a Duke By: Lecia CornwallHow to Deceive a Duke by Lecia Cornwall. $ 1.99

From the Jacket Copy:

When deception leads to desire . . .

When her stubborn sister runs off the night before her arranged marriage, Meg Lynton
hardly hesitates before donning the wedding veil and walking down the aisle herself. It’s the only way to save her family from sure destitution. By the time her wealthy groom discovers he has married the wrong sister, it will be too late to annul their vows. And too late for Meg to escape her wifely duty to a man reputed to be a devil in battle and the bedroom . . .

A bride is the last thing Nicholas Hartley, Duke of Temberlay, wants. Then he sees Meg and realizes that his wedding night will be a great pleasure indeed. But aside from the agreeable business of begetting an heir, Temberlay will never change his wicked ways for a wedding vow?until he discovers Meg’s deception, and decides to teach the scheming beauty how to be a proper duchess, kiss by devastating kiss . . .

Can we extrapolate anything from the constant sales Avon is running on its historicals? One reader found Nicholas to be a unredeemable given the fact that he is constantly and intentionally causing emotional hurt to the heroine.

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Lady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary WineLady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary Wine. $ .99.

From the Jacket Copy:

Beneath the Surface of Victorian Life Lies a Very Different World…

Hated and feared by the upper classes, the Illuminists guard their secrets with their lives. Janette Aston’s insatiable quest for answers brings her to their locked golden doors, where she encounters the most formidable man she’s ever met.

Darius Lawley’s job is to eliminate would–be infiltrators, but even he may be no match for Janette’s cunning and charm…

J. Markovic from All Things Urban Fantasy cautions “Wine piqued my interest by reframing the tension between aristocrats and working class from a steampunk perspective (with scientists as social outcasts), and I really wanted to like Janette for her ability to defy convention and social pressures. It quickly became apparent, however, that the romantic elements of A LADY CAN NEVER BE TOO CURIOUS were very “old-school”. As characters, Janette and Darius don’t deviate from their roles of “plucky heroine” and “dominating hero” when interacting with each other, and that dynamic quickly became rather boring. And with a heroine named “Janette”, the hero can’t keep saying, “Damn it!” without it getting very distracting. But those moments of humor were appreciated, more so than the endless refrain of warnings and defiance batted back and forth between the hero and heroine.

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