DAILY DEALS: Alpha heroes from all over
Bound to You by Shawntelle Madison $ 0.99
From the Jacket Copy:
Through grace, talent, and hard work, personal concierge Sophie Ashton has turned international corporate warfare into an art. But when she meets her new client, a suave CEO who radiates masculine heat, she knows this is no ordinary job. With a past hurt fresh in her heart, Sophie tries to keep her professional relationships exactly that: professional. But Xavier Quinn is a man who knows how to get what he wants, and soon Sophie is tempted into his wicked dance of seduction.
Xavier needs Sophie’s charm and finesse to land a coveted contract with a Japanese tech mogul, yet he’s even more intrigued by her as a woman. He sees Sophie’s darkly sensual nature and can sense her passion. He wants to dominate her, more than he’s ever wanted anything before. He’ll make her submit, though he can’t give her his heart, not after the tragic death of his last sub. Xavier assures himself he can keep his distance from Sophie . . . but can he? He’s used to taking risks in work and in life, but the stakes have never been higher. Because the game he plays with Sophie will bind them together—or destroy them both.
Viking Warrior Rising by Asa Maria Bradley $ 0.99
From the Jacket Copy:
A 2016 RITA Finalist for Best First Book and Paranormal Romance!
When Loki’s forces descend
Immortal Vikings are humanity’s only protection against the dark.
Under attack from Loki’s minions, immortal warlord Leif is shocked to encounter a dark-haired beauty who fights like a warrior herself. Wounded and feverish, the Viking kisses her, inadvertently triggering an ancient Norse bond. But when Naya Brisbane breaks away and disappears before the bond is completed, Leif’s warrior spirit goes berserk. If Leif doesn’t find her fast, he’s going to lose himself to permanent battle fury.
But Naya doesn’t want to be found…and he’ll do anything to find her. Because they’re both running out of time.
The Chief by Monica McCarty $ 1.99
From the Jacket Copy:
AN ELITE FIGHTING FORCE UNLIKE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN . . .
Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.
The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland’s war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor’s bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.
Although her husband’s reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina’s reckless bid to win her husband’s love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it’s too late.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier $ 1.99
From the Jacket Copy:
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .
The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady’s maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives–presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.
First published in 1938, this classic gothic novel is such a compelling read that it won the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the Century.
Rough Road by Vanessa North is .99 at Amazon and Kobo today (only). It’s a bdsm mm romance with a big age difference. I haven’t read it but I’ve really enjoyed the non bdsm novellas I’ve read by this author.
I haven’t read Rebecca in ages, but I remember loving it. I discovered it after watching the movie, which I highly recommend.
“Rebecca” is a great read, as if another du Maurier title – “My Cousin Rachel”
“You can’t argue with Vikings, really.” Nor should you, I think. Excellent advice.
For sheer atmosphere and creeping dread, nothing beats REBECCA. Except maybe a spine replacement/reinforcement for our nameless heroine. She needed a friend so badly, someone with her welfare in mind. Our book club read it last year and I spent equal time wanting to comfort her and shake her.
Sunita, I don’t know if you plan to continue with the daily deals posts or are just filling in for a bit, but I’ve enjoyed your selections and comments. Thx.
I also highly recommend Daphne du Maurier. She wrote so many wonderful novels and short stories, and apart from Rebecca quite a few were made into movies (Jamaica Inn (twice), The Birds a.o.).
Frenchman’s Creek is very romantic and always makes me cry, but I think my favourite is The House on the Strand because of its unique ‘time travelling’.
Rebecca is one of those great books I was lucky enough to read in high school/uni before I knew anything much about the plot (the back cover blurbs on Penguin classics being pretty stingy). Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby were two others. I loved the experience of being immersed in another world and having no clue how it would end. Much as I love good romance novels, there’s never much of a sense of surprise about anything in them anymore.
On another note, SBTB posted a coffee-spittingly hilarious review of Viking Warrior Rising a few days ago. If you don’t buy the book, do yourself a favour and read the review.
@cleo: Thanks, Cleo!
@Lostshadows: The movie is brilliant. Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier with Hitchcock directing, and quite faithful to the book.
@Darlynne: She’s so very isolated. And yet, when I first read it, I didn’t even notice that.
@Demi: @Jolanda: I read all her novels when I was a teenager and then went back and read the ones I liked best over the next couple of decades. I don’t remember House on the Strand at all, I need to reread it.
@Susan: Oh, thank you! I’m just filling in while Jane takes a long overdue break. She’ll be back on Monday. I’ve really enjoyed the conversations. And thinking up stuff for the blue boxes. :-)
@oceanjasper: Oh my goodness, that review is hilarious. Thanks for the heads-up!
@Sunita: You’re welcome. Although it doesn’t seem to be on sale at Kobo right now – but it is on Amazon.
Viking warrior rising is great! So fun, kick-ass heroine who takes no sh*t from the alpha Viking King. Highly recommend.
Ps- full disclosure: I know the author and she is awesome. But the book stands all on its own.
@S butler: Thanks for the feedback! One reader’s DNF can be another reader’s DIK.
Thanks, Sunita, I bought Rebecca. I’ve never read the book although I love the movie.
@Janine: I hope you enjoy it! The plot is pretty similar, except for one big change (apparently ordered by the studio), but I find Olivier’s broody and handsome Maxim de Winter more appealing than the text version. Not surprisingly, I suppose.
I second The House on the Strand by du Maurier. My first exposure to time travel novels, and still the best.