The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
This is a collection of freebies I have read which have characters who are druids, dryads and similar mythology.
Kindle freebie on October 29, 2022 (currently free at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.29 with 297 ratings and 56 reviews
Deadlines & Dryads by Rebecca Chastain Series: Terra Haven Chronicles #0.5
on November 14, 2017
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 148
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Dryads are a reclusive, passive species—or they used to be. Overnight, the peaceful woodland creatures have turned violent, attacking travelers with crude weapons and whipping the trees of their grove into a ferocious frenzy.
When rumors of the dryads’ bizarre behavior reaches journalist Kylie Grayson, she pounces on the story, determined to unearth the reason behind the dryads’ hostile transformation. Accompanied by Quinn, her young gargoyle friend, Kylie plunges into the heart of the malevolent grove. But nothing she’s learned prepares her for the terrifying conflict she uncovers...
Deadlines & Dryads is a prequel to the Terra Haven Chronicles. The main character, Kylie, is a Journalist who is competing to be the one to go to a major event and to cover it. To win, she must submit a news story of major import. Kylie has some magic and uses it to find leads or rumors and also her friend, Quinn, the gargoyle provides info on various events. She’s a hard working newsperson but newer in the job.
Quinn tips her to a battle happening with a spriggan in a dryad forest. She goes to get the story, even assisting a military commander to get the tools to defeat the spriggan. A senior reporter Nathan eavesdrops and tushes to steal her story. But Kylie sees more than the battle.
I liked Kylie and her determination to get the whole story. She risks herself but also helps everyone to have the best outcome. I was outraged on her behalf about Nathan. I wonder if in one of the connected series, she will build on her attraction to the commander. There’s exciting action and fun development of supernatural lore with complex magics.
Kindle freebie on August 6, 2023 (currently $5.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post, also in Audible Plus and on Hoopla)
Overall rating 4.04 with 2,766 ratings and 172 reviews
Highland Mist by Donna Grant Series: Druids Glen #1
Published by Self-Published on January 5, 2017
Genres: Paranormal, Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
AN HONORABLE LAIRD...
Laird Connall MacInness was born to a clan that for centuries has been charged with the guarding of the sacred Druids. 'Tis a duty he has always met with a willing heart, until the day his sister, a Druid priestess, goes missing, and the very Druids he has protected refuse to help him find the last remaining member of his family. Then a 300 year old prophecy places a Druid priestess in his hands for safekeeping. 'Tis the chance at revenge that he's been waiting for, but is he willing to pay the cost his revenge will demand--the loss of his mate and the future of Scotland?A WILLING LASS...
Glenna MacNeil wants only to be free, to find the purpose of her life. When she is told to look for the dark laird that would free her, she eagerly goes with the powerful laird who fights her clan, not realizing she has set in motion events that will change the course of history.
Donna Grant is an author I have enjoyed previously. Highland Mist falls a bit more into a category I don’t read often: historical romance. With the Druid mythology though, it feels a little more like fantasy with paranormal romance.
Glenna has had a horrible childhood and is just coming to a point where she wants out of the cage where she has lived. She is caring and naive with the sheltered life she has led. Her “father” the MacNeil is only interested in her as a weapon with her Druid magicks. I like her. She learns and develops herself, in spite of the shocking revelations while on her journey.
Laird Connall McInnes is another matter. He is a powerful male in a time when they dominate. He does not listen to women or respect them really. He is torn between oaths he has made and has turned his back on his Druid heritage. He wants to use Glenna as a pawn but he lusts after her so eventually he doesn’t want to use her, he wants to keep her if she will give up the Druids.
Glenna uses her own power to make the life they want possible. Connall and his clan are a far cry from the poverty and cruelty in the MacNeil clan so I suppose he looks pretty good. Plus the Druids are there and that is what she is. I think I would read on in the series to see how the prophecy plays out more but male ego and some of the sexy times made me roll my eyes at times. Those are things which are more likely in this genre which is probably why I read less of them.
Kindle freebie on October 17, 2023 (currently FREE at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.07 with 620 ratings and 54 reviews
Druid Magic by CS Churton Series: Druid Academy #1
Published by Self-Published on November 27, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 290
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Lyssa wanted one thing… …to get accepted to college. The letter she gets changes her life in ways she can’t believe.
At 18, Lyssa’s days are pretty normal. Get up, eat, and stress about what’s next. Lyssa’s friends know where they’re going to school and she’s desperate to go to university. The only acceptance letter she gets seems like a cruel joke.
What is the Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic? It can’t be real.
At Dragondale, they take only the brightest students with the most potential. She doesn’t fit in at all, but does make two friends, Sam and Kelsey. They make life at school better.
Druid Magic is a sort of cute take on Harry Potter but with Druids instead of Wizards. The story is of a girl, Lyssa, who just wants to get accepted to college. Her only acceptance letter is to the Druid Academy and she has never heard of it. She ignores it but someone comes to pick her up and she is off to school with only the clothes on her back and a backpack.
Lyssa has a family where she is a misfit. She ends up making friends at the Academy who are a bit odd like her. Of course, there is a rich girl “enemy” who has been aware of druid talents her whole life. Lyssa does discover some talents eventually and manages some success. It’s fun and easy to read.
Kindle freebie on September 3, 2022 (currently $4.99 at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.51 with 918 ratings and 51 reviews
Druid's Folly by M D Massey Series: The Trickster Cycle #1
Published by Self-Published on April 23, 2021
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 302
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
One druid against the apocalypse. Hell on earth doesn’t stand a chance.
Now that I’ve dealt with Badb and proven to the Celtic gods that I’m a force to be reckoned with, it’s time to address some unfinished business...The Hellpocalypse. Just thinking about that place makes me break out in a cold sweat, and since I started planning this journey, the nightmares have come back with a vengeance.
Do I really want to revisit that hellhole? Absolutely not, but folks there are depending on me—innocents who won’t survive unless I return to protect them. Besides, it’s my fault that the Hellpocalypse exists, so it’s my responsibility to fix it.
I listened to the first book in the Colin McCool Junkyard Druid series – I own it – and I liked it. That series seems to be the predecessor to this Trickster Cycle series. Skipping the 11 books (at least) between the two books Junkyard Druid and Druid’s Folly was a bad idea. I didn’t even release the series were related until I was into this one. In Junkyard Druid, it seems like Colin was just living like an ordinary guy but with more knowledge and a few skills. Somewhere in between he got full druid training.
Druid’s Folly is story of time portals and wars between supernatural creatures. I believe Colin is using his skills and knowledge to influence things in the past to correct the future issue. Mostly it is fast paced action and battles, without much in the way of understanding about the world. I accept that may be because I didn’t read the previous series, as my fault.
The plot however was strange. Only Colin knew his plans and actions and the meaning to them as he races from battle to fight. I am sure I would have enjoyed this much more with the other stories and if this had a little more understanding for the reader about the motivation for Colin’s actions.
Definition of Freebies for the challenge:
- Kindle or other platform freebies where you purchase it for $0
- Freebies through author newsletters that anyone can sign up and get for free
- Giveaways won or gifts received
These do NOT include Audible Plus, Kindle Unlimited, Prime Free Reading, Prime First Reads, or library books.
FYI – My Thrifty Thursday post with my reviews and the linkups and giveaway will normally post on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Sometimes though, due to blog tours, mood reading, and other personal problems, it will be moved around. There WILL be one each month on some Thursday. You can post your reviews any Thursday though on your own site. The linkup will be open until the next month’s post is published. You can easily find all the Thrifty Thursday posts under the Features tab on my top menu.
(Reminder – If I get more than 10 linkups in a month, I will randomly pick one to select a prize from a list I send them which may include gift cards or giveaway books I have. (Open International))
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Giveaway:
The prize will be an $30 Amazon Gift card or $30 gift certificate at of Better World Books or $30 (2 months at Audible). Open International. Runs January 1, 2024 to January 6, 2025.
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About Donna Grant
Donna is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a hundred novels. Her most popular series is the breathtaking Dark King (aka Dragon King) series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.
In addition to her novels, Donna has written short stories, novellas, and novelettes for digital-first and print release. She has been dubbed as giving the “paranormal genre a burst of fresh air” by the San Francisco Book Review. Her work has been hailed as having “deft plotting and expert characterization” by Publisher’s Weekly and “sizzling” by RT Book Reviews.
She has been recognized with awards from both bookseller and reader contests including the National Reader’s Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award, as well as the coveted K.I.S.S. Award from RT Book Reviews.
Donna travels often for various speaking engagements, conferences, and book signings. She is also a frequent workshop presenter at national conferences such as RT Book Lovers Convention and Thrillerfest, as well as local chapters.
Born and raised in Texas, she also has ties across the border in Louisiana. Growing up with two such vibrant cultures, her Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. She is never far from her faithful 80 pound dog, Sisko, or her three cats. She can often be found at the movies or bookstore with her children. Or buying makeup. And shoes.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Nice that you could present these freebie reviews by theme, Anne.
That’s what I try to do both for fun and to have a way to choose between the thousands of freebies I have. I classify them when I click them.
Fun druid theme. My first druid book was the old Mary Stewart Arthur trilogy when Merlin was something of a druid. I like when the author makes them feel more ancient practice feel than modern magical, but those are fun, too. Looks like you found a nice variety of druid characters in freebies. I think I have the first book for the Rebecca Chastain one and I listened to and liked the first Junkyard Druid one- LOL, big skip there on accident.
Thanks Sophia. The mythology is quite different between the different books. yes the big skip did not help. I really recommend those in order. It is really another round of the same series and not a really good place to start even though it is the first in the series.
I’ve found a few good free books.
I feel fortunate to have found so many great freebies.
Such a fun challenge! And so cool that even random free books can be ones you end up loving. 🙂 Deadlines & Dryads sounds interesting — I love journalist characters!
I’ve found so many great freebies and even some new authors I love. My favorites have to be authors who have the first in the series free (and not end in a cliffhanger). Other books in KU often come up free sometimes. Of course, there are plenty which are just ok or don’t work for me. But that’s reasonable, and they are free after all.
Druid Magic sounds good.
It was a fun read with hints of Harry Potter with the academy and games.