Book Bargains – The Book Owl Podcast

Hello My Lovely Little Book Nerds!

Do you love a quiz? Do you love books? Well, then today is your lucky day!

This week over on The Book Club Mom’s blog, Book Club mom herself shared a quiz that tests just how well-read a book nerd you really are. It was a fun time waster and I encourage you to take it if you’re in the mood for some bookish procrastination.

Of course, this is only one person’s interpretation of what it means to be well-read. After all, some books of the books in the quiz aren’t exactly high-quality literature (50 Shades of Grey? Twilight? Really?).

I also found strikingly few examples of non-fiction and genre fiction…after all, being well-read doesn’t have to mean reading gobs of classic lit and literary fiction.

And as someone who reads across all genres (except westerns and romance) and who reads at least a book a week, I was surprised to only score 22%.

Still, like I said, it’s a fun quiz and a nice diversion. If you’re ready to beat my score, you can find the quiz at List Challenges (https://www.listchallenges.com/if-youve-read-10-of-these-books-youre-very)

And, if you’re keen to expand your reading choices, please be sure to check out the five fabulous book collections below that have been put together by some equally fabulous indie authors. You’ll find at least one of my books in each bundle.

A Note About These Bundles…

These promos are put together by indie authors like me. They are a key part in being able to share my stories with the world in an affordable manner.

However, to continue to participate in these collaborations, I have to maintain a good reputation…which basically means, I need folks like YOU to wander over and have a gander at the books on offer.

You don’t need to buy a thing, simply browsing the deals is a HUGE help, both for me and for all the authors trying to keep the world entertained with our words.

Thank you so much for supporting indie authors!!!

Okay, let’s get some books into your book-loving hands!

Bundle #1

This bundle was put together by sci-fi/fantasy author Dean Wilson. Every book listed is free. Some do require signing up for the author’s mailing list.

In this giveaway you’ll find both of my free series starters: The Trials of Hercules: Book One of the Osteria Chronicles and Domna: Part One, The Sun God’s Daughter. No sign-up required.

Bundle #2

This second bundle was put together by author Laura Greenwood, who has assembled some stellar bundles over the past year. If you resolved to be more efficient with your time this year, this one is for you.

See, this bundle is all about box sets. Which means once you get through book one, you won’t have to go looking around for the next book because they’re all in one handy box set! So efficient!!

Among the deals you’ll find my historical fantasy novel Domna: The Complete Set (January special $4.99), and the first box set of The Osteria Chronicles (Books 1 – 3) which is on sale all month for a mere 99c!!

Bundle #3

This collection was cobbled together by author Larnce Hicks. There was no price cap for this promo, but I’d bet most titles can be grabbed at a fairly decent discount.

If you’re looking for books with fast-paced adventure and some swashbuckling action scenes, this bundle is exactly where you should be headed.

Again, in this bundle you’ll find The Osteria Chronicles Box Set (Books 1 – 3) for the irresistible price of 99c.

*Adventure seekers should click this one.*

Bundle #4

This bundle was put together by author Jay A. Toney and features (as you can see in the graphic), over 80 sci-fi and fantasy books…all of which should be priced under $5. For those of you who resolved to tame your book budget this year, this is the promo for you!

Among the deals you’ll find my short stories Testing the Waters (99c), Space Walk (99c), my historical fantasy novel Domna: The Complete Set (January special $4.99), and the first box set of The Osteria Chronicles (Books 1 – 3) which is on sale all month for a mere 99c!!

Bundle #5

This last-but-not-least collection of over fifty books was cobbled together by the book fiends over at Readsy Deals. There was no price cap for this promo, but I’d bet most titles can be grabbed at a fairly decent discount.

Again, in this bundle you’ll find Domna: The Complete Set for $4.99 and The Osteria Chronicles Box Set (Books 1 – 3) for the unbeatable price of 99c.

Book Bargains, Having Fun

Treats for Birds and Book Nerds

December 17, 2020 TammiePainter

Hello Book Nerds!

Now, you know the Book Owl loves books and libraries, but did you know there’s a library just for the birds? Crazy right? And here I thought the Book Owl was the only feathered friend who liked spending time amongst the stacks.

But it turns out a school librarian from Virginia, Rebecca Flowers (so appropriate), has set up a bird feeder in her garden that looks just like the check-out desk at your local library…

If you’d like to read the article about the feeder and about Rebecca’s other amazing efforts to get books into everyone’s hands, just head over to the full article over on the American Library Association’s website. Or, if you’d like to “check out” what the birds have been up to lately be sure to pop over to The Bird Library’s feed on Instagram.

*Note: The Bird Library used to have a livestream feed on YouTube, but it seems like it’s no longer working. :((

Reading Treats for You

Since bird seed probably isn’t your idea of a treat, I’ve collaborated with a couple authors to bring you bundles of book-filled joy!

Below you’ll find loads of fantastic fiction to treat yourself throughout December, as well as stockpiling a few tomes to cosy up with in a comfy reading chair over the next few wintry weeks (unless you’re in the southern hemisphere…then you can enjoy your books while basking in the summer sunshine).

The bundles below feature a wide range of genres, so there’s sure to be something that appeals to your book-loving heart.

Happy Book Hunting!!

This first bundle is hosted by author Randall Krzak who chose several of my short stories (including Testing the Waters, The Ghost of Arlen Hall, and Mrs. Morris Meets Death) as part of his fabulous bundle. Note: The books in this promo are not necessarily Xmas-themed, but all books are (or should be) only 99c. What a deal!!!

This fabulous little bundle is hosted by the talented Stephanie Mirro. Among loads of other goodies, this box set promo contains both The Osteria Chronicles Box Set (Books 1 – 3) for only $3.99 ($3 off normal list price) and Domna: The Complete Set for a mere $4.99 (a 50% discount compared to buying the books individually)

A Quick Reminder About These Bundles

These promotions are all run by indie authors via BookFunnel. They’re by far one of the best ways to get out the word about my books without breaking my tiny marketing bank.

However, to participate in these group promos, I have to maintain a good BookFunnel reputation…and you can help with that.

Every time you come back to this post and explore what’s on offer in these bundles, you help boost my reputation. It costs you nothing to browse the bundles below, but provides a big boost that allows me to continue to promote my work in a beneficial and affordable way.

Thank you for your support!!!

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Book Bargains, libraries

Book Clean Up on Aisle Four

November 19, 2020 TammiePainter

Hey Book Nerds!

This is just a quick between-episodes post because I couldn’t resist sharing a book-related tidbit with you.

It’s a library. In a grocery store.

Wait, no, that’s not quite right. It’s a grocery store that is now a library.

I haven’t succumbed to any panic buying during the pandemic, but I could see myself raiding the shelves at this grocery store!

So this particular library is the Carmel Clay Public Library in Carmel, Indiana, and they’ve turned a former grocery store into a library. Instead of canned food, they have Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, instead of dried beans they have Barbara Kingsolver’s The Bean Tree. Looking for the candy aisle, you’ll find Laura Esquival’s Like Water for Chocolate.

And while I think stocking the shelves of a store with books instead of junk food, is a brilliant idea, unfortunately, this is only temporary while the Carmel Clay Library waits for a the construction of brand new building.

Seriously, though, you can’t beat finding books like Winter’s Bone, The Winter’s Tale, The Snowman, and The Ice House in the freezer department.

If you want to see the full article about the library from the American Library Association, you can find it at Books Fill the Aisles at This Supermarket.

But before you go…I also want to share a couple new book promotions you might be interested in. The first features books with a historical setting where the ladies take the lead. And the other is full of free tomes ranging from horror to sci-fi to fantasy. Just scroll down tad bit to see the deals.

Have fun browsing, and as a bit of fun, let me know a title of a book and where you’d shelve it in your grocery library!

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The Latest Book Deals – Historical Ladies & Free Fantasy

(Be sure to also check out more November book bargains and freebies in the sidebar of this blog)

Book Bargains

News Leaving You Bird-Brained? Free Fiction is Sure to Help.

November 5, 2020 TammiePainter

Hey Book Nerds!

What a week, right? I know it’s tempting to keep checking the news, keep checking in on those painfully close numbers, keep checking in on whether it’s time again to panic buy toilet paper, but for the sake of your mental health, Dr. Book Owl is here to prescribe that you escape for a while into the pages of a good book with November’s Book Bundles.

And don’t worry, unlike most health care in the U.S., this proven therapy won’t cost you more than $1 and in most cases it’s completely free.

As usual, I have a few books and short stories in each promo below.

Note: These promos are a great way for me to get the word out about my books in an affordable manner, but I can only participate in them if people (that’s YOU) browse the bundles. It costs you nothing to scroll through what’s on offer, and would be a BIG help in keeping my book marketing costs down. THANKS!!!

Happy browsing and be sure to let me know what goodies you end up finding.

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Promo #1….This promo features a wide range of genres, including mystery, romance, fantasy, thrillers, and more. And yes, all the books should be completely free.

Promo # 2…As you can guess, this one has fantasy and sci-fi tomes for free or for a mere 99 pennies.

Promo #3….All fantasy. All free. What more is there to say? Oh, except that for some reason, this one loads slooooowly, so, as with the election results, please be patient:))

Book Bargains

Chilling Halloween Book Deals

October 8, 2020 TammiePainter

Hello Book Nerds!

Are you ready to get in the Halloween mood with some spooky stories?

These freebies and bargains will send a chill up your spine not only because of their great deals, but because of their creepy tales just in time for Halloween haunts.

And if you’re not into the weird and suspenseful, there’s also plenty of fantasy & sci-fi wonders waiting for you in the second promo below.

As ever, these bundles are all put together and supported by indie authors via BookFunnel.

They’re a great way for me to spread the word about my books in an affordable way, but I can only participate in them if I maintain a good “reputation” with BookFunnel. And my reputation improves every time you browse the bundles.

So, if you have the time, please use the images below to stop by and check out what’s on offer. It’s a huge help and really does make a difference.

Happy browsing!!!

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