Free books from Smashwords: Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Several independent authors have started publishing their books on Smashwords, either in addition to, or instead of the Kindle. Not only can they set their own price (and keep more of the purchase price, compared to Amazon), but they can offer coupons for free or discounted books and support multiple ereader platforms with a single upload. There are several interesting downloads available right now; today I'll highlight some fantasy and science fiction finds. Remember that on Smashwords, there is no DRM and multiple formats, so you can read it on your PC, your Kindle or just about any other ebook reader out there. Books you purchase there stay in your library, so you can re-download them later. For a free book, just make sure to click on the "Add To Library" link just above the EBook Description section of the page.

Kevis Hendrickson's Rogue Hunter (Chronicles of the Rogue Hunter) ($1.99 Kindle) is now available in on Smashwords and he is letting everyone download it for free this weekend.

Book Description
Zyra Zanr, intergalactic bounty hunter for hire, has hunted fugitive criminals for many years. However, her true goal is to destroy the Zaragos Crime Syndicate whose agents ruthlessly murdered her father. But Zyra's vendetta with Zaragos leads her on a forlorn crusade that puts her at odds with not only the law, but also her own religious principles.

While hunting a notorious fugitive on the distant side of the galaxy, Zyra stumbles onto a conspiracy by Zaragos to murder the senators of the Intergalactic Alliance. Zyra learns that this plot is just the tip of the iceberg, for there is a clandestine force operating behind Zaragos that seeks to destroy not only the Intergalactic Alliance, but mankind as well. Zyra will have to put aside her selfish quest of revenge if she is to uncover the mastermind behind this plot and save humanity from an impending holocaust.

Zyra must come to terms with the violent role she plays in trying to keep peace in the galaxy, as well as the fact that a lone wolf may not be able to stop the coming Armageddon.

Rogue Hunter takes Zyra on a quest of adventure and descent into darkness, ultimately pitting the forces of good against evil in an epic struggle that can only result in the liberation or destruction of one woman’s soul while the fate of humanity rests in the balance.

Today is the last day, but you can download it at Smashwords for free in several formats. Click HERE for the download.

It's also the final days for the free download of Wesley Allison's Princess of Amathar. You have to use a coupon code after adding the book to your cart, RE32Y, which is valid until August 30.

Transported to the artificial world of Ecos, Earth man Alexander Ashton struggles to understand the society of his new friends the Amatharians. As he does so, he finds himself falling in love with their princess and being thrust into a millennium-long war with their mortal foes the reptilian Zoasians. Princess of Amathar is a sword-swinging novel of high adventure.

Ghost Of The Black: A 'Verse Full Of Scum, by Alan Baxter. The first time I saw mention of this one, I wasn't the only one that thought it was a poetry volume. But that is 'Verse, not Verse, and it's punk sci-fi to the core.

Book Description
Ghost is possibly the best bounty hunter in the universe and he always gets the job done. At least, that's the reputation that he rides on. When the DAP employ him to track down and capture a rogue Magicker that's running across the galaxy killing anyone that gets in his way, Ghost realises that this is a job that could cost him his reputation. It's also a job that could cost him his sanity.


Hero Wanted, by Dan McGirt, is my fantasy pick this week. This one is worth getting, just for the cover art alone (the book itself is getting pretty good reviews, as well).

Book Description
A rollicking fantasy romp across the Eleven Kingdoms with reluctant hero Jason Cosmo and cynical wizard Mercury Boltblaster. Forced to flee his home in Lower Hicksnittle and pursued by bounty hunters, demons, and the sinister Dark Magic Society, Jason goes from the bright realm of The Gods to the depths of the Incredibly Dark Forest to learn the awful truth behind the price on his head.