Author Spotlight and a Free Book - Diane Duane

You can get a free copy of A Wind from the South (out of print), by Diane Duane, is the first (and so far only) book in her Raetian Tales series, from the author's website (and a few other sites). She is perhaps best known for her Young Wizards series, which is not yet available on Kindle.

Book Description
In the remote mountain village where she was born, Mariarta dil Alicg lives the untroubled life of a peasant girl...until, soon after a mysterious stranger's arrival, she starts to hear voices in the wind. The voices whisper strange secrets in Mariarta's ears -- promising her the power to command the stormwind, hinting at an unknown, magical heritage, and prophesying a fate marvelous past all Mariarta's imaginings.

Mariarta's search for the truth about the beautiful and terrible creature attempting to possess her body and soul will lead her into hidden domains of sorcery both dreadful and wondrous, and finally embroil her in the growing rebellion against her land's cruel Austriac oppressors. But not before Mariarta comes face to face at last with the immortal Lady of the Storms, and challenges her to one final battle for control of her life, her soul, and her destiny...

Here are some download locations for the free version:

• Mobileread - (nice PRC format, load right onto the Kindle)
• Raetian Tales website - PDF, LIT and PDB formats
• Author's website - has disclaimer of limited time availability (but it's been free for some time); PDF, LIT and PDB formats, with Kindle version "in the works"

I'd recommend the version at mobileread for those with a Kindle.

Ms. Duane has also started re-releasing some of her backlist books in ebook form. A few of these are in the Kindle store and a couple of others are at Smashwords. I'd ignore the special order buttons on the author's website, as these lead to yet another purchase choice (and I like to keep my purchases at as few ebookstores as possible). Here are a few of the titles that are currently under $5.

Start Trek: Doctor's Orders ($2.79)

Book Description
When Dr. McCoy grumbles once too often about the way the U.S.S. Enterprise™ ought to be run, Captain Kirk decides to leave the doctor in command while he oversees a rountine diplomatic mission. Kirk beams down to a strange planet nicknamed "Flyspeck" to negotiate its admission into the Federation, leaving Dr. McCoy to enjoy his new authority.

However, the doctor soon learns that command is a double-edged sword when Kirk disappears without a trace. Desperately trying to locate his catain, McCoy comes under pressure from Starfleet to resolve the situation immediately. Matters go from bad to worsewhen the Klingons arrive and stake their own claim on Flyspeck

Then another, more deadly power threatens them all, and suddenly Dr. McCoy and the Starship Enterprise find themselves pitted against an alien fleet in a battle they have no hope of winning.

Star Trek: The Romulan Way ($2.80)

Book Description
hey are a race of warriors, a noble people to whom honor is all. They are cousin to the Vulcan, ally to the Klingon, and Starfleet's most feared and cunning adversary. They are the Romulans -- and for eight years, Federation Agent Terise LoBrutto has hidden in their midst.

Now the presence of a captured Starfleet officer forces her to make a fateful choice -- between exposure and escape. Between maintaining her cover -- and saving the life of Dr. Leonard McCoy.

Here, in a startlingly different adventure, is the truth behind one of the most fascinating alien races ever created in STAR TREK -- the Romulans.

The Door Into Fire ($2.99) is now out of print (but you can pick up a "new" copy for $130 HERE at Amazon!). I've used the new cover at Smashwords for the blog post, but you might want to check out the cover of the original paperback to see how Tor marketed the book in the mid-1980's (there are some reviews there, as well).

Book Description
The only man in centuries to possess the Power of the blue Flame, Herewiss cannot use or control it. With his dearest friend, the exiled Prince Freelorn, and the unearthly creature called Sunspark, Herewiss searches the forbidden Waste to find a legendary Keep full of doors into other worlds -- desperately seeking the one that will make him whole... (A two-time John W. Campbell Award nominee)

The Door into Shadow ($3.99), the sequel to The Door Into Fire is also long out of print (there are some "new" copies (at $79.49) and reviews, HERE).

Book Description
Second of Diane Duane's "Middle Kingdoms" sequence, sequel to THE DOOR INTO FIRE. The quest of Freelorn Ferrant's son, exiled prince of Arlen, continues as he and his people push eastward across the Middle Kingdoms in pursuit of his lost throne. But his companion, the warrior and sorceress Segnbora, brings her own possibly deadly agenda to the search...

It looks like The Door into Sunset will be coming to Smashwords soon -- so if you get hooked on the series (which totals four books), you won't have to pick up that $189.25 "new" paperback someone is trying to sell at Amazon.