Off Armageddon Reef, by David Weber, the first in the Safehold series, has been pulled from the Kindle store (except for UK customers) and is full price in most other stores, but Barnes and Noble has it for $2.99.Book Description
Humanity pushed its way to the stars - and encountered the Gbaba, a ruthless alien race that nearly wiped us out.
Earth and her colonies are now smoldering ruins, and the few survivors have fled to distant, Earth-like Safehold, to try to rebuild. But the Gbaba can detect the emissions of an industrial civilization, so the human rulers of Safehold have taken extraordinary measures: with mind control and hidden high technology, they've built a religion in which every Safeholdian believes, a religion designed to keep Safehold society medieval forever.
800 years pass. In a hidden chamber on Safehold, an android from the far human past awakens. This "rebirth" was set in motion centuries before, by a faction that opposed shackling humanity with a concocted religion. Via automated recordings, "Nimue" - or, rather, the android with the memories of Lieutenant Commander Nimue Alban - is told her fate: she will emerge into Safeholdian society, suitably disguised, and begin the process of provoking the technological progress which the Church of God Awaiting has worked for centuries to prevent.
Nothing about this will be easy. To better deal with a medieval society, "Nimue" takes a new gender and a new name, "Merlin." His formidable powers and access to caches of hidden high technology will need to be carefully concealed. And he'll need to find a base of operations, a Safeholdian country that's just a little more freewheeling, a little less orthodox, a little more open to the new.
And thus Merlin comes to Charis, a mid-sized kingdom with a talent for naval warfare. He plans to make the acquaintance of King Haarahld and Crown Prince Cayleb, and maybe, just maybe, kick off a new era of invention. Which is bound to draw the attention of the Church?and, inevitably, lead to war.
It's going to be a long, long process. And it's going to be the can't-miss SF epic of the decade.
Loose Ends ($7.19 Kindle), by Don Easton, the first in the Jack Taggart Mystery series, is in the Kobo bookstore.Book Description
Jack Taggart, an undercover Mountie, lives in a world where the good guys and the bad guys change places in a heartbeat. Taggart is very good at what he does. Too good to be playing by the rules. The brass decide to assign a new partner to spy on him.
Taggart's new partner discovers a society dependent upon unwritten rules. To break these rules is to lose respect. To lose respect is to lose one's life. Loose Ends is terrifying. It is a tale of violence, corruption, and retribution, but it is also a story of honour and respect.
The Spell Of Rosette ($9.99 Kindle), by Kim Falconer, is $3.84 AU for Australian readers in the Borders.AU store.Book Description
Rosette is a child of two worlds: Gaela, steeped in magic, and an Earth choked with failing technology. The key to their survival is literally in her blood, a spell passed down through her family line to preserve the one they're sworn to protect. Unaware of her lineage, Rosette runs scared when her family is murdered. She takes refuge with Nell, a shape-shifting high priestess of the ancient blood, who teaches her the arts of witchcraft, stars and sword. Shadowed by the fabled Kreshkali, queen of the underworld and mistress of the wolf-like Lupins, Rosette and the temple cat, Drayco, find themselves little more than a step ahead of those who will do anything to control the portal that links the many-worlds. -At last -- a writer who is right up my alley. This debut novel from Kim Falconer is a magnum opus of originality and insight into Earth's technological future and occult past.
Book Description
Abandoned by her father and ostracized by her fellow villagers, Shallah never imagined she would lead anything but a small, solitary life. But when a mute boy is found on the green and the village council seems poised to cast him out, she elects to accompany him home, though she's no idea where it might be. Crippled by her own insecurities and the taunts of the village naysayers, Shallah struggles to protect her remarkable young charge from larger-than-life enemies and an unavoidable fate too terrible to contemplate.
The Devil's Closet ($5.59), by Stacy Dittrich, the first in the CeeCee Gallagher series, is $2.99 at Barnes and Noble.Book Description
Multiple Amber Alerts for missing girls bring Detective CeeCee Gallagher onto the case of a serial child abducter and murderer. Time is running out as Gallagher and her partner race to save the girls- lives and apprehend the killer before he can strike again.
For Now and Always, by Jessica Coulter Smith, is free at Books on Board, in several DRM-free formats (can be converted for the Kindle).Book Description
Jenny may not lead a glamorous life, but she's happy. She has a great boyfriend she's been seeing for several months. The only downside is that Seth is very wealthy. His large home, flashy cars, and seemingly large cash flow tend to intimidate Jenny, who owns a tiny apartment in Anaheim Hills. Can she get over it and accept Seth as he is, Malibu mansion and all? To make matters worse, her best friend, Alex has secretly loved her since the day they met. Worried he would ruin the friendship, Alex keeps his feelings to himself.
What will happen when Seth realizes that Jenny's best friend is a guy? Will jealousy rear it's ugly head? Or will he be able to take things in stride?
I Thought It Was You, by Shiloh Walker, is also free at Books on Board and also DRM-free (and still free in the Kindle store).Book Description
The events of this free short story take place between the events of No Prince Charming and Ren's story, Crazed Hearts. It turns out both Ren and Elle had some loose ends they needed to tie up...and that's what this story is about. It's not Ren's happy ever after. That's in Crazed Hearts.
Warning: the following story contains some unfinished business, some unrequited love and a whole lot of action between 3 somewhat debauched guardian angels.
EXILE'S BANE, by Nicole Margot Spencer, is free at Books on BoardBook Description
It is 1644, Lancashire, England, in the midst of the English Civil War between King and Parliament.
Elena Roland, a resolute heiress who suffers precognitive visions, can handle a sword, rides as well as any man, and counts the tower ghost a friend, fights to defend her fortress from siege and to protect herself against her uncle's attempts to eliminate her right to the land. Terrified of change, she refutes the betrothal forced upon her.
A brilliant, ever-moving cavalier and an exiled Scot, Duncan Comrie is ordered to imprison Elena. An overwhelming, sensual need springs up between them. Will she overcome her fears, open her heart, and allow him to help her? For all too soon power-hungry Edward Gorgon arrives to collect his bride.
A unique first person perspective, depth of character, and realism drive this novel of corrupted power, loyalty, lust, ancient curses, love, deceit, war, and personal torment.
Winner Takes All, by Laura Baumbach, is free at Books on BoardBook Description
Two vampires face off in a deadly bet that has the winner claiming everything the loser owns--including the loser's innocent, unaware human offspring.
Now and Forever, a Love Story, by Jean C. Joachim, is free at Books on BoardBook Description
Passion
I've been itching to get at you all evening. Ever since you walked out looking like that, I wanted to jump your bones right here in the living room. Watching those letches drool over you all night didn't make it any easier. They can drool all they want, I'm the one who is going to make love to you tonight, he said taking her in his arms, while her dress slipped to the floor.
Meets peril
Callie put her hand in her pocket and turned to walk out of the diner.
Not so fast. Turn around!
Callie heard a click. She turned to see a rifle cocked and aimed at her chest.
The Spear of Redemption, by D. J. Marteeny and Richard S. Marteeny, is free at Books on BoardBook Description
The Avenger has captured and imprisoned the evil vampire Dragone. Mysterious and secretive, the Avenger has become the trusted ally of the vampire Julian Reynolds; together they must wage war against Dragone's evil hordes. Along with Adrianna Avani, the woman he loves, and a handful of others, Julian must find the one weapon that can destroy Dragone -- the spear of redemption.
Julian and his band of warriors must travel the world, from the ancient ruins and hidden treasures of Rome to the sacred sights of Jerusalem, to find the weapon before it falls into the wrong hands, risking both the safety of the world and Julian's one chance for redemption from the sins of a life that was forced upon him centuries ago.
But nightmarish creatures aren't the only demons Julian must battle as he fights to control his love -- or lust -- for Adrianna. Her blood carries the gene capable of making him human once again; but, in Julian's world, humanity means weakness, something he cannot afford in his fight against Dragone. Should he forfeit his vampiric powers and accept the gift he's waited for all of these centuries? Or does he give up his dream, resisting Adrianna long enough to destroy Dragone once and for all!
