I've moved!

I've moved!

Thanks for stopping by, but it appears you are using a (very) old address for my blog. I've moved to a Wordpress site and you'll need to update your bookmarks for Books on the Knob

I've moved!

Custom Search

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Holiday Coupons, Free Books and Frugal Reads

There are a number of coupon codes good today or this weekend, for those buying outside of the Amazon store. First, at Kobobooks.com, use coupon code Holiday35 today to get 35% off any non-Agency book (unlimited use), such as The Finkler Question ($5.29 before coupon), which won the 2010 Man Booker Prize. In addition, I have seen some reports that coupon code Holiday50 is working on the same books for 50% off.

If you are still buying multi-format or eReader books from Fictionwse, use xmascoming2010 today or tomorrow for 50% off. Last, Untreed Reads has another exclusive coupon for readers of their "favorite blog"! You'll get 25% off your entire purchase with by applying coupon code FANSOFBOTK. This one is good until Christmas Day and they are now up to 100 titles (well, they will be next week, when #100 gets published). With all of their prices from 99 cents to $5.99, their entire catalog is affordably priced. I do wish that they indicated the length on each story's product page, but you can sort by length and select novels or novellas only, if you'd rather skip the shorter titles.

Storytellers: Apprentice ($0.99 Kindle), by Martin Sharlow, is free in the B&N store for the holiday season. This is the first in a planned trilogy (the second, Storytellers: Adept, is also 99 cents on Kindle.)

Book Description
Fantasy author Martin Sharlow starts a new series here with book one. He shows us a land of magic, where casters summon stories from works of fiction then use these story constructs for work, or for battle.

Thousands of years ago, the great Sage Montok Waynew signed the Book Accords, in which it was declared that all books must edify and instruct for the good of all mankind. Created in the hope to end the tyranny that had come into existence in their time, it was widely received and ratified by all living Sages as a good thing in the wake of the last great Story wars. So it went, that those books that were not found desirable were burned or destroyed, to protect all future generations.

Gailen, Alena and Targ find this peace is about to end. In a world where Sages can summon stories to life to do their bidding, these three apprentices must find where they belong, when the laws of the past seem to no longer exist.


Click HERE for the free download.

Simon Wood is giving away his short story Road Rash as a Christmas gift to his readers. This young adult horror/thriller looks like it might be well suited for reading on a dark and stormy night (or maybe not!). The only review so far at Smashwords dropped on star off his 5-star review because he wanted it to be longer....

Book Description
Straley might think his life is cursed, but it doesn't compare to what lies ahead. He's on the run with the loot from a botched bank raid when he comes across an auto wreck. There's no saving the drivers, but he can save himself & steals a car. Alas, he boosts the wrong car. Within an hour, a rash eats at his flesh. If Straley wants his skin back, he must journey on the road to redemption.

The NIV Archaeological Study Bible: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture ($3.99), by Walter C. Kaiser Jr. & Duane Garrett, lists for $49.99 and usually sells for a bit over half that. On the Kindle, the maps are a bit small, but they are quite readable on Kindle for iPad or Kindle for PC.

Book Description
Readers who desire a more intimate knowledge of the historical context of the Bible will appreciate the NIV Archaeological Study Bible. Full of informative articles and full-color photographs of places and objects from biblical times, this Bible examines the archaeological record surrounding God's Word and brings the biblical world to life. Readers' personal studies will be enriched as they become more informed about the empires, places, and peoples of the ancient world.

Features include:

  • Four-color interior throughout
  • Bottom-of-page study notes exploring passages that speak on archaeological and cultural facts
  • Articles (520) covering five main categories: Archaeological Sites, Cultural and Historical Notes, Ancient Peoples and Lands, the Reliability of the Bible, and Ancient Texts and Artifacts
  • Approximately 500 4-color photographs interspersed throughout
  • Detailed book introductions that provide basic, at-a-glance information
  • Detailed charts on pertinent topics
  • In-text color maps that assist the reader in placing the action

The Grandmother's Bible ($3.99), by Various Authors, has over 1800 pages in the print edition (and lists for $34.99).

Book Description
For many women, being a grandmother is God's finest gift---they have achieved great depth of experience and breadth of love, and they have grandchildren with whom to share these qualities. The Grandmother's Bible is the first Bible published for this active, engaged, Bible-reading audience. Over 60 well-known Christian women---including Ruth Graham, Elisa Morgan, Elizabeth George, Thelma Wells, Karen Kingsbury, and Carol Cymbala---share their thoughts, stories, and encouragement in this Bible's articles and daily devotionals. With a focus on daily prayer, this uniquely personal Bible offers guidance, inspiration, and practical tools as grandmothers share their love and God's Word with their grandchildren.

Features:

  • 365 devotions -- readings draw grandmothers closer to their Lord and to their grandchildren
  • Grandchild in Focus -- a simple plan to help grandmothers pray regularly for their grandchildren
  • Praying the Scriptures for Your Grandchild -- Bible verses in a prayer format
  • Stories to Share -- over 150 key Bible stories ideal for sharing specific life lessons
  • Talking Points -- a practical guide for using Scripture to discuss over 40 relevant topics, such as salvation, knowing God's will, friendship, etc.
  • Perspectives -- original, thought-provoking articles addressing personal aspirations and the joys and challenges of being a grandmother
  • Special sleeve to hold grandchild's photo
  • Custom presentation pages
  • Two-color design in an easy-to-read type
  • Book introductions, topical index, and more
Complete New International Version

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas ($3.89 Kindle, Kobo), by Tad Hills, is definitely for those reading to little ones and one I'd only want on a color screen (such as the iPad or another color tablet, for example).

Book Description
Celebrate Christmas with Duck and Goose!

Our feathered friends are getting ready for Christmas. The only problem? Goose is more interested in skating, sledding, and making snow angels than in helping Duck decorate their Christmas tree. While Goose has the time of his life in the snow, it seems poor Duck will be left to do all the work. . . .

Tad Hills’s simple text and vivid, expressive illustrations make this sweet, funny little book the perfect stocking stuffer. Preschoolers who loved the bestselling Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin—or those meeting Duck and Goose for the first time—will be thrilled to own this charming winter tale.


The Kindle Edition with Audio/Video of Christmas in Camelot Enhanced Ebook (Special Video Edition with Songs from the Musical!) ($3.89), by Mary Pope Osborne & Sal Murdocca (Illustrator), is marked down to the same price as the regular Kindle edition. This is the 29th in the Magic Tree House and besides the eight titles under a dollar, there are over 30 under four bucks. This is the only title (so far) with audio/video content added. Many of the titles are the same price at Kobo (although they don't have this edition), which works out to a great deal with the above coupon codes, if you can use EPUB books.

Book Description
Experience the Magic Tree House in a whole new way! Jack and Annie’s bestselling adventure in Camelot now has exclusive videos and songs from Magic Tree House: The Musical!

Jack and Annie are on their most exciting mission yet! It begins with a simple invitation to spend Christmas Eve in Camelot, a magical place that exists only in myth and fantasy. What Jack and Annie don’t know is that the invitation will send them on a quest to save Camelot itself. Can they succeed, even though Camelot’s greatest knights have failed?

As the very first Merlin Mission published in 2001, Christmas in Camelot ushered in a new era for the Magic Tree House series, introducing longer stories packed to the margins with magic, history, and adventure.

This enhanced ebook edition of Christmas in Camelot includes exclusive audio and video features for a totally unique reading experience. Along with the complete text of the book, this ebook offers:

  • Five video interviews with Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne about the inspiration for the book and the musical placed throughout the text **only available in this enhanced ebook!
  • Three bonus videos with Mary Pope Osborne and the creators of Magic Tree House: The Musical, Will Osborne and Randy Courts **only available in this enhanced ebook!
  • A compilation of original songs from Magic Tree House: The Musical **only available in this enhanced ebook!
  • Mary Pope Osborne’s video message to readers **only available in this enhanced ebook!
  • A sneak peek at Magic Tree House #30: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve

The Boxcar Children ($1.99), by Gertrude Chandler Warner, the first in her The Boxcar Children Mysteries series, is exclusively marked down at Amazon. You can beat it at Kobo with the 50% off coupon, but the deal there is to use the coupon on the rest of the series.

Book Description
The Aldens begin their adventure by making a home in a boxcar. Their goal is to stay together, and in the process they find a grandfather.

Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny, four orphaned brothers and sisters, suddenly appear in a small town. No one knows who these young wanderers are or where they have come from. Frightened to live with a grandfather they have never met, the children make a home for themselves in an abandoned red boxcar they discover in the woods. Henry, the oldest, goes to town to earn money and buy food and supplies.

Ambitious and resourceful, the plucky children make a happy life themselves--until Violet gets too sick for her brothers and sister to care for her.


Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings ($2.39 Kindle & Kobo), by Helene Boudreau

Book Description
Freak of nature takes on a whole new meaning...
If she hadn't been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.
Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?

Jade is determined to find out. So how does a plus-size, aqua-phobic mer-girl go about doing that exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend, Cori, and to her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting...


The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 1: Magic Kingdom For Sale SOLD! - The Black Unicorn - Wizard at Large ($9.29 Kindle), by Terry Brooks, is a great price on a 3-volume set. For an even better deal, use the coupon code at Kobo.

Book Description
Capture the fantasy, thrills, and far-flung adventure of the first three novels in Terry Brooks’s enchanting Magic Kingdom of Landover series–now for the first time in one gripping volume.

Chicago lawyer Ben Holiday can’t fathom what lies ahead when he purchases Landover–a magical kingdom of chivalry and sorcery–from Meeks, the mysterious seller who placed the ad. Weary and jaded, Ben clings to the ad’s promise: “Escape into your dreams.” But Landover is not the enchanted idyll he expected.

The kingdom is in ruin. The barons refuse to recognize Ben as King, a dragon is decimating the countryside, and a demon lord has challenged any prospective ruler to a fatal duel. To make matters worse, the Paladin, renowned champion of the Kings of Landover, seems to be merely a legend.

Ben’s only allies are a bumbling court magician, a talking dog turned court scribe, and the beautiful Willow, who is part girl, part tree. With his friends in tow, Ben sets out to claim the throne. But when Meeks decides he wants Landover back, Ben will face supernatural foes of every stripe to prove himself worthy of the kingship. The question is: Can he survive?


The Magic Kingdom Of Landover Volume 2 ($8.80), by Terry Brooks, gets you the rest of the original series; A Princess of Landover ($5.99) wasn't added until last year. Again, Kobo has this one at the same price, but you can use the coupon codes above.

Book Description
Now in one thrilling volume–experience the magic, the intrigue, and the exciting escapades of the final two novels in Terry Brooks's spellbinding Magic Kingdom of Landover seriesAll appears well with Ben Holiday. He's finally secured for himself the throne of Landover, and he and his wife, the exquisite sylph Willow, are expecting their first child. But their peaceful days are numbered.The conjurer Horris Kews returns to Landover and inadvertently releases an evil sorcerer from the Tangle Box, a magic chest used by the fairy folk to imprison wayward spirits. Now free, the sorcerer traps Ben inside the box’s labyrinthine passages and plots to wreak havoc in Landover using Horris as his pawn. But Ben's greatest challenge comes when Rydall, a foreign king, issues Ben an ultimatum: defeat seven deadly champions, or Rydall’s armies invade Landover. Complicating matters is the devastating fact that Ben and Willow's young daughter has been kidnapped–and her fate lies in Rydall's dangerous hands.Relying on his loyal friends, his steadfast wife, and no small amount of endurance and enchantment, Ben risks his life to save everything he loves. But this time, black magic may prove too powerful for even the most devoted heart.

Pemberley Ranch ($2.39), by Jack Caldwell

Book Description
When the smoke has cleared from the battlefields and the civil war has finally ended, fervent Union supporter Beth Bennet reluctantly moves with her family from their home in Meryton, Ohio, to the windswept plains of Rosings, Texas. Handsome, haughty Will Darcy, a Confederate officer back from the war, owns half the land around Rosings, and his even haughtier cousin, Cate Burroughs, owns the other half.

In a town as small as Rosings, Beth and Will inevitably cross paths. But as Will becomes enchanted with the fiery Yankee, Beth won't allow herself to warm to the man who represents the one thing she hates most: the army that killed her only brother.

But when carpetbagger George Whitehead arrives in Rosings, all that Beth thought to be true is turned on its head, and the only man who can save her home is the one she swore she'd never trust...


Genghis: Birth of an Empire ($0.76), by Conn Iggulden, the first in his Genghis series is now marked down to a ridiculously low price. Publisher's Weekly called this "brilliantly imagined and addictive historical fiction" (and it's over $6 at Kobo and others).

Book Description
BONUS: This edition contains excerpts from Conn Iggulden's Genghis: Lords of the Bow ($6.15) and Khan: Empire of Silver ($14.30).

Genghis Khan was born Temujin, the son of a khan, raised in a clan of hunters migrating across the rugged steppe. Shaped by abandonment and betrayal, Temujin endured, driven by a singular fury: to survive in the face of death, to kill before being killed, and to conquer enemies who could come without warning from beyond the horizon.

Through a series of courageous raids, Temujin’s legend grew until he was chasing a vision: to unite many tribes into one, to make the earth tremble under the hoofbeats of a thousand warhorses, to subject all nations and empires to his will.


Coventry ($1.91 Kindle, B&N), by Helen Humphreys

Book Description
Helen Humphreys draws on history to delve into the lives torn asunder by the German attack of November 14, 1940. Harriet, a widow from World War I, is atop Coventry Cathedral, part of the nightly watch, when first the factories and then the church itself are set on fire. In the ensuing chaos she bonds with a young man, very much like the husband she lost, who relies on her to find the way back to his home where he left his mother. On their journey through a hell of burning shops and collapsed homes, Harriet awakens to emotions she had long put aside. At home, the youth's mother awaits his arrival and rethinks the life that has brought her to this city and her life raising her son alone. Ultimately, together these two women must face a world as immeasurably changed as their own selves.

Cook's Illustrated Holiday Baking ($4.79) is from Cook's Illustrated Magazine editors, the same people who published The Cook's Illustrated How-to-Cook Library, which I and many other early adopters picked up free almost two years ago, but is now $9.99. I checked out the print edition of the magazine at our local bookstore - it's $7.95 on the newsstand and they only had one copy left.

Book Description
Ebook format exclusively on Kindle! 

The Cook’s Illustrated Holiday Baking provides everything the home baker needs to create scrumptious cookies, savory tarts, and perfect pies this holiday season. And because we test and retest recipes as many as 100 times –they are guaranteed to work. The first time and every time you bake. It also features dozens of our top picks for baking ingredients and bakeware, including hand-held mixers, loaf pans, nonstick aluminum foil, semisweet chocolate, and frozen blueberries. Featured recipes include:
  • Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Blackout Cake, Gingerbread Cake, Gingerbread Pear Trifle, Lemon Cheesecake, Quick Cinnamon Streusel Coffeecake, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Icebox Cookies, Easier Holiday Cookies, Brown Sugar Cookies, Meringue Cookies, Raspberry Streusel Bars, Double-Chocolate Bread Pudding, Date-Nut Bread, Blueberry Streusel Muffins, Ultimate Cinnamon Buns, Multigrain Pancakes, Brioche, Cream Scones, Apple-Cranberry Pie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Foolproof Pie Dough, Yeast Coffee Cakes, Cream Puffs , Palmiers, Brown Sugar Fudge, Sourdough Bread, Rustic Dinner Rolls
  • Cook’s Illustrated Holiday Baking 2010 Special Issue
  • 30+ recipes
  • Dozens of step-by-step photos and illustrations

The Knockout Workout: 3 Winning Steps to Improve Your Body and Your Life ($1.35 Kindle, B&N), by Mia St. John, might be just the antidote to indulging in too many of the recipes from the Holiday Baking book.

Book Description
The workout book that really packs a punch

Who needs to be in better shape than a professional boxer? Who better to help a woman of any age get into her finest possible physical condition and stay there than WBC Welterweight Champion Mia St. John? In The Knockout Workout, Mia helps you master the exercises and workouts that keep boxers and martial arts experts fit and trim. With clear, step-by-step instructions and plenty of detailed photos, she shows you how to punch and kick your way to a level of fitness you never thought possible. She provides diet tips and meal plans that keep you healthy, satisfied, and slim, along with mental strategies to achieve power, calmness, and tenacity.

Don't try to slim down with quick fixes or bulk up with heavy weights. Follow the simple three-step program you'll find in The Knockout Workout, and you'll be a knockout in no time!


Christmas Diamonds ($1.53), by Devon Vaughn Archer

Book Description
Ever since she was a little girl, Paula Devine has dreamed of a romantic Christmas Day proposal like the one her grandmother received back in the day. Instead, her list of disappointing exes gets longer each year. But just as she's ready to give up, Paula begins remodeling the home of an irresistibly sexy client--a man who inspires the kind of sinful thoughts that could land her on Santa's "naughty" list permanently.

If there's one thing rarer than a flawless diamond, it's true love fused with passion. Jeweler Chase McCord had it once, and wondered if that shimmering heat was gone forever. But the beautiful woman who's renovating his home is also overhauling Chase's outlook, tempting him to submit to her honeyed seduction--even if it means losing his heart all over again.