Several of the items below are pre-orders. For those, you must have a credit card on file for Kindle payments, but the amount will come out any gift card balance when the book does ship. If you can't (or won't) do pre-orders, be sure to check out the ones from last month's $2 Pre-Orders post, as all but two of those are still available (two are now missing from the Amazon store, which is the danger in waiting until a release date to order some of these special editions).
Through A Dark Mist, a backlist title from Marsha Canham, was selling for $2.99 (and higher, from her old publisher) on Kindle when I mentioned that it was free on Smashwords. For those of you that don't do Smashwords, it's now free on Kindle. The first in a trilogy, the remaining two titles are only $2.99 each.Book Description
Book One of the Robin Hood trilogy, Award-winning, Best Historical of the Year from Romantic Times: “A legend is brilliantly brought to life on the pages...it unfolds with all the adventure, rollicking good humor, wildly exciting escapades, cliff-hangers, and, most of all, smoldering sensuality any reader could desire."
Cry Uncle, by Judith Arnold, is also a backlist title, this one previously published by Harlequin. She also has several other titles listed at $2.99.Book Description
After witnessing a professional hit, Seattle architect Pamela Hayes has testified in court against the hit man. Unfortunately, a mistrial is declared and the hit man is released on bail while awaiting a new trial. He intends to silence the sole witness to murder—Pam—before that new trial begins. She needs to hide, and she runs as far as she can: to steamy Key West., Florida.
Jonas Brenner, a Key West bar owner and easy-going slacker, is about to lose custody of his orphaned five-year-old niece—unless he can convince the courts that he’s a responsible father. What he needs is a prim and proper wife who will create the illusion that Lizard, as his niece likes to be called, is being raised in a stable environment.
What Pam needs is a new identity. Joe offers her a deal: if she marries him and takes his name, no Pacific Northwest hit man is going to find her. In return, she can pose as Joe’s respectable wife, dutifully caring for the rambunctious, feather-wearing Lizard.
Of course, this will be a marriage in name only. No sex. No emotions. No love. Which, once Pam and Joe move in together and the sparks begin to fly, is easier said than done.
Firelight with Bonus Material ($1.99), by Sophie Jordan, is a bargain pre-order in the Barnes and Noble store. So far, it isn't in the Kindle store, but should surface before the release date in August. In the meantime, check out the sample of the full priced edition (just be sure not to one-click). If you do pre-order from B&N, keep in mind that they charge right away and don't have any way to cancel (although you can usually get customer service to do so, it can take a few days). I've already put this one on my list to watch and may just get it from B&N, if it doesn't show up on Kindle soon. No doubt the bonus is an extended excerpt from her upcoming Vanish in the same series.Book Description
A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.
Warriors 3-Book Bundle with Bonus Material ($12.99 pre-order), by Erin Hunter, contains: Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, and Forest of Secrets, which are slightly more expensive to buy individually due to the first title being on sale for $1.99, but the set usually runs about $18. This is a series for middle school readers and the description isn't up yet, so I am including them from the individual titles.Book Description
Into the Wild
Fire alone can save our Clan...
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by the powerful ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying -- and some deaths are more mysterious than others.
In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty . . . Who may yet turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.
Fire and Ice
Deep in the heart of the forest, four clans of warrior cats coexist in uneasy harmony -- but uncertain times are upon them, and dangers threaten the precarious balance of the forest.
Fireheart is a ThunderClan warrior cat now, but his troubles are far from over. As the chill of winter sets in, the cats of rival RiverClan grow restless, while WindClan is weak and facing threats from all sides.
As tensions build to an explosive climax, Fireheart faces not only imminent battle, but betrayal from within his own Clan.
Forest of Secrets
Allegiances are shifting among the Clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want.
Fireheart is determined to find out the truth about the mysterious death of brave ThunderClan warrior Redtail. But as he searches for answers, he uncovers secrets that some believe would be better left hidden.
My Weird School 4-Book Collection with Bonus Material ($9.99 pre-order), by Dan Gutman, contains the first four books in the My Weird School series for young readers: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!, Mr. Klutz Is Nuts!, Mrs. Roopy Is Loopy! and Ms. Hannah Is Bananas!, plus what is no doubt a promo for the upcoming My Weirder School #3: Mrs. Lilly Is Silly!. Individually, the titles are $4/each, for a savings of about $6 on the bundle.Book Description
Miss Daisy Is Crazy!
Never before has school been this mixed up—or this much fun!
Miss Daisy, who teaches second grade, doesn't know how to add or subtract. Not only that, she doesn't know how to read or write, either. She is the dumbest teacher in the history of the world!
Mr. Klutz Is Nuts!
Never before has school been this mixed up—or this much fun!
Principal Klutz was hanging upside down from the school flagpole! He kissed a pig on the lips and painted his bald head orange! And now he wants to bungee jump off the roof of the school dressed as Santa Claus!
Mrs. Roopy Is Loopy!
Never before has school been this mixed up—or this much fun!
Could Mrs Roopy, the new librarian, be A.J.'s craziest teacher yet? When the class shows up they find her dressed first as George Washington and then Little Miss Muffet. And Mrs Roopy won't even admit that it's her! Can A.J. and his class help their very troubled librarian before she does something really crazy?
Ms. Hannah Is Bananas!
Ms. Hannah wears dresses made out of potholders and collects garbage instead of throwing it out. Plus she's making A.J. be partners with smelly Andrea. This is the worst art class ever!
Kiss an Angel with Bonus Material ($1.99), is a pre-order from Susan Elizabeth Phillips, author of Glitter Baby. You can get a sample from the full-price edition of Kiss an Angel, but be sure to come back here to get the lower cost edition to pre-order. I know that Glitter Baby's special edition disappeared out of the Kindle store quickly, so don't wait too long to grab this one.Book Description
For a limited time, download this special edition of Kiss an Angel by bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips with three excerpts and Susan's only short story!
How did pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux find herself in this fix? She can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Alex Markov, however, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. As humorless as he is deadly handsome, he drags the irrepressible Daisy away from her uptown life and sets out to tame her.
Except it won't be as easy as he thinks. This man without a soul has met a woman who's nothing but heart. Will vows spoken in haste shatter . . . or offer the promise of love everlasting?
I Love the Earl ($1.99 pre-order), by Caroline Linden, is one of two discounted titles currently available for this author. A View to a Kiss is still 99 cents (but may not be for much longer); she also has some self-published short stories at 99 cents, as well.Book Description
A single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a suitor
Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried state with dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she was young and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor, and it’s unlikely any man will court her now that she’s older, wiser, and still just as penniless. Until, that is, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her, making her the most eligible heiress in town.
No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthy bride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives an introduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but she swiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart or her hand. Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested. Entranced. And soon the only thing he needs more than Margaret’s fortune…is her love.
How to Tame a Modern Rogue ($1.99), by Diana HolquistBook Description
Commitment-phobic Sam Carson has only dated model-gorgeous women. But one stolen kiss from a plain-Jane schoolteacher and he's hell-bent on stripping away her floral dresses and teaching her the art of being bad. If only her good-girl ways didn't make him want to be a better man...
Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother actually believes that she's living in her favorite romance novel in Regency England and Ally doesn't have the heart to set her straight. But now Granny Donny's last wish is for a retreat to the country and Ally can't refuse her...until she demands that Sam accompany them. And though his smiles turn her knees into jelly, Ally knows better than to trust a playboy...and she definitely knows better than to try to change one. Or does she?
Lord of Scoundrels ($0.99), by Loretta ChaseBook Description
They call him many names, but Angelic isn't one of them . . .
Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters"—and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best—sin and sin again—and all that's going swimmingly, thank you . . . until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.
She's too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world . . .
Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him—and with him, her family and future—means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is—herself!
A Hint of Wicked ($0.99), by Jennifer Haymore, looks like it should be a good read (and a long one, at 432 pages in print).Book Description
CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE . . .
Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his cousin and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul. . . until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife.
TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS . . .
Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love . . . but life and death.
The Abduction Of Julia ($1.99), by Karen HawkinsBook Description
What can a respectable Regency miss do when kidnapped by a nobleman intent on marriage? Why, marry him, of course.
Julia Frant has secretly loved Alec MacLean, the wild Viscount Hunterston from afar. So when he accidentally snatches her instead of her lovely, scheming cousin for an elopement to Gretna Green, Julia leaps at the chance to make her passionate dreams come true.
Alec's in no position to quibble: if he doesn't marry by midnight and live scandal-free for a year, he loses his inheritance. At least marriage with do-gooder Julia will guarantee his fortune. But as his plain brown wren transforms herself into an elegant swan, Alec suddenly can't stay away from his last-minute wife--and when he kisses her, the inheritance is the last thing on his mind. Unfortunately, scandal can occur from the best of intentions...and Julia is never short of good intentions!
The Trouble With Harry ($3.99), a backlist title from Katie MacAlister, has two listings, so be sure not to grab the one from her old publisher (it costs more). It looks like she has several other backlist titles available at reasonable prices, as well.Book Description
Just What is the Trouble With Harry?
1. He is Plum’s new husband. Not normally a problem, but when you consider that Harry advertised for a wife, and Plum was set to marry his secretary, there was cause for a bit of confusion.
2. He has a title. Plum has spent the last twenty years hiding from the ton, and now Harry wants her to shine in society? Horrors!
3. He doesn’t know about her shocking secret. How is she going to explain about the dead husband who isn’t a husband…and who now seems to be alive again?
4. He’s fallen in love with her. And yet, the maddening man refuses to confide in her. For Plum knows the real trouble with Harry is that he’s stolen her heart.
Any Minute ($2.99), by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford Book Description
Sarah Harper is driven to achieve success no matter what the cost. She wants to do good and not hurt the people she loves--especially children and her husband, Joe--but her desire to succeed in her career too often leaves little time for family.
One cold, autumn afternoon, all of that changes when Sarah's car plunges off a bridge and into a river. She is presumed dead by those on the "outside," but Sarah's spirit is still very much alive. What she discovers on the other side transforms everything about Sarah's view of life--past, present, and future.
When Sarah is revived, she is a changed woman. And the unsuspecting world around her will never be the same again.
