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Monday, February 28, 2011

Random House Adopts Agency Pricing - Effective Tomorrow!

With one day's notice, Random House is moving to Agency Pricing on it's ebooks, effective tomorrow: March 1, 2011. What this will mean is that the prices will go up on many of the books that have been discounted by Amazon and other booksellers (including many that you could use discount coupons on, when shopping at Kobo). There are rumors that they will have more free books (but, the record so far has been that the publishers that moved to Agency pricing have dropped the number of free books, instead offering low-priced early books in a series instead).

Some examples of authors that will be effected: Jean M. Auel (you can pre-order the next book in her series, THE LAND OF PAINTED CAVES, at $9.99 right now, rather than the $30 list), Karen Marie Moning, Stieg Larsson, Teresa Medeiros, Dan Brown (his $35 list The Lost Symbol: Special Illustrated Edition is still $3.99 right now), Ron Roy (several of the kid's A to Z titles at 88 cents tonight), Anne Mccaffrey, Nancy Pelosi ($14.95 list Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters is $3.06).

If you want to skim thru some of the current sale books and see what bargains are out there and that will probably be gone after 3AM EST (Midnight in Seattle), click on the links below. I've limited the results to books that are at least 25% off and priced under $9.99. There are a lot of $5.00 and $9.99 books on these lists that will end up being much higher tomorrow, if their pricing follows what all the other publishers have done.
There are, of course, too many to list, as this is a very large publisher. This search will get you a list of books currently discounted at 50% off or more, with a price under $10.00, but includes all publishers, not just the Random House imprints. There may be a few with higher prices in the US, as the search sometimes picks up lower prices in other countries, but those should only show up here and there..

Click HERE to read the press release.

New Kindle Game - Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz

There's a new trivia game out for the Kindle, Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz ($1.99), from HandyX

Book Description
Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz is a trivia game for science fiction buffs. Do you think you know Star Wars from Star Trek, or Alien from Avatar?

Test your science fiction knowledge with 1,000 questions about sci-fi movies and TV shows from past to present. Questions are drawn from topics such as Back to the Future, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Blade Runner, Forbidden Planet, The Fly, E.T., Terminator, X-Files, Dr. Who, Space 1999, The Twilight Zone, The Matrix, and Jurassic Park. Answer sets of questions ranging from easy to hard, in rounds of 10, or in a continuous stream. Or turn on a question countdown timer for an even greater challenge. Be warned, you may be surprised at how challenging some of the more difficult questions may be!

Do you have what it takes to answer them all?

Free Book Update (nook)

The business and non-fiction books from he morning are all now free from B&N. Here are links to the book summaries, with B&N links in each post:

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Interactive Language Training and non-English Bargain Books (Kindle)

There are now eight total language training apps out for Kindle, all from 24/7. Each language has a pair of apps, just as with the Interactive Spanish Language Training that I originally detailed. All the apps are $3.99 each and are targeted at reading comprehension (there doesn't appear to be support yet for Kindle Apps to use the speaker, which would allow pronunciation guides). Since the description is nearly identical for each title, I'm only going to include the first one, but there are links for all of the languages (so far) available.

24-7 French - Vocabulary and 24-7 French - Basic Phrases
24-7 German - Vocabulary and 24-7 German - Basic Phrases
24-7 Italian - Vocabulary and 24-7 Italian - Basic Phrases
24-7 Spanish - Vocabulary and 24-7 Spanish - Basic Phrases

App Description
Learn French/German/Italian/Spanish with your own personal language tutor.

24-7 French/German/Italian/Spanish - Vocabulary
is a fun way to learn a language. Going beyond a phrasebook or set of flashcards, this title provides a set of interactive study tools to help you learn the language, including traditional flashcards, a multiple choice quiz, an entertaining hangman-style game, and a write-in quiz to test language recall.

Content includes basic vocabulary organized in 22 categories including Family & Friends, Travel, Home, Office, School, Countryside, Around Town, Other Nouns, Food & Drink, Clothing, Weather, Time & Date, Pronouns, Adjectives, Opposites, Colors, Descriptives and Numbers. French - French/German/Italian/Spanish is different from 24-7's other language tutor title French/German/Italian/Spanish - Basic Phrases in that it provides basic vocabulary terms versus full phrases.

24-7 French/German/Italian/Spanish - Basic Phrases is a fun way to learn a language. Going beyond a phrasebook or set of flashcards, this title provides a set of interactive study tools to help you learn the language, including traditional flashcards, a multiple choice quiz, an entertaining hangman-style game, and a write-in quiz to test language recall.

Content includes conversational phrases organized in 12 categories including First Phrases, Greetings, Getting to Know, Communication, Questions, Wants, Needs, Feelings, Common Expressions, Interjections, To Go, and other common and miscellaneous phrases. French/German/Italian/Spanish - Basic Phrases is different from 24-7's other language tutor title French/German/Italian/Spanish - Vocabulary in that it provides full phrases versus basic vocabulary terms.

French/German/Italian/Spanish - Vocabulary is a useful tool for beginners who may wish to refresh basic [language] skills, and a great companion for a trip in a [non-English]-speaking country.


If your language skills are a little more advanced (or English isn't your first language), you might want to venture into the world of Foreign Language Kindle eBooks (or, at least foreign to most of those born in Amazon's native land). What you may not have realized is that Amazon has a page to spotlight some of them, making a few of them easier to find. I've pulled a few out that are bargain priced, but my language skills aren't sufficient to give you an opinion of the translations or writing, so be sure to sample first.

Límites (Spanish Edition) ($2.99), by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. The english edition, Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No, is $10.99, on this title from Christian publisher Zondervan.

Book Description
Is your life out of control? Do people take advantage of you? Do you have trouble saying no? Are you disappointed with God because of unanswered prayers? Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries helps us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances. Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions. Emotional boundaries help us deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others. Spiritual boundaries help us distinguish God's will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer Biblically based answers to tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.

Prime de vie (French Edition) ($2.99), by Romuald Reber, is a novella length selection.

Book Description
En l'an 2020, la société humaine, confrontée à la montée de la violence urbaine, civique et économique, à la dégradation de son environnement et à la déshumanisation comportementale de sa population, a accepté pour survivre, une nouvelle justice. Cette nouvelle justice devra lui garantir un avenir et un nouvel espoir. Dorénavant, chaque être humain devra s'acquitter d'une prime de vie. Quel en sera le prix?

Le très grand nettoyage (French Edition) ($2.99), by Romuald Reber, appears to be novel length and looked pretty interesting from the BabelFish translation.

Book Description
Jeremy Parker est chercheur en nanotechnologies. Il a 27 ans, et vit à Londres en 2025. Le monde est saturé de déchets, il pleut du plastique à chaque orage. La nourriture commence à manquer. Lui, rêve de nettoyer la planète grâce à ses inventions. Mais la triste réalité économique de la société, profondément cynique, qui l'entoure, le contraint à travailler sur des projets moins idéalistes...

Alors que la majorité des urbains des grandes capitales prennent de la drogue du rêve pour fuir leur triste quotidien, lui s'accroche à son projet. Il y consacre tout le temps que son travail lui laisse. Mais, bientôt, une suite d'évènements incontrôlés va tout faire basculer. Les alliages métalliques vont disparaître. Le chaos s'installe. Parker et ses compagnons vont essayer de balancer les catastrophes qui se répandent sur la planète terre. Une de ces inventions nanotechnologiques va procéder au très grand nettoyage, tous les produits dérivés du pétrole vont disparaître. En parallèle, un autre évènement naturel va transformer le monde animal et déclencher le retour des esprits de la nature. Les cartes vont être redistribuées sur la planète terre. Le monde que nous connaissons va basculer dans un nouvel âge.


tim special '10: About man, innovation and proces- Modern Times in der IT? (free), by Thomas Wust, is a free issue of an IT magazine over on Sony.

Book Description
Wer erinnert sich nicht an den zappeligen Arbeiter Charlie in amodern times", gespielt und uraufgefuhrt von Charles Chaplin im Jahr 1936, der allzu oft mit dem Takt des monotonen Fliessbandes nicht mithalten kann. Mittlerweile sind wir weit uber den Taylorismus, der von Frederik Winslow Taylor gegrundeten Denkschule der Prozesssteuerung zentraler Arbeitsablaufe, hinausgewachsen und verfugen uber zahlreiche Sichten auf Prozesse und Prozessoptimierungen, die auch oder gerade dem Produktions- und Innovationsfaktor Mensch gerechter werden.

Libérese del temor (Spanish Edition) ($1.24), by H. Norman Wright, is another from Thomas Nelson. The English editionappears to be out of print.

Book Description
Millones de personas luchan con el temor. En Liberese del temor, el doctor H. Norman Wright le ayudara a comprender sus temores y los efectos negativos que ellos tienen en su vida, tambien proporciona formas comprobadas de mantener sus pensamientos y sus sentimientos lejos del miedo y llevarlos hacia una vida de fe y de esperanza.

Usted aprendera tecnicas practicas y ejercicios para establecer un patron de vida sin preocupacion que le liberaran de las garras del temor en su vida. Si usted esta luchando con temores fisicos, tales como el miedo de volar, o temores emocionales, como el miedo al compromiso o al abandono, el doctor Wright, con su experiencia como consejero le ensenara como vencer la ansiedad.


Actitudes Que Atraen El Éxito (Spanish Edition) ($1.71), by Dr. Wayne Cordeiro. In English, Thomas Nelson title sells for $9.87.

Book Description
Does your cup runneth over, or is life running you over? Here are practical steps to building internal values and perspectives that will change your life! Embedded in God's Word are the keys to abundant living, and Hawaiian pastor Wayne Cordeiro guides you through those keys with humor and insight. This book will show you the common mistakes people make without realizing it; what separates successful people from unsuccessful ones; how to see people as God does; and how to change the way you think. You are just an attitude away from a fantastic life!

L'abito da sposa (Italian Edition) ($0.99) and Voglio sentirmi dire tu sei mia (PoeBook) (Italian Edition) ($2.99), by Elisabetta Randazzo

L'abito da sposa (Italian Edition)
Palermo, Italia, 1938: la guerra è ancora lontana. Glitter è un giovane artista tedesco, venuto in Italia per fare pratica di pittura. Elisheva è la giovane figlia di un sarto di famiglia ebrea. Si incontrano e si innamorano, vivono insieme un'estate fatta di sole, baci, bellissimi tramonti, spensierati e completamente avvolti dal loro amore.

Ma la realtà è impietosa: Glitter riceve l'ordine di arruolamento nella Wehrmacht e Elisheva deve fare i conti con le leggi razziali fasciste. Devono scegliere fra la vita e l'amore. Si perdono, si cercano e combattono per il loro amore.


Voglio sentirmi dire tu sei mia (Poetry) (Italian Edition)
Qual è il confine fra amore, desiderio e passione? Esplorando questo territorio ci si imbatte in queste poesie, nelle quali il sussurro di un'anima innamorata diventa urlo di desiderio.

Dello scorrere di una vita l’autrice raccoglie e lega i momenti pervasi dall’amore o dall’ansia di essere amata. Solo questi considera realmente vissuti e ce li porge per condividere questa vita breve fatta di istanti di felicità, tristezza o piacere, ma vissuti intensamente. Costruisce un libro che è un palcoscenico di emozioni, un libro che legge nel nostro cuore e che si apre al nostro animo solamente se vi trova il seme dell’amore.

Germoglia, il seme, in desiderio e passione, affonda le radici nel piacere, ma il sorgere della passione non toglie alcuna tenerezza né rinnega alcun romanticismo. Unite sono due anime, anche se attraverso le sensazioni e gli umori del corpo e della carne.

L’amore è amare, desiderare e vivere la passione, baciare e affondare le unghie. Amare è possedere l’altra anima ed esserne, al contempo, posseduti. Donarsi quando l’altro si dona, senza limiti. Perché l’amore non conosce limiti e il seme dell’amore che abbia confini non è una pianta che attecchisce.

Questo amore è un tocco, un soffio che ci fa rabbrividire, aguzza i nostri sensi e ci fa respirare il desiderio di soddisfare il piacere. Prendimi, dice l’autrice, fammi sentire che sono tua, solo così sentirò che sei mio.


Supply Chain Management auf Basis von SAP-Systemen: Perspektiven der Auftragsabwicklung für Industriebetriebe (SAP Kompetent) (German Edition) ($4.57), by Gerhard Knolmayer, Peter Mertens and Alexander Zeier, is a bit technical for pleasure reading, but it's the exact sort of book that they warned us we might need to read in another language after college (not only in my field, but the language I studied; I think, though, that I'll past on it at this point). Amazon is clearing out the German edition (the Hardcover is $4.95), but English titles in this series from Springer can run from $44 on Kindle to over $55 in print, which is pretty typical for the subject matter and technical level. This one appears to correspond to this English title ($44.77).

Book Description
Das Buch stellt den Auftragsdurchlauf innerbetrieblich und über Unternehmensgrenzen hinweg auf Basis der SAP-Produkte R/3 und APO dar. Zugleich werden künftige Entwicklungstendenzen der SAP-Systeme aufgezeigt.

Perdu dans le temps, tome 1 (French Edition) ($3.00), by Alain Lefebvre

Book Description
Vincent Tria trouve dans le tiroir de son bureau une machine à voyager dans le temps qui ressemble et qui a la taille d'une calculette. Féru de SF, il en comprend immédiatement l'intérêt et le maniement. Très excité, il tente un petit voyage (la veille) pour vérifier le fonctionnement : ça marche!

Un seul problème, quand il retourne dans son temps, la place est déjà prise, il se retrouve face à son double… Il met un moment à se rendre à l'évidence : il est perdu dans le temps!

Dès lors, notre homme n'a plus qu'une obsession : retrouver un monde à soi et sortir enfin de ce voyage sans retour possible à la case départ. Des moments forts vont émailler chacun des chapitres qui seront l'occasion de nous plonger dans les affres de situations complètement inédites.


Grandoria (French Edition) ($0.99), by Dominique Raymond Poirier

Book Description
Largement banni par les media français, en raison de sa critique de la démocratie sociale interventionniste, ce thriller dystopien raconte une lutte de dix années d’un individu isolé contre un état qui le déclare nuisible à la société.

L'action se déroule dans un hypothétique futur pas très éloigné de notre époque, dans un pays appelé Grandoria et situé quelque part en Europe de l'Ouest. Richard Martin, le héros, doit lutter pour échapper aux menaces d'une mystérieuse société secrète dissidente de la Franc-maçonnerie, parce que cette dernière craint que celui qu'elle tient pour un redoutable espion étranger ne dévoile ses sales petits secrets.

Au début, Richard Martin est cadre fonctionnaire en charge de la communication publique, mais l'annexe du Ministère des Affaires Culturelles dans laquelle il travaille est en réalité une couverture destinée à masquer sa véritable vocation : la manipulation de l'opinion publique selon les orientations politiques et économiques choisies par les dirigeant du pays.

La vie de Richard Martin va basculer pour des raisons qu'il ne s'explique pas, et qui le forceront à enquêter sur la machine politique de son propre pays pour tenter de savoir pourquoi il est soudainement privé du droit de travailler, expulsé de chez lui, déplacé dans une dangereuse cité-dortoir et harcelé.


Minutes (French Edition) ($0.99), by Dominique Raymond Poirier

Book Description
Le docteur Théodore Arenson, directeur de recherches de l’accélérateur statique du Centre de Recherches en Physique Fondamentale, fait une découverte étonnante lors de recherches sur la reproduction de mini trous noirs : un accès à une dimension temporelle parallèle à la notre, mais fort différente car les lois de la physique y sont altérées. En explorant avec succès cette dimension au caractéristiques déroutantes, Robert Haas, l’ami et cobaye volontaire du docteur Arenson, va voir sa vie basculer et son avenir totalement changer. Des développements de cette collaboration, se renforcera une amitié déjà profonde entre les deux hommes, et ceux-ci, à la suite d’un incident a priori insignifiant lors d’un retour dans notre dimension temporelle, n’auront plus d’autre choix que de partager un étrange destin que le reste du monde sera incapable d’expliquer.

Dominique Raymond Poirier a précédemment publié Grandoria, un long thriller dystopien, et Le Cavalier d’Allah, un thriller mêlant terrorisme, politique et espionnage.

Author Spotlight - Bob Mayer

Bob Mayer has a couple of books listed for 99 cents each. One is backlist, written under pseudonym, the other appears to be from last year. You can find a lot of his backlist for $2.99, originally published under pseudonyms Greg Donegan and Robert Doherty. The Atlantis series seems to have been published now under all three. His Area 51 series is still being published by Dell, but is mostly in the $6 range.

ATLANTIS ($0.99), by Greg Donegan / Robert Doherty / Bob Mayer, is the first in his Atlantis series ($2.99 each), originally published under the pseudonym Greg Donegan.

Book Description
By NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer writing as Robert Doherty (author of the bestselling Area 51 series)

Over 1,000,000 copies sold! Amazon Hot 100 in print. Amazon Top 10 in Thriller.

“Spell-binding! Will keep you on the edge of your seat. Call it techno-thriller, call it science fiction, call it just terrific story-telling.” Terry Brooks, #1 NY Times Bestselling author of the Shannara series and Star Wars Phantom Menace

What if the Shadow that destroyed Atlantis 10,000 years ago, comes back to threaten our present world?

A war beyond time. An enemy beyond space. A thriller beyond your wildest dreams. Three areas on the Earth’s surface defy explanation: the Bermuda Triangle, the Devil’s Sea of Japan, and a small region of Cambodia. Inside these realms, planes have disappeared, ships have vanished, and, in Cambodia, an entire civilization has been lost leaving behind Angkor Wat.

In 1945, Training Flight 19 disappears in the Bermuda Triangle.
In 1963, the USS Thresher, a nuclear submarine, is lost under unusual circumstances, part of a secret government investigation into mysterious gates.
Near the end of of the Vietnam War, Green Beret Eric Dane led a team of operatives deep into Cambodia and encountered a strange fog near the legendary city of Angkor Kol Ker. His entire team disappears, attacked by strange creatures out of the fog. Only Dane survives to return.

Now a plane goes down. In the same area Dane lost his team. He’s called back. To find out who is the darkness behind these gates to our planet. What does this Shadow force want? It is a threat that will take on the world’s greatest military forces and defeat them. A power that will overwhelm our science and technology. A merciless enemy that will lead Dane—and the whole planet—into the final desperate battle for survival.

If you enjoyed LOST, you’ll love this book and be amazed at the similarities in concept (although this book was published before Lost).


Chasing the Ghost ($0.99), by Bob Mayer, appears to be a new title in his Black Ops series ($2.99 each), at least from the publication date and according to Fantastic Fiction.

Book Description
Covert operative Horace Chase has been chasing ghosts his entire life.

First, his Medal-of-Honor winner father who died in Vietnam without ever meeting his son. And left him the legacy of an automatic appointment to the Military Academy at West Point which shaped the next thirty-five years of Chase's life. Then, the ghost of his mother, who died while he was at war in Afghanistan and wounded, causing him to resign his commission and return to the United States, a lost soul.

Chase now wears two hats as a Federal counter-terrorism liaison to the local police department in Boulder, Colorado where he becomes embroiled in two seemingly un-related cases. Working as a detective with Boulder PD he chases another death, this one the apparent rape/murder of Rachel Stevens, an upscale housewife attending night classes at the University of Colorado. And with his counter-terrorism team he is embroiled in a series of killings involving a militia group, a rogue ex-Special Forces officer, a psychopathic ex-CIA contract mercenary, and ruthless drug runners.

From the streets of Boulder, to the highest railroad tunnel in the world, to a swingers club hiding in plain site in suburbia, Afghanistan starts to look pretty good to Chase.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Free and Bargain Book Updates and Free Movies

Today, I have some some updates on books that have been free recently and have returned, some tips on using coupon codes to get even better (non-Kindle) bargains and a deal for those who have never used Amazon's Video on Demand service.

First, for those who have never rented or purchased a movie or TV show using Amazon's Video on Demand service, you can get a $5 promotional credit that you can use in the VOD store for a rental or purchase. If you are unsure if you qualify, click the link and see - you'll either see a message that you are not eligible, or the terms for the promotion will be displayed; click Agree, choose to get the video newsletter or not, fill in the captcha and click on Continue. Note that the credit expires at 11:59:59 p.m. on March 31, 2011 and will be automatically applied to your future eligible purchases until the credit balance is used or until the credit expires (whichever comes first).

Next, some updates on free and bargain books (links to either the book or the original post with purchase links):
  • How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire is now available free from additional stores.
  • Knitting For Dummies, by Pam Allen, is back down to 99 cents (after rising to over $13 for most of the last two weeks.
  • Origin Scroll (Targa Trilogy), by Richard S. Tuttle, has been re-issued with a new ASIN. It is still free for US Kindle customers, as well as from B&N and Smashwords.
  • Raising Atlantis ($7.99 Kindle), by Thomas Greanias, was being given away in PDF form in fall '09, as part of a sweepstakes and promotion for his new book. The sweeps page is gone, but you can still get the PDF book free, HERE.
  • Ravenous: A Food Lover's Journey from Obsession to Freedom, by Dayna Macy, has gone from free to $1.99 (as always, you have to act quickly on free books)
  • When Darkness Falls: Free eBook Part 3, by James Grippando, is not free for Canadians. So, not only do they get three entries cluttering up their Kindle, they end up paying 99 cents for the free book. I suspect this may drop to zero for them later, but those in countries that pay $2/book plus VAT for free books will be looking at $6-$7 for this freebie, making it nearly as expensive as just buying the book as a whole.
Finally, you can use coupon codes at Kobo to try out some of the indie authors such as John Locke or Ruth Ann Nordin for free or get great bargains on some marked down (non-Agency) titles in the store. The only downside to using Kobo is that all their books will have Adobe ADE DRM and are in EPUB format. Which means you can read them on most readers, but not the Kindle; you can also read them on your phone, iPad or PC/Mac with the appropriate software/apps. Current/new coupon codes are feb23us1 or feb23row1 (expires 25 Feb 2011, $1 off, unlimited use) and feb25au30 or feb25ca30 (expires 27 Feb 2011, 30% off, unlimited use) and these two also are working, if you have not used them in the past: 35%offbook (one use) and FirstRead (35% one use). As a couple of readers pointed out, adding these codes to the currently discounted books from Sourcebooks results in getting them for under half what Amazon is charging.

Here are just a few books that I spotted that the coupons can be used upon (at least two of which I had already purchased on Kindle). The final price at Kobo will be either $1 or 30% less than the price I am showing below, depending on the coupon code you use (so, use $1 off for those under $3.33 and books at 99 cents end up free and use a percentage code for any over $3.33):
I picked up Hard Landing ($7.37 Kindle, $0.65 Kobo), by Stephen Leather, the first in his Spider Shepherd series, last December, when it was 79 cents at Amazon. If you want it on Kindle, you might want to report the lower price on the product page, then check it again in a day or two, to see if it drops.

Book Description
Hard Landing is the first book in the best-selling Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd series. Former SAS trooper Shepherd is used to putting his life on the line. Working for an elite undercover squad he has lied, cheated and conned in order to bring Britain’s most wanted criminals to justice.But when a powerful drug baron starts to kill off witnesses to his crimes, Shepherd is given his most dangerous assignment yet. He has to go undercover in a top security prison, a world where one wrong move will mean certain death.As Shepherd gambles everything to move in on his quarry, he soon realises that the man he is hunting is even more dangerous than the police realise. And that he is capable of striking outside the prison walls and hitting Shepherd where it hurts most – his family.

A Red Herring Without Mustard ($9.99), by Alan Bradley, is the third and latest in his Flavia de Luce Mystery series, following The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie ($8.03) and The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag ($8.10). The prices are a bit higher than my usual selections, but with the coupon codes, these are a great deal from Kobo.

Book Description
Award-winning author Alan Bradley returns with another beguiling novel starring the insidiously clever and unflappable eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce. The precocious chemist with a passion for poisons uncovers a fresh slew of misdeeds in the hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey—mysteries involving a missing tot, a fortune-teller, and a corpse in Flavia’s own backyard.

Flavia had asked the old Gypsy woman to tell her fortune, but never expected to stumble across the poor soul, bludgeoned in the wee hours in her own caravan. Was this an act of retribution by those convinced that the soothsayer had abducted a local child years ago? Certainly Flavia understands the bliss of settling scores; revenge is a delightful pastime when one has two odious older sisters. But how could this crime be connected to the missing baby? Had it something to do with the weird sect who met at the river to practice their secret rites? While still pondering the possibilities, Flavia stumbles upon another corpse—that of a notorious layabout who had been caught prowling about the de Luce’s drawing room.

Pedaling Gladys, her faithful bicycle, across the countryside in search of clues to both crimes, Flavia uncovers some odd new twists. Most intriguing is her introduction to an elegant artist with a very special object in her possession—a portrait that sheds light on the biggest mystery of all: Who is Flavia?

As the red herrings pile up, Flavia must sort through clues fishy and foul to untangle dark deeds and dangerous secrets.


Second Son of a Duke ($0.99), by Gwen Hayes, is a short story (14K words) for mature readers.

Book Description
The Duke of Fenwick was a reprobrate.

Which is why it has always been up to Teddy Middleton, the second son, to run the estate and both their lives. But the Duke is full of surprises--the latest one a wedding. For Teddy. To the Duke's best friend's sister, Juliette.

Finding herself in church for her own surprise wedding was unnerving, to be sure. But to avoiding scandal seemed to be the most prudent thing to do, so Juliette said, "I do." She'd make the best of it and hope Teddy wouldn't be harder to take care of than her previous household had been. She simply had no idea how she could manage two estates on her own.

After a disastrous wedding night, Teddy and Juliette don't have very high hopes for a life of wedded bliss. As they forge ahead with resolute chagrin, it begins to dawn on them both that they are allies in the same war for sanity among their crazy relations. Mutual admiration turns to friendship which turns to...something neither one ever expected.

But the Duke has one more surprise for them both--one that will change everything.


Atlantis ($1.59), by David Gibbins, is the first title in his Jack Howard series.

Book Description
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from David Gibbins's The Mask of Troy.

From an extraordinary discovery in a remote desert oasis to a desperate race against time in the ocean depths, a team of adventurers is about to find the truth behind the most baffling legend in history. The hunt is on for…

Marine archaeologist Jack Howard has stumbled upon the keys to an ancient puzzle. With a crack team of scientific experts and ex–Special Forces commandos, he is heading for what he believes could be the greatest archaeological find of all time—the site of fabled Atlantis—while a ruthless adversary watches his every move and prepares to strike.

But neither of them could have imagined what awaits them in the murky depths. Not only a shocking truth about a lost world, but an explosive secret that could have devastating consequences today. Jack is determined to stop the legacy of Atlantis from falling into the wrong hands, whatever the cost. But first he must do battle to prevent a global catastrophe.


Beneath ($2.99), by Jeremy Robinson. This author has a number of traditionally published titles in the Kindle store, but this and the next two are ones he has self-published and are bargain priced. Only the first is available from Kobo, that I can see.

Book Description
Three thousand years after a chunk of iron the size of Khufu’s pyramid collides with Europa, Jupiter’s sixth moon, an asteroid borne of the collision crashes into Earth’s Arctic ice shelf carrying extraterrestrial microbial life. The first man to come into contact with the microbes hears voices—and then dies.

After determining the meteorite originated from Europa, the Global Exploratory Corporation sends oceanographer and biologist, Kathy Connelly, and her crew to the moon aboard the Surveyor, an experimental spacecraft. They are charged with the task of melting through miles of ice to the hidden ocean beneath, where the search for alien microorganisms begins. But a startling discovery awaits them on the surface of Europa.

Life.

Vast fields of red, plant-like organisms fill the cracks crisscrossing the moon’s surface, surviving on nutrients welling up from the waters below. Intoxicated by thoughts of what might lie beneath, Connelly and her crew activate the Thermal Exploratory System and melt through the ice—toward a world that does not want to be found, toward a force that will do anything to make sure they never leave.

They search for life. They find death.


I'm not sure where The Last Hunter - Descent (Book 1 of the Antarktos Saga) ($2.99), by Jeremy Robinson, fits in with his Antarktos Rising ($6.39), but it seems like you could read either one first.

Book Description
I've been told that the entire continent of Antarctica groaned at the moment of my birth. The howl tore across glaciers, over mountains and deep into the ice. Everyone says so. Except for my father; all he heard was Mother’s sobs. Not of pain, but of joy, so he says. Other than that, the only verifiable fact about the day I was born is that an iceberg the size of Los Angeles broke free from the ice shelf a few miles off the coast. Again, some would have me believe the fracture took place as I entered the world. But all that really matters, according to my parents, is that I, Solomon Ull Vincent, the first child born on Antarctica—the first and only Antarctican—was born on September 2nd, 1974.

If only someone could have warned me that, upon my return to the continent of my birth thirteen years later, I would be kidnapped, subjected to tortures beyond comprehension and forced to fight...and kill. If only someone had hinted that I'd wind up struggling to survive in a subterranean world full of ancient warriors, strange creatures and supernatural powers.

Had I been warned I might have lived a normal life. The human race might have remained safe. And the fate of the world might not rest on my shoulders. Had I been warned....

This is my story—the tale of Solomon Ull Vincent—The Last Hunter.


INSOMNIA and Seven More Short Stories ($0.99), by Jeremy Robinson

Book Description
INSOMNIA is a collection of seven exciting short stories (plus one bonus story) that tackle several different genres including action, science-fiction, horror, noir and thriller. Written by top thriller author, Jeremy Robinson, these stories include all of the action, imagination and twists that fans have come to expect, but they also contain experiments into subjects and voices not normally touched on in his novels.

INSOMNIA - In a world of super efficiency and equality, sleep is illegal and Feene keeps the masses going.

THE EATER - Three children discover a writhing black puddle in the woods of New Hampshire.

HARDEN’S TREE - A group of teens visit a tree planted atop the ashes of a mass murderer from late 1800’s.

STAR CROSSED KILLERS - Two lovers, both deadly killers, compete for the same target.

COUNTING SHEEP - A future terrorist gives an insomniac three minutes to fall asleep.

HEARING AID - In the future, a deaf man is healed, but does he like what he hears?

DARK SEED OF THE MOON - Vampires live, and kill, in the eternal shadow of the moon’s polar crater.

BOUGHT AND PAID FOR (Bonus Story) - A brutal character sketch for Scott Sigler’s THE CRYPT.

EXCLUSIVE SAMPLES INCLUDED:
-- THE LAST HUNTER by Jeremy Robinson
-- BENEATH by Jeremy Robinson
-- TORMENT by Jeremy Bishop

SPECIAL FEATURES:
-- Cover art included
-- Fully functional Table of Contents
-- Links to Robinson's other books

Free Book (nook) - Becoming American

Becoming American: The African-American Journey ($11.01 paperback), by Howard Dodson, is free today over at B&N, for the nook. You won't see this one on the Kindle, as it is from publisher Sterling, which is owned by B&N.

Book Description
Far too many Americans, of all races, are unaware of the pivotal role that people of African descent have played in shaping the US and the world. Even less is known about the role of African peoples in the history of all humankind. Becoming American: The African-American Journey will open their eyes—and enlighten even the already knowledgeable. It features two side-by-side chronological timelines that uniquely contrast the major events and personalities in both African-American and Global/African Diasporan history—spanning from 4 million BCE to Barack Obama’s momentous presidential campaign. In addition, a carefully-chosen collection of key political, historical, cultural and literary texts, quotes, speeches, and songs document the impact of the black presence in American and world history.

Click HERE to get the free download.

Notes on Free Books and Pre-Orders

Some thoughts and reminders for those new to the ebook world (and this blog).

Prices on eBooks are quite volatile and can change with no notice, at any moment. The price changes are not on any regular schedule, such as a specific time of day (although around midnight to 1AM in Seattle does see more changes from Amazon), so a free book may be free for only a few hours (or only one) or it may remain free for weeks or months (or even years, in some cases). When the price does change, it may go back to the price it was before, to a new discounted price or to a new all-time high.

Those who live outside the US will often find that the price they pay is different from what might be seen by others. Canada, Australia, the UK and often EU may see the same books as free or they may not -- the book may be full price in all non-US regions or it may have a slight surcharge added (by Amazon or the publisher, depending on who is offering the promotion). The book may not be available at all outside the US (true for almost everything at B&N and some other stores without international publisher contracts). Many books that are free on Kindle end up being $2.00, plus applicable VAT, in a large part of the world. No doubt this represents the higher cost of doing business in those countries, for Amazon, but it is not a "Whispernet delivery fee" -- it's the price of the book if you live in those regions; delivery is still free, whether via WiFi, 3G or USB cable. Keep in mind that in some countries, the contracts for 3G no doubt end up costing Amazon more, plus there are currency conversion issues (which they pay when forwarding money to publishers and taxing authorities there, as well as paying those 3G fees), added administrative and accounting overhead, etc. Considering that most of the other bookstores simply don't allow sales to those regions at all (and how high paper books are in some of the areas), it's still means Kindle books are often quite a bargain, even if you do have to think a bit more before picking up all the "free" books that those in the US can accumulate without thought as to whether they will read them or not.

Always be sure to double check the price and verify that it is still free before clicking, whether at Amazon or another store. The price you see is the price you will pay, regardless of whether it was free earlier or to those in other geographic territories. This is especially necessary if ordering from your Kindle (use "Book Description" from the Menu, not "Buy Now", to see the price before ordering). If you are purchasing on your PC, you'll either see a receipt with the final price (Kobo, B&N, Sony, etc.) or have a link you can click to check the price (Amazon). Be sure to do so. If you buy from your reader, you should get an email with the price you paid that you can check.

If you pre-order, you won't get a receipt right away with some stores (you do with B&N), but you can usually check the status and price you'll pay; with Amazon, you do that on the Manage My Kindle page, which is linked at the top of any Kindle book page. A lot of people get confused on how pre-orders work. First, there is not a lowest-price guarantee on Kindle eBooks, like there is on paper books. This is, no doubt, partly due to Agency Pricing, since Amazon has no control over pricing on those books. If you check Amazon's help on their lowest price guarantee, there are only a few specific categories to which it applies, the items have to be sold by Amazon (no third-party items) and it also requires that you see the Lowest Price Guarantee wording on the product page. So, if the price of a Kindle book goes down during the pre-order period, there is no guarantee that you will pay the lower price. It's true that with some books, Amazon has lowered the price of the pre-order as the book price fell, but with others they do not. It's hit or miss, as to whether any particular non-Agency book will be lowered, which is why I recommend checking the price now and then and if the price on the Manage My Kindle page hasn't come down to match, cancel the pre-order and re-order it.

What Amazon and other stores do guarantee, though, is that you won't be charged more than the price shown when you clicked (free or otherwise). They do require you to have a credit card on file at the time of the pre-order, even on free books, but that is because their program that sets up pre-orders does a check for a valid CC, regardless of price. If the book says $0.00 when you click and that is what is shown on your receipt (and on the Manage My Kindle page), then you will not be charged when the book is delivered. With Amazon, the credit card must be valid at the time of the order, but not necessarily after that. If it is a free pre-order, you can even remove the credit card from the account and the book will be delivered. This won't work at B&N, since your credit card number is used in the DRM scheme; it must be valid when you attempt to download the book, free or not. If you pre-order a non-free book at Amazon, then your current gift card balance will be used at the time of delivery and the credit card charged only if there is an insufficient amount on hand.

The only thing I dislike about gift cards at Amazon, is that you can't set them up to be used only for Kindle books; any Subscribe and Save item will use your gift card balance, as will anything you buy that uses a coupon code, is a lightning deal or personal GoldBox item or is part of a promotional deal. If you try to change your payment on any order with a promotional discount, you'll lose the discount. Other stores don't have that issue, but only because there isn't that much else you can buy from them. That said, using Amazon Gift Certificates or B&N Online Gift Certificates on your account can make it much easier to balance your credit card bill and avoid having your bank freeze the card due to a large number of small amount purchases. Note that with B&N, using gift certificates will not eliminate the need to keep a valid credit or debit card on file pretty much all the time and that every purchase (and download) will see a pre-authorization of a dollar; with credit cards, you never see these pending charges and they expire after a few days, but with debit cards, that amount is frozen in your bank account until the expiration passes.

DRM is an issue that you will run into at every store. Amazon uses a special version of Mobi DRM and the Kindle is not compatible with DRM'd mobi books (it can read DRM-free mobi books and any other non-DRM'd format can be converted using Calibre). Mobipocket and a few others do sell DRM'd mobi books and these can be used on your desktop and with some phone apps, as well as a few older readers. Most other readers now use Adobe's DRM'd EPUB, rather than DRM'd Mobi; it's just as proprietary, but due to being more popular now is considered by some to be "a standard". If you buy books from B&N, they also use a special version of DRM, making their books incompatible with other EPUB readers out there. So, the nook can read B&N and Adobe EPUBs, Sony and Kobo (and others) can read Adobe EPUB and all of them can read non-DRM EPUB and non-DRM'd books in other formats can be converted via Calibre for these readers, as well. Most of the readers support some type of PDF, but the handling and resolution is often poor, if only because PDF is a print format and the readers out today are all smaller than a standard sheet of paper.

Some stores require you to jump thru hoops to get books. Sony requires you to use their desktop software, so you are out of luck if you have a linux box and can't get it to run. Kobo sometimes has books that are only readable on the web and cannot be downloaded. Always check that you see "Adobe DRM EPUB" on the Download options line before purchasing. I've sometimes found the same issue with Borders (which makes sense, since Kobo is providing their ebookstore), but not always on the same books. Getting free books at Borders can always be tricky. I've found that maybe half cannot be added to your library using the Add to Library button on the page - you just get a message that there are Technical Difficulties. For these, open the Borders Desktop software (or find the book on your Border's WiFi Kobo reader, although this is a LOT slower and iffier in whether it will work). Go to the Store, then search on the book title. The free book will almost always be the first one listed in the search results and will say Download underneath, rather than showing a price. Click on Download, let the desktop sync the book to your library. After that, you can transfer it to the Kobo via USB, sync your WiFi Kobo or download the epub from your library via the web.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Free Book - The Sevenfold Spell

The novella The Sevenfold Spell ($2.39), by Tia Nevitt, is free direct from Carina Press, today only, using coupon code SEVENFOLDFREE.

Book Description
Have you ever wondered what happens to the other people in the fairy tale?
Things look grim for Talia and her mother. By royal proclamation, the constables and those annoying "good" fairies have taken away their livelihood by confiscating their spinning wheel. Something to do with a curse on the princess, they said.

Not every young lady has a fairy godmother rushing to her rescue.
Without the promise of an income from spinning, Talia's prospects for marriage disappear, and she and her mother face destitution. Past caring about breaking an arbitrary and cruel law, rebellious Talia determines to build a new spinning wheel, the only one in the nation--which plays right into the evil fairy's diabolical plan. Talia discovers that finding a happy ending requires sacrifice. But is it a sacrifice she's willing to make?


Click HERE to add the free book to your cart, then enter the coupon code on the Checkout page; double check your total for $0.00 before clicking on Place Your Order. The download is DRM-free, so get the EPUB format for easy conversion via Calibre or the PDF to have Amazon do the conversion. You'll generally get better results from the EPUB, but the PDF should convert OK.

Bargain Pre-Orders and New Releases

Just in case you missed it yesterday, Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #6: Sentinel, by John Jackson Miller, is now free on Kindle (as are the first five, all by the same author).

The books in this post are mostly pre-orders, with a few that are new releases this week, all at bargain prices. A few of these have had drastic price drops, so be if you already had them on order, make sure you go your your manage My Kindle page and cancel the old order and re-order at these prices. There is no pre-order price guarantee on ebooks, perhaps due to Agency Pricing; although Amazon does sometimes lower prices on pre-order books, it's hit or miss, while re-doing the order while the price is low is guaranteed to lock you into the lower price.

To Defy a King ($2.39 March 1), is the latest from Elizabeth Chadwick, who's Greatest Knight was recently available for free..

Book Description
Privileged daughter of William Marshal, Mahelt marries Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. But when King John sets out to subdue the Bigods, Mahelt faces the worst alone, knowing neither she, nor her marriage, are likely to survive. A story of emotional power set against the road to Magna Carta and the fight to bring a tyrant king to heel, "To Defy a King" is Elizabeth Chadwick at her best.

Sins of the House of Borgia ($2.39 March 1), by Sarah Bower

Book Description
Violante isn’t supposed to be here, in one of the grandest courts of Renaissance Italy. She isn’t supposed to be a lady-in-waiting to the beautiful Lucrezia Borgia. But the same secretive politics that pushed Lucrezia’s father to the Vatican have landed Violante deep in a lavish landscape of passion and ambition.

Violante discovers a Lucrezia unknown to those who see only a scheming harlot, and all the whispers about her brother, Cesare Borgia, never revealed the soul of the man who dances close with Violante.

But those who enter the House of Borgia are never quite the same when they leave—if they leave at all. Violante’s place in history will test her heart and leave her the guardian of dangerous secrets she must carry to the grave.


Regarding Ducks and Universes ($0.99), by Neve Maslakovic, is a new release from AmazonEncore.

Book Description
On a foggy Monday in 1986, the universe suddenly, without warning, bifurcated. Fast-forward to 35 years later: Felix Sayers is a culinary writer living in San Francisco of Universe A who spends his days lunching at Coconut Café and dreaming of penning an Agatha Christie-style mystery. But everything changes when his Aunt Henrietta dies, leaving Felix a photograph of his father and himself--dated ten days before Felix was born. It can only mean one thing: Felix has an 'alter' in Universe B. Panicked that his mystery novel may exist already, Felix crosses to San Francisco B and proceeds to flagrantly violate the rules of both worlds by snooping around his alter's life. But when he narrowly escapes a hit-and-run, it becomes clear that someone knows he's crossed over... and whoever it is isn't happy about it. Now Felix must uncover the truth about his alter, the events of one Monday, and a wayward rubber duck before his time in both worlds runs out.

Poke the Box ($1.00 March 1), by Seth Godin, was lowered due to fan request, after staging a sign-up campaign for his newsletter, even though he didn't hit the (self-set) required number of people to drop the price that low. What he did achieve was a lot of free publicity and buzz about the book, which is what it is about, after all. The price goes up at the end of the week, so don't dally if you want this one.

Book Description
We send our kids to school and obsess about their test scores, their behavior and their ability to fit in. We post a help wanted ad and look for experience, famous colleges and a history of avoiding failure. We invest in companies based on how they did last quarter, not on what they’re going to do tomorrow. So why are we surprised when it all falls apart? Our economy is not static, but we act as if it is. Your position in the world is defined by what you instigate, how you provoke, and what you learn from the events you cause. In a world filled with change, that’s what matters — your ability to create and learn from change. Poke the Box is a manifesto about producing something that’s scarce, and thus valuable. It demands that you stop waiting for a road map and start drawing one instead. You know how to do this, you’ve done it before, but along the way, someone talked you out of it. We need your insight and your dreams and your contributions. Hurry.

Royal Weddings: Three Royally Romantic Stories ($2.99 April 5), by Gaelen Foley, Stephanie Laurens, and Loretta Chase, is so new to the listings that there isn't a book description or a cover image yet. It's safe to say that it will end up being three short stories or novellas, all about romantic Royal weddings, though! If you follow any of the three authors involved, it is no doubt worth adding to your pre-order queue. I see over at Harper-Collins that they are planning to list this at $11.99.

The Righteous ($0.99), by Michael Wallace, is a new release from an indie author who has recently managed to get a number of good reviews for his books at Amazon, partially by giving away a number of copies and hoping the recipients would leave a review. This one is a completely different type of story line compared to the others he's already managed to get a number of positive reviews. There's no content warning, as with Samhain titles, but those of you that buy based on the more humorous of those may want to grab this one just based on the author bio he's written. I expect this one to up to $3 or so at the end of the month.

Book Description
Medical student Jacob Christianson is sent by church elders to investigate a murder within the polygamist enclave of Blister Creek, Utah. He brings his young sister Eliza, who must choose a husband from three old men jostling for power within the church hierarchy.

Jacob discovers that the murdered woman has been killed in accordance with secret blood oaths taken within the polygamist temple. Together with his sister, he uncovers a plot to overthrow the church leadership, with murders that reach beyond the community and into the “gentile” world. The Righteous is a heart-pounding suspense-thriller with a depth that will haunt the reader long after the last page is turned.

About the Author
Michael Wallace has trekked across the Sahara on a camel, ridden an elephant through a tiger preserve in Southeast Asia, eaten fried guinea pig, and been licked on the head by a skunk. In a previous stage of life he programmed nuclear war simulations, smuggled refugees out of a war zone, and milked cobras for their venom. He speaks Spanish and French and grew up in a religious community in the desert.


Damian's Assassin, by Lizzy Ford, is the sequel to Damian's Oracle. Both are free on Smashwords (and not in the Kindle store).

Damian's Oracle
Inspired by Slavic mythology, Damian’s Oracle is the entree into the ongoing battle between good and evil over the fate of humanity. The White God, Damian, and his Guardians protect the world from the Black God and his monsters while rescuing Naturals – humans with extraordinary paranormal gifts – from the Black God, who would kill or convert them.

Caught in the middle is cool-headed Sofia, a Natural whose gift will tip the scales in the war. Sofia begins her transformation from human into oracle, the first in thousands of years. Damian rescues her from the Black God in time to complete a ceremony that will bind her to him for eternity. Sofia struggles with her new world and her role as an oracle and Damian’s mate while haunted by a mysterious man from Damian’s past who’s supposed to be dead. Unbeknownst to her, her link to the dead man may be all that saves Damian, his Guardians, and the fate of humanity.

While he wants nothing more than for the petite beauty to take her place at his side like the oracles of legend did his White God forefathers, Damian can’t quite rationalize having to win her over instead of command her. Further complicating his life is the sobering realization that there are spies in his organization who are helping the Black God take out his Guardians. Damian must help Sofia reach her potential fast, especially when a threat from his past returns.


Damian's Assassin
With the White God in Europe, Dustin is left alone in Miami to protect the Grey God, a man-god struggling with his identity, and the White God’s mate. One of the Black God’s vamps in Miami suddenly goes rogue and starts killing humans by the dozen. Dustin initially doesn’t think much of the ruthless, human-hating thug, Talon, until it becomes clear that the vamp is receiving help from otherworldly beings whose intentions are nothing short of destroying humanity. To make matters even worse, Dustin’s begun to dream of his dead sister, who tells him he’ll be seeing her soon.

Dustin rescues Bianca and her troubled brother, a Natural whose mysterious talent makes him vital to Talon’s plans. Bianca, a woman as sunny and sweet as Dustin is hard and cold, has the rare Natural gift of healing. She can bring the recent dead back to life or turn a vamp back into a human. She can even reach Dustin’s heart, which he locked away long again after his sister’s death. Convinced he’ll be killed soon, Dustin won’t risk his heart or Bianca’s, despite their mutual attraction, and Bianca discovers even her incredible talent can’t save both the men she loves.

Paranormal Romance. Non-Erotica. Adult content warning is for language.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Book Review: Gideon's Sword

I stayed up late last night, to finish reading Gideon's Sword ($12.99), by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The intro starts out with Gideon's childhood, followed by what could have been a novella in it's own right, completing the backstory for Gideon Crew, a chameleon who blends in anywhere (with a bit of help from some stage props) and can lie his way thru nearly any situation, much like Frank W. Abagnale, in Catch Me If You Can. Add in a dash of James Bond, for this is an international thriller, and you start to get the flavor of the novel, which was released today.

It's one thrill after another, with twist and turns along the way and you never know when an ally might turn out to be your enemy. It all starts with a routine job (or, as routine as you might get, as independent contractor with DHS, offered $100K for a one week project) to retrieve the plans for a weapon that are being smuggled into the US by an agent who is to arrive within a couple of hours of Gideon's being hired for the job.

I thought the earliest chapters were the weakest of the book, especially when he is supposed to be a brilliant physicist, yet the math in a paper written by his father years earlier is described as "way over his head". Not to mention the likelihood of a master art thief who turned over a new leaf to become a government employed physicist, who fly-fishes in his spare time. But, once past the setup chapters (and after his father has been avenged) and the true story commences. From there on, the action is non-stop and each chapter ended with me wanting to read just one more, until I arrived at the "end", which was, of course, anything but. There are obviously going to be more books in this series and I'll have them on my wishlist for the future. I do see, though, that they'll all have to cover very short periods of time or the leverage that DHS used to get Gideon to agree to work with them will have to be proven false (or a cure found).

You can sign up for a newsletter from Child and Preston, which looks to be published monthly, more or less, to get samples of their works-in-progress or tidbits about the characters that might not make it into the books themselves.

Book Description
Introducing Gideon Crew: trickster, prodigy, master thief

At twelve, Gideon Crew witnessed his father, a world-class mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down.

At twenty-four, summoned to his dying mother's bedside, Gideon learned the truth: His father was framed and deliberately slaughtered. With her last breath, she begged her son to avenge him.

Now, with a new purpose in his life, Gideon crafts a one-time mission of vengeance, aimed at the perpetrator of his father's destruction. His plan is meticulous, spectacular, and successful.

But from the shadows, someone is watching. A very powerful someone, who is impressed by Gideon's special skills. Someone who has need of just such a renegade.

For Gideon, this operation may be only the beginning . . .


If you order the current Kindle edition of Gideon's Sword, you'll also get a bonus download of The Zero Game ($7.99), by Brad Meltzer. I picked this one up when it was under $2 last year. You don't order it separately (and the book page won't show that you own it, which is something I wish Amazon would fix), but a copy of the book just shows up in your library and on the same Kindle where you sent Gideon's Sword.

Book Description
The New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaires and The First Counsel returns to Wash-ington, D.C., with the story of an insider's game that turns deadly. Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler are best friends who have plum jobs as senior staffers to well-respected congressmen. But after a decade in Washington, idealism has faded to disillusionment, and they're bored. Then one of them finds out about the clandestine Zero Game. It starts out as good fun-a simple wager between friends. But when someone close to them ends up dead, Harris and Matthew realize the game is far more sinister than they ever imagined-and that they're about to be the game's next victims. On the run, they turn to the only person they can trust: a 16-year-old Senate page who can move around the Capitol undetected. As a ruthless killer creeps closer, this idealistic page not only holds the key to saving their lives, but is also determined to redeem them in the process. Come play The Zero Game-you can bet your life on it.

A pre-publication, print copy of this book was provided by the publisher/publicist for this review.