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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Free and Bargain Book Roundup

Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking ($0.99) kicks off the Rachel Morgan/Hollows Series, one of my favorites. Check your Kindle library if you've been following for a while, as there was a bonus edition free in early 2010. It looks like the tenth in the series, A Perfect Blood, has just released and there is what looks to be a short story anthology, Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond, coming in October.
Book Description
All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party ... and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining -- and it’s Rachel Morgan'sjob to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead ... or undead.

HarperCollins has several of Suzanne Macpherson's books marked down to 99 cents apiece:
In the Mood
Dexter is a prominent cancer researcher who divides his time between his enormous penthouse in the city and his family's hundred year-old orchard estate on the ritziest island in the Sound.

They've got nothing in common except Bunny Barnes Winchester, society's most hilarious grande dame and Alison's oldest best friend.

Well, there is one other thing they have in common: an anonymous tryst about 10 years ago. A tryst so wonderful, so mysterious, that neither has been able to forget it, even after the passing of over a decade. And when Allison gets one good look at a picture of Dexter Needham at age ten, and holds it up next to a school portrait of Ethan, suddenly Ethan's special talents in science class don't seem so random after all . . . and Allison's life and everything she has ever believed is about to get turned upside down in the most wonderful of ways . . .


Risky Business
Tom Riley sells insurance policies while privately daydreaming about being a private detective. With fantasies much livelier than his real life, into his life walks Marla Meyers, a six–foot tall semi–supermodel. Accident–prone Marla has been ordered to get insurance for her face after she tripped into a dress dummy and got a black eye. Before she can collect on the policy, Tom must watch Marla's face for the next 30 days.

The Forever Summer
The Awful Truth About Emily Ruth!

Lucas Griffin has come to Port Gamble for one purpose: to get the Griffin family summer home out of the clutches of his evil ex-wife, Emily Ruth Griffin.

But before he can blink twice, she drops dead in the local grocery market. Now he's stuck with her ghost, and her little dog, too.

Not-So-Dearly Departed Lila Abbott has had her fill of rich summer people who crowd Port Gamble every year. Townie girls and summer boys just don't mix, and she's learned that the hard way.

But Lucas Griffin has a ghost problem that only Lila can solve, and she finds herself knee-deep in Cheez Whiz while Lucas and the deceased Emily Ruth duke it out.

Working together to clear his name and get rid of their pesky poltergeist, Lucas and Lila find themselves falling in love. Maybe this will finally be the forever summer for Lila Abbott.


Talk of the Town
She's about to give everyone something to talk about!

Nothing can put a damper on a wedding day quite like discovering your Mr. Right is Mr. Totally Beyond Wrong, which is why Kelly Atwood knocks him flat and boards a bus to a tiny Washington town. What Kelly doesn't know is that she's accidentally taken off with a suitcase full of lots of money and now some unsavory characters are determined to get it back.

The townsfolk are unperturbed by the gorgeous outsider -- even if her skirts are too short and her hair is too big. In fact, the local busybodies are already trying to match her up with blue-eyed local hero -- upright attorney Sam Grayson.

One look at Kelly, and Sam gets hot around his too-tight collar. This runaway bride is definitely disturbing his peace, and he's got enough problems. But now big trouble is heading to Paradise, right on Kelly's stiletto heels -- and passion may temporarily have to take a back seat to a more pressing pursuit -- running for her life.


Switched, Bothered and Bewildered
Switched . . .

Identical twins Jillian and Jana Lee haven't been close since college, when Jillian stole Jana Lee's boyfriend. But now, to save her sanity, workaholic businesswoman Jillian wants to switch places for a week with her not-so-happy-homemaker sister. Jana Lee wants to mend fences with her twin, and besides, her life has reached a dead end in the 'burbs.

Bothered . . .

Jillian may have an MBA, but the burned-out executive never realized what daily drama a snappish teenager, a large, crazy dog, and a busted washing machine could dish out. Jana Lee in the Big City finds out fitting into her sister's sexy Ferragamo sling-backs might be tougher than this earth mother expected. Faking her way through Jillian's job has Jana Lee ducking for cover under piles of paperwork!

And bewildered!

And then there's Dean Wakefield, the local repairman-sculptor hunk, who's taking an intimate interest in Jillian aka Jana Lee—and bad-boy VP Jackson Hawks, who thinks that Jana Lee aka Jillian is the girl of his dreams. Except she isn't—they aren't—and all hell is about to break loose . . .


She Woke Up Married
Paris James has come to Las Vegas to take the sting off turning the dreaded "Three-O." But one glass of bubbly leads to another -- and when the redhead wakes up the next morning, she finds to her astonishment she's in bed with ... Elvis! The good news is it's the young, sexy Elvis. The bad news is there's a diamond ring on her finger. Sometime during the evening she actually married The King of Rock 'n' Roll! Well, what happened in Vegas better stay in Vegas, right?

But not if Turner Pruitt has anything to say about it. Because years before he put on his first pair of blue suede shoes, Turner knew the real Paris ... She's running away, as usual, but he knows her deepest secrets, and as much as she struggles against love, Paris is going to need him by her side as she faces her demons head-on.

Because this time, Paris James has met her match.


Hysterical Blondeness
Do blondes really have more fun?
In Suzanne Macpherson's delightful new novel, one woman is about to
find out the truth about life, love,
and hair color . . .

Patricia Stillwell went to sleep a brunette and woke up blonde! That experimental weight-loss program she went on had an unexpected - but not completely unwelcome - side effect. Suddenly, the men are taking notice, Patti's taking leave of her senses . . . and she's having the time of her life!

First, there's Brett Nordquist - he's rich and handsome, but what can Patti truly expect from a man who's so obviously a player? Next, there's Paul Costello - one blazing moment of passion makes her wonder what she's been missing.

What will happen when Patti morphs back into her former dark-haired self? And does Paul have to start looking so dangerously delicious? With more choices than there are shades of Miss Clairol, Patti makes her decision - but is it the right one?

A Match Made in Hell ($1.99) is the second title in Terri Garey 's Nicki Styx series. If you don't have the first in the series, Dead Girls Are Easy, it's currently marked down to $4.99.
Book Description
A brush with death and a brief trip to the hereafter left vintage clothing store owner Nicki Styx an unwilling ghoulfriend to the dead. She can see and hear spirits, and boy, do they want to be heard! Luckily, her new boyfriend, sexy doc Joe Bascombe, is there to help, especially when Nicki faces her latest ghost, a woman in pink sequins who holds the key to some family secrets.

Unfortunately for Nicki, it turns out that there are more skeletons in the family closet than she thought, including a twin sister and a mysterious house full of spirits and surprises. Things go from bad to worse when the devil himself shows up, determined to lure Nicki from Joe's side. Will she give in to temptation and sell her soul (or someone else's) for one incredible night?

Demons may be a ghoul's best friend, but with this particular hottie, it could be amatch made in hell!

HarperCollins is also discount several of Robyn DeHart's titles to 99 cents each:
A Study in Scandal (Ladies' Amateur Sleuth Society #1)
Who are the Ladies' Amateur Sleuth Society: Four unconventional beauties banding together to unravel real-life mysteries?

or

Four best friends past the age of twenty with no marital prospects and nothing better to occupy their time?

Lady Amelia Watersfield's lighthearted detecting club becomes more than simply an intriguing diversion when her father's priceless Egyptian artifact is stolen under his very nose. Now the game is afoot in earnest -- and Amelia nearly swoons to discover the detective assigned to "assist" her is a handsome, brilliant, and breathtaking investigator who might as well be a young SherlockHolmes himself!

Inspector Colin Brindley has no interest in encouraging a meddling beauty who imagines herself Watson to his Holmes. But Amelia is as sharp-witted and brave as she is lovely -- and in their wild hunt for an elusive thief, Colin's heart may end up being the precious object that's gotten truly purloined.


Deliciously Wicked (Ladies' Amateur Sleuth Society #2)
When wildly independent Meg Piddington finds herself locked in her father's chocolate factory after hours with a most disarmingly attractive gentleman, she doesn't realize that she is his alibi - proof that Gareth Mandeville did not commit a dastardly crime. But admitting as much would destroy her reputation, which gallant Gareth refuses to do. Besides, he believes even prison would be preferable to marriage, which is what their revelation would certainly demand!

At last, here's the perfect opportunity for Meg to don her sleuthing hat to get to the root of the secretive stranger's troubles! Besides, the man sends oh-so-pleasant shivers coursing through her body. And though heaven may well await in Gareth's embrace, danger may dwell there also . . . if the determined lady embarks on a grand mission to win his love.


Tempted at Every Turn (Ladies' Amateur Sleuth Society #3)
Proper, sensible Willow Mabson will do anything to protect her family. So when she finds out that James Sterling—a dashing, arrogant aristocrat working for Scotland Yard—suspects her mother in a recent murder, Willow will do whatever's necessary . . . even solve the case herself! Of course, this will bring her into a most uncomfortable proximity with the very tantalizing Mister Sterling. And try as she might, she finds resisting him her most difficult challenge.

James has always preferred gritty crime scenes to elegant balls. And he can immediately deduce that straight-laced, whip-smart—and exceedingly delectable—Willow isn't your average vapid, shallow socialite. He longs to release her carefully restrained sensuality and tempt her into losing control. But James doesn't count on risking his own heart in the process.


Courting Claudia
A dutiful woman, a desirable man ...

An artist with a keen eye for the beauty surrounding her -- yet none for her own -- duty-bound Claudia is resigned to marrying the man of her domineering father's choosing. First, though, she must resign the job she has held in secret as society illustrator "C. J. Prattley." But dashing newspaper owner Derrick Middleton is instantly captivated by Claudia's talent, wit, and sweet nature -- and the passionate inner fire she unknowingly possesses. He has other plans for this extraordinary woman.

Until Claudia first entered his London office, Derrick cared for only his paper and the wild bachelor life he has long enjoyed. Now saving Claudia from a dismal marriage -- and winning her for himself -- becomes his main concern. But courting a woman like Claudia will not be an easy undertaking for a handsome cynic who has always believed true love is not for him -- especially after they succumb to an indiscretion that could lead two hearts to ruin ... of a most delicious variety.

The Body In The Big Apple ($0.99) is the tenth in the Faith Fairchild Mysteries series by Katherine Hall Page.
Book Description
Before she met and married the Reverend Thomas Fairchild and moved to sleepy little Aleford, Massachusetts, Faith Sibley Fairchild had a catering business in the most colorful, frenetic, and exciting city in the world...

Young, ambitious and single in New York City in the late '809s, Faith Sibley is energized by the early success of her Have Faith catering enterprise. But she's cast into an unexpected new role when she runs into old high school friend Emma Stanstead at a swanky uptown party: sleuth! An anonymous blackmmailer is threatening to expose certain secrets of socialite Emma's less than glamorous past -- thereby destroying her reputation and her conservative husband's fast-rising political career -- and Faith fearlessly leaps into the fray. Though she lacks experience, Faith's keen instinct, insight, and determination to unmask and extortionist quickly carry her deep into the high and low life of the bustling Big Apple. And when a murder raises the stakes, Faith realizes that it's not just her old friend's good name that's in peril...it's Emma's life itself.

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 1: The Medusa Plot ($1.70), by Gordon Korman
Book Description
Are you ready to save the world? The bestselling series returns with an adventure spanning 6 explosive books and a website that places readers right in the action.

Thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, thought they belonged to the world's most powerful family. They thought the hunt for 39 Clues leading to the source of that power was over. They even thought they'd won. But Amy and Dan were wrong.

One by one, distress calls start coming in from around the globe. Cahills are being kidnapped by a shadowy group known only as the Vespers. Now Amy and Dan have only days to fulfill a bizarre ransom request or their captured friends will start dying. Amy and Dan don't know what the Vespers want or how to stop them. Only one thing is clear. The Vespers are playing to win, and if they get their hands on the Clues . . . the world will be their next hostage.

Unforgivable ($0.99), by Jaime Rush (writing as Tina Wainscott), is a self-published backlist title from an author who also has a discounted title from HarperCollins, A Perfect Darkness (Offspring) ($0.99)
Unforgivable
Katie’s world unravels when a childhood friend returns to town a man shadowed by secrets. He knows things about her that no one could possibly know. He makes her feel things she never knew she could feel. And he’s come back to warn her that a killer is closer than she can imagine…

A Perfect Darkness (Offspring)
They live ordinary lives, but they are extraordinary. They are the Offspring, children of a mysterious experiment gone awry—and they are in terrible danger.

A sexy stranger awakens Amy Shane in the dead of night. Lucas Vanderwyck barely has time to whisper a few words before three men burst into her bedroom and drag him away. But what Lucas reveals shatters Amy's safe little world forever.

Lucas and Amy share a psychic gift—a gift that could put them in mortal danger. And as they share night after night of savage passion, as a shadowy government conspiracy tracks their every move, they will fight to save each other. But only with their powers of second sight can they escape the terror of a perfect darkness.

Five Fortunes ($1.99), by Beth Gutcheon
Book Description
Witty, wise, and hope-filled, Five Fortunes is a large-hearted tale of five vivid and unforgettable women who know where they've been but have no idea where they're going. A lively octogenarian, a private investigator, a mother and daughter with an unresolved past, and a recently widowed politician's wife share little else except a thirst for new dreams, but after a week at the luxurious health spa known as "Fat Chance" their lives will be intertwined in ways they couldn't have imagined. At a place where doctors, lawyers, spoiled housewives, movie stars, and captains of industry are stripped of the social markers that keep them from really seeing one another, unexpected friendships emerge, reminding us of the close links between the rich and the poor, fortune and misfortune, and the magic of chance.

The Mistress Diaries ($1.99), by Julianne MacLean
Book Description
A proper lady would never let herself become his mistress . . .

Your Republic Is Calling You ($2.29), by Young-ha Kim and Chi-Young Kim (Translator)
Book Description
A foreign film importer, Gi-yeong is a family man with a wife and daughter. An aficionado of Heineken, soccer, and sushi, he is also a North Korean spy who has been living among his enemies for twenty-one years.

Suddenly he receives a mysterious email, a directive seemingly from the home office. He has one day to return to headquarters. He hasn’t heard from anyone in over ten years. Why is he being called back now? Is this message really from Pyongyang? Is he returning to receive new orders or to be executed for a lack of diligence? Has someone in the South discovered his secret identity? Is this a trap?

Spanning the course of one day, Your Republic Is Calling You is an emotionally taut, psychologically astute, haunting novel that reveals the depth of one particularly gripping family secret and the way in which we sometimes never really know the people we love. Confronting moral questions on small and large scales, it mines the political and cultural transformations that have transformed South Korea since the 1980s. A lament for the fate of a certain kind of man and a certain kind of manhood, it is ultimately a searing study of the long and insidious effects of dividing a nation in two.

Today's backlist/small press/indie, totally free, books for everyone on Kindle. These are are not likely to be free for long, so double check prices before one-clicking (genres are my best guess), as most of them go back up after a day or two (sometimes less), at which point most of them become eligible for the Kindle Lending Library.