It's time for another bargain book roundup. As usual, there are so many I can't get them all into one post; hopefully I'll get part two up soon. All of these titles in this post are from one of the major print publishers, so most of these are priced identically in the Kindle and other ebookstores, although a few are not, so double check the links and prices before ordering.
The Witch of Portobello (
$4.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Paulo Coelho
Book Description
How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?
That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all.
Like The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy, and sacrifice.
Think of a Number (
$3.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by John Verdon, is a first novel that has received a lot of good press. The publisher marked it down to $5.99, but Amazon and others have it lower, yet.
Book Description
An extraordinary fiction debut, Think of a Number is an exquisitely plotted novel of suspense that grows relentlessly darker and more frightening as its pace accelerates, forcing its deeply troubled characters to moments of startling self-revelation.
Arriving in the mail over a period of weeks are taunting letters that end with a simple declaration, “Think of any number…picture it…now see how well I know your secrets.” Amazingly, those who comply find that the letter writer has predicted their random choice exactly. For Dave Gurney, just retired as the NYPD’s top homicide investigator and forging a new life with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York, the letters are oddities that begin as a diverting puzzle but quickly ignite a massive serial murder investigation.
What police are confronted with is a completely baffling killer, one who is fond of rhymes filled with threats and warnings, whose attention to detail is unprecedented, and who has an uncanny knack for disappearing into thin air. Even more disturbing, the scale of his ambition seems to widen as events unfold.
Brought in as an investigative consultant, Dave Gurney soon accomplishes deductive breakthroughs that leave local police in awe. Yet, even as he matches wits with his seemingly clairvoyant opponent, Gurney’s tragedy-marred past rises up to haunt him, his marriage approaches a dangerous precipice, and finally, a dark, cold fear builds that he’s met an adversary who can’t be stopped.
In the end, fighting to keep his bearings amid a whirlwind of menace and destruction, Gurney sees the truth of what he’s become – what we all become when guilty memories fester – and how his wife Madeleine’s clear-eyed advice may be the only answer that makes sense.
A work that defies easy labels -- at once a propulsive masterpiece of suspense and an absorbing immersion in the lives of characters so real we seem to hear their heartbeats – Think of a Number is a novel you’ll not soon forget.
Border Moonlight (
$1.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Amanda Scott
Book Description
Lady Sibylla Cavers is ripe for marriage, yet she's rejected the first three suitors her father brought. When one of these suitors, the dashing Lord Simon Murray, rescues both Lady Sibylla and the small child she was trying to pull from the churning River Tweed, Sibylla begins to see Lord Simon in a new light. As he cares for her and the child until both are recovered from their near-deaths, she finds admirable - even lovable - qualities in Lord Simon. But political intrigue surrounding the powerful governor of Scotland will throw obstacles in the path if Simon's and Sibylla's budding love. Simon will fight for his inherited estate, while Sibylla will use all of her wits to protect their future together.
Tamed by a Laird (
$1.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Amanda Scott
Book Description
National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear.
Private Sector (
$1.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Brian Haig
Book Description
The bestselling author of Secret Sanction returns--and this time, Army lawyer Sean Drummond is loaned out to a law firm whose #1 client may have ties to a vicious serial killer and a massive international crime ring.Wherever Sean Drummond goes, it seems that the JAG officer leaves a trail of political fallout in his wake. So when his superiors get an opportunity to loan him to a prestigious law firm, they jump on it, hoping he'll soak up the nuances of civilian lawyering. But almost immediately, dark clouds appear when Sean's predecessor in the loan-out program is murdered. Then Sean begins to sense something amiss with the firm's biggest client, a telecom behemoth with large defense contracts. Now, he must survive in D.C.'s buttoned-down lawyer culture long enough to stop the killer, and long enough to discover why his firm and its top client are willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
Forever My Lady (
$1.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Jeff Rivera
Book Description
Dio Rodriguez grew up on the streets and knew all too well the hard, cool feeling of the barrel of a gun tucked down the back of his jeans. But his hard exterior softened when he met Jennifer. Jennifer understands Dio like no one else and makes him want to be a better man. Suddenly a drive-by shooting lands Dio in a prison boot camp and sends Jennifer to the hospital. When Dio learns that Jennifer is pregnant, he realizes that he must find a way to turn his life around and return to his lady. But can trainee Rodriguez get his act together among the hardcases in prison? And will Jennifer be waiting for him if and when he does?
The Ice Princess (
$1.99 Kindle,
B&N), by Elizabeth Hoyt, is a pre-order. I can't tell much about how long this one is supposed to be, but the file size appears to be a bit large for just a "short story."
Book Description
THE ICE PRINCESS is an all-new, never before published short story featuring Cora, a beloved secondary character from the Prince Trilogy.
Dark Dream (
$0.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Christine Feehan, the seventh in the
Dark series, was originally published as part of an anthology, but appears to have been fleshed out as a novel.
Book Description
She’s known him since she was fifteen. Every night, he is with her: his face, his voice. Tonight, Sara Marten will meet the man who is both angel and demon, salvation and temptation: Falcon—the Carpathian, the banished hero. Tonight, Sara will meet the dark-eyed destroyer destined to be her mate.
Dark Descent (
$0.99 Kindle,
B&N,
Kobo), by Christine Feehan, the eleventh in the
Dark series, was also originally published as part of an anthology, but appears to have been fleshed out as a novel.
Book Description
For Each, There Could Be Only One: They came from the darkest places: secluded monasteries, the Carpathian mountains, galaxies under siege. They were men with the blackest pasts-warriors, vampire monks, leaders of armies-but whose passions burned like dying stars. They had one purpose: to find those women who fulfilled them, completed them, and made them rage with a fire both holy and profane. They sought soul mates whose touch consumed them with desire, yet whose kisses refreshed like the coolest rain. And each man knew that for him there was only one true love-and in finding her, he would find salvation.
Dark Gold ($7.99 Kindle,
$2.62 B&N), by Christine Feehan, the third in the
Dark series, is marked down at Barnes and Noble only.
Book Description
They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light . . .
Alexandria Houton will sacrifice anything--even her life --to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encounter an unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex can only cry to heaven for their deliverance . . . And out of the darkness swoops Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious, than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatches them from a hideous fate. But is Aidan Alex's salvation . . . or her sin? If she surrenders to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction, and gives him the color, the light, the family he craves, will Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life?
If that isn't enough Feehan to keep you busy, you can still get the start of two different series, with
Magic in the Wind (
$1.99 Kindle) and
The Awakening (
$2.99 Kindle), at bargain prices.
Blood Sugar (
$1.00 Kindle), by Jim DeFilippi, has one five star and one single star review. The Publisher's Weekly and Library Journal reviews look favorable though, so I think it is worth checking out the sample.
Book Description
Thirty years ago Joe LaLuna thought the sun rose and set on Audie McKenna, his high school sweetheart. He still does, even if everyone else seems to think she might be a killer. An ace Long Island homicide detective, Joe is investigating the murder of Audie's husband-a rich businessman found dead in bed under the most compromising of circumstances. As he's drawn back into Audie's life, Joe soon finds himself ready to do anything to protect this woman of secrets and seduction.
Down and Out in Paris and London ($9.58 Kindle; $13.10 Audible US), by George Orwell, is today's free audiobook from The Guardian and Audible UK.
