Free Book (EPUB/PDF) - X Marks the Box

Waterstone, a UK bookseller, is giving away a free download of X Marks the Box, by Daniel Blythe, in advance of the printed edition. You can choose from DRM-Free EPUB or PDF versions (optimized for larger screens) after giving them your name and email address -- I'd recommend the EPUB, which is quickly converted to any format via Calibre.

Book Description
X Marks the Box helps the ordinary citizen to negotiate the political maze. In this political primer - designed to allay fears, explode myths and shake up apathy - self-confessed born-again voter Blythe argues that politics often has very little to do with Westminster. In his role as irreverent but informed guide to the workings of politics, he offers practical ways in which everyone can politicise themselves to fight for the things that they believe in.

As the most tightly-contested general election for 30 years approaches - and one which will be fought more than ever on local issues - Daniel Blythe gives an enjoyable, useful and penetrating insight into how to make your vote count.

Click HERE for the free download, valid thru March 3, 2010.

Free Short Story - Hunting Evander

Hunting Evander, by Kim Knox, is free in the Sony store tonight and has been free at Ellora's Cave since January 18. This one isn't in the Amazon Kindle or the B&N store and it's the first of the freebies from Ellora's that I've seen in the Sony store.

Book Description
Narda is on a hunt.

Her target, Doran Van Evander has holed up on a mining planet. But her hunt won’t be simple or easy. Planet Lisala-7 is in the grip of a festival, one they’ve made compulsory. Five days of licensed debauchery and now with her body on fire from the touch of strangers, she must find her target before her time runs out. Failing is not an option. But in this game, who is the hunter and who is the prey?

For the Sony reader, you'll need to use the Reader Library software and either search for the book's title or look on the Bargain Priced page.

Click HERE to get the story free from Ellora's Cave in any of these formats: Adobe PDF, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket, Rocket Book, HTML. There doesn't appear to be any DRM on this one, as I was able to open the mobipocket version up in Calibre (so it should work fine on Kindle). While you are Ellora's, you might want to check out some of their other free reads (note that they, like the title above, are all on the erotica side of romance).

Accessorize Your Kindle for Valentine's Day

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Amazon has added two covers for the 6" Kindle (K2 and K2i), one in Hot Pink and the second in Burgundy (a deep red), for $34.99.

Book Description

• Official book cover designed by Amazon for Kindle (6" Display)
• Secure Kindle in place with patent-pending cover hinge and strap
• Sturdy and stylish genuine leather exterior protects Kindle
• Soft charcoal grey suede interior protects screen from scratches

Once you've taken care of the exterior of your Kindle, you can accessorize the inside with this Free Valentine's Day Playlist of MP3's (although one song on this list created and offered by Amazon is "Not Available") or this $2.99 Love Songs compilation from Aretha Franklin (which may only be marked down for today), which contains 16 songs or something from this list of The 100 Greatest Romantic Albums of All Time.

If, on the other hand, you aren't in the love song mood for Valentine's, you might want to listen to the Break Up Songs Playlist (although it hardly seems fair that it costs quite a bit more than most of the collections on their Love Song Collections page).

Pre-Order Cate Dermody under $4

All three books in Cate Dermody's Strongbox Chronicles series are available to pre-order in the Kindle store and all are currently marked $3.60. Cate Dermody is a pen name used by C.E. Murphy for her spy thriller series (she writes mainly fantasy under C.E. Murphy), which she describes as "action-adventure romance". Here they are, in series order.

The Cardinal Rule

Book Description
Somewhere in Italy, a powerful and secretive organization was creating an army of weaponized robots. The goal? To "persuade" the world that their vision of the future was the right one. And agent Alisha MacAleer had the job of infiltrating them while defending herself from a robot that had targeted her. Worse, the mission and Alisha's life soon hinged on three choices that only she could make: Alisha had to decide if her ex-lover turned mercenary was telling the truth this time. She had to learn if her boss's son was a double agent for or against the U.S.--and whether she'd been betrayed by the people she trusted most.

Yeah, just an average day in this spy's world....

The Firebird Deception

Book Description
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE. GET IN, GET THE GOODS, GET OUT. YET WHAT SHOULD BE SIMPLE ALMOST NEVER WAS...

Once more Alisha MacAleer was racing around Europe, this time searching for the black box from a downed aircraft. Yet for the first time as a CIA agent, she doubted her work--and her superiors. Too many people were able to trace her movements. Was there a double--or triple?--agent in the CIA? How else could the dangerous, almost mythical group known as the Sicarii have targeted her?

The worst problem? She'd discovered the only person she could rely on was the man who'd once broken her heart--by shooting her in the back....

The Phoenix Law

Book Description
CAN YOU EVER QUIT THE SPY GAME?

All former spy Alisha MacAleer wanted was to lead a normal life, complete with settling down near her family. Then a hail of gunfire followed CIA agent Brandon Parker's arrival on her doorstep.

He'd done the impossible: created an AI, a sentient being with artificial intelligence. The U.S. government and two powerful secret societies--hell, even Europe's top underworld figure--all wanted it. And Brandon's arrival made Alisha the last obstacle between them and the AI.

The one person who could help had betrayed her years ago. Yet with the exasperating and elusive Frank Reichart on her side, Alisha might have a chance. If Alisha could use him without giving him her trust, she might just make it through this final mission alive....

Warriors pre-order $8.18

Another 3-month delayed ebook edition results in a discount for Kindle owners, this time for the anthology Warriors ($8.18), edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozios, which will be released on Kindle on April 27, 2010. The hardcover ($12.00) was released on January 30, so this is another one with a three month delay.

The price of this book will revert to $9.99 after the pre-order period ends on 6/7.

Book Description
From George R. R. Martin’s Introduction to Warriors:

“People have been telling stories about warriors for as long as they have been telling stories. Since Homer first sang the wrath of Achilles and the ancient Sumerians set down their tales of Gilgamesh, warriors, soldiers, and fighters have fascinated us; they are a part of every culture, every literary tradition, every genre. All Quiet on the Western Front, From Here to Eternity, and The Red Badge of Courage have become part of our literary canon, taught in classrooms all around the country and the world. Our contributors make up an all-star lineup of award-winning and bestselling writers, representing a dozen different publishers and as many genres. We asked each of them for the same thing—a story about a warrior. Some chose to write in the genre they’re best known for. Some decided to try something different. You will find warriors of every shape, size, and color in these pages, warriors from every epoch of human history, from yesterday and today and tomorrow, and from worlds that never were. Some of the stories will make you sad, some will make you laugh, and many will keep you on the edge of your seat.”

Included are a long novella from the world of Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, a new tale of Lord John by Diana Gabaldon, and an epic of humanity at bay by David Weber. Also present are original tales by David Ball, Peter S. Beagle, Lawrence Block, Gardner Dozois, Joe Haldeman, Robin Hobb, Cecelia Holland, Joe R. Lansdale, David Morrell, Naomi Novik, James Rollins, Steven Saylor, Robert Silverberg, S.M. Stirling, Carrie Vaughn, Howard Waldrop, and Tad Williams.

Many of these writers are bestsellers. All of them are storytellers of the highest quality. Together they make a volume of unforgettable reading.