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I've moved!

Thanks for stopping by, but it appears you are using a (very) old address for my blog. I've moved to a Wordpress site and you'll need to update your bookmarks for Books on the Knob

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Amazon announced Kindle for Tablet PC's

Amazon has announced Kindle for Tablet Computers, of which the iPad is the first named supported device, and this Kindle App has a feature not present on any of the others: the ability to add notes and highlights (see below). There is no sign-up to be notified button yet and each device and/or OS will require it's own application, so there will no doubt be several flavors of the Kindle for Tablet Computers app.

Experience the Beautiful User Interface
  • Get the best reading experience available on your tablet computer including the iPad. No Kindle required
  • Tailored to the size, look, and feel of your tablet computer
  • Customize background color and font size to ease eye strain
  • Adjust screen brightness from within the app to make reading easier
  • Page turn animation replicates the look of turning a page in a book. Or choose Basic Reading Mode for a simpler and unadorned reading experience
Read Kindle Books on Your Tablet Computer Including the iPad
  • Amazon's Whispersync technology automatically synchronizes your last page read, bookmarks, notes and highlights with Kindle and Kindle-compatible devices PC, Mac, iPhone, and BlackBerry
  • Customers can start reading on one device and, on another, pick up where they left off
  • Already have a Kindle? Access your Kindle books even if you don't have your Kindle with you
  • Create bookmarks, notes, and highlights, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle
Shop for Books in the Kindle Store
  • Search and browse more than 450,000 Kindle books, including 101 of 112 New York Times® Best Sellers. If you are a non-U.S. customer, book availability may vary
  • Get free book samples--read the first chapter for free before you decide to buy
  • Books you purchase can also be read on a Kindle and Kindle-compatible devices

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Resurrection of Deacon Shader

The Resurrection of Deacon Shader ($0.99 Kindle), by Derek Prior, the first book in his fantasy series The Deceptions of The Demiurgos, has recently been updated. Since it is a bit of a process to get a new version at Amazon (you have to return the old version for a refund, then repurchase), Derek has set up a coupon (which ends today) so that you can get a replacement or just try out his writing at Smashwords for free. I have a review copy here and have placed it high on my TBR stack after scanning the first few pages, so expect to feature the book here again soon.

Book Description
A fusion of heroic fantasy, sorcery and dark science, the book introduces the complex, and conflicted character of Deacon Shader - former knight of the Elect, failed monk and gifted swordsman.

Following his rejection by the woman he loves, Shader returns to the Abbey of Pardes where he witnesses a supernatural assault on the Grey Abbot. Something is stolen - a segment of the mythical Sun Stone - which Shader agrees to retrieve from the plague city of Sarum.

Beauty, Truth, Love – these three fled the hound of science, seeking refuge in the Dreaming. As Earth marched towards an unrelenting technocracy, the beleaguered Sun Stone fell from the skies of distant Aethir, but it did not find the sanctuary it had sought; for Aethir had become the home of all the Sun Stone feared: the architect of Earth’s fall from grace, the uncompromising “Pale Wizard”, Sektis Gandaw.

Rescued from the clutches of Sektis Gandaw by the gods of the Dreamers, the Sun Stone was entrusted to the shaman Huntsman until the day of the Reckoning when, bereft of choice, it unleashed the power of nightmare upon the Earth.

Three millennia later, with the parts of the Sun Stone scattered, a creature that has fed for centuries on the unsuspecting people of Sahul locates a segment of the mythical Sun Stone and with it the promise of eternal life. As he enhances his own necromantic arts with the power of the Sun Stone, Ernst Cadman starts to suspect that there are unwanted side-effects and, worse still, someone or something maybe watching.

Huntsman weaves a web of manipulation to ensure the safety of Sahul and to prevent the Sun Stone from falling back into the hands of a terrible being from beyond the stars. The Stone, however, has ideas of its own and calls together those who are to play a part in its destiny: an abbot, a bard, an assassin, a Pope, and the former knight of the Elect, Deacon Shader who unknowingly carries a power of his own, a potency that may either save or condemn the whole of Creation.


Click HERE to get the book on Smashwords and use coupon code SD33X.

Free Audiobook - Vampire's Tango

Vampire's Tango ($2.39 Kindle), by Michele Hauf, narrated by Montana Chase, is being given away by Audible.com today. This is a short volume, about novella/novellette length and the unabridged length is 1 hour, 24 minutes.

Book Description
Vampire Alexandre Renard never met a more intriguing woman than Veronica Marshall. He waited for weeks for the mysterious woman to make her move...and wasn't disappointed when they shared a seductive dance at a Paris tango club. Their passion made him want to savor their embrace forever--even though he knew that Veronica was a slayer waiting for her chance to destroy him....

Faced with an early death, Veronica became a vampire hunter to do some good in the world before being forced to leave it. But as her game of cat-and-mouse with Alexandre turned into nights of unforgettable pleasure, how could she destroy the man she came to love?

With time--and their enemies--against them, vampire and slayer will have to fight to win just one more day in each other's arms....


Click HERE for the free download.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Wicked Lovely - 99 cents now, free soon!

Wicked Lovely Free with Bonus Material, by Melissa Marr, is currently a 99 cent pre-order at Amazon and should be free soon (or at least by the April 6 release date), joining her other free titles (Stopping Time, Part 1 and Part 2). No sign of it yet in the other ebookstores, but I'll update as that changes.

Book Description
Read the New York Times bestseller that started Melissa Marr's enchanting tales of Faerie for free! Don't miss the sneak peak at the upcoming RADIANT SHADOWS!

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost - regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.

Game of the Day - My Tribe

Amazon's Game Download of the Day is a $2.99 download of My Tribe.

Book Description

  • Design Your Own Paradise.
  • Billions Of Islands To Choose From.
  • More Than 40 Powerful Potions To Research.
  • So Much To Do.
Shipwrecked on a beautiful tropical island, your brave little tribespeople must build a new home! With your guidance, the tribe will uncover mysterious secrets, research new technologies, design their own clothes, plant trees and flowers, construct massive wonders and more! Come back often to feed your tribe, clothe them, and look after the babies and children! There's so much to do and all the time in the world to do it with My Tribe!