Free Book (Kindle/EPUB/nook) - The Dogs of Rome

Update: 5/26/11 Now free from Borders.

The Dogs of Rome, by Conor Fitzgerald, the first in his Alec Blume series, is free in the Kindle store and from B&N and Sony.

Book Description
On a hot summer morning, Arturo Clemente is sloppily murdered in his Roman apartment by a mysterious slasher. When his wife, an eminent politician, finds his body, she swiftly springs into action--by calling the Ministry of the Interior. By the time police inspector Alec Blume arrives at the scene, evidence has been collected, command taken, and, in short--his investigation has been compromised. As the details of the case continue to trickle out, Blume soon realizes he is being watched from on high--and that solving this crime may be the least of his worries. Losing sleep and unsure who to trust, Blume feels the case spinning out of control: does anyone involved even want justice? At what price will it come? And who runs this town--the police, the politicians, or organized criminals? In this riveting novel, we are introduced to Blume, an American expatriate and seasoned police veteran. Intelligent yet sometimes petulant, instinctive yet flawed, Blume is a likeable and trustworthy protagonist for this, the first installment of a gritty and promising series.

Click HERE for the free book from B&N.
Click HERE to get the free book from Kobo.
Click HERE for the free book from Sony.

Free Book (Kindle) - The Lens & The Looker

The Lens & The Looker, by Lory S. Kaufman, the first in her Verona Trilogy, is free in the Kindle store.

Book Description
It's the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences, (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full-sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiences the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

Like in all groups of youth, there are those who rebel, “hard cases” who just don’t get it. In this first installment of a trilogy, three spoiled teens from the year 2347 are kidnapped back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy. There they are abandoned and left with only two choices: adapt to the harsh medieval ways, or die. Hansum, almost 17, is good looking, athletic and, as his A.I. teacher says, he can charm the fuzz off a peach. Shamira is 15. She has green eyes, auburn hair, and a Caucasian complexion. That's something people don't see that much of in the 24th century. She's sassy, independent and has an artistic genius for drawing. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don't have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

There are two types of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) in the 24th-century. The first are authorized by society and very conservative. Then there are ‘genies’. Made by black-market hackers, or blackers, these rascals are the bi-polar opposite of their unadventurous cousins. A genie’s aim in life is to help rebellious youth make mischief. Pan, is a very mischievous genie. A curious mix of past and future, he’s an eccentric, all-knowing, holographic artificial intelligence in the cartoon shape of the vaunted Greek god. Pan's antics and insights get the kids both into and out of trouble.

Our three teen protagonists meet at a History Camp where everything and everybody must act like it is 14th-century Verona, Italy. Society’s plan is to put trouble-making kids into situations where they are “scared straight”. But Hansum knows better. He’s aware that behind the scenes there are armies of humans and A.I.’s making sure they are safe. Using Pan, the teens devise a plan to drive the History Camp enactors crazy, and they succeed. But what they’re not prepared for is that a History Camp elder from the 31st century, (where time-travel is possible) kidnaps them back to the real medieval Verona. Here they are indentured to an alcoholic lens maker. Now, unquestionably, the dangers are real.

All of this is hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but, for Hansum, that’s exactly what happens. Guilietta is the beautiful daughter of the master the teens are working for. She becomes the star-crossed and time-crossed lover of our story’s Romeo - Hansum. In fact, the novel is peppered with lots of fun allusions to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In an attempt to survive the teenage trio, with Pan’s help, risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

Free Book (Kindle/nook) - Heart of the Witch

Last week's Free Friday book at B&N, Heart of the Witch, by Alicia Dean, is now free on Kindle (and the paperback copy is still $2.43).

Book Description
A beautiful young witch must choose between maintaining the anonymity of her coven and trusting the detective who would bring a heartless serial killer to justice.

Ex-homicide detective Nick Lassiter has seen a lot in his day, but the world-weary PI has never had a case like this. A merciless serial killer is on the loose, but his latest victim narrowly escaped with her life. Lassiter can tell from the start that Ravyn isn’t your typical crime victim—she has a steely resolve that is both frightening and intriguing in equal measure. As the two allies team up to pursue the killer, their relationship goes beyond the professional as the desperate circumstances lead to a very personal bond. And as Lassiter learns more about Ravyn, he begins to suspect that she may not be exactly who she seems.

Click here for the free book from B&N.

Free Book Update (Kindle/EPUB) - Is There More?

Is There More?: Heaven, Hell, and the Eternal Life that Begins Now, by Leslie D. Weatherhead, is now free on Kindle in addition to ChristianBook.

Book Description
Think you know what happens after death? Think again. In this groundbreaking book Leslie Weatherhead rejects proof-texts and conventional wisdom to focus on the big picture of life after death. Is God's love stronger than our sin? How does God respond when people reject God's love in Christ? Is Jesus' atoning death on the cross for everybody, or only for some? How can we truly know what God has in store for us in the life to come? The author of the best-selling Will of God answers these questions and many others in this straightforward, surprising book.

Click HERE to get the free download from ChristianBook.

Free Book (Kindle/EPUB/nook) - Coffee Shop Conversations

Update: 5/26/11 Now free from ChristianBook.

Coffee Shop Conversations: Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk, by Dale and Jonalyn Fincher, is free once again in the Kindle store and from Barnes and Noble, courtesy of Christian publisher Zondervan.

Book Description
This Coffee Shop Conversations Ebook, by Dale and Jonalyn Fincher, will help you discover the fine art of sharing your faith ... without losing your friends.There are as many different styles of faith these days as there are ways to order your latte. So how do you talk to people about Jesus without offending them? By learning to cultivate respect and love for those who are different. Dale and Jonalyn Fincher will help you:*Gently invite others to share.*Cultivate an attitude of tolerance.*Avoid the buzzwords that will stop a conversation cold.*Talk about Jesus as a unique spiritual leader.*Listen more effectively.*Strengthen your own knowledge of your faith.Make the most of those casual, coffee shop moments. Find common ground as you gently and lovingly invite people to become followers and students of Jesus. It's all here for you in this Ebook---Coffee Shop Conversations: Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk.

Click HERE to get the free book from B&N.
Click HERE to get the free book from ChristianBook.