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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Today's Deals

If you've bought any Android Apps lately, including some of the free apps, be sure to check your MP3 balance at Amazon, as they are giving out a $1 credit with select free apps and select paid apps. If you aren't sure which one to pick up in the paid apps, you probably won't go wrong with Audubon Mammals: A Field Guide to North American Mammals, currently on sale for 99 cents.

Additional formats on free books:

Messenger ($7.12 $1.99 Kindle, B&N), by Lois Lowry, is the Nook Daily Find for Families, price matched on Kindle.
Book Description
Strange changes are taking place in Village. Once a utopian community that prided itself on its welcome to new strangers, Village will soon be closed to all outsiders. As one of the few people able to travel through the dangerous Forest, Matty must deliver the message of Village’s closing and try to convince Seer’s daughter to return with him before it’s too late. But Forest has become hostile to Matty as well, and he must risk everything to fight his way through it, armed only with an emerging power he cannot yet explain or understand.

Grade Level: 7 and up

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is A Discovery of Witches ($2.99 Kindle, B&N), the first title in the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. It's also the Nook Daily Find today (I think this is the second time they've picked the same book).

I highly recommend this novel; it's one of the ones I paid full price for last year and don't regret it a bit. I've tried to get the next title, Shadow of Night, as a review copy, but Penguin hasn't said yes, yet (perhaps they know it's already on my wishlist, although I'm going to wait a bit to see if it drops from the current pre-order price).
Book Description
In a sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches became the "it" book of early 2011, bringing Deborah Harkness into the spotlight and galvanizing fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and the descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting story of magic and suspense.

Below Zero ($1.52 / £0.99 UK), by C.J. Box, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $7.99).
Book Description
"Tell Sherry April called."

A simple phone message that shakes Joe Pickett's oldest daughter Sheridan and the rest of the family to the core. To Joe, it doesn't seem even remotely possible that April could have survived the massacre described in Winterkill six years before. He was there, and he was unable to save her. But Sheridan starts to believe there's a chance that April is still alive, and her suspicions are confirmed when the person sending texts to her cellphone is able to recall family incidents only April could know. Joe, however, remains wary of the messages. But when the texts start to refer to "bad things," and when Marybeth discovers they come from locations throughout the West where vicious murders have taken place, alarm bells go off. Desperate to discover if April is still alive and to save her from possible danger, Joe, Sheridan, and Nate Romanowski take to the road to connect the texts with the crimes. Meanwhile, a dying Chicago mobster named Stenko and a much younger girl cross the country. He's on a mission to reconcile with his extreme environmentalist son before he dies. His son is less interested in reconciliation than in getting his father to repent for the environmental crimes he's committed during his lifetime. He wants his father to become not just carbon neutral, but to reduce his carbon footprint to below zero - as if he'd never even existed. As the path of Stenko and his companions starts to cross with Joe, Sheridan, and Nate, the question is raised: Is this young girl April or are the Picketts the victims of a cruel hoax?

Amazon Digital Weekend Deals

The Kindle Weekend Deal is Deja Vu ($1.99), the nineteenth (and next-to-most recent) title in the Sisterhood series by Fern Michaels.
Book Description
Celebrate With The Sisterhood

Thanks to a presidential pardon, the Sisterhood can put their fugitive days behind them and resume their lives in peace. Still, all the women admit that lately things are a little too calm and peaceful. Meeting up for the first time in months to celebrate Kathryn's birthday--in the City of Sin, no less--seems like the perfect antidote.

But before they can kick up their heels something too big to pass up is dropped into their laps. The time has come to deal with Enemy #1, a/k/a Hank Jellicoe. Wanted by the FBI, the CIA, and Homeland Security for starters, President Connor herself has run out of patience with their lack of results. Only the Sisterhood, with their special blend of guts, imagination, and friends in all places are capable of pulling off the impossible--of hunting down this monster and taking him out once and for all...

Other vote winners on sale this weekend are Ferris Bueller's Day Off (video), The Complete Billie Holiday (mp3) and Nancy Drew: Danger on Deception Island (game). It looks like this is the last weekend of the promotion, as there was nothing to vote upon for next week.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

$30 Off a Kindle Fire + $5 Instant Video Credit

Just in time for Father's Day and while they last, Amazon has a $30 off Kindle Fire voucher that you can pick up over at AmazonLocal:
Free Voucher Worth $30 Off a Kindle Fire ($169 After Discount) Plus $5 Amazon Instant Video Credit
This isn't a credit on a refurbished unit (although I've always found these to be identical to new ones), but on a brand-spanking new Kindle Fire. First, you "buy" the voucher at AmazonLocal (at no cost), then access the Your Vouchers tab to find your deals. Click on the View Code button and use the promo code there on the checkout page, after placing a Kindle Fire into your cart (no one-clicking to use the voucher). As soon as you apply the code, you should see a $30 drop in the summary total (upper right) and can check out. That will then trigger an email for the $5 instant video credit to be added to your account (and once you have your Kindle Fire, you can sign up for a free month of Amazon Prime (with free Prime videos), if you haven't already taken advantage of a trial offer.

Some Deal Details
• Kindle Fire voucher must be redeemed by June 15, 2012
• Ships only to U.S. addresses
• Limit 1 voucher per customer. Limited quantities available
• $5 promotional code for Amazon Instant Video credit expires August 31, 2012
• Voucher is valid for $30 off the regular price of $199 for a Kindle Fire purchased only from Amazon.com...
• Within 72 hours after your purchased Kindle Fire is shipped, you will receive an email that includes a $5 promotional code for Amazon Instant Video ...
• The promotional code for $5 Amazon Instant Video may not be used for certain titles....
• The Kindle Fire voucher and the $5 promotional code for Amazon Instant Video may only be redeemed by customers who are located, and have billing addresses, in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and who have a U.S. bank-issued credit card associated with their Amazon.com account
• Kindle Fire orders are eligible for Prime and Super Saver Shipping

Today's Deals

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is 23 world-class mysteries for $1.99 apiece. These are all from publisher Open Road and are the starting titles in their series, from award-winning authors. I'll definitely be picking up any that aren't already in my library; there are way too many to list, so I'll just include Amazon's description of the deal:
Deal Description
These page-turning debuts and first books in popular series promise something for all lovers of great mysteries and thrillers. From Edward Bunker's critically-acclaimed classic, No Beast So Fierce, to book one of Loren D. Estleman's award-winning Amos Walker series, Motor City Blue, this selection features masterfully-crafted novels for all tastes.

The Curry Secret ($1.52 / £0.99 UK), by Kris Dhillon, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $7.08).
Book Description
There is truly no other curry book like this one. The recipes are not the traditional cuisine practised by Indians at home but the distinctive and well-loved variety served in Indian restaurants worldwide. Since its first publication nearly twenty years ago The Curry Secret has been a bestseller. It has grown, by word of mouth and reader recommendation, into a cult classic – it has even spawned internet forums where readers rave about the sauce. Following requests from those readers, Kris Dhillon has now updated the book to include a wider choice of dishes and brand new recipes for even more mouthwatering curries as well as all the established favourites. From Chicken Tikka Masala to Onion Bhajee, Aloo Gobi to Lamb Biryani, everyone’s favourite is here.Praise from readers:‘Truly an excellent book and one that any Indian restaurant fan who enjoys cooking should have’ ‘The Holy Grail of curry cook books’‘This book is so good it’s unbelievable’

The Castaways ($2.99 Kindle, B&N), by Elin Hilderbrand, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle. This one looks like a good beach read.
Book Description
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

Not Norman ($6.64 Kindle, $1.49 B&N), by Kelly Bennett and Noah Z. Jones (Author, Illustrator), is the Nook Daily Find for Families (requires NOOK Color, NOOK Tablet NOOK Kids for iPad).
Book Description
Norman the goldfish isn't what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet -- one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don't go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought? With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected -- and positively fishy -- tale about finding the good in something you didn't know you wanted.

In this NOOK Kids book, children can tap to enlarge text and pinch & stretch to zoom in on pictures.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Today's Deals

Today's free Android App from Amazon is Madagascar 3 Movie Storybook. There's apparently no interactivity in the book, but for free, you should grab it for your kids and grandkids.

Two new Kobo codes: 20june8 for 20% off any non-Agency title and bloomsbury30 for 30% off any eBook from Bloomsbury US Publishing Group and its subsidiary imprints. Also, an update on yesterday's code, koboharlequin30 is for new Harlequin releases only. Both of the new codes are valid through June 11, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST (although I've seen them expire 12 hours early, so don't wait too long).

Get 25% off DecalGirl skins, ordered direct, using coupon code ILOVEDAD, valid June 7 - 18.

Additional formats on free books:

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is Stealing Trinity ($0.99), by Ward Larsen.
Book Description
In the last days of WWII, the Third Reich makes a desperate grab to retrieve its most valuable asset, Die Wespe, a spy buried deep in the Manhattan Project. The man chosen for this mission is Alexander Braun---American born, Harvard educated, and a ruthless killer.

British Intelligence learns of the Nazi plan. Unable to convince their American counterparts of the magnitude of the threat, they dispatch Major Michael Thatcher to track down Braun.

The trail leads to Rhode Island, where Lydia Cole, a young heiress, has unwittingly taken Braun back into her life. Braun is forced to run, and there is one place where he must go--Los Alamos, home of the Manhattan Project. On July 16, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb is tested - code named Trinity. In the days that follow, four people - a tenacious British investigator, a determined young woman, a killer, and the spy who could compromise America's greatest scientific endeavor - will have a fateful rendezvous, all vying for control of the secret that will shape the world.

The Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK is seven Books by MC Beaton ($1.52/£0.99) ... you lucky dogs!
  • Death of a Glutton (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #8
    Her table manners were a crime. But she didn’t deserve to die!

    There’s not a cloud in Hamish Macbeth’s sky – just plenty of warm sunshine but not quite enough of the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe. But as eight hopeful members of the Checkmate Singles Club converge on Tommel Castle Hotel for a week of serious matchmaking, the clouds roll in.

    The four couples, carefully matched by dating director Maria Worth, immediately dislike one another. And the arrival of Maria’s gross, greedy business partner, Peta, kills the last vestige of romance. And as love goes out the window, murder comes in the door.

    Peta soon slurps up her last meal and Hamish is left with the baffling puzzle: Who shared the fateful outing that left Peta dead with a large rosy red apple in her mouth…
  • Death of a Travelling Man (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #9
    It’s springtime in the Highlands but storms are brewing for Hamish Macbeth. His life is going to pot. He has – horrors! – been promoted, his new boss is a dunce, and a sinister self-proclaimed gypsy and his girlfriend have parked their rusty eyesore of a van in the middle of the village.

    Hamish smells trouble and as usual he’s right. The doctor’s drugs have gone missing. Money vanishes. And neighbours suddenly become unneighbourly. Nobody wants to talk either, so canny Hamish faces the delicate task of worming the facts out of the villagers.

    In the process he uncovers a story so bizarre that neither he nor the locals may ever be able to forget it…
  • Death of a Macho Man (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #12
    The unconventional Hamish Macbeth finds that his own impetuousness places him at the center of a murder investigation. Everyone in the Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh called Randy Duggan 'the Macho Man'. Duggan went around the village and bragged about everything he had done and said he once was a wrestler in America and an explorer in the Middle East. At first his outrageous stories drew an admiring crowd at the local pub, but soon his bullying ways lead to anger and violence. When Hamish tries to break up a fight, Duggan challenges him to a public fistfight. But on the day of the scheduled fight, Duggan is found shot to death. Of course, Macbeth's superiors get wind of the fight and suspend him during the investigation. Macbeth has some suspicions about Duggan's real background - and the mysterious banker, John Glover, who shows up at the posh Tommel Castle Hotel shortly before Duggan's death. And what about Rosie Draley, the sex-crazed romance writer, who had been having an affair with the two-timing Duggan? Once again, Macbeth is in hot water and he must find a murderer to clear his name - and to get back his job and the cushy life (fishing and mooching around the village) he leads.
  • Death of a Dustman (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #16
    When Fergus Macleod, Lochdubh’s abusive, drunk dustman is put in charge of the local recycling centre and is dubbed the ‘Environment Officer’, Hamish Macbeth smells trouble. Sure enough, Fergus, imbued with his new powers, becomes a bullying tyrant and when his body is found stuffed in a recycling bin, no one is sorry – including his long-suffering family. But Macbeth is surprised to find that many of the despicable dustman’s victims refuse to talk – and when violence strikes again, the lanky lawman must quickly unearth the culprit among a litter of suspects… before the killer makes a clean getaway!
  • Death of a Celebrity (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #17
    Lochdubh, remotely nestling in the Highlands, is perfectly anonymous… until well-known TV reporter Crystal French races into town in her bright new BMW. And PC Hamish Macbeth, dourly wed to duty rather than the fiancĂ©e who dumped him, promptly gives her a ticket for reckless driving. Outraged, Crystal makes Macbeth’s life a misery with a TV report on policing in the Highlands… but when she also rakes up old local scandals for her new hit show, Macbeth notes that someone besides himself might be dead keen to stop her. And then someone does.Now, finding out who did away with the nosy reporter will lead the laconic Macbeth down roads he never envisioned… and perhaps a crisis of the heart all his own.
  • Death of a Gentle Lady (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #23
    Mrs Gentle has fooled everyone into thinking she is as sweet as she sounds – Gentle by name and gentle by nature. But local constable Hamish Macbeth isn’t fooled. He believes this little old lady is actually quite sly and vicious, but he’s in a minority of one. Or is he?

    When Mrs Gentle dies under unusual circumstances the villagers of Lochdubh are shocked and outraged. Chief Detective Inspector Blair suspects that members of her family may be involved but Hamish thinks there’s much more to the story – and is willing to get rough to solve the riddle of Mrs Gentle’s mysterious demise.
  • Death of a Witch (Main/UK) Hamish MacBeth #24
    Returning from holiday Hamish becomes unaccountably worried – it’s as if he senses a dark cloud of evil hanging over Lochdubh. He soon learns that there is a newcomer to the village, a woman called Catriona Beldame, and that the villagers have decided she is a witch.

    At first Hamish is charmed by her, but is dismayed when he finds out she’s been supplying dangerous potions to certain local people. No one seems willing to listen to his warnings and when she is found murdered, poor Hamish is the prime suspect. Obviously, he must solve the murder to clear his own name and bring contentment back to his beloved Lochdubh.

Life of Pi ($8.54 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Yann Martel, is the Nook Daily Find. It isn't price matched on Kindle (yet) and if I was buying it there, I'd consider the Illustrated 2nd Edition ($7.39), which has pictures you can see best on the page for the first Illustrated Edition's page. Check your Kindle libraries, first, though - this one was free in late 2010 under a different ASIN (at least for UK customers), and you may have already purchased that edition (which no longer appears at Amazon); the Illustrated Edition was also a 99 cent Deal of the Day last December, so you might already have that one, as well.
Book Description
Pi Patel is an unusual boy. The son of a zookeeper, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior, a fervent love of stories, and practices not only his native Hinduism, but also Christianity and Islam. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.
The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional-but is it more true?

Life of Pi is at once a realistic, rousing adventure and a meta-tale of survival that explores the redemptive power of storytelling and the transformative nature of fiction. It's a story, as one character puts it, to make you believe in God.

The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe ($4.99 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Roland Smith, is the Nook Daily Find for Families. Your kids learn some history along with what looks like a cute story (hopefully it turns out better than the idea of hiding veggies in the meatloaf!).
Book Description
Born the runt of his litter and gambled away to a rusty old riverman, the Newfoundland pup Seaman doesn’t imagine his life will be marked by any kind of glory--beyond chasing down rats. But when he meets Captain Meriwether Lewis, Seaman finds himself on a path that will make history. Lewis is just setting off on his landmark search for the Northwest Passage, and he takes Seaman along. Sharing the curiosity and strength of spirit of his new master, Seaman proves himself a valuable companion at every turn. Part history, part science--and adventure through and through--The Captain’s Dog is the carefully researched, thrilling tale of America’s greatest journey of discovery, as seen through the keen, compassionate eyes of a remarkable dog.

Grade Level: 4 and up