Free Audiobooks - The Amulet of Samarkand & Tales from the Arabian Nights

There are two new free audiobook from Sync today. First, I've linked in the info from the ebook or audiobook version of each title (Amazon has the best reviews), followed by the link to get your copies free, with directions to ensure you get the complete download.

The first free audiobook is The Amulet of Samarkand ($7.09 Kindle, $20.95 Audible), by Jonathan Stroud, narrated by Simon Jones. I can highly recommend this one, at least in ebook form (and what I've listened to of the audiobook so far); I received a review copy from the publisher and quickly grabbed the second in the series at B&N when it was on sale a few days ago. Yes, it says it is for grade 5 and up, but if you liked Harry Potter at all, you'll like this one (I thought it was considerably better written and not as childish in writing style, even though meant for the same age group). Also like the Harry Potter series, each novel is quite long - this one is 468 pages in print.

Book Description
Nathaniel is a magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he summons the powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal Lovelace's greatest treasure, the Amulet of Samarkand, he finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, and rebellion.

Grade Level: 5 and up

The abridged edition of Tales from the Arabian Nights ($11.95 Audible), by Andrew Lang, narrated by Toby Stephens, is the second selection. There are several Kindle editions, ranging from free to a few dollars, for those that like to read along with the audio.

Book Description
To save herself from certain death, the beautiful Scheherazade must beguile a Persian sultan with her enchanting stories. In two of her most well-known tales, Aladdin and Ali Baba’s cleverness and quick-thinking save the day—and a great treasure. Andrew Lang’s masterful version of these ancient Middle Eastern folk tales will captivate listeners of all ages, just as they did when Scheherazade was the storyteller.

Click HERE to get the free downloads (you'll need to enter your name and an email address. You'll end up clicking about three pages (for each book), before the audiobook actually downloads. Don't stop so long as you still see a button that talks about your Sync download (or until you see the Overdrive software open up; there is a link at Sync, if you don't already have Overdrive installed).

Once in Overdrive, you'll need to tell it where to save the files (just click OK to use the default location, since Overdrive will keep track of them for you), then again to actually start the download (by default, all parts of the book are downloaded; I would suggest not changing this in the last dialog box, just click on OK to get the download started). Make sure your audiobook is fully downloaded before the end of the week, as once the promo period is over, you won't be able to get them free.

You can't get any titles that have been missed, but once they are loaded into Overdrive (which you will need to install, if you are not already using it for library books), they are yours to keep (there is no expiration date). Two new titles each Thursday!

Today's Deals

Apologies to those that received more than one notice on posts yesterday. Blogger made a sudden change and I had to remove and repost the early posts during the day, to ensure they would work correctly on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is Devil Wind ($1.99), by Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid (Oceanview Publishing). In the past month, we've received two of Schlian's novels free (Dead Air and Rabbit in the Moon) and there is also another edition of this one that is eligible for Prime Lending.

Book Description
Outspoken, brash New Yorker Sammy Greene needs a second chance. Fired from her job as a Washington TV producer, her midnight to 3 am show Sammy Greene on the LA Scene at a small progressive radio station soon has Sammy ruffling the feathers of a popular Orange County Congressman. And everyone is listening.

December, 1999. 10 days before the new millennium. Already on edge with Santa Ana devil wind fanning fires threatening to engulf the city and Y2K looming, Sammy's callers imagine Armageddon - the perfect setting for a rogue CIA operative to manipulate fears as cover for his deadly plot.

A young woman's burned body identified as the wayward daughter of old friend, Gus Pappajohn spurs the ex-campus cop to join Sammy in what may be a murder investigation, along the way exposing the seamy underbelly of Tinseltown. If Sammy's not careful this time, someone will make sure she's off the air for good.

Against the Light ($1.54 / £0.99 UK), by Dave Duncan, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $4.99/KLL Eligible). I started reading Dave's books when they were self-published in the Kindle store (some still are) and was happy to see that he was picked up by Amazon's 47North publishing imprint; I grabbed this the last time it was on sale.

Book Description
The Hierarchy, high priests of the religious order the Light, has installed King Ethan as the monarchical figurehead, ruling both the magical kingdom of Albi and its predominant religion. Scattered throughout the land, worshippers in the old ways of the Earth Mother are persecuted as heretics. And when young missionary student Rollo Woodbridge returns home to Albi, he is immediately arrested for heresy and treason, setting off a chain of events that plunges the land into utter chaos.

The Hierarchy has more treacherous motives, however, and when Rollo is rescued from jail, his family’s home is destroyed—but Rollo and his siblings are left alive. While Rollo tries diplomacy to end the religious and political conflict, his brother and sister swear vengeance. With the hours to deliverance counting down and their lives hanging in the balance, they must decide whether to stay and fight or leave Albi forever in the suspenseful, action-packed Against the Light.

Rip Tide ($2.99 Kindle, B&N), the sixth title in Dame Stella Rimington's Liz Carlyle series, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle. This series is essentially a female James Bond, but written by a former Director General of the Security Service (MI5), who worked counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism during her career.

Book Description
When pirates attack a cargo ship off the Somalian coast and one of them is found to be a British-born Pakistani, alarm bells start ringing at London’s Thames House. MI5 Intelligence Officer Liz Carlyle is brought in to establish how and why a young British Muslim could go missing from his well-to-do family in Birmingham and end up on board a pirate skiff in the Indian Ocean, armed with a Kalashnikov.

Meanwhile, the owner of the charitable NGO that leased the ship suspects that his fleet is being deliberately targeted. But why would pirates be interested in charitable supplies? And how do they know the exact details of his ships’ cargo and routes?

When an undercover operative connected to the case turns up dead in Athens it looks like piracy may be the least of the Service’s problems.

Now Liz, with the help of Peggy Kinsolving, Dave Armstrong, and the rest of her unit, attempts to unravel the connections between Pakistan, Greece and Somalia. She’ll have to rely on their wits--and the judicious use of force--to get to the truth. And she doesn’t have long, as trouble is brewing closer to home: the kind of explosive trouble that MI5 could do without.

Tiger's Voyage ($10.98 Hardcover; $1.99 B&N), the third title in the Tiger's Curse series by Colleen Houck, is the Nook Daily Find for Families. Since this is published by Splinter, an imprint of Sterling (owned by B&N), there is no Kindle edition available.

Book Description
With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, TIger's Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.

Grades: 10+

Today's Deals

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is Soldier's Joy ($1.99), by Madison Smartt Bell, published by Open Road.

Book Description Two Southern soldiers, recently back from Vietnam, struggle to resume their lives amid dangerous and deep-rooted prejudice Thomas Laidlaw returns home from Vietnam with nothing much in mind but to tend his acreage, live apart, and get lost in the roots music he grew up with. Laidlaw’s childhood friend Rodney Redmon is doubly burdened: Not only is he scarred from the war, he is also a black man living in a prejudiced area of Tennessee. Redmon’s homecoming from the war included time in jail—the result of his being framed for real estate fraud by racist forces within the local establishment. Once released, he and Laidlaw rekindle their friendship and both veterans try to put the war behind them. But when a group of local Klansman emerges, the violence that haunts them may prove impossible to escape. Masterful in its execution and stunning in its emotional resonance, Soldier’s Joy is a riveting portrait of two damaged souls struggling to achieve solace despite the demons of their past.

This is How ($1.54 / £0.99 UK), by M.J. Hyland , is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $8.80).

Book Description When his fiancé breaks off their engagement, Patrick Oxtoby leaves home and moves into a boarding house in a remote seaside town. But in spite of his hopes and determination to build a better life, nothing goes to plan and Patrick is soon driven to take a desperate and chilling course of action. This is How is a mesmerising and meticulously drawn portrait of a man whose unease in the world leads to his tragic undoing. With breathtaking wisdom and an astute insight into the human mind, award-winning M.J. Hyland’s new book is a masterpiece that inspires horror and sympathy in equal measure.

Land's End ($1.99 Kindle, B&N), by Marta Perry, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle.

Book Description Confused and angry, Dr. Sarah Wainwright returned to the Georgia island of St. James in search of answers to her husband's mysterious death--in an apparent lovers' tryst with the wife of wealthy industrialist Trent Donner. Anger seemed to be the only edge Sarah had--Trent's control of the island and his protectiveness for his young daughter were enough to drive even this scandal back into the shadows. A man whose life depended on keeping his secrets; a woman whose future depended on learning the truth--could her quest set them free, or would it destroy them all?

Chancey of the Maury River ($5.49 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Gigi Amateau, is the Nook Daily Find for Families.

Book Description On the night that Chancey is born, a "fire star" gallops across the sky, a signal that a great horse has entered the world. But it will take many years of slights and hardships before the orphaned albino will believe that the prophecy is truly meant for him. First he must find a home at the Maury River Stables and a girl named Claire who needs him as much as he needs her. Then, when his aching joints and impending blindness bring an end to their training together, he must start a new chapter as a therapeutic horse, healing people with wounds both visible and unseen. In the manner of a latter-day Black Beauty, Chancey’s observant voice narrates this absorbing story, filled with fascinating details of life at the stable and keen insight into equine instinct, human emotion, and the ineffable bond that connects them both. Grade Level: 4 and up

Free Book - 1,001 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes (K)

1,001 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes: The Only Slow-Cooker Cookbook You'll Ever Need, by Linda R. Yoakam and Sue Spitler, is free in the Kindle store, courtesy of publisher Agate Surrey. It appears that this is limited to those in the US, as I don't see it for sale in other regions. Although I don't have this particular title, I've purchased a number of cookbooks in the past from this publisher and been quite happy with them.

Book Description
Slow-cookers are a great complement to today’s busy lifestyles. Once the ingredients are added, the virtually meal cooks itself. This collection brings together a huge number and variety of recipes that show off the value, ease, and versatility — not to mention delicious taste — of this cooking method. Seasoned cookbook author Sue Spitler covers every aspect of using slow-cookers. The book explains the various kinds and sizes of cookers, from 1-1/2 quarts to seven quarts, and shows what recipes work best in each type. From there, readers learn to prepare all the necessary ingredients beforehand so that they can refrigerate the food and the crock for anywhere from hours to overnight and then plug the appliance in when it's time to cook. Included are more than a thousand scrumptious recipes — all thoroughly tested — for appetizers, entrees, side dishes, breads, sandwiches, and desserts.

Today's Deals

The new promo code at Kobo, romance40, can be used more than once for 40% off these Hot Romance Titles, "till July 6th", rather than the one time I previously reported.

If you are considering today's free Android App, a Body & Weight Monitor, you can rest assured that the info is password protected, so prying eyes in on your Kindle Fire can't see what you've entered. Apparently, the developers have also discovered that there are a large number of people born before 1970 and have fixed whatever bug it had involving trying to enter their DOB that affected some devices. The dates are entered in European format, though (day first, month in the middle), which isn't unusual in the Android market, as there are a number of apps developed by UK/EU companies (even though they can't buy them, once they are in the Amazon store, due to Amazon's restrictions). The best part of the app - the fake one star reviews: the person that tried to weigh himself by standing on his phone and the one that hits McD's right after entering his data every day. There are a number of free apps with high ratings for tracking your diet, calories, food, menus, etc, which I reached from the "Customers who viewed this item also viewed" box on the right of the page.

For gamers, be sure to keep an eye out on the Gold Box/Lightning Deals at Amazon today. It looks like most of today's lineup is games and gaming gear.

Additional formats on free books:

• Warning at Eagle's Watch (K/I)

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is How to Hepburn: Lessons on Living from Kate the Great ($1.99), by Karen Karbo.

Book Description
How to Hepburn, Karen Karbo's sleek, contemporary reassessment of one of America's greatest icons, takes us on a spin through the great Kate's long, eventful life, with an aim toward seeing what we can glean from the First Lady of Cinema. One part How Proust Can Change Your Life and one part Why Sinatra Matters, How to Hepburn teases some unexpected lessons from the life of a woman whose freewheeling, pants-wearing determination redefined the image of the independent woman while eventually endearing her to the world.

This witty, provocative gem is full of no-nonsense Hepburn-style commentary on subjects such as: making denial work for you; the importance of being brash, facing fear, and always having an aviator in your life; learning why and how to lie; the benefits of discretion; making the most of a dysfunctional relationship; and the power of forgiving your parents. Thrilling fans of the notoriously independent actress, award-winner Karen Karbo presents a gusty guidebook to harnessing your inner Hepburn, and living life on your own terms.

The Earth Hums in B Flat ($1.54 / £0.99 UK), by Mari Strachan, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $7.99).

Book Description
Young Gwenni Morgan has a gift. She can fly in her sleep. She’s also fond of strawberry whip, detective stories and asking difficult questions. When a neighbour mysteriously vanishes, she resolves to uncover the secret of his disappearance and return him to his children. She truthfully records what she sees and hears: but are her deductions correct? What is the real truth? And what will be the consequences – for Gwenni, her family and her community – of finding it out?

Gwenni Morgan is an unforgettable creation, and this portrait of life in a small Welsh town on the brink of change in the 1950s is enthralling, moving and utterly real. Mari Strachan’s debut is a magical novel that will transport you to another time and place.

Sherlock Holmes: The Breath of God ($2.59 Kindle, B&N), by Guy Adams, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle. You can also now pre-order the next in the series, Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Doctor Moreau.

Book Description
When several leading society figures begin acting out of character, Holmes is enlisted on an investigation that will see him team up with famed ghost hunter Thomas Carnacki, and the famous occultist Aleister Crowley.

As London fills up with mindless zombies, possessed by the spirits in the air, Holmes must descend beneath the city via the new underground train network to combat the source.

A brand-new original novel, detailing a thrilling new case for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's timeless creation.

No Place Like Holmes ($7.69 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Jason Lethcoe, is the Nook Daily Find for Families.

Book Description
The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!

When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren't real-or are they?

Grade Level: 4 and up