Bargain Book Roundup

I'm going to start including a recent release at the top of my Bargain Book Roundups, at least now and then. This won't necessarily be discounted, but is a novel from an author or series that I read or that is one I think you might be interested in. My first choice for this is Gunmetal Magic ($7.99), by Ilona Andrews, a novel set in the world of her Kate Daniels series; it also includes a free bonus: a Kate Daniels novella, "Magic Gifts", in case you missed it when it was free on the author's website.. If you haven't read the series and enjoy Urban Fantasy, you should put this on the top of your TBR list. There are no discounts on the series from Penguin, which charges full paperback pricing on their ebooks, although the first title, Magic Bites, was discounted for as short time in February. You can probably find the first three in your local library, while some seem to have all five; none that I checked had this one, though, and probably won't anytime soon.

Book Description
The New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as “top-notch urban fantasy” (Monsters and Critics). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate’s world, and reveals its untold stories…

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…

Shadow's Edge ($3.99), the first title in the Night Prowler series by J.T. Geissinger (Montlake Romance).

Book Description
Deep within the primeval forests of southern England, a race of beautiful, savage shape-shifters lives hidden from the everyday world. Bound together by ancient bloodlines and a ruthless code of secrecy that punishes traitors with death, the Ikati send their leader Leander on a mission to capture one raised outside the tribe before she can expose their secret. When Leander tracks the unsuspecting outsider to Southern California, the hardened warrior is prepared for a fight—but not for the effect the sensual young beauty has on his heart.

Jenna spent her childhood in hiding, on the run from someone—or something—her parents refused to discuss. She trusts no one, not since her father’s mysterious disappearance, not since her mother’s sudden death, and definitely not since she began exhibiting strange, superhuman abilities. When handsome, enigmatic Leander appears, promising answers to the mysteries that shroud her past, she knows she shouldn’t trust him either. But their connection is undeniable, and as powerful as the enemy hell-bent on destroying every one of their kind…

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow ($1.99), by Jessica Day George (Bloomsbury USA Childrens)

Book Description
Blessed-or cursed-with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she’s known to her family) has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn’t hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servants. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who’s been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he’s forced to marry a troll princess.

Grade Level: 7 and up

Solo ($1.99), by Jack Higgins (Open Road)

Book Description
A father’s quest for vengeance draws him into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a veteran assassin...

Piano virtuoso John Mikali’s flair as a musician is matched only by his skill as an assassin. The trail of bodies he’s left in his wake is proof. But when he kills a young woman while fleeing from a murder scene, the woman’s father, a special forces soldier in the British military, vows to avenge his daughter’s death.

Now, both men are locked in a deadly game, playing for the ultimate stakes.

Enclave ($2.99), by Ann Aguirre (Macmillan). I bought this at the end of last month, as the price dropped, and hope to get it read before Outpost is released next month.

Book Description
New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

Grade Level: 7 and up

Desert Solitaire ($2.99), by Edward Abbey (RosettaBooks; Edward Abbey Series)

Book Description
First published in 1968, Desert Solitaire is one of Edward Abbey's most critically acclaimed works and marks his first foray into the world of nonfiction writing. Written while Abbey was working as a ranger at Arches National Park outside of Moab, Utah, Desert Solitaire is a rare view of one man's quest to experience nature in its purest form.

Through prose that is by turns passionate and poetic, Abbey reflects on the condition of our remaining wilderness and the future of a civilization that cannot reconcile itself to living in the natural world as well as his own internal struggle with morality. As the world continues its rapid development, Abbey's cry to maintain the natural beauty of the West remains just as relevant today as when this book was written.

Hidden ($2.99), the first Bone Secrets novel by Kendra Elliot (Montlake Romance).

Book Description
Eleven years ago, the Co-ed Slayer murdered nine female students on the Oregon State University campus. Lacey Campbell barely escaped his attack, but lost her best friend whose remains were never found. As the sole surviving victim, Lacey helped send the sadistic serial killer to prison for life.

Now a forensic odontologist examining teeth and bones for the state Medical Examiner, Lacey is devastated when she arrives at a crime scene and identifies the skeletal remains as her college friend’s.

The remains are discovered on the land of ex-cop Jack Harper. Sparks fly between him and Lacey, even as they realize that the prosecution’s witnesses from a decade ago are now being murdered one by one. All the evidence points to the Co-ed Slayer as the culprit—only, he’s long since dead. So who’s the new killer? And is Lacey next in line to die?

Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot combines chilling suspense and steamy romance in a gripping tale, uniting in-depth forensic knowledge with a passion for thrillers. Set in the snowy winter of Oregon, Hidden creates spine-tingling chills.

Chilled ($2.99), the second Bone Secrets novel by Kendra Elliot (Montlake Romance).

Book Description
As a forensic nurse on a search and rescue team, Brynn Nealey braves a dangerous blizzard to find the survivors of a plane crash in the Cascade Mountains. Joining her is Alex Kinton, a former US marshal with self-destructive tendencies. Alex lies his way onto Brynn’s team to find the man who killed his brother—and then return the favor. But once the team members reach the plane’s wreckage, they discover everyone aboard has perished…except for the man Alex is hunting. Alex will do whatever it takes to track his target through the vast, snowy wilderness.

As the temperatures drop, however, so do Alex’s defenses. His contact with the sharp, kindhearted Brynn makes his lust for vengeance difficult to reconcile with his growing feelings for a woman who risks her life to help others. What will happen to Alex’s savage instincts when he finally has the opportunity to confront his brother’s killer?

In Chilled, the next thrilling tale in the Bone Secrets saga, Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot weaves an icy tale of cold nights, cold hearts, and cold-blooded killers.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier ($3.99) is an Audio/Video Enhanced cookbook by popular blogger Ree Drummond (HarperCollins). The cookbook can be used with any Kindle or app, but the enhanced content only works on an iPad or iPhone (not the Kindle fire). This is a blogger that I sometimes read, just to enjoy the photos (not necessarily of food), so I expect the photography in the book to be outstanding. I'll probably get this one to view on my iPad, but hope that Amazon manages to figure out how to fix their Android app (which is also what is used on the Kindle Fire, essentially), so that the music and videos will work on their own devices. When they do, I expect to see even more of these video enhanced cookbooks, such as Asian Dumplings (Enhanced Edition): Mastering Gyoza, Spring Rolls, Samosas, and More, which has several videos in each of the first six chapters, so you can see the techniques that you probably didn't learn growing up. Another popular food blogger has a new book being released soon, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, by Deb Perelman, but I'm going to wait for it to come down (a lot) in price before giving it a more serious look.

Book Description
The enhanced e-book edition of The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier gives you behind-the-scenes access to Ree at home on her ranch. In it you'll find videos of Ree cooking a bunch of her favorite recipes, six recipes not found in the book, and Ree’s list of her favorite movies and songs to cook to.

I'm Pioneer Woman.

And I love to cook.

Once upon a time, I fell in love with a cowboy. A strapping, rugged, chaps-wearing cowboy. Then I married him, moved to his ranch, had his babies . . . and wound up loving it. Except the manure. Living in the country for more than fifteen years has taught me a handful of eternal truths: every new day is a blessing, every drop of rain is a gift . . . and nothing tastes more delicious than food you cook yourself.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier is a mouthwatering collection of the simple-but-scrumptious recipes that rotate through my kitchen on a regular basis, including Cowgirl Quiche, Sloppy Joes, Italian Meatball Soup, White Chicken Enchiladas, and a spicy Carnitas Pizza that'll win you over for life. There are also some elegant offerings for more special occasions at your house: Osso Buco, Honey-Plum-Soy Chicken, and Rib-Eye Steak with an irresistible Onion-Blue Cheese Sauce. And the decadent assortment of desserts, including Blackberry Chip Ice Cream, Apple Dumplings, and Coffee Cream Cake, will make your heart go pitter-pat in the most wonderful way.

In addition to detailed step-by-step photographs, all the recipes in this book have one other important quality in common: They're guaranteed to make your kids, sweetheart, dinner guests, in-laws, friends, cousins, or resident cowboys smile, sigh, and beg for seconds. (And hug you and kiss you and be devoted to you for life.)

I hope you enjoy, devour, and love this book.

I sure did love making it for you.

Something Witchy This Way Comes ($3.99), the fifth novel in the Jolie Wilkins series by H. P. Mallory, who also has two titles free on Kindle tonight (including the first in this series), and several self-published titles in the $3 range. This one, though, is published by Random House and is likely to go up in price when it is closer to the release date (if you pre-order, you lock in the lower price). The third in the series, Witchful Thinking, is also being discounted by Random House, currently $2.99.

Book Description
A witch’s work is never done, and in bestselling author H. P. Mallory’s mesmerizing new novel, Jolie Wilkins finds that the real magic is only just beginning.

For smart and sexy witch Jolie Wilkins, being Queen of the Underworld is a royal pain. Back from a round of time travel, Jolie must now protect her realm from the sinister Lurkers—a powerful breed of half-humans bent on conquering the undead. And if there’s one thing she knows, it’s that the supernatural never go down without a fight.

At least Jolie has her soul mate (and finally official boyfriend), warlock Rand Balfour, by her side. Honorable, brave, and unbelievably handsome, Rand is everything Jolie wants in a man. So why can’t she forget the dangerously alluring vampire, Sinjin Sinclair? With her private life heating up and a battle boiling over, Jolie sets out to prove that in matters of love and war, the fairer hex has its own set of charms.

Blood Valley ($4.79 pre-order), by William W. Johnstone (Pinnacle Books)

Book Description
Lawmen don't last long in the town of Doubtful, Wyoming Territory. The last one quit, another ended up in a hangman's noose, and one more was backshot by the hired guns at the Circle L Ranch.

But the town of Doubtful has never seen the likes of the man who's known only as Cotton, who aims to take the badge for $125 a month, save himself a nice chunk of money over the next year, and be on his way. At least, that's his plan.

Problem is, Cotton has just stuck his nose in the biggest hornet's nest in the territory. Some of the new homesteaders are stringing wire, and the three large spreads in the area don't like it much. Before Cotton can say "range war!" a passel of hardcases are filling the air with gunsmoke and hot lead.

But Cotton won't be scared off. He'll see to it that law and order come to Doubtful--because Cotton isn't afraid of dying. And he's not afraid of killing.

for my final pick tonight, Fix, Freeze, Feast: The Delicious, Money-Saving Way to Feed Your Family ($2.51), by Kati Neville and Lindsay Tkacsik, is currently being discounted by Amazon even lower than the promotion price in the 100 Books for $3.99 or Less Deal (which means it will probably go back up a few cents before the end of the month, then return to full price). There's no enhanced content in this one, so I've sent a sample to my Kindle Fire.

Book Description
Buy groceries in bulk, prepare family-friendly dishes, package in meal-sized freezer bags, then stock the freezer with ready-to-defrost-and-serve tasty homemade meals. This is the winning system of Fix, Freeze, Feast, a cookbook that has already attracted an enthusiastic following among busy families.

Millions of shoppers save money by buying groceries in bulk - trays of boneless chicken breasts, pairs of flank steaks, flats of ripe tomatoes. But savings can quickly turn to losses if those bulk quantities spoil in the refrigerator or lie forgotten - unlabeled and unrecognizable under lays of ice crystals - in the back of the freezer.

In the new ... edition of Fix, Freeze, Feast, authors Kati Neville and Lindsay Tkacsik offer a complete system for taking full advantage of bulk purchasing and advance preparation to ensure no food is ever wasted. They show how easy it is to get organized, prepare ahead, and be ready to put healthful, satisfying meals on the dinner table (or breakfast table, or even brunch table!) at a moment's notice. Theirs is a cookbook price-conscious shoppers will love and warehouse club members shouldn't be without.

Cooks will find 125 delicious, healthful recipes to choose from Each one includes directions for dividing, preparing, and storing raw ingredients; a second set of simple direction is included for thawing, cooking, and enjoying the food. Designed for the way people cook today, Fix, Freeze, Feast meals are lighter and fresher than traditional bulk-cooking recipes, with a focus on simple stews and stir-fries, quick grilled or broiled main courses, and popular ethnic meals such as Beef Fajitas and Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry. Fix, Freeze, Feast, also includes ready-to-bake cookie doughs, soups, side dishes, smoothies, and snacks. With these innovative techniques and recipes, dinner is always in the freezer!

Today's Deals

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is Eastern Inferno: The Journals of a German Panzerjager on the Eastern Front, 1941-43 ($1.99), by Hans Roth, Christine Alexander (editor) and Mason Kunze (editor).

Book Description
This book presents the remarkable personal journals of a German soldier who participated in Operation Barbarossa and subsequent battles on the Eastern Front, revealing the combat experience of the German-Russian War as seldom seen before.

Hans Roth was a member of the anti-tank (Panzerjager) battalion, 299th Infantry Division, attached to Sixth Army, as the invasion of Russia began. Writing as events transpired, he recorded the mystery and tension as the Germans deployed on the Soviet frontier in June 1941. Then a firestorm broke loose as the Wehrmacht tore across the front, forging into the primitive vastness of the East.

During the Kiev encirclement, Roth's unit was under constant attack as the Soviets desperately tried to break through the German ring. At one point, after the enemy had finally been beaten, a friend serving with the SS led him to a site where he witnessed civilians being massacred en masse (which may well have been Babi Yar). After suffering through a horrible winter against apparently endless Russian reserves, his division went on the offensive again, this time on the northern wing of "Case Gelb," the German drive toward Stalingrad.

In these journals, attacks and counterattacks are described in "you are there" detail, as Roth wrote privately, as if to keep himself sane, knowing that his honest accounts of the horrors in the East could never pass through Wehrmacht censors. When the Soviet counteroffensive of winter 1942 begins, his unit is stationed alongside the Italian 8th Army, and his observations of its collapse, as opposed to the reaction of the German troops sent to stiffen its front, are of special fascination.

Roth’s three journals were discovered many years after his disappearance, tucked away in the home of his brother, with whom he was known to have had a deep bond. After his brother’s death, his family discovered them and quickly sent them to Rosel, Roth’s wife. In time, Rosel handed down the journals to Erika, Roth’s only daughter, who had meantime immigrated to America.

Hans Roth was doubtlessly working on a fourth journal before he was reported missing in action in July 1944 during the battle known as the Destruction of Army Group Center. Although Roth’s ultimate fate remains unknown, what he did leave behind, now finally revealed, is an incredible firsthand account of the horrific war the Germans waged in Russia.

The Choiring Of The Trees ($1.56 / £0.99 UK), by Donald Harington, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $4.99/KLL Eligible). However, Amazon hasn't yet dropped the price on the deal book (and it's long after midnight in the UK), so if you want this one in the UK, you'll need to keep checking back. In the meantime, though, they have lowered the price of six other Harington titles to £0.99, all of which are eligible for the UK Kindle Reading Marathon.

Book Description
A rape and a wrongful condemnation--a novel based on a true story. In Arkansas, 1914, a 13-year-old girl is raped in the backwoods of the Ozarks. On her testimony, a young mountaineer is convicted and sentenced to the electric chair. With his celebrated storyteller's art, Donald Harington has created a work rich in drama, passion, and texture, unforgettably bringing to life his characters, place, and era.

The Dime Museum Murders ($1.59 Kindle, B&N), the first title in Daniel Stashower's The Harry Houdini Mysteries series, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle.

Book Description
New York City in 1897 and young escapologist Harry Houdini is struggling to get the recognition he craves from the ruthless entertainment industry. When toy tycoon Branford Wintour is found murdered in his Fifth Avenue mansion, detectives call upon Houdini to help solve this mysterious crime. When Harry and his brother Dash reach the scene of the murder, they discover that Wintour was killed seemingly by a magic trick...

The Wednesday Wars ($4.99 Kindle, $2.49 B&N), by Gary D. Schmidt, is the Nook Daily Find for Families.

Book Description
Gary D. Schmidt was awarded a Newbery Honor in 2008 for The Wednesday Wars, the story of seventh grader Holling Hoodhood from suburban Long Island in 1967 who is stuck spending his Wednesday afternoons with his teacher Mrs. Baker… who is clearly trying to kill him with Shakespeare. As time rolls on, Shakespeare starts to grow on Holling, and even when he’s not playing the yellow-tighted role of the fairy Ariel, he can’t help but hurl the occasional Elizabethan insult. Laugh-out-loud scenes involving overfed escaped classroom rats and chalk-dusted cream puffs mix seamlessly with more poignant moments, some related to the Vietnam War. Holling is courageous, funny, and unique… and readers will love seeing him evolve beyond the expectations of others to become his own fabulous self.

Grade Level: 5 and up

Get $100 Gift Card with Ultrabooks

A link for this deal was on my Kindle with Special Offers today, but it is not limited to those with a KSO on their account. Perhaps someone at Amazon knows I am having issues with my notebook computer?

Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card with the purchase of select Ultrabooks

All you have to do is check the box for the gift card and one of the Ultrabooks on the offer page and place both into the cart at the same time (no one-click buying). When you go to check out, you should see a $100 promo deduction from the total on the summary in the upper right corner of the page.

Most of the choices have Windows 7 Home on them, but at least one has Windows 7 Professional, if you need to be able to access networks at work. And, if you think you might want to get Windows 8, Microsoft is running a special upgrade deal: any computer with Windows 7 purchased until the end of January qualifies for a $14.99 upgrade to Windows 8 (which will, presumably, be released sometime in the next few months).

$3 Off Amazon Movie Rentals

Update: Appears to be sold out, at least in some areas and the national offer - try other areas to see if you can still get one.

Today only and while they last, you can get a Free Voucher Worth $3 Off Any Movie Rental or Purchase ($3.99 or Greater) from Amazon Instant Video through AmazonLocal. If your family has more than one account, you have to use different credit cards on each in order to get more than one voucher.

Deal Details
If you love movies, today's deal was written, directed, and produced just for you. Grab a free voucher and enjoy $3 off any movie rental or purchase (for items $3.99 or more) from Amazon Instant Video.

From summer blockbusters to timeless classics and everything in between, Amazon Instant Video offers more than 120,000 movies and TV shows. Enjoy family favorites like Mirror Mirror, popular comedies like 21 Jump Street, and action-packed thrillers like Lockout. Best of all, you can watch movies from Amazon Instant Video anywhere -- on your Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Roku, and hundreds of other devices. Get your voucher now and enjoy a movie for less!

• Voucher will expire if not used towards a movie rental or purchase from Amazon Instant Video by August 12, 2012
• Voucher is valid for a $3 discount off the price of a movie rental or purchase $3.99 or greater; customer will be responsible for payment to Amazon.com for final price of movie after discount, plus applicable taxes
• The promotional code may not be used for certain titles. The detail pages for such titles will state that they are not eligible for promotions
• Available only to U.S. customers
• Limit 1 voucher per customer; limited quantities available
• Voucher is not redeemable for any other types of merchandise sold at Amazon.com
• Offer is not transferable, not exchangeable and has no cash value
• Amazon.com account with valid credit card required to get this voucher

Free Audiobook - The Disciplines of the Christian Life

Christianaudio's free audiobook this month is The Disciplines of the Christian Life ($6.98 Kindle; $9.95 Audible), by Eric Liddell, narrated by Simon Vance.

Book Description
The Christian life should be a life of growth. I believe the secret of growth is to develop the devotional life. - Eric Liddell

The Disciplines of the Christian Life is Eric Liddell's practical guide to helping Christians grow spiritually through a daily practice of prayer and Bible study, structured around key topics he believes are basic knowledge for any Christian. He introduces his topic with a discussion of discipleship, including a his definition of a disciple.

At the foundation of the book is a Bible reading plan with a suggested reading for each day of the year. Readings are organized into chapters for each month of the year, and focus on 12 subject areas the author considers essential. In each chapter, Liddell offers additional information about the topic to further guide the understanding of the reader. Not content to merely offer truth, Liddell helps the reader to apply the scriptures to their life throughout the book. New Christians will be helped by the clear information presented in an easy to understand style, while seasoned Christians will find their spiritual life challenged by Liddell's clear call to a life of discipleship.

About the Author
Eric Henry Liddell was a Scottish athlete, rugby union international player, and missionary. He is perhaps most well known as the subject of the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire, which depicted his experiences training and racing in the Olympics and the religious convictions that influenced him. In his book about spiritual disciplines, he outlines his own pattern for living which has as its foundation a daily Bible reading plan.

Get the free audio download from Christianaudio and scroll down the page three titles that are discounted to $4.98 for the month.

The checkout process is very streamlined (a coupon code is no longer required), as is the download process (no longer do you have to download each part of the book separately). You can also send a gift download of the free audiobook to someone else!

After finishing your order, download a zip file with the entire audiobook: select MP3 if you want to be able to play the book on your Kindle (M4B for the iOS, iTunes or QuickTime). Unzip the contents to the \audiobooks directory on your Kindle (not \music) in order to have audiobook controls and see it on your Kindle home page.