Today's Deals 1/17

Today's Kindle Kids Daily Deal is The Glitch in Sleep ($1.99), the first title in The Seems series by John Hulme and Michael Wexler.

Book Description
Twelve-year-old Becker Drane has definitely got the coolest job of any seventh grader in Highland Park, New Jersey. He works as a Fixer for The Seems. From the Department ofWeather to the Department of Sleep, The Seems is a secret organization that makes sure our world keeps running-and more importantly, sticks to The Plan that's been made for it. When a Glitch is reported in the Department of Sleep, Becker is dispatched to Fix it, but he's not so sure this is a routine mission. Could the Bed Bugs, who are behind our Worst Nightmares, be responsible for the problem?Or maybe it's The Tide, an underground organization bent on destroying The Seems? No matter what, Becker's in for quite an adventure, and it'll take all his training, a little luck, and the coolest Tools™ known in (or out of) The Seems to Fix the problem.Look out for the other books in the Seems series: The Split Second and The Lost Train of Thought!

Grade Level: 5 and up

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is Breaking Night ($1.99), by Liz Murray.

Book Description
Breaking night: (Urban slang) staying up through the night, until the sun rises

Breaking Night is the stunning memoir of a young woman who at age fifteen was living on the streets, and who eventually made it into Harvard.

Liz Murray was born to loving but drug-addicted parents in the Bronx. In school she was taunted for her dirty clothing and lice-infested hair, eventually skipping so many classes that she was put into a girls’ home. At age fifteen, Liz found herself on the streets when her family finally unraveled. She learned to scrape by, foraging for food and riding subways all night to have a warm place to sleep.

When Liz’s mother died of AIDS, she decided to take control of her own destiny and go back to high school, often completing her assignments in the hallways and subway stations where she slept. Liz squeezed four years of high school into two, while homeless; won a New York Times scholarship; and made it into the Ivy League. Breaking Night is an unforgettable and beautifully written story of one young woman’s indomitable spirit to survive and prevail, against all odds.

Today's Kindle Romance Daily Deal is The Name of the Game ($0.99), by Lisa Weseman.

Book Description
He thinks she’s a flake. She thinks he’s a stick-in-the mud. But each time Kyle and Mac are together, they feel an undeniable spark.

After a long day on her feet, all flight attendant Kyle McKinney wants is a cool glass of wine, a warm bath, and a hot man in her bed. Instead, she ends up in a tug-of-war over misdelivered mail with her sexy-but-nerdy neighbor, Kyle “Mac” McKinney.

Thrown together by a shared name and address, Kyle and Mac butt heads as their very different lives begin to overlap. He wears sweater vests and teaches college accounting. She dresses like Carmen Miranda and practices scream therapy. But together, they must deal with a nosy elderly neighbor, a misguided stripper, and an overzealous IRS agent—without killing each other.

When opposites attract, it’s like playing with fire. But will Kyle and Mac figure out that love is the name of the game . . . before it’s too late?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Today's Kindle SciFi/Fantasy Daily Deal is The Cardinal's Heir ($0.99), by Jaki Demarest.

Book Description
Cardinal Richelieu is dead, a victim of poison. The throne of France, which he has long protected, is once more unstable as rival factions vie for power. But the Cardinal has appointed two heirs: one to his religious position, and one to head the elite spy ring that has maintained France's fragile political balance. Francoise Marguerite de Palis, the Cardinal's lovely but low born niece, is devastated by her uncle's murder and vows revenge, which she sets out after immediately. Though the task is daunting, she at least has some formidable tools at her command. Not only is she now the head of the Cardinal's Eyes, but is arguably the most powerful Sorciere in all France. Shapeshifting into her character Biscarrat, notorious swordsman, she sets out to find her uncle's murderer. But with an unexpected ally. Handsome and dashing Jean de Treville, head of the King's Musketeers, is saddened to learn of the Cardinal's death, though both headed groups not generally fond of one another. Sadness turns to stunned amazement, however, when he learns who has been appointed to lead the Cardinal's spy ring and who is also, in fact, the swordsman who has bested him on numerous occasions. Not to mention the beautiful, and untouchable, wife of Court favorite, Antoine de Palis. But just as there is more, much more, to the enchanting Francoise, so is there more than simple murder afoot. Side by side, Francoise and Jean descend into a maelstrom of magic as they battle another powerful Sorcier, and enter a bloody race to obtain a fabulous jewel. And the throne of France hangs in the balance, supported only by the magic and mastery of the cardinal's heir.

To Set Prometheus Free: Essays on Religion, Reason and Humanity ($1.60 / £0.99 UK), by A.C. Grayling, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $9.89).

Book Description
In 2007 Anthony Grayling wrote Against All Gods, a collection of polemical essays attacking religion. Now in To Set Prometheus Free he develops those themes more comprehensively, unpicking the claims and arguments of religious apologists, summarising the views of his fellow secularist (Bertrand Russell in particular detailing the controversy over 'Intelligent Design' and outlining his personal, naturalistic world-view.

He robustly calls for humanity to choose deliverance from religion because, as he puts it, 'large portions of mankind remain in some degree in thrall to myths dating from an ignorant and illiterate past.'

Negotiating to Win ($45.64 Kindle, $2.99 B&N), a collection of titles by Richard Templar, Leigh Thompson, Terry J. Fadem and Jonathan J. Herring, is the Nook Daily Find. There's a big price difference between the two stores on this one, but even if it isn't price matched on Kindle later today, I suspect you can pick it up free sometimes in the next few months anyway (assuming you don't already have it from when it was free last August), if FT Press rotates it back around in their giveaway list.

Book Description
Negotiate and communicate to get what you want—no matter who’s on the other side of the table!

Four great books show you how to negotiate, persuade, influence…get what you want! In How to Get What You Want…Without Having to Ask, best-selling author Richard Templar brings his inimitable blend of originality, imagination, wisdom, and straight talk to the challenges of getting people to say “yes” to you! Templar offers up to 100 clever, simple, pain-free techniques for becoming the kind of person people want to support…helping people say yes…saying just the right thing if you do need to ask! Next, in How to Argue, leading lawyer Jonathan Herring reveals the secrets and subtleties of making your case and winning hearts and minds. Herring covers everything from making your point more crisply to keeping your cool in heated situations. In The Truth About Negotiations, Leigh L. Thompson teaches 53 proven negotiation principles and bite-size, easy-to-use techniques that work. You’ll learn how to prepare within one hour…negotiate with friends, colleagues, and spouses…master the win-win litmus test…become a truly world-class negotiator. Finally, in The Art of Asking: Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers, Terry J. Fadem reveals the core questions that every manager needs to master...shows how to avoid the mistakes business questioners make most often...identifies ten simple rules for asking every question more effectively. You’ll learn how to ask tough questions and take control of tough situations... use questions to promote innovation, drive change, identify hidden problems, and get failing projects back on track!

Today's Deals 1/16

Amazon's Android Appstore free app today is Italian Recipes from Italyum.

Today's Kindle Kids Daily Deal is The Good Braider ($1.99), by Terry Farish, which has multiple starred reviews and is now published by Amazon Children's Publishing after being donated to Amazon's Worldreader program.

Book Description
In spare free verse laced with unforgettable images, Viola's strikingly original voice sings out the story of her family's journey from war-torn Sudan, to Cairo, and finally to Portland, Maine. Here, in the sometimes too close embrace of the local Southern Sudanese Community, she dreams of South Sudan while she tries to navigate the strange world of America - a world where a girl can wear a short skirt, get a tattoo or even date a boy; a world that puts her into sharp conflict with her traditional mother who, like Viola, is struggling to braid together the strands of a displaced life. Terry Farish's haunting novel is not only a riveting story of escape and survival, but the universal tale of a young immigrant's struggle to build a life on the cusp of two cultures.

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is Agenda 21 ($2.99), by Glenn Beck and Harriet Parke.

Book Description
“I was just a baby when we were relocated and I don’t remember much. Everybody has that black hole at the beginning of their life. That time you can’t remember. Your first step. Your first taste of table food. My real memories begin in our assigned living area in Compound 14.”

Just a generation ago, this place was called America. Now, after the worldwide implementation of a UN-led program called Agenda 21, it’s simply known as “the Republic.” There is no president. No Congress. No Supreme Court. No freedom.

There are only the Authorities.

Citizens have two primary goals in the new Republic: to create clean energy and to create new human life. Those who cannot do either are of no use to society. This bleak and barren existence is all that eighteen-year-old Emmeline has ever known. She dutifully walks her energy board daily and accepts all male pairings assigned to her by the Authorities. Like most citizens, she keeps her head down and her eyes closed.

Until the day they come for her mother.

“You save what you think you’re going to lose.”

Woken up to the harsh reality of her life and her family’s future inside the Republic, Emmeline begins to search for the truth. Why are all citizens confined to ubiquitous concrete living spaces? Why are Compounds guarded by Gatekeepers who track all movements? Why are food, water and energy rationed so strictly? And, most important, why are babies taken from their mothers at birth? As Emmeline begins to understand the true objectives of Agenda 21 she realizes that she is up against far more than she ever thought. With the Authorities closing in, and nowhere to run, Emmeline embarks on an audacious plan to save her family and expose the Republic—but is she already too late?

Today's Kindle Romance Daily Deal is Love Restored ($0.99), by Lieze Gerber.

Book Description
Rachel Swift’s life is irrevocably changed when, mere weeks after the birth of their twin babies, her husband walks out on her. Deeply wounded, Rachel bravely rebuilds her life and her career as an architect and vows that no man will ever have the opportunity to reject her again.

Three years later, at a glamorous affair in Monaco, Rachel meets Alain Léon. Their first, fiery kiss awakens hidden, almost forgotten, emotions deep inside Rachel. Passion flares, and a tentative Rachel senses that Alain might be the man to restore her faith in love. However, her world is shattered by Alain’s impetuous reaction when he wrongfully misinterprets Rachel’s motives for their romance. Pride triumphs over truth, and leaves Rachel crushed and heartbroken - once again.

Life seems to smile at Rachel when her fledgling architect firm wins a contract for the restoration of a fire-damaged chateau in Provence. However, on her first day at the construction site, Rachel’s world is rocked when she is introduced to the man who will be working with her on the project - Alain Leon.

Working with Alain on the project leaves Rachel torn between the painful memories of their passionate night in Monaco, and the hot rush of desire that floods her body in his physical presence. Alain struggles with his own demons, constantly having to fight his desires to stay true to his moral compass.

Hot tempers, passion, and desires clash with stubborn pride and internal conflict to tell the passionate story of a stormy love between two people - a love that might be lost on them forever.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Today's Kindle SciFi/Fantasy Daily Deal is The Futurological Congress: From the Memoirs of Ijon Tichy ($1.99), by Stanislaw Lem, whose Eden was yesterday's pick (and which is now back up to $8.80).

Book Description
Bringing his twin gifts of scientific speculation and scathing satire to bear on that hapless planet, Earth, Lem sends his unlucky cosmonaut, Ijon Tichy, to the Eighth Futurological Congress. Caught up in local revolution, Tichy is shot and so critically wounded that he is flashfrozen to await a future cure. Translated by Michael Kandel.

God On Every Wind ($1.60 / £0.99 UK), by Farhad Sorabjee, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $6.39).

Book Description
Philomena is a born rebel, disillusioned with her middle-class comfort and the expectations of her parents. Nestor is an impoverished African exile with the heart of a poet. When the two meet by chance on the streets of 1960s Bombay, their attraction will change their lives forever. Spanning two continents and following a story of love, loss and politics set against a backdrop of turbulent societies, times and allegiances, God on Every Wind is a powerful debut novel exploring the possibilities and limitations of individual and political revolution. Will appeal to readers with special interests in the best of contemporary world literature, with strong crossover potential for readers who have enjoyed the work of recent success stories from the sub-continent, such as Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke.

My Lunatic Life ($1.99 Kindle, B&N), the first title in the series by Sharon Sala, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle. Long time readers will have this in their library, as it was free on Kindle in Oct '11.

Book Description
She plays for Team Spirit.

High school senior Tara Luna's got all the usual teen problems: a new school, her attraction to a hunky guy, feuds with the Mean Girls, being regarded as an oddball outsider-PLUS she has psychic powers, a duo of protective, meddlesome ghosts AND an angry, threatening teen girl ghost who wants Tara to solve her murder-or else.

Now you know why she calls this "my lunatic life."

About the Author
Sharon Sala's books repeatedly make the big lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly lists, and she's been nominated for a RITA seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination. MY LUNATIC LIFE is the first book in her Lunatic Life series for teen readers. Coming soon: THE LUNATIC DETECTIVE.

Audible 3-for-2 Sale

If you are an Audible member (with credits), you can shop today in their 3-for-2 Sale and pick from 200+ audiobooks, grouped by genre.

If you don't qualify for the sale (due to membership, lack of credits or geographic restrictions, etc.), you'll get Audible's unhelpful error page.

Today's Deals 1/15

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is A Drop of the Hard Stuff ($1.99), the seventeenth and newest novel in the Matthew Scudder series by Lawrence Block, with the companion audiobook $3.99.

Book Description
Facing his demons in his first year of sobriety, Matthew Scudder finds himself on the trail of a killer. When Scudder's childhood friend Jack Ellery is murdered, presumably while attempting to atone for past sins, Scudder reluctantly begins his own investigation, with just one lead: Ellery's Alcoholics Anonymous list of people he wronged. One of them may be a killer, but that's not necessarily Scudder's greatest danger. Immersing himself in Ellery's world may lead him right back to the bar stool.

In a novel widely celebrated by critics and readers, Lawrence Block circle back to how it all began, reestablishing the Matthew Scudder series as one of the pinnacles of American detective fiction.

Today's Kindle Romance Daily Deal is Smitten Image ($0.99), by Pam B. Morris.

Book Description
In high-speed, high-tech New Chicago, 2039, magic has gone viral. Lily Barnett, a brilliant but drifty artist wanders into a strange magic shop where she impulsively guzzles a love potion. Erratic and unpredictable powers awake inside her. Her houseplants turn ravenous and strings of flamingo lights spout poetry. When she paints a portrait of her perfect man, he steps free of the canvas and stalks her. Desperate, she turns to her best friend, Daniel, for help.

But Daniel has problems of his own. He’s a telepath who must shield thoughts, emotions, and desires or go mad. He wants Lily, desperately, but knows his passion will drive her away and that his friendship is of more value to her than his love.

As Lily negotiates the catastrophic blends of her fear, imagination, and chaotic magic, Daniel must fight against his own impenetrable reserve and the psychic gifts he’s always despised.

Magic and love might save them, but can they survive each other?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Today's Kindle SciFi/Fantasy Daily Deal is Eden ($1.99), by Stanislaw Lem.

Book Description
A six-man crew crash-lands on Eden, fourth planet from another sun. The men find a strange world that grows ever stranger, and everywhere there are images of death. The crew's attempt to communicate with this civilization leads to violence and to a cruel truth-cruel precisely because it is so human. Translated by Marc E. Heine. A Helen and Kurt Wolff Book

Moon Underfoot: A Jake Crosby Thriller ($1.60 / £0.99 UK), by Bobby Cole, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $3.99).

Book Description
Eighteen months ago, stockbroker Jake Crosby and his daughter Katy narrowly survived a living nightmare at a remote Alabama hunting camp. To save Katy, Jake killed two men—men who were friends and business associates of notorious outlaw and drug-runner Ethan “Moon Pie” Daniels. That night, Moon Pie made a blood promise of revenge. And in Moon Pie’s dark world of violence, such promises are always kept.

Jake Crosby doesn’t regret what he did that night; he knows it was kill or be killed. But he can’t shake the feeling that the horror isn’t over, that Katy and his wife, Morgan, aren’t yet safe—and that retribution is coming. All he knows for sure is that he will do anything—everything—to protect his family. That’s a vow the dangerous Moon Pie will put to the ultimate test on a cold, moonless night deep in the heart of a river swamp.

This riveting follow-up to Bobby Cole’s heart-stopping thriller The Dummy Line deftly explores the perils of revenge…and the profound power of a husband and father’s love.

Mortal ($2.99 Kindle, B&N), the second novel in the Books of Mortals series by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle.

Book Description
Centuries have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace...and fear. A terrible secret was closely guarded for centuries: every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Nine years have gone by since an unlikely hero named Rom Sebastian first discovered a secret and consumed an ancient potion of blood to bring himself back to life in Forbidden. Surviving against impossible odds, Rom has gathered a secret faction of followers who have also taken the blood-the first Mortals in a world that is dead.

But The Order has raised an elite army to hunt and crush the living. Division and betrayal threaten to destroy the Mortals from within. The final surviving hope for humanity teeters on the brink of annihilation and no one knows the path to survival.

On the heels of Forbidden comes MORTAL, the second novel in The Books of Mortals saga penned by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee. Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare take the journey.

The Books of Mortals are three novels, each of which stands on its own, yet all are seamlessly woven into one epic thriller.

Today's Kindle Kids Daily Deal is Slipping ($1.99), by Cathleen Davitt Bell.

Book Description
What begins with a sense that Michael's deceased grandfather might be inhabiting his body soon escalates to "slipping" into to the river of the dead. When Michael slips, he relives moments of his grandfather's life and tries to help him find peace. But each time he ventures into the river it's harder to come out again. Michael will have to depend on an unlikely group of friends to keep him from slipping . . . permanently. A penetrating twist on the classic ghost story, full of humor and insight about family relationships.

Grade Level: 5 and up

Free Baen Bundle - Feb 2013

I have a coupon code to give away for the February 2013 Book Bundle at Baen Books. The only requirements - leave me a message with an email address and I'll send the code out to one of you (chosen by random.org) just after noon or so today.