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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Bargain Book Roundup, Part I

It's time for another bargain book roundup. As usual, there are so many I can't get them all into one post; hopefully I'll get part two up soon. All of these titles in this post are from one of the major print publishers, so most of these are priced identically in the Kindle and other ebookstores, although a few are not, so double check the links and prices before ordering.

The Witch of Portobello ($4.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Paulo Coelho

Book Description
How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?

That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all.

Like The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy, and sacrifice.


Think of a Number ($3.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by John Verdon, is a first novel that has received a lot of good press. The publisher marked it down to $5.99, but Amazon and others have it lower, yet.

Book Description
An extraordinary fiction debut, Think of a Number is an exquisitely plotted novel of suspense that grows relentlessly darker and more frightening as its pace accelerates, forcing its deeply troubled characters to moments of startling self-revelation.

Arriving in the mail over a period of weeks are taunting letters that end with a simple declaration, “Think of any number…picture it…now see how well I know your secrets.” Amazingly, those who comply find that the letter writer has predicted their random choice exactly. For Dave Gurney, just retired as the NYPD’s top homicide investigator and forging a new life with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York, the letters are oddities that begin as a diverting puzzle but quickly ignite a massive serial murder investigation.

What police are confronted with is a completely baffling killer, one who is fond of rhymes filled with threats and warnings, whose attention to detail is unprecedented, and who has an uncanny knack for disappearing into thin air. Even more disturbing, the scale of his ambition seems to widen as events unfold.

Brought in as an investigative consultant, Dave Gurney soon accomplishes deductive breakthroughs that leave local police in awe. Yet, even as he matches wits with his seemingly clairvoyant opponent, Gurney’s tragedy-marred past rises up to haunt him, his marriage approaches a dangerous precipice, and finally, a dark, cold fear builds that he’s met an adversary who can’t be stopped.

In the end, fighting to keep his bearings amid a whirlwind of menace and destruction, Gurney sees the truth of what he’s become – what we all become when guilty memories fester – and how his wife Madeleine’s clear-eyed advice may be the only answer that makes sense.

A work that defies easy labels -- at once a propulsive masterpiece of suspense and an absorbing immersion in the lives of characters so real we seem to hear their heartbeats – Think of a Number is a novel you’ll not soon forget.


Border Moonlight ($1.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Amanda Scott

Book Description
Lady Sibylla Cavers is ripe for marriage, yet she's rejected the first three suitors her father brought. When one of these suitors, the dashing Lord Simon Murray, rescues both Lady Sibylla and the small child she was trying to pull from the churning River Tweed, Sibylla begins to see Lord Simon in a new light. As he cares for her and the child until both are recovered from their near-deaths, she finds admirable - even lovable - qualities in Lord Simon. But political intrigue surrounding the powerful governor of Scotland will throw obstacles in the path if Simon's and Sibylla's budding love. Simon will fight for his inherited estate, while Sibylla will use all of her wits to protect their future together.

Tamed by a Laird ($1.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Amanda Scott

Book Description
National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear.

Private Sector ($1.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Brian Haig

Book Description
The bestselling author of Secret Sanction returns--and this time, Army lawyer Sean Drummond is loaned out to a law firm whose #1 client may have ties to a vicious serial killer and a massive international crime ring.Wherever Sean Drummond goes, it seems that the JAG officer leaves a trail of political fallout in his wake. So when his superiors get an opportunity to loan him to a prestigious law firm, they jump on it, hoping he'll soak up the nuances of civilian lawyering. But almost immediately, dark clouds appear when Sean's predecessor in the loan-out program is murdered. Then Sean begins to sense something amiss with the firm's biggest client, a telecom behemoth with large defense contracts. Now, he must survive in D.C.'s buttoned-down lawyer culture long enough to stop the killer, and long enough to discover why his firm and its top client are willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.

Forever My Lady ($1.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Jeff Rivera

Book Description
Dio Rodriguez grew up on the streets and knew all too well the hard, cool feeling of the barrel of a gun tucked down the back of his jeans. But his hard exterior softened when he met Jennifer. Jennifer understands Dio like no one else and makes him want to be a better man. Suddenly a drive-by shooting lands Dio in a prison boot camp and sends Jennifer to the hospital. When Dio learns that Jennifer is pregnant, he realizes that he must find a way to turn his life around and return to his lady. But can trainee Rodriguez get his act together among the hardcases in prison? And will Jennifer be waiting for him if and when he does?

The Ice Princess ($1.99 Kindle, B&N), by Elizabeth Hoyt, is a pre-order. I can't tell much about how long this one is supposed to be, but the file size appears to be a bit large for just a "short story."

Book Description
THE ICE PRINCESS is an all-new, never before published short story featuring Cora, a beloved secondary character from the Prince Trilogy.

Dark Dream ($0.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Christine Feehan, the seventh in the Dark series, was originally published as part of an anthology, but appears to have been fleshed out as a novel.

Book Description
She’s known him since she was fifteen. Every night, he is with her: his face, his voice. Tonight, Sara Marten will meet the man who is both angel and demon, salvation and temptation: Falcon—the Carpathian, the banished hero. Tonight, Sara will meet the dark-eyed destroyer destined to be her mate.

Dark Descent ($0.99 Kindle, B&N, Kobo), by Christine Feehan, the eleventh in the Dark series, was also originally published as part of an anthology, but appears to have been fleshed out as a novel.

Book Description
For Each, There Could Be Only One: They came from the darkest places: secluded monasteries, the Carpathian mountains, galaxies under siege. They were men with the blackest pasts-warriors, vampire monks, leaders of armies-but whose passions burned like dying stars. They had one purpose: to find those women who fulfilled them, completed them, and made them rage with a fire both holy and profane. They sought soul mates whose touch consumed them with desire, yet whose kisses refreshed like the coolest rain. And each man knew that for him there was only one true love-and in finding her, he would find salvation.

Dark Gold ($7.99 Kindle, $2.62 B&N), by Christine Feehan, the third in the Dark series, is marked down at Barnes and Noble only.

Book Description
They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light . . .

Alexandria Houton will sacrifice anything--even her life --to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encounter an unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex can only cry to heaven for their deliverance . . . And out of the darkness swoops Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious, than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatches them from a hideous fate. But is Aidan Alex's salvation . . . or her sin? If she surrenders to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction, and gives him the color, the light, the family he craves, will Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life?


If that isn't enough Feehan to keep you busy, you can still get the start of two different series, with Magic in the Wind ($1.99 Kindle) and The Awakening ($2.99 Kindle), at bargain prices.

Blood Sugar ($1.00 Kindle), by Jim DeFilippi, has one five star and one single star review. The Publisher's Weekly and Library Journal reviews look favorable though, so I think it is worth checking out the sample.

Book Description
Thirty years ago Joe LaLuna thought the sun rose and set on Audie McKenna, his high school sweetheart. He still does, even if everyone else seems to think she might be a killer. An ace Long Island homicide detective, Joe is investigating the murder of Audie's husband-a rich businessman found dead in bed under the most compromising of circumstances. As he's drawn back into Audie's life, Joe soon finds himself ready to do anything to protect this woman of secrets and seduction.

Games of the Day - Jewel Quest and more

Today's game download pick is Double Play: Jewel Quest 2 and 3. If you buy either alone, the price is $6.95, but the bundle price is $3.49!

Game Description
  • Both Games For One Low Price.
  • Almost 400 Levels.
  • Hours And Hours Of Fun.
  • Play Against Others In Tournament Mode.
In Jewel Quest 2, it's a story of adventure, love and betrayal! Join Professor Pack on the ultimate jewel matching quest across Africa! Rearrange precious relics to turn tiles into gold as you advance through relentlessly challenging puzzles. In Jewel Quest 3, Rupert and Emma's daughter Natalie is infected by spores while playing with a jewel board. Ultimately, Rupert has to decipher cryptic messages and find a cure for Natalie as he travels the world!

The next games are from Paradox Interactive, who has a number of their games at 50% off. These two are all under five bucks.

Majesty Gold ($4.99)

Game Description
Prepare for new challenges! The kingdom of Ardania is basking in an era of peace and prosperity. The crown's enemies have been vanquished and the population is happy. The time has come for you to command your minions and restless heroes to explore the vast uncharted Northern lands!

Ever wonder what it would be like to sit on the throne of a growing fantasy kingdom? To enlist the aid of wizards, elves, barbarians, and other fantastic heroes in tackling epic fantasy's classic challenges? Feel the lure of the crown, quests, buildings, monsters, lairs, spells, and art as Majesty await your rule.

Majesty Gold contains both the full Majesty:The fantasy kingdom sim game, and the expansion pack, The Northern Expansion.

  • Over 30 single player missions to complete
  • Intense strategy and deadly enemies
  • Employ hero types including Rangers, Paladins, Monks, Rogues and Wizards; Heroes gain experience and increase in level and ability throughout the game
  • Upgrade buildings and collect taxes, research new weapons, armor and spells
  • Single and multiplayer game modes (2-4 players via Internet)
Legio ($4.99)

Game Description
Legio is a turn-based strategy game for one to two players. The game takes place in a mythical fantasy world where magicians, warriors, and monsters battle for domination. Playing Legio is an intense experience, requiring careful strategic thinking, rewarding both courage and cleverness!

The game is a mix between chess and a turn-based war game. Both players control an equal army of characters, with the goal of eliminating the other player's army. A game of Legio consists of two battles. The first takes place on the drawbridge and the second inside one of the two castle battlegrounds.

  • Legio is easy to learn but difficult to master. The rules of Legio allow for many different styles of play, from very aggressive strategies to strictly defensive play
  • Offers both single-player (vs. the computer) and two-player games (hotseat on the same PC, LAN, or Internet)
  • Provides different game modes, from simple Player vs. Player challenges to full Elimination Tournaments
  • The Legio universe is an immersive fantasy world with a rich back story, populated by unique creatures and characters
  • Hundreds of unique animations for various attacks, mortal blows, and other special moves
Swords of the Star - Complete Collection is also from Paradox Interactive and contains four games for $14.99. Several of these are expansion packs that require the original game (which is included) and are also sold separately.

Game Description
Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection is the original Sword of the Stars games and the three expansions Born of Blood, A Murder of Crows and Argos Naval Yard.

It is the year 2405, and human scientists have discovered a new technology that allows travel from star to star at speeds faster than light. But tragedy strikes, as Earth is ravaged by an alien force. The dawning of a new era was stymied by a grim, new reality...

  • 4 distinct races - Human, Hiver, Tarkas and Liir
  • A powerful state of the art engine delivers breathtaking graphics and robust game play
  • Each race has a unique mode of transport between star systems, creating very different styles of play
  • Over 150 distinct technologies to research on a dynamic tech tree
  • Over 40 weapons from six different weapon classes

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Free Game - Ballistik!

Today's free game at Sandlot Games is Ballistik! ($6.99 Amazon Game Downloads), another repeat from this past February.

Game Description
  • 3D Graphics And Effects
  • Break Down Cool Shapes And Objects
  • Over 100 Levels
  • Go Ballistik With This Brick Buster.
Go Ballistik over this new brick buster! Ballistik features out of this world 3D graphics and effects, 100 hand-crafted levels, 17 unique powerups and ten intense bonus levels! Break down buildings, knights in armor, even a surfer on his surfboard! Play it today!

Click HERE to sign up for the free download. For step by step purchase and installation instructions, see this post.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Book Giveaway - A McKaslin Homecoming

Harlequin has one again shipped me several books to give away. This time, it's A McKaslin Homecoming (out of print), by Jillian Hart. I have four copies to give away, so leave a comment to get into the drawing. As with the last one, tweet the giveaway, post it on your blog or facebook (or put in your newsletter, if you have one) and you get an extra entry. Leave a new message for each and an email address that I can use to contact you if you win.

Book Description
When contacted by her long-lost grandmother, Lauren McKaslin wanted to reconnect--with all the warmhearted Montana McKaslins. For too long, she'd relied solely on herself and her faith. But mistrustful lawman Caleb Stone stood in the way, and his questions about her were intimidating. Was his attention more than a protective instinct? Now that she believed in family again, perhaps this was also the time to believe in true love.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Free Book - jQuery: Novice to Ninja

jQuery: Novice to Ninja ($35.60 Trade Paperback), by AUTHOR, is free today (only) as a PDF download in celebration of Spain winning the World Cup.

Book Description
jQuery: Novice to Ninja is a compilation of best-practice jQuery solutions to meet the most challenging JavaScript problems. In this question-and-answer book on jQuery, you'll find a cookbook of ready-to-go solutions to help breathe life into your web page.

Topics covered include: - Scrolling, Resizing and Animating Webpage elements - Backgrounds, Slideshows, and Crossfaders - Menus, Tabs, and Panels - Buttons, Fields, and Controls - Lists, Trees, and Tables - Frames, Windows, and Dialogs - Adding interactivity with Ajax - Using the jQuery User Interface Themeroller - Writing your own jQuery plug-ins

All code used to create each solution is available for download and guaranteed to be simple, efficient and cross-browser compatible.


Click HERE to sign up for the free download.

Refurbished Kindle for $109!

When the Kindle arrived, many claimed it was too expensive and claimed that only when they were selling at $99, would they become popular. Well, after being the bestselling item (not just book or electronic item) at Amazon for a couple of holiday seasons, it's easy to see that they were way of base. But, the day of the $99 Kindles is looking to arrive anytime, now. Today, Amazon dropped the price of a refurbished U.S. Kindle $109.99. If you bought one in the last 30 days, I'd call to get a refund of the price difference. Be sure, though, that you use the Kindle support by calling one of these numbers: inside the United States: 1-866-321-8851, outside the United States: 1-206-266-0927, as regular Amazon support won't do a "price match."

Here is a current list of all the refurbished prices, which appears to subject to change at any moment. First, the US versions with Sprint wireless coverage:
These are the latest generation, global versions and have AT&T wireless coverage:

Borders Ebook Store a Bust?

As many of you know, Borders has been having massive problems with their new ebook store. When it first opened, the address they had published for months in advance did not work. They fixed that and launched a free ebook offer - some of us managed to get them all, but many who tried later got nothing but error messages and as the weekend started, all of the free books reverted to full price (and some who purchased the free books from inside the app were charged, before they all just started getting error messages). A problem with in-copyright free books, present when they opened, has remained the entire time: you can't get them into your library using the web site and many are impossible to find using search in the app (which does work to add them to your library, if you can find the book). And finding out about these freebies can be nearly impossible, as they have next to no search tools and they are buried in the free book list under a deluge of google freebies (many not even in English).


This morning, though, the site is entirely offline. A message is being displayed that they will be back after 8AM EST, but it's nearly 11AM now and nothing has changed. They have posted a one day coupon: THANKS712. Use it on the website anytime today (before midnight PST) and get 30% off list price of any time ... so long as it isn't on the long exclusion list (which includes all ereaders and many ebooks, most likely all of those on the Agency pricing model). Of course, it doesn't do you much good when the entire site is down.  Assuming they get the store back up later today, though, the coupon is good on many (if not all) of the paper books available (although I've found in the past, at least in the stores, that coupons don't work well on books that are already on sale, as the adjustment comes off the list price, not the current sales price).

In the meantime, if you didn't get the freebies, be sure to keep checking the Borders Free Books Offer page to see if it is live again. Supposedly, if they continue having problems, they may even extend the offer past the original July 14th deadline. I've seen a few reports that they had the prices back down to zero late Sunday, before they took the site down for maintenance. If you are having problems creating an account, be sure that you don't include any dashes or spaces in your phone number (and that you are using a US address, as, like B&N and Sony, Borders is only set up to sell ebooks in the US).

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Game Downloads under Four Bucks

Namco and Freeze Tag have several game downloads on sale, all under four bucks. Each also has a free trial available, so you can get in a couple of hours (2.5, to be exact, since you 30 minutes per game) of play trying them out before deciding which ones are for you.

The Otherside: Realm of Eons ($3.49)

Game Description
  • Solve The Riddles Of The Otherside.
  • 25 Fantastic Locations.
  • 10 Mini-Games.
  • Combine Hidden Objects To Solve Tricky Puzzles.
After receiving a strange book on her doorstep, Miranda finds herself drawn into the fantastic world of The Otherside. With the help of the mischievous Jovie, travel between worlds and unravel the mystery of a missing girl. Journey through over 25 detailed locations as you discover hidden objects and combine items to create new tools. As the story unfolds through animated in-game comics, solve over 10 puzzling mini-games and help Miranda locate the missing Louise to save her from a ghastly fate.

Nertz Solitaire ($3.99)

Game Description
  • Competitive Solitaire.
  • Challenge 8 Squirrelly Opponents.
  • 3 Exhilarating Game Modes.
  • Unlock New Music, Backgrounds And More.
Nertz Solitaire is competitive solitaire at its best! Just like traditional solitaire, build piles of cards in ascending and descending order. Win by scoring the most points and getting rid of your Nertz pile before your opponent. Enjoy three exhilarating game modes: Quick fun in Quick Play mode, the classic card game with Nutzy and his squirrelly family in Classic mode or go for the ultimate prize in Championship mode. But be careful 'cause Nertz can drive you nuts!

Xango Tango $3.99)

Game Description
  • Crate-Crashing 3D Action.
  • 48 Exotic Environments.
  • 3 Phenomenal Game Modes.
  • See The Surprise Ending.
Help the amazing toy robot Xango find his upgrade parts in this brain-stretching, 3D animated action puzzler adventure. Three game modes guarantee many hours of action, puzzling and relaxing fun. Match three colored crates and watch 'em explode in Classic mode. Solve brain-twisting puzzles in Puzzle mode. Play without time pressure in Relax mode. Exotic landscapes, lively tango music, wacky dances and a surprise ending make Xango Tango fun for the whole family!

Etch A Sketch $3.99)

Game Description
  • The World's Favorite Drawing Toy.
  • Play Knobby's Quest Or Knobby's Bounce.
  • Discover Classic Etch A Sketch.
  • Unlock Hidden Items And Drawing Templates.
Grizelda the witch has shaken things up inside the Etch A Sketch, and Knobby must restore "draw and order" to his world. Help Knobby save his kidnapped friend and stop Grizelda's evil plan to turn everything in the Land of Aha! to Dullsville! Full of creative art tools, four unique game modes, tons of unlockable hidden items and a cast of hilarious characters, Etch A Sketch is innovative fun for the whole family! Check out this digital upgrade to the World's Favorite Toy today!

Mystery Masterpiece: The Moonstone $3.99)

Game Description
  • Try And Catch A Jewel Thief.
  • Cryptic Clues To Unravel.
  • Music From Tchaikovsky Brings The Game Alive.
  • Is The Diamond Cursed? Find Out.
Who stole the Moonstone diamond? Is it cursed? It's up to you to investigate and unravel the mystery! Investigate every person who was in the Victorian mansion at the time of the crime to locate the thief and try and find the ancient jewel in this hidden object adventure! Play the role of Detective Cuff, exploring every room to find valuable clues and hopefully return the enormous diamond to its rightful owner.

Free Book (PDF) and Audiobook - The Painted Darkness

The Painted Darkness ($2.99 Kindle), a novella by Brian James Freeman, is being given away in PDF form by the publisher and is low-priced at Amazon prior to the hardcover release. In addition, the free version contains some extras not found in the hardcover (no idea if they are in the Kindle version):

The free eBook includes some great bonus features that won’t appear in the hardcover:

  • An exclusive new interview with Ray Bradbury: “We Have Too Many Inventions!”
  • Comments from bestselling authors such as Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, William Peter Blatty, Jodi Picoult, Carolyn Parkhurst, Anne Perry, Jane Green, M.J. Rose, Douglas Clegg, J.A. Konrath, Seth Godin, Michael Marshall Smith, Scott Adams, and many others about eBooks and the future of publishing.
  • Author’s Afterword: “Did I Really Commit ‘Career Suicide’ by Giving The Painted Darkness Away for Free?”
  • Norman Prentiss interviews Brian James Freeman
  • $5.00 discount coupon valid on an order for the trade hardcover edition of The Painted Darkness for a limited time only (presumably direct, not via Amazon).
Book Description
When Henry was a child, something terrible happened in the woods behind his home, something so shocking he could only express his grief by drawing pictures of what he had witnessed. Eventually Henry's mind blocked out the bad memories, but he continued to draw, often at night by the light of the moon.

Twenty years later, Henry makes his living by painting his disturbing works of art. He loves his wife and his son and life couldn't be better... except there's something not quite right about the old stone farmhouse his family now calls home. There's something strange living in the cramped cellar, in the maze of pipes that feed the ancient steam boiler.

A winter storm is brewing and soon Henry will learn the true nature of the monster waiting for him down in the darkness. He will battle this demon and, in the process, he may discover what really happened when he was a child and why, in times of trouble, he thinks: I paint against the darkness.

But will Henry learn the truth in time to avoid the terrible fate awaiting him... or will the thing in the cellar get him and his family first?

Written as both a meditation on the art of creation and as an examination of the secret fears we all share, The Painted Darkness is a terrifying look at the true cost we pay when we run from our grief—and what happens when we're finally forced to confront the monsters we know all too well.


Click HERE for the free downloads.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Free Book (nook) - Weddings Can Be Murder

Weddings Can Be Murder ($5.39 Kindle), by Christie Craig, is free today at Barnes and Noble. This looks like a light romantic suspense title with a little comedy thrown in for good measure. If you like it, I'd suggest your grab up Divorced, Desperate and Deceived ($2.56 Kindle, B&N), Gotcha! ($2.56 B&N) and Shut Up and Kiss Me ($2.99 Kindle, B&N) while they are on sale, as well. Only Divorced, Desperate and Deceived is part of a series, while the others are stand-alone novels.

Book Description
When her wedding planner is murdered, Katie Ray is forced into close proximity with bad boy PI Carl Hades - and into reconsidering the man with whom she wants to spend the rest of her days.

Click HERE to get the free download.

Borders Ebook Store Opens with Free Books

Borders Bookstore has finally opened their ebookstore (although they still have a few issues on their free books list) and thru July 14th they are giving away 5 free ebooks on their Borders Free Books Offer page. You'll have to create and account and either get their app (free online or preloaded on the Kobo; it's essentially a branded version of Kobo's reader app) or use Adobe Digital Editions (the offer page says you must download the app, but it appears you can stick with ADE for at least some books). After adding a book to your library (which doesn't always give you a confirmation it has completed, unfortunately, nor is there a clue that you've purchased a book or added it to your library, when you revisit a book's product page, other than trying to add it to your library twice results in an error message), then go to your Ebook Library (it's on the left menu of the Your Account page). From there, you can use Open eBook to read using the Borders/Kobo app or Download Epub to open with ADE.

These are the books included in the Borders Free Books Offer. The page is a bit confusing, in that it refers to you being able to click on "one title" below, but I added all five to my library and loaded them into ADE without any problem.

One Shot ($6.39 Kindle), by Lee Child, the ninth in the Jack Reacher series.

Book Description
Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, from the world he lives in—no phone, no address, no commitments–ex–military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. In Lee Child’s astonishing new thriller, Reacher’s arrival will change everything—about a case that isn’t what it seems, about lives tangled in baffling ways, about a killer who missed one shot–and by doing so give Jack Reacher one shot at the truth.…

The gunman worked from a parking structure just thirty yards away–point-blank range for a trained military sniper like James Barr. His victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But why does Barr want Reacher at his side? There are good reasons why Reacher is the last person Barr would want to see. But when Reacher hears Barr’s own words, he understands. And a slam-dunk case explodes. Soon Reacher is teamed with a young defense lawyer who is working against her D.A. father and dueling with a prosecution team that has an explosive secret of its own. Like most things Reacher has known in life, this case is a complex battlefield. But, as always, in battle, Reacher is at his best.

Moving in the shadows, picking his spots, Reacher gets closer and closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. And for Reacher, the only way to take him down is to know his ruthlessness and respect his cunning–and then match him shot for shot….


Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom ($9.46 Kindle), by Julia Child

Book Description
  • How many minutes should you cook green beans? Is it better to steam them or to boil them?
  • What are the right proportions for a vinaigrette?
  • How do you skim off fat?
  • What is the perfect way to roast a chicken?
Julia Child gave us extensive answers to all these questions–and so many more–in the masterly books she published over the course of her career. But which one do you turn to for which solutions? Over the years Julia also developed some new approaches to old problems, using time-saving equipment and more readily available products. So where do you locate the latest findings?

All the answers are close to hand in this indispensable little volume: the delicious, comforting, essential compendium of Julia’s kitchen wisdom–a book you can’t do without.


Frankenstein: Prodigal Son ($6.49 Kindle), by Kevin J. Anderson and Dean Koontz

Book Description
From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the story, you know only half the truth. Get ready for the mystery, the myth, the terror, and the magic of…

Dean Koontz's Prodigal Son

Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion, a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself–and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more—and less—than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’t merely a homicidal maniac—but his deranged maker.


The Alchemyst ($7.09 Kindle), by Michael Scott, was previously free in the Kindle store (April '09).

Book Description
He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.


Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets To Naturally Balancing Your Hormones For A Hot And Healthy Body! ($9.99 Kindle), by Jillian Michaels

Book Description
Does it feel as if you’re fighting your body to lose even one pound—or just to maintain your current weight? Respected health and wellness expert and bestselling author Jillian Michaels has been there, too. So she consulted top experts in the field of metabolism and discovered that she’d inadvertently been abusing her endocrine system for years. After “fixing” her own metabolism, she decided to share what she learned by devising this simple, 3-phase plan that engages all the weight-loss hormones (including the friendly HGH, testosterone, DHEA; and the not-so-friendly: insulin, cortisol, and excess estrogen).

In Master Your Metabolism, discover how to:

  • REMOVE “anti-nutrients” from your diet
  • RESTORE foods that speak directly to fat-burning genes
  • REBALANCE energy and your hormones for effortless weight loss
Michaels offers a wealth of information throughout, including: shopping lists and online shopping resources, hormone-trigger food charts, how to eat “power nutrient” foods on a budget, smart strategies for eating out, quick and easy recipes, as well as mini-programs for addressing PMS, andropause, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, and menopause.

Music to Read By

Amazon and X5 Music Group have added another free classical sampler in the MP3 download store. This one, The Classical Period, has five selections and runs just under 40 minutes in length. As part of their I Love Music promotion, they also have five of their longer 99 Essentials samplers at only $1.99 each. The shortest of these (Handel) is nearly five hours in length, while the longest (Schubert) runs well over 13 hours.


Another classical sampler is free from Musical Concepts . Also 40 minutes in length, this one has only five star reviews, so far.

If Jazz is more your style, grab a copy of the Trippin N' Rhythm Sampler, which features 40+ minutes of traditional instrumental jazz or try out Grover Washington, Jr.'s East River Drive, both of which are currently free to download.

Songs From Hotel Carolina 2010 is a free download that Amazon has classified as Folk, but it really doesn't fall into just one genre and is one I'd group more with "singer/songwriter" (and the first cut more as pop). One of the organizers behind the event promoted by the sampler is Ernie Halter and you can download his 4U album for free as well.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Free Game - Monster Mash

Today's free game at Sandlot Games is a repeat from January, Monster Mash ($4.99 Amazon Game Downloads); it has one 3-star review at Amazon now and is described as challenging in the later levels (and as "cute", so is probably also suitable for you kids).

Game Description
  • Defend Curly Valley.
  • 20 Quirky And Bizarre Monsters.
  • 9 Unique Scenes.
  • Hours Of Challenging Gameplay.
The villagers of Curly Valley are under attack from legions of quirky and bizarre monsters. Use all of your cunning and might to repel these mysterious invaders by fortifying the vulnerable villages with various towers, upgrades and unusual defensive armaments. With more than 25 increasingly powerful tower upgrades and 9 unique storybook-inspired scenes, the grateful villagers of Curly Valley will cheer you on with every conquest in Monster Mash, an addictive, strategic adventure!

Click HERE to sign up for the free download. For step by step purchase and installation instructions, see this post.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Dominion Audiobook under a Buck

Christian Audio is offering an abridged audiobook of Dominion ($9.99 Kindle), by Randy Alcorn, for 98 cents. This is a 72 hour special, with about 48 hours left on the offer.

Book Description
Sweet Revenge?

When two senseless killings hit close to home, columnist Clarence Abernathy seeks revenge for the murders—and, ultimately, answers to his own struggles regarding race and faith. After being dragged into the world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict, Clarence is encouraged by fellow columnist Jake Woods to forge an unlikely partnership with a redneck homicide detective. Soon the two find themselves facing dark forces, while unseen eyes watch from above. This re-release of Randy Alcorn’s powerful bestseller spins off from Deadline and offers a fascinating glimpse inside heaven.

Can One Man’s Search for Justice Stand Up to the Forces of Evil Threatening to Destroy Him?


A shocking murder drags black newspaper columnist Clarence Abernathy into the disorienting world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict. In a desperate hunt for answers to the violence (and to his own struggles with race and faith), Clarence forges an unlikely partnership with redneck detective Ollie Chandler. Despite their differences, Clarence and Ollie soon find themselves sharing the same mission: victory over the forces of darkness vying for dominion.

Filled with insight—and with characters so real you’ll never forget them—Dominion is a dramatic story of spiritual searching, racial reconciliation, and hope.


Click HERE to get the audiobook. Be sure to use the coupon code ALCORN7210 during checkout. After you finishing your order, you will be asked which format you prefer to download - select MP3 if you want to be able to play the book on your Kindle.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Free Book - My Love Lies Bleeding (Hearts at Stake)

My Love Lies Bleeding (not available in US), by Alyxandra Harvey, is the UK title of Hearts at Stake ($7.79 Kindle) and is free, today only, as a PDF download from the UK publisher Bloomsbury (as far as I can tell, only the cover is different between the two).  This is a young adult/children's book and the book is being offered to celebrate the release of Blood Feud ($7.99 Kindle), the second book in the The Drake Chronicles series.

Note that they are five hours ahead of the east coast, so the deadline to download is 7PM EST.

Book Description
The Drakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer . . .

Click HERE to get the free download.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Free Book - The Wicked House of Rohan

The Wicked House of Rohan ($2.39 Kindle), by Anne Stuart, is free today direct from Harlequin and in the Barnes & Noble ebookstore. This appears to be a very short prequel to the upcoming House of Rohan trilogy.

Book Description
A fallen woman. A most wicked plan for redemption.

Venice, 1740.

Desperate, starving, Kathleen Strong makes her way to a job interview that promises a chance at proper employment...and maybe a bite to eat. Accused of "gross immorality," she's adrift after being dismissed from her governess position, despite being entirely innocent.

That innocence is precisely what a mysterious group of debauched aristocrats finds so alluring about Miss Strong. When they propose a scandalous offer that she can't refuse...she can't refuse. But if the darkly gallant Alistair Rohan, a gentleman involved in all manner of wicked deeds himself, has anything to say about it, Kathleen can escape her disrepute in another way.

Of course, the escape route looks very similar to the group's illicit proposition itself...


Click HERE to get the book from Harlequin.
Click HERE to get the book from B&N.

Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb

Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb, by Brian Lamb, is $2.43 on Kindle today.

Book Description
C-SPAN's unique guide to the final resting places of the nation's presidents.

Some presidents have been larger than life but none of them have been larger than death. Brian Lamb has visited the gravesites of every American president, living and dead, in order to put together this book, with assistance from the staff of C-SPAN. Heavily illustrated and with contributions from historians Richard Norton Smith and Douglas Brinkley, Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb? is about the presidents' lives as much as it is about their final resting places. The book's collection of the presidents' last words, from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "I have a terrific headache" to John Adams's "Thomas Jefferson still survives" offers a poignant and sometimes humorous look at the last moments of the great men. This is a great way to encounter the presidents, from the great ones to the near-forgottens. Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb? belongs in the glove box of every traveler and the bedside table of every fan of the American presidency and American history.

Happy Defiance Day!

As a Fourth of July special, Amazon has Ted Nugent's version of Star Spangled Banner as a free download today and his Happy Defiance Day Everyday double album is only 76 cents! Ted's music definitely isn't for everyone (and can be quite explicit), but if there's even one song there you like, this is a good deal.

If Ted isn't your cup of tea, there are a number of other, more traditional versions of The Star Spangled Banner available, in case you need a little background music while you celebrate the nation's birthday, today. However you celebrate, have a safe Fourth of July!

Free Audiobook - The Pursuit of God

A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God ($0.95+ Kindle), narrated by Grover Gardner, is this month's free audiobook at ChristianAudio.

During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940's, A.W. Tozer began to write The Pursuit Of God. He wrote all night, the words coming to him as fast as he could put them down. When the train pulled into McAllen, the rough draft was done. Although written in such a remarkably short period of time, Tozer's passionate classic offers not only a deeper understanding of Biblical Truth, but a personal encounter with the very Source of that Truth.

Get your free audio download HERE; lower down on the order page, you'll find discounted ($4.98) downloads for a few related titles. Enter the coupon code JUL2010 during checkout. After you finishing your order, you will be asked which format you prefer to download - select MP3 if you want to be able to play the book on your Kindle.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Refurbished Kindle DX under $250

As soon as the new Graphite Kindle DX was released with a price of $379, I was certain that the price of refurbished and white Kindle DX's would drop as well. This morning, you can get a refurbished Kindle DX (US) for $249.99. That's right, for less than what you would have spent for a Kindle (or a nook or a Sony Reader) a month ago, you can now get a 9.7" screen Kindle DX with free 3G wireless.

Update: The price on the original Kindle DX has now dropped to $359 (with global wireless). For the $20 difference, though, I'd order the Graphite Kindle DX with the improved eInk screen.

Here is a current list of all the refurbished prices, which appears to subject to change at any moment. First, the US versions with Sprint wireless coverage:
These are the latest generation, global versions and have AT&T wireless coverage:

Free Book (nook) - Northfield

Northfield ($3.99), by Johnny D. Boggs, is free to download today at Barnes & Noble.

Book Description
On September 7, 1876, the James-Younger gang attempted to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota, with disastrous consequences. In a unique, compelling approach, author Johnny D. Boggs shifts perspectives from one first-person account to another to describe the bloody robbery, as well as the events leading to it and its aftermath.

Click HERE for the free download, which is a DRM'd EPUB.

Free Classics from Barnes and Noble


Barnes and Noble has a number of their All American Classics free for 4th of July. These normally sell for $1.99 apiece in the B&N store (and presumably have been checked for formatting and typing errors, making them more desirable than the raw scans from Gutenberg). There are two pages of titles, for a total of 21 ebooks to choose from.

Free Book (ADE-DRM) - Making Patriots

Making Patriots ($14.00 paperback), by Walter Berns, is free this month from the University of Chicago Press.

Book Description
The founding principles of the United States—freedom of speech and conscience, individual rights, and democratic dissent—often sit in opposition to the patriotic ideals of public spirit and self-sacrifice. But American history reveals scores of citizens who have put the good of the nation above their own self-interest, whether at home or abroad. It is this paradox that Walter Berns tackles with this magnificently argued book: What makes patriots? And is it still possible to make them?

Amazon.com Review
Walter Berns, an eminent constitutional scholar, plumbs the mysteries and paradoxes of American patriotism in this slim volume. How is it, he asks, that Americans can pursue their individual liberties and at the same time demonstrate public spirit? "Patriotism means love of country and implies a readiness to sacrifice for it, to fight for it, perhaps even to give one's life for it," writes Berns. "Why, especially, should Americans be willing to do this? In theory, this nation began with self-interested men, by nature private men, men naturally endowed not with duties or obligations but with certain unalienable rights, the private rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that each defines for himself."

The short answer is that Americans dedicate themselves to universal principles enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and other founding documents. This is, at bottom, a book on why Americans love their country. But it does not drip with star-spangled sentiment. Rather, it is almost wholly intellectual. Berns might have included more storytelling and less analysis on these pages. His narrative is occasionally character-driven--Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass make significant appearances--but Berns is primarily interested in their ideas. Making Patriots has the virtue of being both succinct and direct, and it addresses a set of thorny problems in clear language. Berns offers smart chapters on how patriotism interacts with religious devotion and racial identity, plus commentary on how patriotism is learned ("No one is born loving his country; such love is not natural, but has to be somehow taught or acquired"). Making Patriots may be read quickly, even as its insights are deep. Readers will find themselves returning to the book again and again, long after they thought they were done with it. --John J. Miller
Click HERE to sign up for the free book. You'll need to give them an email address and then check for their message to get the download link. The book is a DRM'd PDF and will requires Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) to download and read.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

It's Here! The New Graphite Kindle DX

The Kindle DX has a new color and a new price. The Graphite Kindle DX is available to order, sells for $379.00 and will be shipped next week, starting July 7. According to the product page, there is an entirely new E-Ink screen in the Graphite Kindle DX, with 50% better contrast. Otherwise, it reads pretty much like the white Kindle DX, which is still available (and at the same price). There don't appear to be any outer changes (which is a disappointment, as the keyboard needs to be redesigned to have dedicated number keys and it would be much easier to use if there were page control buttons on both sides, as the smaller Kindle has.

As always, if you purchased a Kindle DX in the last 30 days, you can call Kindle customer service (use the Help page on any Kindle store item, then Contact Us on the right side; email works, but if you use the phone option, you'll talk to someone in just a few seconds, usually) and get a credit for the difference. So far the refurbished Kindle DX, price is still $369.00, but if that drops you may be able to get an adjustment on that, as well.

Say Hello to the Newest Kindle DX
All New, High Contrast E-Ink Screen: Our graphite Kindle DX uses our all new, improved electronic ink display, with 50% better contrast for the clearest text and sharpest images

Beautiful Large Display: The 9.7" diagonal E-ink screen is ideal for a broad range of reading material, including graphic-rich books, PDFs, newspapers, magazines, and blogs

Read in Sunlight with No Glare: Unlike backlit computer or LCD screens, Kindle DX's display looks and reads like real paper, with no glare. Read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room

Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Books In Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered wirelessly in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Free 3G Wireless: No monthly payments, no annual contracts. Download books anywhere, anytime

Long Battery Life: Read for up to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks.

Carry Your Library: Holds up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and documents

Buy Books Once, Read Them Anywhere: Kindle books can be read on all your devices. Our Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your Kindle library and last page read across your Kindle(s), PC, iPhone, Mac, iPad, Android phone, and BlackBerry device

Social Networks: Share your passion for reading with friends and family by posting meaningful passages to Twitter and Facebook directly from your Kindle

Global Coverage: Enjoy 3G wireless coverage at home or abroad in over 100 countries. See details. Check wireless coverage map.

Built-In PDF Reader: Carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go. Now with Zoom capability to easily view small print and detailed tables or graphics

Auto-Rotating Screen: Display auto-rotates from portrait to landscape as you turn the device so you can view full-width maps, graphs, tables, and Web pages

Read-to-Me: With the text-to-speech feature, Kindle DX can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable

Large Selection: Over 620,000 books and the largest selection of the most popular books people want to read, including 109 of 112 New York Times® Best Sellers, plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs. For non-U.S. customers, content availability and pricing will vary. Check your country.

Out-of-Copyright, Pre-1923 Books: Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are available to read on Kindle, including titles such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice, and Treasure Island. Learn more

Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases from $9.99.

Free Book Samples: Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Lace Reader

A new edition of the bestselling The Lace Reader ($4.99), by Brunonia Barry, has been released, with an excerpt added from her new novel, The Map of True Places ($12.99).

Book Description
In the tradition of The Thirteenth Tale, Brunonia Barry's bewitching gothic novel, The Lace Reader, is a phenomenon. Called "[a] richly imagined saga of passion, suspense, and magic" by Time Magazine, it is a haunting and remarkable tale told by an unforgettable, if strangely unreliable narrator - a woman from an enigmatic Salem family who can foretell the future in patterns of lace. The Lace Reader was a runaway New York Times bestseller - hitting the top lists in major cities across the country, from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles - and has immediately established debut author Brunonia Barry as a major force in contemporary American fiction.

This one is also available at the same price at Barnes and Noble and Kobo, while it's $5.24 at Sony.