Harry Potter Sale

Today's Gold Box deal has a boxed set of Harry Potter Years 1-6 at a huge discount. The Blu-Ray Set is $39.99, while the Harry Potter Years 1-6 at a huge discount. The DVD Set is $23.99. About what you would have paid for just one of the included discs, not too long ago. Both also come with a bonus $5 to spend on Video on Demand, which you can use for rentals or purchases. If you don't have the full set or have been waiting to upgrade to Blu-Ray, this is definitely the time to do so. If you are just missing one or two of the set, though, check out the Harry Potter DVDs list, as it appears the Blu-Rays selling there for $10 each and the regular DVD's are marked down to about $9. Then again, some special editions, such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray] are $34 each, so you do have to be a bit selective if you don't get the set on today's sale.

Book Review: Bon Appetit Desserts

Bon Appetit Desserts: The Cookbook for All Things Sweet and Wonderful ($18.00 Kindle, $20.00 Hardcover), edited by Barbara Fairchild, is a massive cookbook from one of my favorite magazines. Since I reviewed an ebook version, I didn't realize just how large it was until I saw it recently in one of the local bookstores. Not only will it take up quite a bit of space on your counter when cooking, but it is quite heavy if you plan on reading it without having a place to prop it up. On the other hand, this is a book with page after page of gorgeous photographs, each one seducing you into adding just one more recipe to the list that you absolutely must try.

On the Kindle, the first 700 locations after the cover are just the linked table of contents alone and the photographs are not nearly so compelling in shades of gray (which might be better for your waistline, all things considered). I popped the Kindle sample onto my iPad though, and all the photographs are there and my mouth is watering once again. Not only that, but the sample I downloaded from the Hardcover page includes "the first chapter", which is a bit misleading. In fact, it has the first nineteen recipes from Cakes, which follows the (long) sections The Desserts Pantry, Equipment: The Basics and Techniques: The Basics, all of which are also included.

With over 2200 locations, the sample alone is worth picking up and keeping, even if you don't purchase the full book. You'll be missing out, though, as recipes such as the Double-Ginger Gingerbread with Orange-Ginger Sauce start only a few pages farther in, not to mention the final assembly instructions on that Poppy Seed Coffee Cake with Cardamom Streusel are missing from the sample (two more paragraphs would have finished that recipe). If cakes are not your thing, fear not. Future chapters continue with:

• Cheesecakes
• Pies, Tarts & Pastries
• Custards & Puddings
• Fruit Desserts
• Frozen Desserts
• Cookies
• Bar Cookies & Brownies
• Candy

Yes, there is fudge and and there are truffles (Dark Chocolate Truffles alone has two recipes, with completely different flavors). Fruit isn't limited to Pies and there are many types of Cobblers (complete with the Vanilla–Crème Fraîche Biscuits recipe that you serve separately with the Cherry-Lime Cobbler, if you are looking for something different). If you prefer your chocolate with coffee, be sure to check out the Chocolate-Espresso Puddings with Espresso Whipped Cream. For dead simple and quick to prepare, you can't beat the Mascarpone and Berry Parfaits. For a bit more elegance, try the make-ahead Cranberry and Lemon-Ginger Parfaits, which they show in a plain glass (see below), but should be equally at home in a nice cut-crystal stemmed glass.

As you can see from the above prices, which appear to be part of the Black Friday Book Deals, the books is being greatly discounted at Amazon right now. If you are a Mark Bittman fan, they are having lightning deals on his How to Cook Everything right now ($17.50) and will have the Vegetarian version discounted later this afternoon.

The Hardcover edition also comes with a free subscription or renewal to Bon Apetit magazine, which separately sells for $12, with auto-renewal, or $15, without. In fact, you can get the hardcover to use in the kitchen and the Kindle version for browsing and checking in the store while shopping, for less than the retail price of the hardcover alone.

Book Description (Hardcover)
For more than 50 years, Bon Appetit magazine has been seducing readers with to-die-for desserts. From quick homestyle cookies to unforgettable special-occasion finales such as spiced chocolate torte wrapped in chocolate ribbons, Bon Appetit showcases meticulously tested recipes that turn out perfectly--every time. Now, culled from Bon Appetit's extensive archives and including never-before-published recipes, Bon Appetit Desserts promises to be the comprehensive guide to all things sweet and wonderful.

Authored by Bon Appetit editor-in-chief Barbara Fairchild, Bon Appetit Desserts features more than 600 recipes--from layer cakes to coffee cakes, tortes and cupcakes to pies, tarts, candies, puddings, souffles, ice cream, cookies, holiday desserts, and much, much more. Certain to inspire both experienced home cooks and those just starting out in the kitchen, each recipe is designed to ensure the dessert preparation process is as enjoyable as the finished result.

Includes a subscription (or renewal) to Bon Appetit Magazine

A limited time use, pre-publication, PDF galley of this book was provided by Netgalley and the publisher for this review.

Two Free Short Stories from Rainbow EBooks

This weekend's two free gay-themed downloads from Rainbow EBooks are both short stories, but available in multiple, DRM-free formats.

Beg for More, by AJ Hardcourt

Book Description
It’s late, he’s hungry, but Ash Kellen has more on his mind than food. His name is Levi Selvin.

After hours, alone in the office, Ash realizes there is more than lust for work simmering between them. Once Levi gives him a taste, Ash wants more—even if he has to beg for it.

The Best Man by Morgan Lee

Book Description
Four years ago, Justin Carlson walked in on NFL hopeful Rhys Mathers in a compromising position with his trainer. Since that day, Justin has wanted to be compromised in the same erotic way. Back in town for a wedding, Justin would like nothing more than to get reacquainted with his old college teammate and discover for himself if Rhys really is The Best Man.

Free Book (PDF) - Martha Stewart Living Thanksgiving Recipes

Sirius XM's Martha Stewart Living Radio is once again offering a free PDF of Thanksgiving Hotline Recipes for free. All new recipes this year, with some yummy looking recipes from Martha, Emeril, Rick Bayless and more. There are some strange ones, as well (anyone up for Turkey roasted with coffee beans inside?). After a quick glance, I don't think there is any overlap from last year's book, so be sure to save it with the year in the name, so you don't think it is a duplicate.

Click HERE for the free book, the holiday program schedule at Sirius XM and some tips on a stress free Thanksgiving. If you missed last year's book, I tracked down a link for you to get it, as well.

WII Band Hero Bundle featuring Taylor Swift

Like most of the online retailers, Amazon is pushing the holiday season with their specials. Their Black Friday sales start tomorrow, but they've also been having some video game specials leading up to the main event. Today's Deal of the Day is the WII Band Hero Bundle featuring Taylor Swift) for $99.99. If you are a Taylor Swift fan (or have kids that are) and were looking for this one under the tree, that's $80 off and you get the microphone, guitar and drums all in the bundle. Like most of the daily deals, this one has a limited number available (and it's about a third gone already) and a limited time it is offered (less than three hours to go). I also saw that Amazon now requires you to purchase any of these daily/lightning deals within half an hour of placing them in your cart, so that people don't stick them there and then cancel out significantly (and thus keeping someone else from taking advantage of the deal). So, if you want this bundle, grab it and quickly finish your order.

Game Description
Brought to you by the makers of Guitar Hero, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favorite acts including Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects and Jackson 5. Headlined by some of the biggest names in music as in-game artists and playable characters, Band Hero is the ultimate party game to play on the road or at home, where players of all ages will be able to experience the signature, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master Guitar Hero gameplay.

In-game Artists: Taylor Swift and Adam Levine
Music sensation Taylor Swift joins forces with Band Hero for the ultimate family music gaming experience. Taylor Swift, global music sensation and best selling artist of 2008, will ascend an all-new virtual stage this November in Band Hero. Budding music stars, their families and friends, will all live their musical fantasy on the Band Hero stage, playing as Taylor Swift or alongside the singer/songwriter and guitarist, as she performs her smash-hits "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me" from her latest album Fearless as well as "Picture to Burn" from her self-titled debut record.

Adam Levine joins Taylor Swift as an exclusive, in-game playable character by lending his popular likeness to Band Hero. Fans will be able to play as Levine as he rocks out to the Grammy nominated "She Will Be Loved," Maroon 5's hit single from their debut album Songs About Jane, which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and is Gold and Platinum in more than 35 countries.

Key Game Features

• Super Bundle - Super Bundle comes complete with the Band Hero game, wireless guitar, wired microphone and drums.
• Join the Party at any Time - In Party Play mode, you can jump in/jump out of a song at any time with the click of a button.
• Try All-new Sing Along Mode - Sing together karaoke style on any song you choose.
• Create Your Own Band - Your band is as unique as you are. Play with any combination of instruments you want, even with four lead singers.
• Expand Your Music Collection - Import your favorite Guitar Hero World Tour and Guitar Hero downloadable content straight into Band Hero.
• Multiplayer Support - Enjoy 2-4 player local multiplayer support in co-op and competitive modes and 2-8 player support online.
• Controller Compatibility - Supports all Guitar Hero instrument controllers within the same gaming platform, as well as other music/rhythm game controllers.

The Song List
Band Hero features over 60 master recordings from some of the hottest bands of today and yesteryear.

Free Book (PDF) - Reaper

You can get Rachel Vincent's Reaper ($2.39 Kindle pre-order), in PDF form, free from Books on Board. Since the $3 off coupon code is still working at Kobo, you can also get My Soul To Lose there, if you missed it any of the times it has been free elsewhere. Both are novellas, but it looks like the coupon code at Kobo works on all of her novels, as well.

Book Description
This eBook title is brought to you two weeks early by Harlequin and BooksOnBoard. It is due to be released everywhere else on December 2, 2010. Now, for the first time, with BooksOnBoard and Bluefire Reader app, you can read this ebook format on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

The story of how Tod died and was recruited as a reaper . . .

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.

Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life . . . Death . . . or something Between . . . .

"Reaper" is not a novel. It's a novella, about 17,000 words in length.

A novella in the Soul Screamer series

Click HERE for the free book. I just checked my copy annd it's DRM free, so you can convert/read it on any of the ereaders.

Kobo Book Sale - Hundreds of Free Books

Kobobooks has a great coupon, valid thru midnight tonight that is good for $3 off any book that is not an Agency book (you'll get an error message that the code has expired or isn't valid if you try it on one of these, such as anything from the publisher Penguin). So far, I've seen that nov18ww3, nov18us3 and nov18ca3 can be used interchangeably for this discount.

There is no limit to how many times you can use it and if the book you want is under three dollars, it ends up being free. For example, if you search for Samhain books, I found 83 books under that $3 limit. Similarly, a search on Harlequin turned up 155 such titles. Random House is another publisher with a number of books that qualify, with a number under three dollars. The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group has eight titles that qualify, and Kensington has over a dozen as well.

You can search for any publisher name in the search box at Kobo, although you don't always get only books by that publisher, then sort by price. You may also want to check out their Free eBook List, if you haven't checked them out before, to see if there are one or two you don't have already.

If you find a book that is more than $12, you might want to try the coupon code Save25Kobo, which works with some of the NYT bestsellers (thru 12/15). If you are a true night owl, you can pick up Bill Bryson's A Short History Of Nearly Everything for $8.89 tonight, from 10PM to 8AM. I don't know what happens at 10PM, but right now you can use the $3 off coupon code, so I suspect when the price drops later tonight, that will still work, yielding an effective price of $5.89.

Note that all Kobo books are in EPUB format and have DRM added, even the Samhain titles that are generally DRM-free at B&N. What that means is that you can't read these on your Kindle, but they can be read on the Sony, nook and Kobo ereaders or on your PC, Mac or iPad/iPhone using one of several different apps.

Important Tip: Be sure to click on Apply after entering your promo code and verify that the amount shown above the Buy Now button is $0.00, before clicking!

The only snag I've run into at Kobo is that, due to their being a Canadian company, some US credit card companies may not let their charges go thru. You may have to contact them to get them to authorize the charges or use another card. Also, some banks and credit card companies (although not all) may charge you a money exchange fee. So far, you can't set up a gift certificate there, so you may want to just try a few charges and see how it goes. The free books, whether free before or after the coupon code, will only require the account be set up and there shouldn't be any actual activity on your card.

Starbucks Share - B1G1F Holiday Drinks

I am posting this while sitting in my local Starbucks, sipping my free Caramel Brulee Latte, typing on the Kensington KeyFolio Bluetooth Keyboard and Case for iPad, Black, K39294US keyboard that I bought for my iPad. I've tried posting on the iPad before, but without a keyboard, it was an exercise in futility. I still make a few more typos than usual, but the keyboard actually works quite well (most of my errors are due to the slightly smaller size and the MAC layout).

But, you ask, how about that free latte? It's due to Starbuck's Share program that runs thru Sunday, Nov 21: buy any of their Holiday Classics drinks and get another free, between 2PM and 5PM. I've also been trying out their Bookish Reading Club program, which allows you to read one of four books while in the store (iPad, ipod Touch, smart-phones or PC/mac only), but it has a few issues to resolve before it's ready for prime time (and I hope they are fixed by next week, as I really want to read the book I'll tell you about on the 23rd. This week, the only one I really wanted to read was Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love ($9.99 Kindle), but despite trying two days ago and again today, all I get is a content error message. I was able to open Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms,and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories ($14.99 Kindle). It's still available to read for the next two weeks, but it's so big I doubt I'll get thru it (especially since I'm looking forward to next week's book). Also, be sure to bring an Apple device or a PC notebook/netbook. I could open Atlantic on my Droid phone, but only see one blank page and no navigation worked (Oogy just showed the same content error message I got on the iPad and netbook). You can actually get as far as the "Read" button with the Kindles browser, but the reading app doesn't work (not that I thought it would).

Sudoku Returns to Kindle Store

Sudoku ($3.99), by Electronic Arts Inc., has returned to the Kindle store. After I posted this a couple of days ago, only four of you managed to buy it before it was yanked from the store. Looks like there is some problem with the original version, as when I checked it today, there is now an update available to versions 1.1 (free for those who have already purchased it). I have no idea what it "fixes" and had absolutely no problems when I played it on my K3. I especially like the notes feature on the Kindle version -- much easier than using a pencil or pen and having to erase or mark thru your notes. I haven't played the newspaper mode, but with so many variations that will be there between the classic and random games, I'm not sure I'd ever bother. Although, if you have multiple Kindles in the family, you could all load up the same game and make it a race to see who finishes first!

Book Description
Play Sudoku on Kindle - anytime, anywhere.

EA Sudoku contains thousands of built-in puzzles, as well as the ability to enter and play a puzzle from your favorite newspaper or magazine in "Newspaper" mode.

With five difficulty levels from "Easy" to "Insane," Sudoku offers plenty of fun for Sudoku players of all skill levels. Built-in game features let you make "Notes," "Undo" moves, and apply "Error Checking." If you get stuck, you can use the "Hints" feature to fill out a cell for you, or use "AutoFill" to display the notes on all open cells on the game board. You can even track your game stats to see how you progress over time.

EA Sudoku lets you exercise your mind in a fun way.

Free Book (PDF) - Formera

A PDF version of Formera Volume 1 ($9.95 Paperback), by Andrew Dobson (Author, Illustrator), can downloaded for free from Wowio's Facebook page. You'll have to have a Facebook account, "Like" them on Facebook, then click on their Offer tab. This is a graphic novel and is 57 pages in the PDF, although the print edition claims 186. Since there are only two volumes in paper and apparently 5 as ebooks from Wowio, combined with the pagecount discrepancy, I'm assuming that you'd need about two ebooks to equal the one paper volume that they linked to at the end.

Book Description
A young boy named Darian discovers he's ended up on the planet Formera and his only companion is a girl named Keisha that speaks an unknown language. A mysterious and powerful stranger seeks to put an end to Darian's search for home and Keisha must find a way to protect her new friend.

Click HERE to get the free book. You'll need a Facebook account and you'll need to click that you Like them first. If you've done that in the past, you'll see the download link right away and need do nothing extra.

Using the Kindle Book Gift Feature

First, I've already seen reports that you can't get around geographic restrictions using the Kindle Book Gift feature. In fact, it's worse than usual, as both the giver and the recipient must both reside in an area where the book can be purchased.

As you have probably guessed, I get a number of books for review (not all of which make it into the blog) and now that Amazon has added this feature, I've added this as an option for submitting a review copy. Congratulations to Dawn McCullough-White, who, as the first author to submit a review copy this way, gets her book, Cameo the Assassin ($0.99), featured in this post! I haven't had a chance to even crack them open (she sent both in the series; Cameo and the Highwayman is $2.99), but have seen at least one glowing review of the second in the series.

So, from the recipient side, here's how it works. First, you get an email from Amazon, at the address to which the gift was sent:

There's not a lot to it - click on the button to get your book. This takes you to Amazon, where you'll need to log in (if you are not, already). You can be logged into any account; in my case, my default account uses a completely different address than the one to which the gift was sent (which answers one of my previous questions). At Amazon, you'll once again see the giver's name and the message that they typed in when they sent the gift. Since I know you could just take the amount as a gift certificate, I hunted around the page to find that option, without success. So, I clicked on the "How does this work" link and this is the page that resulted:

The option is there to get a credit (or even return the money to the giver, according to the original announcement), but you have to contact Customer Service by email or phone (at least, for now) to do so. Which is exactly what you would have to do if that hardback showed up on your doorstep in the smiling brown box. This extra step should cut down on the number of gift books that are declined.

All in all, I spent a lot more time writing this post and capturing the images than it took to get the book on my Kindle. The total process from receipt of the email to reading on the Kindle is under a minute - two clicks and then checking the home page of the Kindle to find the book already waiting.

My biggest question? How many extra books do you think Amazon will sell today, just from people trying out this feature? For those that have sent a gift, what options would you like (timed delivery, perhaps?). What about those who have received a gift book? What do you think of the process?

Give Kindle Books as Gifts!

Jeff Bezos hinted that it was coming and it has now arrived: but you can now give Give Kindle Books as Gifts! Amazon says you can pick from 725,000 books and the ones that I glanced thru that don't work are the ones that are free (with those, you'll have to let the person know and they'll need to buy it themselves). This is a feature that has been asked from from nearly the first day the Kindle was introduced and now you can give a book to anyone with an email address. If they are new to Amazon, they'll have to set up an account (presumably they can use any email address, not just the one you email it to, otherwise those of us with multiple email accounts would have to have multiple Kindle accounts, as well) and they can read the book on their Kindle or any Kindle app.

If the person already has the book or doesn't want it, it works just as I have been advocating (here and in the Kindle forums) all along: the recipient can simply accept the amount as a gift card, instead. Neither the giver nor the recipient needs a Kindle (although the giver must have an Amazon account) and you must know the email address of the person to whom you are sending the book.  I've seen several authors who have made offers of gift certificates to people, to be used to purchase their books (presumably for reviews), and this new feature should give them a bit more control over the process (although the person receiving it can still turn it down and use the money for something else). It also means those great-aunts and cousins that always gave you paperweight books at Christmas can now do so electronically and you can spend it as you wish without the hassle of a post-Christmas return to the local bookstore.

Frequently Asked Questions about Giving Kindle eBooks

• Do I have to own a Kindle to give or receive a Kindle ebook as a gift? No. Kindle ebooks can be given and received by anyone with an e-mail address. Kindle ebooks can be read either on Kindle or on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android Phone using one our our free reading apps.
• What if the recipient doesn't like or want their gift? Kindle ebooks received as gifts can be exchanged for Amazon.com gift cards.
• Are all Kindle ebooks eligible to be given as gifts? All ebooks available for purchase in the Amazon.com Kindle Store can be given as gifts.

Bargain Book Roundup - Under Three Bucks

Today's list is back to books from the big-5 publishers. These have been marked down by the publisher, generally for a short period of time, to entice you into trying out a new author. I also use these sales to fill in an author's backlist or grab a book I already have in paperback (which then gets donated).

Triggerfish Twist ($1.99), by Tim Dorsey, is the fourth in his Serge Storms series, but you can read it on it's own. This edition also has Bonus Content, which is almost enough enough to get me to repurchase it, even though I already have the ebook in another format.

Book Description
Now, with extra wackiness, bonus mayhem, and a surprise at the end . . . . available for a limited time, this low-priced ebook edition of Tim Dorsey's quintessential Serge Storms story Triggerfish Twist includes a note from Serge himself, an original cocktail recipe, and a sneak peek excerpt into Tim's next novel, Electric Barracuda (on sale January 25, 2011).

Lockdown ($1.99), by Alexander Gordon Smith, is the first in his Escape from Furnace series.

Book Description
Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.

Together with a bunch of inmates—some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers—Alex plans an escape. But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace’s deeper, darker purpose, Alex’s actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that’s hidden from the eyes of the world.

Dead Girls Are Easy ($1.99), by Terri Garey, is the first in her Nicki Styx series.

Book Description
There's something about almost dying that makes a girl rethink her priorities. Take Nicki Styx—she was strictly goth and vintage, until a brush with the afterlife leaves her with the ability to see dead people.

Before you can say boo, Atlanta's ghosts are knocking at Nicki's door. Now her days consist of reluctantly cleaning up messes left by the dearly departed, leading ghouls to the Light . . . and one-on-one anatomy lessons with Dr. Joe Bascombe, the dreamy surgeon who saved her life. All this catering to the deceased is a real drag, especially for a girl who'd rather be playing hanky-panky with her hunky new boyfriend . . . who's beginning to think she's totally nuts.

But things get even more complicated when a friend foolishly sells her soul to the devil, and Nicki's new gift lands her in some deep voodoo.

As it turns out for Nicki Styx, death was just the beginning.

Six Geese A-Slaying ($2.99), by Donna Andrews

Book Description
Meg and Michael’s house is serving as the marshaling point for the annual Caerphilly Christmas parade. The theme is “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and it features twelve drummers from the school marching band, eleven bagpipers, ten leaping lords costumed in medieval finery from the college drama department, etc. There are also assorted Christmas-themed floats, a live nativity scene on a flatbed truck, the Three Wise Men on Caerphilly zoo camels, and Santa Claus in a bright red horse-drawn sleigh (eight reindeer were beyond the zoo’s scope).

Meg has been volunteered to organize the parade, which is to proceed from her house to the local campus, where Santa will take up residence to hear the Christmas wishes of the town’s children. Of course, getting all the camels, pipers, leapers, and drummers in order is proving every bit as difficult as Meg feared it would be. Then her nephew Eric, wide-eyed and ashen-faced, whispers, “Meg, something’s wrong with Santa.”

The local curmudgeon, whose beard and belly made him a natural for the role, has been murdered. Now Meg and Chief Burke, who is playing one of the wise men, are faced with the two-fold mission of solving the murder and saving Christmas!

Readers can look forward to another zany Meg Langslow mystery---this one filled with outrageous Christmas spirit…and mayhem.

To Love a Man ($1.99), by Karen Robards

Book Description
Baltimore journalist Lisa Collins leaves her sheltered existence for Africa where the current civil war is supposed to be miles away. Despite assurances of safety, violence explodes around her and Lisa flees a massacre scene only to race headlong into the arms of Sam Eastman, an American mercenary. Sam's a reluctant rescuer and saving the beautiful blond interferes with his mission, but his conscience won't let him abandon her to die at the hands of revolutionaries. When his battle plans go awry, the two are forced to run for their lives and Sam finds that his survival depends on the strength and bravery of the woman that he once thought was a useless butterfly. But even if the two can get out of Africa alive, is there any future for a tough soldier and a pampered rich girl?To Love a Man is Robards's first foray into contemporary romance after a successful career writing historicals. The internal differences between a heroine raised in the lap of luxury and a hero brought up in foster homes and trained on the battlefield are underscored by their physical differences--she's small and feminine, while he's rugged and fiercely masculine. Their characters, however, are equally stubborn and brave with hot tempers that are evenly matched. There's action aplenty in this adventurous story, with hot love scenes in the African brush, as well as in opulent bedrooms, and endearing secondary characters.

Dangerous Secrets ($1.99), by Lisa Marie Rice

Book Description
Small-town librarian Charity Prewitt never dreamed she'd meet and fall in love with a man like Nicholas Ames. The handsome, rich, charming, sexy-as-hell millionaire blew into tiny Parker's Ridge, Vermont, and immediately rocked her world. Powerful, sensual, the perfect man, Nick knows all the right words—and all the right spots to touch, sending her soaring to dizzying new heights of ecstatic abandon. Never before has prim and proper Charity leapt into bed with a perfect stranger—and now that she's there with him, nothing is going to drag her away!

But Nick Ames is not who he claims to be. In truth, he is Nicholas Ireland—the one they call "Iceman." A former Delta Force operator, now a high-level undercover agent, he will do whatever his government asks of him—lie, seduce, betray . . . even kill, if necessary—for the sake of the mission. And this time his mission is Charity Prewitt.

Suddenly one woman has broken down his chilly restraint and ignited his passions completely. And before the erotic dream turns into a nightmare, will Charity be able to melt the Iceman's cold, cold heart?

Darkness Captured ($1.99), by Delilah Devlin

Book Description
Driven by insatiable desire, a werewolf will enter hell to rescue a princess captured by the master of demons. . . .

Headstrong and proud—a royal creature of sinuous grace, all primal instinct and lethal beauty— the shapeshifter Gabriella has agreed to serve as emissary to the vampires who rule in the shadows of the New Orleans night. But she cannot resist the pull of the demon she glimpseson the other side of a mirror, and she is drawn to him hungrily through a magical portal into the Land of the Dead. Now an eternal nightmare awaits Gabriella at the hands of a mesmerizing dark lord who satisfies her every erotic need . . . while slowly devouring her soul.

The powerful warrior wolf Guntram Brandt is responsible for the safety of the vanished princess he swore allegiance to years before. Yet it is more than a soldier’s loyalty that pulls Guntram down into the depths of nightmare—for Gabriella ignites within him a burning animal passionthat must be satisfied.

But when offered an escape, will she follow her rescuer to safety—tornbetween her lustful obsession with the dark lord who has enslaved her andher fierce sensual attraction to the only wolf who could ever master her?

Pleasures of the Night ($1.99), by Sylvia Day

Book Description
In the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, a battle rages between Dream Guardians and Nightmares. Captain Aidan Cross is a legend, as skilled in fulfilling erotic dreams as he is with the glaive that kills his enemies. Women see Aidan as part of their fantasies . . . except Lyssa Bates. Exquisite, desirable, enigmatic Lyssa perplexes this immortal seducer because she sees him as he really is. And as he attempts to unravel her secrets the unthinkable occurs: Aidan Cross falls in love.

Lyssa has been having the most incredible dreams about a man whose blue eyes hold the promise of decadent pleasures and tempting intimacies. And then he appears on her doorstep! This intoxicating stranger is just as irresistible as the man of her dreams . . . but with her surrender there is also grave danger . . .

Because Aidan is on a mission, and the passion that consumes them body and soul could have dire consequences. Loving the mortal woman prophesied to destroy Aidan's world is not only impossible . . it is forbidden.

Into the Darkness ($1.99), by Delilah Devlin

Book Description
After arriving in New Orleans—escaping from a tragic past—the virginal beauty falls victim to a series of strange, unearthly attacks. And for the first time in her life, she aches with sexual desire. Now Natalie is confused, frightened, out of control—desperately struggling to understand a world that is transforming around her. But soon she will be powerful and magnificent in ways she could never have imagined . . .

Detective Rene Broussard knows the hot young woman in despair is trouble. But something about Natalie intrigues and intoxicates the ruggedly handsome Cajun policeman who has come to her rescue in her time of greatest need. And when he inexplicably wakes in bed beside her—both burning with a lust impossible to deny—he doesn't care that a dark and vengeful enemy has brought them to this moment. All that matters is the irresistible curve of her body, the heat of her passion . . . and the forbidden pleasures the night promises.

With one sharp, sensuous, biting kiss, he will be hers for life . . . and beyond.

Everything Forbidden ($1.99), by Jess Michaels

Book Description
For summers Miranda Albright has watched—aghast, yet shamefully titillated—as her wicked neighbor Ethan Hamon, the notorious Earl of Rothschild, "entertained" a succession of lovers on the grounds of his estate. Now that her father has passed on, leaving behind a mountain of debt, Miranda must do the unthinkable. For Ethan has promised to sponsor her younger sisters, financially and socially, at a scandalously dear price: Miranda must offer herself to him completely for three full months, with no remorse and no restraints.

Ninety days and nights of unbridled sensuality await her in the arms of a rogue who views her submission as no more than a grand erotic game. But neither Miranda nor Ethan realize that fire blazes behind her innocent blush. And once her passion is unleashed by his lips and his touch, it is the student who will school the teacher in the ways of forbidden pleasure . . . and love.

Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every New Day of the Year ($2.99), by Joel Osteen

Book Description
The potential to live your best life starts with each new morning. With every sunrise, you can choose to approach the day with an attitude of faith and expectancy. Bestselling author Joel Osteen writes, "When you get up in the morning, the first things you should do is set your mind in the right direction . . . and then go out anticipating good things."

Now, for the first time, Pastor Osteen presents a tool to accomplish that goal. Based on his book, Your Best Life Now, he offers prescriptions for positive living in 365 daily messages. Each message is accompanied by a relevant scripture.

Free Book (EPUB) - The Brand Within

The Brand Within ($0.99 Kindle), by Daymond John and Daniel Paisner, is free in the Sony store.

Book Description
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, every day nearly 2,500 people go into business for themselves. Their firms account for 78 percent of U.S. businesses and $951 billion in receipts. Entrepreneurship is abundant in America, especially in the current economic crisis, but how do these companies stand out from the rest in order to succeed?

The Brand Within by Daymond John, founder and CEO of the revolutionary FUBU clothing line, brand strategist and star of the ABC hit reality show, Shark Tank, is the second nonfiction book in the best-selling Display of Power series. The Brand Within examines the loyalty of relationships companies seek to establish by attaching celebrities to their brands and the instantaneous impulses consumers exhibit when purchasing a product. Drawing on his cutting-edge experiences in the fashion business, as well as his hard-won insights developed as a sought-after marketing consultant to trendsetters and tastemakers, the author argues that branding relationships have now seeped into every aspect of our lives.

Daymond John is widely recognized as a branding and marketing authority and a sought-after consultant on the ever-changing urban/pop culture marketplace. He describes the evolution of a brand--from its generic inception to its watermark--and offers expert commentary on iconic personal ''brands'' ranging from Tiger Woods to Muhammad Ali and branding as it pertains to corporations such as Blackberry and UPS, among others.

The Brand Within, co-authored by Daniel Paisner, who is credited with nine New York Times bestsellers, is a dynamic roadmap to growing a successful brand.

Click HERE to get the free download from B&N.
Click HERE to get the free download from Sony.

International Kindle is Sold Out!

With the start of the holiday season, Amazon dropped the number of Kindles that you could buy from 5 down to 3. Even with that, the international demand for the Wi-Fi Only version has apparently outstripped supply and they are now out of stock, with expected delivery in 2 to 3 months! 

You can still get the 3G version, though, but I would not wait too long, as they may go fast, as well. If you've been holding out for a Black Friday sale price  -- don't! Everyone else may be discounting their ereaders for the holidays or featured in a door buster special, but with Amazon's 30-day no-questions asked return process (which is extended until Jan 30, 2011, for Kindle's purchased now), they would be looking a massive price adjustments. Obviously, that isn't necessary, as fast as these seem to be flying out of the warehouse.

For those in the UK, supply seems to be ok, for now; with Amazon all you can tell is "In Stock" or about how long the wait will be. The US pages are also still showing in stock. Hopefully Amazon has managed to figure out their supply chain enough that sellouts in the US will be minimal (then again, they've sold out every single time when a new model is introduced and over every Christmas holiday season, so far).

Update: It now looks like all the International versions of the Kindle are out of stock! See my comments for one possible way you can still get a Kindle before Xmas!

Here are the links for those looking to have one of these under the tree this year:

US Kindles

• Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite $139
• Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi $189

UK Kindles

• Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite £109
• Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi £149

International Kindles

• Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite $139 Sold Out!
• Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi $189 Sold Out!

New Kindle Game - Sudoku

There is a new game on Kindle: Sudoku ($3.99), by Electronic Arts Inc. I'm looking forward to trying it, but suspect the K2 and even the KDX may be easier to use than the latest K3, due to Amazon's short-sighted removal of the number keys from the keyboard. Sure, they work with the Alt-Key, as they do on the KDX, but there isn't any writing on the keys to remind you how far over you have to go to get to the 5 or 6.

Game Description
Play Sudoku on Kindle - anytime, anywhere.

EA Sudoku contains thousands of built-in puzzles, as well as the ability to enter and play a puzzle from your favorite newspaper or magazine in "Newspaper" mode.

With five difficulty levels from "Easy" to "Insane," Sudoku offers plenty of fun for Sudoku players of all skill levels. Built-in game features let you make "Notes," "Undo" moves, and apply "Error Checking." If you get stuck, you can use the "Hints" feature to fill out a cell for you, or use "AutoFill" to display the notes on all open cells on the game board. You can even track your game stats to see how you progress over time.

EA Sudoku lets you exercise your mind in a fun way.

Free Book (nook) - Skinny Cocktails

Skinny Cocktails ($6.64) Kindle), by Jaclyn Foley & Ray Foley, is free at B&N.

Book Description
More than 250 Tasty Low-Cal Cocktail Options

There’s nothing better than letting loose with friends and a few drinks, but whether you’re planning on kicking back after a hectic day or glamming it up for a night out, the last thing you want to do is obsess about calories.

Enjoy The Low-Cal Frangelini
Melt My Heart Mojito
Seven Skinny
Sparkling Summer Spritzer
Dandy Shandy

With no-fear recipes, easy-access calorie counts, and minimaldamage mixers, Skinny Cocktails is the must-have companion to a stress-free skinny life.

Click HERE for the free book from B&N.

Free Book Updates

A number of the free books in the last couple of days have become free on at Barnes and Noble, for the nook or at Sony, after I originally posted the links for Kindle. I've update the links in the posts for the following:

• Free Book (Sony/Kindle/nook) - Sophie's World
• Free Book (Kindle/Sony/nook) - On the Run
• Free Book (Kindle/nook) - The Paradise War
• Free Book (Kindle/nook) - Relentless
• Free Book (Kindle/nook) - Crossing Oceans
• Free Book (Kindle/nook/Sony) - Danger in the Shadows
• Free Book (Kindle/nook/Sony) - Great Parents, Lousy Lovers
• Free Book (Kindle/nook) - Safely Home

Fairytale of New York, which is for UK customers only on Kindle, is now free for US and Canadian customers (at the least) from Kobo. The format is EPUB and has DRM, so isn't Kindle compatible, but should work well for anyone that has another reading app or device. Update links in this post:

• Free Book (Kindle/EPUB) - Fairytale of New York (UK Only)

Several of the free books from Samhain this week were for the nook only. However, they are DRM-free, so you can grab them there, download and run thru Calibre for a quick conversion to read on your Kindle (or just load them, as is, for the Sony, Kobo or other EPUB readers). There were at least a couple of comments by people who wanted these, so be sure to get them while they are free:

• Free Book (nook) - Trey
• Free Book (nook) - Hara's Legacy 
• Free Book (nook) - The Sword Lord 
• Free Book (nook) - Without Reservations 
• Free Book (nook) - Just Right

Free Book (nook) - Trey

Trey: Red, Hot & Blue, Book 1 ($2.80 Kindle), by J. L. Langley, is free courtesy of Samhain (so heed the content warning), at B&N.

Book Description
They can’t deny the heat—it’s the only thing keeping them alive.

A distracted soldier is a dead solder. That’s special operative Trey Williams’ motto. The last thing he needs in his life is a girlfriend. Problem is, the woman who’s been recruited to pose as his wife on a special assignment is proving to be exactly the kind of distraction he can’t afford.

Years ago, Carly McAfee turned her back not only on her military career, but the men who come with it. So why did she say yes to a mission that puts her in intimate contact with Trey, under 24/7 surveillance by both bad guys and good? One slip, and they’re both dead. It’s not long, though, before her body betrays her, followed closely by her heart.

With a terrorist arms deal going down and missing teammate’s life on the line, Carly and Trey must throw caution to the wind in the scorching-hot performance of their lives—and try not to lose their hearts and minds in the process.

This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.

Warning: Contains bad men with big guns and video cameras, and an unmarried couple who need to get naked and get busy acting very married to save both their country and their lives.

Click HERE for the free download from B&N.

Free Book (nook) - Hara's Legacy

Hara's Legacy ($4.40 Kindle), by Bianca D'Arc, is free courtesy of Samhain (so heed the content warning), at B&N.

Book Description
It's a serious game of cowboys and aliens when three psychically gifted brothers try to protect the one fragile, empathic woman who holds all their hearts against a menacing alien threat.

First in the Resonance Mates series.

Montana rancher Caleb O'Hara's precognitive abilities saved his family from an alien attack that annihilated almost everyone on Earth. Now the aliens have come to study the remnants of humanity. Caleb knows the only way to ensure the safety of his young wife, Janie, and his beloved brothers, Justin and Mick, is to keep the family together on their isolated ranch.

All three O'Hara brothers love Jane. They grew up next door to the young, empathic beauty and she stole all their hearts at one time or another, though she married Caleb. Caleb foresees the shocking truth of what they have to do in order to survive, and Caleb's visions never lie.

They'll have to come to terms with a new world, and an evolving relationship, all while finding a way to protect two newborn babies who are innocent pawns in the aliens' deadly game. Somehow, this one talented family holds the key for humanity's survival on this new, conquered world called Earth.

Warning: this title contains explicit sex and menage a quatre.

Click HERE for the free download from B&N.

Free Book (nook) - The Sword Lord

The Sword Lord: The Fifth Planet, Book 1 ($4.40 Kindle), by Robert Leader, is free courtesy of Samhain (so heed the content warning), at B&N.

Book Description
A planet faces destruction. An ancient Indian kingdom is doomed to the same fate. The solution to both troubles lies in the Law of the Sword.

They came from Dooma, the fifth planet in the solar system. A planet destined to destroy itself in the holocaust war.

They came in separate expeditions, each one seeking refuge on the third planet, the only other inhabitable body.

They came in the dawn of time, when the Earth was young, to discover an ancient India, where the kingdom of Karakhor fought its own deathly struggle with the massed forces of Maghalla and their allies of sub-human tribes.

So begins a love story: for Kananda, the First Prince of Karakhor and Zela, his golden-haired goddess from the stars—and for his sister, Maryam, the rebellious princess fated to love and be loved by Raven, blue-skinned Sword Lord of Ghedda.

Warning, this title contains the following: violence, rape .

Click HERE for the free download from B&N.

Free Book (nook) - Without Reservations

Without Reservations ($4.40 Kindle), by J. L. Langley, is free courtesy of Samhain (so heed the content warning), at B&N.

Book Description
Sometimes love just catches you by the tail... Chayton Winston is a veterinarian. He is also a werewolf. Much to his Native American parent's chagrin, he has always dreamed of a fair-haired, Caucasian mate. However, he never imagined his mate would be male. As a heterosexual man, he's not quite sure what to do with a male mate, but more than willing to find out.

Keaton Reynolds wakes up, in wolf form, and finds himself with a mate. He's instantly attracted, but not so thrilled to find out the man is straight. Having been in a relationship once before where his partner professed to be "Not gay" left a bad taste in his mouth. Keaton wants to make a break for it and pretend he never set eyes on Chay but Chay is not ready to let him go.

Together the two work to solidify their shaky relationship and battle the prejudices against homosexuals. Chay must deal with not only his mother's prejudices against gay men but also her hatred of white people. When a power struggle in Keaton's pack threatens Keaton's life, the two men learn to depend on one another and their relationship to get them through it.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, violence and hot man-love.

Click HERE for the free download from B&N.

Free Book (nook) - Just Right

Just Right ($4.40 Kindle), by Erin Nicholas, is free courtesy of Samhain (so heed the content warning), at B&N.

Book Description
To save one good man, she’ll have to let her inner bad girl out to play…

ER nurse Jessica Bradford is a good girl. Okay, a reformed bad girl, but she’s done her late father proud. Now she’s one step away from landing Dr. Perfect, aka handsome, sexy, heroic Ben Torres—the hot fudge and cherry on top of her hard work scooping out a respectable life.

Ben learned the art of sacrifice from his missionary parents, but when a drunk driver he saved kills three people, he quits. To be precise, the fist he plants in the man’s face gets him suspended. And the first dish he wants on his newly empty plate is Jessica—preferably naked.

Jessica can’t believe the Ben she’s found drowning his sorrows in a bar is her knight in shining scrubs. And he won’t be pried loose until she bets 48 hours of her time in a game of pool. She loses. And the next morning she stands to lose much more.

The Chief of Staff’s recommendation for the promotion she’s been after rides on her ability to keep Ben out of trouble until things blow over.

Except “trouble” is all Ben wants. And despite herself, Jessica finds that she’s more than willing to go down with him…

Warning: Contains hot love in a store dressing room and in the front seat of a car—at the expense of a very nice strawberry patch, unfortunately—oh, and hooker boots. Can’t forget the hooker boots.

Click HERE for the free download from B&N.