$5 Mystery/Thriller Sale (EPUB/Kindle)

Borders is starting to fight back on the eBook front and this morning has a $5 eBook sale going on. In addition to the Mystery and Thriller titles on that link, there are $5 book in Fiction, Non-Fiction, Kids & Young Adult, Romance and Science Fiction & Fantasy. The pages says this is a limited time sale, but no end date is specified.

Not to be outdone, Amazon is putting many of the same titles on sale. I've created a list, HERE, that should show most of them, including these:

• World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, by Max Brooks
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson
• The Girl Who Played with Fire, by Stieg Larsson
• Ford County: Stories, by John Grisham
• Heat Wave, by Richard Castle
• My Life in France, by Julia Child & Alex Prud'Homme

Free Books for the iPad

I'm still working on Part II of the XMAS Gifting post, as I ended up staying up late last night to help Mom get her iPad synced up and working on her network. First, it would not sync, then after upgrading to iOS4, iTunes claimed it could not recognize it and forced a restore back to factory defaults. The second time around (restore, resync, reupgrade, etc) finally worked, then I had to set it up for access on her home WiFi, then install and configure both the Kindle app and iBooks. I noticed that iBooks can seize up fairly regularly, which I had noticed on mine, but she has 1.2, while I've been using the older version; once I upgraded, I am seeing the same issue, so it's software and not hardware, it appears. The cure: click on Home to exit the app, double click Home to get the task bar, then press the iBooks icon until the "-" appears and then kill it.

While poking around on the iPad, though, I came across a few deals that I don't see for those in the Kindle store, but which, hopefully, a few of you will be able to take advantage of. These should also be available to those using most iPhones and the iPod Touch.

Painless ($6.99 Kindle US), by Derek Ciccone, is still free for UK Kindle readers and is now also free on iBooks. I'd never heard of the author before, but I've seen some good comments about it in forum threads.

Book Description
A fast-paced thriller mixed with a heartwarming story of redemption. A series of ominous incidents make Billy Harper realize there is something very different about Carolyn Whitcomb. But when a rogue organization called Operation Anesthesia learns of Carolyn’s “gifts,” Billy must risk everything to save the life of the little girl who taught him to live again.

Choice of the Dragon and Choice of Broadsides (both $4.99 Kindle) are two text adventure games from Choice of Games. Both are Active Content, so no internet connection required, but seem a bit overpriced for the lengths of the adventures, according to the reviews. Fear not, you can get these both free (at least, you can right now) as apps in the iTunes store. It also looks like you can play both of those and some others online on their website. Some are fan/user written, so don't have great reviews in the iTunes store, but the two main titles seem to be ok (and hey, they're free!).

Choice of the Dragon
Dominate the local kingdom, loot and pillage, and inspire terror in the hearts of your enemies! Please note: Choice of the Dragon contains content that may be inappropriate for children.

Choice of Broadsides
The sails have been hoisted and the guns run out as the enemy ship approaches. Your country is counting on you!

Little Miss Mary and The Big Monster Makeover, by G.G. Toropov, is a short (32 pg) children's book that is free in the iBooks store. Looks like it's out of print (except from the author's website (in the UK), but you can download the PDF or an MP3 reading for free (or read it on their webpage).

Book Description
Little Miss Mary receives an unwelcome visitor in the
grotesque shape of a huge, hairy Monster, but instead of being petrified by the apparition she decides to help the hideous beast by giving him a makeover. However, it is Mary herself who undergoes the biggest transformation in the process!

Blue Bear, Red Square: Gulper's Lake, by Chad Creighton, is another short children's book that is free in the iBooks store. You can easily find it (and a number of others), by opening up the Top Charts in iBooks, then click on Categories and choose Children's. Unlike many of the other categories, that are stuff with public domain titles, the Children's section seems to have quite a few fairly recently written books for free (on the right side of the page), some self-published and some not.

Book Description
From the Blue Bear, Red Square series of kids books comes another curious and fun-filled adventure. Blue Bear and Red Square go to the lake for a fun day in the sun. But this lake is not what it seems. This is Gulper's Lake and he doesn't appreciate being awakened from his mid-day nap. Join our friends as they discover the legend of Gulper and must work together to plan a creative escape in this easy-to-read, rhyming story that will have the kids and adults returning to these amazing color illustrations and wonderfully imaginative story time and time again.

Guy Kawasaki is giving away a PDF copy of Take Control of iPad Basics ($10.00 ebook), by Tonya Engst, if you LIKE his Facebook page, thru the end of the week (so, today and tomorrow, I believe). You can also get a 50% discount on other Take Control titles, thru the end of the year (all are non-DRM PDF formats).

Book Description
Learn key iPad concepts and skills with this friendly how-to guide!

Whether you've already used an iPad or you're starting from a blank slate, Take Control editor-in-chief Tonya Engst helps you fill in the blank spots in your basic iPad know-how. For those of you who haven't yet made the leap, she gives a practical guide for deciding which iPad and accessories to buy, after which she helps you understand the iPad's buttons and ports, learn multi-touch gestures, download apps, sync data and media, find and back up your stuff, and avoid newbie mistakes. The ebook concludes by showing you how to impress your friends with a great iPad demo (you know they want it!).

12 Days of Kindle in the UK

For customers in England, Amazon is having a special 12 Days of Kindle sale, starting today and ending January 6, 2011. A large number of books have been marked down to £1.00 during this time and I checked a few of them in the US store - if your address is in the UK, then those same books are $1.54 (all other regions pay full price, whatever that might be, which varies by book). So, those who haven't moved their Kindle account to Amazon.Co.UK don't have to do so to take advantage of this sale. You will, though, have to go to the UK sale page to find the deals, then switch back to Amazon.com and search for the book (by ASIN is fastest, but by author name or title works just as well.

Here's a sampling of the books on sale, just for those of you in the UK:

• Pandora's Star (Commonwealth Saga), by Peter F Hamilton (US)
• The Fahrenheit Twins, by Michel Faber (US)
• Storm Glass, by Maria V. Snyde (US)
• No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels, by Jay Dobyns (US)
• Blood Wedding, by P J Brooke (US)
• End Game, by Matthew Glass (US)
• Splinter, by Sebastian Fitzek (US)
• Hollywood Hills, by Joseph Wambaugh (US)
• The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, edited by Trisha Telep (US)
• Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions, edited by Mick O'Hare (US)
• Dr Dale's Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive, by Dr Dale Seslick (US) Full money back guarantee offered should you die in a zombie apocalypse within 30 days of purchase

Merry Christmas! and a Kindle Poem

Merry Christmas to all my readers. A Kindle poem today, for all of you who have a new Kindle waiting under the tree, and I'll check later to see if I can find us any free books as additional gifts for the day.

A Kindle Poem

- Kay Carbe

I take my Kindle everywhere
Everywhere I go
It’s so thin and sleek looking
No-one would ever know
That little thing that looks so good
My library on-the-go
In it’s bright red cover
My Kindle is on show!

300 books and counting
More free books by the day
I love, I love my Kindle
That’s all that I can say
Forget the books I bought last year
They’re getting in the way
Who cares for paper anymore?
Not me anyway!

I cannot tell you what it’s like
Until you get your own
The Kindle’s very practical
(A fact already known)
It’s really worth its weight in gold
My reading skills have grown
I carry it, I care for it
My love for it I’ve shown

Waiting time is no big deal
I really just don’t care
Just sit me down and leave me be
Don’t look at me or stare
Ok I’ll talk and tell you folks
Kindle talk I’ll share
I love, I love my Kindle
Where ever, I’m prepared

Just give me, give me, give me, more
E books every day!
I won’t spend on paper books,
Convenience all the way
Fiction, bio’s, thrillers all
Books for little pay
Kindle rocks, Kindle’s cool!
That’s all I have to say!

Bargain Book Roundup - Just in Time for XMAS gifting

The one drawback of Amazon's ebook gifting is that there is no way to set up a time-delay on delivery. So, if you are like me, you've waited until now to even consider gifting a Kindle book for Christmas (especially if someone has an unexpected Kindle hiding under the tree). The only other way I've thought of to delay delivery would be to send the gift to yourself, then hold onto the gift email and then forward it to the person on the day of the occasion. Amazon doesn't care which email account the gift it sent to; it only matters what account the person is logged into on the website, when they finally click to accept the gift. This way, the email comes from the giver, which can be preferable when sending a gift to someone you know, and you can take advantage of a discounted (but not free) price you find, while at the same time holding on to the gift until the birthday, anniversary or other occasion arrives.

Even if you aren't buying as gifts, though, you'll want to read thru this list of Kindle book bargains I've turned up. Most are Agency priced books, so will be the same price at other stores, such as Kobobooks.com or Barnes and Noble, for those of you with other ebook readers. As I usually do, the links are to the Kindle editions (where the best reviews are always posted), but you should be able to find them easily in the other stores when searching by title or author name.

There are also a few sales/promos going on:

• Fictionwise has a 60% off coupon, merryxmas2010, valid thru December 26, good for multi-format, non-DRM books, as well as EReader DRM'd books, unlimited use.
• Kobo has two coupon codes valid today: Holiday50 for 50% off one non-Agency book and iOS4, for 30% off one non-Agency book. Also, check your email today, as they should have mailed out their Christmas bonus coupons, to those who made purchases over the past 12 days (although I don't see mine, yet).

The Zero Game ($1.99), by Brad Meltzer

Book Description
The New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaires and The First Counsel returns to Wash-ington, D.C., with the story of an insider's game that turns deadly. Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler are best friends who have plum jobs as senior staffers to well-respected congressmen. But after a decade in Washington, idealism has faded to disillusionment, and they're bored. Then one of them finds out about the clandestine Zero Game. It starts out as good fun-a simple wager between friends. But when someone close to them ends up dead, Harris and Matthew realize the game is far more sinister than they ever imagined-and that they're about to be the game's next victims. On the run, they turn to the only person they can trust: a 16-year-old Senate page who can move around the Capitol undetected. As a ruthless killer creeps closer, this idealistic page not only holds the key to saving their lives, but is also determined to redeem them in the process. Come play The Zero Game-you can bet your life on it.

The President's Assassin ($2.99), by Brian Haig

Book Description
With just three days to prevent the assassination of the President, Army lawyer Sean Drummond races the clock in the high-stakes countdown of his career.

Army lawyer Sean Drummond's new posting is to the Office of Special Projects, a CIA cell that handles the most dangerous threats. When the White House Chief of Staff is found brutally murdered, there's a note beside him promising more victims--including the President. Sean leaps into action, teaming up with a beautiful colleague to try to stop the assassin. As the killer stalks the campaign trail, apparently driven by a $500 million bounty on the President's head, all arrows point to a member of the White House security detail who's gone missing. Only after a dramatic hostage rescue that culminates in an intense shootout does Sean realize law enforcement's horrible miscalculation--and what must be done to set things right.

Shadowland ($3.99), by Meg Cabot, the first in her The Mediator series.

Book Description
Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind ... and Suze happens to be in the way.

A Perfect Darkness ($1.99), by Jaime Rush

Book Description
They live ordinary lives, but they are extraordinary. They are the Offspring, children of a mysterious experiment gone awry—and they are in terrible danger.

A sexy stranger awakens Amy Shane in the dead of night. Lucas Vanderwyck barely has time to whisper a few words before three men burst into her bedroom and drag him away. But what Lucas reveals shatters Amy's safe little world forever.

Lucas and Amy share a psychic gift—a gift that could put them in mortal danger. And as they share night after night of savage passion, as a shadowy government conspiracy tracks their every move, they will fight to save each other. But only with their powers of second sight can they escape the terror of a perfect darkness.

The Unwanted: A Memoir of Childhood ($2.99), by Kien Nguyen

Book Description
Saigon fell to the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975. Kien Nguyen watched the last U.S. Army helicopter leave without him, without his brother, without his mother, without his grandparents. Left to a nightmarish existence in a violated & decimated country, Kien was more at risk than most because of his odd blond hair & his light eyes - because he was Amerasian. He was the most unwanted. Told with stark & poetic brilliance, this is a story of survival & hope, a moving & personal record of a tumultuous & important piece of history.

Abraham's Children: Race, Identity, and the DNA of the Chosen People ($1.99), by Jon Entine

Book Description
Could our sense of who we are really turn on a sliver of DNA? In our multiethnic world, questions of individual identity are becoming increasingly unclear. Now in ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN bestselling author Jon Entine vividly brings to life the profound human implications of the Age of Genetics while illuminating one of today's most controversial topics: the connection between genetics and who we are, and specifically the question "Who is a Jew?"

Entine weaves a fascinating narrative, using breakthroughs in genetic genealogy to reconstruct the Jewish biblical tradition of the chosen people and the hereditary Israelite priestly caste of Cohanim. Synagogues in the mountains of India and China and Catholic churches with a Jewish identity in New Mexico and Colorado provide different patterns of connection within the tangled history of the Jewish diaspora. Legendary accounts of the Hebrew lineage of Ethiopian tribesmen, the building of Africa's Great Zimbabwe fortress, and even the so-called Lost Tribes are reexamined in light of advanced DNA technology. Entine also reveals the shared ancestry of Israelites and Christians.

As people from across the world discover their Israelite roots, their riveting stories unveil exciting new approaches to defining one's identity. Not least, Entine addresses possible connections between DNA and Jewish intelligence and the controversial notion that Jews are a "race apart." ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN is a compelling reinterpretation of biblical history and a challenging and exciting illustration of the promise and power of genetic research.

In Search of Adam ($1.01), by Caroline Smailes

Book Description
Motherless, rootless and unprotected, Jude Williams' childhood is fractured by the horror and experience of sexual abuse, forcing her to exist somewhere and nowhere in-between childhood and adulthood. Caught within the limitations of her own language and trapped within a family secret, Jude becomes the consequence of her mother's tragedy. As she moves through the 1980s, Jude's life is buffeted by choice and destiny and she collects experiences that layer her personal tragedy and plunge her into the darkest of worlds.

A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight ($2.99), by Robert J. Mrazek

Book Description
One of the great untold stories of World War II finally comes to light in this thrilling account of Torpedo Squadron Eight and their heroic efforts in helping an outmatched U.S. fleet win critical victories at Midway and Guadalcanal. These 35 American men--many flying outmoded aircraft--changed the course of history, going on to become the war's most decorated naval air squadron, while suffering the heaviest losses in U.S. naval aviation history.

Mrazek paints moving portraits of the men in the squadron, and exposes a shocking cover-up that cost many lives. Filled with thrilling scenes of battle, betrayal, and sacrifice, A DAWN LIKE THUNDER is destined to become a classic in the literature of World War II.

The Silver Pigs: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery ($2.99), by Lindsey Davis

Book Description
When Marcus Didius Falco, a Roman "informer" who has a nose for trouble that's sharper than most, encounters Sosia Camillina in the Forum, he senses immediately all is not right with the pretty girl. She confesses to him that she is fleeing for her life, and Falco makes the rash decision to rescue her--a decision he will come to regret. For Sosia bears a heavy burden: as heavy as a pile of stolen Imperial ingots, in fact. Matters just get more complicated when Falco meets Helena Justina, a Senator's daughter who is connected to the very same traitors he has sworn to expose. Soon Falco finds himself swept from the perilous back alleys of Ancient Rome to the silver mines of distant Britain--and up against a cabal of traitors with blood on their hands and no compunction whatsoever to do away with a snooping plebe like Falco….

Boys R Us and These Boots Are Made for Stalking, by Lisi Harrison, the eleventh and twelfth in her The Clique series, are both $1.99.

Book Description
Massie Block: After disbanding the Pretty Committee, Massie takes charge like Visa, forming OCD's hawtest clique yet: Massie And Crew. Even though money can't buy love, it can buy new friends . . . or at least model-actresses who will act like your besties until you get real ones. Lights, camera, MACtion!

Alicia Rivera: Hearts her new role as alpha of the Soul-M8s, BOCD's first ever boy-girl clique. But when the boys head back to the newly renovated Briarwood Academy, will the remaining Soul-M8s become 4Squares?

Dylan Marvil: Is happy times ten to finally have a crush who's crushing back, especially since they luh-v all the same things: marshmallows, lip-kissing, and chugging Red Bull. Buuuuuuuuurrrrrrrp!

Kristen Gregory: Scored three goals on the soccer field last week-and Massie's crush . . . which earned her an ejection from her ex-BFF's heart. Can Massie forgive and forget, or is Kristen out of the game forever?

Claire Lyons: Has declared herself neutral in the battle of the cliques. But dividing her time among Massie, the Soul-M8s, and Cam has left her stretched thinner than extra-small Spanx. Can she get her friends to reunite, or will she be forced to pick a side once and for all?

The Clique . . . the only thing harder than getting in is staying in.

A Total Waste of Makeup ($2.99), by Kim Gruenenfelder

Book Description
Charlize "Charlie" Edwards certainly knows, in theory, what it takes to lead a successful and happy life. She owns a nice house in Silverlake, LA's trendiest neighborhood. She has glamorous and loyal friends who accompany her to the hottest clubs in town. And she works as the personal assistant to Drew Stanton, Hollywood's sexiest movie star. But she's also turning 30, chronically single, and faced with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister's wedding. Charlie finds herself struggling to juggle the chaos of wedding planning (while wondering if she'll ever wear the white dress herself), her all-consuming job for lunatic boss Stanton, and a serious crush on Jordan, a photographer on the set of Drew's latest feature--a man who might actually return her feelings. A page-turner from start to finish, A Total Waste of Makeup puts a fresh face on women's fiction.

Chosen by Desire ($1.99), by Kate Perry

Book Description
Carrie Woods just can't resist temptation. To solve an ancient mystery, she "borrows" a precious, legend-cursed scroll from a Chinese monastery. But with the scroll comes danger: bizarre powers, life-threatening accidents, and, most frightening of all, one sexy Guardian's icy-hot gaze.

Maximillian Prescott is all too happy to strip this innocent-eyed thief of her secrets and the scroll, yet he's determined to fight the undeniable attraction pulling them together. But Max isn't Carrie's only pursuer, and there's just one way to keep the scroll safe. This adventurous blonde and brooding Guardian must dare to join forces and bare their souls to each other . . . before their enemies take not only the scroll but Carrie's life.

A Gentle Giving ($2.99), by Dorothy Garlock

Book Description
Willa Hammer has nothing left after narrowly escaping the lynch mob that unjustly hanged her foster father except her dog, her faith, and the protection of a secretive family. She joins their wagon train heading West, never realizing she is traveling to the wilds of Bighorn Mountain, where a rundown ranch and the arms of an untamed, hardened cowboy await her.

Cause of Death ($3.99), by Patricia Cornwell, the seventh in her Kay Scarpetta series.

Book Description
This New Year's Eve marks the end of a life-and the beginning of a nightmare for Kay Scarpetta. The mysterious death of diver Ted Eddings, an investigative reporter, and the murder of a morgue assistant driving her car lead medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, her niece, and police captain Pete Marino on the trail of a deadly supremacist group.

From the New York Times bestselling author of From Potter's Field and The Body Farm comes a mesmerizing new thriller that takes Dr. Kay Scarpetta into the very vortex of evil--far beyond anything she has heretofore encountered as Chief Medical Examiner. Together with her niece Lucy and police captain Pete Marino, Scarpetta follows the scents of death and violence to the heart of sinister deakness.

Seventh Son ($2.99), by Orson Scott Card, the first in his (young adult) The Tales of Alvin Maker series. I'm already about a third of the way thru this one.

Book Description
From the author of Ender’s Game, an unforgettable story about young Alvin Maker: the seventh son of a seventh son. Born into an alternative frontier America where life is hard and folk magic is real, Alvin is gifted with the power. He must learn to use his gift wisely. But dark forces are arrayed against Alvin, and only a young girl with second sight can protect him.

Includes an excerpt of Orson Scott Card's new novel, THE LOST GATE!

Thanks for the Memories, with Bonus Material ($1.99), by Cecelia Ahern, is a pre-order.  You can get a sample from the previous edition ($9.99), just be sure not to purchase the wrong one when you are done reading it.

Book Description
... this charming novel ... explores what happens when "what if" becomes a reality for two strangers whose lives are at a crossroads. This special e-book edition also includes an excerpt of Cecelia's latest novel, The Book of Tomorrow.

How can you know someone you've never met? That's the question haunting Joyce Conway these days. Recovering from a terrible accident and with her marriage in pieces, Joyce is suddenly plagued by an overwhelming sense of dÉjÀ vu that makes her feel as if the life she's living is not her own. During the day she has vivid memories of things she's never seen—such as cobblestoned Parisian streets she's never visited—and at night she dreams of a little girl she's sure she's never met. Joyce is convinced she's lost her mind . . . until a series of coincidences leads her on a journey to meet the one person who may hold the answer she needs.

Someone's life could be depending on you right now . . . . That's the pitch that finally persuades Justin Hitchcock to donate blood—the first thing to come straight from his heart in a long time.

Restless and lonely, Justin chased his ex-wife and daughter from Chicago to London, and now he's in Dublin, guest-lecturing to bored college students. When he receives a basket of muffins with a thank-you note attached, he's sure someone's playing a joke on him, but then the presents keep coming. Intrigued, Justin is determined to solve the mystery—a quest that will change his life forever.

Thanks for the Memories is a heartwarming story of hope, love, and second chances. If you love this, don't miss The Book of Tomorrow, available in bookstores and in e-book format on January 25, 2011.

The First Patient ($2.99), by Michael Palmer, is another one I've started on.

Book Description
From the blockbuster, New York Times bestselling author comes a high-concept, high-octane thriller at the crossroads of presidential politics and cutting-edge medicine. . . .

Gabe Singleton and Andrew Stoddard were roommates at the Naval Academy in Annapolis years ago. Today, Gabe is a country doctor and his friend Andrew has gone from war hero to governor to President of the United States. One day, while the United States is embroiled in a bitter presidential election campaign, Marine One lands on Gabe’s Wyoming ranch, and President Stoddard delivers a disturbing revelation and a startling request. His personal physician has suddenly and mysteriously disappeared, and he desperately needs Gabe to take the man’s place. Despite serious misgivings, Gabe agrees to come to Washington. It is not until he is ensconced in the White House medical office that Gabe realizes there is strong evidence that the President is going insane. Facing a crisis of conscience—as President Stoddard’s physician, he has the power to invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment to transfer presidential power to the Vice President—Gabe uncovers increasing evidence that his friend’s condition may not be due to natural causes.

Who? Why? And how? The President’s life is at stake. A small-town doctor suddenly finds himself in the most powerful position on earth, and the safety of the world is in jeopardy. Gabe Singleton must find the answers, and the clock is ticking....

With Michael Palmer’s trademark medical details, and steeped in meticulous political insider knowledge, The First Patient is an unforgettable story of suspense.

The Bridge ($2.99), by John Skipp & Craig Spector

Book Description
When the great storm comes, the good life ends. And hell on Earth begins. For 100 years we’ve been tossing our toxic waste over our shoulders. No more. This morning, while we slept, something woke up. It’s virulent. Malign. Intelligent. Ambitious. It’s in our food, our water, our air. It’s inside our bodies themselves. And it’s not leaving. We are.

Stay tuned, I'm working on Part II and hope to get it finished sometime today (or maybe in the wee hours of tomorrow).

Free Book - Unlacing the Innocent Miss

Unlacing the Innocent Miss ($3.89 Kindle), by Margaret McPhee, is the twelfth and final 12 days of Christmas freebie AllRomance.

Book Description
Hardened thief-taker "Wolf" Wolversley has clawed his way out of the gutter to get where he is. No stranger to society's underbelly, he's met Rosalind Meadowfield's seemingly sweet type before.

Accused of a crime she didn't commit, fearful Rosalind begs Wolf not to turn her in. But Rosalind's fear soon turns to desire as the bitterness in Wolf's eyes turns to passion…. His touch is gentle for so fierce a man. Rosalind should be mortified by her wantonness. Instead, it's as if something else has taken over her body….

Click HERE for the free book. You will have to choose a format after purchase (when downloading) and that format choice is locked in; if you need/want multiple formats, you'll need to purchase the book more than one time (free each time). The book is DRM-free, however, so you can also convert the format you download using Calibre or another free tool.

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket, Epub

Free Book (nook) - A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Stories

As expected, this week's Free Fridays Classics from B&N is the Barnes & Noble edition of A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Stories, by Charles Dickens, Grace Moore. Unlike many of the earlier picks, this appears to be the first time this one has been free (at least, it wasn't in my library). In addition, Christian publisher Zondervan's More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, by Ace Collins, is free again today (although I don't know for how long).

Book Description
"Bah Humbug!" That's how Ebeneezer Scrooge feels about Christmas--until the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future decide to show the crotchety old miser the error of his ways. Together they travel through time, revisiting all the people who have played an important role in Scrooge's life.

Biography
Charles Dickens is probably the greatest novelist England ever produced. His innate comic genius and shrewd depictions of Victorian life -- along with his memorable characters -- have made him beloved by readers the world over. In Dickens' books live some of the most repugnant villains in literature, as well as some of the most likeable (and unlikely) heroes.

$2 MP3 Credit, $4 & $5 MP3 Albums, $5 VOD Credits

First, Amazon wants everyone to know that you can give MP3 music downloads as gifts, so they are giving everyone a two dollar credit that can be used to "gift" MP3 songs or albums. There are no restrictions, so you can, in fact, give the album to yourself, by simply using your own email address when sending it. Go to the Get $2 in MP3 Downloads page, enter the code GIVEMP3S after clicking on the Enter Your Code button, then give any MP3 albums or singles as a gift; the credit will be used first (if the purchase is for more than the credit amount, the rest will first hit any gift certificate balance, then your default one-click payment method).

Once you have your credit, check out the Gold Box Deal of the Day: Ten 2010 Albums $3.99 Each (today only) or the newly set up $5 MP3 Album page, which thru January has over 1,000, rather than the 100 that Amazon typically has marked down. You'll need to act fast, though, as the credit above expires at midnight PST, December 26, 2010.

If you haven't been keeping up, be sure you also stop by the 25 Days of Free page, where Amazon is on the next-to-last day of free holiday singles. Also, I found these free holiday albums to add to your collection:

• X5 Free Sampler - A Classical Holiday
• Believe In Christmas - Holiday Sampler
• Nail Winter Sampler 2010
• X5 Free Sampler - Christmas Holiday

If any of the albums you pick up are $7.99 or higher (before the credit), then you'll get a $5 credit for Video on Demand (qualifying albums will have the following text under Special Offers, just below the track list: "Get a $5.00 promotional code for use on Amazon Video On Demand when you buy a qualifying album or playlist for $7.99 or more on Amazon MP3 during the promotion. Limit of one code per customer.") The credit on this promotion must be used by February 28, 2011.

You can get an additional credit by linking your Amazon and Twitter accounts, then click on the Tweet and Get $5 button. This credit expires much sooner, January 1, 2011, and there are apparently some Video on Demand titles which don't qualify for promotions (they should be marked as such, on the detail pages). You can use this credit for purchases or rentals, so you could use it to pay for individual episodes of shows, as part of a purchase of a season pass or rent five different 99 cent movies for the holidays. It looks like we may be snowed in this weekend, so that may be where my credit goes (if we still have power!).

Free Book - Past Pleasures

Past Pleasures ($5.11 Kindle), by Charlotte Stein, the first in her Desire Through Time series, is free from AllRomance today.

Book Description
The future holds all the pleasures any woman could want.

No sex? No women?

When Kate agrees to a mad experiment with something as insane as time travel, she expects exactly what Professor Waites had suggested: dystopian nightmares and possible barbarians.

So when she finds herself in a future where women no longer exist and the men have no idea what they’ve been missing, she can’t seem to catch her breath.

Especially when the men in question—the darkly handsome Tem, and his starkly beautiful companion Aley, are so curious and so ready to learn everything she has to teach—including all the past pleasures they never knew existed.

Click HERE for the free book. You will have to choose a format after purchase (when downloading) and that format choice is locked in; if you need/want multiple formats, you'll need to purchase the book more than one time (free each time). The book is DRM-free, however, so you can also convert the format you download using Calibre or another free tool.

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket

New Kindle Game - Maze A Thon

Maze A Thon ($0.99) is the first entry in the Kindle game market from A Gamz. This one is active content (so, no internet connection required) and with millions of combinations, you should not run out of new puzzles to solve. There are two reviews (both 5-star) so far and both mention that this game is also appropriate for and playable by children (and they can't hit up your charge card buying smurfberries in it, either).

The only thing I am starting to worry about a bit, is how well the 5-way controller will stand up to heavy use with these games. Since MONOPOLY came out only two days ago, one member of the household has played it thru several times a day (and is playing as I type this; personally, I think the game cheats, so I'll wait until we can play with all human players to try it again).

Book Description
Maze A Thon is a collection of different-sized puzzles with the goal of getting a mouse to his cheese.

There are three types of mazes to choose from: Classic, Wrap Around, and Cubetastic. In Classic, you go from point A to point B on one screen in a standard maze. In Wrap Around, use the keyboard to travel from one side of the maze off the screen to the opposite side. In Cubetastic, navigate through a rotating, six-sided maze.

Multiple levels of difficulty make Maze A Thon fun for kids and puzzle experts alike. You can play a quick, easy game, or spend hours finding your way out of intricate puzzles. And, every time you finish a maze, a new one is created from millions of possibilities, so you'll always get something different!

Free and Bargain Historic Fiction and Military History

The Angel of 1776 ($0.99 Kindle) is a novella Jeffry S. Hepple, who has given us free copies of several of his books in the past. Jeff is also runs ebookgab, a forum for readers and writers, and the online forum for Operation eBook Drop. Until New Year's, you can get a free copy HERE in any one of several DRM-free formats.

Book Description
In 1776, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the continually retreating, seemingly defeated Continental Army of the fledgling United States of America went on the attack and changed the course of history.

Was the army’s sudden reversal of fortune purely a product of General George Washington’s brilliance, or did Washington get some divine assistance?

Spirit of Union Trilogy - Three in One ($0.99 Kindle), by Gordon Ryan, was originally published in hardcover in the late 90's. The author just dropped the price and I suspect it'll go back up after Christmas.

Book Description
Vol. I - Destiny: Fleeing an abusive father and a hopeless life in Ireland in 1895, nineteen-year-old Tom Callahan takes passage on a ship bound for America. On board, he meets Katrina Hansen, a young Norwegian woman traveling to Utah. It's not a likely match. The brash Irishman is a Catholic, a brawler and a young man without prospects. Destiny is a sprawling historical novel set at the turn of the 19th century, played out in such far-flung places as New York City, the gold fields of Alaska and Old Mexico.

Vol. II - Conflict: It's 1917 and American has entered World War I. The Callahan's son has joined with what President Woodrow Wilson is calling "the fight to make the world safe for democracy." Set against turbulent events in world history and filled with vivid scenes as well as tender emotions, Conflict takes the reader around the world.

Vol. III - Heritage: Tom and Katrina Callahan's three children have grown up and are making their way in a world that is propelling itself toward World War II. Tess has her heart set on a Hollywood movie career; PJ is a successful sheep rancher in New Zealand and Tommy is pursuing his career in the Marine Corps and learning not only about war, but about the perils of romance. In this, the final volume of Spirit of Union, Gordon Ryan follows Tom and Katrina into their middle and late years. Living in a time when aviation is becoming a viable industry, the stock market is booming and Hitler's evil machinations are on the horizon, the world, and the Callahans, are embroiled on every front. Set in Hawaii, the Dominican Republic, South America, Great Britain and the United States, Heritage is filled with scenes and characters that will linger in your mind long after you close the book.

Army History is published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History. All current and past issues are available for download as PDF files. Lots of interesting stuff and great research material.

The current issue is 60 pages and includes articles on black soldiers in Confederate prisons, friendly fire during the invasion of North Africa and questions whether the military as a profession is on the decline.

Free Book - Brier's Bargain

Brier's Bargain ($6.13 Kindle), by Carol Lynne, the first in her Bodyguards in Love series, is free from AllRomance today.

Book Description
Love is always special, but when you're a thirty-six year old man experiencing it for the first time, it's everything.

After spending his entire life in a hospital, Brier Blackstone is finally free to become the person he's always wanted to be. With the men of Three Partners Protection Agency as role models, how can he go wrong? And falling in love with bodyguard Jackson Benoit, is a dream come true, but the dream becomes a nightmare when Jackie is gravely injured in the line of duty. Feeling helpless, Brier makes a promise to God in exchange for his lover's life. One he intends to keep no matter what.

Jackie Benoit cherishes the love he's found with Brier. When his new lover insists on testifying against a violent man from his past in order to fulfill a promise, Jackie has no choice but try to stop him. If that doesn't work, Jackie will protect Brier with everything at his disposal.

Click HERE for the free book. You will have to choose a format after purchase (when downloading) and that format choice is locked in; if you need/want multiple formats, you'll need to purchase the book more than one time (free each time). The book is DRM-free, however, so you can also convert the format you download using Calibre or another free tool.

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket, Epub

New York Times Crosswords on Kindle

Well, it isn't a daily subscription (which is what I suspect most people would like), but the New York Times Crosswords have made their way to Kindle. Four volumes in all, with 30 puzzles for $1.99 and 90 for $4.99, in either Easy or Challenging versions.

You can solve unassisted or get help using the reveal one letter or entire answer functionality. You can even check for errors. Enjoy the gold standard of crossword puzzles edited by Will Shortz on your Kindle device.

NY Times Crosswords Vol. 1 (30 World Famous Easy Puzzles) ($1.99)
NY Times Crosswords Vol. 2 (90 World Famous Easy Puzzles) ($4.99)
NY Times Crosswords Vol. 3 (30 World Famous Challenging Puzzles) ($1.99)
NY Times Crosswords Vol. 4 (90 World Famous Challenging Puzzles) ($4.99)

Free Book (nook) - Gulliver's Travels

In anticipation of the movie release this weekend, B&N is offering the Barnes & Noble Classics edition of Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift & Michael Seidel, free for today only.

Book Description
Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics:

• New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars
• Biographies of the authors
• Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events
• Footnotes and endnotes
• Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work
• Comments by other famous authors
• Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations
• Bibliographies for further reading
• Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate

All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.

Considered the greatest satire ever written in English, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels chronicles the fantastic voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, principally to four marvelous realms: Lilliput, where the people are six inches tall; Brobdingnag, a land inhabited by giants; Laputa, a wondrous flying island; and a country where the Houyhnhnms, a race of intelligent horses, are served by savage humanoid creatures called Yahoos.

Beneath the surface of this enchanting fantasy lurks a devastating critique of human malevolence, stupidity, greed, vanity, and short-sightedness. A brilliant combination of adventure, humor, and philosophy, Gulliver’s Travels is one of literature’s most durable masterpieces.

Michael Seidel is Jesse and George Siegel Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University. He has written widely on eighteenth-century literature. His books include Satiric Inheritance: Rabelais to Sterne (1979), Exile and the Narrative Imagination (1986), and Robinson Crusoe: Island Myths and the Novel (1991).

Free Books (PDF) - The 4-Hour Workweek & The Slow-Carb Cookbook

Timothy Ferriss has really been publicizing this latest book, The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman ($9.99), which is why it is currently #4 in Kindle Non-Fiction, #2 in Diet Books and #1 in Kindle Health, Mind & Body. As part of that push, he is giving away PDF copies of his previous bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek ($9.02) and a 38 page low-carb cookbook.

Book Description
Forget the old concept of retirement and the rest of the deferred-life plan–there is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, The 4-Hour Workweek is the blueprint.

This step-by-step guide to luxury lifestyle design teaches:

• How Tim went from $40,000 per year and 80 hours per week to $40,000 per month and 4 hours per week
• How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want
• How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
• How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist
• How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent “mini-retirements”

The new expanded edition of Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek includes:

• More than 50 practical tips and case studies from readers (including families) who have doubled income, overcome common sticking points, and reinvented themselves using the original book as a starting point
• Real-world templates you can copy for eliminating e-mail, negotiating with bosses and clients, or getting a private chef for less than $8 a meal
• How Lifestyle Design principles can be suited to unpredictable economic times
• The latest tools and tricks, as well as high-tech shortcuts, for living like a diplomat or millionaire without being either

Here are the details on how to get the free books from slickdeals:

To celebrate the release of Tim Feriss's new book the 4-Hour-Body, he's giving away digital copies of his previous NYT best selling book.

• Digital copy of 'The 4-Hour Workweek' (Retail $27.00)
• The Slow-Carb Cookbook (priceless)

To download the first two gifts (4HWW + Cookbook), follow these instructions:

1. Click HERE. You'll only see one item in the check out cart - that's OK.
2. Hit the 'Checkout' button.
3. Fill out the form with any name and email address, then hit the 'Complete Free Checkout' button.
4. On the final page, you'll have access to The 4HWW and Slow-Carb Cookbook.*

IMPORTANT: The above link will be active until December 26th. After that, it's gone!

Personally, I think this deal was supposed to end earlier, but it's still up (I just checked), so grab your copy quick, before it disappears.

Free Extended Samples of Harlequin Comics

Previously only free in the UK store, Harlequin's free editions of their graphic novels are now free in the US store, as well. These are, from what I can tell, only extended samples of the full graphic novels (generally romance/manga); I downloaded one from Sony a while back and it was about 50 pages in length, which is significantly longer than the usual sample you get on the Kindle for most graphic novels (one sample is 3.1MB in size, while the full graphic novel is 8.2MB, for example). One nice thing these samples do is let you see how well they will work on your Kindle or app (personally, I don't like them on the smaller Kindles, but they are OK on the iPad or a PC/netbook).

1. Free Harlequin comics: Expecting The Boss's Baby, by KANAKO UESUGI & LEANNE BANKS (UK link)
2. Free Harlequin comics: Daniel And Daughter, by MAYU TAKAYAMA & LUCY GORDON (UK link)
3. Free Harlequin comics: Blue Moon Bride, by KAKO ITO & RENEE ROSZEL(UK link)
4. Free Harlequin comics: The Cinderella Solution, by KYOKO SAGARA & CATHY YARDLEY (UK link)
5. Free Harlequin comics: Something Old, Something New, by JUNKO OKADA & DONNA STERLING(UK link)
6. Free Harlequin comics: Princess Of Convenience, by MARION LENNOX & TAKAKO HASHIMOTO (UK link)
7. Free Harlequin comics: Keeping Luke's Secret, by HINOTO MORI & CAROLE MORTIMER (UK link)
8. Free Harlequin comics: Sale Or Return Bride , by KAZUKO FUJITA & SARAH MORGAN (UK link)
9. Free Harlequin comics: Mistress Bought And Paid For, by JUNKO OKADA & LYNNE GRAHAM (UK link)
10. Free Harlequin comics: Millionaire Husband, by KANAKO UESUGI & LEANNE BANKS (UK link)

Kindle Wi-Fi Back in Stock!

I've seen a number of messages on forums and blogs over the last few days from people who had put off ordering their Christmas Kindles until this week, as they were getting a notice that the Kindle Wi-Fi was back-ordered for after Christmas delivery. Amazon must have their manufacturing plant working overtime, as they managed to get more of these in stock and you can now order with before-Christmas delivery, at least here in the US. At this point, you'll definitely need to use two-day delivery (and if you wait until one-day delivery is required, they may be back-ordered again).

Here are the links all the various models and their current delivery status.

US Kindles

• Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite $139 Back in Stock!!!
• Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi $189
• Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 9.7" Display, Graphite $379
• Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device 2nd Generation, Free 3G, 9.7" Display, White, $329

UK Kindles

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

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!
• Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 9.7" Display, Graphite $379  Sold Out!

Free Book - Hero

Hero ($5.59 Kindle), by Cheryl Brooks, the sixth in her Cat Star Chronicles series, is free from AllRomance today.

Book Description
She’s the last of her kind … and the only one for him.

He is the sexiest, most irksome man she’s ever encountered...
Micayla is the last Zetithian female left in the universe. She doesn’t know what’s normal for her species, but she knows when she sees Trag that all she wants to do is bite him….

He has searched all over the galaxy for a woman like her…
Trag has sworn he’ll never marry unless he can find a Zetithian female. But now that he’s finally found Micayla, she may be more of a challenge than even he’s able to take on….

Click HERE for the free book. This one is Adobe Acrobat only; however, the book is DRM-free, so you can convert after download using Calibre or Amazon.

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat

Free Book (nook/EPUB) - Carved in Bone

Carved in Bone, with Bonus Material ($7.99 Kindle), by Jefferson Bass, is now available at B&N & Sony and is still free at Books on Board in both EPUB and eReader (PDB) format.

Book Description
On the campus of the University of Tennessee lies a patch of ground unlike any in the world. The "Body Farm" is a place where human corpses are left to the elements, and every manner of decay is fully explored -- for the sake of science and the cause of justice. The scientist who created the Body Farm has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics, and now, in this heart-stopping novel, he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.

A woman's corpse lies hidden in a cave in the mountains of East Tennessee. Undiscovered for thirty years, her body has been transformed by the cave's chemistry into a near-perfect mummy -- one that discloses an explosive secret to renowned anthropologist Bill Brockton. Dr. Brockton has spent his career surrounded by death and decay at the Body Farm, but even he is baffled by this case unfolding in a unique environment where nothing is quite what it seems.

The surreal setting is Cooke County, a remote mountain community that's clannish, insular, and distrustful of outsiders. The heartbreaking discovery of the young woman's corpse reopens old wounds and rekindles feuds dating back decades. The county's powerful and uncooperative sheriff and his inept deputy threaten to derail Brockton's investigation altogether. So do Brockton's other nemeses: his lingering guilt over the death of his wife, and the fury of a medical examiner whom Brockton dares to oppose in court.

Carved in Bone is a richly atmospheric, superbly suspenseful, and magnificently rendered trip into the world of forensic science, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, and the dark passageways of the human psyche. Full of vivid characters and startling twists and turns, this thrilling novel heralds the debut of a major new voice in crime fiction -- and an unforgettable work from the hand of a scientific legend.

Bonus Material Edition
For a limited time, discover how The Body Farm series started with Carved in Bone, for free, including an excerpt from the new novel by Jefferson Bass, The Bone Yard, available this February.

About the Author
Jefferson Bass is the writing team of Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. Dr. Bass, a world-renowned forensic anthropologist, founded the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility—the Body Farm—a quarter century ago. He is the author or coauthor of more than two hundred scientific publications, as well as a critically acclaimed memoir about his career at the Body Farm, Death's Acre. Dr. Bass is also a dedicated teacher, honored as National Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Jon Jefferson is a veteran journalist, writer, and documentary filmmaker. His writings have been published in the New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, and Popular Science, and broadcast on National Public Radio. The coauthor of Death's Acre, he is also the writer and producer of two highly rated National Geographic documentaries about the Body Farm.

Click HERE to download the book from B&N.
Click HERE to download the book from BoB.
Click HERE to download the book from Sony.

Six Free Books (iBooks) - iOS4 Programming

There are six books on programming iOS4 free in the iBookstore from Apple. Not surprisingly, these are some of the most popular free iBooks available right now, only behind Winnie-the-Pooh (and outpacing the iPad User Guide). The easiest way to find them right now is to click on Top Charts and look on the Top Free Books side of the table. If they have dropped out of the top charts, you can still find them searching by name.

1. Cocoa Fundamentals
2. iOS Application Programming
3. iOS Human Interface Guidelines
4. iOS Technology Overview
5. Object-Oriented Programming with Objective-C
6. The Objective-C Programming Language

Free Book - Club Shadowlands

Club Shadowlands ($4.79 Kindle), by Cherise Sinclair, the first in her Masters of the Shadowlands series, is today's free book from AllRomance.

Warning: Explicit Content in this book

Book Description
Her car disabled during a tropical storm, Jessica Randall discovers the isolated house where she's sheltering is a private bondage club. At first shocked, she soon becomes aroused watching the interactions between the Doms and their subs. But she's a professional woman--an accountant--and surely isn't a submissive... is she?

Master Z hasn't been so attracted to a woman in years. But the little sub who has wandered into his club intrigues him. She's intelligent. Reserved. Conservative. After he discovers her interest in BDSM, he can't resist tying her up and unleashing the passion she hides within.

Click HERE for the free book. You will have to choose a format after purchase (when downloading) and that format choice is locked in; if you need/want multiple formats, you'll need to purchase the book more than one time (free each time). The book is DRM-free, however, so you can also convert the format you download using Calibre or another free tool.

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket, Epub

New Kindle Game - MONOPOLY

MONOPOLY ($4.99 $2.49), is a brand new Kindle game from Electronic Arts. Since it has been released on the first day of the 1/2 Price Sale for EA games, you can also get it for $2.49 thru the end of the year. Finally, I can be the little doggy or the race car (pieces long since lost by a little brother on the game we played growing up). You can even modify the rules, somewhat (although nothing like some of the large scale cheating my uncle used to do, although trading and auctions seem to be allowed).

The game starts with a tutorial and you do have to wait a bit after clicking the 5-way controller for the screen to update (or it might just flash by and go to the next message), but the game seems quite playable IF you have good eyesight or play on the DX.

Book Description
Enjoy the original MONOPOLY board game on your Kindle.

You can play against your Kindle or with a combination of up to 3 friends with Pass 'N Play multiplayer. Choose between 3 different difficulty levels for your opponents - Easy, Medium, and Hard. You can even customize your house rules to change how Free Parking, Taxes, Get Out of Jail and other rules work within your game.

Featuring all the classic properties like Park Place and Boardwalk, you can buy, sell, and build houses and hotels all around the MONOPOLY board.