Christmas Cheer on Kindle

A selection of Christmas themed books in the Kindle store at bargain prices, in no particular order.

Saint Nicholas, The Christmas Story ($0.99), by Matthew Eldridge

Book Description
From his early days as a monk working with orphans to his final days as Bishop, this historical fiction fantasy novel details the life of the true Saint Nicholas, as never told before.

In an effort to help the poor in Asia Minor, Nicholas makes a risky trip to Byzantium (soon to be Constantinople), but finds himself evading the evil Emperor, Diocletian, who tracks him down across the middle east.

Escaping to the mountains east of Byzantium and north of Myra, Nicholas finds a winter wonder-land where a community of dwarfs live to escape cruel treatment from Rome. The little people are gifted craftsmen and entrepreneurs. The Bishop also falls in love with a beautiful woman, challenged with the choice of leaving a life of celibacy for an intimacy of a more earthly kind.

The Bishop discovers his monastery burned by Roman soldiers upon his return, and is later turned in by the Cardinal himself.

Imprisoned and sentenced to death, his only hope is the successor to Diocletian, the Warrior Constantine.

More than just an adventurous love story, SAINT NICHOLAS, THE CHRISTMAS STORY comes alive with the spirit of Christmas as we follow the world's greatest gift-giver, reminding us what giving is really about.

Cowboy Christmas ($4.32) is a Christmas anthology

Book Description
Twelve days of Christmas--three heartwarming romances!

A Husband for Christmas by Carol Finch
To reassure her overprotective parents, Victoria Thurston must convince the town marshal to be her "holiday husband." But the magical, festive air--and Tori's luminous green eyes--make it very difficult for Logan Daniels to keep to their marriage in name only!

The Homecoming by Elizabeth Lane
Brooding rancher Clay McAllister paid his reckless brother's dues in a tough Kansas jail. Now Clay must win back his beautiful wife, Elise. And, after three years apart, some yuletide passion is just what Clay and Elise need to reignite the fire that still smolders between them....

The Cattleman's Christmas Bride by Pam Crooks
With her reputation cruelly slandered, Allethaire Gibson is forced to flee to the snowy Montana mountains. There the dazzling socialite unexpectedly finds a Christmas romance with a man who has fought for respect just as she has--rugged cattleman Mikolas Vasco!

Together by Christmas ($4.32) is a holiday anthology

Book Description
THE UNMASKING OF LADY LOVELESS by Nicola Cornick
Lord Alexander Beaumont is on a mission of seduction and revenge, and the target is his estranged wife, Melicent. Once Alex learns his supposedly inexperienced wife is "Lady Loveless"-- writer of erotic literature--he's determined to unmask her as a wanton. But when his nights with Melicent take an unexpected turn, Alex's heart is in danger!

CHRISTMAS REUNION by Catherine George
Felicia Maynard hasn't seen her first love, Gideon Ford, for years, but here he is, insisting they spend Christmas together. As Christmas casts its spell, will Gideon claim Felicia as his bride?

A MISTLETOE MASQUERADE by Louise Allen
Lady Rowan Chilcourt agrees to masquerade as a lady's maid to help her friend avert an undesirable marriage. But while among the servants she meets handsome Lucas Dacre. As Christmas approaches, Rowan begins to fall for Lucas, until she learns she isn't the only one masquerading under the mistletoe...

A Cowboy Christmas ($3.83), by Janette Kenny

Book Description
One Starry Night

Reid Barclay doesn't have time for Christmas, not with trouble brewing at the Crown Seven Ranch. He's got prize thoroughbreds to protect and a long-ago wrong that he wants to make right. But the beautiful cook who's taken over the ranch kitchen is a welcome distraction, even if Ellie Jo Cade burns everything from gingerbread to roast beef. Her sweet face and womanly figure are pure temptation...

Cornhusk angels...bright berry garlands...spun-sugar snow--everything about Christmas holds fond memories for Ellie Jo. She's doing her best to make peace with an ornery wood-burning stove and make the old ranch house truly festive. All she wants is to believe in Reid...and the only-at-Christmas magic that makes hearts glow...

A Christmas Scandal ($4.47), by Jane Goodger

Book Description
In her latest romance, Jane Goodger weaves an unforgettable tale of a woman who thinks she's lost everything--until a little Christmas magic reunites her with the one man she could never forget. . .

Dashing, debonair, and completely irresistible, Edward Hollings has all of Newport buzzing--and to Maggie Pierce's surprise, she alone has caught his eye. But when the handsome earl returns to England without proposing, a devastated Maggie knows she must forget him. Life only gets worse for Maggie, as all her dreams of happiness and love come crashing down around her. When Maggie receives an invitation to go to England for the Christmas birth of her dear friend's baby, she accepts--vowing to keep her devastating lies and shameful secrets from the one man she has ever loved.

Edward vowed he'd never marry, but he came dangerously close with Maggie. She's beautiful, witty, indescribably desirable--and Edward can't forget her. When Maggie visits mutual friends for Christmas, Edward can't stay away. In fact, he finds himself more attracted to her than ever--a desire fueled even more by Maggie's repeated snubs. With the love he never thought he'd find slipping away, Edward is determined to make Maggie his own, no matter what the cost. . .

All I Want for Christmas... is you ($1.99), by Gayle Eden

Book Description
Lucas Bennington Earl of Moncrief approached the week of Christmas with dread. To the handsome and aloof Lucas, it was merely a prelude to another year tacked on his already advanced age. At thirty and six Lucas never really had his chance in the race for hands of ton beauties, he’d been too busy working, trying to save the family fortune. Now, when everything was secure, he certainly saw all that he had missed. And, as there were 10 young bucks to every beauty, he was feeling as if all his chances had passed him by.

But Lucas had a secret, a fantasy, and a fascination for one woman—though he considered that she’d find him too old, it did not stop his gaze from finding her at every ball, nor keep his mind from imagining she could be his. Would the man known for his cold demeanor and intimidating rep, dare to take this chance to sweep the woman of his dreams off her feet…

Verena (Rena) Shyer had been on the social scene since her debut at sixteen. She was twenty and five and unlike her aunt, the Duchess, who despaired and fretted that Rena was still unwed—Rena had long since noticed only one man, one aloof and intimidating earl whom it was rumored was a confirmed bachelor, not to mention a near icon amid the aristocracy. However at the Christmas Ball, Rena finally sees at once an opportunity to gain Moncrief’s notice….

In a season of miracles, can two uncertain hearts find the daring and confidence to meet across a crowded room and at last reveal the longing they’d held secret from each other for so many years…?

The Christmas Ball ($1.99), by Gayle Eden

Book Description
Shay O’ Sullivan never expected to go to London and have a Season, as most debs do, but she had been determined to have her fairy tale. Slipping uninvited to a Christmas Ball, she found more than she bargained for when she fell headlong into the arms of seductive rakehell, Lord Derrington and lost her virtue and her belief in dreams as the morning dawned. Now, five years later, she is unintentionally swept up in a crowd headed for another Christmas celebration and another night of magic and who should be sitting across from her in the coach, but the dangerous rogue himself!

Thrown together once more by Fate the two lovers have never forgotten the secret that they shared. Far from erasing those memories, time has only served to fan the flames of passion and desire even hotter than before. But this time the dawn hour will find their hearts ensnared with a greater enchantment and a restored belief in the happy ever after magic of a Christmas Ball.

The three stories in the Coming Home anthology, The Millionaire's Christmas Wish, by Lucy Gordon, A Christmas Marriage Ultimatum , by Helen Bianchin, and A Prince for Christmas, by Rebecca Winters, are $1.19 each.

Book Description
When Cupid borrows Santa's suit, just about anything can happen. . .

This Christmas grab a steamy mug of hot chocolate, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and join some of Harlequin's bestselling authors in three delicious tales of home and holidays.

Curl up with Helen Bianchin's tale of a woman who returns home to find a most unusual proposal from the most unexpected man! Meanwhile, author Lucy Gordon shows how wearing a Santa suit can change one man's perspective--and his love life. And unwrap Rebecca Winters's story of a true Christmas fairy-tale romance. . .prince included!

Sometimes you'll find the most unexpected things under the mistletoe--and on your doorstep!

The two stories in the Christmas Party 2-in-1 book, Christmas Fantasy, by Janelle Denison, and Naughty or Nice?, by Stephanie Bond, are $1.19 each.

Book Description
Christmas Fantasy
Austin McBride's business was fulfilling women's fantasies, but he'd never indulged in one of his own. Then he met Teddy Spencer. She was smart, sexy...and terrified of commitment. But she also needed him--to play the role of her lover at the company Christmas party. Austin was willing to take the job...as long as he could convince her to make it a full-time position!

Naughty or Nice?
Corporate hatchet man Eric Quinn Stanton had never let pleasure interfere with business--until now. Arriving early and incognito at the Chandelier House, he planned to see firsthand what was working...and what wasn't. Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to see past general manager Cindy Warren's beautiful green eyes...or her other assets. But would Cindy still want him when she discovered he'd been more naughty than nice...?

Two of the three stories in the Christmas Secrets/span> anthology, Christmas Passions, by Catherine Spencer, and A Seasonal Secret, by Diana Hamilton, are $1.19 each.

Book Description
Something Naughty Christmas Passions
Ava Sorensen's long-awaited visit home for the holidays is turned upside down when a snowstorm forces her to spend the night in a horse stable! Matters get complicated when Ava is accompanied by too-hot-to-handle Leo Ferrante and the chilly night sends sparks flying between the two. Now if only Leo weren't engaged to Ava's best friend. . .

And Something Nice A Seasonal Secret
Carl Forsythe's return home is bittersweet--newly divorced and without any family to call his own, there's not much to celebrate. When he suddenly finds himself at Beth Hayley's front door, Carl is stunned to discover that that passion they once shared four years ago is still very much alive. But Beth has a secret she's been hiding from Carl. And she intends to keep it that way.

Christmas Train ($3.99), by David Baldacci

Book Description
Tom Langdon, a weary and cash-strapped journalist, was banned from flying in the U.S. when an overly probing search wand caused him to blow his top at LaGuardia Airport. Now, the train is his only option to get to Los Angeles for Christmas to be with his girlfriend. To finance the trip, he pitches a story about a train ride taken during Christmas season to his ex-flame editor, Eleanor. Thereupon begins one of the most hilarious-and heartwarming-train rides ever. Along the way Tom encounters mechanical failures, derailments, and eccentric characters like Agnes Joe, who rides trains all the time, though no one knows why. There's also a mysterious passenger whom Tom suspects may be a fugitive, an avalanche that changes everyone's Christmas plans, unexpected romance, and a rekindling of holiday spirits. As the mighty Southwest Chief chugs along, Tom Langdon and his wonderful train adventure will have you laughing as you turn the pages. It will also reacquaint you with what makes Christmas truly special.

The Santa Mysteries ($1.97), by S. William Shaw

Book Description
Bennett Short has a dream and a plan. He is going to stow away aboard Santa's sleigh and explore the mysteries of the North Pole. Young Bennett dreams of writing a tell all book about Santa and making a gazillion dollars. But Bennett's plan is taken on a detour when his curiosity results in Santa being abducted by aliens. Along with his friends Darcy and Pickle, and a robot named Algore, Bennett travels across the stars to the icy planet of Tundra 57. If he fails to overcome the penguin fruit aliens and the football-headed tripods, Christmas will never be the same.

So This Is Christmas ($4.68) is an anthology.

Book Description
Sherryl Woods "The Perfect Holiday"
What was a holiday without a handsome husband? To Aunt Mae, it wasn't very festive at all! So she sent the perfect man to her single niece, Savannah Holiday. But would wealthy bachelor Trace Franklin become a groom-to-be by Christmastime?

Beverly Barton "Faith, Hope and Love"
After one passionate night, Faith Sheridan found herself pregnant with her sexy bodyguard's child. Now she hoped the news of their secret child would be a welcome gift to Worth Cordell this holiday--and the beginning of a lifetime of love....

Leanne Banks "A Rancher in Her Stocking"
This Christmas, spirited schoolteacher Amy Winslow was sharing a home with a ruggedly handsome rancher! Now if only she could teach tight-lipped Lucas Bennett that the holidays were meant to be merry. And that he was made for love!

Santa's Super Rescue: How Beezle T. Claus Tried to Steal Christmas ($1.99), by Bruce Thomason, is a children's book.

Book Description
While Santa Claus is making his rounds on Christmas Eve, his evil second cousin, Beezle T. Claus, and three giant elves, Spike, Tiny, and Gumball Goober, kidnap him and steal all the toys. Just when it appears Christmas will be ruined forever, three children with unique super powers come to the rescue and save Christmas.

An Interview with Santa and Other Christmas Treats ($1.99), by Gregory Bernard Banks, is a collection of short stories and poetry.

Book Description
Enjoy these magical, moving, and inspirational Christmas treats, comprised of short stories and poetry about this beloved holiday season. Not only contains the highly acclaimed tale, "Living with Mrs. Klase" but also "Shadows from a Christmas Past," a never before published tale from Gregory Bernard Banks.

A Death at the North Pole ($0.99), by Joel M. Andre

Book Description
Detective Lauren Bruni has dealt with death for her entire life. She has watched it ruin lives, and brought people closer together. Her job taught her to separate fact from fiction.

But on a cold December day, all Lauren had believed in would be shattered and tossed aside. Thrust in a world unlike any she has seen before, she investigates a prominent figure's grisly murder, and searches for answers along a strange new set of people.

With a killer watching her every move in the background ready to strike again at a moments notice.

What is the secret of the death at the North Pole, and what is the larger horror at hand? Life lessons are learned and a realization that sometimes the most real things in this world, are the ones we believe in the least.

**This title won a 2009 Editor's Choice Award.**

Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.) ($3.99) is another children's title, this one optimized for the Kindle DX.

Book Description
It’s holiday time, and Room One is doing lots of fun things to celebrate.

Like making elf costumes! And singing joyful songs! Only, how can Junie B. enjoy the festivities when Tattletale May keeps ruining her holiday glee? And here is the worst part of all! When everyone picks names for Secret Santa, Junie B. gets stuck with Tattletale you-know-who! It’s enough to fizzle your holiday spirit! Hmm . . . or is it? Maybe, just maybe, a Secret Santa gift is the perfect opportunity to give May exactly what she deserves.

Christmas Day of the Dead ($0.99), by Yolanda Sfetsos, is for those who day must include Zombies.

Book Description
Christmas in Australia just isn’t what it used to be. Ever since the Earth cracked open, spewing forth demons, it’s become the loneliest holiday. What do you give your zombie neighbors for a gift anyway? Certainly not your brains. Some of us have survived. Hey Santa. Can I have a new baseball bat this year? My old one is broken and bloody now. I’ve been good...at killing zombies.

Free Book - Rogue Hunter: Gaia: Into the Abyss

Rogue Hunter: Gaia: Into the Abyss ($0.99 Kindle), by Kevis Hendrickson & illustrated by Morgan Bishop, is currently free both at Smashwords (including a Kindle compatible format) and the Barnes & Noble store. This is a prequel to Rogue Hunter: Quest of the Hunter, which was 99 cents last summer, but is currently priced at $2.99.

Book Description
An original e-book short story, the first in a series that tell the adventures of intergalactic bounty hunter Zyra Zanr and her struggle to maintain order in an increasingly lawless galaxy. INTO THE ABYSS includes an excerpt from ROGUE HUNTER: QUEST OF THE HUNTER and offers a sneak peak into the events of Zyra's climactic battle against a powerful enemy who is determined to destroy mankind. THE HUNT BEGINS! Zyra Zanr pursues a dangerous fugitive in possession of a mysterious, but deadly weapon. Zyra must recapture this weapon before it is unleashed upon the unsuspecting people of the galaxy. Book 1 of 3.

Click HERE for Smashwords
Click HERE for Barnes & Noble (epub)
Click HERE for Mobipocket ($0.01)

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 11

It's the eleventh day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

Seducing Serena, by Bonnie Rose Leigh & Gabriella Bradley. The price shows as $4.99, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale. Available as many formats: Adobe Acrobat, Palm DOC/iSolo, Microsoft Reader, Hiebook, HTML, Mobipocket, Rocket, Epub; you can purchase more than one and get the discount each time.

This one has a "heat index" of 4 and the genre is paranormal romance/erotica.

Book Description
Serena Patterson has been on the run for seven years. Now, broke, tired, feeling defeated, she feels drawn to the home she'd left so many years ago and the three brothers she loves so much.

Giving in to her instincts, Serena returns, but only for one last glimpse of the Turner boys, Brady, Asher and Damon. She knows that if she actually makes her presence known, she'll be putting their lives into as much danger as her own has been all those years. Serena makes a decision. She is the one they're after. With her out of the way, danger will be averted from her brothers.

The Turner men are overjoyed that Serena has finally returned home to them, only to watch in consternation as she drives away again. They will not let her get away from them this time, for she doesn't know her first transformation is about to happen, and it can only happen if she mates with them.

Free Overnight Shipping - Get a Kindle in Time for XMAS

In case it slipped your mind, Christmas is now only two days away. If you haven't yet done your Christmas shopping (or perhaps you ordered a nook and don't think the promise of a $100 gift card in the future will make up for no gift under the tree), the Kindle is a the perfect gift for the readers in your family. Today only, Amazon is giving you free overnight shipping (all the way up until MIDNIGHT Eastern Standard Time, according to the countdown clock the site showed me) on the Kindle (Global / International).

No doubt some critics will consider Amazon's failure to run out as an indication of a lack of demand (the last two years, they were criticized for running out), but Amazon has consistently reported that the Kindle has been not only the most wished for, but the most highly ordered item in their catalog this holiday season. They must have stockpiled hundreds of thousands of units to guarantee they'd keep up with demand.

Once ordered, don't forget to start grabbing up the free books, as they'll no doubt change again at the first of the year (we may even get a new one for Christmas day, although there is never an guarantee of when they'll show up in the Kindle store). If you are buying the Kindle as a gift, be sure to include a note inside so the recipient can find this blog. They and I will both appreciate it.

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 10

It's the tenth day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

Calling Dr. Love, by G.A. Hauser. The price shows as $6.99, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale. Available as many formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket, Epub; you can purchase more than one and get the discount each time.

This one has a "heat index" of 5 and the genre is gay (M/M) erotica.

Book Description

Pride and ego make a very unlikely combination for finding true love. Unless you discover another who is your mirror image.

Twenty-five year old Phil Andrews left his family in Eastern Washington to escape the small town attitudes of his siblings and the locals to be free to be himself in the liberal area of West Hollywood. But without an education or work experience to fall back on, Phil uses his good looks and physique to make ends meet, working as a go-go boy at night, and a gay porn star on the weekends.

Intelligent, out of the closet, Dr. Christopher Love was thirty-three years old and a success in everything but his relationships. He knew his life was lacking something, a partner to share it with. Trying to find the kind of man he found attractive sexually and one who was also was willing to bend to his demands was an impossible task. Until he met Phil Andrews.

Two men, two opposite worlds. One educated at the finest schools, an asset to the community, a philanthropist and a surgeon, the other, a high-school drop-out, former drug addict with a criminal record, meet during a stormy night while the lights are blacked out. The physical attraction bonds them instantly, but soon their differences bring to the surface that deadly pride.

The Conqueror

Georgette Heyer's The Conqueror, originally published in 1966, is currently marked down to ($3.18) in the Kindle store. Despite their age, the majority of her books are selling in the $9-$10 range (there are a couple at $5.99), other than one other novel, The Black Moth ($0.99), which I suspect is in the public domain due to both it's price and the presence of a second edition at $1.99.

Book Description
William the Bastard, base-born son of the Duke of Normandy, must fight the King of France to regain his Duchy. Spurned in love by the Princess Matilda, the fighting Duke dares to take a whip to her in her own father’s palace, before making her his bride. William the Conqueror sails to England to claim the Saxon King’s crown and sceptre for his own.

Sign up now for Kindle for Blackberry

Amazon has officially announced their Kindle for Blackberry reader application and you can now sign up to be notified when it is ready for download. The only restriction seems to be that (at least for now), the app is restricted to US customers.

Click HERE to sign-up to be notified.

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 9

It's the ninth day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

In The Arms of Danger, by Jaydyn Chelcee, is book one of her Montana Men series. The price shows as $5.95, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale. This one is in PDF format only. UPDATE: This is now available in PDF and EPUB and the discount is still working.

This one has a "heat index" of 3 and is romantic suspense in genre.

Book Description
Every woman needs a little danger in her life, but what's perilous about a wildlife shoot in the beautiful Montana wilderness? Armed with only a camera, Lacey Weston treks through the rough terrain and captures more on film than she bargains for-the murder of another young woman.

Fearing for her life, Lacey flees the scene and stumbles straight into the path of a man who strongly resembles the murderer. Sheriff Danger Blackstone, with his piercing gray eyes and rugged physique, could be the man in her undeveloped pictures.

With nowhere else to run and hide, Lacey must decide if she dares to trust her life to the only person who can protect her, one whose apparent grudge against Anglo females makes him less than approachable-the very man she suspects of murder.

This suspenseful romance-packed with action, hard-bodied cowboys and long, hot nights-gives a whole new meaning to the Wild West.

A Creed Country Christmas

A Creed Country Christmas ($9.15 Kindle), by Linda Lael Miller, is available for half price at Kobo books, for today only; normally $9.99, so $5.00. However, the only formats I see are Web (read one chapter at a time in their flash viewer) and Mobile (if you have a compatible device; I've never tried this format, there). No EPUB for the Sony or nook and no Kindle compatible formats.

Book Description
Celebrate the holidays with the Creed forefathers--Montana men who built the family homestead and established a legacy of love... In the unforgiving Montana wilderness of 1910, widowed rancher Lincoln Creed is up against more than rustlers, wolves and the coming winter storms. His young daughter has needs beyond the beans and bacon he can barely cook. Lincoln must find little Gracie a governess, a lady who can teach and cook--yet won't set her sights on him. Disowned for her refusal to marry, twenty-five-year-old Juliana Mitchell shares the love in her heart with her young students at the underfunded Indian school. When she meets Lincoln and Gracie, her response to the handsome rancher makes her realize she's not against marriage after all. She longs to help, yet the two orphaned brothers in her care need her. But in the season for miracles, Providence just might find a way to bring Juliana, the boys and the Creed family together for Christmas Eve....

Order the book HERE and use coupon code Miller50 during checkout for the discount.

Going Rogue - ASIN Change Alert!

A reader commented that not only was the ASIN no longer valid for her order of Under the Dome, by Stephen King (December 24, 2009), but her order for Going Rogue: An American Life, by Sarah Palin (December 26, 2009), had an invalid ASIN as well. I had noted the problem with Going Rogue in this earlier post, but didn't stop to think that people who ordered this title might not read the post about Ed Kennedy's memoir.

So, if you pre-ordered this one, check your ASIN for it, as well. If you go the $7.20 price, you'll have to make a decision as to whether you want to re-order at the current $7.99 price, but I'd recommend that everyone else do so, if the ASIN is still valid. To do this, first click on the Manage My Kindle page, then locate your order, under the "Open Orders" banner. Click on the link that says "View details" and then on the link for the book itself. If it shows the book info page, you are all set. If not, then you can cancel the book from the "View details" page and then click on the link above to find the new listing and order it again. In fact, you can put the order in even before you cancel the old one (but do remember to cancel), since Amazon doesn't see these as being for the same book.

Circuit Rider for a Penny

I'll admit, I'm wasn't quite sure what this one was until I went to the author website. Circuit Rider August - September - October 2009 ($0.01), by The United Methodist Publishing House, is a quarterly magazine from the Methodist Church, produced for their clergy, put on Kindle by Abingdon Press. This particular issue is on Leadership Development.

Book Description
Welcome to CIRCUIT RIDER! This is a quarterly professional magazine for pastors. It is published by The United Methodist Publishing House for United Methodist clergy. Our mission is to address the spiritual, intellectual, and practical needs of pastors serving local churches. We are eager to know how CR can better serve you and support you in your ministries.

A more current issue (in PDF only) and other materials are on their website.

Wood-Carving Design and Workmanship

Wood-Carving Design and Workmanship ($0.80), by George Jack, is optimized for the DX screen. The listing says the print price is $17.99, but that must be the paperback - the hardcover is selling for nearly $40.00.

Book Description
This is a text book on wood-carving design and workmanship. It provides practical instructions on the design, the basic skills and the production process of the art of wood carving. The book teaches the use and maintenance of carving tools, the knowledge of carving materials; the skills in dealing with different types of woods; the methods of carving; and the pattern collection and design. The book also teaches the process of turning an idea into a finished carving project with the practice of sketching, layout and carving skills. The book contains more than 90 graphic illustrations.

Under the Dome -- ASIN Change -- Old Listing no Longer Valid

I was checking my pre-ordered books this evening and found that the listing for Under the Dome, by Stephen King (December 24, 2009), has been changed. The ASIN (the Amazon equivalent of a product number or digital ISBN) that I used earlier in the month is no longer valid. This is the second time the ASIN has changed for this title. I'd prefer to use the current ASIN, so that when I look at the book in the Kindle store, I can tell when (or if) I ordered it -- when the ASIN keeps changing, I can't do this (looking up the book from the Manage My Kindle page just gives you a "404 Document Not Found" message). I've had this happen on one or two books in the past (when the author pulled the book from the store completely; usually even books pulled by the publisher for reformatting retain the same ASIN), but I was also a bit worried that I would not get the book at all, since this one hasn't released yet and I don't know how an invalid ASIN would work - I might never get the book and the price is guaranteed to increase on the release date.

So, I canceled my pre-order (again) and re-ordered it today. The price is still $7.99, so there was no penalty for doing so. I don't know that this is necessary, but I do recommend that you check you order and see if the ASIN is still valid. To do this, first click on the Manage My Kindle page, then locate your order, under the "Open Orders" banner. Click on the link that says "View details" and then on the link for the book itself. If it shows the book info page, you are all set. If not, then you can cancel the book from the "View details" page and then click on the link above to find the new listing and order it again. In fact, you can put the order in even before you cancel the old one (but do remember to cancel), since Amazon doesn't see these as being for the same book.

Word Morph - Kindle "Game" for a Penny

Mobi Games has another of their interactive titles for the Kindle at a penny. This time, it's Word Morph Volume 1: transform the starting word one letter at a time until you spell the ending word , by Leonid Braginsky. Unlike the Sudoku game, this one doesn't appear to require the Kindle DX, so I'll be trying it on my original Kindle.

Book Description
How do you make a flip from a flop? Obviously, by changing the i to an o. This is how you play Word Morph. At each step, you can change one letter to form a new word. The task is to transform the starting word one letter at a time until you spell the ending word.

For example, here is a puzzle:

east
----
----
west

You can get from east to west like this:

east
past
pest
west

Often puzzles have more than one solution. In the east to west example, you could also do:

east
last
lest
west

or

east
vast
vest
west

Sometimes the sequences are quite long. For example, here is one way to get from teach to learn:

teach
peach
peace
place
plane
plans
plays
slays
stays
stars
sears
years
yearn
learn

Each puzzle comes with one to three solutions. For most solutions a hint is available.

The puzzles are divided into several difficulty levels, from Novice to Expert, based on the length of the solution.

Enjoy the game!

There are four more Word Morph books in the Kindle store, all of them at $0.99.

Guilty Pleasures

The first book in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, Guilty Pleasures is marked at a bargain price of $3.99). It's not quite as good as getting the first book free, but it's a good price on what is still one of the best books in the series. As you may know, later on the series gets quite explicit (and adds BDSM, somewhere around book ten, Narcissus in Chains), but the early books are all good reads. Several of them are also currently marked at $5.39, so it won't break the bank to pick up a few to read over the holiday, if you haven't do so already.

Book Description
Published almost ten years ago, Guilty Pleasures marked the debut of a writer who was destined to grow from cult favorite to a major bestselling author.-Readers will learn how Anita Blake started raising the dead--and killing the undead. And how she met Jean Claude, the master vampire destined to become not only her biggest nemesis, but her greatest lover.

A Michael Crichton Christmas 2009

Marla Warren sent me this poem, which she published on her Michael Crichton blog, and has given me permission to repost it here. I hope you enjoy it.

A Michael Crichton Christmas 2009

(Sung to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas)
By Marla Warren

On the first day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
A T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the second day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the third day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the fourth day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the fifth day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the sixth day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the seventh day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Seven States a-Fearing
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the eighth day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Eight Airframes crashing
Seven States a-Fearing
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the ninth day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Nine E.R.s in peril
Eight Airframes crashing
Seven States a-Fearing
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the tenth day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Ten Great Trains Robbing
Nine E.R.s in peril
Eight Airframes crashing
Seven States a-Fearing
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the eleventh day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Eleven Congos drumming
Ten Great Trains Robbing
Nine E.R.s in peril
Eight Airframes crashing
Seven States a-Fearing
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

On the Next day of Christmas Michael Crichton gave to me
Twelve Spheres a-humming
Eleven Congos drumming
Ten Great Trains Robbing
Nine E.R.s in peril
Eight Airframes crashing
Seven States a-Fearing
Six Prey a-fleeing
Five Pirate Latitudes
Four Timelines
Three Rising Suns
Two Lost Worlds
And a T-Rex who tried to eat me

Author's Note
I wrote the original version of this on December 22, 2007 for my message board. I intended it to be a fun treat for the holidays. Now with Michael Crichton's untimely death, it's poignant to think about what he gave us.

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 8

It's the eighth day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

Just Between Friends, by Dakota Trace. The price shows as $4.99, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale. Available as several formats:Adobe Acrobat, Palm DOC/iSolo, Microsoft Reader, Hiebook, HTML, Mobipocket, Rocket, Epub.

This one has a "heat index" of 4 and the genre is erotica.

Book Description
Seth Anderson and Isabella Carnetti have been best friends since grade school. They live and work next to each other and are content with the status quo until the day that Seth realizes that Isabella is a desirable woman. She is leery of a relationship with him especially when she finds out he’s into tying up his lovers. He won’t rest until he has her in his bed. Then his ex shows up wanting to win him back. Can Seth and Bella have a relationship or will Seth’s ex be enough to tear them apart?

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 7

It's the seventh day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

Bastards And Pretty Boys, by K.Z. Snow. The price shows as $5.50, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale. Available as several formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket, Rocket, Epub.

This one has a "heat index" of 4 and the genre is gay erotica.

Book Description
Charles Larkin is finally happy with his life…for the most part. He’s happy with his new summer getaway—a rustic cottage he just bought on a small Wisconsin lake. He’s happy that his ex-wife, whom he divorced because he couldn’t play straight anymore, has become one of his best friends. He’s happy he can breathe again.

It’s only Kenneth, Charlie’s boyfriend of five months, who makes this new life less than completely satisfying. Charlie feels they’ve never been quite right for each other, and Kenneth cements that conviction when he makes a disturbing confession. Charlie knows their time together is quickly coming to an end. Problem is, Kenneth doesn’t know it. And he tends to be rather possessive.

Planning to spend a quiet, relaxing two or three weeks at Cloud Lake—fixing up his place, reading, even attempting to overcome his fear of water—Charlie is less than thrilled to discover his next-door neighbor is one hell of a looker. He doesn’t need that kind of distraction, especially since his issues with Kenneth haven’t yet been resolved. But there’s a ninety percent chance the neighbor is straight, has a wife or girlfriend, and could be leaving the next day. Charlie clings to those probabilities.

Only, Booker isn’t going anywhere, and he isn’t that easily ignored. And neither is his unexpected, none-too-savory baggage. And neither, for that matter, is Charlie's. But when two people care enough about each other, they figure out how to help carry each other's baggage…or cast it aside.

Game Download - Ricochet Lost Worlds

Amazon's Video Game of the Day is a $1.49 download of Ricochet Lost Worlds. This one has no reviews yet, but there are for related games in the series. Ricochet Lost Worlds: Recharged ($6.99) was on special in May and Richochet Extreme ($6.99), was on special last month; I've played both quite a bit and enjoyed them. Lost Worlds: Recharged has only 5 and 4 star reviews, while another in the series, Ricochet Infinity ($4.99), has all five star reviews.

Game Description

• 160 Incredible Levels.
• 4 Stunning Environments.
• Innovative Ring Puzzle Gameplay.
• Pulse Pounding Soundtrack.

With its stunning visuals and sound effects, gripping soundtrack and compelling level design, Ricochet Lost Worlds could quite possibly be the most addictive game ever made. This remarkable breakout action game will entertain your whole family for hours on end! Throw into the mix a slew of innovative power-ups, a new "Ring Game" and a level editor where you can make your own levels and you have an unbeatable combination. You just have to download this brick-busting game... it's a blast!

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 6

It's the sixth day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

The Object of my Obsession, by Cara North. The price shows as $4.99, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale (even if you don't get it the first day it is featured in the sale; I've tested a couple of them a day or two later and the discount was still active). Available as two formats and will have to be converted for the Kindle: Adobe Acrobat, Epub.

This one has a "heat index" of 5 and the genre is erotica (the book description and the cover serves as it's own content warning).

Book Description
To the public they are All-American actors; one in film, the other on a popular cable television series. To Sonja Love, sex columnist extraordinaire, they are her lovers. Together they do things in private that no one can ever know about. Ever.

Sonja Love PhD. Writes an advice column for the Cali Chronicle, a popular print and online magazine. Her main goal; to get an interview with the object of her obsession, one Mr. Jacob Brandon, hot new Hollywood hunk dejour. Thanks to a highly controversial film, in which he stars, she is able to get to the press junket and finally meet the man she masturbates to regularly. The first time they meet is on an elevator during a thunderstorm and the power goes out. Taking advantage of the situation she treats him to what she learned in a research class about oral sex. When the power returns she leaves him breathless and wanting. Once they meet again he fears she was just trying to cause a scandal. She fears he may try to get her fired. Standing her ground she assures him that she did it for herself, not for the world and stomps out without and interview.

Jacob finds her at the hotel and convinces her to let him in. Once inside it takes moments for her to forgive him, and minutes for her to get him naked again. Jacob does things to her she had only researched and wrote about. Leaving with a kiss and a smile, taking her business card, and her anal virginity with him she thinks it is over.

Jacob calls her; he comes to visit her in her secluded home in Kentucky. Wanting respite from the world, a sanctuary where he can hide out, he finds more than sex appealing about Sonja.

When Jacob invites his best friend and fellow actor, Henry Dare, to hide out a week or so with them, things heat up in a new direction. Sonja can feel the heat between the two actors as much as she can feel their attraction to her. A triangle forms, toys are tested, boundaries broken and three people find freedom at last.

However, things are not always as good as they seem.

Author Spotlight: Nora Roberts

Several of Nora Robert's books are currently marked down in the Kindle store.

Montana Sky ($2.01)

Book Description
When Jack Mercy died, he left behind a ranch worth nearly twenty million dollars. Now his three daughters--each born of a different marriage, and each unknown by the others--are gathered to hear the reading of the will. But the women are shocked to learn that before any of them can inherit, they must live together on the ranch for one year. They are sisters and strangers. Now they face a challenge: to put their bitterness aside and live like family. To protect each other from danger--and unite against an enemy who threatens to destroy them all?

The Pagan Stone ($3.94). This is book three in the Sign of Seven Trilogy.

Book Description
The conclusion to the electrifying trilogy, following Blood Brothers and The Hollow, of three men and three women who join forces—and hearts—to battle the ultimate evil.

Daring to Dream ($3.99). This is book one of the Dream Trilogy.

Book Description
Margo, Kate and Laura were brought up like sisters amidst the peerless grandeur of Templeton House. But it was Margo whose dreams first took her far away . . . Margo Sullivan had everything a young woman could ask for. But while growing up along the rocky cliffs of Monterey, she couldn't help but dream of bigger things. The daughter of the Templeton's stern Irish housekeeper, Margo had been treated like a member of the family. Deep down, she knew that money could not but the thing she craved most -- her mother's acceptance. Maybe things would be different if she could be sweet like Laura -- or had Kate's shrewd head for business. But all Margo knew how to do was be Margo, and that meant doing things her own way -- no matter what the consequences . . .

Finding the Dream ($3.99). This is the final book of the Dream Trilogy (book two, Holding the Dream, is still $6.39).

Book Description
Laura Templeton had always known comfort, privilege, and security. But by the time she turns thirty, her storybook marriage has been destroyed by her husband’s infidelity and their divorce leaves her both emotionally and financially devastated—but determined to rebuild her life without the Templeton fortune.

A Little Magic ($3.99). This one is an anthology of short stories.

Book Description
Love blossoms like the luscious petals of spring’s very first rose in these four stories by Nora Roberts, Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman.

Spellbound ($2.39)

Book Description
While world-famous photographer Calin Farrell enjoys a much-needed vacation in Ireland, he becomes bewitched by the ravishingly beautiful Bryna Torrence. In fact, so bewitched that he refuses to believe in the spell that has brought them together—and could destroy them both.

Free 2 Day Shipping for Kindle, but DX Sold Out for XMAS

Today was the last day you could use SuperSaver shipping and be reasonably certain you could get delivery by Christmas. This evening, Amazon announced that you will now get free 2-day shipping (in the US) on the Kindle (Global/International), so you can guarantee getting the package, even if ordered as late as December 22. Of course, there is always the possibility that they'll run out of stock on these as well (after all, they are now practically the only eInk device left in stock, as well as the most popular one with buyers and readers). If you were looking forward to a Kindle DX in your stocking (and what a large stocking that must be!), you are out of luck - shipping estimates are currently 4 to 6 weeks out (then again, if it's a DX you want, you might want to reserve your place in line, as waiting a month may mean even longer delays (then again, a month from now, they may have their supply lines caught up and orders may start shipping right away again -- they definitely have that more under control this year than in the past and are handing holiday orders better than their top two competitors).

If you were considering a refurbished Kindle, most of your $40 savings may be eaten up in shipping costs to get delivery in time for the holidays. You are also out of luck on a refurbished Original Kindle or Kindle DX, for now -- if refurbs of either one show up in the store, they disappear almost instantly and both are currently out of stock.

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 5

It's the fifth day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

A Regency Christmas, by Lyn Stone, Carla Kelly & Gail Ranstrom; this one is an anthology published by Harlequin Free Reads. Available as many formats: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket, Epub; you can purchase more than one.

This one has a "heat index" of 2

Book Description
Scarlet Ribbons by Lyn Stone

Captain Alexander Napier is battle scarred-from war and from life. For him, yuletide is just a reminder of all that he's lost. Can enchanting Amalie Harlowe restore light into the festive season...and reignite the passion in his heart?

Christmas Promise by Carla Kelly

Now that peace has broken out, Captain Jeremiah Faulk is at odds over what to do this Christmas, let alone with his life. Until a simple act of charity reunites him with his lost love-Ianthe Mears.

A Little Christmas by Gail Ranstrom Tending to a houseful of grieving relatives isn't Viscount Selwick's idea of a merry Christmas. But one stolen kiss under the mistletoe with spirited Sophia Pettibone is about to change everything!

12 Days of Free Romance - Day 4

It's the fourth day of All Romance's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways:

Tales of the Darkworld Book 1: Shifting Winds, by Lex Valentine. The price shows as $3.50, but when you click on Buy Now, you should see the discount for the 12 Days of Christmas sale. Available as many formats: Epub, Mobipocket, HTML, Microsoft Reader, Adobe Acrobat; you can purchase more than one and get the discount each time.

This one has a "heat index" of 5

Book Description

Vampire Elysia Granville gets more than she bargained for when she attends the Undertaker's Ball on Halloween. She's looking for a one night stand, but the man she chooses is Declan Antaeus, a home and hearth black dragon who has had a secret crush on her for years. Can the powerful dragon make the commitment shy vampire extend one night into forever?

Free Audiobook - My Soul to Lose

My Soul to Lose ($0.00 Kindle), by Rachel Vincent, has been free from Audible.com for quite some time, but I keep forgetting to post it.

Book Description
It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....

An eBook exclusive prequel to Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series.

Click HERE to get the free audiobook.

Free Book from Kobo - Death Message

Death Message ($13.99 Kindle), by Mark Billingham, is another brand new release from Harper Collins with several positive reviews in the Kindle store and a digital list price of $25 (the Hardcover is over $17). Click HERE to get Death Message for free in EPUB format (sorry, no Kindle compatibility).

Book Description
Thorne looked at the picture, feeling the pulse quicken at the side of his neck. There were times when he couldn't see what was staring him in the face, but this, for better or worse, was his area of expertise. Thorne knew a dead man when he saw him.Delivering the "death message." That's what cops call those harrowing moments when they must tell someone that a loved one has been killed. Now Detective Investigator Tom Thorne is receiving messages of his own: photographs of murder victims sent to his cell phone.Who are the victims? Who is sending the photographs? And why is he sending them to Tom Thorne? The answer lies in the detective investigator's past, with a man he had once sent to prison for life. But even behind bars, the most dangerous psychopath Thorne has ever faced is still a master at manipulating others to do his dirty work for him. And Thorne must act fast because the photos keep on coming, and the killer's next target is someone the detective investigator knows very well. . . .