Books on The Knob

Free Book - All The Right Reasons (K/N/E)

2013-05-23T12:01:00.000-04:00

All The Right Reasons, the third novel in the Damaged Heroes series by Sandy James, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble, Sony and Kobo, courtesy of publisher Siren Publishing/BookStrand.

Book Description
Can love heal all wounds? Lucas Mitchell returned from Iraq a bitter, changed man, wracked with guilt over his friend's death. He buys an old mansion and deals with his injuries and grief by restoring his new home and rehabilitating retired racehorses.

Joy Kovacs falls in love with Lucas at first sight. Descended from gypsies who are still influenced by the lingering effects of the Holocaust, her family follows the traditional ways. A husband has already been selected for her, and her father insists she work at their ethnic restaurant. But Joy wants to use her talent and be an artist, and she wants no one but Lucas.
How can Joy find a way to help Lucas break out of his prison of grief? Although they've committed their hearts to each other, can the growing love and passion between Lucas and Joy survive her family's insistence that she marry within her culture?

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Get the free ebook from Kobo.
Get the free ebook from Sony.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Kindle Daily Deals 5/23

2013-05-23T10:03:00.001-04:00

The current Amazon Lightning Deal is for the pinkest external hard drive I've ever seen (and at a pretty decent price). Upcoming deals this morning are going to be for Pink and Blue versions of the VTech InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet, a tablet designed just for very young kids (including big bumper to protect it and the kids).

Amazon's Android Free App of the Day is Fruit Ninja, a long time favorite of mine.

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is Ricochet ($1.99), by New York Times Bestelling Author Sandra Brown [Simon and Schuster]. This has a starred review from Publishers Weekly and Booklist says it is a must read, so I imagine it'll be joining my TBR list sometime today.

Book Description
SANDRA BROWN IS BACK WITH A SPINE-TINGLING STORY OF MURDER AND BETRAYAL -- AND A HOMICIDE DETECTIVE'S STRUGGLE WITH HIS OWN RULES OF CONDUCT.

When Detective Sergeant Duncan Hatcher is summoned to the home of Judge Cato Laird in the middle of the night to investigate a fatal shooting, he knows that discretion and kid-glove treatment are the keys to staying in the judge's good graces and keeping his job.

At first glance, the case appears open-and-shut: Elise, the judge's trophy wife, interrupted a burglary in progress and killed the intruder in self-defense. But Duncan is immediately suspicious of Elise's innocent act. His gut feeling is that her account of the shooting is only partially true -- and it's the parts she's leaving out that bother him.

Determined to learn the dead man's connection to the Lairds and get at the truth, Duncan investigates further and quickly finds his career, as well as his integrity, in jeopardy -- because he can't deny his increasing attraction to Elise Laird, even if she is a married woman, a proven liar, and a murder suspect.

When Elise seeks Duncan out privately and makes an incredible allegation, he initially dismisses it as the manipulative lie of a guilty woman. But what if she's telling the truth? Then that single fatal gunshot at her home takes on even more sinister significance, possibly involving Duncan's nemesis, the brutal crime lord Robert Savich.

And then Elise goes missing . . .

Ricochet's plot twists -- as only Sandra Brown can write them -- and palpable suspense combine to create this gripping thriller, in which a decent cop's worst enemy may be his own conscience, and trusting the wrong person could mean the difference between life and death.

Today's Kindle Romance Daily Deal is Kitty ($1.99), a Regency Romance by Marion Chesney aka M.C. Beaton [RosettaBooks].

Book Description
In any given glittering social season, Edwardian London’s dizzying whirl had its share of surprises. The latest was Kitty Harrison, once achingly poor, suddenly an heiress and now, thanks to her determined mother, she was about to become a Baroness. From the moment Kitty set eyes on Lord Chesworth, she found him to be the most exciting man she had ever laid eyes on. But Kitty was young, innocent, and easily dazzled. She did not even question the motives of the dashing bachelor who swore he loved her even as he courted the scandalously beautiful Mrs. Jackson. All too soon Kitty’s dream of marriage became a nightmare; someone was trying to kill her. Adrift in a sea of deception, Kitty soon realized that to save her life and win the only man she had ever loved, she would have to learn to play the game, only this time, her way: smarter… better… and for keeps.

Today's Kindle SciFi/Fantasy Daily Deal is Lud-in-the-Mist ($0.99), by Hope Mirrlees.

Book Description
The book that New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman considers "one of the finest [fantasy novels] in the English language"

Between the mountains and the sea, between the sea and Fairyland, lay the Free State of Dorimare and its picturesque capital, Lud-in-the-Mist. No Luddite ever had any truck with fairies or Fairyland. Bad business, those fairies. The people of Dorimare had run them out generations ago--and the Duke of Dorimare along with them.

Until the spring of his fiftieth year, Master Nathaniel Chanticleer, Mayor of Lud-in-the-Mist and High Seneschal of Dorimare, had lived a sleepy life with his only son, Ranulph. But as he grew, Ranulph was more and more fond of talking nonsense about golden cups, and snow-white ladies milking azure cows, and the sound of tinkling bridles at midnight. And when Ranulph was twelve, he got caught up with the fairies, and Nathaniel's life would never be the same.

Today's Kindle Teen Daily Deal is Going Underground ($2.99), by Susan Vaught [Bloomsbury USA Childrens]. It looks like a must-read both for younger teens (before they get caught up in the same problem) and for those who don't understand why this particular law needs to be changed, all wrapped up in a novel package. The one negative review thinks that a teen conviction of sexting won't follow you into adulthood, but that is sadly mistaken; many (most?) states brand juveniles as sex offenders and require registration for life and it isn't unusual for teens to be tried as adults these days (even some pre-teens and I've read of one state trying it for a child as young as 9, although for a more violent offense).

Book Description
Del is a good kid who's been caught in horrible circumstances. When we meet him, he is 17, trying to put his life together after an incident in his past that made him a social outcast - and a felon. As a result, he can't get into college; the only job he can get is digging graves; and when he finally meets a girl he might fall in love with, there's a whole sea of complications that threaten to bring the world crashing down around him again.

But what has Del done? In flashbacks to Del's 14th year, we slowly learn the truth: his girlfriend texted him a revealing photo of herself, a teacher confiscated his phone, and soon the police were involved.

Basing her story on real-life cases of teens being charged with sex crimes for texting explicit photos, Susan Vaught has created a moving portrait of an immensely likable young character caught up in a highly controversial legal scenario.

Nook Daily Find 5/23

2013-05-23T00:34:00.000-04:00

Southern Comfort ($3.50 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Fern Michaels [Zebra Books/Kensington], is the Nook Daily Find.

Book Description
#1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels masterfully blends adventure, redemption, and rich emotion to explore all the ways that love can come to heal us…

Atlanta homicide detective Patrick "Tick" Kelly turned his back on the world the day his wife and children were murdered. Holed up in a beach shack on Mango Key, Florida, he drowned his grief in Jack Daniels. Now sober and a bestselling author, Tick would gladly stay a recluse forever if his brother Pete didn't keep trying to drag him back to the land of the living.

After years of sacrificing her personal life in favor of her DEA job, special agent Kate Rush resigned and moved back to her native Miami. But the unofficial assignment that has just come her way is too intriguing to pass up. She and a fellow exagent are relocated to Mango Key to keep an eye on an imposing, mysterious fortress believed to be at the center of a human trafficking ring. At first, the Kelly brothers are suspected of involvement, but Kate is sure Tick poses no dangerexcept for the slowburning gaze that makes her breath catch and her heart race…

UK Kindle Daily Deal 5/23

2013-05-23T00:27:00.000-04:00

The Master Plan (£0.99 UK), the second novel in the Dana Sloan Mysteries series by Carol Costa [Thomas & Mercer], is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $3.99).

Book Description
Two wives suspected of their husbands' murders have investigative reporter Dana Sloan working to prove their innocence and at odds once again with her boyfriend, homicide detective Al Bruno. Dana quickly learns that one of the wives, a talented artist, was abused by her husband. The other wife, Dana's friend and employee Casey Jordan, admits that her recent wedding was part of a crazy scheme to marry into wealth.

But Casey isn't the only one with secrets. Dana uncovers evidence that Casey's bridegroom has his own hidden agenda for marring. What Dana doesn't know is that the murders are all part of another plan, this one the most sinister of all, devised by a killer who won't hesitate to add Dana to the list of victims.

Free Book - The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (K/N)

2013-05-22T14:58:00.000-04:00

The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, a novel by Jonathan Evison, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble, courtesy of publisher Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. The Audible companion audiobook is $4.49.

Book Description
Jonathan Evison has crafted a novel of the heart, a novel of unlikely heroes traveling through a grand American landscape, and most of all, a story that offers a profound look into what it takes to truly care for another person. Bursting with energy and filled with moments of absolute beauty, this bighearted and inspired novel ponders life’s terrible surprises as well as its immeasurable rewards.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Free Short Story - Your Lovely Small Face (K/N)

2013-05-22T14:46:00.001-04:00

Your Lovely Small Face, a short story by by Jeff Backhaus, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble, courtesy of publisher Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

Book Description
“Your Lovely Small Face” is the story of an American who's just immigrated to Korea in a risky scheme to resurrect his shattered career, prepare a home for his wife and daughter (who have promised to follow as soon as he lays a suitable foundation), and help his wife launch her own entrepreneurial venture.

The story is told through posts on a fictional Tumblr page, which the couple sets up to share their now-separate worlds. We watch as they communicate and miscommunicate with each other through their posts and photos, as they try to be honest about their lives but end up irresistibly manipulating their own experiences to get what they want.

Author Jeff Backhaus wrote the story based on thirty-nine photos he assembled from the thousands he's taken around the world—thin slices of his past severed from his actual experience to create an illusion, a photofiction, a story.

Includes a special preview of Backhaus's debut novel Hikikomori and the Rental Sister.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Daily Deal - Under Fire (E)

2013-05-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

Under Fire (~~$6.99~~ $5.38 Kindle), a military romantic suspense novel by Catherine Mann [Sourcebooks Casablanca], is today's Deal of the Day at at Diesel E-Books, where it's discounted to $1.40 (10 copies left).

Book Description
No Holds Barred, In Love or War...

A decorated hero, pararescueman Liam McCabe lives to serve. Six months ago, her and Rachel Flores met in the horrific aftermath of an earthquake in the Bahamas. They were tempted by an explosive attraction, but then they parted ways. Still, Liam has thought about Rachel every day—and night—since.

Now, after ignoring all his phone calls for six month, Rachel has turned up on base with a wild story about a high–ranking military traitor. She claims no one but Liam can help her—and she won't trust anyone else.

With nothing but her word and the testimony of a discharged military cop to go on, Liam would be insane to risk his career—even his life— to help a woman who left him in the dust.

Get the book from Diesel; be sure to check the sales price, as the Deal of the Day often sells out.

Kindle Daily Deals 5/22

2013-05-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

Today's Gold Box at Amazon is Up to 60% Off Select PetSafe, Drinkwell, Greenies, and Premier Summer Essentials and there are Pet Lightning Deals all day long.

Today is the last day to take advantage of this AmazonLocal deal:

37 Kindle Books for $1 Each

Today's Kindle Teen Daily Deal is The Anti-Prom ($1.99), by Abby McDonald [Candlewick].

Book Description
They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is an Amazon exclusive translation of Dust Angel ($1.99), by Jutta Profijt and Erik J. Macki (Translator) [AmazonCrossing], with the companion audiobook also $1.99.

Book Description
Losing her posh advertising job, her boyfriend, and her apartment all in the same morning has left Corinna Leyendecker with a massive mess where her life should be. She tries to get things back on track, but with a mountain of red tape between her and unemployment assistance and a string of disastrous job interviews under her belt, it’s clear that following the rules is getting her nowhere. So she decides to start doing things her way…

With the help of a quirky friend—and some unconventional branding—Corinna launches her own business: an elite cleaning service for wealthy men. And business is booming…until the day she finds a dead homeless man in the house of a fussy new client. As usual, Corinna’s instinct is to clean up, but body disposal isn’t easy, especially when you’re juggling work, friendships, media attention, and a nasty flu. It’s going to take more than a little elbow grease to finish this dirty job and come out clean.

Today's Kindle Romance Daily Deal is Marked by Moonlight ($0.99), the first novel in the Moon Chasers series by Sharie Kohler [Simon and Schuster].

Book Description
She doesn't know what bit her...

Seemingly overnight, Claire Morgan has transformed: the normally mousy schoolteacher is now bold, and her behavior is truly wild. Her eyes gleam silver. Suddenly she's a self-confident femme fatale with a libido that just won't quit. After an impulsive makeover, she's even...dare she say it?...sexy. Is Claire going insane?

Then brutally handsome stranger Gideon March tells her she was bitten by a werewolf, and Claire figures he's the insane one. Sure, she was attacked by a nasty dog in a back alley, but this guy stalking her says he's a member of an underground society of lycan hunters -- and his mission is to kill her immediately.

When Claire finally realizes she really is a lycan, there's no turning back -- because by now Claire and Gideon are bound by a hungry passion. If they can't break the curse by the next full moon, Claire's soul will be lost forever and Gideon will be forced to terminate his prey -- a woman dangerously close to devouring him, heart and soul.

Today's Kindle SciFi/Fantasy Daily Deal is Kill the Dead ($0.99), the second Sandman Slim novel by Richard Kadrey [HarperCollins], with the companion audiobook for $3.99. Wouldn't you know, I bought this 8 days ago....

Book Description
Sandman Slim is back from Hell. After wreaking unholy havoc in author Richard Kadrey’s resoundingly acclaimed Sandman Slim, the demon-slaying anti-hero and half-angel fugitive from the underworld returns in a brutally funny, eye-poppingly inventive, and totally addicting follow-up, Kill the Dead. If you’re a fan of Buffy and Jim Butcher, Christopher Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Warren Ellis, or you dig the dark urban fantasy vibe of Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, and Simon Green, you’ll cheer Lucifer’s onetime personal assassin as he signs on as his ex-boss’ Hollywood bodyguard…and takes on the zombie apocalypse almost single-handedly.

Nook Daily Find 5/22

2013-05-22T00:29:00.000-04:00

The Killer's Art ($6.59 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), the fourth novel in the Anders Knutas series by Mari Jungstedt and Tiina Nunnally (Translator) [Stockholm Text], is the Nook Daily Find.

Book Description
A cold Sunday morning, a man is found murdered and hanged on the old city wall that surrounds Visby, capital of Gotland. The victim is art gallery owner Egon Wallin. When the famous painting “The Dying Dandy” is stolen in Stockholm, disturbing links to the murder of Egon Wallin slowly start to surface, taking the reader into the exquisite Swedish art world and underworld of prostitution and drugs.

Killer’s Art is set in the picturesque yet uncanny island Gotland, the Swedish equivalent to Martha’s Vineyard. In this hair-raising story, superintendant Anders Knutas is facing one of the toughest investigations in his career.

With an intelligent plot and fast-paced, excruciating suspense, Mari Jungstedt is often compared to Minette Walters and Ruth Rendell. Her page-turning novels have made Jungstedt the second bestselling crime-in-translation author for Random House. With over 3 million copies sold, Jungstedt is a true queen of crime fiction.

UK Kindle Daily Deal 5/22

2013-05-22T00:20:00.000-04:00

Hollow Earth (£0.99 UK), the first novel in the series by John Barrowman and Carol E. Barrowman, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK. The US edition [Simon and Schuster] is $3.99, which is a significant discount as well, on the start of a series sometimes promoted as the next Harry Potter.

Book Description
Lots of twins have a special connection - being able to finish each other's sentences; sensing what the other is thinking; perhaps even knowing when the other is in trouble or in pain - but for 12-year-old twins, Matt and Emily Calder, the connection is beyond special. Together, the twins have extraordinary powers. They are able to bring art to life, or enter paintings at will.

Their abilities are sought by villains trying to access the terrors of Hollow Earth - a place where all the demons, devils and creatures ever imagined lie trapped for eternity. The twins flee with their mother to the security of an island, off the west coast of Scotland, where their grandfather has certain protective powers of his own. But too much is at stake, and the twins aren't safe there either. The villains will stop at nothing to find Hollow Earth and harness the powers within...

Age Range: 8 and up

Free Audio Short Story - Cold Colors

2013-05-21T19:41:00.003-04:00

Cold Colors, a short story by Neil Gaiman, is free from Audible, as part of the promotion of his forthcoming novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Kindle/Audible).

Book Description
"Cold Colors", a short story from Neil Gaiman's collection Smoke and Mirrors ($5.99 Kindle/Audible), explores the nature of technology and morality in a world where Evil is more tech-savvy than Good. This free short story also includes a preview of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, the author's next full-length novel, available now for pre-order and due out on June 18. Find more from Neil Gaiman and explore the books he has hand-picked and produced at Neil Gaiman Presents.

Get the free audiobook from Audible.

Bargain Book Roundup

2013-05-21T18:02:00.000-04:00

I mentioned before that I went to see Star Trek Into Darkness in 3D and really liked it. Since we wanted to grab it on Blu-ray when it was released, I signed up to be notified when it could be ordered and today, there it is! Even better, the prices are pretty reasonable, so I pre-ordered the 3D Combo Edition (with Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) for under $25. If you want to save a few bucks, the Blu-ray Combo is $19.99 and the DVD Only (no digital copy) is $16.99. If you really want to splurge, though, you can also get Star Trek Into Darkness Starfleet Phaser Limited Edition Gift Set, which adds a (non-weaponized, although with a spinning barrel) Phaser to the 3D Combo Edition.

And here's the best part for Kindle readers: You also get a Free Star Trek Comic Book: Pre-Order Star Trek Into Darkness on DVD, Blu-ray Combo,or 3D Blu-ray Combo and receive a promotional credit (valued at $2.99) for a free Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness #1 Comic Book, by Mike Johnson and David Messina (Illustrator). Now, I'll be waiting to order mine after I get the promo credit and the details page claims you can't get it at all unless you are an Into Darkness pre-order customer ... but, right this minute there is a one-click order button on the page (and a $2.99 price tag); I don't know if it will refuse your order if you didn't buy the movie first, but it's there to click, for those that want to try for it.

Boring details: Promotional credit will be sent upon ship date and must be used by September 30, 2013 in order to receive the free download. Download must be used with a Kindle device or through the Kindle app.

It took several days, but 1,001 Best Grilling Recipes: Delicious, Easy-to-Make Recipes from Around the World ($1.99 Kindle, B&N), by Rick Browne [Agate Surrey], finally dropped on Kindle to match the B&N price. If you were holding off on getting it, I'd do it now, as this price may not last long.

Book Description
This newest addition to Surrey's 1,001 line of cookbooks is the definitive book on grilling everything from appetizers and side dishes, to lamb, beef, hamburgers, sausages, fish & shellfish, wild game, chicken, game birds, turkey, pork, and desserts. Also included are dozens of recipes for sauces, marinades, and rubs to use when cooking on a barbecue grill.

Author Rick Browne is one of the country's best-known authorities on grilling. The creator and host of the PBS TV series "Barbecue America," he is the author of seven cookbooks, most dealing with barbecue and grilling. In this new collection, he's created an encyclopedic collection of recipes drawn from cuisines around the world.

Browne begins with a brief, introductory primer on basic grilling techniques, but the real substance of this book is the dazzling array of recipes--all manner of meat and fish, plus numerous vegetarian options, from every corner of the globe, with a particular focus on North American and Asian traditions.

Never before have this many great grilling recipes been collected between two covers. If you love to grill--or know someone else who does--this is a must-have resource. It's the only grilling recipe book you'll ever need.

Cain ($1.39 Kindle; >$10 elsewhere), by Jose Saramago and Margaret Jull Costa (Translator) [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]; this is the one novel missing from The Collected Novels of Jose Saramago, as it was unfinished when the latter was published. The Audible companion audiobook is $3.99.

Book Description
In this, his last novel, José Saramago daringly reimagines the characters and narratives of the Old Testament, recalling his provocative The Gospel According to Jesus Christ. His tale runs from the Garden of Eden, when God realizes he has forgotten to give Adam and Eve the gift of speech, to the moment when Noah’s Ark lands on the dry peak of Ararat. Cain, the despised, the murderer, is Saramago’s protagonist.

Condemned to wander forever after he kills his brother Abel, Cain makes his way through the world in the company of a personable donkey. He is a witness to and participant in the stories of Isaac and Abraham, the destruction of the Tower of Babel, Moses and the golden calf, the trials of Job. The rapacious Queen Lilith takes him as her lover. An old man with two sheep on a rope crosses his path. And again and again, Cain encounters a God whose actions seem callous, cruel, and unjust. He confronts Him, he argues with Him. “And one thing we know for certain,” Saramago writes, “is that they continued to argue and are arguing still.”

A startling book—sensual, funny—and in all ways a fitting end to Saramago’s extraordinary career.

If you don't have a copy of The Great Gatsby ($4.99 Kindle, $10.93 B&N, $1.99-$7.99 Kobo), by F. Scott Fitzgerald [Simon and Schuster], now is the time to pick one up to read before seeing the latest movie version in the theaters. Those that prefer the the audiobook edition may want to grab this edition, as well, as the audiobook price drops to 99 cents once you have the Kindle edition in your libraries.

Note that the lower price editions at Kobo (and elsewhere) are public domain copies, for countries where the copyright has expired, which does not include the US.

Book Description
The exemplary novel of the Jazz Age, F. Scott Fitzgeralds' third book, The Great Gatsby (1925), stands as the supreme achievement of his career. T. S. Eliot read it three times and saw it as the "first step" American fiction had taken since Henry James; H. L. Mencken praised "the charm and beauty of the writing," as well as Fitzgerald's sharp social sense; and Thomas Wolfe hailed it as Fitzgerald's "best work" thus far. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when, The New York Times remarked, "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession," it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s that resonates with the power of myth. A novel of lyrical beauty yet brutal realism, of magic, romance, and mysticism, The Great Gatsby is one of the great classics of twentieth-century literature.

Overdraft: The Orion Offensive ($1.99 Kindle), by John Jackson Miller [47North], is a new Kindle Serial from the author of Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith (now available as in a Collected Stories edition), as well as several Star Wars and Mass Effects novels. Half of the episodes have been released and you get the remaining episodes over time, at no extra charge (unlike many indie-published attempts at a serial); if you prefer, you can wait until it is finished and read it all at once (in a single book on your Kindle, no searching for chapters). Also unlike the indie serials I've seen lately, this has both editorial support and the length is known before your purchase (I've seen indie's priced at 99 cents/episode, with dozens of tiny episodes, which will break the bank quickly and is vastly overpriced for all but a huge name author, IMO).

Book Description
This book is a Kindle Serial. Kindle Serials are stories published in episodes, with future episodes delivered at no additional cost. This serial currently contains four episodes out of an estimated eight total episodes, and new episodes will be delivered every two weeks.

After an egotistical stock trader for one of the twenty-second century’s biggest corporations gets greedy and loses his employer a fortune, he has two options: go to jail or make the money back before anyone notices. Unfortunately, the only place such profits can be found is the galactic frontier, a region so dangerous it’ll take an uneasy alliance with a crew of rugged mercenaries to keep him alive and in the black.

You’d have to be insane to trade with the violent denizens of the Orion Arm, but with just one hundred days to recoup $100 billion, Jamie Sturm is feeling a little crazy. Standing between Jamie and a variety of agonizing deaths is Surge Team Sigma, the squad of power-armored mercenaries tasked with protecting him. Their last job ended in disaster thanks to Jamie’s scheming, and, led by the implacable Bridget Yang, the team is determined to keep the hapless Jamie alive long enough to fix their reputation. That is, assuming they can ignore their own growing desire to flush the annoying tagalong out of the nearest airlock.

A space opera fueled by today’s financial bravado, Overdraft: The Orion Offensive strikes a thrilling balance between desperate firefights and trenchant dark humor.

Truly Madly Deeply, A Carly Phillips Collection ($0.99 Kindle), by Carly Phillips [indie], contains three romance novels previously published in paper editions: Perfect Partners (Zebra/1999), Solitary Man (Kensington/2004) and The Right Choice (Kensington/2004).

Book Description
A collection of three full length novels by New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips, originally written and published in 1999 and 2000, and published under her real name, Karen Drogin.

PERFECT PARTNERS
No sooner had Chelsie Russell and Griffin Stuart lost their siblings in a car crash than they find themselves fighting for custody of their two year old niece. Griff wins only to discover Chelsie is the only one who can soothe the child's night terrors and fears. Chelsie and Griff bond over the little girl and their growing sexual desire is mutual. But is it enough? Chelsie's been hurt before and Griff isn't sure he can trust the woman who once tried to take his
niece away. What will it take for them to realize they are ... perfect partners?

THE RIGHT CHOICE
Advice columnist Carly Wexler is planning the perfect wedding with the perfect fiancé. So what if he doesn't make her heart beat faster? He's the right choice. Until sexy photo journalist, Mike Novak, her fiance's adopted brother arrives and Carly experiences all the passion she's convinced herself she doesn't need. Mike is torn by loyalty and a yearning unlike any he's ever known. After spending time with Carly, he is sure the engaged couple are marrying for the wrong reasons. With one week to go before the wedding, can Mike convince Carly he's the only choice for her?

SOLITARY MAN
When tough Boston cop Kevin Manning promised to care for his fatally wounded partner's family, a one night stand with the man's grieving sister wasn't part of the plan. No matter how intense the night had been, a woman like Nikki Welles deserves much more than a broken man like Kevin can give, and he leaves the next day. When he returns months later, everything has changed. Nikki can't forgive Kevin for abandoning her nor can she regret the baby she's now carrying. And she can't stop wanting Kevin. But can this solitary man come to believe he's worthy of love?

Free Book - I’m Not Her (K/N/I)

2013-05-21T15:39:00.003-04:00

I’m Not Her, a YA novel by Janet Gurtler, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble and iTunes, courtesy of publisher Sourcebooks Fire.

Book Description
"For the first time in my life, I didn't feel envy..."

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that's okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. But, the smiles of her picture perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn't hold it together, who will?

Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Get the free ebook from iTunes.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Free Book - Head To Head (K/N/E)

2013-05-21T14:12:00.001-04:00

Head To Head, the first novel in the Claire Morgan series by Linda Ladd, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble and Sony, courtesy of publisher Pinnacle Books/Kensington.

Book Description
With Every Turn In The Case. . .

After moving from Los Angeles to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, homicide detective Claire Morgan has at last adjusted to the peaceful rhythms of rural life. Until a grisly celebrity murder at an ultra-exclusive "wellness" resort shatters a quiet summer morning. . .

With Every Twist Of The Mind. . .

One of Dr. Nicholas Black's high-profile clients, a beautiful young soap opera star, has been found dead, taped to a chair at a fully set table. . .submerged in the lake. Back in L.A., Claire investigated the rich, famous, and the deadly--but she never expected the problems of the privileged to follow her to this sleepy small town. Just as she never imagined crossing the line with her prime suspect. . .

With Every Beat Of The Heart. . .

Immersed in the case, Claire finds herself drawn to the charismatic doctor, spending more and more time in his company--and in his bed. Now, to catch a killer, Claire will have to enter the darkest recesses of the human mind. But is Black leading her there to help her. . .or luring her ever deeper into a madman's grip?

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Get the free ebook from Sony.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Free Book - How to Talk to Girls at Parties (K/N/E)

2013-05-21T14:10:00.000-04:00

How to Talk to Girls at Parties, a short story by Neil Gaiman, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble, Sony and Kobo, courtesy of publisher HarperCollins.

Book Description
A short story from New York Times bestselling author, Neil Gaiman. Plus an excerpt from his new novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Get the free ebook from Kobo.
Get the free ebook from Sony.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

10 Kindle Books for $1 Each (KSO)

2013-05-21T12:15:00.002-04:00

This offer is only for those with a Kindle Fire with Special Offers, apparently, as I don't see it on my eInk Kindles:

Get select eBooks for $1

Click on the offer, then click on the link on the offer page sign up and you'll get an email confirming the credit has been applied to your account. This offer is good for up to 10 books (per account; if you have multiple KSO devices, they need to be registered to different accounts before you sign up to get the promotion code emails; every Kindle on an account gets flagged when you sign up for the special offer). Sign-up for this offer expires June 3, 2013, but I would not delay, as I've often seen offers disappear from my Kindles before the end dates.

The email will contain a link to the promotion page; once you've applied the promo code from your Kindle Fire, you can shop from your Kindle, tablet or desktop; you may also gift the book to someone else (up to the 10 books limit). The full price shows all the way thru (just as with the AmazonLocal offers), but on the invoice summary, you will see the $1 promotional price. Once you have claimed the promotional code, you have until June 3, 2013 to complete your purchases (the same day as the sign-up deadline).

At a glance, these all seem to be Amazon publishing imprint titles. I've read Katherine Amt Hanna's Breakdown and really enjoyed it (it's not about zombies and much more about relationships after a global pandemic than most in the post-apocalytpic genre); those who prefer audiobooks can pick up the the companion audiobook for $1.99 (so, under $3 for the combo). A couple of others are in my TBR pile (The Greenhouse, for example) and I may pick up the mystery/thrillers from Vincent Zandri and Max Allan Collins.

Daily Deal - A Gentleman Says "I Do" (E)

2013-05-21T11:32:00.001-04:00

A Gentleman Says "I Do" (~~$7.99~~ $6.15 Kindle), a historical romance by Amelia Grey [Sourcebooks Casablanca], is today's Deal of the Day at at Diesel E-Books, where it's discounted to $1.60 (8 copies left).

Book Description
Her Writing Talent is Causing All Kinds of Trouble...

The daughter of a famous writer, Catalina Crisp has helped her father publish a parody that makes Iverson Brentwood's whole family the talk of the town, and not in a good way.

Because He's the Reality Behind the Story...

Furious and threatening, Iverson storms into Catalina's house, demanding satisfaction, but the infamous rake has finally met his match. With her cool demeanor and intense intelligence, Catalina heats his blood like no other woman in his notorious history...

Get the book from Diesel; be sure to check the sales price, as the Deal of the Day often sells out.

Kindle Daily Deals 5/21

2013-05-21T10:13:00.000-04:00

Today's Gold Box at Amazon is "ER: The Complete Seasons 1-15" for 78% off (and under $10/season).

To go with today's 25 Children's Books for $2 Each AmazonLocal Deal, I've picked out a Kid's album, Just 4 Kids: Greatest Hits for today's free MP3 (always displayed in the upper right corner on the web edition), and two 99 cent albums for the wee ones in your life: 33 Must-Have Classics for Kids: Travel Songs (including, of course, Wheels on the Bus) and 33 Must-Have Classics for Kids: Farm Songs.

And if you are traveling with the kids or just want to start a Family Night tradition, you might want to check out the 50% deals fro Trivia Party Game - Numaro - The Trivia Game Where You Don't Have to Know the Exact Answer and PICTUREKA.

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is Shake Off ($2.99), by Mischa Hiller [Hachette].

Book Description
An internationally acclaimed thriller of love, espionage and subterfuge, in which Middle East meets West with dangerous consequences.

Years of training have transformed Michel Khoury into a skilled intelligence operative. A refugee whose family was murdered by extremists, he has one mission: the peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict that upended his life.

An alluring enigma, he attracts the attention of Helen, a pretty English girl who lives in the adjacent apartment. As their relationship develops, Michel is unable to tell Helen about his past--or the collection of passports and unmarked bills he's concealed in the bathroom they share.

When Michel's secrets turn deadly, Helen and Michel find themselves pursued through the streets of London, Berlin and the Scottish countryside, on the run from the very people they thought they could trust.

A critically celebrated novel that "recalls the cool detachment and compelling eye for ordinary detail that characterized the early thrillers of Graham Greene" (Independent on Sunday), SHAKE OFF is that rare breed of riveting tale--of intrigue and suspense, love and betrayal--that announces a bold new voice for our increasingly global times.

Today's Kindle Romance Daily Deal is Rising Storm ($0.99), by Kathleen Brooks [indie], the USA Today Bestseller for all books on August 30th, 2012.

Book Description
Katelyn Jacks was used to being front and center as a model. But she never had to confront the Keeneston Grapevine! After retiring from the runway and returning to town to open a new animal clinic, Katelyn found that her life in the public eye was anything but over. While working hard to establish herself as the new veterinarian in town, Katelyn finds her life uprooted by a storm of love, gossip, and a vicious group of criminals.

Marshall Davies is the new Sheriff in Keeneston. He is also right at the top of the town's most eligible bachelor list. His affinity for teasing the hot new veterinarian in town has led to a rush of emotions that he wasn't ready for. Marshall finds his easy days of breaking up fights at the local PTA meetings are over when he and Katelyn discover that a dog-fighting ring has stormed into their normally idyllic town. As their love struggles to break through, they must battle to save the lives of the dogs and each other.

Today's Kindle SciFi/Fantasy Daily Deal is Werewolf Love Story Box Set ($0.99), by H.T. Night [indie]. With under 300 pages, I'd call this three novellas (not novels; I think these are normally overpriced, when sold individually); the better deal, though, is to skip the daily deal and get H.T. Night's 8-Book Vampire Box Set, which weighs in at over a thousand pages, includes all three of the novellas below, plus 5 others, and is only $2.99 right now.

Book Description
WEREWOLF LOVE STORY: PART ONE
Five Years before Vampire Love Story. It is 2006, and Tommy is training hard before his second mixed martial arts match. On a random night he runs across a sexy, mysterious woman named Sasha. Sasha turns Tommy's life upside down and out of control. On a chance encounter, Tommy befriends a vampire named Patrick. Both Patrick and Sasha change everything Tommy has ever known to be true.

WEREWOLF LOVE STORY: PART TWO
Tommy meets Maya, the woman of his dreams, and is able to make sense of his new reality. A young Josiah Reign befriends Tommy along the way, and Tommy has to inevitably face his true destiny of becoming a werewolf. Will Tommy choose his destiny, or become something no one had ever thought possible?

THE RISE OF KYRO
Tommy is back. Now, he just needs to figure out what it means to be a werewolf while keeping it a secret from young Josiah, his enthusiastic fight prodigy with a superhero complex.

Today's Kindle Kids Daily Deal is Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going To Sleep? ($1.99), by Michael Sampson, Bill Martin Jr., Laura J Bryant and Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator) [Two Lions].

Book Description
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, the day is almost done. Not yet, Mother, I still can see the sun. Kitty Cat should be getting ready for bed, but instead she’s playing peekaboo, imagining she’s in outer space, tickling her toes, and more. Will Kitty Cat make it to bed on time? Adorable pastel illustrations rendered in watercolor paints and colored pencil from Laura J. Bryant bring Kitty Cat so close you’ll want to reach out and hug her!

Age Level: 3 and up

25 Children's Books for $2 Each (AL)

2013-05-21T09:40:00.001-04:00

This offer is set up via AmazonLocal and anyone (in the US) can participate.

Free Voucher to Purchase Select Kindle Kids' Books for $2 Each

Just click on Apply, then complete the purchase on the page after that. Yes, it now says "Apply" instead of "purchase" on these free offers, but nearly the same process: you must be in the US, log into your Amazon account, have a credit card on file, make a "purchase" at zero cost, then the promo code is automatically applied to your account (no waiting for an email and dealing with a promo code, but verify that it has progressed from Processing on the My Vouchers page before purchasing your books). Sign-up for this offer expires May 25, 2013 or when the number of vouchers set aside by Amazon have been exhausted.

Once applied to your account, you can shop from your Kindle or desktop, picking any of the 25 qualifying titles. You may also gift any of the books (to grandkids, for example); the full price shows all the way thru, but on the emailed invoice summary, you will see the $1 promotional price (note that you'll still see the full price until the invoice finalizes, usually several hours after purchase; the promo credit will show in the lower half of the invoice and the final price charged to your card or gift balance will be $1/book). The total number of books you can get at this price is 25. The voucher will expire if not used toward qualifying Kindle book purchases from Amazon.com by 11:59 p.m. PST May 31, 2013.

Deal Details:

Help foster that love of reading with today's deal from Amazon. Get a free voucher to purchase select Kindle kids' books for $2 each. With 25 titles to choose from, there's sure to be something to capture the interest of every young reader.
Free voucher to purchase select Kindle kids' books from the Amazon Kindle Store for $2 each
Learn about lovable creatures like Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica
Travel to exciting new places with The Adventures of Benny and be careful where you step in The Adventures of Shrinkman
Above all, be sure to discover How to Hug

Nook Daily Find 5/21

2013-05-21T00:34:00.003-04:00

Busting Vegas: The MIT Whiz Kid Who Brought the Casinos to Their Knees (~~$14.95~~ $9.78 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Ben Mezrich [HarperCollins], is the Nook Daily Find; it's likely to be price matched on Kindle later this morning.

Book Description
He played in casinos around the world with a plan to make himself richer than anyone could possibly imagine -- but it would nearly cost him his life.

Semyon Dukach was known as the Darling of Las Vegas. A legend at age twenty-one, this cocky hotshot was the biggest high roller to appear in Sin City in decades, a mathematical genius with a system the casinos had never seen before and couldn't stop -- a system that has never been revealed until now; that has nothing to do with card counting, wasn't illegal, and was more powerful than anything that had been tried before.

Las Vegas. Atlantic City. Aruba. Barcelona. London. And the jewel of the gambling crown -- Monte Carlo.

Dukach and his fellow MIT students hit them all and made millions. They came in hard, with stacks of cash; big, seemingly insane bets; women hanging on their arms; and fake identities. Although they were taking classes and studying for exams during the week, over the weekends they stormed the blackjack tables only to be harassed, banned from casinos, threatened at gunpoint, and beaten in Vegas's notorious back rooms.

The stakes were high, the dangers very real, but the players were up to the challenges, consequences be damned. There was Semyon Dukach himself, bored with school and broke; Victor Cassius, the slick, brilliant MIT grad student who galvanized the team; Owen Keller, with stunning ability but a dark past that would catch up to him; and Allie Simpson, bright, clever, and a feast for the eyes.

In the classroom, they were geeks. On the casino floor, they were unstoppable.

Busting Vega$ is Dukach's unbelievably true story; a riveting account of monumental greed, excess, hubris, sex, love, violence, fear, and statistics that is high-stakes entertainment at its best.

UK Kindle Daily Deal 5/21

2013-05-21T00:26:00.005-04:00

The Beach (£0.99 UK), by Alex Garland [Penguin], is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $12.99).

Book Description
Late at night in a seedy hotel, Richard is drawn into a strange conversation with a fellow guest. Through a narrow strip of mosquito netting he hears for the first time of a secret beach, and island Garden of Eden hidden somewhere in the scattered islands of a Thai marine park. The next morning, Richard finds a map pinned to his door, and the man who put it there has slashed his wrists. The challenge is irresistible, and Richard sets off on a perilous journey in search of Shangri-La.

Free Book - Even You Can Learn Statistics (K/N)

2013-05-20T19:31:00.000-04:00

Even You Can Learn Statistics: A Guide for Everyone Who Has Ever Been Afraid of Statistics, Enhanced Edition, by David M. Levine and David F. Stephan, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble, courtesy of publisher FT Press. Note that ONLY the Enhanced Edition is free in both stores; be careful if searching and not using the links here. You may find the text-only edition in your libraries, as it was free last November.

The Audio/Video content in the Kindle edition is only downloaded and displayed on an iThing, while the B&N edition appears to be compatible with all of their apps, tablets (and the text-only portion with the Nook, apparently, which is new for one of their Enhanced Editions). Both editions are quite large, so plan on transferring them via WiFi or using a USB cable to your PC.

Book Description
Even You Can Learn Statistics: A Guide for Everyone Who Has Ever Been Afraid of Statistics is a practical, up-to-date introduction to statistics—for everyone! Thought you couldn’t learn statistics? You can—and you will! One easy step at a time, this fully updated book teaches you all the statistical techniques you’ll need for finance, quality, marketing, the social sciences, or anything else! Simple jargon-free explanations help you understand every technique. Practical examples and worked-out problems give you hands-on practice. Special sections present detailed instructions for developing statistical answers, using spreadsheet programs or any TI-83/TI-84 compatible calculator. This edition delivers new examples, more detailed problems and sample solutions, plus an all-new chapter on powerful multiple regression techniques. Hate math? No sweat. You’ll be amazed at how little you need. Like math? Optional “Equation Blackboard” sections reveal the mathematical foundations of statistics right before your eyes! You’ll learn how to:
Construct and interpret statistical charts and tables with Excel or OpenOffice.org Calc 3
Work with mean, median, mode, standard deviation, Z scores, skewness, and other descriptive statistics
Use probability and probability distributions
Work with sampling distributions and confidence intervals
Test hypotheses with Z, t, chi-square, ANOVA, and other techniques
Perform powerful regression analysis and modeling
Use multiple regression to develop models that contain several independent variables
Master specific statistical techniques for quality and Six Sigma programs
About the Web Site
Download practice files, templates, data sets, and sample spreadsheet models—including ready-to-use solutions for your own work! www.ftpress.com/youcanlearnstatistics2e

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Free Book - Ultimate Leadership (K/N)

2013-05-20T19:21:00.000-04:00

Ultimate Leadership: Winning Execution Strategies for Your Situation, by Russell E. Palmer, is free in the Kindle store and from Barnes & Noble (repeat), courtesy of publisher Pearson Prentice Hall. The Audible companion audiobook is $4.99.

Book Description
To succeed, leaders must understand and apply the core principles of leadership--but that’s not enough. You need to shape your approach for any unique situation. Too many leaders don’t know how to do that--and that’s why they fail. Ultimate Leadership shows how to adapt the principles of leadership to different challenges, contexts, and organizations.

Russell E. Palmer--who has had three very different, highly successful careers as head of one of the world’s largest accounting firms, Dean of the Wharton School, and an entrepreneur--helps you identify the leadership model most appropriate for your environment, and how to lead accordingly. You’ll learn better ways to lead your equals, help an organization weather crises, transform its culture, lead entrepreneurial organizations, lead global organizations...even lead non-profit and academic institutions.

Then, drawing on interviews with an extraordinary spectrum of outstanding leaders, Palmer helps you master the attribute every leader must have: the ability to inspire your unique organization, even in the face of the most daunting challenges.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Free Book - The Truth About Personal Performance (K/N)

2013-05-20T19:16:00.002-04:00

The Truth About Personal Performance, a collection of titles by Robert E. Gunther, James O'Rourke and Leigh L. Thompson, is free in the Kindle store (repeat, 2010) and from Barnes & Noble, courtesy of publisher FT Press.

Book Description
150+ secrets of exceptional personal performance: how to present confidently, negotiate successfully, and make smarter decisions--anywhere, anytime!

Three full books of proven solutions for supercharging personal performance! Prepare for any audience, negotiation, or decision…compel attention and motivate action…manage anxiety or anger…use nonverbal communication…negotiate with people you love (or hate)…build (or repair) trust…make decisions with imperfect data…and much more!

From world-renowned leaders and experts, including James O'Rourke, Leigh L. Thompson, and Robert E. Gunther.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.

Free Book - Brain Dead (K/N)

2013-05-20T19:07:00.004-04:00

Brain Dead, by Eileen Dreyer, is free in the Kindle store (repeat) and from Barnes & Noble, courtesy of publisher ePublishing Works!.

Book Description
When forensic nurse Timmie Leary-Parker moves from LA to Puckett, Missouri to care for her ailing father, she's prepared for the slow pace, the small-town politics and the feeling that everyone knows her business.

Then, patients in the hospital's Alzheimer's Unit start dying in unprecedented numbers.

Everyone refuses to investigate the town's most lucrative business, and no one will come against the hospital's Golden Boy director.

No one, except Timmie.

Convinced a serial killer walks the Alzheimer's Unit where her father lies ill, Timmie digs up a burned-out Pulitzer-winning reporter and dives into a quagmire of corruption and greed.

Get the free ebook from Barnes & Noble.
Free on Kindle; links on my Squidoo Lens: Today's Free Kindle Books.