This post is a little different from my usual free book postings. There are a number of books that have been free in the past, went back up in price and have dropped once again, some of them that have been free very recently, others quite some time ago. In addition, there are a number of mini-books that I've been ignoring, which I'm going to group together by type. I know a lot of people avoid the mini-books or the subject matter doesn't interest everyone, so I won't include full descriptions on each of these. If you are new to the blog, you might find one or two good ones to pick up, especially at the top of the post.
An Unwanted Hunger, the first novel in the
Soul of V’Kar series by Ciana Stone, is a repeat from last year, courtesy of Ellora's Cave.
Book Description
Passion this strong is dangerous. They both know it. Mortal enemies, their respective factions have been at war since the dawn of man. Resa is a Dhampir, bred and trained to hunt Vampyres. Constantine is a prince among the Vampyre, the oldest and most lethal.Nothing good can come of this hunger, this need that drives them relentlessly toward one another. Neither reason nor devotion to duty can stay their need. There is but one way to quench the thirst that drives them. Once sated, they can return to the battle and see which one, if either, is left standing.But one drink from the cup of desire serves only to magnify the hunger. One act of lust that could alter them forever, changing the course of destiny.
The Golden Acorn (The Adventures of Jack Brenin), by Catherine Cooper, was free for some time and many of us picked up the second in the series for 99 cents. If you are in that group, you may want to get
Silver Hill, which was released this week
Book Description
When Jack Brenin finds a golden acorn lying in the grass, little does he know that it is the beginning of a thrilling and magical adventure. Just an ordinary boy, Jack has been chosen for a hugely important task, and enters a world he believed only existed in legend. Full of twists and turns, talking ravens and mischievous Spriggans, 'The Golden Acorn' is a hugely entertaining and exciting tale from a very talented new author. Your kids will love it, and so will you! This brilliant story deservedly won the Brit Writers' Awards 2010 for unpublished writers. Jack’s adventures continue in 'Glasruhen Gate' and 'Silver Hill'.
Sasha: A Trial of Blood and Steel Book One, by Joel Shepherd, was first free in the summer and only had a brief absence from the lists.
Book Description
SASHA IS A FIGHTER, THE LIKE OF WHICH THE HIGHLAND COUNTRY OF LENAYIN HAS NEVER SEEN.Spurning her royal heritage to be raised by the great warrior, Kessligh, her exquisite swordplay astonishes all who witness it. But Sasha is still young, untested in battle and often led by her rash temper. In the complex world of Lenayin loyalties, her defiant wilfulness is attracting the wrong kind of attention. sxLenayin is a land almost divided by its two faiths: the Verenthane of the ruling classes and the pagan Goeren-yai, amongst whom Sasha now lives. The Goeren-yai worship swordplay and honour and begin to see Sasha as the great spirit—the Synnich—who will unite them. But Sasha is still searching for what she believes and must choose her side carefully. When the Udalyn people—the symbol of Goeren-yai pride and courage—are attacked, Sasha will face her moment of testing. How will she act? Is she ready to lead? Can she be the saviour they need her to be?
If at First . . . (Short Story), by Peter F. Hamilton, was also first free the summer.
Book Description
Peter F. Hamilton has proven himself a modern master of epic space opera, carrying the tradition of far-future empire building begun by Heinlein and Asimov into the new millennium. But Hamilton is also a master of the short story, and when he tackles one of science fiction’s most enduring themes—time travel—the result is as provocative as it is entertaining. It starts in 2007 with a break-in. The victim: Marcus Orthew, the financial and technological genius behind Orthanics, the computer company whose radical products have delivered a one-two punch to the industry, all but knocking PCs and Macs out of the ring. The perpetrator: a man obsessed with Orthew. Just another simple case of celebrity stalking—or so everyone assumes at first, including Metropolitan Police Chief Detective David Lanson. But when Lanson interviews the suspect, he makes a startling claim: Orthew is from the future. Or, rather, a future—a parallel timeline. Thus begins the ride of a lifetime for Lanson, as his pursuit of the facts tumbles him headlong down a rabbit hole—and the hunter finds himself hunted.
The Last Drop, by L. Sprague de Camp and L. Ron Hubbard, was first free in the summer of 2010.
Book Description
A humorous tale about a New York bartender who receives mysteriously special potions from Borneo which can make people grow or shrink depending on which one they drink. When our hero uses the potion to deal with some unfriendly mobsters, the results are comic and riotously unpredictable—including an unexpected run-in with a dogfish.
Fatal Destiny, a
Fatal novella by Marie Force, was free last month.
Book Description
With the week of their wedding finally upon them, Washington, D.C., Police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her fiancé, Senator Nick Cappuano, are at odds. In the aftermath of a tragic loss, they struggle to reconnect as the big day draws near, but their work keeps pulling them apart. When a new clue into a cold case surfaces, Nick asks Sam not to take any foolish chances before the wedding and to leave it alone for the time being.
Sam agrees, but she can't let it go entirely and winds up trapped in an explosive situation. Then an unwelcome visitor from her past threatens her future happiness… With trouble at every turn, will Sam survive long enough to walk down the aisle?
Hidden by Blood (A Sweetblood Novella), by Laurie London, repeats from the summer.
Book Description
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, two vampire coalitions battle for supremacy--Guardians who safeguard humanity and Darkbloods, rogues who will stop at nothing to satisfy their craving for the sweetest of human blood.
Now, former Army Ranger Finn McKentry finds himself imprisoned as a blood slave, forced to submit to an enemy more powerful than any he's encountered before. Only Brenna Stewart, the woman he'd loved and lost, can set him free--but the secret she harbors might lead them down the most dangerous path of all...
Code Blue, by Richard Mabry, repeats from last year, courtesy of Christian publisher Abingdon Press.
Book Description
In the first book of the Prescription for Trouble series, “Code Blue” means more to Dr. Cathy Sewell than the cardiac emergency she has to face. It describes her mental state as she finds that coming back to her hometown hasn’t brought her the peace she so desperately needs. Instead, it’s clear that someone there wants her gone…or dead.Cathy returns to her hometown seeking healing after a broken relationship, but discovers that among her friends and acquaintances is someone who wants her out of town…or dead. Lawyer Will Kennedy, her high school sweetheart, offers help, but does it carry a price tag? Is hospital chief of staff Dr. Marcus Bell really on her side in her fight to get hospital privileges? Is Will’s father, Pastor Matthew Kennedy, interested in advising her or just trying to get her back to the church she left years ago? When one of Cathy’s prescriptions almost kills the town banker, it sets the stage for a malpractice suit that could end her time in town, if not her career. It’s soon clear that this return home was a prescription for trouble.
The Dead Saint (Bishop Lynn Peterson), by Marilyn Brown Oden, repeats from this spring, courtesy of Christian publisher Abingdon Press.
Book Description
It begins with a single gunshot, and Bishop Lynn Peterson watches in horror as a good friend, who is a member of the New Orleans Saints, collapses on the street.When a medal the player wore—a medal Lynn had promised to return to the man's family—disappears, Lynn is thrust into a suspenseful and fast-moving journey through four assassinations, an attempt on her life, conflicts with a mysterious and ancient society, and a behind-the-scenes conspiracy that reaches all the way to the White House.The turbulent, unstoppable intrigue challenges Lynn mentally, physically, and spiritually as she engages in a desperate battle with an opponent who is just as determined to kill as Lynn is to stop him even though she has no idea where—or who—he will strike next.
Shrouded in Silence, by Robert L. Wise, also repeats from this spring, courtesy of Christian publisher Abingdon Press.
Book Description
Determined to find an answer, Jack and Michelle Townsend set out on a quest to find the original ending to the Gospel of Mark.Following ancient clues, they head for Rome, but what starts out as a scholarly search turns violent as two separate groups strive to stop the Townsends, plunging their quiet research into chaos.After a bomb destroys their office, the Townsends are pushed to the limits of their determination and commitment to God’s will. Can faith in God’s purposes endure in a swirl of conspiracy and espionage that brings the couple to the brink of death?
Sweet Baklava, by Debby Mayne, repeats from late winter, courtesy of Christian publisher Abingdon Press.
Book Description
After years of looking for a place to belong, Paula Andrews finally finds her niche in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Her soap and candle shop flourishes, and her friendship with the Papadopoulos family gives her the love and support she never got from her own family.The only thing missing is a romance—or in the grand hopes of the Papadopoulos family, a proper marriage. Preferably with Nick, their favorite son, currently serving in the Air Force. Paula, however, has doubts. After all, he’s been gone a long time and loves flying. Their lives have grown apart. Would he still feel anything for her?When Nick comes home on leave, sparks fly, and not just with Paula. Nick's father wants him home, helping with the family sponge-diving business. His mother wants him back in the family, back in church. Nick just wants Paula . . . and the Air Force.So who’s going to give in first? And what will it mean for their love and future?
Finding the Top Stocks: Strategies for Success Top Stocks 2012, by Martin Roth, is a mini-book companion to
Top Stocks 2012: A Sharebuyer's Guide to Leading Australian Companies.
Book Description
For the first time, Top Stocks 2012, the 18th edition of the bestselling Australian share market bible, comes with a free e-book companion, Finding the Top Stocks—Strategies for Success. A short guide, also written by respected financial journalist Martin Roth, Finding the Top Stocks—Strategies for Success examines eight strategies and market theories and indicates how you can use Top Stocks 2012 to take advantage of these strategies.
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook Presents - 10 Summertime Treats, by Dinah Bucholz, is a repeat from summer.
Book Description
It's summertime and the weather is just right to sit back and relax with a nice, cool . . . pumpkin juice! With July comes backyard barbecues, long afternoons by the pool, and Harry's birthday of course! Celebrate this magical time with The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook Presents: 10 Summertime Treats. This free eBook includes 10 decadent treats guaranteed to provide sweet relief from the sultry summertime heat. From icy juices to cool, melt-in-your-mouth sundaes, this summer you can conjure a dessert fit for Hogwarts Hall!
Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture, by William Irwin, repeats from the summer.
Book Description
Explore the philosophical depths of Batman, Superman, Captain America, and your other favorite superheroes—FOR FREE!
Behind the cool costumes, special powers, and unflagging determination to fight evil you’ll find fascinating philosophical questions and concerns deep in the hearts and minds of your favorite comic book heroes.
Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end everyone's misery? Does Peter Parker have a good life? What can Iron Man teach us about the role of technology in society? Bringing together key chapters from books in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, this free superhero sampler engages the intellectual might of big thinkers like Aristotle and Kant to answer these questions and many others, giving you new insights on everything from whether Superman is truly an American icon to whether Wolverine is the same person when he loses his memory.
Secrets Uncovered - Blogs, hints and the inside scoop, by Mills & Boon editors and authors, is mostly samples, but also includes some original material. This is a UK Romance version of what Macmillan is doing with their (free)
Tor/Forge Author Voices series, which is now up to three volumes.
Book Description
Blogs, hints and the inside scoop from Mills & Boon editors and authors. Our fabulous authors and editors have joined forces to compile some of the highlights from this years New Voices competition advice, last years help and some handy Mills & Boon Community posts from the last year! You can refer to the words of wisdom from those in the know at your leisure whilst also enjoying some of our editors brilliant blog posts on making the most of your romance writing!
On the education front, there are two titles from Andrew S Rosen that are sections of a larger title,
Change.edu: Rebooting for the New Talent Economy:
Club College: Why So Many Universities Look Like Resorts and
Harvard Envy: Why Too Many Colleges Overshoot. You might want to take a look if you (or a child) is starting college sometime soon. To help get ready for admissions to graduate school, also look at
Kaplan New GRE: An Introduction to the GRE Revised General Test, which highlights the changes this test has recently undergone.
From publisher O'Reilly, there are a number of free titles, with three general themes: computer science topics, new computer languages and computer book bibliographies. Don't dismiss this latter as just catalogs of their books - putting together such lists is something many serious scholars do, before getting to writing their own titles and with so many books out in some areas, having a bibliography can help new students when studying a new language. Some of these are new to the blog, as I've been letting them accumulate for a post; others are repeats, which I'm including for completeness. Also, if you prefer EPUB format, you should be able to find all of them free on O'Reilly's website.
Over at O'Reilly Books, they are celebrating the Day Against DRM and you can get 50% off a DRM-Free ebook (and their entire catalog is DRM-Free) using coupon code DRM2013;orders over $60 get 60% off, today only. Remember, you also get lifetime updates on any of your purchases at O'Reilly.
Fish Grilled & Smoked: 150 Recipes for Cooking Rich, Flavorful Fish on the Backyard Grill, Streamside, or in a Home Smoker ($2.99 Kindle), by John Manikowski [Storey Publishing] 
Serendip: Fish and Seafood ($4.99 Kindle), by Peter Kuruvita [Murdoch Books]
All the Lives He Led ($3.45 Kindle), by Frederik Pohl [Macmillan]. This has been falling in price along with the paper edition, so could jump back up at any time.
The Magician's Assistant ($2.51 Kindle), by Ann Patchett [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]
Alien Sex: 19 Tales by the Masters of Science Fiction and Dark Fantasy ($2.99 Kindle), edited by Ellen Datlow [Open Road]. As always from this publisher, I can recommend this for any SciFi/Fantasy short story fans. You can see a complete list of the stories and authors included by clicking the book's cover at Amazon and using the Look Inside feature.
Bunker Hill ($2.99 Kindle), by Howard Fast, is an even better deal in Canada, where it's marked down to $1.02.
Now You See Me ($2.99 Kindle), the first Lacey Flint thriller by S. J. Bolton [Macmillan]
Bloodchild: And Other Stories ($3.99 Kindle), by Octavia E. Butler, is another short story collection by a SciFi great, brought back into (e)print by Open Road.
Louisa May Alcott Collection 39 Works: Little Women Series (Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys), An Old Fasioned Girl, Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom, Mysterious Key, Under the Lilacs, MORE ($1.99 Kindle), by Louisa May Alcott [Doma Publishing House], is a collection of public domain works, all nicely formatted and with an active TOC (and with two additional public-domain works tossed in, as a bonus).
