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Laura Lond’s My Sparkling Misfortune, 1st place winner of the Reader Views Literary Award 2010 in the Young Reader category, packs in an epic’s worth of action, adventure, and humor with a villain who is nasty, dreadful, cruel … and funny! Here’s a Free Sample….

August 23, 2011April 1, 2011 by KND

Action, adventure, humor, fun and a villain you can root for in this Middle Grade book that readers of all ages can enjoy. Here’s the set-up for Laura Lond’s My Sparkling Misfortune, just $1.99 on Kindle!

An incredibly fun and funny story.–Tea and Tomes

One of the reasons the book is so enjoyable is because you never quite know where the plot is going. You are continually surprised. –The Literary Lioness

What a nasty, dreadful, and cruel villain Arkus is. Oh, and don’t forget funny. Yes, I said funny! With author Laura Lond’s crisp, wry sense of humor, you’ll be laughing right along with the scoundrel on almost every page. –The Feathered Quill

Interesting characters and unique twists in the traditional hero/villain stereotypes made for an entertaining reading experience.” –Dark Wyrm Reads

The author manages to pack in an epic’s worth of action, adventure, and humor. … It is one of those rare, great stories when you find yourself rooting wholeheartedly for the villain of the piece. –A Myriad of Books

***1st place winner of the Reader Views Literary Award 2010

in the Young Reader category***

Here’s the set-up:

Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way.

Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a Sparkling instead—“a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains’ plans.”

Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the Sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of “best interests” is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind.

About the Author:

Laura Lond is an internationally published author of several novels and a collection of short stories. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Having worked for 2 years at a literary museum, Laura entered the world of business, working for large international corporations like Xerox Ltd. and Fluor Daniel. After moving from Europe to the United States, she has been self-employed as a freelancer.

Laura lives in Illinois.

Click here to download My Sparkling Misfortune (or a free sample) to your Kindle, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Android-compatible, PC or Mac and start reading within 60 seconds!

UK Kindle customers: Click here to buy or sample My Sparkling Misfortune

And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample:

OMG! Do you TXT your kids, then hope they don’t wonder WTF? You’re not alone, and you’ll ROFL with this free sample of our eBook of the day: Text Me If You’re Breathing

August 23, 2011March 31, 2011 by KND

Today’s Kindle Nation eBook of the Day is a must-read for boomers and their kids!

Here’s the set-up for Greg Schwem’s Text Me If You’re Breathing:

Greg’s hilarious take on dealing with the frustrations of parenting in this age of technology made me LOL, ROFL and LMAO (my daughter helped me with those) —Ray Romano, star of “Everybody Loves Raymond”

Here’s the set-up:

What does a dad do when his daughter asks Santa for a Wii Fit and a 4G iPhone? The answer is simple: laugh!

In Text Me If You’re Breathing, stand-up comedian and technically challenged dad Greg Schwem accounts his mishaps and struggles with parenting in today’s digital world. Whether accompanying his daughter to the New York City Apple store, purchasing a “high-tech” swing set, “tweeting” while coaching Little League or trying to lay down cell phone rules, Schwem shows readers that technology, while complicated, can be hilarious.

Along the way Schwem also aims his barbs at Tiger Woods, the Consumer Electronics Show, in vitro fertilization, the National Spelling Bee and the movie Avatar. Insightful, heartfelt and always funny, Text Me If You’re Breathing is proof that parenting will never come with technical support.

Reviewers Said:

I bought this book after seeing Greg’s stand-up comedy in Chicago. If you grew up in the 60’s you will love the nostalgic look at how simple things were in our youth. A great, fun read.

What a delightful book, full of laughs and a sneek peak into the real life of a Comedian. Had to order 12 books to give to friends and family.

What does it take a working mom to finish reading a 212 page book…a vacation! Kudos to Greg for capturing life’s perceptions in a book, and giving me a much needed laughter break. BTW – Although just coming back from vacation, it didn’t stop me from using my CrackBerry every day, which made the book even funnier to me. I did glance up once in awhile to see the beautiful ocean, cliffs, and surfers in Southern California.

About the Author:

Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and humorous business speaker. He has performed for companies including Microsoft, Cisco Systems, United Airlines, Motorola, IBM and McDonald’s.

Greg also has appeared in concert with the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno and Julio Iglesias. His comedy bits about business and technology can be heard regularly on XM Radio’s Laugh USA.

“Text Me If You’re Breathing” is Greg’s second book and was written after he struggled trying to master text messaging lingo, iPod transfers, Nintendo Wii and myriad other technologies that his children handle with ease.

And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample:

KND eBook of the Day + Free Sample: Demonspell, Book 1 of award-winning novelist Phoebe Matthews’ Sunspinners series

August 23, 2011March 29, 2011 by KND

“We all have relatives we don’t want to think about moving in. But what if you had relatives that’d been around for hundreds of years and invisible to all unless they’re shown in just the right light?”

Here’s the set-up for Demonspell, by award-winning novelist Phoebe Matthews:

Along with a big house and income, Elaine inherits five immortal relatives who need constant attention. Try keeping a husband with that set of in-laws. Yes, she has tried. Twice. And failed. Now, just when she meets a new guy, a band of demons demands that Elaine and her family leave Seattle immediately, alive or dead.

From the author of the award-winning urban fantasy Mudflat series, here is another series set in contemporary Seattle, across town.

Visit Amazon’s Phoebe Matthews Page

Phoebe Mathews says:

For several years I was a contributing editor and wrote several articles a month for an astrology magazine. So toss that background together with my love of contemporary fantasy and paranormal books, then hang out at my favorite Seattle hangouts, and from that background came the Mudflat series.

The first book in the series, TARBABY TROUBLE, won the 2009 EPPIE for Best Fantasy. The second book, WELCOME TO MUDFLAT, BABY, was a 2009 EPPIE finalist. And recently the third book, MUDFLAT TOY BOY,was named a finalist for a 2010 EPPIE.

With two hits and a home run, Mudflat is batting a thousand.

And now the 4th and 5th books are available:

Mudflat Spice and Sorcery, book 4

Goldilocks in Mudflat, book 5

Check out my website at http://phoebematthews.com for more information about my books. It includes a backlist of earlier works, a page of Claire’s astrology predictions, first chapters, excerpts, reviews, videos. My weekly blogs will show up via the link on my website.

And here’s a free sample:

KND Free Sample! ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN: Josh Michaels is worth more dead than alive. He just doesn’t know it yet … Simon Wood’s Accidents Waiting To Happen is as streamlined as a bullet from a hit man’s gun. Here’s a free sample of our eBook of the Day!

August 23, 2011March 28, 2011 by KND

With time running out, Josh had better figure out who wants him dead and why … before it’s too late. Here’s the set-up for Accidents Waiting To Happen, just $2.99 on Kindle:

Josh Michaels is worth more dead than alive. He just doesn’t know it yet. He has no idea why someone would try to kill him, clearly that’s exactly what happened. When an SUV forced Josh’s car off the road and into a river, it might have been an accident. But when Josh looked up at the road, expecting to see the SUV’s driver rushing to help him, all he saw was the driver watching him calmly…then giving him a “thumbs down” sign. That was merely the first attempt on Josh’s life, all of them designed to look like accidents, and all of them very nearly fatal. With his time–and maybe his luck–running out and no one willing to believe him, Josh had better figure out who wants him dead and why…before it’s too late.

Praise for Accidents Waiting to Happen:

“One of the most riveting first chapters I have read in some time. The pacing is spectacular and gets progressively faster as the reader nears the finale. An unqualified recommendation.”

— Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine

“An impressive debut.”

— Mystery Scene Magazine

“Simon Wood…delivers a suspenseful, brisk tale in his debut.”

— South Florida Sun Sentinel

“What a thrill ride!”

— Literary Editor for the East Bay Express

“A smashing, rip roaring success.”

— Over My Dead Body Magazine

“Events escalate in ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN at break- neck speed. The thought that the plot could be a reality in today’s world is shocking, to say the least. The suspense builds in each chapter, the plot thickens, and I could not put it down. Debut author Simon Wood is a welcome addition to the thriller/suspense genre.”

— Fresh Fiction

“ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN is a thriller at its best.”

— I Love A Mystery

“ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN is a briskly plotted thriller that uses point of view shifts better than any novel I’ve read in quite a while in his debut.”

— CrimeSpree Magazine

“Simon Wood has fashioned an exciting and well-written novel of suspense, with a nail-biting conclusion during which this reader held her breath in anticipation of what new horrors might be in store!”

— Mystery Morgue

“Accidents Waiting To Happen is loaded with suspense and I didn’t want to put it down.”

— Mysteries Galore

“Accidents Waiting To Happen is as streamlined as a bullet from a hit man’s gun.”

— Horrorworld

“Simon Wood opens with a breath-taking scene and never lets up…a must read.”

— Mysterical-E

“Twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing till the last page.”

— All About Murder Reviews

“Enthusiastically recommended.”

— The Midwest Book Review

About the Author:

Simon Wood is an ex-racecar driver, a licensed pilot and an occasional private investigator. He shares his world with his American wife, Julie. A longhaired dachshund and five cats dominate their lives. He’s had over 150 stories and articles published. His short fiction has appeared in a variety of magazines anthologies, such as Seattle Noir, Thriller 2 and Woman’s World.

He’s a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. He’s the Anthony Award winning author of Working Stiffs, Accidents Waiting to Happen, Paying the Piper and We All Fall Down. As Simon Janus, he’s the author of The Scrubs and Road Rash. His latest thriller, Terminated, is out in mass paperback with a new short story collection, Asking for Trouble, out later in the year. Curious people can learn more at simonwood.net.

Simon is a transplant from England, residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Simon is a proud member of both the Mystery Writers of America and Horror Writers Association.

Here’s a free sample:

What if a girl and her tooth fairy fell all the way to Nearandfar and discovered that she had more power than the fairies? Page Truly and The Journey To Nearandfar – Just 99 cents on Kindle, and here’s a free sample!

August 22, 2011March 27, 2011 by KND

Page Truly is on a mission in our Kindle Nation eBook of the Day, award-winning author L B Gschwandtner’s first novel for children!

Here’s the set-up for Page Truly And The Journey To Nearandfar, just 99 cents on Kindle:

What if … a girl and her tooth fairy flew away to the realm called Nearandfar and the girl discovered she had more power than the fairies?

Page Truly is on a mission. It won’t be easy. There will be danger. Page will have to be very brave and very smart.

It all happens one night when a sassy tooth fairy brings a borrowed wand and a big attitude to Page’s bedroom. She makes it look like a wand can do anything. That is until Page has to save Nearandfar, and discovers that a magic wand is only as powerful as the gifted one who knows how to unlock its secrets and use it wisely.

Page Truly and The Journey To Nearandfar is a fun adventure for children and adults alike. It touches on the issues of leaving childhood, accepting responsibility, relying on friends, caring for others, and being brave when it seems as if you have no power at all. As it turns out, Nearandfar is not so near but not so far either – if you have a child’s belief in dreams.

Written for ages 7 to 11, this is award-winning author L B Gschwandtner’s first novel for children.

From an extended review by Jenny Munfield from the book’s Amazon page:

In a world where kids are used to the kill or be killed mentality of video games, it’s a pleasure to find a story that demonstrates how the most obvious solution to a problem is not necessarily the best. So, too, it demonstrates creativity and compassion, and shows readers how that which is evident on the surface is not necessarily what lies beneath.

When non-believer Page Truly leaves a tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy, she can’t begin to imagine the adventure that’s in store for her. Thanks to the antics of brothers Max and Michael, the three are taken on a whirlwind ride to Nearandfar with tooth fairy (only one of many), Serenfay and Bag, her, well, bag. Unlike regular bags, however, this one can communicate and for the most part has a lot more common sense than the flighty fairy.

Having been shrunk to fairy size, the children find themselves in the Bog, a once beautiful place now inhabited by the despicable Looger, a slime-spitting bug and his equally despicable minions. Looger wants a fairy wand and has stolen Serenfay’s as well as a new experimental model that looks a lot like a mobile phone. Now that creepy critter has what he wants, he plans on eating Page’s captured brothers—as well as her, if he can catch her, that is.

There is a lot to like where this particular story is concerned, not least of which is Page’s unique solution to the problem of Looger, a dark force that has impacted not only on his environment, but on every living creature within it. In a world where kids are used to the kill or be killed mentality of video games, it’s a pleasure to find a story that demonstrates how the most obvious solution to a problem is not necessarily the best. So, too, it demonstrates creativity and compassion, and shows readers how that which is evident on the surface is not necessarily what lies beneath.

Another big plus with this story is its action. The plot takes off at a good clip and never slows.

This is a story that at its heart explores forgiveness, love, courage and the importance of having dreams. It also delves into the nature of good and evil and subtly explores what it takes for one to become the other.

The Reviewers Say:

Enchanting…..Charming…..A Truly Magical Adventure

My daughter and I read this book together and we just can’t stop talking about it. This was a truly magical journey of a children’s book and if my daughter’s reaction is any indicator, it will soon become a VERY popular book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Page Truly is a great character, showing young female readers that a girl can indeed be a hero too. From the minute Page gets swept up in her journey, the reader will be carried along with her. The story is fast-moving and exciting, with the scenes of adventure and danger counterbalanced with funny, quirky touches.

What if a girl and her tooth fairy all the way to Nearandfar and discovered that she had more power than the fairies? Page Truly and The Journey To Nearandfar – Just 99 cents on Kindle!

What an utterly charming and delightful story! I was hooked from the first page by the beautiful prose and the captivating cast of characters. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Woven throughout the story are Gschwandtner’s vivid descriptions of nature and its creatures – real and imagined – so lovingly portrayed. I was transported!

And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample:

KND eBook of the Day Murder by Mortgage is a delightfully twisted tale, and here’s a free sample!

August 22, 2011March 26, 2011 by Steve Windwalker

When Jennifer Roberts’ daughter dies, she’s filled with guilt and pain. Nothing could penetrate the fog surrounding her.

Nothing but murder.

Here’s the set-up for Katherine Storm’s Murder By Mortgage:

Jennifer Roberts was not having a good life. Neither was her best friend, Evelyn, found dead in her home.

Jennifer knows it’s murder, but how does she prove it?

No one else believes it’s murder. Not Talbot, the cop who’s her nemesis. Nor her husband, whose actions lead Jennifer to think that she has a problem there, too.

She’s determined to convince others that what she suspects is true; her only help, an eclectic group of amateur sleuths who play at murder. Their hobby is murder, and she needs their help.

From the Author:

Here’s the story of why I wrote Murder by Mortgage.

A neighborhood in San Antonio is filled with ruinously expensive Victorian homes. As I was driving through the area one day, I wondered at the residents. Jennifer Roberts immediately popped into my mind.

Segue here – my books begin with characters, not plot. I want to know about the people in the books, and what happens to them. Sometimes, as in the case with Jennifer, I find them in the midst of difficult situations.

Jennifer has gone through some of the worst circumstances that could happen to anyone, but it doesn’t look as if her life is going to get easier soon. In fact, when she finds her best friend, Evelyn, dead, the event is life changing.

As she thinks later, maybe murder woke her.

From the Reviewers:

There are, admittedly, very limited murder motives. Money, greed, love (twisted versions usually), sex, and the thrill kill. Murder by Mortgage is a delightfully twisted tale. I really enjoyed the secondary characters. There were, of course, ones that weren’t likeable.

The mystery itself is solid, twisted and not easily unraveled. Murder by Mortgage is an excellent debut mystery and I look forward to the next Jennifer mystery.

Murder by Mortgage is a suspenseful murder mystery with an emotional story of healing and survival. Since the tragic death of her daughter and weighed down by guilt and pain, Jennifer Roberts is living in a daze while her life falls apart around her. Until Jennifer’s suspicions are triggered when someone else close to her dies. When neither the police, nor her husband believe her suspicions of murder, Jennifer works through her grief to uncover the truth.

And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample:

Is Dexter Channeling Dracula Here? No, the protagonist of Dave Zeltserman’s Blood Crimes is an entirely original creation, and here’s a free sample!

August 22, 2011March 25, 2011 by Steve Windwalker

So, sure, you can think “Dexter Meets Dracula.” Or you can think “Bram meets Bukowski,” or “Noir meets Vamp,” it’s up to you. But anyway you slice it, Dave Zeltserman’s 5-Star Blood Crimes: Book One is the freshest take we’ve seen in years on vampire fiction! – Our eBook of the Day, Just $2.99 on Kindle!

Here’s the set-up for Dave Zeltserman’s Blood Crimes: Book One:

Throw in noir and crime, mystery and urban fantasy, add a vampire with social conscience and you have the intriguing Blood Crimes.

Blood Crimes is a genre-bending collision of dark urban fantasy and crime that rides shot-gun with Jim and Carol as they carve a homicidal path cross-country.

Jim is infected with the vampire virus. Carol isn’t. Yet. But they’re united in their hunt for society’s most dangerous predators for Jim’s dinner — so he can feed without harming the innocent. What they don’t know is that they’re not alone. There are others on their trail, and the climax of Blood Crimes is a shocking jolt of pure mayhem and rock ‘n roll violence.

Reviewers and Commentators Say:

This is one of the few fresh takes on vampirism I’ve read in years. It’s as if Charles Bukowski sat down and said, OK, Bram Stoker, how about this?’ — Ed Gorman, author of Cage of Night and The Poker Club.

I enjoyed the heck out of this book….It’s a wild ride by a master of noir and crime fiction – in this case, infused with some horror. What struck me about this book is that there is a little something for everyone – a stone cold sociopathic killer/mad scientist, a road trip, a PI story, a love story, biker drug gangs, great over-the-top violence, and vampires (or more accurately – people infected with a vampire emulating virus)! I mean – what’s not to love???

Blood Crimes is fast. It’s visceral. It’s definitely not your fourteen-year-old sister’s dreamy vampire fantasy. This book grabs you by the guttiwuts, wrenches hard, and doesn’t let go… But don’t get me wrong, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill shock literature. Zeltserman weaves a disturbing noir with a passionate craftsman’s hand over his characters.’ –Mindy MacKay

Fast, camp, over the top horror pulp. Zeltserman, a noir author from deep in his bones, has always flirted with horror–his Caretaker of Lorne Field ranks as one of the best novels in that category back in 2010. Blood Crimes goes over the retaining wall and into the dark woods, throwing in delightful twists on reliable tropes, making for a fast, campy thrill ride. These aren’t your sister’s romantic vampires, to say the least. Gory fun.

Visit Amazon’s Dave Zeltserman Page

Dave Zeltserman won the 2010 Shamus Award for Julius Katz Mysteries and is the acclaimed author of the ‘man out of prison’ crime trilogy: Small Crimes, Pariah and Killer, where Small Crimes (2008) and Pariah (2009) were both picked by the Washington Post as best books of the year. His recent The Caretaker of Lorne Field received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, calling it a ‘superb mix of humor and horror’, has been shortlisted by ALA for best horror novel of 2010, Outsourced (2011) has already been called ‘a small gem of crime fiction’ by Booklist and has been optioned by Impact Pictures and Constantin Film.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Dave attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, and after graduating with a BS in Applied Math and Computer Science, returned back to the Boston area where he continues to reside with his wife, Judy. After spending 20 years developing network management software for several of the world’s leading technology companies, he now splits his time between writing crime fiction and studying martial arts. He holds a black belt in Kung Fu.

His upcoming crime novels include Outsourced and The Essence of Monsters. Outsourced has already been called a ‘small gem of crime fiction’ by Booklist and has been optioned by Constantin Film and Impact Pictures.

And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample:

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Grab it now with a 75% price cut! THINK BIG: A 10-Step Guide to Aspiring to Greatness, Pursuing Your Dreams, and Unleashing Your Full Potential by Damon Zahariades

If you enjoyed steamy romances with forbidden love and characters who must choose between duty and desire, you’ll love The Weight of Love by Emily Anne James

Either justice will prevail or the body count will grow… A Law Unto Itself (The Tony Valenti Thrillers Book 8) by Neil Turner

A geological disaster triggers massive quakes, deadly tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions… Tides of Fire: A Sigma Force Novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins

Can the idealistic lawyer prove he’s the man to save an entire city? The Laureate: An Italian Renaissance Historical Mystery by Ken Tentarelli

Be prepared to laugh and cry, to be inspired, and find your heart rejoicing! Within and Without Time: A Christian Mystery Thriller by D. I. Hennessey

It’s Giveaway time! Get a free bonus entry into our monthly raffle and check out Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie

Accessible for beginners and stimulating for more experienced chess players! Winning Chess Exercises for Kids: Practice Moves, Tactics, and Strategies to Outsmart Your Opponent by Viktoria Ni

A shocking thriller with a ‘didn’t see that coming’ twist… The Therapist by S.A. Falk

In the game of love, always expect the unexpected… Tomboy Bride by USA Today Bestselling Author Alicia Street

Discover heroes and heroines in new fantasy worlds! Fantasy/Sword & Sorcery Starter Pack: Six Book Ones for Six Series by Michael Anderle, Aaron D. Schneider, and more!

They called it the Immortality Code… and one Swiss firm just cracked it. Is it real or a fraud? The Immortal: A Medical Thriller by Joshua T. Calvert

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