Content FREE (and bargain) books for the Kindle - December 2010

[koland]

An East End Murder, by Charles Finch

This is a free pre-order, no description yet.

Notes on Fame: What the Classics Tell Us About Our Cult of Celebrity, by Tom Payne. This is a free pre-order, no description yet, but there is another edition ($9.99) in the Kindle store, so it's description is below.

Book Description
We may regard celebrities as deities, but that does not mean we worship them with deference. From prehistory to the present, humanity has possessed a primal urge first to exalt the famous but then to cut them down (Michael Jackson, anyone?). Why do we treat the ones we love like burnt offerings in a ritual of human sacrifice? Perhaps because that is exactly what they are.

From Greek mythology to the stories of the Christian martyrs and Dr. Faustus, Payne makes the fascinating argument that our relationship to celebrity is perilous, and that we wouldn't have it any other way. He also shows that the people we choose as our heroes and villains throughout the ages says a lot about ourselves—and what it says is often quite frightening. Fame even brings new life to all the literary figures from our high school English classes. In these pages, the most ephemeral reality television stars (those "famous for being famous") find themselves in the same VIP lounge as the characters of The Iliad. With great wit, scholarship, and insight, Tom Payne draws the narratives of the past and the present into one intriguing story.

Fame is a dazzling, hilarious look at the mortals, and the immortals—us and them.

[arcadata]

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Product Description
For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by arcadata

Book bargain:

For fans of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Mysteries, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Book 1) is currently priced down to just $0.88 for the Kindle.

Also 88 cents at Barnes and Nobel.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Cho...+cookie+murder

[arcadata]

Originally Posted by arcadata

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Also free for Kindle readers in the UK

[koland]

Free once again on Kindle:

Deeper Water (Tides of Truth Series, Book 1), by Robert Whitlow

Book Description
The Tides of Truth novels follow one lawyer's passionate pursuit of truth in matters of life and the law.

In the murky waters of Savannah's shoreline, a young law student is under fire as she tries her first case at a prominent and established law firm. A complex mix of betrayal and deception quickly weaves its way through the case and her life, as she uncovers dark and confusing secrets about the man she's defending--and the senior partners of the firm.

How deep will the conspiracy run? Will she have to abandon her true self to fulfill a higher calling? And how far will she have to go to discover the truth behind a tragic cold case?


House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 1), by Robert Liparulo

Book Description
Dream house . . . or bad dream?

When the Kings move from L.A. to a secluded small town, fifteen-year-old Xander is beyond disappointed. He and his friends loved to create amateur films . . . but the tiny town of Pinedale is the last place a movie buff and future filmmaker wants to land.

But he, David, and Toria are captivated by the many rooms in the old Victorian fixer-upper they moved into--as well as the heavy woods surrounding the house.

They soon discover there's something odd about the house. Sounds come from the wrong directions. Prints of giant, bare feet appear in the dust. And when David tries to hide in the linen closet, he winds up in locker 119 at his new school.

Then the really weird stuff kicks in: they find a hidden hallway with portals leading off to far-off places--in long-ago times. Xander is starting to wonder if this kind of travel is a teen's dream come true . . . or his worst nightmare.

[arcadata]

Originally Posted by arcadata

Bargain (6 books in 1 volume):

John Saul's The Blackstone Chronicles: The Serial Thriller Complete in One Volume (6 Novels in 1 volume) is $9.29 at Amazon Kindle.

Amazon dropped down the price to match Sony ebookstore - it's also $8.77 right now for the Kindle.

[arcadata]

Book Bargain (Fantasy)

Terry Brooks' The Magic Kingdom of Landover series is currently for sale as compiled into volumes.

The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 1 (Magic Kingdom For Sale SOLD! - The Black Unicorn - Wizard at Large) is $9.29 for the Kindle. Note that each ebook in the series bought separately is priced at $6.29 each right now.

Product Description:
Capture the fantasy, thrills, and far-flung adventure of the first three novels in Terry Brooks’s enchanting Magic Kingdom of Landover series–now for the first time in one gripping volume.

Chicago lawyer Ben Holiday can’t fathom what lies ahead when he purchases Landover–a magical kingdom of chivalry and sorcery–from Meeks, the mysterious seller who placed the ad. Weary and jaded, Ben clings to the ad’s promise: “Escape into your dreams.” But Landover is not the enchanted idyll he expected.

The kingdom is in ruin. The barons refuse to recognize Ben as King, a dragon is decimating the countryside, and a demon lord has challenged any prospective ruler to a fatal duel. To make matters worse, the Paladin, renowned champion of the Kings of Landover, seems to be merely a legend.

Ben’s only allies are a bumbling court magician, a talking dog turned court scribe, and the beautiful Willow, who is part girl, part tree. With his friends in tow, Ben sets out to claim the throne. But when Meeks decides he wants Landover back, Ben will face supernatural foes of every stripe to prove himself worthy of the kingship. The question is: Can he survive?

[For those interested, Volume 2 of The Magic Kingdom of Landover (The Tangle Box and Witches' Brew) is less discounted since it's priced at $8.80 for the Kindle.]

[arcadata]

Aphrodite's Kiss by Julie Kenner

Product Description:

In order to save the world, a superhero-in-training must overcome not only her archenemy, but her fear of falling in love with the handsome detective who can help her.

[arcadata]

This was just posted on the official Amazon Kindle Team twitter account:

Discounted games: From 12/20/2010 through 01/02/2011, we’ll be offering all EA Kindle games at a 50% discount. http://amzn.to/i3oilJ

That's four games that will shortly be discounted (not yet in effect):

EA Sudoku
EA Solitaire
EA Texas Hold'em
SCRABBLE
MONOPOLY

[jtrappett]

Originally Posted by arcadata

That's four games that will shortly be discounted (not yet in effect):

EA Sudoku
EA Solitaire
EA Texas Hold'em
SCRABBLE

Are these only available in the US store? The Australian store just shows "Pricing information not available".

[koland]

So far, all the games have been restricted to the US.

[koland]

What's So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?, by Richard D. Phillips, is free courtesy of Christian publisher Reformation Trust Publishing.

Book Description
In What's So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?, the Rev. Richard D. Rick Phillips shows that the doctrines of grace, those theological tenets more popularly known as the five points of Calvinism, are comforting, faith-strengthening, and humbling teachings. In six short chapters, Rev. Phillips demonstrates conclusively from Scripture that this view of salvation exalts God and makes plain His great love for man, which drove Him to do all that was necessary to redeem a people for Himself. In his opening chapter, Rev. Phillips cites the calling of Isaiah the prophet to show that a proper understanding of the sovereignty of God leads to a willingness to serve, a humble obedience to God s commands, a holy boldness, and a firm reliance on sovereign, saving grace. Then, over the next five chapters, he deals with the five doctrines of grace one by one-total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints providing thorough explanations, answering objections, and showing how the doctrines advance Christian living. What's So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? is a compact, highly readable treasure chest of scriptural wisdom.

[koland]

These eight business books should drop to zero on Kindle later today. FT Press is always late with their price dops, so it may be late afternoon or evening before the price changes.

Digging for Disclosure: Tactics for Protecting Your Firm's Assets from Swindlers, Scammers, and Imposters, by Kenneth Springer & Joelle Scott

Book Description
Financial crimes constantly victimize sophisticated companies, executives, and business deal-makers. Whether you’re planning a major investment, acquisition, or merger, don’t let it happen to you! In this book, the leaders of a world-class corporate investigations firm show you exactly how to protect yourself.

Drawing on decades of experience as corporate and criminal investigators, Kenneth S. Springer, a former FBI agent, and Joelle Scott teach powerful techniques for recognizing and exposing fraud and corporate crime. Through dozens of real-world stories, they show how to “think like a swindler”…find a criminal past of an executive…locate former employees who have critical information about the company you are dealing with…uncover colorful regulatory problems of your money manager…understand the true state of a borrower’s finances…find crucial information that only exists offline…perform background checks on people and corporations…and investigate the potential involvement of organized crime.

These days, you must know who you’re dealing with. Digging for Disclosure will help you make sure you do–always.


Success Built to Last: Creating a Life that Matters , by Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery & Mark Thompson

Book Description
Chosen by BusinessWeek as one of the top 5 books of 2006 in careers. Read the full story at businessweek.com.

Imagine discovering what successful people have in common, distilling it into a set of simple practices, and using them to transform your life and work. Authored by three legends in leadership and self-help — including Built to Last co-author Jerry Porras — it challenges conventional wisdom at every step. Success Built to Last draws on face-to-face, unscripted conversations with hundreds of remarkable human beings from around the world. Meet billionaires, CEOs, presidents of nations, Nobel laureates and celebrities — the rich, the famous and the unknown. Meet unsung heroes who've achieved lasting impact without obvious power or charisma. Famous or not, most started out ordinary. Discover how successful people "harvest" their strengths and their weaknesses, their victories and their surprising failures. Discover how you can find meaning in your life and work just as they did and summon the courage to follow your passions. Above all, see how they've sustained success for decades and you can too.


Value Investing the Benjamin Graham Way, is a business short from New Word City and FT Press.

Book Description
Benjamin Graham was the father of value investing. In the shadow of the Great Depression, this author, business school professor, and investment firm founder devised a methodical system for measuring a stock's intrinsic value. He took emotion out of investing decisions, replacing it with a sound intellectual framework that remains in use today. Here's how you can put his theories and practices to work.

In 1949, Warren Buffett?widely acknowledged as the most successful investor in history?was rejected for admission by the Harvard Business School. Although his exclusion may have dealt a lasting blow to Harvard's alumni fundraising efforts, it was the best thing that ever happened to him. Why? Because he then enrolled at Columbia Business School, where he studied under Professor Benjamin Graham. It was Graham who introduced Buffett to the principles and applications of value investing, the tenets that have guided Buffett to his estimated $39 billion fortune.

So who was Benjamin Graham, what exactly is value investing, and why is it relevant for today's investor? Let's take a look.


The Truth About Managing Change: The Essential Truths in 20 Minutes , by William S. Kane

Book Description
Change, even for the sake of change, can have many benefits beyond process improvements, market share enhancement, or greater profitability. It offers individual and collective learning opportunities. It may also heighten employee engagement and interest in work, thus increasing productivity and job satisfaction. Likewise, employees will have a greater sense of pride and ownership if they participate. These essential truths will help you to guide yourself and those you lead through change.


It's About More Than the Money (Introduction & Chapter 4): Take Responsibility, by Saly A. Glassman

Book Description
This download is a chapter from It's About More Than the Money: Investment Wisdom for Building a Better Life

In It’s About More Than the Money, award-winning financial advisor Saly A. Glassman shows you how to regain control over your financial life–and stay in control. Glassman brings together 21 fundamental investment principles, illuminates them with actual investor experiences, and guides you through putting each one to work. Drawing on everything she’s learned working with a broad cross-section of investors, Glassman teaches you how to plan your finances strategically, place money in broader context, and make your most important dreams a reality. You’ll focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t…apply investment rules that work…recognize when to do nothing…assess your progress objectively, and much more. Glassman also helps you decide whether you need professional advice–and, if you do, she shows how to find an advisor who will add real value. Packed with insightful investor stories, this book will help you make wiser, better financial decisions–whatever your goals, whatever your age, and whatever the economy does next.


Insights from Remarkable Businesspeople, a collection of business shorts from FT Press, is a repeat freebie.

Book Description
A brand new collection of essential insights for your business and career from world-renowned experts...now in a convenient e-format, at a great price!

Get it straight from the top: secrets only the world’s best leaders can tell you!

What it takes to lead your team to greatness! Outstanding leaders tell you how to identify and fix even the biggest problems...get buy-in that’s real...balance external customers and internal processes...infuse creativity throughout your organization, and reinvent its future...get results, not salutes!

From world-renowned leaders and experts, including Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, Jim Champy, Fred Wiersema, Dean LeBaron, Michael F. Golden, Gary Hirshberg, and many more.


So What?: How to Communicate What Really Matters to Your Audience, by Mark Magnacca , is a repeat freebie.

Book Description
It’s tough, but true—the people you’re trying to communicate with, sell to, or convince don’t really care about you. Nor do they care what you’re offering them—until they understand exactly how it’ll benefit them. If you recognize that one hard, cold fact—and you know what to do about it—you’ll make more money, achieve greater success, and even have more fun!

In this book, world-renowned sales consultant Mark Magnacca shows you how to answer the “So What?” question brilliantly, every time—no matter who’s asking it or what you’re trying to achieve. This book will transform the way you communicate: You’ll use it every day to get what you want—in business and in life!


Leading at a Higher Level, Revised and Expanded Edition: Blanchard on Leadership and Creating High Performing Organizations, by Ken Blanchard, is a repeat freebie.

Book Description
From The One Minute Manager® to Raving Fans, Ken Blanchard’s books have helped millions of people unleash their power and the potential of everyone around them. The Ken Blanchard Companies has helped thousands of organizations become more people oriented, customer centered, and performance driven.

Now, in this fully updated edition of Leading at a Higher Level, Blanchard and his colleagues bring together all they’ve learned about world-class leadership. You’ll discover how to create targets and visions based on the “triple bottom line” and make sure people know who you are, where you’re going, and the values that will guide your journey.

Leading at a Higher Level presents the definitive discussion about using Situational Leadership® II to lead yourself, individuals, teams, and entire organizations. More important, you’ll learn how to dig deep within, discover the personal “leadership point of view” all great leaders possess, and apply it throughout your entire life.

[arcadata]

Newly free for UK Kindle readers:

Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James (Amazon UK, Amazon Main)

House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 1) by Robert Liparulo (Amazon UK, Amazon Main)

Deeper Water (Tides of Truth Series, Book 1) by Robert Whitlow (Amazon UK, Amazon Main)

[arcadata]

Free for UK Kindle readers:

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (I see it priced at $5.39 at the US Kindle site)

Product Description:

For Penelope, wife of Odyseeus, maintaining a kingdom while her husband was off fighting the Trojan war was not a simple business. Already aggrieved that he had been lured away due to the shocking behaviour of her beautiful cousin Helen, Penelope must bring up her wayward son, face down scandalous rumours and keep over a hundred lustful, greedy and bloodthirsty suitors at bay...