FREE!! Waiting for Summer's Return by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Free for Kindle today on Amazon "Waiting for Summer's Return" by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Book Description:

All alone on the Kansas prairie, Summer Steadman has few options. With her husband and children lost to illness, she has no desire to continue on farther west to where she and her husband planned to build their future. Instead, she seeks employment in a small Mennonite community in order to be near the graves of her family.

Widower Peter Ollenburger, the local gristmill owner, needs someone to teach his young son. When he hears of a "learned woman" in town, he believes she is the answer to his prayers. He soon discovers, however, that helping this outsider may have troublesome consequences.

There is little this father will not do for his son, but as the boy begins to look at Summer as more than a teacher, Peter must make a choice. Does he marry this woman to give his son a new mother, or does he marry only for love? 

Will Summer's broken heart ever be able to love again?

Goodbye to Yesterday by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Goodbye to Yesterday
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Barbour Publishing Inc
6 month serial novel
Genre: Christian romance, Amish

Description:

The Discovery—A Six-Part Serial Novel Series from NY Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter delivers a fresh take on Amish romance with her one-of-a-kind Discovery series. Releasing as a serial novel, the compelling love story will be broken into 6 short books releasing consecutively over a six-month period. Each novel will end in a heart-wrenching cliffhanger that will leave readers dying to know what happens next. The story follows a newlywed Amish couple in Lancaster County whose relationship faces insurmountable odds.

Book #1: Goodbye to Yesterday
Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds?

My Thoughts:

I so enjoy reading Amish fiction and usually enjoy Wanda Brunstetter's stories. Unfortunately, I'm not sure why I didn't love this first part, but I found myself not connecting with the characters and found myself not really involved. Maybe it's because the story was too short and I needed more time to connect, but as it stands now, I'm not really caring if I continue the series or not.

The story ended in a cliff-hanger (as all serials do), but I felt like it was too predictable, that Meredith whined too much and I found it to be annoying. Will I read the next? Only time will tell at this point.

Don't let my frustrations sway you. Pick up an e-copy at your local library and judge for yourself. I'd love to hear what you thought about it!!!!

  I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

First Snow by Christine Cunningham - Review

First Snow
Willow Reed Series Vol. 1
Author: Christine Cunningham
Publisher: Eternal Beginning Publishing

About the Book:

What's the point Christmas without a family of your own? This question haunts Nell as she struggles to get into the holiday spirit. Her walking partner, Hasan seems to be the answer to her prayers until he mentions he doesn't want children. Will Christmas be a disappointment this year too?

My Thoughts:

Novellas are the type of story that will either really capture my interest or will bore me because of the lack of good character development. "First Snow" won me from the get-go. It  handed me characters that I both enjoyed and felt a connection to. Penelope (Nell) was a woman that felt real and true to life with an honest desire and fear. Hasan, Nell's friend, was not as connectable for me - at least not in the beginning, but by the end, I was adoring him.

This story is based around the Christmas holiday, but could be an anytime read. It is sweet, clean, and had a nice cozy quality that I thoroughly enjoyed. With this being the first volume in the series, I'll be anxiously awaiting the next as I really want to find out what the next chapter in Nell's life holds!

About the Author:

I write fictional stories to uplift and inspire. I am a life-long student of happiness and how to attract it. I compile what I learn and weave it into an understandable and enjoyable story.

To learn more about Christine or her work, you can visit her blog at: http://mungoisischristine.blogspot.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CCNovels
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E_B_ChristineC

I received an e-copy of this book to read and honestly review.

NetGalley Month at Red House Books

Red House Books is featuring a challenge to read as many NetGalley eBooks as possible. I have decided to join, as I have a "stack" of them to get to. I think it's easier to ignore ebooks than it is to ignore a physical stack of books, so this will give me the push I need.

Why not join in the fun and see how many you can clear off your shelves :)

Silent Run by Barbara Freethy #Giveaway

Silent Run
Author Barbara Freethy
Format: eBook
Available at: B&N, Amazon

About the Book:

From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes an emotionally compelling, romantic and suspenseful story ...

A woman wakes up in a hospital bed -- her memory gone, her baby missing. All she has is the gripping certainty that she is in mortal danger. Then a handsome, angry stranger barges in and makes a terrible accusation. He was her lover--and her child's father--until she disappeared seven months ago.

Jake Sanders swore he'd never forgive Sarah Tucker, but he isn't about to let her get away again--especially not with his daughter still missing. If he has any chance of recovering his baby, he must help the woman who betrayed him retrieve the pieces of her shattered memory--without letting his feelings get in the way.

Haunted by troubling flashes of memory, Sarah begins to realize she's lived a life of lies. But what is the truth? And where is her baby?

My Thoughts:


The main character, Sarah, wakes up in a hospital with amnesia, and finds that not only does she have a toddler, but the toddler is missing. Then she discovers someone is trying to kill her. But who? And why? This fast-paced thriller keeps you on edge - never knowing exactly who to trust or what their motive is.

I really enjoyed both the storyline and how the characters are introduced. You learn who they are as Sarah does, never knowing if they are there to hurt her or to help her. Because of the uncertainty of the characters, this story really kept me on my toes! Every time someone was introduced, I kept trying to figure out if they were the threat. Certainly an enjoyable page-turner and very hard to put down, as you always want to know what is going to happen next. 

I like Barbara's writing style, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series "Silent Fall".

Note: Contains adult language and a sexual content.

About the Author:

Barbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.

To learn more about Barbara or her work, please visit her page at: http://www.barbarafreethy.com/


Giveaway!!!

Barbara has offered an e-book of Silent Run to one lucky reader of this blog. For a chance to win, fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good Luck!




I received an e-copy of this book through the First Reads program to honestly review.

"HILL 170" by Michael Barclay Tour & Review #Giveaway

It is a true honor to be able to participate in today's tour. I had previewed this book a few months ago and knew I HAD to read it. When I discovered that Mr. Barclay and his amazing book were on tour, I jumped at the chance to host him! This military thriller is a book you must add to your TBR list and one lucky reader will be able to do just that. Mr. Barclay is generously giving away one eBook of "HILL 170" so make sure you enter today. (See details below)

HILL 170
By Michael Barclay

China, North Korea, South Korea and the United States - the major forces in the world’s most dangerous stand off.

Sergeant Dodge Bryce and the small team of USAF intelligence ops on Hill 170 keep the region safe. But who will keep them safe when a shocking incident costs the group fully one third of their number - overnight?

Now gravely short handed, the Hill faces its ultimate worst case scenario - a PRC spy in their midst. And Bryce - his remarkable string of intel discoveries having cost the PRC too much - is now the #1 target of China’s master assassin.

It’s a race against the clock as East and West square off in a chillingly authentic story of defections, betrayals and clandestine intelligence operations that you will never forget.

My Thoughts:

I enjoy military thrillers, and some of the best ones are written by those that lived and experienced military life first hand. Such is the case with Michael Barclay's "HILL 170". This novel is based on a real incident but Michael kicked it up a notch and created a fantastic thriller full of on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense and espionage.

#Giveaway & Guest Post "Her Dear and Loving Husband" Tour with Review

I am thrilled to be able to participate in this tour. "Her Dear & Loving Husband" is a book that is perfect for this time of the year! Meredith not only shares a great guest post with us, but is also giving away one eBook of "Her Dear & Loving Husband" to one lucky reader! Thank you, Meredith!! (see below for details)

Her Dear and Loving Husband
By Meredith Allard
Published by Copperfield Press
Release Date: April 11, 2011
Genre: Vampire Romance  

Book Description: 

How long would you wait for the one you loved? James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties anywhere. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.

Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. Soon James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again?  

Her Dear & Loving Husband is part historical fiction, part romance, and part paranormal fantasy. With elements of Twilight and The Crucible, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.  

Unruly Magic Giveaway Blitz with E-book Giveaway

It's Friday and it's time for a celebration. What better way to celebrate than to congratulate Camilla Chafer on her new book, Unruly Magic, and join in the fun with her Giveaway Blitz! Camilla is offering one lucky reader an e-book of Unruly Magic (see below) Please note: I cannot comment on the contents of this book as I have not read it.

 Unruly Magic is the second book in the Amazon UK contemporary fantasy Top 10 bestsellling Stella Mayweather series by Camilla Chafer.

A witch on the run.
A quiet little town where everything is far from normal.
A fractured witch council threatening to tear the supernatural world apart.

Life hasn't been easy for novice witch Stella but small town life seems to be agreeing with her. When a frightened young woman appears in Stella's house and begs for her protection, Stella is pulled into a dangerous game where she'll need both her magic and her wits to unravel the secrets that surround her.

Just what is her new home town's big mystery? Is Stella's new charge really on the run from the Council or is she a dangerous murderer ready to manipulate her way to freedom? And with old friends and new seemingly ready to help, who can Stella trust when she's not even all that sure that they don't have their own agenda.

With bewitching friends and two super-sexy mysterious men by her side, Stella must uncover dangerous truths, fast, before she ends up paying the ultimate price.

Word count: 87600

Would you like to learn more about the book? You can stop by Camilla's website for a sneak peek. You'll find the  first chapter as well as find a deleted scene on the downloads page.

20 Free Barnes & Noble Classics

Just in time for school, Barnes & Noble is offering 20 free classics from their B&N Classic Series to download to your Nook. Many of these were offered for free last summer, so check your list to see what you may be missing. I was lazy and didn't look, so now I have duplicates. Usually B&N tells me when I have the book in my library, but it appears these books have different ISBN numbers than those downloaded last year.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Art of War

The Awakening and Selected Short Fiction

Don Quixote

Emily Dickinson

The Good Soldier

Gulliver's Travels

House of Mirth

Jane Eyre

Jude the Obscure

Odyssey

Paradise Lost

Picture of Dorian Gray

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Dubliners

Scarlet Letter

Sherlock Holmes

Tale of Two Cities

Three Musketeers

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Wuthering Heights

Read An E-book Week - Tons of Free Books!!!

To celebrate the 40th birthday of the first e-book, many authors and publishers have teamed up and are giving away e-books all during the week of March 6th through March 12th. There is also a giveaway for a free e-reader, so make sure to enter. Click on the above banner to for more information about this marvelous celebration. You really don't want to miss this!!

Things Are Becoming Even More Expensive

We are cursed blessed to be living in the marcellus shale region. With that comes an increase in traffic, increased demands in housing and businesses are booming. Cost of housing has gone up to insane prices, taxes are going up, water is becoming polluted and I've heard our area being called a "wasteland". Sigh.... Wells are springing up all around us, and living in a small town, we have no recourse but to put up with everything with nothing in return. Am I complaining? Not really - just stating the cold, hard facts.

We have been considering leaving for a long time, but hubby was looking for the perfect job. He could at that time - then the economy changed and his chance of getting that job got a whole lot slimmer. We thought we'd ride things out, but now with the crazy business here of the gas - we really want out. Now, just to find a job that will allow us to leave and be able to pay for a new home and college for 2 kids.

This year is going to be the time for severe cutbacks for us. All those little luxuries that we've enjoyed for years are going.... magazine subscriptions, television, newspapers, etc. - they are all getting canceled or won't be renewed. Both kids will need a cell phone next year for college, so we are going to have to find a cell phone company and we will finally give in to buying cell service. Sadly, reception is poor to none in our area making it about impossible to drop our land-line. Hopefully that will change in 8 months. Imagine, what we save in dropping all the above items will pay for the kids cell phones. :(

Food prices have gone up considerably and so has gas. We are now over $3.20 a gallon and it still continues to go up. Sadly, there were no raises because of company cutbacks. Our garden will just have to be increased in size and now that I have an Excalibur dehydrator, we'll be able to save both time, space and money by dehydrating instead of canning. It is amazing the things one can do with dehydrated foods, and more amazing that they retain most of their nutritional value and flavor!! My goal this year is to see how many groceries we can make ourselves and how much we really NEED from the store.

Speaking of saving money, I MUST share three wonderful new challenges I have joined. Retroredux is having some really fun but frugal reading challenges that really appealed to me.
 

First is the Public Domain E-book Challenge. This challenge deals with public domain books from places like Project Gutenburg, Manybooks, etc. If you are like me, you've been there and have found that there are no descriptions of the books that are offered. This challenge has you reading and reviewing these books. You can pick the level you want to participate in (all are easily obtainable), then read and review the number of books you signed up for. What a fantastic idea!! Not only are you setting a fun goal, but helping other readers at the same time :)

The second challenge she has that I signed up for is called The Buck Stops Here Challenge. In this challenge you read books from your own personal library. The only rules are: 1. They must cost from FREE to up to ONE DOLLAR - nothing more expensive and 2. no loaned books. You MUST own these books. This also includes e-books (and we know how many cheap and free e-books are out there!)

The last challenge is called the Forgotten Treasures Challenge. In this challenge, one must read books that are at least 25 years old. Man, my budget over the last 20 years of marriage has only allowed me to purchase books from yard sales and the Goodwill, plus those that were obtained from FreeCycle, so, I have a TON of these babies sitting on my shelf!!

All of these challenges seem to go hand-in-hand with our cutbacks, so here's to living cheaper without really sacrificing anything at all! :)

Free Christian Fiction E-Books

In my inbox this morning, I found two exciting emails. One from Barnes & Noble stating that the long awaited update for NOOK will be released sometime around the end of next month. It indicated that they have listened to what NOOK owners want, and this update will make page turning faster, a customized B&N library organization, password protection, and an improved search - just to name a few. I'm looking forward to this update, just to be able to customize my library!! Everything else is an added plus.

The second email was from CBD and it was also focused on e-books. It spurred me to start looking for new free books from my favorite sellers. Here are the new goodies I found today:

Chosen Ones - Book 1 of the Aedyn Chronicles by Alister McGrath. Suggested age: 8-12. You can get this free from CBD, Barnes & Noble and Amazon


About the Book: (from CBD)

"The land of Aedyn is a paradise beyond all imagining. But when this paradise falls, strangers from another world must be called to fight for the truth. Peter and Julia never suspected that a trip to their grandparents' home in Oxford would contain anything out of the ordinary. But that was before Julia stumbled upon a mysterious garden that shone on moonless nights. It was no accident that she fell into the pool, pulling her brother along with her, but now they're lost in a strange new world and they don't know whom they can trust. Should they believe the mysterious, hooded lords? The ancient monk who appears only when least expected? Or the silent slaves who have a dark secret of their own? In a world inhabited by strange beasts and magical whisperings, two children called from another world will have to discover who they truly are, fighting desperate battles within themselves before they can lead the great revolution."

The Malacca Conspiracy by Don Brown. This e-book is free from Barnes & Noble, CBD and Amazon.

About the Book: (from CBD)

"Set in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States, The Malacca Conspiracy is a bone-chilling tale of terrorism on the high seas, of political assassination and nuclear brinkmanship. And for Zack and Diane---your favorite JAG characters from Don Brown's popular Navy Justice Series---a story of hope for a longstanding romance that is now or never. When a dastardly plot is hatched in the Malaysian seaport of Malacca to attack civilian oil tankers at sea, to drive up the price of crude oil futures, and to assassinate the Indonesian president and use fat windfall profits to finance a nuclear attack against American cities, Navy JAG officers Zack Brewer and Diane Cocernian reunite in a sizzling race against the clock to foil the conspiracy before disaster strikes. But as President Mack Williams sends ships of the U.S. Seventh Fleet towards the Malacca Straights to reassert control over the sea lanes, will Navy JAG officers Zack Brewer and Diane Colcernian survive this dangerous and final high-stakes drama of life and death? You won't be able to put this thriller down until you find out."

Never Blame the Umpire by Gene Fehler. Suggested age: 9-12. This ebook can be found free at: Barnes & Noble, Amazon and CBD.

About the Book: (from CBD)

"How do you trust God when tragedy strikes? Kate is having the best summer a sports-loving eleven-year-old could possibly have. Baseball. Tennis. And to top it off, Kate has just started a three-week class where she's discovering a new love: poetry. Then comes the news that tears Kate's world apart. In her close-knit family, Kate has always felt God's love and protection. But how can she trust God now? Do sports or poetry matter when tragedy strikes? In Kate's darkest hour, her mother's faith shines its brightest, helping Kate to see that life is still beautiful and God is still good. Always, no matter what."

The Choice: Lancaster County Secret Series #1 by Suzanne Woods Fisher. This e-book can be found free at Barnes & Noble and Amazon

About the Book: (from Amazon)

"With a vibrant, fresh style Suzanne Woods Fisher brings readers into the world of a young Amish woman torn between following the man she loves--or joining the community of faith that sustains her, even as she questions some of the decisions of her elders. Her choice begins a torrent of change for her and her family, including a marriage of convenience to silent Daniel Miller. Both bring broken hearts into their arrangement--and secrets that have been held too long. Filled with gentle romance, The Choice opens the world of the Amish--their strong communities, their simple life, and their willingness to put each other first. Combined with Fisher's exceptional gift for character development, this novel, the first in a series, is a welcome reminder that it is never too late to find your way back to God."

Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser. This e-book is free at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Book (from Borders)

"Nannerl Mozart's early days seem to be the stuff of fairy tales--traveling far and wide, performing piano concerts with her younger brother, Wolfgang, before the crowned heads of Europe. But behind the glamour lurk dark difficulties--the hardship of travel, agonizing bouts of illness, and the constant concern over money. Their father, Leopold, is driven by a desire to bring his son's genius to the attention of the world. But what about Nannerl? Is she not just as talented? In a world where women's choices are limited, what hope does she have of ever realizing her own dreams? In this lovingly crafted novel, author Nancy Moser brings to life one of history's hidden heroines."

Naomi and Her Daughters: A Novel by Walter Wangerin. This e-book can be found free at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and CBD

About the Book: (from Amazon)

"From master storyteller Walter Wangerin, Jr. comes this familiar biblical saga told in a fresh, transfixing way. You'll feel you've never heard it before! Melding historical accuracy with imaginative detail, Wangerin uses the biblical books of Judges and Ruth to explore themes of love, faith, grief and community set against a backdrop of war and political instability.The widow Naomi grieves the deaths of her two adult sons after the shocking murder of a beloved adopted daughter, while pondering her responsibilities toward her Moabite daughters-in-law. Ancient Israel is in chaos. When her daughter-in-law, Ruth, begs to return to Israel with Naomi, events are set in motion that will change the course of history.But wait...this isn't the tame, flannel graph story you heard in Sunday School. In the tradition of Anita Diamant's The Red Tent and Elissa Elliott's Eve: A Novel of the First Woman, Wangerin imbues his tale with strong female characters and an earthy realism that gives the timeless Old Testament narrative so much power. You'll find echoes of contemporary issues throughout: deceit, heartbreak, loss, war, and, of course, the power of love. Naomi's combined strength and tenderness becomes the pivot upon which a nation turns; her decisions ultimately lead to the founding of the family lineage of Jesus Christ.Breathtaking descriptions, shocking violence, and inspirational courage make this spellbinding novel by a beloved award-winning author a story you won't soon forget. It's the perfect novel for your book group, and a satisfying read for those who love thoughtful biblical fiction."

Free and Low Priced E-Books

E-readers are wonderful tools that can allow you to read books for free or at a very low cost. I know that there has been much talk about how expensive ebooks can be, however, like buying anything, you need to shop around to find the best deal.

I've been spending a lot of time online looking for the best places to buy, along with the best places to find free books. I've found a few good deals this week, one that I'm really thrilled about.

Because of this, I'll start with low cost books:

Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel was a novel I read when I was a teen. I remember it as a really good book, and was excited to find it out it was just released in ebook format. You can find it at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon, but the best deal for me was at Kobo.com where I bought it for 79 cents!! I'm on Kobo's mailing list, and this week they sent $1 off code to use on your ebook purchase. The book is priced at $1.79 before coupon - and is still not a bad deal. Other stores are selling it from $1.59 to $1.99, depending on the format and store.

About the book (from Amazon)

"When her parents are killed by an earthquake, 5-year-old Ayla wanders through the forest completely alone. Cold, hungry, and badly injured by a cave lion, the little girl is as good as gone until she is discovered by a group who call themselves the Clan of the Cave Bear. This clan, left homeless by the same disaster, have little interest in the helpless girl who comes from the tribe they refer to as the "Others." Only their medicine woman sees in Ayla a fellow human, worthy of care. She painstakingly nurses her back to health--a decision that will forever alter the physical and emotional structure of the clan. Although this story takes place roughly 35,000 years ago, its cast of characters could easily slide into any modern tale. The members of the Neanderthal clan, ruled by traditions and taboos, find themselves challenged by this outsider, who represents the physically modern Cro-Magnons. And as Ayla begins to grow and mature, her natural tendencies emerge, putting her in the middle of a brutal and dangerous power struggle."

Another interesting find was an ebook called "Suffer the Children" by Sara Jayne Townsend. I stumbled across this by accident at Borders, and it looked fascinating enough to pay 49 cents to try it out. Sadly, Borders had no description, so I had to do a search on it. I found it at Amazon for $4.99 in the Kindle edition with a description.

About the Book: (from Amazon)

"Fear has a face… Orphaned at eighteen, Leanne's life is adrift in a sea of grief and drug use. She washes up on the shore of estranged relatives, the Carver family, struggling with loss of their own. The transition from her South London council estate to her new home in the Surrey middle-class suburbs is difficult for Leanne. But beneath the respectable veneer of the quiet neighborhood, something terrifying lurks. Displaced and troubled teenagers are disappearing. Leanne recruits her cousin Simon and his girlfriend Carrie to help get to the bottom of the sinister mystery. Can the three of them stop a creature of unimaginable evil before Leanne becomes a target?"

Are you in the mood for Christmas romance? "Home for the Holidays" by Debbie Macomber contains 2 Christmas romance stories "The Forgetful Bride" and "When Christmas Comes". This ebook can be purchased from both Barnes & Noble and Amazon for $1.24. I have never read a book by this author before, but have seen many books by her at my library, so I'm assuming her to be a popular author.

About the Book: (from Barnes & Noble)

"Everyone wants to be home for the holidays…
The Forgetful Bride
Caitlin Marshall's trying to go home to Minnesota, but at the last minute she gives her airline ticket to a stranded soldier. So Cait spends Christmas with Joe Rockwell, who was a childhood friend—and is still a terrible tease, claiming that Cait's his wife. Oh, sure, they were "married" in a pretend ceremony when she was eight, but now Joe wants to make their "marriage" real!

When Christmas Comes
Emily Springer trades her Leavenworth, Washington, home for Charles Brewster's Boston condo. Then Emily's friend Faith comes to visit her in Washington—and instead finds Charles, a complete stranger and a curmudgeon, to boot. His brother, Ray, meanwhile, shows up at Charles's place, only to discover Emily living there. But through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, among the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge…."

Free Books

Redemption by Karen Kingsbury with Gary Smalley. This ebook is free at Amazon.  This is the first book of the Redemption Series.

About the Book(from author)

"When Kari Baxter Jacobs finds out that her husband is involved in an adulterous relationship and wants a divorce, she decides she will love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This book shows how God can redeem seemingly hopeless relationships, and it illustrates one of Gary Smalley's key messages: Love is a decision."

Tahn: A Novel by L.A. Kelly. This ebook is free from Amazon. This is the first book in the series.

About the Book: (from author)

"One man. Two noble families. A looming conflict that could destroy them all. 
 

Trained in his youth to be a mercenary but troubled by the deeds of his past, Tahn Dorn must now choose between the commands of a master and the urgings of his own good conscience. When his latest orders instruct him to kidnap Lady Netta of the House of Trilett, Tahn realizes that following his conscience won’t be easy, especially with the lives of his young students at stake.

As Tahn’s struggle continues, neither he nor Lady Netta can foretell the series of events that will unfold and change both their lives forever. Wrestling to understand Netta’s God, Tahn is filled with doubt, and Netta herself wonders how such a man is willing to risk his life for a ragtag band of little children.

The bravery of an unlikely hero, the love of an honorable lady, and the innocence of each wayward child resonate throughout this gripping tale of courage, faith, forgiveness, and unconditional love."

The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23 Mystery Series #1) by Debbie Viguie. This ebook is free both from Barnes & Noble and Amazon

About the Book: (from Barnes & Noble)

"Cindy’s church is getting ready to celebrate Easter, and Jeremiah’s Temple is preparing for Passover when Cindy literally stumbles over the body of an unknown man lying dead in the sanctuary. The church was locked, and a bloody cross necklace on the floor seems to be the only clue. The killer is likely a member of the congregation, but there are hints that similar deaths have happened in the past. Are Cindy and Jeremiah dealing with a serial killer? They have to unravel the clues before Easter Sunday arrives and more people die.


Cindy and Jeremiah come from two different worlds, even though they work right next door to each other. Cindy is a strong Christian who lives a normal but somewhat dull life, working as a church secretary. Jeremiah is a Reformed rabbi with a mysterious past full of danger and excitement. But one eventful Easter/Passover week, the two find themselves working together to solve a murder and stop a serial killer from striking again. Solving the mystery should put an end to their alliance, but the church secretary and the rabbi quickly find themselves enmeshed in another mystery. Soon the two form a friendly alliance and friendship, exploring personal history and faith and growing closer with each passing adventure. Despite their differences Cindy and Jeremiah find a lot of common ground."

The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels. This ebook is free both at Barnes & Noble, CBD and Amazon

About the Book: (from Amazon)

'Without a hint of exaggeration,' says pastor and author Bill Hybels in The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond Ebook, 'the ability to discern divine direction has saved me from a life of sure boredom and self-destruction. God's well-timed words have redirected my path, rescued me from temptation and re-energized me during some of my deepest moments of despair.' In The Power of a Whisper, vision is cast for what life can look like when God's followers choose to hear from heaven as they navigate life on earth. Whispers that arbitrate key decisions, nudges that rescue from dark nights of the soul, promptings that spur on growth, urgings that come by way of another person, inspiration that opens once-glazed-over eyes to the terrible plight people face in this world---through firsthand accounts spanning fifty-seven years of life, more than thirty of which have been spent in the trenches of ministry, Hybels promotes passion in Christ-followers' hearts for being wide open to hearing from God, and for getting gutsier about doing exactly what he says to do. For more information go to: www.thewhisperwall.com.

Intervention by Terri Blackstock This book can be found free at Barnes & Noble, CBD and Amazon.

About the Book: (from CBD)

The intervention was supposed to help Barbara's family---not thrust them into a new nightmare. But when her 18-year-old daughter, Emily, is escorted to drug treatment, the therapist is murdered and Emily vanishes. Barbara and her 14-year-old son are frantic. The police think Emily's the killer---but what if they're wrong? And where is she now?

Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy free from both Barnes & Noble and Amazon

About the Book:

"In a Victorian London where titles are based on the inheritance of magical powers, a were-lion’s obsessive quest for Merlin’s magical relics will threaten his love for a disinherited duchess—as well as their very lives."

Sandman Slim (with bonus content) by Richard Kadrey. This book is free from both Barnes & Noble and Amazon. This book is not for everyone. It contains graphic violence and explicit language.

About the book (from the author):

"Supernatural fantasy has a new antihero.
 

Life sucks, and then you die. Or, if you're James Stark, you spend eleven years in Hell as a hitman before finally escaping, only to land back in the hell-on-earth that is Los Angeles.

Now Stark's back, and ready for revenge. And absolution, and maybe even love. But Stark discovers that the road to absolution and revenge is much longer than you'd expect, and both Heaven and Hell have their own ideas for his future. Resurrection sucks. Saving the world is worse.

Darkly twisted, irreverent, and completely hilarious, Sandman Slim is the breakthrough novel by an acclaimed author." 

If you have found either great bargains or free ebooks, or have read any of those posted here, please leave a comment and share your thoughts.


*****Please note***** I have not read the books that I have posted here, unless otherwise stated. I cannot comment on the contents of these books or the quality of the writing. I'm posting only those that look interesting .

FREE DOWNLOAD & Book Review: "Katy's New World" (The Katy Lambright Series Book #1) by Kim Vogel Sawyer

"Katy's New World" (The Katy Lambright Series Book #1)
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 9780310719243
Genre: Young Adult, Spiritual growth, fiction, Christian fiction

Synopsis (from publisher):

When Katy Lambright is given the opportunity to attend a secular high school outside her Mennonite community, she is ecstatic. But as Katy begins to adjust to life outside her community and begins to make decisions for herself, her relationships with her family and lifelong friends become strained. Can Katy balance her new world with the Old Order?

Z

Browse Inside

Browse

Info

Add

Do you have an e-reader?? For a limited time only, Zondervan is offering "Katy's New World" FREE!! Just click the following links to download for your particular reader:

Nook Edition for iPhone, Kindle, PC, Mac, Blackberry
Kindle Edition for iPhone, Nook, PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android
Sony Edition for Sony Reader, Nook, PC, Mac, Linux

My Thoughts:

It's hard enough being on the outside of a normal group of people, but take a girl in her sophomore year, make her old order Mennonite, and put her in a new school - a secular school when all she's known is the Mennonite school in her community. Katy wants to fit in, but she struggles with what she's grown up learning, what is right, and wanting to fit in.

Katy's struggles with being the new girl make this for an interesting read. She not only has problems with her new school, but now doesn't completely fit in with her community that she grew up in. Katy struggles with trying to find her place and ends up making some choices that not only make some people angry, but gets her into trouble.

This is a great read for teens through adults. It gives great insight to being different and wanted to be accepted. Highly recommended!!

This book is from my personal e-library.

Why Purchase An E-Reader?

Why purchase an e-reader? Books are better, aren't they? Well... yes and no.

Nothing beats a wonderful new book. Listening to it crack the first time you open it, and the smell of the ink and paper - oh, I'm swooning just thinking about it. What about an old book? That smell - nothing can compare! You just can't beat curling up with your favorite book and a cup of tea on a cold rainy day. Throw in a favorite chair, cat and a nice warm afghan, and you are as close to heaven as you can get! Yes, I love books.

Before I started reviewing books, I never even considered an e-reader. I saw the Kindle on Amazon and thought it was the dumbest gadget ever created. Who would give up a book for a cold, hard electronic device? I hated reading long articles on the PC, so why on earth would I consider that thing?! I certainly wouldn't fork that kind of money out for something so silly.

Then I started reviewing books. I was thrilled to become part of the reviewing community, and got involved with different book promoters. As time went on, I stumbled upon NetGalley, and thinking it was just like other PR places, signed up and requested my first book. At that time, one could request printed galleys, so that's what I thought I'd get. Every publisher that approved my request gave me a book in electronic format. That wasn't going to work for me at all. I hate reading on the PC! I forgot about NetGalley - well, as much as they'd let me. I kept getting emails for books I would love to read and review, and they continued to tempt me. Then a few emails came in offering books to review, but only in electronic format. I declined.

Little by little I found more electronic books being offered in places like the library, tons of free books all over the net, and places like Barnes and Noble offering free books to read even if you didn't have their e-reader. You could download and read on your PC. HUH!! Free books... Yah, but I hate reading on the PC!!

Well, I caved in and asked for an e-reader for my birthday. I had searched and searched on what type was best for me. I decided on a Nook. This device could read epub and pdf format besides Barnes and Noble's exclusive format just for Nook. That would work in all the places that I saw the free books, NetGalley and the library as well. It certainly sounded like it would do all I wanted and needed.

Hubby heard my request and bought me a Nook along with a nice cover (like the one in the photo) for my birthday/Mother's Day present. Honestly, I had huge reservations about asking for one, but after having it in hand, I've never looked back. I love my Nook. It's easy on the eyes, I can read books faster on it than I can with regular books, and the best part... It saves me money!

Yes, you read that correctly. The Nook saves me money. I know you are asking how, especially with all the talk about how e-books are more expensive than real books. Yes, sometimes that is true. Why, I haven't a clue, but the publishers decide on price and until they get things figured out, the prices will keep me from buying some of the new e-books. OK, so how does that save me money? It led me to look elsewhere to obtain books.

On top of the numerous free books that Barnes & Noble offers, the run some very nice promotions. Every Friday, they offer a free book for a limited time. That news comes in on your Nook or you can find it on the blogs at the B&N Book Clubs message boards. For example: Today's free book is "Weddings Can Be Murder" by Christie Craig.

Barnes and Noble also did a few other promotions this summer where they gave away an e-book a week for 5 weeks. One needed to visit a physical B&N store, however, they allowed one to pick up more than one coupon and give the extra one to a friend!! The other great promotion went over the 4th of July weekend. You could download up to 21 different Barnes & Noble Classics for free! Yes, they came from a selected batch, but wow! Have you ever seen a B&N Classic? They are fantastic with a lot of extras - not just the book itself. There's info on the author, the book and great timelines. My children have used them more than once for classes.

Speaking of classics, have you been to Project Gutenburg yet? One can download FREE books from over 33,000 public domain books. They are well formatted and so much nicer than those that you can get from those on Google. My son is a volunteer proof reader for them, so I know how much work goes into making these books as error-free as possible.

Another place I like to browse is Smashwords. Some of the authors I review for have their books posted there, and while many are there to buy, there are many that are free. Right now, they have an exciting sale going on called the Summer/Winter Sale, and it runs from July 1-31. With a coupon code, you can download some ebooks at a great savings - including a 100% savings on many books! There are a few that I downloaded that look like they will be really good reads.

For those that love the Science Fiction and Fantasy genre, Baen Free Library has many cool books to download. I love this place!!

The last place I'm going to focus on is the library. The library is a place where one can always get free books to read with a library card, so why would I care about free e-books from there? One trip to my library costs us about $10 in gas for a round trip. For me to borrow books, it costs a total of $20 - to pick them up and to return them. If I decide to get more, well, I'm forced into making a trip every 3 weeks. You can see how expensive that would get for me, so the library is more of a luxury and I haven't visited it in quite a long time. Now, with my Nook, I can sit at home and visit the library after everyone goes to bed. I can browse the shelves, pick out the books I want to read, and have them on my Nook within minutes. I can leave my computer, crawl in bed and start reading and never have to leave here, find a parking space, wait in line, and worse... be disappointed that the book I went for is no longer available or worse, put on a shelf somewhere else in the library by some inconsiderate patron. Another plus - no more library fines if I forget a book!!!

My Nook will pay for itself quickly, and if I sat down and figured it out, it probably already has. (and that was before their more than $100 price reduction!) What is really cool is, I can read books I might not have read because of finances, and I have a huge, huge library of free books at my fingertips at any moment. If one thinks about it, I could read free for the rest of my life (ok - the rest of the Nook's life) by using just the above resources!!

So what about new books? Yes, I still buy them - I'm a book nut, but now I buy those I really want to keep, instead of just those that are on sale.

Opposing Voices in Digital Publishing Video

A perspective on all the emotion in the eBook industry by the digital publishing team at Tyndale House Publishers