Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Change - Teyla Branton

The Change is the first novel in the Unbounded series. This book was free for the kindle when I downloaded it. It's now $3.99.

Erin was riding with her best friend Justine when they were t-boned by a van. The last thing Erin remembered was watching Justine be consumed by fire as she also burned to death. Well not really the last thing. Erin changed and survived. The change isn't quite immortality, but very close. Erin is now Unbounded. After the change, Erin finds herself embroiled in a conflict between two factions of the Unbounded, while trying to survive attacks by another group of humans who want all Unbounded dead. There are twists, suspense, and plenty of action in this science fiction thriller. Highly recommended.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

The Devil's Grin - Annelie Wendeberg

The Devil's Grin is the first novel in the Anna Kronberg Thriller series. This book was free for the kindle when I downloaded it. It's now $3.99. I've already paid more for the second novel in the series. Who knew a woman would take Dr. Watson's place?

Dr. Anton Kronberg is one of only three bacteriologists and epidemiologists in the whole of England. Dr. Kronberg is the best. In the summer of 1889, when a cholera case could potentially contaminate the Hampton Waterworks, Dr. Kronberg is called in. As luck would have it, Sherlock Holmes was also called in to consult on the case. Bad luck actually, since Mr. Holmes is the only person who has ever seen through Dr. Kronberg's disguise. At a time when women are not even allowed to study medicine, Dr. Kronberg has to hide the fact that she's Anna instead of Anton. Kronberg and Holmes make a formidable pair when fighting a crime of epic proportions. This book is a thriller in every sense of the word, and a delight to read. Very highly recommended.

Friday, December 26, 2014

The Chimera Vector - Nathan M Farrugia

The Chimera Vector is the first novel in the Fifth Column series. This book is free for the kindle, but that's only because the Fifth Column wants you to read it.

Sophia is an operative for the Fifth Column. Sophia is all about saving the world from the bad guys. Or is she? Sophia begins to lose her programming and starts to realize that she is not necessarily on the same side as the good guys. Or is she? This is a book that explores the shadow world government conspiracy theory, or does the Fifth Column just want us to think that? Regardless of what reason for this novel you finally decide on, this story has enough action and thrills to keep you interested. And some awesome weapons to use for that action. This one is a little too convoluted for my taste, but interesting. Highly recommended.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The Light Within Me - Carly Fall

The Light Within Me is the first novel in the Six Saviors series. This book is free for the kindle.

Noah is a murder investigator and criminal profiler. He's independent from law enforcement, but got called in on this grisly murder in Reno because the MO matched a killer Noah is trying to find. What nobody knows is Noah is really an alien and his mission is to hunt down and bring to justice other aliens who are killing humans.

Abby is a crime reporter. She's trying to find an angle for a good story to keep her job. When she spots Noah in a crime scene photo she gets his number in hopes she can get a good story from him. Abby gets way more than she was hoping for.

This is a murder mystery with an alien twist. Aliens with eyes that glow in the dark. There's plenty of action and suspense, and a lot of hot romance. Right off the bat the story reminded me of some of the old science fiction like Doc Savage. Not the romance so much, but definitely the macho heroes and nasty villains. Very highly recommended.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Good Clean Murder - Traci Tyne Hilton

Good Clean Murder is the first novel in the Plain Jane Mystery series. This book is free for the kindle.

Jane Adler works as a house keeper to pay her way though school. Jane is studying to be a missionary at the Harvest School of the Bible. Jane takes her work and her studies seriously, and has them carefully scheduled. When Jane finds two of her clients dead one morning, her schedule and her life are in for a big change. Were they murdered or did they mysteriously die on the same day? Jane is going to add detective to her list of things to schedule. This is a good murder mystery with a distinctly religious flavor. There is no cursing or sex, although there is a budding romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this break from the usual down and dirty thrillers. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Season Of The Harvest - Michael R. Hicks

Season Of The Harvest is the first novel in the Harvest Trilogy. This book is free for the kindle. This is a great action thriller with an alien twist. Now I might start to worry about GMO foods.

Jack Dawson is an FBI agent. When his best friend is killed in a genetics lab, while working undercover, Jack is determined to get in on the investigation. Jack's goal is to bring to justice the eco-terrorists who killed his friend. At least that was his goal. Now Jack's in an all out fight to save the whole planet. This is a great story, with plenty of action and some amazing bad ass aliens. Very highly recommended.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Sara's Game - Ernie Lindsey

Sara's Game is the first novel in the Sara Winthrop Series. This book is free for the kindle.

Sara Winthrop was a wife and mother of three until her husband vanished without a trace two years ago. Now someone has taken Sara's three kids and turned Sara's life into a game. This is a game Sara intends to win. This is an excellent mystery thriller. I had a hard time putting it down. Very highly recommended.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Breakers - Edward W. Robertson

Breakers is the first novel in the Breakers series. This book is free for the kindle. It is awesome.

Walt and his girlfriend Vanessa live in New York City. Walt's biggest worry is losing Vanessa. Walt's sure his world will collapse without her. Walt has no idea.

Raymond and Mia are married and live in Los Angeles. They're very much in love, but love isn't going to keep them from losing their house if they can't turn things around. Ha!

Losing girlfriends or houses is trivial. The world is about to end. The first problem is a flu with over a 99% fatality rate. When things start to settle down from the pandemic, if you can call a daily struggle to survive settled down, then the aliens show up. This story is made for John McClane, but Walt does his best. This book is awesome. I can't believe it's free. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Diamonds and Cole - Micheal Maxwell

Diamonds and Cole is the first novel in the Cole Sage Mystery series. This book is free for the kindle. It's hard for me to believe a book this good is free.

Cole Sage is kind of a has been. After years as an award winning journalist, he's now settled as a staff writer for a middle sized Chicago newspaper. But Cole's past is about to give him a call. Cole is going to get a second chance, but not the second chance he was hoping for. This story is full of mystery, suspense, action, and bittersweet romance. Tears are to be expected. Very highly recommended.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Republic - Lindsay Buroker

Republic is the eighth novel in the Emperor's Edge series. I'm not ruling out more books in the series, but this one wraps up very nicely. We can only hope Buroker decides to keep Amaranthe's adventures going.

It's been three months since Turgonia made the transition from an empire to a republic. Amaranthe and Sicarius have been having a relaxing vacation. That's if you call dodging pirates and cannibals relaxing. President Starcrest has recalled them to the capital because he needs his submarine back, and because he can use all the help he can get. The gods of unintended consequences have hit Turgonia with a vengeance. Blowing up alien technology wasn't as simple as it seemed. Not to mention, the religious revival the president approved has become more of a revolt. There's more adventure, romance, and good laughs here than should fit into 600+ pages. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Operation Breakout - Mark E. Cooper

Operation Breakout is the fourth novel in the Merkiaari Wars series. This book is not free, but worth paying for if you like some hard space battle science fiction. Read the whole series though. The first book, Hard Duty, is free.

After the Merkiaari attack on the Shan is repelled, the Alliance is at Red One Alert status. Where will the Merkiaari pop up next? Captain Colgan is now commanding a heavy cruiser. When he captures a raider ship, the boarding party discovers some interesting cargo. Cargo that could change everything. This is another shoot-em up space adventure. They don't get any better, except now I need book five and it's not written yet! Very highly recommended.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Mythical - C.E. Martin

Mythical is the first novel in the Stone Soldiers series. This book is free for the kindle.

Colonel Mark Kenslir is dead. It's not Mark's first time. He's been dead before. When Josie Winters and her four friends find a burned out boat with a dead body in the middle of the Arizona desert, it's not what Josie was expecting from her summer vacation. Unfortunately, this is the most normal thing she's going to encounter for a long time. Josie's life will never be the same. Who knew that the federal government employed telepaths, sorceresses, and parahumans? This is an action packed romp through a world close to ours, but with some crucial differences. For example, army colonels who can survive dying. Very highly recommended.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Land - Theresa Shaver

Land is the first novel in the Stranded series. This book is free for the kindle.

Alex, Quinn, Josh, Cooper and Dara are part of a group of Canadian teenagers who won a trip to Disneyland. The problem is they barely made it into the theme park when an EMP event closed down the west half of North America. The five teenagers are given a choice of waiting for help or trying to get home on their own. They choose to head home by land, while another group of kids decide to find a boat and sail up the cost to Canada. The five teens going by land will find that disaster brings out the best in some people and the worst you could imagine in others. They have to navigate their way north through the good and the bad. Will they make it home, and what will they find if they get there? This is an interesting take on post apocalypse survival. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Forged in Blood II - Lindsay Buroker

Forged in Blood II is the seventh novel in the Emperor's Edge series. This is supposed to be the lasts book in the series, but something tells me that may not be the case. Perhaps it's because not all the heroes die, or perhaps it's because I found a book eight. The whole Emperor's Edge series is definitely worth reading.

Amaranthe and her band are all pulled back from the edge of their cliff hangers. The fight for the empire continues. More magic and more alien artifacts cause our heroes grief. To make matters worse, someone has released a pack of the dreaded makarovi. Amaranthe still has scars from the last time her team fought with those beasts. Not all the Emperor's Edge make it out if this one alive. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Forged in Blood I - Lindsay Buroker

Forged in Blood I is the sixth novel in the Emperor's Edge series. This one comes in two parts, and there are multiple simultaneous cliff hangers at the end. The only solution is to read the seventh novel!

There are now multiple groups vying for the emperor's throne in Turgonia. Amaranthe and her band are still supporting young emperor Sespian, but there are lord generals and entrepreneurs all willing to fight for the empire's reins. Most have more support than seven notorious outlaws. The first problem to solve is the magic and the alien artifacts in the hands of Sespian's enemies. They threaten the entire world, not just Sespian's chance for the throne. More action, suspense, and humor. I lose more sleep over this series. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Marked - Elisabeth Naughton

Marked is the first novel in the Eternal Guardians series. This book is free for the kindle.

Casey Simopolous runs a book store by day and she's a waitress in a strip club by night. Casey is trying her best to make ends meet, but her grandmother's hospital bills make the two jobs a necessity. Unfortunately the hospital couldn't save Casey's grandmother. When a huge bruiser of a man bumps into Casey in the club, she has to take a moment to recover. Why did he affect her so? Later while Casey's driving out of the club parking lot she sees the same man being attacked, but by what she can't tell. Casey rescues the man and later learns his name is Theron. Theron is more than a man. It turns out Casey is more than a woman. Together they're in for some adventure that will change Casey's world forever. Plenty of suspense, daemon fighting, and lust. A little too heavy on the lust if you ask me. Still highly recommended.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Beneath the Surface - Lindsay Buroker

Beneath the Surface is the sixth novel in the Emperor's Edge series, but the author has designated it as 5.5. She wrote it so I'm not going to argue. It's a great book regardless.

Amaranthe's team gets separated trying to avoid Enforcers. The goal is to get back to the capital by steamboat, but there's something on the boat that threatens the entire empire. Amaranthe and her Emperor's Edge have to eliminate that threat. Another great story. Very highly recommended.

Blood and Betrayal - Lindsay Buroker

Blood and Betrayal is the fifth novel in the Emperor's Edge series. I'm happy to note that there's no cliff hanger this time.

In book four Amaranthe was captured by Forge, just as the pages ran out! In this episode Amaranthe is still a prisoner, and it's not a pleasant experience. Sicarius is intent on finding her, and the rest of the Emperor's Edge is intent on figuring out what Forge is up to, while simultaneously guarding the young emperor. Failing to do so would make Sicarius mad, and you don't ever want to make Sicarius mad. More suspense, adventure, humor, and some romance to spice things up. Not that these stories need it. very highly recommended.,

Monday, November 24, 2014

Do or Die - Suzanne Brockmann

Do or Die is the first novel in the Reluctant Heroes series. This book has a plot as twisty as southern Indiana country roads.

Ian Dunn is an ex-navy seal, con man, and suspected jewel thief. Ian is also in prison. That's about to change, but not in a good way. The government wants Ian to rescue some kidnapped kids, but what the government doesn't know is, letting Ian out of prison is going to cause more trouble than they can imagine. This book is one sticky situation after another. There's no good place to put down the book. It's even got a few steamy scenes for those who like them. But this story is mostly action and more action. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Conspiracy - Lindsay Buroker

Conspiracy is the fourth novel in the Emperor's Edge series. Warning, there is a wicked cliff hanger at the end. I'm very disappointed.

This time Amaranthe and her band of outlaws have a mission that could finally win over the emperor. The emperor has personally contacted them to kidnap, the emperor. It's not going to be easy, but nothing worth doing is. Without any spoilers, you might learn more about Sicarius' mysterious black knife, and more characters join the Emperor's Edge, at least for a while. This story has plenty of action, adventure, and laughs as usual. I hate cliff hangers though. Very highly recommended.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Elusive - Sara Rosett

Elusive is the first novel in the On The Run International Mysteries series. This book is free for the kindle.

Zoe Hunter shuns conventions like working in the office. She's officially a "Jill of All Trades," and her kitchen is her office. Unfortunately when Zoe divorced her ex-husband Jack Andrews, the housing market was headed down the drain. Zoe and Jack still share the same house. Zoe gets the downstairs and Jack gets the up. Then Jack goes missing, and the police think he's died. Well, until they find Jack's partner's been murdered with Jack's gun. Zoe finds out there's a lot about Jack that she didn't and doesn't know. But she's about to find out. This is a great murder mystery with humor, action, and maybe some romance. That is if Zoe could just keep track of Jack. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Linkage: Alien Blood Thirst - Jay J. Falconer

Linkage: Alien Blood Thirst is the first novel in the Narrows of Time Series. This book is free for the kindle. This is science fiction that keeps mutating as you read.

Lucas Ramsay thinks he's responsible for the death of humanity. Lucas and his brother Drew are both with the astrophysics department at the University of Arizona. Their gravity wave experiment may have caused the end of the world, but that remains to be seen. There's a lot going on here that Lucas and Drew are not aware of. When they find out, their understanding of the world will change forever. This story is a tedious romp, with physics and aliens, that ends with a cliff hanger. By the time I got to the cliff hanger I no longer cared if they live or die. The plot switches back and forth from hard science that could cause a headache, to juvenile pranks that left me scratching my head. The tale got more weird as it went along. The second book in this series is free also, but I'm not reading it. I did finish this book. It may be just what some people want, but I barely recommend it.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Ice Cracker II - Lindsay Buroker

Ice Cracker II is just one short story in this collection of short stories based on the Emperor's Edge series. This collection is 99 cents for the kindle.

Amaranthe and Sicarius are featured in these three stories about the Emperor's Edge and their quest to gain the favor of the emperor. Amaranthe's group is always battling the magic that their kingdom refuses to admit exists. From ghosts to saboteurs, the team continues to fight the good fight in hopes someone will notice. These stories are a great blend of steampunk, magic, and humor. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Sorcery Code - Dima Zales and Anna Zaires

The Sorcery Code is the first novel in the Sorcery Code series. This book is free for the kindle.

Two years ago, Blaise was a respected member of the Sorcerer Council. Then the council condemned his brother to death and Blaise was outcast. To try and bring magic to the commoners, Blaise has created an object directly from the Spell Realm. This object isn't what Blaise expected though. Blaise's object could change everything, and not necessarily for the better. Spells, soldiers, and beautiful magical objects. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Operation Oracle - Mark E. Cooper

Operation Oracle is the third novel in the Merkiaari Wars series. You should read Hard Duty and What Price Honour first.

The viper commander, general Burgton, is trying to improve the vipers' ability to model the future. It would be good to predict the next Merkiaari attack before it happens. For this they need to find a working AI. Since AI's were outlawed hundreds of years ago, that makes it quite a challenge. More fighting and space adventures to keep you up reading at night. Very highly recommended.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

What Price Honour - Mark E. Cooper

What Price Honour is the second novel in the Merkiaari Wars series. You should read Hard Duty first. This is a great series.

When Hard Duty ended the Merkiaari were hammering the Shan in the Harmony system. The ASN Canada seemed to get away in time to bring some help, but will it be enough. Even if help comes, the Vipers are going to need some new recruits.

When we left him in Hard Duty, Eric was running for his life. A squad of marines is coming to his rescue, but when a Viper needs rescuing there must be big trouble. Gunny Gina Fuentez is leading the marine squad, and while they rescue Eric, her marines take some serious losses.

Kate Richmond is an ISS agent, but basically she's an assassin. She's on the planet Tigris to kill a rebel leader before his rebellion gets too big. Kate is very good at her job. Maybe too good.

This book is so hard to put down. The battle scenes never let up. This is an excellent sequel to Hard Duty. Very highly recommended.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Hard Duty - Mark E. Cooper

Hard Duty is the first book in the Merkiaari Wars series. This book is free for the kindle. This is the kind of hard science fiction that keeps me reading all night.

It's been two hundred years since the Merkiaari's galactic empire declared war on humans. Over sixteen billion humans died. Now the survey ship Canada has encountered a system with an unknown space faring species. Will they be as dangerous as the Merkiaari? Captain Jeff Colgan will have to be careful. He doesn't want to start another war. This book is so jammed with adventure and suspense it's hard to put down. It ends with so many unanswered questions, and is so good, I've already ordered the next two book in the series. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

The Assassin's Curse - Lindsay Buroker

The Assassin's Curse is a short story that meshes with the Emperor's Edge series. I suggest reading The Emperor's Edge first. The order with respect to the rest of the series isn't crucial.

Amaranthe and Sicarius find a destroyed Turgonian military steam tramper containing a cache of new weapons prototypes. They suspect Nurian spies of trying to steal the technology, but the spies flee to Darkcrest Isle. Darkcrest Isle is cursed by the spirit of a Nurian warrior mage. Amaranthe and Sicarius have to stop the spies without falling under the curse. It won't be easy. A great short story in the Emperor's Edge timeline. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Rush Revere and the American Revolution - Rush Limbaugh

Rush Revere and the American Revolution is the third book in the Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans series. This is great book for kids and adults alike.

This time Rush Revere and his students travel to the times and places important to the American Revolution. Cam is having trouble adjusting to his Dad being deployed overseas. The adventures the group have in this novel help Cam understand how important soldiers are to our freedom and the sacrifices they and their families must make. This is a great book. I see it in my grandkids' futures. Very highly recommended.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Bill The Vampire - Rick Gualtieri

Bill The Vampire is the first novel in the Tome of Bill series. This book is free for the kindle. Dork and vampire are almost never used in the same sentence. That's about to change.

Bill Ryder is a 24 year old game programmer for hopskotchgames.com, and pretty much the stereotypical dork. Bill runs into Sally Sunshine on the train back to Brooklyn, and Sally is by far the hottest women who's ever talked to him. Of course when Sally invites Bill to a party later there's no way he's not going to go. Turns out Bill was invited as an appetizer. Now Bill's a vampire and definitely not ready for what that means. He'll have to adjust fast or the second time Bill dies it'll be forever. This is a great story. It's a hilarious, but still scary, vampire adventure. Very highly recommended.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Deadly Games - Lindsay Buroker

Deadly Games is the third novel in the Emperor's Edge series. You should read The Emperor's Edge and Dark Currents before this book.

This time Amaranthe and her team of heroes are trying to win the emperor's favor by rescuing kidnapped athletes. Contestants in the Imperial Games have been disappearing. Why and who's responsible are mysteries Amaranthe wants to solve. Especially when it's discovered that magic's involved. Then members of Amaranthe's band start to disappear too. Now solving the kidnappings becomes personal. This is another great steampunk adventure. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Dark Currents - Lindsay Buroker

Dark Currents is the second novel in the Emperor's Edge series. This book is not free, but definitely worth paying for. You should read The Emperor's Edge first though.

Amaranthe Lokdon and her band of improbable heroes are known as the Emperor's Edge. It's hard to be a hero when there's a price on your head, and all the enforcers and bounty hunters in the kingdom are looking for Amaranthe and her men. Amaranthe's goal is to prove to the emperor that the Edge is on his side. To this end, they decide to solve the mystery of who or what is poisoning the imperial city's water supply. Amaranthe leads her group out of the city to find the source of the water. Turgonians don't believe in magic, but once again magic, or the mental sciences, are being used against Turgonia. That means magic will be used against Amaranthe and her team, and magic is hard to defeat. This is another rollicking adventure with danger, death, and a hint of romance. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Frosted Shadow - Nancy Warren

Frosted Shadow is the first novel in the Toni Diamond Mystery series. This book is free for the kindle.

Toni Diamond is a national sales director for Lady Bianca Cosmetics. Toni's in the middle of her motivational speech at the annual national conference when someone yells murder. While they're wheeling the body out, Toni's comment that the murdered woman is not a Lady Bianca representative caught the ear of Detective Sergeant Luke Marciano. Now Toni finds herself helping Luke with the case, or trying to. When a second body shows up, Toni realizes she's got more to worry about than winning the top sales division award. This murder mystery has lots of humor and suspense mixed with a little romance. Highly recommended.

The Emperor's Edge - Lindsay Buroker

The Emperor's Edge is the first novel in the Emperor's Edge series. This book is free for the kindle. Think steampunk with magic, murder, and intrigue.

Corporal Amaranthe Lokdon is a government enforcer. She's one of the few women on the force. Women in Turgonia are expected to take up commerce, not law enforcement. When Amaranthe runs into the young emperor Sespian Savarsin, while handily stopping a robbery, she doesn't think much of it. Unfortunately, Amaranthe made an impression on Sespian, and that leads to a chain of events nobody could predict. Amaranthe will be fighting for her life, and the life of the emperor, before she reaches the end of that chain, if she reaches the end. There is magic, monsters, and assassins galore in this great steampunk adventure. I already paid money for the second book in the series. I don't pay money for many books. Very highly recommended.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Midnight Harvest - Elias Anderson

Midnight Harvest is the first novel in the Seasons of Blood series. This book is free for the kindle, and very appropriate for Halloween reading.

William Coe is a detective on the Bridgetown Police Force. Bill is the best detective on the force. Then the Sterlings happen. Bill is about to find himself on a case that can't be solved. At least not by conventional means. The question is how unconventional is Bill willing to go? This is a murder mystery that keeps ratcheting up the tension to the very end. There's a cliff hanger, but it's worth reading to get there. Very highly recommended.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Demon's Bargain - Lisa Alder

The Demon's Bargain is the first novella in the Demons Unleashed paranormal romance series. This book is free for the kindle. Thankfully it's only 80 some pages. When did the term romance become synonymous with soft porn?

Vetis is the demon of corruption. A gambler tried to pay his debt to Vetis with his wife Amara. A bargain was struck which resulted in sex and more sex between Vetis and Amara. That's about it. Not my kind of supernatural book. There was a little plot involved, but mostly the plot was a device to allow the author to write sexual fantasies. Not recommended, unless sex is what you want in a book.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Fire Mage - John Forrester

Fire Mage is the first novel in the Blacklight Chronicles series. This book is free for the kindle.

Talis Storm is the youngest son of the House of Storm. His sparring partner is Mara Lei of the House of Lei. As a team, Talis and Mara are seeking to win this year's Blood Dagger competition. The young royals of the City of Naru are only thirteen, but still a formidable pair. When Jiserian sorcerers attack Naru, Talis and Mara are given a map by Master Baribariso. That map contains the last hope for Naru and its people. Talis and Mara are crucial to that hope. This is not a stand-alone story. Talis and Mara's quest isn't complete when the book ends. It's still an interesting tale, with battles, magic, and a budding romance. Highly recommended.

Monday, October 27, 2014

A Cold Day for Murder - Dana Stabenow

A Cold Day for Murder is the first novel in the Kate Shugak series. This book is free for the kindle. That's an Edgar Award winning novel for free. Don't miss it.

Kate Shugak was an investigator for the Anchorage DA’s department. Their best investigator actually. After the conclusion of an investigation gone wrong Kate quit. She now lives in the Park, in a cabin five miles from her closest neighbor and twenty-five miles from the closest village. Kate's tired of people. When her old boss tracks her down for help on a missing person's case, she's not going to do it, but she does. Kate's dragged back into tribal and Park politics. Kate will wish she'd never taken this case, if she survives. This is an awesome mystery novel. The heroine is strong and tough, but not by trying to be a man. I can understand why this story won an Edgar Award. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Dog Tags - Kathleen Foley

Dog Tags is the first novel in the Faith in Uniform Book series. This book is free for the kindle.

Megan Stanley is a mother of three, and the wife of the Marine Corps detachment commander at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. Megan is waiting in line in her car, with her husband's supper, when a car in front of her explodes. Megan is grabbed from her car and taken away. Megan was a Marine herself before she married her husband. Her captors have some surprises coming, but Megan's strong faith, and that of her husband, are what get her through this ordeal. If you're opposed to novels with a strong streak of religion, then this book is not for you. You'll be missing out on a great story though. A story with faith, suspense, danger, and some serious terrorist ass kicking. Highly recommended.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Earthfall - Thomas Hopp

Earthfall is the first novel in the Dinosaur Wars series. This book is free for the kindle.

What if the dinosaurs weren't wiped out? What if they were intelligent enough to plan ahead and find a way to save their civilization on the moon? What happens when the dinosaurs decide to come back to earth?

Chase Armstrong is a park ranger. His job is the relocation of wolves into the Beartooth Mountains of Montana. Chase is about to become involved in the relocation of some much more exotic species. Species that have been extinct on earth for about 65 million years.

Diedre Porter works at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Clementine 3 project was classified and buried three years ago, but it's about to resurface, and it could hold the key to the survival of the human race. Diedre has seen what's located at the moon's south pole.

Brigadier General Matthew Davis was on leave when the attack began. He raced back to his job as director of the U.S. Space Command Center at NORAD, only to find himself the highest ranking officer in the U.S. military. The whole world is being destroyed, and General Davis is tasked with stopping the destruction.

This is a book that I found hard to put down. I'm still not sure how a three clawed species was supposed to have invented space travel, but they were opposing claws anyway. The story has more than its share of suspense and danger, and it's got lots of dinosaurs. Highly recommended.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Even Zombie Killers Get The Blues - John Holmes

Even Zombie Killers Get The Blues is the first novel in the Zombie Killer Blues series. This book was free for the kindle when I downloaded it. It's now $1.99. This story reminds me of parts of World War Z, some of the best parts.

Sergeant First Class Nick Agostine is back in the army, only now he's leading Irregular Scout Team One, a squad of United States army irregular scouts. Six months ago the zombie apocalypse started, and after his experience serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Nick is serving again. This time in New York. The rules of engagement have changed though. Basically it's kill 'em all and don't get bit. This is a gritty hard hitting zombie killing adventure. Very highly recommended.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Natural Selection - Stephen Leather

Natural Selection is a Spider Shepherd short story. It's a good introduction to the character who's the focus of the Spider Shepherd thriller series. This book is free for the kindle.

Dan Shepherd is starting the jungle training portion of his British SAS selection process. This should be the final stage. The jungle of Belize works fine, especially since it's the only country in Central America where the official language is English. Dan doesn't have his SAS nickname yet, but he soon will. Thanks to the Guatemalans, Dan and the other SAS trainees will get some live fire exercises. This is a great introduction to what should be a great series. Unfortunately, Leather is a sanctimonious British journalist who seems to take joy in insulting the USA when the opportunity arises. If you can stomach his hypocrisy, I highly recommend this story.

Wilder's Mate - Moira Rogers

Wilder's Mate is the first novel in the Bloodhounds series. This book is free for the kindle. Note there are a lot of explicit sex scenes spicing up this book.

Wilder is a bloodhound, one of the best. Bloodhounds are a special paranormal breed designed by the Guild to fight against vampires. Nathaniel is the best inventor the Guild has. When Nathaniel goes missing, Wilder is sent to find him. Satira is Nathaniel's apprentice. It's an unofficial position, since women are not allowed to be inventors, but Satira isn't going to let Wilder search for Nathaniel alone. She's been raised by Nathaniel, and he's all the family she has left. Satira and Wilder have to fight their way through the Deadlands if they're going to rescue Nathaniel. That is, if they can get there in time. There's plenty of action, suspense, and some humor. There is also more than a little sex. Highly recommended.

I've read several books from different series by Rogers, and there are two constants in her books. One is supernatural, and she does supernatural very well. Two is sex, and she's does sex with abandon. If I didn't like her story telling I wouldn't read her books, but like Laurell Hamilton, Rogers relies too much on sex and not enough on her ability to spin a compelling tale. That's too bad, because she's great at tale spinning. I stopped reading Hamilton's Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series because they'd become closer to soft porn then novels of the supernatural. I hope Rogers can avoid that tipping point.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Hushabye - Celina Grace

Hushabye is the first novel in the Kate Redman Mysteries series. This book is free for the kindle.

Kate Redman is reporting for her first day on the job as a Detective Sergeant in Abbeyford. Kate and her partner Mark Olbeck don't even head into the station. They've been sent to the scene of a murder and kidnapping. Kate's past will make this a hard case to process. A three month old baby is missing. Kate will have to reign in her personal issues to find the killer. This is a British murder mystery. It's always a little harder to get into when the social references require some googling, but the story is good and the characters are interesting. Recommended.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows is a classic for all ages. This book is free for the kindle. Fall is a great time to read this story.

The classic story of Rat, Mole, Badger, and Toad is a great read. It has talking animals, but it's not just a kid's book. This is an adventure even adults can enjoy. Take chapter nine - Wayfarers All, where Rat is restless and "there was a feeling in the air of change and departure." This chapter is adult fair that perfectly captures the feelings mid-westerners have when fall sneaks up on us. Or chapter three - Wild Wood, where Mole is tramping through a bare winter day "when Nature was deep in her annual slumber and seemed to have kicked the clothes off." A good book is always worth reading one more time. Very highly recommended.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Diva Las Vegas - Stephanie Caffrey

Diva Las Vegas is the first novel in the Raven McShane Mysteries series. This book is 99 cents for the kindle.

Raven McShane is an exotic dancer. OK, Raven is a stripper, but she's aware of her career's limitations. That's why Raven has also become a private eye. Raven is approached by an old friend to help with her husband's murder investigation. The killer managed to win in court and Raven's task is to come up with enough new evidence to win a civil case. What Raven doesn't anticipate is people are now trying to kill her. Finding the truth behind this murder will require some risks and turn up some interesting twists. There's enough danger, suspense, and humor to keep any reader from putting down this book. Highly recommended.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Shock Diamonds - E.R. Mason

Shock Diamonds is the sequel to Deep Crossing, which is the sequel to Fatal Boarding. Clearly there's a series here, and I really hope it continues to grow. These are all great books. The first two are free and Shock Diamonds is 99 cents.

This time Adrian Tarn and his merry band of space junkies use the Griffin on a mission 700 trillion miles from earth. Their goal is to keep one friend out of the clutches of an evil criminal, and to rescue the kidnapped daughter of another. The detours along the way are amazing, and the ending is extremely satisfying. Very highly recommended.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Deep Crossing - E.R. Mason

Deep Crossing is the sequel to the novel Fatal Boarding. This book is also free for the kindle, and I find that amazing. These are two of the best science fiction tales I've ever read.

Adrian Tarn is fishing in the surf, minding his own business, when a shuttle lands in the parking lot, and someone has a job offer for him. Adrian's last mission went so wrong he's not going to be interested in space for a long time. During that mission Adrian came as close to making friends with a Nasebian as any human ever had. Now the Nasebian's want Adrian's help. He can't refuse. Adrian and a small band of hand-picked pilots and engineers are about to go where no humans have gone before, on a ship with engines, and a few other surprises, that were designed by an alien race. It's going to be a grand adventure.

These books are as good as any science fiction out there, and they're free. Do not let this opportunity escape. The third book in the series is available for 99 cents. It's already in my reading queue. Very highly recommended.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Fatal Boarding - E.R. Mason

Fatal Boarding is a great hard science fiction novel. This book is free for the kindle.

Adrian Tarn is chief of security for the starship Electra. Adrian signed up for what should have been a simple mission, just a charting tour through an empty sector of space. Then the Electra dropped out of light early for some kind of alien derelict. It looked empty. Sensors said it was empty. They decided to board it. That's when the trouble started. This is an awesome space adventure. Really bad aliens, plenty of action, and a surprise inside. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

To Kill For - A.J. Carella

To Kill For is the first novel in the McKays series. This book is free for the kindle. This is a murder mystery that takes a while to get going.

Jamie McKay is a young women who seems to have it all; a rich family, a handsome boyfriend, and a bright future. Then greed smacks Jamie down with a vengeance. I almost gave up on this book and quit reading. I was going to relegate it to the small pile of free books I download that are still overpriced. But then it finally took off. At first it seemed like a daytime soap opera, but finally the down and dirty started, and it turned into a real murder mystery. It was still somewhat disjointed, but worth a read. Especially since it's free. Recommended.