My Clockwork Muse by D.R. Erickson (BONUS FREEBIE!!)

My Clockwork Muse (The Poe Files Mysteries) by D.R. Erickson

New York City, 1847: A madman is on the loose. Someone is committing murders in the manner of Edgar Allan Poe's tales of terror. The police are stymied. When a corpse is found interred in a masonry wall in a subterranean chamber, they call on Poe himself to help solve the crime.

Edgar Allan Poe's fictional detective, C. Auguste Dupin, has made the author famous as the master of deductive reasoning. But when "the father of the detective story" applies his powers of discovery to the "Poe Murders", he finds that the clues lead in only one direction: to Poe himself.

Poe soon becomes the prime suspect, and he begins to doubt his own sanity as the evidence piles up against him. What of his somnambulistic trances that often find him at the graveside of his late wife, Virginia? Or the bizarre raven that visits him in his Fordham cottage? The strange mark on his neck? The odd behavior of his one-eyed cat, Pluto? And what of his doctor, Coppelius — he of the bulging pale blue eye — and his beautiful, other-worldly daughter, Olimpia? Nothing is as it seems.

As the police tighten their noose around Poe's neck, he races against time to solve the crimes and clear his name. But he soon finds himself confronting horrors that not even his macabre fiction could have envisioned — and a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of reality itself.

Prepare yourself for a wild ride. This is not your father's Edgar Allan Poe. This Poe's packin' heat...

The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye Vol 1 - KBOD

The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye Vol 1 by Robert Kirkman
$8.99 (4/30/2012)

BEST VIEWED ON THE KINDLE FIRE OR OTHER LARGE SCREENS

Collects issues #1-#6 An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living.

Tangled Junior Novel - KBOD

Tangled Junior Novel by Disney Press and Irene Trimble
$3.99 (4/29/2012)

Best Viewed on the Kindle Fire or Other Large Screen Devices

Disney puts a new spin on the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel. Rapunzel The Junior Novelization is a complete 128-page retelling of the story about the princess with long, long, long locks of golden hair who gets locked in a tower. The Junior Novelization also contains 8 pages of exciting full-color stills from the hit animated feature film.

A to Z Challenge Week 4 Update

Whew. It was a rough week this week, but I managed to stay on track and finish week 4 of the challenge. We've got one more day of the challenge left. That means you've got through the 30th to help A Girl and Her Kindle find more followers. Remember, if the site reaches 100 followers by the end of the 30th, I'll be giving away a $25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card. In case you missed any of the free Kindle books this week, here's the roundup:

T is for Thrillers
U is for Unicorns
V is for Vampires
W is for Werewolves
X is for The Virginia X
Y is for Young Adult

Eragon - KBOD

Eragon by Christopher Paolini
$10.99

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. . . .

Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman - KBOD

Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman
$7.99 (4/27/2012)

On the planet Xhaldia, ordinary men and women are mutating into bizarre creatures with extraordinary powers. But is this a momentous evolutionary leap or an unparalleled catastrophe? The very fabric of Xhaldian society is threatened as fear and prejudice divide the transformed from their own kin.

Dispatched to cope with the growing crisis, Captain Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise™ receive some unexpected visitors from another reality -- in the form of the group of mutant heroes known as the uncanny X-Men®. Storm, leader of the X-Men, offers their help in resolving a situation that is agonizingly similar to the human/mutant conflicts of their own time and space.

But when hostile aliens appear in orbit around Xhaldia to try and abduct the transformed for use as a superpowered force in an attack on the Federation, even the combined forces of the crew of Starfleet and the X-Men may be unable to prevent an inferno of death and destruction.

Starfleet's finest crew and Earth's greatest mutant heroes will need all their powers and abilities to save the Xhaldian people and stop a deadly threat to the Federation.

Free Kindle Book: The Virginia X

Let's face it. There aren't a lot of choices when it comes to the letter X, unless you get into the more adult side of Kindle books and that's something I will not be featuring on A Girl and Her Kindle. Anyway, enjoy this freebie!

The Virgina X by Keith Nichols

Adventure and intrigue are unexpected consequences when two young men decide to explore a derelict ship. What they find in the bowels of the old craft lead them on a dangerous flight from a gang of ruthless thugs out to cover up a murder. Using their combined mechanical knowledge the friends use their wits and their courage to bring the Virginia X back home.

Blood Moon by Jody Morse and Jayme Morse Review

Blood Moon (Howl #2) by Jody Morse and Jayme Morse
$0.99

Coping with becoming a werewolf was bad enough, but Samara never knew that the decisions that came with being werewolf would be so difficult.

Blood Moon picks up where Howl left off and is another page turner. Readers are given a closer look at their favorite characters and introduced to a few new ones - some good and some that might just be a bit evil. As the story progresses, Samara is forced to make difficult decisions, some that will end friendships and some that will affect everyone in her family. Can she survive being a werewolf? And, can she handle her new found responsibilities?

I was so amazed at how quickly Blood Moon went. When I got to the end, I couldn't believe it was over. The cliff-hanger ending was even more alluring than the ending of Howl and left me wanting the next book right away. Alas, the third book in the Howl series has yet to be released.

If you love werewolves, young adult books, or paranormal romance, you will love this Blood Moon.

Reviewer was given a copy of Blood Moon in exchange for a review.

Bridget in Werewolf Rehab by Maura Byrne - KBOD

Bridget in Werewolf Rehab by Maura Byrne
$7.99 (4/26/2012)

What happens to werewolves who aren’t savage beasts and vampires who don’t like blood? They get sent to rehab, of course!

And so it begins when Bridget, a thirteen year old computer-mad, meat hating werewolf is forced into the crazy world of Herr Wolf’s Rehab. There she has to endure a horrendous daily routine of compulsory shape shifting and inner wolf therapy. Even though most of Bridget’s class are endearing and zany, Bridget feels so traumatised she vows to run away. But just as she’s about to escape, after a ride on the thrilling emotional roller roaster, Bridget’s life is saved by three wacky rehab-attending vampires.

Mr Chow, the head of the United Supernatural Nations is summoned to preside over a dispute between the two schools. Instead of delivering sanctions, he radically suggests the running of a boat race and quiz night to encourage friendly co-operation between the supernatural misfits. Bridget is thrilled - the cool, non-animalistic vampires are so fascinating to her.

The boat race ends with the vampires cheating by using über farts and the quiz night descends in to a hysterical farce. Somehow the friendships deepen. When another class mate is poisoned, it quickly becomes clear that someone is trying to kill Bridget. In her quest to deny her animal identity and discover the truth about the murder, Bridget breaks school rules and illegally visits the vampire’s rehab. There Bridget discovers a world far nuttier than her own and realises that the vampires are just as hopeless as she.

But Bridget’s life is still at risk and when she and her new vampire friends are about to die, Bridget must decide if she will finally accept her werewolf identity and unleash the animal within.

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson - KBOD

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
$7.99 (4/25/2012)

First Betsy Taylor loses her job, then she's killed in a car accident. But what really bites is that she can't seem to stay dead. And now her new friends have the ridiculous idea that Betsy is the prophesied vampire queen, and they want her help in overthrowing the most obnoxious power-hungry vampire in five centuries.

The Unicorn Girl by M.L. LeGette - KBOD

The Unicorn Girl by M.L. LeGette
$5.00 (4/24/2012)

"The girl in the mirror was paler than I was. Her white hair flowed down her head gracefully to land fully on her shoulders. But her eyes, her eyes struck me the most. There was not a trace of green in those eyes, only blue. They were two beautiful deep blue pools; each one glinted and glimmered brightly. There was something about those eyes that I didn't like at all. Something that made my skin prickle."

Leah Vindral didn't expect her life to change so drastically. She never expected to catch a rare and nearly fatal illness and she certainly never expected to wake up one day looking like a completely different person.

Now she is on the run, dodging knights and drunken fools, for her life is in danger. A deadly witch wishes to return to power and she needs Leah, the white-haired girl . . . the girl who can speak to unicorns.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris - KBOD

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
$7.99 (4/23/2012)

A serial murderer known only by a grotesquely apt nickname-Buffalo Bill-is stalking women. He has a purpose, but no one can fathom it, for the bodies are discovered in different states. Clarice Starling, a young trainee at the FBI Academy, is surprised to be summoned by Jack Crawford, chief of the Bureau's Behavioral Science section. Her assignment: to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter-Hannibal the Cannibal-who is kept under close watch in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

Dr. Lecter is a former psychiatrist with a grisly history, unusual tastes, and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of The Silence of the Lambs-and ingenious, masterfully written book and an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction.

5 Free Kindle Books in Thrillers

We all love that rush we get from a good thriller. If you're a fan of thrillers, here are five free Kindle books to choose from. Enjoy!


Headhunters by Charlie Cole

Simon Parks is a headhunter by trade, finding the best talent in the industry. Simon's industry happens to be the international spy game. When tragedy rips his life apart he relocates to a new town and starts over, only to find that his old life has followed him home. Pursued by industrial spies, domestic terrorists, and his old boss, Simon must unravel a plot to steal secrets from the Department of Homeland Security and frame him for murder. Cut off from official channels and hounded by the police, Simon recruits his own rogue team of operatives to take down the conspirators.


Dead Running by Cami Checketts

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.
With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.


Dagger and other tales by Phil Bowie

From the storyteller whose work has been praised by top NY Times bestselling authors Lee Child, Ridley Pearson, and Stephen Coonts, comes this collection of short stories about: a dangerous lady, a magical child, a love rediscovered, a threat from space, an ingenious hit man, a vicious biker gang, a mischievous voice, and ten more intriguing tales, including the author's award-winning version of the Stephen King story, "The Cat from Hell."





 

 The Accidental Exorcist by Joshua Graham

When forensic psychiatrist Abigail Lee meets a baby-killing mother who has been declared criminally insane and acquitted, she discovers something lurking beneath the surface. Something far deeper and more insidious than mere psychopathy. But can she come to terms with her own struggle with science and faith in time to confront it?

Blue Moon by C. D. Ledbetter


(One reviewer claimed that this book isn't readable upon download, but I didn't experience that problem.)


Old Souls are men and women whose bond of love is so strong it transcends the test of time. It is said that whenever a Blue Moon occurs, two old souls find each other, thus strengthening their bond of love. Unfortunately, not every reunion runs smoothly. Sometimes, it’s even coupled with deception and danger…

Mary Corbett's calm, orderly existence is shattered the moment she sets foot on an old, run-down Louisiana plantation. Even though she's never been there before, she recalls details about the house that only someone who actually lived in it would know. To make matters worse, although she’s never met the other curator, Jack Windham, she knows things about him she shouldn’t ought to know.

When she and Jack attend a Blue Moon Voodoo ceremony, they share a vision and realize they’re old souls who’ve been reunited. Their joyous reunion is short-lived; for neither can recall what happened past a certain event in their previous life. Mary’s determination to find the key to their past is fraught with danger. When she learns that members of a local Voodoo cult have vowed to protect her from harm, she can’t help but wonder who’s going to protect her from them.

I Spy DIY Style by Jenni Radosevich Review

I Spy DIY Style by Jenni Radosevich
$15.99

Have you ever saw a dress you just had to have but couldn't afford? Have you ever went shopping, but couldn't find anything that matched your personality? Then you need to DIY.

I Spy DIY Style by Jenni Radosevich tells you everything you need to know about taking a piece of boring clothing and turning into something fabulous. You'll learn tips and tricks and you're even given a list of basic supplies you need to keep on hand for altering clothing.

I found a few project in this book that caught my eye. However, I do feel this book is more for someone that's starting out rather than someone who is experienced at altering clothing. I think this book would be wonderful for teenagers who want to express their own style and need tips on how to make alterations.

I recommend I Spy DIY Style to anyone who wants to learn how to update their current wardrobe or how to make basic pieces purchased on a budget into something fabulous. Even if you don't care for the project listed in the book, it still teaches you several techniques you can use to make your own projects.

Reviewer was given a copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

High Heels Mysteries Boxed Set Books 1-5 - KBOD

High Heels Mysteries Boxed Set Books 1-5 by Gemma Halliday
$9.99 (4/22/2012)

SPYING IN HIGH HEELS
L.A. shoe designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder.

KILLER IN HIGH HEELS
Maddie straps on her stilettos and, along with her trigger-happy best friend, makes tracks for Sin City in search of her MIA dad.
Maddie finds not only her dad, but also a handful of aging drag queens, an organized crime ring smuggling fake Prada pumps, and one relentless killer. Plus, it seems the LAPD's sexiest cop is doing a little Vegas moonlighting of his own. In a town where odds are everything, Maddie bets it all on her ability to out-step a vicious murderer.

UNDERCOVER IN HIGH HEELS
Secret affairs, hunky gardeners, and housewives desperate enough to bare it all... welcome to Magnolia Lane, TV's hottest new prime time show... where a rising young starlet is found dead on the show's set. Now it's up to Maddie to sift through a leading lady with a secret, an actor on the verge of a nervous breakdown, a sexy cyber scandal, and one tabloid reporter who'll stop at nothing to get the story of the century. Not to mention Maddie's hot-cold relationship with the case's familiar lead detective, Jack Ramirez. In a world where secrets, lies, and deception can earn you an Oscar, Maddie plays the role of a lifetime to catch Hollywood's hottest killer. But if she doesn't watch her step, Maddie's fifteen minutes of fame just may be her last.

ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS
Baguettes, bodies, and haute couture galore! Shoe designer turned amateur sleuth, Maddie Springer, is at it again, this time in fabulously fashionable Paris. When Europe's designer de jour, Jean Luc LeCroix, invites Maddie to show her creations at Paris Fashion Week, Maddie's sure she's died and gone to heaven. That is until Jean Luc's top model is found dead on the runway, stabbed with a familiar stiletto heel. Sure someone is trying to frame her, Maddie enlists the help of her friends, including the sexy Detective Jack Ramirez, to uncover a daring jewel heist, a devious blackmailer, and even a few skeletons lurking in the closets of those closest to her. But as the evidence mounts, Maddie becomes the prime suspect and Ramirez is stuck between a badge and a cute blonde with a tendency for trouble. Will he stand by her as she attempts to track down an international killer, or will this be the case that finally comes between them? One thing's for sure, if Maddie doesn't uncover the real killer soon, she may be saying her final adieu.

MAYHEM IN HIGH HEELS
Maddie Springer is finally walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams. And she's got the perfect wedding planner to pull it all off in style. Well, perfect, that is, until the woman winds up dead - murdered in buttercream icing. With the help of her fellow fashionista friends, Maddie vows to unveil the cold-blooded killer, but as the wedding day grows closer, tempers flare, old flames return, and Maddie's race to the altar turns into a race against time.

A to Z Challenge Week 3 Update

Another week has come to an end and there were lots more free Kindle books to choose from. I want to remind you one last time that if the website reaches 100 followers by the end of the challenge, a lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card. Now, let's get to the freebies. Here are the posts from the past week:

N is for New Releases
O is for Online Opportunities
P is for Paranormal Romance
Q is for Quests
R is for Romance
S is for Superheroes

Watchmen by Alan Moore - KBOD

Watchmen by Alan Moore
$9.99 (4/20/2012)

This Hugo Award-winning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings. Along the way, the concept of the super-hero is dissected as the heroes are stalked by an unknown assassin.

One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, WATCHMEN has been studied on college campuses across the nation and is considered a gateway title, leading readers to other graphic novels such as V FOR VENDETTA, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE SANDMAN series.

2 Free Kindle Books About Superheroes

Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture by William Irwin

Behind the cool costumes, special powers, and unflagging determination to fight evil you’ll find fascinating philosophical questions and concerns deep in the hearts and minds of your favorite comic book heroes.

Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end everyone's misery? Does Peter Parker have a good life? What can Iron Man teach us about the role of technology in society? Bringing together key chapters from books in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, this free superhero sampler engages the intellectual might of big thinkers like Aristotle and Kant to answer these questions and many others, giving you new insights on everything from whether Superman is truly an American icon to whether Wolverine is the same person when he loses his memory.



Star Light by Thonas Rand

Chris Rush was an average guy, until a construction site accident took his left arm, and then he becomes an extraordinary man when his arm grows back.

In the wake of losing his arm, Chris falls into depression and frustration by having to relearn mundane tasks, like brushing his teeth. While at a prosthetic clinic, he has a chance encounter with a childhood friend, Lilly Christian, the technician that’s going to make his artificial arm. Lilly tries to rekindle their lost love, but Chris' disability hinders his confidence. He’s also haunted by dreams of his mother's death that happened thirty years ago, when his stepfather killed her in front of his eight-year-old eyes.

His world is thrown upside-down when he awakens one morning and discovers that his severed arm grew back overnight. He soon finds out that he’s been watched since birth by a clandestine government agency and now they want to capture him, because his unique DNA has come out of stasis. He learns that they abducted Lilly to use as leverage against him, so he’s going after them. Chris needs to find out what he is and in order to do that—he must find his father, who he’s never met, because he thought he was dead.

Chris leaves behind a trail of destruction as he heads on a collision course with the mystery of his true identity.
 

The Woman Who Loved Jesse James by Cindi Myers Review

The Woman Who Loved Jesse James by Cindi Myers
$9.39 (4/20/2012)

Jesse James was said to be one of the kindest robbers in history and while much has been written about the man and the legend, only one person knew him better than anyone else - his wife and first cousin, Zee Mimms.

The Woman Who Loved Jesse James captured my attention from the very first sentence. I was amazed at the way the story flowed and was so expertly written. With lines like,  "And what is wrong with a little sin if it makes me feel more alive?" the spirit and sexual urgency of Zee Mimms springs forth from the pages and turns this book into a real page turner.

This is by far one of the best pieces of historical fiction I have ever read. Myers sticks closely to the details that are known of Jesse James and his family, while expertly weaving in the story of the woman behind the man.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Jesse James, the wild west, romance, or historical fiction. You will not be disappointed with this book.

Reviewer was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for the review.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks - KBOD

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
$7.99 (4/20/2012)

Every so often a love story so captures our hearts that it becomes more than a story-it becomes an experience to remember forever. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of how passion can be ageless and timeless, a tale that moves us to laughter and tears and makes us believe in true love all over again... At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...

The Lord of the Rings - KBOD

The Lord of the Rings: One Volume: Collector's Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien
$9.99 (4/19/2012)

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

From Sauron's fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, his power spread far and wide. Sauron gathered all the Great Rings to him, but always he searched for the One Ring that would complete his dominion.

When Bilbo reached his eleventy-first birthday he disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest: to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom.

The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider.

This new edition includes the fiftieth-anniversary fully corrected text setting and, for the first time, an extensive new index.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), beloved throughout the world as the creator of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but while he studied classic works of the past, he was creating a set of his own.

Howl by Jody Morse and Jayme Morse Review

Howl by Jody and Jayme Morse
$0.99    


It's enough to be bitten by werewolf, but to think that your family may have knew about your destiny all along is another story..........

Samara has led a fairly normal life. Sure, she's never bonded with anyone except her party-hardy BFF, Emma, but she's happy. When a new boy moves to the area, Samara can't help but feel drawn to him. Little does she know that the attraction is much more powerful and important than she ever realized.

I absolutely adored this book. Howl by Jody Morse and Jayme Morse is the type of book I wish had been available when I was growing up. The plot draws you in from the beginning and the cliff-hanger ending leaves you hungry for more. What's more important is that the characters of the story are well-developed. You can't help but connect with Samara and feel her emotions as you eagerly flip through the pages.

I recommend Howl to anyone that loves werewolves, young adult novels, and paranormal romance. Howl is the beginning to a wonderful series that is perfect for those ages 10 and up.

Real Vampires Have Curves - KBOD

Real Vampires Have Curves by Gerry Bartlett
$7.99 (4/18/2012)

What-did you think all vamps were pale, thin and brooding? Don't I wish.

Gloriana St. Clair is an eternally "full-figured" vampire-she just happened to be bloating when a sexy Scotsman sank his teeth into her. She and said Scot-Angus Jeremiah Campbell III, aka Jeremy Blade-have been on and off again for centuries, currently off. A couple hundred years has taught them how to press each other's buttons-in good ways and bad.

Glory's headed for Austin and a new business venture: Vintage Vamp's Emporium. After all, she loves clothes, and she is an antique. Only problem is, there's a billionaire techno-freak vampire hunter on the loose. Blade's in total he-vampire mode, and wants Glory to move in with him so he can "protect" her. But it's time for this vamp to explore her own powers

Puzzlebook: 100 Puzzle Quizzes Review

Puzzlebook: 100 Puzzle Quizzes
$2.99 or FREE for Prime Members

I've been a fan of puzzle games since I was a small child. I remember loving coloring books that had mazes and puzzles and loved playing Tetris when I got older and now play Bejeweled and Scrabble on my Kindle Fire. I recently had the chance to try Puzzlebook: 100 Puzzle Quizzes and was interested to see whether or not this game could hold up in today's world.

Puzzlebook: 100 Puzzle Quizzes was really entertaining. I found myself pleased when I answered the questions right and scratching my head to figure out other puzzles. The game is laid out like a book and gives you multiple choice answers to select from. You can also flip to the back to see the solutions. I can definitely see this book and others in the series being a great way to keep the brain sharp.

Anyone who enjoys challenging their mind will love this game.

Quit Your Day Job, A Guide for the Self Published Author - KBOD

Quit Your Day Job, A Guide for the Self Published Author by H.P. Mallory
$5.99 (4/17/2012)

Bestselling Kindle and Nook self-published author, HP Mallory, details how she sold over 200,000 ebooks in less than one year.

A former online marketing director, HP took her online marketing experience and knowledge and applied it to the self publishing market.

Not only did her writing career take off, but HP quit her day job and recently signed a three book deal with Random House, Bantam imprint.

In this book, you will learn actual tips and tricks that HP used in order to reach her level of success. HP demonstrates:

* What is the best approach to take when creating book covers
* How to optimize your book's description page
* Choosing the category of your book
* The question of pricing your book
* The importance of Social Media and, more specifically, Facebook, Twitter and Blogging
* How to get reviews including interviews with leading Review websites such as Dear Author
* What to feature on your website
* The importance of Search Engine Optimization
* A Q&A with the people from Pubit!, the self publishing platform of Barnes and Noble
* The seven steps of self publishing success from the owner of Smashwords, one of the largest and most well known self-publishing platforms
* Tips and tidbits from Goodreads, the world's largest online book club website
* And so much more!

4 Free Kindle Books About Online Opportunities

There are thousands of ways to make a career working from home. The internet has opened so many doors it's hard to choose just one. If you'd like to work online - or just make a bit of extra money - here are four free Kindle books that are sure to lead you in the right direction.


Etsy 101: Sell Your Crafts on Etsy by Steve Weber

Step away from the craft fair. Set up shop on Etsy, the world market for art, design and home decor!

For artists, crafters, designers, and vintage resellers, it’s a revolution. Never before has it been so easy to open a storefront that will reach millions of paying customers—with no up-front investment—online, in an afternoon!

Learn how thousands of Etsians, young and old, have launched their business on a shoestring, usually part-time at home. See how to sell items quickly, earn money, and have fun doing it.

Discover the new twist on good old-fashioned word-of–mouth advertising made possible online, courtesy of Facebook, Google, and Etsy itself. You’ll learn the best tools for making it all work, no computer geekery required.

With tips to work smarter, you’ll have more time to spend doing what you love: creating, finding new treasures, and belonging to a community of like-minded, independent artisans.

Smashwords Book Marketing Guide by Mark Coker

Learn how to market any book. This popular book marketing primer has helped over 40,000 authors and publishers dramatically improve their book marketing results.

The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide contains practical, easy-to-implement advice on how to market any book. 30 simple, do-it-yourself marketing tips explain not what you can do to market your book, but also explain the context and thinking behind each recommendation. The marketing techniques apply equally well to both ebooks and print books.

A Six-Figure Income Through Android Apps by Jeff Allan

This short book is an introduction to the secrets needed to create a full-time income through Android applications. I used these methods to create top-grossing Android applications, and have consulted companies globally about Android application strategy. No programming or technical knowledge is required, so get started today.

Become an Academic Free Agent by Michael Finney


Instead of living the day-to-day drudgery in the office or cubicle. Get out and live while teaching online from anywhere. This book walks you step-by-step through the process of how to get started and maintain a rewarding career teaching online while creating the life you always wanted. Topics include: * how to find your subject * finding universities and colleges that match well with you. * creating a winning curriculum vita. As well, you will find resources and tools to help you through the process and keep you on track.

Fat is the New 30 - KBOD

Fat is the New 30 by Jill Conner Browne
FREE for Prime Members - $3.99 (4/16/2012)

The Sweet Potato Queens® are back and bawdier than ever in Southern belle extraordinaire Jill Conner Browne’s ninth edition of the hysterical series.

Having experienced pretty much ALL of the crappy parts of life, Browne feels it is her duty to render whatever assistance she can to her fellow sufferers — and she does so in her own inimitable fashion. Her father taught her there are very few situations in life that we really and truly cannot change, and it is up to us to figure out how to either make fun OUT of them — or make fun OF them. And fortunately for the rest of us, Browne is well equipped for both.

Including the exploits of the Queen contingent and her family, she delivers applicable tidbits like:

• Thinking or talking about watermelon can save any negative situation.
• If you get drunk in Scotland, you can’t have your cow with you.
• When sanity and reason fail, you can always cheerfully resort to ridicule.
• Denial means that every situation is perfectly perfect.

More fun than a Cracker Barrel full of monkeys, Fat Is the New 30 will change your life — or at least give you ideas for making fun of your ownself.

Beauty and the Feast - KBOD

Beauty and the Feast by J.R. Barrett
FREE (4/15/2012)

Eva Raines is an uncomplicated country girl who’s all about food. Eva moves to the Napa Valley where her culinary skills come to the attention of the owners of a start-up and Eva finds her niche as a personal chef. Now all she needs is a man as perfect as her cooking, but she has serious doubts such a creature exists.

When wealthy entrepreneur, winery owner, and noted lothario, Gabriel Abbott, makes plans to seduce his flavor of the month, his assistant hires All Things to All People to cater a gourmet dinner. Eva expects to use her way with food to showcase the startup. What she unexpectedly discovers is that her culinary skills showcase far more. Gabriel Abbott finds himself seduced by her voice and the sensual flavors and textures of her food and his previous plans are quickly forgotten. He begins to obsess about meeting his little chef in person. He’s not alone. Once Eva hears Gabe’s voice and spends time in his home in the Napa Valley, she begins to wonder about the real man and her dreams of him are so hot they could ignite a barbecue.

When Eva and Gabe finally come face to face, the question is, how hot will their fire burn?

A to Z Challenge Week 2 Update

Week 2 of the A to Z Challenge has come to an end and there were so many awesome free Kindle books that I found for the posts this week. However, I do want to remind everyone that I'm giving you the chance to win a free $25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card. All we have to do is reach 100 followers. Tell your friends and, who knows, you may win enough to purchase a couple books. In case you missed this week's posts, I've include a list of the links below. Just remember to check the prices carefully to make sure the books are still free.

H is for Homer
I is for Imagination
J is for Jane Austen
K is for Kings
L is for Legends
M is for Mystery

News From Dead Mule Swamp by Joan Young - KBOD

News From Dead Mule Swamp by Joan Young
$0.99 (4/14/2012)

Anastasia Raven is running from the pain of a failed marriage, and hopes to hide from the world in an old farmhouse she has purchased at the edge of Dead Mule Swamp. When a hundred-year-old newspaper she finds inside a wall is stolen by Cliff Sorenson, and then Cliff disappears, Ana is convinced that the paper holds the key to the mystery. But what old news could be important enough to put Cliff in danger?

The second book, Paddy Plays in Dead Mule Swamp, will be coming out June 1. For more information, see www.joanofshark.com.

Icarus by J. S. Chancellor - KBOD

Icarus by J. S. Chancellor
FREE (4/13/2012)

“Don’t get me wrong; immortality does have its perks. Take dieting for example—kind of hard to do when you’ve only got two choices: fresh blood and slightly less fresh blood. The media makes it all out to be glamorous. Romantic, even. But the books, movies and witty television shows have it wrong. Especially the ones that make a big to-do about not being wrong (you know, the ones that spell vampire Vampyr, like it’s original).

And don’t think for a second that I was turned in some amazing, soul-binding, body-meshing way either. I don’t think my libido is damaged enough to forget that kind of rendezvous. Though, to be honest, I don’t recall anything about it. As soon as you’re turned, as soon as anyone is turned, the powers that be rush in like witness protection agents and whisk you off, never to see your family or friends again. Your life changes in ways you never imagined that it could.

Like the fact that I was kidnapped last night. Totally didn’t see that coming. Not being the Covenant-level assassin that I am (did I mention that already? I didn’t get much of a choice in that either—the profession I mean). Oh, and get this … the creeps who grabbed me claim that my mentor/should-have-kept-it-professional boyfriend Trinity is the vampire equivalent to the anti-Christ.

Nice. And to think it’s only Tuesday.

But wait, it gets better. See, there is one fact about vampirism that everyone gets correct—our bodies can’t biologically process natural light. Past that, all I know is that if I don’t partake of my usual dose of Icarus every seven days (provided via injection by the powers that be), I’ll lose my existence as I know it. It allows me to bask in the sunlight, keeps us from exploding into flames and I’ve heard rumors that it’s what makes us immortal. You know, little things.

Now, since Head Creep removed the dosing disc from my arm, whether I had anything to do with it or not, I’m guilty of betraying High Coven. This fact not only sucks (pun intended), it means I’ve been condemned to death.
An assassin … condemned to death. Seems like kind of shitty deal if you ask me.

I don’t care that Head Creep is hot enough that he gives Christian Bale a run for his money. He claims that Icarus is part of some massive conspiracy, that vampires are a perverse mutation of beings from another universe, and that Trinity (along with some dark army he’s supposedly in charge of) plans to exterminate the human race. Of course, he says this will occur in less than a week. And damn, wouldn’t you know he’d kidnap me on day six of my dose?”

A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 1 - KBOD

A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One by George R. R. Martin
$8.99 (4/12/2012)

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - KBOD

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
$4.79 (4/11/2012)

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you’d actually want to read.

5 Free Kindle Books by Jane Austen

One of the best female authors of all time, Jane Austen books have touched the lives of many and have resulted in many spin-offs. Whether you're a fan of Mr. Darcy or Colonel Brandon, Austen's books are something that many women simply adore. Here are five free Kindle books by Jane Austen for you to enjoy.

Pride and Prejudice

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.

Emma


"Emma, when first published in 1816, was written when Jane Austen was at the height of her powers. In it, we have her two greatest comic creations -- the eccentric Mr. Woodhouse and that quintissential bore, Miss Bates. In it, too, we have her most profound characterization: the witty, imaginative, self-deluded Emma, a heroine the author declared "no one but myself will much like," but who has been much loved by generations of readers.

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park, the idyllic Bertram family estate, becomes home to a poor young relative, Fanny. In this wealthy world of social accomplishments and flirtations, the sensible Fanny finds herself out of place, yet secretly in love with her cousin, Edmund. Jane Austen employs her unerring wit to brilliantly capture the social and moral values of an English society at a time of great upheaval

 

Northanger Abbey

One of the first of Jane Austen's novels to be written, and one of the last to be published, Northanger Abbey is both an amusing story of how a naive girl enters society and wins the affection of a witty young clergyman, and a high-spirited parody of the lurid Gothic novels that were popular during Austen's youth. In the process it features a vivid account of social life in late eighteenth-century Bath, and Austen's famous defence of the novel as a literary form. This edition, based on the text of the novel as published posthumously in 1818, is accompanied by explanatory notes, and an appendix summarising the plots and situations of the Gothic fictions that form the basis of much of Austen's comedy. In addition there is an extensive critical introduction covering the context, publication, and critical history of the novel, a chronology of Austen's life, and authoritative textual apparatus.

Persuasion

For her last novel's plot, Austen returns to the tensions of inheritance; but the once satisfactory solution—security on a landed estate—no longer applies. Here, Anne, the unappreciated middle daughter of the Elliots, has new choices to make, between the customs and traditions in which she was brought up and the excitement of the unknown. 

If I Were Your Monster by Scott Nicholson - KBOD

If I Were Your Monster by Scott Nicholson
$2.99 - FREE for Prime Members (4/10/2012)

IF I WERE YOUR MONSTER

A father tells a bedtime story to his young daughter, sharing different kinds of spooky creatures and teaching her how to overcome fear. In this fully illustrated tale, the monsters are protectors against the bullies and mean people of the world. A great read-aloud book for youngsters or a fun journey into e-book art.

Available in color where supported by the specific user device. 24 screens of art, equivalent of 24 full-color pages in print. DRM-free and professionally formatted by Dellaster Design. (Note: the art will appear in black-and-white on hand-held Kindles. We will continue to revise this book as the technology evolves, but graphic quality is limited for Kindle at present)

3 Free Kindle Books to Spark the Imagination of Kids

There was a time when we could all imagine things to be different than they were. A refrigerator box became a spaceship to the moon and mom's pots and pans were our first drum sets. Then we grew up. Thankfully, you can still enjoy the fun of imagination with your children. Here are just three free kindle books to spark their imagination.


The Imaginary Friend by Kelly Hashway

Samantha and Tracy have been best friends since kindergarten, but now that Tracy has gotten over her shyness and made new friends, Samantha is feeling left out. This is nothing compared to how she feels when a strange girl named Jessica tells Samantha that she’s actually an imaginary friend. Tracy has outgrown Samantha, and it’s time for Samantha to help another child who needs her. But will Samantha be able to move on and fulfill her duty as an imaginary friend?

The Blue Whale in the Bathtub by Dave Brasfield and Christiana Helgeson

In this colorful picture book, a little girl with an active imagination enters into a battle of wills with her mother.

Matthew Looney's Voyage to the Earth by Jerome Betty Jr and Gahan Wilson


Matthew Looney’s Voyage to the Earth tells the story of a boy living on the Moon who has always dreamed of space travel. Matthew is a typical Moon boy with a family, a pet, and a plan to fill a summer position at his father’s work. That is, until his world turns upside down when he learns of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to be the cabin boy on a space expedition to the uninhabitable planet Earth.

Included in the book are over 30 illustrations following Matt through his journey.

Thomas Kinkade - The Painter Who Became an Author

Thomas Kinkade was an unbelievable artist. While some may complain about his business practices and personal behavior, no one can deny that his paintings were simply breathtaking. As one of my favorite artists, I was surprised a few years ago to learn that Thomas Kinkade had co-authored a book series with Katherine Spencer. The series, called Cape Light, contained 12 volumes and was a Christian literature series that has often been compared to the Mitford Series by Jan Karon.

Sadly, the world recently lost Thomas Kinkade along with his artistic touch. Whether he was painting "God's light" or helping pen the works of a Christian literature series, his talent was remarkable. If you'd like to see another side of the fabulous painter, why not read Cape Light?


Cape Light by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer
$7.99 (4/9/29012)

Inspired by the artistic vision of world-renowned landscape painter Thomas Kinkade--and imbued with the light of his uplifting message--this heartwarming novel introduces us to the quaint town of Cape Light, and those who call it home.

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