Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tuesday Kindle Books: 25+ New Titles: 4.0+ Stars: Cost=$0.00

The WomanTuesday morning brings a great list of Kindle Digital Books that cost $0.00 (free). The Top 10 Free Kindle Digital Books listed below is a great start, but don’t forget to check out the rest of The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books. As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
On Wednesday 8/1/2012 there is a large group of authors who will be offering books for free. Our Top 100 List will look much different tomorrow. Make sure to check back on Wednesday.
Never miss a great free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
If you download and read a free book, please give the author a review.

Author Interview: Lorena Bathey author of Beatrice Munson: Rated 4.5 Stars on 49 Reviews

Beatrice MunsonOur interview today is with Lorena Bathey the author of Beatrice Munson a novel that readers have enjoyed by rating it 4.5 stars on 49 reviews. Before we get to the interview a brief book description: In Vista Heights, the women of the neighborhood have started to look like their homes, varying shades of beige. Lost in this world of suburbia, Marissa Lyons learns her high school nemesis has bought the house right across the street from her. Afraid that her arch-enemy, Beatrice Munson, will arrive with Marissa’s high school crush as her husband and cause Marissa to relive the insecurity of high school in her forties she decides to face the music and heads to Beatrice’s house with warm cupcakes. But what Marissa finds is something she never expected.How will Marissa and the rest of the women of San Martino deal with someone like Beatrice Munson, whose defining moment in her life was to get a boob job or go on a trip to Egypt.
This story is about friendship, love, learning to look at things differently, and great parties. Step into the world of Vista Heights where you might recognize the women, or you might be one of them.

Interview with Lorena Bathey

1. How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
As most of the time the characters come first for me the story usually develops along the way. I start with a person, male or female. I see them in my mind and then add in their personality. Then as the story begins to take shape I really see them act out the plot in my mind like a movie. It makes dialog easy to write. So as the author I really write what I see. I usually write the first draft and then go back and read it out loud. This gives me a heads up for issues in the dialog, writing, or even grammar stumbling blocks. It also allows me to see if I think the character is struggling enough, because let’s be real, stories are about a character overcoming…a lot. That’s what will change how the story is going. Does my character need more drama?
2. Was there a basis for your story? A previous experience? Something else?
It depends. My first novel, Beatrice Munsondefinitely came out of my own personal experience. But the rest of my books so far have started with one character or a story that I wanted to tell. There are always aspects of my own life and experiences in the stories. But a lot of the time it’s my life as I might want it to be or a character that does something exciting that I might want to have experienced.
As my books progress I am finding that I want to look at the grittier aspects of human beings. What do they really feel? How do they deal with things more realistically. Not always allowing for a happy ending.
3. Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
My characters are absolutely believable. They are not super heroes. They are you and me. While some of the situations may seem out of the realm of possibility, when you get right down to it, the world is strange and anything is possible!
4. What is your method for writing a book? A certain amount of hours every day? A certain routine? Are you character/story builder or an outliner or some other method?
For me I get an idea and then it simmers. The words bounce around in my head until they want to be written. Then I schedule time to write. I usually go to coffee houses or places like Panera because it keeps me less distracted and focused. I know that it seems weird because it’s busy and noisy, but somehow that buzz of activity keeps me working.
Then I just write. I don’t do a storyboard or anything, I just usually write down in Word the characters and their aspects and as I get the idea where I see it going. Most of the time the book follows pretty close to that initial outline.
5. How do you get past writers block or distractions like the internet?
Ugh…dang Facebook, Pinterest, and the internet as a whole. It’s a writer’s demon. When you aren’t sure about a story or character there is so many ways to be distracted, even doing social media for your book. That’s why I like going to coffee stores because I am less likely to get on the internet there and it keeps me focused on writing.
6. Favorite book from childhood.
Young childhood was Ferdinand. It was a book about a bull that didn’t want to fight in the bullfights. And while I didn’t know it then, it was about being yourself and following your heart.
But the one that made the most significant impact was Katherine, by Anya Seton. My aunt gave it to me before I went on a trip to England. The story was about John of Gaunt (real person) and Katherine Swynford (also real person) and a historical fiction of their love. I spent the whole trip asking, “Was John of Gaunt here?” It really shone a light on how a book can enhance your life.
7. What’s on your desk? Can you see your desk? Describe what you see when you look around.
I don’t have a desk. At home I write on kitchen table and when out and about whatever table I land. But my fiancée says he’s going to make me a desk. I will relish having my own spot to leave all my stuff and not have to pick everything up and move it when the whole family comes to town.
Short bio:
Growing up in Northern California, Lorena Bathey attended St. Mary’s College in Moraga graduating with a degree in English.
Lorena Bathey found characters were visiting her mind and wouldn’t leave. She was introduced to Marissa, Andrea, Lily, Deidre and Beatrice and her first novel, Beatrice Munson, came to life. After finishing that book she was inspired to write more novels and she knew that pursuing her passion was the best way to live her life. So a writer she became.
After meeting the love of her life, they embarked on the thrilling life to follow their dreams, bringing their families along for the ride. Today Lorena has nine novels in her writing queue.
But writing isn’t the only muse that inspires Lorena. She has become a passionate photographer and likes to push the envelope taking avant guarde shots. Travel, walking, enjoying new restaurants, and Italy are other loves and things she makes sure she has time for.
Links:
Get your copy of Beatrice Munson on Amazon

Book Buzz: The Anne Boleyn Collection – The Real Truth About the Tudors by Claire Ridgway

The Anne Boleyn Collection - The Real Truth about the Tudors“The Anne Boleyn Collection – The Real Truth about the Tudors is a compilation of articles and FACTS that have been researched, dissected, discussed, debated, sensationalized and wrote about for 500 years. This book will NOT disappoint if you’re interested in facts about the Tudor period.” ~ Suz, Amazon Review

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features The Anne Boleyn Collection – The Real Truth About the Tudors by Claire Ridgway which is rated 4.2 stars on 47 reviews. This is a collection of the most popular articles from the top Tudor website The Anne Boleyn Files (click to visit). These articles generated a great amount of interest, discussion, and debate which people found fascinating. Also don’t forget about The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown which is rated 4.3 stars on 38 reviews. The fans of Anne Boleyn will enjoy this historical, nonfiction retelling of the truth of the events leading up to the execution of Anne Boleyn. Tudor history lovers, fans of the TV series The Tudors, the movie The Other Boleyn Girl, and Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up the Bodies will also want to grab a copy of The Anne Boleyn Collection – The Real Truth About the Tudors.

“I didn’t know who Claire Ridgway was when I discovered [...] and read her first blogpost three years ago, but it was such an unexpected treat that I had to find out. Since then, Claire’s website has grown and her following has become worldwide. She researches, educates, challenges any and every authority in the field of Tudor history.” ~ Jeane Westin, Amazon Review

“For anyone interested in Tudor history, this book is a must-have for your collection.” ~ Kim Stacey, Amazon Reviews

Book Description: “The Anne Boleyn Collection” brings together the most popular articles from top Tudor website The Anne Boleyn Files. Articles which have provoked discussion and debate. Articles that people have found fascinating.
Written in Claire’s easy-going style, but with an emphasis on good history and sound research, these articles are perfect reading for Tudor history lovers everywhere. Discover the real truth about the Tudors: Should Anne Boleyn be pardoned and reburied as Queen? Did Anne Boleyn dig her own grave? Did Anne Boleyn commit incest with her brother? … Read more on Amazon.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Monday Morning: The Best Free Kindle eBooks for the Kindle, iPad, and Fire

Speed Dating with the DeadGood Monday morning. As usually happens on Monday we have lost 25+ Books from our free list but have added 30+ new free titles! Stock up for your summer reading needs as we have a great selection of the best free books for the Kindle, iPad, and Kindle Fire on our The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books. As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
Never miss a great free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
Please remember to give the author a gift of a review in exchange for a free book.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Best of the Sunday Free Kindle e-Books

A Gangsters Melody (A Gangster's Melody)We have 25+ new free Kindle books for Sunday. We only add books with a minimum of 10+ stars and 4.0+ reviews. A great chance to grab a book or two for last day of the weekend. All of our books listed today are free ($0.00) on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books. As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
Always remember to check the price before downloading to make the price is $0.00. Some authors will change the pricing on their books during the middle of the day.
Never miss a great free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
If you download and read a free book, please give the author something in return. Give the gift of a book rating on Amazon.

Book Buzz: Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif: 4.4 Stars on 189 Reviews: “A Nightmarish Thriller”

Children of the Fog“Every turn of the page exceeded my expectations and led me to an ending that came as a complete surprise. ~ StephLaymon, Amazon review

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features Children of the Fog by international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif. This is an excellent book that might cause you to stay up at late at night as you keep turning pages to get to the end. How can we say it is an excellent book? We don’t but the reviews do! Children of the Fog is rated 4.4 stars on 189 reviews. When a book maintains this level of rating with this many reviews it really indicates that the majority of the readers believe this is a book that they can highly recommend to other fans. If you enjoy thrillers with a ghostly twist, then Children of the Fog will be a great choice of a read and is ON SALE for $0.99 until the end of the month. Don’t forget to check out some of Cheryl’s other books including: Divine Intervention and Whale Song.

“I love suspense novels, and I am fascinated by the supernatural, and this book incorporates both. I highly recommend this one!” ~ K.D. Kelly, Amazon Review

“This is one of those creepy mysteries with a paranormal element, that beacons back to the style found in early Twilight Zone episodes. ~ John Ottini, Amazan Review

Book Description: YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION: Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die. Choose!
Sadie O’Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control. After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor, she nearly goes insane. But it isn’t just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It’s the guilt. Sadie is the only person who knows what the kidnapper looks like. And she can’t tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in “little bloody pieces”. When Sadie’s unfaithful husband stumbles across her drawing of the kidnapper, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge. Sadie’s descent into alcoholism leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son–a man known only as…The Fog. Read more on Amazon.

About the Author:
Cheryl Kaye Tardif is an international bestselling suspense author from Canada who enthusiastically tackles sensitive questions and terrifying scenarios that most people don’t like to even think about. From psychic investigators, abuse in the foster care system, serial killers, fountain of youth serums, nanotechnology, conspiracies, bullying, racism, assisted suicide, child abductions, sexual assault, alcoholism, drug addiction, mind control and more, she delves into the human psyche and picks at our worst fears.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Book Buzz: Laura Rizio’s Blood Money: A Disturbing Depiction of a System Gone Wrong

Blood Money“Rizio offers up everything you want out of a legal, suspense novel. Engaging characters, gripping plot, and pure entertainment. Best attribute? Its quality writing –thoughtful attention to detail like character building and coloring the cynical and hardened legal world separate this novel from lesser entries in the genre.” ~ Moma2012, Amazon Review

“In her exciting debut, personal injury attorney, Rizio, crafts a legal thriller with compelling characters and tense action that more than compensate for a familiar premise. An appealing tart cynicism haunts the novel’s scenes. For a debut, Rizio’s novel is remarkably accomplished. An entertaining thriller full of clever touches, whose characters and tone enliven an overworked genre.” ~ Rebecca Cramer Kirkus Indie — Kirkus LLC

Hello Digital Book Today readers. Our Book Buzz segment today features attorney and author Laura Rizio with her book Blood Money. If you are interested in legal thrillers then Blood Money could be the perfect choice as it is rated 4.1 stars on 53 reviews which indicates this book has been enjoyed by readers. Working in the justice system on a day to day basis allows Laura to be exposed to a lot of potential story ideas along with having the legal knowledge to add as background into her story. Follow this link to read an interview with Laura Rizio.

“This is a book which you will finish in one reading and you will never think of the American justice the same as before the read. This is an inside view of the unpredictability of the jury system and the notion of justice is turned on its head. An inside view of corruption in the very system we have come to depend on.” ~ James A. Hamilton III, Amazon Review

Book Description:
Nick Ceratto, a young, cracker jack litigator looking for a partnership in the prestigious Philadelphia law firm of Maglio, Silvio, and Levin discovers his firm’s dark seceret for increasing it’s bottom line while preparing a medical malpractice case for trial.The partners are setting up major cases by seriously injuring and even murdering their clients to produce huge jury awards. When the firm discovers he knows, Nick’s only hope is to stay one step ahead of the hitman long enough to intentionally lose his case and expose the firm’s corruption. As his mission careens towards an explosive climax, the only question left, is whose lives will be sacrificed along the way. … Read more on Amazon.

Friday, July 27, 2012

A Great Day For Free Kindle Digital Books – Come And Get Them

TYCEWe have 35+ new titles and many that are new to our The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books. Do you need a great weekend Free Kindle Digital eBook to read that won’t break the bank for the weekend? All of our books listed today are free ($0.00)! As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
Never miss a great free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
If you download and read a free book, please give the author something in return. Give the gift of a book rating on Amazon.

A Women’s Prison Book Club: Reading An Image of Death by Libby Fischer Hellman

AN IMAGE OF DEATH (The Ellie Foreman Suspense Mysteries)Our guest blog post today comes from Libby Fischer Hellman author of many books including AN IMAGE OF DEATH which was selected by a Women’s Prison Book Club. Her post describes her trip to visit the book club. We think you will find it very entertaining.

A Women’s Prison Book Club: Reading An Image of Death

This essay was first published in Crimespree Magazine in 2005, but since I just got the rights back to AN IMAGE OF DEATH, I thought I’d share it. My visit there still resonates. It is a little long, so save it until you can read the whole thing. :)
The buildings rose out of the prairie as though the ground had suddenly coughed them up from some nether region. A few homes were scattered nearby, and a school sat to one side, but the compound, about twenty minutes from Racine, Wisconsin, loomed beside the road like a behemothn warning us we were entering a different world. We parked in an adjacent lot and climbed out. I’d been told to leave my purse in the car, so I swung my backpack up on my shoulder and headed inside.

I was surprised by the seemingly low level of security. Just one small metal detector, no search wands, no dogs. A beefy looking man behind a counter asked to see a photo ID. All the doors were locked, though, even the ladies room, and to get from the entrance hall into the meeting room, you passed through a small antechamber with glassed in walls and two doors. One door was locked before the other was opened.

I glanced into the meeting room. Almost forty women were there, waiting quietly, apparently content to let time pass. Clearly, this was no ordinary book club.
I’d been asked to come to the Robert Ellsworth Correction Center for women to talk about my third novel, An Image of Death. The invitation had been issued via Midge Green, the CRM at Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. She and some of her friends had been visiting the jail regularly, bringing books and discussing them with inmates.

Ellsworth is home to approximately 300 female offenders. It’s a minimum security facility, and some of the women are on work release programs at nearby factories. About a year ago, two employees at the jail, Pam Petersen and DeNeal Erickson, decided to start a Book Club for the inmates. Within six months there were 25 members, and after a year, 50. Typically, the women would read the selected book, then divide into smaller groups to discuss the issues raised. Thanks to contributions and fund-raisers by B&N and others, the women have read several works, including Motherland by Fern Schumur Chapman and Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. Image, however, was the first crime novel on their list.

Book Buzz: Get Connected: 101 Places to Promote Your Books Online

Get Connected: 101 Places to Promote Your Books Online“But by the time I finished the book, and I looked at all the notes I had taken, and all the sites I highlighted as ‘must todos,’ I realized, Johnson had just saved me hours upon hours of work. Is that worth ten bucks? You bet your sweet… it is. Paying ten bucks for this book was like getting someone to cut my grass all year–for a dollar. ~ P. Creeden, Amazon review

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features Get Connected: 101 Places to Promote Your Books Online by G.E. Johnson. This resource for the small or indie author is rated 4.8 stars with a price of $8.99. This is a great collection of websites that authors can use to help them to determine the path that they will take to market their book. Ultimately you could search and probably find most of the sites but the real question is how much is your time worth. This book contains a great list of 101 useful sites along with their social media numbers and a brief description of what their focus is. Make sure you are beside your computer as you read Get Connected: 101 Places to Promote Your Books Online. After you finish the last page you will have a great list of sites saved in your favorites so you can begin planning the marketing of your book. G.E. Johnson has done the research and it is now up to you to start promoting your book.

“I’ve been using it to promote my free days on KDP Select. It’s AMAZING how many sites there are that I was clueless about it!” ~ Emerald Barnes, Amazon Review

“ was aware of a good number of the sites listed in the directory as I have used many of them to promote my own works as well as the works of other writers. G.E. Johnson provides an even more extensive list of sites that I had not heard of. ~ Katrina Parker Williams, Amazan Review

Book Description: Are you ready to start marketing your book? Are you planning a book promotion? This directory will help get you started! I’ve listed over 100 websites, social media pages, and author connection groups that specialize in connecting authors with potential readers and lots of these places even offer FREE promotion! You’ll also find numerous groups listed that are great places for connecting with other authors, publishers, and people in the literary arena and for taking a break from promoting to just talk shop. GET CONNECTED today with like-minded people who can help you achieve success in publishing!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Interview: Laura Dobbins Author of Francesca of Lost Nation

Francesca of Lost NationOur interview today is with Laura Dobbins as she discusses her book Francesca of Lost Nation (4.8 stars, 21 reviews). Before we get to the interview a brief book description: This book is about an unconventional 59-year old woman, Francesca, and her resourceful 10-year old granddaughter, Sarah, who share the adventures of a lifetime over the summer of 1947 in Lost Nation, Iowa. Together, they enchant barnstorming pilots, wow Clinton County Fair attendees, conquer the skies, confront an escaped arsonist, discover how Lost Nation got its intriguing name, and eventually demonstrate to one another the greatest truth about love. Anyone who loves their grandmother will enjoy reading this Romance Fiction about family, friendship and strong women.
Author Interview with Laura Dobbins
1. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance the story?
There were two main reasons for the Iowa circa 1947 setting of Francesca of Lost Nation. The first and most important is that the book’s title character was based on a real person who was born in the early 1890s on a farm in Iowa. The story encapsulates the life and times of small town mid-western life in a rural community – and whenever I think of that stage setting, I naturally think of Iowa.
The second reason is that 1947 was a year of optimism and peace not to mention bustling commerce for America. It was a year when the idea of who we are at our core and where we were headed as a nation existed in happy upheaval. Rosie the Riveter and her sisters were returning home from the work force but they didn’t stay home long. Military men and women were returning from duty, bringing their visible and invisible scars with them. Radio and air travel were becoming mainstream/ordinary, thereby expanding our experience of other regions and other countries. The US was opening up technologically, culturally, educationally.
2. What specific themes did you wish to emphasize throughout the novel? What were you trying to get across to the reader?
In this story, we encounter the sometimes devastating consequences of sibling rivalry, a July October love affair under the constant scrutiny of quirky small town gossips and a solid life-long friendship between two people who were born 60 years apart. So, an examination of familiar yet unusual relationships would have to top the list of themes.
I also wanted to highlight the desirability of certain character traits over a lifetime in a way that was naturally embedded in the give-and-take of conversations about things that matter: Courage; individuality; curiosity;resourcefulness; a tidy soul; generosity of spirit; the ability to embrace change.
3. Do you feel the characters seem real and believable? What about their predicaments? To what extent were they based on you or someone you know?

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Free eBooks by the Dozens: 30+ New Kindle Digital Books to Download For $0.00

Never Smile at Strangers30+ New Free Books. It is a great day to grab a free book or three! We have a great list of highly reviewed (just look at the ratings on the books below) and free Kindle digital books to download for free ($0.00) on Wednesday. As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
Did you know? Some authors are enrolled in KDP select which is an Amazon program that allows authors to list their books for free for 5 days over a 90 day period to help drive visibility. Most of these authors are smaller or independent authors, but not in all cases.
Never miss a free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
If you download and read a free book please give the author a review.

Book Buzz: Diva by Susan Fleet: A 4.8 Star Suspense Thriller

DIVA (A Frank Renzi novel)Diva is another fast paced, exciting mystery from the writer of Absolution, Susan Fleet, one of today’s top story tellers. ~ Bruce Hopkins, Amazon Review

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features Diva (A Frank Renzi novel) by Susan Fleet which takes place in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. If you like to read suspense, thrillers, or hard-boiled mysteries then go no farther. Diva is rated 4.8 stars on 16 reviews and features the same character homicide detective character that was in her first book Absolution (4.8 stars, 19 reviews). Both titles are excellent thrillers that will keep you turning pages until well after your bedtime. While the same character is in both books, they can be read in any order.

Absolution was the first – Diva is the second – and I can not WAIT to see what’s in store for us with the third!” ~ CanadianReader, Amazon Review

“’Diva’ is a fantastic ‘thriller’. Once I started reading this book it was impossible for me to put it down. ~ Amy E. Lignor, Amazan Review

Book Description: The Premier Book Awards named Fleet’s first thriller, Absolution, Best Mystery-Suspense-Thriller of 2009. ”Kudos to Fleet for another nail-biting page-turner!” — K. G. Hunt. ” … absolutely riveting…” — Stanley D. Crow. ” Great character development, a really good story [and] an absolutely fascinating ending … a very suspenseful book!” — Feathered Quill Book Reviews
Sexual obsession drives this riveting novel of psychological suspense. Beautiful, talented and ambitious, Belinda wants to be a star. But fame can be dangerous. ”Vividly drawn characters … Fleet takes us inside the head of the obsessed stalker as he lusts after his victim. This is one ‘must buy’ book — Tom Bryson, author of Too Smart To Die

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Interview with Brooklyn James author of Vigilare

VigilareOur interview today is with Brooklyn James the author of Vigilare (4.8 stars, 15 reviews). Before we get to the interview a brief book description: Detectives Gina DeLuca and Tony Gronkowski investigate a string of murders among Vanguard’s most loathsome population, rapists and pedophiles. With fed up citizens, the city is on the verge of a vigilante uprising in support of their seemingly superhuman Vigilare with the sparkling emerald green eyes. Friend or foe, Vanguard Police Department has a job to do in bringing the vigilant one to justice, causing their own internal battle with right and wrong, immoral and just. Following their leads, Detectives DeLuca and Gronkowski find themselves pulled into a mysterious world of super blood and super powers, and closer to the Vigilare than ever expected. It’s a race to the finish between Detectives DeLuca and Gronkowski and the Vigilare to figure out who she is and why. The first series in a Trilogy. Vigilare–the one who watches over–comes to light. Where one system fails, another never gives up.

Interview with Brookly James

1. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?
My newest novel is Vigilare: Hell Hound. It is the second in the Thriller trilogy, Vigilare. This particular series has a digestible paranormal spin, grounded in a scientific discourse around blood, allowing the mind to wander with thoughts of what if?
“Vigilare walks the line between a thriller and a supernatural adventure while safely anchored in a scientific discourse around blood that James put together so well that it’s reminiscent of a Douglas Preston or Michael Crichton novel. With action, romance, a strong female hero and a likable group of characters, Vigilare reads like a good action movie.” -Gabino Iglesias, Austin Post.
For me, the uniqueness of this series is in its conception and the mixing of science and the supernatural. The title alone is a conversation starter. Upon release of the first book in this series, Vigilare, I had questions from readers and book clubs. “What is a Vigilare?” With the release of the newest book in the series, Vigilare: Hell Hound, now I’m questioned with, “What is a Hell Hound?”
Please allow me to defer, Vigilare in the Italian derivative of Latin, means: to watch out, to guard, to protect, to keep an eye on. As far as its pronunciation, technically, it is pronounced vi- gi-la-re. In its conception, I wanted a word that was similar to vigilante, yet unique. I keep it simple, pronouncing it vigil-are (like vigil-air).

Book Buzz: Noble Cause by Jessica James: “A Riveting Piece of Historical Fiction”

Noble Cause: A Civil War Novel of Love and War“By weaving a romantic story between a Union spy and a Rebel officer, Jessica James brings to life so beautifully the time period, the personal cost of war to both sides and the conflicts and pain it brought to people just trying to live their lives as best they could in such a tragic time. ~ MaryBeth Vincent, Amazon review

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features Noble Cause: A Civil War Novel of Love and War by Jessica James. This is the award-winning Civil War novel Shades of Gray retitled Noble Cause with a new happily ever after ending. Noble Cause is rated 4.5 stars on 22 reviews by readers. A rating that is not easy to achieve if the book does not deliver a compelling story to the reader. If you are a historical fiction or romance fan then do yourself a favor and read more about Noble Cause. We are sure you won’t be disappointed in this multiple award-winning historical fiction novel.

“ All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story with a love story in a historical setting and no one can say this book is unrealistic. The country we live in today is an outcome of the Civil War and the emotions of the fictional characters in this book.” ~ Sahron Z. Songy, Amazon Review

“I truly enjoyed this novel. At the end of the novel I was especially pleased to see that the novel was based on an actual Civil War personality. It was a book I could not put down and would recommend it to anyone. ~ Kay K. Lafleur, Amazan Review

Book Description: Often compared to Gone with the Wind, Midwest Book Review called Noble Cause “a riveting piece of historical fiction.”

This is the tale of Colonel Alexander Hunter, a dauntless and daring Confederate cavalry officer, who, with his band of intrepid outcasts, becomes a legend in the rolling hills of northern Virginia. Inspired by love of country and guided by a sense of duty and honor, Hunter must make a desperate choice when he discovers the woman he promised his dying brother he would protect is the Union spy he vowed to his men he would destroy. Readers will discover the fine line between friends and enemies when the paths of these two tenacious foes cross by the fates of war and their destinies become entwined forever.
Author Jessica James uniquely blends
 elements of romantic and historical fiction in this deeply personal and poignant tale that, according to one reviewer, “transcends the pages to settle in the very marrow of the reader’s bones.” Winner of numerous national awards, James has received critical acclaim for this page-turning story of courage, honor, and enduring love. Destined for an honored place among the classics of the American Civil War, Noble Cause is a book to read, and keep, and remember forever. Read more on Amazon.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Monday Morning: The Best Free Kindle Books for the Kindle, iPad, and Fire

The Ninth StepGood Monday morning. As usually happens on Monday we have lost 25+ Books from our free list but have added 25+ new free titles! Stock up for your summer reading needs as we have a great selection of the best free books for the Kindle, iPad, and Kindle Fire on our The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books. As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
Never miss a great free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
Please remember to give the author a gift of a review in exchange for a free book.

Why E-Readers Are Better than Boyfriends

Dancing Naked in DixieOur guest post is by Lauren Clark who writes smart, sassy fiction with a Southern Twist. She is the author of Dancing Naked in Dixie (4.5 stars, 82 reviews). Lauren and her Kindle have been in a committed relationship for two years.

Why E-Readers Are Better than Boyfriends

Having relationship woes? Recently give your main squeeze the boot? Don’t despair….pick up an e-reader and get some LOVE!
Yes, embrace that technology and your e-reader will treat you right, every time. Here are TEN glorious reasons to trade in your flesh-and-blood model for a sleek, stylish package.
An e-reader is always:
1. Ready in Seconds – No waiting around to check the score of the game, no finding the keys, or “Not tonight, honey.”
2. Entertaining – There’s no shortage of music, audiobooks, novels, short stories, and poetry…and most devices will read to you if you click the right buttons.
3. Portable – No need to buy two airline tickets for a vacation; just tuck your device into your suitcase and go!
4. Handsome – Choice of colors, fonts, sizes, screens in black and white or full color. Plus, you can dress it up in whatever jazzy cover you decide looks great (and there’s never any debate).
5. Drama-free – There’s no fighting over watching favorite shows, where to eat dinner, or wondering if your e-reader understands you. E-readers don’t hold grudges. A committed e-reader relationship means never having to say you’re sorry.
6. Open – Go ahead and flirt. No jealousy here. Your e-reader will always go home with you, no questions asked.
7. Thoughtful – Your e-reader will never steal the remote, hog the bed covers, or tell you you’re fat. Your e-reader won’t eat that pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey you’ve been saving for a really bad day.
8. Quiet – Your e-reader won’t talk back, argue, cuss, or snore. Think of all of the uninterrupted sleep you’ll get.
9. Great at following directions – You don’t have to tell your e-reader twice. Tell it what to do. It remembers everything!
10. Low Maintenance – No foot rubs, fetching a beer, running to the grocery store for snacks, or picking up stray underwear. No need to remember birthdays or anniversaries. All you need is a charge cord. Need I say more?
And, hey, in the rare instance that your e-reader does disappoint, you can always trade-up for a faster, more intelligent model. No explanations, no break-up required. And you never have to worry about your Ex-e-reader stalking you.
Her third novel, The Pie Lab, will be released in February 2013. You can find much more about Lauren and her novels at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

Book Buzz: The Storm Killer by Mike Jastrzebski: A 4.6 Star Thriller

The Storm Killer“Mike Jastrzebski’s stunning historical debut takes readers back into the hard-boiled world of Chandler and Hammett — and brings Ernest Hemingway back to life in a book as big as the man himself. The Storm Killer, a top grade thriller with a heavy dose of noir, hurtles you from New York to Key West at a pace that will leave you breathless. ~ Christine Kling, author of several nautical thrillers

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features The Storm Killer by Mike Jastrzebski which is an excellent murder thriller that is set in the 1930′s in New York City and Key West. How can we say it is “excellent”? Don’t take our word for it. Believe the readers who have left reviews of this “excellent” book. The Storm Killer is rated 4.6 stars on 47 reviews. Only the best of the best can maintain a 4.6 star rating with this many reviews. If you enjoy the mystery, thriller, or historical genres then we are sure that you will take great pleasure in reading The Storm Killer.

“The Storm Killer is a fantastic read for anyone who loves a good mystery. It was so engaging that I lost track of time and finished the book in just 2 sittings.” ~ CanadianReader, Amazon Review

“I’ll say it up front – I really enjoyed The Storm Killer. It had everything a good crime drama should have. There were murders, frame-ups, good cops and bad cops, treachery, and a bit of romance. ~ J. Chambers, Amazan Review

Book Description: Time: 1935. Place: New York City. Crime beat reporter Jim Locke gets sucked into a quagmire of death, deceit, and danger when his actress sister is murdered – and he becomes the prime suspect. When he uncovers a pattern of similar murders, he is convinced that a serial killer is on the loose. But the police aren’t buying it, and it’s up to Jim to stop the madman. The hunt takes him from the grimy streets and smoke-filled bars of Manhattan to deceptively laid-back Key West, just as a killer storm bears down on the island. THE STORM KILLER has it all: hard-boiled narrative, gripping suspense, period detail, an unlikely hero battling his inner demons, and a stunning conclusion that you won’t see coming. Highly recommended!–Miriam Auerbach, author of Dirty Harriet Rides Again Read more on Amazon.

About the Author:
In September of 2003 my wife, Mary, and I moved aboard our 36-foot Sailboat, Rough Draft. It was our intention to take the boat south from Minnesota to warmer climates where I would write a novel. We sailed the boat through the inland river system from Minnesota to Mobile, Alabama where we lived for two years. We also spent three months living in Key West. Currently, the boat is docked in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 2011 we will take the boat to the Caribbean where we plan to drift until it is no longer fun.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

The Best of the Sunday Free Kindle Books

Breaking TWIGWe have 25+ new free Kindle books for Sunday. We only add books with a minimum of 10+ stars and 4.0+ reviews. A great chance to grab a book or two for last day of the weekend. All of our books listed today are free ($0.00) on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books. As a service to our authors, if you read a free book please give the author a review on Amazon.Thanks. Remember that many of the free kindle books are priced at $0.00 for a very limited time (24-48 hours).
Never miss a great free book again. Join our Reader Mailing List and be notified daily of The Best Free Kindle Books.
See the Top 80 – 100 free, handpicked titles that is updated daily on The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books on Amazon. This list is not available on Amazon. See our great list of titles that you missed and are not longer free. Missed Free Books from Sept – Dec 2011 and Missed Free Books from July – August 2011.
Do you ever play Kindle games? Visit the Best Free and Paid Kindle Games.
If you download and read a free book, please give the author something in return. Give the gift of a book rating on Amazon.

Book Buzz: The Folks at Fifty-Eight by Michael Patrick Clark: “A Great Spy Novel”

The Folks at Fifty-Eight“I am a fan of this genre and a WWII history buff, so I loved this book. The author did his home work not only to render the real events accurately but deepen and enrich it with his own invisible twists and speculations. You really can’t tell where the real history ends and the fiction begins. Its some of the best research I have seen from this era. ~ Amuzed2Pieces, Amazon Review

Hello Digital Book Today readers. The Book Buzz segment today features The Folks at Fifty-Eight by Michael Patrick Clark. This spy novel takes place at the start of the cold war after WWII and is rated 4.2 stars. The author has done a splendid job in weaving his plot into a well researched historical time period. The story of The Folks at Fifty-Eight is told in the popular alternate chapter character format. I think this concept works great especially in a good vs evil thriller. If you enjoy the spy or historical fiction genres, then you will surely enjoy The Folks at Fifty-Eight.
“A touch of LeCarre, a dash of Ludlum.” ~ Linda A. Root, Amazon Review

“A very well written thriller with lots of racy sex!! Thoroughly enjoyed it, now my husband is going to read it as well. ~ Lucinda, Amazan Review

Book Description: Gerald Hammond is the exception to the rule; an honourable spy, whose lofty principles have brought him nothing but loneliness and isolation. Catherine Schmidt is the stunning young daughter of an assassinated spymaster, whose murderous quest for vengeance has left her at the mercy of the infamous Head of Soviet State Security. On a covert operation, in Soviet-occupied Germany, Hammond has no knowledge of the unseen forces that sponsor and oppose his mission. He only knows that he must somehow save her to save himself, but, as ever-more disturbing revelations come to light, begins to wonder which poses the greater threat; the enemy he runs from, or the friend he runs to?

Set against a factual background of government conspiracy, and one of the most audacious espionage coups in history, the The Folks at Fifty-Eight is a beautifully-paced tale of seduction, betrayal, blackmail, and murder that blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction. Read more on Amazon.

About the Author:
Michael Patrick Clark was born on The Fourth of July 1950. He spent the first few years of his life in an orphanage, before adoption brought a new home and a change of name.
Michael joined the armed forces as a boy apprentice. He trained in telecommunications, and subsequently transferred to a specialist mobile-communications unit. Over the ensuing years he travelled the world; living and working in environments as exotic, hostile, and diverse as the Libyan Desert, Europe, the Australian outback, South-East Asia, and Central and South America.
In the late seventies Michael moved into the high-tech industry. He worked predominantly on international consultancy, for U.S. based communications and computer manufacturers, but after twenty-five years in the industry, made the life-changing decision to move to Spain, with his wife Pamela, and write novels.
Since then he has completed the first and last parts of The Etzel Trilogy, The Folks at Fifty-Eight being the first. He has also written Flying with Cuckoos, an amusing and heart-warming account of his tortuous journey from the orphanage to Special Forces: due for publication later this year.

Get your copy of The Folks at Fifty-Eight on Amazon