Lindsay Buroker's Blog: Lindsay Buroker, page 55
January 11, 2011
Half Share from Nathan Lowell's Solar Clipper Trader Tales
For space opera fans, the first couple books in Nathan Lowell's Trader Tales of the Solar Clipper Series are out for the kindle. Half Share, released last month, is the second in the series, with Quarter Share being the first.It's a time of change on the Lois McKendrick. Sarah Krugg joins the mess deck and Ishmael Wang moves to the environmental section. Just after getting accustomed to life aboard a solar clipper, Ishmael must learn a whole new set of skills, face his own fears and doubts, and try to balance love and loss in the depths of space.
Both Ish and Sarah must learn to live by the mantra, "Trust Lois." For Sarah, there is the hope of escaping a horrifying past. For Ish, he must discover what type of man he wants to become and learn the consequences of his choices.
Return with the crew of the SC Lois McKendrick, as you set sail in the next installment of the Trader Tales of the Solar Clipper Series. All your favorites return: Ish, Pip, Cookie, Brill, Diane, and Big Bad Bev. You might even discover some new friends as you travel among the stars.
Both ebooks are under $5.
Solar Clipper Trader Tales:
Half Share
Quarter Share
January 10, 2011
10 Free Epic Fantasy and Swords & Sorcery Ebooks (for all e-readers)
This is a kindle blog, and I usually link to ebooks at Amazon, but today's post will take us over to Smashwords where it's easy to find free ebooks in any genre. Smashwords also provides just about every format you can imagine (I don't know what an LRF file is, but it's there!), including mobi files for the kindle.
You don't have to make an account to download the freebies, though one of these is a "you set the price" deal; you can choose to get it for free, but you do need to set up an account (it's pretty painless).
Without further chitchat, let's jump into today's list of ten epic fantasy and swords & sorcery novels, novellas, and short stories (I must confess, the first one on the list is mine!):
Ice Cracker II
She's wanted for crimes against the throne. He's the empire's most notorious assassin. With bounties on their heads and soldiers hunting them, they're not likely candidates for heroics. But when they unearth a plot against the military's premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs...if the soldiers don't kill them first.
The Valkyrie's Tale
A young Valkyrie apprentice has visions of a world of technology and science -- while in that world, her twin has visions of swordsmanship and sorcery. Both will have to overcome tragedy and their own doubts to learn how to balance the worlds, and save their homes.
The Gateway (Harbinger of Doom Volume 1)
When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits the mysterious knights Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn to stand with him against the growing darkness, a darkness from which only one will emerge.
Amnar: The Execution
At the heart of an ancient civilization, a nightmare is brewing. Chosen to become the next leader of Amnar's greatest warriors, Arist is hated by almost everybody. Manipulative and hungry for power, she has started a campaign that will bring the entire civilization to its knees. Her trick? She will use its own laws to do it. Shatter (The Children of Man, #1)
Less than a year ago, Faela Durante, a Tereskan mind healer, disappeared from her family home in Finalaran scared and pregnant. Hunted and living as an outcast, Faela searches for a legend that might be her only hope of gaining atonement and returning to her son. When her journey collides with two strangers, she must choose between trusting those around her or endangering her mission.
The Bronze Man
Fierce Chelosian sea-raiders descend upon the simple bronze-age village of Rath Arn and the villagers there are left with a stark choice – die free or live as slaves. But Rath Arn is the home of the mighty hero Awn the Red, and he leads the villagers in seeking to delay the far more numerous foe until help arrives.
The First Dragoneer
When two young men go on a hunt that they know will be the last hunt of their youth, they decide they want it to be an unforgettable outing. When they cross a ridge leaving the protection of their kingdom behind, they find a cavern that looks like it needs to be explored. In the cavern they find exactly what they were looking for. In this stony hole lives something they will never forget!
The Labyrinth
This fantasy novella tells the story of a young wizard who participates in a magical competition that goes fundamentally wrong, pitting him and his fellow competitors against a deadly maze in a desperate struggle for survival. The novella is a prequel to Of Spells and Demons, also available here at Smashwords.
Tomb of the Tagosa Kings
In the depths of arid country, the adventurer and historian Professor Halir and his escorts, men of the Queen's Own Iskaeri Light Infantry, find themselves under attack by fierce Nacatori raiders as he seeks to unlock the secrets of a long lost tomb. What lies within the tomb may be off a much bigger threat than that posed by the raiders.
The Weight of Blood, (The Half-Orcs, Book 1)
Harruq and Qurrah Tun, half-blood exiles of elves and orcs, have sworn their lives to the prophet of a death god, gaining power in return for igniting war between the race of elves and man. Harruq's love of an elf may save him from his dark path, but to protect her means he must turn against his brother and fight the killing nature with which he was born. No matter his decision, someone will die.
There you go: ten free epic fantasy or swords and sorcery ebooks to check out. If you have any others to recommend, please do so in the comments below!
You don't have to make an account to download the freebies, though one of these is a "you set the price" deal; you can choose to get it for free, but you do need to set up an account (it's pretty painless).
Without further chitchat, let's jump into today's list of ten epic fantasy and swords & sorcery novels, novellas, and short stories (I must confess, the first one on the list is mine!):
Ice Cracker II
She's wanted for crimes against the throne. He's the empire's most notorious assassin. With bounties on their heads and soldiers hunting them, they're not likely candidates for heroics. But when they unearth a plot against the military's premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs...if the soldiers don't kill them first.
The Valkyrie's Tale
A young Valkyrie apprentice has visions of a world of technology and science -- while in that world, her twin has visions of swordsmanship and sorcery. Both will have to overcome tragedy and their own doubts to learn how to balance the worlds, and save their homes.
The Gateway (Harbinger of Doom Volume 1)
When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits the mysterious knights Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn to stand with him against the growing darkness, a darkness from which only one will emerge.
Amnar: The Execution
At the heart of an ancient civilization, a nightmare is brewing. Chosen to become the next leader of Amnar's greatest warriors, Arist is hated by almost everybody. Manipulative and hungry for power, she has started a campaign that will bring the entire civilization to its knees. Her trick? She will use its own laws to do it. Shatter (The Children of Man, #1)
Less than a year ago, Faela Durante, a Tereskan mind healer, disappeared from her family home in Finalaran scared and pregnant. Hunted and living as an outcast, Faela searches for a legend that might be her only hope of gaining atonement and returning to her son. When her journey collides with two strangers, she must choose between trusting those around her or endangering her mission.
The Bronze Man
Fierce Chelosian sea-raiders descend upon the simple bronze-age village of Rath Arn and the villagers there are left with a stark choice – die free or live as slaves. But Rath Arn is the home of the mighty hero Awn the Red, and he leads the villagers in seeking to delay the far more numerous foe until help arrives.
The First Dragoneer
When two young men go on a hunt that they know will be the last hunt of their youth, they decide they want it to be an unforgettable outing. When they cross a ridge leaving the protection of their kingdom behind, they find a cavern that looks like it needs to be explored. In the cavern they find exactly what they were looking for. In this stony hole lives something they will never forget!
The Labyrinth
This fantasy novella tells the story of a young wizard who participates in a magical competition that goes fundamentally wrong, pitting him and his fellow competitors against a deadly maze in a desperate struggle for survival. The novella is a prequel to Of Spells and Demons, also available here at Smashwords.
Tomb of the Tagosa Kings
In the depths of arid country, the adventurer and historian Professor Halir and his escorts, men of the Queen's Own Iskaeri Light Infantry, find themselves under attack by fierce Nacatori raiders as he seeks to unlock the secrets of a long lost tomb. What lies within the tomb may be off a much bigger threat than that posed by the raiders.
The Weight of Blood, (The Half-Orcs, Book 1)
Harruq and Qurrah Tun, half-blood exiles of elves and orcs, have sworn their lives to the prophet of a death god, gaining power in return for igniting war between the race of elves and man. Harruq's love of an elf may save him from his dark path, but to protect her means he must turn against his brother and fight the killing nature with which he was born. No matter his decision, someone will die.
There you go: ten free epic fantasy or swords and sorcery ebooks to check out. If you have any others to recommend, please do so in the comments below!
January 9, 2011
From Words to Brain
You love books and you're passionate about words, but are you enough of a geek to read about the neuroscience behind them? If so, From Words to Brain is a kindle read that might entertain.What is it that transforms a page full of words into an experience that moves us and leaves us changed? Livia Blackburne explores this cognitive process, from its objective beginnings on the page to the reader's personal investment in the story. The essay, which combines scientific expertise and a flair for storytelling, weaves together current results from cognitive psychology with examples from the classic fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. From wolves to functional magnetic resonance imaging, the essay draws the reader through the text and ultimately beyond it. Because "the experience of reading a story does not end with the last page." That's the point at which the real development begins.
Livia Blackburne, using the example of "Little Red Ridinghood", tells the story of how we understand stories. She takes us on a fascinating journey from from ink to words; from words to images; from images to experience; from experience to meaning; and finally in the epilogue, from meaning to meta-cognition (introspective thinking about thinking).
At $4 for 7,000 words, it's on the expensive side, but the reviews are positive overall, so maybe it's worth a look.
From Words to Brain
January 8, 2011
99-Cent Fantasy Find: The Resurrection of Deacon Shader
Next week I'm planning to put together some more lists of 99-cent ebooks, since everyone likes an affordable read, but here's a single fantasy novel for those looking for a weekend treat: The Resurrection of Deacon Shader.Plague strikes at the heart of Sarum and flesh-eating mawgs have been seen in the sewers.
As Governor Gen struggles to save the populace, the Abbey of Pardes is attacked by an army of undead and a piece of the legendary Sun Stone is stolen from the Grey Abbot.
The holy knight, Deacon Shader, is sent to the plague-city to retrieve it, but he is a man with conflicts of his own, and a destiny that will test his faith to the limits.
If Shader should fail, the Sun Stone will fall into the hands of a being from the mists of pre-history who will harness its power to unweave all of Creation.
With several five-star reviews, the book looks promising, especially at this price!
The Resurrection of Deacon Shader
January 7, 2011
The Department of Mad Scientists
The title of this one caught my eye in the Kindle Store. The Department of Mad Scientists looks like an interesting read for those who like history and the low-down on top secret government installations. The first-ever inside look at DARPA—the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—the maverick and controversial group whose futuristic work has had amazing civilian and military applications, from the Internet to GPS to driverless car.
America's greatest idea factory isn't Bell Labs, Silicon Valley, or MIT's Media Lab. It's the secretive, Pentagon-led agency known as DARPA. Founded by Eisenhower in response to Sputnik and the Soviet space program, DARPA mixes military officers with sneaker-wearing scientists, seeking paradigm-shifting ideas in varied fields—from energy, robotics, and rockets to peopleless operating rooms, driverless cars, and planes that can fly halfway around the world in just hours. DARPA gave birth to the Internet, GPS, and mind-controlled robotic arms. Its geniuses define future technology for the military and the rest of us.
Michael Belfiore was given unprecedented access to write this first-ever popular account of DARPA. Visiting research sites across the country, he watched scientists in action and talked to the creative, fearlessly ambitious visionaries working for and with DARPA. Much of DARPA's work is classified, and this book is full of material that has barely been reported in the general media. In fact, DARPA estimates that only 2 percent of Americans know much of anything about the agency. This fascinating read demonstrates that DARPA isn't so much frightening as it is inspiring—it is our future.
The Department of Mad Scientists
Free Star Wars Ebooks
There was a time when I was devouring all the Star Wars books, but I must admit that I haven't kept up. I found some freebies in the Kindle store (they look more like short stories than novels, but free is free!), so I may have to take a peep. If you're interested, here they are:
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: Precipice
STAR WARS: LOST TRIBE OF THE SITH: PRECIPICE a FREE original e-book short story, the first in a series that tell the untold story of the FATE OF THE JEDI's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! PRECIPICE includes an exclusive excerpt from STAR WARS: FATE OF THE JEDI: OMEN (Del Rey Hardcover, available June 23rd) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that will begin to unfold in OMEN. SURVIVAL—NOT SURRENDER For the ruthless Sith Order, failure is not an option. It is an offense punishable by death—and a fate to which Commander Yaru Korsin will not succumb. But on a crucial run to deliver troops and precious crystals to a combat hotspot in the Sith's war against the Republic, Korsin and the crew of the mining ship Omen are ambushed by a Jedi starfighter. And when the Sith craft crash-lands, torn and crippled, on a desolate alien planet, the hard-bitten captain finds himself at odds with desperate survivors on the brink of mutiny—and his own vengeful half brother, who's bent on seizing command. No matter the cost, Korsin vows that it will not be his blood and bones left behind on this unknown world. For the way of the Sith leaves little room for compromise—and none for mercy.
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #2: Skyborn
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith: Skyborn a FREE original e-book short story, the second in a series that tell the untold story of the Fate of the Jedi's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! Skyborn includes an exclusive excerpt from Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss (Del Rey Hardcover, available August 18th) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that have begun to unfold in the Fate of the Jedi series. DECEIVE AND CONQUERA Jedi ambush leaves the Sith ship Omen marooned on a remote alien world, its survivors at the mercy of their desolate surroundings and facing almost certain death. But Sith will no more bow before the whims of fate than they will yield to the weapons of their enemies. And Omen's cunning commander Yaru Korsin, will let nothing keep him and his crew from returning to the stars and rejoining the Sith order's conquest of the galaxy. Murdering his own brother has proven Korsin's ruthless resolve—but now an entire race stands in his way.The primitive, superstitious Keshiri worship unseen gods called the Skyborn, shun science, and punish unbelievers with death. Branded a heretic the widowed young geologist Adari Vaal is running for her life. Among the mysterious Sith castaways she finds powerful sanctuary—and her saviors find the means of survival. With Adari as their willing pawn, the Skyborn as their Trojan horse, and the awesome power of the dark side of the Force at their command, the lost tribe of the Omen set out to subjugate a planet and its people—and lay the foundation for a merciless new Sith nation.
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #3: Paragon
Don't miss Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith: Paragon a FREE original e-book short story, the third in a series that reveals the untold story of the Fate of the Jedi's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! Paragon includes an exclusive excerpt from Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Backlash (Del Rey Hardcover, available March 9th) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that have begun to unfold in the Fate of the Jedi series. Darkness VisibleThe ruthless cunning of the Sith Order has served the shipwrecked crew of the Omen well on the alien planet Kesh. Subjugating the superstitious Keshiri race by posing as its fabled overlords has ensured the Sith's survival—while they struggle in secret to return to the stars. But after fifteen years on their adopted world, some among the lost tribe have grown restless and fearful that assimilation will consume their Sith heritage. Now, as rival factions begin to appear, a shocking disaster throws into doubt the Sith's future on Kesh. In the distant city of Tetsubal, the entire native populace is suddenly wiped out by a grisly plague of unknown origin. With terrifying speed, more cities succumb to the mysterious contagion. Only the Sith remain unharmed—so far. And as Sith commander Yaru Korsin grapples with the looming loss of the paradise he rules and the race his people have come to depend upon, he must confront the dark possibility that the catastrophe may not be cruel fate but insidious sabotage.
There's a fourth one out, too, but I'll let you start with these. Happy reading!
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: Precipice
STAR WARS: LOST TRIBE OF THE SITH: PRECIPICE a FREE original e-book short story, the first in a series that tell the untold story of the FATE OF THE JEDI's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! PRECIPICE includes an exclusive excerpt from STAR WARS: FATE OF THE JEDI: OMEN (Del Rey Hardcover, available June 23rd) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that will begin to unfold in OMEN. SURVIVAL—NOT SURRENDER For the ruthless Sith Order, failure is not an option. It is an offense punishable by death—and a fate to which Commander Yaru Korsin will not succumb. But on a crucial run to deliver troops and precious crystals to a combat hotspot in the Sith's war against the Republic, Korsin and the crew of the mining ship Omen are ambushed by a Jedi starfighter. And when the Sith craft crash-lands, torn and crippled, on a desolate alien planet, the hard-bitten captain finds himself at odds with desperate survivors on the brink of mutiny—and his own vengeful half brother, who's bent on seizing command. No matter the cost, Korsin vows that it will not be his blood and bones left behind on this unknown world. For the way of the Sith leaves little room for compromise—and none for mercy.
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #2: Skyborn
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith: Skyborn a FREE original e-book short story, the second in a series that tell the untold story of the Fate of the Jedi's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! Skyborn includes an exclusive excerpt from Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss (Del Rey Hardcover, available August 18th) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that have begun to unfold in the Fate of the Jedi series. DECEIVE AND CONQUERA Jedi ambush leaves the Sith ship Omen marooned on a remote alien world, its survivors at the mercy of their desolate surroundings and facing almost certain death. But Sith will no more bow before the whims of fate than they will yield to the weapons of their enemies. And Omen's cunning commander Yaru Korsin, will let nothing keep him and his crew from returning to the stars and rejoining the Sith order's conquest of the galaxy. Murdering his own brother has proven Korsin's ruthless resolve—but now an entire race stands in his way.The primitive, superstitious Keshiri worship unseen gods called the Skyborn, shun science, and punish unbelievers with death. Branded a heretic the widowed young geologist Adari Vaal is running for her life. Among the mysterious Sith castaways she finds powerful sanctuary—and her saviors find the means of survival. With Adari as their willing pawn, the Skyborn as their Trojan horse, and the awesome power of the dark side of the Force at their command, the lost tribe of the Omen set out to subjugate a planet and its people—and lay the foundation for a merciless new Sith nation.
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #3: Paragon
Don't miss Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith: Paragon a FREE original e-book short story, the third in a series that reveals the untold story of the Fate of the Jedi's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! Paragon includes an exclusive excerpt from Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Backlash (Del Rey Hardcover, available March 9th) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that have begun to unfold in the Fate of the Jedi series. Darkness VisibleThe ruthless cunning of the Sith Order has served the shipwrecked crew of the Omen well on the alien planet Kesh. Subjugating the superstitious Keshiri race by posing as its fabled overlords has ensured the Sith's survival—while they struggle in secret to return to the stars. But after fifteen years on their adopted world, some among the lost tribe have grown restless and fearful that assimilation will consume their Sith heritage. Now, as rival factions begin to appear, a shocking disaster throws into doubt the Sith's future on Kesh. In the distant city of Tetsubal, the entire native populace is suddenly wiped out by a grisly plague of unknown origin. With terrifying speed, more cities succumb to the mysterious contagion. Only the Sith remain unharmed—so far. And as Sith commander Yaru Korsin grapples with the looming loss of the paradise he rules and the race his people have come to depend upon, he must confront the dark possibility that the catastrophe may not be cruel fate but insidious sabotage.
There's a fourth one out, too, but I'll let you start with these. Happy reading!
January 6, 2011
The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
I had to include this ebook on this blog for the title alone: The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie ApocalypseThe reviews are a mixed bag, though, so you'll probably want to download a sample before buying.
Kiss My Math meets A Tour of the Calculus
Jennifer Ouellette never took math in college, mostly because she-like most people-assumed that she wouldn't need it in real life. But then the English-major-turned-award-winning-science-writer had a change of heart and decided to revisit the equations and formulas that had haunted her for years. The Calculus Diaries is the fun and fascinating account of her year spent confronting her math phobia head on. With wit and verve, Ouellette shows how she learned to apply calculus to everything from gas mileage to dieting, from the rides at Disneyland to shooting craps in Vegas-proving that even the mathematically challenged can learn the fundamentals of the universal language.
"Jennifer Ouellette's calculus confessional is a delight, and an example of the finest kind of science writing. Her book reveals to its readers the gritty inner workings of the most important idea humans have ever thought. (Yes, calculus is that big: it's all about understanding how things change in space and time, and there just isn't much more important than that.) Ouellette's wit, her elegant wielding of metaphor, and her passion for both math and funky culture produce this crucial insight: every equation tells a story, she says, and she's right, and the tales she tells here will captivate even the most math-phobic."
-Tom Levenson, author of Newton and the Counterfeiter
The Calculus Diaries
January 5, 2011
One-Click Kindle Ebooks You Do *NOT* Want to Accidentally Buy
While Amazon's one-click features is handy at times, there are some awfully expensive ebooks in the Kindle Store. I was hunting for some suitably geeky books on steam power, and I came across a $500 ebook. I decided to delve a little deeper and see what other kinds of super expensive ebooks were out there. Scroll down for the $6,000 one!
$431.20 (down from $500+!)
Extended IAPWS-IF97 Steam Tables : Interactive Software for the calculation of thermodynamic and transport properties of water and steam - DLL for user ... und Wasserdampf (English and German Edition) [Kindle Edition]
Boring cover art for a $500 ebook, but at least it comes in two languages....
$6,232.00 (down from nearly $8,000!)
Nuclear Energy
The reviews are great. Lots along this line:
After all this time, Amazon and the publishers are listening to our $6999.99 boycott! To show my pleasure and to reward them for doing so, I purchased this book.
The first couple of chapters were slow and went over the basics of nuclear energy that I learned in the 4th grade. However, by chapter 3, the pace really started to pick up and I could. not. put. it. down! The suspense was killing me!
I now have about half a reactor built in my backyard and am waiting a delivery from Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond to finalize the construction.
$4,960.00 (don't worry: "includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet")
Selected Systems from Al-Fe-V to Al-Ni-Zr
All I can say is you have to be a super geek to buy any of these! The good news: these are all cheaper as ebooks than as paper versions. Thank goodness you bought a Kindle!
$431.20 (down from $500+!)
Extended IAPWS-IF97 Steam Tables : Interactive Software for the calculation of thermodynamic and transport properties of water and steam - DLL for user ... und Wasserdampf (English and German Edition) [Kindle Edition]
Boring cover art for a $500 ebook, but at least it comes in two languages....
$6,232.00 (down from nearly $8,000!)
Nuclear EnergyThe reviews are great. Lots along this line:
After all this time, Amazon and the publishers are listening to our $6999.99 boycott! To show my pleasure and to reward them for doing so, I purchased this book.
The first couple of chapters were slow and went over the basics of nuclear energy that I learned in the 4th grade. However, by chapter 3, the pace really started to pick up and I could. not. put. it. down! The suspense was killing me!
I now have about half a reactor built in my backyard and am waiting a delivery from Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond to finalize the construction.
$4,960.00 (don't worry: "includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet")
Selected Systems from Al-Fe-V to Al-Ni-Zr
All I can say is you have to be a super geek to buy any of these! The good news: these are all cheaper as ebooks than as paper versions. Thank goodness you bought a Kindle!
Lindsay Buroker
An indie fantasy author talks about e-publishing, ebook marketing, and occasionally her books.
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