Betraying Nexus

Betraying Nexus, by Richard L. Sanders, free

Jason is a member of Nexus, a secret organization with a singular purpose: eliminate crime and protect the innocent. As a Nexus operative, he is a Mind Bender and can implant thoughts into the minds of others. It is a dangerous and powerful gift that sometimes has lethal consequences, and forces even the best Mind Bender to see the world through a lens of doubt and suspicion—constantly wondering what's real and what isn't. Within Nexus, Jason is a rising star and he’s madly in love with a ranking member—the woman of his dreams. Life could not be more perfect.

But when he’s forced to take down an old friend and, as a reward, is further advanced into Nexus, he learns its darkest secret and must ask himself what he believes in. And if it’s worth turning against the woman he loves. 

Whispers in the Wind

Whispers in the Wind, by C.E. Lemieux, Jr., free

For small town girl, Abby Lynn McAllister, life is about following your heart. But what happens when your heart leads you astray? She'll find out because her heart has been set on her best friend, Henry Newburn, since the fifth grade. A preacher's daughter and former tomboy, Abby discovers that life holds lots of secrets and things simply aren't always the way they seem. Luckily she has a confidant to help her navigate the serious twists life has to offer her. J.B. is Henry's solid and rugged younger brother. A cowboy by trade, J.B. stands ready to jump to the rescue whenever Henry seems to come up short. Set in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Whispers in the Wind is Abby's story and she spins it down to the bittersweet end. 

The Christmas Flower

The Christmas Flower, by Kali Seymour, free

Does love really last for an eternity? Even after the one you loved has passed on? Lillian Willard will soon find that out. A nice little short story for the Christmas season.  (The author notes that she will be grateful to readers who spot grammatical errors and send along suggestions for correction.  The author also notes that a newer version will be published soon.)

Full Moon Attack

Full Moon Attack, by N.C. Pennington, free

Halloween night at his uncle’s pizzeria, Drake Dallas wants to beat his cousin Alex in a pizza eating contest. He takes the last piece and is set to win. But before he can take a bite, three masked men burst into the store and pulverize everything with crowbars.

In the aftermath, Drake convinces Alex that they need to investigate, and they start interviewing people who they think might have it in for the owner, Drake’s uncle. However, the two are unable to pin guilt on anyone they check out, and the trouble doesn’t stop for Uncle Lenny. In fact, it gets worse—an insurance mistake means he wasn’t covered for the vandalism, and it looks like he’s permanently out of business. 

The cops are clueless. Unless Drake can figure out what’s really going on, his uncle and family will lose everything and end up penniless, living on the street.  First book in the Dallas Drake collection.

Sons and Brothers in Seattle

Sons and Brothers in Seattle, by Wilson James, free with coupon code WU44G until 2/2/12

Cameron Connors is a young father trying to deal with a mother who likes the idea of children, but otherwise appears not to like her own. Cameron has managed to get his own two young sons away from his mother, but now he needs to rescue Brendan, his younger brother. 

As Cameron has learned over the years, his mother can be quite two-faced, and heaven help anyone who crosses Mrs. Rachael Connors. Cameron and his mother are currently in a state of cease-fire, but that could change dramatically based on what Cameron has planned for the next few weeks in order to challenge his parents for custody of Brendan. 

Will Cameron succeed in creating a new family of four, or will he lose? The stakes are high, and Cameron stands to lose custody of his own two sons if he is not careful. Follow the saga of Cameron as he struggles to do what he knows he must do, and what is right.

This Special Edition of "Sons and Brothers in Seattle" includes bonus Chapters from the sequel, "Sons and Brothers Sail into Danger." The author is Wilson James, whose work has been reviewed at a major online retailer as “Very Inspiring” and “A Great Book.” This Book has been a #1 Best Seller on the adult drama list and the Young Adult fiction list at Smashwords.

Colin and The Rise of the House of Horwood

Colin and The Rise of the House of Horwood, by Michael Eadie, free

Colin suddenly finds hist life turned upside down. His friend and mentor, Grandfather Thunder, is gone, replaced by their merciless aunt Grizzelda. Transplanted to Horwood House, a Victorian mansion that has family history and secrets, his personal abilities begin to reveal themselves. He finds out that he is the great grandson of Zuhayer Horwood, and his grand father is coming for him. 

Voices, A Special Abilities Novel, Book 1

Voices, A Special Abilities Novel Series (Book 1), by Brad C. Mann, free

You’ll love this fast paced story from beginning to end packed with tons of action, romance and laughs. Wilson entered college looking for fun, pizza, and friends. But he found himself in a group of students rounded up by the government for their unique talents. In their 1^st semester, Wilson’s group would be asked to not only pass all their classes but also save the world. The second book of this series, Vision, is out now. 

League of Extraordinary Robots

League of Extraordinary Robots, by Yolanda Jackson, free

When the land of the Bots and Humans collide there will be a big bang.  War ensues for the ownership of the Bots land by a King named Alfred and a powerful wizard by the name of Whisker.  Whisker will capture the king's only son Prince Harry, who will inherit his throne and his wars, and Whisker will use Prince Harry as ransome to get king Alfred to stop the war against the land. 

Dust

Dust, by A.J. Mullarky, free

In a sleepy village in the south of England, it's easy for Don and Lottie to pretend there isn't a war going on - until it comes to their very door. 

On D-Day in June 1944, Don Oldfield is among the thousands of Allied troops who storm the beaches of occupied France, desperate to forget the life he has left behind.  With everything he has ever believed called into question, Don Oldfield reflects on the choices, and the tragedies, that brought him here. A story of first love and growing up, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. 

What drives a boy to go to war? 

Little Brother

Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow, free at author's website

(cover art depicts print edition for sale in UK)

Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system works–and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems.

But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days.

When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself.

For The Win

For The Win, by Cory Doctorow, free at the author's website

(cover art depicts print edition for sale in UK)

In the virtual future, you must organize to survive.

At any hour of the day or night, millions of people around the globe are engrossed in multiplayer online games, questing and battling to win virtual “gold,” jewels, and precious artifacts. Meanwhile, others seek to exploit this vast shadow economy, running electronic sweatshops in the world’s poorest countries, where countless “gold farmers,” bound to their work by abusive contracts and physical threats, harvest virtual treasure for their employers to sell to First World gamers who are willing to spend real money to skip straight to higher-level gameplay.

Mala is a brilliant 15-year-old from rural India whose leadership skills in virtual combat have earned her the title of “General Robotwalla.” In Shenzen, heart of China’s industrial boom, Matthew is defying his former bosses to build his own successful gold-farming team. Leonard, who calls himself Wei-Dong, lives in Southern California, but spends his nights fighting virtual battles alongside his buddies in Asia, a world away. All of these young people, and more, will become entangled with the mysterious young woman called Big Sister Nor, who will use her experience, her knowledge of history, and her connections with real-world organizers to build them into a movement that can challenge the status quo.

The ruthless forces arrayed against them are willing to use any means to protect their power—including blackmail, extortion, infiltration, violence, and even murder. To survive, Big Sister’s people must out-think the system. This will lead them to devise a plan to crash the economy of every virtual world at once—a Ponzi scheme combined with a brilliant hack that ends up being the biggest, funnest game of all.

Imbued with the same lively, subversive spirit and thrilling storytelling that made LITTLE BROTHER an international sensation, FOR THE WIN is a prophetic and inspiring call-to-arms for a new generation

Flash O'Lantern: 13+ Stories

Flash O'Lantern: 13+ Stories, by Todd Russell, free, available for a limited time only

Limited time seasonal special download! Flash fiction short stories are great for reading on mobile devices and when time is limited. Flash O' Lantern contains 13 strange, eerie flash fiction stories about spiders, snakes and shoes, haunted houses, trick-or-treating costumes gone bad, vampires, ghosts, zombies, aliens + more! 13 historical October horror events are also reviewed + author notes. 

Flash O'Lantern contains 13 original award-winning Halloween flash fiction short stories of 1,000 words or less and 13 noteworthy events that happened in October including:

Famous People in October:

Edgar Allan Poe (died), Bela Lugosi (born), Vincent Price (died) and two others!

Movies/TV released in October: 

Halloween (1978), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), The Evil Dead and Saw (2004) and The Twilight Zone (1959)

Flash O'Lantern contains flash fiction and non-fiction that will illuminate your mind. 

PinPoint: A HUNTED bonus story

PinPoint: A HUNTED bonus story, by Cheryl Rainfield, free

Teen telepath Caitlyn "overhears" someone planning to set another student up as a Para--something that could cost that student their home, their family, and even their life. Caitlyn is in a race against time to help protect another student, who might, after all, be a Para. Enjoy this free bonus short story for readers of HUNTED that gives you a glimpse into Caitlyn's world. 

Enjoy this free bonus short story for readers of HUNTED that gives you a glimpse into Caitlyn's world. 

Colt O'Brien Sees the Light

Colt O'Brien Sees the Light, by George Matthew Cole, free

Colt O’Brien doesn’t think that he has to prove anything. He is the most savvy computer technician at Highline High in Burien, Washington. When a PC needs fixing, Colt is called in to save the day. The short, energetic senior, with his bright, colorful attire and cocky attitude, knows that he is the best. He expects the respect that is showered upon him by peers and teachers. School will soon be over and freedom beckons. No more girl friend to tell him what to do. No more schoolwork to bore him to death. Colt is cruising through senior year, but his life is about to be turned upside down. Two freshman nerds start a computer class that will put Highline High on the map and challenge Colt’s credibility. Three women will show him the meaning of love. One will show him the meaning of hate. And, his hidden psychic powers will emerge when he least expects them to. Hang on Colt.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
I would definitely suggest this book for those who are looking for some excitement, interesting characters such as Colt and Colt's interesting computer life. - Susan Petrone 4 Stars

I felt the storyline was good, the many problems and joy that teens feel, the disappointments and letdowns, the overblown self-pride coupled with insecurity are vividly drawn in this book. The author, in this his debut novel, has immersed us into the life of teens and their struggles. The book is a fairly quick read, but there is a lot adults could learn from it, even though it is a young adult novel. - Betty Gelean 4 Stars

The Traveler: Memoirs of a Brownie from Finland

The Traveler: Memoirs of a Brownie from Finland, by K. Zazzetta, free

Tomtra and his 100th removed cousin, Mangus, have inherited a faery burgh in Lapland, Finland. After 100 years of living together, Tomtra is at his wits end with his disgruntled, grumpy cousin. When he goes to the King of the Waning Year's home in search of advice, the King suggests that he be a traveler. After pondering the idea, Tomtra agrees, and off he goes into the unusual, wacky, and adventurous world of faery folk…This book is the prequel to the faery folk series. Book 2 is called "Bridge of Sighs." 

Idol Siren

Idol Siren, by Tiffany Fulton, free


16 year old Alicia is trying to find her niche in life according to her dead mother's wishes as well as for the father she never knew. So how does she expect to do that when the all-girls' school she attends is as stiff and dull as the headmistress who runs it and her heart isn't exactly set on fulfilling anyone's expectations but her own?  Easy.  Alicia decides to turn another world upside down. 


Now, Alicia has made one of the best decisions of her young life since her father and mother left her: She's dropped out of high school and is simply trying and apparently failing at making a life for herself--one on her own terms, that is--by attempting fit in the mold of everyone else. When it becomes clear that the mundane world is not for her, Alicia ventures in another world--the one of entertainment...more specifically singing....

When the president of the recently remodeled nightclub Red Lily uncovers her talent for singing, Alicia just might have a chance at achieving her mother's only wish, one that she must first learn to make for herself in her heart. 

Shadow of the Sun

Shadow of the Sun, by Laura Kreitzer, free


Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.

As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.

King Jimmy

King Jimmy, by Sue Verrochi, free


Boys and girls begin a dangerous game in a school yard one cold winter's day. (Short fiction) 

Raisinheart

Raisinheart, by Tom Lichtenberg, free


Three stories of a lonely youth. Jimmy Kruzel's bad luck is that his worst enemies are always his best friends, or is it the other way around, and that sometimes his darkest hours seem to come right after the dawn. In tales more bitter than sweet, Jimmy finds that you can attract more flies with honey than you can with vinegar, but really, who wants to attract flies anyway? 

Loner in Space

Loner in Space, by Steve Simons, free


Paul is a boy who is a bit of a loner at school and in life. His home life is also a bit in tatters since his mum died. The book takes up the story when he discovers something in the woods, near where he lives. Little does he know where his discovery will take him, but the title of the book gives you an idea. What will he find there? Will he still be alone? 

Unplugged

Unplugged, by Michael Agelasto, free

What might Holden Caulfield be like if he lived in the 21st Century media-infested environment? What if he does something so naughty that his parents severely punish him by taking away all his electronic devices? "Unplugged" takes place in contemporary Durham, North Carolina, and follows a few weeks in the life of a 17-year-old, Sterling Eumorfopoulos, a Mensa-registered genius. The Bildungsroman tracks him over the summer of 2009, through his training for an upcoming boxing match, his encounter with a grand jury and several sessions of psychotherapy. 

Passages (Seven Short Stories)

Passages (Seven Short Stories), by Emily Ann Ward, free

A brother and sister dealing with the uncertainty of their lives. Students talking about their friend at a Halloween party. A mother and daughter making pasta, both of them with a secret. These are just some of the images in these seven short stories. Centered around teenagers, Passages is a collection about the transitions we all go through as young adults. It includes Melanie's Secrets, Death of the Sun, You Remember, and The Prodigal Daughter, and brand new stories Together, Fettuccine Alfredo, and The Rowe Boys. 

The Rivalry

The Rivalry, by Phil Wohl, free

The Rivalry is the inspirational story of Pete Berman, a typical high school student who becomes memorable once he steps on the basketball court. The West Valley Rockets are perennial doormats for the Fellingwood Rams until Pete sets his sights on turning the tables. The story is center stage for Pete’s intense rivalry with Gerry Williams, Fellingwood’s star player, who has dominated the county’s basketball league.

As the story progresses, Pete’s on-court wizardry also fuels his confidence in both social and scholastic settings. The once introverted homebody transforms into a man who can’t wait to experiment with his newly found activities.

The book’s basketball scenes puts you right in the middle of the court, bumping and jockeying for position with opposing players. The story also gives the reader insight into the mind of a teenager, and all of the complex and often primitive emotions of the high school experience. 

Coranite Chronicles: The Judge

Coranite Chronicles: The Judge, by Egan Yip, free


When it is discovered that the Judges, those the mythical assassins who silence criminals, are real, the Galactic Federation begins the hunt to bring down the vigilantes. Darek, a delivery boy, is the first suspect. Fearing for his life, Darek flees to a distant world. But the world is nothing like he imagined. It is desolate and full of monsters. Can he survive the perilous world? 

Ascent (The Party Series, Book One)

Ascent (The Party Series, Book One), by Amy Kinzer, free

For three teens, returning to the past is the only way to save the future.

After years of recession a new political party is ascending to power. To control the United States they must offer leaders people will vote for. The Party has chosen a select group of teens to attend the Institute for Youth Development (IYD) for training to become the nation’s next leaders. But no one has a perfect past and in a world where every moment is captured on film it has become increasingly difficult to find future politicians. Everyone has something from their past they wish they could change.Matt wants to go back and change the night he drove drunk and ended the life of his girlfriend and best friend; Farrah-Kate, the daughter of America’s most tragic actress, wants to save her movie star mother; and Rick is ordered to go back and change the night he hacked the governments computers.Marvin Winn, a casino billionaire and Party founder has funded a device that will take the chosen back in time to alter their past. But not everyone is attending the Institute because they want to join The Party. And while everyone returns to their past, one person will choose not to come back, putting everything The Party seeks to achieve at risk.

Silver Smoke (#1 in the Seven Halos Series)

Silver Smoke (#1 in the Seven Halos Series), by Monica Leonelle, free

15-year old Brie van Rossum wants to know what caused her mother’s death, but she’s trapped in Honolulu under the watchful eye of her rock star father James, her overprotective older brother Pilot, and the relentless paparazzi who would love to capture her breaking down on film.

A clue about her mother’s death finally comes in the form of four teenage girls--or at least, that’s what Brie thought they were when she met them on the first day of high school. The girls are not normal teenagers, but Hallows--descendants of archangels and humans--with supernatural powers that allow them to manipulate matter and cross miles of beach in seconds. Brie learns that she is a Hallow too, just like her late mother.

But Brie’s family has enemies--specifically the New Order, a group that killed most of Brie’s family before the last survivors went into hiding one hundred years ago. Brie's new friends don’t think the New Order killed Brie’s mother, but that begs the question--who did?

Now, Brie faces a choice--she can follow the clues her mother has left behind, and risk exposing her family to a death sentence from the New Order; or she can stay on Honolulu and keep her family safe, but miss the opportunity to stop the New Order from terrorizing the entire Hallow race.

Free eBooks for Young Adults

It’s the end of the summer and time to get back to finding free eBooks for young adults.  There are still many to chose from, and more new books being published every day.  With such a great selection, the difficulty is in finding good ones.   Of course, what is ‘good’ is a matter of personal choice and taste.   There is no easy answer as to how to rate the available books, but this blog will focus on completed works and try to use ‘most downloaded’ and ‘best seller’ listings as a guideline for what to feature.  To get started, today’s blog posting includes one very short-time free eBook and a link to a ‘sorting’ of free eBooks for young adults as sorted on Smashwords.  Regular listings will resume on Monday next week.  Happy reading!

SOLO FLIGHT

SOLO FLIGHT, by Tod, free with coupon GA94F until 8/31/11

Nolan Cooper has a big secret. He invented and built an airplane. And he’s going to test fly it himself. . . if he can cut fourth period!

• Why is a smart kid like Nolan flunking his classes?
• What kind of school would punish a student for telling the truth?
• Why does the Principal want to send him to prison?
• Can his best friend be tempted to reveal his secret life?
• And why do they say his airplane design is destined to kill him?
• Will Nolan fly free of his troubles, or will he crash and burn?
• Find out in SOLO FLIGHT.

Solo Flight is the story of a boy and his clashes with the authorities as he tries to follow his own path in life. Part self-help novel, part political satire, the fast paced plot will keep you turning pages until the very end. You’ll be shocked to discover the true purpose of public school. Learn why it fails so miserably at education while it holds back the best and brightest. Solo Flight is a Declaration of Independence for young minds everywhere.

Free eBooks: free for short time - get them now for summer reading

There has been an interesting and increasing trend among Smashwords authors and publishers of Young Adult fiction to price their newly published eBooks free for an initial introductory period, and then raise the price. The initial free eBook period varies, but it would appear to be as short as one week in some cases to a few months in other cases. With this site being updated only once a week, it is not possible to keep up. So, the recommendation is to have a look (here) through the newly published free eBooks frequently, and if something looks interesting, then grab it. It may not be there for long. 

Please note that regular weekly updates of this blog will resume in late August. To readers of this blog in the US and to Americans overseas, Happy 4th of July.

The First Dragoneer

The First Dragoneer, by M.R. Mathias, free

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 stoney hole lives something they will never forget!

Playing the Baseball Card

Playing the Baseball Card, by Wilson James, free

You are almost 14 years old. Your mother died six years ago, and you help look after your younger brother while you father works.

Your father is a pitcher for a minor league baseball team, and he is trying to make it into the major leagues. Just when it seems that things are looking better, tragedy strikes again. Now, it’s all up to you. You have your own dreams, and you desperately care about your small family. Will you be able to make it work? Just how much is a young teenage kid capable of doing, anyway?

PLAYING THE BASEBALL CARD is the story of Devin Robinson, the kid who dreams of pitching for the San Francisco Giants. Find out how Devin and his younger brother, Jordan, made it though their early years, and how Devin tries to make his mark in a world of adults. Find out how Devin's fierce determination to protect his remaining little family of two leads to adventure and achievement that he never thought possible. Find out how Devin plays the Baseball Card.

This is a story for baseball fans and anyone else who wants to read about personal courage and determination. This book has been reviewed at a major online retailer as “Very Inspiring” and “A Great Book.”

Throwback

Throwback, by Dave Conifer, free

It wasn't long before the kid from North Carolina had made friends at his new high school in Jersey. Ben is the kind of guy that everybody likes. He's the star of the wrestling team and he's spending a lot of time with Judy Voorst. So what's the problem? Ben Petrovic has a secret. He’s not who everybody thinks he is.

The Making of Legend

The Making of Legend, by Richard Barrs, free

In the year 3747, a scientist performed a dangerous experiment on his son. It's now 3773; political corruption, betrayal and deception are rife, and the son, General Andrew Biman, is now a man.

Andrew is a darling of the populace and a favorite of the monarchy. When the queen invites him to join the inter-planetary Congress, Andrew lets fly his plans to re-instate a republic, setting in motion a legislative firestorm. He is soon framed for murder, branded a traitor and on the run.

Stealing prototype warship, Andrew flees his home city, rescues a sarcastic princess from pirates and ignites a civil war - alienating his few allies in the process with his crushing arrogance. While he clashes with the princess, his envious first mate, and a promiscuous navigator, enemies amass their forces. Vulnerable, Andrew strikes deep into the heart of enemy territory with a fool’s hope…until he discovers his father’s experiment, implanted within him a lifetime ago.

The Truth Lies Beneath Your Eyes

The Truth Lies Beneath Your Eyes, by Nzingha Kayes, free

High School, love triangles drama and war. What else can go wrong when you wake up and go to school one morning and find yourself kidnapped on the other side of the world with people who know more about your past than you do yourself?

Heart

Heart, by Oliver Frances, free

Heart begins with “The Little ugly Duck”, Cynthia’s remarkable beauty makes her gain fame and admiration but not love, consequently dissapointment and sadness are the prize for such a comeliness. Then, unexpectedly she finds love in the most unthinkable place after suffering a terrible accident which changes her life dramatically.

The second one is “TheWriter”, a young lady whose big expectations about love are those depicted in fairy tales and simple love can’t fulfill her wishes. Ironically a writer that builds worlds of fiction, but whose life isn’t led by the lines of his fantasy, is the man who will show her what true and real love is about.

And, the last story that complete the collection is a lovely one, “A Marriage of Convenience”, one story about a girl and boy, from Italian families respectively, who find the most sought thing in life, without searching for, and they do just not by a lovely casualness but by one unpleasant fact.

Go Claire Go

Go Claire Go, by Brian Briscoe, free

What would you do if you were orphaned after being caught in a bushfire? What would you do if you were then sent off to stay with a family you didn't know? What would you do if you were also sent to a posh school for 'young ladies' called the Leabrook School? You'd be a little confused? This happens to Claire. However, she shows the city chicks that country girls are not wimpy wallflowers!

Zan, City Cowboy

Zan, City Cowboy, by Joe Novara, free

Zan, an inner city guy sent to live with an uncle to get away from his troubled neighborhood, starts by helping to birth a foal at Shamrock Stables where where he makes friends with Corky the owner, Nick his too-good mentor and Meredith enrolled in the therapeutic riding program. And the rest unfolds from there...

This book is part of series.

Perusia

Perusia, by N.J. Matthews, free with coupon code ME45V until 7/21/11.

Perusia is a novel of historical fiction that follows the experience of 5 boys in Rome and Perusia in the time just after the assassination of Julius Ceasar. Two families are disrupted when the parents of the boys are arrested as a result of corrupt actions by the Senate. Their homes are expropriated and the parents thrown in prison. A Black Prince and a Blind Prophet offer to help. This book is followed by a sequel, Kush.

Key to the Stars

Key to the Stars, by Kevin Domenic, free

Key to the Stars is Volume I of The Fourth Dimension, a science fiction/fantasy series that follows the journeys of a young man named Arus whose tragic disfigurement leads him to discover that even the harshest storms can be conquered by courage of the heart.

Key to the Stars is Volume 1 of the Fourth Dimension.

Meddlers in Time

Meddlers in Time, by Wayne Watson, free

You can’t change history- can you? No- but you can make a new reality when you alter events. ‘Meddlers in Time’ explores the shaping of a parallel earth, by altering events in 9th century England. Some were lured by money, other by the adventure- a few just wanted a new chance at life. One thing remains constant- time travel changes all who follow that path…

This is the first of three books in the Meddlers in Time series. The story starts several years before the main tale, with two of the main characters narrowly escaping from a trip to their near future, gone wrong. They decide to create a new, and hopefully, more friendly universe, by causing a split in time back in the 9th century. In order to advance the technology of the 9th century and build a power base, they set about recruiting a team of down-on-their-luck engineers and adventurers, with the lure of large sums of money, adventure and the chance escape their lives! For a one-year tour and a return to the same time and place, they are offered information worth a great deal of money- namely winning lotto numbers and sports betting information!

The reality of the mission sets in for the team, when they find themselves on another planet, Transit, hundreds of light-years from home. Here they train for the mission and learn how to use the time/space gateway. They set up a prefabricated stronghold and in their first few weeks save a local village from a terrible fate. Soon the local people start to accept these strangers, who turn out to be not as terrifying as they first seemed. Meanwhile, a more deadly game is being conducted from Transit, as the city of Rome is destroyed and the 9th century religious leaders are systematically and sometimes spectacularly assassinated.

Expecting to winter over quietly, they are surprised by the arrival of a large invading army from Europe. Despite being short on numbers, they utterly rout the invaders at the outskirts of the city of Sheffield. Local workers are recruited- reluctantly at first, but they soon adapt to what is for them- a life of relative comfort and ease. Before long, working for the strangers brings high status. As the best of the local workers adapt to modern life, they are being prepared to be the next generation of leaders.

Over the winter months, a local militia is equipped and drilled, while the tradesmen of the district come to learn the secrets of the strangers. The future leaders of tomorrow begin their education. Road building and mineral exploration continue and as the team get to know each other better, the stories regarding how the time/space gate generator was obtained and the effects of using it are revealed. As the end of a one year tour of duty draws to an end, most of the team have elected to stay on, while those who have decided to leave the 9th century, start to prepare to return to their old lives- and their new beginnings.

Sons and Brothers in Seattle

Sons and Brothers in Seattle, by Wilson James, free until 11/11/11, with coupon BF89M.

Cameron Connors is a young father trying to deal with a mother who likes the idea of children, but otherwise appears not to like her own. Cameron has managed to get his own two young sons away from his mother, but now he needs to rescue Brendan, his younger brother.

As Cameron has learned over the years, his mother can be quite two-faced, and heaven help anyone who crosses Mrs. Rachael Connors. Cameron and his mother are currently in a state of cease-fire, but that could change dramatically based on what Cameron has planned for the next few weeks in order to challenge his parents for custody of Brendan.

Will Cameron succeed in creating a new family of four, or will he lose? The stakes are high, and Cameron stands to lose custody of his own two sons if he is not careful. Follow the saga of Cameron as he struggles to do what he knows he must do, and what is right.

This Special Smashwords Edition of "Sons and Brothers in Seattle" includes bonus Chapters from the sequel, "Sons and Brothers Sail into Danger." This Book has been a #1 Best Seller on the adult drama list and the Young Adult fiction list at Smashwords. The author is Wilson James, whose work has been reviewed at a major online retailer as “Very Inspiring” and “A Great Book.”

Grizelda

Grizelda, by Margaret Taylor, free

Accused by the government of practicing witchcraft, 14-year-old seamstress Grizelda must go into hiding beneath the city to save her life. Problem: the goblins who already live there barely tolerate her presence. The pixies are not to be trusted. And she's tempted to break her hiding for a band of revolutionaries who might end magic persecution once and for all.