Oh, did we find a gem for you, the Frugal Reader, this week: the full nine book Jack Forge, Fleet Marine Boxed Set. “Well,” you say, “that’s got to be the full $7, right?” To which I emphatically reply, “Wrong!” This full box set is $0.99. You saw that right. Only a buck — truly a Dollar Deal. Other fantastic and interesting books populate the list this week as well, including Polar Vortex (in honor of the cold snap), Empire of Sand (inspired by the 16th century Mughal), and Shadowrun (a collection of novellas set in Seattle). So much good stuff! Read the list, pick one (or nine), feed your head.
| No. | Book | Desc. | Store |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  | The Smoke by Simon Ings An unusual book, written in second person. The reader is put into the shoes of the protagonist who finds himself back in his hometown of Yorkshire, England, searching for work in the shipyards. It's the future. Humanity has been split into three different species. Mutual incomprehension has fractured the globe. As humans race to be the first of their kind to reach the stars, another Great War looms. Instead of boats, the factories of Yorkshire are used to construct spaceships. But the future is not bright and the protagonist fights agaist lonliness, loss, and the possibility of love. |  $6.15 |
| 2. |  | Bright Light - Star Carrier: Book Eight by Ian Douglas New York Times bestselling military science fiction author Ian Douglas brings us the eighth—and penultimate—Star Carrier novel, Bright Light, combining the best action, adventure, and hard science into this universe-spanning series. Trevor Gray has been stripped of his command of the starship America, and is unsure what to do with his life. Having dedicated so much of himself to the service, he knew following the super-AI Konstantin’s advice could have severe consequences. He just never thought he would be out of the fight. But it's all part of Konstantin's plan to prevent humanity from being wiped from the universe. |  $5.99 |
| 3. |  | Arena by Logan Jacob First in a three-part series. Marc Caleb Havak is the son of a witch and a warlock, but is definitely living below his potential as a truck driver in Delaware. But then he turned 30 and all of that changed. Plucked from Earth by aliens who make him a gladiator in an interspecies coliseum, Marc begins to find his true calling--a near-human warrior capable of bringing a beat down. Reviews mark Arean as not just action-packed, but also full of humor. A worthy, fast-paced read. |  $4.99 |
| 4. |  | The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Book 1) by Brian K. Lowe Captain Charles Clee stumbles onto a secret archaeological expedition from the 23rd century and finds himself stranded nearly one million years in the future. When the woman he loves is kidnapped by one of Earth's alien overlords, he becomes the enemy of one of the most powerful men in the world. But his quest to rescue her is complicated when he learns that a working time machine may still exist with which he could return to his own era and save his troops from certain annihilation. Torn between love and loyalty, Clee must choose, knowing that no matter the outcome, he will lose. | $4.99 |
| 5. |  | Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri A Mughal India-inspired fantasy. The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited. When Mehr's power comes to the attention of the Emperor's most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda. | $4.99 |
| 6. |  | Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather Mitch Matthews is a writer struggling to make ends meet when his wife's brother Josh offers them a first-class seat on a flight from Hong Kong to New York. When his wife needs to stay behind, it becomes an opportunity for some quality daddy-daughter time with his five-year-old Lilly. But their flight disappears over the North Pole, gone without a trace. The truth remains a mystery until weeks later, a chance discovery on the ice uncovers a journal from none other than Mitch Matthews. | $4.98 |
| 7. |  | Shadowrun: Sprawl Stories: Volume 1 by Russell Zimmerman, Jennifer Brozek, Others Sprawl Stories contains four Shadowrun novellas that explore Seattle through the eyes of the people who live there every day. A burned-out mage detective tackles a missing person case that threatens to spiral beyond his control. A reporter goes on the ride-along of her life with a high-octane DocWagon team, and uncovers a conspiracy on live trideo. A young ex-wageslave is caught between powerful forces while investigating his uncle’s death. And a shaman must deal with a serious injury that threatens his very way of life—but not before taking vengeance on those who double-crossed him. | $4.61 |
| 8. |  | Sevenfold Sword: Maze by Jonathan Moeller The quest of the Seven Swords holds a dark secret at its heart. To find a way to destroy the Swords, Ridmark has entered the Durance of Urd Maelwyn, a twisted dungeon built by a dark elven tyrant. There he must find the mad smith who forged the Swords. But the ruler of the Durance does not let prisoners escape her iron grasp. All of the books in this series are priced the same. If you like this book, you could easily explore the others, poaching the next in series like a kernal of corn. | $3.99 |
| 9. |  | The Spectral City by Leanna Renee Hieber In turn-of-the century New York City, the police have an off-the-books spiritual go-to when it comes to solving puzzling corporeal crimes. Her name is Eve Whitby, gifted medium and spearhead of The Ghost Precinct. When most women are traveling in a gilded society that promises only well-appointed marriage, the confident nineteen-year-old Eve navigates a social circle that carries a different kind of chill. Working with the diligent but skeptical Lieutenant Horowitz, as well as a group of fellow psychics and wayward ghosts, Eve holds her own against detractors and threats to solve New York’s most disturbing crimes as only a medium of her ability can. | $3.99 |
| 10. |  | Alice Payne Arrives by Kate Heartfield Alice Payne Arrives is the story of a time traveling thief turned reluctant hero in this science fiction adventure. The story hops from 1788 to 2020 as the thief, in a variety of guises, attempts to change history to save it. Intriguing premise, executed with style. | $3.99 |
| 11. |  | The Cold Bite of Winter by Lynda O'Rourke When nineteen year-old Rosie Whitby loses her father to consumption, she is faced with either a life of poverty or a move to Windy Edge where her estranged uncle is residing in the local rectory. Having heard that her uncle is a difficult man, Rosie is reluctant to go but with nowhere else to live, she takes the long carriage ride there only to hear about a series of horrific murders that have taken place on the moor surrounding Windy Edge—murders committed, some say, by a lunatic. But others say, the work of a creature. | $2.99 |
| 12. |  | Jack Forge, Fleet Marine Boxed Set (Books 1 - 9) by James David Victor A well-reviewed, full series for only $0.99 is a rare deal indeed. All nine Jack Forge Fleet Marine adventures are bundled here for a limited time. Chock full of sci-fi action and likeable characters, the series follows Jack Forge's progression from Marine, to leader, to hero as he fights to save himself, his friends, and finally humanity. Pretty good for about a dollar. | $0.99 |
Shameless Plug:
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