Dead Man's Rain

Dead Man's Rain, by Frank Tuttle, is currently a free Kindle download, courtesy of the publisher Samhain. Unlike many of the books they've offered as free downloads, this one isn't erotica, instead relying on a plot to keep you turning the pages. Dead Man's Rain is a short novel and I easily finished reading it in a couple of hours.

The author's warning and the description reminded me of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series and it was hard not to make a comparison of the two when reading. The short nature of the novel, however, meant that there was not time for the same character development that Butcher's series is known for. Instead, this is the story of a single case investigated by a Finder named Merkhat. There are trolls and ogres, mentioned (quite literally) in passing and I still don't know what a Finder might be and he receives quite a bit of unasked for (and unwanted at the time) help from another character who hexes him (for his own good, of course). Still, the plot kept me interested enough to keep reading thru quickly (a hazard of the Kindle - if the book gets boring, I have hundreds more to choose from at any moment).

A second book in the series, The Mister Trophy ($2.00), is also available on the Kindle, while the third hasn't migrated over yet (but is available in the Samhain bookstore, just not for the Kindle).

The Mister Trophy

A troll's missing head could cause Markhat to lose his own.

All the finder Markhat wanted was a beer at Eddie's. Instead he gets a case that will bring him face to fang with crazed, blood-craving halfdead, a trio of vengeful Troll warriors, and Mama Hog's backstreet magic. Plus, the possible resurgence of the Troll War.

All right in his own none-too-quiet neighborhood.

Through the town of Rannit's narrow alleys and mean streets, Markhat tries to stay one step ahead of disaster. And ignore Mama Hog's dire warnings that this time, the head that rolls could be his own.

Warning: This book contains well-dressed vampires, extremely polite Trolls, and occasional bursts of humor. Avoid reading it when landing aircraft, welding in the nude, or taunting grumpy jackals while wearing pork chop earmuffs.

The Truth About You

Thomas Nelson provided me a review copy of The Truth About You: Your Secret to Success, by Marcus Buckingham. I'm not sure how well this one will translate to the digital world (but it is available on Kindle), as there is both a DVD and a memo pad included in the book. The first thing you are instructed to do is to watch the film (22 minutes). At various points, you use the two-sided memo pad to record activities that you love (that made you feel strong) and those you loathed (you felt weak, bored, etc). Any memo pad could be used for the exercise, of course, but you will miss a third or so of the content without the DVD. The book itself is quite short, at 110 pages, so it isn't one you'll be reading for hours each day. Instead, there are short sections that require to think, reflect and act. Rather than trying to work on your weaknesses and eliminate them, this program has you work on your strengths, find jobs that use them and then carve out that job over time to match you, rather than trying to mold yourself to the job.

One thing I didn't like about the book was the binding. The DVD holder and memo pad holder are the front and back covers of the book, so you are stuck holding the fairly awkward result when reading the book, which also won't lay flat. I think with a bit of coaxing, you could separate the book from the outer hard cover (but, you'll want to be careful not to tear it up doing so), but it still isn't likely to lie flat). You can blow thru the book in an hour, but working the exercises with the memo pad will take you longer; anywhere from a few hours, to the rest of your career/life.

Book Description
An Experience to Revolutionize Your Life from Marcus Buckingham - the World's Leading Expert on Career Success!

Want to know what you are supposed to do with your life? The Truth About You is an experience to unlock life's toughest questions. The process this revolutionary toolkit teaches will create higher satisfaction and performance in life and work. This cutting-edge product includes:

Enhanced DVD. A high-energy film reveals how and why you must discover and prioritize your strengths and includes access to a wealth of downloadable resources, including five bonus Strength Tip videos.

Interactive Book. With insightful exercises and tried-and-true life wisdom no one else will tell you, the book takes you to the location of your most powerful and unchanging talents.

ReMemo Pad. Designed for a life on-the-go, the ReMemo Pad becomes your companion to complete the task of revealing your strengths using your everyday experiences.

Perfect for high school and college students, young professionals, and people simply wanting to revitalize their career, The Truth About You helps you develop the kind of clarity and passion that drives a successful and satisfying future. Marcus Buckingham will help you discover the real truth, the truth about you . . . it will be your secret to success.