Daily Deals: Historicals from the Incas to England to Bohemia
The Conquest of the Incas by John Hemming. $ 2.99
From the Jacket Copy:
The Conquest of the Incas, John Hemming’s masterly and highly acclaimed account of one of the most exciting conquests known to history, has never been surpassed.
From the first small band of Spanish adventurers to enter the mighty Inca empire to the execution of the last Inca forty years later, it is the story of bloodshed, infamy, rebellion and extermination, told as convincingly as if it happened yesterday. It also tells the social impact of the conquest, on ordinary Peruvians forced to work for Spanish masters or in hellish silver and mercury mines, on change of religion and government, and how survivors of the Inca elite reacted to the new order.
FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED EBOOK EDITION FOR 2012
This 2012 e-book edition includes an extensive revision and update of the text, bibliography, notes and other end-material, to report the latest theories and discoveries. It also has a new appendix about recent finds of Inca ruins in Vilcabamba beyond Machu Picchu.
A must-read book for anyone considering a trip to Peru or wanting to know more about the final days of the Inca empire.
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Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski. $ 2.99
From the Jacket Copy:
Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But it’s never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the world’s finest astronomical clock. Petra’s life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home—blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. But why? Petra doesn’t know, but she knows this: she will go to Prague, sneak into Salamander Castle, and steal her father’s eyes back. Joining forces with Neel, whose fingers extend into invisible ghosts that pick locks and pockets, Petra finds that many people in the castle are not what they seem, and that her father’s clock has powers capable of destroying their world.
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Season for Seduction by Jennifer Haymore. $2.99.
From Jacket Copy:
Although the widowed Lady Rebecca has sworn off marriage, men are another matter. London’s cold winter nights have her dreaming of warmer pursuits-like finding a lover to satisfy her hungry heart. Someone handsome, discreet, and most importantly as uninterested in marriage as she is. Someone like Jack Fulton.
A known adventurer and playboy, Jack seems like the perfect choice. There’s just one problem: Jack isn’t interested in an affair. He needs the beautiful, mysterious Lady Rebecca to be his wife. And he doesn’t have much time to persuade her. A secret from Jack’s past is about to surface, and by Christmas Day he’ll be either married to Rebecca or dead.
This novel didn’t really engage me, I’m afraid; while I liked Jack and could see his attraction to Becky (and hers to him; she admits flat-out it’s because Jack’s a dynamite-looking man), because both parties entered into this relationship in a deceptive way and didn’t really explain themselves until the end, I’d expected there to be some sort of wit or banter or even some moments aside from Becky running from doing the responsible thing (getting married, because she’s afraid) or Jack running from his past — and there just weren’t enough of them for my liking, while most of those dealt with characters who were showcased in the first two books of this trilogy.
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And the Bride Wore Plaid by Karen Hawkins. $.99.
From Jacket Copy:
Devon St John has never had a problem in his life—until now. Born to wealth and privilege, surrounded by a warm and loving family, he has pursued a life of leisure, chasing the most beautiful women London has to offer. All told, he has the perfect life and no intentions of ever settling down in any shape, form or fashion. So resolved, he heads to his friend’s Scottish castle, unaware that fate is already hard at work.
As the illegitimate half-sister to Viscount Strathmore, Melody Macdonald refuses to reside under his roof and instead lives in a thatched house on the edge of the forest that borders Strathmore Castle. Ever since she ran off at the tender age of twelve to become an apprentice to a master of stained glass, Melody has been deplorably independent and wild. When Devon arrives at Strathmore Castle, he is taken aback by the rude, overbearing, illegitimate Scotswoman who refuses even to pretend to possess any feminine wiles. But Devon is determined to teach the strong-willed Melody a lesson in love …
I’ve never heard a conquest described as exciting like that. Woohoo! Best genocide ever! Guys, this massacre is awesome! I don’t know.
I have to admit I was laughing to myself when I read the description of “Conquest of the Incas.” I just KNEW the readers of this site would have “issues” with the wording. Predictably, Julie’s comment is, well, predictable. Kudos for Jane for this unusual choice.
I was kind of hoping it was going to be about the Inka conquest of South America. Which was a pretty badass conquest. I liked this one: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/827541.The_Incas
Cabinet of Wonders sounds like fun.