Sunday, December 2, 2012

Don Pendleton's Science Fiction Collection, Box Set, Kindle



Three Complete Books: Don Pendleton’s The Guns of Terra 10; The Godmakers; The Olympians; now presented in One Boxed Set. 

THE GUNS OF TERRA 10
Earth is being invaded by treacherous aliens and Terra 10, the earth’s only hope, is in the enemy’s power!
Zach Whaleman, the Gunner of Terra 10, was moving fast, out into the darkness. A long-dormant instinct had arisen in response to his urgent need, a very human and entirely “natural” response of a life-mechanism in a survival situation. He had a weapon now! Let them catch him. Let them. He would kill them! He would do everything he had to do to save the super-secrets of Terra 10. 

THE GODMAKERS
A fantastic adventure into cosmic consciousness and the unknown... 
The United States government’s executive intelligence gathering agency, the Inter-agency Intelligence Group, has largely supplanted the clumsy machinery of the CIA as a direct tool of the U.S. President. Patrick Honor, a top member of the Intelligence Group, is the one skilled enough to find answers to mysterious events taking place, in which the number 9 has significance. Members of a top secret psychic investigative team, the PPS, Psychic Power Sources, are in harm’s way, as is the President.

Patrick Honor believes there is a Rogue God. Is he right? Do the answers to the mystery have anything to do with sex being taboo down through the ages? Who is Octavia? Will answers be found in the symbolism of the Nines? Can Patrick Honor insure the safety of the President while unraveling the psychic events—all before it is too late for humanity?

THE OLYMPIANS
Was the United States headed to a coup attempt?! 
Political newspaper reporter, Richard Hunter, is questioning the upcoming presidential election and the in¬sufferable Electoral College, wondering if, for all these years, had it been some grand political game? Was billionaire Brian Donaldson buying the votes of the Electoral College? Did he believe himself to be an Olympian and hide away on a mountain top in Wyoming, while manipulating the election for his own gain?

Could Richard Hunter stop a coup, or was he ignoring the dangers to the country while enjoying the social and sexual activities of this isolated “Olympian” group. Who would end up in the White House as president of the United States of America, and with the power to change the world—for better—or for worse?

Don Pendleton’s Science Fiction novels were originally published in 1969 and 1970. Don Pendleton was creator of the long-running action/adventure series, Mack Bolan, The Executioner; Joe Copp Private Eye Series; Ashton Ford Psychic Detective Series; and other fiction and nonfiction books.

Buy now, Gift now, Borrow if Amazon Prime Member.   

~Linda 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Dream! Susan Boyle


Dreams!  I just bought a few songs from the new Susan Boyle album, Standing Ovation, and the songs are very good.  In fact The Music of the Night, with Michael Crawford is great!  But what brings me a smile are the songs she does with Donny Osmond—All I Ask of You and This is the Moment.  And he’s good.  I recall an early interview with Susan soon after being on Britain’s Got Talent and her blushing talk of her “crush” on Donny.  Wow, dreams do come true...I’m happy for her success.  Great talent that could have stayed hidden away, never to be discovered.  I applaud her courage to come out with it!   I’ll always recall the look on the face of Simon Cowell, the female judge, and the audience.  And I have to say, my own surprise.  Classic!  



Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Return of Don Pendleton's Science Fiction Classics


Don Pendleton’s Classic Science Fiction in print again.  Available at Amazon and for Kindle.
Its been a number of years since the three books were in print, so I am happy to bring them to readers.  Some of may have read them before, but I would guess the books will be new for most of you.  Enjoy!   



The Guns of Terra 10:  A Space Opera originally published in 1970.

The Godmakers:  Fantastic adventure into cosmic consciousness and the unknown....originally published in 1970 under pseudonym Dan Britain, soon after by Don Pendleton. 

The Olympians:  Science fiction alternative history...first published in 1969.


~Linda 




Thursday, November 1, 2012

Honoring My Mother's Political Choice




Four years ago this week, my mother, Rosary, took a felt pen and made this shirt.  She was not an active political person, and surprised us with her support of our now President. She gave out Halloween candy wearing her shirt.  She died 5 months ago, in June 2012, at the age of 93, (would have  been 94 in Aug)., and I am honoring her by posting this photo of her support of President Obama.  She would again be supporting him because of what he stands for, Women's rights, gay rights, ObamaCare, and maintaining S.S. and Medicare.  And oh, yes, she loved his family and his compassion.  She was in the hospital 4 times the last year of her life, two surgeries, one for kidney stone, one for gallbladder removal.  Each time she was given good care, skilled nursing, physical therapy at home, and was able to maintain an independent life-style until her final two days of life.  Her heart gave out.  Widowed for more than 32 years, and because all her savings had given out a couple of years ago, I supplemented her monthly S.S. income to some extent, but Medicare and AARP paid fully for her medical expenses, and Medicare Part D, helped greatly with her medications.  As much as I miss her, I am so grateful she was able to maintain an independent living situation, because that had been my worry, financially, for a year or two.  There was not money for assisted living at the price tag of $3500 to $4000 a month.  No, she would have had to go on state assistance, and who knows what nursing home conditions.  So if you are undecided about your vote, think carefully about your future needs or those of your family, no matter your age.   

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Rex Stout, Author


“I never make up characters, I never contrive them, I know damn well that if I bring someone into a story—I don’t care if it’s just a man carrying a ladder—unless I’m interested in him then the reader can’t be.  So if I’m tempted to make up a character just to save time I wait till I get there and let him make up his mind what he’s like.  Now that sounds funny; impossible even.  But any half-ways decent storyteller knows that as far as possible you let the characters make the decisions.” 
–Rex Stout, American Author (1886-1975), Creator of Nero Wolfe Series, From Rex Stout, A Majesty’s Life by John McAleer.

How true his words are, and how fun when our characters write their story.

Rex Stout had an amazing long life, 89 years, a fifth-generation Quaker, a scholar, mathematical prodigy, founded the ETS, the Education Thrift Services, the bank savings program for school children, political activist for many causes, including racial tolerance, authors rights, and of course, a best selling author for many years. I recommend finding a copy of the 600 page award winning scholarly biography by John McAleer, published in 1977, new edition, 2002. 

And he is my 7th cousin:  We share grandparent ancestors, Richard Stout and Penelope (Van Princin) Stout.


Rex Stout
~Linda 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Don Pendleton's The Godmakers

Don Pendleton's The Godmakers, is now in Print and Kindle at Amazon

Originally published in 1970, under the name Dan Britain, and then under Don Pendleton.  I'm pleased to bring Don's Science Fiction back.  



~Linda 

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Don Pendleton's "The Guns of Terra 10"

In 1970, Don Pendleton's Science Fiction novel,  The Guns of Terra 10, was published.  It sold well. Even years later, one could walk into most used bookstores and find copies of it. I know I did.  And now, 42 years later (eeh gads!) I have published it again.  It is available now at Kindle.  



Earth is being invaded by treacherous aliens and the gunship Terra 10, the earth’s only hope, is in the enemy’s power!


Zach Whaleman, the Gunner of Terra 10, was moving fast, out into the darkness. A long-dormant instinct had arisen in response to his urgent need, a very human and entirely “natural” response of a life-mechanism in a survival situation. He had a weapon now! Let them catch him. Let them. He would kill them! He would do everything he had to do to save the super-secrets of Terra 10. 

Originally published in 1970 by Don Pendleton, the creator of the long-running action/adventure series, The Executioner: Mack Bolan.

Cover designed by Judy Bullard.

~Linda Pendleton

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

What! Hundreds of Paid Book Reviews!


The buzz, and an angry one at that, is that best-selling, self-published author, John Locke, has paid for posted book reviews (and stars) at Amazon.  Full article at NY Times.  

Come on now, do it the fair way.  After all, John Locke wrote a Kindle book, “How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in Five Months!”  I downloaded that book last year, and I don’t recall if I paid .99 cents for it or got it free.  I do know I did not learn much from it, if anything at all.  I basically was already doing most of his “suggestions” in promotion of my works.  I also believed his unusual covers might have helped his sales, and looking at a Search of his novels, I wasn’t impressed enough to buy.

But....the one thing he failed to put in his ebook, was how some of his success, and who knows, maybe all it, was because he paid for book reviews to be posted at Amazon.  A good way to become an “unethical” best-selling author and the first independent published author to sell a million ebooks at Amazon Kindle, a distinction announced in June, 2011.   

So what does this recent revelation of his promotional tactics, as well as those of others who employ these methods of paid reviews, do for legitimate reviews.  Especially for self-published/independent authors? 

But I’ve heard a lot of complaints from authors about the review process.  Too often someone leaves a negative review, and if one knows the book, it can be obvious that the reviewer either did not read all the book, did not agree with a point of view, or some detail, and leaves a bad review.

One of my friend’s first nonfiction book has had excellent five star reviews at Amazon.  Recently she called to tell me she now felt like a “real author” as someone left a terrible review, accusing her of setting up the reviews, saying her life story was made up, and the book was “garbage.”  This person has done other one-star reviews.  My reaction to something like that, is why did the person bother putting up a review?  There are too many so-called reviewers at Amazon who do things like that.  Most authors get those from time to time and find it irritating. 

But most authors will not pay hundreds of dollars to numerous reviewers who promise a good review.  What John Locke has admitted doing makes it tough for all authors who have “real and honest” reviews. 

My husband, Don Pendleton, learned early on in his career to ignore the negative professional reviews.  He also said most professional critics are nothing more than frustrated wannabe authors. 

So what does a non-professional reviewer want to be?   

~Linda 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

SOUND OF SILENCE, a new suspense thriller


My latest book, a suspense thriller, Sound of Silence, is now available
at Amazon in print and Kindle.


HIGH-TECH WEAPONS—A HIT LIST—MYSTERIOUS DEATHS

Southern California Investigative Reporter, Diana Chambers is in the middle of a mysterious murder investigation.  A short time after Jorge Johnston, CEO of a Manhattan high-tech weapons company, reaches out to Chambers for investigative help, he dies a horrific death, along with two of his coworkers.  And they are only the first to die.    

Chambers looks to former FBI profiler Robert Venturi for help in finding answers.  They discover the lives of several scientists are at risk, as well as their own lives. 

Who is behind the mysterious deaths?  Is it a small group of high profile wealthy business men with international ties and questionable intent, as Jorge Johnston believed.   And is charismatic Southern California television evangelist, Sanders McAllister, a member of this group of nine men?  

Diana Chambers’ investigation has led her to questions the motives of her own government, the intentions of the HAARP technology in Alaska, and other so-called non-lethal weaponry.  Is this technology lethal, not only to the environment, but also to human life?  Is mind-control real?  Have these high-tech weapons of “non-lethal” properties ended up in the hands of those with evil intent? And is to think that, nothing more than some irrational conspiracy theory?—Or is it fact? 

Robert Venturi begins to question what he knows about military advances as the investigation reveals years of covert activities and legitimate scientific development.  What they discover is terrifying and dangerous, and he is as determined as Diana Chambers is to put a stop to the killings, regardless of the fact that their own lives are on the line.  


"...Sound of Silence was a great novel from start to finish and one that you shouldn't miss!" ~Billy P. Craig, author 


~Linda 


Saturday, June 2, 2012

Author Interviews

I enjoy doing author interviews.  I always like to know what motivates and inspires other authors.  I've done several interviews in recent years and I have now posted them on my new website, Bunch of E-Books. 

I hope you enjoy reading what they have to say about their careers, their lives, and publishing.  

See the author interviews here




~Linda     

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Cheryl Richardson on "Boundry Busters"

Cheryl Richardson has a new paperback edition of her book The Art of Extreme Care Self-Care.  Many of us may be "sensitive" and affected by negativity from the world around us.  Cheryl gives some great ideas on how to protect ourselves from negativity, whether it comes from relationships, stress, overload, media news, etc. 

I like her phrase, "Boundry Busters."  Have you had any of those in your life?

Are you an empath--able to pick up the emotions of others? And in doing so, have you learned to protect yourself from taking on those emotions of others?  Is your intuition fine-tuned?   


~Linda 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Small Drop of Ink, Famous Quotations by Linda Pendleton



Within A Small Drop of Ink, you will discover inspiring words of men and women from ancient time to the present, along with vignettes from the author. This collection of inspirational and thought-provoking quotations from the wisdom of the ages will inspire and lift the spirit.

Longfellow, Emerson, Carver, Stanton, Lincoln, Wordsworth, Plato, Thoreau, Alcott, Byron, Seneca, Tennyson, Sophocles, Beecher, Shakespeare, Twain, Vandyke, St. Augustine, Cicero, Whitman, Goethe, Aristotle, Blake, Bacon, Beethoven, Dickinson, and many others share their inspirational, moving and powerful words about life and death, love, success, life lessons, freedom, equality, the beauty of nature, and creativity.

As Lord Byron once wrote:
"Words are things; and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands,
perhaps millions think."

Now in Kindle, in print in a few days at Amazon.


~Linda

Sunday, January 22, 2012

My Experience with Amazon's Kindle Select Program





I just posted this at Jon Guenther's Ctrl+Alt+Pub "a multi-author blog dedicated to providing information about self-publishing and inspire authors seeking to publish their own works through non-traditional venues"...and decided to post it here as well.


A few weeks ago, when Amazon announced their new Kindle Select Program, I was not in favor of it. My reason for that was the exclusivity required to enroll your book/books. I had even posted at a blog that I would not be taking part in Amazon’s new program. The idea of giving books away as a promotional tool was not at all my reason for declining the opportunity. Over the years I’ve given many books away: mine, those of my late husband, Don Pendleton, and ours.

From the Amazon Kindle site: “ When you make your book exclusive to Kindle for at least 90 days, it will be part of the Kindle Owners' Lending Library for the same period and you will earn your share of a monthly fund when readers borrow your books from the library. You will also be able to promote your book as free for up to 5 days during these 90 days.” The monthly fund for December was $500,000, and for January it is $700,00. Sharing that amount of money should be enticing. I happen to be a Prime member of Amazon and have been for a number of years, and am now able to “borrow” many books free through the Lending Library.

I have over fifty books now published at Kindle, which includes more than a dozen of Don Pendleton’s books. A number of our books are also at Smashwords, and distributed to a number of ebook retailers, including for the Nook, Kobo, iPad.

But one of my books has been exclusive to Kindle, only because I had not gotten around to putting it elsewhere. I decided to give the program a try. On December 27 and 28, I gave my historical Civil War novel, Corn Silk Days: Iowa, 1862, away FREE. I was amazed!! Nearly 8,000 copies were downloaded. It was #1 on the Free Best Seller Lists, War Fiction: The # 2 book on that list was Tolstoy’s War and Peace! Other listings included, # 4 in Historical romance, # 4 in Historical Fiction; # 19 in Romance; # 77 in Fiction.

When the two-day promotion ended, it stayed fairly high on the Best Seller Lists, staying in the Top Ten of paid books under War Fiction. Today, it is listed as # 2 under Best Selling Historical War Novels in the Kindle Store. # 3 is War and Peace (a free edition), and War Horse is # 4. Obviously my sales and the Kindle Lending Library downloads are continuing.

I then added two additional books, one mystery, one nonfiction, to the Select Program. The results have not been quite as impressive, but my nonfiction, To Dance With Angels, went # 1 in Paid New Age Channeling, and # 1 in New Age Religion and Spirituality. Today, it remains in the Top Ten after a two-day promotion on January 1st.

So I’m happy! Sales have increased on many of my others books not in the program. I’d say this promotion may well be worth it.



~Linda

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Free Kindle book, TIME TO TIME by Don Pendleton



Don Pendleton's TIME TO TIME: Ashton Ford, Psychic Detective novel is FREE today and tomorrow AT KINDLE.


Grab you copy for you Kindle reader or Kindle App.



Monday, January 9, 2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

To Dance With Angels by Don and Linda Pendleton,now Free at Kindle





Late this evening, our classic and popular spiritual nonfiction book, To Dance With Angels will be FREE at Amazon Kindle. for a short time.


~Linda