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Today's Featured Books

LitNuts: Books You Won't Find Elsewhere

LitNuts features books you probably won’t see elsewhere. (Scroll down to see our current selections.) What have you been missing? A lot of great indie books for one thing. Also, collections of short stories, essays and poetry - and even recent releases and award winners that other newsletters systematically exclude! How and why do they do that? Read more... 

Note: Prices are current when books are posted on LitNuts.com but can change on short notice. Be sure to check the price before purchasing.

Celebrate The Fourth in American online tonight + last chance to enter 2 giveaways!

• Events

It's Independence Day in the United States, and LitNuts would like wish everybody a happy holiday! One way to celebrate: Watch The Fourth in  America on CNN tonight, a combination of music and fireworks from across the nation. Monday, July 4, 7 p.m. ET. 

Giveaway deadlines: Two LitNuts giveaways will be ending soon! Enter for a chance to win in the Ekstasis Giveaway by July 5 and in The Sword and the Sunflower Giveaway by July 12. 

"In America, nobody says you have to keep the circumstances somebody else gives you." ~Amy Tan

Shake by Bree M. Lewandowski

• Romance

New release! "She didn't need help. She needed saving." Author Bree M. Lewandowski is back with another romantic suspense novella in the Heart-Racing Romance series! Cryptic text messages follow Hadassah's every move. A handsome stranger suddenly stands between her and danger. It's a race against time and for love. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

Faster by Alex Schuler

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

"Faster is an exciting drama with deeply drawn and flawed characters. The action is often exciting, and many chapters are page-turners." -Valerie W., Amazon. Out in the sun-bleached sands of the Mojave Desert, a group of masterminds comes together to transform the way we drive. Get pulled into a story of high-stakes action, obsession, and romance that fans of Michael Crichton and The Social Network won't be able to put down. "Highly recommend this novel. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!!" -P Wendy, Amazon. From $1.99 SHOP NOW / 

Shattered by Thomas Cannon

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

Brutal and frank story of a gifted young man's spiral into despair. Set in the mid-1990s, standup comic Mikey has it all: an agent who books him the biggest gigs, friends, minor fame, and a family who supports him. All Mikey can focus on when he returns home to Minnesota from a lengthy road trip are the things he's lost. When he attempts to replace those losses with deranged and damaging behavior, he must face and deal with the cruelest enemy--the past. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

The Tome of Syyx by Stavros Saristavros

• Science Fiction and Fantasy

Tasked with helping secure the future of the town of Sanctuary, four young adventurers soon discover that armies of orcs and hobgoblins are far from the only threats to peace on the frontier. Ancient evils stir. Deals must be brokered. But can everyone be trusted? "I was thrilled for this book based on its synopsis: Orcs and Dragons and Adventure bode for an amazing story ready to unfold. And I cannot fault it: a great story did unfold!" -Elodie de Groot, Reedsy. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

New Giveaway: Win a $100 Target Gift Card!

LitNuts is cosponsoring a giveaway in July for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Target, which is actually not a bad place to shop for books. The Target Book Club features monthly recommendations for adults, teens, and children. ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.” ~Emma Thompson

Betty's Child by Donald Dempsey

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

"Heartrending and humorous." ~Kirkus Reviews. A Hoffer Award Grand Prize Finalist. In the tradition of Frank McCourt and Angela's Ashes, Donald Dempsey chronicles one boy's ordeals with poverty, religion, and physical and mental abuse as he attempts to come of age with only his street smarts and sense of humor to guide him. Young Donny is doing his best to navigate his cruel and neglectful mother, her abusive boyfriends, churchgoers who want to save Donny's soul, and a best friend trying to lure Donny into petty theft and drug dealing. He does everything he can to take care of himself and his younger brothers, but with each new development, the present becomes more fraught with peril—and the future more uncertain. 4.5 stars, 230 ratings. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

Reality Barks: A Rescue Dog's Funny Story by Kit James

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

"Dog Lover must." "Really fun read." Rescued before he was due to be euthanized and destined to become a celebrity animal star, Elliott gives you a dog’s version of life, death and stardom. Told from the dog’s point of view, it is humorous, insightful and unexpectedly candid. "You'll be his biggest fan!!" "Very entertaining with a fresh, new perspective." Reality Barks is Book 1 in the Mutt to Megastar series. Book 2 is Wagging The Dog. Book 3 is Three Dogs and A Wedding. All three are currently priced at $0.99 for a limited time. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

FREE - Little Lantern, Deep Darkness: The Complete Trilogy Boxed Set by Sakiv Koch

• Romance

Smast is a debt-slave’s son fighting for his right to love and live on his own terms. His concept of self vanishes after meeting Pragvi, a downcast princess. He’ll become the world’s most unlikely superhero. Nothing—not unspeakable agony, not the surety of death—will deter Smast from taking on the enemy stalking Pragvi since before her birth. The boxed set includes three complete novels: Book I: The Light of Dead Fires; Book II: The Gullibility of Demons; and Book III: The Ignorance of Knowers. FREE - SHOP NOW /

The Villains Who Snapped My Spine: A Memoir by A.H. Nazzareno

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

The true story of a young man's unexpected health crises—this debut memoir by A.H. Nazzareno is a humor-laced and nostalgic-infused attempt to make sense of a villain-riddled past. In June 2021, a typical 30-year-old with a passion for cars and coffee was derailed by a rare and life-changing diagnosis. The Villains Who Snapped My Spine was written in a hospital bed and the immediate weeks following major surgery, courtesy of Dr. Summeroff. From $5.99 SHOP NOW / 

Free online Tuesday: National Book Critics Circle author Melissa Febos

• Events

Free online literary event! Powell's Books presents Melissa Febos, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for her book, Girlhood. Thursday, June 30, 5:00 PM Pacific Time. 

“The more we want to exploit a body, the less humanity we allow it.” ~Melissa Febos, Girlhood

Spotlight on Mark Bradford: The Sword and the Sunflower Giveaway

LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on two works by author Mark Bradford: The Sword and the Sunflower, the first book in the duet, and Amira, the epic conclusion. 

New Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win!

  • 1st Prize: A signed copy of The Sword and the Sunflower, plus a $25 coffee shop gift card
  • 2nd Prize (two winners!): Signed copies of The Sword and the Sunflower

The Sword and the Sunflower
Fantasy
From $4.99  


 

A father who lost his heart, a traveler who lost his love, and a girl who lost everything.
 
In an epic fantasy set 1,000 years from now, the world resembles the Dark Ages of Medieval times rather than the future, and a father who is grieving the death of his daughter takes one last job—to assassinate a man he’s never met. But when he meets the young daughter of his intended victim, he ends up taking her under his wing and they are both taken on an epic journey.
 
This fantasy adventure explores the aftermath of catastrophe, in a new world distant yet familiar to us. It questions duty, family and challenges beliefs—all through the eyes of three strangers who have no business coming together. 
 

Amira (The Sword and the Sunflower, Book 2)
Fantasy
From $4.99  

In Amira, Book 2 and the epic conclusion of The Sword and the Sunflower, Stojan and Anastazja find they have become the two most wanted people in Amira. Running for their lives, they make their way across the vast country as the wonders of Amira and the Old World are revealed. But upon reaching their destination, they discover a horrible secret: in order to save their homeland, they must bring an end to the reign of the saints.

Praise for The Sword and the Sunflower, Amira, and Mark Bradford

“I couldn’t recommend The Sword and the Sunflower enough. It forces the reader to question, grow and learn to question the world around them and the world living within themselves.” ~BookShelfMuse 

"The Sword and the Sunflower books force the reader to question existentialism, world structures, cultural development and religious fervor. It's not just about a coming of age of the individuals we meet, but of entire populaces and the world at large." ~Goodreads Review

“With each step of the journey, Mark Bradford keeps his audience entertained while also on the edge of their chairs. The connections between the characters were rich and vital to the story.  The story is very poignant and moving.” ~Audiobookreviewer.com

"Filled with emotional depth. Very captivating! The Sword and the Sunflower and Amira took me out of my living room and into another world." ~Amazon Review

About Mark Bradford

Mark Bradford is an author, speaker, podcast host, coach and builder. He invests a great deal of time and effort researching a subject to come up with an explanation for it that everyone can understand. His podcast interviews as well as his experiences have taught him what life is made of, time management tricks, what multitasking really is, and even how both order and chaos benefit our lives. 

Mark has also been a business owner for 15+ years, and a full stack web developer. It is in his nature to build things that fix, augment or create a solution. The fruits of his labors have been a dating site, four books and a card game.

Mark speaks to professional associations, groups and businesses about status, time, energy and resources, and how we all connect. For more information, visit Mark's website. 

FREE - Song Of Blue by Jay Ebonlight

• Science Fiction and Fantasy

Get a free copy and be among the first to rate/review the 1st book in a new series! Follow Blu, a gangster turned space marine who struggles to escape his traumatic upbringing as a child soldier. He joins the military in hope of becoming a Vindicator--a hero of the kingdom. Instead, he’s sent to subjugate rebels against the king’s authority. Now Blu must re-evaluate his morals and allegiances to the king while learning how to become human. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Silicon Strike by Don DeBon

• Science Fiction and Fantasy

Aleshia just wants to finish her honeymoon. But first the Earth must be safe from Celloid remnants. But with a new deadly menace on the horizon, can they survive? Silicon Strike proves nothing seems to be what it first appears. Book III in the Soulmates series. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

Rabbit Holes & Pepper Spray by Z.B. Meshenberg

• Science Fiction and Fantasy

Book I in a new Young Adult Urban/Portal Fantasy Series. An epic Urban Fantasy adventure like no other! “Some people get a wardrobe or a white rabbit. We got an orange.” This empowering tale of magic, deception, and inner strength features snarky banter, found family, close friendships and a quest to return home. "The dialogue is rapid fire and kept me reading straight through." ~Amazon Reviewer. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

The Last Roman: Exile by B.K. Greenwood

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

An eBookFair "Best in Show" selection! Seasoned imperial officer Marcus Sempronius Gracchus leads the 9th Roman Legion into a bloody battle against a fierce barbarian tribe. It's a battle he won't survive. When he awakens three days later, clawing his way from a shallow grave, Marcus must face the reality of his new existence. He will never see the afterlife--but that won't stop him from dying time and again over the next 2,000 years. Some debts you cannot repay, even if you live forever. Follow the story of a man who should be dead, as he tries to save the world...and his soul. Book 1 of 3 in The Last Roman series. 4.3 stars, 520 ratings. From $4.99 SHOP NOW / 

The Monster of Silver Creek by Belinda G. Buchanan

• Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

"Buchanan is a master at creating unforgettable characters." ~Linda Thompson, The Authors Show. This small town in Prairie County, Montana, has been rocked to its very core with the brutal murders of four women. A serial killer, who leaves a most unusual calling card, is on the loose--and troubled Police Chief Nathan Sommers is bent on stopping him at all costs. "This book will scare you, entertain you, and make you think twice before opening the door to a stranger." ~M. Gramlich, The Reading Reviewer. 4.2 stars, 43 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

GRAPHIC NOVEL: Freelance Stepchild by Jonathan Nolan

• Science Fiction and Fantasy

PHILIP K. DUCK! Strange amphibian in a strange land, join the meandering adventures of Philip K. Duck as he survives an explosion at the Axis Box Factory only to begin a series of weird and violent adventures through increasingly divergent parallel worlds. This graphic novel is a long-form comic book novel, exploring themes of plague, mystery, world hopping between parallel Earths and strange adventures. It features physical 3D diorama backgrounds as well as colored line art. BASED ON THE OSR ROLEPLAYING GAME "WHITEFRANK" AND ITS MAJOR SOURCEBOOK SERIES "ZOOMWAY"! $28.88 SHOP NOW / 

Iris in Violet by Gretchen Hoffmann

• Children and Young Adult

Iris in Violet is a trip down the rabbit hole--again! But, unlike in Alice in Wonderland, it isn't a rabbit that Iris follows but a blackbird that leads her through a dream world of strange and beautiful places. From $3.99 SHOP NOW / 

Her Hero by Quinn Marlowe

• Romance

It was supposed to be an easy job. Kidnap my one-time best friend. Take her to Italy. Turn her over to someone else. Then everything went sideways. And now we're both on the run, and I'm sure of only one thing: I won't let them have her. Even if I have to lay down my own life to protect her. The third book from Quinn Marlowe in the Mafia Rogues series. "Addictive, entertaining, steamy with a dose of hot chemistry, and a solid page turner.'\" ~Amazon reviewer. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

Sepia: If only he hadn't. If only she had. by Herlinde Cayzer

• Literary Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

"This book lifts the spirit and touches the heart." ~Linda Stewart. Sepia is historical fiction blended with contemporary storytelling from World War II to the present day. "Shifting perspective between the past and present, the author creates a world filled with surprise, humour, heartache and ultimately redemption. A thoroughly enjoyable story." ~Dr. Katalin Gaal. Coming June 30. Pre-order from $1.99 SHOP NOW / 

The Sneaky Sub: A football book for boys aged 9-13 by Zac Marks

• Children and Young Adult

It’s no fun being on the bench. Jed’s finding out the hard way. Someone will do anything to keep him off the pitch. But who is it, and why? And can he get back on the team? The Sneaky Sub: A football book for boys aged 9-13 is part of The Football Boys series, and is on sale in conjunction with a new release in the series. 4.3 stars on Amazon! From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

Homeschooling on a Budget by Jessica Marie Baumgartner

• General Nonfiction

It's never been a better time for home education. Parents from any background, with any income level, can give their children the best education possible by utilizing affordable tools within their community. From libraries to book sales and internet options, homeschooling has never been easier, and best of all, parents can do it for less than 5% of the costs that public schools spend on average per student. Coming August 2. Pre-order now $9.99 SHOP NOW / 

Fireworks with Three Mountain Men by K.C. Crowne

• Romance

My sister's ex wants to make me his. And his two equally hot friends are ready to join the party. All of them have bodies to die for. Three rugged Mountain Men. And one VERY lucky girl. But my life is complicated and in no way am I ready for a serious relationship. So I'll go into this with zero expectations. But two pink lines on a pregnancy test tell me life just got way more complicated! Yikes! 4.8 stars, 35 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW /