Today's Featured Books

Read online: Letter from Birmingham Jail. In April 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., spent several days in solitary confinement in a dark, filthy, jail cell with no mattress in Birmingham, Alabama, where he had been imprisoned as a participant in nonviolent demonstrations against segregation. During that time, he wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" on bits of balled-up newspapers and toilet tissue that he slipped to his lawyer. The letter remains an eloquent articulation of his vision for a better world. 

"Let us all hope that...in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

William Tell may be a legend, but the real men and women who inspired his story lived extraordinary lives. At the end of the 13th century, hundreds of orphans and second sons from Alpine villages are sold to the Hospitaller Knights of St. John and trained to fight in foreign lands for causes they barely understand. Among them is Thomas Schwyzer, who returns home years later, a former war galley captain turned humble ferryman. Meanwhile, Seraina, a young healer and the last druid priestess of the Helvetii Celts, must use her gifts to protect her people as Duke Leopold of Habsburg tightens his grip on their homeland.  ALTDORF begins the epic Forest Knights series, weaving history, legend, and rebellion into an unforgettable tale. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Eric Hoffer Book Awards Grand Prize Short List. In a remote village on the edge of a corrupt empire, two girls find they have the ability to commune with spirits...an ability punishable by death. When the Inquisition captures Alyn, she must choose between serving her captors against her own people or die. Meanwhile, Minna must master her spirit song to save her sister and become the heroine her people need. "High fantasy mixed with mythic tale-telling." ~Eric Hoffer Awards. On sale starting at $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

The Dreadmiller family is adored for their kindness and generosity, but beneath their charitable facade lies a firm warning: they are not to be crossed. Being nice doesn’t mean being naive. When Yvette Cartier, a spoiled young heiress, oversteps their trust with her entitled arrogance, she unwittingly sets herself up for a reckoning. She’s about to learn the hard way that messing with the Dreadmillers comes with consequences—and it won’t be a smooth ride. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Arya Knight, a top New York defense attorney, takes on a high-stakes case defending a client with dangerous secrets, determined to secure a promotion at her prestigious firm. Meanwhile, Levi Thorn, a relentless espionage agent, is on a mission to eliminate her client, viewing him as a threat to national security. When fate brings Arya and Levi together, an undeniable attraction sparks between them, complicating their loyalties and missions. As their worlds collide, Levi’s obsession with Arya threatens not only his mission but also the fate of a country hanging in the balance. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

She Matters is inspired by the true story of Aniyah, a brave little girl who battled childhood cancer. Her journey not only left a lasting legacy for others facing similar challenges but also touched the lives of the loved ones who stood beside her. Aniyah's story is a powerful reminder that her life—and the lives of her family—matter profoundly. Hardcover available for $25 - SHOP NOW / 

The history of Hollywood Talent Agents and the illegal price rigging of TV packaging. The Author uncovers the crime of the century. This is a glamourous rise and fatal fall of a trillion dollar industry, all run by a cartel of just five Uber agnecies, plus their pimps, thugs, and thieves… From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Karma Series from author Mark Nistor:

• Challenging Karma
• Surviving Karma

"A rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue." ~NetGalley Review

Challenging Karma

In a tale of unimaginable wealth and stereotypical boredom, four men embark on a quest for fulfillment that concludes with an enthralling murder mystery game. Unknowing foes come and go from their game. Some will not survive, but the ones who live start their own customized versions of the murderous game.

How many lives change in the name of boredom, revenge, and justice? Uncover the influence of Karma on a detective, vigilante, and homeless individual as they fight to prevail in a challenge started by four wealthy friends.

Praise for Challenging Karma

• "Gritty and riveting." ~Reedsy Review
• "A great read for anyone who loves a good mystery with a twist." ~NetGalley Review
• "A riveting mystery that kept me guessing until the very end." ~Goodreads Review

Surviving Karma

A day after release from prison after a wrongful murder conviction, Pin joins forces with a criminal mastermind to execute his revenge. But as police officers disappear and police informants offer up a mixed bag of secrets, Pin ultimately deviates from the plan, and one deadly underestimation of a person’s character alters the universe forever.

If you like storytellers with streetwise voices, the unique style of this second book in The Karma Series is for you. Full of twists and turns, this is perfect for literary fiction enthusiasts.

Praise for Surviving Karma

• "An emotional and reflective journey into themes of accountability, resilience, and the human condition." ~Cameron, Books Shelf
• "Recommended for readers who enjoy thought-provoking thrillers with moral complexity and action-packed suspense." ~Sandra Cruz, Reader Views

The Spirit Song Saga from author Ross Hightower is an epic coming-of-age fantasy adventure series that is perfect for young adults and booklovers of all ages. LitNuts recently featured two novels that serve as prequels to the series: Argren Blue and Desulti. Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on three novels that form the core of the Spirit Song Saga Series:

• Spirit Sight: Volume One
• Spirit Sight: Volume Two
• Spirit Light: Volume One

"An exhilarating journey into a world of magic, danger, and sisterhood." ~Readers' Favorite

Bonus: Visit the author's website to read four free short stories. You can also get a free download of the first chapter of Spirit Sight: Volume 1. 

Spirit Sight: Volume One

Genre: Coming of Age Fantasy
Book 1 of the Spirit Song Saga
4.5 stars, 72 ratings
Paperback: $16.95
Ebook: On sale for $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Eric B Hoffer 2023 Book Awards Grand Prize Short List

In a remote village, on the edge of a corrupt empire, Minna Hunter wakes one day to find small orbs of light flitting through the trees. But Minna's delight at finding she has spirit sight soon turns to despair. In the Empire, communing with spirits is punishable by death. Branded a witch, she resigns herself to a lonely existence.

When her sister, Alyn, gains spirit sight, Minna promises her she will never leave her alone. But titanic forces are at play, forces with Minna and Alyn's fates in mind. When the Inquisition captures Alyn, Minna must leave her small life and step onto history's grand stage.

In the Inquisition prison, Alyn learns she must choose between serving her captors against her own people or die. Meanwhile, Minna evades agents of the Inquisition and discovers her world is not what she believes it to be. To save her sister, she must master her spirit song, grasp her destiny and become the heroine her people need.

Praise for Spirit Sight: Volume 1

• "High fantasy mixed with mythic tale-telling." ~Eric Hoffer Award
• "Packed with action, with plenty of twists and turns and lots of well-written dialogue." ~Readers' Favorite
• "Blends its classic fantasy premise...with themes of religious and political corruption, with an appealing focus on spirituality and the natural world." ~IndieReader

Spirit Sight: Volume Two

Genres: New Adult and College Fantasy, Coming of Age Fantasy
Book 2 of the Spirit Song Saga
5.0 stars, 11 ratings
Paperback: $16.95
Ebook: $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Spirit Sight Vol 1 introduced readers to an epic fantasy adventure, full of magic, mystery, redemption, love and loss. In Spirit Sight Vol 2 the saga continues to its exciting conclusion.

It’s too late for the Empire to capture Minna Hunter before she finds her spirit guide, but she has much to learn, and now they know she’s coming. While Minna and Ulf feel love’s first tremulous breath, the Empire sets its trap.

Though Minna escapes, she’s alone and lost in the teeming Imperial capital. She must evade her pursuers and find a way to rescue her sister. Meanwhile, Alyn faces an impossible choice; become the Inquisition’s witch or die.

In an exciting climax, full of gaudy displays of spirit power, wrong turns, missed opportunities, and startling revelations, Minna shoulders the burdens of being her people’s savior.

Praise for Spirit Sight: Volume 2

• "A mystical journey, filled with discovery, forgiveness, tragedy, and triumph!" -JR Konkol, author of the Rebirth of the Fallen series
• "Blends all of the elements of fantasy with the soul-searching, coming of age of the main character. Every page is full to the brim with external crises and internal realizations and truths." ~Kathie Giorgio, author of Hope Also Rises

Spirit Light: Volume One

Genres: Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fiction, Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy
Book 3 of the Spirit Song Saga
5.0 stars, 8 ratings
Paperback: $19.95
Ebook: $5.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

After their thrilling adventures in Spirit Sight, the Empire knows what Minna and Alyn Hunter are capable of and won't rest until they are dead.

Tales of the powerful saa'myns' exploits spread like wildfire throughout the Empire, igniting their people's hopes for freedom. As the daughters of the greatest seer who ever lived, they know their mother saw a path to defeating the Empire. But Ragan was struck down before telling anyone her plan, leaving them to find the way forward alone.

And they are in more danger than they know. Witches more powerful than the one who killed Ragan are tracking them. Can the Alle'oss withstand the might of the Empire while Minna and Alyn divine their mother's plan? Or is it already too late?

Praise for Spirit Light: Volume 1

• "An exhilarating journey into a world of magic, danger, and sisterhood." ~Readers' Favorite
• "Swashbuckling fantasy adventure of the highest order." ~David Buzan, author of In the Lair of Legends

About the Author
Ross Hightower spent most of his life in the South, but somehow found himself living in Milwaukee and loving it. One cold, snowy morning, not too long ago, he woke with a story stuck in my head. That wasn’t unusual, but what happened next was unprecedented. He wrote it down. That small story grew into his first novel, Spirit Sight. Learn more at RossHightower.com, sign up for his free newsletter, and be sure to follow Ross online: 
 

    

Free online: Fairy Tale Variations. Five amazing storytellers will each bring you a unique version of the Snow White fairy tale. A Q&A with the tellers will follow the show, and a recording will be sent to all ticket holders. Please note that this is an Adults Only show. Some of these stories will be adult retellings, so the show is recommended only to those over 18 years of age. Saturday, January 18, 7 - 9 PM CST.

"When hearts are high, the time will fly, so whistle while you work." ~Snow White

In the fog-drenched streets of 1901 San Francisco, journalist Ben Hirsch and his florist partner Billy McGee are drawn into a dangerous web of betrayal and ambition when a famed opera singer is murdered mid-performance. As they unravel deadly secrets hidden among the city’s elite, their investigation takes them from gilded opera houses to perilous back alleys. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Twelve-year-old Joey Roland leaves behind the sadness and secrets of Chicago to spend the summer with the lively Vitale family in the small town of Greenberry—a boy’s paradise of bike rides, fishing, and barefoot adventures. Initially shy around the family’s three teenage daughters, Joey is soon swept into their world of beauty, dreams, and daring pursuits. Joey forms a special bond with Vita, the passionate middle sister chasing an acting career, and together they embark on a transformative summer where Greenberry becomes the backdrop for two dreamers determined to find more in life. 4.4 stars, 164 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Carl Tanner's seemingly perfect life crumbles when his mistress is brutally murdered, and he becomes the prime suspect. Desperate to prove his innocence, Carl calls his ex-FBI brother, Jason, who arrives in Greenville to investigate and stays with Nicole, Carl's devoted but vengeful wife. Unbeknownst to Jason, Nicole has orchestrated a meticulous plan to punish Carl for his infidelity. With airtight alibis placing her miles away during the crime, her involvement seems impossible, unless it isn’t. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

A poignant look at characters grappling with grief and loss in various forms. Each story reveals the raw emotions—anger, numbness, confusion—that accompany their journeys, as they navigate a world seemingly oblivious to their pain. Throughout the collection, Scalia masterfully portrays the characters' struggle to find resilience in the face of overwhelming loss. From $7.99 SHOP NOW /

This collection of stories explores instances of imperfect people trying to connect to loved ones and others despite fractured relationships and personal flaws. These are ordinary people striving to survive and thrive in situations reflective of today’s challenges. From $5.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Are you ready to take control of your financial future? The Investor Mindset: A Beginner’s Guide to a Foundation of Wealth is your ultimate roadmap to mastering the stock market and creating a solid foundation for financial freedom. Designed for beginners and those looking to refine their strategies, this book breaks down the complexities of investing into practical, actionable steps. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Sixteen-year-old Sally Abeneb never believed in magic—until an injury triggered a fountain to malfunction and her doctor claimed she had extraordinary powers. When she discovers she can control water and her father is attacked by mysterious assailants, Sally is thrust into a dangerous world she doesn’t understand. As her parents go into hiding, Sally enrolls in a special school to master her abilities. Can she harness her powers in time to protect her family and herself from the enemies closing in? From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In Book III, Dan Tucker’s deep connection to wildlife is inherited by his child, but so is the mysterious "curse" that sets them apart from others. Only Dan knows the truth behind what makes his child different, and like any parent, he faces the challenge of helping them navigate a world that demands conformity. Yet, this challenge is far from ordinary, testing Dan in ways he never imagined. Ultimately, every soul must forge their own path—and his child is no exception. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Ashley grew up in the serene mountaintop community of Beartooth, tending bees with her mom, Sara, and sharing carefree days with her best friend, Caleb. But their peaceful life is upended when the government announces plans for a geoengineering project to cool the planet, threatening their food supply and way of life. As Sara’s health declines, she encourages Ash and Caleb to marry, pushing their lifelong friendship into uncharted territory. Together, they face grief, community threats, and environmental challenges, navigating a world on the brink of change while finding love and purpose in the chaos. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

After an apocalypse nearly wiped out humanity, the Greek gods have returned, crueler than ever, forcing sixteen-year-olds to endure deadly Trials inspired by Odysseus’ ordeals. Winning means years of servitude; losing often means death. Blind Fenn, hunted for his so-called "defectiveness," is desperate to save his brother, while Rennie is determined to protect her sister from the lecherous gaze of Ares. Joining them is Asterios, a horned horse grieving the loss of his daughter and grandson at Zeus’s command. Together, they must uncover the gods' true origins to stand any chance of overthrowing their immortal reign. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

How far would you go to free the love of your life from prison? In a post-Ragnarok world, magic and mayhem collide with mystery and humor as Rory proposes to Ingefær—only for the Shrine to erupt in flames. With Ingefær jailed and facing execution, Rory races to uncover the truth while dodging relentless soldiers, and Ingefær plots to break through the jail's magic wards. Can they solve the Shrine fire mystery before the law tears them apart forever? FREE - SHOP NOW / 

The Vietnam War ended decades ago, but its heroes are still here. This collection of short stories will touch your heart and remind you of the real people hidden behind the history. A young boy learns the truth of his father's service in Vietnam. A survivor of Ia Drang Valley contemplates ending his life. A charismatic but troubled vet longs for a woman he can never have. A "tunnel rat" saves a woman from her abusive boyfriend. A Silver Star recipient performs one last act of selfless courage. A Special Forces operative pulls off the heist of a lifetime. 4.7 stars, 58 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

When the Dragon King commands Crux to find a mate, his days of carefree bachelorhood are over. One trip to a psychic matchmaker and he's on the path to his destiny. But it all comes screeching to a halt when he meets a human woman who lights his inner fire and makes him yearn. 4.2 stars, 600+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight the work of RT Dixon, author of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery & Romance. In the spotlight are:

• Realities Edge
• Shadows of the Reaper
• The Cost of Silence

Realties Edge

A mind-bending tale that follows the intertwined lives of Tony Danials and David Stevenson across multiple realities. The story kicks off with Tony, an elderly man contemplating suicide, who suddenly finds himself living a different life as a successful neurosurgeon married to his longtime love, Mark. As Tony navigates this new reality, he grapples with the joy of a life he always wanted and the confusion of memories from his original timeline.

The narrative then shifts to David Stevenson, who participates in a quantum consciousness experiment that sends him tumbling through various realities. He experiences life as a happily married man in the 1970s, encounters different versions of his friends and loved ones, and struggles to determine which reality is truly his "home."

Throughout their journeys, both Tony and David explore themes of love, identity, regret, the nature of consciousness, and the roads not taken. 

Shadows of the Reaper

When the line between life and death blurs, what price will you pay to protect the ones you love?

Joey McCreary’s life takes a chilling turn during a mundane night shift at Sunny’s Diner when Death himself offers a deal: an extension of life in exchange for becoming the Reaper’s apprentice. But as Joey collects souls, the weight of his choices grows unbearable, dragging him deeper into a world where morality and mortality clash.

Caught in a sinister web of cosmic balance, Joey must confront his darkest fears and the ultimate sacrifice to redeem himself. Guided by an ancient force of compassion, he discovers that Death is more than an end; it’s a transition...an eternal dance.

The Cost of Silence

James has spent decades torn between desire and loss, haunted by the men who shaped his life. First, there was Ethan, the solder who ignited something fierce inside him during the chaos of War. Their love was wild, dangerous, forged in secrecy amidst gunfire and stolen moments. Then came Adam, the man who found James broken and gave him things he didn’t think he could feel again: comfort and stability.

Through it all, Sara has been by James' side, loyal and mischievous, always there to pick up the pieces. But now, Sara is done watching James wallow in the past. She wants him to see what she sees...that he’s still wanted, still needed. And she’s ready to play matchmaker.

      

Free online: Strange Women, Strange Worlds. Join for a tasting menu of science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories. Six authors will each have 8 minutes to tempt and tantalize you with their reading. Thursday, January 16, 6 - 7 PM CST.

“If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday.” ~Pearl S. Buck