Today's Featured Books— LitNuts Deals
June 2023 LitNuts Deals
Welcome to the June 2023 edition of LitNuts Deals: highly rated indie books priced $1 or less (including four freebies!) PLUS the LitNuts Deals Giveaway.
This month, the giveaway prize is a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card. Enter by June 29 for a chance to win!
Greetings from Lavender Valley by Tammy L. Grace
Genre: Women's Sagas, Saga Fiction
4.2 stars, 300+ ratings
FREE!
Six women. Four decades. One long, unexpected reunion.
Through handwritten letters, Jewel Austin, a foster mother to dozens, keeps in touch with five women she nurtured to adulthood. The five women have never met, but Jewel’s last wish is for them to return to Lavender Valley Farm together, back to the refuge where they once found the love and support they craved. She knows the sisters they never knew they needed are waiting in Lavender Valley.
Book 1 in the Sisters of the Heart series. Fans of heartwarming, feel-good women’s fiction will devour this new series.
"Inspirational and entertaining." ~Amazon Reviewer
Earthrise: Books 1-3 by Daniel Arenson
Genre: Science Fiction
4.2 stars, 525 ratings
From $0.99
They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. But we will fight back!With hundreds of thousands of copies sold, Earthrise has captivated science fiction fans around the world. This bundle includes the first three novels (out of nine) of this bestselling series: Earth Alone, Earth Lost, and Earth Rising. If you loved Ender's Game, Starship Troopers, and Old Man's War, you'll love Earthrise. From USA Today bestselling author Daniel Arenson.
★★★★★ "Full of soul... Humanity that shines even in a time of privation and war." ~The Huffington Post
The Making of a Matchmaker by Tess Thompson
Genre: Historical Romance
4.4 stars, 325 ratings
FREE!
In the fall of 1910, a violent patriarch with many enemies is murdered, freeing his long-suffering wife and four misfit children. Isolated on a small island in Puget Sound, the children have little hope of finding love. But when their mother secretly engages a team of matchmakers, hope blossoms for this lonely, slightly odd family. As long as they don’t know they’re being matched, they just might get their happy ending. Murder mystery meets swoony historical romance in this prequel novella to the clean and wholesome series, The Mystery Matchmaker of Ella Pointe.
★★★★★ "Great prequel to a new series of historical fiction." ~Goodreads Reviewer
One Step Back: A Titus Ray Thriller by Luana Ehrlich
Genre: Thriller
4.6 stars, 309 ratings
From $0.99
When CIA intelligence officer Titus Ray attempts to recruit an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran, he puts himself in the crosshairs of the Iranian secret police and triggers a series of events leading to deadly consequences. As the secret police close in on him, he’s forced to find shelter with a group of Iranian Christians, who risk their own lives to save his. One Step Back is the prequel novella to the award-winning Titus Ray Thriller Series.
"A superb introduction to a promising spy thriller series." ~Amazon Reviewer
The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise
Genre: Science Fiction
4.27 stars, 4200+ ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99
Lilla is not your average princess. She is a rebel in disguise, fighting for the refugees. The arrival of the mysterious and ruggedly handsome Callum brings news of a bigger battle that threatens not only Lilla's home world but everyone else's in the Seven Galaxies. Lilla must learn to control her magic and defeat the dark god before he finds her. Book 1 in the series.Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 CYGNUS Award for Science Fiction.
"Terrifically entertaining, complex, and original." ~Kirkus Reviews
A Noble Cunning: The Countess and the Tower
by Patricia Bernstein
Genre: Historical Fiction
4.13 stars, 72 ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99
A riveting and largely unknown story about a remarkable woman’s strength, love, and courage against formidable odds. Based on the true story of Winifred Maxwell, a persecuted Catholic noblewoman, A Noble Cunning captures the intense drama of a determined heroine in a turbulent era. Though rich with historical gossip and pageantry, author Patricia Bernstein’s extensive research is demonstrated in the countless historical details throughout the novel."A riveting tale of one woman's courage and determination." ~David Blixt, author of Her Majesty's Will
The Latina President and the Conspiracy to Destroy Her by Joe Rothstein
Genre: Thriller
4.4 stars, 142 ratings
From $0.99
When a charismatic Latina American heiress known to the world as "Tenny" is elected president of the United States, she pledges to reform political and financial corruption. But conspirators are determined to destroy her before she succeeds. Impeachment. Assassination. Murder. It's all here. As one reviewer says, "If Grisham wrote political thrillers, they would feel like this!""An enthralling protagonist at the heart of a gripping tale." ~Kirkus Reviews
Breathe by Lucinda Race
Genre: Romance
4.2 stars, 231 ratings
FREE!
Her family’s successful winery business in the Finger Lakes region of New York should have gone to Tessa Price. She’d always dreamed of running the winery, but her brother, the prodigal son, has returned to claim the corner office. Looking to prove to her family she’s more than capable, she boldly strikes out on her own, purchasing Sand Creek Winery—a cash-strapped competitor—right out from under her family. She can forge her own destiny, using her marketing skills and big plans to bring new life to the small winery. But first, she has a proposition for the sexy previous owner. And he’s likely to hate it almost as much as he hates anyone with the last name of Price.Book 1 in the Price Family Romance Series, a sweet and clean romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after.
"A sweet romance with a strong female lead." ~Amazon Reviewer
Closer Than You Think by Lee Maguire
Genre: Thriller
4.3 stars, 107 ratings
From $0.99
Meet Bryce Davison, a gifted psychologist who is desperate to save his crumbling marriage and plagued by visions of dark memories he would rather forget. As if things couldn't get any worse, he is now being stalked by someone who knows his life inside and out, and has access to all of his most private places. He must discover the identity of the stalker or risk losing everything. With danger lurking around every corner and the stalker always one step ahead, can Bryce save himself and his family before it's too late?"A fantastic page-turner." ~Manhattan Book Review
Moonlight Duology by Yurie Kiri
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
4.1 stars, 53 ratings for Book 1
4 stars, 34 ratings for Book 2
From $0.99
Moonlight Duology includes two complete novels:
Moonlight Beach: Bodies are washing up on Moonlight Beach in the idyllic, seaside community of Rancho, California, worrying the privileged one percent in the gated communities of one of SoCal’s ritziest enclaves. Speculation centers on sharks, satanic rituals, and greedy venture capitalists, but then two more people are killed on a cliff overlooking the beach—and all their organs are missing. What the hell is going on? They better figure all this out before more people get butchered or, God forbid, Rancho’s inflated property values plummet.
"Intriguing mix of murder mystery and fantasy." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review
You Get What You Give by Karen Grey
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
4.4 stars, 54 ratings
FREE!
From insta-lover to insta-enemy. All that, and a bag of chips.In a sleepy southern coastal town crowned the Hollywood of the East, worlds collide and sparks fly when fate has two TV casting directors acting as accidental rivals. In this enemies-to-lovers, new-in-town, one-night-stand unlikely love story, a girl boss and a Hollywood bad boy find that you only get as good as you give. Book 1 in the Carolina Classics series.
★★★★★ “Made me laugh, tugged at my heartstrings, and threw in some steam for the triple crown win.” ~Bookbub Reviewer
Knight in the Nighttime by J.S. Morin
Genre: Action & Adventure Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
4.3 stars, 360+ ratings
From $0.99
A knight in over his head. A scribe caught dabbling with magic. Each is doomed unless they can join forces across worlds. Kyrus Hinterdale had never remembered his dreams. But when magic leaks from those dreams into his waking hours, the floodgates of his memories open. He remembers bits and pieces of a life in another world, and as those pieces fit together, he realizes that the world is as real as his own. When his experimentation in magic runs afoul of superstitious townsfolk, he finds himself facing being burned at the stake. Book 1 in the Twinborn Chronicles series."A worthwhile read for fans of two-world fantasies." ~Amazon Reviewer
Portal Through the Pond by David K. Anderson
Genre: Children's Action and Adventure, Children's Science Fiction
4.3 stars, 329 ratings
From $0.99
They said her grandfather was dead. They said her grandmother was crazy. But Christy knows an old family secret: the pond behind her house is a portal to another world. Portal Through the Pond is the first book of the Empty World Saga, a science fiction adventure series for kids aged 8-12."An intriguing middle-grade novel." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review
April 2023 LitNuts Deals
Events LitNuts Deals Spotlight
Welcome to the April 2023 edition of LitNuts Deals: highly rated indie books at big discounts (most are $1 or less!) PLUS the LitNuts Deals Giveaway.
This month, the winner will get to choose a brand new Kindle Paperwhite or a $125 Amazon.com gift card. Enter by April 28 for a chance to win!
The Second Chance Inn by Susan Hatler
Genre: Romance
4.3 stars, 8000+ ratings
FREE!
An emotional homecoming that will tug at your heartstrings and inspire you to believe in happy endings.
Wendy vowed never to return to the small coastal town where her parents abandoned her. But when she inherits the family inn at the beach, she must come home and face her past. Will handsome millionaire Max help her heal old wounds and open her heart?
Book 1 in the Blue Moon Bay series. From a New York Times bestselling author, don’t miss the chance to unite with friendships that endure and a love that will last forever.
"Love enough to last." ~Emily Pennington, Vine Voice Review
The Dragon War by Daniel Arenson
Genre: Fantasy
4.4 stars, 1000+ ratings
From $0.99
The Dragon War, an epic fantasy trilogy, tells of civil war in Requiem—an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. When a cruel general captures Requiem's throne, a desperate band of rebels struggles to reclaim the kingdom. This collection includes all three Dragon War novels.Book 1: A Legacy of Light. The traitor Cadigus has captured the throne of Requiem. In the wilderness, rebellion brews. The Resistance is small, but its cry is loud: "The tyrant must fall."
Book 2: A Birthright of Blood. War rages. Fire rains. Requiem, the land of dragons, is tearing apart. When the hosts of Cadigus fly against them, can the resistors save their homeland?
Book 3: A Memory of Fire. Darkness covers Requiem. General Cadigus, usurper of the throne, rules with an iron fist. Bloodied after a long war, the Resistance musters. Rising as dragons, lighting the sky with fire, the resistors fly to their last stand.
Coin for a Dream by Mae Adams
Genre: Memoir, Korean History
4.6 stars, 69 ratings
FREE!
Mae Adams' Coin for a Dream: And Other Korean Tales enchants readers with conversational stories that include unexpected twists and turns from her perspective as a young girl, collecting tidbits and folklore from her grandparents and her life story.Full of colorful characters—including shamans, kings and queens, ginseng boys, grateful ghosts and magpies, and a host of others—the stories entertain while allowing the reader to experience the wonders of ancient rites of Korea. Hear lepers sing for their supper, watch goblins wrestle, feel a tiger’s sorrow, taste snake soup, touch a Taoist Immortal God’s hand, and experience other wonders of Korean culture.
Every tale will inspire different emotions. The myths, legends, and folk tales also include lessons we can apply in our own time and culture, making it an excellent book you can read and reread often.
"A fantastic collection of memorable stories." ~Grady Harp, Amazon Review
Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian by Chandrika D. Phea
Genre: Christian Liberation Theology, Christian Commentaries
4.9 stars, 31 ratings
From $2.99
In Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian: My Journal and Journey to Freedom, an ordained minister explores how Christianity hinders her experience of God, Life, and Humanity.
After living in China as a Christian missionary, hosting a two-year Bible study for seven curious Chinese freshman college students, my sense of curiosity inhaled and later exhaled when returning to the practice of Western religion. Born into a devoutly religious family, the daughter, niece, and grandchild of Christian clergy, degreed in Biblical Studies, ordained as a reverend of the faith, I now have questions of the religion that raised and readied me. The emittance of questions and resolves thereof have done well in surrendering to me a choice: Christianity or curiosity?
"Bold...honest...authentic...a lifeline to church folk who feel stuck in a form of Christianity that's harming them." ~Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt
Redemption by Ed Benjamin
Genre: Memoir, Military Thriller
4.3 stars, 200+ ratings
From $0.99
An orphaned teenager, Harry enters the United States Air Force and quickly rises to become a top fighter pilot. Flying became his life—and he was good at it. When his wingman is shot down in an aerial battle, Harry uses his skills to shoot down three enemy jet fighters in combat.But when the Air Force grounds Harry for medical reasons, his life is turned upside down. He battles loneliness and alcohol while trying to eke out a living as a private detective. Things change when he takes on a missing persons case that involves a Caribbean cruise and a computer geek named Katie.
"An inspiring and turbulent emotional journey." ~International Review of Books
"This book has it all: super-authentic flying segments, a story of someone dealing with great loss, and an engaging detective story." ~Amazon Review
The Mad Ramblings of a Joker by Brandon Dillon
Genre: American Poetry
4.9 stars, 71 ratings
From $0.99
Brandon Dillon is an award-winning poet who writes from the soul about his life as a child born into poverty, his travels around the world as a U.S. Marine, love won and love lost, and the trauma that life brings. The Mad Ramblings of a Joker is a brutally honest collection, full of metaphor and vibrant imagery. His work covers topics such as PTSD, depression, and heartbreak, and softer moments of hope and reflective peace. His poetry is deep and unforgettable, a beacon for a dark world that needs a friend to say, “I’ve been there. I understand.”"Dillon's voice is honest and resonates with others who have experienced trauma, loss or PTSD." ~Andreana Binder, MFA, Faculty, Writespace
"A glimpse into what it looks like to live on the other side of survival." ~Xach Blunt, poet, spoken word artist
Bigger Better Braver by Nancy Pickard
Genre: Self-Esteem
4.6 stars, 55 ratings
From $0.99
Bigger Better Braver: Conquer Your Fears, Embrace Your Courage, and Transform Your Life is a proven, step-by-step guide for uncovering and putting into action the vision we each have in our hearts to live the life we are meant to lead. Provided with clarity and enhanced with inspirational client and personal stories, the book is a journey in itself, as Nancy lays out time-tested tools to identify, face, and overcome shadow beliefs from childhood that hold us back, get free of the limits of our comfort zone, come to terms with and cultivate fear as a driving force for change, and discover the courage we already have to take bold steps into the future.Foreword Reviews Award Winner. Chanticleer 1st Place and Finalist. International Book Awards Winner and Finalist.
"A warmly written…pep talk for living your 'big' life now." ~Kirkus Reviews
"A self-help companion designed to unearth hope and help it to grow." ~Foreword Reviews
Welcome to the Zipper Club by Bruce Ballister
Genre: Cardiology, Heart Disease
4.5 stars, 34 ratings
From $0.99
Are you or a loved one facing cardiac surgery? There’s nothing more frightening than when your heart isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to—except possibly when the heart of someone you love is in trouble. It's natural to want information before surgery, but much of what is on medical websites is incomprehensible jargon.Whether you’re preparing for heart surgery yourself or you’ll be supporting someone else, Welcome to the Zipper Club: Surviving Heart Surgery and Beyond will explain what to expect and how to survive beyond the surgery, including:
- What to expect as you prepare for your surgery.
- How it feels to have had your chest cracked open.
- Why a support team is so important for your recovery.
- How to transition back home as smoothly as possible.
- And most importantly, what you need to do to avoid a repeat performance.
Joyous Leadership by John Mark Watson
Genre: Business Mentoring & Coaching
5 stars, 55 ratings
From $2.99
W
hat is joyous leadership and why should it be practiced? In Joyous Leadership: Stories of Learnings Along the Way, Mark Watson makes the case through pivotal personal stories that joyous leadership is not about short-term profit or prestige. It is a long-term endeavor to enrich our lives and strengthen our communities. Joyous Leadership shows that we all have plain or sometimes ugly personal stories that, like a prism examined in the light, transform into something that may surprise ourselves and inspire others."A must-read for any aspiring leader." ~Lee C. Banks, Vice Chairman & President, Parker Hannifin Corporation
"A precious gift!" ~Dr. Robert Fisher, President, Belmont University
The Sword and the Sunflower by Mark Bradford
Genre: Metaphysical Fantasy, Coming-of-Age Fantasy
4.5 stars, 24 ratings
From $1.00
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 examines duty, family, and beliefs—all through the eyes of three strangers who have no business coming together.
"An epic fantasy journey that is closely connected with our own world. Highly recommended." ~K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Ciscoe's Dance by Marion Hill
Genre: Black & African American Fantasy Fiction
4.5 stars, 67 ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99
Ciscoe and his wife, Latisha, are dannzas—professional dancers who specialize in performing to Guanamamma music in upscale nightclubs. But their way of life is threatened when Piccanta, a new type of music and dance, becomes fashionable. In love with the dannza life once taught by his father, Ciscoe is determined to save Guanamamma music and dance.In a world where music and dance are akin to religion, the story comes to read like an allegory on modern cancel culture: when a canonized artist is judged without context, the suggestion is that it's the culture, not the artist, who suffers.
"A lively fantasy novel...the book examines the greater impact that an artist's choices can have on a culture." ~Katerie Prior, Clarion Reviews
Building Your First Website by John Rhea
Genre: Web Site Design, Web Programming
4.1 stars, 43 ratings
FREE!
Ever think you could enjoy learning code?Forget those insomnia cures and non-apocalypse-ending books. Building Your First Website (While You Thwack Zombies with HTML and CSS) makes learning HTML and CSS fun, plus you get to put the smackdown on the undead hordes. It has all the content and direction you need to build that first website, plus enough silly jokes and zombie slaying to keep you interested the whole time. Grab this book and stop the Apocalypse today!
"Funny and informative." ~Amazon Review
February 2023 LitNuts Deals
Welcome to the February 2023 issue of LitNuts Deals: highly rated indie books price $1 or less PLUS the LitNuts Deals Giveaway.
This month, we're giving away $100 in books. The winner will be able to choose a $100 gift card from any book retailer that sells gift cards online. Enter by February 24 for a chance to win!
The Heirs of Earth by Daniel Arenson
Genre: Science Fiction
4.3 stars, 1150+ ratings
$0.99
We hide in shadows. Our planet is lost. We are the last humans, and we must go home. Two thousand years ago, aliens destroyed Earth. Our fleets shattered. Billions died. The last humans fled a burning planet, heading to the stars. Today we are still refugees. Hungry. Afraid. Our enemies hunt us everywhere. So we hide. On distant asteroids. In rundown space stations. In deep caves on frozen worlds. And we dream. Of green hills. Blue skies. Golden fields. We dream of Earth. And for the first time, we have hope. Book 1 in the Children of Earthrise series. "Full of action and brimming with sentient aliens." ~Max Carver, Relic Wars
Moonlight Canyon by Yurie Kiri
Genre: Mystery
4.1 stars, 33 ratings
$0.99
Terrible things are happening in Silver City. The rural paradise just south of Moonlight Canyon is under attack. Half-eaten, mutilated bodies are showing up in public places. The peaceful residents of Silver City are in a panic. Horrible murders shouldn’t happen here. Evil like that is reserved for the big cities, right? Wrong. Book 2 in the Murder and Magic series. "A mystical tale that walks a thin line between paranormal and crime-based stories." ~Goodreads review
Earth and Beyond by Wendy Gamble
Genre: Science Fiction
3.9 stars, 47 ratings
$0.99
"Extremely well-written…displays an amazingly wide knowledge of science, yogic practices, and of what could exist beyond the known galaxy." ~Professor emeritus, UNBA. Alien DNA infects Earth. A med ship with a revolutionary deep space engine launches the world's hope for salvation. An elite crew faces unseen adversity and forges friendships as they seek a cure for humanity. Enhanced with hand-drawn illustrations. Book 1 in the MedSci Missions Science Fiction series. "A very interesting book…I strongly recommend you read this amazing MedSci Missions book." ~Chief Instructor, Todokai Karate
Scandalous: The Victoria Woodhull Saga (Volume Two) - Fame, Infamy, and Paradise by Neal Katz
Genre: Historical Fiction
4.3 stars
$0.99
Experience Historical Fiction at its best in this rags-to-riches saga. Set in and around New York City in the early 19th Century, Victoria Woodhull and her sister, Tennessee Celeste Claflin, take the city by storm as they challenge morality, fashion, economics, social justice, and equal pay for equal work. Leveraging their wealth as the sisters become famous on the lecture circuit, they fight for women's rights, suffrage, and enter into the political arena as Victoria is nominated by the American Equal Rights Party to run for President of the United States and Tennessee runs for Congress. "Engaging and hugely entertaining." ~Readers Favorite Five Star Review
The Best is Yet to Come by Tara Alemany
Genre: Death and Grief
4.4 stars, 47 ratings
$0.99
After twelve years of living alone as a single parent, Tara hadn’t expected to find love again. So when Frank unexpectedly came into her life, the result of an errant e-mail, he turned her world upside down. Four months later, his unexpected death brought it to a crashing halt. Join Tara on her journey as she shares the story of their time together and, more importantly, the lessons she learned as she rode waves of unanticipated love and grief to ultimately come to the strongest place she’d ever been in her life.This true story will speak to and inspire anyone who has ever suffered the loss of a dream by showing how you too can change your perception of that loss from an anchor that holds you back into a beautiful gift that dares you to believe that the best is yet to come. Includes discussion guides for book clubs and support groups.
Lady of the Seven Suns by Tinney Sue Heath
Genre: Historical Fiction
4.3 stars, 50 ratings
$0.99
“Immerses the reader into medieval Italy." ~Historical Novel Review. A novel of the woman St. Francis called brother. Rome, 1210: Giacoma’s life is at a crossroads. She cannot be both a powerful Roman noblewoman and also a follower of the holy man from Assisi. Or can she? A new path lies ahead, and she will will have to invent it as she goes. Based on the life of a real woman, this is a story of love, friendship, and a stubborn quest for grace. “Twisting with life…absolutely excellent and evocative novel!” ~Discovering Diamonds
Wisconsin Vamp by Scott Burtness
Genre: Horror Comedy
4 stars, 200+ ratings
FREE!
Some vampires are destined for greatness. Herbert Knudsen isn't one of them. When the small-town diner cook and mediocre bowler becomes a vampire, things finally start looking up. He's stronger, a little sexier, and the girl of his dreams is noticing him. But the bodies are piling up, and his best friend isn't just getting suspicious...he's getting jealous. Book 1 in the Monsters in the Midwest series. "Fun, entertaining, change-of-pace vampire story." ~Amazon review
Stuck on Your Heart by Beth Labonte
Genre: Romance
4.3 stars, 64 ratings
$0.99
Darcy Field has made a promise to her brother: No more dating his friends. Ever. Which is fine, because all of her brother’s friends are massive losers. Thanks to them, she’s spent one too many Valentine’s Days with crushed dreams, a broken heart, and zero chocolate. But when Darcy is forced to attend the annual singles' event at Lonesome Coffee—her family’s coffee shop in the small town of Emerson, Massachusetts—a certain promise may become very hard to keep. "Valentine gem." ~Amazon review
The Pacific Chronicles by James Eldridge
Genre: Children/Young Adult, Ages 7-18
4.9 stars, 49 ratings
$0.99
Hawaiian culture and traditions are captured in this thrilling fantasy adventure about a young girl and her brother who are given access to a hidden and legendary world in their native islands and gifted with an unexpected set of magical abilities. Book 1 of The Pacific Chronicles.
The Wedding Soup Murder by Rosie Genova
Genre: Cozy Mystery
4.7 stars, 80 ratings
$0.99
“A tightly-plotted whodunit.” ~New Jersey Monthly. After Victoria Rienzi comes back home to work in her family’s restaurant, her nonna puts her in charge of catering a wedding with all the trimmings—and death as an uninvited guest. "The Wedding Soup Murder blends mystery with comedy, romance, family drama, a vivid and affectionate portrayal of the Jersey shore and…oh yes, cooking.” ~Helen Beglin, New Jersey Monthly
“Everything I could wish for in a cozy mystery and more.” ~Read Your Writes Book Reviews
January 2023 LitNuts Deals
Welcome to the January 2023 issue of LitNuts Deals: highly rated indie books PLUS the LitNuts Deals Giveaway.
This month, we're giving away $150 in books, coffee, and cash. Three winners will each choose a $50 gift card for books (from Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.), a $50 coffee shop gift card (from any coffee shop or café that sells gift cards online), or $50 in cash (payable via PayPal). Enter by January 21 for a chance to win!
Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
Genre: Cozy Mystery
4.4 stars, 1,440 ratings
$0.99
Private Investigator Liz Talbot is a modern Southern belle. She blesses hearts, takes names, carries her Sig 9 in her Kate Spade bag, and her golden retriever, Rhett, rides shotgun in her hybrid Escape. When her grandmother is murdered, Liz hightails it back to her South Carolina island home to find the killer. She’s fit to be tied when her brother—the chief of police—shuts her out of the investigation, so she opens her own. When her long-dead best friend pops in things really get complicated. Book 1 in the Liz Talbot Mystery Series."A simmering gumbo of a story." ~The Huffington Post.
Edgewood by Karen McQuestion
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Thrillers & Suspense
4.4 stars, 1,472 ratings
$0.99
"Such a gripping story! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough." ~Five-star Goodreads Review. Wandering the dark streets at night is Russ Becker's way of dealing with his relentless insomnia and the angst of life. But that changes forever the night he witnesses a strange astronomical event, then discovers he's developed incredible superpowers. And he's not the only one...
"I devoured it in one sitting!" New York Times Bestselling Author Lesley Kagen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Edgewood was mind-blowingly amazing." Olivia at Fictionally Obsessed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kingdoms of Sand: Books 1-3 by Daniel Arenson
Genre: Epic Fantasy
4.2 stars, 137 ratings
FREE
Game of Thrones meets Spartacus in an epic saga of sand and splendor. This bundle contains the first three novels of Kingdoms of Sand, a fantasy series from a USA Today bestselling author. That's over 1,000 pages of battles, intrigue, and magic.Sweeping from snowy forests to cruel deserts, from bazaars of wonder to fields of war, here is a tale of legionaries and lepers, priests and paupers, kings and crows. Here a girl travels across endless dunes, seeking magic; a cruel prince struggles to claim a bloodstained throne; and a young soldier fights to hold back an overwhelming host. As the empire spreads, the fate of one family—and of all civilization—stands upon a knife's edge, for under the storm of war, even the greatest nations are but kingdoms of sand.
The Prodigal Returns by Miranda Rose Barker
Genre: Cozy Mystery
4.4 stars, 41 ratings
$0.99
Holly owns a small-town café. Her curiosity is piqued by the rich and powerful Montgomery family, who control the town. When the family patriarch dies, the police view it as murder, and the estranged son of the deceased who recently returned is a suspect.Holly meets this young man at her café and tries to help solve the case to exonerate him. One thing is for sure—Holly will do whatever it takes to learn who killed the family patriarch…and, in the process, uncover any other secrets the family is hiding.
Book 1 of the Near-to-Home Mystery Series.
My Mother's Secret by Alina Adams
Genre: Historical Fiction
4.4 stars, 47 ratings
$0.99
New York Times Bestselling author Alina Adams draws on her own experiences as a Jewish refugee from Odessa, USSR, as she provides readers a rare glimpse into the world's first Jewish Autonomous Region. My Mother's Secret: A Novel of the Jewish Autonomous Region is rooted in detailed research about a little-known chapter of Soviet and Jewish history while exploring universal themes of identity, love, loss, war, and parenthood. Readers can expect a whirlwind journey as Regina finds herself and her courage within one of the century's most tumultuous eras."An eye-opening family saga...both exotic and chillingly familiar." ~Kyra Davis, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheimer's Love Story by Marianne Sciucco
Genre: Fiction
4.6 stars, 227 ratings
$0.99
What if the person who knew you best and loved you most forgot your face and couldn't remember your name? In Blue Hydrangeas, a pair of retired Cape Cod innkeepers encounter Alzheimer's disease. "Blue Hydrangeas traces a couple's struggle with Alzheimer's in an effective story that doesn't pull its punches, but remains compassionate and absorbing." ~IndieReader
"By far the most tender love story I've read in a very long time." ~Story Circle
What's Not Said: A Novel by Valerie Taylor
Genre: Women's Domestic Life Fiction, Family Life Fiction
4.2 stars, 193 ratings
$0.99
Kassie O’Callaghan’s meticulous plans to divorce her emotionally abusive husband, Mike, and move in with Chris, a younger man she met five years ago on a solo vacation in Venice, are disrupted when she finds out Mike has chronic kidney disease—something he’s concealed from her for years. Once again, she postpones her path to freedom—at least, until she pokes around his pajama drawer and discovers his illness is the least of his deceits.But Kassie is no angel, either. As she struggles to justify her own indiscretions, the secret lives she and Mike have led collide head-on, revealing a tangled web of sex, lies, and DNA. Still, mindful of her vows, Kassie commits to helping her husband find an organ donor. In the process, she uncovers a life-changing secret. Problem is, if she reveals it, her own immorality will be exposed, which means she has an impossible decision to make: Whose life will she save—her husband’s or her own?
"Highly recommended for readers who look for not just stories of marital relationships, but the unexpected revelations that revolve around life purpose and the immortality of love.” ~Midwest Book Reviews
A Conjuring of Ravens by Azalea Ellis
Genre: Fantasy
4.5 stars, 316 ratings
$0.99
In a world where magic is a science, Siobhan is a genius. But even geniuses need schooling.Siobhan has just been banned from the country's only magic university. As the unwitting accomplice to the theft of a priceless magical artifact, she has suddenly become a wanted criminal. There are fates worse than death, and if caught, she will face them. Unwilling to give up on her dream of becoming the world's most powerful sorcerer, she resolves to do whatever it takes to change her fate—even if it means disguising herself as a man and indebting herself to a gang of criminals to pay for University tuition.
With the coppers after her, the pressure of trying to keep her spot in the devilishly competitive magic classes, and the gang calling in favors to repay her debts, Siobhan will need every drop of magic she can channel. Book 1 in the A Practical Guide to Sorcery series.
One & Done by Kelly Jayne
Genre: Steamy Romance
4 stars, 62 ratings
$0.99
He's hot. Like smoldering on a 98-degree day hot! He looks like a man I could enjoy all night long!When she looked into the camera, it felt like she was looking straight into my soul, and a jolt of electricity pulsed through me like I haven't felt in years.
Holly doesn't believe in love. She saw what it did to her parents and she wants no part of it.
Morgan had true love once and doesn't believe he will ever find it again.
Will they find in each other what they never thought possible? Or will their fears and flaws keep them apart? Book 1 in the United Front series.
Outrageous: Rise to Riches by Neal Katz
Genre: Historical Fiction
4.3 stars, 89 ratings
$0.99
Women empowerment, overcoming adversity, social change, and hope were the cornerstones upon which Victoria Woodhull (1838–1927) and her younger sister Tennessee Celeste Claflin built their incredible lives in Victorian America. Winner of 12 literary awards, Outrageous: Rise to Riches, Book 1 of The Victoria Woodhull Saga, sets the psychological verity and traces Victoria from childhood poverty and horrific abuse to becoming one of the wealthiest women in America, founding the first women-owned brokerage firm on Wall Street, and the first women-owned newspaper. Victoria would stop at nothing to achieve her destiny.
"A compelling page-turning story that cleverly unfolds history while providing a wonderfully entertaining ride." ~Midwest Book Review
A Ring of Truth by Michelle Cox
Genre: Historical Mystery, Mystery/Romance
4.1 stars, 517 ratings
$2.99
“Downton Abbey meets Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries!” In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice—with a hint of mystery. Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive leaves his new fiancée with his wealthy family to return to the city, Henrietta stumbles upon a servant whose ring has been stolen. What begins as an innocent investigation quickly becomes very dangerous.
“Henrietta and Inspector Howard make a charming odd couple in A Ring of Truth, mixing mystery and romance in a fizzy 1930s cocktail.” ~Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author