Today's Featured Books— Spotlight

NBA All-Time Greats, Set 2

$228 Set of Eight Hardcover
$71.60 Set of Eight Paperback
From $7.49 each (For individual books, click on the book covers, below.)

From the pioneers of the 1950s to the global superstars of today, the NBA has always been home to supremely talented players. Get to know the best of the best from your favorite teams through the years. This compelling series is sure to hook readers from the start. The NBA All-Time Greats series is written for children ages 7-10. 

The eight books in NBA All-Time Greats, Set 2, include books about the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz. 

Also available: NBA All-Time Greats, Set 1, which includes books about the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors. 

Coming soon: NBA All-Time Greats, Set 3, which will cover the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards.

                     

Congratulations to Joseph Lezza and Vine Leaves Press on the release of I'm Never Fine, "a beautiful tribute, full of raw and honest humanity, that makes the reader feel a little less alone.” ~Stephanie Wittels Wachs, author of Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful.

I'm Never Fine by Joseph Lezza

In I'm Never Fine, a collage memoir of essays and poetry, Joseph Lezza shouts in the dark from the backseat of a stranger’s car, a ditch on the Italian coast, a forest outside the arctic, and from the bottom of a shaving cream can.

When Joseph caught himself wishing necrotizing skin infections upon unhurried retirees in the self-checkout lane, and fantasized about loud-talking commuters making quick friends with the underside of a steamroller, he began to wonder if he was fine.

Of all the things Joseph Lezza could have been, he certainly wasn't fine.

The “fine” he’d adopted watching his father succumb to cancer was beginning to wane. It could no longer be used as a shield to melt the face off of anyone who dared inquire. All the “fines” prophesized in every article, every book, and every inspirational meme—courtesy of every armchair expert with a pulse and internet connection—had lost their value.

When Joseph realized he was facing a future that would find him standing over the carcass of an overzealous Costco greeter, one thing became clear: moving on required looking back.

This memoir is an autopsy of perceived missteps, a conclusion to unfinished conversations, and a reframing of flawed judgments through the eyes of a young man in search of a feeling. Search for that feeling with Joseph Lezza in I'm Never Fine.

Praise for I'm Never Fine

“Lezza’s debut memoir is a riot...a tender, hysterical, sharply-rendered and often surprising portrait of love and grief from a talented new voice. Joseph Lezza is a writer to watch.” ~Edgar Gomez, author of High Risk Homosexual

“A standout piece of work. This is tough and true and so well considered. A magnificent achievement.” ~Russell T. Davies, award-winning writer and creator of Queer as Folk and Doctor Who

“Adeptly managing to weave humor and banality into nearly every page, the reader is immersed into a world that feels so familiar...a beautiful tribute, full of raw and honest humanity, that makes the reader feel a little less alone.” ~Stephanie Wittels Wachs, author of Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love and Loss

“A deft blend of tragedy and comedy, these striking lyric essays are essential reading.” ~Rolli, award-winning cartoonist and author of Plumstuff

Enlighten Up!: Finding Clarity, Contentment and Resilience in a Complicated World

From $3.99
4.8 stars on Amazon



Want to find more clarity, contentment, and resilience in this complicated world we all live in?

Cultivating self-awareness on a practical everyday down-to-earth level is the first step. When we lack self-awareness, it gets in the way of navigating life’s ups and downs.

Enlighten Up! presents a contemporary view of the five layers of self-awareness based on a 3,000-year-old model that provides a broader foundation for self-exploration than the more well-known mind/body model. 

Author Beth Gibbs uses humor and stories to teach you to recognize the influence these five layers have on your life.

• Your physical body and environment.
• Your breath and energy, which makes up your life force.
• Your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.
• Your intuition, which acts with compassionate, nonjudgmental wisdom.
• Your connection to something larger than yourself.

Soul Food: Life-Affirming Stories Served with Side Dishes and Just Desserts

From $4.99
New release coming February 28!




In these heartwarming and uplifting tales that celebrate the human spirit, we’re offered a glimpse into the lives of a diverse group of characters as they search for clarity, contentment, and resilience in a complicated world. From dealing with heartbreak and loss to fighting for their dreams and standing up for themselves, we see them face their struggles with humor, self-reflection, and tenacity.

This standalone companion to Beth Gibbs’s Enlighten Up! expands the ideas from Enlighten Up! in fictional and often humorous ways, as stories, laughter, and entertainment are nonthreatening ways to learn new skills. Great for light reading, self-reflection, and book clubs. Discussion questions included!

"Written with heart, thought, and wit that will make you think, laugh, and learn; a delightful read." ~Nancy Slonim Aronie, Writing from the Heart

Coming soon! Check your inbox on February 28 for news from LitNuts about purchasing Soul Food in additional formats and from additional book retailers. 

About the Author

Beth Gibbs holds a master’s degree in yoga therapy and mind/body health from Lesley University and is certified as a yoga therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She is a member of the faculty at the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy and is guest faculty at The Graduate Institute.

Beth established The Garnett Gibbs Family Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in memory of her parents. The purpose of the fund is to support yoga and other healthy living programs in the greater Hartford, CT, region for at-risk populations and people of all ages, especially programs for children in public schools and community settings. Her published writing includes newsletters, magazines, and blog articles on the benefits of yoga, mindfulness, and self-awareness. Learn more about Beth and her work at BethGibbs.com.

Interested in having Beth speak to your group or in interviewing her for your following? Contact her via Emerald Lake Books.

About the Publisher

Emerald Lake Books is a boutique publisher that offers a personalized publishing service to its authors. Every book published by Emerald Lake Books is carefully edited with the author’s message and the reader’s enjoyment in mind. Learn more and browse their catalogue at the Emerald Lake Books website. 

Congratulations to Music, Magic, and More and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Houdini's Fabulous Magic, a new edition of the biography of one of the most intriguing and influential figures of the 20th century. 

“I have loved this book for sixty years." ~Teller of Penn & Teller

Houdini's Fabulous Magic

Incredible escapes, fantastic sleight-of-hand—Houdini's most challenging performances are dramatically portrayed in Houdini's Fabulous Magic. Walter Gibson, co-author, was in close touch with Harry Houdini for a number of years before his death and worked with the master magician in preparing material for the book. It is with the aid of Houdini's own scrapbooks and notes that this book was written.

The spectacular highlights of Houdini's career are described and explained, including his famous escapes...from a padlocked milk can filled with water, from locked jail cells, from a water-filled Chinese torture cell while suspended upside down, and from packing cases weighted under water. Houdini also walks through a brick wall, vanishes a 10,000-pound elephant, is buried alive, and exchanges places with his wife in a locked trunk—in three seconds!

And Houdini the man is not ignored. His impact on the world in the early years of the 20th century was enormous. He was a public hero who, in his own way, helped sweep out the cobwebs of 19th-century thinking. While doing so, he distinguished himself as a patriot, writer, collector of magic, aviator, movie idol, philanthropist, and crusader against fraudulent spiritualistic practices.

This is a technical manual for magicians, complete with illustrations and diagrams, but it is also an astute analysis of the best of Houdini's magic and a readable biography of a man who turned himself into a legend. It is a book for would-be conjurers, for professional necromancers, and for those curious about the methods and means of one of the most enchanting men of our time.

Praise for Houdini's Fabulous Magic

★★★★★ “I have loved this book for sixty years. Four pieces of the Penn & Teller repertoire were directly inspired by Houdini's Fabulous Magic.” ~Teller of Penn & Teller

Being Ethel: (In a world that loves Lucy)

From $0.99 via Kindle Countdown Deal
Free via Kindle Unlimited



In Mackinac Island Stories Book 1, Piper Penn is struggling to survive past tragedies, and doing what she wants only leads to more trouble. An unexpected inheritance on a tiny Midwest island in the Straits of Mackinac provides an escape. A stay at the island’s glorious Grand Hotel lifts her spirits—especially when she catches the eye of a handsome groundskeeper and lands a role as an extra during the filming of a blockbuster movie. But when mysterious accusations and headstrong residents threaten to derail her inheritance, the friendship of a quirky I Love Lucy-loving nun might be Piper’s saving grace. 4.5 stars, 109 ratings on Amazon.

Being Dorothy: (In a world longing for home)

From $0.99 via Kindle Countdown Deal
Free via Kindle Unlimited



Book 2 in the series combines elements of the Wizard of Oz, Nora Ephron, and James Bond as Dorothy Cooper finds herself on the run from The Service, the highly secretive organization where she worked for more than a decade. Dorothy and a fellow Service insider assume new identities, but while residing in the opulent Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Dorothy questions her relationship with her colleague and wonders if anyone can be trusted after what she’s seen. Loneliness draws her into a friendship at a new knitting and craft shop, The Creative Lilac, where the camaraderie and ambiance cause Dorothy to re-examine her concept of marriage, family, and faith. Can Dorothy find her long-lost feelings of love before the enemies of The Service find her? Or has her past destined her to an endless life-on-the-run, never allowing her to know the happiness of home? 4.5 stars, 48 ratings on Amazon. 

Being Alice: (In a world lost in the looking glass)

From $0.99 via Kindle Countdown Deal
Free via Kindle Unlimited



In Book 3 of the Mackinac Island Stories, Alice Merveille has been pushed into a contract by her scheming uncle to serve as the guitar and drum tech for world-renowned recording artist J.D. Grayling. But as Alice heads to the summer gig at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, she is horrified at the idea of J.D., his band, and visitors to the Grand seeing her face, which was mangled in an accident that also took her self-esteem. Alice plans to stay in the shadows, but her worries are enhanced when band members one-by-one mysteriously become too ill to perform. Alice wonders if the world is going mad, or if the truths she is learning from her new friends at the island’s Creative Lilac shop can change the pain she feels from her past. Can Alice survive the summer working for the singer-songwriter she has idolized for years, or is she once again headed down a rabbit hole of disappointment and betrayal? 4.5 stars, 31 ratings on Amazon.

Being Wendy: (In a world afraid to grow up)

From $0.99 via Kindle Countdown Deal
Free via Kindle Unlimited



Book 4 in the Mackinac Island Stories could be the end for Wendy T. Bell. While celebrating her 50th birthday at a party in Los Angeles, all she feels is betrayal...wondering if someone in the room is behind the threats that could end her glamorous life as a best-selling author, not to mention her engagement to a wealthy English Baron. To get away from it all, Wendy travels incognito to a tiny Midwest island she learned about from an old boarding school chum. But when her blackmailer begins to slip notes under her door, Wendy is terrified. Who found her, and why are they bent on ruining her life? Wendy ends up wishing she had never grown up to live a life filled with lies, and wonders if it’s too late to find genuine happiness, friendship, and love. Or do these things only exist on fairy-tale islands? 4.9 stars on Amazon.

About Michèle Olson

Michèle has lived the majority of her life in Northeastern Wisconsin, including the last three decades in the shadow of Lambeau Field in Green Bay. She and her husband, Ray, have taken many trips to Mackinac Island and stayed at the Grand Hotel, and Michèle says the beauty of the area never ceases to inspire more stories. 

Michèle and Ray are also the husband and wife team behind Lake Girl Publishing, where Michèle does the creative stuff...the writing, voice work, speaking, sketch doodling, and art, and Ray runs the technical side of things...formatting books and handling the many details that come with a publishing company. 

Michèle especially loves telling stories that take a deeper look at how faith can be a part of every moment. She also enjoys sharing life lessons from a storied career and from life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Whether doing voice work around the country, writing novels, or working on more art, she loves a good laugh! Learn more about Michèle, get signed copies of her books, or sign up for her mailing list at Lake Girl Publishing.

As we approach Valentine's Day, many people are focused on plans with loved ones. But what if your loved one is gone? 

There are 15 million widowed men and women in the United States. There are many more who have lost a significant other outside of marriage. Valentine's Day and other holidays can be very difficult times for the survivors. 

Fortunately, there are brave people who have found their way through difficult times and shared their stories in order to help others not only survive but to also have meaningful, fulfilling lives and to look forward to the future. Today, we are featuring three books written by two such people:
 

Living with a Dead Man by Marianne Bette

From $3.99



Sitting in an oncologist’s waiting room is one of life’s more sobering experiences. The first thing that hit Dr. Marianne Bette was that she was there, not as a doctor, but as a cancer patient’s wife.

It didn’t matter that she was a family practitioner, or that her husband, Thom, was a death and dying therapist. Cancer, and all that went with it, had found them.

This story shares their journey as they faced the most difficult challenge of their life together, and the beauty they discovered along the way in family, friends, and living.

Living with a Grieving Heart by Marianne Bette

From $4.99 



Losing someone you love is hard. But when the dust settles and the pain starts to fade, grief can surprise you in stark and subtle ways. A few bars of a tune, a faint hint of perfume, a brief glimpse of a stranger in a crowd can bring your loss crashing in.

But there are also lessons we can learn from grief. It’s not all pain. It can also bring appreciation: for the love you had, for the people who support you, for the life you still have ahead of you. You can live with a grieving heart.

And as you pick yourself up, made subtly stronger by grief, you find more clarity of purpose, more appreciation for others, and more desire to live your life fully. You become a grief warrior.

That’s what Dr. Marianne Bette calls herself. A grief warrior. She is no stranger to grief and the transformation it brings. Let her teach you how to embrace life again using her personal experiences with grief as well as those from others she has met during her forty years practicing family medicine.

The Best is Yet to Come by Tara Alemany

From $3.99 



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.

About Marianne Bette

After forty years in family medicine, Marianne Bette is enjoying her retirement and spending time with her second husband, Gene. They have traveled around the United States in a truck camper, including to Alaska and back again to Southbury, Connecticut. Their trusty rescue dog, Buttons, is their constant companion and loves camping too. Marianne has also begun work on a third book, which includes the inspiring stories of some of her former patients. Learn more or contact Marianne via Emerald Lake Books. 

About Tara Alemany

Tara Alemany is a multi-award-winning author, speaker, business consultant, and publisher, as well as a recovering serial entrepreneur. Her boutique publishing company, Emerald Lake Books, specializes in working with positive people to create high-quality books designed to achieve the author’s goals. In her spare time, Tara serves as the host of the Publish with Purpose virtual summit and is a winemaker, a military Mom to two young adults (one of each), and is owned by a black cat. Learn more or contact Tara via Emerald Lake Books. 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Gaby Quinn Mystery series from author Andrea O'Connor and Emerald Lake Books. Gaby is a lawyer who is trying to move on from the loss of her husband and build a new life for herself. But her peaceful existence in the picturesque town of Woodson Falls, Connecticut, is disrupted when she becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious cases. 

In the first book, Woodson Falls: 16 Lakeview Terrace, Gaby is tasked with handling an unusual probate case and ends up uncovering more about Pieter Jorgenson's life than she'd expected. In Woodson Falls: 9 Donovan's Way, Gaby is asked to handle the estate of a famous author who dies under suspicious circumstances. And in Woodson Falls: 2 Sunrise Trail, Gaby is threatened by a stranger and must try to uncover their identity and motives while also helping an elderly friend in need. Along the way, Gaby navigates her budding relationship with the handsome and protective Officer Matt Thomas. Read on for more details!

Congratulations to the winners of the Woodson Falls Giveaway, which ended February 2:

• Julia P. won 1st prize: A signed book from the series + a 25 coffee shop gift card.
• Maryanne S. and Ginny W. won the 2nd prize: A signed book from the series.  

Woodson Falls: 16 Lakeview Terrace

From $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



Gaby Quinn is hiding from her past, recovering from the senseless death of her husband, and living in a small New England town. She has her law practice, her dog Kat, and a small circle of friends. What more could she need? But when an unusual probate case crosses her desk, she finds herself looking for a lost body, an abandoned truck, and answers to a mountain of questions. Soon enough, she discovers even small towns hold big secrets. "A crime and mystery drama with plenty of sharp twists and clever turns." ~Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review. 4.5 stars, 48 ratings. 

Woodson Falls: 9 Donovan's Way

From $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



Gaby Quinn’s phone has been ringing off the hook since her involvement with the infamous Jorgenson case. Yet she finds herself craving the peace of her garden as she heals from the senseless death of her husband. As Woodson Falls’ most famous lawyer, it’s only natural that Gaby is asked to handle the estate when renowned author Phillip Mitchell suddenly dies of an apparent heart attack. Everything seems straightforward until some things turn up missing—including Mitchell’s girlfriend. Now it’s up to Gaby to dig up the truth. 4.6 stars, 32 ratings.

Woodson Falls: 2 Sunrise Trail

From $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



Recent release: November 2022! Gaby Quinn’s law practice continues to keep her busy, as does her budding relationship with Officer Matt Thomas. But a threatening note from a stranger has Gaby on edge, and as she searches for clues to reveal the stranger’s identity and motives, Matt’s protectiveness rubs her the wrong way. Gaby wants nothing more than to relax and enjoy the Fourth of July holiday. Yet when elderly Winston Pinkham admits to being in a bit of a bind, she jumps at the chance to help a friend in need. But someone else has other plans…

About the Author

Andrea O'Connor received a library card before she starting kindergarten and began her writing career with a short story at the age of five. She continued to write for pleasure throughout her career as a nurse, nursing teacher, and editor for a major nursing publisher before earning a law degree and establishing a solo practice in estate planning, probate, and elder law.

Andrea had long considered writing a mystery series based on some of her legal cases. The opportunity to do so came when her husband’s Parkinson’s disease progressed to the point where he was unable to engage in his usual active lifestyle. They began their collaboration with the first book in the Gaby Quinn Mystery series, Woodson Falls: 16 Lakeview Terrace.

To explore her books and learn more about Andrea’s writing process as well as the backgrounds of people and places in Woodson Falls, visit woodsonfalls.com.

About the Publisher

Emerald Lake Books is a boutique publisher that offers a personalized publishing service to its authors. Every book published by Emerald Lake Books is carefully edited with the author’s message and the reader’s enjoyment in mind. Learn more and browse their catalogue at the Emerald Lake Books website. 

Shadow Slayers Stories by Nellie H. Steele

From $3.99 each (free via Kindle Unlimited)
$18.79 set of first four books in the series



In the days ahead, we will be featuring each of the five books of the Shadow Slayers Stories series in more detail in the LitNuts newsletter, leading up to and culminating with the release of Darkness Risking, the newest book in the series, on February 7. For now, here is an overview of each book in the series. Click on any of the links or book covers to learn more.

Shadows of the Past (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1): 4 stars, 137 ratings. If Josie doesn’t confront what lurks in the shadows of her past to reclaim her life…it won’t just be her own soul on the line. From $3.99. 

Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 2): 4.5 stars, 63 ratings. The Slayers want to live their lives in peace, but if they can’t recover a mystical painting, it could spell disaster for the entire world. From $4.99. 

Gone (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 3): 4.5 stars, 45 ratings. He wants nothing more than to find his fellow Slayer, but a powerful enchantment stands in his way. In order to save her life, he must be willing to risk his own. From $4.99. 

Trouble (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 4): 4.4 stars, 35 ratings. A poisoned rose. Life-altering secrets. Can the Slayers overcome insurmountable odds? From $4.99.

Darkness Rising (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 5): New release, coming Feb. 7. A dangerous, new enemy blows into town. Death and destruction follow in her wake. It’ll take everything they have to stay alive. From $4.99.

About the Author
Award-winning author Nellie H. Steele writes in as many genres as she reads. Addicted to books since she could read, Nellie escaped to fictional worlds like the ones created by Carolyn Keene or Victoria Holt long before she decided to put pen to paper and create her own realities.

When she’s not spinning a cozy mystery tale, building a new realm in a contemporary fantasy, or writing another action-adventure car chase, you can find her shuffling through her Noah’s Ark of rescue animals or enjoying a hot cuppa (that’s tea for most Americans.)

Learn more (and get a free book!) at A Novel Idea Publishing or visit Nellie at her blog, Nellie's Book Nook.

             

Congratulations to Jessica Bell and Vine Leaves Press on the release of A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon, poetry inspired by the special bond between mother and son. 

A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon

Jessica Bell's poems search for meaning in a world of misconception. They begin with small everyday moments and end with a shift in understanding that not only enlightens but leaves you wondering.

From quiet nights reflecting on the sound of her child's smile to viewing the world from the perspective of a potted tree dreaming of being rooted into true mother earth, A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon is a collection of raw, honest, modern-day fables that remind readers to look deeper, feel more, and let the world speak for itself.

Praise for A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon

"A gorgeous collection. Very highly recommended.” ~Readers' Favorite

"Mystical, wise, and original." ~Karen Alghabban, writer

"Jessica Bell has thoroughly explored the topography of parenthood." ~Alan Humm, editor of One Hand Clapping magazine

"Ethereal. Hypnotic. Oracular." ~Amie McCracken, author of Emotionless

"Each compelling meditation on daily life as mother and son blends the earthy with the ethereal." ~Melanie Faith, author of From Promising to Published

Jack & Eva

New Release: February 1
Pre-order now from $3.99


Broody meets bubbly…and a bunch of cuddly tree kangaroos.

Very few people can keep up with Eva Stamford. She’s chatty, volunteers everywhere in the community, and has one passion in life—saving the Lumholtz tree kangaroo before the curse comes true.​

Jack Waller is broody and gruff and couldn’t be more different from Eva. He’s returning to his childhood home to make good on a promise to his mother, but everywhere he goes, Eva is there. The more time they spend together, the harder it is to ignore the chemistry intensifying between them. 

Eva needs to stay on Jack’s good side because his property borders the Tree Roo Rescue Park, and any changes he makes might unsettle her furry babies. She needs to tell Jack about the curse and forget about encouraging one final fling. Is there a chance of beating the curse and living a life together? 

Little Blue Box

Book 1 in the Australian at Heart Series
4.6 stars, 48 ratings on Goodreads
From $4.99


A second-chance contemporary romance. Can one little blue box get their lives back on the same path?

There’s one thing missing in Ella’s life—her biological father. All she has is a few clues in a little box and a mother not willing to share anything. Add in her impatience and stubbornness and Ella decides to go about finding him herself.

Zane is used to barrelling his way through life without too much stress. He has a great family, a new career path, and a beloved Ducati motorcycle. When tasked with searching for Ella’s father, Zane discovers a secret that threatens to unravel their lives. 

The attraction between Zane and Ella is flaring up quickly, but all will go up in flames if Zane doesn’t tell Ella what he knows. Will the unexpected twist that comes their way be enough for the head-strong Ella and Ducati-loving Zane to find their way back onto the same path?

The Stone in the Road

Book 2 in the Australian at Heart Series
Five Stars from Readers' Favorite
From $4.99


A heart-warming, secret billionaire contemporary romance.

It’s been eighteen months since Kelly escaped to the Australian outback. The guilt and regret she carries still won’t leave her.

Newly arrived from Boston, Patrick can thank the Australian outback for healing him in ways his affluent and empty life back home could not.

After Kelly discovers she’s inherited her grandfather’s property, she heads north. Patrick lands on her doorstep right when she could use the extra help. Amidst the hard work of untangling vines from the derelict castle, an astonishing history emerges and an unexpected chemistry ignites between them—until Kelly’s parents turn up unannounced, necessitating Patrick's departure. But the chance finding of a precious stone might end up bringing Kelly and Patrick back together. 

The Silk Scarf

Book 3 in the Australian at Heart Series
"An emotional rollercoaster!" ~Goodreads Review
From $4.99


A silken scarf entwines itself around two hearts. Sometimes it unravels... 

Melita’s swimwear is starting to make waves in the industry. Hoping to ride the success, she’s determined to open her own boutique/teahouse. A chance find of a derelict building might be the solution—and she wants Luke to do the renovations.

Down-to-earth tradesman Luke has dreams of his own, determined to be a leader in sustainable green buildings. When Melita offers him the chance to showcase his skills, Luke agrees despite mixed feelings about their past relationship.

When the building's history ends up putting Melita's life at risk, Luke needs to put the past aside and deal with the present—because Melita wants everything she’s worked so hard for, including the man she loves.

About the Author
As a contemporary romance author, Frances loves nothing more than losing herself in a good romance. She's all about helping you forget the housework or the bus to work you're going to miss if you don't put the book down now!

She's devoted to giving her readers an emotional, yet satisfying ride, with a love story that'll melt your heart and keep the pages turning right until the end.

Frances is a finalist award winner in both Australia and overseas. Her awards include:  

• 2016 -  Emerald Finalist - Romance Writers of Australia
• 2019 -  Pacific Hearts Finalist - Romance Writers of New Zealand
• 2019 -  Emily Finalist - West Houston Romance Writers
• 2020 - Valerie Parv Finalist - Romance Writers of Australia
• 2021 -  Mara Finalist - Mid America Romance Writers
• 2022 -  The Koru Award for Best New Book - Romance Writers of New Zealand

Structural Wonders Series

$9.95 each
$59.70 set of six



This fascinating series will captivate the inquiring minds of young readers with an up-close look at some of the most incredible architectural wonders of past centuries, including information about the history and construction of each structure, as well as what the site is like today.

Each book also features informative sidebars, a “That’s Amazing!” special feature, a table of contents, a reading comprehension quiz, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. The entire series is written for reading levels of grades 3-5 and interest levels of grades 5-7.

The six Structural Wonder books include: Angkor Wat, Colosseum, Giza Pyramids, Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, and Taj Mahal.

          

A World of Dinosaurs

A dinosaur adventure for fans of Jurassic Park! From the USA Today bestselling author of Earthrise.

Dinosaurs. Majestic giants. They’ve captured our imagination for generations. On planet Mintari, they live again.

Mintari is far from Earth. Wild. Pristine. A world where triceratops herd across grasslands, pterosaurs soar over golden mountains, and T-rexes prowl the misty forests.

But these magnificent beasts might soon disappear. And only one man can save them.

They call him Jurassic Joe. A semi-mythical figure. A ranger who lives in the wilderness of Mintari. Defender of dinosaurs. Bane of poachers. Folk hero. But is he real?

He better be. Because big game hunters are landing on Mintari. A lot of them. It will take a hero to stop them. And they must be stopped. Or the dinosaurs of Mintari will be lost forever.

Discover a world of savage beauty, terrifying danger, and ancient beasts brought back to life. Welcome to Mintari.

About the Author

Daniel Arenson is an author, bookworm, and proud geek. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He has written more than 80 novels and sold more than 1 million books. His series include:

MINTARI -- Dinosaurs. Majestic giants. They've captured our imagination for generations. On planet Mintari, they live again.

EARTHRISE -- They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. But we will fight back! Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel.

STARSHIP FREEDOM — The starship Freedom is just a museum ship... until the aliens attack.

REQUIEM -- Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Start reading with Requiem's Song.

KINGDOMS OF SAND -- Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall. Start reading with Kings of Ruin.

MOTH -- Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night--its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness.

To learn more, visit danielarenson.com.

TALES OF MURDER, MYSTERY, AND SUSPENSE
WITH A PARANORMAL TWIST

Moonlight Beach

Book 1 in the Murder and Magic Series
From $0.99


Winner of the Hollywood Book Festival Award for Genre Fiction. 

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.

Moonlight Canyon

Book 2 in the Murder and Magic Series
From $2.99


"A mystical tale that walks a thin line between paranormal and crime-based stories." ~Amazon Review

The rural paradise of Silver City, 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. Is it drug smugglers? A biker gang? Some sort of dark ritual? Space aliens? Whatever is terrorizing Silver City must be stopped and fast before this pastoral heaven becomes a living hell.
 

Moonlight Rocks

Book 3 in the Murder and Magic Series
From $0.99


"Full of mystery, suspense, thrill and lots of action." ~Goodreads Review

The desert east of Los Angeles can be a dangerous place. The rocky landscape is littered with meth labs, drug gangs, abandoned mines, and broken down ranches with fringe people living in them. Despite the risks, the natural beauty and clear skies attract stargazers and campers. One night, a group of friends set up camp to watch the Leonid meteor shower. A space rock crashes to earth nearby, and the first person to reach it becomes the target of a deady chase by religious fanatics believe that the meteor heralds the birth of a new Messiah. Is this the dawn of a new spiritual age, or just a bunch of psychos raging in the desert?

Tokyo Games

Book 1 in the Games Series
From $3.99


"A magical ride through Asian Sci-Fi." ~Amazon Review

Virtual reality has become all too real. With the right equipment, virtual gamers can see and hear everything another human being, a game character, is experiencing half a planet away. When a game character witnesses a gruesome murder, the initially entertaining virtual experience becomes an ordeal for survival in a deadly world filled with dark forces, demi-gods, demons, and people trying to control them. Vigilance is essential or total annihilation will be their fate.

Osaka Games

Book 2 in the Games Series
From $3.99


"A fascinating, complex novel relating the inner workings of a worldwide virtual reality game." ~Amazon Review

The Game Master keeps everyone safe during their virtual video games. But everything changes when the Game Master witnesses a murder and kidnapping by a wealthy and powerful player. Could it be a play for world domination? A team in LA, with the help of their nearly sentient computer, is dragged along with a game character in Osaka as that character experiences the murderous power of gangsters, samurai ghosts, body-swapping spirits, and brutal Japanese sword fighting. It’s anyone’s guess who will survive this paranormal vortex of betrayal and bloodshed.

Buy the Series

Tip: Order directly from the publisher by emailing sales@northstareditions.com. 

Unsolved Mysteries Series

$9.95 each
$79.60 set of eight



The past is full of strange events, and some have left experts guessing. This fascinating series pairs short paragraphs of easy-to-read text with plentiful photos to help young readers explore some of these mysterious occurrences, highlighting what happened and what people still don’t know.

Each book also includes a table of contents, fun facts, sidebars, comprehension questions, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading.

Apex books have low reading levels (grades 2 - 3) but are designed for older students, with interest levels of grades 3 - 7.

The eight Unsolved Mysteries books cover the following topics: Amelia Earhart, Cahokia, D. B. Cooper, Easter Island, Irish Crown Jewels Theft, The Mary Celeste, Roanoke Colony, and The Voynich Manuscript.

             

Today, LitNuts welcomes North Star Editions, an indie publisher dedicated to guiding children and young adult readers toward a lifetime love of reading. We think you're going to love their books!

In the weeks ahead, we'll be sharing high-quality fiction and nonfiction from North Star Editions that inspires, informs, and entertains. You'll see an assortment of titles from Flux, NSE's young adult fiction imprint; from the Jolly Fish Press middle-grade fiction imprint; and juvenile nonfiction titles from other NSE imprints. 

Below is a small sampling of what's to come. Click on any title or image to learn more.

BONUS: Get 30% off books from North Star Editions when you order direct from the publisher. Just use coupon code LitNuts30 at checkout.

The Genius Kid’s Guide to Dogs
Imprint: North Star Kids
"Animal lovers searching for in-depth information on some of their favorite creatures will find a great resource in the Genius Kid's Guides series." ~Booklist

The Slugger's Shadow

Imprint: Jolly Fish Press
It’s the last inning of the last game of the season, and Aaron is in the batter’s box. Can he come through in the clutch? A 2022 Junior Library Guild Selection.

The Truth About Everything
Imprint: Flux
"A first purchase for young adult collections where realistic fiction is in demand.” ~School Library Journal

Jordie & Joey Fell From The Sky
Imprint: Jolly Fish Press
2022 Moonbeam Awards Gold Medalist (Best First Book – Chapter Book)

Goth Girl, Queen Of The Universe
Imprint: Flux
"The comic con setting gives way to pop culture references and cosplay options that are simply fun. The romance, the LARPing, the costumes—it’s a geek’s definition of fun." —Seattle Book Review