Today's Featured Books— Spotlight

Spotlight on New York Stories by Yurie Kiri

Spotlight

New York Stories by Yurie Kiri

Release date: February 13, 2023
Paperback: $15.99
E-book: $0.99
Kindle Unlimited
#1 in Human-Computer Interaction
#1 in Virtual Reality
#1 in Cybernetics



What it's not...
New York Stories is not a cute travelogue or a guide book to my favorite NYC bars and restaurants, nor is it a guide to programming, artificial intelligence, or computer languages. This is a survival story...about surviving all the horrors of a post-modern life: wars, environmental disasters, homelessness, and poverty, along with how to get your bills paid so that the insurance men won't come after your shoes, so to speak...or maybe they just want dry socks? Who doesn't these days?

What's happening in New York City in the late 21st century?
The wars have wound down and New York still stands, largely undamaged and more crowded than ever before. Global warming is still an issue, so the city is hot and soggy and the oceans are rising, which means there are a lot of pumps running in all the flooded areas as well as ever taller barriers around the rivers and bays. Just pray that the electricity holds. But people can live with those kinds of problems as long as there's some kind of diversion...

What do people do for fun?
Terrestrial travel is difficult in a mostly destroyed world, but "spiritual travel" is an option...get your spirit extracted and shot into space, leaving your empty physical body "sleeping" like the dead far behind on Earth. Giant antennas on Mars catch those modulated "spirits" moving at light speed and process them into manufactured, artificial bodies for a few fun-filled weeks before the process gets reversed. But if you're afraid of travel, there is a tough, complex computer game available to play. So life can be fun--as long as the game doesn't want you dead.

Who's in charge of NYC anyway?
The Board of Directors, elected by the shareholders, mostly rich business men, are the only form of government now, and that means everything has to be good for the bottom line. That doesn't mean life isn't fair, because nothing happens that can't be litigated in tough courts by good attorneys and judges. However, one of those courts just issued a ruling that might favor the banks and the way that they can collect on consumer debt. That's not going to be a problem, is it?

Praise for New York Stories

Winner 2022 New England Book Festival, "Unpublished Fiction" Category

"A huge cast of characters, a plot line with multiple twists and turns, and an element of magical realism. I would recommend this book for science fiction fans or anyone looking for something a little bit different." ~Amazon review

"Very cleverly written and woven round the things that matter. Highly recommended." ~Goodreads review

"Like Timeless or Bladerunner but more quirky." ~Beta reader
About the Author

Yurie Kiri is a shy, secretive person who lives on a boat, cruising between various ports in the Pacific Ocean. Sailing, writing, and photography are Yurie's primary passions. Since Yurie's beloved cat, Fluffy, knows where all the bodies are buried, she's not allowed to leave Yurie's sight. 

You can learn more and read excerpts of Yurie's work by visiting YurieKiri.com.  

Also from Yirie Kiri...

   

 


Spotlight on: Relieve Pain Without Side Effects

Spotlight

Today, we are shining a spotlight on Relieve Pain Without Side Effects by Terry Lemerond and Jan McBarron, M.D., N.D.


Relieve Pain Without Side Effects: You Can Be Pain-free, Naturally!

E-book: On sale for $0.99 (regularly $4.99)
Free via Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $7.99

How are you dealing with acute pain? Pain has a purpose; it alerts us to a problem that may need serious attention. But once we’re aware of pain, how do we respond? Until now, we’ve addressed acute pain—the type of pain that comes from a headache, an injury, or back pain, for example—with over-the-counter prescription pain relievers. Unfortunately, many of those medications cause unwanted side effects and sometimes, life-threatening consequences. Now, there’s a better way to stop acute pain!

Research has uncovered a powerful combination of nutrients that addresses acute pain, safely and effectively. This solution from nature tackles acute pain and helps prevent it from morphing into long-term chronic pain.

Discover for yourself how this fast-acting breakthrough in pain relief can be your answer to living life to the fullest—pain free!

About the Authors
Terry Lemerond is a natural health expert with more than 50 years of experience helping people live healthier, vibrant lives. A much sought-after speaker and accomplished author, Terry shares his wealth of experience and knowledge in health and nutrition through his educational programs, including the Terry Talks Nutrition® website, newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and personal speaking engagements. He has also hosted the Terry Talks Nutrition radio show for the past 30 years. Terry continues to author and co-author books with dedication, energy, and zeal around his ongoing mission—to help everyone improve their health.

Dr. Jan McBarron started her medical career as a volunteer candy striper before becoming a nurse and then a doctor. With a passion for nutrition and wellness, she was able to develop a personal connection with her patients and help them achieve healthier lifestyles. Her husband, Duke, operated a chain of health foods stores, and together they had a broadcasting career as "Duke & The Doctor," a nationally syndicated radio broadcast that was heard by millions over its 20-year history. Duke and Doc now live in Henderson Nevada, where they enjoy hiking, weightlifting, tennis, and travel. Learn more at drjanmcbarron.com.


Spotlight on: The River is Everywhere

Spotlight

Congratulations to Emilie-Noelle Provost and Vine Leaves Press on the release of The River is Everywhere, the story of a modern-day adventurer on a quest for meaning.


The River is Everywhere by Emilie-Noelle Provost

NEW RELEASE: March 14, 2023
From $4.99  

Sixteen-year-old honors student Ernest Benoit has always followed the rules. But when his best friend drowns on Cape Cod, Ernest begins to question his family’s devout Catholicism, and he disrupts an Advent prayer service at his Catholic high school. Now his life will never be the same.

To avoid being sent to a Jesuit boarding school, Ernest boards a bus to Manhattan but ends up stranded in a blizzard in a depressed western Massachusetts mill town. It’s the beginning of a months-long journey that leads him to rescue a young girl from an icy river, into the bed of a lonely middle-aged widow, and to the woodland cabin of Roland Laliberté, a recluse who can shoot with the accuracy of a sniper.

When the widow falsely accuses Ernest of rape, Roland smuggles him over the Canadian border where they settle into life on the New Brunswick farm where Roland grew up. Ernest takes a job in the Lalibertés’ sawmill and falls in love with the girl next door. But it’s not long before the local police start asking questions and his return home seems impossible.
 
Praise for The River is Everywhere
“From brisk, well-observed narrative emerges a touching and intimate evocation of these little-known communities.” ~David Vermette, author of A Distinct Alien Race

“Ernest Benoit’s at times dangerous journey quickly becomes a search for his own roots and soul. Provost is a gifted storyteller. The River Is Everywhere is well worth your time.” ~Stephen O’Connor, author of Smokestack Lightening

“A modern-day adventurer on a quest for meaning as he learns about love, loss, and his own soul.” ~Paul Marion, editor of Atop an Underwood, the early work of Jack Kerouac

“A rich and haunting coming-of-age story with a hero reminiscent of a less cynical Holden Caulfield, The River is Everywhere explores the best—and worst—of human nature, with charming, complex, and fully rendered characters that are hard to forget.” ~Liz Michalski, author of Evenfall

About the Author
Emilie-Noelle Provost lives in an old mill city in northeastern Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and three crazy rescue cats. She has held editorial roles at several magazines and is the author of The Blue Bottle, a middle-grade adventure novel. When she's not clicking away on her keyboard, she can usually be found on hiking trail in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. See what she’s up to at emilienoelleprovost.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com


Spotlight on Emerson Pass Historicals by Tess Thompson

Spotlight

"The world was a hard place and courage our only map."

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Emerson Pass Historicals, a series of sweet American historical romances from Tess Thompson, the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction.

"Wholesome...like cookies and milk. Highly recommended." ~Mary-Lisa R., Goodreads Review

"Heartwarming, entertaining, and romantic...an epic tale." ~Diana J., Amazon Review

"Feel-good historical fiction." ~Gina B., Goodreads Review

In the days ahead, we'll provide you with a closer look at each novel in the series as we feature them in the LitNuts newsletter. Today, we invite you learn more via an overview of the entire Emerson Pass Historicals series and to meet Tess Thompson.

Emerson Pass Historicals

Series of 8 Books on Kindle: $39.92
Individual titles from $0.99
Free via Kindle Unlimited


 
Escape to a simpler time with clean and wholesome historical fiction for any age!

He's a lonely widower with five children. She braves the frontier hoping for a new life. Together, they create the family they all need.

Wealthy Lord Barnes left his homeland for adventures in America and is raising five precocious children alone in 1910 when the first schoolteacher of Emerson Pass arrives with nothing but an extra dress in her suitcase.

Miss Quinn Cooper has left her mother and sister to brave the unknown Western frontier, never dreaming that her destiny is about to unfold.

Meet Alexander Barnes, Quinn Cooper, and the Barnes family, and follow along as each Barnes sibling experiences a happily-ever-after in this series. Along the way, enjoy epic love stories, sibling loyalty, and deep friendships in this touching family saga.

The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 1)
4.4 stars, 13,000+ ratings

An impoverished young woman. A lonely father of five. Will they be able to resist when a cadre of optimistic children start matchmaking?


The Spinster (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 2)
4.5 stars, 3796 ratings

Her love died on a battlefield. He carries a torch for a woman he’s never met. Can the tragic death of a soldier entwine the souls of two strangers?


The Scholar (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 3)
4.5 stars, 2565 ratings

They've both been wounded by the past. Can their marriage of convenience bring the healing they need? 


The Problem Child (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 4)
4.6 stars, 2043 ratings

She declared him her arch-enemy. Then he saved her beloved sister, and she started to see him differently. Still, she can't let go of the idea that her destiny is waiting somewhere else in the world.


The Seven Days of Christmas (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 5)
4.5 stars, 1313 ratings

Merry Christmas from Emerson Pass in this bonus novella full of holiday cheer, romance, and family.


The Musician (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 6)
4.6 stars, 1344 ratings

Fiona Barnes has a secret. One so big she's afraid it will destroy everything she holds dear. Not even her beloved music can save her.


The Wordsmith (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 7)
4.6 stars, 1047 ratings

She’s loved him from afar. He thinks of her as his best friend’s little sister. Will these forbidden lovers find their way before they lose each other forever?


The Rebel (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 8)
4.8 stars, 588 ratings

She watches helplessly as the man she loves leaves to fight with the Allies overseas. He promises her he will return to her alive and well. Will he be able to keep his promise, or will he be yet another lost soldier in a war against tyranny?


Emerson Pass Historicals: Books 1-3

Get started on the series with this collection of the first three books: The School Mistress, The Spinster, and The Scholar


About the Author

Tess Thompson is the award-winning author of more than 100 contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction titles. Her books can best be summed up as "Hometowns and Heartstrings." 

She’s married to her prince, Best Husband Ever, and is the mother of their blended family of four kids and five cats. After graduating from the University of Southern California Drama School, she had hopes of becoming an actress, but was called instead to writing fiction. She’s grateful to spend most days in her office matchmaking her characters while her favorite cat, Mittens, sleeps on the desk.

Learn more and say hello at TessWrites.com. Sign up for her newsletter to get a free copy of her novella, The Santa Trial, and keep in touch via your favorite social media platform: 
BookBub
Facebook
Goodreads
Pinterest
Instagram
 


New Release: Hope for the Worst by Kate Brandt

Spotlight

Congratulations to Kate Brandt and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Hope for the Worst, a novel that asks how far we will go for love, and what happens when we reach our limit.

"A novel with many lessons for living, rendered in beautiful form." ~Jimin Han, author of A Small Revolution


Hope for the Worst by Kate Brandt

NEW RELEASE: March 7, 2023
From $5.99  

Ellie is twenty-four years old, stuck in a dead-end job, and questioning the meaning of life when she meets the much older Calvin. It’s as if her deepest wish has been granted. Star of the Buddhist teaching circuit in New York’s Greenwich Village, his wisdom is exactly what she’s been seeking.

When she becomes the center of his attention, it’s almost pure bliss…until it becomes clear that Calvin expects sex as part of the bargain. At first reluctant, Ellie gradually falls ever more deeply in love, until Calvin is all she can think about.

Calvin’s lectures stress the Buddhist concept of non-attachment, but that doesn’t salve her wounds when he abandons her. Suddenly alone, Ellie must find a way to heal from her loss—but not before devotion to her teacher takes her halfway across the world to Tibet, and puts her life in real danger.
 
Praise for Hope for the Worst
“A thrilling journey into the heart of Buddhist thought on pain, truth, and desire. This story will pull you deep into the thorny beauty of American Buddhism—and leave you wondering and moved.” ~Blair Hurley, author of The Devoted

“A novel that speaks to our moment: how do we live? how not to suffer? how to be where we are? This remarkable story allows us to see our own lives with new eyes.” ~Kathleen Hill, author of She Read to Us in the Late Afternoons

“A tale of high ideas and high longing, with an untrustworthy guru and New York in its most desperate years...a riveting book that will make its mark on all readers.” ~Joan Silber, author of The Secrets of Happiness and Improvement
 
“Pulses with vivid observations of what we do in the search for love...a novel with many lessons for living, rendered in beautiful form.” ~Jimin Han, author of The Apology and A Small Revolution

About the Author
Kate Brandt’s work has appeared in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Literary Mama, The Westchester Review, Ginosko, and Redivider, among other journals. She teaches adult literacy students in New York City and lives in Westchester County, New York. Learn more at katebrandt.net.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com


Spotlight on Clash of Fate and Fury by Rachel Menard

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Clash of Fate and Fury by Rachel Menard, award-winning young adult fantasy novel coming March 21. 
 
A 2023 Junior Library Guild Selection
 
Order direct from the publisher and get 30% off with coupon code LitNuts30.


Clash of Fate and Fury

Coming March 21
Reading/Interest Age: 14-18
E-book: From $8.99
Paperback: $14.99

Seventeen-year-old Gen may have rescued her beloved father from prison, but she hasn’t saved him yet. If she fails her end of a bargain with the Olympian Empresses, they will send him right back to his cell.

To keep the Empresses happy, Gen must bring them the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus. But both are rumored to be in the neighboring Elysium Empire, which has a long history of war with Olympia. Making matters worse, Gen’s former enemy and newly designated heir to the isle of Arcadia Castor invites herself on the journey, hoping a golden apple could end Arcadia’s reliance on Illumium for storm vials. And Castor’s twin brother, Gen’s StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, has been pulling away from Gen due to troubles stemming from her mind magic.

With Castor’s pirate-thief girlfriend and Pollux’s servant companion in tow, the unlikely team embarks on its voyage. But war is only an insult away in Elysium, and more than the Emperor has their eyes on Gen’s mission. The quest has caught the attention of one of Elysium’s Oracles, and trouble is sure to brew with Prophecy on the rise.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Menard was born in New Jersey, raised in Arizona, and then relocated to Rhode Island. Throughout her life, she has been a barista, college radio DJ, singer in an alt-country band, marketer, designer, and finally, a young adult author. Her work has been featured in Writer's Digest and on Cast of Wonders, and her short story "Blame it on the Bees" was chosen as a “Best of 2019” by Diabolical Plots. Her first novel Steel Hand, Cold Heart, won the Grand Prize in the Writer’s Digest 7th Annual Self-Published eBook awards. Learn more at RachelMenard.com.
Sign up to get news from North Star Classroom, Jolly Fish Press, Flux, and other imprints of North Star Editions, a publishing company dedicated to guiding readers toward a lifetime love of reading. North Star Editions offers fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults that inspires, informs, and entertains.


Spotlight on Home is a Made-Up Place by Ronit Plank

Spotlight

Congratulations to Ronit Plank and Motina Books on the release of Home is a Made-Up Place, a collection of award-winning short stories.

“A poignant and melancholy collection of stories about the constant search for a place to belong.” ~Kirkus Reviews


Home is a Made-Up Place

NEW RELEASE: February 28, 2023
$0.99 E-book
$11.99 Paperback  

Winner of the Eludia Award for Short Fiction from Hidden River Arts, Home is a Made-Up Place invites readers into the lives of people grappling with emotional injuries and confronting the past to become who they wish to be.

Set in NYC, New England, the Southwest, and rural Alaska, a single mother fights to protect her son, a daughter tries to forget her missing mother, a couple struggles to keep a marriage together and their children safe, and a family must face the truth about their father.

Bracing and intimate, Home is a Made-Up Place is a collection of stories about fighting for personal power, recognizing the difference between what can and cannot be changed, and the pull of familial attachments despite the toll they might take.

Praise for Home is a Made-Up Place

"Expertly plumbs the complicated and surprising depths of motherhood and daughterhood while introducing characters who thrill and linger. A tender and exacting debut from an exciting new voice." ~Marie-Helene Bertino, author of Parakeet
  
"A lucid and compassionate collection by a writer to watch." ~Cate Kennedy, author of Like a House on Fire

"Every reader will be able to connect with the feelings of loneliness, betrayal, anxiety, and hostility that recur throughout these works." ~Kirkus Reviews


About the Author

Ronit Plank is a Seattle-based writer, teacher, and editor whose work has been featured in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Writer’s Digest, The Rumpus, American Literary Review, Hippocampus, The Iowa Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir, When She Comes Back, about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation, was named a 2021 Best True Crime Book by Book Riot and was a Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Housatonic Book Awards, and the Book of the Year Awards.

Ronit's fiction and creative nonfiction have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes, the Best of the Net, and the Best Microfiction Anthology. Her weekly podcast, Let’s Talk Memoir, features interviews with memoirists about craft, the creative process, and the writing life, and is available on Apple, Spotify, and at ronitplank.com

In the Seattle, New York, or Connecticut areas? Catch Ronit at one of these events.


New Release: Soul Food by Beth Gibbs

Spotlight

Life-Affirming Stories Served with Side Dishes and Just Desserts 
Congratulations to author Beth Gibbs and to Emerald Lake Books on the release of Soul Food: Life-Affirming Stories Served with Side Dishes and Just Desserts. Read on to learn more about this enlightening and inspiring book. 

Also, don't forget to enter the Beth Gibbs Book Giveaway for a chance to win books signed by Beth and a $25 coffee shop gift card. Winners will be selected on March 4!  

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

New Release: February 28
From $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



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.

But Soul Food is more than just a collection of inspiring, interconnected stories. It's a celebration of the human experience and the rich tapestry of emotions that make us who we are. Through the diverse range of characters and themes, we are reminded of the many ways in which we can find meaning and fulfillment in our lives, despite the challenges we face.

Like a good Sunday brunch, composed of complementary foods from appetizers to dessert, the stories in Soul Food are colorful, homey, and easily digested. They are sure to nourish your body, mind, and spirit, and leave you feeling satisfied and fulfilled. Don't miss out on this delicious feast for the senses.

This standalone companion to Beth Gibbs’s Enlighten Up! (see below) 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

"A delightful collection of stories, chock full of humor, each one infused with a salient essence of truth." ~Phyllis A. Blackstone, My Storied Life

"Like sharing a delicious meal with old friends." ~Carla Dean, President, Journey Writers, Inc.

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. 

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 newsletter, magazine, 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


Discover Great Self-Help Books in the Help Yourself Giveaway!

Spotlight



Today marks the launch of the Help Yourself Giveaway, brought to you by the authors and publishers of the great self-help books shown below.

Enrich your life with books about leadership, self-esteem, spirituality, health, marriage, parenting, travel, and more. Then follow the authors and publishers of these helpful books for a chance to win $75 in books!


Optimize Your Immune System by Marie Ruggles
Genre: Immunology, Immune Systems, Nutrition
4.7 stars, 120 ratings
From $3.99


In Optimize Your Immune System: Create Health and Resilience with a Kitchen Pharmacy, you'll learn how to build a kitchen pharmacy of whole foods, superfoods, and nutrients to provide a stable foundation for your health. Marie Ruggles, MS, RD, CN, CDE, draws upon more than forty years of experience within the wellness arena to make specific recommendations for how to fortify and stimulate your body’s natural defenses. Follow this immune-boosting roadmap to a healthier diet, making you less prone to viral infections and more resilient after an illness.

"An insightful and engaging book about wellness." ~Readers Favorite 5-Star Review

"A clear, actionable guide that delivers practical food-as-medicine and lifestyle strategies to bolster your immune defense." ~Kathie Swift, author of The Swift Diet

Bigger Better Braver by Nancy Pickard
Genre: Self-Esteem
4.7 stars, 54 ratings
From $7.99


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 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, 32 ratings
From $4.99


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.
"Great support to anyone preparing for heart surgery." ~Ian Day, co-author of Challenging Coaching

The Marriage Experience by Ryan and Jenny Brown
Genre: Christian Counseling, Christian Dating & Relationships
5 Stars
$17.99

The Marriage Experience: Weekly Conversation Starters to Build the Relationship You Desire is 52 weeks of guided prompts with a short, biblically-based readings each week, designed to help couples have intentional, affirming, strengthening conversations with each other.

Designed to be an easy way to stay connected with each other even in the busiest years of life, The Marriage Experience can be repeated year after year. The prompts and readings will easily apply to each new season of life. Couples will find that their conversations will grow deeper and deeper as the years go by.

"An absolute game-changer!" ~Alisha Illian, author of Chasing Perfect

"A great pathway for couples to communicate and draw closer to one another.” ~Brad and Marilyn Rhoads, founders of Grace Marriage


Inner Compass Mom by Danielle Kloberdanz
Genre: Memoir, Christian Missions & Missionary Work
5 stars, 26 ratings
From $6.99


Part memoir, part prescription for the overwhelmed mom, Inner Compass Mom: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Midst of Motherhood shares Danielle Koberdanz’s transformation from disillusioned mother of four to a happier, purposeful, and joyful woman, free of the feelings of inadequacy that had plagued her.

In her spiritual coming of age, Kloberdanz found encouragement and inspiration in the teachings of spiritual leaders, philosophers, and scientists, and tapped into their insights for her own path to a life-changing transformation. Kloberdanz shares their combined wisdom and her own insights in a readable, relatable, and uplifting guide for any mom to find more peace and happiness while raising a family. 

"A simple guide to reconnect with your inner self to find a sense of true well being.” ~Patty Berry, Registered Dietitian, mother of three

Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian by Chandrika D. Phea
Genre: Christian Liberation Theology, Christian Commentaries
4.9 stars, 28 ratings
From $6.49


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


The Mad Ramblings of a Joker by Brandon Dillon
Genre: American Poetry
4.9 Stars, 71 Ratings
From $3.99


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

Joyous Leadership by John Mark Watson
Genre: Business Mentoring & Coaching
5 stars, 55 ratings
From $6.99


What 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

Return to Chiloé by Diana Delacruz
Genre: Memoir, Christian Missions & Missionary Work
From $2.99


Return to Chiloé: Treasures from the Island charts a life-changing trek from memories of the past to hope for the future. Join author Diana Delacruz on a nostalgic six-day return journey to Chiloé, her former home on a little-known Chilean island shrouded in mist and mystery that shifted her life experience in subtle yet significant ways.

In this travel memoir complemented by meditations on local mythology, Diana chases and checks off adventures on her Chiloé Islands bucket list: sleep in a palafito with an ocean view, eat clambake-in-a-pot, tour heritage architecture, discover hidden hamlets, savor the sunset over the Pacific. Along the way, questions surge to challenge her: Did our work here all those years ago matter? How can I harmonize my love for this land and its people with the desperate need for transformation we all share? Can I reach and touch eternity amid the harsh realities of life here?

Diana uncovers gems of bright sea glass in the darkness of generations steeped in myths and legends. Surprises sweep her up as God’s true story, the only remedy for false narratives, renews her faith. Her prayer—and ours—becomes, "God, let me see what matters. Help me sort treasure from trash, crystals from clamshells."


Spotlight on The Communion of Shadows by Gordon Bonnet

Spotlight

Congratulations to Gordon Bonnet and Motina Books on the release of The Communion of Shadows, a ghost story set in the bayou country of southern Louisiana.

"A set of compelling and atmospheric ghost stories with a real sense of place and time." ~Amazon Review 
★★★★★


The Communion of Shadows by Gordon Bonnet

NEW RELEASE: February 21, 2023
$0.99 Kindle edition (free via Kindle Unlimited)
$15.99 Paperback  

Sometimes the past refuses to die...

It's August of 1850, deep in the bayou country of southern Louisiana. Four good friends are working in the fields harvesting the crops when a sudden thunderstorm drives them all indoors. There's kind, warm-hearted J. P. Ayo; eager, earnest young T-Joe Lirette; wry, hard-bitten Clovis Dantin; and gentle, easy-going Leandre Naquin.

"Hell of a night," Leandre remarks, as they share a drink and wait for the storm to pass. "The kind of night when the ghosts walk."

This seemingly offhand comment is the impetus for each of the four men to share his own ghost story. The tales the men tell—by turns tragic, funny, frightening, and heartbreaking—give them a window into their friends' souls. When one of them confesses that his own personal ghost story isn't over, that he's still trapped in the middle of it, the events that follow will test the depth of their loyalty and friendship in ways that none of them could ever have dreamed.

What is certain is that after that night, none of the four will ever be the same.

About the Author

Since his "Crazy Bird Bends His Beak" won critical acclaim in Mrs. Moore’s 1st-grade class at Central Elementary School in St. Albans, West Virginia, Gordon Bonnet hasn’t stopped writing. He just can’t.

Twenty-two books later and he’s just warming up.

Queer speculative fiction, a wildly popular, often-sarcastic but always educational daily blog Skeptophilia, and a bevy of psychic detectives solving mysteries—Gordon wields his useless knowledge of archaic languages and obscure science facts to cut at the very heart of dumb.

Find him conversing with his dogs in Trumansburg, NY, or on:
His website
YouTube
Skeptophilia blog
Twitter
TikTok
Instagram


Spotlight on NBA All-Time Greats Vol 2 from Press Box Books

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the NBA All-Time Greats, Set 2, from Press Box Books — perfect for young sports fans ages 7-10.
 
Tip: Get 30% off books from North Star Editions (including Press Box Books) when you order direct from the publisher. Just use coupon code LitNuts30 at checkout. 
 

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.

                     


Spotlight on I'm Never Fine by Joseph Lezza

Spotlight

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

NEW RELEASE: February 21, 2023
From $6.49  

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

About the Author

Joseph Lezza is a writer in New York, NY. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and received his MFA from The University of Texas at El Paso. Between degrees, he spent several years as a character in one of the longest-running stories ever told, skippering the rivers of the Jungle Cruise or off-roading truckloads of tourists across the most realistic African savannahs $170-a-day could buy. His work in television has been seen on such networks as VH1, Lifetime, and NBC. His writing has been featured in, among others, Santa Fe Writers Project, West Trade Review, Stoneboat Literary Journal, Still: The Journal, and his essay for The Hopper was a 2020 nominee for the Best of the Net anthology. When he’s not writing, he spends his time worrying about why he’s not writing. Visit Joseph at josephlezza.com. You can also find him on the socials @lezzdoothis.
About the Publisher

Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.


Beth Gibbs Book Giveaway: Win signed copies + $25 gift card!

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is announcing a new giveaway and shining a spotlight on the work of author Beth Gibbs.

Beth has more than 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring yoga students, teachers, and therapists from all over the world to implement the five-layer model of self-awareness in their professional work and personal practice. Read on to learn more about her books (including a new release coming February 28) and her work, but first...

Be sure to enter the Beth Gibbs Book Giveaway for a chance to win books signed by the author and a $25 coffee shop gift card. Enter by March 4, 2023. 
 

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.
Learn how to apply this model of self-awareness to your own life through the tips and simple yoga practices shared in this book.

"A fun, interesting, engaging read." ~Goodreads Reviewer

"Great book on using self-awareness to build a balanced life." ~Amazon Reviewer

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


Spotlight on Houdini's Fabulous Magic - new edition!

Spotlight

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

NEW EDITION!
by Walter B. Gibson and Morris N. Young
Foreword by Gabe Fajuri​
From $5.99  

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

 
About the Authors

Walter B. Gibson (1897-1985), a graduate of Colgate University, was a prolific writer, including The Shadow novels under his pen name Maxwell Grant. For a time he was Houdini's personal secretary. Following Houdini's death, the attorney for the estate permitted Walter to examine many of Houdini's private scrapbooks and notes from which Gibson wrote Houdini's Magic and Houdini's Escapes.  Houdini's scrapbooks, papers, and other documents form the background for Houdini's Fabulous Magic. Also a magician, Walter toured with and wrote for magicians such as Blackstone (Sr.), Thurston, and Raymond. He was a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the American Society for Psychical Research, the Magician's Guild of America, and the Magician's Club of London.

Morris N. Young, M.D. (1909-2002), a graduate of M.I.T., Harvard, and Columbia University, was Director of Ophthalmology at Beekman Downtown Hospital in New York City. Aside from his numerous professional memberships, he was a member of the Society of American Magicians (to which Houdini had helped him join as a young man), the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and a member of the Inner Circle of the Magic Circle (London). He was a founder of the Magic Collectors Association including their publication MAGICOL. Along with his wife, Chesley, he established the largest private holdings on memory and mnemonics which now resides at the University of San Marino. Along with his friend John McManus, in 1955 they established the McManus-Young Collections at the Library of Congress, The University of Texas, Austin, and the University of California in Berkeley. Morris' other book publications include Hobby Magic, Houdini on Magic (with Walter Gibson), Presto Prestige, Bibliography of Memory, How To Develop An Exceptional Memory (with Walter Gibson), The Complete Guide to Science Fair Competition (with John Stolzfus), and Radio Music Live (with John Stolzfus).


Spotlight on the Mackinac Island Stories: Romance/Suspense from author Michèle Olson

Spotlight

Happy Valentine's Day! And welcome to the Mackinac Island Stories of author Michèle Olson—stories filled with mystery, romance, friendship, faith, and quirky characters, all set on beautiful Mackinac Island in The Straits area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 

The novels, which can be read alone but offer a richer experience when read in sequence, include Being Ethel (in a world that loves Lucy), Being Dorothy (in a world longing for home), Being Alice (in a world lost in the looking glass), and Being Wendy (in a world afraid to grow up). 

BONUS! All four books are being offered via Kindle Countdown Deals through February 19. The books are also available via Kindle Unlimited. 

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.


Lessons on Grieving & Finding Meaning After Loss

Spotlight

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
Living with a Grieving Heart
The Best is Yet to Come

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


Spotlight on the Gaby Quinn Mystery Series from Andrea O'Connor

Spotlight

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


Spotlight on the Shadow Slayers Stories by Nellie H. Steele

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Shadow Slayers Stories from author Nellie H. Steele, a suspenseful supernatural mystery series following a group of friends as they battle the darkness in the world. It's Dark Shadows meets Stranger Things in this urban fantasy filled with action and supernatural drama!

Pre-order Darkness Rising, the newest book in the series, to receive a copy upon its release on February 7! 



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.

             


Spotlight on A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon

Spotlight

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

Poetry - New Release!
From $4.99  

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

About Jessica Bell
Jessica Bell is a multi-award-winning author/poet and singer-songwriter who was born in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to having published a memoir, five novels, four poetry collections, and numerous craft books on writing and publishing, she is also the Publisher of Vine Leaves Press and a highly sought-after book cover designer. To learn more, visit her website.


Spotlight on contemporary romance author Frances Dall'Alba

Spotlight

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE SET IN AUSTRALIA
 
Author Frances Dall'Alba loves losing herself in a good romance, and she wants to help you do the same. Her romance novels feature plenty of emotion and passion, all set against the beauty of Australia. Read on to learn more about Frances Dall'Alba books—including the Australia At Heart series and a new release coming February 1!

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
When she isn't writing, Frances is climbing mountains, searching for waterfalls, and swimming across lakes. She loves to exercise, would prefer it if someone else cooked dinner every night, and never notices dust on the furniture. 

She lives with her husband in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, and uses her great baking skills to tempt her three daughters to visit home as often as they can. Learn more about Frances on her website


Spotlight on the Structural Wonders series from North Star Classroom

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Structural Wonders series from North Star Classroom, a great set of books for the young readers in your life!
 
Tip: Email sales@northstareditions.com and
mention "LitNuts" to get 30% off your order. 

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 WatColosseumGiza PyramidsGreat Wall of ChinaMachu Picchu, and Taj Mahal.
          


New Release & Giveaway: A World of Dinosaurs!

Spotlight

Today, we are celebrating the release of A World of Dinosaurs, Book 1 in the Mintari Series, by Daniel Arenson, USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. 

We are also launching a new giveaway! Daniel is giving away a very cool dinosaur skeleton fossil model valued at $50. Enter for a chance to win by joining Daniel's Readers' Group. Bonus: Get three free fantasy and science fiction novels just for joining the group! Enter by January 31. 
 
 

A World of Dinosaurs

New Release: January 17, 2023
Book 1 in the Mintari Series
From $5.99
 


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.


Spotlight on Yurie Kiri Books

Spotlight

TALES OF MURDER, MYSTERY, AND SUSPENSE
WITH A PARANORMAL TWIST
Author Yurie Kiri has a signature style, a captivating and intricate method of storytelling with plots that are anything but predictable. Are the villains good old-fashioned bad guys, demons, viscous animals, corporate fiends, or some combination of all four? Read on to learn more about Yurie Kiri books—including two that are currently on sale for 99 cents!

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

Free via Kindle Unlimited!

Murder and Magic Series: The Moonlight Trilogy 
Moonlight Beach, Moonlight Canyon, Moonlight Rocks
$8.99


The Games Series: The Games Duology
Tokyo Games, Osaka Games
$7.99

About the Author
Yurie Kiri speaks Japanese, English, and French, and has studied Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish, along with a smattering of other languages, including Korean and Russian, as well as binary and hexadecimal machine language. Why? Because if you really want to get to know someone, you need to speak their language no matter if they’re machine or human.  

Yurie lived and worked in Asia for decades before coming to America and taking an extensive backroad journey all across the United States and Canada. Yurie also sailed (single-handed) from Mexico to the Canadian border, retracing a well-traveled road journey by sea in a small, live-aboard sailboat. 

Yurie currently lives on that sailboat, cruising between various ports in the Pacific Ocean. Sailing, writing, and photography are Yurie's primary passions.

Yurie does not use pronouns (for a reason). For one thing, it keeps the reader guessing—is Yurie male, female, non-binary, or even a machine? No one really knows for sure…except maybe Yurie's beloved cat, Fluffy, who also knows where all the bodies are buried and is not allowed to leave Yurie's sight.

You can learn more and read excerpts of Yurie's work by visiting YurieKiri.com


Get the "Unsolved Mysteries" series for young readers grades 3 - 7!

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Unsolved Mystery series from North Star Classroom, an engaging series for young readers grades 3 - 7.
 
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.
             


Spotlight on North Star Editions: Publisher of quality children & young adult books

Spotlight

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


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