Today's Featured Books— Spotlight
Spotlight on New York Stories by Yurie Kiri
New York Stories by Yurie Kiri
Paperback: $15.99
E-book: $0.99
Kindle Unlimited
#1 in Virtual Reality
#1 in Cybernetics

What it's not...

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Winner 2022 New England Book Festival, "Unpublished Fiction" Category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

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
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

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


Spotlight on: The River is Everywhere
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, 2023From $4.99

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

About the Publisher

Spotlight on Emerson Pass Historicals by Tess Thompson

"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: $39.92Individual 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.

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?


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?


4.5 stars, 2565 ratings
They've both been wounded by the past. Can their marriage of convenience bring the healing they need?


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.


4.5 stars, 1313 ratings
Merry Christmas from Emerson Pass in this bonus novella full of holiday cheer, romance, and family.


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.


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?


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?


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

About the Author

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
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, 2023From $5.99

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

About the Publisher

Spotlight on Clash of Fate and Fury by Rachel Menard
Clash of Fate and Fury
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

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

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
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
From $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)


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
4.8 stars on Amazon


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 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

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

"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

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

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.
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

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

"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
W

"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

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
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

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

NBA All-Time Greats, Set 2
$71.60 Set of Eight Paperback
From $7.49 each (For individual books, click on the book covers, below.)

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
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, 2023From $6.49

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

About the Publisher

Beth Gibbs Book Giveaway: Win signed copies + $25 gift card!
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
4.8 stars on Amazon


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.
"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
New release coming February 28!


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 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

Spotlight on Houdini's Fabulous Magic - new edition!
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

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

About the Authors
W


Spotlight on the Mackinac Island Stories: Romance/Suspense from author Michèle Olson
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)
Free via Kindle Unlimited


Being Dorothy: (In a world longing for home)
Free via Kindle Unlimited


Being Alice: (In a world lost in the looking glass)
Free via Kindle Unlimited


Being Wendy: (In a world afraid to grow up)
Free via Kindle Unlimited


About Michèle Olson

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

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 Grieving Heart
The Best is Yet to Come
Living with a Dead Man by Marianne Bette


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


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


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

About Tara Alemany

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

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


Woodson Falls: 9 Donovan's Way


Woodson Falls: 2 Sunrise Trail


About the Author

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

Spotlight on the Shadow Slayers Stories by Nellie H. Steele
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
$18.79 set of first four books in the series


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

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
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

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

Spotlight on contemporary romance author Frances Dall'Alba
Jack & Eva
Pre-order now from $3.99


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
4.6 stars, 48 ratings on Goodreads
From $4.99


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
Five Stars from Readers' Favorite
From $4.99


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
"An emotional rollercoaster!" ~Goodreads Review
From $4.99


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.

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
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
mention "LitNuts" to get 30% off your order.
Structural Wonders Series
$59.70 set of six


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.






New Release & Giveaway: A World of Dinosaurs!
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, 2023Book 1 in the Mintari Series
From $5.99


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

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
WITH A PARANORMAL TWIST

Moonlight Beach
From $0.99


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
From $2.99


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
From $0.99


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
From $3.99


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
From $3.99


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

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!
Unsolved Mysteries Series
$79.60 set of eight


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
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