Today's Featured Books— Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Chimera Snare: Fragments, the recently released first book of a new dark fantasy series from authors S & E Black.

★★★★★ "A riveting journey into the realm of mystical secrets." ~Amazon Review

BONUS: Enter a giveaway on Facebook or Instagram to win one of two handmade and signed art prints! 

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The Chimera Snare: Fragments

Book 1 in a Dark Fantasy Series
New release: August 17, 2024
4.7 stars, 12 ratings
Special editions, signed copies & gifts at Clay Urn Publishing
Paperback: $24.99 from Amazon
Ebook: $4.99 from Amazon



High school chaos clashes with an other-worldly feud as two earthbound teenagers work together to thwart a reality-bending showdown.

The Chimera Snare: Fragments plunges the reader into the middle of an otherworldly feud between the distant realms of Celestine and Daeva. Notable characters from each realm are vying for the possession of a powerful set of artifacts known as The Order of Existence that grants the user control over all reality. While the Celestines have established themselves as the guardians of The Order, a sect within the persecuted realm of Daeva aims to assume control of it and exact a long-awaited vengeance.

When two Celestine guardians are expelled from their realm and trapped within the bodies of two earthbound teenagers, a race begins between the feuding realms: Will the Celestines find a way to free their guardians, or will the Daeva succeed in their quest to alter the fabric of existence?

Meanwhile on Earth, high schoolers and best friends Rayshell and Trish are thrust into the story when they realize that they are living vessels in this realm for the two banished Celestine guardians, putting Rayshell and Trish in a race against time to connect with the Celestines before the Daeva find them. 

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The Clay Urn Publishing Store
In addition to signed and limited edition copies of The Chimera Snare, Clay Urn Publishing offers a variety of artisan gifts, including a Triple Moon Pendant, hand-painted artwork, fragrances in the form of artisan candles, soaps, and incense, and other curated goods. Visit Clay Urn Publishing to learn more. 

      

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About the Authors
Shannon Vierra is an urban gardener and avid seed collector—last clocked in with over 3500 different varieties. In the makeup community, Shannon goes by zoomzoommacaron where she collaborates with fellow MUAS across the world. She hosts a monthly zombie-themed makeup group called the #zombabescollab and adores SFX and other creative makeup. Shannon is also the owner of ShopCorpsicle which specializes in handmade props, fake food, miniatures, prosthetics, and other accessories. She uses the alias Silence In Shadows for her traditional art. 

Edward Ayllon first discovered the joys of creative writing through his early high school studies, and has spent many years exploring and developing a deep appreciation for the arts. Since first collaborating with his wife, Shannon, he has sprouted a passion and true affinity for storytelling and crafting literature. In addition to refining his skill in creating written works, his other interests include playing bass guitar, listening to music, and dabbling in photography.

Shannon and Edward write together as S&E Black, and The Chimera Snare: Fragments was released on August 17, 2024, which was their anniversary. (Happy Anniversary, Shannon and Edward!) Both are originally from California and now live in the Chicago area with an a clowder of rescue cats. Learn more at TheChimeraSnare.com. 

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About Clay Urn Publishing
Clay Urn Publishing LLC, co-founded in 2023 by Edward Ayllon and Shannon Vierra, is home to The Chimera Snare series and is open to other imaginative and captivating literary works. Committed to supporting independent voices, this publishing house seeks to create a platform where unique stories can flourish. Clay Urn has also developed a creative way to promote animal welfare and independent animal rescue organizations. Visit ClayUrnPublishing.com to learn more, and be sure to follow Clay Urn online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Ben & Blue: Searching for Lucky #3002, a new mystery for young readers ages 8 - 12 from author Ellen Melissa Cohen and Red Chair Press.

★★★★★ "Educational and told from the heart." ~Readers Favorite

BONUS: Get the FREE Discussion Guide for educators and parents.

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Ben & Blue: Searching for Lucky #3002

NEW RELEASE: October 1, 2024
Genre: Juvenile fiction (Ages 8-12, Grades 3-6)
Available in hardcover, softcover, audiobook, and e-book from $8.99

Ben knows only three things about his dad: 1) he has green eyes, 2) he has a number, and 3) at one point in his life, he made a deposit at a bank.

Ben’s mom is usually good about answering Ben's questions. But not this one. So, when Ben is assigned a family tree project at school, he confronts his mom (for the zillionth time), and instead of telling Ben the truth, she buys him a dog (Blue).

With the dreaded day of oral reports looming, Ben enlists the help of his best friend, Cooper, and Blue to uncover his dad’s whereabouts and complete his family tree. But what Ben discovers is stranger than anything he could have ever imagined. And to make matters worse, Blue’s former owner enters the story and unusual things start to happen.

Praise for Ben & Blue
"This sweet story tackles the complicated topic of nontraditional families with sensitivity and humor. An excellent read for middle grade readers and their parents looking for suspense, action, and uplifting entertainment." ~Lisa Parker Hayreh, Independent Book Review full review

"Combining the very adult topic of donor-conceived birth with a fun mystery for youngsters...was a stroke of genius on the part of this author." ~Feathered Quill Book Reviews full review

"An outstanding addition to middle-grade fiction. A heartwarming, insightful, and thoroughly enjoyable read that both children and adults will appreciate." ~Literary Titan full review

"Heartfelt and full of surprises."  ~Courtney Sheinmel, author of My So-Called Family

(Spoiler Alert!) "A solid introduction...for elementary readers into what it means to be born by sperm donation." ~Booklist

"An informative and engaging story about reproduction and a different, more scientific, approach to how babies are made. Told in simple language so young readers can follow along. Educational and told from the heart." ~Readers Favorite

2024 International Book Awards: Finalist for Best in Children's Fiction

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About the Author
Ellen Melissa Cohen, M.D. is a psychiatrist on faculty at Harvard Medical School and a board member of the New England Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She graduated Barnard College as a creative writing major before going to medical school. Her short story “The Mystery of the Northern Lights” was published in the Nancy Drew Anthology (Silver Birch Press; 2016). Ellen lives with her husband near Boston, Massachusetts. Learn more at EllenMelissaCohen.com.

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About the Illustrator
Donald Wu was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Oakland, California. His passion for drawing and comic books led him to attend California College of the Arts where he studied illustration. Donald currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife, Leanne, son, daughter, and dog. Learn more at DonaldWu.com.

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About the Publisher
Red Chair Press is committed to learning and literacy (and laughter!). Founded in 2009, Red Chair Press has been dedicated to publishing series to engage children in stories that provide models for strong character and good behavior. By working with only the highest-quality artists from around the world, Red Chair Press ensures that their books will appeal to a wide range of readers. Learn more at RedChairPress.com, and be sure to follow them online:
 

We're just 2 days away from the release of Martha's Notebook by C. Fulster, the first book of a new zombie apocalypse trilogy that includes a viral outbreak, zombies, and AI gone wrong. Pre-order now to get your copy on October 1.

Bonus: Get the e-book for a special price of $2.99 now through October 5. (After that, the e-book will be available at a regular price of $4.99.)

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Martha's Notebook

New release coming October 1, 2024
Special pre-order price: $2.99


 

Before the incident, Martha’s biggest worry was her parents’ divorce. Now she’s hiding from a zombie horde hell-bent on annihilating humankind nicknamed “Chippers.”

But this attack wasn’t spurred by a viral outbreak. Instead, these zombies seem to be puppets of an AI technology gone rogue, and with every day that passes, it’s learning more about how to accomplish its sinister goal.

But why is an AI creating, controlling, and upgrading zombies—and more importantly, how do you stop an ultra-intelligent, world-ending technology that can shift course at a moment’s notice?

Only one thing is clear: there’s no going back.

Martha’s Notebook is the electrifying first installment of a new sci-fi horror trilogy that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every twist. Jam-packed with survival, suspense, and existential dread, it’s sure to satisfy any post-apocalyptic fiction enthusiast.

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About the Author

C. Fulster is a seasoned electrician, devoted husband, and new father who moonlights as an award-winning writer, producer, and illustrator. He has sixteen children’s books, three animated screenplays, and one internationally acclaimed short film under his belt, and he has donated the proceeds of five picture books to charity.

In his free time, he can be found indulging his passions for hockey, spicy food, and relaxing. He currently resides in Colorado with his beautiful wife, adorable daughter, and their two dogs. Learn more at cfulster.com where you can also sign up for his newsletter (scroll to the bottom on any page on his website), and be sure to follow him online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Lancelot Schaubert, author, editor, and producer of albums, films, and photo novels. The works in today's special edition newsletter run the gamut from science fiction to humor to social commentary. Read on to learn more.

“Lancelot Schaubert writes with conviction but without the cliché and bluster of the propaganda that is so common in this age of blogs and tweets. Here is a real practitioner of the craft who has the patience to pay attention." ~Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove, bestselling author of Common Prayer and The Awakening of Hope

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Of Gods and Globes

A collection of three anthologies
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: $11.97 for all three e-books (individual titles from $3.99)

Author and editor Lancelot Schaubert rounded up sci-fi and fantasy writers to write about cosmic influence. The fantasy writers took a more mythological approach, speaking of the symbolic (or perhaps godly) Mercury and Mars and Neptune. The sci-fi writers tell you what it’s like to live on Jupiter and Uranus. All of them, though, speak of the influence of what one writer called "the music of the spheres."

Books in the Series:

1. Of Gods and Globes: A Cosmic Anthology
2. Of Gods and Globes II: A Cosmic Anthology
3. Of Gods and Globes III: Trigger Warnings and The Abyss

Praise for contributors to the Of Gods and Globes anthologies
"As in all her books, Juliet Marillier shows the strength and power that women can control regardless of their place in the world or society in which they are born." ~TOR

"Cohen has real talent with character development and interaction and prickly, defensive, sympathetic heroins." ~BookLife

"Schaubert’s words have an immediacy, a potency, an intimacy that grab the reader by the collar and say ‘Listen, this is important!’” ~Erika Robuck, author of Hemingway’s Girl

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Bell Hammers: The True Folk Tale of Little Egypt

Genre: Humor, Historical Fiction
4.2 stars, 133 ratings
From: $0.99

Pranks. Oil. Protest. Jokes between newlyweds. And one hilarious siege of a major corporation.

Remmy grows up with Beth in Bellhammer, Illinois, as oil and coal companies rob the land of everything that made it paradise. Under his Grandad, Remmy learns how to properly prank his neighbors, friends, and foes.

Beth tries to fix Remmy by taking him to church. Under his Daddy, Remmy starts the Bell Hammer Construction Company, which depends on contracts from Texarco Oil. 

Together, Remmy and Beth start to build a great neighborhood of "merry men" carpenters: a paradise of s’mores, porch furniture, newborn babies, and summer trips to Branson. Then a faulty Texarco oil derrick falls down on their house and poisons their neighborhood's well. 

Poisoned wells escalate to torched dog houses, stolen carpentry tools, cancelled contracts, and eminent domain claims. Sick of the attacks from Texarco Oil on his neighborhood, Remmy assembles his merry men: "We need the world's greatest prank. One grand glorious jest that'll bloody the nose of that tyrant."

Praise for Bell Hammers
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as told by Gabriel Garcia Marquez if Marquez lived in rural Illinois and only told stories to his grandkids. Seriously a delight to read." ~Colby Williams, author of Small Town, Big Money

"Humor, compassion, and heart." ~Brian Slatterly, editor of The New Haven Review

"Emotionally stirring with both a vulnerable sensibility and rawness." ~Natalie Gee, Brooklyn Film Festival

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Least of These Least

Genre: Local U.S. Politics, Christian Liberation Theology, Christian Monasticism & Asceticism
From: $0.99

Least of these least. The biblical verse fills us with dread: Where have we overlooked the hungry, the sick, the refugee, the homeless, the naked, the prisoner? When have we neglected to quench, feed, heal, host, and visit?

The dread grows: When, specifically, have we done so to Jesus himself? What have you done for Him through those you have every right to hate, shame, mistrust, avoid, or resent?

Praise for Least of These Least
"Lancelot Schaubert writes with conviction but without the cliché and bluster of the propaganda that is so common in this age of blogs and tweets." ~Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove, author of Common Prayer and The Awakening of Hope

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About the Author
Lancelot Schaubert is author of the novel Bell Hammers, dozens of stories, and hundreds of poems and essays. He edits The Showbear Family Circus (which, in its heyday, published more than 500 works from 400+ renowned academics, artists, and authors), as well as the anthology series Of Gods and Globes. Lancelot also performs songs from All Who Wander, delivers keynote speeches and narrations, and produces photo novels, short films, and theatrical productions. Learn more at LanceSchaubert.org, sign up for his newsletter (scroll down to "Newsletter Signup" on his home page), and follow him online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Julie Ryan McGue, an award-winning author who writes about finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it all. 

“An inspirational story of perseverance and resiliency...about the discoveries that searching for the truth reveals—how it sets you free and offers the gift of love.” ~Linda Joy Myers, founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers and author of Don’t Call Me Mother

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Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging

Genre: Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, Adoption, Parenting, Personal Transformation
4.5 stars, 1000+ ratings
From: $12.99

Julie is adopted. She is also a twin. Because their adoption was closed, she and her sister lack both a health history and their adoption papers—which becomes an issue for Julie when, at forty-eight years old, she finds herself facing several serious health issues.

To launch the probe into her closed adoption, Julie first needs the support of her sister. The twins talk things over, and make a pact: Julie will approach their adoptive parents for the adoption paperwork and investigate search options, and the sisters will split the costs involved in locating their birth relatives. But their adoptive parents aren’t happy that their daughters want to locate their birth parents—and that is only the first of many obstacles Julie will come up against as she digs into her background.

Julie’s search for her birth relatives spans eight years and involves a search agency, a private investigator, a confidential intermediary, a judge, an adoption agency, a social worker, and a genealogist. By journey’s end, what began as a simple desire for a family medical history has evolved into a complicated quest—one that unearths secrets, lies, and family members that are literally right next door.

Praise for Twice a Daughter
"An engaging, endearing chronicle of a woman’s quest to find her origins." ~Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling, poignant memoir about the search for truth and belonging." ~Readers' Favorite

Awards:

• National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in Parenting & Family
• International Book Awards Winner in Parenting & Family
• International Book Awards Finalist in Best New Nonfiction, Nonfiction: Narrative, and Women’s Issues / Women’s Studies
• Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Parenting & Family
• CIBA Nellie Bly Book Awards Finalist
• NYC Big Book Awards Winner in Personal Growth
• NYC Big Book Awards Distinguished Favorite in Parenting & Family
• Living Now Awards Gold Winner in Memoir—Female

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Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship

Genre: Nonfiction, Family & Personal Growth, Parent & Adult Child Relationships, Adoption
4.9 stars, 25 ratings
From: $0.99

Belonging Matters supports the adoption community while creating a conversation with those not directly touched by adoption. The collection explores the pursuit of identity and the boundaries of family and kinship. It challenges the reader to embrace all of who we come to be, and to discern with whom and where we belong. Because belonging defines the human experience, and it is what nourishes our spirit, fuels us with purpose, and compels us to soar beyond the limitations of our lived experience.

Praise for Belonging Matters
"Rich with compassion and wisdom." ~Midwest Book Review

"A narrative where the pursuit of identity intersects with human connection." ~American Writing Awards Book Reviews

Awards:

• Literary Titan Book Award Winner
• Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards
• Firebird Book Award Winner
• Finalist in the Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for Book Cover Design and in the Personal Growth category
• Finalist in the International Book Awards in Parenting & Family category
• Nonfiction Winner, Honorable Mention in New York Book Festival

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Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood

Genre: Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, Adoption, Grief & Bereavement
New release coming February 4, 2025
From: $12.99

What is it like to grow up as an adoptee and be raised with your identical twin?

In this coming-of-age memoir, set in Chicago’s western suburbs during the 1960s to 1980s, adopted twin sisters Julie and Jenny become the oldest daughters in a big family made up of a mixture of adopted and biological children. The twins’ sisterly bond is tight as the two strive for individuality, identity, and belonging. But Julie’s parents’ continual addition of adopted and biological children to the family leads to a number of painful experiences: they encounter infertility, infant mortality, a child with special needs, and then, when Julie is sixteen, a sudden family tragedy.

Faced with these challenges, Julie questions everything—who she is, how she fits in, the circumstances of her adoption, where she belongs, her faith and idea of family. As their family values, parental relationships, and sibling bonds are tested, Julie realizes her adoptive family is held together by love, faith, support, and her parents’ commitment to each other and family. But the life her parents have constructed is not one that Julie wants for herself—and as she grows older, she realizes how her parents’ goals and dreams differ from her own, and how the experiences that have formed her have provided a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.

Join author Julie McGue on this journey of identity and individuality, searching for answers through tragedy and adversity.

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About the Author
Julie Ryan McGue is an award-winning American writer. Her weekly blogs focus on identity, family, and life's quirky moments. If she's not at her computer writing, she's out exploring with her camera, or on the tennis court. She is the mother of four adult children, a grandmother, and splits her time between NW Indiana and Sarasota. Learn more at JulieMcGueAuthor.com, sign up for her newsletter (see the "Don't Miss a Blog Post" form on her website), and be sure to also follow her online:
 

Congratulations to Marc Rosenberg and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Kyd's Game, a cross between John le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley.

★★★★★ “A gripping geopolitical spy thriller set against the current Russo-American landscape." ~Peter Watt, author of the Fronteer series

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Kyd's Game

NEW RELEASE: September 24, 2024
Genre: International Thriller, Suspense, Espionage
4.56 stars, 18 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: From $6.49  

Neil Kyd, accused of assassinating a Russian presidential candidate and hunted by Russian Special Forces, has only one thing on his mind: saving his daughter's life.

Kyd has done everything possible to help his terminally ill daughter. He's out of options when he's recalled by the Agency and offered a special job: a quick "in-and-out" assignment to retrieve a video disk from an ex-girlfriend in Moscow. If he accepts, the Agency will place his daughter into a cutting-edge medical program that will give her a chance. He agrees.

If you If you enjoyed Tinker, Soldier, Tailor, Spy by John leCarre, The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, or Lee Child's Reacher series, you'll enjoy Kyd's Game.

Praise for Kyd's Game
★★★★★ “A fast-paced espionage thriller.” ~Gerard Lee, author of Top of the Lake

★★★★★ “A classic international thriller. Vivid characters and tight plotting make this a great read.” ~Brian Stoddart, A House in Damascus

★★★★★ “Jack Ryan meets Tucker Jones in the character of Neil Kyd in a story that balances fast-paced spy craft with the tenderness of a father's love for his daughter.” ~Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ “Riveting, page-turning...will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.” ~Feathered Quill, Book Reviews

★★★★★ “Teeming with unexpected twists and turns.” ~The US Review of Books

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About the Author
Marc Rosenberg grew up in Texas but has spent more than half his adult life living and working as a screenwriter in Australia. At an early age he became an adventurer, taking a job as an estate agent in London, living for a year on a kibbutz and traveling overland through Asia. Rosenberg has made films with Miles Davis, Daniel Radcliffe, and Jeremy Irons, winning two Australian Writers’ Guild Awards and the Los Angeles Fade-In Grand Prize for Best Original Screenplay. He has contributed to the journal Film International, written a book on screenwriting, The Screenplay Tree, and has taught extensively in the United States, India, China, and Australia. An avid reader, he has a passion for espionage, crime, and authentic character-based literature. Learn more at mrcrsnbrg.com.

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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.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Tixie Chronicles, a fantasy adventure for young readers from author Jack Borden. Learn how the world as we know it was shaped by the tiniest of creatures in a tale that will appeal to readers of all ages.

"Jam packed with action and suspense." ~Feathered Quill Review

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The Vultures of Doom

Book 1 of The Tixie Chronicles
New release: August 2024
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure, Children's Folk Tales & Myths
From: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

A great darkness is coming to the forest. Avelyn and Killian Lorcan are tixies, a race of tiny beings that live simply in a massive, beautiful forest. But unbeknownst to the tixies, an ancient evil has found them at last.

Separated from their parents, Avelyn and Killian travel across the forest alone, encountering friends and enemies along the way. But when Avelyn recovers an ancient sword of great power, their destinies are forever changed.

The Vultures of Doom is the first of the Tixie Chronicles, which recount the tales of when the world as we know it was shaped by the tiniest of creatures.

Praise for The Vultures of Doom
"So jammed packed with action and suspense that readers, both young and old, will feel as if they are fighting along with Avelyn and Killian." ~Feathered Quill Review

★★★★★ "A captivating adventure of courage and destiny." ~Amazon Review

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The Keeper of Knowledge

Book 2 of The Tixie Chronicles
New release: September 2024
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure, Children's Folk Tales & Myths
From: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Killian Lorcan doesn’t want to read old scrolls. As a tixie boy of eight summers, all he wants to do is explore the forest floor around his house, fight imaginary monsters, and scare off the occasional spider.

But when Mac, the local Keeper of Knowledge, invites Killian to see his house and read some old scrolls, Killian himself gets caught up in a story of betrayal, violence, and a civilization on the verge of collapse. More importantly, he finds out how his ancient ancestors came to live in the wilds of the forest he calls home.

Book 2 of the Tixie Chronicles explores the violent beginnings of the race of the tiny creatures who inhabit the forests.

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About the Author
Jack Borden lives and writes in the forests of Texas, where he lives with his wife, a few children, two somewhat useful dogs, and a garden that always needs tending. He enjoys long walks in the woods, hanging out with his family, and traveling with his family. He's particularly fond of far West Texas and the Pacific Northwest.

Jack is currently working on The Ants of Fire, Book 3 of The Tixie Chronicles, due out October 15, 2024. Learn more at Jack-Borden.com, and be sure to follow him on Goodreads and via his Amazon Author Page.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Devil's Wrath, a dark fantasy from author Rico Liemanto in which twin gods watch over the world with constant vigilance and four unlikely heroes are chosen to vanquish a fearsome enemy.

★★★★★ "A gripping dark fantasy with a slow-burning adventure that delivers explosive battles alongside layers of mythology. With its compelling characters, high stakes, and richly crafted universe, it promises to engage readers who love both intense action and thoughtful world-building." ~Literary Titan

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The Devil's Wrath

New release: July 2024
Genre: Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
Paperback: $10
Ebook: $2.50 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

In a universe teetering on the brink of annihilation, four heroes rise to confront the ultimate evil. Maling, Ular, Tuli, and Panah are chosen by their twin gods to embark on a perilous quest: to kill Setan, the God of Devils, and restore balance to the realms.

Bound by fate and driven by a shared purpose, the heroes navigate treacherous landscapes, battle formidable foes, and overcome their own inner fear. Each step brings them closer to Setan's throne, where the final confrontation awaits.

But what if they are too late? What if, for the first time, the villain wins?

Inspired by the intricate lore of the Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Elden Ring video games, and the gripping narratives of the Japanese manga series Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, this dark fantasy novel explores the blurred lines between good and evil. Follow Maling, Ular, Tuli, and Panah as they journey through a universe filled with chaos, hope, and despair.

Praise for The Devil's Wrath
★★★★★ "Intense, morally complex storytelling." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "A refreshing twist on the classic narrative of reluctant heroes embarking on a perilous journey at the command of higher powers." ~Literary Titan

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About the Author
Rico Liemanto is a debut fantasy author whose work is deeply influenced by the expansive worlds of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Elden Ring video games. With a passion for creating intricate and engaging narratives, Liemanto brings a fresh voice to the fantasy genre. Learn more at RicoLiemanto.com and follow him on Instagram.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of award-winning author Alan Brenham, including thrillers from The Claire Deveraux and The Kit Hanover Series!

"An intoxicating mix of mystery, murder and mayhem." ~BestThrillers.com

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When Things Fall Apart

Book 1 of The Kit Hanover Series
Genre: Hard-Boiled Mysteries, Suspense Thrillers, Police Procedurals
4.5 stars, 15 ratings
From $4.99

Winner of the Global Book Award for Mystery/Detective and a Finalist for the coveted Silver Falchion Award for Best Investigator/Detective Fiction

Newly minted homicide detective Kit Hanover is paired with a crusty veteran who makes no bones about his feelings for Native Americans. Their prickly partnership becomes more antagonistic when Kit's first murder case proves devastating and she is reassigned.

Determined to work the case in her own time despite the emotional consequences, Kit finds herself and her family the target of an unknown madman. She withstands the inexplicable attacks as she continues her investigation until she finds herself face-to-face with the murderer. Only one of them can survive.

Praise for When Things Fall Apart
"A knotty detective story from a skilled author." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Palpable tension from start to finish." ~BookTrib

"Skillful prose...engaging narrative...compelling characters." ~Literary Titan

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Every Silent Thing

Book 1 of The Claire Deveraux Series
Genre: International Mystery & Crime, Heist Thrillers, Murder Thrillers
4.2 stars, 14 ratings
From $4.99

Shy and deaf, twenty-three-year-old Claire Deveraux has worked hard to land her dream job as a foreign service officer at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. But on a visit to The Louvre, Claire's dream is shattered when she finds a woman dying from a gunshot wound. The woman utters three words to Claire and conceals a thumb drive in Claire’s pocket.

The information is the key to the location of proceeds from a bank robbery, and the killer, now certain that Claire has the information, sets out to find Claire, recover the drive, and kill Claire before she can solve the puzzle and recover the money. 

Praise for Every Silent Thing
"An irresistible international crime thriller that delivers an intoxicating mix of mystery, murder and mayhem." ~BestThrillers.com

"A cleverly structured, tense and involving crime thriller." ~The BookViral Review

"Recommended for fans of international mystery novels with strong female lead characters." ~Self-Publishing Review

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Breaking Silence

Book 3 of The Claire Deveraux Series
Genre: International Mystery & Crime, Heist Thrillers, Assassination Thrillers
4.7 stars, 5 ratings
From $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Silence is like trust: easily broken.

The first time Claire and Megan Deveraux receive a cryptic text from the anonymous “AMZ,” they decide it’s a sophisticated scam. But when further evidence of a long-lost sibling starts to add up, Claire begins to wonder whether there is merit to AMZ’s wild claims…or just Photoshop and dumb luck?

As the sisters weigh up the risks of pursuing a ruthless blackmailer’s trail, another victim is scrambling to keep his secret safe, whatever the cost. Because no amount of money can make a man bulletproof…

Praise for Breaking Silence
"A compelling thriller that masterfully combines intricate plotting with rich, character-driven storytelling... Fans of intense, well-crafted mysteries will find much to appreciate in this gripping novel." ~Literary Titan

"A devastating jaw-dropper with emotional resonance and dire consequences for all characters." ~BestThrillers.com

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About the Author
Alan Brenham is the pseudonym of Alan Behr. Alan is author of eleven novels that have received numerous awards and been translated into several languages. His background includes more than twenty years of experience as a Texas law enforcement officer and more than twenty-five years as a criminal prosecutor and later criminal defense attorney. Today he lives in Texas with his wife, Lillian. Alan is a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and the International Association of Crime Writers. Learn more at AlanBrenham.com, and be sure to follow Alan online:
 

Today, we are shining a spotlight on The Evolution Saga from author Todd Borho, a five-book series that parodies James Bond while also delving into the world of science fiction, technothrillers, and high seas adventure.

★★★★★ "Delightfully subversive." ~Literary Titan

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James Bong: Agent Of Anarchy

Book 1 of The Evolution Saga
Genre: Humorous Science Fiction, Dark Humor
Paperback: $11.99
Ebook: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

The name's Bong. James Bong.

Not to be shaken or stirred and not to be confused with the popular James Bond series, this light-hearted adventure combines the best elements of espionage, humor, and heart-pounding action.

Follow the daring exploits of James Bong, a former MI6 spy turned renegade, as he defies authority and takes on daring missions with his team: the brilliant hacker K, the fiery blogger Miss Moneybit, and the mysterious AI Symphy. Throughout, Bong navigates a world of danger and intrigue, leaving a trail of laughter in his wake.

Packed with cutting-edge technology, pulse-pounding suspense, and laugh-out-loud humor, James Bong: Agent Of Anarchy is a must-read for fans of sci-fi adventure and spy thrillers alike.

Praise for James Bong
★★★★★ "A wild and hilarious ride that gleefully parodies the iconic James Bond series." ~Literary Titan

★★★★★ "Spy tale that is a fun parody yet still has it's suspense and mystery." ~Amazon Review

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The C.A. Salt Project

Book 2 of The Evolution Saga
Genre: Action Thriller, Science Fiction, Sea Adventure, Technothriller
Paperback: $8.99
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

The Evolution Saga continues with this action-packed ocean adventure technothriller. James Bong and his crew play pivotal roles as the search for freedom heads to the high seas.

The wild ocean frontier. Daring pioneers. They must build in secret. Smuggling networks, encryption, and some really cool techno-toys are in their arsenal. But will it be enough to survive and evade the state?

Praise for The C.A. Salt Project
★★★★★ "A quick, fun, easy read with great character development and important moral questions." ~Amazon Review

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SeAgora: A High Seas Adventure

Book 3 of The Evolution Saga
Genre: Sea Adventures, Vigilante Justice Thrillers
Paperback: $8.99
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

A sci-fi adventure packed with cutting-edge technology, high stakes, smugglers, emotionally deranged AI, and some remarkably flawed heroes...

There is freedom on the ocean for a few. There is tyranny on land for everyone else. When one of the ocean dwellers finds the secret to faster-than-light propulsion and infinite free energy, the ruling class on land will stop at nothing to steal it.

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The Great Agora Space Race

Book 4 of The Evolution Saga
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Reads, Action Thriller, Technothriller
Paperback: $8.99
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

Faster-than-light travel and infinite energy. It's a secret held by those in the SeAgora, but the ruling class on land wants it and will do anything to steal it.

Facing mounting threats from the tyrannical AI led governments, some in The SeAgora plan to flee for the stars. Can they develop the tech to escape Earth before it's too late?

The Space Race is on in this fun, hyper-speed read you don't want to miss.

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Agora One: A Space Adventure

Book 5 of The Evolution Saga
Genre: Humorous Science Fiction, Vigilante Justice
Paperback: $8.99
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

This action-packed space adventure brings The Evolution Saga to a thrilling conclusion.

In 2578, it's been nearly 500 years since humans started to flee Earth. They've now spread across multiple galaxies, thanks in large part to the SPEED drive, which hits velocities thousands of times the speed of light. Earth is now an afterthought.

Agora One is a moon-sized ship, the first of its kind. It is a thriving, mobile trade port and vacation hot spot. When news reaches Agora One that Earth has suffered its final calamity, some want to investigate. What they find on Earth is far more stunning than anything they could have imagined. The consequences of their investigation will impact Agora One, and possibly all life in the universe.

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About the Author
Todd Borho is a Literary Titan Book Award Winner and author of The Evolution Saga five-part sci-fi series. Todd has also written nearly a dozen other titles. He is a coffee fanatic, science fiction addict, and hot sauce aficionado, and he has been a teacher in exotic countries all over the world. Learn more at toddborho.com, and see more of Todd's work on Amazon and on Barnes & Noble. 

In this special edition newsletter, LitNuts is shining a light on the work of Mwati Mwila, a poet and author who has used her writing to overcome the challenge of bipolar disorder and to help others. 

★★★★★ “Inspiring & hopeful." ~Amazon Review

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Strengthening Your Identity

Genre: Memoir
4.5 stars, 9 ratings
Paperback: $19.95
Ebook: $9.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

We all know life has its ups and downs. But when Mwati Mwila was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while a college student, she thought her life would mostly be down from that point on. Not understanding why she had been chosen to suffer, she found herself on an incredible journey of questioning God, considering ending her own life, and ultimately, traveling around the world for answers that could help to heal her.

No stranger to adversity before being diagnosed as bipolar, Mwati had already experienced discrimination. After traveling from her native Zambia, she was often the only African child in predominantly white schools in New Zealand and Australia. Her parents’ strong work ethic, her siblings’ encouragement, and a move to the United States helped Mwati to strengthen her identity even when she experienced discrimination.

Being bipolar, just like her earlier experiences, became one more hurdle to overcome so she could fulfill her life mission of helping others. Now Mwati shares her incredible story in order to help others

• understand where you came from so you know where you’re going;
• indulge in the moment to create happy memories to sustain you in difficult times;
• learn from your environment and adapt to survive and thrive;
• stay true to yourself in the midst of madness;
• unmask the monsters in your life that try to hinder your healing;
• have the courage to ask for help when it is needed; and 
• unravel your special gifts to share with the world.

Whatever obstacle you face, you will find strength in these pages to transform your suffering into the power of endurance.

Praise for Strengthening Your Identity
★★★★★ "Raw, honest and emotional." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "A powerful story about the true struggles of mental illness." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "Insightful read for anyone searching for faith, strength, happiness, wisdom or finding your purpose." ~Amazon Review

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The Sweet Surrender of Love and Nature

Genre: Poetry
Paperback: $13.00
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

In The Sweet Surrender of Love and Nature, Mwati pours her heart out in a variety of beautiful poems focused on love and nature.

"Living in a world of uncertainty,
Trying to be filled with righteousness
As you glance with an open heart of forgiveness.
Life is complicated."
~Mwati Mwila, from the poem "Complication"

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About the Author
Mwati Mwila was born in Lusaka, Zambia, and has traveled and lived in many countries during her life, including living in Australia and New Zealand during her younger years before finally settling in Seattle, Washington. Although she assimilated into the cultures of Australia and New Zealand very well, she often had to overcome racism and adversity, and in turn had to figure out a way to fit in by blending in. 

After moving to the United States in 1997, Mwati fell in love with the diversity and culture that existed. But ten years later, Mwati faced another challenge when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In the midst of these challenges, Mwati found refuge in writing poetry and short stories. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Washington and she loves writing, saying it is her whisper song that helps her feel uplifted. Follow Mwati online to learn more: 
 

Congratulations to Alycia Vreeland and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Baby Darlin', an illustrated memoir that rips off the band-aid and exposes the stigma around child sexual abuse.

★★★★★ “Raw and emotionally fraught.” ~Leslie Zemeckis, bestselling author of Feuding Fan Dancers

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Baby Darlin'

NEW RELEASE: September 15, 2024
Genre: Memoir
4.87 stars, 15 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $19.99
Ebook: $6.99  

Most of them are dead.

Silence is broken and the secret unearthed.

Surviving the Cajun Curse, her mentally ill momma calls her Baby Darlin'. Pig calls her Brillo and takes away her innocence by using her to escape his own twisted mind. Her cousin Willy calls her Snaggle but she doesn't care; she thinks they will marry someday. Her Papa, a recovered alcoholic, her hero. Her Grandma, the ever present Shamer, is a dark shadow to remind her of her worth. Her drug and love addiction takes her through a series of abusive love stories, and finally she proudly escapes into the loving arms of a higher power.

This illustrated memoir brutally rips off the band-aid and exposes the stigma around child sexual abuse, with compassion and insight through the eyes of a brave little girl called Baby Darlin'.

If you If you enjoyed Just Kids by Patti Smith, Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker, or The Fire Never Goes Out by ND Stevenson, you will love Baby Darlin'.

Praise for Baby Darlin'
★★★★★ “Vreeland tells her story with searing revelations, accompanied by colorful illustrations.” ~Leslie Zemeckis, bestselling author of Feuding Fan Dancers

★★★★★ “Bold and vibrant with disturbing imagery... I wanted to swoop in and save Baby Darlin' from the atrocities of her childhood. The whimsical art and poignant words that are scattered throughout the pages kept me tethered to the hope of a happy outcome, pulling me forward to the last pages.” ~Sandra Mistretta, Clinical Director for Casa Serena Treatment Programs for Women

★★★★★ “Alycia  tells her story in typical Santa Barbara flavor; not a trace of self pity, because SB kids know… no one cares. Instead, we mine our tragic ore-pits for gasps and laughs, to the horror of the untraumatized. But our stories aren’t FOR them. They are for the broken and beautiful survivors; broken Japanese teapots, glued back together with gold.” ~J.C. Scales, author of The Goat Lady’s Son

★★★★★ “Equally heart shattering and heart warming. [Alycia] safely takes her readers on her exceptional and profoundly inspiring journey from wounding through healing and beyond.” ~Juliana Barros, Integration and Collective Trauma Therapist, State Certified Sexual Survivor Therapist

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About the Author
Alycia Vreeland teaches art to little people near the American Riviera, writes about Baby Darlin’ in her memoir, and plots revenge. She is soothed by taking one day at a time, twirling her hair, eating nachos, and feeling the Santa Barbara waves crashing on her toes. Her art is featured in the documentaries The Cure and Guns, Bombs, and War: A Love Story, and in the online journals Tuck Magazine, Rebelle Society, Painted Cave, and The Montecito Journal. Learn more at alyciavreeland.com.

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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.

Congratulations to Alycia Vreeland and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Laughing in Her Sleep, a collection of poetry by Jon Vreeland that blends his gritty verse with Alycia Vreeland's stark visuals. 

★★★★★ “Jon passed and yet, here are his words, his heart still beating.” ~Jack Grisham, Author, Director, Musician

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Laughing in Her Sleep

NEW RELEASE: September 15, 2024
Genre: Poetry
4.86 stars, 7 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $4.99  

This collection of poetry is the love child of two creative minds.

Jon Vreeland, the author of The Taste of Cigarettes, was a self-proclaimed reincarnation of Hemingway and highly influenced by Bukowski's crude humor and womanizing grit. He claimed writing poetry gave his brain a respite from his struggle with drug addiction.

Alycia Vreeland's illustrations and photos are a visual representation of Jon's words.

The manuscript of this book was discovered and resurrected by Alycia Vreeland, Jon Vreeland's wife, after Jon's unexpected death on September 15, 2020.

Praise for Laughing in Her Sleep
★★★★★ "Jon Vreeland. Ernest Hemingway. Charles Bukowski. Three peas in a pod. Jon Vreeland is a master storyteller at the absolute top of his game." ~Steven Kunes, TV Writer/Producer, Over My Dead Body
 
★★★★★ "The world of Jon and Alycia Vreeland is not a pretty one, but it is real, vivid and memorable." ~David Starkey, author of Poor Ghost

★★★★★ "Jon’s poetry is like walking in the shadow of death; bringing insight into our pain. Alycia‘s art is the perfect balance to digest it." ~Stacey Cameron

★★★★★ "Hard-edged, intense, raw, sometimes touching, and sometimes comic... Vreeland’s work never ceases to embody life’s complexities—the shock of truth and the bittersweetness of imagination." ~Chella Courington, author of Lost and Found

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About the Authors
Jon Vreeland was writer, poet, journalist, playwright, and musician, born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Huntington Beach, and the self-proclaimed reincarnation of Hemingway. Vreeland’s writing appeared in journals such as Rebelle Society, East Fork, Sun and Sandstone, and elsewhere. Vreeland was president of the Writer’s/Poet’s Club at Santa Barbara City College, and a journalist for The Montecito Journal, The Santa Barbara News Press, The Santa Barbara Sentinel, and Family Life Journal. His major influences were Charles Bukowski, Ernest Hemingway, Jim Morrison, Darby Crash, God, his parents, and his two beautiful daughters, Mayzee and Scarlett. Vreeland was married to artist Alycia Vreeland.

Alycia Vreeland teaches art to little people near the American Riviera, writes about Baby Darlin’ in her memoir, and plots revenge. She is soothed by taking one day at a time, twirling her hair, eating nachos, and feeling the Santa Barbara waves crashing on her toes. Her art is featured in the documentaries The Cure and Guns, Bombs, and War: A Love Story, and in the online journals Tuck Magazine, Rebelle Society, Painted Cave, and The Montecito Journal.

Learn more at jonvreeland.wordpress.com and alyciavreeland.com.

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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.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Say Yes! to Your Creative Self by Mary O'Connor, a book that can help readers open up new ways of seeing, of solving problems, of keeping our minds, bodies, and souls active and stimulated.

"Emotionally calming and intellectually satisfying." ~Karen Rancourt, Ph.D., author and advice columnist (aka "Ask Dr. Gramma Karen")

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Say Yes! to Your Creative Self

Genres: Self-Help / Creativity, Personal Growth, Motivational / Inspirational
132 pages, 5.25" x 8" with color photos
Print edition: $19.95

Think you don’t have a creative bone in your body? Put that myth to rest!

Whether your interests lie in music, dance, culinary arts, handcrafts, gardening, painting, writing, or simply in navigating life’s challenges, creativity is there for all of us to enjoy. Saying “Yes!” to your creative self is a first step towards opening up ways of seeing, of solving problems, of keeping our minds, bodies, and souls active and stimulated.

Say Yes! to Your Creative Self is an invitation to creativity. Written for those who think they don’t have a creative bone in their body, as well as for those who simply want to enhance their style of expression, Say Yes! takes the reader through the ins and outs of creativity. Full of tips and prompts on ways to keep our minds, bodies, and souls active and stimulated, Say Yes! tickles our creative bones.

The pages of Say Yes! to Your Creative Self

• take us through the ins and outs of creativity
• show ways to make creativity part of our everyday lives
• offer tips and examples linked to our senses, curiosity, and emotions
• suggest ways for playing with creativity, for tickling our creative bones

Praise for Say Yes!
"Beginning with the author’s watercolor of a heron in flight on the cover, followed by photos taken by the author and family/friends, each accompanied by a haiku written by the author, this book is visually inviting – a book that lends itself to one enjoying a favorite cup of tea while reading it. In addition to being beautifully illustrated, it contains friendly and instructive content, such as, Prepping the Creative Self and Opening the Creative Door. Between sips of my tea, I found myself thoughtful and inspired." ~Karen Rancourt , Ph.D., author and advice columnist (aka "Ask Dr. Gramma Karen")

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About the Author

Mary O'Connor is a writer, poet, painter, and lover of nature who shares the magic of the commonplace and captures its delight through her joy-centered books. Experienced in journalism, marketing, and the arts, Mary often complements her writings with photographic images as well as paintings in watercolor and acrylics. Learn more at mary-oconnor.com, learn about upcoming events with Mary O'Connor and other authors, and be sure to follow Mary online:
 

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About the Publisher

Three Chairs Publishing was inspired by a quote from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden: “I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.” It speaks to the connections we can make — for ourselves, for our friends and loved ones, and in our community — through creative efforts like writing, art making, and photography.

Three Chairs is owned and operated by Jen Payne, a writer, photographer, artist, and the owner of parent company Words by Jen, a graphic design and marketing company. Learn more at 3chairspublishing.com, sign up for Jen's Creatively Speaking quarterly enewsletter and other updates, and be sure to follow Three Chairs online:
 

You're invited...to a Reading Retreat!

Today we are writing to share news about a unique opportunity for booklovers: a Reading Retreat in Delhi, New York, being organized by LA Bourgeois, an avid reader who also happens to be an author and LitNuts subscriber. Read on to learn more!

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A Reading Retreat for Everyone

We've all heard about writing retreats for authors. But LA's idea is for booklovers to come together to enjoy time reading and talking about books. She selected the small town of Delhi, New York, as the location for the Reading Retreat, a peaceful oasis a few hours drive from New York City, and also easily accessible from Ithaca, Albany, Binghamton, and other locations. (LA lives in Ithaca, and invites attendees from other locations to fly into Ithaca and travel to Delhi together.)

Here are some of the details:

• Event: Reading Retreat
• Location: Birdy's House, Delhi, NY
• When: September 27 - 30
• Cost: $100

To learn more, click here: Who Could Use a Reading Retreat?

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Photos of Birdy's House and Delhi, New York

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About LA Bourgeois
LA (as in tra-la-la) Bourgeois is a Kaizen-Muse Certified Creativity Coach and freelance writer with a mission to delight and empower readers to manifest their creativity joyfully. She also has a great sense of humor—she describes herself as "that friend who drops by for a chit-chat and makes you spit your tea all over your new tablecloth."

The dream behind LA's Reading Retreat is to carve out time and space for herself and others to enjoy reading—a desire that was prompted in part by the fact that LA purchases many more books than she can possibly read. (She has almost 900 books in her Nook library!)

LA is also author of Diary of a Lesbian Housewyfe, a collection of delightfully funny essays, recipes, and household hints from LA's first twenty years of marriage. 

Learn more and sign up to receive email updates from LA, including silly stories about her life as a lesbian housewyfe—travel, knitting, recipes, Mack the Dog, and other household adventures.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Martha's Notebook by C. Fulster, the first book of a new zombie apocalypse trilogy. Pre-order your copy now to be among the first to receive this new book when it is released on October 1! 

Bonus: Get the e-book for a special price of $2.99 now through October 5. (After that, the e-book will be available at a regular price of $4.99.)

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Martha's Notebook

New release coming October 1, 2024
Special pre-order price: $2.99


 

Before the incident, Martha’s biggest worry was her parents’ divorce. Now she’s hiding from a zombie horde hell-bent on annihilating humankind nicknamed “Chippers.”

But this attack wasn’t spurred by a viral outbreak. Instead, these zombies seem to be puppets of an AI technology gone rogue, and with every day that passes, it’s learning more about how to accomplish its sinister goal.

But why is an AI creating, controlling, and upgrading zombies—and more importantly, how do you stop an ultra-intelligent, world-ending technology that can shift course at a moment’s notice?

Only one thing is clear: there’s no going back.

Martha’s Notebook is the electrifying first installment of a new sci-fi horror trilogy that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every twist. Jam-packed with survival, suspense, and existential dread, it’s sure to satisfy any post-apocalyptic fiction enthusiast.

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About the Author

C. Fulster is a seasoned electrician, devoted husband, and new father who moonlights as an award-winning writer, producer, and illustrator. With more than sixteen children’s books, three animated screenplays, and one internationally acclaimed short film under his belt, his favorite hobby is quickly developing into a highlight reel of successful creative endeavors. He’s donated the proceeds of five picture books to charity, and he hopes to become a best seller and adapt one of his stories for the silver screen. In his free time, he can be found indulging his passions for hockey, spicy food, and relaxing. He currently resides in Colorado with his beautiful wife, adorable daughter, and their two dogs. Learn more at cfulster.com where you can also sign up for his newsletter (scroll to the bottom on any page on his website), and be sure to follow him online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on When Shepherds Kill by James Hammonds, a thriller set in Chicago that follows a city councilman as he helps investigate the death of his friend and fellow city councilman. 

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When Shepherds Kill

Paperback: $16.99
Ebook: $5.99

“We are the only people in America who have to protect ourselves from our protectors.” ~Stokely Carmichael

Inspired by the 1963 unsolved murder of Chicago Alderman Benjamin Lewis, this novel follows Councilman David Strong as he gets involved in the murder investigation of his friend and colleague, Councilman Earl Williams.

When Williams is found slumped over his office desk, Detective Harry Johnson persuades Councilman Strong to assist in the murder investigation of their mutual friend.

The dead councilman's constituents are angry, so the mayor has the police make a quick arrest. This strategy to keep the city calm goes south fast as demonstrators demand the release of the incarcerated young man.

David Strong, a reluctant sleuth, investigates Williams’ death while supporting the protestors. His efforts put him in the crosshairs of the police, Russian mobsters, Mexican drug dealers, and local street gangs.

If Strong is going to unravel this murder mystery and come out alive, he must use all of his wits.

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About the Author

James Hammonds is a graduate of DePaul University College of Law. He has interned for the Legal Aid Society of Chicago, a program designed to assist African Americans illegally arrested based on race. James has operated a general law practice, created a juvenile justice program, and developed various community organizations aimed at assisting individuals with job placement and reengagement in society after incarceration. His writing is focused on stories that have both social and historical value. Learn more at JamesHammondsBooks.com (where you can also sign up for his newsletter), and be sure to follow him online:
 

Congratulations to Michelle Tobin and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Home for the Bewildered, the story of a psychologist who has no problem saving her patients...but can she save herself?

★★★★★ “A poignant, funny, inspiring exploration of the healing power of empathy and common humanity.” ~John Neafsey, psychologist, author of A Sacred Voice is Calling

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Home for the Bewildered

NEW RELEASE: September 3, 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
4.95 stars, 21 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: From $5.99  

It's 1974 and Dr. Dorothy Morrissey becomes the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum in Lansing, Michigan.

Dorothy’s patients mirror her emotional issues as they draw her into their often-chaotic lives:

• Thomas’s flair for drama as a cross-dressing homosexual with bi-polar makes Dorothy laugh as much as he makes her cry.
• George is at the asylum after pleading "not guilty by reason of insanity," causing Dorothy to wrestle with an inexplicable aversion to him.
• Ruth’s post-partum psychiatric break threatens to draw Dorothy in with her.
• Marcella, labeled as borderline, frustrates Dorothy's efforts to keep her from self-harm.

As good as Dorothy is at holding and interpreting her patients’ past traumas, she resists looking at her own, causing a strain on her relationship with Kenneth. It seems Dorothy has no problem saving her patients...but can she save herself?

Praise for Home for the Bewildered
★★★★★ “Tobin masterfully takes us deeper and deeper into the minds and hearts of her characters. You finish, wanting a sequel.” ~Dan Mulhern, J.D., Former First Gentleman of Michigan

★★★★★ “Tobin tackles HUGE subjects: grief, homosexuality, priest abuse, family denial, parental guilt, the AIDS crisis, hypermasculinity, and feminine stereotyping with a clear sense of unity and emotional richness.” ~Beth Gylys, Ph.D., author of Body Braille

★★★★★ “A compelling work of fiction that could also serve as an excellent resource for teaching the art of psychotherapy.” ~John Neafsey, author of A Sacred Voice is Calling

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About the Author
Michelle Tobin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults, including her city’s refugee population. She also writes psychological assessments for annulments. Michelle trained as a chef at the internationally acclaimed Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Most recently she earned certification in Integrative Medicine and Nutrition for Mental Health. Her clinical work includes cooking therapy as part of the treatment protocol. In addition to writing, she is an avid lap swimmer, dog walker, reader, fabric artist, and volunteer cook for a soup kitchen. Michelle is married and raised three children. Like one of her characters, Michelle is one of twelve children. Learn more at noleftovers.wordpress.com.

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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.

"Humorous and inspiring." ~Publishers Weekly

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Saskatchewan Romance Series, two books from author Jamie Anderson that follow Kate, Julie, and their close-knit circle of friends and family as they navigate the pitfalls of modern dating and self-discovery.

Bonus: Both books are currently available at big discounts via Kindle Countdown Deals! 

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Someone to Kiss

Book 1 in the Saskatchewan Romance Series
4.0 stars, 500+ ratings
Paperback: $15.70
Kindle Edition: Currently FREE via Kindle Countdown Deal (Regularly $3.99, free via Kindle Unlimited)

A Hilarious and Heartening Romantic Comedy

As the clock strikes midnight over a disastrous New Year’s Eve and happy couples celebrate all around her, Kate makes a resolution, hastily scrawled on the back of a napkin, that by next New Year’s Eve she will have found someone of her own to kiss.

But when you’re a forty-something cat mom who’d rather binge Netflix than brave the singles scene, finding someone to kiss turns out to be harder than it sounds. Kate is totally unprepared for navigating hook-up apps, speed dating, and sliding into somebody’s DMs.

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, Kate seems further than ever from reaching her goal. As relationships crumble around her and dark long-kept secrets spill out, could Kate's fixation on her quest cause her to let true love slip through her fingers forever?

Someone to Kiss is a wry and witty romantic comedy, tackling serious issues with real heart.

Praise for Someone to Kiss
"A New Year's resolution kicks off a dating journey with unexpected and heartwarming results." ~Publishers Weekly

"This book is about so much more than dating in your 40s. It's about friendships, family, acceptance of who you are, knowing your worth, and never settling for less. A very funny, yet moving story." ~Kate's A Bookworm

"Filled with fun, wit, humour, laughter, friendship and plenty of dating do's, don'ts and disasters." ~She Loves to Read

"You will laugh but you will also gasp, tear up, get angry...feel your heart strings be pulled, and just about every feeling in between." ~The Romantic Comedy Book Club

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Love, Julie

Book 2 in the Saskatchewan Romance Series
4.5 stars, 27 ratings
Paperback: $15.99
Kindle Edition: Currently $0.99 via Kindle Countdown Deal (Regularly $4.99, free via Kindle Unlimited)

A  Richly Emotional Tale of Recovery, Forgiveness, and Romance

Once, Julie dreamed of a life filled with love and laughter. Now, in her mid-forties, she faces a starkly different reality. She's single, lonely, and reeling from breaking her hard-earned sobriety in front of her family and friends.

Opting for self-recovery over romance, Julie dives into planning her best friend Kate’s wedding. However, sharing this task with the irritatingly cheerful best man, single dad Luke, proves to be an unexpected challenge.

As Luke’s persistent kindness chips away at her icy exterior, a friendship forms, stirring a longing she’d sworn to suppress. But with self-forgiveness as her biggest hurdle, and her past ready to sabotage her future, can Julie confront the shame and trauma that have darkened so much of her life and find the courage to love again? Or will her demons shatter both her and Luke’s hearts in the process?

Praise for Love, Julie
"An utterly charming novel that puts romance and modern life hand in hand in an authentic and highly enjoyable plot." ~K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

"Engaging and playful." ~Publishers Weekly

"A lovely, thought-provoking book." ~Emily Pankhurst, Good Housekeeping Book Room

An inspiring novel of self-healing and the power of friendship." ~Sue Slade, The Miramichi Reader

"Emotional and unique...perfect for those looking for a romantic comedy with a more mature aspect." ~Bookish Dreams

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About the Author

Jamie Anderson is based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. A proud Canadian and Saskatchewanian, she wanted to set her first two novels in the place she was born and raised. She’s been writing for as long as she can remember, and has been reading for longer than that. She lives happily with her mountain of books, her TV and her two plants. Learn more at jandersonwrites.com, and be sure to also follow her online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Moonlight in Glenwood from Lita Hunt and Aynsley J. Fraser, an urban fantasy series that follows the adventures of Evie and Laika, two strong heroines (who also happen to be werewolves) with a diverse supporting cast in the supernatural world of Glenwood.

★★★★★ "A hidden gem in the urban fantasy genre." ~Amazon Review

Bonus: Run with the pack! Sign up for Lita & Aynsley's newsletter and get a free download of Rising Moons, the novella prequel to the Moonlight in Glenwood series!

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Moonburn

Book 1 of the Moonlight in Glenwood series
4.6 stars, 14 ratings
From $2.99

Evie and Laika are werewolves working part-time as Moonlighters for the supernatural task force, MOONS. Neither is ready to give up her day job yet because when trouble is afoot, their pack, Night Claw, isn’t getting the call. No one believes a pair of barely-trained, late twenties werewolves are ready for more than domestic disturbances.

However, when a magical murder mystery shatters the peace of their Californian suburb, it’s all Moonlighters on deck. With suspects ranging from vampires to witches, no clues to go on, and murders starting to pile up, Night Claw finally has an opportunity to prove themselves.

Can Evie and Laika rise to the challenge before anarchy spreads through Glenwood?

★★★★★ "An awesome mix of paranormal/action." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "A breath of fresh air." ~Amazon Review

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Corrupted Moons

Book 2 of the Moonlight in Glenwood series
From $2.99

Evie and Laika have been chasing down leads to find the Glenwood Anarchist. But after nearly two months, the supernatural task force MOONS is no closer to stopping the magical attacks than before. Instead, the pool of suspects keeps growing...

The Night Claw pack may have found a connection between the previous attacks. However, information is hard to come by, and their sources aren’t exactly conventional. Tensions are starting to rise between Evie and Laika as they struggle to agree. Especially as signs start to point toward someone close to the pack.

Can Evie and Laika trust their fellow moonlighters, or will this become a witch hunt?

★★★★★ "An excellent sequel!" ~Amazon Review

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Lunacy

Book 3 of the Moonlight in Glenwood series
From $2.99

After the upheaval of the last few months, Evie and Laika try to settle back into their regular lives. However, new jobs, new relationships, and a growing need for better gear make finding a comfortable pattern impossible. Toss in going back to school, and the Night Claw pack is at its breaking point.

When a spree of maulings rips a bloody path across Los Angeles and Glenwood, there are no suspects in sight and too many victims for just one werewolf. Poised for a chance to really break into the big leagues of moonlighting, Evie and Laika are on the case. However, as people around them start disappearing, this spree might get personal. Can Evie and Laika find the source of the maulings before they lose their minds?

★★★★★ "I loved where it picked up from the end of Corrupted Moons, still carrying some threads from the previous books while also moving on to some new events in the lives of Evie, Laika, and company." ~Amazon Review

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About the Authors

Lita Hunt is the quieter half of the Moonlight in Glenwood author duo, known for being the resident pedantic secretary keeping the train on its tracks. Drawing inspiration from her lifetime love of wolves, particularly werewolves, Hunt infuses her work with a captivating blend of mystique and allure.

Aynsley J. Fraser is the louder half of the Moonlight in Glenwood author duo, known for weaving intricate tales of mystery and warm stories. With an unquenchable thirst for crafting compelling plots and empowering female protagonists, Aynsley wants to enchant readers.

Together, Lita and Aynsley are Wolf and Rose Books. Learn more at moonlightinglenwood.com, get a free copy of Rising Moons (the novella prequel to the Moonlight in Glenwood series) when you sign up for their newsletter, and be sure to follow them online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri L. Dodd, a #1 Best Seller in the Occult Supernatural and Supernaturalism categories. This cozy paranormal murder mystery is sure to be fun read for mystery junkies as well as for fans of modern fantasy fiction and witchcraft.

★★★★★ "A compelling blend of the mystical and the macabre." ~K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

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Murder Under Redwood Moon

Book 1 in The Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy
4.5 stars, 49 ratings
From $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was whisked off to an isolated town in the California Redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone. Now at the age of twenty-three, Arista has settled into an eclectic lifestyle, much like her Great Aunt Bethie, who has been Arista's guardian since childhood.

But Arista's tranquil life in the Santa Cruz Mountains takes a dark turn when her recurring visions and a ghostly presence disrupt her peaceful existence. With a penchant for herbs and crystals and a connection to nature, Arista's unique lifestyle intertwines with the mysterious events unfolding around her. The discovery of a classmate's body and the looming threat of a serial killer force Arista to confront the encroaching darkness in her once-idyllic mountain sanctuary.

Praise for Murder Under Redwood Moon
★★★★★ "An energetic and suspenseful witchcraft-filled murder mystery." ~Chelsey Tucker, Independent Book Review

★★★★★ "An engaging and atmospheric novel that skillfully blends elements of realistic mystery with the supernatural." ~K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

★★★★★ "A thrilling supernatural mystery." ~Amy's Bookshelf Reviews

Literary Titan Award Winner: "Dodd’s skillful fusion of nature reverence, supernatural themes, and suspenseful plot twists results in a narrative brimming with intrigue and a touch of witchy allure." ~Literary Titan

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About the Author

Sherri L Dodd was raised in southeast Texas. Her childhood included talk of ghosts, demons, and back country folklore, which inspired her first short story.

Sherri later moved to the central coast of California with her mother. Her first real step into writing was Mom Looks Great – The Fitness Program for Moms. More recently, Sherri transmuted the grief of her father's passing by writing Murder Under Redwood Moon. Learn more by visiting SherriDodd.com—and be sure to sign up for Sherri's newsletter and to follow her online:
 

• Playing Horseshoes With Aliens
• Buchanan's Express: Adventures in Intergalatic Trucking
• Crater Stumble

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Playing Horseshoes With Aliens

Genre: Humorous Science Fiction
Paperback: $11.99
Ebook: $3.99
 

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Buchanan's Express: Adventures in Intergalatic Trucking

Genre: Science Fiction Adventure
Paperback: $11.99
Ebook: $3.99
 

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Crater Stumble

Genre: Alien Invasion Science Fiction
Paperback: $11.99
Ebook: $3.99
 

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About the Author
John Parker was a broadcast operations engineer before going on to write for a local newspaper and to write screenplays. One of his screenplays was optioned for production, and then, at his wife's suggestion, John started writing novels. "Writing continues to be an adventure," he says.

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One in a Million

New release! August 2024
5.0 stars on 10 ratings on Kobo.com
Genres: General Nonfiction, Creative Nonfiction
From $9.99
 

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About the Author
Nataliia Melska always dreaded being a mom, simply because she was afraid of what it would mean to be responsible for another person's life...to take care of, look after, and bring up a child. She wrote One in a Million to share her personal story of struggling with motherhood and overcoming challenges. The book includes candid stories from her life, invaluable lessons she has learned, and advice for those in a similar situation. Follow Nataliia on Instagram.

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Soft Case

Book 1 of the John Keegan Mystery Series
4.0 stars, 650+ ratings
Paperback: $15.00
Ebook: FREE
 

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The First Cut

Book 8 of the John Keegan Mystery Series (Book 1 of the John Keegan Retro Books)
Ebook: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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Second Time Around

Book 9 of the John Keegan Mystery Series (Book 2 of the John Keegan Retro Books)
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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About the Author
John Misak says that "mysteries always interested me," but he never thought he could write them. Then, on a whim, he wrote Soft Case, a murder mystery and the first of the John Keegan books.

"I write other series and under different names," says Misak, "but the John Keegan character remains my favorite. We've grown together and I enjoy writing from his perspective. I hope to keep his stories coming." 

Learn more at JohnMisak.net, sign up for the John Keegan Mystery Email List, and be sure to follow John Misak online:
 

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Who Am I: Mending a Lost Identity

Genres: Memoir, Poetry
Paperback: $8.32
Ebook: $4.99
 

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About the Author
Anvil Long was born in rural Oklahoma. His early years were spent in California and Oklahoma. He studied engineering at a major university in the Midwest and went on to forge a successful career in industrial technology. Anvil’s professional career provided him the opportunity to live and work in many different cities in the United States, as well as in Europe and the Pacific Rim. 

Anvil recently retired from his professional career and discovered that writing is calming and a means to release suppressed feelings. Anvil currently lives in the Midwest where he enjoys attending music festivals, riding motorcycles, and frequenting coffee shops and brew pubs. Learn more at anvil-long.com.