Today's Featured Books— Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on two young adult fiction titles from author Rebecca Rook: 

False Haven (new release!) - a chilling YA horror novel where Holes meets The Haunting of Hill House

The Penance of Valentine Cash - Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets Jennifer Mason-Black’s Devil and the Bluebird in this modern adaptation of the Greek legend The Twelve Labors of Hercules for YA fantasy readers

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False Haven

NEW RELEASE: February 13, 2024
Genres: Teen & Young Adult Horror, Teen & Young Adult Ghost Stories, Teen & Young Adult Fantasy & Supernatural Mystery
Ebook: $4.99  

A young adult horror novel for fans of Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Asylum by Madeleine Roux, and Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff.

Seventeen-year-old Vivienne Barston’s life has fallen apart.

With her mother recently dead, her father disappears into his grief – leaving Viv to deal with her sadness and anger alone. Viv turns to destructive behaviors like petty vandalism, but after a disturbing stint in a juvenile detention center frightens her, Viv agrees to a court mandated service opportunity designed to expunge her record. The deal: work for six weeks with a trail conservation crew in the rural woods of southern Oregon, and she’ll be free with a clean slate.

She knows it’s her last chance to fix her life.

When Viv arrives at the small town of Hard Luck, Oregon, she meets her motley crewmates, all with troubles of their own. The unusual group travels to Grafton Stake, a remote and derelict former asylum with a haunted history–and now Viv must face the ghosts of the past while fighting for her future.

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The Penance of Valentine Cash

Recent Release: January 16, 2024
Genres: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult Mythical Creatures, Teen & Young Adult Greek & Roman Myths & Legends
Paperback: $16.00
Ebook: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

The young and the ancient, the tangible and the mythical, collide in this tale of redemption, connection, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Valentine Cash is dead.

When she dies in an accidental collision she caused on the cusp of musical fame, Valentine is offered a deal: Complete a series of difficult tasks to get her life back. Fail, and she dies a final, everlasting death. Guided by Route 66 the Mother Road of America on her quest, she tackles one herculean task after another, giving up a piece of herself with each trial.

Valentine begins to understand that the fame she once sought won’t bring her happiness or belonging – and if she fulfills the penance, she must decide what’s more important: Her old life or restoring the lives of the strangers who died alongside her.

Praise for The Penance of Valentine Cash

"A unique and wonderful book." ~Amazon Review

"Incredible storytelling." ~Goodreads Review

"The gods would be pleased." ~Amazon Review

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About the Author
Rebecca Rook is a hard of hearing person who designs tabletop games, manages a little free library dedicated to sequential art and comics, and lives in the Pacific Northwest with two wonderful dogs. A 2021-2022 Hugo House Fellow in Seattle, WA, she also attended the 2021 Tin House YA Fiction Workshop in Portland, OR. Prior to this, she completed the wonderful Yearlong Workshop for Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction at Hugo House. She writes young adult fiction in the fantasy, thriller, and horror genres. Learn more at byrebeccarook.com, and follow Rebecca online:
 

Congratulations to Kathleen Collins and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Study in Hysteria, a psychological portrait of a woman who senses that there is a better life for her somewhere else.
 
★★★★★ “Compelling, surprising, and witty... an exquisite novel about the painful consequences of repressing emotions, the deep rifts caused by the fear of revealing ourselves, and the unexpected ways the heart finds to heal. A heartbreakingly beautiful debut.” ~Sandra A. Miller, author of Wednesdays at One

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Study in Hysteria

NEW RELEASE: February 13, 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $5.99  

In the middle of 1974, Flora is privileged and middle-aged in a liberation-hued America, and feels both compelled by and left out of the women’s movement. She finds it difficult to activate her limited supply of empathy as she contends with a clandestine and unlikely friendship, a worrisome health scare, a domineering and philandering psychiatrist husband, or her own distant daughter.

Flora's secret foray into psychotherapy does nothing to halt the sense that there is a better life for her somewhere else, in some parallel existence. Through the continuum of psychological diagnoses, she is lost in the murky place between contentment and discontentment, normal and abnormal.

Is her state of mind a clinical, diagnosable condition, or common malaise? Perhaps she'll find out if she stops resisting to share herself with those who love her.

Praise for Study in Hysteria
★★★★★ “A nuanced psychological portrait of an indelible character and the complex era that shapes her... [an] intelligent, engrossing book.” ~Heidi Diehl, author of Lifelines

★★★★★ “In shimmering prose, Kathleen Collins gives us Flora, a woman who spends nearly a lifetime meeting–or not meeting–everyone's expectations without ever realizing she has deeply-held expectations of her own.” ~Stephanie Gangi, author of Carry the Dog and The Next

★★★★★ “Collins’s elegantly woven prose reads like a brocade of one woman’s feelings in a sexist world, a woman for whom silence is rebellion. Collins's psychological acuity manages to feel both classic and thoroughly contemporary.” ~Jason Tougaw, author of The Elusive Brain

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About the Author
Kathleen Collins’s nonfiction books include Watching What We Eat: The Evolution of Television Cooking Shows, Dr. Joyce Brothers: The Founding Mother of TV Psychology, and a memoir, From Rabbit Ears to the Rabbit Hole: A Life with Television. Study in Hysteria is her first novel. She is a professor and librarian at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and lives with her husband near the forest in the northernmost tip of the New York City borough of Manhattan. Learn more at katcoindustries.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 Cupsnake Escape, Book 2 in the Frankinschool Mysteries series for young readers from award-winning author Caryn Rivadeneira and Red Chair Press.

"Poignant lessons on forgiveness, friendship, and fairness. Slightly spooky and utterly charming, young readers will enjoy every page." ~BlueInk Reviews Starred Review of Book 1 of the Frankinschool Mysteries

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The Cupsnake Escape

NEW RELEASE: February 6, 2024
Book 2 of the Frankinschool Mysteries
Genre: Juvenile fiction (Ages 8-12, Grades 2-5)
Hardcover from $16.99
Ebook from $9.99

The second book about a boy named Fred who turns into "Frankenstein's monster" whenever he writes his "What-if" assignments. Fred and his friend Luisa find themselves in trouble once again when the new student mixes up recipes at their class’s bakery field trip leading to snakes running amok.

While the students scramble out of the school in fear, Fred and Luisa suspect their old friend Frank is behind the Great Cupsnake Escape. Once again, they put their creativity, their cooperation, and their courage to the test—but will it be enough to save the school from the snakes?

For more information (including a discussion guide), visit Red Chair Press.

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Monster Match

Book 1 of The Frankinschool Mysteries
Genre: Juvenile fiction (Ages 8-12, Grades 2-5)
Hardcover from $16.99
Ebook from $9.99

In the first book of the Frankinschool Mysteries, Fred is working diligently on his writing assignment when a mist fills the room, and the words on his page come to life, literally. Suddenly Fred (now Frankinschool) and Luisa (now Princess Luisa) need to save the school from the mysterious potion—and the even more mysterious and devious ghost living in the school attic.

For more information (including a preview sample chapter and a discussion guide), visit Red Chair Press.

Praise for Monster Match
Finalist, Early Readers Category, Canadian Book Club Awards

Finalist for Best Children's Book 8-12 of 2023, Readers' Favorite

Semi-Finalist in Middle Grade Fiction: Gertrude Warner Award of the Chanticleer International Book Awards, 2023

Outstanding Creator Awards Winner, Author and Illustrator

"A great selection for third- to sixth-grade readers who enjoy books about friendship and supernatural events." ~Readers' Favorite

“Humorous and heartwarming." ~Glenys Nellist, former schoolteacher and author of the Little Mole series

“Relatable, funny, and just the right amount of creepy.” ~Jennifer Grant, award-winning author of Once Upon a Time Not So Long Ago

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Gone to the Dogs

Coming August 2024
Book 3 of the Frankinschool Mysteries

Fred’s emotions have gone to the dogs! Fred’s teacher and Luisa might be excited about their research trip to the library, but Fred is not. In fact, the whole project—and his continued failures at it—are making him angry! That is, until he realizes he has the perfect solution to his problem: Simply write one of his “What If” poems, tap into the power of pretend, turn into Frankinchool, and voila! Project, cancelled.

In Book Three of the Frankinschool Mysteries, readers set off on an adventure with Frankinschool through secret passageways and grand rooms of a mansion-turned-library. Along the way, they learn about managing expectations, anger, and friendships, and discover that sometimes going-to-the-dogs is a very good thing.

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About the Author
Caryn Rivadeneira is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books for both children and adults. Her work has appeared in Aleteia, Sojourners, Christianity Today, Relevant, FamilyLife, ThinkChristian, and Engineering and Mining Journal (yeah, you read that right). She has spent nearly three decades in the publishing industry, serving as a magazine, blog, and book editor. Caryn lives in the near-west suburbs of Chicago with her husband, her three kids, and her three beloved rescue pit bulls. Learn more at carynrivadeneira.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:
 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Bruce and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories, a collection that gives the reader 33 ways of looking at a dollar via bittersweet stories of resilience and defiance.
 
★★★★★ “A deeply gifted writer.” ~Richard Bausch, Winner, PEN/Malamud & Rea Awards for the Short Story

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Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories

NEW RELEASE: January 30, 2024
Genre: Short Story Collections, Literary Fiction
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $4.99  

In Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories, Elizabeth Bruce gives readers 33 ways of looking at a dollar. Her empathetic, humorous, and disarming embrace of plain-spoken people searching for a way out, charms and provokes.

In “Universally Adored,” a color-obsessed artist draws a facsimile of a dollar—a masterpiece universally adored—to win her girlfriend back. While checking for spare change in the laundry in “Bald Tires,” a Tennessee housewife with a malcontent husband finds an unused condom in his Sunday trousers. In “The Forgiveness Man,” a runaway teen with a newborn follows a vagabond healer absolving the bedraggled godless through hugs of forgiveness. And in “Magic Fingers," a ladies’ room attendant tracked down by her abusive ex finds refuge in a cheap motel with a 1970s era bed massager. 

Riffing on the intimate object of a dollar, Bruce’s humane short fictions—from a great mashed potato war to the grass Jesus walked on—ring with the exquisite voices of characters in analog worlds.

Praise for Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories
★★★★★ “Elizabeth Bruce’s stories have that rare quality of feeling as though they have always existed, the way the best stories always do.” ~John McNally, author of The Book of Ralph: A Novel

★★★★★ “A remarkable tapestry around a shockingly familiar starting point, this collection brings us new ways of seeing ourselves and the constellations of our closest relationships. It’s breathtaking.” ~David A. Taylor, author of Soul of a People: The WPA Writers’ Project Uncovers Depression America

★★★★★ “A gifted storyteller... Just how far can one dollar take a person? You’d be amazed.” ~Naomi Ayala, author of Calling Home: Praise Songs & Incantations

★★★★★ “[Elizabeth] writes thoughtfully and elegantly about the pain and beauty of being alive.” ~Eric Stover, Faculty Director, UC Human Rights Center, Co-Producer, PBS documentary, “Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten”

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About the Author
Washington-DC-based Texas author Elizabeth Bruce’s debut novel, And Silent Left the Place, won Washington Writers’ Publishing House’s Fiction Award and distinctions from ForeWord Magazine and Texas Institute of Letters. She’s published in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malawi, India, Yemen, and The Philippines, A co-founder of Sanctuary Theatre, her bilingual book, CentroNia’s Theatrical Journey Playbook: Introducing Science to Early Learners through Guided Pretend Play, garnered four indie awards. She’s received DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and McCarthey Dressmfriean Education Foundation Fellowships and studied with Richard Bausch, Lee K. Abbott, Janet Peery, John McNally, and Liam Callanan. Discsover more at elizabethbrucedc.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 Secrets of the Catalogue, an epic tale of adventure, love, and the clash between fiction and truth from author Amelia Spencer. 

"Shhhh! This book is a 'secret' sleeper hit. A unique take on banned books in a modern world, with fantasy and 'other worlds' on the side!" ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

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Secrets of the Catalogue by Amelia Spencer

Book 1 of The Librarians Series
Genres: Coming of Age Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
4.6 stars, 28 ratings on Amazon
4.3 stars, 116 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $12.99
E-book: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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About the Author

Amelia was born and raised in a small town in Ohio where she developed an interest in reading and writing from a young age. After working as a lawyer for several years, she decided to pursue her true passion and become a writer. Her debut novel, Secrets of the Catalogue, is the first book in The Librarians Series. Her next book, Foundation, is coming May 2024. 

Amelia now lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she continues to write and explore the city’s vibrant literary scene. When she is not writing, you can find her browsing the shelves at her local bookstore, taking impromptu trips, or spending time with family and friends. Learn more at AmeliaSpencer.com and be sure to follow her online: 

    

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Figure Skating Mystery Series from Alina Adams, a special edition e-book that includes five complete novels that were published as paperback originals by Berkley Prime Crime, plus videos by Ice Theatre of New York.

"Adams has the wacky, incestuous world of skating down cold...from Russian coaches to skating moms to groupie fans to prepubescent stars." ~Philip Hersh, Chicago Tribune

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Figure Skating Mystery Series (5 books in 1)
All 5 Books in 1 Kindle Edition: $9.99  


Fans of figure skating will laugh out loud at the descriptions of the skaters, attitudes, costumes, and stunts. Non-fans will revel in the finely crafted mystery. Bex Levy is a great protagonist who is prone to talking to herself, putting her foot in her mouth, and slashing at people with blades of sarcasm.

The Figure Skating Mystery Series includes five complete novels: 

Murder on Ice (Book 1): At the World Figure Skating Championship, the Ladies' Gold medal goes to Russia's dour Xenia Trubin over America's perky Erin Simpson thanks to the vote of one judge. Who then promptly turns up dead. Who killed Silvana Potenza? A skater? A coach? A fan? An official? A parent? It's up to Bex Levy, intrepid television researcher, to figure everything out before the end of the competition, or lose her job–and maybe even her life.

On Thin Ice (Book 2): Bex Levy’s search for a pair of athletes who mysteriously dropped out of the sport years earlier leads to a host of shocking secrets, a kidnapping–and a murder!

Axel of Evil (Book 3): Bex Levy races to discover who killed an ice skating coach during a competition in Moscow. Igor Marchenko defected from the USSR to the States in 1977 and this is the first time he's been able to return home. But he soon turns up dead, poisoned by a pair of gloves. And once Bex does the rounds, she finds that plenty of people had plenty of reasons to bump him off.

Death Drop (Book 4): Bex Levy investigates the mystery behind an infant left in the arena at the Nationals–and why the baby's mother, an ice dancer who mysteriously took off a year ago, is hanging dead from a sequined belt. But leery from events in the past, Bex is hesitant to follow the clues that will uncover personal secrets–and a killer who'll do anything to keep them from coming out.

Skate Crime (Book 5): When a world-famous coach is murdered on the eve of his televised tribute, the suspects include the former partner he dumped as soon as something better came along, the much younger new wife that he turned into a clone of his old one, his resentful daughter who always had to battle Daddy's students for his attention, the skater whose life he nearly destroyed, and the one he guided to Olympic Gold.

Praise for the Figure Skating Mystery Series and Alina Adams
"Murder on Ice mirrors events from the 2002 Winter Olympics. Corrupt judging, cutthroat battles between the skaters, and the behind-the-scenes viewpoint all help to add depth to this unique mystery." ~Roundtable Reviews

"Adams uses her extensive knowledge of the real-life world of competitive figure skating to create a very realistic background for this murder...complete with hints of dark humor. A likable, down-to-earth heroine makes this a must-read for cozy mystery fans with a fascination for figure skating." ~Romantic Times Magazine

"The book nails a Triple Axel in its description of the beautiful but bizarre world of figure skating, where skating talent is only the beginning of the package necessary to make it big. Female skaters, especially, need a pretty face and a good story to hold the public’s interest, and millions of dollars in ice shows and product endorsements can be at stake. Adams’ expertise is obvious, as is her exasperated affection for the sport." ~TheMysteryReader.com

"If you are even a casual fan of figure skating, you will love this book." ~The Romance Readers Connection

About the Author
Alina Adams is a New York Times best-selling author, soap opera insider, and pioneer in online storytelling who was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated with her parents to the United States at age seven. She learned English by watching American soap operas at their home in San Francisco.

Alina's years glued to the television paid off. She received her B.A. and M.A. in broadcast communications at San Francisco State University, and became a writer at E! Entertainment Television's daily talk show Pure Soap. She went on to work at ABC Television as a writer for the transition of the soap opera Loving when it was reincarnated as the daytime drama The City.  She also worked as a researcher for the Daytime Emmy Awards for ten years. 

Alina's childhood and immigration experience was the inspiration for her two latest historical fiction novels: The Nesting Dolls (2020) and My Mother's Secret: A Novel of the Jewish Autonomous Region (2022).

Learn more about Alina and her work and sign up for her mailing list at AlinaAdams.com. 

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Congratulations to Sara Hosey and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Dirty Suburbia, a stunning collection of short stories that traces the lives of girls and women struggling to live with dignity in a world that often hates them.
 
★★★★★ “Measured, witty, captivating.” ~Kirkus Reviews

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Dirty Suburbia

NEW RELEASE: January 16, 2024
Genre: Short Story Collections, Literary Fiction
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $5.99  

Dirty suburbias are working-class neighborhoods in which girls who are left to fend for themselves sometimes become predators, as well as affluent communities in which women discover that money is no protection against sexism.

One young woman sets up her abusive, cheating boyfriend, hoping he’ll get arrested so that she can rescue him and win him back. A teenager arranges to meet up with an older man she’s met online playing video games; she brings a knife with her, just in case. A middle-aged divorcee attempts to rekindle a romantic relationship with her high school English teacher, who happens to be a former nun. A struggling academic falls in love with a Henry David Thoreau impersonator, and a well-adjusted grad student goes home for Christmas only to be repulsed by her family’s casual cruelty.

Despite the ugliness and injustice they face, as well as the failures of their families and communities, these characters often find relief in friendship and connection, and sometimes, even discover meaning and cause for hope.

Praise for Dirty Suburbia
★★★★★ “Measured, witty, captivating tales starring a series of resilient, likable female characters.” ~Kirkus Reviews

★★★★★ “Women and girls of the poor, working, and middle-class navigating life under an oppressive, simpering patriarchy... Her characters are smart, funny, bold and wonderfully flawed.” ~Joel Mowdy, author of Floyd Harbor

★★★★★ “Absolutely stunning! Perceptive, empathetic, and always on point, Hosey’s characters will stay with you... I was awestruck by the range of tales and will be thinking about the world of Dirty Suburbia for a long time.” ~Kelly Fordon, author of I Have the Answer

★★★★★ "Gritty and darkly funny and ultimately humane." ~Jess Walter

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About the Author
Sara Hosey is the author of three young adult novels: Iphigenia Murphy, Imagining Elsewhere, and Summer People. Her short fiction has been shortlisted for the Katherine Anne Porter Prize and the American Short Fiction Halifax Ranch Prize and has appeared in journals like Cordella Literary Magazine and Mudroom Magazine. She is a parent, a community college professor, and a tree enthusiast. Read more about Sara at sarahosey.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 Dylan Thomas Doyle and Vine Leaves Press on the release of A Letter to the Shooting Stars Among Us—including a spoken word audiobook version with an original soundtrack!
 
★★★★★ "Beautifully tender and self-assured." ~Erica Berry, author of Wolfish

Important note from the publisher: "We would highly recommend purchasing the audio version of this book as it was intended as spoken word poetry and includes an original score."

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A Letter to the Shooting Stars Among Us

NEW RELEASE: January 9, 2024
Genre: Memoir/Poetry
Audiobook: From $7.99
Ebook: $4.99  

Dear You,

Welcome to your love letter. A letter signed to the secrets and celebrations that brought you here. The found family, and the lost innocence, and the wanderlust, and the returning home again in ways you never thought possible. Not to mention the whiskey and the sobriety and the streetlights and the sweet sleepless nights you danced through on your way to this moment. Welcome to the love letter to your leaving and arriving again. Here.
 
A Letter to the Shooting Stars Among Us is a concoction of music and poetry that pushes the boundaries of genre and expectation. Flowing from spoken word poetry and hip-hop roots, it’s a personal and powerful testament to the beauty and heartbreak of wising up and self-discovery. Examining everything from breakups, illness, crustaceans, immigration, supernovas, God, tomatoes, seedy motels, and all those other memories you locked up somewhere safe, this book is a reminder to love deeply, live boldly, and seek beauty in unconventional spaces.
 
Praise for The Shape of Normal
★★★★★ "The body crackles with life in Dylan Doyle’s collection, which maps currents of yearning and youth against the sediment of personal history. These poems are both beautifully tender and self-assured—they sing." ~Erica Berry, author of Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear

★★★★★ "Internal and external landscapes collide, and, instead of bursting, kaleidoscopically combine. Letter to the Shooting Stars Among Us is a scintillating, multi-sensory, deeply emotional journey through this third space." ~Ian Bonaparte, author of The Fool and other works

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About the Author
Dylan Thomas Doyle is a spoken word poet writing out of Boulder, Colorado. A former Unitarian Universalist minister, Dylan is now an information science researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. The heart of Dylan’s poetry was forged in the glory days of the early 2000s New York City slam scene. Before moving to Boulder, Dylan was a regular touring performer at the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe, Bowery Poetry Club, and other spoken word poetry venues throughout New York City and the Northeast. Previous full-length poetry books include The Garage? Just Torch It (Vine Leaves Press) and Our Graveyard Shift (Spring Otter Press). More work by Dylan can be found at Dylanthomasdoyle.com and on all social media platforms @dylantdoyle.

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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 Your Daily Guide to Shine: Embrace Your Calling through Music, Poetry, and Prose by Kevin Alan Lamb. 

"A touchstone for personal growth and empowerment." ~Matt Rudnitsky, You Are an Author

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Your Daily Guide to Shine

Genres: Happiness Self-Help, Poetry
5 stars, 59 ratings on Amazon
Paperback: $14.99
E-book: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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About the Author
Kevin Alan Lamb is an author, poet, and journalist based in Oxford, Michigan. Kevin spent the first 18 years of his life believing that he would pitch a baseball for a living, but a torn rotator cuff shattered that dream. 

Once you go all in on a dream only to witness it crumble, there’s no telling how or where to begin again.

The lyrics of a song by The Avett Brothers inspired Kevin to change his life: "Decide what to be and go be it." When Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) later gave him a shoutout in front of 30,000 people, Kevin realized it was time to stop covering professional sports and become a music journalist. Today, Kevin writes song lyrics, poignant poems, stirring affirmations, personal anecdotes, and fascinating musician interviews. 

Learn more by following Kevin on Instagram and on Amazon, and be sure to also visit ThisIsAGoodSound.com. 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on books of the Law of Attraction Series from author Ryuu Shinohara and Monk Mode University.

Bonus: Subscribe to the free Monk Mode University newsletter and get the Manifestor Masterlist at no cost! The Manifestor Masterlist includes:

• Top 3 daily habits to maximize your manifesting abilities
• Simple layout to track your progress
• Detailed instructions to help you get started today! 

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Focused Manifesting: 11 Laws of Manifestation to Master Your Mind and Attention

New Release: December 2023
Book 7 of 7 in the Law of Attraction Series
Genres: Journaling (#1 on Amazon), Spiritual Self-Help, Personal Transformation
Paperback: $9.99
E-book: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

• The biggest distraction in the Universe.
• A simple exercise for choosing goals that create heart-mind alignment.
• How to turn manifestation into a daily habit vs. a random event.
• Feng shui secrets.
• Mindfulness exercises.
• A counter-intuitive way of using technology.
• A little tweak for 10x-ing the effects of gratitude.
• 7 FREE BONUSES + exercises at the end of each chapter.
• And much, much more!

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The Magic of Manifesting: 15 Advanced Techniques To Attract Your Best Life, Even If You Think It's Impossible Now

Book 1 of 7 in the Law of Attraction Series
Genres: Teen & Young Adult Philosophy (#1 on Amazon), New Age New Thought, Spiritual Self-Help
4.7 stars, 3450+ ratings
Paperback: $15.11
E-book: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

• Why you should care about manifestation more than you think.
• The scientific secret behind changing your reality.
• The smartest and most powerful way to attract anything you want in life.
• Essentials about energy, flow, and connection.
• Why your ego is the enemy and what you can do about it.
• The #1 mental exercise Olympians and star athletes practice daily to increase their performance.
• And much more.

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The Magic of Manifesting Money: 15 Advanced Manifestation Techniques to Attract Wealth, Success, and Abundance Without Hard Work

Book 2 of 7 in the Law of Attraction Series
Genres: Personal Success & Spirituality, Philosophy & Spiritual Growth, New Age New Thought
4.7 stars, 1500+ ratings
Paperback: $17.99
E-book: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

• The #1 key to accelerating your money manifestation.
• The path of least resistance where money miracles and opportunities flow.
• How to generate revolutionary ideas out of the blue.
• Where to place your focus and energy to manifest wealth.
• How to be receptive to the infinite opportunities around.
• And much more.

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About the Author
Ryuu Shinohara is a metaphysics philosopher and researcher. He is drawn toward unpacking and understanding the hidden laws of life and has a passion for teaching others about the proven and timeless principles of reality (both mystical and scientific) that he has come to adopt and get results with throughout his life. With this experience, he finds the inspiration to write these books. They are clear, relatable, and practical for anyone at any level of understanding (even non-believers)...turning theory into practice and practice into results.

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About Monk Mode University
Monk Mode University is an education platform introducing higher-level, conscious teachings around personal development, spirituality, and business to independent thinkers around the globe. Learn more at MonkModeUniversity.com, sign up for their free newsletter, and follow them online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series, a collection of literary and emotionally propulsive thrillers by Randall Silvis, an author who has been hailed by the New York Times Book Review as "A Masterful Storyteller."

The series begins with Two Days Gone, a Hammett Prize Finalist and Amazon #1 Bestseller. Read on to learn more!

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Two Days Gone

Ryan DeMarco Mystery Book 1
4.2 stars, 1945 ratings
Paperback: $10.53
E-book: $9.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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Walking the Bones

Ryan DeMarco Mystery Book 2
4.3 stars, 447 ratings
Paperback: $12.89
E-book: $9.99
 

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A Long Way Down

Ryan DeMarco Mystery Book 3
4.4 stars, 152 ratings
Paperback: $14.19
E-book: $9.99
 

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No Woods So Dark as These

Ryan DeMarco Mystery Book 4
4.3 stars, 123 ratings
Paperback: $10.94
E-book: $9.99
 

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When All Light Fails

Ryan DeMarco Mystery Book 5
4.5 stars, 101 ratings
Paperback: $8.54
E-book: $6.72
 
“Elegiac… Silvis delivers crisp action sequences, but most memorable are DeMarco’s long, ruminative digressions that sum up the career of a complicated, honorable man. Readers will be sorry to see the last of him.” ~Publishers Weekly

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The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series

The complete e-book set: $46.68
 

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About the Author
Randall Silvis is the multi-genre author of nineteen critically acclaimed novels, three story collections, and two books of creative nonfiction. He is a past winner of the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, and his work has been published in more than a hundred editions in several languages. Learn more at RandallSilvis.com, and be sure to follow Randall online:

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Losing My Breath, a new release from J. Rose Black:

A steamy, adult RomCom

Winner, Literary Titan Gold Book Award December 2023

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Bonus: Sign up for J. Rose Black's newsletter and get a free copy of Off the Record:

"On the record, she's the world's most annoying reporter. Off the record, she's the one he can't let get away."

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Losing My Breath by J. Rose Black

New release: November 8, 2023
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Humor, Feel-Good Fiction
4.4 stars, 72 ratings
Paperback: $12.99
Ebook: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

A Marine never says die.

Neither does his princess.

Battle lines are drawn when sheltered debutante Meridian Daly moves across the hall from grumpy veteran Marine Callan Brand. Situated a bit closer than advertised to "crime alley," Meridian’s neighbor finds himself grudgingly guarding the pampered princess out of habit. But with her sharp wit and killer curves, he can’t help but surrender to temptation…

When their relationship evolves from casual courtship to something more, Callan finds that Meridian has already discovered his closely guarded secret. But can he let go of his pride and tell her the whole truth of who he is and what he’s done—in the name of honor and country?

As Callan’s scars start to reveal themselves, his life spirals beyond the careful control that's helped him survive—and kept those he cares about safe.

From him.

Praise for Losing My Breath

• "A powerful and emotionally resonant story that will leave you breathless. It's a tale of love, sacrifice, and the battle against one's own demons, ultimately culminating in the discovery of hope and redemption." ~Literary Titan
• "It is very rare to read a love story that does not have a rinse-and-repeat cycle, but Losing My Breath is far from the normal romantic tale... The pages of J. Rose Black's perfectly penned novel show that there is a light at the end of the darkest of days if you are willing to put in the effort to overcome them." ~Readers' Favorite
• "Hot, hilarious, and devourable." ~International Review of Books

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About the Author

J. Rose Black weaves stories about obsession, redemption, and the transcendental power of love. From her early days writing fanfiction for a passionate following of international readers, to crafting novels with her own characters, Rose has always been drawn to broody protectors and plucky, no-nonsense women ready to fight for what they believe in. 

Learn more at JRoseBlack.com, get a free copy of Off the Record when you sign up for her newsletter, and follow her online:
 

Spotlight on
Kaleidoscopic Shades
by David A. Neuman



2023 Hoffer Award Finalist
Winner of Literary Titan and IndieBRAG Awards
Voted #1 book of 2022 on Bookworm Reviews 

"Takes you into a world where times could be manipulated, and a whole nation can disappear without a trace...a world where anything and everything is possible." ~OnlineBookClub.org

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Kaleidoscopic Shades by David A. Neuman

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, Literary Fiction
Paperback: From $16.31
Ebook: From $0.99

From the Author
There are no colors but black far over the rainbow...and one father will fight for his sanity while his young son confronts countless lost souls...and a menagerie of clocks maddeningly ticking away the hour to nowhere. To the endless plains of Black Eternity. To nothingness...

Synopsis from Bookworm Reviews
This is one of those books that is not a book so much as it is an immersive experience. It is a surreal dreamlike journey that takes several different components and creates a thoughtful, unforgettable whole work.

Several mysterious things happen at once. Solar flares erupt in Australia. An Englishwoman spontaneously combusts. A town in Brazil mysteriously vanishes. A man in California appears and disappears. Several children in a small California town have nightmares of a dark clothed figure observing them. All around the world, people hear the sound of bells and see balloon figures.

These various scenes of weirdness ultimately come together when father and son, Bob and Josh Triplow, have to confront the entities that are responsible for this strangeness.

It's a bizarre surreal science fiction novel that is more felt than read. Many of the events are so bizarre that even the Reader doesn't know what is fantasy and what is reality. It puts Readers off kilter just like the characters as they go farther and deeper into this nightmare of a journey.

Praise for Kaleidoscopic Shades

• 2023 Hoffer Award Finalist
• Literary Titan Book Award
• B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
• "A doorstopper of a novel that fans of sci-fi and paranormal thrillers can really sink their teeth into." ~BookTrib Review
• "Part Stephen King, part David Mitchell, part David Lynch." ~Jason Pettus, editor
• "An exciting work of paranormal fiction." ~OnlineBookClub.org
• "Will definitely be appealing to someone who enjoys a good genre-bender." ~Monique Snyman, Bram Stoker Award nominee

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About the Author

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, David A. Neuman was gifted a vivid imagination. In the late seventies, he walked out of Norwood High School an underachiever to embark on a scholastic journey before graduating from Flinders University in Behavioral Science.

Some thirty years ago, disenchanted in the rigidity of life's endless stop signs, he penned Kaleidoscopic Shades and, if not for a chance meeting with a man of poetry, this book would have remained a secreted passion. 

Watch the trailer for the book, filmed in the old Adelaide Gaol in South Australia.

Neuman continues to live in Adelaide with his four-legged companions: Saffron, Cinnamon and Ginger—his very own Spice Girls. It is here he feels at home, especially when exploring its ghostly past, understanding that, regardless of one's background, we are all in this together. And always will be.
 

• Jump Cut (from The Ellie Foreman Mysteries series): Kindle Countdown Deal, Dec. 24-30
• Doubleback (from the Georgia Davis Series): Kindle Countdown Deal, Jan. 1-7

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Jump Cut

Kindle Countdown Deal coming December 24, 2023 
Part of The Ellie Foreman Mysteries series
Genres: Espionage Thrillers, International Mystery & Crime 
4.1 stars, 300+ ratings
Paperback: $15.99
E-book: Currently $6.99, free via Kindle Unlimited
 

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Doubleback

Kindle Countdown Deal coming January 1, 2024 
Part of the Georgia Davis Series
Genres: Hard-Boiled Mystery, Private Investigator Mysteries, Women Sleuths, Financial Thrillers
4.2 stars, 292 ratings
Paperback: $16.99
E-book: Currently $6.99, free via Kindle Unlimited
 

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About the Author

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Breach Cycle series from author David Welch...books that follow the adventures of two former soldiers who provide security for scientists who are opening breaches into other universes to see what’s out there and what they can learn. 

★★★★★ "Rip-roaring adventure with a little philosophy and romance." ~Amazon Review

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The Boys of the Breach

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel Science Fiction, Space Marine Science Fiction
The Breach Cycle Book 1
4.3 stars, 46 ratings
Paperback: $15.25
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Easton Keller and Breck Everett wanted nothing more than to serve their country. But when budget cuts cause them to be "prematurely retired" from the Special Forces, these two warriors find themselves embarking on a new adventure: Provide security for scientists working at a facility that explores the multiverse, opening breaches into other universes to see what’s out there and what they can learn.

Given the infinite span of the multiverse, there are endless discoveries waiting for mankind. But with every possible eventuality existing in one parallel universe or another, the scientists are bound to run into danger…lots of danger. That’s where the Easton and Breck come in.

Leading a guard company of other former military and police veterans, Easton and Breck take on everything the multiverse can throw at them: Pissed-off sentient dinosaurs, alien critters who feed off body-horror, prehistoric bears with a grudge, interdimensional corsair slavers, wild west madmen bent on refighting the civil war, genius scientists who completely lack common sense, parallel versions of themselves who cheat at cards…even ex-wives they may or may not still be hung up on.

Their job is to face them all and bring the egg-heads home safe—and they’re among the few who might actually be able to do it. The multiverse may be a dangerous place, but these are dangerous men…

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The Men of the Breach

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel Science Fiction, Space Marine Science Fiction
New Release! The Breach Cycle Book 2
4.7 stars, 13 ratings
Paperback: $15.25
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Former soldiers Easton Keller and Breck Everett didn’t know what to expect when they first signed up for jobs exploring the multiverse. But after a year they’ve become old hands at taking on the countless dangers that parallel universes dish up.

Recovering from a slave raid on their own home base, they face new challenges as they try to rebuild following the devastating attack. Their staff is traumatized, the people of Earth paranoid about the possibility of another attack, and the politicos worried all of this will cost them their careers. Meanwhile, Easton is busy trying to make things work with his guilt-ridden ex-wife, while Breck faces an unexpected life change that nobody saw coming. But despite the new realities, the job must continue...too much has been invested by too many for it to stop.

Rex and his Guard Company are going back out into the multiverse, taking on power-hungry Romans, pupating kaiju, post-apocalyptic wastelands, cannibalistic monsters who absorb the wisdom of their enemies, and perhaps worst of all…bureaucrats. As if all that is enough, the corsairs who have caused so much damage are still out there, and they are not taking their loss quietly.

The multiverse offers infinite possibilities—and infinite dangers. These are the tales of the men who deal with it.

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About the Author
David Welch hails from the capital district of upstate New York, where he has lived all his life. He is a long-time fan of action-adventure tales in all genres, be it classic pulp tales, shoot 'em up westerns, or ripping space operas. When not writing, he spends his time hiking, skiing, and exploring out-of-the way places. His 17 books are all available on Amazon. Follow David online at:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Rev. Dr. Anne Hays Egan, a high-energy community building consultant who loves to write! Featured in today's special newsletter are three of Anne's books:

• Building Communities of Hope
• God's Eyes
• Moving Mama

Read on to learn more about these inspirational and enjoyable books and about Anne's work.

★★★★★ "Building each other up to do amazing things together." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

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Building Communities of Hope: How People are Making Positive Change

Genres: Spiritual Self-Help, Happiness Self-Help, Religion & Spirituality
4.9 stars, 74 ratings
Paperback: $12.99
Ebook: $5.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Each of us has the spirit and fire within to live in joy. We are built for it! We can make positive changes that empower and bring hope to ourselves and others. 

Building Communities of Hope is a guide for those of us who yearn for a change in our lives. It’s a roadmap for creating positivity and a meaningful difference in our communities and society. It’s a resource for those who need support and motivation to recover from life’s challenges. It is intended to help each of us:

• Believe in ourselves.
• Take steps to improve our lives.
• Address challenges and break through barriers.
• Build hope that’s our own – that’s practical and works for us.
• Strengthen our personal purpose and power.
• Win friends, influence, lead, and support others.
• Be a force for positive change in our communities.

We all face challenges…natural disasters, accidents, health issues, economic setbacks, and more. This book teaches that there is a way through and beyond these challenges, especially when we rely on each other. We have the power within us!

Praise for Building Communities of Hope

★★★★★ "A great book that guides readers toward building a strong community through good deeds. It is also a much-needed resource for self-healing from life’s challenges and advocating compassion, kindness, and love to support one another." ~Literary Titan, Gold Award

One of the 20 Best Community Building Books of All Time. ~BookAuthority.

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God's Eyes - A Vision for Us: Presence, Promise, and Power

Genres: Spiritual Self-Help, Motivational Self-Help, Religion & Spirituality
New Release: November 21, 2023
5.0 stars, 6 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
Ebook: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Want a book that will help you get up in the morning, fired up and ready to take on the world? Want something that shares the power of spiritual transformation? Presence, promise, and power? This book may provide you with some great, practical tools.

God's Eyes is for seekers, those who know they're on a spiritual path, out-of-the-box thinkers, and all who want greater focus and purpose in their lives. God’s Eyes shares the author’s experience of a powerful vision where, for a minute, she got to see the world and its promise through what she experienced as God’s perspective. Early readers call the book profound, captivating, and transformative...a "great work" that is "much needed in our world."

Praise for God's Eyes

★★★★★ "A thought-provoking book that invites us to embrace the mystery of divine encounters, live in the slipstream of divine guidance, and contribute to a more compassionate world through small acts of kindness," ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "Tremendous help on my journey." ~Amazon Review

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Moving Mama: Taking Care of Mother During Her Final Years with Alzheimer's

Genres:  Eldercare, Aging Parents, Gerontology Social Sciences, Memoir
4.4 stars, 47 ratings
Paperback: $9.99
Ebook: $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

More than 6.7 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. Worldwide, more than 55 million people have dementia. Most of us need help and this book has a lot to offer.

Navigating the complexities of Alzheimer’s is life-changing. Caring for your loved one takes all you have in the way of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual stamina. There are also many gifts that come from the experience, and times of sacred space.

Anne Hays Egan lived through this struggle in her own family and has worked as a consultant in health and aging, In Moving Mama, Anne shares relatable stories and practical advice, including resources, hope, and guidance for what often feels like an overwhelming journey. 

Praise for Moving Mama

★★★★★ "A compassionate guide through Alzheimer's." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review 

★★★★★ "Valuable advice and strategies for navigating the complexities of elder care." ~Amazon Review

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About the Author
Rev. Dr. Anne Hays Egan is Principal at New Ventures Consulting, an organization that works with nonprofits, governments, funders, associations, communities, and interagency networks to guide groups through community-driven planning and system development drawing upon the collective wisdom of the community. With 40 years of experience in the field, Anne brings unparalleled expertise to community projects. She is also the author of three books and more than 50 articles.

Learn more at NewVenturesConsulting.net and be sure to follow her Amazon Author Page.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the first two books of the Pentacoven Chronicles, a new YA Fantasy series about courage, embracing our unique talents, and the powerful magic of friendship from author Sutton Scott:

• The Cusp: A Prequel - FREE!
• The Pact - From $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

★★★★★ "Fantastic start to a new fantasy series." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

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The Cusp: A Prequel (Pentacoven Chronicles Book 1)

Genres: Teen & Young Adult Wizards & Witches Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Action & Adventure
4.4 stars, 30 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $7.99
Ebook: FREE

Five young witches. An ancient prophecy. A summons that cannot be ignored.

Can five young witches, bred for the sole intent of saving a realm they never knew existed, find the magic within to save the country of Macornia? Or will the evil Faborian witches destroy them before they can fulfill their true destiny?

Fueled by vengeance against the evil witches who took my mother's life, I stumble upon a hidden truth in a sealed historical tome. Within its pages is a revelation that could save my cherished country and everyone I love from the powerful, evil witches of Faboria.

The catch? We must interfere in the realm of humans. Forbidden spells must be cast upon innocent mortals so that the five predicted to save us are born with magical powers.

With Faboria promising to kill or enslave us, the survival of our world teeters on the edge. These young, unsuspecting young witches are our last hope. But will they agree to carry out what they were born to do?

Praise for The Cusp

★★★★★ "Perfect start to a new story." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "Intended audience is YA, but I believe the storyline will capture the imagination of a fantasy lover of any age." ~Goodreads Review

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The Pact (Pentacoven Chronicles Book 2)

Genres: Teen & Young Adult Wizards & Witches Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Action & Adventure
New Release: October 26, 2023
4.6 stars, 17 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $14.95
Ebook: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

All I want in life is to survive the bullies in high school and get out of the depressing town where I’m being raised by my grandmother.

All that changes when Gran passes away—after she tells me the truth about who I really am: A witch. A witch with mind-reading abilities. A witch meant for greatness.

Before I know it, I’m swept away to a magical realm I never knew existed and enrolled at Moonstone Academy. Once there, I’m told I’m one of five girls bred for the sole purpose of saving the country of Macornia from the evil witches of Faboria. We have only a few weeks to learn how to use our magic or the enemy will eliminate or enslave the entire population of Macornia, witches and creatures alike.

A bond quickly develops between the five of us. For the first time, I begin to understand the power that can come from friendship. Courage and commitment to one another are the only way through the perils of this bewildering magical world.

If we can stay alive.

Praise for The Pact

★★★★★ "Great magic academy series!" ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "You'll be rooting for the 16-year-olds learning to trust in themselves and the power of not only their brains, but their hearts." ~Big Time Book Junkie, Goodreads

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Coming soon: Books 3, 4 & 5 of the Pentacoven Chronicles

    

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About the Author
Sutton Scott is the mother of four humans and two spoiled kitties. They live in a house on a small lake with tons of wildlife. On any given day there are coyotes, bears, deer, crows, bobcats, squirrels, and countless birds. All of which give Sutton tons of inspiration for her fictional creatures.

Sutton was one of those kids who always had her nose in a book. She remembers being so immersed in a story that she couldn’t hear her mother calling her for dinner. Her greatest joy is creating stories for smart, kind, and curious young people who are as obsessed with books as she was and still is! Sutton says many of her stories come to her in dreams, proving there’s magic in each of us.

Learn more at SuttonScott.com and be sure to follow her online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on A Penguin's Quest, a beautiful children's picture book with an entertaining and educational story from author Scott McDermott and illustrator Christine Anderson. 

"A beautifully illustrated and appealing animal tale that underscores defying odds and helping others." ~Kirkus Reviews

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A Penguin's Quest

Genres: Children's Humor, Children's Action & Adventure Books, Children's Animals Books
Print length: 40 pages
Hardcover: From $17.59

Take a journey with Ingrid the penguin as she ventures from her home in Antarctica in search of a mythic place where it’s said a penguin can learn to fly.

Ingrid the penguin is on the verge of a discovery that could rock the penguin world. On the advice of some seriously lost pigeons, the little penguin sets out to accomplish something never imagined before for a penguin. Along the way we meet some surprising and colorful characters, making this a truly engaging adventure about chasing a dream. 

Learn more at APenguinsQuest.com where you can also sign up to receive info about news, events, and more. 

Praise for A Penguin's Quest

"An uncommon, spirited picture book in which an unconventional penguin’s daring decisions inspire her friends." ~Foreword Reviews (read the full review)

"All about believing and the determination to follow a dream no matter how difficult it might appear. This story will enthrall young readers of all ages." ~Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review

"McDermott’s engaging story features commendable instances of following a passion, learning from new friends, and embracing rewarding challenges. Anderson’s lovely illustrations offer realistic renderings that emphasize unusual textures, shades, and tones." ~Kirkus Reviews (read the full review)

"Entertaining, motivational, and educational...highly recommended for your children." ~Foluso Falaye, Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review

"Intended for children but I purchased this for my son who will be heading out to college in a big city. Very sweet/sentimental for both age groups." ~Amazon 5-Star Review

"Engaging, with deft characterization and low-key humor... Recommended to anyone who knows a curious child—or just likes penguins and enjoys a good story." ~Francis Mont, Readers Favorite 5-Star Review

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About the Author and Illustrator
Scott McDermott grew up in Switzerland, backpacked through the American West, and trekked the Himalayas before spending the last 25 years as a commercial photographer and filmmaker in New York City. He has photographed many of the most influential figures in Hollywood, the music industry, business and government, along with directing a feature film and many commercials. Scott recently started writing children’s fiction, inspired by the stories he made up to tell his own children. He is also learning to play bass guitar, primarily to back up his son on lead guitar. Follow Scott on Facebook and Instagram. 

Christine Anderson is a senior level illustrator and surface pattern designer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She received a BFA in Graphic Design/ Illustration from Drake University and has worked in commercial design for more than twenty years. Though she had a successful career as a muralist and furniture designer, she longed for her drawing board. She decided to refocus and get back to her true love, illustrating, with children’s books being part of her journey. To Christine, art is a creative process that is ever changing, growing, and without end.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Unbelievables series from K.C. Tansley, a set of award-winning and critically acclaimed YA time-travel murder mystery novels that will appeal to young adult and adult readers alike. 

"K.C. Tansley’s magical ghostly adventures take the reader on one exciting ride after another. Her characters will touch your heart, and their stories will stir your soul." ~Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author of The Farmers’ Market Mystery Series and the YA novel Clockwork

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The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts

Book 1 in The Unbelievables series
4.4 stars, 462 ratings
Paperback: $12.99
Ebook: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

She tried to ignore them. But some things won’t be ignored.

Kat Preston doesn’t believe in ghosts. Refusing to believe is the only way to protect herself from the ghost that tried to steal her life. Kat’s disbelief keeps her safe until her junior year at McTernan Academy, when a research project for an eccentric teacher takes her to a tiny, private island off the coast of Connecticut.

The site of a grisly mystery, the Isle of Acacia is no place for a girl who ignores ghosts. Accompanied by her research partner, Evan Kingsley, Kat investigates the disappearance of the bride and groom on their wedding night in 1886. Evan’s scientific approach to everything leaves Kat on her own to confront ancestral curses, powerful spells, and her strange connection to the ghosts that haunt Castle Creighton.

Everything changes when Kat and Evan travel through a magic portal and awaken in 1886 with their souls trapped inside the bodies of two wedding guests. Together, Kat and Evan race to stop the wedding-night murders and find a way back to their own time—and their own bodies—before their souls slip away forever.

The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts combines time-traveling, paranormal, and gothic mystery genres to weave a tale full of ancestral curses, powerful spells, strange connections, and inherited surprises. The novel is sure to delight fans of K.M. Shea's Magiford Supernatural City books and Joanna Reeder's In Her Dreams trilogy.

Praise for The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts

• "The novel's murder mystery is intriguing and grows more complex as its supernatural elements are unveiled." ~Kirkus Reviews
• "A neat spin on conventional ghost story motifs." ~Publishers Weekly
• "A compelling, magic-tinged mystery that spans generations." ~Chris F. Holm, author of the Collector Trilogy
• "A fascinating blend of mystery, romance, time travel, and ghosts." ~Page Morgan, The Beautiful & The Cursed
• "A sublime, engaging YA paranormal story." ~Readers' Favorite
• 2017 EPIC’s Ebook Award Finalist
• 2016 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Winner
• 2016 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Judges’ Choice Awards Winner
• 2016 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist
• 2016 International Book Awards Finalist
• 2015 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Finalist

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The Girl Who Saved Ghosts

Book 2 in The Unbelievables series
4.8 stars, 67 ratings
Paperback: $13.24
Ebook: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

She tried to ignore them. Now she might risk everything to save them.

After a summer spent in a haunted castle, Kat is looking forward to a totally normal senior year at McTernan Academy. Then the ghost of a little girl appears, and it soon becomes clear that an evil force wants Kat dead.

Searching for help, Kat leaves school for the ancestral home, accompanied by her friend, Evan. With the assistance of Kat's eccentric great aunts and a loyal family ghost, Kat soon learns that she and Evan can only fix the present by traveling into the past.

As Kat and Evan make their way through nineteenth-century Vienna, the Dark One stalks them, and Kat must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to save a ghost.

Praise for The Girl Who Saved Ghosts

• "A sweeping blend of action and thought-provoking insights that crosses genres between a mystery, a supernatural thriller, and a timeslip saga." ~Midwest Book Review
• "An entertaining read that will appeal to young adults and adults who enjoy a fast-paced supernatural tale." ~Foreword Clarion Reviews
• "Tansley gives the reader a lot to think about in this decidedly different and very readable fantasy novel." ~Readers' Favorite
• "Maintains the intrigue and complexity of the first as it further develops the ancient ties among the four families." ~Kirkus Reviews
• "A memorable supernatural tale of lies, murder, and flirt-worthy romance." ~K.R. Conway, author of The Undertow series
• 2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal Winner in YA Mystery/Horror

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The Girl Who Loved Ghosts

Book 3 in The Unbelievables series
4.6 stars, 34 ratings
Paperback: $13.32
Ebook: $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  

She’d do anything to save her friends and family. But will that mean sacrificing the ghosts she’s grown to love?

Kat is trying to settle back into her senior year at McTernan Academy. Meanwhile, Evan struggles with his coursework, a flirty new housemate, and his daunting responsibilities as the Kingsley heir and new owner of Ravenhurst manor. But Evan knows it’s only a matter of time before he and Kat have to travel into the past again.

An attack by a mysterious entity on campus proves that the only place they’ll both be safe is Dumbarton, the ancestral home of the Langley family...and Kat is in mortal danger every minute they wait to retrieve the last amulet they need to defeat the Dark One.

As her normal life slips further away, Kat must face the terrible cost that comes with time travel. Completing her quest in the present requires changing the past. She knows that the results of her actions can be disastrous—because the ghosts of her ancestors tell her of their tragic fates. A trip to eighteenth-century Connecticut might change everything as Kat tries to protect everyone she loves, but risks destroying every relationship that matters to her.

Praise for The Girl Who Loved Ghosts

• "A spellbinding tale with family curse, a vanished amulet, time travel, an evil entity, a missing heir, and valiant witches." ~Kris Anderson, The Avid Reader, Vine Voice Top 500 Reviewer
• "Tansley's writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a world where the past and present intertwine...a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and the supernatural, making it a must-read for fans of young adult paranormal fiction." ~Readers’ Favorite

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About the Author
K.C. Tansley lives on a hill somewhere in Connecticut with her guardian Shih tzus, Bentley and Akira, who alert her to every squirrel and delivery person who dares to enter their domain. She tends to believe in the unbelievables—spells, ghosts, time travel—and writes about them. As Kourtney Heintz, she also writes award winning cross-genre fiction for adults. Learn more at KourtneyHeintz.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter and receive two unpublished short stories and the inside scoop on new releases, sale days, free book deals, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes info. Be sure to also follow her online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Scrooge's Folly: Saving Jacob Marley, a unique romantic comedy from author and screenwriter David Weinberg that is sure to be a great read for the holidays, whether it's a gift for someone else—or a gift to yourself!

"A bold, playful riff on Dicken’s classic, bursting with ghosts and ideas." ~BookLife by Publishers Weekly

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Scrooge's Folly: Saving Jacob Marley

Genres: Romantic Comedy, Literature & Fiction
Paperback: From $15.80
Ebook: $4.99  

A Scrooge and Marley you never knew existed!

Award-winning but down-on-her-luck playwright Andrea Smilow is commissioned by The Playhouse in Connecticut to save it from bankruptcy with a new work. When she arrives, she discovers that The Playhouse is inhabited by Jacob Marley’s spirit—and he wants her new play to be about him…to set the story straight about how Dickens ruined his life with A Christmas Carol.

Andrea comes to believe Marley needs to be reunited with the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, who lives in the caretaker house. This is all Scrooge’s idea: He has been working with Andrea’s roommate, the most powerful witch in North America, to win a second life for Marley…and to get Marley and Andrea to fall in love.

In Scrooge's Folly, Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley were friends of Charles Dickens and merchant bankers who refused to finance A Christmas Carol. Dickens retaliated by turning them into elderly curmudgeons in Dickens' story. Scrooge eventually becomes a beloved Father Christmas, but Marley is forever wrapped in chains—so much the laughingstock in London that his marriage and his happiness are destroyed. Even in the afterlife, he hungers for redemption.

Weinberg's Scrooge's Folly: Saving Jacob Marley proves love and redemption are always possible...even for the dead. It's a great "beach read romance" that just happens to take place at Christmas!

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Review from BookLife by Publishers Weekly

"Weinberg’s clever, surprising riff on and corrective to Dickens’s A Christmas Carol launches from a fruitful question: How could God let Scrooge be redeemed, while Marley wandered forever, wrapped in chains? The answer, when it eventually comes, involves love. Also: the transmutation of life into fiction and fiction back into life, achieved through magic, the theater, ghosts, the life of Charles Dickens, and God herself—who looks like a blonde Tina Fey. Also crucial are the machinations of witches of both the 19th and 21st centuries, one of whom treats her lover, an unknowing real-life Scrooge, to a sorcerous vasectomy. For all its wild inventions, at this novel’s heart is a portrait of a contemporary playwright, whose work brings her not just a Tony at age 25 but the attention of someone she never could have expected: the ghost of the actual Marley, the man whom Dickens—in, as Weinberg imagines it, a fit of pique and divine inspiration—immortalized as Scrooge’s partner in the Carol.

"The book is wild, comic, sexually frank, restlessly inventive. The narrative vaults over centuries and lives, between mortal and ghostly realms, its best scenes established with quick telling details, about contemporary theater or the gentlemen’s clubs of Victorian London. Like Dickens’s classic, Scrooge’s Folly opens in the real world, introducing the fantastical to reveal human capacity for charity and redemption."

Read the entire review here.

More praise for Scrooge's Folly
"Readers of intelligent comedy, well-plotted amours, and almost logical fantasy will enjoy Scrooge’s Folly, an intriguing intermeshing of classic literature with thoroughly modern memes." ~Feathered Quill Reviews

"Weinberg takes two well-known characters from Dickens and enlarges their lives and expands upon both their back story and their futures, certainly doing for Marley what Pinter did for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern." ~Amazon Review

"A heartwarming tale of second chances filled with love, redemption and miracle. Prepare to be enchanted!" ~The Book Nanny

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About the Author
David Weinberg started writing screenplays when he was 30. Some three-plus decades (and a Nichols Fellowship and awards/recognition from Screencraft and Creative Screenwriting) later, he is still at it and was set to produce a Christmas-themed romance when Netflix suggested that he do the story as a novel. Thus, the birth of the romantic comedy Scrooge's Folly: Saving Jacob Marley.

Learn more at DavidWeinbergAuthor.com and be sure to follow David online:
 

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Baking Baklava: Classic and Inspired Recipes from Around the World
Genre:  Pastry Baking; Cooking Encyclopedias; Cooking, Food & Wine Reference
New Release: November 2023
Paperback: $19.99

 
A stunning 100-page, 27-recipe, high-quality baking cookbook that is the perfect handbook for bakers and baklava lovers alike.

The Baking Baklava cookbook pays tribute to baklava, a renowned delicacy treasured in many countries around the world, with simple and easy-to-follow baklava recipes for all skill levels. Also included are more than a dozen delicious dessert recipes inspired by the flavors and textures of baklava, making this the perfect cookbook for dessert lovers and a great gift for any occasion.

People are often intimidated by baking, particularly with a delicate dessert like baklava. But when presented by Chef Pemi, baking baklava is anxiety free! Explore baklava recipes from various countries, including Greek Baklava, Persian Baghlava, Turkish Soguk or Cold Baklava, Albanian Bakllave, Syrian Pistachio Lady’s Bracelet Baklava, Azeri Pakhlava, Lebanese Baklava, Armenian Chor Paxlava, and Jordanian Warbat Baklava.

Chef Pemi has also created delicious Baklava-inspired recipes paying homage to a classic with modern twists, such as Baklava Cheesecake, Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava, Caramel Apple Baklava Rolls, Caramel Chocolate Peanut Crinkle Baklava, Bacon-Pecan-Cognac Baklava, Baklava Ice Cream Tarts, Chocolate Peanut Butter Baklava, and more. For those with dietary restrictions, Chef Pemi has adapted classic Baklava recipes to include Gluten-Free Baklava, Nut-Free Baklava, and Vegan Baklava variations.

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Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef
Genre: Greek Cooking; Cooking Encyclopedias; Cooking, Food & Wine Reference
4.7 stars, 100 ratings on Amazon
Paperback: $23.39
Ebook: $9.99

 
A visually beautiful cookbook with more than 200 pages of flavorful and delicious classic Greek recipes presented in a simple and easy-to-follow manner for all level at-home chefs.

Discover how to cook some of the most popular, authentic Greek recipes including tiropita (cheese pie), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), pastitsio (macaroni pie), spanakopita (spinach pie), moussaka (eggplant and ground beef pie), Greek meatballs, loukoumades (Greek donuts), tzatziki (cucumber yogurt dip), souvlaki (meat skewers), galaktoboureko (milk pie), Greek style octopus, baklava, and many more mouth-watering Greek recipes.

Greek cuisine can seem intimidating, but chef Pemi makes it easy! With a culinary arts degree, experience teaching Greek cooking classes, and thousands of hours in her yiayia’s (grandmother’s) kitchen, chef Pemi brings a unique perspective with her flavor profile, instructions, and beautiful full-page photos of each dish.

As an added bonus, the food forum on Worldwide Greeks provides an additional resource for recipe clarification, variation ideas, and the opportunity to ask chef Pemi and other food experts your recipe-related questions.

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About the Authors 

Pemi Kanavos is a classically-trained pastry chef with a culinary arts degree who loves to feed people and share her Greek culture and cuisine. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and moved with her family to Athens, Greece, when she was 10. Pam returned to Boston for college, earning a degree in Graphic Design. Pam’s love of cooking ran so deep that she decided to go back to school where she earned a second degree in Culinary Arts. She has worked at various food establishments around Boston, wrote a column on a Greek cooking blog, and taught Greek cooking classes for several years. Having moved back and forth between Boston and Athens, Pemi has now settled in Athens Greece, with her husband and son.

Worldwide Greeks was established in 2005 as an online forum website written in English about Greek food, Greek travel, and Greek culture. More than 490,000 people have visited the very popular Greek food forum on the Worldwide Greeks website, where people can share Greek recipes and ask questions about Greek food. Additionally, Worldwide Greeks has more than 250,000 loyal social media followers who lover Greek food, Greek travel, and Greek culture. Visit WorldwideGreeks.com, where you can join the community (it's free!). Be sure to also follow Worldwide Greeks on social media:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Kelly Thacker, an author who delights in letting "characters take on a life of their own," which she says gives her no choice but "to keep your fingers on the keyboard, hang on, and watch what happens." Her ultimate goal: Stories that uplift and inspire the soul.

Read on to learn about I'll Tell You What I Think, the amusing biography of a self-important cat, and Numberless Dreams, a tale of romantic suspense.

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I'll Tell You What I Think

Genre: Humor
Recent release: September 2023
Paperback: $11.99
Ebook: $4.99  

The amusing autobiography of a self-important cat, written from his sophisticated and cynical point of view.

Thor is not your average cat. Suave, cool, man-about-town, he shares his observations of the people and pets in his household. Left on the doorstep as a newborn, his first order of business is establishing himself as the alpha male of the household. This is no problem with Maggie, the insecure family dog, but trying to convince the master of the family, the ultra-alpha male, proves to be more of a challenge.

Although Thor loathes dogs, his impatience with Maggie's insecurities compels him to teach her how to abandon her doubts and embrace life. And with the successful completion of the Maggie project, he plans on spending the rest of his life in total self-absorption. But when the mistress of the house loses a loved one, Thor feels a cracking of his heart, resulting in a closer look at his own selfishness.

I'll Tell You What I Think is an irreverent, humorous, and poignant story for animal lovers. Beyond eliciting laughter at Thor's ridiculous antics and unique voice, the book will tug at your heartstrings as it moves toward a surprising and tender ending.

"This book is absolutely hysterical, from the very first sentence down to the last. I quickly devoured it in a day, and my kids are currently fighting over who gets it next after they read the opening chapter to their friends and they all howled with laughter. This really is a book for all ages, but don’t be fooled—it is sharp and intelligently written." ~Lindsay Maxfield, author of Messages From the Stars

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Numberless Dreams

Genre: Romantic Suspense
4.3 stars, 9 ratings on Amazon
Paperback: $14.99
Ebook: From $2.99  

A broken marriage, a second chance, a charge of attempted murder.

If you had one chance to convince your ex-husband you were not the distant and insecure woman who walked away five years ago, what would you say?

Autumn took a chance breaking into Jonathan's house. How could she make him understand she had been pretending to fall out of love with him to save his life?

She had mistakenly thought she could keep her past safely hidden during their whirlwind courtship and marriage, but it had only resurfaced as she relived the pain of her childhood at the hands of an abusive mother. Now, after spending the last five years exorcising her demons, she is ready to fight for a second chance.

Despite Jonathan’s best efforts to resist, he finds himself falling back in love with the raw vulnerability of this new Autumn. Holding nothing back, she shares the real truth behind her balancing act during the crumbling marriage she had desperately tried to keep together. After many cathartic talks examining their marriage and what went wrong, he is ready to trust her once again.

But when Jonathan is mysteriously poisoned and nearly dies, Autumn becomes the prime suspect. Fighting once again to save her marriage and her life, she takes a gamble on her chance for acquittal, knowing she might lose everything in the process.

"Kelly Thacker’s characters are deliciously flawed and compelling. She unfolds a story both sweet and tragic with such grace that I found myself completely, emotionally engaged. Initially a romance, it evolves through a personal journey of self-discovery, until finally it climaxes as a courtroom drama, with a breathless ending. Incredible!" ~Tres Hatch, internationally acclaimed speaker and author

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About the Author
A lifelong lover of animals, Kelly Thacker lives with her husband in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves books and believes that the best way to embrace that love is to write. She began her writing career in "middle age," inspired by the fact that Alan Bradley had written his first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, at age 70. Learn more at WriterKellyThacker.com (where you can also sign up for her newsletter) and be sure to follow her online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Fourteenth of September by Rita Dragonette, an enthralling historical novel set during the peak of the Vietnam War and told through the rare perspective of a young woman who traces her path to self-discovery and a “Coming of Conscience.”

"A moving tribute to lives altered by chance." ~Foreword Clarion Reviews

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The Fourteenth of September: A Novel

Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
4.2 stars, 316 ratings on Goodreads
4.3 stars, 212 ratings on Amazon
4.7 stars, 21 ratings on BookBub
Paperback: From $11.79
Ebook: $4.99  

"A strong-hearted and authentic novel about a naive young girl and her struggle to reconcile the dissonance between the world she sees and the world she was raised to believe in." ~Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean

On September 14, 1969, Private First Class Judy Talton celebrates her nineteenth birthday by secretly joining the campus anti-Vietnam War movement. In doing so, she jeopardizes both the army scholarship that will secure her future and her relationship with her military family. But Judy’s doubts have escalated with the travesties of the war. Who is she if she stays in the army? What is she if she leaves?

When the first date pulled in the Draft Lottery turns up as her birthday, she realizes that if she were a man, she’d have been Number One―off to Vietnam with an under-fire life expectancy of six seconds. The stakes become clear, propelling her toward a life-altering choice as fateful as that of any draftee.

Judy’s story speaks to the poignant clash of young adulthood, early feminism, and war, offering an ageless inquiry into the domestic politics of protest when the world stops making sense.

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Praise for The Fourteenth of September
"The ebb and flow between a nineteen-year-old’s mistakes, vulnerability, and surprising moments of insight ring achingly true." ~Foreword Clarion Reviews

"An often fresh take on the collegiate anti-war movement in small-town America." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully written with compassionate and thoughtful narrative and engaging characters who play out all the angst of the era set on a Midwestern college campus when America was at its most vulnerable. Dragonette show us what we can be, both in our best and our worst." ~Windy City Reviews

"A new and unique perspective of the politically divisive Vietnam War." ~Midwest Book Review

"A moving book on this time in history from a rarely heard point of view." ~Historical Novel Society

"A writer of great talent and integrity who infuses this debut work with an energy and vision that lifts it far beyond the ordinary coming-of-age story. This is an important book, not to be missed." ~Gary D. Wilson, author of Getting Right and Sing, Ronnie Blue

"A terrific book for anyone who enjoys American history, women’s lit...or simply a great story." ~Josh Lohrius, author of The Breaking of Goody Boothe

"A novel for those of us who look back and marvel at the profound decisions we were called upon to make when we were so young, [and] for a whole new generation facing the crucial questions of a turbulent, changing world that will define them." ~Barbara Shoup, author of Looking for Jack Kerouac and An American Tune
 

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About the Author
Rita Dragonette is a writer who, after a career telling the stories of others as an award-winning public relations executive, has returned to her original creative path. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Fourteenth of September, is based upon her personal experiences on campus during the Vietnam War. She lives and writes in Chicago, where she also hosts literary salons to showcase authors and their new books to avid readers. Learn more at RitaDragonette.com, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her online:
 

New release: Get your copy of The 50-Word Stories of 2023: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads from Vine Leaves Press! 

Micro fiction has been broadly defined as stories of 300 words or less. There's also flash fiction (aka, fast fiction, sudden fiction, postcard fiction, a micro-story, a nanotale, a short short, etc.). Whatever you call it, these are meant to be quick reads. 

Today's featured book is a collection of stories that come in at the extremely compact length of 50 words, "give or take." If you're a fan of Baudelaire's prose-poetry, Robert Walser's writing, Hemingway's super-short stories ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn."), Yasunari Kawabata's "palm-of-hand" stories, the writing of Donald Barthelme or Lydia Davis, or any other quick reads, you'll enjoy this collection.

Bonus: Subscribe to 50 Give or Take from Vine Leaves Press to get daily stories of fifty words or less, straight into your inbox, free!

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The 50-Word Stories of 2023: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads (50 Give or Take)

NEW RELEASE: November 28, 2023
Genre: Short Story Anthologies
Paperback: $17.99

Read a story between sips of coffee, while running errands, or on your commute home. Vine Leaves Press 50-word stories are a welcome break from a busy day. The 50 Give or Take newsletter series delivers a bite-sized piece of literature straight into your inbox. This anthology contains VLP's third year's worth of stories.

Praise for 50 Give or Take

"50 ways to get to the heart of the matter." ~Joanne Nelson

"50 Give or Take is the itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini of writing." ~Teri M Brown

"Thought-provoking petite prose." ~Theresa Milstein

"Tiny windows that sometimes are also tiny mirrors." ~Tim Canny

"Sometimes what you leave out tells more of the story than your words can." ~Peter Snell

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Also Available
Get previous 50-word anthologies from Vine Leaves Press: 

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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 Stories of Shadow and Flame series from Kirkus-recommended author Nick Oliveri. Read on to learn more about the books in this exciting and innovative series.  
 
★★★★★ "Mystical, unique, and exciting." ~Vine Voice Review

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Becoming the Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 1)

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Coming of Age Fantasy
4.92 stars, 24 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $15.99
Ebook: $3.99  

The paths of three boys intertwine at an unlikely junction in this fantastic tale of treachery, hope, and power.

When opportunity knocks for Mikalla to become The Conjurer’s assistant, he is quickly rivaled by Gobi, the jealous and talented apprentice. Gobi will do anything for a chance to be rid of Mikalla.

Meanwhile, the second prince of Idaza is a pudgy royal with not much to do and even less to be proud of. But Oro is soon taught the ways of power and conflict by an unlikely character.

Treachery, murder, and opportunity rear their heads and clash in a story of shadows and flame, artistry and power. Embark on this fantastic tale about the true influence of people’s minds and the power to control a whole populace—relevant to any time period, and especially now more than ever.

★★★★★ "Gripping and enchanting." ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "Dark and intriguing." ~Amazon Review

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The Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 2)

Genres: Historical Fantasy; Historical Literary Fiction; Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction
4.42 stars, 81 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $11.09
Ebook: $0.99  

In the thriving kingdom of Idaza, Mikalla is the adored Conjurer, the nation’s chief storyteller, using the shadows cast by the city’s glorious ceremonial flame.

But death awaits around every corner. Addiction rattles the king. Trauma haunts the nobility and their conflicting motives. Murder happens, but to find out who succumbs to it is a journey the reader must take alone through the halls and palaces of the glorious Inner Gardens.

With a beautiful family and his position as one of King Oro’s favorite courtiers, Mikalla’s life is perfect. That is, until the king commands him to deliver a deadly message—one that will inevitably end in bloodshed and a war-torn Idaza.

With King Oro’s minions—Secretary Kitan and General Jax—skulking in the wings, Mikalla doesn’t know who to trust. Worse, he isn’t sure who’s really pulling the strings behind this political charade.

Betrayal and murder lie in the shadows Mikalla has always used to captivate the masses.

Will the flames reveal the truth hidden within the twisted schemes, or will Mikalla rise to his government’s call? Mikalla, the Conjurer, must realize his choices alone hold the power to change Idaza—to change everything.

★★★★★ "A thought-provoking exploration of power, trust, and the consequences of one's choices." ~Goodreads Review

"A bold, tautly written work about the struggle to express oneself freely." ~Kirkus Reviews

"I found myself invested and blown away by the story, and I believe prospective readers would feel the same." ~Online Book Club

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The Last Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 3)

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Ancient Historical Fiction
New release: December 8, 2023 (pre-order now!)
Paperback: $15.99
Ebook: $0.99  

As dangerous as it is compelling, this genre-defying journey crowns the critically acclaimed trilogy.

In today’s society, people scroll through a digital world that alienates them. Coyote suffers the same struggle as he journeys to the greedy depths of vicious crime and sin. The unproven son leaves his cushy life to battle through tattered robes through deserts and cities. As he does so, a shocking power struggle between the kingdom’s leaders unleashes terror in an unforgettable battle of the wits.

Blood spills.

The Minister of Economics has brought great wealth to the kingdom. But King Oro grows suspicious of the minister’s bold visions. The commoners of the kingdom only live to strive for more wealth as the age and beloved myths of The Conjurer have died. Hopeless and lacking any direction, Coyote often cries alone, dwelling in the dark of night on the loss of so much.

Passionate love, death, and redemption all culminate to tell a timeless tale of society’s last tethers to humanity.

The Last Conjurer is a lush yet twisted journey of a lonely boy coming of age in a time where all is lost.

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About the Author
Nick Oliveri is a Ukrainian-born, Kirkus-recommended author of eight novels and a book of poetry. He is often dubbed as a controversial creator of transgressive fiction and genre-bending literature. Nick treasures the unique potential behind every person’s story and values sharing those tales with the world. Skilled at crafting sentences that bring his characters and their narratives to life, he is passionate about the beauty the written word has to offer. Learn more and follow Nick on his Amazon Author Page and on Goodreads.