Today's Featured Books— Spotlight
Spotlight on the books and authors of Living Springs Publishers
LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on the books and authors of Living Springs Publishers, a family-owned indie press that publishes action and adventure, historical fiction, science fiction, memoir, western, and young adult/Christian works, as well as anthologies of short stories and creative nonfiction. Read on to learn more!
Emily's House by Sharon Armstrong
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Coming-of-Age Fiction4.8 stars, 30 ratings on Amazon
From $4.99
Emily Parks is a newcomer to the small town of Mountain Grove, Virginia, where she lives with her alcoholic mother, father, and grandmother. When she has a problem at school, she learns the townspeople she has met are willing to step in and help her. They give her advice, support, and something she has never received before…love. With their help, Emily begins to plan for the life she wants and a way to escape from the world her parents have created. When Emily’s parents leave her in the middle of the night, she must make some quick decisions. Her unusual solution takes everyone in the village by surprise."Emily’s House offers hope and insight on how to create a better life for yourself, regardless of the hand you’ve been dealt." ~Tami Olesen, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Also available: Emily's Home Over the Bakery - The sequel to Emily's House.
2051 Books 1-3: War on American Soil by Dan Peavler
Genre: Military Fiction4.3 stars, 16 ratings on Amazon
From $2.99
What would your family do if foreign powers used gangs to paralyze American cities and the heartland? What would your family do If EMPs knocked out power and society was on the brink of chaos?The War on American Soil trilogy chronicles the terrifying concept of Americans fighting Americans as foreign enemies invade the homeland. This set contains the three complete novels, which are also available individually from $1.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited):
"A dramatic vision of what a future invasion of the United States would be like." ~Amazon Reviewer
Whatever Happened to Cathy Martin by Mim Eichmann
Genre: Suspense, Literary Fiction4.7 stars, 8 ratings on Amazon
From $0.99
Kathy Reichs meets Sherlock Holmes in this gothic Midwest thriller from the bestselling author of A Sorrow Alone and Muskrat Ramble.Set in southern Indiana in 1978, Whatever Happened to Cathy Martin seeks to unravel a deadly tangled web of lies surrounding three former high school friends, one of whom has been missing for over a decade...but which one? And why?
"With a killer opening (literally) and a forehead slapping 'Why didn’t I guess that' ending, Mim Eichmann has created a pair of compelling bookends to her latest novel, Whatever Happened to Cathy Martin. For those who appreciate craft in storytelling, it’s a must read.” ~James A. Ross, author of the Coldwater mystery series
Sam Wood: Floods of Ungodly Men by Henry Peavler
Genre: Historical FictionFrom $0.99
Colonel Sam Wood, the Fighting Quaker, was a real-life Superhero before the term was even coined. He was friend to every Abolitionist from Abraham Lincoln to Harriet Tubman and from John Brown to Frederick Douglass, and foe to every slaveholder from Jefferson Davis to Henry Clay. He demanded equality for all, elimination of slavery, and the right to vote for women.Book 1 in a series of four books about Sam and Margaret Wood. They were abolitionists, pioneers, and crusaders for equality for everyone, regardless of gender, race, or social standing.
The Historical Chronicles of Elinore Sturgeon and the Last Human Colony by R. T. Kilgore
Genre: Science Fiction4.9 stars, 121 ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99, Free via Kindle Unlimited
Earth is long gone! Seventy-two humans have been saved from dying on a lifeless planet by the Par, and now they are expected to fight in an intergalactic war. Does Elinor fight for the Par, the creatures that enslaved her, or does she let the humans die along with everyone else? Book 1 in the series."Three unique alien worlds with equally diverse inhabitants... I highly recommend this book." ~Amazon Reviewer
Imagining Iraq: Stories by Barbara Mujica
Genre: Iraq War History, Historical Study4.7 stars, 12 ratings on Amazon
From $4.99
“Authentic and affecting. A bracing literary investigation of war and its emotional ramifications.” ~Kirkus ReviewsFor centuries, war-writing has been the domain of men, but Barbara Mujica brings a different perspective. In Imagining Iraq, a collection of eighteen beautifully crafted, interwoven stories of danger, daring, and sacrifice, she focuses on how war affects not only combatants, but also their loved ones. Drawing from her own experience as a military mother and her work as a veterans advocate at Georgetown University, Mujica raises important questions about the consequences of war.
"Among the most powerful collections I have read on Iraq and on war in general. A brave and splendid collection.” ~Marjorie Agosín, author of The White Islands and The Maps of Memory
The Drover's Curse by Bob Harvey
Genre: Historical FictionFrom $0.99
Here’s your invitation to ride alongside a real cowboy. Drovers pushed herds of longhorns all across the middle of America for much of the 1800s. The life of a drover on the trail is a series of both blessings and curses. Survival is the goal.There is an adventure in every twist and turn of Andrew (Andy) Graham’s path through life. Orphaned at a Kansas fort and herding cattle at 16, Andy found it necessary to become Clyde Driscoll. Clyde saved a failing Nebraska fort for Custer and the 7th Cavalry before he headed south to fight in the Civil War. Returning to the life of a drover meant leaving the Army as a deserter, matching wits with a notorious lawman, and watching the birth of a Kansas Cowtown. Mount up with Andy and learn about boots, tack, snakes, blizzards, steers, women of the night, life on the trail, and Texas Rangers. Book 1 in a series.
"Great historical view of the Old West." ~Amazon Reviewer
Stories Through the Ages: Baby Boomers Plus 2022
Genre: Short Story and Creative Nonfiction AnthologiesFrom $0.99, Free via Kindle Unlimited
Stories Through The Ages: Baby Boomers Plus 2022 is the sixth installment in an anthology series containing the best fiction and nonfiction submissions from an annual writing contest sponsored by Living Springs. The competition is recommended by Reedsy as a "Best Writing Contest." The 2022 collection includes sixteen outstanding stories by authors who were born in 1966 or earlier (thus the "Baby Boomers Plus" designation!). Previous installments from 2017 - 2021 are available from Living Springs Publishers and online retailers.
About the Publisher
Living Springs Publishers LLP is a family-owned, independent publishing company based in Centennial, Colorado. They chose the name Living Springs Publishers to honor their roots in the Living Springs area of Eastern Colorado.
The Mission of Living Springs Publishers is to help authors, regardless of age or experience, share their gift of writing, and to help bring their stories and manuscripts to life via Living Springs' expertise in editing and publishing. Learn more at LivingSpringsPublishers.com.
People Making Danger: Fun Summer Short Reads
Spotlight on
The People Making Danger Series from author Adam Fike
Short summer reads full of suspense, surprises and dark humor...
...because good characters make poor choices.
The People Making Danger Series from author Adam Fike
Short summer reads full of suspense, surprises and dark humor...
...because good characters make poor choices.
SHORT READ SERIES: Three-act stories covering a range of genres from mysteries, thrillers, and sci-fi to biography, satire, and magical realism—all told in the present tense, like reading a movie.
Neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly, local serial killer. A small town confuses an Army training exercise with an alien invasion (based on a true story). Robbing a remote bank full of mob money goes very wrong and then gets worse. A violinist plays so magically they thought he was pure evil. And a dead convict returns to his dusty hometown on the day his criminal career began.
The Quiet Ones
Genre/themes: Thriller, Suspense, Betrayal, Hope
$0.99
When a young girl goes missing, families fall apart and neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly local serial killer.
You know, life in the suburbs is like anyplace else. Occasionally, the universe likes to make sure you're paying attention. When a troublesome teenager goes missing, her father, a local cop, hits the sauce. Bob is in over his head at work and messing around with his secretary. After losing her brother in a tragic leather bondage accident, Ruth needs to find her voice. And Junior...if it turns out he's that big, friendly guy down the street with bodies in his yard, well, then, fine. But he's going out his way.
$0.99
When a young girl goes missing, families fall apart and neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly local serial killer.You know, life in the suburbs is like anyplace else. Occasionally, the universe likes to make sure you're paying attention. When a troublesome teenager goes missing, her father, a local cop, hits the sauce. Bob is in over his head at work and messing around with his secretary. After losing her brother in a tragic leather bondage accident, Ruth needs to find her voice. And Junior...if it turns out he's that big, friendly guy down the street with bodies in his yard, well, then, fine. But he's going out his way.
Operation Dragonhead
Genre/themes: Satire, Sci-Fi, Nostalgia
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Mistaking experimental Army communication helmets for alien antennae during a surprise training maneuver, rural townsfolk launch an improvised defense. Based on a true story.
Early one morning, at the end of the 1950s, the sky above a small mountain town fills with parachutes. The streets flood with tanks and troops. An impressive, highly coordinated Army training exercise goes off without a hitch. Until the friendly town folk decide to fight back. Who launched Dragonhead? Sorry, that's top secret. However, this satire IS based on a true story.
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Mistaking experimental Army communication helmets for alien antennae during a surprise training maneuver, rural townsfolk launch an improvised defense. Based on a true story.Early one morning, at the end of the 1950s, the sky above a small mountain town fills with parachutes. The streets flood with tanks and troops. An impressive, highly coordinated Army training exercise goes off without a hitch. Until the friendly town folk decide to fight back. Who launched Dragonhead? Sorry, that's top secret. However, this satire IS based on a true story.
High Desert
Genre/themes: Bank Heist, Muscle Car Western
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
A rotten sheriff and reluctant hero settle old family scores beyond the reach of the law.
Hanner only wants to tinker in his desert junk yard, fish for wrecks on the highway, and forget his family legacy. A corrupt sheriff, fate, and a vault full of organized crime loot have another idea.
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
A rotten sheriff and reluctant hero settle old family scores beyond the reach of the law.Hanner only wants to tinker in his desert junk yard, fish for wrecks on the highway, and forget his family legacy. A corrupt sheriff, fate, and a vault full of organized crime loot have another idea.
Paganini
Genre/themes: Historical Fiction, Biography
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
The wicked life of a notorious nineteenth-century Italian violinist who played so beautifully—and broke so many hearts—they thought he was the devil.
Paganini's music was spellbinding. He set Europe on fire. Voices burst from his violin. It was all so magical. But was it evil? In the end, he does confess. But not to that.
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
The wicked life of a notorious nineteenth-century Italian violinist who played so beautifully—and broke so many hearts—they thought he was the devil.Paganini's music was spellbinding. He set Europe on fire. Voices burst from his violin. It was all so magical. But was it evil? In the end, he does confess. But not to that.
Yardley County
Genre/themes: Regret, Redemption, Magical Realism
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
A dead escaped convict finds himself, and his redemption, at the hometown robbery where a gunshot began his criminal career.
What really did go down all those years ago in Yardley County? Well, memory is a funny thing. So when he dies escaping prison, Lenny returns to his dusty hometown to remember. Unwinding these events leads to his only real choice.
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
A dead escaped convict finds himself, and his redemption, at the hometown robbery where a gunshot began his criminal career.What really did go down all those years ago in Yardley County? Well, memory is a funny thing. So when he dies escaping prison, Lenny returns to his dusty hometown to remember. Unwinding these events leads to his only real choice.
People Making Danger - Complete Set
$4.99
BONUS! Get two bonus stories (Valley Football and The Trop) when you purchase the entire set of five "People Making Danger" stories.
People Making Danger: Because good characters make poor choices.
BONUS! Get two bonus stories (Valley Football and The Trop) when you purchase the entire set of five "People Making Danger" stories. People Making Danger: Because good characters make poor choices.
About the Author
Adam Fike, his wife, and son found a home in the San Fernando Valley with technicolor sunsets and an orange tree in the yard. His first book is an ode to English class. The second is dedicated to Saturday matinees.
He co-created Wyndotte Street's original comedy library with producer Christian Monzon, studied sketch and long-form improv at at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, and is a former suburban Washington D.C. area newspaper reporter.
Learn more at Goodreads and AdamFike.com.
Adam Fike, his wife, and son found a home in the San Fernando Valley with technicolor sunsets and an orange tree in the yard. His first book is an ode to English class. The second is dedicated to Saturday matinees. He co-created Wyndotte Street's original comedy library with producer Christian Monzon, studied sketch and long-form improv at at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, and is a former suburban Washington D.C. area newspaper reporter.
Learn more at Goodreads and AdamFike.com.
Introducing a Life-Changing Book: Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison
Maybe You Should Give Up:
7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life
7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life
Are you tired of standing in your own way, preventing yourself from reaching the life you truly desire? Deep down, you know what needs to be done, but you find yourself trapped in a cycle of self-sabotage?
It's time to make a change. But that doesn't mean giving up on your dreams and aspirations. Instead, it's about relinquishing the barriers that hinder your progress.
It's time to make a change. But that doesn't mean giving up on your dreams and aspirations. Instead, it's about relinquishing the barriers that hinder your progress.
Within the pages of Maybe You Should Give Up, you'll uncover a treasure trove of cycle-breaking techniques. These proven methods have been expertly simplified into easy-to-follow steps, empowering you to finally break free from self-sabotage and reclaim control of your life.Author Byron Morrison draws from his personal transformational journey, as well as nearly a decade of extensive research and working with individuals from 15 countries. This wealth of experience has culminated in a book that exudes empowerment, guiding you to overcome every obstacle hindering your happiness and success.
For a limited time only you can get the ebook for just 99 cents!
Get your copy of Maybe You Should Give Up from leading bookstores or by clicking the button below. Don't miss out on this life-altering resource that will ignite your personal growth and help you forge a path towards fulfilment.
Exclusive Bonus ($57 value!): Order today and get the audiobook edition of Maybe You Should Give Up, the Next Level You video series, and the Next level You workbook FREE! Simply email a copy of your receipt to Byron Morrison at maybeyoushouldgiveupbook@gmail.com.
Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison
USA Release: June 27, 2023
UK Release: 13 July, 2023
Paperback: $17.95
Ebook: $0.99
Maybe You Should Give Up is a book about empowerment. About helping you break through everything that is stopping you from achieving the happiness and success you want. You’ll discover cycle-breaking techniques that have been broken down into easy-to-follow steps that will empower you to get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself.
Not only will you change the way you think, you’ll also change how you process problems, deal with setbacks, and feel about yourself so you can finally stop being the stumbling block in the way of the life that you want and break through to the next level of happiness and success.
Praise for You Should Give Up and Byron Morrison
UK Release: 13 July, 2023
Paperback: $17.95
Ebook: $0.99
Maybe You Should Give Up is a book about empowerment. About helping you break through everything that is stopping you from achieving the happiness and success you want. You’ll discover cycle-breaking techniques that have been broken down into easy-to-follow steps that will empower you to get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself.Not only will you change the way you think, you’ll also change how you process problems, deal with setbacks, and feel about yourself so you can finally stop being the stumbling block in the way of the life that you want and break through to the next level of happiness and success.
Praise for You Should Give Up and Byron Morrison
- "An inspiring book that will take its readers on a moving and enlightening journey." ~Goodreads Review
- "A refreshing, sometimes hilarious, and often enlightening take on life." ~Amazon Review
- "A coach that I could trust to help take me to the next level." ~Cody Sandone, Co-founder & CEO, Elevated Trading
About the Author
Byron Morrison is a high-performance coach, author, and speaker. Through The Evolved Programme, Byron has helped CEOs and business leaders around the world to become more effective by helping them take control of their role so that they can maximize their time, lead with confidence, and grow a business without losing their sanity.
Byron is author of The Evolved CEO Book Collection: The Effective CEO and CEO in Control. He also offers on-demand courses designed to provide leaders with all the tools and guidance needed to get to the next level:
Byron Morrison is a high-performance coach, author, and speaker. Through The Evolved Programme, Byron has helped CEOs and business leaders around the world to become more effective by helping them take control of their role so that they can maximize their time, lead with confidence, and grow a business without losing their sanity. Byron is author of The Evolved CEO Book Collection: The Effective CEO and CEO in Control. He also offers on-demand courses designed to provide leaders with all the tools and guidance needed to get to the next level:
- BREAKTHROUGH: For those wanting to take their success, happiness, and life to the next level.
- AMPLIFY: The ultimate productivity, time, and energy management course for CEOs and business leaders.
Perhaps most important, Byron offers one-on-one personal coaching via The Evolved Programme. Learn more about the program, Byron's books, and his video courses at ByronMorrison.com, and connect with Byron via social media:
Becoming Me Giveaway & Webinar
New Giveaway & Free Webinar!
Today, LitNuts is pleased to share news about the Becoming Me Giveaway and Webinar.
Becoming Me by Martin Boroson is a beautifully illustrated book that takes you on a cosmic journey into the heart of who you are. Read on to learn more.
Join Martin Boroson and Robert Glass for a free webinar that will use Becoming Me as a touchstone to explore "The Radical Promise of Mysticism in the Modern World." (Thursday, July 13, 9 AM Pacific, 16.00 UK)
Bonus: Enter the Becoming Me Giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover gift edition of Becoming Me plus a $25 Amazon.com gift card.
Becoming Me: A Story of Creation
Author: Martin BorosonIllustrator: Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright
Genre: Spiritual Gifts, New Age Mysticism
Hardcover gift edition: $24.99
Ebook: $4.99
From its remarkable opening line, “Once upon a time, I was,” this little book takes you on a cosmic journey into the heart of who you are. With deceptively simple language by Martin Boroson and breath-taking illustrations by Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, Becoming Me conveys the deepest mystical view of life as a process of divine self-discovery.Profound and playful, this "children’s book for adults" has been hailed by psychologists, scientists, and leaders of many different faiths. Best given to celebrate life’s big moments or to comfort people feeling sad, anxious, or lonely, Becoming Me has been taught in philosophy classes and religious sermons, and has uplifted people at every stage of their spiritual journey. This new edition is an ideal gift for new babies, weddings…or yourself. Perfect for the bedside table.
“One of those magical stories that can color your whole life, however young or old you are. The simple words and radiant illustrations convey the most powerful, heart-resonating truths about creation and why we are here.” ~Cygnus Reviews
More Praise for Becoming Me
"Gentle yet thought-provoking, this will offer readers another way to contemplate the nature of the divine." ~Publishers' Weekly
"The approach and the artwork nicely together not only to captivate children but also to provide much opportunity for discussion." ~Booklist
"Becoming Me undoubtedly captures the emerging spirit of the 21st century." ~Ervin Laszlo, Science Advisor to the Director General of UNESCO
"A deceptively simple expression of the nature of the divine, with breathtaking artwork." ~The Times (UK)
About the Author
Martin Boroson studied philosophy at Yale University and earned an MBA at the Yale School of Management. He is a psychotherapist and executive coach, trained in the psychology of breakthrough experience with Dr. Stanislav Grof, and is a priest in the Hollow Bones Rinzai Zen order.In addition to teaching the deeper meaning of Becoming Me in seminars and retreats, Martin serves as the Dean of Transformational Programs at Mobius Executive Leadership and is co-founder of The One Moment Company, which helps leaders find time for what matters. He is the author of One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go, published in twelve languages and featured as a thirty-day series on stress relief on Oprah.com. He designed the 5* mobile app One-Moment Meditation®, and the popular video, “How to Meditate in a Moment.” Learn more at BecomingMe.com.
Get the Adventures of Jimmy Crikey, middle grade fantasy & adventure series
Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on The Jimmy Crikey Series of middle grade fantasy/adventure novels from author Wallace Briggs.
"A beautiful world that meshes fantasy and science fiction for young readers." ~Literary Titan
The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Worlds Beneath And Above The Stars
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Beneath the very ground on which you walk and beyond the stars above your head are more worlds than you could ever dream of. There are monsters. Magic wielded by witches and sorcerers. Epic adventures in worlds far across the ocean. And fearsome weapons that threaten to destroy everything.Jimmy Crikey is a brave soul whose incredible courage allows him to rise above every challenge in his path, on his way to discovering why he looks so very strange.
With a bright red mop of unruly hair, big blue eyes, a small snub nose, pointed ears, and enormous feet, poor Jimmy is ridiculed by the neighbourhood children and runs away in search of a world where he fits in. Following a midnight flight through the forest, he stumbles into a lost, underground world called Roombelow where magic, adventure, danger, and excitement await.
Jimmy Crikey's Adventures in the Sky Islands (and beyond)
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Jimmy Crikey is the orphan alien living on Earth. Because of his strange appearance, Jimmy was bullied beyond endurance.But he saved the underground world of Roombelow from the sleeping spell cast by Matilda, the witch who forgot how to laugh. And now Gemma, the little lady who lived at the bottom of the well, is Jimmy's greatest friend, and Jade (Gemma's tiny niece) is Jimmy’s greatest admirer.Once freed from the bullies, Jimmy blossomed and developed into a genuine hero. He uses his unique Attalian powers to defend Roombelow from many of the dangers that threaten. Meanwhile, far above Earth, the Sky Islands are invaded by the galactic race of Zylons. It takes the combined power of the four witches, the ancient Weatherman, Jade (an apprentice witch), and Jimmy to save the Sky Islands. But then the Weatherman disappears, and Jimmy and friends set out to rescue him.
Jimmy Crikey's Adventures in Parallel Worlds
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
When Earth is invaded by an alien species of omnivorous worm, the four guardian witches of Earth are powerless against them. So it falls to Jimmy to seek the help of his technologically advanced friends on Attalia, his home planet in a different dimension.Jimmy may be an orphan, but he has friends on both sides of the universe, including Jade, the apprentice witch who joins Jimmy on his quest. They escape the worms once and reach the safety of Attalia. But when Jade's life is threatened again, it's up to Jimmy to save the day.
The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: The Emerald Lake
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
In this is a stand-alone fourth book in the series, Emerald Lake, the underground home of the Aquamites, is invaded by a flesh-eating, fire-breathing serpent that is impervious to the magic of the four guardian witches. The witches call on Jimmy for help.Jimmy accompanies Elwinn, witch guardian of everything associated with water, to visit the Emerald Lake. They capture the serpents, but Annison is seriously injured when a serpent takes a big bite out of her tail. All appears lost until Lord Oron reveals his true identity--and a plan that could save Annison's life.
The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Jade, the Youngest Ever Witch
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Jade is approaching the end of her apprenticeship with Witch Matilda, the leader of the Guardians. But there are several challenges to complete before Jade becomes a fully qualified member of the sister's Coven, and Jade cannot accept help from anybody, especially not from Jimmy. Things get complicated when the cave world of Lithnia, the Sky Islands, and Roombelow all fall under threat, requiring help from Jimmy and Jade. And things get even worse when an alien race from the Alpha Centauri system risks destroying Earth in order to save their own planet. Can Jimmy help the aliens resolve their plight without bloodshed? And when Witch Matilda is called to a higher realm, who will be appointed as her successor?
The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: 5-Book Set
From $4.95 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Get the entire set of all five Jimmy Crikey books on Kindle for only $4.95 (free via Kindle Unlimited)!About the Author
Wallace Briggs was born into an underprivileged family that consisted of four children, a sick father (who died when Wallace was seventeen), and a mother who worked hard to nurture and provide. Wallace first met Pat when they were eleven years old, only to be separated a year later when Wallace's family moved away. But the paths of Wallace and Pat crossed again, and when they reached adulthood, they married--and marriage that has lasted nearly 60 years.Jimmy Crikey was born one rainy day, many years ago, during a family holiday in Great Yarmouth, to entertain Wallace and Pat's son and his friends. The story expanded over the following damp afternoons in the cramped confines of a beach tent, as more and more adventures were required to keep the children entertained. Many years later, Wallace decided to commit to the written word, and now looks forward to sharing The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey with a wider audience.
Learn more at wallaceebriggs.com.
Spotlight on Sparkling Books, indie UK publisher
Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on Sparkling Books, an independent press based in the United Kingdom that publishes crime, detective, mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, romance, women's fiction, children's, young adult/middle grade, and drama.
Sign up for news from Sparkling Books or follow Sparkling Books on Twitter to get information about new releases and other news.
Petronella and the Janjilons by Cheryl Bentley
Genre: Teen & Young AdultFrom $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
The Janjilons are not what they seem. They look like a type of monkey, but they are really children. How did they turn into Janjilons? And could it happen to anyone?Behind this mystery is someone evil: Judge Ormerod who wants to be the next Duke of Westshire. With the help of three weird sisters, he has to rid the land of clever children from being an obstacle to him. The Janjilons work for him as the three sisters mete out punishment and keep them locked up.
Petronella starts to look into these strange happenings. But time is running out because when the Judge no longer needs the Janjilons, they will be destroyed.
"A fun and exciting tale of mischief and the resulting troubles, of problem solving and the outcome of working toward a goal." ~”Linda Barrett, Bookseller, USA
Peregrine Harker & the Black Death by Luke Hollands
Genre: Teen & Young AdultFrom $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Murder. Spies. Explosions. Revenge. This book for teens has it all!London 1908. Peregrine Harker is about to learn you’re never too young to die. A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows, and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol. When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder, he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets, and dastardly villains. Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.
“Highly imaginative and original.” ~The Hopeful Heroine Blog
Three British Mystery Novels
Genre: MysteryFrom $11.99
Three authors, three great mysteries:- Lynnwood by Thomas Brown: Who wouldn’t want to live in an idyllic village in the English countryside like Lynnwood? With its charming pub, old dairy, friendly vicar, gurgling brooks, and old paths with memories of simpler times. But the unthinkable is happening in Lynnwood ‒ a village with centuries of guilt on its conscience. Finalist in the People’s Book Prize.
- A Taste for Blood by David Stuart Davies: Two laser-sharp detectives, two thought-provoking cases, and two plots running parallel...you won’t see what’s coming! Featuring private investigator Johnny (One Eye) Hawke, and his one-time colleague in the police force Detective David Llewellyn. Hawke is on the case of a mysterious suicide. Llewellyn is investigating the chilling crimes of a top psychiatrist and his scheming patient.
- Ellipsis by Nikki Dudley: ”Right on time,” Daniel Mansen mouths to Alice as she pushes him to his death. Haunted by these words, Alice becomes obsessed with discovering how a man she didn’t know could predict her actions. Ellipsis is a thriller stemming from what is left unsaid, what bounces around in the mind, and what evaporates when trying to remember. Can there be a conclusion when no one seems to know the truth?
Further Exploits of Sherlock Holmes
Genre: MysteryFrom $4.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)
This exciting anthology brings together the work of two much admired Sherlock Holmes writers: David Stuart Davies and Matthew Booth. In these stories, Holmes and Watson are engaged in daring exploits applying their razor-sharp intelligence in new cases."Captures the feel of the originals...well-rounded tales" ~Jonathan Johnson, Librarian, USA
"These stories bring Holmes and Watson back to life in the true spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." ~Jeannette Beech, UK reviewer
The Sicilian Woman's Daughter by Linda Lo Scuro
Genre: ThrillerFrom $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Most victims of the mafia are the Sicilians themselves. The role of women both as perpetrators and victims has been grossly overlooked. Until now.As the teen daughter of Sicilian immigrants, Maria turns her back on her origins and fully embraces the English way of life. Notwithstanding her troubled and humble childhood in London, and backed up by her intelligence, beauty, and sheer determination, she triumphantly works her way up to join the upper middle class of British society. There she becomes a bastion of civility. But an incident causes Maria to delve into her mother's murky family history, drawing Maria more and more into a mire of vendetta.
"An enthralling read on many levels.” ~Book Trail
The Financial System Limit by David Kauders
Genre: Nonfiction Macroenomics FinanceFrom $5.99
Can the world really continue to stimulate its way out of every downturn? What happens to debt as central banks and governments buy prosperity?In The Financial System Limit: The world's read debt burden, the author puts forward three radical theories, which show that Keynesian economics can no longer benefit society. He explains why debt cannot expand to infinity; then how debt interest is a cost to us all. The global economic cycle is now determined by central bank policies. Read The Financial System Limit to understand why banks keep failing and learn why financial and economic policies have to change. You will discover why debt reduction programs do not work and what will follow the recent inflation.
David Kauders FRSA is a British investment manager who has been concerned about the hidden social costs of easy money. This is his third book.
About the Publisher
Sparkling Books is an independent UK publishing house and a member of Independent Publishers Guild. Learn more at SparklingBooks.com or on the Sparkling Books Twitter page.
New release: Chicken Dinner News by Jeff Billington
Congratulations to author Jeff Billington and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Chicken Dinner News, a charming and humorous new work of contemporary fiction.
★★★★★ “A thoughtful glimpse into the angst of a dying and often bigoted Middle American town.” ~J.D. Painter, author of The Black March: A Novel of World War II
Chicken Dinner News by Jeff Billington
NEW RELEASE: June 20, 2023Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction, Humorous Literary Fiction, Southern United States Fiction
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: From $5.99
Ryan Shipley wouldn’t have recognized his grandfather if they were the only two people in a room. So when an unwanted inheritance lands in his lap, Ryan is overcome with obligation. Does he leave his life as a journalist in LA to run his grandfather’s weekly newspaper and revive a dying Ozark town, half of which he now owns?The overwhelming amount of casserole dishes brought to his door, along with being stopped by anyone and everyone to be regaled about the virtues of his grandfather, don’t sway him. But when he starts to fall in love with more than just a girl named Olivia, Ryan sees a future there.
Change is due for this small town, and Ryan is all in. But when there is talk of a chicken processing plant being built on the outskirts, he writes an editorial in its favor and stirs up trouble. An arsonist and a rigid bigot turn the uproar of the townspeople into mayhem. But it only makes Ryan more empowered to guide the town, and with Olivia by his side, they begin to turn the tide.
Charming and humorously thoughtful, Chicken Dinner News is contemporary fiction for open-minded soul searchers that enjoy books by such authors as Richard Russo, Robert James Waller, and Boo Walker.
More Praise for Chicken Dinner News
★★★★★ “Highlights the precious resources we have in small towns and the challenges of journalism in these days when we question the integrity of the truth. A fresh voice.” ~Kathryn Johnson, author of The Gentleman Poet
★★★★★ “A gripping tale with charming personalities and plenty of intrigue to keep the pages turning.” ~Chad Stebbins, executive director, International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors
About the Author
Raised on a small dairy and poultry farm in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Jeff Billington spent his childhood listening to family stories and hearing about the changes the twentieth century brought to that celebrated rural region. He has since spent two decades working in the nonprofit and political realms, most of it in Washington, DC, and currently resides in Rockville, Maryland. Learn more at JeffBillington.com.About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.
Amazing Bees: A must-read for children, parents & teachers
Today we are shining a spotlight on The Amazing Bees, a book that puts an adorable face on the small creatures that make life on earth possible while also teaching the importance of protecting the ecosystem.
Includes 29 full-color illustrations, 12 bonus coloring pages, and 128 pages of rollicking action designed to provide hours of fun for both kids and adults.
The Amazing Bees by Yoel Silber
Genre: Children's Fiction, Children's Science Fiction, Science & MathHardcover: $14.99
Paperback: $9.99
Ebook: $1.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
"The Amazing Bees is a must read for all children, their parents, teachers, and others." ~Dr. Renai JonasFollow the exciting adventure of Princess Debbee, a honeybee who sets out to save her hive from destruction by thoughtless humans. This engaging story teaches children how their actions impact the environment and provides a powerful female role model to look up to.
With gorgeous full-color illustrations and 12 coloring pages, your kids will fall in love with Debbee and her adorable crew as you read and re-read her story together.
A book that entertains, educates, and empowers
- Entertains...with a story, illustrations, and coloring pages that were designed to provide hours of fun and entertainment for kids and adults.
- Educates...learn about how bees make life on earth possible and about the importance of protecting the ecosystem.
- Empowers...follow Princess Debbee, a strong female role model who inspires kids to take action to do what's right—for themselves and for the planet.
Praise for The Amazing Bees
"The Amazing Bees embraces bigger-picture detail and thinking, providing more content and depth than most other children's books on the subject of bees." ~Midwest Book Review
"From the emotive expressions on the faces of the characters to the stylish shoes Princess Debbee wears throughout the story, kids will be able to wholeheartedly get behind such a relatable and charming story. Effective at raising awareness and engendering a sense of respect for the ecosystem." ~Indies Today
"This is not just an education about bees—it's a fun, action-packed fairytale young readers are sure to enjoy." ~Children's Book Review
"Original, engaging, beautifully illustrated, and professionally edited." ~Onlinebookclub.org
"A brilliant story for the family to enjoy and learn from at home." ~Lovereading.co.uk
"Astute and endearing...Compulsively readable. This winning story about courage, resilience, solidarity, and friendship is as entertaining as it is thoughtful. Highly recommended as an early chapter book, this work will encourage readers to reflect on how their actions impact the environment." ~The Prairies Book Review
"The Amazing Bees embraces bigger-picture detail and thinking, providing more content and depth than most other children's books on the subject of bees." ~Midwest Book Review
"From the emotive expressions on the faces of the characters to the stylish shoes Princess Debbee wears throughout the story, kids will be able to wholeheartedly get behind such a relatable and charming story. Effective at raising awareness and engendering a sense of respect for the ecosystem." ~Indies Today
"This is not just an education about bees—it's a fun, action-packed fairytale young readers are sure to enjoy." ~Children's Book Review
"Original, engaging, beautifully illustrated, and professionally edited." ~Onlinebookclub.org
"A brilliant story for the family to enjoy and learn from at home." ~Lovereading.co.uk
"Astute and endearing...Compulsively readable. This winning story about courage, resilience, solidarity, and friendship is as entertaining as it is thoughtful. Highly recommended as an early chapter book, this work will encourage readers to reflect on how their actions impact the environment." ~The Prairies Book Review
More Ways to Make Learning Fun
The Amazing Bees book takes your family on an incredible adventure with Princess Debbee. This is the story of one little bee's journey to save her community, and it's sure to inspire your kids to do their part to help the environment and become leaders in their own communities. Here's how to harness that energy to keep the learning going.ENTERTAIN
- The Amazing Bees is meant to be read aloud! Snuggle up together in a special spot to share the adventure.
- Try out different voices to bring the characters to life. With older children, you can take turns playing different parts as you read aloud.
- Encourage your child to act out scenes from the book. A few simple costumes and props will enhance the experience and encourage imaginative play.
- The Amazing Bees is also an interactive stage show. Be on the lookout for a live performance in your area, or talk to your neighborhood's social director or community events organizer about bringing The Amazing Bees to your community: TheAmazingBees.com/Bookings
- Turn your next outdoor walk into a nature walk by noticing all the insects and flowers you come across. Older children may wish to keep a nature journal to keep track of the different animals and plants they see.
- Learn more about honeybees and other pollinators together. You can try your local library for age-appropriate books, or check out kid-friendly articles on educational websites.
- Talk to your child's teachers about your family's new interest in bees. Ask if they have any additional materials or lessons about this important topic to share with your child's class.
- Plant some flowers that provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators in your area. Even a few pots on the patio can make a big difference!
- Scan your home for harmful chemicals and insecticides—and get rid of them! As you do so, talk to your children about making choices that tread lightly on the earth.
- Help your child organize a lemonade stand fundraiser to donate money to an environmental cause—or to adopt a local beehive.
Spotlight on Q & A, a laugh-out-loud, coming-of-age mystery
Congratulations to Carolyn R. Russell and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Q & A, a laugh-out-loud, coming-of-age mystery.
★★★★★ “An entertaining tale aggrandized by an unshakable protagonist and the family she’s thankfully stuck with.” ~Kirkus Reviews
Q & A by Carolyn R. Russell
NEW RELEASE: June 13, 2023Genre: Coming-of-Age
Paperback: $14.99
Ebook: From $4.99
Something very creepy is going on inside the Eco Trooper Club's gloomy warehouse.Quinn Bard has been forced to join a club at her high school in the new town she hates. Her first meeting leaves her questioning her sanity.
Despite her family’s joyfully chaotic home life, things get worse. Quinn is shocked to discover a sinister conspiracy at the heart of the club’s mission, and there’s something very bizarre about the group’s adult leader, Nadine Stent.
Enlisting the help of her older sister, Arista, Quinn learns that the club’s student members are unhappy hostages. What mysterious power does Nadine hold over them? And what kind of twisted scheme has she dragged everyone into?
In a race against time, the two sisters and new friends work to expose Nadine’s evil plot. And together they have adventures funnier, stranger and more thrilling than Quinn ever imagined possible.
If Quinn and her allies succeed, it’ll be a new beginning for her. If they fail, innocent people will go to jail, and families will be destroyed. Including Quinn’s.
Praise for Q & A
★★★★★ “Clever and captivating, this laugh-out-loud mystery will keep you hooked until the last word. Utterly unputdownable.” ~Genalea Barker, author of Life After
★★★★★ “Adjusting to a new town becomes especially hard for a teen once she suspects a service club is up to something sinister in this YA mystery... An entertaining tale aggrandized by an unshakable protagonist and the family she’s thankfully stuck with.” ~Kirkus Reviews
★★★★★ “Carolyn R. Russell sticks a perfect landing with her humorous mystery, Q&A. Quinn’s intellectual family is delightful and the young characters are well-drawn and true to life as they go about their adventures. A must-read!” ~Edith Maxwell, Agatha Award-winning author of the Quaker Midwife Mysteries
★★★★★ “A riveting mystery that unspools a sensational mix of humor and adventure. A wonderfully engaging book.” ~Elizabeth Lorayne, award-winning author of Piratess Tilly
★★★★★ “What could be more enjoyable to YA readers, both young and old, than a fast-paced mystery with a sophisticated plot and characters that are both quirky and relatable? A funny and exciting romp!” ~Connie Johnson Hambley, award-winning author of the Jessica Wyeth series
★★★★★ “The ultimate teen adventure recipe: two strongly-bonded sisters, a crew of smart friends, and a small New Hampshire town where a dangerous scientific mystery lurks. A fast and fun rolicking good time!” ~Martha Engber, 2021 IPPY Gold Medal Winner in Young Adult Fiction
About the Author
In addition to her fiction, Carolyn R. Russell is also the author of The Films of Joel and Ethan Coen, published by McFarland & Company in 2001. Her essays and short stories have been widely published. She holds an M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University, and has taught on the college, high school, and middle school levels. Carolyn lives north of Boston with her husband and two children. Learn more at carolynrrussell.com.About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.
Maybe You Should Give Up: 7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life
Spotlight on
Maybe You Should Give Up:
7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life
Maybe You Should Give Up:
7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life
Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on the release of an exciting new self-help book from author and executive coach Byron Morrison. Read on to learn more about his special pre-order offer!
Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison
USA Release: June 27, 2023
UK Release: 13 July, 2023
Paperback: $17.95
Ebook: $0.99
In Maybe You Should Give Up, you’ll discover cycle-breaking techniques that have been broken down into easy-to-follow steps that will empower you to get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself.
All of this stems from author Byron Morrison’s own journey of transformation, as well as nearly a decade’s worth of research and working with people in 15 different countries to help them take control of their lives.
Maybe You Should Give Up is a book about empowerment. About helping you break through everything that is stopping you from achieving the happiness and success you want.
Not only will you change the way you think, you’ll also change how you process problems, deal with setbacks, and feel about yourself so you can finally stop being the stumbling block in the way of the life that you want and break through to the next level of happiness and success.
UK Release: 13 July, 2023
Paperback: $17.95
Ebook: $0.99
In Maybe You Should Give Up, you’ll discover cycle-breaking techniques that have been broken down into easy-to-follow steps that will empower you to get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself.All of this stems from author Byron Morrison’s own journey of transformation, as well as nearly a decade’s worth of research and working with people in 15 different countries to help them take control of their lives.
Maybe You Should Give Up is a book about empowerment. About helping you break through everything that is stopping you from achieving the happiness and success you want.
Not only will you change the way you think, you’ll also change how you process problems, deal with setbacks, and feel about yourself so you can finally stop being the stumbling block in the way of the life that you want and break through to the next level of happiness and success.
Exclusive Pre-order Offer
Pre-order a paperback copy of Maybe You Should Give Up from Barnes & Noble or Waterstones and get the following items FREE:
Pre-order a paperback copy of Maybe You Should Give Up from Barnes & Noble or Waterstones and get the following items FREE:
- Audiobook edition
- The Next Level You video series
- The Next Level You Workbook
To get your free items (a $37 value!), simply email a copy of your Barnes & Noble or Waterstones receipt to maybeyoushouldgiveupbook@gmail.com.
Pre-order now:
Barnes & Noble
Waterstones
Pre-order now:
Barnes & Noble
Waterstones
About the Author
Byron Morrison is a high-performance coach, author, and speaker. Over the last decade, Byron has helped CEOs and business leaders around the world to become more effective by helping them take control of their role so that they can maximize their time, lead with confidence, and grow a business without losing their sanity.
Byron is author of The Evolved CEO Book Collection: The Effective CEO and CEO in Control. He also offers on-demand courses designed to provide leaders with all the tools and guidance needed to get to the next level:
Byron Morrison is a high-performance coach, author, and speaker. Over the last decade, Byron has helped CEOs and business leaders around the world to become more effective by helping them take control of their role so that they can maximize their time, lead with confidence, and grow a business without losing their sanity. Byron is author of The Evolved CEO Book Collection: The Effective CEO and CEO in Control. He also offers on-demand courses designed to provide leaders with all the tools and guidance needed to get to the next level:
- AMPLIFY: The ultimate productivity, time, and energy management course for CEOs and business leaders.
- UNSHAKEABLE: Master the mental game needed to become a highly effective CEO.
Learn more about Byron and The Evolved Programme for CEOs and business leaders at ByronMorrison.com.
Spotlight on author Scott Burtness and "a darkly funny shapeshifter urban fantasy"
August Shade has found his niche. The cynical shapeshifter knows that most relationships don't last. He also knows that after a messy breakup, most people—human or otherwise—just want two things: Their stuff back, and to never see their ex again.
Join August as he does his best to reunite broken hearts with their favorite things and not get killed—or worse—while doing it.
An Oracle Walks into a Bar
Book 1 in The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist
4.5 stars, 63 ratings
FREE!
August Shade has found his niche. He’s a post-relationship personal effects repossession specialist. Satisfaction not guaranteed. But at least you’ll have your favorite whatever back.
Vilde Tank has found her destiny. Guided by her horoscopes, the huldra hires August to reclaim an unusual book. It reveals the secret of the Zodiac’s thirteenth sign, bestows its reader with the power to write their own future, and is currently in the possession of her vampire ex-lover.
Clarissa Steyer has found her calling. The oracle writes horoscopes for the local paper. Her celestial predictions help keep the world spinning. Now August is in all of her visions and the world might be coming to an end. She knows that the shapeshifter can change into a lot of things, but can he change the future?
Plagued by the oracle’s horoscopes, haunted by a dark past, and grappling with his penchant for making bad decisions, the only sure thing about August’s future is that it looks short.
"Sharp and funny—think the Hitchhiker's Guide only paranormal." ~Andrew Shaffer, NY Times bestselling author
4.5 stars, 63 ratings
FREE!
August Shade has found his niche. He’s a post-relationship personal effects repossession specialist. Satisfaction not guaranteed. But at least you’ll have your favorite whatever back.Vilde Tank has found her destiny. Guided by her horoscopes, the huldra hires August to reclaim an unusual book. It reveals the secret of the Zodiac’s thirteenth sign, bestows its reader with the power to write their own future, and is currently in the possession of her vampire ex-lover.
Clarissa Steyer has found her calling. The oracle writes horoscopes for the local paper. Her celestial predictions help keep the world spinning. Now August is in all of her visions and the world might be coming to an end. She knows that the shapeshifter can change into a lot of things, but can he change the future?
Plagued by the oracle’s horoscopes, haunted by a dark past, and grappling with his penchant for making bad decisions, the only sure thing about August’s future is that it looks short.
"Sharp and funny—think the Hitchhiker's Guide only paranormal." ~Andrew Shaffer, NY Times bestselling author
A Scarecrow Wins an Award
Book 2 in The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist
4.7 stars, 16 ratings
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Shapeshifter August Shade saved the world. The personal effects repo man bested a vampire, a warlock, and a troll without even breaking a sweat.
While his growing celebrity has been good for business, it’s also meant taking jobs farther from home. Now, the cranky shapeshifter is in farm country—definitely not his natural habitat—and mixed up with two feuding hag sisters, a loan sharking coblyn, and a mysterious woman with a very scary ex. The manure hits the fan when his best friend blows the lid off a major conspiracy and lands August in a heap of trouble.
A Scarecrow Wins an Award is a great read for fans of John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin, Arcane Casebook by Dan Willis, Moth Busters by Margaret Lashley, and Douglas Adams's A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
4.7 stars, 16 ratings
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Shapeshifter August Shade saved the world. The personal effects repo man bested a vampire, a warlock, and a troll without even breaking a sweat.While his growing celebrity has been good for business, it’s also meant taking jobs farther from home. Now, the cranky shapeshifter is in farm country—definitely not his natural habitat—and mixed up with two feuding hag sisters, a loan sharking coblyn, and a mysterious woman with a very scary ex. The manure hits the fan when his best friend blows the lid off a major conspiracy and lands August in a heap of trouble.
A Scarecrow Wins an Award is a great read for fans of John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin, Arcane Casebook by Dan Willis, Moth Busters by Margaret Lashley, and Douglas Adams's A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
A Siren Sings Her Heart Out
Book 3 in The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist
New Release: Coming June 30, 2023
From $0.99
August Shade needs a break. Reptilians are trying to take over the world. Powerful paranormals are a little too interested in whether he lives or dies. After years of laying low, the grumpy shapeshifter’s face is all over the Internet. If that wasn’t bad enough, August’s best friend is playing around with necromancy.
Desperate to clear his head, the cranky shapeshifter heads north to the shores of Lake Superior. Now he’s drowning in lake monsters, paranormal prophecies, and reptilian plots. A drink would help, but the only bar in town is a karaoke bar.
For a guy who has tried to not make waves, life is getting pretty choppy. It’s sink or swim for the poor repo man. If he’s going down, though, August will make sure he goes down singing.
New Release: Coming June 30, 2023
From $0.99
August Shade needs a break. Reptilians are trying to take over the world. Powerful paranormals are a little too interested in whether he lives or dies. After years of laying low, the grumpy shapeshifter’s face is all over the Internet. If that wasn’t bad enough, August’s best friend is playing around with necromancy.Desperate to clear his head, the cranky shapeshifter heads north to the shores of Lake Superior. Now he’s drowning in lake monsters, paranormal prophecies, and reptilian plots. A drink would help, but the only bar in town is a karaoke bar.
For a guy who has tried to not make waves, life is getting pretty choppy. It’s sink or swim for the poor repo man. If he’s going down, though, August will make sure he goes down singing.
About the Author
Scott Burtness writes about ordinary Midwesterners making an extraordinary mess of things. "If the flannel fits…" says Scott.
Important to note: To Scott, "ordinary” includes vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, shapeshifters, aliens, and more.
When Scott is not writing, he can be found hanging out at the local brewery, hanging out with his dog, or hanging out with his dog at the local brewery. Learn more at Scott's website, sign up for his monthly newsletter, or follow him on social media: TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads.
Scott Burtness writes about ordinary Midwesterners making an extraordinary mess of things. "If the flannel fits…" says Scott.Important to note: To Scott, "ordinary” includes vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, shapeshifters, aliens, and more.
When Scott is not writing, he can be found hanging out at the local brewery, hanging out with his dog, or hanging out with his dog at the local brewery. Learn more at Scott's website, sign up for his monthly newsletter, or follow him on social media: TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads.
New Release: Bliss Road by Martha Engber
Congratulations to Martha Engber and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Bliss Road, a memoir about living a lie and coming to terms with the truth.
★★★★★ “Illuminates the complicated path of a neurodiverse family.” ~Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Aspergers Syndrome
Bliss Road by Martha Engber
NEW RELEASE: June 6, 2023Genre: Memoir
4.9 stars on Goodreads
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: From $6.49
Martha Engber lives a charmed life in the suburbs with a husband and two kids where everything is fine, fine, fine until suddenly she’s…completely broken. She’s so used to lying to others and herself that she has no idea who she really is or how she feels about anything. What happened? Why is her life smooth driving one minute and totaled the next?In this sometimes funny often devastating memoir, Martha describes the arduous journey toward discovering the invisible roadblock that ran her life off course: her psychological distress is the result of being the neurotypical daughter of a dad with undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a condition that affects more than 75 million people worldwide.
Martha uses personal anecdotes and research about the emergence of ASD as a diagnosis to explain the psychological, emotional, and social challenges she faced as a child, then as an adult and parent. Along the way, she shows the sometimes harrowing but eminently rewarding route others can follow to chase down the source of their family angst and to reach a more blissful future.
Praise for Bliss Road
★★★★★ “A raw and real memoir, illuminating the complicated path of a neurodiverse family fixed in a legacy between trepidation and tenderness.” ~Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Aspergers Syndrome
★★★★★ “With bracing honesty and rare insight, Martha Engber’s courageous, highly readable account of her experience as the child of a parent with undiagnosed ASD is compelling, joyous, and inspiring.’” ~Byddi Lee, author of The Rejuvenation Trilogy
★★★★★ “A glorious blend of insights and wisdom, this memoir may just be what we need to deepen our human capacity for love and understanding.” ~Imi Lo, author of Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity: How to Manage Intense Emotions as a Highly Sensitive Person
★★★★★ “Engber skillfully integrates current knowledge about autism into her own engaging story as the child of a parent on the autism spectrum.” ~Patti Isaacs, author of The Second Long March: Memoir from a Witness to China’s Transformation
About the Author
Martha Engber is the author of Winter Light, The Wind Thief, and Growing Great Characaters from the Ground Up. A journalist by profession, she’s written hundreds of articles for the Chicago Tribune and other publications. She had a play produced in Hollywood and fiction and poetry published in the Aurorean, Watchword, and other journals. A workshop facilitator and speaker, she lives in Northern California with her husband, bike, and surfboard. Learn more at MarthaEngber.com.About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.
Free ARC + Giveaway!
LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on a special offer from author Mark Bradford:
- Get a free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of The Devil's in the Details, a new novella from Mark to be released on June 1.
- Post a reader review on Amazon by June 22 to be eligible to win a signed print copy of The Devil's in the Details plus a $25 Amazon.com gift card.
The Devil's in the Details by Mark Bradford
Release Date: June 1, 2023
FREE Advance Reader Copy
When a chance meeting with an old man leads to a captivating story, the author is swept into a journey through time and the paranormal. Starting in 1966 at Oxford College, the story follows a professor's pet project to uncover a message that spans all of written history—a message from the devil himself.If you like first-person narrations, tension-building, historical mysteries with a (possibly) paranormal twist, then you'll enjoy this book!
Special Offer
Download a free Advance Reader Copy and post a review on Amazon.com by June 22 for a chance to win a signed print copy of The Devil's in the Details plus a $25 Amazon.com gift card.
Praise for previous works by Mark Bradford
“I couldn’t recommend The Sword and the Sunflower enough. It forces the reader to question, grow and learn to question the world around them and the world living within themselves.” ~BookShelfMuse
"The Sword and the Sunflower books force the reader to question existentialism, world structures, cultural development and religious fervor. It's not just about a coming of age of the individuals we meet, but of entire populaces and the world at large." ~Goodreads Review
“With each step of the journey, Mark Bradford keeps his audience entertained while also on the edge of their chairs. The connections between the characters were rich and vital to the story. The story is very poignant and moving.” ~Audiobookreviewer.com
"Filled with emotional depth. Very captivating! The Sword and the Sunflower and Amira took me out of my living room and into another world." ~Amazon Review
About Mark Bradford
Mark Bradford is an author, speaker, podcast host, coach, and builder. He invests a great deal of time and effort researching a subject to come up with an explanation for it that everyone can understand. His podcast interviews as well as his experiences have taught him what life is made of, time management tricks, what multitasking really is, and even how both order and chaos benefit our lives.
Mark has also been a business owner for 15+ years, and a full stack web developer. It is in his nature to build things that fix, augment or create a solution. The fruits of his labors have been a dating site, four books, and a card game.
Mark speaks to professional associations, groups, and businesses about status, time, energy and resources, and how we all connect. For more information, visit Mark's website.
Also by Mark Bradford:
Spotlight on Ella's War, a new release from author Rusty Allen and Vine Leaves Press
Congratulations to Rusty Allen and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Ella's War, a journey amongst women and men whose lives are deeply altered by the circumstances of WWII.
"An extraordinary, rewarding read.” ~Chris Bauer, author of Jane’s Baby
Ella's War by Rusty Allen
NEW RELEASE: May 23, 2023Genre: Historical Fiction
From $5.99
It’s 1943 on the American home front, and Ella’s pent-up, common-law husband finally decides to leave their farm and enlist. Ella must either depart their seafaring town in coastal Delaware to pursue other dreams inland or try to save their farm. Their grade-school son, Reese, won’t budge, and Ella sees that farmers have a patriotic duty to stay on the land. The bay and ocean waters before them have been preyed upon by German U-boats, and their village has become a refuge for survivors. When an officer from a surrendered German submarine is sent to her as part of POW farm labor, can Ella embrace the help in order to survive? And what happens when Dieter becomes more than a hand to her, amidst prying eyes and under her beloved-but-conflicted son’s watch? How will she choose when her explosive husband returns from Europe wounded from infantry duty against the Germans?
In Ella’s War, we travel a journey amongst women and men whose lives are deeply altered by the circumstances of WWII. What heroic or questionable choices must they make to be true to themselves and come through the great conflict?
Praise for Ella's War
“Beautifully wrought, heart stopping, spirit lifting… What a human brew!” ~Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Hope in the Unseen
“A dramatic, beautiful time and place…revealing storytelling. An extraordinary, rewarding read.” ~Chris Bauer, author of Jane’s Baby
“Gritty and sensitive—a story that is thought-provoking and will satisfy.” ~Stacy Creamer, editor, publishing veteran
"With deeply sympathetic characters, emotional challenges, and high-risk mortal consequences…superb and compelling tale.” ~Steven Hartov, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Rusty Allen studied creative writing at the University of Virginia and has been a full-time freelance writer for most of his career. He owns The Writers Studio, a marketing/copywriting practice located just outside of Philadelphia. He led the Advanced Novel Writing Group at the Writers Room/Writers Corner, a writers co-op in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Rebel Writers, a highly select novelist critique group that was highlighted in Writer's Digest in the article "Plotting a Novel Group." Learn more at RustyAllenAuthor.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.
Romance Special Edition - Indie novels for every lover of romance!
It's spring and love is in the air...a great time to select new novels for your summer reading! Today's Romance Special Edition includes a Baker's Dozen selection of 13 indie romance novels. From tender and touching, to mysterious and magical, to steamy and even more touching, there is something in today's special edition for every lover of romance.
“It’s enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment.” ~Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
Spotlight on Burned by Sue Dobson
Congratulations to Sue Dobson and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Burned: The Spy South Africa Never Caught, “An unflinching memoir of a spy during a tumultuous time and unsavory alliances."
Burned: The Spy South Africa Never Caught by Sue Dobson
NEW RELEASE: May 16, 2023Genre: Military Intelligence & Spies History, Intelligence & Espionage, Espionage True Accounts
From $6.49
From the snowy Soviet shooting range to the heat and dust of Africa, nothing is what it seems. And neither is Sue Dobson.The image of South Africa in the 1980s as the golden paradise on the tip of the African continent conceals a brutal, racist Apartheid regime. Those who oppose it risk their lives. Beauty and brutality go hand in hand.
Sue Dobson, a young white South African woman lives a 'legend'—a life where she pretends to conform, moving easily through the echelons of the racist government in her work as a journalist, whilst concealing her espionage and military training in the Soviet Union, and her intelligence work for the banned African National Congress.
Matters come to a head when sinister forces try to derail the Namibian independence process and Sue's cover is blown during a difficult honey trap operation, bringing the Cold War to Africa, and leading to her desperate flight across Southern Africa with the Apartheid security police snapping at her heels.
Praise for Burned
★★★★★ “An unflinching memoir of a spy during a tumultuous time and unsavory alliances. Dobson recounts her recruitment, training, and espionage with rare self-awareness.” ~Henry R. Schlesinger, author of Honey Trapped
About the Author
Sue Dobson was born in South Africa and witnessed Apartheid firsthand. Wanting to contribute to a democratic South Africa for all, she joined the African National Congress (ANC) and was trained as an intelligence officer/spy in the Soviet Union. She was deployed in South Africa and infiltrated the government propaganda department, interviewed Apartheid ministers, and had a honey trap affair with a police chief involved with the Namibian independence process. She was "burned" when she failed an enhanced security check for the State President's office, prompting her escape across southern Africa with the security police at her heels.About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.
Spotlight on Fat in Paris by Bull Garlington
Free Download!
Get a free advance copy of Fat in Paris, a travel memoir like nothing you've ever read, from author Bull Garlington.
All the Right Places. All the Wrong Times.
Fat in Paris
Genre: Travel Memoir, Humor
FREE advance copy!
A complete idiot travels abroad in search of the perfect vacation. He fails to find one.
No camels were harmed in the making of this book. But the author was. He fell off a camel on the way to a Bedouin camp behind the pyramids; he was nearly burned alive in an Alabama boat fire; he was attacked by bats in a Mexican cenote; he was shark bait off the coast of Belize; nearly died from heat stroke on the Nile; and was savaged by a swarm of elderly Japanese women in a men’s room at a gas station somewhere in Spain.
Starting from Chicago, the author visits nine countries and various states in an attempt to have a perfect vacation. It never works. But that doesn’t stop him. The result is a hilarious f-bomb of a travelogue.
Garlington holds nothing back, showing the maddening side of international travel without an Instagram filter. Readers will learn nothing useful about the cities he visits, nor will they use his book as a guide. It is more of a roadmap for ruthless schadenfreude as we watch helplessly while Garlington runs into brick wall time after time. Written in a style reminiscent of Bill Bryson (if he were a rampaging drunk) or Anthony Bourdain (if he cussed less), Fat in Paris might be the funniest travel memoir in the last ten years.
Please note: This book contains scenes of inadvertent camel abuse, conspicuous tourism, sniveling, a luridly detailed account of testicular damage, a nearly unbelievable and very detailed story of losing control of one’s bodily functions, way too many footnotes, a plague of scorpions, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Spotlight on You Will Know Vengeance by W.A. Pepper
You Will Know Vengeance
Get You Will Know Vengeance from USA Today best-selling author W.A. Pepper for as low as 99 cents today!
"A new techno-charged version of The Shawshank Redemption."
~Readers' Choice Book Awards
~Readers' Choice Book Awards
You Will Know Vengeance: A Tanto Thriller
Genre: Technothrillers, Conspiracy Thrillers, Suspense Action Fiction
Book 1 in the series
Ebook: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Paperback: $14.99
Hardcover: $24.99
A government plot. A con who holds all the cards. Can a young man protecting his fellow inmates stop a killer without losing his soul?
Tanto is a skilled hacker who winds up on the wrong side of the law. His punishment: He is whisked away to a hidden compound where he is forced to entrap other hackers. Yet deep inside, an ember still burns...to save people, not entrap them.
Tanto spends the next eight years in prison, finding inner peace in the ways of Bushido. But when the peaceful warrior takes a terrified and badly beaten newcomer under his wing, he is shaken to learn the kid was brutalized by an old nemesis.
Later, the same monstrous enemy lands in his cellblock, causing Tanto to fear for the tribe he’s grown to love like family. When the guards turn a blind eye to his rival’s calculated atrocities, Tanto enacts desperate measures that could trigger deadly results. Can he maintain his sworn discipline and avoid leaving a bloody legacy?
Praise for You Will Know Vengeance
"A new techno-charged version of The Shawshank Redemption for the 21st century...a fast-paced, high-energy novel, that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. ~Readers' Choice Book Awards (5-starred review)
"This book belongs on the shelves of any library devoted to building a solid, exceptional collection of thriller novels, and is highly recommended for readers who can absorb trigger subjects in the interest of a complex, thoroughly absorbing story packed with surprises." ~Midwest Book Review
"Pepper deftly amps up his engaging prison tale with perpetual threats. An absorbing, tech-smart tale that unfolds in a tense prison setting." ~Kirkus
"Readers will relish the ins and outs of Pepper's well-crafted dystopian prison society." ~BookLife
About the Author
W.A. Pepper writes suspense thrillers. He is an awarding-winning USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon best-selling author for his contribution to the business anthology Habits of Success. Under different names (and his real one of Will Pepper), he has published in multiple academic journals, interactive e-books, anthologies, and online.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Will, his wife, Taddy, and their dog, Danger, started the publishing house Hustle Valley Press, LLC. Through it, they published four e-books that have amassed more than one hundred five-star reviews. Further, the husband-and-wife team donated the first six months of revenue from the sale of each of those books to charity, resulting in thousands of dollars raised for reader-selected charities that support racial equality, COVID-19 relief, veteran affairs, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Will has a PhD in Management Information Systems or, as he calls it, Business Computing, from The University of Mississippi. Will, Taddy, and Danger split their time between Mississippi and Colorado. Learn more (and order signed copies of books!) at wapepperwrites.com.
W.A. Pepper writes suspense thrillers. He is an awarding-winning USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon best-selling author for his contribution to the business anthology Habits of Success. Under different names (and his real one of Will Pepper), he has published in multiple academic journals, interactive e-books, anthologies, and online.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Will, his wife, Taddy, and their dog, Danger, started the publishing house Hustle Valley Press, LLC. Through it, they published four e-books that have amassed more than one hundred five-star reviews. Further, the husband-and-wife team donated the first six months of revenue from the sale of each of those books to charity, resulting in thousands of dollars raised for reader-selected charities that support racial equality, COVID-19 relief, veteran affairs, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Will has a PhD in Management Information Systems or, as he calls it, Business Computing, from The University of Mississippi. Will, Taddy, and Danger split their time between Mississippi and Colorado. Learn more (and order signed copies of books!) at wapepperwrites.com.
More from W.A. Pepper:
- $4.99: Running on Broken Bones, A Tanto Thriller, Book 2
- FREE: DoGoodR, a prequel to You Will Know Vengeance
Moonlight Duology by Yurie Kiri
Get the Moonlight Duology from author Yurie Kiri, which includes Books 1 & 2 of the Murder and Magic Series on sale for $1.99!
- Moonlight Beach (Book 1 in the series) was winner of the 2020 Hollywood Book Festival Award for Genre Fiction.
- Moonlight Duology (Books 1 & 2 together) was winner of the 2023 Los Angeles Book Festival Award in the Sequels Category.
Moonlight Duology
Genre: Suspense Thriller, Paranormal Suspense
From $1.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
The Moonlight Duology includes two complete novels: Moonlight Beach and its sequel, Moonlight Canyon. These two novels have been described as a cross between The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda and On the Road by Jack Kerouac—only more intense!
Moonlight Beach: Book 1 in the Murder and Magic Series
4.1 stars, 50+ ratings
Bodies are washing up on Moonlight Beach in the idyllic, seaside community of Rancho, California, worrying the privileged one percent in the gated communities of one of SoCal’s ritziest enclaves. Speculation centers on sharks, satanic rituals, and greedy venture capitalists, but then two more people are killed on a cliff overlooking the beach—and all their organs are missing. What the hell is going on? They better figure all this out before more people get butchered or, God forbid, Rancho’s inflated property values plummet.
Moonlight Canyon: Book 2 in the Murder and Magic Series4 stars, 30+ ratings
The rural paradise of Silver City, just south of Moonlight Canyon, is under attack. Half-eaten, mutilated bodies are showing up in public places. The peaceful residents of Silver City are in a panic. Is it drug smugglers? A biker gang? Some sort of dark ritual? Space aliens? Whatever is terrorizing Silver City must be stopped and fast before this pastoral heaven becomes a living hell. "A mystical tale that walks a thin line between paranormal and crime-based stories." ~Amazon Review.
Praise for the Moonlight Duology
"Intriguing mix of murder mystery and fantasy." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review
"Never think that everything is exactly as it seems in these books, because chances are that just when you think you have some idea of what is going on, the author is going to blow your mind." ~Goodreads Review
About the Author
TALES OF MURDER, MYSTERY, AND SUSPENSE
WITH A PARANORMAL TWIST
WITH A PARANORMAL TWIST
Author Yurie Kiri has a signature style, a captivating and intricate method of storytelling with plots that are anything but predictable. Are the villains good old-fashioned bad guys, demons, vicious animals, corporate fiends, or some combination of all four?
Yurie lived and worked in Asia for decades before coming to America and taking an extensive backroad journey all across the United States and Canada. Yurie also sailed solo from Mexico to the Canadian border, retracing a well-traveled road journey by sea in a small, live-aboard sailboat.
Yurie currently lives on that sailboat, cruising between various ports in the Pacific Ocean. Sailing, writing, and photography are Yurie's primary passions.
Yurie does not use pronouns (for a reason). For one thing, it keeps the reader guessing—is Yurie male, female, non-binary, or even a machine? No one really knows for sure…except maybe Yurie's beloved cat, Fluffy, who also knows where all the bodies are buried and is not allowed to leave Yurie's sight.
You can learn more and read excerpts of Yurie's work by visiting YurieKiri.com.
Yurie lived and worked in Asia for decades before coming to America and taking an extensive backroad journey all across the United States and Canada. Yurie also sailed solo from Mexico to the Canadian border, retracing a well-traveled road journey by sea in a small, live-aboard sailboat.
Yurie currently lives on that sailboat, cruising between various ports in the Pacific Ocean. Sailing, writing, and photography are Yurie's primary passions.
Yurie does not use pronouns (for a reason). For one thing, it keeps the reader guessing—is Yurie male, female, non-binary, or even a machine? No one really knows for sure…except maybe Yurie's beloved cat, Fluffy, who also knows where all the bodies are buried and is not allowed to leave Yurie's sight.
You can learn more and read excerpts of Yurie's work by visiting YurieKiri.com.
Individual titles from Yurie Kiri:
New Release: Heart and Salt by Elaina Battista-Parsons
Congratulations to Elaina Battista-Parsons and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Heart and Salt, a collection of stories for those "wishing to reflect while also being transported."
Heart and Salt by Elaina Battista-Parsons
NEW RELEASE: April 25, 2023From $4.99
Camus once stated that fiction is a lie through which we tell the truth. The main characters in Heart and Salt all have truths, lies, and in-betweens, similar to every human being you’ve ever met. We all carry scraps of our past in our hearts, the hope of the present in our palms, and the leftovers in our souls.Heart and Salt unwraps what is boxed tightly until it can’t be contained any longer—Charli tests her seemingly strong marriage, Genevieve investigates a crumbly old beach shack after decades of storms, February navigates a new friendship, and Feather can’t find her way out of the self-imposed “middle.” Every piece’s setting inhales and exhales as strongly as the people living within its walls, from backyards to kitchens, and from small towns to cities.
Dive deep into their heart, their salt, and their truths.
Praise for Heart and Salt
“Heart and Salt is an honest account of girlhood growing into womanhood, the femininity of each reaching out its hand for the other as if to say, We will get through this together.” ~Chimen Kouri, author of Peach Milk
“With its glimpses into the lives of a divorcee, grieving daughter, a teen wrought with angst and more, there are few feminine feelings left unmined.” ~Suzanne Crain Miller, author of Queen and Temperatures
About the Author
If you see a woman in Doc Martens drooling over a 1964 Chevy Impala like it’s candy, it’s probably Elaina. Her first two books are Italian Bones in the Snow and Black Licorice. Elaina’s poems and prose have been published in many lit mags and journals. She’s the editor of 50 Give or Take with Vine Leaves Press and lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband and daughters. Her essay “I Said it Out Loud” was a 2021 finalist in the Anne Dillard Creative Nonfiction contest. Elaina is also an acquisitions reader for Pearson Education. Learn more at ElainaWrites.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.
Spotlight on Black Rose Writing
Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on Black Rose Writing, an innovative independent press that publishes fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. This post includes a sampling of great indie titles from Black Rose Writing, as well as a closer look at this forward-thinking publisher.
Bonus: Sign up for The Rosevine newsletter to get free books, daily deals, and new podcast episodes, and to stay current with news about upcoming releases from Black Rose Writing.
Winterbourne by William Lynes
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)4 stars, 96 ratings
An evocative tale of murder, revenge, and love.Set in the early 1960s, this is the story of a family-oriented community surrounding a winterbourne stream in Northern California. It is full of average law-abiding citizens who live in picturesque equestrian properties with white, three-rail fences. A violent motor vehicle accident and the attempted resuscitation of the victim (a homeless drug addict) by surgeon Doctor Franklin Carson and his Labrador, Winston, begins a fast-paced story of deception and lies.
Something is wrong, evil is about, and the society's innocence is at risk. A crime ring is rumored, centered around a violent resident of Winterbourne. The man is a ruddy complexioned man with a distinctive disabling appearance. His father is a corrupt, politically powerful resident of the community. It is the search for a young innocent runaway that reveals a secret scandal that will tear apart the very substance of Winterbourne.
"A cast of characters not soon forgotten, with a villain as terrifyingly well-developed as the young doctor you can't help but root for." ~Brooke L. French, author of Inhuman Acts
The Prison by Joe Edd Morris
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)4.4 stars, 590 ratings
Mississippi Library Association Author Award Winner - Best FictionShell Ferguson visits his incarcerated grandson Cal with tragic news: his daughter, wife, and grandmother have perished in a fire. Cal must rely on his grandfather to uncover the suspicious circumstances of the blaze, as clues unfold to establish his innocence. Compelling revelations link the fire and Cal’s innocence with domestic terrorism. From plots to blow up Mississippi River bridges to threats on their lives, grandfather and grandson take a series of risks, including Cal’s daring prison escape, in an attempt to save the remnants of their family and southern community so disturbingly infiltrated.
"The Prison is an exciting murder mystery led by amateur sleuth Shell Ferguson, who uncovers clues in disarming and lively ways. A brilliant novel!" ~Michael Hartnett, bestselling author of The Blue Rat
Where Fools Dare to Tread: A Monk Buttman Mystery by David William Pearce
FREE!4.3 stars, 180+ ratings
"A tangled but engrossing mystery populated by dynamic characters." ~Kirkus Reviews A dead man’s money is just waiting to be had. A band of fools and a nobody named Monk Buttman unwittingly find themselves caught in a web of murder and revenge between two unseen factions using them as bait. Stuck between powerful forces he can neither control nor understand, Monk must survive both the fools and those pulling the strings while also dealing with the affections of two very different women, the troubled Agnes and the disaffected Judith, not to mention the irritation of his erstwhile partner, Mr. Jones. With love and life on the line, Monk must use his wits and guile for all of them to survive. Book 1 in the series.
"A well-crafted, enjoyable, and intriguing mystery that, for better or worse, is a little heavy on the protagonist’s breast-level view of the world.” ~IndieReader
Managed Care by Joe Barrett
From $4.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)4.4 stars, 1400 ratings
"Funniest book I've ever read." ~Tom McCaffrey, bestselling author of The Wise AssIs it too much to ask that a managed care facility refund a year's advance payment when your grandfather dies before he can move in? Frank Johnson doesn't think so, which is why the thirty-three-year-old now lives in a nursing home, locked in a chess match feud with management that doesn't occupy nearly enough of his time.
When foster kid Elroy is thrust into his life, Frank decides to turn this forced relationship to his advantage - launching a string of absurd decisions, inappropriate behaviors, and unexpected glimpses of tenderness that ultimately turn a New Jersey suburb upside down. A laugh-out-loud celebration of bad choices for good causes, Managed Care is an offbeat story about three misfits on the social fringes of suburbia and their ridiculous campaign to introduce an unfiltered version of intimacy to their stale, impersonal community. Because, according to Frank, it's probably what Jesus would have wanted.
"Witty, occasionally crass, and an unqualified delight!" ~Kirkus Reviews
White Oaks by Jill Hand
From $5.03 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)3.8 stars, 650+ ratings
“An ingeniously dark comic thriller about greed, gluttony and murder that is destined for the big screen.” ~Best ThrillersAimee Trapnell reluctantly leaves her apartment on Manhattan’s Central Park West to return to her childhood home in Georgia for her father’s ninetieth birthday. Also on hand are her two brothers, wily Marsh and ne’er-do-well Trainor. With a forty-billion-dollar inheritance at stake, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make the old man happy.
To their shock, they learn that what their father wants for his birthday is to kill someone. He doesn’t care who it is. He just wants to know what it’s like to commit murder. Betrayal, double-dealing, and fast-paced action set the Trapnells on a collision course with an unexpected villain. Their journey takes them from the swamps of Georgia, to Italy’s glittering Amalfi coast, to rugged Yellowstone National Park. Book 1 in the Trapnell Thriller series.
"A roller-coaster of a novel that will have you both gasping and laughing on a rollicking wild ride." ~Andrew MacRae, Darkhouse Books
About the Publisher
Black Rose Writing, established in 2006, is an indie publisher that features an array of fiction, nonfiction, and children's book genres, all having one thing in common: an individual's originality and hard work.Black Rose Writing strongly believes in developing a personal relationship with their authors. It can take endless hours to finish a deserving manuscript, and Black Rose Writing applauds each and every author, giving them a chance at their dream.
Black Rose Writing is a proud member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Publisher's Marketplace, Crime Writers' Association, a recognized International Thriller Writers publisher, and currently serving on the Ingram Publisher Advisory Board.
You can learn more at BlackRoseWriting.com and by following Black Rose Writing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and YouTube.
New Release: Lady Reaper by Toni Cabell, the final book in the Serving Magic Series!
Congratulations to author Toni Cabell on the release of Lady Reaper, the final installment in the Serving Magic Swords & Sorcery Romantic Fantasy Series.
“This series has everything I love in a good young adult fantasy...a powerful protagonist, a strong plot, dry humor, and a romantic interest that our protagonist resists." ~Readers' Favorite
Lady Reaper by Toni Cabell
NEW RELEASE: April 11, 2023From $0.99
After rescuing thirty people, including Arnesto, from the dark fays, Mara’s physical injuries are healed—but her magic has never recovered—and her ensorcelled sword no longer responds to her touch.
Even worse, Mara’s heart is bruised by Arnesto’s long absences and rambling explanations.
Arnesto, however, has problems of his own. His brother’s spirit—along with many others in the lower realms—can’t cross over to the far shore—and Arnesto blames himself.
Mara must find a way to work with Arnesto despite their differences and misunderstandings. But can she gain admittance to the elven king, find a cure for her magic, and save both worlds—the living and the dead—before time runs out?
Praise for the award-winning Serving Magic Series
"A captivating fantasy adventure with a relatable female protagonist. Highly recommended! ” ~The Wishing Shelf (for Lady Apprentice)
"Airy, fun and brimming with magic…a rollicking fantasy adventure of enchanting proportions.” ~Indies Today (for Lady Spy)
About Toni Cabell
“Skillfully plotted books packed full of magic, mayhem, and a plethora of dark secrets.” ~The Wishing Shelf
An award-winning fantasy author, Toni Cabell writes the “perfect coming-of-age tale with a magical twist.” (Indies Today) Her books feature strong female protagonists, page-turning plots, and relatable characters that spring off the page.
Toni makes her home in a small village along the shores of Lake Michigan with her handsome husband and grumpy miniature schnauzer. A lifelong insomniac, she often writes in the middle of the night, which may explain her wild plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Sign up for Toni’s newsletter at ToniCabell.com, and follow Toni on BookBub to receive notices about her new releases and sales.
The Serving Magic Series
LitNuts recently featured Lady Apprentice, the award-winning Book 1 in the Serving Magic Series, and in the days ahead, we will be featuring the entire series in the LitNuts newsletter. Click on the book covers, below, to learn more about each book now!
April 2023 LitNuts Deals
Events LitNuts Deals Spotlight
Welcome to the April 2023 edition of LitNuts Deals: highly rated indie books at big discounts (most are $1 or less!) PLUS the LitNuts Deals Giveaway.
This month, the winner will get to choose a brand new Kindle Paperwhite or a $125 Amazon.com gift card. Enter by April 28 for a chance to win!
The Second Chance Inn by Susan Hatler
Genre: Romance
4.3 stars, 8000+ ratings
FREE!
An emotional homecoming that will tug at your heartstrings and inspire you to believe in happy endings.
Wendy vowed never to return to the small coastal town where her parents abandoned her. But when she inherits the family inn at the beach, she must come home and face her past. Will handsome millionaire Max help her heal old wounds and open her heart?
Book 1 in the Blue Moon Bay series. From a New York Times bestselling author, don’t miss the chance to unite with friendships that endure and a love that will last forever.
"Love enough to last." ~Emily Pennington, Vine Voice Review
The Dragon War by Daniel Arenson
Genre: Fantasy
4.4 stars, 1000+ ratings
From $0.99
The Dragon War, an epic fantasy trilogy, tells of civil war in Requiem—an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. When a cruel general captures Requiem's throne, a desperate band of rebels struggles to reclaim the kingdom. This collection includes all three Dragon War novels.Book 1: A Legacy of Light. The traitor Cadigus has captured the throne of Requiem. In the wilderness, rebellion brews. The Resistance is small, but its cry is loud: "The tyrant must fall."
Book 2: A Birthright of Blood. War rages. Fire rains. Requiem, the land of dragons, is tearing apart. When the hosts of Cadigus fly against them, can the resistors save their homeland?
Book 3: A Memory of Fire. Darkness covers Requiem. General Cadigus, usurper of the throne, rules with an iron fist. Bloodied after a long war, the Resistance musters. Rising as dragons, lighting the sky with fire, the resistors fly to their last stand.
Coin for a Dream by Mae Adams
Genre: Memoir, Korean History
4.6 stars, 69 ratings
FREE!
Mae Adams' Coin for a Dream: And Other Korean Tales enchants readers with conversational stories that include unexpected twists and turns from her perspective as a young girl, collecting tidbits and folklore from her grandparents and her life story.Full of colorful characters—including shamans, kings and queens, ginseng boys, grateful ghosts and magpies, and a host of others—the stories entertain while allowing the reader to experience the wonders of ancient rites of Korea. Hear lepers sing for their supper, watch goblins wrestle, feel a tiger’s sorrow, taste snake soup, touch a Taoist Immortal God’s hand, and experience other wonders of Korean culture.
Every tale will inspire different emotions. The myths, legends, and folk tales also include lessons we can apply in our own time and culture, making it an excellent book you can read and reread often.
"A fantastic collection of memorable stories." ~Grady Harp, Amazon Review
Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian by Chandrika D. Phea
Genre: Christian Liberation Theology, Christian Commentaries
4.9 stars, 31 ratings
From $2.99
In Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian: My Journal and Journey to Freedom, an ordained minister explores how Christianity hinders her experience of God, Life, and Humanity.
After living in China as a Christian missionary, hosting a two-year Bible study for seven curious Chinese freshman college students, my sense of curiosity inhaled and later exhaled when returning to the practice of Western religion. Born into a devoutly religious family, the daughter, niece, and grandchild of Christian clergy, degreed in Biblical Studies, ordained as a reverend of the faith, I now have questions of the religion that raised and readied me. The emittance of questions and resolves thereof have done well in surrendering to me a choice: Christianity or curiosity?
"Bold...honest...authentic...a lifeline to church folk who feel stuck in a form of Christianity that's harming them." ~Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt
Redemption by Ed Benjamin
Genre: Memoir, Military Thriller
4.3 stars, 200+ ratings
From $0.99
An orphaned teenager, Harry enters the United States Air Force and quickly rises to become a top fighter pilot. Flying became his life—and he was good at it. When his wingman is shot down in an aerial battle, Harry uses his skills to shoot down three enemy jet fighters in combat.But when the Air Force grounds Harry for medical reasons, his life is turned upside down. He battles loneliness and alcohol while trying to eke out a living as a private detective. Things change when he takes on a missing persons case that involves a Caribbean cruise and a computer geek named Katie.
"An inspiring and turbulent emotional journey." ~International Review of Books
"This book has it all: super-authentic flying segments, a story of someone dealing with great loss, and an engaging detective story." ~Amazon Review
The Mad Ramblings of a Joker by Brandon Dillon
Genre: American Poetry
4.9 stars, 71 ratings
From $0.99
Brandon Dillon is an award-winning poet who writes from the soul about his life as a child born into poverty, his travels around the world as a U.S. Marine, love won and love lost, and the trauma that life brings. The Mad Ramblings of a Joker is a brutally honest collection, full of metaphor and vibrant imagery. His work covers topics such as PTSD, depression, and heartbreak, and softer moments of hope and reflective peace. His poetry is deep and unforgettable, a beacon for a dark world that needs a friend to say, “I’ve been there. I understand.”"Dillon's voice is honest and resonates with others who have experienced trauma, loss or PTSD." ~Andreana Binder, MFA, Faculty, Writespace
"A glimpse into what it looks like to live on the other side of survival." ~Xach Blunt, poet, spoken word artist
Bigger Better Braver by Nancy Pickard
Genre: Self-Esteem
4.6 stars, 55 ratings
From $0.99
Bigger Better Braver: Conquer Your Fears, Embrace Your Courage, and Transform Your Life is a proven, step-by-step guide for uncovering and putting into action the vision we each have in our hearts to live the life we are meant to lead. Provided with clarity and enhanced with inspirational client and personal stories, the book is a journey in itself, as Nancy lays out time-tested tools to identify, face, and overcome shadow beliefs from childhood that hold us back, get free of the limits of our comfort zone, come to terms with and cultivate fear as a driving force for change, and discover the courage we already have to take bold steps into the future.Foreword Reviews Award Winner. Chanticleer 1st Place and Finalist. International Book Awards Winner and Finalist.
"A warmly written…pep talk for living your 'big' life now." ~Kirkus Reviews
"A self-help companion designed to unearth hope and help it to grow." ~Foreword Reviews
Welcome to the Zipper Club by Bruce Ballister
Genre: Cardiology, Heart Disease
4.5 stars, 34 ratings
From $0.99
Are you or a loved one facing cardiac surgery? There’s nothing more frightening than when your heart isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to—except possibly when the heart of someone you love is in trouble. It's natural to want information before surgery, but much of what is on medical websites is incomprehensible jargon.Whether you’re preparing for heart surgery yourself or you’ll be supporting someone else, Welcome to the Zipper Club: Surviving Heart Surgery and Beyond will explain what to expect and how to survive beyond the surgery, including:
- What to expect as you prepare for your surgery.
- How it feels to have had your chest cracked open.
- Why a support team is so important for your recovery.
- How to transition back home as smoothly as possible.
- And most importantly, what you need to do to avoid a repeat performance.
"Great support to anyone preparing for heart surgery." ~Ian Day, co-author of Challenging Coaching
Joyous Leadership by John Mark Watson
Genre: Business Mentoring & Coaching
5 stars, 55 ratings
From $2.99
W
hat is joyous leadership and why should it be practiced? In Joyous Leadership: Stories of Learnings Along the Way, Mark Watson makes the case through pivotal personal stories that joyous leadership is not about short-term profit or prestige. It is a long-term endeavor to enrich our lives and strengthen our communities. Joyous Leadership shows that we all have plain or sometimes ugly personal stories that, like a prism examined in the light, transform into something that may surprise ourselves and inspire others."A must-read for any aspiring leader." ~Lee C. Banks, Vice Chairman & President, Parker Hannifin Corporation
"A precious gift!" ~Dr. Robert Fisher, President, Belmont University
The Sword and the Sunflower by Mark Bradford
Genre: Metaphysical Fantasy, Coming-of-Age Fantasy
4.5 stars, 24 ratings
From $1.00
A father who lost his heart, a traveler who lost his love, and a girl who lost everything.In an epic fantasy set 1,000 years from now, the world resembles the Dark Ages of Medieval times rather than the future, and a father who is grieving the death of his daughter takes one last job—to assassinate a man he’s never met. But when he meets the young daughter of his intended victim, he ends up taking her under his wing and they are both taken on an epic journey.
This fantasy adventure explores the aftermath of catastrophe, in a new world distant yet familiar to us. It examines duty, family, and beliefs—all through the eyes of three strangers who have no business coming together.
"An epic fantasy journey that is closely connected with our own world. Highly recommended." ~K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Ciscoe's Dance by Marion Hill
Genre: Black & African American Fantasy Fiction
4.5 stars, 67 ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99
Ciscoe and his wife, Latisha, are dannzas—professional dancers who specialize in performing to Guanamamma music in upscale nightclubs. But their way of life is threatened when Piccanta, a new type of music and dance, becomes fashionable. In love with the dannza life once taught by his father, Ciscoe is determined to save Guanamamma music and dance.In a world where music and dance are akin to religion, the story comes to read like an allegory on modern cancel culture: when a canonized artist is judged without context, the suggestion is that it's the culture, not the artist, who suffers.
"A lively fantasy novel...the book examines the greater impact that an artist's choices can have on a culture." ~Katerie Prior, Clarion Reviews
Building Your First Website by John Rhea
Genre: Web Site Design, Web Programming
4.1 stars, 43 ratings
FREE!
Ever think you could enjoy learning code?Forget those insomnia cures and non-apocalypse-ending books. Building Your First Website (While You Thwack Zombies with HTML and CSS) makes learning HTML and CSS fun, plus you get to put the smackdown on the undead hordes. It has all the content and direction you need to build that first website, plus enough silly jokes and zombie slaying to keep you interested the whole time. Grab this book and stop the Apocalypse today!
"Funny and informative." ~Amazon Review
Fight Disease with a Powerful, Natural Seed by Terry Lemerond and Dr. Ajay Goel
Today, we are shining a spotlight on Fight Disease with a Powerful, Natural Seed, a collaboration between natural health expert Terry Lemerond and Dr. Ajay Goel, founding chair of the new Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at the City of Hope.
Fight Disease with a Powerful, Natural Seed
E-book: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)Paperback: $7.99
Are you ready to fight and prevent disease with a powerful, natural seed? Many people have come to accept that aging means the likelihood of getting cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and ending up with dementia. With this book, you can stop these myths for good. Now you have the scientifically validated details for creating a long, healthy life with French grape seed extract and its powerful and safe components.Exciting new research shows how this amazing botanical attacks cancer in a variety of ways like no other known treatment—natural or pharmaceutical. French grape seed extract is also your answer to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Complete with a special letter you can share with your health professional, Fight Disease with a Powerful, Natural Seed is your new resource to approach a vibrant, healthy life!
About the Authors
Terry Lemerond is a natural health expert with more than 50 years of experience helping people live healthier, vibrant lives. A much sought-after speaker and accomplished author, Terry shares his wealth of experience and knowledge in health and nutrition through his educational programs, including the Terry Talks Nutrition® website, newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and personal speaking engagements. He has also hosted the Terry Talks Nutrition radio show for the past 30 years. Terry continues to author and co-author books with dedication, energy, and zeal around his ongoing mission—to help everyone improve their health.
Dr. Ajay Goel is committed to developing better methods for the early detection and precision treatment of cancer. He joined City of Hope in June 2019 as founding chair of the new Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics and founding director of Biotech Innovations at Beckman Research Institute. Dr. Goel is also the associate director of basic science for the comprehensive cancer center and is a fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association.
Spotlight on: Were You Close? by Anne Pinkerton
Congratulations to Anne Pinkerton and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Were You Close?, a book that challenges the cultural notion that the bereaved can or should simply “get over” their losses.
“A masterful guide to loving and losing the extraordinary among us.” ~Mary E. Plouffe Ph.D., author of I Know It in My Heart: Walking through Grief with a Child
Were You Close? by Anne Pinkerton
NEW RELEASE: April 11, 2023From $6.49
A successful radiologist and elite athlete, Dr. Dave tended to the blistered feet of strangers on racecourses and gave away many of his trophies. He was appreciated for his generosity and camaraderie with family, friends, colleagues, and adventure-racing teammates, the latter of whom usually accompanied him on excursions. But he embarked on his final pursuit alone—an attempt to summit all fifty-four of the fourteeners in Colorado—and made an unknowable error that caused him to fall two hundred feet to his death. When people learned that he had died, they often asked his sister, the only girl and the baby of the family, “Were you close?” The question, seemingly straightforward, haunted her and begged for a deeper answer, requiring an exploration that took a decade. She invites the reader along on her own journey as she searches for a greater understanding about who her brother was, why his passions were worth risking everything, and how to carry on in the world and in her family without him, ultimately becoming even closer to him in death than in life.
Were You Close? challenges the cultural notion that the bereaved can or should simply “get over” their losses, illustrating that integrating these experiences can actually help a mourner not just heal, but move forward with clarified purpose.
Praise for Were You Close?
“An achingly candid debut memoir...written with tenderness and reverence.” ~Melanie Brooks, author of A Hard Silence
“Challenges such misconceptions [of grief] by bringing her brother, David, and the pain of his death to the page, illuminating just how enormous this loss is.” ~Ann Hood, author of Comfort: A Journey Through Grief
“With the energy, skill, muscle, and bravery that powered her beloved late brother as an elite extreme adventurer, Anne Pinkerton's Were You Close? is as much map as memoir illustrating how the author scaled her personal mountain range of grief.” ~Suzanne Strempek Shea, author of Songs from a Lead-Lined Room: Notes—High and Low—from My Journey through Breast Cancer and Radiation
About the Author
Anne Pinkerton studied poetry at Hampshire College and received an MFA in creative nonfiction from Bay Path University. Her writing often focuses on making sense of challenging life experiences; significant themes include loss, illness, grief, and coping. She has been published in Modern Loss, Hippocampus Magazine, Entropy, Ars Medica, Lunch Ticket, The Bark, the anthology The Pandemic Midlife Crisis: Gen X Women on the Brink, and elsewhere. Were You Close? was a semi-finalist for the 2019 River Teeth Book Prize. Pinkerton lives in western Massachusetts where she works as a marketing communications professional. Visit AnnePinkertonWriter.comAbout 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.