Today's Featured Books— Spotlight

Spotlight on
Kaleidoscopic Shades
by David A. Neuman



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

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

---

Kaleidoscopic Shades by David A. Neuman

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for Kaleidoscopic Shades

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

---

About the Author

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

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

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

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

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

---

Jump Cut

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

---

Doubleback

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

---

About the Author

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

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

---

The Boys of the Breach

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

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

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

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

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

---

The Men of the Breach

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

Building Communities of Hope: How People are Making Positive Change

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for Building Communities of Hope

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Praise for God's Eyes

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for Moving Mama

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

The Cusp: A Prequel (Pentacoven Chronicles Book 1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for The Cusp

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

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

---

The Pact (Pentacoven Chronicles Book 2)

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

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

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

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

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

If we can stay alive.

Praise for The Pact

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

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

---

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

    

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

A Penguin's Quest

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

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

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

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

Praise for A Penguin's Quest

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

---

The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts

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

---

The Girl Who Saved Ghosts

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for The Girl Who Saved Ghosts

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

---

The Girl Who Loved Ghosts

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

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

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

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

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

Praise for The Girl Who Loved Ghosts

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

---

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

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

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

---

Scrooge's Folly: Saving Jacob Marley

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

A Scrooge and Marley you never knew existed!

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

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

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

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

---

Review from BookLife by Publishers Weekly

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

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

Read the entire review here.

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

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

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

---

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

About the Authors 

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

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

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

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

---

I'll Tell You What I Think

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Numberless Dreams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

---

The Fourteenth of September: A Novel

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

Praise for 50 Give or Take

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

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

"Thought-provoking petite prose." ~Theresa Milstein

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

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

---

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

---

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

The Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Blood spills.

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

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

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

---

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

Congratulations to Catherine Shields and Vine Leaves Press on the release of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect. 
 
★★★★★ "Brave and heartbreaking...will resonate with all parents." ~Jen Pastiloff, author of On Being Human

---

The Shape of Normal

NEW RELEASE: November 21, 2023
Genre: Memoir
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $6.49  

As a young suburban mother in the early 1980s, Cathy had a loving husband, a sweet toddler, and a vision of life laid out before her. Pregnant for the second time, with twins, she imagined creating the warm, affectionate home she’d craved as a child. Her family would flourish, and she would be the calm, unflappable mother at its center.

But the universe had other plans.

The Shape of Normal explores Cathy's intense denial and devotion as she struggles to face the challenges of raising a girl with cognitive disabilities. Convinced her diagnosis can be undone with just the right amount of single-mindedness, she turns it into a dark prophecy. But she'll have to overcome adversity and learn the lesson of acceptance before realizing her daughter was never broken.

Cathy was never on a hero’s journey to save her child. She needed to save herself. 

Praise for The Shape of Normal
★★★★★ “A powerful testament to how our children challenge us to accept them for who they are.” ~Monica Wesolowska, author of Leo + Lea

★★★★★ “Bold, funny, heartbreaking... Nominally, it’s about raising a child with disabilities, but in fact, it’s about raising a child. It's filled with laughs and grit and unforgettable stories and unstoppable love. Everyone should have a mother like Catherine Shields.” ~Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean

★★★★★ “Raw, compelling, and brutally honest...a tender exploration of the nuances of raising a child with cerebral palsy that focuses on the often-overlooked emotions of love, fear, guilt, and loneliness... Filled with beauty and insight...impossible to put down.” ~Aileen Weintraub, author of Knocked Down: A High-Risk Memoir

★★★★★ “Ms. Shield’s experience, filled with frustration, fear, laughter, and tears, certainly provokes empathy and joy in the reader.” ~Wendy Nottoli, M.A., CCC, BCaBA, Speech-Language Pathologist

---

About the Author
Catherine Shields, M.S. Ed., is a retired early childhood teacher. She writes about parenting, disabilities, and self-discovery. In her debut memoir, The Shape of Normal, Cathy explores the truths and lies parents tell themselves. Her stories and essays have appeared in NBC Today, Newsweek, Bacopa Literary Review, Grown and Flown, Brevity Blog, Write City Magazine, The Manifest-Station, and elsewhere. Cathy lives in Miami, Florida. In her free time, Cathy likes to hike, kayak, and explore the Everglades National Park with her husband, to whom she’s been married forever. Learn more at CathyShieldsWriter.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. 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of A.W. Kaylen, an author who grew up hearing stories from her detective father and went on to write authentic crime thrillers for readers everywhere! Read on to learn about books in the Heather Chase FBI Series. 

Bonus: Get Dirt Dealers, the Heather Chase FBI Series Prequel, FREE!

---

Silent Witness: Heather Chase FBI Series Book 1

Genres: Organized Crime Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Murder Thrillers, Women Sleuths
4.1 stars, 283 ratings
Paperback: $13.99
Ebook: $0.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)  

A lifeless body. A string of secret affairs. A silent witness no one knows about.

Is it textbook suicide? The NYPD thinks so. But FBI Special Agent Heather Chase has her doubts…

She must get to the truth quickly before the case gets closed in a hurry. It soon becomes clear that the perpetrator is leading the investigation astray and is always one step ahead. Is someone tipping off the killer?

Without a witness, Chase is about to lose this case for good. She must act fast before the killer covers all their tracks. It dawns on her that she’s been chasing crumbs left for her to follow. How could she have missed the telltale signs? Her instincts have been trying to tell her all along who the killer is. But she was afraid. Not anymore.

Silent Witness is the stand-alone first book in the Heather Chase FBI Series.

---

Frozen Justice: Heather Chase FBI Series Book 2

Genres: Political Thrillers, Assassination Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Murder Thrillers, Women Sleuths
4.5 stars, 158 ratings
Paperback: $13.99
Ebook: $0.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)  

A victimless murder. A secret plan that could forever change the geopolitical landscape. And a ghost partner she’s supposed to trust.

FBI Special Agent Heather Chase is dispatched to a murder scene in the middle of the night, hundreds of miles away. Immediately, she feels something’s off. She finds herself working with a new partner whose name doesn’t even exist in the system. Who is he?

Deploying her deep infiltration tactics, Chase discovers a startling secret at the university. She soon realizes she’s chasing the victim instead of the murderer.

Ambushed by highly trained assassins, Chase becomes the hunted. More dead bodies turn up, but no sign of the killer. When Chase discovers a secret plan that puts the United States on the brink of war, she has mere hours to intervene.

Will Chase be able to stop the catastrophe in time?

---

Chasing Dragons: Heather Chase FBI Series Book 3

Genres: Financial Thrillers, Heist Thrillers, Women Sleuths
4.4 stars, 121 ratings
Ebook: $0.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)  

Millions vanished. Key personnel AWOL. A bizarre bank robbery.

FBI Special Agent Heather Chase and her partner are on the case to recover the money. Except this is no ordinary robbery. 

No forced entry. No obvious perpetrator. No apparent victim. The money is simply gone. It soon becomes clear to Chase they’re hunting ghosts. How can this impossible mission be accomplished?

Relying on her deep infiltration tactics, Chase disappears into the darkness of the underworld…the dungeon where dragons roam. She discovers a startling secret…a secret that could send the whole economy into a tailspin.

Grappling with greed, murder, and corruption, the deeper she digs the messier it becomes. All it takes is one misstep for everything to come crashing down.

Will Chase be able to save the financial system from complete collapse?

---

Heather Chase FBI Series

Get the entire series! Gear up for riveting crime fiction that will sweep you off your feet with pulse-pounding action, creative twists, and a badass heroine who is hell-bent on delivering justice.

The explosive Heather Chase FBI Series is perfect for readers who love hardboiled detective novels with an imaginative new spin.

---

About the Author
A.W. Kaylen is a mystery and suspense author who has always been drawn to the genre, thanks to her father's work as a detective. She grew up fascinated by the stories he would bring home after long nights spent solving cases, and this early exposure to the world of crime sparked her love for storytelling.

In her leisure time, she can be found spending time with her supportive husband and their two lovely children. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, and hiking.

With her passion and talent, Kaylen is dedicated to creating memorable and entertaining stories for her readers. Follow her online for information about new releases and more:  
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Between Jobs, Book 1 in The City Between vampire thriller series from author W.R. Gingell.

★★★★★ "Fresh, sparkling, fun take on Urban Fantasy." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

---

Between Jobs by W.R. Gingell

Book 1 in The City Between series
Genres: Vampire Thriller, Paranormal & Urban Fantasy
4.4 stars, 1935 ratings on Amazon
4.02 stars, 3237 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: From $13.99
Audiobook: From $15.04
Ebook: From $0.99  

When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect to see is a murdered bloke hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you’re squatting in your parents’ old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can’t afford is the attention of the cops.

Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet. It’s not my real name, but it’s the only one you’re getting. Things like names are important these days.

And it’s not so much that I’m Pet. I am a pet. A human pet: I belong to the two Behindkind fae and the pouty vampire who just moved into my house.

It’s not weird, I promise. Well, it is weird, yeah. But it’s not weird weird, you know?

Praise for Between Jobs
"Quirky, like a visit through the looking glass with supernatural characters." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

"Dark, hilarious, twisted, and just plain fun." ~Goodreads Review

"Unique urban fantasy." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

---

About the Author
W.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.

W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.

Learn more at WRGingell.com. Also, be sure to sign up for W.R.'s Newsletter to receive free content, publishing news, and first look at giveaways. You can also follow W.R. online: 
 

Congratulations to Elinora Westfall and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Life in the Dressing Room of the Theatre, a collection of thought-provoking poetry. 

★★★★★ "Striking, cinematic imagery." ~Robbie Jarvis, actor

---

Life in the Dressing Room of the Theatre

NEW RELEASE: November 14, 2023
Genre: Poetry
Paperback: $14.99
Ebook: $4.99  

A woman’s soul is laid bare between these pages, eviscerated, sunk deep between ink and page. Life in the Dressing Room of the Theatre is a meandering journey of a heart both scarred and lonely and fierce and wild as it seeks itself in each new incarnation. It is stitched and pieced together with the blades of grass and faded-yellow ribbons that string themselves through each poem, following the thread of love, through grief and trauma, suicide and rose-tinted memories while traversing the vague and uneven road to self-rediscovery.

Praise for Life in the Dressing Room of the Theatre
★★★★★ “Breathtaking... work that needs to be read and re-read and which I’m sure will be quoted in years to come.” ~Samantha Giles, actress

★★★★★ “I’ve no doubt this collection will become a beloved, well-thumbed go-to whenever we need that deeper connection often lacking on our day-to-day lives.” ~Simone Lahbib, actress

★★★★★ “Striking, cinematic imagery. Achingly beautiful use of language. It’s a remarkable collection.” ~Robbie Jarvis, actor

★★★★★ “Thought-provoking and eloquent. A magnificently written collection.” ~Kate Stagg, poet

---

About the Author
Influenced by David Bowie, Virginia Woolf, and Sally Wainwright, Elinora Westfall is a lesbian actress and writer of stage, screen, fiction, poetry, and radio. Her novel, Everland, was selected for the Penguin and Random House WriteNow Editorial Programme in 2021, and her short films have been selected by Pinewood Studios & Lift-Off Sessions, Cannes Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival, Camden Fringe Festival, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, while her theater and audio shows have been selected by The British Library and performed in London’s West End and on Broadway, where she won the award for Best Monologue. 

---

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

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on First Bullet, a white-knuckle thriller from author and former special agent Andrew Ceroni. 

★★★★★ "Step aside Jack Ryan...there’s a new action hero in town!" ~Jill Rey, Amazon Vine Voice Reviewer

---

First Bullet by Andrew Ceroni

Genres: Espionage Thrillers, Suspense Thrillers, Literature & Fiction
4.4 stars, 46 ratings on Amazon
4.6 stars, 21 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $12.09 (36% off $18.95 regular price)
Ebook: $2.99

Author Andrew Ceroni, former Special Agent, is at his very best with his seventh novel, First Bullet, a white-knuckle thriller with three intriguing story lines. 

Facing the grave dangers of a triple-threat, the CIA is on its heels. CIA Agent Dave McClure and his Special Operations teams face deadly action from a Chinese base hidden in the mist-covered Blue Mountains of Jamaica, to a German terrorist team attack on a strategic missile base in Wyoming, and finally to Berlin, Garmisch, and the German Alps where intelligence sources warn the CIA of a plot by cabinet members in Germany to arrest the Chancellor, overthrow the government, and invade Poland and the Czech Republic. The CIA must act fast and forcibly to avoid the outbreak of World War III.

If you love tales of espionage, this thriller will give you goosebumps!

Praise for First Bullet and Andrew Ceroni
★★★★★ "Authentic and intriguing...a riveting work full of action." ~Readers' Favorite

★★★★★ "A pulse-pounding must-read for fans of action-packed thrillers." ~Piaras, Amazon Vine Voice Review

★★★★★ "One of the most involving espionage thrillers of the year. Electrifying." ~Grady Harp, Amazon Review 

★★★★★ "CIA Agent Dave McClure is James Bond and Jack Ryan rolled into one; a sharp shooter and great analyst who always saves the day." ~Celtpop, Amazon Vine Voice Review

★★★★★ "Andrew Ceroni has written a wholly enjoyable book. His characters are relatable yet badass, emotional yet fearless." ~Jill Rey, Amazon Vine Voice Review

---

About the Author
Award-winning author Andrew Ceroni served a distinguished career as a Senior Supervisory Special Agent focused in Title 18 U.S.C. Chapter 37 espionage investigations as well as counterespionage and antiterrorism operations throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. Ceroni grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he attended public schools. He received a congressional nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating with a B.S. Degree, and received his M.A. Degree from Case Western Reserve University. Ceroni also completed studies in the German and French languages at the University of Maryland. He is a graduate of numerous intelligence and law enforcement training forums. An author of seven award-winning novels, he is a member of Authors Guild. Follow him online:
 

Congratulations to Scott Gould and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Idiot Men, a collection of stories about wayward characters who make poor choices in life and love against a backdrop of elegant prose.

★★★★★ "Scott Gould is a literary shapeshifter. A rough Southern man who writes about trucks, beer, dogs and doublewides with the finesse of a poet." ~Jane Stern, author of Ambulance Girl

---

Idiot Men by Scott Gould

NEW RELEASE: November 7, 2023
Genres: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Southern United States Fiction, American Humorous Fiction, Dark Humor
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $5.99


 

With Strangers to Temptation, Things that Crash, Things that Fly, and The Hammerhead Chronicles, Scott Gould cemented his reputation as one of the most inventive, distinctive voices of Southern literature. In his latest collection, Idiot Men, he once again gathers a cast of unforgettable characters in eleven stories chock full of exceptional storylines and hilarious writing.

You’ll meet a truck driver whose wife flees to Jamaica with her lover, leaving him to babysit her hairless tomcat, Princess Di; a male nurse who discovers a trailer full of counterfeit NASCAR paraphernalia during a home health visit; an amateur arsonist sentenced to a year in a Smokey the Bear suit; a disgruntled roofer with a bad back and a meth-dealing twin brother… these are just a few of the idiot men you’ll encounter in a collection of stories that will appeal to readers who relish literature with a Southern flavor. 
 
Gould's Idiot Men provides the stage for wayward characters who make poor choices in life and love against a backdrop of elegant prose. These tales recalibrate morality and convention as readers will grow to love the characters despite—and perhaps because of—their flaws. These diverse, rich stories are ultimately connected by the spellbinding voice of a true Southern storyteller. 

Praise for Idiot Men and Scott Gould
★★★★★ "A writer able to make you laugh out loud and move you deeply, often in the same sentence." ~Nic Brown, author of Bang Bang Crash

★★★★★ "Yes, the protagonists in Idiot Men make questionable choices at times, but they do so with big-hearted, well-meant, honorable intentions. And if they’re idiots, well, they’re our idiots. Here’s a great congregation of stories, told in Gould’s unmistakable voice." ~George Singleton, author of The Curious Lives of Nonprofit Martyrs

★★★★★ "Idiot Men is like the best country song you have ever heard. [Gould's] writing breaks your heart but makes you rejoice that you are still alive to recover.” ~Jane Stern, author of Ambulance Girl

---

About the Author
Scott Gould is the author of the story collection, Strangers to Temptation (Hub City Press), and the novels, Whereabouts (Koehler Books) and The Hammerhead Chronicles (University of North Georgia Press). His work has appeared in Kenyon Review, Black Warrior Review, New Ohio Review, Crazyhorse, Carolina Quarterly, New Stories from the South, and others. He is a multiple winner of the Individual Artist Fellowship in Prose from the South Carolina Arts Commission, as well as the Fiction Fellowship from the South Carolina Academy of Authors. He lives in Sans Souci, South Carolina. Learn more at scottgouldwriter.com.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on A Perspective on Life: The Big Questions Addressed by Jerry Goldberg, a conversational book that explores science without inundating readers with math and technical jargon. Read on to learn more. Click on the book title, the "SHOP NOW" button, or the book cover image to purchase a copy.

★★★★★ “Covers the broad expanse of science in a logical and friendly way.” ~Amazon Review

---

A Perspective on Life: The Big Questions Addressed

Genres: Science, Science History & Philosophy
Paperback: $25.00
Ebook: $6.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

This is a book about science, but it is written in an informal and readable format offering an imagined dialogue between the reader and the author. The book uses no math or technical jargon and incorporates many images and sketches to help clarify key concepts.

A Perspective on Life also recounts the major events in the personal journeys of famous scientists, recognizing that these great men and women were also real persons with the same problems in their daily lives we all struggle with.

The book presents, discusses, and clearly explains the following topics:

• Cosmology – Only relatively recently have astronomers shown the incredible size of our universe.
• The Big Bang – Astronomers know now that our universe began 13.7 billion years ago.
• Classical Mechanics – Isaac Newton was the first to use math to quantify what we see all around us.
• Quantum Mechanics – The most perplexing theory in physics, but the most successful of all.
• Special and General Theory of Relativity – Always proven right despite the challenges still coming.
• General Theory of Relativity – Einstein's masterpiece: what we perceive as the force of gravity arises from the curvature of space and time.
• Chemistry – How scientists put elements together for all our benefit.
• Biology – What we know about how we are put together and reproduce.
• Human History – From the human migration out of Africa some 50,000 years ago to present.

As author Jerry Goldberg says, these topics are important because "the public must have an understanding of the basics of science, which is the underlying structure of our modern civilization. Even more so, the public now needs a grasp of science to challenge those fools who claim to be 'science deniers.'”

Praise for A Perspective on Life
★★★★★ "An excellent book. It is readable, interesting, and informative on a whole range of topics not usually combined into a single book." ~Amazon Review from Bob L., a successful engineer and entrepreneur

★★★★★ "I like reading about science. This is one of my favorite books for several reasons. First of all, I could follow everything in the book. I like Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History in Time, but frankly, he lost me about 2/3 into the book. I really enjoy Neil Degrasse Tyson a lot! But, once again, his books seem to lose me before I get to the end. That did not happen with this book.

"Jerry Goldberg starts with the ideas and concepts that were accepted in earlier times and shows why, how, and by whom they were challenged and changed. He continues along this path until he arrives at the current scientific thinking and then explains them, even if the ideas are complex. He does this without using mathematics or technical jargon.

"The chronological presentation of events—the stepwise growth of scientific thought—is enhanced by allowing the reader to peek in on the lives of famous scientists, and not just their accomplishments either, but their struggles too. Learning about Newton, Darwin, Einstein, and others was a real treat. Sure, they were geniuses but they were real people too. It’s a connection to their humanity that I have rarely seen in other books. This enriches the book and the reader’s experience as well." ~Amazon Review from Joseph G., retired engineer

---

About the Author
Jerry Goldberg is from Philadelphia, PA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University and a Master of Science degree from Temple University. Mr. Goldberg has worked for the David Sarnoff Research Center of RCA in Princeton, NJ, and for Univac Corporation in Blue Bell, PA. 

Mr. Goldberg's career included the founding of a company to manufacturer holograms. A technique to emboss holograms onto plastic was developed in the laboratories of the company. Using this new technique, small, embossed holograms were affixed onto credit cards. This application of holograms requires very advanced technology and provides great security for the cardholder. Embossed holographic credit cards are now used worldwide.  

Mr. Goldberg also was involved in technical sales as a representative for manufacturers of vibration analysis equipment. This equipment is used to detect vibrations in large machinery to locate and predict coming failures.

Learn more at JerryGoldberg.org.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise, a science fiction action adventure that has won multiple awards (including the Grand Prize in the prestigious CIBA 2022 CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction) and has an average rating of 4.3 stars on 4,300+ ratings on Goodreads! 

Read on to learn more about The Last Lumenian...

---

The Last Lumenian

• Book 1 in The Last Lumenian series
• Genres: Science Fiction Adventures, Science Fiction Romance, Romantic Fantasy, Galactic Empire Science Fiction, Space Opera Science Fiction
• 4.3 stars, 4300+ ratings on Goodreads
• Print: From $11.99
• Audiobook: From $14.95
• Ebook: From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Most princesses need saving. This one will save you.

She is a rebel. Lilla is fighting for the refugees's freedom from oppression. The king, her father, lost touch with reality ever since Lilla's mother died. Now everyone else is paying the price.

Lilla's life is not what she imagined it to be. Not by far. Meddling gods, love interests, and sudden magical abilities have no room in Lilla's world, but that has become her new reality. No matter how hard she pushes them away, it's too late. They all seek to control her anyway.

The arrival of Callum, a powerful Teryn general, further complicates Lilla's life. His presence leads to conflicted feelings and friction with Arrov, a handsome pilot and fellow rebel.

Now the Era War between two ruling archgods forces Lilla to act: accept who she really is. magic and all; find true love; and fulfill her destiny by defeating the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction before He finds her: The Last Lumenian.

Reviews & Awards

• "A terrifically entertaining, complex, and original fantasy." ~Kirkus Review
• "A fantastic escape from reality which is beautifully easy to fall into but very hard to let go of at the close." ~K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
• "Bursting with deeply thought-out worldbuilding, tension, and a wide cast of characters with a blend of science fiction and fantasy." ~US Review of Books
• "An intriguing and entertaining story that's sci-fi and fantasy with a sliver of romance trickling through it." ~Manhattan Book Review
• "A lovely and thoughtful fantasy story, with magic, danger and adventure, plus a little dash of romance." ~The Bookish Elf
• "A fast-moving science fiction fantasy, which is suitable for young teens as well as adults, that offers a valuable perspective on political repression and economic inequity." ~Indie Reader
• Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 CYGNUS Award for Science Fiction
• 2021 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite: Fantasy
• 2020 New York Book Festival Winner: Romance & Honorable Mention: Science Fiction
• 2020 San Francisco Book Festival Winner: Science Fiction
• 2020 New England Book Festival Winner: Science Fiction

About the Author
S.G. Blaise was born in a faraway land of castles, monarchies, and fallen dictatorships (aka, Hungary). Hollywood movies were forbidden under Soviet oppression during her childshood, but her dad smuggled them in anyway, risking his life so that his children could experience the magic and hope inherent in those stories.

She watched rebellions unfold in real time. Journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean for love.

She ended up in sunny California, where she is living her dream—writing stories and annoying family members. 

Visit SGBlaise.com to learn more and to sign up for her newsletter. Be sure to also follow her online:

            

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on five fantasy novels from author Lara A. Steel, including Beastly - The Dark Heart, released on October 28, 2023. Read on to learn more!

---

Beastly - The Dark Heart

Genre: Mythology, Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy
New release: October 28, 2023
Price: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Jack Beastly: “All these years I watched you and knew: someday you would have to fulfill the prophecy and then you would belong to me. Someday I would come for you! And today is that day.”

Heather O'Hara: “Even as a child I knew it was best not to get too close to Jack Beastly’s cursed mansion. And to this day I still give its sinister walls a wide berth. So imagine my shock when, after a painful blow to the back of the neck on my wedding day, I wake up in Jack Beastly’s house. But it turns out he’s not the cranky old geezer I always assumed him to be. He’s an intimidating but very attractive young man and apparently no ordinary human. And what he wants from me is simply outrageous”

---

Dawn of the Dragons

Genre: Mythology, Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy
Released: July 22, 2023
Price: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Hunter is a dragon. An assassin, the deadliest of them all. His assignment is to hunt down Dawn Frazer. And as always, he’ll carry out his assignment with cold-blooded efficiency...or so he thinks! When a stranger is brought to Dawn's emergency department, she performs a complicated operation to save his life, and the only thanks she gets is to be abducted by him. He keeps babbling about dragons and his destiny. It’s clear to Dawn that this outrageously attractive bastard has a screw loose! At least, that’s what she assumes...

---

Angels of Sin (three book series)

Genre: Mythical Creatures Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
Price: $4.97 (Individual titles free via Kindle Unlimited)

"Beautiful, soulful, and exciting." ~Amazon Review. 

Angels of Sin is a three-book, slow-burn, young adult fantasy series featuring angels, demons, and a battle between light and damnation. The series includes three complete novels that were originally released in German. Each is now available in English, and each is free via Kindle Unlimited: 

• Blood Moon: 4.3 stars, 3600+ ratings (German edition)
• Heart of Ice: 4.5 stars 2900+ ratings (German edition)
• Dark Desire: 4.5 stars, 3300+ ratings (German edition)

---

Lara A. Steel

Follow author Lara A. Steel to get new release updates and special offers by signing up for her newsletter and following her on social media:
 

Great news for fans of vampire, werewolf, and zombie horror-comedy...

Monsters of the Midwest is FREE through October 31, 2023!
 

Monsters of the Midwest: The Complete Trilogy includes three novels from author Scott Burtness: 

• Wisconsin Vamp: Book 1 in the series, 4.1 stars, 383 ratings
• Northwoods Wolfman: Book 2 in the series, 4.4 stars, 98 ratings
• Undead Cheesehead: 4.4 stars, 74 ratings

Read on to learn more about this great offer!

---

Monsters of the Midwest: The Complete Trilogy

Genre: Horror Comedy, Vampire Horror, Vampire Thrillers
Includes three complete novels: Wisconsin Vamp, Northwoods Wolfman, Undead Cheesehead
FREE through October 31

A cheese-infused, flannel-clad, very Wisconsin horror-comedy trilogy

Herb, Dallas, and Stanley live in small-town Wisconsin, where life is nice and simple.

Until Herb becomes a vampire.
And Dallas becomes a werewolf.
And Stanley becomes a zombie.

Folks like to say that sometimes it takes a big change to discover who you were meant to be. Join the three friends on their hilarious misadventures and find out if that's true!

It all begins in Wisconsin Vamp. Truckstop diner cook and mediocre bowler Herb Knudsen starts rolling strikes. His best friend, Dallas, suspects the bloody reason why. When the newly-turned vampire and Dallas both go for the same girl, Herb has to decide whose life to spare: His friend's or his own.

The story continues in Northwoods Wolfman. After crowning himself the Hero of Trappersville, egotistical Dallas signs up with a group of monster hunters. When his first hunt reveals that he's the monster they're hunting, Dallas is forced to reckon with his new nature and redefine his humanity.

The trilogy's epic conclusion comes in Undead Cheesehead. A zombie apocalypse is overtaking the town, courtesy of local oddball and T.V. addict, Stanley. After getting turned, the little guy just can't stop biting people. Fortunately, there's someone trying to stop the zombie apocalypse. Someone that looks a lot like Stanley. If his friends and the whole town are going to survive, Stanley will have to be twice the man he is. Or three times. Maybe even four...

The Monsters in the Midwest trilogy is a great read for fans of Rick Gualtieri (Bill the Vampire), D.M. Guay (The Graveyard Shift), and Christopher Moore (Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story).

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.

Other books by Scott include The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist, An Oracle Walks Into a Bar, A Scarecrow Wins an Award, and A Siren Sings Her Heart Out.

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 Scott's monthly newsletter The Paranomedy Pint (where drinking is the least of your problems), and follow Scott online: 

      

Ready...Set...Pride! by Truscott Jones is a unique coming-of-age novel. Young Max is looking forward to his last year of high school. He is still in the closet, but he is surrounded by friends and a loving family, so still has time to figure things out quietly. Or so he thought.

Things change when Max inherits his family's National Football League team. Suddenly, Max is thrown into the national spotlight where he will be forced to face his own truth, find the love of his life, and run a professional football team, all under the harsh glare of social media, hardcore fans, and brutal sports reporters.

Here's what readers are saying:

★★★★★ "Incredibly eye opening and insightful!"

★★★★★ "Captivating read with a lot of heart."

★★★★★ "Fun read with a easy-to-love hero...for both young and older adults alike."

★★★★★ "I was rooting for Max from the first chapter as he navigates his own self doubts and learns to find his courage against ever escalating adversity and pressure. It's a tribute to friendship, family, love, and the human spirit."

---

Ready...Set...Pride!

Genre: Literary Fiction, Teen & Young Adult Coming-of-Age Fiction
Release date: August 17, 2023
4.5 stars, 22 ratings on Amazon
From $0.99

Max only thought his last year of high school was confusing, with the gorgeous but horribly straight Silas Cannon roaming the halls, and Max still in the closet. 

No one foresaw Max thrust into the gladiatorial world of football, a sport he barely followed, and only because his grandpa Gunnar owned the NFL’s newest franchise, the Portland Rogues.

No one imagined Gunnar suddenly dying, leaving the team not to Max's Uncle Fen, the team's general manager and Gunnar's only son, but to 18-year-old Max!

Meanwhile on the field, Portland has never put together a winning season. They have plenty of talent, and Coach Curcio definitely commands respect. But is it even possible for the Rogues to overcome the war between their suddenly jilted GM and his young, “undeserving” nephew?

Can Max survive his peers’ sudden interest, or the judgments of Reddit, Snapchat, and Twitter? Will he overcome the scheming Uncle Fen and the skepticism of Rogues players? And what about the other owners—is accepting a teen colleague their biggest challenge, or the waving of a giant Pride flag?

Most of all, though, does Max believe enough in himself, whether it’s leading the club, confronting his foes, or accepting the affections of an unexpected beau? Can he win the Super Bowl and the hottest guy in school?

About the Author
Truscott Jones practiced trial law for 25 years, eventually leaving to teach 12th grade government. Way before that, he played wide receiver in high school, spent four years on a major college program’s football staff, and survived the travails of being a closeted teen.

In Ready...Set...Pride!, Truscott draws upon his own experience to explore what it means to uncover and accept who you are, to experience the gift of love and the blight of prejudice with equal resolve, and to learn that change is both difficult and inevitable.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Joe Rothstein, author of multiple political thrillers. As one of the leading political strategists in the United States, Rothstein worked on hundreds of political campaigns and experienced firsthand the tensions, heartbreaks, joys, and disasters of U.S. politics. Now he’s sharing those stories in a series of politically inspired page-turners.

"Powerful fiction, directly relevant to growing risks now facing us." ~U.S. Senator Don Riegle, former Chairman, Senate Banking Committee

---

The Latina President

Genres: Political Literature, Espionage Thrillers, International Mystery & Crime
4.4 stars, 144 ratings
From $1.99  

"An unusually deep plot for a political thriller... An enthralling protagonist at the heart of a gripping tale. A suspenseful—and topical—tale of White House intrigue." ~Kirkus Reviews

What happens when a fun-loving, charismatic, reform-minded Mexican-American billionairess becomes president of the United States and strikes fear in the pocketbooks of a cabal of the rich and powerful? Conspiracy. Impeachment. Murder. Assassination. It's all here. The world knows President Tennyson as "Tenny." And once you meet her, you will never forget her. 

"For intrigue and suspense, The Latina President rivals anything I’ve ever read about campaign politics." ~U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, former Senate Majority Leader

---

The Salvation Project

Genres: Historical Event Literature, Political Literature, Espionage Thrillers, International Mystery & Crime
4.6 stars, 32 ratings
From $1.99  

"A riveting, topical storyline that steadily builds tension and suspense...unusual and memorable!" ~Publisher Weekly’s BookLife

U.S. President Isabel Aragon Tennyson (“Tenny,” as the world knows her) is running for reelection, unaware that her opponent is a Manchurian-like candidate created by a shadowy group that calls itself the Salvation Project, bent on taking control of the United States. The election will determine not just who will be president, but likely the future of humanity.

"Readers seeking thought-provoking political intrigue that operates on both domestic and international soils will relish the approach of The Salvation Project, which embraces elections, murder, and conspiracy at the highest levels of office and the heart." ~Midwest Book Review

---

The Moment of Menace

Genres: Conspiracy Thrillers, Political Thrillers & Suspense, Espionage Thrillers
4.4 stars, 23 ratings
From $1.99  

"Must-read political thriller!” ~Midwest Book Review

Scientific advances are creating utopia. The end of disease and hunger. Longer lives. More leisure. Machines replacing back-breaking labor. Universal education. But every scientific advance also brings existential danger. Artificial intelligence. Test tube babies. Uncontrolled pathogens. Who will control the future? 

A murderous cabal is determined to seize control of the U.S. government. Blocking their path is a woman the world knows as "Tenny." She's U.S. President Isabel Tennyson, a charismatic Latina-American heiress who has survived impeachment, attempted assassination, and political sex scandals. Now the future of humanity hinges on her winning this most consequential fight of all.

---

About Joe Rothstein
Many authors write political thrillers. Few have actually lived them as Joe Rothstein has at all political levels, from city council to President of the United States. In addition to his work for candidates, Rothstein has consulted and produced media for dozens of commercial and non-profit clients, and he has been a featured political analyst on network television and radio.

Joe Rothstein lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Sylvia Bergstrom, and remains actively involved in both the literary and political worlds. Learn more at JoeRothstein.net. Also, Joe has much more to share about politics from the inside. Sign up for It's Always Something, a monthly(ish) update on current and past politics from Joe. And finally, be sure to follow Joe online: