Today's Featured Books— Spotlight

Critically acclaimed fiction + a bonus for Vonnegut fans!

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of author Chuck Augello, recognized by Kirkus Reviews as "a promising new literary voice." Read on to learn more about The Revolving Heart and A Better Heart, two critically acclaimed novels by Chuck, as well as Talking Vonnegut, a collection of interviews and essays about Kurt Vonnegut. 

"Augello has a natural ability to balance heavy themes with humor." ~Jessica Purgett, The Mark Literary Review


The Revolving Heart

Genre: Literary Fiction
3.9 stars, 142 ratings
Paperback: $14.95
Ebook: $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



On a beautiful summer morning at the Jersey Shore, four-year-old Sarah Carpenter wanders toward the ocean and never returns. The police think she drowned, but her babysitter, Amy, claims Sarah was abducted. The only other witness, 17-year-old Donnie Marcino, didn’t see a thing. A narcoleptic since birth, he was fast asleep.

Twenty years later, Sarah’s disappearance still haunts Donnie, as does his lingering bond with Amy. When she calls from the hospital after a failed suicide attempt, Donnie returns to his hometown. But how can he help Amy (and help himself) without changing the past? In The Revolving Heart, love and redemption collide as the adult Donnie struggles to atone for his youthful mistakes.

Praise for The Revolving Heart

  • A Best Books of 2020 Selection by Kirkus Reviews
  • "A reflective narrative about the choices people make, the bonds they forge, and the obligations they can't escape, however much they might try. Augello shows a knack for sharp, believable dialogue, and his character construction is impressive. A superb, captivating work from a promising new literary voice." ~Kirkus Reviews
  • “An excellent, must-read novel about a man who returns home to confront his past, filled with memorable characters and written in a style that will draw you in, entertain you, and leave you wanting more.” ~Sublime Book Review
  • "Captures the spirt of the Jersey Shore... Filled with wry observations and the unexpected smart and funny things people say." ~Marcy Dermansky, author of The Red Car

A Better Heart

Genre: Literary Fiction, Humorous Fiction
4.5 stars, 51 ratings
Paperback: $6.49
Ebook: $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



For aspiring indie filmmaker Kevin Stacey, it's another day on the set of his first film. But when his estranged father, a failed Hollywood actor, arrives unexpectedly with a bundle of cash, a gun, and a stolen capuchin monkey, Kevin is propelled toward the journey that will change his life.

The monkey, Henry, has been liberated from a research lab by animal rights activists. Inspired by his friend Veronica to reevaluate his relationship with other species, Kevin learns about the pain and suffering inflicted on lab animals as he forges a bond with the capuchin. When father and son embark on a road trip with Henry, Kevin is caught between the egocentric father who abandoned him and the temperamental monkey whose fate is in his hands. With both the FBI and his mother's ghost watching, will Kevin risk his career and his father's freedom to bring the stolen monkey to safety? Meanwhile, Veronica's encounter with an eccentric Catholic priest triggers her own journey toward change.

A heartbreaking yet comic family drama, A Better Heart examines the human-animal bond and the bonds between fathers and sons, challenging readers to explore their beliefs about the treatment of non-human species.

Praise for A Better Heart

  • "Madcap and accomplished, this comic novel boasts big surprises, heartfelt characters, and a passion for animal rights." ~Booklife
  • "A solid psychological and social examination of rights, choices, and their consequences. A wry dose of humor that excels in tongue-and-cheek observations, the result is a fun, literary story." ~Midwest Book Review
  • "Devastating, funny and heartbreaking all in one!" ~The Page Ladies
  • "Lively, engrossing, fast paced, and spot on when it comes to nailing what's wrong with animal abuse but in a realistic, not preachy way. A great read, a great beach novel, a great book to pass on." ~Ingrid Newkirk, founder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
  • "Finally! A story about animal rights that informs and entertains rather than preaches. This comic family adventure is sure to grab your attention." ~Independent Book Review

Talking Vonnegut: Centennial Interviews and Essays

Genre: Literary Criticism
Paperback: $49.95
Ebook: From $22.49



This collection of 29 interviews explores the outer reaches of the Kurt Vonnegut universe. Conversations reveal how Robert B. Weide's letter to Kurt led to a long friendship and an acclaimed documentary, how readers in the former Soviet Union fell in love with Vonnegut during the Cold War, how Ryan North and Albert Monteys adapted Slaughterhouse-Five into a graphic novel, how two podcasters introduced Vonnegut to a new generation of readers, and how Vonnegut's time teaching at the Iowa Writers Workshop helped transform him from an unknown paperback writer into a literary superstar.

Also included are eight essays by author Chuck Augello. These cover Vonnegut's thoughts on guns and loneliness, evaluate his posthumous publications, offer a guide to the best Vonnegut videos available online, and ask questions like "Was Kurt Vonnegut secretly a romance writer?" A resource for students, scholars and fans, this book offers windows into Vonnegut's life and art that are often overlooked in standard biographies.

Praise for Talking Vonnegut

  • “What a book! All these facets make for a most complete portrait of Kurt Vonnegut.” ~Jerome Klinkowitz, author of The Vonnegut Effect and Kurt Vonnegut’s America
  • "I have been a Vonnegut fan my entire life, and I found Talking Vonnegut to be chock-full of information and insights that I had not seen elsewhere. Highly recommended." ~Mike O'Mary, LitNuts

About the Author

Chuck Augello is the author of The Revolving Heart (Black Rose Writing), a Best Books of 2020 selection by Kirkus Reviews. His novel A Better Heart (Black Rose Writing) was praised by PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk as "Lively, engrossing, fast paced, and spot on when it comes to nailing what's wrong with animal abuse but in a realistic, not preachy way. A great read, a great beach novel." His most recent book is Talking Vonnegut: Centennial Interviews and Essays (McFarland), an exploration of the life and work of Kurt Vonnegut.

Chuck's work has also appeared in One Story, Necessary Fiction, Smokelong Quarterly, and other fine journals. Visit Chuck at CDAWriting.com and at TheDailyVonnegut.com. You can also sign up for email updates from Chuck and follow him on Twitter/X.


Get the Legends of Elessia: Age of Rekindling fantasy series from author Luís Magalhães

Spotlight

Get the Legends of Elessia: Age of Rekindling, a fantasy series from author Luís Magalhães that beckons readers to embark upon an unforgettable journey, where the courage of heroes, the cunning of villains, and the magic of the realm will take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Delve into the frozen secrets of Elessia in this enthralling sword & sorcery saga, perfect for fans of the action and intensity of The Witcher, the epic world-building of The Dragonbone Chair, and the charismatic characters of The Wheel of Time.


Special Offer - Limited Time!
To celebrate the release of The Champion of The Ice (Book 2 in the series), Blades of the Ice e-book is currently free, The Daughter of The Ice e-book is on sale for 99 cents, and The Champion of The Ice e-book is only $2.99!


Sale ends Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 11:00 PM PDT.


Blades of The Ice

Legends of Elessia Series: Age of Rekindling Prequel
Currently ranked #1 in Classic Fantasy, #2 in Action & Adventure Fantasy, and #3 in Sword & Sorcery Fantasy on Amazon
4.5 stars, 28 ratings
Paperback: $9.99
Ebook: Currently FREE



In a land ruled by patriarchy, an assassin sisterhood delivers justice from the shadows.

Now, their mysterious patron has charged burly fighter Erika Langeshen and lithe shadow-stalker Annah Barksdottir with uncovering a plot against the very rulers that have mistreated and oppressed them their whole lives.

Their quest will take them to a faraway village on the borders of the Razor Teeth Woods, where they will need to use all the tricks of their trade to build a base of power and expose the machinations of the local lord and his allies.

But before they do, they must break into one of the Patriarchate's fortresses and retrieve an unlikely ally…

"A gritty story with some incredibly strong women." ~Amazon Review


The Daughter of The Ice

Legends of Elessia Series: Age of Rekindling Book 1
Currently ranked #9 in Classic Fantasy
4.6 stars, 46 ratings
Paperback: $19.99
Ebook: $0.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited)



After a thousand-year slumber, the goddess of frost awakens to a world that has all but forgotten her. She will rule again…even if it means covering Elessia in icy death.

Eregar, a decorated knight in his twilight years, longs for one final adventure—one last chance to test himself against sword and sorcery. When rumors arise of a would-be goddess building an army to the east, he jumps at the offer of leading a band of young mercenaries into the heart of the distant Frozen Plains.

He doesn’t suspect that these are no common sell-swords. Annah Barksdottir and Erika Langeshen, members of a secret assassin sisterhood, have manipulated the street-wise thief Johan and the adventurous red-haired swordsman Andoh into letting them join…and they have an agenda of their own.

But when dark-clad warriors unleash an army that knows no death upon the last bastion of civilization, and the chilling embrace of a curse looms over the group, they must come together in a desperate fight for survival. And Eregar will find that more than his mettle is to be tested, lest the icy wrath of The Daughter of The Ice consume them just as it threatens to engulf Elessia.

"If Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones got together, The Daughter of The Ice would be the result." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review


The Champion of The Ice

Legends of Elessia Series: Age of Rekindling Book 2
#1 new release in Classic Fantasy
4.8 stars, 19 ratings
Paperback: $19.99
Ebook: $2.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited)



The Daughter of The Ice is no more. But not even death will stop Her Champion’s march.

Erika Langeshen has left her mercenary past behind to become a rising star among the knights of The Tower—the first woman to be accepted into their brotherhood in generations. Her friends, the former thief Johan Desert-Touched and the assassin Annah Barksdottir, now rub shoulders with nobility as a reward for their service to the rulers of the City-States.

But their untroubled lives are not to last.

When winter refuses to fade, the undead rise again and a demonic army lays siege to the land they call home. At its head marches a ruthless warlord, wielding a blade with the power to bring nightmares to life.

Erika, Johan, and their companions enter a race against time to reforge the artifacts wielded by their ancient gods in a bid to stop The Champion of The Ice before his armies cover Elessia in icy death…but what they don’t suspect is that it is an old ally who wears the Champion’s mantle, and he knows all their strengths…and weaknesses.

"Fans of epic fantasy and tales of adventure will undoubtedly find themselves engrossed in the magical realm of Elessia." ~Amazon Review


Legends of Elessia (3 Book Series)

Currently $3.98 for all three books—free via Kindle Unlimited!


 


About the Author

Luís Falcão Magalhães describes himself as "the black sheep of the family." Born the scion of a household of magistrates and physicians, he was groomed from a young age to meet those expectations. But he threw the chain of office away and became a bard instead.

Luís has since traveled the breadth of his homeland, picking up tales here and there. He has dined with aldermen and drank firewater with vagabonds; sung moonlit serenades to hussies and taken the daughters of wealthy merchants to grand balls; joined secret orders, learning their lore and passphrases; and locked arms with tree-huggers and danced with them under the full moon.

But Luís says two things sing to his soul like nothing else. One, the roll of the dice, be it on the wood of the tabletop or within the shards of magical glass that are everywhere in our society. Two, the tales of daring, of heroism and valor, of wickedness and deceit, to be found among the dusty tomes of the world’s libraries. He has made it his life's work to contribute to those tomes.

Learn more at LuisFalcaomagalhaes.com and follow Luís on social media.
 
     


Get the "Forgotten Women" Series from author Joan Koster: Eye-opening historical fiction

Spotlight

Learn about the Forgotten Women Series from author Joan Koster...eye-opening historical fiction based on the lives of adventurous nineteenth-century women who never should have been forgotten.

"The world in unreasonable fashion, demands of a woman that she do twice as much as a man to prove she can equal him." ~Anna Dickinson, The Ragged Register, 1879


Note: All proceeds from Censored Angel will be donated to the Freedom to Read Foundation, a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association.


That Dickinson Girl: A Novel of the Civil War

Book 1 in the Forgotten Women Series
Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction
4.1 stars & 18 ratings on Amazon; 4 stars & 26 ratings on Goodreads
From $4.99



Eighteen-year-old Anna Dickinson is nothing like the women around her, and she knows it. Gifted with a powerful voice, a razor-sharp wit, and unbounded energy, the diminutive curly head sets out to surpass the men of her day as she rails against slavery and pushes for women’s rights. Only two things can bring her downfall—the entangling love she has for her devoted companion, Julia, and an assassin’s bullet.

Forced to accompany the fiery young orator on her speaking tour of New England, Julia Pennington fights her growing attraction to the ever more impertinent woman. When a traitor sets out to assassinate Anna, will Julia risk her life to save her?

Loosely based on the life of forgotten orator, feminist, and lesbian Anna Dickinson, That Dickinson Girl is the story of one woman’s rise to fame and fortune at the expense of love during the political and social turmoil of the American Civil War.

Special Offer: Read an excerpt and order signed copies at JoanKoster.com.

Praise and Recognition for That Dickinson Girl

  • “Believable and bittersweet. It captures the era without a single false note.” ~The Literary Redhead
  • "A roller-coaster ride. The author took a non-fictional character from a difficult time in history and created a relatable and emotional story. " ~Jayy Jacobs, Sensitivity reader
  • "An interesting and unusual look at a period that rarely gets a clear-eyed examination." ~Kathleen Buckley, author of Portia and the Merchant of London
  • "The author's passion for bringing Anna to life, as well as the fictional account of Julia's life, is quite evident." ~D. K. Marley, Historical Fiction Company
  • Second Place in the 2022 Romance through the Ages Contest
  • Finalist in the Historical Fiction Company Best Books Competition

Censored Angel: Anthony Comstock's Nemesis

Book 2 in the Forgotten Women Series
Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction
New Release
From $4.99



A nineteenth-century mystic marriage counselor and her guardian angel battle the Inquisitor of Smut in this biographical historical novel based on a true story.

Ida Craddock will not be silenced! Brilliant, corseted, and haunted by spirits from the Borderlands, she turns her back on the constrictions of Victorian society and strikes out on her own, becoming a mystic marriage counselor. Sharing what she views as "essential sexual knowledge" puts her in the crosshairs of Anthony Comstock, the nation’s Anti-Obscenity Postal Inspector. Ida vows to bring him down. He promises to silence her forever. With prison looming, Ida and her angel lover must prepare for a battle they may not be able to win.

Special Offer: Read an excerpt and order signed copies at JoanKoster.com.

Praise for Censored Angel

  • "It just blew me away. What a story! It was so well written I was right there with her, seeing, smelling, and feeling everything along with her." ~Diana Rubino, best-selling historical fiction author
  • "This book was truly wonderful. I love learning about these fascinating women." ~Kristin Campbell, C&D Editing
  • "An easy flowing but tragic story... So poignant it brought tears to my eyes." ~Kim Brougher, Beta reader

About the Author
Joan Bouza Koster is a writer, educator, ethnographer, and artist. When she is not writing in her studio by the sea, Joan lives in an 1860s farmhouse stacked to the ceiling with books. In a life full of adventures, she has scaled mountains, chased sheep, and been abandoned on a island for longer than she wants to remember.

An award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction works in the fields of ethnography, education, anti-racism, and the arts, Joan holds a doctorate from Binghamton University and has published two textbooks on teaching the arts to young children. She is also the author of numerous academic papers based on her ethnographic research on agriculture, shepherding, and weaving in the Southern Peloponnese and on Crete. A professional handweaver, her creative work has been sold across the country.

Joan’s short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and have received awards from Women on Writing, Stone Thread Publishing, Tryst Literary Magazine, and Winning Writers. Her poetry has been published in Potomac Magazine, and her historical fiction has long-listed for the Mslexia Award. Under the pen name Zara West, Joan authored the award-winning romantic thriller series The Skin Quartet. Joan also shares her writing know-how and research into creativity in her top-selling Write for Success series and offers numerous writing workshops every year.

Joan is a member of the Authors Guild, Non-Fiction Authors Association, Historical Fiction Society, Romance Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Sign up for her newsletter to learn about more amazing women and great historical fiction facts and books. You'll also get a prequel chapter from That Dickinson Girl and and a chance to win a great historical fiction novel every month. Finally, be sure to follow Joan on social media.
 
        


Spotlight on the Teen Sur-Thrival Series from Derek T. Freeman

Spotlight

LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Teen Sur-Thrival Series, two books from author Derek T. Freeman to help teens build confidence and navigate high school.

Special offer: For a limited time, the e-book edition of 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks (Book 2 in the series) is FREE!


Help your teen achieve everything they want in life.


Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction
4.8 stars, 162 ratings
From $9.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)  



Labels and comparisons stop you from being your real self. You try to live up to an ideal...to be like the teen you think is smarter, better-looking, or more popular than you. And when you do that—when you try to be something you're not—you're living under false pretenses. 

This is when the domino effect kicks in: you start to live in fear that someone may find out who you really are. It wrecks your self-esteem, personal power, and any belief that you deserve more. That's a lonely place to be and no way to live your life. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Whether you're a nerd or a jock, an overachiever or an underachiever, a loner or an outcast—that is not your entire identity. It's just one tiny part of the vast YOU. 

The good news is that you already have the key to unlocking your real personality and fearlessly creating your authentic life; you just need a little help to get started. With Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens: The Fail-Safe Formula for Finding Yourself, Overcoming Limitations and Creating Your Best Life from the Inside Out, you can uncover the whole, wonderful person within and create an incredible life on your own terms.

Here are a few of the things that you will discover inside: 

  • 5 simple steps to find your uniqueness and embrace the amazing personality you didn't know you had
  • How to get rid of the negative beliefs about yourself and get your self-confidence back
  • 4 things you can do to escape the comparative trap and live from your authentic self
  • 6 effective ways to stop bullies in their tracks
  • The "1 in 60" rule that will change the way you think about failure
  • How to stop being a victim of body shaming and love who you are
  • And much more.

This isn't just another workbook; this is your toolkit for confronting anxiety and self-doubt—and your formula to rise triumphantly from it. Discover how to be truly self-confident and boldly bring your inherent magic to the light. 

Praise for Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens

  • "A candid, conversational guide to navigating adolescence that comes from a place of hard-won wisdom and deep compassion." ~John B. Valeri, author, book critic & host of the web series Central Booking
  • "A warm, supportive pep-talk from a coach/friend/big brother/uncle/dad for both guys and gals—and their parents." ~Leslie A. Lindsay, creator & host of the award-winning author interview series Always with a Book

FREE: 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction
New Release
Price: FREE  



You can master adulthood before you get there or wait for it to master you. Which will you choose?

We all love a good hack—that one piece of advice that cuts straight to the heart of a problem and shows you how to handle it with ease. But don't let the title of this book fool you—reducing this wisdom to mere "hacks" would be a massive disservice.

You're about to uncover a treasure trove of insight: 88 of the best tips, tricks, and techniques to launch you from teendom to adulthood with resounding success. And don't worry, you won't lose yourself along the way. You won't have to trade your joy, curiosity, or spark. You won't have to become "boring"—or bored. You'll simply be one step ahead of the game.

Inside this unique resource, you'll discover:

  • 88 game-changing life hacks, numbered and arranged by category so you can come back to them time and time again
  • How to save time and energy at school while taking control of your environment
  • The secret to building and maintaining good relationships
  • Multiple ways to improve your memory (even while you sleep)
  • Essential financial literacy skills you'll never learn in school
  • Mind hacks that will set the stage for a lifetime of growth and self-realization
  • Everything you didn't know you needed to know about cars and driving
  • Timeless principles to take forward into the working world
  • And much more.

One day you're in high school, and the next, you're navigating the adult world without a map. This book is full of information that you will need in order to ace the game of life.

Praise for 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks

  • "Freeman has taken the crucial things to know and put them into bite-sized pieces. The sooner you get this book in your teens' hands, the better." ~Cynthia Coufal, podcast host & teen life coach at "Better Regulate Than Never"
  • "Engaging, funny, and addresses many issues teens and young adults may face... Keeps you thinking long after the read." ~Samantha, life coach & content creator of the YouTube channel "Stop Look and Listen with Samantha"

About the Author
Derek T. Freeman aims to inspire tweens, teens, parents, and families by providing motivational content and guiding them through the years that are often seen as the most challenging parts of both parenting and growing up.

As a young teenager, Derek struggled with self-esteem, bullying, and fitting in. Moving schools at the age of 13 threw him into a period of isolation and victimization, which knocked his confidence and made his adolescence very difficult. Although his experiences didn’t affect his success or happiness as he grew up, as his children have gotten older, he’s realized the importance of empowering young people and their families to navigate all sorts of challenges. He is determined to make the turbulent waters of adolescence easier to navigate for other young people.

Derek is a musician by trade and toured the United States after graduating high school, releasing six albums before the birth of his first child. He then moved into the restaurant business, managing a small team for more than a decade. Derek was born and raised in New York and currently lives in Connecticut with his wife, three children, and two cats. Learn more at Derek's Amazon Author Page.


New Release: My Neglected Gods by Joanne Nelson

Spotlight

Congratulations to Joanne Nelson and Vine Leaves Press on the release of My Neglected Gods, a moving collection of essays from the author of the memoir This is How We Leave.

★★★★★ “A record of the compassion for self—and ultimately for family—that comes with clear seeing.” ~Joanna Penn Cooper, author of The Itinerant Girl's Guide to Self-Hypnosis


My Neglected Gods by Joanne Nelson

NEW RELEASE: July 25, 2023
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
Paperback: $14.99
Ebook: $4.99  



We all have our rituals and talismans to protect us from the unknown, but will we admit what they are?

Tarot cards, speeding cars, several saints, and old dogs make appearances in Joanne Nelson’s new collection of prose and poetry. She unravels the secular deities giving shape to her days, not only on planes, but in summer crowds, at conferences, and in long post office queues. Whether it’s a bandaid in a pocket, the backup pen in a purse, or a hidden $20 in a wallet for just-in-case, Nelson explores what we carry for comfort. She delves into the Mercury retrograde conundrum and examines the significance of kitchens as holy places. Beer runs through it. There will be coffee.

Join Nelson, author of the memoir This Is How We Leave, in this humorous and heartfelt journey through life’s often-ignored quiet moments. Ignored until, plate of cookies in hand, they come begging for a chat. All the while, the kids move out, the house gets put up for sale, and loved ones age.

Praise for My Neglected Gods
★★★★★ “There’s sadness here, and grief and regret. But there’s also appreciation and gratitude... characterized by an assurance Nelson experienced during a mystical connection with her deceased grandmother: everything is going to be all right.” ~Lynn Domina, author of Framed in Silence and Corporal Works

★★★★★ “Never leaves the reader behind, no matter how deep into the sublime Nelson dives, and with each page that turns we find ourselves willing to go deeper and deeper into that amazing pool of reflection with her.” ~Paul Corman-Roberts, author of Bone Moon Palace, 2021 CLMP Firecracker Nominee

★★★★★ “A lyrical dance through sepia-colored memories that make us at once melancholy for what we’ve left behind, and joyful at how far we’ve come.” ~Martha Engber, author of Bliss Road

★★★★★ “The vignettes may be miniature in scale, and composed with elegant precision, but they contain entire worlds.” ~Benjamin Anastas, author of the memoir Too Good To Be True

★★★★★ “Joanne Nelson jolts her reader with an electricity that comes from a masterly conjuring of the dead and the lost.” ~Alden Jones, author of The Wanting Was a Wilderness


About the Author
Joanne Nelson is the author of the memoir This Is How We Leave. Her writing appears in numerous journals and anthologies. She won the Hal Prize in nonfiction, as well as other literary awards, and has contributed to "Lake Effect" on Milwaukee’s National Public Radio station. Nelson lives in Hartland, Wisconsin, where she teaches at the university level and leads community programs. She gives presentations on mindfulness and writing, creativity, and the second half of life. Nelson holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars, an MSSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a certified meditation instructor. Learn more at the Wake Up the Writer Within website.
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.


The Tribal Wars Series: “A femme-led exploration of the human condition."

Spotlight

Today's Spotlight is on the work of Stella Atrium, author of speculative fictionincluding the three books of The Tribal Wars Series, a space colonization story about seeking independence and home rule in the face of corporate greed. 

"An emotionally intimate narrative for sci-fi fans, with broad themes that appeal to a mainstream audience, too." ~Kirkus Review


The Bush Clinic

The Tribal Wars Book 1
4.2 stars, 40 ratings
Price: From $1.99  



Tribal women bind together in a war zone where they are discounted as not important enough to save or keep safe.

On Dolvia, Lt. Mike Shaw demands Dr. Greensboro’s doctoring skills at the hospital, forcing the closure of her bush clinic. She witnesses forced labor, forced migration, and the threat of an epidemic from bad water. She sees how tribal women—often wearing burkas—find solutions for saving the children in a conflict zone, and she commits to their cause for Home Rule.

Brianna Miller is an isolated girl—a mixed-blood orphan—among the Dolviet tribes. With the lessons from Dr. Greensboro, the abuse from soldiers, and the sisterhood among victims, Brianna prepares for a future she will choose for herself. But first, she must travel offworld.

Recognition and Praise for The Bush Clinic

  • Distinguished Favorite from the 2023 Independent Press Award
  • Winner of the Artisan Book Reviews 2022 Book Excellence Award
  • BookLife Editor's Pick (Publishers Weekly, 10/31/22)
  • "An honest examination of human character and creates realistic characters and powerful organizations that depict real human conflict." ~ArtisanReads
  • "Far more than standard sci-fi; it is a femme-led examination of our societal ills, and a celebration of the strength found through open-mindedness and sisterhood." ~Self-Publishing Review
  • "An imaginative and deeply thoughtful space opera." ~Literary Titan
  • "Vivid world-building at its best, as gripping as it is poignant." ~Books Go Social

The Body Politic

The Tribal Wars Book 2
4.4 stars, 31 ratings
Price: From $1.99  



Brianna Miller returns to Dolvia where tribal women protest the oppressive rule of Rabbenu Ely by self-torchings in the Cylay Square. Brianna re-establishes her tribal schools and takes on assistant Kelly Osborn who is mixed blood and also a poet.

Kelly visits the neighboring planet of Cicero where her aunt Carline Bryant takes over her education. While returning to Dolvia, Kelly meets Australian adventurer Hershel Henry who has signed on for a tour of Dolvia as a photojournalist. Henry takes an opportunity to interview the khalif on the opposing side of the tribal wars.

Recognition and Praise for The Body Politic

  • "The striking second installment in Atrium's Tribal Wars series tackles exploitation and culture clashes on a newly discovered planet, with the rich intelligence, invention, and characterization that are the hallmarks of Atrium's work." ~BookLife Editor's Pick (Publishers Weekly, 1/30/23)
  • "A thoroughly gripping, poignant sci-fi saga." ~Artisan Book Reviews
  • "Deftly weaves together themes of war, adventure, love, politics, and unwavering determination, lending depth and resonance to the narrative." ~Literary Titan, 5-star review
  • "An intelligent, powerful work of science fiction." ~Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Home Rule

The Tribal Wars Book 3
4.6 stars, 22 ratings
Price: From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  



Photojournalist Hershel Henry witnesses the self-torchings of tribal women protesting the oppressive rule of Rabbenu Ely. While Brianna Miller seeks peace among the tribes, Kelly sets the bride price for a wedding at Stargate Junction.

Recognition & Praise for Home Rule

  • "First-rate SF novel of revolution, oppression, and the urgent textures of life." ~BookLife Editor's Pick (Publishers Weekly, 7/3/23)
  • First place: 2023 Artisan Reads Book Excellence Awards, Science Fiction and Fantasy: "A masterpiece of science fiction world-building and plotting."
  • "Dramatic, passionate, and rich in detail at every turn." ~Self-Publishing Review
  • "Richly detailed world-building and compelling storytelling." ~Literary Titan 5-Star Review
  • "An accomplished work that will impress fans of the existing series, and I would certainly recommend the series in general for literary sci-fi fans everywhere." ~Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review

About the Author
Stella Atrium is an award-winning fantasy writer who presents otherworld stories about female protagonists. Although set in a fantasy world, the obstacles encountered are relatable to our lives today. How do women respond to the kinds of obstacles women encounter using the tools available to women? 

Says Stella: "I was a great reader of science fiction as a young person, but I began to wonder why the protagonist in a sci-fi or fantasy story was always a man, even when the writer was female. Where were the stories that presented a woman as the problem solver? 

"A real heroine cannot call on armies to follow her, or pay assassins for special work. She may have children already, so adventure is out of the question, and her family must be secure before she can enter the public square where she has no voice.

"So how does a story shape if the young hero must solve problems that girls experience in ways that females address problems? I could find no books that started with this premise, so I had to write some." 

Stella teaches at university in addition to online writing courses. She lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

Special offer! Sign up to get news from Stella and get a free download of Brittany Mill: A Dolvia Origins Story.

Learn more at StellaAtribum.com and be sure to follow Stella on social media.
 
                 


Spotlight on C.O.B.: Poetry, graphics & an award-winning thriller

Spotlight

Today's Spotlight is on the work of an author known as C.O.B., whose writings include an intriguing mix of poetry, thoughts, dialogue, and graphics, as well as an award-winning thriller that has been described as "Psycho meets The Boy Next Door." If you're ready for critically acclaimed writing that's off the beaten trail, read on!


A Drinker's Poems, Thoughts and Dialogue by C.O.B.

Genre: Poetry
Price: FREE  



On the anniversary of his dear friend's death, an old man enters a bar and shares a story of a time when love came at a cost. Through a collection of poems, you will experience the joy of living, loving, and crying, plus lots and lots of laughter. A merry-go-round of raw emotions, this collection of poetry is a testimony to how life was lived and is meant to be lived...from the perspective of an old drinker.

“I loved the author’s raw, uncensored, and genuine voice... It’s a must-read book to take to a bar!” ~Reader Views

“Experimental in its own way, this collection will appeal to poetry readers who appreciate Bukowski-like verses fueled by a Baudelaire-like existence.” ~The U.S. Review of Books

"Each piece feels like a note written in a bottle found ashore... C.O.B. shows that, no matter what form it’ll take, a gut-wrenching piece of writing awaits." ~Independent Book Review

“Ideal for meditating on time and life.” ~Readers’ Favorite


Words & Graphics - The Four Seasons of Love

Genre: Poetry
Price: $1.99  



The Four Seasons of Love is the final installment in the Words and Graphics concept series that tells a coming-of-age story—of an adult who unexpectedly becomes a dad and then reverts to a childlike state of being. Growing into manhood—rather, a responsible father, after his childish journey causes him to lose a life—the four seasons that we all must endure reveal why all the colorful loves that entered this man-child’s life triggered the fallout between him and his one pure love, his daughter.

With the mixed use of different forms of writing that include poems, short stories, and simple observations, in addition to its provocative images, The Four Seasons of Love is a fitting end to the series, yet it also stands alone, as the best and most compelling of introductions.

"A powerful and brutally honest look at the impact of drugs and alcohol on the psyche of one's mind and life...a must-read for anyone who enjoys experimental storytelling and creative narrative styles." ~Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars

“The sometimes surreal leaps in tone or subject matter are masterful enough to recall Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America. Indeed, the writing evokes other Beat writers like Kerouac or Burroughs, bringing their style into the twenty-first century.” ~The US Review of Books


The Beauty in Ms. White

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Romance
Price: $1.99  



What happens when fantasy crosses over into reality? For Carlos Castillo, a lonely store manager, it creates a twisted story, a convolution of the truth that lies behind most fairytales: Love is real, but at times, it is concealed by a veil of mischief. 

The Beauty in Ms. White is a chilling, suspenseful love story that rips apart, then re-creates the meaning of star-crossed lovers.

"Psychological...compelling...powerful...and highly recommended." ~Midwest Book Review

“Psycho meets The Boy Next Door. Filled with suspense and intrigue.” ~Readers’ Favorite, 5 Stars

"If you enjoy being on the edge of your seat, read this not-to-be-missed novella." ~BookTrib

“A striking novel about the power of delusional assumptions... An intriguing mixture of dark romance and thriller.” ~Self-Publishing Review


About the Author
With his education in screenwriting, C.O.B. was trained to think visually, which he has now combined with his passion for all forms of creativity. His works span many genres, authoring poems, novels, and uniquely conceptual short stories told with the use of graphics and photographs. When he's not writing, C.O.B. is...thinking about writing.

Sign up to get news from C.O.B. about future releases and events, and be sure to follow C.O.B. on social media.
 
       


New Release: Jane Austenesque novels to sink into...

Spotlight

Congratulations to author Alice McVeigh on the new release of Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, the newest addition to the award-winning Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen Series. 

“McVeigh displays a brilliant, spot-on command of Austen's diction and tone." ~Kirkus Review


Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance
Book 1 in the series
4.2 stars, 321 ratings
From $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  



Susan is a Jane Austen Prequel, brilliantly capturing Austen's own Lady Susan as a young girl.

Sixteen-year-old Susan Smithson—pretty but poor, clever but capricious—has just been expelled from a school for young ladies in London. At the mansion of the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Susan attracts a raffish young nobleman. But, at the first hint of scandal, her guardian dispatches Susan to her uncle Collins' rectory in Kent, where her sensible cousin Alicia lives and "where nothing ever happens." Here Susan mischievously inspires the local squire to put on a play, with consequences no one could possibly have foreseen. 

Familiar characters abound—Frank Churchill, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy himself. But Susan—mischievous and manipulative—is the star. This is Austen that even Austen might have loved, with a touch of Georgette Heyer in the romantic sections. Fans of Bridgerton will also relish this classic regency romance, the first in a six-book series.

Praise for Susan

"McVeigh's prose and plotting are pitch-perfect. Emma mingles with Pride and Prejudice in a delightful confrontation between the two books' worlds... This Austen-inspired novel echoes the master herself." ~Publishers Weekly starred review

"Think Emma or Pride and Prejudice, but with the added sense of humor, mischief, and determination that elevates Susan." ~Midwest Book Review

A BookLife 2021 Quarterfinalist, Susan has won the Gold Medal/First Place in the PenCraft, Global, eLit, and Historical Fiction Company Book Awards, along with numerous other awards.


Harriet: A Jane Austen Variation

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance
Book 2 in the series
4.1 stars, 221 ratings
From $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  



Harriet is an intriguing and original take on Jane Austen's immortal Emma.

Emma, a privileged young heiress, decides to mentor Harriet Smith, a pretty boarding-school pupil, and to matchmake her as eligibly as she can… But how is she to guess that Harriet has a secret? Meanwhile, the brilliant, penniless Jane Fairfax consents to a clandestine engagement with Frank Churchill—though not daring to confess, even to him, that she is being relentlessly pursued by her best friend’s husband. Harriet sidelines Emma herself in favour of the ingenious Harriet and the fascinating Jane Fairfax. It is Emma—but an Emma with a surprisingly believable twist in its tail.

Recognition for Harriet

  • Winner: Bronze medal (European Fiction) IPPY Award, 2023
  • Starred Editor's Pick on Publishers Weekly
  • Current finalist for Foreword Indies Book of he Year
  • Current finalist for Chanticleer's CIBA Chatelaine Award
  • Winner: Gold Medal (historical), Global Book Awards, 2022
  • Selected as one of "100 notable indies of 2022" by Shelf Unbound magazine
  • Finalist in the International and American Fiction Awards

Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance
New Release: Book 3 in the series
4.1 stars, 84 ratings
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)  



The third in McVeigh's prize-winning series of standalone Jane Austen variations.

“Should she reject me again, I shall have to wed—as I swore I never would—for dynasty alone. I can only ever love Elizabeth Bennet.”

Love is put to the test in this fresh spin on Jane Austen’s starriest novel, entwining original and classic characters in a tale of passion and self-discovery. Alice McVeigh puts the spotlight on Darcy in this witty and imaginative re-telling of Austen’s classic tale. In a timeless story of love amid the clash of social classes, Darcy is faced with a terrible choice: to stay in London to force Wickham’s hand—or to go to Rome, to salvage his family’s reputation.

With a new Darcyesque slant, omitted scenes from the original, and an extra helping of humour—as well as excerpts from The Wisdom and Wit of Miss Mary Bennet—this is a fresh new Pride and Prejudice with (wedding) bells on!

Praise for Darcy

"The narrative is infused with a dry twenty-first-century sensibility that respects Austen while also peeking into her characters’ true thoughts. Elizabeth, for example, points out Jane’s 'annoyingly obedient hair.' Darcy notes that Mrs. Bennet 'appeared to have not the slightest objection to parting with [Jane]—for months, if need be'…while the prose captures Austen’s tone throughout... Darcy is an often delightful deep dive into what the characters of Pride and Prejudice were thinking but not saying." ~Foreword/Clarion Reviews 


Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen Series (3 books)

Get all three books: $6.97 for the set
Note: Individual books are free via Kindle Unlimited!


 


About the Author


Alice McVeigh has been published in contemporary fiction by Orion/Hachette, in speculative fiction by UK's Unbound, and in historical fiction by Warleigh Hall Press. Her novels have won first prize/gold medals in the Global, eLit, Pencraft, and Historical Fiction Company Book Awards, as well as Kirkus stars, IPPYs, IndieBRAG medallions, and been “Editors picks” in Publishers Weekly. They have also been quarterfinalists in the BookLife Prize, and finalists in the Foreword Indies “Book of the Year,” CIBA’s international Goethe, Cygnus and Chatelaine Book Awards, the International Book Awards, and many others.

Alice spent her childhood in Asia (South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar); her teenage years in McLean VA; and her adulthood in London. She arrived in London to study cello with Jacqueline du Pre, married, and spent fifteen years travelling the world with London orchestras before taking fiction seriously

Alice has long been married to Simon McVeigh, professor of music at the University of London. They share a daughter, Rachel - shortly to start her Ph.D in Chinese Literature at Harvard - two long-haired mini-dachshunds, a second home in Crete, and a passion for tennis. Learn more at AliceMcVeigh.com—and be sure to sign up for Alice's monthly newsletter and to follow Alice on social media:
 

         


New Release: Image Breaker from author Mark E. Leib and Vine Leaves Press

Spotlight

Congratulations to author Mark E. Leib and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Image Breaker, a novel about the search for a life that deeply, truly matters.

★★★★★ “Deeply moving story of a middle-aged man attempting to come to terms with faith, love, and of course, himself.” ~Heather Sellers, author of You Don’t Look Like Anyone I Know


Image Breaker by Mark E. Leib

NEW RELEASE: July 11, 2023
Genre: Literary Fiction
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $5.99  



Tristan Wishnasky seems to have it all: a successful career as a cynical novelist in love with the Void, a romantic relationship with a formidable woman, and admission to the parties and revelries of the glitterati. But just when he’s confident nothing can stop his stupendous rise, he begins to hallucinate mysterious messages telling him he’s wasting his life.

When the messages don’t stop, he turns to his atheist lover, his oracular psychotherapist, and an ingenious female rabbi for guidance and direction. Where has he gone wrong? How should he be living?

In his search for self-knowledge, Tristan lurches from the art galleries of the famous to the homeless shelters of the abandoned; from the arms of college dean Vanessa to the bed of struggling actress Barbara; from a career that ignores every claim beyond ego to the company of people trying to rescue the imperiled Earth.

As he learns to destroy every false image that’s ever laid claim to him, he begins to think possible a life that deeply, truly matters.

Praise for Image Breaker

★★★★★ “A breathtaking rarity.” ~John Fleming, author of Songs for the Deaf

★★★★★ “Only a writer as good as Mark Leib could pull off this literary juggling act, of writing an entertainment that moves the reader, but also he gives us a book that may just change our lives. Reader, be forewarned. Here is a writer asking you directly if you are ready for the challenge.” ~M. G. Stephens, author of King Ezra and The Brooklyn Book of the Dead

★★★★★ “In this deeply moving story of a middle-aged man attempting to come to terms with faith, love, and of course, himself, Mark Leib establishes his genius.” ~Heather Sellers, author of You Don’t Look Like Anyone I Know


About the Author
Mark E. Leib's short works have appeared in Boston Review, Jewish Fiction.net, Adelaide Literary Magazine, American Theatre, and elsewhere. His theatre plays have been produced in New York, Chicago, Cambridge, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Edinburgh, and Singapore. His theatre criticism in the Tampa Bay area has earned seven awards for excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists, including three first-place Sunshine State awards. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, where he won the CBS Foundation Prize in Playwriting, and of Harvard College. He teaches fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting at the University of South Florida. Learn more at markeleib.me.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com


Spotlight on the books and authors of Living Springs Publishers

Spotlight

LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on the books and authors of Living Springs Publishers, a family-owned indie press that publishes action and adventure, historical fiction, science fiction, memoir, western, and young adult/Christian works, as well as anthologies of short stories and creative nonfiction. Read on to learn more!


Emily's House by Sharon Armstrong 

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Coming-of-Age Fiction
4.8 stars, 30 ratings on Amazon
From $4.99

Emily Parks is a newcomer to the small town of Mountain Grove, Virginia, where she lives with her alcoholic mother, father, and grandmother. When she has a problem at school, she learns the townspeople she has met are willing to step in and help her. They give her advice, support, and something she has never received before…love. With their help, Emily begins to plan for the life she wants and a way to escape from the world her parents have created. When Emily’s parents leave her in the middle of the night, she must make some quick decisions. Her unusual solution takes everyone in the village by surprise.

"Emily’s House offers hope and insight on how to create a better life for yourself, regardless of the hand you’ve been dealt." ~Tami Olesen, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Also available: Emily's Home Over the Bakery - The sequel to Emily's House

2051 Books 1-3: War on American Soil by Dan Peavler 

Genre: Military Fiction
4.3 stars, 16 ratings on Amazon
From $2.99

What would your family do if foreign powers used gangs to paralyze American cities and the heartland? What would your family do If EMPs knocked out power and society was on the brink of chaos?

The War on American Soil trilogy chronicles the terrifying concept of Americans fighting Americans as foreign enemies invade the homeland. This set contains the three complete novels, which are also available individually from $1.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited):
"A dramatic vision of what a future invasion of the United States would be like." ~Amazon Reviewer

Whatever Happened to Cathy Martin by Mim Eichmann 

Genre: Suspense, Literary Fiction
4.7 stars, 8 ratings on Amazon
From $0.99

Kathy Reichs meets Sherlock Holmes in this gothic Midwest thriller from the bestselling author of A Sorrow Alone and Muskrat Ramble.

Set in southern Indiana in 1978, Whatever Happened to Cathy Martin seeks to unravel a deadly tangled web of lies surrounding three former high school friends, one of whom has been missing for over a decade...but which one? And why?

"With a killer opening (literally) and a forehead slapping 'Why didn’t I guess that' ending, Mim Eichmann has created a pair of compelling bookends to her latest novel, Whatever Happened to Cathy Martin. For those who appreciate craft in storytelling, it’s a must read.” ~James A. Ross, author of the Coldwater mystery series

Sam Wood: Floods of Ungodly Men by Henry Peavler 

Genre: Historical Fiction
From $0.99

Colonel Sam Wood, the Fighting Quaker, was a real-life Superhero before the term was even coined. He was friend to every Abolitionist from Abraham Lincoln to Harriet Tubman and from John Brown to Frederick Douglass, and foe to every slaveholder from Jefferson Davis to Henry Clay. He demanded equality for all, elimination of slavery, and the right to vote for women.

Book 1 in a series of four books about Sam and Margaret Wood. They were abolitionists, pioneers, and crusaders for equality for everyone, regardless of gender, race, or social standing. 

The Historical Chronicles of Elinore Sturgeon and the Last Human Colony by R. T. Kilgore 

Genre: Science Fiction
4.9 stars, 121 ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99, Free via Kindle Unlimited

Earth is long gone! Seventy-two humans have been saved from dying on a lifeless planet by the Par, and now they are expected to fight in an intergalactic war. Does Elinor fight for the Par, the creatures that enslaved her, or does she let the humans die along with everyone else? Book 1 in the series.

"Three unique alien worlds with equally diverse inhabitants... I highly recommend this book." ~Amazon Reviewer

Imagining Iraq: Stories by Barbara Mujica

Genre: Iraq War History, Historical Study
4.7 stars, 12 ratings on Amazon
From $4.99

“Authentic and affecting. A bracing literary investigation of war and its emotional ramifications.” ~Kirkus Reviews

For centuries, war-writing has been the domain of men, but Barbara Mujica brings a different perspective. In Imagining Iraq, a collection of eighteen beautifully crafted, interwoven stories of danger, daring, and sacrifice, she focuses on how war affects not only combatants, but also their loved ones. Drawing from her own experience as a military mother and her work as a veterans advocate at Georgetown University, Mujica raises important questions about the consequences of war.

"Among the most powerful collections I have read on Iraq and on war in general. A brave and splendid collection.” ~Marjorie Agosín, author of The White Islands and The Maps of Memory

The Drover's Curse by Bob Harvey

Genre: Historical Fiction
From $0.99

Here’s your invitation to ride alongside a real cowboy. Drovers pushed herds of longhorns all across the middle of America for much of the 1800s. The life of a drover on the trail is a series of both blessings and curses. Survival is the goal.

There is an adventure in every twist and turn of Andrew (Andy) Graham’s path through life. Orphaned at a Kansas fort and herding cattle at 16, Andy found it necessary to become Clyde Driscoll. Clyde saved a failing Nebraska fort for Custer and the 7th Cavalry before he headed south to fight in the Civil War. Returning to the life of a drover meant leaving the Army as a deserter, matching wits with a notorious lawman, and watching the birth of a Kansas Cowtown. Mount up with Andy and learn about boots, tack, snakes, blizzards, steers, women of the night, life on the trail, and Texas Rangers. Book 1 in a series.

"Great historical view of the Old West." ~Amazon Reviewer

Stories Through the Ages: Baby Boomers Plus 2022

Genre: Short Story and Creative Nonfiction Anthologies
From $0.99, Free via Kindle Unlimited

Stories Through The Ages: Baby Boomers Plus 2022 is the sixth installment in an anthology series containing the best fiction and nonfiction submissions from an annual writing contest sponsored by Living Springs. The competition is recommended by Reedsy as a "Best Writing Contest." The 2022 collection includes sixteen outstanding stories by authors who were born in 1966 or earlier (thus the "Baby Boomers Plus" designation!). 

Previous installments from 2017 - 2021 are available from Living Springs Publishers and online retailers

About the Publisher
Living Springs Publishers LLP is a family-owned, independent publishing company based in Centennial, Colorado. They chose the name Living Springs Publishers to honor their roots in the Living Springs area of Eastern Colorado.

The Mission of Living Springs Publishers is to help authors, regardless of age or experience, share their gift of writing, and to help bring their stories and manuscripts to life via Living Springs' expertise in editing and publishing. Learn more at LivingSpringsPublishers.com.


People Making Danger: Fun Summer Short Reads

Spotlight

Spotlight on
The People Making Danger Series from author Adam Fike
Short summer reads full of suspense, surprises and dark humor...
...because good characters make poor choices.
 

SHORT READ SERIES: Three-act stories covering a range of genres from mysteries, thrillers, and sci-fi to biography, satire, and magical realism—all told in the present tense, like reading a movie. 

Neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly, local serial killer. A small town confuses an Army training exercise with an alien invasion (based on a true story). Robbing a remote bank full of mob money goes very wrong and then gets worse. A violinist plays so magically they thought he was pure evil. And a dead convict returns to his dusty hometown on the day his criminal career began.

The Quiet Ones

Genre/themes: Thriller, Suspense, Betrayal, Hope
$0.99


When a young girl goes missing, families fall apart and neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly local serial killer.

You know, life in the suburbs is like anyplace else. Occasionally, the universe likes to make sure you're paying attention. When a troublesome teenager goes missing, her father, a local cop, hits the sauce. Bob is in over his head at work and messing around with his secretary. After losing her brother in a tragic leather bondage accident, Ruth needs to find her voice. And Junior...if it turns out he's that big, friendly guy down the street with bodies in his yard, well, then, fine. But he's going out his way.

Operation Dragonhead

Genre/themes: Satire, Sci-Fi, Nostalgia
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)


Mistaking experimental Army communication helmets for alien antennae during a surprise training maneuver, rural townsfolk launch an improvised defense. Based on a true story.

Early one morning, at the end of the 1950s, the sky above a small mountain town fills with parachutes. The streets flood with tanks and troops. An impressive, highly coordinated Army training exercise goes off without a hitch. Until the friendly town folk decide to fight back. Who launched Dragonhead? Sorry, that's top secret. However, this satire IS based on a true story.

High Desert

Genre/themes: Bank Heist, Muscle Car Western
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)


A rotten sheriff and reluctant hero settle old family scores beyond the reach of the law.

Hanner only wants to tinker in his desert junk yard, fish for wrecks on the highway, and forget his family legacy. A corrupt sheriff, fate, and a vault full of organized crime loot have another idea. 

Paganini

Genre/themes: Historical Fiction, Biography
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)


The wicked life of a notorious nineteenth-century Italian violinist who played so beautifully—and broke so many hearts—they thought he was the devil.

Paganini's music was spellbinding. He set Europe on fire. Voices burst from his violin. It was all so magical. But was it evil? In the end, he does confess. But not to that.

Yardley County

Genre/themes: Regret, Redemption, Magical Realism
$0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)


A dead escaped convict finds himself, and his redemption, at the hometown robbery where a gunshot began his criminal career.

What really did go down all those years ago in Yardley County? Well, memory is a funny thing. So when he dies escaping prison, Lenny returns to his dusty hometown to remember. Unwinding these events leads to his only real choice.

People Making Danger - Complete Set

$4.99 


BONUS! Get two bonus stories (Valley Football and The Trop) when you purchase the entire set of five "People Making Danger" stories. 

People Making Danger: Because good characters make poor choices.

About the Author
Adam Fike, his wife, and son found a home in the San Fernando Valley with technicolor sunsets and an orange tree in the yard. His first book is an ode to English class. The second is dedicated to Saturday matinees. 

He co-created Wyndotte Street's original comedy library with producer Christian Monzon, studied sketch and long-form improv at at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, and is a former suburban Washington D.C. area newspaper reporter. 

Learn more at Goodreads and AdamFike.com


Introducing a Life-Changing Book: Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison

Spotlight

Maybe You Should Give Up:
7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life 
Are you tired of standing in your own way, preventing yourself from reaching the life you truly desire? Deep down, you know what needs to be done, but you find yourself trapped in a cycle of self-sabotage?

It's time to make a change. But that doesn't mean giving up on your dreams and aspirations. Instead, it's about relinquishing the barriers that hinder your progress.

Within the pages of Maybe You Should Give Up, you'll uncover a treasure trove of cycle-breaking techniques. These proven methods have been expertly simplified into easy-to-follow steps, empowering you to finally break free from self-sabotage and reclaim control of your life.

Author Byron Morrison draws from his personal transformational journey, as well as nearly a decade of extensive research and working with individuals from 15 countries. This wealth of experience has culminated in a book that exudes empowerment, guiding you to overcome every obstacle hindering your happiness and success. 
For a limited time only you can get the ebook for just 99 cents!
Get your copy of Maybe You Should Give Up from leading bookstores or by clicking the button below. Don't miss out on this life-altering resource that will ignite your personal growth and help you forge a path towards fulfilment.

 
Exclusive Bonus ($57 value!): Order today and get the audiobook edition of Maybe You Should Give Up, the Next Level You video series, and the Next level You workbook FREE! Simply email a copy of your receipt to Byron Morrison at maybeyoushouldgiveupbook@gmail.com.

Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison

USA Release: June 27, 2023
UK Release: 13 July, 2023
Paperback: $17.95
Ebook: $0.99


Maybe You Should Give Up is a book about empowerment. About helping you break through everything that is stopping you from achieving the happiness and success you want. You’ll discover cycle-breaking techniques that have been broken down into easy-to-follow steps that will empower you to get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself.
 
Not only will you change the way you think, you’ll also change how you process problems, deal with setbacks, and feel about yourself so you can finally stop being the stumbling block in the way of the life that you want and break through to the next level of happiness and success.

Praise for You Should Give Up and Byron Morrison
  • "An inspiring book that will take its readers on a moving and enlightening journey." ~Goodreads Review
  • "A refreshing, sometimes hilarious, and often enlightening take on life." ~Amazon Review
  • "A coach that I could trust to help take me to the next level." ~Cody Sandone, Co-founder & CEO, Elevated Trading

About the Author
Byron Morrison is a high-performance coach, author, and speaker. Through The Evolved Programme, Byron has helped CEOs and business leaders around the world to become more effective by helping them take control of their role so that they can maximize their time, lead with confidence, and grow a business without losing their sanity. 

Byron is author of The Evolved CEO Book Collection: The Effective CEO and CEO in Control. He also offers on-demand courses designed to provide leaders with all the tools and guidance needed to get to the next level: 
  • BREAKTHROUGH: For those wanting to take their success, happiness, and life to the next level.
  • AMPLIFY: The ultimate productivity, time, and energy management course for CEOs and business leaders.
Perhaps most important, Byron offers one-on-one personal coaching via The Evolved Programme. Learn more about the program, Byron's books, and his video courses at ByronMorrison.com, and connect with Byron via social media:
 
   


Becoming Me Giveaway & Webinar

Events Spotlight

New Giveaway & Free Webinar!

Today, LitNuts is pleased to share news about the Becoming Me Giveaway and Webinar.

Becoming Me by Martin Boroson is a beautifully illustrated book that takes you on a cosmic journey into the heart of who you are. Read on to learn more.

Join Martin Boroson and Robert Glass for a free webinar that will use Becoming Me as a touchstone to explore "The Radical Promise of Mysticism in the Modern World." (Thursday, July 13, 9 AM Pacific, 16.00 UK) 

Bonus: Enter the Becoming Me Giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover gift edition of Becoming Me plus a $25 Amazon.com gift card.


Becoming Me: A Story of Creation

Author: Martin Boroson
Illustrator: Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright
Genre: Spiritual Gifts, New Age Mysticism
Hardcover gift edition: $24.99
Ebook: $4.99  

 
From its remarkable opening line, “Once upon a time, I was,” this little book takes you on a cosmic journey into the heart of who you are. With deceptively simple language by Martin Boroson and breath-taking illustrations by Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, Becoming Me conveys the deepest mystical view of life as a process of divine self-discovery.

Profound and playful, this "children’s book for adults" has been hailed by psychologists, scientists, and leaders of many different faiths. Best given to celebrate life’s big moments or to comfort people feeling sad, anxious, or lonely, Becoming Me has been taught in philosophy classes and religious sermons, and has uplifted people at every stage of their spiritual journey. This new edition is an ideal gift for new babies, weddings…or yourself. Perfect for the bedside table.

“One of those magical stories that can color your whole life, however young or old you are. The simple words and radiant illustrations convey the most powerful, heart-resonating truths about creation and why we are here.” ~Cygnus Reviews
 
More Praise for Becoming Me
"Gentle yet thought-provoking, this will offer readers another way to contemplate the nature of the divine." ~Publishers' Weekly
 
"The approach and the artwork nicely together not only to captivate children but also to provide much opportunity for discussion." ~Booklist

"Becoming Me undoubtedly captures the emerging spirit of the 21st century." ~Ervin Laszlo, Science Advisor to the Director General of UNESCO

"A deceptively simple expression of the nature of the divine, with breathtaking artwork." ~The Times (UK)

About the Author
Martin Boroson studied philosophy at Yale University and earned an MBA at the Yale School of Management. He is a psychotherapist and executive coach, trained in the psychology of breakthrough experience with Dr. Stanislav Grof, and is a priest in the Hollow Bones Rinzai Zen order.

In addition to teaching the deeper meaning of Becoming Me in seminars and retreats, Martin serves as the Dean of Transformational Programs at Mobius Executive Leadership and is co-founder of The One Moment Company, which helps leaders find time for what matters. He is the author of One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go, published in twelve languages and featured as a thirty-day series on stress relief on Oprah.com. He designed the 5* mobile app One-Moment Meditation®, and the popular video, “How to Meditate in a Moment.” Learn more at BecomingMe.com.


Get the Adventures of Jimmy Crikey, middle grade fantasy & adventure series

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on The Jimmy Crikey Series of middle grade fantasy/adventure novels from author Wallace Briggs. 

"A beautiful world that meshes fantasy and science fiction for young readers." ~Literary Titan


The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Worlds Beneath And Above The Stars 

From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Beneath the very ground on which you walk and beyond the stars above your head are more worlds than you could ever dream of. There are monsters. Magic wielded by witches and sorcerers. Epic adventures in worlds far across the ocean. And fearsome weapons that threaten to destroy everything.

Jimmy Crikey is a brave soul whose incredible courage allows him to rise above every challenge in his path, on his way to discovering why he looks so very strange.

With a bright red mop of unruly hair, big blue eyes, a small snub nose, pointed ears, and enormous feet, poor Jimmy is ridiculed by the neighbourhood children and runs away in search of a world where he fits in. Following a midnight flight through the forest, he stumbles into a lost, underground world called Roombelow where magic, adventure, danger, and excitement await.

Jimmy Crikey's Adventures in the Sky Islands (and beyond) 

From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Jimmy Crikey is the orphan alien living on Earth. Because of his strange appearance, Jimmy was bullied beyond endurance.But he saved the underground world of Roombelow from the sleeping spell cast by Matilda, the witch who forgot how to laugh. And now Gemma, the little lady who lived at the bottom of the well, is Jimmy's greatest friend, and Jade (Gemma's tiny niece) is Jimmy’s greatest admirer.

Once freed from the bullies, Jimmy blossomed and developed into a genuine hero. He uses his unique Attalian powers to defend Roombelow from many of the dangers that threaten. Meanwhile, far above Earth, the Sky Islands are invaded by the galactic race of Zylons. It takes the combined power of the four witches, the ancient Weatherman, Jade (an apprentice witch), and Jimmy to save the Sky Islands. But then the Weatherman disappears, and Jimmy and friends set out to rescue him.

Jimmy Crikey's Adventures in Parallel Worlds 

From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

When Earth is invaded by an alien species of omnivorous worm, the four guardian witches of Earth are powerless against them. So it falls to Jimmy to seek the help of his technologically advanced friends on Attalia, his home planet in a different dimension.

Jimmy may be an orphan, but he has friends on both sides of the universe, including Jade, the apprentice witch who joins Jimmy on his quest. They escape the worms once and reach the safety of Attalia. But when Jade's life is threatened again, it's up to Jimmy to save the day.

The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: The Emerald Lake

From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

In this is a stand-alone fourth book in the series, Emerald Lake, the underground home of the Aquamites, is invaded by a flesh-eating, fire-breathing serpent that is impervious to the magic of the four guardian witches. The witches call on Jimmy for help.

Jimmy accompanies Elwinn, witch guardian of everything associated with water, to visit the Emerald Lake. They capture the serpents, but Annison is seriously injured when a serpent takes a big bite out of her tail. All appears lost until Lord Oron reveals his true identity--and a plan that could save Annison's life. 

The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Jade, the Youngest Ever Witch 

From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Jade is approaching the end of her apprenticeship with Witch Matilda, the leader of the Guardians. But there are several challenges to complete before Jade becomes a fully qualified member of the sister's Coven, and Jade cannot accept help from anybody, especially not from Jimmy. 

Things get complicated when the cave world of Lithnia, the Sky Islands, and Roombelow all fall under threat, requiring help from Jimmy and Jade. And things get even worse when an alien race from the Alpha Centauri system risks destroying Earth in order to save their own planet. Can Jimmy help the aliens resolve their plight without bloodshed? And when Witch Matilda is called to a higher realm, who will be appointed as her successor?

The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: 5-Book Set 

From $4.95 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Get the entire set of all five Jimmy Crikey books on Kindle for only $4.95 (free via Kindle Unlimited)!

About the Author
Wallace Briggs was born into an underprivileged family that consisted of four children, a sick father (who died when Wallace was seventeen), and a mother who worked hard to nurture and provide. Wallace first met Pat when they were eleven years old, only to be separated a year later when Wallace's family moved away. But the paths of Wallace and Pat crossed again, and when they reached adulthood, they married--and marriage that has lasted nearly 60 years.

Jimmy Crikey was born one rainy day, many years ago, during a family holiday in Great Yarmouth, to entertain Wallace and Pat's son and his friends. The story expanded over the following damp afternoons in the cramped confines of a beach tent, as more and more adventures were required to keep the children entertained. Many years later, Wallace decided to commit to the written word, and now looks forward to sharing The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey with a wider audience. 

Learn more at wallaceebriggs.com.


Spotlight on Sparkling Books, indie UK publisher

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on Sparkling Books, an independent press based in the United Kingdom that publishes crime, detective, mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, romance, women's fiction, children's, young adult/middle grade, and drama.

Sign up for news from Sparkling Books or follow Sparkling Books on Twitter to get information about new releases and other news. 


Petronella and the Janjilons by Cheryl Bentley 

Genre: Teen & Young Adult
From $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

The Janjilons are not what they seem. They look like a type of monkey, but they are really children. How did they turn into Janjilons? And could it happen to anyone?

Behind this mystery is someone evil: Judge Ormerod who wants to be the next Duke of Westshire. With the help of three weird sisters, he has to rid the land of clever children from being an obstacle to him. The Janjilons work for him as the three sisters mete out punishment and keep them locked up.

Petronella starts to look into these strange happenings. But time is running out because when the Judge no longer needs the Janjilons, they will be destroyed.

"A fun and exciting tale of mischief and the resulting troubles, of problem solving and the outcome of working toward a goal." ~”Linda Barrett, Bookseller, USA
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Peregrine Harker & the Black Death by Luke Hollands 

Genre: Teen & Young Adult
From $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Murder. Spies. Explosions. Revenge. This book for teens has it all!

London 1908. Peregrine Harker is about to learn you’re never too young to die. A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows, and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol. When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder, he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets, and dastardly villains. Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.

“Highly imaginative and original.” ~The Hopeful Heroine Blog

Three British Mystery Novels 

Genre: Mystery
From $11.99

Three authors, three great mysteries:
  • Lynnwood by Thomas Brown: Who wouldn’t want to live in an idyllic village in the English countryside like Lynnwood? With its charming pub, old dairy, friendly vicar, gurgling brooks, and old paths with memories of simpler times. But the unthinkable is happening in Lynnwood ‒ a village with centuries of guilt on its conscience. Finalist in the People’s Book Prize.
  • A Taste for Blood by David Stuart Davies: Two laser-sharp detectives, two thought-provoking cases, and two plots running parallel...you won’t see what’s coming! Featuring private investigator Johnny (One Eye) Hawke, and his one-time colleague in the police force Detective David Llewellyn. Hawke is on the case of a mysterious suicide. Llewellyn is investigating the chilling crimes of a top psychiatrist and his scheming patient. 
  • Ellipsis by Nikki Dudley: ”Right on time,” Daniel Mansen mouths to Alice as she pushes him to his death. Haunted by these words, Alice becomes obsessed with discovering how a man she didn’t know could predict her actions. Ellipsis is a thriller stemming from what is left unsaid, what bounces around in the mind, and what evaporates when trying to remember. Can there be a conclusion when no one seems to know the truth?

Further Exploits of Sherlock Holmes

Genre: Mystery
From $4.99 (free via Kindle Unlimited)

This exciting anthology brings together the work of two much admired Sherlock Holmes writers: David Stuart Davies and Matthew Booth. In these stories, Holmes and Watson are engaged in daring exploits applying their razor-sharp intelligence in new cases.

"Captures the feel of the originals...well-rounded tales" ~Jonathan Johnson, Librarian, USA

"These stories bring Holmes and Watson back to life in the true spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." ~Jeannette Beech, UK reviewer

The Sicilian Woman's Daughter by Linda Lo Scuro 

Genre: Thriller
From $4.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Most victims of the mafia are the Sicilians themselves. The role of women both as perpetrators and victims has been grossly overlooked. Until now.

As the teen daughter of Sicilian immigrants, Maria turns her back on her origins and fully embraces the English way of life. Notwithstanding her troubled and humble childhood in London, and backed up by her intelligence, beauty, and sheer determination, she triumphantly works her way up to join the upper middle class of British society. There she becomes a bastion of civility. But an incident causes Maria to delve into her mother's murky family history, drawing Maria more and more into a mire of vendetta.

"An enthralling read on many levels.” ~Book Trail

The Financial System Limit by David Kauders 

Genre: Nonfiction Macroenomics Finance
From $5.99

Can the world really continue to stimulate its way out of every downturn? What happens to debt as central banks and governments buy prosperity?

In The Financial System Limit: The world's read debt burden, the author puts forward three radical theories, which show that Keynesian economics can no longer benefit society. He explains why debt cannot expand to infinity; then how debt interest is a cost to us all. The global economic cycle is now determined by central bank policies. Read The Financial System Limit to understand why banks keep failing and learn why financial and economic policies have to change. You will discover why debt reduction programs do not work and what will follow the recent inflation.

David Kauders FRSA is a British investment manager who has been concerned about the hidden social costs of easy money. This is his third book.

About the Publisher
Sparkling Books is an independent UK publishing house and a member of Independent Publishers Guild. Learn more at SparklingBooks.com or on the Sparkling Books Twitter page


New release: Chicken Dinner News by Jeff Billington

Spotlight

Congratulations to author Jeff Billington and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Chicken Dinner News, a charming and humorous new work of contemporary fiction.

★★★★★ “A thoughtful glimpse into the angst of a dying and often bigoted Middle American town.” ~J.D. Painter, author of The Black March: A Novel of World War II


Chicken Dinner News by Jeff Billington

NEW RELEASE: June 20, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction, Humorous Literary Fiction, Southern United States Fiction
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: From $5.99  

Ryan Shipley wouldn’t have recognized his grandfather if they were the only two people in a room. So when an unwanted inheritance lands in his lap, Ryan is overcome with obligation. Does he leave his life as a journalist in LA to run his grandfather’s weekly newspaper and revive a dying Ozark town, half of which he now owns?

The overwhelming amount of casserole dishes brought to his door, along with being stopped by anyone and everyone to be regaled about the virtues of his grandfather, don’t sway him. But when he starts to fall in love with more than just a girl named Olivia, Ryan sees a future there.

Change is due for this small town, and Ryan is all in. But when there is talk of a chicken processing plant being built on the outskirts, he writes an editorial in its favor and stirs up trouble. An arsonist and a rigid bigot turn the uproar of the townspeople into mayhem. But it only makes Ryan more empowered to guide the town, and with Olivia by his side, they begin to turn the tide.

Charming and humorously thoughtful, Chicken Dinner News is contemporary fiction for open-minded soul searchers that enjoy books by such authors as Richard Russo, Robert James Waller, and Boo Walker.

More Praise for Chicken Dinner News
★★★★★ “Highlights the precious resources we have in small towns and the challenges of journalism in these days when we question the integrity of the truth. A fresh voice.” ~Kathryn Johnson, author of The Gentleman Poet

★★★★★ “A gripping tale with charming personalities and plenty of intrigue to keep the pages turning.” ~Chad Stebbins, executive director, International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

About the Author
Raised on a small dairy and poultry farm in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Jeff Billington spent his childhood listening to family stories and hearing about the changes the twentieth century brought to that celebrated rural region. He has since spent two decades working in the nonprofit and political realms, most of it in Washington, DC, and currently resides in Rockville, Maryland. Learn more at JeffBillington.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.


Amazing Bees: A must-read for children, parents & teachers

Spotlight

Today we are shining a spotlight on The Amazing Bees, a book that puts an adorable face on the small creatures that make life on earth possible while also teaching the importance of protecting the ecosystem.

Includes 29 full-color illustrations, 12 bonus coloring pages, and 128 pages of rollicking action designed to provide hours of fun for both kids and adults.


The Amazing Bees by Yoel Silber

Genre: Children's Fiction, Children's Science Fiction, Science & Math
Hardcover: $14.99
Paperback: $9.99
Ebook: $1.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

 
"The Amazing Bees is a must read for all children, their parents, teachers, and others." ~Dr. Renai Jonas

Follow the exciting adventure of Princess Debbee, a honeybee who sets out to save her hive from destruction by thoughtless humans. This engaging story teaches children how their actions impact the environment and provides a powerful female role model to look up to.

With gorgeous full-color illustrations and 12 coloring pages, your kids will fall in love with Debbee and her adorable crew as you read and re-read her story together.

A book that entertains, educates, and empowers
  • Entertains...with a story, illustrations, and coloring pages that were designed to provide hours of fun and entertainment for kids and adults.
  • Educates...learn about how bees make life on earth possible and about the importance of protecting the ecosystem.
  • Empowers...follow Princess Debbee, a strong female role model who inspires kids to take action to do what's right—for themselves and for the planet.
Praise for The Amazing Bees
"The Amazing Bees embraces bigger-picture detail and thinking, providing more content and depth than most other children's books on the subject of bees."  ~Midwest Book Review

"From the emotive expressions on the faces of the characters to the stylish shoes Princess Debbee wears throughout the story, kids will be able to wholeheartedly get behind such a relatable and charming story. Effective at raising awareness and engendering a sense of respect for the ecosystem." ~Indies Today

"This is not just an education about bees—it's a fun, action-packed fairytale young readers are sure to enjoy."  ~Children's Book Review

"Original, engaging, beautifully illustrated, and professionally edited." ~Onlinebookclub.org

"A brilliant story for the family to enjoy and learn from at home." ~Lovereading.co.uk

"Astute and endearing...Compulsively readable. This winning story about courage, resilience, solidarity, and friendship is as entertaining as it is thoughtful. Highly recommended as an early chapter book, this work will encourage readers to reflect on how their actions impact the environment." ~The Prairies Book Review

More Ways to Make Learning Fun
The Amazing Bees book takes your family on an incredible adventure with Princess Debbee. This is the story of one little bee's journey to save her community, and it's sure to inspire your kids to do their part to help the environment and become leaders in their own communities. Here's how to harness that energy to keep the learning going.

ENTERTAIN
  • The Amazing Bees is meant to be read aloud! Snuggle up together in a special spot to share the adventure.
  • Try out different voices to bring the characters to life. With older children, you can take turns playing different parts as you read aloud.
  • Encourage your child to act out scenes from the book. A few simple costumes and props will enhance the experience and encourage imaginative play.
  • The Amazing Bees is also an interactive stage show. Be on the lookout for a live performance in your area, or talk to your neighborhood's social director or community events organizer about bringing The Amazing Bees to your community: TheAmazingBees.com/Bookings
EDUCATE
  • Turn your next outdoor walk into a nature walk by noticing all the insects and flowers you come across. Older children may wish to keep a nature journal to keep track of the different animals and plants they see.
  • Learn more about honeybees and other pollinators together. You can try your local library for age-appropriate books, or check out kid-friendly articles on educational websites.
  • Talk to your child's teachers about your family's new interest in bees. Ask if they have any additional materials or lessons about this important topic to share with your child's class.
EMPOWER
  • Plant some flowers that provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators in your area. Even a few pots on the patio can make a big difference!
  • Scan your home for harmful chemicals and insecticides—and get rid of them! As you do so, talk to your children about making choices that tread lightly on the earth.
  • Help your child organize a lemonade stand fundraiser to donate money to an environmental cause—or to adopt a local beehive.
As a parent you can keep the cycle going. Start by finding ways to make learning fun, then dig a little deeper to find out more. Finally, develop a project that empowers your children to make a real change in their community. Small steps today can turn into lasting changes as your children grow into responsible, caring adults.


Spotlight on Q & A, a laugh-out-loud, coming-of-age mystery

Spotlight

Congratulations to Carolyn R. Russell and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Q & A, a laugh-out-loud, coming-of-age mystery. 

★★★★★ “An entertaining tale aggrandized by an unshakable protagonist and the family she’s thankfully stuck with.” ~Kirkus Reviews


Q & A by Carolyn R. Russell

NEW RELEASE: June 13, 2023
Genre: Coming-of-Age
Paperback: $14.99
Ebook: From $4.99  

 
Something very creepy is going on inside the Eco Trooper Club's gloomy warehouse.

Quinn Bard has been forced to join a club at her high school in the new town she hates. Her first meeting leaves her questioning her sanity.

Despite her family’s joyfully chaotic home life, things get worse. Quinn is shocked to discover a sinister conspiracy at the heart of the club’s mission, and there’s something very bizarre about the group’s adult leader, Nadine Stent.

Enlisting the help of her older sister, Arista, Quinn learns that the club’s student members are unhappy hostages. What mysterious power does Nadine hold over them? And what kind of twisted scheme has she dragged everyone into?

In a race against time, the two sisters and new friends work to expose Nadine’s evil plot. And together they have adventures funnier, stranger and more thrilling than Quinn ever imagined possible.

If Quinn and her allies succeed, it’ll be a new beginning for her. If they fail, innocent people will go to jail, and families will be destroyed. Including Quinn’s.
 
Praise for Q & A
★★★★★ “Clever and captivating, this laugh-out-loud mystery will keep you hooked until the last word. Utterly unputdownable.” ~Genalea Barker, author of Life After

★★★★★ “Adjusting to a new town becomes especially hard for a teen once she suspects a service club is up to something sinister in this YA mystery... An entertaining tale aggrandized by an unshakable protagonist and the family she’s thankfully stuck with.” ~Kirkus Reviews

★★★★★ “Carolyn R. Russell sticks a perfect landing with her humorous mystery, Q&A. Quinn’s intellectual family is delightful and the young characters are well-drawn and true to life as they go about their adventures. A must-read!” ~Edith Maxwell, Agatha Award-winning author of the Quaker Midwife Mysteries

★★★★★ “A riveting mystery that unspools a sensational mix of humor and adventure. A wonderfully engaging book.” ~Elizabeth Lorayne, award-winning author of Piratess Tilly

★★★★★ “What could be more enjoyable to YA readers, both young and old, than a fast-paced mystery with a sophisticated plot and characters that are both quirky and relatable? A funny and exciting romp!” ~Connie Johnson Hambley, award-winning author of the Jessica Wyeth series

★★★★★ “The ultimate teen adventure recipe: two strongly-bonded sisters, a crew of smart friends, and a small New Hampshire town where a dangerous scientific mystery lurks. A fast and fun rolicking good time!” ~Martha Engber, 2021 IPPY Gold Medal Winner in Young Adult Fiction

About the Author
In addition to her fiction, Carolyn R. Russell is also the author of The Films of Joel and Ethan Coen, published by McFarland & Company in 2001. Her essays and short stories have been widely published. She holds an M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University, and has taught on the college, high school, and middle school levels. Carolyn lives north of Boston with her husband and two children. Learn more at carolynrrussell.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.


Maybe You Should Give Up: 7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life

Spotlight

Spotlight on
Maybe You Should Give Up:
7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life
 Today, LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on the release of an exciting new self-help book from author and executive coach Byron Morrison. Read on to learn more about his special pre-order offer!

Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison

USA Release: June 27, 2023
UK Release: 13 July, 2023
Paperback: $17.95
Ebook: $0.99


In Maybe You Should Give Up, you’ll discover cycle-breaking techniques that have been broken down into easy-to-follow steps that will empower you to get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself.
 
All of this stems from author Byron Morrison’s own journey of transformation, as well as nearly a decade’s worth of research and working with people in 15 different countries to help them take control of their lives.

Maybe You Should Give Up is a book about empowerment. About helping you break through everything that is stopping you from achieving the happiness and success you want.

Not only will you change the way you think, you’ll also change how you process problems, deal with setbacks, and feel about yourself so you can finally stop being the stumbling block in the way of the life that you want and break through to the next level of happiness and success.

Exclusive Pre-order Offer
Pre-order a paperback copy of Maybe You Should Give Up from Barnes & Noble or Waterstones and get the following items FREE:
  • Audiobook edition
  • The Next Level You video series
  • The Next Level You Workbook
To get your free items (a $37 value!), simply email a copy of your Barnes & Noble or Waterstones receipt to maybeyoushouldgiveupbook@gmail.com.

Pre-order now:
Barnes & Noble
Waterstones

About the Author
Byron Morrison is a high-performance coach, author, and speaker. Over the last decade, Byron has helped CEOs and business leaders around the world to become more effective by helping them take control of their role so that they can maximize their time, lead with confidence, and grow a business without losing their sanity. 

Byron is author of The Evolved CEO Book Collection: The Effective CEO and CEO in Control. He also offers on-demand courses designed to provide leaders with all the tools and guidance needed to get to the next level: 
  • AMPLIFY: The ultimate productivity, time, and energy management course for CEOs and business leaders.
  • UNSHAKEABLE: Master the mental game needed to become a highly effective CEO.
Learn more about Byron and The Evolved Programme for CEOs and business leaders at ByronMorrison.com


Spotlight on author Scott Burtness and "a darkly funny shapeshifter urban fantasy"

Spotlight


August Shade has found his niche. The cynical shapeshifter knows that most relationships don't last. He also knows that after a messy breakup, most people—human or otherwise—just want two things: Their stuff back, and to never see their ex again. 
Join August as he does his best to reunite broken hearts with their favorite things and not get killed—or worse—while doing it.

An Oracle Walks into a Bar

Book 1 in The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist
4.5 stars, 63 ratings
FREE!


August Shade has found his niche. He’s a post-relationship personal effects repossession specialist. Satisfaction not guaranteed. But at least you’ll have your favorite whatever back.

Vilde Tank has found her destiny. Guided by her horoscopes, the huldra hires August to reclaim an unusual book. It reveals the secret of the Zodiac’s thirteenth sign, bestows its reader with the power to write their own future, and is currently in the possession of her vampire ex-lover.

Clarissa Steyer has found her calling. The oracle writes horoscopes for the local paper. Her celestial predictions help keep the world spinning. Now August is in all of her visions and the world might be coming to an end. She knows that the shapeshifter can change into a lot of things, but can he change the future?

Plagued by the oracle’s horoscopes, haunted by a dark past, and grappling with his penchant for making bad decisions, the only sure thing about August’s future is that it looks short.

"Sharp and funny—think the Hitchhiker's Guide only paranormal." ~Andrew Shaffer, NY Times bestselling author

A Scarecrow Wins an Award

Book 2 in The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist
4.7 stars, 16 ratings
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)


Shapeshifter August Shade saved the world. The personal effects repo man bested a vampire, a warlock, and a troll without even breaking a sweat.

While his growing celebrity has been good for business, it’s also meant taking jobs farther from home. Now, the cranky shapeshifter is in farm country—definitely not his natural habitat—and mixed up with two feuding hag sisters, a loan sharking coblyn, and a mysterious woman with a very scary ex. The manure hits the fan when his best friend blows the lid off a major conspiracy and lands August in a heap of trouble.

A Scarecrow Wins an Award is a great read for fans of John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin, Arcane Casebook by Dan Willis, Moth Busters by Margaret Lashley, and Douglas Adams's A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

A Siren Sings Her Heart Out

Book 3 in The Misadventures of a Paranormal Post-Relationship Personal Effects Repossession Specialist
New Release: Coming June 30, 2023
From $0.99 



August Shade needs a break. Reptilians are trying to take over the world. Powerful paranormals are a little too interested in whether he lives or dies. After years of laying low, the grumpy shapeshifter’s face is all over the Internet. If that wasn’t bad enough, August’s best friend is playing around with necromancy.

Desperate to clear his head, the cranky shapeshifter heads north to the shores of Lake Superior. Now he’s drowning in lake monsters, paranormal prophecies, and reptilian plots. A drink would help, but the only bar in town is a karaoke bar.

For a guy who has tried to not make waves, life is getting pretty choppy. It’s sink or swim for the poor repo man. If he’s going down, though, August will make sure he goes down singing.

About the Author
Scott Burtness writes about ordinary Midwesterners making an extraordinary mess of things. "If the flannel fits…" says Scott.

Important to note: To Scott, "ordinary” includes vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, shapeshifters, aliens, and more.

When Scott is not writing, he can be found hanging out at the local brewery, hanging out with his dog, or hanging out with his dog at the local brewery. Learn more at Scott's website, sign up for his monthly newsletter, or follow him on social media: TikTokTwitterFacebookInstagramGoodreads.


New Release: Bliss Road by Martha Engber

Spotlight

Congratulations to Martha Engber and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Bliss Road, a memoir about living a lie and coming to terms with the truth.

★★★★★ “Illuminates the complicated path of a neurodiverse family.” ~Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Aspergers Syndrome


Bliss Road by Martha Engber

NEW RELEASE: June 6, 2023
Genre: Memoir
4.9 stars on Goodreads
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: From $6.49  

 
Martha Engber lives a charmed life in the suburbs with a husband and two kids where everything is fine, fine, fine until suddenly she’s…completely broken. She’s so used to lying to others and herself that she has no idea who she really is or how she feels about anything. What happened? Why is her life smooth driving one minute and totaled the next?

In this sometimes funny often devastating memoir, Martha describes the arduous journey toward discovering the invisible roadblock that ran her life off course: her psychological distress is the result of being the neurotypical daughter of a dad with undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a condition that affects more than 75 million people worldwide.

Martha uses personal anecdotes and research about the emergence of ASD as a diagnosis to explain the psychological, emotional, and social challenges she faced as a child, then as an adult and parent. Along the way, she shows the sometimes harrowing but eminently rewarding route others can follow to chase down the source of their family angst and to reach a more blissful future.
 
Praise for Bliss Road
★★★★★ “A raw and real memoir, illuminating the complicated path of a neurodiverse family fixed in a legacy between trepidation and tenderness.” ~Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Aspergers Syndrome

★★★★★ “With bracing honesty and rare insight, Martha Engber’s courageous, highly readable account of her experience as the child of a parent with undiagnosed ASD is compelling, joyous, and inspiring.’” ~Byddi Lee, author of The Rejuvenation Trilogy

★★★★★ “A glorious blend of insights and wisdom, this memoir may just be what we need to deepen our human capacity for love and understanding.” ~Imi Lo, author of Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity: How to Manage Intense Emotions as a Highly Sensitive Person

★★★★★ “Engber skillfully integrates current knowledge about autism into her own engaging story as the child of a parent on the autism spectrum.” ~Patti Isaacs, author of The Second Long March: Memoir from a Witness to China’s Transformation

About the Author
Martha Engber is the author of Winter Light, The Wind Thief, and Growing Great Characaters from the Ground Up. A journalist by profession, she’s written hundreds of articles for the Chicago Tribune and other publications. She had a play produced in Hollywood and fiction and poetry published in the Aurorean, Watchword, and other journals. A workshop facilitator and speaker, she lives in Northern California with her husband, bike, and surfboard. Learn more at MarthaEngber.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.


Free ARC + Giveaway!

Spotlight

LitNuts is pleased to shine a spotlight on a special offer from author Mark Bradford:

  • Get a free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of The Devil's in the Details, a new novella from Mark to be released on June 1.
  • Post a reader review on Amazon by June 22 to be eligible to win a signed print copy of The Devil's in the Details plus a $25 Amazon.com gift card. 

The Devil's in the Details by Mark Bradford
Release Date: June 1, 2023
FREE Advance Reader Copy
 

When a chance meeting with an old man leads to a captivating story, the author is swept into a journey through time and the paranormal. Starting in 1966 at Oxford College, the story follows a professor's pet project to uncover a message that spans all of written history—a message from the devil himself.

If you like first-person narrations, tension-building, historical mysteries with a (possibly) paranormal twist, then you'll enjoy this book!

Special Offer
Download a free Advance Reader Copy and post a review on Amazon.com by June 22 for a chance to win a signed print copy of The Devil's in the Details plus a $25 Amazon.com gift card. 


Praise for previous works by Mark Bradford

“I couldn’t recommend The Sword and the Sunflower enough. It forces the reader to question, grow and learn to question the world around them and the world living within themselves.” ~BookShelfMuse 

"The Sword and the Sunflower books force the reader to question existentialism, world structures, cultural development and religious fervor. It's not just about a coming of age of the individuals we meet, but of entire populaces and the world at large." ~Goodreads Review

“With each step of the journey, Mark Bradford keeps his audience entertained while also on the edge of their chairs. The connections between the characters were rich and vital to the story. The story is very poignant and moving.” ~Audiobookreviewer.com

"Filled with emotional depth. Very captivating! The Sword and the Sunflower and Amira took me out of my living room and into another world." ~Amazon Review


About Mark Bradford

Mark Bradford is an author, speaker, podcast host, coach, and builder. He invests a great deal of time and effort researching a subject to come up with an explanation for it that everyone can understand. His podcast interviews as well as his experiences have taught him what life is made of, time management tricks, what multitasking really is, and even how both order and chaos benefit our lives. 

Mark has also been a business owner for 15+ years, and a full stack web developer. It is in his nature to build things that fix, augment or create a solution. The fruits of his labors have been a dating site, four books, and a card game.

Mark speaks to professional associations, groups, and businesses about status, time, energy and resources, and how we all connect. For more information, visit Mark's website


Also by Mark Bradford:

   


Spotlight on Ella's War, a new release from author Rusty Allen and Vine Leaves Press

Spotlight

Congratulations to Rusty Allen and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Ella's War, a journey amongst women and men whose lives are deeply altered by the circumstances of WWII. 

"An extraordinary, rewarding read.” ~Chris Bauer, author of Jane’s Baby


Ella's War by Rusty Allen

NEW RELEASE: May 23, 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
From $5.99  

 
It’s 1943 on the American home front, and Ella’s pent-up, common-law husband finally decides to leave their farm and enlist. Ella must either depart their seafaring town in coastal Delaware to pursue other dreams inland or try to save their farm. Their grade-school son, Reese, won’t budge, and Ella sees that farmers have a patriotic duty to stay on the land.  

The bay and ocean waters before them have been preyed upon by German U-boats, and their village has become a refuge for survivors. When an officer from a surrendered German submarine is sent to her as part of POW farm labor, can Ella embrace the help in order to survive? And what happens when Dieter becomes more than a hand to her, amidst prying eyes and under her beloved-but-conflicted son’s watch? How will she choose when her explosive husband returns from Europe wounded from infantry duty against the Germans?

In Ella’s War, we travel a journey amongst women and men whose lives are deeply altered by the circumstances of WWII. What heroic or questionable choices must they make to be true to themselves and come through the great conflict?
 
Praise for Ella's War

“Beautifully wrought, heart stopping, spirit lifting… What a human brew!” ~Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Hope in the Unseen

“A dramatic, beautiful time and place…revealing storytelling. An extraordinary, rewarding read.” ~Chris Bauer, author of Jane’s Baby

“Gritty and sensitive—a story that is thought-provoking and will satisfy.” ~Stacy Creamer, editor, publishing veteran

"With deeply sympathetic characters, emotional challenges, and high-risk mortal consequences…superb and compelling tale.” ~Steven Hartov, New York Times bestselling author

About the Author
Rusty Allen studied creative writing at the University of Virginia and has been a full-time freelance writer for most of his career. He owns The Writers Studio, a marketing/copywriting practice located just outside of Philadelphia. He led the Advanced Novel Writing Group at the Writers Room/Writers Corner, a writers co-op in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Rebel Writers, a highly select novelist critique group that was highlighted in Writer's Digest in the article "Plotting a Novel Group." Learn more at RustyAllenAuthor.com.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com


Romance Special Edition - Indie novels for every lover of romance!

Spotlight

It's spring and love is in the air...a great time to select new novels for your summer reading! Today's Romance Special Edition includes a Baker's Dozen selection of 13 indie romance novels. From tender and touching, to mysterious and magical, to steamy and even more touching, there is something in today's special edition for every lover of romance. 

“It’s enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment.” ~Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude


Spotlight on Burned by Sue Dobson

Spotlight

Congratulations to Sue Dobson and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Burned: The Spy South Africa Never Caught, “An unflinching memoir of a spy during a tumultuous time and unsavory alliances."


Burned: The Spy South Africa Never Caught by Sue Dobson

NEW RELEASE: May 16, 2023
Genre: Military Intelligence & Spies History, Intelligence & Espionage, Espionage True Accounts
From $6.49  

From the snowy Soviet shooting range to the heat and dust of Africa, nothing is what it seems. And neither is Sue Dobson.

The image of South Africa in the 1980s as the golden paradise on the tip of the African continent conceals a brutal, racist Apartheid regime. Those who oppose it risk their lives. Beauty and brutality go hand in hand.

Sue Dobson, a young white South African woman lives a 'legend'—a life where she pretends to conform, moving easily through the echelons of the racist government in her work as a journalist, whilst concealing her espionage and military training in the Soviet Union, and her intelligence work for the banned African National Congress.

Matters come to a head when sinister forces try to derail the Namibian independence process and Sue's cover is blown during a difficult honey trap operation, bringing the Cold War to Africa, and leading to her desperate flight across Southern Africa with the Apartheid security police snapping at her heels.
 
Praise for Burned

★★★★★ “An unflinching memoir of a spy during a tumultuous time and unsavory alliances. Dobson recounts her recruitment, training, and espionage with rare self-awareness.” ~Henry R. Schlesinger, author of Honey Trapped

About the Author
Sue Dobson was born in South Africa and witnessed Apartheid firsthand. Wanting to contribute to a democratic South Africa for all, she joined the African National Congress (ANC) and was trained as an intelligence officer/spy in the Soviet Union. She was deployed in South Africa and infiltrated the government propaganda department, interviewed Apartheid ministers, and had a honey trap affair with a police chief involved with the Namibian independence process. She was "burned" when she failed an enhanced security check for the State President's office, prompting her escape across southern Africa with the security police at her heels.
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at vineleavespress.com.