Today's Featured Books

Last call for the LitNuts Summer Giveaway! The winner will be able to chose a set of coffee mugs with a beautiful stained-glass design or a $75 Gift Card from Bookshop.org or Barnes & Noble. Deadline for entry is 11:59 PM CDT, August 31, 2025. 

“As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?” ~Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes

A richly detailed fantasy series starter: Years after Fen wakes up in a meadow with only one hazy memory, he’s sent on a quest to save his kingdom. On his journey, he meets a thief who brings his past life to the surface. Can Fen and Aleesa uncover Fen’s past before an unspoken evil takes hold? 4.6 stars, 20 ratings. From 2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

What if WWII were fought in space? In 1944, a secret Nazi experiment split the universe in two. In our universe, we won. But in a parallel universe, the Nazis conquered the world. Now it's 2207, and the two universes collide, this time in space. Bonus: Check out The Everrealms, a podcast from USA Today bestselling author Daniel Arenson discussing sci-fi audio dramas, book reviews, and more! 4.4 stars, 260 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

What if Jane Austen set sail to reform Napoleon Bonaparte? In the spring of 1815, Jane crosses the Channel to confront the exiled emperor, hoping to bring moral reason to a man who once ruled all of Europe. But Napoleon is not expecting company, least of all an English novelist. Part comedy, part fantasy, part historical farce, this book imagines what might happen if two of history’s sharpest minds collided. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

Jude Collymore tried to do the right thing by fighting his attraction to his band member's younger sister. Apart from a forbidden romance and their obvious age gap, pursuing his feelings could have destroyed the band. Years later, it only took one look from Esther to fuel the embers of their chemistry. Now Jude has a second chance. Will he take it? 4.2 stars, 500+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

"Peppered with lust and intrigue," this "compelling" drama (Kirkus Reviews) tells the story of a conflicted artist's struggles with love, lust, and his art. "The bristling energy of Cacoyannis' text is its forte, helping it stand out from the crowd, with its tantalizing characters an undoubted highlight." ~Publishers Weekly's BookLife Prize. 4.5 stars, 56 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Four complete novels! One woman’s journey to self-discovery in the Gilded Age could destroy everything she’s ever known. Vivian is out to uncover family lies and create a brighter future for herself. Jake is searching for a father figure, only to endure sin and redemption. Larissa is obsessed with rigid social codes to hide the shameful secrets of her past. “May's historical fiction picks apart the delicate facade of American gentility in upper-class families on the wild West Coast at the end of the nineteenth century.” ~Lisa Lickel, author. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW /

A prequel short story paranormal romance adventure with vampires, krakens, and deep sea danger. Follow Sebastian Moreau—the silver-eyed enforcer of The Nocturne—as he tracks a pirate ship for blood, tech, and secrets. Pirates will bleed, a kraken-sized mystery will stir, and one vampire will break protocol to keep a woman he should have killed. 4.4 stars, 11 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on two highly rated works of historical fiction from author Maria Luisa Lang:

• The Pharaoh's Cat, Book 1 in the series, 4.5 stars, 287 ratings
• The Eye of Nefertiti, Book 2 in the series, 4.3 stars, 177 ratings

Bonus: The e-book editions of both books are available as FREE downloads from multiple online retailers. Don't miss out on these fun reads!

"Who would have thought that ancient Egypt could be so funny?" ~Koko's Book Blog

The Pharaoh's Cat

Suddenly talking and walking upright, a stray tomcat in ancient Egypt becomes the young Pharaoh's intimate and, when accused of murder, time travels to New York City and learns how to raise Pharaoh from the dead.

The cat is a quick-witted, wisecracking narrator as well as a free-spirited, ever-curious protagonist, and the story he tells is an exotic, imaginative, spell-binding tragicomedy. The novel interweaves feline and human, past and present, natural and supernatural. It contains numerous surprises, twists and turns, intriguing characters (both human and animal), and fascinating revelations about ancient Egyptian history and culture.

Praise for The Pharaoh's Cat
"Conflict, humor, history, romance, time travel, suspense...I fell in love with this book." ~Susan Barton, eBook Review Gal

"A wealth of rich history here, brought to life by a talented storyteller who is obviously also well-versed in the daily rituals and activities of ancient Egyptian customs and rituals." ~Don Sloan, justfreeandbargainbooks

"Great for long-time fans of cats or for readers looking for a good and fun read." ~Joss Radillo, Koko's Book Blog

The Eye of Nefertiti

Now a New Yorker, the Pharaoh’s cat travels back in time to free Egypt’s legendary Queen Nefertiti from a horrific curse, discovering firsthand why her mummy has never been found and her famous bust is missing one eye.

Added to all this is an ingenious use of the Tarot and Italian opera, making for a fabulous story that will transport readers to different locations in the past and present.

Praise for The Eye of Nefertiti
"Detail and realism about ancient Egypt that only someone with both knowledge and passion can bring." ~Vikki Heaven, Escapology Reviews

"Well-written historical fiction." ~Wendy Scott, Multi-Award Winning Author

"Oozes with charm." ~Socrates Book Review

"Hilarious!" ~Charity Rowell-Stansbury, On My Kindle Book Reviews

Join Next Stop Italy for a free virtual tour of Montepulciano. Known for its magnificent views, idyllic rolling hills, medieval and Renaissance history, and its wine, Montepulciano is the quintessential Tuscan village. Thursday, August 28, 10 - 11 AM CDT. 

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” ~Leonardo da Vinci

Rookie detective Sydney Livingstone thought she'd left the chaos of her tennis career behind when she joined the Walsh County Police Department. But on the dark web, a vigilante is waging their own brand of justice, pushing Sydney to confront a force that threatens to unravel everything she holds dear as she navigates a twisted maze of corruption, deception, and conspiracy within her own department. 4.6 stars, 46 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

From award-winning author Kim Catanzarite comes a BlueInk Review Notable Book: Svetlana has met her soul mate in a young astronomer whose eccentric family becomes obsessed with her pregnancy in this heartbreaking character-driven love story. Book 1 of The Jovian Universe pentalogy of plot-twisting sci-fi novels. "Captivating!" ~BlueInk Review. 4.2 stars, 461 ratings. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

From Los Angeles to London, Chicago to Goa, the Australian Outback and beyond, this collection captures the messy, often absurd architecture of human lives—compressed into moments of sharp beauty, sly humor, and unsettling truth. From slow dances that never end to human/AI romances to war stories that surprise and shock, these tales move fluidly between the intimate and the epic. Love becomes both balm and weapon. Loneliness births imaginary companions. Deviants justify cruelty with high-minded philosophy. Everyone is seeking love...or a way out. From $4.99 - SHOP NOW /

“Gripping, timely, and unafraid to confront uncomfortable truth, this thriller lingers well beyond its final page. GET IT!” ~Kirkus Review. She’s missing! He's ruined! Secrets sizzle. Wildfires rage! In a world grappling with climate change, violent crimes, and family secrets, the relentless pursuit of justice collides. Can Dick DeCosta and his vulnerable family survive? “Filled with high octane tension...a must-read for thriller lovers." ~Lisa Towles, Amazon bestselling author. 4.7 stars, 28 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

After Prince Tyrran of Cadoria witnesses the defeat of his army and the fall of Cadoria due to betrayal from within, his conquerors give him an agonizing choice: betray his country or watch it burn. Now he seeks to uncover the traitor's identity and deliver vengeance for his slain men, his country, and himself. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

At thirty-two, newspaper reporter Molly Hacker vows never to attend another wedding until she has had her own. And that’s a problem because Molly’s younger sister is going to be married in one year. Armed with snark, wit, and fabulous good looks, “Picky Molly” embarks on a quest to find Mr. Right. But things get complicated fast as four “men of interest” and the memories of a lost love send Molly's over-analytic, befuddled mind into serious overdrive. 4.1 stars, 193 ratings on Goodreads. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Under the stadium lights, they are stars, but off the field there are no rules. Especially when it comes to their hearts. Grab this binge-worthy box set from author Violet Paige and relive all five seasons with both teams with complete full-length novels. Which couple will have you cheering for more? From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Two weeks ago, we told you about The Sweetest Getaway, a new cozy heist novel full of laughs and international intrigue from author Sasha Preston. Today, we are writing to share several exciting updates:

• $2.99 Sale! The e-book edition of The Sweetest Getaway was released today and is on sale for $2.99 now through September 1.
• FREE! Get the first chapter of The Sweetest Getaway free when you sign up to receive news and updates from Sasha.
• FREE! Get a free copy of "A Sweet Scheme," a standalone short story prequel to The Sweetest Getaway. 

Read on to learn more...

The Sweetest Getaway

Genres: Women's Fiction, Cozy Crime Thriller
E-book release: August 26, 2025
4.2 stars, 5 ratings on Amazon.com
4.11 stars, 9 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $11.99
E-book: On sale for $2.99 until Sept. 1

The smartest heroines since Ocean’s 8.

Jennifer used to be a wholesome daydreamer who’d never broken a law in her life. But all of that changes when her roommate, Nari, ropes her into a money-making scheme that isn’t exactly legal.

Soon, Jennifer is so busy leading a double life that she barely has time to fantasize about the hot, dimpled stranger she met at one of Nari’s parties. How could she have known that stealing from bad guys would be so much fun?

Everything is going smoothly—until someone rats them out to the cops. Now, They’ll need the sweetest getaway ever to escape this mess.

Perfect for fans of women’s fiction and crime capers. 

Praise for The Sweetest Getaway

"Robin Hood-esque tale with a well-thought-out plot, fun details...and likeable characters." ~BlueInk Review

"A fun female caper filled with comedic mishaps and adventure." ~Readers' Favorite

"A gripping, girl-powered caper that sees a community of women joyfully come together." ~LoveReading

"A lively, funny, action-filled scheme, spiced by romance and fueled by female solidarity." ~IndieReader

"An electric heist novel." ~Foreword Reviews

Sign up for Sasha's newsletter to get a free copy of the first chapter of The Sweetest Getaway, plus news, updates, and other fun exclusives. (Follow the link, then scroll down to "Get the first chapter!") 

Get a free copy of "A Sweet Scheme," the standalone short story prequel to The Sweetest Getaway. 



★★★★★ “A delightful short story that celebrates the bonds of friendship, the thrill of adventure, and the sweetness of shared moments.” ~Paul Zietsman, Readers’ Favorite

About the Author

Sasha Preston writes women’s fiction crime capers where close friendships and adventure come together to inspire your next big escape (or at least make you think about planning one). She loves to explore and hatch plots with her girlfriends, daughter, and husband. Learn more at SashaPreston.com and be sure to follow Sasha online: 
 

        

The Eudora Welty House & Garden hosts tours and events at the author's former home in Jackson, Mississippi. Not in Jackson? You can participate in the Welty at Home Virtual Book Club. Next up: A discussion of Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, beginning Monday, September 8, at Noon CST. 

“Write about what you don’t know about what you know.” ~Eudora Welty

Kyle Hawkes has made a career chasing ghosts on camera, exploring haunted ruins, and unraveling old legends. But when an unaired episode of his paranormal series leaks online, it triggers a chain reaction that unearths a scandal the Vatican buried decades ago. "Delightfully dark and twisted." ~Amazon Review. 4.8 stars, 7 ratings. From $4.99 - SHOP NOW /

Effie and Ben are partners in life—and in crime. Seduction, lies, and manipulation are their specialty. But when old secrets surface, their perfect partnership begins to fracture. And losing could be deadly. An Audible Best of the Year 2024 selection. 4.3 stars, 678 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Anna and Ben have been inseparable since college. But when Anna's roommate, Leilani, shows interest in Ben, Anna begins to question if there's more to their friendship. Anna seeks guidance from a campus pastor who encourages Anna to be honest with Ben about her feelings. But as Anna musters up the courage to open up to Ben, she wonders if she's already missed her chance at love. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW /

A refreshing look at the world through the lens of flash fiction and poetry. Unique in its treatment, this is not your typical poetry narrative. Humorous, direct, engrossing, insightful, and entertaining, with interlocking stories that shed light on navigating this often chaotic existence, including human behavior and how the universe works. Topics include love, unique people, personalities, depression, habits, starting over, zombies, and cats. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Catrin is the rightful heir to the Celtic throne, but she is enslaved by a Roman commander who believes Catrin is an oracle of Apollo and can foretell the future. The sole bright spot in Catrin's life is her forbidden lover, Marcellus, the great-grandson of the famed Roman General Mark Antony. But i f her love and alliance are discovered, Catrin's dreams of returning to her Celtic home will be shattered. 4.4 stars, 43 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

In this two-part story, Ursula attempts to bring her lover into her children's lives following her divorce resulting from her infidelity. The children appear to accept David, but deliver a traumatic surprise on the day of Ursula's wedding to David. In the aftermath, Ursula is consumed by her delusions and is forced into therapy. Can Ursula break free of her delusions and rebuild her life? 4.4 stars, 12 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /