Today's Featured Books

Free online: Lovestruck Books presents Love Stories Live - a Virtual Romance Roundtable. Grab some popcorn (or a glass of wine) and join for conversation with six incredible romance authors: Sarah Hogle (author of Old Flames and New Fortunes), Hannah Whitten (The Nightshade Crown), Lish McBride (Uncanny Romance), Casey Blair (Diamond Universe), Lana Harper (The Witches of Thistle Grove), and Amanda Bouchet (The Kingmaker Chronicles). Sunday, November 24, 3:00 - 4:40 PM EST. Tickets are free, but sales end soon, so reserve your spot today.

“Love is the emblem of eternity; it confounds all notion of time; effaces all memory of a beginning, all fear of an end.” ~Anne Louise Germaine de Staël, Corinne

In a society where babies are a commodity and laws strip citizens of basic rights, women lose the freedom to choose their partners, pregnancies, or raise their children. Jane faces forced marriage after an unplanned pregnancy. Angelica loses her job and love. Millie, after years of trying to conceive, must prioritize her injured husband. And teen artist Wendy faces unspeakable trauma. Sentenced to the same pregnancy prison, their lives intertwine in a way that could dismantle the baby auction system. Together, they might ignite a revolution. 4.4 stars, 487 reviews. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Despite her fear of Indians, Sharon Wells leaves her home in St. Louis to journey to Indian Territory.  An orphan yearning for a family, Sharon stays loyal to her fiancé, even as he repeatedly puts her in harm's way. Strikes Fast, a Crow warrior haunted by vengeance, has strayed from his path as a medicine man. When Sharon is captured and her fiancé abandons her, Strikes Fast sees rescuing her as a chance to redeem himself and reconnect with his spiritual purpose. As they face danger together, they confront their differences and discover if love can bring them healing and a new future. Rated 4.6 stars on Goodreads. From $5.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In 1512, Francisca dreams of becoming a painter. She is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s bold ideas, but the weight of societal expectations—and a looming marriage—pulls her down. When tasked with assisting a renowned artist at Seville Cathedral, she encounters Isabel, a captivating muse whose flamenco singing sparks a forbidden passion. Amid the splendor of the Renaissance and the looming threat of the Inquisition, Francisca must confront buried family secrets and decide whether to submit to her fate or fight for her art, her freedom, and her love. 4.7 stars, 18 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Dating can feel like a never-ending cycle of choosing the wrong guy, only to realize he’s a total "Pig." You try to change him, but it backfires, leaving you frustrated and heading back to the dating pool for yet another disappointing round. But there’s hope! Michael Coogan and William Burton reveal how men’s minds, like a Pig’s, follow simple, predictable patterns. With their guidance, you’ll learn to understand, train, and manage your partner effectively—creating a fun-loving, loyal, and well-behaved companion who’s just the right fit for you. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on two novels that serve as prequels to the Spirit Song Saga, an epic fantasy adventure series from authors Ross Hightower and Deb Heim: 

• Argren Blue: A Spirit Song Story
• Desulti: An Epic Fantasy

"Expertly spun fantasy adventure." ~Kirkus Reviews

Bonus: Start your reading adventure by downloading a free sample chapter of Desulti.

Argren Blue: A Spirit Song Story

A narrative of heroism and consequence set against the backdrop of a nation on the brink of change.
 
Rebellion isn’t easy. Learning to fight back against a corrupt empire is hard enough. Throw in an imperial witch with her own agenda, an assassin from a mysterious order, foreign mercenaries out for profit, and a corrupt imperial governor…the inquisition may be the least of the young rebels’ problems.

Praise for Argren Blue

• Winner, Coming of Age, Firebird Book Awards 2023
• Finalist, OZMA Book Awards 2023
• Runner-Up, General Fiction, Beach Books Festival 2023
• Honorable Mention, Coming of Age, San Francisco Book Festival 2023
• Literary Titans Silver Award
• "A gripping fantasy tale filled with resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of freedom." ~Literary Titan
• "A fast-paced, five-star fantasy adventure that will remain in your thoughts long after the last page is turned." ~Sublime Book Review
• "An expertly spun fantasy adventure featuring magic, combat, and art appreciation." ~Kirkus Reviews
• "Reminiscent of epic fantasy such as Shannara or the Dragonlance saga...definitely worth a read for lovers of fantasy!" ~Reedsy Discovery

Desulti: An Epic Fantasy

A compelling tale of impossible odds, intrigue, betrayal, and sapphic romance. 

A ruthless invading Empire. An outmanned rebel force. An alliance of women determined to defy patriarchy. Fierce female characters. Welcome to Desulti and the world of Argren. 

The tyranny of the Vollen Empire is written in the scars on Tove’s face. But a chance encounter with Brie, a Desulti assassin, awakens a hunger in Tove. When Brie offers Tove a chance to be the first Alle’oss woman to join the Desulti, she can’t believe her luck. But the secretive order of women is not the haven she expects. Can Tove find what she seeks, or is she a pawn in a scheme that could end her life and destroy the Alle’oss rebellion?

Praise for Desulti

• "Highly recommended for fantasy fans who appreciate a winning blend of sweeping world-building description, epic events, manipulation, and proactive female characters whose growth is at the heart of all experiences." ~Midwest Book Review
• "Tove is an incredibly charismatic character who is a joy to follow through her trials and tribulations, and the romance that builds between her and another Desulti is one of the sweetest and most natural relationships that I have read in recent years." ~Reedsy Discovery
• "More than just epic fantasy. It’s a powerful exploration of women’s rights and the fight for independence... A beguiling tale of intrigue, betrayal, romance, and action." ~Sublime Book Review
• "A fully textured world that feels immersive and alive." ~Readers’ Favorite

    

    

Free online tonight: Poetry Reading at the Hudson Valley Writers Center. Join via Zoom for an evening of new poetry with Diane Seuss, Christian Gullette, and Richie Hofmann. Wednesday, November 20, 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET.

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” ~Robert Frost

After my divorce, I walked away with three spirited daughters, a food truck, and just enough in the bank to start over—barely. Two hundred dollars got us three tanks of gas, but we needed four. Stranded in a blizzard, the last person I expected to rescue us was Finn Hollister—my first love, the heartbreaker I’d sworn off forever. Judging by the three mini versions of him now glaring at me, it seems I should also call him "Dad." A standalone novel in the Sweet Christmas Kisses series. 4.8 stars, 142 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In Victorian England, 1861, Esther Hardy refuses to accept the limited choices of marriage or servitude as a governess. When a dying woman with a dark past appears on her doorstep, Esther is thrust into a dangerous mystery, battling ruthless villains and the secrets of the elite to unmask a killer, and she finds herself drawn to an enigmatic gentleman whose role in the intrigue is unclear. In a city shrouded in deception and danger, she must risk everything to protect her family and prove herself as a detective—or lose it all. 4.4 stars, 11 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Lilla must recruit the biggest and most dangerous army in the Seven Galaxies, but the Teryn emperor will not comply unless Lilla earns the blessing of the Teryn Guardian Goddess Laoise. Dealing with gods is never easy. Guardian Goddess Laoise’s condition for bestowing her blessing is for Lilla to bring her the mysterious Heart Amulet. Now Lilla is trapped in a strange place with no way out, no idea where to go or how to find the amulet. Book 2 in The Last Lumenian series. 4.3 stars, 900+ ratings on Goodreads. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

An award-winning author delivers “a stunning debut….that’s cinematic and wildly compelling.” -IndieReader (5 stars). In 1987 Chicago, two police detectives racing to stop a drug war are caught in the crossfire between a drug lord and a man seeking vengeance against him. “A sharply defined, engrossing cast elevates this crime caper.” -Kirkus Reviews. 4.6 stars, 250+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

She yields to no one. He’s ride-or-die for his brothers. When murder draws them together, will red-hot desire seal their bond? When Dr. Tally Chambers is kidnapped by a motorcycle gang, she is surprised by her instant attraction to the domineering club president. Book 1 of the Demon Dawgs Motorcycle Club - San Diego romantic suspense series. If you like iron-handed heroes, sassy leading ladies, and steamy action, then you’ll love this seductive ride. Note: Contains mature themes and possible triggers. 4.5 stars, 880 ratings. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on an exceptional deal from UK indie press Sparkling Books: Get the e-book omnibus edition of Three British Mystery Novels FREE, now through December 7.

The omnibus edition includes three novels in one e-book:

• A Taste for Blood by David Stuart Davies
• Lynnwood by Thomas Brown
• Ellipsis by Nikki Dudley

Three British Mystery Novels 

Three authors, three great mysteries:

• 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. 
• Lynnwood by Thomas Brown:  Finalist for the People’s Book Prize. 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.
• 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?

A Taste for Blood by David Stuart Davies 

Detective mystery set in London

Featuring private investigator Johnny (One Eye) Hawke and his one-time colleague in the police force Detective David Llewellyn. Llewellyn is investigating the chilling crimes of a top psychiatrist and his scheming patient who the doctor believes has knuckled under his authority. In the meantime, Hawke is on the case of a mysterious suicide in Edgware Road...soon discovered as not your average suicide. The guts and insight of the two investigators bring both cases to a head, though you won't even begin to see how until you have turned the last pages. Book 6 in the Detective Johnny (One Eye) Hawke series (can be read as a standalone novel).

Praise for A Taste for Blood
"A delightful read." ~J. Robert Ewbank, author

"Interesting mystery that takes place in the 1930s in England...a good story with an unpredictable ending." ~Donna Miller, Librarian, USA

"An intriguing double set of mysteries...a nerve-wracking conclusion that will have you on edge until it’s resolved." ~Rebecca Chandler, Reviewer, UK

Lynnwood by Thomas Brown 

Mysterious crime set in an English forest village

The unthinkable is happening in Lynnwood – a village with centuries of guilt on its conscience. On the surface, Lynnwood appears to be an idyllic village in the English countryside. But behind the conventional appearance of Lynnwood’s villagers, only two sorts of people crawl out of the woodwork: those who hunt and those who are prey. Visitors are watched by an entity between the trees where the Dark Ages have endured to the twenty-first century. Families who have lived behind stone walls and twitching curtains know that the gusts of wind blowing through the nearby alluring Forest bring with them a stench of delightful hunger only Lynnwood can appease.

Praise for Lynnwood
Finalist in the People’s Book Prize

"A dark horror story set in a picturesque village. I would recommend this to fans of classic English horror as well as fans of Stephen King." ~Lucy O'Connor, Waterstones

"An exciting, on the edge of your seat gothic that will have readers begging for more." ~Rosemary Smith, Cayocosta Book Reviews

Ellipsis by Nikki Dudley 

Psychological crime suspense/noir thriller set in London

"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. 

On the day of Daniels' funeral, Daniel's cousin, Thom, finds a piece of paper in Daniel's room detailing the exact time and place of his death. As Thom and Alice both search for answers, they become knotted together in a story of obsession, hidden truths, and the gaps in everyday life that can destroy or save a person.

Praise for Ellipsis
"It’s a tale that will keep them wondering, gasping, thinking, smiling, grimacing, rereading." ~Spinetingler Magazine

"A very stylish, compelling read." ~Kevin Mahoney, Authortrek.com

"Exciting, psychologically complex, and disconcerting, it is a powerful tale of two misfits trying to uncover long hidden secrets about themselves and their pasts." ~Sam Ruddock, Writers’ Centre, Norwich

Sparkling Books is 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. Sparkling Books is a member of Independent Publishers Guild.

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

Free online: Writers' Room of Boston. Join for Readings from the Room, hosted this month by Spencer Johnson and featuring the work of Meghan Miraglia and Jennifer Martelli. Tuesday, November 19, 7:00 PM ET. 

"A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on, you are enriched threefold." ~Henry Miller

New release: One innocent small-town baker on the edge of losing it all. Three rugged, silver-fox daddies with a protective streak. Who says Christmas magic isn’t real? This is a sexy, stand-alone holiday, nanny, ex-military single dads contemporary reverse harem romance filled with humor, danger, and generous amounts of love. Happily-ever-after guaranteed. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

 

Soft Case

When the most famous man in New York City dies suspiciously, homicide detective John Keegan must follow a trail of corruption that may just lead to the top of city government...and the end of his career.

Ronald Mullins had it all...money, power, and a happy family. Suicide seemed an unlikely end for him. Partnered with Rick Calhill, a rising star in the NYPD, Keegan discovers that Mullins had prepared for a Senate run. The happy family myth later crumbles. Relations between Mullins and his business partner appear frayed. Calhill dives in while Keegan stays on the sidelines, wary of the political implications of the case. Keegan's instincts prove correct as he ends up in handcuffs, accused of taking a bribe he never received. 

Suspended, threatened, and betrayed, Keegan must solve the case to save his career. He learns hard truths about the people he respected most. In the end, he risks his job and his life to solve the biggest case the city has seen in decades.

All in a Row

In the second book in the John Keegan Mystery series, Keegan is thrust into a series of what appear to be copycat murders, and Keegan gets pressure from all sides to solve the case. 

One of the victims is the granddaughter of a powerful Senator who follows Keegan's work throughout the case. The mayor fears the murders will affect his successful anti-crime initiative in a re-election year. Keegan's boss, passed over for a promotion, is eager to put this case to rest and secure a position higher up in the department.

Keegan's partner disengages himself from the investigation, forcing Keegan to make rash decisions about the case and his partner. When the killer strikes close, new suspects arise and a cop will end up in handcuffs. The killer not only knows how to elude capture, they know the police and their moves. They also play the game of blackmail perfectly.

Before he solves the case, Keegan will be forced to analyze everything about his life and the people he loves.

The First Cut

The First Cut is an exciting trip back to the 20th Century and perfect for fans of procedural mysteries. 

It's 1999. Young NYPD homicide detective John Keegan gets his first solo case when Cassandra Lavelle, an aspiring artist, is found brutally murdered in her apartment. Keegan whispers a promise of justice to the deceased Cassandra, but keeping that promise proves challenging. A cookie-cutter case that points to Cassandra's boyfriend gets more complicated when details of a secret relationship with another man emerge. At the same time, Keegan must manage his developing relationship with investigative reporter Elena Moreno.

In the end, Keegan will realize his life and career depend on how he manages his mistakes more than his successes. The partial justice he delivers to Cassandra and her family and the remnants of his relationship will forever guide his life and help shape him into the man he becomes.