Today's Featured Books

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.

        

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Land of Marqueria young adult fantasy series from author Shana Ren:

• Through the Tree (The Land of Marqueria Book 1)
• Comes the Darkness (The Land of Marqueria Book 2)

★★★★★ "Enchanting and magical." ~Goodreads Review

Bonus: Get signed paperback copies of each book direct from the author for only $5.50 per copy:

• Through the Tree
• Comes the Darkness

Through the Tree

YA Fantasy set in Montana and the magical Land of Marqueria

Two intelligent and feisty teen girls living in the mountains of Montana discover their mom is a powerful, magical princess, but they must help her remember who she is before it is too late.

Living in the Mountains of Montana, miles from the nearest small town, the family of four has always lived a quiet life. Kenna was raised in the foster care system and aged out at 18. She had lived a violent childhood before entering the system, so her peaceful home and family are everything to her. While kind and giving, the two daughters are intelligent, fearless, outspoken, and incredibly courageous, always ready for a new adventure or to fight for those in need.

Join the adventures with the two daughters, who, when they were toddlers, discovered a doorway through an ancient tree, which led them to the Land of Marqueria, where magic is real and unicorns exist. Now, as teenagers, they must lead their mother through the Tree so she can become who she was born to be. From Montana to Marqueria, the family is tested by danger and adversity, but determined to protect all they hold dear from the encroaching Darkness, they fight on.
 

Praise for Through the Tree
★★★★★ "Truly creative and magical." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "Let your imagination take flight as you’re introduced to elves, wolves and bear shifters, dragons, unicorns and enchanted trees." ~Goodreads Review

Comes the Darkness

Return to the Land of Marqueria and join the family on another adventure through this magical land.

Jamie and Kenna are missing after they set out on a journey to find their Dragons. Their daughters, Noelle and Ember, head out on a rescue mission and discover that the Darkness is hunting for the sisters.

Their journey will take them through the enchanted lands of Marqueria and back to Montana, where they will meet old friends and new enemies. Will Noelle and Ember be reunited with their parents? Will the Darkness find them?
 

Praise for Through the Tree
★★★★★ "The BEST found family that I have ever read!!" ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "There is so much love, magic, and family, and it truly makes my heart happy." ~Goodreads Review

About the Author

        

Free online: Keeping It Short, a special edition of The Back Room reading series focused on short stories. Join for a discussion with authors Michael Bracken, Kristopher Zgorski & Dru Ann Love, Wendy Walker, and Stacy Woodson. Sunday, November 17, 7 PM ET. 

“A short story is the ultimate close-up magic trick–a couple of thousand words to take you around the universe or break your heart.” ~Neil Gaiman

When investigations turn deadly and dark secrets conceal powerful enemies, trust is their only weapon. Meet Daniels and Remalla, two detectives who’ve got each other’s backs in the face of danger, psychopaths, and the unexplained. In this omnibus edition, they’ll face killers with unique abilities, battle terrifying evil, and risk their safety and sanity for the ones they love. And when survival is on the line, their only hope is to rely on each other. $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Sleeping with Ghosts: Poems & Musings by Jennifer A. Payne, an intimate exploration of memory and meaning. 

"Beautifully crafted and luminous, these poems take the reader on an intimate and unforgettable journey of love found and lost, the joys of creativity, and the power of memory." ~Judith Liebmann, Ph.D., author of Ekphrasis, Poet Laureate of Branford, Connecticut

Sleeping with Ghosts: Poems & Musings

AN INTIMATE EXPLORATION OF MEMORY AND MEANING

Known for her meditations and musings about our outside world, Connecticut writer Jen Payne takes readers inside this time…into the heart and mind of a poet, where memories wander, hearts break, and ghosts appear in dreams. Those ghosts—her lovers, soulmates, and muses—reveal themselves slowly, one at a time, in this wistfully reflective, time-traveling memoir.
 

Praise for Sleeping with Ghosts
"A poignant meditation on a life of love confronted." ~Mary O'Connor, author of Say Yes! to Your Creative Self

"Catalogues the ghosts of relationships...with hard-earned honesty bereft of self-pity, wonderful imagery and, somehow, a lightness of touch...through good times and hard with a poet's kind of vision and language and a perspective equal parts wise and whimsical." ~Nancy Fitz-Hugh Meneely, author of Letter from Italy, 1944

"These poems...remind us to revisit our own past, to honor our own scars, and maybe to find a bit of poetry there, too. Whether you’re someone who loves looking back with nostalgia or you’re more of a 'move forward' type, there’s something here that speaks to the heart." ~Kaecey McCormick, 2023 Connecticut Poetry Award Winner

About the Author

          

About the Publisher

Free online tonight: What's New in Historical Fiction, a panel series featuring historical novelists with new and upcoming titles. Moderated by Colin Mustful, founder of History Through Fiction, tonight's panel includes: Adriana Allegri, author of The Sunflower House; Monica Chenault-Kilgore, author of The Jewel of the Blues; Susan J. Morris, author of Strange Beasts; and A.D. Rhine (Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson), authors of Daughters of Bronze. Wednesday, November 13, 7-8 PM CT.

"In history lies all the secrets of statecraft." ~Confucius

A fatal virus that kills children when they turn thirteen has swept the globe. A distant planet holds the cure, but few children are selected to travel. Teenagers fly or die. Death or Kronnus 13. Zak Connors is about to become a teenager and is selected to fly to Kronnus 13. During his first night on "new Earth," he has a vision of his mother who disappeared without a trace when he was five years old. He then discovers he has special gifts and uses them to uncover the secrets of his mysterious new world. 4.0 stars, 13 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Congratulations to Eleanor Vincent and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage, a memoir that examines the obstacles that neurodiverse couples must overcome to keep their love alive.

★★★★★ “A brave, compassionate, & necessary memoir about love on the spectrum." ~Lee Kravetz, author of The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. 

Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage

In a late-life romance, Eleanor marries Lars, a brilliant database expert, believing their fairytale love will last forever. But just months later, Eleanor finds herself in COVID lockdown with her new husband as he loses his job and pulls away from her with angry outbursts. Day by day, their marriage fractures.

As Eleanor’s fears about Lars’ autistic profile are heightened, she struggles to understand him and their growing conflict. Even as both partners are diagnosed with cancer, Eleanor fights for what she hopes is possible in their marriage and encourages Lars to do the same.

That is until Lars refuses to work with an autism coach to improve their communication and Eleanor must decide whether she will give up her dream of happiness and, if so, how.

Disconnected will resonate with anyone who struggles to grasp how even the closest bonds can break, and then must create a new life. This memoir will resonate with you if you enjoyed any of the following books:

• The Art of Leaving by Ayelet Tsabari
• Liars by Sarah Manguso
• Splinters by Leslie Jamison
• This American Ex-Wife by Lyz Lenz
• Blow Your House Down by Gina Frangello

Praise for Disconnected
★★★★★ “Will resonate with many neurodiverse couples and relationship counsellors.” ~Tony Atwood, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and co-author of Neurodiverse Relationships

★★★★★ “A powerful testimony about the ways neurodiverse couples can cause each other unintentional hurt.” ~Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D., host of the “Neurodiverse Love” podcast

★★★★★ “I read this in one gulp. Wow. This is an important book.” ~Julia Scheeres, NYT bestselling author of the memoir Jesus Land

★★★★★ “This unflinching portrait of a marriage will change the way you look at love.” ~David W. Berner, author of Daylight Saving Time

★★★★★ “A vivid, courageous narrative...and a deep exploration of the reverberating effects of loss and love.” ~Caroline Paul, author of Tough Broad

★★★★★ “Filled with hope and longing.” ~Maxine Aston, MSc, author of The Autism Couple’s Workbook

★★★★★ “Shows us how to be resilient and still tender no matter what life brings.” ~Linda Joy Myers, president, National Association of Memoir Writers, author of Don’t Call Me Mother

Free online: B&N Book Club. Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louise Erdrich for a live, virtual event to discuss the October B&N Book Club pick, The Mighty Red, Erdrich's most stunning novel yet. Tuesday, November 12, 3 PM ET.

"Sorrow eats time. Be patient. Time eats sorrow." ~Louise Erdrich

While studying at Black River Academy of Swordcraft and Spellcraft, Durren is stunned to learn he’ll be assigned to a party. But there’s a catch: Durren has a secret that could hold him back, and his teammates have serious problems, too: Areinelimus, a wizard, fears her own magic. Tia, the rogue, can barely tolerate anyone. Hule, the warrior, well…let’s just say he’s not the sharpest sword in the armory. But they’ll have to learn to work together because they are about to face dangers no level one adventurers should ever encounter. 4.1 stars, 460+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /