Today's Featured Books

Congratulations to Jennifer Lang and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Landed: A yogi's memoir in pieces and poses, in which the author explores her sense of home through her experiences in Israel, a cross-cultural marriage, and yoga teachings, ultimately discovering that true home lies within oneself.

★★★★★ "Lyrical. Poignant. Funny." ~Sarah Tuttle-Singer, author of Jerusalem, Drawn and Quartered

Landed: A yogi's memoir in pieces and poses

American-born Jennifer traces her journey—both on and off the yoga mat—reckoning with her adopted country (Israel), midlife hormones (merciless), cross-cultural marriage (to a Frenchman), and their imminent empty nest (a mixed blessing), eventually realizing the words her yoga teachers had been offering for the past twenty-three years: root down into the ground and stay true to yourself. Finally, she understands that home is about who you are, not where you live.

Written in experimental chapterettes, Landed spans seven years (and then some), each punctuated with chakra wisdom from nationally-acclaimed Rodney Yee, Jennifer's first teacher.

If you enjoyed You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith, The Art of Leaving by Ayelet Tsabari, The Postcard by Anne Berest, Bluets by Maggie Nelson, or Belonging or Diaries of War by Nora Krug, you will love Landed.

Praise for Landed
★★★★★ “Crisp, witty, heartfelt.” ~Dawn Raffel, author of Boundless as the Sky

★★★★★ “Imaginative and inspiring.” ~Elisa Bernick, author of Departure Stories

★★★★★ “Real, heartfelt, and captivating.” ~Terri L. Orbuch, Ph.D., author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great

★★★★★ “A must-read for anyone seeking a profound understanding of the human spirit in a world of turmoil.” ~Sarah Tuttle-Singer, author of Jerusalem, Drawn and Quartered

Free online: Join the New York Public Library Grand Concourse staff for a discussion of Robert Heinlein's short story "And He Built a Crooked House," in which a mathematically inclined architect thinks that he has a brilliant idea to save on real estate costs by building a house shaped like a tesseract, a four-dimensional cube. The story is available to read free online ahead of time. Wednesday, October 16, 11 AM EDT. 

"I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." ~Robert Heinlein

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Rachel E. Croxton, author of fantasy, horror, paranormal, mystery, and romance stories for young adults and readers of all ages. Read on to learn more.

★★★★★ “Croxton's writing has vivid descriptions and creative flourishes that paint a world both alien and mesmerizingly familiar, appealing directly to the heart of fantasy lovers." ~Amazon Review

The Dark Prince of Lazera

Simina, a poor girl in the small village of Lazera on the planet Zormonia, loves to read books. The stories take her to distant lands and allow her to imagine herself in a different world, a different life. Her favorite things to read are fairy tales and romance novels.

One day, she discovers an intriguing new book: The Dark Prince of Lazera. It tells of an evil, dark prince who possesses dark magic. Simina does not believe the dark prince is real...until a fateful encounter that causes Simina's life to change in unexpected ways.

★★★★★ “Perfect for anyone who loves a good mix of mystery, fantasy, and unexpected twists." ~Goodreads Review

Mutated Files: Case One

Eighteen-year-old Carol Tyson's life takes a sudden turn when she discovers a poster in her missing father's belongings that comes to life, warning her of an imminent apocalypse. To find her father, who may hold the key to stopping the catastrophe, Carol must journey into a future overrun by zombies and mutants. But as she and her allies face this dystopian world, a far greater evil lurks in the shadows, threatening everything. 

★★★★★ “An engaging story, unique concepts...making it fun to read." ~Amazon Review

Blu Rain

Most well-known for his role as King Nar's Royal Adviser, Blu Coloure puts on the facade of a cool, calm, and calculated individual. He's neat, articulate, and proper, like a noble should be. But his orderly world is shattered one night when he finds himself dying on the street, bathed in blood.

The next morning, he discovers he's still alive...but only partially. Tainted with the curse of vampirism, Blu begins his painful transition. He gets help from an odd man who seems to hide quite a few secrets, but Blu must fight every day to survive as the hunters will stop at nothing to destroy all vampires and the werewolves are itching for any reason to start a war.

★★★★★ “Perfect for supernatural, action and romance fans." ~Goodreads Review

        

Get A Not So Merry Ex-Mas, a new release from Abby Greyson, author of sweet-and-swoony romances. This sweet, second-chance, holiday romantic comedy is part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses series (12 books in total!).

Be sure to also check out other fun RomComs from Abby, including I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend and Accidentally In Love with my Best Friend's Brother. Read on to learn more.

“Being a bright spot in someone's day should be your goal. It doesn't have to be big—a smile or a hello will do.” ~Abby Greyson

A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

For years I've been dreaming of a real Christmas back home. Tree trimming, decorating, Christmas carols. What I wasn't expecting was Cole.

If I was to dream up the perfect man, it would be Cole Nichols: tall, broad shoulders, smile to die for, and dreamy green eyes that held a mischievous glint. Add in a heart of gold and always helping others in need.

We had planned out every detail of our lives together…including his dream of becoming a major league pitcher. So when my gran got sick and I needed to take care of her, I gave him the push he needed, breaking my heart, and his, in the process.

A decade and a divorce later, I'm heading back home to start my life over. That new start begins with Christmas at my best friend’s cabin…and the man I’ve done everything to leave behind.

This is a sweet, kisses only, holiday romantic comedy featuring a second chance, close proximity, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, slow burn, and a happily-ever-after ending.

★★★★★ "Abby Greyson cleverly mixes romance and humor, and shows how two seemingly completely different people can complement each other perfectly." ~Goodreads Review

I'd Never Date My Brother's Best Friend

A movie star, a grump next door, and a dating experiment gone awry.

My brother’s best friend has always been a gorgeous thorn in my side. He’s the famous Sean O’Connell, rom-com celebrity, owner of a smile that can melt even the coldest of hearts. He’s one of the happiest people I’ve ever met, and to be honest, it’s annoying. I don’t have to be happy or like people. I’m good, thank you very much.

But Sean thinks I need to be happy, so he recruited my best friend and my brother to put the Get-Jessica-A-Man plan into action. A makeover and some speed dating were absolutely not on my social calendar. But there’s no stopping Sean once his mind is made up.

As Sean’s sunny disposition starts to rub off on me, I feel myself falling. But for the wrong guy. Is it possible the thorn in my side is actually the rose I’ve been longing for?

★★★★★ "Sweet romance, perfect for teens and others who like clean romances...a funny and enjoyable read with great characters." ~Amazon Review

Accidentally In Love with My Best Friend's Brother

My best friend’s annoying brother, some spilled tea, and a crazy proposition.

Josh Owen’s is the top receiver in the NFL, with a bad boy reputation. He’s click bait fodder for any, and all, gossip columns.

A newly released video shows us “kissing,” and the news is spreading like wildfire. Now me, "good girl" Brie, is in the rumor mills with him.

His agent sees this as a golden opportunity for Josh to get on better terms with his team. I think it’s crazy, but Josh needs help. So in spite of our love-hate relationship, I agree to be his “girlfriend." But as fake kisses begin to feel more real, I start to wonder: Can the bane of my existence be the one who’s had the key to my heart all along?

★★★★★ "Jam-packed full of banter, cuteness, omg comments, and the most adorable small town Gossip Girl vibes." ~Goodreads Review

Bonus: Two options to get a free e-book by signing up for Abby's newsletter!

     

        

Free online Sunday: The Magic of the Spoken Word. Join AudioFile for a dynamic LIVE Zoom discussion pairing two Maine authors (Paul Doiron, author of Pitch Dark, and Morgan Talty, author of Fire Exit) and the narrators of their audiobooks (Henry Leyva and Darrell Dennis). This event is part of the Maine Lit Fest, presented by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. Sunday, October 13, 7 - 8 PM EDT. 

"I write about Maine because it's the place I love best....You have to spend a lot of time in a place before you start to catch the beat of the people's voices, their dialects, and the way they live." ~Stephen King, Maine author

Free online: Poetry Lit! - Online Reading Series. Explore the world of poetry from the comfort of your own home via this online reading series featuring international poets. This week, join poets JL Williams and Anne-Laure Coxam for an inspiring reading followed by Q&A. Friday, October 11, 1 PM CDT.

"Love is surreal, surreal is love." ~Anne-Laure Coxam

New release: Nestled among the redwoods, on the fringes of the haunted Victorian town of Lost Grove, looms the formidable Orbriallis Institute—a beacon of medical innovation shrouded in secrets. Within its hallowed halls, Dr. Neil Owens reigns. Meanwhile, Sergeant Seth Wolfe investigates the elusive death of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams, whose last known refuge was at the Institute, and local teens embark on their own quest for truth in a journey leads them down a twisted path of revelation and danger. Book 2 of the Lost Grove Series. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Congratulations to Debra J. White and Vine Leaves Press on the release of All Shook Up: Finding Purpose After Traumatic Brain Injury. On January 6, 1994, Debbie's life changed when a car accident caused severe brain trauma, transforming her future into one filled with resilience and purpose.

★★★★★ "Debbie's spunk and petulance will drive the reader to laughter despite the tragic circumstances." ~Dr. Fawzia Mail Tung

All Shook Up: Finding Purpose After Traumatic Brain Injury

January 6, 1994, started as an uneventful day in Debbie's life, but she doesn't remember.

During a late afternoon walk with her two dogs, Debbie’s life irrevocably changed when she was hit by a car. The impact threw her into a snow-filled ditch, leaving her unconscious and bleeding from severe brain trauma.

Two months later, Debbie returned home to a world that felt foreign. The lingering effects of her brain injury meant she could never work again. She grappled with permanent memory and mobility issues that reshaped her daily existence.

Despite the long and arduous recovery, Debbie found new purpose in life. She embraced creative writing and devoted herself to volunteer work, including working in animal shelters and teaching English to refugees. Surviving on disability payments posed its own challenges, but she persevered.

Though her financial situation is strained, Debbie's heart is fuller than ever. The accident, as devastating as it was, forged her into the person she is today. She cherishes the new path her life has taken and wouldn’t change a thing. Or would she?

Praise for All Shook Up
★★★★★ "Debbie’s story is one of resilience, persistence, healing and a commitment to community service...reminds us that there is no better way to heal than by giving to others." ~Sandy Bahr, Grand Canyon Director of the Sierra Club

★★★★★ "Debra's sense of humor is refreshing. She had the rug pulled out from under her and rose to new heights. She didn’t let her handicaps deter her from bettering the lives of others." ~Nazli Currim, author

★★★★★ "A fascinating look at the life of a strong resilient woman...a must read for those who think they’ve been dealt a bad hand in life." ~Dr. Fawzia Mail Tung

Free online: Edgar Allan Poe Mondays. Join Storylink Radio for a full hour of Edgar Allan Poe stories read by great storytellers, every Monday in October starting with October 7. (Poe died on October 7, 1849.) Monday, October 7, 5 PM CDT.

"Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality." ~Edgar Allan Poe