Today's Featured Books

A gripping thriller that tells the tale of four runaway girls who appear like ghosts in the same remote wilderness where Clarissa, a retired Navy specialist, has sought refuge. But Clarissa and the girl she takes in are not alone. They’re being stalked. As more girls mysteriously appear, Clarissa is drawn into a haunting mystery. Can she summon the strength to protect the girls and escape the deadly trap, or will she become another name among the missing? From $3.99 - SHOP NOW / 

A Dark Standalone Mafia Romance. I’m the hitman for the Valetti familia, and I’m damn good at what I do. They want men to talk, and I make them talk. They want men gone—bang, it’s done. It’s as simple as that. Until her. She’s on my list, but I want her. I'll give her a simple choice—die, or be mine. Valetti Crime Family Book 5. 4.4 stars, 1300+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

She auctioned her own virginity. The penniless Charlotte dreams of a bright future, but she has nothing to sell but herself and her virginity. She chooses to auction both to the highest bidder. But what will happen when her "buyer" takes her away? A BDSM ménage erotic romance. This compilation volume contains the following stories: The Virgin Auctioned, The Virgin Sold, The Virgin No More, The Virgin Unleashed, The Virgin Fulfilled. 4.0 stars, 1900+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Tixie Chronicles, a four-book Children/YA Fantasy series from author Jack Borden. This coming-of-age adventure features heart-stopping sword fighting action scenes, memorable characters with complex relationships, heroic bravery, and vivid world-building. 

"A powerful educational tool, this rich work is filled with stunning illustrations and fitting dialogue that enhance the reading experience. It will enthrall children and adults alike." ~Feathered Quill Review

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The Vultures of Doom

Book 1 of The Tixie Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure, Children's Folk Tales & Myths
From: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

A great darkness is coming to the forest. Avelyn and Killian Lorcan are tixies, a race of tiny beings that live simply in a massive, beautiful forest. But unbeknownst to the tixies, an ancient evil has found them at last.

Separated from their parents, Avelyn and Killian travel across the forest alone, encountering friends and enemies along the way. But when Avelyn recovers an ancient sword of great power, their destinies are forever changed.

★★★★★ "A captivating adventure of courage and destiny." ~Amazon Review

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The Keeper of Knowledge

Book 2 of The Tixie Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure, Children's Folk Tales & Myths
From: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Killian Lorcan doesn’t want to read old scrolls. As a tixie boy of eight summers, all he wants to do is explore the forest floor around his house, fight imaginary monsters, and scare off the occasional spider.

But when Mac, the local Keeper of Knowledge, invites Killian to see his house and read some old scrolls, Killian himself gets caught up in a story of betrayal, violence, and a civilization on the verge of collapse. More importantly, he finds out how his ancient ancestors came to live in the wilds of the forest he calls home.

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The Ants of Fire

Book 3 of The Tixie Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure, Children's Folk Tales & Myths
From: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

A couple of days after the defeat of the Vultures of Doom, the peace of the forest is again shattered when an old enemy returns. This time, he attacks the forest with an army of fire-breathing ants that bring chaos and death. The ants scorch everything in their path, leading to a final brutal confrontation with the Woodland Tixies.

"A compelling tale that will shape the landscape of children's literature, thanks to its astute storytelling and graceful prose." ~Feathered Quill

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The Lost City

Book 4 of The Tixie Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure, Children's Folk Tales & Myths
From: $2.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Four summers have flown by since Avelyn and her family won the vicious battle against the Ants of Fire. Now, a mysterious aging sickness is shortening the lives of the tixies.

When shy but determined 16-year-old Avelyn's beloved mother suddenly ages 100 summers before her eyes, Avelyn is paralyzed with sadness. But Killian, her more outgoing little brother, discovers a way to save their mother and the other tixies, leading Avelyn and Killian to make an epic journey across dark and dangerous lands in search of a sacred Magic Dust that is rumored to give creatures long life.

★★★★★ "A well-written thrilling YA fantasy adventure filled with danger, magic, and mystery." ~Goodreads Review

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About the Author
Jack Borden lives and writes in the forests of Texas, where he lives with his wife, a few children, two somewhat useful dogs, and a garden that always needs tending. He enjoys long walks in the woods, hanging out with his family, and traveling with his family. He's particularly fond of far West Texas and the Pacific Northwest. Learn more at Jack-Borden.com, and be sure to follow him online:
 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Christina Leonard, author of two fantasy and coming-of-age books for Teen/Young Adult readers and booklovers of all ages:

• Farewell: 4.5 stars on Goodreads
• Tragon Moon: 4.33 stars on Goodreads

"Leonard’s storytelling is both compelling and evocative." ~Goodreads Review

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Farewell

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Available in hardcover, paperback, e-book and audiobook starting at $3.20
 

Wendy Mitchell is not having the college experience she always thought she would. When she first arrived at Gladstown College, she thought she would make friends and go to parties. But here she is, three and a half years later, with no friends on campus and failing grades.

While cleaning lab supplies for extra credit one afternoon, Wendy noticed the closet door swing open all on its own. She investigates the odd happening, only to find herself locked in the closet as the ground rumbles. 

When she steps out of the closet, she finds herself somewhere in the middle of a forest with a bow being pointed directly at her by a strange man dressed like he’s ready for combat. According to him, she has been dropped somewhere on the outskirts of the Farewell Kingdom.

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Tragon Moon

Genres: Coming of Age Fantasy, Magical Realism
Available in hardcover, paperback, e-book and audiobook starting at $3.20
 

Raena and Abby have relied on one another for as long as they can remember. Never knowing their parents and being shuffled through the foster care system, they quickly came to realize they are the only people they can count on. But when Abby doesn’t come home from work one night, Raena is left to take care of her nephew, Jaxon. She believes she has everything under control until her landlord tells her she must pay three months' worth of back rent before the end of the month, or she and Jax will be out on the street.

Then Raena meets King Wade of Maranetta, who invites Raena to work for him and promises to take care of her and Jax in return. Raena accepts, but what she doesn’t know is the world of powers and long-kept secrets that await her around every corner of King Wade’s palace and the deeply rooted connection she has to the family who lives there.

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About the Author
Christina Leonard was born and raised in Southern New Jersey, where she lives with her family and four cats. After graduating in 2022 with her masters degree in Publishing from Pace University in New York City, her masters thesis was published in Publishing Research Quarterly. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her five nieces and nephews. Learn more at AuthorChristinaLeonard.com and be sure to follow her online:
 

Free online: Wine and Wishes - a Virtual Vision Board Party. Join Wine and Wishes for an uplifting virtual event designed to help you visualize your goals while connecting with a community of dreamers and doers. This interactive experience combines creativity, intention-setting, and relaxation in a fun, supportive atmosphere—all from the comfort of your own space. Saturday, January 11, 6 - 8 PM CST.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." ~Peter Drucker

Torn between family, a demanding husband, and emotional upheaval, an aspiring young actress tries to find the courage to embrace her passion and independence in the face of overwhelming obstacles. In a memoir filled with vibrant characters, hardships endured, and inner strength revealed, Reedy’s story will take you on a journey that will inspire, amuse, and fill your heart with hope. 4.7 stars, 73 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Detective Max Grady’s past haunts him every single day. The day he finds out Macy Chandler has been missing for four months is no exception. Now, a ransom demand has come in, one that her family doesn’t understand and can’t fulfill. With no options and no leads, Max sets out to find the kidnappers and to rescue Macy. If you like L.T. Ryan, Adam Nicholls, and James Patterson, you will like Four Cold Months. Book 1 of the Detective Max Grady Thrillers. 4.2 stars, 1300+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Sylvie Mitchell’s world falls apart when her sister is murdered the same night her father vanishes without a trace. Crushed with grief, Sylvie consoles her mother and younger brother alone. But when Sylvie discovers she has the ability to time travel, she embarks on a quest to save her sister, find her father, and stop the killer terrorizing her once peaceful New England town. YA Sci-fi/Mystery. 5.0 stars, 12 ratings. From $4.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Tales woven from the threads of diverse imaginations. Dive into a world of captivating short stories that will leave you spellbound. This collection includes 30 gripping tales, each a journey into the depths of human emotion and imagination. Explores themes of love, loss, and the human experience via vivid characters that will stay with you long after reading. Perfect for both quick reads and deep reflection. Experience the power of storytelling as you uncover hidden truths, face unexpected twists, and lose yourself. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In an enchanted forest brimming with wonder and danger, Snowflake and her seven dwarf companions are trapped by a sinister curse that threatens to destroy their home. Joined by adventurers Holly, Ben, Ava, and Tico, they embark on a quest to uncover the origins of the dark magic and break its hold. As eerie creatures and cryptic challenges test their courage, the group must confront hidden truths and make sacrifices to save their world. 4.6 stars, 11 ratings. From $1.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Unlock the power of timeless wisdom with this thoughtful collection of 40 meaningful quotes. Each quote is accompanied by simple explanations, real-life stories, and helpful advice to guide you through life’s ups and downs. Whether you want to grow as a person, improve your relationships, or find new motivation in your daily life, this book gives you the tools to take these lessons and apply them in easy, practical ways. 4.7 stars, 47 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Cora hates her power to detect missing things. When it leads her to a dead woman, can she find the killer before she’s the next one to disappear? With no clues to the culprit, Cora allows the victim’s fiancé to persuade her to help him dig up evidence. But when she discovers the handsome man is not what he seems, the sensitive tracker fears the only thing her talent will lead her to is her own unmarked grave. 4.4 stars, 750+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the writing of Randall Silvis, internationally acclaimed author of two dozen books. He is also a prize-winning playwright, a produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist. His work is available in twenty countries in more than two hundred editions in several languages.

"Randall Silvis is a masterful storyteller." ~The New York Times Book Review

Bonus: Aspiring writers and experienced authors alike will appreciate Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer, a no-nonsense book on the art, craft, business, and teaching of creative writing.

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The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series

Five-book series
From $7.17 (Book 1 is free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series is a collection of literary and emotionally propulsive thrillers:

Two Days Gone (4.2 stars, 2000+ ratings), Book 1 in the series, is a Hammett Prize Finalist and Amazon #1 Bestseller. What could cause a man to suddenly snap and destroy everything he has built? "A suspenseful, literary thriller that will resonate with readers long after the book is finished." ~Library Journal, Starred Review

Walking the Bones (4.3 stars, 457 ratings): When long-buried secrets come back to the surface, DeMarco is drawn into a case that will demand more of himself than he may want to give. "Silvis smoothly blends moments of exquisite beauty into a sea of darker emotion to create a moving story heavy with the theme of the ‘past is never past.'" ~Publisher’s Weekly

A Long Way Down (4.4 stars,156 ratings): DeMarco and his new love, Jayme, agree to investigate murders that might tie into a cold case from his school days. "Silvis is at it again, striving for a blend of crime story and literature, mutilated bodies and lapidary prose." ~Booklist

No Woods So Dark as These (4.3 stars, 129 ratings): DeMarco and Jayme want nothing more than to live quietly in each other's company. But dreams of a peaceful life are shattered when two bodies are discovered in a smoldering car in the woods. "Poignant and gritty." ~Kate Kessler, bestselling author

When All Light Fails (4.5 stars, 105 ratings): In the final book of the series, DeMarco comes out of retirement to help a nine-year-old girl find her biological father in what might be the most emotionally troubling case DeMarco and Jayme have yet encountered. "A soulful, deeply felt story." ~Kirkus Reviews

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The Deepest Black

Genres: Crime Thriller, Mystery, Murder Thriller
From $9.99
 

A crime novel unlike any you've ever read―based on true events. Where does the line blur between fact and fiction? Acclaimed author Randall Silvis is looking for a story―any story to follow up the books of The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series that catapulted him to success. But when a stranger tips him off about a series of murders in a small Pennsylvania town, Silvis finds himself embroiled in a world of corruption that shatters his sense of reality.

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Small Town Crime Series

Genres: Heist Thrillers, Psychological Fiction
From $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Only the Rain: Facing bills, a new baby, and a bone-dry bank account, Russell has nothing left to lose. When a good deed leads him to a stash of money, he takes a handful to help his family. But when the criminals he robbed come looking for their dirty money, Russell must choose between saving his daughter or giving the devils their due.

First the Thunder: Three brothers grapple with their lives in decline and stumble upon a shocking secret that, if revealed, would upend their lives. A riveting exploration of the unforgivable secrets that families keep—and the consequences that come from exposing them.

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Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer

From $6.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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About the Author
Randall Silvis’s many literary awards include two writing fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Award, six fellowships for his fiction, drama, and screenwriting from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree awarded for “a sustained career of distinguished literary achievement.” Learn more at RandallSilvis.com, and be sure to follow Randall online:
 

Free online: Poetry Lit! Explore the world of poetry from the comfort of your favorite chair. Poetry Lit! is a monthly reading series with international poets and their passionate fans. This month's event features poets Alyson Hallet and Isobel Dixon. Friday, January 10, 1:00 - 2:30 CST. 

"When you read something beautiful you find coexistence; it breaks walls down." ~Mahmoud Darwish

In this debut thriller, engineer Lynn Dayton must protect her sister, her colleagues, and herself from the deadly plans of a French saboteur. Tasked with fixing a troubled refinery on the Houston Ship Channel, Lynn soon finds herself battling chemical leaks, disloyal employees, and deadly sabotage. As the stakes rise, she faces off against Robert Guillard, a ruthless idealist who underestimates her determination to outmaneuver his threats. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Looking for a “different” apocalypse story? You may have finally found it with Abe, who thought he was prepared until he discovered Hollywood didn’t get all the facts right about the monsters. With an evil lurking in New York City and an apocalypse that’s anything but typical, Abe is the guy you want on your survival team—or maybe not—but his friends might just make the chaos bearable. 4.1 stars, 146 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

"Tender perspectives helping readers with their own goodbyes." ~Midwest Book Review. A collection of true stories about saying goodbye to the people, places, and things in our lives. This powerful book includes a number of sad stories, as well as some very funny ones. Taken together, the stories serve as amazing examples of people saying heartfelt goodbyes with grace, dignity, and good humor. 4.1 stars, 44 ratings. From $1.79 SHOP NOW / ​

"Travel pieces that capture the exterior world and offer a vivid sense of personal reflection." ~Brevity. Real people sharing real stories as they explore the world around us, including a man lost on the flooded Amazon River at night, a blind man's encounter with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, a woman's spiritual journey in Peru, helping sea turtles lay eggs in Costa Rica, an encounter with a grizzly bear, and a journalist's friendship with an Iraqi translator in Syria. From $1.79 SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on books from Red Lines Press, a small press that is focused on publishing hard-to-find proletarian literature, defined as "work [that] advances class consciousness" while also being "a bloody good read." The two books featured in today's special edition newsletter—both translations of works by German writer Oskar Maria Graf—certainly fit the bill:

• We Are Prisoners, the autobiography of Oskar Maria Graf
• Anton Sittinger, a "must read" novel for anyone who seeks to understand how and why Adolf Hitler came to power

“He behaves disgracefully and provokes laughter and disbelief, but in so doing, he wins our hearts.” ~Thomas Mann on Oskar Maria Graf

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We Are Prisoners

Genres: Autobiography, Memoir
Paperback: $15.95

This autobiography of Oskar Maria Graf was first published in 1927. It was his first major work.

Graf's autobiography covers his early youth growing up in the village of Berg by Lake Starnberg, his cruel abuse by his older brother, his escape to Munich, where he worked as a baker, and then to anarchist communes in Switzerland. Graf is drafted into the army, where he reluctantly serves as a horse-groom on the supply trains. He is discharged as mentally unfit, spends a year in an asylum, then returns to Munich, working in a biscuit factory, starting his literary career, and making money on the black market.

We Are Prisoners paints a fascinating picture of bohemian life in Schwabing, the radical politics of the time, and climaxes with the short-lived Bavarian Soviet Republic of 1919. Many of the characters in the novel became well-known artists and writers in Weimar Germany. We Are Prisoners (A Confession) is an honest and blithe personal account of momentous events.

Graf's quirky literary style combines a self-deprecating and anarchic sense of humor, sympathy for the downtrodden, and the Heimat genre of German culture. 

★★★★★ "A fascinating insight into Germany from 1900 to 1919." ~Amazon Review

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Anton Sittinger

Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Hardcover: $25.00

A "must read" for anyone who seeks to understand how and why Adolf Hitler came to power.

This is the first English translation of the novel written in 1934-5 and first published in German in 1937. It covers the events of the Weimar Republic from the end of the First World War to Hitler’s appointment as Reichskanzler in 1933—all viewed from the point-of-view of a Munich civil servant who retires to the countryside and "does not concern himself with politics."

Oskar Maria Graf provides a uniquely satirical insight into the mindset of the German middle classes. The eponymous antihero does not welcome Hitler, but does nothing to oppose the Nazis either, while his wife, Malwine, actively welcomes and propagandises for the "national" movement.

Anton Sittinger’s drinking pals likewise cover the broad spectrum of attitudes from the local busybody, a Catholic businessman who supports the mainstream bourgeois parties but eventually capitulates, to the enthusiastic and active support of Captain Schlicht, leader of the district SA. Only the Marxist painter Koestler offers resistance, attempting to rally villagers against Nazi terror, ultimately without success.

The Nazi takeover is seen not so much as a coup or "seizure of power," as had been attempted in 1923, but rather a "creeping to power" made possible, and even welcomed, by the ruling class, which had grown impatient with "democratic" politicians failure to quash unrest.

There are thousands upon thousands of Anton Sittingers in every country, even today. Despite its historical setting, the atmosphere may seem all too familiar to the contemporary reader.

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About the Publisher
Red Lines Press is dedicated to publishing hard-to-find proletarian literature in English, including translations of previously untranslated and/or out-of-print work, first in German and subsequently other languages. Shorter texts and extracts are published on the Red Lines Press website. Longer works are available via Amazon.com. Learn more about Red Lines Press at redlines.home.blog. 

Free online: Speaking Crow. Presented by Plume Winnipeg, Speaking Crow is Winnipeg's longest running poetry open mic. Come hear poets from across Canada and around the world.

"If you fill your face with laughing, there will be no more room for crying." ~Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance

Army Air Corps doctor Jack Monroe was performing his usual duties in an army hospital in England soon after the end of World War II. Monroe and French, British, and Soviet doctors are ordered to witness the autopsy of a Nazi bureaucrat. What starts as a routine assignment leads Monroe into a world of intrigue, romance, and mortal danger. 4.4 stars, 57 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Poseidon, a show jumping horse, is injured in a fire and becomes aggressive due to trauma. Axel, a horse whisperer with a special ability to communicate with horses, is asked to help by Poseidon's owner. Despite the vet's recommendation to euthanize the horse, Axel takes on the challenge to heal Poseidon. Can Axel save Poseidon? A heartwarming tale of the transformative bond between a man and a horse. Gold Medal, Global Book Awards. 4.7 stars, 433 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

New release: Dr. Chris Wright, a cynical physician with a wounded soul, struggles to save his latest research subject, a woman suffering from a life-threatening illness. But his world is turned upside down when his path collides with Sera, a compassionate angel with the power to glimpse within a person’s soul. Book 1 of the Heartbeats and Halos Clean Paranormal Romance Series. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

In 2051, a massive solar storm triggers a global EMP, plunging the world into chaos as cities collapse into barbarism and an artificial superintelligence, Tron, seizes control. Julia, a 17-year-old survivor from the ruins of a clean city, crosses paths with Winston, an 18-year-old from a technology-rejecting wilderness settlement. Together, they lead a rebellion against Tron’s machines—unaware that Julia possesses a unique and powerful gift that could change everything. 4.6 stars, 45 ratings on Goodreads. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW /