Today's Featured Books

New Release: An age-gap billionaire boss romance. How do I know my boss is obsessed with me? He nearly ended a guy for touching me. Anatoly Ovechkin isn't just my boss. He's the king of Las Vegas. When my brother steals from the Bratva, Anatoly's deal is simple: "Marry me, or bury your brother." Now I'm falling for the monster who owns me. But my secret could destroy everything. 4.7 stars, 36 ratings on Goodreads. $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on new contemporary Christian fiction, small town and rural fiction, and family life fiction from Baker Publishing Group: 

• The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold (released June 17, 2025)
• When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner (released August 5, 2025)
• The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox (released August 19, 2025)

Bonus: Get a 30% discount on books purchased directly from the publisher.

The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold

A literary journey beckons them . . . and may profoundly rewrite their stories.

Chloe Vance, dreamer of the family, needs to tell her pragmatic mom, Edie, that she has accepted a low-paying art instructor role at a Christian school in Prague. Her older sister, Lauren—the "responsible one"—is doing all she can to hide the fact she's been fired for a foolish mistake and is desperately seeking her next career move. Meanwhile, Edie, estranged from her own sister following their mother's recent death, is frankly in no mood for anything else to change.

The one thing they can all agree on? Life in books sure is easier to navigate than life in the real world. As the three women embark on a nine-day road trip to visit significant literary sites throughout America's heartland, they hope to find inspiration through the works and lives of literary greats. As they experience firsthand the adventure and wonder of the classics, they'll discover the value of being honest with themselves—and their family—about their losses and failures. Only then can they come to terms with their own needs and desires and find support from the most important women in their lives—each other.

Book clubs will relish this trek through America's classic literature as award-winning author Sara Brunsvold pens an inspirational novel of mother-daughter relationships, sisterhood, literary themes, a cross-country road trip, and books about books.

Praise for The Atlas of Untold Stories
"You'll want to slow down and savor this one." ~Julie Klassen, bestselling author

"Heartwarming, inspiring, road trip adventure." ~Melissa's Bookshelf

When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner

Only trouble can bring about the beauty of redemption and grace.

In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. But when he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner's disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to bungle it up this time.

Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more of a mess than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and what grace really means.

Fans of Fredrik Backman, small-town stories, middle-age characters, redemption arcs, and second chances will enjoy this clean, gently humorous contemporary novel set near the mountains of rural Montana.

Praise for The Atlas of Untold Stories
"Katie Powner is my go-to author for multigenerational tales that take a tender and honest look at the human condition." ~Amanda Cox, Christy Award-winning author

"A stick-with-you testament to why nurturing hopeful perseverance in ourselves and others is always the best route to take." ~Sara Brunsvold, Christy Award-winning author

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

A forbidden romance, a fractured family, and one woman's journey to piece it all together.

Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she's desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing—a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.

But when Ana's adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree—one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son—what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

An immersive faith-based novel of finding belonging, reconciliation, and new beginnings for fans of Southern fiction. This narrative of friendship and community makes for a perfect book club selection.

Praise for The Bitter End Birding Society
"A heart-deep journey of courage, compassion, and connection." ~Amanda Dykes, bestselling author

"An emotionally gripping must-read." ~Julie Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author

    

The Edinburgh International Book Festival, the world-leading festival of words, literature, and ideas. wraps up this weekend and includes a dozen online events Saturday and Sunday that you can attend free or for whatever you would like to donate. 

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.” ~Terry Pratchett, Diggers

During an irregular time in Egypt's history, they had no one but each other. In Egypt, the year 2011 marked a brief Era of Enlightenment (post the Jan 25 revolution), with booming figures of book readership and Internet usage, when most citizens had an increasing interest "to know," along with mixed feelings of fear, hope, belonging, and excitement. Liberal voices were rising in a society commonly believed to be conservative, and existential struggles started hitting many minds within the middle class. From $7. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

When Detective Hiroshi Shimizu leaves the safe confines of his office to investigate a triple murder at a porn studio, the leads point him in multiple directions. Together with an ex-sumo wrestler and his old-school mentor, Hiroshi tracks the killers through Tokyo's teen hangouts, bayside docks, and crowded squares, straight into the underbelly of the global economy. As bodies wash up from Tokyo Bay, Hiroshi uncovers trafficking rings and cryptocurrency scammers whose connections extend to the highest levels of Tokyo's power elite. 4.4 stars, 700+ratings. From $6.99 - SHOP NOW / 

What if the government said that your missing wife never existed? Intrigue and conspiracy from Munich to the burning sands of Saudi Arabia. What is real, and what is not? Who is really who, and why? If you love fast-paced international thrillers, then take on Covert Dreams. It's like "reading Robert Ludlum and the Bourne series." ~Dale Roberts, mystery writer. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

The sudden death of a refugee sets off a chain of events that will change Shelley’s quiet life forever. Her search for the truth uncovers a web of conspiracy, danger, and corruption that reaches all the way to the top. Shelley is reluctant to jeopardise her safe career and comfortable life, but she may have to break rules and risk everything to uncover the truth. Can ordinary people make a difference in a world where powerful forces hold all the cards? From $4.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Trapped in the Past from author Indira Merritt, a time-bending coming-of-age novel about fatherhood, emotional inheritance, and the kind of healing that doesn’t just ask you to survive—but to transform. Perfect for fans of Back to the Future and On the Come Up, this heartfelt story blends rhythm, rupture, and radical reimagining.

★★★★★ "A heartfelt and creative story that blends music, time travel, and self-discovery." ~Amazon Review

Trapped in the Past

What if the only way to fix your future…was to confront the past that broke you?

Seventeen-year-old Lennox Merritt is tired of holes—the ones in his story, his home, and his hope.

When a prototype beat machine glitches, Lennox is hurled three decades into the past—alone, confused, and holding music the world hasn’t heard yet.

In a world of boom boxes, beepers, and block parties, he meets someone who feels too familiar. But getting home isn’t just about finding a way back—it’s about facing what he never wanted to feel: the grief, the questions, and the silence he thought he left behind.

Maybe the only way forward is by rewriting what hurt the most.

★★★★★ "A cross between Back to the Future and a hip-hop infused coming-of-age drama." ~Amazon Review

About the Author

       

Free online: Strong Women, Strange Worlds. Join for a tasting menu of science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories featuring six authors who will each have eight minutes to tempt and tantalizing you with their reading. Thursday, August 21, 6 PM CDT. 

"If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war." ~Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

Charlie has a BIG problem—his anxiety. It keeps him up at night and makes everything feel scary. But with help from his mom (and a little imagination), Charlie learns that even the biggest problems can become small and gentle with the right perspective. This beautifully illustrated story helps kids understand big feelings—and how to face them with courage, color, and creativity. 4.9 stars, 20 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

When the top American diplomat in Tokyo is killed, he leaves a missing manuscript, boxes of research, a lost keynote speech, and a tangled web of relations. His alluring daughter wants answers but finds only threats. Detective Hiroshi Shimizu is dragged from white-collar crime investigations into the street-level realities of Pacific Rim politics. When two more bodies turn up, Hiroshi must choose between desire and duty, violence or procedure, before the killer strikes again. 4.3 stars, 983 ratings. From $5.99 - SHOP NOW / 

A storm. A shipwreck. A sizzling connection neither of them saw coming. Lex Bell is a driven English professor without a life beyond her books. Ben Reed is the grumpy whale-watching captain just trying to keep his business afloat. A freak whirlpool strands them and others on a tropical island where a drink from a mysterious waterfall leaves Lex and Ben bound by an intoxicating craving, making survival a whole lot more complicated. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today's Featured Books include four freebies, and you can enjoy a free online art history class this week: Art History - Raphael. Discover the history, techniques and stories behind the paintings of Raphael with Dr. Lillian Cespedes Gonzalez, PhD in history from the University of Winchester. Tuesday, August 19, 1:30 EDT. 

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~Pablo Picasso

Historical Fiction. An Alternate History of The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The United States is an abundant, beautiful land filled with wealth and opportunity, but its history is scarred by inequity and loss. What if the defeated became the victors? What would that mean for the world today and how would that illuminate the wrongs of the past? Winner, Midwest Book Award. "Heart-wrenching, yet triumphant." ~Lindsey S. Fera, Muskets and Minuets. FREE via select retailers - SHOP NOW / 

In Tokyo, murder is easy to hide. Detective Hiroshi Shimizu investigates white-collar crime in Tokyo. But when he gets pulled into a grisly murder case, his investigation takes him into the hostess clubs and skyscraper offices of the world's biggest city, and into the perilous market for buying and selling the world's most expensive real estate. Book 1 of the Detective Hiroshi Series. “Gripping and suspenseful.” ~Booklife. 4.2 stars, 2200+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

“A sharply defined, engrossing cast elevates this crime caper.” ~Kirkus Reviews. When the enforcer of a cartel arrives in Chicago, police detective Marcelle DeSantis and her partner, Bernie Bernardelli, must race against the clock to stop a deadly convergence of criminals. 4.6 stars, 300+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

New Release! Get ready for a thrilling ride in this funny female-led crime caper. When a rival company launches a smear campaign against Martha and Nayeli's business, they concoct a daring plan to infiltrate their competitor. But the fight may not be so easy―and to make matters worse, Martha is drawn to a mysterious and attractive man at the center of it all. This standalone short story prequel to The Sweetest Getaway is perfect for fans of The Heist by Janet Evanovich. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Winner of the 2024 Bronze Readers’ Favorite Book Award in Poetry. Travel through the human condition with succinctly worded verses that linger long in your mind even after you've closed the book. These poems offer a different perspective and a lovely way to view the world. "A thought-provoking exploration of life's complexities." ~Readers' Favorite. 4.2 stars, 50 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

When my life turns upside down, my Uncle Jed, a fur-trader living in Indian Country, comes to my rescue. At Fort Union I am not met by my uncle. Instead, a young Indian, Good Eagle, greets me. We instantly dislike each other, but when he defends me against harm, I realize I must befriend him. But at this point, is friendship even possible? "An amazing story for young people." ~Amazon Review. 4.2 stars, 76 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Book One of the Three Brothers Trilogy. For the three grandsons of the greatest war hero in Etria's history, knighthood isn’t a choice; it’s destiny. They follow three very different roads to knighthood, and when war comes, they hold in their hands the lives of the most powerful and important people of all of Etria. If they fail, their country may fall into darkness and horror. Finalist, Int'l Book Awards, Children's Fiction. "A charming middle grade fantasy adventure." ~IndieReader. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Free online Saturday: Brew & Books. Interested in meeting fellow book lovers over your morning coffee? Join for a 30-minute virtual meet-up to sip, chat, and connect around a shared love of books—one Saturday at a time. Each session is short, sweet, and focused on a specific theme. This week’s theme: Autobiographies. Saturday, August 16, 9:30 - 10:00 AM CDT.

"In every picture there should be shade as well as light." ~James Boswell

“Written in the great style adventure should be written in.” ~Clive Cussler, NYT bestselling author. It’s not easy living in someone else’s world, trapped in a reality over which you have no control. But that is the story of Mike de Wolf’s life―literally―as the murderous pirate of his friend's historical fiction novel. “A true masterpiece of the genre.” ~Kevin J. Anderson, science fiction author. 4.2 stars, 93 ratings. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Twelve unforgettable emerging writers. Three bestselling authors. Stunning illustrations. Writers of the Future Vol. 41 delivers award-winning sci-fi and fantasy—from dystopia to hopepunk, robot noir to cosmic horror. Perfect for fans of Crichton, Sanderson, Wells, VanderMeer, and Blake Crouch. 4.8 stars, 100+ ratings. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Feel awkward in conversations? Struggle to move past small talk? Long for real connection—but don’t know how to begin? This book offers 7 practical strategies, so that conversation becomes connection. Whether you're in a business meeting, a school pickup line, a family gathering, or a first date, these strategies are a way to build trust, spark ideas, overcome social anxiety, deepen relationships, and help others feel seen. 5.0 stars, 16 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /