Today's Featured Books

Uxia is a mystical martial artist and fierce warrior who travels across the world of magic oceans in pursuit of profits. She is no peacemaker: profit is her true purpose. She rolls the discovery dice in a risky ritual to reveal her next nemesis. Above all else, this warrior is a gambler. Listen to the music of Potion Voyages on SoundCloud to experience the magic. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is sharing the work of Jason Stocks, a writer and teacher living in south Florida. Before becoming a teacher, Jason worked in a chicken house, washed dishes, bagged groceries, waited tables, and sold cars.

Jason's first full-length poetry collection, Blameforest, was a finalist in the American Legacy Book Awards for contemporary poetry. His most recent poetry collection, Laughing is Forever, was released earlier this year. 

"These mercurial poems surprise, thrill, and move in equal measure. They’re dying to be read." ~Independent Book Review

Blameforest

Finalist in the 2024 American Legacy Book Awards

"Provocative, explicit poetry written with muscular swagger." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Fierce, bold, and self aware...steeped in the Gothic hauntings of Deep South life." ~Jenifer DeBellis, author of Blood Sisters

"Stocks captures the rhythms of a vibrant vernacular that is original and authentic...a layered and nuanced work of innovative literature to be read in one sitting, and then over and over again." ~Jacob M. Appel, author of The Cynic in Extremis

Laughing is Forever

"Stocks's writing has a powerful immediacy, and his poems are packed with both profanity and pop-culture references." ~Kirkus Reviews

"This collection is brave, unflinching and hits you like a punch in the jaw. It is at times brutal and vicious but also tender and intelligent." ~Sam Szanto, author of If No One Speaks

"These are the kind of tattered, beautiful poems I often search for and rarely find." ~Sean Thomas Dougherty, author of Death Prefers the Minor Keys

"Jogging from detritus-ridden, Bukowski-inspired free verses to Lowell-style observations of the inner life, this hardtack collection of poetry runs the gamut. A rugged, sinuous voice drives the free verse narratives." ~Independent Book Review

More about the Author

  

Free online: Strong Women, Strange Worlds. Join for a tasting menu of science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories from six authors who will each have 8 minutes to tempt and tantalizing you with their reading. Friday, November 1, 11 AM CDT. 

“We’re only different from the bacteria because we are able to ask what the hell this is all about. Not answer, just ask.” ~Carolyn Ives, “Umbernight”

Twisted by a traumatic past, the Rowan siblings must use their talents to deal with blackmail, murder, and magic in an emotional page-turner about healing from a haunted past. Perfect for fans of Practical Magic, Garden Spells, and The Witches of New York. Foreword INDIES Gold Winner in Fantasy. Literary Titan Gold Winner. Readers Favorite Silver Winner. “An entertaining, moving story that readers of family sagas, sibling dynamics, and fantasy set in our contemporary world will enjoy." ~Booklife. 4.5 stars, 153 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Bench by Francesca Flood, Ed.D., a collection of interconnected stories that invite introspection and reflection on life's biggest questions.

★★★★★ "A warm healing soup for ALL souls!" ~Goodreads Review

Hope Verdad Presents The Bench: A Parable About Life, Death, and Beyond

Five strangers' lives become intertwined by fate, trauma, and a mysterious bench that holds the key to their darkest moments. In this riveting book, the author explores the depths of human experience, the thin line between life and the afterlife, and the eternal search for understanding humankind's true meaning.

Set in a timeless and familiar place, the bench becomes a crossroads between worlds, a beacon of hope and transformation for those burdened by personal crises. As each protagonist takes their turn on the bench, they encounter a stranger who offers solace in the form of lost loved ones, sparking revelations and insights into the mysteries of life and death.

The Bench is more than just a story; it's an immersive experience—a meditation on love, grief, and our quest for meaning. Drawing inspiration from the emotional complexity of The Shack and the philosophical depth of The Alchemist, Dr. Flood weaves a narrative that resonates with readers on a profound level.

Perfect for those who crave stories of spiritual discovery and emotional depth, The Bench invites readers to reflect on life's biggest questions and discover the resilience of the human spirit.

Praise for The Bench
"Each of these chapters tells a story of a spiritual crisis and revelation. Well-written and absorbing. Highly recommended." ~Dr. Judith K. Gwathmey, Professor of Medicine and Physiology, Boston University of Medicine

Francesca Flood, a native of Brooklyn, New York, has carved her path in the world of writing through a crucible of life experiences. Her award-winning work focuses on evocative speculative fiction that pushes the boundaries of imagination and explores spiritual realms. Her narratives, a tapestry of the mystical and the mundane, invite readers to delve into profound questions about life, choices, and reality. Crafting intricate plots and profound philosophical insights, Francesca’s work has garnered a diverse and dedicated following.

Francesca holds a Master’s in Pastoral Theology and a Doctor of Education. She has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, has served as editor/author in a compendium on entrepreneurship with Springer-Meteor, and has been editor/author for the American Bar Association’s book on suicide.

Learn more at HopeVerdad.com, sign up for Francesca's newsletter (scroll to bottom of her website for the sign-up form), and be sure to follow her online: 

Free online: Black Mountain Institute presents author Mia Alvar. Join via Zoom for a reading and discussion with Mia Alvar, author of In the Country, a short-story collection that won the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award and the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize from the University of Rochester. Tuesday, October 29, 2 PM CDT.

"She holds a grudge against the world for defaulting on its promises to beautiful women. It didn’t occur to me that I’d been counting on similar promises, made to smart girls who studied hard." ~Mia Alvar

Do you love candy? I’m a kid, of course I do! Was your candy bag only half full on Halloween last year? How did you know that? In this book, you’ll discover 49 excuses for bagging more candy on Halloween that are so spooky and funny that your neighbours won’t be able to resist. Each hilarious excuse comes with a cartoon illustration that will make you giggle even more. 4.6 stars, 178 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Many people struggle with anxiety and doubt, feeling like they’ve lost control. But by embracing the principles of Stoicism, you can gain mental clarity and resilience. This guide shows you how to turn pain into growth and frustration into focus, empowering you to stay calm and in control, even in the face of adversity. "A clear and practical guide to applying Stoic principles." ~Amazon Review. 4.8 stars, 25 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /