Today's Featured Books
Who Am I by Anvil Long
Memoir and Creative Nonfiction
Single Mom's Firemen by Kai Lesy
As a coupon cutting single mom, double shifts at the diner are my jam. But when the diner catches fire and my apartment burns to the ground, my kids and I are officially homeless. Things get worse when my ex-husband and his mafia family want to snatch my babies. Enter three strapping ex-military firemen to save the day in this stand-alone reverse harem romance filled with humor, danger, and generous amounts of love. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
The Gifts of the Dark God: dystopian fantasy teeming with sorcery, magic & eternal conflict
The Chronicles of the Chosen Undead: Book 1 - The Gifts of the Dark God
Paperback $12.99
Ebook: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
At the beginning of time, the God of Light created the souls of men using the sparks of the Primeval Flame. Millennia have passed since then, and almost all the gods have perished in their battles, leaving humanity weak and corrupt.
A dark prophecy unfolds as the world descends into chaos. Radamant, a malevolent sorcerer, assassinates the last emperor of Heidal and seizes the Primeval Flame. With this stolen power, the daughters of the God of Darkness unleash a plague of the undead, turning the dead into monsters that prey on the living.
In this epic fantasy adventure, the Primeval Flame's light fades, and humanity's survival hangs by a thread. Amidst this turmoil, an undead named Rhys rises. Cursed with a scarlet-eyed demon within his soul and devoid of memories from his past life, Ryhs knows only his name, which means "Chosen one" in the ancient language of the gods.
The three Keras, goddesses who control the fate of humanity, summon Rhys but are unable to decipher the enigma of his curse. Ancient legends speak of an undead who will one day determine the fate of the world. Is Rhys destined to be this figure? What path will he choose in this dark fantasy saga?
Praise for The Gifts of the Dark God
★★★★★ "A powerful blend of magic, mystery, and action." ~Goodreads Review
★★★★★ "A true masterpiece, blending dark fantasy elements with profound character development." ~Amazon Review
★★★★★ "With its complex characters and intricate plot, this novel stands out in the fantasy genre." ~Goodreads Review
I'd rather not talk about myself—there are so many more interesting lives to explore on social media. Who I am is not important; it is what I write that matters. Instead of focusing on me, close your eyes and listen. Let my voice, emerging from my inner darkness, connect with yours through the stories of my characters. Join me on a journey that through the deepest darkness can lead to the brightest light.
Learn more at FredDarkness.com and be sure to also follow him online:
Murder, Mystery & Suspense with a Paranormal Twist!
Moonlight Beach
4.1 stars, 47 ratings on Goodreads
From $0.99
Winner of the Hollywood Book Festival Award for Genre Fiction and the Chick Lit Café Award for best Paranormal Thriller, Crime & Mystery
Bodies are washing up on Moonlight Beach in the idyllic, seaside community of Rancho, California, worrying the privileged one percent in the gated communities of one of SoCal’s ritziest enclaves. Speculation centers on sharks, satanic rituals, and greedy venture capitalists. But then two more people are killed on a cliff overlooking the beach—and all their organs are missing. What the hell is going on? They better figure all this out before more people get butchered or, God forbid, Rancho’s inflated property values plummet.
Moonlight Canyon
4.2 stars, 30 ratings on Goodreads
From $1.49
Winner, Best Sequel, Los Angeles Book Festival
The rural paradise of Silver City, just south of Moonlight Canyon, is under attack. Half-eaten, mutilated bodies are showing up in public places. The peaceful residents of Silver City are in a panic. Is it drug smugglers? A biker gang? Some sort of dark ritual? Space aliens? Whatever is terrorizing Silver City must be stopped and fast before this pastoral heaven becomes a living hell.
"A mystical tale that walks a thin line between paranormal and crime-based stories." ~Amazon Review
Moonlight Rocks
4.8 stars, 21 ratings
From $1.49
What would you do if God fell into your lap?
The desert east of Los Angeles can be a dangerous place. The rocky landscape is littered with meth labs, drug gangs, abandoned mines, and broken down ranches with fringe people living in them. Despite the risks, the natural beauty and clear skies attract stargazers and campers. One night, a group of friends set up camp to watch the Leonid meteor shower. A space rock crashes to earth nearby, and the first person to reach it becomes the target of a deady chase by religious fanatics who believe that the meteor heralds the birth of a new Messiah. Is this the dawn of a new spiritual age, or just a bunch of psychos raging in the desert?
"Full of mystery, suspense, thrill and lots of action." ~Goodreads Review
Moonlight Rip Tide
4.2 stars, 11 ratings
From $1.49 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Want to go for a ride in a classic car? Park by the ocean? Sounds nice huh?
Mona found the man and his car, a beautiful, old Ferrari, very attractive. Sure, she'd go for a ride with him to look at the ocean. The party was boring anyway. Maybe by the time they got back things would liven up a bit...
She felt the bag tighten around her neck, cutting off her air supply. This cannot be happening. She gasped and struggled, but it was no use. He was too strong. Everything went dark as she lost consciousness, her last thought was about the mistake she'd made threatening to tell Danny's wife...
Later, Susan felt that someone was stalking her. She'd gotten several strange calls attempting to make appointments for private exercise and aerobics lessons. Who was this unknown client?
Tokyo Games
4.2 stars, 30 ratings
From $0.99
"A magical ride through Asian Sci-Fi." ~Amazon Review
Virtual reality has become all too real. With the right equipment, virtual gamers can see and hear everything another human being, a game character, is experiencing half a planet away. When a game character witnesses a gruesome murder, the initially entertaining virtual experience becomes an ordeal for survival in a deadly world filled with dark forces, demi-gods, demons, and people trying to control them. Vigilance is essential or total annihilation will be their fate.
Osaka Games
4.7 stars, 7 ratings
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
"A fascinating, complex novel relating the inner workings of a worldwide virtual reality game." ~Amazon Review
The Game Master keeps everyone safe during their virtual video games. But everything changes when the Game Master witnesses a murder and kidnapping by a wealthy and powerful player. Could it be a play for world domination? A team in LA, with the help of their nearly sentient computer, is dragged along with a game character in Osaka as that character experiences the murderous power of gangsters, samurai ghosts, body-swapping spirits, and brutal Japanese sword fighting. It’s anyone’s guess who will survive this paranormal vortex of betrayal and bloodshed.
New York Stories
From $1.49 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Winner, Best Science Fiction & Post-Apocalyptic Novel, Chick Lit Cafe & Best Science Fiction & Post Apocalyptic Novel, Artisan Book Reviews
The wars have wound down and New York still stands, largely undamaged and more crowded than ever before. Global warming has left the city hot and soggy, and the oceans are rising. Terrestrial travel is difficult, but "spiritual travel" is an option...have your spirit extracted and shot into space, leaving your empty physical body "sleeping" on Earth. And if you're afraid of travel, there is a tough, complex computer game available to play. So life can be fun—as long as the game doesn't want you dead.
"A huge cast of characters, a plot line with multiple twists and turns, and an element of magical realism." ~Amazon Review
Buy Bundles and Save!
Moonlight Duology: Murder and Magic Series Books 1 & 2
Moonlight Beach & Moonlight Canyon
From $1.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
The Games Duology: Games Series Books 1 & 2
Tokyo Games & Osaka Games
From $1.49 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Yurie Kiri speaks Japanese, English, and French, and has studied Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish, along with a smattering of other languages, including Korean and Russian, as well as binary and hexadecimal machine language. Why? Because if you really want to get to know someone, you need to speak their language no matter if they’re machine or human.
Yurie currently lives on that sailboat, cruising between various ports in the Pacific Ocean. Sailing, writing, and photography are Yurie's primary passions. Learn more at YurieKiri.com.
Free online Sunday: Memories of Summer
Free online: Memories of Summer. Relive the carefree days of summer with this online concert of summer-related pop, classical, Broadway, and folk tunes. Sunday, August 4, 7 PM GMT, 2 PM EDT, 1 PM CDT.
"Music: What so many sentences aspire to be." ~Mary Oliver
I Wore the Wrong Shirt to Work Today by T.W. Sheffield
Black Bird by Mark Pawlosky
Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror
Stop Overthinking To Finally Get Stuff Done by Thinknetic
And Violet Is a Flower by Richard Lundeen
The Last Wolf by M.S. Kaminsky
Me and My Shadow: Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor by John Walker Pattison
Memoir and Creative Nonfiction
At 18 years of age, John Walker Pattison was diagnosed with cancer. After years of failed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet today, he is one of the longest-surviving cancer patients in the UK. Later, his daughter was diagnosed with terminal cancer, yet she too went on to defy the odds. Learn more in this inspiring true story. 4.9 stars, 20 ratings. From $4.50 SHOP NOW /
Spotlight on The Silent Codename action/adventure series
Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Silent Codename action/adventure series from author E.S. Benton. Follow Alpha Team...a group of covert agents that includes ex-spies, a computer expert, and an ex-assassin...as they hunt a group responsible for committing heinous acts following supposedly natural disasters, and as a global toxin conspiracy plunges the team into a race for the antidote.
★★★★★ "An ensemble action thriller that delivers epic action scenes and enigmatic heroes." ~BestThrillers.com
Operation Storm's Eye
Book 1 of The Silent Codename SeriesGenres: Suspense Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction, Men's Adventure Fiction, War & Military Action Fiction
From $0.99
★★★★★ "A gripping, action-packed espionage thriller." ~Readers' Favorite
Someone is responsible for committing heinous acts following supposedly natural disasters, and it's up to Alpha Team to hunt them down. But within the shadows and deep underground, Alpha Team are much like their targets; hidden to all who seek them. With nothing more than the name of one man, their morality, trust, secrecy, and armory are stretched to the limit by a hidden enemy.
The deeper Alpha Team goes, the more difficult it becomes for them to stay under the radar. As the natural disasters become more targeted, it’s clear their enemy is more than one step ahead. Their enemy might have assets and technology, but so does Alpha team. The enemy might seem unstoppable, but so is Alpha team.
"A high-octane thriller with a fantastic hero team and an engaging premise." ~Samantha Ann Rainbow, ManyBooks.net
"A relentless rush of espionage and adrenaline." ~Self-Publishing Review
Operation Cavolo
New Release!Book 2 of The Silent Codename Series
Genres: Suspense Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction, Men's Adventure Fiction, War & Military Action Fiction
From $0.99
A toxin conspiracy threatens the world, and Alpha Team has only 86 hours to find the antidote and thwart a lethal countdown. As they grapple with internal sabotage and unseen connections to their adversary, trust becomes as scarce as time.
Tensions mount as leadership fractures and revenge fuels a battle that blurs the line between friend and foe. In the end, their greatest ally might be the very villain they seek, dangling a cure above their heads.
Free online: Hudson Valley Writers Center Event
Free online: The Hudson Valley Writers Center presents author Nana Brew-Hammond who will read from My Parents’ Marriage, a novel about a woman trying to redefine what marriage means to her and what it takes to break free of harmful generational cycles. Thursday, August 1, 7:00 - 8:30 PM EDT.
"Storytelling is as old as humanity—every known civilization has told stories of life as they lived it, passed down legends of how we got here, and created fables or parables to illustrate morals or deliver lessons." ~Nana Brew-Hammond
FREE - Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon
FREE - The Story Cycle Method by Sascha Brown Rice
Tumble With Me by Louise Forster
The Traveling Mind by Brian Williams
Spotlight on Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue
Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue (aka, Cold Medicine and a Liar) by James Tyler Toothman, a book that has been described as a "satirical and deliciously dark."
"An intriguing coming-of-age horror novel in which outcast friends encounter witchcraft and grow apart." ~Clarion Reviews
Note: The audiobook version of Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue was recorded at the world famous Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, and co-stars Joe Lawrence Parsons, Jr., along with the author as narrators.
Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue or Cold Medicine and a Liar
Genres: Literary Fiction, Satire, Dark Fiction, Horror, Coming-of-Age Fiction4.9 stars, 29 ratings on Amazon.com
Audiobook: $24.95
Paperback: From $19.99
Ebook: From $11.49
It's 1971 and deep in the woods of West Virginia, two childhood friends discover a book that dismantles and unravels everything they once considered reality. When an enigmatic stranger later rolls into their small coal mining town in the back of a Rolls Royce, the teenagers are plunged deep into a world of drugs, sex, music, and violence.
Together, the two friends confront the forces of good and evil head on—the unwitting pawns of an eternal game played without rules or directions. Badder than Louisiana Lightning, flyer than Sly Stone on a 747 jumbo jet, feverish, satirical, and deliciously dark, Three Sixes and A Forked Tongue or Cold Medicine and a Liar is an offbeat, coming-of-age, face-melting novel unlike anything you've seen or heard before.
Praise for Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue
"A wild brew of sorcery, Satan, and rural America." ~Kirkus Reviews
"Follows friends as they learn to live fully—and then face the consequences of their choices." ~Clarion Reviews
"Those seeking off-kilter stories celebrating the occult as a tool of feminist vengeance will be immersed in Priscilla’s magical awakening as a country witch." ~BlueInk Review
About the Author
James Tyler Toothman was born in a small town in West Virginia. He was raised by his father in a house built of cinder blocks, and spent his early years being looked after by a woman named Scarlett, who lived in a bar with dirt floors, a pool table, and a juke box, and by his grandfather, Big Jim, proprietor of Toothman's Alternator Service, who regularly took James to hillbilly auctions hosted by a 600-pound man named "Tiny." Learn more at ThreeSixesForkedTongue.com, sign up to receive email updates (follow link and scroll down to see the sign-up form), and follow @666ForkedTongue on X/Twitter and James Tyler Toothman on Facebook.
Win a Bundle of Cozy Mysteries ($250 value!)
New Giveaway: Win a Bundle of Cozy Mysteries. Enter for a chance to win a bundle of 21 cozy mysteries plus a new e-reader (a $250 value). Earn entry points by following participating authors on BookBub or Amazon.
"Every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.” ~Charles Dickens
Do You Really Want To Know? by Kate Fraser
Promises in Tumble Creek by Louise Forster
Buchanan's Express by John Parker
Jake by Emily Jane Trent
Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror
When Amanda receives the shocking news that her sister's newborn is missing, she must discover if the baby is alive. Navy SEAL Jake volunteers to go undercover with her, but the mission has trouble written all over it. They have a shared past, but Amanda walked away and Jake let her go. Will going undercover bring them together or drive them apart? Must Love Danger Book 3. 4.4 stars, 200+ ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW /
Spotlight on the works of author Leslie Anne Lee
Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Leslie Anne Lee, author of literary fiction, historical fiction, and romantic fantasy.
"Ms. Lee is an old soul writing for a new world. She crafts both storytelling and story-sharing into a perfect web of enchantment I want to get stuck in." ~Diane Mark
Child of Dawn
Genres: Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Action & AdventureFrom $9.99
Her anger enveloped her. Witch. So that was what she was to them.
Anda always knew she had been different. Little did she know how that difference would change her life.
Dagsbrun knew he was a monster...he had been called that since birth. And yet, as he raged against his immortality, he dared to dream of finding peace.
Enter the world of the Vale, ruled by elves and vampires and destined for destruction unless a prophecy can be fulfilled...and two individuals who are completely opposite can find something in common.
The Rock and the Wind
Genre: Historical FictionFrom $5.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Rowena is a girl caught between two men, and two worlds. Atticus, wild and intemperate; and Morgan, sophisticated, and offering security and safety. Rowena's heart is torn between the two. How can she betray one with her love for the other.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Maine's coastline in a time where marriage was a woman's identity, The Rock and the Wind is a poignant tale of how large the human heart can grow, and how much love one person can have for an individual. Or two.
Demons in the Hog Shed
Genre: Women's Fiction, RomanceFrom $9.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
Written as an homage to women dreamers and survivors everywhere, this novel shifts between the agony of the past and the promise of the present as the author weaves a wrenching narrative of a woman chased by her own demons in this hauntingly beautiful portrayal of what it is like for survivors of bullying and abuse.
The story follows Audrey from the "middle of the middle of nowhere" in Wyoming to the immensity of New York City. Her past has driven her from her home, but as she tries to begin again, a secret haunts her that no one in the city knows. The enigmatic Mr. C does his best to pull down the walls she has built up to protect herself, but even he might be too late to save her from her demons.
About the Author
Leslie Anne Lee has been writing almost as long as she has been walking. She wrote her first book at age six, and won her first award in the second grade. She loves all sorts of different authors, but her favorites are Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, C.S. Lewis, and Leon Uris.
Besides writing novels, Ms. Lee also writes poetry, op-ed pieces, and literary essays. She also is an actor and dancer. She lives with her family in Fresno, California. Learn more at leslieannelee.com where you can also sign up to receive information about new releases and events.
Spotlight on contemporary sea adventures from Edward Hochsmann
Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Edward Hochsmann, author of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures, a series of contemporary sea thrillers. Read on to learn more!
"Its setting, alternating POVs, and excellent writing put it ahead of many comparable novels." ~The BookLife Prize (Publishers Weekly) on Book 3 of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures
Bonus: Win a $50 Amazon.com gift card in the Sizzling Series Marathon Giveaway. (Dagger Quest, Book 1 in the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures, is a "Top Pick" in the giveaway!)
Dagger Quest
Book 1 of the Cutter Kauai Sea AdventuresGenres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 78 ratings
From $0.99
An obsolete patrol boat is all that stands between the world and nuclear annihilation!
The world is on the brink of war, with NATO mobilizing to counter a Russian threat to Poland and Lithuania and leaders openly discussing war options. In the midst of the crisis, a Russian bomber collides with a U.S. fighter off Florida causing the accidental launch of a nuclear-tipped hypersonic missile.
A Coast Guard cutter finds a drug-laden sailboat smashed and adrift north of the Florida Keys. The boat’s damage is from a near miss by the Russian missile which has not harmlessly flown deep into the Gulf of Mexico as originally thought, but crashed somewhere in the Keys.
The Coast Guard crew is in a race against a vicious and powerful international crime syndicate to find and recover the Russian nuke before its discovery can trigger a nuclear war. Exploring the friendship and teamwork of a typical ship’s crew, in the face of unexpected and hazardous challenges, Dagger Quest provides a fast-paced, taut story – excellent fare for both suspense and action/adventure fans.
Praise for Dagger Quest
"A highly entertaining cross between a seafaring adventure and a high-stakes military drama." ~Self-Publishing Review
"An adventurously gripping story that will not only have you craving for the next book in the series, but also craving your own tropical forage in South Florida and the Caribbean!" ~Entrada Publishing
Caribbean Counterstrike
Book 2 of the Cutter Kauai Sea AdventuresGenres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 28 ratings
From $2.99
It’s the deadliest nerve gas ever made, and it has fallen into the hands of a murderous Caribbean drug cult!
The criminal 252 Syndicate has developed a game-changing battlefield nerve gas in a secret lab hidden on an oil rig servicing ship. But the ship has been caught in a drug war in a Caribbean country, seized by one of the most vicious drug cartels in existence, and held for ransom.
When the U.S. government learns that the 252s plan to launch an attack in five days, the best of the bad options is a covert raid led by young Coast Guard Officer Ben Wyporek and his crew aboard the newly-upgraded, stealth-equipped Cutter Kauai. However, Ben’s last lethal encounter with the 252s has cured his hunger for glory, and he has found his soulmate in the beautiful genius, DIA analyst Victoria Carpenter.
It is yet another deadly race against the 252s to save the world, and now Ben and Victoria have everything to lose.
Praise for Caribbean Counterstrike
"Hochsmann's meticulous prose hums with lived experience and authenticity... This gripping maritime thriller delivers in every way." ~Self-Publishing Review
"Filled with action and adventure, mixed with a little romance, it is an ideal read for anyone that wants to escape from their daily lives for a few hours." ~Entrada Publishing
Bravely and Faithfully
Book 3 of the Cutter Kauai Sea AdventuresGenres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 32 ratings
From $2.99
A new captain’s first patrol turns into a fight for their lives.
Sam Powell gets a well-deserved promotion to Lieutenant Commander and a coveted slot at the Naval War College. His replacement, hard-charging young Lieutenant Haley Reardon, is about to get a baptism of fire. Opening with the rescue of a young family from a stricken sailboat in the middle of a major hurricane, Bravely and Faithfully presents an exciting series of adventures, culminating in the covert insertion and recovery of an assault team from a hostile Caribbean island.
This third installment of the series conveys the humor, friendships, and teamwork of Kauai‘s crew from the previous books, with a new series of exciting actions from search-and-rescue to combat. The crew and their new skipper must come together for the toughest mission they have ever faced. Enjoy the action, the teamwork and camaraderie of the crew as they face life-and-death together with their new captain, and the course of second-in-command Ben Wyporek’s sweet courtship of the beautiful, neurodiverse genius Victoria Carpenter.
Praise for Bravely and Faithfully
"A riveting sea adventure with a top-rate protagonist." ~Independent Review of Books
"A captivating tale that will interest even readers who are not familiar with the Coast Guard nor its lingo. While there is plenty of action in the story, it is the character-driven plot that elevates this adventure novel." ~BookLife
Indies Inferno
Book 4 of the Cutter Kauai Sea AdventuresGenres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 9 ratings
From $2.99
When the cover story becomes more dangerous than the main mission...
The crew of the small Coast Guard cutter Kauai is tasked with a covert intelligence operation. Their mission takes an unexpected turn when a volcanic eruption rocks the shores of the picturesque Caribbean island of Saint Ignatius.
Within this explosive military adventure, the crew of the Kauai also thwarts an eco-terrorist plot to sabotage an oil tanker, saving countless lives. But their heroism doesn't end there, as they valiantly rescue dozens of individuals trapped aboard a burning and sinking dive boat.
Amidst the chaos, duty and desire collide on the high seas as the crew balances personal relationships while facing their most perilous mission yet.
Praise for Indies Inferno
"Riveting maritime drama with explosively high stakes and a consistent edge of gritty realism." ~The Independent Review of Books
"A pulse-pounding thriller that combines action, suspense, and human drama equally." ~The Book Commentary
More from Edward Hochsmann
About the Author
Edward Hochsmann is a retired U. S. Coast Guard search and rescue and law enforcement professional. Drawing from his twenty-five years of active service, he has crafted an exciting contemporary sea adventure series featuring the crew of a small Coast Guard cutter snatched from the hurly-burly of high-tempo operations in South Florida and thrust into the shadowy world of sensitive special missions.
A husband and father of two sons, Ed likes reading, police procedurals, contemporary music on the road, and classical music in the office. He is a native of Northern Illinois, but has spent most of his adult life on the Gulf Coast, in duty stations from Panama City to Houston, and has finally settled in Crestview, Florida.
Learn more at EdwardHochsmann.com; contact him with questions, comments, and to join his mailing list; and be sure to follow him online: