Today's Featured Books

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the high-quality historical novels published by History Through Fiction—and on the HTF community of readers, writers, and history lovers. Read on to learn more!

A Community of Historical Fiction Lovers

• Readers can learn about recent releases like the three titles featured below (including two free e-books!), join the Historical Readers Club, follow the HTF blog (including a post today about forthcoming releases), subscribe to the HTF Podcast, read short stories and novel excerpts, and more.
• Writers will find a short story contest, advertising opportunities, workshops (including a free Write. Revise. Repeat. session on July 3), and learn about the 2026 Historical Fiction Conference for writers and history enthusiasts.

South of Sepharad by Eric Z. Weintraub

Fleeing death by the Spanish Inquisition, a Jewish doctor makes an impossible choice between home and faith, then struggles to lead his family on a journey for a new life.  

GRANADA, SPAIN, 1492. Vidal ha-Rofeh is a Jewish physician devoted to his faith, his family, and his patients. When Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand order all Jews to convert to Catholicism or depart Spain, Vidal and his family leave their their oldest daughter with her Catholic husband and join a caravan of 200 Jews to start their lives anew across the sea in Fez.

On the caravan, Vidal struggles to balance his physician duties and strained family relationships. At the same time, his daughter finds herself exposed to the Spanish Inquisition. Presenting readers with a painful but important part of Jewish history, South of Sepharad is a heroic, heart-breaking story of a father who holds tightly to his faith, his family, and his integrity.

Praise for South of Sepharad
"An epic, historical novel." ~John W. Jarrett, author of The Dark Prairie

"Insightful, compelling, and poignant." ~Teofilo F. Ruiz, author of Spain's Centuries of Crisis: 1300 - 1474

An End of Troubles: An Anthology

Discover stories where diverse characters confront pivotal historical moments, challenging their resilience and sparking transformation.

Step into a world where history and fiction intertwine in a collection that features ten stories that showcase the power of storytelling to illuminate the past. Each story was a winner in the History Through Fiction short story contest, including the story of a young wife who finds her artistic voice during the Great Depression via a union's musical; a former British soldier who seeks redemption by returning a cursed diamond to India; a soldier in Thebes who must choose between avenging his father and preserving his home as Spartans march to reclaim the city; a servant woman at a Scottish castle who reflects on her encounter with Mary Queen of Scots; and more 

Praise for An End of Troubles
★★★★★ "A great collection of short stories about various historical events." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "Well-written and evocative of their respective periods." ~Goodreads Review

The Porcelain Menagerie by Jillian Forsberg

In a world where ambition is as fragile as porcelain, two lives are shaped by a king's dangerous obsessions.

In 18th-century Dresden, the dangerous whims of King Augustus the Strong shape the court and the lives of those held captive, both people and animals.

Johann Kändler, a talented young artist, is drawn into the world of King Augustus, whose relentless desire for a lifelike porcelain menagerie could make or break Johann's future. As Johann works to meet the king's impossible demands, he finds unexpected allies in former royal mistress Maria and her daughter Katharina. 

Decades earlier, another story unfolds. Fatima, a Turkish handmaiden, is chosen to replace Augustus's discarded mistress. As she tries to create a menagerie of exotic animals and navigate the intrigues of an unpredictable court, Fatima must learn to survive in a world that values beauty and power above all. 

Two timelines, bound by a king's obsessions...art and survival intertwine in a world where ambition can be as fragile as porcelain.

Praise for The Porcelain Menagerie
"Plumbs the depths of possession, resistance and survival." ~Jess Armstrong, author of The Curse of Penryth Hall

"Historical fiction at its most evocative." ~Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Blue

About the Publisher

          

Free online: Speaking Crow. Brought to you by the Winnipeg (Canada) Public Library and Plume Winnipeg (formerly known as the Winnipeg International Writers Festival), Speaking Crow is Winnipeg's longest-running poetry open mic. Each poet will have 3 minutes to share new poetry. Tuesday, July 1, 7-8 PM CDT. 

“Poetry is like a bird, it ignores all frontiers.” ~Yevgeny Yevtushenko

They came from another galaxy. Their mission? To kill us all. Marco's mission? To stop them. A Prayer for Earthrise box set: Three free science fiction novels. From the USA Today bestselling author of Starship Freedom. When aliens invade, veteran Marco Emery must don the uniform again. He's fought wars before. But nothing like this. He must stop the aliens. Or Earth will fall. 4.5 stars, 111 Ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

When a woman disappears while jogging in a small Midwest town, her husband becomes the primary suspect. As the story gains nationwide media attention, investigative reporters, true crime podcasters, and even a psychic detective flock to the small community. Will a small-town detective be able to crack the case while the entire world watches? 4.8 stars, 31 ratings. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

The dream of meeting an alien intelligence has finally come true. But the dream darkens when the Leyra'an prove to be like us to a degree that can’t be explained by chance alone. The search for an answer to this mystery will reveal unexpected dangers, exposing both species to the threat of extinction. For better or worse, the search has begun, and an age of peaceful exploration has ended. 4.3 stars, 366 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Ten Southwest Washington residents describe their participation in the fight to protect our freedoms: A Dutch woman recalls her brothers' activities in the Dutch resistance and the price paid by her family when the Nazis arrived... Three survivors of the attack at Pearl Harbor share their views of the battle... After the Japanese torpedo his ship, a sailor salvages materials to build an ice cream maker and boost the crew's morale... and more. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Two childhood friends haven’t seen each other for 25 years. Max Becker is a reporter, and Jordan Waters is a suddenly nationally popular charismatic preacher filling up arenas with his touring extravaganza. Max begins investigating and is soon in growing danger as he learns if Jordan is a criminal, a terrorist, or a possessed genius. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

With the affliction of the Owlen looming, deciphering its whispers will reveal a dark truth behind the presence of the little girl haunting his memories. A truth that will lead Selian to a journey through a mysterious and mystical land crafted by the spirits, and a war between secret families of whisperers that fought for generations to claim the power of a Girithien. From $5 - SHOP NOW / 

Ready for something new and exciting? Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Blue Veil, a genre-breaking sci-fantasy epic from LoveBrain that has been described as "Mythpunk at its finest."

What is Mythpunk? Who is LoveBrain? How can you experience Blue Veil? How can you get three chapters free? Read on to learn more!

"I don't believe anything is perfect but this was close to it." ~Amazon Review of Blue Veil

Blue Veil

A genre-breaking sci-fantasy epic about transformation, spiritual warfare, and the long road to reclaiming yourself.

Addiction. Reincarnation. A shattered world in orbit around its own annihilation.

Charlie is just trying to survive her latest relapse when a stranger drags her out of withdrawal and into the sky—literally. Now she’s on the run through a broken world of floating continents, mythological gods, and vicious valkyries who remember a past life she can barely face.

But Charlie has a secret:
She used to be someone else.
Someone powerful.
Someone dangerous.

As memories of her former self begin to surface, Charlie is forced to choose between the needle and the sword—between forgetting everything, or becoming the very thing that once shattered the world.

Greetings! Today's Featured Books include 12 indie titles (4 freebies!). See all of our Featured Books at LitNuts.com. 

Like Sci-Fi? Then you might be interested in the Fantastic Worlds: Science and Fiction 1780-1910 online exhibit at the Smithsonian Library. This free virtual exhibit includes nine chapters on topics like "The Age of the Aeronaut" and "Rise of the Machines," as well as a digital library of 85 manuscripts related to early works of science fiction. 

"If you think this Universe is bad, you should see some of the others." ~Philip K. Dick

The whole thing started simply enough. A dead body, a convicted offender, and a closed case. There seemed no reason for a Guardian to be involved, let alone an AI-augmented Generation Eight. It was a police matter…until a tangled knot of secrets began to unravel. Secrets such as the true purpose for the small army of vat-bred, genetically modified, technology boosted Guardians. Secrets that would fracture humanity. Secrets worth killing for. 4.3 stars, 21 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

MI6 agent Sarah Leach and American lawyer and OSS operative Robert Johnston return in Book 2 of the Delilah Series. As D-Day approaches, Sarah is sent to France and captured by the SS. With help from friends at Bletchley Park, Robert locates her at Rommel’s headquarters. After a harrowing escape, they return home to find their past is catching up with them. Will their relationship survive the end of the war? 4.1 stars, 35 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

New Release: In the dour and dense follow-up to The Trismus Candidate, a bouncer explores subversive tribalism, political division, and his own regret during the height of the indie rock scene in Omaha, Nebraska. Achingly honest, DROSS observes contemporary contradictions through the dingy filter of one man's shame. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

When a prominent art dealer is murdered after the unveiling of a prized, but cursed, painting, two detectives are assigned to investigate a variety of suspects. When the clues point to the answers they seek, they’ll find that a curse may prove more deadly than a killer, and they may be the next targets. A Detective Daniels and Remalla Prequel Novel. 4.5 stars, 148 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

New Release: In an alternate WWII, dragons soar into battle alongside soldiers. Captain Jack Hanlon commands an elite squadron fighting not only Nazi sorcery, but inner demons as loyalty, duty, and survival collide. Amid aerial duels, dark magic, and wrenching choices, bonds forged in fire prove strongest. A gripping military fantasy about courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between rider and dragon. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Millions of Americans face workplace abuse on a regular basis. Part informational, part inspirational, this powerful, reality-based book from Attorney Shenandoah Titus provides enlightenment for those seeking to overcome workplace bullying, harassment and retaliation. "Insightful, practical strategies for addressing workplace bullying." ~Amazon Review. From $9.99 - SHOP NOW / 

What if the most profound truths about God weren’t found in rigid doctrines or fleeting spiritual trends, but in a method...a precise, logical key unlocking the divine? HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor presents a groundbreaking work that redefines the search for God through a revolutionary five-step framework that blends intellectual rigor with spiritual depth. "Thought-provoking and deeply inspiring.” ~Amazon Review. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Calm your cortisol. Reclaim your body. Feel like you again. This is your science-backed path to balance, where stress softens, energy returns, and weight loss becomes possible again. With simple tools, nourishing recipes, and a 4-week reset plan, the Cortisol Detox Plan gently guides you back to vitality and wholeness. A #1 New Release in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia. 4.8 stars, 10 ratings. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In a dystopian world where the greed and ferocity of the Council know no bounds, Amo is pushed into a position of authority as he tries to save what is left of his people while suspecting his officers of foul play. When their paths cross with the mysterious people of the mountains, Amo and the Villagers build a new life in the mountains and gain renewed energy to see justice done. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Elements of this Fantasy Story: A strong masculine point of view - a monster slaying adventure within a lost land - traditional gender roles throughout - elements of faith and the supernatural - eroticism told to the extreme: All contained within this Fantasy Adventure Story with Harem World Building Elements. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

A second-chance, dark mafia romance where the male and female leads met in the past and are revisiting their romance in the present while they uncover threats and enemies threatening to demolish everything they'd built. Book 2 of the Self-Made Mafia Heirs Series. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on contemporary women's fiction/romance from M. Jacqueline Murray—specifically, on the first two books of the Maddie & Nate Series:

• Out of Time: 4.6 stars, 35 ratings on Goodreads
• Next Time: 5.0 stars, 8 ratings on Amazon

Maddie & Nate is a dual point-of-view series that follows two soulmates through three variations of their lives, each time with a different meeting point: late in life (Out of Time), mid-life (Next Time), and early (Our Time). Their story explores the complexities of romance and intimacy at every stage. 

★★★★★ "A wonderful love story...magical and endearing." ~Goodreads Review of Out of Time

Out of Time

Life has a time limit. Love doesn’t.

For most of her 78 years, Maddie Cole has done things the "wrong" way. But throwing out the societal rule book meant sacrificing romantic success for career highs—a move she’s never regretted...much. Now retired, she relishes the freedom to travel with her daughter, Anne. Their latest trip is a long weekend in picturesque Bar Harbor in Maine. 

Octogenarian Nate Jacobs has always taken pride in doing things the "right" way. He built a successful legal career, and now retired and widowed, he runs a tight ship at the Hope Point Lighthouse B&B. Perhaps that’s why Maddie, with her disregard for convention, catches his eye.

When Anne is unexpectedly called away on business, Maddie finds herself compelled to stay on at Hope Point, alone. Over breakfast conversations and long walks, Nate and Maddie’s friendship deepens, even as old memories return to haunt them. Except this time, the past starts to clear a path for the future...

★★★★★ "A beautiful story of two people who crossed paths over a lifetime and finally connected when it was right." ~Goodreads Review

Next Time

Two strangers. One bar. Bad timing?

The night Maddie Cole and Nate Jacobs find themselves in the same place, at the same moment, with an hour to kill...a spark ignites. Engineer Maddie’s determination to conquer a male-dominated industry captivates Nate’s imagination, even as his steadfast loyalty starts a glow in Maddie’s heart.

But with marriages and children in tow, anything more than friendship would mean social and emotional carnage.

As Maddie and Nate’s paths continue to cross professionally, their affections blossom into a force that can’t be ignored. And one night, when nature conspires to force them together, their resolve unravels completely. Will imploding their personal lives end in heartache, or a soulmate?

This is the second iteration of Maddie and Nate’s love story, set in the 1970s where the constraints of the era and their responsibilities change this love’s trajectory forever.

★★★★★ "A romance that appeals to both sexes and accurately depicts love and the complexities it brings." ~Amazon Review

        

Free online: Get the Word Out Poetry Reading. Hosted by Poets & Writers, this is a celebratory reading by the current poetry cohort of Get the Word Out, a publicity incubator for early-career authors. Thursday, June 26, 7 PM CDT.

"As you start to walk on the way, the way appears." ~Rumi

New release in Teen/YA Horror. What happens when an infamous painter dies, leaving behind his ancient, unearthly muse to lurk in his house? The new family moving in is about to find out. From $6.99 - SHOP NOW /