Today's Featured Books

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Garden Tools, a new collection of poetry from David W. Berner. 

"Designed to appeal to a wide audience of poetry aficionados." ~Midwest Book Review

Garden Tools

In this collection of poems, David W. Berner observes the richness in the everyday, the glory of nature, the magnificence in the ordinary, and the mystery that is the human spirit. Through curious eyes, Berner keenly notices the delicate nuances among the seemingly mundane and the abundant mysteries of nature, of the divine, and the beauty of being wholly awake to the magic that is often hiding in shaded corners.

At its heart, Garden Tools reminds us of what it means to be life-aware of the moon at dusk, the eyes of a child, a walk in the woods, the impermanence of our place in the world, and the brevity of life.

Praise for Garden Tools
"Contemplative yet unflinching—each line shaped with the grace of a seasoned craftsman tending soil and soul alike." ~International Review of Books

"Lovers of Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, or even early Wendell Berry will feel an instant kinship." ~OneTribune

"These verses don’t demand your attention—they invite it, like a friend standing quietly at the kitchen door." ~Chrysalis Brew Review

"An impressive first collection of poems by a celebrated author of fiction and memoirs." ~John Muro, Pastoral Suite

“A soul-uplifting read.” ~Rita Mock-Pike, MockingOwl Roost Literary Magazine

​"A celebration of the small, the sacred, and the seen." ~Prairies Book Review

"Exquisite." ~Nancy Chadwick, The Wisdom of the Willow

The Writer Shed: Sign up to receive The Writer Shed, a free monthly newsletter from author David W. Berner about his latest books, writing classes, and what he's reading and writing right now. 

About the Author

      

Free online this weekend: Chills & Thrills at The Back Room. Join authors Lou Berney, Kristen L. Berry, Kelly Mustian, and Chevy Stevens as they read from and discuss their critically acclaimed mystery and thriller novels. Sunday, October 19, 7 PM ET. 

“We reveal more of ourselves in the lies we tell than we do when we try to tell the truth.” ~Donna Tartt, The Secret History

New Release: "A gripping, high stakes thriller." ~NetGalley Review. Tucson, 1968: A dying Nazi confesses to killing thousands of Jews during WWII, and nurse Helen Dobson and Professor Bryan De Luca are pulled into a web of hidden war crimes and moral dilemmas. "If you like your thrillers with brains, bullets, and a moral gut punch, this is it." NetGalley. 4.2 stars, 40 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

Ann goes to Maine to solicit help from fellow spirit senser Garrick Masser. Ann and Garrick find more trouble than they bargained for in a tale of obsession and misplaced loyalty that has its roots in a crumbling summer hotel, international art theft, and the historic wildfire that raged across Mount Desert Island in 1947. "Keen and charming." ~Kirkus Reviews. 4.3 stars, 275 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW /

The Adventures of One Woman's Walk Around the World. "Strongly recommended." ~Midwest Book Review. Polly Letofsky walked across four continents and more than 14,000 miles to become the first woman to walk around the world, all in a spirit of adventure and with the goal of raising awareness for breast cancer. This memoir details her journey, encouraging us all to take on our biggest challenges, one step at a time. 4.6 stars, 725+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

For Marlowe Burgess, it was supposed to be the job of a lifetime: restoring a Chicago landmark. That was, until her business partner stole every dime she had. With her life in shambles, Marlowe reaches out to Emily Tizzano, a former cold case detective with the Chicago Police Department for vengeance. A fast-paced psychological thriller for fans of Tom Clancy, Robin James, and L. T. Ryan. 4.5 stars, 800+ ratings. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Volume 3 of The Alternative Series. (Read Volumes 1 & 2 free on Kindle!) A restless woman gets recruited by a collective that caters to the decadent requests of their wealthy clients. Follow Becky’s transition into a world where unorthodox is the norm and alter egos are a way of life. Not your typical romance saga. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Reframe: How to Stop Listening to Fear and Start Leading from Within, a new book from author Michael Goodman for people who wrestle with self-doubt, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. 

★★★★★ "Real, honest, and exactly what I need right now." ~Amazon Review

Reframe: How to Stop Listening to Fear and Start Leading from Within

You’ve worked hard, you care deeply, and you want to make a difference—but fear still whispers: “Are you sure you belong here?”

If you’ve ever wrestled with self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or the fear of being “found out,” Reframe is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.

In this deeply compassionate and actionable guide, leadership and career coach Michael Goodman shares real stories, practical tools, and transformative insights from years of helping high-performing professionals quiet fear and step into the power of authentic leadership.

This book isn’t about hustle, fixing yourself, or pretending you’re fearless. It’s about reconnecting with who you are beneath the noise—so you can lead, live, and grow with courage and clarity.

Inside Reframe, you’ll discover how to:

• Name, normalize, and neutralize fear so it no longer drives your choices.
• Redefine success on your own terms—no more chasing someone else’s version of achievement.
• Shift from “Why me?” to “What now?” and unlock growth in moments of uncertainty.
• Build unshakable self-trust that grounds you through change, challenge, and ambition.
• Lead from wherever you are—with or without a title.
• Through a blend of coaching wisdom, personal reflections, and tools you can use today, Reframe offers a new lens on fear—and a new path forward.

You don’t need to become someone else to lead. You just need to stop abandoning yourself.

About the Author

      

Join the Drawing Hive for a free weekly art session where adult artists of all levels come together to draw from stunning photography and pop-culture imagery. Create, share, and grow your skills as a visual storyteller in a relaxed, come-and-go environment using any medium you love. Register for tomorrow evening's session! 

“The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.” ~Frida Kahlo

A USA Today bestselling series! Welcome to Requiem, a world where humans can become dragons. After their kingdom fell, the last survivors went into hiding. Dragons left the world. Dare they fly again? This box set contains the first three Requiem novels. Over 1,000 pages of honor, steel, and dragonfire. FREE - SHOP NOW /

The 1970s. An era of free love, secrets too wild to whisper aloud, and pleasures without consequence. In the haze of it all, Bobby O lives on the edge until Luna enters his life: electric and elusive, her arrival threatens to fracture the lives of everyone. Next door, the mysterious and alluring Madam Sasha watches, a prophetess guarding a secret that could shatter everything Bobby O believes. A sudden inheritance makes him rich overnight, but no amount of money can bury the ghosts and desires that haunt him. Can love survive the unknown? From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

In the glittering city of Las Vegas, two strangers arrive with the same heartbreaking plan: to end their lives. Debra, a grieving widow, and John, a father shattered by his son’s overdose, find themselves drawn together by chance. But as a shadowy figure threatens John’s fragile grip on reality, both must face their darkest fears. Vegas Goodbye is a haunting yet hopeful story of love, loss, and the flicker of light that can rise even in our darkest moments. From $4.99 - SHOP NOW /

Author and journalist Ria Bella delivers an easy-to-read guide that blends psychology, science, and spirituality to help you unlock the power within. Through focused techniques, valuable insights, and short guided meditations at the end of each chapter, Trust Your Heart’s Compass quiets the mind’s tendency to overthink and opens an energetic portal to help you become the conscious creator of your own life. A perfect alternative self-help read for both men and women seeking practical advice and mental clarity. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Faron Chevalier, a wealthy, young widow, struggles to move on from her husband’s unsolved murder by traveling to a lakeside town where suspicion and danger lurk in the shadows of the wilderness. Gripping and suspenseful to the end. From $3.99 - SHOP NOW /

The Da Vinci Code of AI. Beyond AI—Artificial Mind with True Intelligence. A tech thriller surrounding the mystery and aftermath of the groundbreaking discovery by David Sterling, a brilliant computer scientist who labeled current AI systems such as ChatGPT as knowledge systems—not intelligence systems—and criticized them for having zero intelligence of their own. From $9.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

“In an age of angsty, nihilistic protagonists, Rivo is a breath of fresh air” ~J.Z. Pitts, author of "The Christmas Demon". Rivo, a young soldier, falls in battle & is brought back as a spirit, where he is forced to re-watch the eventful final weeks of his life. Why must he watch his own rise and fall again? Who or what holds his fate? Will he be able to get his life back? And will he now see the love he missed before?" "I thoroughly enjoyed it"~Dennis Klatt, early reader. "A story with heart" ~Patrick Skelton, author of "Barriers". From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

Free online: Reading the Classics. Hosted by the New York Public Library, this online series is for readers worldwide. Moderated by Prof. Ilan Stavans, the meetings take place via Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month, February through May and September through December. This month: Paradise Lost by John Milton. Tuesday, October 14, 7 - 8:30 PM EDT. 

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” ~John Milton, Paradise Lost

When the Soviet Union unravels, chaos breeds crime. The Black Suit reveals the true-to-life story of a young man’s ruthless rise in Ukraine’s underworld, where ambition drives betrayal and power demands blood. Dark, tense, and unforgettable — a psychological crime drama about the cost of power. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Drangrere is under attack, and not even dragon riders are invulnerable. On the front lines, or rather skies, is the dwarf, Kade, and his dragon, Emerald, who defend their home from all threats, whether that be goblins, trolls, or any other evil enemy. But attacks on the kingdom are increasing due to the king’s lax defenses. Kade, along with his team and Princess Griffin, must step up to help defend the kingdom with all the bravery and fierceness of a dragon because a sinister force is on the move that won’t hesitate to destroy a complacent foe. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

The kingdom is crumbling under a corrupt king’s rule, and only his sister dares to challenge him. Once overlooked, Anna rises to confront her tyrant brother, rallying ancient races long thought lost and forging fragile alliances. With betrayal, dark magic, and war closing in, she must inspire allies and outwit enemies in both court and battlefield. Fate of the Crown is a tale of courage and sacrifice, where one young woman’s fight could reshape a kingdom’s destiny. FREE - SHOP NOW /

New release: Do you feel like the world you once knew is falling apart before your eyes? Polarization, rising authoritarianism, political chaos, and a constant sense of loss make it difficult to find meaning and hope. This book is your roadmap to a path toward action, community, and renewed hope. "A groundbreaking manifesto on social transformation." ~Int'l Review of Books. 4.6 stars, 23 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

He stole her throne; she's come back to reclaim it. Anne was a reckless, arrogant royal who had never tasted defeat. After a brutal betrayal, she vanishes, only to return from the grave years later, no longer a princess but a terror of the seas in this romantic dark fantasy retelling of the Pirate Blackbeard story. 4.7 stars, 169 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Free online: The Art of Gratitude Journaling. Discover the power of gratitude journaling and unlock your creativity in a fun workshop designed to help you build a more positive outlook on life. Saturday, October 11, 12 - 1 p.m. CDT.

“I don't know what I think until I write it down.” ~Joan Didion

An Iris Raines Mystery. A missing witness. Bullets. Blood. And then—boom—her family’s law office explodes, killing two. That’s when PI Iris Raines realizes she’s not chasing a missing witness, she’s chasing a conspiracy of revenge, corruption, and murder. The cops don’t believe her, the crooks want her gone, but Iris doesn’t scare easily. For her, the only thing worse than dying is letting the bad guys get away with it. Perfect for fans of Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky. 4.8 stars, 17 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /