Today's Featured Books

FREE - I Do CHAOS by D. W. Brooks

Romance

Jamison Jones Scott should be on top of the world. Her dermatology residency is almost over, and she is two months away from a fabulous job and an extravagant wedding to a rich, sexy surgeon. However, nothing seems right, including her attitude. She has been taking unnecessary chances and putting everything on the line. Can she fix things before it’s too late? But more importantly, does she want to? Enjoy the free prequel novella for the novel debuting this fall. FREE - SHOP NOW


Billionaire's Temporary Wife by Meghan Blake

Romance

My brother's best friend, Hunter Chase, is my boss and now my fake fiancé. My life just took a dangerously alluring turn. He's everything I've wanted, but destiny has a wicked sense of humor. He needs a fake fiancée, and I can't resist, even if it's all a lie. As pretense blurs with reality, my heart is at risk of shattering. From $0.99 SHOP NOW


Get the Legends of Elessia: Age of Rekindling fantasy series from author Luís Magalhães

Spotlight

Get the Legends of Elessia: Age of Rekindling, a fantasy series from author Luís Magalhães that beckons readers to embark upon an unforgettable journey, where the courage of heroes, the cunning of villains, and the magic of the realm will take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Delve into the frozen secrets of Elessia in this enthralling sword & sorcery saga, perfect for fans of the action and intensity of The Witcher, the epic world-building of The Dragonbone Chair, and the charismatic characters of The Wheel of Time.


Special Offer - Limited Time!
To celebrate the release of The Champion of The Ice (Book 2 in the series), Blades of the Ice e-book is currently free, The Daughter of The Ice e-book is on sale for 99 cents, and The Champion of The Ice e-book is only $2.99!


Sale ends Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 11:00 PM PDT.


Blades of The Ice

Legends of Elessia Series: Age of Rekindling Prequel
Currently ranked #1 in Classic Fantasy, #2 in Action & Adventure Fantasy, and #3 in Sword & Sorcery Fantasy on Amazon
4.5 stars, 28 ratings
Paperback: $9.99
Ebook: Currently FREE



In a land ruled by patriarchy, an assassin sisterhood delivers justice from the shadows.

Now, their mysterious patron has charged burly fighter Erika Langeshen and lithe shadow-stalker Annah Barksdottir with uncovering a plot against the very rulers that have mistreated and oppressed them their whole lives.

Their quest will take them to a faraway village on the borders of the Razor Teeth Woods, where they will need to use all the tricks of their trade to build a base of power and expose the machinations of the local lord and his allies.

But before they do, they must break into one of the Patriarchate's fortresses and retrieve an unlikely ally…

"A gritty story with some incredibly strong women." ~Amazon Review


The Daughter of The Ice

Legends of Elessia Series: Age of Rekindling Book 1
Currently ranked #9 in Classic Fantasy
4.6 stars, 46 ratings
Paperback: $19.99
Ebook: $0.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited)



After a thousand-year slumber, the goddess of frost awakens to a world that has all but forgotten her. She will rule again…even if it means covering Elessia in icy death.

Eregar, a decorated knight in his twilight years, longs for one final adventure—one last chance to test himself against sword and sorcery. When rumors arise of a would-be goddess building an army to the east, he jumps at the offer of leading a band of young mercenaries into the heart of the distant Frozen Plains.

He doesn’t suspect that these are no common sell-swords. Annah Barksdottir and Erika Langeshen, members of a secret assassin sisterhood, have manipulated the street-wise thief Johan and the adventurous red-haired swordsman Andoh into letting them join…and they have an agenda of their own.

But when dark-clad warriors unleash an army that knows no death upon the last bastion of civilization, and the chilling embrace of a curse looms over the group, they must come together in a desperate fight for survival. And Eregar will find that more than his mettle is to be tested, lest the icy wrath of The Daughter of The Ice consume them just as it threatens to engulf Elessia.

"If Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones got together, The Daughter of The Ice would be the result." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review


The Champion of The Ice

Legends of Elessia Series: Age of Rekindling Book 2
#1 new release in Classic Fantasy
4.8 stars, 19 ratings
Paperback: $19.99
Ebook: $2.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited)



The Daughter of The Ice is no more. But not even death will stop Her Champion’s march.

Erika Langeshen has left her mercenary past behind to become a rising star among the knights of The Tower—the first woman to be accepted into their brotherhood in generations. Her friends, the former thief Johan Desert-Touched and the assassin Annah Barksdottir, now rub shoulders with nobility as a reward for their service to the rulers of the City-States.

But their untroubled lives are not to last.

When winter refuses to fade, the undead rise again and a demonic army lays siege to the land they call home. At its head marches a ruthless warlord, wielding a blade with the power to bring nightmares to life.

Erika, Johan, and their companions enter a race against time to reforge the artifacts wielded by their ancient gods in a bid to stop The Champion of The Ice before his armies cover Elessia in icy death…but what they don’t suspect is that it is an old ally who wears the Champion’s mantle, and he knows all their strengths…and weaknesses.

"Fans of epic fantasy and tales of adventure will undoubtedly find themselves engrossed in the magical realm of Elessia." ~Amazon Review


Legends of Elessia (3 Book Series)

Currently $3.98 for all three books—free via Kindle Unlimited!


 


About the Author

Luís Falcão Magalhães describes himself as "the black sheep of the family." Born the scion of a household of magistrates and physicians, he was groomed from a young age to meet those expectations. But he threw the chain of office away and became a bard instead.

Luís has since traveled the breadth of his homeland, picking up tales here and there. He has dined with aldermen and drank firewater with vagabonds; sung moonlit serenades to hussies and taken the daughters of wealthy merchants to grand balls; joined secret orders, learning their lore and passphrases; and locked arms with tree-huggers and danced with them under the full moon.

But Luís says two things sing to his soul like nothing else. One, the roll of the dice, be it on the wood of the tabletop or within the shards of magical glass that are everywhere in our society. Two, the tales of daring, of heroism and valor, of wickedness and deceit, to be found among the dusty tomes of the world’s libraries. He has made it his life's work to contribute to those tomes.

Learn more at LuisFalcaomagalhaes.com and follow Luís on social media.
 
     


Free online tonight: Dramatic reading with David Strathairn & Jesse Eisenberg

Events

Free online tonight: Live from the Greene Space. This groundbreaking series presents acclaimed actors performing live dramatic readings of long-form journalism. Tonight, actors Jesse Eisenberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Chad Coleman, and David Strathairn will do a dramatic reading of “The System That Failed Jordan Neely" by Adam Iscoe, which appeared in The New Yorker earlier this year. Monday, July 31, 6-8 PM CDT.  

“We don’t feel connected to people with mental illness at all. It’s scary when we see someone who reminds us that it could happen to any of us.” ~Nancy Young, program director, Fountain House


FREE - Singular by David F Porteous

Book of the Day

"It's great when a book can make you laugh one second and have you on the edge of your seat the next." -Amazon Reviewer. A darkly humorous descent into the virtual afterlife where the safety of the real world rests in the hands of a programmer climbing the corporate ladder, a journalist hiding from a sex scandal, and a philosopher with a sinister testicle. "This is a profound and thought-provoking work, although the reader is never far from a laugh-out-loud observation or set-piece." 4.6 stars, 14 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW


Censored Angel by Joan Koster

Literary Fiction and Poetry

Ida Craddock will not be silenced! Brilliant, corseted, and haunted by spirits from the Borderlands, she turns her back on the constrictions of Victorian society and strikes out on her own, becoming a mystic marriage counselor. Sharing what she views as "essential sexual knowledge" puts her in the crosshairs of Anthony Comstock, the nation’s Anti-Obscenity Postal Inspector. Ida vows to bring him down. He promises to silence her forever. With prison looming, Ida and her angel lover must prepare for a battle they may not be able to win. Read an excerpt and order signed copies at JoanKoster.comFrom $0.99 SHOP NOW


Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens by Derek T. Freeman

Children and Young Adult

Labels and comparisons stop you from being your real self. Whether you're a nerd or a jock, an overachiever or an underachiever, a loner or an outcast—that is not your entire identity. It's just one tiny part of the vast YOU. The good news is that you already have the key to unlocking your real personality and fearlessly creating your authentic life; you just need a little help to get started. Uncover the whole, wonderful person within and create an incredible life on your own terms. 4.8 stars, 162 ratings. From $9.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    FREE - More Musical Women Throughout History by Christine Bennet

    General Nonfiction

    More Women Who Fought For Music. Paid less because she was female. Unappreciated for her talent. Throughout the ages, women have harnessed the power of melody to make meaningful changes in our world. From visionary medieval composers, to the Mother of the Blues, to the Queen of Disco, they’ve stood at the cutting edge of breakthroughs in songcraft and sound. Now, tune in to inspirational lives of revolutionary women who rose above the noise and let their voice soar. Inspiring. FREE - SHOP NOW


    Strike Price by L. A. Starks

    Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

    Lynn Dayton Thriller #2. "If you're looking for big business wheeling-and-dealing, international intrigue, murder, mayhem, and high-geared action, you've come to the right place." -Carlton Stowers, Edgar winner. Murder disrupts a billion-dollar oil deal. A business deal turns deadly. A plot to destroy a hidden, crucial US oil center and bring enter a confrontation with another global power. To stop the plot and save lives, up-by-the-bootstraps Lynn Dayton must trust a Cherokee elder who carries a corrosive secret. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    FREE - Love & Panic by Raina Ash

    Romance

    A Grumpy Sunshine Slow Burn Romance. "Full of warmth, grit and humor, without shying away from the tough stuff. My favorite love story of the year!" -Jessica Ryn, author. When a hot firefighter asks agoraphobic Natalie out, she struggles to conquer her fears. Can grumpy Dr. Dean help? Or will feelings wreck everything? "Raina is a queen of neurodiverse romance! She is a [expletive] treasure and we need to keep her writing." -Brittanica Bold's Babblings. 4.3 stars, 115 on Goodreads. FREE - SHOP NOW


    Purple Hearts by Arthur Archambeau

    Romance

    A slow burn romance with a spiritual bent. "I laughed until I cried. What an amazing story!" -Vision Quest. Everyone has a war story to tell. A jaded cop struggling to come to terms with her past falls for an idealistic former Marine turned cat rescuer on the crime-infested streets of West Baltimore. 4.3 stars, 30 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    Shadow of Power by Eric Renaud

    Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

    In the heart of darkness, a nation teeters on the edge of chaos. When twelve-year-old Adam, son of President John Marshall, is kidnapped, the delicate threads holding the nation together begin to unravel. As the clock ticks mercilessly, President Marshall faces a harrowing journey to bring his son home, battling against a clandestine organization embedded within the government itself. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    The Historical Chronicles of Elinore Sturgeon and the Last Human Colony by R. T. Kilgore

    Science Fiction and Fantasy

    Earth is long gone! Seventy-two humans have been saved from dying on a lifeless planet by the Par, and now they are expected to fight in an intergalactic war. Does Elinor fight for the Par, the creatures that enslaved her, or does she let the humans die along with everyone else? Book 1 in the series. "Three unique alien worlds with equally diverse inhabitants... I highly recommend this book." -Amazon Reviewer. 4.9 stars, 121 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    The Guitar Decoder Ring by Asher Black and Barry Gilman

    General Nonfiction

    This book reinvents guitar mastery with an innovative, universal language, simplifying learning, helping break creative barriers, and amplifying solos. Visualize the fretboard, unlock modes, scales, and intervals without archaic diagrams. A transformative tool for guitarists and music instructors alike. Experience guitar learning reimagined. Author Asher Black says, “We wrote the book we wish we had all along the journey, not a flavor of the existing ones.” From $9.99 SHOP NOW


    Free online this weekend: Hudson Valley Writers Center Poetry & Prose

    Events

    Free online literary event: HVWC Published Student Reading with poets Ellen June Wright, Alice G. Waldert, Jill Michelle, and Donna Vorreyer, and prose writers Sara McLanahan Edlin, Lynne Reitman, and Misty Yarnall. Sunday, July 30, 4:00 - 5:30 PM EDT.

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


    A Furnace for Your Foe by Matty Dalrymple

    Book of the Day

    "A super-twisty, unpredictable, rollercoaster of a mystery. I love this series because of the unique mix of suspense, mystery, and the supernatural." -Sue Jackson, Book by Book Reviews. They say that dead men tell no tales. But when good intentions are twisted to evil ends, and the perpetrators don’t care who gets burned in the process, the truth must come out. Can Ann Kinnear learn why arson experts are coming to grief on the trails of Mount Desert Island before becoming a victim herself? 4.5 stars, 92 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW


    Home Rule by Stella Atrium

    Science Fiction and Fantasy

    "First-rate SF novel of revolution, oppression, and the urgent textures of life." -BookLife Editor's Pick. In Home Rule (Book 3 of the Tribal Wars Series), photojournalist Hershel Henry witnesses the self-torchings of tribal women protesting the oppressive rule of Rabbenu Ely. And while Brianna Miller seeks peace among the tribes, Kelly Osborn sets the bride price for a wedding at Stargate Junction. "Richly detailed world-building and compelling storytelling." -Literary Titan. 4.7 stars, 25 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    Revenge of the Downtrodden by Evan Clouse

    Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

    The Hanging Chads Omnibus Vol. 1. A horrific feast for the senses! You will cry! You will laugh! You will swoon! You will cringe! You will laugh again followed immediately by another bout of crying and then be disgusted! So please join me as I take you on the journey of Maddy Sommers. Devoted niece and friend. Hard-working bookstore manager. Loving wife and mother. And…vicious serial killer of those that seek to oppress us all. This is the tale of Maddy Sommers’s Revenge of the Downtrodden. From $6.99 SHOP NOW


    Words & Graphics: The Four Seasons of Love by C.O.B.

    Literary Fiction and Poetry

    With the mixed use of poems, short stories, simple observations, and provocative images, The Four Seasons of Love tells the coming-of-age story of an adult who unexpectedly becomes a dad and then reverts to a childlike state of being. "A powerful and brutally honest look at the impact of drugs and alcohol on the psyche of one's mind and life...a must-read for anyone who enjoys experimental storytelling and creative narrative styles." -Readers' Favorite. From $1.99 SHOP NOW


    Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck by Sue Donnellan

    General Nonfiction

    In Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: The Non-Conformist Playbook to Raising Happy Kids Without Public Meltdowns, Power Struggles, & Punishments, Sue Donnellan shares 20+ years of experience cultivating an effective parenting mindset. She delivers a proven playbook for turning misbehaving kids into happy, respectful, well-adjusted young adults. If you love your kids but hate the way they behave, this resourceful and inspired parenting book is for you. 4.7 stars, 90 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW


    May We Learn from the Earth by Robert Tiess

    Literary Fiction and Poetry

    Nature Poems and Reflections on the Environment. Following his acclaimed debut, The Humbling and Other Poems, Tiess delivers clear, captivating, and compassionate poetry and essays contemplating Earth and nature. From the opening poems, we become reacquainted with the natural realm. Insightful, inspiring, and impassioned with a lyrical love of life, this timely and truthful collection can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, from budding poetry enthusiasts and nature lovers to environmental champions and beyond. From $2.99 SHOP NOW


    Selections from May We Learn from the Earth by Robert Tiess

    Literary Fiction and Poetry

    In this abridged edition of the new collection of poetry and essays from Robert Tiess, the author includes several essays from his complete edition in hopes of encouraging environmental interest and awareness. Recognized for crafting clear, classic, and compelling poems, Tiess has been writing poetry since the 1980s. He is a SUNY New Paltz graduate, where he earned his degree in English Literature, and a lifetime resident of New York State, where he has enjoyed a fulfilling career in public library service. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    A Viscount for the Spinster by Samantha Holt

    Romance

    Miss Maisie Beaufort has no intention of running away ever again. She’s more than ready to return home after a decade in the midst of society and take charge of her life as a spinster businesswoman. Nothing will distract her. Especially not her first love, the rebel viscount who destroyed her young heart. #1 New Release in Historical Regency Fiction. 4.4 stars, 15 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


    Simon by Dania Voss

    Romance

    Sinful Seduction Book 2. Simon Knight and Riley Conner have been circling each other for years. A night of passion a few years back left Simon needing more and Riley running for the hills. When an amazing business opportunity Simon is pursuing hinges on demonstrating he's a serious family man, Riley will have nowhere left to run. Will Riley leave Simon to find his own way out of the mess he created? Or will she show him mercy and help him while also guarding her heart at all costs? From $3.99 SHOP NOW


    Get the "Forgotten Women" Series from author Joan Koster: Eye-opening historical fiction

    Spotlight

    Learn about the Forgotten Women Series from author Joan Koster...eye-opening historical fiction based on the lives of adventurous nineteenth-century women who never should have been forgotten.

    "The world in unreasonable fashion, demands of a woman that she do twice as much as a man to prove she can equal him." ~Anna Dickinson, The Ragged Register, 1879


    Note: All proceeds from Censored Angel will be donated to the Freedom to Read Foundation, a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association.


    That Dickinson Girl: A Novel of the Civil War

    Book 1 in the Forgotten Women Series
    Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction
    4.1 stars & 18 ratings on Amazon; 4 stars & 26 ratings on Goodreads
    From $4.99



    Eighteen-year-old Anna Dickinson is nothing like the women around her, and she knows it. Gifted with a powerful voice, a razor-sharp wit, and unbounded energy, the diminutive curly head sets out to surpass the men of her day as she rails against slavery and pushes for women’s rights. Only two things can bring her downfall—the entangling love she has for her devoted companion, Julia, and an assassin’s bullet.

    Forced to accompany the fiery young orator on her speaking tour of New England, Julia Pennington fights her growing attraction to the ever more impertinent woman. When a traitor sets out to assassinate Anna, will Julia risk her life to save her?

    Loosely based on the life of forgotten orator, feminist, and lesbian Anna Dickinson, That Dickinson Girl is the story of one woman’s rise to fame and fortune at the expense of love during the political and social turmoil of the American Civil War.

    Special Offer: Read an excerpt and order signed copies at JoanKoster.com.

    Praise and Recognition for That Dickinson Girl

    • “Believable and bittersweet. It captures the era without a single false note.” ~The Literary Redhead
    • "A roller-coaster ride. The author took a non-fictional character from a difficult time in history and created a relatable and emotional story. " ~Jayy Jacobs, Sensitivity reader
    • "An interesting and unusual look at a period that rarely gets a clear-eyed examination." ~Kathleen Buckley, author of Portia and the Merchant of London
    • "The author's passion for bringing Anna to life, as well as the fictional account of Julia's life, is quite evident." ~D. K. Marley, Historical Fiction Company
    • Second Place in the 2022 Romance through the Ages Contest
    • Finalist in the Historical Fiction Company Best Books Competition

    Censored Angel: Anthony Comstock's Nemesis

    Book 2 in the Forgotten Women Series
    Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction
    New Release
    From $4.99



    A nineteenth-century mystic marriage counselor and her guardian angel battle the Inquisitor of Smut in this biographical historical novel based on a true story.

    Ida Craddock will not be silenced! Brilliant, corseted, and haunted by spirits from the Borderlands, she turns her back on the constrictions of Victorian society and strikes out on her own, becoming a mystic marriage counselor. Sharing what she views as "essential sexual knowledge" puts her in the crosshairs of Anthony Comstock, the nation’s Anti-Obscenity Postal Inspector. Ida vows to bring him down. He promises to silence her forever. With prison looming, Ida and her angel lover must prepare for a battle they may not be able to win.

    Special Offer: Read an excerpt and order signed copies at JoanKoster.com.

    Praise for Censored Angel

    • "It just blew me away. What a story! It was so well written I was right there with her, seeing, smelling, and feeling everything along with her." ~Diana Rubino, best-selling historical fiction author
    • "This book was truly wonderful. I love learning about these fascinating women." ~Kristin Campbell, C&D Editing
    • "An easy flowing but tragic story... So poignant it brought tears to my eyes." ~Kim Brougher, Beta reader

    About the Author
    Joan Bouza Koster is a writer, educator, ethnographer, and artist. When she is not writing in her studio by the sea, Joan lives in an 1860s farmhouse stacked to the ceiling with books. In a life full of adventures, she has scaled mountains, chased sheep, and been abandoned on a island for longer than she wants to remember.

    An award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction works in the fields of ethnography, education, anti-racism, and the arts, Joan holds a doctorate from Binghamton University and has published two textbooks on teaching the arts to young children. She is also the author of numerous academic papers based on her ethnographic research on agriculture, shepherding, and weaving in the Southern Peloponnese and on Crete. A professional handweaver, her creative work has been sold across the country.

    Joan’s short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and have received awards from Women on Writing, Stone Thread Publishing, Tryst Literary Magazine, and Winning Writers. Her poetry has been published in Potomac Magazine, and her historical fiction has long-listed for the Mslexia Award. Under the pen name Zara West, Joan authored the award-winning romantic thriller series The Skin Quartet. Joan also shares her writing know-how and research into creativity in her top-selling Write for Success series and offers numerous writing workshops every year.

    Joan is a member of the Authors Guild, Non-Fiction Authors Association, Historical Fiction Society, Romance Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Sign up for her newsletter to learn about more amazing women and great historical fiction facts and books. You'll also get a prequel chapter from That Dickinson Girl and and a chance to win a great historical fiction novel every month. Finally, be sure to follow Joan on social media.