Today's Featured Books

Set in the mysterious Shock Pepper realm, this fantasy-sci-fi epic weaves multiple storylines, mind-bending twists, and morally gray characters. Jobless and hopeless, Sam takes a potion from a witch to sleep for ten years, only to wake up three months later in a hospital with a pregnant woman claiming to be his wife. As reality unravels, this suspense-filled thriller takes readers on a journey where nothing is as it seems. 4.6 stars, 35 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Navigate the literary world with confidence, attracting readers and opportunities while sharing your message. Publishing a book is just the beginning. Building your brand and creating buzz can feel overwhelming, but the right strategies make all the difference. This book equips you with tools for success, from book signings to podcasts, helping you grow your readership, refine your approach, and elevate your work to the next level. From $4.99 - SHOP NOW / 

A college student heads to Puerto Rico to learn more about the Taino Indians. Instead, he meets his worst nightmare: frogs with quite an appetite. To up the ante, it's not just killer frogs. The iguanas also have an obsession with human flesh. You might rethink that vacation after reading this! 4.1 stars, 32 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight Dr. Alaska and the work of author Jillian David.

Dr. Alaska is the recently released first book of the Yukon Valley, Alaska Hospital Series of medical romances. Paging Dr. Breakup (book two of the series) is coming this April and is available for pre-order now. In the meantime, you might also want to check out The Cowboys of Copper River Boxed Set, which is available for only 99 cents!

Dr. Alaska

Lee Tipton, MD, takes running from her past to an extreme, hotfooting it from Georgia to a temporary position at Yukon Valley Hospital in chilly Alaska. Her newly purchased winter gear may protect her from the elements, but no amount of insulation can protect her from her deep-seated fear that a romantic partner will once again use her for personal gains. Despite the hospital staff’s matchmaking efforts, Lee swears she has no interest in the town’s cocky lead paramedic, even if his sexy smile sets off palpitations.

Maverick Steen learned his one simple rule of romance the hard way: no dating outsiders. That includes the hospital’s newest fish-out-of-water doctor, whom he finds himself paired with as they navigate critical care cases and snowmobile accidents. Yet when Lee embraces the beauty in the Alaskan interior and cottons to his sled dog team of misfits, suddenly, Maverick’s heart—and his bed—feel a whole lot warmer.

Praise for Dr. Alaska

★★★★★ "Excellent medical romance set in the beautiful rural mountains of Alaska." ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "Witty, fun, and so romantic." ~Amazon Review

Paging Dr. Breakup

Widow Deirdre Steen has spent the last five years making sure she’s the best chief nursing officer Yukon Valley Hospital has ever seen. It cost her a personal life—and protected her heart. But now her childhood friend, Dr. Calvin Garrett—the one who got away—is temporarily lending his emergency medicine skills to their rural hospital in Alaska’s interior. The community’s relentless matchmaking network loves a challenge, which leaves Deirdre with one viable option: a fake dating pact with Calvin until the spring Breakup Festival and his inevitable departure to his regular job and his life in Seattle.

Calvin moved away years ago rather than watch his best friend marry Deirdre. Now, amazingly, she’s in Calvin’s bed and the center of his world. Yet a woman like Deirdre deserves forever—as well as a man who didn’t finish as runner-up the first time around. Can an Alaskan spring thaw help two wounded healers thaw the ice surrounding their hearts and fulfill this second chance at love?

The Cowboys of Copper River Boxed Set

Three full-length wild adventures through western Wyoming with sexy ranchers, smart women, and otherworldly forces. Fans of Christine Freehan, B.J. Daniels, Duane Boehm as well as Sam Scott, Dannika Dark, and I.T. Lucas will enjoy discovering this series.

Praise for The Cowboys of Copper River

★★★★★ "A unique take on the paranormal paired with romance." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "Well-constructed family saga about siblings with special powers who must unite to save humanity." ~Goodreads Review

            

Free online: Talk with Janika Oza, author of A History of Burning, winner of the 2024 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a finalist for the 2023 Governor General’s Award for Fiction, longlisted for the 2024 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, and a New York Times Editor’s Choice. A masterful and breathtakingly intimate saga of colonialism and exile, complicity and resistance. Presented by the Mississauga Library, Ontario, Canada. Wednesday, January 29, 7 - 8 PM EST. 

“What was love but one long act of forgiveness, of choosing to return, over and over again.” ~Janika Oza, A History of Burning

Susan Kingsley, a historical acquisitions assistant with dreams of making her mark at the Smithsonian, discovers letters from 1870 that hint at a hidden mine linked to a wagon train bound for the Mormon lands. While she tracks the letters’ new owner across the West, her ex-husband, FBI agent Andrew Harrison, shadows her every move. As Susan grows bolder in her quest, Andrew’s obsession descends into deceit, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown over long-buried secrets. Kirkus Star Award Winner. 4.1 stars, 34 ratings. From $1.99 - SHOP NOW / 

On a quiet island shrouded in secrets, Policewoman Christine Lane is determined to prove herself after a humiliating transfer. When a resident is killed during a violent protest, Christine defies orders and secretly investigates, uncovering dark local secrets. As danger closes in, she must unmask the killer before both her career and her life are cut short. If you like strong female protagonists, a lush island setting and page-turning suspense, you’ll love Final Look. Book 1 in the Christine Lane Mystery Series. 4.2 stars, 865 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

When brothers Taj and Sandip leave London to journey across India, they encounter holy men, yogis, clever scams, and the haunting legacy of Bhopal. Amid the marvels and mishaps of their adventure, they experience profound sorrow, joy, and unexpected lessons that reshape their understanding of life and love. This transformative journey will change them forever, revealing another world and, perhaps, a new path forward. 4.1 stars, 9 ratings. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In this thriller, an enemy arises, able to destroy any part of the world with their new weapon. With the weapon creating powerful storms and natural disasters, no government could even suspect someone has that much power. But after losing a fellow team, Alpha team knows all too well what’s at stake. Using their high-tech armory, they take down a submarine, take control of satellites, assault an enemy airfield, assassinate a target, and simply stay alive. 4.5 stars, 9 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

"Filled with vivid characters and a fast moving plot." ~BookLife, Editor's Pick. Biotech researcher Sarah Brenalen is frustrated by dismissal of her theory, so she secretly injects lab mice with experimental Alzheimer's drugs. Her experiments goes horribly wrong, but an international cabal is intrigued. Sarah's brain-destroying T-3 formulation could be just what they need. "The strong characters, fast-paced action, and ethical dilemmas create thought-provoking reading." ~Midwest Book Review. 4.3 stars, 150+ ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

New release! In this YA Urban Fantasy, a reluctant hero must rely on her friends, relearn how to use her secret powers, and battle the evil that seeks to destroy her. My name is Ronnie. That’s about all I know. That and some crazy flashbacks—none of which make sense. To make things worse, an Angel keeps insisting I’m some “special, gifted Viator” with superpowers. No wonder the hospital gave me anti-psychotic meds. But when a chance encounter ignites my powers, I must tap into my gifts and find the courage to face my greatest fear—or risk never seeing my best friends again. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

An arranged marriage, age-gap, mafia/cartel romance. The Roríguez Cartel and the Luciano Famiglia are improbable partners, yet even Vincent Luciano can’t deny the possible benefits. The only way to solidify the deal is for me to marry Catalina Ruiz, the eldest daughter of Andres Ruiz, a top lieutenant in the Roríguez Cartel. Catalina is young, beautiful, and thinks she understands the path she is being forced to follow. There is no way for her to know the monster she is about to wed. Book 1 of the Brutal Vows series. 4.4 stars, 1250+ ratings on Goodreads. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

How do you truly stand out? Frustrated by vague advice and lacking practical guidance, Louis Grenier set out to find the answer himself. Drawing from 15 years of experience in marketing, running a podcast with more than 2 million downloads, and three years of refining insights from top experts, this book is the no-nonsense guide he wishes he had when starting out. Packed with actionable strategies that actually work. 4.9 stars, 32 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Born in 1749 in the mountains of Gevaudan, the last of a long lineage of witches, Eve is an almost ordinary peasant girl, except for the fact her birth name was Paul. She grew up in a land of magic and mystery with the love of her mother, but as an adult, she must face the scorn of a society that does not accept her nor any woman seeking independence. Accused of witchcraft, she finds refuge with Nicolas, a mysterious count who has terrorized the villagers for years as the Beast of Gevaudana, and whose love for Eve is laced with cruelty. But that is only the beginning for Eve, who awakens as a vampire with unique abilities. From $5.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Vine Leaves Press is an indie publisher that celebrates stories that leave a lasting impression. Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on three exciting new releases from VLP:

• Flirting With Extinction by Joanna Kadish
• The Moon Shall Not Give Her Light by David Starkey
• Listen to Me by Cordelia Frances Biddle

Read on to learn more!

Flirting With Extinction

As a girl growing up with nine brothers and a much younger sister, Joanna Kadish was determined to prove that females were just as tough—if not tougher. From training wild horses and swimming icy rivers to trekking through remote wilderness, she pushed herself to the limit, even risking her life to tame an untamable rodeo bronc.

After converting to Judaism and adopting her new husband's name, she moved to Washington state and helped create a utopia on their island home. Their children thrived in an environment filled with art, music, and freedom. But the idyllic life took a dark turn when their teenage son, Micah, along with his friends, defaced a yeshiva, with one drawing swastikas and the chilling message, “this way to the gas chambers.”

As the law came down hard on Micah, the family faced the unbearable loss of their other son, Seth. In these essays and stories, Kadish explores the deep-rooted trauma inherited from Holocaust survivors. Micah's great-grandfather was killed in a German labor camp, and Micah's grandfather, with his mother and sister, fled Germany shortly before Kristallnacht. Decades later, that trauma continues to haunt the family, proving that the wounds of history are not so easily healed.

Praise for Flirting with Extinction
★★★★★ “Pushes mortality to the very edge with broncos, sharks, and drugs, coming together to create a disturbing picture of American life.” ~JoeAnn Hart, author of Arroyo Circle

★★★★★ “These imaginative essays and stories, told in varying perspectives, are pulled together by the impulse to test our limits... All ask the same question: how much is too much? Kadish looks in unwavering honesty at the heartbreaking consequences of one wrong move.” ~Cheryl Pappas, author of The Clarity of Hunger

The Moon Shall Not Give Her Light

Based on iconic representations of Bible scenes, David Starkey’s poems attempt to recapture some of the strangeness of great Italian painters like Giotto, Fillipo Lippi, Bellini, Caravaggio, and Gentileschi, while incorporating elements of contemporary life into work that is by turns witty, wild, sad, subversive and reverential. Twelve mystical and timeless conté crayon drawings by artist Rafael Perea de la Cabada deepen and argue with Starkey’s often skeptical interpretations of the Gospel. The result is a reading and rendering of the New Testament like no other.

Praise for The Moon Shall Not Give Her Light
★★★★★ “Powerful, personal, and purifying.” Heather Sellers, author of Field Notes

★★★★★ “In Starkey’s poems, the miraculous walks arm in arm with the mundane in language that, at turns, carries notes of liturgical grandeur and captures the music of the colloquial.” ~Todd Copeland, author of Like All Light

★★★★★ “A collection to be read and cherished not only for its artistry and wisdom but also for the light it casts upon topics that are as significant and as urgent today as ever they were.” ~Teresa Godfrey, author of How Will They Name Us?

Listen to Me

Cordelia Frances Biddle’s Listen to Me vividly reinterprets biblical women as complex, resilient figures, uniting across centuries to challenge misogyny and inspire solidarity and equality. Blending fire and humor, Biddle reveals Eve, Ruth, Bathsheba, Queen Vashti, Delilah, et al, as real people possessing complex and turbulent inner lives.

Using contemporary language, she invites the reader to challenge assumptions and shibboleths while the women gather in pairs and as a group to recount their personal histories. From Babylon to the "dicey and pricy burgs" of Sodom and Gomorrah to 21st Century Manhattan, Eve and her companions' longing and rage, trauma, hope, outrage, and empathy create a sisterhood that is readily transferred to modern society.  

Praise for Listen to Me
"A sharp-witted takedown of the male-centered biblical narrative and an inspiring, impassioned battle cry for sisterhood.” ~Kirkus Reviews

“Biddle gives voice to women of the Bible in this unique reimagining." ~Publishers Weekly

★★★★★ “Want to hear Eve’s side of the Eden story? Or Bathsheba’s view of David? And what really went on with Naomi and Ruth? Timely and thought provoking, sometimes anger-inducing, heart-breaking and humbling.” ~Merry Jones, author of The Woman in the Cupboard

★★★★★ “Irreverent in a deliciously feminist way.” ~Maria Leonard Olsen, author of the Amazon bestseller 50 After 50

Free online: An Evening with Amy Tan. Best known for her iconic novel The Joy Luck Club, Amy will share insights from her latest work, Backyard Birding Chronicles, a heartfelt exploration of her connection to nature through birdwatching. Through this intimate look at her own backyard, Amy’s book highlights the profound impact that everyday interactions with the natural world can have on our lives. This event is several weeks away, but it's sure to sell out, so reserve your spot now! February 25, 7 PM PST. 

"In the quiet mornings, the birds' songs are a symphony, a reminder of life's simple, enduring beauty." ~Amy Tan, Backyard Birding Chronicles

Humanity is locked in a brutal war with an alien race, but for Ranger Tomi Ryan, her secret pregnancy poses a personal battle of its own. While leading a daring mission to infiltrate a pirate stronghold, Tomi and her team uncover a betrayal that threatens the Federation's survival. As they face deadly enemies and the looming Brood War, Tomi must rely on her training and resilience to protect her comrades—and the future growing within her. 4.6 stars, 22 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Tired of eating wilted tasteless grocery store veggies? Afraid that you don't have what it takes to grow your own food? Companion planting will wipe away your fears and empower you to grow bountiful harvests. In just three weeks, you can have fresh, juicy veggies from your garden to the table even if you never planted a seed before. Maximize your backyard, balcony, or patio space with snazzy clever companion planting methods. Healthy veggies are just a planting season away, and a sustainable, budget-friendly lifestyle awaits you. 5.0 stars, 10 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Veteran CIA operative Titus Ray flees Tehran with the help of Iranian Christians, sparking a journey of faith and danger as he seeks refuge in the United States. Targeted by a Hezbollah assassin, Titus grapples with his past failures, newfound beliefs, and the possibility of betrayal from those he meets, including a captivating detective. As he uncovers layers of intrigue, he must confront a question: can a man trained to deceive truly embrace a life of faith? Book 1 of the Titus Ray Thrillers. 4.6 stars, 2600+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

On a quiet island shrouded in secrets, Policewoman Christine Lane is determined to prove herself after a humiliating transfer. When a resident is killed during a violent protest, Christine defies orders and secretly investigates, uncovering dark local secrets. As danger closes in, she must unmask the killer before both her career and her life are cut short. Book 1 in the Christine Lane Mystery Series. 4.2 stars, 860+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

When Pinky’s devoted husband dies on his eightieth birthday, she is left heartbroken and turns to her nephew, Paul, for support, unaware of his hidden motives fueled by a long-standing family feud. As Paul’s greed spirals out of control, dragging them from the streets of Bradford, UK, to India and Nepal, he is forced to confront the consequences of his deceit. Can he break free from his own web of lies and find redemption, or will his greed lead to ruin? From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of author Surinder Jolly and two books that are set in the United Kingdom and India:

• Tsunami of Greed: a moving story of a British-Indian family with unforeseen twists
• Indian Whispers: a tale of emotional adventures through india

Tsunami of Greed

I think of it last thing every night, first thing every morning and all day. I have drowned in your tsunami of greed.

When her devoted husband dies on his eightieth birthday, Pinky is beset with a tsunami of problems. Lonely and grief-stricken, she turns to her nephew, Paul, for his guidance. But Paul is driven by a family feud, and Pinky is soon the unwitting victim of a deceit beyond anything she could imagine.

From Bradford, Edinburgh, Llandudno, and York in United Kingdom to adventures in India and a new start in Nepal, can Paul ever escape his life as a fraud and emerge from his tsunami of greed?

A voice told me that if you want peace and happiness in your life, then show love and kindness to all. Hatred will only bring misery to your life.

Praise for Tsunami of Greed
"A cultural and historical roller coaster ride." ~Amazon Review

Indian Whispers

Love always comes after marriage, like monsoon follows the hot summers.

When brothers Taj and Sandip leave London to travel together across India, they meet holy men, yogis, and the inventively scammed, as well as those who bear witness to the tragedy of Bhopal. Together, they experience a rollercoaster of emotions and learn the true meaning of sorrow and joy – gaining some truly unique medical expertise along the way.

Can love be salvaged from the marvels and mishaps of their Indian adventure?

Join Taj and Sandip on a journey that will change their lives forever as they discover another world.

Praise for Indian Whispers
"Educational, humorous and highly entertaining." ~Amazon UK Review

"A very pleasant and interesting read which seems to be a traveler's guide, a collection of very Indian jokes, and short stories that capture the themes that are a common in the lives of Indians in both UK and the Indian subcontinent." ~Amazon UK Review

Want to see more of the world this weekend? Visit the Cinque Terra, the Sahara Desert, the Antartic, Manhattan, the Great Pyramids, and more via AirPano.com. 

"Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving." ~Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

Imagine having a hidden ability encoded in your DNA, just waiting to be unlocked. Fast forward three hundred years, and scientists have discovered how to unleash these latent powers within us. Such a profound transformation would undoubtedly usher in a new era of extraordinary capabilities and unprecedented advancements. The world as we know it would be forever changed, with individuals harnessing their newfound strengths to reshape society and redefine what it means to be human. From $1.99 - SHOP NOW /