Today's Featured Books

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Sleeping with Ghosts: Poems & Musings by Jennifer A. Payne, an intimate exploration of memory and meaning. 

"Beautifully crafted and luminous, these poems take the reader on an intimate and unforgettable journey of love found and lost, the joys of creativity, and the power of memory." ~Judith Liebmann, Ph.D., author of Ekphrasis, Poet Laureate of Branford, Connecticut

Sleeping with Ghosts: Poems & Musings

AN INTIMATE EXPLORATION OF MEMORY AND MEANING

Known for her meditations and musings about our outside world, Connecticut writer Jen Payne takes readers inside this time…into the heart and mind of a poet, where memories wander, hearts break, and ghosts appear in dreams. Those ghosts—her lovers, soulmates, and muses—reveal themselves slowly, one at a time, in this wistfully reflective, time-traveling memoir.
 

Praise for Sleeping with Ghosts
"A poignant meditation on a life of love confronted." ~Mary O'Connor, author of Say Yes! to Your Creative Self

"Catalogues the ghosts of relationships...with hard-earned honesty bereft of self-pity, wonderful imagery and, somehow, a lightness of touch...through good times and hard with a poet's kind of vision and language and a perspective equal parts wise and whimsical." ~Nancy Fitz-Hugh Meneely, author of Letter from Italy, 1944

"These poems...remind us to revisit our own past, to honor our own scars, and maybe to find a bit of poetry there, too. Whether you’re someone who loves looking back with nostalgia or you’re more of a 'move forward' type, there’s something here that speaks to the heart." ~Kaecey McCormick, 2023 Connecticut Poetry Award Winner

About the Author

          

About the Publisher

Free online tonight: What's New in Historical Fiction, a panel series featuring historical novelists with new and upcoming titles. Moderated by Colin Mustful, founder of History Through Fiction, tonight's panel includes: Adriana Allegri, author of The Sunflower House; Monica Chenault-Kilgore, author of The Jewel of the Blues; Susan J. Morris, author of Strange Beasts; and A.D. Rhine (Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson), authors of Daughters of Bronze. Wednesday, November 13, 7-8 PM CT.

"In history lies all the secrets of statecraft." ~Confucius

A fatal virus that kills children when they turn thirteen has swept the globe. A distant planet holds the cure, but few children are selected to travel. Teenagers fly or die. Death or Kronnus 13. Zak Connors is about to become a teenager and is selected to fly to Kronnus 13. During his first night on "new Earth," he has a vision of his mother who disappeared without a trace when he was five years old. He then discovers he has special gifts and uses them to uncover the secrets of his mysterious new world. 4.0 stars, 13 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Congratulations to Eleanor Vincent and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage, a memoir that examines the obstacles that neurodiverse couples must overcome to keep their love alive.

★★★★★ “A brave, compassionate, & necessary memoir about love on the spectrum." ~Lee Kravetz, author of The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. 

Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage

In a late-life romance, Eleanor marries Lars, a brilliant database expert, believing their fairytale love will last forever. But just months later, Eleanor finds herself in COVID lockdown with her new husband as he loses his job and pulls away from her with angry outbursts. Day by day, their marriage fractures.

As Eleanor’s fears about Lars’ autistic profile are heightened, she struggles to understand him and their growing conflict. Even as both partners are diagnosed with cancer, Eleanor fights for what she hopes is possible in their marriage and encourages Lars to do the same.

That is until Lars refuses to work with an autism coach to improve their communication and Eleanor must decide whether she will give up her dream of happiness and, if so, how.

Disconnected will resonate with anyone who struggles to grasp how even the closest bonds can break, and then must create a new life. This memoir will resonate with you if you enjoyed any of the following books:

• The Art of Leaving by Ayelet Tsabari
• Liars by Sarah Manguso
• Splinters by Leslie Jamison
• This American Ex-Wife by Lyz Lenz
• Blow Your House Down by Gina Frangello

Praise for Disconnected
★★★★★ “Will resonate with many neurodiverse couples and relationship counsellors.” ~Tony Atwood, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and co-author of Neurodiverse Relationships

★★★★★ “A powerful testimony about the ways neurodiverse couples can cause each other unintentional hurt.” ~Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D., host of the “Neurodiverse Love” podcast

★★★★★ “I read this in one gulp. Wow. This is an important book.” ~Julia Scheeres, NYT bestselling author of the memoir Jesus Land

★★★★★ “This unflinching portrait of a marriage will change the way you look at love.” ~David W. Berner, author of Daylight Saving Time

★★★★★ “A vivid, courageous narrative...and a deep exploration of the reverberating effects of loss and love.” ~Caroline Paul, author of Tough Broad

★★★★★ “Filled with hope and longing.” ~Maxine Aston, MSc, author of The Autism Couple’s Workbook

★★★★★ “Shows us how to be resilient and still tender no matter what life brings.” ~Linda Joy Myers, president, National Association of Memoir Writers, author of Don’t Call Me Mother

Free online: B&N Book Club. Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louise Erdrich for a live, virtual event to discuss the October B&N Book Club pick, The Mighty Red, Erdrich's most stunning novel yet. Tuesday, November 12, 3 PM ET.

"Sorrow eats time. Be patient. Time eats sorrow." ~Louise Erdrich

While studying at Black River Academy of Swordcraft and Spellcraft, Durren is stunned to learn he’ll be assigned to a party. But there’s a catch: Durren has a secret that could hold him back, and his teammates have serious problems, too: Areinelimus, a wizard, fears her own magic. Tia, the rogue, can barely tolerate anyone. Hule, the warrior, well…let’s just say he’s not the sharpest sword in the armory. But they’ll have to learn to work together because they are about to face dangers no level one adventurers should ever encounter. 4.1 stars, 460+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on She Steals My Breath, Book 1 of The Medicine Man historical romance series from author Karen Kay. 

She Steals My Breath (The Medicine Man Book 1)

Her Beauty Takes His Breath Away. Only She Can Restore It

Eagle Heart of the Blackfoot Nation has not come to the for Union trading post to trade, but to find his missing brother. The medicine man has never seen a white woman, but, when Laylah McIntosh walks into the room, her beauty steals his breath.

Laylah has assets besides beauty that make her valuable to her father, the fort's trader: her skill with numbers, her photographic memory, and her knowledge of the sign language used by all the tribes. But, when she’s injured and caught in a fierce blizzard, it is Eagle Heart who rescues her.

Forced into each other's company, their attraction deepens. But a union between them is forbidden in both their worlds. Can their love find a way to survive? Or will their differences separate them forever?

Warning: Sensuous historical romance with a strong paranormal element could cause a gal to go West in search of love and adventure.

Praise for She Steals My Breath
★★★★★ "A blend of historical romance and today's headlines." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "A beautifully told American Indian love story." ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "A culture-busting romance." ~Amazon Review

The Medicine Man Series

• She Steals My Breath (Book 1):
  4.2 stars, 396 ratings
• She Captures My Heart (Book 2):
  4.3 stars, 257 ratings
• She Paints My Soul (Book 3):
  4.5 stars, 299 ratings
• She Brings Beauty To Me (Book 4):
  4.3 stars, 210 ratings

    

Free online: Speculative Sundays, a poetry reading to celebrate Speculative Poetry Month. Speculative poetry is humanity’s primordial literature. Nearly everyone knows some speculative poetry—from nursery rhymes, to Edgar Allen Poe, to Puff the Magic Dragon, it’s been here all along. Join for a reading featuring poets Mary Soon Lee, Brandon O’Brien, and Vivian Faith Prescott. November 10, 7 to 8 pm ET.

"Mainstream poetry deals with the rendering and exploration of the here and now, reality as we know it, internal and external. Speculative poetry has more to do with imagination, the world of dreams, and the world as it could be." ~Bruce Boston, speculative poet

My head is in the clouds and my heart is spinning out of control. Thrown off course by terrifying turbulence, a gorgeous, sexy older mountain man pilot finds ways to take my mind off the stress and takes care of everything on our sudden detour. Be careful when flying over the mountains; you might meet the love of your life. Haley Travis books are always no-cheating, with steamy and sweet happily-ever-afters. 4.5 stars, 141 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Love Birds Series from author Katie Eagan Schenck. Follow the McAllister family through love, loss, and second chances:

• Book 1: When Cardinals Appear
• Book 2: When Swans Dance
• Book 3: When Doves Lament

When Cardinals Appear

She has a promise to keep. But when her plans are thrown into a tailspin, will a persistent red bird show her how to let her dreams take flight?

Lanie McAllister is ready to move on. Wrestling with her mom’s death, the young woman just wants to settle the estate and soar off for good to her boyfriend in California—far away from painful memories. But she suspects the lucky cardinal she keeps seeing is trying to send a message when a flat tire puts her back in the path of the man who broke her heart.

With fate constantly throwing the man her mother always hated in her way, Lanie can’t seem to shake the wounds of the past. And when her current love makes a serious misstep and she discovers her ex harbors a secret, she starts to rethink what will make her truly happy.

Questioning her vow to her mother to never look back, is the cardinal a clue Lanie’s true happiness is hiding in plain sight?

When Cardinals Appear is the emotional first book in The Love Birds women’s romantic fiction series. If you like heroines who grow, overcoming loss, and second chances, then you’ll adore Katie Eagan Schenck’s bittersweet tale.

Praise for When Cardinals Appear
"An uplifting romance about mending bruised relationships and holding onto hope." ~Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating, absorbing, and addictive novel that explores some weighty issues through a heartwarming and sweetly satisfying story." ~The Book Review Directory

"A good, old-fashioned love story that will tug at readers' heartstrings." ~Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

"Readers will fall in love with these well-drawn characters, the charming small-town setting, and just the right amount of sparks flying." ~Angela M., Line Editor, Red Adept Editing

When Swans Dance

A new business. The wedding of the year. But when a health scare jeopardizes their plans, can Steven and Rose learn to dance or will this be their swan song?

Fresh off the closing of his late mother's estate, Steven is ready to start the next chapter of his life—marrying Rose. Though he struggles to find that ever elusive work/life balance, he's optimistic about the future of his new law practice.

One double shift too many makes Rose an unhappy nurse, but all that overtime will not only help fund her upcoming nuptials, it might earn her the coveted head nurse position as well.

But when Steven suffers a health emergency, suddenly all of their plans—and finances—are thrown into a tailspin. Postponing the wedding makes the most sense, but Steven won't hear of it. Rose fears if he doesn't slow down, he'll make her a widow before she ever becomes a wife. As questions arise over whether they'll ever take that walk down the aisle, can a pair of swans help them find their way back to each other?

When Swans Dance continues the emotional saga of The Love Birds women’s romantic fiction series. If you like spunky heroines, tenacious heroes, and stories of rekindled love then you’ll adore When Swans Dance.

Praise for When Swans Dance
"This romance explores the true meaning of love and commitment in a way that is heartwarming, thought-provoking, and unforgettable." ~Irene S., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing

"An emotional women’s romantic fiction read." ~Amazon Review

When Doves Lament

Neither expected to fall in love again. But together they might just discover that the love of their lives came later.

Max McAllister swore off love before the ink was even dry on his divorce papers. Between his attempts to salvage the strained relationship with his daughter and rekindling his passion for woodworking, he doesn’t have time for the drama that romance brings.

Carissa Owens has finally found her footing again after losing her husband five years ago. Her wedding business is thriving and she has her sights set on expanding to corporate events—if she can secure a meeting with a lucrative new client.

But when Max’s daughter hires Carissa to plan her wedding, Max insists on being involved in every aspect of the process, ruffling Carissa’s feathers. As they spend more time together, an unexpected attraction sprouts wings. That is, until Max reveals a surprise for his daughter that puts Carissa’s professional reputation at risk. Can they find a way to dovetail their plans or will their budding romance have a crash landing?

When Doves Lament is the emotional finale of The Love Birds women’s romantic fiction series. If you like grumpy heroes, business-savvy heroines, and later-in-life characters, then you’ll adore this heartwarming tale.

When Doves Lament can be read as a standalone, but is best enjoyed with the rest of the series.

Praise for When Doves Lament
"Poignant, thoughtful story brimming with hope and second chances." ~Angela M., Line Editor, Red Adept Editing

"A poignant look at life after the death of one’s mate." ~Goodreads Review

        

Free online: Poetry Lit!, a monthly online reading series for poets from all over the world. Explore the world of poetry from the comfort of your favorite chair via a reading series that features international poets and their passionate fans. Friday, November 8, 1:00 PM CST.

"Perseverance is the act of continuing to move forward, even when you want to give up." ~Rachel Scott, journalist