Today's Featured Books
Spotlight on Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer by Randall Silvis
If you are a writer, this book belongs on your desktop alongside On Writing by Stephen King, The Art of Fiction by John Gardner, and Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. If there is an aspiring writer in your life, this book would be a much-appreciated (and quite possibly, a much-needed) gift.
"Randall Silvis is an author's author. Those who write for a living (or aspire to do so) could hardly do better than to study his significant body of work, which has been critically acclaimed and recognized throughout the world." ~BookReporter
Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer
New release: February 2024Paperback: $16.39
The Art, Craft, Business, and Teaching of Creative WritingEvery year, thousands of aspiring writers are duped by how-to-write books and MFA Creative Writing programs into sacrificing time and money in pursuit of the secret path to bestsellerdom. Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer was written as an antidote to those false promises. Bestselling author Randall Silvis pulls no punches in his assessment of creative writing programs, the American educational system in general, and the publishing industry.
This is not some slim volume of writing tips; this is 350+ pages of insights and advice based on a successful writer's personal experience. In a series of essays chronicling his forty years as a critically acclaimed writer, Silvis explores a wide range of topics, including:
- Why Write
- Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer
- Ten Writer's Rules Begging to be Broken
- A Writer's Life
- Profit and Loss
- When Less is More
- The Writer's Obligation
- Act Like a Professional Writer Now
- Financial Planning for Adjuncts
- A Writer's Education
- Reading, Writing, & Teaching Fiction
- And much more.
“Randall Silvis is a masterful storyteller.” ~The New York Times Book Review
Additional works by Randall Silvis:
The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series
The literary and emotionally propulsive Ryan DeMarco Mystery novels, including Hammett Prize Nominee Two Days Gone, plus Walking the Bones, A Long Way Down, No Woods so Dark as These, and When All Light Fails. "Hard-edged and smartly plotted...DeMarco is an interesting character: not just your typical ex-cop-with-a-past, but rather a vividly realized, robust, and abundantly human character." ~Booklist
The Deepest Black
A crime novel unlike any you've ever read―based on true events. Where does the line blur between fact and fiction? Author Randall Silvis is looking for a story―any story to follow up the books of The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series that catapulted him to success. But when a stranger tips him off about a series of murders in a small Pennsylvania town, Silvis finds himself embroiled in a world of corruption that shatters his sense of reality. A profoundly thoughtful, unsettling read.
From the Mirror
The first installment of what is to be a four-part autobiography, this book contains more than three hundred brief reflections and observations, none longer than a single typed page, on creative writing, fatherhood, academia, politicians, introversion, the afterlife, solitude, romantic love, and more. A must-read for lovers of life, literature, and the pursuit of happiness.About the Author
Randall Silvis is
the multi-genre author of two dozen books, including critically acclaimed novels, short story collections, and works of creative nonfiction. He is a past winner of the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, and his work has been published in more than a hundred editions in several languages. Learn more at RandallSilvis.com, and be sure to follow Randall online:
Free online: The Art Institute of Chicago "Essentials" Tour
Free online: The Art Institute of Chicago "Essentials" Tour. Spend some time with AIC's most iconic works of art and get insights from the experts with this special video series, including close looks at Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884, Vincent van Gogh’s The Bedroom, Marc Chagall’s America Windows, Archibald John Motley Jr.’s Nightlife, and more. Watch the videos anytime, on demand. You can also keep an eye on the calendar of AIC free online events.
"In art, as in life, everything is possible as long as it is based on love." ~Marc Chagall
The Darkness All Around Us by Megan Boley
Forge Your Mental Toughness from Wisdom University
Hey you! Want the secret to becoming extraordinary? We’ve got just the information you need! Everyone has the potential to do GREAT things. The problem is not everyone has the confidence to try. And ONLY a rare few have the Mental Toughness to go after and live their dreams. Forge Your Mental Toughness: Your Foolproof Blueprint On How To Strengthen Your Will, Silence Your Doubts, And Level Up In The Game Of Life is your invitation to join that exclusive group of people. 4.7 stars, 18 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
FREE - What Good Luck Bad Luck by Alex Horner
Five Steps Beyond by Luana Ehrlich
Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror
FREE - Soulless by Kate Rudolph and Starr Huntress
All in a Row by John Misak
Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror
FREE - The Accidental Fiancé by Christi Barth
FREE - Faith by Nick Nielsen
FREE - Awaken Into Remembrance by Matt Buonocore
FREE - The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise
FREE - Scoria by R May
Spotlight on Hearts of the Hall series of Georgian, Regency, and Victorian Romance!
Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Hearts of the Hall series, three books by three authors spanning the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian generations of the Derringer family:
- Finding Miss Giles by Philippa Jane Keyworth (set in 1780)
- Engaging Miss Shaw by Rachel Knowles (set in 1815)
- Restoring Miss Hastings by Edwina Kiernan (set in 1850)
Bonus: Get free book club discussion questions for all three books at HeartsoftheHall.com.
Finding Miss Giles by Philippa Jane Keyworth
Book 1 in the Hearts of the Hall seriesGenre: Regency Romance, Christian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
4.4 stars, 57 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $8.31
E-book: $2.99
Bath, 1780: Without family or fortune, Miss Araminta Giles must rely on her wit alone.
Engaged by Mr. Derringer to be companion to his sister for the Bath Season, Ary views this position as merely another in a line of employments necessary to her survival.
So when she finds herself warming to Charlotte, and shivering under the intense gaze of Mr. Derringer, she is surprised to find herself hoping for more than just a roof over her head. But a series of intriguing encounters in polite Society cause Ary to realise her position with the Derringers may not be the fruit of her own labours after all. As she tries to make sense of the revelations, she is forced to consider what she really wants.
Will she keep going through life relying only on herself? Or is she willing to take a chance on a home, family and…love?
★★★★★ "A delightful tale about the subtle love between hero and heroine." ~Goodreads Review
Engaging Miss Shaw by Rachel Knowles
Book 2 in the Hearts of the Hall seriesGenre: Regency Romance, Christian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
4.5 stars, 65 ratings on Amazon
Paperback: $7.12
E-book: $2.99
He’s desperate for a governess. She needs to escape her matchmaking sister.
Bath 1815: John Derringer doesn’t need a wife, and he certainly doesn’t need children. Devoted to studying ancient Rome, all he wants after the death of his brother is to disappear into his research. But now he must take on the family estate and care for his orphaned nephew.
Unable to see past his grief, John cannot face the boy, and leaves him to a succession of governesses who fail to tame the unruly youngster.
Evelina Shaw is resigned to staying unmarried. With no dowry and little beauty, the only men she has attracted are widowers wanting a capable woman to look after their children—and she refuses to settle for that.
When she hears of Mr. Derringer’s desperate need for a governess, Evelina seizes the opportunity to escape from her sister’s futile matchmaking.
But on arriving at Duriel Hall, Evelina can see hurt and misunderstanding everywhere she looks. As she helps bring healing to the Derringer family, her life becomes entwined with theirs, and neither John nor Evelina can predict the consequences…
★★★★★ "A fabulous storyline with twists, transformations and tender romance." ~Amazon Review
Restoring Miss Hastings by Edwina Kiernan
Book 3 in the Hearts of the Hall seriesGenre: Regency Romance, Christian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
4.2 stars, 46 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $12.99
E-book: $2.99
Devastated by loss…a stranger takes her in. But will her presence ruin his plans to restore all he’s lost?
Harriet Hastings has nowhere left to turn: after losing both her parents within a few months of each other, she is penniless and alone. So when a distant relative makes arrangements for her future, Harriet faces another loss—leaving the place she calls home to go and live with strangers.
Edmund Derringer’s on a mission: to restore the family heirlooms he pawned to cover the debts of his failed speculation. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with his cousin’s ward—a friendly chatterbox who intrudes on his time, distracting him from the task at hand.
But when outside forces threaten their burgeoning fondness, each will be compelled to re-examine what they really believe about one another, and what their most important goal for the future truly is…
Immersed in faith and intrigue, this Christian Victorian romance from award-winning author Edwina Kiernan will encourage and delight you long after you turn the last page.
★★★★★ "An amazing story of two people struggling to make their lives better." ~Goodreads Review
About the Authors
Philippa Jane Keyworth, also known as P. J. Keyworth, writes historical romance and fantasy novels. She loves strong heroines, challenging heroes, and backdrops that read like you’re watching a movie. She creates complex, believable characters you want to get to know and worlds that are as dramatic as they are beautiful. Learn more at PhilippaJaneKeyworth.com and get a free copy of A Dangerous Deal, a Georgian Romance, when you sign up for Philippa's mailing list. 
Rachel Knowles writes faith-based Regency romance. She first read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the age of thirteen and fell in love, not only with Mr. Darcy, but with the entire Regency period. Since 2011, she has been blogging about her research on her website, RegencyHistory.net. She also writes historical non-fiction based on her extensive research. Rachel lives in the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Weymouth in Dorset, on the south coast of England, with her husband, Andrew. Learn more at RegencyHistory.net.
Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of the award-winning novel Ruby’s Redemption. An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination, and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood. Learn more at EdwinaKiernan.com and get a free copy of first chapter of Ruby's Redemption when you sign up for Edwina's mailing list. Free online: A virtual tour of Rome's private art collections!
Free online: A virtual tour of Rome's private art collections! Experience the opulence of the Borghese Gallery and its Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Wander through the historic halls of Palazzo Colonna, adorned with breathtaking artworks and architectural marvels. Explore Palazzo Spada, where the fusion of art and illusion creates a captivating experience. Step into the serene grandeur of the Doria Pamphilj and its treasure trove of art. Conclude with the Farnesina, a Renaissance gem that houses some of the most exquisite frescoes by Raphael. Thursday, March 28, 9 PM Rome, 8 PM London, 4 PM NYC, 1 PM LA.
"I went to see this picture [Raphael's Madonna della Sedia] just to have a good laugh – and I found myself in front of the most wonderfully free, solid, simple, alive painting it is possible to imagine." ~Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1882
The Covid Murders by Greg Vigdor
FREE - Little Blue Box by Frances Dall'Alba
FREE - The Murder Plague by Scott Michael Powers
A Strange Affinity by Rebecca Rook
Accidental Conscript by John Walker
Not Alone: The Ultimate Collection by Craig A. Falconer
My Dangerous Lover by Annie J Rose
New release: Houdini's Last Handcuffs
Congratulations to Charlie and Cheryl Young and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Houdini's Last Handcuffs, a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and fantasy set in 1950s Manhattan.
★★★★★ "The great Houdini book the world has been waiting for. A perfect escape." ~John Kelly, Detroit Free Press
Houdini's Last Handcuffs
NEW RELEASE: March 26, 2024Genre: Historical Fantasy
Hardcover: $24.99
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $5.99
A riveting journey into a world where magic meets science, tantalizing readers with every twist and turn.
On the 30th anniversary of Houdini's death, three young friends who were gifted a mystical Ouija Board by the enigmatic writer Walter Gibson, find themselves thrust into a world of wonder.
While adults attempt to reach Houdini in a séance at his former residence, the children unknowingly call upon the great magician, not through the Ouija board or séance but via an enigmatic pair of handcuffs from their father's magic collection.
Houdini, in dire need of their aid, reveals a hidden notebook filled with scientific formulas coveted by both benevolent and malevolent secret circles. This notebook is a puzzle, locked behind Houdini's cryptic code.
The unexpected unfolds, setting off a thrilling chase, where the pursuit of Houdini's notebook holds the key to secrets, mystique, and adventure.
Praise for Houdini’s Last Handcuffs
★★★★★ “A lovingly crafted mix of fact and fantasy featuring famous faces from the 1958 New York magic scene, including Houdini himself! Part reminiscence and part high adventure, this is a tale that will make you believe.” ~John Cox, author of the "Wild About Harry" blog
★★★★★ “A compelling historical novel with a strong cast of characters. Highly recommended!” ~The Wishing Shelf
★★★★★ “A rewarding work of fervid and fertile imagination” ~Joseph Caldwell, author of In the Shadow of the Bridge
★★★★★ “There are few authors more qualified to craft a story about Houdini than the Youngs, who quite literally grew up amidst the lore and legends surrounding the world's most famous magician.” ~Gabe Fajuri, Founder of Potter and Potter Auctions, author of Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring
About the Authors
Charlie Young has been active as a physician/eye surgeon, writer, artist, vice president of the music company Denton and Haskins, creator of the radio podcast series Unheard of Jazz, and most recently writer of the historical fiction Houdini's Last Handcuffs which he co-authored with his sister.
Houdini’s Last Handcuffs is Cheryl Young's debut novel co-authored with her brother. Raised and educated in Manhattan, she earned an MBA from Columbia University. In addition to a career in finance, Cheryl is also a board member of the Finch College Alumni Foundation Trust, which focuses on awarding grants to tri-state area community college women continuing on for a four-year degree. Cheryl divides time between the cosmopolitan life of Miami and rural life in Essex Connecticut.Visit them at musicmagicandmore.com
About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent. Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at VineLeavesPress.com.
Last call: Earn rewards in The Chimera Snare Kickstarter
Last call! Be part of a unique publishing project by participating in The Chimera Snare: Fragments Kickstarter campaign. The Chimera Snare is a new dark fantasy series, and readers who participate in the Kickstarter campaign can choose from a variety of rewards, including specially curated goods from a selection of independent artisans. Backers will also be acknowledged in the book's credits.
"What you pour out into the world is poured right back into you." ~Matshona Dhliwayo
Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri L. Dodd
Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror
