Today's Featured Books

In a journey of transformation, Kendall, a seemingly ordinary individual, is unknowingly thrust into a profound mission. Guided by a powerful and enigmatic force, he must navigate a path that will reveal hidden truths buried deep in the folds of time. Ancient legacies and long-forgotten tales provide clues leading to more questions, until finally, distant connections reveal their true significance in a breathtaking twist. From $4.50 - SHOP NOW / 

Mona is a mischievous monkey. She likes to have fun in ballet class, which sometimes gets her in trouble. She’s not (always) grumpy; she’s just misunderstood. Her moodiness is attached to a memory she holds dear from long ago. What could it be? Follow along as Mona shares her memory with her friends, Sasha and Cami, and finds out the true meaning of family. From $18 - SHOP NOW / 

Della is already a witch at breaking point when her brother accidently kills a werewolf. Malone, the Brighton Pack alpha, attacks, leaving Della with a scratch that turns her into the first ever hybrid-witch. Malone helps Della through the first shift, but turning a witch is against sacred wolf laws. Malone's pack will disown him if I doesn’t get rid of Della. A Wolf Shifter Paranormal Romance. 4.2 stars, 1900+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

In a desolate world, a veteran monster hunter must recover a new specimen for the corporate elites. But when Mercer learns this organism is not a wasteland mutant but a teen girl, his moral compass spins sideways. causing him to question everything he believes about his job, his future, and his foggy past. From award-winning author Ingrid Moon comes an action-packed dystopian novel with crazy twists, a pinch of humor, and all the blood and violence of an edge-of-your-seat action movie. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Change can happen in two ways: it can arise from shifts in our external circumstances, or it can stem from our decision to see things differently. This book serves as a comprehensive guide offering practical tools to navigate the complexities of life by choosing new narratives that redefine happiness. Are you ready to thrive through change? From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Born into a world of chaos, fear, and uncertainty, Dustin Bryan knows what it means to fight for survival. Growing up in a broken home riddled with abuse, neglect, addiction, and loss, life was an uphill battle from the start. But within the darkness, there was a spark—a relentless drive to overcome, to break generational cycles, and to transform pain into purpose. More than just a story of survival, this memoir is a testament to the power of faith, the strength found in adversity, and the promise that changed everything. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Journey through time and ancient worlds, exploring nature and the influence of deities of lands such as Anatolia, Mesopotamia, the Levant, Crete, Greece, Malta, and Sicily. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

He guards the streets, but can he guard his heart? Life on the night shift has hardened Officer Matthew Danes, but nothing could prepare him for the whirlwind romance with Rosemarie, the beautiful, fiery owner of a local wine bar. When a violent drug dealer with a vendetta targets Rosemarie, Matthew’s every instinct tells him he must protect her at all costs in this high-stakes, emotionally charged police romance. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Brenda E Smith, author of award-winning and critically acclaimed travel/adventure memoirs that provide readers with an adrenaline-packed blend of daring exploits and deep reflections:

• Becoming Fearless: Finding Courage in the African Wilderness
  • Winner of awards from Readers' Favorite, Storytrade, and more
  • 4.7 stars, 172 ratings 
• Becoming Amazed: Discovering the World with Eyes Wide Open
  • Ranked #1 in Travel Biographies & Memoirs on Amazon.com
  • Kindle Edition currently FREE
  • 4.9 stars, 42 ratings

Becoming Fearless
Genres: Africa Travel Books, Traveler & Explorer Biographies
Paperback from $15.49
Audiobook from $21.83 ($0.99 via Audible)
Ebook from $9.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



An inspirational true story that showcases what is possible when you step out of your comfort zone into the wild.

Coerced by her boss and fellow river guides, Brenda Smith reluctantly embarks on a rafting trip through a vast Tanzanian game reserve. If she can survive twelve days on the remote jungle rivers, then she must scale Africa's tallest mountain. After twenty-eight years of a safe and predictable life, Brenda is terrified of what awaits her in these dangerous wildernesses.

She comes face-to-face with angry hippos, roaring lions, and stealthy crocodiles, and struggles with the extremes of unbearable heat and hypothermia. Despite the harsh external threats she conquers, her greatest challenge is a profound inner journey—a courageous transformation as she uncovers the internal source of her fears and discovers the personal strength to do anything.

Awards/Recognition for Becoming Fearless

• Best Non-Fiction Travel Book 2023 by Reader Views
• Winner Non-Fiction Regional-World 2024 by Storytrade Awards
• Silver Medal for Non-Fiction Adventure 2024 Readers' Favorite Awards

Becoming Amazed
Genres: Travel Biographies & Memoirs, Adventurer & Explorer Biographies, Biographies & Memoirs of Women
Paperback from $19.99
Ebook: FREE



A journey to inspire you to chase your own wild dreams.

Brenda's journey began with rafting and mountain climbing through the untamed Tanzanian wilderness, as chronicled in Becoming Fearless, but what started as a step outside her comfort zone soon became an insatiable quest for the extraordinary, pushing her to explore some of the most remote and breathtaking corners of the globe.

From Bolivia's rugged landscapes to Ethiopia's hidden tribal territories, from the enigmatic villages of Pakistan to the leech-infested forests of Sri Lanka, Brenda’s escapades are both awe-inspiring and terrifying. She confronts everything from revered idols exacting mysterious revenge to navigating eerie second-dimension spaces. The stakes reach their zenith in the brutal murder of a friend by terrorists—a moment that forces Brenda to reckon with the harshest realities of the world she craves to explore.

Through every trial, Brenda gains profound insights, emerging stronger, braver, and more enlightened. Her stories are an adrenaline-packed blend of daring exploits and deep reflections, perfect for fans of Eat Pray Love, Wild, and Tracks.

Praise for Becoming Amazed

"The fires of transformation blaze in this superbly delightful portmanteau of a book." ~Richard Bangs, Explorer

"Smith takes readers along on her amazing journeys...inspiring us to seek our adventures outside our comfort zone, and to explore and appreciate our diverse world." ~Judi Wineland, Founder of Overseas Adventure Travel

"Smith's retelling of these first encounters with remote rivers and the people and wildlife met along the way are the makings of river running history." ~Bridget Crocker, author of The River's Daughter

Spellbound by wanderlust after working as a whitewater river guide, Brenda has lived, worked, or traveled in more than forty countries. While overseas, Brenda pursued adventures on less-traveled roads through remote villages, collecting a raft of stories about her exploits. Now retired, she lives in Belfast, Maine, documenting cherished memories of her escapades in memoirs, essays, and poems. When the ocean calls, she can be found rowing a dory in Belfast Harbor. Learn more and sign-up for news from Eye Opener Press at EyeOpenerPress.com.

This is a special edition LitNuts newsletter to let you know about a very special, limited time offer:

Get the highly rated Lancashire Detective Mysteries Boxed Set of three complete DCI Walker Crime Thrillers from author J.J. Richards for only 99 cents!*

• The Icehouse, Book 1 in the Series
• The Pike, Book 2 in the Series
• The Tower, Book 3 in the Series

* Please note: Because of Amazon restrictions, the 99-cent sale will not be available in Canada and Australia. Even so, the Kindle edition will still be on sale at a significant discount of 75% off the regular price in those markets. 

The DCI Walker Collection Books 1-3: A Lancashire Detective Mystery
Genres: Detective Mysteries, Police Procedurals, Murder Thrillers
4.3 stars, 250+ ratings
On sale starting at 99 cents (Free via Kindle Unlimited)

Book 1: The Icehouse
(4.1 stars, 1398 ratings)

A Murderer on the Loose. A Detective Haunted by the Past. A Race Against Time.

DCI Jonathan Walker is a senior detective for the Lancashire Constabulary in North West England. When a body turns up in the sleepy village of Rufford, Walker learns the crime may be linked to a decades old cold case involving the murder of his sister. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, JD Kirk, Matt Brolly, Patricia Gibney, and Michael Connelly. "A moody, enveloping crime thriller." ~SPR Editorial Review

Book 2: The Pike
(4.3 stars, 1000+ ratings)

Not everything is what it seems, and not everyone is who they appear to be.

A young girl is found dead at the Pike Tower on Winter Hill near Chorley, and DCI Walker and the newly promoted DC Briggs are drafted in to investigate. But what seems like a party gone wrong or a sickening group attack, transpires to be much more, and threatens not only the local community, but Walker and his team, too. "A top-flight crime thriller." ~SPR Editorial Review

Book 3: The Tower 
(4.2 stars, 500+ ratings)

A seaside town on its knees. A group hell bent on making it a better place...by KILLING. 

When the Head Clown at Blackpool Tower Circus turns up dead in suspicious circumstances, a criminal investigation ensues, headed by DCI Walker. But when another body turns up just days later, with the same modus operandi, the double homicide becomes the talk of the town. "An unsettling but highly entertaining thriller." ~SRP Editorial Review

JJ Richards is a bestselling author based in Lancashire, England, where he lives with his wife and young son. Writing under multiple pen names, he has published eight novels and a collection of short stories, with his ninth book, The Castle, currently in the works. Though his stories are works of fiction, he often finds himself questioning where the boundary between imagination and reality truly lies. So far, he has yet to locate it, plant a flag, and chart it for future explorers. Learn more and sign-up to his mailing list at J-J-Richards.com.

Free online: Academy of American Poets Event featuring Distinguished Poet in Residence Ilya Kaminsky, a finalist for the National Book Award and recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Thursday, April 10, 5:30 - 6:30 PM EDT.

“All that is musical in us is memory.” ~Ilya Kaminsky

“One of the best books I’ve read in a long time…not preachy or religious...just beautiful and enlightening.” ~Reedsy Discovery. When bad things happen, we all seek answers. Imagine sitting on a park bench and meeting the one person who holds them. The Bench weaves the lives of five strangers through shared trauma and an enigmatic stranger who offers more than just comfort. Inspired by the emotional depth of The Shack and the philosophical insights of The Alchemist, Dr. Flood's thought-provoking story offers comfort and healing for the soul. 4.8 stars, 180+ ratings. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Married college professors Christine and Joss thought they had it all…that is, until Christine crosses the line with a student and Joss’s memory starts to slip. Meanwhile, their outcast daughter, Abbie, finds herself in the middle of a campus cheating scandal. When their secret lives collide, their indiscretions culminate in a catastrophe no one saw coming. 4.4 stars, 180 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Cmdr. Boone knows he works for the bad guy. He knows the warlord wants to end humankind. And he knows his treachery—hiding the warlord's rival—means death. His plan: escape with the warlord's weapon. But his superiors are catching on, and the rival fleet isn't as receptive as he'd hoped. Plus, the weapon has a reckless agenda of its own. Multi-award winning space opera full of page-turning action, epic space battles, twists, and biological magic. 4.5 stars, 13 ratings. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Sasha, the youngest in a royal family of tigers, is going to be presented to the kingdom. As she prepares to receive her tiara, her insecurities come out. She’s shy, awkward, and clumsy (and she has really big feet!). Her best friend, Cami, convinces her to take ballet classes, where she finds self-confidence, makes new friends, and learns to believe in herself. Follow Sasha's journey as she becomes The Furry Princess. $18 - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Furry Princess series of books from author Vicki Crain and illustrator Christopher Scott Bell...beautifully illustrated books for young readers that convey valuable lessons about self-confidence, family, and more.

Bonus: Learn about the origins of Sasha (aka, The Furry Princess), her friends, her quest and future, and why she is cool!

The Furry Princess

Book 1 in The Furry Princess Series
Genre: Children's Books
Price: $18

A full-color, 40-page, illustrated children's picture book following the journey of a shy, clumsy tiger named Sasha as she gains self-confidence by taking ballet classes.

Sasha, the youngest in a royal family of tigers, is going to be presented to the kingdom. As she prepares to receive her tiara publicly, her insecurities come out. She’s shy, awkward, and clumsy (and she has really big feet!).

Her best friend, Cami, convinces her to take ballet classes, where she finds self-confidence, makes new friends, and learns to believe in herself. Follow Sasha's journey as she becomes The Furry Princess.

The Furry Princess: Mona's Memory

Book 2 in The Furry Princess Series
Genre: Children's Books
Price: $18

Book 2 in The Furry Princess series is a full-color, 40-page, illustrated children's picture book continuing Sasha the tiger's journey to become a princess while bonding and learning lessons with her friends.

Mona is a mischievous monkey. She likes to have fun in ballet class, which sometimes gets her in trouble. She’s not (always) grumpy; she’s just misunderstood. Her moodiness is attached to a memory she holds dear from long ago. What could it be?

Follow along as Mona shares her memory with her friends, Sasha and Cami, and finds out the true meaning of family.

About the Author and Illustrator
Vicki Crain is a freelance writer who received her B.A. in English from the University of Illinois (Springfield). As a former dancer and teacher, she has translated her love of dance into a career as an arts and culture writer and children’s book author. Her publishing company, Qua Publishing LLC, launched in 2024. She lives in Chicago with her dog, Mabel. Learn more at VickiCrain.com.

Christopher Scott Bell is a freelance illustrator who received his B.A. in Illustration from the American Academy of Art, Chicago. Chris has been an artist his entire life, but collaborating on The Furry Princess Series has been the catalyst for him to pursue his love of illustration as a career. He lives happily with his husband, cat Lily, and 15 chickens in Ocean Park, Washington. Learn more at cbellillustrations.com.

Free online: Authors Discuss Addictions/Compulsions. Pen Parentis Literary Salons feature short readings by writes who are also parents, followed by moderated, audience-driven chat surrounded a curated theme. Tuesday, April 8, 6-7 PM CDT. 

"It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~T.S. Eliot

Shaye Archer’s life effectively began the night police found her in an alley with no memory of the previous 15 years. Now, she's a PI who gets answers for her clients and maybe for herself. When new client Emma claims she’s being stalked, Shaye is determined to help. Emma knows her stalker, but the problem is, she killed him a month ago. "A gem." ~Vine Voice Review. Book 1 of the Shaye Archer Series. 4.4 stars, 23,000+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Danny Coogan, a freshly minted Montana Fish and Game Officer, and recent Afghanistan veteran, hopes to bury his demons in a simple life in the wilderness around the small town of Darwin. But his life becomes a nightmare when he is shot and left injured and alone in the freezing countryside to struggle for survival. His assailant? A local he had considered a friend. 4.4 stars, 1800+ ratings. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Inventors, Explorers, and World Changers. When the Wright Brothers, Marie Curie, Leonardo Davinci, and others set out to change the world, a chicken was there. Over the course of twenty-five short stories, these eyewitnesses to history will show you history as you've never seen it before. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

When combat veteran Brendan Murphy is wounded stopping an attack on an alien diplomat, he finds himself whisked aboard one of their ships and given medical aid. This rare opportunity finds him walking a tenuous line between new friendships and secret agendas that will test his loyalties in ways he can't begin to imagine. 4.2 stars, 99 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Great news for sci-fi fans: The next chapter of the Rare Earth Trilogy is here! To celebrate, you can get INHERITANCE, the critically acclaimed first book in best-selling author Lou Iovino’s epic sci-fi trilogy, for free! 4.3 stars, 142 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Ever feel like everyone in the room is judging you? Don't know how to join a conversation at a party without feeling awkward? Struggling to make friends who truly understand and appreciate you? Most teens navigating social interactions feel the same way, but that can change when you apply the practical, empowering methods in this book. 4.8 stars, 57 ratings. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

No evil acts alone. After a brutal truth is revealed, Detective Aaron Remalla finds solace as a stranger in a quaint town where he can drink instead of think—only to find himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit. With the help of his partner, Detective Gordon Daniels, Remalla looks for answers and uncovers even darker mysteries that involve deception, murder, and haunted woods that (according to town lore) harbor an evil responsible for the disappearance of four people. 4.6 stars, 372 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

With great power comes your past incarnations and future self playing chess with your existence. Kylie thought she was an average honors high school student, but when she discovers she’s the reincarnation of an ancient magic kingdom’s crown princess, people she’s never met want her dead. Now she must learn how to survive while maintaining the façade that nothing’s changed. Forget making A’s; how will Kylie survive to the end of the year when she’s constantly looking over her shoulder? From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /