Today's Featured Books

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Demon of Oakhaven: Painted in Death, a new release and the first book in the Will Anderson and Casey Murphy Detective Thriller Series from author Mark Harrington.

★★★★★ "Sharp, dark, and brilliantly visual." ~Amazon Review

The Demon of Oakhaven: Painted in Death

In the peaceful lakeside town of Oakhaven, murder leaves a mark—white-painted skin, a rough red “O,” and a body arranged like a grim piece of art.

Detective Will Anderson has encountered this before. Now, the killer is active in broad daylight on Ravenwood University’s campus, leaving behind not only bodies but also front-page editorials mocking law enforcement and daring them to catch him.

Paired with Detective Casey Murphy—new to the division, sharp-witted, and unshaken by much—Will must unravel the pattern before another young woman disappears. But every move they make seems to be exactly what the killer wants. Because in Oakhaven, the past doesn’t just haunt—it hunts. And this predator is keeping score: "The bodies are my canvas. The blood is my paint. And every stroke brings you closer to your last breath, Detective."

★★★★★ "A bold and emotionally charged thriller." ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "Gritty, suspenseful, and full of twists." ~Amazon Review

Devil at Rocky Pointe: The Final Stroke

On this course, par is survival.

When a wealthy board member is found dead on the 18th green of an elite country club—a broken golf club through his chest and a Roman numeral scrawled in red across his glove—Detectives Will Anderson and Casey Murphy know this isn’t just another murder. It’s a scorecard.

As more bodies appear, each marked with a number and tied to a long-buried corruption scandal, it becomes clear the killer is keeping track—and par is never enough.

Meanwhile, Will’s wife, Kristen—still recovering from her own brush with a past killer—begins to notice disturbing patterns from home. Their twin daughters are drawn into the mystery through digital breadcrumbs left by a figure calling himself The Vicar, whose sermons blend scripture, justice, and murder into a chilling creed.

With each stroke, the killer moves closer to the truth buried at Rocky Pointe—and closer to Will’s family. But when the course is rigged and the game is personal, it might be too late to catch up.

A gripping psychological thriller where justice is ritual, guilt is currency, and survival means beating the killer at his own game. Perfect for fans of James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, and Michael Connelly.

Free online: Chicago Storytelling at the Newberry Library. Join via Zoom to kick off the library's fall programming season with Chicago Storytelling—a celebration of the Windy City featuring presentation of the 2025 Pattis Award and conversations with photographer Sandra Steinbrecher and authors Scott W. Berg and Larry A. McClellan. Saturday, September 20, 1 p.m. CT.

"Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty." ~Scott W. Berg

The tyrant who took everything. The knight who fights back. Immortal warrior-mage Adrian Zartun destroyed Gerald Caelen’s family. Now Gerald must battle dark magic, deadly enemies, and join a small band of warriors, wizards, and a mysterious assassin to rescue a captive prince. Every choice will be tested, and not all heroes will survive. 4.8 stars, 21 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Starting over meant coffee and clean sheets…until Monday Jones landed in a haunted inn marked by a strange symbol, and is drawn to a ghostly innkeeper, alive only three nights a month, who needs her help. Now demons hunt her, spirits need her aid, and her midlife plans after divorce are toast. Ghost-whispering, demon-dodging, soul-saving chaos with mystery and a side of sarcasm when warranted. FREE - SHOP NOW /

A rich fantasy realm. Winner of the Literary Titan Gold Award and the Readers’ Favorite bronze medal, this is a stand-alone prequel in The Ember Files Series. “Fast-moving and fun for sorcery-loving YA fans, this quick read bounces from prison break-ins and romantic dabbles to fairy magic and soul-smashing battles, woven neatly with focused and animated storytelling.” ~Self-Publishing Review. 4.4 stars, 16 ratings. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW /

Abe thought he was ready for the apocalypse. He’d watched the movies, read the books, and prepared accordingly. But when the monsters arrived, he realized Hollywood didn’t get all the facts right. "A delightful approach to the zombie genre!" ~Amazon Review. 4.1 stars, 159 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Jared Cole can see souls. But when he bonds to a psychic boy, their link releases an ancient parasite that twists good people into crazed killers. As the carnage spreads, he faces a terrifying truth: breaking their connection might be the only way to stop the slaughter—but it could kill them both. 4.5 stars, 111 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

"A transformative tale of personal reinvention from a masterful storyteller." ~Kirkus Reviews. Be inspired by Susan, an unforgettable character who must overcome obstacles in the surprisingly still-wild American West. "A thoughtful, well-paced adventure, raising the stakes, right till the end." ~BookLife. 4.2 stars, 27 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

A rescue Dog's Funny Story. Elliott fears he’ll be sent back to the pound because he’s been fired from his starring role as a pirate dog in the Biffo Chunky Yums Ad campaign. Will he end up being a one-hit wonder? Or will he get a second chance? If you like funny dog stories with a twist, cheeky comedy, and tales of human greed and manipulation, you’ll love how Elliott navigates this tale! 4.2 stars, 61 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Nothing ends up quite the way Nate expects when he meets the beautiful blond with the big blue eyes. Callie’s pretty smiles hide secrets—deep, dark mysteries that have the potential to rip apart their lives. Book 1 of The Carter Island Trilogy. 4.5 stars, 7400+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

Part One, The Only Hope. 300,000 years ago, Mars was dying. Once a rich planet full of life, now it's quickly heading towards extinction as its magnetic field fails. To save Mars, Captain Franz Leir must find Raidem, a rare element that can reignite the atmosphere and save all life on Mars. 4.3 stars, 46 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide for Today's Reader. The stories in the Bible can feel distant, but this guide walks readers through the gospels, letters, and revelation in a way that is easy to follow, accessible, and deeply meaningful. A simple, practical, and clear guide that goes through each chapter in a straightforward, understandable way. From 9.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Free online: Heritage Book Club. Join the New York Public Library and author Natalie Bakopoulos for a discussion of Archipelago, a stirring and impeccably balanced novel of self-discovery. Thursday, September 18, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. ET.

"We are interconnected...in the most absolute tranquility or in the midst of tumultuous events.” ~Natalie Bakopoulos, Scorpionfish

Unlock your full sales potential with Raise Your Sales Game. Master communication, uncover hidden client needs, boost confidence, build your personal brand, and apply innovative techniques to win more deals and elevate your career. Your sales transformation starts here. 4.8 stars, 224 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

When their mother falls gravely ill, the mysterious Cheval triplets leave their safe cottage to seek a cure in the enchanted Mystic Wood. There, magic and menace entwine as they face shadows, secrets, and fear itself in this moving tale of sisterhood, bravery, and love that lights even the darkest paths. Book 1 in the Magic and Mage Series. 4.0 stars, 350+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /

What family secrets is a portrait of Eva Braun hiding? Fifty years after World War II, Anna is plunged into the treacherous world of the Munich girl, her mother's confidante—and Hitler's lover—and uncovers a tangled web of family secrets. “Historical fiction that reads like a memoir.” ~Philadelphia Inquirer. 4.2 stars, 1500+ ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

Earth, 10,504 B.C.E. A deadly asteroid sent by alien gods is about to strike Ancient Atlantis. The ruling elites rush to build ark-ships to flee to the stars, leaving the impoverished masses to perish. Street-smart sixteen-year-old Semmi must discover her own abilities to win a place for herself and her loved ones on the Ark. Dawn of the Atlantis Grail Book 1. 4.7 stars, 67 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

Short essays about everyday life that sparkle with humor, pathos, and optimism. "A mash-up of David Sedaris, Jim Gaffigan and Rick Reilly.” ~The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Whether he's explaining how he lost his two-year-old son at the mall or revealing the real reason he donated a kidney, Sollisch is a master storyteller and a keen observer of human behavior. "An impressive debut. Our verdict: get it.” ~Kirkus Reviews. 5.0 stars, 35 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

Discover the extraordinary. Twelve unforgettable emerging writers. Three bestselling authors. Stunning illustrations. Writers of the Future Vol. 41 delivers award-winning sci-fi and fantasy—from dystopia to hopepunk, robot noir to cosmic horror. Perfect for fans of Crichton, Sanderson, Wells, VanderMeer, and Blake Crouch. “Excellent stories. Showcases the vast spectrum of the speculative fiction genre.” ~Library Journal. 4.8 stars, 100+ ratings. From $1.99 - SHOP NOW /

Charlotte London gave up her identity for fame. Nicolas Bell gave up fame for an authentic life. Neither got what they wanted. Now, haunted by each other’s voices, they chase echoes of the same magical place, Sky Lake. As their stories intertwine, they uncover a hidden past, a shared legacy, and a chance to reclaim the truth of who they are. 4.9 stars, 15 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /

New release: It's 1946 and Black Lake has been named the worst city to live in, again! Gangsters run the city in cahoots with corrupt officials. Desperate characters try their best to escape a city that nobody can leave. Hitmen, disillusioned boxers, femme fatales, and lowlife hoods all stake a claim to the city. Who will survive, and what will be left of them? From $4.99 - SHOP NOW /

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on books of The Medicine Man Series from author Karen Kay, a collection of historical romance novels set in the Old West and filled with heroes and heroines who will capture readers' hearts. 

"Karen Kay's passion for Native American lore shines through." ~Publishers Weekly

"Exciting historical romance." ~Midwest Book Review

She Paints My Soul

Can her love heal the medicine man's heart?

In spite of her fear of Indians, Sharon Wells travels from her home in St. Louis to Indian Territory in the northwest, along with her fiancé and her friend Amelia, who is determined to return to Blackfoot Country. An orphan, Sharon yearns to be married and have a family of her own. She’s loyal to her fiancé, even when he carelessly puts her life in danger.

Strikes Fast, of the Crow People, was once on the path to becoming a medicine man, but he has lost his way. When nearly all his family were killed in a Blackfoot raid, he went on the warpath to avenge the ghosts of his murdered family. But he has carried revenge too far, and the blood of innocents has left him feeling no longer human, without empathy or sympathy. But the beautiful white woman, Sharon, ignites a spark in him. When she’s captured in an Indian raid and her fiancé does nothing, Strikes Fast hopes his heroic deed of rescuing her might return him to the good graces of the Creator, from whom all medicine men receive their powers.

Strikes Fast’s handsome masculinity calls out to Sharon, as her beauty and her kindness calls to him. Trapped together in a blizzard, surrounded by danger, and despite the many reasons they shouldn’t be together, their growing love is undeniable. Can they find a way to heal one another and create the family each of them is longing for?

She Brings Beauty To Me

A woman deserted. A troubled warrior. A passion denied.

1855. When eighteen-year-old Czanna Fehér is forced to flee her home in Hungary, she journeys with her younger siblings and her father's manservant to Montana in search of her cousin. Mourning for her recently deceased parents, she sings a prayer to the grand, Montana mountains. From the first moment Stands Strong hears Czanna singing, he is transfixed. 

When the family's hired guide steals their money and runs, her father's servant pursues the man, leaving Czanna desolate and in charge. She and and her siblings cannot survive in this land without help, so when Stands Strong comes to her aid, she realizes she must trust this man.

Lakota born but raised by the Blackfeet, Stands Strong descends from a long line of medicine men. But this legacy seems to have skipped over him, and he has instead become an expert scout. When Czanna attempts to hire Stands Strong as their guide, offering him the "evil gold rock" as payment, he suggests marriage to him instead. Can two people from incompatible cultures come together? Or are their star-guided paths meant only to briefly cross?

She Belongs In My World

Beauty, Treachery, and an Untamed Wild Love

Liliann Varga had been too young the first time she met and fell head-over-heels in love with the Blackfeet Medicine Man, First Rider, the man who saved her father’s life. Besides, he was newly married to a woman of his own tribe. But years later, when Liliann’s husband has committed a terrible aggression against her, First Rider once enters her life.

First Rider has come to heal Liliann, not to seduce her. But his reaction to the grown-up Liliann, the little girl who used to be his shadow, is entirely masculine and sensual. He nearly lost his mind after his first wife was captured and killed by an enemy tribe. Could Liliann be his second chance at love?

Enacting a “scout’s revenge” against Liliann's cruel husband would leave the man alive but broken, and it would also set Liliann free. But just as their love deepens, a report emerges: First Rider's wife is still alive. To discover the truth or lies of the rumor, they embark on a dangerous journey through the Backbone-of-the-World Mountains. Can they survive the treacherous journey and find a world where they both belong?

    

Free online: Rogue Reads, a fun online event where authors discuss their latest novels. Tonight's line-up includes Isabella Maldonado and Jeffery Deaver, authors of The Grave Artist; Lou Berney, author of Crooks; and Alyssa Maxwell, author of Murder at Arleigh. Monday, September 15, 7 p.m. EST.

"The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience." ~Frank Herbert, Dune

New release in contemporary fiction: Reverend Wesley Aames, untested as a spiritual leader, finds himself entangled in church intrigue and the repercussions of a teen suicide. With tensions simmering and his own personal crisis on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher. Wesley must confront both his inner demons and external threats, or risk losing everything. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /

It started with a million dollar bid for a night alone with him. He's dark, commanding, and the most desirable older man I've ever met. In fact my mysterious bidder had me wanting to do things I'd never admit. And I did them willingly, secure in the thought I'd never see him again. Boy was I wrong. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Antonov bratva, four bratva billionaires ruling their city and captivating the hearts of their women. 4.4 stars, 4200+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /