Today's Featured Books

The Angelic Realm by Dennis Macy

General Nonfiction

This captivating and enchanting book takes readers on a journey through the spiritual realm, sharing true stories and revelations that will inspire and uplift you. Dennis Macy takes you on a personal journey that will leave you feeling full of hope and connected to the spiritual world. It’s a peaceful mystifying read! 4.5 stars, 191 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


FREE - Badfreaky by Konstantinos E. Adamopoulos

Science Fiction and Fantasy

In the Bright Forest, Marily, a young girl, accidentally transforms into the notorious Badfreaky, a wicked witch. Her parents, Goodypie and Mr. Goodweather, must embark on a quest to save her from herself before Badfreaky's malevolent powers consume her completely. It's a tale of family, transformation, and the struggle between good and evil, set in a magical world where the unexpected can happen at any moment. 4.4 stars, 225+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW


FREE - Boss's Surprise Baby by Josie Hart

Romance

A Brother's Best Friend Romance. Eli Whiss is the big bad boss ready to huff, puff, and blow my little panties down. I’m the little sister that comes equipped with a “DO NOT TOUCH” sign from big bro. My relationship with Eli starts with me spilling coffee on his junk and trying to rub it clean. Now the bachelor boss will soon be a daddy. 4.4 stars, 1500+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW


Special Holiday Offer: 12 FREE Holiday Romance Novels!

Spotlight

Get all 12 books of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series FREE now through December 30! 


 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series and a very special deal:

ALL 12 STANDALONE BOOKS OF THE SERIES ARE AVAILABLE AS FREE DOWNLOADS NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 30! 

Maybe you got a new e-reader, tablet, or smart phone for Christmas and are looking for something new to read. Maybe you love romance novels. Maybe you have a soft spot for holiday stories. Or maybe you just like FREE stuff! Whatever the case may be, don't pass up this great opportunity. Click below so you can download all 12 books for yourself—and be sure to tell your friends about this great deal, too!


Jingle Bells Rock & Roll by Evie Sterling

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Christmas, Military Romance, Holiday Romance
4.5 stars, 267 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



In Blue Flag, New York, the jingle bells aren't the only things rocking and rolling.

As a rock star topping the charts, I'm used to my life being a non-stop show. But this Christmas, I'm trading stadium lights for twinkling stars in my hometown of Blue Flag, New York. My parents' quaint mountain bed and breakfast is a far cry from the Hollywood hills, but it's exactly the escape I need. Accompanying me are two people who keep my world spinning: Bryn, my best friend and personal assistant, and her twin brother, Kade—a former Navy SEAL who now serves as my bodyguard and who has had my heart racing since our teen years. With a winter storm outside and emotions swirling inside, this Christmas is shaping up to be anything but silent.


A Doctor's Snowed in Christmas Wish by Daisy Flynn

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Medical Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance, Christmas Holiday Romance
4.3 stars, 197 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Clean, Age-Gap Holiday Romance

I had a a reputation as one of NYC’s top surgeons. Then a patient died. I was exonerated of any wrong-doing, but depressed and disillusioned afterwards. A tranquil island off the coast beckons, and I fall for a beautiful, compassionate woman during a snowstorm. She’s built a simple life in a community she loves and can’t leave. Now I have a life-changing decision to make: Go back to my million-dollar practice in NYC, or follow my heart?


Love Rekindled at Evergreen Inn by Willa Lyons

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Clean & Wholesome Romance, Christmas Romance
4.3 stars, 131 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Small Town Parent Trap Romance

Our daughter orchestrates a parent trap, hoping for a Christmas miracle. He’s my first love, my husband, my heartbreak. Jimmy's salt-and-pepper hair and rugged face still make my knees go weak. But memories of the fire that broke our marriage burn between us like dying embers. The imminent birth of our first grandchild and the resurrection of my parents' bakery brings us back together. Now, we're snowed in at Evergreen Inn, and forced to confront our past. As we frost cookies side-by-side, old flames threaten to reignite. This Christmas reunion could save our family's legacy or destroy it forever.


Stuck With My Christmas Crush by Francesca Spencer

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Clean & Wholesome Romance, Christmas Romance
4.4 stars, 210 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Sweet, Opposites-Attract Romantic Comedy

I’m dressed as a Christmas fairy. My car is broken. My phone is dead. I get rescued by a bossy grump, and as a storm closes in, I hunker down with Jason, the handsome capable ex-military, and Rocko, his enormous dog. At first, Jason resents my presence. Then the power goes out, and we’re left with nothing but a wood-burner and candles. Jason’s frosty exterior melts away in the soft warm glow. He even forgets to be annoyed about the trail of pink glitter I’ve left in his room. Maybe I shouldn’t admit that I’m having the best time in this snowed-in disaster. I know what I want for Christmas. I wonder if Jason wants it, too.


A Not So Merry Ex-Mas by Abby Greyson

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Christmas Romance
4.5 stars, 252 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Sweet, Second-Chance, Holiday Romantic Comedy

For years I've been dreaming of a real Christmas back home. Tree trimming, decorating, Christmas carols. What I wasn't expecting was Cole. Tall, broad shoulders, smile to die for, dreamy green eyes, and a heart of gold. We had planned out every detail of our lives together, including his dream of becoming a major league pitcher. When my gran got sick and I needed to take care of her, I gave him the push he needed, breaking my heart, and his, in the process. A decade and a divorce later, I'm starting over, beginning with Christmas at my best friend’s cabin…and the man I’ve done everything to leave behind. Is Christmas past here to haunt me, or to bring a future I stopped letting myself dream of?


A Christmas Call of Duty by Ava Wakefield

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Christmas Holiday Romance, Military Romance, Small Town Romance
4.6 stars, 203 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Sweet, Small-Town Military Romance

When I asked Santa for a Christmas miracle, dropping my ex’s hunky brother on my doorstep wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. After my last breakup, I swore off dating military men once and for all. So when a dreamy K-9 handler for the U.S. Army came into my clinic with an injured dog and bedroom eyes, you better believe I was sending him packing as soon as my work was done. But now we're stuck together in a blizzard. Colt Ralston is the reason I missed spending Christmas Eve with my family, but now that our local animal shelter is in trouble, avoiding him is easier said than done. Colt’s mission is clear: Help save the shelter and infiltrate the fortress around my heart. 


Finding Me in The Storm by Hazel Belle

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Christmas Holiday Romance, Clean and Wholesome Romance
4.6 stars, 189 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Small-Town Holiday Clean Romance

After finishing my residency, I needed a restful escape. But a snowstorm leaves me stranded at a ski lodge. Nate, the laid-back owner of the lodge and my best friend’s older brother, is nothing like I anticipated—he’s fun, adventurous, and charming in a way that contrasts my meticulous, all-business attitude. Snowed in together, Nate introduces me to the warmth of spontaneity, festive cheer, and maybe even a sprinkle of Christmas love. Our forced proximity kindles an unexpected spark, revealing that our different worlds might just be a perfect holiday match. Can I let Nate show me how to savor the simple joys of life. Or will my career ambitions keep us from celebrating a future together?


Snowbound With My Grumpy Ex by Lily Waters

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Holiday Romance, Men, Women & Relationships Humor
4.6 stars, 124 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



One blizzard. One cozy guesthouse. One ridiculously oversized Santa sleigh.

When my car skids off the road in the middle of a snowstorm, I'm forced to seek shelter in Devon's family guesthouse. Now I'm decking the halls with the guy who broke my heart. My mission? Transform this dusty cabin into a winter wonderland before I lose the biggest break of my design career. And try not to strangle him with tinsel in the process. But with every ornament hung and every unexpected moment of kindness, something's melting, and it's not just the icicles. So, Santa, if you're listening, I don't need presents this year. Just get me out of here before I do something crazy...like fall for this snow-dusted heartbreaker all over again.


Sleighed by the Farmer's Daughter by Deanna Lilly

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Holiday Fiction, Christmas Romance
4.7 stars, 165 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



He thought his holidays were ruined until he was rescued by an elf in Santa’s sleigh.

Seth hasn’t been home for Christmas in more than a decade, but now his niece and sister-in-law demand his presence. Last-minute complications at the factory mean driving hours through a snowstorm. One wrong turn, and he finds himself stranded on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Mackenzie is overwhelmed running Santa’s village, and this blizzard isn’t helping. The last thing she needs is an unexpected guest. With her family out of town, taking in a tall, handsome stranger may not be wise, but she can’t let him freeze to death. Can Seth help Mackenzie save Christmas for the small town of Cloverdale before he loses his heart and unwraps a love he never thought he wanted?


Cabin Fever With My First Flame by Madison Love

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Women's Christian Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction, Christmas Romance
4.7 stars, 200 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



A Sweet, Second-Chance, Christian Holiday RomCom

After my divorce, I got the better end of the deal with three sassy daughters, my food truck, and what was left in the bank account—enough for a fresh start and three tanks of gas. The problem is, I needed four. Being stranded on the side of the road isn't the end of the world—unless it's during a blizzard and we're rescued by the one person I never wanted to see again: Finn Hollister, a.k.a. my first love. Stuck in a cabin with Finn and kids ready to play matchmaker was not how I planned to spend the holidays. When it comes time to make our Christmas wish lists, Finn asks for one thing. I just don't know if I can afford to give it to him.


Faking It with My Bossy Ex by Leah Blair

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Clean and Wholesome Romance, Christmas Holiday Romance
4.7 stars, 143 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



My gorgeous ex is now my boss and he wants to date me again.

Working under my handsome ex is a holiday nightmare. One minute he's a bossy jerk, and the next his gaze lingers a little too long. When a snowstorm traps us in the town’s iconic romantic inn, he wants us to fake being a couple to snag the last room that’s reserved for lovebirds only. He even insists we enter the Christmas Couples Contest. I came for work, not to swoon over the fact he still carries a photo of us in his wallet. I should remember how he dumped me years ago. But when the kisses under the mistletoe feel too right to be wrong, I think he may be faking his way into a second chance…


A Holly Jolly Mix Up by Bella Greene

Part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Genres: Police Romance, Clean and Wholesome Romance, Holiday Romance
4.6 stars, 146 ratings
Paperback: $10.99
E-book: FREE



When life gives me a snowstorm and a double-booked rental, I find a Christmas miracle in the form of a sassy journalist.

Jane is as sharp as the snowflakes falling outside. She’s less-than-thrilled about being stuck with a detective. But with every day we’re snowed in, her playful banter warms the coldest nights. And I discover a side of her that’s as sweet as sugar cookies. Little does she know, unraveling the mystery of her heart might be the most intriguing case of all. Whether this is a holiday spark or the start of something lasting, my heart's ready for the greatest gift of all—love.


New giveaway: Win a Library of America Boxed Set

Events

First of all, we are pleased to announce that Suzanne King of Prentiss, Mississippi, is the winner of the LitNuts Holiday Giveaway. Suzanne's prize is her choice of a Beginner Biography Set of books from Red Chair Press or a $75 Barnes & Noble Gift Card. Congrats, Suzanne!

Second, we invite you to participate in our new Library of America Boxed Set Giveaway. Win your choice of The Philip K. Dick Collection, The Complete Novels of Kurt Vonnegut, or a $75 Amazon.com Gift Card.

"When things are going sweetly and peacefully, please pause a moment, and then say out loud, 'If this isn’t nice, what is?'" ~Kurt Vonnegut


Torn by William A. Prin

Book of the Day

In 1950s America, Dr. Jack Conley risks everything to provide covert abortion services in honor of a girl lost to a botched procedure. When a fiery pro-choice advocate enters his life, her actions force Jack to confront his own deeply held beliefs. As danger escalates and ethical dilemmas mount, Jack must decide how far will he go to uphold what he believes is right. 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW


FREE - Death Visits Rosegarden by Allan Gange

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

Tony Martini was enjoying a quiet morning. Now he's trying to fit the corpse of Frankie Flake into an ice cream freezer—all because nobody wants the police spoiling Easter weekend. It's up to Frankie and a mixed group of friends to try and solve the mystery of the death. But in doing so, Frankie reveals a lot of skeletons from a lot of closets, and brings his unsavory past to the village, resulting in more dead bodies. FREE - SHOP NOW


Washington Territory's Grand Lady by Julie McDonald Zander

General Nonfiction

In 1847, Matilda Koontz set out on the Oregon Trail with her husband and four sons, only to face tragedy when her husband drowned crossing the Snake River. Determined to honor his dream, she completed the journey West and became a celebrated pioneer, known for her resilience, hospitality, and contributions to shaping the history of the Washington Territory. Currently $9.99 (free via KU), but available starting Dec. 25 via a Kindle Countdown Deal for $4.99 - SHOP NOW


Raise Your Sales Game by Frederic R. Savoye

General Nonfiction

Unlock your full sales potential with actionable insights that turn challenges into opportunities and setbacks into comebacks. Master the art of closing deals, build unshakable resilience, and craft a vision for lasting success. Transform your sales game and achieve the success you deserve! 4.7 stars, 225 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Spotlight on author Mark Fuller Dillon

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of author Mark Fuller Dillon, including four FREE works of horror, science fiction, and fantasy.

"Mark Fuller Dillon is an original talent, whose precise use of language, obliquely disturbing imagery and meticulous world building single him out." ~Peter Tennant, Black Static #35


At First, You Hear the Silence

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Science Fiction
4.40 stars on Smashwords
E-book price: FREE



A dark modern fantasy, suitable for Young Adult to Adult readers.

At thirteen, Philippe can see his father trapped in a world of secrets and silence, a world with no place for honesty or courage. But when the walls of that world fall apart, and something from outside breaks in, the silence becomes a warning shout...and Philippe will be tested in ways his father could never imagine.

"An enthralling encounter with mysteries from beyond." ~Jeffrey Thomas, author of Punktown

"A new twist on what used to be called science fantasy, it strikes a great balance between horror, sf, and action writing." ~David Longhorn, editor of Supernatural Tales


In a Season of Dead Weather

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Short Stories
4.13 stars on Smashwords
E-book price: FREE



Short stories based on dreams and nightmares. (May be too intense for young readers.)

The weird, the uncanny, the strange: these are the local conditions of dead weather.

In a season of dead weather, the mind clutches at reality; but what does it find instead? Madness, or monsters? Ghosts, or things more terrible than ghosts? Illusions, or invasions? Dreams, or the darkness at the end of all nightmares? One thing is clear: these are tales that echoes tell in a season of dead weather...of things barely glimpsed in the moonrise...of places perfectly normal by day but haunted by the light of winter stars.


Doorways Unforeseen

Genre: Literary Fiction, Horror, Fantasy
New release: October 2024
E-book price: FREE



Doorways to nightmares in prose and verse.

In Doorways Unforeseen, doorways lead to nightmares...from a bone-white church in a dead town of the captured and collected, to a barren farm where floating figures mob and kill, to a cedar forest where a creature from the sky reaches out to shatter souls. In prose and verse, these horror stories and nightmares wait beyond the mind's doorways unforeseen.


All Roads Lead to Winter

Genre: Science Fiction, Erotica
4.11 stars on Smashwords
E-book price: FREE



An erotic science fiction novella.

The aliens are here, and now our lives are different: no wars, no hunger, no exploitation. For political prisoner Thomas Bridge, there can be a strange new love; for the alien delegate Avdryana, there can be companionship in a world that she finds crowded and foreign. But even with hope for the future, can there be an escape from the stifling ideas and expectations of the past?

At the heart of this story are parallel worlds, politics, the grip of memory, the strength and generosity of women, the pain of loss, the mystery of love...and all the roads that lead to winter.


Ice & Autumn Glass

Genre: Poetry
Paperback: From $14.40



Poetry from Mark Fuller Dillon.

"Mark Dillon marries the Jacobean line and gothic imagery to a colloquial, thoroughly modern, goth-punk demotic, a frenzied coupling that yields up a species of frictive, delirious lyricism, a monstrous infant both old and new." ~Richard Calder, author of Dead Girls and Babylon

"These poems have strong bones, but they also have heart. They have a soul that reveals much about the poet and even more about ourselves." ~Jason E. Rolfe, author of Clocks

"Elegantly, meticulously constructed...accessible and acutely felt." ~Jeffrey Thomas, author of Haunted Worlds and Punktown


About the Author

Mark Fuller Dillon lives in Québec, where the Gatineau Hills region has long been the central influence on his writing. He has had stories published in All Hallows, Alone On the Darkside and Weird Fiction Review. Learn more at markfullerdillon.blogspot.ca, where you can sign up to be notified about new blog posts. Be sure to also follow Mark Fuller Dillon online: 
 
    


Spotlight on the Rinyv Series: Fantasy for Young Adults

Spotlight

Spotlight on the Rinyv Fantasy Series for YA Readers!


 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Rinyv Series of fantasy books for young adults from author Duyu Wander. 

★★★★★ "Imaginative dark/horror fantasy suitable for YA/late teens, as well as adults." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "If you enjoy anime, horror, sci-fi, and apocalyptic stories, this is the book for you." ~Goodreads Review


Arrival of The Moon Hare

Book 1 of the Rinyv Series
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy
4.3 stars, 84 ratings
From $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



Fear hinders one's potential.

A sinister presence delights in Rinyv's torment, relentlessly pursuing and killing her after she turns fifteen. Now, having encountered death four times already, the girl is living her fifth life hoping to alter her fate and stop the endless cycle of suffering.

As the terrifying age of fifteen approaches and chaotic events lead people down the path of despair, Rinyv can't help but do everything in her power to overcome her trauma and grow stronger.

As another death draws near, Rinyv appears to hold the key to saving not only herself but all of mankind. Armed with the knowledge of her past lives, continuous training, and a giant pair of scissors found on holy ground, she is no longer a powerless, naive young girl.


On a Grim Adventure

Book 2 of the Rinyv Series
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy
4.8 stars, 20 ratings
From $3.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



Embrace your demons to thrive.

With Earth under invasion and no home to return to, Rinyv seeks refuge with her childhood friend, Minato Herman. Grateful for the Hermans' hospitality, she becomes their guardian, shielding them from the horrors outside.

As weeks pass without help arriving, hope dwindles and despair tightens its grip. To make matters worse, a terrifying creature obliterates their sanctuary one night, thrusting Rinyv and Minato into a world filled with dangers.

Everything spirals out of control when their bond starts to fracture, and now the girl finds herself compelled to heed the moontarian weapon's call—revive your darkest demon: Annette Valmar.


Remote Island Prison

Book 3 of the Rinyv Series
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy
New release: December 15, 2024
From $5.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



Yesterday's wrath is tomorrow's strength.

After defeating one of El-Bona's strongest lackeys, Rinyv wakes up on the remote island she and her friends had been searching for. But instead of finding her comrades, she is trapped in a brutal prison where mutants endure relentless training under a cruel regime.

As Rinyv navigates this harsh new reality, a monstrous threat rises from the sea, ready to annihilate everyone on the island. The aliens also close in, determined to capture their queen—and this time, they’ll stop at nothing.

With time running out and danger at every turn, the girl must harness all her strength to survive.


About the Author

Duyu Wander (aka Gheata Darian) has a passion for fantasy, adventure, horror, and psychological fiction, and is focused on merging these genres to create captivating light novels with original plots. Learn more at DuyuWanderBooks.com, sign up for the author's newsletter, and be sure to follow the author online: 
 
        


Free online: Winter Solstice Writing Ritual

Events

Free online: Winter Solstice Writing Ritual. No experience necessary! Join for an evening of creativity and connection. This online event will guide you through a series of writing prompts and exercises to honor the longest night of the year. Celebrate the turning of the seasons and tap into inner wisdom through the power of words. No writing experience necessary, just bring an open heart and a willingness to explore. Saturday, December 21, 7:00 PM EST. 

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." ~Victor Hugo, Les Misérables


In The Beginning…Man Created God? By Brandon Irving

Book of the Day

This examines the similarities between religion and mythology, with a focus on the origins of Christianity. The book highlights contradictions within religious texts and encourages readers to use critical thinking rather than relying solely on inherited rituals and ancient scriptures to explore life's deeper questions and find purpose. 4.0 stars, 18 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


After the Blue, Blue Rain by A.D. Price

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

L.A. 1946. The client is desperate. The target has disappeared into thin air. And a routine missing person case is about to take a dangerous turn for P.I. Kit Comfort and partner Henry Richman, the LAPD's most infamous ex-cop. While on the hunt for a veteran who's gone missing from an L.A.-bound train, detectives Kit and Henry come face-to-face with an underground network of enemy sympathizers. "An exciting tale with a fast-paced plot." ~Readers’ Favorite. 4.2 stars, 200+ ratings. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW


FREE - Misha the Traveling Puppy: Australia by Natalia Hooker

Children and Young Adult

Join Misha as she explores the wonders of Australia, on a quest to find Perla's twin sister. Along the way, friendly and exotic local animals become her trusty companions. She rides an emu at Uluru, talks to a giant tree frog in the rainforest, meets cuddly koalas in the bush, and even swims with sea turtles and discovers the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. With eight colourful Fun Facts pages about Australian animals. Perfect for children aged 3-7. FREE - SHOP NOW / 


Free e-book: Stalin's Army of Apes

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on a FREE e-book: Stalin's Army of Apes, a science-fiction/alternate-history novel based on actual events that asks the question, "What if Stalin's deadliest weapon wasn't nuclear, but genetic?"

★★★★★ "A crazy mashup of sci-fi, thriller and mystery." ~Goodreads Review


Stalin's Army of Apes

Genre:  Alternative History, Mystery, Science Fiction
4.1 stars, 74 ratings
Paperback: $11.99
E-book: FREE



What if Stalin's deadliest weapon wasn't nuclear, but genetic?

In the frozen wastelands of Siberia lies a secret that turns the Cold War into a blood race. While the world watches for missiles, Stalin and ruthless scientist Ilya Ivanov hunt for something far more dangerous—the power to create Humanzees—monsters engineered for destruction.

Professor Benjamin Fioretti's groundbreaking ape research is about to win him a Nobel Prize. But when his work catches the CIA's attention, he's dragged into Russia's darkest secrets. There, he uncovers the savage truth—Stalin and Ivanov are using his own research to breed an army of super soldiers.

Based on the true events of disturbing genetic experiments conducted by Stalin's chief scientist, Ilya Ivanov, in the 20th century, Stalin's Army of Apes follows one man's descent into a nightmare where loyalty crumbles and nothing is what it seems. As Benjamin races to stop his creation from being unleashed, he must face an impossible question: In a world where science and power collide, how far is too far?


About the Author

Itamar Eyal Friedman is the author of Stalin's Army of Apes, a thought-provoking novel that blends historical events with speculative fiction. The story explores the terrifying intersection of scientific ambition and political power through the lens of Stalin's secret hybridization experiments.

Friedman's journey began in 2010 when, while researching for a scientific magazine article, he uncovered the disturbing true story of Josef Stalin and his scientist Ilya Ivanov's attempts at human-ape hybridization. This historical foundation sparked a deeper exploration into questions of human nature, free will, and scientific ethics. Learn more at StalinsArmyofApes.com.


Free online: PEN/Dau Best Debut Short Stories 2024

Events

Free online: PEN/Dau Best Debut Short Stories 2024. Join six winners of the 2024 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers as they read selections from their award-winning stories. Thursday, December 19, 7:00 - 8:30 PM EST. 

“Storytelling is the essential human activity.” ~Edward O. Wilson


A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts by Janny L Lora

Book of the Day

Surrounded by holiday cheer that feels painfully out of reach, Luciana hides her heartache behind a flawless façade until a chance encounter with family friend Oliver Amador changes everything. Both yearning to escape their pasts, they strike a one-night deal to create the perfect Noche Buena together. As their connection deepens through shared stories, slow dancing, and steamy kisses, they must decide if they have the courage to embrace a new beginning or let their pasts overshadow the magic of the moment. 4.7 stars, 10 ratings. From $4.99 - SHOP NOW / 


Lakota Surrender by Karen Kay

Romance

Kristina Bogard arrives at her father’s Kansas outpost, eager for the adventure she’s long imagined. But the reality of the broken tribes she encounters dampens her dreams—until she meets Tahiska, a proud and striking warrior. Though his heart is consumed by a quest for vengeance against the men who murdered his father, he can’t resist the green-eyed beauty fluent in his language. As their forbidden passion grows, they must navigate the dangerous divide between their worlds while keeping their love a secret. 4.5 stars, 500+ ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 


Cold Peril by Emily Jane Trent

Romance

Navy SEAL Garrett Flynn becomes Hollywood star Marlene Parks' bodyguard after a sudden attack at her charity event, but his dark past may hold the key to the killer’s motives. Marlene, haunted by personal loss and disillusioned with love, struggles to balance her rising career and the escalating danger. As the connection between Marlene and Garrett deepens, Marlene must decide if she can trust her heart to a man whose life is steeped in the very risks she fears most. 4.1 stars, 900+ ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 


Bringing Sunshine Back to My Mind by Momoko Uno

Literary Fiction and Poetry

"A stunning portrait of joy, grace and beauty." ~BookLife. Sachi Kubo-Sanchez leaves behind a stifling marriage and a conservative hometown for the bustling energy of New York City in a quest for healing and self-discovery. Balancing the challenges of motherhood, online dating, newfound sexuality, and an unexpected job, Sachi's journey is filled with complexities and surprises in a heartfelt and inspiring tale of courage, self-acceptance, and personal growth. 4.7 stars, 43 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Quiet Quit & Fully Live by Matthew Hess

General Nonfiction

Winner of the Readers' Favorite 2024 Gold Medal for General Non-Fiction. If you have ever felt the weight of overstretched commitments, sacrificing precious time with loved ones or neglecting your own well-being in the relentless pursuit of success, it's time to challenge the status quo, redefine your relationship with work and success, and quiet quit in order to fully live. Learn how to take back your time, energy, and life through ethical disengagement. 4.6 stars, 67 ratings. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Operation Justified by Brian Conklin

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

In the Mile High City, a sinister force equipped with advanced surveillance and mind control technology sets its sights on Jack Wicker, determined to destroy him or erase him from history. As Jack battles powers beyond his understanding, his only ally is an enigmatic figure who refuses to reveal their name. Hailed as a modern blend of 1984 and The Most Dangerous Game, this gripping tale pits an ordinary man against extraordinary evil. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Makings of a Monster by Charlie Freelander

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Baldur’s Gate meets Paradise Lost in this deeply emotional, video game-inspired fantasy novel. Velimir escaped the mass murder of children, surviving by living on the streets and growing into a peerless warrior—one as furious as the defiant urchin he once was. But can love survive in a heart caged with steel, cast in a merciless world? From $2.45 - SHOP NOW


Break Free From The Daily Grind by A.M. Carl

General Nonfiction

Break Free From The Daily Grind: Find A Job or A Career That Motivates and Inspires You is a comprehensive guide that provides a practical approach to job hunting. This is not just another book with outdated advice. It's a treasure trove of updated insights and practical tools designed to empower you and revolutionize your job search. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW