Today's Featured Books

A must-read memoir for burnt-out overachievers seeking answers about their worth while finally forgiving their past. Christine Amoroso did everything right to achieve the perfect life. But hard work and responsible decisions did not guarantee a happy life or lasting love. She learned her worth couldn't come from a list of accolades, achievements, or some guy. So she turned inward for answers. Her story is an earnest and humorous account of what it' s like to be a modern American woman trying to have it all and the dangers of losing oneself in the process. 4.8 stars, 78 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Dancing the Labyrinth

A tale of a young woman's quest for understanding, blending the echoes of the past with the promise of a brighter, more empowered future.

Cressida is young. Pregnant. Alone. Her life takes a turn when she stumbles into a cave full of paintings from an ancient matriarchal society. She befriends Angela, and together they work on deciphering the meaning behind the images.

This dual-time novel blends past and present, myth and reality, feeling and concrete experience, making for a highly unique read.

Follow the journey of Cressida, a damaged heroine who navigates the intricate maze of life, unravelling mysteries and discovering her inner strength.

Praise for Dancing the Labyrinth
★★★★★ "Martin's dreamy, esoteric book of female empowerment, maternal love, and overcoming childhood wounds, is dark, breathtaking, painful, and lovely, all at once." ~BookLife/Publishers Weekly

★★★★★ "A powerful and profound celebration of women's resilience, courage and indomitability." ~Dean Kalimniou, Neos Kosmos

★★★★★ "Storytelling that is not just strong but fascinating." ~Jane Riley, The Book Commentary

Delphi

In this sequel to Dancing the Labyrinth, venture into a world where a woman's foresight and intellect shape destinies, as Cressida challenges the status quo of both her past and future.

Four years after Cressida sought refuge in a timeless Minoan cave, the appearance of an unknown aunt spirals her into chaos. Childhood wounds resurface, compelling Cressida toward a crucial decision. Will she trade her newfound life for love and financial security? Inspired by dreams, she travels to Delphi seeking counsel from the Oracle, unaware of her pivotal role to save humanity from catastrophic misery.

With a rich tapestry of snakes and prophetic visions, and a captivating heroine in search of her own truth, Delphi offers a spellbinding exploration of the human spirit. Prepare to be swept away by a story that seamlessly weaves the threads of ancient lore with a young woman's unyielding quest for understanding.

Praise for Delphi
★★★★★ "A celebration of myth and self-discovery, offering a rewarding experience filled with beauty, complexity, and wonder." ~Literary Titan

★★★★★ "A sophisticated, nuanced and often disconcerting exploration of trauma and how this manifests itself within a quest for self-identity." ~Dean Kalimniou, Neos Kosmos

★★★★★ "Full of feminine power." ~Philip Chrysopoulos, Greek Reporter

            

Cozy Mystery Book Giveaway! Hosted by BookSweeps, enter for a chance to win a bundle of 10 cozy mysteries. 2 winners! Giveaway ends Jan. 1. 

“No one ever got in trouble keeping his mouth shut.” ~Elmore Leonard

Retirement in the South of France isn’t the dream Mavis and Jeff imagined—after fifty years of marriage, they only agree it’s too late to change. But when the charming Rémy enlists their expat club to oversee clinical trials for a revolutionary happiness drug, their lives take an unexpected turn. As Rémy grapples with a covert scheme to monetize happiness and his own loyalty to the World Happiness Organisation, Mavis and Jeff discover it might never be too late for a fresh start. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

An artistic dance of deception, living-thinking the life of a Criminal Trial Lawyer where "truth" clashes with "legal truth.” Amazon #1 New Release Jurisprudence; Biographies Lawyers & Judges; Trial Practice; Law Legal Education. My memoir, at times humorously, describes my adventures as Prosecutor or Defense and I didn’t care which. Childhood influences made me a “killer” trial lawyer driven by my desire to serve Justicia, The Lady of Justice. I fell in love with her until we divorced. Live the chaotic mental & acting process from meeting my client through final verdict. From $1.99. Free via KU. Kindle Countdown Deal - price goes up to $4.99 in 2 days! SHOP NOW / 

Abandoned by her mother ten years earlier, Stella Ingman returns to her childhood home to help her father clean up after a flood. But she’s horrified when repairs to the backyard swimming pool reveal her missing parent’s hidden corpse. Plunged into the depths of guilt and refusing to see her father as the number one suspect, Stella focuses on solving the gruesome crime. But hunting a murderer in the tight-knit small town could leave her exposed as the culprit starts sizing up more victims. 4.3 stars, 500+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Join Misha the Travelling Puppy on a magical Christmas adventure in Lapland! From riding with reindeer to helping Santa in his toy workshop, Misha discovers the wonders of the midnight sun. When Santa’s sleigh is out of commission, Misha and her friends step in to deliver gifts to children worldwide, showing the true spirit of teamwork and friendship. This vibrant and heartwarming story introduces little ones to European Christmas traditions, festive vocabulary, and the joy of helping others, making it a holiday must-read! FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Free online: The Rijksmuseum of the Netherlands features masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The Rijksmuseum itself is also a masterpiece: a stunning building with amazing interior design. You can view many works from the museum's collection and take virtual tours of some of its galleries via Google Art. Free online, any time you like!

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” ~Andy Warhol

In the 22nd century, the Corporate Wars rage across the Solar System, but elite commando Alex 9’s latest mission takes an unexpected turn when her ship malfunctions, landing her on a planet resembling medieval Earth. As knights and empires battle for survival, Alex’s arrival threatens to change the course of their world. Armed with the legendary Sword of the Dragon and tied to an ancient prophecy, Alex must navigate this war-torn land and forge a new destiny. Book 1 in the Alex 9 Saga. 4.3 stars, 77 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Unlock your inner wisdom and self-love, break free from self-doubt, and create lasting transformation with this powerful 30-day program. In just 10-15 minutes per day, you can end destructive patterns and embrace profound change via a practical path to reclaiming joy and balance. Whether you're new to mindfulness or a seasoned practitioner, this is your chance to stop living on autopilot and start creating the life you truly deserve. 4.9 stars, 19 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Shivani, a gifted witch, has managed to avoid her village’s annual Summoning—until her father, desperate and in debt, volunteers her to break the Prince’s curse. Stripped of her magic, she’s taken to the castle where she must win the Prince’s heart and survive a deadly competition with no guarantee of success. As Shivani uncovers dark secrets behind the curse and the castle’s twisted history, she faces an impossible choice: fight for her freedom and abandon those trapped under the curse or risk everything to break it before time runs out. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Creative Manifesting: 11 Laws of Manifestation to Amplify Your Intuition and Inner Genius

Awaken your inner genius and creative potential—even if you feel blocked or doubtful of your talents.

Are you tired of seeing your ideas die before they ever have a chance to shine? You have the talent, the vision, the drive…but something always seems to hold you back?

Here’s the hard truth: Most creatives today only tap into a fraction of their potential. The education system trained us to fit molds, follow the rules, and avoid risk, leaving our genius locked away. However, your mind holds access to an endless supply of creative potential. Everyone has access to a divine intelligence capable of attracting opportunities for creativity, connection, and abundance.

Imagine waking up every morning with an unstoppable flow of creative energy, where ideas come to you effortlessly, and your art, business, or brand finally gains the recognition it deserves. This reality is within your reach, but it requires you to unlock the power of multi-dimensional thinking—to expand your perception, see beyond the obvious, and tap into the creative flow that leads to groundbreaking ideas.

Inside Creative Manifesting, you’ll discover:

• A creative “hack” to awaken your inner genius and tap into a limitless reservoir of creative potential.
• How to block out external opinions that cloud your intuition.
• Secrets to unlocking mental flexibility.
• How to access ideas buried deep in your subconscious.
• A guide to maximizing your creative output.
• And much more. 

Focused Manifesting: 11 Laws of Manifestation to Master Your Mind and Attention

Why distractions are blocking your manifestation results—and how to fix it.

You have the tools. You’ve read the books, tried the techniques, and set your goals. Yet, every day feels like a struggle to stay consistent with your practice. Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: Distraction is the silent killer of your power. We live in a world full of noise—constant demands on your attention that steal your focus and make it almost impossible to manifest consistently. Without focus, your results are unpredictable, scattered, and frustratingly slow.

But here’s the good news: visionaries like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Tony Robbins have shared a simple truth—where attention goes, energy flows. Once you learn how to control your attention, you can manifest your desires consistently and predictably. This is why Focused Manifesting may be the most important book in the series.

Inside Focused Manifesting, you’ll discover:

• The #1 distraction that’s keeping you from manifesting the life you want—and how to eliminate it.
• A simple exercise for choosing goals that create heart-mind alignment.
• How to turn manifestation into a daily habit vs. a random event.
• Feng shui secrets.
• Mindfulness exercises.
• A counter-intuitive way of using technology.
• A little tweak for 10x-ing the effects of gratitude.
• And much, much more!

The Magic of Manifesting: 15 Advanced Techniques To Attract Your Best Life, Even If You Think It's Impossible Now

Unlock the power of your mind to manifest your best life in 2025.

Do you feel stuck—like no matter what you try, nothing ever seems to change? Years pass, and you find yourself replaying the same old script? 

Here’s the truth: Your thoughts have more power than you think. And if you’re not conscious of this, you’ll live on autopilot and at the mercy of random circumstances.

This is not about wishful thinking or blind positivity. Manifesting is about aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions with the universal laws that govern success and abundance.

In The Magic of Manifesting, you’ll discover 15 advanced techniques to shift your mindset, break free from self-doubt, and manifest the life you’ve always wanted. You'll learn: 

• The science of manifestation they don't want you to know and how to make it work for you.
• How to unlock your mind’s potential to attract success, love, and abundance.
• The #1 mental exercise top performers use to stay focused and thrive.
• How to identify and release hidden blocks keeping you from achieving your goals.
• Simple steps to rewire your beliefs and shift from scarcity to abundance.

Free online tonight: Excited Utterance, a quarterly reading series established 2014 in Chicago. Events are held online via Facebook. Host Larry O. Dean welcomes co-poets Nancy Miller Gomez and Meghan Lamb. Wednesday, December 4, 7 PM CT.

"People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy." ~Anton Chekhov

When a giant red-and-white striped straw appears in the Atlantic and sucks up his dad’s battleship, twelve-year-old Jim Moss sets out to save his father. With the help of his eccentric inventor uncle, a crew of fishermen-turned-pirates, and some stranded alien castaways, Jim’s adventure takes him from Portsmouth, England, across the ocean, and into the edge of space. "Ideal for teenagers aged 13-17." ~Literary Titan (Gold Award Winner). 5.0 stars, 29 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Brenda E Smith's memoir immerses readers in a world where the thrill of exploration knows no bounds. What began as a step outside her comfort zone in Tanzania, rafting and climbing through untamed wilderness, ignited a quest for adventure that led her to some of the world’s most remote and breathtaking places. From Bolivia’s rugged landscapes to Sri Lanka’s leech-filled jungles, Brenda’s escapades push her to confront mysteries and dangers. Through every challenge, she emerges braver and more enlightened, blending adrenaline-fueled exploits with profound reflections. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Daylight Saving Time: The Power of Growing Older, the latest book from award-winning author David W. Berner.

★★★★★ "A contemplative memoir that navigates the themes of time, change, and self-reflection." ~Literary Titan

Daylight Saving Time: The Power of Growing Older

An instruction book on the art of growing older.

When we are young, we think little about growing old. But time soon catches up with us: the first gray hair, a buckling knee, the purchase of reading glasses, or when a heart attack at the age of 56 rattles your world and reminds you that none of us gets out of here alive.

In this meditative and intimate personal narrative on the act of aging, David W. Berner discovers how to accept and revel in the present, when the days that remain are fewer than those that have passed, and offers a path for celebrating life's final chapters. Through the lessons of seasonal change, the natural world, literature, and spirituality, Berner gives us a kind of instruction book on the art of growing older, challenging us to accept aging's transformative powers. As a keen observer of the world, he forms a guiding philosophy on how to discover joy in the time we have left and nourishment in life's remaining seasons.

Awards for Daylight Saving Time
WINNER (Autobiography): London Book Festival 2024
WINNER: Firebird Book Award 2024
GOLD STAR AWARD: Literary Titan
WINNER: Book Excellence Awards 
WINNER: Impact Awards

Praise for Daylight Saving Time
"An authentic and moving narrative with fittingly beautiful and powerful writing." ~International Review of Books

"A candid reflection on life...at a time when the trail's end is closer than where it began." ~Midwest Book Review 

"A fascinating read, (the author) writes with a gentle beauty and grace." ~Readers' Favorite

"A touching, introspective exploration of life as we age...of what it means to truly live the beauty of life before it's gone." ~Ryan Lindner, author of The Half-Known Life

"With his best writing yet, David W. Berner takes cues from the events in his life, the seasons, and the natural world to craftily bundle a layered personal narrative that is deeply woven with nuggets of wisdom and reflection that can only come from the power of growing older." ~Nancy Chadwick, author of Under the Birch Tree

"David W. Berner manages to mix the profound with everyday experiences and finds beauty in the mundane. I feel like I am having a conversation with a friend." ~Martin Wells, author of Lost for Words

"A candidly told, thought-provoking, important book." ~The Prairies Book Review

"The lovely prose and the ability to find meaning and pleasure in so many of his daily activities made this work feel like I was wrapping myself up in a cozy blanket." ~Manhattan Book Review

"An authentic and touching memoir that delves into the complexities of aging, offering profound insights and heartfelt reflections on life's journey." ~Book Excellence Review

The Writer Shed: Sign up to receive The Writer Shed, a free monthly newsletter from author David W. Berner about his latest books, writing classes, and what he's reading and writing right now. 

About the Author

      

Free online: Japan's Literary Boom. Join the Japan Society of Boston to celebrate the launch of Volume 5 of MONKEY: New Writing from Japan, the only annual English-language anthology of Japanese contemporary literature. Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM ET.

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” ~Haruki Murakami