Today's Featured Books

Free online: Leaning Toward Light. Join the Hudson Valley Writers Center and contributors to the anthology Leaning toward Light: Poems for Gardens & the Hands That Tend Them for an evening of poetry cultivating our collective urge to grow, tend, and heal. Friday, January 26, 7:00 - 8:30 PM EST. 

"The garden reconciles human art and wild nature, hard work and deep pleasure, spiritual practice and the material world. It is a magical place because it is not divided." ~Thomas Moore

In the bustling heart of London, a young medical student arrives with dreams of adventure and success. However, her journey takes a thrilling turn when she begins working in the mansion of a wealthy philanthropist. Mysterious events unfold, revealing a hidden world and enigmatic humanoid beings that propel her into a realm beyond human comprehension. A magical red stone and an enigmatic white cat become her guides on this astonishing journey of self-discovery, unraveling secrets that challenge the very essence of reality. Embark on an extraordinary adventure where expectations shatter and the unknown beckons, leaving you eager to unlock the story's secrets, the secrets of the Memory Stones. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Join Detective Buster Cuffs on a thrilling adventure as he faces his most challenging case yet. When the doggy treats mysteriously vanish in Pawchester, the clever canine detective sets out to unravel the puzzling crime. With his keen senses and tenacious spirit, Buster follows clues, questions suspects, and navigates hidden tunnels to uncover the truth. Will he be able to solve the mystery and restore peace to the town? Find out in this delightful tale of friendship, redemption, and the joy of sharing treats. 4.9 stars, 12 ratings. From $1.99 SHOP NOW / 

Winner, Firebird Book Award, 2024. "An authentic and moving narrative with fittingly beautiful and powerful writing." ~International Review of Books. 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. $12.95 PRE-ORDER NOW / 

Wealth Whispers: Unveiling the Secrets to Financial Liberation is not just a book about money; it's a guide to redefining one's relationship with wealth and creating a life of abundance. Whether you're just starting on your financial journey or looking to enhance your existing strategies, this book provides a road map to financial liberation—one that resonates with the whispers of wealth that have the power to transform your financial reality. From $10.50 SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Secrets of the Catalogue, an epic tale of adventure, love, and the clash between fiction and truth from author Amelia Spencer. 

"Shhhh! This book is a 'secret' sleeper hit. A unique take on banned books in a modern world, with fantasy and 'other worlds' on the side!" ~Amazon Vine Voice Review

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Secrets of the Catalogue by Amelia Spencer

Book 1 of The Librarians Series
Genres: Coming of Age Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
4.6 stars, 28 ratings on Amazon
4.3 stars, 116 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $12.99
E-book: $0.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)
 

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About the Author

Amelia was born and raised in a small town in Ohio where she developed an interest in reading and writing from a young age. After working as a lawyer for several years, she decided to pursue her true passion and become a writer. Her debut novel, Secrets of the Catalogue, is the first book in The Librarians Series. Her next book, Foundation, is coming May 2024. 

Amelia now lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she continues to write and explore the city’s vibrant literary scene. When she is not writing, you can find her browsing the shelves at her local bookstore, taking impromptu trips, or spending time with family and friends. Learn more at AmeliaSpencer.com and be sure to follow her online: 

    

Free online: NYPL Virtual Book Tasting. Join the New York Public Library's "Book Tasting" for a taste of a variety of books from the NYPL collection. Friday, January 26, 2-3 PM CST. 

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~Leonardo Da Vinci

Discover an alternate history. Hailed as "a painful, heart-wrenching, yet triumphant read" by author Lindsey S. Fera, Reclaiming Mni Sota is a tale of two cultures clashing on the Minnesota frontier and the tragic consequences that ensue. Witness the unlikely friendship between Waabi, an Ojibwe, and Samuel, a white settler seeking a better life. Linda Ulleseit calls it "a wonderful novel that inspires contemplation about what could have happened and what did". Mustful’s novel invites you to ponder how the past has shaped America's destiny. From $9.49 SHOP NOW / 

This book consists of approximately 2,000 words of Dr Seuss-style rhyming verse. Johnny is riding to school when he falls off his bike, injuring himself, and is then helped by a good Samaritan. The kindness inspires Johnny to come up with a plan to do as much good as he possibly can. He goes on a quest to find the deed that is best, or the super good deed, but what could it be? Johnny eventually realizes that he needs to do more than one deed, and performs many kind and practical acts with fantastic impacts. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

Orphan Abigail Jones wanders her English town on Christmas Eve, 1809. With the help of medical student, Oli Higgins, she recovers from an illness and avoids being sent to the cruel orphanage. Then Oli reveals a secret: he's hiding his Jewish identity and birth name, David, to pursue his profession. As an adult, Abigail is stuck: not Christian enough for the Gentiles, but as a non-Jew, no hope of marrying the man she dreams of, David.  Heartbroken, she accepts another man’s proposal but guilt and misery drive her to take drastic actions. "Alina Rubin is an up-and-coming star in the realm of historical fiction. She is a determined and talented writer who knows how to bring history to life through her courageous main characters." ~Colin Mustful, author, historian, editor, and founder of History Through Fiction. From $4.99 SHOP NOW / 

As leader of the Major Crimes Unit, Detective Virgil Jones tackles only the toughest cases in the state, and the one he faces this time has the city of Indianapolis on edge. When a team of serial snipers begins using their brand of domestic terrorism, it's up to Virgil to find out who is responsible for the mysterious killings. But when Virgil gets too close, the hunter becomes the hunted, and one final bullet reveals a truth that will change his life forever. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Free online: Rogue Reads. Enjoy a fabulous night of new releases from thriller authors James Grippando, Lisa Malice, Duane Swierczynski, and Stephen Hunter. Monday, January 22, 6 PM CT. 

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." ~Maya Angelou

A midwife and a handsome newcomer get a chance at happiness in this heartwarming novel from the author of Change of Heart and the Amish Charm Bakery Books.  “Endearing characters and a delightful story make this a keeper for fans of Amish romance.” ~Emma Miller, author of the Amish Mystery series. From $1.99 SHOP NOW / 

Ruby Kighter, a young Utahraptor is framed for the murder of the Town Alpha One she didn't commit. She must team up with a clumsy gunslinger named Rattlesnake and a chaotic child called "The Kid" to escape the Deadshot mercenaries. However, danger looms for them in other forms. Enter this odd Western world featuring humanized dinosaurs! From $5.99 SHOP NOW / 

Could Aunt Agatha’s duchess contest actually end in love? Duke Alistair doesn’t think so, even though he’s the prize! Though her little sister is a contestant, Elinor Hughes thinks the whole idea of a duchess contest is ridiculous. But there’s an undeniable spark between Elinor and the duke, and the contest will not go the way anyone expects… From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Embark on a philosophical journey, a captivating exploration into the teachings of one of history's greatest minds. We will delve into the timeless wisdom of Socrates, unraveling the threads of his legacy that continue to shape our understanding of life, virtue, and purpose. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

From Ireland's sweeping shores to Insula's mystical land, a young woman and her warrior prince flee their darkest enemies. But evil knows no boundaries. As shadowy forces swirl around them, Aisling and the prince must destroy their adversaries to protect each other and everything they love. Fans of historical fiction, action-adventure, romance, and fairy tales will enjoy this story. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Figure Skating Mystery Series from Alina Adams, a special edition e-book that includes five complete novels that were published as paperback originals by Berkley Prime Crime, plus videos by Ice Theatre of New York.

"Adams has the wacky, incestuous world of skating down cold...from Russian coaches to skating moms to groupie fans to prepubescent stars." ~Philip Hersh, Chicago Tribune

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Figure Skating Mystery Series (5 books in 1)
All 5 Books in 1 Kindle Edition: $9.99  


Fans of figure skating will laugh out loud at the descriptions of the skaters, attitudes, costumes, and stunts. Non-fans will revel in the finely crafted mystery. Bex Levy is a great protagonist who is prone to talking to herself, putting her foot in her mouth, and slashing at people with blades of sarcasm.

The Figure Skating Mystery Series includes five complete novels: 

Murder on Ice (Book 1): At the World Figure Skating Championship, the Ladies' Gold medal goes to Russia's dour Xenia Trubin over America's perky Erin Simpson thanks to the vote of one judge. Who then promptly turns up dead. Who killed Silvana Potenza? A skater? A coach? A fan? An official? A parent? It's up to Bex Levy, intrepid television researcher, to figure everything out before the end of the competition, or lose her job–and maybe even her life.

On Thin Ice (Book 2): Bex Levy’s search for a pair of athletes who mysteriously dropped out of the sport years earlier leads to a host of shocking secrets, a kidnapping–and a murder!

Axel of Evil (Book 3): Bex Levy races to discover who killed an ice skating coach during a competition in Moscow. Igor Marchenko defected from the USSR to the States in 1977 and this is the first time he's been able to return home. But he soon turns up dead, poisoned by a pair of gloves. And once Bex does the rounds, she finds that plenty of people had plenty of reasons to bump him off.

Death Drop (Book 4): Bex Levy investigates the mystery behind an infant left in the arena at the Nationals–and why the baby's mother, an ice dancer who mysteriously took off a year ago, is hanging dead from a sequined belt. But leery from events in the past, Bex is hesitant to follow the clues that will uncover personal secrets–and a killer who'll do anything to keep them from coming out.

Skate Crime (Book 5): When a world-famous coach is murdered on the eve of his televised tribute, the suspects include the former partner he dumped as soon as something better came along, the much younger new wife that he turned into a clone of his old one, his resentful daughter who always had to battle Daddy's students for his attention, the skater whose life he nearly destroyed, and the one he guided to Olympic Gold.

Praise for the Figure Skating Mystery Series and Alina Adams
"Murder on Ice mirrors events from the 2002 Winter Olympics. Corrupt judging, cutthroat battles between the skaters, and the behind-the-scenes viewpoint all help to add depth to this unique mystery." ~Roundtable Reviews

"Adams uses her extensive knowledge of the real-life world of competitive figure skating to create a very realistic background for this murder...complete with hints of dark humor. A likable, down-to-earth heroine makes this a must-read for cozy mystery fans with a fascination for figure skating." ~Romantic Times Magazine

"The book nails a Triple Axel in its description of the beautiful but bizarre world of figure skating, where skating talent is only the beginning of the package necessary to make it big. Female skaters, especially, need a pretty face and a good story to hold the public’s interest, and millions of dollars in ice shows and product endorsements can be at stake. Adams’ expertise is obvious, as is her exasperated affection for the sport." ~TheMysteryReader.com

"If you are even a casual fan of figure skating, you will love this book." ~The Romance Readers Connection

About the Author
Alina Adams is a New York Times best-selling author, soap opera insider, and pioneer in online storytelling who was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated with her parents to the United States at age seven. She learned English by watching American soap operas at their home in San Francisco.

Alina's years glued to the television paid off. She received her B.A. and M.A. in broadcast communications at San Francisco State University, and became a writer at E! Entertainment Television's daily talk show Pure Soap. She went on to work at ABC Television as a writer for the transition of the soap opera Loving when it was reincarnated as the daytime drama The City.  She also worked as a researcher for the Daytime Emmy Awards for ten years. 

Alina's childhood and immigration experience was the inspiration for her two latest historical fiction novels: The Nesting Dolls (2020) and My Mother's Secret: A Novel of the Jewish Autonomous Region (2022).

Learn more about Alina and her work and sign up for her mailing list at AlinaAdams.com. 

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Free online: The Back Room. Join authors Charlaine Harris, Eriq LaSalle, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Danielle Trussoni for an evening of great conversation! Each online event starts with a short introduction to a panel of authors. The audience is then divided into breakout rooms and each author visits each room in turn. Sunday, January 21, 6-8 PM CST. 

“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working." ~Henri Matisse

City girl Astra Read inherits her sister’s house and bespoke teddy bear business. Focused on doing her dearly departed proud, and with big shoes to fill, Astra vows to keep her head down and work. But love works in mysterious ways and there is more than one kind of temptation at the bakery across the street, in the form of the handsome, mild-manned owner Matt LeBeau. From $3.99 SHOP NOW / 

Bright lights appear one night over a quiet farm. Animals whisked away into the darkened sky. Other-worldly visitors lurk in the corn. A wordless tale that changes this small farm forever and will have readers jumping at every light that passes by their window at night! FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Author Rue Matthiessen explores the idea of a literary legacy and of trying to recapture treasured childhood memories. She returns to a place in the Irish countryside where she spent an idyllic summer as a child with her brilliant but distant literati parents. From $9.99 SHOP NOW / 

Peace bought by blood seldom lasts, for vengeance knows no end. The same is true for mortals and Gods alike. Decades, centuries, eras may pass, but the cycle remains. As war and revolution rise again, Zephyrus finds himself at the center of it all. Chosen by the Gods, hailed as a prophet of liberation, and forged as a weapon to break the kingdom and restore balance to the realm, hope rests squarely on his shoulders. "Arena-set action sequences shine...but even more impressive is the constant political maneuvering, as characters mingle with enemies while plotting against them." ~Kirkus Reviews. 4.7 stars, 33 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Free online: Winter Out East. Warm your soul with prose from the authors of Thirty West Publishing House. Featuring Sarah Edmonds, Adam Gianforcaro, Alison Lubar, and Lauren Saxon. Wednesday, January 17, 7PM EST / 4PM PST.

“Wisdom comes with winters.” ~Oscar Wilde

When she dies in an accidental collision she caused on the cusp of musical fame, Valentine Cash is offered a deal: Complete a series of difficult tasks to get her life back. Fail, and she dies a final, everlasting death. Guided by Route 66 the Mother Road of America on her quest, she tackles one herculean task after another, giving up a piece of herself with each trial. As she travels the afterlife with folktales and legends, she must decide what’s more important: her old life or restoring the lives of the strangers who died alongside her. From $4.99 Free via KU. SHOP NOW /