Today's Featured Books

No matter how good his life gets, he’s never satisfied. He has a devoted wife who has stood by him through everything, yet his desires keep growing, pushing him toward the edge. When his coworker, Sami, becomes the ultimate temptation, he’s forced to confront the dark truth about himself: who he was, who he is becoming, and whether he’ll ever be content with just one love. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

I’m the Little Red Riding Hood of the witch academy. Am I crazy for trusting the wolves? I need to hide my rare magic to survive. Vulnerable to my warlock bullies, I’ve never felt more alone. Then an Icelandic mafia bad boy and his Cajun werewolf boyfriend take me under their cruel protection. In exchange, all I need to give them is my innocence. 4.8 stars, 17 ratings. From $1.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Free online: Pen America event featuring author Fabienne Josaphat in conversation with Barbara Kingsolver. Join for an evening celebrating Fabienne Josaphat, winner of the 2023 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Josaphat will discuss her new novel, Kingdom of No Tomorrow. Thursday, February 13, 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET. 

"We set free the songs swirling in our bodies / and let those birds fly out into the burning sun." ~Fabienne Josaphat, Political Silence

Before the incident, Martha’s biggest worry was her parents’ divorce. Now, she’s hiding from "Chippers," a zombie horde controlled by rogue AI technology with a deadly agenda. As the AI learns and evolves, Martha must figure out why it’s creating and upgrading these zombies—and, more importantly, how to stop a world-ending force that can adapt instantly. From $4.99 SHOP NOW / 

Short, sweet, whimsical, and poignant, this slim collection can be read in half an hour. It presents love at various stages of life, from youth to old age. Perfect for Valentine's Day! “This book is one that does the heart good.” -Amazon Review. 4.0 stars, 88 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

A YA Science Fantasy Romance novel. Seventeen-year-old Emma Cross is thrown into the hidden world of the Elementums—genetically engineered super soldiers who control the elements—where she must uncover dark family secrets, resist the allure of an icy Elementum, and fight for survival against the deadly Clinic. A gripping tale of warring elements, heart-stopping romance, and devastating betrayals. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s The Darkest Star and Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone. 4.5 stars, 83 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

"Leadership" needs to be a verb...it's something you do and develop in others. People are often put in charge of others because of their technical expertise, but it can be difficult to go from being a subject matter expert to being the leader. This book provides real-life examples to help you bridge the gap between your technical skills and the leadership skills required to guide individuals, teams, and organizations. If you're ready to step up your leadership practice, this book needs to be part of your toolkit. 4.8 stars, 15 ratings. From $9.99 SHOP NOW / 

In the summer of 1943, Brooklyn detectives Maeve O’Shaughnessy and Vic Marino are hired to find a missing man, pulling them into a dangerous web of gang wars, black market dealings, and FBI intrigue. As World War II rages on, Maeve juggles her role as guardian to her teenage brother while navigating a corrupt police force, old flames, and the weight of a soldier boyfriend overseas. Against a backdrop of rationing, war bonds, and fleeting moments of jazz and Coney Island escapes, the detectives must unravel dark secrets before the city’s underbelly consumes them. 4.4 stars, 750+ ratings on Goodreads. $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

A shy librarian and a university scholar meet in a bookstore. He's been waiting for a partner like her his whole life. She's starting her whole life over. What ensues between the two lovers is magic. Given that he's about to become her tutor in erotic and magical arts, that's only to be expected. Book 1 of The Magnum Opus Series. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

New release: I was only there to deliver pastries at the lavish party. Not get entangled in a scandal with the magnetic Dominic Fiore. But when I accidentally witness a crime that suddenly marks me as a target of his ruthless enemies, Dominic decides to keep me close for my own protection. Now, confined within the walls of his lavish mansion, every smoldering glance, every forbidden touch, ignites a fire that threatens to consume us whole. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Considering Us, a new release from Jenn Bouchard, author of award-winning women's fiction and romantic comedy.

"A soul-searching, second-chance romance for readers who love a strong female lead." ~Kirkus Reviews

Considering Us

After an affair with a client's husband leads to scandal, private chef Devon Paige is left with only one client in Boston—a reclusive professional basketball player with a craving for cookies. As a result, Devon takes a job at a boarding school on the New Hampshire seacoast as head of dining services.

Devon is shocked to discover Kyle Holling on staff. She hasn't seen Kyle in more than fifteen years...not since a memorable night just before departing for college in different cities. Devon and Kyle must determine what their relationship looks like years later, all while dodging the cameras of an underground newspaper, dealing with the installation of a controversial campus sculpture, and grappling with the arrival of Devon's former lover's daughter as a new student.

When Devon meets a handsome paramedic named Heath, she ditches the possibility of romance with Kyle in favor of what appears to be a more straightforward relationship. But a trip to Los Angeles to keep her client well-fed ahead of his basketball game threatens to upend everything, forcing Devon to finally answer the one question she has been avoiding: Is fifteen years too late to rekindle a one-night stand?

Praise for Considering Us
"Bouchard dishes up the sweetest second chance romance that will warm your heart to the end." ~Caitlin Moss, author of You First and Goodbye Again

"For readers who know sometimes the right person comes along at the wrong time, but that fate has a way of bringing us second chances." ~Sharon M. Peterson, The Do-Over

"A feel-good, humorous yet realistic book that I'll hold in my heart as a new classic." ~C. D'Angelo, The Difference

First Course

After four devastating events, including her parents' tragic plane crash, Janie Whitman retreats to her family's summer house in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, to support her sister and nieces. A chance meeting with a high school guidance counselor named Rocky sparks a whirlwind romance, offering Janie hope for a new future. As they navigate their romantic entanglements and work to create a memorial for their parents, the Whitman sisters discover the potential for second acts in their lives.

Recognition for First Course
Recipient of 14 awards, including 2 Eric Hoffer Awards

        

Free online: Canadian Artists' Book Symposium. Join for all or part of this free all-day symposium to hear book artists talk about the art and process of bookmaking. Presented by Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) University. Wednesday, February 12, 9 AM to 5 PM EST. 

“i am a museum full of art / but you had your eyes shut” ~Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey

At the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, former Secret Service agent Sam Kilbrough pulls a gun and shoots the president sparking the trial of the century. Did Elijah Styles, the nation’s first gay VP, conspire to assassinate his boss? Or is he the victim of a masterful setup? As the trial unfolds, a divided nation watches, a relentless prosecutor seeks a conviction, and a diverse jury wrestles with truth, politics, and justice in a case that could alter the course of history. 4.6 stars, 14 ratings. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

From a USA Today bestselling author! In this free space opera / military sci-fi novel, the decommissioned starship Freedom is operating as a tourist attraction and museum—until aliens attack and it’s the only warship left! Can Captain James King prepare the old vessel for battle once again? For fans of Battlestar Galactica and Starship Troopers. Book 1 in the Starship Freedom Series. "Nonstop action!" ~Amazon Vine Voice Review. 4.1 stars, 2500+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

The Lost Boys meets Stephen King's Joyland. Set in 1986 in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, this novel follows a boy who falls for a girl who turns out to be more than he bargained for. Perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix and coming-of-age horror. "A family of vampires terrorizes a seaside town in Rolfe's lurid tale of adolescent romance and murder." ~Publishers Weekly. 4.4 stars, 100+ ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Just as Paula learns she’s won the Nobel Prize for her groundbreaking work in molecular biology, her love interest dumps her via text—and moments later, she dies in a tragic accident. But her lifelong friend Alex, a genius in spacetime tunneling technology, refuses to let fate have the last word. Together, these two brilliant scientists embark on a daring journey through time and space, only to find themselves stranded on a distant world where survival—and their undeniable chemistry—become the ultimate challenge. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Seattle attorney Camille Delaney is struggling to keep her solo practice afloat while raising three daughters when Helene Anderson walks into her office, desperate for justice after her baby dies during a C-section. Jessica takes on the case against a renowned doctor and her influential father, and soon uncovers alarming evidence—unstable behavior, breaches of care, and a dark family past tied to a psychiatric facility. As the trial looms, Jessica must navigate a flawed legal system and uncover the truth before justice slips away. 4.7 stars, 91 ratings. From $1.99 SHOP NOW / 

A raw, humorous account of modern womanhood, the cost of chasing perfection, and the journey to self-discovery. Christine Amoroso thought she had the perfect life: a sandy-haired surfer, a baby at seventeen, and dreams of having it all—even if in the "wrong" order. But it all unraveled. Hard work and "doing the right thing" hadn’t brought happiness or lasting love. Searching for a fresh start, she turned inward, realizing her worth couldn’t depend on accomplishments or others. 4.8 stars, 80 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Feeling overwhelmed by chaos, stress, and fear? This spiritual and inspirational guide reveals the secrets to self-mastery, emotional intelligence, and inner strength. Designed for those seeking stability and transformation, it offers deep yet accessible insights to help you break free from the rat race and navigate life’s challenges with clarity and control. 4.7 stars, 48 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

We all experience struggles and challenges in life. As we grow and learn, we adapt to the environment we are placed in and make choices based on those circumstances. Embracing life’s journey with the guidance of Jesus is a way forward, but trusting God’s plan for our lives seems to be more difficult than it should be. The logical question is, "Why?" From $9.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Congratulations to award-winning author Julie Ryan McGue on the release of Twice the Family, the much-anticipated prequel to McGue’s debut memoir, Twice a Daughter.

"Through the lens of her personal history, McGue explores human nature, family, and connection." ~Kirkus Reviews

Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood

In this coming-of-age memoir set in Chicago’s western suburbs between the 1960s and ’80s, adopted twins Julie and Jenny provide their parents with an instant family. Their sisterly bond holds tight as the two strive for identity, individuality, and belonging. But as their parents continue adding children to the family, some painful and tragic experiences test family values, parental relationships, and sibling bonds.

Faced with these hurdles, Julie questions everything—who she is, how she fits in, her adoption circumstances, her faith, and her idea of family. But the life her parents have constructed is not one she wants for herself—and as she matures, she recognizes how the experiences that formed her have provided her a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.

Praise for Twice the Family
"A memoir about faith, family, and doing right by others." ~Foreword Reviews

"A heartfelt exploration of connection, community, and the unbreakable bond between sisters." ~Simone Knego, author of The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You

"Intimate coming-of-age memoir about fragility and preciousness of life." ~Rikki West, Rootlines

Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging

Julie is adopted. She is also a twin. Because their adoption was closed, she and her sister lack both a health history and their adoption papers—which becomes an issue for Julie when, at forty-eight years old, she finds herself facing several serious health issues.

To launch the probe into her closed adoption, Julie first needs the support of her sister. The twins talk things over, and make a pact: Julie will approach their adoptive parents for the adoption paperwork and investigate search options, and the sisters will split the costs involved in locating their birth relatives. But their adoptive parents aren’t happy that their daughters want to locate their birth parents—and that is only the first of many obstacles Julie will come up against as she digs into her background.

Julie’s search for her birth relatives spans eight years and involves a search agency, a private investigator, a confidential intermediary, a judge, an adoption agency, a social worker, and a genealogist. By journey’s end, what began as a simple desire for a family medical history has evolved into a complicated quest—one that unearths secrets, lies, and family members that are literally right next door.

Praise for Twice a Daughter
"An engaging, endearing chronicle of a woman’s quest to find her origins." ~Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling, poignant memoir about the search for truth and belonging." ~Readers' Favorite

Awards:

• National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in Parenting & Family
• International Book Awards Winner in Parenting & Family
• International Book Awards Finalist in Best New Nonfiction, Nonfiction: Narrative, and Women’s Issues / Women’s Studies
• Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Parenting & Family
• CIBA Nellie Bly Book Awards Finalist
• NYC Big Book Awards Winner in Personal Growth
• NYC Big Book Awards Distinguished Favorite in Parenting & Family
• Living Now Awards Gold Winner in Memoir—Female

Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship

Belonging Matters supports the adoption community while creating a conversation with those not directly touched by adoption. The collection explores the pursuit of identity and the boundaries of family and kinship. It challenges the reader to embrace all of who we come to be, and to discern with whom and where we belong. Because belonging defines the human experience, and it is what nourishes our spirit, fuels us with purpose, and compels us to soar beyond the limitations of our lived experience.

Praise for Belonging Matters
"Rich with compassion and wisdom." ~Midwest Book Review

"A narrative where the pursuit of identity intersects with human connection." ~American Writing Awards Book Reviews

Awards:

• Literary Titan Book Award Winner
• Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards
• Firebird Book Award Winner
• Finalist in the Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for Book Cover Design and in the Personal Growth category
• Finalist in the International Book Awards in Parenting & Family category
• Nonfiction Winner, Honorable Mention in New York Book Festival

• Get a free download of Empathy: The Ripple Effect by signing up for Julie's free bimonthly newsletters. (See the pop-up sign-up form on her website.).
• Connect with her via podcasts and in-person events. (See the list of dates and events under "Follow Me" on her home page—including an appearance at Anderson's Bookstore in Downers Grove on February 18 for our friends in the Chicago area!)
• Finally, be sure to follow Julie online:

          

Free online: Veteran Poets & Storytellers. Military veterans Ralph S. Carlson, Ken Klemm, Benjamin Fortier, and Kyrie Ravencry will present their original poetry and creative nonfiction via Zoom. In addition to sharing their experiences in the military and coming home, they will take questions from the audience afterwards. Saturday, February 8, 5:00 - 6:30 PM PST. 

“No soldier ever really survives a war.” ~Audie Murphy

When bad things happen, we search for answers. Imagine meeting the person who holds them, sitting on a park bench. The Bench pulls you in from the first page, weaving the lives of five strangers through trauma and a mysterious figure. 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, 131 ratings. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

In a future world ruled by an AI that ranks citizens by their societal value, the privileged elite of the Premier Society reign—until their world begins to fracture. As Dr. Callan Valor pushes surgical innovation, fighter Tobias Kane risks everything for glory, and global icon Ava Grace faces the fragility of fame, they, along with a visionary scientist, a covert operative, and a genius geneticist, must confront the hidden costs of their success. A gripping tale of ambition, power, and the human cost of a world where survival is a privilege, not a right. From $3.00. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Seattle attorney Camille Delaney is struggling to keep her new solo practice afloat while raising three daughters when Helene Anderson walks into her office, desperate for justice after her baby dies during an emergency C-section. Taking on the case against renowned doctor Jessica Kensington and her influential father, Camille uncovers unstable behavior, breaches of care, and a dark family past tied to a psychiatric facility. As the trial looms, she must navigate a flawed legal system and uncover the truth before justice slips away. 4.7 stars, 91 ratings. From $1.99 SHOP NOW /