Today's Featured Books

Children tell you the story! Watch as a tortoise, cat, pig, bird, and insects plant a mysterious black seed. What will grow as the fruit of their labors? Kids’ vocabulary blooms as they describe events. Explore this simple gardening story for beginner readers. Low stimulation for autistic children. Build kids’ minds today! From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

SPECIAL OFFER - TWO FREE DOWNLOADS!

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Pharaoh's Cat Novels from author Maria Luisa Lang, two books of historical fantasy that are also full of humor—and the e-book editions of each book are currently available as free downloads!

• The Pharaoh's Cat, Book 1 in 4.5 stars, 228 ratings
• The Eye of Nefertiti, 4.4 stars, 131 ratings

"Witty, clever and easy to read." ~Susan Barton, eBook Review Gal

The Pharaoh's Cat

Suddenly talking and walking upright, a stray tomcat in ancient Egypt becomes the young Pharaoh's intimate and, when accused of his murder, time travels to New York City and learns how to raise him from the dead.

The cat is a quick-witted, wisecracking narrator as well as a free-spirited, ever-curious protagonist, and the story he tells is an exotic, imaginative, spell-binding tragicomedy. The novel interweaves feline and human, past and present, natural and supernatural. It contains numerous surprises, twists and turns, intriguing characters, both human and animal, fascinating revelations about ancient Egyptian history and culture.

Praise for The Pharaoh's Cat
"A wealth of rich history here, brought to life by a talented storyteller." ~Don Sloan, justfreeandbargainbooks

"A fun book and a new take on historical fiction." ~Teresa A.Wilson, terriluvsbooks

"Great for long-time fans of cats or for readers looking for a good and fun read." ~Joss Radillo, Koko's Book Blog

The Eye of Nefertiti

Now a New Yorker, the Pharaoh’s cat travels back in time to free Egypt’s legendary Queen Nefertiti from a horrific curse, discovering firsthand why her mummy has never been found and her famous bust is missing one eye.

Added to all this is an ingenious use of the Tarot and Italian opera, making for a fabulous story that will transport readers to different locations in the past and present.

Praise for The Eye of Nefertiti
"Well-written historical fiction." ~Wendy Scott, Multi-Award Winning Author

"Highly recommended." ~Charity Rowell-Stansbury, On My Kindle Book Reviews

"Oozes with charm...a nice blend of everything from mystery, adventure, and even a touch of romance." ~Socrates Book Review

Free online: Mississauga Library’s Author Talk Series. Join Nicola Ross, a National Magazine Award–winning journalist, who will be discussing 40 Days & 40 Hikes, a chronicle of her hike of the Bruce Trail, Canada's longest marked trail (more than 900 kilometers!). Perfect for hikers, non-hikers, and anyone who loves an adventure. Wednesday, March 26, 6-7 PM CDT. 

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” ~John Muir

EMT Gus has his sights set on a promotion to paramedic. He doesn’t care that his rookie partner thinks he’d do the job better. Or that the straight, married dad is all wrong for him. Madoc restarted his career to make a better life for his daughter. He hates having to be a rookie again. Especially when he can’t stop thinking about his new boss, Gus. The partners strike up a friendship, but when crushes become real feelings and Gus bonds with Madoc’s child, will Madoc be ready to stop playing it straight? 4.4 stars, 74 ratings on Goodreads. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

New release. Set in London during WW2. Follow Lt. Sarah Leach, a Brit with MI6, and Robert Johnston, an American at the OSS, as they trade secrets and sex while working for the Allied effort. Developing assets for the D-Day invasion among French Resistance fighters leads to Sarah’s capture by the SS. Her location is unknown until Bletchley Park friends reveal classified intel to Robert. Will his rescue party get to her in time? Historical events and a sweeping cast of real and fictitious characters round out this “terrific read.” FREE - SHOP NOW / 

From Australian author Brian Sherlock: "Everyone will only ever have a first solo trip...and for mine I chose to spend it with some whale sharks in Western Australia. It was a big step, but it was one I gladly took with a backpack named Luna and some undiagnosed autism for company. Sometimes I second guess myself and sometimes I don't." Find out how things turn out in Western Steps. $3.00 - SHOP NOW / 

New releases from Vine Leaves Press!
Check out the new titles released in March from Vine Leaves Press, an indie press that pushes boundaries, celebrates individuality, and amplifies unique voices. This month's new releases include Literary Fiction, Thriller, and Sci-Fi titles...

• Finding Serenissima by Apple Gidley
• Shaken by Jill Amber Chafin
• Tick... Tick...Tick... by Steve Zettler

Read on to learn more!

Finding Serenissima

Widowed Amelia rediscovers love, family, and identity amidst Venice's magic.

With the help of a feisty hotel owner, an attractive water-taxi driver, and a gondola full of Italians who call Venice home, Amelia, a widowed Australian, begins her search for serenity. As the island city works its magic, she comes to realize her life has been overshadowed by her famous American husband, Leo, well before his decline into Alzheimer’s. 

As Amelia navigates Venice’s winding canals and its language, she gracefully confronts the joys and challenges of aging, discovering that love and laughter can come at any stage of life. Balancing long-distance parenting and familial obligations, she redefines what it means to live fully as an older woman, all while the magical city slowly helps her reclaim her identity.

Finding Serenissima is a heartwarming tale of second chances, exploring the complexities of long marriage, independence, and rediscovering love in the most unexpected places.

Praise for Finding Serenissima
★★★★★ “A literary gem that immediately seized my heart.” ~Caroline James, author of The Cruise

★★★★★ “A charming journey.” ~Alka Joshi, author of the NYT bestselling The Henna Artist

★★★★★ “Vibrant as a glass of prosecco.” ~Janet Newman, author of Letters from Clara

★★★★★ “Compelling, honest and ultimately uplifting story of love and loss, friendship and community, joy and self-discovery.” ~Suzanne Leal, author of The Watchful Wife

Shaken

Does one irreversible mistake define you forever?

When Sally unexpectedly becomes a mother at twenty, she tries her best to build a stable life for her son, Morgan. But the sleepless nights, overwhelming isolation, and relentless cries wear her down until she breaks, and in a moment of desperation, she does the unthinkable: she shakes her baby. Consumed by guilt and fear, Sally buries her actions beneath a facade of normalcy, but the cracks are beginning to show.

Enter Alyssa, the teenage babysitter, who is left in charge the night after the incident. As Morgan's condition deteriorates, Sally's partner, Charles, grows increasingly concerned. A series of alarming doctors’ visits spiral into a nightmare when authorities are alerted and fingers start pointing at Alyssa. Will Sally come forward and risk losing everything, or will she try to maintain the illusion of being a perfect mother—even if it means someone else takes the blame? 

Shaken explores the intense, often unspoken, struggles of new motherhood and the complexities of human fallibility. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Lisa Jewell, and Freida McFadden.

Praise for Shaken
★★★★★ “Shocking.” ~Valerie Taylor, author of A Whale of a Murder

★★★★★ “Gripping debut... a complex story about the nuances of love, grief, loneliness, and the moments of fear or rage that can change lives.” ~Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son

★★★★★ “Memorable characters with an unforgettable story.” ~Lisa Towles, award-winning author of Salt Island

Tick... Tick...Tick...

Life as we know it hangs in the balance.

Harlan Stone is at the top of his game—an unflinching federal agent who reports solely to the President. But why is this highly specialized operative poking around Pennsylvania Dutch Country, grilling a back-water doctor about a sterile bull? 

Questions proliferate. Within a month, the global beef market collapses, and unexplained environmental disasters and panic strike worldwide. The Earth is spiraling toward catastrophic ruin. Eco-terrorists? Ruthless extortionists? Rogue nations? Someone’s after something, but who and why?

It’s a race against time; the future of the planet is on a stopwatch, and Harlan is the one person capable of preserving humanity.

Praise for Tick... Tick...Tick...
★★★★★ “A spell-binding tale of intrigue and science fiction.” ~Armin Shimerman, star of Star Trek: Deep Space 9

★★★★★ “An espionage farce full of sex, spies, sci-fi, and secrets with a serious message.” ~Gregory Frost, author of the Rhymer Trilogy

★★★★★ “A nail-biting thriller.” ~Lanny Larcinese, author of Get Bek

Free online: Writers' Room of Boston - Readings from the Room. Join virtually for an evening at the Writers' Room of Boston, hosted by Spencer Storey Johnson and featuring the work of Eleanor Kedney and Matt Gillick. Tuesday, March 25, 7 PM EDT. 

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” ~Oscar Wilde

How much would you pay to cheat death? NewEden Life Sciences promises its revolutionary breakthroughs can add decades to clients' lifespans—and may even conquer death forever. But does the hype hide a darker agenda? Join gutsy journalist Carmen Norrell in her race to uncover NewEden’s secrets in this Christian sci-fi thriller. Fans of CS Lewis’ space trilogy will love Bright Eternity. Part of The Brightness Trilogy. "Extremely well done." ~Amazon Vine Voice Review. 4.8 stars, 26 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Duante grapples with the profound loss of his parents, reflecting on a moment in a Harlem church where he felt an intense anger towards God. Now, in the sterile office of Dr. Cardoso in Manhattan, Duante contemplates the lives of strangers below, wishing he could trade places with them. His therapy sessions reveal his struggle with grief and the weight of being different at school—a burden amplified by the eyes of his peers. Duante recalls the overwhelming experience of his parents' funeral, attended by thousands. From $2.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Explore the profound meaning within our connections to one another via this collection of five stories celebrating renewal and redemption. Despite all the love and attention his family can give, Tony, the golden boy, hits the skids. Katie and Danny buy their dream house, but their future shatters when Danny becomes ill. Rowena, a college student who works as a server, has a dream that will forever change her life. And Katrin’s life is transformed by a mysterious stranger she meets on the lake. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

On Valentine's Day 2013, Olympian Oscar Pistorius heard a sound from his bathroom. Fearing someone was about to harm him and his girlfriend, Reeva, he grabbed his pistol and fired four shots into the bathroom. But it wasn't an intruder; instead, he killed his lover, and he was convicted of murder. Clinical psychologist Brent Willock brings a new perspective to bear on these horrific events: that Oscar's horrific actions occurred while he was in a state of paradoxical sleep. Willock uses scientific scrutiny and legal precedence to resolve the crucial anomalies surrounding the Pistorius trial. From$0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

New release: One wardrobe malfunction. Four people who shouldn’t be together. One secret that changes everything. I've had a crush on my best friend's charismatic brother—and his brothers—since forever. Growing up, they were my protectors. Now, after years apart, they’re finally ready to show me how they feel. A sexy, stand-alone best friend's brothers reverse harem romance filled with humor, danger, and generous amounts of love. $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on three powerful books from author and former flight attendant Nattanya Andersen. Follow Nattanya's experience of surviving an engine explosion mid-flight and overcoming PTSD while also battling the mental health industry and the military-industrial complex: 

• Broken Wings: A Flight Attendant's Journey
• The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fallacy
• Serving Evil

Broken Wings: A Flight Attendant's Journey

An eye-opening must-read that will deeply touch all travel professionals and passengers

Following an in-flight engine explosion, senior flight attendant Nattanya Andersen was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But the airline company denied Nattanya's problems, leading her to fight back against her employer, the airline industry, unions, and multi-government bureaucracies, all shamelessly maneuvering to deny benefits and maximize profits.

Refreshingly, this tale is not told from a powerless victim's position but with the use of balance and humor for truth and justice. Ultimately, the author brings hope that, at some point, corporations will switch from a context of denial to a desire of monitoring and improving their employees' and customers' health and well-being.

★★★★★ "Finally a book that spells out the truth about what being a flight attendant is all about." ~Amazon Review

The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fallacy

A Mental Health Industry Bonanza of Profit and Human Destruction

After surviving a mid-air engine explosion, flight attendant Nattanya Andersen was thrown into the surprisingly unscrupulous world of the mental health industry. As one of the few to escape its grasp with her faculties still intact, Andersen reveals the secrets that mental health practitioners don’t want you to know.

Meticulously researched, The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fallacy shines a light on an industry that defies scrutiny. After more than a decade of “treatment,” the author reveals a shocking truth about PTSD that few people know, and still fewer will tell. A must-read for anyone who has been diagnosed with PTSD, this book reveals the shocking deep secrets the mental health industry and the military-industrial complex does NOT want you to know!

★★★★★ "Challenges the basic assumptions about the PTSD treatment." ~Goodreads Review

Serving Evil

A thought-provoking journey into one woman’s experience and extensive research into PTSD

After surviving being blown out of the sky, flight attendant Nattanya Andersen then had to survive battling 23 psychiatrists and psychologists employed by the airline corporation, industry and Workers Compensation Board, all of whom seemed intent on driving her to suicide.

With the help of an Irish psychiatrist, Nattanya survived 10 years of that corporate traumatization. Many years later, after combining her personal experience with massive amounts of research into PTSD, Nattanya reveals the shocking truth: the powers that be want to sweep you and your PTSD under the rug rather than do everything they can to assist you in reclaiming your life. Keeping you sick and treating you is clearly more profitable.

★★★★ "An eye-opener!" ~Amazon Review

Free online: Starburst Speculative Poetry Reading for Women’s History Month, featuring Vivian Faith Prescott, born and raised on the island of Kaachx̱ana.áakʼw, Wrangell, Alaska, in the Alexander Archipelago. Vivian is author of 13 books, including poetry, short stories, and a foodoir. Sunday, March 23, 7-8 PM ET.

“Spring is made of solid, fourteen-karat gratitude." ~Barbara Kingsolver

Sixty-four years after World War II, the walls of Terezín still guard their secrets—until graffiti artist Briney Ruza starts painting them. Her work catches the eye of aging survivor Evzen Kravitz, who has never stopped searching for a stolen family heirloom. Through their uneasy alliance, Briney and Evzen uncover a corruption scheme blocking Holocaust survivors from reclaiming stolen property while funding neo-Nazis. Briney has her own secrets, and soon, the lives of those around her will change forever—or be lost. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

A love that defies the ocean. A secret deeper than blood. Driven from her home in England by hostile political forces, Estrela was a mere girl when she came to be raised by a Lakota tribe. But on the eve of her marriage, she is torn from her warrior's arms and sent abroad. Though Black Bear follows her, he can't understand the many attempts on her life. Who is trying to kill such a beautiful woman? Part of the Lakota Series. 4.4 stars, 232 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

Transform your life with the help of this practical guide to self-mastery and personal growth. Drawing from timeless wisdom, this book shows how your thoughts shape your reality and provides actionable strategies to overcome obstacles, cultivate resilience, and unlock your full potential. Whether you're new to personal development or a seasoned seeker, this inspiring guide bridges philosophy with real-world solutions, empowering you to turn aspirations into achievements. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Vincenzo Barone, Spain’s most feared criminal, breaks my heart when he believes I’ve been working with the police. Before his family can carry out the execution, I escape—with a secret growing inside me: I’m pregnant. A year later, I'm going back for our son, who is being cared for by a friend, but Vincenzo’s brothers capture me. I’m thrown back into the Barone mansion, where I come face-to-face with the man I now hate most. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Follow the gripping saga of Catrin, a Celtic warrior princess, and Marcellus, a Roman nobleman, in a tale of war, loyalty, love, and destiny that blends ancient Celtic lore with historical fiction. In a world of mysticism, magic, and political intrigue, their forbidden love is entangled in betrayal and treachery as they journey through a turbulent and mystical era. Book 2 of the Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series. 4.3 stars, 57 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW / 

I was settling into a quiet life. Work, reading, and endless hours riding and living with my brothers of the Dirty Sinners MC. Until Avery appeared. An innocent angel who needed protecting. I would give her everything I had. Part of the Dirty Sinners Series. 4.4 stars, 400+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Your Home Remedy for Acid Reflux Disease: Live, Eat and Heal Abundantly from Dr. Howard Christian. Unlock your innate power to heal your acid reflux disease with the same approach Dr. Christian used to heal his own GERD.

Bonus: Get two FREE e-books from Dr. Howard Christian: 

• Your Weekly Symptoms & Book Charts
• Bridging Symptoms & Stories

Your Home Remedy for Acid Reflux Disease

Live, Eat and Heal Abundantly

If you’re trapped in a cycle of painful acid reflux symptoms, discover the groundbreaking approach Dr. Howard Christian used to heal his own GERD. This intuitive, self-help guide will give you the essential, practical knowledge you need to transform your health and your life.

Whether you’ve tried countless remedies and still battle painful acid reflux symptoms or you’re just starting your GERD journey, hope is here. By uncovering the hidden roots of your disease, you can unlock your healing potential and reclaim your life.

★★★★½ "An eye-opening and invaluable guide to self-healing from author and well-being navigator Dr. Howard Christian." ~Self-Publishing Review

"I have struggled with gut-related issues since I was a teenager... This book is going to be life-changing for so many people, myself included." ~Annalise Reads Reviews (& acid reflux sufferer)

Free Preview
Get a free download of the first three chapters of Your Home Remedy for Acid Reflux Disease. (Follow the link and scroll down to the sign-up form to get the free download.) 

Free online: Strong Women, Strange Worlds. Celebrate the first day of spring with author readings of science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories. Join to hear six authors do quick (8-minute) reads of their work. Thursday, March 20, 6-7 PM CDT. 

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” ~Leo Tolstoy

How exactly did the Keystone Cops achieve national comedic infamy? Before the slapstick films, Rick Darrow (The Big Gun) and his brothers ran Keystone Oil, the Keystone Gazette, and Keystone, Ohio’s brothels and speakeasies. All seemed to chug along until ignoring reality led to disastrous events—incidents too ghastly for entry into the delicate tapestry of polite conversation. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Protect the world. Preserve peace. Guard the secrets. For centuries, Hunters have fought Rev'ers—demons lurking in the shadows—while keeping their existence hidden. But now, the balance is breaking. A deadly legend, Bezaleel, has returned. Hunter Mafuyu must protect Mirai, an ex-Hunter who holds the key to stopping Bezaleel—a past as deadly as the demons they fight. As chaos spreads, Mirai may be the world’s last hope—or the reason it falls into Bezaleel’s hands. 4.2 stars, 12 ratings. From $0.99 - SHOP NOW /