Today's Featured Books

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Kelly Thacker, an author who delights in letting "characters take on a life of their own," which she says gives her no choice but "to keep your fingers on the keyboard, hang on, and watch what happens." Her ultimate goal: Stories that uplift and inspire the soul.

Read on to learn about I'll Tell You What I Think, the amusing biography of a self-important cat, and Numberless Dreams, a tale of romantic suspense.

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I'll Tell You What I Think

Genre: Humor
Recent release: September 2023
Paperback: $11.99
Ebook: $4.99  

The amusing autobiography of a self-important cat, written from his sophisticated and cynical point of view.

Thor is not your average cat. Suave, cool, man-about-town, he shares his observations of the people and pets in his household. Left on the doorstep as a newborn, his first order of business is establishing himself as the alpha male of the household. This is no problem with Maggie, the insecure family dog, but trying to convince the master of the family, the ultra-alpha male, proves to be more of a challenge.

Although Thor loathes dogs, his impatience with Maggie's insecurities compels him to teach her how to abandon her doubts and embrace life. And with the successful completion of the Maggie project, he plans on spending the rest of his life in total self-absorption. But when the mistress of the house loses a loved one, Thor feels a cracking of his heart, resulting in a closer look at his own selfishness.

I'll Tell You What I Think is an irreverent, humorous, and poignant story for animal lovers. Beyond eliciting laughter at Thor's ridiculous antics and unique voice, the book will tug at your heartstrings as it moves toward a surprising and tender ending.

"This book is absolutely hysterical, from the very first sentence down to the last. I quickly devoured it in a day, and my kids are currently fighting over who gets it next after they read the opening chapter to their friends and they all howled with laughter. This really is a book for all ages, but don’t be fooled—it is sharp and intelligently written." ~Lindsay Maxfield, author of Messages From the Stars

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Numberless Dreams

Genre: Romantic Suspense
4.3 stars, 9 ratings on Amazon
Paperback: $14.99
Ebook: From $2.99  

A broken marriage, a second chance, a charge of attempted murder.

If you had one chance to convince your ex-husband you were not the distant and insecure woman who walked away five years ago, what would you say?

Autumn took a chance breaking into Jonathan's house. How could she make him understand she had been pretending to fall out of love with him to save his life?

She had mistakenly thought she could keep her past safely hidden during their whirlwind courtship and marriage, but it had only resurfaced as she relived the pain of her childhood at the hands of an abusive mother. Now, after spending the last five years exorcising her demons, she is ready to fight for a second chance.

Despite Jonathan’s best efforts to resist, he finds himself falling back in love with the raw vulnerability of this new Autumn. Holding nothing back, she shares the real truth behind her balancing act during the crumbling marriage she had desperately tried to keep together. After many cathartic talks examining their marriage and what went wrong, he is ready to trust her once again.

But when Jonathan is mysteriously poisoned and nearly dies, Autumn becomes the prime suspect. Fighting once again to save her marriage and her life, she takes a gamble on her chance for acquittal, knowing she might lose everything in the process.

"Kelly Thacker’s characters are deliciously flawed and compelling. She unfolds a story both sweet and tragic with such grace that I found myself completely, emotionally engaged. Initially a romance, it evolves through a personal journey of self-discovery, until finally it climaxes as a courtroom drama, with a breathless ending. Incredible!" ~Tres Hatch, internationally acclaimed speaker and author

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About the Author
A lifelong lover of animals, Kelly Thacker lives with her husband in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves books and believes that the best way to embrace that love is to write. She began her writing career in "middle age," inspired by the fact that Alan Bradley had written his first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, at age 70. Learn more at WriterKellyThacker.com (where you can also sign up for her newsletter) and be sure to follow her online:
 

New giveaway: Enter the Merry Giveaway (hosted by Reader Central) for a chance to win a $150 Amazon.com gift card. Deadline: December 31, 2023. 

"Remember that the most important thing is to try and love other people as much as they love you." ~David Sedaris, Holidays on Ice

2023 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite for Thriller. Wyatt Dardin is an artist and successful junkyard operator, with a girlfriend and two beautiful dogs. He believes his violent childhood is behind him—until a child shows up with a broken arm and a story about his abusive father. Unable to stand idly by, he confronts the man and inadvertently kills him. This sparks a series of events that puts everything and everyone Wyatt holds dear in grave danger. Has his shot at justice been worth it? 4.4 stars, 74 ratings on Goodreads. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

A contemporary children's book with a straightforward storyline and vibrant illustrations. The classic tale is skillfully retold, offering a fresh perspective on the timeless lesson of resourcefulness and trust. The wolf might not be as bad as what they told you about. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

"I was so transfixed, I whipped through the pages." -Reader review. A wily bomber... A determined activist... A man with a secret… Uncompromising eco-activist Summer Avery has one mission—stop the Minas Basin tidal energy project and snag the EcoGreen directorship—and she won’t let her attraction to the enigmatic marine biologist Gil Moses get in her way. Meanwhile, Gil plans to catch the person sabotaging the project. But it doesn’t matter what Summer wants or what Gil plans...because there’s a killer coming for both of them. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

Embark on an exciting journey and learn Italian with 20 engaging short stories! As you dive into these engaging narratives, you'll effortlessly pick up new vocabulary, grasp essential grammar concepts, and gain valuable cultural insights into Italian culture. These stories will help you have meaningful conversations with native Italian speakers, bridging the language gap and immersing yourself in a rich cultural exchange. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

A Hollywood starlet caught in a scandal. The boy she never got over. A Christmas season they’ll never forget. 
Told in a dual timeline and inspired by the Taylor Swift song of the same title, ‘Tis the Damn Season is a charming new contemporary romance destined to break your heart and put it right back together. "A delightful romp through our favorite holiday tropes." -Courtney Kae, author of In the Event of Love. From $1.99 SHOP NOW / 

Ten years ago, Mick should have arrested the drunk, angry woman vandalizing a cemetery. Instead, on that cold night, he yielded to her pain and rage, and let her go. Now a former cop, he's come to New Orleans on business, which brings him face-to-face with the woman he never forgot. "Hill brings you into her world and you don't ever want to leave." -Wyldheart Reads. A Mistresses of the Board Room Series novel. From $5.99. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Fourteenth of September by Rita Dragonette, an enthralling historical novel set during the peak of the Vietnam War and told through the rare perspective of a young woman who traces her path to self-discovery and a “Coming of Conscience.”

"A moving tribute to lives altered by chance." ~Foreword Clarion Reviews

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The Fourteenth of September: A Novel

Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
4.2 stars, 316 ratings on Goodreads
4.3 stars, 212 ratings on Amazon
4.7 stars, 21 ratings on BookBub
Paperback: From $11.79
Ebook: $4.99  

"A strong-hearted and authentic novel about a naive young girl and her struggle to reconcile the dissonance between the world she sees and the world she was raised to believe in." ~Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean

On September 14, 1969, Private First Class Judy Talton celebrates her nineteenth birthday by secretly joining the campus anti-Vietnam War movement. In doing so, she jeopardizes both the army scholarship that will secure her future and her relationship with her military family. But Judy’s doubts have escalated with the travesties of the war. Who is she if she stays in the army? What is she if she leaves?

When the first date pulled in the Draft Lottery turns up as her birthday, she realizes that if she were a man, she’d have been Number One―off to Vietnam with an under-fire life expectancy of six seconds. The stakes become clear, propelling her toward a life-altering choice as fateful as that of any draftee.

Judy’s story speaks to the poignant clash of young adulthood, early feminism, and war, offering an ageless inquiry into the domestic politics of protest when the world stops making sense.

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Praise for The Fourteenth of September
"The ebb and flow between a nineteen-year-old’s mistakes, vulnerability, and surprising moments of insight ring achingly true." ~Foreword Clarion Reviews

"An often fresh take on the collegiate anti-war movement in small-town America." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully written with compassionate and thoughtful narrative and engaging characters who play out all the angst of the era set on a Midwestern college campus when America was at its most vulnerable. Dragonette show us what we can be, both in our best and our worst." ~Windy City Reviews

"A new and unique perspective of the politically divisive Vietnam War." ~Midwest Book Review

"A moving book on this time in history from a rarely heard point of view." ~Historical Novel Society

"A writer of great talent and integrity who infuses this debut work with an energy and vision that lifts it far beyond the ordinary coming-of-age story. This is an important book, not to be missed." ~Gary D. Wilson, author of Getting Right and Sing, Ronnie Blue

"A terrific book for anyone who enjoys American history, women’s lit...or simply a great story." ~Josh Lohrius, author of The Breaking of Goody Boothe

"A novel for those of us who look back and marvel at the profound decisions we were called upon to make when we were so young, [and] for a whole new generation facing the crucial questions of a turbulent, changing world that will define them." ~Barbara Shoup, author of Looking for Jack Kerouac and An American Tune
 

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About the Author
Rita Dragonette is a writer who, after a career telling the stories of others as an award-winning public relations executive, has returned to her original creative path. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Fourteenth of September, is based upon her personal experiences on campus during the Vietnam War. She lives and writes in Chicago, where she also hosts literary salons to showcase authors and their new books to avid readers. Learn more at RitaDragonette.com, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her online:
 

Free online: First Friday Book Talk & Reading. Presented by Larksong Writers Space: Join freelance journalist Carson Vaughan for a discussion of his first book, Zoo Nebraska: The Dismantling of an American Dream, and his upcoming book, a travelogue through the Nebraska Sandhills. Friday, December 1, 12 PM CST.

"Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers." ~Kahlil Gibran

They came from beyond. From beyond the galaxy. From beyond human understanding. They came with one mission. To kill us all. From the shadows of despair, heroes will rise. Heroes will sound the cry of our world, the prayer of our people. "Hear, O Earth! We will live!" From the USA Today bestselling author of Earthrise comes a tale of courage, sacrifice, and honor among the stars. Book 1 in the series. 4.6 stars, 80 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

God’s Eyes shares the author’s experience of a powerful vision in which she saw the world and its promise through God’s perspective. Great for seekers, those on a spiritual path, out-of-the-box thinkers, and all who want greater focus and purpose in their lives. Early reviewers have called the book “great work” and “much needed in our world.” "Inspirational and enjoyable!" -Dr. R. Garcia, Amazon Review. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Was Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci’s brain different from yours? Yes… and no… It’s true that not everyone displays the genius of Da Vinci. Despite this, there are several underlying principles that supported his innovation and creativity that anyone can apply to their daily life. A top new release in cognitive neuroscience. Part of the Build Thought Clarity and Mental Strength series. 4.8 stars, 22 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

A former detective with a psychic connection to an elusive psychopath must confront him after his trail of terror left seven dead and whose obsession with her almost destroyed her. When the killer strikes again and two detectives need her help, can she find the courage to face the madman who is ready to start the game again? “A highly addictive and recommended suspense read.” -Reader's Favorite review. 4.6 stars, 900+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

“An intriguing and entertaining story that’s sci-fi and fantasy with a sliver of romance." -Manhattan Book Review. Nineteen-year-old princess Lilla is a rebel-in-disguise, fighting for the freedom of refugees. But there is a bigger war on the horizon. Lilla must learn to control her magic and defeat the dark god before He finds her. "A terrifically entertaining, complex, and original fantasy." -Kirkus Reviews. Book 1 in the series. 4.1 stars, 440+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

New release: Get your copy of The 50-Word Stories of 2023: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads from Vine Leaves Press! 

Micro fiction has been broadly defined as stories of 300 words or less. There's also flash fiction (aka, fast fiction, sudden fiction, postcard fiction, a micro-story, a nanotale, a short short, etc.). Whatever you call it, these are meant to be quick reads. 

Today's featured book is a collection of stories that come in at the extremely compact length of 50 words, "give or take." If you're a fan of Baudelaire's prose-poetry, Robert Walser's writing, Hemingway's super-short stories ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn."), Yasunari Kawabata's "palm-of-hand" stories, the writing of Donald Barthelme or Lydia Davis, or any other quick reads, you'll enjoy this collection.

Bonus: Subscribe to 50 Give or Take from Vine Leaves Press to get daily stories of fifty words or less, straight into your inbox, free!

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The 50-Word Stories of 2023: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads (50 Give or Take)

NEW RELEASE: November 28, 2023
Genre: Short Story Anthologies
Paperback: $17.99

Read a story between sips of coffee, while running errands, or on your commute home. Vine Leaves Press 50-word stories are a welcome break from a busy day. The 50 Give or Take newsletter series delivers a bite-sized piece of literature straight into your inbox. This anthology contains VLP's third year's worth of stories.

Praise for 50 Give or Take

"50 ways to get to the heart of the matter." ~Joanne Nelson

"50 Give or Take is the itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini of writing." ~Teri M Brown

"Thought-provoking petite prose." ~Theresa Milstein

"Tiny windows that sometimes are also tiny mirrors." ~Tim Canny

"Sometimes what you leave out tells more of the story than your words can." ~Peter Snell

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Also Available
Get previous 50-word anthologies from Vine Leaves Press: 

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About the Publisher
Vine Leaves Press likes to blur the line between commercial and experimental works. They publish book-length vignette collections, writing reference books, short story collections, memoir/autobiography, and character-driven novels with a literary bent.​ Subscribe to the Vine Leaves Press newsletter to receive FREE advanced review copies of upcoming new releases, news about their authors and subscribers, and/or to read the monthly opinion column, SPILL IT! or a daily dose of 50-word stories. Learn more at VineLeavesPress.com.

Free online: Your Heart Was Made for This. Copperfield’s Books presents author Oren Jay Sofer for a virtual celebration for his new book, Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices for Meeting a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love, a practical roadmap to cultivating the heart’s capacity to face and transform our greatest challenges. Tuesday, November 28, 6 PM PST.

"Just as our cells know how to heal a cut, our psyche possesses the intelligence to heal emotional wounds." ~Oren Jay Sofer

Tired of all the bad news, violence, and stress? There are positive alternatives—practical ways people bring more hope to energize themselves and others. Each of us, deep down, has the spirit and fire within to live in joy. This book is filled with real-life stories about people who are doing just that—living large and making a huge difference. A Gold Award book with many rave reviews. Book Authority calls it one of the 20 best community-building books of all time. 4.9 stars, 75 ratings. From $5.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

An Epic Fantasy LitRPG Adventure. The decision to start a new life is never an easy one, but for Joe the transition was far from figurative. Becoming a permanent addition to a game world, it doesn't take long to learn that people with his abilities are actively hunted. In fact, if the wrong people gained knowledge of what he was capable of, assassins would appear in droves. Meanwhile, Joe's goal is to complete every mission, master every ability, and learn all of the world's secrets. Book 1 in the series. 4.7 stars, 8000+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Kidnapped by the Queen, Bridget is stuck in her worst nightmare. Can her lover and her (former?) lover save her before it's too late? Or was she never meant to be saved? Things aren't always what they seem, and in a world where magic is suddenly real, Bridget and Declan are in over their heads. Is Ruad, Bridget’s mysterious savior, really only out for his gain? More questions than answers pop up in the quest to rescue Bridget, but if they don't hurry up, they will run out of time, and Bridget will be lost to them forever. Book 2 in the Fireflies Celtic Romance Series. $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

A shuddering, thrilling, urban fantasy for Young Adults. The battle between the Underworld, full of darkness, and the Overworld, full of light, has been evenly balanced for millennia. Caught between them is the mortal world, where humans have become so afraid of a magic they cannot understand or control that they allow the Occult to rule them. Filled with hair-raising chases through shadowy streets, frightening fights, and mind-blowing magic, this tale is sure to keep many a different genre loving reader happy. Book 1 in the series. 4.4 stars, 56 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

In this slow-burn, steamy, enemies-to-lovers, boss/assistant romance, you'll find an actor who needs a babysitter, an assistant who’s out of their depth, a workplace romance, and off-the-charts chemistry. If you enjoy irresistible/damaged heroes and no-nonsense heroines caught in a workplace romance, you'll love this steamy movie star romance from Welsh romance author Morgana Bevan. 4.0 stars, 160+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Stories of Shadow and Flame series from Kirkus-recommended author Nick Oliveri. Read on to learn more about the books in this exciting and innovative series.  
 
★★★★★ "Mystical, unique, and exciting." ~Vine Voice Review

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Becoming the Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 1)

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Coming of Age Fantasy
4.92 stars, 24 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $15.99
Ebook: $3.99  

The paths of three boys intertwine at an unlikely junction in this fantastic tale of treachery, hope, and power.

When opportunity knocks for Mikalla to become The Conjurer’s assistant, he is quickly rivaled by Gobi, the jealous and talented apprentice. Gobi will do anything for a chance to be rid of Mikalla.

Meanwhile, the second prince of Idaza is a pudgy royal with not much to do and even less to be proud of. But Oro is soon taught the ways of power and conflict by an unlikely character.

Treachery, murder, and opportunity rear their heads and clash in a story of shadows and flame, artistry and power. Embark on this fantastic tale about the true influence of people’s minds and the power to control a whole populace—relevant to any time period, and especially now more than ever.

★★★★★ "Gripping and enchanting." ~Goodreads Review

★★★★★ "Dark and intriguing." ~Amazon Review

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The Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 2)

Genres: Historical Fantasy; Historical Literary Fiction; Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction
4.42 stars, 81 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $11.09
Ebook: $0.99  

In the thriving kingdom of Idaza, Mikalla is the adored Conjurer, the nation’s chief storyteller, using the shadows cast by the city’s glorious ceremonial flame.

But death awaits around every corner. Addiction rattles the king. Trauma haunts the nobility and their conflicting motives. Murder happens, but to find out who succumbs to it is a journey the reader must take alone through the halls and palaces of the glorious Inner Gardens.

With a beautiful family and his position as one of King Oro’s favorite courtiers, Mikalla’s life is perfect. That is, until the king commands him to deliver a deadly message—one that will inevitably end in bloodshed and a war-torn Idaza.

With King Oro’s minions—Secretary Kitan and General Jax—skulking in the wings, Mikalla doesn’t know who to trust. Worse, he isn’t sure who’s really pulling the strings behind this political charade.

Betrayal and murder lie in the shadows Mikalla has always used to captivate the masses.

Will the flames reveal the truth hidden within the twisted schemes, or will Mikalla rise to his government’s call? Mikalla, the Conjurer, must realize his choices alone hold the power to change Idaza—to change everything.

★★★★★ "A thought-provoking exploration of power, trust, and the consequences of one's choices." ~Goodreads Review

"A bold, tautly written work about the struggle to express oneself freely." ~Kirkus Reviews

"I found myself invested and blown away by the story, and I believe prospective readers would feel the same." ~Online Book Club

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The Last Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 3)

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Ancient Historical Fiction
New release: December 8, 2023 (pre-order now!)
Paperback: $15.99
Ebook: $0.99  

As dangerous as it is compelling, this genre-defying journey crowns the critically acclaimed trilogy.

In today’s society, people scroll through a digital world that alienates them. Coyote suffers the same struggle as he journeys to the greedy depths of vicious crime and sin. The unproven son leaves his cushy life to battle through tattered robes through deserts and cities. As he does so, a shocking power struggle between the kingdom’s leaders unleashes terror in an unforgettable battle of the wits.

Blood spills.

The Minister of Economics has brought great wealth to the kingdom. But King Oro grows suspicious of the minister’s bold visions. The commoners of the kingdom only live to strive for more wealth as the age and beloved myths of The Conjurer have died. Hopeless and lacking any direction, Coyote often cries alone, dwelling in the dark of night on the loss of so much.

Passionate love, death, and redemption all culminate to tell a timeless tale of society’s last tethers to humanity.

The Last Conjurer is a lush yet twisted journey of a lonely boy coming of age in a time where all is lost.

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About the Author
Nick Oliveri is a Ukrainian-born, Kirkus-recommended author of eight novels and a book of poetry. He is often dubbed as a controversial creator of transgressive fiction and genre-bending literature. Nick treasures the unique potential behind every person’s story and values sharing those tales with the world. Skilled at crafting sentences that bring his characters and their narratives to life, he is passionate about the beauty the written word has to offer. Learn more and follow Nick on his Amazon Author Page and on Goodreads.

Looking for a Black Friday gift for yourself or other booklovers in your life? Look no further! Today's offers include three freebies plus great deals on other indie books. See all of today's Featured Books on LitNuts.com.

"A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” ~George Carlin