Today's Featured Books

Congratulations to Marc Rosenberg and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Kyd's Game, a cross between John le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley.

★★★★★ “A gripping geopolitical spy thriller set against the current Russo-American landscape." ~Peter Watt, author of the Fronteer series

Kyd's Game

Neil Kyd, accused of assassinating a Russian presidential candidate and hunted by Russian Special Forces, has only one thing on his mind: saving his daughter's life.

Kyd has done everything possible to help his terminally ill daughter. He's out of options when he's recalled by the Agency and offered a special job: a quick "in-and-out" assignment to retrieve a video disk from an ex-girlfriend in Moscow. If he accepts, the Agency will place his daughter into a cutting-edge medical program that will give her a chance. He agrees.

If you If you enjoyed Tinker, Soldier, Tailor, Spy by John leCarre, The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, or Lee Child's Reacher series, you'll enjoy Kyd's Game.

Praise for Kyd's Game
★★★★★ “A fast-paced espionage thriller.” ~Gerard Lee, author of Top of the Lake

★★★★★ “A classic international thriller. Vivid characters and tight plotting make this a great read.” ~Brian Stoddart, A House in Damascus

★★★★★ “Jack Ryan meets Tucker Jones in the character of Neil Kyd in a story that balances fast-paced spy craft with the tenderness of a father's love for his daughter.” ~Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ “Riveting, page-turning...will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.” ~Feathered Quill, Book Reviews

★★★★★ “Teeming with unexpected twists and turns.” ~The US Review of Books

Free online: Staff of the New York Public Library Grand Concourse Branch discuss "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" by Ernest Hemingway. The registration page includes a link to the story so you can read it ahead of time. Wednesday, September 25, at 11 AM and 3 PM EDT. 

“How should a woman act when she discovers her husband is a bloody coward?" ~Ernest Hemingway, "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber"

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Tixie Chronicles, a fantasy adventure for young readers from author Jack Borden. Learn how the world as we know it was shaped by the tiniest of creatures in a tale that will appeal to readers of all ages.

"Jam packed with action and suspense." ~Feathered Quill Review

The Vultures of Doom

A great darkness is coming to the forest. Avelyn and Killian Lorcan are tixies, a race of tiny beings that live simply in a massive, beautiful forest. But unbeknownst to the tixies, an ancient evil has found them at last.

Separated from their parents, Avelyn and Killian travel across the forest alone, encountering friends and enemies along the way. But when Avelyn recovers an ancient sword of great power, their destinies are forever changed.

The Vultures of Doom is the first of the Tixie Chronicles, which recount the tales of when the world as we know it was shaped by the tiniest of creatures.

Praise for The Vultures of Doom
"So jammed packed with action and suspense that readers, both young and old, will feel as if they are fighting along with Avelyn and Killian." ~Feathered Quill Review

★★★★★ "A captivating adventure of courage and destiny." ~Amazon Review

The Keeper of Knowledge

Killian Lorcan doesn’t want to read old scrolls. As a tixie boy of eight summers, all he wants to do is explore the forest floor around his house, fight imaginary monsters, and scare off the occasional spider.

But when Mac, the local Keeper of Knowledge, invites Killian to see his house and read some old scrolls, Killian himself gets caught up in a story of betrayal, violence, and a civilization on the verge of collapse. More importantly, he finds out how his ancient ancestors came to live in the wilds of the forest he calls home.

Book 2 of the Tixie Chronicles explores the violent beginnings of the race of the tiny creatures who inhabit the forests.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Devil's Wrath, a dark fantasy from author Rico Liemanto in which twin gods watch over the world with constant vigilance and four unlikely heroes are chosen to vanquish a fearsome enemy.

★★★★★ "A gripping dark fantasy with a slow-burning adventure that delivers explosive battles alongside layers of mythology. With its compelling characters, high stakes, and richly crafted universe, it promises to engage readers who love both intense action and thoughtful world-building." ~Literary Titan

The Devil's Wrath

In a universe teetering on the brink of annihilation, four heroes rise to confront the ultimate evil. Maling, Ular, Tuli, and Panah are chosen by their twin gods to embark on a perilous quest: to kill Setan, the God of Devils, and restore balance to the realms.

Bound by fate and driven by a shared purpose, the heroes navigate treacherous landscapes, battle formidable foes, and overcome their own inner fear. Each step brings them closer to Setan's throne, where the final confrontation awaits.

But what if they are too late? What if, for the first time, the villain wins?

Inspired by the intricate lore of the Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Elden Ring video games, and the gripping narratives of the Japanese manga series Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, this dark fantasy novel explores the blurred lines between good and evil. Follow Maling, Ular, Tuli, and Panah as they journey through a universe filled with chaos, hope, and despair.

Praise for The Devil's Wrath
★★★★★ "Intense, morally complex storytelling." ~Amazon Review

★★★★★ "A refreshing twist on the classic narrative of reluctant heroes embarking on a perilous journey at the command of higher powers." ~Literary Titan

Free online: B&N Midday Mystery Event. Join Barnes & Noble and international bestselling author Stephanie Wrobel for a live discussion of her suspenseful new novel, The Hitchcock Hotel. Monday, September 23, 3PM ET. 

“We all make mistakes. You can always start fresh.” ~Stephanie Wrobel

"A quick, fun, easy read with great character development and important moral questions." ~Amazon Review. The wild ocean frontier. Daring pioneers. They must build in secret...smuggling networks, encryption, and some really cool techno-toys. In this action-packed ocean adventure technothriller, James Bong and his crew search for freedom on the high seas. But will it be enough to survive and evade the state? Book 2 of The Evolution Saga. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Catherine, a desperate young woman, takes on a mission even the Resistance wouldn’t dare attempt. Stealing a high-speed train, she sets out to break into the Authority’s heavily guarded Armory for a dangerous rescue. Wired, hearing voices, and on the edge of losing her mind, she’s ready to ride or die—no matter the cost. “The story is very quickly paced, and the characters well drawn." ~Amazon Review. From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of award-winning author Alan Brenham, including thrillers from The Claire Deveraux and The Kit Hanover Series!

"An intoxicating mix of mystery, murder and mayhem." ~BestThrillers.com

When Things Fall Apart

Winner of the Global Book Award for Mystery/Detective and a Finalist for the coveted Silver Falchion Award for Best Investigator/Detective Fiction

Newly minted homicide detective Kit Hanover is paired with a crusty veteran who makes no bones about his feelings for Native Americans. Their prickly partnership becomes more antagonistic when Kit's first murder case proves devastating and she is reassigned.

Determined to work the case in her own time despite the emotional consequences, Kit finds herself and her family the target of an unknown madman. She withstands the inexplicable attacks as she continues her investigation until she finds herself face-to-face with the murderer. Only one of them can survive.

Praise for When Things Fall Apart
"A knotty detective story from a skilled author." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Palpable tension from start to finish." ~BookTrib

"Skillful prose...engaging narrative...compelling characters." ~Literary Titan

Every Silent Thing

Shy and deaf, twenty-three-year-old Claire Deveraux has worked hard to land her dream job as a foreign service officer at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. But on a visit to The Louvre, Claire's dream is shattered when she finds a woman dying from a gunshot wound. The woman utters three words to Claire and conceals a thumb drive in Claire’s pocket.

The information is the key to the location of proceeds from a bank robbery, and the killer, now certain that Claire has the information, sets out to find Claire, recover the drive, and kill Claire before she can solve the puzzle and recover the money. 

Praise for Every Silent Thing
"An irresistible international crime thriller that delivers an intoxicating mix of mystery, murder and mayhem." ~BestThrillers.com

"A cleverly structured, tense and involving crime thriller." ~The BookViral Review

"Recommended for fans of international mystery novels with strong female lead characters." ~Self-Publishing Review

Breaking Silence

Silence is like trust: easily broken.

The first time Claire and Megan Deveraux receive a cryptic text from the anonymous “AMZ,” they decide it’s a sophisticated scam. But when further evidence of a long-lost sibling starts to add up, Claire begins to wonder whether there is merit to AMZ’s wild claims…or just Photoshop and dumb luck?

As the sisters weigh up the risks of pursuing a ruthless blackmailer’s trail, another victim is scrambling to keep his secret safe, whatever the cost. Because no amount of money can make a man bulletproof…

Praise for Breaking Silence
"A compelling thriller that masterfully combines intricate plotting with rich, character-driven storytelling... Fans of intense, well-crafted mysteries will find much to appreciate in this gripping novel." ~Literary Titan

"A devastating jaw-dropper with emotional resonance and dire consequences for all characters." ~BestThrillers.com

      

Today, we are sharing a friendly reminder about a forthcoming Reading Retreat in New York. The event will take place September 27 - 30 at Birdy's House in Delhi, NY. The cost to attend is $100. Learn more at Who Could Use a Reading Retreat?

"Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul." ~Joyce Carol Oates