Today's Featured Books

Inspired by the 1963 unsolved murder of Chicago Alderman Benjamin Lewis. “We are the only people in America who have to protect ourselves from our protectors.” -Stokely Carmichael. Alderman David Strong obtained his Chicago city council seat thanks to the effort of his best friend, Alderman Earl Williams, who persuaded the city’s bigwigs to support him. While at home David received a call. It was Detective Harry Johnson, who told him to rush over to Earl’s office. David entered. There was Earl, slumped over his desk, dead. From $5.99 SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Ready...Set...Pride!, a coming-of-age novel from author Truscott Jones that resonates with younger and older adults alike. 

Not many gay teens experience their journey of self-discovery on a national stage. Then again, not many high school seniors inherit a team in the National Football League. Welcome to the coming-of-age, coming-out, gridiron novel, Ready…Set…Pride!

Ready...Set...Pride!

Max only thought his last year of high school was confusing, with the gorgeous but horribly straight Silas Cannon roaming the halls, and Max still in the closet. At least he had two awesome best friends, a loving family, and time to figure things out quietly—or so he thought.

No one foresaw Max thrust into the gladiatorial world of football, a sport he barely followed, and only because his grandpa Gunnar owned the NFL’s newest franchise, the Portland Rogues.

No one imagined Gunnar suddenly dying, leaving the team not to Max's Uncle Fen, the team's general manager and Gunnar's only son, but to 18-year-old Max!

And no one, least of all shy Max, ever dreamed he would be forced to face his own truth, find the love of his life, and run a professional football team, all under the harsh glare of social media, hardcore fans, and brutal sports reporters.

Meanwhile on the field, Portland has never put together a winning season. They have plenty of talent, and Coach Curcio definitely commands respect. But is it even possible for the Rogues to overcome the war between their suddenly jilted GM and his young, “undeserving” nephew?

Can Max survive his peers’ sudden interest, or the judgments of Reddit, Snapchat, and Twitter? Will he overcome the scheming Uncle Fen and the skepticism of Rogues players? And what about the other owners—is accepting a teen colleague their biggest challenge, or the waving of a giant Pride flag?

Most of all, though, does Max believe enough in himself, whether it’s leading the club, confronting his foes, or accepting the affections of an unexpected beau? Can he win the Super Bowl and the hottest guy in school?

Author Truscott Jones draws upon his own experience playing high school football, serving on a major college program’s athletic staff, teaching World Issues to 12th graders, and as a once closeted teen himself to explore what it means to uncover and accept who you are, to experience the gift of love and the blight of prejudice with equal resolve, and to learn that change is both difficult and inevitable.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★ "Captivating read with a lot of heart."

★★★★★ "Fun read with a easy-to-love hero. A solid summer read for both young and older adults alike."

★★★★★ "I was rooting for Max from the first chapter as he navigates his own self doubts and learns to find his courage against ever escalating adversity and pressure. It's a tribute to friendship, family, love, and the human spirit."

Free online: Literature and Lapdogs presents Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, an introduction to her life and works. In this 10-part series, readers will explore Virginia Woolf's (1882-1941) most famous works. Led by noted Woolf scholar Charlotte Fiehn, these discussions will offer a great opportunity to read (or revisit) Woolf's work and learn more about her life and impact. Begins Sunday, September 3, 3 PM CDT.

“I don’t believe in aging. I believe in forever altering one’s aspect to the sun.” ~Virginia Woolf, from her diary (October 2, 1932)

Ethan saves Laura from a crushing crowd and sparks fly. She falls pregnant from their one-night stand, but Ethan is attentive and wonderful at first. Until his attentiveness turns to obsession. Laura realizes Ethan is a controlling sociopath. And there’s no telling the lengths he will go to in order to keep baby Christopher for himself. 4.1 stars, 1000+ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

A brother’s best friend. The girl-next-door with a secret. A second chance only comes once. My brother’s best friend was the last boy I ever should have fake-dated. We played with fire and now I have a baby whose eyes look just like his. Years later, the boy returnd—an ex-SEAL with scars, secrets, and a body that reignited the lust and longing in the woman I’d become. Will I find the courage to fight for love and risk my heart no matter what? From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Ekta R. Garg: Reviewer, Editor, Author, and Dreamer. We are especially pleased to feature two works of fiction by Ekta: The Truth About Elves and In the Heart of the Linden Wood. Read on to learn more about these critically acclaimed books and about Ekta herself.

The Truth About Elves

2023 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner

As a bartender in Las Vegas, Curtis seems to have the dream life. He’s single, lives close to the Strip, and only has to worry about when to pick up the next extra shift. No one knows the truth about what happened ten years ago, and no one knows how he spends three months every year: as a part-time elf for Santa Claus.

When Curtis went to the Arctic Circle the first time, he thought he could escape the unthinkable. Now, the anniversary of the worst day of his life is coming up, and he’s been asked to do the unbelievable. If Curtis wasn’t a man of his word, he would turn his back on the whole thing. But Mr. C. took Curtis in when he had nowhere else to go, and now the boss is calling in a favor—the kind that will make Curtis face the memory of the unimaginable.

If you’ve ever wondered whether holiday magic is real, come find out. Embrace the season and the power of forgiveness along with Curtis as he discovers The Truth About Elves.

Praise for The Truth About Elves

"Beautiful, surprising, moving, funny, and full of heart." ~Judges, Best Novella, Next Generation Indie Book Awards

"A romp through goodwill, new possibilities, and transformations...the perfect seasonal literary hot chocolate for readers seeking a holiday story with a difference." ~Midwest Book Review

"Garg uses the depth of human lives, interactions, and experiences to create a more relatable and realistic holiday read." ~Jill Rey, Reader Views Book Reviews

In the Heart of the Linden Wood

How do you overcome a broken heart?

For generations, the magic trees have supported the kingdom of Linden. The wood is prized in kingdoms everywhere for its special properties. It’s one of the few good things King Christopher inherited from his late father, the evil King Vincent.

Vincent also gifted Christopher a lack of confidence. The only person who believes in Christopher is Queen Lily. When he loses her and their only child, Christopher’s grief threatens to undo him. The love of his life has returned to the fates, and now all he wants to do is spend his days mourning her.

Then word comes that the trees are dying, and no one knows why.

Despite the urge to hide in the castle forever, Christopher meets the mysterious Keeper of the Wood to find out what’s killing the trees. The answer demands he go on a quest with old friends and new allies. Along the way, they’ll try to save hostages and mend another broken heart by putting it back together piece by piece.

Through it all, Christopher will fight to conquer his doubt and prove to his people, the memory of Lily, and himself that he deserves the crown.

Praise for In the Heart of the Linden Wood

"An often moving fantasy novel about emotional pain and a quest for personal and natural healing." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Under the veneer of kings, struggles, and magic lays an attention to emotional details that make In the Heart of the Linden Wood as much a psychological draw as an adventure story." ~Midwest Book Review

​"This isn't just a story about a king's heroic journey; it is a poignant tale of overcoming emotional turmoil." ~Readers' Favorite Book Reviews

About Ekta R. Garg

            

Free online Friday: Larksong Writers Place Book Talk and Reading. Author Jessica Hendry Nelson will read from her upcoming memoir, Joy Rides through the Tunnel of Grief, winner of the AWP Sue William Silverman Prize in Creative Nonfiction. September 1, 12 PM Central Time.

Free online today: Our Featured Books for August 30 include several freebies! See all of today's Featured Books at LitNuts.com.

“When you deal with nonfiction you deal with human characters.” ~Marya Hornbacher

They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Fifty years ago, bloodthirsty aliens devastated the Earth. Most of humanity perished. We fell into darkness. But now we rise from the ashes. Now we fight back. If you loved Ender's Game, Starship Troopers, and Old Man's War, you'll love Earthrise, a new military science fiction series from a USA Today bestselling author. Book 1 in the series. 4.1 stars, 7900+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /