Free online: The Art Institute of Chicago "Essentials" Tour. Spend some time with AIC's most iconic works of art and get insights from the experts with this special video series, including close looks at Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884, Vincent van Gogh’s The Bedroom, Marc Chagall’s America Windows, Archibald John Motley Jr.’s Nightlife, and more. Watch the videos anytime, on demand. You can also keep an eye on the calendar of AIC free online events.
"In art, as in life, everything is possible as long as it is based on love." ~Marc Chagall
In a post-disaster America where a nefarious pharmaceutical company controls all aspects of life, a scientist on the run is ripped from her safe haven and has no choice but to trust a man who might as well wear a "danger" sign. But when she discovers she holds the key to the country’s salvation, she must decide how far she's willing to go to destroy the company before it unleashes a nightmare army—even if it means teaming up with her worst enemies and dragging her darkest demons into the light. And time is running out... From $1.99 SHOP NOW /
Hey you! Want the secret to becoming extraordinary? We’ve got just the information you need! Everyone has the potential to do GREAT things. The problem is not everyone has the confidence to try. And ONLY a rare few have the Mental Toughness to go after and live their dreams. Forge Your Mental Toughness: Your Foolproof Blueprint On How To Strengthen Your Will, Silence Your Doubts, And Level Up In The Game Of Life is your invitation to join that exclusive group of people. 4.7 stars, 18 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
"Am I good enough?" ask the 3 leaf clovers of themselves. Go on this journey and find the answer to this question. A thoughtful book presented in a fun way. "A great book for teaching young children about self esteem." ~Amazon Review. 4.2 stars, 72 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
After barely escaping from Tehran two years ago, CIA operative Titus Ray agrees to return to meet with an Iranian nuclear scientist willing to provide intel about his country’s uranium enrichment. But once Titus arrives in country, he quickly learns the tentacles from his past have reached into his present and now threaten to destroy his future. With his life on the line once again, he fears his time may have come to an end. 4.7 stars, 394 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Can a man without emotions find his mate? There's nothing left in Raze. No love, no hate, nothing but the duty that he owes his people. But when he meets a fascinating and tough human woman on a barren planet, something deep inside comes back to life. And for the first time in years, he yearns for more. Book 1 of the Detyen Warriors series. 4.2 stars, 1000+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW
The second John Keegan Mystery pits the detective against a possible serial killer. When a new acquaintance of his is killed, Keegan realizes he can trust no one but himself. Filled with action and revolving around an intricate plot, All in a Row is sure to capture mystery readers' attention. 4.3 stars, 40 ratings on Goodreads. $0.99 SHOP NOW /
Sydney can endure anything for 90 days—including making sandwiches and serving coffee—until she returns to her jet-setter career. But when grandma mistakes a handsome customer for the “fiancé” Sydney created when she thought her grandma was on death’s door, well...Sydney will do anything to keep grandma's spirits up during treatment. But can Sydney persuade the handsome customer to keep up the charade? And if so, will they both fall for their own fiction? 4.3 stars, 600+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
When a streetwise skeptic discovers a cosmic long con, can he rescue humanity from a dark fate? Book 1 of The Faith Trilogy - The Matrix meets The Da Vinci Code. The story brings together the world-shattering concepts of the Wachowskis’ films and the religious intrigue found in Dan Brown’s page-turners, and delves into the nature of reality, all in the pages of a fantasy thriller that moves at lightning pace. “A rare gem…captivating world…a thrilling ride.” ~Amazon Review. 4.6 stars, 25 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW
Awaken Into Remembrance is a book of poems and affirmations for the spiritual seeker. Each poem and affirmation is meant to elicit a new vibratory experience to guide the reader toward spiritual growth. We are all called to serve ourselves and then the world. This book is meant to be a message for all who choose the path of service. As our fear disintegrates, we can walk closer to our true nature, and this truth is the constant factor that binds us all together. 4.3 stars, 77 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
"A terrifically entertaining, complex, and original fantasy." ~Kirkus Reviews. Princess Lilla, a rebel-in-disguise, is fighting for the refugee's freedom. But the arrival of the mysterious and ruggedly handsome Callum brings news of a bigger battle—the Era War—that threatens all in the Seven Galaxies. Lilla must learn to control her magic and defeat the dark god before He finds her - the last Lumenian. Book 1 in the series. 4.3 stars, 4200+ ratings on Goodreads. FREE - SHOP NOW /
Being a fictional anthology of truism. Aphorism collection, sketchbook, reflections light and dark... all of it a gathering of one person's thoughts and musings. It's not that, says the author, not of anyone you'd know. The book's editor thinks otherwise. FREE - SHOP NOW /
Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the Hearts of the Hall series, three books by three authors spanning the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian generations of the Derringer family:
Get swept away in the romance, misunderstandings, secrets, and happily-ever-afters in the Hearts of the Hall series as you follow the women who capture the hearts of the Derringer gentlemen.
Bonus: Get free book club discussion questions for all three books at HeartsoftheHall.com.
Book 1 in the Hearts of the Hall series
Genre: Regency Romance, Christian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
4.4 stars, 57 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $8.31
E-book: $2.99
Bath, 1780: Without family or fortune, Miss Araminta Giles must rely on her wit alone.
Engaged by Mr. Derringer to be companion to his sister for the Bath Season, Ary views this position as merely another in a line of employments necessary to her survival.
So when she finds herself warming to Charlotte, and shivering under the intense gaze of Mr. Derringer, she is surprised to find herself hoping for more than just a roof over her head. But a series of intriguing encounters in polite Society cause Ary to realise her position with the Derringers may not be the fruit of her own labours after all. As she tries to make sense of the revelations, she is forced to consider what she really wants.
Will she keep going through life relying only on herself? Or is she willing to take a chance on a home, family and…love?
★★★★★ "A delightful tale about the subtle love between hero and heroine." ~Goodreads Review
Book 2 in the Hearts of the Hall series
Genre: Regency Romance, Christian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
4.5 stars, 65 ratings on Amazon
Paperback: $7.12
E-book: $2.99
He’s desperate for a governess. She needs to escape her matchmaking sister.
Bath 1815: John Derringer doesn’t need a wife, and he certainly doesn’t need children. Devoted to studying ancient Rome, all he wants after the death of his brother is to disappear into his research. But now he must take on the family estate and care for his orphaned nephew.
Unable to see past his grief, John cannot face the boy, and leaves him to a succession of governesses who fail to tame the unruly youngster.
Evelina Shaw is resigned to staying unmarried. With no dowry and little beauty, the only men she has attracted are widowers wanting a capable woman to look after their children—and she refuses to settle for that.
When she hears of Mr. Derringer’s desperate need for a governess, Evelina seizes the opportunity to escape from her sister’s futile matchmaking.
But on arriving at Duriel Hall, Evelina can see hurt and misunderstanding everywhere she looks. As she helps bring healing to the Derringer family, her life becomes entwined with theirs, and neither John nor Evelina can predict the consequences…
★★★★★ "A fabulous storyline with twists, transformations and tender romance." ~Amazon Review
Book 3 in the Hearts of the Hall series
Genre: Regency Romance, Christian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
4.2 stars, 46 ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: $12.99
E-book: $2.99
Devastated by loss…a stranger takes her in. But will her presence ruin his plans to restore all he’s lost?
Harriet Hastings has nowhere left to turn: after losing both her parents within a few months of each other, she is penniless and alone. So when a distant relative makes arrangements for her future, Harriet faces another loss—leaving the place she calls home to go and live with strangers.
Edmund Derringer’s on a mission: to restore the family heirlooms he pawned to cover the debts of his failed speculation. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with his cousin’s ward—a friendly chatterbox who intrudes on his time, distracting him from the task at hand.
But when outside forces threaten their burgeoning fondness, each will be compelled to re-examine what they really believe about one another, and what their most important goal for the future truly is…
Immersed in faith and intrigue, this Christian Victorian romance from award-winning author Edwina Kiernan will encourage and delight you long after you turn the last page.
★★★★★ "An amazing story of two people struggling to make their lives better." ~Goodreads Review
About the Authors
The Hearts of the Hall books were written by three authors who are also friends:
Philippa Jane Keyworth, also known as P. J. Keyworth, writes historical romance and fantasy novels. She loves strong heroines, challenging heroes, and backdrops that read like you’re watching a movie. She creates complex, believable characters you want to get to know and worlds that are as dramatic as they are beautiful. Learn more at PhilippaJaneKeyworth.com and get a free copy of A Dangerous Deal, a Georgian Romance, when you sign up for Philippa's mailing list.
Rachel Knowles writes faith-based Regency romance. She first read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the age of thirteen and fell in love, not only with Mr. Darcy, but with the entire Regency period. Since 2011, she has been blogging about her research on her website, RegencyHistory.net. She also writes historical non-fiction based on her extensive research. Rachel lives in the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Weymouth in Dorset, on the south coast of England, with her husband, Andrew. Learn more at RegencyHistory.net.
Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of the award-winning novel Ruby’s Redemption. An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination, and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood. Learn more at EdwinaKiernan.com and get a free copy of first chapter of Ruby's Redemption when you sign up for Edwina's mailing list.
Free online: A virtual tour of Rome's private art collections! Experience the opulence of the Borghese Gallery and its Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Wander through the historic halls of Palazzo Colonna, adorned with breathtaking artworks and architectural marvels. Explore Palazzo Spada, where the fusion of art and illusion creates a captivating experience. Step into the serene grandeur of the Doria Pamphilj and its treasure trove of art. Conclude with the Farnesina, a Renaissance gem that houses some of the most exquisite frescoes by Raphael. Thursday, March 28, 9 PM Rome, 8 PM London, 4 PM NYC, 1 PM LA.
"I went to see this picture [Raphael's Madonna della Sedia] just to have a good laugh – and I found myself in front of the most wonderfully free, solid, simple, alive painting it is possible to imagine." ~Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1882
A new genre! Entertaining medical detective stories that speak to very real problems of American health policy. A dead patient in a Nashville hospital triggers an investigation that leads to other suspicious deaths. Could they all be explained by COVID? Medical errors? A systemic care problem? Or something worse? The quest for truth runs into political complications of the highest order. A frightening whodunnit with real-world implications. Book 2 in the series. 4.7 stars, 83 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Regrets, lies, and earth-shattering secrets. When Ella learns the identity of her biological father, nothing will stand in her way. Not even his power. When things don’t go to plan, can one little blue box put Ella and Zane back on the same path? This second-chance contemporary romance is filled with suspense, emotion, and a life-changing sizzling romance. Book 1 in the Australian At Heart Series. 4.3 stars, 99 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
Imagine the world when the two great terrors of 21st-century America emerge together, creating a pandemic of mass murders. An engineered virus that attacks the brain spreads quickly, causing infected people to go into psychotic rages. Scientists and others race the plague, hoping to survive long enough to stop it. The Murder Plague is a fast-paced dystopian thriller full of suspense, riveting action, and heart. 4.6 stars, 16 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
A #1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Westerns Fiction. A Deadly Education meets True Grit! When two strangers arrive in her small town along the Oregon Trail, Gloriana Rue learns that she has the magical ability, called an Affinity, to manipulate metal. Even more shocking, her late mother was a renowned magical scholar but had abandoned the world of Affinities. Desperate to know more about this secret past, Glory agrees to attend an academy for magicians to find answers. Trouble, train robberies, and magic follow! From $4.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
New release! Sam Levine knows what it means to struggle. He’s been forced to turn his talents to freelance work, picking up whatever dirty job he can find only to make ends meet. But there’s an end in sight. An opportunity to change everything. And when a dangerous, high-profile job comes his way, he sees light at the end of the tunnel. A #1 Best Seller in Space Fleet Science Fiction. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Complete Sci-Fi Box Set: 10 books! The secret is out: Aliens exist, the government knows, and Dan McCarthy just found the proof. But Dan’s relentless commitment to exposing the cover-up and forcing disclosure earns him some enemies in high places. An Amazon Charts: Most Sold Fiction certified bestseller, Audible.com Best of The Year finalist, international and multi-format #1 sci-fi bestseller, and multi-time Kindle Unlimited All Star title. 4.9 stars, 16 ratings. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
New release! I came to Dasher to start a new life. Not to fall for my mysterious new neighbor. I’ve felt half-dead ever since I lost my husband. But Anson Miller’s touch makes me feel alive again. Part of the Off-Limits Daddies series. 4.6 stars, 8 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Congratulations to Charlie and Cheryl Young and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Houdini's Last Handcuffs, a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and fantasy set in 1950s Manhattan.
★★★★★ "The great Houdini book the world has been waiting for. A perfect escape." ~John Kelly, Detroit Free Press
NEW RELEASE: March 26, 2024
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Hardcover: $24.99
Paperback: $17.99
Ebook: $5.99
A riveting journey into a world where magic meets science, tantalizing readers with every twist and turn.
On the 30th anniversary of Houdini's death, three young friends who were gifted a mystical Ouija Board by the enigmatic writer Walter Gibson, find themselves thrust into a world of wonder.
While adults attempt to reach Houdini in a séance at his former residence, the children unknowingly call upon the great magician, not through the Ouija board or séance but via an enigmatic pair of handcuffs from their father's magic collection.
Houdini, in dire need of their aid, reveals a hidden notebook filled with scientific formulas coveted by both benevolent and malevolent secret circles. This notebook is a puzzle, locked behind Houdini's cryptic code.
The unexpected unfolds, setting off a thrilling chase, where the pursuit of Houdini's notebook holds the key to secrets, mystique, and adventure.
Praise for Houdini’s Last Handcuffs
★★★★★ “A lovingly crafted mix of fact and fantasy featuring famous faces from the 1958 New York magic scene, including Houdini himself! Part reminiscence and part high adventure, this is a tale that will make you believe.” ~John Cox, author of the "Wild About Harry" blog
★★★★★ “A compelling historical novel with a strong cast of characters. Highly recommended!” ~The Wishing Shelf
★★★★★ “A rewarding work of fervid and fertile imagination” ~Joseph Caldwell, author of In the Shadow of the Bridge
★★★★★ “There are few authors more qualified to craft a story about Houdini than the Youngs, who quite literally grew up amidst the lore and legends surrounding the world's most famous magician.” ~Gabe Fajuri, Founder of Potter and Potter Auctions, author of Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring
About the Authors Charlie Young has been active as a physician/eye surgeon, writer, artist, vice president of the music company Denton and Haskins, creator of the radio podcast series Unheard of Jazz, and most recently writer of the historical fiction Houdini's Last Handcuffs which he co-authored with his sister.
Houdini’s Last Handcuffs is Cheryl Young's debut novel co-authored with her brother. Raised and educated in Manhattan, she earned an MBA from Columbia University. In addition to a career in finance, Cheryl is also a board member of the Finch College Alumni Foundation Trust, which focuses on awarding grants to tri-state area community college women continuing on for a four-year degree. Cheryl divides time between the cosmopolitan life of Miami and rural life in Essex Connecticut.
Visit them at musicmagicandmore.comAbout 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.
Last call! Be part of a unique publishing project by participating in The Chimera Snare: Fragments Kickstarter campaign. The Chimera Snare is a new dark fantasy series, and readers who participate in the Kickstarter campaign can choose from a variety of rewards, including specially curated goods from a selection of independent artisans. Backers will also be acknowledged in the book's credits.
"What you pour out into the world is poured right back into you." ~Matshona Dhliwayo
At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was frantically swept up by her parents and whisked off to an isolated town in the California redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone. Now at the age of twenty-three, she has settled into an eclectic lifestyle, enjoying the use of herbs and crystals to help her commune with the energy and nature around her in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Life in the mountains takes a dark turn when the body of Arista's former classmate is found nearby. As other young women fall prey to a suspected serial killer, Arista realizes that the terror is coming to her. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Bri's life in Inverness was ordinary. Magic was a notion Bri had long dismissed, but now she's "The Witch of Algiz" at the Rune Academy. As Bri grapples with her newfound identity, she feels the pulsating power of Runes beneath her fingertips. The cursed title creates palpable tension, with unspoken fears that she might use dark evil magic. The academy buzzes with uncertainty as she navigates the precarious path between light and shadow. Will Bri fall to the witch’s curse and be a danger to her friends and the academy? 4.4 stars, 46 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /