Today's Featured Books

When Amanda receives the shocking news that her sister's newborn is missing, she must discover if the baby is alive. Navy SEAL Jake volunteers to go undercover with her, but the mission has trouble written all over it. They have a shared past, but Amanda walked away and Jake let her go. Will going undercover bring them together or drive them apart? Must Love Danger Book 3. 4.4 stars, 200+ ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Leslie Anne Lee, author of literary fiction, historical fiction, and romantic fantasy. 

"Ms. Lee is an old soul writing for a new world. She crafts both storytelling and story-sharing into a perfect web of enchantment I want to get stuck in." ~Diane Mark

Child of Dawn

Her anger enveloped her. Witch. So that was what she was to them.

Anda always knew she had been different. Little did she know how that difference would change her life.

Dagsbrun knew he was a monster...he had been called that since birth. And yet, as he raged against his immortality, he dared to dream of finding peace.

Enter the world of the Vale, ruled by elves and vampires and destined for destruction unless a prophecy can be fulfilled...and two individuals who are completely opposite can find something in common.

The Rock and the Wind

Rowena is a girl caught between two men, and two worlds. Atticus, wild and intemperate; and Morgan, sophisticated, and offering security and safety. Rowena's heart is torn between the two. How can she betray one with her love for the other.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Maine's coastline in a time where marriage was a woman's identity, The Rock and the Wind is a poignant tale of how large the human heart can grow, and how much love one person can have for an individual. Or two.

Demons in the Hog Shed

Written as an homage to women dreamers and survivors everywhere, this novel shifts between the agony of the past and the promise of the present as the author weaves a wrenching narrative of a woman chased by her own demons in this hauntingly beautiful portrayal of what it is like for survivors of bullying and abuse.

The story follows Audrey from the "middle of the middle of nowhere" in Wyoming to the immensity of New York City. Her past has driven her from her home, but as she tries to begin again, a secret haunts her that no one in the city knows. The enigmatic Mr. C does his best to pull down the walls she has built up to protect herself, but even he might be too late to save her from her demons.

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the work of Edward Hochsmann, author of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures, a series of contemporary sea thrillers. Read on to learn more!

"Its setting, alternating POVs, and excellent writing put it ahead of many comparable novels." ~The BookLife Prize (Publishers Weekly) on Book 3 of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures

Dagger Quest

An obsolete patrol boat is all that stands between the world and nuclear annihilation!

The world is on the brink of war, with NATO mobilizing to counter a Russian threat to Poland and Lithuania and leaders openly discussing war options. In the midst of the crisis, a Russian bomber collides with a U.S. fighter off Florida causing the accidental launch of a nuclear-tipped hypersonic missile.

A Coast Guard cutter finds a drug-laden sailboat smashed and adrift north of the Florida Keys. The boat’s damage is from a near miss by the Russian missile which has not harmlessly flown deep into the Gulf of Mexico as originally thought, but crashed somewhere in the Keys.

The Coast Guard crew is in a race against a vicious and powerful international crime syndicate to find and recover the Russian nuke before its discovery can trigger a nuclear war. Exploring the friendship and teamwork of a typical ship’s crew, in the face of unexpected and hazardous challenges, Dagger Quest provides a fast-paced, taut story – excellent fare for both suspense and action/adventure  fans.

Praise for Dagger Quest

"A highly entertaining cross between a seafaring adventure and a high-stakes military drama." ~Self-Publishing Review

"An adventurously gripping story that will not only have you craving for the next book in the series, but also craving your own tropical forage in South Florida and the Caribbean!" ~Entrada Publishing

Caribbean Counterstrike

It’s the deadliest nerve gas ever made, and it has fallen into the hands of a murderous Caribbean drug cult!

The criminal 252 Syndicate has developed a game-changing battlefield nerve gas in a secret lab hidden on an oil rig servicing ship. But the ship has been caught in a drug war in a Caribbean country, seized by one of the most vicious drug cartels in existence, and held for ransom.

When the U.S. government learns that the 252s plan to launch an attack in five days, the best of the bad options is a covert raid led by young Coast Guard Officer Ben Wyporek and his crew aboard the newly-upgraded, stealth-equipped Cutter Kauai. However, Ben’s last lethal encounter with the 252s has cured his hunger for glory, and he has found his soulmate in the beautiful genius, DIA analyst Victoria Carpenter. 

It is yet another deadly race against the 252s to save the world, and now Ben and Victoria have everything to lose.

Praise for Caribbean Counterstrike

"Hochsmann's meticulous prose hums with lived experience and authenticity... This gripping maritime thriller delivers in every way." ~Self-Publishing Review

"Filled with action and adventure, mixed with a little romance, it is an ideal read for anyone that wants to escape from their daily lives for a few hours." ~Entrada Publishing

Bravely and Faithfully

A new captain’s first patrol turns into a fight for their lives.

Sam Powell gets a well-deserved promotion to Lieutenant Commander and a coveted slot at the Naval War College. His replacement, hard-charging young Lieutenant Haley Reardon, is about to get a baptism of fire. Opening with the rescue of a young family from a stricken sailboat in the middle of a major hurricane, Bravely and Faithfully presents an exciting series of adventures, culminating in the covert insertion and recovery of an assault team from a hostile Caribbean island.

This third installment of the series conveys the humor, friendships, and teamwork of Kauai‘s crew from the previous books, with a new series of exciting actions from search-and-rescue to combat. The crew and their new skipper must come together for the toughest mission they have ever faced. Enjoy the action, the teamwork and camaraderie of the crew as they face life-and-death together with their new captain, and the course of second-in-command Ben Wyporek’s sweet courtship of the beautiful, neurodiverse genius Victoria Carpenter.

Praise for Bravely and Faithfully

"A riveting sea adventure with a top-rate protagonist." ~Independent Review of Books

"A captivating tale that will interest even readers who are not familiar with the Coast Guard nor its lingo. While there is plenty of action in the story, it is the character-driven plot that elevates this adventure novel." ~BookLife

Indies Inferno

When the cover story becomes more dangerous than the main mission...

The crew of the small Coast Guard cutter Kauai is tasked with a covert intelligence operation. Their mission takes an unexpected turn when a volcanic eruption rocks the shores of the picturesque Caribbean island of Saint Ignatius.

Within this explosive military adventure, the crew of the Kauai also thwarts an eco-terrorist plot to sabotage an oil tanker, saving countless lives. But their heroism doesn't end there, as they valiantly rescue dozens of individuals trapped aboard a burning and sinking dive boat.

Amidst the chaos, duty and desire collide on the high seas as the crew balances personal relationships while facing their most perilous mission yet.

Praise for Indies Inferno

"Riveting maritime drama with explosively high stakes and a consistent edge of gritty realism." ~The Independent Review of Books

"A pulse-pounding thriller that combines action, suspense, and human drama equally." ~The Book Commentary

More from Edward Hochsmann

  

            

Free online: Pour & Explore. Grab a glass of wine and join sommelier Nick Elliott (aka "The Wine Guy") for a virtual journey through the captivating world of wines. Learn how to swirl, sniff, and sip like pros, unlocking the hidden nuances and flavors of different wine varietals. Saturday, July 27, 5 - 6 PM CDT. 

"Wine and love have always been about sharing, living, and feeling." ~Paulo Coelho

"Imaginative high-stakes SF." ~Kirkus Reviews. Which is better, a great peace supported by a lie, or a massacre justified by the truth? In the year 2112, Captain Jerrison's fragile research vessel becomes the first manned spaceship to venture beyond Neptune where he and his crew encounter a scout from the alien Morgi civilization and learn that two Morgi clans will battle for ownership of Earth. If the more powerful clan wins, the Morgi will exterminate unsuspecting humanity. Can an unarmed human tip the balance of power in favor of the weaker Morgi clan? From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

Attention all students, researchers, and lifelong learners! Are you tired of keeping up with the endless information you encounter daily? This comprehensive guide will teach you how to transform your note-taking skills from a chaotic mess into a powerful tool that helps you retain information, generate innovative ideas, and ace your exams or presentations. Say goodbye to scattered notes and fleeting memories and hello to a new level of academic and professional success. 4.2 stars, 200+ ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW / 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on To Own Two Suns by Fran Tabor, in which a NASA expedition to the edge of the solar system in 2112 encounters a long-hibernating alien. 

"Imaginative high-stakes SF breathes fresh life into the alien-first-contact genre." ~Kirkus Reviews 

To Own Two Suns

Which is better, a great peace supported by a lie, or a massacre justified by the truth?

In the year 2112, Captain Jerrison's fragile research vessel becomes the first manned spaceship to venture beyond Neptune. Jerrison and his crew plan to research exotic Kuiper Belt objects. Instead, the defenseless crew encounters a lone scout from the alien Morgi civilization.

Jerrison learns that two Morgi clans will battle for ownership of Earth. The Morgi scout is from the weaker clan. If the more powerful clan wins, the Morgi will exterminate unsuspecting humanity. 

An unlikely friendship forms. Can an unarmed human tip the balance of power in favor of the weaker Morgi clan? If not, the Morgi scount, his entire clan, and all humanity will die. 

Praise for To Own Two Suns
"In the year 2112, a NASA expedition (a dangerously cut-rate, low-budget one, it turns out) has sent volunteers to explore deep space, with little or no chance of return. The crew, led by Commander Jerry Jerrison, is on the edge of Pluto’s orbit when they make an epochal discovery: a fantastically advanced, shape-shifting alien spaceship, guided by an artificial intelligence and harboring one hibernating occupant... Readers will enjoy the sidelong jabs at human-style colonial imperialism and realpolitik." ~Kirkus Reviews (read the full review HERE)

"Readers gain empathy as both cultures try to adjust to each other... Another appealing aspect of the novel is the humor the author uses when human cultural norms are viewed through the perspective of [alien] values." ~LeighBee, OnlineBookClub.org (read the full review HERE)

"Recommended to adults and young adults who are lovers of science fiction and also enjoy books about extraterrestrials and space exploration." ~Chuks Ogechukwu Bianca, OnlineBookClub.org (read the full review HERE)

    

Free online: Your Money or Your Life. Join for a discussion of Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin, a highly recommended book on personal finance. You are welcome to join whether you've read the book or not. Wednesday, July 24, 7 - 8:30 PM CDT. 

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people that they don’t like.” ~Will Rogers

Chef Jennifer Dove lives an exciting life in London. Then fate throws her life upside down when her beloved uncle back in Australia passes away, leaving her a cryptic message. Meanwhile, cattleman/electrician Calum McGregor saunters into Jennifer’s life with a quirky smile and playful eyes filled with wicked humor. He takes her breath—but damn it, she's not staying in Australia, London beckons. But add broad-shoulders, big trouble in snug jeans, boots, and leather jacket, and rational thought disappears. Book 1 of the Tumble Creek Series. 4.5 stars, 33 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW / 

Congratulations to Laura Katz Olson and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Wrinkled Rebels, the story of six aging radicals from the 1960s who reunite and grapple with past ideals and present struggles over a weekend.

★★★★★ “Badass.” ~Bill Ayers, political organizer, anti-war activist, author

Wrinkled Rebels

Now 80 years old, retirement and advanced age have dissipated the spirit of six college radicals of the 1960s, who jointly had participated in civil rights campaigns and anti-war protests. Having engaged in only periodic communication over the decades, they suddenly receive an invitation to reunite for an extended weekend. Struggling with whether to go, each of them has divergent qualms and expectations for the proposed gathering.

During their three days together, they confront their inner demons, each other, and their future. Does Rebecca, the prime mover of the event, find solace after losing her wife and career? Can Malaika regain her sense of self after stepping down from her successful law practice? Mourning the loss of her youthful athletic prowess and attractiveness, what happens when Deanna faces her old friends?

Struggling with two divorces and a failing marriage, can Russell attain peace of mind? How will Max, an expat living in Canada, manage with his incipient dementia? Will the demoralized Keith recover his idealism?

Wrinkled Rebels is a story of how six people achieve meaningful lives through the struggle for social justice. It is also a tale of love, the bonds of friendship, and growing old positively.

If you enjoyed the following books, you will love Wrinkled Rebels:

• Rebellion, Love, Betrayal by Jack Heinz
• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
• The Opposition by Todd Gitlin
• Class Reunion by Rona Jaffe
• Tom Lake by Anne Patchett
• Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal

Praise for Wrinkled Rebels
★★★★★ “A warm-hearted, engaging novel of the life-shaping force of 60s activism and its enduring aftermath; a rare treat for those who were there and for those who wish they were.” ~David Farber, author of The Age of Great Dreams

★★★★★ “Capture[s] many of the personal nuances and life complications confronting those who sought so urgently to save the world.” ~Paul Buhle, founding editor of the SDS journal Radical America, retired Senior Lecturer, Brown University

★★★★★ “These badass activists reject the temptation to wallow in recitations of an old despond, or any nostalgia for a ship that’s already left the shore.” ~Bill Ayers, political organizer, anti-war activist, author of Fugitive Days: Memoirs of an Anti-War Activist

★★★★★ “A beautifully crafted work of art. Lovingly constructed characters captivated me from page one. Embedded in this novel is a micro history of the 1960s.” ~George Katsiaficas, political activist, author of The Global Imagination of 1968: Revolution and Counterrevolution

★★★★★ “For those who want to learn about the momentous years of social struggle in the 1960s - the civil rights movement; the anti-Vietnam war movement; the women’s liberation movement – Olson gives an engaging and lively flavor of these events through six different relatable characters.” ~Nancy Rosenstock, author of Inside the Second Wave of Feminism

Free online: Story Foolery. Step into the enchanting world of Story Foolery, where you and your partner become the protagonists of captivating tales. Imagine experiencing every thought, feeling, and secret of your character while your partner does the same from their character’s perspective. Whether you become a Femme Fatale, a Private Detective, a Pirate, a Ghost, or a Rock Star, each story immerses you in a way you’ve never experienced before. Monday, July 22, 9 PM CDT.

“Plot grows out of character. If you focus on who the people in your story are, something is bound to happen.” ~Anne Lamott