Today's Featured Books

And Violet Is a Flower by Richard Lundeen

Literary Fiction and Poetry

A story of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption set in the mid-1960s. After a series of tragic events and a violent argument, twenty-year-old Violet and her mother, Lily, embark on separate journeys of pain and discovery, navigating a psychiatric hospital, a fragile mind, a music career sustained by amphetamines, and a mysterious death. Despite the trials and triumphs, their lives remain irrevocably entwined as they struggle to mend their fractured bond. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


The Last Wolf by M.S. Kaminsky

Science Fiction and Fantasy

A sixteen-year-old shifter who is the last of her kind. A school for magical creatures on the brink of catastrophe. Learn who to trust fast or it’s extinction, baby. Book 1 of 2: Moon Shifter Academy series. 4.1 stars, 30 ratings on Goodreads. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Me and My Shadow: Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor by John Walker Pattison

Memoir and Creative Nonfiction

At 18 years of age, John Walker Pattison was diagnosed with cancer. After years of failed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet today, he is one of the longest-surviving cancer patients in the UK. Later, his daughter was diagnosed with terminal cancer, yet she too went on to defy the odds. Learn more in this inspiring true story. 4.9 stars, 20 ratings. From $4.50 SHOP NOW


Spotlight on The Silent Codename action/adventure series

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on The Silent Codename action/adventure series from author E.S. Benton. Follow Alpha Team...a group of covert agents that includes ex-spies, a computer expert, and an ex-assassin...as they hunt a group responsible for committing heinous acts following supposedly natural disasters, and as a global toxin conspiracy plunges the team into a race for the antidote.

★★★★★ "An ensemble action thriller that delivers epic action scenes and enigmatic heroes." ~BestThrillers.com


Operation Storm's Eye

Book 1 of The Silent Codename Series
Genres: Suspense Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction, Men's Adventure Fiction, War & Military Action Fiction 
From $0.99



★★★★★ "A gripping, action-packed espionage thriller." ~Readers' Favorite

Someone is responsible for committing heinous acts following supposedly natural disasters, and it's up to Alpha Team to hunt them down. But within the shadows and deep underground, Alpha Team are much like their targets; hidden to all who seek them. With nothing more than the name of one man, their morality, trust, secrecy, and armory are stretched to the limit by a hidden enemy.

The deeper Alpha Team goes, the more difficult it becomes for them to stay under the radar. As the natural disasters become more targeted, it’s clear their enemy is more than one step ahead. Their enemy might have assets and technology, but so does Alpha team. The enemy might seem unstoppable, but so is Alpha team.

"A high-octane thriller with a fantastic hero team and an engaging premise." ~Samantha Ann Rainbow, ManyBooks.net

"A relentless rush of espionage and adrenaline." ~Self-Publishing Review


Operation Cavolo

New Release!
Book 2 of The Silent Codename Series
Genres: Suspense Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction, Men's Adventure Fiction, War & Military Action Fiction 
From $0.99



A toxin conspiracy threatens the world, and Alpha Team has only 86 hours to find the antidote and thwart a lethal countdown. As they grapple with internal sabotage and unseen connections to their adversary, trust becomes as scarce as time.

Tensions mount as leadership fractures and revenge fuels a battle that blurs the line between friend and foe. In the end, their greatest ally might be the very villain they seek, dangling a cure above their heads.


Free online: Hudson Valley Writers Center Event

Events

Free online: The Hudson Valley Writers Center presents author Nana Brew-Hammond who will read from My Parents’ Marriage, a novel about a woman trying to redefine what marriage means to her and what it takes to break free of harmful generational cycles. Thursday, August 1, 7:00 - 8:30 PM EDT. 

"Storytelling is as old as humanity—every known civilization has told stories of life as they lived it, passed down legends of how we got here, and created fables or parables to illustrate morals or deliver lessons." ~Nana Brew-Hammond


FREE - Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon

Book of the Day

Miss Congeniality meets The Golden Girls in this hilarious mystery set in southern Louisiana. Assassin Fortune Redding, with a price on her head and a CIA leak, takes on her toughest mission yet in Sinful, LA. Equipped with her skills and two feisty ladies known as The Geritol Mafia, Fortune sets out to solve a murder. Book 1 of the Miss Fortune Mysteries. 4.5 stars, 40K+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW


FREE - The Story Cycle Method by Sascha Brown Rice

General Nonfiction

A Practical Playbook for Writers and Dreamers. Whether you're fighting procrastination, overwhelm, or self-doubt, this book will help you put pen to page and unleash your creative potential. Writing coach Sascha Brown Rice helps you rediscover passion, unlock new possibilities, and take your writing to the next level. This intuitive approach to the creative process works for writers, filmmakers, musicians, editors, video game designers, and painters. 4.9 stars, 15 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /


Tumble With Me by Louise Forster

Romance

In a town where secrets and quirky characters find a home, ex-pole dancer Ava Bennett seeks a fresh start by moving to Lawson Grady’s hometown. Skilled in cabinetmaking, Ava plans to build her own house but struggles with a deep-seated fear she can barely admit to herself. Ex-soldier Lawson, kind-hearted and intuitive, senses her hidden troubles and tries to help, though she resists until the truth becomes unavoidable. 4.7 stars, 29 ratings on Goodreads. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


The Traveling Mind by Brian Williams

Literary Fiction and Poetry

New release in poetry: Explore the dimensional landscapes of The Traveling Mind, where poetry serves as a compass guiding you through realms of introspection and imagination. Each poem unveils the soul's wisdom, weaving tales of life and the timeless quest for meaning, transporting you to distant horizons and inner sanctums filled with untold stories and endless possibilities. From $10 SHOP NOW


Spotlight on Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue (aka, Cold Medicine and a Liar) by James Tyler Toothman, a book that has been described as a "satirical and deliciously dark."  

"An intriguing coming-of-age horror novel in which outcast friends encounter witchcraft and grow apart." ~Clarion Reviews

Note: The audiobook version of Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue was recorded at the world famous Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, and co-stars Joe Lawrence Parsons, Jr., along with the author as narrators. 


Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue or Cold Medicine and a Liar

Genres: Literary Fiction, Satire, Dark Fiction, Horror, Coming-of-Age Fiction
4.9 stars, 29 ratings on Amazon.com
Audiobook: $24.95
Paperback: From $19.99
Ebook: From $11.49



It's 1971 and deep in the woods of West Virginia, two childhood friends discover a book that dismantles and unravels everything they once considered reality. When an enigmatic stranger later rolls into their small coal mining town in the back of a Rolls Royce, the teenagers are plunged deep into a world of drugs, sex, music, and violence.

Together, the two friends confront the forces of good and evil head on—the unwitting pawns of an eternal game played without rules or directions. Badder than Louisiana Lightning, flyer than Sly Stone on a 747 jumbo jet, feverish, satirical, and deliciously dark, Three Sixes and A Forked Tongue or Cold Medicine and a Liar is an offbeat, coming-of-age, face-melting novel unlike anything you've seen or heard before.

Praise for Three Sixes and a Forked Tongue

"A wild brew of sorcery, Satan, and rural America." ~Kirkus Reviews

"Follows friends as they learn to live fully—and then face the consequences of their choices." ~Clarion Reviews

"Those seeking off-kilter stories celebrating the occult as a tool of feminist vengeance will be immersed in Priscilla’s magical awakening as a country witch." ~BlueInk Review


About the Author
James Tyler Toothman was born in a small town in West Virginia. He was raised by his father in a house built of cinder blocks, and spent his early years being looked after by a woman named Scarlett, who lived in a bar with dirt floors, a pool table, and a juke box, and by his grandfather, Big Jim, proprietor of Toothman's Alternator Service, who regularly took James to hillbilly auctions hosted by a 600-pound man named "Tiny." Learn more at ThreeSixesForkedTongue.com, sign up to receive email updates (follow link and scroll down to see the sign-up form), and follow @666ForkedTongue on X/Twitter and James Tyler Toothman on Facebook.


Win a Bundle of Cozy Mysteries ($250 value!)

Events

New Giveaway: Win a Bundle of Cozy Mysteries. Enter for a chance to win a bundle of 21 cozy mysteries plus a new e-reader (a $250 value). Earn entry points by following participating authors on BookBub or Amazon.

"Every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.” ~Charles Dickens


Do You Really Want To Know? by Kate Fraser

Book of the Day

In 1940s Budapest, two Jewish teenagers fall in love, only to face deadly peril as Hitler's pogroms reach Hungary. Forced to flee through the Alps, they have a tragic encounter with a Nazi officer escaping with his daughter. Seventeen years later in New York, their families' lives intersect, uncovering long-buried secrets from the past in this true story-based novel. 4.6 stars, 28 ratings. From $2.99 SHOP NOW


Promises in Tumble Creek by Louise Forster

Romance

In the small town of Tumble Creek, secrets don't stay hidden for long. Adele Valentin flees her troubled past in the city, seeking refuge with a friend. Takumi Edwards, who has long harbored feelings for Adele, sees this as his chance, but her past soon catches up, and only together can they face what lies ahead. 4.3 stars, 40 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU.  SHOP NOW


Buchanan's Express by John Parker

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Buchanan, known as Buck, must run her interplanetary trucking business alone after her husband is murdered by hijackers. Alongside her alien partner, Slick, she frequently battles pirates and hijackers. However, when Buck agrees to transport a mysterious box that could save a world, she questions whether she will survive the adventure. From $3.99 SHOP NOW


Jake by Emily Jane Trent

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

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


Spotlight on the works of author Leslie Anne Lee

Spotlight

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

Genres: Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Action & Adventure
From $9.99



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

Genre: Historical Fiction
From $5.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



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

Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
From $9.99 (Free via Kindle Unlimited)



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.


About the Author
Leslie Anne Lee has been writing almost as long as she has been walking. She wrote her first book at age six, and won her first award in the second grade. She loves all sorts of different authors, but her favorites are Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, C.S. Lewis, and Leon Uris. 

Besides writing novels, Ms. Lee also writes poetry, op-ed pieces, and literary essays. She also is an actor and dancer. She lives with her family in Fresno, California. Learn more at leslieannelee.com where you can also sign up to receive information about new releases and events.


Spotlight on contemporary sea adventures from Edward Hochsmann

Spotlight

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


Bonus: Win a $50 Amazon.com gift card in the Sizzling Series Marathon Giveaway. (Dagger Quest, Book 1 in the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures, is a "Top Pick" in the giveaway!) 

Dagger Quest

Book 1 of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures
Genres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 78 ratings
From $0.99



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

Book 2 of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures
Genres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 28 ratings
From $2.99



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

Book 3 of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures
Genres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 32 ratings
From $2.99



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

Book 4 of the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures
Genres: Sea Adventures Fiction, Crime Action Fiction, Mystery Action Fiction
4.4 stars, 9 ratings
From $2.99



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

  

About the Author
Edward Hochsmann is a retired U. S. Coast Guard search and rescue and law enforcement professional. Drawing from his twenty-five years of active service, he has crafted an exciting contemporary sea adventure series featuring the crew of a small Coast Guard cutter snatched from the hurly-burly of high-tempo operations in South Florida and thrust into the shadowy world of sensitive special missions. 

A husband and father of two sons, Ed likes reading, police procedurals, contemporary music on the road, and classical music in the office. He is a native of Northern Illinois, but has spent most of his adult life on the Gulf Coast, in duty stations from Panama City to Houston, and has finally settled in Crestview, Florida. 

Learn more at EdwardHochsmann.comcontact him with questions, comments, and to join his mailing list; and be sure to follow him online:
 
            


Free online: Pour & Explore - a digital wine tasting seminar

Events

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


To Own Two Suns by Fran Tabor

Book of the Day

"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


Rescued in Tumble Creek by Louise Forster

Romance

Art teacher Sofie Dove is in trouble, and police officer Brock Stewart is willing to risk everything to keep her safe, despite his haunted past and mixed messages. After a terrifying incident destroys Sofie's house, Brock becomes her protector, determined to uncover the threat against her. But an unexpected arrival in town could derail their growing relationship. Book 2 of the Tumble Creek Series. 4.5 stars, 39 ratings. From $2.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


The Shadow Isle by A.E. Rayne

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Book 1 in the Fate of the Furycks series. Immerse yourself in a richly imagined world of warring kingdoms, mysterious dreamers, and dark magic, where an unstoppable warrior must overcome insurmountable odds to save her family. "Wonderful and suspenseful." ~Goodreads Review. 4.7 stars, 850+ ratings on Amazon. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


FREE - Murder Unveiled by J. T. Bishop

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

When a prominent art dealer is murdered after the unveiling of a prized, but cursed, painting, two detectives are assigned to investigate a variety of suspects. When the clues point to the answers they seek, they’ll find that a curse may prove more deadly than a killer, and they may be the next targets. 4.6 stars, 46 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW


The Art Of Note Taking by Thinknetic

General Nonfiction

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


Free and Clear by Karin Kiser

General Nonfiction

From the author of the #1 international happiness bestseller Lighten Your Load comes Free and Clear, a book that addresses the real issue behind clutter: the habit of re-cluttering. This book won't just help you rearrange your belongings; it will guide you through a 7-step system to break the re-cluttering cycle, declutter your home and mind, and find more time, space, and happiness. If you're ready to finally get to the root cause of your clutter and become free and clear, get your copy now. 4.1 stars, 71 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Zombie Fungus by Bryan Dean

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Looking for a “different” apocalypse story? You may have finally found it with Abe, who thought he was prepared until he discovered Hollywood didn’t get all the facts right about the monsters. With an evil lurking in New York City and an apocalypse that’s anything but typical, Abe is the guy you want on your survival team—or maybe not—but his friends might just make the chaos bearable. 4.1 stars, 121 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /