"Your husband is a man with many layers. You'd do well not to peel them back." An innocent pawn in a ruthless game. Unwillingly betrothed to a phantom in the shadows. No joyous union. No blushing bride. Yet, through whispered letters, I catch a glimpse of a tortured soul. Each word luring me into an intoxicating dance of untamed desire. Damien becomes the protector I never knew I needed. 4.7 stars, 65 ratings on Goodreads. $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Congratulations to Nikki Patin and Vine Leaves Press on the release of Working on Me, a memoir that explores what it means to work on oneself to heal and break patterns of harm and violence.
★★★★★ "A book about everything—transcendent creativity and generational hurt, relentless pain and effervescent joy, elusive trauma and remorseless triumph... This book is a fearless, voiceful, middle finger of joy." ~Jaed Coffin, author of A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants
NEW RELEASE: April 9, 2024
Genre: Memoir
Paperback: From $17.99
Ebook: From $6.49
Working on Me chronicles the dysfunction and lore of a Black Russian Jewish interracial family on the far south side of Chicago, and the resulting trajectory of its prodigal child: multifaceted, multidisciplinary artist, performer, and sexual and domestic violence survivor Nikki Patin.
A meditation on the biomythography genre defined by Audre Lorde, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Joy Harjo, Working on Me lyrically dances in and out of different voices and perspectives in order to get to something like the truth. Patin’s prowess as a poet and a songwriter is reflected in prose that is brutal, beautiful, and brave.
Working on Me is about what it means to work on oneself to heal and break patterns of harm and violence and what makes the healing necessary in the first place: all the forces beyond our control that work on us.
Praise for Working on Me
★★★★★ “World-splitting. Fast, crucial, intimate, high, deep, it has the undeniable shine of a brilliant being finding her way in a world that cannot handle her shine.” ~cin salach, author of When I Am Yes
★★★★★ “A captivating blend of humor, wisdom, depth, and beauty, offering readers a profound exploration of bravery and self-acceptance. Nikki Patin’s words resonate as a guiding beacon, illuminating the path toward a stronger, more authentic self.” ~Dr. Ni’Cola Mitchell, Entrepreneur, Author, Executive Producer for Lifetime Movie Network, Giving Hope: The Ni’Cola Mitchell Story
★★★★★ “If writing is emotional excavation, then Working On Me is like the unearthing of the Roman city of Pompeii. Even covered with dust, dirt, and grime, this gem of a book can’t help but shine.” ~Tracy Baim, Cofounder, Windy City Times and former Publisher, Chicago Reader
★★★★★ “Nikki Patin sings into the darkest corners of her story, infusing her trauma with a vibrant, urgent light. She refuses to be invisible—every inch of her, every word of this book, demands to be fully seen.” ~Penny Guisinger, author of Postcards from Here
About the Author Featured in The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, on WBEZ, WTTW, FoxSoul, and on international television and radio, Nikki Patin has been writing, performing, educating, and advocating for more than two decades throughout the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Patin is the Executive Director of Calling All Crows and the founder of Surviving the Mic, a trauma-informed, survivor-led organization that holds brave and affirming space to support the writing and performances of survivors of sexual harm. Nikki Patin holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Southern Maine. Learn more at NikkiPatin.com.
About 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.
Free online: What's New in Historical Fiction. Join Colin Mustful, founder of History Through Fiction, for a panel discussion featuring Jennifer Ryan, author of The Underground Library; K.D. Alden, author of Lady Codebreaker; Sara Donati, author of The Sweet Blue Distance; and Lora Chilton, author of 1666. Monday, April 8, 7 - 8 PM CDT.
"If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday." ~Pearl S. Buck
From the turquoise blue waters of Polynesia to the grimy alleys of NYC, Civil War hero and adventurer Thomas Scoundrel risks everything for his friends and the woman he loves. Hunted by assassins, Tahitian warriors, a ruthless banker, and the most powerful figures in the world of fine art, he is tested to the limit at every turn. The second book in the series. 5.0 stars, 36 ratings. From $4.99 SHOP NOW /
A comprehensive guide designed to empower individuals to overcome the pervasive feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy that hinder their personal and professional growth. Through insightful analysis, practical strategies, and real-life examples, the book explores the various manifestations of impostor syndrome and offers proven techniques to cultivate self-confidence, resilience, and authenticity. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Young, penniless Jack Drayton lives on a barge, anchored in the Thames River in 1903 London. One night, Jack comes to the assistance of an old man who claims to be the infamous pirate Black Juan Gaskara. Black Juan is on the run, but before he dies, he gives Jack a cryptogram that reveals the location of a hidden treasure on Peril Island. With his best friend, Hector, Jack sets out to claim the treasure. 4.4 stars, 51 ratings. From $1.49 SHOP NOW /
Five stars from San Francisco Book Review. Unlock the mysteries of the cosmos. Praised for its clarity and accessibility, this book follows a groundbreaking exploration at the crossroads of science and metaphysics. Accessible to scholars and laypersons alike, The Science of Energy presents a novel cosmological framework bridging our inner consciousness with the outer, physical world. “…a clear-sighted and wide-ranging work of scientific and philosophical exploration.” ~Manhattan Book Review. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
CIA covert operative Titus Ray agrees to help his protégé, Ben Mitchell, out of a tough spot by accepting an assignment to Venezuela. But when the operation takes a deadly turn, Titus is forced to do something he’s never done before—rely on Ben to bring them home. 4.7 stars, 338 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
Detective Will Harper is drawn into a deadly mystery on Dog Island. What starts as a simple welfare check quickly spirals into a high-stakes investigation revealing rehab scams, Miami gangs, and human trafficking. As Harper delves into Miami's dark underbelly, he must also race against time to save his new love. This action-packed story weaves together danger, betrayal, and romance, making it a must-read for fans of John D. MacDonald, Douglas Pratt, or Wayne Stinnett. 4.7 stars, 300+ ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW /
A sexy billionaire finds a woman's diary. Now he craves the author of the sensual writing. His quest leads to Leah, and he suspects that she may be the woman he seeks. But he is accustomed to dominating, and the relationship quickly spins out of control. Will Leah submit to his terms? Leah's Seduction is a new adult romance filled with intrigue and romance. Can love blossom in a dominant-submissive relationship? 4.3 stars, 800+ ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Today is the 20th anniversary of the publication of Swimming with Maya by Eleanor Vincent, a memoir that has twice earned recognition as a Best Seller by The New York Times.
Swimming with Maya has been hailed by booklovers and professional reviewers alike, with nearly 500 reader reviews on Amazon, more than 600 on Goodreads, and dozens of reviews from authors and industry publications, including Booklist and Creative Nonfiction Magazine:
"Vincent's poignant decision to donate Maya's organs will resonate with even hard-boiled readers." ~Booklist
"Powerful prose with a meaningful and memorable message." ~Lee Gutkind, Founder, Creative Nonfiction Magazine
Today is also the 32nd anniversary of the death of the eponymous Maya. Read on for a special message from author Eleanor Vincent and for more information about Swimming with Maya.
Swimming with Maya Turns 20: Celebrating Grief Recovery and Organ Donation
By Eleanor Vincent
When my 19-year-old daughter Maya died after a freak fall from a horse she was riding bareback, the universe handed me the biggest writing assignment of my life. That was on April 6, 1992. Twelve years later I published Swimming with Maya: A Mother’s Story (Capital Books, 2004), a memoir about love, loss, and organ donation.
Like Maya herself, the book has exceeded my expectations. Republished by Dream of Things in 2013, the memoir has sold more than 20,000 copies and made The New York Times Best Sellers list twice. Nearly 500 people have reviewed it on Amazon and countless more have become organ donors because of our story.
My decision to donate allowed us to navigate through grief knowing that a miracle had emerged from a tragedy. April is National Donate Life Month. Each year, I write about the importance of choosing to become an organ and tissue donor. I do this to honor Maya, to help others experience the miracle of donation, and to celebrate the recipients of our gift. Please sign a donor card and tell your loved ones about your decision. Visit Donate Life America to learn more about organ donation and to register to become a donor..
For the next week, Swimming with Maya will be on sale. Help increase awareness of organ donation and grief recovery by buying a copy for yourself or a friend and reviewing the book on Amazon, Goodreads, or your Substack or website. To learn more about my work, please visit EleanorVincent.com.
Genre: Memoir, Creative Nonfiction Print edition sale price: $12.50 Ebook sale price: $0.99
Swimming with Maya demonstrates the remarkable process of healing after the traumatic death of a loved one. Eleanor Vincent raised her two daughters, Maya and Meghan, virtually as a single-parent. Maya, the eldest, was a high-spirited and gifted young woman. As a toddler, Maya was an angelic tow-head, full of life and curiosity. As a teenager, Maya was energetic and independent - and often butted heads with her mother. But Eleanor and Maya were always close and connected, like best friends or sisters, but always also mother and daughter.
Then at age 19, Maya mounts a horse bareback as a dare and, in a crushing cantilever fall, is left in a coma from which she will never recover. Eleanor's life is turned upside down as she struggles to make the painful decision about Maya's fate.
Ultimately Eleanor chooses to donate Maya's organs. Years later, she is able to hear Maya's heart beat in the chest of the heart recipient. Along the way, Eleanor re-examines her relationship with her daughter, as well as Eleanor's traumatic life as a child and young woman. In a story that has been called "heartbreaking and heart-healing," Eleanor Vincent illuminates the kind of courage, creativity, faith, and sheer tenacity it takes to find one's balance after unthinkable tragedy.
Praise for Swimming with Maya
"An important addition to the literature of loss and restoration." ~Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author of Inside the Halo and Beyond: The Anatomy of a Recovery
"Heartbreaking and heart healing, this compelling story of surviving the death of a child will stay with you long after you've closed the book." ~Ellen Bass, author of The Courage to Heal and The Human Line
"Every reader who has had to deal with traumatic loss will find wisdom and healing in these brave pages.'' ~Chana Bloch, author of Mrs. Dumpty and Blood Honey
"Riveting, poignant, and utterly honest... It shows that one can recover from the loss of a child.'' ~Judy Tatelbaum, author of The Courage to Grieve and You Don't Have to Suffer
"Eleanor Vincent chronicles her grief and the healing that came with helping others." ~Carol Lin, CNN
"Blows the reader away with its clarity, its unstinting honesty, and the searing accuracy of its vision of the medical and emotional complexity surrounding the tragic death of a young woman. Highly recommended.'' ~John Ruark, MD, FACP, author of Dying Dignified
"Thoughtful, honest and beautifully written... a fabulous story about what it means to be a mother.'' ~Wendy Lichtman, author of Blew and the Death of the Mag and Secrets, Lies and Algebra
"Life trumps death in this beautiful memoir." ~Linda Joy Myers, author of Don't Call Me Mother--A Daughter's Journey from Abandonment to Forgiveness and Power of Memoir
Free online: The Back Room. Join authors Erin E. Adams, Lisa Gardner, Karen E. Olson, and Carter Wilson for an evening of great conversation. Sunday, April 7, 6 - 8 PM CDT.
"The sun just touched the morning; / The morning, happy thing, / Supposed that he had come to dwell, / And life would be all spring." ~Emily Dickinson
Boone is a sad and lonely little dog. He doesn’t like to be left alone when Mom goes to work. To help him feel better, Mom buys him a special basket for his bed. When he sleeps, he dreams of a long-ago time and meets a man who is sad and lonely too, until he meets Jesus. 4.8 stars, 17 ratings. From $6.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
You don’t need to “study” philosophy—you need to LIVE it. Let these five visionaries show you how. It’s easy to forget what matters in the hustle and bustle of modern life. This book will help you reconnect with the deeper meaning behind your actions. You'll find stories and practical advice to guide your journey of self-discovery specific to YOU. A #1 Best Seller in in Biographies of Philosophers. 4.8 stars, 18 ratings. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Many of us can be overwhelmed by the daily demands of our jobs, families, and relationships. But some situations are necessary for personal growth as we strive to develop the skills needed to manage stress and become more resilient and emotionally healthy. Licensed marriage and family therapist F. Francis Jones shares his insights from more than 20 years of clinical practice. From $0.99 SHOP NOW /
Women in post-war America had it all. They were sold a bill of goods about their purpose in life. Some bought it and some didn’t. This book is about the women who didn’t. Five stories. Five women. Five roads that will lead to self-identity and fulfillment. “Great short stories that really do speak to what women had to face mid-20th century.” 4.0 stars, 21 ratings. From $2.99 SHOP NOW /
Accurate and action-packed historical fiction setting the stage for the emergence of one of England's greatest heroes: Edmund Ironside. "The last days of Aethelred's rule over England are told from the point of view of many characters, some fictional, but most historical. I appreciated that the heroes of the story were people of faith who were striving to do what was right when their world was crumbling around them. The political intrigue was fascinating as well." ~Amazon Review. 4.9 stars, 13 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW /
Escape to a dilapidated farmhouse and a chance at a new life with Damon Devereaux, a brilliant physicist struggling with a painful disability and an abusive marriage. Damon takes a leap of faith and leaves everything behind in a desperate attempt to start over, but as he battles his demons and tries to rebuild his shattered life, he soon realizes that his journey to redemption will not be easy. Will Damon be able to find the peace and love he deserves, or will he be forever haunted by his past? 4.4 stars, 24 ratings on Goodreads. FREE - SHOP NOW /
Four psychological classics by award-winning poet Nate Hoil have finally been collected into one book. For fans of Anne Sexton, Bukowski, and the surreal imagination of Hunter S. Thompson, transformed into poetic lyricism. This book includes four previously published collections: The Endless Windows of Time (2023), A Message from the Gallery of Excavated Heads (2022), Self Titled (2021), and Bulletproof Motorcycle (2018), all previously released through Secret Restaurant Press. Available in paperback. From $20 SHOP NOW /
After an unthinkable tragedy, Adelyn travels with the wizard, Alistair, and his companions seeking answers. After parting ways with Alistair, answers are revealed, but darkness falls upon Adelyn's heart. Meanwhile, Alistair and his companions discover troubling secrets and the force behind the encroaching darkness upon the world. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
Free online: Friends & Fiction. Every Wednesday at 7 PM ET, four NYT bestselling authors (Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Patti Callahan Henry) host "Friends & Fiction" and chat with some of the biggest names in publishing about the books the literary world is buzzing about. They also have an archive of 200+ past episodes that you can watch on demand. Wednesday, April 3, 7 PM ET.
"There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature." ~P.G. Wodehouse
Tales of the Tinkertoy is a novel with three stories in one: a coming-of-age story, a mystery, and a consummate tale of redemption. Follow Gus Mazur on his life journey from Oklahoma to New York City and from childhood to adulthood as he encounters trials and misfortunes in his career and in his relationships. "A unique, highly readable writer's voice." ~Claire Strombeck, Reedsy. FREE - SHOP NOW /
Two Kings. Two Warriors. A single crown. An oath obligates Ulf Bodvarsson to join King Harald Hardrada’s army in pursuit of the English crown. Yet near Stamford Bridge, enemies await, seeking to fulfill their own oaths of blood. The struggle that awaits them all will decide who rules the isles and who dies. Perfect for fans of George R.R. Martin, Bernard Cornwell, Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne, and Mark Lawrence. "Thoroughly imaginative and visceral. Five stars." ~Eric Schumacher, author of God’s Hammer. From $7.99. Free via BookFunnel. SHOP NOW /
Jane and Madeleine are roommates, first in an East Village tenement and later in the luxurious uptown apartment of a mysteriously absent woman. Madeleine and Jane encounter the terrors and excitements that burgeoned in the New York of that era. As the two develop a wary friendship, a self-appointed therapist becomes entangled in their lives. "A sprawling but intimate novel." ~Kirkus Reviews. From $0.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW /
How To Win Life’s Ultimate Payoffs Through The Craft Of Prediction, Influence, And Empathetic Strategy. If Life is a game, what are the rules? And more importantly…where are they written? Whether you’re bargaining your way to a higher pay grade or less housework, this book distills game theory’s basic principles into easy-to-understand, actionable advice and gives you the power to optimize your daily decision-making. 4.3 stars, 74 ratings. From $0.99 SHOP NOW /