Today's Featured Books

FREE - The Adventures of Finn and Annie Volumes 1-3 by Christopher Greyson

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

A Box Set or the first 3 volumes of this beloved mini mystery series. After losing his leg in the Army, Finn is starting a new career as an insurance investigator. He is joined by Annie, a videographer who lost her hearing but is trying to make it as a single mom. The world might see them as broken and battered souls, but they make a great team as they investigate their way through murder, arson, theft, embezzlement, and maybe even love! FREE - SHOP NOW


Look 'N Up Invasion by Janice Carr Smith

Children and Young Adult

While fighting predators that attack every three years, the royal family of a tiny, primitive world is accidentally transported to a pomegranate farm in California. Desperate for help, the farm family hires the green-skinned strangers. Deep friendships form, but the predators have followed their prey. They’re hibernating on the farm, waiting to attack an unsuspecting Earth. It will take the diverse skills of both families to defeat them. Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards. “Entertaining and enlightening.” ~Book Trib. From $0.99 SHOP NOW


January 6: A Novel by Norman Brewer

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

The day democracy was threatened... Protesters morph into a mob and storm the Capitol. Right-wing militias take hostages. In a standoff, militias unleash terrorist attacks. Civil war threatens as the president fights to stay in office. Can democracy survive? "Unreservedly" recommended by the prestigious Midwest Book Review. "The national nightmare you thought ended," declares another reviewer. From $3.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Confessions of a "Killer" Criminal Trial Lawyer by JD James

Memoir and Creative Nonfiction

Where “truth” clashes with “legal truth.” A behind-the-scenes look into a “killer” trial lawyer's chaotic journey into the heart of legal battlefields where decisions are 5-dimensional chess moves and every move is a life-altering choice. An exhilarating memoir of a world where truth and deception understand each other. "I didn’t care if I prosecuted or defended as my oath was to serve Justicia and not a particular client." An Amazon #1 Best Seller in multiple categories. From $1.99. Free via KU. SHOP NOW


Spotlight on Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer by Randall Silvis

Spotlight

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer by Randall Silvis, a book for writers everywhere and at every point in their careers.

If you are a writer, this book belongs on your desktop alongside On Writing by Stephen King, The Art of Fiction by John Gardner, and Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. If there is an aspiring writer in your life, this book would be a much-appreciated (and quite possibly, a much-needed) gift. 

"Randall Silvis is an author's author. Those who write for a living (or aspire to do so) could hardly do better than to study his significant body of work, which has been critically acclaimed and recognized throughout the world." ~BookReporter

Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer

New release: February 2024
Paperback: $16.39
 


The Art, Craft, Business, and Teaching of Creative Writing

Every year, thousands of aspiring writers are duped by how-to-write books and MFA Creative Writing programs into sacrificing time and money in pursuit of the secret path to bestsellerdom. Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer was written as an antidote to those false promises. Bestselling author Randall Silvis pulls no punches in his assessment of creative writing programs, the American educational system in general, and the publishing industry.

This is not some slim volume of writing tips; this is 350+ pages of insights and advice based on a successful writer's personal experience. In a series of essays chronicling his forty years as a critically acclaimed writer, Silvis explores a wide range of topics, including:
  • Why Write
  • Ten Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer
  • Ten Writer's Rules Begging to be Broken
  • A Writer's Life
  • Profit and Loss
  • When Less is More
  • The Writer's Obligation
  • Act Like a Professional Writer Now
  • Financial Planning for Adjuncts
  • A Writer's Education
  • Reading, Writing, & Teaching Fiction
  • And much more.
“Randall Silvis seems to have an innate understanding of writing that marks him as a true original, and, to my mind, a true visionary. He is this country’s most pitch-perfect stylist, and one of a few writers of his generation who will make a difference.” ~William Allen, founder and director emeritus of the Ohio State University Creative Writing Program

“Randall Silvis is a masterful storyteller.” ~The New York Times Book Review

Additional works by Randall Silvis:

The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series

The literary and emotionally propulsive Ryan DeMarco Mystery novels, including Hammett Prize Nominee Two Days Gone, plus Walking the Bones, A Long Way Down, No Woods so Dark as These, and When All Light Fails

"Hard-edged and smartly plotted...DeMarco is an interesting character: not just your typical ex-cop-with-a-past, but rather a vividly realized, robust, and abundantly human character." ~Booklist

The Deepest Black

A crime novel unlike any you've ever read―based on true events. Where does the line blur between fact and fiction? Author Randall Silvis is looking for a story―any story to follow up the books of The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series that catapulted him to success. But when a stranger tips him off about a series of murders in a small Pennsylvania town, Silvis finds himself embroiled in a world of corruption that shatters his sense of reality. A profoundly thoughtful, unsettling read.

From the Mirror

The first installment of what is to be a four-part autobiography, this book contains more than three hundred brief reflections and observations, none longer than a single typed page, on creative writing, fatherhood, academia, politicians, introversion, the afterlife, solitude, romantic love, and more. A must-read for lovers of life, literature, and the pursuit of happiness.
About the Author
Randall Silvis is the multi-genre author of two dozen books, including critically acclaimed novels, short story collections, and works of creative nonfiction. He is a past winner of the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, and his work has been published in more than a hundred editions in several languages. Learn more at RandallSilvis.com, and be sure to follow Randall online:
 
            


Free online: The Art Institute of Chicago "Essentials" Tour

Events

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


The Darkness All Around Us by Megan Boley

Book of the Day

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


Forge Your Mental Toughness from Wisdom University

General Nonfiction

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


FREE - What Good Luck Bad Luck by Alex Horner

Children and Young Adult

"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


Five Steps Beyond by Luana Ehrlich

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

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


FREE - Soulless by Kate Rudolph and Starr Huntress

Science Fiction and Fantasy

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


All in a Row by John Misak

Mystery Thriller Crime and Horror

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


FREE - The Accidental Fiancé by Christi Barth

Romance

Sydney can endure anything for 90 days—including making sandwiches and serving coffeeuntil 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


FREE - Faith by Nick Nielsen

Science Fiction and Fantasy

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 


FREE - Awaken Into Remembrance by Matt Buonocore

Literary Fiction and Poetry

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


FREE - The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise

Science Fiction and Fantasy

"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


FREE - Scoria by R May

Literary Fiction and Poetry

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


Spotlight on Hearts of the Hall series of Georgian, Regency, and Victorian Romance!

Spotlight

 


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.

Finding Miss Giles by Philippa Jane Keyworth

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 


Engaging Miss Shaw by Rachel Knowles

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 


Restoring Miss Hastings by Edwina Kiernan

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!

Events

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


The Covid Murders by Greg Vigdor

Book of the Day

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


FREE - Little Blue Box by Frances Dall'Alba

Romance

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


FREE - The Murder Plague by Scott Michael Powers

Science Fiction and Fantasy

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 Strange Affinity by Rebecca Rook

Children and Young Adult

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


Accidental Conscript by John Walker

Science Fiction and Fantasy

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


Not Alone: The Ultimate Collection by Craig A. Falconer

Science Fiction and Fantasy

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