đ Free Kindle Books Saturday: Mysteries, Romance & Fantasy đ
From charity shop sleuths to Hollywood second chancesâ11 free reads spanning cozy mysteries, dark romance, and apocalyptic LitRPG
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The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery Book 1)
Author: Ellie Alexander
FREE
Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
The Secret Bookcase is Annie Murrayâs sanctuaryâa quirky bookstore in a converted manor house with a dangerously good selection of crime fiction. Itâs been her refuge since her dreams of starting a detective agency with her best friend Scarlet died when Scarlet was murdered. Annie never stopped trying to solve the mystery of her friendâs death, finding solace in the warm community of Redwood Groveâs book-lovers and local business owners. Until a body turns up during the townâs inaugural Mystery Fest. đ
When murder strikes at the bookstore during a celebration of mystery fiction, the irony is not lost on anyoneâleast of all Annie, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a real-life whodunit. Time to dust off that criminology degree and put her sleuthing skills to actual use. The victim, the suspects, and the clues are all connected to the bookstore and festival, creating a classic locked-room mystery setup with a literary twist. đ
Ellie Alexander layers this cozy mystery with genuine emotional stakes: Annieâs still haunted by her failure to solve Scarletâs murder, making this new case both professional challenge and personal redemption. The converted manor house setting provides atmospheric charm, while the Mystery Fest brings together book lovers, authors, and industry professionalsâany of whom could be the killer. The bookstore as crime scene is deliciously meta. đď¸
The Secret Bookcase series promises book-themed mysteries for readers who love their cozies with literary flair. Annieâs criminology background makes her a credible amateur detective rather than just a nosy busybody, while the unresolved murder of her best friend adds ongoing series potential. For fans of bookish mysteries like the Booktown series or anything involving cozy bookstores and dead bodies. â¨
What makes this essential: Cozy mystery where a bookseller with an unsolved best friendâs murder on her conscience must solve a killing at her crime fiction bookstore during a mystery festival. đľď¸
Bodyguard of Lies: The Cellar: Policing of the World of Covert Operations
Author: Bob Mayer
FREE
Military Thrillers
Neeley has just pulled off the perfect hitâa South Bronx drug deal turned bloodbath, netting her a suitcase of cash and a clean escape. Trained by her mentor and lover Gant, sheâs a ghost who leaves no witnesses and no trace. But when Gantâs past catches up, Neeley discovers survival in the shadows requires more than rifle skills. Meanwhile, Hannah Mastersonâs suburban perfection shatters when her husband John vanishes with everythingâthe house, the money, her futureâleaving only a cryptic island postcard and forged debt. đ°
Deep beneath NSA headquarters at Fort Meade, an old blind man sits in darkness contemplating decades of secrets and failures. Known only as âthe Cellar,â his covert organization has operated in the shadows since Pearl Harbor, answering to no one but its founding mandate. Now, with his own time running out, heâs setting one final plan in motion that will pull together unlikely operatives, hidden agendas, and connections forged in blood. đľď¸
Bob Mayer weaves three seemingly unrelated storylinesâa professional assassin, a betrayed housewife, and a shadowy intelligence operativeâinto a complex thriller about the infrastructure of American covert operations. The Cellar represents the ultimate black ops organization, one that polices other covert agencies and operates completely outside normal chains of command. As the plot converges, these disparate characters discover theyâre all pieces in a much larger game. đŻ
The title references Churchillâs famous quote about wartime deception, setting up themes of lies, loyalty, and the moral compromises required by intelligence work. Mayerâs military background brings authenticity to the tradecraft and operational details, while the multiple POV structure creates mounting tension as readers see connections the characters donât. The Cellarâs founding during Pearl Harbor suggests deep historical roots and long-buried secrets about to surface. đ
Why Iâm including this: Military thriller exploring the shadowy world of covert operations through three converging storylinesâan assassin, a betrayed wife, and a blind spymasterâs final gambit. đŁ
Death of an Old Git (The Falconer Files Book 1)
Author: Andrea Frazer
FREE
Murder Mystery
In the village of Castle Farthing, a mean-spirited, spiteful curmudgeon is found drugged and strangled in his kitchen with no obvious clues to the perpetrator. When DI Falconer and Acting DS Carmichael arrive from Market Darley police headquarters, they begin uncovering a web of grudges against the old man and a sea of familial connections between those who knew him. Turns out when youâre universally despised, everyoneâs a suspect. đ
As Julyâs relentless heat continues, tempers flare and disturb the usual rural calm of Castle Farthingâand the normally imperturbable Harry Falconer. Faced with a crime featuring no obvious prime suspect, complicated family dynamics, and the idiosyncrasies of his new partner Carmichael, is Falconer gradually losing his grip on the case as the body count rises? The pressure mounts alongside the temperature. âď¸
Andrea Frazer delivers classic British village mystery with a darkly comic title that perfectly captures the victimâs characterâcalling him an âold gitâ in the title tells you everything about how the village felt about him. The web of grudges and familial connections creates the kind of tangled suspect pool that makes village mysteries so satisfying. Everyone had reason to want him dead, which means everyoneâs hiding something. đĄ
The partnership between the controlled, imperturbable Falconer and his new partner Carmichael (whose idiosyncrasies are hinted at ominously) promises entertaining detective dynamics. The rising body count suggests the initial murder unleashed something in the villageâeither a serial killer or multiple people taking the opportunity to settle scores. The July heat adds atmospheric pressure, making everyone short-tempered and suspicious. đĄď¸
What makes this special: British village mystery where a universally despised curmudgeonâs murder reveals a web of grudges and family secretsâthen the bodies start piling up. đŹđ§
Downward Death: A Magical Mane Mystery (Magical Mane Mystery Series Book 1)
Author: Stella Bixby
FREE
Cozy Animal Mystery
Ellie Vanderwick has hair-raising problemsâand weâre not talking about split ends. Her hair is literally magical but completely out of control, transforming into curls, bright purple, or limp strands at random moments. Yoga helps with the tension, but when it comes to dead bodies, she needs more than downward dog. Her life may seem imperfect without friends, family, or stable employment, but sheâs got trusty VW Microbus Mona and loyal piggy companion Penelope. That counts for something. đ
When Ellie inherits a farm from her late grandmother, she knows itâs time to tame her wild hair and uncover secrets from her pastâlike why her mother left her at a fire station years ago. Cliff Haven, Iowa seems like the perfect place for a fresh start in a quaint, friendly town. But Ellieâs arrival brings more than just her magical mane: when a dead body turns up in her cornfield, the town starts pointing fingers at the newcomer with the weird hair. đ˝
Can Ellie solve the mystery and clear her name before itâs too late? Sheâll need to control her unpredictable hair magic, navigate small-town suspicion, figure out her family history, and catch a killerâall while caring for Penelope the pig and living in a Microbus named Mona. The combination of magical realism and cozy mystery creates a quirky paranormal cozy with genuine charm. đˇ
Stella Bixby crafts a cozy mystery series with a genuinely unique hook: magical hair that reflects the protagonistâs emotional state and causes chaos at inopportune moments. The pig companion and VW bus add to Ellieâs outsider status while making her endearing. The inherited farm and family secrets provide ongoing series potential beyond the immediate murder mystery. For readers who want their cozies with a magical twist and a side of pork. â¨
Why Iâm including this: Quirky paranormal cozy where a woman with uncontrollable magical hair inherits a farm, finds a body in her cornfield, and must solve the murder with help from her pet pig. đŽ
Murder on the Village Green (Lady Felicity Quick Book 1)
Author: Rosie Hunt
FREE
1920s Cozy Mystery
England, 1921. Murder has stunned the peaceful Devonshire village of Lower Diddleton, and local resident Lady Felicity Quick is ready to write up the dastardly crime for her reporting workâuntil a dashing, talented journalist arrives from London to steal her story. Ignoring suggestions that a young woman of certain standing has no business meddling in murder, Felicity uses her inquisitiveness, persistence, and natural charm to unearth Lower Diddletonâs secrets. Her mostly faithful canine accomplice is along for the investigation. đŠ
Felicity interviews everyone from the village baker to the president of the plant and floral society, determined to get her story. But when an innocent family friend stands accused of the crime, she has no choice: to find the real killer, Felicity must join forces with her rival journalist. Can she swallow her pride before the murderer gets away with itâor is Felicity risking a bullet through her cloche hat? âď¸
Rosie Hunt delivers 1920s cozy mystery with all the period charm: Lady detectives, village settings, canine companions, and the post-WWI era when women were pushing boundaries about what was considered âappropriateâ for their station. Felicityâs reporting ambitions put her in direct conflict with both societal expectations and a male rival from London, creating dual sources of tension beyond the murder itself. đ
The âmostly faithfulâ canine accomplice suggests a dog with personality and agency rather than just decoration. The plant and floral society detail captures the specific social organizations that structured village life in this era. The family friend accused of murder raises personal stakesâFelicityâs not just chasing a story anymore, sheâs fighting for someone she cares about. The cloche hat reference is perfectly period. đ¸
What makes this essential: Charming 1920s Devonshire cozy where an aspiring lady reporter must team up with her rival journalist to solve a village murder and save an innocent friend. đ
A Holiday Romance in Ferry Lane Market
Author: Nicola May
FREE
Romantic Comedy
To escape a public scandal, jilted soap actress Sabrina Swift packs up her life and heads to Cornwall, where she finds herself running a gift shop in the quaint and quirky Ferry Lane Market. Changing her looks and identity to maintain anonymity, the newcomer starts making both friends and enemies as she walks a frosty path through the established marketplace community. Not everyoneâs happy to have a famous face (even a disguised one) disrupting their small-town dynamics. đ
As rumors circulate that the outdoor market faces shutdown, Sabrina finds herself ensconced in an unexpected love triangle while facing a difficult decision that could alter both her life and those of Hartmouthâs inhabitants forever. The stakes rise as she becomes genuinely invested in the marketâs survival and the community sheâs joinedâbut can she save it without revealing who she really is? đ
Nicola May crafts uplifting romance with beautifully written Cornish setting and charming characters exploring themes of self-discovery, belonging, and following your heart. The marketplace setting provides built-in community dynamics, daily interactions, and the kind of small-business camaraderie that makes readers want to visit. Sabrinaâs dual identity adds tensionâsheâs hiding from scandal while trying to build authentic connections. đď¸
The threatened market closure gives the story external stakes beyond romance, uniting the vendors in common cause. Sabrina must choose between protecting her anonymity and fighting for the community sheâs come to love. The love triangle complicates matters romantically while the marketplace politics create professional challenges. This is escapist romance that balances light drama with genuine heart. â¨
Why Iâm including this: Heartwarming Cornish romance where a scandal-fleeing actress finds fresh start, new identity, unexpected love triangle, and a marketplace community worth fighting for. đ
The Mafia And His Angel: Part 1 (Tainted Hearts Series)
Author: Lylah James
FREE
Romantic Suspense
Alessio is cold, ruthless, a killerârespected and feared by all. He wasnât put on earth to love or be loved but to wipe out every last member of the Abandonato mafia and avenge his motherâs death. When he finds a strange girl hiding, beaten, under his bed, he doesnât let her live out of compassion. Sheâs a trinket, his plaything, something to control in a world built on violence and revenge. đ¤
Ayla thought Alessio was just one more man who wanted to use her, hurt her, and throw her away. She doesnât know what trust means anymore, canât find her heart under all the pain. But Alessio found itâtouched it, brought it alive again in ways she never expected. The problem? If he discovers just how dangerous she actually is to him, sheâll lose her life. Their connection is built on secrets that could destroy them both. đ
Lylah James delivers dark mafia romance with the intensity and moral ambiguity the subgenre demands. The power imbalance is extremeâhe literally owns her, considers her propertyâbut the emotional stakes complicate the traditional captor/captive dynamic. Both characters are damaged and dangerous in different ways, creating unstable ground for any relationship to develop. âď¸
The âPart 1â designation indicates this is a serialized story, likely with major cliffhangers and continued plot threads. The mafia vendetta against the Abandonato family provides ongoing external conflict while Aylaâs hidden danger to Alessio creates ticking-clock internal tension. This is dark romance for readers who want morally gray characters, high stakes, and relationships forged in dangerous circumstances. đĽ
What makes this special: Dark mafia romance where a ruthless killer seeking vengeance finds a beaten girl hiding under his bedâand discovers sheâs more dangerous to him than he knows. đš
The Charity Shop Detective Agency (Book 1)
Author: Peter Boland
FREE
Noir Crime
Three retired ladies who volunteer at Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop canât believe their favorite customer is dead. Eighty-six-year-old Sarah Brown was found murdered in her hallway by her delivery man, clutching a domino with a name scratched on it. When another person is found dead with a domino in their hand and police make no progress, Fiona, Sue, and Daisy decide they need to help unmask a serial killer. At least they have Fionaâs scruffy-haired terrier cross to assist them. â
With plenty of tea and cake along the way, and despite squabbles with their rivals at the Cats Alliance charity shop across the street, the Charity Shop Detective Agency is born. The dominoes suggest a patternâsomeoneâs working through a list, marking their victims. The three ladies combine their local knowledge, customer relationships, and surprising investigative instincts to track a killer the police are overlooking. đ
Peter Boland creates cozy mystery gold: retired ladies, charity shop setting, scrappy dog sidekick, tea and cake, rivalry with the cat charity across the street. The dominoes-as-calling-cards detail adds serial killer stakes to what could have been a simple village mystery. Each victim gets marked with their name scratched on a domino, suggesting premeditation and a specific list of targets. đ˛
The charity shop provides perfect amateur detective coverâthey interact with the whole community, hear all the gossip, and can ask questions without arousing suspicion. The rivalry with Cats Alliance adds comedy alongside the crime-solving. The ladiesâ age and volunteer status mean theyâre consistently underestimated, giving them investigative advantages. For readers who love British cozy mysteries with genuine heart and humor. đ
Why Iâm including this: Delightful British cozy where three retired charity shop volunteers (and a scruffy terrier) must catch a serial killer leaving dominoes with victimsâ names scratched on them. đŹđ§
Paths of Power: Initialization Book 1
Author: Sean Barber
FREE
Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
A mid-30s truck driver must make hard choices on his quest to get home to his family while the world as we know it comes to an end. Seven hundred miles, no truck, just his loyal dog to accompany himâcan he survive in this new world? A world where The System spawns monsters and mutates plants and animals to absorb and refine essence? This is LitRPG meets post-apocalyptic survival with genuine stakes. đ
Sean Barber delivers the increasingly popular âSystem apocalypseâ premise: Earth gets integrated into a game-like reality with monsters, levels, and magic. But instead of a gamer protagonist ready to exploit the mechanics, we get a trucker desperately trying to cross 700 miles of hostile territory to reach his family. The dog companion adds emotional weightâheâs not just surviving for himself but protecting his loyal animal friend. đ
The initialization concept suggests humanity is being forced to adapt to new rules overnight. Plants and animals mutating into essence-absorbing threats creates environmental danger beyond just monster spawns. The trucker protagonist brings blue-collar sensibility to a genre often dominated by gamers and tech workersâheâll approach problems practically rather than optimizing builds and grinding stats. đŽ
The 700-mile journey provides natural story structure and escalating challenges as he moves through different regions, encounters other survivors, and discovers how The System works. His family waiting at journeyâs end creates emotional urgency beyond simple survival. For readers who enjoy LitRPG but want protagonists with real-world skills and genuine personal stakes rather than power fantasy. âď¸
What makes this essential: System apocalypse LitRPG where a truck driver must survive 700 miles of mutated plants, spawned monsters, and essence mechanics to reach his family. đ
Lost and Found (Sanctuary Book 1)
Author: Katharine Sadler
FREE
Small-Town Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
According to Grant Holiday, there are two kinds of people in the world: those who follow the rules and those who should stay out of his forest. Heâs decided sheâs the rule-breaking enemy, and thatâs just fine with her. No matter how pretty his green eyes are, how handsome he is, or how often he finds her when sheâs lost, heâs definitely not her type. A smart woman would lie low, follow the rules, and avoid Grant Holiday altogether. đ˛
But she keeps breaking rulesârescuing injured skunks, accepting jobs at his brotherâs bookstoreâand Grant keeps showing up to point out every violation. Heâs the last person she wants to see every day, until suddenly he isnât. Which is awkward, because sheâs got trust issues and heâs hung up on his ex. Theyâll never work as a couple, so she should definitely ignore her irrational attraction to this infuriating man. đ
Katharine Sadler nails the enemies-to-lovers progression from mutual antagonism to reluctant attraction to âoh no, I actually like him.â The forest ranger hero gives Grant legitimate authority to enforce rules while making him protective of his territory (literal and metaphorical). Her repeated rule-breaking shows spirit rather than malicious intentâsheâs rescuing injured animals and taking jobs, not committing crimes. đŚ¨
The âhe keeps finding her when sheâs lostâ detail is both practical (forest ranger finding lost hiker) and metaphorical (he sees her when sheâs lost emotionally). The trust issues and ex-girlfriend baggage provide genuine obstacles beyond simple misunderstanding. Small-town setting means they canât avoid each other even if they want to. The Sanctuary series title suggests a place of healing and safetyâappropriate for a romance about two damaged people finding each other. đ
Why Iâm including this: Sweet small-town enemies-to-lovers where a rule-breaking woman and the handsome forest ranger who keeps citing her violations discover theyâre perfect for each other. đď¸
One More Time
Author: Laurelin Paige
FREE
Contemporary Romance
She would have been stupid to turn down the opportunityâa feature film starring the hottest man in Hollywood and her in the leading role. Itâs not just the chance of a lifetime; itâs the first time sheâs landed the lead. But Tanner James isnât just any actor or âSex Godââheâs the man who took her virginity then shattered her dreams. If she can use this part to launch a new career, itâll be worth it. If she can stop herself from falling back into bed with Tanner, itâll be a miracle. đŹ
Her heart? He canât take that from him this time because heâs had it all along. The forced proximity of filming together means she canât avoid him, canât avoid their chemistry, and canât avoid confronting the past that still haunts them both. Working with her first love who destroyed her is professional opportunity and personal torture combined. đ
Laurelin Paige delivers second chance romance with Hollywood setting and genuine emotional stakes. The virginity/shattered dreams backstory suggests their first relationship ended badly enough to cause lasting damage, making their reunion fraught with unresolved feelings. The power dynamic is interestingâheâs the established Hollywood star, sheâs finally getting her big break, and they have to maintain professionalism while old attraction reignites. đ
The âSex Godâ nickname suggests Tannerâs public persona versus who he really is, while the admission that heâs always had her heart complicates the revenge/career narrative. She wants to use the opportunity professionally while protecting herself emotionally, but proximity and unresolved feelings make that impossible. For readers who love celebrity romance, second chances, and forced proximity with genuine emotional consequences. â¤ď¸
What makes this essential: Second chance Hollywood romance where a woman must film a leading role opposite the man who took her virginity and broke her heartâand whoâs never really let go of either. đ
Under a Spitfire Sky
Author: Ellie Curzon
Regularly $3.99, Today $0.99
Historical World War II Fiction
Florence is a talented engineer in the Womenâs Auxiliary Air Force, spending 1944 patching up Spitfires at Cottisbourne airbase to ensure the brave pilots return safely day after day. Itâs demanding, dangerous work, but sheâs good at itâuntil romance complicates everything. When she befriends the new squadron leader, shy and handsome Siegfried, it seems love might bloom even under war-torn skies. But Florence carries a broken heart and a terrible secret that could destroy her one chance at happiness. âď¸
The personal stakes rise alongside the professional ones when a revolutionary new plane is being developed that could turn the tide of the war. Florence suspects thereâs a traitor in their midst, someone putting Siegfried and the entire country in terrible danger. Sheâs caught between protecting her heart and protecting her country, between the secret sheâs keeping and the secrets someone else is selling. đ§
Can Florence save her Spitfire boys and her own heart? The question drives this wartime romance that balances genuine historical detail with emotional stakes. Curzon captures the reality of womenâs crucial contributions to the war effortâFlorence isnât just a love interest, sheâs an engineer whose skills are essential to keeping pilots alive. The aviation detail adds authenticity while the spy subplot provides thriller elements alongside the romance. đ
Ellie Curzon delivers WWII historical fiction that honors both the technical contributions and emotional sacrifices of women during wartime. Florenceâs engineering expertise makes her a compelling protagonist beyond her romantic storyline, while Siegfriedâs shyness offers a refreshing take on the squadron leader archetype. The combination of romance, espionage, and aviation history creates multiple layers of tension. â¤ď¸
What makes this essential: WWII romance where a talented female engineer must save both her Spitfire squadron and her chance at love while hunting a traitor at a British airbase. đŠď¸
An American Type: A Novel
Author: Henry Roth
Regularly $23.99, Today $3.99
Historical Literary Fiction
Set during the Great Depression against a backdrop of New Yorkâs glimmering skyscrapers and Los Angelesâs seedy motor courts, this autobiographical work concludes the unparalleled saga of Henry Roth. His classic *Call It Sleep*, published in 1934, went on to become one of Timeâs 100 best American novels of the twentieth centuryâand this final work brings his literary journey to a close decades later. đď¸
With echoes of Nathanael West and John Steinbeck, *An American Type* is a heartrending statement about American identity and the universal transcendence of love. Roth captures the desperation and grit of Depression-era America through intimate, autobiographical storytelling that bridges the gap between his early masterpiece and his later life. The novel spans from New Yorkâs heights to LAâs seediest corners, tracking the American experience through one of its most challenging periods. đ
The significance of this book extends beyond its literary meritâit represents the culmination of Rothâs decades-long creative journey. After *Call It Sleep* established him as a major literary voice, Rothâs subsequent work took years to emerge. *An American Type* serves as both continuation and reflection, examining what it means to be American through the lens of personal experience and historical upheaval. đ
Henry Rothâs autobiographical approach lends authenticity to the Depression-era setting while his literary craftsmanship (honed over decades) elevates the material beyond simple memoir. The comparisons to West and Steinbeck are earnedâlike them, Roth captures a specific American moment while addressing universal themes of identity, belonging, and love. For readers who know *Call It Sleep*, this provides essential context; for newcomers, it stands alone as Depression-era literature. â¨
Why Iâm including this: The concluding work from the author of one of Timeâs 100 best American novelsâa Depression-era literary journey examining American identity and love from a true master. đ
Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austenâs England
Author: Rory Muir
Regularly $17.99, Today $2.99
Sociology of Marriage & Family
In Regency England, the eldest son inherited almost everythingâthe estate, the title, the security. His younger brothers? They got little inheritance and a crucial decision: What should they do to make an independent living? Historian Rory Muir weaves together stories of many obscure and well-known young men of good family but small fortune, shedding light on an overlooked aspect of Regency society that Jane Austen fans will recognize immediately. đŠ
If youâve ever wondered why Austenâs novels feature so many officers, clergymen, and ambitious younger sons seeking their fortunes, this is your answer. The primogeniture system created an entire class of gentlemen who had the education and social standing but not the money, forcing them into careers in the military, the church, law, or colonial service. Some succeeded spectacularly; others failed miserably. All faced the challenge of maintaining their status while actually earning a living. đˇ
Muirâs scholarship is rigorous but his storytelling is accessible, making this the first book to comprehensively explore this fascinating demographic. He combines statistical analysis with individual narratives, showing both the systemic pressures and personal choices that shaped these menâs lives. For Austen readers, it transforms your understanding of characters like Edmund Bertram, John Willoughby, and Frederick Wentworthâsuddenly their career choices and marriage prospects make perfect historical sense. đ
The book illuminates why marriage was such high-stakes business in Regency romanceâfor younger sons, marrying well wasnât just romantic fortune but literal survival. It explains the officer obsession (military careers offered both status and income), the appeal of colonial posts (risk but potential wealth), and why âlivingâ as a clergyman was such a coveted position (steady income without much work). This is essential context for understanding the eraâs social dynamics. đ
What makes this special: Scholarly yet accessible exploration of how younger sons navigated Regency Englandâs brutal inheritance systemâessential reading for understanding Jane Austenâs world. đď¸
The Model Bakery Cookbook: 75 Favorite Recipes from the Beloved Napa Valley Bakery
Author: Karen Mitchell, Sarah Mitchell Hansen
Regularly $24.99, Today $3.99
Baking Cookbooks
The Model Bakery has lines out the door for good reasonâthis mother-daughter-run Napa Valley destination has been wowing Wine Country locals for years with sensational artisan baked goods. Now their much-anticipated cookbook makes those recipes accessible to home bakers, revealing the secrets behind the breads, pastries, and desserts that keep customers coming back. This is the definitive guide from a true baking institution. đĽ
Featuring 75 recipes and 60 photos, the book is as luscious to look at as their most-requested items are to eat. Pain au Levain, Sticky Buns, Peach Streusel Pie, Ginger Molasses Cookiesâall the glorious recipes that made Model Bakery famous are here, presented with the kind of clear instruction that comes from decades of professional baking experience. This is a mouthwatering read and a reference gem for serious bakers. đ°
The mother-daughter team brings both generational wisdom and modern technique to their recipes. This isnât simplified home-baker versions of professional recipes; these are the actual formulas they use in the bakery, adapted thoughtfully for home kitchens. The Wine Country setting influences the flavor profilesâthink seasonal fruits, quality ingredients, European techniquesâcreating baked goods that feel both artisanal and approachable. đĽ§
What sets this apart from other bakery cookbooks is the pedigree: Model Bakeryâs reputation means these recipes have been tested by thousands of customers over years. When they say the Sticky Buns are their most-requested item, they mean people drive to Napa specifically for them. Now you can make them at home. The book covers the full range: classic breads, breakfast pastries, cookies, pies, and cakes. đŞ
Why Iâm including this: The long-awaited cookbook from Napa Valleyâs legendary Model Bakeryâ75 recipes for the artisan breads, pastries, and desserts that create those famous lines out the door. đĽ
Until Friday Night (A Field Party Book 1)
Author: Abbi Glines
Regularly $3.99, Today $1.99
Young Adult Sports Fiction
West Ashby is Big Man on Campus at Lawton Highâthe cocky, popular, way-too-handsome football god who led his team to state championships. But beneath the swagger, West is battling private grief as he watches his father slowly die of cancer. Two years ago, Maggie Carletonâs life shattered when her father murdered her mother, and after she told police what happened, she stopped speaking. Not a word since. Even moving to Lawton, Alabama couldnât draw her back out. đ
Westâs pain becomes too much to handle alone, and in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl he knows wonât tell anyone elseâbecause she canât speak. What begins as West seeking someone safe to confide in becomes something neither of them expected. Maggieâs silence and Westâs secrets create an unusual bond, two people dealing with unbearable family traumas finding unexpected connection. đ
Abbi Glines captures small Southern town dynamics perfectly: Friday night football games, field parties, pickup trucks, and the way everyone knows everyoneâs business (or thinks they do). The setting feels authentic rather than stereotypical, providing the community backdrop that makes the charactersâ isolation more poignant. West and Maggie are surrounded by people but fundamentally alone with their grief. đ
The handling of Maggieâs selective mutism and trauma is surprisingly sensitive for YA romance. Glines doesnât use it as a gimmick but as a genuine response to unbearable trauma. Westâs grief over his fatherâs terminal illness provides parallel weightâboth characters are experiencing profound loss but in different stages. Their connection develops naturally from shared understanding rather than forced romantic circumstances. â¨
What makes this essential: Moving YA romance set in small-town Alabama where a football star and a girl who stopped speaking bond over family tragedy against a backdrop of Friday night lights. đď¸
Hildegard of Bingen: The Woman of Her Age
Author: Fiona Maddocks
Regularly $16.99, Today $1.99
Medieval Biographies
Best known today as a composer, twelfth-century German abbess Hildegard of Bingen was astonishingly multifaceted: religious leader and visionary, poet, naturalist, medical treatise writer, and holder of strong (often controversial) views on sex, love, and marriage despite her cloistered life. Her book of apocalyptic visions, *Scivias*, alone would have ensured her lasting fameâbut she accomplished so much more in an era when womenâs voices were systematically silenced. đś
Fiona Maddocks draws on Hildegardâs prolific writings to paint a portrait of her extraordinary life against the turbulent medieval background of crusade and schism, scientific discovery and cultural revolution. The great intellectual gifts and forceful character that emerge make Hildegard as fascinating as any figure in the Middle Ages. This classic, highly praised biography captures both the historical context and the exceptional woman who transcended it. â¨
What makes Hildegard remarkable isnât just her achievements but their breadth and depth. She composed sophisticated music still performed today, wrote medical texts centuries ahead of their time, corresponded with popes and emperors, founded convents, and recorded mystical visions with such power they influenced theology. In an age when most women couldnât read, she was advising church leaders and challenging doctrinal positions. đ
Maddocksâ scholarship is rigorous but accessible, making complex medieval history understandable while honoring Hildegardâs complexity. The biography doesnât simplify or modernize herâit presents a twelfth-century woman in all her contradictions, visionary experiences alongside practical abbey management, mystical theology alongside herbal medicine. For readers interested in medieval history, womenâs history, music history, or religious studies, this is essential reading. đ°
Why Iâm including this: Acclaimed biography of the astonishing twelfth-century abbess who was composer, mystic, naturalist, and medical writerâa medieval woman whose achievements still resonate today. đ
Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete Guide to Turning Story Concepts into Movie and Television Deals
Author: Michael Hauge
Regularly $27.99, Today $3.99
Performing Arts Reference
For more than twenty years, *Writing Screenplays That Sell* has been required reading for all screenwritersâhailed as the most complete guide available on the art, craft, and business of writing for movies and television. Hollywood story expert and script consultant Michael Hauge has fully revised and updated this edition to reflect the latest trends and scripts, walking readers through every step of writing and selling successful screenplays. If you read only one book on the screenwriterâs craft, this must be it. đŹ
The bookâs longevity speaks to its fundamental value: Hauge covers timeless storytelling principles alongside industry-specific practical advice. He addresses structure, character development, dialogue, and formattingâbut also query letters, pitching, agents, and deal-making. This comprehensive approach makes it invaluable for both aspiring screenwriters learning the craft and working writers navigating the business side. đ
What sets Hauge apart is his dual expertise as both story analyst and script consultant. Heâs read thousands of screenplays professionally and worked with writers at all levels, giving him insight into what actually works versus what theoretically should work. His emphasis is on commercial viability without sacrificing artistic integrityâhe teaches how to write screenplays that studios will buy while maintaining creative vision. đĽ
The updated edition incorporates changes in the industry (streaming, limited series, changing distribution models) while maintaining focus on core craft principles that transcend format or platform. Hauge uses examples from successful films and scripts to illustrate concepts, making abstract principles concrete. For serious screenwriters, this book provides both foundational knowledge and advanced techniques. âď¸
What makes this essential: The definitive screenwriting guide for over two decadesâcomprehensive coverage of craft and business from a Hollywood story expert whoâs seen what sells. đ
One in Three
Author: Tess Stimson
Regularly $3.99, Today $0.99
Domestic Thrillers
Both of them loved him. One of them killed him. Louise has spent four years watching her ex-husband Andrew start a new family with Caz, the âother womanâ whoâs now his wife. Louise isnât ready to let Caz enjoy the life that was once hers, and sheâs definitely not ready to let go of the man she still loves. As Louise digs into Cazâs past, their pretense of civility crumblesâbut their mutual investigation reveals more about Andrew than either woman expected. đ
When Andrew is murdered at a family party, both women are found standing over the body. Itâs always the wifeâbut which one? The setup is deliciously twisted: the ex-wife who never moved on and the current wife trying to build a life both have motive, both have opportunity, and both are covered in his blood when police arrive. The investigation forces them to confront not just who killed Andrew, but who Andrew really was. đŞ
Tess Stimson constructs a domestic thriller that subverts expectations about victim and villain. As Louise and Caz undermine each other, they accidentally uncover truths about the man they both marriedâtruths that complicate the simple narrative of jealous ex versus homewrecking new wife. The alternating perspectives show how the same events and the same man can be experienced completely differently. đľď¸
The âitâs always the wifeâ tagline is cleverly deployed here because technically both women ARE wivesâone former, one current. Stimson plays with domestic thriller conventions: the unreliable narrators, the seemingly perfect husband with secrets, the women who compete over a man who may not deserve either of them. The family party setting adds witnesses and complications, ensuring the murder investigation wonât be simple. âď¸
Why Iâm including this: Twisty domestic thriller where the ex-wife and current wife both loved him, both had reason to kill him, and both were found standing over his murdered body. đ
Cold Case Kidnapping (Hudson Sibling Solutions Book 1)
Author: Nicole Helm
Regularly $3.99, Today $1.99
Mystery Romance
Dahlia Easton has few solid clues to find her sister, whoâs been missing for a year: a mysterious family tree, a man thought long dead, and Wyomingâs unforgiving backcountry. But sheâs in danger the moment she reaches town. To protect her, cold case investigator Grant Hudson must confront his townâs unresolved nightmaresâeven as an unspeakable threat from the past closes in to silence them both for good. đď¸
Nicole Helm launches the Hudson Sibling Solutions series with a western mystery that balances romance with genuine suspense. The Wyoming backcountry setting provides atmospheric isolation, making Dahlia vulnerable while Grantâs local knowledge becomes essential to survival. The mysterious family tree and supposedly dead man suggest secrets that someone is willing to kill to protect. đ
The cold case angle adds layers: Grant isnât just investigating Dahliaâs sisterâs disappearance but reopening wounds the town tried to forget. Small-town western mysteries thrive on buried secrets and long memories, and Helm uses both effectively. The threat escalating immediately upon Dahliaâs arrival suggests her sister got too close to something dangerousâand now Dahliaâs following the same path. đ
As the first book in a series about sibling investigators, this establishes both the family dynamic and the kind of cases theyâll handle: cold cases with deep roots, where the truth has been deliberately hidden. The romance between Dahlia and Grant develops naturally from forced proximity and shared danger, while the mystery provides stakes beyond their relationship. The western setting distinguishes this from typical romantic suspense. đľ
What makes this special: Western romantic suspense where a woman searching for her missing sister teams with a cold case investigator to uncover buried town secretsâbefore the past silences them both. â
Dead in the Water
Author: John Marrs
NEW RELEASE
Domestic Thrillers
When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyesâand every memory is crystal clear except one. A dead boy. A face he canât place. A moment he doesnât remember living. At first he tells himself itâs a trick of the mind, a hallucination from oxygen deprivation. But everything else he saw was real, so why not this? The disturbing scene stalks his waking life, and confusion quickly turns to obsession. đ
Desperate for answers, Damon becomes convinced that the only way to remember is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger willing to help him repeatedly experience near-death, the stage is set for a dangerous dice with death. But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth about that dead boy, maybe some memories are better left buried in the darkness where they belong. đ
John Marrs constructs a psychological thriller with a genuinely unique premise: a man addicted to near-death experiences, chasing a memory that may or may not be real. The setup raises immediate questionsâis the dead boy a repressed memory? A hallucination? Something supernatural? Damonâs willingness to repeatedly risk death suggests either desperate need for truth or dangerous mental instability (possibly both). đ
The stranger whoâs âall too willing to helpâ adds sinister implications. What kind of person assists someone with repeated near-death experiments? The power dynamic and ethical questions create tension beyond the mystery itself. Marrs excels at domestic thrillers with dark psychological twists, and this premiseâobsession, memory, mortalityâplays to his strengths. The titleâs double meaning (literally dead in water, metaphorically stuck) foreshadows the trap Damon may be walking into. â ď¸
What makes this essential: Dark psychological thriller where a near-drowning survivor becomes obsessed with a memory he canât placeâand finds someone willing to help him die repeatedly to recover it. đ
Valentineâs Slay
Author: Navessa Allen
NEW RELEASE
Dark Romance
Louisiana gravedigger Noah Evansâs Valentineâs night shift takes a sharp turn when his high school crush starts screaming from her freshly dug grave. Whoever tried to bury Emma six feet under made a critical errorâthey should have checked for a pulse because sheâs got unfinished business, starting with the hot gravedigger who just saved her life. As they unearth a deadly family conspiracy, Noah and Emma discover that old flames burn even hotter the second time aroundâespecially when someoneâs actively trying to kill them. đ
The premise is gloriously dark: nothing says romance like being literally buried alive and rescued by your high school crush who happens to be digging graves for a living. Allen leans into the macabre setting rather than softening it, creating a dark romance that embraces its gothic Louisiana atmosphere. The family conspiracy angle suggests Emma was targeted for a reason, and now she and Noah need to solve it before the second murder attempt succeeds. đ¤
Noah as a gravedigger provides both practical advantage (he knows the cemetery, has tools, isnât squeamish) and thematic resonance (he works with death daily, now heâs fighting to keep Emma alive). The high school crush element adds emotional stakesâthis isnât strangers forced together but people with history, chemistry they never acted on, and a second chance neither expected. Second chance romance meets survival thriller. â°ď¸
Navessa Allenâs dark romance style means this wonât be gentle or sweetâexpect intensity, heat, and genuine danger alongside the emotional connection. The Valentineâs Day timing is darkly ironic (attempted murder on the most romantic night of the year), and Louisiana setting provides rich gothic atmosphere. For readers who want their romance with actual stakes and arenât afraid of graveyards. đš
Why Iâm including this: Darkly romantic Valentineâs release where a gravedigger rescues his high school crush from a premature burialâthen they fight to survive the family conspiracy that put her there. đ
Death to Valentineâs Day
Author: Catherine Cowles
NEW RELEASE
Romantic Suspense
Whatâs worse than Valentineâs Day after a brutal breakup? Being trapped in a snowstorm with your exâs brother and maybe a murderer. Maia St. James wanted nothing to do with Valentineâs Day after her boyfriendâs betrayal, but her friends drag her to a Death to Valentineâs Day masquerade ball at a mountain lodge. When she kisses a masked stranger who turns out to be her exâs older brother, thatâs awkward enoughâbut then a guest is found murdered and the party becomes a locked-room mystery. đ
Catherine Cowles packs a surprising amount of plot into a short story: forced proximity, forbidden attraction (exâs brother!), masquerade mistaken identity, snowstorm isolation, and murder investigation. The âDeath to Valentineâs Dayâ theme is darkly prophetic when someone actually dies, turning anti-Valentineâs celebration into genuine life-or-death stakes. Maia must unmask a killer before her second chance at romance is permanently cut short. âď¸
The exâs brother angle adds delicious complicationâthe attraction is real but acting on it feels like betrayal, except her ex already betrayed her, so maybe she deserves happiness? The masquerade element means they kissed before knowing their connection, creating classic âif onlyâ tension. Now theyâre snowed in together with a murderer, forcing cooperation while navigating complicated feelings. đ
As a short story from a #1 Amazon bestselling author, this delivers complete satisfaction in condensed formatâmystery gets solved, romance reaches resolution, nobody feels shortchanged despite the brevity. Perfect for readers who want romantic suspense but donât have time for a full novel, or who enjoy holiday-themed mysteries with actual bite. The mountain lodge snowstorm setting provides classic cozy mystery isolation with romantic atmosphere. âˇď¸
What makes this special:
Witty romantic suspense short story where a woman trapped by snow at an anti-Valentineâs party must solve a murder while falling for her exâs brother. đš