M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧

This Never Happened

Published on September 17, 2026September 16, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Thriller

Date Published: 11-01-2026

Publisher: Rowan Prose Publishing

When former best friends Sam and Rebecca reunite at their college reunion, they decide to repair their fractured relationship and start over.

But then Sam finds out Rebecca is dating Adam, a man she’d had an intense relationship with two years ago. She vows to keep it a secret, lest it sever their newly mended bond.

Sam soon realizes she can’t outrun her and Rebecca’s imperfect past, nor can she ignore her and Adam’s desire for one another.

As Sam struggles between loyalty and lust, she realizes that vengeance can make monsters out of all of us.

Excerpt

Prologue

Sam stared at the blood gleaming on the hardwood floor in front of her. Someone was screaming beside her, but she couldn’t focus on anything other than the blood’s impossibly bright color. It was garnet-colored and aromatic–like a splash of copper-scented wine. Its beauty and grotesqueness transfixed her, and her eyes blinked slowly and heavily as she gazed at it. Concrete-heavy shock packed her muscles and froze her in place.

Her mouth moved, but the words stuck in her throat as she stared at the corpse’s crimson neck. A knife stuck out of it, and blood smeared the black handle. Sam blinked long and slow. Adrenaline began coursing through her once again, and her muscles loosened, but shock held her mind in its sharp claws.

Her eyes finally flicked to the fallen gun on the hardwood floor. Tears gleamed in her eyes. She knew she was the one who had caused this mess. She knew she had severed her relationships and created the target now on her back.

But vengeance was in control of her body now.

Her gaze scanned the blood-spattered murderer in front of her. Sam’s heart thundered as reality slammed through her like buckshot.

This person had killed someone Sam loved.

Sam grabbed the gun and pointed it at the wide-eyed assailant.

Let justice be served.

About the Author

Jessica Clem is the author of the thriller, This Never Happened (coming November 2026), and the horror novel In Lieu of Flowers (coming 2027), both from Rowan Prose Publishing.

Her work has appeared in The Stygian Lepus Magazine, Creation Magazine, Dark Harbor Magazine (now Macabre Magazine), Ms Magazine, Literally Stories, on the Creepy Podcast’s Patreon page, and in the horror anthologies Down with the Fallen from Franklin/Kerr Press, D is for Demons from Red Cape Publishing, and After Dark from Rowan Prose Publishing. She is a 2026 Next Step Fund grant recipient, a project made possible by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council through grant from the McKnight Foundation.

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The Safe Room

Published on September 16, 2026September 8, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Thriller

Date Published: 09-10-2026

When I was fifteen years old, I made a mistake. I trusted the warm smile of a stranger called Peter Harlow, and accepted a ride home in his car.

It would be the last moment of my life I’d ever feel safe again.

The trauma of what happened that night will never leave me—and it was only the beginning. For the last nineteen years, I’ve been trapped in a nightmare of blocked numbers, violated restraining orders, and the compulsion to scan every face in every crowd, waiting for the day when his will be among them.

But I’ve also spent the time preparing. My home has become a fortress, with reinforced doors, perimeter cameras, and a safe room in the cellar. I’ve even taught my seven-year-old daughter how to call for help. When I finally have to face Peter Harlow again, I’ll be ready.

Or so I thought.

Because on the night of a furious snowstorm, a terrified stranger arrives at my gate. Emily is barefoot, bruised, and desperate for help—claiming her husband just tried to kill her.

To let her in from the storm would mean breaking every rule I’ve made to protect myself and my daughter—but could I live with myself if I didn’t?

But what follows is everything I’ve lived in fear of for all these years. First, the lights go out. Then, the internet dies. Next, the phone line goes dead—and finally, I find myself trapped inside my own safe room, watching through a camera feed as the man who stole my life for two decades walks the halls of my home, playing happy families with my little girl.

I built this fortress to keep him out. Now, it’s the only thing keeping me from protecting my child.

The Safe Room is a heart-stopping psychological thriller by bestselling author

Sarah A. Denzil, the “mistress of twists.”

Essential reading for fans of Alice Feeney,

Freida McFadden and Caroline Kepnes.

About the Author

Sarah A. Denzil is a million copy bestselling author of psychological suspense novels. Her books include number one bestseller Silent Child, which was a Goodreads Choice semi-finalist in 2017. Her books have been published in several different languages and have appeared on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.

Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her husband and cats, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather. She loves to write moody, psychological fiction with plenty of twists and turns.

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Zombie Zoo

Published on September 15, 2026September 16, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Adventures in Tub (Felix & Ninja, Book 1)

Upper Middle Grade

Date Published: 09-15-2026

Publisher: Oculus Print

Two orphan loners. One supernatural plague. When wood-eating zombies threaten their island, mismatched investigators Felix and Ninja must combine science and instinct to save Spinachi-before they’re next.

ZOMBIE ZOO is Book 1 in a five-book middle grade adventure series for readers ages 8-13, blending paranormal mystery, zombies, unlikely friendship, and STEAM-powered problem-solving.

When 13-year-old aspiring naturalist Felix Fizzystyxx discovers that orphans at Wayward Amok Orphanage are transforming into wood-eating zombies, his quiet tree-fort observations are no longer enough. Someone has deliberately unleashed a strange plague on Tub’s island town of Spinachi-and they’re still out there.

To find a cure, Felix must team up with Ninja, a shadow-dwelling orphan who trusts her instincts and never backs down. Intense and razor-sharp, she notices what others overlook and lives up to her name as the island’s most mysterious sleuth. With their eccentric mentor Doc Brunne compromised and the town’s water supply contaminated by a glowing bioluminescent substance, the two mismatched investigators must combine scientific observation with sharp intuition to stop the outbreak before their island home is devoured.

Set on the fictional island of Tub, this fast-paced, humorous adventure naturally weaves in STEAM concepts-biology, chemistry, bioluminescence, water systems, pattern recognition, and the scientific method-within an age-appropriate supernatural mystery. Themes include unlikely friendship, identity, trust across differences, courage, and finding your voice when adults won’t listen.

Featuring diverse protagonists, quirky humor, spooky-but-fun scares, and strong female and male leads. ZOMBIE ZOO is ideal for reluctant readers and fans of Max Brallier’s The Last Kids on Earth, B.B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers, and Goosebumps. Comprehensive educator resources-including discussion guides, vocabulary lists, STEAM extension activities, and printable maps-support classroom use, library programming, book clubs, and make this title ideal for cross-curricular lessons bridging ELA, STEAM, and SEL.

About the Author

Melanie Abed is a behavioral expert turned story weaver. She believes dragons are real but hiding, and finds thunderstorms equally delightful and terrifying. A tea-loving bookworm, she champions young minds and writes to help kids discover their superpowers are real.

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Chow Chow

Published on September 14, 2026September 16, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

@RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #ChowChow #DanielaHristova #ChildrensBook

Children’s Book

Date Published: September 14, 2026

Meet Dea — the little Chow Chow puppy with a BIG heart!

With her beautiful deep-blue fur, bright eyes, and sweet fluffy face, Dea is impossible to forget. But this curious little puppy has one special talent: finding trouble wherever she goes!

Luckily, Dea has Rocky by her side. Together, they discover that being brave doesn’t mean never feeling scared. Sometimes, true courage means slowing down, being careful, and listening to those who love you.

But Dea’s adventures are only beginning…

Beyond the garden are new friends, mysterious places, and unexpected surprises. And somewhere out there, a mysterious fox is watching.

Who is she? What does she want? And where will Dea’s curiosity take her next?

Dea will be back… so hold on tight! Her next adventure could be even more exciting!

About the Author

Daniela Hristova arrived in the UK with an English vocabulary consisting of little more than “teabag” and a background as a multi-media journalist, actress, and singer who had spent years working in television, radio, newspaper, and stage in her home country. With a diverse professional journey that later ranged from wielding a mop to building a career in leadership and court security, she has navigated life’s twists with a steady faith, a sharp eye, and a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Channeling her unique experiences and cultural blunders into the written word, she has penned a witty tribute to the resilience it takes to start over. When she isn’t writing or tackling new adventures, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Dea. Fluent in Faux Pas is her debut memoir.

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Queen of Starlight

Published on September 14, 2026September 16, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

@RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #QueenofStarlight #MollyMHammond #Fantasy

Fantasy

Date Published: September 14, 2026

The stars gave her power. The darkness will give her a crown.

A year after defeating the evil wizard army, the elves of Edira prosper, yet Luma, the Daughter of Starlight, senses something is amiss. Shadows move where light should reign, and ominous whispers fill her mind, hinting that this hard-won peace may be more fragile than anyone realizes.

Soon, attacks by a vicious darkness confirm her fears, and Edira is not the only world under threat. Malicath, home of the wizards, faces the same darkness, which drains and corrupts magic, including Luma’s own powerful starlight.

Faced with a shared enemy, Luma and the elves form a tenuous alliance with the wizards. Together, they search for the Unseen Star, an ancient magical relic capable of restoring balance to both their worlds. But as the darkness grows stronger and time runs out, Luma realizes that all magic demands a price—and this one may be more than she can pay.

Return to the magical world of Edira in this sequel to the multi-award-winning fantasy, Daughter of Starlight.

About the Author

Molly is passionate about crafting meaningful moments and heartfelt narratives in fantasy-adventure stories brimming with magic and mystery. An unapologetic language nerd, she earned a degree in English and Communication, laying a strong foundation for her writing career. Not stopping there, Molly pursued a second degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting. As an avid runner, Molly often gets her best story ideas while running and remains outraged that those ideas do not then present themselves, fully formed, on the page. When she’s not running, writing, or interpreting, Molly can often be found taking an excessive number of photos of her dog, Bungee, and her two cats, Rose and Clover. Molly lives in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota with her husband and two sons, who bring her joy every day.

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Discovering Elizabeth

Published on September 9, 2026September 8, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Historical Fiction

Date Published: September 9, 2026

Before Vicky could truly understand herself, there was a story she needed to understand in her Great Aunt Elizabeth.

Queens, 1984. Dr. Elizabeth Khayat—Palestinian-American, former pilot and pioneering physician—is recently widowed and fiercely private about her past. When her rebellious teenage grandniece, Vicky, is sent to spend the summer with her, the two clash immediately. Vicky is consumed by romance and rebellion; Elizabeth has built her life on discipline and hard-won independence. But Elizabeth’s guarded presence conceals a wartime history in World War II France—where, as a young doctor learning to fly, she formed a dangerous alliance with a German-Jewish colleague and became entangled with the French Resistance. Survival demanded impossible choices, and not all of them can remain buried.

As Vicky’s own reckless relationship begins to spiral, long hidden truth threatens to surface—forcing both women to confront who they are.

Discovering Elizabeth is a dual-timeline novel about legacy, sacrifice and the complicated inheritance between generations of women.

About the Author

Alexandra Khayat Dahl is a fourth-generation American whose family’s origins are from the Levant region of the Middle East. Raised in Washington, DC and educated in Catholic schools, she went on to attend an international university that set the course for a life defined by global experience. She spent the majority of her adult years in Europe, where living across cultures sharpened her perspective and strengthened her voice. A mother of four adult children, she returned to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic with a renewed commitment to preserving the stories that shape generations.

Inspired by the true life of her great aunt and godmother—a fearless doctor, aviator, supporter of the French resistance and a trailblazer who defied an arranged marriage to marry for love— Alexandra celebrates a legacy of courage, conviction, and uncompromising independence.

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Turtle Lake

Published on September 7, 2026September 8, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

@RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #TurtleLake #RobertMilne #Thriller

Crime Thriller / Suspense

Date Published: 09-07-2026

Publisher: Mission Point Press

Turtle Lake is a gripping tale of revenge, survival, and the intricate interplay between human nature and the natural world. The story follows Jim Peters, the comptroller at Ramsey Motors, who uncovers a corrupt scheme by the company and its insurer, U.S. Underwriters, to defraud employees of their retirement and insurance benefits before moving operations overseas. Infuriated, he devises an elaborate extortion plan to expose their corruption and protect the employees through a spectacular plot that ends up achieving national headlines. To accomplish his plan, Peters uses simple, everyday methods and lessons learned from alpha predators in the natural world.

About the Author

Bob Milne has been hailed throughout his 60-year career as one of the best ragtime/boogie-woogie piano players of all time. A solo concert performer, he traveled all over the world playing for dignitaries and celebrities as well as small town audiences. He was given the title of National Treasure by the Library of Congress and deemed an Ambassador of Music by the U.S. Department of State.

Bob’s extraordinary musical abilities were the subject of numerous brain studies, which have inspired a popular RadioLab podcast.

Little did they know that Bob was also a talented writer.

For years he wrote articles about his saloon-playing days for music publications. Many of these stories were compiled into a book called The Journeyman Piano Player: Adventures in Gracious Dining. Bob has written reams of poetry, some of which became lyrics to songs that he composed. The longest piece of poetry he ever wrote was the lyric book for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a grand opera he composed and orchestrated.

Mr. Milne has been fascinated by nature his entire life. At a young age he realized that instincts are present in all species of birds, mammals (including humans), and literally every living thing in nature. He has used this information countless times over his lifetime to predict what the human species will do in future situations.

Bob is now retired from the long piano tours and is enjoying his woodland home. Today he spends his time studying nature in the woods. Signed copies of his book may be purchased through his website.

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Fluent in Faux Pas

Published on September 7, 2026September 8, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

A Guide to Accidentally Getting Everything Wrong

Memoir, Non-Fiction

Date Published: September 7, 2026

Two degrees. Zero English.

A night shift in an abandoned psychiatric hospital.

You learn to laugh. Fast.

Arriving in England for a fresh start, the author quickly discovers that the English language is a minefield of polite confusion, baffling idioms, and linguistic traps. Without the vocabulary to express who she is, daily life becomes a high-stakes game of translation roulette at the absolute bottom of the career ladder.

Spanning decades through the beating heart of the British workforce—from factory lines and catering at Heathrow to securing film sets and government buildings—her biggest opponent isn’t the long hours; it’s the English dictionary.

Navigating professional environments with a mismatched vocabulary leads to spectacular, unintentional blunders. From mixing up sound-alike words to translating idioms far too literally, every shift becomes a lesson in how easily things get lost in translation.

Yet, behind the comedy lies a deeply personal struggle: the quiet isolation of startincover. When pressure peaks, remarkable encounters and a profound return to faith offer a path to true transformation.

Fluent in Faux Pas is a warm, witty, and wonderfully honest memoir—a celebratory story of resilience and an inspiring reminder that the best parts of life are often found when we are completely lost in translation.

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The Human Language Release

Published on September 6, 2026August 31, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Develop psychological safety, improve your relationships, transform your life. Launching The MECAnism, a practical framework

Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Business, Parenting, Mind/Body/Soul, Inspirational

Date Published: September 2026

Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing

TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH THE WAY YOU SPEAK

As human beings, we have a deep need for social connection, yet our primitive fight-or-flight response can be a major barrier to achieving it, leading to misunderstanding, conflict and disconnection.

Fortunately, there is a solution.

The Human Language delivers a compelling message. By replacing our habitual, learned patterns of communication we can experience greater understanding, empathy and connection in our relationships, transforming our lives.

Through easy-to-follow chapters, this book introduces The MECAnism, to calm your instinctive reactions, gain emotional clarity and develop psychological safety. It gives you the practical tools and techniques to listen, speak and act in your daily life with compassion, for yourself and others, enabling you to meet your needs with confidence.

“I will recommend using The Human Language 1000 times. It helps me verbalise my feelings and work through moments of overwhelm. There are applications across all areas of life.It can, and will be, a transformative book.”

Pam Bryant, Oxford, UK

“Penny uses just enough science to help the reader understand why they behave the way they do while focusing on simple techniques to get to the heart of change.

The Human Language should be required reading for anybody who has to work or live with other people, which is most of us.”

Diana D’Ascoli, Philadelphia, US

About the Author

Penny Newton-Hurley is the founder of CommPassion Ltd. She has worked with large private organisations in the UK and globally, and in the public sector across the areas of government, military, healthcare and education for more than 30 years. CommPassion provides training in interpersonal communication skills, resolving conflict between individuals and building psychological safety within teams for higher workplace and relationship performance.

In 2025, her company launched their first four online courses, taking their expertise and experience from the world of business directly to individuals in all areas of their lives. This book reveals the details behind her courses and supports the learning of improved communications skills.

Communication has been a fascination for Penny since childhood, when she spoke with her father in Morse Code! After a few exciting years spent working in International Marketing, Penny had an opportunity to be involved in the nascent field of Internal Communication where she began to understand the importance of humanto-human connection in the workplace. In 2005, she was introduced to the teachings of nonviolent communication. From that moment on, it became her purpose to spread this message as far as possible, a mission to change the way we talk and listen and communicate with each other; to change the way the world speaks.

Today, she is a trainer of compassionate communication techniques, Workplace Mediator, Certified Psychological Safety Facilitator with the Fearless Organisation; as well as a UK Samaritans Listening Volunteer. Penny holds a BA (Combined Honours) in Modern Languages (French/Spanish) with Politics, Economics and Linguistics.

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Tree Trek

Published on September 4, 2026August 31, 2026 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

@RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #TreeTrek #StephanieMirocha #Memoir #Nonfiction #Nature

A Daughter’s Walk Through Grief

Nature, Botany of Trees, Healing Through Nature, Grief Journey

Date Published: 05-23-2025

Publisher: Holy Cow! Press

These intimate portraits of trees are a balm that heals grief.

In this memoir, Stephanie Mirocha weaves a blend of botany, philosophy, personal reflections, and healing through nature from grief after the loss of her father. Trees provide the backdrop of friendly support she clings to as she revives her father’s educational Tree Trek. She “speaks for the trees,” bringing enthusiasm to the treks she leads. Each chapter focuses on the science of a different tree, connecting the reader with the beauty of nature, and the vitality that comes from listening to the guiding wisdom of one’s inner voice.

Excerpt

In my scientific study of trees, I have learned the particular traits and idiosyncrasies of each species which, in a nonscientific way, imbues them with personality. As my dad used to say about any species, “That’s their nature, just the way (fill in the blank) are.” These traits can reflect our own inner natures and make connections to our own lives. A swamp white oak in winter holding onto its leaves may strike some people as stubborn, others as steadfastly persevering, still others as merely decorative, or it might make a connection to some memory from long ago. Depending on what experiences we bring to the situation, we will be drawn to one or more favorite trees that somehow speak to us.

They reflect what we need, like healing from grief, as we focus both within ourselves and beyond ourselves at the same time. In this way, trees bring us home.

Let’s fill in my dad’s blank with juniper. Imagine a juniper coming into view as we walk through the forest. Juniper stands there pure, unmasked, with no agenda at all. Something makes us stop and admire her, feeling her truth flow through us. What does juniper give us? Different things for different people. She is just benignly there, presenting her dark blue “berries” amidst her prickly fronds, always extending an invitation to rest beneath for a while and contemplate…what?

That is for you to find out!

There are many paths to take through grief. Nature offers one way to help move through this powerful emotion and find our way forward, but each path is different and deeply personal. As you walk with me on my grief trek through the trees in these pages, my hope is to open one possible doorway for you to process your own suffering. I have found that spending time in nature offers a trail leading directly into the heart, and, at the very least, to a sense of calm. This is doable for everyone because we are part of nature. The calmness we find beyond ourselves reflects the meditative truth and beauty of our own inner wisdom shining from within. One key moment is all it takes to start things in motion

About the Author

Stephanie Mirocha is a visual artist, author, Minnesota master naturalist and science communicator who grew up climbing trees and exploring the city park across from her childhood home. Her creative art expression not only takes form in her passion for writing but also translates into her career as a fine art painter. Besides creating the art for this book, she has illustrated four children’s picture books connecting children to nature. Frog in the House won the 2016 Giverny Award for a science picture book in English, and My Little Book of Bald Eagles won 1st place, Juvenile Nonfiction, in the 2010 Next Gen Indie Book Awards. She and her scientist father shared a poetic heart and a love for nature, each informing and supporting the other throughout their close relationship. Graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Philosophy, Stephanie followed her free spirit and embraced the unconventional life of an artist after moving to Aitkin, a small town in north central Minnesota. This is her first written book. Her art business website is https://stephaniemirocha.com/.

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