February 6, 2025 – M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧

Stone of Hope

Published on February 6, 2025January 18, 2025 by mariacatalinaegan1 Comment

Stones of Iona Book 4

by Margaret Izard

Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance

He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

Stone of Hope

Stones of Iona Book 4

by Margaret Izard

Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance

In a twist of fate, Dominic DeVolt is shown archeologist Moira Joanna White’s beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.

Moira fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?

He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

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**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**

Stone of Love, book 1, Brielle and Colin’s 18^th century Scottish story.

Stone of Fear, Book 2, Marie and John’s 13^th century Scottish story.

Stone of Lust, Book 3, Ainslie and Rannick’s Viking tale.

Thistle in the Mistletoe featuring a couple in the past from Stone of Love.

Next in the series:

Stone of Doubt, book 5 coming 2025,

Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book.

Stone of Faith, book 6.

Stone of Destiny, book 7.

Evergreen Evermore, a Christmas companion book.

This series leads into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.

Find them on Amazon!

Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Stone of Hope Swag Pack (US only),

$30 Amazon giftcard (WW)

– 1 winner each!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Mama Dallas and Augie

Published on February 6, 2025February 1, 2025 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

@RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #MamaDallasandAugie #JodyFasanella #SandiJerone #CrimeFiction

Crime, True Story, Mob, Immigration, Biopic, Italian American, Fiction

Mama Dallas and Augie is an epic novel that brings to life the Italian American experience, centering on New York’s first “Godmother,” Concetta. Her journey begins in Italy and leads to New York’s notorious Five Points, where she fiercely protects vulnerable young prostitutes. After tragedy strikes and she believes her son, Augie, is dead, Concetta dedicates her life to her family and the struggling poor in the Italian sector slums of New York.

But Augie survives, posing as an American spy and diving into a dangerous underworld that spans from New York to France and Turkey, eventually becoming embroiled in the infamous pre-WWII “French Connection” drug trade. His charm and cunning keep him one step ahead of both mobsters and law enforcement as he navigates in the shadows that intersect with powerful OSS agents and German operatives, leading to his capture and imprisonment in Dachau only to return to America to bring justice to his family name.

Based on a true story, Mama Dallas and Augie

spans decades of love, betrayal, espionage,

and war—an unforgettable saga of loyalty, resilience, and family bonds.

About the Authors

Jody Fasanella grew up in the theater world in New York. As a veteran stage performer, she has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including The Moving Picture Co. 1914, Good Grief, Tight, Vartan LLP, Steel, The Others, Profiler, and L.A. Law.

On stage, she played the lead, Tessie, in John Morgan Evans’ comedy Daughters. According to the Los Angeles Times, “…the cast gives heartfelt performances during the passages of tender reflections.”

Jody has since turned her talents to writing and producing and is dedicated to sharing the true story of her great-grandmother, “Mama Dallas,” and her uncle, “Augie,” as standalone features or mini-series with Little Studio Films.

Sandi Jerome, a UCLA Advanced Screenwriting graduate, is an accomplished screenwriter and novelist. Her animated sci-fi script is in production, and she recently sold her tech company to pursue writing full-time. With over 20 scripts recognized as finalists in Nicholls, Page, Final Draft, and Austin Film, her work shines across genres.

Her young adult novels, Kira and Henry (a 2024 Kindle Book Review Semifinalist) and Wilma Wallaby: Genius Girl Detective, are in development. Sandi also wrote the feature adaptation of Hijacked, based on the true story of Flight 705.

A Cherokee Nation member and 2023 Native American Media Alliance Fellowship winner, Sandi is married to an Italian and enjoys her love for pizza.

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Stupid Carrot, M.D.

Published on February 6, 2025February 1, 2025 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Parenting Children to Independence

Nonfiction

Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also feel like an overwhelming journey filled with doubts, challenges, and endless questions. In Stupid Carrot, M.D., pediatrician Dr. Kenneth Cruse draws on over 30 years of experience helping families navigate the ups and downs of raising children—and his own experiences as a father—to create a practical and relatable guide for parents at every stage.

From sleepless newborn nights to the unpredictable teenage years, Dr. Cruse addresses key milestones in child development with warmth, humor, and expert insights. This book dives into today’s most pressing pediatric challenges, including:

Electronic communication and social media

Alcohol and substance abuse
Sexuality and gender identity
Building resilience and independence

Packed with lighthearted anecdotes, real-life stories, and actionable advice, Stupid Carrot, MD. reassures parents that they are not alone in the chaos of raising children. Whether you’re navigating your first diaper change or your teenager’s social life, this book is a trusted companion, helping you empower your kids to become confident, independent adults.

About the Author

Kenneth J. Cruse, MD, FAAP

Dr. Cruse has been a practicing pediatrician in Thibodaux, LA, since 1995. He graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, in 1991. He completed his internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX, in 1994. After practicing as an emergency room pediatrician at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, LA, he opened his private practice in Thibodaux. He has witnessed tremendous changes in medical care for children during his tenure in practice.

During this time, he and his wife, Maria, who is also a physician, reared their three children while working in their respective fields. They have always stressed the importance of instilling solid foundations for their children to allow them to be independent adults. He feels he learned so much from his own children, and this made him a better father and a better pediatrician. Stupid Carrot, M.D. is a culmination of both his personal and professional experiences which he openly shares with readers to assist them on their parenting journey.

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