M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧

@RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #DaughterofStarlight #MollyMHammond #YAFantasy

Date Published: July 9, 2025

Luma was six years old when she was found wandering alone with no memory of a family or how she got the strange scars that crisscross her palms. Now, twelve years later, Luma is summoned across a magical bridge to another world: a world where the decimated population of elves suffer under the ruthless wizard army.

Luma’s appearance is a ray of hope for the elves, who believe she is their prophesied “Daughter of Starlight”, the only one whose powerful magic can heal their broken defenses. Luma just wants to get back home, but the wizards discover her, and soon Luma is in the fight of her life. As she flees a mighty adversary, Luma struggles with hints of a strange power from deep within, a power that she can neither control nor deny any longer.

Desperate for answers, Luma joins a group of elf resistance fighters on a perilous journey in search of the exiled elf mage. Along the way, Luma begins to realize there could be more truth to this prophecy than she first thought, and that just maybe, she has a family after all.

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A Story of Courage, Resiliency and Faith.

by Monica Hargrave

Genre: Nonfiction Inspirational Biography

Whether you experienced foster care or adoption or neither, 

this story will encourage you to keep believing that good will find you.

Faded Red Beads: From an Orphanage to a Disrupted Adoption.

A Story of Courage, Resiliency and Faith.

by Monica Hargrave

Genre: Nonfiction Inspirational Biography

As I began to head upstairs to my bedroom, my adopted father abruptly asked, “Where have you been?” I responded with, “What do you mean? I called you at 3:15 p.m. and told you I had a game this evening.” He said, “No, you did not. I did not talk to you today!”

I stood there, frozen, thinking, you’re crazy as hell. Mr. O’Neal proceeded to tell me what my future was going to be, and I didn’t agree with anything he said. “You will not participate in sports; you will come directly home from school, cook dinner, clean the house, etc.” As he yelled, I began plotting my next move. When I tuned in, he said, “You will have no outside interaction with anyone.” I recall thinking, This is my last day in this hellhole. It didn’t matter where I ended up, I knew anything had to be better than this. I wasn’t living at all. His home felt like prison, and I was ready to be free. This wasn’t about me trying to sneak around and see boys. It was about a robbed childhood. I didn’t have many answers, but I knew living with Mr. O’Neal was suffocating. He wasn’t equipped to be an adoptive parent. The system failed. Providing a roof wasn’t enough.

This story is written to inspire individuals. To move when you don’t have all the answers about what lies ahead, but you know if you stay where you are, you will die. To trust your gut and to not copy anyone’s life, you are an original. It just so happens this story is about a little girl’s journey from an orphanage to a failed adoption to charting her path forward. Whether you experienced foster care or adoption or neither, this story will encourage you to keep believing that good will find you.

  

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When Monica was born, the doctors said, “If she makes it overnight, she will survive.” Monica spent approximately nine years in foster care and then ran away from her adoptive family. She strives to empower women to actively address whatever is holding them back from leading fulfilled lives. You get one life. Live it. Monica completed her undergraduate studies at Niagara University and has a masters degree in health administration from Central Michigan University and a masters in human resources development from Villanova University. She completed Emory University’s executive coaching program and coaches women who are unfulfilled in their careers. Monica loves trying vegan recipes, animals, exercising, and reading James Patterson novels. She has three furry friends.

 

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by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Historical Tudor Women’s Fiction

Journey back to the Tudor Times with these standalone historical women! 

The Boleyn Wife

by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Historical Tudor Women’s Fiction

Shy, plain Lady Jane Parker feels out of place in Henry VIII’s courtly world of glamour and intrigue–until she meets the handsome George Boleyn. Overjoyed when their fathers arrange a match, her dreams of a loving union are waylaid when she meets George’s sister, Anne. For George is completely devoted to his sister, and cold and indifferent to his bride. As Anne acquires a wide circle of admirers, including King Henry, Jane’s resentment grows. But if becoming Henry’s queen makes Anne the most powerful woman in England, it also makes her highly vulnerable. And as Henry, desperate for a male heir, begins to tire of his mercurial wife, the stage is set for the ultimate betrayal. . .

Encompassing the reigns of four of Henry’s wives, from the doomed Anne to the reckless Katherine Howard, The Boleyn Wife is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge.

 

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The Tudor Throne

by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Historical Tudor Women’s Fiction

In the wake of King Henry VIII’s death, England’s throne is left in a precarious state-as is the peculiar relationship between his two daughters. Mary, the elder, once treasured, had been declared a bastard in favor of her flame-haired half-sister, Elizabeth, born of the doomed Anne Boleyn. Yet the bond between the sisters was palpable from the start. Now reinstated, Mary eventually assumes her place as queen. But as Mary’s religious zeal evolves into a reign of terror, young Elizabeth gains the people’s favor. Gripped by a tormenting paranoia, Mary is soon convinced that her beloved Elizabeth is in fact her worst enemy. And the virginal Elizabeth, whose true love is her country, must defy her tyrannical sister to make way for a new era. . .

A brilliant portrait of the rule of “Bloody Mary” and her intricate relationship with Elizabeth I, the adored “Virgin Queen,” here is a riveting tale of one family’s sordid and extraordinary chapter in the pages of history.

Praise for Brandy Purdy and The Boleyn Wife

“Recommended for readers who can’t get enough of the Tudors and have devoured all of Philippa Gregory’s books.” —Library Journal

  

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The Queen’s Pleasure

by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Historical Tudor Women’s Fiction

Accused of conspiring with rebels to steal the throne, Princess Elizabeth is relegated to the Tower of London by her half-sister, Queen Mary. There she finds solace in the arms of a fellow prisoner–her childhood friend, Robert Dudley. Certain their days are numbered, their bond deepens. But they are spared the axe and Elizabeth soon wins the crown, while Robert returns to his wife and the unhappy union he believes cheated him of his destiny to be king. . .

As a daughter of Henry VIII and the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth knows firsthand the cruelty marriage belies and roundly rejects the many suitors eager to wed the “Virgin Queen”–with the exception of the power-hungry Robert. But her association with him will carry a risk that could shake the very foundations of the House of Tudor. . .

A captivating story of loyalty and betrayal, duty and freedom, The Queen’s Pleasure is a fascinating portrait of both the rise of Elizabeth I and one of the most compelling periods in history.

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The Queen’s Rivals

by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Historical Tudor Women’s Fiction

As cousins of history’s most tempestuous queens, Ladies Jane, Katherine, and Mary Grey were born in an age when all of London lived beneath the Tower’s menacing shadow. Tyrannized by Bloody Mary and the Virgin Queen, the sisters feared love was unthinkable–and the scaffold all but unavoidable. . .

Raised to fear her royal blood and what it might lead men to do in her name, Mary Grey dreads what will become of herself and her elder sisters under the reigns of Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. On their honor, they have no designs on the crown, yet are condemned to solitude, forbidden to wed. Though Mary, accustomed to dwelling in the shadows, the subject of whispers, may never catch the eye of a gentleman, her beautiful and brilliant sisters long for freedoms that would surely cost their lives. And so, wizened for her years, Mary can only hope for divine providence amid a bleak present and a future at the whim of the throne–unless destiny gains the upper hand.

A gripping and bittersweet tale of broken families and broken hearts, courage and conviction, The Queen’s Rivals recounts an astonishing chapter in the hard-won battle for the Tudor throne.

 

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The Boleyn Bride

by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Historical Tudor Women’s Fiction

From carefree young woman to disillusioned bride, the dazzling lady who would become mother and grandmother to two of history’s most infamous queens, has a fascinating story all her own. . .

At sixteen, Elizabeth Howard envisions a glorious life for herself as lady-in-waiting to the future queen, Catherine of Aragon. But when she is forced to marry Thomas Boleyn, a wealthy commoner, Elizabeth is left to stagnate in the countryside while her detested husband pursues his ambitions. There, she raises golden girl Mary, moody George, and ugly duckling Anne—while staving off boredom with a string of admirers. Until Henry VIII takes the throne. . .

When Thomas finally brings his highborn wife to London, Elizabeth indulges in lavish diversions and dalliances—and catches the lusty king’s eye. But those who enjoy Henry’s fickle favor must also guard against his wrath. For while her husband’s machinations bring Elizabeth and her children to the pinnacle of power, the distance to the scaffold is but a short one—and the Boleyn family’s fortune may be turning. . .

Praise for the novels of Brandy Purdy

“Recommended for readers who can’t get enough of the Tudors and have devoured all of Philippa Gregory’s books.” —Library Journal on The Boleyn Wife

“Purdy wonderfully reimagines the behind-the-scenes lives of the two sisters.” —Historical Novel Reviews on The Tudor Throne

 

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Also by the Author:

Ashes on the Wind:

The Love Story Behind the Crime of the Century

by Brandy Purdy

Genre: Dark Historical LGBTQ Romantic Suspense, True Crime

  

Nathan “Babe” Leopold was a socially awkward genius who used arrogance as a shield. He cultivated a philosophy of absolute selfishness cherry-picked from his reading of Nietzsche and indulged himself with vivid sexual fantasies about kings and slaves.

Richard “Dickie” Loeb was the brightest of the bright young things, a social butterfly as fragile as glass inside, hiding his insecurities behind a dazzling smile and a mouthful of lies. He found escape in thrilling tales and fantasies of crime.

They were two brilliant and privileged boys, each harboring secrets it would have been social suicide to reveal in their 1920s world.

When Babe met Dickie, it was like his favorite fantasy had stepped out of his dreams into real life.

When Dickie met Babe, he thought he had found the accomplice who would help make his criminal dreams come true.

Dickie was willing to give Babe what he wanted, if Babe would give him what he wanted. Quid pro quo. Until Dickie wanted something more, leaving Babe desperate and willing to do anything to hold onto his dream. Even if it led down a dark path to the Crime of the Century and infamy as the thrill killers Leopold and Loeb.

  

I have read all but one of Brandy Purdy’s novels, since 2010 and I have enjoyed them all including Ashes on the Wind. Brandy spends extensive time doing research and has the knack for telling a great story.

~CelticLady Reviews

  

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Brandy Purdy is the author of several historical novels including The Ripper’s Wife, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden, The Boleyn Wife, and The Tudor Throne.

 

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by Bill Hulseman

This book is not didactic or instructional; not self-help or psychology; not academic philosophy or cultural criticism. It is an exercise in honesty and a portrait of Bill, his family, and how we construct multiple identities—sexual, religious, philosophical, political, familial, relational—without reducing them to a monolithic whole, without being argumentative.

For anyone looking to make meaning out of their lives and the world around them, this book offers a model.

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As both a professional anatomist and a gerontologist, the author is well qualified to write a book on the aging body. Forty years as a professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, he served as Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and also Director of the Institute of Gerontology. For several decades he conducted research on the aging of muscle. He is a past-president of the American Association of Anatomists and of the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Chairpersons.

Keeping our balance involves a complex dance among several systems in our body. Most important are 1) a component of our inner ear, called the vestibular system; 2) our visual system; and 3) a large batch of sensory nerves that make up what is called the proprioceptive system. These three systems all send messages to the brain, which sorts them out and then sends appropriate messages to a variety of muscles throughout the body, telling them to adjust their individual contractions in a manner that keeps our body in a stable position.

 Bruce Carlson has had a long and varied career in a number of fields. As an undergraduate student at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, he majored in biology, languages and chemistry. As a prelude to becoming a fish biologist, he worked for the Minnesota Conservation Department (now DNR) as an aquatic biologist during summers except for one when he conducted research at the University of Georgia Marine Laboratory on Sapelo Island, Georgia. He entered a program in ichthyology at Cornell University, but became fascinated with the phenomenon of regeneration. After receiving an MS from Cornell, he entered the MD-PhD program at the University of Minnesota where he conducted research on limb regeneration in salamanders.

In 1966 he joined the faculty of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Michigan Medical School and became Chairman of the Department and later, Director of the Institute of Gerontology. He taught microscopic anatomy and human embryology and received several major awards for his teaching. His research on regeneration, embryology and muscle biology led him to live for extended periods in five countries – The USSR, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Finland and New Zealand. A prolific writer, he has written over 200 articles and chapters in scientific publications, has edited 15 symposium articles and translations, and he has written twenty books on a variety of topics.

Bruce is an avid fisherman, who is on the water well over 100 days per year, either night-fishing for walleyes or fly fishing for smallmouth bass in northern Minnesota. He has also taken many trips to New Zealand, his favorite country, to fish for trout in a remote lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. For many years he wrote articles for several national fishing magazines. The main theme was that the more you understand the biology of the fish you are trying tocatch, the better will be your results.

Since retirement in 2006, Bruce has reverted to his scientific childhood and has again taken up work on fish and lake biology. In addition to weekly collections of data about the lake by his cabin, he has directed a ten-year study on the growth of northern pike on a nearby lake and has spent hundreds of hours taking underwater videos in northern lakes. This activity has led to his writing two popular books on lake biology and one on aquatic invasive species.

In addition to his outdoor work, Bruce has maintained an active professional writing schedule, with seven editions of his book “Human Embryology and Developmental Biology” and other books on regeneration, the human body and muscle biology. His work in the area of embryology has led him into expert witness work in that area and writing a new book on the abortion controversy – “The Abortion Controversy – An Embryologist’s Perspective.” His background in anatomy and the biology of aging has him thinking about writing a new book on understanding the aging body.

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Break Free From Burnout is the ultimate blueprint designed to help you reclaim your life, revitalise your mind, and restore your well-being in today’s fast-paced world.

Inside this empowering guide, you’ll discover:

* The early warning signs of burnout and learn how to identify them before it’s too late.

* Use proven strategies to manage workload and prevent overwhelm.

* Step-by-step guides for long-term recovery planning tailored to your unique needs.

* The transformative power of mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and boost mental clarity.

* How to set effective boundaries and protect your personal time and energy.

* Ways to improve physical health and reduce burnout symptoms through exercise, nutrition, and sleep.

* Emotional resilience techniques that build confidence and help navigate challenges.

* The importance of community and support networks, and how to build yours.

* Personal success stories that inspire hope and demonstrate the possibility of recovery.

* Self-compassion practices to foster self-awareness and acceptance.

* Immediate stress relief techniques for high-pressure moments.

* Work-life integration strategies to harmonise your professional and personal life.

* How to rebuild relationships and strengthen connections with loved ones.

* The critical role of self-care in enhancing overall well-being.

* Practical exercises and reflection questions to help you apply concepts, track your progress.

* and much more!

Even if you’ve tried other books and felt they fell short, this book offers a unique blend of personal experience, expert insights, and practical tools that can make a real difference. By sharing my journey through burnout, case studies, and step-by-step strategies, I provide relatable, actionable advice you can implement today.

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by T. Pike

Genre: Historical Romance

Allies torn by fate.

Some Call Me Eve

by T. Pike

Genre: Historical Romance

Princess Evangeline has an insatiate lust for power. As her kingdom’s most feared warrior and heiress to the throne, she plans to one day rule in her father’s place, just as she rules over countless men during secret nights of sin.

But when the castle falls to a new enemy, Evangeline becomes a slave in her own kingdom, forced to obey the heartless queen’s commands to honor her father’s dying wish: to protect her people.

The princess craves vengeance, but can she resist the carnal magnetism between her and Prince Rune, the queen’s son and royal pawn? And as rebellion brews, can she trust Rune, the man with the power to quench her torrid flames, to be her greatest ally?

 

**Releases July 21st – PreOrder Now!**

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T. Pike grew up in Northwest Arkansas where she swam competitively for more than 17 years. After graduating from Texas A&M University with an English degree and All-American honors, she returned home to pursue her master’s in English and write her debut novel: Some Call Me Eve. Now a law student, she enjoys running and hiking with her dogs and exploring the mountains with her partner.

 

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Iceni Book 1

by Stephen D Owen

Genre: Historical Fiction

The revolt of Queen Boudica and the Iceni against the might of Rome has echoed down the centuries. Nearly 2000 years ago, during the early years of Roman Britain, Boudica, a victim of Roman injustice, raised the Iceni tribe in rebellion against Rome.

Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice

Iceni Book 1

by Stephen D Owen

Genre: Historical Fiction

Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice is the first thrilling instalment in this historical trilogy.

 

60 AD. The death of Prasutagus, the Iceni king, leaves his kingdom divided between Rome and his daughters. The Roman Procurator Catus Decianus seizes the entire territory and brutalizes Boudica and her family.

Driven by vengeance, Boudica rallies the Iceni tribe and allies including the Trinovantes, Coritani, and Catuvellauni. As Roman forces are preoccupied in the north, Boudica’s rebel army advances on Camulodunum, the Roman provincial capital, where a vastly outnumbered Roman defence struggles to hold.

With the fate of Roman Britannia hanging in the balance, the epic tale of sacrifice, rebellion, and fierce determination unfolds.

 

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Stephen D Owen, an enthusiast of Roman Britain and the Iceni Revolt, wished to bring the dramatic story of Queen Boudica, a druid priest and the Iceni Revolt to life in his debut novel, Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice.

Stephen explains: “The revolt of Queen Boudica and the Iceni against the might of Rome has echoed down the centuries. Nearly 2000 years ago, during the early years of Roman Britain, Boudica, victim of Roman injustice, raised the Iceni in rebellion against Rome.

On 1st of August 1984, millennia later, a mysterious link with the drama of the Iceni Revolt may have been uncovered. The remnants of a male peat body were found at Lindow Moss Wilmslow Cheshire, England.

At first the peat body was thought to be a murder victim, yet in time the body was proven to be far older. As old as the Iron Age in Britain at the time of the Roman Conquest.

Known as Lindow Man, or Pete Marsh, archaeologists and experts were called in. A theory was put forward, Lindow Man was in fact a high-born sacrificial victim. A druid priest, perhaps close to Boudica herself, who was a witness and key to the Iceni revolt.

The discovery of Lindow Man inspired me to write Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice. Was this man a priest?

Fundamental to the fate of Boudica and the Iceni? Although my version is fictional, I decided a good challenge would be to write my version of what could have happened, but I would encourage any reader to look into the history to form their own opinions!”

 

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 Katie & Maverick Cozy Mysteries, Book #10

Date Published: 07-10-2025

Publisher: Secret Staircase Books

High school teacher Katie Wilk is thrilled when her students qualify for Mock Trial America, a prestigious courtroom competition in Atlanta. Alongside her best friend and fellow teacher Jane Mackey, a team of eager teens, and a crew of devoted chaperones, Katie boards a flight from Minnesota—ready for a week of intellectual showdowns and Southern hospitality. But things go sideways before the plane is even off the ground.

With canceled flights, endless delays, and one particularly obnoxious passenger stirring up trouble, the trip turns into a logistical, almost deadly, nightmare. When that same rude traveler turns up later in Atlanta, the chaos takes a deadly turn—and suspicion lands squarely on the Mackey family.

As Katie digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets: stolen documents, corporate espionage, dangerous toxins, and enough motive to make her question everything. Can she untangle the truth before the killer strikes again?

Luckily, she’s got help—from Maverick, her sharp-nosed, loyal Labrador retriever and trained search-and-rescue dog, who’s always ready to sniff out danger.

Smart, suspenseful, and full of heart, this latest installment in Mary Seifert’s charming cozy mystery series delivers Southern intrigue, tricky puzzles, and the kind of dogged determination only a Lab (and a resolute teacher) can provide.

Weather delayed the incoming plane. We had boarded thirty minutes behind schedule, and forty-two minutes later, after anxious bouts of fits and giggles checking watches and phone screens, we saw our pilot step out of the cockpit to make a brief announcement.

“Good morning, folks. Sorry for the delay, but due to mechanical issues, we’ve had to cancel our non-stop flight to Atlanta.” As the air around me took on a rumble, he smiled uneasily and took a big breath. “We apologize for any inconvenience, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you and get you to your final destination as quickly as possible. Please gather your belongings and check the seat pocket before disembarking. See the gate attendant for more details.”

We exited the aircraft. Our students crowded around me, and I said decisively, “We’ll catch another plane soon and still arrive in plenty of time to take advantage of everything we’ve planned before your competition begins in three days. Don’t worry.”

Famous last words. I hoped I wasn’t constructing a false narrative for our future.

I massaged my temples as we waited our turn and inched our way to the desk for information. The smile glued to the young man’s face never wavered as he checked our tickets. “It’s a very busy Memorial weekend.” His fingers flew over the keys. “It’ll take a bit of maneuvering to get your entire group in the sky, but we’ll get you on the next available flight, however …” He looked up at me, and one corner of his mouth turned down in a bit of alarm. “The operative word is available.”

My heart leaped to my throat, and I gritted my teeth in frustration.

“And a nonstop will be impossible.” His eyebrows, cheeks, and lips morphed into one big apology. “You’ll be rerouted first through Detroit.”

About the Author

Set in the charming landscapes of West Central Minnesota, where the lakes begin and the criminals are caught, Mary’s stories transport readers to a world of intrigue, humor, and small-town charm. Each book is a delightful mix of suspense and warmth, featuring memorable characters, ingenious puzzles, and clever twists that keep you guessing until the very end.

Busy crafting her next mystery, Mary indulges in her love of research, currently studying the flora and fauna of the Nantahala National Forest and the magnetic call of Atlanta for the upcoming installment of her series. She believes that every great mystery starts with a curious mind and a love for uncovering the truth, but scrupulously scrubs her browsers history of any hint of crime.

Join Mary on her literary journey, where a good story is always paired with a cozy blanket, a glass of wine, and a touch of mischief!

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ANGUS & ROBERTSON