book-reviews – Page 2 – M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧

The Synchrotron

Published on June 10, 2025June 11, 2025 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

by Rain Hunter

Genre: Science Fiction Comedy

The End of the World has Never Been This Incompetent!

The Synchrotron

by Rain Hunter

Genre: Science Fiction Comedy

✔️A deadly virus.

✔️A world overrun by monsters.
✔️ Six scientists on a dangerous mission to cure the world.
We are screwed…

They only wanted a Nobel Prize. Instead, they will have to save the world.

It was going to be the experiment of the year. Preparing to blast x-rays through a piece of palladium at the most dazzling European synchrotron, Anna and five of her fellow scientists expected a few hiccups.

Not a horde of hungry spleen-eating zombies.

The world has succumbed to the virus, leaving only scattered survivors.

When Anna and her friends realise that the infected can be cured back into humans, they pledge to find a cure no matter the cost. Equipped with a lab wrench and questionable lab ethics, Team ID26 are humanity’s last hope.

But what is the price of saving the world?

Running out of time, Anna and her friends will face the impossible choices between life and death, morality and cure. When the future of the world is at stake, what will they have to sacrifice?

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What is similar between science and postapocalyptic survival?

Everything that can, will go wrong.”

Rain Hunter is a writer of post-apocalyptic science fiction. Having spent years as a materials researcher, Rain intricately weaves scientific precision into the stories. “I’ve had a fun lab run over the years and might have picked some degrees on the way,” laughs Rain. “But the most important thing for my books is that the science has to be real. No more can-and-know-it-all characters! If I know how to cook meth from baking soda and cough syrup, I won’t be able to start a rocket engine, full stop. Even in fiction!”

Rain is a huge fan of the zombie genre, both in movies and books. “I’d kill to be a zombie extra in a film. Even if they smash my brains out in the first two seconds. Sign me up anytime.”

Dark humour and irony are the main ingredients in Rain’s novels. “I am sure the world will die laughing. That’s what I would do.”

Rain lives in Birmingham (England), which serves as a main inspiration for the goriest post-apocalyptic scenes. In their spare time, Rain plays a harp in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Nah, not really.

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Legends of the Vale Series

Published on May 7, 2025May 7, 2025 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

by Leslie Anne Lee

Genre: Epic Dark Fantasy

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Fate weaves their paths; legend binds their names.

Child of Dawn

Legends of the Vale Book 1

by Leslie Anne Lee

Genre: Epic Dark Fantasy

Her anger enveloped her, Witch, So that was what she was to them.

Dagsbrún knew he was a monster… He had been called that since birth. And yet, as he raged against his immortality, he dared to dream of finding peace.

Enter the world of the Vale, ruled by elves and vampires. A world destined for destruction unless a prophecy can be fulfilled, and two individuals who are entirely opposite can find something in common.

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Silken Waters

Legends of the Vale Book 2

“War is hard. Sometimes, peace is even harder.”

Silken Waters transports readers back to the Vale, a realm governed by magic and ruled by the ancient and powerful races of elves and vampires. These two races have been at odds for thousands of years, forbidden to associate, much less fall in love.

In the sequel to Child of Dawn, Rennault, the leader of the bradach a faction Of vampire pirates- must face the changes brought by the newfound peace in the Vale. When his and other bradach’s way of life is threatened, he seeks to save his right to rule the waters, little does he know that this endeavor will take him on an adventure that will change not only his life but also the lives of everyone living in the Vale. He will be challenged in love, brotherhood, and choosing between what is right and what is easy.

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Leslie Anne Lee has been writing since she was six years old, crafting tales on newsprint paper with crayons before graduating to pen and journal. Her passion for writing was evident from a young age, winning recognition in school for her short stories and poetry. By high school, Leslie had published her first novel, and as a college freshman, her poetry garnered recognition from her state senator.

Leslie’s writing journey has been marked by determination and resilience. Even as a new mother, she penned her second book while bedridden with a fever. Her dedication to the craft has resulted in the publication of six books across various genres, and her poetry has been featured in several anthologies.

Leslie credits her success to the encouragement and inspiration she received from her high school English and Drama teacher, Greg Stobbe, as well as the unwavering support of her family and friends. Her mother, who instilled in her a love of reading; her children, whom she wants to inspire and teach that anything is possible; and her friends, who have inspired, pushed, and motivated her to believe that she can and will be a successful author. When she’s not writing, Leslie enjoys contributing to local film non-profits, participating in red carpet premieres, and nurturing her creative spirit through gardening, dancing, and helping her children make movies.

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Their Mended Hearts

Published on March 27, 2025 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Cardinal Creek Book 2

by Angie Cole

Genre: Sweet Small-Town Contemporary Second-Chance Romance

A second chance at love… if they’re brave enough to take it.

Their Mended Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 2

by Angie Cole

Genre: Sweet Small-Town Contemporary Second-Chance Romance

He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.

Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.

Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.

As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.

Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?

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Their Shattered Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 1

He’s a firefighter with a broken heart. She is a nurse with a hidden secret and a heart that has been broken. Can love give them the strength to heal?

Will Deluca, a firefighter and ranch owner, hides his pain behind a rugged exterior. After the tragic loss of his wife, his days on the Rockin’ D Ranch are filled with hard work, caring for his two children, and carrying the heavy burden of unfulfilled promises. In the quiet hills of Texas, his world feels as empty as the vast plains.

When Anna Samuels, a compassionate nurse with a heart for healing, arrives in Cardinal Creek, she’s seeking a fresh start. Leaving behind heartbreak, Anna’s journey brings her to the ranch, where Will’s piercing blue eyes and quiet strength draw her in. Together, they find a spark of hope—something neither thought they’d feel again.

As their connection deepens, Will dreams of honoring his late wife’s wish to create a sanctuary for children with autism, blending his cowboy roots with a mission of healing. But his lingering guilt threatens to pull him back into darkness, jeopardizing their fragile bond.

Anna sees Will’s strength and kindness, but her secret—casts doubt over their growing love. Will her secret be the ultimate test of their love?

Set in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Their Shattered Hearts is a heartfelt story of second chances, featuring relatable characters, small-town charm, and the unyielding spirit of love. This western ranch romance will captivate readers who adore cowboy romance books with emotional depth and a loving MMC.

Will they find the courage to confront their demons and embrace the love they both deserve or will the ghosts of their pasts keep their hearts shattered forever?

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My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.

My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.

As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it’s a very personal experience and isn’t the same for every person.

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Vengeful CONspiracies

Published on March 26, 2025March 27, 2025 by mariacatalinaegan1 Comment

A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 2

by Nicole Leiren

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Sadie encounters a nemesis from her past.

Is it coincidence or is it something more sinister?

Book 2 reveals the truth!

Vengeful CONspiracies

A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 2

by Nicole Leiren

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Sadie is settling into her new life in Wilson, Texas. She’s making friends and her business, Tesoro, is starting to thrive. But the past is never far behind. When two former team members come for a visit, they bring trouble in the form of a mutual enemy set on revenge threatening to disrupt Sadie’s fresh start.

She can’t turn her back on her team, though. They’ve been through too much together. The more Sadie tries to help, the more she suspects she might be the target of the con this time. With forces conspiring against her, the outcome of her decisions, both past and present, weigh heavily and make her question the choices she made leading to this point.

When their mutual enemy is found dead, alliances are tested, and wits are matched as the race to the truth reveals who can be trusted and who is running their final con.

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Murderous CONsequences

A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 1

Sadie Sabatini thinks of herself as a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her gift as a skilled con artist to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Leading this life is rewarding, but the number of enemies are piling up. Sadie decides to lay low and start over with a new (and legitimate business) in the small town of Wilson, Texas, situated on a small peninsula in beautiful Lake Amore.

Trouble is never far behind though and her past catches up to her in a big way when a friend of a former mark threatens blackmail for his silence. When he turns up dead and Sadie is the prime suspect, she realizes this time she must protect herself. Her skills prove helpful as she digs deeper into the web of revenge, blackmail, and secrets to discover she’s not the only one with a past to hide.

As the threats mount, Sadie knows she’s closing in on the truth. She now worries that the few new friends she’s made in town are in danger because of her. With time running out, can she protect those around her and find the real killer before this new chapter in her life is conned out of a happy ending?

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Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun — in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.

Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)

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Would You Rather…

Published on February 18, 2025February 18, 2025 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

part of The Haunting of Pinedale High Series

by Kimberly Baer

Genre: YA Paranormal

The luck of the draw has never been riskier.

Would You Rather…

part of The Haunting of Pinedale High Series

by Kimberly Baer

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pick a card, any card…

Would you rather be an amazing artist or a brilliant mathematician?

Would you rather lose your mother or your father?

Would you rather roast to death or freeze to death?

It’s a silly game hosted by a substitute teacher, an exercise in exploring the workings of the teenage mind. Twenty-three students make their choices, and the game is forgotten—until the chosen scenarios start coming true. Classmates Ava, Blake, and Charlie are determined to track down the mysterious teacher and persuade him to end the curse. But the clock is ticking, lives hang in the balance, and the foe they seek is more menacing than they could imagine.

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Kimberly Baer is an author and professional editor who was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a town marginally famous for having endured three major floods. She even lived there during one of them. She enjoys power-walking on days when it’s not too hot, too cold, too rainy, too snowy, or too windy. On indoor days, you’re likely to find her hard at work on her next novel or binge-watching old episodes of Survivor, her favorite guilty pleasure.

Kim has had her nose in a book practically since birth. Her first story, written at age six, was about a baby chick that hatched out of a little girl’s Easter egg after somehow surviving the hard-boiling process. These days she writes in a variety of genres, including young adult, middle-grade, and adult romantic suspense. Her books are published by The Wild Rose Press and have won several awards.

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Charlie N. Holmberg’s Book of Magic

Published on November 14, 2024November 17, 2024 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

By Charlie N. Holmberg

Genre: Speculative Nonfiction, Writing Self-Help

Unravel the secrets to crafting a masterful magic system from

best-selling fantasy author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Charlie N. Holmberg’s Book of Magic

By Charlie N. Holmberg

Genre: Speculative Nonfiction, Writing Self-Help

Unravel the secrets to crafting a masterful magic system from best-selling fantasy author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Whether using magic as flavor or as an essential piece of plot, this book will guide fantasy authors, from new to experienced, through the delicate layers of creating, utilizing, and mastering magic systems.

In this book, we will…

*Discuss the schools, laws, and spectrum of magic

*Learn to build individual pieces of a magic system

*Dig into magic’s influence on worldbuilding

*Examine different types and styles of magic

*Develop and polish original magic systems

With workshops, work pages, and reference materials included, this succinct one-and-done guide to crafting the magical elements of the fantasy genre is a must-have for speculative fiction authors.

“If you haven’t had the fortune of attending one of Charlie’s writing classes (which I have), this is the next best thing. Book of Magic contains so much wit, wisdom, and practical suggestions for helping any beginning author, or veteran, make their magic systems rise up and be noticed. She uses expert examples from other authors you know as well as teaching a masterclass on developing magic systems from scratch based on methods she’s invented. You just may need this book to help find out what kind of magic-based diseases might be festering in your neighbor’s cabbages.” —Jeff Wheeler, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series

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Charlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of fantasy and romance fiction, including the Paper Magician series, the Spellbreaker series, and the Whimbrel House series, and writes contemporary romance under C. N. Holmberg. She is published in over twenty languages and is a Goodreads Choice Award, ALA, and RITA finalist. Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters who also have boy names. A BYU alumna, she discovered in her thirties that she’s actually a cat person. She lives with her family in Utah. Visit her at www.charlienholmberg.com .

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A Kingdom of Fire and Delight

Published on November 11, 2024November 12, 2024 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Portals of Science and Magic Book 3

By Liz Cain

Genre: Urban Fantasy Adventure Romance

A lost fae princess. A family united. A world on the brink of war.

A Kingdom of Fire and Delight

Portals of Science and Magic Book 3

By Liz Cain

Genre: Urban Fantasy Adventure Romance

A lost fae princess. A family united. A world on the brink of war.

Rebecca works with her colleague to fix the equipment that can send all the fae home. While Alexy searches for the lost princess, the two worlds are soon to be torn apart, and something doesn’t feel right. Will Kaval have to leave behind the love he’s found?

When the dark fae finally break into the lab, all chances of escape to the fae realm hangs on the brink of collapse. Rebecca and Kaval must fight to survive, there is little hope they will make it out alive.

Rebecca must dig deeper than ever before to find the strength to save herself, and the fae she loves. Even if she is only human.

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

A Kingdom of Air and Duty

Portals of Science and Magic Book 1

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A Kingdom of Earth and Devotion

Portals of Science and Magic Book 2

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Liz Cain is an urban fantasy writer and NHS frontline staff. She was born in East Yorkshire in the UK and grew up near the sea with her parents and two sisters. She moved to the midlands, which was much too far south for her, graduating from Leicester University with a degree in Physics and going on to complete an MSc in Medical and Radiation Physics. She has worked in the NHS since 2008 as a Nuclear Medicine Clinical Scientist, helping with cancer treatment and diagnosis.

She has traveled at every opportunity from Thailand and Australia to touring national parks in North America. Liz has done lots of crazy things for charity, including skydiving, running, swimming, and even cutting off her hair. While out on adventures she finds herself weaving intricate tales in her head which one day she had to write down.

Liz has loved reading her whole life, growing up with Anne McCaffrey, Mary Stewart, and Terry Goodkind. Becoming an author happened by chance when she jumped at the opportunity to help a friend tell a story that deserved to be told. It inspired her to follow her lifelong dream and now she has published books with her coauthor Anne K. Whelan in the fantasy romance and paranormal romance genre, finally taking that last step and publishing by herself in 2023.

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THE BRIFGE OF DEATHS

Published on October 25, 2024 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Author M.C.V. Egan spent almost two decades researching the real-life events depicted in her book The Bridge of Deaths. Her book, when it was published in 2011, gathered critical accolades and reviews. On the 75th anniversary of the events and World War II she revised the book and gave it a new cover.

The Bridge of Deaths; A Love story and a Mystery has no footnotes. Large parts of the research data is at the back of the book as appendices.

FIVE STARS FROM THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

What happens in the moments leading up to disaster? “The Bridge of Deaths” follows the story of a true life event of a plane crash shortly before World War II of an international meeting of many individuals. Compiling a work of intrigue based on those who lost their lives and what they may have been seeking.

Join Bill and Maggie in 2010 London as through their love and curiosity they unravel the secrets from known and little known events in the 1930s. Journey to Denmark on August 15th 1939, at the brink of World War II where a British Airways LTD airplane crashed and sunk. Five deaths were reported: two Standard Oil of New Jersey employees, a German Corporate Lawyer, an English member of Parliament, and a crew member for the airline. The reader walks away with his/her ultimate conclusions. “The Bridge of Deaths’ is an unusual yet much recommended read.

5.0 out of 5 stars “An unusual yet much recommended read”, By Midwest Book Review

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The Bridge of Deaths is a love story and a mystery. Fictional characters travel through the world of past life regressions and information acquired from psychics as well as Archives and historical sources to solve “One of those mysteries that never get solved”. Based on true events and real people it is the culmination of 18 years of sifting through sources and finding a way to help the reader feel that he /she is also sifting through data and forming their own conclusions. The journey takes the reader to well known and little known events leading up to the Second World War, both in Europe and America. The journey also takes the reader to the possibility of finding oneself in this lifetime by exploring past lives.

Celtic Betrayal

Published on October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 by mariacatalinaegan3 Comments

by Eric Steven Griesel

Historical Fiction / Celtic

Date Published: September 9, 2024

This historical fiction novel follows the Kerrigan family from 1847 through five generations as they migrate from Ireland to the United States. Confronting nearly every obstacle imaginable, the Kerrigan family has risen to power and accumulated unimaginable wealth, continuously growing the company that was founded by James Kerrigan after he arrived in the U.S. However, more than one hundred years later, the Kerrigan clan now finds itself facing its greatest challenge yet, which threatens to tear apart both the family and its financial empire. It is an unimaginable betrayal that leaves a once-indestructible family suddenly more vulnerable than they have ever been before.

About the Author

I currently reside in the Houston, Texas, area with my wife, Judy Lynn, who is also my greatest inspiration. We’re strong believers in God and Houston Astros fans. After graduation from Law School. I joined the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps) in the U.S. Navy. After leaving the Navy, I worked as an Employment and Labor Law Attorney and a Human Resources troubleshooter for multiple employers until eventually starting my own HR and Legal Consulting practice for more than fifteen years. I have also been blessed with three daughters – Jennifer, Kymberly, and Stephanie – who remain my greatest fans.

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Warrior Rising

Published on September 26, 2024 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Merlin’s Apprentice Book 2

by Susan McCauley

Genre: Epic Middle Grade Arthurian Fantasy

Young Pip must embrace his power to become a battle mage

so he can defend the Magic Realm against the fierce Northmen

invading from the sea and from the dark forces attacking his kingdom.

Warrior Rising

Merlin’s Apprentice Book 2

by Susan McCauley

Genre: Epic Middle Grade Arthurian Fantasy

Young Pip must embrace his power to become a battle mage so he can defend the Magic Realm against the fierce Northmen invading from the sea and from the dark forces attacking his kingdom.

While recovering from Mordred’s reign of terror and the departure of King Arthur, Pip foresees a new enemy breaching the shores of Britain: a fleet of Northmen led by the ruthless Halfdan Ragnarsson. Pip and Merlin fear Ragnarsson will fill Mordred’s void and bring demonic darkness and chaos to their realm. It falls to Pip, together with old friends and new magicked allies, to stop Ragnarsson, protect the magical barrier that separates the Magic Realm from the Realm of Faerie, and unite the mages of light to protect all who were scattered by the breaking of the worlds.

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The Mage

Merlin’s Apprentice Book 1

Twelve-year-old Pip must embrace his magical powers to rescue his family from slavery—or help the king save the realm—a decision that will tear his world apart.

Desperate to keep his family together, Pip hides his power so he can be sold with them. But when his father and brother are sold to different mages and the slavers attempt to separate his mother and sister, Pip loses control and injures a slaver with magic. The uproar catches the attention of the southern king’s druid advisor, Merlin, who quickly offers a place to Pip, his sister, and his mother. On the road to King Arthur’s court, bandits attack their camp, and his family is further torn apart. Pip has no choice but to work with Merlin—who may not be the evil mage Pip assumes him to be—to learn to harness his powers so he can help King Arthur stop Mordred. Only then might Pip have a chance to see his family together again.

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Susan McCauley is an award-winning author of paranormal, fantasy, and horror for adults, young adults, and middle-grade readers. She first fell in love with the paranormal when she was three years old and scared witless on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride, but begged her parents to ride again and again! Susan has lived on all three coasts of the United States and has spent a few years in the U.K. She loves to travel, snorkel, practice taekwondo, read, try new restaurants, watch movies, and go to the theatre. She’s also passionate about animals and has a special place in her heart for cats.

You can visit her on the web at www.sbmccauley.com

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