☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ with M.C.V. EGAN

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

A New Year in the Presidential Suite

Romantic Women's Fiction

Date Published: June 9, 2026

A New Year…A New Chance at Life

As a Christmas surprise, Lori Hamlin’s family sends her to The Beach House Hotel on the Gulf Coast of Florida to help her recover from the loss of her husband two years ago, hoping she will realize it’s time to change her life. There, she meets Griffin Sawyer, who’s on his own after his fiancée left him at the altar. Neither one is interested in anything but friendship, but Lori and Griff decide to spend the New Year’s holiday together.

Griff has to leave unexpectedly because his grandfather, the owner of the Adeline Hills Winery, has had a stroke. Having been told about wine and growing grapes by Griff, Lori decides to learn more. And when she signs up for a stay at the winery’s guest cottage, she meets Griff and his entire family. Then, they must decide if friendship is what they truly want or if the past will prevent them from moving forward.

A special spin-off book where characters have their own stories but end up at The Beach House Hotel in Florida with Ann and Rhonda. A chance to stay connected to the series in a different way.

About the Author

Judith Keim, A USA Today Best-Selling Author, is a hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes. Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way, stories with heart. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love.

She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their adorable dachshunds, Wally and Kacy, and other members of her family.

While growing up, she loved the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.

Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.

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Friday, June 5, 2026

The Shadow and Scepter

Tales of Méhns Móri, Book 1

Low Fantasy, Greek Mythology & Legend, and Dark Fantasy

Date Published: May 19, 2026

When the gods went to war, they shattered the world.

Kingdoms burned. Ancient powers fell. And in the ruins they left behind, the shadow of Coruk-Azul the one-eyed god of death still lingers.

Hidden among the remnants of that forgotten age lies the Scepter of Selene, a divine relic once capable of maintaining balance between gods and mortals. Now broken into scattered fragments, the scepter has become the center of a brutal race that could reshape the fate of the world.

Endymion, a healer from distant Miletus, never sought glory or war. But after arriving in the Greek colony of Phanagoria at the edge of civilization, he is drawn into a deadly conflict alongside warriors, exiles, and survivors bound together by prophecy, secrets, and survival.

Because something ancient is rising.

Vädumir.

Undying conqueror. Cursed warlord. A tyrant who has outlived kingdoms and buried entire empires beneath blood and ash. For centuries, Vädumir has hunted the fragments of the scepter, and he will destroy anyone standing in his path.

If the relic is restored, balance may return to a dying world.

If it fails, something far worse may awaken beneath the ruins of the gods.

Blending dark fantasy, Greek mythology, celestial magic, vampires, giants, and ancient Black Sea civilizations, The Shadow and Scepter is a fast-paced historical fantasy epic perfect for readers of John Gwynne, Joe Abercrombie, and Jay Kristoff.

About the Authors

Long before they began writing epic fantasy together, Timothy Manley and Shawn McMichael were Navy brats growing up on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. They filled their youth with adventures, imagination, and late nights lost in role-playing and strategy games where heroes, monsters, and distant worlds first took shape. Decades later, that shared love of storytelling became The Shadow and the Scepter, the first novel set in the mythic world of Méhns Móri: a realm forged from ancient history, forgotten legends, and the sweeping traditions of heroic fantasy.

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Author Shawn Goodreads

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Shawn McMichael is a storyteller who draws inspiration from history, mythology, and a lifelong hunger for discovery, having traveled to over thirty countries. With degrees in communications and history education and a long career spanning the software and gaming industries, he has spent decades in pursuit of the stories only the past can tell. Shawn lives in Washington State with his wife and family.

Timothy Manley is the author of multiple science fiction and fantasy works, including the Earthborn Saga. A veteran of the software and gaming industries, he brings deep experience in world-building and narrative design to everything he writes. Tim holds a BA in English from San Francisco State University and an MBA from Western Governors University, and lives in Oregon with his wife and two of his five children.

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Room 13

History / War / Biography

Date Published: April 13, 2026

Publisher: MindStir Media

What happens when training ends—and real combat begins?

In ROOM 13: A Fighter Pilot’s Story, Colonel Kenneth Gilmore delivers a gripping, firsthand account of life as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam/Laos conflict, where survival was never guaranteed—and every mission could be your last.

This powerful military memoir traces Gilmore’s extraordinary journey from a college football coach to an elite U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, flying some of the most iconic aircraft of the era, including the F-102, F-101, A-1 Skyraider, and F-106.

But nothing could prepare him for the brutal reality of war.

✈️ 220 Combat Missions. One Life-Changing Experience.

Assigned to fly the A-1 Skyraider—an aircraft with one of the highest loss rates of the Vietnam War—Gilmore quickly learned that traditional training fell short in the face of enemy fire.

After being shot down during mission 130, he survived hours on the ground before rescue—an experience that would forever shape his life, leadership, and understanding of war.

🔥 The Seven Rules That Meant Survival

In the chaos of combat, Gilmore and a fellow pilot developed seven essential rules for survival—lessons forged under extreme pressure and life-or-death conditions.

These principles became the foundation of his leadership when he later returned to command and mentor fellow fighter pilots as an Operations Officer.

🎖️ A Story of Courage, Leadership, and Sacrifice

Over the course of his career, Gilmore flew 220 combat missions and earned numerous honors, including three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism. His rapid rise through the ranks to Colonel reflects both his skill and leadership—but also came at a cost, pulling him away from the cockpit he loved.

About the Author

Colonel Kenneth Gilmore (USAF Ret.) is a decorated Vietnam War fighter pilot and author of ROOM 13: A Fighter Pilot’s Story. With over 220 combat missions in the A-1 Skyraider and three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, his experiences in air combat shaped both his military career and Phis life. Today, he shares his story to honor fellow pilots and educate future generations about the realities of war.

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Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Shores of Our Souls

Multicultural Family Saga / Fiction

Date Published: 4-21-2026

Publisher: Ground One Press

She’s a sheltered American. He’s a Middle Eastern diplomat. Can their love lead to lasting peace overseas?

New York City, 1981. Dianna leaves her small southern town for the bright lights and rich culture of the Big Apple and a prime job at the Met. Sparks fly when she crosses paths with a charming Lebanese diplomat. A shared night of passion launches her into an exciting romance and opens her eyes to a bloody conflict far from home. But as warring factions take hold overseas, she can’t shake the feeling that her new love is hiding dark secrets.

Qasim has never known peace. When he gets the chance to bring his country’s troubles before the United Nations, he abandons his family obligations to heal his war-torn homeland. But his true mission takes a detour when he falls for a beautiful American woman. Against the urging of his closest friend and mentor, he wants to share his heart and hopes with her.

In the face of cultural barriers and mounting war, can Dianna and Qasim find the strength to stand up for their love and a lasting peace?

About the Author

KATHRYN BROWN RAMSPERGER is an award-winning author, editor, and creativity coach. A former National Geographic writer and researcher and humanitarian staff member for the International Red Cross, she has lived and worked in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, regions that deeply inform her storytelling. The Shores of Our Souls is a Foreword Indies finalist and a finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom Literary Competition. She’s a recipient of the Hollins University Fiction Award.

Having firsthand experience in the places she writes about, Kathryn brings a unique authenticity to her stories, blending rich cultural details with the universal themes of love, redemption, and peace. She studied creative writing at Hollins University, and publications management at George Washington University. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband. They have two adult children, off to their own world adventures, but still parent a feisty feline. Next on their bucket list: Croatia, Portugal, or Tanzania!

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Nana Claus and the Thank-You Notes

Children's Picture Book

Date Published: 07-02-2026

Publisher: Solander Press

Gratitude is important to Nana Claus. Even the smallest act of kindness spreads joy, like sending thank-you notes. Nana Claus helps some special friends learn to write thank-you notes to thank others for what they do for them. Nana and her friends learn about ways to say thank you using short notes.

About the Author

Kelly Reddin is an award-winning writer and author of the Celebrating Family Series, which highlights healthy relationships between children and the Nana Claus Series, focusing on kindness and friendship. Her short stories and essays have won numerous awards from writing organizations including the Joplin Writers Guild and the Ozark Writers League.

Kelly is a former elementary, middle grade and college educator. Her work at LEGO Education spanned two decades in a variety of positions from Curriculum Specialist to Global Master Trainer. Kelly loves to travel, meet new people, and learn about the world around her. She is active in her community, serving on several non-profit boards.

Join her email list to get updates on her latest releases and her monthly newsletter.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Dosa Day

Children’s Picture Book

Date Published: June 2, 2026

It’s Dosa Day!

Join a curious child and their loving Ammamma on a joyful kitchen adventure filled with crispy dosas, colorful chutneys, and heartwarming family traditions. As they learn about different kinds of dosas, they discover that the real magic isn’t just in cooking—it’s in the time spent together.

Dosa Day is a playful children’s picture book celebrating Indian cuisine, family traditions, and intergenerational love. With rhythmic read-aloud text and vibrant illustrations, this story creates a rich sensory experience that introduces young readers to culture, connection, and mindful togetherness.

Perfect for children ages 3–7, this diverse picture book is ideal for:

Multicultural children’s books
Indian and South Asian culture stories for kids
Picture books about food, family, and traditions
Engaging read-aloud bedtime stories

Whether you’re introducing Indian cuisine like dosa for the first time or building a more inclusive children’s library, Dosa Day is a meaningful addition to any child’s bookshelf.

About the Author

In the quiet magic of the Mojave Desert, where the sky stretches wide and the sunsets set everything golden, Veena Katikineni found the perfect place to let her imagination wander.

Dosa Day was born from a heart full of cherished memories: big, bustling family gatherings with her beloved Indian family, where the house was always full, the food was always flowing, and the smell of something delicious was always drifting through the air. Food wasn’t just food — it was love, laughter, and the heartbeat of every gathering.

A physician by training, Veena has spent her career caring for others, but she has always believed that stories heal in their own special way. This is her love letter to dosa, to her roots, and to the joy of sharing both with the world.

When she’s not writing or seeing patients, you’ll find her on her yoga mat, planning the family’s next adventure, or exploring the world with her loving husband and two spirited boys, her favorite companions in wandering and in life.

She believes magic lives in the everyday moments, especially the ones shared around a table.

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