Book Tour ~ In Vitro - A Novel by M. J. Kuhar

 

Women’s Fiction

Date Published: December 9, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

 

The Hippocratic Oath dictates, “First, do no harm,” but what if success demands it?

 

The calm and compassionate Dr. Joyce Porter is proud to work at McArthur Fertility Institute, where miracles happen every day. Couples determined to conceive flock to the clinic, drawn by its unmatched IVF success rate and glowing reputation.

But behind the clinic’s shining facade lies a disturbing secret. When another doctor mentions a peculiarity in the facility’s methods, Joyce investigates. What she discovers is worse than she could have imagined. Now, she must decide whether to confront the institute’s renowned director about his unscrupulous deeds or compromise her ethics by turning a blind eye. She knows staying silent could destroy people’s lives, but speaking out could destroy hers.

As the line between healing and harm blurs, Joyce must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her patients, her integrity, and the future she still hopes to build.

 

 December 13, 2010: Breaking headline on the website of KTXR, Richmond, Virginia.

“Premier Fertility Center Shut Down Amid Rumors Involving Possible Illegal Use of Donor Sperm”

McArthur Fertility Institute, located in Richmond, Virginia, has been ordered to cease all operations by the Virginia Department of Health. Dr. Owen Hicks, the Institute’s director, had his medical license suspended pending an investigation into the Institute’s possible use of donor sperm without patient consent.

Earlier this morning, the university released a statement saying, “All fertility services, including in vitro fertilization, are temporarily suspended pending an investigation into possible inconsistencies regarding use of donor sperm. We continue to have our patients’ safety and well-being as our primary focus.” Additionally, KTXR learned that more than one hundred patients who become pregnant during the previous year simultaneously received registered letters referencing “possible inconsistencies” and were directed to call and arrange counseling and/or genetic testing as appropriate.

McArthur University recruited Dr. Hicks and his partner, Dr. Ajay Kumar, to start the Institute twelve years ago. Boasting a pregnancy rate 30% higher than the industry norm, it has become a premier center in the field of infertility treatment and cutting-edge technologies.

Calls to McArthur were referred to their legal representative, Kirsten Clarke, of Powell, Siegel and Hill, LLC.

Tune into the ten o’clock news as KTXR interviews two couples who received treatment at McArthur and are currently pregnant and facing some tough decisions.

Chapter 1

 

Two months earlier

The first time Evie and Leon Coleman entered the luxurious lobby of the McArthur Fertility Institute, she had gone right to the fountain and gazed at the glittering coins littering the bottom. Beside her, Leon fished a shiny penny from his pocket and held it out to her. She’d tossed it toward the far side and watched her reflection in the disturbed water. Her large brown eyes stared back at her, shimmering with so much hope.

Now they’d been coming here for months in an increasingly desperate attempt to have a baby. They had spent most of their meager savings on one IVF cycle. If this didn’t work, they’d have to find another way. The procedure two weeks ago had been technically successful, and today they’d learn if they would finally become parents.

A solemn hush surrounded them. The outside noise became a mere whisper. Leon turned her toward him, smoothed her curly black hair with his big hands, and then enveloped her in his strong arms.

Standing outside the clinic’s door, she drew in a breath, momentarily closed her eyes for a quick prayer, and took Leon’s hand. As she moved to open the door, he tugged her to a stop.

His tone was soft but urgent when he whispered, “Evie, I love you. No matter what.”

#####

About the Author

M.J. Kuhar worked in private practice as an OB-GYN for over a decade before shifting to a career in higher education, first as an assistant professor, then as a college dean, and finally as a vice president.

Her dedication to helping patients and students left her little time to write, but the idea for a novel stuck with her. Inspired by deeply moving stories of couples undergoing IVF, she developed her first novel, In Vitro.

Now retired, M.J. lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a spicy cat named Simon. She volunteers at a local elementary school, where she reads with kindergarteners to foster a love of books. Tai chi, crafting, and wine tasting are a few of her favorite hobbies.

 

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Teaser ~ Elmer Kelton's The Blessing - A Hewey Calloway Adventure by John Bradshaw

 

Western Adventure, Historical Mystery

Date Published: 12-03-2025

Publisher: Devil's Claw Press

Hewey Calloway, Elmer Kelton’s favorite footloose cowboy, has always been known to have a generous nature, readily giving to those in need. Time has finally mellowed Hewey and given him some wisdom that was lacking in his youth, but deep down, he’s still the same old Hewey. In this sequel to The Smiling Country, a beneficiary to one of Hewey’s past generosities pays him back, and with interest. Knowing Hewey would decline a monetary repayment, he is gifted land back in Upton County.

Trouble is, it was bought from his old adversary, Fat Gervin, who is still as crooked as ever. Gervin finds a seeming loophole in the contract and tries to pull another fast one on Hewey, who is fed up with Gervin’s endless treachery. Tensions rise, and when Gervin is shot, it’s Hewey who’s on the hook for the crime. But things are never as they seem, and it’s up to an eclectic cast of characters to sort it out, and for Hewey to learn what’s really important in life. 

Written by longtime journalist turned novelist John Bradshaw, who was selected by The Elmer Kelton Estate to continue the Hewey Calloway tradition.

Excerpt

The morning sun was warm on Hewey’s face as he neared the Circle W’s eastern fence and the road beyond. When he crossed a small hill just west of the road, he saw an automobile parked outside the fence and a man struggling to open the wire gate that led into the ranch. Hewey rode nearer and saw the man was a stranger. He was older than Hewey by a decade or so, soft in the middle and wearing a dark suit and a snap-brim driving cap. 

Although Morgan Jenkins occasionally visited the ranch in his automobile, Pincushion had certainly never been this close to one of the machines. He snorted and sidestepped, threatening to do something untoward. Unconcerned with the horse’s feelings, Hewey swatted the dun on the hip with the heavy tail of a rein. Pincushion decided Hewey was more of an immediate threat than the vehicle, and he moved forward cautiously. 

The gate was made of five strands of barbwire with a cedar stay tied in the middle and another at each end. The gate fastened with two loops of barbwire, one at the top and another at the bottom. The gate had to be pulled tighter, by hand, to release the wire loops that held it closed. The man in the suit was having trouble with the task. He looked up as Hewey approached. 

“Mornin’,” Hewey said cautiously. He and Pincushion both eyed the stranger with some wariness. 

“This is the Circle W Ranch, is it not?” asked the man abruptly. “I am looking for a man by the name of Hewey Calloway. Do you know where I might find him?” 

Hewey thought that one over for a moment. The man did not strike him as a lawman. In any case, he had been on the straight and narrow, for the most part at least, since Spring had expressed her dislike of public drunkenness and the misfortunes that so often befell Hewey during those occasions. 

“Yes, sir,” he said finally. “This is the Circle W, and I’m Hewey Calloway.” 

“That is excellent news,” said the man. “My name is Howard Stephens. I am an attorney in Alpine, for the time being at least. I have some information for you, and some paperwork. Would it be possible for us to go someplace where we might sit and talk? Somewhere out of this sun? It’s getting dreadfully hot already.” 

Everything Hewey knew of lawyers taught him to be wary. “What do we need to talk about? Am I in some sort of trouble? I been behaving myself pretty well for a couple years now.” 

“No, Mister Calloway. I assure you this is all good news. I guarantee it, to be precise, but it is a bit lengthy to get into out here.” 

Hewey was still uncertain, but his curiosity got the best of him. “We can go up to headquarters. It’s just a few miles thataway.” He nodded his head west. 

“Perfect,” said Stephens. “Now, would you mind helping me with this gate? It seems to be broken.”

 

About the Author

John Bradshaw is a native of the small town of Abernathy, Texas. He is an award-winning journalist with well over a thousand published stories. Elmer Kelton’s The Familiar Stranger, co-authored with Steve Kelton, is his first book.

Bradshaw attended South Plains College followed by Texas Tech University. He spent several years shoeing horses for a living as his writing career progressed.

While the desire to write books was always there, Bradshaw first pursued a career in journalism. He wrote numerous stories for ranching, horse and horseshoeing magazines.

Growing up, Livestock Weekly came in the mail once a week, as it does for most in the livestock industry. Writing for Livestock Weekly was always a goal, and in 2005 Bradshaw’s first story was published. It was a profile of Brownie Metzgar, a humorous cowboy still working in a feedlot while in his late 80s.

In 2007 Bradshaw accepted a fulltime position with Livestock Weekly. While with the paper he had over a thousand stories published, as well as enough market reports to give him permanent nightmares.

Horses have always played an important role in his life. The son of a horseshoer, he has spent a significant amount of time either on or under a horse. He still shows in both ranch horse and reined cow horse competitions.

He and his wife, Sara, live outside Abernathy. Sara owns an architecture firm, SK Architecture Group, and they raise Spanish goats, hair sheep and cattle.

In 2013 the couple had a stillborn son, Fox Joaquin Bradshaw. After several years of heartbreak they adopted an infant boy, whom they named Julian Boone Bradshaw. Boone died in his dad’s arms following an accident at the barn five days before his sixth birthday.

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