Old Enemies

In the Swiss Alps a teenage girl is thrown from a helicopter and her boyfriend is brutally abducted to Trieste, a city filled with undercurrents of past hatreds. Ruari, son of Irish media owner J J Breslin, is in desperate danger, at the mercy of ruthless kidnappers making impossible demands. His terrified mother contacts the only person she knows can help her son: Harry Jones, her former lover, who she walked out on many years ago. Now memories of their passionate affair, the guilt, hurt, anger and humiliation, come flooding back. Time is running out for Ruari and Harry, torn between his loyalties, is quickly drawn into a political game played for high stakes. Far higher than he realizes...

Trouble with a Vengeance… In her seventh year as a magical Protector, Cary Redmond has faced down more world-ending, life-or-death situations than she cares to remember. And now that she’s discovered she’s not as ordinary as she thought, finding ways to not die is getting even tougher. Especially with all the enemies she’s collected while saving good guys from bad guys. So when her latest job forces her to confront too many of these old enemies, Cary desperately wants to refuse. Unfortunately, walking away is not an option, thanks to more of that world-ending trouble so common in her life. With the help of her leopard shifter mate, Cary once again faces overwhelming odds in a quest to save the world. And hopefully not die. keywords: Urban fantasy romance; urban fantasy; paranormal romance; dark fantasy; horror fantasy; series paranormal romance; shapeshifter romance; witches and wizards; werewolves and shifters; vampire paranormal; demons and devils; series urban fantasy; paranormal shifters; magic and mayhem

Welcome to "Mosquitoes – Man’s Ancient Enemies," an exploration into the intricate world of these tiny yet notorious insects that have plagued humanity for centuries. As an interested party for many years, I am delighted to guide you through the fascinating journey of understanding mosquitoes, their biology, behaviour, and the significant impact they have had on human history. From the buzzing annoyance of their presence to the deadly diseases they transmit, mosquitoes have left an indelible mark on our lives. This booklet delves into the evolutionary adaptations that have made mosquitoes such efficient vectors of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and more. We will uncover their life cycles, feeding habits, and the factors that contribute to their thriving populations. Throughout history, societies have grappled with the challenges posed by mosquitoes, leading to innovations in pest control, public health, and scientific research. We will explore how mosquito-borne diseases have shaped human societies and influenced cultural practices around the world. Join me as we delve into the world of mosquitoes, unravelling the mysteries behind their resilience, their ecological role, and the ongoing efforts to mitigate their impact on human health and well-being. Despite their negative side, mosquitoes feed many millions of fish, which in turn are eaten by human populations almost the whole world over.

"Originally published in single magazine form in Secret Origins 13, Action Comics Weekly 613-618, 627-634."

Stay safe. Stay at home. This is what the whole world has been told during the greater part of this year, 2020. Lockdown is a term that even both my grandsons of pre-school going age understand. This isolation from the outside world is for our own good, we have been told. And this is probably true. So many millions have been infected by this novel coronavirus, COVID-19. At the time of writing there was more than 35 million infections worldwide1 and more than a million had already succumbed to this deadly enemy of the human race. The disease has not only been a threat to the health of the global population, but has also left, in its path of destruction, crippled economies and, consequently, has added millions to the already high number of unemployed people in the world. In my previous work entitled, The Church, The City & The Virus2, I have contended that probably not all countries have always responded to this pandemic in a manner that had the best interests of most of its citizens at heart. In my humble opinion, this is especially true in the case of our own country, South Africa. It appears now, with hindsight, that from the get-go, political opportunists set themselves up to benefit from the plight and suffering of the people of this nation. Heartless and corrupt, politically connected individuals have enriched themselves, their friends and their families at the expense of the poor and the destitute. The extent of the corruption has not only reached to the high heavens, but has also angered a nation already suffering the worst nightmare imaginable. There are so many sayings and clichés that one can think of that ring chillingly true during these dark days and crazy times. As others have said so many times before, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Evil triumphs when good people do nothing. Those who are silent when they ought to have spoken and were able to, are taken to agree. In South Africa, now, in this author’s view, there remains a confusing silence from very influential and very powerful people whose voices many South Africans have expected to hear. I am not referring to the voices of politicians from opposition parties - sometimes, during this pandemic, politicians opposed to the ruling party have probably made relevant and useful contributions - but one can never be sure whether it is really about the nation’s interest or their own narrow interests. Other good but faint voices have also been heard. There is an organisation named For South Africa or FORSA for short, who have submitted important input to the powers that be, and they should probably be appreciated for that. The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has provided some response as far as the recent wave of corruption is concerned, but the practical possibilities of executing their proposed programme of action has yet to be seen. Many business leaders have spoken - but again, one must hope that it is really about the greater good and in the interest of the vulnerable majority and not about narrow personal, business interest. Trade unions and certain state-salaried employee groups have also made their voices heard. Again, one cannot be sure whether it is out of concern for the nation’s interests or self-interest.

Exploring family and community dynamics, Enemies of the Country profiles men and women of the Confederate states who, in addition to the wartime burdens endured by most southerners, had to cope with being a detested minority. With one exception, these featured individuals were white, but they otherwise represent a wide spectrum of the southern citizenry. They include natives to the region, foreign immigrants and northern transplants, affluent and poor, farmers and merchants, politicians and journalists, slaveholders and nonslaveholders. Some resided in highland areas and in remote parts of border states, the two locales with which southern Unionists are commonly associated. Others, however, lived in the Deep South and in urban settings. Some were openly defiant; others took a more covert stand. Together the portraits underscore how varied Unionist identities and motives were, and how fluid and often fragile the personal, familial, and local circumstances of Unionist allegiance could be. For example, many southern Unionists shared basic social and political assumptions with white southerners who cast their lots with the Confederacy, including an abhorrence of emancipation. The very human stories of southern Unionists--as they saw themselves and as their neighbors saw them--are shown here to be far more complex and colorful than previously acknowledged.