Mark Jenkins's engrossing history draws on the latest science, anthropological and archaeological research to explore the origins of vampire stories, providing gripping historic and folkloric context for the concept of immortal beings who defy death by feeding on the lifeblood of others. From the earliest whispers of eternal evil in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, vampire tales flourished through the centuries and around the globe, fueled by superstition, sexual mystery, fear of dis...

What real-life character inspired Bram Stoker's classic Dracula? Did a blood-sucking demon haunt ancient Mespotamia? Did 16th-century Venetians drive a stake through the heart of a true vampire, or was something more sinister at work? For thousands of years vampires have both terrified and titillated our imaginations. Today vampires pervade our popular culture in books, films, and TV shows, and recent discoveries are shedding new light on the origins of vampire myth and legend. This fascin...

The wizard Herloff has been commissioned to bring justice to his his late master who has been murdered by a renegade witch. With him is his errant apprentice, a freshly appointed wizard and then Blackblade - someone who knows how to use a sword. Along the way they attract a gathering of unlikely heroes, each with reasons of their own for wanting the success or failure of the mission. As the company endure many confrontations and terrors, little does Herloff realise the future of the kingdo...

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Vesperos knew he was in for a hard life, and that it would begin before he was ready. In slavery to piracy and all that he endures, he is determined to maintain his integrity - whatever the cost. Meanwhile his best friend is in tow with a wizard desperately trying to track him down and unbeknown to them all another party seeks his life. A friend in need is a friend indeed, but does Vesperos actually need his friends?

Narrated by Silvane, an apprentice to the wizard Herloff, this tale of heroics and foolishness relates a mission to eliminate a renegade witch, Rhavinia. On their way as they gather an unlikely company of heroes, they realise the degree of the complexity of their task. Essentially the future of the kingdom rests on their success or failure and Rhavinia is tougher than anyone dared to dream. As Silvane narrates, we have insights about the world of wizards that is aloof from the ordinary wor...

A wizard must be found!In a world where might and magic are like two opposing magnets, King Tell has banished wizards. The simple edict turns into a nightmare for him.The king is cursed, the land is cursed, as is the knight Mordrak who is commissioned to find a wizard. Everything depends upon an apprentice wizard who would rather see him dead.Then there's Mordrak's sister for whom he has great plans, but she has ideas of her own destiny, although the world is nothin...

Who does your dream need you to be?Knowing we're created for more than the life we're living doesn't necessarily mean we know what we want or how to get there.You probably feel paralyzed from:Fear of the unknownBeing misunderstoodMaking the wrong decisions.These thoughts and actions have caused you to overthink decisions or avoid stepping into the new adventure you long for.Dare to Decide is for those...

Ayurveda is the traditional, ancient Indian system of health science.Understood to be the oldest and most holistic medical system in the world, Ayurveda was developed around 3,000 BCE. The wisdom of this healing method was passed down through ancient Indian spiritual texts, called the "Vedas." There are four major Vedas, each of which describes, in some parts, the principles of health, disease, and treatment.One of these texts, the "Rig Veda" (also known as "Rik ...

The Enneagram of Personality is an ancient tool that has set many people on the path of self-actualization. Due to the incredible impact, it has become very useful and popular in recent times. Many psychologists, life coaches, priests, spiritual leaders, therapists, and counselors have been using it to help their clients discover themselves and improve their life.The goal of every person on earth today, is to become the truest, highest and best version of themselves. Even though car...

Updated edition featuring a new foreword by David "Mr. McFeely" Newell.Born in 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Fred Rogers began his television career in 1951 at NBC. In 1954, he became program director for the newly founded WQED-TV in Pittsburgh, the first community-supported television station in the United States. From 1954 to 1961, Rogers and Josie Carey produced and performed in WQED's The Children's Corner, which became part of the the Saturday mornin...

"Scrabble, forage and fight for a copy. This is a wonderful, wonderful companion for all who get a kick from the manipulation of letters or words."Stephen FryDiscover the winning secrets of Britain’s first Scrabble World Champion Mark Nyman. Now updated with the latest words from Collins Official Scrabble Words.This book includes:tips and tricks that are perfect for Scrabble enthusiasts at any level with fun and easy ways to memorise wordsfin...

Lance Corporal George Hackney of the 36th Ulster Division was an ordinary Belfast soldier who, contrary to military law at the time, took his camera away to war in 1915. The images he took have become an exceptional and rare collection that documents The Great War first hand.George's images of soldiers training, travelling to France, and relaxing with friends and comrades contrast with his later images from the first day of the Battle of the Somme, life in the trenches and poignant...