In all the Ages of Man, there have been decent and honorable men. Jarl Brand Ketilsson is one such man. He is a leader who does not seek or covet wealth, but wishes only to maintain peace in his realm. Unfortunately, Ketilsson is forced to go to battle and shed blood in an effort to achieve his goal. But, he will fight-fight to the death to save his people and those aligned with him.

Set against the historical backdrop of ninth-century Scandinavia, when Viking history was every bit as romantic as it was brutal, "Forced Blood: The Norseman" offers a multidimensional depiction of the Norsemen who survived the Viking Age in their own country.

With its vivid attention to detail, "Forced Blood: The Norseman" is an epic tale of one man's strength and courage against those who would rob him of his land, his culture, and his life.

It's the near future, and mankind has expanded its presence in space. Maintaining law and order beyond Earth is the responsibility of the International Space Police Force, known colloquially as the Star Cops. Their leader is Commander Nathan Spring. There are no Star Cops on Mars, and Nathan Spring intends to put that right. He travels to the red planet hoping to rally the colonists' support for setting up an ISPF office, but he faces resistance from those who feel Mars has no need of police. Soon, though, Nathan and his officers are involved in incidents of theft, violence and murder. They may get the chance to prove they're needed, if they can get through their investigations alive. Contains three new stories; 2.4: Bodies of Evidence by Andrew Smith. On the moon, shortly before Nathan, Kenzy and Devis leave for Mars, disaster strikes when the shuttle Ganymede crash lands on the lunar surface. The tragedy becomes something more sinister when Priya finds dismembered bodies hidden in the shuttle. But attempts to investigate are obstructed by higher authorities on Earth. Before Nathan departs for Mars, he instructs Priya and Paul to investigate the crash, in defiance of his superiors’ orders. If they don’t find the evidence they need, it could be the end of all their careers. 2.5: Human Kind by Helen Goldwyn. A scared medic, on the run from her colony, seeks the help of the Star Cops. She offers information about a crime, but she demands legal immunity, and guarantees for her safety before she’ll talk. A visitor from Earth seems particularly determined to stop the Star Cops gaining a foothold on Mars and calls a meeting of colony leaders in an attempt to end their efforts once and for all. When one of his officers is kidnapped, Nathan begins to wonder who he can trust on this planet. 2.6: The Highest Ground by Andrew Smith. The conspiracy is revealed, and its leader is desperate to silence the Star Cops. An armed squad closes in on Nathan, his officers and their Martian allies, leading to a siege in the shadow of Olympus Mons, the highest mountain in the solar system. And a violent confrontation on its slopes. It’s time for some to decide where their loyalties truly lie before it’s too late. CAST: David Calder (Nathan Spring / Box), Trevor Cooper (Colin Devis), Linda Newton (Pal Kenzy). More cast details to follow. PLEASE NOTE: Star Cops features some mild swearing and content which may not be suitable for younger listeners.

It's the near future, and mankind has expanded its presence in space. Maintaining law and order beyond Earth is the responsibility of the International Space Police Force, known colloquially as the Star Cops. Their leader is Commander Nathan Spring.There are no Star Cops on Mars, and Nathan Spring intends to put that right. He travels to the red planet hoping to rally the colonists' support for setting up an ISPF office, but he faces resistance from those who feel Mars has no need of police. Soon, though, Nathan and his officers are involved in incidents of theft, violence and murder. They may get the chance to prove they're needed, if they can get through their investigations alive. Contains three stories: 2.1 The New World by Andrew Smith. Nathan, Devis and Kenzy arrive on Mars after a six-month journey from Earth. They've come to set up a Star Cop base, but Mars is a very different environment from the one they're used to on the moon. 2.2 The Shadow of This Red Rock by Una McCormack. Nathan and Kenzy find themselves marooned in the Martian desert with a prisoner whose friends will soon arrive to attempt a violent rescue. Help arrives in the form of a reclusive colonist. Soon they're all being chased across the desert by the prisoner's friends, who seem able to anticipate every effort to shake them off. Meanwhile, Devis has his own troubles. An attempt to come to his friends' rescue goes wrong, and he finds himself at the mercy of colonists who hold his life in their hands. Matters will come to a head in a perilous stand-off on the four-mile-high cliffs of the Mariner Valley canyon. 2.3 Whatever Happened to Gary Rice? by Guy Adams. After the Star Cops receive a cryptic message about a man who may once have worked at a colony in the Argyre Basin, they make their way there to investigate. They find a co-operative community that thrives by growing an organic food source, which it sells to other colonies. But no-one seems to remember the man the Star Cops are looking for. Nathan visits a neighbouring scientific research base, where nutritionist Dr Julienne Grainger has information that may resolve the mystery of the missing colonist. As the Star Cops get closer to discovering the truth, there are those who are prepared to kill to keep it secret. CAST: David Calder (Nathan Spring / Box), Trevor Cooper (Colin Devis), Linda Newton (Pal Kenzy), Heather Coombs (Kristin Mendelson / Cara Hopkins), Oliver Dimsdale (Jean Arnaud), Andrew James Spooner (Doctor Jess Romay), Emma Jay Thomas (Doctor Stephanie Thrower), Elizabeth Uter (Grace Kavanagh), Issy Van Randwyck (Barbara Holmberg), Jake Wardle (Martin Jeffries/LRI Technician), Carla de Wansey (Doctor Julienne Grainger). Other parts played by members of the cast. NOTE: Star Cops features some mild swearing and content which may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Eight-year-old Robert Brian Apple and his mother discover an injured baby ape-like animal along the road. They take it home. What happens next? The Apple family, after all, lives in Bigfoot Country!

We all will experience grief in our lives of some form whether it's with a loved one that we hold dear, or being sympathetic and sharing with others. Loss is not relegated to death alone; it can be through the ending of any relationship that's meaningful to us. Whether through the ending of a marriage, a friendship, or estranged family relationship, a loss shouldn't be devalued. My prayer is that this book will help you as you make your journey through the healing process; that you will know that you are not alone. God has a plan for each of us and it is all about His purpose, plan, timing and assignment. Know that "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

In all the Ages of Man, there have been decent and honorable men. Jarl Brand Ketilsson is one such man. He is a leader who does not seek or covet wealth, but wishes only to maintain peace in his realm. Unfortunately, Ketilsson is forced to go to battle and shed blood in an effort to achieve his goal. But, he will fight-fight to the death to save his people and those aligned with him.

Set against the historical backdrop of ninth-century Scandinavia, when Viking history was every bit as romantic as it was brutal, "Forced Blood: The Norseman" offers a multidimensional depiction of the Norsemen who survived the Viking Age in their own country.

With its vivid attention to detail, "Forced Blood: The Norseman" is an epic tale of one man's strength and courage against those who would rob him of his land, his culture, and his life.