Gore Vidal and antiquity: sex, politics and religion

This book examines Gore Vidal’s lifelong engagement with the ancient world. Incorporating material from his novels, essays, screenplays and plays, it argues that his interaction with antiquity was central to the way in which he viewed himself, his writing, and his world. Divided between the three primary subjects of his writing – sex, politics, and religion – this book traces the lengthy dialogue between Vidal and antiquity over the course of his sixty-year career.

The author analyses Vidal’s portrayals of the ancient past in novels such as Julian (1964), Creation (1981) and Live from Golgotha (1992). He also shows how classical literature inspired Vidal’s other fiction, such as The City and the Pillar (1948), Myra Breckinridge (1968), and his Narratives of Empire (1967–2000) novels. Beyond his fiction, the author examines the ways in which antiquity influenced Vidal’s careers as a playwright, an essayist and a satirist, and evaluates the influence of classical authors and their works upon him.

The Dream Team by Paula Reel

When counting sheep doesn’t help you sleep, The Dream Team are called in. Magical things begin to happen from under your bed…

ENCOUNTER at 46 NORTH – 28 WEST

This is the true account of the remarkable survival of Captain Johansen and the crew of the Norwegian brig ‘Lillesand’ which experienced unrelenting hurricane force storms and extensive damage before their dramatic rescue by the London registered tramp steamship ‘Cluden’ in the north Atlantic Ocean in January 1916. For their valiant efforts and professionalism shown during the dangerous rescue, Captain Scott of the steamship ‘Cluden’ and her lifeboat crew received silver bravery awards from the King of Norway, King Haakon VII. First Mate John Maddock and Bosun William Sheill, former lifeboat volunteers from Rosslare Fort in County Wexford, were among those honoured.

Crushed Rock

Irish rockstar Luke Daly has been beaten, broken, traumatised, and terrorised both mentally & physically, by the person he thought loved him, as much as he loved her. Pippa had almost destroyed him. Being back in the band has helped, but he is still battling the demons, and reliving the nightmares. Will he ever have a normal life again? What is normal? How does he move on and learn to trust anyone again? Ever feel happy again? Love again?

Maeve Doyle is strong, feisty, takes no nonsense, speaks her mind, and is very much her own person. She is also warm, caring, selfless, thoughtful, and full of fun. The total opposite of anyone else he has ever known. And her life is so different from anything he has ever experienced. But he feels safe with her.

Can she heal this broken man? Is he brave enough to let her into his life? Can she gain his trust and help him love again, or will his ex-wife put an end to any chance of rebuilding his life?

Split Rock

Lead singer Tate Archer is finally back in control of his life after his time in rehab last year. Things are going well, especially with his girlfriend, Chloe. However, a sudden reminder of his past brings his world crashing down, followed by a life changing revelation from Chloe. Can he hold it together or will his addiction take hold of him again?

Gregg is still struggling after being kidnapped and almost drowning. He’s trying to pretend everything is okay, in spite of the terrifying nightmares, and crippling fear of water. Can Bria and his band mates help to break this nightmare cycle for him?

Luke finally marries his true love, Pippa, and settles down to start his happily ever after. But things are not as they seem, and very quickly take a sinister turn.

Dillon, still struggling with his past, is heartbroken when he loses someone he loves. As usual, his emotions play out in anger, with actions that have serious consequences for his future.

Is this the end of the dream? The end for Broken Chords or can these friends pull together to help each other while dealing with their own individual traumas?

Defying Shep

Shep has secrets. For decades he’s fought to keep them hidden from his teammates and his sister. If they knew the truth, knew what he had done, they’d treat him differently, and he can’t handle that. He’s already dealing with the fact that he’s growing wings, wings he shouldn’t have. Wings he doesn’t want.

Izzy is working in a job that she hates. Then he bumps into her, knocking her off her feet in every way. The gorgeous stranger is a regular in the club. The man everyone wants, but she’s the one who has caught his attention.

But the fantasy turns into a nightmare when she catches him feeding. He’s a vampire, something from the legends and stories she’s read all her life. As much as she should keep away, she’s drawn to him, to his charm, to his hidden vulnerability.

Shep tries to distance himself from her. She deserves so much more than he can give her. But when his wings come out, she’s the only one who can help. Can he put aside his reservations and allow Izzy into his life, allow her to be part of a dangerous world she barely understands, or will his past come back and claim him, taking him from her forever?

Reviving Davyn

Davyn is damaged, broken physically and mentally after being raised in captivity. He joined the Blackjacks to seek revenge against those responsible, but isn’t truly a part of them. He maintains distance while hiding his disfigured wing and his true heritage. His reputation as one of the deadliest is well-deserved. 

​When he once more finds himself back in chains, fighting for his life, he doesn’t regret what led him there and accepts his fate. As long as she’s safe, that’s all that matters.

​In the two months since he disappeared, the Blackjacks haven’t given up hope, neither has Thea. Davyn sacrificed himself to save her and the guilt is consuming her. She thought she knew better and he paid the price for her arrogance. 

​When they finally bring him home, they can repair his body, but she might be the only one who can reach through the darkness of his mind and save him. Otherwise, he’ll be lost to her forever.

Sorcha

A wolf is forbidden from falling in love with a vampire…so I fell in love with two.

​In the depths of a hidden vampire prison, Sorcha, a fierce and resilient wolf shifter, finds herself trapped in a world of darkness and despair. Her guards, two mysterious vampires — head guard Quillan with his mismatched eyes and the mute yet fiercely protective Bannon — bring unexpected comfort and companionship. What starts as animosity soon evolves into an unbreakable bond.

As their love deepens, Quill devises a daring escape plan, hoping to reunite Sorcha with her brothers. But when the moment comes, Quill makes the ultimate sacrifice, choosing to remain in captivity to ensure Sorcha and Bannon’s freedom.

​Reunited with her brothers, Sorcha faces the condemnation of her own kind for loving the enemy. With help from some old friends, Sorcha, Bannon, and her brothers prepare a daring mission into the heart of enemy territory to rescue Quill. But will his hidden secret jeopardise their future and his freedom?

​Can their love survive the treacherous journey back, or will the secrets within the prison walls destroy them all?

Ares

North Bound

Scarlett O’Neill is no fan of Christmas. Shouldering a heartbreaking past and a string of failed relationships, the easy-going woman is looking forward to spending Christmas in her grandparents’ isolated cabin with a few good books. But just as she’s settling in, a loud bang sends her racing into a storm to discover wreckage and a strangely dressed handsome stranger lying unconscious in the snow.

Nick takes his job seriously. Under contract as Santa and duty-bound to combat legendary threats, the forty-one-year-old refuses to commit to anyone—not even the bubbly cutie who pulled him in from the cold. Yet with his magic growing weaker and a mysterious assassin hot on his tail, he reluctantly turns to the vibrant woman for help. 

Unfazed by his true identity, Scarlett readily jumps in to help get Nick home in time for Christmas. But there are others who will stop at nothing to stop that from happening. And while Nick is drawn to Scarlett, he fears surrendering to his yearning will paint a deadly target on her back.

Will their sizzling chemistry help defeat demons intent on putting an end to Santa and his team for good?