Showing results by narrator "Derek Shoales" in All Categories

The line of war elephants scattered the lightly armored Velites. In retreat, the skirmishers filtered through the Legion ranks. Not that it made a difference, but the First Maniple wore heavier armor and grasped bigger shields. But like the Velites, the Legionaries were no match for the enormous beasts. Tusks capped with bronze tips swung, defining the width of destruction expected by each Century. Archers on the backs of the animals launched arrows into the Legion ranks. Legionaries fell from the arrows, were pulled back and off their combat lines. Those were the lucky ones.

I have created this artistic expression of a storybook version of the Coffin family legacy. This is the true story of the seafaring Coffin Family Legacy, connecting their historical homes, historical museums, and events, beginning in Normandy, France. The Norman Coffins lived in possession of Chateau Cortiton in 1066, which still stands today. After migrating to England with William the Conquerer in the 1200s, Sir Richard Coffin built Portledge Manor in Devonshire, England, also still standing today.

The greatest heroes of the Commonwealth are gathered in the breach for one last fight. The Transformation Virus rages through human space like a wildfire, changing ordinary men and women into psionic demi-gods, bent on destruction and conquest. The government has fallen, the military is helpless, and the fate of humanity rests in the hands of a collection of unlikely saviors.

It's been said, "You may not think you're at war. But a surprise attack by an enemy means they are at war with you, so you'd best prepare." Metaphorically, the same can be said of an apprentice of war. There was no doubt, Hannibal Barca was a master of war. Since he came down from the Alps and swept away the Roman Legions sent to stop him, he proved it to Rome and to the rest of the ancient world. Yet, from the first engagement on Republic soil, Hannibal attracted an apprentice.

"I've heard Cretan archers are good bowmen but weak skirmishers," a Tribune offered. "It has something to do with the teeny, tiny shields they wear like jewelry on their left forearms." "They wear jewelry into combat," Tribune Scipio moaned. "What have I done?" Set in the desperate years of the Second Punic War, the series follows the exploits of Cretan archer Jace Kasia and Roman Legion Tribune Cornelius Scipio. One is a castaway searching for a home while the other seeks to step out of the shadow of a famous father.

For nearly one thousand years, the Core Empire has held together thousands of star systems and billions of citizens. But a coup attempt has broken the empire into pieces. Some planets and systems have survived and still have law and order. Others have fallen to barbarism and piracy. For young Hugh Cascade, this is but a history lesson, even if the nightmares of kinetic weapons exploding have followed him through most of his childhood. Ten years later, the war finds Hugh, now a military cadet.

Hannibal Barca moved through the countryside burning, looting, and attracting recruits and supplies from disgruntled city residents and tribesmen. Cornelius Scipio remained with the forward Legions, taking any position available. It spoke well of his loyalty, but his actions hid a deeper secret. Cornelius feared the Scipio men would be accused of being cowards. Jace Kasia had no family but had a goal to be recognized as a Cretan archer. On the banks of Lake Trasimene, he earned the position of File Leader.

In the seven years since he crossed the Alps and began his war against the Roman Republic, Hannibal Barca stood unbeaten in battle. However, maintaining a large army was a costly proposition and the government of Carthage proved stingy with its coins. To intercept the supplies destined for Hannibal, the Senate of Rome stationed Legions in Iberia. But, when the Legions were destroyed by Hannibal's brother and their Generals killed, the Senate could not find a willing replacement. Enter one Tribune who hungered for the position.

Cornelius Scipio and Jace Kasia were passionate about their missions, but on a collision course. Unfortunately, one would have to lose for the other to accomplish his goal. As a staff officer, Tribune Cornelius Scipio had experienced more combat and defeat than men twice his age. Now, as a youth of twenty-years-old, this veteran thirsted for a command of his own.

As the world's biggest powers compete for superiority, it's not larger weapons or greater numbers of soldiers that top their wish lists. Instead, it's the latest and greatest technological advances: nanotechnology, dynamic programming algorithms, and drones, working together to build the next generation of military communications. When a professor at a Texas university begins researching ways to improve animal husbandry and boost global food supplies, her results catch the eye of inquisitive engineer Keith Austin Avery, whose interests have nothing to do with solving world hunger. But as Avery works on potential new uses for this technology, his research draws the attention of a powerful terrorist group, with traumatic results for him and his subcontractor Eilla-Zan Marshall.

Once the Carthaginian forces were removed from Iberia, the reinforcements and supplies for Hannibal Barca dwindled to a trickle. Even so, Hannibal held onto the southwest quadrant of the Italian peninsula and remained a danger to the Republic. Although made rich from his conquests, the architect of the victory in Iberia retreated to Rome.

Cornelius Scipio marched his outnumbered Legions south, and in a lightning assault, captured New Carthage. The ramifications rocked the confidence of the three Punic Generals in Iberia. They vowed to drive the Legions into the sea and kill Scipio just as they had his father and his uncle. Plus, the loss of a large commercial center hampered Hannibal's activities in the Republic. And throughout the government of Carthage, the young General's victory cast doubt on the future.

Random events at a Brazilian hydroelectric plant, Irish financial institution, and Texas winery seem connected by an insidious virus hack which attacks system vulnerabilities then vanishes without a trace. Are these all a glimpse of the new viral danger of the Ghost Code designed for devastation on a personal and industrial level? A new mysterious pair of cyber pirates, known only as Mephisto and Callisto, seems to be behind the plot to deliver these destructive payloads for computer domination.

The Second Punic War made gamblers of the Mediterranean world. Declare for Carthage or declare for Rome? The odds are 50/50 for life or death.

Nerekhall: a city of paranoia and fear, where the harsh and unbending rule of law is enforced by unfeeling automata called the Ironbound. Drawn to the city by recurring nightmares, Andira Runehand and her companion, Trenloe the Strong, soon find themselves caught up in a sinister plot and unable to escape. Both have different ideas about what it means to be a hero, and both must learn to trust the other. For in secret, an uneasy alliance concocts a dark plan in the city's infamous tower to open a portal and summon a demonic power, the likes of which has never set foot in Terrinoth.

If you are unable to get a good night's sleep due to your own or someone else's snoring. Or if you, or a loved one, often wake up gasping for breath or have to continually adjust your sleeping position. Then this is definitely the most important audiobook you will listen to today!

Dr. Xavier Pekoni, a rich evil scientist, is working on his underground Fountain of Youth project. Using nanotechnology and DNA mapping, he is desperately close to extending life 10-fold, which has driven him to extreme research methods. The R-Group is called in by government agencies to locate Pekoni, verify his unethical practices, and stop him at all costs.

The R-Group, with their own next-generation youth, are poised to take on one of their most complex adversaries, supercomputers run by greedy powerful technological geniuses. The training for the new members of the R-Group is live, in the form of a real world cyber-assault crisis. ICABOD, R-Group's supercomputer, is their best weapon for this battle. MAG, the consortium of global technology predators, have come together to bring their insidious plans to fruition using humans’ desire for the easy and effortless lifestyles, even as it steals their freedoms.

A brilliant mathematician and spoiled rich girl, Gretchen, is focused on harnessing Big Data and computing power to control the world stock markets not only to optimize her family’s wealth, but also to control the future. As a descendant of the Nazi Werewolf Clan, is Gretchen being maneuvered into leveraging unlimited computer power along with the ethical nihilism to manipulate lives, or just stretching her genius?

The world is almost ready for fiat currency to be replaced by a superior digital currency. The trouble is, which one and who will own it? The twists and turns of events keeps both sides struggling to stay ahead. In The Enigma Source, the tenth book within the award-winning Enigma Series, authors Breakfield and Burkey explore the future of world commerce, cryptocurrency, and the complications that arise from creating an all-digital monetary system.