James D. Long Books

DEAD RIGHT THERE Jeremiah Rose and the Black Thorns, flush with their success against the Jade Falcons on Borghese, head to Harlech to draw a new assignment. Their only requirement: Their new job must let them face off against the Clans. They find more than they bargained for-a lot more. Their assignment: Garrison duty on Wolcott-a Kurita planet deep in the heart of the Clan Smoke Jaguar occupation zone. Wolcott is besieged, but protected from further Clan aggression by the Clan code of honor. Wolcott makes a useful staging area for Kurita raids on Smoke Jaguar-occupied territory. But too much aggression could bring the Clans down hard on the mercenary unit. The pay is good. The advance is unbelievable. They just have to live long enough to spend it...

In the tenth installment of this hard-hitting series, former Com Guard soldier Jeremiah Rose wants to strike back at the Clans who destroyed his 'Mech and his career. Rose is forced to recruit other soldiers to create a new mercenary unit to take his grudge back to the invaders. But Rose must fight his fellow MechWarriors first. . . .

Skylar, a timid Carolina Wren, struggles with fear and sibling torment but learns to embrace his inner strength with encouragement from his parents. Through the act of giving, he discovers the joy of soaring and the importance of sharing one's unique gifts. Aimed at pre-adolescent readers, this story also resonates with younger gifted readers and serves as a delightful read-aloud for parents and grandparents, subtly prompting reflection on personal talents and contributions.

Citizens in emerging democracies vote at high rates, particularly given the high costs of voting. This Element argues that community-level population dynamics and features of the electoral environment specific to recent democratizers increase the likelihood that individuals vote.

Der Vertrag der Black Thorns auf Borghese läuft aus. Jeremiah Rose muß sich nach einem neuen Auftraggeber umsehen. Das Haus Kurita macht ihm ein verlockendes Angebot. Doch der Kontrakt hat einen gewaltigen Haken. Der Garnisonsdienst auf dem Planeten Wolcott ist weitgehend ungefährlich, auch wenn diese Welt an der Waffenstillstandslinie zu den Clans liegt. der Sold für diesen Job reicht jedoch nicht aus, um die enormen Instandhaltungskosten der Black Thorns zu decken. Deshalb akzeptiert Rose einen Zusatzkontrakt. Der Auftrag führt ihn weit in den Clan-Raum, auf einen von den Novakatzen besetzten Planeten - ein Himmelfahrtskommando erster Klasse.