Showing results by author "Hercules" in All Categories

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules decided it was finally time to tell her story. Strong Roots is the story of a century in Ukraine told through four generations of one extraordinary family. It takes us from years of Russification, to Olia’s grandmother’s deportation to snowy wastelands under Stalin, to her Aunt Zhenia's school protest, to her own parents’ flight from Ukraine when their town was occupied in 2022.

What if Red Riding Hood didn't fall in love with one Big Bad Wolf, but three? I've been a city girl my entire life. But when my grandmother got sick, I didn't think twice before packing my bags and moving to Crimson Hollow, a small town in West Virginia. Two years later, I'm still here and finally adjusting to the quiet life. Only there's nothing ordinary about this town. A walk in the woods proved almost deadly and left me changed forever. I was attacked by a rogue wolf, and now, I belong to the Crimson Hollow pack. I'm a shifter.   

Troy Alexander is sex on a stick and every girl’s dream at John Rushmore University. He’s also the bane of my existence. Our meet-cute wasn’t exactly cute. He called me a nerd, and I accused him of slacking off on the field. Now, we have to live together. I’m supposed to try to play nice to keep a roof over my head. Not in my nature. Our arrangement could be a living hell, but slowly, I realize the worst thing he ever did wasn’t calling me names.

There are only two ways a human can cross the gates of Bloodstone Institute: as a familiar to one of the Blueblood vampires who attend the elite school or as a snack. I'm neither, but I have to get in at all costs. My brother made a big mistake, and now I have to fix it by stealing from the most powerful and cruel vampire to ever come to Bloodstone, Lucca Della Morte. If that wasn't almost suicidal, I need to get it done before the spell concealing my human nature wears off.  

Savage. Reckless. Wild. These are only some of the words used to describe me. I'm all of those things, and I never wished to be anything else in almost 500 years of existence. Then she came along. Aurora Leal, the daughter of the High Witch and destined for that role. She's practically royalty in the magical world, but most importantly, she's forbidden fruit.

Have you ever heard of the curse of the middle child? It's real, and it makes you invisible. Growing up in a house with three headstrong witches, I was usually stuck playing the mediator. When I met Rikkon, I immediately felt a kinship to him. He wasn't invisible like me, but in a sense, he was forgotten. We bonded over things we couldn't control. He was struggling with his demons, and I was lost.

Torn apart from her mates, Red must discover the truth about her powers before a ruthless enemy conquers not only her, but all inhabitants of Crimson Hollow.   

A nearby lightning strike triggers an ancient stone portal, whisking Alex away to a mysterious alien world teeming with magic and danger. Elves, Orcs, monsters, and fantastic beasts abound in this realm of endless adventure and limitless potential. And as Alex discovers, he possesses a powerful gift that sets him apart from the rest. With his newfound strength coursing through his body, Alex embarks on a perilous journey to carve out his place in this strange new world.

Since the beginning of times, there has always been two sides: Norms and Idols. But never have the scales been so unbalanced as they are today. I'm a Norm, which means I grew up in fear of the Idols and their godly powers. And now, I'm going to be surrounded by them, day and night. I've been offered a place at the prestigious Gifted Academy, an opportunity very few Norms get. To survive, I must become invisible. But my hope to get through the academy unscathed goes down the drain when the most powerful boys in school set their eyes on me. But I'm done cowering away from Idols....

Roman Dravik was a warrior born in the cage—an ex-soldier turned MMA fighter with nothing left to lose. Dragged through the Veil into the world of Avalon, Roman finds himself in a land ruled by kings, dragons, and magic.

I thought my last year at Rushmore was going to be epic. The Ravens were kicking butt and taking names. As the captain of the team, I took special pride in that. Until one wrong decision sent me spiraling into a dark void. I didn’t think I’d ever find my way out. Then he came along. The last person on earth I thought would help me—Paris Andino, a linebacker for the Rushmore Rebels. We’ve never gotten along, mainly because he had a girlfriend who hated my guts. Now he’s single and determined to make up for all the times he acted like a jerk.

Five hundred years ago, I fell in love with a vampire. It was a crimson fever that consumed me. I gave up my home, my family, and my pack to be with her. She obliterated my heart at the first opportunity. Our fates are bound whether I like it or not. If she dies, I die. She may have a death wish, but I don't. When she decides to risk everything for revenge, I have no choice but to stop her and find a way to be free of the vow I made. But surviving the dangers of Ellnesari together might not have the outcome I expect.

My identity as the Unmaker has been revealed, which means I must go into hiding until we're ready to strike back. But fighting the Neo Gods is not our only problem. Chaos, the primordial god, wants me dead, and facing him seems impossible. He doesn't care who wins the war. He wants utter destruction. Our only hope to defeat him, stop the Neo Gods, and save the world is to finally unveil the secret that connects me to Bryce, Rufio, Phoenix, and Morpheus. The key is in our past. We just have to stay alive long enough to discover it.

Alex Khan finished his military service and enrolled in college with the money he’d earned, ready to major in history. But when a nearby lightning strike activates an ancient stone portal, Alex is torn away from Earth. He finds himself on an alien world full of wonder and danger.

They say you never forget your first love, but I wish I could. Sebastian was the boy next door, the one who stole my heart, only to give it back bruised and broken. I've tried my best to move on, to erase him from my mind, but how can I do that when he is literally everywhere? There's no escape when your ex-boyfriend is on the cover of every magazine, when his music won't stop playing on the radio.  

With signs pointing to a powerful Warlock manipulating events from the shadows, Alex and his companions travel to the lakeside city of Verbana, hoping to find answers. But before they can act, a ruthless Necromancer unleashes an undead army, threatening to destroy everything in her path.

Finn Novak is one of the young gods who rule this town and wreaks havoc wherever he goes. He’s above everything, even the law. I never thought I’d be thrust into his world of depraved privilege until tragedy strikes, and I’m forced to attend Maverick Prep, his domain. I vow to keep hating him but quickly become trapped by his web of twisted mind games. I yearn for his barbed words as much as I hunger for his touch. Getting close to Finn means unveiling secrets that should stay hidden. But like bodies buried in shallow graves, skeletons never remain in the closet forever.

The Good Stuff Podcast is a weekly comedy podcast hosted by Man vs Baby’s Matt Coyne and Hercule van Wolfwinkle (Phil).Expect a mix of funny conversations, ridiculous debates, light-hearted nonsense and feelgood stories, including regular features like The Shame Olympics, Facts by Fax, and important questions like where birds go when they die.It’s a feel-good British podcast and a welcome break from the news, doom-scrolling, and, y’know… the bad stuff.If you like comedy chat podcasts, relatable life stories, and proper silly humour, you’re in the right place.Join The Good Stuff ...

Seven months after the events of Pack's Queen, Red and her mates are finally able to enjoy their bond. With the imminent arrival of their babies, their only concern is how many diapers to buy and picking out babies' names. But the Furies, Artemis' ancient enemies, have escaped their Underworld prison, and they're now thirsty for revenge. Unable to touch the goddess, they have set their sight on Artemis' former wolves, Sam and Dante.

I'm an Idol who can't see, and in this savage world where power is everything, being born with a disability makes me an aberration. Idols are the direct descendants of the gods. We're supposed to be perfect. My parents kept me protected behind walls most of my life. They fear I won't survive in the real world. They have no idea what kind of power runs through my veins.