Showing results by author "Michael Todd" in All Categories

Since its first edition in 1948, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERD) has guided Catholic institutions in the provision of health care. However, while the papacy of Pope Francis and the clerical sex-abuse scandal both profoundly impacted the Catholic Church, the latest edition of the ERD does not address or reflect these transformations. Now for the first time, Todd A. Salzman and Michael G. Lawler present an extended critical commentary on the 2018 ERD.

Katie makes an executive decision, and the mere idea is driving Korbin to drink. Pandora wants Katie to learn to fight without her extra “oomph”. For now. The military need support, but few on the merc teams trust them. Is Pandora is finally getting somewhere with Katie's love life? There is something long and hard in Katie's hand, and Pandora is annoyed that it's only the stick shift of Katie’s new vehicle. (Oops, poor choice of words.) The war with the enemy is heating up, and there’s a new player who might ruin everyone’s lives.

The aliens didn't conquer Earth. They negotiated exclusive streaming rights instead. Unbeknownst to humanity, the powerful Voltaxians controlled the galaxy, their vast empire fueled by their monopoly on mana. Humanity feared invasion, only to find out the godlike aliens had something far different in mind. The Voltaxians offered a simple deal. Allow them to set up dungeons controlled by living intelligent dungeon cores on Earth to generate mana, and they'd share the wealth.

No time like the present to figure out one's future. That's a nice platitude, but what if you are a demon? And the former Queen of Hell? Pandora saved an angel, Katie, when she could have stayed in hell and all but assured Earth would fall to Moloch. But now, she has a conundrum. Further complicating things, Katie is acting very out of character, and Pandora needs to help her friend find her bearings once more.

It's time to ask the right team for the solution. The Demons have turned the tables on the Damned, and it takes a little while to catch up. It's quiet - too quiet. Pandora reveals a little bit more about herself, who she is, and what she can do. And Damian has to make some hard choices. There is someone new coming to the team, and he is just this side of...different. The war with the enemy is burning - and it's time the General calls for special backup. Because now even he spells backup K.A.T.I.E.

Salinger Jacobs treats others as he is treated. Screw him over, and he might hold stuff back. You have his back? He will have yours. When a fellow scientist is screwed over by her company, she seeks out his fledgling Mercenary company to see if they can use another smart mind. Since he obviously didn't want her body. With opportunities coming at him and his partner Madigan faster than they can handle, another mind might be just what Heavy Metal needs. But will it come with too many complications? In the ZOO you always expect the unexpected. Will this be true for relationships?

There is a problem with Courtney's company and those that wish to have Courtney step down. Amanda and Anja are working on the base and have purchased an AI to help. Unfortunately, the AI had to be purchased after-market and already has a personality. What do you do when a prurient AI is connected to a ton of guns all around your house? Heavy Metal is fighting inside the ZOO and outside the ZOO. Is their ability to hide the bodies outside of the ZOO going to cause problems? There is a billionaire on one side and our team on the other.

Moloch and Baal have put multiple plans into action, and when they finally find where the humans are manufacturing the special weapons, they have a new plan to use them against the Damned. Will this plan be the one that puts an end to Katie and Pandora? But Katie has other things to worry about when a large creature awakens - and knows how to speak demon. This time, the Navy gets involved. The challenge? Their missiles aren't all that helpful.

Katie has the ability and desire to see Brock again and show him and his guys a good time. Will that include any special time for the two of them? (Pandora hopes so). That stranger left a message about a sword and armor...but is Pandora willing to help or does she even know what he was talking about? Someone is stalking Calvin's girlfriend. He has to ask a couple of humans he respects for a little help - even if they won't remember who he is. Even in the middle of a war, humans will always want some hope for the future.

The rules have changed. Now the Damned can go on vacation and even hook up. Without Pandora near him, can Calvin get a little action in Cabo? Unfortunately, the general has a different demand for Katie, and it’s coming from the whole industry. Requested in New York to work with the NYPD, Katie is working a side job or two. Her mercenary skills are useful, and profitable, for other types of hard jobs. And this time, the Damned can help a child. There will be hell to pay when Katie and Pandora come calling, with no quarter for the demons.

Still in New York, Katie is working on creating an additional base for herself and her team as Pandora contemplates how she can mess up Calvin's love life. What will happen when Katie meets the woman who means the most to her? And what is Calvin going to do, since the gang in Mexico is not giving up?

Lieutenant Gregor Popov is on trial for his efforts along with Heavy Metal to save the Russian scientists. Will they go after Sal, Madigan, and Courtney next? Will Popov get a light sentence or something worse? Savage has been tasked with an operation hidden from everyone. Unfortunately, the operation requires him to work with Molina. To make a deal, Courtney must request help. This time, nothing is taken for granted except the ZOO will do what it always does: kill people.

Fools die in the zoo. they die fast and horribly. From the fertile imagination of bestselling author Michael Anderle...As far as Holly is concerned, JB isn't going anywhere - especially not to the Grim Reaper. But can she learn enough about the zoo to save his life? Others have information, but can she get it in time? Holly has a plan, but she needs Hickok to bring back more goop. Is that something the Ghost of the zoo can accomplish, or will she be killed trying? JB has done well by his friends, and in his darkest hour, he has to allow his friends to try to help him.

Sometimes the good guys win and the bad guys end up dead. But that isn't how it always goes down. In the ZOO, you are either fast and lucky or you are dead. Heavy Metal has a few videos that are out gaining attention in parts of the world, and that doesn't bode well for them. Some people are noticing that Sal and his team have someone extra-special working with them, and they want a piece of her...or all of her. This time, it's back to basics for Heavy Metal with just Sal, Madigan, and Courtney. Are they enough to save their friend?

There are always plans within plans, but one thing Lucifer didn't think to ask: Would God care about one angel fallen among the thousands? Pandora has made a decision, and it has only changed the future of a planet. It is time to find and take down the last Leviathan, except who knows where it is? There is evil in the world but there has always been a plan to beat it. Will the plan work, or will Earth finally succumb to the last Leviathan?

There is a group engaging four new mercenaries, prepping them with simulated operations in the Zoo. How come? Courtney has approved a new member of her team in California, and Sal isn't sure it was a good idea. This time, there is another group learning what it takes to plunder the Zoo. Can they live through it? Salinger Jacobs is working to build his company as fast as possible. Will he make mistakes he can't think his way out of?

Heavy Metal has benefited from promo videos, but unfortunately, someone figured out that some of the driving during the Russian Base operation...was just too damned good. People are noticing that Sal and his team have someone extra-special working with them, and they want a piece of her...or all of her. What is the other team willing to attack Sal's people with to get what they want? And do they have capabilities Sal can't conceptualize?

In his first children’s book, the number one New York Times bestselling author of Relationship Goals shares a tender story that helps kids understand how our families are strengthened by God’s love. Drawing on key ideas from his number one New York Times best seller Relationship Goals, Pastor Michael Todd offers a fun and sweet tale about how developing a close relationship with God spills over into healthy relationships with our family and friends.

Unfortunately, Katie decides she won't play their games, and leaves. Did she bite off more than she could chew when she made the statement that upset the World Council? Juntto and Angie are trying to work through their issues, but will it be enough? The strength of love is in people’s willingness to accept others as they are and recognize those who support you best.

With Katie and Pandora going to the deepest depths to track down some killers, Pandora’s greatest temptation will be in her grasp. Can the two of them, plus help, figure out the real danger, or will they encounter it without preparation? Further, will they figure out how to handle a Leviathan that is larger than New York City? Have the depths of Hell finally revealed a plot centuries in the making? Will Katie and Pandora trip something to throw all of their success into question?