Long Live the Queen: Solenopsis Invicta

In the middle of Texas lies a vast area of rolling hills covering over 31,000 square miles known as the Hill Country. It’s a place like no other in North America, complete with a variety of flora and fauna, luring the world’s most enthusiastic scientists to study the mysteries of the land.


Charley Grant is a cowboy at heart. He’s recognized by many as the man able to work with horses not willing to trust their human partners. Yet Charley is not your everyday cowpoke raised in the Texas Panhandle. He’s a myrmecologist. A PHD candidate from Texas A & M University dedicating his life to the study of the Solenopsis invicta, the invasive fire ants.


Jeb Huber is another protégé cowboy from the small town of Dalhart, Texas, high up in the Panhandle. A collection of silver belt buckles is testament to Jeb’s skill as a rodeo cowboy. Yet the wise decision to finish his degree lands him a prestigious position in charge of the Equestrian Team at the main branch of Texas A & M.


Charley’s new place in life is observing a colony of Solenopsis invicta on a ranch deep in the heart of the Hill Country. Charley finds his ants, but he also finds himself smack dab in the middle of a mystery where the techniques of scientific observation are not sufficient enough to provide the answers needed to solve the riddle set before him. 


If you enjoy reading stories about men falling in love written by men, then you might enjoy these other books written by Jon Swank:


Berlin Book 1: Hot and Cold

Berlin Book 2: In and Out

Berlin Book 3: Langsam und Schnell

Berlin Book 4: Light and Dark

Berlin Book 5: Loud and Clear

Berlin Book 6: Over and Out

Nevada Cain Ranch

Delta Hotel

Delta Hotel Two

Long Live the Queen: Solenopsis invicta

Sailor’s Island

White Gold of the Amazon

The Other Man’s Space