BORN TO BE DAMNED is a nostalgic trip into one man's past to examine the torment and humiliation he felt as his gay tapestry evolved into reality. Religion, environment and genetics combined to ensure he fulfilled his destiny as a gay man. Life in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's was easy, the future predictable and America would endure forever. It was the age of innocence. However, certain social ills existed and were never discussed. Teenage pregnancy was a moral issue and girls often disappeared for nine months only to return as though nothing had happened. The shame was too great to bear, but being gay was a religious damnation punishable by everlasting death. No one discussed sexual orientation and gay people found themselves desolate, frustrated and isolated. Suicide was often the only way out. The focus of this book is to educate society about the genetic birthright of sexual orientation and to dispel many of the gay myths which permeate our society today. This exhilarating story is intended for gay or straight readers who are trying to come to terms with their own sexuality or who have painful childhood memories devastating their lives. Read, connect and find yourself in this moving story of courage and fortitude. Follow the life of a small Midwestern boy who struggles with his sexual orientation and tries to find his place in a world of hatred, prejudice and misunderstanding. Added to the misery of a confused sexual orientation, the boy's mother ruthlessly strips her son of masculinity and the father he loved so dearly. In addition, learn how the boy's name became a life-long curse he had to fight daily to preserve his sanity. You won't believe how he suffered from a choice he never made for himself. Enter the world of one tormented soul who led two lives as a means of physical and emotional survival. Let the righteous hurl the first stone to stamp out the gay beast. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Read and find the truth. The age of innocence is gone forever.

Christmas is a time for family and friends, but will the allure of the French Riviera be able to work its magic? As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon. Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen. When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled. Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations. With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity. Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for - or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its wonder? 'What isn't to love? You are taken on an incredible journey to the vibrant French Riviera, with all the colours, lights and traditions of Christmas beautifully combined with the joy of friendship and the possibility of new romance... ' Bestselling author Judy Leigh

In her first week inside the womb, a developing fetus can hardly wait to meet her mother who she knows is a beautiful person because the angels have told her so. This, however, is their little secret because the only ones who know about Grace now are God and her angels.

As Grace grows bigger inside her mommy soon she is not a secret anymore While the angels dance, Grace's parents learn that a baby is on the way and they are delighted Over the next few weeks God peeks in to check on her as Grace forms fingers, toes and even eyelids. While the angels gently guide her she develops in exciting ways, learns about her waiting family and tap dances on her mommy's bladder Finally it is time for her to be born

Through amusing text and adorable illustrations Grace, a growing fetus, comments on her weekly changes and observes, mostly through her angels, what is happening in the outside world and what to expect after she is born.

"Growing With Grace" is an illustrated tale that shares an educational, entertaining glimpse at a growing fetus as she observes her physical development, celebrates the miracle of creation and, with the help of God and her angels, waits to enter the world.

When did your baby first smile? Or sit, or walk? Little achievements like these, if not recorded at the time, will soon be just vague memories. This book provides a perfect way to keep the fleeting details in one place, together with important information such as vaccinations and illnesses. Illustrated with Kate Greenaway's beautiful vignettes of early childhood, and sprinkled with sparkly stars, the book has space for photographs, mementos and personal notes. It will build up into a valuable record of your child's growth and development, from birth right through to the first term at school.

A personal account of infertility, IVF & adoption. 'After three years and a total of nine embryo transfers, Glenn and I are hanging up our saddles ... For many, three years might seem an insufficient effort, but I am tired. My body is tired, my mind is tired and most of all my heart is tired. I still believe that IVF is a modern, medical miracle ... But I no longer believe it will be our miracle.' What happens when the quest for a family seems to bring only tears and despair? As Kylie and her husband Glenn discovered you simply pick yourself up, take a deep breath and carry on. 'As harsh as it seems, the adoption process in Western Australia can only be described as excruciating: intrusive, intense, bureaucratic and judgemental.' Kylie's struggle to conquer the intricacies and inconsistencies of the adoption process push both her and Glenn to the limits of their endurance, and just when all seems lost they are handed a lifeline that sees their hope of becoming parents flicker back to life. 'Is it bad news?' 'No, it is very good news ... we have a baby for you, a little boy.' Honest, perceptive and deeply personal 'From Here to Maternity' is a warm and ultimately joyful story about one couple's determination to overcome infertility and bureaucracy and become a family against all the odds.

A new journal inspired by the number-one best-selling children's mental health title You're a Star by Poppy O'Neill This activity journal containing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help children aged 7+ grow their self-esteem No one feels great about themselves all the time - and when we don't feel good it can be hard to know how to pick ourselves up again. My Self-Esteem Journal is for those times. It contains a fun selection of activities and doodling pages designed to help cope with feelings of low self-esteem and self-doubt. Inside you can: Fill in a happy diary Create your own mood-boosting affirmations Doodle your way to feeling great with the help of some friendly monsters Shout out loud how great you are! This calming journal encourages children to tune into their feelings and find creative and lasting ways to manage low self-esteem. It contains simple ideas and activities throughout, allowing the child to work independently or with guidance from a grown-up.

Leap into the wonderful world of Fruityland(r) where anything is possible Join Oliver and his friends as they embark in their yellow school bus on an exciting strawberry adventure. From an enchanted path with talking trees to a friendly giant with flying horses, young readers will experience the sensation of soaring and swooping over valleys, fields, and meadows while learning priceless nutritional facts along the way.

Teel incorporates the fascinating story of Nancy Edison's love for her son Thomas, who had been labeled unteachable, then presents us with the wider array of and issues for children who learn differently. We all know Thomas Edison was a genius of seemingly limitless imagination. Yet few know he was a failure in elementary school. Teel shows us how Edison's mother, Nancy, guided the boy deemed a dunce by officials-even assumed mentally retarded by his father-to become one of the greatest inventors of all time. Edison's progressive and imaginative teaching methods hold lessons even today for all children who learn differently from conventional methods, as well as for the parents and teachers who care about them. Teel also explains how parents can negotiate the educational maze created by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). An Individualized Education Program is explained in detail, and options such as enlisting the assistance of a professional advocate are also discussed. The latest research about current medication therapies and the origins plus potential benefits of ADHD are reviewed. A leading professional advocate explains what every parent needs to know about the public school system. Other topics addressed include the effectiveness of home schooling and parental and student rights. An extensive list of local and national resources is also offered.

How does a privileged, eighteen year old end up in prison, convicted of one of the rarest of crimes--matricide? The literary nonfiction Stranger to the Truth explores the fatal intersection in the lives of Noura Jackson, her circle of dissolute Memphis friends, and the death of Noura's mother, Jennifer, on the eve of a popular outdoor festival. The brutal attack seemed to reflect personal and exponential rage. Tragedy stalked Noura. Her father was fatally shot when she was seventeen. A mystery never solved. A year later an auto accident claimed her best friend. Both mother and daughter were reeling from shock, grief, and confusion. The tension between them escalated until Noura's difficult teenage years yielded to something much darker. More than a whodunit, this fact-based account tells a spellbinding tale of impetuous youth and a single parent who too late assumes the role of disciplinarian, saying no to the demands of her daughter who will not listen. Weaving multiple points of view, back stories, and extensive research, Stranger to the Truth corrals a timely, complex story in an absorbing narrative. Praise for Stranger to the Truth "In Stranger to the Truth, Ms. Hickman has taken a local tragedy and, with eloquence and empathy, given it universal application. The reader will find not only a gripping story, but also a moving exploration of the shadows that dwell within us all." --Howard Bahr, author of The Black Flower, The Year of Jubilo, and The Judas Field

Every new parent has been there-sleepdeprived, exhausted, and pacing the floor at 3:00 a.m. with an irritable baby who is having difficulty calming down and going back to sleep. In "Secrets of a Baby Nurse," a medical professional relies on scientific research, personal study, and a lifelong adoration of babies to provide parents with valuable tips that will lead them to discover the delight of a well-rested, tranquil, and happy child-and most importantly, a good night's sleep for everyone.

Marsha Podd, a seasoned maternal-infant nurse and lactation specialist, shares her professional expertise in reading the body language of thousands of babies in order to teach parents how to interpret a baby's cues, create a perfect sleep environment, and initiate a peaceful detachment. You'll learn how to

ensure a healthy womb environment; encourage a newborn toward daytime wakefulness; build consistent daily rhythms around sleep and food; observe and react to your baby's signals; avoid postpartum depression; stay in a routine and still have a life outside the home.

"Secrets of a Baby Nurse" offers step-by-step, practical advice that will help any parent create a serene, joy-filled relationship with their child.

Pregnancy is a journey like no other. It is the start of a new human life. It is also the birth of a mother who, over nine months, changes in every possible way – physically, emotionally and socially. Your nutrition, wellbeing and emotions during this wonderful time play a large role in defining the rest of your baby’s life. The experience must also be safe and containing for you to provide your baby with the ultimate start and shape his potential.

Birth – your baby’s entry into our world – is a profoundly significant moment, one you don’t get to repeat. Being empowered with knowledge, understanding your choices and being active in the process will make a huge difference. Ultimately it does not matter how your baby is born; what matters is how you experience it and that it is safe.

Reading Pregnancy Sense will reduce the anxiety that may stem from the unknown and help you make your choices with insight and flexibility.

• Preparing for pregnancy
• Birth choices
• Your growing baby week by week
• Your changing body week by week
• A guide to birth
• Premature birth
• Your newborn’s first days and weeks.

"10,000 Babies" is a compilation of true events in the life of an obstetrician and his patients, presented as short stories. Some may bring a smile others a tear. Anyone who has a child, whether a mother or a father, will not remain indifferent. These stories range from those of the very early pregnancy, to the birth of triplets, from the anguish of not knowing if the baby will be born prematurely, to the unusual case where a mother thought that she was pregnant, when in reality she was not. Those that have not yet become parents or are already parents, will find in "10,000 Babies" a world they did not know existed. Sometime in the future, they may even relive any of those stories. Also included are chapters about the history of how we got where we are in the care of pregnant women, how different cultures influence childbirth, why myths surrounding pregnancy are still with us, and why those that care for pregnant women are a special breed of people.