Samuel and Rebecca Rainey, preteens themselves not many years ago, add their perspective as young adults who vividly recall their own successes and failures as teenagers. Covering such topics as friends, peer pressure, boundaries, dating, and sex, the Raineys address the most common traps of adolescence and teach young people how to avoid making poor choices. Short, concise chapters are filled with engaging illustrations and practical applications. This book is essential reading for preteens.

“Becoming a mother has been my deepest desire. But it’s not happening. Now what?”

Through her very open and honest first-hand account of her seven-year struggle to conceive, titled Abundantly Empty, Cathy hopes to help remove the stigma, improve understanding and provide inspiration to others on how to cope and keep moving forward.

Abundantly Empty delves deep into the world of infertility and offers an insightful 360-degree perspective, with informative contributions from leading fertility specialists, including Professor Thabo Matsaseng, and her clinical psychologist, as well as input from her husband Julian, family and friends. The egg donors and surrogates share their experiences too. In clear, direct ‘journal’ language, the book traces the highs and lows, the elation and intense grief of the infertility rollercoaster. It also explores its impact on Cathy’s marriage, her friendships and her career.

The primary reason for writing this book, Cathy says, was to send a ‘You are not alone’ message to other couples battling to start a family, to break the silence and increase understanding of what it takes to survive infertility and retain hope, courage and meaning.

Abundantly Empty is an emotionally gripping, heart-warming and useful must-read not just for those on the fertility journey, but also for those on the sidelines who want to provide support, but don’t know how.

"At the Mercy of Externals: Righting Wrongs and Protecting Kids" deals extensively with adult roles and responsibilities and the damage done when these obligations are not met. David Roberts' FLAGS Model graphically reveals how adults tend to act out emotion-based anxiety and depression, which is rooted in negative emotions associated with a history of abuse and victimization.

A number of lists critical to understanding the FLAGS model enable you to relate to the material on a personal level, and customize the subject matter to your own situation. While much of the focus is on parenting, other types of adult roles are addressed.

Of particular interest is the impact of abuse on kids outside the home or family. "At the Mercy of Externals" offers solutions found through critical thinking and by challenging myths accepted as truth.

Dr. Roberts specializes in working with at risk youth including juvenile offenders and gang members. He views his work as a form of spiritual outreach to misunderstood kids. His concepts are widely accepted and easily applicable to groups regardless of cultural and ethnic differences.