Dorothy has inherited millions as well as her family estate, a haven from her childhood, but will she refuse her inheritance? The will stipulates that she must care for her mentally ill mother, a difficult person whom she blames for ruining her marriage. A handsome cousin by marriage, who was the object of her childhood affection, comes back into her life to play the role of "kissing cousin." In addition, her ex-husband appears as she copes with eerie threats, the kidnapping of her child, and ultimately, murder. Set in the fifties and early sixties, before the use of cell phones and personal computers, this novel will appeal to those who might enjoy a trip to a simpler age. Some things, however, never change, such as romance, mystery, and family dynamics.

"Writers On The Edge" offers a range of essays, memoirs and poetry written by major contemporary authors who bring fresh insight into the dark world of addiction, from drugs and alcohol, to sex, gambling and food. Editors Diana M. Raab and James Brown have assembled an array of talented and courageous writers who share their stories with heartbreaking honesty as they share their obsessions as well as the awe-inspiring power of hope and redemption.
"Open to any piece in this collection, and the scalding, unflinching, overwhelming truths within will shine light on places most people never look. Anyone who reads this book, be they users or used, will put it down changed. And when they raise their eyes from the very last page, the world they see may be redeemed, as well." --Jerry Stahl, author of Permanent Midnight
CONTRIBUTORS: Frederick & Steven Barthelme, Kera Bolonik, Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Maud Casey, Anna David, Denise Duhamel, B.H. Fairchild, Ruth Fowler, David Huddle Perie Longo, Gregory Orr, Victoria Patterson, Molly Peacock, Scott Russell Sanders, Stephen Jay Schwartz, Linda Gray Sexton, Sue William Silverman, Chase Twichell, and Rachel Yoder
About the Editors
Diana M. Raab, an award-winning memoirist and poet, is author of six books including "Healing With Words" and "Regina's Closet." She's an advocate of the healing power of writing and teaches nation-wide workshops and in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program.
James Brown, a recovering alcoholic and addict, is the author of the memoirs, " The Los Angeles Diaries" and "This River." He is Professor of English in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at California State University, San Bernardino.
From the Reflections of America Series
Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
SEL006000 Self-Help: Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism
SEL003000 Self-Help: Adult Children of Alcoholics
PSY038000 Psychology: Psychopathology - Addiction

Marriage is a major step in a relationship, and each member of that newly joined pair brings with them their own existing family and the corresponding complexity and richness of in-law relationships. These are multi-generational, multi-layered, and, like a kaleidoscope, a shifting amalgam of emotional colors. Exceptionally important, in-law relationships can be joyous and comforting. They can also be complicated, contentious, and disappointing. These ties serve as a model for how to stay connected across generations for the well-being of grandparents, parents, and grandchildren, and as a bellwether for what to avoid. Drawing on interviews and survey data with more than 1,500 mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, daughters-in-law, and sons-in-law, the book describes how these complicated and highly significant relationships develop over time. Geoffrey L. Greif and Michael E. Woolley focus on the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law as well as fathers-in-law with sons-in-law. They describe the struggles as well as the triumphs that people encounter with these relationships from the perspectives of both generations and suggest ways to improve the relationships. To improve in-law relationships, Greif and Woolley present action-oriented family therapy theories based on the insight, communication, boundary building, and narratives that family members wish to create. They also explore how these relationships change with the normal transitions of marrying into the family, having children/grandchildren, and aging. In-law Relationships describes highly successful and nurturing connections as well as those that are troubled and distant. The resulting book offers a variety of clinical lenses to help readers of all backgrounds focus on and, if needed, repair in-law relationships.

"Think about it. In order to be grandmothers we once had to be mothers. After giving birth, we, as the mothers, were responsible for our baby's/child's well being. As grandmothers, on the other hand, we have choices. Our roles are open for interpretation and conscious choices. When I became a grandmother, and even when my daughters-in-law were pregnant, I made a conscious decision to be an involved grandmother, one of the caretakers or a Granny-Nanny.

I was sure that helping out and taking care of a baby would be easy like getting back on a bicycle after a twenty-year lapse. Oh, how wrong I was. There are new rules, new products, new findings and plenty of taboos. How did my three children ever survive their hazardous childhoods?"

Parenting rules have gone through some serious revisions since author Lois Young-Tulin raised her kids. In her helpful guide, "The Granny Nanny," Young-Tulin offers a unique opportunity for today's grandmas to hone their skills and learn the twenty principles for successful grandmothering in a modern world.

An inspirational fill-in gift book to complete and give to your mum. Often we find it difficult to express our true feelings to the ones we love. This beautiful journal is a very special way to say 'I love you' to your mum. Fill in the prompted pages and gift to your mum as a sign of your deep connection to one another.

Best-selling author Tim O'Brien shares wisdom from a life in letters, lessons learned in wartime, and the challenges, humor, and rewards of raising two sons. "We are all writing our maybe books full of maybe tomorrows, and each maybe tomorrow brings another maybe tomorrow, and then another, until the last line of the last page receives its period." In 2003, already an older father, National Book Award-winning novelist Tim O'Brien resolved to give his young sons what he wished his own father had given to him--a few scraps of paper signed "Love, Dad." Maybe a word of advice. Maybe a sentence or two about some long-ago Christmas Eve. Maybe some scattered glimpses of their rapidly aging father, a man they might never really know. For the next fifteen years, the author talked to his sons on paper, as if they were adults, imagining what they might want to hear from a father who was no longer among the living. O'Brien traverses the great variety of human experience and emotion, moving from soccer games to warfare to risque lullabies, from alcoholism to magic shows to history lessons to bittersweet bedtime stories, but always returning to a father's soul-saving love for his sons. The result is Dad's Maybe Book, a funny, tender, wise, and enduring literary achievement that will squeeze the reader's heart with joy and recognition. Tim O'Brien and the writing of Dad's Maybe Book are now the subject of the documentary film The War and Peace of Tim O'Brien available to watch at timobrienfilm.com

In a world full of many influences, The Parenting Project shows you how, through the practice of daily conversation, to maintain influence in your child's life. Are you losing the influence game with your children? If you want to direct your child's growth, then they need to get to know you. In The Parenting Project, parenting experts Dr. Amy Alamar and Dr. Kristine Schlichting show you how to talk with your children on a regular basis to gain their trust. In a time when kids have many things vying for their attention, you want to become the go-to person, the one they turn to the most for advice and comfort. Sometimes it's difficult to speak with your children about serious subjects. That's why The Parenting Project teaches you how to make a habit of it, providing you with prompts to help start potentially difficult conversations across a broad range of subjects that apply to everyday life. The authors have divided these conversations into five categories to inform your approach-Heart-based, Uncomfortable, Dangerous, Character, and Brave-because each type requires different strategies and "conversation starters." The book includes story after story of how parents have built extraordinary relationships with kids through the act of talking with one another, day by day. With some help from Dr. Alamar and Dr. Schlichting, it will be become easier to open up conversations with (rather than at) your children so that when the big questions arise, your child will turn to you first.

Like a photo shoot, pictures flashed in Anthony's head as he reflected on the first time he heard the horrifying clank of the barred door that was now staring at his back, he vividly recalled, his face smashed against the dusty police car, bright red and blue Lights blindly flashing in his eyes. Everything was a blur! His heart beating so fast and pounding so hard he could hardly hear the cop as he repeated his words... "Do you understand your rights!" A preacher's son on the way to a place deemed worse than hell! Just a teenaged boy when he was facing those bars, now a man 7 years later who has made a promise to himself to rectify his wrongs. Read this captivating story about a young man's journey into manhood down a twisted road through tragedy and triumph.

Do you long for a closer bond with your son? Do you want the kind of relationship that will honor God and be a blessing to both of you for the rest of your lives?

In Fathers and Sons Angus Buchan explains how fathers can foster a rewarding and God-honoring relationship with their sons.

Through topics like humility, love, appreciation, grace and respect Angus inspires men to be the godly fathers God has ordained them to be and reminds them that it is never too early or too late to nurture the special and blessed relationship between a father and his son.

In 1905, the young and handsome Yalek left Baranovka, Russia, for the United States seeking a new way of life. He would work hard and save enough money to bring his family and his new bride, Riva, to America.

In "Obsessive Memories," author Clara R. Maslow tells the history of two close-knit families, raised in the same culture of intellectual Jews in Russia, who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. It is a story of a time of new political thinking and the flight of young families in Eastern Europe seeking to live in a democracy, away from the old czarist regimes, monarchies, and other forms of repressive governments.

With photos included, this memoir shares what it was like growing up as part of a Russian family in Trenton, New Jersey. It focuses on Maslow's father, Yalek, an intelligent man with exceptional talents in creative arts, architectural drawing, and construction. "Obsessive Memories" also explores Maslow's relationship with her father and seeks to find meaning in why he was unable to outwardly express his love for her or her family.