Book two of the Soul Searchers series picks up where Forgotten Soul left off. Rio Laraquette's back in Vegas and settling into her normal routine, with one exception--Eddie LaCall has invaded her space. The two share a mutual attraction and an undeniable connection. When Eddie's scarred past comes back to haunt him, his attachment to Rio strengthens even though neither completely trusts the other. Just when it looks like a poker tournament is bringing them together, their budding relationship gets backburnered when a stalker goes from creepy to dangerous, making several attempts on the reluctant lovers' lives. Will these two souls--who've been searching for each other across eternity--finally get to share a lifetime together, or will they once again end up as star-crossed lovers?

THIRD PLACE WINNER IN THE GULF COAST ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA SILKEN SANDS STAR CONTEST SEMI-FINALIST IN THE KINDLE BOOK REVIEWS BEST INDIE BOOK OF 2012 No stranger to loss, Tami Morrelle is holding on with one satiny thread to the only thing she has left that ties her to her loved ones - the family bridal shop. Local bad boy Daniel Ramsey is back in town and on a mission - to turn Tami's world upside down - any way he can. Daniel needs Tami's beachfront home and business to complete his crowning achievement as a successful developer. His latest proposal hinges on buying former high school classmate Tami's land to make it happen. More importantly, it will show those in Loving who were convinced he'd amount to less than nothing they were dead wrong about him. For Daniel, it's Loving or nothing. For Tami, selling out to Daniel will leave her with nothing. But when the ruthless developer and sentimental bridal shop owner clash, sparks fly. A secret crush. Two wounded hearts. Will Daniel and Tami be willing to give up what they think they need and open their hearts to what really matters in Loving? INCLUDES BONUS SHORT STORY "ACCIDENTAL LOVE: " Carly Madison's luck couldn't get any worse. A cheating ex, a dumped plate of pasta, a car accident. Through with men, she rejects the advances of sexy James Cresci. Can he change Carly's luck and teach her to trust and love again?

Georgie has a favorite pie he could eat all day.....Everyday Now his morning is turned upside down when he learns he's picked berries for his sister's pie A whole pie - just for her But--- could it be this yummy desert is really for someone else? Can Mom help him feel better before their visitors arrive? Georgie has a long day to remember when he lets jealousy make him feel so sad and lonely. He's sure to snuggle his way into your heart as he struggles with this BIG problem, in the story-- The Special Pie. Matthew loves to be home. He likes spending time with his Mom and playing with his pet frog .Now everything is about to change. Today he goes to preschool. But--- his Mom will miss him He doesn't know anyone at school He feels weird and a little scared. His new backpack is filled with crayons, pencils and paper for school. Wearing new clothes and shoes, Matthew sets off on an exciting adventure, after a great big hug from his Mom Will this be a fun day or will he NEVER want to go back? Enoy-- A Great Big Hug Too

Georgie has a favorite pie he could eat all day.....Everyday Now his morning is turned upside down when he learns he's picked berries for his sister's pie A whole pie - just for her But--- could it be this yummy desert is really for someone else? Can Mom help him feel better before their visitors arrive? Georgie has a long day to remember when he lets jealousy make him feel so sad and lonely. He's sure to snuggle his way into your heart as he struggles with this BIG problem, in the story-- The Special Pie. Matthew loves to be home. He likes spending time with his Mom and playing with his pet frog .Now everything is about to change. Today he goes to preschool. But--- his Mom will miss him He doesn't know anyone at school He feels weird and a little scared. His new backpack is filled with crayons, pencils and paper for school. Wearing new clothes and shoes, Matthew sets off on an exciting adventure, after a great big hug from his Mom Will this be a fun day or will he NEVER want to go back? Enoy-- A Great Big Hug Too

Jerome Marks, father of three children, is filled with resentment toward his wife Nicole after their daughter, Florence, is born with dwarfism. Dissatisfied with the way his life is going, he's flattered when Senator Brickham Rose, a seemingly un-corruptible pillar of society befriends him. He thinks that hobnobbing with the Senator and his influential friends will improve his dreary life. When the police forcefully remove the Senator from an aircraft at the airport, the inhabitants on a small island in the Caribbean are outraged. In their eyes, 'Smell Like A Rose Brick', as he's affectionately called by his loyal supporters can do no wrong. When details of the Senator's private life follow his arrest, their outrage turns to shock. Jerome has cause than most to be concerned, and now, because of what he learns about the Senator, he must make a choice between life and death.

26 year-old Pearl Carlson is released from prison on the island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, after killing her abusive father, Curtis Carlson. One condition of her release is that she returns to Dominica, the island of her birth, and participates in a psychiatric counseling program. Penniless, and in a state of shock, Pearl travels to Dominica with her grandmother, Doris Boyd. Pearl endures the ridicule, scorn and insults of her neighbors and also becomes the victim of a stalker who tries to rape her. Tormented with feelings of guilt, shame and fear, Pearl is not ready to disclose the deep, dark secrets that are locked inside, to her psychiatrist, Dr. Timothy Williams. After months of therapy, and the loving care and support of her family, Pearl finally opens up to the doctor and reveals the horror that had been her life for as long as she could remember. Beginning to experience a normal existence, she comes face to face with Nigel Bray, the man whose life and birthright her father stole, and whose grandfather he killed. The encounter with Nigel Bray and his son threatens her recovery and changes her life forever.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on improving the welfare of gilts and sows. The first chapter reviews current knowledge on the factors affecting the health and welfare of gilts and sows during pregnancy and parturition. The chapter considers the influence of group housing, stress and social interaction on the development of production diseases, such as post-partum dysgalactia syndrome and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. The second chapter provides a detailed overview of the factors affecting the welfare of pigs during breeding and gestation. The chapter considers the influence of modern pig production on animal behaviour and welfare and reviews to what extent the inability to form matriarchal groupings contributes to demonstrations of aggressive behaviour. The third chapter concentrates on the managerial and environmental interventions that attempt to reconcile the behavioural and physiological needs of both the sow and piglets to optimise their welfare during farrowing and lactation. The final chapter describes the welfare issues associated with individual confinement systems and examines the nature and significance of stereotyped behaviour in gestating sows. The chapter also addresses the issue of hunger in the pregnant sow and drivers to adopt group housing systems for pregnant sows.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on improving piglet welfare. The first chapter reviews the main welfare challenges faced during farrowing and lactation, including the occurrence of painful husbandry procedures, such as tooth resection, tail docking and castration. The chapter also highlights various mitigation strategies that can be implemented to optimise the welfare of both sows and piglets in the farrowing environment. The second chapter addresses some of the main welfare concerns that can arise during the weaning and nursery stage as a result of separation between piglet and sow and exposure to a new environment. The chapter also summarises the most important fields of environmental, nutritional and social stress and how these experiences can be mitigated with the correct strategies. The third chapter considers the demand for improved welfare and animal handling systems from governments, non-governmental organisations and consumers. The chapter reviews recent advancements in technology that have the potential to improve animal wellbeing, profitability and performance during the weaning period. The final chapter discusses the main etiological agents acting in the period of transition from weaning, the risk factors for their introduction and diffusion within the farm and the main measures available for their control.

With growing concern from consumers and regulatory agencies about the welfare of farmed animals such as pigs, the livestock sector must assess how animal welfare can be improved whilst ensuring livestock production remains economically and environmentally sustainable. Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of pigs is a comprehensive review of key research in this important area. This collection reviews genetic and developmental factors affecting pig behaviour and current welfare issues at different production stages, as well as specific issues such as tail biting and castration. The book concludes with an assessment of ways to measure welfare, including techniques to monitor pig behaviour. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert authors, Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of pigs will be a standard text for university researchers in pig/swine and veterinary science as well as ethology. It will also be a key reference for government and other agencies involved in regulating and monitoring farm animal welfare, as well as farmers and companies involved in pig production.

Sustainable (and green) business seems to have become mainstream practically overnight. This growth in interest in sustainable business practices stems from changing societal expectations and a growing awareness that sustainability creates a win-win situation for the business and humanity alike. Sustainable Business: An Executive's Primer is a brief introduction to sustainability as it applies to business. This book will offer an overview of how sustainability is applied throughout the organization. We offer chapters organized by familiar departments or functions of the business and cover the applications and terminology of sustainability throughout each area. Whether you are an executive, an entrepreneur, an employee, or a business student, this book will help you understand the big picture of what it means to be a sustainable business and will give you the information you need to begin your journey toward sustainability.