HE’D COME TO CLAIM HER HEART… But he didn’t seem to have one of his own. Yet from his midnight-black hair down to his dusty cowboy boots, Bo Ramsey still radiated sexiness. Months ago he’d left without saying goodbye, on the arm of another woman, but now he was back, as seductive as ever though broken in body and spirit. But since he’d disappointed Abby once before, she told herself that Bo’s troubles were none of her concern…. Yes, that’s what she told herself. Until Bo turned up on her doorstep, with a plea for forgiveness and a look of such love in his eyes that she stopped listening to the voice in her head and started hearing the one in her heart….

When hopelessness seems to be the only option, how do you find the strength to persevere through unimaginable circumstances? When the possibility of death looms in every corner of your mind, how can you emerge more resilient than before? What if you are mercilessly abused nearly to death by the very individual who has sworn to love you until "death do us part?" What do you do when you feel the darkness around you as if it is consuming you and inescapable?Unintentional Hero answers these questions in an extraordinary story of strength, faith, and resilience. After years of surviving in the shadows, bound by the chains of physical, mental, and emotional abuse, an oppressed woman found the courage not only to escape her oppressor, but also the courage to build a life focused on helping those like her. While this book explores one particular woman's harrowing journey, its message runs through the veins of every person who has been, or continues to be, a survivor of domestic violence. From the foreword notes, Rania explains "You are about to read about a time of my life, the circumstances of which are exceedingly difficult for most people to comprehend. At times, they're difficult for me to understand, and I lived through them. If you are, or have been, a victim of domestic violence, you already understand all too well. I offer you my unending support and hope for the life you deserve. If you are not (or have never been) a victim, as you read my story, you may wonder why I didn't "just" leave. People ask this question of victims all the time. And the answer is complex and dark, just as the abuse itself. The reason is it is based on a victim's state of mind -- a state of mind that is as bloody and bruised as any visible injuries. There is no simple comparison to a healthy, clear mindset with the capacity to make rational decisions.Abuse, in any form, is anything but rational. Victims are often brainwashed to believe that there are no options or ways out. And, even if we allowed ourselves the freedom of thought to realize there may be, we live in constant fear and under constant threats of what will happen if we try to leave. We know, better than anyone, what our abusers are capable of. Unintentional Hero is about finding light after years of being shrouded in darkness. Yet, as with all journeys, a survivor's path is not easy. A survivor of domestic violence must emerge from a seemingly bottomless abyss and search the very depths of their soul to begin the healing process and regain a sense of self. But like all survivor stories, there are heroes along the way who help navigate bumpy roads fraught with obstacles. Unintentional Hero explores the obstacles survivors face. Visible obstacles can heal quickly and easily with time, but it is the invisible roadblocks that stubbornly bury themselves in a survivor's mind that can wreak havoc for years. But sometimes, a person will cross our path in our darkest hour and chip away at the roadblock, eroding it until we can once again walk our path. That person is one of the remarkable people who doesn't necessarily intend to make an impact, yet often makes the biggest one. Unintentional Hero helps survivors of domestic violence understand that even when all feels lost, a hero may be just around the corner, if only they have the courage to look. Above all, this book offers love and support.Unintentional Hero embodies what the human spirit is capable of when we possess the will not only to change our circumstances, but to acknowledge the efforts of the unintentional heroes who may have helped save our lives."This book is dedicated to victims of domestic abuse. May your bruises heal, your scars fade, and your minds clear. May the darkness fade into shadows and the shadows disappear into light. May you find the life that you deserve."

Joe is your average guy, who has led an average life. Or quite possibly, there could be more, much more. But he would never tell anyone that. He possesses the talents of being in the right place at the right time. Or does he? He's not afraid to speak his mind, no matter the place and the time. Joe is one of those magical guys who came from an era when the world was vastly less complex and complicated. And while the rest of the world evolved in their way, he evolved too, but not in the same direction. He was born his own person, grew up his own person, and lived his life on his terms. The people who engage in his life are as special as he is. Through the crossroads and intersections of their lives, everyone comes to the realization that it is, indeed, a long road to hero.

J.R.R. Tolkien's novels of Middle-earth – The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Silmarillian – have become some of the most famous, and most beloved, literary works of the twentieth century. And the Lord of the Rings films by director Peter Jackson have re-ignited interest in Tolkien and his works, as well as introduced his stories to a new generation of fans. Even if you've never read the novels and have only seen the films, you know that the world of Middle-earth is a complicated one. Tolkien took great care in representing this world, from creating new languages to including very particular cultural details that add to the richness of the world's fabric. Many other books have been written about Tolkien and his works, but none have come close to providing the kind of reference needed to comprehend the world of Middle-earth. That's what veteran Dummies author and unabashed Tolkien fan Greg Harvey attempts to do in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies. As the author says in his introduction to the book, this is not an encyclopedia or quick guide to all the diverse beings, languages, and history that make up Tolkien's Middle-earth. Nor is it a set of plot outlines for the novels. Rather, what you'll find in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies is a basic guide to some of the possible linguistic and mythological origins of Middle-earth, plus a rudimentary analysis of its many themes and lessons for our world. This book can help enrich your reading (or re-reading) of Tolkien's novels, and it will challenge you to think about the themes inherent in Tolkien's Middle-earth and their implications in your own life. Here's just a sampling of the topics you'll find covered in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies: Exploring the main themes in Tolkien's works, including immortality and death; the heroic quest; love; fate and free will; and faith and redemption Investigating the diverse lands of Middle-earth – including the Shire, Gondor, and Mordor – and their significance Examining the different cultures of Middle-earth, such as Hobbits, Elves, Men, and those wily Wizards Touring the history of Middle-earth Understanding Tolkien's creation of new languages to enrich the story of Middle-earth Top Ten lists on the battles in the War of the Ring, online resources, and the ways the films differ from the novels So, whether you're reading Tolkien's novels or watching the films for the first time, or you've been a fan for many years and are looking for a new take on Tolkien's works, The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies can help you enhance your reading or viewing experience for years to come.

Companion volume to Cinemeducation Volume 1 Cinemeducation, Volume 2 outlines a comprehensive approach to using film in graduate and medical education. It provides readers with a wide array of film excerpts ready for immediate application in the classroom. Each excerpt includes the counter time, year of release, names of actors, a short description of the movie and the scene being highlighted as well as discussion questions. Entire chapters are dedicated to reality television, mainstream television, music videos, documentaries and YouTube. Clearly structured, this second volume dives deep into human experiences. Authors from five continents have composed 49 chapters devoted to a wide assortment of new topics relevant to medical and postgraduate healthcare education. Some of the specific issues covered include substance abuse, gambling, dealing with tragedy, diabetes, heart disease, chronic illness and obstetrics as well as mental health problems. Some films portray health care professionals both positively and negatively and these are presented with rich detail. A wide variety of specialties and different health careers are covered. All of these areas converge on the common ground of compassion in the medical experience. This book is ideal for the undergraduate or postgraduate classroom. All healthcare educators will appreciate its comprehensive scope and innovative approach, including those in psychology, social services, dentistry and veterinary science.

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, villages in the Fang region of northern Gabon must grapple with the clash of tradition and the evolution of customs throughout modern Africa. With this tension in the background, the passionate, deft, and creative seamstress Awu marries Obame, after he and his beloved wife, Bella, have been unable to conceive. Because all three are reluctant participants in this arrangement, theirs is an emotionally fraught existence. Through heartbreaking and disastrous events, Awu grapples with long-standing Fang customs that counter her desire to take full control of her life and home. Supplemented with a foreword and critical introduction highlighting Justine Mintsa’s importance in African literature, Awu’s Story is an essential work of African women’s writing and the only published work to meditate this deeply on some of the Fang’s most cherished legends and oral history.