A Culture of Fear takes readers inside the largest child protective services agency in the country, Los Angeles County’s Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS). Julian J. Dominguez and Melinda Murphy, current and former DCFS employees, respectively, expose some of the most serious deficiencies of the agency. They detail systemic core issues that include a lack of integrity in DCFS court report writing, and describe how reunification of families is marginalized or set aside and eclipsed by other priorities, including personal opinions, departmental positions, personality conflicts, prejudices/biases, and "cover your ass at all costs." The authors shine a light …

This fictional story is about making elder care decisions. It tells of George, Verna, Doris, and other elders who have been admitted over time to St. Matthew Nursing Home – their final home – due to dementia or other debilitating medical conditions. Each questions how they landed here, as they live their final days and years in this unfamiliar place. Some are content, while others are desperate to go back home. Family members are also woven into the story, discussing their guilt over their reasoning for choosing a nursing facility. This book considers the options families have, including providing home …

The seven stories by Ja Youn Kim in A Song of Pots contain their own unique lessons or precious messages about life, and the messages are helpful to small children. All the stories are like the sun shining in the blue sky and the stars sparkling in the dark night. The plots are based mainly on nature and human relationships. The book’s title story,"A Song of Pots" is about a cracked pot. It teaches us about value and that anyone can have hope. The cracked pot comes to realize that an empty pot might well be filled with something soon …

I am a practicing lawyer from Pune, State-Maharashtra, India. I always have had a keen interest in poetry and literature, for which language is no barrier. I prefer writing to be a "poetic act," which gives me more freedom of expression, rather than composing in a strict form of poetry.I sincerely think that one should be able to write on all possible subjects and plots, rather than restricting to certain emotions or themes. The discrepancies, dichotomies, and double standards that may found be in our relationships and other areas of our lives in modern society always disturbs me, attracts my …

Loki’s Resurrection is a beautiful and erotic love story that considers the tough problems that come up when divorced people find new mates that their children don’t like. Even so, the story has a happy ending. The novel is about the fantastic love affair of Loki and Sara, who seem to be destined to be together for the rest of their lives, until ... Loki’s Resurrection is the first book in the series The Amazing Life of Loki Fownis. The final cliffhanger of Loki’s Resurrection: An Erotic Story Based on a True Icelandic Saga begins with the first chapter of …

Jenny Thompson is a normal girl who unknowingly possesses powerful psychic abilities. Glade Overstride is a kinetically gifted psychopathic murderer with an evil, powerful split personality known as Rex. He wants what Jenny has and will stop at nothing to get it. Jenny eventually comes to better understand her abilities through the help of Floyd DeLane, a ghost freed by Jenny’s powers. Floyd helps Jenny channel her abilities and to escape from Overstride. Enter Detective William Scopeali, who is also looking for Jenny, as she is the one connection to his brother’s murderer from years before. Meanwhile, a deepening bond …

For the Golfer in All of UsIf you love golf, or even if you hate golf, you will have a "ball" reading Lost in Love Grass. Author Steve Rogers has been playing golf since he was 11 years old and, oh, the stories he can tell!What an absolutely fun read! The story unfolded beautifully and I'm thrilled Steve included me in the book. It’s a good thing he is a far better writer than a golfer!" says Mark van Eeghen, former football star with the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.The author’s lifetime love of golf inspired him to write …

James is the littlest bear of three bears in his family. He tends to tell stories to get attention, so no one believes anything he says. When he really does have an adventure with a naughty seagull, no one believes him until the seagull is injured. It is up to James to come to the rescue! This delightful children's book was written and illustrated by Lynne Pickering, who says, "We owned a childcare center for nine years and there were some children with behavioral problems. I often found if manners and examples of good Samaritan deeds were explained in a …