Sitting in the Unknown: A Collection of Poems for Military Loved Ones is a captivating collection of poetry that uncovers the raw reality of life as a military spouse or loved one. From the depths of loneliness and isolation to the peaks of joy and gratitude, this book takes readers on an emotional journey through seasons of surviving, living, and thriving in military life.

Through beautifully curated verses, this collection offers unique validation and support to military loved ones all over the world. With its heartfelt poetry and profound imagery, the author invites readers to sit with their own personal military journeys and experiences.

Whether you are a seasoned spouse, a long-time wife or husband, or a brand new girlfriend, boyfriend, or partner, Sitting in the Unknown has poems for you. This thoughtful collection stretches over many different experiences that a milso (military significant other) or milspo (military spouse) may face, such as deployment, moving (aka PCS, or permanent change of station), and training (aka TDY, or Temporary Duty).

Sitting in the Unknown offers genuine empathy and understanding, inviting readers to connect with emotional themes such as heartache, love, sacrifice, and finding peace amidst the unknown.

One shared look across a crowded club, and their worlds collided.Their attraction had been instantaneous and hotter than the fire burning in his soul.But Blake Stone didn't do relationships. Relationships meant emotions, and he didn't have the kind a woman would want.Or need.Anger, greed, lust, bitterness, hatred-he had in spades.But a woman like Gwen, she would want more. And if he wanted to keep her, he'd need to reveal his secrets.Secrets that could send her running.Because she's playing with fire, and he knew damn well how badly it burned.FIRE is a full-length, standalone, contemporary romance with a HEA. * **Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive subjects, offensive language, and mature topics.*** Recommended for age 18 years and up.

There is a strong case today for a specific focus on mental public health and its relation to social and physical environments. From a public health perspective, we now appreciate the enormous significance of mental distress and illness as causes of disability and impairment. Stress and anxiety, and other mental illnesses are linked to risks in the environment. This book questions how and why the social and physical environment matters for mental health and psychological wellbeing in human populations. While putting forward a number of different points of view, there is a particular emphasis on ideas and research from health geography, which conceptualises space and place in ways that provide a distinctive focus on the interactions between people and their social and physical environment. The book begins with an overview of a rich body of theory and research from sociology, psychology, social epidemiology, social psychiatry and neuroscience, considering arguments concerning 'mind-body dualism', and presenting a conceptual framework for studying how attributes of 'space' and 'place' are associated with human mental wellbeing. It goes on to look in detail at how our mental health is associated with material, or physical, aspects of our environment (such as 'natural' and built landscapes), with social environments (involving social relationships in communities), and with symbolic and imagined spaces (representing the personal, cultural and spiritual meanings of places). These relationships are shown to be complex, with potential to be beneficial or hazardous for mental health. The final chapters of the book consider spaces of care and the implications of space and place for public mental health policy, offering a broader view of how mental health might be improved at the population level. With boxed case studies of specific research ideas and methods, chapter summaries and suggestions for introductory reading, this book offers a comprehensive introduction which will be valuable for students of health geography, public health, sociology and anthropology of health and illness. It also provides an interdisciplinary review of the literature, by the author and by other writers, to frame a discussion of issues that challenge more advanced researchers in these fields.

Full house: a pair plus a three of a kind.Having grown up surrounded by celebrities, Victoria Lee wasn't one to have her head turned by a famous movie star. That changed when she landed her first big break starring alongside Hollywood's most sought-after leading man, Nathan Reed. With his sexy good looks, take-charge personality, and hidden charm, Victoria hadn't stood a chance. And all too soon, their on-screen romance turned into a real-life love story-juicy enough to have social media exploding and land Victoria and Nate on the covers of tabloid magazines.But the media outlets weren't the only ones paying attention.And not everyone was happy for them. Author's note: This is a full-length, steamy, contemporary romance novel without a cliffhanger. It is part of a series, but each book is a stand-alone centering on new main characters. Due to sex, language, and violence it is recommended for persons over 18.*** HEA ***

River Kingston has a problem, and his name is Royal. Her brother owes one-hundred grand to the mob, and River feels it's her responsibility to help him.The daughter of a renowned poker player, River does the only thing she knows how to do to win that much money...She hits the tables.Headed to Eden Island, home of the most elite poker tournament, The Omega One, River runs into--literally--the man from her teenage fantasies.Now she has another problem, and his name is Alec Throne. Because after the famous poker star catches her from falling, he decides he's never letting her go.And, as River soon discovers, when Alec Throne sets his mind to something...He's all-in. ***This is a full-length novel with no cliffhanger. It is part of a series, but each book is a stand-alone centering on new main characters. This is a steamy contemporary romance. Due to sex and language, it is recommended for persons over 18.*** HEA ***

Bad Beat: A hand in which a player with strong cards is unexpectedly beaten by a lucky draw. Nico Conti has never regretted joining the family business. Through hard work, loyalty, ruthlessness, and dedication, he earned his rank as Capo and his army of soldiers. With the life he leads, a good woman is not in the cards-until one comes along and turns his world upside down.Olivia Miller's childhood was anything but conventional. Raised in a brothel, her mother protected Olivia from that life until she became sick. Now Olivia must be the protector.Taken as collateral by Nico Conti in a business dispute between families, Olivia is desperate to get home-until Nico makes her an offer she can't refuse.Or can she?Because to save the one she loves most, Olivia will need to ignore the sacrifices made for her and barter herself to the man who holds her future in his hands.Author's note: This is a full-length, steamy, contemporary romance novel without a cliffhanger. It is part of a series, but each book is a stand-alone centering on new main characters. Due to sex, language, and violence it is recommended for persons over 18.*** HEA ***

I want you for who you are, not in spite of it. - Gabriella ContiFor ten years, Gabby had wanted only one person-Marco Bianchi. But he was off-limits. Right-hand man to her brother, Nico, she knew he would never think of her as more than his boss's little sister.But when tragedy strikes, things change.Leaving Gabby to wonder if maybe her feelings weren't as one-sided as she'd thought. I threaten, torture, maim, and kill. My honor is the only good piece of me I have left. - Marco BianchiGrowing up with nothing, honor and loyalty meant everything to Marco. Which was why Gabriella Conti was off-limits, even if she was his obsession. Because, as badly as he wanted Gabriella, he knew her brother would never approve.And he owed Nico everything.But with the Russians in town, things were about to change.Marco needed to protect his girl. Author's note: This is a full-length, steamy, contemporary romance novel without a cliffhanger. It is part of a series, but is a stand-alone centering on new main characters. Due to sex, language, and violence it is recommended for persons over 18.*** HEA ***

Cruising Pacific Coast Highway, Dean Keller had one thing on his mind-the job he needed to nail down.New city. New connections. New life. That was Dean's focus.Until Sadie.One look at the fiery pixie with emerald eyes and Dean knew he had to make her his.The timing couldn't be worse. Things were... complicated.Dean should've walked away from her.He didn't. Couldn't.But he should have. Because too soon the truth would be revealed. And Dean would be left desperate to prove to Sadie his love for her was real. Even if not everything else was.Until Sadie is part of the Aurora Rose Reynolds' Happily Ever Alpha World. If you loved Until Cobi, then you will want to read Until Sadie.

The first time she saw him, she knew she was in trouble. Alexis Taft fills her days and nights working to pay off her mother's medical debts and put her sister through college. She doesn't have time for fun or men. Her life is predictable if boring, that is until she meets Jack. Then life is anything but predictable.The first time he saw her, he knew he wanted to make her his. Handsome, wealthy, powerful, Jackson Cole could have any woman he wants and often does, that is until he sets his sights on Alexis. With her unsurpassed beauty, he was hooked with just one look from her amber eyes. Unfortunately, Alexis is the one woman who doesn't fall easily for his charms, and Jack has to do something he's never had to do before. Pursue a woman. However, Jack always gets what he wants, and Alexis soon discovers, she is no exception. But there's someone else that wants Jack. Someone that would stop at nothing to have him. Someone that wants Alexis out of the way.And Jack and Alexis have to stop them or lose all chance at happiness.***This is a full length novel with no cliffhanger. It is part of a series, but each book is a stand alone centering on new main characters. This is a steamy contemporary romance. Due to sex and language, it is recommended for persons over 18.*** HEA ***Note from author***As of May 28, 2015 I did another edit of Alluring. I can't promise I caught all the grammar issues and typos, but I did catch a lot, so hopefully it makes for an easier read.

Stephanie Willis no longer believed in happily ever after. At least not for herself.Max Vicente was determined to change her mind. After all, some fairy tales really do come true.This 20k word novella is part of the Alluring series but can be read as a standalone. ***Beware*** This is insta-love with an OTT nod to Cinderella. It's meant to be slightly unbelievable but 100% fun. Due to sex and language, it is recommended for persons over 18.

Gage Hunter, lead singer for the rock group, Engage, made a mistake five years ago. He let the girl of his dreams get away. When an unexpected encounter brings them together again, fate is offering Gage a second chance. But will Cassie?Cassie Wagner never expected to see Gage again. The man who shattered her dreams as well as her heart, five years ago. He's asking for forgiveness, but he's not the only one who needs forgiving, for she too made a mistake.As they struggle to mend what's broken between them, an outside force threatens Cassie, and Gage's relentless pursuit, turns into an overwhelming desire to protect the woman he loves. Can Gage stop the danger before it destroys their second chance at happiness?This is a full-length, steamy, contemporary romance. While Engaging can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, it is part of a series started with Alluring and contains some spoilers.

I fell in love with a brown-eyed angel in the middle of a football field, and I hadn't even talked to her yet. All it took was her laugh. - Mason ConnorProfessional football player, Mason Connor, had the perfect life. Blessed with good looks, crazy skills on the field, and more money than he knew what to do with, it never occurred to him something was missing. Not until he saw her.Looking out over a field of green, he saw his future and knew his world was about to change. He just had no idea his angel would put up such a fight. A fight he planned on winning.I don't want to like you, Mase, but I'm afraid I already do and that scares me. - Joanna WelchJoanna Welch has had two relationships in her life, both with the popular-sexy-jock type. Neither had ended well. So when the attractive and cocky Pursuers quarterback began pursuing her, she wasn't interested in experiencing a three-peat.However, the more time she spent with Mase, the harder it was to pretend he was only a sexy smile and hot body. He was funny, charming, and smart, too. Fumbling her stay-away plan with her heart in danger of being intercepted, Jo was worried she was about to get sacked. Only Mase wasn't just looking to score...He had another kind of championship ring in mind.This is a full-length, steamy, contemporary romance. While Pursuing can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, it is part of a series started with Alluring and contains some spoilers. ***Due to sex and language, it is recommended for persons over 18.*** HEA

Focusing on Catholic primary schooling in France from 1830 through World War I, Curtis shows how religious education played a key role in transforming France into a modern nation. She finds persuasive evidence that the French Catholic teaching orders created the culture needed for the development of a modern educational system.

Curtis focuses her extensive research on the province of Lyon, though many of her findings can be applied more generally. Her argument that decisions about schooling were driven by pragmatic as well as ideological considerations, for example, is a model for further investigation. Educating the Faithful is the first major study in English of religious education in modern France.

This textbook provides a comprehensive analysis of how geographical perspectives can be used to understand the problems of health inequalities. It relates theoretical arguments to specific landscapes and will be a key resource for understanding the articulation between theory and empirical methods for understanding health variation in urban areas.

There is a strong case today for a specific focus on mental public health and its relation to social and physical environments. From a public health perspective, we now appreciate the enormous significance of mental distress and illness as causes of disability and impairment. Stress and anxiety, and other mental illnesses are linked to risks in the environment. This book questions how and why the social and physical environment matters for mental health and psychological wellbeing in human populations. While putting forward a number of different points of view, there is a particular emphasis on ideas and research from health geography, which conceptualises space and place in ways that provide a distinctive focus on the interactions between people and their social and physical environment. The book begins with an overview of a rich body of theory and research from sociology, psychology, social epidemiology, social psychiatry and neuroscience, considering arguments concerning 'mind-body dualism', and presenting a conceptual framework for studying how attributes of 'space' and 'place' are associated with human mental wellbeing. It goes on to look in detail at how our mental health is associated with material, or physical, aspects of our environment (such as 'natural' and built landscapes), with social environments (involving social relationships in communities), and with symbolic and imagined spaces (representing the personal, cultural and spiritual meanings of places). These relationships are shown to be complex, with potential to be beneficial or hazardous for mental health. The final chapters of the book consider spaces of care and the implications of space and place for public mental health policy, offering a broader view of how mental health might be improved at the population level. With boxed case studies of specific research ideas and methods, chapter summaries and suggestions for introductory reading, this book offers a comprehensive introduction which will be valuable for students of health geography, public health, sociology and anthropology of health and illness. It also provides an interdisciplinary review of the literature, by the author and by other writers, to frame a discussion of issues that challenge more advanced researchers in these fields.

There's a reason she worked for the dead--she didn't play well with the living.Touched by tragedy at a young age, Catherine Adams always knew her calling was to stand for the dead. Now, as a homicide detective for the LVPD, she fulfilled that role by finding them justice.Dispatched to the Antanasia Hotel, Cat was prepared for her next case.What she wasn't prepared for was its reclusive owner, Rafe Alexander.Or his unwavering pursuit of her.Though dedicated to the badge, the feelings Rafe awakened in her and the undeniable attraction between them had Cat thinking there might be room in her life for more than just the job.But then unanswered questions in both the case and her personal life start piling up, and her murder investigation took twists and turns she never saw coming, forcing Cat to question whether the world was as black and white as she'd always believed.And making her wonder if she was ready to learn the answers she was so dead set on finding.Or would some truths be more than the detective in her could live with?***This is a full-length novel and is the first in a new series but can be read as a standalone. Due to sex, violence, and language, it is recommended for persons over the age of 18. ***