Dry Your Smile

A former child actor searches for her true self in this novel-within-a-novel from a leader of the international feminist movement. Before she even turned fourteen, Julian Travis made enough money as a TV star to support her mother for life in an apartment in one of Manhattan’s best buildings. But now, Julian is in her midforties and things are not so glamorous or easy. Her mother is slowly dying of Parkinson’s, her marriage of twenty years is steadily disintegrating, and money is scarce. Though Julian is a famed feminist spokeswoman and published poet, when she looks into the mirror, she doesn’t recognize herself. That and the novel she is writing are giving her a terrible time. Dry Your Smile takes readers on a journey into Julian’s past—from the precarious circumstances surrounding her birth to the lies and stories her mother wove about her absent father to her childhood diary and dreams, and her subsequent escape into the arms of a revolutionary artist and a bohemian life. In the present, Julian delves into the emotional baggage imparted by her Jewish stage-mom as a means of taking off the many masks she has worn over the years, and begins writing prose through the voice of her younger self. She also searches for a new future in a lesbian love affair with Iliana, a bisexual photographer and the one person who makes Julian feel beautiful. In the end, however, perhaps what Julian needs most is to separate herself from the expectations and images of others, and truly listen to the woman she has become. A roman à clef of author and poet Robin Morgan’s own struggles with what it means to be a female writer in the late twentieth century, Dry Your Smile is an intelligent and cathartic addition to any feminist library.

A former child television star struggles to break free from her mother's and her husband's suffocating hold.

British Columbia’s new teaching curriculum was fully adopted during the 2016/2017 school year (Kindergarten to Grade 9). Jordan wrote this book to unpack one aspect of the new curriculum: Core Competencies. He hopes to clearly explain what the Core Competencies are and demonstrate how they can help children thrive in our world today!

Blood Behind the Smile is a fictional account of a supposed decimated Philadelphia African American crime group called the Black Mafia. The men who resurrect this "evil" have walked a Pennsylvania state penitentiary red-clay yard for ten years, planning the return to the top of the organization. Two of the Black Mafia's cofounders have given this responsibility to a particularly nasty piece of work, who they dimly refer to as their Blood Prince—formally known as Frank "Dry Ice" Hall. Dry Ice has learned the Machiavellian tactics of leadership from his mentor Paul "Sir Willie" Reed, one of the Black Mafia's most astute thinkers and feared leaders. Blood Behind the Smile is not your ordinary urban novel. It has it all—love, betrayal, death, family, and misdirection. This story is told over a three-book series: Blood Behind the Smile (Book One), Blood Behind the Smile (The Boatman On the River), and Blood Behind the Smile (The Brotherhood).

This is a story of love. Love, which is the same no matter the soul's shell. No one should have to be ashamed of the people they love as we are all human. I love you. Who would have ever thought the words which caused me such dread in the past could ever come to sound so beautiful and feel so very wonderful? Returning to Japan after the loss of his mother, Hitori hopes to start anew. He enters school and longs to make new friends. Quickly, he realizes that friendship will not be the only thing he finds. Befriending a quiet classmate, Hitori finds himself falling hopelessly in love. Akaya is a shy, quiet boy who finds himself stumbling through life, afraid of many things. At first, he is bothered by the outrageous look of the new student. Before long, however, he comes to enjoy the company of the blue haired man and wonders how he made it so long without a friend like Hitori. As their friendship blossoms then turns to love, the boys have to learn to ignore harsh words from school, society and family alike. Despite this, their love grows and soon they realize soul mates really do exist. The sun shines brighter than ever before and the nights aren't nearly as cold as they once were. Love has finally warmed the two distraught souls and created an illusion of serenity. As seasons change, the boys continue to defy society and become something magical. But upon receiving horrible news from his mother, everything in Akaya's life changes. When a time limit is placed on their love, the boys fight to make their remaining time together something meaningful. Love becomes their whole life as they realize they may not get the fairytale ending to their relationship. Without him I am like a book ripped in half. Without the beginning, you would surely be confused and without the end you will never be fulfilled. What could tear these two apart? After fighting past societal norms, school bullying, and angry parents, what could finally break them apart?

Readers will delight in this heartfelt novel by bestselling author Jerry Eicher, a former Amishman, who writes with authenticity and compassion about the people he grew up with. When Susan Hostetler has a falling out with her boyfriend, Thomas Stoll, she leaves her Amish community and moves to Asbury Park to experiment in English life. There she learns to drive a car, takes her GED test, and falls in love with young and handsome Duane Bower. Back home, her parents are devastated and miss their daughter terribly. But what can they do? Susan has a mind of her own. Just as Susan is enjoying her new life, her plans are interrupted. She meets Teresa Long, a young, unwed, expectant mother who asks Susan to help her have her baby adopted by an Amish family. As Susan is drawn into the young woman's life, she also finds herself drawn back to her Amish roots. But can she truly leave her life behind...and Duane?

Filled with warmth, humor, and honesty, Keeping Your Smile is a resource for anyone who cares for children and who wants to manage their own stress, tension, or anxiety before burnout becomes an overarching obstacle in their daily interactions with children. Jeff A. Johnson, a child care professional who wrote about his own burnout in Finding Your Smile Again, offers strategies, activities, tips, and tools help caregivers and educators work with children with passion and maintain a satisfying career in the field. Included are profiles of several professionals who have experienced burnout and survived to become stronger, better care providers.

I believe that there's a message behind the message. An aroma represents the presents of angels. It also is an indication of the many blessings from God. When it comes to dealing with the death of a loved one. We all have our own experiences. Through grievance, pain, loneliness, and anger. These are the most common issue in dealing with denial. But there's a spiritual realm that goes far beyond our means. We have to start by accepting a favorable reception. By sharing, caring, listening, and embracing. People tend to deal with grievances in their way. And there's no time limit on how long you should grieve. Knowing that we still have a greater connection with our beloved. So, let's start embracing the time and memories that were shared. Understand that death is only a part of life, An Aroma of Sweet Memories is a collection of grievance poetry. That I had written to help my readers and myself. Deal with the pain of death and dare to move beyond our sorrows. Then knowing when it's time to let go and let God. The poem (As I glance in the mirror, I see only me). It's about self-empowerment embracing life and loving yourself. Knowing that there's still life for you after suffering a loss. Our loved ones are still with us in spirit and memories. As a prolific writer, the basis of my poetry is to let the reader know that it's okay. The Bible tells us in John 3:16," For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish. But, have everlasting life."