The Bear S Embrace

Whitehots.

On a sunny fall day in 1983, Patricia Van Tighem and her husband, Trevor Jang, were brutally attacked by a bear while hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Jang was severely hurt, but Van Tighem suffered even more serious, disfiguring injuries, and that she survived was a miracle. A gifted writer, Van Tighem crafted a vivid and startling account of the attack. But her recovery was just as disturbing. Her numerous reconstructive surgeries were painful; her facial disfigurement, including the loss of an eye, isolated her; and the nightmares that haunted her carried their own psychological burden. The Bear’s Embrace garnered much praise when it was first published in 2000. With honesty and eloquence, the book tells of the unpredictability of life, of bravery, terror, rage, and love, of what it means to look and feel different in a culture that values perfection. Deeply moving and often astonishing, The Bear’s Embrace is an inspiring story of human perseverance and self­knowledge. Tragically, Van Tighem could no longer live with her pain and ended her life in 2005. In this new edition, her sister, Margaret Van Tighem, writes an affecting afterword remembering Patricia and her indomitable spirit and strength.

An astonishing memoir about how one woman survived a brutal attack by a grizzly bear, and how she recovered—as a survivor, a wife and a mother. “Overwhelmingly inspirational.... Van Tighem’s story is a testament to human strength” —The Plain Dealer On a chilly autumn morning in 1983, during a relaxing escape to the Canadian Rockies, Patricia Van Tighem and her husband were attacked by a grizzly bear. Although they survived, their ordeal was just beginning. For years Van Tighem endured numerous surgeries as doctors attempted to reconstruct her face and ease her pain. The nightmares that haunted her carried their own psychological burden. In many ways she had to redefine her sense of who she was. Van Tighem’s tale is astonishing and beautifully written. Showing a resilience that has overcome even the most traumatic of events, The Bear’s Embrace is a truly inspiring testament to the power of the human spirit.

It starts with a whisper: "It's time for you to know who you are..." On her 17th birthday, everything will change for Violet Eden. The boy she loves will betray her. Her enemy will save her. She will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice. A centuries old war between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity chooses a new fighter. It's a battle Violet doesn't want, but she lives her life by two rules: don't run and don't quit. If angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden. LINCOLN: He's been Violet's one anchor, her running partner and kickboxing trainer. Only he never told her he's Grigori-part human, part angel-and that he was training her for an ancient battle between Angels and Exiles. PHOENIX: No one knows where his loyalties lie, yet he's the only one there to pick up the pieces and protect her after Lincoln's lies. In a world of dark and light, he is all shades of gray. Two sides: Angel or Exile. Two guys: Lincoln or Phoenix. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity... The Embrace Series: Embrace (Book 1) Entice (Book 2) Emblaze (Book 3) Endless (Book 4) Empower (Book 5) Praise for Embrace: In her YA paranormal romance debut, Jessica Shirvington combines "the badass-action of Vampire Academy, the complex love triangles of Twilight, and the angel mythology of Fallen, taken one step further." -Book Couture "Shirvington's debut is smart, edgy and addictive-and sure to leave readers clamoring for the rest of the series."- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED "One of the best YA novels we've seen in a while. Get ready for a confident, kick-butt, well-defined heroine." - RT Book Reviews

In his Nautilus Award-winning classic Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelson delivers a powerful coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life. After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go. While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and, most importantly, from himself. Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots of his anger without absolving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing. A strong choice for independent reading, sharing in the classroom, homeschooling, and book groups.

Fear of bears seems almost to be part of what it is to be human. Our species emerged out of the depths of time into a world already populated by these great carnivores. Before we mastered iron and later developed firearms, we had few defences against bears--only watchful caution and elaborate ceremonies and sacrifices to ward off fear. Where human populations grow, bears have traditionally dwindled or disappeared. But when we return to the wild, to places where bears still survive, all our primeval fears awaken again. The risk of an automobile accident on the way to bear country far outstrips the risk of a close-range encounter with a bear, but it's the bear that worries us as we hurtle down the pavement at a hundred kilometres an hour. In this timely and sensitive book, Kevin Van Tighem calls on decades of experience, knowledge and understanding in order to enlighten readers about our relationship with and attitude toward bears. Along the way we are confronted with the realities confronting these great animals as a result of our ever-expanding human population and their ever-shrinking natural habitat. Through historical research, field observation, practical advice, personal anecdotes and an array of stunning photos, Van Tighem has written a comprehensive book that is meant to demystify bears in order to promote a deeper understanding of these powerful yet vulnerable creatures.

On a sunny fall day in 1983, Patricia Van Tighem and her husband, Trevor Janz, were brutally attacked by a bear while hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Janz was severely hurt, but Van Tighem suffered even more serious, disfiguring injuries, and that she survived was a miracle. A gifted writer, Van Tighem crafted a vivid and startling account of the attack. But her recovery was just as disturbing. Her numerous reconstructive surgeries were painful; her facial disfigurement, including the loss of an eye, isolated her; and the nightmares that haunted her carried their own psychological burden. The Bear's Embrace garnered much praise when it was first published, in 2000. With honesty and eloquence, the book tells of the unpredictability of life, of bravery, terror, rage, and love, of what it means to look and feel different in a culture that values perfection. Deeply moving and often astonishing, The Bear's Embrace is an inspiring story of human perseverance and self-knowledge. Tragically, Van Tighem could no longer live with her pain and ended her life in 2005. In this new edition, her sister, Margaret Van Tighem, writes an affecting afterword remembering Patricia and her spirit and strength.