The Girl Behind The Smile

Everybody thought of me as the girl with the perfect life. Everybody thought that I was the beautiful blonde that made everybody smile. I, in fact, was fighting a battle inside my head every single day of my life. I was only 13 years old and the desire to die ate me alive until I gave in. I'm now 15 years old and I'm putting you in the shoes of living with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I know how much stigma and negativity there is around mental health issues, but if this book saves at least one life, all of the hate I get will be worth it.

In the garden, in the dew of the morning, when my sister and I grew tired of working, we'd lay in the cool, black dirt, our pillows the bellies of stray dogs our Mema had taken in. We'd whisper sweetly to them as they lay there with us, "I love you-you don't hurt, like people do." Butterflies filled the garden. "Mema, look!" I'd shout. "They are coming to me!" "Baby, it's the spirit you carry within you..." She'd respond, "They sense it." I would get caught up in the moment, jump up to fly, imitating the butterflies, wanting them to land on my hand. I can feel that moment now, when time slows down, a moment you will remember forever-watching butterflies' wings flutter in slow motion, vibrant, delicate, with intricate patterned colors, and longing to be like them; to fly with freedom and grace. I watched as they descended down, as if to connect, and in some way say, "Hello." Natalie Parrish's strong connection to her grandma and the wisdom she shared would stay hidden within her a lifetime-through abuse, struggle, hardship, and even a suicide attempt that nearly stole her life. In this book, Natalie recounts her transformation, coming full circle to embrace her true self, and revealing to us all the Girl Behind the Smile. GirlBehindtheSmile.com

Debby Montgomery Johnson is a woman on a mission. In her book she shares her personal experience with a love that turned into betrayal and financial disaster and she removes the mask of shame and shows others how do to the same. Many of us have something, something we're hiding, something we're ashamed of, something that through no fault of our own or through our own making, something that we keep hidden and that, in turn, keeps us hidden, from each other and the world.

Behind the Smile is an inside look at the world of Caribbean tourism as seen through the lives of the men and women in the tourist industry in Barbados. The workers represent every level of tourism, from maid to hotel manager, beach gigolo to taxi driver, red cap to diving instructor. These highly personal accounts offer insight into complex questions surrounding tourism: how race shapes interactions between tourists and workers, how tourists may become agents of cultural change, the meaning of sexual encounters between locals and tourists, and the real economic and ecological costs of development through tourism. This updated edition updates the text and includes several new narratives and a new chapter about American students' experiences during summer field school and home stays in Barbados.

More than one out of 10 new mothers experience post-partum depression (PPD), yet few women seek help. After Marie Osmond, beloved singer and TV talk show host, gave birth to her seventh child (four of her children are adopted), she became increasingly depressed. One night, she handed over her bank card to her babysitter, got in her car, and drove north-with no intention of returning until she had emerged from her crisis. After she went public with her own experiences with PPD on Oprah and Larry King Live, the response was overwhelming. Now collaborating with a doctor who helped her through her ordeal, Marie Osmond will share the fear and depression she overcame, and reveal how she put it all behind her and is moving on with her life.

*Contains strong language* Cathy's life is spiralling out of control. Deeply scarred by a childhood of maternal neglect, she attempts to find solace in self-harm and delinquent behaviour. Before long, she is addicted to alcohol. Hidden behind a painted smile, Cathy begins a promising career as an actress and model, rubbing shoulders with royalty and the rich and famous. But Cathy is her own worst enemy and her continued dependence on alcohol hurtles her down a path of self-destruction. She endures a string of abusive, often horrific relationships, anorexia, poverty and almost loses her children. In this harrowing true story, Cathy never loses her sense of humour and is determined to win the battle with the bottle, and herself.

As part of her recovery from a devastating car accident, Grace Thomas embarks on a surprise cruise booked by her husband, Cameron. The accident still haunts Grace and she is a little anxious to be leaving her family, but excited to fulfil what has been a life-long dream of hers - cruising around the Mediterranean with some girlfriends - even if her husband's secretary, Chantelle is tagging along for the trip. Maybe this is a chance to start a fresh with this woman. But Chantelle appears to be everywhere Grace turns, and her instincts can’t all be wrong. Something is off. Not only does Chantelle resemble Grace, it soon becomes clear that she is desperate for Cameron’s attention, but at what lengths would she go to get it? Were Cameron's motives for sending Grace away on this cruise as admirable as she first thought and is her husband's relationship with the ever-present Chantelle as platonic as he claims? Grace's journey of self-discovery suddenly begins to feel rather sinister. Her friends are distant, Chantelle is incessantly playing with her mind, and Grace feels more lost and alone than ever. Then, she discovers that her husband has told the children she’s died. Grace's world is shattered. Everything she knows has been a lie and the truth has devastating consequences for everyone... Fans of T.M. Logan, C.L. Taylor and K.L. Slater won’t be able to put this one down. JA Andrews is the author of gripping twisty psychological thrillers, Mummy's Boy (2020), You Let Him In (2020) and I Let Her Go (2021). As well as writing fiction, JA Andrews enjoys reading a mix of genres, watching various reality TV and spending time with family and friends. He is a member of the Crime Writers Association.

Collection of articles on difficulties and hardships faced by Thai villagers and suggestions about how to tackle them; previously published in Bangkok post, 1988-1990.