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A Baby in His Stocking
by Hayley GardnerHERO OF THE HOLIDAYSBah, humbug! Some Scrooge was sabotaging the season of joy. Making mincemeat of Shea Burroughs's merriness. And the only man who could save the day was Jared Burroughs, Shea's beloved-estranged-husband. Shea hungered to have Jared home for the holidays. But how to tell love-leary Jared that he'd already given her the best Christmas present ever: a baby-to-be!Trouble was, rugged Jared was terrified of tots. Fearful of fatherhood. And certain the only thing he could give Shea was her freedom. Clearly, Shea needed a little help from Santa to convince Jared to be the hero of her holidays...and the daddy of her dreams!
Deception (9 Months Later)
by Morgan Hayes9 MONTHS LATERHer mistake was falling in love with a cop. Now she's pregnant-and he's missing.Shelby Beaumont is madly in love with homicide detective Johnny Spencer. They've been together for the past year; they've just become engaged. And though Johnny doesn't know it yet, Shelby's pregnant with his child.But Johnny's been investigating a possible case of police corruption. And someone on the force has found out....Then a bomb is rigged on Johnny's boat. And Johnny's on it.Or is he?
Slightly Abridged (Nine Muses Mysteries)
by Ellen PallThere's nothing like murder to cure a case of writer's block.Regency romance writer Juliet Bodine is falling into despair. Instead of writing, she spends her days staring at the pages of her unfinished novel, fantasizing about her inevitable failure. So the arrival of an eighty-four-year-old fan with a trove of yellowing papers to show is a welcome diversion instead of the nuisance it might have been.Demanding, outspoken, stylish, outrageous, and still dripping with sexual flair, Ada Caffrey is everything Juliet is not. But Juliet's bemused delight in her eccentric visitor changes to electric shock when she realizes Ada has stumbled upon a suppressed fragment of the blockbuster memoirs of Harriette Wilson, Regency England's wittiest, most notorious courtesan. One week later, Ada is dead and the manuscript is gone. Could a two-hundred-old sexual indiscretion be worth killing for? In Slightly Abridged, the second installment in Ellen Pall's Nine Muses mystery series, Juliet teams up with NYPD detective Murray Landis to find out.
Tempting Lucas
by Catherine SpencerResisting sin with Dr. FlynnLucas Flynn was still a dish, as tempting as he had been eleven years before when Emily had placed her naive teenage self in his bed and let him seduce her.Those years hadn't made Lucas any more kindly disposed to Emily-who longed to tell him about the consequences of their one-night stand, and that she'd never stopped wanting him. But this time she wasn't going to offer herself to him on a plate. If Lucas ever made love to Emily again, it would be because he had come to her!
Making Mr. Right
by Val DanielsA marriage in the makingParker Chaney was a successful tycoon who had everything he wanted-except a wife! Not just any wife. He seemed to have set his heart on one woman in particular-who happened to be the sister of his best friend, Cindy.Cindy had secretly been in love with Parker for years. So when he asked for advice on how to become her sister's Mr. Right, Cindy was torn! She agreed to help, but was puzzled when Parker began to seem more interested in what she wanted in a husband.... Instead of being the sister of the bride, would Cindy soon find herself saying "I do"?
Murder at the President's Door (Eleanor Roosevelt Mysteries)
by Elliott RooseveltMurder at the President's Door is the 20st installment in the venerable but still very spry Eleanor Roosevelt mystery series, written by no less than the First Lady's own son. In her most intriguing adventure to date, the First Lady traces an assassination attempt to the depths of Washington D. C.'s underworld. It is 1933 and the President and First Lady have just settled into the White House to face a nation in the depths of a depression and a world on the brink of war. When the body of a White House police officer is discovered at the foot of the president's bedroom door, Eleanor knows that the crime must be solved without attracting the attention of the FBI or the press. So with signature determination, the First Lady enlists the confidential aid of District of Columbia Lieutenant Edward Kennelly and trusted Secret Service agent Stanislaw Sxcygiel to help her investigate. Eleanor soon realizes someone may have been trying to assassinate the president, but it is unclear why, after stabbing the officer, the suspect didn't crash into the bedroom and finish the job. Furthermore, it appears the killer knew the White House and its routines sufficiently well, leading the First Lady to question the motives of her White House staffers and grow wary of she and the President's new surroundings. As the intrepid and charming Mrs. Roosevelt engages in her latest bit of Hawkshawing, readers are treated to all the historical re-creation and rich storytelling that have become hallmarks of the series. This satisfying wartime whodunit starring America's First Lady of Mystery is a warmly rewarding look at a fascinating era, and at a woman beloved by her family and her country-Eleanor Roosevelt.
A Mother's Nightmare: A Heartrending Journey into Near Fatal Childhood Illness
by Cathy CrimminsIn the tradition of Lorenzo's Oil, a brutally searing story of one mother's quest to save her child's life.One day Kelly Crimmins was a happy seemingly healthy twelve-year-old; the next she confessed to her mom that she'd had blood in her urine for months. After a series of tests, Kelly was diagnosed with a life-threatening, potentially terminal autoimmune disease.A Mother's Nightmare details Cathy and Kelly's three-year medical and emotional journey, which took them from Philadelphia to Minnesota's Mayo Clinic and back again. Cathy writes about the toll taken on a young girl who suddenly becomes a patient, and about a mom who in fighting for her little girl's life becomes sick herself with worry and fear. As she did in her award-winning Where Is the Mango Princess?, Cathy makes illness both personal and universal. It's an account all readers will find memorable and moving.
The Wrong Wife (The Wrong Bed)
by Eileen WilksHE WOKE UP NAKED, IN BED WITH HIS BEST FRIEND'S SISTER...One minute Gideon Wilde was lamenting his recent broken engagement. The next, he was saying "I do"-only, he'd married the wrong wife! Always in control, Gideon had no room in his life for whirlwind Cassie. Yet having her in his bed was another matter....AND THEY WERE MARRIED!Cassie had been in love with Gideon for years. And now that they were "accidentally" married, she was determined to make him finally notice her. It wasn't long before their marriage in name only quickly turned into a passionate affair. Now all Cassie had to do was turn his "I want you" into "I love you."
Cybercrime in Asia: Policing, Technological Environment, and Cyber-Governance in China and Vietnam (SpringerBriefs in Cybersecurity)
by Laurie Yiu-Chung LauThis work examines the most pressing and contentious issues in cybercrime currently facing the China and Vietnam, and how best to tackle them. The text sets the context for how blocs of nations (including the least ready, the most ready, and those occupying a central position in terms of cybercrime readiness) react to the evolving challenges of cybercrime, with a focus on prevention and control. In this way, the work discusses why certain blocs of nations in the Asia-Pacific region are not at an optimal level of cybercrime readiness despite the rapid pace of technological advancement in this region, and how such nations can become regional leaders in cybercrime readiness.
Ergebnisse von Positive Leadership als Führungsansatz: Eine quantitative Analyse von Positive Leadership und die Auswirkung auf die Mitarbeitermotivation (Forschungsreihe PHW)
by Nathalie BossiWas wäre, wenn positive Führung mehr wäre als ein Buzzword? In einer Zeit, in der Unsicherheit, Komplexität und ständige Veränderung zur Norm geworden sind, stehen Führungskräfte vor der Herausforderung, nicht nur zu überleben, sondern Teams mit Sinn, Stärke und Mut zu inspirieren. Diese Studie wagt den Praxistest: Kann Positive Leadership tatsächlich die Zufriedenheit, Leistungsfähigkeit und Resilienz der Mitarbeitenden stärken? Und was bedeutet das konkret für die Führung in der modernen VUCA-Welt? Provokativ, praxisnah und mit überraschenden Einsichten – dieses Buch ist ein Muss für alle, die über die üblichen Führungsrezepte hinausdenken wollen.
Critical Factors Associated with Environmental, Social and Governance Management in Organizations (Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, Governance & Fraud: Theory and Application)
by Marcelo Jasmim Meiriño Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves QuelhasThis book offers a comprehensive exploration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, showing how they can be harnessed to enhance organizational sustainability. In an era where ESG is gaining increasing recognition for its transformative potential, this work delves into the practical aspects of leveraging ESG to improve governance, bolster corporate image, build credibility, and foster reputation. It also unveils the exciting realm of new business opportunities, particularly in the domains of social and environmental responsibility. What sets this book apart is its hands-on approach. Each chapter unfolds with compelling real-life case studies that draw readers into the dynamic world of ESG. As you progress through the pages, readers encounter thought-provoking questions and challenging case scenarios, inviting you to not just passively absorb information, but actively engage with the material. The readers are prompted to reflect on these cases, formulate questions, and even tackle proposed solutions, making readers’ learning experience highly interactive and deeply insightful. The main benefit readers will derive from this work is a panoramic understanding of ESG—from its theoretical underpinnings to its practical implementation. Beyond just providing knowledge, this book equips the reader with a toolkit of ESG management strategies that can be implemented in their own organizations.
Klimaschutz und Nachhaltigkeit als Zielsetzungen des Personenbeförderungsrechts: Mehr als eine Absichtserklärung? (Schriftenreihe des Instituts für Klimaschutz, Energie und Mobilität)
by Vera DörrfußDurch das Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Personenbeförderungsrechts vom 16.04.2021 wurde § 1a PBefG in das PBefG neu eingefügt. Damit hat das PBefG neben der gefahrenabwehrrechtlichen Komponente mit Klimaschutz und Nachhaltigkeit eine Weitere hinzugewonnen. Die Norm ist trotz ihres mittlerweile mehr als dreijährigen Bestehens wissenschaftlich noch weitestgehend unerforscht und auch in der Praxis nicht, beziehungsweise kaum bekannt. Dabei stellen sich in ihrem Zusammenhang viele Fragen. So bleibt bei der bloßen Lektüre unklar, welchen Inhalt der abstrakt gehaltene § 1a PBefG haben soll. Es ergibt sich weder, was unter den Klimaschutz- und Nachhaltigkeitszielen zu verstehen ist, noch welche Reichweite ihrer Berücksichtigung zukommen soll. Unklar bleibt auch, ob der Gesetzgeber eine wirkliche Veränderung bei der Anwendung des PBefG und damit positive Auswirkungen auf Klima und Nachhaltigkeit herbeiführen möchte oder es sich vielmehr um sog. „Greenwashing“ handelt. Diese und noch viele weitere Fragen, nimmt die Arbeit zum Anlass, um die neue Maßgabe des PBefG, bei Anwendung des Gesetzes die Ziele des Klimaschutzes und der Nachhaltigkeit zu berücksichtigen, genauer zu untersuchen.
Stanislavsky’s Use of Improvisation
by Stefan AquilinaStanislavsky&’s Use of Improvisation is the first work that brings together material across Stanislavsky&’s entire career to survey his use of improvisation. Improvisation was a key concern for Stanislavsky, one that impinged on his acting, directing, and pedagogical work. Consequently, it features in many books on the System, but this study is unique because it focuses explicitly on improvisation and its place in Stanislavsky&’s development as a theatre-maker. This allows the reader to see how Stanislavsky treated improvisation as a highly mutable practice that was not bound to one particular interpretation, definition, or application. Improvisation will always relate to the present moment in an actor&’s work, to the here and now; it values aliveness and an engagement with the role. Beyond that, however, Stanislavsky&’s use of improvisation was a dynamic and expanded one that answered a range of work challenges.
Regenerative Medicine in Sports and Orthopaedics: A New Approach
by Alberto Gobbi Norimasa Nakamura John G. Lane Ignacio DalloThis book offers a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving field of regenerative medicine, including key breakthroughs in clinical therapies. It is further aimed at facilitating ethical, high-quality research in Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics. Set apart by its unique structure, it bridges the gap between basic science and practical applications. Divided into three distinct sections, it begins by laying a strong foundation, delving into the biological and molecular underpinnings of regenerative medicine, including stem cells, growth factors, gene editing, tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and bio-manufacturing. The second section takes readers on a journey into the clinical applications of regenerative medicine, offering valuable guidance and insights for practitioners. The third section, dedicated to future trends and bio-materials&’ applications, sheds new light into the evolving landscape of this field. By providing a structured, comprehensive, and up-to-date resource, it equips researchers, clinicians, residents and students with the knowledge needed to make a positive impact in this ever-expanding domain. Written in collaboration with ISAKOS, this volume serves as an invaluable tool in advancing readers&’ understanding and practice in the field.
AI-Assisted Assessment in Education: Transforming Assessment and Measuring Learning (Digital Education and Learning)
by Goran Trajkovski Heather HayesThis book explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in educational assessment, catering to researchers, educators, administrators, policymakers, and technologists involved in shaping the future of education. It delves into the foundations of AI-assisted assessment, innovative question types and formats, data analysis techniques, and the practical implementation of AI tools in various educational settings. The book addresses the pressing need for more efficient, personalized, and effective assessment methods in an increasingly complex educational landscape. It tackles the challenge of balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations, data privacy, and the preservation of human judgment in education. By examining AI's potential to enhance learning outcomes, provide real-time feedback, and offer insights into student progress, the book aims to equip readers with the knowledge and strategies necessary to navigate the evolving intersection of AI and assessment. It acknowledges the challenges and ethical implications of integrating AI into high-stakes testing while offering guidance on implementing these technologies responsibly. Through case studies, best practices, and forward-looking analysis, the book serves as a comprehensive guide for those seeking to leverage AI to create more engaging, equitable, and effective assessment practices, ultimately aiming to improve the overall quality of education in a rapidly changing world.
Matching Automata: A Degenerated Design (Intelligent Systems Reference Library #271)
by Yoshiteru IshidaWhat does the future of AI hold—a supportive partner or a rival with its own illusion of self? This book explores this critical question by introducing degenerated design, a groundbreaking framework for creating resilient, adaptive systems inspired by natural processes like immunity and collective intelligence. Rejecting traditional optimization-focused AI paradigms, this approach embraces imperfection and diversity as essential for building intelligent systems that thrive in dynamic environments. Spanning industries such as robotics, automotive, biotechnology, quantum computing, and space exploration, the book also ventures into the cognitive dimensions of AI. Inspired by human sensory systems, it proposes a two-sided model, possibly extendable to that of consciousness, exploring the interplay between passive automata and active intentional agents. It delves into the origins and illusions of self-consciousness, examining its survival merits and dangers in both biological and artificial contexts. A must-read for system designers, CEOs, and AI researchers, this book also challenges academics and students to rethink the future of generative AI and antiAI systems. This book is both a technical blueprint and a philosophical exploration of AI’s potential to liberate or confront humanity. The future of human AI coexistence starts here.
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell: A Novel
by William KlaberAt a time when women did not commonly travel unescorted, carry a rifle, sit down in bars, or have romantic liaisons with other women, Lucy Lobdell boldly set forth to earn men's wages. Lucy Lobdell did all of these things in a personal quest to work and be paid, to wear what she wanted, and love whomever she cared to. But to gain those freedoms she had to endure public scorn and wrestle with a sexual identity whose vocabulary had yet to be invented. In this riveting historical novel set in upstate New York in the 19th century, William Klaber captures the life of a brave woman who saw well beyond her era. The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell is the fictionalized account of Lucy's foray into the world of men and her inward journey to a new sexual identity. It is her promised memoir as hear and recorded a century later by William Klaber, an upstream neighbor. Meticulously researched and told with compassion and respect, this is historical fiction at its best.
Trespassing: A Novel
by Uzma Aslam KhanA dazzling first novel of two lovers' struggle for freedom and passion in a city riven by turmoilBack in Karachi for his father's funeral, Daanish, a Pakistani student changed by his years at an American university, is entranced by the gazelle-eyed girl in the traditional dupatta who appears one day at the house of mourning. But the dupatta is deceptive: Dia is the modern daughter of a mother who, as the owner of a silk farm and factory, has achieved a degree of freedom rare among Pakistani women. It will take a handful of silkworms, fattened on mulberry leaves, to bring Daanish and Dia together. But their union will forever rupture the peace of two households and three families, destroying a stable present built on the repression of a bloody past.In this sweeping novel of modern Pakistan, Uzma Aslam Khan takes us deep into a world of radical contrasts, from the stifling demands of tradition and family to the daily oppression of routine political violence, from the gorgeous sensual vistas of the silk farms to the teeming streets of Karachi-stinking, crumbling, and corrupt.At once delicate and passionate, Trespassing introduces a new and powerful voice from a land we know too little about.
Letter to the New President: Commonsense Lessons for Our Next Leader
by Robert C. Byrd Steve KettmannA legendary Senator advises our next President on the commonsense values necessary to lead our nationUnited States Senator Robert C. Byrd is the longest-serving member of the United States Senate in the history of our great Republic. Senator Byrd has served the people of West Virginia, and the nation, for fifty-four years, and has served alongside eleven Presidents. He was twice elected by his colleagues to the position of Senate Majority Leader and currently is chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Byrd has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, the resignation of a U.S. President, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and traumatic military conflicts around the globe, including Iraq and Vietnam. Byrd has been a witness to it all. And now, in his ninetieth year of life, he wants to share the commonsense lessons he has learned from his unique vantage point in history.In Letter to a New President, Byrd recounts lessons drawn from his remarkable life as a young boy growing up poor in the coalfields of southern West Virginia to his meteoric rise to the pinnacles of power in Washington, D.C. From his unique vantage point in history, Byrd focuses his observations on underappreciated and seldom discussed virtues like personal responsibility, careful consideration before making decisions, and a sense of decency and fairness even toward fierce opponents. A student of history and a defender of our Constitution, Byrd looks to the past for lessons and, in Letter to a New President, studies present failures as guides for constructive lessons for the future.This book will help the next President grapple with the heavy demands of the office. Every American who cares about where this country is heading will find rich wisdom in Byrd's sage advice.Enlightened by a wide-ranging knowledge of American history and a love for the guiding principles of the Constitution, Byrd's observations sharpen the focus of the historical moment in which we find ourselves, as no one but Senator Byrd can.
Marriage by Arrangement
by Sally WentworthIn name only?Red McGee hadn't got her nickname for nothing. Her hair was as red-hot as her temper. Linus Hunt didn't particularly like her hair or her temper. He liked his life calm, orderly and businesslike. And Red was disorderly, chaotic and...well, just too passionate!She had a tendency to act on impulse-but when Red told her father that she was engaged to Linus Hunt, she never dreamed that fiction would eventually become fact! Linus, it seemed, had already decided that an engagement would be a very convenient arrangement for them both!"Unforgettable reading."-Romantic Times
Dangerous Discovery
by Laura Martin"You're the most infuriating, unpredictable woman I've ever had the misfortune to meet!"And with those devastating words Hunter Deveraux made his opinion of Estelle all too clear. She did her best to stay out of his way after that, even though she thought Hunter was the most exciting man she'd ever met-after all, she did have a baby to consider. Of course, when Estelle started to work for Hunter, avoiding him just wasn't possible. But why-if Estelle found Hunter so attractive-did she have to avoid him at all?
The Marriage Knot
by Mary McBrideShe Was Too Much Woman For Half A ManDelaney cursed the wayward bullet that had made him less than what he'd been. A jewel like Hannah Dancer deserved more than he could ever be again. And besides, she belonged to someone else. But fate, it seemed, had other plans....The Law Had Moved In On Hannah DancerHer late husband's shocking bequest had given their home to Sheriff Gabriel Delaney-and left her with more than one surprise. For now this hard-muscled, brooding lawman had taken up residence in her home-and in her heart!
Teacher Burnout from a Complex Systems Perspective: Contributors, Consequences, Contexts and Coping Strategies
by Carol GriffithsThis edited book investigates the factors contributing to teacher burnout and its potential consequences. Topics include the relationship of burnout to cultural identity, modality and job satisfaction, and chapters discuss various settings such as the English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) classroom, secondary and primary schools. The book aims to provide possible solutions and ways forward for tackling the issue of burnout, both at a personal and systemic level. It will be of interest to students and scholars in the fields of teacher education, wellbeing, school and schooling, as well as practising teachers and school leadership.
Media and Conflict: Critical Analysis of News Discourses in India
by Francis P. Barclay Kaifia Ancer Laskar Boobalakrishnan NatrayanThis book integrates critical studies of conflict news discourses and social media exchanges in India to discuss their underlying sociopolitical and economic ideologies and powerplays. Using several theoretical frameworks to investigate how assorted Indian conflicts are presented in the mediascape, the book aims to educate and empower audiences—and inspire the next generation of journalists to be constructively critical, ethical and peace-conscious.
Polygamous Marriages in Peninsular Malaysia: Family, Gender and Religion at the Crossroads
by Norani Othman Yaso Nadarajah Rozana Mohd IsaThis book presents the first national study of the practice of polygamy undertaken amongst Malay Muslims, contextualised within the broader social, legal, and political context of Malaysia. A collaboration between the Sisters in Islam NGO and three universities in Malaysia, it examines the perspectives of both men and women through quantitative and qualitative data analysis of over 1,200 surveys and more than 60 in-depth interviews charting the legal, financial, social, and emotional impacts of polygamy. It incorporates both progressive Islamic scholarly thought and the unique sociologically rich perspectives of the study respondents. In doing so, the data serves to strengthen advocacy for awareness and law reforms within Islamic jurisprudence frameworks and institutions. As one of the most comprehensive surveys ever conducted on polygamy in a Muslim society, this represents a major tour de force within a little explored field with tremendous potential for societal impact. This book is relevant to academics and graduate students seeking a deeper understanding of the issues related to Muslim polygamous marriage and to researchers within the broader fields of gender studies, family studies, Islamic studies, and Islamic legal studies. It is also a landmark resource for activists and policymakers seeking to advocate on behalf of marginalised groups—particularly women and children in polygamous families.