James Black – författare

Methamphetamine destroys not only the lives of those who become addicted to it, but affects all corners of society, including the most innocent: children. This important book follows the case of rural Illinois, where in the mid-1990s methamphetamine production and misuse became a significant problem and, as a result, child welfare professionals saw an influx onto their caseloads of children whose parents were involved with the drug. The authors' account of the problems the children face, and of the efforts to help them, sheds useful light on possibilities for many other situations. Using a case-based, mixed-methods approach that capitalizes on rich qualitative data, the book examines parental methamphetamine misuse from a sociocultural perspective. Using extensive child welfare investigation data, participant observation, and in-depth interviews, the authors describe the perilous home lives of rural children whose parents misuse methamphetamine, where they are exposed to maltreatment, criminal behavior, and environmental danger. Many children end up with significant emotional and behavioral problems, especially posttraumatic symptoms, that will stay with them for years. Based on this descriptive information and the existing clinical literature, the authors designed a relationship- and narrative-based mental health program, "Life Story Intervention," that draws on the strengths of many rural communities including storytelling traditions. Pilot data from the program, shared here, suggests some positive results of the intervention on children's psychological functioning. To eradicate the problems caused by methamphetamine abuse will require years more of concerted effort and collaboration such as that described in this book. Social work and child welfare professors and students, researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers will find inspiration in this account of the success that can result, with this issue and others, when practitioners and researchers join forces to understand complex social phenomena and design, implement, and assess effective interventions.

Methamphetamine not only destroys the lives of those who become addicted to it, but affects all corners of society, including innocent children. This important book follows the case of rural Illinois, where in the mid-1990s methamphetamine production and misuse became a significant problem and, as a result, child welfare professionals saw an influx onto their caseloads of children whose parents were involved with the drug. The authors'' account of the problems the children face, and of the efforts to help them, sheds useful light on possibilities for many other situations. Applying a case-based, mixed-methods approach that capitalizes on rich qualitative data, the book examines parental methamphetamine misuse from a sociocultural perspective. Using extensive child welfare investigation data, participant observation, and in-depth interviews, the authors describe the perilous home lives of rural children whose parents misuse methamphetamine, where they are exposed to maltreatment, criminal behavior, and environmental danger. Many children end up with significant emotional and behavioral problems, especially posttraumatic symptoms, that will stay with them for years. Based on this descriptive information and the existing clinical literature, the authors designed a relationship- and narrative-based mental health program, "Life Story Intervention," that draws on rural communities'' strengths, such as their storytelling traditions. Pilot data from the program, shared here, suggests some positive results of the intervention on children''s psychological functioning. Eradication of the problems caused by methamphetamine abuse will require years more of concerted effort and collaboration such as that described in this book. Social work and child welfare professors and students, researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers will find inspiration in this account of the success that can result, with this issue and others, when practitioners and researchers join forces to understand complex social phenomena and design, implement, and assess effective interventions.

-- Alfred V. Covello, Chief United States District Judge, Connecticut

'Preaching is the natural overflow of our religion. We have received good news, and we long to tell it to others. The reason and passion of preaching the only reason and passion is that a great and wonderful thing has come into our lives in the love of God through Jesus, and we can find no rest until we tell the world.' Black's classic book on preaching, first published in 1924, remains a valuable guide for ministers and students of theology. Originally delivered as a series of lectures the book covers the many facets of preaching from choice of subject, through the hard work involved in careful preparation, to the importance of delivery. The final chapters are devoted to the planning of worship and the conduct of services. Preaching as the title implies is not the art of following prescribed rules. There is always an element of mystery, bound up with the greater mystery of personality.

'Preaching is the natural overflow of our religion. We have received good news, and we long to tell it to others. The reason and passion of preaching the only reason and passion is that a great and wonderful thing has come into our lives in the love of God through Jesus, and we can find no rest until we tell the world.' Black's classic book on preaching, first published in 1924, remains a valuable guide for ministers and students of theology. Originally delivered as a series of lectures the book covers the many facets of preaching from choice of subject, through the hard work involved in careful preparation, to the importance of delivery. The final chapters are devoted to the planning of worship and the conduct of services. Preaching as the title implies is not the art of following prescribed rules. There is always an element of mystery, bound up with the greater mystery of personality.

James Black personifies his inner struggles, dubbing them Waldo. As he grows to understand himself, he realizes that many of his troubles stem from unresolved childhood issues. It is through a migratory trip to a world foreign to him that James is truly able to see himself as he is, reflected in his choices and situations he finds himself in and the people he attracts.Mr. Black, through an uncanny series of events, develops a close-knit relationship with his newfound friends. As he sorts through the mess inside himself, he encounters messy situations he once wallowed in. Through these relations, a wealth of memories of his checkered past are brought to the fore that not only reveals to him the key to his poor habits but provides insight to help Lorraine and Jaden through a tumultuous time in their relationship. James experiences some of the hardships that many immigrants experience. It is in these low moments that his pride is broken and he is able to see the seed of opportunity that lies in moments of hurt and failure. Through Jamess growth process, he wrestles with the existential questions Who am I? and What is my purpose? It isnt long before James Blacks inward journey sets him right on his journey without. Lorraine and Jaden join him on his journey to fully understand the link between his attitude and his actions in one wild roller-coaster ride. Come along for the ride in Waldo: And the Ramblings on Man!

**Lass deine Maske fallen. Ich halte dich fest** Von seiner Stiefmutter und seinen Stiefbrüdern unterdrückt, fühlt sich Quinn wie eine Marionette in seinem eigenen Leben. Als er unverhofft Finnley näherkommt, beliebter Mitschüler und Torwart der Eishockey-Mannschaft, erkennt er, dass er nicht der Einzige ist, der ein Leben hinter einer Maske führt. Zum ersten Mal in seinem Leben spürt Quinn eine tiefe Verbundenheit und die ungleiche Freundschaft lässt neue und ungewünschte Gefühle entstehen. Quinn sieht sich vor der Entscheidung, die er nie treffen wollte: Steht er gegenüber seiner Familie für sich selbst ein oder lässt er den Jungen ziehen, der sein Herz höherschlagen lässt? Textauszug:  Wir sind nichts außer zwei Menschen von Milliarden, eine Ansammlung von Gedanken, eine Verdichtung von Staub auf der Erde, zwei leuchtende Seelen im Feuer der Welt. Ich denke; SO muss sich Liebe anfühlen. Er lächelt, ich schmelze.  //»A (Gay) Cinderella Story« ist ein in sich abgeschlossener Einzelband.//

**Du bist die Antwort auf all meine Fragen.** Der Auftrag für ein Interview zu einem College-Footballspiel versetzt den Sportjournalisten Ethan in Vorfreude – und Panik, denn als ehemaliger Tennisprofi hat er von Football nicht die geringste Ahnung. Trotz holpriger Fragen verläuft das Gespräch mit dem Quarterback Mason gut und Ethans Neugier auf den attraktiven Mann ist geweckt. Als Masons Traum von der Juniorliga durch eine Verletzung ins Wanken gerät, bietet Ethan ihm seine Hilfe beim Training an. Während Gesprächen über Erfolgsdruck und Erwartungen entwickelt sich eine enge Freundschaft zwischen den beiden Studenten. Schon bald gehört zu jedem Lachen auch Herzklopfen, was vor allem den überzeugten Hetero Mason verwirrt zurücklässt … Kann er ihren Gefühlen eine Chance geben?Eine queere Friends to Lovers-College-Romance, die mit Humor und Feingefühl mitten ins Herz trifft! //»Blind Side of Your Heart« ist ein in sich abgeschlossener Einzelband.//

NIEDRIGER EINFÜHRUNGSPREIS NUR FÜR KURZE ZEIT!Ein Student, der (un)freiwillig zum Tutor eines Rich Boys wird ...Aleks ist reich, gutaussehend, auf dem ganzen Campus beliebt und er studiert Jura. Henning dagegen hat einen Haufen Schulden und kein Dach mehr über dem Kopf. Seit Jahren schreibt er Uni-Arbeiten für andere Studierende, um sich über Wasser zu halten. Um vielleicht irgendwann die Kontrolle über sein Leben zurückzubekommen. Ihre Wege hätten sich nie kreuzen sollen. Als sie es tun, kollidieren zwei Welten miteinander – und Aleks bietet Henning einen verlockenden Deal an: ein Zimmer in seiner Wohnung im Austausch für seine Hilfe beim Staatsexamen. Der Job könnte leicht sein. Wenn sich Aleks'' Nähe nicht anfühlen würde wie ein Flug geradewegs in die Sonne ... Henning wird sich an ihm verbrennen.Eine queere College Romance mit tiefgründiger Rich/Poor Love Story und bissigem Charme.//»Falling With You« ist ein in sich abgeschlossener Einzelband.//