A fathers

Four-year-old Lisa\'s world turned upside down when her step-father moved in. Most of the time he was just violent but then he started making her do things to him she knew were wrong.

Soon he was visiting her at night. Lisa begged her mother for help but she just shrugged, telling Lisa he would have his way.

It was the greatest betrayal of all.At first Lisa\'s step-father would just make her stroke and massage his feet, hitting her if she stopped, but he soon wanted more.

Much more. By the time she was 12 he was regularly abusing her.

One day, when Lisa turned 16, she came home to discover that her mother had swapped bedrooms with her. \'You\'re my girlfriend now\', her step-father told her.

Lisa turned to her mother for help, but was met with a shrug. She wouldn\'t hear a word against her husband.

\'Don\'t blame me,\' she said. Her step-father\'s abuse was horrific but what completely tore her apart was knowing her mother knew and encouraged it.

Trapped and increasingly desperate, Lisa tried to find a way out. But her isolation was complete.

A few months later her mother told her she\'d arranged for Lisa and her step-father to move into a flat together down the road. It was too much for Lisa to bear.

\'Please don\'t make me, please,\' she sobbed. But her mother just ignored her.

Lisa was marched around to the flat with her possessions and her nightmare was complete.Alone with her step-father, Lisa\'s life became even more unbearable.

Then one day, finally, she got the chance she\'d been looking for to escape. Lisa bravely struck out on her own, petrified her mother would find her and hand her back into the waiting arms of her step-father.

Nigel has a disability – an inherited disease that means his nerves don’t tell his muscles what to do – but he does not consider himself disabled. His youngest daughter Ellie has been diagnosed with the same condition.

To inspire Ellie, and show her anything is possible, Nigel set himself a list of fifty challenges. This is the story of that list.

Nigel and his wife Lisa have three children and, like all parents, they have always wanted the best for their kids. For Nigel, this meant helping them to understand that life is to be challenged: to be explored and enjoyed, no matter what obstacles you might have to face.

Even during the darkest times, Nigel has never let anything stop him from realising his dreams. To inspire his youngest daughter, and let her see firsthand that anything is possible, Nigel set himself a list of 50 challenges to complete before he turned 50.

Some are crazy, wild physical challenges, others are seemingly simple tasks people often take for granted. Some are activities Nigel has done before, others are skills he has learnt to cope with his condition that he wants to share with other people.

All of them hold huge emotional significance to Nigel and his family.This is the heart-warming account of the year Nigel completed The 50 List.

Inspiring and surprising, it will move you to tears and laughter, and leave you believing that you really can accomplish anything.

‘Sparkling, sharply observing, insights delivered with a light touch that puts us in a good mood, however dark the comedy’ SpectatorHere are nineteen glittery new tales about the way we live now, as lovers, partners, children, parents. Or alone.Stories of passion, desire, and necessary restraint;of the near future, the recent past;of old habits, new technology;of won’t-be mothers and would-be fathers;of houses, ancient and modern.Stories, in fact, to enlighten us to the true and timeless nature of the human condition in this the new age of self-knowledge.

The cowboy’s got a secret!Logan had ranching in his blood. For this cowboy, teaming up with army sergeant Mary to enter the Double D’s wild mustang training competition was a win-win proposition.

This tough yet vulnerable woman was a natural with horses – and with Logan. She soon had the single father yearning for love and family, something he’d lost when his grown stepsons left home.

But, as with horses, it wasn’t enough for Logan to know how to ride this feeling; he had to know how to fall. And when Mary made a shocking discovery that threw their relationship into question, Logan knew he’d risk all to keep their untameable passion alive….

Four rambunctious children and not a wife in sight. Struggling single father Orren Ellis needed someone to care for his brood, and the only applicant was Mattie Kincaid.

Though the beauty could cook, clean and courageously keep his kids in line, Orren considered her simply too young to take the job of his bride.But years were not important to Mattie.

She had quickly fallen for the endearing father of four and sensed he felt the same. And no matter how loudly Orren protested, Mattie was determined to make herself part of this ready-made family.

Her three-year-old baby secret…Dr Eva Corday never expected to see Jacob Dolan ever again – especially not working as the new doctor in her A E department! Four years ago they shared a scorching, unforgettable night together, but the next morning Jacob disappeared, taking her heart with him…Now he’s back, Jacob’s more irresistible than ever – and it’s clear the same chemistry sizzles between them. Yet this Christmas Eva has to protect more than her own heart and must reveal the secret she’s kept hidden for so long – their adorable three-year-old son, Seb!

He beat them, he abused them, and he tortured them. He broke their dreams.

But they came back stronger.‘Terrie and Paul are two of the bravest people I have ever met.

I have only shared the briefest glimpse into the true horrors this brother and sister have endured, but I rarely come across cases this bad. After the unspeakable abuse and shocking betrayals, two incredible human beings came through – to inspire us all.

’Sara Payne OBE, co-founder of Phoenix SurvivorsTerrie and Paul’s step-father had been living with them for six months when the abuse and grooming began. What started as innocent conversations and goodnight kisses quickly developed into something far darker and depraved.

Everyday Terrie was assaulted and abused; her rapes were photographed, filmed and shared. Paul was regularly taunted and mercilessly beaten.

But despite the bruises and the scars, and the desperate pleas for help, no one saw their pain.But through it all they stuck together, battling for their childhoods for over a decade and masterminding creative ways to outwit their stepfather and buy themselves fleeting moments of joy.

In March 2013, thirty years on, Terrie and Paul made the brave decision to give up their right to anonymity to tell of the years of abuse they endured at the hands of their recently convicted step-father and raise awareness for the ongoing battle for justice for victims of child abuse. A powerful testament of what can be achieved through courage and love, this is their inspiring story.

Серия книг «Зарубежная классика — читай в оригинале» — это бессмертные произведения великих мастеров пера, написанные ими на их родном языке и наречии. Книги из этой серии помогут читателю углубленно изучать иностранные языки, обогатят его внутренний мир и по-новому откроют произведения известных классиков.

Rescuer and protectorWhen paramedic Tom Gardiner rescues single mom Emma White and her little son, he doesn\'t realize that by saving their lives, he\'s changed his own life forever.Husband and father?He thought he never wanted a family, but with Emma and little Mickey around, the rules Tom\'s lived by are beginning to change. Can he show Emma that he is the perfect father and husband, and convince her that the past belongs in the past and her future lies with him?

Previously published as Becky, this is the heartbreaking story behind the murder of 16-year-old Bristol schoolgirl Becky Watts, a crime that shocked the nation and tore a family in two.A vulnerable and shy girl, Becky Watts was brutally murdered and dismembered by her own step-brother on 19 February 2015.

As her father Darren discovered the horrific details of what happened to his darling girl, his world fell apart.Writing about the darkest hours, Darren uncovers what Becky’s relationship with her step-brother Nathan, a child he had raised as his own son, was really like.

He recalls the devastation of discovering the truth about the depravity with which Becky was torn from him in the safety of her own home. And he recounts the torment of the legal battle to see his step-son sentenced to life behind bars.

Both heartfelt and haunting, searingly honest and unflinching, this is the ultimate story of a family tragedy.

Nate Lyster and Mia Verbeek are in perfect agreement–letting someone new into your life is much too risky. Mom to four kids, Mia can\'t let just anyone get close, while wandering cowboy Nate learned young that trusting another means chancing heartbreak.But when a fire turns Mia\'s life upside down, Nate is the only one who can get through to her traumatized son. Nate fits into Mia\'s family perfectly, and they soon realize that a loving family is what they both want. Can they put the hurts of their pasts behind them…for a chance at a perfect love?

Can a ready made family Be the one thing she’s missing? When her sister dies Annie Campbell suddenly becomes a mum to her twins, but is shocked when three months after the birth Dr. Mason Blackburne shows up at her door ready to do a DNA test and be a father. Help with the twins is what Anna needs, what she doesn’t need is the chemistry between them…

A child\'s life was at stake.Little Ben had only had a few precious weeks before he\'d be paralyzed forever…and the neurological interface Dr.

Dylan Stryker had been developing for the federal government was his son\'s only hope. But someone wanted the prototype–someone who would steal, kidnap, even murder to get it.

Dylan would do anything to save his little boy–even turn to FBI agent Natasha Rudolph to help him. Falling in love wasn\'t in the plans.

With his son\'s life hanging in the balance, getting involved with Natasha just might get them killed. Now it was a race against time to find the madman who threatened them–and to protect woman and child at all costs….

Another roadblock…or the family she’s looking for?When single mom Faith Brennan discovers the Virginia inn she grew up in is for sale, she’s determined to make a bid. Even if that means going head-to-head with handsome real estate broker Joshua Carlson. But competing with Joshua would be a lot easier if Faith’s young daughter wasn’t growing so attached to him…and if Faith could stop picturing running the inn with Joshua by her side.

The perfect guy for her and her baby girl…?Kind-hearted nurse Sasha Wilson can’t wait to be a mother! And with her unborn little girl almost here, the last thing she needs is to meet handsome doctor Grady O’Neil…again! The former love of her life walked out on her eleven years ago, taking her heart with him.Working alongside Grady in Golden Bay’s medical centre, it’s clear their chemistry never died. And something about Grady has changed. But can Sasha risk her heart on her again? And could he reallly be the father that her baby girl deserves…?Doctors to DaddiesThe biggest role of their lives…

THE PRODIGAL FATHER COMES HOME….Summoned home for a family emergency, engineer Quinn Forrester could no longer ignore a painful past.

And though he didn\' t plan on staying long, it seemed his precocious daughter had been praying to God a lot lately…and decided He wanted her daddy to marry Sunday school teacher Ellie Wayne.Drawn to the handsome widower, Ellie yearned to ease his burden with everything in her heart.

But she feared that her most closely guarded secret could drive Quinn away. Now she sought a miracle.

For if God truly meant for them to become a family, He\' d somehow show Quinn where he belonged….

Repairing Her Heart Businesswoman Celeste Thompson has one goal: to make her restaurant and hotel a success. She doesn\'t need any distractions, even from handsome contractor Gage Purcell and his two adorable little girls.

Besides, single dad Gage is just biding his time before a big job at the mines comes through. But as Celeste\'s project springs to life, their arguments transform into attraction.

Gage isn\'t looking for romance, especially not with another career-driven woman like his ex-wife. But openhearted Celeste is more than just another work-consumed client.

She might just be his happily-ever-after.

From no-strings fling to family man!It might have been a brief fling, but Tessa Gilroy fell hard for gorgeous surgeon Drake Melford and was devastated when he left to pursue his hot-shot career abroad.Now he\'s back–and even more irresistible than ever! But Tessa\'s life has changed drastically in the past four years. She\'s a mother now, to her adorable adopted daughter Poppy, and she needs more than a fleeting affair–she needs someone who can be a father…Dare she dream that Drake\'s the one for her and for Poppy?

THE GUY NEXT DOORJon Tucker was doing just fine living by his lonesome, steering clear of pets and people. Until his neighbor\'s cat gave birth to kittens on his favorite shirt.

But after returning the new family to its rightful owner, Jon was finding it hard to stay away from Rianne Worth. In fact, ignoring the alluringly petite mother of two would be downright unneighborly.

The sexy guy in faded jeans who charged onto her land was no stranger to Rianne. Beneath the ex-cop\'s gruff manner was the same boy who\'d awakened the sweetest yearning in her schoolgirl heart.

Now the single father was back in Misty River…and Rianne knew that this time, her very adult feelings might prove impossible to resist….