Kirjahaku

The main author of this book is a therapist of many years' experience. It is predominantly about sexual abuse of children with its long-term consequences and therapeutic aspects, but it is couched in the arena of broader social comment. It is in two parts: the first is presented as fiction, and the second is a number of relevant submissions and essays. The final essay was written by a psychiatrist - who is one of the editors.

Ellen encounters Adam, a young widower, and a chain of mysterious and unpredictable events begin to weave their lives together. Chance, contingency and coincidence all play a part - involving them with friends in profound experiences, and lifting the pall of loss that has been affecting both their lives.

I am a therapist of many years' experience. I have written this collection of essays, short stories and reflections as my contribution to helping any reader to see more clearly what is happening in daily life in his or her immediate surroundings. The subjects in this collection of writings are drawn from a broad range of human experience, and they touch the daily lives of most of us, whether or not this is apparent. In our society, we are mostly helped to see what we are meant to see. But each household, be it single person or more, has much that is hidden from view, and society itself (the collective version of the household) shares many tacitly-agreed 'blindnesses'. Those who comment openly upon secrets and blindnesses find that they have a mixed reception. "The Tale of the Emperor's New Clothes" is far from having lost its relevance, and of course, we all accept that the world is not flat! Much of our understanding of life is programmed in us by what we have seen and experienced around us when we were small. Unless we make considerable efforts to find ways in which we can view this original patterning in an objective light, we are likely to continue to enact the habits and belief systems which we absorbed during our early years. Such causal links might not be obvious to those who live life without looking sufficiently beneath the surface, and the consequence of becoming aware of them can at times provoke feelings of denial and shock. However, we must accept the fundamental truth that full or partial obscurity only serves to enhance the power of the links and their consequences.

Orphaned by the age of ten, Emily lives with her Aunt Jane. While preparing to move house, they come across an old diary of Jane's, and she shows Emily some intriguing spiral patterns that appeared in it just before she, Emily, was born.

Soon after Nicholas' thirteenth birthday, his great-uncle John reveals to him a secret - handed down through hundreds of years to the 'chosen one' in every second generation. John is very old. His house has long since fallen into disrepair, and as Nicholas begins to learn about the fifth key and the pledge, John falls ill.

One dark winter's night, an unseen force attacks Molly, leaving her for dead. On their return from snaring rabbits, her husband, Sam, and his brothers discover her, and nurse her back to life. But she cannot speak. Determined to avenge Molly and help her to regain her voice, the brothers search for clues. Could her affliction be due to a curse?

This story takes place in a primary school in Scotland (where pupils attend for seven years, class P1 to class P7.) It is suitable for all readers aged eight and upwards. It is the last week of the summer term. The teacher of the primary 6 class has flu, and a supply teacher stands in for her. She turns out to be a wonderful teacher, and also she has some great ideas for the summer holidays. The 24 pupils in the class start to make plans for some projects...

This is the first book in a series of self-help fiction titles. By reading about the lives of fictional characters, the reader learns much about how to unravel present day problems. The understanding of stresses that began in childhood years casts light on why the characters are struggling with the difficulties that they are having now. Description on the back cover reads as follows: Newly unemployed, Miranda is feeling directionless and dejected. Then she encounters Kate, a former work colleague. Kate is now facing redundancy. Their friendship is rekindled, and as the two women share their problems and dilemmas, they begin to confide about experiences that have affected their lives. Miranda had helped to mother her two younger sisters when they were growing up, but they rarely contact her and she feels puzzled and hurt by this. It emerges that the impact upon Kate of her father's leaving when she was young has many facets. Inspired by memories of her Granny Ann, whose many stories delighted her, Miranda's creative self begins to emerge, and Kate's vision of her own future matures. Miranda and Kate gain confidence and optimism about self-employment, and their personal relationships begin to flourish.

This is the second book in a series of self-help fiction titles. By reading about the lives of fictional characters, the reader learns much about how to unravel present day problems. The understanding of stresses that began earlier in life casts light on why the characters are struggling with the difficulties that they are having now. Description on the back cover reads as follows: Victimised by the new office manager and worried about her mother's health, Lynne feels at a very low ebb. When she decides to be more open with her mother about her concerns, she is surprised to find that they both benefit. Lynne's mother is determined to help her daughter explore why she had lost interest in finding a partner for herself, and she approaches the subject sensitively. Thus supported, Lynne faces the challenge of preparing to look for a new relationship. Together Lynne and her mother take a number of positive steps that lead to change and enrichment of their lives.

Deep in the Cheshire countryside, Philip Thornton has created 'Field Fare' - a hotel with a special reputation for its game dishes. The building contains a secret, known only to Philip. Feeling lonely while her husband, Grant, is away, Teresa dines at 'Field Fare', and Philip entices her to sample a unique cordial. When Teresa confides about her experience to Carrie, her young herdresser, she learns that Carrie has had a similar encounter. Could there be more? Concerned, Teresa approaches her friend, Monica. Aided by Grant, they devise a plan...

The author documents her experience of the diagnosis and treatment by plastic surgery of the lentigo maligna melanoma which was in, above, and to the side of her left eyebrow. She also describes the first appearance and the development of brown markings which were the precursors of the lentigo maligna melanoma. The book directs the reader to www.lentigomalignamelanoma.info where there is a series of photographs with dates and descriptive captions. These images show the early brown markings, the lentigo maligna melanoma and stages of its treatment.