Linda MacDonald

“A must-read for anyone interested in psychology and relationships” - Norma Patrick Marianne comes home from work one day to find her husband talking to a glamorous woman in their kitchen. Old childhood insecurities resurface, stemming from a time back at school when she was bullied. Jealousy rears its head and her happy marriage begins to crumble. Desperate for a solution - and introduced by her daughter to social networking - she tries to track down her first schoolgirl crush, the enigmatic Edward Harvey. But Marianne is unprepared for the power of email relationships ... Meeting Lydia explores the very relevant topics of childhood bullying, midlife crises, the pros and cons of internet relationships, and how the psychological effects of these affect the main character and those around her. Readers will be gripped by the turbulent life of Marianne who navigates the onset of menopause, an empty nest, a suspected errant husband and a demanding new obsession that pulls her in deeper as the story unfolds. Those interested in the psychology of relationships will enjoy this novel, as well as those who delight in an enthralling story with relatable characters and the powerful question of what happens when the past catches up with the present. This second edition has reworked the early chapters of the first edition, making for a pacy and shorter version more in line with the audiobook.

Two women: two dangerous obsessions; one tangled web of love, longing, and lies. When newly retired teacher Taryn stumbles into the seductive world of the Argentine tango, she’s searching for purpose, not passion. But the dance’s intoxicating pull, and the unexpected reappearance of her charismatic ex, Marc, threaten to unravel the stable life she’s built with steady, dependable Neil. As she spirals between exhilaration and self-destructive temptation, Taryn risks repeating the very mistakes she once swore she’d left behind. Down the road, Rachel – clever, impulsive, and half Taryn’s age – is trapped in an affair with a married man she calls “Sam.” She knows he’s wrong for her. She knows the relationship is doomed, but desire is its own addiction, and Rachel can’t tear herself away. When Taryn, determined to save her from heartbreak, draws her into the tango scene, a truth erupts that leaves both of them reeling. With their lives suddenly entwined, Taryn and Rachel must confront the illusions that have kept them captive: illusions about love, about themselves and about the people they’ve placed on pedestals. As betrayals surface and loyalties shift, both women must decide whether they can break the destructive patterns that bind them …

Lean, Ethical Business Communication shows how a focus on five key elements - strategy, content, outcome, presentation, and ethics - generates effective business communication. Using a series of immersive case studies drawn from the fictional tech company APPFORMS, the authors help students apply this five-point focus to the complex communication challenges that they are likely to encounter in their future careers, from employment communication to reports, presentations, social media, and more. The text is packed with models of business communication, but also examines rhetorical strategy throughout, which extends students' skills in assessing the audience and selecting the best mode of delivery for any communication situation. Each chapter is supported by a wealth of end-of-chapter pedagogy, including summaries, discussion and critical thinking questions, and writing advice, making Lean, Ethical Business Communication the ideal resource to help students become successful, confident communicators.

A grieving mother finds comfort in mysterious signs following the tragic death of her son in the inspirational true story, Stay Gold.When Linda A. MacDonald and her husband received the news that no parent ever wants to hear, there seemed to be nothing but grief and darkness ahead.But then unexplainable things began happening-things that convinced them that their son, Ryan, was reaching out to them in order to give them comfort and help them through.From the night when Linda's cries of "Oh, Ryan" brought a realization that she was staring at the Orion constellation, to a picture of Ryan appearing on a cell phone without a sender, each new sign appeared to be another message of comfort from beyond this world.With each chapter spanning one day in the six weeks following Ryan's death, Stay Gold is a powerful testament to the hope that can be found after a devastating loss. As inspirational as it is moving, Linda's story will resonate with anyone who has struggled with picking up the pieces-and will open readers' eyes to the often overlooked signs from loved ones who have passed.