Roma in Canada (1997-2020)

If you’ve ever been curious about the mystique of the Roma, pejoratively called Gypsies, this book is an excellent guide to their culture and customs as well as explaining the difference between the various Romani groups, their fascinating origins and their precarious place in society.

Focusing on the Roma’s experiences with the Canadian immigration and refugee process, the author, an immigration counsellor, tells a riveting story, using many of their personal anecdotes of why they came and how they were treated. Despite being one of the most welcoming countries for refugees in the world, this book explores a somewhat secretive system of determining who deserves Canada’s protection that puts into question the system’s reputation for equality. Canada’s fairness and compassion has let the Roma down, leading to many failed claims and deportations that were later found to be unjustified and in some cases, illegal. Facing a life of brutal prejudice and even violence, if returned to Europe, the Roma’s heartbreaking story is a glimpse into the complex world of refugees.

Rooting Out Violence

Life and death are merged in the terror of unrelenting global violence. Rooting Out Violence describes a model, ‘Healthy Sensory-Emotional Integration,’ with the scope to help adults assess the human capacity for violence in themselves, in members of their communities, as well as, in leaders of their countries. The book provides a violence prevention model to mitigate trauma and human rights violations throughout our lifespans and throughout the world. Healthy Sensory-Emotional Integration is a public health model that is understandable and achievable globally.

The manuscript identifies how blind-sighted we have been historically by not emphasizing the number one variable in the capacity to commit a violent crime; for funding violence prevention in institutional siloes, such as, corrections and child protection programs, when the inner nature of each of us counts; and excluding comprehensive research on preventing trauma, not just funding treatment strategies.

Rune Elements

Sometimes, the best way to learn something is to do it. This book will take you by the hand and show how to actually make, finish, care for, and use the ancient runes in a way that is more "How to" than most books on the subject. This is specifically meant for the individuals who want to learn the uses of the Elder Futhark, not just the esoteric meanings and history of them. You'll learn about the various ways of making runes, bind-runes, talisman, and charms, as well as the many uses for them, both traditional and modern. Everything from the tools and techniques to the materials and accessories you might employ...all is explained in detail from a runemaster with over 30 years of practical experience.

Saving Eric

Mary's nightmare began when her seven-year-old adopted son inexplicably screamed before dinner one night. From that point on, her son's struggle became her struggle. Mental and physical illness, along with drug addiction, turned her life upside down. The love Mary had for her son, though, never waned as she desperately tried to save him from his demons. "Wonderfully written and moving. I can't recommend this book enough to any family who shares the experience of adoption or a struggle with a child's unpredictable, often violent mental health, along with the journey alongside an addiction." * -- Annie Highwater, "Unhooked" "A meaningful exploration of mental illness and addiction - two present-day tragedies." * -- Charles Rubin, "Don't Let Your Kids Kill You"

Scientism: A New World Dream

In Scientism: A New World Dream, the author delves into the rise of left-brain dominance in Western culture and its impact on our understanding of the world. The author argues that this shift has led to a more distanced and factual approach, akin to the denatured view of science and the emergence of scientism. Through examination of cultural movements throughout history, the author suggests that this mindset has resulted in a disregard for actual fact-checking and a reliance on ideas over reality, leading to the prevalence of fake news and opinions. This book provides a thought-provoking examination of the impact of scientism on our society and raises important questions about the nature of truth and reality.

Shade of Pink

This is the true story of breast cancer. Not from the lens of thankfulness for what personal awakening cancer might bring. Screw that, cancer sucks. This is a raw tale of what it is really like from a person who went through it.

Monica was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44, while undergoing her very first mammogram ever. This book chronicles her experiences from the phone call letting her know of her diagnosis, to all the doctor’s visits, the chemotherapy, radiation and swift kick into menopause.

This is the story they don’t tell you. What it’s really like to lose your hair, taste, bowels, identity, and control. From the nuances of the doctor’s visits, the non-politically correct questionnaires, figuring out how to tie a scarf, to the feeling like you are no longer you, but instead you are “the one with cancer.”

Shade of Pink is told with humor and candidness, written as much for the caregivers and friends as for patients. It is a must read for anyone touched by the tight grip of cancer.

Shattered Innocence

It's taken me a long time to love every color, even the gray and the dark. I welcome the infusions of momentum, the bursts of variations, and the medley mix of all the avenues to endless possibilities. When you read this book, I hope it moves you. I hope it infuses you with a passion to ignite that flame in your heart and step into your skin, embracing all of you.

Sides of the Same Coin

The book Sides of the Same Coin is the true story of a one-time social service worker, who lost employment and moved into his mother’s home to help care for her amidst mental deterioration and aging. After a major disagreement between siblings, this once-proud worker, who had serviced clients within all walks of the social service realm, was unceremoniously evicted by people who had relied upon his help countless times in their journeys through adult life. Such assistance was even given to their children more times than imaginable. It was during these times, that this worker was unceremoniously told he was no longer welcome in his mother’s home anymore, and since he assisted clients with their housing needs, he could use his knowledge to find suitable housing for himself. That worker was me.

This was the start of a venture I never thought I would ever face. I too was appalled at the little assistance other clients received in the shelter system. This will only become worse due to the pandemic. And for the multitude of those who have fallen behind in rent payments, I believe it will only be a matter of time before the courts evict countless such individuals, and give them no choice but to seek false help from the public shelter systems.

Read this book and learn what you never expected to see, face or have to experience in your lifetime. The only suitable name for the New York Shelter System is a living hell.

Sigfluence

Sigfluence is a word invented by Dr. John F. Loase. It means significant, long term, positive influence. After 20 plus years of research, Loase had a big breakthrough. He found that sigfluence was the best predictor of a satisfying life. Sigfluence is to the human spirit, what exercise is to the human body.

This book features sigfluence role models like Mother Teresa, Victor Frankl, and Jimmy Carter as well as practical advice to enhance your sigfluence legacy.

Six Feet from the Edge

Johnny Sullivan is a bright and intelligent young man who finds himself caught in a dangerous life of crime and drug addiction. With his very existence on the line, Johnny must dig deep into his soul and revisit his past innocence to break free from the agony and suffering that threaten to consume him. The novel presents an intense battle of Good vs. Evil that unfolds in every chapter, as Johnny is pulled between two worlds: one defined by love, family, and nurturing, and the other by chaos and excitement. Six Feet from the Edge is a gripping and powerful story that explores the human spirit's strength and the enduring power of hope.

So, Tell Me

Have you ever wondered what a life of travel was like at a young age? Have you ever wondered how it would be meeting new people all the time growing up? Could you imagine strangers helping to watch you while your mother was sick? Can you fathom never making friends because you knew those relationships wouldn’t last? How grown up was a child expected to be or not be? Feelings of adventure, fear, sadness, and pure love all wrapped into this real-life story.

Sometimes the Truth Hurts (Before It Sets You Free)

Fortunes and misfortunes, experiences and adversity endured in life are sometimes the result of choices we make, sometimes due to events we have no control of.

My name is Denise. These are my stories.

It was a time of clashing values, the end of the freewheeling 60s, the beginning of the tumultuous 70s, and the evolving 80s. Told in her distinctive style, Sometimes the Truth Hurts are stories of loss, rebellious youth, stubborn independence, and determination to overcome adversity and achieve a secure and better place in life. Unexpected outcomes, irony and humor resonate throughout, reflecting perseverance of the human spirit. Some stories may be considered controversial, but are told openly and honestly without moral judgement, life lessons, contemporary and timeless, rendered unabashedly from the heart and soul.