Ms. Day was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York during the late 30's through the early 50's. Being part of a family of nine children and an alcoholic father brought on many hardships, yet there were many delightful moments as well. "Mama's Diamonds" is a collection of these tales. The story tells of the extent that the mother and children of this poor Irish family had to go through and the things they had to endure in order to survive. Their wily nature helped. Mama O'Brien loved all her children and would have been shocked to know what devious means they used and the risks they took in order to obtain some of the necessities of life. Perhaps she knew, but just couldn't bear to acknowledge that this was for the most part, required in order to supplement the meager substance provided by their father. One might ask about her precious diamonds and their worth, and why couldn't they be used to help support the family; but they did ... just not in a materialistic sense.
In the tapestry of life, there are threads that shine brighter than the rest, weaving tales of inspiration and resilience. "From Dust to Diamond: Life of Kukki Mama" is a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable man, Pankaj Khurana, affectionately known as Kukki Mama, whose life journey was nothing short of a brilliant transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Within the pages of this book, I invite you to embark on a poignant exploration of Kukki Mama's life—a narrative crafted with love, admiration, and profound respect. Kukki Mama was not just a man; he was a scientist with a passion for unravelling the mysteries of the universe. His love for science was rivalled only by his deep and abiding love for his wife, Deepa, a love that stood the test of time and trials, creating a foundation for a family filled with warmth and joy. As you delve into the chapters that unfold the canvas of Kukki Mama's existence, you will witness the beauty of his relationships, especially the bond he shared with his two children, Malvika and Kushagra. Their lives were enriched by a father whose guidance was as wise as it was compassionate, leaving an indelible mark on their characters. Kukki Mama was more than a man of intellect; he was a beacon of kindness, radiating warmth and compassion to everyone fortunate enough to know him. His laughter echoed in the hearts of those who had the privilege of being a part of his world. This book is an attempt to encapsulate the essence of a person who, like a diamond, shone brightly through the sands of life. Through anecdotes, memories, and personal reflections, "From Dust to Diamond" unveils the tapestry of Kukki Mama's life—a life lived with purpose, love, and an enduring spirit. This is not just a recounting of events but a celebration of a soul who left an indelible imprint on the hearts of those who had the privilege of sharing his journey. May this tribute stand as a testament to the brilliance that was Kukki Mama, a man who transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary and whose legacy continues to sparkle in the hearts of those who knew him. With deepest gratitude, Top of Form Yamini Malhotra
Enhanced with audio and video! A group of unpopular fifth graders run a spy network from inside their school. With the help of cutting-edge science, they transform their nerdy qualities into incredible abilities! In the series’ second installment, Duncan Dewey (code name: Gluestick) leads the team against a supervillain who used to be a member of NERDS. But has the team become too dependent on their supergadgets? It will take old-fashioned brainpower and bravery to save the world again.
The excitement of international espionage combined with the awkwardness of elementary makes for non-stop laughs in NERDS, the hilarious series from New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley! The last time we met the NERDS, a team of superspies operating out of their school basement, they were using their high-tech abilities to stop an evil genius from destroying the world. Now they’re up against one of their own—a former teammate determined to destroy them. His unlikely henchman? A computer genius who still lives with his mom. The evil duo manage to strip the spies of their incredible abilities. Can Duncan “Gluestick” Dewey and the rest of the NERDS team fight evil using just old-fashioned bravery and smarts?
The Congress of Vienna provided international society one party after another. But Lord Moncrief had more diplomatic duties to do in restraining his cousin from purchasing the famed (and stolen) Blue Tavernier diamond. Would the mysterious but suspicious Frenchwoman, Cécile Feydeau, or the enchantingly lovely Austrian, Maria Kruger, win Moncrief’s heart in this dangerous intrigue? Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett
Written by best-selling author Miriam Cohen, A Daughter of Two Mothers is the incredible, true account of a handicapped widow's forced separation from her infant daughter, the years of longing and searching, the legal battle, and the subsequent destruction brought by the Nazis. Open this book and you will step into the world of a generation gone, of pre- and post-war Hungarian Jewry, as young Leichu moves between two communities and their divergent lifestyles. This is a gripping story of separation and reunion, of pure faith and acceptance of G-d's will, and of triumph over despair.
A lyrical literary memoir of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Black Diamonds uncovers layers of history about the place that fueled the nation for over a century. As a girl in the 1960s, Catherine Young lived amid mountains of waste coal above ground and mine fires beneath her feet while longing for the green, lovely scene portrayed in The Lackawanna Valley, George Inness’s 1855 painting. She shows readers the valley through a child's eyes, passing through the immigrant kitchens, relief lines, and soot-stained alleys of a collapsing city—and family love amid lives cut short by coal.
From the globally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's and Time Police series - the origin story of bounty hunters extraordinaire: Smallhope and Pennyroyal. Meet Lady Amelia Smallhope, for whom there is no problem that can't be solved by a drink and a think. And Pennyroyal, for whom there is no problem. Ever. Everyone's favourite bounty hunters. Sorry - recovery agents. No bad guy they can't handle. No expense account too flexible. No adventure too outrageous. Join them as they settle scores, break every rule in the book and take the world by storm. Fasten your seatbelts. The timeline doesn't know what's hit it.
Diamond Pearl Hope is a biracial news reporter. She experiences a hard childhood. Diamond is only ten years old when her black mother dies. She goes to live with relatives who discriminate against her because she is mixed race. Diamond is rescued from abusive family members through adoption. While growing up, she is kept in the dark about her white father. After graduating from college she meets and marries an older abusive man. Diamond gets arrested for assaulting her husband; and comes face to face with the man she thought shed never meet. Diamonds life story comes to a wonderful ending when her white and black relatives unite in love, as one big happy blended family. Book Review BlueInk Review of Diamonds Fate (paperback 978-1-4568-8877-0) revised by Author Angie Singleton, 09/15/2011 This intriguing novel captures the tumultuous life of Diamond Pearl Hope, a biracial news reporter living in Florida. Diamond was born to a white father and African-American mother. Due to the death of her mother, Diamond is forced to go live in a household with family members who frequently torment her, because of her light skin and interracial heritage. Diamond gets adopted by a white couple and experiences life on the other side of the color line, after the horrific death of her grandmother. When Diamond graduates from college, she meets and marries a man twice her age. She learns, firsthand, the intricacies of the criminal justice system, after getting arrested for assaulting her husband, who attacks her in a drunken rage. Struggling to put her life back together, Diamond finds strength in her Christian faith, caring friends and a loving family, including her newly discovered biological father, whom she reconciles with. In the end, Diamond not only wins an award for investigative reporting of domestic violence, she makes peace with those family members whod hurt her in the past; and her black and white relatives unite in a joyful celebration. Written in a distinctive voice Diamonds Fate conjures up past and current history making events such as the O.J. Simpson trial with telling details. References are made to popular music, movies and television shows that influenced society for generations. While the book contains idiosyncrasies or elements not typically found in most novels, such as: the authors personal photo album included in the back of the book and a frequency of italicized words and paragraphs, the story is compelling enough to make for an exciting, enjoyable and enlightening read. Readers interested in Christian and inspirational stories, as well as those curious about the unique challenges facing biracial children, will appreciate this tale of struggle and triumph. Novel is also available in hardcopy and ebook.
