Growing up in the foster care system was no picnic, but after being adopted into a loving LDS family, playing college basketball, and launching her career in the software industry, Denise Dewalt finally feels as though she's left her former life behind her. What she doesn't realize is that she must confront her past if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future. While her search for her biological family isn't an easy one, Denise s biggest fear is that even when she finds her family, she'll have nothing to give Rich, the only man who can see past the tragedies of her childhood. This emotional and inspirational story proves that life is full of unexpected twists and turns especially when it comes to facing your demons, fighting for love, and finding happiness for the future. The Ball's in Her Court will keep you hooked to the very last page.
Almarie Chalmers, mother of the player behind the "Shot Heard Around the World," '08 Final Four Champions and NBA star Mario, shares the challenges and joys of raising a superstar son and a highly successful daughter. She delves into the profound struggle that all parents feel when they are torn between their children's dreams and their own. Almarie reveals how she was able to reconcile the two: to be supportive of her children's aspirations while working toward her own goals. From the cradle to the court, Almarie Chalmers shares her winning strategies for raising confident, successful children prepared to follow their dreams. Foreword by NBA Player Mario Chalmers
Grace Parker needs to figure out how to handle the 3Bs: boys, boy bands and ball sports. Things were simple for netball nerd Grace Parker at primary school. She was captain of her school team – and with best friends Stella and Mia won the grand final. Back then, her biggest problem was persuading her parents to buy her tickets to see Friday at Five, the world’s hottest boy band. But high school’s a whole new story. Grace’s greatest rival on the court, Amber Burns, just made the same netball team as her. Her twin brother, Gus, is devastated he didn’t make the A-grade AFL side. Her older brother, Tyler, is ignoring her. And as if that wasn’t enough for a 13-year-old girl to handle, dreamy aspiring rockstar Sebastian King is suddenly paying her a lot of attention ... Maddy Proud is a professional netballer currently playing for the NSW Swifts. Previously she played for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who signed her at 16, making her the youngest player ever contracted in the Trans-Tasman ANZ Championships.
“Like Curt Flood and Oscar Robertson, who paved the way for free agency in sports, Ed O’Bannon decided there was a principle at stake... O’Bannon gave the movement to reform college sports...passion and purpose, animated by righteous indignation.” —Jeremy Schaap, ESPN journalist and New York Times bestselling author In 2009, Ed O’Bannon, once a star for the 1995 NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins and a first-round NBA draft pick, thought he’d made peace with the NCAA’s exploitive system of “amateurism.” College athletes generated huge profits, yet—training nearly full-time, forced to tailor coursework around sports, often pawns in corrupt investigations—they saw little from those riches other than revocable scholarships and miniscule chances of going pro. Still, that was all in O’Bannon’s past...until he saw the video game NCAA Basketball 09. As avatars of their college selves—their likenesses, achievements, and playing styles—O’Bannon and his teammates were still making money for the NCAA. So, when asked to fight the system for players past, present, and future—and seeking no personal financial reward, but rather the chance to make college sports more fair—he agreed to be the face of what became a landmark class-action lawsuit. Court Justice brings readers to the front lines of a critical battle in the long fight for players’ rights while also offering O’Bannon’s unique perspective on today’s NCAA recruiting scandals. From the basketball court to the court of law facing NCAA executives, athletic directors, and “expert” witnesses; and finally to his innovative ideas for reform, O’Bannon breaks down history’s most important victory yet against the inequitable model of multi-billion-dollar “amateur” sports.
Gift of Tennis is an easy read, illustrated with whimsical drawings that convey a sense of lightness and fun. The 45 short chapters address various topics in a personal, approachable and insightful way that may help readers to improve on technique, solve tactical issues, or help them to manage the mental gremlins that may loom large during competition. Gift of Tennis also provides practical information about scoring, tiebreaks, line calls, on-court communication, and playing in the outdoor elements. Packed with personal anecdotes, it's written with the adult beginner in mind, though many court thoughts offer nuggets of wisdom to benefit players of all abilities. Many of the court thoughts in Gift of Tennis cover topics that crossover into aspects of everyday life. "Tennis has taught me a great deal about life beyond the tennis court," says Clarke. "Gift of Tennis is my way of sharing these insights with you."
Brilliant writer and gorgeous seductress Anna Lessing wants to resolve her intimacy issues, but she finds that her attractive psychotherapist makes things even more complicated. Carolin and Rebekka, the most constant couple in their constellation, continue to forge ahead in building their lives together. Sadly, grief prevents Silvia from enjoying life in the way that Luise can, no matter how much their delightfully youthful students offer. Thea's new admirer makes her life ... interesting. And dear, sweet Anita finally gets what she deserves. Welcome back to "L as in Love", and the lovely, lively women who congregate at the Sappho Café.
The Show Me Series Boxed Set: Volume 1 (Books 1-3) Book 1: Life’s Second Chances: Angelina Samuels has lost the only job she’s ever held. A last minute interview lands her a new teaching job just days before the school year is about to begin. It turns out to be the best thing that could have happened when she realizes that her best friend from college, Gabriella Alvarez, is also a member of the teaching staff. Gabriella’s brother, Alejandro, relocates to his hometown after having lived away from family and friends since he left for college to become a renowned transplant surgeon. He’s settling into a new job, reacquainting himself with family and friends, and is learning to deal ever-so-slowly with the personal loss that forever changed his life. When Angelina’s sister experiences a health crisis, Alejandro is there to support her and her family. And when Angelina herself experiences a personal tragedy, Alejandro is the only one to guide her through it. As love stares down at them, can Angelina help Alejandro take that second chance on love and marriage? Book 2: Life’s Gateway to Happiness: Kelly Samuels is dedicated to her career and has received several promotions in her short tenure at Lattice Works. Kelly’s family is shocked when she returns home unemployed and without an explanation. Alec Alvarez, a pediatrician from a family full of doctors, is focused solely on his career. He’s declared his bachelor status for life and has no desire for love, marriage, or babies. When Alec finds Kelly stuck on the side of a snowy road, neither of them are prepared for the feelings they begin to have for one another. As Kelly and Alec grow closer, he wants to know why the once happy-go-lucky Kelly is hesitant to his touch, while Kelly just wants to find purpose to her life again. After Kelly tells two conflicting stories as to why she lost her job, Alec steps in to discover what truly happened. Can Kelly come to terms with what happened to her and move on with her life? And can Alec love enough to give-up his bachelorhood status for good? Book 3: Life’s Turned Upside Down: Gabriella Alvarez is the youngest of the Alvarez family. She’s watched her best friend marry her brother and another brother find love. Deep down, she’s looking for love, but she can’t quite shake the college sweetheart that broke her heart. Dr. Ashton Holder works for the famous Alvarez practice. He and Gabriella have always clashed—she continues to see him only has the rough-edged doctor with no bedside manner, but he’s really made strides to put this image behind him. When Gabriella discovers a secret from Ashton’s past, though, she does her best to help him uncover something that will change his life forever, but a misunderstanding between them rocks him to the core. When he finally uncovers the secret, he must learn to put his past aside and try and move on with a future willed with hope and dreams.
Daisy Sinclair is an event planner. When at a venue with her client, sexy, handsome Lucas Avery, she hears a ghostly voice. At first, she thinks she’s hearing things. Then she learns she’s gifted and can see and talk to ghosts. Soon she’s solving a century-old murder case for a very sassy one. Lucas Avery is attracted to Daisy and though she wants to keep things professional, they start dating. He’s falling in love but suspects she’s keeping something from him. As they grow closer, Daisy will have to decide whether to break things off or invite him into her world.