During an era when many women concentrated on hearth and home, thousands of women quietly and without pay served in law enforcement. They organized, administered, presented reports to county commissioners, prepared for inspections, comforted victims, disciplined unruly inmates, fought with escapees, rode shotgun with their husbands as backup, and raised children, tended gardens, and kept house. They risked their lives every day and some paid the ultimate price. This is their story. The office of county sheriff has existed in America since 1634. Between 1800 and 1960, families of the sheriff lived in or near the jail. All family members, young and old, worked alongside the lawman to fulfill the required duties, without additional pay. The mom and pop jail was truly a family business. After the middle of the 20th century, fewer families carried on this tradition as counties modernized and jails became professionalized.

In the summer of 1957, a young Holmes County farmer was gunned down in cold blood. There was little to distinguish this slaying from hundreds of others throughout the United States that year except for one detail: Paul Coblentz was Amish. A committed pacifist, Coblentz would not raise a hand against his killers. As sensational crimes often do, the "Amish murder" opened a window into the private lives of the young man, his family and his community--a community that in some respects remains as enigmatic today as it was more than half a century ago. Authors of Wicked Columbus, Ohio's Black Hand Syndicate and others, David Meyers and Elise Meyers Walker unravel the intricacies surrounding one of Ohio's most intriguing murder cases.

From the Star Wars expanded universe to Westworld, the science fiction western has captivated audiences for more than fifty years. These twelve new essays concentrate on the female characters in the contemporary science fiction western, addressing themes of power, agency, intersectionality and the body. Discussing popular works such as Fringe, Guardians of the Galaxy and Mass Effect, the essayists shed new light on the gender dynamics of these beloved franchises, emphasizing inclusion and diversity with their critical perspectives.

Includes, beginning Sept. 15, 1954 (and on the 15th of each month, Sept.-May) a special section: School library journal, ISSN 0000-0035, (called Junior libraries, 1954-May 1961). Also issued separately.

Save the Last Dance For Me Does she really have to say goodbye to him again? When Jess Stark returns home to Lonesome, Texas to attend the wedding of her cousin, Liam Stark, one dance with the handsome cowboy she left behind, and the bright city lights of Dallas and her career as a journalist aren’t nearly as compelling as the ardent emotion shining in Hector's eyes and the longings in her own heart. Love with an Imperfect Lawman Love at first sight? Part I When recently-jilted Emily DeLeon drives to South Texas on a magazine assignment, the last thing she’s looking for is love with a dangerous lawman. Then she finds a wounded law officer lying face down on a lonely dark road. No way can she leave him to die. Part 2 When Sheriff Homer Gonzales, sheriff of Lonesome County regains consciousness, he remembers a pair of beautiful brown eyes in the face of an angel. Is she real? Or a figment of his imagination? If she’s real, he has to find her so he can ask her to stay…maybe forever… Or maybe he should play it smart and protect her…which means pushing her away…

Suddenly a Father Police officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son. With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbor Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there's no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too. When someone from Carrie's past shows up threatening to jeopardize the life she's worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she's found…or risk losing everything.

Former cop Brady Skye hadn't seen Lara Kirk in nearly a year, and yet she could still penetrate his soul with a twitch of her lips. But with a murderer hot on his trail, seeking revenge, Brady had no time for reminiscing. For whoever was after him also had his sights set on Lara…and the child Brady had never known existed. Now, in order to keep them safe, Brady appointed himself their protector. Spending time with Lara and bonding with his son made the closed-off Brady rethink his self-imposed solitude. But how long before the past—and a killer—reminded him of all he had to lose?

The Best Man In Laramie She's no damsel in distress, but Shelley Meyerson may just need a white knight like deputy sheriff Colt McCabe. Thanks to her scheming ex-husband, Shelley's about to lose her home. The last person she wants to turn to for help is Colt, the guy who broke her heart the night of the high school prom. But now that she's back in Laramie, there's no avoiding him—especially when they're both serving in the same wedding party. True, the handsome, gallant lawman is a valuable ally. And he seems genuinely interested in Shelley and her little boy. She could definitely use a friend…and maybe something more. Rekindling their romance is easy—but learning to trust again is hard. Especially when Shelley learns that Colt's been keeping a secret that could cost him his badge….

Romantic Suspense/Thriller: Denver Homicide detective, Luke Kirby, is looking for some peace and quiet when he heads up to the family cabin just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Instead he finds a beautiful and mysterious woman has taken refuge in his cabin, bringing a storm of trouble with her.