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After the tragic murder of our oldest daughter by her husband, I was compelled to do something to help other victims of domestic violence. I have been forced to be an advocate against a horrible crime that I did not know existed. Not wanting my daughter's death to be in vain, I have had a God-driven force to tell our story and hopefully reach the law enforcement agencies to make them realize how horrible domestic violence is, and that they should take domestic violence calls seriously and as a crime, not just as a disturbance. My hope is to reach other victims and to help all communities understand that we can stop domestic violence if we work together. Shortly after our daughter's death, I realized that if I could tell our story and could get it published, I could help other families from going through the horrible senseless pain that our family has endured. Right away, the title came to me Not in Vain. I was not sure what God wanted me to do with it until I started reading my journal, my notes, and listening to my tape recordings of the events. It was at that time I realized that this man not only murdered our daughter; he almost killed my whole family. After years of separation and pain, our family did survive. Everything changed in May of 2004. Our lives changed forever.

"In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you".

At twenty-five years old, Takiya received a mandate by God that would forever change her life. All her life, she walked around in brokenness and pity. She was a victim to her circumstance until she realized that she was more than a conqueror. Takiya realized that she could either be pitiful or powerful. So full faith, she began to heal a part of her that was the most painful area of her childhood. God turned her tragedy into triumph, her mourning into joy. He wiped away her tears and said, "Hello, beautiful. Your pain is not in vain." Tempted to give in to the enemy, she was riddled with shame until her Father showed up and reminded her that He did not call her to a life of condemnation. God has called you to be powerful. He did not call you to a life of pity. It is time you stop speaking the lies of the enemy and start speaking what God says about you: He says you are beautiful. If you will change your mind, God will change your life.

From the Introduction: This book is . . . devoted to the first literature of North America, that of the American Indians, or Native Americans. The texts are from the North Pacific Coast, because that is where I am from, and those are the materials I know best. The purpose is general: All traditional American Indian verbal art requires attention of this kind if we are to comprehend what it is and says. There is linguistics in this book, and that will put some people off. ''Too technical," they will say. Perhaps such people would be amused to know that many linguists will not regard the work as linguistics. "Not theoretical," they will say, meaning not part of a certain school of grammar. And many folklorists and anthropologists are likely to say, "too linguistic" and "too literary" both, whereas professors of literature are likely to say, "anthropological" or "folklore," not "literature" at all. But there is no help for it. As with Beowulf and The Tale of Genji, the material requires some understanding of a way of life. Within that way of life, it has in part a role that in English can only be called that of "literature." Within that way of life, and now, I hope, within others, it offers some of the rewards and joys of literature. And if linguistics is the study of language, not grammar alone, then the study of these materials adds to what is known about language.

I am Gertrude Manu, a born again Christian married with three children. I am a minister of the gospel. Over two decades, the Lord has used me to preach and teach his word to many that are depressed, brokenhearted, those that are in bondage, and to heal the sick by his grace. Over the years in ministry, I have faced a lot of challenges that sometimes compelled me to have some negative thoughts, but the Lord has always proved himself faithful by making me understand that he is God Alone and he is closer than what we think of. This has moved me to write to as many in his vineyard who might be facing challenges in their Christian race or ministry to be encouraged to know that God rewards the faithful, and he will surely reward us in due season. This is my third book. My first book is entitled You Can Make It through the Storms; my second book, When the Glory Comes. And here is my third book, entitled Your Labour Shall Not Be in Vain. My books are not totally fiction. Many of the messages are out of experience, and they have touched many lives. God has called me in this time to encourage the weak and those that are weary. I minister both in churches and conferences. I live in Italy with my family.

Meet Fire--Jamaican-born, charming, poetic, and talented--a man who's vowed to never play "love-is-blind" games again. Then he meets Sylvia, a beautiful magazine editor who keeps her passions under lock and key. Together they must choose between the love in their lives and the love of their lives. From the galleries of Soho to the brownstones of Brooklyn, from the nightclubs of London to the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, Channer takes us on a wild, soul-searching ride as Fire and Sylvia try to connect, disconnect, and reconnect amid conflicting desires and wounds from the past. But through intricate love triangles, skewed priorities, and crushing personal tragedies, Fire, Sylvia, and their friends must learn that some things in life are worth fighting for. If not, you're simply waiting in vain.