Product Description
The recently deceased, roving cowboy Joshua West is sent back to Earth as a guardian angel to watch over Abigail Grier, the woman who once had stolen his heart and then jilted him. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of Susan Kay Law's earlier works--average historical romance with a paranormal twist
From the back cover:

Love from above...

Joshua West had been a lot of things--a lover, a drifter, a soldier, a cowboy. What he'd never been before was dead, and he wasn't too crazy about it. Especially when he found out he was assigned to the very last thing on heaven or earth he wanted to do: watch over the woman who had jilted him while he was alive.

Abigail Grier had an ailing father, a rebellious brother, and a ranch on the verge of bankruptcy. What she needed was a guardian angel or a knight in shining armor. When Josh held her in his arms again she realized that heaven was within her grasp.

And my review:

I've read some of Susan Kay Law's later books (MARRY ME, THE BAD MAN'S BRIDE), so I decided to give HEAVEN IN WEST TEXAS a try. This is one of her earlier books, published in 1997, and goes to show just how much an author's writing can improve and mature over the years.

There was a lot to like in this book. I felt that the paranormal aspect of it was handled quite well; interesting and believable without being too heavy-handed on cosmic stuff. Also, the author has a good feel of history, and painted a vivid picture of ranch life in the late 1800s without getting too "textbook" in her writing. One complaint here, though: I would have liked if this book had stated the year, as it took me a little while to place just which war the book kept refering to (the American Civil war, as it turns out).

I really liked the heroine. She was strong and proud without being shrewish or stupidly stubborn. That's a difficult balance to manage, so I applaud the author for a job well done. I also found myself liking the hero. I wasn't sure if I would, as I don't have much liking for the "love 'em and leave 'em" type, but he was so much more than that.

However, I felt that their previous relationship wasn't explored very deeply, and for a couple who had once been lovers, there wasn't all that much heat or chemistry between them. Not that the author didn't try to put it there; but I just didn't feel it they way I felt the "spark" between the characters in some of her other books. I felt that this story was a bit more focused on the heroine's other problems, like trying to keep her ranch going, caring for a father suffering from Alzheimer's (though no one knew what to call the disease back then), the drought, the villians. All of these other plots seemed to get more "screen time" than the romance did. I would have liked to see the romance developed a little bit more. I wanted it to really engage my emotions, and it just didn't. I also felt that a lot of the author's trademark humor was missing in this novel.

I recommend this if you're already a fan of the author. If you haven't tried Susan Kay Law before, I suggest picking up one of her later books instead, like MARRY ME or THE BAD MAN'S BRIDE, as those novels do a better job of showcasing the author's talent. HEAVEN IN WEST TEXAS is an enjoyable, quick read (less than 300 pages), but not a story for your keeper shelf.

just a comment on the review
I'd just like to comment on the review: 1. Joshua says that he'd "had more than enough of the south during the war" and he had joined the war because that was where "everyone" he "knew was going,and so" he "went, too". I think that speaks quite clearly ofthe Civil War, or the "war between the states". 2. Theexpression, "pinch hitter" only means that the book was writtenin the 1900's (and not then). ... Read more

Product Description
Can a girl get an abortion in Texas without her parent's consent? Are parents liable for damages when their teenager crashes the family car into a neighbor's Mercedes? What happens when grandparents help a noncustodial parent hide a child from the parent with legal custody? Ramona John tells it like it is in this non-lawyer's guide to all areas of Texas law affecting children. Using layman's language and a quick-reference, question-and-answer format, she offers expert advice about dealing with lawyers and judges and about using the law to protect and serve children. Texas parents, grandparents, teachers, and health care and social service providers will find this an authoritative guide to their legal rights and responsibilities regarding children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A good start, but, not quite enough...
I know this book is about child's laws, but, I find it hopelessly flawed when it comes to parental rights and how to protect your rights.If a parent loses their rights, it affects the children.I think there should be a chapter on how to protect yourself during a CPS investigation.The author doesn't really acknowledge that CPS is sometimes wrong and sometimes show a blatant disregard to the rights of the parents and the child.Those issued should be addressed.However, it does seem to cover the judicial process pretty well.Has some good information in all other areas.I think for the price there should be more.I would NOT make this the only book in your library.

Invaluable!
I found Ramona John's book informative and invaluable. It is a handy reference for anyone contemplating divorce or concerned about custody, abuse, or parental rights since it covers all aspects of problems likely tobe encountered. Concisely and clearly, she explains, among other things,parental rights and duties, getting an attorney for your child, what toexpect in a courtroom, how to make a favorable impression on a judge orjury, how paternity is established, adoption is decided, when parentalrights can be terminated, and when abuse can be suspected. Disabledchildren and their special needs are also considered. Although it iswritten for Texans, I believe this information is probably applicablenationwide. Adults can gain insights and find understanding aboutthemselves in the section covering the effects of abandonment and neglect.I highly recommend this book to anyone faced with the predicament ofdivorce or concerned with abuse of a child.

The nightmares of every parent are dealt with in this book.
Lucky is the parent who can raise a child in today's world without at least one brush with the law. Even if your child never commits a crime, with two out of three marriages ending in divorce, there are issues ofcustody and child support that must be legally resolved. What if your childruns away from home or is caught dealing drugs? What if you are deemed anabusive or negligent parent and the law steps in to remove your child fromthe home? When your child is in trouble, wouldn't it be wonderful to beable to talk to a personal friend who just happens to be a retired juvenilecourt judge? Not many of us have a friend like that, but the next bestthing is Ramona John's book "Children and the Law in Texas -- WhatParents Should Know."In a non-threatening, conversational tone, Johnhelps the reader understand the nuances of the juvenile justice system. "Get comfortable, this will take a while," she advises beforeanswering a particularly knotty question on paternity. Personalobservations and anecdotes are a helpful reminder that even judges arehuman. Some, like John, are warm and human. The question-and-answer formatmakes it easy for parents to concentrate on the subject matter even whenthey may be under stress because of their child's circumstances. Thechapter "Keeping Your Child out of Trouble" is worth the price ofthe book even if you don't live in Texas. Reading it could prevent thatdreaded brush with the law that is every parent's nightmare. The bestparents may know the guidelines of parental behavior intuitively, but forthe rest of us, John's list is a succinct reminder and a starting point fordiscussion.While good parents teach their children they are responsiblefor their own acts, that, unfortunately, is not the case where illegal actsby minors are concerned. The question of whether and to what extent parentscan be held responsible for their children's acts was thrust into thenational conscience by the Columbine school shootings. By giving you anidea of what the law says about parent/child relationships andresponsibilities, the book couldsave you time and money when you need toconsult a lawyer. The book will be an eye-opener if you don't know theanswers to questions like these: Can a child have more than one presumedbiological father? If you face a situation where you must hire an attorneyfor your child, do you have the right to be present every time your childspeaks to the attorney? Do you know the difference between Teen Court andjuvenile court?After reading John's book, one can only wish that shecould be the designated "explainer" in charge of re-writing thejuvenile justice and family codes all over America so they can beunderstood by ordinary people. After that, she could tackle the federal taxcode. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Robust Western
Mr Tomkins was given the nickname "Two -Gun Tomkins " by admirers of his forthright ,action packed novels ,and it is easy to see why from this book alone .It is a vigorous action western told in a direct punchy style that will keep readers gripped to the end.

Itshero is "Cole Kerrigan " a newspaperman in the Texas town of Longhorn ,where he is assisted in his editorial duties by the feisty Confederate veteran ,"Dixie Whipple",malodorous ,perpetually half -cut but a formidable helpmate in times of crisis." Cole " has made an enemy of the local head bad guy ,one "Kiowa McCord" whose campaigns of murder ,extortion and robbery have brought the town to its knees.A stinging editorial calling for his prosecution draws a swift response from "Mccord " and his ally ,the corrupt lawman ,"Palmquist " .His offices are burnt to the ground and an attempt is made to shoot him from ambush.In the sibsequent confrontation "McCord " is acciodentally killed by a richochet and "Cole "is tagged as a killer .He makes his escape ,the faithful "Dixie" in tow ,intending to settle in the then territory of Alaska.He witnesses an attack on a train bearing agricuturalmachinery to Oklahoma Territory and ,curiosity piqued ,resolves to settle there instead despite the possible risk of apprehension by Texas law .He finds a parallel situation to the one recently left behind in Longhorn .A range war is brewing between cattle interests ,under the leadership of the ruthless "Giff Orgun" and wheat growers who have rallied round "Rona Prescott",who harvester was attacked by Orgun's men en route to her farm.When the local lawman ,"McCaw" is murdered by "Orgun'smen ."Cole "is appointed sheriff and the stage is set for the final showdown .

The essence of the book -and all his other work-is action ,and plenty of it .There is a lively fist fight between "Cole "and "Orgun" ,a prairie fire(the result of arson),a well described train assault and a final shootout on a railroad bridge.The prose is unremarkable but the pace is unflagging and the book has incident ,energy and verve to spare .It covers no new ground but if you like action novels -especially a Western-you are guaranteed a good time with anything by Tomkins .This is well up to standard. ... Read more

Product Description
Law & Mental Health Professionals: Texas, 3rd Edition provides a thorough review of the laws in the state of Texas as they relate to the mental health profession. Identifying legal topics affecting mental health practices, this resource addresses rulings about licensing; forms of business practice; insurance reimbursements and deductions for services; privacy of professional information; practice laws related to families, juveniles, civil matters, and criminal matters; and limitations on and liability for practice. The authors present and integrate information from the Texas Constitution, state statutes, regulations of administrative agencies, appellate court decisions, and the Texas Supreme Court to complete this volume. The laws taken from these sources are expressed with minimal legal jargon, making this reference maximally accessible to those outside of the legal profession. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
"This is a delightful book. It makes an important contribution to historical scholarship on Texas and the Southwest, race relations, and several discrete subjects within family law, in particular marriage and the rights and duties of partners outside of marriage."--Elvia R. Arriola, Visiting Professor of Law, De Paul UniversityWhen he settled in Mexican Texas in 1832 and began courting Anna Raguet, Sam Houston had been separated from his Tennessee wife Eliza Allen for three years, while having already married and divorced his Cherokee wife Tiana and at least two other Indian "wives" during the interval. Houston's political enemies derided these marital irregularities, but in fact Houston's legal and extralegal marriages hardly set him apart from many other Texas men at a time when illicit and unstable unions were common in the yet-to-be-formed Lone Star State.In this book, Mark Carroll draws on legal and social history to trace the evolution of sexual, family, and racial-caste relations in the most turbulent polity on the southern frontier during the antebellum period (1823-1860). He finds that the marriages of settlers in Texas were typically born of economic necessity and that, with few white women available, Anglo men frequently partnered with Native American, Tejano, and black women. While identifying a multicultural array of gender roles that combined with law and frontier disorder to destabilize the marriages of homesteaders, he also reveals how harsh living conditions, land policies, and property rules prompted settling spouses to cooperate for survival and mutual economic gain. Of equal importance, he reveals how evolving Texas law reinforced the substantial autonomy of Anglo women and provided them material rewards, even as it ensured that cross-racial sexual relationships and their reproductive consequences comported with slavery and a regime that dispossessed and subordinated free blacks, Native Americans, and Tejanos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Homesteads Ungovernable: Families, Sex, Race, and the Law in
Typically, historical reviews can be dry and humorless. However, this one is filled with the author's dry humor. It is a side of historical law you never saw before. You must read this one. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Life insurance; Insurance law; Insurance, Life; Business ... Read more

Product Description
Taking the Texas State Trooper Exam? Give yourself the Exclusive LearningExpress Advantage

Competition for a job as a Texas State Trooper is tough.You need all the advantages you can get. That's why LearningExpress has created this easy-to-use guide exclusively to prepare you for taking the test and winning a state trooper job in Texas.

Only Learning Express Shows You How To Prepare For Success On The Texas State Trooper Exam

including:
-- Practice exams based on official Texas State Trooper tests
-- Hundreds of sample questions and answers
-- How to answer questions on crucial exam areas:Vocabulary and Spelling, Grammar, and Reading Comprehension

How To Get Hired, Step-By-Step

with exclusive information on:
-- All requirements and qualifications for Texas State Troopers
-- How and where to apply
-- Who to call for information
-- Salary and benefit information

PLUS prepare-for-success information to help you organize your study time, and expert advice on the personal history statement, physical ability test, and oral interview. ... Read more

Product Description
For America's gay community, the question of rights is often reduced to the issue of privacy. Until very recently, even though this right has been upheld by the Supreme Court in landmark cases relating to contraception and abortion, the issue of "nonprocreational sex" continued to trigger a double standard for gay men. Now David Richards, a leading legal scholar who is himself gay, shows how two other landmark cases nearly twenty years apart shed light on America's evolving views of privacy.

The Supreme Court's decision in Bowers v. Hardwick (1986) stemmed from a 1982 gay-sex arrest in an Atlanta home under a Georgia law that criminalized sodomy--a case not originally prosecuted, but then pursued in court to challenge the statute's constitutionality. Lawrence v. Texas (2003) followed a similar arrest in 1998 in Houston, where Texas law also criminalized sodomy--but only when practiced by members of the same sex.

Richards views these cases as the nadir and apogee of the gay community's efforts to fight discrimination through the courts. In Bowers, the Supreme Court ruled that there was no constitutional protection for sodomy and that states could outlaw those practices. But in Lawrence, the Court overturned the Texas law--and the Bowers decision as well--because it denied due process protection to consenting adults whose sexual practices were conducted in private. Justice Kennedy's majority opinion reaffirmed a constitutionally protected right to privacy that prevented the government from regulating intimate behavior.

Tracing the Court's deliberations, Richards shows how Lawrence unambiguously establishes that the right to a private life is an innately human right and that our constitutional right to privacy rests on the moral bedrock of equal protection. He shifts gracefully from the law to literature, and from the Courts to the wider culture, to offer a brilliant analysis of the relevant arguments, going beneath their surface to link them to the emotional and moral foundations of the controversies raging around these decisions.

Both of these cases show a Supreme Court ready to take seriously the idea that homosexuals have human rights--and that these rights are the basis of judicially enforceable constitutional rights. In describing these challenges to public prejudice, Richards's book offers students and general readers new insight into the practice and theory of constitutional law.

This book is part of the Landmark Law Cases and American Society series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bit Rambling but Not Bad
This is somewhat of a rambling account of the "Sodomy Cases," namely Bowers v. Hardwick and Lawrence v. Texas. An ironic name given the latter case reminds us that these cases are not about a particular sex act alone, but the right of privacy, equality and liberty for homosexuals and others that goes beyond "sodomy" itself. Or, as the author notes here, freedom over one's intimate life.

The first fifty or so pages of this under 200 page book rambles on about U.S. history before the mid-1900s and not just about homosexuality. This is so because a core argument is that a true understanding of rights of homosexuals requires one to recognize that the discrimination involved is intimately connected to discrimination by race (slavery) and gender. In fact, the total control of slavery underlines the importance of freedom over one's own life. And, protection (and protest) in those areas led to developments in this one.Ditto as to religious freedom (also a part of individual choice).

This is an important part of the picture, but it is not the only part. The limiting nature of all of this is underlined by the failure even to mention Louis Brandeis and his role in the recognition of a right to privacy.The book does touch upon how the Founding Fathers believed in privacy too, but even a few pages on Brandeis etc. would have been helpful. Ditto talk about the Third and Fourth Amendments. On this front, the 'landmark law cases' book on Griswold v. Connecticut is much more complete. The author here does make a wise choice to remind that the obscenity cases were important in that they made discussion of sexual issues truly possible, when it used to be talking about contraceptives was deemed obscene. But, this doesn't warrant skipping over some privacy details.

The book basically covers (in two freestanding chapters) pre-Bowers Supreme Court history in any detailed way only by covering Griswold and Roe. If somewhat incomplete (White's focus on fetal life, e.g., is ignored), the book picks up speed here (I found the first chapter hard to read, at times it felt like some graduate school essay). Unfortunately, the book does not really deal with pre-Bowers legal controversies involving gays. Since Laurence Tribe, the attorney of Bowers, alone had one case in front of the Supreme Court involving gays, this is unfortunate. The book does a better job filling in the blanks between Bowers and Lawrence, though skimps on state involvement. Instead of having two chapters to cover Griswold/Roe, some of this should have been covered. The post-Lawrence material is satisfactory. He also does a good job discussing things like the briefs in Bowers and Lawrence.

The book also is good in that it does not fail to criticize when warranted, though again it sometimes is lax in doing so. For instance, Professor Ely is criticized for his limited defense of judicial review, but in "Democracy and Distrust," he specifically talked about the importance of protection homosexuals ... this c. 1980. Facts like that the clerk who worked on Blackmun's dissent in Bowers is a lesbian also might have be useful. Ditto Justice Kennedy's earlier respect for homosexuals in opinions he was involved in as an appellate judge.

Overall, though it is a useful book overall, I was disappointed as compared to some other books in the series. Other books cover this ground better. But, especially if you skim over the first chapter, you might find it useful. ... Read more

Product Description

A young man's body washes ashore near Ryan Fortune's ranch--and everyone is surprised to see he has the famous Fortune crown birthmark. Could the mystery man really be "the lost Fortune"?

Before Detective Andrea Matthews can find out, she has to convince her young, headstrong--and all right, she'll admit it, sexy--partner Gabe Thunderhawk to stop thinking about his next promotion and start working as part of a team. Being forced to operate together is tricky, though--especially as their oil-and-water personalities become mixed with something much more volatile: desire. In this job there's no room for playing around with the laws of attraction.

Product Description
Since 1986, school administrators, school board members, school attorneys, teachers, coaches, counselors, and university professors have relied upon this highly popular and standard reference source. Newly revised to include legislative and judicial developments through the spring of 2000, the Fifth Edition of The Educator's Guide to Texas School Law provides the most current, comprehensive source on Texas education law available. The authors have extensively updated all the chapters in this edition and have added much new information to help educators manage the challenges of the new century successfully. Among the topics added to the Fifth Edition are employee drug testing, contract termination decisions issued by the certified hearing examiners, the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and legal issues involving the Internet. Readers will find an expanded review of federal disability law, with emphasis on new developments involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The legal liability discussion has been expanded to encompass the dramatic increase in court rulings on sexual abuse and harassment. The Fifth Edition also includes all relevant federal and state court rulings and the decisions of the Texas Commissioner of Education. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

TEXAS SCHOOL LAW: EVERYONE SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK
THIS BOOK IS USED FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THE EDUCATION GRADUATE PROGRAM, BUT I BELIEVE EVERYONE, INCLUDING BEGINNING TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE THIS BOOK.IT IS A BOOK THAT WILL SAVE ANYONE WHO IS IN THE EDUCATION FIELD A LOT OF MONEY AND HIS/HER PICTURE OFF THE FRONT PAGE OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER.

Law Book
This is an easy to follow book that covers any questions an educator may have over just about any law.I loved that it had a regular index as well as an index of court cases.

Great TX School Law overview
This book was an asset.I used it instead of my assigned text when working to pass the TExES Principal exam.This book was much better and more reader friendly than anything else I had used.The special ed section is a Must Read as is the part on employee rights!I highly recomment this book!

Necessary for Texas Educators
The title doesn't sound overly interesting but it actually is an interesting book. Teaching is an important job but there are a lot of things that a teacher could do to get in trouble (such as breaking privacy laws).The book also covers the law regarding starting a job contract, which I found to be particularly enlightening. It also covers some of the changes to Texas law since No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and laws regarding English language learners and illegal immigrants (they have the right to public education like anyone else).These are all important issues for the Texas teacher.

The Educator's Guide to Texas School Law
This book arrived quickly and has proved to be everything I needed it to be. Thank you very much ... Read more