I can't go through with this! Lux Copper couldn’t go through with it: marrying Mario Blevins and becoming a part of his snobbish family just weeks before Christmas. He was okay, but their families push them together for some kind of alignment of fortunes or whatever. As she walked up the aisle, her mind raced, searching for an escape route. Lux locked eyes with Hudson Falk at the back of the chapel, her best friend. In that instant, he extended his hand to her. Without a second thought, Lux turned and ran to him, amidst shocked gasps and her father's angry voice. Little did she know, taking Hudson's hand would lead to more than she could have ever anticipated, making for a Christmas people could only dream of. Hudson Falk had fallen for Lux Cooper, from the moment they met. Playing the role of her best friend had been a challenge, especially when her father announced her engagement. He didn't fit into their refined, wealthy social circles, they would be in awe of his secret – he was the son of a Norse winter god in a human world. Those secrets were never meant to be revealed, until now, and only to Lux. Taking her hand and fleeing from the chapel with her presented him with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Their impromptu escape led to unexpected turns: "Let's run away to Norway?" – "Yes." "Let's get drunk and get married?" – "Okay, neither of them had anticipated that." "I'm actually a Norse god, and I do mystical things." – Lux looked skeptical until he showed her his true life. Now that Hudson had Lux, he had no intention of letting her go. After all, he was a Viking, and love was their expertise. Beneath the enchanting Northern Lights for Christmas, in a glass igloo, nestled in the snow. Hudson would show Lux how his kisses could warm her and how his love held no expectations, except enduring beyond a lifetime, just for her.

The bride is on the run! Samantha Avery yielded to impulse when she walked down the aisle. Bad move: when the groom hands her a ring she recognizes as stolen, she has to run and keep running until his trial. Answering an ad for brides, she flees to a remote resort town under construction. The brawny boss, Kieran French, needs a temporary wife for legal reasons. But has Samantha jumped out of the lace-trimmed frying pan into the fire? Readers will welcome this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, revised and updated, from the bestselling author of The Bride Wore Gym Shoes and Assignment: Groom! “Jacqueline Diamond writes marvelous romantic comedy.”--Leena Hyat, The Best Reviews Jacqueline Diamond’s more than 100 novels include romantic comedies, Regencies and medical romances. A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jackie received a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine and has twice finaled for the prestigious Rita © Award. She currently writes the Safe Harbor Medical Mystery series, a spin-off from her 17-book Safe Harbor Medical Romance series.

This concise and accessible new text examines the correlations between runaway children and teenage prostitution in the United States from a criminological, sociological, and psychological perspective. The author takes a systematic approach to defining and describing the differences between youth who run away from home and those who leave institutional settings and distinguishes the difference between runaway and throwaway children. A careful examination of teenage prostitution among girls and boys helps to illuminate the special problems faced by children who have run away. In addition, the author discusses laws related to runaways, teenage prostitution, and the sexual exploitation of minors as well as the criminal justice response to the problems. Runaways and prostitution involving youth in other countries is also explored. The text's findings support current conclusions on the characteristics of runaways, the relationship between runaways and teen prostitution, and the implications of running away from home. Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution is divided into five parts. Part I examines the scope and dynamics of running away and differentiates between runaways and throwaways. Part II explores teenage prostitution and provides information on girl and boy prostitutes and the people who exploit them. Child sexual abuse and child pornography as correlates to the problem are studied in Part III, and Part IV reviews the law that atttempts to combat teenage prostitution. Part V is devoted to an examination of the scope and significance of the problem in other countries. Together, these chapters provide readers with a clear picture of the problem of runaways and teenage prostitution in the United States and around the world.

A new series by Dandi Daley Mackall, author of the best-selling Winnie the Horse Gentler series! I've run away seven times—never once to anything, just away from. Maybe that's why they call me a “runaway,” and not a “run-to.” Meet 16-year-old Dakota Brown. She used to love all things “horse” until she lost everything, including hope. The minute she sets foot on her foster parents' farm—Starlight Animal Rescue—she plans her escape. But can an “impossible” horse named Blackfire and this quirky collection of animal lovers be the home she's always dreamed of? Starlight Animal Rescue: Where problem horses are trained and loved, where abandoned dogs become heroes, where stray cats become loyal companions. And where people with nowhere to fit in find a place to belong.