Bøker av Elizabeth Murphy

I was born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, one of over 60 different Disorders of Sex Development that can cause a newborn to be born with ambiguous genitalia and be considered intersex (called a hermaphrodite at the time). Since no one knew if I was a boy or a girl, I was named after my father and was raised as a boy. I felt like a girl from as early as I could remember, and as I grew older, I was compelled to become one. In this coming-of-age story, I recollect growing up sensing that I was different and coming to terms with knowing that I wasn't the "boy" everyone thought I was. As early as the age of six, I knew I would someday be a woman, which gave me great hope. As a child, I always knew I was different, but I had no way to express my feelings verbally. As a result, I internalized a great deal of shame from wanting to be a girl. I write about the confusion and wisdom of my inner voice and the struggle to be faithful to who I was. In my adolescence, I became concerned about what becoming a female would do to my relationships with my family and friends. The sexual, physical, and verbal abuse I experienced also created drama and conflict in my life. At the end of high school, at a chance encounter in my pediatrician's office, I discovered I was intersex. While in nursing school, I learned more about my medical diagnosis and what that meant for me specifically. As I worked through school, I experienced romantic feelings for men that weren't reciprocated. When I was 20, I fell in love with a young man and thought the feelings were mutual. This made me want to speed up the process of becoming a woman, so I approached a team of physicians to get approval for hormone therapy and surgery. Unfortunately, after months of counseling and going before a board of psychiatrists to get their permission for surgery, I was turned down. Heartbroken, I returned to school, and the relationship with the man ended. After college, I began the process (again) of counseling to get permission from the medical establishment (physicians) to become a woman. This time, I was granted permission to begin hormonal treatment and live as a female. My transition to womanhood was not smooth. I hurt the people I loved the most, was fired from a job, and was discriminated against in the workplace. I also experienced unrequited love again. Despite these challenges, I finally had the surgery I wanted to be female. Today, I am a mother and a nurse practitioner and have the life that I always wanted.

It's the dawn of the 20th century, but Anna and Dorrie Furlong, young daughters of a Liverpudlian ship captain with archaic ideals, are expected to remain at home in Everton until they are wedded. Dorrie, beautiful and popular, with multiple admirers, is content to do this, but idealistic, intelligent Anna hates her narrow life and longs for freedom and independence. As both sisters struggle against their situations, love will find them as if by accident, and after much hardship and sadness, they will both begin to realise where true happiness lies... A touching love song to Liverpool, Elizabeth Murphy's Comfort Me With Apples is an emotional, touching tale, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Helen Forrester and Lyn Andrews

A deeply moving saga based in 20th-century Liverpool.From a young age Laura Redmond resents the way her father speaks to her mother. She does not understand that despite his heated outbursts, John Redmond is a loyal and devoted husband. As Laura grows up her protective love for her mother, Anne, leads to a love/hate relationship between father and daughter. Many think this is because they are so alike - both uncompromising and determined. Only Laura's great-grandmother recognises the truth. It takes many years filled with triumph and tragedy for the family, and the arrival of a special man in Laura's life, before she can properly grasp the true nature of her father. An absolute triumph, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Helen Forrester and Lyn Andrews.

The tale of two Liverpool sisters and their search for happiness.When Kate and Rose Drew are orphaned, they are heartbroken to discover they are to be separated.Kate must go to Aunt Mildred, a hard woman who runs a Liverpool boarding house, who puts her to work at once. But Rose gets the wealthy widow Aunt Beattie, who lavishes her with gifts and attention.As one sister experiences hardship alongside friendship, while the other is spoilt and isolated, which will find happiness? For, eventually, it is not what Kate and Rose have in life that counts, but what they choose to make of it...A truly memorable saga that will charm readers of Helen Forrester, Katie Flynn and Pam Howes.

The final instalment of the breathtaking Liverpool Sagas, perfect for fans of Helen Forrester and Pam Howes

The captivating first instalment of The Liverpool Sagas, full of authentic and absorbing details of Liverpool life at the turn of the nineteenth century

This volume explains what qualitative research can do, when it is sensible to use or commission it, and (most crucially and controversially) how to tell good work from bad. The text is amply illustrated with examples of qualitative health care research studies.