Belfast Girls

After reading this story I was led to believe that it was about the political side of Ireland. But soon enough I could see three different stories but intertwined with something that is about the cultural side of Ireland.
The story started out fine enough. I learnt how Sheila and Phil became friends even with differences of being Catholic and Protestant. How their friend Mary became friends also. They all started out to become someone by going to university and each one finding their own.
Interesting that Phil became involved with a drug dealer and how she stuck by him. But what surprises me that being an Irish Catholic she becomes pregnant. But I guess being in the year 2003 times have changed. Poor Davy he will never see his child. Phil is insightful enough though to have her child grow up right with support from her family. Which it should be. And that is how the character is seen.
Mary getting involved with taking drugs shows you how all countries are the same. I'm glad that character was written that she beats this and finds comfort in the Church of Ireland. It shows that time has evolved. Religion is all for the same thing. Peace of mind.
Sheila was the one at first I didn't understand. I know she had a thing for John, Mary's brother but when he started acting weird from the beginning I get aggravated when the girl is naive about stuff. When obviously times have changed and issues are out in the open. The stories of her in modeling and giving the story to the police on the drug house was interesting. Also about her father's family.
The story drug on quite a bit and once Phil, and Mary's issues were taken care of with happy endings I am adding, Sheila's character ending was all too quick. John had a thought to get Sheila back. Went to where she was modeling and bam asked her to marry him. Than off they went happily ever after.
I liked the stories about the characters, very entertaining. But when it came to wrapping up the ending of a book it left the reader,me, with a thud. Like here is what happened the end. Not to well thought out.
That is why I gave it 4 stars----------->




Taken from my Goodreads review
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The Fires of Merlin

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This is book three. I want to say that I really enjoyed it but I didn't. I like to read of Merlin's magical adventure in Fincayra. The story lost the middle somehow. Than at the end it picked up and got interesting again.
All this time that Merlin was grooming to be this spectular wizard time and time he seemed to be uncertain. I get it he is just a boy. But it gets me that he's naive most of the time. Merlin loses his powers all the time and doesn't realize they are within him. With the help of his friends new and old seizes to be the great wizard that he is born to be.
Besides Valdearg, (the wings of fire) would of turned out to be not so bad a dragon if he didn't die. There are some new characters Hallia and Earmon, who are brother and sister ( deer people) help Merlin along the way. Earmon although was a short lived character. And now the baby dragon who lost her daddy (Valdearg) from a bite from a kreelix.
Intresting passage at the beginning. Splendor of fire,swiftness of wind, I arise today, through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, radiance of moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightening, swiftness of wind, depth of sea, stability of earth, firmness of rock.
This is a passage from a seventh century hymn by St Patrick called The Cry of the Deer
A fondness of deer Patrick has, for when he was going to be killed. Druids saw a doe and fawn following. Saved his life. I guess in a way Patrick was trying to give back by getting rid of the dragons. What a shame for not many know that dragons are a magical bunch.
I'm rooting for Merlin. I know he'll get it someday. On to read the fourth book.
I give The Fires of Merlin 3-------> just because there was a big chunk in the middle that was disconnected.

The Three Gifts

A warm Christmas story. Typical Hallmark movie. I like the story of the three boys finally noticing its less about them and more about other people's feelings and living. A very good lesson indeed. The part that I thought was a bit far fetched was when Emily collapsed and Sam was a match. How convenient was that. How Justin's father, Fred meets someone that he knew and falls in love again. It amazes me that towards the end of stories, movies how everything comes to center where things gets solved and endings are happy. All at one time. I never pictured the characters like the cover. I pictured Emily younger and the boys between younger and older. A story all wrapped up with everything more that you would want to read for Christmastime.
I give The Three Gifts 4-----> hummingbirds


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An Irish Christmas

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A nice little Christmas story. What an adventure to go to another country for Christmas. Although Colleen had a reason to go to Ireland I do commend her on trying to break the news to her son Jamie about his biological father.
I did think Jamie was annoying. The way at times that he treated his mother wasn't right. Both of them had to grieve. Sadly I guess each didn't know how to do that to help each other. Different things that Colleen went through with Jamie was very much relatable since I went/go through that with my daughter.
The one thing I think was the most memorable with that thought is how Colleen just left things go with Jamie. Left it in the hands of God. What will be and what is too big for her, he will take care of. Important message that I need to remember.
Good view on what Ireland is like. How it was explained of the island of Inishbofin. Quite the truth. Since my father's side came from there and seeing for myself, it is a hard place. It was good to see that there is a better effect happening from one place to benefit others even on a holiday.
Of course everything is wrapped up nicely at the end. Jamie and Colleen get what they have been searching for.

Customers who bought An Irish Christmas also bought @ Barnes and Noble- Flight to Heaven by Captain Dale Black, Faith by Lori Copeland, The Whole Bible Story by Dr William H. Marty, Rules to Live By by Jerry White, Hurt Machine by Reed Farrell Coleman, The Gift by Richard Paul Evans

A good story for a free price. I give An Irish Christmas 4----->

Christmas in High Heels

This is the 1st book I have read of the high heels series. When people say it is a short story they are not kidding. It was too short. I liked the story. Typical Hallmark kind of story. A lot of things happening all at once. It is what is a cute Christmas story.

Barnes and Noble says Customers that bought Christmas in High Heels also bought the rest of the high heel series

I give Christmas in High Heels 3___> 

Just because the story is too short.