The Perfect Family

The Perfect Family

Author: Carla Cassidy

When I started reading this book I didn't know it was the kind that it was going to be hard to put down. I was looking forward to what was coming up next.

What was my favorite character? I can't say that I did have a favorite character because they were all so good. I guess if I would have to pick one I will have to say, Alex.

Why Alex? Alex had this second chance on love with Marissa. And he walked into something that was going on in Marissa's life that wasn't so easy. Poor guy went through some changes in his own life because of her and her children.

My thoughts on the story: Well I can tell you that I would be scared out of my mine if I had someone stalking me. And on top of that killing people as presents to me. Yuck! And just like Marissa my No.1 concern would be my children. I would do anything to protect them. What makes it real strange is the people that Marissa felt secure with, the ones that save lives are the ones that she needed to watch out for.

To think her husband a firefighter. A person that dedicated his life to helping others that someone caused him harm and his family.

Scary to think that this could happen in real life if you let your imagination run.

Was there anything I didn't like in this story? There was one thing I didn't like. At the end, in the epilogue when Marissa finally got her life settled down. She stopped going to the firehouse. Not because of the past but because of her future. She didn't need them anymore. I just wish it wasn't written up like that. By not going at all anymore it just sounds like there is more important things in her life and she has no time for anyone else. I just saw it that she was bringing joy to the men that protect. But I do understand why it was written like that.

I do recommend this book to read. Not only is it a thriller it does have romance too. Which everyone loves a good ending.

I give this book: 5 

Amazon says:

Customers who bought this item also boughtPromise Him Anything by Carla Cassidy
Are You Afraid? (Signet Eclipse) by Carla Cassidy
Hide Your Eyes by Alison Gaylin
Without a Sound (Signet Eclipse) by Carla Cassidy
You Can't Hide by Karen Rose

Yes this is a bookcrossing book. And will be on it's way to Tennessee so it can be enjoyed just as well :)

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Finn MacCool

Author: Morgan LLywelyn

I grew up on the Irish history. And Finn MacCool I can say was not a disappointment. I was taken in with the thoughts in my mind of ancient Ireland. The book in my option captured all what I have learnt throughout the years.

Did the man become the legend or the legend become the man? I think it was a little of both. Finn a great warrior himself not only was strong but he would recite poetry. He felt the poetry in him and lived it.

He took fianna's what was said to be not worthy and made them as dignified as any royal people. Finn made them believe in themselves. He made the Fianna's the best, the elite.

Did Finn have a magical side? Oh yes he did. Legend says that Finn could pick thorns out of his heels while running. Which by the way was a feat that any man had to pass if he wanted to be part of the Fianna.

Once in a battle with a Scottish giant Finn scooped up a large clod of earth and flung it at the Scott. The clod fell into the sea and turned into the Isle of Mann. The hole it left filled up with water and became Lough Neagh.

Irish history is well off with myths and legends

They weave true history with threads of myths and lore.

Finn did marry a woman named Sive. Finn thought that she was presented to him as a deer. They had a son named Oisin. Who later followed in his father's footstep's and had his love for poetry.

The end for Finn MacCool was his poetry and his fear that someday Goll MacMorna, the man who killed Finn's father would kill Finn.

The magic that these tales bring has given a few versions of where Finn is today.

Some say he died by getting in the middle of a fight that a couple of the members of the Fianna were having. Another story is that Finn is sleeping in a cave waiting to awake so that he can defend Ireland in their time of need.

I give this book: 4 

Amazon says:

Customers who bought this item also boughtBard: The Odyssey of the Irish (Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn) by Morgan Llywelyn
Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn
The Last Prince of Ireland (Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn) by Morgan Llywelyn
Lion of Ireland (Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn) by Morgan Llywelyn
Druids by Morgan Llywelyn

This book is a bookcrossing book. And don't know where the next stop for Finn MacCool will be.

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Tears of the Giraffe

I started reading this series a while ago. Starting with No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Tears of the Giraffe gives the characters a more interesting, softer side of them. Precious helped a woman with her grief of a son that was lost. Mr. J.L.B. took in some orphan children so they wouldn't be alone. But to be loved by both he and Precious.


What does it mean, Tears of a Giraffe? A giraffe has nothing to give except for it's tears. Just as people give something to be kind.

My favorite characters? They would have to be Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni

With her kind heart and an adventurous spirit of breaking new ground of a woman being a detective. And his hard working, and sometimes naive soul they become good friends and now will be married.

Were there things in the story that stood out? Yes there were.
Mr. J.L.B. is a mechanic and he is trying to keep the cars running as best he can. With new technology coming out he is the only one that knows the basics of the older cars. He doesn't know why the younger men don't want to learn basics.
Not so much different as today with all the new fangled things that are in cars today. Mechanics need to be up on all new things.

Also there is a spot in the book about the orphan children needing others to take care of them. If no one else does who will. So the habit of this continent is to take care of the children. It just isn't 1 person left. The whole village pitches in. Much like the Irish did back in their barbaric ways. If 1 person could do it many did. They fostered children. So no one was left alone
In a way today the message is lost. Many don't want to do anything. What a shame :(


That is just another example of how Mma Ramotswe, and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's generous souls come together.



I give this book: 5 

Amazon says: Customers who bought this item also bought: Morality for Beautiful Girls (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (Paperback)) by Alexander McCall Smith
The Kalahari Typing School for Men (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) by Alexander Mccall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Today Show Book Club #8) by Alexander McCall Smith
The Full Cupboard of Life: More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) by Alexander McCall Smith




This is a bookcrossing book and I'm not sure where it will be going next :)

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The Secret of the Old Clock

This book is the 1st in a series about a young girl named Nancy Drew.

I used to read these books when I was a kid. My dad and I would go to the bookstore, or to Woolworth (a 5&10 store) to get a ice cream soda and look at the books. Each time I would get a Nancy Drew book. I would try to get them in order too. Sadly my mom threw out my books and I can't pass them down to my kids. But this year my son Matthew got me the 1st six books in the series for Christmas. What a wonderful surprise!

I finished The Secret of the Old Clock and this is what I thought of it.

Nancy Drew never let me down. It was nice to see that Nancy still had ingenuity when she was solving a mystery. Who would of thought that a young girl of 18 would find herself being a sleuth. It is a little strange that a 18 yr old would act so maturely. And that she in this case, would be so kind and happy for people that she helped. I think that's what attracted me to these stories. Plus they are mysteries too. LOL!

Who was the center of this mystery? Josiah Crowley, He was the man that befriended some nice people who really cared about him. And wanted to leave his estate to them. To the dismay of his family and friends, his estate was left to family members that weren't too kind. Was there another will?

What was so special about The Old Clock? The clock held a 2nd will that was a later version of Josiah Crowley's orginal will and testament. Actually the clock held a notebook where the will was at.

The outcome? The outcome was a good one as usual. After finding the 2nd will, Carson Drew, Nancy's lawyer father helped out the bank who was Josiah's executor. Getting all family and friends together to read out the will, and making some nice people happy. They all than could make ends meet. And making some of Josiah's family namely The Topham's not so happy. Nancy found out that they took Josiah in when he was alive just to get what was in his will. And hide that there possibly might be a 2nd will. They also held possession of the old clock too. Mysteries solved!

What I never thought about Nancy Drew books when I was young is the chapter content. Each chapter has a name to it.

Also at the end of the story Nancy takes something with her from the case. This story she received the clock. And there is a little peek of what the next book is called. Hmm now I know why I kept going back to read about her. I'm ? years older now and enjoyed reading Nancy Drew again

I give this book 5 

Amazon says: customers ultimately buy after viewing this item? 8% buy Nancy Drew Boxed Set 1-6 (Nancy Drew) by Carolyn G. Keene

5% buy The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, No 2) by Carolyn G. Keene

5% buy Clue in the Diary #7 (Nancy Drew (Hardcover)) by Carolyn Keene

3% buy The SLUMBER PARTY SECRET (NANCY DREW NOTEBOOK 1) : THE SLUMBER PARTY SECRET by Carolyn Keene


This is not a bookcrossing book of any kind. It will stay with me as my Permanent Collection.

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Four to Score

This series is one of my favorites. I loved Stephanie Plum the first time I read about her in Visions of SugarPlums. So I thought I would review one Stephanie Plum book at least.

Stephanie never really wanted to be a bounty hunter. It just so happens that her cousin Vinnie, owned a bail bound place and was looking for some help. Well Stephanie needed a job and he had one, so she gave it a whirl.

Her love interst, Joe Morelli, WoHo! boy do sparks fly when they are together. She might bumble around some but Stephanie always gets her guy. Or girl too in the case of Four to Score.

Did I notice anything different in this book?: Well yes in a way. Stephanie seems to be growing up. What do I mean? In the begining she was a mess at this bounty hunting stuff. Even with her guy Joe trying to help her. LOL! there was always light hearted laughter through out the story. but now it's straight to the point, for real bounty hunter Stephanie.

Is the outcome effected in any way? Stephanie is not as funny with her bounty hunting as she used to be. She is serious about her job now. So book really doesn't start getting funny til around the middle. But it does keep your interst. There's always that hint of tension between her and Joe. That really throws her off. LOL!

New characters that I like: Grandma Mazur
Stephanie's dad,
Lula . And I can't forget Ranger

Why do I like these characters? Grandma Mazur is a hoot. In the story Grandma went on a surveillance trip with Stephanie and crew. She spotted the person that they were watching for and Grandma jumped on the poker table (at the casinos in New Jersey), ran after the person and while outside talking with the rest of the crew some hoodlums came up behind them and Grandma turned around with her gun that she wasn't allowed to have ;),
Stephanie's dad is getting more vocal. Especially when it comes to Sally,Stephanie's new friend. Sally is a Drag Queen and dad is old school. He doesn't like the idea of Sally doing what she does. So in explaining he says some wierd things. And who couldn't like Lula. Lula is an ex hooker that Stephanie helped out in the first book. And now she works in the office of the bail bond place.
And I can't forget about Ranger. Eye candy for Stephanie? A nice guy who does things his own way, very mysterious bounty hunter that helps out Stephanie too.

Other characters that are alright: Stephanie's mom
Old school, Jeresy mom. Always has a good meal waiting
Joe Morelli
A cop that knows Stephanie since grade school. Not bad to look at but is/will be Stephanie's main squeeze. And also helps out Stephanie in ways she doesn't even know. LOL!

I do recommend this series. What fun, books I call my comfy books :D



I give Four to Score 5 

Amazon says
What do customers ultimately buy after viewing their item?
7% buy Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
5% buy One for the Money (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
5% buy Three To Get Deadly (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
3% buy Eleven on Top (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich

This is a bookcrossing book and I don't know where the next adventure for it will be. But hope whoever gets it will love it as much as me :)

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