The Official Unofficial Guide to Using Legacy Family Tree by Geoffrey D. Rasmussen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I bought this .pdf ebook which can be read on my laptop computer, and I don't recommend trying to move this ebook to your Nook for it seemed to mess up my Nook for PC when I tried to move and open it there. Reading it on your computer is a better idea. Read it in a split screen with Legacy FamilyTree software open on the other screen and follow step-by-step instructions to use the software in new-to-me ways. I rate this book 5 stars for I will continue to refer to this book.


This book is a compilation of Geoff Rasmussen's columns on his Legacy blog and from Legacy's newsletter. He discusses the features of the genealogy software and he offers work-around solutions to the questions of the "If it can do that, can it also do this?" variety. I read many of these columns before, so why did I need to spend money on a compilation? For the simple reason that it is indexed and has bookmarks so that I can easily find the information when my research and skill level is ready to use it.

A small problem with this book is not all of the URL links mentioned are still available. It would have been nice if he could have included comments from the readers of his columns. I continue to learn from the suggestions made by other readers.


I recommend this book to users of Legacy FamilyTree software. It can be purchased through their online store.


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Magyk by Angie Sage

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I downloaded this book as a Free Friday selection, and it is no longer free. This was an opportunity to read the first book of a fantasy series by an author that was unknown to me.

I enjoyed the world the author creates in which there are Ordinary Wizards, Extra-Ordinary Wizards, ghosts, witches, a boggart, and many other things. The villians are suitably evil in their world. The story is well-plotted to keep the suspense over the chapter endings until the book can be picked up and read again.

I recommend this book to readers of all ages who enjoy fantasy. It could be read to imaginative youngsters and read by young adult readers.



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Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I received this book as a Free Friday selection from BN.com and its publisher, and it is no longer free. Christian fiction is a genre from which I don't often make my reading selections.

I enjoyed the western-romance story of a widow who becomes the housekeeper to the ranch owner and his belligerent daughter, and the characters are well-drawn in the beginning. My rating dropped from three stars to two stars when the discussions of faith and behavior went from a conversational, character-specific tone to a tone better suited to a sermon delivered from a pulpit. It was as if Abby, Ella and Sally were all reading from the same script. Another small item that brought me out of the fictive dream occurred when Abby poured the biscuit batter into a tin, and I thought to myself,"That's not how I would make biscuits." I would either make drop biscuits or I would roll out the dough and cut them into circles with a jelly glass.

I recommend this book to a reader who enjoys the genre of Christian fiction.




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Deadly Sanctuary by Sylvia Nobel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was my Nook Free Friday selection for Dec 31, 2010, and it is no longer free. This is the first book in the Kendall O'Dell series. This Free Friday selection introduced me to a new author and new series in the mystery genre which I enjoy.

The stoy moved fast and was plotted well so that it held my attention. Kendall is hired as an investigative reporter; but her editor wants to keep her investigations secret so that she does not arouse antagonism from the local sheriff who no longer considers the disappearance of a former reporter to be worth investigating. Kendall accepts the job for reasons that have more to do with her health. She is soon curious enough to investigate her own stories, and new information keeps coming back to the investigation by the former reporter. Supporting characters have stories of their own. There is enough romance that this book could fit into a romance genre too.

I recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries or to readers who like mystery with a romance. I enjoyed it enough to look for other books written by this author at my local library.



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Crush by Alan Jacobson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book was offered as a Free Friday Nook selection from BN, and it is no longer free. I expected to enjoy it as I often like series books from this genre, and this free book was placed to entice me to read the first book of the series and the next book. I was disappointed, and I am unlikely to read any more by this author.



My biggest disappointment is an ending that does not resolve some major questions. The author blatantly tells you to buy his next book to find out what happens next. This reader just does not care.



I don't recommend this book for there are better books in this genre.







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The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I think this was recommended in a newsletter from goodreads.com because I raved about Three Seconds by Roslund and Hellstrom, and that recommendation was right on the money for me. The prologue is exciting and then the action slows down a bit because it introduces new characters, and I have to write down the character's names because I am unfamiliar with the names and locations in this part of the world.

Soon the universal emotions start the action and I am caught up in the stories of a woman who wants to protect a child, a woman who seeks her child, and the men who would use that child.

I recommend it to readers who enjoy thrillers and crime novels.





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The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Thank you Aunt Carolyn for recommending this book. Now I understand why you suggested I read it. It has many well-drawn characters who live in The Tower of London, and these are characters you want other people to know so that you can use them in conversations with specific metaphorical meaning.

I recommend this book for people who enjoy British novels about people in a community. Masterpiece Theater should take notice of this book.



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