The Big 5-OH!

Olivia, Liv, Wallace faces her monumental birthday with more than her usual dread. It seems like she is fated to have a disaster occur on each and every one—from her boyfriend kissing another girl on her 16th birthday to a diagnosis of stage 3 ovarian cancer on her 48th birthday. Liv’s leave of absence from the hospital is almost used up and soon it’s almost time that Liv move on with her life and decide if she wants to return to her job as a surgical nurse or if she would like to try a new career challenge. Her best friend Hallie has just the ticket to cheer Liv up. Hallie’s mother, Josie, who lives in Florida and writes children’s books, would like a house sitter for 2 weeks so that she can come visit Hallie and her family. On the plane to Florida, Liv meets Jared Hunt but Liv is upset by turbulence and they do not converse much during the flight. However, by chance, Liv finds Jared’s house is next door to Hallie’s mothers. Jared and Liv share a strong Christian faith and their romance is refreshingly free of intimate details. Each chapter has a few lines of a children’s book, written by Josie, that parallel the chapter content.
I found this book to be quite refreshing. Rather than the customary chic lit, it is Christian based and all of the characters were well developed and believable. I hope this author writes more novels as they definitely are well worth reading and stand out from the crowd.

Viva Cisco

"Viva Cisco" by Patrick Shannon is a book for middle school age students. It is divided into three books all starring Cisco the hilarious parrot and set in beautiful Topopootl; deep in Mexico.

In book one, Cisco searches for his life's work. He goes from one inept career to the next and finally is successful as a PI although he mistakenly accuses none other than the President of Totopootl during his investigation. Harry the Pack Rat is found to be finding a "Mexican Collection."

In book two, Cisco learns learns he is to be the leader of an adventure that will lead him and his friends far from Totopootl to find answers to questions about their community.

In book three, Cisco and four friends search for a pyramid which Old Parrot has advised Cisco holds the answers to his questions. After a long journey and search for the secret room, Cisco and pals discover the story of how Totopootl came into existence. And then they discover the little skunks who save Totopootl by employing El Gordo--their secret weapon.

The stories were very good but I found them confusing; it just seemed disjointed and didn't flow well together. I realize it was in three books but I would have like it better in one story. I loved the story itself and the characters and the setting.

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love

Oogy reminds me of Lassie in that it's the story of a dog and the family who loves him. It's a true story about a 2 month old puppy that was used as a bait dog in dog fighting; the puppy would not fight. Larry and his wife saw Oogy at a animal hospital when they were bringing in a cat to be put to sleep and when they saw him and heard his story--they decided they wanted him. Many surgeries and weeks later, he came home. He had lost the left side of his face and left ear and thus the British term oogly became the endearing Oogy. The Levins with their adopted sons surrounded Oogy with the care and love he needed.
Oogy grew to be a huge dog and many be people feared him but he is not a fighter--he's all love. Reading his the stories of the twins growing up years together with Oogie years just such a joy. The happiness of everyday life written extraordinarily. It's a gem.