Perry Books

I ordered 3 books and all came in great time frame, like new.

Perry's Baltimore Adventure: A Bird's Eye View Of Charm City is a picture book story by Peter E. Dans about exploring Baltimore from the viewpoint of an adventurous peregrine falcon. Kim Harrell's soft colors and absorbing illustrations bring to life this engaging story packed with exciting facts about peregrine falcons and the splendors of "Charm City." Perry's Baltimore Adventure would make a welcome and popular addition to any family, school, or community library collection.

This little book by Dans and Harrell is a charming introduction to the city of Baltimore, as seen through the eyse of a young Peregrine Falcon. Endangered peregrines first returned to nesting in cities in Baltimore in the 1980's after nearly going extinct in the United States - garnering international attention. Dans skillfully weaves the birth and first year activities of a baby peregrine in with the marvelous history and architecture to be seen in downtown Baltimore. The combination of natural history and scenic Baltimore is very appealing. Kim Harrell's illustrations provide a keen perspective on the falcon's view of a beautiful city.

This delightful book is a great story and a vivid tour of the city of Baltimore. The color illustrations are breathtaking and really give you a sense of flying along with the falcons as they visit various points of interest in the city. The birds are accurately depicted and the detailed panoramas make you want to look again and again. Highly recommended!

PLAYING SMART is coming out in a new enlarged updated edition in April 2001. Stay tuned.

As the author, I'm letting you know that the resources in this older edition of Playing Smart are out of date after a full decade in print. Buy the REVISED edition (subtitle: THE FAMILY GUIDE etc.) and you won't be disappointed.

Here's where to turn for creative responses to "How much longer?" -- that classic question asked by children of all ages -- when sitting in traffic, waiting in the doctor's office, or standing in line at the supermarket. You and your kids (ages 4-14) will enjoy the offbeat, simple games in Playing Smart. The fun ideas in this book will turn, "Aren't we there yet?!" into "Are we there already?!"

Susan K. Perry's writing is always a delight. PLAYING SMART is filled with fun ideas that will entertain children AND adults. Each chapter offers dozens of suggestions to open children's minds to love learning, improve their powers of observation and innovative thinking, and to be respectful of the world and all its beauty. Many many resources listed for games, supplies, and further information. Children will learn they need never say they are bored again.

In Prime Choice (Book 1) Perry Skky, Jr. had rededicated his life to God. When Book 2 begins, he allows himself to be talked into drinking alcohol when it isn't something he really wants to do, and it surely isn't an act that's pleasing to God. One minute Perry is claiming to be high on life and moments later he's gulping down four beers in a row. In other words, he gives in to peer pressure. He is repentant, though, especially when the alcohol he consumed takes a toll on his athletic physique. He's also repentant a few more times throughout the story when he makes other decisions that he immediately regrets. Seems he's learning that it isn't easy to be a Christian in this world.
Perry sure has a whole lot to deal with in this book: His boy, Damarius, gets him caught up in a dangerous situation. A fatal accident takes away a friend, and there's still much drama in his life when it comes to females.
I purchased Book 2 because I wanted to find out if Perry and Savoy (the girl he was with at the end of Book 1) would stay strong in their Christian beliefs and remain abstinent. But Mr. Skky gets a bit confused and can't make up his mind about who he wants - Savoy or Tori (the girl he broke up with in Book 1). It seems he has feelings for both of them, and he ends up hurting both of them. He does, however, take responsibility for the pain he causes.
And about Perry's Christian beliefs as far as premarital sex is concerned, I had to wonder why a guy who is committed to abstinence would have a condom in his nightstand. I guess even though his spirit was willing to abstain he figured there would come a day when his flesh would be in control and he'd better be prepared. That isn't total commitment. Total commitment would be never even thinking about buying a condom, never taking a girl up to his bedroom or her bedroom or wherever, and doing his best to never put himself in a situation where sex could happen. I'm thinking the author was trying to show the reader that Christians don't get it right all of the time, and that when the wrong choices are made, God is right there ready to forgive.
Perry says, "Being an eighteen year old black male is a lot of pressure." In order to cope with all of the pressure, Perry prays to the heavenly Father. But he doesn't always pray just for himself; he also prays for family and friends. And it seems that, by the end of this story, more than pleasing himself and his parents, Perry Skky Jr. wants to please God.
I plan to purchase the next book not only to see how that works out for him, but to find out if he ends up with Savoy, or Tori, a new girl, or if he just decides not to have a relationship with any girl so he can focus on football, his education, and, most importantly, his relationship with God.

I read this book after my son (the non-reader) devoured it in 2 days and it was great. Ms. Perry-Moore writes like she was 17 herself, the language, attitude, and actions displayed by the teens in this book were so typically teen and the lessons learned were invaluable. We look forward to book 3 and hopefully more to come for our sons.

What happens when knowing what's right and doing what's right become enemies? What about when doing what's right is simply not cool? Perry Skky, Jr. is the star wide receiver of his high school football team and is also trying to live a Christian life. His friends and adversaries see him as Mr. Do Good. All around Perry are the temptations that come along with being a teenager today: drugs, alcohol, sex and a hefty dose of peer pressure. Graduation day is fast approaching and he is almost set with an athletic scholarship to the college of his choice. One night as he discovers his best friend's involvement in the drug industry, he allows himself to be coerced into breaking his vow to abstain from alcohol, and finds himself in an uncomfortable position. As he deals with his knowledge about alcohol and drugs, he witnesses the effects of them on his friends and enemies alike.

Perry is also very much interested in a relationship with Savoy, however, his ex-girlfriend has different plans. She now realizes what she wants and feels the lack of sex is what destroyed her relationship with Perry. Savoy, grounded in Christian faith also, wants to wait on sex and let God guide her and Perry in His plan for them. As Perry fights the lure of sexual enticement, tragedy strikes and he finds the best laid plans somehow are tossed out the window. How does a young man of faith deal with the drama that surrounds him?

Stephanie Perry Moore does an excellent job characterizing the temporal influences the typical teenager faces in a realistic fashion. PRESSING HARD, the second book in the Perry Skky, Jr. Series, is full of situations teens find themselves in. Not only does Moore address each situation, but she gives conclusions that are both successful and not so successful. She isn't preachy, but gives it to you in an "it is, what it is" manner. It is interesting and satisfying to see a young black male in a leadership role dealing with his failings as well as his triumphs. The message that stands the tallest is God is in control and we should allow Him to lead us at all times. We usually mess things up when we try to take the helm from Him. Adults, as well as teens, will find the book educational as well as uplifting.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

All I can say is if you have a teenager GO AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK !!!!(And the previous book) You will not be disappointed!!

This book is awesome. It not only clearly defines how to implement Quickbook features, but touches on the basics of accounting as well.

I've never been impressed enough with a reference manual to write a review, but I had to for this one. It is perfect for me.

I'm a techie with no interest in accounting or QuickBooks, but out of necessity to take care of my business I bought this book. I must say it has painlessly taught me everything that I need to know, and the style of it is just fantastic to keep as a reference manual. The plain language, diagrams, and "learn-what-you-need" format make it a valuable addition to any business owner's library. If you don't like searching pages and pages of text to get that one little bit of info you need, then this book is a perfect choice. If you'd like a book to read cover-to-cover for in-depth knowledge of QuickBooks, then this book is also the perfect choice.

I am going to presume (I know that's not very smart, but I'm going to do it anyway) that you're already decided on Quickbooks software. So the reason you're reading this book review is to determine if you want to buy this book to learn what to do with it.

This book is pare of Que's 'On Demand' series of books. It's a visual quick reference guide that uses a task oriented philosophy to show/describe how to do things in Quickbooks. Specifically, say you want to Schedule a Recurring Transaction, that is, a bill that needs to be paid the tenth of every month for the same amount. You can look up: Recurring Transactions or Scheduled Transactions in the index or Scheduling Recurring Transactions in the Table of Contents. All of these lead you to page 189. Page 189 is printed with two columns. The left hand column has a set of instructions on how to do the task. The right hand column has pictures of what the screen should look like as you follow the instructions.

So you read through the whole book quickly, learning at least the basic idea of what you can do. Get Quickbooks installed (page 2), register it (page 5), and work you way through the first couple of chapters. Then skip around to get what you want done, as you decide to implement those features.

It's a pretty handy way to learn a software system.

This is actually one of the best, well written computer books I've read. It is easy to find what you need and has step by step instructions with pictures to help you learn what it is that you are trying to do.

This book is a must if you have QuickBooks 2007!

This was pleasurable reading. For those interested in the Amish, an interesting twist on descendants who have moved out of the Amish faith. A nurse practitioner finding her roots and returning to her homeland. A police man who also has an Amish heritage. Both meet up with each other along the way. The story line kept the reader interested with it's twist and turn of events.

Fiona Flanagan never met her relatives on either her mother or her father's side of the family. A quarrel between brothers alienated her father from his family and her mother's Amish relatives disowned her when she left her faith to marry an outsider. Now Fiona is in town and determined to get some answers. The Flanagans welcome her with open arms, but the Stolzfus family isn't ready for a confrontation. Fiona realizes people were hurt but it was all so long ago, and what about forgiveness?

Ted Ritenhouse meets Fiona when he finds her prowling around the house she wants to buy and thinks she's up to no good. Ted is the law in Crossroads and he's not happy to learn Fiona is Hannah Stoltzfus' daughter. Marty Perry has written a compassionate story of love and forgivness, hidden hurts and the courage to do what is right, regardless of the cost. The characters are so well developed we can understand their pain, feel their joy and rejoice at the way God can give peace to hurting hearts. Another good story about the Flanagan family

I really enjoyed reading this book specifically and the whole Love Inspired series in general. Thank you!

Marta Perry writes about a women named Fiona Flanagan and how she finds a place to be her home and work. She meets a guy named Ted Rittenhouse and starts to fall in love with her. See how it works out by reading this book.

A Rumor of Angels could not have come at a better time. My dear friend just lost her adult daughter to a long illness. I read the book clear through in one sitting and decided this would be my gift to her--it surely can only offer comfort. I am grateful for this gentle source of insight and compassion. The authors have done a beautiful job in all aspects from content to appearance, and especially to the title...which hints at my sincere belief that our spirits do, indeed, live on.

After losing my wife of 20 years to cancer, I found incredible solace in the first edition of "A Rumor of Angels." I shared my copy with a friend, who shared it with another... I started re-reading the new edition recently and find it as uplifting as I did the first time I read it several years ago. I have given many copies of this book to friends suffering a loss, and always keep an extra copy with me.

While "A Rumor of Angels" is about living through loss, it is wonderfully life-affirming. This book is a blessing to those who read it and is gift for a lifetime.

A Rumor of Angels is a carefully-woven collection of honest insight into living, dying and letting go. I didn't expect this book to move me so much, but Gail Perry Johnston and Jill Perry Rabideau have artfully pieced together a literary "quilt of compassion" compiled from the well-known and not yet well-known: authors, parents, widows, children, pastors, poets, and scripture writers.

Even reading the sources of some of the quotations brought tears to my eyes: "Kim Walker, who lost a 5-year old daughter", "Meg Woodson, referring to her 12-year old daughter who has cystic fibrosis", "Rabbi Harol Kushner, referring to the death of his firstborn, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People". Each quotation moves seemlessly into the next, and I was struck with the book's gentle movement from life through letting go.

This book is humble and intelligent; compassionate and joyful.. I was surpised and happy to read quotations from my favorite children's authors, and other great thinkers too!

A Rumor of Angels isn't just a gift for others who have lost someone - though I haven't hesitated giving two books away already. For me, it has been as importantly, a reminder to treasure life and my own loved ones, and a way I can quietly hold my grieving friends in my thoughts and prayers.

The illustrations are simple and lovely, and I was delighted to be able to order a couple of stamp pads from the author's website to create my own cards for an even more personal touch for giving.

Thanks to the authors for creating this inspired piece!

This terrific collection contains a wealth of meditations, insights and perspectives on death, dying, and saying goodbye. It is anything but dark and morbid. I have turned to it again and again to find apt words of comfort and encouragement when friends are navigating that path (whether facing the uncertainty of serious illness or the challenge of carrying on after saying farewell to a loved one). I have found my (older edition) copy of this book useful so often over the years that I just ordered this one for friends who lost their husband and father this morning. While the poems, meditations, quotes and scriptures are drawn from a variety of sources and perspectives, an essential truth is woven throughout: God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, and our time on this earth is only the beginning. Embracing His plan enables us to face death-- whether our own our that of a loved one-- with courage and assurance. "If it is true that there is Someone in charge of the whole mystery of life and death, we can hardly expect to escape a sense of futility and frustration until we begin to see what He is like and what His purposes are." (J.B. Phillips.) The collected writers speak from various vantage points, yet many of them help us better understand what God is like and what His purposes are for living and dying. In the process, we get a wonderful reminder about the importance of treasuring the days allotted to us in this life, and living them well. "The single saying of Jesus which the Bible records more often than any other (four times) expresses a paradoxical truth: 'Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.' Sometimes seeming tragedies, like pain and suffering, can nudge us along the path to 'losing our lives...'" (Philip Yancey). Whether or not you are dealing with grief, you are sure to be challenged and encouraged by this compilation. I have not found another like it. Thanks, Gail and Jill!

Having spent 5 semesters at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, and being a native of Jefferson County, I recognized some of the people and trials Morley Swingle wrote about and found them hilarious, entertaining, informative, and sometimes disgusting. It is a book worth reading and shows just how low some people will go or how honorable they will be. While the book doesn't necessarily flow from one chapter to the next, it makes it easier to be able to pick up anywhere in the middle of the book and read about a specific case. I only wish Swingle had referenced case and law numbers more. His simple explanations of legal lingo made reading easier and educational. Morley, if you're reading this...I sure am glad I never met you. :-)

Disclaimer: I am not objective on this topic. I bought this book, but I only read one chapter, "The Case of the Millionaire Murder", that related the murder trial of Bill Pagano. The CSI officer on the case, Jan Vessell, is my mother. As I was away at college at the time of the crime, investigation, and trial, I had never read a complete and objective telling of what happened. Now that I have, I must thank Mr. Swingle for his tenacity and talent at successfully prosecuting a case that nobody in Jefferson County expected him to win.

Sadly, I wish Mr. Swingle had stayed in town, because the story has a typical Jefferson County ending. Were the ones who investigated this crime rewarded for their efforts? No. Wally Gansmann, Jan Vessell, and three other Jefferson County detectives were demoted. In my mother's case, with 13 years service to the department as the first female law enforcement officer in Jefferson County (and all the harassment you can imagine came with that), in spite of 8 years as crime scene investigator, attendee of the same FBI Academy Mr. Swingle attended, she was demoted first to dispatcher, then to jailor. My sister and I finally talked her into resigning from the department in 1993 after she was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer, no doubt brought on by her attempts to salvage her career from what was left of the machinery left behind by "Boss Hogg".

And this is why Jefferson County is still the laughingstock of the St. Louis Metro area. My hat is off to you, Morley Swingle, for exposing what you could. You did an indescribable service to us. I only wish you could have helped us with the aftermath.

To the writer I say hats off and what a lot of fun I had reading this treasure. Great stories that keep you glued and also make it humorous at the end of each short story to give it that neat zing of laughter. The wanting to finish the next unfortunate event for some----but the fulfillment of gratitude for others-----also to see at the end of each story what the outcome of the next Scoundrel will be and how they get themselves a room at the Hoosegow. Thank You

Swingle hits a home run with these stories of the interesting cases he's handled in South East Missouri.

Ranging from the hilarious to the not-funny-at-all, Swingle proves with his intelligence and wit why he's been re-elected as Cape Girardeau Missouri's prosecutor for many years, and will continue to be so.

The stories would be appreciated by Mark Twain, and bear a Twain-like edge along with the humor.
Ranging from a hilarious account of how a rough looking felon tried to pass a check stolen from a State Senator and got a face full of pepper spray for his trouble, to a story about a total monster who killed with no remorse, the stories are intensely interesting.

It's one thing to read a dry news paper account of the check passers efforts to cash in and something quite else to read Swingle's humorous account of a jaded pawnshop worker and a policeman with a sarcastic humor versus versus a hood who's not the brightest bulb in the criminal world but who's very willing to "discuss it" with the police.

Then too, the story of an unstoppable killer takes on a different color when I remember my frightened wife telling me that she heard something under our porch, when we lived in sight of the county jail the killer had just escaped from.
To say the least, the neighbors were not to sure what was going on while I was peering under our porch with a flashlight in one hand and an assault rifle in the other.
There's nothing at all funny about this case, but Swingle gives a good account of how he stopped the "unstoppable" murderer.

Swingle writes with skill and the ability to hold the readers interest, not the easiest job for many writers.
I've had the pleasure of both reading Swingle, reading about Swingle, and actually sitting on a jury in a trial he was prosecuting.

Swingle does the best job yet to date of describing just HOW a county prosecutor decides whether to prosecute, what to prosecute FOR, and how he prepares and presents his case.
Of particular interest is the information on why an honest prosecutor will not prosecute a case.

The man does it all with flair, and I heartily recommend reading his work.
I've been told that he hates to waste time, and when he has a few minutes on his hands, he writes.
Here's hoping there's more to come.

The art of storytelling seems lost in many of today's cinema and literary releases. But Perry Perkins brings hope that there remain a few individuals dedicated to the study and practice of this important art form. In the recent release of "Shoalwater Voices: Shoalwater Book Two", Perkins skillfully tells a tale that quickly engages the reader. Multiple subplots are creatively woven together to form an intriguing, suspenseful, and fast moving storyline. The vivid settings and interesting characters come alive through Perkins' artfully descriptive writing. The result is a broad expanse of experiences from heart racing action to touching moments to humorous dialog. As in book one, "Just Past Oysterville", the reader is inspired and moved by themes of hope fulfilled, love found, and a life redeemed.

Shoalwater Voices is so wonderfully written it captures you instantly and submerses you into a mystery woven into the history and lush backdrop of the Pacific Norhtwest which will keep you guessing and have you searching your soul.

I couldn't put it down!

Melanie J. Zallee

This was a wonderful book. I can usually figure out what will happen next in any book, but not this one. It kept me on the edge of my seat! He's a great writer.

This book was absolutely awesome. Shoalwater Voices was very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one.

Reviewed by Three Silly Chicks - Readers, Writers, and Reviewers of funny books for kids.


The Three Silly Chicks are so relieved. We finally understand why we sometimes have bad hair days. No, it's not our hair--it's those awful Scary-Hair-Fairies! We're also relieved to learn that we are not going crazy (contrary to popular belief). There really are Ink Drinkers, thirsty and sly, who sip our ink when we're not looking. And, well, we just knew we didn't snore. It's those dastardly Snorists, of course! The Chicks certainly don't snore.

This zany poetry collection is all about the pesky hobgoblins who create havoc in our lives. We think students will have a great time coming up with their own monsters. What about that big goon who lives in the washing machine and eats our socks? What a pain he is. Or how about the mischievous imp who steals our car keys whenever we're late? That guy needs a name.

Andrea Perry has done it again! Her latest delectable confection serves up a bevy of baddies, responsible for irksome dirty deeds. My children (ages 8 and 3) went crazy for the creeps who drink ink, eat puzzle pieces and create henious hairdos for school pictures. Mrs. Perry's passion for poetry is obvious, and helps instill a love for rhyme in even the youngest readers. In my house, we're devouring The Snack Smasher---and rather impatiently awaiting the next poetic ponderings from the mind of Andrea Perry!

With a name like that, how could you not want to pick this up and browse through it. The kids picked this out based on the title alone, so I was surprised when we cracked it open and found it was poems. Luckily that was a delightful surprise! In The Snack Smasher and Other Reasons Why it's Not My Fault the author reveals the why to question that plague almost all children...why is my hair a disaster on picture day, why is there inevitably one puzzle missing from the box, and why the pretzels at the bottom are always crushed to pieces. This is a fun read and great for kids to practice reading out loud...these would make fun oral presentations for kids working on memorizing because of the way the poems are divided, it's a good way to challenge kids to figure out how it's meant to be read aloud. Readers here won't just be delighted with the poems, the illustrations are quite interesting too, really helping to bring to life the villains and mischievous creatures that lurk within these pages! The Snack Smasher would made an ideal read aloud, or as stated before...a fine project for memorization and oral presentation. I give this 5 stars for being plain old fun with great illustrations and a even a chance to expand young readers vocabulary!

Andrea Perry and Alan Snow's THE SNACK SMASHER AND OTHER REASONS WHY IT'S NOT MY FAULT spins a funny fantasy about a host of mischievous creatures who are out to wreck havoc in kids' lives, from creating hair disasters on school picture day to eating one piece of a puzzle or drinking ink out of pens. Whimsical rhymes survey the extent of these creatures and their influence on daily lives.

Gripping drama---based on legend. The characters vividly reach the reader to tell their stories of Viking sea explorations, outpost settlements and blended beliefs and cultures. Well researched and highly recommended.

Mary E. Perry

A really good book - I couldn't put it down, and read it a second time to appreciate all the details about 8th century living in Norway and the Celtic islands west of Scotland. The book obviously has been well researched, containing a wealth of knowledge about herbal medicine, the use of fish liver oils, foods, celebrations, ship building, sailing, storms and shipwrecks, midwives, villains, sorcery, and Viking raids. Also about the conversion of some to Christianity. There were Catholic priests and their laborious copying of their treasured scriptures. And there was plenty of love and romance and child-rearing and education, and tragedies. Throughout the book ran the thread of the importance of The Law for a society to function. I like it because it was fascinating, very well written, uplifting, and educational.

When my wife and I were given a copy of "Strangers from the Sea" as a gift little did we know how excellent and thrilling a gift it would be. "Strangers from the Sea" is a fast-paced romantic adventure. Set in ancient times the story brings together the 9th century worlds of the Vikings and the Celts and takes us into their culture, travels, and history. Based on legend, "Strangers from the Sea" gives us strong characters; characters that we came to care about greatly. We felt their sorrows and joys, their struggles and triumphs. All this was aided by clever and believable dialogue. Whether you're interested in the legends, histories, and faith of these ancient peoples and lands or you want an inspirational story weaving together faith, hope, and love you should enjoy "Strangers from the Sea."

Well written in that each word counts, sentences flow, adventure on every page, interest is held from beginning to end as Kennan's life unfolds. An enjoyable and educational read.