Amazon.com
The Nanny Diaries is an absolutely addictive peek into the utterly weird world of child rearing in the upper reaches of Manhattan's social strata. Cowritten by two former nannies, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, the novel follows the adventures of the aptly named Nan as she negotiates the Byzantine byways of working for Mrs. X, a Park Avenue mommy. Nan's 4-year-old charge, the hilariously named Grayer (his pals include Josephina, Christabelle, Brandford, and Darwin) is a genuinely good sort. He can't help it if his mom has scheduled him for every activity known to the Upper East Side, including ice skating, French lessons, and a Mommy and Me group largely attended by nannies. What makes the book so impossible to put down is the suspense of finding out what the unbelievably inconsiderate Mrs. X will demand of Nan next. One pictures the two authors having the last hearty laugh on their former employers. --Claire Dederer
Book Description
The Nanny Diaries has become an international phenomenon. Reviewed, featured, mentioned, or dissected in every major newspaper, magazine, and on every national and local television show, The Nanny Diaries has struck a chord with readers everywhere. With more than 650,000 copies currently in print and atop bestseller lists nationwide, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus' biting satire of the glamorous life on Manhattan's Upper East Side offers both an insider's view and a great read. 'Addicting,'* 'delicious,'** and 'diabolically funny'***, The Nanny Diaries is sure to be the must-read paperback of 2003. Struggling to graduate from New York University and afford her microscopic studio apartment, Nanny takes a job caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved in ensuring that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day. A poignant satire, The Nanny Diaries punctures the glamour of Manhattan's upper class to reveal the truth behind the Park Avenue veneer.
Customer Reviews:
Good writing. Unbelievable insight........2007-10-07
Wow. This book touched me because I know it's based on reality. The two authors experienced the surreal world of rich, non-feeling mothers serving as the inspiration for the book.
*spoilers to follow*
I was floored when Mrs. X became pregnant again. Completely self-centered and trying to hang on to the last thread of her marriage to her obviously cheating husband.
How she couldn't stand to be alone with her son.
How she couldn't even begin to understand the bond her young son had with Nanny. And it was more important to punish her for not respecting her authority than the devastating impact it might have on her child. (How dare her want to attend her own college graduation??)
The best laugh out loud moment for me was when Nanny was completely trapped in Nantucket for over a week I believe ... and took advantage of Mrs. X's "post-coital glow" and actually asked permission to leave early. I think it was the only time in the book Mr. X paid any attention to Mrs. X so of course, the answer was "yes." Too much.
I thank the authors for the insight into this interesting / sad world.
As a deep-feeling, very involved mother, I'm floored that there are mothers out there like Mrs. X. You can have your Park Ave. apartments and unlimited bank accounts and french "lavender water." I'll keep my coupons, Walmart and beautiful babies' hugs and kisses. :) :) :)
It was OK.......2007-10-03
Wasn't thrilled with the book. I had heard wonderful things - people raving about this book & with the movie coming out, I couldn't wait to read it. But it wasn't as great as I had antisipated, nor as great as people had let me to believe. It was OK - took me a while to get into it. Then I thought it kind of ended abrubtly. But it was OK. Amusing at times to see what Nan had to put up with, but not alot in it to keep me coming back for me. It actually took me a while to finish.
Loved It!!.......2007-10-01
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down! It's a must read for anyone who works with children and enjoys it like I do!
Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-09-27
Nanny is going to NYU to get her degree in child care, but first she must deal with the X's.
The X's are a typical rich New York family: Dad is a workaholic; Mom doesn't have a job but is too busy shopping and running her social life to raise her child; Grayer (nicknamed Grover/Grov) is the four-year-old who wants nothing more than his parents' attention.
Nanny becomes very attached to Grayer, who is absolutely adorable and really likes Nanny because she is the one raising him. Nanny and Grayer go on many adventures together and Nanny must deal with the crazy Mrs. X, who doesn't come home when she says she will, doesn't pay within a normal time frame, and is just downright mean to Nanny -- and to her own child.
This is a great story of love and affection, and also the lack of it. I really liked reading this book because Nanny has a life outside of her job, like falling in love with H.H.-Harvard Hottie. Nanny and Grayer are realistic and the parents are the crazy people in the book, which makes this a great view for teens.
I had a lot of fun reading THE NANNY DIARIES, and will recommend it to all of my friends who have ever babysat for crazy parents!
Reviewed by: Taylor Rector
a little too dark .......2007-09-27
I read this book expecting to get a good laugh, but instead found a very dark tale about a girl who discovers the struggles of being a nanny for New York high society. While the novel is very well written and quickly grabs one's interest, I didn't find the book at all funny. If you're looking for an amusing story, you're not going to find it here.
Book Description
The official tie–in book to the popular Fox TV program that shows parents how to regain control of their children with simple, direct, nanny–tested measures.
Is your life chaos? Are your kids running things? Do you feel like you're more of a zookeeper than a parent? When your family's in trouble, Nanny 911 is there on the double. Because brats are not born, they're made. No–one knows that better than Deborah Carroll and Stella Reid – Nanny Deb and Nanny Stella, the stars of the instant–hit television show on the Fox network. Each week, over
8 million viewers tune in to see what happens when they take charge and transform the utter chaos of one family's daily life into serenity, in only seven short days. No matter how loud the tantrums, how clueless the parents, and how unwilling these families may be at first to make the kind of sweeping changes they need, pretty soon they come to realise that the nannies can help them be the families they always wanted to be.
Now the nannies will share their remarkable system with the millions of overwhelmed parents desperate for foolproof parenting advice that is quick and at their fingertips. For parenting emergencies call 911. Nanny 911, that is.
Customer Reviews:
Some good advice here.......2007-10-17
I've never seen this show, so I am certain that is why I was able to glean some pertinent information from this book. If you do watch the show a lot, you probably will not learn much of anything new here.
The most important topic in this book is respect. Learning how to talk to your children and acknowledging their feelings will go a long way towards diffusing arguments and tantrums. However, this book just skims the surface of this topic. For example, they will give you some ways to start the conversation but no suggestions on how to keep the ball rolling through common child statements geared towards stopping the communication. They will point out parents being disrespectful but not give a suggestion on what the parent should have said instead.
Another good aspect of this book is it teaches you how to not just say "no" to your children all the time. Instead, being more creative is shown to be better. Instead of "No, you can't have any milk," a better way is, "You may have milk with dinner." This really works. I've tried it with my child, and been amazed when he just says, "Okay," and walks away.
Obviously the House Rules and consistency are important, the book spends a lot of time stressing that. However, I would have liked to have seen a list of common house rules that people enlist, to get an idea of what all needs to be covered. And the book does not address what to do when your child comes up with something new which would be against the rules and currently is not, and just special situations in general that will come up.
My primary problem with the book, however, is that it does not really address what to do when children argue with you. The book just suggests that children will follow the rules once they are consistent, because they do so at school (mmm.. not always!).
My child asked me this morning if he could take a toy in the car on the way to school, and I didn't want him to. I told him he could play with it after school, instead of saying no. This wasn't good enough for him and he continually questioned my decision, and even argued with me as to why it should be okay to take this toy in the car. This book will not really address what parents of strong-willed children should do in instances such as these, and it doesn't address how to handle the "but why, why, why." I finally had to tell him that I was sorry he disagreed with my decision but that it was going to stick. Definitely be consistent, anyway.
All in all, a good, helpful read.
Real recipes for family harmony.......2007-09-02
This is an excellent tool for all parents, not only for those who have indiscipline problems at home. This material represents a strategic plan to develop correctly family relations. All parents, single moms/dads and tutors most have this book as a bible near to their bed. The content is more than just advices; it is a real and complete guide for the parents from all the world and nationalities.
Great Advise.......2007-06-27
Enjoyed reading this book. Lots of helpful hints and gives parents a new perspective on how unique every child is.
Pretty good but not great.......2007-06-12
If you watch the show on even a semi-regular basis then you probably don't need to buy this book. If not, then Nanny 911 is pretty good. Some of the advice seems to fall into the "intuitively obvious" category to me but, then again, there are some pretty stupid people out there replicating themselves...
Overall, it's a decent 101 lesson on communication and relating to children without spoiling them or invalidating their feelings. Basically, their wisdom boils down to respect and consistency. Again, fairly obvious stuff. Even so, I found several useful tips that I will defiantly keep in mind and apply.
Recommended.
Nanny 911: Expert Advice for All Your Parenting Emergencies.......2007-06-08
This book is truly informative and should be read by everyone who has children, is associated with children or is thinking of having children. A lot of the advise is real and basic but unless you get it from the horse's mouth, you don't think about it - Common Sense. It's about teaching YOU how to work with children - train the trainer. I don't have children myself but have have nieces and nephews, and friends with little ones. After reading this I find that I'm able to help them out with issues they may be having with their kids. I've given this book to my brother-in-law who is a single dad, and I've also given it to two young couples who are expecting. A Must Read!
Book Description
New and completely updated edition
Hilarious and addictive, this chronicle of a small-town girl’s stint as a celebrity nanny reveals what really happens in the diaper trenches of Hollywood.
When Oregon native Suzanne Hansen becomes a live-in nanny to the children of Hollywood über-agent Michael Ovitz, she thinks she’s found the job of her dreams. But Hansen’s behind-the-scenes access soon gets her much more than she bargained for: working twenty-four hours a day, juggling the shifting demands of the Hollywood elite, and struggling to comprehend wealth unimaginable to most Americans, not to mention dealing with the expected tantrums and the unexpected tense–and intense–atmosphere in the house where she lives with her employers.
When the thankless drudgery takes its toll and Hansen finally quits, her boss threatens to blackball her from ever nannying in Hollywood again. Discouraged but determined, Hansen manages to land gigs with Debra Winger and then Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. Attentive, welcoming parents with a relaxed attitude toward celebrity–looks like Hansen’s fallen into a real-life happy ending. But the round-the-clock workdays continue, rubbing some of the glitter off L.A. living, and Hansen’s not sure how much longer she can pretend to be Mary Poppins. Even bosses who treat her like family can’t help as she struggles to find meaning in her work while living in a town that seems to lack respect for nannies and everyone else who comes in the employee’s entrance–but without whom many showbiz households would grind to a halt.
Peppering her own journey with true stories and high drama experienced by other nannies to the stars, Hansen offers an intriguing, entertaining mix of tales from the cribs of the rich and famous. You’ll Never Nanny in This Town Again is a treat for everyone who is fascinated by the skewed priorities of Tinseltown, for anyone who has wondered how high-wattage supermoms do it all, and for readers who love peeking behind the curtains of celebrity, all of whom will devour this unparalleled–and unabashedly true–account of one girl’s tour of duty as Hollywood’s hired help.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
A Fun Look At The Life Of A Hollywood Nanny.......2007-09-14
I started reading this book in Target while my kids looked at videos and couldn't leave without buying it. I like this author's style...she puts you right in the mansion with her. I could really relate to her thoughts and experiences. A good read.
Met the author--fantastic lady.......2007-07-29
I found out about this book through the author's sister. Suzanne gave me a copy. I read this book in 24 hrs. I have been a nanny now for 8 years and can relate to some of suzanne's struggles. I also nannied for "the wealthy" and got caught up in a world I never knew existed. This book is right on target and displays the hard work, and frustration that our job holds. THe book is funny, and also heartbreaking. I highly recommend this to any nanny, sitter or daycare provider. I guarantee you will relate on one level or another.
Nanny-nanny-boo-boo........2007-07-04
After I finished 'You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again', I wondered if the true purpose of this book was to give a raspberry (or the finger) to her first employer (Michael Ovitz) and have the last word. Although it was, at times, clever and witty, I found Suzanne Hansen to be a bit self-promoting, and she was definitely still resentful of the Ovitzes, even though it has been many years. I have no doubt the Ovitzes were condescending and indifferent, but it seemed there was nothing they did that went unmentioned by Suzanne Hansen as proof of their implacability (especially concerning the wife, Judy). Her love of their children was her excuse for not quitting, but this caused her to end up resenting the children as well as the parents. She painted many people in an unflattering light in this book, including her ex-boyfriend and some of the other domestic help at her various places of nannying, and even though she gave kudos to Debra Winger for actually raising her child without a nanny and Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman for being decent human beings, she always had to have at least one negative anecdotal story about them so that even nice people don't seem too nice in Hollywood. The book seemed a bit disorganized at first, and because her nannying days were in the '80s, it really felt dated. Suzanne Hansen was sometimes irreverent and self-deprecating, and that made for some hilarious moments, so it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't fantastic either. I found 'You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again' to be entertaining and a bit fun, but for light-hearted reading, there are some better choices out there.
Good book.......2007-06-09
This book was a really good book to read. It was quick and gave you a look into being a Hollywood Nanny.
Prospective Authors Need Not Apply.......2007-05-13
Suzanne Hansen's book is about as good as a tell-all book can get without actually telling all. It might also be regarded as a Cautionary tale to celebrities who seek to hire Nannies.
Hansen's wry sense of humor adds to the entertainment value of this book. She is able to recall incidents with a self-depracating laugh at her own expense. A trip to the beauty salon at Judy Ovitz' insistence yields catastrophic results and Hanson woefully recalls the final insult - an invoice that amounts to almost a full week's nanny pay.
While Hansen stuns her readers with mini anecdotes bearing witness to Michael Ovitz' commanding personality, it is in stark contrast to her own humbling position of servitude in the family.
As she describes her brief time working for the free-spirited, deep thinking Debra Winger, the reader vicariously shares in Hansen's relief at being treated as somewhat of an equal.
The minor characters in Suzanne Hansen's book allow for the occasional detour into name-dropping territory. In addition to Hansen's infrequent contacts with real movie stars, her close friend, a fellow nanny named Mandie, delights in regaling Hanson with stories of the VIPs she encounters and the places she travels, all perks of the job. Hansen's green-eyed monster gets the best of her at times like these but they are understandable.
By the time Hanson is placed with her third family, Rhea Perlman and Danny DiVito, one gets the sense that her career as a nanny is coming to a final act. As her confidence grows, so does her vague dissatisfaction with the job. As the charm of nannying loses its sparkle, Hansen is forced to re-evaluate her future role as a Nanny and to address her resentment towards some of the peripheral characters in her story. It becomes evident, as the story progresses, that a great Nanny is born and not made and that Hansen, despite three valiant attempts, is perhaps better suited to writing than caring for celebrity offspring.
Book Description
Women are moving around the globe as never before. But for every female executive racking up frequent flier miles, there are multitudes of women whose journeys go unnoticed. Each year, millions leave third world countries to work in the homes, nurseries, and brothels of the first world. This broad-scale transfer of labor results in an odd displacement, in which the female energy that flows to wealthy countries is subtracted from poor ones-easing a 'care deficit' in rich countries, while creating one back home. Confronting a range of topics from the fate of Vietnamese mail-order brides to the importation of Mexican nannies in Los Angeles, Global Woman offers an original look at a world increasingly shaped by mass migration and economic exchange. Collected and with an Introduction by bestselling social critics Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Russell Hochschild, this groundbreaking anthology reveals a new era in which the main resource extracted from developing nations is no longer gold or silver, but love.
Customer Reviews:
Thought provoking but a passive observer with no recommendations.......2006-01-01
Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy, edited by Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Russell Hochschild, Metropolitan Books, Holt & Co, 2002.
Most of us are well aware of the patterns of illegal immigration which bring numerous undocumented workers to the US and other developed countries from less developed countries. Those who work in agriculture, lawn care, and low paying jobs like janitors are well known. This book takes a detailed look at female migrant workers. These include maids, nannies, nurses, those who care for the young and elderly and extends to those kidnaped or sold into the sex slave trade and those who seek marriageable partners in developed countries to obtain visas. A single mother can earn enough in a developed country as a nurse, a nanny or as a prostitute to leave her children behind in the care of a relative and pay for their education and daycare. This process gives her children access to a better education that can lift them out of poverty.
This book is a collection of essays authored with assistance of researchers from numerous third world countries. The sociological aspect is consistent with Ehrenreich's usual works--always rich with social commentary. This time she functions as editor and provides one chapter from her earlier experience at Merry Maids as told in Nickeled and Dimed. Hochschild is professor of sociology at Berkeley.
The major migratory pathways for women are described generally as from south to north. In the US, African American women accounted for 60% of domestics in the 1940s. They have now been replaced by Latinas mostly from Mexico and Central America. In Europe migrants come from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. In the oil rich Mideast, many come from Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Phillippines, and Sri Lanka. In France, they now come from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria; in Italy, from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Cape Verde. Generally, migrants have replaced those who once came from poor rural areas of their own countries.
Several chapters on nannies and their problems are especially informative. The hours are long, overtime is seldom paid, time off it minimal, workers are sometimes farmed out to other families, or required to travel with the family on "holiday." The children often become attached to the nanny as part of the family, but this can result in jealousy on the part of birth mothers. Many nannies leave abruptly after an argument.
Various aspects of the sex trade are explored. In the Dominican Republic, married women may voluntarily go to the larger town of Sosua to work as prostitutes in the sex tourist industry. This good money is used to pay the family bills, but husbands sometimes spend the funds on alcoholism and gambling when the wife is away. Some prostitutes hope for a marriage proposal from German tourists. In Thailand, in the less prosperous mountain districts, daughters once were sold into sex slavery when the economic survival of the family required it. Now, rapid industrialization and rising standard of living have created major growth in sex tourism. Industrial workers have more money to spend on prostitutes. Mountain Thais now are more willing to sell their daughters to fund the purchase of electronics and other consumer goods.
In Viet Nam, the war killed many males and a disproportionate number of males were able to migrate to the US after the war. This has resulted in an over abundance of females. Educated females become un-marriageable. Arranged marriages with US citizens is one solution to this problem.
This book provides perspective on another aspect of the woman's rights movement in developing countries. Apparently several previous books have issued, but this subject has received little attention in the overall scheme of immigration policy. I saw no discussion of how these problems should be addressed. Presumably better laws are needed as well as a willingness to enforce existing laws in the case of the sex slavery and sex tourism. Different solutions seem appropriate in the case of licensed nurses who are aided in getting visas to fill a real shortage. The presence of undocumented migrants working as nannies and domestics is yet another problem. Perhaps different solutions are needed for each group. Mixing all of them in a single volume confuses the issues. The book lacks the impact it could have had.
This book is nicely done and thought provoking, but the absence of proposed solutions is a major omission. A collection of charts provide details of the female migrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
Fact-filled, careful study.......2004-05-09
In brief essays, the authors present generally unbiased academic discussions of the globalization of female workers. Though hardly a new phenomenon, it has dramatically increased in the last 50 years and is a topic that is deserving of this type of examination. The topics are clearly delineated between domestic workers, cheap labor and the sex trade - however, there are unfortunates whose experiences range from one to the other out of necessity, desperation or coercion. This harsh reality of the vulnerability of these women is discussed with jargon-free, scholarly precision. Excellent for libraries, research and the well-read individual.
Good Overview of Female Migrant Workers.......2003-04-12
...Nevertheless, this book gives the reader valuable insight into the impact and opinions of women migrant workers in the service trades. All of the anthologized authors write in an accessible style free of academic jargon. I was particularly interested in the articles which did not have an American viewpoint and which presented the views of the women (and occasionally men) involved. For example, in various essays we get to meet Dominican women in the sex trade hoping to form relationships with European men; a college-educated Vietnamese women entering into an arranged marriage with an immigrant man holding an unskilled job in the U.S.; Filipina household workers laughing about the rules proposed by prospective Hong Kong employers; and a Sri Lankan man taking over the traditional woman's role to assist migrant relatives working in Saudi Arabia.
There are some gaps here, such as the lack of first-person narratives and the views of Eastern European women working in Western Europe, but no anthology can be all-inclusive. This book is a good start and will be an intersting learning experience for most readers.
nannies and sex workers in same title is offensive.......2003-03-05
As the mother of five that relied on childcare during the many years of single parenting I think we tend to concentrate too much on the elite and their need for childcare. The notion that this childcare contributes to the foreign exchange is a little off base when in reality it contributes to an underground economy because the salaries are mostly off the books and taxes are not paid in any form. Safety issues also arise when you consider that most of the illegeal aliens caring for our children have never had childhood immunizations, and refuse the TB test. This may sound unimportant and nit picking but the reality is diseases we thought were erradicated like whooping cough can be traced to the unimmunized worker. Leaving your children behind to take care of mine is something we as a nation should give more thought about.
Average customer rating:
- Every Crooked Nanny
- the language is really unnecessary!
- Great Title - Sort of Predictable
- I've finally found a replacement for the Nancy Drew of my youth!
- Promising debut novel
|
Every Crooked Nanny (Callahan Garrity Mysteries)
Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Series
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Women Sleuths
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Trocheck, Kathy Hogan
| ( T )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
( T )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Series
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Women Sleuths
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
To Live & Die in Dixie (Callahan Garrity Mysteries)
-
Homemade Sin (Callahan Garrity Mysteries)
-
Happy Never After : A Callahan Garrity Mystery
-
Heart Trouble
-
Irish Eyes: A Callahan Garrity Mystery (Callahan Garrity Mysteries)
ASIN: 0061091707
Release Date: 2004-11-30 |
Book Description
After ten years of cleaning up the dirt on Atlanta's streets, Callahan Garrity is trading in her badge for a broom and a staff of house cleaners. But, though the uniform is a little different, Callahan soon finds herself right back in the middle of a mystery when a client's pretty, pious nineteen-year-old nanny is gone ... along with the jewelry, silver, and a few rather sensitive real estate documents.
Before she knows it, the meticulous Callahan is up to her elbows in a case involving illicit love triangles, crooked business deals, long-distance scams, and a dead body. Now she has to roll up her sleeves and start some industrial strength sleuthing to solve -- and survive -- this mess.
Customer Reviews:
Every Crooked Nanny.......2007-09-09
I love the Stephanie Plumb books so this remindes me of that style although i prefer Trocheck's Hizzy Fit and the Savanah books which where great. This series was funny and I went out and bought another one until Trocheck writes another current book. The mother is a hoot and I loved the other cleaning people. The story was a little light reading but perfect for the beach. The ex-cop thing is a little unbelievable.
the language is really unnecessary!.......2007-08-20
this book is a great mystery and really the only problem I have with it and the writer is the crude language. I really don't think you need all that language just to sound authentic. Most people read to get away from real life. You don't have to have so much of that in the books as well. This is the only reason why I could not, in good conscience, give the book more than 2 stars. Sorry.
Great Title - Sort of Predictable.......2007-07-16
Great Title and an easy read. However, if you're looking for a challenge..this book is sort of predictable.
I've finally found a replacement for the Nancy Drew of my youth!.......2007-07-03
On a whim I picked up this book ~ and thought it was great!! I easily got caught up in the characters and can't wait to learn what Callahan, Edna and the crew are up to next!! As an educator, when I have the opportunity to read, I want it to be for the purpose of pure "fun", and that's what this series will be for me ~ nothing more than fun. Just enjoy it ~ that's what it's all about!!
Promising debut novel.......2007-04-20
Kathy Hogan Trocheck has created a feisty heroine in Callahan Garrity, a former cop who has started a cleaning agency called House Mouse. She is single and lives with her mother, a rather feisty lady herself. When none of her workers are available, Callahan takes on a job in a large house where she discovers that the owner is one of her former sorority sisters, Lilah Rose Beemish. When Lilah Rose's nanny, Kristee, is missing, she asks Callahan to help find her. They discover Kristee's body in a surprising place which implicates Lilah Rose's husband. As she begins investigating Kristee's life, Callahan discovers some very incriminating things about her. Add a few Mormons, a serious health problem for Callahan, and an extra-marital affair and you have an interesting and well-written cozy. This is the first book of a promising series.
Book Description
Nanny Ogg, one of Discworld’s most famous witches, has decided to pass on some of her huge collection of tasty and exceedingly interesting recipes. In addition to the delights of the Strawberry Wobbler and Nobby’s Mum’s Distressed Pudding, Mrs Ogg imparts her thoughts on life, death, etiquette, courtship, children and weddings, all in a refined style that should not offend the most delicate of sensibilities. Well, not much…
Most of the recipes have been tried out on people who are still alive.
Mrs Ogg gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Mr. Terry Pratchett, Mr. Stephen Briggs, Mlle Tina Hannan and Master Paul Kidby.
Customer Reviews:
Hope you like fish........2007-10-03
There are actually some recipes I want to try, but the best reason to buy this book is the rest of Nanny Ogg's ruminations. I didn't give it 5 stars only because I was hoping there would be more than one or two recipes my family would be willing to eat. Still, a nice addition to your Pratchett library.
Fantasy Cooking?.......2007-06-27
I found this book to be very enjoyable. My husband and I both read Terry Pratchett's Disc World series and I thought this would be a great addition to the collection. I was right. Some of those obnoxious foods mentioned in the books actually have recipe's listed here! There are some great short stories in the book and it is just an enjoyable read when you want to get away from it all. The illustrations are wonderful too. I was pretty close on a lot of them but a few did surprise me.
Much more than the recipes.......2007-04-28
This is a hysterical read, especially for Terry Pratchett fans. Nanny Ogg's is so much more than a cookbook, and there aren't that many recipes, but what recipes they are! Although they've been heavily edited (by the Vice Squad, probably), the inferences are still there for those with sufficiently filthy minds - yet it's all in surprisingly good taste. There's lots of additional information on etiquette with various species, advice to young ladies on courtship matters, etc. all with Nanny Ogg's, shall we say, robust attitude towards life. Truly a funny book.
The recipes themselves are not the real draw, and the traditional ones are a bit heavy for me (like Clooty = suet dumplings). But some of the recipes, such as the infamous Strawberry Wobbler, must absolutely be tried, preferably at your next Girl's Night Out get-together. And the cartoons! the drawings alone will have you in fits of giggles. This is a must-own book, and that's high praise coming from someone too cheap & short on cash to buy very many new books.
A Nanny Ogg insider^^.......2006-07-14
What? You have not bought this yet?! You are missing a really nice Cooking Book and an insight in Nanny Ogg's Life! I really liked everything in this manual, from the cooking to the writing and the illustrations. I think it is even a fun gift for people who like cooking and having a good laugh while they are at it. A must have in your T.P. Shelf as well^^
A lightweight snack for Discworld fans.......2003-11-13
I've read all the Discworld novels -- so far, since that's a moving target when dealing with a prolific author like Terry Pratchett -- and have been jonesing for additional Lancre witches material. When I saw this book in my local bookstore, I felt compelled to pick it up.
The book is a compilation of recipes inspired by Discworld -- a wider variety than perhaps might be plausible, but bringing in the Ankh-Morpork city watch, wizards of Unseen University and other characters broadens this book's focus and appeal -- along with Nanny Ogg's advice on life and etiquette. The recipes are very British -- some of the ingredients are either unfamiliar to American audiences, or have names that will be unfamiliar -- but all look servicable enough.
The book shines in the sections later on, where Nanny expounds on life and love. While she keeps her infamously dirty mind relatively in check, the casual arrogance of the Lancre witches is good for quite a few laughs, with the not-so-subtle message that witches (and to a lesser extent, wizards) are above etiquette given that they can ruin the lives of anyone who would object. Not that they would, dearie. It's an amusing reminder that even the relatively benevolent Nanny is something of a terror to the mere mortals around her.
Ultimately, however, this is a small amount of new material for the price -- readers who thought "Eric" was a thin work will find this book to be positively anemic in comparison.
Recommended mostly for Pratchett fans who have read all his other works, and can't wait for his next novels to come out.
Product Description
From the most established name in household help employment issues, GTM's Founder and CEO Guy Maddalone has written this handbook to help guide families through the hiring and employment stages of household help. This one-of-a-kind handbook guides household employers on how to hire, manage and retain household employees via professional management, effective employment practices and procedures, and open communication. How to Hire & Retain Your Household Help- A Household HR Handbook: directs employers on implementing rules, policies and practices while helping to ensure professional and lawful employer activity. GTM sets the stage for a satisfying employer-employee relationship that assists the household employer in achieving a work/life balance.
Customer Reviews:
A good primer for first time domestic employer.......2006-12-01
Got the book to facilitate hiring a Nanny. The book is quite detailed and lays out the legal and other considerations in course of hiring household help. Found the suggested contractual language and clauses to be particularly helpful.
Book also serves as a plug for services provided by the author and associated organizations! I found the prices for services offered higher than what you could find by doing some due dilligence on the internet and shopping around without loosing on reliability.
Contractual clauses are by no means exhaustive; would recommend supplementing by looking at some similar model contracts available on the net on sites that are a source for hiring household help.
There are many options to outsource support services like payroll management that are probably just as reliable and cheaper than those in the book. Asking your accountant or lawyer or any other small business service provider e.g. A dentist would be a good way to shop for such services.
Essential Reading!.......2005-02-26
Bernie Kerik. Kimba Wood. You should have read this book. Lays out ALL the information you need to know about hiring a nanny, or even a home health care aide, legally. Keep yourself out of trouble. Buy a copy for your favorite aspiring politician so they stay out of trouble. Everything anyone needs to know about employing household help is covered by Guy Maddalone. Wow.
Must reading for anyone hiring household employees.......2004-11-10
What I liked most about this book is that it not only covers the full range of domestic help issues, but it also breaks the subject down into easy-to-understand language.
I have employed both domestic help and nannies for years and have searched for information - a handbook really - that would make the hiring and employment process smoother and more professional. This is that handbook. At last!
Guy Maddalone really IS the nation's household help expert and he's done us all a favor by writing this book.
A "Must Read" for people new to the Nanny World.......2004-10-27
My wife and I are just entering the nanny market for our two children 11 and 5. I was looking for first hand insights and got Guys book through a friend who has utilized household help for many years. My friend raved about the information in the book. I'm so glad my friend passed it along to us. We had no idea of the complexities and regulations governing household help! "How to Hire & Retain Your Household Help" has really equipped us for a great initial experience as we hire our first nanny!
Perfect Guide.......2004-10-21
Raising our four children is a lot of work as anyone with even one child knows. Having a nanny and also someone to help do the cleaning is what keeps us sane. Guy Maddalone's book is an invaluable resource in finding, hiring and then managing household help. It put a lot of structure to the situation and what we needed to do to make sure that the relationship was organized in a professional manner. This is a must read for anyone considering or already have household help.
Book Description
This workbook gives parents a step-by-step approach to identifying what you need in a nanny and helping you find the right person in the San Francisco Bay Area. With local resources in eight Bay Area counties, it tells you where, when and how to go about the process - from job descriptions to local bulletin boards to post them on, from nanny interviews to California background checks.
Customer Reviews:
A MUST HAVE FOR THE EXPECTING PARENT!!.......2003-08-29
This book (as well as the author) are lifesavers.
The author guides the new parent through the mysterious and often turbulent waters of the nanny world.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
finding a nanny-in the san Fransico Bay area.......2001-02-25
This book is a simple straightforward guide to all those who find themselves in the midst of a search for a nanny and ponder as to how to go about this extremely important task. After all, it is our precious children we are talking about here. Ms. Desrosier's no nonsense approach and easy to read, logical style and book construction, make for a very smooth and easy reading. While the title may lead one to believe that the books relevancy is limited to a certain geographic area, 90% of the contents have universal value to parents all over the United states as it deals with issues related to making generic choices as to the style of parenting one wishes to persue, establishing the guidelines to the future caregiver and dealing with legal and safety issues. I would urge the author and the publisher to try and expand the scope of this excellent book beyond the San Francisco Bay area, as it could be very meaningful to couples all over the nation
Book Description
Once upon a time, in 1930s England, there were two little princesses named Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Their father was the Duke of York, the second son of King George V, and their Uncle David was the future King of England.
We all know how the fairy tale ended: When King George died, “Uncle David” became King Edward VIII---who abdicated less than a year later to marry the scandalous Wallis Simpson. Suddenly the little princesses’ father was King. The family moved to Buckingham Palace, and ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth became the heir to the crown she would ultimately wear for over fifty years.
The Little Princesses shows us how it all began. In the early thirties, the Duke and Duchess of York were looking for someone to educate their daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, then five- and two-years-old. They already had a nanny---a family retainer who had looked after their mother when she was a child---but it was time to add someone younger and livelier to the household.
Enter Marion Crawford, a twenty-four-year-old from Scotland who was promptly dubbed “Crawfie” by the young Elizabeth and who would stay with the family for sixteen years. Beginning at the quiet family home in Piccadilly and ending with the birth of Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1948, Crawfie tells how she brought the princesses up to be “Royal,” while attempting to show them a bit of the ordinary world of underground trains, Girl Guides, and swimming lessons.
The Little Princesses was first published in 1950 to a furor we cannot imagine today. It has been called the original “nanny diaries” because it was the first account of life with the Royals ever published. Although hers was a touching account of the childhood of the Queen and Princess Margaret, Crawfie was demonized by the press. The Queen Mother, who had been a great friend and who had, Crawfie maintained, given her permission to write the account, never spoke to her again.
Reading The Little Princesses now, with a poignant new introduction by BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, offers fascinating insights into the changing lives and times of Britains royal family.
Customer Reviews:
Groundbreaking "tell all" has stood the test of time.......2007-07-28
For fans of the British royal family, this book is a must-read. While it may be a trifle dated and decidedly unsensational, the book holds a unique place in the now vast array of books about the royals because it was the first to break the rules and reveal details of life behind the gilded doors of Buckingham Palace. "Crawfie," who cared for Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret for 17 years, was completely cut off by the royal family after the book was published, but the book itself lives on as a kind of time capsule of royal life before the press declared open season on the royal family.
This portrait by "Crawfy" is priceless!.......2007-03-02
Truly, this book is a national treasure and even the Queen should cherish it (apprently, she does not). After reading it, I have new-found respect for Elizabeth II and her family. No where else would you find such wonderful detail of the lovely lives these little girls led. Its also very revealing to see another side of the abdication of her uncle, King Edward VIII. I couldn't put it down and was left wanting more!
Little Princesses.......2006-08-30
absolutely fascinating story of Nanny Crawford which brings to life how the Royal Family live. I cannot understand why the Royals thought it was disrespectful to write this and cut Nanny Crawford off for the rest of her life. I wonder what the real reason was?
Charming, but in no way saccharine.......2006-05-07
A lovely portrait of royalty as it used to be, painted in the words of a woman who devoted years of her life to royalty's service. "Crawfie," as a very young Princess Elizabeth nicknamed her new governess, had no idea when she accepted the post that she would be staying for more than a short time. She'd come to help the Duke and Duchess of York begin their little girls' education, after which Miss Crawford fully intended to take up the classroom teaching career of which she had always dreamed. She wasn't planning on growing to love Elizabeth and Margaret as she did. Nor had she any clue that one of her charges would someday sit on England's throne.
The interlude Miss Crawford planned to spend with the Yorks lasted until after Princess Elizabeth's marriage. As a member of their household, she experienced history first hand when the abdication of King Edward VIII - otherwise known as "Uncle David" - forced her employers to give up their private, comfortable, family-centered life. She kept their daughters out of harm's way during the frightening war years that soon followed; and after the war's end, helped the family that by now considered her indispensible in guiding its "little princesses" from adolescence into womanhood.
Charming, but in no way saccharine, this recently re-released book provides invaluable insight into the character of the woman who has reigned for more than half a century as Queen Elizabeth II. Not by any means just for "royal watchers"!
A....C L A S S I C...A N D...A...R O Y A L...D E L I G H T !.......2005-02-20
This was the very FIRST book to present Royalty as human beings --and as such, it truly got its authoress, (to use the contemporary term), into much trouble with the English Royal family, whom she worked for in the capacity of Governess to the two Royal Princesses, Pss. Elizabeth and Pss. Margaret Rose, from the 1930s until they were grown young women -- and in Pss. Elizabeth's case, married.
This is the GENUINE article -- a first-person reminisence, the
REAL story of what went on behind the palace walls in the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s. It is great reading for royal-watchers, as one can almost feel oneself actually there, a "fly on the wall" as it were, to these auspicious royal happenings. And seeing the royal personages themselves, through Ms. Crawford's eyes: the dilligent and almost too-dutiful Pss. Elizabeth, the rather diffident, but still very brave Duke of York who became George VI, the artistic, rebellious, and elfin Pss. Margaret, the warm, friendly, yet very, very Royal Queen Elizabeth, the King's Consort, and the extremely regal, yet still very human
Queen Mary.
I got this book out of the school library when I was in college....but was so excited to have found it, that I just skimmed it. However, I have recently bought a copy, and am forcing myself to read it all the way through! So far I am only up to the Abdication of King Edward VIII -- but I realize this is a true turning point, and am loathe to go futher, though I know I must. Never, (believe it or not), was there ever such a reluctant couple to mount the throne of England as George
VI and Elizabeth -- the responsibilites, and separation from their children, were great burdens to them. The "fairy-tale" existance they had as the very private Duke and Duchess of York was no more.....
Later on, of course, WWII intruded even more into the Royal lives, changing royal routine even more.....forever.
It is interesting to see, even in the professed "simplicity" of the Princesses pre-war, (and post-war), lives, that little luxuries were taken for granted, even so. As a small child, Princess Elizabeth plays with imaginary ponies before going to bed, later graduating to toy ponies, and stil later, to real horses. Large grounds, many servants, and many homes complete the picture.....and even though Ms. Crawford does give some middle-class amazement at some of the priviledges, others are just taken as natural for her royal employers. I find myself wondering how the Princesses would have reacted, had they suddenly found themselves, "Twilight-Zone"-like, waking up to suddenly find themselves, instead, as Ruby and Margaret McDonald -- the Princesses' real-life sister-maids. (Probably,
the Dutiful Elizabeth would have taken it as a matter of course....but the independent and talented Margaret Rose would have definitely rebelled!)
Still, this is truly a book to cherish and delight in...especially if one wishes, secretly or not so secretly, to imagine oneself one (or both) of the Royal Sisters. There are
many royal secrets in this book too -- such as Queen Mary's
recommended "royal pick-me-up receipie", and the fact that the secret of the perfectly coiffed hairdos of the royal ladies, even after hours in a car, lay in the fact that the Royal cars were, in fact, hermetically sealed!
I can understand why the Royal Family were so upset that this book -- which doesn't critize them, but merely shows all their human strengths, and some of their all-too-human weaknesses. Royals are supposed to be 100% perfet. This book shows them to be 100% Human. Secrets are shared. And -- contrary to Baghot's
admonition -- light is, indeed, shed on the magic.
In the end, however, Ms. Crawford, (who had married just before
Princess Elizabeth herself did), left all of her papers and
diaries, etc. to her royal employers -- the very ones she had once been so close to, but who had cut her off, completely, from their lives, once "The Little Princesses" was published. It is a sad thing for curious commoners, such as myself -- for no matter how many authors write about the Royal Family of England, none, I feel, will have as intimacy with their royal material as Miss Crawford did. (With the possible exception of Paul Burrell, and Stephen Birmingham, valets to Princess Diana and the pre-married Prince Charles, respectively.) For English -- and perhaps other royals -- now reqire a signed statement from their possible servants, before employment, not to disclose anything of their employment in future books. This is another reason why "The Little Princesses" is such a true classic: the reality of the book was recorded without any constraint or even thought of constraint.
This alone makes the "fairy-tale become reality" sense of this book even more genuine -- and to royal-watchers, even more precious.
So this book -- and the others written by Marion Crawford -- are the true and genuine articlesw -- 24-karat gold, amongst all the other books on the royals, no matter how well written, or how engrossing.
"The Little Princesses" is thus not only a wonderful, involving, exciting, and easily-read book.... It is a piece of history, in and of itself.
Average customer rating:
- Just so-so
- Great, but Sophy's character didn't sound like a child
- A great, steamy, adventurous book!
- Slow Moving.......
- Was I reading the same book?
|
Code Name: Nanny
Christina Skye
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Suspense
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Skye, Christina
| ( S )
| Authors, A-Z
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Contemporary
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
Suspense
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
( S )
| Authors, A-Z
| Romance
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
| Steel, Danielle
General
| Contemporary
| Romance
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Code Name: Princess
-
Code Name: Baby
-
Code Name: Blondie
-
My Spy
-
Going Overboard
ASIN: 0440237602
Release Date: 2004-06-01 |
Book Description
Forget about counterterrorism, organized crime, and money laundering. Female FBI agent Summer Mulcahey is about to enter the terrifying world of ballet classes, science tutorials, and carpooling.
After working six months straight on a hideous kidnapping case, all Summer Mulcahey wants is a serious dose of sun, surf, and sangria. Instead she gets her craziest assignment yet---going undercover as a nanny for the family of San Francisco's female DA, who's poised for a splashy, high-society wedding to the country's most popular senator.
Code Name: Nanny is classic Christina Skye--sexy, riveting, and unforgettable.?
Download Description
Forget about counterterrorism, organized crime, and money laundering. Female FBI agent Summer Mulcahey is about to enter the terrifying world of ballet classes, science tutorials, and carpooling.
After working six months straight on a hideous kidnapping case, all Summer Mulcahey wants is a serious dose of sun, surf, and sangria. Instead she gets her craziest assignment yet—going undercover as a nanny for the family of San Francisco's female DA, who's poised for a splashy, high-society wedding to the country's most popular senator. Code Name: Nanny is classic Christina Skye—sexy, riveting, and unforgettable.
Customer Reviews:
Just so-so.......2007-07-05
This book was just OK. I liked the hero but I wasn't that crazy about the heroine. She was kinda grumpy and I didn't feel she had a good sense of humor. I liked that she was part of the FBI but it would have been great if she could have kicked someone's butt or something. I didn't like the side stories and found myself skipping ahead to the parts that dealt with the main characters.
Great, but Sophy's character didn't sound like a child.......2006-07-22
With the exception of Julie Garwood, very few authors make children TALK like children. The dialogue from Sophy sounded like an adult; no child talks that way.
That said, the book was very interesting with great characters; and it was nice to have 2 great sexy men in one story.
A great, steamy, adventurous book!.......2006-07-07
Christina Skye really know how to write em'. The fact that Summer (the female F.B.I agent) can fight the bad guys and look good in a leotard is a great thing about this book. Not only is Gabe (the Navy SEAL) strong and powerful but Summer is too. I, personally like books were the woman can fight back too, and not just be another victim. The other characters in this book are also very dimentional and round. This book will keep you guessing to the very end, so read it!
Slow Moving....... .......2006-05-25
Summer Mulcahey, FBI, is going undercover as nanny to the daughters of San Francisco Assistant D.A. Cara O'Connor, who has been receiving death threats. A career criminal is threatening the O'Connor family, and someone is trying to blackmail the DA with an old scandal. Summer knows nothing about kids, ballet lessons, or teenage angst.
Gabe Morgan, gardener, a.k.a. Navy SEAL, is also on the job, providing extra security as a personal favor to the DA's fiancée, Tate Winslow, Presidential hopeful. Gabe is recuperating from a training mission gone wrong, and uses the time to keep an eye on the family within. Summer thinks Gabe is too efficient and Gabe thinks Summer is a little too savvy for a nanny.
When the threats escalate, Summer and Gabe must team up to solve the puzzle before someone is killed. Things really start to escalate with a trip to Mexico by Summer and Gabe to meet with an informant. Trust is a difficult thing for Summer, who was wounded and her partner killed on a stakeout, and she is currently persona-non-grata with her fellow agents in Philadelphia. Ishmael "Izzy" Teague is called in by Gabe for his hacking and computer skills, to assist the pair in their Mexican investigation. But even with all three on the job, the O'Connor family is in trouble.
This is a fast paced book full of action and two simultaneous plots involving Summer and Gabe and Cara O'Connor and Tate Winslow. The children's characters, as well as other secondary characters are delightful and memorable and are integral to the story.
However, this book just didn't do it for me. The story started off rather interesting, the heroine catching the very sexy hero in her shower, beautifully naked, but it was as if the chemistry deteriorated after that. The chemistry between Tate and Cara is electric and sustained throughout the story. It was a much more interesting storyline for me; in fact Tate and Cara take center stage throughout the book. The breakup/reunion scenes were very predictable as I have read them in previous CS books. I hope the next Code Name books are an improvement. C
Was I reading the same book?.......2006-05-08
I know that in general, the romance novel is not the deepest novel you can pick up, but that is not why we read them. This is my first experience with Christina Skye. In reading all the other reviews, I'm confused by the enthusiasm. I can't enjoy a book if I don't feel that the people in it are even remotely real. These conversations don't sound like anything I've ever heard between two people, unless it was in a very bad high school play (the same thing happens in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mysteries). I've found several best selling authors with huge fan bases around books that have juvenile or horribly stilted dialogue. Honestly, go back and re-read some of these conversations and tell me that they sound real.
Books:
- The Nature of Alaska, 2nd: An Introduction to Familiar Plants and Animals and Natural Attractions (Field Guides - Waterford Press)
- The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Awards))
- The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)
- The Power of One (Young Reader's Edition)
- The Sight (Warriors: Power of Three, Book 1)
- The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything
- The Spinner's Companion (Companion)
- The Stolen Child: A Novel
- The Sweet Far Thing
- The Wild Rose of Kilgannon
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Art Of Trompe L'oeil Murals
- History: Fiction or Science
- Unified Separation Science
- Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel
- Chance and Circumstance: Twenty Years with Cage and Cunningham
- History: Fiction or Science
- Dreamcrafting: The Art of Dreaming Big, the Science of Making It Happen
- Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins
- A Drawing Manual by Thomas Eakins
- Missing Pieces : Memoirs of WWII
The Devil Wears Prada
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Everyone Worth Knowing
Bergdorf Blondes : A Novel
Good in Bed
