Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #84

What Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts is about:
Thirty-nine year old Rachel is having a really bad year. After losing her job and breaking up with her boyfriend, Rachel has inherited her late aunt's house, her beloved border collie, and a crowded rescue kennel, despite the fact that she knows almost nothing about dogs. Still, considering her limited options, she gamely takes up the challenge of running the kennel. And as Rachel starts finding new homes for the abandoned strays, it turns out that it might not just be the dogs that need rescuing.

Dogs and broken hearts go together like chocolate and peanut butter! This story was such a heartfelt read and I really adored the premise of how the unconditional love from a dog can help heal a wounded human. You all know that I love stories that take place in England and once again I was not disappointed by the quaint town and lovely people that the author created. Of course as I was reading this story, I could picture myself volunteering at the rescue kennel and being friends with everyone I met within the pages.

Recommend? If you enjoy reading British "Chick" Lit that revolves around dogs, broken hearts, and new beginnings, then I think you should give Lucy Dillon's book a try!

Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #84
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Wrapping up 2012 reads....

After stepping away from blogging on a schedule for the past two weeks, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things and get back to posting again. But before I can do that I have to post about the final books that I read in 2012. These will be short and sweet.....as usual!

When Snow Falls (Whiskey Creek #2) by Brenda Novak
Super short synopsis: Family secret, waiting for Mr. Right, and discovering love.
Source: NetGalley
Reason for reading it: Set during the holidays and the super-cute cover!
~This was my first Brenda Novak book and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I liked getting to know the two main characters and found myself falling a bit in love with the "bad boy" Dylan Amos. Liked it enough to read the first book in the series, When Lightning Strikes.

Rapture in Death (In Death #4) audio version by JD Robb
Super short synopsis: Someone is controlling people's mind with virtual reality games and making them committ suicide with a smile on their face!
Source: Audible.com
Reason for reading it: I am totally addicted to this series and quite frankly, I adore Eve. I love her bad-ass attitude and how she never gives up until she has the right answer. Roarke is still as hot as ever and they are certainly getting their marriage off to a smokin' start! The narrator, Susan Ericksen, absolutely makes this so enjoyable!!

Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley
Super short synopsis: Holly's husband died before Christmas so now she does everything in her power not to be happy nor to celebrate Christmas. But house sitting in a manor house on the Lancashire Moors during the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring changes to her life.
Source: Purchased .99 cents from amazon.com
Reason for reading it: I was still in the mood for reading fluffy chick romance and found this book that took place in England. Sounded perfect and it was! I loved this story and the characters. Made me want to book a ticket to their little village and hopefully be asked to stay!! I will be reading more from this author!

Every Secret Thing (Kate Murray #1) by Susanna Kearsley
Super short synopsis: Journalist Kate is unwittingly embroiled in a murder that happened during WWII and has to run for her life in order to bring the aging murderer to justice.
Source: Purchased from amazon.com earlier this year
Reason for reading it: I absolutely LOVE everything that Kearsley writes, so when this was available on my Kindle I bought it immediately. I loved Kate and thought the whole story was brilliant. I always enjoy how Kearsley weaves the past and the present quite seamlessly and makes the reader believe it all. I hope she continues on with this series.

A Fatal Grace (Three Pines #2) by Louise Penny
Super short synopsis: Someone electrocuted the hated CC de Poiters in the middle of a frozen lake, in front of the entire village. Yet no one saw anything.....
Source: Public Library
Reason for reading it: After reading A Still Life, I knew that I would continue on with this series and can I just say that I made the right decision? There wasn't one thing that I didn't love about this book. Chief Inspector Gamache is becoming a favorite character of mine and I love Three Pines with its eclectic cast of townspeople. Fantastic way to spend a cold winter day.....

Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #65-69
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Animal Attraction (Jill Shalvis)- Bookish Thoughts #60

What Animal Attraction (Animal Magnetism #2) is about:
Jade Bennett couldn't be happier to escape her past for the quiet ranching town of Sunshine, Idaho. Plus, there's nothing like working for veterinarian Dell Connelly. And though Dell has no intention of settling down, Jade's strength and sass are enticements no red-blooded male can resist.

When I'm in the mood for romance, fun, and the lighter side of life, I know that I can count on Jill Shalvis to deliver. And that she does with the second installment of her Animal Magnetism series. I absolutely adored Jade and loved how independent she tried to be in her professional and personal life. Dell is one of those men that I would scoop up in a heartbeat. He's kind and compassionate to all he meets in life and even though his mother gave him away, he still finds time to give back to her even when she's not always appreciative. Sexy men, adorable animals, and a strong female lead makes this a satisfying book!

Recommend? In a heartbeat! Of all of her series, I think this one is my favorite!

Source and the blogger who recommended it:

•   Teddyree @ The Eclectic Reader (link to her fab review) 

Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #60
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Immortal in Death (audio)- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #59

What Immortal in Death is about:
She was one of the most sought after women in the world. A top model who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted - even another woman's man. And now she was dead, the victim of a brutal murder. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas put her professional life on the line to take the case when suspicion fell on her best friend, the other woman in the fatal love triangle. Beneath the facade of glamour, Eve found that the world of high fashion thrived on an all-consuming obsession for youth and fame. One that led from the runway to the dark underworld of New York City where drugs could be found to fulfill any desire - for a price

I love it when a fellow book lover and blogger recommends an audio book and it blows me away! Thanks to Nise (Under the Boardwalk), I decided to listen to J.D. Robb's In Death series on audio and I absolutely loved this production. She told me that the narrator delivered the goods with the voices and she was right. I loved Eve and Mavis' voices. Susan Ericksen, the narrator changed them up beautifully and in my opinion captured their personalities. This was a fantastic way to drive to and from work each day. I loved it so much that I bought the next book in the series and have already downloaded it to my iPod!!!

Recommend? With no qualms. This audio production was fantastic and Eve's backstory is starting to be fleshed out!

Source: Purchased from Audible.com
Narrator: Susan Ericksen
Length of audio: 9 hours and 46 minutes

Blogger who recommended it:

• Nise@Under the Boardwalk

Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #59
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Rescue My Heart- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #58

What Rescue My Heart is about:
After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.

As I write this I wonder how many of my friends sighed and shook their heads at yet ANOTHER Jill Shalvis post?? Ha! I'm laughing as I write this and hoping that you all will still love me and just hold my hand as I go continue on with my romance addiction!!?? This was another solid book in Jill's list of stories and again she hits it out of the ballpark with her characters. They all have flaws, insecurities, and ache to be loved.

Recommend? Without hesitation. I noticed that Jill will be adding another book to this series, Rumor Has It, to be published August 2013. I can't wait for that one. Plus, I only have a few more of her books to review, so very soon you all will be safe from the endless Shalvis bookish thoughts that I have deluged you with over the last few months!!

Source: Teddyree @ The Ecletic Reader (she is always willing to feed my addiction! Bless her heart!)

Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #58
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Merry Ex-Mas- Bookish Thoughts #55

What Merry Ex-Mas is about:
Christmas in Icicle Falls... Between Yuletide traditions, winter sports and mistletoe hanging everywhere, Christmas is the best time of year in Icicle Falls, Washington. But this year it's not so merry-for three of its residents, anyway. But Christmas has a way of working its magic. One of these women is about to rediscover love, another is going to remember what's important in life and the third will find a new dream in the new year. Merry Ex-mas, ladies!


Merry Ex-Mas was the perfect book for me during this hectic time of year. I loved just kicking back and letting the story take me away. I truly want to visit this idyllic town of Icicle Falls and visit all of the quaint stores along Main street. I often wish that I lived in such a small town and owned a little book store that all of my friends visited daily. Sheila Roberts created some lively characters and provided me with plenty of laughs and sighs. Even though I couldn't imagine spending five minutes with my ex-husband, the women of Merry Ex-mas gave me hope that some ex's can put aside the hurts of the past and create a different type of relationship that creates a bit of harmony for the sake of the family.

Recommend? I had fun with this book and got exactly what I expected...a cute story, interesting characters, and some hours spent away from reality!!

Source: e-book via NetGalley

Other bloggers who read and reviewed this one:

• Kaye @Pudgy Penguin Perusals
• Mary @Bookfan

Bookish Thoughts #55
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

The Light Between Oceans- Bookish Thoughts #54

What The Light Between Oceans is about:
After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. 

Six Sentence Saturday Wednesday Version:
I don't believe that I have the words to adequately express how lovely this book really is and how much it touched me. I found Tom and Isabel to be characters that I easily fell in love because the author made them real, oh so very real. Janus Rock became a main and integral character in this book with the vivid descriptions making it almost come alive in my mind. I cried at the pain Tom and Isabel experienced and I understood at a very basic human level why they made the choices that altered so many people's lives. This book was an emotional read and the tears flowed easily at the end. I embraced it all and when I finished the last page it was with a satisfied sniff!

Recommend? Oh absolutely! This is a book to be experienced...beautifully written from beginning to the tear-wrenching end!

Source: Public Library

Fellow book bloggers who influenced my decision to read this:
Lisa@ Lit and Life, Jane@ Fleur Fisher, and Alyce@ At Home with Books.

Bookish Thoughts #54
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bloom- Bookish Thoughts #53

What Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected is about:
From the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life: a beautiful two-year-old daughter, a loving husband, a thriving photography career, and great friends. When she learned she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband, Brett, were ecstatic.
But when her new daughter was placed in her arms in the delivery room, Kelle knew instantly that something was wrong. Nella looked different than her two-year-old sister, Lainey, had at birth. As she watched friends and family celebrate with champagne toasts and endless photographs, a terrified Kelle was certain that Nella had Down syndrome--a fear her pediatrician soon confirmed. 

Six Sentence Saturday Tuesday Version:
I watched the video that the publisher made about this book and instantly knew this was one I was interested in. Little did I know how hard it would be to swallow Kelle's incessant need to be perfect in every single aspect of her life. Little did I know how hard it would be to like this woman who just gave birth to a child with Down's Syndrome. She sure did her best to come across as a diva, a complainer, and acted as if her world was shattered because of that extra chromosome. The very last chapter was the one that I truly enjoyed. The one where she actually celebrated who her daughter was and accepted her as beautiful and perfect.

Recommend? I'm not sure if I would recommend this one to my friends. In fact, I have a good friend who has Down Syndrome and I've never looked at him any differently than any other person. His view on life and friends is simple...love and be loved. Kelle didn't come across as a genuine person at the beginning of the book and frankly, that was a huge turn-off for me.  The pictures were beautiful, but honestly it almost felt as if she knew she wanted to write a book about HER and the baby before the baby was even born. It felt scripted. I don't think I've ever met a mom-to-be that planned out her delivery with friends, music, perfect clothes to wear, makeup perfect, camera ready, ambience saturating the room in a perfect glow......the only time I thought she was real was towards the end.

Source: Public Library

Bookish Thoughts #53
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Lone Wolf (audio)- Bookish Thoughts #52

What Lone Wolf is about:
Edward Warren, twenty-four, has been living in Thailand for five years, a prodigal son who left his family after an irreparable fight with his father, Luke. But he gets a frantic phone call: His dad lies comatose, gravely injured in the same accident that has also injured his younger sister Cara.

With her father’s chances for recovery dwindling, Cara wants to wait for a miracle. But Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father’s organs. Is he motivated by altruism, or revenge? And to what lengths will his sister go to stop him from making an irrevocable decision?

When I first started reading Picoult, I couldn't get enough of her books or her characters. Now, thirteen years later I'm actually thinking of never picking up another story by her. I'm tired of the courtroom drama. I'm tired of the do-good liberal and the evil conservative. I'm tired of the repetitive cycle and I'm ready to get off the gerbil wheel! The whole premise of this book was so out-there that I'm actually a bit surprised at myself for being drawn into the 'man becomes one with the wolves' tale. I did not buy into the idea that a man would leave his family for two years in order to be accepted and live with the wolves. A man who went out into the wilderness with no extra clothing, food, or housing options and lived through the harsh winters, and then made it back alive??? Right. Whatever.

Recommend? I think I would have been better off reading the book because the female narrators annoyed the crap out of me. My patience was starting to wear thin with their lack of animation. If the character is upset, then the narrator's voice should sound the same way right?? Or it could all be me. I could be asking for too much? I have one more Picoult book in my Audible.com library....pray for me to make it through House Rules, without throwing my iPod out the window.  

Source: Public Library
Narrators: 7..too many to list. Here's the link for their names.
Length: 12 hours and 56 minutes

Bookish Thoughts #52
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mr. Churchill's Secretary- Bookish Thoughts #51

What Mr. Churchill's Secretary is about?
London, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for codebreaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imagined—and opportunities she will not let pass.

I felt as if I had stepped back in time while reading this book and had a front row seat to all of the danger and tension in London during WWII. The author does a superb job of creating a main character that has a lot of pluck, is strong-willed, but yet still has that touch of innocence about her. I quickly came to adore Maggie Hope and fully enjoyed her endeavors at No. 10 Downing Street.

Recommend? Yes! The author blends fact and fiction seamlessly, so much so that you actually believe Churchill was exactly as he is portrayed in the book and that there was in deed, a real Maggie Hope. This is a great start to a series that I just know I will be anxiously awaiting each new release!!

Source: TLC and Bantam

Bookish Thoughts #51
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Glory in Death- Bookish Thoughts #50

What Glory in Death is about:
Even in the mid-twenty-first century, during a time when genetic testing usually weeds out any violent hereditary traits before they can take over, murder still happens. The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second is murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects-including her own lover, Roarke.


I am truly amazed that Nora Roberts is JD Robb! Her Death series is tougher, smarter, sexier, and grittier than anything she writes as Roberts and I'm truly hooked!! She delivers another scorching book in the series that starts out with a gruesome death and never loses steam until the very last page. I have a MAD crush on Roarke (Eve's Lover) and I can't seem to get enough of him. He loves Eve with every fiber in his being and will go to any extreme to keep her safe, even when it totally pisses her off. I love that about him...he's very Alpha Male!! Eve's character is still evolving and very slowly is she letting her guard down when it comes to trusting others. She's a complex woman and I like her!

Recommend? Absolutely. I'm very excited about the fact that I have a ton of these to read. When my reading slump was in full gear, this book helped lift me out of my funk and actually made me want to keep my head in a book. 

Source: Public Library

Bookish Thoughts #50
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Gods in Alabama (audio)- Bookish Thoughts #49

What Gods in Alabama is about:
When Arlene Fleet heads up north for college, she makes three promises to God: She will stop fornicating with every boy who crosses her path; never tell another lie; and never, ever go back to the "fourth rack of hell," her hometown of Possett, Alabama. All she wants from Him is one little miracle: make sure the body is never found. Ten years later, God has broken His end of the deal. Alabama has landed on Arlene's Chicago doorstep in the form of her high school archenemy, a young woman who wants to find the golden-haired football hero who disappeared during their senior year.


I absolutely love Jackson's voice and it even shined through on this audio version of her book. She has this unique way of creating characters that you can just envision and sometimes even embrace. Arlene is a girl that had a mother who was never really present and who viewed herself as worthless most of her teen years. She flees to Chicago hoping to leave everything behind, even the ones who love her, until one day her past catches up to her!! Jackson takes the reader on a journey inside Arlene's mind and heart. She's finally brave enough to face her demons and ends up with more than she ever dreamed possible!

Recommend? I really enjoyed listening to this one on audio. The narrator had a terrific voice and it literally oozed southern charm to me. The narrator kept me very engaged in the story and I couldn't wait to get back into the car so that I could listen to what was going to happen next in Arlene's crazy life! The only drawback to the audio was the music that they interjected throughout the story. I hated it and thought it was silly. It really didn't help to heighten the suspense.

Source: Purchased from audible.com
Narrator: Catherine Taber
Length of audio: 8 hours and 6 minutes

Bookish Thoughts #49

© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Instant Temptation- Bookish Thoughts #48

What Instant Temptation (Wilder #3) is about:
To Harley, the landscape around Wishful, California, is exhilarating, untamed, and more than a little dangerous. The same could be said for T.J. Wilder, who's invited himself along on her trek to study a rare coyote. Harley's career is riding on this trip, and she doesn't need a stubborn, incredibly sexy distraction. But T.J. is a professional guide who knows when to stay back and when to provide invaluable expertise-just like he's done since they were in high school. And Harley, as usual, is torn between throttling him and giving in to the raw attraction that's been smoldering all these years.


The Three Reasons Review is a simple way to get your thoughts out there about a book. The reasons are as follows complete with fancy button:

1.) Reasons you chose this book

Because as many of you know I have a thing for Jill's books. I don't care that I know who is going to fall in love right from the beginning or that I'm guaranteed a HEA. In fact, that's a huge part of the reason I read them!!

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
I loved the location because the Sierra Mountains is a place I would love to visit. I thought that Harley's dream job of working with coyote packs in the wildnerness sounded like a very cool career. I also find myself drawn to the whole idea of owning a Wildnerness Tour company and having a job that put you in touch with Mother Nature every day. T.J. and Harley were characters who I liked and respected. They didn't rush right into the physical side of their relationship and I think that is one of the main reasons I enjoyed this one so much. The only thing that I didn't like is how Shalvis connects a man staring at a womam and then her "nipples" start to do their own song and dance. GAG! I am going to send her a personal email to please ask her to stop doing this. It annoys the hell out of me!

3.) Reasons you are recommending this book
If you love a great romance, awesome location, fun situations, hot men, and smart women, then give Shalvis a try!!

Source: Public Library

Bookish Thoughts #48
2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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How I was suckered in by a pretty cover.....

Just recently I spent a few hours in a Barnes and Noble browsing the shelves and of course, adding a few books to my little stack that I felt compelled to purchase. Now, if you've been reading my blog over the past couple of months, you may have noticed that I've been on a bit of a romance kick. One of my authors that I'm currently infatuated with is Nora Roberts, so when I came across a title that I wasn't familiar with but a cover style that I was, I immediately put it in my stack of books to buy. My heart was racing because I got the very last copy and I was secretly doing that little happy Snoopy dance because it was in my possession. I looked it all over and said outloud, "Wow, how come I didn't know that she had a new series that was just released?? How did I miss that?" And then I shrugged and figured who cares, I have a copy now!! On the ride home I was so excited and like all book geeks out there couldn't wait to get on my iPad to add this title to my Goodreads account! My fingers were racing on the keyboard entering the title of the book and then the page appears but the cover doesn't look anything like mine. What? This isn't the one that I just bought. But then I glanced again at the information in front of me and I swear these words popped off the screen and SLAPPED me in the face...first published in 1996! WTH?????

Who would buy this one?

I just paid 15 bucks for a book that was published over 16 years ago? A book that is probably sitting on my library's shelf and without a wait list??? What??? You mean this isn't a brand new book in a new series?? You mean that I really didn't get one over on the other person who wanted this book too??? GAAH!!! And that's when I realized I had been suckered by the publishing company.

Those evil genius bastards got me! I'm THAT person who they targeted when they reprinted this book with the cover style (Bride Quartet and Inn Boonsboro) that is currently a hot commodity for Roberts. They knew I would fall for their marketing tactics, they knew I had SUCKER written all over my face.

But I did end up with a book that has a beautiful cover and I'm sure that it will bring me a few hours of reading pleasure. I have learned my lesson though, I need to quit being a cover snob!!

Has this ever happened to you???

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Six Sentence Saturday (Friday Edition) - more steamy books....I have a problem!

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read. 
2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

***PLEASE NOTE: My rating on this series was based on my overall enjoyment and how I felt after I read them! Though they are not literary works, they were fun and that is how I am rating them! 

Instant Attraction (Wilder#1)

Author: Jill Shalvis

Source: Public Library

Reason for reading it: Because I have a serious love affair going on with Jill's books.

For synopsis click here

~ I just can't seem to get enough of Jill's stories and of course the hot, sexy men who encompass them. I fell in love with the setting and Northern California is a place that I seriously want to visit. I really enjoy how Shalvis weaves all of her minor characters into the story and makes you want to learn more about them. But what I enjoyed the most is that she made Cameron a man I could fall in love with...

Rating:

Animal Magnetism (Animal Magnetism #1)

Author: Jill Shalvis

Source: Public Library

Reason for reading it: See above reason!

For synopsis click here

~ OMG! Hot men and animals??? Be still my beating heart...I'm in love!! This book just made me happy, happy, happy...did I tell you that it made me happy? I loved the way the  Brady and Lilah met, danced around their feelings, and eventually fell in love. (BTW..I don't consider that a spoiler because we all know how these books end, right?) I also adored the animal aspect of this story because I love animals and men who love animals and allow themselves to be vulnerable, get to me. Another great start to a fun series!

Rating:

Bookish Thoughts #46 and #47

2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission. 

Sprinkle with Murder- Bookish Thoughts #45

What Sprinkle with Murder is about:

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are finally living out their dream as the proud owners of the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. But their first big client is a nightmare. She's a bridezilla who wants 500 custom cupcakes for her wedding.

When Mel stumbles upon the bride-to-be dead-by-cupcake, she becomes the prime suspect. To save themselves and their business, the ladies need to find the real murderer, before the cupcake killer ices someone else.

I am always looking for a great cozy series that I can fall into effortlessly and when it's done walk away with a smile of contentment. This was one of those books for me. Who can resist two best friends who have walked away from secure jobs to chase their dream of owning their own business? Further more, who can resist a cozy when it revolves around cupcakes!!?? I thought the characters were interesting people and I genuinely liked them. And to top it off, the culprit was not someone I immediately suspected...love it when that happens!!

Recommend? Most certainly! If you're looking for a new series to start, I think this one has a lot of potential. McKinlay has written four books so far with the fifth one to be released next year. You have plenty of time to get caught up!!!

Cupcake Mystery Series Book #1

Source: Public Library

Bookish Thoughts #45

© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

 

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Six Sentence Saturday (Friday Edition)- More HEA books!!

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read. 
2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

***PLEASE NOTE: My rating on this series was based on my overall enjoyment and how I felt after I read them! Though they are not literary works, they were fun and that is how I am rating them!

Lucky in Love (Lucky Harbor #4)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Digital review copy from Publisher
Reason for reading it: Because I am addicted BIG TIME to the Lucky Harbor series!

~Books 4-6 start the stories of the peripheral stories of characters that the reader meets in books one, two, and three. Mallory is a nurse and overall caregiver to everyone in Lucky Harbor. She's always bee the good girl and never really lived for herself. That is until she meets Ty Garrison and then the fireworks start flying!! I love Mallory and her drive to do "more" with her life. This was a great intro for the next two books.



Rating:

At Last (Lucky Harbor #5)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Digital review copy from Publisher
Reason for reading it: I'm really into HEA and love the people in Lucky Harbor!

~Amy is a carefree spirit and does not want to be tied down. She's got her own problems to deal with and is not interested in having a man in the mix. Then while hiking, she gets lost and forest ranger Matt Bowers ends up having to rescue her. This was my favorite book of the last three because I felt that Shalvis really put some depth to Amy's past and emotions. It wasn't just a book filled with hot, steamy sex but also with characters that could be real. Now I'm hoping that if I ever get lost in the woods, a very buff, dreamy-looking forest ranger will rescue me! *** I know, it's not going to happen but a girl can dream, right?

Rating:

Forever and a Day (Lucky Harbor #6)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Digital review copy from Publisher
Reason for reading it: I had to finish the Lucky Harbor series!!!

~ Out of all of the books in this series, this one was my least favorite. For some reason I really wanted Shalvis to take more time with Grace and Dr. Josh's love story. That's really my only beef with Shalvis' comtemporary romance series, Lucky Harbor. I wish that she would spend a bit more time on the relationships rather than the sex (but the sex is very good!). In the end, I was still happy and had a dumb smile on my face. The dog Tank and the little kid grabbed my heart from the beginning and if I ever had to have a doctor check me out, he damn well better look like Josh!!!



Rating:

Bookish Thoughts #42, 43, and 44

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