Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading?

Mailbox Monday 

is a gathering place for readers to share the books that

came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

January Host: A favorite blogger of mine- 

Alyce @ At Home With Books

Every mailbox needs some eye-candy once in a while!

Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel- courtesy of Sourcebooks and NetGalley

The Rogue Pirates Bride- courtesy of Sourcebooks and NetGalley

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read 

and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and reviewed last week:

Secrets by Freya North- strange author writing style made this one a DNF for me.

Reviews for this week:

Author Spotlight and Giveaway- Tuesday

The Night Sky: A Journey from Dachau to Denver and Back- Wednesday

Bookish Thoughts:

The A.B.C. Murders- Thursday

In my book box:

Irish Lady

Cottage by the Sea- a favorite read from Kaye @ Pudgy Penguin

Saturday Snapshot- Revenge of the Water Pump

Saturday Snapshot

is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books.

It’s easy to participate – just post a picture

that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

I was looking through my photos and realized that I had pictures of each of my boys taken on the same day with the ice cold water pump outside my parent's house. You may notice that Mitch- on the left, seems to be enjoying his time with the water. I love the little butt crack showing and you can tell that he has his underwear on backwards. He liked having the picture on the front!   But poor Marc is obviously shocked by the cold water..check out his little belly!! Oh, how I miss those days when my boys were little!!

My first DNF in over two years!

Synopsis:
Joe has a beautiful house, a great job, no commitments - and he likes it like that. All he needs is a quiet house-sitter for his rambling old place by the sea. When Tess turns up on his doorstep, he’s not sure she’s right for the job. Where has she come from in such a hurry? Her past is a blank and she’s a bit of an enigma. But there’s something about her - even though sparks fly every time they meet. 
And it looks like she’s here to stay


Well, this one sure didn't go as planned. The synopsis sounded great and the setting was one that I would like to run off to. But the book in action was just not working for me. When I went back over to Goodreads to mark it as a DNF, I started to read what others thought about this book and I found out that the author just writes organically without a plan. Um, I wish I would've known that earlier because then the crazy writing would have actually made sense. She doesn't use tenses correctly and sometimes she shows up as the narrator. All in all, it boils down to confusing and frustrating.

I haven't given up on a book in over two years, friends! But lately I've been feeling that I'm reading too much for others and not enough for myself. So, I put it down because I have so many other great books waiting for me and I had already given this one 3 days that I can never get back! Ugh!

I may pick it up again....maybe this summer? maybe not, but guess what? I feel absolutely no stress about not finishing it. That in and of itself is progress baby!!!

Author: Freya North
Source: review copy from Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: British Chick Lit
Pages: 498
Published:  January 1, 2012
*Uncorrected eARC via NetGalley


Disclaimer:Thank you toSourcebooks Landmark/NetGalley for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MYexperience while reading this novel.

Review Book #1
© 2011, 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.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event,

hosted at Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases

that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian’s perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.

I absolutely love this author's books so this is one that I'm placing a hold on immediately at my library!!!

What book are you waiting for?

First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros

Every Tuesday, Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

 posts the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book

 she decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s).

 Feel free to grab the banner and play along!

My selection this week is a book from my very own shelves...gasp!! I seriously am looking forward to reading this one because I've been wanting to dive into Christie's books for a few years now!!

The A.B. C. Murders by Agatha Christie

  It was in June of 1935 that I came home from my ranch in South America for a stay of about six months. It had been a difficult time for us out there. Like every one else, we had suffered from world depression. I had various affairs to see to in England that I felt could only be successful if a personal touch was introduced.  My wife remained to manage the ranch.
  I need hardly say that one of my first actions on reaching England was to look up my old friend, Hercule Poirot.

Would you continue reading this one

 based on the opening paragraph?

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday....What Are You Reading?

Mailbox Monday 

is a gathering place for readers to share the books that

came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

January Host: A favorite blogger of mine- 

Alyce @ At Home With Books

A Weekend With Mr. Darcy- I purchased this one for 1.99 for my Kindle. I squealed with delight when I saw the price and after reading and loving Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, I knew I had to get this one.

Nadia Knows Best- I'm working very hard not to go overboard with review books ( I decided on no more than 20 for the year. I can only get 6 more before I'm done), but when this one was offered by Sourcebooks/NetGalley I had to get it. I adore this author!! Can't wait.

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read 

and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and reviewed last week:

Books Can Be Deceiving- great cozy..recommend.

The Lost Wife- this one wounded me...but it's a MUST read.

Bookish Thoughts for this week:

Secrets by Freya North

A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie

Sitting on my nightstand:

Backseat Saints- my shelves

Irish Lady- Sourcebooks review copy

Saturday Snapshot- two happy puppies

Saturday Snapshot

is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books.

It’s easy to participate – just post a picture

that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

The dogs loved their Christmas presents that Santa left them. Each puppy got a no-stuffing animal chew toy. One was a skunk and the other was a raccoon.  They do trade with each other on occasion and Lily loves throwing it in your lap....soaking wet!!!