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.

October Host is Marcia from Mailbox Monday

I'm participating in the TLC Tour for Princess Elizabeth's Spy which is Book 2 in the Maggie Hope Mystery Series. TLC and the publishing company were kind enough to send book one, Mr. Churchill's Secretary, for those of us that wanted to start at the beginning! Don't you just love those covers???

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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: 

Nothing....but I did post about my reading slump!! LOL!

Bookish Thoughts I will be sharing this week: Yes, I really will post a few bookish thoughts!!

Instant Temptation- Bookish Thoughts and yes, it's another Shalvis book.

The Salt God's Daughter

In my Book Box:

Virgins

Buttercream Bump Off

Or whatever my tickle my fancy!

Saturday Snapshot- Royalty in the house!

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. (no pictures from the internet!)

Last night was Homecoming at Cros-Lex! The students, staff, and community had fun all week participating in Spirit events which eventually culminated in our Homecoming parade, the football game, and the crowning of the new 2012 King and Queen. Our football team easily took care of the competition, so we brought home another win for the Pioneers. During halftime the King and Queen were announced. On Thursday the high school student body voted and the winners were.......Marcus and his beautiful girlfriend Shelby!!!! It was a wonderful way to end the evening!!! 

Cros-Lex Homecoming King and Queen

Reading Slump of the Century!

I have never experienced a reading slump quite like the one that I'm currently in. It doesn't help that the last two review books I've read have been disappointing. I was really looking forward to one of the review book because I read the author's work a few years ago and loved it. I tried to get into this book but it just wasn't working for me. I spent days with it and couldn't get past page one hundred. Finally after a bit of soul searching I just emailed the publicist and stated that the book was not for me and that I would NOT be reviewing it, nor would I be spotlighting it on my blog. I apologized profusely and then clicked send. I never received a response. Oh well. The other book was one that many have loved on Goodreads and many of my blogging friends loved the author's debut work. As for me, I ended up feeling ambivalent about it. Not looking forward to that review!! I have read two books over the course of twenty-four days. Obviously something is off with me and with the books that I spent time reading.

It doesn't help that I'm starting to experience 'empty nest syndrome' and I don't like it one damn bit. This is my youngest son's Senior year and I'm honestly having a hard time with all of it. It's hard for me to accept that come this time next year Marc will be away at college and I will be home alone most of the time. No more football games, no more school plays, no more Prom or school dances, no more morning hugs goodbye and words of 'love you, Mom. Have a good day.' I recognize that I may be a "bit" depressed and I'm sure that is contributing to my overall slump in the reading area. I'm working hard on focusing on all the great things that do come with Senior Year and staying positive. I'm proud of the young man that Marc has become so I need to buck up and look forward to the next phase in both of our lives.

But there has been one positive out of all of this, and that is I've finally realized that I am tired of doing review books. I'm seriously burnt out with having to read on a schedule and have decided to throw the schedule out the window.....for real this time!! I have a few reviews left for the year and I'm okay with those. I even enjoy the TLC tours and the occasional author requests. So I'm going to continue to participate when opportunity arises, but with limitations. I have a TON of books on my Kindle to read, not to mention the crazy amount upstairs in my book room. I'm embracing the new freedom that comes with no expectations of my time,nor the fear of upsetting someone when I find that their book was just a 'meh' read. I'm in the beginning stages of planning 2013 and what I want that to look like in regards to my reading. I'm pretty sure that alone will get me excited about reading again and will draw me out of my slump.


If you've made it this far, I want to THANK YOU!
This will be the end of my pity party!!

Happy Reading,
Staci

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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.

Our September host is: Kristen @ BookNAround 

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton- courtesy of Atria Galley Grab

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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: 

Another week where it took me forever to get through one  book. 

Bookish Thoughts I will be sharing this week:

Instant Temptation- Bookish Thoughts and yes, it's another Shalvis book.

The Salt God's Daughter

In my Book Box:

Glory in Death

Saturday Snapshot...Hey Coach, Can I run the ball?

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. (no pictures from the internet!)

Last night was a wonderful night for this lady! Mitchell is home from Okinawa for two weeks and he drove up to our house to stay a few nights. And of course, Friday night is Football night so we piled in the car to drive to the away game. It was a beautiful night weather wise (to begin with) and Marc started off the game with a great tackle. It only got better from there as the Pioneers went on to dominate the opposition and Marcus turned in another solid game of defense. The clock was ticking down and we had 51 seconds left in the game, when we noticed Marc going out on the field. The only problem was that we were on offense. Marc doesn't play offense.....we were baffled. And then the most amazing thing happened. The QB gets the ball and hands it off to Marc who ran that puppy down the field like he was born to be a running back. Defenders were coming at him and he did a little fake move, moving around them to the right. He then turned on the speed and was cruising down the field until he met about four other defenders. He then tried out a spin move but alas, it didn't work and his run was ended about twenty yards short of the endzone. The Pioneers on the field, sideline, and in the stands went wild with laughter and cheers. Marc did it for his brother. He wanted to score that touchdown for Mitch!! And the coaches were generous enough to give the boy a chance to do it!! This photo means the world to me. It was a great night indeed!!

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???

Posted with Blogsy

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.

Our September host is: Kristen @ BookNAround 

The Unconquered by Scott Wallace- I won this from Ryan@Wordsmithsonia and I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but after his awesome review I knew this was one that I needed to learn more about!!

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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: 

Not a darn book...reading slump continues.....

Bookish Thoughts I will be sharing this week:

Instant Temptation- Bookish Thoughts and yes, it's another Shalvis book.

Hopefully one more this week????

How I got suckered into buying a book that I thought was new but wasn't!

In my Book Box:

Buttercream Bump Off- cozy choice

Glory in Death

Saturday Snapshot- First Game of Senior Year

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. (no pictures from the internet!)

Marc is in the middle of the picture and is the highlighted player. He is down on the line and you can see his left arm on the field and a hint of the #4..... plus, the arrow is pointing to him!! :D

August 23rd started the football season for Marc and for the craziness of it to invade our home! This is his Senior year and I must admit that it is very bittersweet already. For over six years I have been his biggest fan and watched him grow not only as an athlete, but also as a leader on the field. He's always risen to the challenges that the coaches give him and quite honestly has made his position on the field his own. For those that don't know much about football (me included) he plays Nose on the defensive line. Usually the offensive player right across from him is one of the biggest guys on the team. Marc is only 5'8" and weighs 155 pounds. So he never outweighs his opponent, but what he brings is his speed and smarts to the position! Last night was their fourth game and Marc keeps adding to his stats of QB sacks, QB pressures, and tackles. He's fun to watch and I'm pretty proud of him, on and off the field!! 

Love letter to Beth Hoffman and Julie Tucker-Wolek (book giveaway)

Remember my good friend, Julie??? Well, another package arrived from her yesterday and inside was one of my favorite books ever!!! See why I love Julie so much? She is always thinking of others and she knew that I would enjoy this book. Even though I read it (link to my review) a few years ago, I still appreciate her thoughtfulness in passing this along to me. I especially loved the handwritten notes inside of the book where each reader wrote a few lines about their reaction to Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. 

please click on each picture to enlarge

I thought it would be cool to not only share this with my fellow friends, but to also take a moment to acknowledge the writer, Beth Hoffman. Over the past year or so, Beth has taken the time to read many of my posts and leave me comments. I know many of you feel much the same way I do when a favorite author leaves you a message. It's like getting noticed by a rock star....am I right??!! Hell ya! The best part of all of this, is that Beth is such a wonderful, generous, and down-to-earth person. I truly like her and consider her a friend. So in honor of Julie's generosity and Beth's fantastic writing, I would like to offer this book up to one of my friends who hasn't had the pleasure to be introduced to CeeCee. Trust me, once you meet her she will have a special corner of your heart...forever!

So, if you would like the chance to read this book here are the rules!

1. After reading it, please write a few lines inside of the book about why you enjoyed it!
2. You must pass it on to a friend!
3. Leave me a comment with your email address to be considered
4. Tell me your "rock star" moment and get an extra entry
5. U.S. readers only
6. Drawing closes on the last day of September! 

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.

Our September host is: Kristen @ BookNAround 

Rescue My Heart (Animal Magnetism #3) - Courtesy of NetGalley and Publisher. I am very excited about this one!!!

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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: 

All the Truth- good, solid read but I wanted a messier ending.

Instant Attraction-  great characters and wonderful location= FUN

Animal Magnetism- Hot men who love animals....got me!!

Bookish Thoughts I will be sharing this week:

Not sure there will be any bookish thoughts this week because I'm in a bit of a reading slump. Haven't completed or read anything in over 8 days!!

In my Book Box:

In the Woods

Glory in Death

Timeless Desire Contest- Books, shoes, and giftcards!

Gwyn Cready and her publisher are running a really fantastic SHOE GIVEAWAY to promote Cready's new romance, Timeless Desire: An Outlander Love Story ( http://bit.ly/Ok4BXW)

You can win a pair of Dagger Pumps or a Zappos gift card.  There are five ways to enter (at no cost) and on Sept. 15, there will be a drawing. (Books will also be given away).  

*Note a comment left on my blog is not an entry!! Make sure to visit the link posted below!!

Click HERE for your chance to win!!!

Two years after losing her husband, overworked librarian Panna Kennedy battles to distract herself from crushing grief, while she wrestles with yet another library budget cut.  During a routine search within the library’s lower levels, Panna opens an obscure, pad-locked door and finds herself transported to the magnificent, book-filled quarters of a handsome, eighteenth-century Englishman. She soon recognizes the man as Colonel John Bridgewater, the historic English war hero whose larger-than-life statue loomed over her desk.

However, the life of the dashing Bridgewater is not at all what she imagined. He’s under house arrest for betraying England, and now looks upon her—a beautiful and unexpected half-dressed visitor—as a possible spy. Despite bad first impressions (on both sides), Bridgewater nonetheless warms to Panna, and pulls her into his escape—while both their hearts pull the other headlong into their soul-stirring secrets.

Very quickly Panna is thrown into a whirlwind of high-stakes intrigue that sweeps her from Hadrian's Wall to a forbidding stone castle in Scotland.  And somewhere in the outland, Panna must decide if her loyalties lie with her dead husband, or with the man whose life now depends on her.

Saturday Snapshot- lovely gift from a lovely lady!

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. (no pictures from the internet!)

Wall Canvas made by Julie...all about books!

This is a picture of a lovely, lovely, gift that I received from a lady who has the most generous heart and positive spirit that I know!! I met Julie almost four or five years ago through a scrapbook site where people were able to share and comment on their layouts that they created. At first I was in love with this little website and many of the women were so welcoming, but none more than Julie. At some point, I started to pick up on the cattiness, backstabbing, and jealousy that was a commonplace occurrence. If one of the scrappers was noticed by a paper line for their designs and was asked to be on a Design Team, watch out people, those women were ready to tear you up into shreds. That was enough for me...so I quit posting and commenting, except for on Julie's...because she was the ONLY reason why I stayed there for the time I did. She's known for her out-of-control :) :):):):):):) and I love them, and her! If you like to scrapbook or craft, then you really need to check out Julie's blog. She has been on numerous Design teams and makes so many wonderful layouts, cards, gifts from objects you wouldn't even think could be so cool, and of course, her awesome canvas'. 

Julie- Thank you so much for my beautiful canvas! I love it so much and am working out a place to hang it as I write this! You are an amazing artist, but most of all, you are an amazing woman!!!

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. 

All the Truth by Laura Brodie- Summer Review Book

What All the Truth is about:
One night can alter a life forever… 
Emma Greene enjoys living in rural solitude with her husband and five-year-old daughter, Maggie, far away from her college students in Jackson, Virginia. But late one night, with her husband away and her daughter upstairs in bed, some of Emma’s students trespass on her property. The ensuing confrontation changes Emma and Maggie’s life forever.

After reading a lot of high praise from fellow blogger's about Brodie's The Widow's Season, I knew that I wanted to read something by this author. For the most part I can honestly say that it was a good, solid book. I had some issues with how neat and tidy the ending was because getting to that ending was messy and filled with lies. I thought the pacing was excellent and that is what kept me turning the pages. I became vested in the characters lives and had to know how all the broken people would mend.  

Recommend? I would certainly pass my copy along to a friend if they were looking for a good book to read. I liked it enough to make it a point to read her other works.

Source: Penguin Group

Disclaimer: Thank you to Erin@Penguin 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 MY experience while reading this novel.

Click icon for more book review blogs @Barrie Summy

Review Book #28

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. 

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading (Tuesday Edition!)

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.

Our September host is: Kristen @ BookNAround 

A Love Surrendered (Wings of Change #3)- ebook ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Revell Company

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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: 

Sprinkle With Murder- a fun cozy series that I want to read more of

The Weight of Heaven- wonderfully written novel...love this author!

Bookish Thoughts I will be sharing this week:

All the Truth- Summer Review and Book Club Review

Instant Attraction-  bookish thoughts

Animal Magnetism- bookish thoughts

In my Book Box:

* I didn't crack a book open for a full week!!!!!!!! Still reading these!

Flirting with Forever

In the Woods

Glory in Death