Saturday Snapshot- Stormy Skies

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!)

This photo was taken with my phone during my drive back home today from the library. I loved the way the clouds looked even though at times it was ominous looking! I used the Sierra Filter in Instagram which did lighten up the clouds a bit.

Same photo but no filters.....
 

Posted with Blogsy

Naked in Death- Bookish Thoughts #36

What Naked in Death is about:
It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion. 

When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washing-ton politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome... and the leading suspect in the investigation

Why I have just now decided to read this series?????? (Shout out to Nise for her awesome reviews of this series!) I didn't even realize that the setting was in the future until I started to read the book and usually I bulk at that type of genre but not this one. I was hooked by page one and flew through this book so fast that I was sorry to see it end. Eve is serious Bad A@$....and I loved her! She's tough yet vulnerable. Robb (Nora Roberts) has created a flawed character that speaks to the reader and draws them into her world. I'm seriously addicted and am excited that I have 34 books still  to read!! That's the upside about coming into a series very very late in the game...not having to wait for the next one to be released!

Recommend? Heck ya! If you like tough women with heart, futuristic settings, a hot love interest, and a fast-paced story, then I would totally recommend book one to you. I'm sure that once you get started you won't be able to stop reading them!!!

Source: Public Library

Bookish Thoughts #36

© 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.

Tuesday Intros- What Happened to my Sister

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 pick this week comes from  TLC Tour book, What Happened to My Sister, that I will be hosting on August 14th. I have read two other books by this author and really enjoyed them, so agreeing to review this one was a no-brainer!

If you're reading this, I must be dead and maybe you're going through this notebook hunting for clues. It always bugs me when I'm looking real hard for something and after a long time it turns up right under my nose where it was the whole time, so I'm going to tell you right her in the beginning all I know for certain. It may or may not make sense right now but who knows, maybe it will later on.

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.

Our August host is: Jennifer D at 5 Minutes for Books

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley- courtesy of Sourcebooks 

** special note** I ADORE this author and am super excited to have a copy of this book!

------------------------------------------------------------------

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: 

Ocean Beach- great sequel to Ten Beach Road

Cinder- loved this one on audio, great narrator performance

Books I will be talking about this week:

The Next Always- Bookish Thoughts 

Naked in Death- Bookish Thoughts

Lucky Harbor- Bookish Thoughts #2-6

In my book box:

What Happened to My Sister

The Good Muslim

Weight of Heaven

*All TLC Tour Books for August reviews

Saturday Snapshot- Baby Birdies

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!)

Focal Point and frame added to picture using PicMonkey

I have birds nesting everywhere this summer. On my front door, two nests in my Birch tree, and this nest behind the basketball backboard!! I had to get up on a ladder so that I could snap this photo of the 3 little lovelies that were in the nest. They did NOT appreciate having their photos taken whatsoever...check out the face on the one in the back!! Every time that camera clicked their feathers puffed out even more.  

Cinder (audio)- Bookish Thoughts #35

What Cinder is about:
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

Cinder is not your everyday average retelling of Cinderella! It surpassed all my expectations and I found myself enthralled and captivated by this fresh and very original story of cyborg, Cinder. I normally do not do futuristic or science fiction books, but I believe I have been missing out on some fantastic worlds and storytelling. Marissa Myer wrote a book that immediately pulls the reader into the story and has them rooting for Cinder from the very first encounter. I also loved, loved, loved Iko, Cinder's little robot friend. And how can I forget Prince Kai??? He was completely adorable, but also very strong willed.

Recommend? YES! I loved listening to this on audio. I thought Rebecca Soler captured the essence of each character and changed her voice just enough to make you believe each and every one. She nailed Cinder's sarcastic voice and I found myself more than once laughing out loud! I'm very excited because book two of the Lunar Chronicles will be coming out in February 2013...can't wait to read more from this talented author!

Source: Won from Sheree@The Eclectic Reader
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Length of audio: 10 hours


Bookish Thoughts #35

© 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.

Ocean Beach by Wendy Wax

What Ocean Beach is about:
Unlikely friends Madeline, Avery and Nicole have hit some speed bumps in their lives, but when they arrive in Miami’s South Beach neighborhood, they are all hoping for a do-over. Literally. They’ve been hired to bring a once-grand historic house back to its former glory on a new television show called Do-Over. If they can just get this show off the ground, Nikki would get back on her feet financially, Avery could restart her ruined career, and Maddie would have a shot at keeping her family together.


I read and loved Ten Beach Road so I couldn't wait to get back to the ladies and see what was going on in their lives. This book had a different twist than the previous one because the television show that the friends embark on was done in "reality show style" and wasn't quite what they signed up for! I loved that twist as I felt it really changed up the story and gave it a very current feeling. Each woman's story still captivated me and I found myself loving them all. 


Recommend? I highly recommend that you read Ten Beach Road first as it allows the reader to get to know the main characters and their back story. Without it, this book may fall flat for you. But if you've read and enjoyed Ten Beach Road I honestly feel that you will LOVE Ocean Beach! It has a little bit of everything for the reader; friendship, love, secrets, mystery, and a few adorable characters that you might want to take home with you!! 

Source: Joan Schulhafer Publishing and Media Consulting

Disclaimer: Thank you to Debby@ Joan Schulhafer Publishing 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.

Review Book #24
© 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.