Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Thank you everyone for your great response to my first contest! This month I am so excited to give away a copy of Tracey Bateman's newest release, Thirsty ! Thanks to the folks at WaterBrook Press I have an extra copy that one of my lucky readers will win! BE SURE TO READ BELOW FOR THE RULES! Thirsty by Tracey Bateman Copyright 2009 WaterBrook Press 384 pages ISBN: 9780307457158 Fiction/Suspense Here's a preview from WaterBrook's website : " 'Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic." For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or so...

The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey Copyright 2009 Revell Publishers 324 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3336-0 Fiction/Historical Synopsis : Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss-American working in the American Office of Strategic Services in WWII Switzerland. Thanks to her knowledge in cracking safes, she's asked to participate in some dangerous assignments. Proving that she is trust worthy, she is sent out on a mission to save a man she doesn't even know, a German scientist working on developing the atomic bomb. She risks her life while the fate of the world hangs in the balance. My Review : I am so happy that I got the chance to read this book. I've really had a hard time finding a good WWII novel, finding two in as many months is almost a miracle for me (my other WWII novel review HERE .) The Swiss Courier is a really fast paced book. I really enjoyed the different points of view that the authors used in the book, Bill Palmer, the American pilot, the Swiss workers for ...

Hi readers! If you like to read Christian fantasy fiction stop by and visit Lee over @ Butterfly Blessings blog . You can enter for your chance to win The Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K. Paul. If you want a chance, you have to stop by and enter before Monday, November 2!!!!! Click the cover to read an excerpt! Click HERE to enter!

Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas by Sandra D. Bricker Copyright 2008 Summerside Press 297 pages ISBN: 978-1-934770-45-0 Fiction/General/Romance Synopsis: Lucy Binoche is almost thirty...and still single. Desperate to find love before life passes her by she agrees to go on church singles retreat to Snowball, Arkansas, with her best friend Matt "Mattie" Frazier. To get the attention of the hunky and outdoorsy, Justin, Lucy tries to be something she's not. Will Lucy realize that true love is right under her nose? Will she learn to look for someone who'll love her just as she is, no pretending? My Review: I really enjoy this Love Finds You series from Summerside Press. Love Finds You in Snowball, Nebraska, is my favorite one to date. I received it today in the mail and I finished it today! The story of Lucy and her quest for romance on a wilderness trip in rural Arkansas is so cute. It's funny and reminded me more of a chick lit than strictly romance. Lucy lear...

Jill over @ Breaking the Spine hosts a weekly meme that features one book that you can't wait to be released! This week Jill's pick is The Three Weissmans of Westport by Cathleen Schine, click HERE to check it out and to see links to what others are waiting on! This week my pick is Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz! I just saw the cover @ Relz Reviews ...isn't it gorgeous? I just love all the pastels and pinks! There are some great looking books coming out in Spring/Summer 2010! I can't wait! Here's a preview from Revell : Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz Copyright 2010 Revell Publishers 368 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3340-7 Historical Fiction Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men--ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable--vie for her attentions, but...

Finding Stefanie (Noble Legacy, Book 3) by Susan May Warren Copyright 2008 Tyndale Publishers 357 pages ISBN: 978-1-4143-1019-0 Fiction/Romance/Contemporary Synopsis: Stefanie Noble put her life on hold to run the family ranch, the Silver Buckle. Her dreams seem like they will never come true. Lincoln Cash the hunky movie star who just happens to be Stefanie's new neighbor plans to turn his new rundown ranch into a Hollywood hot spot, much to Stefanie's dismay. A sudden fire at Lincoln's ranch is just the first of what may just be many disasters...Stefanie and Lincoln need to find out who is out for revenge before someone gets hurt...or worse! My Review: Yep it's official this is one of my very favorite contemporary series's! Finding Stefanie, the final book in the Noble Legacy does not disappoint. Stefanie has always been one of my favorite characters ever since I got to know her in Book 1, Reclaiming Nick . I was so glad that she got her own book an...

MizB @ Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday every week at her blog! This gives everyone the opportunity to share a few lines from a new book they're reading or one of their old favorites. Here are the rules for Teaser Tuesday! 1. Grab your current read. 2. Let the book fall open to a random page. 3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. 4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser. 5. PLEASE avoid spoilers. This week I'm reading Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren but since I will be posting a review for it later today I decided to post a teaser from The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey, a new release from Revell Publishers. The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey Copyright 2009 Revell Publishers 324 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3336-0 Fiction/Historical Excerpt from page 220: "Her shaky fingers tucked the handbag...

Taming Rafe (Noble Legacy, Book 2) by Susan May Warren Copyright 2007 Tyndale Publishers 370 pages ISBN: 978-1-4143-1018-3 Fiction/Contemporary/Romance Synopsis: Rafe Noble lost almost everything he held dear in 8 seconds. Katherine Breckenridge, A New York socialite who is struggling to keep her mother's charity, Breckenridge Foundation a float enlists Rafe's help for a fund raiser. After Rafe literally crashes the party she must find another way to get the $500,000 needed to keep the charity running and vows to get Rafe involved since he chased all of her sponsors away. Desperate to escape and rescue the crumbling foundation she heads to the Noble family ranch with an idea to get back all of the money the foundation has lost through bad investments. However she feels about Rafe and his reckless lifestyle, all of her opinions could change when she heads to a small town with big secrets. My Review: The second book in the Noble Legacy series is a must read! The charac...

Lori over @ Some of My Favorite Things recently started a cool new meme that asks bloggers to list their top 10 most wanted books each week! Here are the rules: *Look through all of your book wishlists *Decide which 10 you really want *Visit Lori's blog and post them in your comment or make a post on your blog with a link back to her Top 10 post! *You can list books from any genre *It doesn't matter if they are already available for purchase, newly released, coming soon, etc. * If you see a book on someone's WL that you're willing to get rid of, let them know! They may be willing to swap for something on your WL! * Take Lori's button and add it on your post or on your sidebar! This week I decided to chose ten books from series' such as Harlequin, Heartsong, and Steeple Hill. I like to have these on hand when I don't have a lot of time but want to read a good story. 10. Francesca (HH 266) by Sylvia Andrew 9. Miranda and the Warrior (An Avon True Romance) by...

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith Copyright 2009 Quirk Books 319 pages ISBN: 978-1-59474-334-4 Fiction Synopsis: Millions of people have read Jane Austen's most beloved classic romance, Pride and Prejudice but none have read the love story of two of the most beloved characters in literature quite like this! As the story begins, a mysterious plague has torn through England and the countryside of Meryton. The dead and those who are infected have developed a taste for flesh and...well...brains! We all know that Elizabeth Bennet is a feisty, rather outspoken heroine but what we learn is that instead of practicing the delicate arts associated with being a lady she is well practiced in the fine arts of kung fu and other zombie killing methods. With the arrival of haughty Mr. Darcy...chaos ensues and so begins the dance between Darcy and Elizabeth and a few hundred unmentionables. My Review: First let me start by saying if you are a Jane Austen puris...

Jill over @ Breaking the Spine hosts a weekly meme that features one book that you can't wait to be released! This week, Jill's selection is The Melting Season by Jami Attenberg click here to check it out and links to what others are "waiting" on! This week my pick is Kaye Dacus's, A Case For Love the third book in the Brides of Bonnterre series. The first two books in this series are terrific so I know this will be too! I can't wait to read Forbes's story! Here's a preview from Amazon.com !!! TV society reporter Alaine Delacroix feels like David facing Goliath when she takes on the biggest corporation in town to keep them from putting her parents’ garden center out of business. Lawyer Forbes Guidry wants nothing more than to stand up for the endangered local-business owners—but it will mean risking his job and crossing his powerful parents. Can Alaine and Forbes make A Case for Love ? I love Forbes from the previous books and I love the teaser for...

Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy Copyright 2009 Barbour Publishing 304 pages ISBN: 978-1-60260-145-1 Fiction/Christian/Romance The cold weather this week has had me thinking about Christmas, it really is just around the corner you know! What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than with a good Christmas book. This week I chose to read Mary Connealy's Cowboy Christmas. While not as humorous as her Lassoed in Texas series, this stand alone had its moments, there was some ear pulling, some crying and one henpecked cowboy. Synopsis: Annette Talbot, a singer with a missionary troupe abandons the group when its new managers, the Leveque's want her to do things that go against her faith. Having no money and no place to turn she decides to travel to Ranger Bluff, Wyoming, with a hope to reunite with her father. However, the Leveque's won't let her go that easily and literally drive her over the edge into the arms of Elijah Walker. Walker who was once betr...

MizB @ Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday every week at her blog! This gives everyone the opportunity to share a few lines from a new book they're reading or one of their old favorites. Here are the rules for Teaser Tuesday! 1. Grab your current read. 2. Let the book fall open to a random page. 3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. 4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser. 5. PLEASE avoid spoilers. If you've been following my blog, for the past few months you know I've been looking forward to reading Tracey Bateman's new release, Thirsty. Well it's next on this weeks reading list. Check out this teaser and you'll see why I can't wait to get started on this book!!! ' "Ruin what?" she asked. "I assumed you were wooing the mousy neighbor woman meerly to feed on her, but perhaps there is more. Are you in love w...

Every week Marcia @ The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday. This is the chance for you to showcase all the great reads that you have received during the past week. Also it gives you an opportunity to check out what great books others received too! Be sure you stop by Marcia's page...you never know, you might get some ideas for your wishlist! I really received some nice books this week from various places...they all look terrific and I can't wait to start reading them (I finished 3 already, reviewed 1). Here they are: From Lori @ Some of My Favorite Things sent via PBS: The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz Copyright 2009 Revell Publishers 413 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3339-1 Fiction/Historical MY REVIEW Top Left, From Bookmooch: Dakota Child by Linda Ford Copyright 2009 Steeple Hill 282 pages ISBN: 978-0-373-82820-3 Inspirational Historical Romance Top Right, The Maverick's Bride by Catherine Palmer Copyright 2009 Steeple Hill 282 pages ISBN: 978-0-373-82819-7 Inspi...

Congratulations Heather aka hmsgofita ! My brother drew your name out of the Pittsburgh Steelers hat! You won The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan! I'll be sending you an email shortly for your snail mail address. Thank you to EVERYONE who entered! Keep a look out for another contest in November...I'll be giving away another great book! Tell your friends!!! Remember if you didn't win be sure to stop by your local bookstore or your favorite online book seller and purchase a copy of The Jewel of His Heart !

The Jewel of His Heart (Heart of the West, Book 2) by Maggie Brendan Copyright 2009 Revell Publishers 333 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3350-6 Historical Romance Synopsis: Juliana Brady is left all alone after being abandoned by her father years ago and the recent death of her mother. There is little choice for her but she is determined not to rely on anyone other than herself. Josh McBride is a sheep herder trying to make it on his own away from his hard hearted father. When he discovers precious Yogo sapphires on his land he has to choose between wealth or the potential of a life long soul mate whose eyes rival the beauty of Yogos. My Review: As you may know I read Maggie's first novel, No Place for A Lady (read my review HERE ) and have been looking forward to reading Josh's story for a while. The Jewel of His Heart did not disappoint, right from the start I was hooked. There was a lot that happened to both Juliana and Josh that made me wonder what more could go wrong! They, alo...

The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz Copyright 2009 Revell Publishers 413 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3339-1 Fiction/Historical Synopsis: Lael Click, the beautiful daughter of famed frontiersman Ezekial Click comes of age in the 18th century when life is anything but easy. Facing illness, death, and Indian attacks Lael lives in one of the most dangerous times in the history of the United States. The Frontiersman's Daughter follows Lael from teen to adulthood where she learns about love, faith and forgiveness. My Review: I love to read all types of stories featuring different time periods in the history of our country. I can't remember the last time I read a Christian fiction book based around the frontier beyond the Cumberland Gap. Most of the new fiction I've been seeing has been based around the Civil War or later life farther West. The Frontiersman's Daughter is a refreshing change. It's late 18th century! I really enjoyed this story especially all the fa...

Jill over @ Breaking the Spine hosts a weekly meme that features one book that you can't wait to be released! This week, Jill's selection is Safe from the Neighbors by Steve Yarbrough click here to check it out and links to what others are "waiting" on! This week my pick is MaryLu Tyndall's final book in the Charles Towne Belles series, The Raven Saint! I've read the first 2 books in the series and have really enjoyed them and have been looking forward to this one for a while! Here's a preview from Amazon ! Join bestselling author M. L. Tyndall for another seafaring historical full of romance, intrigue, action, and adventure. Grace Westcott has piously served God her whole life. Captain Rafe Dubois cannot pass up the opportunity to earn more gold toward the hospital he’s building for the poor by kidnapping Admiral Westcott’s youngest daughter. But when the missionary and the mercenary meet, it’s full-sail-ahead into tumultuous waters! Find ...

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall WaterBrook Press Copyright 2009 194 pages ISBN: 978-0-307-44653-4 Fiction/ Contemporary Synopsis : Amish woman, Beth Hertzler and her Aunt Lizzie run a successful dry goods store in the heart of Amish country. However busy it keeps her, the store cannot keep Beth from feeling the remorse and emptiness that haunts her after the death of her fiance. While traveling to other Amish communities in search of hand crafted goods for her store, she comes across an intricately carved piece of wood with an Amish scene that captures her heart. Beth's aunt, Lizzie, who has met the handsome Amish carver, Jonah, believes that a relationship between him and her niece could help Beth finally heal. Lizzie has a plan to bring them together through letters but nothing is ever as easy as it seems. My Review: This is the the first Christmas book that I have read for this holiday season. I don't usually read novellas because, to me, they alway...

MizB @ Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday every week at her blog! This gives everyone the opportunity to share a few lines from a new book they're reading or one of their old favorites. Here are the rules for Teaser Tuesday! 1. Grab your current read. 2. Let the book fall open to a random page. 3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. 4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser. 5. PLEASE avoid spoilers. Today I got a wonderful surprise in the mail that I wasn't expecting! I received Mary Connealy's Cowboy Christmas which has been on my wishlist for a few months now. Thanks to the wonderful people at Seekerville for holding great contests and more importantly posting some great articles!!!! So this week my Teaser will be taken from my surprise book, Cowboy Christmas ...enjoy! "Cross-tying the horse inside the barn, in a pen, Walker tried to...

Critical Care (Mercy Hospital Series, Book 1) by Candace Calvert Tyndale Publishers Copyright 2009 ISBN:978-1-41432-543-9 (paperback edition, my copy was hardcover from Crossings Book Club) 293 pages Fiction Synopsis : Claire Avery is an ER trauma nurse looking for a change of pace as a nurse educator at Sierra Mercy Hospital. Her plans to leave her own tragic past behind her are brought to the front as she is pulled in to the middle of caring for victims in a horrific daycare explosion. To top it all off she meets the director of the ER, Dr. Logan Caldwell aka Dr. McSnarly who thinks counselling hospital employees is a waste of time! Dr. Caldwell appears to live up to his nickname and is tough as nails but he can't help but admit that he is drawn to Claire. Together they have to discover what healing really is. My Review: I love Grey's Anatomy so when I heard about Critical Care , a Christian Medical romance I knew I had to have it. I was not disappointed! I knew from the fi...

Lori over @ Some of My Favorite Things recently started a cool new meme that asks bloggers to list their top 10 most wanted books each week! Here are the rules: *Look through all of your book wishlists Decide which 10 you really want *Visit Lori's blog and post them in your comment or make a post on your blog with a link back to her Top 10 post! *You can list books from any genre *It doesn't matter if they are already available for purchase, newly released, coming soon, etc. * If you see a book on someone's WL that you're willing to get rid of, let them know! They may be willing to swap for something on your WL! * Take Lori's button and add it on your post or on your sidebar! Last week my Top Ten List consisted of Contemporary Christian Romances , this week I'm going to go with some great looking Young Adult novels...*gasp* only one is a historical, very unusual for me!!! :-P 10. Intertwined by Gena Showalter 9. It's Not About Me (Second Glances, Book 1) ...

Every week Marcia @ The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday. This is the chance for you to showcase all the great reads that you have received during the past week. Also it gives you an opportunity to check out what great books others received too! Be sure you stop by Marcia's page...you never know, you might get some ideas for your wishlist! Last week I really got a lot of books, most of them came from blog contests. Don't you just love getting free books?? Since I got so many books I just took pictures of the books themselves rather than search for all the cover images online like I usually do. Here they are!! From Bookmooch : Austenland by Shannon Hale From Ruth's blog giveaway @ This That and the Other Thing : The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock All of these books (12 in all!!!!) came from the Box of Books monthly giveaway @ author Cecelia Dowdy's site! If you would like to enter the giveaway for October's books go here ! Coming Attractions (Katie Weldon Seri...

The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock Grand Central Publishing Copyright 2009 387 pages ISBN: 978-0-446-69535-0 Romance Synopsis: Sophie Heller and her family fled Hitler's Germany before the outbreak of WWII. As the war escalates, involving the United States, even folks in small towns like Victory, Illinois, can't escape the suspicion and accusations of some of the towns troublemakers. After an attack on her home and her family, Sophie doesn't know if they will ever be safe again. Then she meets Cole Ambrose who earns her trust and maybe her love. My review: First let me say, if some strong language and a love scene offend you, you may not want to read this. The Moon Looked Down is the first novel I've read by Dorothy Garlock and I really liked it. This story is a worth while read. I've been wanting to read a WWII romance, even though this story didn't involve soldiers or the war effort it offered a different take on what was happening on the home front. S...

Austenland by Shannon Hale Bloomsbury USA Copyright 2007 202 pages ISBN: 978-1-59691-286-1 Fiction Synopsis: Jane Hayes is thoroughly obsessed with Jane Austen and the Colin Firth version of Mr. Darcy, although she stores the P&P dvd in the foliage of one of her neglected houseplants! When a wealthy Aunt discovers Jane's love of all things Austen she arranges a trip to an English resort aptly called Austenland. For 3 weeks Jane, aka Miss Erstwhile, is immersed in regency life and even meets her own potential Darcy. Jane must decide to leave her fantasies behind in Austenland and return to the daily grind in NYC or continue dreaming of the world created by Jane Austen 200 years ago. My review : Haven't read anything remotely Austen-ish other than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in the past month, I elected to read this book which came the other day via Bookmooch. I haven't read any of Shannon Hale's work before but if this book is any indication I'm sure her ot...

Jill over @ Breaking the Spine hosts a weekly meme that features one book that you can't wait to be released! This week, Jill's selection is Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman click here to check it out and links to what others are "waiting" on! This week my pick is another YA book, Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey. I've never read anything by Ms. Fantaskey before but I've had Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside on my wishlist for a while and think this book looks just as cool! Here's a preview from Amazon.com : Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship. To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of J...

MizB @ Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday every week at her blog! This gives everyone the opportunity to share a few lines from a new book they're reading or one of their old favorites. Here are the rules for Teaser Tuesday! 1. Grab your current read. 2. Let the book fall open to a random page. 3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. 4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser. 5. PLEASE avoid spoilers. Just yesterday I received Austenland by Shannon Hale, I've never read any of her books before but so far this one is pretty good! Look for my review of Austenland tomorrow, until then here's a teaser! "Years later, she considered seeing a therapist about this one until she realized that Dave 'Fancy Hands' Atters wasn't the guy holding her back--the blame really lay with Fitzwilliam 'I love you against my better judgement' Darcy." Ex...

Every week Marcia @ The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday. This is the chance for you to showcase all the great reads that you have received during the past week. Also it gives you an opportunity to check out what great books others received too! So be sure to stop by and see what Marcia and all her other Internet friends will be reading in the future! But first check out what I got below! I had a really good haul last week...what do you think? :-) From Bookmooch : In the Shadow of Lions (Chronicles of the Scribe, Book 1) by Ginger Garrett David C. Cook Publishing Copyright 2008 333 pages ISBN: 978-0-7814-4887-1 Fiction/General Read my review HERE Boardroom Baby Surprise by Jackie Braun Harlequin Copyright 2009 185 pages ISBN: 978-0-373-17605-2 Fiction/Romance Critical Care by Candace Calvert Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2009 293 pages ISBN: 978-1-61523-293-2 Fiction From Ruth: The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo WaterBrook Press Copyright 2009 ...