Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Catherine Palmer and the book: Courteous Cad Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (December 3, 2009) ***Special thanks to Christy Wong of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. She is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in Engl...

The Courteous Cad (Miss Pickworth Series, Book 3) by Catherine Palmer Copyright 2009 Tyndale Publishers 392 pages ISBN: 978-0-8423-7555-9 Fiction/Romance From the publisher : On her tour of the English countryside, a chance encounter in the streets alerts Miss Prudence Watson to the inhumane working conditions at the worsted mill. She learns that the owner is William Sherbourne, a Royal Naval officer just returned from sea. Following in his wake is his reputation as a cad and a secret so ghastly he’ll do anything to protect it. Even worse, he’s handsome and charming and not at all the villain Prudence expected him to be. My Review: I love Catherine Palmer's work and was super excited to learn that book 3 in the Miss Pickworth series was finally being released. It was worth the wait! The Courteous Cad, William Sherbourne is my favorite of Ms. Palmer's heroes, he's handsome, he's got chocolate brown eyes and most importantly he's a rogue! I have a thing for rogue...

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Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin Copyright 2008 432 pages Bethany House Publishers ISBN: 978-0-7642-0495-1 Historical Fiction From the publisher : Life in Sweden feels like an endless winter to Elin Carlson after the deaths of her parents. When circumstances become unbearable, she determines to find a safe haven for her sisters. So begins their journey to America...the land of dreams and second chances. But as hardship becomes their constant companion, Elin, Kirsten, and Sofia question their decision to immigrate to Chicago. Will their hopes for the future ever be realized? My Review: Lynn Austin has won multiple Christy awards for her historical fiction and it is certainly easy to see why, every one of her books that I have read I have really enjoyed. Until We Reach Home is no exception. We not only get to know the main character Elin Carlson but also her sisters as well. Everything from the detail of the Swedish countryside to the English shores to the immigration offices on Elli...

Fools Rush In (Weddings By Bella, Book 1) by Janice Thompson Copyright 2009 Revell Publishers 333 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3342-1 Fiction/Contemporary/Romance From the publisher : Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash. My Review: If you love Italian food, crazy relatives, and hunky cowboys you will really enjoy Fools Rush In , the first book in the Weddings by Bella series by Janice Thompson. The best part about this book in my opinion, i...

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 & 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 weeks featured book is The Hidden Flame , Book 2 in the Acts of Faith series by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. Be sure to stop by soon to read my review! The Hidden Flame (Book 2, Acts of Faith series) by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke Copyright 2010 Bethany House Publishers 400 pages ISBN: 978-0-7642-0742-6 Historical Fiction Teaser from page 250: The high priest was cut short by the outer doors slamming back. A wide-eyed guard rushed bet...

Jenna's Cowboy (The Callahans of Texas, Book 1) by Sharon Gillenwater Copyright 2010 Revell Publishers 330 pages ISBN: 978-0-800-7-3353-7 Fiction/Contemporary/Romance From the publisher : Can you ever get a second chance at your first love? Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content. A partner on her father's successful ranch, she is surrounded by family and friends. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she ever noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago. And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever. Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves. My Review: So far 2010 has been a good year for contemporary fiction and the latest contemporary romance that I had the privilege to read, Jenna...

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen Copyright 2009 Bethany House Publishers 443 pages ISBN: 978-0-7642-0707-5 Historical Fiction From the publisher : Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his. But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home. He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something. Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears. My Review: I've been really excited to get this boo...

The Vampire Diaries, The Return: Nightfall (Book 1) by L.J. Smith Copyright 2009 HarperTeen 592 pages ISBN: 978-0-06-172077-2 YA Fiction/Paranormal From Amazon.com : Elena Gilbert is alive—again.When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back. Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire. Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . . But a darkness is infiltr...

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 & 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 featuring a book that I read last week entitled, Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble. I haven't reviewed it yet but just a hint, it was really good! I have reviewed book 2 in this series, Lonestar Secrets HERE . Lonestar Sanctuary (Book 1, Lonestar Series) by Colleen Coble Copyright 2007 Thomas Nelson Publishers 312 pages ISBN: 978-1-59554-378-3 Christian Fiction Teaser from page 218: " 'So you're not attracted to me?' She...

The Choice (Lancaster County Secrets, Book 1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher Copyright 2010 Revell Publishers 308 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3385-8 Fiction/Contemporary From the publisher: Lancaster County has always been her home--but where does her heart belong? One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl--plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever? A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world--and shows that it's never too late to find your way back to God. My Review: Up until recently I have been wary of picking up Amish fiction simply because they seem to be so repetitive in themes and storyline. Ove...

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet another great new friend, author of the soon to be released Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Cerella D. Sechrist. Before I even got to know Cerella and read her book she volunteered to do a special interview AND offer a terrific giveaway, for you, my lucky readers! I hope you get to know a little bit more about my new friend Cerella and her delicious debut novel, Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania! RC: Hi Cerella could you tell us a little bit about yourself? CS: Here's the dating ad version: I'm thirty years old, single, I love pug puppies and the rain… (LOL!) Additionally, I live in southern Pennsylvania - I'm only an hour's drive from Hershey, where my book takes place. I work for my dad's small construction business, as his office manager, and I'm currently taking classes in holistic health. Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania is my debut novel. RC: How long did it take you to get your first book pu...

Since my designated name drawer was already asleep I used random.org to choose the winner from the 11 of you who commented. The lucky person whose name the randomizer listed first was Katy!!! Katy has been emailed and has 48 hours to get back to me with her address information or I will choose another winner. Thank you to all who entered and continue to stop back! I don't think I will be holding anymore DVD giveaways in the future but I will DEFINITELY be giving away more books!

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It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Martha Rogers and the book: Becoming Lucy Realms (January 5, 2010) ***Special thanks to LeAnn Hamby Publicity Coordinator Strang Book Group for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Martha Rogers is a former schoolteacher and English instructor. She served as a newsletter editor for the writer’s organization, Inspirational Writers Alive! for six years and is the state president. She is also the director for the annual Texas Christ...