Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Doctor in Petticoats (Sophie's Daughters, Book 1) by Mary Connealy Copyright 2010 Barbour Books 320 pages ISBN: 9781602601468 Fiction/Christian/Romance From the publisher : What happens when an idealistic student nurse encounters an embittered army doctor in a stagecoach accident? How will she react when she learns her training didn’t prepare her for tragic reality? How will he, an army deserter, respond to needs when he vowed to never touch another patient? Can these two stubborn mules find common ground on which to work and bring healing to West Texas? My Review: Mary Connealy's books are always a riot and Doctor in Petticoats is no exception. As a fan of the slightly unbelievable, cowboys and feisty heroines, for me, Ms. Connealy's books are must reads. I really loved this book! If you know anything at all about Mary's previous series, Lassoed in Texas you know that Beth McClellan the main character in Doctor in Petticoats comes by her sassiness and strength hones...

The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart Copyright 2010 Revell Publishers 416 pages ISBN:978-0-8007-3363-6 Historical Fiction From the publisher : When well-laid plans go awry, can she still make her dreams come true? Charlotte Vance is a young woman who knows what she wants. But when the man she planned to marry joins the Shakers—a religious group that does not allow marriage—she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country—and her own household—on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road of unforeseen consequences. Ann H. Gabhart brings alive the strikingly different worlds of the Southern gentry, the simple Shakers, and the ravages of war in 1860s Kentucky to weave a touching story of love, freed...

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: Sally John and the book: Ransomed Dreams (Side Roads) Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 7, 2010) ***Special thanks to Vicky Lynch of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: When the going gets tough—or weird or wonderful—the daydreamer gets going on a new story. Sally John has been tweaking life's moments into fiction since she read her first Trixie B...

I thought it would be cool since it's Friday to review 3 movies that I saw this week, two for the first time and one for about the 10th time. Whether you're looking for a movie to check out in the theatre or one to snuggle up to Ben and Jerry's with at home here are 3 suggestions! At the Movies: Knight and Day From the first time I saw the previews I thought this movie looked like an interesting action/ comedy and I was right. While there weren't really any funny moments other than the ones that most of you have probably seen on the tv trailers for this film I still like it because of Cameron Diaz's character, June Havens. While she isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier (but who would be with a million bullets flying at them?) she is one cool gal! She restores classic cars and is lugging car parts in her carry-on when she "accidentally" bumps into secret agent, Roy Miller! Oh and did I mention she has some serious driving skills and a sick vintage...

A little over a week ago I was contacted by CSN stores asking if I would like to review one of their thousands of products. Naturally, since I'm a bookworm and I had a little bit of space left in my room I chose to review a bookcase! As you can see from the picture below I had a ton of books stacked on my cheap Wal-Mart bookcase and it was just begging for a break from holding so much weight. When I saw the cool "L" shaped bookcase on the CSN stores site I knew I had to have it. Yesterday when the Fed-Ex man delivered my new bookcase I was worried that I might have a hard time assembling it. I'm all thumbs and don't know the business end of a screwdriver from the other but luckily it was oh so easy to assemble, with no tools required and it looks terrific holding my books, dontcha think? Before: My poor bookcase couldn't even hold most of my newer books :-( After: My brand new bookcase from CSN stores !!!! I love it! The reason I have those books stacked ...

Jill over @ Breaking the Spine hosts a weekly meme that features one book that you can't wait to be released! Be sure to visit Jill's site to see what she and other readers can't wait to get their hands on. This week my pick is Code Triage , Book 3 in the Mercy Hospital series by Candace Calvert! I got an ARC of this story last week and let me tell you if you're a fan of this series you will not be disappointed! I really loved it and I can't wait till it's official release so I can get a copy with the beautiful full color cover! Here's the (yummy) cover art and the blurb from the publisher: Dr. Leigh Stathos likes her ER shifts fast, furious, and adrenaline-infused—“Treat ’em and street ’em”—with no emotional complications. Life’s taught her a soul-rending lesson: nothing lasts forever, including marriage. And the clock is ticking toward the end of hers. Then an unwelcome confrontation with “the other woman” begins a whole new set of lessons. San Francisco ...

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz Copyright 2010 Revell Books 368 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3340-7 Historical Fiction From the publisher : Caught between the wilderness and civilization, Morrow Little must find her way to true love. 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 she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones--and garner suspicion from her friends--by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love? This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop you as it takes you from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness of the West. My Review: Laura Frantz has do...

Thank you all so much for your comments on my giveaway of The Homecoming by Dan Walsh! I entered everyone's name in the list randomizer and here's what name came up first... There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order: 1.crystal 2.vicki 3.charsaltz 4.debbie 5.rachel 6.rbooth43 7.debbie f 8.carmen 9.michelle 10.julie 11.amber 12.esther Timestamp: 2010-07-16 04:29:20 UTC Congrats CRYSTAL! You are the lucky winner! An email has been sent to Crystal. She has 48 hours to reply or another name will be drawn. Look for another giveaway soon!

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: Loree Lough and the book: Beautiful Bandit (Lone Star Legends V1) Whitaker House (August 3, 2010) ***Special thanks to Cathy Hickling of Whitaker House for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: At last count, Loree had 73 books (fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults; one novel optioned for a TV movie; and many more slated for release), 63 short stories, and more than 2,500 articles in print. Her stories have earned dozens of...

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn Copyright 2010 Berkley Trade 496 pages ISBN: 9780425232477 Historical Fiction From Goodreads: First century Rome: a world of depravity, blood, and secrets. The enigmatic Emperor Domitian watches over all, fearing murder from every side . . . except from the woman who fascinates him most. Thea is a slave girl from Judaea; musical, wary, and passionate. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea and her mistress will become rivals for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome’s newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life – quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart. As Lepida goes on to wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome’s aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another admirer in the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian’s games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many ha...

I am so excited! Jessica @ CSN Stores contacted me and asked me to review a product from one of their over 200 stores. I really have no idea what I'm going to review they have so much stuff! From dining room furniture to pet beds to gardening tools, they have just about anything you can think of for the home or office or just for fun. Any tips on what I should review? I'm thinking about a bookcase, since y'all know I have tons of books. Or something that will keep me cool like one of their neat desk fans. Oh and did I mention I am in love with these slippers? Watch for a review of whatever I choose in the upcoming weeks, in the meantime be sure to check out the CSN stores website !

MizB @ Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesdays 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 Tuesdays! 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!!!!! I just finished Mary Connealy's latest release, Doctor in Petticoats from her new series, Sophie's Daughters. If you like Mary's signature style of comedy and heroines who get themselves into unbelievable situations you'll love this book! I'll post a review later in the week but for now here's a teaser! Doctor in Petticoats (Sophie's Daughters, Book 1) by Mary Connealy Copyright 2010 Barbour Books 320 pages ISBN: 978-1-60260-146-8 F...

Shades of Morning by Marlo Schalesky Copyright 2010 Multnomah Books pages ISBN: Contemporary Fiction From the publisher: Marnie Wittier has life just where she wants it. Quiet. Peaceful. No drama. A long way away from her past. In the privacy of her home, she fills a box with slips of paper, scribbled with her regrets, sins, and sorrows. But that’s nobody else’s business. Her bookstore/coffee shop patrons, her employees, her friends from church—they all think she’s the very model of compassion and kindness. Then Marnie’s past creeps into her present when her estranged sister dies and makes Marnie guardian of her fifteen-year-old son—a boy Marnie never knew existed. And when Emmit arrives, she discovers he has Down syndrome—and that she’s woefully unprepared to care for him. What’s worse, she has to deal with Taylor Cole, her sister’s attorney, a man Marnie once loved—and abandoned. As Emmit (and Taylor) work their way into her heart, Marnie begins to heal. But when pieces of her dismal...

Hey there! I just wanted to say thanks to my fine blog hostess and to her readers. I have been really excited to see how many people are thinking of picking up the book because of the reviews they read during the blog tour. And thank you to everyone who entered the contest! I'll be drawing a winner on July 18 and posting it on my blog. If you haven't stopped by my blog or website yet, I hope you'll pop over sometime and say hi in the comments or on the guest book. Also, if you're interested in hearing about my next releases and any other exciting news that happens to come up, please sign up to receive my announcements--the sign-up is on my website. I have another novel coming out in September, two more next year, and two children's books that my husband and I wrote (the first of which comes out August 1), so there will be plenty of news coming, and I try to host contests now and then on my blog, too. Thanks again! And if you do decide to pick up The Weight of Shado...

Touching the Clouds (Alaskan Skies, Book 1) by Bonnie Leon Copyright 2010 Revell Publishers 368 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3359-9 Historical Romance From the publisher : She went looking for adventure . . . and found more than she bargained for. Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent young woman with a pioneering spirit. When she leaves her home in Washington State to follow her dream of being an Alaskan bush pilot, she knows it will be an uphill battle. But she never expected it to be quite like this. As the lone woman in a man's world, she finds that contending with people's expectations is almost as treacherous as navigating the wild arctic storms. When she crosses paths with a mysterious man living alone in the forbidding wilderness, she faces a new challenge. Can Kate break through the walls he has put up around his heart? And will fear keep her from realizing her dreams? Book 1 in the Alaskan Skies series, Touching the Clouds will draw you in with raw emotion and susp...

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig Copyright 2010 Abingdon Press 397 pages ISBN: 9781426700583 Fiction/Suspense From Goodreads : Dead Reckoning is the story of a young woman anxious to abandon the crushing effects of her father’s espionage career only to find herself tangled in the very web of mystery and intrigue that consumed his life. Underwater archaeologist Shiloh Blake is consumed with passion for the water and inflamed at the injustices of life, blaming her secret agent father for her mother's death. When her first large-scale dig traps her in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she flees for her life and is followed by an unknown man. Who is he? How is he always one step ahead? Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL, who now serves his country as a spy. His mission is threatened by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is for Sh...

Okay for the past 3 days it's been in the lower 90s here in good ol' southwestern Pennsylvania. That's hot! Oh wait no, that's really hot!!!! There aren't too many things that a body can do when it's 90 degrees to stay cool or relax. What are some of the things that you like to do to stay cool? Here's my list of things to do when it's hot and sticky outside! 1. Stay inside huddled close to the air conditioner vent or the fan with a good book! 2. Visit the falls at Ohiopyle State Park and take a dip in the cool mountain water @ Cucumber Falls! 3. Drink A LOT of smoothies, sweet tea, Mountain Dew, and ICE WATER! I hope you are all enjoying your summer and having fun! Be safe and I command you to Stay Cool...or at least try!

The Homecoming by Dan Walsh Copyright 2010 Revell Books 320 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3389-6 Fiction/Historical From the publisher : A reluctant war hero returns home and encounters a new chance at love. No sooner has Shawn Collins returned home from the fighting in Europe than he is called upon to serve his country in another way--as a speaker on the war bond tour. While other men might jump at the chance to travel around the country with attractive Hollywood starlets, Shawn just wants to stay home with his son Patrick and his aging father, and grieve the loss of his wife in private. When Shawn asks Katherine Townsend to be Patrick's nanny while he's on the road, he has no idea how this decision will impact his life. Could it be the key to his future happiness and the mending of his heart? Or will the war once again threaten his chances for a new start? Dan Walsh does not disappoint in this tender story of family ties and the healing of a broken heart. “Available...

This summer I've been blessed to meet author Ronie Kendig through Twitter and blogging. As the author of two published novels, Dead Reckoning and Nightshade, a part of a new series from Barbour books as well as the upcoming release, Digitalis , she has done tons of research and you can tell she knows her stuff! Her latest series, Discarded Heroes, features Nightshade, a black ops group comprised of former military men. Max, the lea der of the team suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Ronie was kind enough to offer this small piece on the reality of PTSD and some things we can do to help those who have to live with it. Please join me in welcoming Ronie and feel free to post any questions you may have for Ronie about her research on PTSD, her books or just stop and say Hi!!! ************************* Battle Wounds By Ronie Kendig In a world of compromising values and weakening morals, a rare few take up the cause of those unable to defend themselves. Soldiers across the glo...