Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Yep, yeah, uh huh, yes...I completed all three of the challenges that I signed up for in the year 2010!!!!! I signed up for Margaret's, Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, a general Historical Fiction challenge and just last month I signed up for a Christmas Reading Challenge which I just completed. I'll admit the historical fiction challenges weren't really challenges for me since I LOVE historicals. I'm thinking next year I need to sign up for something that is actually a "challenge." Since I'm not a huge fan of Christmas related fiction I only signed up to read one book which just so happened to be really good ( A Forever Christmas by Missy Tippens) so I guess that one was sort of a challenge. I listed all of the books that I read for the Christian Historical Fiction Challenge HERE . The books that I read for the Historical Fiction Challenge I've listed below. Challenge levels as taken from the host, Queen of Happy Endings -- Curious – Read ...

Ah yes it's that time of year again time to recap on all things that we've accomplished in the year and to make plans and set goals for a new year. For this blog I participated in three reading challenges, two I completed and one I'm working on but will complete before the 31st. In the process I've read a ton (literally) of great books. It is always hard to choose just a few of my favorites since I often read so many awesome books and this year a lot of books got 5 star reviews from me. Since I didn't include any young adult fiction on last year's Top Ten list I'm including a few this year that I thought were incredible. It was so difficult to choose but if you're an author and I didn't feature you or your book on my list PLEASE don't be offended. You know I loved your book if I gave you a five star review on here or on Goodreads . I don't give 5 stars to just any book ya know, it has to be AWESOME! ;-) Here they are in no particular order: C...

A few months ago I discovered BEARPAW SHOES at the local Shoe Carnival . I fell in love with their awesome boots but since I was broke I had to leave the store waering the ugly old boots I walked in with. I was sad, but wouldn't you know a few weeks later BEARPAW offered an awesome giveaway for their Facebook and Twitter fans, 1000 pairs of BEARPAW Shoes were up for grabs to the first 1000 entrants and wouldn't you know I was one of them, talk about a blessing! In such times as these I'm sure there were a lot of folks who couldn't afford a new pair of shoes for themselves for the holidays and BEARPAW went and did this and made a ton of people happy! I know my "paws" are happy! I'm excited to wear my cute new "HANNAH" shoes outside. It's 32 degrees, perfect weather for sheepskin lined shoes. Thank you Bearpaw! Be sure to check out Bearpaw's site , they just added a ton of great new styles just in time for blizzard season, including the cu...

Most of you know that I don't watch a lot of tv, there's just not anything on that appeals to me. I was never a fan of Lost (don't hate me) and I don't watch Survivor but the few shows that I do watch I absolutely love and if I miss an episode it's the end of the world...seriously. ABC's Castle , The CW's The Vampire Diaries and PBS's Masterpiece Classic are definitely my "can't miss" shows. However, my all-time favorite show is BBC's Doctor Who . I absolutely love it and ever since it first aired on the Syfy channel in 2005 I haven't missed an episode...until this season when it moved to BBC America which is not a channel in my satellite package. Luckily I ordered some gifts for friends on Amazon for Christmas and got some credits to watch some Video on Demand on their site so of course I had to watch season 5 of Doctor Who ! I'm loving it so far! If you know anything at all about the Doctor Who series you know that Chr...

Sharpshooter in Petticoats (Sophie's Daughters, Book 3) by Mary Connealy Copyright 2011 Barbour Books 320 pages ISBN: 9781602601482 Christian/Fiction/Romance From the publisher : Mandy Gray, a wealthy sharpshooting widow, is content living in her mountain home and raising her young-uns alone. But how long can she protect herself when thieving outlaws have her surrounded? Rancher Tom Linscott can’t bear to see a defenseless woman in danger. Yet his rescue efforts end up bringing trouble right to her door. Now that they’re both trapped on Mandy’s Mountain, can they learn to live together—or will they die alone? My Review: If you like Sophie's Daughters or any of Mary's other historical romance series' you will really enjoy this book especially since (I think) it features every character from Montana Marriages and Lassoed in Texas. Sharpshooter in Petticoats not only gives Mandy the ending she deserves but reunites all the characters we know and love in a fashion that on...

I realize I haven't been around much this week and I apologize but, "Tis the season..." and all that sort of thing! :-) I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season with safe travels and great get-togethers with family and friends! I'll be back full swing next with week with some great books and fun posts! To get in the holiday spirit click on the "Merry Christmas" below and listen to Black 'n Gold Girl's favorite holiday video of the year ;-) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Within My Heart (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 3) by Tamera Alexander Copyright 2010 Bethany House Publishers 384 pages ISBN: 978-0-7642-0391-6 Historical Fiction From the publisher : Sometimes the greatest step of faith is taken neck-deep in fear. Determined to fulfill her late husband's dream, Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her ranch afloat with the help of her two young sons. But some days it feels as though her every effort is sabotaged. When faced with a loss she cannot afford, she's forced to trust Rand Brookston, the one man in Timber Ridge she wishes to avoid. And with good reason. He's a physician, just like her father, which tells her everything she needs to know about him. Or so she thinks.... Dr. Rand Brookston ventured west with the dream of bringing modern medicine to the wilds of the Colorado Rockies, but the townspeople have been slow to trust him. Just as slow in coming is Rand's dream to build the town a proper clinic. When a patient's life is thr...

When I saw this I immediately thought of Coco, I'm not sure that she would put up with being sat on however... see more dog and puppy pictures

Nightshade (Nightshade, Book 1) by Andrea Cremer Copyright 2010 Philomel Books 454 pages ISBN: 9780399254826 YA fiction/Paranormal From Goodreads : Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? My Review: **5 STARS** If you look at my Goodreads profile you'll see that I read this in a day and it's 400 plus pages so that's saying a lot. I've been wanting to get back to reading paranormal/YA fiction and since I read Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick a few weeks back I've been pi...

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. These past few weeks I've been neglecting YA fiction on this blog so I figured I would feature a book in a series that I want to read badly! So far I've only read book 1, City of Bones but this cover is SO awesome I just had to share it! What you think? City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, Book 4) by Cassandra Clare From Goodreads : “Love, blood, betrayal and revenge — the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels. Simon Lewis is having some trouble adjusting to his new life as a vampire, especially now that he hardly sees his best friend Clary, who is caught up in training to be a Shadowhunter—and spending time with her new boyfriend Jace. Not to mention that Simon doesn’t quite know how to handle the pressure of not-quite-dating two gir...

I see the Eat 'n Park Christmas tree commercial! Ever since I can remember the regional restaurant Eat 'n Park , known for their yummy buffet and smiley cookies has had the same Christmas commercial. There are no funky characters and no words till the very end but if you watch it you will know why I love it. If you grew up in the Pittsburgh area, I think no matter how old you are you will always look forward to seeing this commercial around Christmas time. Merry Christmas!!!

I am SO sorry! I can't believe that I forgot to choose a winner from among you who were nice enough to help me out by commenting on my Christmas wishlist post about ereaders! I AM SO SORRY and since I'm a little late I chose TWO winners using random.org and they are... Congrats ladies I will be emailing you soon for your address information! Merry Christmas!!!

Squee! It's the trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides starring Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane and Geoffrey Rush. I am a HUGE fan of the series and even though Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom aren't in it it still looks AWWWWEESOMMMEEE! Can you tell I'm *slightly* excited?

The Topkapi Secret by Terry Kelhawk Copyright 2010 Prometheus Books 425 pages ISBN: 978-1-61614-213-1 Fiction From the publisher : A fourteen hundred year old cover-up… All who threaten this secret die… A race through the Middle East to uncover evidence buried in plain sight… Cultures clash and emotions soar as Arab researcher Mohammed Atareek and American professor Angela Hall race away from death towards discovery. Will they succeed in their journey to expose the truth, or will the opposition terminate them first? On display within the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul lies the Topkapi Codex—an ancient manuscript of the Koran involved in the murder that split Shiite from Sunni. What’s the truth about the Topkapi Codex? Is there blood on it? Are its contents the same as the modern Koran’s? No one knows because the Topkapi Codex is off limits to research. Mohammed Atareek is obsessed with getting his hands on this mysterious manuscript. His research has convinced him that the Koran has...

Hey everyone! Be sure to stop by Christian Historical Fiction today where I posted a special Top Ten Christian Historical Fiction book list. It was sooooo hard for me to choose just ten historical books so I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it will be for me to choose ten books for my overall Top Ten Books list later this year for this blog! Please stop by today and comment by leaving your thoughts on my picks and let me know what you would have picked, I would really love to know! Who knows maybe someone will get an idea for a last minute Christmas gift! ;-) Christian Historical Fiction Top Ten List

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. Mary Connealy is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors, I love the fun and adventure that is pretty much a given in each of her books. I'm excited to read her next series, The Kincaid Brides which starts out with Out of Control . Check out the cute cover! Out of Control (The Kincaid Brides, Book 1) by Mary Connealy From the publisher : Julia Gilliland has always been interested in the natural world around her. She particularly enjoys her outings to the cavern near her father's homestead, where she explores for fossils and formations, and plans to write a book about her discoveries. The cave seems plenty safe--until the day a mysterious intruder steals the rope she uses to find her way out. Rafe Kincaid has spent years keeping his family...

In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer Copyright 2010 Bethany House Publishers 352 pages ISBN: 978-0-7642-0510-1 Historical Fiction From the publisher : Three best friends, three cherished dreams, three searching hearts... As three friends who grew up in the same orphanage head off to college together, they each harbor a special plan for the future. Libby Conley hopes to become a famous journalist. Pete Leidig believes God has called him to study to become a minister. And Bennett Martin plans to pledge a fraternity, find a place to belong, and have as much fun as possible. But as tensions rise around the world on the brink of World War I, the friends' differing aspirations and opinions begin to divide them, as well. When Libby makes a shocking discovery about Pete's family, will it drive a final wedge between the friends or bond them in ways they never anticipated? My Review: Kim Vogel Sawyer has written some wonderful stories these past few years, it's easy to see why she...

Be sure to stop by today through December 10 and visit Amber at her blog, Seasons of Humility . If you're a fan of the Love Finds You series published by Summerside Press featuring some of today's finest Christian fiction authors you will want to check out all the fun giveaways and events she has planned. To visit click the button below and let her know Renee sent you! ;-)

Hannah @ Project Journal interviewed me about my favorite things of the holiday season. If you stop by be sure to enter my giveaway there ! Please visit Hannah's blog today and all month long for great guest/author interviews and giveaways.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year despite the fact that I HATE cold weather. I know Christmas is not about gifts but lets face it we all would like to get something cool or even those fun gag gifts that make us laugh from family or office party gift exchanges. This year there isn't a whole lot that I want besides an e-reader, yes I've decided to take the plunge and actually buy one or hope Santa brings me one. I was afraid at first that I wouldn't like them because I have really sensitive eyes and anything on a screen is hard for me to read but once I looked at the Kindle in person I was in love...then I looked at the Nook and fell in love again! So my dilemma is which e-reader should I buy? Do you own a Nook? If so what do you like about it or hate about it? Is a Kindle easy to use? Why do you like it? I would love to hear what you think because I'm really having a hard time choosing between the two. To thank you for your help I'm giving away a ...

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent Copyright 2010 Regan Arthur Books 320 pages 978-0-316-06862-8 Fiction From the publisher : In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood. My Review : With all of the stories I've read set in the Old West or in regency England I felt it was time for a change so when I had the opportunity to read The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent, I jumped and I'm glad I did. Set in the earliest d...