Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs Copyright 2011 Waterbrook Press 464 pages ISBN: 9781400070022 Historical Fiction My Review: When Elizabeth and Marjory Kerr lose everything they own to the Jacobite cause, they have no choice but to leave the lives they knew for a village in Selkirk, Scotland. Along the way they encounter King George’s dragoons who are searching for anyone who may have been loyal to bonny Prince Charlie to imprison, torture, or worse. Once safely arrived in Selkirk, still unsure of what their new life will bring, they must face yet another potential loss, their faithful manservant, Gibson. Elizabeth and Marjory learn to rely on the one constant in their life – their God. With the aid of a distant cousin, the ladies learn to scrape by, and with seemingly no hope of attaining the wealth they once had. However, the arrival of a handsome and wealthy bachelor could mean a life that is beyond Elizabeth’s wildest imagination. As faithful servants of God, they just may rea...

I absolutely LOVE these pics, I'm not sure who came up with them but they are amazing! Some are sad, some are funny but all make you think. "When the Fairy Tale Ends, Real Life Begins" Thanks to my friend Aubrey @ Modern Vintage Blog for posting/linking these!

I know right?! Who wants a baby panda now? If this doesn't make you smile... see more Daily Squee

While I didn't get a Kindle this week I did get some awesome books! Thanks again to Barbara Vey @ Beyond Her Book (a Publishers Weekly blog ) I got the last of my book prizes that I won from one of my favorite authors, Janet Dean and a new to me author, Camy Tang! I'm so excited to read all these books, they look great don't they? Books I won: Book Swag Only Uni (Sushi Series, Book 2) by Camy Tang Single Sashimi (Sushi Series, Book 3) by Camy Tang (all from author Camy Tang ) Wanted: A Family by Janet Dean (from author Janet Dean ) For review: Yesterday's Tomorrow by Catherine West from the publisher, OakTara The Dawn of a Dream (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 3) by Ann Shorey from the publisher, Revell What did you get to read this week? Be sure to visit I'm Booking It to see what was in other's mailboxes! Stay tuned to my blog in the next few days I have an exciting announcement that you will want to read...

I love historical films, books, tv series' etc. I'm kind of sick of reality tv and action films that seem so popular so when I saw this trailer today on Yahoo I thought, "It's about time!" With films like Jane Eyre and now The Conspirator I'm hoping period/historical films are making a comeback!

The Linen Queen by Patricia Falvey Center Street, Hachette Book Group Copyright 2011 320 pages ISBN: 9781599952000 Historical Fiction From the publisher: Abandoned by her father and neglected by her self-centered, unstable mother, Sheila McGee cannot wait to escape the drudgery of her mill village life in Northern Ireland. Her classic Irish beauty helps her win the 1941 Linen Queen competition, and the prize money that goes with it finally gives her the opportunity she's been dreaming of. But Sheila does not count on the impact of the Belfast blitz which brings World War II to her doorstep. Now even her good looks are useless in the face of travel restrictions, and her earlier resolve is eroded by her ma's fear of being left alone. When American troops set up base in her village, some see them as occupiers but Sheila sees them as saviors--one of them may be her ticket out. Despite objections from her childhood friend, Gavin O'Rourke, she sets her sights on an attractive J...

Hi All! It's been a while since I participated in the Mailbox Monday meme and I figured since I brought in a pretty good haul this weekend I thought I'd share it with you! Thanks to Barbara Vey @ Beyond Her Book and all the authors who offered giveaways to celebrate her 4th anniversary I won A LOT of great stuff and it started to come in late last week. I know some of things I posted aren't technically books but they are from bookish folks so I thought I'd share. Here's what I got from those giveaways, publishers and swapping... From Bookmooch: (Left) How Do I love Thee? by Nancy Moser (Right) Shut Up and Kiss Me by Christie Craig To review: (Left) Give the Lady a Ride by Linda W. Yezak (Center) Tomorrow's Garden Texas Dreams, Book 3 by Amanda Cabot (Right) Desert Gift Side Roads, Book 2 by Sally John Bookish Stuff I Won: Kindle from author of The Heir , Grace Burrowes Blood Trinity Belador, Book 1 by Sherrilyn...

Increasing the Odds as You Climb Towards Your Writing Destination by Jennifer Slattery Writing is definitely not for the thin-skinned, nor for those seeking instant gratification. It is one of the few jobs where the applicant can spend years, decades even, doing all the right things with nothing to show for it. So much of the writing industry is beyond the writer's control, at times it may appear to be an endless upward climb with a perpetually elusive destination. And although it is true there will be much that forever remains beyond our control, there are concrete steps a writer can take to increase their chance of success. The first thing a writer needs to do is develop a long-term focus. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. In fact, quite the opposite. If you want to be successful as an author, expect years of sweat and tears and start by focusing on the foundation. This is where contests come in. At the American Christian Fiction Writers conference last Septem...

It's Friday and it's almost 70 degrees so I am a happy camper. Unfortunately not everyone is enjoying such a beautiful day today and many people across the world are coping with sadness and loss in lieu of the earthquakes, tsunamis and floods that have hit areas like Haiti, Australia, and Japan. It's easy to take for granted the comfort and safety we have here in the US but we need to remember that someday it could be us. So the next time you complain about the cold and the snow and the rain just remember Japan and war torn countries like Afghanistan and Iraq and be thankful for what you have! I know I will be thinking twice! Please remember to donate or help out with the relief efforts in Japan in anyway you can, the Red Cross is always taking donations. If you can't donate or are unable to help, everyone (including you) can say a prayer! ****************************************************** As a dog lover this video really grabbed my heart and made me think, ...

Road Racing: Drivers of the 60's and 70's by Linda Weldon Copyright 2010 98 pages From Goodreads: This book is a compilation of pictures taken at a time when photographers were able to get very close to the action. Using a Nikon camera with various telephoto lenses. Tri-X and Plus-X film was utilized. Each shot had to count, so very little color was used. Hopefully, these pictures will bring back many exciting memories from this era of Road Racing of the 60′s and 70′s. My Review: You may not know it but I am a huge car nut and have been since I could talk. While I didn't grow up with a wrench in my hand I've always had an appreciation for the style and freedom that is offered by the automobile. The 60s and 70s were the peak of the "muscle car" era with some of the greatest cars ever produced being built, driven and raced everyday across American on the road, the track and at the drag strip. With a dad who grew up during the midst of the pony car wars it was na...

Raider's Heart (Backwoods Brides, Book 1) by Marcia Gruver Copyright 2011 Barbour Books 320 pages ISBN: 978-1-60260-948-8 Fiction/Christian/Romance From the publisher: Steal away to the Old South with Marcia Gruver’s Backwoods Brides series. Two brothers—one violent and one gentle—belong to a family of bandits. While Duncan McRae can hardly stomach their raids, his brother Hooper revels in the violence perpetrated by the band of thieves. When they meet mild-mannered Dawsey Wilkes, the competition steps up a notch as the brothers vie for her hand. Which marauder will steal Dawsey’s heart? Meanwhile, Dawsey holds the key to Dilsey McRae’s past. What will Dilsey do when she discovers the truth? My Review: If you're like me there are probably a few author's who you turn to if you want a guaranteed romantic read, a few you go to for that suspense laden drama and a few you turn to just for an escape. Marcia Gruver is one of the author's whose books I turn to when I want to r...

Check out this great recipe I found on the local newspaper's website! I am a HUGE fan of the Shamrock (mint) shake but since my local McDonald's milkshake machine is NEVER in working order I've been thinking about how I could make my own. I was super excited when I learned that the Post Gazette was going to feature this recipe. Check it out and let me know what you think! I hope to make it soon! Sorry in advance that the video is so large but I can't figure out how to resize this one!

Shake It Up Baby, Now Clash of the Titles loves to shake things up. Recently, things have gotten fun with the opening of the sparring arena to self-published authors (leading to a quick victory for Elaine Cooper's The Road To Deer Run), and currently with a month-long Clash among six pre-published writers. (Stop by next week for Round 3). But did you know that YOU now have control? Yep, that's right. Readers, want some say in what kind of excerpts COTT features? Well, now you can send in nominations and share your favorite reads. For doing so, you receive three free entries into any of our book drawings. Awesome, right? We thought so! And authors, we've given you more control as well. Now you can send us any 500-word excerpt from your book in the new Author's Choice category. Visit our Upcoming Clashes page for details. Also, please remember that following our blog, facebook, or twitter account lands you an extra entry in any drawing you enter...

Squee! I'm so excited only a little over a month til the premiere of series 6 of Doctor Who! BBC America will be airing it on April 23 at 9pm (EST). Although I don't get BBC hopefully I'll be able to download it on iTunes or on Amazon's Video on Demand! In the meantime I'm re-watching series 5 and loving it. I don't know about you but I need another dose of the Doctor ASAP! Check out the cool promo poster for series 6! LOVE! For more details check out Entertainment Weekly !

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. ******************************************************************************* I love author Mary Connealy's cowboy comedies so when I heard that she was branching out a bit, writing a darker suspense novel under a penname I was super excited! Read the description below and you'll be waiting on this one too I'll bet! Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy From CBD : Join the breakneck chase through Chicago for a murderous maniac. As the victims begin piling up, detective Keren Collins’s spiritual discernment is on high alert. Will she capture the killer before another body floats to the surface? Ex-cop, now mission pastor Paul Morris has seen his share of tragedy, but nothing prepared him to be a murderer’s messenger boy. Will his old ruthless cop personality take ove...

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: Laura Hilton and the book: Patchwork Dreams (Amish of Seymour V1) (Amish of Seymour County) Whitaker House (April 5, 2011) ***Special thanks to Cathy Hickling of Whitaker House for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Laura V. Hilton is a pastor’s wife, mother of five, author, and book reviewer. Although for her formal education she studied business, books have long been Laura’s passion. Her first two novels, Shadows of the Pa...

Click here to read this week's excerpts. Unpublished is a State of Mind by Lisa Lickel Here in Clash of the Titles World we believe in you. We are authors in various stages of publication ourselves. We believe in the process of creating a gripping read, getting it published and introducing it to readers. Although I'm multi-published, I still get turned down quite a bit. I get turned down because I keep submitting, and yes it's disappointing when I get that note that says, "Hmm, just didn't grab me," but that's what I have to do order to chance an acceptance. I learn. Why didn't the story grab the editor? What is he or she looking for? Usually the answer has something to do with "Make Me Care." What makes us care? And the most important answer is: Creating that Intense Moment of no return – the one that makes you turn the page. I tend to start out slow and build up to a crescendo of incidents. It might work for opening credits of a movie, ...

Hey everybody, as you know I'm a HUGE fan of Christian historical fiction and I absolutely love the community site that Margaret of Creative Madness Mama has created called Christian Historical Fiction . Not only do we talk books and new releases but there is always something bookish going on. Right now there is an interview featuring author Jill Marie Landis along with a giveaway of her latest release, Heart of Lies, second in the Irish Angel series. Please tell your friends about this giveaway because the more who enter means more giveaways in the future!!! CLICK HERE to read the interview with Jill and to enter to win!

Ahhh yes at the first sign of warmer weather it never fails, I always seem to end up sick. Normally I only get sick about once a year with something that requires medicine or a doctor's visit and usually it's during late winter/early spring. I'm sure you can guess where this is headed but yeah right now I'm sick with a sore throat, runny nose, headache and an overall icky feeling. When I'm sick there are certain things that make me feel better and here they are... A Good Book... For the hours when I'm awake without the headache I like to pick up a good book because what else am I going to do while I'm in bed not able to sleep? ********** Vitamin C... Yep, gotta bolster my immune system ********** Soup Yummm who doesn't love a hearty bowl of mummy's homemade chicken noodle soup when they're sick? If you don't have mummy around to make soup Ramen noodle's work too! ********** Tissues with lotion... ...

Beautiful Dead: Summer by Eden Maguire Copyright 2011 Sourcebooks Fire 272 pages ISBN: 9781402239465 YA Fiction/Paranormal From the publisher: Not alive. Not dead. Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead. It’s been months since Darina has seen her undead boyfriend and her heart is breaking all over again. The wait is slowly driving her crazy. All she wants to do is be with Phoenix, to feel his arms wrapped around her. But to earn the pleasure of that embrace, Darina must track down the crazed killer that shot Summer Madison. Was it a random shooting? Or was the gifted singer the victim of an obsessive fan? As time runs out, Darina will risk her own life to discover the truth. But if she solves Summer’s murder, Darina knows it only brings her one step closer to losing Phoenix forever… My Review: We've all heard of the vampire craze, the angel craze and the latest craze seems to be...zombies! I'll admit to being a fan of quirky stuff like Pride and Pr...