Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Forever After (Hanover Falls, Book 2) by Deborah Raney Copyright 2011 Howard Books 406 pages ISBN: Fiction/Christian/Suspense From the publisher : A fire killed his best friend and his lifelong dream of being a firefighter. The same fire killed her husband and hopes for a family. Can new dreams replace old? Lucas Vermontez was a proud firefighter like his father. Now, not only has he lost his father and his best friend, Zach, in the fire at the Grove Street homeless shelter, but the devoted rookie can no longer do the work he loves after being crippled in the tragic event. When friendship with his buddy's beautiful widow turns into more, he wonders, what could he possibly offer Jenna? Jenna Morgan is trying to grieve her husband's death like a proper widow, but the truth is, she never really loved Zach. His death feels more like a relief to her. But that relief is short-lived when she loses her home and the financial support of her in-laws. Now the secrets of her past threate...

The Art of Romance (Matchmakers, Book 2) by Kaye Dacus Copyright 2011 Barbour Books 320 pages ISBN: 978-1-60260-990-7 Fiction/Christian/Romance From the publisher : Dylan Bradley, who once illustrated steamy romances under the name Patrick Callaghan, has moved into his grandparent’s guest house in Nashville. Caylor Evans, having once written titillating novels under the penname Melanie Mason, lives with her grandmother. When their lives collide, due to the machinations of meddling matriarchs, the pasts of Dylan and Caylor threaten to derail their futures. Will they accept each other for who they now are—and once were? Or will they never discover the true art of romance? My Review: 4 out of 5 stars If you are a fan of "fluff" romance than The Art of Romance probably isn't what you're looking for but if you like your books to feature realistic heroines with well-researched storylines I highly suggest picking up a Kaye Dacus novel. Having read all of her previous conte...

If you are a fan of pets you definitely need to check out author Cerella Sechrist's website and her Pet Project feature. Each week she features a different blogger and their furry friend(s) and today she featured Coco and me. Stop by and visit to learn a little more about us and tell Cerella hi! Pet Project: Meet Coco

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: Karyn Henley and the book: Breath of Angel WaterBrook Press (June 21, 2011) ***Special thanks to Lynette Kittle, Senior Publicist, WaterBrook Multnomah, a Division of Random House for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Karyn Henley has written over 100 titles, along with being an accomplished songwriter nominated for a Dove Award. She also received a regional Emmy Award as Music Composer for a television special and lives in...

-guest post by April W Gardner Rosslyn Elliot--Winner of th e Best Protagonist Clash Fairer Than Morning was voted as having the best protagonist description by Clash of the Titles readers. Her worthy competitor was Pamela Thibodeaux's Tempered Hearts . A snapshot of her winning excerpt: Will groaned. His eyes still would not focus, though the barn’s spinning was slowing. The barn door rattled as Master Good left. Will raised his fingers to the side of his head, where he could feel a huge lump already forming. A sharp sting revealed a break in the skin. His fingers were slick and red when he held them up close enough to focus on them. He would live. Tom’s head had bled worse than this, when the master hit him with the poker two weeks ago. He thought vaguely that he would have to wash the blood off before dinner, or he would get another thrashing. Read full blurb here A couple reader comments: Tom's scene gave vivid picture of the protagonist was, and the dream of who he mig...

Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond Copyright 2011 Thomas Nelson Publishers 348 pages ISBN: 978-1-59554-924-2 Fiction/Christian/Romance From the publisher : Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie. When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor's brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she's ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory. Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse's confidence in her—and his faith in God's perfect plan—slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind. When she miscarries in the brutal Dakota winter, Susannah's fledgling faith in her...

Hi all, sorry I'm a day late with this winner announcement but I went out of town Tuesday afternoon and I didn't have great computer/internet access. Thank you so much for your patience! The winner is... wilmamet6... Winner has been emailed and will have 48 hours to get back to me with her mailing address or another winner will be drawn. Thank you all for stopping by, there will be another book giveaway in the near future so be sure to look for it.

Guest post by Amanda Flower When you finish reading a novel, are you ever sad to see the protagonist go? Does it feel like you’re saying good-bye to a good friend? Those are signs of well-crafted main characters, like the ones in our excerpts this week. There are many protagonists whom I’ve met in my life who have felt like old friends, and I miss them at the end of the book. Here are eight of my favorite protagonists and their characteristics which I found most endearing as a young reader and still admire to this day: 1. To Kill a Mockingbird - Scout Finch’s imagination 2. Pride and Prejudice - Elizabeth Bennet’s wit 3. Mouse and the Motorcycle - Ralph S. Mouse’s sense of adventure 4. Charlotte’s Web - Wilbur’s loyalty 5. The Baby Sitter Club Series - Kristy Thomas’s organization skills 6. Jane Eyre - Jane Eyre’s conscience 7. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Lucy Penvensie’s bravery 8. Mandie Series - Madie Shaw’s crime solving skills My question for you, who is your favorite p...

Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer Copyright 2011 Bethany House Publishers 346 pages ISBN: 9780764207846 Historical Fiction From the publisher : Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment: a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Independent, headstrong, and a firm believer in a well-rounded education, Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community. But is Walnut Hill ready for her? Having raised his nephews since their parents' untimely deaths, Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council has hired a female teacher. His sons could use a woman's influence. But he sure didn't bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel. Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods. Of course, Joel can't help but notice that she's also mighty pretty—and just might make a good mother for his boys. When Edythe decides to take her pupils to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak on the women...

Yes I am a lover of history and this site just makes me love it even more. I have a greater appreciation for early photography now too thanks to this site. Just thank me now before you even click the link. Trust me. ;-) I'd love to know what you think! GO HERE Note: some of the footnotes contain strong language

A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf Copyright 2011 Thomas Nelson 384 pages ISBN: 9781595548764 Fiction/Christian/Romance From the publisher : You've read it as a biblical tale of courage. Experience it anew as a heart-stirring love story. She was a simple girl faced with an impossible choice. He was a magnificent king with a lonely heart. Their love was the divine surprise that changed the course of history. The beloved story of Esther springs to fresh life in this inspired novel that vibrates with mystery, intrigue, and romance. My Review: Biblical fiction is probably my least favorite in the Christian fiction genre, not because of quality but because I'm so familiar with the stories already from Sunday school and church so there's really no twist or dramatic surprises. That said the story of Esther is one of my absolute favorites, who doesn't love a true story of a poor girl who became queen and saved her people? When presented the opportunity to read this latest take on ...

The Bedtime Book for Dogs by Bruce Littlefield Copyright 2011 Grand Central Publishing 32 pages ISBN: 9780446575911 Pets From the publisher : Come. Sit. Stay. I want to tell you a story. I think you'll like it. It's about a TREAT and a good dog, a very good dog who wanted to go play. But his friend was busy.... THE BEDTIME BOOK FOR DOGS is a charming story about a dog who decides that he'd rather walk to the park by himself than wait for his human companion-and discovers that all of his usual activities aren't as much fun without a good friend to share them with. This is an adorably packaged book with illustrations by Paul Heath that makes a perfect gift for dog lovers of all ages, with words dogs will understand and kids will want to read again and again. My Review: This book is absolutely adorable. The cover says it's perfect for adults and children and I couldn't agree more. It's very easy to read and the illustrations are so freakin' cute! The only ...

Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman Copyright 2011 Multnomah Books 352 pages ISBN: 9781601421388 Christian fiction Book Description: He’d lost his zest for life. She was just lost. Will they find the healing and love they long for? After a roaring night on the town, fun-loving flapper Lilly Margolis, dazed and disoriented, twists her ankle and falls into the backyard of a wealthy family where the effects of the Great War—over for more than half a decade—are still endured. Inside the walls of the Burnside mansion, Cullen Burnside, a disillusioned and disfigured veteran, and his widowed mother, Betty Ruth, who daily slips a little further into dementia, lead a lonely existence … until Lilly. Whimsical, lighthearted, and beautiful, she rejuvenates their sad, disconnected lives and blossoms in the light of their attention. But Lilly, like Cullen, is hiding from a painful past. And when Cullen insists on returning her to her faraway home, their budding attraction seems destined to die o...

Thanks to everyone who entered the Broken Wings giveaway! The two winners as chosen by random.org are... Faithhopecherrytea and Tiffany Drew! Congrats ladies! I'm emailing you for your address info. The books should arrive shortly direct from the publisher. Thank you Hachette Book Group and FaithWords!

I'll bet you thought this was going to be a post all about the environment and the serious problems that we face with air quality, pollution, fuel costs etc. Yeah right. You know this blog is "just for fun" and while our planet is important there is more than enough serious talk in the world so I try to make my blog somewhat entertaining and an overall happy, carefree place. What makes one more happy than crazy critters? I couldn't resist sharing this "goggie" who is doing his part in the go green effort. Teehee. see more dog and puppy pictures

Shellie Neumeier has just received the honor of being named a COTT Champ with her teen novel, Driven . This is a first for COTT, having a YA title take the crown. And Shellie deserves high accolades. She had some stiff competition: Julie Carobini and her book Fade to Blue . So how did this story come about? "The plot [for Driven] morphed over several dinner conversations with my kids and my hubby," Neumeier says. "It started with a whole lot of what-if questions and ended with a girl, a demon, and a whole lot of forgiveness." You can read COTT's excellent interview with Shellie here . A clip of her winning excerpt: Robyn can’t help but notice the handsome new guy at her school. She ignores, however, the arrival of another being at Brookfield Central High School—a demon assigned to destroy her… Read the full blurb, along with that of her competition, here About the book: Robyn can’t help but notice the handsome new guy at her school. She ignores, however, the ar...

My Foolish Heart (A Deep Haven Novel) by Susan May Warren Copyright 2011 Tyndale House Publishers 384 pages ISBN: 9781414334820 Contemporary Fiction/Romance From the publisher: Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door. Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast. Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—an...