Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

The River Rose (Water Wheel, Book 2) by Gilbert Morris Copyright 2012 B&H Publishing ISBN: 9781433673214 About the book : Life hasn’t been easy for Jeanne Bettencourt, a widow approaching thirty and struggling to provide for her eight-year-old daughter. But hope arrives in the form of the Helena Rose, a steamboat she unexpectedly inherits from a distant, departed relative. Jeanne’s father had captained a similar vessel and taught her how to pilot a steamer along the banks of Memphis. She’s looking forward to a renewed livelihood on the mighty Mississippi.  However, as plans are made, news comes of another heir to the Helena Rose - a tough man named Clint Hardin - and a clause in the will that says claimants of the estate must live aboard the boat. Jeanne, a Christian woman, makes it clear she won’t stay with a man who is not her husband. But both are desperate for work, so they agree to keep their distance as Clint occupies the lower deck and Jeanne takes the captai...

It's not everyday that you get to follow an author on their journey from wannabe writer to published novelist and beyond so it's pretty cool to follow along with Keli Gwyn as she travels the path to publication and beyond via her blog. When I first started following other bloggers who read and reviewed Christian fiction I never thought I'd get to meet so many cool authors and Keli definitely qualifies as a "cool" author. I've told her over and over again that I'm probably almost as excited about A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California , as she is so I'm thrilled to have her as a guest to give us the latest scoop on her book and what's happening in her life. So sit back, relax, and feel free to say hi to Keli in the comments section as I'm sure she'll be stopping by. ...and now here's Keli! ~ Hi Keli! Since a lot of people might not know you as a published author can you please tell us a bit about yourself?   Thanks for hosti...

The Director's Cut (Backstage Pass, Bk 3) by Janice Thompson Copyright 2012 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800733476 About the book: The one thing she can't direct is her heart. Tia Morales is used to calling the shots. She's the director of the popular sitcom Stars Collide, and her life on the set is calculated and orderly. Well, most of the time. Life outside the studio is another matter. If only she could get other people to behave as well as her stars do! When she starts to have feelings for handsome cameraman Jason Harris--with whom she's been butting heads for months--it's enough to send a girl over the edge. Will she ever learn to let go and take life--and love--as it comes? Full of the humor and crazy family dynamics Janice Thompson fans have come to love, this colorful story gives you an inside look at Hollywood and a healthy dose of romance. “Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.” My ...

Glamorous Illusions (Grand Tour, Book 1) by Lisa T. Bergren Copyright 2012 David C. Cook Publishers ISBN: 9781434764300 About the book: It was the summer of 1913, and Cora Kensington's life on the family farm has taken a dark turn. Not only are the crops failing, so is her father's health. Cora is carrying on, helping her mother run their Montana farm until a stranger comes to call, and everything changes. Cora then learns a secret that will radically change her future: she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king who has come to claim her.  Cora is invited to take the "Grand Tour" of Europe, a journey intended to finish a person's education, to solidify an understanding of ancient culture and contemporary refinement. As she travels from England to France with half-siblings she's never known, Cora encounters the blessings of the Kensington family name, as well as the curses. But when an unbidden love begins to form, she realizes the journey is...

Chameleon: The Ravensmoore Chronicles, Bk II by Jillian Kent Copyright 2012 Realms Publishing ISBN: 9781616384968 About the book: Lady Victoria Grayson journeys to London for the first time in her adult life after battling an illness that kept her homebound for years. She is embroiled in a hornet's nest of intrigue when her brother is called upon to treat a Member of Parliament after a brutal attack.  Lord Witt understands that some people are not what they pretend to be. When he meets Victoria, his cynical nature is challenged, along with his doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future. My Thoughts: Just like the previous novel in this series, Chameleon is not just a romance but also a book that examines a ore serious side, mental health and its treatment in the early 19th century. As a reader of Christian romance and romance in general a lot of what I read sometimes comes across as "fl...

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: Jillian Kent and the book: Chameleon Realms (May 15, 2012) ***Special thanks to Althea Thompson | Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House | Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jillian Kent has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers for several years. She has also been a member of Romance Writers of America for 20 years and a member of The Beau Monde, Kiss of Dea...

A few weeks ago I posted about a new ebook collection by one of my favorite authors, Merrie Destefano . I'm pleased to let you all know that Waiting for Midnight is free to download on your Kindle for two days, June 18-19. If you're interested in the book definitely make sure you grab it soon and don't forget to post a review on Amazon if you like the story! :-) Waiting for Midnight by Merrie Destefano Happy Reading!

Get Ready to Spar! Dust off those swords (in the Spirit, of course) and put on that literary armor,  because Clash of the Titles has an announcement. The Laurel Award is expanding, and we know you’ll be excited about it. We are creating a NEW annual literary contest, and it’s strictly for unpublished writers!   Also, authors will no longer need to be a previous Clash Champion in order to compete for the crown.  Submissions for this contest open October 29, 2012 ,  but first we must name it. That’s right! We want your help naming this exciting, new branch of Clash of the Titles. After reading about it, please take a moment to click on which name you think most fitting for this contest—The Spartan OR The Olympia. (Use survey below.) About this new contest : All never before published writers of Christian fiction may submit their work. $10 Entry fee. First two chapters will be judged. Final scoring by a select panel of beta-r...

I just wanted to let everyone know that June 8-16th I'll be on a blog vacation so there won't be any posts from me...I know, I know, what WILL you do? In the meantime if you're looking for some great blogs to read please check out my " Blogs I Love " list at the top of my blog or the "More Blogs I Love" list on the left sidebar and I can guarantee you that you won't miss me at all. The ladies whose blogs I have listed there are pretty darn amazing if I do say so myself! I'm sure they all will post some wonderful book reviews, movie reviews, and recipes that are sure to keep you adding to your reading and to watch lists as well as your waistline while I'm gone. ;-) I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful spring weather and find time for some rest and relaxation like I plan to do this week.

The winner of a copy of Submerged by Dani Pettrey is... Liz! Liz has been contacted and has already claimed her prize. Be sure to stop back soon for more giveaways. :-)

At the nudging of my cousin Melissa and my friend Ruth @ Booktalk and More I started watching White Collar a few weeks ago and I have to say I am Hooked with a capital H. Why did nobody tell me how fun and interesting this show was? Oh...wait...the aforementioned ladies did tell me but I guess I wasn't listening! I should know better, when people with great taste tell me to do something I need to do it ASAP! So thanks to Melissa and Ruth I am now a White Collar addict and want to recommend the show to anyone who loves dramas but not necessarily the grittiness of say NCIS or CSI and anyone who likes a bit of fun (say, ABC's Castle). I haven't finished watching season 3 but I'm recommending the entire series just because what I've seen so far is that good. Did I mention there is some serious eye candy in the form of smooth conman turned FBI consultant Neal Caffrey as played by Matt Bomer? Yes ladies, you will swoon 5 minutes into the first episode or my na...

I'm so happy to have the opportunity to introduce you to one of my favorite new Christian fiction writers, Dani Pettrey. Dani's debut novel, Submerged (Book 1 in the Alaskan Courage series) is definitely making my list of great books I read in 2012. I thought since I accidentally got an extra copy I'd also offer a giveaway! If you read the interview and the cover blurb and you're interested in the book feel free to enter the giveaway! Remember to read the rules first to see if you're eligible to enter. Submerged (Alaskan Courage, Book 1)  by Dani Pettrey Copyright 2012 Bethany House Publishers ISBN: 9780764209826 About the book:  A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.  Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bail...