Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

This week's featured New Release is Sharon Srock's latest, Terri: Women of Valley View 2 Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God's plan. Steve Evans's gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer. Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve's book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child. She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother. Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive a family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve, or does God have another plan in store? *** Read the first 39 pages NOW! *** REVIEWS Terri is a delightful story, the second book in Women of Valley View. The humor is grea...

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: Melody Carlson and the book: Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel B&H Books (June 1, 2013) ***Special thanks to Laurel Teague for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alic...

I absolutely adore vintage style clothing and I really like a great deal. The folks at Shabby Apple offer both fun style AND affordability with clothes to fit almost any figure -- you can even shop for your little one ! I think I spent a few hours browsing their website today and I didn't even realize it! Here are a few of the stylish finds that I would love to have in my closet! One For My Baby ~ Two words: polka dots! Cleopatra ~ A great maxi dress is a summer must-have! Lemon Drop Skirt ~ This flirty skirt looks so light and breezy! Be sure to check out even more fantastic vintage styles here, on the Shabby Apple website:  http://www.shabbyapple.com/c-458-vintage-style.aspx ************************* Giveaway Time! ~   Thanks to Shabby Apple , you can enter to win one of my favorite pieces, the Hully-Gully Skirt  (Ladies Sizes: 0-16). It's a fab high-waisted pencil skirt that would be perfect for day or night! I just adore t...

When it comes to manicures I'm not a high maintenance girl. Sure, I like my nails to look great but anything that makes getting the job done simpler and faster with great results I'm all over it. Thanks to Influenster and Broadway Nails I was able to try an imPRESS Press On Manicure kit in the "Get Into It" style and I have to say I was impressed...no pun intended! The kit was easy to use, the nails quick to apply, and best of all there was no downtime waiting for glue or polish to dry or trimming. This was a first time for me using any kind of fake nails so if application was that easy for me, you can bet it will probably be a cake walk for you as well! With 24 nails in the kit I received it was easy to find the correct sizes of nails to cover each of my own nails. They also include an alcohol pad to clean your own nails prior to applying the press on nails. If your nails are good and clean and you follow the easy-peasy instructions on the back of the box, the ma...

The Silent Stars Go By (Book 11) by Dan Abnett Copyright 2011, 2013 ISBN: 9781849905176 As a Whovian , I'm always looking to get my hands on the latest and most exciting products in the Who-niverse and I'm so happy to say that the books I've read in the 50th Anniversary collection are stellar! All the new Who-related things coming out this year that I've bought or received to review rock. The latest "product" being the last book in the 11 book series entitled The Silent Stars Go By which features the current Doctor as portrayed by Matt Smith and his recently departed companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams. If you're at all a fan of the series you know that in recent years every winter the BBC has aired a Christmas special featuring the Doctor and his companions on an intergalactic, super-sized, Christmas themed adventure. The Silent Stars Go By is a Christmas special but in the form of a book -- and it's a wonderful, fun, fast-paced book to bo...

Deadly Devotion (Port Aster Secrets, Book 1) by Sandra Orchard Copyright 2013 Revell Books ISBN: 9781441241832 The Story: Kate knows the truth is out there--but if she's right, that means a killer is out there too. Research scientists Kate Adams and Daisy Leacock were on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy was suddenly found dead. Kate knows that her mentor's death wasn't suicide or a careless accident--and she's determined to do whatever it takes to unearth the truth about what happened to the woman who changed her life. Former FBI agent Tom Parker is finding it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gave him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom's just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation into her friend's death, he knows his job is at stake. But despite his attraction to her,...

Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt Copyright 2013 Howard Books ISBN: 9781451660272 The Story: Is life about accomplishing plans . . . or wishes coming true . . . or something more? Dr. Kendall Haynes’s plans to have it all—a career, a husband, a family—are eluding her. Now that she’s thirty-six, she needs to stop wishing upon a star and face reality: Some dreams just never come true. Air Force pilot Griffin Walker prefers flying solo in the air and on the ground—until a dangerous choice ejects him from the cockpit. His life becomes even more complicated after the sudden death of his parents makes him the guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother. There’s no way his life will ever get back on course now. When their lives collide during a near tragedy, Kendall and Griffin must decide if they can embrace the unexpected changes God has waiting for them. My Thoughts: Wish You Were Here was my favorite debut novel of 2012 so naturally when I learned of Catch a Falling Sta...

I get tears in my eyes every time I hear the song "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri but from now on I'll probably ugly cry every time I hear it because I will think of this video... I AM the world's most romantic and sentimental Whovian. A Thousand Years - Doctor/River (River's Timeline) posted by ViveAmneris

SQUEEEE!!!!! Who else is ecstatic about the next Hobbit movie?! I just found this trailer that was posted today and this movie looks even better than I thought it was going to be. Downside: we STILL have not heard Benedict Cumberbatch voicing Smaug (sad face).

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter Copyright 2013 Thomas Nelson Publishers ISBN: 9781401687007 The Story: Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything. In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her. To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast. Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know. Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fl...

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon Copyright 2013 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800722494 The Story: Two very different sisters . . . an unexpected homecoming . . . one unforgettable summer Karen and Val are family-yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had other reasons for moving away-as well as a secret to keep-and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke. Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with past mistakes as they care for their ailing mother. When two handsome men enter the picture, the summer takes on a surprising new dimension. As their lives intersect, can each of them learn how to forgive, let go, and move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love? My Thoughts: This past week I was relaxing on the beaches of North ...

I started this blog a little over 4 years ago never imagining that I'd connect with so many fun and interesting people with the same love for books as I have. One of the first people I had the chance to "meet" through this blog was fellow reader, Amber Stokes, then known as Border's Girl (you'll have to ask her about that ;-) ). Not only is she a reader but a book blogger AND an author! I haven't had the chance to read her book, Bleeding Heart , yet but I'll just bet that it's going to be AWESOME! Today, I'm so happy to be a part of the cover release party for the book! I'm sure it will be a great success. I don't know about you, but just based on the cover alone I can tell it's going to be my kind of story. So drumroll please... The cover for Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes! Isn't it lovely? I can't wait till this book is released and I can read it!!!!!!!! The Story: Five bleeding hearts. One profound journey. Summ...