Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Photo from BBCAmerica.com This week has sort of turned into an unofficial "TV Time" on my blog. If you're looking for the usual book banter and reviews, you probably won't find that here this week. I've been slacking a bit in the reading department just because sometimes I just can't resist the siren call of good TV! This week, it's all about the BBC. Really though, is there any other TV? I just finished watching BBC's Ripper Street  series last night and I loved it way more than I thought I would. I rarely watch TV-MA rated programming but I made an exception this time because I was desperate for a new historical drama series to watch. Photo from BBCAmerica.com Ripper Street is a series set in Victorian London, 1889 to be exact, and is centered around the notorious H Division police precinct following the Ripper murders and stars Matthew Macfadyen as Detective Inspector Edmund Reid. I have loved Macfadyen since first seeing him in Pride and...

Call the Midwife , Season Two Release Date: June 18, 2013 Blu-ray/DVD Overview: Based on the best-selling memoirs by Jennifer Worth, the critically acclaimed BBC series Call the Midwife , which TIME Magazine hails as, “gritty realism,”tells the fascinating story of Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine, Doctor Who , The Woman In Black ), a young midwife in 1950s London's working class East End, as she provides the poorest women with the best possible care. This season continues to follow Jenny and the rest of the Poplar neighborhood’s exceptional midwives and nursing nuns as they face new challenges and traumas, including a strange woman dressed in rags, an abandoned baby, and the introduction of a new pain-killer, gas, which proves such a hit that all the women want some. A fascinating portrayal of birth, life, death and a community on the brink of huge social change, Call the Midwife offers a gripping insight into a way of life that is so drastically different from how we live now. ...

Clash of the Titles' Laurel Award is in full swing with submissions just having closed and judges itching to get started. It'll be another three mail-biting months before the winner of the 2013 Laurel is announced. In the meantime, COTT continues to shine the light on its past winners, including Karen Witemeyer whose novel, " A Tailor-made Bride " won the 2011 Laurel. Today, COTT brings you her latest, " Stealing the Preacher ." ABOUT THE BOOK: On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dr...

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer Copyright 2013 Bethany House Publishers ISBN: 9780764209666 The Story: A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind. On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape--which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request. For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he en...

Rosemary Cottage (Hope Beach, Book 2) by Colleen Coble Copyright 2013 Thomas Nelson Publishers ISBN: 9781595547828 The Story: Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there’s a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island…. The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It’s always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder. Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine’s father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can’t help being drawn to Hope Beach’s new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina. ...

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway for the coupons to try the New Quarter Pounder flavors from McDonald's. The winner as selected by random.org is... Juju @ Tales of Whimsy ! Congratulations to Juju!  Juju has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize or another winner will be selected.  Don't forget to stop back often, you never know when I'll post another giveaway! Happy Reading!

Is it really Twinkie Day? I don't know, I probably just made that up but I declare July 15, 2013, to be Official Twinkie Day at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot ! Here in the US we've been missing our Twinkies and other Hostess snack cakes ever since they closed down their factories late last year. Today, they are officially available again in most stores across the country. I was lucky enough to snag some Twinkies and Powdered Donettes early, this past Saturday at Wal-Mart, and I have to say BOTH taste just as good as I remember. If you are worried that they aren't going to taste as good, have no fear they are still yummy! To celebrate the return of the classic snack and to beat the heat, I'm going to sit inside, read my book, and enjoy a cream-filled golden sponge of deliciousness!! :-) Photo from Pinterest To buy your own Twinkies and other favorite Hostess snacks visit their website for store locations: http://hostesscakes.com/ Happy Snack...

Bacon Habanero Ranch QP This is a bit of a departure from the usual giveaways that I host on this blog but thanks to the kind people at Family Arches and McDonald's , I have two coupons (each coupon is for one free new Quarter Pounder) to give away to one lucky winner to try the brand new 100% Beef Quarter Pounder burgers at McDonald's! Deluxe QP There are 3 new flavors -- the Bacon Habanero Ranch for those who like a little zest, the Bacon and Cheese for all the bacon lovers, and the Deluxe for those who like veggies along with their beef. I've tried the Bacon and Cheese QP and the Bacon Habanero QP and I really like both. I'm not one for pickles, tomatoes, or onions so I haven't tried the Deluxe QP yet but I'm sure it's tasty too! For good food and a great value, there's really no better place to turn than McDonald's. Bacon and Cheese QP **** Giveaway! **** If you would like to enter to win two coupons to try the new Quarte...

Carniepunk by Rachel Caine and more Copyright 2013 Gallery Books ISBN: 9781476714158 The Story: Come one, come all! The Carniepunk Midway promises you every thrill and chill a traveling carnival can provide. But fear not! Urban fantasy’s biggest stars are here to guide you through this strange and dangerous world. . . . RACHEL CAINE’s vampires aren’t child’s play, as a naïve teen discovers when her heart leads her far, far astray in “The Cold Girl.” With “Parlor Tricks,” JENNIFER ESTEP pits Gin Blanco, the Elemental Assassin, against the Wheel of Death and some dangerously creepy clowns. SEANAN McGUIRE narrates a poignant, ethereal tale of a mysterious carnival that returns to a dangerous town after twenty years in “Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea.” KEVIN HEARNE’s Iron Druid and his wisecracking Irish wolfhound discover in “The Demon Barker of Wheat Street” that the impossibly wholesome sounding Kansas Wheat Festival is actually not a healthy pl...

Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart Copyright 2013 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800721848 The Story: How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst? In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest. Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? And if he enlists, will she ever see him again? In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit. Fans of Gabhart's Angel Sister will love seeing...

Hi all, I hope you had a Happy 4th! I thought I'd let you know that for today only, July 5, 2013, you can get Carla Laureano's latest contemporary novel, Five Days in Skye free for most e-book platforms. I encourage you to take advantage of this special offer if you enjoy Christian romances. I'm reading the book right now and I'm really enjoying it. Look for my review soon, but in the meantime make sure you snatch up the book while it's available for free! As always, DOUBLE CHECK before you click "Buy" to make sure the book is still free to avoid and unexpected charges. Amazon Barnes and Noble Christian Book Distributors About the book: Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she’ll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she’s sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her clie...

Ladies and gentlemen 'tis the season when there's nothing on the tube other than re-runs or (mostly) sub-par network dramas, so if you're like me then you're just plain bored! Let's face it, there are times when (GASP!) we don't feel like flipping through a book. We just want to flop down on the couch with the remote and a bowl of chips and binge on Netflix or burn through half of our DVD collections in a week. A few days ago, I hung out with my best friend and we started watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries . Needless to say, it turned into a three night event where we noshed on popcorn and cookies and watched telly for hours on end. It's probably not healthy to go through an entire season of a TV show in such a short time, but sometimes I think it's the only way to chill out and unwind. That's probably blasphemous coming from a book blogger but so be it, there's room here on this blog for more than one of my passions right? ;-) ...

I do apologize for not listing the winner of the Doctor Who The Silent Stars Go By book winner from a few weeks ago. The lucky winner was Katie H. and she has already claimed her prize! Now on to the Shabby Apple "Hully Gully" skirt giveaway ... That lucky winner is LunaRaven! Luna has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize. Congrats to Luna and thank you all for stopping by to comment, enter the giveaways, and follow this blog. Don't forget to stop back often for more reviews and giveaways!

When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad Copyright 2013 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800721817 The Story: Hannah Gregory is good at many things, but that list does not include following rules. So when she must apply for a job as a switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won't be easy. Hello Girls must conduct themselves according to strict--and often bewildering--rules, which include absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training. Hannah doubts it will be difficult to keep that rule--until a handsome young lawyer starts getting under her skin. With historic details that bring to life the exciting first decade of the twentieth century, Lorna Seilstad weaves a charming tale of companionship that blossoms into sweet romance. My Thoughts: These past few years I've come to look forward to each book written by Lorna Seilstad. Light-hearted and fun romances with great settings and unique plots are pretty much guaranteed with every story. Her latest...