Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Seagrass Pier (A Hope Beach Novel, Book 3) Copyright 2014 Thomas Nelson Publishers ISBN: 9781595547842 The Story: Seagrass Pier is the perfect place for Elin to hide from a killer, but an old love's ability to see her true heart could be her undoing.  When Elin Summerall contracted a virus that damaged her heart, she was lucky to get a transplant. At first it was an overwhelmingly good gift. But then she began to remember a murder she never witnessed—the murder of her heart's donor. When she reveals what she knows to a disbelieving police officer, she's exposed as a witness and must flee for her life to a remote cottage on Hope Beach. Fearing what might happen to her daughter and mother, she asks Marc Everton for help, though she hasn't seen him since the night her father died. She remembers that night with shame, and she never told Marc about their daughter. Marc is less than convinced that Elin's "memories" are real. He is blindsided by ...

Color of Danger Secrets of Rios Azules Series, Book 1 by Alexa Verde The Story: Former runaway Mari Del Lobo works hard to save her struggling restaurant and to trust people again. Dallas surgeon Dr. Luke Goodman turns her world upside down with terrifying news. A recent murder has her late brother's - aka the Smiling Killer - signature and MO. When attacks on her escalate, Mari fights her growing attraction to the good doctor as fiercely as she fights for her life. To rescue herself and those she loves, will she be able to stop the murderer before he strikes again?  Luke couldn't save his fiancée from the Smiling Killer, but he'll do anything to prevent more murders, even ask help from the serial killer's sister. Finding a kindred tortured soul and the perpetrator's next target in Mari, Luke is determined to protect the stubborn ex-rebel. But Mari would rather face danger than risk the safety of the man she comes to love. My Thoughts: These past few m...

Blind Trust Port Aster Secrets, Book 2 by Sandra Orchard Copyright 2014 Revell Publishers ISBN: 9780800722234 The Story: Kate's not sure how deep this deception goes--but she'll do whatever it takes to find out.  Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money and can't believe that it came from her sweet elderly neighbor. Or that it has landed her in the middle of another of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and one that strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But then will it be too late for her and Tom? My Thoughts: I loved that this story continued where the first one left off with the same characters, but sadl...

Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits Jane Austen Takes the South, Book One by Mary Jane Hathaway Copyright 2013 Howard Books ISBN: 9781476777504 The Story: This hilarious Southern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice tells the story of two hard-headed Civil war historians who find that first impressions can be deceiving.  Shelby Roswell, a Civil War historian and professor, is on the fast track to tenure—that is, until her new book is roasted by the famous historian Ransom Fielding in a national review. With her career stalled by a man she’s never met, Shelby struggles to maintain her composure when she discovers that Fielding has taken a visiting professorship at her small Southern college. Ransom Fielding is still struggling with his role in his wife’s accidental death six years ago and is hoping that a year at Shelby’s small college near his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, will be a respite from the pressures of Ivy League academia. He never bargained for falli...

Out of the Ruins The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 1 by Karen Barnett Copyright 2014 Abingdon Press ISBN: 9781426780578 The Story: Abby’s shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco. While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn’t expect, however, is for God’s answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best. As they work together toward a cure, Abby’s feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city? My Thoughts: Almost any time you pick up a Christian ficti...

A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino Copyright 2014 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800722180 The Story: She could cross an ocean, but could she ever win his heart? Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner. Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother. With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed. But when Barnabas's secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary's world is upended. How could she possibly leave her papa and her dear sister? And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband's broken heart? My Thoughts: I'll be the first to stand up and applaud Revell for publishing so many wonderful historical romances this year that have such varied locales and time periods around which t...

A Woman of Fortune  (Texas Gold, Book 1) by Kellie Coates Gilbert Copyright 2014 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800722722 The Story: Texas socialite Claire Massey is living the dream--designer clothes, luxury cars, stunning homes. But everything comes crashing down when her charming cattle broker husband is arrested for fraud. Suddenly she finds herself facing attorneys, a media frenzy, and a trail of broken hearts. Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible odds to save her family--and discover a life worth living.  Author Kellie Coates Gilbert delivers a story both poignant and emotionally gripping that celebrates the kind of fortune that lasts. To learn more about the book, visit the Revell website . My Thoughts: I'm a snob. OK, not really. I like to think when it comes to real life I'm a nice person, but when it comes to my books I tend to root for the underdog or the down and out characters. Characters born with silver spoons in their mouths, who look do...

Oath of the Brotherhood: The Song of Seare (Bk. 1) by C. E. Laureano Copyright 2014 TH1NK/ NavPress ISBN: 9781612915876 The Story: In a kingdom where the Old Ways hold fast and a man’s worth lies entirely in his skill with the sword, Conor Mac Nir is a scholar, a musician, and a follower of the forbidden Balian faith: problematic for any man, but disastrous for the son of the king. When Conor is sent as a hostage to a neighboring kingdom, he never expects to fall in love with the rival king’s sister, Aine. Nor does he suspect his gift with the harp (and Aine’s ability to heal) touches on the realm of magic. Then his clan begins a campaign to eliminate all Balians from the isle of Seare, putting his newfound home in peril and entangling him in a plot for control of the island that has been unfolding since long before his birth. Only by committing himself to an ancient warrior brotherhood can Conor discover the part he’s meant to play in Seare’s future. But is he willing to sacr...

Coco recommends Raptor 6 The Story: Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when Dean’s mission and team are threatened, his Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, compromising the US military, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost. My Thoughts: Who would have thought that this Austen loving, regency romance reading gal would count Ronie Kendig's 21st century military suspense novels among my all-time favorite stories. Each and every time I've picked up one of her novels, it's been nothing short of an exciting, fast-paced, dangerous thrill ride. I dare you t...

1. Flowers! Peonies are my favorite -- they require little care and look like the more finicky rose. Check out how great the blooms are this year! Coco takes a selfie. 2. Cool breezes on hot days Life is "ruff".

Has this ever happened to you before, you lend a book to a friend only to get it back with dog-eared pages, water stains, or worse yet food stains? Yeah. I think it is a tragedy that has befallen us all at some point or another. Check out this fun video from Epic Reads about the drastic steps you can take if this ever happens to you again! I think she takes it rather well, I'd have sat in the corner and cried. :-P  

Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt Copyright 2014 Howard Books ISBN: 9781476737584 The Story: Can a young widow find love again with her husband’s reflection? Haley’s three-year marriage to Sam, an army medic, ends tragically when he’s killed in Afghanistan. Her attempts to create a new life for herself are ambushed when she arrives home one evening—and finds her husband waiting for her. Did the military make an unimaginable mistake when they told her Sam was killed? Too late to make things right with his estranged twin brother, Stephen discovers Sam never told Haley about him. As Haley and Stephen navigate their fragile relation­ship, they are inexorably drawn to each other. How can they honor the memory of a man whose death brought them together—and whose ghost could drive them apart? - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Somebody-Like-You/Beth-K-Vogt/9781476737584#sthash.XYV7E4Yh.dpuf My Thoughts: Somebody Like You just proves what a knack Beth Vogt has ...

While Love Stirs The Gregory Sisters, Book 2 by Lorna Seilstad Copyright 2014 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800721824 The Story: After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman. When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode? My Thoughts: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. I feel like these...