Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund Copyright 2016 Bethany House Publishers ISBN: 9780764212390 The Story:  Tessa Taylor arrives in 1870s Upper Peninsula, Michigan, planning to serve as a new teacher to the town. Much to her dismay, however, she immediately learns that there was a mistake, that the town had requested a male teacher. Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since they won't be able to locate a new teacher before then, and Tessa can't help but say she is in his debt. Little does she know that Percival will indeed keep track of all that she owes him. Determined to become indispensable, Tessa throws herself into teaching, and soon the children of the widowed lighthouse keeper have decided she's the right match for their grieving father. Their uncle and assistant light keeper, Alex Bjorklund, has his own feelings for Tessa. As the two brothers begin competing for her hand, Tessa increasingly feels that someone i...

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson Copyright 2016 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800724023 The Story: Marie Carrington is broke, desperate, and hoping to find sanctuary on Prince Edward Island while decorating a renovated bed-and-breakfast. Seth Sloane moved three thousand miles to help restore his uncle's Victorian B and B--and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart. He wasn't expecting to have to babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her.  The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just two months will take everything they've got--and they have to find a way to work together. In the process, they may find something infinitely sweeter than they ever imagined on this island of dreams. Learn more about the book and Liz on her website ! My Thoughts: I'm always a little nervous when I buy or review a book from an author who is new ...

Bride of a Distant Isle Daughters on Hampshire, Book 2 by Sandra Byrd Copyright 2016 Howard Publishers ISBN: 9781476717890 The Story: An unforgettable romance set in Victorian England,  Bride of A Distant Isle  is the engrossing story of Annabel Ashton, who fights to save her family home and her mother's honor while trying to figure out if the man she loves wants her—or just wants to use her to achieve his own ambitions. Miss Annabel Ashton is a teacher at the Rogers School for Young Ladies in Winchester when she takes a brief visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall at Milford-on-Sea. She believes her stay will be short but soon learns that she will not be returning to the safety of the school. Instead, she remains at Highcliffe, at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge. Annabel protests, but as the illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, she has little say. Edward is running out of money and puts the house up for sale to avoid financial rui...

The Story: Introducing Poppy Denby, a young journalist in London during the Roaring Twenties, investigating crime in the highest social circles. It is 1920. Twenty-two year old Poppy Denby moves from Northumberland to live with her paraplegic aunt in London. Aunt Dot, a suffragette who was injured in battles with the police in 1910, is a feisty and well-connected lady.  Poppy has always dreamed of being a journalist, and quickly lands a position as an editorial assistant at the Daily Globe. Then one of the papers hacks, Bert Isaacs, dies suddenly and messily. Poppy and photographer Daniel Rokeby (with whom Poppy has an immediate and mutual attraction) begin to wonder if Bert was pushed. His story was going to be the morning lead, but he hasn't finished writing it. Poppy finds his notes and completes the story, which is a sensation.  The Globe's editor, realizing her valuable suffragette contacts, invites her to dig deeper. Poppy starts sifting through the dea...

THE LIE AND THE LADY Kate Noble 2 nd  in the Winner Takes All series Pocket Books December 29, 2015 ISBN: 9781476749396 $7.99 The Story: John Turner thought only of winning a bet when he swapped identities with his friend the Earl of Ashby. He didn’t wager on winning the fiery Countess of Churzy’s heart with his lies, or on falling for her in return. Publicly humiliated when she learned of the betrayal, the impoverished countess fled, and John thought Leticia was lost to him forever…until fate brings her practically to his doorstep. Can he regain her trust—and her heart—this time as himself? Determined to make a new life for herself, Letty knows she must avoid Turner—and his maddening kisses—in order to survive. But some things are too intoxicating to be denied. If she turns her back on her dashing rogue—again—will she lose her chance at love forever? Visit the author at her website ! The Lie and the Lady is available now ! My Thoughts: Ya...

A Sweet Misfortune (Virtues and Vices of the Old West, Book 2) by Maggie Brendan Copyright 2016 ISBN: 9780800722654 The Story: Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Homeless and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money to buy back the family ranch--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother, who is away mining for gold, sends a friend to rescue her.  Cattle baron John McIntyre is focused on acquiring as much land as possible in Montana and has little time to deal with a dance hall gal. Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds ransom the key to her family's future. Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan's delightful series set in t...

I don't know about you, but romance novels are one of my favorite ways to start the weekend unwind. Check out this hilarious video from the folks at Harlequin. It might just help your workday go by a little faster! 'This March, Harlequin kicks off the Romance When You Need It campaign, with the launch of an awesome video.  Whether a reader needs an escape from her hectic day, or has some unexpected time to herself—she can count on Harlequin for romance when she needs it, wherever she is!'   *****