Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

At the end of the year it's always fun to look back on what you've accomplished as well as look ahead to fun new things to come! The new things I always look forward to in each new year are books! I'm so happy to be a part of the cover reveal for Lena Goldfinch's next novel, The Bartered Bride , which will surely be a must-read next year. While you're waiting for  The Bartered Bride,  you can read her new holiday themed short story, Sleigh Bells and Mistletoe. Check out the beautiful cover below and don't forget to enter to win a lovely pair of earrings (I wish I had pierced ears!) and a copy of book one, The Unexpected Bride  or one of three copies of Sleigh Bells and Mistletoe (e-book). What books are you adding to your wishlists next year? I know my list is already a mile long. :-) ***************** The Story: What's a wife to do when her Christmas plans fall apart?  Join Becky and Isaac from  The Unexpected Bride  in a romantic short sto...

The Story: The game is once again afoot in this thrilling mystery from the bestselling author of The House of Silk, sanctioned by the Conan Doyle estate, which explores what really happened when Sherlock Holmes and his arch nemesis Professor Moriarty tumbled to their doom at the Reichenbach Falls. Internationally bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s nail-biting new novel plunges us back into the dark and complex world of detective Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty—dubbed the Napoleon of crime” by Holmes—in the aftermath of their fateful struggle at the Reichenbach Falls. Days after the encounter at the Swiss waterfall, Pinkerton detective agent Frederick Chase arrives in Europe from New York. Moriarty’s death has left an immediate, poisonous vacuum in the criminal underworld, and there is no shortage of candidates to take his place—including one particularly fiendish criminal mastermind.

Hope Rising(Of Love and War, Book 2) by Stacy Henrie Copyright 2014 Forever Romance ISBN: 9781455598816 The Story:  In France at the height of World War I, American nurse Evelyn Gray is no stranger to suffering. She's helped save the life of many a soldier, but when she learns her betrothed has been killed, her own heart may be broken beyond repair. Summoning all her strength, Evelyn is determined to carry on-not just for herself and her country, but for her unborn child. Corporal Joel Campbell dreams of the day the war is over and he can return home and start a family. When a brutal battle injury puts that hope in jeopardy, Joel is lost to despair . . . until he meets Evelyn. Beautiful, compassionate, and in need of help, she makes an unconventional proposal that could save their lives-or ruin them irrevocably. Now, amidst the terror and turmoil of the Western Front, these two lost souls will have to put their faith in love to find the miracle they've been looking f...

Blu-Ray/DVD Overview: Set amidst the Victorian splendor of Britain’s first department store, The Paradise is the enchanting rags-to-riches story of a young girl who falls in love with the intoxicating charms of the modern world. The second season begins a year after the dramatic events that saw Moray (Emun Elliot, Prometheus ) declare his love for Denise (Joanna Vanderham, Dancing on the Edge ) and lose The Paradise after breaking off his engagement to Katherine Glendenning (Elaine Cassidy, The Others ). But the spurned Katherine has since married Tom Weston (Ben Daniels, Law & Order: UK ) – a mysterious, brooding ex-military man with a troubled history. Although she seems to be starting her life anew, her passion for Moray threatens to draw her back into a love triangle, competing with Denise. Meanwhile, Moray and Denise, still at the forefront of fashion and innovation, are plotting to regain The Paradise from Katherine and her husband – whatever it takes. **************...

Stone Cold Touch By Jennifer L. Armentrout Copyright 2014 Harlequin Teen ISBN: 9780373211340 The Story: Every touch has its price  Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who's pretty sure things can't get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could. But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla's powers begin to evolve, and she's offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She's finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body c...

Love Unexpected (Beacons of Hope, Book 1) by Jody Hedlund Copyright 2014 Bethany House Publishers ISBN: 9780764212370 The Story: 1859 Presque Isle, Michigan  What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?  All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household. Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstan...

With sites like Bonobos.com , men have no excuse for not looking their best. Fairly new to the game, founded in the late 2000s, Bonobos offers apparel from the likes of suits to casual shirts to shoes. The man in your life can look put together for work or for those Saturday visits with you to the bookstore. In honor of their new Winter LookBook, Bonobos is hosting a Winter Style Challenge for fashion bloggers. They asked me to come up with my best look to complement an ensemble from their men's suit collection . I don't blog about fashion as much as I'd like to, but as a Pinterest addict who's constantly pinning something fashion related, I jumped at the chance and here's what I came up with. Here's the men's ensemble from Bonobos : The Nottingham Blazer by Bonobos Rhodes Collar Plaid by Bonobos

Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson Copyright 2014 Revell Books ISBN: 9780800722272 The Story: The truth may set you free--but it might also land you in some uncomfortably hot water. Over the years, Micah Knight has exchanged many letters--and many secrets--with her longtime Amish pen pal, Zach. But Micah's kept quiet on the biggest secret of all--the fact that despite her name, she's a girl. Now Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. She wants nothing more than to experience life on Zach's Amish farm, but she's more than a little anxious. Will he be angry at her for deceiving him all these years? And will she risk losing his friendship to find something more? Read more about Trading Secrets on the Revell website . My Review: I don't normally pick up young adult books when I visit the Christian book section, but I'm considering making room on my shelves after having had such a great experience with the books I've read t...

TARDIS Knit Dress Photo from Heruniverse.com I don't know many people who aren't suckers for the Christmas season. As much as I HATE the cold, I love the thought of a white Christmas spent with family and friends. In fact, I think Christmas is the only time of year I wish for snow. Of course it never seems to happen, but I can continue to hope, right? Oh well.