Black 'n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

When you're pushing 30, wedding invitations arrive pretty much bi-weekly in the post. You either dread it, being confronted by your "singleness" at every turn, or you revel in your friends' happiness. I'll admit, I'm a reveler! I love love (as you probably have noticed by the inordinate number of romance novels I have reviewed on this blog). The cool thing is, weddings give me another excuse to go shopping too. I'll admit, I'm not much for a crowded mall on the weekend (almost 30, an old fuddy duddy remember?), but I can easily get lost for hours on websites searching for the perfect gift. Unbeknownst to me, until this past week, is an online store called UncommonGoods. Just as the name suggests they stock a variety of unique and interesting items for the home and office as well as the occasional foodie gift. The best part is that a lot of their stuff is manufactured right here in the good ol' US of A by various individuals working in harmo...

To Capture Her Heart (The Southold Chronicles, Book 2) by Rebecca DeMarino Copyright 2015 Revell Publishers ISBN: 9780800722197 The Story: In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life foreve r It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is bound by her captors and left to die--until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren. Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of the Hortons, English friends of her people. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her longtime friendship with Ben Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice--stay true to her friend or follow her heart. Exploring a unique slice of history, Rebecca DeMarino transports you to the wild land that would eventually become Long Island, New York. To learn more...

A few weeks back, I posted about beautiful, vintage couture flapper dresses . At almost 100 years old, there are few that survived. If you're lucky enough to find something that isn't completely shattered or moth-eaten, it's more than likely a very small size. People just seemed to have thinner physiques way back when. I was not blessed with the trendy petite frame of the '20s gal, but I fit in more along the lines of the curvy 50s bombshell criteria.  Searching for a flapper dress to fit a... eh hem...busty girl was no easy task. With a budget of measly $100 the results promised to be even more limited.  One day while perusing eBay for what felt like the millionth time, I stumbled across a little gem in what looked to be a pawn shop's virtual store that was otherwise filled with video games and glassware and nonesuch. With shipping, the dress was a little over my budget, but thanks to the "Make Offer" button, I was able to get a true vintage Roar...

Beyond the Ashes (The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 2) by Karen Barnett Copyright 2015 Abingdon Press ISBN: 9781426781414 The Story: Where better to rebuild and face one's fears than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes?  Ruby Marshall, a young widow, is certain she'll discover new purpose assisting her brother Robert with his cancer research, but she doesn't anticipate finding new love. Dr. Gerald Larkspur dreams of filling his empty home with family, but he'd always hoped it would be a wife and children. In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with extended family and friends left homeless by the disaster. When Robert's widowed sister arrives, the close quarters seem close indeed. Ruby and Gerald's fledgling romance is put at risk when Gerald develops symptoms of the very disease they're striving to cure. Together they must ask---is it worth a second chance at love when time might be short?  Purchase ...

It's Comic Con week, so you know there are going to be a few great reveals when it comes to our favorite movies and TV. One of my most favorite series' would be Doctor Who and the new trailer looks fantastic. Even though Clara REALLY annoyed me in series 8, I'm holding out hope that she is redeemed in series 9. It looks like some old favorites will return as well as new favorite, Missy! Look for Doctor Who in September! Happy Viewing! 

The Innocent by Ann H. Gabhart Copyright 2015 Revell Publishers ISBN: 9780800723415 The Story: Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill. The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit? Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart invites fans back to Harmony Hill for a story laced with intrigue, romance, and heart. To learn more about the book, visit Revell's website ! My Thoughts: The Innocent by Ann H. Gabhart is yet another terrific installment in the series of Shaker novels...

About Royal Wedding • Print Length: 448 pages • P ublisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (June 2, 2015) From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding—but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare. For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia’s gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn’t need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui . But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: H...

Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Photo from McDonalds.com ) If you're like me, eating on the go is a way of life. Hitting the drive-thru is pretty much the only option for those of us with busy lifestyles. While many food choices at your favorite restaurants aren't always the best if you're trying to eat healthier, McDonald's is offering a few new menu choices that tickle the taste buds all while being a bit better for the waistline. Their new Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwiches are loaded with leaf lettuce, a tomato slice, vinaigrette sauce, all topped off with an artisan roll. Coming in at around 360 calories, most of us won't have to feel guilty about indulging. Thanks to the generous people at McDonald's I have four sets of coupons to give away to four lucky winners! The grand prize winner will get   six coupons to try the Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich for free! That's approximately a  $28 value . You can take your family out for dinner or t...

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund Copyright 2015 Bethany House Publishers ISBN: 9780764212383 The Story: 1865  Windmill Point, Michigan  Can She Forgive the Hurting Man Who Costs Her the Role She Loves? After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her. Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's i...

The Proposal at Siesta Key (Amish Brides of Pinecraft, Book 2) by Shelley Shepard Gray Copyright 2015 ISBN: 9780062337726 The Story: A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house. But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her ...