Freda's Voice

About Book: It's late in the fall in Edinburgh and late in the career of Detective Inspector John Rebus. As he is simply trying to tie up some loose ends before his retirement, a new case lands on his desk: a dissident Russian poet has been murdered in what looks like a mugging gone wrong. Rebus discovers that an elite delegation of Russian businessmen is in town, looking to expand its interests. And as Rebus's investigation gains ground, someone brutally assaults a local gangster with whom he has a long history. Has Rebus overstepped his bounds for the last time? Only a few days shy of the end to his long, controversial career, will Rebus even make it that far? GIVEAWAY THANKS TO Valerie AND Hatchette Book Group, I HAVE 5 COPIES OF THIS FABULOUS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY! RULES: Open to U.S. and Canada SORRY NO P.O. BOXES All comments must be separate and have a valid email. Mandatory: Must comment and leave email, good for one

Full Description: Dan Brown's new novel once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, this time in the United States, racing to uncover clues and crack codes involving secrets that are perpetuated to this day. But how much of the novel is true and what is pure fiction? Simon Cox, bestselling author of Cracking the Da Vinci Code and Illuminating Angels & Demons, offers the first definitive guide to all the mysteries featured in The Lost Symbol. Based on extensive research, this A-to-Z guide lists the real people, organizations, and themes features in Dan Brown's latest novel, explains their histories and their meanings, reproduces and analyzes the symbols themselves, and provides insider knowledge gleaned from years of exhaustive study. From the monuments of Washington, D.C., to the secrets of Salt Lake City and the hidden enclaves in Langley, Virginia, Cox knows where the facts are hidden about the Freemasons, Albert Pike, the Rosicrucians, the Founding Fathers

Book Description: The rich tradition of country cooking, the distinctive taste of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, and the heritage of rural America are all elegantly captured in Jack Daniel's The Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook. Included are more than 350 recipes, stunning full-color photographs, and stories of the people, places, and traditions of Middle Tennessee. Illustrated and indexed. ©2009 My Take on the Book: I'm not a drinker, let alone whiskey drinker, but I do love recipes! My Mother always taught me, "you can't make an opinion on somethin' you've never tried." And I follow in that creed when it comes to food. This cookbook had many recipes that are worthy of a taste test, just from reading the recipes. However I did try two. The Soda Biscuits~page 79 , and The Corn Chowder~page 38 . And they were so good!!! It is definitely a hit in my house!!! I don't think you have to be a drinker or whiskey lover to enjoy this cookbook, so I suggest ge

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence. * Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/ *Post a link along with your post back to http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/ Page 56, Sentence 5: That would have been familiar territory for him.

Full Description: Since its publication in 1843, the tale of a miserly old man and the ghosts who visit him has been bringing the true spirit of Christmas into hearts and homes. Whether you've read the story a thousand times or have only seen the movie, A Christmas Carol Special Edition will enrich your enjoyment of this holiday favorite with: * The complete text of the Charles Dickens classic. * Annotations offering interesting insight into the story's biblical allusions, the author's faith, and compelling Christian themes throughout. * Discussion questions designed to engage and promote dialogue among readers of all ages on such subjects as regret, repentance, and redemption. * A list of related resources to enhance your study. Enjoy A Christmas Carol Special Edition in your home, study group, book group, or Advent celebration and learn how to say with Scrooge: "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ©1843 ©2009

By Tom Grimm and Michele Grimm, Authors of The Basic Book of Digital Photography: How to Shoot, Enhance, and Share Your Digital Pictures If you want your family's photo greeting card to impress your friends this holiday season, here are 10 helpful suggestions from professional photographers Michele and Tom Grimm, authors of a brand new handbook, The Basic Book of Digital Photography. 1. Plan Ahead. Eye-catching photos take some thought, so envision the card you want to send before you take any pictures. Pick a setting with an uncluttered background. Decide what type of clothes to wear (causal or dress-up?) and what colors might be appropriate (red and green will enhance a Christmas theme). If you want to shoot outdoors, consider the weather and the time of day for the best light. Cloudy or overcast days are perfect for portraits without shadows; avoid bright sunlight that causes people to squint. 2. Get Your Camera Ready. Be sure to install new or freshly-charged batteries so the c

by Mary Ann Esposito, Author of Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites: Quick and Delicious Recipes from an Italian Kitchen Not to appear to be a Scrooge, but the holidays are coming faster than the next app for the iPhone and for many, the nemesis of the holidays is simply procrastination. There is just so much to juggle to make the merriest time of the year . . . merry. Gifts to buy and wrap, cards to write or email, cocktail parties to attend, trees to buy and decorate, cookies to bake, and . . . and . . . and. But that's just the icicle on the tree; what about the big feast? This is where a lot of people have their greatest stress for the holidays; there is just no time to cook. But wait a minute. I have a plan for you; think of it as a personal gift -- below are four tips on how to simplify your holiday feast. 1. Take Survey of The Pantry: One of the first things I do, right after Thanksgiving, is take survey of the staples in my pantry and make a list of things to sto

A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation. Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most excusively human of all activities." In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation. Visit TitlePage.tv where D

Full Description: One of the biggest stars in tennis, Serena Williams has captured every major title. Her 2009 Australia Open championship earned her the #1 world ranking for the third time in her illustrious career - and marked only the latest exclamation point on a life well and purposefully lived. As a young girl, Serena began training with an adult-sized racquet that was almost as big as her. Rather than dropping the racquet, Serena saw it as a challenge to overcome-and she has confronted every obstacle on her path to success with the same unflagging spirit. ©2009 About Author: Serena Williams grew up in Compton, CA, She was trained by her father on the public tennis courts before rising up the tennis ranks. Serena has wide-ranging interests aside from tennis, including starting her own fashion line and opening a school for children in Africa. Daniel Paisner is the author or co-author of more than forty books. He has collaborated on seven New York Times best-selling titles, inclu

Hosted by: http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/?s=Teaser+Tuesdays * Grab your current read. * Let the book fall open to a random page. * Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. * You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. * Please avoid spoilers! My Teaser: Me, walking onto the court with a bouquet of flowers while everyone booed.It's like one of those "What's wrong with this picture?" scenes. ~ Page 70, On The Line by Serena Williams with Daniel Paisner

RULES: 1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. 2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts. 3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed. 4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count. 5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count. You know I HAD to join this challenge. I think it will be fun! My reads and reviews: 1. The Cost of Dreams-Gary Stelzer http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/01/cost-of-dreams-gary-stelzer.html 2. Beautiful Mess-Diamond Rio http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/01/beautiful-mess-story-of-diamond-rio.html 3. The Mudhogs-Dalton James http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/01/mudhogs-dalton-james.html 4. Men With Red Ties-Nastya Polikarpova

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence. * Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/ *Post a link along with your post back to http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/ Page 56, Sentence 5: She was already ranked in the Top 20.

Full Description: When life becomes a struggle...embrace it! From a highly successful career in motivational speaking to a daily struggle overcoming the effects of a head injury, Zig Ziglar's life changed drastically in just minutes when he suffered a traumatic fall down the stairs one fateful night. After years of speaking and writing about the value of having a positive attitude and being thankful, Zig was challenged to put his own words into practice. In true Ziglar style, filled with optimism and honesty, Zig shares his experience, along with heartening stories from friends, as he seeks to encourage and remind you that life is worth living, even if it's not on our own terms. For more information, visit the website: http://www.embracethestruggle.com/ ©2009 About Author: Zig Ziglar has motivated the sales forces of multi-national corporations, as well as the thousands of individuals who have attended his seminars and read his books. He is the president o

by Simon Cox, Author of Decoding The Lost Symbol: The Unauthorized Expert Guide to the Facts Behind the Fiction It was April 2009, and I was just arriving at the London Book Fair at the Earls Court Exhibition Halls. I was intending on catching up with friends, my UK publisher, and having a general look at what was new in the publishing world. However, I knew that something remarkable had happened the minute I had arrived. An air of excitement and expectation filled the packed halls, and smiles were emanating from all around. Grown men were close to tears. I instantly knew what had happened: the new Dan Brown book had been announced. This was to be the start of nearly five months of manic preparation and debate. Clues and hints would be given out, opinions bandied about, and crazed supposition would fill thousands of web pages. However, let's wind back the clock to the publication of Brown's previous Robert Langdon thriller, The Da Vinci Code, in 2003. Back then, Dan

By Frederic J. Vagnini, M.D., FACS, and Lawrence D. Chilnick, Authors of The Weight Loss Plan for Beating Diabetes: The 5-Step Program That Removes Metabolic Roadblocks, Sheds Pounds Safely, and Reverses Prediabetes and Diabetes During the holiday season many dedicated dieters or those who follow special diets for diabetes, heart disease or other conditions not only "fall off the wagon" but also leap into the deep end of the pool. Don't feel guilty. This is a normal reaction to attending large family dinners where everyone makes food loaded with seductive carbohydrates. We also go to multiple parties -- sometimes on the same day -- where the hosts have hired caterers who specialize in delicious appetizers and desserts that are so good you just stand at the buffet and eat more and more. Worse, in some cases you are at the home of a sensitive relative who has taken gourmet cooking courses and will be insulted if you don't have at least seconds of every dish. Your d

Full Description: National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear. ©2009 About Author: Amanda Scott , best-selling author and winner of the Roma

Hosted by: http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/?s=Teaser+Tuesdays * Grab your current read. * Let the book fall open to a random page. * Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. * You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. * Please avoid spoilers! My Teaser: I pray that you, too, have the comfort and joy knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. ~Page 31, Embrace the Struggle by Zig Ziglar & Julie Ziglar Norman

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence. * Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/ *Post a link along with your post back to http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/ Page 56, Sentence 5: "Nay, for I'm to see the Joculator," Jenny said. "I hope I'm on the right path."

Decoding The Lost Symbol by Simon Cox Full Description: Secret Societies . . . Forgotten History . . . Conspiracies . . . From the bestselling Dan Brown expert, a guide to the fascinating and mysterious world of The Lost Symbol Dan Brown's new novel once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, this time in the United States, racing to uncover clues and crack codes involving secrets that are perpetuated to this day. But how much of the novel is true and what is pure fiction? Simon Cox, bestselling author of Cracking the Da Vinci Code and Illuminating Angels & Demons, offers the first definitive guide to all the mysteries featured in The Lost Symbol. Based on extensive research, this A-to-Z guide lists the real people, organizations, and themes features in Dan Brown's latest novel, explains their histories and their meanings, reproduces and analyzes the symbols themselves, and provides insider knowledge gleaned from years of exhaustive study. From the monum

Full Description: On the afternnon of February 10, 1979, Theresa Ferrara took a phone call at Apple Hair Cutters on Long Island, New York. Then she headed out the door-"to make an easy $10,000," as she told her niece. She said she'd be back in ten minutes. That was the last time anyone saw her alive. The FBI ruled it a homicide. But what really happened to Theresa Ferrara? Was she killed over her involvement in the Mafia's legendary Lufthansa Heist-the biggest in history? Was she murdered in connection to her rumored informing on New York drug dealers? Or was it something else entirely? Was she even dead? Looking For Closure chronicles her niece's courageous and decades-long journey to uncover the truth behind her beloved aunt's mysterious disappearance-and the partial remains that turned up three months later, identified as Theresa's. Using police and court records, newspaper reports, interviews and forensics technology, Maria Stewart pushes for a rene

Full Description: Since the age of ten Diana Raab has been using her journal to capture images, feelings, and opinions, many of which have resulted in published poems. Her life's passion for keeping a journal served as a platform for her work as a full-time writer. This latest book, THE GUILT GENE, is a collection of sixty accessible poems depicting her view of inner and outer life. Raab's poetry collection addresses a broad view of personal issues, including her life as a hippie in the sixties, coping with health issues, family sagas, travels, musings, fantasies, and her life as a writer. The universal themes will appeal to a broad audience, while addressing deeply personal issues. ©2009 About Author: Diana Raab's poetry is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2009 Next Generation Book Award for Poetry and The Reader Views Book Award for her last collection, Dear Anais: My Life in Poems For You (2008). Raab shares her passion for journaling with ot

Hosted by: http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/?s=Teaser+Tuesdays * Grab your current read. * Let the book fall open to a random page. * Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. * You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. * Please avoid spoilers! My Teaser: Hewas always telling her how to do things, like how she should cook, clean, and take care of herself. He was just like Felix Unger. Page 57, Looking For Closure: The Theresa Ferrara Story by Maria Stewart

By Zippora Karz, Author of The Sugarless Plum: A Ballerina's Triumph Over Diabetes I am a former ballerina with the New York City Ballet, and presently a public speaker, movement motivator, ballet teacher, and répétiteur for the George Balanchine Trust. When I was diagnosed with diabetes in my third year in the company, I thought my career was over. I had always thought of myself as a positive person. As a hard worker, I could see the positive results in ballet. After my diagnosis my positive perspective basically went out the window. It didn't happen right away; at first I was convinced I could conquer my diabetes with my dancers discipline. But after being mis-diagnosed twice and struggling with my prescribed insulin doses, I found balancing my diabetes was not as predictable as balancing on my pointes. Once I eventually learned how to dance with diabetes, my next struggle was internal. Was this a suitable career for an insulin dependent diabetic? Thankfully, I didn'