Freda's Voice

BOOKS: 1. Help Your Kids With Math 2. I'm A Scientist Backyard - Lisa Burke 3. Sin Undone - Larissa Ione 4. Indiana Jones The Ultimate Guide - Jim Luceno 5. Preserve It - Lynda Brown (recommend) 6. The Butterfly Effect - Andy Andrews 7. Last To Die - Kate Brady (recommend) 8. Is He Lying to You - Dan Crum 9. Immanuel's Veins - Ted Dekker (recommend) 10. Snack Attack - Elizabeth Monacelli (cookbook) 11. The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai - Jerome Peterson (recommend) 12. The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress - Kelly Hunter 13. The Human Bobby - Gabe Rotter (HIGHLY recommend) 14. Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded - Kate Hardy 15. A Friend in the Storm - Cheryl Ricker 16. Fever Pitch - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (Audiobook) PRODUCTS: 1. Roasting Pan 2. Dog Tshirt 3. 5 Tier Media Shelf DVDS: 1. Wild Child (recommend) YEARLY TOTAL: 204 Books, 9 Products, 1 CD & 5 DVDS FAVORITE BOOK OF SEPTEMBER: AWARDS: I received the Gr

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find a teaser 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 Story Time With Tonya. When Will There Be Good News - Kate Atkinson Page 56: If someone he loved was lost, he would stalk the world forever looking for them, but he wasn't entirely sure that there was anyone who would do the same for him. *Yes, I'm still reading the same book. I am currently moving, so I haven't been reading as much as packing.*

Synopsis: Destined to be a fan favorite, this exciting new thriller from bestselling authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child features Agent Pendergast and tells the dark history of his murdered wife, Helen. Author Bios: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child are the coauthors of the bestselling novels The Relic, Mount Dragon, Reliquary, and Riptide. Lincoln Child is a former book editor at St. Martin's Press and has published numerous short-story anthologies. Douglas Preston worked for the American Museum of Natural History, is a regular contributor to The New Yorker, and in 1989 retraced Coronado's thousand-mile odyssey on horseback. Both writers welcome reader e-mail at prestonchild@prestonchild.com. ©2010 My Opinion: Since this was an audiobook, I'll start by telling you about the narrator, René Auberjonois. He has been on Boston Legal, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and The Practice. He has a smooth sound that is clear and easy to listen to.

Synopsis: This ninety-six page gift-book combines heartfelt poetry with powerful quotes and Scripture verses to speak to the heart and soul of anyone going through difficult times. The beautiful fabric binding with foil stamping makes this the perfect gift for anyone seeking comfort. Author Cheryl Ricker reaches into the depths of human suffering from the perspective of Christ speaking to the reader in soothing poetic words. This elegant gift book will reach the heart and soul of anyone facing difficult circumstances, leading them through their suffering into the arms of a faithful loving God. Each two-page spread includes a poem, as well as reflections written by Christian leaders, along with healing Scripture verses. Author Bio: Cheryl Ricker has a degree in creative writing and has written columns and articles for various magazines and newspapers. She's been writing poetry all her life and her poems have won awards in fine arts and literary magazines. Cheryl lives with

* Challenge: Summer Reading Challenge 2010 * Start date: June 21, 2010 * Finish date: September 21, 2010 * Hosted By: A Southern Daydreamer Reads Hosting site; http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com Rules: 1. Make a list of books you want to read this summer. 2. Write a post with your list on your blog. (You can add to or change this list at any time during the challenge) 3. Please post the direct link to your Summer Reading Challenge 2010 post. (so that other participants can visit and see what you are reading) 4. You can write another post in September to let everyone know how you did. Books to be Read: 1. The Language of Secrets - Dianne Dixon Review 2. It`s Not Summer Without You - Jenny Han Review 3. The Dark Divine - Bree Despain Review 4. Do No Evil - Kymberly Goltermann & Ashley L. Goltermann Review 5. The Secret Keeper - Paul Harris Review 6. Web of Secrets - Ernesto Patino Review 7. Turnaround Summer - Paul Hansen Review This was a fun challeng

Host * 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: Indicating the pile of bags that Reggie had left at his feet, one of the officers said, "Well, it's in that bag," in a tone of voice that for a brief, bizarre moment reminded Jackson of his first wife. With some difficulty--stitches ripped, good arm handcuffed to a police officer, et cetera, he extricated the phone from the front pocket of Reggie's backpack and answered it. "Hello, hello?" ~Page 318, When Will There Be Good News - Kate Atkinson

Synopsis: From best friends. . . Isobel's friend Alex Richardson has the ultimate playboy lifestyle, flitting from one long-legged woman to the next - why would he want short, curvaceous Bel? To red-hot lovers! Now, though, Alex needs a convenient wife - and Bel is his first-choice bride! Shocked at his proposal, Bel has doubts about his crazy plan. Then Alex gives her a taste of just how hot they can be together, leaving Bel begging him to finish what he started - on their wedding night! ©2008 My Opinion: As far as romance novels go, this little book had everything I look for. It was hot, yet not erotic. It had a great storyline that you actually cared to follow. The characters were well rounded and easy to relate to. I really enjoyed this one! 4/5 ~I received a copy from Harlequin. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Synopsis: The gripping story of the unraveling of one man's seemingly perfect life, and his struggle to get everything back. A new baby, a loving wife, a solid career, a dream house in Beverly Hills: Dr. Bobby Flopkowski has it all. Until a complicated series of events snowball into a disaster that changes the course of his life forever. Now, with a tent on the beach as his only home and an addiction that has cut him off from everyone he once loved, Bobby has a revelation that could put him back on track: he believes he has solved the puzzling crime that led to his downfall. But as the reality he's always known slips farther away, will he be able to convince someone—anyone—that his suspicions aren't merely the pleas of a desperate man? Author Bio: A native of New York, Gabe Rotter now permanently resides in Los Angeles with his wife. He graduated from the film school at The University of Southern California in 2000, and since has worked in television, produced a fea

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find a teaser 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 Story Time With Tonya. The Human Bobby - Gabe Rotter Page 56: I looked at Ava, and though she was smiling in what looked like an authentic way, and I was drunk, I could still see that the wheels in her mind were spinning behind that smile.

Thursday - Forgotten Treasure Sure we've all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it's a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction. This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book. Life, In Spite of Me - Kristen Jane Anderson & Tricia Goyer This book in an instant changed how I feel about so many things. That is why I chose it to showcase here. When I first got the book, I knew I was in for an emotional read, but I had no idea the profound effect Kristen and her story would have on me. I have been where she was, that depressive place that lonely souls go to, so I immediately understood the thoughts she had at times. Though nothing prepared me for what I was about to learn. When I finished the book, I put in down on my lap and cried. Not from pain, but from pure joy that things happened the way they did. Not only was this amazing young woman a

Wednesday - Unexpected Treasure Share a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger. What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like? To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee A classic. I know. Yet my first time reading it has been this past year. All because of a great fellow blogger Marcia. She was part of a group, as was I, that read the book on the 50th anniversary. I'm so glad I took part and got to experience why so many people have loved it, made films from it, and turned it into a classic. This is a book I now will forever recommend.

Synopsis: Pete Bennett: this maverick playboy revels in the thrill of the chase. He never falls for a girl; she falls for him, and he's the one to walk away.... In Greece for the summer, Serena can't resist the glint of sin in Pete's eyes. Soon the baddest of boys has made her his Greek island mistress.... Their supposedly temporary affair is hot and heavy. But one month in, Pete should be ready to roam. So what's keeping Serena in his arms? ©2008 My Opinion: This was a nice quick afternoon delight. It had a nice amount of romance, without it being erotic, and a great side story that I fell right into. I really enjoyed the author and the style at which the book was written. Definitely a decent read! 3/5 ~I received a copy from Harlequin. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Synopsis: NYPD detective Jack Kanon is on a tour of Europe's most gorgeous cities. But the sights aren't what draw him--he sees each museum, each cathedral, and each restaurant through a killer's eyes. Kanon's daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend were murdered while on vacation in Rome. Since then, young couples in Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Stockholm have become victims of the same sadistic killers. Now Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter, Dessie Larsson. Every killing is preceded by a postcard to the local newspaper--and Kanon and Larsson think they know where the next victims will be. Thank you to Anna & Hachette for the giveaway! I have 3 copies up for grabs! Here is what you need to do to enter: OPEN TO US & CANADA NO P.O BOXES Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the

Host * 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: A slight sound came from the direction of Chloe's office, just behind the reception desk. The door was almost shut. Almost but not quite. "Did you just whimper?" ~ Page 120, The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress - Kelly Hunter

Synopsis: The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai will haunt you long after you turn the last page. Slowly brewing in this mystical thriller are paranormal surprises, odd behavior, and romantic affairs. Not everything is as it seems for Andrew Sharpai. As a wanderer searching for love, Andrew travels throughout the Western United States looking for the right woman to end his journeying. In his quest, he finds rejection and haunting memories that only serve to spur him on. He meets a dancer named LaRae. She tells him that Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was a gardener. This strange revelation leaves Andrew with the knowledge that everything is not as it seems. After separating from LaRae, Andrew settles down in a small eastern Idaho town. There he meets an enchantress named Iris, who will also change his life. Previously, Iris’s evil ex-husband placed a curse on her, which also traps Andrew in the spell. This unusual adventure will have you cheering for Andrew in his quest for true love, because wh

Synopsis: Whether you are a sleep deprived student searching for that perfect brain-boosting exam snack, a busy Mom with a family full of finicky eaters, or in need of that extra burst of energy at the gym, "SNACK ATTACK" offers a variety of delicious heart-healthy snacks which can be prepared in 15 minutes or less. When that afternoon slump hits, don't be caught stranded without a nutritious snack to munch on. Learn how to make tasty, portable snacks including "Hit the Trail Mix" or "Coco-Nut Banana Nuggets" to take along to work or school. Elizabeth Monacelli, author, concert violinist, spokesperson for the American Heart Association, motivational speaker and life-long cardiac patient, is passionate about promoting the importance of heart-healthy snacking. From toddlers to octogenarians, "SNACK ATTACK" will help you get on the path to delicious, heart-healthy snacking. Author Bio: Elizabeth Monacelli has been entertaining audiences with her

Welcome everybody, and enjoy BBAW!! Monday—First Treasure We invite you to share with us about a great new book blog you’ve discovered since BBAW last year! If you are new to BBAW or book blogging, share with us the very first book blog you discovered. Tell us why this blog rocks your socks off and why you keep going back for more. My Choice: Velvet @ vvB32Reads When I first discovered this quirky lady and her blog, I knew I would be a fan forever. She has great themed events, and always has exciting posts. She has become a great blogger buddy. Everyday I look forward to seeing what new and interesting things happen at her blog. You should check her out too!

Synopsis: This story is for everyone--but not everyone is for this story. It is a dangerous tale of times past. A love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice. Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover. With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds. Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow. Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter. But remember, not everyone is for this story. ©2010 My Opinion: Enrapturing. From beginning to end. That was this book. I absolutely loved it! This was my first time reading Ted Dekker, though I had heard lots about his works. Many of my friends know I love horror, and recommended him. I'm so glad this book

At the Museum by M.J. Rose (Author of The Hypnotist) Growing up, I didn’t want to be a writer; I wanted to be an artist. We lived a block away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and I started taking Saturday morning art classes there when I was just seven years old. I’ve often felt art is my religion and that museums in general but the Met specifically is my temple of choice. It’s where I go to be renewed, refreshed and inspired. I don’t think I’ve ever gone longer than a month without visiting there. So its not all that surprising that sooner or later I’d write a novel with a museum as one of my main characters and that I’d pick the museum that was in my backyard when I was a kid. But how I got idea for the Hypnotist is surprising, at least to me. One day about three and a half years ago, on one of my regular pilgrimages to the Met, I headed straight for one of my favorite spots. The Mastaba Tomb of Perneb is a tiny bit of 5th Dynasty Egypt transplanted to Manhattan. A gift from Edw

Synopsis: Is he lying to you? According to recent statistics, he probably is. Far too many women have been lied to, betrayed, deceived, and disappointed by dates, boyfriends, fiancees, and husbands. Dan Crum is a former CIA polygraph examiner and investigator who became concerned after hearing women's frustration about how they'd been taken advantage of again and again. So he developed a series of strategies for detecting deception that any woman can use. Is He Lying to You? is an in-depth course in the same tactics Crum used in the CIA. Now you can date...and investigate. You will quickly learn: # The two biggest signs of deception # The magic way to ask a question to trap the liar # How to detect deception # The two main reasons we miss deception # When to look and listen for deception # How to WIN the deception game # And much more ©2010 My Opinion: I think this is a great book for people who want better skills at catching a liar. This book goes in depth

Synopsis: A ruthless killer hides in plain sight, someone no one believes is capable of murder. Within a week, six women will be murdered, all punished for their dark pasts. Detective Dani Cole is determined to track down this serial killer whose victims include a young woman she pulled out of a life of crime. Her investigation leads her to a photography foundation and the renowned photographer Mitch Sheridan, a man she she fell in love with years ago but has tried to forget. Dani and Mitch are instantly attracted to each other again, though their troubled pasts keep them from getting too close. Together, through the course of the investigation, they unearth a dark chain of deception that leads to a killer who is closer than they think. Author Bio: Kate Brady began writing fiction when her doctoral research became tedious. For years, she wrote in the closet, penning several novels that—thankfully—remain there. Now, she leads a double life. Some days, she’

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find a teaser 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 Story Time With Tonya. The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai - Jerome Peterson Page 56: Belinda overheard Megan's question and came rushing to her side.

Synopsis: The decisions you make and the way you treat others have more impact than you may ever realize. Speaker and New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it’s had on us individually, and nationwide, today. It’s a story that will inspire courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way we treat others through our lifetime. Andrews speaks over 100 times a year, and The Butterfly Effect is his #1 most requested story. Also included with the purchase of the book is a link to view a 9-minute message of Andrews telling The Butterfly Effect story to a live audience. ©2010 My Opinion: Just like this is my opinion, I think that's all the book was. One man's opinion. I can't take the content for fact. It makes good sense, but that doesn't make it all fact. Maybe some timelines from history are true, but the rest is just

Host * 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: His cell phone rang. He looked at the number, grinned, and showed it to Dani. She let out a string of curses. ~Page 190, Last to Die - Kate Brady (TOURS SEPT 11)

Synopsis: Covering pickling, jam-making, freezing, bottling, canning, brewing, smoking, salting, drying, curing, sausage-making, and cheese-making, Preserve It! demystifies the processes and shows you how you can, with traditional techniques, preserve fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy without expensive equipment or training. From garden to table, every detail along the way is explained with clear, step-by-step instructions, guiding gardeners and cooks of all levels through the satisfying crafts of bottling jams, syrups, and chutneys, or even making sausage, cheese, butter, cider, and wine. ©2010 My Opinion: I had not preserved anything before except tomato sauce, so I really had no idea if there was anything fairly novice to attempt, but lo and behold I found a pickle recipe, that may have been overnight but was easy. I did leave out mustard seeds, mainly due to the Labor Day holiday and no stores open, but it didn't take away from the pickles. I'd make them aga

Synopsis: A ruthless killer hides in plain sight, someone no one believes is capable of murder. Within a week, six women will be murdered, all punished for their dark pasts. Detective Dani Cole is determined to track down this serial killer whose victims include a young woman she pulled out of a life of crime. Her investigation leads her to a photography foundation and the renowned photographer Mitch Sheridan, a man she she fell in love with years ago but has tried to forget. Dani and Mitch are instantly attracted to each other again, though their troubled pasts keep them from getting too close. Together, through the course of the investigation, they unearth a dark chain of deception that leads to a killer who is closer than they think. Thank you to Anna & Hachette for the giveaway! I have 5 copies up for grabs! Here is what you need to do to enter: OPEN TO US & CANADA NO P.O BOXES Mandatory Entry: Comment on the book, and leave an email addres

Synopsis: Since his debut in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, fans have followed the adventures of learned scholar and hunky professor Indiana Jones. He is the unlikely action-hero who undertakes perilous adventures involving snakes, rats, spiders, and villains, in order to stop powerful, mystical artifacts from falling into the wrong hands. With a fourth installment underway, fans can brush up on their Indy knowledge and relive the archeologist’s best—and worst—moments. Packed with a wealth of information from all four movies—about the characters, movie story lines, ancient ruins and artifacts, the history, and the mysticism – Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide provides fans with everything they need to know about the unconventional archeologist and his world. ©Lucasfilm Ltd. ®&™ ©2008 My Opinion: I love Indiana Jones, and all the things that go along with it, so when I saw this book I jumped out of my seat! I couldn't wait for it to arrive and I could get a dose of a