Freda's Voice

Welcome to the Jesus & I both have birthdays edition of monthly news! My birthday comes before Jesus, lucky for me, and it was also my 35th! That is quite an accomplishment in itself, since my mother said I wouldn't live to see 21. Yes, I'm "The Brat". And I got spoiled by the hubby this year, with jewelry and a KINDLE! Jesus has a birthday and some of us call it CHRISTmas. I celebrate it every year waiting for Jesus to show up... I mean it is his birthday after all, but the only celebrity that makes the rounds is Santa Claus. I'm not complaining though.... he leaves me awesome gifts! BOOKS: 1. The Mirror of N'de - L.K. Malone (recommend) 2. Cleaving - Julie Powell 3. Fallen - Lauren Kate (HIGHLY recommend) 4. Earth Angel - E. Van Lowe (recommend) 5. Ashes - Scott Nicholson 6. Blood Oath - Belinda Boring (recommend) 7. Laugh out Loud Jokes for Kids - Rob Elliot (recommend) 8. Finish this Book - Keri Smith 9. Space Junque - L.K. Rigel

America's favorite devotional, now in its 35th year with more than 20 million copies sold, Daily Guideposts is a trusted companion, helping readers to live and grow their faith every day. Every year since 1977, Guideposts has published Daily Guideposts, a devotional guide containing short inspirational pieces to be read each day of the year. They are designed to bring readers closer to God and their faith by helping them to live fuller, richer lives. Each piece offers a personal perspective on faith, love, inspiration, and understanding. With this year's theme of 'Growing in Love,' Daily Guideposts is tapping into a subject that is a key to spiritual growth. Each Daily Guideposts devotional includes: a short Scripture verse for reflection; a true, first-person anecdote that shares the ways God speaks through ordinary life events; a brief prayer to put the day's message to work in each reader's life. By taking a few minutes each day for reflection, Daily Guidepo

The 365 meditations in this couples' devotional are arranged around 52 themes one theme for each week of the year such as affection, compassion, forgiveness, honor, leadership, mercy, respect, security, trust, and understanding. Scripture passages, real-life stories, prayers, and daily challenge questions give couples a dose of truth, encouragement, and direction to strengthen their marriages. Husbands and wives will learn to give and receive love in a whole new way. Kindle Edition: 1143 KB Publisher: Tyndale House Pub (October 25, 2004) ASIN: B000SEZPX0 My Opinion: This devotional was great for me. I am always looking for Christian ways to improve myself, my life and my relationships. This book was others stories and real life accounts, that made you look at your life and how you live according to whatever moral code is instilled in you. I don't know how much of a change it has made in my life, but it did make me think a lot. My relationships have improved, though it c

Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined… An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles. Kindle Edition: 251 KB Publisher: Harlequin Teen (May 1, 2011) ASIN: B004WEKR1W My Opinion: Finley is my new hero! She's unexpectedly one of the coolest characters I have had the pleasure of reading. And all this after thinking I wouldn't be crazy about the story when I first read the d

Amy Mallory is a young and naive Christian relief worker who arrives in Afghanistan ready to take on the world and share her faith. Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson helped drive the Taliban from Kabul, but he’s since signed on with the private security firm tasked with protecting key members of the Afghani government. In Afghanistan, Jamil’s family was once wealthy and respected, but greed and enmity have destroyed Jamil’s hopes of a future; he lives day-to-day and is grateful for any small blessing. Windle builds on her own experience as a missionary in South America, and her sterling reputation for creating thrilling Christian evangelical fiction in her newest novel of international intrigue. Readers familiar with the demands and expectations of life in an Islamic country may find Amy’s behavior unrealistic, but Windle’s vivid descriptions and complex, high-stakes plot make for a fast-paced, intensely political drama that succeeds in bringing a fascinating culture to life. Kind

No one likes to diet, but the personal stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You will encourage and inspire readers with its positive, practical, and purposeful tales of dieting and fitness. This is a great book for anyone embarking on a healthier lifestyle. Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul; Original edition (December 28, 2010) ISBN: 9781935096573 My Opinion: Okay, so maybe I don't need to lose weight, but having Type 2 Diabetes I do need to keep in shape. These stories are great motivational tools to stay fit and healthy. Regardless of whether you need to lose actual pounds. I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books! Each book is fascinating in its' own way, and there is always a story you can connect with on some level. Another gem for the collection! 5/5 Recommend? I recommend ALL the Chicken Soup for the Soul books! ~I won my copy. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Hell on earth. That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous. What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else? The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series . . . where love never dies. Hardcover: 464 pages Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; (September 28, 2010) ISBN: 9780385739146 My Review of Fallen, Book 1 is HE

Top of the day to you readers! I hope you had a terrific Christmas break, those who celebrate. Today we have a treat for you, author Vik Rubenfeld is here for a Q & A, and is also offering up a paperback copy of his book, Conquest , to one lucky American reader! Want to know what it feels like to be a rock star? Reid Taylor started out with nothing and became part of one of the biggest bands in the world. Now he wants to tell you about the hard struggle every step of the way, fame, the craziness of being on the road, the groupies, and how he found real love that meant more to him than all the groupies in the world. And he wants to tell you about the conflict he had with one of the members of his own band, that threatened everything the band ever hoped to achieve. Paperback: 212 pages Publisher: CreateSpace (December 1, 2011) ISBN: 9781468012149 Who or what inspires your writing? For this novel, I was inspired quite a bit by real events. The characters are fictional,

SHOULD BE READING Stephen opened the door before Luce even knocked. His gray shirt was a bit wrinkled and his black knit tie was loosened at the neck.

SO MANY PRECIOUS BOOKS, SO LITTLE TIME I didn't get last year's completed.... and I read a lot of new books, just not as many ARC's. I'm going with Bronze level, which is 12 books. If I read more I can up the level. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Affordable Holiday Gifts 2011 Guest Post: This post was written by Couponing.com’s James Lander. The site offers couponing techniques and coupons for top retailers. It’s that time of year again. The holidays, the season of gift giving: a period that can drain the psyche and the wallet. Finding the perfect gift can be quite a hassle, especially if you’re a neurotic procrastinator like the majority of the population. Luckily, the Internet, combined with a little personal creativity, can be a powerful ally in this taxing annual endeavor. It’s coming down to the wire - here are some great, affordable, last minute holiday gift ideas, some specific and some more general: For the film buff: Netflix Gift Subscription (available from Netflix.com, $7.99 for one month) – If you know someone who loves movies and lacks a Netflix subscription, this gift will revolutionarily change their life for the better. For the indie film buff: Film Festival in a Box Game (available from urbanoutfitte

The DOGs want to destroy the world. The gods want to make a new one. The trick is to survive both. On the brink of a world-wide ecological cataclysm set off by the Oil Spill of 2010 and the Great Sea Level Rise of 2070, hydroponics agronomist Char Meadowlark has become a recluse. Her fiance was killed by a terrorist bomb, and her twin sister Sky has gone underground to protect a top secret energy project. Warned about an impending eco-terrorist attack, Char tries to get off planet, but the Defenders of Gaia strike while she's at the airport. Shuttle pilot Jake Ardri might offer her only hope. When the DOGs' onslaught goes global and the material world threatens to implode, the ancient gods reemerge to take control over humanity. Now Char has to juggle two men, a world on fire, and a goddess with an agenda for a new world order. Kindle Edition: 376 KB ASIN: B0041T59IY My Opinion: Sometimes I felt the writing was scattered in parts, but in the end, the story came togeth

Good afternoon readers! Only 4 more sleeps until Christmas, but today I have a gift for you.... An interview with the author of The Ocean and the Hourglass , Dan O'Brien, and he has graciously offered up 2 copies, (1 hard copy and 1 kindle), to some lucky readers! Dreams are not for the faint of heart, they are for the brave to follow. A Book, an Hourglass. Nicholas had always dreamt of faraway places, distant lands beyond imagination. Wandering into the library on a cold day, he finds an adventure that he had not been looking for. Transported to a distant world, Nicholas finds himself involved in sweeping adventures of a broken and lost kingdom. Filled with sea giants and ancient cities, the young man soon finds that the adventure was greater than he could have ever imagined. When did you know you would be a writer? The moment I first picked up a book, I knew that writing was the only thing that could sustain me for all of my days. The strength and depth that is afforded

SHOULD BE READING Char had always found children obnoxious and demanding or meek and depressing. This attitude was a flaw in her character, and she always felt vaguely guilty in their presence.

Dear Reader, One dark and stormy night, author Keri Smith found some strange scattered pages abandoned in a park. She collected and assembled them, trying to solve the mystery of this unexpected discovery, and now, she's passing the task on to you, her readers. I collected and assembled them, trying to solve the mystery of this unexpected discovery, and am now passing the task on to you. Your mission is to become the new author of this work. You will continue the research and provide the content. In order to complete the task, you will have to undergo some secret intelligence training, which is included in this volume. Since no one knows what lies ahead, please proceed with caution, but know...this book does not exist without you. Yours truly, Keri Smith Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 edition (September 6, 2011) ISBN: 9780399536892 Author Bio: Keri Smith is the author of Mess, Wreck This Journal, How to Be an Explorer of the World, and This is Not a B

An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her. Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who will Lianne protect and who will she destroy? Kindle Edition: 348 KB Print Length: 162 pages Publisher: DarkSide Publishing (July 20, 2011) ASIN: B005DTRYNO Megg on the web: Website Facebook Twitter

THIS HAS ADULT CONTENT, 18+ ONLY! What's a guy to do when he meets the woman of his dreams, but she turns out to be the sister of his most despised enemy? Fall in love, of course! * * * This is the story of Jason Jörgensen, an excitement-loving bad boy and Julie Del Mar, the quiet, romantic dreamer who breaches his devil-may-care façade and helps heal the frightened boy inside. Author Bio: K.E. Saxon is a third-generation Texan and has been a lover of romance fiction since her first (sneaked) read of her older sister's copy of "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. She is a member of the West Houston Chapter of Romance Writer's of America and is a devoted subscriber to the Romance Divas online forum. She has two cats, a 24-year-old cockatiel, a funny, supportive husband, and a garden that's been fried by the drought this past summer. When she isn't in her writer's cave writing, you can find her puttering in her organic vegetable g

What happens to race car drivers when they eat too much? They get indy-gestion. Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids provides children ages 7-10 many hours of fun and laughter. Young readers will have a blast sharing this collection of hundreds of one-liners, knock knock jokes, tongue twisters, and more with their friends and family! This brand new book will have children rolling on the floor with laughter and is sure to be a great gift idea for any child. Paperback: 126 pages Publisher: Revell; Reprinted edition (August 1, 2010) ISBN: 9780800788032 Author Bio: Rob Elliott has been a publishing professional for more than fifteen years and lives in West Michigan, where in his spare time he enjoys laughing out loud with his wife and four children. My Opinion: I really did "laugh out loud". A highly entertaining and funny read, and the best part is, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it. I didn't care for the knock knock jokes but here are some of my faves from t

Someone is trying to send a deadly message to Mason, arranging the deaths of those he loves and it puts the entire pack and Alpha on high alert. Plans are made, but when the enemy strikes another painful blow by entering into the heart of pack property and kidnapping Darcy, Mason declares war. There’s nothing he won’t do to keep his future mate and pack safe. Darcy understands the primal instincts driving her beloved Mason’s commands. With the help of those he sets as protectors, she learns about herself and the things she’ll need to help support her Alpha and pack. When events turn dire however, one truth offers her strength – once given, a blood oath is unbreakable … even if it means risking it all. Kindle Edition: 207 KB Publisher: Moonstruck Media (November 18, 2011) ASIN: B006ACIG76 AUTHOR BIO: A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self-proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devourin

A collection of six supernatural stories by bestselling Kindle author Scott Nicholson, including "Homecoming," "The Three-Dollar Corpse" and "She Climbs a Winding Stair." Kindle Edition: 386 KB Print Length: 88 pages Publisher: Haunted Computer Books (February 3, 2010) ASIN: B0037263Y0 My Opinion: This is a fun set of short stories. The first, Homecoming , is a sad story with a happy ending. (3/5) Next, Haunted , was an awesome ghost story! I loved the twist, but I got to say, too much Elvis will not make anybody deaf! (4.5/5) Then, The Christening , I thought this would turn out a lot different than it did, and I'm pleasantly surprised. (5/5) Next, She Climbs A Winding Stair , had me until the very end, then I was left going, "huh?" (3/5) Then, Must See to Appreciate , was weird. That's how I'm left feeling. Lastly, The Three-Dollar Corpse , when I finished my thought was, "hmmm." It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Welcome to Week 56 with me! Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56. *Find any sentence that grabs you. *Post it. *Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple. That's when it came out, built itself from the bricks and mortar of nightmare.

Fifteen year-old Megan Barnett and her single mom, Suze, have a special relationship—they are friends, close friends, who do almost everything together. “But come on, guys, she’s my mother… Can I really tell her that while we’re snuggled up on the sofa watching Spider Man Three, I’m secretly undressing James Franco with my eyes? Of course not…” The special bond takes a turn for the worse when Suze decides to start dating again. She hasn’t had a man in her life since Megan’s father left ten years ago. Enter two mysterious young men, Megan’s new classmate, sinfully attractive bad boy, Guy Matson, and the dangerously handsome art dealer, Armando. Before long Megan and Suze both wind up in steamy relationships. But neither of the handsome pair is quite what he seems. In fact, one of them is Satan, with his sights set on a new bride. Megan has precious little time to figure out how to stop him. If she doesn’t, either Megan or Suze are quite literally going to HELL. Just because Megan

Just because Megan Barnett recently defeated Satan, has a fantastic new best friend, and has won the love of deliciously handsome Guy Matson doesn't mean her troubles are over. Far from it. For Megan doesn't realize it, but in her possession is a powerful weapon, one sought after by both angels and demons and everything in between. They will do ANYTHING to get it. In E. Van Lowe's dramatic and humorous sequel to "Boyfriend From Hell," Megan winds up in a gripping life-or-death battle to save herself, the angel she loves, and all of mankind from unspeakable evil. Kindle Edition: 287 KB Publisher: White Whisker Books (December 5, 2011) ASIN: B006IHGOEK My Opinion: Read my review of Book 1, Boyfriend From Hell , HERE . I just finished the last sentence and I'm left stung that I have to wait for the final book to come out. I can't wait! I loved the first book, and was so excited by a story of a girl battling Satan. I mean, how cool is that? Then s

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her. Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story. Hardcover: 464 pages Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (December 8, 2009) ISBN: 9780385738934 My Opinion: Crazy, awesome, sexy and imaginative! This book had me from the beginning with it's dark and lovely complex layers. Y

Pulsonic is Oral-B's slimmest and lightest sonic toothbrush. It whitens teeth by reducing up to 94% of surface stains in two weeks but still gentle on your teeth and gums. Pulsonic also features a timer to help you brush for 2 minutes as recommended by dentists. Oral-B Pulsonic Website My Opinion: I love this toothbrush! I have to admit, I have very sensitive teeth, so I was nervous using a vibrating toothbrush. My fears were quickly cast aside after the first time. I used the second setting which is specifically for sensitive teeth, and once I got past the initial tickle it was gravy! My teeth had slight stains from drinking so much coffee, and now they are brilliant white again! I can't say enough good things about this product, even that I want one for each member of my household. Who knows what Santa will bring. 5/5 Recommend? Definitely, for the whole family! ~I received a sample from ChickAdvisor . I was not compensated for my opinion.~

SHOULD BE READING The atmosphere was definitely lighter as we emerged from the house. The gravity of the rite was tenderly placed aside for a more casual appearance, tables set out where the chairs had once been.

Scholastic Inc . 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999, (212) 343-6700 www.scholastic.com Scholastic Launches “One Million Bookprints for One Million Books” Campaign to Donate New Books to Children in Need For Every Person who Creates a “Bookprint” at the Online Community, youarewhatyouread.com , a New Children’s Book will be Donated to Reach Out and Read New York – December 12, 2011 – A new campaign, ONE MILLION BOOKPRINTS FOR ONE MILLION BOOKS, kicks off today, inviting readers of all ages to create a “Bookprint” at the online community, youarewhatyouread.com . For every Bookprint created, Scholastic Book Clubs will donate a new book to a child in need (up to one million books). Books will be distributed through the national school readiness initiative Reach Out and Read. What’s a “Bookprint”? The five books that most impact someone’s life comprise their Bookprint. They can be children’s or adult books and Bookprints can change over time. On the “You Are What

Happy Holidays to everyone - Romance At Random is celebrating their Loveswept line with a random e-book Giveaway to 25 winners plus an opportunity to win one Grand Prize from www.romanceatrandom.com . Enter here to be included in the FREE random e-book drawing (25 winners will pick up their FREE book from Net Galley) and then stop on by www.romanceatrandom.com and comment to enter the drawing to be the ''ONE” Grand Prize winner, to win a selection of great books! Good Luck & Happy Holidays to all! INCREASE your chances to win by visiting all of the participating 'Loveswept - Holiday Hop' sites! Winners will be contacted after 1/10/12. <p><p>Loading...</p></p> Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list... You can use our site link for readers to see the participating sites and also enter for th

EdenFantasys.com invites you to learn from others, share your experiences and re-discover sex. We offer online shopping you can trust, a welcoming community and a wealth of inspiring resources. At EdenFantasys.com you'll find: A wide selection of products: And so much more including lingerie, lotions and even candles! They are also a welcoming, sex-positive community, and have the highest standards for online transactions. My Opinion: I don't have a lot of experience with toys, but I am an adventurous woman in the bedroom so I always wanted to try toys. I have my own preferences as to what I like, just like every other girl, but we all all different too. I've never been a big clitoral stimulation girl, it was always the G Spot for me. I wanted to try a toy that would help me enjoy that area more, so I went with the Candies Bullet . I got the Purple one.... it was so cute when I opened it up! I'll be honest with you, I have a need found appreciation of my c

Welcome to Week 55 with me! Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56. *Find any sentence that grabs you. *Post it. *Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple. Until that moment, Luce had thought she had a chance at standing up and just shaking off the incident--literally.

Morning readers! Today we have author Larissa Hinton joining us to tell speak about her book, Everblossom: A Short Story and Poetry Anthology . Most of you know I love poetry, so this is a treat! A collection of short stories and poetry that explore the three stages of a flower that correlates to the human different stages of life but with a paranormal and fantasy twist. Here's more information about it in the blurb: An anthology that will quench your thirst for more than the ordinary. Everblossom is a journey through poems and short stories that may seem ordinary on the surface but dig a little deeper and the world not only shifts . . . It changes. The author who brought you Iwishacana/Acanawishi, now brings you a dash of everything from dark fantasy to the paranormal to romance. So prepare yourself to delve into the three stages of the flower from bud to blossom then back to seed; you'll go through them all with a whole new perspective on what it all truly means. Kin

Julie Powell thought cooking her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking was the craziest thing she'd ever do--until she embarked on the voyage recounted in her new memoir, CLEAVING. Her marriage challenged by an insane, irresistible love affair, Julie decides to leave town and immerse herself in a new obsession: butchery. She finds her way to Fleischer's, a butcher shop where she buries herself in the details of food. She learns how to break down a side of beef and French a rack of ribs--tough, physical work that only sometimes distracts her from thoughts of afternoon trysts. The camaraderie at Fleischer's leads Julie to search out fellow butchers around the world--from South America to Europe to Africa. At the end of her odyssey, she has learned a new art and perhaps even mastered her unruly heart. Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (December 1, 2009) ISBN: 9780316003360 My review for Julie & Julia

BABIES, BOOKS AND SIGNS A gainst My Will - Benjamin Berkley B aroness - Susan May Warren C razy Dangerous - Andrew Klavan D aughter of Smoke & Bone - Laini Taylor E ve Eden VS The Zombie Horde - Suz Korb F irelight - Sophie Jordan G od Never Blinks - Regina Brett H eart of Ice - Lis Wiehl I nitiation - Imogen Rose J abberwocky - Daniel Coleman K itty Steals the Show - Carrie Vaughn L iesl & Po - Lauren Oliver M iss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs N ight Sky - Jolene Perry O ther Life - Susanne Winnacker P ut on Your Crown - Queen Latifah Q ueen Pin - Jemeker Thompson-Hairston R avens - George Dawes Green S pin- Catherine McKenzie T empest - Julie Cross U nspent Time: Omnibus - Graham Parke V ampire Diaries: The Awakening - L.J. Smith W inter's Passage - Julie Kagawa X Y Z ombie Always Knocks Twice - E. Van Lowe Obviously I'm taking the lazy way out. Fingers crossed I complete this bad boy.

SHOULD BE READING I love all the gifts I've been given today, but the best one came hours ago.

In the mythical city of N'de lives thirteen-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash. Scorned and abused by the unloving and absent Emperor, the Ramash are poor people, placed second to the ruling class of the Oresed. Young but bold, Hadlay rages against the injustice in her city. When she is chosen for the honor of serving the Prince in the Tower, she hopes to find a way to right the wrong . . . but soon discovers that things are worse than she believed. Paperback: 328 pages Publisher: Kregel Publications (October 28, 2011) ISBN: 9780825426674 Purchase at Amazon AUTHOR BIO: As a child, L.K. Malone liked to make up episodes of her favorite TV shows when she was supposed to be napping. Her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, and enjoying time with her large extended family, which includes a handsome menagerie of pets and two lovely young women she met through Denver Kids. My Opinion: This, by far, was an interesting story. It had so many wonderful elements