Freda's Voice

Welcome to the August edition of Monthly News. Our 3 year blogoversary was on the 2nd and we had a party!! See all about that HERE . We also went from a PR3 to a PR 4 . We were also chosen to be a Canadian Beef Ambassador!! Read our post HERE . BOOKS:   1. Random Magic - Sasha Soren  2. Adam & Eve - Sena Jeter Naslund  3. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins (HIGHLY recommend) 4. Integration - Imogen Rose (recommend) 5. The Serpent's Bite - Warren Adler (recommend) 6. Phoenix Street People: Summer 2012 - Yucel Yalim  7. The Tangled Bridge - Rhodi Hawk  8. Blame It On Texas - Christie Craig (recommend) 9. The Karma Club - Jessica Brody (recommend) 10. My Life Undecided - Jessica Brody (recommend) PAGE COUNT: 27274 PRODUCTS: 1. Anytimecostumes.com Adult Halloween Costume Yearly Total: 89 Books, 20 Products, 1 Movie      FREDA'S FAVE FIVE (In No Particular Order): 1. The Karma Club 2. Blame It On Texas 3. Catching

Welcome to Week 89 with me!   Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56. *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you. *Post it. *Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple. (Affiliate link)   I'm so angry I could scream. Actually I have been screaming. For about the last three hours. 

Welcome to the Nook Color 8GB Giveaway! BuyDig has teamed up with Kate n' Kaboodle and co-hosts News Wahl and Colleen's Book Nook to bring you this wonderful Back to School giveaway! This fabulous giveaway includes a 8GB Nook Color and a $25 Barnes & Noble Giftcard! The Barnes & Noble 8GB Nook Color features the 7 inch VividView Touchscreen that displays 16 million colors ultra-bright. This touchscreen is specially designed for remarkable clarity, minimal glare and is ultra responsive. The Nook Color is fully customizable so you can make the text bigger, choose your favorite font or read in portrait or landscape. Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Textbooks, Comics...if you want to read it, the Nook Color can deliver in seconds with it's built-in WiFi capabilities! With over 2.5 million titles available, there is something for everyone. There is an endless list of free books and you can even save up to 90% on textbooks! Concerned about storage? Worry

(Affiliate link) PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment. Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure. But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else decide which book I read for English. And whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated! Well, it turns out there are some things in life

Grilling VS Marinating VS Simmering With  I thought I knew everything there is to know about beef. I mean, besides it being from a cow, and different cuts are better than others, what else was there to know??? Lots!!! From the origins of the names of the cuts of beef, to choosing the right cut for what you are cooking, to why the fat in beef. All these things are factors in what you eat and how you eat it. You can read more for yourself on Beef 101 . Or visit the Canada Beef website.  Upon closer inspection at my grocery store, I noticed they label their beef sections according to whether you are grilling, marinating or simmering. Though I found I need the deli part for the butcher to get the proper cuts  of marinating meat, the other cuts there were good, just not the cut I was looking for. Why didn't I notice this before??? Not sure, but am glad I know of it now.  So the one day, I decided to get one steak for grilling and one to marinate and then grill. I mad

SHOULD BE READING (Affiliate link) "Mrs. Moody?" Gail coos softly as she raps on the door three times. "Whaddya want?" comes a rough, crabby voice from the other side, proving in an instant that "Moody" is both a name and state of mind.

(Affiliate link) Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. You know—do good things and you will be rewarded, do something bad and you’ll get what’s coming to you. But when Maddy’s long-time boyfriend gets caught tongue-wrestling with Miss Perfect Body Heather Campbell, and they wind up the hot new couple at school, it seems like Karma is on a break. So Maddy and her friends decide to start the Karma Club—a secret, members-only organization for dealing with messes the universe is leaving behind. They’re just doing what Karma should have done in the first place, right?   Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Square Fish; Reprint edition (May 24, 2011) ISBN: 9780312674731 AUTHOR BIO:  Jessica Brody knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. She started self "publishing" her own books when she was seven years old, binding the pages together with cardboard, wallpaper samples and electrical tape. After graduating from Smith

Zoe Adams has always been content with her quiet nights at home, watching TV alone-until her life turns into a real-life episode of Unsolved Mystery Hunters . The story of a kidnapped girl triggers unexplained memories, and Zoe is dead-set on figuring out why. Her search leads her to one of the Lone Star State's richest families-and to sexy PI Tyler Lopez. Tyler has sworn off women, especially redheads with killer curves who poke their noses into his clients' private lives. Still, he can't deny the attraction any more than he can deny that some of Zoe's crazy story makes sense. But when she becomes a hit man's target, this cold case starts heating up. Suddenly, Tyler will do anything to protect Zoe-even risk his heart. Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Forever (August 28, 2012) ISBN: 9780446582834 AUTHOR BIO:   New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig grew up in Alabama, where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and regularly

Hello readers! Today joining us for an interview is Dr. Suravi Sharma Kumar! I hope you will extend her a warm welcome. She is here to answer a few questions and also talk to us about her book, Voices in the Valley . So, Dr. Kumar, please tell us about your book... Voices in the Valley is a literary fiction set in the troubled state of Assam in the north-east of India. It’s a collective biography of the main character and a few others connected to her life. Besides the story line of the protagonist Millie - a feminist trapped in orthodoxy, there are a few themes to the book – the unexplored beauty of this valley of rain forests and sundry orchids, myriad ethnic flavors of a land home to hundreds of tribes, people of various castes and religious beliefs.  Who or what inspires your writing? I’ve always been fascinated by the world of literature. I used to read a lot ever since my high school days and started writing articles, short stories in school and college

Celebrate with Robert by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight! See what folks are saying about The Choice ! One "choice" winner will receive: A Nook Color with GlowLight A four book Robert Whitlow library (winner's choice) Enter today by clicking one of the icons below . But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. Winner will be announced at the "The Choice" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/28 . Meet Robert, get a sneak peek of his next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)! So grab your copy of The Choice and join Robert on the evening of the August 27th for a chance to connect with Robert and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!) Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today . Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER

Welcome to Week 88 with me!   Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56. *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you. *Post it. *Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple. (Affiliate link)  "Our goal here," the woman continues, "is for everyone to leave feeling fresh and rejuvenated, having cleansed the dirt of everyday life from your soul. Like the earth feels after a purifying rainstorm."  The woman says this like she's reciting poetry or something, and I have to keep myself from laughing because I know that would not go over well with my mother.    

Novelist Sibella Giorello is celebrating the release of the latest book in her praiseworthy Raleigh Harmon series by giving away a Kindle Fire!  Find out what the reviewers are saying here! One grand prize winner will receive: A brand new Kindle Fire The entire 5-book Raleigh Harmon series. Hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/25/12. The winner will be announced on 8/27/12 on Sibella's blog ! Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Sibella's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

(Affiliate link) Psychologist Madeleine LeBlanc is desperate to escape the madness that has followed her family for a century.  She’s struggling to adjust to her new-found power and to stick to the pact that protects her sanity.  But an innocent little boy is being hunted—by Madeleine’s half brother and her great-grandmother, Chloe, and by the demons they control.  The boy is a threat to their bloodline, to their very nature, but Madeleine cannot let his young life be callously destroyed. Thrust into an age-old battle of dark versus light, Madeleine dives deep into the history of her family and into the vast paranormal underworld of New Orleans, a world seemingly controlled by her great-grandmother. The only way to stop Chloe lies past the tangled bridge that could lead to great power…or total destruction. Paperback: 528 pages Publisher: Tor Books (October 30, 2012) ISBN: 9780765324979 MY OPINION: I'm a little let down. When I read the description f

(Affiliate link) Photo essay inquiry into people walking the streets of Phoenix, Arizona during summer days where temperatures exceed 110 degrees in the shade. Portion of all net proceeds will directly benefit street people. Over 100 photos in 132 pages including editorial comments and insights into the lives of America’s street people. In images and words, we can see, if we look, they are us. Yucel Yalim is an award winning professional photographer currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona. Kindle Size: 6027 KB Print Length: 132 pages ASIN: B008JAW4WU MY OPINION: Powerful! There is one shot in particular, of a man relaxing in the shade with his bible on his chest. The face of this man spoke volumes to me, and I choked back tears. Everyone in this book had a near effect on me, though different as well in their own ways. It was nice to read where the photographer/author was and the backstory behind the photos, but in actuality, some didn't need words. They hit y

Celebrate with Colleen by entering to win a $500 gift certificate to BedandBreakfast.com! Find out what the reviewers are saying here! One grand prize winner will receive: A $500 gift certificate to BedandBreakfast.com A copy of  Tidewater Inn. Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 22nd. Winner will be announced at Colleen's  "Tidewater Inn" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/23 . Colleen will be sharing the story behind the book, hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, and of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways - books, gift certificates and a Book Club Prize Pack! She’ll also be giving a sneak peak of her next book too! So grab your copy of Tidewater Inn and join Colleen on the evening of the August 23rd  for a chance to connect with Colleen and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!) Don't mi

At GiftHulk users can earn gift cards, electronics and other rewards the EZ Way, by doing things they already do online – searching, answering surveys and more! GiftHulk offers users more than 15 different ways to earn Hulk Coins! These include Search&Win, Offer Walls, Daily Surveys, Friends Connect, Treasure Box (patent pending technology) and much more! Currently GiftHulk is open to users from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. Why GiftHulk? “Time Is Money.” However, when it comes to surfing on the Internet we totally forget about it and spend our time refreshing Facebook and Twitter to see if there is a fresh update. We all do it. GiftHulk established a way to make it possible to gain from surfing the web and your online daily activities! The main goal is to allow people the things that they really want and need – for absolutely FREE ! That is the main reason they offer such a huge selection of gifts, from department and fashion stores to onlin

SHOULD BE READING (Affiliate link) My mother was welcomed into the hospital, but she's viewed as more of a nurse than a doctor, despite a lifetime of healing. Still no one interferes when she guides the trio into an examination room to assess their injuries. I plant myself on a bench in the hall outside the hospital entrance, waiting to hear her verdict. She will be able to read in their bodies the pain inflicted on them.

  Right now is a lot of buzz about Back to School,  but right after that is one of the most exciting holidays of the year,  Halloween. Now is the perfect time to start shopping for that perfect costume! Why not start here: Anytime Costumes is a great online site for all your costume needs. There are a variety of styles to choose from, as well as a vast selection of themes. They even have a plus size section, a pet section and can equip you with all the accessories you need to make your costume amazing! My Review of Pirate Wench Costume MY OPINION: Whether you're looking for something for Halloween or you have a costume party to attend, Anytimecostumes.com really has all your needs. And I mean all! Plus the shipping is quick and painless, so you can rest assured to get it promptly and in good wear. So, last time I went Pirate..... ahoy, mateys!!! But this time I wanted something a little more sexy, for adult functions instead of a suit geared for h

(Affiliate link) ''How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child'' -- King Lear , William Shakespeare This famed quote by William Shakespeare finds its modern meaning in this taut, fast-paced, remarkable novel by renowned author Warren Adler. The Serpent's Bite will take you on a frightening horse trek through the far reaches of the Yellowstone wilderness that turns a father s quest to deal with parental guilt and reunite with his two adult children into a nightmare of lust, betrayal, entrapment, and death. Beyond the revelations of dark family secrets, readers will discover how an obsession for celebrity and blind ambition can distort familial love and turn a beloved child into a grotesque monster. Courtney Temple is sure to be judged as one of those most evil women in fiction, alongside the likes of Lady Macbeth, Medea, and the Wicked Witch of the West. Adler's latest novel takes its place next to the iconic The War

(Affiliate link) Second haiku warning: A boyfriend missing A lover must pay in blood A princess must die Welcome back to Bonfire Academy. File Size: 985 KB Print Length: 416 pages Publisher: Imogen Rose (July 7, 2012) ASIN: B008IVNJTC My Review of Initiation (Book 1) My Review:  Oh, this is a good book.... even more so than the first, though you can't have one without the other.... The first introduces you to the cast and the second gets you into their lives.  I had a feeling things would turn out the way they did in the end, and it didn't bother me, I actually was more happy I was right. Usually it doesn't work out that way, but in this book it did. It also built up the suspense for the next book too, which I can't wait to read....  I do think you could read this book if you haven't read the first, only because it touches base with it and is more of an academic adventure. I do think you should read the first one though as you get a re

Welcome to Week 87 with me!   Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56. *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you. *Post it. *Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple. (Affiliate link) Madeleine flinched, thinking again of little Cooper, but she would never tell Chloe about him. "I say, you are the last, yanh?" Chloe said, and she was watching with a fixed stare. Madeleine nodded.  

(Affiliate link) Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.   Kindle: 921 KB Print Length: 391 pages ASIN: B003O86FMW Book 2 My review of book 1 , The Hunger Games My Opinion: I'm on the edge of a cliff right now, so will be immediately continuing onto book 3 after this. Poor Katniss! For someone that didn't sign up for the position she's been stuck in, she sure holds her own. So strong, smart and resourceful, it seems she can get through anything. My heart still hurts for her though, knowing this sho

Publisher: Twilight Times Books ISBN: 9781606190242 Genre: Parody/Satire Format: ebook in pdf, ePub, Kindle, Mobi, PRC, etc. Distributors: Amazon Kindle; Apple iBookstore; BN.com Nook; eReader; Fictionwise; Kobo Books; OmniLit; Sony eBookstore, etc Release date: July 15, 2012 Price: $5.95 Pages: 160 Special Release Price:  Sunstruck  - $2.99 now through September 15. Gift with Purchase:  Purchase  Sunstruck   h ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/ B008LYYOWM  and receive FREE download e-Book of  Dark Lullaby . Email her publicist, Donna McDine  donna@donnamcdine.com   with your receipt of  Sunstruck  purchase and receive link to FREE  Dark Lullaby  e-Book through September 15, 2012. Of course, if you purchase  Sunstruck  elsewhere please email receipt to Ms. McDine. Chapter excerpt A fun, quirky, beach summer read by Twilight Times Books! Daniella is an architecture student living with her narcissistic artist boyfriend in San Juan. Abandoned by he

(Affiliate Link) It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning. A year later, McKinley has descended into chaos. All the students are infected with a virus that makes them deadly to adults. The school is under military quarantine. The teachers are gone. Violent gangs have formed based on high school social cliques. Without a gang, you’re as good as dead. And David has no gang. It’s just him and his little brother, Will, against the whole school. In this frighteningly dark and captivating novel, Lex Thomas locks readers inside a school where kids don’t fight to be popular, they fight to stay alive.   Reading level: Ages 14 and up Hardcover: 416 pages Publisher: EgmontUSA (July 10, 2012) ISBN: 9781606843291 Amazon US Author Bios Lex Hrabe  receive