January Monthly News

Welcome to the January edition of monthly news!

Happy new year to you all! I hope it's off to a great start. 
For me, it's been bittersweet. While this new year has essentially been nothing to complain about in my personal life, we have had a funeral to attend when an extended family member died. He was 93 though, so instead of being sad, we mostly celebrated his life. R.I.P. Henry.
A ton of famous people have died this year already too. Is it something in the air?!
I didn't really make any resolutions this year, per say, but I did decide that I wasn't reviewing anything I didn't absolutely need in my life. I guess it was consuming my life and I needed to step back a bit.
Did you make any resolutions? Have they stuck or dissolved already?

BOOKS:

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - F. Scott Fitzgerald (recommend)
2. Pop Sonnets - Erik Didriksen (recommend)
3. The Shamrock Case - Linda Weaver Clarke (recommend)
4. Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson (recommend)
5. Just Don't Call Me Ma'am - Anna Mitchael
6. Killer Pursuit - Jeff Gunhus (recommend)
7. The Newsmakers - Liz Wiehl (recommend)
8. Moon At Nine - Deborah Ellis (recommend)
9. Grumpy Cat Volume 1
10. The Missing Heir - Linda Weaver Clarke (recommend)
11. Slip Of The Knife - Denise Mina
12. CSFTS O Canada: The Wonders of Winter (recommend)

MOVIES:

1. Spectre (recommend)

Yearly Total: 12 Books & 1 Movie

Book of the Month:

Book of the Year:

BLOGGER/MONEY-MAKING RESOURCES: 
1. SwagBucks (earn gift cards)
2. GiftHulk (earn gift cards & paypal cash)
3. Moo Business Cards
4. Unique Rewards (earn paypal cash)
5. Honest Insite (earn cash)
6. Glitter Network (ad affiliates)
7. LinkVehicle (sponsored posts & ad affiliates)

8. SnapSaves (save on groceries)

9. SuperPoints (earn gift cards)

10. Speakr (sponsored social media for bloggers)

11. TapInfluence (sponsored content for bloggers)
12. SocialSpark (sponsored content for bloggers & advertisers)
13. Izea (soponsored content for bloggers)
14. Buzzoole (connecting brands and bloggers)

15. Cooperatize (for brands and bloggers)

SPECIAL POSTS:

1. Become A Stylist Today & Get MEGA Perks Or Shop New Arrivals
2. BOGO Free Hoodies at Reebok - Today Only!

RECIPES SHARED:

The Hot Hamilton

**No compensation was received for posting. Opinions are owned by Freda's Voice.

Hot Hamilton #Recipe

Let me introduce you to the best sangweech, (sandwich), ever created. 

The Hot Hamilton

This sangweech was originally created by my ex boyfriend. He happens to be best friends with my brother-in-law, and no it's not awkward at all. He gave the recipe to my sister, who adapted it to her tastes. She, of course, gave it to me. I then adapted it to my tastes. Let's just say, some like it hot and some like it too hot. I'm not the latter. I like my sangweech to have a little kick, not a whole beat down. So here is the instructions... 'cause building a sangweech is science, I tell ya.

**Read note at bottom before cooking**

INGREDIENTS

• Pre-cooked chicken breast strips. (Most packs serve 2-3, which is 1 sangweech serving)
• 2 TBSP Aurora Pickled Hot Peppers in Oil
• 1/4 TSP Salt 
• 1/4 TSP Pepper
• 1/4 TSP Cayenne Pepper
• 1/4 TSP Chili Powder
• 1/4 TSP Curry Powder
• 1 TSP Frank's Red Hot Sauce
• I wooden spoon dollop of mayonnaise (I use the mayo made with olive oil)
• 1 TBSP bbq sauce ( I used Kraft original)
• Monteray Jack cheese with Hot Pepper Slices ( I used Silani)
• Ciabatta Breads, 6 inch size or cut one giant ciabatta in half.

METHOD

Cut the ciabatta in half so your sangweech has two sides. Set aside.

Grab a pan and using the peppers in oil, cook the chicken for a minute or two. Take the chill off it. 

Add all the other ingredients and mix well. Heat it and bind the mixture together. 

Add the chicken mixture to the ciabatta bread. Top with the cheese and melt in the oven. When it's melted, remove, add top of ciabatta to sangweech, cut, yes again, and serve.

Enjoy!

**This recipe is one serving. When making more than one sangweech, double or triple accordingly.


**No compensation was received for posting. Opinions, photos and recipe are owned by this site.

CSFTS O Canada: The Wonders of Winter (12)

Canadian winters are notorious! But this collection will warm your heart, brighten your day, and lift your spirits with its 101 stories about embracing and making the most of those long winter months.

Winters in Canada are tough, but so are the people! Any Canadian – from east to west coast; from city to rural – will love the 101 stories in this new collection about embracing those long winter days and making the most of them. Filled with amusing and encouraging stories about weathering the cold, creating warm memories with family and friends, and playing great winter sports.

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul (November 5, 2013)
• ISBN: 9781611599312

AMAZON US   |   AMAZON CA   |   AMAZON UK

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tougher People

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Nascar

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Mothers and Daughters

My Review for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Here Comes the Bride

About the Author

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are co-founders of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Amy Newmark is publisher and editor-in-chief of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Canadian writer and editor Janet Matthews coauthored Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul, and teaches workshops in Canada on writing from the heart.

REVIEW:

Go Canada!
This book is filled with so many wonderful stories about how great Canada is, and how wonderful the people are that live there. Made me proud to be Canadian reading some the stories of community, helping one another while expecting nothing in return. It restored my faith in humanity a bit. 
I also loved there was famous names, like one story was by NHL legend, Vince Lecalvier. Reading his coming up story, and reading some of the quotes by hockey greats I love like Wendel Clark and Bobby Orr, really made my day. Anytime is the right time for anything hockey.
Yup, I'm Canadian.
This story is a great tribute to this wonderful land and its citizens, but also inspirational to be a better Canadian in this great nation.

5/5

**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the links within. This copy was won. Opinions are owned by Freda's Voice.

The Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings & Instagram 56)

Welcome to Week 259!

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. 
*It's that simple.

Or join The Friday 56 on Instagram!

Rules:

* Grab a book and find a creative way to showcase your 56.

It can be a photo of the book and the 56 in comments, or whatever you come up with.

Make sure to use the hashtag #Friday56

*Add your Instagram url to the Linky.

AMAZON

PAGE 56

Tally collapsed on the grass. Her whole body ached, every muscle exhausted. "Thanks for the lesson. Flying's the best."

A free read for this week's #Friday56 (pulseit.com)

A photo posted by Freda Mans (@fredasphotos) on Jan 28, 2016 at 5:29pm PST

                                   ONLY FRIDAY 56 PARTICIPANTS MAY USE THE LINKY.

Book Beginnings leave your links in the comments if you didn't join in the Friday 56.

Book Beginnings

New Pretty Town

The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit.

**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the link within. This is a meme post. 

Slip Of The Knife by Denise Mina (11)

Paddy Meehan is no stranger to murder--as a reporter she lives at crime scenes--but nothing has prepared her for this visit from the police. Her former boyfriend and fellow journalist Terry Patterson has been found hooded and shot through the head. Paddy knows she will be of little help--she had not seen Terry in more than six months. So she is bewildered to learn that in his will he has left her his house and several suitcases full of notes. Drawn into a maze of secrets and lies, Paddy begins making connections to Terry's murder that no one else has seen, and soon finds herself trapped in the most important--and dangerous--story of her career.

• Series: Paddy Meehan (Book 3)
• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; 1st edition (March 8, 2010)
• ISBN: 9780316015608

AMAZON US   |   AMAZON CA   |   AMAZON UK

Denise Mina was born in Glasgow, Scotland. At twenty one, she passed exams, got in to study Law at Glasgow University and went on to research a PhD thesis at Strathclyde University, teaching criminology and criminal law in the mean time. 

Misusing her grant she stayed at home and wrote a novel, 'Garnethill' when she was supposed to be studying instead. 

'Garnethill' won the Crime Writers' Association John Creasy Dagger for the best first crime novel and was the start of a trilogy completed by 'Exile' and 'Resolution'. 

A fourth novel followed, a stand alone, named 'Sanctum' in the UK and 'Deception' in the US. 

In 2005, 'The Field of Blood' was published, the first of a series of five books following the career and life of journalist Paddy Meehan. 

She also writes comics, graphic novels short stories and film adaptions.

REVIEW:

I had no idea this was book 3 in a series until now.

That might make a difference in how I feel about it. I just have not been enjoying it as much as I had hoped, or even as much as the praise on the book cover said. Now I know what might have helped contribute... being book 3.

Then again, I felt like I didn't really miss much from not reading the first two. I got a good grasp of who Paddy is and what she stands for. I just thought the plot was drawn out waaaaaaay too long. It was too beat-around-the-bush-ish for me.

I read the whole thing too, hoping it would be one of those books that really wowed me in the end. But, no. It was just a story. Nothing special for me, sorry.

2/5

**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the links within. A copy was provided to facilitate a review. Opinions are owned by Freda's Voice.

Intro Teaser Tuesdays

Amazon

NAKED

1990

Terry Hewitt had never been as afraid as he was now. It was being naked that terrified him. He was stripped of all identifying marks, untraceable, ready for his grave.

 When she opened the car door Merki had turned on the radio and was happily singing along to "Daydream Believer"

 "Get me the fuck out of Glasgow, Merki."

**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the link within. This post is part of a weekly meme.

#Win Rustler's Moon by Jodi Thomas (US)

A fifth-generation Texan, JODI THOMAS sets the majority of her novels in her home state. With a degree in Family Studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A & M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer in Residence. When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, Tom, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo, and "checking up" on their two grown sons.

“Thomas is a wonderful storyteller, and her latest offering is a great example of her work – a tender and sweet story of romance. Readers will have their heartstrings gently tugged as the featured characters find their way to one another. Fans of Debbie Macomber will definitely appreciate the Ransom Canyon series.”

–RT Book Reviews

“When it comes to providing a rich backdrop of historical flavor with a beautiful love story, author Jodi Thomas certainly has cornered the market.”

–The Romance Reviews

“The second in the new Ransom Canyon series, Rustler’s Moon is vintage Jodi Thomas using her beloved Texas as a background, and giving readers a terrific character-driven story. Add a mystery and budding romance, and Rustler’s Moon is everything a reader can want.”                                   

–Goodreads Reviewer

On a dirt road marked by haunting secrets, three strangers caught at life's crossroads must decide what to sacrifice to protect their own agendas…and what they're each willing to risk for love.

If there's any place that can convince Angela Harrell to stop running, it's Ransom Canyon. And if there's any man who can reveal desires more deeply hidden than her every fear, it's Wilkes Wagner. Beneath the rancher's honorable exterior is something that just might keep her safe…or unwittingly put her in danger's path.

With his dreams of leaving this small Texas town swallowed up by hard, dusty reality, all Wilkes has to show for his life is the Devil's Fork Ranch. Though not one to let false hope seduce him, he can't deny the quiet and cautious beauty who slips into his world and changes everything.

HQN Books; January 26, 2015

$7.99; 368 pages

  ISBN-13: 978-0-373-78862-0

EXCERPT

Crossroads, Texas
October
Angela

Dried weeds scratched against Angela Harold's bare legs as she walked the neglected grounds behind the Ransom Canyon Museum near Crossroads, Texas. Rumbling gray clouds spotted the sky above. Wind raged as though trying to push her back to the East Coast. She decided any rain might blow all the way to Oklahoma before it could land on Texas soil. But the weather didn't matter. She had made it here. She'd done exactly what her father told her. She'd vanished.

Angela had meant to stop long enough to clean up before she took her first look at the museum, but she could not wait. So, in sandals, shorts and a tank top, she explored the land behind the boarded-up building on the edge of Ransom Canyon.

When she'd talked to the board president, Staten Kirkland, five days ago, he'd sounded excited. They'd had to close the museum when the last curator left and in six months she'd been the only one to call about the job opening. Before the phone call ended Kirkland offered her a three-month trial if she could answer one question.

Angela thought it would be about her experience or her education, but it was pure Texas folk history.

"What or who was the Yellow Rose of Texas?" the man on the phone asked in his pure Texas twang.

She laughed. "The woman who entertained Santa Anna before the Battle of San Jacinto. The battle that won Texas independence." She'd always loved that story, which often got left out of history books.

"We'll be waiting for you, Mrs. Jones."

He hung up before she had time to tell him that her name wasn't Jones. In a moment of paranoia, she'd used a false name when she'd bought a laptop and phone. Then again on the application, figuring she'd be just one of hundreds who applied. Now, if he checked her transcripts or references, she'd have to make up another lie. That would be easier than finding some guy named Jones, marrying him and dragging him along to Texas with her.

Angela had driven a hundred miles before she decided she would tell Kirkland that she used Jones because she had been engaged but he left her at the altar. Kirkland would feel sorry for her, but that was better than killing off her imaginary husband.

She'd straighten it all out Monday. She'd even practice just how she'd say it.

AND NOW THE GIVEAWAY

1 lucky US winner

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**No compensation was received for posting. Freda's Voice is not responsible for the prize shipment, lost, damaged or stolen prizes. 

Spectre #Movie

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 9!

PRE-ORDER NOW!

Rated PG

150 minutes

AMAZON US   |   AMAZON CA   |   AMAZON UK

REVIEW:

Action-packed.
This Bond movie is one of my favorites, as far as the newer ones goes. I wasn't really feeling Skyfall, but Spectre was better for me.
The only thing I didn't like was the three minute musical interlude after the film started. Maybe some people want to hear that shit, but not me. I am in it to watch Bond in action, kicking butt and taking names. I'm not watching to hear a song. Seriously.
But the movie made up for the poor placement of the song. I loved the cars, oh some of them bring memories back for fans, the stuff that got shot at or blown up, and you know Mr. Bond was sauve with the ladies. 
Yup, a good two and something hours of entertainment. That's something anyway. I usually get bored if they're too long, but not this time.
Bond fans won't be disappointed, and action fans will be thrilled too!

4/5

**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the links within. A screener was provided to facilitate a review. Opinions are owned by Freda's Voice.

BOGO Free Hoodies at Reebok - Today Only!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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Code: NEEDTWO

The Missing Heir by Linda Weaver Clarke (10)

Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the business is flourishing. 

Dell Murphy has passed on and left a fortune to his nephew. He wants his nephew to continue his work at the orphanage in Mexico, but there is one problem. Neal Woods is missing! If Amelia and Rick can’t find him soon, the fortune will be turned over to Dell’s brother and sister who intend to close down “Uncle Dell’s Orphanage.” If that happens, where will the children go?

• Kindle: 770 KB
• Print Length: 213 pages
• Publisher: Red Mountain Shadows Publishing (September 20, 2014)
• ASIN: B00MSUCXO6

AMAZON US   |   AMAZON CA   |   AMAZON UK

Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching and encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. She is the author of several historical sweet romances, a mystery/adventure series, a cozy mystery series, and two non-fiction books.

Other Books I've Reviewed By The Author:

My review for The Bali Mystery

My review for The Shamrock Case

REVIEW:
Exciting!
Amelia and Rick have an interesting case to crack, and need to travel to Mexico for this book. While I was reading, and getting into the mystery, I thought I had it solved. I was close but still off. That impressed me. The story wasn't predictable there, but was a bit predictable in moments of dealing with the bad guy. You always knew he was going to show up, it was just when. 
I love Rick and Amelia. The dynamic between them is pretty powerful. He is so in love with her and knows it, while she is so in love and needs to know it. I can't wait to see where their relationship develops to in the next book.
I also look forward to seeing where its set.
I love this series so far. Each one is good, and each story different from the last. Mystery fans should really dig in!

4/5

**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the link within. This copy was provided in order to facilitate a review. Opinions are owned by Freda's Voice.