Thursday, January 31, 2013

NuShape 30 Day Challenge & Giveaway

On my quest for a better me in 2013, I have teamed up NuShape (NuSirt Sciences) for a review and giveaway. I will be trying out a 30 days supply of their weight management dietary supplement, containing Vitamin B6 and L-leucine, starting today for the next 30 days. During this time I will be exercising daily and staying on a healthy diet.

I'm excited about starting this challenge. I'll be taking the tablets twice a day  and it is suppose to help increase the amount of fat I will burn off during exercising. Fifteen minutes of exercise is suppose to equal sixty minutes of fat burning, which can make you drop one pant size in a month. The supplement can help your lean muscles to use fat as energy without any unwanted side-effects.

Giveaway Details:

Review - Internet Dating 101

Internet Dating 101: It's Complicated... But It Doesn't Have To Be!
By Laura Schreffler
Publisher: New Chapter Press
Pub. Date: December 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1937559007
ASIN: B00A6J9JIE
Pages: 376
Buy Link: Amazon.com

Review: 

If you are single, then (whether you want to admit it or not) you've probably have looked into online dating. Being single myself, I have read a few online relationship books and I've found myself browsing through a few dating sites. New Chapter Press has recently released a new guide book for those lonely hearts that have tired or have thought about online dating. The book is titled Internet Dating 101 and is written by Laura Schreffler, the creator of LoveTrekker.com.

Like similar books on online dating, the author lists the best to the worst dating sites, some are free and others have monthly fees. What I like about this book is that there are real stories from men and women who have tried these sites. Some are comical, a few are sweet, and others are a little creepy. There is a full section on Facebook, which is the first I have seen in an online dating book, about the dos and don'ts of what to post on your page, and how to successfully meet your soul mate. There is also a section that covers Twitter, Foursquare, Myspace, and CupidRadar. Of course a person is not going to always meet nice people on social networks and dating sites as there are people that will want to use you. The author gives great advice, or more like warnings, about how to spot a player, cheater, criminal, etc.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Guest Post with author Sands Hetherington


Night Buddies is the result of a bedtime collaboration my son John and I had many years ago.  I was his single parent and had read to him every night since he could walk, maybe for longer than that.  It was an essential for us and went on for fourteen years.  One night when John was six and I was done reading and John wanted more, I may have suggest he invent a lights-out companion to go off to sleep with.  Or maybe I didn’t and he undertook the matter on his own hook.  In any case, the next thing I knew, there was Crosley the crocodile, complete with goofy name and bright-red color.  I was duly charmed, and John and I started throwing Crosley ideas around and making up episodes.  This went on for a year or more and Crosley developed into an important family member.  Even after John tired of the game, Crosley would pop up in conversations.  He refused to fade away.

Maybe it was a couple of years after John invented him that I got the idea of giving Crosley some proper print.  The thing was right there: not ready-made but at least a neat premise.  John would be in it, of course, and the two of them would have themselves an adventure.  The trick was to figure out why on earth Crosley was red.  You couldn’t just plop a red crocodile down as one of the main actors without some explanation.  Then it occurred to me: Crosley was red because he was allergic to water!  Well, sort of.  If he got water on him he broke out doing the Black Bottom dance and couldn’t stop for hours.  Unless he took his antidote pills. These stopped the Black Bottom well enough but turned him red at the same time!  It was one of those side-effects you can get from Black Bottom pills.

The rest fell into place fairly easily.  Crosley started as a lights-out buddy for a kid named John who wasn’t ready to go to sleep yet, so why not make him a member of Night Buddies Amalgamated whose charter is to rescue kids from lying  in bed awake and take them out on adventures.  He shows up in John’s room on the night of our stories.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

TV Store Online T-Shirt Review & Giveaway!

Anyone who knows me or follows my blog would know that I'm a fan of cartoons, movies, and television shows from the 80s and early 90s. I guess you can say that I was more than excited to work with TV Store Online, who provided a free T-shirt in exchange for my honest review.

TV Store Online carries many T-shirts from old and new television series. I was surprised to find that they had many tees, sweatshirts, and other products from my favorite series, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood, Saved by the Bell, Married with Children, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Big Bang Theory, as well as my favorite childhood cartoons, such as TMNT, Alvin and the Chipmunks, G.I. Joe, He-Man, Looney Tunes, The Smurfs, Thundercats, and Voltron. The store also carries many tees from movies, such as Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Iron Man, Resident Evil, Stargate, and many others, and from music, comics and games.

Steps For Video Conversion Made Easy

There are many different video file formats, and each format is useful for something. MP4 videos work with the iPhone, WMV videos work best on Windows computers and DivX is often used when ripping a DVD. Since there are so many different file formats, it’s very common for users to have a movie that isn’t the right format for their needs. There are many different ways to convert a movie file from one format to another. You will need a video converting program for this to work. There are many free versions online, and most computers have software with some basic conversion tools.

Find Software 
Most computers come with a basic video editor that can convert videos. While the conversion process is usually limited, the editor might have the exact features that you need. If you have an Apple computer, then try using iMovie. If you have a Windows computer, then try using Windows MovieMaker.

If neither of these programs have the format that you need, then you will need to look online for video converting software. It’s best to search for the format you need. For example, if you want to turn an AVI file into an MP4, then go to your favorite search engine and search, “convert AVI to MP4.” You should find a listing for a good program near the top of the search engine.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Guest Post & Top Ten List with author Cynthia Woolf




Thank you for having me as your guest today. I’ll be giving away a copy of my new book, CAPITAL BRIDE, to one lucky commenter and a $5 Starbucks card to another so be sure and leave me a comment.

I’ve been very lucky in my publishing journey. I was laid off June 17, 2011. Though I continue to look for a “regular” job, I knew that this was my opportunity to fulfill my dream of writing and I grabbed on with both hands. Let me back up a bit.

I was in the hospital in April 2011, recovering from a severe anxiety attack. You see, I thought I’d had a heart attack. But it was just anxiety, brought on by my current job and soon to be lack of job. I found out in April that I was being laid off in two months. Though I was unhappy in my job by this point, I was even more scared not to have one. Hence the reasons for impending anxiety attack.

After the attack I’m in the hospital and can’t rest. I have insomnia and all the tests…I simply couldn’t calm down, so I asked my husband to bring me a pad and pen. That night I finished my second book, Centauri Dawn (CD) It had been languishing in my mind for years so I knew where it was going and I couldn’t get it down fast enough once I started writing. It was the first one I would publish even though the western Tame A Wild Heart was already finished. I decided it needed more polishing than CD so CD got published first.

After I got out of the hospital, I was talking to my friend Michele Callahan, and she told me I could publish it myself and told me how. That was the beginning and I haven’t looked back since. I also haven’t had another bought of anxiety and my blood pressure is great. I think that self publishing agrees with me.  I’ve now got out 10 books and novellas. All except the first two written in the last eighteen months.

Monday Morning Madness #3: The Puzzles of Life


After having the flu bug, the cold and a nasty sore throat, I actually started to feel pretty good, that is until my wisdom tooth (which started to come in about two years ago) decided to mess with my weekend by giving me an unwanted toothache.

I don't go to a barber or hairdresser as I don't have much hair to cut, so I shave my hair myself, which is exactly what I was doing on Friday, that is until my cordless razor quit before I was finished. I plugged in the cord to the outlet to charge it, but the razor was done for. I carefully finished shaving with a disposable razor. So, I was forced to buy an electric clipper instead of another cordless razor, because it was cheaper.

DVD Review - Dinotopia & Journey to the Center of the Earth - Fantasy Double Feature

Dinotopia & Journey to the Center of the Earth - Fantasy Double Feature
Directors: Marco Brambilla, George Miller
Starring: Tyron Leitso, Wentworth Miller, Katie Carr,
Treat Williams, Jeremy London, Tushka Bergen

Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: January 8, 2013
ASIN: B00A2XQTV4
Retail: $9.98
Running Time: 430 minutes
Not Rated

Review:

It seems that lavish television mini-series is a thing of the past, except for the occasional western or period miniseries on cable. As a kid I look forward to watching them, normally airing during the sweep months on February or May. Mill Creek Entertainment has recently released the three-part Dinotopia and the two-part Journey to the Center of the Earth in a 2 disc set. Both miniseries were produced by Hallmark Entertainment (now known as Sonar Entertainment).

Dinotopia is based on the children books by James Gurne. It aired on the Wonderful World of Disney in 2002 and later spawned a short-lived spin-off series. The miniseries drops the books' steampunk atmosphere and focuses on two half-brothers, Karl and David Scott, who finds themselves stranded on the strange land of Dinotopia after their plane crashes into the sea with their father. They meet a mysterious man, Cyrus Crabb, who leads them to the capital of Dinotopia, Waterfall City. David wants to try and learn the ways this new world, where as Karl just wants to find a way back home. They befriend Zippo (a Troodon) and a young woman, Marion. As Karl and David are assigned dinosaurs to bond with, their new home may become extinct.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Review - Enjoying Weight Loss

I hate the word "diet" as I have never been able to stay on one for very long. Over the last few months, I have added a daily exercise routine that doesn't bore me to death, but without a diet plan, I am only maintaining my weight instead of dropping those unwanted extra pounds. I need to do something to help me eat healthier.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Review - Secretly Smitten

Secretly Smitten
By Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Huntand Denis Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: January 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-1401687137
ASIN: B00AA0TLF0
Pages: 400
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/gM679    
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/Smitten

Review:

In this sequel to last year's Smitten, authors Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter gives us four romantic and sometimes mysterious tales set in the fictional town of Smitten, Vermont. The plots centers on the three Thomas’s sisters, Tess, Clare, and Zoe, along with their mother, Anna, and their grandmother, Rose.

Love Between the Lines is the first story and is written by one of my favorite authors, Colleen Coble, who once again adds a bit of mystery to her story. While Tess was in her grandmother's attic, she stumbles upon a pair of dog tags belonging to David Hutchins. Who was this man? Well, she quickly learns that he was her grandmother's first love, but he died during the war. If he died during the war, then how did his dog tags get into the attic? As Tess investigates the mystery, she may accidentally find love.

Zoe Thomas is opening a matchmaking business in Make Me a Match by Kristin Billerbeck. Cupid’s Matchmaking Services is put on hold when the new city manager, William, begins tossing codes and regulations at her. As Zoe struggles to start her business, the real cupid may have other plans for her.

The Friday 56 - A Hero's Throne



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 the Linky at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Review - Hallowed Circle

Hallowed Circle
By Linda Robertson
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pub. Date: December 29, 2009
ISBN: 978-1439156780
ASIN: B002WLCKEO
Pages: 384

Review: 

Picking up shortly after the events of Vicious Circle, Persephone Alcmedi (or as everyone calls her, Seph) now has guardianship of her late friend's daughter, Beverly, while at the same time dealing with her Nana, who is also living with her. She spends her days reading Tarot cards, writing a syndicated newspaper column, and what ever she can do to pay the bills, she even has a werewolf kennel in her basement. And there is also the known fact that she is a witch.

Out of the blue, Seph is talked into competing for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland coven. The former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has disappeared without a trace, well that is what everyone else things, but Seph knows what happened to Vivian. That is one of the secrets, along with the fact that she is connected to the vampire-wizard Menessos, that Seph is trying to keep from the other witches, especially Hunter Hopewell.

Review - TapouT XT: Extreme Training

Being a night owl, I happened to catch the infomercial for the 90 days home workout called TapouT XT: Extreme Training. Since I have slowly gotten myself back into an exercise routine, I became interested in this cardio intense workout program.

TapouT XT was created by Mike Karpenko and uses MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) style workouts to help you lose weight and build muscle over the 90 days schedule. The workouts are not meant to teach you any actually fighting or self-defense moves as they are meant to help you tone up.

The basic kit arrived fairly quickly by UPS in a black box with the TapouT logo printed on the packaging tape. The kit consist of the Strike Training DVD; a cardboard slip case to store the workout DVD cases; the twelve workouts on twelve DVDS; the 90 days workout schedule; the 48 pages Food Plan & Nutritional Guide; the twelve page 10-Day Slim Down Guide; the extreme resistance band; the leg training band; a TapouT XT sticker; and a TapouT XT towel. There are two DVDs in each slim case, helping you to save space and they are also easy to travel with.

The workouts range from 40 to 53 minutes, except for Buns and Guns XT that is 31 minutes and Ultimate Abs XT at 15 minutes.

The workouts are:

Cross Core Combat - This is the first workout on the schedule and it is not an easy one. I was covered with sweat by the end of the workout.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Monday Morning Madness #2: What's the Point of New Year's Resolutions?


A new year means that you want a new start at life. Right? People have dreams of getting a new job, going back to college, spending more time with family, finally quitting that smoking habit, finding love, or starting a new hobby. Or maybe you want to lose weight so you never have to become a contestant on The Biggest Loser and you can avoid be yelled at by Jillian Michaels.

Originally, I meant to have the New Year's Resolution theme as my first Monday Morning Madness post, but due to my half-sister making contact with me, I put it off until today. I wonder why people put off making life changes until the first of the year. Is it because you are lazy? Are you a master procraster?

One of the most used resolution is fitness/ losing weight, which is enforced by the department stores' exercise equipment sales and shoved down our throats by the media. Yes, obesity is a major issue, which we can blame that on the soda companies, junk food companies, the fast food joints, and the outdated physical education programs in the public schools. Of course, making healthy eating choices and making sure to stay active is a personal decision, only we are to blame, not counting the few that have health problems that prevent them from losing weight.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Putting Your Faith in Action by Nick Vujicic

Having faith, beliefs, and convictions is a great thing, but your life is measured by the actions you take based upon them. You can build a great life around those things you believe and have faith in. I’ve built mine around my belief that I can inspire and bring hope to people facing challenges in their lives. That belief is rooted in my faith in God. I have faith that He put me on this earth to love, inspire, and encourage others and especially to help all who are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I believe that I can never earn my way to heaven, and by faith I accept the gift of the forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus. However, there’s so much more than just “getting in” through the Pearly Gates. It is also about seeing others changed by the power of His Holy Spirit, having a close relationship with Jesus Christ throughout this life, and then being further rewarded in heaven.

Being born without arms and legs was not God’s way of punishing me. I know that now. I have come to realize that this “disability” would actually heighten my ability to serve His purpose as a speaker and evangelist. You might be tempted to think that I’m making a huge leap of faith to feel that way, since most people consider my lack of limbs a huge handicap. Instead, God has used my lack of limbs to draw people to me, especially others with disabilities, so I can inspire and encourage them with my messages of faith, hope, and love.

In the Bible, James said that our actions, not our words, are the proof of our faith. He wrote in James 2:18, “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’”

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Life As a Blogger

A life for a blogger can become a little bit hectic with review requests, setting up interviews with authors, scheduling a blog tour, and making sure that you get those guest posts in on time. On top of that a blogger has to deal with the chaos of day to day living, like your nine to five job, grocery shopping, family obligations, etc… Just like everyone else, bloggers are not immune to the common cold or the flu, possibly causing a few posts to be late.

For me blogging has been fun and a way to vent out my emotions, leading me to buy my own domain and hire a blog designer last year. I promised myself that I would I try to post everyday. Well there are many surprises in life, as I have caught many colds, I just recently battled the nasty flu bug, I had a bit of depression, I survived the chaos of the holidays and I have now been in contact with my half-sister.

My procrastinating has resulted in a few unopened boxes piled on top of the entertainment stand. Coffee tables are meant to have coasters, a cup of coffee, the TV Guide, remote controls, a candy dish, etc, but mine is currently piled with unread books, unopened DVDs & music CDs, Christmas gift cards and lose change. My desk is even worse with more music CDs, stacks of books to be read, and stacks of books to be reviewed. Somewhere underneath all that mess are my desk calendar and a twenty dollar bill.

Friday, January 18, 2013

The Friday 56 - Secretly Smitten



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 the Linky at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Internet is Off! Oh, the Insanity

Have you ever wondered how much we depend on internet services on a daily basis?

I never thought about this question until my internet and cable happened to go out late Tuesday night. It didn’t bother me at first as it gave me a chance to catch up on some reading. By the time I turned in for the night the internet sill hadn’t returned, but once again it didn’t bother me because typically when the internet goes out the cable company would restore the internet services in the early morning hours. There was no reason to worry right?

Up bright and early, I set a bowl of cereal and steaming cup of java on my desk shortly before I sat down in the comfortable leather cushioned chair. I check my inbox and nothing happen. I glance at the internet modem and there was still no connection.

I thought, “No big deal. I can watch the local news.” I grabbed the remote, spun the chair around, and turned on the television to watch nothing as the cable was still out.  As I turned back toward the computer screen, I wondered if I received a reply from the PR Company about reviewing a product. Did I receive the guest post for the upcoming book blog tour? Did my recently found half-sister send me another email about her life?

Well, it seemed I would never know the answers to my questions.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Guest Post with Jessica Aspen


Hi Billy! Thanks for having me as a guest on Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. I do have a question though, can you be a writer and not be coffee addicted? Just kidding. I ask because I think writing and coffee go hand in hand. Writers need that caffeine to stay up late and hit those deadlines, to get up early and write before work, or to keep up with a life that includes kids, dogs, and spouses. (Those spouses need attention too!) I know that those days I wake up at five (well before my alarm) I go straight for the deep, dark, rich, jolt of java juice. MMMM.

If you want to lure writers of all types, but particularly romance writers, all you need to do is toss out that invite to a coffee shop. Or show up with chocolate. Hold up a bag of dark chocolate at romance writer’s meeting and see if you get out alive. Authors love lurking at their local coffee shop and there are very specific needs for an author who is trying to write. While writing Little Red Riding Wolf I got my best writing done after work (away from the kids, house, and husband) at my local coffee hang out.

Here’s why when twisting fairy tales and writing about shape shifting lovers I go to my small town coffee shop:

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Interview with author Natalie Wright


What or whom inspired you to become a writer?

I can’t say that there was a person or thing that happened that made me want to be a writer. I just remember that as far back as I can remember it’s what I wanted to do. I’d say, “I want to be an artist and writer when I grow up.” I took a detour into another area, but it’s never too late to pursue your dream ;-) I credit my husband for getting me back into writing. I wouldn’t say that he “inspired” me. It was more like he kicked me in the arse! I kept talking about wanting to write but I didn’t have time, blah, blah, blah – excuse, excuse, excuse. He firmly, but lovingly, told me just do it! He didn’t want to hear about any more stories, he wanted to read them. That was in 2007. I’ve been writing ever since. 

What types of books do you read?

All kinds! I read a lot of YA, especially fantasy and paranormal/magical books. I’m deep into the Game of Thrones right now and loving it! Two of my favorite books over the past couple of years – The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern, and Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, and The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. I also read quite a bit of non-fiction, particularly books that relate to my fiction writing. 

What well-known authors do you admire most?

Oh, so many, and the list changes depending on what I’m reading! I love the Hunger Games, and I admire Suzanne Collins’ ability to write amazing hooks that pull the reader to the next chapter. I’ve recently taken on the challenge of reading the Game of Thrones series and I’ve become a huge fan of George R.R. Martin. I admire his ability to create an incredibly complex world with a complicated plot and viscerably real characters – unparalleled. I also admire John Green. In my opinion, he’s one of the best writers of young adult fiction in our lifetime, maybe ever. My writing is nothing like his, but I admire his craft. And from the old school, I admire Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, both masters of story. 

What were your writing habits while writing Emily’s Trial?

Monday, January 14, 2013

Monday Morning Madness #1 - The Curves of Life


Welcome to my weekly rambling titled "Monday Morning Madness"! I originally planned on writing about my New Years Resolutions, but due to recent circumstances I will save my resolutions for next week.

Life just plain sucks sometimes! The world is going through a continuing financial chaos caused by governments that can't balance a checkbook; the fringe media can't tell the difference between tabloid nonsense and actual news; and you can't go anywhere, not even online, without being insulted by ignorant people.

Personally, the only excitement in my life is when the mail carrier arrives at a decent time. Between my tonsillitis scare, toothaches, the thought of one day of getting glaucoma, my constant sinus dilemma, my on and off again depression, social anxiety, the fear of never finding love and dying alone, I thought God wouldn't dare throw me another curve, but I was mistaken.

Out of the blue, from a complete stranger, I received a message that my birth father, who I have never met, wants to meet me, and I have a half-brother and a half-sister that I never knew existed. Plus, there are several nephews and nieces.

Why is God putting me in this situation? Is he testing me?

Review - OMG I Lost My Job! What Do I Do Now?

OMG I Lost My Job! What Do I Do Now?
By Carolyn Woods
Publisher: CreateSpace
B00ALKFYYG
Pub. Date: December 11, 2012
ISBN: 978-1481207768
ASIN: B00ALKFYYG
Pages: 66
Buy Link: Kindle, Paperback

Review:

Let's face the facts, the world's economy is failing resulting in hundreds if not thousands of job losses everyday and it's not going to improve anytime in the near future. Carolyn Woods has a written an informative handbook for anyone that is unemployed or is afraid of losing their job.

Finding a job is tough, so if you lose your job you should go ahead and start planning your next move. OMG I Lost My Job! What Do I Do Now? can give you a guideline to use as you try to figure out what to do next. One of the first steps is to look into your funds, cut back on a few unwanted items and look into how many days or months you can live off your savings. Finding a temporary paying job as fast as you can is a must while you get your resume ready to send out. If you can't find a job right away, volunteering is great way to spend your time and taking a few college classes would look good to possible employers.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

New Year Book Extravaganza

Welcome to the New Year Book Extravaganza!

We're featuring 15 authors, all with book giveaways AND you'll have a chance to enter at each stop for the $100 Grand prize Giveaway!
  
Meet featured authors and learn more about them and their books on the dates below. You may also enter their giveaways, and read "glimpses" of the books, at any time on the Event Page.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Power Rangers Samurai Morphin Onto DVDs on Tuesday, January 15th!


Back in 1993 the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers debuted on television, which is the US version of the Japanese series Super Sentai. I was in the sixth grade at the time and I didn't even know that the show existed until I was part of a tutoring program for kindergartens, where I was assigned a five-year-old to tutor. All the kid wanted to talk about was the Power Rangers. Eventually I started watching it at 6:30 in the mornings so I could understand what the kid was talking about. I continued to occasionally watch it until the of Power Rangers in Space.

I only recently found out that there was a new incarnation on Nickelodeon. Out of curiosity, I recently reviewed two new DVDs - Power Rangers Samurai: Volume 3 A Team Divided and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Volume 3: Rise of the Bullzooka, which both will be coming out from LIONSGATE on January 15th at the list price of $14.95 each.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Finish the Sentence...


I invited my heroine and hero from my paranormal romance, Kindred of the Fallen, to join me in playing “finish the sentence”. After a bit of negotiating, Serenity and Cyrus both agreed.

I’m thrilled to go first. Finish the sentence- 

1. One book I wish I had written…The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.

2. One food I never eat…okra. Yuck! My husband loves it, but I can’t stand it.

3. One movie from last year that I loved…Magic Mike. Lol! Honestly, I haven’t seen it…yet. My hubby is still deployed so I don’t think he’d mind if I ordered a little eye candy on Netflix. Seriously, I loved The Dark Knight Rises.

4. If I could spend a day with a writer, it would be…Nalini Singh.

5. My favorite scene in my book (tough since I have a few, but will go with my favorite in the first 100 pages): While Serenity and Cyrus are in a deadly struggle with a Kindred suffering from blood rage, their latent powers emerge.

Cyrus, finish the sentence- 

Review - The Lesson

The Lesson
By Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell
Pub. Date: January 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0800719890
ASIN: B009ZC4398
Pages: 304
Buy Links: http://ow.ly/gtVkj   
Blog Tour Link: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/thelesson

Review:

Mary Kate Lapp (or as her family and friends call her, M.K.) is a nineteen-year-old yearning for a mystery in the third and final book in the popular Stoney Ridge Seasons series by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

M.K. plans of leaving her small Amish community comes to a crashing halt as she literarlly crashes her scooter into the schoolteacher, Alice Smucker, causing the old woman to abandon her teaching duties for ten weeks because of her injuries. The Bishop orders M.K. to become the substitute teacher since she was the one that ran into Alice.

The poor girl had recently found the body of a farmer that had been shot to death and she eagerly wants to investigate it, but the authorities, her family and friends tell her not to get involved.

The Friday 56 - Goosebumps Most Wanted: Son of Slappy



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 the Linky at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Review - 21: 2 Experts 1 Goal: 21 Days to Transform Your Body

21: 2 Experts 1 Goal: 21 Days to Transform Your Body
By Daniel Loigerot and Elina Kaminsky Rph. C.N.C. N.D.
Publisher: DL FIT
Pub. Date: August 10, 2012
ISBN: 978-0615680019
ASIN: B009GQGKMQ
Pages: 250

Review:

2013 is upon us and that means people are starting (or attempting) their New Years Resolutions, so basically everyone has regrets of overeating during the holidays and wants to try work off those extra ten pounds in January. Recently I had the chance to review the fitness book 21 Days to Transform Your Body from DL FIT in exchange for my honest review.

Can a person really get into shape in 21 days?

Review - An Angel by Her Side

An Angel by Her Side
By Ruth Reid
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-1595547903
ASIN: B008GVYY8Y
Pub. Date: January 1, 2013
Pages:368

Review: 

The third novel in A Heaven on Earth series centers on an Amish woman Katie Bender who lost hope of getting married when her fiancé died in a sudden accident. Through the grieving process she found that she loved teaching and has spent the last few years teaching the kids at a local schoolhouse, which is until her Amish community of Hope Falls is hit with a tornado. Out of nowhere, Seth Sutzman, rushes to save Katie and her students before the storm hit.

Seth had recently returned to Hope Falls to aid his brother, Amos, who had recently lost his wife. When he didn't expect was to fall in love with the schoolteacher Katie Bender. He volunteers to help rebuild the community and of course the schoolhouse.

Katie is instantly attracted to him, but she fears of letting anyone near her heart again. Mysteriously, the angel Elias comes down from heaven in a mission to help guide Katie and Amos.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Review - GSP's RUSHFIT


If you are just like me, then you've probably made a few New Year's Resolutions. One of the most poplar resolution craze is fitness, due the fact that all the department stores have exercise equipment and accessories on sale, and let’s face it; you'll probably have some guilt over eating that extra piece of fudge at Christmas.

Instead of waiting until after New Year's Day to start a new exercise routine, I wanted to start a new workout program, so I wouldn't have to be feel any guilt about indulging in a few cups of egg nog. I'm a night owl, which means I have seen countless infomercials, where I happen to catch the George St-Pierre's RUSHFIT 8 week- workout program advertisement. Yes, I know that there are many fitness infomercials out there, but RUSHFIT caught my eye as it didn't require any other equipment other than dumbbells (2 lbs - 25lbs), which I already own.

I received the workout program by UPS within a week, packaged in a cardboard box with the RUSHFIT logo printed on it containing the five DVD workouts (Full Body Strength & Conditioning; Abdominal Strength & Core Conditioning; The Fight Conditioning Workout; Strength & Endurance Workout; and the Explosive Power Training), the bonus DVD workouts (Balance & Agility and Stretching For Flexibility), the cardboard box case, 3 workout programs (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), the Nutrition Guide, and the Workout Guide.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Frugal Follies 3rd Anniversary Giveaway

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Starting the New Year with a Fresh Perspective by Mike Glenn

In the story of the prodigal son, Luke uses a curious phrase when the younger son realizes what he has lost and determines to go home. The King James Version translates the phrase, “He came to himself.” That phrase has always fascinated me. How do you come to yourself? Can you set yourself down somewhere and then forget where you left yourself? Actually, it is something like that. We can become so buried under mistakes and failure, stuffed under grief and regret, that we get to the place where we no longer recognize ourselves. But God’s “yes” changes all that. When the Spirit changes our true identity in Christ, we leave behind everything that is false and start walking toward the truth of Christ and who he created us to be.

Changing your mind
Walking away from the lies and destruction of sin is very close to the practical meaning of biblical repentance. It goes far beyond feeling bad about your sin—all the way to literally changing the direction of your life. And to change your life, you have to change the way you think. A change in your life’s direction means you stop fighting the current of God’s grace that flows in your spirit. Now you start flowing with the current of grace. As you reorient your life in the direction of God’s leading, you find your efforts are amplified through the Spirit’s presence in the same way an ocean current enhances the work of a ship’s sails.

Friday, January 4, 2013

The Friday 56 - The Lesson



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 the Linky at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Review - Mysterious Creatures the Game


Growing up an only child, I didn't play very many board games (though I did own many) unless it was with my cousins, my aunt, or when I could talk my parents and grandparents into playing. By the time I started school video games where starting to become popular, therefore I played Super Mario Bros. with my friends.

Now as an adult, I realize the importance of interacting with another player instead of a television or computer screen.

Recently, I had the opportunity to review a new educational game titled Mysterious Creatures the Game, courtesy of Education Outdoors in exchange for my honest review. I received the game by UPS within a few days in a nicely packaged box.

Mysterious Creatures requires up to four players between the ages of 8 and up. There are some small game pieces, so children under the age of three shouldn't be around the game.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

DVD Review - Tiny Toon Adventures Crazy Crew Rescues!

Tiny Toon Adventures Crazy Crew Rescues!
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
ASIN: B009JE18UE
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Retail: $19.97 SRP
Running Time: 369 minutes
Number of discs: 2
Rated: Unrated

The zany Looney Tunes spin-off  is back in Tiny Toon Adventures Crazy Crew Rescues! containing seventeen hilarious episodes (Eps. 67-82) on two discs. The Steven Spielberg produced animated series introduced many new characters such as Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Pucky Duck, Hamton J. Pig, Elmyra Duff, Montana Max, and many others, to whole new generation in the early 1990s. The series was set at Acme Acres, where the characters were enrolled at Acme Looniversity with the occasional cameo appearance by veteran Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and others.

I was a big fan of the Tiny Toon Adventures when I was growing up. I couldn't wait for school to get out so I could run home and watch the newest episode that aired at 4 o'clock in the afternoons. The characters were energetic and at times rude (especially Babs), in which I absolutely loved.

Thanks to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, I can now relive my childhood by watching the newest DVD release, Tiny Toon Adventures Crazy Crew Rescues!, which I received free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

The episodes on the two discs are:

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Learning the Art of Self-Challenge by Jason Jaggard

Through taking healthy risks that make you a better person or the world a better place, you begin to develop a deeper appetite for good. At first it might not be very tasty. Taking even a small risk can be more difficult than it sounds. And that is why we have to practice. We have to develop the skill of challenging ourselves.

We want the act of making healthy choices to become a natural and authentic part of who we are. But before something can become a habit, it often is a hassle. Put another way: if we want new habits to become instinctual, then they must first be intentional. And in order for that to happen, we have to practice the sacred art of self-challenge.

I don’t want to freak you out, but what we’re really talking about is obedience. Obedience to God is the path that leads to Life. It’s the path that transforms you into the person you long to be. And obedience always requires risk.

What’s amazing is that much of our obedience is instinctual. In at least some areas of life, we naturally make healthy choices. We naturally smile at a stranger, or perhaps we have a great work ethic or are naturally curious or easygoing.

Yet we can’t define obedience solely in terms of what comes naturally. Often our greatest moments of obedience come when it is least natural. Perhaps our natural tendency in certain situations is unhealthy or hurtful. Or perhaps what we naturally want to do is nothing, to avoid taking action when action is called for. In these moments we have to choose something else, something we don’t want to do, something that, most likely, will move us into the space of the unknown.

I want to be a person who is able to act—who is able to obey—even when it’s unnatural.