The Friday 56 - Week 210

Welcome to Week 210!

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

I had to share this passage because I certainly wasn't expecting to find it.

As soon as someone entered the restroom, I rattled harder.

"Hey, are you okay in there?" the voice responded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. But my door's jammed."

"Oh, dear, I'll see if I can help." She sounded like an older woman, but I'd take help at any age. Together we pushed, pulled, rattled, and strained.

"Honey, this baby ins't going nowhere," she exclaimed.

I became indignant. "Well, if the door isn't going to budge, I'm coming under!" Without hesitating, I dropped to the floor and stuck my legs under the door.

She gasped. "Ma'am? You're in a cast."

Product Review: Arbonne® RE9 Advanced Extra Moisture Set

I recently had the chance to try the Arbonne® RE9 Advanced Extra Moisture Set provided by a local consultant. As you might recall, I started using Mary Kay® as a teenager. I simply don't purchase them all the time because they are what I call an "unnecessary expense." I'm finding, however, that as I age I need more than the standard store bought product to keep my skin looking healthy.

The RE9 Advanced Extra Moisture Set is an anti-aging product line for women (They also have a men's version). It consists of six products: Smoothing Facial Cleanser, Regenerating Toner, Restorative Day Créme Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen, Night Repair Créme, Corrective Eye Créme, and Intensive Renewal Serum.

I was provided with two days worth of product to try. The instructions are a simple 5-step process twice a day (night créme and day créme being used once each day). The cleanser and toner have a citrus fragrance that I didn't find appealing because I am so sensitive to scents. After using the toner twice, I felt my skin was too tight so I didn't use it the second day.

My skin felt better and looked nicer after the first day of use. I didn't notice any dry patches on my face, which I often get this time of year. By the second day, however, my eyes were swollen and my face felt itchy and hot. The consultant said this was caused by the new use of "active" products on my skin. That's definitely possible, but it could also indicate an allergy to an ingredient or combination of ingredients. I must say I never had that experience with any of my Mary Kay products. If I decided to purchase these products, I would only use them once a day and still hope to gain some benefit.

Having to go through a 5-step process twice a day when I'm already so busy is an issue. There are mornings I am racing out of here by 8:15 and barely have time to put on foundation, so adding this to my morning ritual made it tougher. The largest obstacle to me buying the RE9 Advanced Extra Moisture Set is definitely the cost: a whopping $323. I considered purchasing only the Intensive Renewal Serum, but even that is $58 for one fluid ounce of product.

The company states it formulates without: animal products or by-products, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and artificial colors--just to name a few. There is a list of ingredients found in the back of the product catalog. While looking up information on Arbonne, I came across this 2013 article that disputes the purity of the company's products.

At the end of the day, while I enjoyed testing these products, my early negative reaction and the cost will keep me from becoming a regular customer.


This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

 

Wordless Wednesday

One Last Hurrah Book Blast - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Title: One Last Hurrah ... Making Peace and a Difference
Authors: Mark and Brenda Smith
Genre: Inspirational / Christian / Self-Help
Publisher: MicroPress Books
Publication Date: September 21, 2014
ISBN: 978-0578150604

One Last Hurrah allows the reader to experience a story of inspiration, inject their own experiences, unlike other books, so that the reader documents their own life story.

This is, not only, a book about a former professional wrestler overcoming loss, but his journey in finding purpose and peace. The book, One Last Hurrah, documents medical miracles, overcoming abuse and experiences with drug addiction. Mark and Brenda , both, come from broken homes and have found their calling in life working with youth/children for over 15 years.

Having come from divorce, Mark and Brenda had to decide if they were going to break the family cycles of abuse. They dedicated themselves to helping abused and abandoned children. They have been foster parents for several years and open their home to students who have no where to go. For them to understand their purpose, they had to go through a lot of trials. Mark has suffered mini strokes and multiple concussions from a career in professional wrestling. He had to make peace with the father that instilled a childhood of fear. Brenda witnessed Mark and his brother burying their father with shovels and the nightmares Mark would endure. Later, Mark and several of his friends would develop equipment and would be taken to Capitol Hill. He found himself working with military leaders from all over the world. When Mark wanted to give up on living, doors opened!

Book Excerpt:

Chapter One: The Lowest Point in My Life

I walked into our apartment and called out her name. There was no answer. I began the search; I found her in our bed, face down. I knelt on the bed and gently turned her over on her back. I called her name again, and this time she began what I couldn’t decipher was laughing or crying. Whatever it was, it scared the living heck out of me.

Had I driven her over the edge? I accept total responsibility for whatever was happening to her. I know that I was no good for anyone. She would not respond to me; so I went to the other room and sat on the couch and cried. What have I done to her? Whatever was going on with her, I know I was the cause of it.

As I sat there and cried, she came walking into the room and calmly said, “We’re finished.” I looked up at her, staring blankly at this woman whom I loved (but apparently not in the way she needed to be loved). I felt like a loser, not something that a professional wrestler ever wanted to feel. I slowly got up and walked to the door. I looked back at her, lowered my head, and walked out the door.

I went for a drive to try to absorb what she had just said. Her words kept ringing in my head. “We are finished.” I can’t say that I don’t understand. I do. Our world was ridden with booze, drugs, verbal and mental abuse. I couldn’t think straight.

Purchase Book at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Last-Hurrah-Mark-Brenda-Smith-ebook/dp/B00NT8KCTY

God has rebuilt Mark's life with his wife, Brenda, of 22 years. Having never thought he was worthy of being a father, Mark and Brenda have been blessed with three wonderful kids. Mark was diagnosed to lose his ability to walk by age 18. He not only beat the odds, but was invited to Spring Training with several Major League clubs and ended up traveling the U.S. working for Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling.

Brenda has been a Children's Minister for almost 15 years and also loves to lead Women's Bible studies. She has also been a worship leader for Women's Ministry Events. She enjoys singing Contemporary and Southern Gospel music.

Mark, Brenda and their children make their home in Fayetteville, TN.

Visit Mark and Brenda online at www.onelasthurrahweb.com

Contact Mark and Brenda at:
Website: www.onelasthurrahweb.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Brenda-Smith/580166418759709
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mark_Brenda2014

Contest Giveaway

Pump Up Your Book and authors Mark and Brenda Smith are teaming up to give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive the prize.

• This giveaway begins November 28 and ends on January 30, 2015.

• Winner will be contacted via email on February 1, 2015.

• Winner has 72 hours to reply.

• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Soul Painter by Cara Luecht

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingSoul PainterWhiteFire Publishing (March 15, 2014)byCara Luecht



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author:

I never planned to be a writer. In fact, it took me a while to finish college. But I did, and here I am. And I now I can’t imagine not being a writer.

By day, I am an English Instructor at MATC, Marketing Manager for Degnan Design Builders, Inc., mother to four amazing children, wife to an eternally patient and supportive husband, and Worship Leader for Living Hope Fellowship in Sun Prairie, WI. In the evening, when I can squirrel away some quiet time, I read and write historical fiction.

I have a B.A. in English Lit. from UW Whitewater and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.

If you have a question for me, or if you are local and would like me to stop by your book club or writer’s group, please drop me a line via the “Ask the Author” tab. I always love the opportunity to meet with others who share my love of books.




ABOUT THE BOOK

Miriam paints the future…but can she change it?

Chicago – 1890

Miriam watches the people jostle their way below the windows of her warehouse home, never thinking to look up at her as she paints their faces. But Miriam's gift as an artist goes beyond a mere recording of what is: Miriam paints their futures. Only once was she wrong. One woman doesn't match the future Miriam saw. The bright girl was supposed to grow into a respected businesswoman. Instead, Ione disappears nightly into the shadowed alley next to the cathedral with the other prostitutes. Then one night, while walking through the city fog, Miriam finds Ione broken and beaten. Miriam is forced to open her home to the stranger whose face she knows so well and open her life to change she never could have foretold. Women are missing—some found floating in the river, some never seen again. The deacon from the cathedral is the first to help. Soon Miriam’s solicitor, Michael, aids her in rejoining society so they might uncover the evil at work in the corrupt city...and awakens feelings she had never considered before. Finally engaged with the world she has so long observed, finally stirred by love and friendship, Miriam realizes the responsibility of her gifting. No longer can she just paint what will be. She must now help Ione find the future she is meant to have...and find her own along with it.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Soul Painter, go HERE.

Mailbox Monday - Jan 12

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Well, I missed last week, but here I am again. Working is really cutting into my reading time. Bummer.

I didn't receive any new titles, but I did pick up a couple of Kindle freebies.

A Sweet and Clean Western Historical Romance about Mail-Order Brides set in Montana.

Emma Byrne grew up in a Catholic orphanage in Boston, and her prospects are limited. She and her group of girlfriends, who all met in the orphanage, are barely getting by, working as nannies, cooks, and live-in maids for rich families. When Emma's employer, Gerald, threatens her with losing her job if she doesn't submit to his very unwanted advances, she stumbles onto an opportunity to be a mail-order bride and decides that couldn't possibly be worse.

Except that the groom in question had no idea that his brother sent for a wife. When Emma shows up, at the train station in Bozeman, MT, it's her groom's brother, Joshua that is there to greet her. As it turns out, Ethan is furious that his brother went behind his back and sent for a wife. He's still grieving from the unexpected death of his wife Allison only a year earlier, and spends all his time when he's not working, being a good dad to his only child, Emily, who is three.

Montana is hugely different from Boston, and Emma is surprised that she immediately falls in love with the area. Though taken aback at first to discover that Ethan wasn't aware that she was coming, she's secretly relieved to have a little time to get to know him and her new home. She is also quite fascinated by his family. Ethan is the oldest of ten, and eight of them are brothers, and except for Joshua, all are single. Emma has an urge to play matchmaker, and in book two, her best friend, Julia comes West to meet the brothers.

NOW OPTIONED FOR FILM!

A Cult. A Murder. A Curse.

At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, a pariah after a string of unsolved murders with only one thing in common: her.

Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous.

One of them is a man named Charles, who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that might help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him.

The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampires, ghosts, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.

That last one isn't my typical reading fare, but I like to try new things.

What did you find in your mailbox?

Coming January 26th and 27th!: PBS KIDS PREMIERES SPECIAL DOWNTON ABBEY-INSPIRED EPISODE OF ARTHUR

- Join Arthur and his friends for a drama-filled adventure airing January 26 on PBS KIDS and available on DVD January 27 -

Boston, MA and Arlington, VA, January 8, 2015 – Ever wonder what secrets and stories your family history holds?  This is the question posed to everyone’s favorite aardvark and his friends in “Fountain Abbey,” an all-new, Downton Abbey-inspired episode of ARTHUR, premiering January 26 on PBS KIDS (check local listings). “Fountain Abbey” will also be available on DVD January 27 through PBS Distribution.

In the drama-filled “Fountain Abbey,” Muffy finds herself absolutely devastated when she learns her great-great grandmother, Mary Alice, wasn’t royalty at all.  She was a common maid – oh, the indignity!  However, through reading Mary Alice's diary, Muffy is transported back in time to the famous English estate where her ancestor worked. There she discovers the surprising story behind her humble roots.

"An abbey in jeopardy, a lady's maid causing trouble, and the Dowager Countess unimpressed by all. Sound familiar? We hope ‘Fountain Abbey’ will be a show the whole family can enjoy together!" says Carol Greenwald, senior executive producer of ARTHUR.

“PBS is committed to engaging families with content that is educational and entertaining and this new episode of ARTHUR is no exception. ’Fountain Abbey’ promises to delight not only children, but an entire generation of ARTHUR fans that grew up with the series and can appreciate the humor and fun of the DOWNTON ABBEY-inspired references,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Media, PBS.

The “Fountain Abbey” story is paired with “Arthur Calls It,” a story in which Arthur must deal with peer pressure from his classmates, causing him to doubt his decision to call his best buddy Buster “out” during a baseball game. Is that a foul play, or should Arthur stick to what he believes is right?

The week of ARTHUR continues with funny storylines about everyday life and tongue-in-cheek homages to The Wizard of Oz and The Tell-Tale Heart. In each episode, the characters learn valuable lessons about honesty, empathy, and determination.

Produced by WGBH, the Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series ARTHUR explores childhood challenges with heart and humor, while teaching problem-solving and pro-social skills. On the ARTHUR website, kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers can access a variety of fun and educational games, lesson plans, and activities. Families can also keep up with Arthur and his friends on the new ARTHUR Family Health Website — a resource that helps caregivers and children build and maintain healthy living habits.

For images, episode descriptions, and more information on ARTHUR, visit PBS PressRoom.

DVD Information

Title: “Arthur: Fountain Abbey”

Run Time: Approx. 56 minutes

SRP: $6.99

“Arthur: Fountain Abbey” DVD, available January 27, includes the following four stories:

“Fountain Abbey” – Muffy’s devastated when she learns her great, great grandmother Mary Alice wasn’t royalty, but a common maid. The indignity! However, Mary Alice’s old diary reveals a more interesting story.

“Arthur Calls It” – Pressure from his classmates has Arthur doubting his decision to call Buster out during a baseball game. Will he succumb to peer pressure, or stick with what he believes is right?

“Whip. Mix. Blend.” – When Rattles’s mom starts dating Archie Vanderloo, Rattles finds himself spending lots of time with Archie’s kids. The problem is, Rattles doesn’t have anything in common with these twins! Can this blended family learn to get along?

“Staycation” – Arthur offers to babysit so that his parents can enjoy some peace and quiet in the backyard. What could go wrong? With D.W. on the loose…just about everything!

DVD Special Features: Printable coloring pages and activities.

About ARTHUR

ARTHUR, based on the best-selling books by Marc Brown, is television's longest-running children’s animated series. Over the past 18 seasons, ARTHUR has remained one of the highest-rated weekday children’s series on PBS among children 4-8. ARTHUR has won numerous awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA, and seven Daytime Emmys®-four for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program. ARTHUR is produced by WGBH Boston and 9 Story Entertainment. Executive producers are Carol Greenwald (WGBH), Vince Commisso (9 Story), and Marc Brown (Marc Brown Studios). Directed by Greg Bailey. Funding for Arthur is provided by public television viewers. Corporate funding is provided by Chuck E. Cheese’s®. For more information, visit pbskids.org/arthur and follow ARTHUR on Facebook and Twitter.

About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the web. Television channels include WGBH 2, WGBX 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH Boston Public Radio; 99.5 WCRB; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. Find more information at wgbh.org.

About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile, and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math, and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About PBS DISTRIBUTION

PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, extending the reach of these programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.

PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’ films, documentaries from award-winning series such as NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as films from independent producers and popular children’s programming. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution offers consumers high-quality content in multiple formats including DVD, Blu-ray, digital download, and digital streaming. PBS Distribution is also a leading source for factual content for international broadcast, cable and satellite services.

Contacts

Mandy Miller, WGBH, 617-300-5334, mandy_miller@wgbh.org
Maria Vera, PBS KIDS, 703-739-3225, mvera@pbs.org