Feddie Girl: My Review of a Great New Novel by Nona David

From their website:

FEDDIE GIRL

The international adventure/thriller by Nona David

FEDDIE GIRL is an international adventure/thriller about the experiences of an American teenager in a Nigerian (West Africa) boarding school. This novel offers a unique reading experience--witty, fun, and exhilarating. The masterful suspense, action, and sub-plot will curl your toes, keep you reading all night, and leave you thirsting for more.

Back Blurb:

Carlotta Ikedi (A.k.a Feddie Girl) has never liked school. Not in California. Not in Oklahoma. When her exasperated parents ship her off to boarding school–in West Africa–Carlotta faces a life, culture, and existence unlike anything she’s ever known.

School rules and regulations, rising bell, lights-out, manual labor, inspections, dining time, prefects, punishments, mean bunkmates, and visiting days–it’s all here. But author Nona David takes Carlotta’s story a step further when her adventure’s lead to unfortunate incidents that threaten to drive her American family into the clutches of infidelity and organized crime.

Boarding school doesn’t get any better than this…

For those who have experienced the boarding school life, the adventures of Feddie Girl will bring those memories crashing back… For anyone else, get ready to see the world as Feddie Girl

My take on the book: I couldn't put it down! Really, who would have thought that a book about a Nigerian boarding school would be so interesting? Yet as you start to read about Carlotta and her bunk mates at the school, you get engrossed not so much with how they are different from typical American teenagers but instead by how similar they really are! The language and syntax were a bit hard to follow at times, but it still read well and I can not wait to get to the next chapter to see what happens.

According to the book, there is another novel due out that follows a parallel story about one of the minor characters and it will be interesting to see what she does with that character arc!

You can buy it at Bernard Books or at Amazon

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Give-a Way: Disney on Ice Family 4-Pack to Opening Night at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, New York

Thanks to the folks at Mom Central Daryl, Sarah, Jaymie and I will be attending the opening night of Disney On Ice at the Nassau Coliseum on November 10th, 2009. They have generously provided me with an additional family 4-pack of tickets to give away to one lucky family...maybe that will be you!

Please note: This contest is only good for this date at this location.

This is what they have told me about the show:

Disney On Ice presents Celebrations! is one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends! Enjoy a winter wonderland with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains, a Very Merry Unbirthday Party, a Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses and more in a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe. Come join the party when this spectacular ice show visits your hometown!

Even if you don't win tickets from me, you can still go with the coupon code "MOM" This code is valid for four tickets for $44 for Monday-Friday matinee shows (any additional tickets are still priced at $11), and $4 off Friday night and all weekend shows

I can't wait to tell you all about it! Won't you join me?
If you want to win, here's what you have to do:

(1) You MUST be a follower of this blog publicly ( this will be verified)

AND

(2) you MUST leave me a comment with who your favorite Disney character is.

That's it! Fairly easy! If you want an additional entry comment to any other post on my blog and leave me an additional comment with where you posted.

Note that tickets will be picked up at the " Will Call" window at the venue on the day of the show and proper ID will be needed.

Contest will end on November 4th, 2009 at 11:59pm. Winner will be picked via Random.org and have 48 hours to respond to the winning email with contact information. If winner does not respond in time, an alternate winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I am being provided with a family 4-pack of tickets by Mom Central, but that will not influence my review of the show.

"Once in a Blue Moon" by Eileen Goudge: A Review

Read Any Good Books Lately?

I have and it's called " Once in a Blue Moon" by Eileen Goudge.

Thanks to the One2One Network, I was provided with a copy of this book to read and review.

From the One2One newsletter:

Eileen Goudge is the New York City-based author of The Diary, Domestic Affairs, Woman in Red, One Last Dance, Garden of Lies and Thorns of Truth.

Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls’ mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.


Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.


Neither sister’s expectations are met when they’re finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family.

I found this book to be engaging right from the start. The characters really drew me into the story. As a sister myself, I could really identify with some of the emotions of the two main characters. Much more then a "chic book", it is a story of a bond between two people that supersedes the events that surround them.

It even has it's own website: http://www.onceinabluemoonbook.com which I found to be cool and informative.

If you are interested in purchasing this:


and while you are at it, why not sign up to be a Facebook Fan!

An Update to My Post about the Demi Lovato/David Archuleta Concert

Wishing on a Blog......

Waaay back in August I had posted about my daughter's disappointment with the cancellation of the Demi Lovato/David Archuleta concert. It has been rescheduled for November 1, 2009 (it would have to be the day after Halloween, huh?). The same group consisting of me, my daughter Sarah, her friend Danielle, and my sister Jaymie are rearing to try it again! We made reservations to stay at a hotel and needless to say Sarah is starting to get excited!!!

Soooo...I figured I would put this out in the blog universe and try to create some good vibes. If anyone from the tour is listening, is there any way you could possibly arrange for some swag and/or a meet and greet for the girls? It would be a great way to up my mommy status with my daughter and I would love the chance to do something really special since she will be sixteen on November 22, a few weeks after the concert!

If you are listening out there, please contact me here or via my email at madamerkf at aol dot com.

What harm can a little wishing on a blog do?

The Winner of the Masterlock Pink Branded Lock w/key is.......

kathy pease who said...

following your blog as klp1965 kathy pease

my grandmother had to have a mastectomy years ago
October 15, 2009 3:51 PM

Kathy has been confirmed as the winner and her information has been forwarded to the sponsor.

Congratulations!

and watch my blog for more give-a-ways coming up!

Update to It Works! Body Applicator Review! is now a GIVE-A-WAY!!!!


How do you turn a good review into a great give-a-way? With a fantastic sponsor, of course! After reading my review of the It Works! Body Applicator the sponsor has generously decided to offer the same product I reviewed to one of my loyal readers and commenter's.

Yes, Barbara from It Works! is offering a body wrap ( for the waist, the same one that I reviewed), and here's what you have to do to be in the game:

(1) You MUST be a follower of my blog ( this will be verified)

AND

(2) You MUST visit the It Works! site and tell me one thing about the company that you find interesting

Please leave ONE comment to let me know that you met the above requirements! This is MANDATORY before additional entries can be obtained.

For additional entries:

(1) Follow me on twitter ( this will be verified as well)

(2) Post a comment to any other post in my blog ( this will also be verified). Tell me what post you commented on in a comment here for this give-a-way.

Giveaway ends on October 31, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Winner to be chosen via random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 72 hours to respond with shipping information, or an alternate winner will be chosen. Prize shipped directly from sponsor. US only, please.

A Whole New Way to Shop: Introducing You to "Totsy"

I was recently turned on to a new shopping website for moms and their children called " Totsy ". They feature some of the top brands at a fraction of the retail cost. This is from their website:


*Where the savvy mom shops.

*Totsy offers moms on-the-go and moms-to-be access to brand-specific sales, up to 70% off retail, just for them and the kids, ages 0-7.

*Top brands for mom, baby, and child.

*Prenatal care products, baby gear, travel accessories, bedding and bath, children's clothing, toys, DVDs, and educational materials are just a sampling of a selection that promises only the best in quality and designer brands.

*By invitation only.

*Membership is by invitation or request only. But the sooner you join, the better. *Each sale lasts only 48 to 72 hours.

*100% eco-friendly.

*Totsy is the first company in private sales to take on sustainable and socially responsible initiatives in all areas of business.

*One baby, one tree.
With every purchase you make through Totsy.com, we will plant one tree in the name of your child to help reduce the effects of deforestation. Who says shopping can't save the world?

I am inviting you personally to check it out and tell me what you think. Just go to Totsy, use this link to register and it will automatically fill in that you came from my blog. That's because I get a credit for every purchase you make as your referrer! Good for me, but also oh so good for you too!

It's The People That You Meet While You're Walking Down The Street Looking For a Place To Eat After Seeing Tim McGraw Sing!

I won tickets from iheartradio.com to see Tim McGraw perform in the PC Richard Venue in NYC last night. I took my daughter, Sarah, who enjoys listening to country music almost as much as I do. After waiting in line for over an hour, I was a little dismayed to find myself having no place to sit as the show was apparently " standing only". I almost left because my feet hurt so much but in retrospect I am glad I did not.

Along with about 100 other people we were treated to five or six songs. They were a mixture of old and new material. He was funny as well as entertaining and I felt at times as if he was talking directly to me.

The venue itself did not impress me; no seats, no place to buy food, and no place to put your belongings down. What a nightmare it will be in the middle of a NY winter as people will be wearing heavy winter coats and boots!

As we left the venue with empty stomachs we decided to try to find somewhere to eat. After walking around for awhile we happened on the most darling restaurant. It drew us in with a showing of," Interview with a Vampire". The menu was interesting and varied. What impressed me most was the friendliness of the two wait staff. They turned a quick bit to eat into an intimate dining experience, not only for me, but for Sarah.

The name of this amazing place is Sanctuary T and it is located at 3378 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013. Visit on Tuesday when they have their movie night and tell 'em Wendy sent you!

An Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Third Episode of " The Good Wife", airing tonight on CBS!!!

I have blogged about how great this series is, so if you haven't made the time to check it out, it is still early enough in the series to get a full understanding of the storyline and the characters.

Check out a peek at tonight's episode below:

The Good Wife - Exclusive Sneak Peek! from Beth Feldman on Vimeo.

If you have seen the series, what do you think? Which character do you like best?

Let me know with your comments!

My Review Of "Your Songs"

A New CD by Harry Connick Jr.

Thanks to the wonderful people at the One2One Network I was provided with the new Harry Connick Jr. CD entitled " Your Songs." This is from their newsletter regarding a little background on the man and his music.

Singer, actor, composer, pianist, philanthropist, husband, father – Harry Connick, Jr. is all those things wrapped up in one (handsome!) package.


Harry's been indulging his musical passion since the age of 3, and played publicly for the first time at the age of 6! His career has been studded with awards and recognition, including several multi-platinum and gold albums, 25 million albums sold worldwide, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Awards; Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and so much more.


On his new album entitled Your Songs, Harry performs classic songs by some of the greatest musicians of all time, with a full jazz big band and string orchestra! He collaborated with the legendary Clive Davis, who has managed & guided the careers of so many fantastic musicians (Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson). These songs are the tunes that you always find yourself humming along to when you hear them!

Check out the track list (Originally performed by):


All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

Personally, I am a lover of the old standards and there is something for every taste on this song list. My favorite, however, is " Can't Help Falling In Love With You, originally performed by Elvis Presley. Harry Connick Jr. does the song proud and I could listen to this particular song over and over and still not tire of it at all!

For a behind the scenes look at the making of this album go to http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m22XB2WJ5NXPVL

With the stress filled months of holidays that lie ahead for all of us, who wouldn't relish a few quiet moments just to sit back and relax with some old friends?

It Works! Body Wraps - Ultimate Body Applicator: My Review

A few weeks ago I responded to a post to sign up to do a review of It Works! Body Wraps. I was sent a single application waist wrap to try out.

This is a video that explains how to use this product: http://www.bodyapplicators.com/bestpractices/

What exactly is this product? Well, according to their website it is a 45 minute body slimming applicator that claims to:

-Detoxify, tighten, tone and firm where applied to skin
-Reduce the appearance of unsightly cellulite and skin slackening
-Not water loss
-No pain, bruising or surgery.

I found it relatively simple to use and I was able to lose about 1 1/2 inches from my abdomen over a three day period with no modification to my diet or (non-existent) exercise routine. It was a little messy so I would recommend finding a time when you can be in as few as clothes as possible for about 45 minutes. After applying the wrap, I actually felt my skin tingling and that feeling lasted for quite awhile after the application. I will note here that you will not lose weight with this product, only inches from your trouble area. This makes it a great on the spot product to use when you want to look your best.

This is a picture from the website to demonstrate a typical change in appearance after application of this product:



If you are interested in trying this ( and I suggest you try it for yourself...I welcome any follow up comments to this review) you can go to the It Works! website and place your order. They have a Loyal Customer program which allows you to save on multiple shipments. Information is provided if you are interested in starting your own business selling this as well as their other products.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review but I was provided with a sample of the product at no cost.

Plan the Perfect Party with Electrolux and Kelly Ripa: A Contest to Win an Electrolux Double Wall Oven

The following information is supplied courtesy of MomSelect:

Moms' jobs are hectic year-round and when the holidays arrive, they go into overdrive to create amazing memories for their families. From Halloween celebrations to New Year's fêtes, the months from October through December are packed with opportunities to gather with close friends and family. Luckily, Kelly Ripa and Electrolux ,along with some guest "experts," want to help make your party planning easier and more enjoyable! You'll find exclusive tips, recipes and party planning solutions on the Kelly Confidential site, starting with everything you need to host the ultimate Thanksgiving celebration.


This week, make sure you check out the site for tips from celebrity party planner and lifestyle expert, Colin Cowie.





Cowie is widely known for designing and producing the most spectacular celebrations across the globe and offers ideas for setting the mood for your own occasion. In the following weeks we'll be showcasing some great tips and recipes from some of the best and well known chefs in the culinary industry.

In addition to the great tips and suggestions, you'll also have the chance to win an amazing prize which will be the perfect complement to any holiday celebration! Each week, a top chef or party planner will present three options for an element of the ultimate celebration. You choose your favorite to drop into your party plan and the most popular choice will be entered into the Kelly Confidential community party plan. Every week you come back and select your favorite theme to add to your party plan you are entered to win an Electrolux Double Wall Oven with Perfect Turkey® Button.

Dear Readers, it is really easy to enter this and you might be suprised at some of the great party planning tips that are available.


Go to http://www.kelly-confidential.com and find out yourself!

I did!

Masterlock Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Lock w/Key Give-a-way!



Update to my previous post on Masterlock and their efforts to promote Breast Cancer Awareness: They have contacted me to sponsor a give-a-way of the lock I reviewed in my post. Even better, for this give-a-way there will be three winners!

I'm going to make entering this one fairly simple and easy. To win:

(1) You MUST be a follower of my blog (this will be verified via blogger)

AND

(2) You MUST post a comment telling me if you or someone you know has been affected by this devastating illness.

I will also offer a bonus entry as long as the conditions for the first entry are met. For a bonus entry leave a relevant comment on any other post in my blog and leave me a comment here telling me on which post you left the comment.

That's it! Contest will end October 15, 2009 at 11:59PM EST. Winner(s )will be picked via Random.org. Winner(s) will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond with confirmation and details in order for the sponsor to mail them the prize.
If selected winner(s) does not comply with requirements, an alternate winner(s) will be chosen.

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness by buying these products from Masterlock.

Freshdeals.com.....A Fresh Approach to Meet your Online Shopping Needs

As someone who frequently shops online I am always looking for the best price on the items that I want. I like to use comparison sites to make that task easier, but often find that they are cumbersome to use, out-of-date, or so full of ads and pop-ups that they freeze my computer.

I was recently informed of a new site that promises this: ( from the website)

"Fresh Deals is a refreshing new way for shoppers to find and share the latest online deals. We've spruced up your average shopping experience by offering a mix of fresh features including intuitive search and our thriving Questions & Answers community. Shoppers often have questions regarding the products they want to buy, but product reviews don't always have the answers. Our community of experts can answer a wide range of product questions, strengthening consumer confidence when it comes time to purchase. Never settle for stale shopping again. Start fresh. Shop Fresh Deals."

Highlights of the site include a " Freshest Deal" which highlights a specific item, a Q & A section where you can both ask and answer questions from other users about specific items, and a Deals area which has codes and promotions for a variety of retail sites.

One feature that I really like is the " Freshness" rating of the users who ask and answer questions. It gives me an idea of how much the person actually uses the site and helps me have confidence in what they are suggesting.

Overall, I think this is a good site to bookmark when shopping online. It might help to scan the forums or even post a question before you buy to assist you in making the right product or feature choice.

Let me know if you try it and what deals or advice you encounter!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Two years ago one of my best friends, Lisa, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I held her hand through the initial diagnosis, the surgery, the chemo, and the radiation. I watched her shave off her luxurious golden blonde long hair rather then find clumps on her pillow. I saw her too weak to stand and too sick to her stomach to eat.

She is a survivor, and thus far, cancer free. I strongly support any products that educate and reinforce the need to raise awareness about this devastating illness.

One such product that I strongly support is the Masterlock 1-9/16 inch wide covered pink padlock with a matching pink key. It displays the Breast Cancer Ribbon in silver on the front of the lock. The most important thing is that Masterlock is also donating $15,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The following is directly from the PR Firm which is handling this promotion.






MASTER LOCK SUPPORTS THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER WITH PINK PADLOCK

MILWAUKEE (September 15, 2008) – In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Master Lock, the industry leader in locks and security products, is offering a specially designed pink padlock to raise awareness for breast cancer detection and prevention. Committed to helping people achieve peace of mind by locking up their valuables, the company is also helping to unlock a cure for breast cancer by supporting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® with a $10,000 donation.

“Nearly everyone has been affected by breast cancer in some way, considering the staggering statistic that one woman is diagnosed every three minutes in the United States1,” said John Heppner, president and CEO of Fortune Brands Storage and Security, which includes Master Lock. “By offering the pink padlock, Master Lock continues the company’s tradition of providing innovative security solutions, while helping to keep breast cancer top-of-mind among an important group of consumers who can make a difference in the fight against this terrible disease.”

The pink padlock is available at select mass retailers nationwide, as well as online at www.amazon.com. Each 40-millimeter pink padlock comes with a matching key and is emblazoned with a pink awareness ribbon, the universal symbol of breast health awareness. The suggested retail price is $5.49 for a single-pack and $9.50 for a two-pack.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and genetic research worldwide. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

About Master Lock
Master Lock is the world’s largest manufacturer of padlocks and related security products providing innovative security solutions for home, automotive, campus, power sports, bike and storage security needs for consumers and contractors alike. Master Lock Company L.L.C. is an operating unit of Fortune Brands, Inc., a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $8 billion. Headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) is included in the S&P 500 Index. (www.masterlock.com)

Sources:
1. The American Cancer Society

Personally, I love the idea of " unlocking a cure" and this product is well made and easy to use. It makes a perfect gift for women of all ages. They are also offering other lock products such as combination type locks, bike locks, and luggage locks.

Keep your possessions secure, spread the word about Breast Cancer Awareness, and support this company and it's products.

We Have a Winner in the Bright Brilliant Smile Spinbrush Pro Clean Sonic and Advance White Brilliant Sparkle Toothpaste Give-a-Way!

The winner is, picked via random.org and confirmed via email notice is:

barbara.montyj said...
Something I learned - I took their quiz, what kind of brusher are you.
And they recommended that I use the Spinbrush Pro Clean Sonic

Congrats! Your info has been forwarded to the sponsor, who will be mailing you your prize directly!

Thank you for entering and a new giveaway will be posted soon!