The Brothers Krimm Giveaway Ends Today!

Don't forget to make an entry at the giveaway post!

Rick and Jane Learn How to Listen & Talk Giveway ends today!

Don't forget to put an entry in at the giveaway post!

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Giveaway (ends 1/14)

Publisher's Summary. This thorough, concise, and easy-to-use guide to capturing digital photographs provides an entire step-by-step course for budding digital photographers. All concepts are fully illustrated with sample work by internationally renowned professionals, representing editorial work, photojournalism, and everything in between. Topics covered include essential information for both film and digital photography, such as exposure controls and shutter speed, as well as digital-specific information on image editing, printing methods, and even file storage. The first digital textbook by legendary photography teacher Henry Horenstein, Digital Photography is the best guide yet for aspiring digital photographers, essential both for photographers transitioning from film to digital and those learning the art of photography for the first time.

Giveaway Rules: Today I am giving away TWO copies of this informative guide!

Entry: Comment with your email address in the body of the comment (you can list it as mary123 (at) yahoo(dot)com). If you do not list your email address your entry will not count.

Extra Entries: Sign up to follow my blog (or let me know that you are a current follower); follow me on twitter (DCMetroreader) and on Facebook (Metroreader). NOTE: These extra entries MUST be left in a separate comment or will not count.

The giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.
You must be 18 years of age or older.
NO P.O. Boxes for the winner’s mailing address.
Limit one winner per household regardless of the site won from.

Giveaway ends January 14th. Good Luck!

First Chapter -- First Paragraph -- Tuesday Intros!

Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros. This week's intro is from Angelina's Bachleor's by Brian O'Reilly:

"Perfect," whispered Angelina.

Standing alone in the moonlit warmth of her kitchen, she stroked them each softly in turn an applied the slightest, knowing pressure to each. They were cool to the touch now, all risen to exactly the same height, the same shape and consistency, laid side by side on the well-worn wooden table. The dusky scent of dark chocolate lingered in the air and on her fingers.

Mailbox Monday -- December 12th!

The reason why I love Mondays: Mailbox Monday, this month hosted by Let Them Read Books. Below are the books that I received:

1) In Her Sights by Robin Perini. Publisher's Summary. Jasmine “Jazz” Parker, Jefferson County SWAT's only female sniper, can thread the eye of a needle with a bullet. But she carries a secret from her past that she thought she buried for good at the age of fifteen. Two years ago she even drove away the one man she believed she could love—ex-Army Ranger turned reporter Luke Montgomery—to keep her past hidden. Now, in a fleeting second, the time it takes for one clean shot, one perfect hit, to save the life of the governor's daughter, Jazz's world begins to crumble around her.

Luke splashes her face and name across the front page of the newspaper, reawakening her past with a vengeance. A vicious enemy is now bent on destroying her life, forcing Jazz to turn to the one man she can never have in order to stop a killer before she and everyone she cares about pays the ultimate price. Full of explosive action and almost unbearable suspense, In Her Sights is a relentless, steamy thriller surprisingly infused with soul and poignancy.

2) She Can Run by Melinda Leigh. Publisher's Summary. Elizabeth was a young widow with two small children when she met Congressman Richard Baker. Handsome and wealthy, with a sparkling public image, Richard seemed like the perfect man to provide the security that Beth and her kids were craving. But when she uncovers a dangerous secret about her new husband, Beth realizes he will go to any lengths—even murder—to keep it. After barely escaping with her life, she and her children flee. They eventually make their way to a secluded estate in the Pennsylvania countryside, where Beth dares to hope she has found a safe place at last…

Forced into retirement by an unexpected injury, Philadelphia homicide detective Jack O’Malley is mourning the loss of his career when his uncle abruptly dies, leaving Jack to dispose of his crumbling country house. Unbeknownst to him, his uncle engaged a caretaker just before his death, a mysterious woman with two children and a beautiful face that haunts his dreams. Determined to know her, Jack begins an investigation into Beth’s past. When he uncovers the shocking truth, and a local woman is viciously murdered, Jack puts his own life on the line to keep Beth and her children safe.

She Can Run is a sexy, satisfying debut from award-winning author Melinda Leigh, packed with enough suspense and romance to get even the tamest heart racing!

Thanks to the Publicists!

Winners!

Congrats to the winners of the following giveaways:

Help for Writers:
Laura
Diaryofaneccentric
Jpfgvl

See Mix Drink:
Laura
DOD

The Book of Life:
CarolNWong
Kerrie
Vmkids3

Love and Capital:
Abookishaffair
Jim.coyne2
Tracy Schultz

Five Chiefs:
Bibliophilebythesea
Pbclark
Jgoffice

50 Novica Giftcard Giveaway (ends December 31st)

Still searching for the perfect, unique gift for that certain special someone? Then check out NOVICA, a leading fair trade artisan website, that works with National Geographic to support talented artisans around the world.

Need a special gift for the man in your life? How about a warm, fashionable 100% wool Alpaca scarf? Men's scarves are practical gift that will be worn all winter long. And these wool scarves are sure to be a favorite!

Or how about a pair of men's sterling silver cufflinks? I like these:

Frankly, no matter what you choose you can't go wrong with any of the fabulous options in NOVICA's men's accessories.

And while you are shopping, don't forget yourself! NOVICA has a great assortment of women's accessories too!

Last, but not least, if you are looking to score a little extra cash (and, really, who isn't?) then consider becoming a NOVICA LIVE home consultant. NOVICA LIVE consultants, earn good money while supporting artisans worldwide. Starter kits are only $199 and have over $400 worth of samples and $150 in business materials.

And if you become a Director this year, start packing your bags because you're going to Bali next year! Now how cool is that!

Giveaway Rules: First, you must publicly follow Metroreader to enter this giveaway.

Next, click on one of the links below, tell me what you would buy with a $50 NOVICA Gift Card in that section (e.g. under mens scarves tell me what scarf you would select).

Womens accessories;

Mens accessories;

Mens scarves;

Mens sterling silver cufflinks;

Wool scarves.

Or if you're interested in becoming a NOVICA LIVE consultant click on the link below and tell me what you like about becoming a consultant.

NOVICA Live.

You can click on each link once and leave a comment for a maximum of six entries per person. You must leave each comment separately for it to count.

International followers: this giveaway is probably open to you too. Check here to see if NOVICA ships to your country.

Note: NOVICA does not ship to P.O. boxes.

Giveaway ends December 31st. Good luck!

Disclosure: Gift card provided courtesy of NOVICA. Additionally, while no payment was received for this post, I did receive a NOVICA gift card. All opinions expressed this post are my own.

SUVs Suck in Combat Giveaway (ends January 7th)

Publisher's Summary. In 2004, a special military unit, the Gulf Region Division (GRD), was created to execute a seemingly impossible mission: the rebuilding of Iraq despite a pervasive insurgency. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Kerry C. Kachejian, a West Point engineer officer, was called back to Iraq to head operations. Comprised mostly of civilian volunteers, the inadequately equipped team was rapidlydeployed into combat, bravely fighting its way each day to hundreds of project sites in high speed, unarmored SUVs to complete its strategic national mission. Some did not survive. A chilling and illuminating narrative complete with scores of action photos, SUVs Suck in Combat recounts the hard lessons learned and is a cautionary tale for future generations. This book recently received the annual Literacy Hero Award.

Giveaway Rules. Today I am giving away TWO COPIES of this engaging book!

Entry: For this giveaway, you must be a follower of Metroreader. Comment with your email address in the body of the comment (you can list it as mary123 (at) yahoo(dot)com). If you do not list your email address your entry will not count.

Extra Entries: Sign up to follow my blog (or let me know that you are a current follower); follow me on twitter (DCMetroreader) and on Facebook (Metroreader). NOTE: These extra entries MUST be left in a separate comment or will not count.

The giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.
You must be 18 years of age or older.


Giveaway ends January 7th. Good Luck!

First Chapter -- First Paragraph -- Tuesday Intros!

Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros. This week's intro is from Pure Gold by Holli Pfau:

"I can't see the street addresses," Walter said. He peered through the windshield wipers, while rain pelted down and made the February afternoon even darker.

"Slow down, I think I see her, there on the curb," I said to my husband.

Sure enough, a small, fluffy golden puppy balanced on the curb, tiptoeing through the rain, at the end of a slender blue leash. A young teenager guided her and smiled shyly at us. We parked and stepped forward into our future.

Mailbox Monday -- December 5th

The reason why I love Mondays: Mailbox Monday, this month hosted by Let Them Read Books. Below is the book that I received:

1) A Good American by Alex George. Publisher's Summary. An uplifting novel about the families we create and the places we call home.

It is 1904. When Frederick and Jette must flee her disapproving mother, where better to go than America, the land of the new? Originally set to board a boat to New York, at the last minute, they take one destined for New Orleans instead ("What's the difference? They're both new"), and later find themselves, more by chance than by design, in the small town of Beatrice, Missouri. Not speaking a word of English, they embark on their new life together.

Beatrice is populated with unforgettable characters: a jazz trumpeter from the Big Easy who cooks a mean gumbo, a teenage boy trapped in the body of a giant, a pretty schoolteacher who helps the young men in town learn about a lot more than just music, a minister who believes he has witnessed the Second Coming of Christ, and a malevolent, bicycle-riding dwarf.

A Good American is narrated by Frederick and Jette's grandson, James, who, in telling his ancestors' story, comes to realize he doesn't know his own story at all. From bare-knuckle prizefighting and Prohibition to sweet barbershop harmonies, the Kennedy assassination, and beyond, James's family is caught up in the sweep of history. Each new generation discovers afresh what it means to be an American. And, in the process, Frederick and Jette's progeny sometimes discover more about themselves than they had bargained for.

Poignant, funny, and heartbreaking, A Good American is a novel about being an outsider-in your country, in your hometown, and sometimes even in your own family. It is a universal story about our search for home.

Thanks to Penguin Book Group!

See Mix Drink Giveaway ends today!

This is a must have how to guide, so be sure to get your entry in at the giveaway post.

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers with Pasta Giveaway (ends 12/18)

During the holiday season my family is even busier than usual. And many time crunched evenings I am sorely tempted to swing by the local fast food eatery for a quick fix. Now, however, thanks to Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ Vegetables with Pasta, serving a delicious quick and healthy meal couldn't be easier.

Green Giant has introduced two great new Pasta and Vegetables Varieties:

Macaroni and Cheese Sauce with Broccoli - classic elbow pasta and broccoli in a mouth watering cheese sauce; and

Pasta and Vegetables with Alfredo Sauce – delicious corkscrew pasta with carrots and broccoli in a savory Alfredo sauce.

My family enjoyed the Pasta and Vegetables with Alfredo Sauce for a yummy and fast dinner!


Giveaway: Today, Green Giant and My Blog Spark is offering one Metroreader follower (Note: to enter the giveaway you must publicly follow Metroreader) a Green Giant Prize pack that includes:

2 Green Giant placemats
Broccoli stress reliever
32 oz. serving bowl
Surprise face serving spoon
A VIP coupon for the new Valley Fresh Steamers with Pasta


Mandatory First Entry: Which Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers with Pasta variety are you most excited to try?

Note: You must list your email address in the body of the comment (you can list it as mary123 (at) yahoo(dot)com). If you do not list your email address your entry will not count.

Extra Entries: Follow me on twitter (DCMetroreader) and on Facebook (Metroreader). NOTE: These extra entries MUST be left in a separate comment or will not count.

Giveaway ends December 18th. Good Luck!


Disclosure: To facilitate this posting I received a promotional prize pack as described in this review along with product information from General Mills through MyBlogSpark. No compensation was received for the opinions expressed in this posting.