Little m Long a

Zella is our very own Anton Ego.

“I don’t like that.”

Her typical critique offered at almost every meal.

Regardless.

There’s no go-to meal with the kid.  One day she might ask for seconds or even thirds of a serving of Mac and Cheese.  The next time you serve it — nothing.

“What part don’t you like, Zella?” Ive asked.

(And then making a gesture with her tiny little arm she starts at the top of the plate,) “From here … (and in a sweeping motion brings the arm across the plate to the bottom) … “to here!”

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David Baldacci has written 17 consecutive New York Times Best Sellers.  He has sold books in over 80 countries in 45 languages with upwards of 90 million copies of his works currently in print.  This once lawyer from Virginia turned murder/mystery novelist is a machine!

David Baldacci sells books.  Great books.  Books filled with pages.  Pages of suspense and mystery.  His characters draw you in and leave you wanting more.  Some less. So why, you may be asking yourselves, would David Baldacci need a lowly blogger such as myself singing praises for his newest novel True Blue?

Honestly, he doesn’t.  I just told you, the dude sells books.  But he doesn’t give them away.

I do!!

That’s right, dear reader.  The good folks over at Hachette Book Group have  provided me with an advance copy of Mr. Baldacci’s latest and I am offering it to one of you.  All you’ve got to do is leave a comment to the effect of, “Gee, Ed.  That’s one of the nicest things I’ve heard all morning and I’d be delighted to be considered as a possible candidate to receive a copy of David Baldacci’s newest thriller True Blue.”  Or you could just say, “Ooh, pick me!”

In any case, you comment, you’re in.

Did I mention it’s a signed copy of David Baldacci’s newest thriller True Blue?  No?  Well, it is.  It’s not Baldacci’s signature, it’s mine.  But that still counts as a signed copy.  It’s my little way of saying thanks for reading.

Oh, and on one or more pages within the book you may find some original Crayola artwork.  That’s not Baldacci’s either.  The book has been sitting on my desk for about three weeks and I’ve got several budding artists that can’t be bothered with the restrictive nature of your more typical mediums like canvas, paper or coloring books.

I’ll pick a winner later this week.  Maybe this weekend.  Wait!  It’s Halloween this weekend.  Let’s say Monday—ish.  If you’d like to increase your chances of receiving a copy of True Blue might I suggest you visit any or all of these fine sites:

The Father Life

Booking Mama

IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)

Rude Cactus

DC Urban Dad

Gunfighter

Mitch McDad’s World

Poop and Boogies

A Family Runs Through It

They are also scheduled to host some sort of Baldacci True Blue tribute this week.  Enter to win everywhere you go.

Good luck and happy reading.

(Disclaimer:  Hachette Book Group was kind enough to ask for my participation in the David Baldacci book tour and I was honored to accept.  I have received no remuneration from Hachette, nor do I expect to.  The book I am offering is the copy Hachette sent to me.  It’s a fine read and in excellent condition—except for the Crayola.)

There was a drawing.  An unceremonious selection of two.  There was no band, no cameras, no shouts of joy and no fanfare.  Just a random selection of two names.  There really were no losers–just quite a few people who did not win.  It’s a fine line, but a distinction worthy of noting.

Congratulations Maureen and Pat.

And many thanks to the people at OnlinePosterPrinting.com for sponsoring this little give away.  I must say, my experience with them thus far has been nothing but pleasurable.  Check em out and tell them Ed sent you.

It’s a contest!  Well, not an actual contest where-in Side A pits their
strengths against the weaknesses of Side B with tactical strategy and
physical confrontation, scheming, triple reverse halfback options, hook
and ladders, on-side kicks and Statue of Liberty plays.  Though if
anyone absolutely feels the need, far be if from me to stop you.

Either way, a winner will be selected.

The good people over at Online POSTER Printing
have asked me to host a give-away.  (I guess it’s not really a contest
after all is it?)  Online POSTER Prints is a one stop source for
converting your digital photos into quality Poster Prints, Canvas Prints, Vinyl Banners or even Wall Stickers.  (Think Fat Heads but with your own head.)

Online POSTER Printing specializes in printing high quality posters on premium photo glossy
paper for lasting durability and excellent image color. All of our
custom poster prints are printed at the highest possible quality and we
offer a money back guarantee to prove it. Our image quality is great
for family and personal use, but can equally please any artistic
professional….


Selecting a product is quite simple:

1. Select your desired print size
2. Upload your photo
3. Preview
4. Order

That’s it.  See, simple.

So here’s the deal.  The give away is for a 16 x 20 Poster Print.
All you have to do is say I want it.  Well, you’re actually gonna have
to leave a comment to that effect because I’m fairly certain that if
you just say I want it, I’m not going to hear you.  Next Wednesday
January 27, two (2) winners will be chosen, completely at random with
total disregard to scientific logic, to receive the 16 x 20 Poster
Print.

I’ll either e-mail the winners or post the random non-scientific
drawing here with instructions on how to claim your prize.  Oh, I
should add that the contest is totally free, including shipping, but
that shipping costs to anyone outside of the US and Canada would have to be
paid.  Sorry.

Many of you may have read about this contest over at Whit’s place.  What?  Who’s Whit?  I’m not quite sure that question deserves an answer, rather a swift slap across the face and quite possibly some spittle in the eye!  Whit’s the man–he says so himself.  Anyway, seems Whit has offered a little contest to all five of his readers that offers not one, not two, not three—it goes on–but eleven books.  Real books with pages that are made of real paper (I can only assume paper as I have not actually seen these books myself, nor do I have actual proof that the books are real–but why would Whit lie?).

All you have to do is answer a few simple multiple choice questions, compose a short essay and in no fewer than ten words (no more either) describe why Whit is the man.  I’m about to give you the opportunity of a lifetime.  Why?  Because I care.  It’s what I do.  I’m a carer..er type of caring person that cares about things and people.  Really, I do.  I’m not only going to give you the answers to Whit’s little questionnaire but, by commenting here, I’m going to make you eligible to win Whit’s contest.  That’s right–Whit shall choose 5 winners (yes FIVE) and I shall see to it that FIVE (5) additional lucky duckies have the opportunity to receive all eleven books.  It’s win win here people!

And now, let’s get to those answers.

Question #1:  the answer is TRUE

Question #2:  he’s playing guitar with Band of Gypsys in Paducah, KY every Tuesday night at Earl’s

Question #3:  trick question–again the answer is TRUE

You’re on your own for the essay, however, hint for the bonus–say something about his big feet–he likes that.

Just remember, I’ll pick five winners in addition to the winners chosen by Whit.  Just leave a comment and let me know you want in.  I gotta tell you–with my readership in the low single digits–you’ve got some really good odds here.

Contest closes sometime soon–maybe later but it definitely won’t last forever.  Maybe on Wednesday.  Or Tuesday.

*Oh, I just re-read some rules.  OK the rule.  It’s only good for residents in the US and Canada (I know, a little exclusionary).  Sorry, Brits.  We’ll think of something.

Edit note Wed. June 11–the contest has now been closed and winners have been selected–congrats to Pam, James and Cindi (the only eligible participants.  Well, Whit did comment making him an eligible participant but because he was also running the contest I figured he probably had access to the prizes as well).  Enjoy your books.