Audio Book Giveaway - The Concise King

For the first time, an edition of Martin Luther King's most important speeches and selected sermons are assembled and available on CD as a value-priced edition. Hachette Audio believes that the timeless message of King, in his own words and voice, are essential listening for any American and for any world citizen interested in American history, social justice, or non-violent protest. We hope to make these incredibly momentous speeches, extraordinary historical documents, accessible to an even wider population via this affordable offering.

Edited by Clayborne Carson, read by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Edward M. Kennedy, Andrew Young, and various other readers.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 26
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 27
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Audio Book Giveaway - Cleaving By Julie Powell

Julie Powell thought cooking her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking was the craziest thing she'd ever do--until she embarked on the voyage recounted in her new memoir, CLEAVING.

Her marriage challenged by an insane, irresistible love affair, Julie decides to leave town and immerse herself in a new obsession: butchery. She finds her way to Fleischer's, a butcher shop where she buries herself in the details of food. She learns how to break down a side of beef and French a rack of ribs--tough, physical work that only sometimes distracts her from thoughts of afternoon trysts.

The camaraderie at Fleischer's leads Julie to search out fellow butchers around the world--from South America to Europe to Africa. At the end of her odyssey, she has learned a new art and perhaps even mastered her unruly heart.

After a misspent youth involving loads of dead-end jobs and several questionable decisions, Julie Powell, author of Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, has found her calling as a writer-cum-butcher. She lives in Long Island City, Queens, when she isn't in Kingston, NY, cutting up animals.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 25
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 26
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Audio Book Giveaway - Dear John By Nicholas Sparks

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else.

Nicholas Charles Sparks is an internationally bestselling American author, writing novels with themes that include Christianity, love, tragedy and fate. He has fifteen published novels, four of which have been turned into films, including The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and Nights in Rodanthe. Movies are expected in 2010 for two more books, The Last Song and Dear John.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 24
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 25
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Audio Book Giveaway - Hollywood Moon By Joseph Wambaugh

There's a saying at Hollywood station that the full moon brings out the beast--rather than the best--in the precinct's citizens. One moonlit night, LAPD veteran Dana Vaughn and "Hollywood" Nate Weiss, a struggling-actor-turned cop, get a call about a young man who's been attacking women. Meanwhile, two surfer cops known as Flotsam and Jetsam keep bumping into an odd, suspicious duo--a smooth-talking player in dreads and a crazy-eyed, tattooed biker.

No one suspects that all three dubious characters might be involved in something bigger, more high-tech, and much more illegal. After a dizzying series of twists, turns, and chases, the cops will find they've stumbled upon a complex web of crime where even the criminals can't be sure who's conning whom.

Wambaugh once again masterfully gets inside the hearts and minds of the cops whose jobs have them constantly on the brink of danger. By turns heart-wrenching, exhilarating, and laugh-out-loud funny, Hollywood Moon is his most thrilling and deeply affecting ride yet through the singular streets of LA.

Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD detective sergeant, is the bestselling author of 18 prior works of fiction and nonfiction, including The Choirboys and The Onion Field. In 2004, he was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. He lives in southern California.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 23
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 24
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Audio Book Giveaway - The Imperial Cruise By James Bradley

In 1905 President Teddy Roosevelt dispatched Secretary of War William Taft, his gun-toting daughter Alice and a gaggle of congressmen on a mission to Japan, the Philippines, China, and Korea. There, they would quietly forge a series of agreements that divided up Asia. At the time, Roosevelt was bully-confident about America's future on the continent. But these secret pacts lit the fuse that would-decades later-result in a number of devastating wars: WWII, the Korean War, the communist revolution in China.

One hundred years later, James Bradley retraces that epic voyage and discovers the remarkable truth about America's vast imperial past-and its world-shaking consequences. Full of fascinating characters and brilliantly told, THE IMPERIAL CRUISE will forever reshape the way we understand U.S. history.

James Bradley is the author of the NYT bestsellers Flyboys and Flags of Our Fathers and the son of one of the men who raised the American flag on Iwo Jima. He lives in New York.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 22
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 23
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Audio Book Giveaway - I, Alex Cross By James Patterson

You can't run

Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim.

You can't hide

The hunt for her murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain--they will do anything to keep their secrets safe.

Alex Cross is your only hope to stay alive

As Alex closes in on the killer, he discovers evidence that points to the unimaginable--a revelation that could rock the entire world. With the unstoppable action, unforeseeable twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that only a James Patterson thriller delivers, I, Alex Cross is the master of suspense at his sharpest and best.

James Patterson is one of the bestselling writers of all time, with more than 160 million copies of his books sold worldwide. He is the author of the two most popular detective series of the past decade, featuring Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club. He has won an Edgar Award--the mystery world's highest honor--and his novels Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider were made into feature films. His lifelong work to promote books and reading is reflected in his new website, ReadKiddoRead.com, which helps parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians find the very best children's books for their kids.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 21
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 22
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Audio Book Giveaway - David Sedaris: Live For Your Listening Pleasure

If you were lucky enough to have caught a performance on David Sedaris's most recent sold-out, 34-city tour, you already know that David Sedaris Live For Your Listening Pleasure is a must-have album! If you didn't hear it live and in person, then you're in for a treat-hilarious brand-new recordings from performances in Denver, New York, Durham, LA, and Atlanta, in one convenient audiobook collection, on sale November 24 for only $17.98.

From the bold feral rabbits of his French backyard to the eating habits of a carnivorous bird Down Under, Live For Your Listening Pleasure takes listeners on a veritable tour of natural wonders, beginning with a fable, "Cat and Baboon," and moving on to the peculiarly American habitat of the "big-box" store."

Sedaris's sparkling essays always shimmer more brightly when read aloud by the author. And his expert timing, mimicry and droll asides are never more polished than during live performances in front of an audience."

Track Listing:
1: Cat and Baboon (Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado)
2-5: Author, Author (Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City)
6-8: Innocence Abroad (Durham Performing Arts Center, in Durham, North Carolina)
9-13 Laugh, Kookaburra (Royce Hall, UCLA in Los Angeles, California)
14-16: Diary Entries (Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia)

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 20
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 21
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD

Book Giveaway - Prime-Time Health By William Sears, M.D.

Twelve years ago, renowned physician and author Dr. William Sears was diagnosed with cancer. He, like so many people, wanted-and needed-to take control of his health. Dr. Sears created a comprehensive, science based, head-to-toe program for living a long, fit life-and it worked.

Now at the peak of health, Dr. Sears shares his program in PRIME-TIME HEALTH. This engaging and deeply informative book will motivate readers to make crucial behavior and lifestyle changes. Dr. Sears explores how to keep each body system healthy and delay those usual age-related changes.

William Sears, MD, has practiced pediatrics for more than 30 years, and is an associate clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Martha Sears is a registered nurse, childbirth educator, and parenting and health consultant. They are the authors of more than 30 books and live in southern California.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 19
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 20
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD

Book Giveaway - A Good Talk By Daniel Menaker

A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation.

Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most excusively human of all activities."

In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation.

Daniel Menaker has been a part of America's life of letters for almost forty years. As a writer, he has met and talked to thousands of people about their work and their lives. He is widely read and well versed in psychological literature and practices and, as an editor at Random House, has had countless meetings and other exchanges with writers, agents, public figures, and ordinary people. His own writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Slate; he lives in New York with his wife and their two children.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 18
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 19
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD

Book Giveaway - Beyond Blue By Therese Borchard

Therese Borchard may be one of the frankest, funniest people on the planet. That, combined with her keen writing abilities has made her Beliefnet blog, Beyond Blue, one of the most trafficked blogs on the site.

BEYOND BLUE, the book, is part memoir/part self-help. It describes Borchard's experience of living with manic depression as well as providing cutting-edge research and information on dealing with mood disorders. By exposing her vulnerability, she endears herself immediately to the reader and then reduces even the most depressed to laughter as she provides a companion on the journey to recovery and the knowledge that the reader is not alone.

Comprised of four sections and twenty-one chapters, BEYOND BLUE covers a wide range of topics from codependency to addiction, poor body image to postpartum depression, from alternative medicine to psychopharmacology, managing anxiety to applying lessons from therapy. Because of her laser wit and Erma Bombeck sense of humor, every chapter is entertaining as well as serious.

Therese Borchard is the author of hit daily blog "Beyond Blue" on Beliefnet.com, one of the most popular columns on the site. Her blog appears weekly on The Huffington Post, and she is becoming a top go-to expert in pop psychology. Her work has recently been cited in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Her work has been featured in salon.com, Psychology Today, Real Simple, Redbook, Parenting, More and Ladies Home Journal.

Borchard writes a syndicated column for the Catholic News Service and is a regular guest on Sirius Satellite Radio. She is the author of I Love Being a Mom (a Target selection) and co-author of I Like Being Catholic. She resides in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband and two young children.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 17
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 18
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD

Book Giveaway - Totally Toned Arms By Rylan Duggan

Totally Toned Arms (Get Michelle Obama Arms in 21 Days) By Rylan Duggan

Once Barack Obama joined the presidential race and attended events with wife at his side, the media, bloggers, and people everywhere started buzzing about Michelle's toned arms--and asking how on earth she does it. Even at the Presidential Inauguration, much of the talk was about Michelle's amazing arms. Media outlets from GMA to CNN to MSNBC have covered the story, inspiring women across the country to call their personal trainers and say, "I want Obama arms!"

Certified personal trainer Rylan Duggan, creator of the successful (and pricey, at $70 each!) e-book series Go Sleeveless!, constantly gets calls from clients and reporters asking for the training secrets behind Michelle's arms. Duggan is the expert quoted in much of this coverage, and in FIGHT ARM FLAB, he offers his 21-day program to get those sleek and sexy arms.

In this low-priced paperback, Duggan reveals the program (combining strength training and cardio) including a 7-day jumpstart maintenance plan, and essential diet secrets designed to shed fat and reveal toned muscle, plus 50-60 black and white photos throughout to illustrate. This is a simple program that anyone can do, no matter what their fitness level, at home and with little equipment. With this series of 25 easy exercises, anyone can have Obama arms--in a matter of weeks!

Rylan Duggan RK, BHK, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, is the creator of the Go Sleeveless! blog and e-book series, and creator of Adonis Fitness, the health and fitness consulting company specializing in women's body sculpting. Duggan is widely quoted in the "Obama arms" press. He lives in British Columbia.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - Please comment on why you want this book.
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 16
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 17
• Winners have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD

Review - Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership By Tim Irwin

Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership. Tim Irwin Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2009. Hardcover. 240 pages. ISBN 159555274X. $24.99.

This book tells the story of how six previously successful CEOs failed their high profile companies, in other words, got “derailed”. According to the author, Derailment, has its origin in character flaws, and the prescription to cure these is self-awareness, taking responsibility, and, above all, humility.

The six CEOs are: Robert Nardelli (Home Deport), Carly Fiorina (HP), Durk Jager (P&G), Steven Heyer (Starwood), Fran Raines (Fannie Mae) and Dick Fuld (Lehman Brothers).

Robert Nardelli dictatorially micromanaged Home Depot to the extent that executive turnover reached 98 percent. Nardelli failed to respond this signal that something might be awry with his management style. At Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina created a culture of criticism and blame. The only person who could not be criticized was Fiorina herself — despite the fact that her management of a merger with Compaq failed to produce the promised results. She was replaced after she started browbeating her own board.

Durk Jager tore into Procter and Gamble with the aggression of one who believes he is always right — except that he wasn’t always right. Steven Heyer resigned as Starwood Hotels CEO rather than face an inquiry into naughty emails he was alleged to have sent to a female employee.

Frank Raines, CEO at Fannie Mae, failed to take responsibility for the accounting irregularities at Fannie Mae under his leadership thus destroying an entire industry. Dick Fuld fought his way to the top of Lehman Brothers, which promptly collapsed.

A website that accompanies this book offers to assess your personal risk of becoming one of the fallen mighty.

I received this book from the Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program at: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/.

Book Giveaway - Exit Music by Ian Rankin

It's late in the fall in Edinburgh and late in the career of Detective Inspector John Rebus. As he is simply trying to tie up some loose ends before his retirement, a new case lands on his desk: a dissident Russian poet has been murdered in what looks like a mugging gone wrong. Rebus discovers that an elite delegation of Russian businessmen is in town, looking to expand its interests. And as Rebus's investigation gains ground, someone brutally assaults a local gangster with whom he has a long history.

Has Rebus overstepped his bounds for the last time? Only a few days shy of the end to his long, controversial career, will Rebus even make it that far?

Ian Rankin is a #1 international bestselling author. Winner of an Edgar Award and the recipient of a Gold Dagger for fiction and the Chandler-Fulbright Award, he lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife and their two sons.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - just say "I like Music"
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 13
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 14
• Winners have 24 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD

Book Giveaway: 7th HEAVEN By James Patterson, Maxine Paetro

The Women's Murder Club faces not one-but two-terrifying cases that may tear it apart. The teenage son of California's ex-governor has mysteriously vanished-and the pressure on Detective Lindsay Boxer to find him is overwhelming.

When she finally does get a lead, it's devastating. At the same time, Lindsay and her partner, Rich Conklin, must investigate mysterious fires that are destroying some of San Francisco's most beautiful homes-and leaving their owners dead in the debris. But when Lindsay enlists her friends in the Women's Murder Club to help uncover the arsonist, the blazes suddenly rage much too close to home

James Patterson is one of the world's most popular and successful authors. He lives in Florida and New York.

The reading group guide is located at http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780316017701_ReadingGroupGuide(1).htm

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - just say "I like Heaven"
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till December 12
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on December 13
• Winners have 24 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD

Review: One Hundred Butterflies By Harold Feinstein and Fred Gagnon

This is one beautiful book. I was very impressed at the quality of the book. It is has 128 pages of which 100 are the butterflies. My first impression when opening this book was amazing, as it displays the butterflies against a black background... it is breathtaking.

Each butterfly was photographed against a black background which brings its beauty out quite clear. You can see even the transparency of the wings in some of the butterflies. The book also has an index on page 127 that has the common and official names for each butterfly.

I also liked that every few pages, the author adds some words written about butterflies that tie in quiet nicely with the book. My favorite one was on page 107 by Hans Christian Adersen, from "The Butterfly"

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower for a companion."

This is a great coffee table book for those who love nature and photography.

Thanks to Hachette for the opportunity to review this book.

ENDED Book Giveaway - The Gate House By Nelson DeMille

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille delivers the long-awaited follow-up to his classic novel The Gold Coast.

When John Sutter's aristocratic wife killed her mafia don lover, John left America and set out in his sailboat on a three-year journey around the world, eventually settling in London. Now, ten years later, he has come home to the Gold Coast, that stretch of land on the North Shore of Long Island that once held the greatest concentration of wealth and power in America, to attend the imminent funeral of an old family servant.

Taking up temporary residence in the gatehouse of Stanhope Hall, John finds himself living only a quarter of a mile from Susan who has also returned to Long Island. But Susan isn't the only person from John's past who has reemerged: Though Frank Bellarosa, infamous Mafia don and Susan's ex-lover, is long dead, his son, Anthony, is alive and well, and intent on two missions: Drawing John back into the violent world of the Bellarosa family, and exacting revenge on his father's murderer--Susan Sutter.

At the same time, John and Susan's mutual attraction resurfaces and old passions begin to reignite, and John finds himself pulled deeper into a familiar web of seduction and betrayal.

In THE GATE HOUSE, acclaimed author Nelson Demille brings us back to that fabled spot on the North Shore -- a place where past, present, and future collides with often unexpected results.

Nelson DeMille is the author of By the Rivers of Babylon, Cathedral, The Talbot Odyssey, Word of Honor, The Charm School, The Gold Coast, The General's Daughter, Spencerville, Plum Island, The Lion's Game, Up Country, Night Fall, and Wild Fire. He also co-authored Mayday with Thomas Block and has contributed short stories, book reviews, and articles to magazines and newspapers. His newest book, THE GATE HOUSE, is the much-awaited follow-up to his beloved novel The Gold Coast and will be released in October 2009.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - just say "I look at Gates"
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till November 22
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on November 23
• Winners have 24 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - cathyandharold, wandapanda, mittens0831, erma.hurtt, letessha

Review - How to Lower Your Cholesterol With French Gourmet Food: A practical guide By Alain Braux

If you read the newspapers or hear the news there is cholesterol epidemic in the United States. Chef Alain Braux has created a wonderful cookbook that will help you eat better while having gourmet food.

When I saw the title I though that French Food was loaded with creamy sauces, lots of butter -- thing that you must avoid if you have cholesterol problems. I was surprised when Chef Braux stated that he had lowered his cholesterol by following his "french" diet.

Chef Braux designed this book as a practical guide. It is a nutrition/cookbook hybrid. It contains a great deal of nutrition information specifically targeted on lowering serum cholesterol and recipes to help you apply this information. He explains what is cholesterol and uses himself as an example. The best part is that he suggests what kinds of food you should eat and which ones to avoid.

Chef Braux shows you how to pick your food. We all think we know how to pick food but in this cookbook he explains how vegetable should look before you buy them. For every piece he explains clearly how to pick your food the right way. He then proceeds to tell you how to cook the vegetables the right way.

I also like Chef Braux explanation of cooking terms, such as: Blanching - To blanch vegetables, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, drop them in the water, bring the water back to a boil and cook for no longer than one minute or until they turn bright green.

Since I am not a great cook, I decided to try a simple recipe. The one I chose was Muffins Fondants aux Noix (Tender Walnut Muffins). It was an easy recipe to prepare and bake. I LOVED them. When you get this book, try them, these muffins will become a staple in your household.

This is one cookbook that I would recommend that you add to your collection.

ENDED Book Giveaway: Girl on Top By Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams is the tell-it-like-it-is career expert who you wish could fight your work battles for you. But with her ingenious approach-taking the tactics used to land a man and applying them to your career-you'll be able to handle any work situation and come out on top. Here, Nicole introduces twenty tried-and-true dating rules such as "Don't Give Away the Milk for Free" and "Don't Waste the Pretty" and reveals how they can be applied just as effectively in the office.

Other strategies include:

• Keep It Brief
• Don't Bash Your Ex
• Have Others Sing Your Praises
• Play Hard to Get
• Keep the Fire Alive
• Be Willing to Walk Away

Among other topics, Nicole dishes on how much to reveal at work as well as what to put up with from your boss (and, more importantly, what not to). She tackles everything from having the money talk to leaving them wanting more on a job interview. And sprinkled throughout GIRL ON TOP is fashion advice ("Top Ten Commandments of Style") and checklists to determine if you need to get a life.

Nicole's keen insight and candid advice will teach you how to recognize the good guys from the bad, win the kudos of those who matter, and create the career of your dreams.

Nicole is the best-selling author of Wildly Sophisticated: A Bold New Attitude for Career Success and Earn What You're Worth, and the founder of WORKS by Nicole Williams, the first media and content company marketed toward young professional women. Her advice is featured regularly in major media outlets including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times. Nicole also regularly appears on The Today Show, ABC's Primetime, Good Morning America, Fox News, and CNN.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - just say "I like the girl"
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till November 23
• Random number generator will be used - 5 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on November 24
• Winners have 24 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - atreau, s2s2, cherdon, cindy323, droopydog63

ENDED Book Giveaway: Seven by Jacqueline Leo

What is it about the number seven that has such a hold on us? Why are there seven deadly sins? Seven days of the week? Seven wonders of the world, seven colors of the spectrum, seven ages of man, and seven sister colleges? Why can we hold seven numbers or words in our working memory--but no more? Author Jackie Leo explores everything about this mystical, magical, useful, and fun number in her new book.

SEVEN REASONS YOU NEED THIS BOOK

1. SEVEN is a tool to improve the quality of your life. It is a way to define time, synthesize ideas, and keep your mind performing at top speed in an era of distractions.

2. SEVEN is culturally significant. It pops up everywhere, structuring our world in ways so fundamental, we notice them only when we pause to look. Across the ages and across cultures, the number has acquired a huge scientific, psychological, and religious significance.

3. SEVEN is intriguing. Why, out of hundreds of recipes in a cookbook, do people return to the same seven, over and over? Why, when asked to choose a number between one and ten, does such a large majority of people choose seven? Why does it take seven rounds of shuffling to obtain a fully mixed deck of cards?

4. SEVEN is influential. You'll learn how the number seven shapes our thinking, our choices, and even our relationships.

5. SEVEN is practical. Throughout this book are Top Seven lists covering the best ways to get someone's attention, to build your personal brand, and to put yourself in the path of prosperity and good luck.

6. SEVEN is fun. You'll encounter surprising facts, intriguing puzzles, and hilarious anecdotes.

7. SEVEN is wise. You'll hear stories about the meaning of seven from Mehmet Oz, Sally Quinn, Liz Smith, Christina Ricci, and many others.

Artfully designed and full of enough insights to keep you engaged in conversation at the water cooler for years, SEVEN will provoke, enlighten, and amuse.

Media guru JACQUELINE LEO has held a number of high-level positions in publishing and television. She founded and launched Child magazine in 1986, and went on to be editor in chief of Family Circle magazine and editorial director of the New York Times Women's Magazine Group, where she launched Fitness magazine. She was senior producer and editorial director of Good Morning America, editorial director for Consumer Reports, and vice president and editor in chief of Reader's Digest. She is currently director of digital operations for the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. She lives in New York City.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - just say "I like sevens"
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till November 24
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on November 25
• Winners have 24 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - edeliz, souldolphindream, bsw529, augustlily06, walkermisc

ENDED Audio Book Giveaway: Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun By Wess Roberts

The bestselling classic on leadership is now updated in a revised 20th anniversary edition, available for the first time from Hachette Audio!

Discover the leadership secrets of the warrior who centuries ago shaped an aimless band of mercenary tribal nomads into the undisputed rulers of the ancient world-and who today offers timeless lessons in win-directed, take-charge management. Based on historical research-and filled with illuminating maxims-this essential guide offers the wisdom of a man who unified thousands, led the charge, kept the peace, picked his enemies wisely, and negotiated brilliantly-all the vital management principles that lead to success.

Listeners will learn:

• Never to underestimate the power of an enemy to rise against you on another day
• Never to give a Hun a reward that holds no personal value to yourself
• Never to arbitrate, for it allows a third party to determine your destiny
• Never to misuse power, for such action causes friction and rebellion in the tribe and nation, and much more.

This invaluable guide will help anyone manage people much more effectively.

Thanks to Hachette for this Giveaway.

Giveaway Rules:

• One entry only - just say "I like secrets"
• Leave your email (I cannot contact you without your email)
• Only residents of the US and Canada may enter
• Please no PO Boxes!!!
• The drawing will last till November 25
• Random number generator will be used - 3 copies to give away
• I will post the winners here on November 26
• Winners have 24 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected

WINNERS - browncoatsummer, chlorinebrain, jayfr