Winners, Winners and more winners!

I'm so far behind on posting winners!  But just so you all know that people really did win I'll get them up here for you guys.  Everyone has been contacted and in some cases has already received the winnings.   I do have many many more packages to get out and I've had the flu this week so I'm waiting until I'm well before I mail them.  I don't want to get anyone sick so I'm keeping my hands off them until I'm better.  Hopefully by early next week everything will be out though.

Okay, so winners...

Winners of The Red Church are:

Jamie

Lisa

Ariel

Michele (or Michelle?  Not sure if I wrote it down wrong)

Jessica

Scoot 

LunaMoth

Holz

Carol 

Petit

Winner of Little Eclectic Me necklace...

Annabelle

Winner of Steampunk book of choice from The Book Depository...

sznikka

Winner of Steamed!...

Jessie-Floating

Winner of Soulless, Changeless, Blameless...

Jessica S.

Winner of In Dreams Begin...

Audra

Winner of Boneshaker and Dreadnought...

Jenny C. 

Winner of Rebel... 

Scorpio M.

Steampunk bookmark winners...

A Canadian Girl

Allisonsbj

Annabelle

Olgitsa

Winner of Gratitude Giveaway...

Danielle

Thanks everyone for entering!  There are many more listed at the top of my blog and I have a huge one to go up in the next few days for my Blogoversary so check back!

Merry Sparkling Christmas by Elizabeth Spurr and Colleen Madden (Illustrator) and Jingle- Jingle by Nicola Smee

Details: Board Book, 14 pgs.
Published: Oct 10, 2010 by Sterling

isbn: 1402771398 (ISBN13: 9781402771392)

Reading Level: Young Child

Received from: Sterling for Review

Description:

Glistening icicles, sparkling wrap on festive gifts, and merrily twinkling lights on trees make a child's Christmas-and this book-absolutely magical. Every page captures the holiday spirit and features something that shimmers and shines.

My Thoughts:
This is just a simple board book but it's a really cute one!  The pictures are engaging and the sparkles really catch your eye.  The entire pages are covered in illustrations, so no white, which I like.  It's a quick read (duh, it's a board book) but it's a very cute story.  It's one I enjoy reading and one my kids enjoy listening to and looking at on their own.  
For what it is, a simple board book, I give it 4/5 moons.

Details: Board Book, 26 pgs.
Published: August 3rd by Boxer Books
isbn: 1906250650 (ISBN13: 9781906250652)
Reading Level: Young Children
Received from: Sterling Publishing for review


Description:


Hear the music of those sleigh bells jingling? Nicola Smee’s seasonal favorite is now in board!
The beloved characters from Smee’s Clip-Clop are off on a wild and wintry ride. Mr. Horse has invited all the barnyard animals into his sleigh, and Cat, Dog, Pig, and Duck couldn’t be more excited. Soon, they’re holding on tight and dashing through the snow with bells jingle-jingling all the way. Over the fields they fly—but when they reach the hill, everyone wants to slide down…even Mr. Horse, of course. Is there room for them all?
Like the happy Mr. Horse, toddlers will think “THAT WAS SO COOL!”

My Thoughts:

This too, is just a simple board book but it's a fun story that gets my kids in giggles.  I think there's a bit too much white, and not enough color, but they are in the snow so maybe I should just ignore that?  I don't know, but I can say the the picture's don't capture my attention quite as much as I would like.  But my kids seem to like it and they are the ones that matter!  
The story is cute, and like I said, it gets my kids in giggles.  I felt a bit like it was choppy.  Or something.  Just not the funnest book to read.  But it's fast and the kids like it okay, so that's what's important!
I give this one 3/5 moons.

You can purchase these books at your favorite bookstore or my affiliate links, to the left and below.  All commission made is used to fund contests here, on my blog.
  Disclosure: I received both of these books for the review.  The opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

The Cleopatra Literary Contest for Young Women

I was emailed and informed of this awesome contest.  I'm too old to do it myself, but I think it sounds like an excellent and fun contest with an amazing prize.  Check out the details and then start writing!

Stephanie wrote Lily of the Nile to encourage young women to learn from
the past and to transcend the expectations of society to create a better
tomorrow. To that end, she founded The Cleopatra Literary Contest for
Young Women. It is an international writing contest aimed at discovering
and mentoring aspiring young female writers.

The contest is divided into two categories for ages 13 through 18 and ages
19 through 22 and asks writers to expand upon the universal themes found
within Lily of the Nile by creatively relating them to their own lives.
Categories include poetry, prose, creative non-fiction, and short stories.
Contestants have the opportunity to compete for a grand prize in both age
groups (choice between a Kindle Reader or a $100 prize) along with a
month-long mentorship with Stephanie Dray as well as a personalized
critique from NY literary agent, Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill
Associates.  In addition, every finalist in the contest will receive an
Ankh charm—the Egyptian symbol of life.  Entries are due March 1, 2011.

Additional information about Stephanie Dray and the Cleopatra Literary
Contest can be found on Stephanie Dray’s website at
http://www.stephaniedray.com/fun/literary-award/.  The pdf printable flyer
with rules and submission guidelines can be found here:
http://www.stephaniedray.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Cleopatra-Contest-Flyer.pdf

Watch for my future review of Lily of the Nile!