Posts By: Heather

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Contest Winners

02 Jul, 2010 by in marina necklace, scones and sensibility 1 comment

Congrats to Nell who won our Scones and Sensibility prize pack http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/scones-and-sensibility-gift-pack.html

Amina Black and Misty Johnson who won Wolf Charm bracelets on our Facebook Fan Page

Samy Ps Vintage who won the SIREN inspired Marina Necklace http://fireandicereads.com/2010/06/marina-necklace-giveaway.html

and Gustosa who won a custom Mermaid Lego http://fireandicereads.com/2010/06/custom-mermaid-lego.html

Please email me your street addresses so we can mail your prize and notify us when it arrives. Thanks all for entering.

Book Review-Rebound By Heather Justesen

30 Jun, 2010 by in rebound, utah authors 4 comments


published May 8th 2010 by Cedar Fort, Inc.
details Paperback, 1st, 256 pages
url http://www.heatherjustesen.com/my-books/
isbn 1599553635
5 stars

Lily’s life is perfect–a perfect lie.

With a successful husband, a gorgeous home, and a growing family, Lily Drake has it all. But when the FBI shows up, she realizes her husband is not the man she thought he was.

Meanwhile, Lily’s friend Curtis is about to be drafted by the NBA, but he suddenly feels pulled to find his birth family, and no one is prepared for what he’ll discover. With so many obstacles in their way, Lily and Curtis must learn to rely on each other if they’re ever going to find peace and learn to love again.

In this heartwarming family drama, Heather Justesen, author of The Ball’s in Her Court, weaves a stirring story of hope. Reunite with your favorite characters and discover how determination, love, and faith can overcome even the toughest trials

I received this book for review and blog tour after meeting the author at Authorpalooza at Barnes and Noble. Hands down, Rebound is one of the best books I have read in along time. Heather Justesen creates a mix of harsh reality with slow paced romance that will entrance you.
Lily, the main character, is pulled from her life as a stay at home mom with one young child and one on the way by the poor choices of her husband. Everything changes overnight as dreams turn into disappointment. She has no choice but to pick up and start over, yet does so with courage and faith.
Rebound left me wanting to be a better person, and believing that when life throws you struggles, add some hard work and hope and things will bounce back. Woven through out the story are themes on love, trust, adoption, honesty, stamina, and acceptance.
Here’s an excerpt as a little teaser from the author… “John tuned out the babbling of other Realtors that poured through his office door and focused on his computer screen. If things went well that evening, he would have to buy himself a celebratory present. The Baccarat Tornado Vase on the screen before him was exquisite, and worth every bit of the nearly $3,200 price. It’s a pity I’ll have to tell Lily I picked it up at a yard sale or something. She’s far too straight laced. Naiveté works for her, however. In this case, it will work for me, too. He whistled as he bookmarked the page for later…”

Rebound is at the top of my recommended reading list from this year. I gave it 5 stars. To learn more about the author and read her blog, go to http://heatherjustesen.blogspot.com/

Elemental Fairy Art Giveaway

29 Jun, 2010 by in Samantha Nowak, Spells 22 comments



In search of fairies and water elements after reading “Spells” by Aprilynne Pike and “Paranormalcy” by Kiersten White I ran across Samantha Nowak!
I am a freelancing illustrator/artist with a love for the fantasy genre. Here you will find Limited and Open Edition prints of my fantasy pieces, as well as my Enchanted Names~ which are customizable fantasy prints. Great gifts for children, fantasy lovers, and people who love customized art.
Samantha was kind enough to donate two 8×10 matted prints of the fairy of your choice and a bookmark for each winner

To enter to win (there are two winners): Leave your name and email address below
additional entries
+1 visit her Art Website http://samanthanowak.com/
+1 become a fan an facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samantha-Nowak-Illustrations/317019143645?ref=nf
+2 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos and http://twitter.com/sn_illustration
+1 for each retweet @FireIcePhotos
+5 for a post on your blog or adding our button to your site
Contest ends July 29, 2010 and is open Internationally. Good Luck!

Movements of Water Photo Giveaway

28 Jun, 2010 by in etsy, Nichole Gelinas, paranormalcy 9 comments

Todays‘ Etsy giveaway is the Movements of Water photography print by Nicole Gelinas in celebration of main hottie Lend in the book Paranormalcy by Kiersten White!

Introducing the artist: Thanks for stopping into my little shop. I am an artist, designer, photographer, and crafter. I enjoy many different creative processes and I am so excited to be able to share my work with everyone.I love to be creative! I just recently graduated from Northwest College of Art, in Poulsbo WA, with a BFA in visual communication double majoring in fine art and graphic design. I am now pursuing my passion to create!

To Enter to Win Her Fine Art Photo: Leave your name and email address below:

+1 for hearting her shop on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/nicolegelinas
+1 for becoming a fan on facebook http://www.facebook.com/nicolegelinas.creative
+1 for visiting one of her sites and commenting http://www.nicolegelinas.net/ http://ngelinas.wordpress.com/
+1 for retweeting this contest @FireIcePhotos
+5 for posting the giveaway on your blog, leave the link
Contest ends July 28, 2010 Good Luck!!

Loads of Swag Won Today!

28 Jun, 2010 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

Congrats to Alessandra Fusi who won the Nebulous Kingdom Fantasy Art Prints http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/nebulous-kingdom-art-giveaway.html

Cindi at Tally’s Place who won Jane Austen Sparkly Pendants http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/jane-austen-sparkly-pendant.html

Congrats @Jordan_Deen She won The Faerie Path,a book by Frewin Jones on twitter!

Patricia Xara Won a pack of Wolf Cards from OdessaKelley http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/wolf-card-pack-giveaway.html

The Lisa Mangum prize pack went out to Heather Feather http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/in-my-mailbox-13-giveaway.html

And finally, our Wolf Brooch http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/handmade-wolf-brooch.html winner is Sweepstake Lover

Please email us your mailing address. Let us know when you receive your item. Winners have 48 hours to contact us and claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen. We received two Euros on PayPal for Chile earthquake donations this week. Thanks so much! Watch this week for lots more giveaways inspired by Paranormalcy and 13 to Life.

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Book Review & ARC Tour- Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

26 Jun, 2010 by in ARC tour, new YA fiction, paranormalcy 2 comments

to be published August 31st 2010 by HarperTeen
details Hardcover, 352 pages
url http://www.kierstenwhite.com/
isbn 0061985848
5 stars
Sixteen-year-old Evie’s job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone–or something–starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she’s worked hard to help become productive members of society, she’s got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal.

Normal is so overrated

I received Paranormalcy as an Advanced reader copy from HarperTeen and quite literally did the happy dance then ran inside to take pictures of the awesome cover. The pages inside are just as exciting! Evie, the main bagger and tagger at the IPCA is the perfect balance of sass and spunk complete with a blinged out pink taser and knife. She is witty and smart, part secret agent by day and crushing teen by night. She longs to live everyday experiences like going to school and having a locker. But never fear, her best mermaid friend Lish can experience it vicariously with her via their soap opera Easton Heights. Because, who didn’t have a favorite teen show when they were growing up?!!
Kiersten White does a perfect job of writing teens in a light hearted, funny way and her writing is completely clean. She creates dreamy male characters that are both fighting for Evie in their own way. Lend, the quiet artist with a changing face who is smooth as water. Reth the fairy who wants to fill Evie with his warmth is evil yet tantalizing. Each paranormal has a personality you can relate to and understand, even though they are still figuring it all out themselves. It’s a rich menagerie of mythical creatures all thrown into one setting. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud.

Paranormalcy is a must read for all teens. Just the right mix of action, sarcasm and a sprinkle of romance. Read it when it hits the shelves in August… you’ll see why everyone is raving about the book being “bleeping” fabulous! 5 stars. I can’t wait for more!!

To join our Paranormalcy ARC tour email us. Open to U.S. residents only.

In My Mailbox #16

25 Jun, 2010 by in contest winners, the passage 6 comments

Grace– ARC tour from Mundie Moms

The Passage-Justin Cronin won from BriMeetsBooks.com

Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When by Annette Laing– ARC from publisher

Signed author swag-gifted by Katie B, thanks chica!

Congrats to Taffy who won our Mom’s Monday book pack http://fireandicereads.com/2010/05/moms-monday-book-giveaway.html

and Saraminda who won Pretties and Specials by Scott Westerfield on Twitter! Please email us your mailing address 🙂

Flower Child Necklace Giveaway

24 Jun, 2010 by in veycourtcottage 32 comments


Today’s Etsy shop giveaway is perfect for any summer fairy shopping in the marketplace and comes from VeyCourtCottage. Hello! I live in Eastern Canada, I have been doing crafts my whole life, I love anything vintage and think my crafts reflect that! I love working from home and creating vintage inspired jewelry treasures

This lovely pendant was once a broken pin! Vintage iridescent 23mm very sparkly flower pendant on a 23″ brass chain with vintage brass clasp and brass findings. Just the right amount of bling!


To Enter To Win: leave your name and email address below
+1 for visiting her shop and hearting it http://www.etsy.com/shop/VeyCourtCottage
+1 for each retweet @FireIcePhotos
+1 for following us on Twitter
+1 for following our blog
+5 for posting this contest or our button on your site
+1 for becoming a fan of Fire and Ice on Facebook (see right sidebar for our page)
+3 for each dollar donated to Chile relief efforts
Contest ends July 24, 2010 and is open internationally

Book review- Spells by Aprilynne Pike

23 Jun, 2010 by in new YA fiction, Spells 3 comments

published: May 4th 2010 by Harper Teen
details: Hardcover, 359 pages
characters: Laurel Sewell, David Lawson, Tamani
isbn 0061668060
3.5 Stars

Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger–and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.
When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

WARNING: Review contains spoilers…

Okay, I have to say that I waited a few days to write this review to see if Spells would seep in and entrance me like WINGS did and I have to say, not so much. I love Tamani, really love him, and felt much like I did during Eclipse and New Moon of the Twilight series. Enough with David already! He is great as far as humans go but I was Team Tamani from the start. Now I will have to read book three so I can see him win somehow. I got to the second to last chapter and was shouting “what is she thinking?!!” Pick the fae!

What I liked:
  • tinkering of the fairies and learning about herbs at the academy
  • The festival and kiss with Tamani
  • Kae and her men in black. Some serious Troll butt kicking!
  • The World Tree and meeting Tamani’s family
  • Seeing the feelings revealed between David and Chelsea…go get her David! Leave Laurel to Tamani.
  • The high speed, big action ending. Gotta say I loved the end of the book, Aprilynne amped it up quite a few notches
  • Her mother’s store and apothecary business

What I would Change:

  • Spells was a little too slow moving for me
  • Too much poinitng out of the class structure in fairy land. It doesn’t seem to bother anyone but Laurel
  • The mention of gong to bed with David in her joking with Chelsea, it seemed totally out of place. Why do so many YA authors feel they have to slip in sex somewhere?
  • I’d love to see more action and less of Laurel’s teen aged complaining and rants on social status.

Overall though, I am a huge fairy fan and will read the whole series I am sure! I am hoping the love triangle resolves itself in a suitable way *coughs* and kudos to Aprilynne Pike for another interesting book. With that cliff hanger end I will HAVE to wait to see what happens…

Browse inside SPELLS at HarperCollins http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Spells-Aprilynne-Pike/?isbn=9780061668067
Get to know Aprilynne Pike at her website here: http://www.aprilynnepike.com/Spells/
See our Wings inspired shop on Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeatherZahnGardner?section_id=6655519

Happy Book Birthday 13 to Life

22 Jun, 2010 by in etsy, shannon delany 2 comments

“A unique tale with a bright heroine and dark secrets.” – New York Times Bestselling YA author Maria V. Snyder

“You’ll devour 13 to Life in greedy, eager gulps. Pitch-perfect and deliciously paced, this book dishes up your next fiction addiction. Shannon is a rising star!” –Ann Aguirre, national bestselling author of Grimspace and Doubleblind

“A fun, gothic romance of suspense, secrets and the dangerous truth behind the new kid in town.”
-Lucienne Diver, author of Vamped and Revamped
Jessie and Pietr’s bond is sweet and real, with more than a touch of delicious danger.” –Jeri Smith-Ready, Award-Winning author of Shade and Bad to the Bone

Everything about Jessie Gillmansen’s life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she’s about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent—he’s a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie’s small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can’t avoid…

Be sure to check out our “13 to Life” inspired items on ETSY made in collaboration with author Shannon Delany. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleRedReads?section_id=7026193 50% of all sales go to Chile earthquake relief efforts! Happy Birthday!!