Posts Categorized: blog tour

Power to Become by David A. Bednar~ Blog Tour and Review

11 Mar, 2014 by in adult, blog tour, deseret book 2 comments

I received this book for free from Deseret Book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Power to Become by David A. Bednar~ Blog Tour and Review

Power To Become

by David A. Bednar
Published by Deseret Book on March 3, 2014
Genres: Adult, LDS, Non- Fiction
Pages: 208
Format: Hardcover
five-stars
Source: Deseret Book
Buy the Book • Goodreads
In Power to Become, Elder David A. Bednar explores how the Savior makes possible His divine commission, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Nephi 12:48).

Chapters in this thought-provoking book highlight the importance of the Atonement, the spiritual gift of personal peace, the importance of priesthood ordinances, and the responsibility we have to obey willingly and endure valiantly.

"As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel," Elder Bednar writes, "as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him." Power to Become introduces vital tools we all can use to invite these eternally significant blessings into our lives.

David A. Bednar was on his elliptical, working out one day, looking at the gift his wife had given him on the wall (a framed copy of his first book cover) when the thought came into his mind that ” there were three books.”

He was not done writing with Increase in Learning–as originally planned– but was to create a trilogy of interactive, related gospel titles. And so began the journey of writing two more books.

Bednar chose a platform never before used at Deseret Book– interactive videos embedded within the ebook that allow readers to watch and learn as well as to read. Each print copy of the book comes with a DVD, and has scannable QR codes printed at the end of each chapter, so that the owner can view corresponding videos.

For me, personally, this experience of seeing Q& A sessions with the author and his wife really brought home what I was reading. I internalized things more concretely and felt I had a chance to learn lessons at an apostle’s knee. Both a short and long version of the video clips with couples, youth, women–and an interview with CEO Sheri Dew are available online at Seek by Deseret Book.

I’ve never before taken as much time as I did with Power to Become to absorb the words I was reading. The pages are printed with a wide margin around the edge for readers to take notes as they are reading. Writing exercises at the end of each chapter gave me a chance to record and apply.

I had many impressions come into my mind while being tutored by Elder Bednar. He is a man of action. He wants us to take the step of faith first, as Nephi “not knowing beforehand what we should do”, then wait for the path to become clear. Power to Become was a life- changing book for me. I learned through the stories and scriptures shared how I can one day stand before my Heavenly Father and be as He is. But I cannot do it alone. I need the help of the atonement.

With personal insights, commentary from multiple perspectives, and a wealth of available teaching materials, this series by Elder David A Bednar is amazing.

Dive in with your whole heart and use all three of his books as steps towards becoming who you are meant to be.

heather

Favorite Quote

One of the greatest indicators of righteous character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; and the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus,character is demonstrated by looking,  turning, and reaching outward when the instinctive response of the “natural man” (Mosiah 3:19) is to turn inward and to be selfish and self absorbed.

Discussion Video

About the Authordavid-a-bednar-large

ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004. Prior to his call, he had served as an Area Seventy, regional representative, stake president, and bishop. He served a mission to southern Germany and then attended Brigham Young University, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received a PhD in organizational behavior from Purdue University and was a professor of business management at Texas Tech University and the University of Arkansas. Elder Bednar served as the president of BYU-Idaho from 1997 to 2004. His previously published books include the bestsellers Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine. He and his wife, Susan, are the parents of three sons.

Learn more at Deseret Book

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Living in the Eleventh Hour by Robert L. Millet Blog Tour

18 Feb, 2014 by in blog tour, deseret book, robert l millet Leave a comment

I received this book for free from Deseret Book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Living in the Eleventh Hour by Robert L. Millet Blog Tour

Living in the Eleventh Hour

by Robert L Millet
Published by Deseret Book on January 1st 2014
Genres: Adult, LDS
Pages: 146
Format: Hardcover
four-stars
Source: Deseret Book
Buy the Book • Goodreads
Just as the scriptures teach us that the Second Coming of the Lord will be "at midnight" (Matthew 25:6), so the signs of the times teach us that "midnight" is close at hand. In Living in the Eleventh Hour, author Robert L. Millet points our minds and hearts toward the future-to the glorious day that lies ahead. This encouraging work not only assists us a Latter-day Saints to recognize and better understand the signs of the times but also reminds us of our individual responsibilities as we prepare ourselves and the world for the much-anticipated return of Jesus Christ. Filled with uplifting quotations from Church leaders, insightful scriptural texts, and engaging personal experiences, this timely book inspires us to live today as if He were coming tomorrow. Brother Millet's faith-building message is clear: Steadfastly doing the small things that allow us to live each day with faith, rather than fear, builds our trust that the Savior's return to earth to rule and reign will be a glorious and welcome event.

I love Robert L Millet’s teachings and writing. Living in the Eleventh Hour takes very small chunks of doctrine in each chapter which makes for a quick, light read. It’s certainly not a deep doctrinal look at the signs and time of the second coming of Christ, not does it reveal “big new truths.” However, I enjoyed it for exactly what it was. His counsel is straight forward and simple. I found that for me, this book was the perfect fit. It offers a hopeful perspective without the doom and gloom or long lists of signs of the second coming. Brother Millet re- emphasizes what we can do on a daily basis to have the Spirit with us and to keep our lamps filled with oil before the bridegroom cometh. I especially liked his story of how many of us, in fear of judging others fall into the “tolerance trap” and begin to tolerate the behaviors of others that are sinful without speaking up. The formula for preparation is built on the basic primary answers we all know and I am glad he kept it that way.

heather

Favorite Quote

We cannot, at least not for very long, operate simply by sheer grit and willpower; to do so proves to be both spiritually exhausting and emotionally discouraging. We need help. That help comes from God and is mediated through his Holy Spirit.

 

About the Author

Robert L. Millet, an Abraham O. Smoot Professor and former dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University, is a professor of ancient scripture and a lifelong scholar of the last days. After receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BYU in psychology, he earned a PhD from Florida State University in religious studies. He has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a seminary teacher, bishop, stake president, and member of the Materials Evaluation Committee. He and his wife, Shauna, are the parents of six children.

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Porcelain Keys by Sarah Beard Blog Tour and Giveaway

14 Feb, 2014 by in blog tour, cedar fort, sarah beard 2 comments

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Porcelain Keys FULL SIZE RGB-x-small

Aria’s life is full of secrets–secrets about her mother’s death, her father’s cruelty, and her dream to go to Juilliard. When Aria meets Thomas, he draws out her secrets, captures her heart, and gives her the courage to defy her father. But when tragedy strikes and Thomas disappears, Aria is left alone to transform her broken heart’s melody into something beautiful. Porcelain Keys is a captivating love story that will resonate long after the last page is turned.

Reviews

“Emotionally rich, elegant description, beloved characters–Sarah Beard delivers a fresh, new novel that will go on my list of classics.” –Stephanie Fowers, author of With a Kiss.

“Aria is a heroine worth rooting for, and the plot is an emotional melody that weaves a pell so potent, it can only be broken by reaching the end. And even then, I couldn’t stop thinking about Aria and her story.” –Heather Frost, author of The Seers Trilogy

“Emotionally gripping, this beautifully crafted young adult romance will pull at readers’ heartstrings from tragic beginning to happy ending. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance, both young and seasoned. ” –Julie Ford, author of Replacing Gentry

“Porcelain Keys is a fresh, heart-wrenching take on boy-meets-girl. Using fantastic and musical imagery to tell the poignant love story of Aria and Thomas, the author leads the reader to a swelling crescendo as if we’re part of the song—and what a beautiful song it is.” –Cindy C. Bennett, author or Geek Girl and Rapunzel Untangled

“A lyrical love story that will leave your heart singing. Porcelain Keys is a masterpiece with emotional depth, young love, and family angst. Beard takes us on a journey of self-discovery, second chances, and ultimately, sweet resolution.” –Heather Ostler, author of The Siren’s Secret

Guest Post for Valentine’s Day

Someone recently asked me in an interview who would be a good romantic match for my main character, Aria, if Thomas Ashby wasn’t around. Well, since I’ve spent a lot of time lately reflecting on my favorite fictional heroes, and since it’s Valentine’s day, I thought I’d share some of them with you here. In no particular order, I present to you:

Five Men That Aren’t Real But Should Be:

1) Sean Kendrick from The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The man knows how to handle a horse. But not just any horse. Monstrous, man-eating horses from the sea. He is a man of few words, but his mind is constantly turning. He has incredible work ethic and integrity. And he loves Kate Connolly so much he’s willing to risk the prize he’s wanted his entire life in order to protect her and give her a chance to win it for herself.

2) Edward Cullen from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I’m sorry about this. But really I’m not. Really I’m flabbergasted that so many women’s hearts have turned cold (no pun intended) toward Mr. Perfect-Marbled-Sparkly-Boy. The very same women who pushed their Twilight hardback into their friends’ hands and emphatically cried, “Read it!” are the ones who are now too embarrassed to admit they were once a member of the rabid club called Team Edward. I mean, I get that people are over it. Honestly, I’m finally over my vampire crush too. Really. Maybe. But I have yet to find another male character who has made me swoon as much. He’s dreamy. He’s fast and strong. He can read anyone’s mind, but all he cares about is what’s on Bella’s mind. He respects her virtue, and his self-control is out of this world—a quality that is seriously underrated in today’s world.

3) Mr. Edward Rochester from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

He’s cranky. He’s brooding. And realistically, a crank does not make a good companion. But few men have as good a reason to be a grump as Mr. Rochester. I won’t give the reasons here, in case you haven’t read it (seriously though—why haven’t you read it?!). However, underneath all that petulance is a man who yearns for love and redemption. In that broad and tormented chest of his, beats a heart that is capable of kindness, generosity, and selfless, passionate love.

4) Philip Wyndham from Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
Smiling eyes + teasing grin + cravat = One fetching regency fellow. Philip’s keen sense of humor perfectly complements his noble character. His charisma and charm know no bounds, and neither does his love for Marianne Daventry. And that letter. Oh, that letter! (Read it and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about).

5) Thomas Ashby from Porcelain Keys
It’s a no-brainer that one of my favorite fictional heroes is one I created. Sometimes people ask me if I base my characters off of real people. The short answer to that question is “no.” There may have been people who sparked an idea for a character, but any writer will tell you that characters have a way of taking on a life of their own. Such was the case with Thomas. He started out as a composite of all the good traits I’ve observed in men—in my life, in literature, or in movies. In other words, he started out as a patchwork character. But as I wrote his and Aria’s story, his true character emerged, and all his seams smoothed out.

So who is Thomas Ashby?

Thomas is both an artist and an intellectual, a modern-day da Vinci, if you will (though on a much smaller scale). He creates beautiful art pieces with melted wax, then turns around and reads The Feynman Lectures on Physics—for fun. He is studious and introspective, and much too hard on himself. He is restless, but good at hiding it.
He’s perceptive, and sees things in Aria that others don’t. He knows she’s hurting and holding things in—things she’s afraid to express—but he’s patient with her. He waits for her to open up instead of demanding answers. And at the same time, he withholds his own secrets for fear that they’ll add to Aria’s hardships. He is carrying great burdens, but he never shows it. And at one point, he can’t carry them anymore, and he buckles.

Thomas adores Aria and wants nothing more than for her to be happy. He goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dreams and opens doors for her, figuratively and literally. He is not perfect, but he is just what Aria needs.

Author BioSarahBpic1cropXsmall

SARAH BEARD is the author of Porcelain Keys, a YA contemporary romance. She has a degree in communications from the University of Utah and splits her time between writing and raising three energetic boys. She is a cancer survivor and a hopeless romantic. She enjoys reading and composing music, and lives with her husband and children in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can follow Sarah on twitter at @authorsarahb, or at facebook.com/authorsarahbeard. Her website is www.sarahbeard.com.

Giveaway

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Scintillate Blog Tour and Giveaway

12 Feb, 2014 by in blog tour, book giveaway, Uncategorized 1 comment

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Fire and Ice is so excited to have author Tracy Clark here today as part of the Scintillate tour hosted by Rock Star Book Tours!

About the Book

COVERTitle: SCINTILLATE
Author: Tracy Clark
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 304
Pub. Date: February 4, 2014

Find it: Goodreads/ Amazon/ Barnes & Noble

A mighty flame follows a tiny spark Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and they were living in Ireland. Since then, her dad has been more than overprotective, and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she suddenly sees around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—instead, she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.

As she realizes the danger associated with these strange auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.

There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life.

Author Q & A

Do you have a playlist for your book?

I have to write in silence, mostly because I love lyrics and will find myself listening to the words of the songs rather than the words in my own head. But there are a few songs that I would listen to before I wrote a scene to get in the mood.

Top ten books you’ve ever read?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

The Infernal Devices series by Cassie Clare

Favorite treat when writing?

Lately, I’ve been addicted to those dark chocolate covered pomegranate balls of goodness. I

don’t even know what’s really under the chocolate and I don’t care. When I need salt, it’s chips

and salsa all the way.

Highlight of your writing career thus far?

Had this question been posed a couple of months ago, I’d say that getting “the call” with a book offer was the highlight. Or even having drinks at one table with Jay Asher, Laurie Halse

Anderson and Stephen Chbosky during a conference in August. But honestly, recent reviews from actual readers saying they LOVED the book and couldn’t put it down and that it made them feel, that’s really my dream come true.

What do you do when you are in-between books?

I feel like being a writer is such a big part of who I am, that it would be odd to have long periods of downtime. I’ve always tried to start something new immediately after finishing another project. As I get busier, I see the importance of having fallow seasons where you let your mind rest a bit, even if a “season” is just a few days! (See, I’m addicted.) I realized that as we head into 2014, that I’ll be writing book 3, editing book 2, promoting SCINTILLATE and working on an unrelated project I’m really excited about. It’s a YA psychological thriller.

Where is your favorite place to read/write?

I am so easily distracted that I can’t write or read very well in public places. I find myself too drawn to people-watching and eavesdropping. Inspiration is everywhere! I love to write in my home office and read in bed.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

Read SCINTILLATE to immerse yourself in the mystical play of energy between people, and to discover the mysterious secret that’s been kept from Cora and the rest of humanity.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

Harry Potter, hands down. Camp Hogwarts, anyone?

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

Rumor has it that I taught myself to read. I remember loving to escape into books from a very early age. As a small child, I had a book called Timmy Mouse that I adored. I still have it! From there, I recall reading Disney versions of classics like Robin Hood and Cinderella. Judy Blume books were definitely part of my growing up! As a teen, I must admit to being a Flowers in the Attic fan. Then, my love of metaphysics! That was the phase of reading about reincarnation, auras, and energy, which inspired much of SCINTILLATE.

About Tracyunnamed (1)

Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they’re going through, they aren’t alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.

She grew up a “Valley Girl” in Southern California but now lives in her home state of Nevada, in a small town at the base of the Sierra Foothills. Her two children teach her the art of distraction and are a continuous source of great dialogue. She’s an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat.

Tracy was the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant. A two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program where she was lucky enough to be mentored by bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, who taught her so much about the art of writing and cured her of her ellipsis addiction.

Her debut novel was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Detailsnecklace_giveaway

1 Prize pack of a key necklace and a signed copy of Scintillate. US ONLY
3 paperbacks of Scintillate US Only.
3 eBooks of Scintillate International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Luminescence by Braden Bell- Blog Tour Sign Ups

27 Jan, 2014 by in blog tour Leave a comment

Luminscense_blog_tour

Fire and Ice is thrilled to announce and host the blog tour for

LuminescenceLuminescence

by Braden Bell
Paperback, 320 pages
Expected publication: March 11th 2014
by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
ISBN 1462114059

Summary

“He’s alive!” she yelled. “He’s alive!”
As Lexa spoke the words, she knew they were true. She knew with total certainty.
“Dr. Timberi’s alive!”

When Lady Nightwing kidnapped Dr. Timberi, everyone assumed their teacher had been killed. So when Lexa discovers that he isn’t dead, Conner can’t believe his ears.

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightshade, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

Your favorite characters return in this satisfying conclusion of the Middle School Magic series! Filled with plenty of twists, humor, and adventure, Luminescence will keep you guessing until the last page.

Study hall? Definitely. Substitute Teachers? Absolutely. Rescuing people from brutal villains? Bring it on!

Goodreads*Amazon

About the AuthorBraden_Bell

During his middle school years, Braden Bell was the least-stable, lowest-achieving student in the history of the world. He shocked every former teacher by graduating from high school and college, and then going on to earn both a Master’s degree as well as a Ph.D. A teacher by day and a parent by night, he is around teenagers 24/7. He teaches music and directs plays at a private school, much like Marion Academy in The Middle School Magic series. Whether he fights evil after hours is something he cannot disclose.

Braden Bell holds degrees in theatre from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. from NYU. A committed educator, he has been directing plays and teaching school now for over twenty years. Braden lives with his family on a quiet, tree-lined lot outside of Nashville, TN, where he teaches theatre and choir at a middle school. The author of The Road Show, The Kindling, and Penumbras.

Lean More on his website* twitter* facebook* goodreads* publisher

Participants in the Luminescence blog tour will be  allowed one entry for their site in the rafflecopter for a $25 Amazon giftcard or Paypal cash.

Click here to sign up.

 

Author Guest Post- Looking Up by Michelle Wilson

23 Jan, 2014 by in Author Guest Post, blog tour, deseret book 3 comments

Fire and Ice is so excited to participate in this Deseret Book blog Tour and have author Michelle Wilson here today with an exclusive blog post!

About the Authormichelle_wilson

Michelle Wilson is a native of California. Through serving a full-time mission, teaching seminary, Sunday School classes, and speaking at various firesides and conferences, Michelle has developed a love of the power and simplicity of the gospel. She believes in the healing power of laughter and chocolate. She and her husband, Jerey, are the parents of three children and live in Washington State.

Guest Post

Looking up

Thanks for having my on your blog, Heather!

I have really enjoyed the response I have gotten so far to ‘Does This Insecurity Make Me Look Fat?’  The dual ideas of ‘learning to see’ who we are and ‘choosing to be’ are hitting home with so many.

In our hectic lives, it is easy for us as women to look beyond the mark of who we are and who we can be. We can, at times, get caught in the traps of comparing our perceived worst to other’s best, putting unrealistic expectations upon ourselves, or basing our worth on what we think others opinions are of us.  These things keep us from seeing ourselves as we really are.

That’s where the ‘learning to see’ comes us—as we learn to recognize the things that block us from seeing ourselves as we truly are and come to understand how God see us, we can begin to understand who we really are. And not only that, but what we are capable of! So many of us live underneath our privileges!  Perspective and confidence open the doors of understanding and opportunity, and allow us to walk through to find new experiences, growth and joy.

I didn’t understand that for a long time. Though my outward circumstances in life were good, I carried a weight of insecurity, fear, and sadness. I managed to hide it from most people (as we are so good at doing) but it affected my actions, choices, and priorities. I allowed myself to feel worthless and began looking around to my peers and others to make me feel differently. That worked sometimes, like when my friends told me they loved me, or when a boy said I was cute. But then, the times I didn’t get a phone call, or my friends went out without me, or my brothers were cruel to me, any feeling of confidence and worth I may have had went out the door.

My parents told me often I was wonderful, but somehow I let their role as parents turn their view of my into an obligatory compliment I didn’t allow myself to believe.

Lest you think I was a walking sad sack my teenage years, I wasn’t. In fact, I hid these feelings well. I became so adept at acting as though I had confidence and a feeling of self-worth that most didn’t know that to me that’s all it was, an act. Yes, there were times of joy, fun, and happiness. I loved my family and had some good friends. I even had a testimony of God and Jesus Christ. But, underneath the laughter and smiles, I didn’t have testimony of myself or my worth. I just didn’t feel I was good enough.

Thankfully, it wasn’t too soon after my teenage years that I began to recognize what my problem had been. It wasn’t a matter of who I was or wasn’t; it was the simple matter of which way I had been looking.

I spent years looking side to side, all around me, for the definition and summation of my worth. How did I compare with others? How did I fit in? How did they see me?  It was only when I changed the direction of where I looked that I began to see—when I stopped looking side to side, but began looking up to God for my place and my purpose did I truly begin to understand myself.

As I mentioned before, I had always had believed in God. I never doubted He was real. I even understood, in theory, that He loved me. He had always been in my life, in the background. But when I put Him in the forefront of my thoughts and efforts, I began to not only believe in Him, but realize that He believed in me.  He allowed me to see myself the way He sees me—with hope, admiration, tenderness, and love, such perfect love. Through my growing relationship with Him, I was able to see myself as He does, and, because He doesn’t lie, I had to believe Him.

His knowledge and vision are perfect. So is His love.

His love for me isn’t based on what I have or haven’t done, what kind of clothes I wear, whether I have a muffin-top or not, or what my peers think of me. Neither should mine.

His love for me isn’t dependent on how clean my house is, how cute my kid’s clothes are, are if I have an awesome Pinterest board. And neither should mine.

His love for me doesn’t diminish when I make mistakes, or fall short of my sometimes unrealistic goals for myself. And neither should mine.

His love for me doesn’t change because someone around me doesn’t like me.

He loves me with a perfect love because He can see beyond all of that into who I am and what He knows I can do. He made me. That means something. And though I still have a ways to go to become like Him, He loves me now. He sees me for who I am, and He thinks I’m pretty awesome.

I can’t tell you how that realization has freed and empowered me throughout my life. When the times of fear and doubt creep in, or I begin to worry what other’s might think, or maybe feel out of place, all I have to do is refocus and look up to Him, and I feel better. The worries and stress are put into their proper place, and I again at peace.

The beauty of this story is that it doesn’t apply to only me. It applies to you. God knows you better than you know yourself. His perspective is clear. His love is perfect. I believe He is there to help you see yourself through His eyes—the only way to see yourself as you really are. And as you look up for your worth and realize how He amazing He knows you are, you can believe Him. He is God. He cannot lie.

I used to just believe in God, and now I know that He believes in me. And nothing I can see from side to side can ever change that.

About the Book

Does_This_Insecurity_Make

Does This Insecurity Make Me Look Fat?
by Michelle Wilson
Paperback, 176 pages
Published 2013 by Deseret Book
ISBN13 9781609078072
Goodreads* Amazon* Deseret Book

Product Description

• Why do clothing stores hang fun-house mirrors in their dressing rooms?

• The laundry doesn’t cry when it’s not folded, so why should I?

• Can I be confident even if an elevator calls me fat?

Michelle Wilson’s humorous yet poignant insights help women examine the limitations we place on ourselves out of insecurity and self-doubt. We have faith in God, but do we know that He has faith in us?

When we see ourselves with God’s eternal perspective, we can feel confident and whole—even in our imperfection. Just think what we might accomplish if we truly believe that we are more important than we know, stronger than we realize, and extraordinary in every way.

Find out more on the author’s website

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The Traitor’s Wife Blog Tour and Kindle Giveaway

21 Jan, 2014 by in allison pataki, blog tour, kindle paperwhite giveaway, kismet book tours, simon schuster, traitor's wife, Uncategorized 8 comments

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Fire and Ice is thrilled to be today’s stop on the official tour for The Traitor’s Wife by Allison Pataki hosted by Kismet Book Touring. We have an exclusive excerpt from the book as well as a kindle paperwhite giveaway which is international! I love the cover…isn’t it gorgeous?!

The-Traitors-Wife_COVER-PHOTOBook Summary

A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind America’s most infamous act of treason.

Everyone knows Benedict Arnold—the infamous Revolutionary War General who betrayed America and fled to the British as history’s most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold’s co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold’s documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot; a charming and cunning young woman, who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold’s age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as Military Commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride’s beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former lover and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

Told from the perspective of Peggy’s maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress’s affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor’s Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

Excerpt

September 25, 1780 West Point Fort, New York

When the second messenger arrives on horseback, Mistress hears the frenzied pace of the horse hooves outside her open window.

“Another rider? Goodness, we must be the busiest home on the Hudson River this morning.” Mistress chuckles, tugging at the loose sleeves of her white linen nightdress. “Don’t they know we are set to receive Washington and his party for breakfast this morning? You’d think they could withhold these errands for at least one day.” She sighs, her features fresh from rest, beautiful beneath the frame of loose blond curls.

“Better go see what they want.” She directs me with a nod and I leave her room, making my way down the narrow wooden staircase.

“Scoot, pup.” I edge the dog aside from the door. From my perch on the front step, I shield my eyes and stare up the shaded post road. The rider emerges from the dappled cover of the thick trees into the stark early-morning light. My heart lurches involuntarily at the memory of another morning, when another rider had trotted up this trail. How that soldier had been here to see me. But I cannot allow myself to grow hazy in daydreaming, not today.

I notice that this man is not liveried in the General’s crest, and therefore does not come from Washington’s camp. He approaches the house at alarming speed, urging his weary horse forward with the ruthless spurs of his dusty boots. He halts just feet from me, his horse breathless, the rider looming over me like one of St. John’s horsemen come to warn us of the end of the world. I straighten up to my full height as the man alights from the horse, landing in a cloud of churned-up dirt, uniform filthy, hair matted with sweat.

“Can I help you?” I stand, sentry-like, before the front door of the farmhouse.

“I need to speak with Major General Benedict Arnold.” The man, still gasping for air, careens toward the house, dust surrounding him like a shroud. “Water my horse, miss. I must speak to the General!” The man hands me the bridle and staggers toward the front door without another word.

I hear the commotion in the front of the house as this lone rider calls out the master’s name: “Where is General Benedict Arnold? Urgent message for Benedict Arnold from the south Hudson.”

I tie this man’s horse to the post out front and glide noiselessly back into the house, positioning myself out of sight at the top of the stairway. I hear my master approach the messenger in the drawing room. His telltale plodding on the wooden floor—lopsided, uneven—due to the war wound that has forever crippled him and rendered his left leg useless. Muffled sounds as the master of the house greets the messenger, his voice like gravel as he chides his subordinate.

“What is your aim, man? Barging in on us like this on the morning we are to receive His Excellency George Washington, and with the lady of the house not yet arisen and

dressed?”

The messenger answers through uneven breath. “I assure you, Major General, you will pardon my abruptness when you see the message I’m delivering. I was ordered to deliver it posthaste.”

Good heavens, from where are you coming?” My master’s voice now betrays his alarm.

“North Castle Fort, down the Hudson. A full day’s ride, sir.”

“Give it here, then.” I hear papers being ruffled as they change hands. Silence follows, with just the sound of the morning birdsong to accompany the scene unfolding inside the farmhouse.

Then the master’s gait, again lopsided, but with an urgency I haven’t heard in years. He soon reaches the stairs, causing me to flee back into my mistress’s room.

“What is it?” Her eyes widen as I dash across the threshold of her sunlit chamber.

“Master’s coming!” is all I have time to say. We hear his rapid approach; using his impressive upper body strength, he’s pulling him- self up the stairs. The floorboards groan beneath his boots as he climbs. I look to my lady, and her features are horrorstruck as we understand each other. No words are needed between us after all these years.

“But surely it’s not . . . it can’t be?” Mrs. Arnold fidgets with the bedcovers, deliberating whether to rise or remain abed.

“Peggy.” Arnold bounds through the door, his hulking frame atremble in the doorway.

Struggling to breathe, he gasps, “They’ve found us out! All is lost, all is lost. We’re unearthed.”

His face tells me that he struggles just as much as my lady does to make sense of the words, even as his lips utter them. And then, as quickly as he entered, General Arnold exits back out my lady’s doorway. And I am left alone, in this room, with nothing but my lady and her shrill wails.

“BENEDICT!” she cries after him. “BENEDICT ARNOLD!”

About the AuthorView More: http://triciamccormack.pass.us/allison_selects

ALLISON PATAKI grew up in upstate New York, in the same neighborhood where Benedict and Peggy Arnold once lived. Allison attended Yale University, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. While at Yale, Allison received Distinction in the Major from the English department and served as a campus reporter and news anchor for the student-run campus television program, YTV News.

The daughter of former New York State Governor George E. Pataki, Allison was inspired to write The Traitor’s Wife: A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America based on the rich Revolutionary War history of her hometown in New York State’s Hudson Highlands.

Allison spent several years writing for television and digital news outlets prior to transitioning to fiction. The Traitor’s Wife: A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America is Allison’s first novel. Allison lives in Chicago with her husband.

Find Allison Website | Goodreads |  Twitter | Facebook

 

Tour Schedule

Monday, January 20th – Daily Mayo
Tuesday, January 21st – Fire & Ice
Wednesday, January 22nd – Sofia Loves Books
Thursday, January 23rd – Little Miss Drama Queen
Friday, January 24th – Book – A – Holic
Monday, January 27th – The Most Happy Reader
Tuesday, January 28th – Evie Bookish
Wednesday, January 29th – Books Besides My Bed
Thursday, January 30th – Crossroad Reviews
Friday, January 31st – Reading Reality
Monday, February 3rd – Curling Up with a Good Book
Tuesday, February 4th – Le Grande Codex
Wednesday, February 5th – Bewitched Bookworms
Thursday, February 6th – Supernatural Snark
Friday, February 7th – Rose’s Book Corner

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The Giveaway

We have a fantastic giveaway for this tour: A Kindle paperwhite! This giveaway is open internationally provided Amazon.com ships to you.

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Witch Fall Blog Tour

17 Jan, 2014 by in amber argyle, blog tour, book review, giveaway, Uncategorized 8 comments

I received this book for free from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Witch Fall Blog Tour

Witch Fall

by Amber Argyle
Published by Starling on October 24th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 332
Format: eBook
three-half-stars
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Buy the Book • Goodreads
All things fall.

Even Witches.

Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms, and sea, the Witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. And among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the Witches.

Lilette is one of the few who see the decadence and decay weakening the Witches. As an outsider amid her own kind, can she help them survive the coming war?

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Fire and Ice is happy to be a part of the official blog tour for Amber Argyle’s Witch Fall. Follow the full Xpresso Book tour here

Review

This is my first taste of Amber Argyle’s writing. When I heard Witch Song was free right now, I downloaded the first book in the series then jumped ahead to the third, Witch Fall for the tour. This one is meant as a prequel, or standalone, so the order can be reverse the way I approached the series.

Amber is a master at world building! Witch Song, set in an Asian empire, which I am assuming would be much like Japan or China, is the tale of Lilette. A girl who has lost everything she loves,  including her family,  and somehow survives a shipwreck. She finds home on a remote island and is about to be married to the father of her best friend, the chief of the tribe. Women in this book don’t have much say in the matters of marriage, bethrothal, and  concubines.  Their plight is one I struggled with as well as some of the darker elements. But Lilette is a persistent fighter and she is bound to find a way out when she’s kidnapped by the enemy, an elite, a royal prince with a brutal edge.

A tale of espionage, fantasy and magic, Witch Fall has eloquent writing with detail and lots of action. Can Lilette learn to trust those who she knows from her childhood? Can she remember her song of the Creator and save the destruction of her people? All balance has been lost by rulers seeking power and Lilette is the key to saving them.

Content: Witch Fall packs a punch… literally. If you have a weak stomach for violence (as I do), you may want to bow out. Recommended for mature teens or adults. To see other content highlight here: threat of sexual abuse, violence against women, lots of death by sword, sensuality.

heatherAbout the Authoramber_argyle

Amber Argyle is the author of Witch Song and Fairy Queen trilogies. She grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing high fantasy. She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children.

Author Links

Purchase the Series- all under $3.99

Fire and Ice Giveaway

One ebook copy of Witch Fall. Open internationally.
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Tour Giveaway

Signed copies of Witch Song, Witch Born, and Witch Fall (US only) a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Love Water Memory Blog Tour & Author Guest Post

13 Jan, 2014 by in Author Guest Post, blog tour, jennie shortridge, love water memory 2 comments

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Fire and Ice is thrilled to be today’s stop on the Love Water Memory Blog Tour hosted by Literati Author Services. We have Jennie Shortridge, the author here to tell us her top ten favorite books and there’s a giveaway for our readers!

Love_Water_MemorycoverTitle: Love Water Memory
Author: Jennie Shortridge
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publication Date: January 14, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Summary

If you could do it all over again, would you still choose him?

At age thirty-nine, Lucie Walker has no choice but to start her life over when she comes to, up to her knees in the chilly San Francisco Bay, with no idea how she got there or who she is. Her memory loss is caused by an emotional trauma she knows nothing about, and only when handsome, quiet Grady Goodall arrives at the hospital does she learn she has a home, a career, and a wedding just two months away. What went wrong? Grady seems to care for her, but Lucie is no more sure of him than she is of anything. As she collects the clues of her past self, she unlocks the mystery of what happened to her. The painful secrets she uncovers could hold the key to her future—if she trusts her heart enough to guide her.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Author Guest Post

Guestpost: Jennie Shortridge, Love Water Memory

The Books That Made Me Want to Become a Writer, AKA Great writers who influenced my own writing, sometimes without me even knowing it.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

I know, I know, everyone says it! But we love it because it was probably the first book we read as kids that actually felt achingly true. We felt everything Scout felt, from confused to ornery to hopping mad at the injustice she discovered in the world.

2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. I loved the adventure and the adventurer. I loved the real voice of a boy in that era. I was incensed by the racial injustice (are you sensing a pattern here?) I felt that I’d learned something important when I was done.

3. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, by Anne Tyler. My first out and out dysfunctional family story, and I couldn’t get enough. I immediately read all of the books she’d written. I wanted more and more.

4. Six of One, Rita Mae Brown. It was the same with this one, but this time there was humor as well as dysfunction. I read everything she wrote until she started writing cat mysteries. I love cats, to be sure, but not books about them.

5. The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver. This story evoked so much more of the world than I knew when I read it, and so much that I wanted to know and do and feel. It felt important in an unassuming way, and I guess I would like to think I might be able to achieve that in my own work some day.

6. The World According to Garp, by John Irving. I loved this broadly funny and heartbreaking story. Just when I thought I was safely in the land of absurdity, I was crying my eyes out over a character’s loss. I read everything he wrote for the longest time.

7. Another Roadside Attraction, by Tom Robbins. Again, I was delighted at the absurdity, and felt I must be kin to this strange writer because he thought of things so oddly, so outside the norm. I always felt that way, that I was not quite on the same page as everyone else around me. Now I know everyone feels this way!

8. Yellow Raft on Blue Water, by Michael Dorris. This excruciating story told in three viewpoints (daughter, mother, grandmother) floored me in its execution, how each narrator was able to fill in the story for the reader as the other narrators couldn’t. Masterful, and an emotional read.

9. The Liar’s Club, by Mary Karr. A true story of childhood trauma, something I’d experienced but didn’t acknowledge for a very long time. I let Mary do some of the heavy lifting for me in my process, writing this harrowing and beautiful book.

10. And most recently, The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. Rarely do books feel so real and painful, and yet so hopeful and true, in the best sense of the word. It is true that we can transcend our misfortunes. Read John Green if you don’t believe me. This is the way I aspire to write.

 

Jennie_Shortridge

About The Author

Jennie Shortridge has published five novels: Love Water Memory,When She Flew, Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe,Eating Heaven, and Riding with the Queen. When not writing, teaching writing workshops, or volunteering with kids, Jennie stays busy as a founding member of Seattle7Writers.org, a collective of Northwest authors devoted both to raising funds for community literacy projects and to raising awareness of Northwest literature.

Connect with Jennie: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

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Echo In Time Blog Tour Schedule & Kick Off

24 Dec, 2013 by in blog tour, CJ Hill, janette rallison Leave a comment

Echo In Time Blog Tour Schedule & Kick Off

Echo In Time

by C.J. Hill
Series: Erasing Time #2
Published by Katherine Tegen on December 23, 2013
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Buy the Book • Goodreads
After being pulled 400 years into the future, twins Taylor and Sheridan have found some refuge from the government of Traventon, which used the dangerous Time Strainer to yank the girls from the past. Yet the threat of the dangerous technology still looms. Taylor and an ally, Joseph, are selected to go on a mission to destroy the time machine and weapon. But their actions before they do may have major consequences for the future and the past.

Action-packed and romantic, this futuristic sequel to Erasing Time is perfect for fans of dystopian and sci-fi novels such as The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, and Matched by Ally Condie.
echo in time blog tour

 

Fire and Ice is thrilled to be the official tour host for the

Echo in Time by C.J. Hill

Blog Tour! We are kicking off today and running reviews, guest posts and giveaways on the stops. So be sure to check out each one!

Happy Holidays!

Blog Tour Schedule

Fire and Ice– December 24- Kick Off
Candace’s Book Blog– December 27- Review
Clean Teen Fiction -December 28- Review
Fiktshun- December 30- Guest Post
Getting Your Read On -January 2-Review
Two Chicks on Books- January 3- Ten’s List
Bittersweet Enchantment -January 4-Review
Tressa’s Wishful Endings– January 5- Review
Literary Time Out -January 6- Review
Min Reads and Reviews– January 7- Review

 

Cj-hillAbout the Author

CJ Hill is a pen name for a YA author who is best known for writing romantic comedies. (Slayers will be her 18th published book.) Her writing has shifted away from the romantic comedy genre, so her editor thought a pen name would be a good idea. (New books will include: dangerous dragons, time travel to dystopian worlds, and flesh-eating beetles.) Since the publisher refused to let her have the pseudonym : The Artist Formerly Referred to as Princess, she chose a name to honor her mother. CJ Hill was her mother’s pen name, or at least it would have been if her mother had published. Her mother wrote a few children’s books and a middle grade novel but was taken by cancer before she had fully learned the craft.
 
Most writers’ first novels aren’t publishable. CJ Junior’s first novel wasn’t, but somehow was published anyway. Now, even though it is out of print, it remains forever available on Amazon, where it taunts her with its badness. This was another good reason to use a pen name.
 
CJ Hill has five children, three of whom like her on any given day depending on who is in trouble. She has lived in Arizona for the last half of her life, but is still in desert denial and hopes that one day her garden will grow silver bells and cockle shells or maybe just tomatoes.

 

Author website/blog/goodreads/macmillan/twitter

The first in the series, Erasing Time, is now on sale for 99 cents!

Visit our Release Day Blitz post for  a chance to win one of both of the books in the Erasing Time series.

 

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