Posts Categorized: Uncategorized

Count Down To Love Blog Tour and Giveaway

27 Aug, 2012 by in Uncategorized 7 comments

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the Count Down To Love blog tour hosted by Lexie at The Book Bug.

Countdown To Love
by Julie N Ford
Paperback, 240 pages
Published July 14th 2011
by Bonneville Books
ISBN 1599555166
source: Tristi Pinkston Blog Tours
5 stars
Abandoned at the altar, Kelly Grace Pickens finds herself left holding not only the bouquet but also the exorbitant bill for an A-list wedding. Homeless, a once promising singing career floundering, and her life bearing an uncanny resemblance to one of her country music ballads, she reluctantly accepts a last minute offer to appear on a reality TV show akin to the bachelor. Pitted against silicon-enhanced supermodels in four-inch heals, Kelly feels confident that she will be among the first would-be fiancés to be excused. Only, when the mysterious bachelor from New York City, Dillon Black, invites her to stay, Kelly finds herself thrust into the vortex of a game she doesn’t have the first idea how to play. Nursing her hopelessly broken heart while avoiding the foils of her fellow contestants, Kelly is oblivious to Dillon’s affections as she wades through hurt and betrayal to discover, in the end, that she has landed firmly on both feet.

Leaving behind Nashville’s Music Row for the majestic Grand Teton mountains, Count Down To Love takes readers on a journey from duplicity to sincerity as Kelly discovers that being true to oneself is the first step in finding happiness and everlasting love.

Heather’s Review: What a fun summer read! Countdown to Love is one of the few books this year that I can definitely say I would pick up and read again. Fans of the movie Sweet Home Alabama and the T.V. series the Bachelor will eat this one up. Countdown to Love opens with Kelly Pickens, a sweet Southern singer on the rise to stardom abandoned at the alter. Left with no where to live and no idea where her fiance has gone, Kelly’s not quite sure what to do with her life. In sweeps Kelly’s cousin Sissy, the producer of a popular reality show who is also left in a lurch as she’s down one female contestant. While Kelly certainly isn’t looking for love herself, she has bills to pay from a wedding that never happened so she accepts a spot on the show.
There a million laugh out loud and toe curling romantic moments in Countdown to Love. Kelly must overcome her past to be able to trust again and find out who she really is, but Dillon is just the man to help her out! Readers will enjoy all the settings and vivid descriptions of American terrain the author weaves into her storyline. I’d call Countdown to Love a must have for fans of chick lit/ Christian romance. I can’t wait to read more from this author! My fingers are crossed for a follow up novel.
Content: The main man smokes and drinks. There are a few mentions of cleavage and past sexual relationships. No violence or swearing. Overall a clean read recommended for adults.

You might also like: Austenland by Shannon Hale or Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain

About the Author: Julie N. Ford has a BA in political science and a minor in English literature from San Diego State University. In addition, she earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching, childbirth education, and family therapy. Along with Count Down to Love, she is the author of two other women’s fiction novels due for release in 2011. Currently, she lives in Nashville with her husband, two daughters, and one very feisty fish.
In her spare time, Julie loves to ride her mountain bike, practice yoga, spend time shopping, walking and listening to music with her daughters and of course reading. Some of her favorite authors include, Daphne Du Maurier, Bronte, P.D. James, Michael Crichton, Linda Davies and Sophie Kinsella.
Visit the author’s website and subscribe to her blog .
Grand Prize Giveaway:  As part of the tour, Julie is generously offering a grand prize giveaway of a hard copy of Count Down to Love, a CD of the band Due West, and a copy of the single, “Who I Am”, which Julie and Due West wrote and recorded specifically for the book. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post or any of the other stops on the tour. The more stops you comment on, the more entries you have into the contest!

Free Ebook – A Still Small Voice

26 Aug, 2012 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

“A Still Small Voice: Sequel to Me, My Family and GOD”  by one of our reviewers, M L Walling is now available in  Kindle format. 

In honor of Writer’s United to Fight Cancer, it will be free August 26th through  August 28th 12 pm Pacific time.  Please support the fight for cancer  and at the same time enjoy a free book.
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We Have Winners

18 Aug, 2012 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Congratulations to Alicia Marie Ezell who won a Jennifer Lynn Barnes prize pack and to Savannah Lauren who won the Realty Check blog tour prize pack. Email us your mailing address and we will send out your prizes!

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Author Interview with Diony George

14 Aug, 2012 by in Uncategorized 1 comment

Fire and Ice is thrilled to have author Diony George here today to talk about her book A Sisterhood of Strength.

Tell us what inspired your book:
When I served as a ward RS president, my love for my sisters grew immeasurably from serving them and seeing them unselfishly serve one another. I felt a book of stories written by many different women who experienced that bond of sisterhood in their lives would be inspiring to others as well.
How do you think women can become stronger and more unified in today’s world?
Women are the heart of the home and the family. We can have a powerful influence for good on our husbands, our children, and others we meet by the way we carry ourselves and give love. A woman’s true feminine beauty lies far beyond her outward appearance. When we remember our worth is infinite because we are daughters of God, our strength grows and the world will see it.
What writing rituals do you have if any?
Nothing specific, except to try to write a little everyday
Favorite books and authors?
I love Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, Josi Kilpack’s early novels, and Mary Higgins Clark.
What advice would you give to young women?
Be true to yourself and keep your standards high—its worth it.
How was being a mother shaped your character?
Being a mother has been immensely challenging and rewarding. It has helped me develop unconditional love and realize how important setting a good and consistent example is. Our children learn so much by watching us. It has also greatly increased my appreciation for my own parents.
What has been the most rewarding experience you’ve had as an author to date?
I’ve had several rewarding experiences as an author, it would be hard to narrow it down to just one. The big thing is I love that my books help people. When they feel something from what I’ve written, especially if it brings them closer to God I am exhilarated.
Author Bio: I’m a wife, mother of seven, and grandmother of two originally from Alaska, but currently live in Utah with my family and now consider myself a true city girl at heart. I will readily admit I don’t miss the giant mosquitoes or the cold and long, dark winters way up North, but I absolutely miss the fresh seafood. Fish and chips made with fresh-caught halibut is my favorite!
My beginning as a writer started in elementary school when a poem I had written for a contest was chosen as a winner, set to music, and sung by the whole school at an assembly. I wrote my first picture book, 11 pages long in fifth grade as an assignment,  bound it myself and have read it to my children several times. The next book I wrote, I was in eighth grade, 48 pages long with photograph’s and was a memoir.
The first edition of my first published novel, Torn Apart was released in July 2008, when I was 42 years old, the second edition under a new publisher was released nationally in February of 2009. So…never give up on your dream of writing. I’m currently working on my third novel.
When I’m not imagining a new plot-line or typing frantically away at my computer, I love to spend time with my family, read (my favorite genre is romantic suspense) travel, cook or bake something delicious, sew, scrap-book, or work on crafts.
Find out more about author Diony George: Goodreads/ Blog
Fire and Ice is giving away one paperback copy of  A Sisterhood of Strength courtesy of Diony George and Cedar Fort Books. To enter to win fill out the rafflecopter form below. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Utah Book Month Author Interview with Kathryn Jones

06 Aug, 2012 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

For our first Utah Book Month interview Fire and Ice met with writer Kathryn Jones, author of Conquering your Goliaths. She is currently working on Scrambled, a cozy mystery about a woman named Susan who is not happy in her marriage and thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Susan starts working as a house keeper at an old hotel and as a maid comes upon a man who has been killed. In order to prove her innocence, Susan must find the true killer. Scrambled is the first in a series, with the second book being called Sunnyside Up. Susan, the detective is an inexperienced person so she bungles and makes mistakes. It’s a fun mystery. Scrambled  has been in the works for quite a few years. Kathryn started it 2004 in a college English class and in September 2012 is finally releasing it.

Mrs. Jones graduated in 2009 in mass communications with a minor in creative writing. She then started mentoring other writers who come to her home. Kathryn recently also started a new business others publish their writing into a finished book. Idea Creations Press is a publishing services company utilizing print on demand, or P.O.D technology. The writer owns the rights to their own work, which means that the writer gets to decide how they want to market and sell their books and they make their own profit. Once the book is in the authors hands, Kathryn and the company does not take a percentage of sales. Idea Creations Press offers writing services such as ghostwriting, blog writing, classes and workshops. They also offer editing layout and design and marketing.
Kathryn claims her inspiration for writing came in first grade when she wrote a book called “A Little Saint Dog.” After that, she always kept a journal or diary and then took a writing class in high school. When she got married and pregnant with her first daughter she was sick all the time and asked herself “what can I do in my spare time?” She sat down one day and decided to write a story. It took eight years of daily writing before she got published.
Her first piece was published in the Ensign random sampler section and she still remembers getting the $40 check in the mail. Over the years Kathryn has written for the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News as a freelancer and has also dabbled in journalism.
Kathryn’s first book published in 2002, A River of Stones is a good read for kids whose parents are going through divorce. It is a middle grade reader which was released through a local publishing company.
The next book, Conquering Your Goliaths: a parable of five stones was published in January and in February 2012 the next book-  a guidebook that goes along the first was published. Kathryn teaches five stones in the books. The first of these stones is listening: listen to God and be open to hearing his words. The second stone is to trust in God and trust your own abilities. The third stone is optimism- if you listen and trust in God you will be a positive person. The fourth stone is tenacity… not giving up keep going forward. And, the final stone is constancy- be constant with God no matter what may be thrown in your way. The guidebook asks reflective questions and is a workbook for people who are reading the book Conquering Your Goliaths.
Kathryn mentioned several things that have been the most rewarding experiences as a published author, “the first being reviewers to have been touched by her writing.” She said if you write a book and it changes somebody, makes them want to be a better person and you feel you’re an inspiration to others that is a rewarding experience. The second most rewarding thing about being a published author has been sharing with other writers, being with others “who are quirky like you are.” She admits that sometimes when she is writing she forgets to eat or she will stop her car and pull over to write down an idea.
Kathryn’s  favorite writers include CS Lewis, Max Lucado and Louis Lowry. She used to watch Matlock and Murder She Wrote when she was younger. Both shows made her want to write a mystery.
When asked about advice for those who want to become an author Kathryn said “for most of us it takes a few years and it’s easy to get discouraged. It takes time to get your writing to a certain level. Never give up. It takes a while to find your voice. I came to a  point when I needed to sound like me who I am. I needed to have my own voice. Even after getting published, it doesn’t mean you’ll be published easily after you’ve written your first book.”

She feels things are getting easier for authors these days Amazon’s create space program. Kathryn’s company also has a sale going right now where book can be published from manuscript, once it is edited and ready to go to a bound book.

In the past, Kathryn was a member of the League of Utah writers. She now critiques manuscripts and meets with a group of other authors as they talk about dialogue setting and voice. She teaches a class on marketing your book which is offered for free. She uses ocean waves music to clear her mind and to get mellowed for writing. She also has a book with nothing but magazine pictures in it for inspiration. She asks yourself “what am I going to read about today?” then uses the five senses to write about the picture. Her biggest suggestion to aspiring writers is to “write every day.”
One resource Kathryn also recommends for writers is the book Writing Screenplays That Sell. It teaches you about dialogue characterization and development, since authors usually do better at either dialogue or setting- one or the other and not both.
Some fun lesser-known or unique facts about Kathryn… many of her ideas for a cozy mystery came from her days cleaning houses. Kathryn loves reading Hugh Nibley. She really likes the book Approaching Zion. She said ” it’s fantastic. It’s really deep. It expands my mind and gets me thinking outside the box.” She also loves all things Egyptian. Kathryn studies the facsimiles in The Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price. She loves to learn and is trying to learn how to read Egyptian.

It was a pleasure to meet with Kathryn!

Author Bio: My favorite tool is the pen. Though computer keys get the words down quicker and easier, I like to put pen to paper, smell the ink, see the words as they are developed and renewed by new phrases or thoughts. I enjoy traveling to wherever the character takes me. This often means even I am surprised and warmed at the outcome. In the end, when my writing is done, I like to watch the eyes of the reader whenever I can. Their reflective expression gives me the greatest glimpse into what my writing has become. When I am not writing I’m reading. I am an avid reader of the scriptures and books of spiritual merit. I have been married 30 years and enjoy teaching and working with youth and children-including my own three girls, three grand-daughters and grandson.
Her works: “A River of Stones,” middle-reader about divorce and step-families, (LDS) published in 2002. “Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones,” (Christian Fiction) published in 2012.“Conquering Your Goliaths: Guidebook,” (non-fiction guidebook) published in 2012. And… “Scrambled,” a Susan Sleuth Cozy mystery (the first in a series) set on the east coast.

To learn more visit Kathryn Jones at http://www.ariverofstones.com and http://ideacreationspress.com

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A Glimpse of Heaven Blog Tour

05 Aug, 2012 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the official blog tour for A Glimpse of Heaven hosted by Cedar Fort Books.

A Glimpse of Heaven
by JoAnna Oblander
Kindle eBook, 115 pages
Published January 10, 2012
by Cedar Fort, Inc
ISBN 1599559765
ASIN: B007TC5976
Book Source: Publisher
5 stars
Book Description: Through both personal and spiritual experiences, JoAnna Lynn Oblander guides us to a deeper understanding of our heavenly home. Shared within the covers of
this book are experiences and insights that will remind you of God’s great love for each of His children, His desire to be a daily part of our lives, and that each of us has come to earth to fulfill a unique and important purpose.

Mary’s Review: I have never read a book that has brought so much meaning into my life as this one has. I only wish I had read it sooner.  Jo Anna has opened up a brand new perspective to personal
prayer and revelation to me.  She has helped me to see how to build a much better was
relationship with my Heavenly Father.  My heart has truly been touched by her own spiritual experiences and the health issues that she suffers.  I too suffer from depression and several other disabaling health issues.  Through her book, she has me more hope and faith than I had before and has shown me and others how to prayer more sincerely and listen more clearly for that personal revelation from our Heavenly Father.  Thank you JoAnna for sharing your personal and spiritual experiences with us so that we can also learn.

I recomment this book to everyone, young adult and older. 


About this author: JoAnna Oblander is a Billings, Montana native who has been married to her best friend Greg for more than 33 years. She has been a small-business owner for most of her adult life and has served in several leadership positions. She is the mother of six children – two of whom were adopted from Russia and the adoring grandmother of 10 grandchildren (and counting). When she is not spending time with her family, she volunteers in the children’s organization of her church. “Jo”, as she is known to her friends and family, is passionate about  Family, Whole Health (Whole Health is based on the premise that mental/emotional, spiritual and physical health are all key components to a person being truly healthy), and helping others create a life of joy and purpose based on the eternal truths that she witnessed and learned as a result of her visit to heaven.

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