The Third Blog Tour and Signed Book Giveaway

27 Apr, 2011 by in the third 3 comments

The Third
by Abel Keogh
Paperback, 272 pages
Published April 8th 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599554941

When Ransom Lawe, a recycler in the Pacific Northwest, finds out his wife is pregnant with their third—and therefore illegal—child, he’s forced to choose between the government who proclaims a desire to save the planet and his hope for a place where his family can live in freedom. But with the Census Bureau Sentinels closing in on his wife and unborn child, Ransom’s choice will either save his family or tear them apart forever.

Abel Keogh offers a stark and haunting look at a not-so-distant future in this chilling new novel. Crossing lines between good and evil, freedom and oppression, and political and environmental responsibility, The Third is a gut-wrenching tale of intense loyalty and unconditional love.

Fire and Ice is honored to be a part of the blog tour for The Third. Click here to add The Third to your TBR list on Goodreads.


About Abel Keogh
Abel is the author of the novel The Third and the memoir Room for Two and numerous short stories and poems. For nearly a decade he has worked as a professional copywriter and composed hundreds of print and online pieces of marketing collateral for technology, real estate, health care, and education organizations—including several Fortune 500 companies. Abel and his wife, Julianna, are the parents of three boys and a girl.

Visit Abel Keogh’s site at http://abelkeogh.com/ and the official book site at http://thethirdthebook.com/

We are giving away a numbered and signed edition of The Third to our readers here at Fire an Ice.

Click and fill out this form to be entered. Must be 16 or older and a US resident. Giveaway ends May 20, 2011.

Bumpy Landings Blog Tour and Giveaway

25 Apr, 2011 by in Uncategorized 30 comments

Bumpy Landings
by Donald J Carey
Paperback, 256 pages
Published January 8th 2011
by Cedar Fort, Incorporated
ISBN 1599554135
4 stars

When Jordan MacDonald goes behind his mother’s back to get his pilot’s license, he soon finds out that a life full of dishonesty attracts more turbulence than he’s ever faced in the air. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, this heartwarming story of romance and self-discovery will take you to new heights with each turn of the page.

At 21 years old Jordan McDonald has decided he’s ready to be an adult and take on his dreams. Never mind the fact that he still lives at home with an overbearing mother who is out to control him every step of the way. Or the fact that he’s painfully stuck in socially awkward situations. He dreams of completing his pilot’s license, his deceased father’s wish for him. But he’s experiencing turbulence while navigating the paths of his life.

Set in Lai’e, Hawaii , Bumpy Landings will sweep you away with the smell of tropical flowers, Polynesian culture and mouth watering foods. Donald Carey takes you through the setting with the ease of a native. I found the book to be a wonderful break form the winter we’re having on the main land. (What I really want to know Donald…is how to you pronounce main love interest Kehau’s name?)

Bumpy Landings is a coming of age tale with just a dash of romance. The themes are ones all of us stuck between youth and adulthood experience: staying financially afloat, discovering independence, and following one’s heart. Bumpy Landings is an island gem, complete with lots of laugh out loud moments. And it’s a squeaky clean read I would recommend for all. Thanks to Donald Carey for leading me to greener pastures.

Fire and Ice is honored to be a part of the Blog Tour. Be sure to swing by Donald’s blog at http://donaldjcarey.com/ to see his own photos of Hawaii and a schedule of all the other stops.

Follow us here, on tiwtter, facebook or Tumblr, then leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of Bumpy Landings courtesy of author Donald Carey. Giveaway ends May 9, 2011 and is open internationally.

International ARC Tour- Carmen

20 Apr, 2011 by in walter dean myers Leave a comment

Carmen
by Walter Dean Myers
Hardcover, 144 pages
Expected publication:
April 26th 2011
by EgmontUSA
ISBN 1606841157

Into the summer heat of New York’s Spanish Harlem strides Carmen, a chica who is as hot as the sizzling city streets. When she first meets José, she falls for him hard. He’s not like the gansta types she knows—tipo duros who are tough, who think they are players. But José has a quick temper, and he likes to get his own way. And nobody gets in Carmen’s way.
When Escamillo rolls into town, everyone takes notice of the Latino Jay-Z—a quadruple-threat singer/rapper/producer/businessman. But he only notices one person—Carmen. And Carmen has given up on José—he’s not going to get her out of her tough neighborhood, el barrio, and into the action. Escamillo will. But José won’t let that happen.

Passion, love, and betrayal explode into tragedy in this modern retelling of an enduring love story.

“…this concentrated dose of high drama is full of sharp repartee and would make a lively classroom read-aloud.” – Publisher’s Weekly

To sign up to read and review Carmen as part of Fire and Ice’s international ARC tours click and fill out this form.

The Guardians of The Hidden Scepter Blog Tour

19 Apr, 2011 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

The Guardians of The Hidden Scepter
by Frank L. Cole
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published March 8th 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599554488
4 stars

Amber never dreamed her archaeology class would turn into a top secret mission that would take her across the globe, but when her teacher goes missing, Amber realizes it’s up to her to protect the Hidden Scepter or risk unleashing an ancient power too terrifying to imagine. This guaranteed page-turner from the bestselling author of the Hashbrown Winters series is perfect for the adventurer in your family.

Fire and Ice is honored to be one of the stops on The Guardians of The Hidden Scepter blog tour hosted by Cedar Fort Books.

If you are looking for a high adventure YA book with a fun twist of humor, this one’s for you! Frank L. Cole’s writing is witty and sarcastic with an intelligent archeology smart heroine and a junk food shoveling sidekick named Trendon. What started out as four students enrolled in a private school’s archeology course soon turns into an uncovered conspiracy with plenty of bullets flying. The plot is well paced and storyline similar to Middleworld by J&P Voelkel. Frank’s strength is the detail he builds into each scene and character. This book is just like being sucked head first into a movie and ending up halfway across the world. I would recommend The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter to readers 14 and older or as a read along with your students/children due to some violence in the first couple of chapters. Otherwise a clean read it will also appeal to an adult audience. And did I happen to mention how much we enjoy the author? My kiddos have met him at a couple of signings and are true fans of Frank’s first series entitled Hashbrown Winters.

We are thrilled to have Frank L. Cole here with us today to answer some exclusive interview questions…


Did you graduate from college, if so from where and in what major? I graduated from Weber State University with a bachelors in Public Relations

What are your hobbies? Obviously writing books, but I love reading, hanging with my family, playing basketball, and watching all sorts of sports and movies.

What are your favorite all-time books? Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides, No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, and The Taily Po (children’s book that scared me to death.)

When did you start writing your first book and how long did it take to get it published? I started writing The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters in 2003 and it was published in 2009, so about 6 years from start to finish with a lot of rejection along the way.

Who is your hero/ mentor? That’s a tough one. I’ve had a lot of people that have shown their support for me over the years. I suppose, if I had to pick one, it would be my wife, Heidi. She’s been there for me throughout this whole experience. She cried when I faced rejection after rejection and she screamed when someone finally said yes. She gives up her nights to let me read what I’ve written to her and she doesn’t let me quit. Every writer could use a mentor like that.

What suggestion would you give young writers? Find a story that you really want to tell and finish it. Don’t worry about the other stuff that goes along with getting published at first. Submitting and trying to find a publisher or an agent really puts a clamp on the writing ability. At least it does for me. I get so stressed and worried about what people think and if I’m not focused, it takes me a long time to finish a book. Discover your story, pull (if you can) from your own experiences, and find your beginning, middle, and end of your book.

Who is your favorite author? I really love JK Rowling. Her stories are so amazing and she writes her characters in such a way that they’ll never be forgotten. I wish I could write that way.

How do you find time to write with other responsibilities? It’s tough. Full-time work, full-time family, and of course, other responsibilities make it difficult to write. But because it’s something I love so dearly, I find a way to do it. Usually, I write at night when the kids are asleep and I have a free hour or two to just relax and go to work. Story telling is in my blood and it really brings me a lot of joy.

What was your road to being published like? Oh, it was grueling. My first book (still unpublished) was rejected at least 50 times. I refused to give up when, now looking back, I realize I should’ve moved on to other books earlier. I went to conferences, mingled with authors and publishers, and made all the mistakes rookies do when trying to prove to people you’ve written something worth taking a look at. Luckily, Cedar Fort gave me a shot. They read my first book and like all of the others, rejected it, but invited me to submit something else. That was Hashbrown. I’m so grateful for all they’ve done for me. They’re a great company!

What is your all-time favorite children’s book? I know I said The Tailypo, but that book scared me so bad as a kid that I slept in my parents’ bedroom for months. I really love Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. My mom read me that book as a kid and I bought it for my own kids a few years ago. It’s just a cool idea.

Do you have a writer’s group? I meet with some guys in Layton once a month and we brainstorm for an hour or two. It’s great to get out and get other ideas. I highly recommend them

Thank you so much to Cedar Fort books for choosing Fire and Ice as a blog tour stop Be sure to find Frank L. Cole on his blog

Giveaway Winners

19 Apr, 2011 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Congratulations to Krysykat who won Kaleb’s Hope Necklace MFrame who won the Infinity band from Renaissance Jewelry. Email us us your ring size! Patty Kalogeroudis won an ARC of Hourglass by Myra McEntire. If you weren’t a winner, be sure to sign up for our international Hourglass ARC tour.

Julie Myers won Stay With Me on our Facebook page, and finally…

Chris won the signed River Secrets by Shannon Hale with a bid of $10 which will go to Japan relief. Email us your mailing addresses to claim your prizes 🙂

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Book Review: God So Loved The World

16 Apr, 2011 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

by Eric D. Huntsman
Hardcover, 112 pages
Published March 9th 2011
by Deseret Book Company
ISBN 1606419757
5 stars

“So much more than a simple book full of stories, songs and pictures; it can be used all year long whenever we want a way to revisit the power and majesty of the Savior fulfilling his mission and ponder our place in it as well.” —Beth W. Roach for the Association for Mormon Letters “There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter,” taught President Gordon B. Hinckley. “The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.” With this deeper understanding given by a modern prophet, Latter-day Saints have an increased opportunity during the period from Palm Sunday to Easter morning to reflect upon the last days of our Lord’s earthly ministry. In God So Loved the World: The Final Days of the Savior’s Life, author Eric D. Huntsman takes us on a scriptural journey through the last week of our Savior’s mortal life, culminating in His atoning sacrifice and joyous resurrection. The author, by drawing on his wide knowledge of historical context, cultural background, and biblical insights, increases our understanding of these momentous events and helps us draw closer to the Savior. Full-color fine-art paintings, photographs, maps, music, and topics for personal reflection are included to enhance our commemoration of Easter week. Brother Huntsman writes, “Each year has its rhythms with the passage of summer to fall, winter, and at last, again, spring. Holidays are part of that rhythm, helping us remember realities greater than mere seasons, and Easter, together with Christmas, can anchor each year securely in the promises of Jesus Christ.”

Growing up in a home with two different predominant Christian religions gave me some insight into Holy Week and palm Sunday, but I never fully understood the meaning of The Passion of Christ. This book brings the last week of Christ’s mortal life into focus. After reading God So Loved The World, I have a deeper knowledge of the events that led up to his Crucifixion and the ressurrection. Eric Huntsman uses scriptural passage from the Synoptic Gospels, words to hymns, sidebars and text boxes to weave a full portrait of each day of the week leading up to the final events of Easter. He also adds geographical photographs of surrounding areas Bethany and Jerusalem, plus fine art depictions of mentioned scenes to appeal to the visual learner. Mr. Huntsman’s rich knowledge and personal feelings of Christ’s sacrifice highlight depth and meaning that goes beyond just facts.

As a society we tend to place a huge focus on Christmas and forget to prepare ourselves for the miraculous event that occurred at the garden tomb. God So Loved the World points out numerous times that “without Easter there would be no Christmas.”

I will be passing this book on to my family members and applying the suggestions given for preparing for Easter beginning this Sunday. It was a timely read for me, and I have to thank Deseret Book for giving us a beautifully crafted account of Holy Week, and a wonderful tool to be used in teaching our children about Christ’s life here on earth. To order God So Loved The World and to read other customer reviews click here.

Hourglass ARC Tour

14 Apr, 2011 by in ARC tour, myra mcentire 3 comments

Hourglass
by Myra McEntire
Hardcover, 397 pages
Expected publication:
June 14, 2011
by EgmontUSA
ISBN 1606841440

One hour to rewrite the past . . . For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back. So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past. Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened? Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Thanks to Egmont USA we have a copy to send on tour! To read an advanced reading copy of Hourglass as part of Fire and Ice ARC tours, fill out this form.

The Time-Traveling Fashionista

13 Apr, 2011 by in the poppy tree, time traveling fashionista, YA historical fiction 1 comment

by Bianca Turestsky
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published April 5th 2011
by Poppy ISBN 0316105422
Source: Publisher
3.5 stars

When Louise Lambert receives a mysterious invitation to a traveling vintage fashion sale in the mail, her normal life in suburban Connecticut is magically transformed into a time traveling adventure. After a brief encounter with two witchy salesladies and donning an evening gown that once belonged to a beautiful silent film star, Louise suddenly finds herself onboard a luxurious cruise ship in 1912. As Alice Baxter, the silent film star, Louise enjoys her access to an extensive closet of gorgeous vintage gowns and begins to get a feel for the challenges and the glamour of life during this decadent era. Until she realizes that she’s not just on any ship– she’s on the Titanic! Will Louise be able to save herself and change the course of history, or are she and her film star alter ego, destined to go down with a sinking ship in the most infamous sea disaster of the 20th century?

The Time- Traveling Fashionista is a fun middle grade read with absolutely stunning illustrations that will take you back to the early days of Vogue magazine. As a girl I was fascinated by the Titanic as well as history and this book would speak right to my young teen heart. Louise transforms from a seventh grader to world famous actress with just the switch of clothes and is magically transported back into time. She finds herself in all kinds of predicaments as she is wearing someone else’s identity and the ship she;s on is about to sink. Can she find a way to alter history and convince the crew of the calamity swiftly approaching? Will she make it out of the disaster herself or be stuck in the past?

I’m delighted by this new series and the only qualm I had with it was the slow pace and my wish for a little more action. The design of the pages and chapter headings is beauitful. It has a clean splash of romance and though based on history is a fun twist to an actual event. This would be a great gift for girls between 10-15. Thanks so much to the Hachette Group for a wonderful read.And be sure to “check out the gorgeously designed Poppy website, http://pickapoppy.com/ in honor of the book’s release! There are all sorts of goodies: excerpts, discussion forums, photos and videos.”