Infinity Band Hourglass Giveaway

18 Mar, 2011 by in myra mcentire, renaissance jewelry, titanium ring 115 comments

Our first Hourglass inspired giveaway is an infinity ring similar to Michael, Grace and Emerson’s. “I opened my hand to a shiny duronium ring with a row of interlocking connected hand carved infinity symbols encircling the band. –p. 396 Hourglass


Renaissance Jewelry has donated one ring sized for the winner to our site! “We are new to Etsy, but we have been around for years. We manufacture titanium jewelry by hand at discounted prices to help you save! Our quality is unmatched!! You are sure to love any product you get from my company!

This is a USA made comfort fit band that is custom made by hand with Aerospace Grade Titanium! This 8mm wide ring features a Milled Infinity Design. This band is perfect to show your loved one that your Love has No Ending! This rings quality is unmatched! We have a satisfaction guarantee so be sure to get the details from one of our friendly customer service representatives. Sizes Available: Free Sizing 4-17 in whole, half and quarter size increments!

To Enter To Win: simply comment below
additional optional entries
+1 add Renaissance Jewelry to your favorites on Etsy
+1 become their fan on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/RenaissanceJewelry/152700444507?sk=wall
+1 for each giveaway retweet @fireicephotos
+1 for each follow here, on twitter, Facebook or Tumblr
+1 for visiting our two etsy shops and commenting on your favorite item

+5 for a blog post of this contest
+1 for following @MyraMcEntire on twitter

leave your links and total your entries in one comment

Giveaway ends April 18, 2011

Kaleb’s Hope Coin Necklace Giveaway

18 Mar, 2011 by in etsy, myra mcentire 81 comments

Our second Hourglass inspired giveaway is a necklace made of Kaleb’s hope coin…”He reached into his pocket before placing something in my hand and carefully curling my fingers around it. When he left, I opened my palm. It was a silver circle engraved with the word hope.” -p.333, Hourglass by Myra McEntire

This handmade piece was donated to Fire and Ice by Lisa Michele Products who “offers handmade silver jewelry and personalized gift ideas meant to inspire joy through conscious and intentional living. My intent is to create personalized silver jewelry and other products that speak to one’s soul, which help nurture and remind people of what matters in life by identifying and living by their values.

Whether it’s a hand stamped piece of jewelry with an inspirational word or quote, a Harmony Bowl or other creations, my products are meant to evoke joy and harmony in one’s life.

I individually design each piece of jewelry. I have been designing and selling jewelry locally for five years. I have sold my work to local retail stores, a gallery and at community events. I continually work on developing my skills by attending classes at bead shops and an area metal design studio. Insisting on attention to detail and craftsmanship, customers can feel confident knowing they are purchasing a quality product that will last for years to come.

The Harmony Bowl is my newest concept and product design. The bowls are a product of Nambe, a company based in New Mexico. There are three styles to select from; crystal, copper, and a polished alloy. The pewter stones are designed from three river rocks I found. The stones are hand stamped with meaningful words and manufactured here in Washington. I will also hand stamp your customized stones. I believe in providing gifts with personal and inspiring meaning, quality products and exceptional customer service! Customize a piece of jewelry or personalize a Harmony Bowl for yourself or someone special. “

Description: Hope is hand-stamped onto my custom designed sterling silver pendant. This is an inspirational piece intended to comfort and remind the person wearing it that with hope in your heart, anything is possible. This is the perfect gift for someone who needs a little lift or as a inspirational reminder of tomorrows possibilities. Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. – Albert Einstein

Necklace Length: 18” Sterling Silver 1.5mm rolo chain. Pendant: 17 x 14 x 2 mm


To Enter To Win: simply comment below
additional optional entries
+1 add LisaMicheleProducts to your favorites on Etsy
+1 become their fan on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Michele-Products/344929360475

+1 for each giveaway retweet @fireicephotos
+1 for each follow here, on twitter, Facebook or Tumblr
+1 for commetning on our review of Hourglass

+1 fpr following author @MyraMcEntire on twitter

+5 for a blog post of this contest
leave your links and total your entries in one comment

Giveaway ends April 18, 2011

Lucky Leprechaun Blog Hop

17 Mar, 2011 by in book giveaway, Maximum ride series 10 comments


Welcome to the Lucky Leprechaun Blog Hop

Here at Fire and Ice are giving away a paperback copy of Maximum Ride by James Patterson

Paperback, 422 pages
Published 2007
by Little, Brown
series Maximum Ride #1

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it’s like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the “Flock”–Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel–are just like ordinary kids–only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time–like when Angel, the youngest member of the “Flock,” is kidnapped and taken back to the “School” where she and the others were genetically engineered by sinister scientists. Her friends brave a journey to Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare–this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf “Erasers” in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb–now her betrayed and greatest enemy–that her purpose is save the world–but can she?

Plus we are adding a sneak preview special edition booklet to book #6 FANG.

To enter to win simply fill out this form.
Our Lucky Leprechaun giveway ends at midnight Sunday March 20, 2011 and is open internationally.
Be sure to visit the over 200 sites participating for more blog hop prizes and check out our right sidebar for current Fire and Ice giveaways. Good Luck to you!

Review and Signed Bookmark Giveaway

16 Mar, 2011 by in book review 40 comments

Sean Griswold’s Head
by Lindsey Leavitt
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published March 1st 2011
by Bloomsbury USA
Children’s Books
ISBN 1599904985
4 stars

According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object—an item to concentrate her emotions on. It’s supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold’s head. They’ve been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas—it’s an alphabetical order thing), but she’s never really known him.

The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father’s newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it’s working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He’s cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.

In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.

I won an autographed copy of Sean Griswold’s Head on twitter…well not his actual head, but the book about his head. And, in correspondence I noticed was how genuinely nice author Lindsey Leavitt is. Her cute and tender story tugged at my heart strings.

Payton is a straight A student, slightly obsessive compulsive and highly organized person until one day she accidentally stumbles upon her father’s MS. Life at home and the world is unraveling fast. Payton is recommended to the school counselor by her parents who suggests she pick a focus object to write about…something to get her mind off of the grief and fear. What better than the head of the boy sitting directly in front of her desk? Blonde, with spiky hair, a scar and an orbit bigger than the average noggin.

What starts out as a purely scientific self-help project ends in Payton wanting to learn more about the boy, Sean who is attached to that head. The two begin biking together and in the process discover there may be more to their close proximity than just their last names. Both are facing meddling best friends with an agenda of their own. Leave it to Peyton’s overbearing bubbly BFF since birth, Jac and the goth vampire of the town to complicate matters. Sean and Payton may not work out after all.

In a sweet, fun contemporary read, Lindsey Leavitt taught me about the power of forgiveness and overcoming personal roadblocks. This is a book I would recommend to all readers over age 12. Lindsey has generously donated two author signed bookmarks to our blog followers. Simply comment below to enter. Open internationally and ends April 15, 2011.

Beyonders Book Birthday Giveaway

15 Mar, 2011 by in book giveaway, simon schuster 2 comments

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO
Beyonders
A World Without Heroes
by Brandon Mull
Hardcover, 464 pages
Published March 15th 2011
by Aladdin
ISBN 141699792X
series: Beyonders #1

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable–until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he’s ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.
In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

Simon Schuster has donated five finished copies of Beyonders World Without Heroes to our readers at Fire and Ice. Entries must have a US mailing address. Ends April 15, 2011. Fill out this form to enter. And if you are in Utah be sure to stop by the launch party tonight at Cottonwood High School at 7 PM. We’ll be there!

Book Review-Griffin Rising

14 Mar, 2011 by in Uncategorized 5 comments

by Darby Karchut
Paperback, 174 pages
Expected publication: June 28th 2011
by Twilight Times Books
ISBN1606192108
4 stars

“Sometimes, lad, it’s hell being an angel.”

For centuries, rumors have abounded of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors secretly serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

But for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever. It is their father-and-son relationship, sometimes turbulent, often hilarious, always affectionate, that sings through the story like a pure note.

Masquerading as the average teen next door, Griffin struggles to learn his trade, navigate the ups and downs of modern life among humans (including falling in love with the girl next door), and prepare for the ancient trial-by-combat every apprentice must pass at sixteen or be forced to become mortal.

Griffin Rising was an enjoyable debut about the use of free agency and overcoming an abusive past. It’s a mixture of action, myth and young romance perfect for middle grade to young adult readers. Angel in training Griffin is 13 years old and stuck with an evil mentor, Nicoplolis who has less than orthodox training methods. Like all Tarrae Angeli, Nicopolis is bound to earth, and has the right to choose; but he uses to use his power in an abusive way and young Tiro, student, Griffin is the recipient.

Fast forward three years and you are at Chapter one of Griffin Rising. Now age 16, young Fin has a new mentor named Basil who takes the ashes of the past and builds up a stronger angel who can control the elements. The two of them are master and student, father and son. Their relationship is based on respect and trust-a model of functional parenting.

Griffin has a lot to learn to become a guardian angel saving humans in danger so Basil recommends a journal. Readers get an inside glimpse to three character’s entries which makes Griffin Rising a personal and layered read.

Just as our young hero is beginning to gain some self confidence, a new family moves in across the street to become a slight distraction. Kate is Griffin’s age, her parents Lewis and Helen professors at the local University specializing in angel lore. Their family is grounded and tight knit. The interactions of both Kate and Griffin with their parents were some of my favorite parts of this book.

I would recommend Griffin Rising to all readers ages 12 and older as there is some minor violence. It stuck with me for several days after I finished because of the depth the author builds into her relationships and characters. Darby Karchut takes a very original slant on angels based on an ancient manuscript and brings it into the modern day every day life of two teenagers falling in love. Thanks so much to the author for sending us a copy as well as a wrist band which we are giving away to you our readers at Fire and Ice.

To Enter to win a Griffin Rising wrist band simply fill out this form. And be sure to swing by Darby Karchut’s website to see her

book trailers and learn more about the Griffin series.

Contest Winners and News

12 Mar, 2011 by in maureen johnson, tsunami 3 comments


Congratulations to Lyudmila who won our Baba Yaga redo notebook giveaway!
Please send us your mailing address.

In the news today, special thanks to Katie’s book blog for the incredibly kind post she made about our book related jewelry. It is amazing to me how the book blogger community supports one another.

Yesterday it was an absolute shock to see the images of Japan in the wake of a tsunami. I lived in Hokkaido, Japan as back in 1994 so my heart aches for my host families. All my love and prayers to them today. Thinking of you at Teine Jinja in Sapporo, the Tetsuo Ito family,Takeharu & Mizue Ishii, & the Nishikawa family in Memuro-Cho, Hokkaido Japan. I sincerely hope they are okay and that I will hear from them all in the future. Several of us Etsy shops are donating a portion of our proceeds to the Red Cross to aid in relief efforts.To see a full list of artists and crafters who are donating click here. I was touched this morning by the numerous beautiful treasuries of art created in honor of Japan. This one is my favorite. I’ve posted all of the new relief art collections on StumbleUpon. Also, please head on over to YA author Maureen Johnson’s site for another way to contribute.

Red Riding Hood Fine Art Print Giveaway

11 Mar, 2011 by in Uncategorized 64 comments


Red Riding Hood Comes out in theaters today and to celebrate Little Red Reads at Fire and Ice is giving away a fine art print donated by Etsy shop owner Clear Jade Studio…”My name is Annya Kai, I’m 25, and I am a freelance artist from Russia currently living near lovely Boston. I adore colors. As a painter and illustrator, it’s incredible to be able to play with brushes, paper and paint whenever inspiration hits. Art is my life. I live it, breathe it, dream it.

Title: “Little Red Riding Hood”

FINE ART PRINT

Image Size: 6 x 8 inches
Paper Size: 8.5 x 11 inches
Frame not included
Signed by the artist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a beautiful reproduction of an original mixed media painting by Annya Kai Joslow. The image is centered on paper with an inch surrounding border for easy framing.

Printed on fine art Museum Etching Paper. This superb, heavyweight paper has a warm, textured finish which produces gorgeous saturated colors and creates prints of archival quality.

Prints are securely packaged in cello sleeves and shipped to their happy new home in a cardboard mailer, ensuring that the artwork remains completely safe. Shipped with USPS first class mail.

To Enter To Win: simply comment below
additional entries
+1 add annya127 Clear Jade Studio to your favorites on Etsy
+1 visit her shop and comment below with your favorite item
+1 for each retweet @fireicephotos
+1 for each follow here, on twitter, Facebook or Tumblr
+5 for a blog post of this contest
leave your links and total your entries

Giveaway ends April 11, 2011

Book Review-The Goddess Test

09 Mar, 2011 by in paranormal YA fiction 4 comments

Paperback, 297 pages
by Aimee Carter
Expected publication: April 19th 2011
by Harlequin Teen
ISBN 0373210264
series: Goddess Test #1
4.5 stars

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it’s Kate’s turn.

It’s always been just Kate and her mom–and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld–and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he’s crazy–until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails…

The Goddess Test is one of the most engaging reads of 2011 thus far. Aimee Carter’s writing from page one is beautiful and poignant. After getting my copy from NetGalley I was transported into the world of Eden Manor and finished it in less than 24 hours. The story opens as Kate Winters is taking her dying mother home from New York to Eden City Michigan to die. The last four years Kate has spent as a caretaker to her mom who has cancer. Kate’s not lived the life of an average carefree teen. So when she arrives at Eden High she is confused by all of the unwelcome attention she receives from classmates James, Ava and Dylan. Ava, class cheerleader is immediately jealous of Kate and takes her on an outing that turns deadly. There Kate meets mysterious Henry who answers her call for help. Henry is my favorite character of all. He’s polite and timeless while remaining a bit wounded at the same time. As the god of the underworld he has the power to bring back the dead for Kate who must, in exchange, trade 6 months a year of her life as his guest.

Patterned after the tale of Persephone and Hades, The Goddess Test brings greek mythology into the 21st century. Carter’s underworld is fascinating as are the 7 tests Kate must pass in order to become who she is meant to be. Kate is self sacrificing and selfess. Her love for Henry and her mother overrules all. My biggest hesitation with the book was suspending disbelief in Kate’s relationship with James and Ava. I have to agree with blogger Book Faery who said ” I could not believe some of the friendships that were so easily accepted by Kate. There were no reasons whatsoever for Kate to feel such loyalty to some of the characters she just met. There was no reason for her to sacrifice her life for a girl who wanted to harm her. ” My second disappointment was the test of lust that Kate and Henry go through. It fit well with the plot but added a twist that makes an otherwise clean book more suitable for mature readers.

My overall impression is one of praise for The Goddess Test. I stayed up late into the night reading it and could not put it down. The pace is fast and there are tons of surprises in plot. Aimee Carter is one talented young lady and I predict big things for this series. I’ll follow up on the story when Goddess Interrupted, book 2 is released in February 2012…can’t wait to see what kind of a life lies ahead for Henry and Kate. Thanks so much to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for the sneak peek!

Waiting on Wednesday- The Forgotten Locket

09 Mar, 2011 by in Shadow Mountain Leave a comment


Our Waiting on Wednesday is book three in the Hourglass Door series by Lisa Mangum titled The Forgotten Locket.
Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: May 30th 2011
by Deseret Book Company
ISBN 1609080491
series: Hourglass Door Trilogy #3 .

The future is uncertain. The battle to control the past has begun. The final book in the riveting Hourglass Door trilogy begins when Abby steps through the black door, and she doesn’t dare look back. Though it means leaving Dante—wounded, bleeding, and possibly blind—she knows it is the only way to save her family and stop Zo from manipulating the river of time and throwing the future into chaos. In the end, Abby must face a final confrontation that will take her to the very origins of the Hourglass Door.

Deseret Book sent us the trailer yesterday and we are pumped!

To learn more about the series see our reviews here:

and be sure to visit our Etsy shop at LittleRedReads for Hourglass Door related items.