Teaser Tuesday- The Ancillary’s Mark

21 Dec, 2010 by in Teaser Tuesday 3 comments

I am currently reading The Ancillary’s Mark by Daniel A. Cohen.

Summary: The legend of the Ancillary flower has existed for centuries. Foretold to bring out the limitless potential of its bearer, the flower and the legend have been forgotten by many. Recently, strange events in a shrouded Tibetan town have sparked rumors among those who still believe. Jacob Deer is a quirky young man, bound for college, with an eccentric old librarian for a best friend, an obsession with sitting down in elevators, and a strange birthmark on his hand that’s shaped mysteriously like the markings on the Ancillary’s petals. When Jacob’s mentor Mr. Maddock reveals to him his connection with the legendary Ancillary, it sets in motion a series of events that sends Jacob and friends across the world. Alongside an alluring young woman, a marine-reject, and a Tibetan kid obsessed with comic books, Jacob must face off against a vengeful maniac for the fate of the flower, the legend, and all mankind

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read and Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“The summer heat had finally reached the point where the flat rocks could be used to host a barbecue. The magnolia leaves radiated vibrant shades of red and yellow, and cast shadows on Jacob’s face.” p.40

Add the Ancillary’s Mark book to your TBR pile here on Goodreads.

Book Review- Human Blend by Lori Pescatore

21 Dec, 2010 by in paranormal 20 comments

Paperback, 234 pages
Published June 10th 2010
by CreateSpace
ISBN 1453765131
3.5 stars

Marion, Virginia seemed like a nice place to live a normal life, but she is not a normal girl. Laney has special abilities that keep her looking over her shoulder as she makes her escape from the men who had kidnapped her. A young doctor’s interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child’s illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harboring secrets of his own. Laney’s budding relationship with a local boy puts both of them in danger when the men she was hiding from find her. All of their lives will change forever as ancient secrets become unearthed.

I have really mixed feelings about this book. From the beginning the relationships seemed WAY too rushed until you find out a little tidbit of info. near the end. However, there were several points during my read that I almost put the book away and didn’t finish due to content. I really wouldn’t want my teen reading this book. While pitched as YA fiction with 18 year old main characters, I think it is written more as adult romance. The flashbacks to Laney’s previous life I skimmed right past and didn’t read because of how violent they were. I understand her past was hard and she is on the run but do why the need to elaborate so much?

That being said, Human Blend does have a very interesting storyline that kept me intrigued enough that I did finish the book. Lori’s writing felt a bit choppy at times but the basic premise of the plot and the personalities of the characters are a winning combination. She takes a new slant on two paranormal creatures that come into contact with each other when Laney takes a volunteer position in a hospital. It has your love triangle going on but the relationships were complex and the author keeps you guessing through the whole book. I felt connected to the people and liked the new mythology introduced. Sometimes I wish that books came with filters like TV and movies do, because I genuinely would have loved this one without the sex and violence. This is a trilogy, so I am hoping the next two books are age appropriate. I can only give it 3.5 stars since I bordered between liking it and hating it all at the same time.

I’ll let you decide as I am giving away my signed author copy to blog readers age 18 and older. You can read other Human Blend reviews on Goodreads here. Simply comment below to enter our giveaway which is International and ends December 29, 2010.

Book Review- Meg’s Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

20 Dec, 2010 by in meg's melody 1 comment

Paperback, 256 pages
Published December 8th 2010
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599554771
5 stars

She paced the small confines of her bathroom as she waited the obligatory two minutes for the result. Yet, part of her sensed the truth. Not only did Austin take her self-esteem and plans for happiness, but he also took her get-out-of-this-marriage-free card.

The plus sign glared at Meg from the white plastic frame of the pregnancy test. The test fell from her hands and clattered into the bathtub as Meg’s back slid against the wall until she reached the floor.

“I’m pregnant,” she said into the quiet.

Meg never imagined she’d end up like this. With nowhere else to turn, she’s forced to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and an unexpected friendship to help her find her forgotten melody. Meanwhile Matt is still mourning the loss of his wife. But determined to keep things together for his daughter’s sake, he decides starting over in a new place might be just what his family needs.

This touching story combines romance with redemption and real conflict to remind you it’s never too late to find joy. Kaylee Baldwin’s capable hand renders a sincere, heartfelt story of rediscovery and hope. Perfect for romantics of all ages, this book will captivate your heart and rekindle your belief in the magic of music.

I recieved a copy of this book from the author for review and finished it all in one sitting. Kaylee Baldwin tackles grief, divorce, and the power of change in a way that is enjoyable and meaningful.

Meg’s Melody begins as young Meg Sanders finds a note in her apartment from her husband Austin, stating no more than “I’m Sorry.” His clothes are packed and gone…after eight months of marriage she is alone and left to pick up the pieces. Factor in that her pregnancy test comes back positive and her ex-husband remarried in a flash. Meg is about to become a young divorced single mother. In the years of her courtship and marriage she has successfully pushed away her family as well as the church she was raised in. Now she has no where else to turn but back to her roots. Meg has to start over on the path to healing what is broken within herself.

Matt Wilkes has just lost his wife in a tragic car accident and is left to father his little girl, Lilia. He is ready to make a fresh start in a new town and to come to terms with his own grief. The two main characters cross paths when Dr. Wilkes becomes Meg’s OBGYN. Her life is about to become interesting as a crush for her High School days begins to pursue a relationship, and Matt becomes a friend to rely on, but is she ready to move on? Can she rediscover her voice and the happy melody she has lost?

I loved every page of this book. Author Kaylee Baldwin made her heroine less than perfect, on the path to growth. She writes engagingly about what has become a sad reality in today’s world; with so many young marriages ending in divorce. Her characters have depth and their feelings are genuine. Both of the main characters have important choices to make and a long, hard road ahead of them, but as they learn to lean on each other and trust their feelings the path becomes clear.

Five stars to Meg’s Melody. It’s a squeaky clean romance that kept me engrossed with simple truths woven in between. As a reader, I connected with both the story and the people. I look forward to more from Kaylee Baldwin and would recommend this book to any and all readers… loved it! Find the author at her website: http://www.kayleebaldwin.com/

BIR2010 Winners

20 Dec, 2010 by in book giveaway, contest winners 12 comments

Congratulations to all of our winners from Best I’ve Read 2010. Your names and addresses have been submitted to the authors and publishers. If your prize has not arrived by February first send us an email so we can check on the status of the shipment. Thanks so much to all who entered. Between all of our sites we gave away over 400 books! Be sure to check all the participating blog sites for your name and the BIR2010 master site for the grand prize winners.

Personal Demons Allison Tielking
Pathfinder Allison Tielking
Enchanted Ivy Amy Brown
Extraordinary Beverly Archer
Secondhand Charm Andrea Infinger
Rot & Ruin Andrea Infinger
Clockwork Angel Anna Choi
Shade Ashley Causey
The Eternal One Ashley Causey
My Double Life Briana McNair
Clockwork Angel Christina Ferko
Demon’s Covenant Ekta Patel
Shadow Hills Poster Elizabeth Lehman
Forgive My Fins Elizabeth Weibly
The Scorch Trials Gabrielle Carolina
Matched Hattie DeRaps
The Unwritten Rule Heather Johnson
Firelight Hugo Torrijos
Deception Jazmyn Rodgers
Dust City Julie Smeltzer
Behemoth Kailia Sage
Leviathan Kailia Sage
The Familiars Kate Mecozzi
Nightshade Kelly Houser
Heavenly Latisha Depoortere
Anna & The French Kiss Lauren Meinhardt
The Lonely Hearts Club Leanna Morris
Secrets and Shadows Linda Septer
Guardian At The Gate Lisa McGeen
Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour Lora Wiedenheft
The Replacement Martha Lawson
Before I Fall Martha Lawson
Pathfinder Michelle Ball
Amy & Rogers Epic Detour Minas Tenah
The Exiled Queen N.J. Wlison
Tyger Tyger Nathalie Depardieu
Losing Faith Nichole Giles
Crescendo Nikki Meiggs
Shadow of The Sun Ricki Marking-Camuto
Intrinsical Taffy Lovell
My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions Tina Broomfield
Crescendo Tressa Sherrman
Dark Flame Yokemun Chong
Once In A Full Moon Yokemun Chong

Teaser Giveaway- The Jumper Chronicles

17 Dec, 2010 by in quest for merlin's map, wc peever 53 comments

The Jumper Chronicles
A Quest For Merlin’s Map
by W.C. Peever
Paperback, 296 pages
Expected publication: December 25th 2010
by Savant Books & Publications LLC
ISBN 0984117555
series: The Jumper Chronicles #1
http://www.jumperchronicles.com/

Charlie is an awkward twelve-year old living a normal life till he is abducted and thrust into a world of ever-looming danger, a world of Magic, of Angry Gods, and Creatures that are should only exist inside of fairytales.

Charlie and his three friends must unravel the mysteries of their new found abilities, save the father Charlie has never known, and uncover a secret that will change their lives forever.

Add it to your Goodreads TBR pile and read reviews here

We are giving away our advanced reader copy of the Jumper Chronicles #1 to one of our readers. Simply comment below to be entered. Open internationally. Ends December 31, 2010.

Book Review: A Christ-Centered Christmas

16 Dec, 2010 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

A Christ-Centered Christmas
by Emily Freeman
Paperback, 96 pages
Published 2010
by Deseret Book
5 stars

Deepen the spirit that fills your heart and home this holiday season when you discover the meaning behind seven gifts of Christmas, each celebrated with an invitation from the scriptures and a simple tradition.

Each gift is based on a figure in a Nativity set, and the traditions can easily be combines with things you already do. This year as you prepare your home for the season, resolve to prepare your heart in a way that will lead you closer to Christ.

This book came right on time for me this year. So often in the hustle and bustle to buy presents and prepare for family gatherings I feel I lose the Christmas Spirit. More important than long wish lists and Santa Claus is the true meaning behind the holiday.

A Christ-Centered Christmas takes each nativity piece and centers a story and activity around that figure. The chapters are small but thought provoking. Also included are recipes for yummy Holiday treats like hot cocoa and candy cane cookies. Next year we plan on having one lesson each week for seven weeks to correspond with the chapters in the book. A Christ-Centered Christmas would be a great gift for those you love as it invites all to feel and learn the real lessons behind the symbols we so often see this time of year…the bell, the star, the shepard’s crook. It’s message is simple but powerful. Thank you Deseret Book for sharing this little gem with us. To learn more or purchase this book click here.

Welcome Books Complete Me

15 Dec, 2010 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Welcome to our newest affiliate, Books Complete Me! We met Cindy through BIR2010 and she is organized, kind and positive.
Here’s a little bit about her site…” Books Complete Me is comprised of five women who have a passion for reading books. We are wide open in our choices of genres and enjoy a good story in many forms.We started this site in the hopes of reaching out to our friends and families to help them decide what to read and are so happy to have all our readers.” Visit them at http://www.bookscompleteme.com/ on twitter @BooksCompleteMe and on facebook here.

Kay’sVille Release Party & Giveaway

15 Dec, 2010 by in rhea jensen series, sheralyn pratt 9 comments

Last night I attended the release party for Sherlayn Pratt’s Kay’sville, book number four in the Rhea Jensen Series. She invited me to bring my jewelry and photography to sell and we were treated to some yummy home cooked Southern cuisine in honor of main character Kay.

The cupcake queen, author Wendy Paul was on hand with some delicious cupcake bites plus her new books and calenders for 2011.


Sheralyn was an amazing hostess and the home she found as a signing spot was incredibly gorgeous. Special thanks to all of her friends and family who introduced themselves plus supported our Etsy store. Fire and Ice congratulates Sheralyn on her book release! Here’s to many more in the future!

Check out her website at http://www.sheralynpratt.com/ to learn more about Sheralyn. And read our reviews of her books on Goodreads. They made our Best of 2010! See our full photo album of the event on Facebook.

In honor of the new launch, we are giving away a copy of book one in the Rhea Jensen series, City of Angels to our readers. Here’s your chance to experience her non-stop action packed writing.

To enter to win simply fill out this form. Contest ends January 15, 2011 and is open internationally.

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Best I’ve Read 2010

15 Dec, 2010 by in Uncategorized 2 comments

Thank you so much to all of our readers for entering all of our giveaways! Today marks the end of BIR2010, and you have until tonight at Midnight to enter any of our prize packages. Then on Monday December 20th we will announce all winners. And, don’t forget to enter the The Grand Prize on the Best I’ve Read Blog.

Muchas gracias to all of the bloggers who coordinated efforts to plan and make this possible! Also, a huge thank you to all of you readers who took the time to read and enter our contests. As well to those who commented on our posts and retweeted our links! And the biggest thanks to the Authors and Publishers that contributed so many books for each of our blogs.

On Monday December 20th all winners will be announced. Please note that the prizes will probably not arrive until the New Year.. Many of the prizes are being shipped directly from Author or Publisher. If you have any concerns or comments about Best I’ve Read please feel free to contact us.

Becca Wilhite Author Interview & Giveaway

14 Dec, 2010 by in book giveaway, my ridiculous romantic obsessions 6 comments

My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions
By: Becca Wilhite
Published by: Shadow Mountain
Website: http://www.beccawilhite.com/

Book summary: Sarah Howard’s first year at the university is everything and nothing she expected especially when a very cute boy named Ben in her Art History class starts to show interest in her.

Sarah feels like she’s an average, normal, everyday girl. So, when Ben (to whom she secretly refers as Adonis because she thinks he could be a Greek god) begins to take interest in her, Sarah is in denial. For one thing, last year she was deeply crushed and humiliated by Jesse James a guy who she thought liked her.

She’s determined not to get burned again. But in her heart of hearts, what she really wants is a Jane Austen kind of romance. Ridiculous, right? That kind of romance doesn’t exist anymore . . . or does it? Sarah is smart and fun to be around and even pretty, despite her Medusa-like red curls. She even plays the guitar. (So does Ben!) Yes, Sarah is everything Ben has wanted. He’s crazy for her, but Sarah is just not getting it. She’s playing hard to get, and if she’s not careful, she’s going to lose a real hot gentleman — her 21st-century Mr. Darcy.

Thank you so much to author Becca Wilhite for joining our BIR2010 giveaways and answering a few interview questions! And thank you to fellow blogger Kathy for passing these on…

What do you do when you are in-between books?
Start writing something new. Watch a movie in the middle of the day. And cook a lot.

Where is your favorite place to read/write?
I have a red leather reading chair that sits beside the fireplace. That is a great winter reading spot. In summer, I love to read outside in the sunshine. (I know. I know. I have read the warning labels. But I love the sun.) I write in the kitchen when the family is all gone. That so does not work when anyone is home.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Butter.

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I bought leather living room furniture. So when I see it, sit on it, dust it, vacuum around it every day, I remember that I’m a real writer. (You have to say it like Pinocchio would – “I’m a real writer!”)

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I loved “The Secret Garden” – but I didn’t discover it until I was 14 years old and working in the public library. I fell so in love with the illustrations by Tasha Tudor. So gorgeous.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Remember Joe Jackson? How about “Be My Number Two” for Bright Blue Miracle.

What do you find so appealing about the genre you write for? Would you try writing for a different genre?
I love writing YA, because I am totally intrigued by the learning phase of life. I love the “firstness” of YA themes – discovery and understanding, growth and messing up. I love to do contemporary YA comic fiction, because I think real life if pretty darn funny. And I have recently started writing a few short chapter-books, for those early-reader types. That’s fun, too.

See our review of Bright Blue Miracle here
and My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions here

Becca has donated one copy of My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions to our readers and we have one to add as well! Click here to enter. Two chances to win.