Halloween SWEEPstakes

01 Oct, 2010 by in book giveaway, Sweep 7 comments


Welcome to October! This is my favorite time of year. And to celebrate we will be giving away all kinds of spooky reads throughout the month. These books are from my personal collection so have been previously read, but all are in great condition. Stay tuned for more haunting Halloween giveaways!

Our first prize pack is from the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan

Morgan Rowlands never thought she was anything other than a typical sixteen-year-old girl. But when she meets Cal, a captivatingly handsome coven leader, she makes a discover that turns her whole world upside down: she is a witch, descended from an ancient and powerful line. And so is Cal. Their connection is immediate and unbreakable; Cal teases out Morgan’s power, her love, her magick. But Morgan discovers too soon that her powers are strong– almost too powerful to control. And she begins to suspect that Cal may be keeping secrets from her . . . secrets that could destroy them both.

We are giving away Sweep books 1-12 to a lucky reader! Books 1-3 are in one anthology and #’s 4-12 are the black covered newly republished paperbacks by Speak. Simply fill out the entry form here

Open to U.S. Residents only, ages 13 and up. Ends at midnight on October 31, 2010.

Torment by Lauren Kate

30 Sep, 2010 by in book review, new YA fiction, torment 1 comment

Hardcover, 464 pages
Published September 28th 2010
by Delacorte Books
ISBN 0385739141
series Fallen #2
4.5 stars

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean – and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future…and that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. What if his version of the past isn’t actually the way things happened…what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

Oh my wow! Lauren Kate really blew me out of the water with this sequel. I have to admit I wasn’t a real fan of Fallen when I read it last year. But the covers to these books are so incredible you have to have them. They are hands down my favorite dust jackets in YA right now. I would recommend picking up Fallen and doing a refresher before reading Torment. There are parts where you will be totally lost unless you remember the plot and characters from the first in the series.

Torment really sucked me in quickly and I finished feeling like I need more. I think Lauren Kate has matured and deepened. The first big change that I saw in Torment was Luce’s personality. Finally she is breaking out of the love sick innocent doe eyed girl into her own strong presence. She stops accepting everything at face value and starts looking for answers on her own. You go girl! I like.

Second big change is the introduction of Miles. He added a new dimension to Luce’s solitary clueless life at her new school Shoreline. He’s good for her and Daniel, shakes things up a little. My favorite chemistry in Torment was between Luce and Miles during their travels into her past. And my second favorite scene is watching him throw some serious loops in the plot during Luce’s Thanksgiving dinner. It is awesome that he’s man enough to take on Daniel and fight for what he wants. This book will keep you on your toes, nothing is a given, there is no black and white anymore. Things that were taken at flat face value in Fallen have been flipped and twisted.

In short, pick this one up! You MUST read.http://www.laurenkatebooks.net/

News and Contest Winners

30 Sep, 2010 by in pieces of paris, rebecca maizel Leave a comment

Congratulations to @bellekhris for winning our handmade Infinite Days inspired necklace made in collaboration with YA author Rebecca Maizel http://fireandicereads.com/2010/08/new-infinite-days-inspired-necklace.html

Please send us your mailing address!

Head on over today to G. G. Vandagriff’s website “Writer in the Cranberry Tower” for an exclusive author interview with us about her book Pieces of Paris. Thanks so much for featuring our review and questions!

Pieces of Paris by G.G. Vandagriff

28 Sep, 2010 by in pieces of paris, Shadow Mountain 23 comments

320 pages
To Be Published October 13th 2010
by Shadow Mountain Publishing
ISBN 1606418386

Is it possible to forget who you once were?

Annalisse and Dennis seem to be living the American dream until Annalisse’s secret past threatens to destroy their family. This skillfully crafted novel from Whitney Award winner G. G. Vandagriff explores the long-term effects of personal tragedy in haunting flashbacks of Annalisse’s former life–flashbacks that are interwoven with a passionate romance to reveal a person entirely different from the woman Dennis thought he had married. But as Annalisse struggles with long-buried memories, Dennis’s investigation of a toxic waste incident ignites the wrath of a former political ally and an industrial firm that will go to any lengths to cover up a shocking crime. Can Annalisse reconcile her turbulent past with her present life before it’s too late? And can Dennis find a way to save his family and the town they’ve called home?

This is the first book I have read by G.G. Vandagriff though I’ve met her briefly a couple of times at Authorpalooza events. So first off, special thanks to her and Shadow Mountain for letting me take a sneak peek at her newest novel for women.

Told through the eyes of a married couple and from two alternate points of view, Pieces of Paris opens with Annalisse, a woman in her twenties, living on a farm in the Ozarks. She is pregnant with her second child and suddenly finds herself being haunted by the past. Her stable life with husband Dennis, a local lawyer, begins to crumble as she can’t shake memories that come in the way of flashbacks. Meanwhile, Dennis is battling with a case which stirs up controversy and puts their family in danger. His lifelong dream of an escape to Eden and a peaceful life are threatened by Annalisse’s sudden change in behavior and the hot bed of unrest in his town. The two of them pull apart for the first time as a couple and both begin to wonder if their marriage is not at all what they wanted or expected. Can Annalisse salvage the passion and talent she once felt without losing herself to the past? Can Dennis love her as she really is?

Pieces of Paris does a masterful job of weaving a captivating story with real life issues like manic depression and the true definition of love. It’s a book that is likely to evoke strong emotions for anyone with experience with mental illness or PTSD. She pushes buttons on some hot topics: racism and environmental clean up as well as small town politics. The book has some very tough and graphic moments as Annalisse learns she has to move through the pain or her past in order to overcome it. However, in the end the overall message is one of hope and finding a center that can’t be lost. It was evident from the detail in Pieces of Paris that Ms. Vandagriff is a highly intelligent, cultured person with a deep knowledge of psychology. (We’re excited to interview her soon!) 25 years in the making, Pieces of Paris is a glimpse of her talent. Visit her website at http://ggvandagriffblog.com/ to learn about her other published works and upcoming events.

Leave a comment below for a chance to win a Paris necklace from our shop.

Giveaway ends October 28, 2010 and is open internationally.

Infinite Week Contest Winners

28 Sep, 2010 by in contest winners, rebecca maizel 1 comment

Congrats to @lunitaBere for winning our Infinite Blues Art Print http://fireandicereads.com/2010/08/infinite-blues-art.html

and Chas for winning the I Love Wickham scrabble tile pendant
http://fireandicereads.com/2010/08/wickham-scrabble-tile-pendant.html

Please email us your mailing addresses and we will send out your prizes. Today is the last day to enter to win our Infinite Days inspired necklace made in collaboration with author Rebbecca Maizel. Good Luck!

Betsy Red Hoodie by Gail Carson Levine

27 Sep, 2010 by in scott nash Leave a comment

Hardcover, 40 pages
Published September 1st 2010
by HarperCollins
ISBN 0061468703
4 stars

Betsy is finally old enough to take cupcakes to Grandma all by herself—with the company of her faithful sheep, of course. And although wolves aren’t good for grandmas, Betsy lets her best friend, Zimmo, come along too. But will Zimmo’s wolfish instincts make Grandma the tasty treat instead?

In her second picture book starring the feisty young shepherd Betsy, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine teams up once again with Scott Nash to put a hilarious twist on an old favorite. This reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood is sure to delight readers from little lambs to cupcake-loving grandmas.

Today’s Mom’s Monday featured book is a recent release from the author of Ella Enchanted. The first thing that drew me into this book was the quality of illustration done by Scott Nash. I am a fan of anything Little Red Riding Hood. The detail in depictions of the sheep and animals make an especially beautiful read. The pictures blend old fairy tales elements with modern day retro images. Little Red is wearing a hoodie sweatshirt, Farmer Woolsey is driving a very styling yellow classic convertible and Betsy’s mom owns a hip bakery complete with cupcakes.

I tested Betsy Red Hoodie out on three of my kiddos ages 2-6 and their consensus was a thumbs up. Favorite scenes were the sheep sliding down the hill and the big two page illustration of Zimmo the wolf running through the forest. Adults will enjoy the fun conversation bubbles between sheep. The book is written as a story book for young children but definitely has elements to pull in older readers. Overall, a fun colorful read looking at how Grandma has adapted since almost being eaten by a wolf.

To learn more about Gail Carson Levine visit her site at www.gailcarsonlevine.com and be sure to check out Scott Nash’s fun website at http://www.scottnash.com/

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

25 Sep, 2010 by in the lost saint 34 comments

Hardcover, 384 pages
To Be Published
December 28th 2010
by EgmontUSA
ISBN 1606840584
series The Dark Divine #2

*contains spoilers for those who have never read The Dark Divine*

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven. Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot—a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel is put in danger—in more ways than one. Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her—not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Last year I read the Dark Divine and was introduced into the world of Bree Despain which inspired me to create a ton of jewelry, make 10 blog posts and follow her around to several signings to learn more. I dare say I fell in love with the music playlist, the amazing cover and Daniel. This year we saw the ARC for The Lost Saint up for auction at the Writing for Charity event and yearned to read number two in the series. So, I have to thank Jennie B and EgmontUSA for sending the uncorrected bound proof. You guys rock!

The Lost Saint picks up as Grace has just lost her brother Jude since he bit her and infected her with the curse of the wolf. Grace’s mom is in a deep depression and the household is in chaos as her dad is scouring the country for signs of Jude. He hopes to bring their Prodigal Son back home to the fold. Their town Rose Crest is steeping with a rash of crime with no evidence of who could have created such destruction other than the old Markham Street Monster. The first few chapters things are beautiful between them. I fell in love with their chemistry in The Dark Divine. But soon things start to grow a little complicated. Here’s where I should say that I am not a patient reader so sequels are sometimes harder for me to read. (I was not much a fan of New Moon in the Twilight series) Transition and change are rocky. The Lost Saint also felt a titch darker in parts than The Dark Divine as Grace is battling her choices. You’ll see a whole new side to everyone you are familiar with.

My favorite part of the book…loads of new characters! Grace meets the new hot man in flannel, Talbot. You will love him. Majorly swoon worthy and a hunk of man. He is my favorite new character of the series. The fun part as well, characters you may recognize! That’s right… bloggers make cameo appearances in the book. Super cool. Katie Summers (KatieB) from Mundie Moms, blogger Debbie CranberryFries and Stacey C from PageTurners Blog all are in there. As well, there are lots of other names I didn’t personally recognize, but many of you may be able to pick them out. We can’t give away much more because this is an action packed novel and we have to save you all from spoilers. I dare say followers of Bree won’t be disappointed.

Congrats to the author on her movie deal for the Dark Divine! That is super exciting news and she deserves it. To learn more about Bree Despain visit her website. See our review for the Dark Divine here and read a teaser from the Lost Saint here
Comment below for a chance to win one item of your choice from the Bree Despain or Wolf collections on Etsy. Let us know what you’d like to win! Giveaway ends October 24, 2010 and is open internationally.

Novel Novice Infinite Days Contest

23 Sep, 2010 by in giveaway, novel novice, rebecca maizel Leave a comment

Check out Novel Novice’s site today for a chance to win a $20 gift card toward any item in our Etsy shops as part of the Infinite Days Book of The Month contest. Thanks for spotlighting us. Congratulations to Jennie Smith who won our vintage onyx ring giveaway. Today is the last day to enter to win the Rebecca Maizel Infinite Week Pixie Dust necklace. Enter on our right sidebar and good luck!

WOW- Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

22 Sep, 2010 by in tempestuous, waiting on 3 comments


To Be Published January 7th 2011
by HarperCollins Canada

Our Waiting On Wednesday is Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston. I’ve been on the look out for more information about this book, but so far have only found the cover art. Lesley is one of my favorite authors because she combines all of my favorite fantasy creatures into one series. You get leprechauns, fairies, wolves and magical beings along with beautiful and poetic writing. Can’t wait for this one!

To learn more about the series and watch book trailers, see our past reviews of Wondrous Strange and Darklight
or visit Leley’s blog at http://lesleylivingston.blogspot.com/