Blue Sandollar Necklace Giveaway

25 Nov, 2010 by in tera lynn child 51 comments


Our Etsy giveaway is inspired by the necklace Lily makes Quince in the book “Forgive My Fins” by Tera Lynn Childs. This handmade one of a kind necklace was donated by shop owner MermaidinCali. “I am a self taught artist and love to experiment with new materials. I have always been crafty and for many years my friends and family prospered from my handmade gifts. I thought is was time to see what the world thinks of my art and start a shop with Etsy. I hope you enjoy my work because it is all truly done with love.”

Description: Authentic pacific coast sand dollar pendant found in Southern California and dyed grayish blue. Unique and one of a kind and would make a great gift for yourself or a friend that loves jewelry or collecting shells. I love the simplicity of wearing something naturally beautiful and from the sea. As you can imagine the weight of the sand dollar is nearly nothing so you do not have a heavy pendant pulling at your neck. This sand dollar is adorned with a sterling silver plated medium sized bail, silver bead and 24” of suede cording.

When I was a little girl growing up in Massachusetts, I called sand dollars Mermaid Money. I had lived in various parts of San Diego since 1995 but it was not until we bought our house in 2004 in Imperial Beach that I started finding these wonderful shells on the beach. Fascinated by their beauty, I experimented for years and figured out a way to change their colors and a secret recipe to harden them and make them more durable. Although this sand dollar pendant is very durable it is not indestructible and care should be taken not to drop them on hard surfaces. Sand Dollar Measurements: Width- 2.6 inches; Height-2.6 inches

To Enter to win: leave a comment below
additional entries

+1 for hearting her shop on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mermaidincali
+1 for following us on Twitter http://twitter.com/fireicephotos
+1 to our blog followers and Facebook fans
+1 for each retweet @FireIcePhotos
+5 for posting this giveaway on your blog
+3 for posting on Facebook or right sidebar
+1 for visiting our Siren shop and picking your favorite item http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleRedReads?section_id=7186523
+1 for hearting our shop on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeatherZahnGardner
+1 for commenting on one of our reviews
Leave your links and total the entries in your comments

Contest ends December 26, 2010 and open internationally

Author Interview With Maggie Fechner

24 Nov, 2010 by in maggie fechner, YA contemporary 5 comments

Our interview is with the author of Growing Up Gracie, just released by Cedar Fort books. (see our review below this post)

What made you decide to be a writer? Any authors or books that inspired you? Although I have written since I was very young, I didn’t grow up planning to be a writer. However my high school journalism teacher had a very wonderful influence on me and he really encouraged me in my writing.

I noticed you are also a photographer (YAY) What hobbies take up your “free time”? Yes, I am a portrait photographer with a small business, specializing in family photography. (I saw you are too!). Between writing and photography I spend way too much time on the computer. However, in the summer our family really enjoys boating. My husband wake boards and I spend the whole summer attempting to get up on the board. (Athleticism never was my strong suit).

There are several references to other books in Growing Up Gracie, tell us about those. Yes. Gracie loves to read. Some of her favorites were some of mine. I remember my fifth grade teacher reading us aloud Where the Red Fern Grows and I was so engrossed in it. Also, we both loved Pride and Prejudice.

What would the playlist for Growing Up Gracie Look like?
Okay, this is my favorite interview question ever (and coming from a former reporter, that’s quite a compliment!) Gracie’s playlist would definitely be heavy on the Chris LeDoux and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Probably a lot of Garth Brooks. Not so much the newer country, but the fun older stuff. She would also have a little Cotton-Eyed Joe or something fun and dancey to rock out with Liza and Chelsea to on those long lonely Wyoming highways.

Any other books in the works?
Yes! The Letters Never Sent is a mainstream (non-LDS, but still very clean :)) historical fiction novel. It’s about the journey toward finding home and a sense of self for several women in the Cameron family. I have just completed a rough draft and am beginning revisions.
Also I have hopes to create a Fremont Family series with the next book focusing on one of Gracie’s sisters, Danielle.

photo taken from Maggie’s author blog

Tell us why you chose Cody, Wyoming for the setting? How is is similar to places you have lived? I grew up in Cody. And although I’ve been away for the past 12 years, I often still refer to it as home. It was a wonderful place to grow up and I love the small town feel. I love the beautiful mountains and the proximity to Yellowstone Park. Cody has a unique country atmosphere as it has been coined the “Rodeo Capitol of the World” and is the only place in the world with a rodeo every night of the summer. Although my real life hasn’t taken me back there, my writing seems to take me back again and again.

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
Hmmm… That’s a tough one. I think my two favorite parts are both at the end–one is with Gracie’s best friends and another is with her true love–but I wouldn’t want to spoil anything 🙂

Are there lessons from Growing Up Gracie you hope others will take away?
Absolutely. Especially teenage girls who are feeling average. I would hope they would take away that God makes each person amazing in their own unique ways and by following their hearts they can live extraordinary lives.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?
The funnest moment of my writing career was as a reporter when I went skydiving to write a story about a local skydiving club. The most rewarding moment of my writing career so far was when I was contacted by Cedar Fort Publishing and heard the words, we want to offer you a contract for your novel.

Thank you so much for the interview! Visit Maggie’s website at http://www.maggiefechner.blogspot.com/

Order Growing Up Gracie in Kindle or Paperback here on Amazon, Cedar Fort or from Deseret Book and we are giving away a copy of Growing Up Gracie to our readers, enter by filling out the form below.

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Growing Up Gracie by Maggie Fechner

23 Nov, 2010 by in maggie fechner 1 comment

ISBN 9781599554532
Published by Cedar Fort, Inc.
November 11, 2011
4 stars

As the fifth of six kids, it’s sometimes hard for Gracie Fremont to see what makes her special. But with the help of friends, family, and her faith, Gracie discovers that even the most ordinary girl can do extraordinary things. Told with sweetness, humor, and heart, this unique coming-of-age story will resonate with readers of all ages.

My first impression when I got this book in the mail was that this is my kind of cover! I LOVE it, as a sucker for photography of old trucks and vignetted edges. Plus the image fits perfectly with the story. I think this is one of the best covers I have ever seen from Cedar Fort’s design team. Major score for author Maggie Fechner!

There is a warm comfort that comes from reading Growing Up Gracie, the memoir of one teen and her two best friends growing up in Cody, Wyoming. Gracie feels ordinary and sometimes lost in her family dynamic. But her conviction to follow her instinct and do what feels right leads her life in many surprising directions. She, like all of us, has unique talents and an influence on others that only she can make. Discovering it for herself takes some time. The book pace is slow moving, much like life in a small town, but I stayed engaged until the very last page. Each chapter is a glimpse at Gracie as she matures from grade school to becoming a mother herself. It’s a coming of age tale of an American family and the bonds of friendship.

Maggie Fechner addresses with candor and grace the growing pains of teenage pregnancy, adoption, finding a testimony, making your place in the world and receiving personal answers to prayer. She weaves in a small town romance with its roots in friendship and faith. I am looking forward to reading more from Maggie as this is book is just the beginning and a first installment in a new Fremont Family series.

Here’s a sneak peek excerpt from the book taken from the author’s website

“Burnt sienna, auburn or even ginger colored hair was what Gracie Fremont longed for as her bony fingers held waxy crayons next to her long locks one by one. But if the timid, skinny five-year-old were honest with herself, the closest match was brown. Plain old brown. And that brown crayon defined Gracie Fremont’s life: Average. Nothing difficult or unusual or even interesting ever happened to this little girl sandwiched in an LDS family of eight {six}. But growing up in rural Cody, Wyoming, Gracie learns that lasting friendships, hidden talents and developing a testimony of her own are some of life’s most precious gifts. And finding true love is a fantastic bonus.”

To learn more visit Maggie’s website at http://www.maggiefechner.blogspot.com/ (as an added bonus; you’ll love her playlist!)

The Lost Saint Giveaway

22 Nov, 2010 by in book giveaway, nail polish, the Dark Divine, the lost saint 16 comments

The countdown is on for Bree Despain’s book 2 in The Dark Divine series…The Lost Saint. It is set to be released December 28, 2010 by Egmont USA. So, we are giving it away to a few of our lucky readers!

One winner will receive a signed hardback copy of The Dark Divine, an ARC of The Lost Saint plus a bottle of TLS nail polish.

The second prize winner will receive an ARC of the Lost Saint and one bottle of blue TLS nail polish.

See our review of The Dark Divine here

Our review of The Lost Saint here

and our TDD inspired Etsy shop here.

Enter to win the giveaway by filling out the form below.
Contest ends December 28, 2010 and is open internationally.

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Thanks so much to Egmont for sending us the giveaway swag. The countdown is on!

Contest Winners

20 Nov, 2010 by in Heather Gardner Photography, rick riordan 2 comments

Congratulations to AngelShimmery of Shimmery Shelves who won a Crescendo inspired necklace out of our Etsy store. http://fireandicereads.com/2010/10/crescendo-by-becca-fitzpatrick.html

and Shalaena B who won a signed copy of The Lightning Thief from the Kings English Rick Riordan signing. http://fireandicereads.com/2010/10/rick-riordan-book-signing.html

Email us your snail mail address and we will send out your prizes!

Books I Can’t Wait To Read

18 Nov, 2010 by in Uncategorized 6 comments

Retyalinis by Cory Poulson
Chalice by Robin McKinley
Yearbook by Ally Condie
Pegasus by Robin McKinley
Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
Haunted by Joy Preble
Soul Stalker by Laura Kreitzer
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany
Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
Shadowspell by Jenna Black
Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Deadly Little Lies by Lauire Stolarz
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Bitterfrost by Kailin Gow
The Midnight Tunnel by Angie Frazier
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Not Pictured:
Sweetly By Jackson Pearce
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Possession by Elana Johnson
What’s on your Christmas list?
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True Miracles With Genealogy Compiled by Anne Bradshaw

17 Nov, 2010 by in true miracles with genealogy 2 comments

Paperback, 134 pages
Published September 16th 2010
by CreateSpace
ISBN 1453767118
5 stars

“True Miracles with Genealogy” is a collection of family history research stories written by ordinary people with extraordinary experiences. These events are part of the reward that comes from doing genealogy. They are the fathers and mothers turning their hearts to their children-the spiritual moments and help that comes from beyond the veil. Each account is unique. Each is a miracle. Each will inspire readers as they come to the heady realization that family history work is of great consequence, and there really is a world of spirits.

Before I was a blogger I was a family history addict. As a little girl my dad and I would to go the the Family History Library and pore over rolls of microfilm on the manual turn handle readers. In college I worked at the campus family history library helping patrons find their ancestors in many avenues including census records. Then I got married and started working from home on websites like ancestry.com and roots.web. My children came along and other things took up my time. Years later, I am realizing it has been far too long since I have done any genealogy.

Anne Bradshaw’s book rekindled in me the desire to find my roots, to begin again the search for those who have gone before. She has complied stories from every day ordinary people like me and professional genealogists. Each one is inspiring and several had me in tears. If you have never filled out a pedigree chart or looked for someone from your family tree now is the time to start.

True Miracles With Genealogy is a wonderful jumping off point as it plants the desire in your heart. It can be read in more than one sitting since each chapter is an individual story. My favorite account was “My Father Gave Me My Identity Back” by Sandra Taliaferro p. 83. I believe every reader will find a chapter that speaks directly to them. Thanks so much to Anne for sending me a copy of this book. My resolve to seek after my dead has been renewed since reading it.

To read more online, visit Anne Bradshaw’s website at http://www.truemiracleswithgenealogy.com/ She will be signing copies of True Miracles with Genealogy Saturday November 20th at Confetti Antiques and Books, 273 North Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She is also offering a free gift to those who can’t attend… “please hop on over and “Like” the new Facebook page at Anne Bradshaw and Book Friends. Then click on the Welcome tab to receive a Christmas gift book from her.”

The Invisible Order Book One -Rise of The Darklings

16 Nov, 2010 by in paul crilley 26 comments

Hardcover, 352 pages
Published September 28th 2010
by EgmontUSA
ISBN1606840312
The Invisible Order #1
4 stars

Emily Snow is twelve years old, supporting herself and her younger brother on the streets of Victorian England by selling watercress. One early winter morning on her way to buy supplies, she encounters a piskie–a small but very sarcastic fey creature that has been cornered by a group of the Black Sidhe, piskies from an opposing clan. She rescues him and unknowingly becomes involved in a war between the Seelie and the Unseelie, two opposing factions of fairies that have been battling each other throughout the long centuries of human history, with London–and England itself–as the ultimate prize.

When the Invisible Order–a centuries-old secret society of humans that has protected mankind from the fey’s interference–gets involved, things really start to get complicated.

Now she is the central figure in this ancient war that could permanently change Earth. With no one to trust, Emily must rely on her own instincts and guile to make the right choices that could save her family and all of mankind.

The first installment in Paul Crilley’s Invisible Order series takes you between two worlds, Victorian London and hidden veiled faerie world which most every day humans can not see. The faeries have divided into Seelie and Unseelie and are at war with each other. But an even greater to their existence comes from a group of men called the Invisible Order who want to lock their pathway into human civilization forever. A young and spunky 12 year old Emily Snow holds the key to bring peace and end the great war.

Highlights of the book for me were the descriptions of the magical world heroine Emily Snow sees. A giant tree where fairies live…”her eyes were drawn to the lights, hundreds, thousands of glowing orbs hanging in the air. They lit the darkness with a golden glow, as if the sun were just sinking after a glorious summer’s day…” p. 85

Crilley really fleshes out his characters and The Invisible Order was full of all kinds of creatures from traditional faery lore. The gnome Pemberton (see Chapter 24 p.242) and Corrigan the pesky piskie were my personal favorites. Black Annis and Jenny Greenteeth are the only two I didn’t care for much. Chapter four is pretty violent for children and I think they added a darker element.

Overall, the strong message I pulled away was the value of Emily’s choices and her tenacity…”You must try to make the decisions that are true and pure. Those decisions might not necessarily be what you want , but such is life.We all have to make sacrifices the greater good.You are no different.” p.318

I soaked up the section where Emily meets Merlin in his clock chamber and all of the fun beginnings of a chemistry between she and Spring Heeled Jack. Her side kick from cheap side London can break into just about anything and get away with it! This was a fun introduction to Victorian London sprinkled with faeries and I would recommend it to middle grade readers ages 13 and up.

For more information see Paul’s website at http://www.paulcrilley.com/The%20Invisible%20Order.html Thanks to EgmontUSA for sending us a copy for review!

To enter to Win Book One of the Invisible Order: Rise of The Darklings, simply comment below. Contest ends December 16, 2010 and is open to US residents.

Contest Winners

16 Nov, 2010 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

Congrats draconismoi who won a signed copy of Scorch Trials by James Dashner.

Sharli de Entre Libros, Kayla Bookman, Cass Says, Raquel Vega- Greider, and Yelania Nightwalker all won bookmarks from the Provo City Library Teen Book fest

Charity Matheson, Alison Eardley, @mom4carlyle, @aminablack won Sara Zarr bookmarks and

Rachael Renee Anderson won a signed copy of “Blink of An Eye” by Gregg Luke http://www.blogger.com/win%20a%20signed%20copy%20of

Email us your mailing address, if you haven’t already, and we’ll send out your prizes!

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Mom’s Monday: Candy Fairies Series

15 Nov, 2010 by in simon schuster 3 comments

We picked up our first book in the Candy Fairies series a couple of weeks ago for my second grader and she is hooked. The “magically delicious” books are easy to read and contain various fairy adventures. I’m adding the entire set to our Christmas Wish List. Published by Simon and and Schuster, they make a perfect chapter book gift for ages 5-9. Five stars from mom and a thumbs up from my toughest critic.


About the Author “Helen Perelman enjoys candy from all parts of Sugar Valley, but jellybeans, red licorice, and gummy fish are her favorites. She worked in a children’s bookstore, and was a children’s book editor…but sadly she never worked in a candy store. She now writes full time in New York City where she lives with her husband and two daughters.” Visit her at http://www.helenperelman.com/.