Book Review- Hex Hall

19 May, 2010 by in book review, paranormal YA fiction, rachel hwkins 2 comments

published March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Book CH
details Hardcover, 336 pages
isbn 1423121309

Synopsis from Goodreads…”Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father–an elusive European warlock–only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.


By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her. “

Readers of Harry Potter will enjoy Hex Hall. Main character Sophie is sarcastic and snarky. Her roommate Jenna is a vampire and love interest a warlock. Add in three evil female witches, a ghost from her past along with Lord Byron… and you have Hecate Hall!
I bought this book after reading so many of LadyHawkins tweets on Twitter. She has that same sassy personality that shines in her debut YA novel. My favorite scenes were the hours spent bantering, fighting and spending suspension between Archer and Sophie. What a combination those two are. I love Archer, he’s a keeper. And I can’t wait for book two so we can learn more. It is a shocker of an ending! I gave “Hex Hall” 3.5 teetering towards four stars. There were references to jewelry in the book Of course, I was all over that! Enter the Jenna inspired bloodstone necklace giveaway below.

Book Review -The Jaguar Stones #1 Middleworld

18 May, 2010 by in ARC tour, Middleworld 2 comments


published April 27th 2010 by EgmontUSA
(first published October 5th 2007)
details Library Binding, 416 pages
isbn 1606840932
3.5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads “In the ancient city of Itzamna, Lord Six-Rabbit wakes up screaming. A great warrior king of the mighty Maya, he has dreamed he was a lowly, flea-bitten monkey. How could this be? Was this some sorcery sent by his half-brother, Tzelok, the evil priest?

1200 years later, in Boston, Massachusetts, 14-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in San Xavier, the tiny Central American country where his father grew up. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. He’s always suspected that his parents cared more about the Ancient May than about him and this proves it. When he’s mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they’ve had a change of heart. But he’s met at the airport by one of their colleagues, who explains that his parents have gone missing at the remote Maya temple of Ix Chel. He also tells Max the legend of The Jaguar Stones, the five sacred stones of Middleworld (the Maya name for the world of men) which enabled Ancient May kings to wield the powers of living gods.

And so begins Max Murphy’s wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this papered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies and and human sacrifice.

This book was donated as an advanced reader copy from Egmont publishing, and I will say I love the cover. I think it pulls readers in with the rich detail and Mayan stone skulls in the water waves. Jaguar Stones book #1 reminded me a lot of Indiana Jones for middle grade readers.The first chapters revisit a lot of Mayan history and culture and the characters are mysterious and adventurous. I really enjoyed Max’s short stay a the “banana factory” and discoveries in the secret room.
I had a hard time with the main male Max and his spoiled attitude as well was hoping the relationship between him and his female sidekick would have had more lead up and development. I found myself annoyed with some of the dialogue between the two main heroes because of Max’s attitude and her nickname for him, “Hup.”
That being said, though, I do think it is a great read for middle grades and one which will feed your child’s imagination. There are black and white illustrations scattered through the book which I really think add to the story. “Middleworld” is free of any swearing or mature situations which as a mom I truly appreciate. It is a fun book with loads of potential as an interesting series! And it will leave you wanting to learn more about ancient history which is a gift. Thanks so much to the publishers for letting me get a sneak peek. It is available on the shelves now! Please eamil me with your mailing address if you are interested in reading Middleworld as a part of our ARC tour and be sure to enter the Jaguar Stone earring contest below!

Jaguar Stone Earrings

18 May, 2010 by in MeyleeK 24 comments


Today’s ETSY giveaway goes along with the Jaguar Stones book series and was donated by shop owner MeyleeK…Greetings! I’m Jasmine and I enjoy making my own jewelry. I love visiting bead shops and dragging my fiance to each one of them. I admire the work put into making beads and what people can create with them.

It’s always a thrill to discover something new that you never expected to find yourself doing. Making jewelry was one for me. From the time I created my first necklace I was hooked on beads. Bead shops are my version of a candy store. So many colors, textures, appearances…however, I’m afraid there won’t be any edible gems at this shop!

Description:
Jaguars sure don’t look the way they used to, but these lamp work glass beads (14x11x6mm) are sleek and black like the animal with stripes of gold leaf all around. The center of the gold stripes have a line of dark smoky topaz color.

Complemented with a gold-plated spacer bead and a 6mm black onyx bead, these earrings hang 1 1/2” down from the top of each 14k gold-plated ear wire.

To Enter To Win: leave your name and email address below
+20 for any donation made to Chile relief funds via PayPal at heatoddgardner@yahoo.com
+3 for visiting her Etsy shop and hearting it or your favorite item http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeyleeK
+5 for posting this giveaway on your blog or Facebook page
+3 for each retweet @FireIcePhotos
Contest ends June 18, 2010 and is open Internationally

Fire and Ice Fanfic Update

17 May, 2010 by in fire and ice, Twilight Fan Fic Leave a comment

Daniel Jackson of Fire and Ice has released his third Fan Fic update and here’s a teaser…
Chapter 25.5 Misunderstandings
efireandicec

April 27th, 15:50
Bella stared at him in horror. “What do you mean Seth’s gone?!”

“Bella, stay here with Jake. Don’t move him. We need Carlisle,” Edward replied. His voice shook as he spoke, and Bella watched as he solemnly stood up, his gaze still downward at Seth’s still body, his right hand still grasping at his left where Jacob’s bite sunk in.

“Edward! Seth’s not gone! Wolves can’t…” Bella pleaded with Edward, wishing desperately that he’d look at her with his amber-colored eyes to show her some uncertainty, but he did not.

“Stay with Jacob. I’ll be back soon with Carlisle; we don’t have much time,” Edward spoke in a consistent monotone. Before Bella could question him, he was gone, racing with his vampire speed into the trees…

To read more click here: http://efireandicec.livejournal.com/

Contest Winners

15 May, 2010 by in contest winners 1 comment

Photo of Chile by Vanchuck on Flickr

Here are our latest contest winners…

The Mark by Marilyn Bunderson– Congrats 2 @peacelovevegan http://bit.ly/ctc3wF

Hope Whispers- Congrats to Lara from Spain http://www.blogger.com/profile/09578419551319804522 for winning our Hope Whispers Etsy art print giveaway!

Shadow of the Sun Signed Book- Sariya/ @Mom2ABJ won a signed copy of “Shadow of The Sun” by @laurakreitzer!!!

Steampunk Bookmark- amynemz Congrats! http://bit.ly/doWVyN

Marked Books -@FoodisAwesome @Vacilici

Please mail me your street address to fireandice.heather@gmail.com. Any prizes not claimed within 2 days will be re-distributed. We have 20 boxes of aid ready to ship to Chile. But, I am sad to say we have not received any new contributions this week. We will keep trying! Let us know if you have any good fundraising ideas and feel free to enter our other sidebar contests. Good Luck!

Utah Author Interview Kim Williams-Justesen

14 May, 2010 by in my brother the dag, utah authors 3 comments


Where were you born? In Salt Lake City – I’ve lived here my whole life.

Did you graduate from college, if so from where and in what major? I have a bachelors in English and Theater from Westminster College, and a masters from Vermont College

What are your hobbies? I love knitting, crocheting, reading, singing in the shower. I don’t know if camping is a hobby, but I really like camping.

What are your favorite all-time books? Paul Zindel’s “My Darling, My Hamburger” was always a favorite; Tim Wynn-Jones “The Boy in the Burning House”; the “Betsy Tacy” series was one of my first favorites; Alison McGhee’s “Rainlight”; Christopher Moore’s “A Dirty Job” – gosh, too many others to list!

When did you start writing your book and how long did it take to get it published? “My Brother the Dog” was written as my creative thesis for my MFA. I finished it in May of 2003. It circulated through several publishers, underwent a few more revisions, and was finally purchased by Tanglewood Press in 2005. It was published in spring of 2006.

Who is your hero/ mentor? I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have many wonderful mentors. Carol Lynch Williams was one of the first people to encourage me and teach me about the world of writing. Tim Wynn-Jones and Alison McGhee were two of my advisers in my MFA program who really guided my writing. Jan Czech was also a great friend and hero to me as I began publishing. And Mrs. Shirley Saenz Lohnes, my third grade teacher is a hero and mentor. She was the person who planted the seed in my mind of becoming a writer. She is still a friend today.

What suggestion would you give young writers? Just write. The market changes, success comes and goes, fads change. Just write. Write because you love it, because you want to, because it’s the only way to express your thoughts. Don’t listen to people who tell you no, or you can’t, or you should find something more practical to do. Just write.

Where did the inspiration for your books come from? “My Brother the Dog” is based on family stories of my mom and my uncle. My mom was 10 years older than my uncle, and he was really a pain in her side. She got so frustrated with him running away from her when they would be waiting at the bus stop that she put him on a leash. One day I just wondered, what if he wanted to be on a leash because he liked pretending to be a dog? And that’s how it started!
The three “Hey, Ranger” books came out of the fact that my family loves camping in the national parks. One day I was listening to a park ranger in Yellowstone talking to tourists and I said, “I bet you get asked some funny questions.” He proceeded to tell me some of the wacky, silly, funny, and interesting questions that he’d been asked over the years, and I started taking notes. I sent the book proposal to several publishers. Globe-Pequot thought it would make a great series for kids, and the one book turned into three.

Are you working on any books right now? I always have three or four books that are in different stages of being written. I’m working on one called “The Afterwards” that is set in the not-too-distant future when the United States Government has collapsed and fallen into a second civil war. I have a picture book called “Tilly the Pirate” about a little girl who wins a pirate ship in a contest that I am sending out right now, too. I have a middle grade novel that currently doesn’t have a title, but is the story of a girl’s adventures at a crazy summer camp, and a young adult novel entitled “Namesake” about a high school girl who tries to solve the unsolved murder of her mom’s best friend.

What do you aspire to do before you die? Write at least one book that wins an award like the Newbury or the Prinz. I would also really like to visit Egypt and see Karnak, the pyramids at Giza, and the Valley of Kings.

How do you fins time to write/illustrate with other responsibilities? I commit to doing something writing-related each day. It might be creating a character sketch, or a plot outline. It might even be reading. I also write at weird hours. I find I’m very productive between 11:00 and 12:00 at night. The last thing is that I bought myself a little laptop (it’s tiny!), and I take that with me almost everywhere. If I have to sit at the doctor’s office for 20 minutes, I write while I wait. If I find a few spare moments while I’m waiting in the car for one of my kids, I write.

What was your road to being published like? It was an uphill climb. I wrote articles for small publications (often for free) just to earn published credits. I wrote for Internet sites such as City Search to earn professional credits (and a little money). I wrote for local publications who would hire me to do freelance writing. I attended every conference, every workshop, every seminar that I could afford to go to. Eventually, I began achieving success. Then, after finishing my masters, I began submitting manuscripts frequently. Every week it seemed I had something going in the mail.

What is your all-time favorite children’s book? It’s a Sesame Street book called “There’s a Monster at the End of this Book.” It features the character Grover. I love this because it is a bit outside the norm – the character actually addresses the kids, and the pages are illustrated to make the kid feel as if he or she is actually interacting with the story. It’s wonderfully fun.

Independent booksellers and why? If you mean do I like them and support them – absolutely! Independent stores represent quality and sanity. Many of the big chain stores have become bland and flavorless, and they offer the same thing to everyone. Independents still take the time to read books, to know what they are recommending, and to give their patrons personal attention. Despite doomsday predictions to the contrary, I think independent stores will survive. The current will shift and readers will once again value that personalized approach.

Do you have a writer’s group?

I’m fortunate to be a member of a wonderful writer’s group which meets once a month. There are nine of us who get together, and we have so much fun, but we are also very productive. It’s an incredibly supportive group that includes: Carol Lynch Williams, Cheri Pray Earl, John Bennion, Lisa Hale, Kerry Spencer, Ann Cannon, Louise Plummer, and Ann Dee Ellis.

To learn more about her books visit Goodfreads at http://www.goodreads.com/search/search?search_type=books&search%5Bquery%5D=kim+justesen


Kim
has generously donated a copy of My Brother the Dog to our blog readers!
To Enter to win:
Leave your name and email address below

Winner will be drawn on June 14, 2010 and is open to U.S. and Canada residents. International entries are welcome if you are willing to pay the shipping charge upon winning 🙂 Good Luck! Thank you Kim for taking the time to do an interview with us and share your talent!

Spirit Horse Herbal Lip Balm

14 May, 2010 by in etsy, spirit horse herbals 24 comments

Today’s Etsy shop giveaway is for a fabluous handmade canister of lip balm from
Spirit Horse Herbal

♥ organic ♥ natural ♥ medicinal herbal products

I’m Kristie Nackord—the herbalicious ‘Herb Girl’ behind Spirit Horse Herbals.

Celebrating 31 years of life on this planet, I am a passionate and wild-hearted woman who loves plants and horses. Originally from Northern California, I moved to Westcliffe, Colorado to LIVE my dream life. That’s right, live it, not just dream it!
Naturally soft and healthy lips.

Healthy lips are important so treat yourself to a healing and nourishing balm that is loaded with natural and organic oils and butters that are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, and calendula flower extract to nourish, condition and soften lips.

¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨

..::What makes Spirit Horse Herbals lip balm so AMAZING?::..

My lip balm contains a very potent extract of calendula officinialis. I grow and brew my own extract which takes a minimum of 5 months from seeding to final infusion. This amazing plant ally offers incredible healing and restoration to dry or cracked skin! Organically grown by seed from me all summer long, I harvest the calendula and infuse it in organic oils of almond and olive for a minimum of two months. Blended with exotic mango butter that is rendered from the seed kernel of the Mango tree, among other amazing organic butters, Spirit Horse Herbals lip balm is rich, creamy and nourishing.

¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨

HEAR IT FOR YOURSELF (Testimonial)
“Because of multiple allergies, I have lots of problems with dry lips and skin. I’ve been using this for 2 weeks, and I love it. If I put on at bedtime, my lips are normal by morning. I’m making it part of my regular daily routine, morning and night. Your shop is on my list…”
~MRSwiggles

Ingredients: calendula flower extract, shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, almond oil, olive oil,natural bees wax and peppermint. Includes one, .5 oz canister of lip balm with screw top lid.

To Enter To Win a canister of lip balm:
Leave your name and email address below
additional entries
+20 for any donation made to Chile relief efforts via PayPal at heatoddgardner@yahoo.com
+2 heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/spirithorseherbals
+2 visit her website and leave a comment below http://www.spirithorseherbals.com/_wp/?page_id=6
+2 follow her on twitter http://twitter.com/spirithorseherb
+2 for each retweet@fireicephotos

Total your entries and leave below

Contest ends June 14, 2010 and is open Internationally

Chile Relief and Affiliated News

13 May, 2010 by in mundie moms, shannon delany Leave a comment

Thank you so much to our affiliates Mundie Moms for featuring Chile relief efforts on their Thoughtful Thursday post today. Read about them and see an inspiring video here: http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2010/05/thoughtful-thursday-chile-relief.html


And, this week we opened up a “13 To Life” inspired collection on ETSY in collaboration with author Shannon Delany. 100% of all proceeds go families in Chile. See the new items here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleRedReads and read about the inspiration fo rhte jewelry and all of Shannon’s Charity efforts here:http://13-to-life-a-werewolf-tale.blogspot.com/

Today is the last day to enter to win Hope Whispers and Shadow of the Sun giveaways on our right hand sidebar. Winners will be drawn at 7PM MST tonight. Go Go!

Keep Calm and Carry On Necklace

13 May, 2010 by in etsy, UK 51 comments



Today’s Chile relief Etsy giveaway is from such a fun little shop!Hoolala is owned and operated by Sam Gannaway-Jones who has been designing and making things since she was little. She has been a freelance designer for the past 6 years.

Sam’s work is heavily influenced by the mad, bad Victorians, her grandmother’s vintage family album of photographs and her mother’s vintage charm bracelet.

She was seduced by tales of her great grand parents – one story in particular was irresistible – the romantic notion of her great grandfather defecting from Russia and arriving in England one day on a boat…He said he was the ship’s carpenter but in actual fact he looked more like Russian aristocracy…so she decided to make a charm bracelet that told his story and Hoolala was born.

“I am fascinated by the idea of the charm; in some cultures they are used to attract luck to the wearer whilst in others they are worn to ward off evil. My work centers around the idea of compulsion and repulsion, the morbid curiosity of the Victorians and my boxes of unusual treasures I have collected since childhood.”

Hoolala has been featured on many online blogs, e-zines and in several magazines including:

• The Sunday Times Style Magazine
• Jared Gold’s Black Chandelier Czarina Runway Show, Los Angeles USA
• Shop Local UK on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/gift-ideas-shop-local-uk-with-hidenseek-2993/
• Italian Elle Magazine May
• cosmopolitan.co.uk August
• Red Magazine UK September
Mizz Magazine UK September
•• INDIE Magazine Vienna Smitten by Britain October Issue

• London Fashion Week February
• The Wonder Room Selfridges London March
All designs are the property of Miss Samantha Gannaway-Jones and Hoolala
©2010 Hoolala

Sam has been commissioned to make custom charm bracelets from clients all over the world and has also made collections for several boutiques, including The Black Chandelier in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, Habit in Chicago, Libertine in Australia and more throughout the UK.

When she is not chasing lambs and collecting odd tea cups she is busy taking photographs and thinking of charming and disturbing stories to incorporate into her jewellery designs.

**************************************************

What people are saying about Hoolala…..

“Helpful, organized and highly honest seller — who also makes beautiful things! (even the packaging is gorgeous.)”

‘I cannot recommend Hoolala highly enough. Excellent service all round, excellent communication and a thoroughly nice person too boot! The necklace is even more beautiful than it looks in the picture and is presented very beautifully. I shall certainly be shopping here again!’

‘The ring is even better than I’d hoped, while the little extras and wrapping made me grin for a good half hour. I fully wish every seller was like yourself, so thank you! EVERYONE i know shall now be forced to experience your quirky-victorianbritish-vintage!’

“Rocks harder than Motorhead!”


To Enter to win
a Keep Calm and Carry On Necklace as well as Hoolala gift bag:
Leave your name and email address below
+20 for any donation made to Chile relief efforts at heatoddgardner@yahoo.com via PayPal
+5 for posting this giveaway on your blog or facebook, leave the link
+3 for each retweet @FireIcePhotos
+2 for hearting her store on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/hoolala
+2 for following us on Twitter @FireICephotos
Total your entries and enter in your comment

Contest ends
June 13, 2010 and is open internationally

Etsy Treasuries

12 May, 2010 by in etsy, Heather Gardner Photography, treasury Leave a comment

Wow..so fun. We were featured in four Etsy treasuries. Thank you so much to all of the sellers who picked my items! Hopefully we will sell some things this week so we can ship more boxes of aid to Chile. 38 boxes have been sent thus far. But, I have over twenty packed and ready to go in my closet O.0 Please check out the shop owners below. And enter to win an item of your choice from our Etsy giveaway on the right hand sidebar.

“Family Tree” treasury by SweetMellyJane http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4be99b338c046d919041728b/family-tree?sort=hotness&order=desc

“And Really Bad Eggs” Pirate Treasury by danceswithflowers http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bdfcc8e8de56d9147eed937/and-really-bad-eggs?sort=hotness&order=desc

“Concrete Angel” treasury by Outonawhim http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4be02a7a8de56d9140c1db37/concrete-angel#4be02a9687808eefef51c0ea

“Once Upon A Time” treasury by mosaicjewels http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=130886