Book Review- Far From You

01 Feb, 2010 by in book review, Simon Pulse, YA fiction 1 comment

December 23rd 2008 by Simon Pulse

details Hardcover, 368 pages

literary awards TAYSHAS High School Reading List (2010)

isbn1416975063

5 stars

Summary from Goodreads

Lost and alone…down the rabbit hole

Years have passed since Alice lost her mother to cancer, but time hasn’t quite healed the wound. Alice copes the best she can, by writing her music, losing herself in the love of her boyfriend, and distancing herself from her father and his new wife.

But when a deadly snowstorm traps Alice with her stepmother and newborn half-sister, she’ll face issues she’s been avoiding for too long. As Alice looks to the heavens for guidance, she discovers something wonderful.

Perhaps she’s not so alone after all

WOW. Is all I can say…
I picked up this book at my local library and started it earlier today. The entire book is written in prose. Each chapter a new poem. For me, it was a nice break from the every day writing style we are used to. I finished it in a couple of hours because I couln’t put it down.
Alice deals with the grief over losing her mother to cancer, adjustment to a new family dynamic, doubts of faith, and near tragedy. It is a beautifully rich yet down to earth and raw look at what it feels like to lose someone and have them replaced by new and strange people. I think it is a great read for any teen who has gone through trying to adjust to a new step-parent, or the loss of a parent. Alice also struggles with the question of abstinence and it is handled by her boyfriend Blaze in a mature and loving manner. I love that she held on to that belief and was supported in her decision.
The story touched at heart strings as Alice feels enveloped in a comfort and peace that is not of this world. She feels her life has been touched by an angel in the moments she struggles to save the life of her newborn half-sister. I was brought to tears by the encompassing process of healing and hope.
An absolute Gem. Five out of five stars!

Infinitales Red Riding Hood Giveaway

31 Jan, 2010 by in etsy, free stuff, giveaway, rings 73 comments



Today’s giveaway is brought to us by Etsy seller Infinitales

I’m Alessandra Fusi, hopeless dreamer and freelance illustrator.

I live near Rome with my thousand pencils and my six cats.
♣ Alessandra ♣

♣ Blog: http://www.alessandrafusi.com/

♣ On-line portfolio: http://alessandrafusi.carbonmade.com/

♣ Twitter: http://twitter.com/alessandrafusi

✉ E-mail: alessandrafusi @gmail.com

First prize:
Ring – Little Red Riding Hood:


Here is a vintage romantic ring with a print of my painting “Little Red Riding Hood” (see pictures).

The subject is printed on high quality artistic photo paper, set in an antique bronze filigree cameo setting and protected with crystal resin.

The whole size of the ring decoration is 30x23mm.
The ring base is adjustable, so it will perfectly fit on your finger

Every ring comes in its own lovely jewellery box (assorted colours)♥


Second prize:
Little Brown Sleeping Wolf – Deluxe laminated bookmark:

This bookmark is off-set printed on fine art watercolour paper, so the colours are strong and vivid and they will not fade.
Each bookmark is laminated to make it glossy and water(or coffee, or tea!)resistant.

It features a small eyelet, a red ribbon and a cute bead to fix it in place that will delightfully play peek-a-boo from the top of your favourite book ♥

Back of bookmark is hand signed by me and feautures a lovely texture.

Size is approximatively 5,7 x 17,8 cm (7 x 2 1/4″) (without ribbon), with round corners.

A first and second prize winner will be chosen on February 21st, 2010

To enter: Leave us your name and email address +1
Visit her shop on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/infinitales and leave your favorite item in a link below +2
Follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos +3
Follow our blog +5
Become a fan of Fire and Ice or share this contest on Facebook +3
Heart her shop on etsy +2
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter +3- leave the link
Share it on your blog or facebook-leave the link +5
Add our button to your blog +5
Total your entires and leave them below…

Sprite Saturday Photo Giveaway

30 Jan, 2010 by in free stuff, photos, sprites 5 comments

K Pauli, another photographer on Flickr has graciously donated a photo of your choice for our February giveaways!


You can choose your favorite photo and she will mail you out a print from her

photostream:

Beth (nautilus shell studios) says:
“I look forward to seeing Kirsten’s new posts…she constantly pushes herself to try new things and follow new ideas. It has been so fun to watch her photography blossom! She has also been generous in sharing some beautiful vintage frames with her Flickr friends. Keep up the good work, Kirsten…you are an inspiration!”

View Kirsten’s website online at: http://www.see-here-now.com/

To enter to Win a Print up to 8×10 of your choice:

Simply leave your name and email address in the comments below

Additional Entries:

+2 go to her photostream and comment on your favorite

+3 follow us @FireIcephotos and tweet this contest on Twitter

+5 post this contest to your blog

+5 add our button to your blog

+1 for every retweet or sidebar…leave the links 🙂

Contest Ends Valentine’s Day February 14th, 2010.

One winner will receive a hand finished print of their choice!

Wolf Moon Giveaway

30 Jan, 2010 by in maggie stiefvater, nature photography, new moon, shiver, sisters red, Stephenie Meyer, the Dark Divine, twilight, wolves 28 comments

“Guard Duty” by Camp Crazy Photos

In honor of the amazing wolf moon last night and photography Friday, we have another awesome giveaway to announce. Several Flickr photographers have agreed to give away their photographs to our blog readers. If you are a fan of the big bad wolf in “Sisters Red”, Sam in “Shiver”, “The Dark Divine”, the “Twilight” Series, “Darklight” by Lesley Livingston, “Need” by Carrie Jones or any other Fenris book this contest is for you!

One winner will be chosen for each photo submitted. Each winner will receive the print of their choice up to an 8×10 of a wolf image! As of today, there are four photos submitted and four possible winners:

“Warning” by Camp Crazy Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/campcrazy/

Different Eye Colors by Jar0d


BIG WOLVE HUG! by Jar0d

Uploaded using Flickr Uploadr 3.0 (Mac)

Taken with a Canon EOS 7D.
More properties
Taken on January 15, 2010
Viewed 225 times

See his full photostream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jar0d/

Spirit of the Wolf by Alice Popkorn
Photostrem on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/
Currently: GAIA – Germany
I am: Female

Website: http://www.alicepopkorn.de/
for the textures only group competition#41
wolf by dobak
textures by playingwithbrushes

To enter:

Leave a comment with your name and email address +1

Leave your favorite “wolfy” book quote +2

Become a blog follower +3

Tweet this giveaway on twitter +2

Post the giveaway on your blog +5

Visit the artist’s photo streams or our Flickr gallery and comment on a photo +3

Become a Facebook fan of Fire and Ice +3

Good Luck, contest ends on February 10th and is open to international entries!
Winners must contact us within 48 hours of winning or a new winner will be chosen.

Popalicious Little Red Pendant Giveaway

30 Jan, 2010 by in etsy, pendant, woodland friends 20 comments


We are so excited to partner with Etsy seller “Popalicious” for our Freebie Friday giveaway:
Little Red Riding Hood and Woodland Friends Pendant, art by Maria Lunate
Here is a little about this Etsy seller and the cute Popalicious shop…
We carry a fun and trendy line of jewelry at a price tag you can afford…keep checking back for new items!

Come and visit us at our other locations on Etsy:

http://www.popalicious.etsy.com/
http://www.popalicioustoo.etsy.com/
http://www.doxiedoodles.etsy.com/
http://www.buttonanza.etsy.com/

We make a donation each month to assorted Dachshund Rescues and the Etsy for Animals Charity of the month (10 percent)

Remember a pet is something that does not need to be gotten new…OPT TO ADOPT there are so many furbabies out there needing a wonderful home. If you ever need a little doxie in your life, please drop us a line and we will help you in any way possible.

Feel free to contact us at popalicious1@gmail.com any time! We would love to hear from you!

One little note: The hummingbird is very special to us and I would like to share the story. For over 10 years we have had a pretty little hummingbird feeder in our yard, hanging from the Dogwood tree. We keep in filled with sweet nectar and red ribbons flowing from the bottom and still there were no hummingbirds. Kept the vigil going, but still no rapid winged beauties appeared. Well just about 3 years ago, my mother (Sue) who lived with us since we were married and who we cared for for over 10 years when she became basically bedridden passed away. Well you can imagine how distraught we all were and especially me. I didn’t know what to do to calm myself down, I prayed which of course helped so much but I made a secret wish, I asked my mother to send me a sign to let me know she was ok. Of course I would not ask something that was easily accomplished so I asked her to send me a hummingbird and that way I knew she was in a wonderful place. Well, I told NO ONE of this wish! Absolutely NO ONE. A week after she had passed, my husband and son were in the backyard and i heard these screams! MOM get out here, you have to see. I flew outside and there was a hummingbird fluttering at the feeder…FIRST TIME EVER! Can you imagine my delight and when I told the family they were in “happy tears”. So the hummingbird is so special to us all and I love to share this uplifting story with everyone…a little bit of hope goes a long way.

Enter here to win her “Little Red” Handmade Pendant:
Leave us your name and email address +1
Visit her shop on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/popalicious and leave your favorite item in a link below +2
Heart her shop on etsy +2
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter +3
Share it on your blog or facebook-leave the link +5
Good luck! Contest ends on February 12th, 2010 and is open to international entries

Photography Friday- Into The Woods

29 Jan, 2010 by in photography, sisters red 2 comments


Le Petit Chaperon Rouge by Rachel-Picz
www.rachel-photography.nl


lr2h by Ahef

Post apocaliptik version of the little red riding hood


Into The Silvery Wood by crowolf

“The woods are just trees. The trees are just wood.”
Red Riding Hood

“There’s no possible way. To describe how you feel. When you’re talking to your meal!”
The Wolf
from “Into The Woods” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

See my other Red Riding Hood Flickr favorites in this gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherzahngardner/galleries/72157623307232832/

And of course…the wolves here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherzahngardner/galleries/72157623307697628/

Review-Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

28 Jan, 2010 by in etsy, sisters red 1 comment

Published by Little Brown
Release date June 7, 2010
336 pages
4 stars

Some of the other handmade Little Red items currently on Etsy

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris– the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She’s determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax– but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they’ve worked for- Goodreads

I received this book while it was on an ARC tour from KatieB of Mundie Moms. From the first scene Silas is introduced, I knew he was a keeper…the woodsy scent, hard work ethic, kindness and life long friendship that he encompassed is a sure draw. Who wouldn’t want to fall in love with a woodsman who comes to your rescue and encourages you to take community ed origami?

Rosie and Scarlett are tough axe swinging women of the modern day twist to an old fashioned fairy tale. Standing up to the Fenris and defending other girls from the attacks they suffered as children, they are two hearts that act as one. I truly enjoyed this book, but must way it was a little violent for me…should have watched Jackson Pearce’s video description to prepare me for the dismembered arm 🙂 It is an amazing read which explores sisterhood, family, independence and love.

SISTERS RED currently has at two companion books, SWEETLY(#2) and FATHOMLESS (#3)

Check out Jackson Pearce’s website at http://watchmebe.livejournal.com/516029.html

Check out our wolf book hook http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37932850 and other sisters red items in the Etsy shop.

Here Jackson Pearce tells about Sisters Red in a video filmed by Castergirls

Waiting on Wednesday "Spells"

27 Jan, 2010 by in Spells 3 comments

Summary From Aprilynne Pike’s website:
Spells, the sequel to Aprilynne Pike’s #1 New York Times best-selling debut, continues the story of a not-so-ordinary girl named Laurel.

“I can’t just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I cant ‘steal’ you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you’ll ask,” Tamani said.

“And if I don’t?” Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then I guess I’ll be waiting forever.”

Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger–and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.

When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable? Available from HarperTeen on May 4, 2010.

Praise for Spells

“Spells is brilliant and lovely. Aprilynne Pike’s talent just continues to bloom and I am almost afraid to see how awesome her next book will be.”

–Carrie Jones, author of the New York Times best-selling Need and Captivate

While we are waiting check out our Wings inspired jewelry in the Etsy store and watch these fun videos on Aprilynne’s first novel, Wings…

Too Cool For Tuesday Giveaway

26 Jan, 2010 by in free stuff, giveaway, toys 54 comments

Normally I do a Freebie Friday, but the little girl inside of me just couldn’t wait! I was our looking for nesting Russian matryoshka dolls when I found these cuter than cute plastic ones! A fortune cookie that opens with a fortune inside for Cyn Balog’s “Fairy Tale”, a tiny fairy and glitter pixie dust for all of my fave fairy books, and a real nesting doll for “Dreaming Anastasia.” I am giving them all to the winner with your choice of charm necklace or bracelet to hang them on and some real fortune cookies to munch on.

+1 for commenting on a post
+3 for following our blog
+3 for following us @FireIcePhotos on Twitter
+3 for Facebook fans
+5 for adding our button to your blog
+1 for a retweet
+5 for a blog spot

Contest ends February 4th and is open Internationally Good Luck!!!