Posts Tagged: cedar fort books

Clean Read Review- The Shapeshifter’s Secret

29 May, 2012 by in ya fantasy 1 comment

The Shapeshifter’s Secret
by Heather Ostler
Paperback, 328 pages
Expected Publication Date June 12, 2012
by Cedar Fort
ISBN: 1462110339
Book Source: Netgalley
4 Stars
Summary from Goodreads: Julia is finally discovering what–not who–she is.


Like any sixteen-year-old, Julia’s used to dealing with problems. From her overprotective father to her absent mother to a teacher who definitely has it in for her. But everything changes when Julia’s reactions become oddly vicious and angry—more animal than human. This action-packed adventure has it all: humor, romance, and a plot that will keep you guessing to the very last page.


Cathy’s Review: Julia’s a normal 16 year old girl, or so she thinks. Her dad is really overprotective and that makes her do crazy things like sneaking out of her window at night to go to her friend’s parties. That all changes when the new boy at school hears that she’s been sneaking out. Julia thinks that he told her dad, because right away her dad installs bars on the windows of her room. Julia gets so angry at her dad, and then she feels really weird, but she’s uncertain why and her dad doesn’t seem to want to explain anything to Julia. He also doesn’t want to tell her about her mom that she’s never known, so it’s all a big surprise to Julia when she learns that she’s basically royalty from another dimension, where she’s being hunted by a group called the Guild. To escape them she must learn how to defend herself as well as how to control her Shapeshifting into a werecat. 

This book was amazing! I loved Julia and I really loved the premise behind this story. What girl doesn’t want to figure out that they really are a princess that they all have dreamed about being as a little girl. The plot was fast moving and I really enjoyed the adventure. I liked that I was unable to guess which way the plot was going to go. I did kind of wish that Julia would choose the other guy, but maybe in a second book!

Content: clean

About the author: Heather Ostler grew up near the mountains with a rambunctiously entertaining family. She majored in English at Utah Valley University, and soon began composing stories about masquerades, water nymphs, and shapeshifters. She and her husband, Kellen, reside in Highland, Utah with two remarkably pleasant pugs.

Find out more about author Heather Ostler: Goodreads/ Twitter/ Website

Book Preview- Uneasy Fortunes

23 May, 2012 by in mandi ellsworth Leave a comment

Uneasy Fortunes
By Mandi Ellsworth
Paperback, 240 pages
Expected Publication Date: June 12, 2012 
by Cedar Fort 
ISBN: 1599559854
Book Source: Netgalley
3 stars
Summary from Goodreads: Battered by his past, Pete knows he has no business falling for anyone. But when time can’t heal a wound, love steps in to make it right. Based on a true story of the post–Civil War South, this gentle rustic romance will pull you in from the first page and leave you with a renewed hope in the power of real love.
Cathy’s Review: Pete is an honest man looking for honest work. His life hasn’t always been easy for him. His father was a drunk and a mean one at that. After his father dies, Pete ends up working long years to pay off his father’s debts before he’s able to strike out on his own looking for his own life. He has always had a bit of a stutter, but he’s able to hide it in his new life at Ridgemoor, simply by not speaking. The problem is that he falls in love with the daughter of the wealthy owner of Ridgemoor, Rosalynn Richie. He knows that there is no way that he will ever be able to marry this young lady and he begins to make plans to find a different work situation before she gets married. June is a young lady who’s been hurt by men before, she’s not looking for love anywhere, nor does she ever plan to be, but when Pete shows up looking for work at her home, and her father hires him, she begins to see that men can be kind and genuine and that maybe, just maybe there might be one for her sitting right at the dinner table looking back at her.
I had kind of a hard time getting into this story. I’m not sure quite why, but the beginning of the book didn’t hold my interest as much as some of the rest of it did. By the middle of the story I was into it, and the end had a big surprise that I didn’t see coming. I didn’t think that the characters in this book seemed as real as they do in some other books, they seemed a bit 2 dimensional to me. Maybe that’s kind of weird, but I like to get to “know” my characters and feel as though they are real and they could be friends of mine in real life, and I didn’t really get that with these characters.
Content: Rape scene, but not terribly descriptive


About the Author: As the youngest of thirteen children, Mandi Ellsworth grew up secure in the knowledge that she was the “star” of her family and didn’t realize until she left home that not everyone thought the same. Later, after traveling around for two years and going to three different colleges, Mandi met a man whom she would regularly out-eat and he didn’t mind. They’ve been happily married ever since. They have ree children and live wherever the wind takes them. Mandi’s children know public libraries better than grocery stores, and she likes it that way.

Find out more about author Mandi Ellsworth: Goodreads/ Blog


YA Book Review- The Secret Life of Copernicus H Stringfellow

24 Apr, 2012 by in sweetwater books, The Secret Life of Copernicus H Stringfellow Leave a comment

The Secret Life of Copernicus H Stringfellow
by Lorin Barber
Paperback, 304 pages
Published March 13, 2012
by Sweetwater Books
ISBN: 1599559293
Book Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3 stars

Book summary from Goodreads: Copernicus H. Stringfellow, a.k.a. Nick, is not your run-of-the-mill genius. His mind is so powerful it can stop a speeding automobile or stem internal bleeding. As Nick goes about quietly doing good, he discovers that his powers are greatly enhanced by the nutrients present in Twinkies. Follow Nick on his amazing adventures in this humorous and exciting action-packed book for all ages.
Cathy’s Review: Nick Stringfellow is a genius, some pretty crazy things happen around him. Things like guns that are pointing at him suddenly being pointed somewhere else, or really sick people all of a sudden getting over their illness and being well. He’s also very kind and always trying to help someone out, from a runaway hitchhiker to everyone in the rundown neighborhood that he’s just bought a house in. Oh and did I mention his strange Twinkie fetish? He eats them one after the next after the next, in fact, one of the first things he does when he arrives in Seattle is get on the Twinkie delivery schedule. He also gets a job as a Nurse at Large in Seattle’s Harborview Hospital. But the strange coincidences with patients getting better as Nick was spending time with them leaves the other doctors and nurses working in the hospital wondering just what in the world is up with this man! It’s up to resident Dr Prescilla Spurbeck to figure that out, but just what will she find? I enjoyed the premise of this story. Nick was a likable enough guy, although the Twinkie thing is a bit strange! I did find the story a bit disjointed just because of all the detail that Nick talks about. He’s a genius, and he talks a bit like a rocket scientist through the whole thing. I think there is some definite potential to this Twinkie eating super hero and can’t wait to read his further adventures!
Content: Clean


Author Bio: I have 6 children, 1 wife and 8 grandchildren. I spent most of my adult life as a manufacturing executive. I’ve been to 45 states and 19 foreign countries. With the loss of a business in the bad economy I’m trying to turn a hobby of writing into a new career.

Find out more about author Lorin Barber Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter

World Autism Awareness Day Giveaway

02 Apr, 2012 by in lynn parsons, special needs, world autism awareness day 7 comments

With today being World Autism Awareness Day, Fire and Ice has paired up with author Danyelle Ferguson, author of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel to being you a very special giveaway.
Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has had a huge impact on our family as my second oldest, almost 7, was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at age three and my youngest was also diagnosed with autism two years ago. Our weeks are filled with occupational therapy, medical visits, educational meetings and behavioral interventions. Our years have been filled with IEP meetings, blood work, legal meetings, surgeries, speech therapy and hours of advocacy for my childrens’ insurance and treatment.
Author Danyelle Ferguson and I had the privilege of appearing together on a television segment of Good Things Utah earlier this year to talk about our experience as mothers of autistic children. Her insights to special needs parenting are invaluable and on such a big day for the both of us we thought it would be wonderful to offer them to our readers. So, she and publisher Cedar Fort Books are offering one of her books co-written with Lynn Parsons to help raise awareness of useful interventions for special needs.

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel
by Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons
Paperback, 272 pages
Published May 6th 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599558203
Each day, parents and church leaders struggle to teach individuals with special needs. Using helpful information, real-life stories, and a touch of humor, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel provides ways for you to effectively teach people of all ages with autism, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and other disabilities.
Inside this useful guide, you’ll find
• Guidance for building strong family relationships
• Steps to teaching prayer and scripture study
• Practical and creative teaching tips
• Programs to help with transitions, communication barriers, and behaviors
• Techniques to help others feel welcome and valued
Find the answers you need and overcome the challenges of teaching the gospel. (dis)Abilities and the Gospel will help you develop each person’s ability to learn and grow as you build peace in your home or classroom.
(dis)Abilities and the Gospel is a resource that may be read, reread, and used many times. . . . The authors have beautifully woven the frustrations that so many people have experienced into an action-living plan to help children with special needs. —Lloyd Kinnison, PhD. Texas Woman’s University, Special Education Department
This book is an unexpected and very welcome gift to the community of churches and their leaders. It addresses so many of the problems that children, young adults, and adults with disabilities face in church activities. —Brenda Winegar, Early Interventionist/Cofounder, Kids on the Move

About the Authors: I had the pleasure of meeting both Danyelle and Lynn at the LDS Story makers conference one year ago. They each took time out on more than one occasion to help me through some of my own questions about individualized education plans and resources in my state. Danyelle Ferguson is a wife, mom, book editor, reviewer, and writer. She keeps busy raising four angels-in-training, the oldest of which has Autism. She and her husband, John, co-founded a non-profit organization, Friends of GIANT Steps, which raises money to supplement an Autism preschool. Danyelle has been active in the Autism community for over ten years, during which time she learned that prayer and a sense of humor are the keys to not only enduring but enjoying the special needs journey.

Danyelle Ferguson discovered her love for the written word in elementary school. Her first article was published when she was in 6th grade. During high school, she placed runner up in the Pennsylvania School of Excellence for Arts program, specializing in creative writing. Since then, she’s won several awards for her poetry, short stories, articles, and other writings. Her work has been published in anthologies, newspapers, school journals, and online. Her book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, was released in May 2011 through Cedar Fort Publishing.

Danyelle grew up surrounded by the beautiful Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania. Then she lived for ten years among the majestic Wasatch Mountains. She is currently experiencing mountain-withdrawal while living in Kansas with her husband and family. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing and singing in the kitchen, and the occasional long bubble bath to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy.”

Find out more on Danyelle Ferguson’s Website and Blog. Parenting Partner, Autism Speaks

 or Author Lynn Parsons’ Website and blog

The Giveaway: Enter to win one ECopy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel by filling out the rafflecopter form below. Open internationally, this giveaway ends April 7, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Emerald City Blog Tour and Author Guest Post

26 Mar, 2012 by in book review 1 comment

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the Emerald City blog tour. We are excited to have author Alicia K Leppert on our site today talking about the locations she used in her book and where they came from…

Emerald City
by Alicia K. Leppert
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: April 10th 2012
by Sweetwater Books ISBN1599558645
Book Source: Publisher
Book Summary from author’s website: Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down. A modern-day romance with a twist, Emerald City has a little bit of something for everyone!
Author Guest Post: ” I had a lot of fun picking locations in my book, and each one came from some memory or personal experience I’ve had in my lifetime. Much of the book takes place in Olivia’s apartment, which actually was something I just dreamed up based on studio apartments I’ve seen on TV and in movies. I’ve always had a thing for lofts and studio apartments in big cities, with brick or concrete walls. Although Olivia’s apartment is nothing as grand as the ones I dream about, it was roughly based on those.
The coffee shop she works in was based on a coffee shop I had breakfast in in Seattle about 12 years ago when I was visiting my sister and her family. They’re probably about a dime a dozen in the Seattle area, but whenever I wrote about Olivia at work, I thought of the coffee shop from that specific visit.
The mansion on the lake that Jude takes Olivia to is actually based on the gorgeous houses down the street from where I grew up, along the Columbia River. These houses are huge and amazing and have all those things you dream about having, like theater rooms and swimming pools and arcades. And since they’re on the river, they always have huge glass windows on the back walls, overlooking the water.
A personal favorite of mine is the location of their first “date,” on the pier. It was largely based on my husband’s and my first real date. We drove to Seattle and had dinner at Red Robin on the pier, then went on the Argosy Cruise around Puget Sound. While we waited for the cruise to start, we hung out on the pier looking out at the sound, and my husband (fiance at the time) carved our names into the wooden railing of the pier. The seafood restaurant Jude and Olivia eat at, however, was based on a restaurant we’ve visited many times at the Oregon Coast in Lincoln City.
That’s about it for the locations that had any kind of significance. All others came from some corner of my memory or imagination. But all were equally fun to create!
Alicia K Leppert’s Bio: I always knew I wanted to be a writer, ever since Career Day in first grade when I walked around carrying a notebook and pencil. Twenty-some odd years later, after a short stint in high school where I dreamed of being an actress, a whirlwind Internet romance including a blind proposal that led to a fairytale wedding and two pretty-near perfect kids, my lifelong dream came to fruition with my first novel, Emerald City. I live with my small brood in my beloved hometown of Pasco, which is located in the only part of Washington state that isn’t green. When I’m not writing, I can be found decorating novelty cakes and taking naps–my other two passions.

Find out more on Goodreads/ author’s website/ Twitter/ Facebook/ The Publisher

 

Emerald City Blog Tour

15 Mar, 2012 by in book review Leave a comment

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on Alicia Leppert’s Emerald City blog tour.

Emerald City
by Alicia K. Leppert
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: April 10th 2012
by Sweetwater Books ISBN1599558645
Book Source: Publisher
3.5 stars 
Book Summary from author’s website: Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down. A modern-day romance with a twist, Emerald City has a little bit of something for everyone!
Heather’s review: Emerald City is one young woman’s journey from the harrowing feeling of hopelessness to beginning to heal. 20 year old Olivia has suffered far more than most 20 year olds and feels alone in the world, her mother having committed suicide and her father abandoning the family after living a lie. One particularly hard night Olivia reaches her breaking point and in an effort to end the pain ends up in a hospital bed with no knowledge of how she could have possibly been saved. Her front door was locked, she has no real friends or neighbors in her apartment building that would check up on her, yet a mysterious man name Jude is said to have found and rescued her.  Soon Jude has taken Olivia under his wing and shows her what it means to be cared for and looked after. Feelings are growing on both sides and there are so many unanswered questions about Jude.
As a reader I found myself wondering who and what Jude is through out most of the book until we get his back story over 20 chapters in. I really enjoyed learning more and wish we would have been filled in a bit sooner. From there this romance with a twist of Urban fantasy takes off. It’s a darker read until then as Olivia is treading through the absolute hopelessness of clinical depression and suicidal ideation. I like that she addresses her issues through seeing a psychiatrist and going on medication when she so clearly needs it. But I think this is an older read for 17- adults because of the sad tone and traumatic life events Olivia faces. I am curious if there will be more books to come! If you are a fan of the Heavenly series by Jennifer Laurens this has similar character elements. I love love the cover and the chapter headings which highlight Seattle where the book was set, and I am pleased the author shows how one person can change the life course of another.
Content: no swearing or sex, some violence, suicidal and traumatic life events, some kissing and sleep overs.
Heather
Author Bio: I always knew I wanted to be a writer, ever since Career Day in first grade when I walked around carrying a notebook and pencil. Twenty-some odd years later, after a short stint in high school where I dreamed of being an actress, a whirlwind Internet romance including a blind proposal that led to a fairytale wedding and two pretty-near perfect kids, my lifelong dream came to fruition with my first novel, Emerald City. I live with my small brood in my beloved hometown of Pasco, which is located in the only part of Washington state that isn’t green. When I’m not writing, I can be found decorating novelty cakes and taking naps–my other two passions.

Find out more on Goodreads/ author’s website/ Twitter/ Facebook/ The Publisher

 

Delivering Hope Blog Tour and Giveaway

08 Feb, 2012 by in Uncategorized 1 comment

Delivering Hope
by Jennifer Ann Holt
Paperback, 224 pages
Expected publication: February 8th 2012
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599559021
Book Source: author
Summary From Goodreads: Olivia Spencer wants to be a mom more than anything else in the world, but years of infertility have wounded her soul and strained her marriage.

Allison Campbell is a recent high school graduate who discovers that a moment of excitement has led to an unplanned pregnancy and an overwhelming heartache.

As the lives of these two women touch, we see that deep love can pave the way for sacrifice, and we all learn the true source of hope and healing.
Delivering Hope is born today! Happy Book Birthday Julie and thanks for asking Fire and Ice to be a part of your blog tour. For any woman who has ever struggled with infertility or young woman facing an unplanned pregnancy this is an inspirational educational read. It contains two parts- the first outlines the personal struggles of Olivia and Michael a married couple who have been tyring for years to get pregnant only to find out it is medically impossible. The strain emotionally and financially is overwhelming. But a glimmer of hope comes thanks to a journal left behind by Olivia’s great aunt. She finds solace in knowing someone close to her has felt the heartache and inadequacy deep within. Ultimately it is serve to others and turning one’s will over to the atonement that will save both women.
The second half of the book begins with Allison Campbell, a young woman just out of high school with a promising future in college and hopes of a medical career. One night’s cations change her life forever. She is pregnant, she feels ashamed and the father wants her to have an abortion. Olivia and Allison’s lives cross as Allison turns to her church leader and the gift of adoption.
While this was a hard read because it is so honest and heartfelt; I think it is a good teaching tool for all of us to be able to empathize with the emotions behind infertility and adoption. It shows the judgements, every day trials and soul searching that gets poured into two families lives. I would recommend it for older teens and adults, as well as social workers who counsel both birth mothers and adoptive parents.Hats off to Jennifer for writing about something so near and dear to her heart.
About The Author: My name is Jennifer Ann Holt. I grew up as a farm girl in Enterprise, Utah, so I have lots of experience moving sprinkler pipe and mucking out calf pens. I can hold my own when handling a tractor as well. I have always loved reading and really like the power of the written word to heal, bring people together, provide comfort and understanding, and uplift.
I graduated Cum Laude from Brigham Young University in December 1998 with a degree in Physical Education / Physical Therapy Emphasis. In March of 1999 I married my wonderful husband and we started our life together.
After a couple years of marriage, and without having had a successful pregnancy, we began pursuing both adoption and increasingly aggressive fertility treatments. We were blessed to be chosen by an amazing birth mom, and we adopted our beautiful daughter as a newborn. Following several failed adoption attempts, and several more years of fertility treatments (including a couple of surgeries) I became pregnant with our youngest son. We were waiting to update our adoption portfolio until after the first trimester to make sure the pregnancy was going to stick, and when I was just about a week shy of that 12-week mark, a wonderful birth mom picked us as the family for her soon-to-be-born baby boy.
She didn’t mind that I was pregnant, she felt strongly that her baby boy was to join our family, and he did! We were excited at the prospect of our two boys only being 6 months apart. Then, my pregnancy took a nose dive. I developed severe toxemia almost overnight and had a small stroke. In addition, we discovered that the cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck 3 times. So, in order to save both of our lives, my doctor performed an emergency c-section and delivered our 2 lb. 8 oz. son about 3 months early. I was very blessed to recover with only some slight numbness on the left side of my face. And after spending 8 1/2 weeks in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, and undergoing numerous blood transfusions, a surgery, and many scary moments, our youngest was able to come home and join his big brother and sister.
Today, my husband and I have three wonderfully healthy, happy children (including our two boys who are 3 months apart), and we feel at peace that all of the members of our family are here.
I love to speak about adoption and infertility, particularly about adopting and raising a multi-racial family and how to find healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I must say that my family and life has not turned out the way I always thought it would, but I know that my family has come in accordance to my Heavenly Father’s will. Because of this, it is better than I ever imagined, and I couldn’t be happier!
The Giveaway: Here is what the author is offering as a thank you to all who participate in the blog tour stops “As I mentioned in the invitation, I will be giving away a signed copy of the book to two individuals, and a signed bookmark and Delivering Hope magnet to five individuals. There will be several ways to enter, and your readers can enter using one or all of the ways.
1. Become a follower of her blog: http://www.jenshopefulwriting.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment letting me know you’re here!
2. “Like” the Delivering Hope facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/DeliveringHopeNovel
3. Watch the book trailer: www.bit.ly/peCixw and post a comment on the facebook page telling what you liked about it.
The winners will be randomly chosen at the conclusion of the blog tour and posted on both the author’s blog and the facebook fan page by 10:00 am on Saturday, February 11th. Good luck!

Persuasion Blog Tour and Giveaway

06 Feb, 2012 by in persuasion, Rebecca H. Jamison 15 comments

Fire and Ice is happy to be today’s stop on the virtual blog tour for

Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale
by Rebecca H. Jamison
Paperback, 240 pages
Expected publication: February 14th 2012
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599559471
Book Source: publisher
5 stars 
Summary From Goodreads: When Anne broke off her engagement seven years ago, she thought she’d never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil’s brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil’s return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen’s most romantic novel.
Anne Elliott is a 27 year old single stockbroker who is trying to help her Dad get out of debt and her sister get through her bed rest when her ex-fiance Neil Wentworth stumbles back into her life. She’s working the family garage sale with no regard to how she looks which couldn’t be worse timing for Neil to pop back up after years of not hearing from him. Captain Wentworth is recovering form a high speed chase accident with the extra loving care of Lily and Hannah, which ironically enough also happen to be Anne’s sister’s next door neighbors and in-laws. Neil and Anne will be crossing paths quite a bit whether they like it or not. Throw in a life threatening jelly fish sting, some unruly children, and a jaguar driving bachelor and you have Persuasion. It’s a story about a second chance at love and learning to put yourself first for once.

What a fun debut by Rebecca H. Jamison with humorous situations, life lessons and even suspense  in. It’s a look at why expensive dates and appearances can be deceiving and what it means to be a true night in shining armor. I would recommend it to everyone as a clean romance based loosely on Jane Austen’s original story. You’ll want to pass Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale on to your friends. It is indeed a Latter-day tale with references to Mormon culture and terminology but I think all will enjoy! So sit back watch the trailer and enter to win your own copy below. Thanks to Cedar Fort Books and the author for inviting us to be a stop on the tour.

Author Bio: “I’m a stay-at-home mom with a passion for writing novels, running, and dancing. I’m a mom to five boys, so I know how to pronounce a lot of dinosaur names and how to clean up legos.
I also have one wonderful daughter.I met my husband on a blind date.
Before I had kids, I worked as an English teacher. I plan to go back to teaching once my kids are older. I have a BA and MA
in English from BYU.I love to swim, make jewelry, and play in water. I like teenagers. Summer is my favorite season of the year because I can eat watermelon and hang at the pool.
People have asked me to write a lot of skits over the years. My favorite is Snow White and the Seven Values, which I did for the Young Women’s group at my church.
I grew up in Vienna, Virginia. Now I live in Utah. I’m a city girl.
The country’s okay, as long as I don’t have to smell manure.I served a mission to Portugal and the Cape Verde Islands. I write novels for fun. I play the piano, but I’m not good at practicing, so don’t expect too much from me there.I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
You can view my profile on Mormon.org.”
Find more on the author’s website/ or facebook. View the rest of the blog tour schedule here.
The Giveaway: Fire and Ice is giving away a copy of Persuasion courtesy of Cedar Fort Books. To enter to win fill out the rafflecopter form below. Open internationally. One winner will be randomly chosen February 20, 2012.

Book Review- Caller ID

23 Jan, 2012 by in rachelle christensen Leave a comment

Caller ID
By Rachelle J Christensen
Paperback, 272 pages
Expected Publication Date: March 6, 2012
by Cedar Fort, Inc
ISBN: 1599559900
Book Source: Netgalley
4 stars


When twenty-three-year-old Courtney Beckham is abducted near her home, the search turns up more than just a kidnapping crime. FBI agent Jason Edwards investigates the ten-million-dollar ransom and stumbles upon something he wasn’t meant to find. When Courtney catches a glimpse of the caller ID in her kidnapper’s home, what she sees turns her world upside down.


Courtney is a college co-ed, she’s a cute girl. The kind who always has a boyfriend. Her current boyfriend, Sean, is a football player for the University of Utah. He’s one person that her dad doesn’t have a problem with Courtney running through the mountains with. There was a murder in the mountains that Courtney likes to run in only a year earlier, and her overprotective father still wants her to stay away. The only thing is, the kind of guys that Courtney dates all expect one thing and Courtney’s not willing to go there. She knows that Sean’s getting to that point, so she knows she’ll need to break up with him pretty soon. When her dad takes her mom on a surprise weekend getaway, it’s the perfect time for Courtney to take her horse Titka and her dog Pepper for a ride in the mountains behind her home, after all, what her dad doesn’t know can’t hurt him. What she doesn’t bargain for is to find a field full of marijuana and the men guarding that field to kidnap her, because they know that she’s seen it. Since no one knows where she’s going, or even that she was going, Courtney knows it’s going to be at least a day or two before someone realizes that she’s missing. Can Courtney hold out until someone can find her? I enjoyed this book. It was full of all kinds of plot twists and turns. I loved Courtney’s character, at the beginning she comes across as kind of a spoiled rich girl, but by the end of the book, you and she realize what a strong young woman she really is. I liked the touch of romance that this book contains. You kind of know who the “bad guy” is through the whole book, but I like that there was still enough craziness to be surprised as to how the book was going to end. All in all a good book!


Content: Attempted Rape, Peril of kidnapping, drug trafficking

About the author:  I was born and raised in a small farming town in Idaho and I’m a dirt between the toes, irrigation boot-wearing, ponytail flipping in the wind as I drive the 4-wheeler FARM girl all the way! I’m married to my incredible husband, Steve, and we have four wonderful kids–two girls and two boys. I graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in music. Go Aggies! I love USU–that’s where I met my husband! I enjoy so much of life–there’s so much to learn and experience. I love reading almost any genre/age group and usually read over 50 books a year from a variety of different authors. I love running, gardening, making cards with rubber stamps, crocheting, playing volleyball, singing, playing the piano, telling felt stories, and cooking. I’ve enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved to make up poems and write short stories.


Find out more about author Rachelle Christensen on Goodreads/ Website/ Blog/ Twitter

Time Gangsters Blog Tour

17 Jan, 2012 by in time gangsters 2 comments

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the Cedar Fort Blog Tour for

Time Gangsters
by Berin L Stephens
Paperback, 296 pages
Expected Publication Date: February 8, 2012
by Cedar Fort Inc

ISBN: 1599559668
Book Source: Netgalley
Rating: 5 stars
When Billy discovers a hidden cache of ancient coins, it isn’t long before a gang of thugs swipes them right from under Billy. Plotting to use the magical properties of the coins to seize power in the past, these power-hungry gangsters will do anything to reach their goal. Their future threatened, Billy and Danny must race through time to steal back the coins—before history is changed forever!

This was a really fun book! There was so much action and crazy things going on all over the place. I loved the characters and how they fought at first, but then they realized that they needed to work together to steal back the coins. I loved the plot, I mean what kid doesn’t dream of finding gold coins in the walls of their bedroom! Not to mention the coins do really cool things, like letting you jump really high. This book is written for elementary age kids, and I can’t wait to have my 11 year-old read it.

Content: Really clean.

About the Author:

Wanted: Dead or Alive
Berin “Reeds” Stephens

Former getaway driver for Franco Carnassi. Also played tenor saxophone in Carnassi’s speakeasy, the Club Velocity. He may be armed and dangerous. Originally from Chugiak, Alaska, he is currently believed to be in a hideout somewhere in a valley in the mountain west. He is guarded by several kids, a dog, a cat, and an aloe plant. If you have any information concerning Reeds’s whereabouts, please contact Agent Elliott of the Bureau of Investigation immediately or visit http://www.berinstephens.com./.

Find out more about Berin L Stephens:  Website/ Blog/ Facebook

Find out more about Time Gangsters: Website
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