Posts Tagged: danielle thorne

Meet Our Staff

21 Dec, 2011 by in Uncategorized 4 comments

Heather Zahn Gardner is the owner and full-time reviewer of Fire and Ice. She runs the twitter, facebook, tumblr, youtube and google + pages. She also manages the review requests that come in from authors and publishers. She has a BS in psychology from Brigham Young University and has been writing and taking pictures as a journalist since junior high. Heather owns her own photography business and has five children. She is politically active in grassroots efforts to protect special needs, family, education and parental rights. Heather believes in upholding and defending the Constitution.

She worked in the social work field for many years and served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Santiago, Chile. In her free time, Heather enjoys reading, traveling, music, triathlons, road biking, family history and time outdoors. She loves meeting new authors and working with them to create book trailers, covers, author photos, and interviews. You can often find her on Pinterest,, Instagram, or Etsy. Heather has been judging the Whitney Awards since 2010 and was a committee member for the 2014 Whitney Awards. She was elected in 2014 as a delegate and 2015 as a County Vice Chair in the Republican Party.

 

 

Past Guest and Emeritus Reviewers

In addition to Heather, Fire and Ice has others who have published reviews in the past. Meet our guest and emeritus reviewers (click on the names to visit their full-time sites)

Danielle Thorne– freelanced for online and print magazines from 1998 through 2001, adding reviewing and editing to her resume. She has published poetry, short fiction and novels. Danielle is the author of sweet romantic adventure books, both historical and contemporary.

Other work has appeared with Espresso Fiction, Every Day Fiction, Arts and Prose Magazine, Mississippi Crow, The Nantahala Review, StorySouth, Bookideas, The Mid-West Review, and more. She won an Honorable Mention in Writer’s Digest’s 2006 annual writing competition and won the 2008 Awe-Struck Short Novel Contest. In 2009, Danielle won Classic Romance Revival’s Work in Progress Contest, which resulted in another contract for her fiction.

Danielle currently writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She was the 2009-2010 Co-Chair for the New Voices Competition for young writers, is active with online author groups such as Classic Romance Revival and EPIC, and she moderates for The Sweetest Romance Authors at the Coffee Time Romance boards and Goodreads. Besides contract editing and writing full time, Danielle has four sons with her husband, Rob. Together they enjoy travel and the outdoors.

Cathy- “I grew up in a small town in Idaho, reading books and dreaming of one day becoming an author. My love of reading continues to this day. I started a little blog: http://www.mybookaday.blogspot.com/ about 1 1/2 years ago. I was reading and reviewing a book a day, until my schedule changed. Now I review 3 books a week. I have shared my love of reading with our two daughters, 11 and 6. We all devour books like they’re going out of style! I read a little of everything, kids books, teen books, YA books and the occasional recipe book.”

ephrielle

Bio: “I like to read. I love to read. I’m obsessed with reading. If I had twins, I’d have to hire someone to hold my book for me while they fed. My poor children. What were their names again? OK, so I’m not that obsessed. I like romantic dinners and long walks on the beach, in the books I read, but not in real life. Romantic dinners are too much hassle and I don’t like tracking sand in the house, besides who actually does that sort of stuff in their happily ever after anyway? That’s the whole reason why books have endings, so we don’t have to hear about all the dirty diapers, temper tantrums, and marital issues. So, that pretty much sums it up, I’m a wife, a mother, and I escape through books.”
Find ephrielle on her full-time blog at Hope, Love and Happy Endings
Aimee Hone- is a lover of books and has passed on her insatiable need to read to her four children. Her passion for books is evident in her work as a Recreational Therapist and by the overflowing bookshelves throughout the house. She has recently moved to Sandy, Utah from sunny Florida. While she misses reading in the sun by the pool, curling up in a warm blanket with a good book during a snowstorm holds its own charms too.
Aimee reviewed mostly on our sister site for Children’s books Little Red Reads
Crystal- “ I am a 19 year old college student currently majoring in dental assisting. I have been an avid reader since I was young and the first book I can remember picking up and not being able to put down is Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone.”
Find Crystal on Goodreads
 
Jodi- I am married and have three wonderful little boys! The boys keep my husband and me very busy, but we have lots of fun! I am a Reading Specialist, and I love my job. I am an avid reader and feel very fortunate to be able to share my love of reading with my students!
Margie/ The Bumble Girl -“I am a stay-at-home mom to two little boys and married to my Dino for over 8 years. I am an avid reader! I read all the time, all kinds of genres for all ages… I am so lucky to have such a loving family who reads with me and allows me to have the time to share my love of books with everyone!”
Find Margie on Goodreads
Fire and Ice is sad to announce that Mary passed away in 2013.

Mary Walling- M. L. (Mary Lee) Walling is an aspiring author in Naples, Florida. Mary has been writing since 2011 with her first release “Me, My Family and God ” on 12/2011. She has since released “A Still Voice”, “House of Mystery”,and” House of Misery”. She also reads and reviews children’s books. Mary attended Brewster Adult Technical School in Tampa, Florida where she became a licensed cosmetologist. Later she attended CTC in Killeen, Texas where she obtained certification as a Medical Secretary. She worked for twenty years as a Health Insurance Specialist and had her own insurance billing service for several years. Mary left this business and to become a stay at home grandma and take care of her grandchildren. It was at this time that she took up writing again with the encouragement and mentoring of authors she met through a website. Mary writes about personal spiritual experiences and the effects and blessings they can have on others. She also writes mystery/suspense novellas. Mary lives in Naples, Florida with her husband, three daughters, five grandchildren and one son in law.
Mary reviewed Children’s books for our sister site Little Red Reads
Christine Jensen-“Mother to five children (one daughter and four sons) who range in age from four to 11, I read whenever I can get a free moment! Cozy Mysteries, Regency Era and other Historical Fiction, and Clean Romance are my favorite Genres. I read Pride and Prejudice at least once a year. Rereading my favorite books is a hobby of mine, but I am also always in search of new favorites. Aside from reading I enjoy running, singing, baking bread and crochet. “-Christine Jensen (@stickyprints)
Debbie CranberryFries– I like cranberries and french fries (but not necessarily together). I like the rain, green gum, reading!, volleyball, cheesecake, and Xbox. I’m not a fan of car repairs or a ringing phone. I love movies (watching, trivia, quoting), eating out with friends, and meeting new people.
I have been married for 9 yrs and have three small children. I have a Bachelors degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development with an emphasis in Marriage Enrichment. I enjoy being active in the community, volunteering at my kids school, and being a member of the PTA.

 

I am Alacia! I am 22 years old and love all sorts of things: Summer time, the beach, nail polish, babies, strawberries, weddings, and most of all my husband Alan! I have been married for one year, our anniversary falling on April Fool’s Day! Alan got me a Kindle for Christmas, thus reKINDLEing (haha) my love for books and reading! Nothing beats laying in the sun on a nice day, with a glass of lemonade and a good book! When I am not home cooking dinner and watching The Office with my hubby, I love boutique hopping with my mom and sister and looking for ways to help uplift those around me with service and love!
Tina Everett– I am a mother of three energetic children. I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, crafts, playing with my children, and enjoying the great outdoors. When I am not being a mom, I am a full time pharmacist. I am grateful for the opportunity to help review these books and share my opinions with others.

Books For JAPAN #5- Danielle Thorne Bundle

06 Apr, 2011 by in relief 1 comment

Our fifth auction for Japan relief is a bundle of three ebooks donated by author Danielle Thorne.

Turtle Soup
Sea turtles may be endangered but after an encounter with marine biologist, Jack Brandon, nothing will stop Sara Hart from naming her deli Turtle Soup. When Jack takes a job at the nearby Georgia Aquarium, Sara finds the environmental poster boy at her door, hungry and carrying a chip on his shoulder. Neither thinks the other has what it takes, until a scuba class reveals what lies beneath the surface. It will take food, friends, and a little help from Mother Nature, to help them see that making a difference isn’t all numbers and glory. It must begin with love

By Heart and Compass
When Lacey Whitman buys a restored Victorian home, she never dreams discovering an antique diary will lead her back to sea and into the arms of the dive bum she’d rather forget. Her habit of living in the past comes to a screeching halt as diver Max Bertrand and the diary of his ancestor take Lacey on the quest of a lifetime: To discover and raise the privateer ship, Specter, and bring the treasure and legacy of a true hero home again. But will finding it cost her heart?

The Privateer
The reign of piracy is over in the Caribbean, or so it’s believed until diamonds are discovered in Brazil. Despite the cover-up, Captain Julius Bertrand begins to hear whispers. The Spanish guardacostas are dumping log books, and a new French pirate is on the prowl. Distracted by an avaricious woman he could never love, and the beautiful Kate O’Connell who doesn’t need him, he tries to untangle the web of mysterious cargo someone in the New World wants kept secret. When Bertrand’s pirating past returns with the explosive force of a sweeping broadside, he finds he must sacrifice everything his respectable life has brought him, in order to save what matters most.

Place your bid by leaving a comment with the amount you are willing to pay for this ebook bundle. Auction ends April 27, 2011 and 100% of the proceeds go to Japan relief.

Teaser Giveaway- Josette

02 Feb, 2011 by in whimsical publications 5 comments

Josette
by Danielle Thorne
Paperback: 184 pages
Published by: Whimsical Publications
December 1, 2010
ISBN-10: 193616731X
5 stars

Summary: Josette Price sees her future in Beddingfield Park. While her brother, George, needlessly pursues a naval career, Josette promises to watch over their beloved parents and the Beddingfield Park estate. Nothing would make Josette happier than to see her sister and her self settled within the palings of Beddingfield. But dark, brooding Captain Carter rides into their lives with news that ruins everything: George has been lost at sea.

Learning the Park is entailed to their cousin, Edward, Josette must decide between marrying her fickle relation or helping her besotted sister trap him in her stead. Before a decision can be made, will Captain Carter and his delightfully spinsterish relatives stop the Price girls from making a choice that would be the greatest tragedy of all?

If you are a fan of Jane Austen and Regency Romance you will be smitten by Josette. The tension between the characters and fast paced plot made it an outstanding pick. A cross between Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, it captures two sisters in the season of their most important decisions. Sprinkled with deception, intrigue, and slow building romance, Josette is all you could ask for and more. I would recommend it with our highest rating to all readers as the best Regency romance I’ve read yet.

To enter to win your own copy courtesy of author, Danielle Thorne fill out this form. Be sure to read Danielle’s guest post below!

Guest Author Post with Danielle Thorne

02 Feb, 2011 by in Uncategorized 11 comments

Fire and Ice would like to welcome author Danielle Thorne to our site. She has written a wonderful post called ” Why Imperfect is Perfect” plus she’s donated a copy of her most recent book Josette as a giveaway.

About her: Danielle Thorne is the author of Historical and Contemporary romance with such titles as THE PRIVATEER, TURTLE SOUP, and BY HEART AND COMPASS. Other work has appeared with Espresso Fiction, Every Day Fiction, Arts and Prose Magazine, Mississippi Crow, The Nantahala Review, StorySouth, Bookideas, The Mid-West Review, and more. She won an Honorable Mention in Writer’s Digest’s 2006 annual writing competition and the 2008 Awe-Struck Short Novel Contest.

Danielle writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She was the 2009-2010 co-chair for the New Voices Competition for young writers, is active with online author groups such as Classic Romance Revival and moderates for The Sweetest Romance Authors at the Coffee Time Romance forum boards. She lives with four sons and her husband, who is an air traffic controller. Together they enjoy travel and the outdoors, High School marching band music competition and BSA Scouting.

Why Imperfect is Perfect
Most people don’t enjoy blemishes. We throw away moldy bread, agonize over pimples and rub those little smears on the mirror. Why then, do we prefer our heroes with a few defects?

This isn’t a new idea. Jane Austen created one of the most memorable and complicated heroes in 1813 when she penned PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Our first few encounters with Fitzwilliam Darcy do not fare well in the opening pages. How could anyone fall for such a rude snob? But in a matter of chapters and exchanges of the heart, it isn’t just Elizabeth Bennet who falls for the gentleman. Readers do, too.

Most of us started out with Prince Charming, while toddling around in our mother’s heels, but by the time reality sank its teeth into our innocent little hearts, things were changing. Suddenly there was the “bad boy.” He was the cute but always-in-trouble boy on the playground with the cool tee-shirt and sweaty hair. You know the one…he yanked your ponytail hard enough to make you cry and lured you under the monkey bars for a sloppy first kiss. We all ran from boys like that. But it was kind of fun.

Nobody wants to reach for something they don’t believe they can ever have and let’s face it–none of us are the perfect size with perfect features. Our scars from reality’s bite marks make it hard for us to buy that some perfect hero is going to sweep us off our feet and love us for eternity. And if it can’t happen for us, we have a hard time buying it can happen for a heroine, even one that we love. We need a hero with a few flaws. Whether they are physical, emotional, or just a personality quirk, flaws make our heroes more human. They give us something to forgive. (So we can forgive ourselves?) And don’t forget, there’s also the flattering idea that a woman can make a man love hard enough to actually change!

The perfect hero is imperfect. We love him despite his flaws. He loves us back, and he changes for the better. I believe this principle gives us hope, not just for our heroine’s Happily Ever After, but for our own. There are still a few good gentlemen out there. I should know, I married one!

A good romance story can be so much more than a Cinderella story. It can make us believe that despite all our blemishes we can be loved; and despite his, he’s still the next best thing to Mr. Darcy!

Find out a little more about my moody hero in JOSETTE. Inspired by Jane Austen’s work, it’s my interpretation of romance in the Regency era of elegance and manners.

Josette Price sees her future in Beddingfield Park. While her brother, George, needlessly pursues a naval career, she promises to watch over their beloved parents and the park estate. Nothing would make Josette happier than to see her sister and her self settled within the palings of Beddingfield. But dark, brooding Captain Carter rides into their lives with news that ruins everything: George has been lost at sea.

Learning the Park is entailed to their cousin, Edward, Josette must decide between marrying her fickle relation or helping her besotted sister trap him in her stead. Only Captain Carter and his delightfully spinsterish relatives can stop the Price girls from making a choice that would be the greatest tragedy of all.

Here’s to heroes!

More about JOSETTE?
http://www.daniellethorne.com/josette/

Danielle Thorne

http://www.daniellethorne.com/

www.thebalancewriter/blogspot.com