Reading Bliss: Book of Shadows: Fire & Ice Review...

Title- Fire & Ice

Series- Book Of Shadows Book # 1

By- Lacey Weatherford

Publication Date- September 8, 2013

Time passes . . . sometimes too quickly, other times not fast enough, but that’s not what’s important. The essential thing is what we learn about ourselves during that passage of time and how we apply it. Will we continue to follow the destructive paths we find ourselves on? Will we give in to circumstances that seem completely unchangeable? Or will we desperately fight to hold onto those we love and to what’s good inside us—no matter how terrible the cost?

I only know I would do whatever was required of me to keep Portia, but in a world of witches, warlocks, and demons, anything can happen.

My name is Vance Mangum, and this is my story.

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“Working on the bike today, I see.” Marsha smiled at me, drying her hands on a dishtowel as she leaned against the doorframe leading from the kitchen into the garage.

“Yeah,” I replied as I attempted to crank a bolt on the engine tighter. “It would be nice if this stupid piece would cooperate with me, though.” My hand slipped off the wrench and my finger slid against a piece of sharp metal. I felt the tear in my skin before I saw the blood. “Damn it!” I grumbled, grabbing the oily rag next to me and holding it against the wound.

Marsha started laughing and I glanced at her with a questioning stare. “Why don’t you use your magic? It would be much easier on you from the looks of it.”

“For the same reason you’re washing the dishes by hand,” I replied, nodding toward her dishtowel. “I don’t want to die of boredom. Besides, I like staying busy working. You know that.”

She nodded. “I do. I simply find it funny you don’t use magic to help yourself when things are tough.”

Shrugging, I stared back at the bike. “It’s a vendetta now. Using magic is like saying I let the bike beat me. It’s not going to win.”

Marsha continued chuckling, shaking her head. “You and your competitive nature. You’d rather be hurt than give in. It’s a shame you can’t do sports. It’d probably help you release some of this pent up aggression you’re always carrying around.”

“Blowing up something usually helps take care of things like that.”

“And what exactly have you been blowing up?” She suddenly seemed concerned.

I sighed. “Don’t worry. Only some old dead trees out in the middle of nowhere. And before you start the lecture about forest fires; yes, I make sure nothing catches on fire.”

She eyed me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether or not to trust me. “Fine. Just be careful. Are you planning on working on this motorcycle all day?”

“For the most part. I told Bruce I’d try to have it done for him by the end of the month.”

“He was so excited when he found out how good you are with bikes. I think he’s wanted it to be rebuilt for quite a while. Every time I’ve seen him, he asks me about it. That’s all he ever talks to me about.”

I grinned. “I know. I can’t believe he had this clunker sitting in his garage for so many years. I have a cool idea for it, but I’ll need to get some help.”

“Really? What?”

“See this area around the wheels?” I pointed to where the spokes came together. “I was thinking it would be cool to have some custom made metal flames here that would match the flames on the gas tank. It would tie the design together nicely, don’t you think?”

She smiled. “You have such a great eye for detail, and yes, I agree. I think Bruce would love it. Where would you find something like that?”

“I want to go to Laramie Jackson’s knife shop and see if he can help me design something unique for it.” I stood and went to my workbench to deposit my tools, before washing my hands at the basin sink.

“That’s a fabulous idea! I know you love the athame he custom made for you.”

“Shh . . .” I teased. “He doesn’t know it’s an athame—it’s only an awesome knife as far as he’s concerned. You’re gonna get me in trouble.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I’m sure he’s happy to help you. You’ve had him outfit half the coven with knives now.”

“The best for the best.” I winked at her. “Do you need me to get anything for you while I’m out?”

“Not that I can think of right now. I’ll text you if anything comes to mind. Are you going to see Portia too?”

She caught me totally off guard and I snapped my head over to look at her, squinting and wondering if she was hinting at something else.

“Why would I go see her?” I hadn’t told anyone—not even her—about my interest in Portia. I didn’t want anyone to think it was wrong or tell me I couldn’t be with her. Until I discovered more information about what was happening between us, I intended to keep it to myself.

Apparently, I sounded slightly too aggressive in my response. “Easy there, killer.” She held up a hand in surrender. “I noticed you seemed to have a connection with her is all. I know you don’t like to allow yourself to make friends, but she’s different. She’s a witch, and she’s part of your coven. That means you won’t have to keep any secrets from her. There hasn’t been anyone like that in your life before—at least not your age anyway. I worry about you being alone all the time.”

I sighed, walking to my bike. “No, I didn’t have any plans to go see her today,” I replied as I straddled the bike, secretly wishing Portia needed me for some reason.

“Well, can I intrude and ask if you like her?”

Glancing over, I saw a soft look in her eyes. Was she trying to play matchmaker all of a sudden? I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“Of course I like her. I like everyone,” I replied vaguely, slipping my key into the ignition.

“You know what I mean. Would you ever be interested in dating her?”

I chuckled. “You really think Sean would go for that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t see why not. You’re a good kid. He knows that.”

“We may be close in school, but you can’t forget, I’m eighteen and she’s sixteen. I think Sean would sooner slap a restraining order on me than let me date his only child.”

“I don’t see why your age matters one bit; unless you’re planning on doing something that would make you being a legal adult and her a minor a problem. Is there something I should know?” She stared pointedly at me.

I laughed loudly. “Pipe down, Mom. I’ve been nothing but the perfect gentleman.”

Her gaze wandered over me. “I mean, I understand you’re a man now, and men have urg—”

“Stop right there, Marsha. This conversation is finished.” I started the bike, gassing the throttle and the garage echoed with the sound.

She cupped her hands and shouted above the noise. “I only wanted to know if you want to date her!”

“What?” I hollered back with a grin, revving the engine again, pretending I couldn’t hear her.

“Do you want to date her?” She waved her hands at the exhaust fumes filling the air.

Pointing to my ear, I shook my head. “I’ll talk to you when I get home.” I slipped my helmet on and took off out the open garage door. Tossing a quick glance in her direction as I turned onto the street, I started laughing when she threw her hands up in a frustrated gesture and went inside.

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Reviewed by Missy:

If you like stories about witches, warlocks & demons then this is definitely a story for you. Vance has been on the run from his father for most of his life. He wasn't able to have a girlfriend or do any of the normal teenage things. Vance meets Portia and sparks start to fly then fate & destiny take over. In this book we follow Vances life from his point of view but with Portia thrown in BUT you'll have to read it to understand that ;-)

I enjoyed this book a great deal and would recommend it to all. The storyline flowed smoothly, the characters were fresh and meshed perfectly and I found myself relating with them in many parts of the story. I would give this book a 5. I look forward to reading more books in this series and others by Lacey Weatherford.

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Lacey Weatherford was born in Ft. Meade Maryland while her father was serving in the military. She has been a life long resident of Arizona, spending most of her time growing up in the small rural town of Clay Springs.

It was while she was attending the small country school in Clay Springs, that she read her first "big" book at the age of eight. It was a Nancy Drew novel and Lacey was instantly hooked. She read every book that she could find in the series and decided that she wanted to write stories too.

Lacey spent a lot of time at the library from that time forward, even volunteering in her later teen years and early twenties. She would don a crazy clown outfit for the Friends of the Library fundraisers in an effort to help get the new town library built.

When she and her husband moved away from the area, Lacey took the opportunity to take some creative writing classes at the local college to help further along her interests. Several years later, they were blessed with the opportunity to move back to Clay Springs with their family. The town had finally succeeded in building their library and Lacey had the opportunity to be President of the Friends of the Library for a very short time, before relocating.

Lacey and her family still live in the White Mountains of Arizona, where she continues to write young adult novels that have a fantasy/fairytale or paranormal bent to them, as well as being sure to include a great romantic storyline!