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.
EXCERPT
“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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REVIEW
I was absolutely ecstatic to get to read The Trouble With Spells from Vance's POV. He found a way into my heart in the Of Witches and Warlocks series, but after reading this book, he owns it completely. The fact that I see the gorgeous Aaron McGuire in my head every time I picture Vance is just another plus.
What I really loved about this book was getting a first hand account of Vance's feelings and his reactions to everything that went on in The Trouble With Spells. When reading the story from Portia's POV, there were little things Vance would do or say that perked my interest and made me wonder about him, and it was like I was given the answers to every question I had about him.
I particularly liked getting to know Marsha a bit more as well. She didn't have much of a presence in The Trouble With Spells, so to see her interact with Vance gave me the opportunity to understand her better; and I loved her. She was such a sweet, amazing person and there was no denying their bond.
I had a fantastic time reading this book, and I do hope and pray that Lacey Weatherford will continue with the Of Witches and Warlocks series from Vance's POV. I would love to see what was going on in his head as the story progressed, especially at the time of the demon conversion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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!
Author Links-
