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Come in out of the cold and warm yourself up by the fire as you meet a charming collection of individuals that this narrative features. There is the opportunity to explore the novel with quotes that will melt your heart, entertaining memes to make you laugh, and playfully silly related artwork. Are you curious about the origins of the book? There is fascinating insight into the behind the scenes of the creation of this romantic journey. While visiting this secondary page for the novel, Heart of Ice, take a moment to explore the fascinating Easter Eggs and hidden treasures that await to be discovered.
“You are the sun on a cold winter’s day, providing warmth to the fragile life of a flower that desperately seeks its guiding light.” – Oliver
Say Hello - The Cast of Heart of Ice
“My heart is sealed away in this uncaring prison in my chest.”
Mina Kensington
The Ice Queen
“When you don’t have anything, you make do with the nothing you have.”
Oliver Kent
The Guardian Angel
“Did you want me to draw you a map or should I get my GPS out to help you find your way to truth town?”
Mitch Bulsara
Resteraunt Manager
“What you feel is true love, and I have faith that fate will guide you.”
Alice Kent
The Caged Princess
“It’s better to die standing on your feet then bowing before the devil, begging for help in your darkest hour.” – Oliver
Relevant Artwork/Memes
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“I care not for the darkness that shrouds a history best forgotten. The light that you are in my life provides guidance away from such lingering shadows.” – Oliver
Origin Story:
A long walk.
The author used to go on walks while attending college. During one of those experiences, he was walking past a Fraternity having a party. People were filling the building, others standing around on the lawn socializing. He was a stranger walking past. The thought of a girl approaching him, needing help, forever altering both of their lives flickered across his thoughts. That's how the story first began.
The original draft began with Oliver working for a telemarketer company and his friend is routed through to his terminal. His friend convinces him to take a coworker to a party where she would essentially be dating Oliver's friend, using him just for a ride. He agrees, which is how he ends up at the party. The author didn't like that version and ended up cutting the scene.
Another opening scene was between Victoria and Mina at the party. Essentially, the author felt like the roommate was getting too much time in the story, distracting from Oliver and Mina. In each revision, she was removed more and more. For instance, when Oliver wakes up in Mina's bedroom, originally Victoria finds him there and they are talking when Mina returns much to her frustration. It adds tension between the pair but doesn't do much to develop the plot. Another scene involved Victoria picking up Oliver who was walking and takes him to the local store. That leads into Mina seeing Oliver and Victoria together, upsetting her. She goes to the bathroom, not in her car, and Mitch has to convince her to leave since she's clearly upset.
Origin Story:
A sister?
In the first draft, Alice didn't exist. The original scene was between Victoria and Oliver, where the roommate was trying to make Mina jealous. With her being removed, there was a need for a female that would lead to a misunderstanding but wasn't a romantic interest. That led to a sibling being introduced, who would get her own book.
There was originally a sub-plot where Mina dated a man she met at a gym she was attending. It turns out he was married and cheated on his wife often. Mina discovers the truth and reveals what he's been doing to his wife. Again, removed since it took away/distracted from the main plot without adding anything to the over all story.
Another removed scene was Oliver meeting with Victoria and a pair of vicious, mean, bitter friends of hers. Where Oliver learns the truth of Victoria at the restaurant and he leaves, this deleted scene was his realization that Victoria was trouble and after her friends make fun of him, he walks away. It didn't add to the story much, so was deleted.
Originally the final scene between Oliver and Mina cuts to the barbeque in his lawn without the scene involving Alice meeting Mitch for the first time. The book was running a little short which led to the introduction of several new scenes including this one which was a prelude to Queen's Court. This led to a fan favorite moment, when Mitch reacts to a "curtsey". Also, two distinctly different personalities meeting like that was highly entertaining for the author to write.
Origin Story:
So many changes.
The scene between the hostess of the party and Oliver was in the original draft. It was removed but save in a later version. With an opening between Mina and Victoria removed, a new introductory scene was needed. This brought back the interaction between the pair. It was an ideal way to introduce the audience to Oliver.
The original draft was shorter than the final version leading to several new scenes being introduced. These expanded on the depths of each person. For instance, Mina's father cheating on his first wife or the source of her bitterness with her parents wasn't originally revealed.
In the original ending, Oliver gets a call from Mina's brother who played a bigger role in her life. With a more in-depth background expanded upon, his absence in her life negated this scene.
Oliver meeting at Mina's apartment originally led to them walking to a movie rental place and having a scene there. Also, at the end of that scene, Mina tells Oliver she loves him. However, it was more realistic for her to build up to that moment over time, not in that moment.
Originally Oliver was first person "I" voice, much like Joshua from Tapestry of the Second Born and Benjamin was originally in Mystical Alliance. The author wanted to move away from that personification of who he was and let Oliver be his own individual. Over all, this book has gone through dozens of changes, drafts, and edited versions.
A cover so good, the designer artist uses it for her advertisement.
“I would rather fail as a free man then to succeed as a prisoner.” – Oliver
Easter Eggs and Inspiration
The book cover represents Oliver and Mina. She is the "Ice Queen", this cold, frigid version of how many may perceive her. The flower that the woman is holding delicately in her hands represents Oliver. He is a beautiful soul that has been hurt before. Like a flower, his emotional state is fragile. If she's not delicate with him, putting forth great care for his wellbeing, she may hurt him as his fiancé had done before. Symbolically its a heartfelt representation of these two noble souls.
“Even if I was a perfect ten before I met you, you’ve made me realize that a twenty exists, far beyond my reach.” - Oliver
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