Brutal days is the third book to the Hidden Valley Elite Series, but it is book 1 to Damon and Skylar’s tense enemies to lovers romance story. Skylar wants nothing more to finish her senior year as a writer, help her friend with her senior mission, and have nothing to do with the “Elites” as she does it. When her friend zeros in on Damon for her senior dream goals, things get tricky. She wants him and Sky has to help her. But how? He’s controlling, a jerk, one of the football stars who’s untouchable in their school, and to top it off Sky likes him too. She doesn’t want to want him, but she can’t help it. She makes a deal with him to help her friend, but she’s getting stuck in a huge the web of lies and she can’t seem to cut herself loose. She’ll sacrifice everything to help her friend, but her plan is bound to blow up in her face. Damon wants senior year to fly by so he can join his brother in college and run the football team there. His brother, his two cousins, and he have been working toward that plan forever. NFL together all the way! Unfortunately senior year is dragging by. He needs more to distract himself, but what? Underground fights normally help, but he needs more to dull his rage and distract him from his family life. He doesn’t like Sky’s friend. She talks to much, her perfume gives him a headache, and she’s clingy but he’ll date her if he can get what he wants from Sky. Sky gets under his skin. She’s mouthy and has a fire in her eyes, but he wants her. He can’t help but want to bend her to his will. Maybe once he has her he’ll get her out of his head. Hopefully. Will there little deal work out? Will her friend stand up for her or will she hate her forever? Will Damon get the distraction he needs? Will he ruin his senior year over some stupid girl? Man oh man do you need to read this book!! This book ends on a HUGE cliffhanger and you will want to run and grab the next book asap. I know that I can’t wait to read the next one! This set has been so great so far! The characters stories hook you in and you won’t want to put this book down. If you love new adult, romance, enemies to lovers, tense, spicy back and forth banter, and drama filled books then you will love this one!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-05-25 15:39:272023-05-30 07:51:09Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
This was my first book about a circus and circus school, and boy oh boy am I glad that I read it! I was not at all prepared for this book! It was so, so good!! This book will have you wrapped up so quick and tied in for the ride. I did not want to put it down!! And now I need to rush and get the next book in the set when released!! I can’t wait to read it as well. Cassandra grew up with one goal in mind. She wanted to soar through the skies under a big tent with the best silk aerialist in the world! Her parents took her to Chandler’s circus and as soon as she saw him in the air doing a difficult drop, she knew she wanted that life. She wanted to perform with him, she wanted to learn from him, she wanted him as her mentor, and she wanted to do that drop! That trip to the circus changed her life. In more than one way. The next day, her parents died in a horrible fire. A very hard road later, and she gets to start her dream! She made it!! She preforms for the school and she is accepted into the circus school with a full scholarship! To make things better one of her teachers is Chandler!!! She gets to learn from some of the greats, but also her idol! But he isn’t anything like she thought and she sees her dreams going up in flames. Chandler hasn’t felt like himself in a while but after seeing Cassandra in the silks, performing to a song and routine he loved in his twenties, he has a rush of emotions. He gets excited and is wrapped up in the reasons why he loved that one so much. He pretty much accepts Cassandra at her audition! He could see her potential and he felt his longing of finding the right student to take under his wing coming into focus. He’s so surprised by Cassandra though. She bold and outspoken. She puts him in his place even though she’s a student and he’s the teacher! She’d make a great addition to the circus, if only they could stop fighting!! He grumpy and she’s always late! When her best friend volunteers her for a Shibari (tying a person up with visually intricate patterns of rope) demonstration at a club, she quickly feels her world tying up in knots. Unsure of herself she realizes a couple things. One is that it makes her feel alive and the second is who’s really behind the mask. Chandler never planned on bringing anyone into his life, but the closer he gets to Cassandra the more his grandfather’s words taunt him. Now her past and his family are following her and she’s in way deeper than she or he even realized. Lives are in danger and things are catching fire left and right, as they look into her past. Their history’s are knotted together and neither of them know just how much. Will her past come back to bite her? Will his come back and bite him? This is only book one and it is left on bit of a cliffhanger, in France!! Book two has the release date of October 2023 though, so you totally have time to read this one and then go pre-order book 2! I know I will be!!!! You will not regret reading this book. Like I said, it was so, so good!! There is also a full-cast narrated audiobook for this book if you wanted that additional immersive experience. I’ve heard good things and I might be adding it to my list as well. Hehe. Grab this book and make sure you have time, a drink, and maybe even a fan! You won’t want to stop reading until your done!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-05-15 18:39:432023-05-24 07:52:45Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) by Liza Snow – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Man oh man!! What a great series so far!! I read the prequel to Riley and Cole’s story (books 1 and 2) first and then followed up with books 1 and 2. Although reading the prequel isn’t needed, it does give a little extra to their story that I am personally glad that I read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the Hidden Valley Elite series!! In book 2 SO, SO much happens! This book sucks you in so quick! I read it in two days because I just couldn’t put it down. Cole hates Riley and her mother. He blames her family for the destruction of his family. If it weren’t for them he’d still have his mom. Riley hates Cole. He’s been freezing her out ever since she came into town. She can’t date anyone, she can’t have friends, and everyone is mean to her. He might want her and her him, but they enemies. Living with each other doesn’t help! But their parents (his dad and her mom) want to get married and they swear everything will be okay, safe, and different. Some secrets are deadly though, and she will do everything she can to keep her secrets away from him! He’s hot on her trail though and she must get away. Their game of cat and mouse will put lives in danger if their not careful and what high schooler is careful? When Riley’s father comes into town, their lives get turned upside down. Again. Will they set aside their differences before someone is killed? Will all their secrets catch up to them? That first kiss seared into them both and now the chips are falling all around. You have to read this series!! It will keep you on your toes and hooked until the very end! Then you will be racing to get the next book and the next after that!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-05-06 10:48:482023-05-12 13:08:37Savage Truth (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Little Red, the Detective is similar to Red Riding Hood in some ways, but with a little twist. Red (real name Maureen) got her nickname because her grandmother knitted her a sweater that she wore all the time and it happened to be red. Her grandmother called her to come over for a new sweater but asked her to pick her some flowers to make tea along her way. Packing her plant book to help her look for the flowers, cookies for grandma that she and her mom made, and her flinger print kit she sets off to grandma’s house. While looking for the flowers, a wolf comes along and helps her find some purple flowers that smell like vanilla. She stops to look them up in her book and the wolf runs ahead to grandma’s house. The wolf then eats grandma and Red has to use her detective skills to see if Grandma is really Grandma. I don’t want to give it all away, but it’s a super cute book and take on an old classic tale. I thought that my 8 year old would love this book, but I think that younger kids would enjoy it as well. You could easily read this to a 5 year old. This author is great at adding in some “learning” into her books, which I LOVE! For example, in this book you learn a little about finger prints. Check this book out, but also her other ones too! I have a few of them now, and my daughter’s and I love them all so far!!
Savage Lies is the first book (minus a short prequel) to Riley and Cole’s story. I just finished this book and I am itching to get the rest in the series!! So far the set is so good! In Savage Lies, Riley and her mom, move back to California, again for a fresh start. Her mom swears this time will be different, but Riley’s not convinced. Her mom drags her into a new town, house, and identity that is supposed to keep her safe, but it quickly brings her into the cross hairs of Cole. Him and his band of untouchable academy football elites plan to freeze her out. From day one he puts a huge target on her back. Bully her but no one can touch her. She is his! Her secrets make her a target, but so do his’s. Her mom is determined to become a part of the elite’s family, but if Cole has a say they’ll both be run out of town before his dad can get them settled into their McMansion house. Riley and Cole are facing mutual destruction, but have they met their match? Both hate each other and both are so determined to take each other down. The war has begone and both might get burned!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-04-06 19:21:042023-04-07 11:48:44Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Savage Start is a short Prequel that ends with a cliffhanger which continues on with Savage Lies. This isn’t a standalone, but it gives you a little more back story with the characters in Savage Lies. In Savage Start, Riley and Cole are the main characters. Riley and her mother move to a new town in California. They move a lot and are almost always on the run. Her mom says it will be different this time, but it never is. She can’t trust being safe, ever! It doesn’t take her long to get caught stealing at a McMansion party and the guy who catches her not only takes her “souvenir”, but he also steals a kiss! Thrown off balance by his dangerous and sexy kiss, she’s distracted. And she got caught! She NEVER gets caught!! Leaving this town sooner rather than later might be the best. Cole, catching a little thief at his cousins party, is equally caught off guard by the mysterious girl. He was a little drunk, so he doesn’t remember all the details of her features, but he can’t stop thinking about the kiss and what it did to him. He’s never reacted like that before with anyone. When he catches wind of who she is, or more importantly who her mother is, all bets are off. This book is a new adult bully romance prequel about Riley and Cole’s story. I haven’t yet read the last of their story (Savage Truth), but I can’t wait to get my hands on it and all the books to this Hidden Valley Elite series! If you like enemies to lovers romance books this is a great set! I can’t wait to finish it all, but let me tell you that this prequel and the first book were enough to hook me in!!
Julia is in 16th century London. She is the daughter of a wealthy family. She has grown up with servants and has wanted for nothing. When she starts to fall in love with Adam, a servant’s son her father and older brother shatter her heart. They arrange a marriage and force her into it. Her husband is cruel. He’s not kind in any way. He’s a monster with no mercy. Julia tries to keep the people she cares about safe from his wrath, but it’s becomes harder and harder throughout their 3 years of marriage. Her husband finally does the unthinkable. He lands a blow to Julia that devastates her and she can’t see a way out. When a stranger shows up and offers her a way out she takes it. With nothing else to live for she agrees to a deal that will change her life and destiny forever. Said agreement will grant her freedom, but there is ALWAYS a catch! Accepting this deal will put her into a vampire resistance against a strong vampire king who refuses to step down and he’ll destroy anyone who is against him. Will Julia accept? Will she choose freedom and another enemy just to be rid of her husband? What will her husband think and do? Will Julia end up dead no matter the path she chooses? And will her love ever forgive her for all she has kept from him? What an interesting book! It took me a little to get into because the author was building the story and slowly sucking me in, but man oh man was it good! I can’t wait to read the others in the set! If you haven’t given this one a chance do it!! Read half of it at least! If you aren’t sucked in by then I would be really really really really surprised! Give it a chance! You won’t regret it!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-04-01 00:25:322023-04-07 10:49:58Fallen Soul (War of Destiny Book 4) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Princess Zarina is one of Thirteen children. She is by far the most selfish and strong willed of those thirteen too. As Zarina’s Royal Advancement Ceremony approaches she’s super excited and wants a special dress for her big day. As the ceremony approaches, so does some danger to the kingdom so everyone is warned about going outside of the castle especially without escorts’. But nothing will stop the Princess from getting her special dress made by the one of a kind dressmaker, according to courtyard gossip, who lives out past the forest and who’s gifted hands use magic like fabric in her master pieces. Wanting to waste no time they leave straight away and the princess strikes a deal with the dressmaker. Mydori will make a special dress in the color of her own choosing that will be unforgettable. In a rush the princess won’t take the time to size the dress or take any instruction from the dressmaker. Rushing the dress maker to have the dress ready as soon as possible she leaves in rush with plans to pay the dressmaker with cheaper things than agreed. Rushing home she is caught by her older brother and scolded for going out when raiders are afoot. Not being detoured she leaves again to the cottage past the woods to collect her dress and try to swindle the dressmaker. Mydori puts the dress on the princess and then takes her payment and leaves the Princess on the road alone. Now the princess is stuck miles from the castle, alone, in a dress that is to tight, a color she doesn’t like at all, and to top it off she’s unable to take the dress off!! Traveling back home is going to be long journey. Will she get caught by raiders? Will she get the blasted dress off? Will she learn her lesson? What about the magic of the dress? And what will she do about her dress for the ceremony?? She doesn’t have time to have someone else make her one now!! Plus the sticks said someone would perish?!! What a mess for a dress! This book was super cute! I got it for my almost 11 year old, but I think that my 8 year old would enjoy it as well. It teaches kids a few lessons but it’s also entertaining so it keeps their interest. I’d love to see this turned into a small short film for children!! Can’t wait to read more from this author!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-04-01 00:07:252023-04-07 10:49:29A Dress To Remember: A Fairy Tale by K.L. Small – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Chicken Little Investigates is such a cute book! I got this for my 7 year old, but honestly I think it would be great for children younger than her. Chicken Little and Henny Penny are walking along enjoying the weather when something falls on Chicken Little’s head! Ouch! She thinks that the sky is falling so she and Penny investigate. After a few experiments with different items they come up with something, but they don’t know what to call it. They decide to go and ask the King with big feet what he thinks. On the way to the King Chicken Little and Henny Penny run into a few friends. The five of them set off to talk to they king about their discovery, when a fox tricks them saying he knows a short cut. The friends think quick and start dropping things on his head! Splat, Flop, Clatter, Jangle, and plop plop plop goes all the items onto his head! Ouch! Triple ouch! While bumps grow on the foxes’ head the friends all escape! But they still don’t know what to call their discovery! So they meet with the king. The Kind tries out their experiment before deciding what it will be called…. read the book to find out what he decides!!! It really is such a cute book. I think kids would love to try out what the friends did. See what name they think it should be called!! I love everything I have read from this author so far. Her children’s books are cute, but kids also learn while reading them. I would recommend this for kids under age 10.
Tis the Season for Second Chances in Buckeye Falls, Ohio! Can this couple get a much needed Christmas Miracle? Ginny returns to her small hometown in Ohio from the big city, New York. She’s helping her father who is about to go through hip surgery, with his recovery afterwards. She isn’t looking for anything but a quite time at home with him, no Christmas stuff, and little to no interaction with the small town and it’s main diner. Only problem is when she gets to her father’s things are not what she thought at all!! Her father has weekly dinners with her ex, it seems he has a lady friend, and to top it off she is quickly roped into helping with the Christmas Jubilee! And guess who just happens to be her party planner!! None other than her ex, Max! Plans to avoid him and his diner completely just flew out the window there! Max has never moved on from his ex-wife. He has spent the past two years missing the very ex that left town with no word and completely broke his heart. He loves his diner and Christmas, so pairing up for the Jubilee gives him every reason to spend time with Ginny. Can he help her find her way back home to not only their charming small town, but to him as well? Buckeye Falls slowly worms it’s way into her heart, but is that enough for her to move back from New York? Leave the career that she worked so hard on? Could she stay and maybe be with him? Again? Grab this sweet second chance romance! You won’t be sorry you did!! This would be a wonderful beach read and I can totally see this becoming a movie!! Hallmark watch this author!! I am off to read the second book in the series!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-03-22 10:06:192023-03-28 09:14:23Falling Home (Buckeye Falls Book 1) by Libby Kay – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Buckeye Falls, Ohio is at it again!! Love is floating in the air for this small town, but what will that breeze bring with it? Ginny and Max (from book one) are preparing for their wedding. A bash with their friends and family. While that is very exciting there is something else…. or SOMEONE else coming to town that has everyone a buzz. A major food truck competition with a big time chef (Eric) as a judge is coming to Ohio and it has everyone talking!! Evan is excited with not only the possibility of competing, but maybe finally showing his family is love of cooking!! Max has taught him a lot over the last couple years and he can’t wait to show off his skills! CeCe on the other hand, isn’t so thrilled about the competition or rather the chef judge who just happens to be her ex-boyfriend! She left him and that town, broken hearted and she wanted nothing else, but to move on. She had to get away from that man!! She likes control and Eric the creep threatens that and more coming back into her life. Man when the universe throws your past into your present things can get messy! Cece and Evan have worked together for a while now and she’s starting to think her “no dating someone you work with” rule doesn’t have to apply to her bright-eyed coworker. He is a great guy who helps everyone he can and he’s not to bad on the eyes either! Can she make it work with a co-worker? Can she open herself up with Evan? Should she even try? Evan knows something is up with CeCe, but she dodges him every time he asks. Unsure of what’s wrong he doesn’t rush things. He’s wanted to date CeCe for some time now, but after the Christmas Jubilee he’s just biding his time. Can Evan stand a chance with CeCe? Will the age gap (5 years) between the two be an issue? And man oh man, what about his family?? Will they scare her off before he even gets a chance with her? CeCe and Evan’s story is so cute and fun! This can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend just reading the first one too. There are characters from the first book that I personally like having some back story to, when reading this one. These are sweet small-town romances that will have you falling in love with the characters like you are a part of their lives! I can not wait to read book 3!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-03-22 09:55:302023-03-28 09:14:13Falling for You (Buckeye Falls Book 2) by Libby Kay – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Ruthless Hawke is a Second Generation Hawke Family Novel. Although you don’t NEED to read the others to read this one, I personally would recommend reading the other series first. You will know most of the family and their back stories more coming into this one that way. BUT you CAN read it as a stand alone. The Hawke’s New Orleans empire has only grown over the years and so has the family. Children are older and into different parts of the businesses. You have to be ruthless in this town, business, and for this family. Isaac does just that in the courthouse or where ever else it’s needed, including the streets! Their family has suffered enough and it is on him to do what it takes to keep it all safe. There is something fishy going on though! This weird company covered by shell companies has been popping up messing with their family’s businesses. The mob is at their doors, again! And now a woman from his past shows up and throws his world upside down. Mina aka Jack is sick of being dragged around and always in the dark. Sneaking out once, 5 years ago was the best and worst night of her life. But now that past is being thrown back at her at the worst of times. The universe must be laughing at her! She’s not sure what to tell him about the past, but with Hawke blues eyes staring them both in the face Isaac and Jack must figure out a LOT of things and fast!. Five minutes can change your whole world. Now Isaac must defend not only his family and it’s empire, but also what’s his. With threats all around, what will this family go through next?! Can they finally get this other company out of the way? And what about the mob? Again?! A war in New Orleans will defiantly be bad for not only their family but their businesses too. Boy oh boy do you need to read this book!! And all the other sets!! I can’t wait to read more!!! And I just learned of another! I am so hooked!! You will not be disappointed in this book, the series, or any of the other Hawke series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-03-12 18:04:072023-03-13 09:07:41Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
What an inspiration!! In this book, 100 HIGHLY accomplished authors (I won’t throw out names, but trust me there are so many good ones that I knew and even some I didn’t that I plan to look up!!) talk about what they would have wanted to know when they were first starting out in the writing world. They share not only their time, but also their extensive knowledge in this book. Paying it forward to other aspiring authors. New and old alike! If you feel like you are having problems on what to write, wondering if you are doing it correct, wondering what you should be doing differently, or just need a little help getting motivated this is the book for you!! In the great pages of this book these authors give you encouragement, cautions about some things, so much inspiration, and more!! Things they wish their younger selves would have know before starting their very own writing careers. Imagine if everyone had a handbook on their career path, written by greats before them!!! People would jump at that knowledge! This is that book for authors! You will find SO MUCH helpful information. From writing, the industry itself, the business aspect, what to avoid and what to look for, to time management, lots of ideas and inspiration, and even stuff about conflicts that can arise with friends and family! It really is just a HUGE book on a writing career and what you need and don’t need to get where they are/have been. With each new author I found at LEAST one thing that I loved about their entry in this book. The way some of them write their entries, is just as inspiring! You can tell that a lot of love and care went into their words for others. You can find some real gems! Authors inspiring other authors to get their stories into the world! I LOVE IT!! I wish I would have read this book sooner! Maybe it would have pushed me to write sooner. I am that person with TONS of ideas, with little, to no follow through. This book has tips to help that too! And more!!!! If you are writing a book/books I have to recommend this book to you! You can be a number one best seller on the top and I would still tell you to read this book!! It is that good and has a TON of great advice and information. So what are you waiting for?? Read this book and get to writing your next book(s)!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-03-02 19:21:082023-03-03 11:51:51What I Wish I’d Known: For Writers by H.D. Thomson – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
What a cute and informative book!!! I LOVE butterflies and so do my kids!! I got this book for my 8 year old, but I think that anyone who loves butterflies can see how great this book is! It teaches you a little about their life cycle, where they are and studied the most, the difference between mail and female, what eats them, what they eat, and just so much more!! I can picture a field of butterflies all taking off, but also a field of caterpillars hatching too!! So pretty!! In this book Loretta is the main character. She wakes up one day to see all the butterflies gone from the milkweed field outside her window. Where could they be?!?! She runs outside, but only finds eggs all over the underbelly of the milkweed leaves. She finds a specific one and wants to keep it. She protects it from a bunch on things (insects, birds, and lizards), watches it grow through metamorphosis, and then she and her family watch it become a beautiful monarch butterfly! One morning she watches all the butterflies as they fly away. Such an adorable book! Again it teaches you so much about monarch butterflies and their life process. Not taking away from the book AT ALL!!!!!!!!! Because it really is cute and my daughter and I LOVED it so much!!!! BUT I feel that if you read this book with your kid(s) and they LOVE it as much as me, you should grab the butterfly hatcher kit that comes with all the stuff you need to hatch your own butterflies at home! A friend of mine did it and also bought a milkweed plant for her yard. She gets to see them EVERY year, down here in Florida! So cute and fun! Plus they get to learn from the book and watch their own at the same time!!!!
Oh my I wasn’t expecting so much of this series! I am so glad that I decided to read this post apocalyptic series even though it isn’t the norm for me. I did lose some sleep because I couldn’t wait to finish it. Quite a few times I fell asleep with the eBook in my hand, as I do most of my reading at night once my kiddos are in bed. Anyways, this series starts out with Cam. The first two books are in his point of view. The third book switches from his point of view to that of his wife’s (Freyja). Then books four and five are in her view. But book six is in Caitlin’s point of view. She is one of the children that grew up on Lewis. She and her sister Seraphine are fed up with their lives. As their lives have been calculated since before birth they long for something different. More adventure. They were created for the sole purpose of ensuring the survival of the human race. A virus in the water killed the world. The plants, the animals, and most of the humans. Scientist quickly came up with a plan to place biodomes around the world to try and save the human race (read more in book 1). There was a very lengthy test to pick candidates to live while everyone else perished. About 300 people were in each dome. Some domes connect, but that’s a whole thing (again read the rest of the series for all that craziness!) itself. Most domes were on the coast or on islands, but there were a few inland as well. Scientist resided in two of the domes, whereas the rest of the selected people were spread out in the other domes. Back to the girls. Being immune children who’s purpose is to save the human race, there is a lot of pressure on them. Ordered around and everything planned for them gets old fast. Being 21 with a special role to live up to, but what if you reject your sole purpose? You’ve been specifically designed for a reason, but you don’t care. Cait and Sera endanger not only themselves but everyone they love when they run off. Embarking on a very dangerous and yet thrilling journey, they reactivate the Nexus (read the other books for more info on that too!! Just read the set man!!) and discover new underwater worlds they never new existed. Will this journey end up killing one or both of them? What about their loved ones? Will they survive through these once again hard times. Dangerous people in a dangerous world that you know nothing about isn’t want these girls thought about, but now they must face that and more! They have opened up their home to invasion by struggling communities and they have to stay alive long enough to contact their family. Can they even get back home? What will they have to sacrifice in order to make it back? I can’t wait for the author to write more once rested! This is such a wonderful series!! If you read this set you HAVE to read it in order. You could read this one as a stand alone, BUT you get so much information in the others that you will probably kick yourself for it. Trust me, you want to read them all! I will be not so patiently waiting for more!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-02-27 00:26:282023-03-02 14:18:20The 45th Parallel (Antipodes Series Book 6) by T.S. Simons – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Have you started this set yet?? If not you need to!! Go grab them all and buckle down for a great story! This series can totally become a movie that I would watch! It is so good!! For those who haven’t read any of the books yet I will TRY not to give any spoilers from any of them, but if anything small slips in any of my reviews I apologize. It is such a great set and so much happens in ever single book! The first two books are in Cam’s point of view. The third starts in his view, but then switches to his wife’s (Freyja) point of view. Book 4 and 5 are also in her point of view. So here we go again…. After getting MORE life changing news, AGAIN! The residents of Lewis (& Roseglen) are once again thrust into the thick of things to protect their families. Drastic action is required and they are forced to see who behind this latest threat. Will life ever be normal again for this world? All they want is to be left in peace, be free, safe, and secure. Is that to much to ask in a post apocalyptic world? Discovering this newest threat and eliminating it is the only course here to keep their children protected and safe. Before it takes all their lives Freyja, some old friends, and even some new friends are forced into action. What will happen next?! I am sad that this set is coming to a close, but I can’t wait to read book 6 either! I am SO glad that I choose to read this series! As my first post apocalyptic set I am loving it more and more with each book. The author created this world, it’s characters, and all their stories so well. I can picture it all and some of it is quite scary to think about! Who knows what will come of the world! Off to read book 6 and find out!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-02-27 00:15:342023-03-02 14:18:08Sessrummnir (Antipodes Series Book 5) by T.S. Simons – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Book four is just as suspenseful and captivating as the first three!! This book starts in Freyja’s point of view after the third ended in hers’. Seven years later, Cam and Freyja are on Lewis living with their family and friends in their small sustainable community called Roseglen. They now have four kids of their own, but with all their family and friends they have their own small village which totals 13 kids! They all finally feel safe and are happy just living their simple “normal” lives. In a post apocalyptic world under a biodome that is. The water outside is still unsafe and scientists think that it will take generations before it starts to return to life. But things never go as planned with this family. When some doctors from the scientist’s domes show up with some kids and earth shattering news for Freyja, they are thrust into the thick of it again and off on another journey they never thought they’d take. Freyja, Cam and two friends who join them are off to find out the truth. Or more truths really. All the lies they’ve been told just keep stacking up higher and higher. Who knew about all these plans? Who knew and lied? Who and what will this effect now?? Making some close friends suspects to these diabolical godlike plans they have to unearth the truth and fast! So much is at stake. The journey takes weeks and along the way Freyja learns about Caim, which is a circle of protection from Gaelic roots. Feeling like their family is at risk, yet again she feels a little lighter after calling the circle. But once home again will things fall apart? Will the messengers be killed? And what about all the kids! They unfortunately get into some trouble and it leads to some life threating stuff too. Life changing events should be the theme of this series because this poor world sure goes through some stuff! If you haven’t started this series….why not?!?! It is so so good!! I’m trying so hard not to give anything away so if you read the reviews of all the books you get no spoilers from me, but let me tell you it is hard!! I want to mention so many things!! These characters are so easy to fall in love with and very relatable in many ways. It shows you that even in hard times traditions are important. Love, loyalty, and friendships are definitely tested in every book of this series so far, and I’m sure the rest will be the same. Trust me when I say you will not regret picking up this set!! You might lose a little sleep, but who hasn’t done that for a really good book…. right??!! I’m off for more adventure in book 5!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-02-27 00:05:412023-03-02 14:17:54Caim (Antipodes Series Book 4) by T.S. Simons – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Oh wow! This is getting better and better with every book!! Imagine that the world has ended….. A virus spreading that was unstoppable. Scary right?! It’s in the water and it kills everything! Plants, animals, and of course humans. You can’t drink it. You can’t cook with it. There is no filter to take it out. It is in the water, so it kills the planet! It’s a post apocalyptic world now. Scientists have made bio-domes throughout the earth to help save the human race from the virus. These bio-domes start with roughly 300 people and are all separated. They have to start everything right away to make sure there is food and shelters for everyone. Planting for food later on, breeding animals, and building house are top priority in those first five or so years. You only have so many resources to start with after all. Most of these domes are on coasts or islands that have a natural water source that is closed off before the virus spreads to it. Some of these domes are linked with portals (read book 1 & 2 for more information on that!), but most are cut off from the rest. It is later discovered that there are some inland domes and even some survivors without domes! Imagine how all that is! Now let’s get to Cam. He is the main character throughout these wonderful books. He has had a horrible go at all this so far. Of course everyone has with the world ending!! But he just can’t keep away from being thrust into situations that are so life changing. How much worse can it be since the world ended? Oh boy, don’t even ask that! You will jinx it!! Just read these books asap! I don’t want to give away ANYTHING from the other books (so you HAVE to read them!!!!), but boy does he go through some stuff! Finding love, being poisoned, finding loved ones (from before), losing loved ones, traveling in the dangerous virus reddened world, and all the stuff in between has Cam spiraling head first more than once in this series! In this book Cam finds out even more about the way the scientists choose people to survive, how and with whom they’d be placed them with in said domes, what they could and couldn’t have, and so so so much more!! Hard to believe that a few short years ago they thought they were alone on this world, but now they find out that there are others and they’re more connected than they know! Will this new knowledge threaten his life? His family? His friendships? Friendships will defiantly be and are tested! Some relationships might not last through all the lies and omissions. The book does shift to Freyja’s point of view and it finishes that way. Freyja is Cam’s 1st & 3rd wife (read the other books for those details!!). Man oh man do you have to read this set of books! This is the first bio-dome post apocalyptic series that I have read and I can’t wait to finish it!! I am loving it so much! This book will have you staying up all night, on the edge of you seat, gripped in, and sometimes even crying! The characters and the world are put together so well. You can see the heart and soul put into this book the more you read. I’m off to read book 4!!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-02-26 23:55:532023-03-02 14:17:36Ouroboros (Antipodes Series Book 3) by T.S. Simons – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
This book had me in tears!!! Seriously!! The Author builds the world and characters so well that you are so attached to it all! The characters are so diverse and relatable that you can’t help but fall in love with so many of them. And maybe even dislike a few too! When anything happens you are on the edge of your seat, reading as fast as you can to find out what will happen next! I did this a few times and stayed up way to late to find out! This is only book two in the set and I have to say that I am hooked and can’t wait to read the rest! Cam is happy with his new life on Lewis with his new wife (Read book one for more info on all that craziness!!). Anyways, he has become a welcomed productive member of this new community and he feels at home. Not at all like how he was treated in his last community. Settling into Lewis has been much easier and he treasures that and the people so much. As he is getting into that new life, Cam is burdened with some news. Someone he loves from “before” may still be alive! What do you do when it’s the end of the world and you find out someone you love might be out there somewhere? Torn between leaving his wife and making yet another torturous journey into the rings or staying and letting the past be the past, he must make a choice. Traveling yet again in the gray unknown world has him embarking on a path that will forever change his life. Again! How much more can one man deal with?! Virus that kills the whole world and now all this! Who knew the end of the world would be so challenging! Don’t say ” what else can happen?” because even more does!!!! Pick up this book NOW and get reading!! You won’t be disappointed with this set!! So far it is SSSSOOOO good!!! Look for my other reviews on the other books in the set because I AM going to be reading them ALL!!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-02-26 23:41:442023-03-02 14:17:24The Liminal Space (Antipodes Series Book 2) by T.S. Simons – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
What would you do when a global outbreak threatens to decimate the whole planet? A virus that is killing off everything and is spread through water! Well a group of scientists come up with a plan but picking a group of young people who have certain skills is hard. A crazy long test that asks about anything and everything help sort out who will stay and who will go. Could you leave your family behind to die while you try to live and save the human race? Campbell (Cam) is one of the few to be chosen. The guilt of him being picked over others has him homesick. Being lonely when surrounded by 300 people is heartbreaking. His anxiety is crippling at first, but he slowly over comes it and finds that his new life isn’t so bad. He finds friendship and belonging in the community and slowly everyone adjusts to the new ways of this world they’re trying to save. Cam unfortunately finds himself alone and he’s pulled through the crazy vortexes of life in a dome. Circumstances change quickly and he must overcome even more obstacles in this post-apocalyptic society. Such a great read! I CAN NOT wait to finish the rest in the set!! This is the first set that I have read that is post-apocalyptic with biospheres of people trying to keep the human race going. The author really does a great job in building the world and characters. Coming up with solutions for the rain, wind, cooking, farming and sustainability had to take a lot of research and thought and you can tell the love and care that went into this book. I would totally recommend this book to everyone! I am off to read part two!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-02-26 23:26:362023-03-02 14:17:12Antipodes (Antipodes Series Book 1) by T.S. Simons – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Eckardt County has had a certain unsolved case for decades now. The current sheriff Elizabeth, has spend a good part of her career trying to lock up those she knows are involved. She lost her best friend and she knows the ex-sheriff is guilty some how. She just doesn’t have the hard evidence to make it stick though! The death of a young girl in similar circumstances, brings back a chilling feeling of deja vu that opens up the old case again 25 years later. With two dead in the cold case and another dead now, the community is in a state of unrest. When a key witness is kidnapped, the bigger picture starts to unfold. But then prominent members of the community start disappearing, including Elizabeth’s sister, and it’s time to put these cases to bed once and for all. Unfortunately for Elizabeth she just had surgery, so stepping back and letting Detective Lila take the lead is needed, but she can’t keep away. She doesn’t want to! Lila is worried about the legal consequences of those to close to the case, but she’s having trouble lining the clues up to a suspect. Trying not to get tunnel vision with the two cases is hard when all fingers are pointing to crooked town officials. This book is backed full of suspense. I didn’t realize when I started this book that it was part of a series, so I read it as a stand alone. The book did reference some stuff that happened in the previous book, but I was able to understand where the characters were coming from in most cases. I am excited to read the other parts to the set though! It will give me a clearer view. But the book was great alone! I wouldn’t recommend reading it alone, but it can be done. I personally want the rest of the stories!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-01-27 09:16:502023-01-28 08:20:55Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 3) by Winter Austin – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
This book hooks you in from the very first page! You have to know what and why right away! Jasmine has had some ups and downs in her life. She lost her parents, moved away, started a business with a friend Candence, and has been throwing herself into their business ever since. She and her friend organize events for the social elite with their business- Divine Events. Unfortunately her friend’s extreme personality gets in the way more than it helps!! When a random guy (James) sweeps her off her feet, literally! and kisses her like a starved man, it throws Jasmine off her axel completely. James comes from a rich family who are the closest thing to royalty in New England. His smugness and no care attuite show it too. Drinking and making a mess of his life and business choices has him rethinking his path after Jasmine mistakes him for a guest and kicks him out of his parents anniversary dinner! Yeah she didn’t know who he was! Talk about awkward!! First he plans to marry Candence. Yes! Jasmine’s best friend!! After he just kissed her too! Way to go best friend, kissing the fiancé. Ugh!! Not only that but now she has to help plan the wedding too!! Boy oh boy you are in for a a treat with this one!! Can Jasmine with her redheaded temper cool it enough to plan this outrageous wedding with her friendship in tact? Will Candence find out about the kiss and blow everything up in revenge? Their business is already struggling and this wedding is a bit out of control. Can James keep his hands to himself long enough to make it down the isle and get the money he needs to start his new business venture? What about this crazy contract between James and Candence?! This is just a disaster waiting to happen and time is ticking for them all!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2023-01-24 07:14:392023-01-27 08:30:12My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Boy oh boy! Such a GREAT romantic suspense set!! Okay ,so there are SIX books total in this set (Savage Collision, Tortured Skye, Stone Sober, Building Storm, Tainted Saint, and Steele Resolve). YES, you CAN read them alone, BUT you SHOULDN’T!! Just don’t do it! You will want them all! TRUST ME!! They are all so, so good!!! They build on each other so well!! They will mention things in the others and you won’t quite know what they are referring to, but you will get the overall point in most cases. BUT you NEED to read them all! Seriously! I loved them all so much. The Hawke family lives in New Orleans and just like the town, there is always something going on with them! Lets see…. The mob? Check!… Family issues? Of course. Check!… Workplace Drama? Unfortunately always with clubs. So, check and double check! AND Hurricanes!!!!!?? Oh geesh! Check!! What fires will this family need to deal with in this collection of contemporary suspense romance books?? Read them ALL to find out!!!!!
Savage Collision- Savage is a damaged billionaire who owns and runs a couple of upscale clubs. When a dancer’s sister comes barreling into his office he doesn’t know it yet, but his life will never be the same. He has secrets, but weather he likes it or not, he can’t keep it from coming out, or the consequences afterwards.
Tortured Skye- Skye is Savage’s sister (from book one). She works on the office side of the local hospital and although the family drives her crazy and she’s a bit snippy sometimes, she has a decent life. She likes her work, she’s been “seeing” a guy from HR, and she’s handling life and family. Unfortunately one encounter, at a Hawke Family event no less, has her life flipped upside down. She’s really being tortured at this point!
Stone Sober- Stone is the younger brother of Savage and Skye (from book one and two). He is a lawyer at an older firm but he still has ties to his home town and unfortunately some dangerous people there. Coming home and setting up shop for himself is looking better and better. But, he’s a control freak who can’t control his life right now! Between the mob and an off limits employee of the family, his world is spinning. He can’t control himself and he finds himself rushing into things unprepared. Hard as stone but a sweet cupcake can make it all burn to the ground!
Building Storm- Storm is another Hawke sister (from the previous books). She hasn’t really been living. At all. Going through the motions on auto pilot isn’t truly living. Everyone sees it. Even her daughter. She’s failing. The Hawke family means well, but they’re driving her insane trying to control everything. She can’t rely on anyone. She has to take care of her life and her daughter. She can do it alone and she has to. Storms are crashing around in her brain and stomach as she tries to navigate what her new life should be like. The guilt, hurt, and anger are so much. The inferno that ruined her life, flashes like a deja vu, and losing everything has her fighting for her breath and her life!
Tainted Saint- Saint is a bouncer at one of the Hawkeye Clubs. He’s an ex ball player which gives him the perfect build to put anyone in their place if they even try to step out of line and break any of the club rules. Working for the Hawke family has been anything but boring though! There is ALWAYS something going on in one of the clubs, bars, restaurants, or businesses. Trouble is just attracted to them! Between lovers, one night stands, family drama, and the Italian Mob…. who knows what will happen to this family next! Unfortunately for him, he failed them when keeping an eye on a family member, so his life is a bit up in the air since the fire. Caroline is a reporter and a friend of the Hawke family. She’s reporting on a masquerade party and she’s excited for some of the fun. Being anonymous gives her the courage to step outside her normal box. With secrets everywhere things are about to change for this family, again.!! And of course Saint and Caroline are being scooped right into the story with them all.
Steele Resolve- Steele (aka Luca Abello) is a mob boss. Taking over for his father was never in his plans. He wanted nothing to do with him or anything that he did. His father sent him and his mother away because the truth of what he is. He isn’t to be trusted. His father was bad enough, but now that Luca is in town the Hawke family is on edge. Not knowing what Luca is up to is keeping them and their businesses on their toes. Knowing it all, Byron has a hard time staying away. Yes, at first he didn’t know who he was, but now they are both risking it all because they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Secrets and guilt are ripping the poor Hawke family apart. And this rift could ruin a lot along the way. The Hawke’s are the only people Luca has ever cared about and now they are on opposite sides.
What an ending!! Talk about coming full circle. I loved this set!!!! I can’t wait to read the prequel that just came out!! Sad to see this story end, but I am excited to read some of Gwyn’s other books!!!! Think I found another favorite author!! You HAVE TO READ THIS SET!!!!!
This book is so beautiful and heartwarming! If I had a Magic Wand is a book about wishes for our babies and children of the world. The magic wand is handed from parent to parent and baby to baby throughout the pages. With each pass there is another wish/dream for our babies. It’s also a rhyming book so kids can learn at the same time as reading a book for bedtime. This magical book shares messages for all parents, soon to be parents, and anyone who believes in the magic of our children’s futures. I got this book for my girls who are 7 and 10. Of course with them both it was an easy read, but they enjoyed the pictures and the wishes as the book went along. I think this would be a wonderful baby shower book or maybe even a 1st birthday book for kiddos. So pretty and inspiring!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2022-12-13 09:24:452022-12-19 09:30:29If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Amaleigha is a six year old who loves to help and be kind. She thinks of others and helps when and where she can. She is always having big ideas and some of those ideas turn into big plans! Her grandparents always say she will change the world with her ideas someday! Well, Amaleigha loves to read. She likes to visit her school library when ever she can. It’s a wonderful place to find new books. She loves all the different stories that she is able to read because she has them in their library. But she notices a problem with some of the selections and guess what? She gets an idea! Her community is made up of people who come from different countries and they don’t have much for them to read in their own languages. She couldn’t imagine not being able to read some of the wonderful stories that she’s been able to read, just because it wasn’t in her language. Well Amaleigha comes up with a plan! She takes her plan to some of her family and friends for help. Some of the community member even get involved! Read this super cute book to see how she solves this problem in her community. And how she is going to change the world one big idea at a time! I read this book with my seven year old and she loved it! We have read a couple of them from this author and she has liked every one so far. She was the perfect age for them, but I really think that younger kids would enjoy them as well, with a little help with the bigger words.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2022-12-12 17:32:152022-12-18 18:34:42Amaleigha Loves a Good Story by Janice Pratt – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Where do Pirates go on vacation? Do you know?? Do they sail the seven seas? Or maybe they head straight for the highest ground! After sailing all around the world and having no more treasure to find, what will these sea loving friends do? Vacation adventures await! Ready for new adventures, wind in their sails, seas at their fingertips, and lots of friends for fun times they are ready!! But where will they go, what will they do, and what will they see? Can you guess?? So much new fun stuff to try!! Read this super cute fun book with your kiddo(s) and find out what these friends have planned! Pirates, rhymes, and wonderful pictures make up this great book. My seven year old enjoyed it, but I can easily say that younger kids would love it too! The pictures are fun to look at and kids are learning rhyming words throughout the book too!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2022-12-12 17:01:472022-12-18 12:57:00Where Do Pirates Go on Vacation? by Kim Ann – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
Amaleigha is a five year old who has some big ideas. Her grandparents always say that she will change the world. After spending a lot of time in her backyard barefoot doing things she loves, she has an amazing idea. But ideas need plans and actions! Which means she needs help! She brings the idea and plan to her family. She just has to share all the things she loves with them! And maybe even the world!! With the help of her family, friends, and even the community those plans are put into actions! They open something that will change their community for the better. Read the book to find out what her big idea was and how with help, she makes the world better one big idea at a time! This was such a cute story. I read it with my 7 year old, but younger kids would defiantly love this book too!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2022-12-12 16:31:182022-12-18 18:32:23Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
I have never heard of a dream shifter before. I really loved the idea of it and how the author put it into a book that not only I loved, but I think my ten year old will as well. Gwendolyn is a 12-year dream-shifter. She shifts into the animals that she dreams about. Fun right?! Well each night she prepares for the dreams and normally enjoys them. There is one catch to being a dream shifter though. If you wake up normally on your own you shift back to human. BUT if you get woken up suddenly (like from a fire alarm) you stay shifted! Crazy right?! Lets just say that her parents were shocked the first time it happened. Unfortunately, she learns that if you don’t shift back within a few months you get stuck in the form that you last shifted to!! So, she’s leaping around as an Elk and having fun, when she’s bolted awake from the fire alarm. They forgot to turn off the space heater that they used to make smores indoors. Not only is Gwendolyn stuck as an elk now, but their home burned down. To top off her already horrible night, she learns that it’s almost elk season! Which means she has to find a place to hide! Where do you hide an elk?? She’s stuck as an elk with no knowledge on how to turn back and now she must keep away from hunters! Thankfully she can speak English and she still thinks mostly like a girl. But how do you explain this to people? And who would believe her?! Getting the help from a magician that she’s a little scared of is her last resort, but she must. He gives her access to his magical library which she finds out that her grandmother’s written books are part of! Maybe she can find some answers finally!! He does end up having a book that might help, but for some reason she can’t get near it. Oh odd!! Will Gwendolyn spend the rest of her life as an Elk? Will she get hunted and killed during the season?! Hiding out at the magician’s house, putting on magic shows for kids to pay for room and board is just the start to this fun and interesting book!! I got sucked in and I hope my daughter will as well. I’m excided to share it with her. If you have never heard of a dream-shifter (like me) you are in for a treat!!
This book is a short story that I absolutely LOVED!! I REALLY, REALLY hope that the author decides to either continue it later on or add to it somehow. I would love to read more of this story!! So, every 10 years the Gods choose a paranormal being, who was unjustly killed, and they get a second chance at life. Nice right? Well, there are rules though!! First, you only have three days to find and choose a mate. Second, you can’t use any powers to influence said mate (love potions, mind control, etc etc). Third, you can only choose one person. If that person doesn’t work out for any reason, you go right back to purgatory. No Second Chances within this second chance. Your chance is just lost! And lastly, you have to tell your chosen mate about the challenge and said rules. Maybe not so easy after all! Quinlan is the chosen one this decade and boy oh boy does he have his work cut out for him! The gods have placed him in a hotel, in wolf territory, and in the middle of nowhere. These Gods must be out to get him! At least they gave him three changes of clothes and some cash, but funny thing is that they forgot underwear! What the heck?! Was that on purpose?? What are these silly Gods up to!!? Day one is passing quickly. By the time he catches some animals to eat (as he is a vampire) and looks around the SUPER small town he’s ready to get some sleep and work out a plan for this challenge. Scoping out the town at night might bring some more answers about the town and it’s residents. Will he be able to find a mate time? Three days in a small town with less people could be a big issue. Maybe he needs to take a day to travel somewhere else and up his chances? With not much money he won’t be able to get far. Should he let the alpha in the area know about his challenge? He doesn’t want to tick off the locals and have a wolf war on his hands too! Man oh man you are in for a treat with this one! Like I said it is a short story, but the author packs in some great stuff in those few pages. Give it a shot and see what Quinnlan ends up doing AND what he ends up dealing with.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaimie Salmon-Colburnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaimie Salmon-Colburn2022-11-21 12:27:262022-11-25 11:34:22The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn
I loved this set! I haven’t read many sifter books outside of the normal werewolves and such, so I was super excited about this set after reading the first book. I am so happy that I gave then a read! I defiantly recommend this set to anyone how loves shifter romance books. Día has been on the run for years. She is always watching her back, changing the way she looks, and always always running. She’s been on the run from hunters trying to keep her family safe, but her luck so far has just run out. She gets caught. But not by hunters! She stumbles onto a colony in hiding and they don’t trust outsiders. This bat shifter and witch colony has been through a lot and many of them are sick and dying. They can’t trust anyone and two strangers showing up on the same day worries them. Her fellow captive (the other stranger) just so happens to be an ex-lover who betrayed her years ago and brought the hunters to her family. Kano regrets so much in his life. Not being able to stop the slaughter of Día’s tribe and family being the biggest of all. He can’t believe his eyes when he drug into colony and he sees her alive. He’s been so focused on his journalism and putting the worst of the worst into the lime-light and behind bars. He can’t escape his own guilt and seeing Día brings it all rushing back. Again. When he gets taken by the bat colony he doesn’t know what he is in for. Día plans to run as soon as she can. She can’t be around him and she needs to find her group and make sure that they are okay. Milos, one of the bat shifters feels like something bad is coming. He can feel it in his gut. So when Día and Kano stumble onto the camp his gut stabs him with fear again. He just wants to protect his colony, find a cure to their sickness, and live! With their leader dying he must do something, anything to help their fast decreasing colony members. When someone from Kano’s past comes and threatens the colony the three of them must put their mistrust aside and fight together. Putting fears behind you can be tricky when fighting for your life. Will they come together and defeat their enemy? Or will history repeat itself. Will fear keep these three from saving everyone? Will Día kill Kano for his part in her family’s slaughter? Will Kano admit his mistakes from all those years ago and get Día to forgive him? Will she be able to? Man this book has so much going on! Those three are in for a lot!! You have to read this set!! If you love shifter books and magic and love you, will love this set!!
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Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
