Jaimie Salmon Colburn – Page 5 – Itsy Bitsy Book Bits

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Ember’s Secret (Solstice Quartet Book 1) by Catherine Peace – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

November 12, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Ember’s Secret by Catherine Peace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so surprised by this book! When I first started reading it I forgot that it was about shifters. I haven’t read many “shifter” books outside of the normal werewolves and such, so I LOVED seeing some other animals being brought into the genera. Ember has a big secret and with the Solstice coming up quickly she’s not sure if she can keep that secret much longer. She want to see more people in her café and in turn be reunited with her two sisters. Her café only sees people that are passing through and she hasn’t turned a good profit in years. Cooking for people she never sees twice is lonely and not at all what she wants out of her café. Food brings people together. She wants more out of her life and she wants more for her café. But can she risk it? Austin is the host of a popular Food TV show Back Road Eats. He’s tired of the same old easy dependable American grilling and BBQ. And being on the road more and more is wearing him out. A chef tv host who’s burnt out on food! While on the way to one last round of shows before heading home his RV breaks down in the middle of no where Wyoming. Dreading the extended stay while him and his camera and editing crew wait for a part for the RV, they learn of a Maori restaurant and his interest is piqued! Sick of BBQ, burgers, and all the normal Back Road Eats he’s been eating for the past few years he is ready to try something new. Once he meets Ember and tries her food he can’t leave without getting her to do his show! He can’t believe the flavors that she brings out in all her dishes. Everything he tries, he loves! But she’s terrified and family comes first. Her father forbids anything to do with the show and he is all she has left. Family first. Can Austin get Ember to do the show? Does Ember bring her whole world down around her and put what little family she has left in danger? Will she get them killed? Will she ever get her café full of people who fall in love with her food? It’s clear that Austin loves more than just her food too! What will come of that?! Dealing with his own father drama he doesn’t want to push to hard. Does he push her away? Or will they over come fears and trials and come together? You have to read to find out!!! You won’t be disappointed!!

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The Dwarves’ Dilemma (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

November 5, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Dwarves’ Dilemma, The by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was super cute!! I got this thinking that my youngest daughter (7) would like it. My oldest (10) also enjoyed not only the story but the fun illustrations as well. The Queen in this book is know as the most fair and honest person in the Kingdom of Aleta. Everyone comes to her with their problems so they can be solved fairly. She uses a mirror to help her with the harder problems. Looking for the sparkle of fairness in everyone’s eyes each time. When the dwarves bring her a problem where both sides think they are being fair the Queen needs her mirror. But there is a problem when the mirror shows her that SHE isn’t the fairest! Oh my! She entrusts Snow White to get to the bottom of the problem. Can Snow White find out where things went wrong? How is the Queen not fair? Will the poor dwarves’ problem get solved? What will happen to the Queen?! Such a fun book. In the back of the book it has information on how mirrors work and reflect. It’s a great way to help your kids learn about some science stuff while reading a cute book. I would recommend this book (and the other science books she’s written) for kids ages 5-10. I know my two kiddos have enjoyed them all so far!! Can’t wait for more!!

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Soliloquy by Janet Fogg – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

November 3, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Soliloquy by Janet Fogg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I haven’t read many books that have been based in historical times. I normally stick to supernatural, mystery, romance, and children’s (mom of two) books. But I am glad that I gave this one a chance! Erin has a passion for music. She’s a concert pianist and composer, but now she’s been slammed back in time to when Nazi held France! WWII is not where she thought she’d be at this point in her life!! She’s so confused with memories that aren’t hers and of course war time! She must keep up the ruse that she belongs there, while she figures out what the heck happened. And how to get back!! She slowly learns that she’s performing for not only her life, but the lives off all those who live with her. No pressure there!! She’s protecting them by writing music for a nasty German officer. She sees the consequences of creating wonderful music during war time when the German officer asks for more and more. She can’t keep up her lies for long. As Erin tries to hide a British pilot named Arick and help him evade capture and certain death, she can’t help the feeling that she knows this man from another life. And her future life! It’s like her soul knows his. As confusing as it is, she comes to grips with never seeing him again and sending him off with the resistance, but she is betrayed and they are caught. She’s caught in WWII writing music to stay alive, but the darkness’s of war are closing in on her to quick! Time is running out and she still doesn’t know how to get back to her own time!! The German officer is deadly. He also holds all power. He can send them off to a work camp or just kill them outright for anything he wants. As an enemy pilot, Arick can be shot and killed in an instant without another glance. Will she save Arick? Will Erin protect the members of the house? Will they find out she doesn’t belong? Or will they think that she’s gone crazy?! She has to figure out what to do quick, before it’s to late! You have to give this one a chance! You won’t be disappointed. If you love the jumping through time and the suspense of the story unfolding you will love this one. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read other books like this one now!! Thanks for a great read!

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Grave Digger Academy II (Grave Digger Academy Book 2) by C.A. King – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

September 28, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Grave Digger Academy II by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There’s a reason people don’t believe in monsters and it’s not because they don’t exist!! Boy are you in for a treat with this set!! I am LOVING it!! I could totally see this set put into a movie!! And if it ever does, know I will be watching it asap!! Anyways, to the book!! This is Makayla’s second year in the paranormal academy system. THANKFULLY, she doesn’t have to ride the bus the first day and her brothers can drive her. After finding out last year that she wouldn’t be going to any other school, because she’s being watched, she must make the best of it. She doesn’t know what is in store for her that year until her and her class are called back early. Thinking that she will get some time in the local village she’s excited to get there. Boy is her first day, yet AGAIN, an adventure though!! Maybe she’s seeing things, but getting to the library is strange. With the one and only transfer position withheld last year, she has all the same classmates, so they meet up on the way. Maybe they won’t be separated this year. Maybe classes will go back to normal. Hopefully?? Upon arriving at the school they learn about some changes, good and bad. But at least they are letting her have a bit more freedom! Which is good because the school is participating in an academy competition with the other schools and she can use all the help she can! If they can win they can bring some desperately needed funding and prestige back to the once sought after school, but if they lose the school could close down forever! Then what would happen to her?! No one WANTS to go to Grave Digger Academy anymore. Most are thrown into it like Makayla, without any say in the matter. So if she is kicked out of the one place that took her she dreads what might come next!! But she is determined to save the school, learn as much magic as she can, and find out more about her family history and all the weird things that seem to be attracted to her! But something is off about the competition and the map. The map changes after the competition is already under way. There was to be no interference and no one is allowed on the map except the competitors and their helpers if they choose to bring them. When their own shovels in their back yard throw her in the wrong direction she knows something is up. Will she help win the competition and in turn help save the school? Where is this shovel taking her?! Why does it always have to happen to her?? Makayla is out of options and must do something desperate to not only save herself, but the school. Will her plan backfire and in turn everything burn down around her? And who is messing with not only her, but the competition?! Man oh man I can’t wait to read the rest of this set! I am invested to see what happens next!! You COULD read this book alone, BUT I wouldn’t recommend it. Some stuff happens in the first book that is referenced in this book and you will be a bit lost. Anyways, grab this book (and the others!) and unearth the mysteries to the Grave Digger Academy!

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Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass: a Mermaid Science Story Reviewed by: Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

September 17, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass: a Mermaid Science Story by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is adorable. And who doesn’t love mermaids?! This book is about two friends playing by a lake (Fig and Maia). Maia can see the mermaid Trezzie, but Fig can’t. It can make this a bit strange when playing. Fig and Maia are playing with stones when Maia spots Trezzie swimming towards them. Trezzie places a small stone next to Maia, but when she shows it to Fig she says it’s to small for their tower. Maia thinks there is something about it because it came from Trezzie. When they look closer they can see that there is something on it, but they need a magnifying glass to see it better. Science to the rescue! Fig says she knows how to make one, and lists an item she needs. Fig doesn’t see Trezzie go into the lake and bring back an item, but it shows up next to her feet!! Fig makes a magnifying glass with the container and they can see what is on the rock. Maia says to show Trezzie, but because Fig can’t see her she lets Maia show her. It turns out that there is a fossil on the stone. Something similar to a Rolly-Polly. The bug that curls up with you touch it. The girls ask if there are more so they can each bring one home. Trezzie leaves and is gone a long time. Fig thinks she got lost and decides to head home. What happened to Trezzie? Does she come back? Do they get their fossils? Read the book to find out that and more!! This book was for my seven year old. She LOVES mermaids and this one is so cute! The story keeps her locked in until the end. And it’s fun to test out some of the science from the books! There are more than one book, but they can be read as stand alone with no problems. I love the added science in the book. That’s not something that is really taught at the younger ages so “sneaking” it in now can’t hurt!

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The Mind-Reading Hat: Invisible Magic Wand Book Six: Reviewed by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

September 17, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

The Mind-Reading Hat: Invisible Magic Wand Book Six by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a cute book! And I just love the idea of an UnBirthday surprise! Every year Caspin and his Grandpa share a special tradition of a surprise box under his bed for his birthday. This year there was 2!!!! What could that second one be? What could it mean!? He opens up the presents and of course is shocked at what he got. He doesn’t understand why those gifts, but he remembers from previous birthdays (other books in series) that sometimes the gifts are far from what he expects. He brings his gifts downstairs and on the way learns about the first one. After his grandpa explains the bigger gift his mother gives him a hint about the smaller one and rushes off. He smells something out in the hall that brings him to another surprise of the day. What will he do with his new surprises? And what adventures await down the hall? Read this cute children’s book to find out! My 7 year old liked this book. It wasn’t super long and it was a fun plot, so it kept her interest until the end. The illustrations are cute and younger kids can follow the story plot with the pictures easily. I would defiantly recommend this book to kids ages 4-8. Younger kids being read to and the older kids reading out loud. I would also recommend getting the other in the set, but you can read it alone.

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Grave Digger Academy (Grave Digger Academy Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

September 17, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Grave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can not wait to read books 2 and 3!!! I LOVED this book! I love most supernatural books, but I love seeing the character’s at a young point and then watching them grow. In this book we are talking about academy age. So your reading about young witches and different skills they can have or already do. Just like everything you have to learn the skills you are meant to have and then develop them. Makalya is entering her first year of the paranormal academy system, but first she must pick where to go! She gets three choices and if none of those accept her, she goes to the back up academy that no one EVER picks themselves! When she gets no word on the first day of school she has to find her own way with a slip from the library. Talk about a crazy adventuress first day! She’s thrown into a sink or swim maze to find where she needs to be. Unfortunately all three of her picks didn’t accept her and when she finds her path it is right to Grave Digger Academy!! All of her other six siblings went to great top schools. What is she to do, being the first of the family to be put into the worst of the worst!?? She hears of a way out of the school and being transferred to another school, but there is no way she will ever earn the top of the top marks in a curriculum that she’s not even interested in learning! She has more than one scolding about her interests, but looking for answers about illegal witchcraft and her being the seventh born are at the top of her priorities right now. As school progresses she’s half learning about grave diggers and what they do, but it’s not until she is thrown into a bet with another student that she wishes she paid more attention! Something is off at the Gave Digger Academy and she’s only just beginning to learn some of it. Will she make it through the year? Does she even want to, when she has to face her family once she returns home?! With the crazy start to the year, how will the year end? They is certainly a lot to learn about the corpses and how temperamental they can be! Will she survive the dangers of the school or will the headmaster expel her before she can get any real answers. Why does she have more questions than answers?! Mystery, danger, adventures, and lots of witches! Read this young adult paranormal fantasy to learn more! I’m off to get book 2!!

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Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

September 4, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I originally picked this book/books for my 7 year old daughter. She has a speech issue right now, so she is a little lower on the current reading level that she should be. Anyway, she did GREAT with these! And who doesn’t love Dinosaurs! I would recommend this book for any 5-8 year old, maybe younger if your reading it to your dyno loving child(ren). This book is great as an eBook, but I personally would recommend the other version because kids love to hold books and this one flips over and it’s another story! How fun is that, right?! On to the books…. The first book (A Present for the Volcano) is about two Dino friends and a Volcano. One dinosaur (Conifer) is afraid of the volcano and wants to run, while the other Dinosaur (Spike) thinks that the volcano is sad and needs a present. The two dynos give the volcano a necklace to make the volcano feel better. It takes all day, but their gift is complete. The volcano bursts and the dynos run. Read the book to find out the ending!! I don’t want to give anything away 😉 The next book ( Saving Conifer’s Eggs) is the flip side book, book 2. Conifer has a nest with three eggs that she is sitting on. Spike smells smoke and comes to warn her. They must run from the fire, but she can’t carry her three eggs with her two little hands. The friends face a few problems as they try to make it to safety with the three eggs. Will they make it safety? What happens with the eggs? Do they break along the way? Get burned? How do Conifer and Spike fair at the end?! Read this fun children’s books to find out more!! Both books are so fun! I really think kids will love not only the pictures, but the story too!

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In Plain Sight (Logan McKenna Mystery Series Book 8) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

August 28, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book took me a while to get into, but I honestly had some personal things going on and I didn’t give it a REAL first chance. I made myself go back and reread it and give it the chance that it really deserved. I am SO GLAD that I did too!! It hooked me with its claws and held on tight! Anyways, to the book! Lol. Logan volunteers at a animal rescue center. She’s loving it more and more the deeper she becomes a part of the wildlife center. She is loving the hawks, eagles, and owls. She’s slowly becoming closer to some of the other staff too, especially the vet of the center. When she comes in early one day all things come to a screeching halt with the center. She find’s a coworker’s office ransacked and the coworker dead in one of the other rooms, along with a dead raptor she was helping with! What has she stumbled into?! No sign of what caused the death has everyone stumped. With no leads the investigation stalls, but Logan thinks there is more to this story. With the help of two friends, they look into what they believe might be murder! The killer’s attention turns towards Logan the more that they dig into the murder. Before she becomes the killer’s next victim Logan must find out the truth about what happened to her vet friend. She knows something is off, but can’t put her finger on it. Will Logan find out the truth of what happened before the killer gets to her. Will she be silenced before the truth comes out? Will she be the killer’s next prey? What about her friends helping her? Will the killer get them too? Will the killer get away with the vet’s murder?! And possibly theirs too? This mystery thriller will hook you in! I read this book as a stand alone, but there are more to the series that you can read first. It isn’t needed, but I personally can’t wait to read the others in the series. I also LOVE that the book is about raptors and it touches on a great cause of saving these beautiful wild creatures.

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Bake Happy (Bake Believe Series Book 3) by Cori Cooper – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

August 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Bake Happy by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cat has got this baking happy thing down! She visited her family’s bakery and learned so much from her aunt and GG. Cooking for parties and family members has been great practice and she’s baking the world a better place one recipe at a time. Everything is going great until she has a surprise visit from someone she’s not fond of. Not only that, but her aunt JoJo has an announcement that no one saw coming! Wishes get thrown around and magic baking gets mixed up with some crazy effects. How can Cat bake happy now?! Life has turned upside down and she hasn’t a clue of how to fix it all. Bake Happy is the last funny young fantasy book to the Bake Believe series. It’s such a fun book and I can’t wait for my daughter to read it so we can talk about the series while we bake some of the recipes that are included in amazing book set!!

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Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

August 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Bake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cat and her family are on a family road trip to Arizona for a Thanksgiving week. While on the break they hope to find some answers about their family bakery and the way they can bake. Now that she knows what she can do, she NEEDS to know how this happened and why! Cat has to know EVERYTHING, which is a lot. While hunting for answers, Cat and her family gear up for a baking showdown with the other bakeries in the area. Cat, her best friend (and cousin) Robyn, and her sister investigate the competition in disguises and find out a lot about the different characters who bake in their town. They also find out really quick just how crazy things can get when they bake with magic without following the number one rule: Bake Happy. Bake Off is the second book in this fun unique high-jinx kids fantasy. I personally read this book, but I think my ten year old would love this book too. If is so funny and has recipes too!! I know my daughter and I will love trying some of these recipes and trying to make them low carb and low sugar.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

August 3, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

This Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katie and Chase were high school sweet hearts. They planned to go off to college together, but when they each get accepted into different colleges plans changed. Katie breaks it off as Chase is proposing and leaves town. Now ten years have gone by and they haven’t spoken a word to each other. Katie has come home for a friend’s wedding and the bride-to-be has put her foot down about couples only. The bride sets her up to be another single’s plus one and it just so happens to be Chase! Talk about freak out! Now his plus one, to his cousin’s wedding, she’ll have to finally face him and all the past drama they never resolved. They have both moved on and built their lives. Katie rising up the cooperate ladder and Chase fathering an orphaned nephew. But now there worlds are colliding weather they like it or not! Will they be able to put the past behind them? Can they reconcile after ten years of hurt and moving on? This book read surprisingly fast. I sunk into it and finished it in a few hours. If you like small towns, romance, and a bit of drama this is a great book for all the above.

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Between Darkness & Light (War of Destiny Book 3) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

July 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Between Darkness & Light by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Julia has done the unthinkable. Plagued by voices and people only she can see, she betrays her ka-tet. Her family. Her friends. She left them and joined the Vampire King Valentino. They think that she’s gone insane. She’s teamed up with the enemy after all. So they shun her and barley speak to her. She fears the voices and ghosts and no one understands. While she tries to repair the friendships that she has torn through Samuel disappears. To find their resistance leader she must seek help from a fellow ka-tet member. The one that hates her the most. The one who moved out to get away from her. Matthew the fire vampire. Their bond used to be so strong. They were so close. But now that bond is all hostility. He will barley even speak to her. When Julia shows up and interrupts Matthew’s new life he’s created to distance himself from Julia it is unexpected, unwelcome, and extremely inhospitable. He won’t let her try to explain. He wants nothing to do with her in any way. Along the way to find their leader enemies start to close in on Matthew and Julia. They realize that something isn’t right and more is going on than what they thought. Something dark is happening. Something sinister. Something that is tampering with true destiny. They must find out who it is and what they want before it can destroy them and their whole ka-tet. Will Matthew finally let Julia speak and let her explain what really happened with Valentino? Will he set her ablaze and not think twice? Will she get through to him or will it be to late? And what about their leader?! Will Samuel be attacked in Rome and never make it out? Such a great set of books!! I wish there was more!! I could totally read a few more to this set easy!! If you haven’t read this set I would recommend you do! It took me a minute to get into the first one as the author was building up the story, but once I was hooked I was hooked!!

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Pursuit into Darkness (War of Destiny Book 2) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

July 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Pursuit into Darkness by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seventy years ago Julia was recued from her horrible abusive husband by a vampire named Samuel. He offered her a deal of becoming a vampire and she agreed to become part of the resistance and help overthrow the King Vampire Valentino. She has been gaining her strength and letting her abilities develop but the King shows up to destroy the threat to his thrown. Samuel, Julia and the rest of the ka-tet intend to run before he is to close because they just aren’t ready for a huge battle yet. Julia is to young, her gifts are still in a processing stage, and she just needs more time to become stronger. But their plans fail. They can’t get out in time. Julia has no other choice in the matter but to try and fight him. Her mind is being attacked. She thinks she’s going insane. This danger is unlike anything they have ever faced before. The whole ka-tet’s safety is at the stake. Can she find a way to get passed the voices in her head and stop Valentino? Will she ever stop doubting herself and everyone else? Will she be strong enough for the fight ahead? Will Valentino destroy everything that she clings on to? Her only family. Her only source of strength. Man do you have to read this set! It is getting better and better with every book!! I can’t wait to read part three!!

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Lost Soul Book (War of Destiny Book 1) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

July 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Lost Soul by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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!

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The Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace (Mermaid Science) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

June 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is such a cute book for younger kids. I read it with my 7 year old who LOVES mermaids. This book is a great way to add a little science into your kids life without them even realizing that they are learning something! The book is about a pair of friends (Maia and Fig) who are out on a picnic together. While on the picnic they blow holes into ice cubes they brought for their lemonade, so they can make a necklace for Trizzie the mermaid. One of the girls notices that the ice cubes that were in their cup were melting faster than the ice cubes they blew the holes into. “That’s Science!” was the other’s response. How cute right?! The book also adds in more information on other forms of water at the end. My daughter really liked the book. I feel adding in small bits of information like this helps kids retain it for later when they learn more about it in school. I’d personally recommend this book for kids ages 3-8.

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Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail (Jake the Growling Dog Book 3) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

June 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail: A Children’s Picture Book about Sharing, Disability Awareness, Kindness, and Overcoming Fears by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read the other books in this series and find them all adorable and a great way to teach kids about different things. In this case, the book is about overcoming fears and worries. This book starts with Jake out on his normal neighborhood trail when he meets up with his squirrel friend Neet. As they continue along the trail they find some tracks that they don’t know. Neet thinks that they’re from an alien from another planet! Jake comes up with a few ideas as he gets more and more scared. They move off the trail and catch the new scent as they started to hear a rustling sound coming near. They both dive to their bellies in fear. The scent and noise pass, but neither friend had the courage to move their paws from their eyes and look at what the strange creature was that passed by. Jake runs home and doesn’t sleep well thinking about it all night. When Neet meets up with Jake the next morning she looks like she lost sleep as well. They plan on going out with some other friends to find the creature on Jake’s trail. Along the way they find a new friend. The new friend ends up helping them with the mystery! Jake feels silly about being so scared, but learns that just because the tracks were different and new didn’t mean that the animal they belonged to would be mean and scary. Such a cute book. At the end of the book it has more information to help parents teacher their kids about fears and some tips on getting passed them. It also talks about helping others, donating, meeting new people, and appreciating differences in others as well. I would defiantly recommend this book to younger kids ages 5-10.

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Reviewed by @jaimie0459

Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

June 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a great teaching book for younger kids. Being adopted has many struggles that can come up. It teaches kids that many people imagine different lives when they are in trouble and/or upset and that it is normal. Especially when you’ve been adopted and don’t know much about your birth family. The book follows an adopted lizard named Oliver. Oliver is playing and climbs a little tree that he is pretending is a pirate ship. The tree is young and because of Oliver’s weight and the tree’s flexible branches he falls overboard onto the grass and hurts his hip. As he’s in his room upset and thinking about how to play more safely he thinks about his birth parents. He imagines many different things. He thinks about a different life that he could be living if he wasn’t in his room upset. It’s a cute book and the pictures are fun. My now 7 year old enjoyed the book very much when we read it together at bedtime. It was also a great book to read and then talk about adopted families and how other kids may feel.

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Reviewed by @jaimie0459

The Curse of a Faeblood by MK Lorber – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

May 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

The Curse of a Faeblood by M.K. Lorber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Kingdom of Morvak seems like a great mountain realm with a divide between the peasant class (the territories below) and the magical nobility (the mountain top). But things are changing and the Faebloods are greedy to assert their continued control over the peasant humans. Ember has been raised on the run most her life. All she wants is to find others like her. To belong. Somewhere. Anywhere. She doesn’t know who her father is and her mother is the only family she has ever know. They must stay isolated as much as possible, so no one discovers Ember’s Faeblood, her curse. When her mother is murdered she is forced once again to run, but this time all alone. In the territories she is in more danger of being discovered, but she must find food. The different territories favor strong bodies who are able to fulfill the annual tithe to the Kingdom’s nobility. Ember is caught stealing food by Gavyn; an elite fighter, head trainer, and right hand to the village’s leader. He has a reputation of being hard and defending his family with everything he can. Ember threatens all he tries to protect. Can these two put their passions aside and protect not only themselves but Gavyn’s found family? Will the Kingdom find Ember and kill her for threatening the delicate balance of power in the realm? This is SUCH a great book! I can see this one turning into a movie easy!! You have got to read it! I personally can’t wait to read the others in the set!!

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Reviewed by: @jaimie0459

Nite Fire: Slash & Burn (Book 4) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

May 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Slash & Burn by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sentinel City has become a ticking time bomb towards total destruction as creatures pour into earth from the worlds of the veil. Dahlia has returned from her crazy ordeal on Drimera. If you haven’t yet, you have to read the first 3 books!! Man so much action missed if you haven’t!! Anyways, she has picked up her life (somewhat), and is TRYING to move on. You know grow and do better. Well, under the cover of the city’s darkness, she is hunting monsters, again. Yep she wants to help human kind! She vows to keep the streets safe, while at the same time trying to harness the dragon eye’s abilities. Will she figure out the eye’s secrets and use it for good? Dahlia is always stretched to her limits and this time is no different. Unfortunately the impending destruction of her adopted home makes her worry if she will be enough to stop it all. After all how can she help the whole city? She’s only one half dragon shapeshifter. Dahlia shies away from the latest murder spree, but the victims’ identities grip her. Trying to unravel the truth, she uncovers something deeper. Of course! Nothing can ever be simple right? This mystery and the many threads of murder tying together are impossible to ignore and she has to find out who is behind this plot once and for all. Who is against her at every turn! Could this all lead back to the beginning? What does Ella have to do with it all? Will this bring the linked worlds into the light more? Will her new team help her to save the city once and for all? Man oh man!! Such a great set! I didn’t want to put it down! This set had me up late all week, so I could binge the whole thing. I can’t wait to finish book 5 now!! Less sleep but SO WORTH IT!!!!!

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Nite Fire: Exit Strategy (Book 5) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

May 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Exit Strategy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The life that Dahlia has build in Sentinel City is over. Fall after fall. Beaten and bruised. She’s tried so hard to keep the city safe from all the creatures of the veil, but it wasn’t enough. Utterly betrayed and completely crushed, she struggles to put out more blazing inferno fires than one half dragon shapeshifter can handle on her own. Stretched thin once again with half her team missing and creatures running the streets, Dahlia doesn’t know what to do with this apocalypse. Her worlds have defiantly collided and it’s not good at all! Fighting to protect the world that she has come to love, Dahlia must find a way to save what remains of her poor crumbling city. This tragic new reality has the damaged veil between the worlds eroding faster and faster. Exits are multiplying fast and giving free reign to the creatures who will devour everything in their path. Her dragon is done sitting quietly in the background. She must stop the chaos and mad scientist before the Renewal extinguishes all life on the linked worlds. Her worlds! Will her dragon help her to save her home? Will her dragon take over and let the worlds kill each other? Mass murder! And what about her team?! Her family! Dahlia has much to do if she wants to save a little corner of her rubble of a world. But is that even possible at this point?? Against many walls she must try! I can’t believe that I’m done! This was such a great set!!! I want to read them all again just to make sure that I didn’t miss anything! And I probably will! LOL! And if I have anything to say about it there should be some movies made about this set!! Can you picture the dragon shapeshifter?? The rips in veils! The creatures!!! I sure can!! If you haven’t started this set yet you need to!! You will not want to put it down for sure!!

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Nite Fire: Smoke & Mirrors by C. L. Schneider – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

May 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Smoke & Mirrors by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dahlia Nite has lived undetected among the humans of Sentinel City for some time. Hunting creatures at all hours of the night to keep the humans safe, has been her personal mission for a while. A century! As a half dragon shape shifter she relies on many secrets and a lot of deception to keep her cover. Sometimes multiple covers! Walking in two worlds and belonging to neither keeps her hiding in plain sight, while also providing a good cover. Sometimes. It’s worked for so long. But nothing can stay hidden forever, right? When bodies start showing up dismembered and dumped at the river, Dahlia is on the case with human Detective Creed. Sentinel City begins to unravel while they try to set off with a new task force to uncover what is going on with these new killings. Clues set them on a path from crime scene to crime scene, but there is something wrong with the evidence and it just doesn’t add up! Already on edge, Dahlia employs her empathic abilities and uncovers something that makes her worlds crash into each other head first. All the secrets are piling up and she’s not the only one who is keeping them! Yeah!! She struggles to shield her friends from the truth about the veil and the monsters, but the serial killer, missing creatures, masked men, and her sidekick’s missing sister to boot is to much for Dahlia to handle! Will Dahlia break and everything come unraveled? Will her friends find out the truth about her and the worlds she tries to hide? Yet another great book to this set!! If you haven’t started this set you should!! It is so good!! It will keep you up all night just because you want to finish it!! This is defiantly one that I would recommend! And of course I can’t wait to read the others in the set!!

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Nite Fire: Chain Reaction (Book 2) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

May 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dahlia Nite is back again with more murder mysteries piling up all around her. She has become a “fire consultant” for the police of Sentinel City, which helps her stay close to the “more interesting” (aka more bizarre) cases. The ones that she needs to help cover up before the veil of creatures and worlds are exposed to the fragile humans. She has hunted creature from the torn veil to keep humanity safe for almost a century now. She knows her monsters, but now something is throwing it all off. Something is different. But what is it? Smells and emotions are off. Are these victims really human? Or something else?? People are mutating and she can’t smell anything but human before they combust! Yes they combust! As in up in flames!!! Combusting humans from homeless to high-class are drawing attention so fast that it’s hard to cover up. Dahlia and her human partner (Creed) investigate the deaths but only come up with more questions and even more bodies. The public is on the verge of a major panic that can consume the whole city! Is this a virus? Is it contagious?? She needs to move fast and find what or who is at fault! Can her sidekick help to figure out that is going on? Will the queen step in and just take care of her at the same time? Two birds one stone? Man this book kept me on my toes!! I CAN NOT wait to read the rest in this set!!! I REALLY want this to become a movie! If done right I can totally see this set becoming a movie series!!

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Beelzebub: The Gift of Gluttony (A Sinful Seven Novel) by JC Brown & Lena Lane – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

April 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Beelzebub The Gift of Gluttony by J.C. Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting twist on the demon angel dynamic and I loved it!! Beelzebub (aka Zee) is one of the Seven Princes of Hell. His job is to go around the world and tempt humans with any type of gluttony that he can. He jumps from different hosts, taking possession with permission, and gets the host to experience their hearts desires. He lives through them and experiences it all. It can never be enough to fill his glutenous soul. Once finished he leaves the body broken, weak, and marked for hell. When he comes across a woman who seems to be able to ignore his influence he is intrigued and must try harder to get into her. Clara is an empath and can sense other people’s emotions. She uses her gift of baking to make people feel better. But taking care of others can be draining. She gets weaker with each person that she helps. When Zee appears to her and tells her he is there to help her, she feels a bit off. Thinking he is an angel she starts to trust him only to banish him once she finds out that he is in fact a demon and not the angel she thought. Demons don’t scare away that easy though and unfortunately this demon is attracting other monsters into her life by being around her so much. Fighting to save a soul is not something that he does. He wants to erase them all from the earth! But she is different and he can’t help but be drawn to her. Will his meddling cause more problems then it’s worth? Will this demon protect her soul? Or will he mark it for hell. Will Clara forgive Zee for messing with her life? Or will she die because of it!?! You won’t be disappointed in this book once you pick it up. So hard to put down even!! Enjoy!

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The-Know-It-All-Pencil (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review By Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

April 2, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever celebrated an UnBirthday?! Such a fun idea!!!! In this book Caspian’s grandfather always leaves him an unexpecting present for his unbirthday. This year it’s a pencil and pad of green paper. When Caspian picks up the pencil an adventure starts that’s sure to be weird and mysterious. What does this special pencil gift know? Where will it lead Caspian? I thought that my 7 year old would enjoy this short story. I love the unbirthday idea and so did she. We also cut up an apple just for fun and to see the star!

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The Hunted (Vampire Navy SEAL: Sam & Layla) by S.B. Alexander – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

April 2, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

The Hunted by S.B. Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could NOT put this book down!! I read it so quickly and I can’t wait for more, so I can devour them as well!! In this spin-off series, the Vampire vs human world is hard to navigate. Layla is a Vampire hunter. It is what her family has been doing for generations. She knows what to do. She’s been warned all her life that vampires will seduce you with their charms to get you close and then your theirs! This last job was supposed to be easy. In and out. Snatch and grab. Collect the money and then her and her sisters would be free. But Layla and her sisters are hypnotized by this powerful Navy SEAL vampire, Sam. Layla knows that she should run far away, but he puts her on edge and it’s frustratingly confusing. It’s like she is drunk when around him. Her sister’s lives are in danger and of course she needs his help to save them! Ugh. Just her luck! It’s hard to trust an enemy, especially one that can kill you in a second! But can she put her hunter instincts away long enough to save her sisters? Or will she tick off this powerful vamp and end up dinner! With a bloodsucker as a wing man anything can happen. Read this slow burn suspense with snarky banter and action to find out more!! You will be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next book to arrive, just like me!!

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The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire (Billionaire Hearts Ranch Book 1) by Edith Mackenzie – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

March 21, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book tore through my heart over and over again. I had to set it down and come back to it because so much happened just in the first few chapters that I was in tears. It’s such a heart wrenching story, but a really good one!! I am glad that I finished it and I honestly can’t wait to read some of the other books this author has written. So to the book…. Colt is a rodeo star billionaire who’s life gets bucked right out of his own saddle. He’s racing around the barrels of trauma thrown his way at every turn, but his money just isn’t enough to fix the problems. What do you do when you have all the money in the world, but the health of others can’t be bought? Colt goes dark. He runs to the rodeo, fast cars, and booze to mask his pain and forget his life. A life in which his sister dies and leaves behind a baby. Evelyn is a life long childhood best friend of Colt’s sister and a traveled artist. She has studied in London and trained in Venice, but when her friend needs her she comes back Texas. She knows that she can help Colt and the baby, but he is so broken that he gives up and runs. He leaves her with the baby with no warning and no discussion. Will she convince him to come back and care for his sister’s baby? Will he drown in his own despair and just throw his money at the problems he doesn’t want to deal with? Will these two come to an understanding for the baby’s sake? This book will have you in tears! These two characters have a lot of issues to work through and money can’t help a single one! So what does a rodeo billionaire do when money can’t buy happiness? Read the book to find out!!

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Juliet’s Journey to Love (Great Smoky Mountain Getaways Book 1) by Elsie Davis – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

March 18, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Juliet’s Journey to Love by Elsie Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Juliet’s escape to the Great Smokey Mountains isn’t at all what she planned. She isn’t sure about her plans for her life, so she and two other women go on a hike of the Appalachian Trail. She leads her group through the trail so that they may get closer to nature and grow closer to God, but Juliet becomes ill a few days before the hike is due to end. Her friends must call for help and when said help arrives they aren’t sure what to make of their grizzly bear rescuer Jake. Jake doesn’t want them around. He doesn’t want anyone around. He helps Juliet but then in turn he falls ill. Not at all what was planned in deed! As a nurse, now it’s Juliet’s turn to help grizzly Jake. She is determined to help Jake weather he wants her to or not. She accepts a part time job to be closer to him and pushes him in ways that makes him want to run. When the truth comes out about some of her methods things get a bit murky. Can they get past their pasts and issues? Can they get over some fundamental beliefs and come to an understanding? Juliet has a life back home that waits for her, as she wades through waves of uncertainty and trust issues. Will she come to realize God’s purpose for her life or will her whole trip be a waste of time? Who knew that getting sick would upend her and Jake’s lives completely? Such a great book. Not my typical read, but glad I took a chance on it. Read to find out more about these two. I personally can’t wait to read the others in the set!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

February 18, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book caught me in it’s web and I couldn’t and didn’t want to break free until I finished it! I have never read a shifter book about spiders before and I am so glad I gave this one a chance! It was so good!! I said “one more chapter” until 1am and I was done. LOL! Aranha is the last of her kind. She’s a spider who is forever on the run from other super naturals who thought they killed out her kind long ago. She only preys on the worst people, so she can stay in the shadows and not draw attention to herself. Dag is a daywalker and one of the last ones left. His species is a dying bread as they have lost their only companions in the world with no other way to have children. Aranha walks into Dag’s bar and Aranha’s web spins out of control. She’s not sure she can trust him and he needs her help. Can a daywalker earn the trust of this scared spider and save a human from the vampires? They can’t believe that one another even exist, so working together might prove to hard. Aranha has only heard tales and doesn’t know what to expect from another species from The Garden of Eden. Dag sees a future for the first time in centuries, but will he scare her off before he can even explain? Boy oh boy, does this one just crawl up your spine. I for one would love to see this book turned into a movie! Hoping for more! I can see a great series with this one!!

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Journeys Through Collection (Volume 1-3) by James Talisman- Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

February 13, 2022/0 Comments/in Reviews /by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Journeys Through Collection: Volume 1-3 by James Talisman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 1:
Please excuse me while I go grab book two!!……. This book is so amazing! The way the author builds up his characters is wonderful. You can envision this unfolding! I didn’t want to put it down once I got into it. Definitely a page turner here!! I haven’t read many sci-fi type books, but I really enjoyed this one. Traveling through space time, meeting each character, and following along while their adventures unfold was very entertaining. I would definitely recommend this book to sci-fi lovers!!
Book 2:
Amazing Sci-fi Adventure Through Time&Space!
This book has been an experience for me. I haven’t read many Sci-fi Multiverse Space books, but let me tell you I was hooked in right away! The author takes such care building the characters up between book 1 & 2 that you can picture these three college friends (Matt, Julia, and Dan) joking around and poking fun at each other. He connects them in a way that shows you their friendship and how they handle their hardships together along their journey that it grabs you and you can’t wait to see who does what next! You don’t NEED to read book one before you read this book, BUT I really recommend reading it!!. Book one shows you so much about each character, their species, each of their journeys, and much of their training and abilities being learned and used throughout both books. I’m not going to spoil anything but I enjoyed all the details brought to life in this set. I can picture some of the scenes like they were on canvas. You can tell that the author really put time in building each character, the worlds and scenes, the spacecrafts and their technologies, and even the knowledge behind the teachings and meditations. Again I haven’t read many books of this type, so some of the space lingo I was new to, but I picked it up pretty fast and I’m so glad that I did. You will love this journey and the race to save the world and more. Will these college friends, with the help of others, save everyone in time? Will they survive all their trails along the way? Or will they fail and doom multiple worlds? Buckle up for a Journey through space and time!!
Book 3:
Will update review once finished….

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