I recently posted about our Puffer fish coming down with Ick. Well, it is a sad day for us. We lost Puffer. He went to the big Fish Heaven to join all the other fish that we have lost in the past. It was so difficult to watch him suffer but John did all he could to help him recover with medicine for Ick and water changes. Nothing worked. He was destined to leave us after being afflicted.
The other fish are still hanging in there. John has not begun to break down the large tank 95 gallon and set up a much smaller one in the kitchen for the four fish that are left. They are much smaller than Puffer and can survive in a smaller tank. We plan to sell off the large tank along with the rocks and other stuff that go with it in case anyone is interested in it.
Here is the last photo I took of Puffer in the tank.
He never lost his colors even as he suffered. Most fish when they are dying lose their colors and turn white. He was so large that we couldn’t flush him and had to put him in a baggie and wrap him up well in the trash. He will begin to stink unfortunately but our trash will go out in a few days. Sigh!
It’s really tough to see them out of the tank and still. My husband takes care of that part of the situation. I helped him by keeping the baggie opened so he could fit Puffer inside. Ugh! He was beginning to smell already. I will miss seeing him eating with such gusto and actively swimming around the tank. I don’t think the other fish will miss him as much because he ate all the food that was dropped into the tank.
Well, I will sign off and let you know how the other fish are doing in their smaller tank. I will snap some pics after John finishes with the process. There is still a lot to do for him with adding the salt and making sure that the water is perfect for them.
Thank you for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon where there is always something brewing at JemsBooks!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
My newest book in the Gateskin Chronicles series is now in paperback format! Check out this newest book as THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE in this magical and epic fantasy series. The cover was created by my husband, John. The photo was one that I snapped of a sunset creating the effect of a fire. We thought it was perfect for this cover. I hope you like it as much as we do.
King Gateskin’s powers are tested in this epic fantasy series. There are some surprises with the dragons. Botular is trouble as usual, and Dragonaria discovers a secret that King Gateskin did not want revealed yet.
There is magic, mayhem, and danger in each chapter to keep readers engrossed. The King’s children use their powers not always in a smart way and put themselves at risk.
The chest is a problem with the Wizards who are concerned that there is more to the beams of light than first discovered. Will the evil wizard return to claim the chest that holds the Medallion and possibly something else?
If you haven’t read any of this series yet, please begin with book 1 to get into the action, adventure, and magical fantasy. This is a multi-award-winning series with three Gold Medals from @Mom’s Choice Awards, one Maincrest Media Award, and one Book Excellence Award.
LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN AND CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SERIES! Once you begin, you will be hooked! Enjoy the magic, mayhem, mystery, adventures, dragons, wizards, fairies, sprites, and all the unusual happenings and creatures that lurk along the borders of this province, Keep a lookout for them. They may be closer than you think!
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon because there is always something brewing at JemsBooks!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
I joined a great group of authors – Authors Supporters Authors – moderated by a lovely person – Eleanor Wagner. Each week we have a Meet the Author with a different author introducing themselves and their work. It is a time to gift books and share a little about ourselves.
During my week – April 6 – April 10, 2026, I will offer a free eBook of The Misunderstood Angel: Branyrd the Angel Series Book 1. It is also offered to any of my readers who see this. Grab your copy for this week only.
FIVE STAR REVIEW – READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS! Â This is not a children’s book. Branyrd is a different kind of angel. She has a difficult time being understood because of her habit of getting into all kinds of trouble and for her unacceptable language. Angels are not supposed to swear.
This angel must earn levels to be accepted by the LORD. She is presently at Angel Fourth Class and must ascend to Angel First Class in order to be given a mission to travel to Earth to help a human in trouble.
Once she reaches Angel First Class, she is given a mission and travels to Earth to help a battered woman and her child. Since she is so new to the ways on Earth, Branyrd is accompanied by her Guardian Angel Benedicto, Angel First Class on High, who guides and advises her.
Branyrd doesn’t know what she will do or how she will complete this mission. She must show her strengths and succeed, or she may be demoted. What she finds on Earth is not what she expected. It certainly is nothing like Heaven. There are dangerous people but also those who she will miss dearly when she must leave.
Grab your copy of The Misunderstood Angel: Branyrd the Angel Series Book 1 and get into the world of Branyrd, a memorable and amazing angel with a twist. Once you read book 1 you will be hooked and want to read the whole series to find out what Branyrd will do next. She will inspire you and give you hope, for anything is possible if you just believe.
Thank you for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon where there is always something brewing at JemsBooks!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
Wishing everyone a blessed Easter. This is a time when we gather together with family to celebrate that Jesus has risen! We are thankful for the time we have together. Our extended families only get together three times a year – Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each time is precious.
How do you celebrate this holiday?
We will have plenty of food at my sister’s house, an Easter egg hunt, and I have crocheted some little bunny bags below for the kids. I love to see their eyes when I hand them a bag of goodies and a little money tucked inside. I will also gift some of my books to those who have not received the latest ones.
I pray that your Easter is special, memorable, and filled with blessings. God bless you!
Books make perfect gifts for any holiday. That is what I do for all my family.
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon because there is always something brewing at JemsBooks.
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
We had a shock recently with our Puffer fish. He evidently got sick with Ick which is a thing that fish can get. We don’t know how he got it since all the rest of the fish in the tank are healthy.
This is what I read on Google about Fish Ick:
Fish ick (or Ich), caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, is a highly contagious, deadly disease characterized by tiny white spots resembling sand on fish skin and gills. It causes severe stress, leading to “flashing” (rubbing on objects) and labored breathing. Treatment involves raising water temperature and using medications like Fritz Aquatics or aquarium salt.
Key Facts About Fish Ick:
Symptoms:Â White, sand-like spots on the body, fins, and gills; increased flashing; lethargy; and, in late stages, labored breathing.
Cause: The protozoan parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis burrows into the fish’s skin, causing a white, pustule-like reaction.
Lifespan:Â The life cycle depends on temperature, taking roughly 3-7 days to complete in tropical temperatures, spreading rapidly throughout a tank.
Treatment:Â The parasite is only vulnerable in its free-swimming stage. Common treatments include:
Increasing temperature:Â Raising temperatures (e.g., to 82 F to 86 F or 28 C)
This speeds up the life cycle, making them more vulnerable to medication.
Medications:Â Using proprietary medicines containing ingredients like malachite green or copper.
Salt:Â Using aquarium salt can help inhibit the parasite and ease fish breathing.
Prevention:Â The best approach is to quarantine new fish for 2-3 weeks, maintain high water quality, and avoid overcrowding to reduce stress.
Without treatment, ick can be fatal to all fish in a tank within a week.Â
That is not all! We woke up to find him blown up like a balloon! That is what Puffer fish do when they are stressed! I know the feeling I blow up all the time even when I am not stressed. It is quite a sight to see. Here are some photos of him in that stage and as he tried to calm himself down to return to normal size. John put in some medicine to stop the Ick which appeared to help but now he is not looking happy and floating at the bottom of the tank. His color is excellent but he is still not feeling well. He may need another dose of the medicine.
He was trying to hide I think from me as his body returned to normal.Here are some photos below of him in his normal size.
We are anxiously watching him and praying that he makes it and that the rest of the fish will not succumb to Ick too. Yikes! We have dealt with a die out before for other reasons but never for Ick. I feel like a parent who worries about her children. It is a sad thing to say goodbye to another fish but we will not give up hope that Puffer will pull through. He is strong and quite large and appears to be fighting for his life.
I will keep you informed about how Puffer is doing. Keep him in your prayers. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon because there is always something brewing at JemsBooks!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
I am happy to announce that my newest book in the Gateskin Chronicles Series is now here in Kindle format, The Powers of King Gateskin: Gateskin Chronicles Book 5! Cover by John Spina.
Grab your copy and get into the world of Gateskin where anything can happen and there is always magic, mystery, mayhem, and plenty of dragons and unusual creatures roaming around the province. Watch your back and keep your eyes and ears open and be prepared because anything can happen here.
King Gateskin’s powers are tested in this epic fantasy series. There are some surprises with the dragons. Botular is trouble as usual, and Dragonaria discovers a secret that King Gateskin did not want revealed yet.
There is magic, mayhem, and danger in each chapter to keep readers engrossed. The King’s children use their powers not always in a smart way and put themselves at risk.
The chest is a problem with the Wizards who are concerned that there is more to the beams of light than first discovered. Will the evil wizard return to claim the chest that holds the Medallion and possibly something else?
This series has received four Gold Medals from @Mom’s Choice Awards, one Maincrest Media Award, and one Book Excellence Finalist Award.
Begin with,The Legend of the Taken Ones: Gateskin Chronicles Book 1and LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN! There are five books in this series, and the last book will be coming later this year or early next year. There is plenty of magic, mysteries, wizards, fairies, sprites, dragons and unusual creatures that roam the province and cause havoc for King Gateskin. Travel to Novella Province and hop on the magical ride through this entertaining and award-winning series!
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon because there is always something brewing at JemsBooks!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
Here it is already the end of another month. Where does the time go? I have been busy as usual reading some wonderful books for the month of March of 2026. Here are the 8 books I read and reviewed for March. I might have read even more if I didn’t have a few WIP. But I always seemed to have a WIP! That fact never stops me! I hope you enjoy reading these reviews.
I love sharing my eclectic reads in this Jemsbooks Segment, Books Read in the Month. I hope you will get a chance to look over these books soon. Thank you for your kind support of my work and that of my fellow authors.
If you are an avid reader, as I am, please review the books you love on Amazon or wherever you purchased them for others to enjoy your reviews. Reviews are one way for readers to know about an exceptional book. We indie authors love to receive reviews and appreciate the efforts of readers to do them. Once again, I thank you for your kind support of me and my books and for supporting my fellow authors too.
When I wrote these reviews I rated them on Amazon, Goodreads and sometimes Barnes & Noble. I did not include the ratings here though. It is best to share my thoughts with you about how I felt about the book without the rating. Ratings can be deceiving at times.
We all feel differently about books. Sometimes we love them, sometimes we like them and still other times we may dislike a book. Some other books are so memorable they take your breath away! While still others are sweet, sensitive, and enjoyable reads that we soon will forget. But all these books I have reviewed were lovely reads as you can see from my reviews. I hope you enjoy my reviews and that they will help you to decide what will be your next read.
The Templar Detective is an interesting mystery, thriller, full of action, adventure, murder, intrigue, written in modern England but still it evidences the courage, determination and godly manner of the Templar Detectives who despite what they had done in the past, seek to help those who are in need.
The Templar Detective, Marcus, returns home to France after learning that his sister has died. She has left two young children without a parent. Marcus feels compelled to leave his post and take a break as a Templar Knight to raise her children. He brings with him his trusty squires who are dedicated to assisting him in all his trials.
This was a book that I purchased for my husband who loves anything about history. When I picked it up to check it out, I was hooked. I love the main protagonist who solves a mystery and saves many innocent people. I am now reading book 2 to find out what he will do next.
The Templar Detective book 2 is another well-crafted story in this intriguing series of a Templar who is a detective solving mysteries and putting wrongs to rights in the same time frame as the first book. In this tale the Templar assists an adulteress who claims to be innocent. As the story moves along there are many more individuals that he feels compelled to help. He must fulfill his role as a Templar while at the same time caring for his late sister’s two children and another child who is without family.
This is a wonderful series that kept me riveted by the resilience and never-ending energy and determination to complete each task that the Templar is given along with his trusty squires who are dedicated to staying by his side through whatever comes their way. I look forward to the next book in this series.
The Book of Six is a space opera with plenty of action, adventure, sex situations with intergalactic species, and wars among the different planets. There are intriguing characters such as Gali and Sonos who are discovering one another and finding that what you see does not always depict what you truly are. Sonos is known as a butcher and had killed his share of others until he meets someone with whom he feels a kinship and may want as a mate. This is book 1 in this series that, I’m sure, will have plenty more adventures between the species and wars raging as the fights for dominance and power continues.
This genre is not my usual choice of a read but I enjoyed it minus all the explicit sex and language.
To Rescue the American Spirit is a moving, comprehensive, and compelling story of this great American president, Teddy Eisenhower, a fearless fighter and patriot who was dedicated to building a strong nation.
Brett Baier created a wonderful book describing Roosevelt’s life, loves, family, political career, failures, successes and his incredible accomplishments. It was like a walk through history. Many events I remember from my schooldays in history class while others I did not.
It resonates with our present day world and events. I highly recommend reading this book as a reminder of the power of our culture and how each person can make a difference in our world.
Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay is a story full of love, loss, and grief after a writer loses her husband. She had written a story previously about a husband going for a run and being hit by a car just as her husband had lost his life. She begins to think that she was responsible for his death.
She fears that if she writes another story that it may come true also, but she soon writes a story to try to bring closure to her grief and at the same time a new love in her life. There is such a thing as deja vu and kismet but how far will the main protagonist take her beliefs?
An intriguing premise that kept me guessing how it would end.
The Kill Clause is a short story with plenty of action and murder as the main protagonist, a hired killer, has to make decisions about what her life has come to when she has to kill someone who has a young daughter in the house. Paige has to make decisions about her life and where it is going. Can she go on doing this?
Her past has determined how troubled she is after being pushed from one foster home to another. The person responsible for training her to be an assassin enlisted her when she saw how vulnerable she was as a young woman. Paige compares herself to Santa Clause because she can slip inside houses unseen and not heard but anything but jolly.
A gripping short story that had an intriguing ending.
Summer Island is a beautiful and memorable story of family, love, loss, and forgiveness. It is a touching and emotional family saga that tore at my heart.
Hannah does it again with this stirring and heartbreaking family saga. It details how important one’s upbringing is to one’s health and emotional wellbeing.
I highly recommend this lovely and emotional read.
The Last Father-Daughter Dance is a moving, tender and emotional story between a daughter and the love of her father as he is near death. The father wants to leave his daughter with precious memories of their last days together and requests that they make a trip to his favorite place in the country and celebrate all seasons in one short time.
It was touching and heartwarming to see how much he wanted her to remember him in all seasons after he was gone. It did end abruptly leaving me wondering what was going to happen or what I was seeing was really true. I did enjoy it though up to that point but wanted more.
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post. Please come back again soon. There is always something brewing at JemsBooks.
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
It is officially spring but it still doesn’t feel like it outside. Inside my plants are doing well and some are flowering in celebration of spring and also because I give them fertilizer.
I look forward to seeing the trees sprout buds and flowers then leaves and the grass greening up to welcome the birds to capture the worms that are coming out of their holes.
In the meantime, I will share my plants that are looking green. One plant that my husband cut or should I say scalped is coming back. It somehow manages to survive his decapitation of its branches. Thank goodness! Here are some photos for you.
The bush that was scalped is in the top right hand corner. Only one of my cacti plants is flowering at this time. It is housed down in our finished basement where it is colder than upstairs. But somehow it likes this environment while the one upstairs is in a warmer area. Who can figure? I know that the dessert is hot during the day and colder at night. Maybe that is why it likes the cooler temps. I’m just happy to see it doing so well and better than the one upstairs.
My husband likes to buy me flowers at the market each week. See the vases above. This particular bunch of flowers is already three weeks old. I only had to take out the roses and some greens that had dried but the rest is doing well. I added a few more flowers this past week to it. See the flowers above in the two photos, one above the other. The lower one is the original bunch and the upper one is the one that has some more flowers that I added minus the roses. It still looks beautiful!
I hope wherever you live that you have are having good weather and feeling spring in the air. For those of you who are in the winter, I’m sorry. I am happy to be out of the cold and snowy winter we had this year. The one positive thing though is that we won’t be in a drought this year as we have been in the past due to all the snowfall we had to endure.
Thank you for stopping by to read this post. I hope my flowers lifted your spirits if they were down. Wishing everyone a Happy Easter who celebrate and for those who celebrate different holidays, I wish all of you blessings.
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
I recently saw this mural on a wall when I attended a show at the Palace Theater in Manchester, NH. I had to snap a few photos of it to share with you. It reminded the importance of reading to your children.
I love the child on his father’s lap who appears engrossed in the story that his father is reading to him. That is what makes me happy – to see a child enraptured by a story.
I hope you read to your children as often as you can. It is so important as I have mentioned in many of my posts. I always found that the stories I read to my children came alive for me too as I watched their eyes and the joy in their faces. It filled my heart to bursting. That is one of the reasons why I love to read.
If you love to see your children happy, try to spend a little time each night at bedtime to read to them. You will gain as much from this time with them as they will gain with you.
I have some children’s books, MG/PT/YA books if you are interested in purchasing any for your children. I will autograph them and include a colorful bookmark created by my husband. I wish you many wonderful reading times and precious memories that will last a lifetime for you and your children.Contact me by my email below and put in Subject Line – book purchase. I hope to hear from you soon! I have a limited amount of each book so hurry and order yours today!
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
Do you love fantasy? Have you read any of Gateskin Chronicles series? Maybe it’s time for you to get onboard and LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN! Begin with book 1 and continue through book 4. Book 5 is coming your way soon where THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE!
PROMO BELOW BY BMGN
This series has won six book awards – 4 Mom’s Choice Awards – Gold Medals, one Maincrest Media Award, and one Book Excellence Finalist Award. Recommend by @MOMSCHOICEAWARDS!
WATCH FOR BOOK 5 COMING MARCH OR APRIL THIS YEAR – Where the magic, mystery, wizards, fairies, Sprites, dragons, and unusual creatures exist in the Noella Province! There is always something happening. Don’t close your eyes or you might miss something! Don’t turn around for something could be on your tail! Don’t hold your breath because it could be the last time you breathe!
Read what others are saying about this series.
Gateskin Book 1Taken Ones Gateskin Book 2Gateskin Book 2Gateskin Book 3Gateskin Book 4
Once you begin the series you will not be able to put it down. Happy reading!
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon. There is always something brewing at JemsBooks!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
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