Category Archives: Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children’s books, YA and novels

An animal’s life – Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier!

Posted on June 23, 2026 by jjspina

Do your children love dogs? Read Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier and learn about my beloved pet, Lucy. MOM’S CHOICE AWARD – SILVER MEDAL WINNER! This book is based on my dog, Lucy, who I had for 16 years. She … Continue reading →

Posted in animal stories, be kind to animals, Children’s Books, Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier, Pets, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

An unforgettable crustacean pet – Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab!

Posted on June 22, 2026 by jjspina

Do your children love crustaceans? I guarantee that they will love Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab. Clarence was a real crustacean that we had as a pet in our large fish tank. He was unusual and had to overcome some … Continue reading →

Posted in award-winning children’s books, Children’s Books, Children’s books for PS-Grade 3, Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jeffrey the Jittery Giraffe Teaches Children about being kind to others!

Posted on June 21, 2026 by jjspina

Jeffrey the Jittery Giraffe teaches valuable life lessons about being king to others, how to overcome something that frightens you and friendship is important. I wrote this story after meeting a woman at one of my book signings years ago. … Continue reading →

Posted in award-winning children’s books, Children’s Books, Children’s books for PS-Grade 3, Jeffrey the Jittery Giraffe, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A new home for the 95-gallon fish tank!

Posted on June 15, 2026 by jjspina

Recently we sold our 95-gallon fish tank to a lovely mother and son. Susan sent me a photo of the tank in its new home and another tank that she has. Thank you, Susan and Dan, for creating such a … Continue reading →

Posted in clown fish, fish, fish tanks, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer is here!

Posted on June 12, 2026 by jjspina

Before we went on vacation the weather was in the 50’s and 60’s F. Since we came back the heat is revving up and summer is here! This week it has been in the high 80’s! There were no bushes … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhododendron, roses, Summer flowers, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

We sold our 95 gallon fish tank!

Posted on June 11, 2026 by jjspina

I mentioned before that we were going to sell our fish tank. Well, we finally did to a lovely mother and son. We sold it on FB Marketplace. We had never sold anything there before and would recommend doing it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab, clown fish, fish, fish tanks, tropical fish, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A new review of Hunting Mariah – award-winning mystery/suspense/serial crime novel!

Posted on June 6, 2026 by jjspina

I recently received this lovely review on Goodreads of Hunting Mariah. I was thrilled to read it. Thank you, Shopia Burell, for taking the time to write this. I appreciate your kind words. I hope if you haven’t read this … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, crime/mystery/thriller, Hunting Mariah, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to business now – vacation is over!

Posted on June 5, 2026 by jjspina

Now that I am back from vacation, caught up with the emails (almost), regular mail, paying bills, and of course washing mountains of clothes, I will have to get back to my WIP, Gateskin Chronicles Book 6. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gateskin Chronicles, Mom’s Choice Awards - Gold Medals, Return of the Dragons: Gateskin Chronicles Book 4, Search for the Medallion (Gateskin Chronicles Book 3), The Legend of the Taken Ones (Gateskin Chronicles Book 1), The Powers of King Gateskin: Gateskin Chronicles Book 5, The Unknown Territory (Gateskin Chronicles Book 2), Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels, YA fantasy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Two-week Viking Cruise – Trade Routes!

Posted on June 4, 2026 by jjspina

We recently went on a two-week Viking Cruise to the Trade Routes. It was a wonderful trip and we saw some beautiful places. Here is our itinerary where we traveled below: Our first stop was Barcelona, Spain where we came … Continue reading →

Posted in travels, Travels & vacationing, Viking Cruise, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Books Read and Reviewed in May 2026!

Posted on June 3, 2026 by jjspina

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 May of 2026. Here are the 7 books I read and reviewed for May. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books read and reviewed, Monthly book reviews, Monthly Reads, Writing, book reviews and publishing, poetry, children's books, YA and novels | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments