Kyra Dawson ~ Eclectic Writer & Hopeful Philosopher Who Loves Movies, Reading & Exploring All Things Creative & Entertaining! “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” ~ Goethe
Salquin to the Rescue by Rosie Reay with illustrations by Candice McMullan
Stop the presses! The wait is over! Salquin to the Rescue has just been released as an EBook at Foden Press! The 2nd book in the popular The Chimona Chronicles series is written by children’s author Rosie Reay and illustrated by Candice McMullan. The story takes us back to the Okanagan Lakeside Resort in beautiful British Columbia, Canada to see all our friends from the 1st book in the series, How Kelvyn Got His Name, and to meet some new friends.
The story begins with a Thunder storm rolling in over the Okanagan Lake. It’s getting dark and all the boaters are starting to come in and return the boats they’ve rented for the day. Everyone is accounted for except a vacationing family from Scotland, and this sparks a brave plan to try and rescue them — if they can find them in the dark during a storm! But Chimona and Kelvyn are on the scene, and so is their new Blue Raven friend Salquin, a young First Nations boy with a knack for tracking and a trusty canoe. In addition to the search and rescue, a mystery is afoot. Another boat is missing, and no one can figure out who took it or where it could possibly be! Will the OLKs be able to find the family in time? And will the mystery of the missing boat ever be solved? And who do you think will solve the mystery?
This is a lovable story about furry, feathered, finned and human friends who all live around the lakeside community coming together to help a lost family. Kids will love reading about the intrepid Chimona, Kelvyn and Salquin and their adventures and mystery solving techniques. Great for travel reading and capturing the imaginations of the young reader and grandparents alike, Salquin to the Rescue is sure to please and entertain! Kids will enjoy gazing at the beautiful illustrations by talented artist Candice McMullan and will enjoy the bonus, full length poem Firelogs Burning. This original poem is also written by Rosie Reay, and poems are a unique trademark in The Chimona Chronicles series of books. Want to learn more about your favorite characters? It’s simple! Just visit the official website of Rosie Reay and The Chimona Chronicles series at www.Chimona.com and explore until your heart’s content!
So pick up a copy of Salquin to the Rescue today, and enjoy hours of reading and learning fun for the whole family! You can connect with Rosie Reay on Facebook and Twitter. Connect with Candice McMullan on Facebook. Just click on the links above!
Celebration of Light Grand Finale Fireworks_photo credit Tom Wiebe on Flickr_via Miss 604 dot com!
while listening to beautiful music, (this happens to be one of my most favorite pieces of music and one of my most favorite movies, A.I. . This was part of Spain’s music for the fireworks display. Click on the music link above to hear another favorite piece of music of mine that was also part of the display! And yes, you have seen the movie that made this piece of music famous — again. Nice pick for trailer music!)
suffered through a heat wave (we’re still suffering by the way!)
Said the Youngling to Me_Hey Mom we are roasting like a couple of chickens right?
— and let me tell you, Vancouver could be renamed Hades if it wasn’t so much fun — and visited the many spray and splash parks in Vancouver.
and tried to enjoy the now and quiet my busy, frazzled mind.
This is not a good look.
And now I am back.
Happiness is writing and it is who I am.
I hope you had a wonderful time while I was away, and if you haven’t manged to take a break, try and take one — even if it is a wee one — I know you deserve it!
I was writing my recap/review/thoughts on tonight’s episode, and I don’t know if it’s my new commitment to being healthy, the summer heat, or the quiet solitude of inner reflection that’s caught hold of me of late, but this episode has stirred up much thought. Too much to write down tonight in a coherent and concise manner.
Rest assured, my thoughts will arrive on this blog in post haste because I need to write it. But for now, know this…if you are not watching TrueBlood, you need to be, because TV doesn’t get any better than this. This I promise you!
And yes, tonight’s episode was major! It definitely blew my mind and I just know that this episode is just preparing you for next week. This is a juggernaut show my friends. Here’s a sneak peek at next week’s episode thanks to the cool folks at TrueBlood’s Nest.
Right out of the gate this book creeped me out. Being a brunette myself, the title alone was enough to scare me! This was a seriously good book.
Words like unhinged, grotesque, shocking, intriguing, and macabre were spinning through my head as I read the stunning and suspenseful pages. In this book, the lines between profiler and killer severely blur constantly. Cristyn West keeps you guessing, “Just WHO is the killer?” And just when you think you’ve figured it out, she takes you through to another labyrinthine twist.
I found myself wondering, “Just who is watching you?” This was a creepy, gritty, horrifying and shocking ride. Right until the last page I found myself exclaiming, “No way!” This book will make you jumpy, especially if you’re a brunette. You’ll find yourself checking your doors and windows, and looking over your shoulder. You’ll catch yourself watching everyone around you, wondering……
The suspense is drawn out to the last drop, right up until you discover the shocking truth! To catch a killer, just how far would you go? Read Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware and you will discover that there’s a fine line between madness and genius!
You know how they say the Universe conspires to bring you the things you desire? (The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho) I believe this to be true. (My Youngling is the most precious and beloved gift I have ever wished for and received.)
I believe that family may agree to disagree, love you flaws and all, and be your biggest fans and supporters. Family believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself, and are there to pick you up off the cobblestones when you can’t walk anymore. (Did I ever tell my sisters just how fabulous they really are? What would I ever do without you? You, dear sisters, have been my rock and know my heart best.)
I also believe that true and dear friends (who I also consider my family) come into your life to help you grow and broaden your horizons. They perform unexpected acts of service that come from the heart with no desire or expectation for recompense. They may even help you to sprout wings you didn’t know you had and fly. (Thank you friends for being the extended family I always hoped for but never dared to dream I could have.) They also share great books with you. (Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Connected Parenting by Jennifer Kolari)
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I also believe that there are people who touch your life only briefly but have profound meaning and messages to share. Today someone I will always remember, though I may never see them again said something to me that changed my life. (In regards to how my Youngling feels about me: “You are the love of her life.” Thank you for that, because I never thought of it that way. You are an amazing teacher.)
I believe I have been truly, truly blessed and fortunate in my life. So today I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes with you, dear reader. A quote from one of the people on the list of things I believe in. May it be as profound for you as it was for me, and make as much of a difference for you in your journey as it has made for me today.
“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I believe that today was truly a wonderful day. What do you believe in?
How many of you remember Anne McCaffrey? I do. I discovered AM’s books when I was in grade 4. Grade 4 for me was the year I discovered the true magic of books. I don’t remember much of library time for grades 1 to 3. Grade 3 for me was the Year of the Writer. It’s when I discovered I wanted to be writer. But grade 4, oh grade 4! Grade 4 was the Year of the Great Books. I felt like an explorer discovering a whole new world and all the many possibilities that abounded within that new world. I discovered C.S. Lewis and Anne McCaffrey. Her magical world of Pern and the stories of the Dragonriders were for me an ethereal escape. Those books made a huge impression on me. I devoured the books as soon as I could get my hands on them. It was one of the many books that inspired the love of libraries and reading in me. Oh, to see Anne McCaffrey’s world of Pern with its Dragonriders on the big screen would be a treat indeed.
Even thinking about it now, I’m transported back to a magical world of Weyrfolk and dragons, Holders and Holds, Crafthalls, the Holdless and Thread. Even now I wish I was one of the Weyrfolk, a Dragonrider who will soon form a bond by Impression with a new Gold Queen dragon hatchling.
With movies like DragonHeart, Eragon and How To Train Your Dragon, now would be the perfect time to adapt a novel of Pern into a movie! With the amazing advances in CGI and 3D technology it’s totally do - able!
~P.S.~ I wonder if Christopher Paolini, the author of Eragon, got his telepathy idea from AM. Or is it just a given part of Dragon Lore? Either way, I like it. I like it a lot.
Early Sketch for Kyra Dawson's First Children's Chapter Book
So, my very first children’s chapter book is due out this year — very soon as a matter of fact. First as an E-Book, of course, before we get to actual lovely pages! It’s currently in the illustration phase. I’m so excited! Here’s an early image. Enjoy!
This week it’s a double whammy! The Youngling recommends How To Train Your Dragon the movie and the books! She really liked them both. The movie was really engaging, funny and heartwarming. It really captured my Youngling’s imagination. Ever since she saw the movie, she can’t stop drawing, painting and pretending to be a “baby” dragon. Her favorite dragon was of course Toothless, the Night Fury.
The I Can Readseries of books from Harper are great for kids. My Youngling was very eager to get the book after seeing the movie.
They say a writer is tortured when they are not writing. I believe that to be true. That being said, more writing is coming and very soon. I have a very cool interview with Daniel Henshaw arriving very, very soon. Also, there will be some changes happening with The Scribe’s Desk. Not too sure yet exactly what or how, but rest assured, change is inevitable!
Also, exciting news on an upcoming book release! I am very stoked about that one!
The world’s attention is focused on the horribly, devastating earthquake in Haiti. Please don’t forget to donate, and there are many reputable organizations to send help through like the Red Cross. George Clooney is having a telethon to raise money to help the people of Haiti aptly named Hope For Haiti. Bono, Justin Timberlake, Sting, Christina Aguilera, and Alicia Keys are some of the names that will be performing at this worldwide concert event.
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean will be cohosting this event and the goal is to reassure Haiti that the whole world is paying attention to their dire need. With almost 40 stars rumored to be participating, I’m sure that a lot of people will pay attention. Remember every dollar counts, so give anything you can. Tune in Friday, January 22 at 8pm EST on MTV, CNN, NBC, HBO, ABC, CBS, FOX, BET, CW, VH1, CMT as well as internationally.
