Pages

▼

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #50

Today my Wordless Wednesday post is more wordless than it usually is. We got back from the States on Friday and I'm still recovering from the two days of flying. Here's photos of all of us at Disney's Animal Kingdom. I'll share more next week.

Sorry for the small HTML glitch on the lay-out of my blog last week and sorry that I haven't been around my computer much to keep in touch. I'll try to catch up as soon as I can. Enjoy your W.W.!

If you are planning to one day make a trip to Disney World, then you'll want to check out these 7 Essential Sites, which helped me plan ours.




Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!
If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link themon my Blog Hops page!
I would love for you to follow me on

Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

at No comments:

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #49

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Last week I shared photos of our Disney World's Magic Kingdom experience. Our second day at Disney's theme parks was at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I got four good pictures of our day to show you. You can also link your Wordless Wednesday below. 

We were very happy with the Kids’ Meals at the ABC Commissary, which is a counter service restaurant. It’s a healthier choice to many other places of its kind and it’s good value for money. All the Disney World theme parks offer lots of restaurant choices and some places are better than others, so go informed. A good site for this is the All Ears Disney Restaurant Menus and Prices.

If you are planning to one day make a trip to Disney World, then you'll want to check out these 7 Essential Sites, which helped me plan ours.

Amanda bought a baby Marie from the Aristocats.

This picture was taken outside of the Sci-Fi restaurant,
but we did not eat there. The lines were long.

Inside Toy Story Mania
This ride has the longest lines. We waited till
the lines were shorter (around 9 pm) and it
was worth it!

We are so glad that we could watch Fantasmic!
They had two showings the night we were there.
We went to the later one with less crowds.
It was a fabulous show!

Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!
If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link themon my Blog Hops page!
I would love for you to follow me on

Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.


at No comments:

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Return to Cardamom Blog Tour

Return to Cardamom Blog Tour

Welcome to the second day of a fantastic
middle grade eBook blog tour!

Return to Cardamom is also the second
eBook in the Cardamom series.

Read on to find out more!

All the cardamom pods on Planet Cardamom are dead. Their stems are crying and the grandfather trees don’t know exactly what happened, except that a vibration disturbance was felt throughout the forest. Did Alexander222 and Caramel's Aunt Isabel sabotage the elves’ crops? And, if so, how could they move about undetected on an entire planet of mind-reading elves? Find out in Return to Cardamom, the second book in the Caramel Cardamom Trilogy.

About Return to Cardamom


Return to Cardamom by Julie Anne Grasso

Title: Return to Cardamom (Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Book #2)

 Author: Julie Anne Grasso

 Publisher: Independent

 Publication Date: July 17, 2013

 Pages: 136 (Paperback)

 Recommended Age: 9+
Summary: Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking. She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything.

Purchase Return to Cardamom

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)


The Buzz About Book 1:
Escape From the Forbidden Planet

Escape from the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso

"Julie Anne Grasso has created an action-packed story featuring a range of interesting and imaginative characters (i.e., elves, the Alexanders, and other creatures), intergalactic travel, advanced medical and scientific technology, and complex environmental and conservation issues. Escape From the Forbidden Planet contains an intricate plot which slowly unfolds until you're hooked and you are left on the edge of your proverbial seat wondering what will happen next." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews, 5 Stars

 "It's part geeky, part science, and part fun, all brought together to become this awesome book called Escape From The Forbidden Planet. I would recommend this book to reading age kids and adults who like sci-fi kids books. Definitely something different. I really enjoyed reading it!" ~ Michael S., Amazon, 5 Stars

 "I loved this book. Super great series for middle graders. I loved Caramel. She has a great attitude and determination. I really admired how she was focused on getting home, saving her family but also made the best of being stuck on an alien planet. Definitely a book with great role models for kids. I really hope there is more to come where this came from. Kids need books like this with catchy stories, solid characters who have good values that they can relate to." ~ Unorthodox Mama, Goodreads, 5 Stars.


 *** Get your FREE COPY of Escape From the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso July 17 to 21, 2013. Available for 99 cents after July 21, 2013. ***


About the Author


Julie Grasso - Author

Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result.

Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.


Facebook page: Julie Anne Grasso Books
Twitter: @Jujuberry37
Goodreads Author: Julie Anne Grasso

Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Schedule (2013)

July 17
July 18
July 19
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
July 24
July 25
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31

*** Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Giveaway ***

Return to Cardamom by Julie Anne GrassoAmazon $50 Gift Card

Prize: One winner will receive a copy (print in U.S./Canada & e-copy interntionally) + a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash

 Contest runs: July 17th to August 7th, 11:59 pm, 2013

 Open: WW

 How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

 Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send us an email!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
at No comments:

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #48

We've been in Florida for the past few weeks, mostly visiting with our kids' grandparents. We also went to Disney World and had a great time. Here are pictures of our day at Magic Kingdom. My hubby took the first photo. I didn't take a lot of pictures, but we did a lot of things. The evening was a highlight with Cinderella's castle aglow with Disney scenes, awesome fireworks and Tinker Bell's flight.

If you are planning to one day make a trip to Disney World, then you'll want to check out these 7 Essential Sites, which helped me plan ours.

Me and the kids in front of the statue of
Walt Disney and Cinderella's Castle

Amanda met Alice from Alice in Wonderland
outside of the Mad Tea Party ride

Amanda sitting in her tea cup
(she's dressed as Cinderella)

Jessica, Samantha and Amanda together at night on the
Mad Tea Party ride. I liked being at the park after the sun
went down and the lines were shorter.

Amanda at Casey Jr. Splash 'N Soak Station
It was a hot day.

Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!
If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link themon my Blog Hops page!
I would love for you to follow me on

Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.



at No comments:

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #47

As you may already know, I'm in Florida with my family this summer. We're visiting my mom, step-dad and grandmother. My dad and step-mom will also come out to Florida to visit us. They live in Hawaii, another beautiful part of the world. These pictures are just an introduction to more photos of Matanzas that I've posted on my photography blog, 1camera1mom. I've saved the best for over there, so you won't want to miss them.

Amanda, always ready for the camera

Robbie (my hubby), Lisa (my mom), Samantha, Jessica,
Jeremiah and Ken (my step-dad)

I love Amanda's expression in this shot.
(You can click on the image to make it bigger.)



Ken took this photo of me with my mom and my eldest daughter
Don't forget to check out more great pics on 1camera1mom!

Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!
If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link themon my Blog Hops page!
I would love for you to follow me on

Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

at No comments:

Friday, July 5, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #43

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone from the U.S.A. enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July yesterday. It was Samantha's and Amanda's first time to experience it. Jeremiah and Jessica were so small when we celebrated our last one in 2000 that it was like a first for them too. We were with my mom, step-dad and grandmother in Palm Coast, Florida. I've got several pictures to share with you on how we celebrated this day.

Also, my kids have been growing up in South Africa where they have something called Freedom Day on June 16, which is a day to celebrate freedom from apartheid. It's a national holiday, but there aren't any banners or fireworks.
I'm linking with Friendship Friday.

Jessica and Amanda

Amanda in an outfit from a friend

Robbie (my hubby) and me

My mom, grandmother and me
Three generations

My step-dad, Jeremiah and Samantha

The grill master

My mom and Amanda
My grandmother's fabulous potato salad

Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More


It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!

at No comments: