Amanda's Books and More: May 2014

Thursday, May 29, 2014

My Favorite Way to Exercise and More!

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #84!

My favorite way to exercise is taking the dog for a walk. I'm really not a very brave person when it comes to exercise. I like my comforts more. Usually, if one of Amanda's older siblings join me, then it becomes a great way to have a little one-on-one time and to chat about whatever. All of Amanda's siblings are teenagers.

The photos below are of a recent walk that I took with Amanda and our dog, Benny. You can click on the images to view them larger.

Linking with:

Friendship Friday

Finish the Sentence Friday

Essential Fridays Linkup

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Check out my latest book review of this exciting

new middle-grade action/adventure fantasy series!

Book 2: In the Enemy's Service

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Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

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

Google+

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook

Here are the easy rules:

Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.

Blog Button Code:

This is a blog hop!

In the Enemy's Service and More!

In the Enemy's Service

My Review:

I recently discovered this exciting new middle-grade fantasy series by Annie Douglas Lima. She sent me a free digital copy of her second book, In the Enemy's Service, for my honest review.

The main character in this story is a 10-year-old girl named Anya. She's small for her age, but she's able to hold her own in an adult world where corruption and murder are rife.

Anya wants to do what is right, but in her need to survive and to help her country succeed against its enemies, she learns to lie. Sometimes her lies get her into trouble.

Even though this is the second book in a great action/adventure fantasy series, you don't need to read them in order, because each book stands alone. Usually that is not the case with books in a series.

This book does contain violence and people die in the story. It's certainly not sugar-coated in the telling. Some kids might be more sensitive than others, so parents should keep that in mind. I think kids in grade 5 and up will enjoy reading this book. Even adults will enjoy it.

Purchase

* Amazon Kindle * Other eBook Versions * Paperback *

Annie's latest book in the series has just been published! It's called, Prince of Malorn. You can find out more about it on Annie's blog here.

About the Author

Click on the Picture to Contact or Find Out More About Annie Douglass Lima

Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches 5th grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published six books (three YA action adventure/fantasy and three anthologies of her students' poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of the book, In the Enemy's Service, for my honest review.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

DIY Dad, #DadBrags and #WW Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #92!

Today is my husband's birthday! He's a great father and wonderful husband. He puts God and his family first and that is what makes us strong. My husband's favorite word of advice is, "Be quick to say sorry." I think a lot of men never say sorry, but he has been a role model to us in this regard.

Lately, he's been doing a lot of touch-ups around the home. We have jumped in to help here and there too. Our keenest helper is little Amanda. So, today's photos are of my husband, Robbie, the DIY Dad. There's also one with our dog, Benny, and several with Amanda helping her dad.

I wish him a super Happy Birthday and early Father's Day blessings! I'll let the pictures tell the story. Also, I recently shared some photos of My Family and My Home, so make sure you visit that link if you want to see more.

Check out this fabulous website

on building and home designs

Today's Homes

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Here is a peek at my

The Button Code:

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Disclaimer: I agreed to include the link for Today's Homes for a small fee.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Amanda and Her Cat with Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #83!

Amanda loves her cat, Sheela. She gives her lots of affection and takes good care of her. Amanda is wearing her gymnastics leotard. She takes an introductory rhythmic gymnastic class twice a week. Her sisters took rhythmic years ago and it really helped them with flexability. Amanda's classes started this year and after a few months, she can do the splits.

Click on the images to view them larger.

Linking with Friendship Friday

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Enter to win $50

on my latest book review,

GG and Mamela!

This story gives children the sense of

belonging in a multi-generational family.

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Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

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

Google+

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook

Here are the easy rules:

Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
Link up your family friendly blog.
Please try to add my hop button on your linked 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.

Blog Button Code:

This is a blog hop!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Amanda at Play with #WW Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #91!

Last week I shared photos

of my family and my home.

Today's pictures are of

Amanda at play in her

bedroom. She shares a

room with her sister,

Samantha.

Amanda got a Disney Elsa shirt.

We love the movie, Frozen.
She and I still listen and
and sing-a-long to the
songs on YouTube,
especially to "Let it Go."

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Check out my latest book review:

GG and Mamela w/ $50 Giveaway!

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Here are is a peek at my

The Button Code:

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Monday, May 19, 2014

GG and Mamela Blog Tour with $50 Giveaway

GG and Mamela Blog Tour

with $50 Giveaway!

About the Book

Title: GG and Mamela | Author: Belinda Brock | Illustrator: Avi Katz | Publication Date: April 15, 2014 | Publisher: Lamb Press | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 4 to 10

Summary: This picture book celebrates the loving relationship between Lily and her great-grandmother (GG) as her life starts to slow and wind down in hospice. GG and Mamela illustrates how strength and comfort can be found through love, family and tradition. This book offers a gentle and open-ended way to start a conversation about death and dying, as well as introduce the concept of hospice care. The talented, award-winning artist, Avi Katz, provides beautifully-rendered illustrations that perfectly complement this heartwarming story. The book concludes with GG's recipe for chicken soup and an afterword by clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Brock.

Purchase

Amazon | Author Website

My Review

GG and Mamela is a wonderful book for children who are blessed to know their great-grandparents or even grandparents. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a tender relationship between a child (Mamela) and her great-grandmother (G.G.). The child learns stories about her family from her G.G.'s photo album (picture book) and learns her G.G.'s chicken soup recipe with its secret ingredient.

This story gives children the sense of belonging in a multi-generational family. It also teaches the value of elderly people and touches on the topic of death.

This story is especially heart-warming for me, because my daughter who is six got to meet my grandmother who is nearly eighty-six last summer. They played Uno and watched children's movies together. It was really sweet watching the relationship grow between them. Unfortunately, we live far away, so Amanda hasn't seen her since. I got a bit tearful at the end of the story, knowing that my grandmother will also one day pass away.

Amanda got excited when she saw that there was a recipe at the end of the story. She pointed to all the items that she recognized and asked me the other ones. I had to promise her that we would make it one day soon.

Here's the delicious Chicken Soup Recipe as promised!

The Early Buzz

"...simple but emotionally resonant illustrations...a nice, true-to-life touch...The book pairs an ethereal illustration with lyrical text, which truly captures the healing, transporting power of music in this setting. A welcome addition to children's literature about death and dying." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The author takes a difficult subject and weaves a story full of life lessons. The universal themes of life, death, family, loss,and chicken soup are shared through a child's eyes and remind us that even after one dies, love remains." ~ Jamie O'Malley, President and CEO, Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter

"GG and Mamela is a large helping of Chicken Soup for the heart and soul. It helps children cope with the death of a loved one in gentle and understanding terms. Belinda Brock has done a great service for children and parents alike." ~ Rabbi Evan Moffic, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Solel and Author

"This is a WONDERFUL story for families who are grappling with loss, death and dying. This is a wonderful story about a special relationship between a girl and her great grandmother at the end of her beautiful life. Very moving story, perfect for children!!" ~ 5 Star Review, Laura, Goodreads

About the Author:

Belinda Brock

Currently a writing coach and free-lance editor, Belinda Brock's background is in teaching and educational publishing. She loves the intersection of literature and art found in picture books and believes their appeal and benefit extend beyond childhood. She also enjoys farmers' markets, dreaming up soup recipes and Meatless Mondays. Although she didn't become a librarian as she once considered, she is the sponsor and steward of the Little Free Library in her city. She has been known to stay up past her bedtime reading. Belinda writes about literacy, children and books on her blog--grandbooking--at http://belindabrock.com and also at Highland Park Sun-Times where you can check out this great interview with Belinda.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: June 6, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 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. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Belinda Brock and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.

Friday, May 16, 2014

My Family, My Home and More

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #82!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave a sweet comment. Also,
share this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Today I am linking with
Finish the Sentence Friday
and Friendship Friday

"The nicest thing anyone ever did for me was..."

...to buy us a house. And, it's a really good
house with beautiful views and a swimming pool.
It's also an income property with a two-bedroom
flat downstairs that has always been rented out.

You don't have to buy me a house for me to
notice a kindness. In fact, when I first
saw the sentence to finish this week, I
wasn't sure what I was going to write.
I appreciate the small things people have
done for me and usually tell them so.

So, you might be wondering who would by us a
house. It was my mom-in-law. This house
has been a huge blessing. Here are some
photos to give you a glimpse of my home.