Friday, August 29, 2014

Home Decor 1 and #Weekend #Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #96!


My Living and Dining
Room Decor - Part 1

Everyone has different tastes when it comes to decorating their homes. Our decor evolved over time. When we moved into our current home six years ago, we didn't have a plan on how we were going to make it beautiful. This home had pale yellow walls and red bricks. I had one large batik from Kenya, which my husband framed himself after we moved in and hung it in the dining room. It had the same color schemes as the home. We took our cue from that and the rest kind of followed.






*********************

Check out my latest book review:
Prince of MalornAnnals of Alasia
Middle-Grade Fantasy Series

.


*********************

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...

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

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!


Read More

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Prince of Malorn

Prince of Malorn
Third book in the
Annals of Alasia
by Annie Douglass Lima


About the Book:

One major obstacle stands between seventeen-year-old Prince Korram and the throne that is his birthright: Regent Rampus. Temporary ruler of Malorn, Rampus has no intention of giving up his position when the crown prince comes of age – or of allowing the prince to live long enough to reach that age.

Desperate to build an army of his own to stand against the regent, Korram treks into the Impassable Mountains to try to recruit the one segment of Malornian society not under Rampus’s control. But can he lead a band of untrained hunters and gatherers to victory against the full might of the Malornian military? Or will they all be crushed by the grasping hand of the regent before the prince can claim his rightful throne?



My Review:


A few months back, I had the privilege of reviewing the second book in the Annals of Alasia: In the Enemy's Service. I was so excited when Annie gave me the third book to review too. What's really neat about all three books is that they overlap and can be read in any order.

Prince of Malorn did not move as quickly as the second book did, but I enjoyed it more. If you like survival type stories and if you have an interest in anthropology, then this book will give you something to feast on. Even though it is fantasy, there are many things that made it feel real. Annie builds her characters and develops the people and places of her world

I can tell that a lot of research has gone into her storytelling. Annie writes about survival in the wild and combat maneuvers in detail. I could really picture what she was describing. Little details weren't left out, like how the floor in a tavern was sticky under the shoes. These little tidbits help the reader live the story along with the characters.

This was a vividly interesting and enjoyable read. I recommend Prince of Malorn for children ages 11 and up, including adults.

Purchase:



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Annie Douglass Lima

Click on the Picture to Contact or Find Out More About Annie Douglass Lima
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 fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published six books (three in the Annals of Alasia and three anthologies of her students’ poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.

by Annie Douglass Lima



Read More

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Photos with a #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #105!

Pictures from this past week:


Sheela, Amanda's cat, is the cutest sleeper.

Jessica dresses up to stay home and bake oatmeal cookies.

Amanda can touch her toes to her nose.

Amanda went to the Dinosaur Museum
in Cape Town with her class, so this
week has been all about dinosaurs.



***************************

Wine tasting in the Breedekloof
wine valley on 1camera1mom.


***************************

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!


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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
  • If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's 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.



Read More

Friday, August 22, 2014

A Poem and #Weekend #Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #95!


I have a poetry blog that sits quietly on the web.
If you like poems, you can visit the link and




Our lives are like stories acted out in a play
Yet at times those stories get jumbled in some way
Maybe we read the wrong script or misread how it goes
And then find ourselves caught in the middle of life’s throws

To him that overcomes is victory living
Our strength comes from God and He keeps on giving
No man can go down where God cannot go
And God is a jealous God, His love He will show

If we miss out on the best, that’s not the end to our story
All things work together for the good to God’s glory
He came to give us life and life abundantly
It’s a joy-filled life He’s given both you and me

He knows we’ll get hurt and experience life’s stings
So He reminds us not to focus on these things
But to focus on Him is life evermore
And He’ll bring us to that glorious shore

The story is not over, it’s just begun
The race is not finished till the crown is won

by Christina Morley


*********************

In case you missed it,
here's last week's post

Source: RGB Stock
mi40mFw.jpg
by Jacub Krechowicz  


*********************

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...

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

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!



Read More

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Copy-Cats and #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #104!


Copy-Cats




***************************

Our latest outing on 1camera1mom...


***************************

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!


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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
  • If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's 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.


Read More

Friday, August 15, 2014

Free Stock Photos and My #Weekend #Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #94!

Source: RGB Stock
mi40mFw.jpg
by Jacub Krechowicz  

When I first began blogging, I hardly ever used my own photos. I was usually writing on topics where I needed images that I didn't have. I would spend frustrating hours looking on the internet for free stock photos that didn't include a watermark unless you purchased it. Eventually I found a source that didn't let me down... RGB Stock. Today I'm sharing one of my mini series from a blog of mine where I used RGB Stock images often. Just Click on the Title Links.












*********************


Latest Book Reviews

and $50 Giveaway
Young Knights of the Round Table:  The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello



and $75 Giveaway
Skies Like These by Tess Hilmo



Review by
Samantha (age 13)
Dream Warriors by D. Robert Pease


*********************

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...

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

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!



Read More

Thursday, August 14, 2014

The King's Ransom and $50 Giveaway

Young Knights of the Round Table:
The King's Ransom
Book Blast & $50 Giveaway!

Young Knights of the Round Table:  The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello

About the Book

Title: Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom | Author: Cheryl Carpinello | Year published: April 17, 2013 | Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing | Number of pages: 120 | Recommended age: 9+

Summary: Three Friends. Three Quests. Three Mysterious Predictions.
At Pembroke Castle in medieval Wales, 11-year-old Prince Gavin, 13-year-old orphan Philip, and 15-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan, brought together in friendship by the one they call The Wild Man, embark upon a quest to save The Wild Man's life when he is accused of murder and robbery. If they have any hope of succeeding, the three will have to confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. But it is the arrival of King Arthur and what he reveals that surprises characters and readers.

Awards

  • 2013 EVVY Finalist and EVVY Merit Award for Juvenile/Young Adult from Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc
  • 2013 Ariana Cover Finalist
  • 2012 Silver Award Recipient for YA Fiction from Children's Literary Classics and the CLC's 2012 Seal of Approval
  • 2012 Finalist E-Book Children from USA 2012 Best Book Awards

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBookstore

Smashwords * MuseItUp Publishing


Free Educational Supplement

Visit the Wise Owl Factory for a FREE study guide.
Click on the image below.
Young Knights Teaching Supplement - Wise Owl Factory


The Buzz About the Book

"Young Knights of the Round Table is a short, fast-paced adventure set in Arthurian times which features great character development, an intriguing and engaging plot, and a surprise ending (in more ways than one!). I would highly recommend this book to tween and teen boys and girls who love mysteries or stories set in the time of King Arthur." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
"I so enjoyed the factual information about weapons, clothing, daily life, and places, cleverly interspersed in the text and dialogue to inform without overwhelming young readers. The author has a gift for delving into the depths of each young hero’s psyche. The way each one of the trio faces their fears, learns to believe in themselves, and finds their true meaning and path in life is moving. This is a superb coming-of-age story, set in a time of chivalry and pageantry, and harking back to an age when a hero was truly a hero. Five stars! " ~ Fiona Ingram, Author

"There is much to rave about this book, and I don’t want to give anything away because it’s a quick paced, thrilling, new classic about the knights. Witches, white stags, and a Wild Man make the plot exciting, along with cheering along the young knights. There are quite a few surprises at the end that really make the book a great read. We highly recommend this book for any young reader; sure, boys might convinced by the action and title, but I’m positive all young readers will enjoy the mystery and chivalry of Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom! " ~ Tales of a Bookworm

"I absolutely loved this book... [T]his book has just enough Arthurian legend to tie it to and draw from that period of history while being jam-packed with fantastic new characters and fresh plot twists. I am rarely surprised by things in books, but this book really surprised me with a few events I totally did not see coming! I highly recommend this book for young readers! It would be an excellent tie-in to a unit study about King Arthur." ~ Mommynificent

"This is a fast-paced story that children and adults will both enjoy! It's well-written and exciting as we read about the fears each boy faces and how they are able to triumph. It's a great story about loyalty, friendship and overcoming obstacles. Because of the length, it doesn't drag or slow down at all, so it's fun to read and hard to put down. And the ending is full of surprises! I highly recommend reading this book! " ~ Mel's Shelves

About the Author:
Cheryl Carpinello

Cheryl Carpinello, Author

I love the Ancient and Medieval Worlds! As a retired English teacher, I hope to inspire young readers to read more and to reach reluctant readers with my Arthurian Tales and soon a series of stories from ancient lands and legends that will take readers on adventurous quests throughout history.

Author Website * Author Blog * Facebook

Goodreads * Twitter * Google+

Book Buzzer * Amazon Author Page

Pinterest


* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

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

Contest ends: September 9, 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. The 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 a 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, Cheryl Carpinello 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.



MDBR Book Promotion Services


Read More

© 2011 Amanda's Books and More, AllRightsReserved.

Designed by ScreenWritersArena