March 2017 ~ Amanda's Books and More

Friday, March 31, 2017

FotoJet Review with Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #215!

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If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I like taking pictures. When it comes to online photo editing, I always look for the free options. Recently I heard about FotoJet and thought to see what it has to offer.

FotoJet is an all-in-one free online tool for graphic design, photo collage, and photo editing. It has an easy Home Page lay-out. The options available are clearly displayed. Make sure to scroll down the page to see them all. I tried the free version with plenty of editing tools and graphic designs to choose from. There is also a paid version called FotoJet Plus that gives you more options with no ads.

FotoJet makes photo editing easy and enjoyable. I found the overlays to be fun, the clip art whimsical, and the text options cool. I used FotoJet for my blog post header above. I went with the Thank You Card template under Graphic Design. I chose a blue background and added floral clip art with text. I also tried FotoJet for my latest book review post. I used two of the Featured Effects under Edit Photo and I'm sharing my before and after pics below.

Before...

and after with
FotoJet Portrait.

Before...

and after with
FotoJet Scenery.

Disclosure: I will receive a 30 day free trial of FotoJet Plus for my honest review. All opinions are my own. This offer can be found on the FotoJet website and is available to anyone who wants to post a review.

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My Latest Book Reviews:

Changes of the Heart

Changes of the Heart by [Erfert, Debra]

Green Kids Club

YooHoo and Friends
from the Green Kids Club

Non-Heir (Prequel Novella)
is for FREE on Amazon Kindle

Non-Heir (The Black Mage Prequel Novella, Book 0) by [Carter, Rachel E.]

First Year is only
$0.99 on Amazon Kindle

First Year (The Black Mage Book 1) by [Carter, Rachel E.]

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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!

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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.

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Weekend Linky

Visit my Blog Hops page to see
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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Green Kids Club Wolf Howls and Other Books

Green Kids Club
Wolf Howls and
Other Books

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How it all began...

Sylvia Medina is someone who is passionate about the environment and the animals that live in this world. As a youngster she loved to hike and enjoy the wilderness and especially loved animals. She took this passion and dedicated herself to becoming an Environmental Engineer where she could help make a difference.

Another passion Sylvia found was children! When her twins were born she knew she wanted to instill in them the passion of being stewards of our environment. So when Sylvia's twins were infants - she found herself watching television shows for kids. This made her realize that there were few programs about environmental stewardship and endangered species preservation for children. So one early morning - about 1:30 am - while rocking her baby girl to sleep she came up with the idea of creating stories and products that teach children about the environment and the world around them. So the Green Kids Club was created.

Purchase from the

Green Kids Club

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Desert Mirage

Our Review of

Desert Mirage:

One of the first books that Amanda picked up to read from the Green Kids Club series was Desert Mirage. She enjoyed reading about the wild horses of America. She learned a few new words too like "indigenous," which the horses are not.

At the beginning of the story is a map of the United States with the state of Arizona highlighted. In the story, Maya and her Green Kid friends go on an adventure through the canyon lands of Arizona to find water. Amanda's favorite line about the horses was that they symbolize the spirit of the American West. At the end of the story there are facts about the wild horses, new vocabulary words, tips about saving water, and more!

Amanda and I enjoy the Green Kids Club picture book series. Not only are the stories fun, but there are neat things to be learned. We also care about animals and the environment. Let's make our kids, Green Kids!

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Wolf Howls

Our Review of

Wolf Howls:

Wolf Howls is a picture book from the Green Kids Club series. The Green Kids are children helping endangered animals and the environment. At the beginning of the story is a map of the United States with a highlighted belt that runs from the top of Alaska through Washington State and all the way down to the top of New Mexico - the Rocky Mountains mountain range.

The kids learn about the plight of the wolves. Humans have been hunting them to near extinction. The kids must find a cub that has gone missing, taken by poachers. Amanda learned a couple of new words like "constellation" and "ecosystem." At the end of the story are facts about wolves. Her favorite fact that she learned is that the reintroduction of wolves to the Rocky Mountains has been successful.

Amanda and I enjoy the Green Kids Club picture book series. Not only are the stories fun, but there are neat things to be learned. We also care about animals and the environment. Let's make our kids, Green Kids!

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The Shark and the Volcano

Our Review of The Shark

and the Volcano:

The Green Kids are on another adventure in The Shark and the Volcano. This one takes them to the waters of the Hawaiian Islands where they find out about the plight of sharks due to finning and their capture. Finning was a new word for Amanda. I had learned about the awful practice over a year ago and explained it to her. There is also an explanation at the back of the book. Amanda was surprised to read that people are willing to pay $150 for a bowl of shark fin soup! She also read other facts about sharks at the end of the book and was impressed to learn that sharks can have up to 3,000 teeth at one time!

In the story, the Green Kids ride dolphins and they meet a mystical warrior princess of the seas. Together they stop a group of fishermen from taking the fins from sharks. The princess tells the fishermen that what they are doing is wrong and that sharks are endangered. The princess warns them that if they don't stop, they will experience the wrath of the volcano.

Amanda and I enjoy the Green Kids Club picture book series. Not only are the stories fun, but there are neat things to be learned. We also care about animals and the environment. Let's make our kids, Green Kids!

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Related Review:

YooHoo and Friends

from the Green Kids Club

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Website:

Green Kids Club

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About the Author:

Sylvia Medina

Role in Green Kids:

•President and Founder of Green Kids Club, Inc.
•Primary Author, Creative Director
•Environmental Engineer & Scientist

Sylvia is the President and Creative Director of the Green Kids Club. She has spent her career focused on environmental issues and helping to preserve animal welfare.

When she had twins, she became aware that she truly wanted her children to grow up with an environmental conscience and an understand the basics of environmental stewardship. With this in mind, she developed the Green Kids Club concept which would help her children as well as other children around the world learn early the environmental habits they could share with others.

Disclosure: We received free copies of these books for our honest review.

Changes of the Heart

Changes of the Heart

by Debra Erfert

About the Book:

Book Description:

Buying the 1920s farmhouse south of Phoenix, where the rumors of John Dillinger’s gang hid out in the 30s, is supposed to be accident-prone Grace Evanheart’s way of escaping an old romance. When she finds an ancient diary with a map under the bedroom’s floorboard, the rumors solidify into fact. She doesn’t know who to trust with the news; Micah Stevens, the handsome deputy and the great grandson of the original landowners with whom she’s attracted, or Jerry, the young historian who seems too intent on learning about her new home?

Micah seems convinced their paths cross exactly at the right time and in the right place for them to fall in love. Now he just has to convince Grace of the same thing before suspicions of his real motive have her running again.

Purchase on Amazon:

Kindle | Paperback

My Review

Changes of the Heart is a cozy romantic mystery with a bit of suspense. It's an easy read with clean content. There are some references to God, but not many, so anyone of any faith can read it without feeling preached at.

Grace is accident-prone and she likes to scream. She also finds herself in a couple of dangerous situations. She's certainly not a heroine, and not my favorite protagonist either, but she's able to throw a punch when she feels threatened. Micah is the strong protective guy with a couple of weaknesses and a possible hidden motive. Grace has to figure out if he really loves her or if he's just using her. Can she trust her heart? And, what secrets does her newly purchased 1920's farmhouse and barn hold? Are they the kind of secrets that someone would be willing to kill her for?

I have reviewed a couple of other books by Debra Erfert and some scenes in this story reminded me of her other stories. I still enjoyed reading it, even if several parts were predictable. I think the suspense could have been fleshed out further, but sometimes you just need a quick escape and this book did that for me.

More Reviews of DJ Erfert's Books:

Window of Time

Two CIA Novellas

About the Author:

DJ (Debra) Erfert

While growing up, going to libraries felt like an adventure filled with mystery and wonder to Debra. The hushed tones invoked secrets, and the dusty, sometimes moldy, smell of paper was the same in each city she lived. Leaving the library with just a single book never happened. Years later, her love of reading turned to a passion for writing stories others might enjoy. She’s an award winning fine artist who lives in a southwest Arizona city with her husband, a retired police lieutenant, where the average summer temperatures are well above 100 degrees--truly hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.

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

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Introducing The Black Mage Series

Non-Heir

(Book 0)

The Black Mage

Prequel Novella

About the Book:

Title: Non-Heir (The Black Mage Book 0) | Author: Rachel E. Carter | Pages: 109 | Genre: Dark Fantasy | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Prince. Prodigy. Mage. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Falling Kingdoms, and Tamora Pierce.

This prequel novella is set before the events of First Year (The Black Mage Book 1), following Prince Darren as a child through adolescence and his first run-in with Ryiah at the Academy of Magic. Readers discover the dark backstory between the two princes and their father, as well as the ensuing events that shaped Darren into the Academy's most prodigal mage.

FREE on Amazon Kindle

My Review:

I never read the The Black Mage Series, so I met Prince Darren in this prequel novella, Non-Heir, for the first time. The genre is dark fantasy. It's a pretty violent story with reference to severe child abuse. Despite the dark content, it was still well-written and gives readers a good back story into the childhood that shaped the character of Prince Darren and his older brother, the heir.

The story was fast-paced and had good character development. When I met some of the characters again in Book 1, the prequel fit perfectly. I recommend Non-Heir as a good supporting novella to First Year (Book 1).

First Year

(Book 1)

The Black Mage Series

About the Book:

Title: First Year (The Black Mage Book 1) | Author: Rachel E. Carter | Pages: 322 | Genre: Fantasy | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Magic. Romance. Rivals. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Falling Kingdoms, and Tamora Pierce.

Before the age of seventeen, the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice --pursue a trade or enroll in a trial year in one of the realm's three war schools to study as a soldier, knight, or mage...

For fifteen-year-old Ryiah, the choice has always been easy. Become a mage and train in Combat, the most prestigious faction of magic.

Yet when she arrives, Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Everyone is rooting for her to fail--first and foremost among them is Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived.

Will Ry survive, or will her dream go down in flames?

$0.99 on Amazon Kindle

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading First Year and getting to know the protagonist, Ryiah. Some events at the end of Non-Heir and the beginning of First Year overlap. Instead of seeing the events through Prince Darren's eyes, you get to see them through Ry's eyes. In fact, from my understanding, the rest of the Black Mage series is through her eyes. She is a very likable person - a girl who didn't grow up with privileges that included the best teachers. She has to work twice as hard to keep up with the upper class and royalty to survive the first year at the academy.

Even though Ry is a bit of an outcast, she is resourceful and quickly forges a friendship with one of the girls who is not part of Prince Darren's clique. Ry even manages to have several conversations with the prince, which is uncustomary. However, he's a disagreeable sort and she's not sure that she can trust him.

The academy is all about training in different fields from learning about a variety of different subjects, training in magic and practicing combat. Ry didn't grow up with a library of books. She didn't have a mage to explain magic or a knight to train her in combat. Can Ry possibly keep up with the elite and succeed at earning one of the coveted 15 apprenticeships?

The story keeps a good pace with a few twists. There are plenty of interesting characters. I'm glad that I read Non-Heir first because some of the characters were in the prequel, which gave them more depth. I think First Year is a great story and I would be happy to read more in the Black Mage series.

About the Author:

Rachel E. Carter

Rachel E. Carter is the USA Today bestselling author of The Black Mage, a YA fantasy series about magic, love, and war -with future projects to come. She hoards coffee and has a weakness for villain and Mr. Darcy love interests.

Website

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Non-Heir for my honest review. I purchased First Year and this is another honest review.

Please Note: All prices were correct at the time of posting. Prices may change.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Sunsets and Free eBooks with Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #236!

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My latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Fresh Mussels at the West Coast

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My Latest Posts:
(Click on the Headings in Blue)

YooHoo and Friends
3 Books from the
Green Kids Club!

The POWEs and the

Disappearing Tusks

Happy UK Mother's Day
with a Free Mother's Day eBook!

Hickies Review -
Life Without Laces

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FREE eBooks!
(Click on the Headings in Blue)

Free Creative Christian Reads eBooks!
From My Book Cave

Free Sci-Fi/Dystopian eBooks!

From InstaFreebie

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(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

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Sunday, March 26, 2017

Free and Discounted Annals of Alasia eBooks

FREE and Discounted

Annals of Alasia eBooks
for a Short Time Only!

I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several of Annie Douglass Lima's middle grade fantasy stories, two of them from the Annals of Alasia series. All three books in the series are now on promotion on Amazon Kindle. One is for free and the other two are discounted to $0.99 each. I have included links to the books as well as links to both of my reviews.

In the Enemy's Service

FREE through Tuesday

About the Book:

Book Description:

Enslaved when invaders take over Alasia, Anya discovers ways to spy on the enemy and slip information to the resistance. But then she uncovers a disturbing reference to her own family and is confronted by a stranger who seems to know her secrets. Holding her life in his hands, he claims to have proof that Anya’s father was involved in the betrayal that led to the Invasion itself.

In the Enemy's Service is the second book in the Annals of Alasia, but the series can be read in any order, and each book can stand on its own.

Here's My Review:

In the Enemy's Service

Get it for FREE
on Amazon Kindle:

In the Enemy's Service

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Prince of Alasai

$0.99 through Tuesday

Prince of Alasia (Annals of Alasia) by [Douglass Lima, Annie]

About the Book:

Book Description:

Twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin, heir to the throne of Alasia, barely escapes with his life when invaders from neighboring Malorn attack. Accompanied by Erik, his young bodyguard and friend, Jaymin flees to a nearby town to live in hiding. There, coming face to face with the hardships suffered by the poor, he determines to improve his people’s lives someday when he takes the throne, assuming he can reclaim his kingdom.

In his struggle to retain his identity and yet blend in with children in the local school, Jaymin’s life depends on his ability to protect his secret from both enemy troops and unsuspecting townsfolk. Meanwhile, Erik must resort to his skills in unarmed combat to defend Jaymin against everyone from a gang of schoolyard bullies to the Malornians who regularly patrol the streets looking for trouble – and for the missing prince.

As the search intensifies and his enemy’s suspicions grow, Jaymin seeks desperately for a way to save his kingdom and himself. Then he stumbles upon a startling discovery that will challenge his assumptions and forever change his view of Malorn and the events that altered his life.

Prince of Alasia is the first book in the Annals of Alasia, but the series can be read in any order, and each book can stand on its own.

Purchase for only $0.99

on Amazon Kindle:

Prince of Alasia

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Prince of Malorn

$0.99 through Tuesday

About the Book:

Book Description:

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?

Prince of Malorn is the third book in the Annals of Alasia, but the series can be read in any order, and each book can stand on its own.

Here's My Review:

Prince of Malorn

Purchase for only $0.99

on Amazon Kindle:

Prince of Malorn

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About the Author:

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 ten books (one YA action and adventure novel, four fantasies, a puppet script, and four anthologies of her students’ poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.

View All Books

by Annie Douglass Lima

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Please Note: All prices were correct at the time of posting. This promotion is for a short time only.

Happy UK Mother's Day with Free eBook!

Happy UK Mother's Day

and a Free eBook!

I saw that there was a Mother's Day picture book for free on Amazon Kindle. I thought that sharing this free eBook with you would be a lovely way to wish all the UK mums a Happy Mother's Day! I haven't read the book yet, but I noticed it had a lot of text, so I think it would probably be appropriate for kids ages 4 - 9.

The Mother's Day Gift

Children's books - The Gift: Picture Books (Children's Picture Book - Bedtime stories for children 4) by [Balint, Beata Noemi]

About the Book:

Excerpt from the Book:

"The sleepy sun was peeking out from her favourite cozy shelter just behind the little hill, where the Noisy Farm was living its jolly life. Today everyone was rising with the sun, because this was quite a special day. Bees were working hard, flying from flower to flower; the carol of larks echoed far in the forests.
‘Mother- Mother-Mother’s Day’ – sounded the chirping birds. This is a special day, because tomorrow is Mother’s day. The day when you thank your Mother all the good and wonderful things, the love and care she spoiled you with throughout your entire life. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, so today is the best opportunity to prepare presents.
Kate, the beautiful, spotted ladybug got up unusually early, exactly at sunrise. She was looking forward to this day for a long time, because her mum is the best mother in the whole world and she wanted to surprise her with something truly special."

FREE on Amazon Kindle:

The Mother's Day Gift

Disclosure: I have not read this book. This is not a review.

Please Note: The eBook was for free on Amazon Kindle at the time of posting. Prices may change.