Another Poem and Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #228!

Today's weekend blog hop will stay open over two weekends (June 30 - 10 July). We'll be away on a family holiday and I won't have access to internet.

The photo above was taken in Spring of the field flowers a few minutes away from our neighborhood. We live in South Africa in the beautiful Western Cape.

The picture below was colored in by Amanda last year. I also have another poem to share that I wrote a few years ago.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on my photos to see them at their best!

Glad to be Alive

Raindrops from showers

Fall kissing the earth

The sun warms the flowers

Nature gives birth

This is a new day

Birds join in a chorus of song

Children play

Raising their voices

They sing along

It is the joy of livin’

It is the song of life

So let’s join in

Putting away strife

Every breath we take

Is a gift from above

It’s a choice we make

To give and receive love

So let’s all laugh

Even make a funny face

‘Cause this world is

A beautiful place

And I’m glad to be alive

by Christina Morley

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My Latest Book Reviews:

Bellyache:

A Delicious Tale

Candidate

The Black Mage Book 3

Configured

Configured Trilogy Book 1

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

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+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

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:

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Weekend Linky

Visit my Blog Hops page to see
what link-ups I take part in.

Bellyache: A Delicious Tale

Bellyache:

A Delicious Tale

by Crystal Marcos

About the Book:

Title: Bellyache: A Delicious Tale | Author: Crystal Marcos | Publisher: Cat Marcs Publishing | Pages: 155 | Genre: Children's Chapter Book | Age Group: Young Adult

Book Description:

BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale 

Awards & Honors:

~2013 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
~2012 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS Award-Winning Finalist in both categories of Children's Fiction & Children's Book Series
~2011 READERS' FAVORITE International Book Awards, Silver Medal in its category
~2010 Nominated for the CYBILS Awards

A lip-smacking, mouthwatering, absolutely delectable debut, BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos is a literary feast for ages seven and up. In the vein of Roald Dahl's best-loved adventures, Marcos offers a mystical, character driven escapade that intertwines strands of reality with a larger-than-life fantasy world. When Peter Fischer sets out to help his grandfather at Papa's Sweet Shop, he will quickly learn that sneaking sweets and covering up his sugar-dusted tracks will have major consequences. As Peter is transported to a mysteriously delicious, faraway land, a curious people known as the Candonites, some of whom have no time for a non-Candonite, will teach Peter a lesson on what it means to be different and what it means to forgive.

Look for Marcos' exciting second book in the children's series, HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE.

Purchase on Amazon

Kindle | Paperback

My Review:

Bellyache: A Delicious Tale is a creative adventure story about a boy named Peter who gives into temptation at his grandpa's candy store and eats too many sweets. He ends up in a colorful world of candy people called Candonites. While there, he makes friends and learns that it's okay to be different. He discovers that he needs forgiveness for not practicing self-control by eating too many sweets. He also learns that he can forgive a bully.

My 9-year-old daughter, Amanda, and I enjoyed this unique children's story. Crystal Marcos did a good job describing things. When I got to the part where Peter's tummy hurts from all the sweets, Amanda began feeling the same bellyache. We found some parts to be a bit slow, but most of it was interesting. Some parts were even exciting like when Peter and Lina have to rescue two Candonite bullies. We recommend this book for boys and girls ages 7 - 10.

Related Post:

My Review of Novus

About the Author:

Crystal Marcos

Award-winning author Crystal Marcos has been a storyteller her entire life. As the oldest of five children, she had to do a lot of entertaining. She lives on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with her husband, daughter Kaylee, and infant son Jaxon. Crystal is the author of BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale and HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE. Novus, her third book and first Young Adult novel, is Book One of The Cresecren Chronicles.

Visit Crystal Marcus on her

Website | Twitter | Facebook

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

Blue Gum Trees and a Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #249!

I won't be hosting a linky party next week, so

this one will remain open until the 7th of July.

The blue gum trees in South Africa are an invasive species. We often spot them growing as windbreakers on farms like in the photo above between the vineyards. When I did a little research on the internet, I discovered that they are important to South Africa, especially regarding forestry and bee-keeping. I don't have a photo to show you, but often where there are blue gums, I see beehives. We all know how important bees are, so I have a new respect for these trees.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to see them at their best!

Blue Gum Trees

Blue Gum Trees

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

Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Thali Thali Game Lodge

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

My Latest Book Reviews:

Magelica's Voyage to the

Land of the Fairies

3 Books & Necklace Giveaway!

Candidate
The Black Mage Book 3




Configured
Configured Trilogy Book 1

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

Now on to my blog hop...

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

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

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:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

Configured - Book 1

Configured

The Configured Trilogy Book 1

About the Book:

Title: Configured (Configured Trilogy Book 1) | Author: Jenetta Penner | Pages: 434 | Genre: Science-Fiction Dystopian | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

There will come a day... when love will mark you as a traitor.

In a society where emotions are nothing and function is everything, Avlyn Lark is just trying to blend in.

She's lucky to be alive, unlike her twin brother Ben who died when they were four. And she's lucky to have been taken from her biological parents and assigned to a Level Two family. But mastering her emotions? That's a problem, especially when a rebel bomb blows up a building right in front of her.

Then on Configuration Day, Avlyn's official transition to adulthood, she starts seeing strange visions. And instead of being placed with a low-level tech company where she could hide away, she's hired by Genesis Technologies, the government firm that monitors every citizen.

Now, instead of blending in, Avlyn fears she'll be exposed for what she really is. If Gen Tech finds out how deeply she feels, it will ruin her life. And if they find out about her secret meetings with a mysterious but handsome member of the rebel forces, her life will be more than ruined.

It will be over.

Fans of dystopian novels like Divergent, Matched, and the Maze Runner will love this world of dark secrets, intrigue and thirst for a better tomorrow.

Purchase on Amazon:

Kindle | Paperback

My Review

Configured is an exciting new science-fiction dystopian trilogy for young adults. Avlyn, the heroine, lives in Elore where a person's ability means everything. Emotions are considered unacceptable behavior and relationships are discouraged. Since her childhood, she has been trying to blend in by hiding her abilities from others. She tries to do what is expected of her, but nothing more. However, her abilities unexpectedly get a boost and she finds it harder to hide what she can do. Avlyn also finds it difficult to hide her emotions and now she's even been making some dangerous friends, the rebel kind. Pretty soon she's going to get noticed and then she'll have to run for her life! 

I don't normally read dystopian novels, but I was hooked from the beginning and read it within two days. There's plenty of suspense and the story is interesting. There's also a bit of romance, which makes it even better. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!

About the Author:

Jenetta Penner

Jenetta Penner developed a love of sci-fi at an early age and decided on a whim to read 40 young adult books in the same genre. From that experience, an author was born. Configured is her debut novel. She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, two daughters and two furbabies. And she may or may not have a slight addiction to cat gifs.

Get access to 50 FREE YA Books and a

Configured YA Coloring book by

subscribing to her book club here.

Drop her a note here.

Visit her website here.

Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Winter Rain and a Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #227!

We've been having drought and now the winter rain has finally come! Our winter kicked off with a massive storm. I took these photos of the wild guineafowl and peacock wandering through our front garden one rainy day soon after the storm. I'm amazed at how well the birds coped. We even had hail!

You can see in the first two photos how our garden fared after months of water restrictions. Most of the grass is gone and some plants didn't survive. The other photos were taken a couple of years ago when our garden wasn't suffering. I also included one of my poems below.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on my photos to see them at their best!

From Waste Places to Gardens of Joy

Once I was destitute, a captive of sin,

But then You gave me life and dwelled within.

You took my waste places, You took my tears,

You took my heartaches, and all my fears.

You took that pot, which was made of clay,

You took all of my darkness and made it day.

Then gave me wings, made me into a silver dove

With yellow-gold feathers, covered in Your love.

You gave me rivers and gardens of joy;

Things more precious than some material toy.

You gave me gladness and also thanksgiving

And filled my heart with continual singing.

In light of all this, what can I give back in return?

Worship and obedience from a love that is firm.

Christina A. Morley

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

My Latest Book Reviews:

Magelica's Voyage
To the Land of the Fairies
Books and Necklace Giveaway!

Candidate
The Black Mage Book 3

A Strange Twist of Fate

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

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+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

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:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.co.za/" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

Weekend Linky

Visit my Blog Hops page to see
what link-ups I take part in.

Candidate - The Black Mage Book 3

Candidate

The Black Mage Book 3

About the Book:

Title: Candidate (The Black Mage Book 3) | Author: Rachel E. Carter | Pages: 382 | Genre: Dark Fantasy - Sword and Sorcery | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Welcome to the Candidacy. Where dreams go to die.

Twenty-year-old Ryiah is a black mage of Combat, but she's not the Black Mage. Yet. She's had her eyes on the legendary robe for as long as she can remember, and in just one year, she will have a chance at her country's prestigious--and only--tourney for war mages... Too bad she is going up against a certain prince--the one person she has yet to beat.

The Candidacy finally arrives and a winner is robed, but something dark is lurking in her kingdom's midst. Rival nations are closing in, and it's time to make an alliance.

Unfortunately for Ryiah, that's only the beginning. The worst enemy resides in the palace.

Purchase on Amazon:

Kindle | Paperback

My Review

Candidate, the third book in The Black Mage series, is full of intrigue with plenty of twists. Ryiah is determined to win the Candidacy, but at what cost? Is she willing to jeopardize her relationship with Prince Darren just to prove that she is good enough?

In this year of the candidacy, Ryiah faces her worst trials yet and has to make heart-wrenching choices. There is something sinister going on and Ryiah figures out who is behind it all. Whose side will she choose when her love and loyalty are at stake?

I found Book 3 to be one of the most disturbing books in the series with several traumatic events. Despite the dark content, every page had me hooked. Will Ryiah and Darren finally get their happily ever after? Hopefully we'll find out in Book 4, the last book in the series.

My Previous Reviews in the series:

Introducing The Black Mage Series

Apprentice (The Black Mage Book 2)

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 digital copy of this book for my honest review.

Living in Wine Country and a Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #248!

We live in wine country and I enjoy sharing about our outings on my travel blog, 1camera1mom. The three photos that I chose for this post are ones that I never shared before. The photo above is of the mountains and vineyards in our area. The two photos below are of South African wines from uniWines, a local wine company.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to see them at their best!

uniWines - Ankerman (White Wine)

uniWines - African Whisper (Red Wine)
with South African Pap and Wors

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

Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Du Toitskloof Cellar
Food and Wine - Part 2

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

My Latest Book Reviews:

Magelica's Voyage to the

Land of the Fairies

3 Books & Necklace Giveaway!

A Strange Twist of Fate

Clean Romantic Mystery

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

Now on to my blog hop...

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

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

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:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies

Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies

by Louise Courey Nadeau

Blog Tour with Giveaway!

---

About the Book:
Magelica's Voyage to
The Land of the Fairies

         

Title: Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies | Author: Louise Courey Nadeau | Illustrator: Nathan Heinze | Publication Date: April 2017 | Publisher: Magelica Inc. | Number of Pages: 35 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10

Summary: Five Star Readers Favourite and Story Monster approved!  New Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies is finally out! Its the third children's book in the Magelica trilogy. Put on your magical necklace and join Magelica and her friends as they discover that fairies are real and that love is the most powerful magic of all!In this very special adventure, rainbows light up the sky as Magelica and Prince Will embark on an extraordinary voyage to uncover the mystery of her past. Empowered on her quest by her chosen mother, Magelica and her friends follow the secret scroll to the Land of the Fairies. As they make their way through the forest, fear gets in the way and their courage is tested.

FREE Download
on June 20!

Take a peek inside...

 

Our Review:

Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies is the third book in the exciting Magelica's Voyage series. Magelica is half fairy and half human. She is raised by an adoptive human mother named Gri. Her friends are a pet dragon named Tris, a prince named Will, a unicorn named Goldy, and a warblegrif named Odin. Magelica and her friends go on an adventure to the Land of the Fairies to help her learn about her fairy mother and human father.

The story is lots of fun with easy to read text and captivating illustrations. This story teaches the value of friendship, learning to accept people who are different, choosing positive thoughts, and following your heart.

Amanda has enjoyed the Magelica's Voyage series since 2015 and says that the third book was the best! Her favorite page in the story is when Prince Will reads a scroll to Magelica that sets the friends on their adventure. Amanda can't wait for the next book in the series. She also received her own magical feathers necklace from the author and loves wearing it!

Our Review of Magelica's Voyage:
Books 1 and 2

Other books in the series...

Magelica's Voyage
Book 1

Title: Magelica's Voyage | Author: Louise Courey Nadeau | Publication Date: June 1, 2013 | Publisher: Magelica Inc. | Number of Pages: 48 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10

Summary: Who ever heard of a girl being hatched from an egg the colour of sapphires? Magelica doesn't know where she came from or who she really is. But when she's transported to the Isle of Dreams in a flying bathtub, she launches into an adventure of discovery, and learns that wonderful things can happen when she uses her imagination, believes, opens her heart and trusts in love. Come fly with her and discover for yourself the power of imagination, gratitude, believing in yourself, and love! In this special first voyage, fantasy, adventure, magical illustrations, empowering messages, and a wonderful cast of enchanting characters come together as Magelica takes young girls and the special people in their lives on a fun, inspiring voyage about making your life magical.

* Available in English / French / Spanish *

Amazon | Goodreads

The Rescue
Book 2

Title: The Rescue (Magelica's Voyage Book 2) | Author: Louise Courey Nadeau | Publication Date: May 27, 2015 | Publisher: Magelica Inc. | Number of Pages: 48 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10

Summary: When Magelica dreams of the prince lost on a deserted island, she realizes that it could lead to his rescue. She returns to the Isle of Dreams to tell Queen Raya what she knows. Can they save Prince Will before it's too late? Will the power of laughter and love be enough?

* Available in English / French / Spanish *

Amazon | Goodreads

About the Author:
Louise Courey Nadeau

Louise Courey Nadeau, born and raised in Montreal, Canada, wife and mother to two girls and two boys is the creator and author of Magelica’s Voyage, Magelica’s Voyage: The Rescue and Magelica’s Voyage to the Land of the Fairies; an adventure/fantasy trilogy about a young girl on Earth who suddenly grows wings at the age of 12 and sets out on a voyage to discover who she is and where she comes from. Empowered by her Chosen Mother to follow her heart, Magelica and her fun and wacky friends learn that following your dreams is no easy task! Called upon to connect peoples and worlds, and bring balance and harmony, Magelica discovers that the greatest enemy is fear, but realizes that it is no match for courage, believing in herself, and love, the most powerful magic of all.

 Author, mother, wife, Founder and CEO of Magelica Inc., former marketing and advertising executive, a tireless fundraiser for many charities, a painter, and gardener, Louise’s passions keep growing. Louise's dream is to create a bond with children and their caregivers around the globe, and make a real difference by entertaining them with exciting stories that stimulate their imagination, and help them discover the power of their own magic.  Books are just the beginning. She is simply getting started!

 "Through life's trials and tribulations, I always believed I could. With the Magelica book series, my own beliefs, courage, determination and resolve have been tested over and over. Believing I can, has kept me going!  My goal is for young girls to be empowered to grow up strong, positive and powerful, and for young boys to have the self-confidence to support girls in their goals, thereby creating a new gender balance for a new generation. "The children of today, will grow up to be the parents of tomorrow. By inspiring them now, the ripple effect will eventually change the world."

"Magelica's Voyage is inspired by my life, my family, and the special people and places I love", says Courey Nadeau. "All of the characters in the story, including Magelica are reflections of the person I am- the wacky part, the funny part, the philosopher, the teacher, the caretaker, the chosen mom, the giver, and of course the dreamer. What would Magelica do, I often ask, and I get the answer. When you fly with Magelica, the possibilities are endless and there is magic all around."

To learn more about Louise Courey Nadeau please visit Magelica's Voyage website at Magelica.com. You can also follow Magelica on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Magelica books and necklaces are available on amazon.com and at selected retailers.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a Magelica Prize Pack which includes all three books in the series and Magelica's necklace (pictured above).

Giveaway ends: June 30, 11:59 pm, 2017

Open to: 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, Louise Courey Nadeau and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Amanda and I received a free paperback copy of the each book and one feather necklace for an honest review.