September 2018 ~ Amanda's Books and More

Thursday, September 27, 2018

The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage

The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage

About the Book:

Title: The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage | Author: Tamie Dearen | Pages: 266 | Genre: Clean Romance

Book Description:

The one man Laurie Fields would most like to avoid just became her boss.

A thousand women would love to be in her shoes, working up-close-and-personal with billionaire philanthropist, Finn Anderson. Though alluring at first glance, he’s less than charming around Laurie. She’s not about to cut him any slack, even if her job depends on it.

Finn Anderson may look healthy, but chances are he won’t live to collect Social Security. That’s why he has to be careful never to fall in love. So far, he’s been pretty safe, since he drives away every woman who gets close.

When unforeseen circumstances force Laurie and Finn to work together, Finn finds his walls crumbling, and Laurie begins to care more than she will admit for this secretly thoughtful man. But his rejection has her on the run.

Can he catch her in time?

Note from the author: The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage is an inspirational romance, the second of The Limitless Clean Romance Series, which centers on heroes with disabilities. The story also features an interracial romance.

Only $0.99 on Amazon!

My Review:

The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage is the second book in The Limitless Clean Billionaire Romance Series. The books are in chronological order with characters that you come to know and love, but each story can be read as a stand-alone too. What I really appreciate about this romance series is that each billionaire has a different disability, having met at a special needs camp when they were young. Later, they go into business together where they are very successful. The best part is that their friendship remains strong.

The first book is about Bran who is blind and the unique challenges that he faces. It was my favorite book in the series so far. The second book is about Finn who has CF (Cystic Fibrosis) and how he deals with life knowing that he might die at any time. He doesn't believe that it would be fair on a woman if he pursued a relationship knowing that his condition is life threatening. This point got repeated too many times, but the counter argument was well handled.

This clean romance series will inspire others who face physical challenges in life and will help others to be more understanding. I recommend it for young adults and up!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Please note: The eBook price was correct at the time of posting.

More Books by Tamie Dearen:

The Billionaires Secret Marriage

2 FREE Clean Romances

About the Author:

Tamie Dearen

Tamie Dearen has been married to her very romantic husband since 1982. They have two beautiful daughters and two amazing sons-in-law. She plays piano, flute, harmonica, keyboards, and guitar, and loves composing and art. And she hates housework.

Tamie writes Sweet Romance, Christian Romance, and Young Adult Fantasy, including the Amazon-Best-Selling Series, The Best Girls. She loves connecting with her readers. Contact Tamie on her webpage at www.TamieDearen.com

Sign up to be a VIP reader at www.TamieDearen.com and get free books as a welcome gift.

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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #284

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!

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:

Weekend Linky

How to use the linky widget:

Type in the name of your blog or blog post under Link Title, then type in your email under Email Address (which I don't sell to anyone), then copy your permalink to your post (most link parties ask for blog posts and not blog homepages) and paste that under URL (make sure that you use http:// or https:// only once), then click Submit Link and that's it!

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

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Colorful Spring Flowers and a Linky

We are having Spring in South Africa! These first two pics of the orange, yellow, and white wild flowers are in a nearby neighborhood. They are even blooming like this on the side of the highway! The other flowers, which are so vibrant in color, are beautifying the same neighborhood.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

St. Petersburg, Florida - Part 4

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My Latest Book Reviews:

The Girl Who Could See

The Girl Who Could See by [Swanson, Kara]

Kill the Beast

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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!

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:

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

How to use the linky widget:

Type in the name of your blog or blog post under Link Title, then type in your email under Email Address (which I don't sell to anyone), then copy your permalink to your post (most link parties ask for blog posts and not blog homepages) and paste that under URL (make sure that you use http:// or https:// only once), then click Submit Link and that's it!

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

Monday, September 24, 2018

The Girl Who Could See

The Girl Who Could See

About the Book:

Title: The Girl Who Could See | Author: Kara Swanson | Pages: 214 | Genre: Science Fiction | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

A Novella

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?

Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that's what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.

Tristan was Fern's childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

The Girl Who Could See is a novella that combines science-fiction, with fantasy, romance, and suspense. Fern and Tristan are from different worlds caught in a dire battle that only they can fight with their unique abilities. Even though they are survivors and Tristan is a hardened warrior, there's a lighter side to them too. The dialogue helps to break up the almost non-stop action. There's also a mystery around Fern's childhood trauma and her muddled memories. The puzzle pieces come together as the story unfolds, but sometimes I found that part a bit disjointed. Overall it is a good story and the ending is satisfying.

About the Author:

Kara Swanson

As the daughter of missionaries, KARA SWANSON spent sixteen years of her young life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped suddenly into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the speculative genre and was soon penning stories herself.

At seventeen, she independently published a fantasy novel, Pearl of Merlydia. Her short story Distant as the Horizon is included in Kathy Ide's 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom. She has published many articles, including one in the Encounter magazine. Kara received the Mount Hermon Most Promising Teen Writer Award in 2015.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Kill the Beast Blog Tour Visual Post and a Linky

Kill the Beast

Book One of the Beast Hunters

About the Book:

Book Description:

Ro remembers the castle before. Before the gates closed. Before silence overtook the kingdom. Before the castle disappeared. Now it shimmers to life one night a year, seen by her alone.

Once a lady, now a huntress, Ro does what it takes to survive—just like the rest of the kingdom plunged into despair never before known. But a beast has overtaken the castle. A beast that killed the prince and holds the castle and kingdom captive in his cruel power. A beast Ro has been hired to kill. Thankful the mystery of the prince’s disappearance has been solved, furious the magical creature has killed her hero, Ro eagerly accepts the job to end him. But things are not as they seem.

Trapped in the castle, a prisoner alongside the beast, Ro wonders what she should fear most: the beast, the magic that holds them both captive, or the one who hired her to kill the beast.

A Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Pre-Order on Amazon

My Review:

Kill the Beast is an intense retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast with a twist. It's a nail-biting tale of an angry huntress named Ro. She has been sent on a mission to the kill the beast who she believes killed the prince and brought the curse that's on the land. She has very little sympathy for others and almost no patience. She certainly doesn't have time to listen to the voice (God) who she stopped believing and trusting in years ago. Her pride in getting the job done and her need to protect her sister are what motivate her to action. But not everything is what it seems. This story is appropriate for young adults and up.

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

The Characters of Kill the Beast

For this stop on my blog tour, I would like to introduce you to the cast of Kill the Beast and Beast Hunter, my stories in the Beast Hunters series.

Ro, my main character, the huntress:

Ro is a loner and values peace and quiet to the bustle that is her family home. With six sisters and two brothers, she hadn’t known a moment to herself until she became a huntress. Well, unless her nose was buried in a book. She is fiercely protective of her youngest sister, Cosette, and she is determined to provide for her, no matter what.

Even if that includes hunting a fearsome beast.

The Beast, or Prince Trêve:

Prince Trêve is beyond frustrated. Trapped in a beast’s body for over fifteen years, he has given up hope that his curse will be broken. Then a huntress comes to his castle—a beautiful one at that—and hope flickers for the first time. If only she weren’t so determined to finish her job.

Cosette:

Although once a lady and now living in poverty, Cosette remains ever gentle and kind—quite the opposite of her older sisters. She tries to make peace and point out the good in everything. If only her family would listen to her! Then her best friend, her dearest Rosette, runs off to hunt wolves, and her world is ripped out from under her feet. Determined to be strong for the rest of her family and to find a way to provide for them, she considers marrying the handsome steward, Gautier.

Five elder sisters:

Bernadette, Yvette, Reinette, Nicolette, and Lynette—as the five eldest sisters in the Reynard family, these girls remember their lives of luxury with suitors and dresses and parties, and they lament their loss quite ardently. And loudly. And they argue. A lot.

Their two youngest sisters can’t possibly understand what their lives were like before the curse. Which is why they should do all the work. True French Mesdemoiselles should have servants, after all.

Claude and Pascal:

Sandwiched between their five older sisters and the two youngest—Rosette and Cosette—these brothers are a tad bit hen-pecked. Okay, a lot hen-pecked. And with their father giving in to drink and roaming the countryside, they never know when he’ll be home, or what to do about it. Once Ro runs away, they step up and take on apprenticeships and begin working—and find they actually enjoy it. Especially the being away from their bickering sisters part. Who knew?

Their teasing and carefree manner hides the hearts of gold these two possess.

Père:

He lost his wife, his wealth, and his dignity, all at once. Why shouldn’t he indulge in fine wine? He hasn’t much time until it runs out, what with the grape arbors drying up and all, so he will enjoy himself while he can.

When word that one of his lost vessels and its cargo is recovered, he rushes to le Port de Calais, only to find it plundered by desperate townspeople. On his way home, he is forced to promise his daughter, Rosette, to a hideous beast so the monster will let him go. She is the one who asked for the rose, after all.

But the fool girl refused to go! Wants to be a huntress or some such fool notion. Well such an ungrateful child is no longer welcome in his home. Now back to that fine Cabernet…

Magic:

Trapped in the beast’s château when she cursed him, Magic makes it her life goal to make every moment of his life as miserable as hers is. She only wants him to suffer, to make him pay for what he did. Is that too much to ask?

Gautier:

All he wants is to be king. Not steward. He’s ruled the country for over fifteen years in the prince’s stead, yet all it will take for everything to be taken away is for the curse to break and the beast to take his rightful place as king. He can’t let that happen. Perhaps the huntress can take care of all of his problems at once…

Mesdemoiselles of the Mountain:

Three witches who hoard France’s gold as they exchange it for produce from their magical garden. Why not capitalize on the situation since their garden grows the only food in all of France? If only their protégé hadn’t gotten trapped when her curse backfired.

Queen of the Fairies:

The guardian of Prince Trêve, the Queen of the Fairies has a plan to work it all out in the end. If only the huntress will heed her words and solve the riddle that is the beast in time…

Queen Mère:

Just one little visit to the Queen of the Fairies, and her husband dies, her son is cursed, and she no longer can enter her kingdom. And the curse attracts all kinds of fell creatures from the realm beyond.

Tasked with guarding the borders and dispatching any creature who tries to gain entrance, she begrudgingly admires the huntress within who seems to have the same abilities she does.

If only the fool girl will hurry up and break the curse already.

Invisible servants:

The beast and the sorceress weren’t the only ones trapped in the château when the curse fell. Every servant on the premises became invisible—and they’re not crazy about it. At least the prince still talks to them, even if he does look like le diable himself.

Some More Stops on the Blog Tour:

Monday, Sept. 17th, Guest Post:

“Fairies in the World of Kill the Beast,” Pam Halter

Wednesday, Sept. 19th, Guest Post:

“French Inspiration Behind Kill the Beast,” J.M. Hackman

Thursday, Sept. 20th, Visual Post:

“The Châteaux of Kill the Beast,” Laurie Lucking

Friday, Sept. 21st, Behind-the-Scenes Feature:

“Kill the Beast: It Only Took Four Years,” Kristen Stieffel

Sunday, Sept. 23rd, “Interview with

Author Michele Israel Harper,” Jebraun Clifford

Monday, Sept. 24th, Behind-the-Scenes Feature:

“The Story Behind Beast Hunter,” Jannette Fuller

Thursday, Sept. 27th, “Author Interview with

French Enthusiast Michele Israel Harper,” Laura A. Grace

Friday, Sept. 28th, Visual Post:

“Kill the Beast: Fashion in 18th Century France,” Lea Doué

About the Author:

Michele Israel Harper

Michele Israel Harper spends her days as a work-at-home mom and her nights typing away furiously on her laptop. Sleep? Sometimes… She has her Bachelor of Arts in history, is slightly obsessed with all things French—including Jeanne d’Arc and La Belle et la Bête—and loves curling up with a good book more than just about anything else. Author of Wisdom & Folly: Sisters, Zombie Takeover, Beast Hunter, and Kill the Beast, Michele prays her involvement in writing, editing, and publishing will touch many lives in the years to come.

Social Media Links:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #283

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!

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:

Weekend Linky

How to use the linky widget:

Type in the name of your blog or blog post under Link Title, then type in your email under Email Address (which I don't sell to anyone), then copy your permalink to your post (most link parties ask for blog posts and not blog homepages) and paste that under URL (make sure that you use http:// or https:// only once), then click Submit Link and that's it!

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

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Here's What We Saw and a Linky

Here's what we saw walking our dogs the other day in the neighborhood. The guineafowl and peahens I photographed as we arrived home. Also, be sure to check out last week's post, Walking the Dogs and Spring Flowers.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Benny

Koda

Benny and Koda

Koda

Benny

An airplane pulling a glider

Guineafowl

Peahens

Peahen

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

St. Petersburg, Florida - Part 3

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My Latest Book Review:

Heartsong

Heartsong: a Young Adult Science Fiction Adventure by [Douglass Lima, Annie]

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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!

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:

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

How to use the linky widget:

Type in the name of your blog or blog post under Link Title, then type in your email under Email Address (which I don't sell to anyone), then copy your permalink to your post (most link parties ask for blog posts and not blog homepages) and paste that under URL (make sure that you use http:// or https:// only once), then click Submit Link and that's it!

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