Friday, January 31, 2020

The Sorcerer's Quest and More!

Three Gaslamp (Steampunk) Fantasy box sets that are on sale for $0.99 each! I have previously read books by all of these authors and I highly recommend their work. I also own all three series, but I have only read the Sorcerer's Quest and have included my review below.

Sorcerer's Quest

Sorcerer's Quest (Complete Trilogy): An Epic Fantasy Completed Trilogy by [Baldron, NAK]

Sorcerer's Quest on Amazon
for only $0.99!

My Review:

Wow! This was my first introduction to Nak Baldron's writing and he's a great storyteller! I got so caught up in his characters and their stories, especially orphan Ren and his mentor Brandon, that as soon I finished Book 1, I picked up Book 2, and then bought the box set when it went on sale, so I could read Book 3!

Orphan's Price is a fitting title as Ren has to count the cost to have a chance at a better life. He doesn't have the type of intelligence that is prized in his part of the world, but he has magic, which is prized in other lands. Life for Ren isn't fair and bullies make it almost unbearable for him, but Ren doesn't give up.

The second book introduces two new people, a girl who must become the new clan leader and her young champion. I got so caught up in Shaya and Akio's characters that I went on to read Salt and Steel that tells Akio's story!

Ren is totally out of his element in the Sapphire Nation, but I'm looking forward to watching him grow and become a formidable force. In this book his magic doesn't get used. Perhaps he should have had some time to practice, even if only in his room. Brandon, on the other hand, gets to shine in his own way back in the Pearl Nation.

We continue Ren's adventures in the third book. Ren, Shaya, and Akio are young adults who have left childhood behind a long time ago, although Ren is still the gentlest of the three. In this story, we also get to know the royal twins, Adaku and Abaze, and what has made them who they are today when they're at the sorcerer's trial. Ren is languishing in jail and worried that he won't even make it to the trials! The question is, if he does make it, will he be ready?

This episode has lots happening with many good scenes. It was a little choppy in places like when switching POVs, but it’s such an interesting story that I didn’t mind having to reread pieces. I definitely want to find out what happens next!

Spellsmith & Carver
Spellsmith & Carver: The Complete Boxset by [Burke, H. L.]

Spellsmith & Carver on Amazon
for only $0.99!


Agents of the Crown

Agents of the Crown (The Complete Series: Books 1-5): An epic fantasy boxed set by [Buroker, Lindsay]


Agents of the Crown on Amazon
for only $0.99!


Please Note: The prices were correct at the time of posting. Please check, as these prices may change.

Read More

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Dolphins at Britannia Bay and a Linky


We had so many great days at Britannia Bay over the Christmas season and seeing dolphins was a regular occurance. Trying to capture them on camera was another story! It's especially exciting to get the dolphins when they're surfing the waves. Thankfully, I managed on one of the days to get several good shots. All of these photos were taken on that day. I bet the kayakers and the paddle boarder enjoyed seeing the dolphins up close! That must have been a real treat!











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

Here's a peek at
my latest post
on 1camera1mom:

Gin Distillery and Charlie's Restaurant




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

My Latest Book Review:

Follow Me on Instagram!



My latest Sock Sunday is the second book in a wonderful steampunk duology that I'm reading to Amanda (age 11). It's called Innovator: Adventure by Association The Everternia Saga by Zen DiPietro. The series is strong on friendships and adventure with lots of whimsy. We love Sally, a non-player character (NPC) in Everternia who has become self-aware. She's ready to take on the world she lives in and make some changes for the good of all NPCs and Adventurers from Real World. Zen DiPietro has created a cozy Steampunk RPG world. Amanda even asked when reading Book 1 if this was a real game, because she wants to play it! This is a fun story for all ages. #SockSunday #whatimreading #steampunk #fantasy #fiction #adventure #mystery #friendship #funny #rpg #litrpg #youngadult #middlegrade #bookreview @zendipietro
A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley) on

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

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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
  • Link-up any family friendly 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.
  • And, I'd love it if you could share about this hop on social media.
The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter


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

*** If you want to comment, then please make sure this page's permalink loads as http and not https! Also, my blog is hosted by Blogger, which uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. And, it's best viewed in Google Chrome. ***

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

Read More

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Sisters Walking Ziggy and a Linky


This is Jessica and Samantha. They are Amanda's big sisters. The age gap between Amanda and Samantha is eight years and with Jessica it's ten. I snapped pics of the two sisters walking Ziggy, their grandparents' dog. He's a miniature Schnauzer. While I was taking photos, I spotted a neighbor's dog on his boardwalk looking all regal. Be sure to visit my other blog, 1camera1mom, to have a peek at our house hunting experience.











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

Here's a peek at
my latest post
on 1camera1mom:

House Hunting Near the Beach




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


My Latest Book Reviews:


Balance of Magic

Wizardoms: Balance of Magic (Fate of Wizardoms Book 2) by [Kohanek, Jeffrey L.]

Follow Me on Instagram!


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

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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
  • Link-up any family friendly 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.
  • And, I'd love it if you could share about this hop on social media.
The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter


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

*** If you want to comment, then please make sure this page's permalink loads as http and not https! Also, my blog is hosted by Blogger, which uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. And, it's best viewed in Google Chrome. ***

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

Read More

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Balance of Magic

Balance of Magic
Fate of Wizardoms Book 2

Wizardoms: Balance of Magic (Fate of Wizardoms Book 2) by [Kohanek, Jeffrey L.]

About the Book:

Title: Balance of Magic (Fate of Wizardoms Book 2) | Author: Jeffrey L. Kohanek | Narrator: Travis Baldree | Pages: 342 | Listening Length: 9 Hours and 44 Minutes | Genre: Fantasy | Recommended Ages: Young Adult and Up

Book Description:

Ruthless wizards vie for a vacant throne.
The result could alter the balance of magic and doom their world.

A wizard lord is dead, the result of an exotic scheme made possible by an amulet known as the Eye of Obscurance, What if the amulet fall into the wrong hands?

With a throne vacant, a rival wizard lord seeks to expand his power, capturing prayers meant for another and strengthening his magic beyond anything ever recorded. The world will tremble should his power rise to that of two gods.

Balance of Magic continues the Fate of Wizardoms epic, a fast-paced epic fantasy adventure sure to entertain and leave you begging for more.

Purchase on Amazon:

My Review:

This is my first time reviewing an audiobook on my blog. I am really enjoying Jeffrey L. Kohanek's Fate of Wizardoms series. I included links to my reviews for the prequel and Book 1 below. Balance of Magic is Book 2. It's a lot of fun listening to Travis Baldree narrate the story and he doesn't exagerate the different voices, which I find can be jarring. On the other hand, some of the voices (especially belonging to the female characters) are almost the same. I still think he does a fabulous job with such a big cast of characters. It helps that the author writes descriptively with just enough information, so it's easy to identify who is talking and who is thinking to themselves even with the different scene changes and varying points of view.

Whether you grab the audiobook or read it yourself, this series has everything to keep your attention. The pacing is good, the scenes are exciting, and the characters are believable. There's even a twist at the end that I didn't see coming! Now I want to know more about that scene, because it opens up a whole bunch of new questions. I'm looking forward to continuing the adventure in Temple of the Oracle (Book 3)!

Fate of Wizardoms Reviews on Goodreads:
Legend of Shadowmar (Prequel)
Eye of Obscurance (Book 1)

About the Author:
Jeffrey L. Kohanek

Jeffrey L. Kohanek

Jeffrey L. Kohanek grew up in rural Minnesota where comic books sparked his young imagination, inspiring fantasies of heroes with super-powers saving the day. His tastes later evolved to fantasy epics featuring unlikely heroes overcoming impossible odds to save worlds born from the writer's imagination.

Now residing in southern California, Jeff uses that imagination to weave tales of engaging characters caught in fantastic plots to inspire young adults and the child within us all.

Would you like FREE books and access to exclusive content? Visit the website link below to join the author newsletter, which frequently includes special offers and inside info on his books.



Read More

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

A Christmas Feast and a Linky


Almost every Christmas holiday we spend it with my in-laws at their beachfront home. We are blessed by the pristine location, good food, and family time. My mother-in-law always puts on a feast and the grandkids take turns assisting her in the kitchen. The photos begin with breakfast, then the appetizer, followed by the main meal, and ending with dessert.

The kids got some new clothes for Christmas, which they modeled for me. Amanda also got the complete Narnia series with colorful illustrations bound in one hardcover book by her brother, Jeremiah. He has fond memories of me reading all seven books to them (the three big kids) when they were young. Amanda has already started it, but I have assured him that I will read to her too.

The summer holiday has come to an end for Amanda. It began December 4 and ended today. Tomorrow she starts Grade 6. It's supposed to get to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but will feel like 104, and there isn't any central air-conditioning. Last year her class was the only one not to even have a fan! Hopefully tomorrow won't be too tough. We will only know who her teacher is and who is in her class tomorrow. There are 2 English classes and 2 Afrikaans classes for every grade. The kids have to learn both languages, but they get taught in their preferred language. Amanda learns British spelling, but I usually stick to American on my blog, since I am American and most of my readers are from the States.

























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

Here's a peek at
my latest post
on 1camera1mom:

Christmas Day at the Beach




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


My Latest Book Reviews:


Fae Hunter

Fae Hunter (Tangled Fae Book 1) by [Wilson, Sarah K. L.]

Follow Me on Instagram!


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

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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
  • Link-up any family friendly 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.
  • And, I'd love it if you could share about this hop on social media.
The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

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

*** If you want to comment, then please make sure this page's permalink loads as http and not https! Also, my blog is hosted by Blogger, which uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. And, it's best viewed in Google Chrome. ***

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

Read More

© 2011 Amanda's Books and More, AllRightsReserved.

Designed by ScreenWritersArena