Spectacular Sunset Part 1 and a Linky

A few days ago, I grabbed my Canon PowerShot before heading out for an evening walk in the veld (grassland) with the dogs. I captured this spectacular sunset and will be sharing it in two parts. This is Part 1. No filters were added. These pics are straight from the camera.

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

Jessica's latest YouTube video is live! Please send her some love by liking, commenting, sharing, and/or subscribing. Thank you!

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

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

Wine Tasting and Cheese Platter at Stettyn Cellar

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

My Latest Book Posts:

New Release and Author Interview!

Dawn of Darkness

View this post on Instagram

I have another fabulous weekend read this Sock Sunday: Dawn of Darkness (The Riven Kingdoms Book 3) by Shari L. Tapscott. I read 30% straight before stopping to make food for my family. I would have kept reading if I could! This is another page-turner and even more exciting than the previous books. You have to read them in order. Princess Amalia of Renove is still furious with Prince Rhys of Draegan after discovering he had lied to her and withheld information. Can they work out their differences in order to save their kingdoms? Then there is Princess Cassia of Draegan, Rhys' younger twin, who has feelings for Prince Braeton of Renove, Amelia's older twin, but her farther has betrothed her to a knight instead. Will they risk all and run away to marry in Renove? Do these two couples even believe the fairy who tells them that both unions between the two kingdoms are necessary to break the curse? #SockSunday #weekendread #Sunday #weekend #whatimreading #newrelease #booklover #bookdragon #bookworm #coverlove #bibliophile #fiction #bookstagrammers #bookstagramtour #Bookstagram #bookaddict #fantasy #romance #igreaders #nofilter @shariltapscott

A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley) on Oct 25, 2020 at 11:25am PDT

One Flew Through the Dragon Heart

View this post on Instagram

ONE FLEW THROUGH THE DRAGON HEART BLURB: A Chinese Legend. A British Secret. Star-Crossed Lovers with Incompatible Magic. Brixton Flew works as a professor of wielder instruction at Rembrandt Academy, hoping to erase the regrets of his youth along with the resulting debt. But when he comes face to face with his biggest regret—the woman who broke his heart, Adelaide Favan—Brixton soon realizes his troubles have only begun. Unable to control her magic, Adelaide knew leaving Brixton was the only way to protect him when they were younger. Now she discovers he is the key to recovering the Dragon Eyes, a legendary treasure connected to her magic and her family's disgraced legacy—and she knows the risk is great, to both his life and her heart. With others seeking the power of the Dragon Eyes, Brixton and Adelaide must outwit their foes and face down their families to save London from an ancient legend that sleeps beneath the magic portal in their city. But the renewed passion growing between them may prove to be the greater peril ... One Flew Through the Dragon Heart is the first book in a new steampunk series by C.S. Johnson, blending together history, romance, mecha-dragons and magic against the glittering backdrop of 1880’s Victorian London. PURCHASE LINK: http://books2read.com/u/31xNVa One Flew Through the Dragon Heart Bookstagram Tour Schedule: October 19th, Monday @UQ4authors @clockwork.bookdragon October 20th, Tuesday @sams.bookverse October 22nd, Thursday @nicoleadamzwrites @sophrilreads @KattWritesWorlds October 23rd, Friday @tinarobmorley @enchaffin @rj_metcalf #SockSunday #booklover #bookdragon #bookworm #coverlove #bibliophile #fiction #bookstagrammers #bookstagramtour #Bookstagram #bookaddict #fantasy #steampunk #romance #igreaders @writercsjohnson

A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley) on Oct 23, 2020 at 9:55am PDT

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

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

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

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 to 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:

<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>

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! My blog is hosted by Blogger, which uses cookies to improve your browsing experience, and it's best viewed in Google Chrome. ***

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

Read More

Ashen and Met By Midnight Blog Tour

2 Unique Cinderella Retellings!

Ashen

by H.L. Burke

Book Description:

Stealer of warmth, bringer of death. What if Cinderella had a secret that kept her locked away?

Unable to make her own body heat, foundling Lizbete survives in the tavern kitchen, drawing warmth from the fires, the sun—and sometimes, other living beings. Her days are spent cooking alongside the tavern owner and avoiding the suspicious gazes of the villagers in her small northern town. While she quietly longs for the handsome Brynar, she knows she has no chance with the mayor’s son, even if he invites her to the First Frost festival.

When sudden earthquakes strike Brumehome, blame falls upon Lizbete, and not even her friendship with Brynar can protect her. She finds shelter in the dangerous caverns of nearby Ash Mountain. There she discovers mysterious people with her same ability to draw heat—and a fiery doom in the mountain that slowly awakens with every quake.

Now the festival Lizbete thought to avoid is her only chance to warn the villagers. Yet even with Brynar at her side, can the strange girl dubbed the Ash Lizard hope to save the town that fears her?

A rugged YA Cinderella retelling set in a fantasy world with light steampunk elements.

Purchase on Amazon

Want to See More H.L. Burke Books?
Check Out My Other Reviews:

Reformed: Supervillain Rehabilitation Project
Daughter of Sun, Bride of Ice
2 Short Stories by H.L. Burke
Heart of the Curiosity
Green Princess Trilogy - Book 1
Green Princess Trilogy - Book 2
Green Princess Trilogy - Book 3
To Court a Queen
Spice Bringer
Thaddeus Whiskers and the Dragon

Cora and the Nurse Dragon

A Tale in Two Parts

Dragon's Curse - Book 1

Dragon's Debt - Book 2

Dragon's Rival - Book 3

Dragon's Bride - Book 4

Beggar Magic

Nyssa Glass and the House of Mirrors

Lands of Ash

About the Author:

H.L. Burke

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.

An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.

Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

Website | Email Newsletter

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Met By Midnight

by Janeen Ippolito

Book Description:

An outcast prince. A captive healer. A single night that changes their destinies.

She lives a nightmare.

As a Mender, Renna is held captive to an endless cycle of receiving and recovering from the physical ailments of others—a cycle that led her mother to an early grave. When her father becomes deathly ill, Renna is desperate to save her only remaining family. Even if it means allying with criminals and taking an illegal mission into the royal palace on the night of their greatest ball.

He’s haunted by dreams.

Unable to be Mended, Prince Jaric’s existence is a curse to his family’s façade of health and security. Marrying him off at the ball and sending him to a distant dukedom is the royal solution—but Jaric has his own plans. For years he’s dreamed of a young woman, a strong-hearted Mender he would give everything for. When she arrives the night of his betrothal, he’s determined to discover her true identity. 

Met by midnight, their fates are entwined.

While escape seems the only answer, powerful forces conspire to keep Renna and Jaric within their cages. Forces that undermine the foundations of the kingdom itself—and threaten any hope of a future together.

This YA romance features Cinderella in an original fantasy world with a dystopian twist.

Purchase on Amazon

Want to See More Janeen Ippolito Books?
Check Out My Other Reviews:

My Alien Engagement
If Wishes Were Curses
Wish You Weren't Here

About the Author:

Janeen Ippolito

Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She's a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She's also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she's not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she's helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect! You can follow her on the links below:

Website | Email Newsletter

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Read More

Calandiva Plants and Cats with a Linky

My Calandiva plants have grown and these are the new flowers. There's also a photo of Prince and one of Sheela. By the way, I shared pics of my Calandiva Flowers a couple of weeks ago from photos of when they were still fairly new.

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

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

Lunch at the Ou Meul Bakery

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

My Latest Book Review on Instagram:

Fierce Heart

View this post on Instagram

My latest Sock Sunday is Fierce Heart by Tara Grayce. If you like clean Fantasy Romance with a sprinkling of Steampunk, then you'll LOVE this book! It's got all the feels. A human princess and an elf prince make an alliance of marriage for both kingdoms. Why are the elves so willing to seek an alliance? What secrets is the elf prince keeping from his new wife? This story is super cute and super girly, so you've been warned! It also has deeper themes. Living in a different culture with people who look down on you for being a foreigner is a theme that I am personally familiar with. I started reading this book yesterday and I'm really enjoying it! #weekend #weekendreads #socksunday #books #ebooks #bookreview #BookReviewer #booklover #bibliophile #bookstagrammers #Bookstagram #bookaddict #steampunk #fantasy #romance #fiction #igreaders @taragrayceauthor @burkesdragons

A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley) on Aug 23, 2020 at 10:00am PDT

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

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

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

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 to 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:

<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>

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

Innovator: The Everternia Saga

Innovator

About the Book:

Title: Innovator: Adventure by Association The Everternia Saga | Author: Zen DiPietro | Pages: 172 | Genre: Steampunk | Recommended Age: All Ages

Book Description:

A self-aware NPC takes on the machine she lives in.

Sally's taking control of her reality and kicking some butt in the process.

The more Sally learns about the world she lives in, the more she wants to improve it. Maybe that's the technie in her, or maybe it's her sense of justice. She's in charge of her life now, and she has a vision of a better Everternia, where people aren't such jerks all the time.

With an ever-growing group of friends, she'll find a way to make it happen.

For her, this is no game. This is her life.

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

Innovator is the second book in the Everternia Saga. This is a whimsical steampunk story set in an RPG world. Sally is leading the way and her friends rally behind her. She has a magnetic personality.

The Everternia Saga explores living a meaningful life, building relationships, and creative thinking. I read this series to Amanda, my youngest daughter. It’s uplifting and fun. Often we found things that made us giggle. It’s a rare skill to write with heartfelt humor. Sadly, the ending was abrupt. Amanda and I wished there could have been a little more, maybe an Epilogue or something.

My Reviews of Zen's Books:

Zen DiPietro Author Interview

The Heart-Shaped Chest: The Everternia Saga

Trailblazer: The Everternia Saga

Hello Protocol for Dead Girls

Chains of Command Books 1 and 2

Chains of Command Book 3

Chains of Command Book 4

The Dragonfire Station Trilogy

2 FREE Science-Fiction Short Stories

Books 1 - 3 in the Mercenary Warfare Series

Book 4 in the Mercenary Warfare Series

Book 5 in the Mercenary Warfare Series

Hired Gun - A Bounty Hunter Space Opera

About the Author:

Zen DiPietro

Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, dreamer, writer, and a mom of two. Perhaps most importantly, a Browncoat Trekkie Whovian. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. A recovering gamer, but we won’t talk about that. Particular loves include badass heroines, British accents, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.zendipietro.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Read More

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 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 on Amazon
for only $0.99!

Agents of the Crown

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

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!

View this post 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 Jan 26, 2020 at 7:58am PST

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

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

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

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:

<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>

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