April 2016 ~ Amanda's Books and More

Friday, April 29, 2016

Make Art Out of Falling and More

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #172!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the images to see them at their best!

So, you lose balance and you fall ... but, what do you do next? Stop? Or go on? Make art out of falling ...

From Inside Edition:

Teen Cancer Survivor

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

My Latest Book Reviews:

Goo and Spot:
Under the Orange Tree
Win this picture book
and kid's goodie bag!
Just visit the link and follow
the Rafflecopter prompts.

Looking for that perfect
Mother's Day gift?
Inspirational Coloring for Mom

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

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+

Pinterest

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

This is a blog hop!

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

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Inspirational Coloring for Mom

Inspirational Coloring for Mom

by Christian Art Publishers

It's almost Mother's Day!

Are you looking for that perfect gift?

This gorgeous coloring book

might be just the right thing!

About the Book

Escape from life's stressful moments and express your creativity with these beautifully designed coloring pages, complemented by specially selected Scripture verses and quotes for moms.

Special Features:
• Perforated pages
• Cards and tags to cut out and color
• 50 coloring sheets to enjoy

Meaningful Me-time

Biblical Inspiration

Delightful De-stressing

♥ Purchase on Amazon ♥

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to enlarge them.

I received this book for my birthday in March and have been thoroughly enjoying it. I've already shared some photos of the pages that I've colored on my blog. I was even asked where to buy it. I figured that it was time to give a review!

My Review

There are several reasons why Inspirational Coloring for Mom will make a great gift for moms this Mother's Day.

Firstly, it comes as a spiral hardcover book. The spiral binding allows you to turn the pages with ease. This eliminates the need to bend the book open to reach the spots along the inside spine.

Secondly, the outside hardcover works like a table surface, so you can take it anywhere and color without difficulty. This works especially well for me, because I like to color on my lap.

Thirdly, the beautiful illustrations come with fun and inspirational messages for Mom. They are the perfect encouragement to my day.

Fourthly, the pages are perforated, so you can remove them and give them away as gifts. Or, you can frame them and hang them up to decorate your home.

Fifthly, besides the full-sized illustrations, there are also cards, bookmarks, and gift tags to color at the back of the book. This offers more variety to what you can do with your coloring creations.

Disclosure: My husband bought this book for me. All opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Butterfly with Animated GIF and a #LinkyParty

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #189!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on my photos to see them at their best!

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

Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Naval Museum

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

My Latest Book Review:

Goo and Spot
with a cool giveaway!

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

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+

Pinterest

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.

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

Monday, April 25, 2016

The Gladiator and the Guard

The Gladiator and the Guard

the second book in the Krillonian Chronicles,

sequel to The Collar and the Cavvarach

About the Book:

Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is just one victory away from freedom. But after he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is condemned to the violent life and early death of a gladiator. While his loved ones seek desperately for a way to rescue him, Bensin struggles to stay alive and forge an identity in an environment designed to strip it from him. When he infuriates the authorities with his choices, he knows he is running out of time. Can he stand against the cruelty of the arena system and seize his freedom before that system crushes him?

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

You can read my review
of Book 1 here:

The Collar and the Cavvarach

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

Book 1 and 2 or now on sale

for only $0.99 until May 30th!

Purchase Book 1
on Amazon:
The Collar and the Cavvarach

Purchase Book 2
on Amazon:
The Gladiator and the Guard
on Smashwords:
The Gladiator and the Guard

Books by

Annie Douglass Lima

that I have reviewed:

The Collar and the Cavvarach

In the Enemy's Service

Prince of Malorn

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

or a Free digital copy of

The Collar and the Cavvarach!

Just click on the link and follow

the Rafflecopter prompts:

A Rafflecopter Giveaway!

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 twelve books (two YA action and adventure novels, four fantasies, a puppet script, and five 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

Friday, April 22, 2016

Celebrating Earth Day with #LinkyParty

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #171!

~ Celebrating Earth Day! ~

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the images to see them at their best!

Amanda Planting a Garden

with Her Nana

Photos from 2015

2 Great YouTube Videos on Recycling

The first one is just for laughs.

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

My Latest Book Reviews:

A Buss from Lafayette
with $25 Giveaway!
Just visit the link and follow
the Rafflecopter prompts.

Goo and Spot:
Under the Orange Tree
Win this picture book
and kid's goodie bag!
Just visit the link and follow
the Rafflecopter prompts.

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

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+

Pinterest

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

This is a blog hop!

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

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Goo and Spot: Under the Orange Tree

Goo and Spot:
Under the Orange Tree

by Elsa Takaoka

Review and a

Cool Giveaway!

About the Book:

Title: Goo and Spot: Under the Orange Tree
(Book 3 in the Goo and Spot series)
Author: Elsa Takaoka
Illustrator: Catherine Toennisson
Pages: 32
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grades: K - 2
Summary:

It’s a tricky little problem for Spot and Goo. How can they share one treat with a bunch of hungry new friends? But learning can be fun (and delicious) in this funny story with an enjoyable and colorful lesson about sharing and fractions. It’s a sweet tale, full of delightful rhymes and vibrant illustrations. Definitely a great teaching tool for children.

Purchase on Amazon

Paperback | Kindle

My Review:

Goo and Spot: Under the Orange Tree is author Elsa Takaoka's latest creation. It's a great book to help little ones learn fractions in a fun and entertaining way. It also highlights friendships in diversity and the joy of sharing.

This is the 3rd delightful Goo and Spot book that Amanda and I have read together. We love the story in rhyme and cheerful illustrations, which are signatures of each of them. I gladly recommend this book for girls and boys ages 4 - 8.

My Previous Book Reviews
of Elsa Takaoka's children's books:

Goo and Spot in the
Do Not Wiggle Riddle

and

A Moat is Not a Goat

About the Author:

Elsa Takaoka

Budding author Elsa Takaoka puts her pen to paper and creates a fun and heart-warming story. Spinning words with natural creativity, Elsa discovered her love of language at a very early age. She then pursued a career in Speech Language Pathology and English as a Second Language until the birth of her first daughter. Reading to her own little girls sparked her whimsical journey through children’s literature. Her dream to write and publish a picture book was achieved with Goo and Spot and The Do Not Wiggle Riddle, the first in the Goo and Spot book series.

Currently, Elsa lives in Fukuoka, Japan with her sources of inspiration- her loving husband and their two adorable little girls.

Author Website * Facebook * Twitter * Google+

About the Illustrator:

Catherine Toennisson

Catherine grew up alongside her twin sister in the small city of Norris Tennessee. Together they climbed trees, and waded through creeks in search of frogs and fairies. Her love of nature and whimsy came with her when she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend The Art Insistute. Graduating with honors, and a Bachelor's of Fine arts in Media arts and Animation. She continued into her career, working as a storyboard revisionist for Big Idea Entertainment, and then into freelance. Illustrating a series of children's books written by Elsa Takaoka. Currently she's writing her own books, and working late nights in her home studio. In her free time she enjoys doll making, watching Ghibli films, swimming, and can never pass up a good cup of coffee, or a stroll through the woods.

Visit her website: Painted Deer

Win a Goo and Spot Book with Goodies!

Prize: One winner will receive a copy of the book with kid's goodie bag

Giveaway ends: 20 May 2016 at 11:59 pm

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 Elsa Takaoka and is hosted and managed by Christina on Amanda's Books and More. If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me: morleychristina (at) gmail (dot) com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Blue Beaded Butterfly and a #LinkyParty

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #188!

We've been getting gentle showers of rain
these past few days, so that means the long
dry spell that we've been having is now over!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on my photos to see them at their best!

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

Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Kanonkop Estate

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

My Latest Book Review

A Buss from Lafayette
~ A middle grade/young adult historical novel ~

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

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+

Pinterest

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.

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

Monday, April 18, 2016

A Buss From Lafayette

A Buss From Lafayette

Blog Tour with a

$25 Giveaway!

A Buss From Lafayette by Dorothea Jensen

~ a middle grade/young adult novel ~

About the Book:

Title: A Buss From Lafayette
Author: Dorothea Jensen
Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult Historical Fiction
Recommended Ages: 10-17
Number of Pages: 266
Publisher: BQB Publishing
Publication Date: April 22, 2016
Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Clara Hargraves lives on a farm in Hopkinton, a small New Hampshire town, during the early 19th century. She has a couple of big problems. First of all, she has a stepmother, Priscilla, who used to be her spinster schoolteacher aunt. Clara resents that her late mother’s older sister has not only married her father but is about to have a baby. To make matters worse, “Prissy Priscilla” keeps trying to make the rambunctious, clever, and witty Clara act like a proper young lady. Secondly, Clara has red hair, making her a target for teasing by a handsome older boy, Dickon Weeks, and by her pretty seventeen-year-old Dread Cousin Hetty. Clara, however, has a secret plan she hopes will change this. During the last week of June, 1825, Clara’s town is abuzz because the famous General Lafayette is about to visit their state during his farewell tour of America. In those eventful seven days, Clara learns a lot about her family, Hetty, Dickon, herself, and about Lafayette. She comes to understand the huge and vital role the young French aristocrat played in America’s Revolutionary War and to see that her problems might not be quite so terrible after all.

Purchase on:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

My Review:

Dorothea Jensen brings history to life in this vibrant coming-of-age story about a young girl, Clara Hargraves, who is living in the time of the 50th anniversary of the American Revolution and General Lafayette's farewell tour. What is history for us was current events for the people of that time and Jensen skillfully tells it like that. She describes hammering chips off a pound-sized block of sugar and making strawberry jam with ready-made syrup from the West Indies. Much of the history is learned through conversations that flow naturally. The characters are engaging and I enjoyed the sibling rivalry between clever Clara and her competent brother, Joss. There's also a bit of young love by a certain admirer amidst all of the shenanigans.

I highly recommend this historical novel for all middle grade and young adult readers.

About the Author:

Dorothea Jensen

Dorothea Jensen, born in Boston, Massachusetts, grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois. She majored in English literature at Carleton College. After teaching high-school English and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil, she earned a master s degree in education at the University of New Mexico. In 1989, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich published Dorothea s novel for young readers about the American Revolution, The Riddle of Penncroft Farm. In addition to other honors, it was named an International Reading Association Teacher s Choices Selection and is read in classrooms throughout the U.S. A Buss from Lafayette is set in the small New Hampshire town where Dorothea lives. Two things inspired her to write this story. First, was learning that Lafayette passed right by her house during his 1824-5 Triumphal Tour. Another was meeting a woman whose ancestor received a kiss from Lafayette. That buss, passed down through generations, eventually came to Dorothea. This sparked her interest in Lafayette s contributions to our struggle for independence. Dorothea also enjoys writing rhyming verse. She has written a series of award-winning illustrated modern Christmas stories in verse featuring Santa's Izzy Elves.

For more information about Dorothea and her books, please visit her WEBSITE.

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: May 2, 11:59 pm, 2016 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, Dorothea Jensen and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway