Thursday, March 9, 2017

My Birthday Dinner with Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #212!

Jessica, Amanda, Me, Samantha

Last week I shared photos of my 42nd Birthday. Today's photos were taken that evening when we went out for dinner at our mall to celebrate. Jeremiah couldn't be with us. He is at university in the Eastern Cape, about 12 hours away by bus. Looking at the pics, you would think it was Samantha's birthday, but she just happened to be in the right spot across from me. I'm usually the one behind the camera, so you don't often get to see photos of me.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to see them at their best.

Pink Lemonade

Samantha and Amanda

Sushi for Starters

Family Seafood Platter

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

My List of Girl Books for All Ages:



My Latest Book Review:

The Book of Deacon (The Book of Deacon Series 1) by [Lallo, Joseph]


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

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...

Amanda’s Books and More

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

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

Weekend Linky



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

Read More

The Book of Deacon Series

The Book of Deacon Series
by Joseph R. Lallo

The Book of Deacon (The Book of Deacon Series 1) by [Lallo, Joseph]

About the Book:

Title: The Book of Deacon (Book 1) | Author: Joseph R. Lallo | Pages: 323 | Genre: Epic Fantasy | Age Level: 12 - 18

Book Description:

Myranda is a young woman more interested in staying alive than being a hero. Orphaned by a continent-spanning war that has gone on for decades too long and shunned for failing to support it, she has been on the move since she was only a child. One can hardly blame her when she thinks that the chance discovery of a fallen soldier's priceless cargo is the moment that will change her life. No one could predict just how great that change would be. It will lead her through an adventure of rebels and generals, of wizards and warriors, and of beasts both noble and monstrous. Each step of the way will take her closer to the truth of her potential, of the war, and of the fate of her world.

FREE on Amazon Kindle!

My Review

I had no idea what to expect when I began reading The Book of Deacon (Book 1 in The Book of Deacon Series). The story grabbed me from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and I had a few favorites. Not wanting to give too much of the story away, I'll only introduce you to the first person I met, a young lady named Myranda who doesn't see herself as a hero, only as a survivor in a dystopian society. She is the protagonist in the story with a strong inner compass that sustains her through the worst of difficulties. She seems alone in a very cold world, but she makes a few friends along the way. The story has some twists and you're not always certain who Myranda can trust.

I loved the adventures that the characters experience and the pace of the story. I could feel what they were feeling. I could see what they were seeing. There were plenty of exciting moments to keep my attention and once I finished reading Book 1, I wanted to begin Book 2. The only thing that I noticed needed improvement was the proofreading. There were little mistakes that just needed another edit, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story!


The Great Convergence (The Book of Deacon Series 2) by [Lallo, Joseph]

About the Book:

Title: The Great Convergence (Book 2) | Author: Joseph R. Lallo | Pages: 315 | Genre: Epic Fantasy | Age Level: 12 - 18

Book Description:

The second in the Book of Deacon series, The Great Convergence continues the tale of young Myranda Celeste. With fresh knowledge of magic and steadfast resolve to see the end of the war that plagues her land, Myranda sets out to find and unite the five fated heroes, the Chosen. Each new warrior brings her world a step closer to peace, but does she have the strength to survive the trials ahead?

Purchase on Amazon Kindle
for only $2.99

My Review

The Great Convergence is the second book in the series. We meet new characters who have plenty of differences and this keeps the dialogue between them entertaining. Nothing comes easy for Myranda, but she presses on to see her dream of peace for the empire realized. Her group doesn't always agree with her, but she remains true to her inner compass and doesn't give up. One character that I came to love makes the ultimate sacrifice. There's adventure and romance. The story flows well from Book 1 and the plot thickens. This book also had typos and needed another proofreading. As soon as I finished reading Book 2, I was eager to purchase Book 3!


The Battle of Verril (The Book of Deacon Series 3) by [Lallo, Joseph]

About the Book:

Title: The Battle of Verril (Book 3) | Author: Joseph R. Lallo | Pages: 323 | Genre: Epic Fantasy | Age Level: 12 - 18

Book Description:

In this, the finale of the Book of Deacon Trilogy, Myranda and the Chosen face their greatest challenges yet. Time is running out, and the Generals are growing desperate. Through victory and defeat, reunion and betrayal, neither the heroes nor their foes will rest until they have seen their task through to the end. The only question is, will it be the end of a war, or the end of times?

Purchase on Amazon Kindle
for only $2.99

My Review

The Battle of Verril is the third book in the series. There are more twists and turns. Characters that you love suffer greatly. One character I was expecting to see more of dies a dramatic death. That character's destiny and full potential is never realized. The rule about the Five Chosen being fixed in the time of the Great Convergence seems to get bent. There were too many battle scenes for me. At one point, I felt detached from the characters. I kept on reading and, to my relief, got back into the story.

The endearing romance that I enjoyed in Book 2 continues in Book 3. There are moments of humor that help lighten the mood. It certainly is the darkest of the three books. This book also needed another proofreading for typos. All three books have that epic fantasy feel to them, but you have to have an appetite for battle scenes when reading Book 3.

The conclusion in Book 3 was satisfying. There is a Book 4 if you want to read more. There are some side stories to the series as well. I have included the links below.


Jade (The Book of Deacon series) by [Lallo, Joseph]

About the Book:

Title: Jade (The Book of Deacon series) | Author: Joseph R. Lallo | Pages: 105 | Genre: Fantasy | Age Level: 12 - 18

Book Description:

This short novel, set after the events of The Book of Deacon, follows the blessed and cursed life of Jade Rinton. Stripped of her family and kept in a tall tower by a fierce dragon due to the scheming of a mysterious stranger, Jade seems to be living in a twisted fairy tale. She soon learns, though, that fate has its own ideas of who should play each part, and that family is where you find it.

FREE on Amazon Kindle!

I grabbed a free copy, but
haven't read this novella yet.


More Books in the Series:

(Book 4 in the series)

(Book 0 in the series)

(Book of Deacon series)


About the Author:
Joseph R. Lallo

Joseph Lallo

A native of Bayonne, NJ - the fabled birthplace of George R. R. Martin - Joseph Lallo is an unlikely entry into the world of literature. After a childhood spent daydreaming and reading, he fully intended to pursue a career in the tech sector. He received a Master's Degree in Computer Engineering from NJIT, and subsequently got a job working IT for a large healthcare corporation. Things changed when, in January 2010, his friends finally convinced him to publish the story that had accumulated over the course of a decade of spare time. That story, now known as the Book of Deacon Trilogy, was a surprise hit, and once he got a taste of the world of indie writing, he was hooked. Now he splits his time between writing novels and writing articles and reviews for BrainLazy.com, a group blog he helps run. His latest novels are The D'Karon Apprentice and Skykeep.

Disclosure: I was not asked to do these reviews and there are no affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Please Note: Prices listed are correct at the time of posting and these prices can change at any time.


Read More

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Celebrating International Women's Day

To celebrate International Women's Day, I have compiled a list of books of courageous female characters. All of these stories I have reviewed over the years on Amanda's Books and More. I'm sure you'll find something here to inspire you! Just click on the book titles in blue and the links will take you to my review posts.




This book is based on a true story.




Children's Book: The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool (Volume 1): Color Illustrations Edition-Mythology and Role Models for Kids by [LaRue, PJ]





maryssong






The Princess Madeline Trilogy






The Book of Deacon (The Book of Deacon Series 1) by [Lallo, Joseph]


Read More

Amanda's Birthday Party with Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #233!


Last week I shared photos of Amanda on her 9th birthday. Today's photos are of the birthday party. The kids got to take home their glass drinking jars as party favors. Some of the fun things that the kids did included a chocolate fountain and swimming. We are heading into Autumn here in South Africa, but our days are still hot. We are still experiencing drought, so please pray for rain! If you missed the photos of Amanda turning 9, then you can check them out here.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on my photos to see them at their best!




Blowing out Candles



Chocolate Fountain

Blowing Bubbles

Throwing Streamers

Opening Presents



Swimming



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

My latest post
on 1camera1mom:



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

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

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
and
Follow on Bloglovin



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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.



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

Read More

Saturday, March 4, 2017

42nd Birthday with Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #211!


Yesterday was my birthday! I turned 42. I figured that since I gave you Amanda's age when it was her birthday on Tuesday that I should do the same. We had such a busy day that I couldn't post my weekend blog hop on Friday like I usually do. It is called "Make My Saturday Sweet," so, in a since, it's still on time!

It was a day of being spoiled and it started with a yummy breakfast and birthday cards and presents. It was also a day filled with other responsibilities, including Amanda not being well and staying home from school. I also began wearing a moon boot for the first time, which the doctor says I will have to wear for about 6 months. The ligament in my foot and my Achilles tendon have not been healing, so this will hopefully do the trick!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to see them at their best.

Birthday Cards

This birthday card from my mother-in-law says, "I didn't
have time to bake you a cake so you'll have to make it
yourself... You can thank me later!"

This card was from Amanda

She turned 9 on Tuesday and got a new game, Cluedo.
She took a new character from there when she wrote
this card: Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you have a
wonderful day. Dr. Orchid gave you a little present
for you. I hope you enjoy your present. XXOO
(Check out Amanda's Birthday here!)

This is one of my orchids and the orchid food
is the present from Dr. Orchid (aka Amanda).

This was my birthday present from Robbie,
but the box was empty! Why?

He surprised me with waffles for breakfast!

Another gift from Robbie that I still need to try:
Cape Velvet Cream - Original Cream Liqueur
(You can tell that I have a sweet tooth!)

Me, sporting the moon boot
for the first time

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

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...

Amanda’s Books and More

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

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

Weekend Linky



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

Read More

© 2011 Amanda's Books and More, AllRightsReserved.

Designed by ScreenWritersArena