Easter Weekend and a Linky

We had all four kids with us this Easter weekend. Everyone had Friday and Monday off, so we made the most of it. We went through to my in-laws at the beach and had a wonderful time. Sometimes it was cold enough to sit inside by the fireplace, but other times the sun was shining. If you've been enjoying my sunrise and sunset photos, then you'll be blown away by the stunning sunset we saw at my in-laws'! I'll be sharing those photos later and probably on 1camera1mom instead of here, but I'll definitely include a peek on this blog as I always do.

Amanda was given rhyming clues by her sister, Samantha, for her Easter egg hunt. One of the clues took her to the beach. Ziggy, my in-laws' miniature Schnauzer, enjoyed that! One of the delicious meals my mother-in-law made was lamb with basmati rice and figs.

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Bo-Kaap, Malay Quarter, Cape Town

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Our Latest Book Review:

What to Do When You're Feeling Blue

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*** If you want to comment or join the linky, 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. ***

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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

Twitter 

Facebook
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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.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

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>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.
Please load page as http and not https.

How to use the linky widget:

First make sure that you load this page as http and not https if you want to see the linky. Type in the name of your 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.

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What to Do When You're Feeling Blue

What to Do When You're Feeling Blue

by Andi Cann

About the Book:

Title: What to Do When You're Feeling Blue | Author: Andi Cann | Pages: 35 | Genre: Picture Book

Book Description:

Sometimes kids are happy. Sometimes they are sad. Kids learn in this book that it’s okay, either way!

Your child will learn that sadness happens. Meant to be loved and enjoyed, again and again, this book with colorful pictures and rhymes will help children learn that all feelings are okay and offer ideas about coping with sadness. Children will learn that they have the power to feel better and that happy feelings are just around the corner! Most importantly, children will learn that they are important and loved!

Today, depression is a real problem and is affecting children early in childhood. Teaching your children that changing emotions are a part of life will help create resilience and cope with life’s ups and downs.

Please note: if you suspect your child suffers from depression, please seek help! The National Alliance for Mental Illness can be reached at www.nami.org

Purchase on Amazon

Our Review:

Kids need to know that it's okay not to be happy all the time. This picture book lets children know that it's normal to have days when you are feeling blue and you don't need a reason either. It also gives a variety of ideas of what to do when you're down like read a book or think about things that you enjoy doing like. The unique illustrations inside are colorful and cheerful. It also offers a contact number at the beginning of the book for a loved one battling with depression.

Amanda (age 11) says the book is nice and the art is good for little kids. She likes that the author didn't just say a couple of things that you can do to be happy, but a lot of things. She also likes the rhyming words. Amanda and I both recommend this book for children ages 4 - 7.

Related Review:

The Magic of Friendship Snow

About the Author:

Andi Cann

Andi loves writing books for kids! With two of her own, although they're grown now, she has always been an avid reader and an enthusiastic promoter of early reading!

It all started in Andi's early life in the Midwest part of the United States. Her life was rich with books, reading, and library visits. Nancy Drew was one of her best friends! Mrs. Gladieux, the town librarian, encouraged her love of reading, and allowed her to check out many more books than were allowed! Andi's stories are about children learning to embrace their uniqueness, find friends, or stand up for themselves.

Andi's memorable characters include Mr. Hoopeyloops, Alabama Oh, Jojo, Puddles, Rex, Rory the Elf, and MerryLyn, with many more on the horizon. Click "follow" to be notified when a new book comes out! And, if you liked the books, please leave a review. It helps me and other readers.

Andi lives in Arizona with her husband, a dog named Beau, chickens, and countless free range bunnies. She loves art, animals, and reading good books!

Visit her website!

Disclosure: Amanda and I own this book from Amazon Kindle. This is our honest and voluntary review.

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Bike Riding and Guineafowl with a Linky

All of today's photos are of guineafowl on our property and Amanda and Hubby riding bikes just outside our house with our shelter dog, Koda.

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Road Trip and Cherry Lane

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My Latest Book Posts:

Good Writing is Like Good Sex




Should I Go to College?

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*** If you want to comment or join the linky, 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. ***

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

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

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.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

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>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.
Please load page as http and not https.

How to use the linky widget:

First make sure that you load this page as http and not https if you want to see the linky. Type in the name of your 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.

Read More

Good Writing is Like Good Sex

Good Writing is Like Good Sex

by C.S. Johnson

GOOD WRITING IS LIKE GOOD SEX

SORT OF SEXY THOUGHTS ON WRITING

What makes a book sexy?

While there are individual exceptions, the most objective difference between a good story and a downright terrible one is simple—it all comes down to the writing.

It’s either good writing, and we can forgive the technical flaws a little more easily, or it’s bad writing, and bad writing is just bad.

Good writing is more than just good writing; it taunts you, intrigues you, calls to you; it pulls at your heart and slips inside your soul.

Good writing is sexy.

If you’re a fiction writer looking to improve your writing skills, this is the perfect, provocative read to encourage you to get down to business and write your book.

Inside Good Writing is Like Good Sex, you will find:

· A titillating perspective on the writing process

· The secret to why your story is special, and how you can make it sexier

· Tips on romancing your readers

· How to write irresistible characters

· Basic writing and story concepts with advanced insights

- and all in a non-gratuitous fashion with a lot of innuendos.

Only $0.99 on Amazon!

My Review:

If you want to be a better fantasy or fiction writer, then this book is for you! C.S. Johnson coaches would-be writers or writers wanting to improve their craft using sex as her analogy. In her book, she states, "Good writing is like good sex. It's part mental, part emotional, part physical, and part spiritual." Her intention is not to encourage promiscuity, but to promote a holistic and fresh take on what it means to write well.

She also states, "This book has no guarantees to make you a better writer.... But while this book and its metaphors make no promises, I can honestly say that, if nothing else, you should get a few laughs out of it." Studies have shown that the best way to learn is to have fun while doing so, and this book delivers that!

Another recent release by C.S. Johnson:

Should I Go to College?

Reviews of C.S. Johnson's Books:
Kingdom of Ash and Soot
Prince of Secrets and Shadows
Night of Blood and Beauty
Beauty's Curse & Beauty's Quest 
Across the Floors of Silent Seas

C.S. Johnson Author Interview

About the Author:

C.S. Johnson

C.S. Johnson is the author of several young adult novels, including sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles series, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family.

Website // Newsletter // Facebook

Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Please Note: The price was correct at the time of posting. Please check, as the price may change.

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Painting on Canvas and a Linky

Samantha recently came home for her first term break from university. She went back on Sunday. The schools in South Africa have four terms in a year, beginning January/February and ending November/December. Her sister, Jessica, only starts her holiday later this month, so we'll be seeing her over Easter.

We took Samantha wine tasting the first weekend home and last weekend she worked on this painting. It isn't finished yet, but it's coming along nicely. We've also been having beautiful sunrises and sunsets that I've been photographing from this same balcony. Last weekend we had a sunset with similar colors to her painting. I included two pics of that sunset below.

Preparing the canvas and using
her knee as a palette 

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Wine Tasting in Rawsonville

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My Latest Book Posts:

Should I Go to College?




Hello Protocol for Dead Girls

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

*** If you want to comment or join the linky, 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. ***

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

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

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.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

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>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.
Please load page as http and not https.

How to use the linky widget:

First make sure that you load this page as http and not https if you want to see the linky. Type in the name of your 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.

Read More