Amanda's Books and More

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Calandiva Flowers and a Linky

Calandiva Flowers

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

Picnic at the Rose Garden

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My Latest Book Posts:

Opposites Picture Books

Opposites: The Little Book of Big Friends by [Agnes Green, Olena Potyomkina]

Dragon Tears

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My latest weekend read this Sock Sunday is Dragon Tears, a prequel novella to The Alliance of the Dragon Sword series by C.S. Johnson. It's a page-turner of a story with believable characters and great worldbuilding. I enjoyed how music was included. It is written in first person as we follow a 17-year-old Thessa running from her village and then flashback to her 15-year-old self and all that has led up to now. It ends in the present with a really good cliffhanger. Thessa is an orphan and raised as a Ghost Child. She has a 17-year Life Debt to Ceru the Sea Dragon. She is a typical teenage girl when it comes to her feelings about a boy and falling in love, but it comes at a time of war and great change. She lets her feelings decide her actions. Even though she wants to do the right thing, her heart distracts her. #weekend #weekendreads #socksunday #books #ebooks #bookreview #BookReviewer #booklover #bibliophile #bookstagrammers #Bookstagram #bookaddict #indiebook #fantasy #fiction #igreaders #nofilter #nofilterneeded @writercsjohnson

A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley) on Aug 9, 2020 at 11:02am PDT

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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!

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Link-up any family-friendly post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
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Friday, August 7, 2020

Opposites Picture Books

Opposites: The Little Book of Big Friends

by Agnes Green

About this Book:

Book Description:

Are you looking for an adorable and educational book that will delight your children for hours? Now there’s a great way to introduce your child to opposites. This book features hilarious, colorful pictures packed with funny details, and easy to remember rhymes. More than 20 pairs of unexpected and interesting opposites will tickle your child’s funny bone.

All the little animal friends have gathered together to play in the park. They are each unique in different ways. But they still enjoy spending time together… even if they are opposites! Every page introduces your little ones to new pairs of opposite animals, and shows how they’re different!

Written in an accessible and funny style, it’s easy for your child to fill in the opposites as you read together. You could even turn it into a funny game, to make you and your little one laugh each time you read. Just check out all these cuties… Aren’t they adorable? Your child will love them all!

After spending a long day in the park, all the little animal friends are ready for the bed… and now you have the perfect bedtime story to read to your little one as well. Are you ready to entertain your child, and teach them about opposites? Read them this book today, and watch it become their favorite for many days ahead…

Purchase on Amazon:

Paperback | Kindle

My Review:

This delightful story teaches about opposites while having fun with a variety of friends. The illustrations are bright and cheerful. The rhyme scheme is peppy. The message is clear that not everyone is the same, but you can still have fun together. This is a great book for the home and school!

Peek Inside:

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Flowers From My Garden and a Linky

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

Wildflowers in the Western Cape

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My Latest Book Posts:

Dragon’s Reach

Dragon's Reach: An epic fantasy adventure (The Keeper Origins Book 1) by [JA Andrews]

Dragons Rising

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My latest Sock Sunday is Dragons Rising Books 1 - 3 by Alisha Klapheke. Enter an exciting world where those living on land are at risk from those in the sea. Meet Vahly, the Earth Queen and the last remaining human, living among the dragon shifters. She must find her magic before it's too late. The Sea Queen wants to drown the whole world with only one island left to go and dragons and elves standing in her way, unless Vahly can find her magic in time to help turn the tide. The dragons have given her a home, but they don't know how to tap into her earth magic. Dragons don't trust elves, but Vahly is desperate. When she stumbles upon an elf who is close to death and missing some of his memories, she's willing to risk her life to help him. #weekend #weekendreads #socksunday #books #ebooks #bookreview #BookReviewer #booklover #bibliophile #bookstagrammers #Bookstagram #bookaddict #indiebook #fantasy #fiction #igreaders @alishaklapheke

A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley) on Aug 2, 2020 at 9:50am PDT

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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.

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Friday, July 31, 2020

Dragon's Reach

Dragon's Reach

About the Book:

Title: Dragon's Reach | Author: JA Andrews | Pages: 614 | Genre: Epic Fantasy

Book Description:

The truth is neither plain, nor simple.

Sable, a reluctant thief from the slums, can feel truth when people speak. For years she’s been using that skill to try to break free from the vicious gang boss she's indebted to.

Escape comes in the form of an odd set of companions:
-a dwarf running from the past,
-an actor with a magical, glowing tree
-a too-helpful kobold,
-a playwright with a knack for getting stories out of people, and
-a man and woman with suspicious, magical powers.

But Sable’s freedom is short lived.

On the edges of civilization, they discover hidden, terrifying lies in the offers of peace from the brutal Kalesh Empire.

Now, she must return to the city she fled, and along with her companions, attempt an impossible task—convince everyone, including the powerful Dragon Prioress, of the truth.

Except the Kalesh web of lies has ensnared everyone.
With her land, her people, and everything she loves hanging in the balance, Sable is the only one standing between freedom, and certain death.

Purchase on Amazon:

Paperback | Kindle

My Review:

Dragon's Reach is Epic Fantasy with a hint of romance. It's a page-turner of a story that's unique and unpredictable. There's danger at every turn. J.A. Andrews creates colorful characters, brilliant world building, and witty dialogue. This is the first book in a new series and will leave you hanging. I can’t wait to find out what happens to Sable and the others!

3 Favorite Quotes from
Dragon's Reach:

“I think we become better people when we spend time imagining what other people are living through."

“She prayed for your safety and that your heart wouldn’t be broken by the world. That it would stay generous and kind.”

“Only the same law everything else is under. That our own actions shape and change us, even the small ones.” Cintis paused. “Especially the small ones.”

Related Reviews:

A Keeper's Tale and
A Threat of Shadows

How JA Andrews began writing her first book:

My husband was out of town for an entire month and bored every evening. So I made it my goal to send him a chapter a night, just for pure entertainment. I think I ended up writing only about 10 chapters, but I liked them so much that even though I let them sit on a computer neglected for years, the characters and the story kept calling me back. Eventually I pulled them out again and decided to finish the story. It turned into my first novel, A Threat of Shadows. And those early chapters are still some of my favorites.

About the Author:

JA Andrews

JA Andrews is a writer, wife, mother, and unemployed rocket scientist. She doesn't regret the rocket science degree, but finds it generally inapplicable in daily life. Except for the rare occurrence of her being able to definitively state, "That's not rocket science." She does, however, love the stars.

She began writing stories and creating coloring books because these sorts of things need an outlet. And now good markers are a deductible business expense.

She spends an inordinate amount of time at home, with her family, who she adores, and lives deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, where she can see more stars than she ever imagined.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Married 25 Years and a Linky

Last week we celebrated our 25th Anniversary! Hubby surprised me with flowers, red wine, Lindt chocolates, and a dainty necklace with pearls on a silver chain. He made sure to give me something silver for our silver anniversary! I'm wearing the necklace in the photo below. He also wanted to buy traditional roses and went to a couple of stores, but none of them looked all that fresh. I’m glad he bought the proteas instead. They’re stunning and they last longer. There are different varieties of proteas and you can see 2 types in the bouquets below.

Our kids also spoiled us! Jessica made savory crêpes for breakfast with Samantha's help. They were filled with spinach, mushrooms, chopped hardboiled eggs, and a little bit of sour cream. There were some cinnamon and sugar filled ones too.

Amanda baked us an Oreo cheesecake all by herself! She used Preppy Kitchen's recipe. It was her first time trying her hand at piping and she did really well. She also made us the creative card that I featured below.

Our main meal was an afternoon braai (BBQ). We had steak, lamb chops, and pork ribs, enough meat to last us a few days! If you're wondering, that's sweet potato wrapped in the aluminum foil. We had great weather, a sunny winter day with no wind. We’re still on lockdown here in South Africa, so we made the most of it at home.

What did I do for our anniversary? I made a card for Hubby and we’re sharing the wine and chocolates. 😄

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Snow-Capped Mountains and Other Photos

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My Latest Book Post:

Elphie Meets the End of the World
A tender story for parents with fearful kids.

Elphie Meets the End of The World (Elphie's Books Book 4) by [Hagit R. Oron, Or Oron Misgav]

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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:

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Friday, July 24, 2020

Elphie Meets the End of The World

Elphie Meets the End of The World

About the Book:

Title: Elphie Meets the End of The World | Author: Hagit R. Oron | Illustrator: Or Oron | Genre: Picture Book | Pages: 17

Book Description:

The end of the world is coming. Today. They said so on TV!

When Elphie overhears an older boy talking about the end of the world, he runs home to find a better place to hide. Luckily, Mom and Dad are there and the three of them manage to deal with the dreadful news.

Elphie books is a series of funny and sweet stories featuring a timid young elephant named Elphie. Each story is a different exciting adventure inspired by the daily life of young children. The books address kids and adult alike, and can be read without a specific order.

A free parent's guide with every purchase.

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

Elphie Meets the End of The World is a tender story about a young elephant named Elphie who hears some scary news and how this affects him. Elphie’s parents realize that he’s scared and try to alleviate his fears by speaking truthfully and putting his thoughts and energy on creating a party instead. There’s an interesting little “fake news” speech bubble toward the end that would make for a good discussion topic for parents and their children. The authors also provide a free resource if you sign up with your first name and email address.

by Hagit R. and Or Oron

Elphie and Dad go on an Epic adventure (Elphie's books Book 1) by [Oron, Hagit R.]

Bravo and Elphie

by Hagit R. and Or Oron

Elphie Goes Trick or Treating

by Hagit R. and Or Oron

Bear with Bear
by Hagit R. Oron

About the Mother-Daughter Team:

Hagit R. and Or Oron

Hagit R. and Or Oron are a mother and daughter who love to create, imagine, laugh and have fun together. Their mission is to bring joy and happiness to kids and parents all around the world. How? One picture book at a time.

More About the Author:

Hagit R. Oron, an award winning author, became an avid reader the minute she learned to read.

During her teens, she worked as a librarian in a public library just to be close to books, where she soon found out that she has book-matchmaking skills, that is connecting the right book to the right reader.

Surrounded by all those great titles inspired her to start writing. She daydreamed her first stories while commuting to the library.

Everything changed when she discovered computer programming and realized that she’s an excellent coder. So, for many years, she wrote tens of thousands of code lines. Most of them began with an if.

But fiction was bubbling inside her and after two decades of coding, it suddenly erupted in the form of picture books. She had to give in.

Now she devotes her days to writing adorable stories for kids. She utilizes her coding experience to bury little Easter eggs in her books, by telling parts of the story with illustrations and by hiding messages aimed at the adult reader inside the text.

It’s her book matchmaking skills that make her stories appeal to a broad audience.

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