Gecko and Flower with Free eBooks and a Linky Party

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #238!

We've been seeing an extra amount of geckos around our house here in South Africa these last few weeks. This little guy visited our outside table. The table is in a state, because we've never gotten around to sanding it down and varnishing it.

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Another visitor was not so welcome. I saw it first and it was on our kitchen's ceiling. The rain spider is a genus of the huntsman spider. It got that name because it commonly enters a house just before the rain comes. It's also called the lizard-eating spider, because it likes geckos. My husband caught it and released it outside. That's the size of the spider next to my husband's hand! It's venom is no worse than a bee-sting, but I certainly don't want that thing biting me!

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My latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Bosjes Restaurant - Part 2

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My Latest Book Reviews:
(Click on the Headings in Blue)

Yumi's Extraordinary Collection

Lily Lemon Blossom
Welcome to Lily's Room
FREE on Amazon Kindle!




Initiation: Sky Raider Academy
Blog Tour with $50 Giveaway!

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FREE eBooks!
Click on the headings in blue.

Clean Romance Reads
on InstaFreebie!




Over 100 Free eBooks!
from SFF Book Bonanza
Science Fiction and Fantasy

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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!

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:

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This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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

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Lily Lemon Blossom - Free eBook!

Lily Lemon Blossom

Welcome to Lily's Room

About the Book:

Title: Lily Lemon Blossom Welcome to Lily's Room | Author: Barbara Miller | Illustrator: Inga Shalvashvili | Pages: 32 | Recommended Age: 3 - 5

Book Description:

Meet Lily Lemon Blossom, a delightful little girl who loves adventures and playing with her friends. Lily invites you to see her lovely room and meet her many friends, including Bunny Rabbit and Josephine her kitten who is always by her side. A quick peek into Lily's room will tell you quite a lot about her. The room comes alive with its vibrant colors and huggable plush toys. It's a happy place for a happy little girl and her friends.

Free on Amazon Kindle

My Review:

Lily Lemon Blossom is a series of colorful picture books. Amanda read Welcome to Lily's Room to me the other day. She liked finding the words that rhymed. We both enjoyed the illustrations and discovering things in Lily's room. Amanda and I thought the clown lamp was a little creepy. I think it's a cute picture book for girls ages 3 - 5.

Disclosure: This book was for free on Amazon Kindle and I grabbed a copy. All opinions are my own.

Please Note: The eBook price was correct at the time of posting. The price may change.

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Initiation: Sky Raider Academy

Initiation: Sky Raider Academy

by Kirstin Pulioff

Blog Tour with $50 Giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Initiation: Sky Raider Academy Book One | Author: Kirstin Pulioff | Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy | Number of Pages: 150 | Publication Date: March 27, 2017

Summary: Tommy feels lost after his father’s death. To make matters worse, his mom moves him to a new town where he doesn't have any friends, and he quickly becomes a punching bag for the school bully. He can’t win. So, when a mysterious visitor approaches him with the promise of adventure, Tommy jumps at the opportunity.

Whisked away to a school in the sky where magic rules and storms are forged by an elite group of Sky Raiders, Tommy learns that the world’s problems are much larger than his own.

When the weather spirals out of control and a rogue Raider’s diabolical plans surface, Tommy must decide how much he is willing to risk to save the world.

My Review:

In some ways, Tommy is just your regular kid who is dealing with the loss of his father and having to move to a new town and school. In Initiation, the first book in the Sky Raider Academy, he also has to face a bully at his new school. At the same time, he is learning new skills at the secret academy in the sky where he is dealing with a more dangerous bully, a rogue weather manipulator and murderer.

I like this book because it will easily grab the interest of kids by reaching them where they're at. Most kids have to deal with loneliness and bullies and learning to make new friends. It even teaches interesting facts about clouds, which is probably a boring topic at school, while transporting kids into a magical world where kids are making them!

I recommend this book for kids ages 9 to 12.

Kirstin Pulioff is also the author of the Princess Madeline Trilogy.

About the Author:

Kirstin Pulioff

 

Kirstin Pulioff dreams big, wishes on stars, searches for rainbows, finds treasure in everyday blessings, and lives life to its fullest... Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in the foothills of Colorado.

When she’s not writing an adventure, she’s busy living one.

She loves to hear from fans.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


$50 Gift Card or Cash
Blog Tour Giveaway!

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or $50 PayPal cash prize(winner’s choice) Giveaway ends: April 24, 11:59 pm, 2017 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, Kirstin Pulioff and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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Oxygen Inc. Swimwear Review with Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #216!

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My Review:

The first time I saw swimwear from Oxygen Inc., I knew that the designs would be flattering on a curvy figure like mine. In fact, they have a gorgeous selection of swimwear that looks good on all body types. Have a peek at their swimwear slide-show from featured clients to see for yourself!

I was impressed with the high quality of the two swimsuits that Amanda and I both received. Hers is a girl's size 10. She and I adore the cherry pattern on her swimsuit! It's super cute! Her swimsuit has extra lining in the front top section, which is really important for modesty's sake. She won't have to worry about what others can or can't see.

My playful red swimsuit with white polka-dots is a lady's size 12. I like mine because I can feel feminine and confident without revealing too much. When you put on a swimsuit you want to feel and look beautiful!

Website |  Swimwear

Disclosure: Amanda and I each received a beautiful swimsuit from Oxygen Inc. for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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My Latest Book Reviews:


Yumi's Extraordinary Collection

Green Kids Club

The Forsaken Crown

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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:

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Weekend Linky

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

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Yumi's Extraordinary Collection

About the Book:

Title: Yumi's Extraordinary Collection | Author: Elsa Takaoka | Illustrator: Catherine Toennisson | Pages: 38 | Recommended Age: 6 - 9

Book Description:

Yumi's Extraordinary Collection is the story of Yumi who was born into a family of collectors who pride themselves with their eccentric and wacky collections. The long line of proud collectors grows and grows until… she comes along. The bond between one generation of collectors and the next takes an unexpected twist with the birth of Yumi, who unlike the rest was not born a natural collector. She is determined to find not just any collection but a truly extraordinary collection. With help from her grandmother, Yumi learns that the greatest things of all.. are not things at all!

Purchase on Amazon:

Kindle | Paperback

My Review:

Amanda and I were thrilled to receive a new picture book from one of our favorite Indie authors, Elsa Takaoka and her amazing illustrator, Catherine Toenisson. These two have been a dynamic team and I hope to see more from them! The book that Elsa gave us is Yumi's Extraordinary Collection. It's the first time she wrote a multicultural story and for an older age group. The recommended age on Amazon is 6 to 9, but my 16-year-old was drawn to the book and read it for herself!

Amanda and I really enjoyed the story. I think it's cleverly written with just the right amount of wonder and discovery. Amanda learned a few new words like porcelain and kimono. This story teaches the value of family, multi-generations and being yourself. I highly recommend it for all children.

My Previous Book Reviews

of Elsa Takaoka's children's books:

Goo and Spot: Under

the Orange Tree

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

Disclosure: Amanda and I received this new picture book as a gift and we were not asked to do anything in return. I chose to do this review because I wanted to.

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Walking Dogs at Sunset with Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #237!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the images to see them at their best.

Before I got the moon boot for my plantar fasciitis, I would put the dogs in the car and drive to the park with Amanda. I couldn't really walk with them, but I still got out of the car on a few occasions. Now Hubby takes the dogs twice a day. I'm just not helping anymore, which is too bad.

You should be able to see on the photos how dry everything is. We are still experiencing drought in the Western Cape, so please pray for rain.

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My latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Bosjes Restaurant - Part 1

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

My Latest Book Reviews:
(Click on the Headings in Blue)

3 Books from the
Green Kids Club!

The Forsaken Crown

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

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:

<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.

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

Read More

The Forsaken Crown

The Forsaken Crown (Book 0)

A Desolate Empire Prequel

About the Book:

Title: The Forsaken Crown (Book 0) | Author: Christina Ochs | Publisher: Lujin Press | Pages: 241 | Genre: Historical Fiction | Recommended Ages: Young Adult

Book Description:

A disgraced soldier. A young prince fighting for his inheritance. A kingdom at the mercy of a corrupt regent.

Sonya, an ambitious mercenary intent on commanding her own army, vowed nothing would stand in her way. But then she ran afoul of the most powerful woman in the empire. Humiliated and condemned, she now must struggle to survive. 

Kendryk has a vast kingdom to rule, though he isn't old enough to do it on his own. But when he learns his regent, Duke Desmond, wants to seize the throne, the stakes turn deadly. With no one he can turn to, young Kendryk is forced to rely on an outsider. 

Now their destinies have intertwined and the fate of the kingdom is at stake. Can Sonya and Kendryk overcome their pasts and mistrust to find a path to victory? Or will the forces arrayed against them triumph?

In this prequel to The Desolate Empire Series, Christina Ochs delivers thrilling battles, devious political intrigue and compelling characters. The Forsaken Crown combines the excitement of the Three Musketeers with the sweeping imagery of fantasy. Readers are calling this powerful series "an all-ages Game of Thrones." 

Check inside to find out how to get a free copy of Rise of the Storm, Book One in the Desolate Empire Series.

FREE on Amazon Kindle


My Review:

The Forsaken Crown is a suspenseful historical novel set in Germany with a bit of fantasy, romance, and humor. The story is well thought out and well written. It is the prequel to The Desolate Empire Series and I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series.

Sonya is a strong female protagonist with a sense of honor and a drive for justice. These qualities sometimes get her into grave situations. She has loyal friends who are willing to go on missions with her where the odds are stacked against them. There are also a variety of adversaries to keep the story interesting.

It's clean young adult fiction and I recommend it for everyone!

About the Author:
Christina Ochs

Christina Ochs is the author of historical fantasy series, The Desolate Empire, which is based upon the events of the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years War (1618-48). Many of her characters are also based on historical figures.

With degrees in history and business, Christina uses her writing to indulge her passion for reading and research. Publishing as an indie author provides an outlet for her entrepreneurial side and she is an avid supporter of fellow authors, both independent and traditionally published.

Christina lives in a semi truck full time, traveling the United States with her truck driver husband and two cats, Phoenix and Nashville.

Website | Twitter

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.
Please Note: The eBook price on Amazon can change at any time, so please check.

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