March 2019 ~ Amanda's Books and More

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Should I Go to College?

Should I Go to College?

by C.S. Johnson
(a former teacher in the USA)

Book Description:

SHOULD I GO TO COLLEGE?
WHAT ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT?

A Former Teacher’s Guide to Possibly Saving You Thousands of Dollars and Millions of Headaches

If you’re a high school student, chances are you’ve been thinking about where you will go to college. Or if you will go to college at all. I’ve been there. And as a former teacher, I’ve seen thousands of students there, too. So I wrote this book to help you. This book offers sound advice about deciding whether or not you want to go to college, and, if you decide to go, how you can save time and money along the way.

"This is the book about college I wish I had read when I was younger.” – My 30-year-old self

SHOULD I GO TO COLLEGE? WHAT ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT?
•Describes what college is
•Promotes thoughtful self-reflection
•Outlines your options post-high school
•Offers tragically hilarious truths about teaching
•Reaffirms the code of personal responsibility
•Likens student loans to dragons that need to be slain

ALL PROCEEDS OF THIS BOOK GO TOWARD
HELPING STUDENTS PAY OFF THEIR
STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

***AUTHOR'S NOTE***

If you purchase the paperback, the Kindle version is free with your purchase. This makes it easy to read the book yourself, and you'll have a copy if you decide to give it to someone else -- or if you "lend" it to someone who doesn't return it.

Purchase on Amazon:

Kindle | Paperback

DON’T JUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BE THE DIFFERENCE:

Giving Back Page

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

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Sunrise and Sunset Photos with a Linky

Last Tuesday I shared pics of a vivid sunrise from our balcony. Today I have another vivid sunrise and a couple of sunsets to share. The pink sunset at the end was taken last Saturday.

Sunrise Photos

Sunset Photos

Last Saturday

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

The Longest Beach at Struisbaai

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My Latest Book Review:

Hello Protocol for Dead Girls

Hello Protocol for Dead Girls by [DiPietro, Zen]

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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
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:

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.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Hello Protocol for Dead Girls

Hello Protocol for Dead Girls

About the Book:

Book Description:

I wasn't so impulsive when I was alive. Death has changed me, I guess.

This isn't a dream. It's not the afterlife, either. This is something new.

I don't remember how I died. I only know that I did. My name is Jennika Monroe, and I need to find a way out of here.

Jennika isn't like other college girls. She's much more digital. As she struggles within a computer network environment to find out how she died, she must also come to grips with the nature of her existence. Her body died, but she sure hasn't. What does it mean to be alive?

She wants to talk to her friends and family, but they might not accept her. Before she can even try to reconnect with them, she has to get the people on the outside to recognize that she's a real person, trapped inside a machine.

This story is like nothing you've read before. It's Altered Carbon meets Gone Girl inside a digital environment. It will challenge you, then thrill you, then leave you wanting more. You'll be on the edge of your seat as you explore this new technological existence with Jennika. Step into the pounding heart of a unique setting and enjoy this technothriller today!

Purchase on Amazon:

Paperback | Kindle

My Review:

This is a science-fiction thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat! What would you do if you died and your memories were uploaded to a computer? Meet Jennika Monroe, a dead girl trapped inside a computer. She doesn't know how she died. The last she remembers is studying for her college exam. Then she discovers a couple of other girls like herself inside the system. How can she get people on the outside to notice them and what will she do when she discovers the truth concerning her death? The mystery builds as the story unfolds and the ending is unexpected! Surprisingly, this story isn't scary and it's more exciting than anything else. I recommend it for ages 11 and up.

My Reviews of Zen's Books:

Zen DiPietro Author Interview

Chains of Command Books 1 and 2

Chains of Command Book 3

Chains of Command Book 4

The Dragonfire Station Trilogy

2 FREE Science-Fiction Short Stories

Books 1 - 3 in the Mercenary Warfare Series

Book 4 in the Mercenary Warfare Series

Book 5 in the Mercenary Warfare Series

Hired Gun - A Bounty Hunter Space Opera

About the Author:

Zen DiPietro

Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, dreamer, writer, and a mom of two. Perhaps most importantly, a Browncoat Trekkie Whovian. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. A recovering gamer, but we won’t talk about that. Particular loves include badass heroines, British accents, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.zendipietro.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

A Vivid Sunrise and a Linky

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

The Old Fishing Village of Struisbaai

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Book Review by Amanda:

Serafina and the Black Cloak

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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:

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.

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Serafina and the Black Cloak

Serafina and the Black Cloak

About the Book:

Book Description:

"Never go into the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul."

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There's plenty to explore in Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt's vast and opulent home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate's maintenance man, have lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. She has learned to prowl through the darkened corridors at night, to sneak and hide, using the mansion's hidden doors and secret passageways.

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows the clues to follow. A terrifying man in a black cloak stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.

Serafina's hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear, where she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must not only face her darkest enemy, but delve into the strange mystery of her own identity.

Official Book Trailer:

Purchase on Amazon:

Paperback | Kindle

Amanda's Review (Age 11):

There’s a girl hiding in the basement of the Biltmore Estate with her father. She has good hunting skills and pretty eyes. Others may not find her because she could get harmed.

There’s a mysterious guy who is always seen wearing a black cloak. Every day a child goes missing even if their rooms are locked. One day, Serafina sees a man in a black cloak dragging a child away.

Only one other person knows about Serafina. His name is Braeden and he tries to help her find out who the man in the black cloak is.

This is an extremely scary mystery. It’s also fun and interesting. It has a proper ending and does not leave you hanging. This book is best suited for ages 12 and up.

About the Author:

Robert Beatty

Robert Beatty is the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Serafina series published by Disney Hyperion, a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

Serafina and the Black Cloak was a #1 New York Times best seller, has been on the list for more than 59 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times best seller in the first week of its launch and earned a "Starred Review" from Kirkus Reviews, which said, "Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end." Enjoyed by both young readers and adults, the books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide. The third book in the Serafina series comes out in July 2017.

Robert Beatty lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, "Serafina's journey grew out of my desire to write a story about an unusual and heroic young girl for my three daughters."

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Guest Farm in the Klein Karoo and a Linky

The Hex River Valley

On Saturday we drove out to a guest farm past the Hex River Valley between De Doorns and Montagu. We were far enough off the beaten track that we had no mobile/internet reception. We were helping to host an Alpha course Holy Spirit weekend for the guys from the Christian drug and alcohol rehab where we minister. We all had a great time and it was nice to see the guys looking so happy and relaxed!

The Alpha course is also a lot of fun and is designed to fit everyone, even those who have never been to church. The guys have been going through the video series once a week with us at the rehab. They have been connecting well with the content and the true stories have been having a big impact. Many people don't know much about the Holy Spirit, if anything, so the sessions on this weekend camp were well received. We also had time to pray for each guy individually and give them words from the Lord.

A Grey Rhebok /Rhebuck

Kids - Baby Goats

Chicken with Chicks

Chicks

Chicken, Rooster, and Chicks

Red Roses

Proteas

Welcome in Afrikaans is Welkom

Proteas

A South African BBQ is Called a Braai

The Farm Road Driving Home

Related Post:

Addiction Recovery Farm

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Harbour House at Struisbaai

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

My Latest Book Review:

Deviant Flux and Author Interview

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

*** 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:

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.