Amanda Tero's Blog, page 31

God's Blessings Day by Day | Book Review

My ReviewThis is such an adorable little book. The cover makes me smile, and then each two-page spread is colorful and decorated with a cute little animal.

The devotions in this book are very short (can be read in about two minutes). The idea of family devotion time with children really pulled me to this book, but as I got to reading the devotions, I was a little disappointed in them, as they are really watered down. I can see them as good for a toddler, but children of 4-above can process thi...

If Only it Were Yesterday | Blog Tour and Giveaway

One of my dear author-friends is releasing her new, ultra cute and charming book!! If you're a lover of history, you so want this book! I'm serious! 

My ReviewThings were so much better in times before us... weren’t they? I’ve been as guilty as Liz Cooke in wishing for simpler times and fantasizing them. Liz learns a timely and much-needed lesson in here.

Yes, this is a time-travel book in a sense—through a dream. I thought the author did a fantastic job at keeping things realistic and int...

Are You Getting Back into Music Practice? (or do you have a student who is?)

Next week is back-to-teaching for me after a crazy, hectic summer. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of my kiddos again! But I have to admit, even though I love my little virtuosos, it isn't the easiest thing to get them back into the routine of practice. So, I created a coloring chart for my students that will hopefully help them get from summer break back into music. I uploaded the files on WAJN's website. You can access here:http://www.withajoyfulnoise.com/free-teaching-resources.ht...

Needed: Beta Readers for "Protecting the Poor"

Who likes a good Robin Hood story? I have both hands in the air! I have loved Robin Hood since I was little. When I was praying about book three in the Tales of Faith series, I decided to veer away from fairytales and go with good ol' Robin Hood. My character who plays this role is none other than Dumphey, from "The Secret Slipper."

Before "Protecting the Poor" can be published though, I need a few beta readers (or pre-readers).

What are beta readers? I'm glad you asked. ;) The technical beta-r...

Progress Report | "Protecting the Poor"

I just finished my first complete draft of "Protecting the Poor!" I am so excited, but I also realize that there is still a lot of work to be done! I'm hoping to polish up this draft in the next week or two and send it off to some beta readers. Then, Lord willing in December I'll have some steady writing time again where I can finalize the edits and get it ready for publication!! It's been a long eight months waiting for the draft to reach a solid foundation, so I'm very, very grateful to be...

Let's be informal now, okay??

I know... you've already read two posts from me today. But what's a third? Either I post all the time or never. ;) Enjoy it while you can. ;)


It’s release day today! To say that writing “Finding Christmas Joy” was stepping wayyyy out of my comfort zone is almost an understatement. I mean, it’s a super emotional girl whose engagement was just broken off. I’m not super emotional, and I’ve never been engaged. Oh, and this is the first time that I’ve written anything that even remotely hinted...

It's Here! Finding Christmas Joy (with a giveaway, of course)

Ahhh.... the day has finally arrived! "Finding Christmas Joy" is live for local and international readers alike!!! I'm super duper happy to share this little story with you all. Not only does it bring the joy of winter (which we're all longing for in this summer heat), it also has such a special message that is near to my heart--that of true joy.

If you don't know anything about the book... here's the official blurb.

About the BookMelonie Brown just wants to get away from all of the pain and he...

Finding Christmas Joy | Excerpt 7 of 7

Release day!!!!! I'll be posting later on with a full post about a giveaway and other such stuff... but let's finish out our excerpts first.


EXERPT 7/7
Patricia walked past two doors on the left of the upstairs hall. Her fingertips graced the railing opposite of the doors, overlooking the large family room. At the third door, she stopped. “Here you are, honey. You get the gold room.”
Gold was right. Melonie stepped into a tinsel-and-ornament festooned room. A small tree of deep green stood in th...

Scripture Graphics #102

Now that I've reached 100... I'm going to have to relax my blogging a bit (as I mentioned in the spring). I haven't been able to sit down and schedule my Scripture Graphics posts for a while. If you're on Instagram or FaceBook, though, I usually post daily verses (when life is busy, I might skip a week then get back on it). Feel free to follow/friend me there. I'm very sad that I can't keep it up right now, but maybe in the future I'll get back on it? I loved sharing these and hearing your th...

Finding Christmas Joy | Excerpt 6 of 7

EXCERPT 6/7
Melonie followed Patricia through the living room, only half-listening as her hostess chatted about Starlight Lodge’s plans for the week. The rooms passed in a flash of green, red, and gold. Melonie hoisted her suitcase higher and walked up the wooden steps, her elbow brushing against the garland that wrapped around the banister. Little red ornament balls hung tastefully from the greenery.“It’s beautiful in here!” Melonie inserted when Patricia paused in her monologue.
“Why, thank y...