Amanda Tero's Blog, page 56

Deleted Scene: The Secret Slipper

There was one deleted scene in "The Secret Slipper" that I kind of liked. A lot. But it was in the first draft (read: when Raoul knew all along that Ellia was alive and had given up the search until a fresh lead came in; yep, there was a very good reason the story changed). I tried finding a place for it in the new edition, but it just wouldn't fit. You will notice some of the thoughts made it into the final draft, but the scene in its entirety didn't. I really liked the exchange of the unnam...

Scripture Graphics #44

The progression here: desire, seek, teach. If we end our night with our heart set on God and desiring Him, then He will be the first thing we seek in the morning. In other words, preparation for morning Bible time starts the evening before. If we squander our evening to where we are exhausted and rushed in the morning, how does that prepare us to seek God?

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word...And the word of God increased; and the number of the d...

The Story Cure | Book Review

Three stars. 

There were good elements to this book. I copied down over a dozen "quotes to remember." But when I think of the book as a whole, it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. First of all, I can't say that this book was Christian at all. It definitely wasn't conservative. There were both mentions about gods and them being created "to explain thunder, floods, births, deaths, the inexplicable movements of the sun" as well as a reference to "Christian myths." Add to that, there was...

Threads of Suspicion | Review and First Line Friday

This was my first Dee Henderson book to read. Given that I enjoy a taste of suspense, I thought I might like it and I was right. There was the perfect balance of “regular life” with the suspense of Evie being a detective on a cold case. The entire plot of Jenna had me intrigued. I was kept guessing as to what the answer to her disappearance was. I felt like I journeyed along the quest with Evie and David.

I really appreciated the spiritual content. David had a simplistic earnestness about him,...

Recitals and Music Video

I know it's late for a post today, but after two evenings of recital, I wasn't ready to schedule things quite yet last night. So here you have it... a late Wednesday music post.
First off... recitals!This year, I divided my music studio into two recitals. Violin...

And piano...


Not all of my students were able to come to recitals (this late it ran into summer programs). Both recitals went amazingly well and everyone did so great! I don't remember a moment when someone completely froze, unable to...

Behind the Cover and More | The Secret Slipper

Book covers. I remember the days when I would get a CBD catalog in and flip through the pages slowly...admiring covers (and critiquing the ones I thought needed help, let's be honest). I really didn't see cover designing in my future, but as God has graciously helped me in figuring things out, that's one of the things I do.
Now, for the cover of "The Secret Slipper."

If you didn't notice, I took the same formatting as "Befriending the Beast" (I mean, it's a series).


For "Befriending the Beast,"...

Scripture Graphics #43

"That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30:20If someone were to look at us, what would they say is our "life?" Some sport, hobby, work, fandom, or source of entertainment? Or could they clearly see that GOD is our life -- our love, Lord...

The M Family | Photoshoot

Believe it or not, I still DO do this thing called photography. Actually, let me pause a moment and just reflect. Year before last, when we were building our house, I was unable to teach music much (I had maybe six students) and that was barely enough to cover bills. Without my advertising or anything, the Lord landed multiple photography jobs in my lap--enough to provide for my needs the whole year. Wow! Then, as soon as I was able to start teaching more regularly (25-30 students), photograp...

First Line Fridays | 6.9.17

A few years ago, I won a Civil War fiction book in a giveaway. I started reading it on a sick-day...and finished reading it the same day.
That book...

My review of it is here. And you may get it on Amazon here. ;)Annnnd... the day after reading Where Can I Flee? I started and finished book two.

And that review is here. And Amazon link here. ;)
NOW for my #FLF book:

I cannot, cannot wait until I can get my hands on Out of the Ashes (you can pre-order it here). Since I'm friends with the author...

Of Jellies and Timely Texts (or A Day in the Life of Me)

I had my Saturday planned. I got up before everyone else and did my morning devotions, got dressed for the day, and was in the kitchen, deep-cleaning it (by the way, deep-cleaning the kitchen takes a few hours). Satisfied that I had done my “family time” project, my brain was going to my list—which was a simpler list than weekdays: practice piano (with hopes to maybe be ready to record the last song for “Reflections of the Cross”), record a simple piano piece, read more of my Sherman book (fo...