Delighted to step back in time to my own childhood and read the latest adventure by Darlene Foster. Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 8)
This is an advance review and the book is still on pr-order until May 11th at a special price.
About the book
Amanda receives a postcard from her best friend, Leah, and is surprised to learn that she is in Malta with her aunt. Reading between the lines, she senses Leah is in trouble. Desperate to help her, Amanda travels to Malta with her classmate Caleb and his parents.
Amanda is intrigued by this exotic island in the middle of the Mediterranean, full of colourful history, sun-drenched limestone fortresses, stunning beaches and fascinating birds. But…who is killing the protected birds? Who stole a priceless artifact from the museum? And why is Leah acting so strange? She couldn’t possibly be involved in these illegal activities, or could she?
Join Amanda and her friends as they visit ancient temples, an exciting falconry and the enchanting Popeye Village, as they try to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Sleeping Lady.
My review for Amanda in Malta May 1st 2021
This book is a fantastic mystery thriller for young readers. It would also be a wonderful guidebook for anyone visiting Malta with their family and wanting to get the most out of their time of this ancient Mediterranean island.
Amanda and her friends Caleb and Leah get involved in two potentially dangerous criminal activities as they explore the island with Caleb’s parents, unsuspecting of the younger generation’s involvement in solving mysteries sounding missing artifacts and endangered wildlife.
We get a guided tour of some of the main tourist attractions on and around the islands, including churches with miracles and artifacts, museums, the falconry centre and the Popeye theme park. As in any well written adventure stories, there are some heart stopping moments, as nature and criminals do their best to ruin the holiday, but the resourceful teens are on a mission to solve the mysteries.
The author has created some wonderful characters to undertake this well researched and entertaining adventure, and developed an exciting plot for young readers and those of us who are delighted to tag along.
I lived in Malta as a child and have returned since, and I appreciated the attention to detail about the history of the three main islands and tourist attractions. Not to mention a reminder of sunlit blue seas and the delicious Patizzi.. pastry filled with Ricotta cheese.
Recommended as an entertaining, exciting and educational read for anyone from young teen upwards.
Head over to buy the book at the pre-order price until May 11th: Amazon US – And:Amazon UK
A selection of other books by Darlene Foster
Find out more about Darlene’s books and read the reviews: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website/Blog: Darlene Foster WordPress – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @supermegawoman
About Darlene Foster
Growing up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, travelling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series featuring a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When not travelling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining dog, Dot.
Thanks for visiting and I hope you will head over to buy Darlene’s latest book.. thanks Sally.
How interesting that the novel could serve as a travel guidebook as well!
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Certainly for children reading before a trip might engage them a little more.. particularly if they are teenagers! xx
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Yes, I was one of “those” teenagers!
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Thanks, Liz. It wasn´t my intention but one reader visited Spain and took Amanda in Spain along as a guide!
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You’re welcome, Darlene. It’s a nice little bonus to work into the promotion for the book!
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Thanks so much for featuring Amanda in Malta. Amanda and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! So pleased you enjoyed it and that it brought back fond memories. Hugs.
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Wow, what a great review for this one! Or preview. Or both. Thanks for sharing, Sally, and congratulations, Darlene. So excited for you to have this new release coming up soon, and I’m wishing you tons and tons of sales, my friend! 🙂 ❤ Great post!
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Thanks very much Marcia…lovely book and brought back many happy memories…hugs ♥
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Thanks, Marcia!!
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Great review, Sally, and I couldn’t agree more!
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Thanks Jacqui and enjoyed yours too..hugsx
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Thanks, Jacqui!
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Wonderful to see Darlene here with her newest Amanda book. No doubts I’ll be picking up a paperback copy for my young niece. Congrats Darlene! ❤
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Thanks, Debby. I hope your niece enjoys it. xo
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❤
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Thanks Debby a lovely read and I am sure you niece will love it ♥
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Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
Only ten more days until the release of Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady. Sally Cronin over at Smorgasbord Book Reviews has posted a wonderful pre-release review. Check it out and look around her blog. She has some amazing features, writes wonderful books and and is very supportive of other authors and bloggers.
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Thanks for the kind intro Darlene and delighted to review.. a lovely book..hugsx
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A great review, Sally! Its showing very good the thrilling moments. Michael
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Sally did a great job of highlighting the exciting parts!!
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Thanks Darlene..xx
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Indeed, Darlene! Also another great book of you. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of the weekend! Michael
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Thanks Michael.. a terrific read…hugsx
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Indeed, Sally! 🙂
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Darlene’s Amanda series always gets such rave reviews. For their fun and their educational value. Something for everyone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sally, and Congrats to Darlene.
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Thanks, Diana. Malta made such a great setting.
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Thank you Diana. A great way to learn about our global village..hugsx
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A fabulous review of Darlene’s new book, Sally. I also enjoyed it a great deal.
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Thanks, Robbie.
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Thanks Robbie and for adding your recommendation…hugsx
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A wonderful review, Sally. Congratulations to Darlene. 😁
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Thanks, John. Always so great to read a good review.
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😁
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Thanks John..xx
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What a fantastic review, Sally – Darlene’s Amanda series ticks so many boxes. Congratulations to her. Toni x
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Thanks Toni.. a lovely book and brought back happy memories.. hugs
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Thanks, Toni!
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Great to see Amanda going to exotic places and having rich experiences. I used to collect postage stamps, and Malta has some real beauties. Congratulations to Darlene for adding another wonderful book to such a successful series.
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Thanks Pete and I loved to see mail with foreign stamps too when I was growing up. In our digital world I wonder if children even collect them anymore. I know that some stamps go for fortunes and they are certainly becoming a rarity. The book is a lovely read.
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Now that you mention it, it was stamp collecting that made me want to travel all those years ago. My grandmother gave me my first stamp book and I had so much fun filling in the pages. Malta did have great stamps. I gave my books to my grandson. I hope he still has them. I´d like to look at them again.
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I really enjoyed this too Sally. Never been to Malta but my mum and dad rave about it!
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Malta is a unique place, with a rich mix of cultures and so much ancient history.
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Worth a visit Marje.. and we had planned on spending our 40th on Gozo last year… we will have to reschedule. My sisters would love to go back as they were 16 and 17 when we lived there and remember it very fondly.. hugs
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Congratulations to Darlene. I love the sound of this series, especially these days when we’re very restricted on where we can go. And I’ve wanted to visit Malta for quite a while now, so, it sounds perfect! Thanks, Sally!
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I can certainly recommend a visit Olga, we were due to go last September to celebrate our 40th but obviously had to cancel… hopefully will be able to go back soon..xx
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Thanks, Olga. Armchair travel is what we have all been doing this past year. Are you still in Spain?
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I love armchair traveling thanks to Darlene’s series and Amanda’s travels. Wonderful review, Sally!
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Me too these days Jacquie.. glad you enjoyed the review…hugsx
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I am just over the moon with these great reviews!!
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This is a fabulous review, Sally! Given that you have lived in Malta and returned there, gives even more credence to your wonderful review. I love the Amanda books, and this one is surly a winner.
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Coming from someone who lived in Malta, this is extra special.
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I will be making patizzi soon…lol.. xxx
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Yes, it is!
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Thanks Jennie and I think would make a great television series for children and young teens.. xx
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I can always dream. xo
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I think you have a good idea there!
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♥
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Sally, a lovely and engaging review of Darlene’s latest book! Reading your thoughts on the story, characters and location have ensured this is my next book to be read! Can’t wait!
Darlene, congratulations on your latest book launch … not long to go! Enjoy and I look forward to sharing my review of your book later this month!
hugs xx
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Thanks Annika.. a wonderful location and plenty to enjoy.. I am sure you will enjoy.. hope all is going well… hugsx♥
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I have visited Malta once many years ago and I’m sure I’ll recognise a few familiar places!😀 Thank you, all is going well and soon enjoying a second trip away in the UK … small blessings which feel miraculous!
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I know the feeling…even getting the garden centre open would be a good start here..hugsx
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Thanks so much Annika!! I can´t wait to hear what you think of the story. Hope you recognize a few places. xo
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What an awesome review of Darlene’s newest addition!! You pulled the reader right into the storyline and built a desire to read the entire book!! Love Darlene’s series and this review raises the anticipation of her newest addition. Well deserved Darlene!!
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Thanks, Kirt. This is such a terrific review and sums the story up so nicely.
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Thanks very much Kirt, delighted you enjoyed.. Have a great week.
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My best to you and yours!!
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What a wonderful review of Darlene’s new book. Just the setting alone is enough to draw me in! Thank you for sharing, Sally!
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Malta was a fabulous setting for this book. Thanks, Jan.
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Malta is a wonderful place to chill and hope to get there again soon…hugs
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I had my first holiday to Malta as a child. This sounds interesting. Thanks for reviewing.
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Thanks Jamie.. I went to school there for a couple of years so a great memory boost.
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