Posts Tagged ‘Amanda in England-The Missing Novel’
A Decade of Book Launches
Posted on: April 19, 2020
- In: Books | Dreams | Events
- 91 Comments
My publisher reminded me that it has been ten years since we published my first book, Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask. Ten years!!
It made me think back to my first book launch at Albany Books in Tsawwassen, BC. I was so excited and so scared. What if no one came? What if no one bought my book? What if no one liked it? How many times had I gone to a book launch or book signing and dreamt of one day having my own? Thanks to Central Avenue Publishing my life-long dream came true.
I was over the moon with happiness. I had to pinch myself, to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
And the following year I had another book launch for Amanda in Spain: The Girl in the Painting.
Even more people came, the bookstore was packed and I sold more books.
So I wrote another book, Amanda in England: The Missing Novel, and launched it at Albany Books. No one could even tell I had a broken ankle.
I launched the next book, Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone, wearing the appropriate hat.
Then I moved to Spain and wrote Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music, but returned to Albany Books for the launch.
Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind followed with another fun launch.
And then there was my recent launch of Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action. Well attended in spite of a rainy Vancouver day.
Thank you to everyone who has attended my book launches over the past ten years, for buying my books and for spreading the word about them.
Thank you to Albany Books for hosting my book launches. Even though in lockdown, they are open for phone-in and online orders, with local curbside delivery and mail delivery otherwise. Please support your local bookstores at this time. https://www.albanybooks.com/
Thank you to Michelle Halket of Central Avenue Publishing for believing in me and my Amanda Travels series.
And thank you for coming along with me down memory lane. I wonder what the next ten years will bring. Stay strong, stay safe and stay home!
- In: Books | guest posts | Writing
- 11 Comments
Today I talk about location in a story and how to describe it.
As we continue our journey through Mystery Mondays writing advice, Darlene Foster is here to talk to us about location. Just check out the titles of the four books below, and you’ll see why she chose this topic.
Location, Location, Location
Jane Austen gave us English country villages, Charles Dickens took us along the streets of Victorian London, and Lucy Maude Montgomery made us fall in love with Prince Edward Island. The location of many well-known works of fiction are an important element to each story. Think of one of your favourite novels and I am sure a vision of a place comes to mind.
Real estate agents declare the three most important things to selling a property are – location, location, location. The same applies to writing a story. It doesn´t have to be a real place. In fantasy, writers create worlds of their own. But…
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- In: Books
- 6 Comments
Lynn Davidson over at Polilla Writes reads and reviews a variety of books on her blog. She recently wrote a wonderful review of Amanda in England. You can read it here and comment if you wish:
Book Review: Amanda in England: The Missing Novel – by Darlene Foster
Lynn’s blog is a great resource for writers and readers. Thanks Lynn!
- In: Books | Travel
- 21 Comments
Amanda in England-The Missing Novel was reviewed at Travel Novels today and given a four beach umbrella rating. I am delighted with the rating and the review. It made my day!!
Here is some of what was said:
This travel book is full of adventures and mystery that will be easy for any young mind to assess and evaluate. What I love about this book is the specific descriptions of the famous landmarks in England and how these are worked out in the story to help Amanda and Leah solve the mystery of the missing vintage novel.
This travel novel is indeed worth reading because it offers extraordinary descriptions of the famous landmarks in England coming from a young traveller’s point of view. I give this travel book a rating of four beach umbrellas for the innocent way the country was described and all the values that the author has imparted to her readers through Amanda. She really did a great job of bringing out the young traveler in me and, I’m sure, to all her readers as well.
To read the entire review with pictures and excerpts, please visit
http://travelnovel.com/travel-novel-review-amanda-in-england
Wishing everyone in Canada a Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family, friends, health, and for this awesome review.
I will be spending time with my wonderful daughter this weekend. There will be pictures. What are your plans?
- In: Awards | Books
- 23 Comments
I was pleased to recieve a wonderful 5 star review for Amanda in England – The Missing Novel at Long and Short Reviews
Here is what they said:
Amanda in England: The Missing Novel is a delightful romp through modern-day London. I highly recommend it for readers in late elementary school or for anyone who loves solving playful mysteries that do not reveal their secrets easily. You can read the rest here http://www.longandshortreviews.com/book-reviews/amanda-in-england-the-missing-novel-by-darlene-foster/
For September 1 and 2 only, Long and Short Reviews is offering a monthly poll to decide which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews. The winning author gets a nifty button and the privilege of having their book or story featured at the top of the Long and Short Reviews home page the entire next month, as well as getting a custom made animated banner from Goddess Fish Promotions to publicize their review and the win!
If you haven’t already voted for Amanda in England – The Missing Novel, could you please take a moment to so. It is very easy, you don’t have to log in or anything. Here is the link http://wp.me/p2ZcT9-5yC
It would be so cool if my book won. But you have to hurry as it’s only open until the end of MOnday, September 2, EST
Thanks so much!
Rhyming Review
Posted on: June 18, 2013
- In: Writing
- 15 Comments
Amanda in England – The Missing Novel is featured on The Plum Tree’s Dr. Nanaplum’s Rhyme Corner. The review is cleverly done in rhyme. I just love it. So will you!
Dr. NanaPlum’s Rhyme Corner
I found Darlene first on twitter,
And thought, “my goodness,”
I must meet her ~
Super-mega-woman sounded,
Like someone sweet,
Well-balanced, rounded.
A writer of adventure too,
read more
http://ontheplumtree.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/dr-nanaplums-rhyme-corner/
- In: Books | reviews
- 7 Comments
A great review from one of my favourite reviewers.
Book Launch & Meeting People
Posted on: October 22, 2012
- In: Books | People
- 21 Comments
Albany Books
The launch for Amanda in England-the Missing Novel was held on Saturday at our wonderful local bookstore, Albany Books. Thank you to everyone who showed up in person or in spirit. I had a wonderful time, was treated very well by the staff and showered with good wishes from fans old and new. After the successful launch, my dear husband treated me to a fish & chip dinner at Rob’s Fish & Chips. A fitting way to celebrate a book about England.
Then today, Sunday, I volunteered to tend the Federation of BC Writer’s table at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference. Some wonderful people stopped by such as Carol Garvin. We have been following each other’s blog for almost two years, but have never met. Carol is just as nice in person as she is on her blog! Ruth Kozak, Kimberley Alcock, Sharon Edelmeier and many others stopped by. I was lucky to be seated next to Joie Carlton who writes hilarious travel books and makes unique beaded book marks. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces. Diana Gabaldon gave me a nice warm smile as she walked by.
So it was a very good weekend for me. How was your weekend?.
A Stellar Review and an Interview
Posted on: August 25, 2012
- In: Writing
- 21 Comments
Some days are just worth waking up to and today has been astounding!
Amanda in Arabia-The Perfume Flask was given a stellar review by a wonderful mother and daughter team I had the pleasure of meeting at one of my book signings. This dynamic duo, Renee and Danielle, have a blog where they review books they have read together. Parents who encourage their children to read and then discuss the reading with them are providing a great education to the future generation. This is what they had to say about Amanda’s adventure:
Book Review: Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask by Darlene Foster
Title: Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask
Author: Darlene Foster
Year published: 2010
Publisher: ireadiwritePublishing
Number of pages: 108
Recommended age: 8+
Daughter Rating: 
Grown-up Rating:
Reviewed by: Renee and Danielle (Mother and Daughter)
Daughter’s bottom line: I really, really, really liked this book – it was fun to read. I would recommend it to girls 7 years and older.
Mother’s bottom line: I really, really enjoyed this book. I ripped through it in one sitting because it had me captivated from start to finish. I would highly recommend this book and the other Amanda books to girls in particular ages 8+.
To read the entire review http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/book-review-amanda-in-arabia-the-perfume-flask-by-darlene-foster/
If that wasn’t enough to make my day, I was also interviewed by my amazing publisher, Michelle at Central Avenue Publishing
On Being a Small Press Author – Darlene Foster
Today, I’m proud to present Darlene Foster, a Canadian author who has written three young reader books all belonging to the Amanda series. Darlene’s books have been very well received both locally and internationally. Her newest book, Amanda in England: The Missing Novel has just been released. She is actually one of the few Canadian authors we have and she just happens to live about a 15 minute drive away from me. I met her in person, at a local writer’s group and I’m very glad I did.
1. The first book I can remember reading is:
Goldilocks and The Three Bears
2. The first book I ever wrote was: Amanda in Arabia-The Perfume Flask
Read more of this interview and perhaps learn more about me: http://centralavenuepub.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/on-being-a-small-press-author-darlene-foster/
Thank you! Thank you! Renee, Danielle and Michelle for giving me a fabulous Friday.
Darlene Foster's Blog 