My guest today is author Darlene Foster, the creator of the popular Amanda Travels series featuring Amanda Ross, a twelve-year-old Canadian girl who loves to travel to interesting places. The seventh book in the series, Amanda in Holland – Missing in Action, has just been released by Central Avenue Publishing and is available through most bookstores.
In this book, intrepid traveller, Amanda Ross, is in Holland to see the tulips with her best friend, Leah. They travel the canals of Amsterdam, visit Anne Frank House, check out windmills, tour a wooden shoe factory, and take pictures of the amazing flowers of Keukenhof Gardens. But, things are missing in Holland – rare tulip bulbs, a gardener, a home for an abandoned puppy and Amanda’s great-uncle who didn’t return from the war. Is Amanda capable of finding these missing things without putting herself in danger?
Darlene bases her novels on her own travels. Ever since she was a little girl living a ranch in southern Alberta, she dreamt of travelling the world, meeting interesting people and writing stories. It’s no surprise that she’s now an award-winning author of the exciting Amanda Travels series featuring spunky twelve-year-old Amanda Ross, who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy travelling with Amanda as she encounters the unknown and unravels one mystery after another. When not travelling herself, Darlene divides her time between Canada and Spain with her husband and entertaining dog, Dot. She is proof that dreams can come true.
A recent five-star review for Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action
This book was quite a bit of fun. Foster combines a middle-grade fiction plot with a colourful tour of Holland, including its famous sites, snippets of history, and its wonderful flowers and food. I had the great fortune of visiting my grandparents in Holland when I was Amanda’s age, and her experiences in the book mirror my memories in great detail. It was a blast to traipse along beside Amanda and enjoy the country once again.
The main plot focuses on the recovery of a lost puppy, but secondary plots weave through the story, and all come together nicely at the end. There’s a bit of mystery and some danger to keep the tension up. There are also some very moving scenes when Amanda visits Anne Frank’s home and a war memorial dedicated to the Canadians who helped liberate Holland during WWII. A lovely book for young readers and absolutely perfect for readers who plan to travel the world.
- W. Peach https://dwallacepeachbooks.com/
The Amanda Travels series introduces readers to new cultures and countries by weaving mystery and adventure into the stories. They are perfect for tweens or reluctant older readers and appeal to teachers and librarians looking for new material for their classroom. Adults enjoy the adventures as well.
Darlene will be in the Vancouver area reading from and signing her books at these locations:
Albany Books, 123 – 1315 56th Street, Tsawwassen on Saturday, October 19th from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Chapters, Pine Tree Village, 2991 Lougheed Hwy, Coquitlam on Sunday, October 20th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Social media links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/supermegawoman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlene6490/
Website: http://www.darlenefoster.ca/
Blog: https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3156908.Darlene_Foster
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/DarleneFoster/e/B003XGQPHA/
Thanks for featuring me and my latest book.
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You’re very welcome, Darlene. Best of luck with the new book!
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What a brilliant idea for an author who loves to travel and inspire young people!
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It is. Darlene is making the mot of her travel experiences. She’s coming to Chapters at Pinetree in Coq., on Oct. 20th. I’m going to drop by and buy her book 🙂
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Thanks. It is a great way to share my travel experiences with young people and ibenjoy reliving them as I write.
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This entire series is such a clever, approachable way for youngish readers to travel the world. Kudos to Darlene!
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Agreed!
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Thanks, Jaquie
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A lovely post about Darlene’s new book.
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I have to thank Darlene for that, and thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Thanks, Robbie.
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Congratulations Darlene on your new and well-deserved reviews!
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Thanks Stevie. I am so pleased with the reviews.
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Such fun books that also teach you about all these different countries!
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Agreed, Christa. Darlene’s created a perfect blend of both, and thanks for commenting 🙂
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Thanks for being a great Amanda fan from the start. xo
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Love seeing Darlene’s work featured….great post complimenting a great author. I can’t wait for my granddaughter to start reading so I can get her into Darlenes’ series!!
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Darlene is one of the best! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words, Kirt.
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Such a lovely idea for a sequence of stories.
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It is! Thanks for dropping by!
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Thanks, Cath.
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Debra, lovely to see Darlene on your blog! 😀 Darlene, a wonderful review and feature! Enjoy the book tour and meeting everyone! 😀
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Thanks, Annika. I’m having a great time. Met a young reader named Anita!!
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I mean Anika
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Ahh … you are lucky to meet so many keen readers! You must come away flying with joy!
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Thanks, Annika! Looking forward to seeing Darlene in person when she comes to my area on Oct. 20th.
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You two have a great time on the 20th! 😀
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Thanks, Annika. I’m having a great time. Met a young reader named Anika!!
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