Welcome to the Sip & Read Interviews

Today, I’m showcasing Darlene Foster and her new book, “Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones”

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Are you ready to get started? Grab a cup of tea and let’s get started!

Please meet author, Darlene Foster.

Hi Darlene. It’s a pleasure to have you here! Thanks for stopping by. Please tell us about the Amanda series.

Find the Amanda Books on Amazon.com

Hi Colleen. How about I get Amanda to tell you about her adventures?

That sounds fabulous. Welcome, Amanda!

“I’m Amanda Ross and I love travelling to different places. My curiosity gets me into trouble sometimes, but I always meet interesting people and learn fascinating new things. I like to read, and I read a lot. So it’s great to visit places I’ve read about in books.

Leah Anderson is my BFF. We met in the United Arab Emirates where we got lost in the desert, were chased by bounty hunters and encountered a sandstorm. I got to ride a camel named Ali Baba, which was awesome. Leah thinks I’m a bit too impulsive at times. I like helping people, and sometimes this gets us into scary situations. Like the time we met a young girl in Spain who needed help to get her pony back from nasty horse thieves.

Leah’s from England, and she invited me to visit her. We saw amazing places like Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and the Isle of Wight. I loved being up close to all that history I’ve read about. We tried to find a missing vintage novel which took us to some creepy places. I invited her to visit me in Alberta where we went on a cattle drive and bought cowboy boots together. Too bad about that mean cowboy who wanted a rock I found, and followed us wherever we went. Then, we went on a cruise down the Danube River with both sets of parents. We saw amazing places in Germany, Austria, and Hungary and I ate tons of apple strudel. We had a good time, but I had trouble keeping a precious violin safe for a homeless musician. It was hard to know who I could trust.

I went to New Mexico with Cleo, a new friend from class who was spooked about seeing ghosts. Some weird things happened, and now I’m not sure if I believe in ghosts or not. I met Leah in Holland, where we saw lots of tulips and windmills and found an abandoned puppy. I travelled to Malta to help Leah who was in trouble, and then we went to France which was great except Notre Dame Cathedral burnt while we were there! Leah says trouble follows me. I’m going to the Isle of Arran in Scotland next to stay with Leah at her aunt’s place. This should be a nice quiet visit as it’s a small island with not too much happening. I think.”

Amanda, is such a delightful young lady in these stories. I love her curiosity! Darlene, why did you write this book and series?

As a child, I dreamt about travelling the world and seeing the places I read about in books. Years later, I visited a friend in the United Arab Emirates. It was such an incredible experience, I decided I had to write a book about it. Since I was as excited as a child while I was there, I wrote the story from the point of view of Amanda Jane Ross, a twelve-year-old. Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask was born. Once Amanda got the travel bug, she travelled to many more places, based on my travels.

What ages of children will enjoy these books?

I have written the books for tweens, 8 to 12-years-old, but have found younger children like them as well, and surprisingly many adults do too.

That’s true. I’ve just finished reading the first book in the series. I enjoyed the story and learned some new facts about a part of the world I never visited. Here’s my review of Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask.

Darlene, how important is it to connect your books with children?

The best part of writing this series is connecting with children. I love visiting schools, libraries and book stores, and talking to kids about my books and writing in general. Children are the best audience and ask thoughtful questions. I learn a lot from them too as they give me ideas.

Please discuss how Amanda’s traveling to distant places helps children?

I believe that travel is what brings the people of the world together. By learning about our unique differences and our surprising similarities, we develop tolerance and reduce prejudice. Not all children can travel, but I’m hoping that by reading books like The Amanda Travels series, children will become more aware of the different people and places of our world. These stories may also inspire them to travel as adults.

Tell us about your new release, Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones.

Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones is the tenth book in the series. But these books do not need to be read in order, as they are not sequential. Just pick a place you would like to learn more about and enjoy the adventure!

Thanks so much, Darlene. Thanks for sharing more about Amanda’s adventures.

Thanks, Colleen, for this opportunity to talk about my books. 💖

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Blurb for Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones

What could possibly go wrong on the magical Scottish Isle of Arran? It’s such a peaceful, charming place with castles, mountains, old graves and ancient standing stones.

Amanda Ross and Leah Anderson are visiting Aunt Jenny, who owns an old house on the island. But something is not right. A mysterious woman, who seems to have stepped out of the past, keeps appearing, Leah’s father hasn’t contacted the family for some time, and Aunt Jenny’s house may have an uninvited guest.

Amanda is intrigued by this picturesque island, often called Little Scotland. She watches exciting sheepdog trials, attends a lively ceilidh, makes friends with the locals, and visits the mystical Holy Island. Join Amanda as she tries to solve the mystery of the strange woman and the disappearance of Leah’s father. Will the past catch-up with the present?

Amanda in Scotland is available at most on-line retailers and can be pre-ordered on some sites.

Pre-Order the book HERE

Find Darlene here: darlenefoster.ca

Her Blog: Darlene Foster’s Blog

Thanks for stopping by! Until Next Time.