It is always a sincere pleasure to welcome a fellow author to Interview an Author on Jemsbooks.blog. Today, please help me welcome talented author, Darlene Foster.
Thank you, Darlene, for stopping by today to share a little bit about yourself and your books. I am excited to have you here! The floor is yours!
How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
I come up with ideas during my travels. I often think, “Amanda would love it here,” or “I could include that in a book.” Amanda comes with me on all my travels. Fortunately, my husband doesn’t mind. A writer never really takes a vacation!
I also get ideas from the young people around me. I listen to what they talk about and watch what they do. I sometimes send them emails and ask what they would do in a certain situation. They are a wealth of information. I call them my street team.
Jjspina: That is a great idea, Darlene, to have a street team of that age group you are currently writing. I wish I had thought of that when I was writing for MG/PT.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am completing the editing of Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral, book number 9 in the Amanda Travels series. It is scheduled for release in September 2022. I am so excited about it. Can’t wait to do the cover reveal!
Jjspina: That is exciting! It is always fun to do a new book and get it out there! Can be a little unnerving at the same time. Congratulations!
In this book Amanda falls in love. With Paris – the city of love. She’s in awe of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral. While there, she gets to work as a volunteer and stay in a famous bookstore, along with her bestie Leah and Leah’s eccentric Aunt Jenny. A dream come true for a book lover like Amanda.
Except, while she’s at the Paris Opera House there is a bomb threat. Then the lights go out during their visit to the Louvre. Worst of all, a devastating fire blazes in Notre Dame. Why does a mysterious man, who claims to be a busker, writer and artist, show up every time something bad happens?
Join Amanda as she explores the exciting streets and sites around Paris, all the time looking for clues as to who would want to destroy such a beautiful, historic place.
I am also working on compiling a collection of short stories about growing up in rural Canada. Other ideas are percolating, like where will Amanda go next?
Jjspina: Wow, your mind works like mine! I always have a lot going on about another book before I finish one project. We are definitely multi-taskers!
What is your target audience for your book?
The target audience is middle-grade, 8 to 12-year-olds. But I have found younger readers enjoy Amanda’s adventures as well. Also, many adults are Amanda fans. One adult reader is planning a trip to New Mexico, so she read Amanda´s adventures there, and loved it. Bottom line is anyone who likes reading about other places and loves an adventure, will enjoy these books.
Jjspina: They are wonderful books for all ages! I look forward to reading Amanda in Malta. I have never been there.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I love this question. I´ve seen a lot of this world but there is just so much more to see. I haven´t been to Australia and New Zealand so those would be a great places to visit. I also have a brother living in Thailand and would so love to visit him there. The pictures he has sent me are so intriguing. Amanda would love it there too.
Jjspina: I don’t doubt that you will make it to all three places with Amanda one day and will come up with amazing stories!
Do you have any unusual talents? What are they?
I´m not sure if this is that unusual, but I can listen to more than one conversation at a time. I believe it comes from a large family where everyone speaks at once. Many people can´t understand how I can follow more than one conversation and jump in at any time with a comment. This “talent” served me well in business. I am also good at eavesdropping but I think that is a quality many writers have. You can get excellent ideas for stories that way.
Jjspina: Haha! Yes, I agree about eavesdropping. I have the same talent! I listen to lots of conversations that way! Scary talents, huh? Must be something that authors can do.
Thanks so much for featuring me on your blog!
Darlene Foster
https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Here is Darlene Foster’s book that I will showcase today:
Blurb
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.
Be sure to read all the books in this exciting Amanda Travels series!
1. Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask
2. Amanda in Spain: The Girl in the Painting
3. Amanda in England: The Missing Novel
4. Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone
5. Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music
6. Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind
7. Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action
8. Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady
Here are Darlene’s links:
Website
Facebook
Amazon author page
WordPress Blog
Goodreads
Twitter
Here is my review of Darlene’s book, Amanda in Malta.
A fun adventure series for middle-graders/preteens that both girls and boys will enjoy! This book, Amanda in Malta, was like traveling to Malta with Amanda and her friend, Caleb and his parents.
The author described all the sights and fascinating places to visit if you ever get to travel there. I felt as if I was along for the trip and enjoying everything that was described in such deep detail from the birds that inhabit the island to the historical museums and plenty of great places to eat.
With the extensive traveling this author has done, it is clearly evident that she pays close attention to detail wherever she travels and incorporates her love of travel with an intriguing mystery for her Amanda series.
This was a quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to traveling along with Amanda to some more interesting places in this delightful series.
I was given a copy of this book and wrote this review without compensation.
Thank you, Darlene, for coming today to share your newest book in this Amanda Series. I will share my review on my monthly reads and of course on Amazon and Goodreads and BN if it is there too. I know how important reviews are and am always happy to support my fellow authors with reviews. I wish you much success with this book and the rest of the series. Please feel free to come back again when you have another book to share with my readers and me.
Thank you, readers, for stopping by to read this post. Please check out Darlene Foster’s books at above links for some fascinating reading. If you haven’t traveled far, you will experience an adventure in traveling by reading the Amanda Series. Please remember to support authors by reading and reviewing our books wherever they are purchased. Thank you so much for your kind support!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!
Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina
Award-Winning Author
Jemsbooks for All Ages!
Jemsbooks.com
Jemsbooks.blog
Jjspina(at)comcast(dot)net
AMAZON.COM AUTHOR PAGE (All books)
AMAZON.COM JE SPINA NOVELS PAGE
JEMSBOOKS 
Thank you so much for this fabulous interview, Janice. And your review has me dancing on the ceiling! I’m so pleased you enjoyed Amand’s adventure in Malta. You are the best!
You are most welcome, Darlene! I enjoyed having you on my blog and reading your lovely book! 💕
Wonderful Janice and Darlene and congratulations on another terrific review for Amanda in Malta.. enjoy the rest of the weekend ♥
Thank you Sally! Darlene’s book was enjoyable and it was a pleasure to have Darlene on my blog! 💕
♥
Thanks, Sally!!
Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
I am delighted to be featured on Janice Spina’s blog today. Janice is a multi-award-winning author who has written and published 37 books, so far. She writes for children, middle-grade, young adults and adult readers. She is one of the busiest writers I know and still takes time to help promote other authors. Check out her blog and what I have to say about my “special talent”.
A sincere pleasure to have you, Darlene! Thank you for coming and sharing your lovely book! Please come back again! Hugs xx
Great interview. I love the question about where’s she’d visit. Thailand? New Zealand? Great choices.
Thank you, Jacqui! Darlene is quite the world traveler! Her books show how extensive her travel has been. I felt like I was along for the trip! Hugs xx
Thanks, Jacqui. There are other places I want to visit as well but thought I should go big or go home with this question.
Janice….great interview with Darlene!! Thank you for sharing her work!!
Thanks, Kirt. You have been a big fan for a long time.
Thank you Kurt for stopping by and for your support. 🤗
My pleasure!!
What a wonderful interview, Darlene and Janice. It was great getting a sneak peek at Amanda’s next destination! And Thailand, Australia, and/or New Zealand would be great additions to the travel plans. Happy Writing to you both.
Thanks, Diana. I do hope we can start to travel seriously again soon.
Me too. I hoped to travel in retirement and the timing didn’t work out so well. It will happen.
Yes, I agree, ladies. Time will come soon that we will all see more of the world once again. 💕
Thank you Diana. I look forward to her travels too. I don’t plan to travel until the fall to Aruba. Thanks for stopping by. Happy writing to you too! 💕
This was a wonderful interview! Thank you Janice and Darlene.
Glad you enjoyed the interview, Jennie.
😀
Thank you for stopping by, Jennie! I enjoyed having Darlene here. She is talented and fascinating! 💕
Excellent stuff, Janice and Darlene! It was only a matter of time until Amanda made it to France. Great idea to have a street team. I imagine the grandkids are part of that posse.
You got that right, as well as neighbours and grandchildren of friends. I am blessed to have young people around me.
It’s what helps keep us young and informed about what’s trending in pop culture.
Thank you Pete for stopping by! Darlene has much more in store for her readers and hopefully will travel soon. 🤗
A wonderful interview…I do hope Amanda(and)you get to Thailand she could have wealth of adventures 🙂 x
Thanks, Carol. It would be so great to visit your part of the world. You never know!
No you never know but I hope you do.. You will realise why your brother loves it.. x
Thank you, Carol, for stopping by. Thailand would certainly make for a fascinating story with a mystery thrown in by Darlene! 💕
I think so to, Janice.. The land of smiles would be an excellent playground for Amanda… 😀 x
A great interview! I once worked for a doctor who could follow multiple conversations at the same time. I don’t know how he did it.
My husband is always amazed that I know what everyone in the room is saying. Growing up in a large extended farm family with everyone chatting at once, provided me with these skills. I was later able to manage a bullpen of salespeople. I could monitor all their conversations and help out when needed. Even in a restaurant, I can follow conversations at other tables.
How clever!
Sounds like you have superhuman abilities, Darlene! 🤣💕
I enjoyed the interview. It is always interesting where ideas come from and I like the “street team”
Thanks, Allan. My street team keeps me up to date with modern children. Also, they are fun to be around.
Thank You Allan for stopping by. Darlene is a talented author and world traveler which made for an interesting interview. 💕
Wonderful interview. I hope Amanda does get to visit Australia (with Darlene, of course) sometime soon. I wonder what places she’ll visit.
I know, I have friends spread all over the large continent. It will be hard to pick. Maybe if I am near you, we can meet up. Right now it is just a dream.
So much of life is just a dream at the moment, while we live a nightmare. 😉😅
Thank you Nora for stopping by. I look forward to Darlene’s next adventure. 💕
Many of us do. 🙂
I love Darlene’s MG street team for authenticity! What a great idea!!
Thanks, Liz. Not sure what I would do without them.
Oops meant great idea! 💕
We all need help. I agree it’s a idea! 🤗
Hi Janice, it’s great to see Darlene featured here. I also read and enjoyed Amanda in Malta as well as a few of the other Amanda books. I like the fact Darlene has a street team, that is a great idea.
Yes, it is a great idea! It was a lovely book and series. She has been quite a traveler! It was a pleasure to have her. Hug
Thanks, Robbie. You have your son, Michael, to help you with your children’s stories!
What a wonderful interview with Darlene! I loved learning more about her and her books as well as her street team. Thank you, Janice, for spotlighting this author!! Congrats to Darlene!
Thank you, Jan, for stopping by. It was fun to have her here. I love helping out my fellow authors and learning more about them! Are you interested in coming by? Email me at jjspina@comcast.net and we can talk. 🥰
Thank you so much, Jan, for your lovely comments.
Reblogged this on Pattys World.
Thank you Patty for the reblog! 🤗
Thanks so much for reblogging, Patty.
💕
Hi Janice and Darlene, What a great interview. I can’t wait to read Amanda in France – it sounds like it will be quite an adventure.Toni x
Thanks, Toni! Doing the final edits on Amada in France.
Thank you, Toni! It was a pleasure to have Darlene on my site! 💕
I’m sure it will be! Thank you for stopping by, Toni! 💕
Enjoyed your interview, Darlene, and I’m really looking forward to Amanda in France!
Thanks, Teri!
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – #Interview Janice Spina – Darlene Foster, #Copyright Hugh Roberts – Deborah Jay, #Reviews Mae Clair, #Antigua Carol Taylor, #Focus Gwen Plano | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Thank you Sally! 💕
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you for this very interesting interview, with so many great news about Darlene, and her way of writing the lovely Amanda series. I never had thought someone would use a street team of youngsters getting the information needed. 😉 Darlene could also work as an investigator. :-)) Thanks and best wishes, Michael
Wonderful interview Janice and Darlene. I wrote two of my books at the same time too and rather enjoyed have another project to work on when I needed a timeout from the other. Hugs xx
Thank you Debby! I did that once but never again. Ha! 💕
Lol, I’m about to be in it again when I return from my sun escape. ❤
Hope you had a lovely rest and relaxation. 💕
I’m still sun lounging Janice. Thank you. ❤
Nice! Wish I was there too! 💕
Wish you were ❤
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – #Interview Janice Spina – Darlene Foster, #Copyright Hugh Roberts – Deborah Jay, #Reviews Mae Clair, #Antigua Carol Taylor, #Focus Gwen Plano – DEEZ – News about Art, Books & more
Thank you for the share! 😊
Pingback: Interview an author with Author Darlene Foster! | JEMSBOOKS