Amanda in Malta by Darlene Foster – New Release Tour

I’m excited to have Darlene Foster on my blog to share with you about her new release Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 8). When Amanda turned twelve, she made a wish as she blew the birthday cake candles. Here she is with her wishes come true – traveling all over the world.
I was curious about writing the Amanda series, so I asked Darlene to share with you her experience.
Is it difficult to write a series?
Writing a series can be fun. I love getting to know the main characters, Amanda Ross and her friend Leah Anderson. But I worry that the stories might get too predictable. I know my readers expect some things to be familiar, but each book needs to come with something new to keep it fresh and entertaining.
Coming up with new settings is easy for me as I love to travel. I often travel with an Amanda adventure in mind, taking tons of notes and pictures to be referred to later when writing the story. Coming up with a storyline that is original and exciting is not always easy.
A few things that have helped me get new ideas:
● Hanging out with young people to learn what they get excited about. I get many of my ideas from young people.
● Watching TV shows and movies that feature kids, but not necessarily kids’ shows. I once got a great idea while watching Midsommer Murders!
● Reading lots of books in a variety of genres including the classics as well as recently published novels, both adult and children´s books.
● Reading newspapers and magazine articles. I clip and save interesting and bizarre stories and go through the stack of clippings once in a while. There is usually something that will pop out and generate a new idea or two.
● Listening to conversations in coffee shops, on the bus, on the street, on the beach – wherever. Conversations between adults, kids, or teenagers can inspire excellent ideas. I have become great at eavesdropping.
● Asking “what if” often. What if Amanda did something she knew she shouldn’t? What if a character said something they wouldn’t normally say? What if she walked down that alley? What if…?. Sometimes a character has to do something out of character to keep it interesting.
● Making sure every book tackles at least one new problem or issue.
● Introducing intriguing new characters in each book. Even minor characters can create interest and keep the series from getting stale.
● Bringing back a character from a previous book. I introduced Caleb, Amanda´s classmate, in the New Mexico book. He was so popular that he has returned in the Malta book.
● Being consistent in the details can be a challenge. A good memory helps, as do notes. I had Amanda wearing glasses in the first book and I don’t think I mentioned them in the next two! I have a list of all the characters names to be sure I don´t accidentally change any.
The twelve-year-old Amanda is a world traveler who visited an exotic island in the middle of the Mediterranean. It came as a surprise when she received a postcard from her best friend Leah asking her to come to Malta, hinting there was something wrong. She did not know how to get to Malta from Canada. Her friend Caleb and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen, were going on a vacation in Malta and would like Amanda to come along.
After arriving in Malta, Amanda went to find the house according to the address from the postcard but was told Leah was not there. It was like in some detective story that a mystery boy slipped a piece of paper written with lipsticks into her pocket, urged her to try again. It turned out that Leah asked this boy, Max, to connect with Leah to meet at St. Lucian Tower. The Sorensens wanted to go to a museum. While they toured the cave, Amanda went to the Tower and saw Leah. Leah revealed that the people in the house where they stayed wanted her aunt to steal an ancient figurine of Sleeping Lady.
I find that Darlene’s book is educational for middle schoolers and adults. I followed the tour along and learned many interesting facts about this island.
· Ghar Dalam means ‘cave of darkness’ and It is over 500,000 years old. It holds evidence of the first humans on the island, such as Neanderthal teeth, from 7,400 years ago.
· The Falconry Center has many rescued birds. Maltese falcon is called the peregrine falcon, known for its speed, it can reach over 320 kilometers per hour or 200 miles per hour.
· the Knights of St. John built The St. John Cathedral in 1572. As each knight gained wealth, he and his family donated art and decorations. The inlaid marble graves showed many knights were buried here.
· The 1980 Robert Williams’ Popeye movie was filmed in Malta.
Amanda’s crime adventure weaved through the sightseeing and the historical facts made this reading interesting and enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.
![Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 8) by [Darlene Foster]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41DYRLgMkOL.jpg)
The 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 colorful 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

The buy links
Amazon Canada here
Amazon UK here
Amazon US here
Barnes and Noble here
Chapters/Indigo here

About the Author
Darlene Foster grew up on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, where her love of reading inspired her to see the world and write stories about a young girl who travels to interesting places. Over the years she worked in rewarding jobs such as an employment counsellor, ESL teacher, recruiter, and retail manager, writing whenever she had a few spare minutes. She is now retired and has a house in Spain where she writes full time. When not travelling, meeting interesting people, and collecting ideas for her books, she enjoys spending time with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.
Contact the Author at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter
Twitter https://twitter.com/supermegawoman
Blog https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/darlene6490/
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Thank you for reading this post. We love to hear about your thoughts.
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Sounds like an excellent read for young and old alike.
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You’re right, Mark. It was an interesting read to me.
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How fun to see Amanda (and Darlene) over here, Miriam. She’s having a fabulous tour, and so many great reviews! What fun. 🙂 I can’t imagine that Darlene ever runs out of ideas, but she does have a great list for inspiration. Wonderful review, Miriam. I look forward to my next Amanda book. 🙂
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I think watching young children or young adults give us lot of ideas and inspiration in writing. Thanks for your comment, Diana. 🙂
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Great peek into The Amanda’s series and wonderful to hear Darlene’s writing insights and how she gets her creativity for her books. I loved the cover of Amanda in Malta. Listening to kids and watching movies reading and clipping out things are all great wayst to keep things alive. 👏👏👏💖
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Thanks, Cindy. Nothing new but a good reminder. Pleased you like the cover, My publisher comes up with the best covers!!
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You’re soooo welcome!
They are gorgeous❣️
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Darlene has good tips and insights for writing in general, Cindy! My mind is churning also when watching TV or reading news. Thank you for your comment! 🙂
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She does!!!! oh I’m glad I’m not alone❣️
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A delightful interview, and a wonderful review, Miriam. Darlene, wishing you huge success. Hugs all around.
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A lovely detective book for middle school readers, Teagan. Thank you for stopping by.
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Thanks so much, Teagan. You are the butterflies knees!
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LOL. You and Amanda are the cat’s pajamas!
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I enjoyed reading how Darlene gets her ideas to keep the Amanda series fresh and interesting. I would love to know what idea she got from Midsommer Murders!
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Good question, Liz! It’s 5 a.m. in Spain. She’ll be back in a few hours!
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Oh dear, I can´t remember. It was in one of the earlier books. If it comes to me, I´ll let you know.
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It is nice to see Darlene here with her enlightening tips about writing a series. She has done a wonderful job, as her books are simple and informative. I have read two of them with my grandchildren and they enjoyed both. Thanks for sharing your lovely review Miriam. Wishing all the best to Darlene.
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Thanks, Balroop. Reading books with grandchildren is just the best, isn’t it? I’m glad you all enjoyed the stories.
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Isn’t it wonderful that we shared ideas with each other? Good to hear your grandchildren enjoyed the Amanda books. Thank you for your comment, Balroop.
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Great interview, Miriam and Darlene. You’ve shared some tips here that I should be using more often in my series!
Congrats on the wonderful review- well desrved!
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I love when we shared ideas with each other in this wonderful writing community, Jacquie! It was fun reading Amanda in Malta!
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Thanks, Jacquie. Glad you found the tips helpful. They were more reminders. You are a master at writing series!!
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How wonderful to see Darlene here with you today, Miriam. Your review is outstanding and I know Darlene is doing a happy dance. Thanks to you both for sharing!
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Thanks, Jan. I am delighted with Miriam’s review. xo
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I’m so excited to have Darlene here today, Jan. Yeah, her book is a young reader’s version of defective book!! Thank you for your comment.
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I loved the hints on writing a series, Darlene–watching TV, hanging out, reading–I can do that! OK I did truncate them but them were wonderfully helpful.
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Thanks, Jacqui. Some were just plain common sense but we all need reminding. I watch TV with a pen and notepad, just in case I get an idea. Writers are a weird bunch.
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I know exactly what you meant, Darlene. When I think of writing certain things, I wished I had kept the clips or sources.
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Yes, to a writer, that doesn’t even sound weird!
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I remember one author wrote a book as a result of watching several movies of that trend, so I think watching TV gives us ideas. So do reading, observing people, collecting interesting tidbits. Thank you for stopping by, Jacqui!
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Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
The next stop on the blog tour for Amanda in Malta is at Miriam Hurdle’s blog, The Shower of Blessings. Miriam is sharing her review as well as my tips on writing a series. Miriam, a great supporter of other authors, has written a children’s book as well as a book of poems. Stop by and say hello to Miriam.
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I’m excited to have you here, Darlene!
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An excellent post, along with a wonderful review for Darlene’s newest release. I love that her Amanda books are both adventurous and educational.
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Thanks, Mae!
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I love traveling and always want to learn something about the history and facts of other cities or countries. The Amanda books are interesting to me for the same reason. Thank you for your support, Mae!
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I enjoyed reading Darlene’s points about writing a series. Most are good points for writing in general. I’m looking forward to reading an Amanda story soon.
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Darlene’s points are great ideas for writing a series, Norah! You’re right, these ideas apply to writing in general. Good to know you’ll be reading an Amanda book!
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It’s on my list, Miriam. 🙂
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Thanks, Norah. It’s true, the tips could work for any kind of writing. Especially eavesdropping!
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Yes, I thought that was a good one. 🙂
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Very enjoyable post, thanks, Miriam. I’ve been thinking of getting some Amanda books for my granddaughter, but I’m beginning to think I’d enjoy them myself!
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It would be a great idea to get the book for your granddaughter as well as for yourself, Elizabeth. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you for stopping by to support Darlene!
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Or you could read them together! Even over Zoom if the distance is too far. Kids love reading books with an adult. (especially if the adult is Grandma!)
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Fantastic post! I enjoyed reading your review, Miriam. Congratulations to Darlene!
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Thank you for stopping by to support Darlene. I appreciated your comment, Jill!
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Thanks, Jill.
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Great post and suggestions for creating ideas for a series or a single book. A wonderful book review too!
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Yes, Denise, these are great ideas for writing a series, and a single book also as you suggested. I had fun reading Amanda in Malta.
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Thanks, glad you felt the tips useful.
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Thanks so much for participating in the blog tour, Miriam. So pleased you enjoyed the book. xo
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You’re welcome, Darlene. I’m pleased to have you on my blog!
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I enjoyed Darlene’s commentary about writing a series and also about how she gets ideas and keeps her books relevant to the age level. My own writing has followed the path of my own children as my socialising and knowledge of the younger generation changes as they get older. Thanks for hosting, Miriam.
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I agree with you, Robbie. Watching your own children’s growth, their social and academic development is the best first-hand knowledge that works to your advantage in writing books about those ages. Thank you for stopping by to support Darlene.
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Thanks, Robbie. My children were adults by the time I started writing my books but I still recalled some of the things they experienced. Fortunately, I have grandchildren. xo
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That was exactly how I wrote my first children’s book, Darlene. I wrote several stories based on the experiences.
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Yes, it certainly helps writing to be in touch with the target age group.
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