Author: Amanda Tero

Music has always been a part of Amanda Tero’s life–from her mom singing Steve Green specials to her dad honking out the rhythm of “Jingle Bells” in the driveway. She began teaching in 2007 and fell in love with sharing music. Amanda started arranging hymns for herself in her teens, with fast and furious advanced hymn settings. Then, as her students began requesting hymns at their levels, she branched out to hymn arranging for pedagogical reasons. Because of Amanda’s interest in various genres, in her shop, you will find hymn arrangements of various levels embracing classical elements, light jazz style, Southern Gospel flair, and more.

Scripture Graphics #70

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. (Isaiah 44:7-8)
Isaiah is the book that reveals so much of God, Who He is, what He has done, and how that proves He is God. It contrasts pagan idols to the living God and reveals to us portions of the character of God. For the believer, Isaiah is a book that is a blessing to read. Have you considered rereading it recently?


What we believe will directly influence our view of Scripture. If I believed that life didn’t exist until actual birth, verses like this wouldn’t make sense. I would discredit the many verses that mention life after conception, but before birth. What we believe directly affects how we read God’s Word.


Only the spotless Lamb of God could do this on our behalf. Reflecting on it should lead us to humble gratitude.


For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
When we take part in distributing God’s Word, do we leave the results completely up to Him, or do we define what a “successful harvest” looks like? God’s Word accomplishes what He pleases; it prospers in the thing where He sent it. Not us.


What is your favorite verse from Isaiah?

Books I Read | November 2017

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments

Once again, I’m late in posting this. 😛 But it’s here! My November reading in review! And now that I’m doing this, I realize that I skipped October!! Whoopsie!!

So…
Books of October

I really read a bit in October (especially compared to November). I had a lot of review books plus a few borrowed books that I wanted to get back to people.
Since there are so many books to catch up on (and I honestly don’t have time to write a detailed post 😛 ), I’ll just share covers and my stars. Click on the star rating to be taken to my Goodreads review.
5 Stars

4 stars

3 stars

3 stars

5 stars

4 stars

4 stars

4 stars

4 stars

4 stars

5 stars

Books of November

5 stars

4 stars

3.5 stars

3 stars

3 stars

Some questions

With the New Year right around the corner, I’m considering things to cut out of my schedule. Because yes… as you read a few days ago, I’m trying to simplify some things and find a better balance. So. Book reading recaps are in the danger of being discontinued. How many of you are interested in reading them? I realize if you already follow me on Goodreads, you see my reviews. And, I already put about 50% of what I read up on First Line Fridays. What are your thoughts with me continuing or discontinuing this portion?

And, it’s the last month of the year!! What was your favorite book that you read this year??

So Great a Love | First Line Fridays, Book Review

Published on by Amanda Tero6 Comments
Happy Friday with another children’s book (I know, I know, this may be considered “cheating” but I fully believe that you’ve got to start kids off with good books too!)!! You may remember me featuring Kristie’s other book, Made for a Purpose, several months ago (if not, check it out now 😉 ). I’m honored to present you book two! This series is adorable and wonderful.
First Line
Higher than the mountains, and wider than the desert…
so great is God’s love for you!
Honestly, what better type of book to give your kid? 
Connecting with Hoarding Books for First Line Friday!
What’s the first line of a book you’re reading?
Who is your favorite artists?

My Review
Kristie has done it again: created an adorable, sweet, and doctrinally sound children’s book. Every page features a truth directly from God’s Word—covering God’s love, care, protection, help, cleansing, watch-care, and delight. Each of these attributes of God are likened to how one of the animals in the wild does the same for its child (e.g. protection like a mama bear protecting her young), ending with the call to run to God because He always loves us. I did find it interesting that the entire book focuses on God, without mentioning Jesus, even though I assume it was Jesus pictured.  Not saying this in a negative way; it’s just something that I observed.
The art is colorful and fun, depicting the various animals (bear, koala, lions, chickens, to name a few) in their environments and sometimes their danger. There are a couple of pictures of God (or Jesus?) in which he has long hair; I personally don’t believe that depiction is true, but that’s just my Biblical opinion. 😉 It does not prevent me from enjoying the book.
At the conclusion of the book is a whole page of Scripture from which the phrases were taken. I love this idea! It takes the child directly to God’s Word to say, “See? This is what the Bible says.” I do prefer the KJV and these references are from various other translations, but I would just look them up in my Bible for my child.

*I received this book from Book Crash and happily provided my honest review*

Getting Back into Goals

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments
Praising the Lord, cause last week was better getting back into the niche of writing. Last week, I was able to…

  • Read 2 chapters of a research book
  • Brainstorm for a few hours
  • Write 1,909 words
I wasn’t able to fully kick back into full gear of doing it everyday, but I was able to make progress, and for that I’m excited.
This week, my goals are to…
  • Average writing 150 words each day
  • Read five chapters of research book
  • Reply to beta readers’ emails about Nat
Yes, I realize that, in my good ol’ days, this doesn’t seem like a huge goal. But, Lord willing, that will mean 1,050 more words than I had last week, plus being almost finished with my current research book.
Will you hold me to these goals?
Also, what are your goals this week?
Before I leave, a couple of posts from Instagram–inspired by researching. 😉 Researching… oh, researching… 🙂 

Scripture Graphics #69

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments

What a beautiful promise we can claim as adopted children of the one true God!


There is so much beauty in this story of Assyria’s threat and Hezekiah’s prayer
– He didn’t let others’ view of God warp his focus on the truth of God (Isaiah 36:7, 10, 18-20; 37:10-13)
– His first response was not worry and agonizing over a plan. He read the letter then immediately brought it to God (vs. 14-15)
– His concerns did not diminish his praise to God (vs. 16-17)
– He didn’t ask for victory to secure his own life, but so that the surrounding nations would see the proof of the living God (vs. 20)


If salvation was our only reason to praise God every day, it is reason enough. Yet every day, our lives are overflowing with Christ’s blessings. So why do we not praise Him more?


I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)
God alone is our Savior; He alone forgives and sanctifies us.

What is your favorite verse on God’s forgiveness?

The Heart of an Agent | Blog Tour, Review, Giveaway

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments

About the Book

Name of book: The Heart of an Agent
Author: Tracey J. Lyons
Genre: Inspirational historical romance
Release Date: November 7, 2017

Tracey J. Lyons, the author of A Changed Agent, returns to the Adirondack Mountains of the 1890s in a novel of love, faith, and secrets…
Former Pinkerton spy Lily Handland has always dreamed of a quiet, safe life, free from chasing criminals and putting herself at risk. So when the opportunity to invest in a failing Great Camp in the Adirondacks comes to her attention, she quickly jumps at the chance.
Filled with grief, widower Owen Murphy wants to run away from it all. Though he’s worked hard to forge a future for himself, his guilt has kept him mired in the past. But all that changes when a headstrong, mysterious woman shows up at Owen’s door. Together, as Lily and Owen restore the beauty of the Great Camp, he begins to finally see a future. But will learning about Lily’s past destroy it all?


My Review

Overall, this was a sweet story. Lily wants to change her lifestyle from that of a Pinkerton detective—and her desire gets a new meaning when her paths cross with Owen, the widowed and broken owner of a mountain retreat. In essence, this was a romance with some plot woven through. I found Lily’s backstory intriguing and Owen’s journey to move forward believable. I really enjoyed the whole rebuilding of the camp, and, in essence, rebuilding of lives.

It didn’t strike me as a very deep Christian book. There were a lot of mentions of God’s hand in nature (at the same time, one reference to Mother Nature), and a few prayers for direction, but mainly only when a character was over their head in a problem.

The romance overall was sweet and not rushed. The kisses were semi-detailed. There were a few mentions of suspicion for impure lifestyle, but nothing was out-and-out said, and it was just suspicions/accusations.
A few things I didn’t care for: several uses of “heck” and similar words. Taking God’s Name in vain twice. Mention of Mother Nature. Lily talking to a grave/dead person, asking for advice.

So in essence, it’s a book for romance lovers (which you all know isn’t me 😉 ), but still enjoyable!

*I received this book from Celebrate Lit and happily provided my honest review*



Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Tracey is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a tea-time themed gift box (Valued at over $75) and a $25 Visa Gift Card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c1f6

About the Author

 An Amazon Top Ten bestselling historical romance author of the Adirondack Pinkertons and the Women of Surprise series, Tracey was a 2017 National Excellence Romance Fiction Award finalist. She sold her first book on 9/9/99! Her books have been translated into several languages and are available in print, digital and audio formats. A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey believes you should write what you know. Her historical romances are all set in the New York State area. Tracey considers herself a small town gal who writes small town romances. You can learn more about Tracey and her books by visiting her website at www.traceylyons.com.


Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, December 1
A Greater Yes, December 2
Multifarious, December 3
Carpe Diem, December 6
Bibliophile Reviews, December 7
Pause for Tales, December 8
Daysong Reflections, December 10
Mary Hake, December 11
My Writer’s Life, December 12
Books n Baubles, December 12


God Bless My Family | First Line Friday and Review

Published on by Amanda Tero8 Comments
Happy Friday! For this Friday’s first line, I’ll just show you the first page. Then you get to read it and see the adorable art!

As usual, connecting with Hoarding Books for First Line Friday!
What is your favorite children’s book?
What are you reading this weekend?

My Review
I have a thing for children’s books. I have to think harder than to say “It’s truly adorable.” But this one IS. After I received it in the mail, I had laid it out and at least four family members picked it up, read it, and proclaimed, “This is the cutest book ever!” I’m from a big family, so I appreciate the positive focus on family. It covers daddy, mommy, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, cousins, uncles, and aunts, and how God has placed each in the family for a special reason. 
The illustrations are adorable. Soft pencil drawings of dogs–who wouldn’t like that? I did think that some of them were questionable as far as two dogs walking hand-in-hand (paw-in-paw). I just know some of my siblings and their curious minds (“How can the dog climb the tree?” for instance). That would be the only critical aspect I would have to say of this book. It doesn’t really bother me. Just if you’re going to have a very literal child, they may be puzzled about some of the art.
*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers and happily provided my honest review*

November: No NaNo

Published on by Amanda Tero6 Comments
Writing… what’s that again? 😉 
Just kidding. Though honestly, November was one of those months where writing definitely was pushed to the back burner. In exchange, a lot of wonderful things happened. My friend Kenzi came down and spent about two weeks, we had a Bible conference (with more friends!), did our annual sibling Christmas-shopping trip, my niece was born (yep, second time being an aunt in less than two months!), we had a make-shift Thanksgiving (due to my niece being born that week), and about a hundred other smaller things filled the month. So November wasn’t much of a writing month for me.
However, I did get to do some brainstorming on a writing project and make wonderful progress with character development and ideas.
And the last week of November, when I was “just getting back on track” with normal-life stuff, God allowed me to put in a few thousand words in another project! This one was a completely an unexpected blessing. Our family went two nights to sing at a revival service over an hour away. I usually don’t write in the van, because I sit in the back seat and have ruined two laptops with the jostling (just trust me on that one 😉 ), but since our family has diminished in size, I was a front-seater, which isn’t nearly as bumpy as the back seat. Added to that, I was writing while my writing-sister, Rachel, was nearby. So we did a ton of brainstorming as well.
So writing hasn’t been as much overall since last writing update, but what has been done has felt very productive.
Nat is still in the hands of beta readers. I have gotten helpful feedback from a couple of them, and the remainder are hopefully going to get my their notes by the end of December so I can start the New Year off with editing his story.
How you can be praying
I’d appreciate prayers for wisdom. As many of you know, I teach around 30 music students, run WAJN (arranging and publishing music books and CDs), and assist with our family’s singing group, as well as write. Many times, it is hard to know the balance of what I am to do when–when am I to be fully available to my family, when am I to set apart writing time or arranging time, etc.? I am beginning to see that it’s a day-by-day need for direction. Yes, there are dozens of stories that are just begging to be written, but I don’t want to write at the expense of being available to others and following God. So, many times, I just need wisdom with how to balance my schedule.
How can I be praying?
I wouldn’t want to leave off without asking how I can pray for you. Whether it is in writing or something completely different, I’d love to pray for you. If you want to keep a comment private, please say so at the beginning of the comment and I will not publish it or you may email me at amandaterobooks {at} gmail {dot} com.
How many of you did NaNo? What were your goals and did you meet them? Tell me a little about your story, too. 😉