Finally! #ExcerptWeek resumes with our last three contributors. Today’s guest is children’s author, Darlene Foster, and I know you’ll enjoy her charming excerpt. Please remember to share, thanks! Darlene, welcome to The Write Stuff.
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Excerpt From Amanda On The Danube
The Sounds of Music
The girls continued to look around the market, stopping to pull the strings on jumping jacks and stroking teddy bears dressed in lederhosen, just like the dancers wore the night before.
“Psst!”
Amanda looked around but couldn’t see anyone.
“Psst!”
Amanda swung around and saw a finger motioning to her from between two stalls. Leah was busy looking at jewellery. Amanda slipped into the tiny space. There crouched in the corner, sat the young boy who played his violin by the Gingerbread House earlier.
“Please, Miss. I need your help.”
Amanda noticed blood seeping out of the dirty bandage on his thumb. “What happened to your thumb?”
“Oh, that. It is nothing.” The young man reached for his violin case. “You are on the boat, yes? The Sound of Music boat?”
“Yes, I am. Why?” She looked at the bloody finger. “You should have that cleaned up. You could get an infection.”
“Please, could you take this with you on the boat?” His large blue eyes pleaded with her as he held out the case.
“Why can’t you take it to the boat?” asked Amanda.
“I do not have a ticket. But my violin must get on the boat. It is of much importance.”
“Well -” Amanda took a deep breath. “I guess I could take it, but then what will I do with it once I’m on the boat.”
“Perhaps you could keep it in your room until you get to Vienna. I will meet you there.”
“H – How…”
“Amanda! Where have you gone?” She could hear Leah shouting.
“OK. I have to go.” Amanda snatched the violin case.
“Danke, fraulein. Don’t tell anyone you saw me, bitte. I mean, please.”
~~~
Author Darlene Foster
Brought up on a ranch in southern Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, travelling the world and meeting interesting people. Following her dreams, she’s now an award-winning author of the exciting Amanda Travels series featuring spunky 12-year-old Amanda Ross who has adventures in unique places. Her books include Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask, Amanda in Spain – The Girl in The Painting, Amanda in England – The Missing Novel and Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone. Readers of all ages enjoy travelling with Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. She is also the author of a bi-lingual book, Pig on Trial/Cerdito a juicio. Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, in Spain. She believes everyone is capable of making their dreams come true.
Buy Darlene’s Book Here:
Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music
Reach Darlene on Social Media Here:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
My Amazon Author Page
The Write Stuff 
Thanks so much for participating in #ExcerptWeek, Darlene, and for being so patient while I took care of hurricane issues. It’s great to have you with us!
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Looks like another great addition to the ‘Amanda’ series!
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Thanks, Marcia!
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Thanks for having me here on your wonderful blog! As my dad would have said, “There is nothing you can do about the weather.”
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You’re most welcome, Darlene, and your dad is exactly right. Hurricanes, in particular, are known for doing their thing, even when all evidence points to them doing something else. Who would have thought it would be North Carolina that got slammed the hardest, and lost the most lives? Even though we are going to have to have our roof replaced, we were very, very lucky. 🙂 So glad I’m back to work again. (Mostly.)
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Charming indeed. And what fun covers on the books, too!
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I like these covers, too, Mae! So colorful and happy, while keeping to a style and format that clearly establishes a “brand.” Very clever!
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Glad you like the covers, Mae. My publisher worked hard to create them and I love them too.
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Mae, I just downloaded Macabre Sanctuary. Can’t wait to read it!!
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Fabulous. Thanks so much, Darlene. I hope you enjoy the tales 🙂
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Your story is awesome!!
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Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed it, Darlene.:) That is so appreciated!
When you finish the tales, if you have time, we’d love a short review on Amazon. Even just an “I liked it” helps 🙂
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Of course! ❤
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Tantalizing excerpt! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Tess. It is so great that we follow many of the same blogs. I could say you are everywhere I am but then you could say the same of me!!
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You are welcome, Darlene.
Are you saying ‘birds of a feather, we fly together?’ 😀 😀 😀
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That excerpt certainly draws you into the story makes you want to read more. Yes, another good mystery. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for your comments on the excerpt, Patricia. Glad you liked it.
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What darling book covers! Enjoyed the excerpt. Pinned & shared.:)
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Thanks for sharing, Linda. Pleased the book covers are going over so well.
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So fun to have a glimpse into Amanda’s world. I too love the covers!
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Thanks, Sue. Pleased with the positive response to the covers.
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These little snippet got me intrigued…will have to read what Amanda gets up to next with the violin …
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Thanks, GIlda. You never know what Amanda will do next!
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Such an intriguing excerpt! My mind is painting pictures of all sorts of things that might be inside that violin case!
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Glad I have everyone wondering! Thanks Deborah.
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Loved the excerpt and I’ve said before how fun Darlene’s covers are! 🙂
PS Marcia – gmail is now playing tricks. I didn’t hear back from you when I told you don’t rush, early next week is fine. Please nudge me if you sent and I don’t reply, which means I didn’t receive. I just featured Nicholas Rossis today. I was waiting all week for his answers to come and emailed him, he told me he had sent a week ago! Gmail is not sending all mail so beware! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed the excerpt DJ!
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🙂
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