Sarah Holman's Blog, page 105

Writing Saturday: I is for Ignite

The goal of every book and every writer is to ignite their reader’s imagination. When I weave a story, I want my readers to feel like they are there. I want them to smell the stench of battle, feel the pounding in my heroine’s chest in their own. I want them to cry, laugh, and sigh with the story.
Different stories rely on different methods to ignite their readers. In The Destiny Series, I relied on the plot and adventure to cause my readers to keep turning the pages. In Adventures and Adversities, I am relying on my heroine to grab my readers by the heart and not let them go until the last page.
To accomplish this, I had to learn to write descriptions better, and characters deeper than I did in Adventures and Adversities. I had to figure what made each character tick and weave it into the story. It was a lot harder than letting the plot lead the way, but I think it made for a more compelling story.
Another thing I had to learn to write, was really good description. Description is my weak point I freely admit. Unlike some authors that who can find poetic ways to describe their cereal, I struggle to find the words to share the world I see clearly. I managed between The Destiny of a Galaxy and Adventures and Adversities to get better. I will let my readers decide how much I improved.

How do you go about igniting your readers?

Finds of the Week

Just in case this wasn't obvious, I will go ahead and say it: Some of the sites I get things from also post some not so great stuff. Be careful when browsing. 
17 Phrases you're probably saying wrong~I found I was saying everything by #14 right~


Mirror Mirror
~wonderful post on beauty~


 Finding the Core of Your Story by Jordan Smith
~wonderful book for writers~


Loving Yourself
~something that we need to be reminded of~


Celebrate the Miracles
~wonderful reminder~


Interview & Giveaway! Roseanna M. White ~ Author of Ring of Secrets!!
~awesome giveaway~


Daring Faith
~a devotional post~

Busy, Dizzy, Life

Wow, who would have thought that I am busier now that I don't have a 'real' job. I get up in the morning and, before I know it, it is time to go to bed again.

I am really getting excited about all the time I have to work on my books. This week I am busy doing some research and completing things on my to do list before I unleash myself on my next book. I can hardly wait!!

Even though I haven't been writing a book, I have done a lot of writing related things. Like this

Interview with Miss Jack
Making the Most of Goodreads guest post
Why Every Author should Join Goodreads
Today, I am spending some time with my best friend and sister, Rose. As well as working on some book reviews. 
What have you been up to?

Book Review: Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up (romance and mild peril)
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Description: An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son--his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child's whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder's daughter, Lorena Huntley. Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own--until the day another's evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England. As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love
I love my Kindle! I have all these books I have gotten for free, just waiting for me to read. Prize of My Heart was one of those free books. One day, I decided to read a book from an author I had never read before.
Lorena was my favorite character. I loved her sweetness and faith. All the characters were good, but Lorena captured my heart.
The setting was amazing. Lisa Norato did an amazing job of making me feel like I could see the ocean and the wharfs in my mind. Her descriptions put me in the places. I can still picture the launch of the ship, the grand house, and Lorena’s cabin as she was sailing home.
I enjoyed this mix of suspense, mystery, and romance. Nothing felt overdone, and it kept me turning pages until the end.
Can I give five stars just for the cover? So pretty, and it fit the book.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes light reads that keep you turning pages.

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Finds of the Week

8 Words to Seek and Destroy in Your Writing~Great article for writers~
Christian Fiction for Your Kindle~Find great kindle deals~
Safire Designs~Need a cover? this girl has you covered~


Making the Most of Goodreads
~an article I wrote~


Use "I" Too Much?
~very helpful for writers~


He will come through for you!
~Really an encouraging post ~


Where Is Safety?
~Wonderful, powerful post~


Pic Monkey
~Great free photo editing~

Cover Photo Shoot!

My book Adventures and Adversities is off to the editing team, but I am still very busy. After all, I have a cover to make. So, we had a photo shoot. My sister Rebekkah and I discussing how best to use the reflector to add light to the photo.
Rebekkah fixing Rose's hair.
Lovely model and sister, Rose.
Setting up a shot.
Working on the hair again.
Rose got tired of being all the photo's. Poor thing. It is hard to be a cover girl.
She did have some fun though.
Lots of lovey shots.
Success! We do have a cover photo!


And fun photos!

Book Review: Just Jane by Nancy Moser

Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 12 and up
Description: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma...these titles conjure up a romantic world of rolling English countrysides, elegant balls, noble gentlemen, and headstrong gentlemen's daughters. But how much do we know about the woman who immortalized those times and names like Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennett? Growing up in a clergyman's home gave Jane Austen opportunities to watch human nature at its best--and worst. Drawing from historical sources as well as her own keen imagination, Christy Award-winner Nancy Moser transports readers inside the life and times of the literary world's most beloved heroine. Known for her moving and unique Mozart's Sister, Nancy Moser brings to life the mind and wit of Jane Austen--the loves, disappointments, and victories that shaped the novels that have remained popular for nearly two hundred years.
I avoid most fiction about Jane Austen, either in movie or in book form. Why? I just haven’t liked their take on this historical character. We really don’t know that much about her, which leaves lots of room for speculation and embellishment.
It is rare for me that a main character in a book is my favorite. I usually like the side characters more. However, Jane tugged at my heart strings. She has to go places and be with people she doesn’t like. She doesn’t always have a good attitude. In other words, she is real, human and a lot like me. In fact, all the characters felt real.
The relationship between Jane and her sister was my second favorite part of the book. It reminded me so much of my own friendship with my sister. Thank goodness Nancy Moser didn’t listen to all those people who say sisters can’t be that close. She portrayed a real friendship, one that has its ups and downs, but is always close.
My favorite part was Jane as an author. Nancy Moser captured how authors feel so well in this book. I really identified with Jane’s struggles and challenges in writing.  Many of my author friends will love this book just to hear Jane complain that her characters aren’t talking to her (it’s a writer thing).
The story itself was like a Jane Austen book; not full of heart-stopping romance, adventure, or suspense. Instead, this story relies on you being involved with the characters enough to want to know what happens to them next.
I highly recommend this to those who like Jane Austen, non-romance fiction, and strong, character-based stories.

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Writing Saturday: A Bit of Inspiration #8

Sometimes an amazing cover is all that is need to spark imagination...

Book Review: Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up (thematic material, romance)
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Description: Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life. The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.
I am going to start this review with the one thing I didn’t like about this book: the cover. For me, the cover gave me pause. It made it look like the book would have content that might not be appropriate It isn’t so much what is shown as what is implied. Thankfully, the cover had nothing to do with the story. I hope this type of cover doesn’t become a trend for Zondervan books.
Thank goodness I chose not to judge this book by its cover, because it was an amazingly wonderful story. The romance in it was so clean and so God honoring that even younger readers might find themselves liking it. Seriously, I don’t think I have read a romance from a traditional publisher that made me jump up and down saying “That is the kind of romance I want!” until I read this book.
Both characters like each other from the beginning, but feelings are not the center of the romance, only a factor. Most of the time Nate and Susanna spend together is spent talking, often about faith. When they are apart, they don’t spend all the time dreaming of kisses, hand-holding, and such, the miss each other’s advice, thoughts, and presence.
Nathaniel was so amazing. There are not many heroes in books who think more about duty and honor than their hormones. He was the type of guy I am looking for – the type who treats girls with respect and honor; the type who cares more about a girl’s heart than her body. That isn’t to say he wasn’t attracted to Susanna. Let’s be honest, it would be weird to have a romance where there was no attraction. It is simply that he thinks more about who she is than the fact that she is pretty.
The fairy-tale aspect was so fun. So maybe it wasn’t 100% believable, but who cares. It was so fun! The settings were so lovely that I could hear the accents, and the history of the fictional country was well presented. Some of the political aspect was murky, but not too bad.
The faith message was awesome. It was well-constructed, not too heavy, and central to the story. Both Suzanna and Nate helped build each other’s faith.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean fairy tale, God-honoring romance, and characters that are strong of faith and character.
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I received this book from Zondervan through Booksneezein exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Book Review: Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up (romance, and some situations)
Best for Ages: 18 and up
Description: On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him. For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the person is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?
Karen Witemeyer has been my author find of the year. I have only read three of her books, but she has already proven she has an engaging style, faith-building messages, and godly characters. When I was offered a copy of her latest book to review, I jumped at the chance.
It was good to meet up with one of the Archer brothers again. You might remember Crockett from Short-Straw Bride. Throughout the book, you hear of what Travis is up to, and his younger brother comes for a visit. These brothers are making a great series.
I wasn’t sure any of the Archer brothers could compete with Travis, but Crockett did a good job. He allows the LORD to lead him on a very different path, and he reaches out to those who need him, not only the most likable characters.
This book kept me turning pages. From the intriguing beginning (Kidnapping a preacher for a birthday gift? Brilliant!) to the blissful, happy ending, I was hooked. Karen Witemeyer has an engaging style that I love. There is never a dull sentence.
Finally! A book set in Texas that actually sounds like Texas. So many books sound like Hollywood’s version of Texas, which, if you live here, is far from the truth. Witemeyer is a Texan, so that helps, but she did an excellent job of representing the state I call home.
*Spoiler alert*The best part for me, however, was when Crockett confronts Holly, a girl who has been flirting with him. I wish more guys today had the guts to stand up for what is right rather than let their egos be stroked when a girl flirts. I wonder if more girls would value themselves if young men stood up and told them what was what.*End spoiler*
I didn’t think I could love a Karen Witemeyer book more than Short-Straw Bride, but I did. This book takes the cake, it was that good. Perhaps it felt more real, or maybe it was the heroine with the hair that she couldn’t control, or just maybe it was the message that no life is beyond redemption. I loved this book.I highly recommend this book for those who love romance, westerns, faith-building fiction, and swoon-worthy heroes that have godly character.
Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon and like it on Goodreads.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.