Sarah Holman's Blog, page 107

DC Day 1

I finally uploaded some photo's from our trip to DC in May! Here they are
The view from our parking spot at Union Station First stop, the Capitol 
Us listening to our awesome tour guide (thank you Rep. John Carters office)
At the center of the capitol basement
The original doors
Looking up at the amazing paintings on the ceiling
Learning, and having an amazing time
The speakers balcony (not on your normal tour) Yes, this is in the captiol

Mikayla with one of here hero's, Pocahontas 

Writing Saturday: G is for Glenda

This week I have been busy editing my book. I am hoping to release it in August. Allow me to introduce another character from the story. Meet Glenda.
Not my picture: source
Age: Late teens
Occupation: Kitchen servant
Best friend: None
Greatest sorrow: All the work she has to do
Greatest joy: Proving she is better than the other kichen girls
A piece of her tale: “At least your arms have recovered from your first day,” Eleanor whispered as she grabbed two buckets and an apron.Alditha nodded gratefully, as she tied on her apron. “I’m just glad that I haven’t had to carry that much water by myself again.”“Not that it would hurt you both any to do extra work.”Alditha and Eleanor turned to see the pinched face of Glenda. Alditha set her lips together firmly. She had learned quickly that Glenda seemed to make it her mission to bother all the other kitchen girls. Glenda would wait until Maggie was out of the sight or ear shot to make their lives miserable to avoid trouble. Alditha noticed that she seemed to love to torment Eleanor the most.“Don’t you have some pots to scrub for back talking to Maggie?” Eleanor’s words were sharp.Clamping her hand firmly on Eleanor’s shoulder, Alditha lifted her chin. “Excuse us, Glenda. We have work to do.” She pushed Eleanor ahead of her as they started for the door.“I hope you have to hall water all day.”Eleanor’s shoulder tensed under Alditha’s hand. She tugged but Alditha kept a firm grip.

Movie of the Week: Pride and Prejudice

One of the best movies of all time.

Book Review: Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson

Age Appropriate For:  15 and up for hard life events and some romance
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Description: It’s a summer of change for Jennifer O’Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She’s sorting out how to introduce him to her family–she’s the youngest of seven–and thinking about marriage. She’s falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn’t expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.
It has been too long since I have read a Dee Henderson book. I had forgotten how she keeps you turning pages and tugs at your heart strings.
This book is small (only 160 pages), but it lives up to Dee Henderson’s well deserved acclaim. Jennifer pulls at your heart strings, makes you laugh, makes you cry, and renews your faith.
I think that one thing that I liked about this book more than anything else was the strong faith message. So many Christian books are working so hard at not sounding preachy, or beating people over the head with Biblical truths that they don’t put any real message in this book. Dee Henderson seems proud to share her faith, even if others may not like it. She does an amazing job of weaving it into the story and fitting into the characters.
I really love the whole concept of the O’Malley series. It probably has to do with the fact that I am one of seven kids as well. I can’t wait for my youngest sister to read this story, she will empathize with Jennifer being the youngest of so many.
There is romance, but I must say it was some of the best I have read in a while. The guy and the girl spend a lot of time together doing things before they even so much as hold hands. There are some kisses, but they only happen after the relationship has progressed.  *Spoiler alert* After finding out some really hard news the guy does spend the night at her house. However, it makes it very clear that the girl slept in her bed on the second story, and he spent the night on the couch on the first floor. The scene didn’t make me uncomfortable, and I squirm easily. *End spoiler alert*
If you like page turners, heart tugging stories, clean romance, and strong faith messages, get a copy of Jennifer today!
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.

Book Review: The Story of the Voice

Age Appropriate For:  All Ages
Best for Ages:  12 and up for reading level
Description: Step into the story behind "the story." Discover the reasons behind and the vision for The Voice translation! In-depth interviews with key participants explain the translators' motivations and visions for the project. Learn how the translators worked to bring a balance between scholarship, literary style, and forward thinking to meet the scripture needs for the church.
The Voice Bible has become my favorite version to read. I feel like I am reading the stories for the first time, because they have translated it into a vocabulary that is still rich and expansive, but also commonly used. So when I had an opportunity to read this book about the making of the voice, I was happy.
Unfortunately, not all books live up to our expectations. This book, at least for me had poor formatting, short bios on people I wasn’t sure even matter to the project, and lacked a good storyteller that I was expecting. I had to force myself to keep reading at times because it was just plain boring.
With that said, there was some good information in here. They explained why they translated certain words and phrases the way they did. It made me feel even better about the translation than I did before.
If you are interested in The Voice Bible and how it was made, this is a good book. Just don’t expect a very exciting book. This is more informational then a story.
Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon and like it on Goodreads.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson through Book Sneeze 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.

Multitudes on Mondays: Even in Doubt

I am so grateful for a God who loves me at the best of times and in the times I doubt and worry. 
361. A God who loves me even when I let him down.
362. For the life I have in Christ
363. For the Bible
364. That I can cast all my cares on Him
365. HIS creation
366. The Joy my faith gives me
367. That there is a season for everything 368. That Jesus will never leave me. 
369. That God can handle my doubt as well as my praise
370. My Father in heaven who is always faithful

Writing Saturday: F is for The Feudal System

The feudal system is one of the defining elements of the Middle Ages. As my upcoming book, Adventures and Adversities is set in the Middle Ages, have have done a lot of research about the time period. Here is a simple break down of the feudal system. 
KingHad absolute power

Earl/BaronLives in a castle gives lands to the Lords.
LordSource  Lived in a manor house
KnightHorse riding soldiers and land owners.
Peasants Farmed the land rented to them. Also did other work.

Finds of the Week

How to Be Feminine: 10 Secrets
~a wonderful article~
Sharing Our Bookshelves
~a wonderful list~


Imaginary Disney Boyfriend Wishlist
~just for fun~

You might be a Writer if...
~fun list~


Beautiful and Ugly
~wonderful reminder~



 

Movie of the Week: Tangled

Images made by my good friend Jessica




Tangled humor is the best I watch it almost once a month.

The Great Book Sale and Giveaway

I'm participating in a big indie book sale! 39 books, including mine, are all on sale for 99¢ from June 5-12!
Here are the books in the sale:By Luke Alistar

Offset

Catalyst ZX-10

Deep Water

The Offset Trilogy

Daughter of Thieves

By Starlight

The Element of Surprise

The Unseen

Velvet’s Wings

By Kendra E. Ardnek

Sew, It’s a Quest

Saffron’s Big Plan and Other Stories

Do You Take This Quest?

By Katie Lynn Daniels

Supervillain of the Day

Fire and Ashes

Inspector Floyd

Supervillain Hunters, International

Sanctity of Life

By Molly Evangeline

Every Tear

A Captain’s Heart

Finding Faith

Courage

Trust

By Ophelia - Marie Flowers

Zeal Aspiring

By Elisabeth Grace Foley

The Ranch Next Door and Other Stories

The Silver Shawl: A Mrs. Meade Mystery

By Jennifer Freitag

The Shadow Things

By Jessica Greyson

Annabeth’s War

By Aubrey Hansen

Red Rain

Peter’s Angel

By Sarah Holman

The Destiny of a Few

The Destiny of a Galaxy

By Abigail J. Hartman

The Soldier’s Cross

By Holy Worlds

The Sword and the Pen

By Rebekah Jones

A Year with the Potters

By Elizabeth Kaiser

Jeweler’s Apprentice

By Jacob Lauser

Through Crystal Skies and Windy Nights

By J. Grace Pennington

Firmament: Radialloy

Never

By Jordan Smith

Finding the Core of Your Story

Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway