Sarah Holman's Blog, page 108

Multitudes on Mondays: Changes

There have been a lot of changes in my life, but they have been positive changes. Here are a few of the things I am thankful for this week.
351. two and a half years at an amazing job
352. More time to write
353. People who are eager to read my next book Not final cover
354. Homeschool Authors continues to grow

355. Friendship with so many wonderful girls
356. Editing is going well on my book
357. A computer that is working well
358. Inspiring movies

359. A supportive family
360. My new writing corner

Writing Saturday: A Bit of Inspiration #7

For me, one of the most powerful fiction books ever has been The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis. The reason? At a time when I was angry and wasn't using the Bible, God met me in the book I was reading; The Horse and His Boy. My favorite part is the point in the book when Shasta tells Aslan all that has gone wrong  in his life. Aslan turns around and tells him why each of those things were blessings in disguise.Someday, I want to write a scene like this in my book.

Finds of the Week

Letting go of Control in Seasons of Change by Mandy Scarr
I have started using SwagBucks and it really does work
Free Computer backgrounds and other fun stuff on this website [image error]
A contest I plan to enter

Movie of the Week: Pendragon: Sword of His Father

                                                                   




Yes, the acting isn't the best. But for me, the amazing message makes up for the issues.

Book Review: Fortress of Mist by Sigmund Brouwer

Age Appropriate For:  12 and up for mild violence, murder, and thematic elements
Best for Ages: 13 - 18
Description: Following Thomas' conquest of Magnus, the young ruler must now lead his people into a new era - one which is sure to reveal dark forces at work behind the evil undercurrent that controlled Thomas' kingdom for so long. Who will stand with Thomas to fight against the mysterious Druids? After being abandoned by Sir William, of his remaining "adopted family," who can he trust? Can he trust either Katherine or Isabelle with his secrets-or his heart?
I was so excited to get my hands on the second book in the Merlin's Immortals series. I had loved book one and it left me hanging. I read Fortress of Mist in a day.
I have to say the cover drew me once again to this book. As with the first book, I don’t they could have made a more awesome cover. I can’t wait to see what they do for the cover of the next book.The story had many unexpected twists, turns and heart stopping moments. The non-stop action kept me turning pages until the very end. Sigmund Brouwer’s writing is original and refreshingly different form many authors out there.
There are a couple of things about this book that I didn’t like as much, but those things didn’t keep me from enjoying the book. To me there was a lot of confusions surrounding one of the characters. I understand that Brouwer is building up for a big reveal in a future book, but it got a little frustrating at a couple points in the book. Also, some of the scenes that had to do with the Druids were a little creepy.I can’t wait for the next book. Not only am I eager to see the adventure turns out, but also to see how the faith element develops.
I recommend this book for those how love adventure, suspense, and a story that isn’t typical.
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I received this book from WaterBrook Press through Blogging for Books 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.

Twists and Turns of my Destiny

It have been a very busy month for me with lots of changes. The biggest of which is that I am no longer working at the Capitol. God showed me that my time there was done and the it was time for me to leave. I have to admit it was hard to say goodbye.

However, the day after I left my family and I went on an amazing trip to Washington DC (More pictures to come).

I am really excited about some other opportunities that are coming my way, and the extra time I am going to have to write. In fact, I hoping to release two books this year. We shall see what happens. I will also be blogging more.
Stay tuned to this blog to follow where God's destiny for me takes me next.

Book Review: Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

Age Appropriate For:  12 and up for reading level and romance

Best for Ages: 16 and up 

Description: Lucy Kendall always assumed she'd help her father in his candy-making business, creating recipes and aiding him in their shared passion. But after a year traveling in Europe, Lucy returns to 1910 St. Louis to find her father unwell and her mother planning to sell the struggling candy company. Determined to help, Lucy vows to create a candy that will reverse their fortunes. St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father dominate the nation's candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father's approval, and falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers let a competition that turns less than friendly sour their dreams?

I didn’t think that Siri Mitchell could match The Messenger, but she managed to with Unrivaled.

One of the reasons I was so eager to read this book was the fact it was set around candy making and candy factories. I had never read a book with candy making as a main part of it. The candy making parts of the book were obviously well researched, and were delightful. They felt very real, but not so much detail that I got bored.

The overall story was amazing. Like with her last two books, one third in I was wondering how she was going to stretch the book for 400 pages. Two chapters from the end, I wondered how she was going to wrap up everything. She once again delivered a satisfying ending that made me sigh with contentment.

The best thing about this book had to be the amazing way Siri made me wonder who was right. Often books try to create a situation where the reader is supposed to wonder who is telling the truth. Most of the time, however, they fall short of truly creating that feeling. By the middle of the book, Siri had me wondering which set of parents were twisting the truth and who was right.

I really loved the message of this book, especially since it was subtle and woven into the story flawlessly. The end justifies the means is an ever growing belief, and this book looks into what that could cost you, but still has a happy ending.

I highly recommend this book for historical fiction lovers, sweet romance lovers, and readers who can't get enough of extremely well written fiction.

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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.

Writing Saturday: A Bit of Inspiration #6

Our Faith should always Inspire....

New hair cut

I got layers put in my hair and am learning to style it. What do you think?

Book Review: The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd

Age Appropriate For:  15 and up for mild violence and thematic elements
Best for Ages: 16 and up
Description: Darbury, England, 1814: Amelia Barrett, heiress to an ancestral estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s infant baby. She'll risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to the child’s father, Graham, a sea captain she’s never met. Tragedy strikes when the child vanishes with little more than a sketchy ransom note hinting to her whereabouts. Fear for the child’s safety drives Amelia and Graham to test the boundaries of their love for this infant. Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she examines her soul and must face her one weakness: pride. Graham’s strength and self-control have served him well and earned him much respect, but chasing perfection has kept him a prisoner of his own discipline. Both must learn to accept God’s sovereignty and relinquish control so they can grasp the future He has for planned for them.
Just when you think that authors have exhausted a theme and there is no way that they can writer something unique, someone like Sarah Ladd comes along and shakes it up.
When I started reading The Heiress of WinterwoodI thought I would have a cute book that was much like many other marriage of connivance books I had read. Half-way through the book, the book was nothing like what I thought it would be. Instead, I was drawn into a story with well-developed characters, amazing settings, and a plot that took many twists and turns.
Amelia was a very strong woman and I love that she is willing to do so much to keep a promise to a friend. One thing that I have realized is that in our culture today, we don’t value keeping our promises. Amelia makes the hard decision that she will propose marriage to a stranger rather than go back on that promise. With that said, the one thing I didn’t like about the story is I felt she was also willing to break any other commitments she had made in order to keep her promise.
I liked Graham as well. I loved how Sarah Ladd lead him through the grief of losing his wife, before any serious romance developed between him and Amelia. Graham was a strong hero with all the gentlemanly qualities that I love when reading a period book.
I recommend this book for those who love period dramas, plots that twists and turns, and sweet romance.
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I received this book from the author 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.