Sarah Holman's Blog, page 109

Book Review: Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson

Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 18+ for style and reading level
Description: Let God Breathe a Fresh Purpose Into Your SoulWe so want each day to matter--to serve God in big and small ways. But how, especially when everyday responsibilities, work, fears, and other obstacles get in the way?Like a trusted friend, Susie Larson shares practical, scriptural ways to overcome whatever keeps us from living fully in God's will. Susie will help you learn to:• Discern the best use of your time and gifts• Confidently pursue God's unique desires for you• Stretch your faith and deepen your impactRespond today to that nudge in your spirit--that desire to use your gifts and passions more fully in God's work. Lay down lesser commitments and lay hold of God's beautiful purpose for your life.
God truly gives you what you need when you need it. When I requested Your Beautiful Purpose, I was hoping for a jump start for a bible time, but I found so much more.
We all go through times when we doubt if what we are doing has real meaning. We wonder if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing or just messing everything up. This book is a wonderful reminder that God has a beautiful and amazing purpose for our lives, even when we have trouble seeing it.
Susie style was soothing for my weary soul. Unlike many books that are either fluffy or full of meat, Susie found a happy medium.  Her style was soft enough that, as I said, it soothed me but it had enough power drew me closer to God.
I loved the study at the end of each chapter. Reading the suggested verses and then writing my answers to the questions was so helpful. It not only helped me to delve deeper into the subject, but it also helped me discover things about myself.
I highly recommend this book for women who need a book to lift their spirits, sooth there soul, and draw them closer to the god that loves them.
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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.

Well, I meant to post more but...

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. First, my computer broke and I didn't have it for over a week. After I had finished reloading everything on to my computer, I was ready to go. However, this Thursday, I was in a minor car wreck. No one was hurt, thank goodness, but it shook me pretty bad.

Sometimes God has a very different since of timing then I do. I wanted to be done with a lot of projects done by now but it seems God has his own timing. More updates coming soon.

Writing Saturday: A Bit of Inspiration #5

I'm not a Lord of the Rings but I love this quote. It always inspires me.  In fact I made these images.

Book review: Duty by by Rachel Rossano

Age Appropriate For: 16 and up (for marital themes)

Best for ages: 18 and up

Description: Tomas Dyrease, the newly made Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys. However, no one warned him that she wasn’t a typical noblewoman. Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin. The men rode off to war and never returned. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways. Was this man a noble or a foot soldier? Bound by the words of their vows, they face a rough future. They must forge a marriage while battling betrayal, accusations of treason, and villains from the past. Survival depends on their precarious trust in each other. Failure could mean death.

I was so excited when Rachel asked me to review this book. Although I have followed her blog and Facebook page, I had yet to read one of her books. After reading Duty, I can't wait to read another book by her.

This book kept me turning pages. From the opening line, I was hooked. It was fast paced but not dazzlingly so.  I also instantly connected with Tomas and Brielle and loved getting to know them.

This story, though set in a fictional country, felt well researched. As a history buff whose favorite time period is the Middle Ages, I was very impressed with the historical aspects of this book. I especially liked the attitudes displayed by the women at the beginning of the book. To often, we put our 21st century ideas of love, and marriage into historical fiction. Women didn't expect to marry for love, or even marry someone they knew well. They may have wanted that, but it wasn't the expectation.

The romance was so sweet. I just loved how it unfolded. Because the characters are married for most of the book,  and the romance comes after marriage, this book is for older audiences  However, Rachel was very discreet and so a someone in their middle teens might like it.

I highly recommend this book for those who like romance.


I received this story 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.

Interview with Rachel Rossano

 Rachel, Welcome to The Destiny of One blog. Please tell the readers a little bit about yourself.
Thank you for having me here today. I am honored. I have enjoyed your first book so much. I am eager to read the next as soon as I can grab the time.
My husband and I are celebrating fourteen years of marriage this year. We spend a lot of time raising our three young children. My days are full of homeschooling, keeping up with household tasks, and squeezing writing in between everything else.
I love to write. It is my escape from the stresses of everyday life. I have discovered as a mother of small ones that writing helps me keep connected to the more mature part of myself. It gives me something to talk about with others and a point of interaction with the online writing community.
After reading Duty, I must say I am very curious where you got the inspiration for the story.The book idea really did begin with the opening line: “’The red one is mine,’ he said.” It was the winning line in an opening line contest I hosted on my blog to celebrate my 100th blog post. Then, while driving my kids around, I listened to an ancient history course from The Learning Company. The lecturer spoke about a king sending an army of men loyal to him into a hostile area and having them settle there, intermarrying with the population. From there, I developed the idea of an army being sent into an area to establish a loyal force near a border needing reinforcement. The idea took off from there.
Who was the inspiration for Brielle?I didn’t pattern her after any one person in particular, but tried to create an amalgamation of characteristics that would make her a great natural leader. I wanted the reader to accept that a village could have elected her their leader in the absence of their actual overseer. She needed to be a woman able to stand alone. She needed to be a woman that others respected despite her youth.
From my first story, writing heroines has been a huge challenge for me. The right mixture of femininity and strength is hard to create. I knew from the moment I chose the opening line that my heroine was going to take offense at being claimed like a piece of clothing. But, the nuances of how she expressed her reaction would define her character for the whole book. It took me a few tries to get that reaction just right.  Did you base Tomas off someone you know? I really liked him.Again, there is no one I can point to as the inspiration for him. In creating him, I had a pretty solid beginning with that opening line. The challenge immediately became how to craft a likable hero who could still speak those offensive words in character. Why would a decent man worthy of marrying Brielle say something so arrogant? I, through Brielle, spent the rest of the book finding that out exactly what kind of man he was. To be honest, I loved every moment of exploring his character and his backstory.
Why did you choose to set Duty in a fictional country?I wanted to have the liberty of creating history to fit the story’s needs. I chose a familiar world because I was writing on a deadline. The creator of the opening line, and others, were eager to read the story I wrote. Although I hadn’t committed to a set end date, I initially wanted to get on with other projects. After all, Duty was supposed to be a short story. Ha! God had other plans.
When I say the world was familiar, I am referring to the larger alternative world of which Rhynan is only a small part. My very first book (a short story/novella) was set there. I have set total of seven novella/novels in the same fictional world. Only a few of them are in print though. The Mercenary’s Marriage takes place in Braulyn, a country to the south east of Rhynan. The Theodoric Saga, of which only one novella is in print at the moment, centers around two generations of the ruling family of Anavrea, the country directly south of Rhynan.
If you could pick one character to meet in real life, who would you choose?Since I am stirring around ideas for the sequel, I would love to corner Lord Dentin. He has spilled some of his back story, but he refuses to tell me his name. If you have any suggestions, I would be happy to hear them.
You have many lovely locations in Duty. Which setting was your favorite?Oh, that is a hard choice. I would love to wander around the vargar. I love exploring buildings and long to tour a castle or two someday. However, I also love walking about in the woods, as long as there is no risk of a snow-laden branch falling on my head.
Will we ever get to read more about Tomas and Brielle?Yes. I hope so. Perhaps a book or two even will lie in my future. I am gathering ideas for a sequel (Lord Dentin’s story). Also, their oldest daughter has insisted that I tell her story, which will be a third book if I get that far. I hope I am able to do a trilogy.
Now that you have finished Duty, what’s next for you?Two short stories (possibly three) and a science fiction novel are on the top of my writing task list. Also, the three remaining Theodoric Sagabooks need editing and publishing.
Another novel of mine is coming out this year, too. Wren: A Romany Epistles Novel is the story of my most unconventional heroine. Wren Romany fights, hunts, and holds her own in a men’s world, but can she straighten out Tourth Mynth’s problems before it is too late. She is my most bold and confident heroine ever.
Thank you for coming by today.Thank you for inviting me. 

March of Book: Another giveaway

Win a copy of Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana 
In a divided town during a dangerous era, who can be trusted? Liberty, Indiana, is home to a stop on the Underground Railroad operated by Anna Brent and her father, covert abolitionists who harbor runaway slaves traveling toward freedom. The Brents must be very careful; anyone caught aiding runaways is subject to imprisonment under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. So when Anna begins to write columns denouncing slavery in the local newspaper, she must adopt a pen name. Even the newspaper?'s editor, Daniel Stanton, does not know the author?'s true identity. Daniel takes a risk publishing the columns his job, his newspaper, and his very life might be in danger. When Anna?'s work on the Underground Railroad is threatened, can she turn to Daniel, a man she barely knows, to ensure the safety of the slaves so dear to her? Will she and Daniel be willing to risk everything for their beliefs including their personal liberty?
Open to US residents only due to shipping costs.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vlog post #2

How do you get the attention of your elected officials? 

Hopefully the sound is a little better.  I am still learning. Next time, I will use a better mike, I promise.

Encouragement for your day

I found this verse and it blessed me so much, thought I would share it with you.


There is a sure way for us to know that we belong to the truth. Even though our inner thoughts may condemn us with storms of guilt and constant reminders of our failures, we can know in our hearts that in His presence God Himself is greater than any accusation. He knows all things.
1 John 3:19-20 The Voice Bible

Book Review: The Fate of Arcrea by Nicole Sager

Age Appropriate For: Ages 12 + (some mild violence)
Best for Ages: 12-18
Description: Return to the kingdom of Arcrea, where the stage is set for an epic battle between good and evil. Trenton is a young Mizgalian caught up in the deadly beliefs inspired by a life in his father’s garrison. When a simple mission in Arcrea unearths the shocking truth of a mystery two decades in the making, he is left with a choice that may decide the fate of an entire kingdom. Join old friends and new on a journey of discovery, where battling vicious beasts and conquering a coast of dragons will test the mettle of men and set the pace for an adventure like no other.
After reading the first book in this series, I was eager to read the second. So I was ecstatic when they offered it free on Kindle. I got my copy and started reading it almost immediately.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the second book as much because I quickly found out that the main characters would not be Druet and Rany. At first I was disappointed but I quickly found that Trenton and the others did very well as the focus of this story.
I love Nicole’s writing style. She is very gifted. It is books like these that make you see the value of self-publishing. It is well written, but a story that doesn’t fit into the traditional publishing box.
The faith elements in this book were as good as the first one. It is not just a good story, but on that will build your faith. Parents, I think, will especially appreciate a story that will keep their children captivated and feed their souls as well.
My thirteen year old sister read the first two books and then begged me to get her the third one. I must admit she didn’t have to twist my arm. I wanted to read it as well. I can’t wait to dive into the third book.
I highly recommend this book to youth, mild fantasy lovers, non-magical fantasy lovers, and those looking for a wonderful adventure story.
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So Shines the Night Blog Tour

Age Appropriate For: Ages 17 and up (scary scenes, demon possession, violence)
Best for Ages: 19 +
Description: She escaped a past of danger and found respite in beautiful Ephesus, a trading center on the Aegean coast, serving as tutor to Lucas, the wealthy merchant who rescued her.But the darkness she fled has caught up with her.The high priests of Artemis once controlled the city, but a group of sorcerers are gaining power. And a strange group who call themselves followers of The Way further threaten the equilibrium. As Daria investigates Lucas’s exploits into the darker side of the city, her life is endangered, and she takes refuge in the strange group of believers. She’s drawn to Paul and his friends, even as she wrestles with their teachings.When authorities imprison Lucas for a brutal crime, Daria wonders if even Paul’s God can save him. Then she uncovers a shocking secret that could change everything—Lucas’s fate, her position in his household, and the outcome of the tension between pagans and Christians. But only if she survives long enough to divulge what she knows.
Wow! I don’t think Tracy can write a bad book. I finished the Guardian Flame and jumped right into So Shines the Night. I was once again swept back in time and caught up in a story of epic proportions.Each book of Tracy’s is different, and this book was very different then I expected. It dealt with dark forces and murder, even more so than in City of the Dead. Several side characters are demon possessed at the main characters both come in contact with evil. However, the light is strong as well, and in the end, light conquers the darkness.
I must say that one of my favorite parts is Tray’s portrayal of Paul. He was as I imagined him and she pulled him and other biblical characters into the story so well. Toward the end of the book, I realized what the story was building to; an event that I had read in the book of Acts.
Tracy’s characters are always so life like and this book was no exception. Both Daria and Lucas are running from hurt in their past. There interaction with each other is very real. This isn’t a fuzzy, feel good romance. This is a book with a heavy dose of reality, with characters that seem to come alive.Although this book is not for the faint of heart or for the young; I highly recommend it as a story of faith, redemption, and the power of God.
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.Was this review helpful? Vote it up on Amazon.I was able to ask Tracy a couple of questions for the blog tour!
Do you and the main character have anything in common?Daria is very independent, and thinks she can get things done on her own. It’s hard for her to ask for help. I can relate!
If you could travel through time to see any of the seven wonders, which would you choose?Even though the Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt) is the only one of the Seven Wonders still intact, I would still choose that one – to travel back and see it in its glory, to see the people and the culture…  ah, that would be amazing.
Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored nine novels, including Garden of Madness and Isle of Shadows. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures. See her travel journals and more at  TracyHigley.com