Sarah Holman's Blog, page 110

Book Review and giveaway: Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick

Age Appropriate For: All Ages

Best for Ages: 18 and up (reading level and style)

Description: On the night of November 5, 2006, the Barrick family was driving home from church when their van was struck by a drunk driver. Fifteen-year-old Jen suffered multiple skull fractures and severe brain trauma and was not expected to survive the night. But against all odds, she did. As she lingered in a coma, doctors warned that if Jen ever woke up, she would be cursing and screaming in confusion due to her brain injuries. Instead, after five weeks she opened her eyes and began praying and praising God. Jen didn't remember her middle name, recognize her parents, or recall that she had a little brother, but she remembered Jesus and every word to every praise song and scripture she had hidden in her heart before the accident. As any loving mother would, Jen's mother Linda wanted God to heal Jen, make her like she was before. Normal. But a loving God had something else in mind--instead of making her normal, God is making Jennifer and the whole Barrick family--extraordinary, miraculous. Hope Out Loud is the remarkable true story of a family who overcame tragedy and learned to trust God's plan for their lives in a whole new way.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that God can use us despite our short comings and faults. We need to be shown God’s strength is shown best in our own weakness. If you need this reminder, this book is an excellent choice for doing that.

From the first chapter I was captivated by this story. It was told like I imagine Linda would tell it if I was sitting in her living room, hearing what God had done in her life, and in the life of Jen. I really enjoyed the realism of the style and the honesty Linda brings to the table.

This story was an encouragement as well as a challenge to me. As Linda talked about her daughter, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury, spending her waking hours praising God, I wondered what I would do in the situation. If I got knocked in the head and was unable to control what I was saying, what would come out of my mouth? Meaningless movie lines I am prone to repeat? Would those ugly word and thoughts that I unfortunately have sometimes, come tumbling out? Or would I be like Jen where the good things spill out in an unending torrent?

This book caused me once again to look at what I am reading and watching and making sure that if what I am putting in comes out, I do not have a reason to be ashamed. It also made me praise God for his goodness for being my strength when I am weak.

If you are looking for an encouraging read that will also challenge you, I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I want to give you a chance to read this book for yourself. Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick. Open to US residents only due to shipping costs.

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Legislative View: The Ups and Downs

It has been far to long since I have have given an update on what I have been doing at work. So I am going to give you a snapshot by telling you about my day and sharing some photos.

Out office is really busy because my boss is on the Appropriation Committee which handles all the money for the state. This means if often spends most of his day in meetings that can last up to 8 hours

(my boss it the one with the glasses)
Today had a big challenge to it. A large group of Planned Parenthood supporters came into the office. Being a pro-life office, makes meetings like that hard. However, I work with some awesome people who handled it amazingly well. 
Most of my day was spent at my desk, buried in letters that needed to be answered.
I am really excited because I have started writing a lot of the letters. I haven't done this before, and it is fun to put my writing skills to use at work.


Going over letters with my boss

My boss showing me corrections that need to be made.
I stayed until 7:30 at work today. Yes, that is very late but we got a lot done. I am so thankful for my job. I will try to update you again sometime soon.

Book Review: Guardian of the Flame by Tracy L. Higley

Age Appropriate For: Ages 12 + (some violence, thematic elements, and reading leval)
Best for Ages:18 and up
Description: Guardian of the Flame is book three in the Seven Wonders series of novels transporting readers back to the Ancient World. Characters struggle to find meaning in a pagan society and are confronted by the one true God and His message of redemption.The year is 48 BC. Sophia, a woman hurt by past loss, guards the famous lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, in order to hide herself away from a world she deems cruel and unloving. But there is no escape. Political turmoil swells as Roman general Julius Caesar and his legion storm the city, and Cleopatra, Greek queen of Egypt , fights to retain her country against both Caesar and bloodthirsty rivals within her own household. Sophia is caught in the middle between a loyalty to Cleopatra and her maddening interest in Bellus, the Roman soldier whom Caesar has instructed to overtake the lighthouse.


Wow! I stayed up until 1:00AM to finish this book. Beauty and the Beast retold in Egypt during the time of Cleopatra? Yes please!

Tracy Higley is, hands down, the best historical fiction writer I have ever read. She brings the history to life and pulls in bits of daily life so seamlessly, that you don't realize what an education you are getting until the book is over. The historical event our pulled into the story as part of the characters story. There are never pages of facts or history lessons that make you roll your eyes.

I think what I have come to appreciate as much as her amazing style, is her messages of faith. They to are woven into the story and not over done yet are as plain as day. The message of this book touched my heart and made me sigh contentedly at the end.

Higley also has an amazing way of letting you know about the immoral things that are going on without dwelling there. This book dealt with some sticky situations (Cleopatra's life being the major one) in a way that didn't make me squirm but also told the historic truth.

Christian historical fiction lovers have not read the best the genre has to offer until they have read one of Tracy Higley's books.

Multitudes on Mondays: The Writers

I have been reading a lot lately. Why? Well, I have been doing that instead of watching movies. Today, I would like to give thanks to some of the authors and books God has used to bless me lately. (I have linked all the books to amazon).
340. Charles R. Swindoll
341. Jansina
342. Alicia A. Willis
343. Julie Klassen
344. Lysa TerKeurst
345. C.J. Darlington 
346. Linda Barrick
347. Rachel Rossano
348. Lisa Harper
349. Nicole Sager  
350. Tracy L. Higley  

Writing Saturday: A Bit of Inspiration #4

Some of my favorite book trailers (yes, two of them are for my books).
Red Rain

Out of the Darkness Rising
Behold the Dawn
The Destiny of a Few
The Destiny of a Galaxy

Book Review: The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Age Appropriate For: Ages 12 + (for reading level, romance, and some mild scary scenes)
Best for Ages: Ages 18 and up
Description: Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?
The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame... and which brother to trust with her heart?
I had heard mixed reviews about Julie Klassen’s books. Although every one of my friends said they were well written, one of my friends had told me that she often throws one or two scenes in that diminished the enjoyment of the book. When I was offered a copy of The Tutor’s Daughter to review, I decided to check her out for myself.
It didn’t take me long to realize that my friends were right; this woman knows how to write. Her style is excellent and she know how to weave historical details seamlessly into her stories. She also is just a solid story teller. I was captivated.
Klassen also is very good at making you feel the mood. She made me feel listless, happiness, joy, sorrow, and uncomfortable. She had several points in the book where she gave it just the right creep factor; enough to make you feel uncomfortable, without making you scared to go to sleep.
The characters themselves were well developed and very believable. I don’t think there was one flat character in the whole bunch. That is saying a lot about her talent. Not many authors, no matter how good, can pull that off.
There was only one point where she really disappointed me, and that was her faith message. I felt like she built up to a great spiritual moment in her book but that moment never happened. It made me feel as if I was missing a page or two from the book.
I highly recommend this to those who like period dramas, Jane Austen, historical fiction, or even just incredibly well written stories.
Did you find this review 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.

Writing Saturday: E is for Eleanor

Age at the beginning of the story: 11
Age at the end: 13
Siblings: One brother
Best friend: Alditha
Greatest sorrows: The loss of her mother and father. Having to leave her childhood home.
Greatest joys: Spending time with her brother and new friend, Alditha.
A bit of her tale: Eleanor skipped and twirled as she led the way to the place she was supposed to meet her brother. “There isn’t any Maggie here to give us orders, that I what makes it so peaceful.”“Are we close? I’m not sure I can walk much further without a rest.” Alditha pushed a strand of hair that had fallen from her kerchief.
 “We always meet at the same spot, here follow me.” Eleanor took hold of Alditha’s hand. She led her deeper into the forest.
Alditha looked up at the canopy of color above and below her.  The forest floor was littered with twigs and leaves creating a beautiful tapestry of color. There were a few trees that were still green, and those were the ones that kept that color year round. There were trees with golden yellow leaves, others with brilliant red ones, there were others with a soft orange shade, and still other that were brown.
Alditha was so busy looking up that she tripped and nearly fell over the root of a particularly large oak.“Are you okay?” Eleanor dropped beside Alditha.
Alditha’s laughter filled the air. “Other than the fact that I feel like toddler trying to walk, I am fine.”“It isn’t much further,” Eleanor encouraged. It was only a very few steps later that they came to a halt in front of an area that was thick with undergrowth. “Our special place it right through here.” She bent down and pushed aside the branches for two bushes disappeared through them.

Multitudes on Mondays: Another day

Today, I am so thankful for.. Well, just the day ahead! Here are a few reasons why
321. I get to work all day with friends
322. I have a new shirt to wear
323. I get to attend a fancy banquet this evening
324. I get to work hard
325. I will be helping a cause I believe in
326. I  have parents and siblings that love me
327. The weather is nice
328. I get to hug a friend I haven't seen in  over six months
339. I get to spend today and the rest of the week with my Friend Michelle

Writing Saturday: D is for Dialogue: Character voices that sparkle

Dialogue is one thing that came very naturally to me as a writer. It is one of the few skills that I haven't had to spend years and years getting write. However, there is always room for improvement. Adventures and Adversities has given me some unique challenges when it has come to dialogue. Unlike my Destiny Trilogy, where the characters came from all over the place and accents and speech patterns were easy to add, most of my characters have lived in the same place all their lives and they all live in the same country. Here are some things I have learned.
Think about the education level - Some of my characters are peasants and have had no formal schooling, some are soldiers and had some training of sorts, others are nobles with an education. The education level effects speech quite a bit.
Think about their background and employment - A farmers daughter will often compare life to the fields. Rich nobles will no little of what it is to want for anything. A craftsman will always be trying to improve. Backgrounds and employment greatly effect speech.
Think about repeated phrases - Some characters might have a phrase that they often repeat. An Australian might say mate, a girl might over use the word cute (or like, but only if her name is Winter), and person who is shy might fall back on 'ummm' or 'so'. Repeated phrases can add depth and instant recognition to your character.
Think about the mood your character is in - I have read a few books where a character is in a bad mood but  character says something cheerful, or a character is angry but they say something kind. The dialogue has to be in keeping with the characters mood.
Think about the mood of the scene - Dialogue can help set the mood as well. If you are trying to write a happy seen, Puddleglum is should not make an appearance. If you are trying to write a serious, thought provoking scene, Lydia Benet shouldn't be there. The dialogue should reflect not only character, but the scene.
Those are my tips for writing sparkling dialogue. Join me next week to meet another character from my upcoming book...

Reading

What I am currently Reading...
    
What I hope to finish this weekend... 
What I plan to read next...  

What are you reading?