Sarah Holman's Blog, page 15

Rediscovering Emilie Barnes

 

When I was in high school one of the things my Mom encouraged me to do is to study of homemaking. This included reading books on cleaning, budgeting, and homemaking as well as helping my mom in the home to use those skills. I personally got the most out of books by Emilie Barens. I loved her style, her practicality, and the beauty she infused into her words and home.
While I took so much of what I had learned from her in my high school years into adulthood, I hadn't thought much about her books again until recently. I wanted a devotional book to read and I found a copy of her book  Fill my Cup, Lord.

I was drawn into her beautiful, but also practical words in this devotional book. It made me want to delve back into her other books. I mean, this woman who loves tea, collects tea cups, and has so much practical wisdom is the kind of person I wish I could spend an afternoon with. So, I got on one of my favorite websites for used books ThirftBooks, and ordered a few of her works. My family also bought me a couple of her books for my birthday. So my collection has expanded a lot. 


15 Minute Home and Family Organizer is my current read by her at the moment, along with The Tea Lover's Devotional. Yes, some of the tips are a bit dated, but most of it is just as helpful today as it was when the book was written. Of course, the devotional and the biblical truths are just as applicable as when it was written (at it includes some pretty tasty recipes too).
Here are some of the books I'm looking forward to reading that I now own:






What is an author you've rediscovered? Have you read any Emilie Barnes books?

Rediscovering Emilie Barns

 

When I was in high school one of the things my Mom encouraged me to do is to study of homemaking. This included reading books on cleaning, budgeting, and homemaking as well as helping my mom in the home to use those skills. I personally got the most out of books by Emilie Barns. I loved her style, her practicality, and the beauty she infused into her words and home.
While I took so much of what I had learned from her in my high school years into adulthood, I hadn't thought much about her books again until recently. I wanted a devotional book to read and I found a copy of her book  Fill my Cup, Lord.

I was drawn into her beautiful, but also practical words in this devotional book. It made me want to delve back into her other books. I mean, this woman who loves tea, collects tea cups, and has so much practical wisdom is the kind of person I wish I could spend an afternoon with. So, I got on one of my favorite websites for used books ThirftBooks, and ordered a few of her works. My family also bought me a couple of her books for my birthday. So my collection has expanded a lot. 


15 Minute Home and Family Organizer is my current read by her at the moment, along with The Tea Lover's Devotional. Yes, some of the tips are a bit dated, but most of it is just as helpful today as it was when the book was written. Of course, the devotional and the biblical truths are just as applicable as when it was written (at it includes some pretty tasty recipes too).
Here are some of the books I'm looking forward to reading that I now own:






What is an author you've rediscovered? Have you read any Emilie Barns books?

The Kate's Case File's Fan Group and More

I recently released Kate's Informant to the world. I'm neck-deep in rewrites for the next book in the series, Kate's Hope. I thought I might take a moment and share some fun Kate's Case Files information.

There's a new fan group on Goodreads! I was so excited that one of the readers of this series started a group for fans can talk about the book. I hop on sometimes to say hi, read what people are saying, and even give some helpful tidbits. Check it out HERE.
You can still join the Kate's Case Files promotional team. This is a long-term group that will exist through the launch of the last book in the series. If you're interested in helping to promote the series. You can go HERE to apply to join.

Kate's Christmas audiobook is finally here! My narrator and I started working on it before the book was published. Life threw her a major curve ball and she sent me the completed files right before my wedding. It took me a while to finally get to actually listening and approving them. However, I'm happy to say that it's now available. You can check it out HERE.
Not sure if this series is for you? You can try out the whole series on Kindle Unlimited. Personally, I love paying for a month (or better yet taking Amazon up on free trials) and checking out books I'm interested in. So, if you want to try Kate's Case Files and other awesome books, get Kindle Unlimited and read for free. 

Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green: A book review

 

Find it on: Goodreads| Kindle | Paperback | Audiobook

Age Appropriate For:16 and up for innuendo and hard situations

Best for Ages:18 and up

Description :  Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they're not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred - and it's no longer clear whom she can trust.

Well, this will be the third time I’ve started writing up a full review for this book. I’m hoping the third time is the charm against losing everything I’ve written. This book… It’s just amazing. There is a reason it was my favorite fiction book of 2021 (and I’ve already reread it).

 

The first thing that sets this book apart is it’s told entirely through letters, telegrams, notes, and newspaper articles. This style is called epistolary and I’ve always loved it. I have to say this is the best epistolary novel that I’ve ever read.

 

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. Her voice was perfect for the characters and she did a great job of pronouncing all the German and other languages. She brought the characters to life and really increased my enjoyment of the book.

 

Other than being epistolary, there are a couple of things that set this book apart from others. First, Green pulls in some little-known history. She sets this on the backdrop of a POW camp in the US and the woman who is hired as the camp translator. She also touches on how German and Japanese Americans were viewed and treated. I thought she did a brilliant job with all of these issues in presenting them well historically.

 

Now, let’s talk about the characters. Johanna Berglund was someone I felt I could relate to on a deep level. We weren’t exactly alike, but we had so many similarities. She struggles with being in a position and place she didn’t want to be. She doesn’t have the best attitude all the time. Yet, she was so strong, flawed, and relatable. You will either love her or be annoyed by her. What you think of her will determined a lot of your enjoyment of the book. She reminded me of Joe from Little Women.

 

The other characters held so much debt I loved so many of them Peter was my favorite besides Johanna. But all the characters in this series felt so vivid and real. It made me want to jump into the book and get to know each and every one of them.

 

One of the most impactful aspects of this book was how it addressed racial tensions. I loved how it showed someone who was willing to cross racial lines, yet delved into the consequences that might come from such actions during World War II. It wasn’t an overpowering message in the story, but I felt like I got so much out of it. It helped me understand better some of the challenges families who’ve adopted (or couples who have married) from different racial backgrounds, might face.

 

For those who are tired of all the kissy romantic books, this is right up your alley. The romance is very mild and not the point of the story AT ALL. There are a few times in the book that inappropriate relationships are insinuated, but all the main characters have done nothing wrong. There were a few harder topics and situations talked about, so younger readers should be aware.

 

I highly recommend this book to those who love epistolary novels, World War 2 fiction, and stories that are both uplifting and delve deep into their subjects.

Fun Facts About The Maple Leaf Chronicles

 

Just in time for the 4th of July, I published Across the Land I Love. This was originally part of A Very Bookish 4th of July. But it is also the second book in my novella series, Maple Leaf Christian Retreat Center Chronicles. Each of the stories is set around the people who run a Christian retreat center. I thought it might be fun to share some fun facts about this series with you.

The retreat center is based on one my family wanted to create. One year, our family was given the gift of a week at a Christian family camp. While we enjoyed the experience, we came away wishing that there had been more family time and more focus on enjoying the beauty around us instead of all the hyper activities we did separately. We sat around and envisioned a place. We even looked into making it happen. It didn't work out, but that idea has stuck with me.
Each book in the series is inspired by a classic work. Because these were originally part of the A Very Bookish novella collections, I knew they had to be based on a classic work, As Long as I Belong is inspired by Mansfield Park and Across the Land I Love is inspired by Around the World in 80 Days.
More novellas are coming. I already have ideas for two more novellas in the series. One is an Easter story that is set at Maple Leaf and the other is about the younger brother in As Long as I Belong.
They are set at or near real locations. The Maple Leaf Christian Retreat Center is fictitious, but I set it near the Lost Maples State Natural Area in Texas. Across the Land I Love is a road trip novel with lots of real locations I had fun looking up and imagining I was there. You get to visit Mount Rushmore and Phliadalipha, just to name two. 
I'm planning on tying this series to a couple of my other novellas. I have plans in the works to bring Ellie from Fanny's Hope Chest and all the characters from Molly and Anna into the series as time goes on. I'm excited about bringing many of my fictional worlds together like that.

Don't forget that all of these are free to read on Kindle Unlimited. 

Have you read either of the novellas in this series? What did you like about it?

My Favorite Books of 2022 (So Far)

 

I've been enjoying this reading year. My favorite new (to me) author is Joanna Davidson Politano.
Here are my favorite reads this year so far, in no particular order. 
I loved Emilie Barns during my high school years. It's been nice to rediscover her as a wife and homemaker. Goodreads | Amazon
Yes, I know, I'm not single. I read this book because I still am looking for great resources for my single friends. This book is great for any lady, single or married.Goodreads | Amazon
This was the first Politano book I read and I was hooked. So, so good! Goodreads | Amazon
I didn't realize how much I needed this book. I recently had a friend "uninvite" me from their life. Reading this was soothing to my soul, healing, and had some challenges for me that gave me direction for areas I can let God work on my heart for future friendships. Goodreads | Amazon
I think this has been my favorite Politano book so far. So rich in both story and message.Goodreads | Amazon
Deese was one of my favorite author discoveries of last year. This book was just amazing!Goodreads | Amazon

A Few Snapshots from my June

 June wasn't an easy month for me, which means I took almost no pictures. But here are a few highlights from the month.

My husband's birthday is the second and I had so much fun hosting his family at our house to celebrate.
It was fun to create a fun area for drinks.
Our one and only hike for the month was an early morning hike at Bastrop State Park. It was our first state park we hiked as a couple so it was fun to go back. 
Late in the month, Mom took me to one of my favorite Mexican places to celebrate my birthday early.

The highlight of my month was my birthday trip Scott took me on.We went to Dallas and started by going to the Museum of Biblical Art.

I had visited with my family years ago, but I was really excited to get to share it with Scott.

That evening, we had a delightful visit with my dear friend and fellow author Grace. It had been far to long since we had been able to sit and talk for a few hours. It was good to catch up.
The next morning, we got up and I showed Scott some of the places that were connected with my family history in the Dallas area, including the bridge (pictured) where my parents got engaged. This was fitting because we visited on the one-year anniversary of our engagement.
I was very excited to finally get to visit the ICR Discovery Center. I've been wanting to go since I found out they were building it. It was an awesome birthday gift to be able to go.





If you are ever in Dallas, make sure you swing by. 

What have you been up to this month? 

When Everyday Things Are Big

 

The last few weeks have made me remember the first half of my life. Not the events really as much as the struggle.

In my childhood and early teens, I struggled with many health issues that caused debilitating fatigue. It wasn't until my late teens and early twenties that I started to heal. By age twenty-five, while I was not the bundle of energy many people were, I could almost pass as having a normal amount of energy.

And then June of 2022 hit. 

The month was filled with health challenges that left my energy depleted. I wanted to edit the next Kate's Case Files books, continue to cook meals, and be there for the people I loved. I wanted to write blog posts, social media posts, and have an awesome newsletter. None of that was in me. I mainly slept in, read, watched movies, and did what I had to do in a day. I had little to give to others.

For a month, I've struggled with feeling useless. But I remembered these feelings and sensations. It brought back so many memories of days I wanted to do things, and did not have the energy or the brain power to do them. I remembered the many tests by doctors, supplements and diets tried, and scary possibilities entertained over the years with nothing conclusive ever figured out. Even though the cause for my fatigue wasn't a mystery this time, part of me wondered if I was returning to those days.

In the few days, God has granted me both physical and emotional mercies to see that this won't be forever. In fact, this evening, I made dinner and cleaned up after it. 

I know, that doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was the first time in a month that I had made and cleaned up after a meal (unless you count making a sandwich). It felt like a huge victory. It WAS a huge victory for me. 

I think this time of physical weakness has reminded me of some important truths that I needed to be reminded of:

~ My worth is not in what I accomplish.

~ God's strength is made perfect in my weakness. And I am weak even when I don't feel weak. I need to keep depending on God in the times I feel my weakness and the times I don't.

~ Never take the little things for granted. Thank God for them.

In Your Arms ~ A Song of Devotion

 

I've been enjoying this song of late for my devotional time.

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Giveaway time

 

Enter to win two reader stickers (like the ones pictured) a Kate's Case Files bookmark as well as a digital Kate's Case Files MadLib, and a lockscreen image. 

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If the giveaway widget isn't working right, you can go HERE to enter.