Sarah Holman's Blog, page 33
October 29, 2019
Book Review: Hidden Pearls by Hayden Wand
Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | Paperback Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for mild romanceBest for Ages: 13 -20
Imagine a Jane Austen book and an Errol Flynn pirate film got mashed together and you’ll have a good idea of what Hidden Pearls has in store for you. It has adventure, romance, a bunch of characters, lessons learned, and fun settings.
I’ve been wanting to read this book since it came out. I was excited to finally buy myself a copy and dive in. The cover is so pretty, even if it is just on my Kindle screen.
The beginning was a little hard, as there were an awful lot of characters introduced. I loved all the cousins, living together in a loving home. I have to say that my first sigh of satisfaction was the loving family aspect. I’m a little weary of bad families.
This story was full of adventure, plot twists, and cool characters. The mixture of regency England and sailing in the Caribbean was perfect. And did I mention the characters? They were a lot of fun.The romance as sweet and not overdone. I mean, at the end of the book it feels like everyone is with someone, but at the same time, it wasn’t overly mushy. Handing this to a young person would not be a problem.
I highly recommend this story for those who like YA books, stories of adventure, and casts of fun characters.
October 27, 2019
Cleftlocke, A Love to Come Home to, and Finding Faith
Recently Finished
Goodreads | AmazonI didn't love this book as much as the others in the series, but it was good.Read my review HERE
Goodreads | AmazonThis series was so good. Read my review of this book HERE
Goodreads | AmazonThis was my favorite book of the series.Read my review HERECurrently Reading
Goodreads | AmazonThis book is good so far.
Goodreads | AmazonThis book is really good so far. I'm enjoying it.
Goodreads | AmazonWhile I think this book would be better for younger readers, I love the message.Up Next
Goodreads | AmazonThis has been on my reading list for a while. I'm looking forward to it.
Goodreads | AmazonIsn't this a cool cover? I read a sample of this book and have wanted to read it ever since. October 25, 2019
Snippet Saturday: Adventures and Adversities #2
*Post contains Amazon affiliate links*If you read the story before, share your thoughts on the scene. If you haven't read the book...Well, now you can try it out. Remember, all my books are free to read if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
The inside of the castle walls was nothing like what Alditha had envisioned. They entered through an opening in the wall, which the captain said was a half-finished gatehouse. Everywhere she looked in the large open area inside the walls, people were busy. Off to one side were merchants selling their wares; to the other side there were men hammering away on blocks of stone. In the very middle, workers were placing finished blocks on what appeared to be the beginnings of a large house. She eyed the captain, knowing better than to ask.“The beginnings of the keep,” he offered.Alditha wasn’t sure what a keep was, but she didn’t want to bother him with a question. As they began to cross the courtyard, Alditha took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. The bad smells seemed to be trapped by the walls. It was so different from the openness of her village. She looked to the sky, wishing a breeze would come and clear the air of the foul smell. She reached up and rubbed her already wrinkled nose.Captain Harold chuckled. “You’ll get used to the smell soon enough. The first day is always the worst.”“Does it always smell like this?”“In the summer it is worse, but in the winter things freeze over, and you don’t smell it as much,” the captain said as they reached an area that appeared to be the stables. It was a big wooden structure with room for a large number of horses inside. The captain handed the reins of his horse to a stable boy and put his hand on Alditha’s shoulder, guiding her through the people and horses that were moving about, past the stable and toward a door that seemed to lead into the wall of the castle.“Maggie? Maggie? Are you there?” the captain called, banging on the door. He then stepped to the side.“Who’s hollering my name loud enough to be heard clear to the sea?” a strong female voice called back. A moment later, a large woman filled the doorway, wiping her hands on a rag. Her faded indigo dress, as well as her chubby cheeks, were dusted with flour. Her long head-covering fully covered her hair and draped in a semicircle in the front.Maggie regarded Alditha severely. “Who might you be? Did you see the rogue that was hollering for me?”“Is that the way to treat the girl I have brought to help you?” Captain Harold stepped into her view.Maggie’s mouth dropped open. The rag she had been holding fluttered to the ground, and her hand went to her heart. “Harold? I mean Captain, what a surprise! I didn’t expect you for another week.”Captain Harold shrugged. “I made good time. I hope you have something for a hungry soldier to eat. I have been dreaming of your bread for weeks.”The color rose in Maggie’s cheeks. “Then bread you shall have.” Alditha followed the captain and Maggie through the door. The stone room was much longer than it was wide. It was uncomfortably warm from the heat of several ovens. Alditha’s stomach grumbled at the delicious smells that greeted her nose. Two girls were standing in front of a table nearby, kneading bread. One of them, a young girl of about ten or eleven, gave Alditha a shy smile.
Find out what happens next. You can add the book to Goodreads HERE or by it on Amazon HERE
October 24, 2019
Classics with Kelsey and Sarah Episode 5
October 23, 2019
The NaNoWriMo 20 Questions Tag
RulesThank the person that tagged you (Thank you, Esther, over at We've Got Pockets)Link back to the creator of this tag, Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner. (I want to hear about your NaNo novels!!)Feel free to use the NaNoWriMo 20 Questions Tag graphics!Answer the questions.Tag some friends who are also doing NaNo this year.And have fun!!!
Tell me about your NaNoWriMo project this year! Give me a blurb!Princess Fabia has always wanted to go on a grand adventure. For her birthday, her father gives her just that. She is sent to deliver a sword a neighboring kingdom, but then she is shipwrecked and nothing goes as planned.
What’s the genre?Kingdom Adventure/Non-magical Fantasy
Describe your MC in three words.Confident. Feminine. Princess.
Without spoilers, describe your villain in three words.Nature. Bandits. Injury. (Yeah, I don't have a main villain planned at the moment)
What is your goal? (the traditional 50K? 20K? 5K? or……. 100K?)Ummm... 50K or until the story is done. 
Is this your first draft? Second? Third?Well, technically it's a second draft. I started this book a couple of years ago and got about 10,000 words in, but I made some major changes so this is a restart. However, I will be using some from the old draft.
Are you starting a new project (or draft), or continuing an existing one? Yes...and yes... I am staring from chapter 1, but I will be bringing in some of the old draft.
What is your favorite time to write in the day?Mid-morning to mid-afternoon
Where are you going to write?At my table in my writing corner.
Computer or paper?Computer all the way. I can type almost as fast as I can think so
NaNoWriMo is a huge commitment!! How are you going to make time to write?Actually, since I plan not to have any other projects for that month, I feel like it's going to be really fun and a break. Besides! I'm so excited to be writing!
Are you going to participate in local or online NaNoWriMo events? (e.g. kick-off parties in your city, write-ins, virtual writing sprints…)I might do some sprints, but I'm not sure.
Do you write from beginning to end or skip around?Beginning to end. Always.
Planner or pantser? (or plantser?)I'll probably have a little planned out, but my stories never go as planned. I'm pretty much a panster. 
What will be your go-to NaNoWriMo snack?I'm not sure. I don't snack as much as I used to as I'm trying to eat healthier. Probably veggies dipped in ranch dressing. (For my friend that dislikes ranch dressing, I promise to have another option available)
Choice of caffeine? (or no caffeine?)Tea and Dr Pepper. Mainly tea though because (as I said) I'm trying to eat healthier.
Any rewards for milestone achievements? For finishing NaNoWriMo?If I finish the novel, I plan to buy myself a month of Kindle Unlimited for December and read a lot of Christmas books.
Share a tip for other NaNo-ers!Write extra when you can and make sure to take off days when you need to or for holidays. Time off and planning for time off is an important part of completing NaNo
How are you feeling about NaNoWriMo? (Excited?! Nervous!? Terrified?!)Excited! I've missed writing about Taelis.
Share a picture for your NaNoWriMo novel!(Okay, this originally said "Share an aesthetic for your NaNoWriMo novel!" but the ramet misuse of the word aesthetic is driving me crazy. Those who I tag, please feel free to change it back)[image error]I have stuff posted on my wall, ready to go!I tag: DeborahAnd anyone else who would like to do it!
October 22, 2019
Book Review: A Holy Passion by Alicia G. Ruggieri
*Post contains Amazon affiliate links*Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | Paperback Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for very mild romance and descriptive illnessBest for Ages: 13 and up
I was so tired of romance as portrayed by so many authors. Some tried to be so careful that it felt lifeless and unrealistic, but most made it sound as if you had no control when you were in love. Even Christian books seem to be pushing the idea that boundaries can’t be upheld when a romance is underway. This book is so very different.
This book was nothing like any of those books. This book was honest about a girl finding a guy attractive (for many good reasons) and hoping they can be more than friends without a lot to base that hope on (many girls do this). With that honesty came and understanding that self-control was important and you can’t count on something happening.
This book is about real historical characters that I’ve read a lot about. Although it has been several years since I went through my obsession with the Edwards family, this book felt true to what I remembered of them and of David Brainerd. It seems Ruggieri really did her research.
My favorite part of the story was how what God wanted, what would honor Him most was put in front of every feeling. Brainerd placed it before his depression and anxiety to serve as a missionary. Jerusha puts it before her desire to be loved by Brainerd. Yet, in the story, it is clear that there is something very powerful that is released because of that sacrifice, as there always is in the Christian life.
Ruggieri is a talented writer. I’ve appreciated each of her books that I’ve read. Above her skill or even her impeccable research, is her love for Jesus. Her passion for God spills across each page of her writing.
I highly recommend this book to those who like historical fiction, godly characters, and powerful messages.
October 21, 2019
Order Paperbacks for Christmas! One Week Only!!
I know. It's a bit early to be talking about Christmas. However, in order to get paperbacks to people on time for Christmas, due to my printers always delaying things, I have to start now thinking about ordering paperbacks!For one week only, I'm offering some pretty sweet deals on ordering signed copies for Christmas!
Order your copies HERE
No Man, Your Purpose, and Breath of Knowledge
Recently Finished
Goodreads | AmazonI enjoyed this somewhat, but I wouldn't recommend it. Read my review HERE.
Goodreads | AmazonThis book poured over my soul. I needed it. Read my review HERE.
Goodreads | AmazonThis book was okay. The writing was a bit week, but the faith element was amazing. Read my review HERE.
Goodreads | AmazonIt was so much fun to revisit this book, my favorite of the series as a child. Read my review HERE.
Goodreads | AmazonWow! I love this series so much and this book was amazing. I don't have a full review up yet, but I will have one soon HERE.
Currently Reading
Goodreads | AmazonI'm not loving this as much as the other two books in the series. We shall see if I like it further on.
Goodreads | AmazonMy friend Kelsey lent me this. I've only read the introduction, but I'm excited to dive in.Up Next
Goodreads | AmazonI'm excited to finish this trilogy! I'm excited and nervous at the same time to see what happens.
Goodreads | AmazonI friend Kesley recommend this to me. Since we own a copy, I want to read it. October 19, 2019
Snippet Saturday: Adventures and Adversities
*Post contains Amazon affiliate links* If you read the story before, share your thoughts on the scene. If you haven't read the book...Well, now you can try it out. Remember, all my books are free to read if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.“It’s nearly sunset,” Simon, one of William’s fellow stable boys, stated. William ignored the boy and kept forking hay out of the loft so Simon could feed it to the animals. He was in no mood to be reminded of the time of day. If Alditha wasn’t here in the next hour or two, he would die before the stars were fully out. He had trusted Alditha; he had been so sure that she would come back, that she wouldn’t lie. He was sure that she wouldn’t stay with her family when it was time to come back to save his life, no matter how much she wanted to stay. Perhaps he had been wrong.“Wasn’t she supposed to be here yesterday?” Simon seemed not to understand how grave the situation was.“Simon! Just feed the horses and don’t speak again!” William was in no mood to talk, either. Yes, Alditha should have been back yesterday. Why had he been so stupid? His sister would now be without anyone to protect her, and for what? So Alditha could go back and live with her mother for her last few days on earth? It didn’t seem like a fair trade to him.Why, God? Why did You let this happen? Why didn’t You bring her back in time?As he prayed, the words the family priest had often quoted came back to him: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you.“William? William, are you here?” Bane’s voice penetrated his thoughts.“Coming, sir.” William tossed the pitchfork aside, wondering if he would ever pick it up again.“Perhaps they will only put you in the dungeon,” Simon said optimistically.William chose to ignore Simon as he leaped down from the loft to the earthen stable floor.“Come, William, I haven’t got all day.” Bane seemed almost bored, ready to be over with this everyday occurrence and on to more interesting pursuits.William walked out of the stable and turned to face the steward and the two soldiers he had brought with them. He squared his shoulders, preparing himself to die like a man, as his father had done, knowing that God would be with him.Find out what happens next. You can add the book to Goodreads HERE or by it on Amazon HERE
