Sarah Holman's Blog, page 34

Preorders and Paperbacks

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I'm very pleased to announce that both Christmas books I have coming out this year are now available for preorder!
A Very Bookish Christmas is a very fun collection that will only be around for a limited time. I highly recommend you grab a copy while you can. After the end of 2019, this collection is going to go away.
Four stories.Four book-lovers.
Four feel-good Christmas stories.

This is a limited edition novella collection.


The anthology includes:
Molly and Anna by Sarah Holman (inspired by Pollyanna)
Gingerbread Treasures by Rebekah Jones (inspired by a Sherlock Holmes mystery)
Sylvie of Amber Apartments by J. Grace Pennington (inspired by Anne of Green Gables)
Sincerely, Jem by Kate Willis (inspired by Daddy-Long-Legs)



Finally, the next Kate book is coming out! You can get the Kindle edition for the special preorder price of $2.99 Can they save Christmas for a town?
Kate and the team couldn’t be spending the holiday season in a more picturesque town. They are in Franklin, Tennessee to find the person setting off bombs at random. Or could it be that the explosions aren't as random as it appears? Can the team stop the bomber in time for Franklin’s big holiday festival? Kate herself is having a hard time dealing with the fact she can’t go home for Christmas... or can she?
Patrick is finding this case difficult. Promising leads just end up leading into dead ends, and Brian is getting on his nerves. On top of his own problems, Kate asks for his help to get home for Christmas, and it isn’t going to be easy. Can they solve the crime in time for everyone to have a merry Christmas?
I'm also very excited to announce that several of my books have new paperback editions! Kate can’t stay with the team any longer. She has worked for too long to keep the walls around her heart and around her past to allow the team to tear them down now. She doesn’t think they can handle what is behind them; she’s not sure she can. Heading to Charleston with the team on one last case, she and Brian go undercover as brother and sister to find out if a young musician is profiting from illegal activity.Patrick is going undercover as a summer student at the University of Charleston. He tries to befriend the sister of a suspected drug runner, but nothing is coming easily. The sister won’t trust him, leads keep drying up, and tension in the team is building. When things begin to fall apart, Patrick is convinced that he can fix things, but can he?


When the seventeen-year-old Samantha Hardgrave disappears, Kate is sent to take her place at the college to follow up on leads. What she finds is a girl more complicated than most people thought with plenty of her own secrets. Samantha’s parents painted a picture of an upstanding girl who never hides anything, but that isn’t what Kate hears from Samantha’s roommate. Who is telling the truth?
Patrick doesn’t even feel like they should be on the Hardgrave case. It is clear to everyone except her family what happened: she ran off with a visiting professor. Yet, as he learns more about her from her friends and family, he begins to doubt. Would Samantha have done something like that? And how come Kate is getting such a different picture of who Samantha was?
Edna believes herself to be a worthless servant. Sir Andrew knows himself to be the most respected and valuable knight. One event will cause both to discover where their value truly lies.When Princess Gail is on her way to visit friends, some men kidnap the princess to demand a ransom. They don’t realize that they’ve made a mistake and who they have is not the pampered princess, but her faithful servant, Edna. Carried far from home, Edna knows that no matter what she does, she won’t survive. Sir Andrew sets off to rescue the princess, taking no time to assess what has truly happened or to allow his men to help him. What should have been a quick and heroic mission turns into a long journey that is full of dangers, obstacles, and trials. Will he be forced to turn back or will he be able to make it to the tower where the princess is being held?

Book Review: Voyage of the Sandpiper by Jessica Glasner

*Post contains Amazon affiliate links*Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | PaperbackAge Appropriate For: 12 and up for mild romance and war-related topicsBest for Ages: 12-20
I want to start off by saying this book is best for younger readers. I think it would be a great way to introduce young people to the beginnings of World War II and the plight of the Jewish people during that time. Still, I enjoyed this story.
Glasner has a wonderful writing style and well thought out plots and characters. She obviously put a lot of time in to do research and thought out all her characters well. She also did a great job picking unique settings and fun locations for her stories. She is an author to watch.
Edie was my favorite character. She was an eccentric writer with a good heart and a lot of fun quirks. Piper is an endearing character with struggles a lot of girls can relate to. I especially appreciated how the faith element was woven into the story with ease. It was the right balance of being there and not being preachy.
Both romances were done in a very sweet manner. Piper likes a young man and handles it very well. The romances are sweet, devoid of eye-rolling drama or blush-worthy scenes. It’s done well.While the historic aspect was a little simplistic for me, I think it’s perfect for introducing younger readers to concepts of World War II.
I recommend this book for young people, those looking for solid stories on World War two, or those who enjoy sweet books.

Trusting God, Children's Church, and Clouds

How can days be so crammed full of things yet have so little to report? Perhaps I haven't really been paying attention to the details of life to notice. Also, perhaps life is just so routine at the moment it's hard to think of anything truly newsworthy. However, I'm going to try to give you a glimpse into what's been going on on my side of the screen.

I was feeling pretty down on Saturday. I've felt like a failure. Book sales haven't been great, well-meaning people have told how I need to change before man will be interested in me. Before you go and feel sorry for me (or angry at someone), the real issue is that my heart hasn't been in the right place. I know that sales or a wedding ring will not make me complete or solve the real issue. The real issue is that my heart needs to fully trust God and His plan for my life story.
With that said, I was very grateful for one-on-one time with my Mom after church. [image error]
Speaking of church, I started in late summer helping out with the children's ministry. For obvious reasons, I don't have pictures of that. However, I'm really enjoying it and am excited and nervous to be moving into teaching the upper elementary students later this month. 
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Fall has come late to Texas. It wasn't until last week we started cooling down. The clouds have been pretty cool. Yes, I've been a cloud watcher since I was little. I take pictures of them often and spend a lot of time watching them.

On the day it cooled down, I did something a lot of authors do, but it was a first for me...

Ready?

I worked on my writing at Starbucks.
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I don't like coffee and I feel like Starbucks is way overpriced, but I needed something that was open early and had good wi-fi. I have to say, it was a pretty good experience.  However, don't send me gift cards yet, I would still rather drink cups of tea from The Republic of Tea (Their Pumpkin Spice tea is my favorite, if you wanted to know) at home and work in my PJ's.

What's been going on in your life?

Burdney, Jem, and King Solomon's Mines

Recently Finished Goodreads | AmazonAfter this being on my to-read list for a very long time, I finally read it! Read my review HERE

Goodreads | AmazonI finally finished this book. Wow! Was it good. I've always loved Fanny, but this book had so much depth. Read my review HERE.
Goodreads | AmazonIt has been to long since I read a Sagar book. Read my review HERE
Sincerely, Jem Goodreads | Amazon
I beta read this book which is part of The Very Bookish Christmas Collection. I'll write a review upon publication.
Currently Reading:  Goodreads | AmazonThis is a fun book, with a few things in it that are not as fun. We'll see what I think at the end.
Goodreads | AmazonGod's really using this to work on my heart right now.
Goodreads | AmazonThis is a good story, not my favorite, but good.

Up Next  Goodreads | AmazonI'm looking forward to reading this. It was my favorite of the series as a child.

Goodreads | AmazonI'm excited to read the last book in this series. I've loved the first two. 

Goodreads | Amazon
My friend Kelsey lent me this. I'm really excited to read this book that was written for women in the Middle Ages.

Snippet Saturday: Emmeline

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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.

“I don’t remember the last time you used the good china,” Fredrick observed from where he sat in the corner munching on an apple.
“I haven’t put on an elegant dinner in ages. Now, all I have to do is make the place cards. I wonder where I put my calligraphy set.” Emmeline looked about the dining room as if she had just laid it aside. She knew that it was most likely in her little-used desk in the library.
“Why this sudden interest in parties?” Fredrick asked.
“Some people like to be sociable,” Emmeline chided, adjusting one of the glasses. “Not all of us like to sit at home reading all day.”
“I know you like to be sociable, but two parties in one month is more than usual, even for you.” He took another big bite out of his apple.
“In all honesty, I want to help Catarina make a good match among her own class.”
“I don’t see you inviting the other factory workers here, so how is she supposed to do that?”
Emmeline gave an exasperated sigh. “Anyone can see that she was born for something better. I’ll bet she has royal blood somewhere in her family history. All you have to do is look at how she carries herself, and it is plain that she belongs in our set and not with a bunch of rough factory workers.”
“Emmeline,” Fredrick said in a tone that was sure to have a lecture behind it.
“Don’t scold me right now. I have enough to do without you lecturing me on some subject I probably don’t care a fig about anyway.”
Fredrick wiped his mouth and shook his head. “Emmeline, I …”
“Emmeline!” Catarina burst through the door and took hold of Emmeline’s hands. “Oh, I do need your advice. I have the most wonderful … Oh, Mr. Knight.” She stopped mid-sentence when she saw her employer lounging in the chair.
“Don’t worry about him; don’t keep me in suspense!” Emmeline prodded.
“But …” The girl looked miserably between Emmeline and Mr. Knight.
Fredrick stood. “Obviously, you ladies have some things you must discuss without me here. We can finish our conversation tonight.”
“Don’t forget to wear a hat,” Emmeline called after him before drawing Catarina into the parlor.

You can find out more about the Vintage Jane Austen Series HEREYou can get a copy of Emmeline HERE

Classics with Kelsey and Sarah Episode 3

Find Shirley by Charlotte Brontë on Goodreads and Amazon.

Book Review: A-Spying We Will Go by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick

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Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | Paperback Age Appropriate For: All AgesBest for Ages: 13 and up
I am so enjoying this series. This book was so good. I would say a favorite, but I don’t know how to pick a favorite from this series. Each story is so fun and good. In this story, we get to go on a camping trip, see a taser in action, and play around with a HAM radio.
I know I’ve said it in my other reviews, but I have to say it again: I’m really grateful to have a character that has real money struggles. Emily gets to go on a trip, but it’s a very low budget, camping trip with her church. It’s nice to have a character that I feel like I can relate to in that area of life.
This novella has a lot of awesome elements. There is some family drama (who else wonders what is going on with Emily and her Dad?), there is a question about who is telling the truth, and… oh yeah, an ending that leaves your heart pounding and needing the next book. Before you get irritated, the book wraps up fairly nicely, but…it also doesn’t. Sound complicated? Well, it’s spy stuff.
I highly recommend this novella to those who like light suspense, fun characters, and spy books that are just a lot of fun.

Empty Places, Bones of Rebellion and River Trip

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I haven't read a lot the last couple of weeks. I got sick and it messed with my eyes. However, I did get to finish some good books.
Recently Finished Goodreads | Amazon
This was another sweet story in this series! 
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I finally got around to reading the second book in this series. This book was so good. Ruggieri is one of my favorite authors because her stories feel so real, address real issues, yet also shine the love and hope of Christ. Read my review HERE.
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This book read like a Hallmark movie. It was nice for a sick day.Read my review HERE
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This book was so good. It's the second in a series. You can read my review of the first book HERE.This is a look at what life might have been like at the time of the building of the tower of Babel and the confusion of languages. Read my review HERE
Currently Reading
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I've been savoring each drop of this book. I really should have been done with it, but I've been enjoying it so much. It's one of those books that has a full range of emotions. I love Fanny a lot.
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This book went on hold last week, but I'm eagerly digging into it again this week.
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It has been far too long since I read a Sagar book. I plan to use this time with Kindle Unlimited to get caught up.
Up Next Goodreads | Amazon
This has been on my to-read list for a few years. I'm excited to finally read it on Kindle Unlimited.
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My friend Kelsey and I read a classic each month together and this one is this month's selection. I got the audiobook narrated by B.J. Harison because he has an amazing voice. You can view YouTube videos Kelsey and I do on classics HERE.

Cover reveal of No Man

I'm really, really excited about the next book in the Firmament series!!*Post contains Amazon affiliate links.*
Another amazing cover and look at this plot:
She doesn’t have much longer to live.

Losing the last of the radialloy puts Andi’s life in immediate danger and sends her, August, and the Doctor rushing towards the demolished Qandon system in search of more. Their speeder is crippled, a powerful man is desperate to stop them -- and they are running out of time.

Meanwhile, Crash has escaped from prison and is hiding somewhere in Hungary, hunted by assassins who have instructions to kill him if Andi and the others don’t return to Earth in one week. The only person on Earth who can help him is Guilders, who very nearly despises him.

Is there more radialloy out there? Can Crash and Guilders make it to safety? And will Andi ever be able to return to the way of life that she loves so much?

I love this series so much in fact, you can read my reviews of Radialloy, In His Image, Machiavellian, Reversal Zone, and Gestern on Goodreads.

Classics with Kelsey and Sarah Episode 2

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Find Under the Lilacs on Goodreads and Amazon