Sarah Holman's Blog, page 34

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

*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.

“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

*Post contains Amazon affiliate links*
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! 
Goodreads | Amazon
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.
Goodreads | Amazon
This book read like a Hallmark movie. It was nice for a sick day.Read my review HERE
Goodreads | Amazon
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
Goodreads | Amazon
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.
Goodreads | Amazon
This book went on hold last week, but I'm eagerly digging into it again this week.
Goodreads | Amazon
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.
Goodreads | Amazon
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

*post contains affliate links*

Find Under the Lilacs on Goodreads and Amazon

Vintage Jane Austen Sale

Click HERE to go to Amazon and get the Vintage Jane Austen books for only $0.99 each!

Five Top 2019 Favorites...So Far

You better grab your backpack, you're going to need it, No, it isn't because you need it for school, but because there is a massive book sale and you'll want to load a bunch of these books up.

While not on sale, here are a few of the books that I have read and loved this year.


1. Devotedly by Valerie Elliot Shepard I've been inspired by the lives of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot for years. Their daughter let us get a look at their love story like never before. We got to see that these were two people with flaws, yet, they were both devoted to Christ.  I was inspired, once again, to live my life totally devoted to Christ.

Read my review on Goodreads HERE
Buy it on Amazon HERE

2. Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Choosing joy has been one of my themes for this year. So, I picked up this book in audio form. Nancy never fails to both inspire and convict. She has such a sweet spirit about her teaching. It always feels as if you are having a conversation with a dear friend who loves you enough to say the hard things. This book continues to challenge my thinking.
Read my review on Goodreads HEREBuy it on Amazon HERE
3. You Can Trust God to Write Your Story by  Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth I actually read this earlier this month. It was one of those books that came at just the right time. I read it in one evening and my soul soaked up every drop. No matter what life is throwing at you, this book will encourage you that you can trust God to
Read my review on Goodreads HEREBuy it on Amazon HERE
4. The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbot by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick I like novels. I like being able to just let go and enjoy a fictional world for a while. This series has been awesome for that. Think of some fun spy show you enjoy, you know, the family-friendly one. Well, this is even better! Join 19-year-old Emily Abbot as she gets caught up in the spy world.

Read my review of the first books on Goodreads HEREBuy it on Amazon HERE
5. What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

Lysa Terkeust is one of those authors I love. I bought the audiobook for my mom, but then, of course, I had to listen to it. This book is a personal look at her life and what happened when she started saying yes to God. It made me look at the things in my life that I need to let go of.
Buy it on Amazon HERE
There are a lot of fun ebooks on sale and free today! Hope over to Read Another Page to see a full list!

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