Sarah Holman's Blog, page 45

Tracking Ruby

Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | Paperback 

Description: When bookworm Deputy Sophie Brown, rescues a seemingly want to be a trouble-maker who likes his coffee black as his boots; she far from realizes the impact he will have on her life. She is more worried about finding her own suitable Mr. Darcy in a town of undashing and undesirable Col. Wickham's and Mr. Collin's. Jesse is searching for redemption and a hidden “Ruby.” Rescuing a deputy, and wrangling her into his mission isn't a part of his plan, however, when they land in trouble together, can he save her and rescue the family treasure?

I was so excited when Dad offered to buy me a book as part of a Black Friday sale that some indie authors were putting together. I picked to pre-order a copy of Jessica Greyson’s release because I knew that I would love it. I did.

This book has an old western feel to it, with lots of action, adventure, and a touch of romance. I liked that, though a work of pure fiction, it was based on the historical fact that there had been a young girl who had been made a deputy. The setting helped shape another one of Greyson’s strong yet feminine characters that I adore.

Sophie is a strong girl with deep pain. She is frustrated with God for taking her mother, obsessed with Pride and Prejudice, and just happens to be a sixteen-year-old Deputy. She is a tough girl, loves her brother and father, doesn’t like her aunt, and has a hurting heart. What is not to love with such a dear character like that.

 Sophie meets Jesse in the middle of a fight. He has wit, he has charm, and he also gets himself arrested…by Sophie. In one day, he manages to sweep Sophie into a dangerous adventure. He ends up making an amazing hero.

The faith element wasn’t very heavy, yet it suited the books so well. It felt like a warm cup of tea on a cold morning. It wasn’t very strong, but it was warming and soothing. The story had some violence that made things pretty tense, including some torture. However, there weren’t any graphic details. While probably not what you want to read right before you go to bed, it also won’t be keeping you up with nightmares. The romance also was light, sweet, and not the main point of the story.

So why only four stars? Well…It is hard to say because it revolves around a point in the plot toward the end. I don’t want to give anything away. Basically, Jesse does something to add tension to the story. I felt it didn’t make a lot of sense and hurt the ending a little. While I loved the story, that one element detracted enough that I had to mention it.

I highly recommend this story to those who love western type stories, Greyson’s other books, or are looking for a fun, adventure filled story.

How I Manage My Kindle

Open Hands, Open Heart

Last week was hard and amazing at the same time. Shall I explain?

I've been praying for wisdom a lot. I lay awake one night after praying a lot that day. I had been feeling emotional and petrified of going to a women's Bible study. Group settings are really hard for me, even sometimes with my family. I cried to God and asked Him to show me why that was and how I could go about healing whatever wound had caused my fear.
As I lay still and quiet, waiting for sleep, the answer came. In 2017, some groups that had been safe before had been the sources of some pretty big pain. Like the body, our hearts natural reaction to pain is to withdraw. Now, armed with that insight I can deal with the issue
God is also teaching me to pray with hands wide open. Sometimes I literally stand with my palms open and pray. Why? Because I often hold too tightly to what I want to be, the hurt that I have, or the desires of my heart. I want that friend back, I want a relationship to change, I want this person not to hurt, and so on. Yet, I've been reminded of the power of giving it all to God and then holding my hands open, allowing Him to place in them what He wants to give me. He might say yes, He might say no, He might say wait. Whatever His answer is, I want to be ready to receive it...or let go. 
I had one other big moment this week.

On Friday, I was recording a video for Reading Tips Tuesday. I was talking about some books I loved and almost had to stop recording. I came across some books given to me by a friend that is no longer in my life. I almost had to stop recording because I was happily telling my watchers about this awesome book that my good friend gave me and I realized...I meant it.
I know, that sounds odd. I came to a moment and I realized the hurt that they had caused was forgiven and healed to the point that my heart was open. My heart, with the help of God, is open again to all the joy that friendship gave. The memories of all the good times, and not the painful things that marred them, were coming to mind. I found myself praying for an opportunity for reconciliation. I know it wouldn't be easy, but God has opened my heart once again.
How does all of this tie together? It is all in answer to my prayer that God would help me heal the wounds of 2017. I had been deeply wounded, but I didn't want to stay wounded. I wanted to heal, to forgive, and to move on. Each of these moments showed me that God was at work to answer those prayers. I can't wait to see what he has next.

What Next?

I have a couple ideas for some blog post series. You get to pick which one I'll start in February.

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Thoughts on adulting continued

So, on Monday, I talked about how I don't like the word adulting. Of course, I also went on to use that word (you can read the post here). Since I talked about some things I didn't like about being an adult, today I wanted to talk about something this week that has made me grateful to be one.

Having a smartphone to myselfA long time ago, on a blog far away, I did a challenge regarding being content. I remember it clearly because one of my struggles was with envy of other people having smart-phones, while I didn't. I daily use my cool little phone to text, talk, and take pictures. Because I'm an adult, I can have one.
Driving aloneIt took me a long time to get my drivers license. I didn't even really want it. Now, spending an hour along in the car is a blessing. I often use the time to worship and pray because it is one of the few times that I don't have other things pulling at me.
Meeting with friendsOkay, I know you don't have to be an adult to do that. However, driving an hour to meet a friend by yourself is a pretty grown-up thing to do. Those long conversations are pretty much my favorite part of adulting. 
Making choicesThere are times that I would rather my parents make decisions for me. Yet, I often find myself rejoicing that I get the privilege of going before God, asking advice, weighing options, and then getting to make a decision. 
The jobs I have been able to workMost of the jobs I've had, you had to be eighteen-years-old to have. I've had some awesome ones. Including, my newest one helping out a dear elderly woman for 10 hours a week. 
Drinking Dr Pepper when I want toYes, I probably drink it too often. However, I can't deny that getting and drinking it when I wish hasn't been a big perk of being an adult.
What are your favorite parts of being an adult? If you are still a minor, what do you look forward to the most?

Deadly Obsession by Caitlyn Santi

Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | Paperback | Audiobook
Age Appropriate For: 15 and up (theme of girl working to catch sexual predators)
Best for Ages: 15-20
Description: As a teenage FBI agent Kennedy Stevens has put her life on the line numerous times in order to catch criminals. She believes it's her purpose in life, but every time she helps to put one predator away it seems that ten more are waiting to take their place. Kennedy has pretty much seen it all in her life on the job but past events in her personal life have caused her to turn her back on God and the faith she grew up with. Kennedy is used to people trying to kill her, it's all part of the job, however when someone begins stalking her, things get personal. Will Kennedy allow the world to make her bitter? Or will she give it all to God? Will a killer's Deadly Obsession with Kennedy prove fatal? Find out in this breath taking new inspirational suspense novella from author Caitlyn Santi and prepare yourself for a thrilling ride that will bring you to the edge of your seat.

I think one of that hardest thing for me, as both a lover of books and an author, is to rate first novels. This book is no exception. Santi has so much talent and the book, but it lacked some of the polish of an experienced writer. However, she isn’t an experienced writer, so it isn’t really that surprising.

First off, this book deals with older men preying on young girls. This is done in a non-graphic way. However, I wouldn’t hand this to young or sensitive readers. Because of these, it bumped the MBR (see button below) up to a moderate rating. However, unlike most books that get that rating, most older teens will find this an appropriate read.

This story has a very classic, yet fun set up. A young person doing a job that normally only adults do. While it isn’t a huge secret, her classmates don’t know. She is leading a double-life so that she can help others. It may be classic, but it works and is fun. I liked that it felt less like Kennedy was lying to her school friends about what she was doing and more like her work and her school life were separate things. I get tired of most books/movies that are full of deceit to keep this kind of storyline going.

The faith message was good for the age group that this is targeted for. For older readers, it will probably feel too simplistic. Dealing with why bad things happen to good people, and anger toward God are some of the things dealt with.

Did I mention that there is an awesome sibling relationship? Well, there is. Kennedy works with her brother. Her brother is protective, loving, and tries to help Kennedy deal with the pain in her past. They also have loving, and supportive parents.

There is a lot of tense scenes in this, a lot of action, and you probably won’t want to put the book down. The villain is pretty evil and scary. As I said before, this isn’t a book for young or sensitive readers.

As I listened to the audiobook, I also have to say that the narrator, Peggy Sowersby, did a wonderful job. While not a youthful voice, she gave the story a very youthful feel.

I recommend this book to teens who like action, suspense, with a dash of faith.

I received this audiobook from the author for the purpose of writing a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All the thoughts expressed are my own.

Finding Books You'll Love

A post in which Sarah is honest about adulting

I've never liked the word adulting. I've never really appreciated most o the uses of the word. Most of the times I've heard it, it has been twenty-somethings winning. I don't like winning. I don't like it in myself or in other people. Sure, I do it sometimes, but if I hear myself doing it, I go a little crazy. I guess I never liked the word because I felt like the adult in some situations when I was in my teens. There is a shortage of people who know how to act like adults in the world. There were times in church, in the grocery store, at co-op, and such when my parents weren't around when I felt like I was the only grown-up in the room. There is probably nothing sadder than being fifteen and being with a group of forty-year-olds and feeling like you are the mature one in the room.

Perhaps the biggest issue I have with the word is not so much the word itself but what it implies. It often carries the connotation that the person saying it would rather not be an adult at the moment.

Which is how I felt this afternoon.

Most of the time, I like being an adult. I was excited to turn eighteen and finally have people treat me like the mature person that I felt I had been for years (okay, so people still mistake me for a teen, but you get the idea). I like it when people act like I can handle things. I like it when people know they can rely on me to be an adult. However, there are moments when I wish I could pass the adulting to my parents once again.

Like when I have to talk with insurance people.

This afternoon, I had to work out an insurance issue. Now, I'm with Medi-Share, and they are so easy to talk with. However, honestly, I dislike dealing with financial issues. I have an easier time of it then so many people I know, but I pretty much would rather avoid or pass off dealing with anything that has to do with money. However, that isn't how the world works.

To be completely honest, I also don't like confrontation. I never have. Yet, after a year of having to make several very difficult confrontations (most of which didn't go well), I like them even less. Even simple confrontation like disputing a bill with someone who wants to help and ends the phone call with prayer, leaves me feeling tired.

More about why I like being an adult on Thursday.

What task do you dread the most? What do you like most about being an adult?

The Goodness of God

As I sit here today, I still feel overwhelmed by the goodness of God. This week has been full of blessings both big and small.

We knew we were in for some cold weather this week. In fact, we had two days in a row when it didn't get above freezing, and there was ice all over the place. This is a rare thing for those of us in Texas. Monday was lovely, so three of my sisters and I took a walk down the country roads, talking and enjoying the warmth.



 Yeah, the next two days I wrote and hung out in front of the warm fire. Because that's what we do when it is cold and icy out. I also got an email. I had sent one to the director of a writers conference I was interested in attending. I sent the email in the fall of last year. I had been interested in going to represent Homeschooled Authors. I had given up on hearing back, but then I got the email...asking me to speak.


While I was excited about the opportunity, I knew that my financial state wouldn't let me think about going. Siblings offered to help pay, so did my parents, but I have trouble accepting help for things in general and especially for things that are not necessary. So I sent an email back about how honored and grateful I was, but that I wouldn't be coming.

God had other plans.

I was offered a job helping with an elderly lady three days a week. I will now have an income to help out with expenses. The woman also emailed me again, saying she really felt God wanted me to be part and offered some other ways that would help me come.

So I'm going to be going to Colorado in May!

Stay tuned here for more details! I'm hoping that some of you will be able to make it and we can hang out!

What good things has God been doing in your life this week?

Setting Real Reading Goals