Sarah Holman's Blog, page 58

Product Review: Healthy Farm Girl Products

I have been wanting to try these products for a long time. While I admit, I have never been super worried about many of the products sold in the stores, I have tried to make better choices. For instance, I do not often use antiperspirant and try to buy florid free toothpaste most of the time.

Wildflower Magnesium Body Spray: I really love this product. When I am having trouble sleeping, or think I might, I spray some of this on. It really seems to help and it smells really good too. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

Peppermint lip balm: So far, I have bought two of these and given both to my siblings. I love it so much, but my siblings love it too. This is very cooling to dry lips and feels so amazing. One of my sisters who normally doesn’t like lip balm loves using this!

London Fog lip balm: This one had a very unique smell and my sister Rose, who also doesn’t normally like anything on her lips, grabbed this one. This is a new favorite of hers. She said she loves the feel.


Pumpkin Spice lip balm: This is the only lip balm I have managed to keep for my self. I love the smell and I love the feel. It is so smooth and I like that it is a healthier choice than some of the others that I have used. Basically, I would wear nothing else if I could keep enough of these around. (Sadly, I have a bad habit of misplacing them).

Peppermint Body Scrub: I love this stuff. It was a lot dryer than I expected and can be a little hard to get on at first but it does its job well. It smells and feels great. My skin feels so clean and soft after using it.

Hibiscus Rose body Scrub: My sister got this kind and she loves it as much as I do! It smells wonderful! I sneak it sometimes when I want something different than peppermint.

Lessence de Fleur Face Cream: I have never used face cream before, but I love the smell and feel of this cream. I use it every few days and I am always happy when I do.

Adventure Between the Pages: Reversal Zone

Buy it Here
View Review on Amazon

I have missed Andi and the rest so much. Grace, please do not make me wait so long again! Seriously though, I have been so excited to read the next part of this book, as I am for every book. I pre-ordered it and then had to listen to it on my Kindle one day as I worked on my blog.
This story has a lot more of a classic sci-fi feel to it, with a cloud that causes weird things to happen. It felt like some of the Star Trek episodes, only better, more grounded in science, and with faith to balance everything out.

I love how Andi reacts to everything she goes through. Even though she is the hero, she struggles a lot with emotions and fear. She plain doesn’t want to do some things. She is a character that I think a lot of girls can relate to as well as admire. Perhaps it was a subtle message of the story, but her willingness to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t what she wanted to do, was shown in a powerful way.

There were a couple of moments in this book where things were a bit creepy and could be disturbing for some very sensitive readers. However, I thought they were handled well and added to the strength and believability of the story.

This was a strong, powerful, and exciting installment in the Firmament series. My big complaint? It left me really needing the next book in the series. I am going to be bugging the author until the next book is out, as I really need to know what happens.

I highly recommend this to those who enjoy sci-fi, reluctant heroes, and strong writing.

Be the First

Don't you love it when you are the first to get or do something? I know I love it when I open a package and know that I am the first person to use the phone, computer, or wear the t-shirt. Perhaps some of this comes from living in a large family who purchased most of our clothes from the awesome thrift stores around us and electronics were often passed around.

Today, you can preorder a copy of Emmeline. You will get your copy a day before it is available for sale, being one of the first to buy it. Want another incentive? If you preorder a copy you can send forward your email receipt to thedestinyofone(at)gmail(dot)com, (replacing "at" with @ and "dot" with .), you will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

Did I mention that Emmeline has a special preorder price? You can grab it for $2.99 until the 18th when it will go up to $4.99.

Ready? You can buy it here.


What if Jane Austen’s Emma lived in America in the year 1930?The talk of stock market crashes and depression isn’t going to keep Emmeline Wellington down. Born to wealth and privilege, Emmeline wants nothing more than to help her new friend, Catarina, find a husband. Emmeline sets her sights on one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, but nothing seems to go right. Even her friend and neighbor Fredrick Knight seems to question her at every turn. Will she help Catarina find the man of her dreams? Why is her father acting so strangely?  Will the downturn affect her life, despite her best efforts?

Jane Austen in 1930's America? Yes, please!

Have you heard about my upcoming release, Emmeline?

What if Jane Austen’s Emma lived in America in the year 1930?
The talk of stock market crashes and depression isn’t going to keep Emmeline Wellington down. Born to wealth and privilege, Emmeline wants nothing more than to help her new friend, Catarina, find a husband. Emmeline sets her sights on one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, but nothing seems to go right. Even her friend and neighbor Fredrick Knight seems to question her at every turn. 
Will she help Catarina find the man of her dreams? Why is her father acting so strangely?  Will the downturn affect her life, despite her best efforts?
Now is your chance to read it for free! All you have to do is agree to post a review on your blog and/or Goodreads in the next two weeks. Are you interested? Go here and request your copy. 
Interested in becoming part of my street team? You can join here.

Adventure Between the Pages: Finding God's Path Through the Trials

Buy it HereAge Appropriate For: All AgesBest for Ages: 12 and up
Description: From bestselling author Elizabeth George comes a book born of her desire to help others through difficult times. Finding God's Path Through Your Trials acknowledges the hard times we all face and reveals how people can "count it all joy," including:• understanding trials are not punishment• realizing God's grace is sufficient to get them through trials• knowing the benefits brought by trials—patience, endurance, empathy• experiencing deeper faith as they depend on God through trials• trusting God to use everything for His gloryEmphasizing God is always with them and will help them every step of the way, Elizabeth reminds readers they will not be given trials they cannot bear without including a way of escape. She encourages people to turn to Jesus, where they will find hope, joy, and meaning in the journey, no matter how bumpy it seems.
I am always blessed when I open one of George’s books. This was no exception. I was going through a couple of rough weeks, and I needed this book to remind me of the truths about trials. Too often, I can feel like a victim, focus on my own pain, and justify my own sinful reactions. This book reminded me to consider it all joy, and gave practical ways to do that.
Many other books about going through hard times excuse behaviors and emotions because of circumstances. Elizabeth never does that. She states what the Bible says and gives both biblical and practical advice on how to follow it. She did not leave any space to say ‘but it is okay not to follow it when…’ Yeah, I do that enough, I don’t need an author giving me excuses.
Another thing I love about her? Her lack of gossip. Some of the books I have enjoyed about trials end up talking too much about issues with other people and it crosses the line into gossip. Of course, this sometimes means Elizabeth uses stories that might not be the greatest examples, but it is an aspect of her writing I am coming to appreciate more and more.
I love her step-by-step guides for things. I am planning on copying some of them and hanging them around my room. They are practical ways of applying the Bible. Who of us can say we couldn’t use that kind of help?
Overall this book helped me to see that these trials WILL are for my good, and not my harm. It gave me a deeper understand of not only how, but why, I can count every trial as a joy.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a trail, needs encouragement, or who wants practical advice on the subject.

10 Reasons Dreams and Devotions has been hard to edit

So, I am very, very behind on the schedule. Projects are not going as they should. A large part of it is because Dreams and Devotion. So some of you may be wondering why this project is so hard for me.
1. It is personal. I put some very real emotion into this story as well as some elements from my life. When I see the story, I don’t just see the words wrote, I see the real life events they were based on.
2. It is emotional. I put so many of my own emotions in this book that as I am editing, I am also reliving some of those feelings. The funny thing is that Dara and Dresden both are me in so many ways. However, Dresden reacts more like I do.
3. It shows strained family relationships. I adore writing about families that love each other. I love writing about supportive and loving parents and siblings who like each other. In this book, I am writing about a family that is solid, but has some major issues. That is hard for me
4. I see reflections of my current life. There are things that I am struggling with now that I wasn’t when I wrote this book. Now, a year later, I am and the emotions are raw. It is a little freaky to realize that a book a wrote a year ago contains things that were theory then, but reality now.
5. I am going through a time of family change. My brother is about to start working night shift as a nurse. I see some other large changes on the horizon for my family. They are all good, but that still creates emotion. As this story is about a family that is changing, it hits close to home.
6. Life is crazy. We are building a room onto our house for a dear friend of ours. She needed a place and we were happy to welcome her to our home. However, this means were are in the middle of a construction zone, not the most peaceful place to work.
7.  People need me. While I always have this idea that I will be able to write five days a week between 9 and 6 without being interrupted, it never works that way. One of the reasons that I love living at home, is that I can be there for my family and others who need me. However, at times, it does seem to slow down the writing process.
8. I have been sick. First a bad flu and then struggles with allergies. Not as easy to work when that sort of thing is going on.
9. Rewriting. Did I mention I am having to rewrite a bunch of stuff? Yes, this novel was a mess. I always go with the idea that you can write horribly as long as you edit brilliantly.

10. Spiritual warfare is happening. I truly believe that some of my books will have a greater impact than others. This is one of those books that I think will have a greater impact and therefore, needs a lot more prayer.

I Don't Want to be a Author Today

Photo by Chris Leggat from Unsplash

I don’t feel good today, I didn’t feel good yesterday, but my work is still with me. I can’t get away from it. As long as my computer is in sight and on, there is something that reminds me I should be working on.

Days like today make that tough.
I woke up feeling tired and under the weather. You know the feeling: nothing really wrong, but nothing is right either? Yeah, I dragged myself out of bed with the alarm and went about my morning routine sluggishly. By 9:00AM I had finished my time with God, responded to some emails, and sat at my desk and stared at the six documents I had left open. They all clamored for my attention, all needing something from me. I stared at those documents and dropped my face into my hands.

I didn’t want to be a writer today.

I wanted to curl up and read a good book and ignore that I am already behind on my writing schedule for the year. I wanted to watch a movie and forget about the dozen or so emails that are still waiting for a response and the online writer’s conference I need to prepare for. Today, I wanted to do just about anything other than work and write. But I am a writer, so I opened up one of the easier tasks I had, even though it wasn’t the most important and started working.

This is when my mind starts playing tricks on me. I look at my newsletter that still only has seventy-five subscribers. I look at the sales dashboard that hasn’t had a sale in a few days. I look at the fact I spend on average ten hours a day working and still struggle to cover basic expenses with what I make.  When I am focused on that, I really, really don’t want to be an author today.

Isn’t it sad how easily I lose sight of why I am a writer? I don’t do it for the money or the numbers, I write because that is what God has called me to. I love my job, and if I didn’t, there are lots of places willing to give me a different job.

Why am I writing this post? I realized that I share a lot of my joy as a writer. I share when things are going right, or when even the positive things I see coming out of my hardships. However, I don’t think I have ever shared when I am having one of these days.

It is about time.

Most days, I love my job. The newsletter numbers don’t bother me, I am excited that anyone wants to read about what I am doing. The last year, I have recived royalties that have been put into my bank account every month. That is pretty awesome! But days like today, it doesn’t seem like enough.
What about you? Have you ever struggled with this feeling?

Product Review: Meraki Box

We have all seen those fun boxes some people get every month. There are some for those who love healthy food, those who love make-up, or those who want to try different cleaning products. Now, there is one for writers! Introducing the Meraki box! Made by a writer for writers.
I was very excited to be able to get this for review on the first month of its existence. It arrived on a day I wasn't feeling good so it perked me up. Look! Even the label looks all cute! It was sealed with sparkly gold tape too.


Once inside, prettieness and fun waitied for me
So, here is what I got. A great pen and pencil, a notepad, a to-do list notepad (which I have been using like crazy) a two year planner, a cute little jar, some awesome little office supplies, and some tasty teas.
The thing I love is that there isn't anything here that I won't use. Anything that isn't great for me, I can easily pass onto a sibling. I am really excited about this service and know it will keep getting better. I have already ordered next months box!
As I know I have a lot of small business owners who read this, you might be interested in promoting your writer-y product with Meraki. Click here for details.

Getting back on Track

So, I have some big plans for the week. We shall see if I am able to accomplish them.

The LORD Determines

I like schedules, making plans, chats, and keeping to a routine. I have a calendar on the wall, a goal list in my writing corner, a dreams for 2017 tucked into my Bible along with my Bible reading plan, and a day planner that I carry with me everywhere. I like plans and keeping to them and I do not like it when those plans get messed up.

Welcome to 2017, when my plans have been derailed from almost day one.

I have had technology glitches (thank you to my tech support guy for getting my internet up and going again), a bad cold (the kind where the coughing wakes you up a few times each night), and a trip that was awesome. So when things like this happen, I tend to get a little…stressed.

Okay, let me be honest, I get a lot stressed.

I am looking at my well planned goals that are already off track and we aren’t even done with January. I am looking at my planner that has empty days because I was too sick to use them. Have I already failed this year? Will I be able to catch up?

Perhaps I am asking the wrong question.

Why am I off track? I had a hard time with allergies at the beginning of the month. I caught the cold because I was cuddling a sibling who was sick, the trip was to spend time with friends. Pretty much, either I was derailed because of illness (outside of my control) or because of people. I am guessing that those people are far more important than my schedule. God puts a lot more value on people than accomplishing tasks.

I am learning to put people before projects; to see that God’s plans are not my own, but so much better. I can’t say it is always easy, the goal list still looms above me at times, but I am learning.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 NIV