Sarah Holman's Blog, page 88

Adventure Between the Pages: Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Buy it  Here Age Appropriate For: 16 and up violence, romance, and references to the modern slave tradeBest for Ages: 16 and up Description: When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn't satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn't lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby's position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn't the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.  Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He's surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they've only discovered the tip of the iceberg.
Yes, I went right from the second to the third book. I was so eager to find out what happens to the McKennas and Darcy. I also have to confess that I have a strange enjoyment for mysteries that take place aboard boats, so this one was right up my alley.
This one did deal with some harder subject matter of the modern slave trade. However, I felt that it was handled in such a way that never made me feel too uncomfortable, yet didn’t whitewash the topic either. Sadly, it is a reality for many women around the world.
I liked Darcy from the moment she stepped into the last book. She reminded me so much of a character from my favorite TV show – Sue Thomas FBEye – with whom she shares both a name and profession. Although Gage isn’t my favorite McKenna, he was a compelling character, especially when he talked of his son.
I am so sad that I only have one more book in this series. I wish it could go on for many more books. I could read about the McKennas a lot. If this were a TV show, I would watch it over and over again.I highly recommend this book to those who love adventure, mystery, and a nice dose of romance.

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Writing Saturday: Waltz into the Waves Release Day!

Find it on Amazon for only $0.99
Add it to your Goodreads shelf.

While I've been Gone: Our Etsy Store

My sisters and I opened an Etsy Store!


Isn't it pretty? This is one I made.

My sisters and I
My sister Mikayla made this!
My sister Rebekkah made these!

Adventure Between the Pages: Shattered

Buy it Here Description:Piper McKenna couldn’t be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed--but despite the evidence, Reef swears he's innocent. And Piper believes him. Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon's career. With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada's rugged backcountry--and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.
After reading the first book in this series, I dove right into the second. I now adore the entire McKenna family and how each of these books build on one another. The stories are connected, like they would be in real life.
Piper is probably one of my favorite McKennas, because she reminds me so much of my youngest sister as well. I was excited to be able to read her story and Landon’s. The two of them together, solving a mystery was perfection. Their romance was well balanced between physical attraction and getting to know each other.
The thing I love the best about Pettrey’s writing is the characters. While the mystery is sometimes a bit weak, the characters more than made for the shortcomings. They just leap off the page and compel me to keep reading.
I am really enjoying the series and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.

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A Very Speicial Cover reveal

I have taken part in a bunch of cover reveals, but none of them as ever made me has excited as this one!!!
My sweet friend Rachelle and I have exchanged our writing for a very long time. She has been my editor, my cheerleader, and my encourager. Now, she is going to be a published author!


Synopsis: In Reformation-era England, a converted rogue wants to restore his honor—at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk Godfrey knows he has only one chance at redemption.An independent Catholic maiden seeking refuge in the Low Countries finds herself at the center of the Iconoclastic Fury. Jaded by tragedy, Gwyneth’s only hope of getting home is to trust the man she hates, and she soon discovers her poor vision is not the only thing that has been blinding her.But the home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, will the saint and the sinner hold to hope…or be overcome? When Dirk’s plan fails, could all be lost?

Bio: Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. As a freelance editor, she enjoys mentoring fellow authors in the craft. A homeschool graduate and retired gymnast, she wrote the Sound of Diamonds the summer after her sophomore year of college.
As I have had the privilege of reading this book and, I know that you will love it. You need to go and pre-order a copy of Rachelle's book on Amazon!

Speaking Honestly

The past couple of years, my writing on this blog has been sporadic at best. Some of it was due to the fact I was busy, sometimes I wasn’t sure what to say, most of the time it was because I have been dealing with things that no Christian wants to admit struggling with, and I was afraid to talk about it on the blog. I knew that if I wrote a lot, it would come spilling out. Seriously, who wants to admit that you are struggling with depression and anxiety when your life is amazing? I am afraid that I have a good deal of pride, and I wasn’t able to overcome it to share what was going on until I had dealt with it.
So, now I have admitted to you two of my biggest failures: pride, and not trusting God. It was not easy for me to admit either, but I felt it was time. Too many people think they have to keep it all together on the surface. We feel we have to present a mask of the perfect Christian, and we end up feeling hollow. Why? Because only the mask gets loved (1).
I am grateful that God has brought me through my battle with depression and that I do not have to daily live under that cloud (some people, for physical, and emotional reasons cannot). God used my family, some wonderful books (2), and new friends to help me overcome the anxiety and depression that I struggled with. He also reminded me, in countless ways, that no matter what I was feeling, he was right beside me and would never leave me.

There are still days I battle with worry, but I remind myself that I am commanded not to. I am learning to leave my cares and worries in the hands of my Heavenly Father, as well as learning to be honest and humble with those around me.

It might take me a while and many trials and errors before I become good at opening up, and lose my pride, but I am striving toward that goal.



1.  Thanks to John Lynch for this amazing image
2. Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George, The Shadow Things by Jennifer Freitag, What are you Afraid of? by Dr. David Jeremiah 

Writing Saturday: Waltz into the Waves - A sneak peek

Here is an exert from my soon to be released short story, Waltz into the Waves. You can pre-order your copy here.
“Amelia!” I swung around at my father’s voice. He stood atop the sand dunes, waving to me. I hoped he was not coming to take me home. “Father! Come and join me. This water is lovely!” The seawater swirled about my ankles, and the sand squished between my toes. I didn’t want to leave.My father threw back his head. I could hear his laugh even though he was far away.“I thought you might rather persuade another to join you!” He yelled.“Who? Cynthia perhaps?” Even the name of my dear friend, who was a servant on the neighboring estate, brought a smile to my face. Being a rather odd girl, I didn’t have many friends. Cynthia was my senior by a full ten years. She had taken me under her wing when my mother had died shortly after my birth. Cynthia was a good friend and understood the deep attachment I had to my father. She, however, did not understand my love for the ocean. She feared the waves almost as much as I loved them.“I was thinking you might prefer Alex’s company this day.” I could almost see my father’s eyes dancing.“He is here?” I lifted my skirts and ran as fast as I could in the sand. My father was still laughing when I reached him.“Is he truly here?” I threw my arms around my father’s neck. His eyes were indeed dancing. The same way they danced in the winter when he and I would work on gifts for each other, making a game out of who could keep the gift a secret the longest. They also danced that way on long summer days, when we worked together to build castles in the sand or hunted for crabs.He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a squeeze before nodding. “He arrived minutes ago and came right over to see you.”I shrieked with joy and pulled away from my father. Taking fists full of my skirt, I started racing back toward the house. Soon my bare feet were slapping against grass instead of sand. As I approached our neighbor’s manor, I slowed my steps. Shielding my eyes from the sun, I gazed toward the house, where Cynthia worked. I saw him! Alex stood with his broad back turned to me. His hands rested on his hips as he watched servants carry in his trunks.
“Alex!”

Finds of the Week: January 10, 2015

 "And what if the beauty of blessing others with our gifts is less about giving a perfect product or performance and more about giving the best we have to give and giving it with a sincere and whole heart?" by Elisabeth Allen








"The only way I was going to find the restoration I craved was by seeking God." by Jessica

Finds of the Week: January 9, 2015

 "And what if the beauty of blessing others with our gifts is less about giving a perfect product or performance and more about giving the best we have to give and giving it with a sincere and whole heart?" by Elisabeth Allen








"The only way I was going to find the restoration I craved was by seeking God." by Jessica

While I was away: A day with my sisters

Mom needed some time to sew some Christmas gifts so we all headed into town and went shopping
All of us after we got home.Rose, Rebekkah, me, Mikayla, Grace
Our stuff
My sisters bought me this ring. I wear it all the time now.