Sarah Holman's Blog, page 9

Top 5 Upcoming Books

Wow! Has this week been going by fast! Fall is a great time to savor the moment, but also to look forward to the coming year and the next adventure. Today, I'm sharing five books that aren't out yet, but I'm excited about. Here we go...

Firmament: Intoxication by J. Grace Pennington

Okay, I'm fudging a little here because this book is being released on Kindle Vella right now, but the whole book isn't out and you can't get the paperback yet. Not only do I adore this series, but my husband loves it too. This series is just the best!

Amazon

The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green's debut novel is among my favorite ever. I have reread it twice since it first came out and I have loved her other books as well. I can't wait for this next book and have pre-ordered my copy. I just love how she dives into little-known history as well as deeply into faith. 

Goodreads | Amazon

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

Picking favorite books or authors isn't easy, but right now, I would say Joanna Davidson Politano is my favorite author. I have devoured all of her backlist in the last year and reread some of my favorites. Some of the things I love about her books is the deep faith elements, the beautiful writing, and the unique characters and settings. I can't wait for this release. 

Goodreads | Amazon

If the Stars Awaken by Kate Willis

I'm very excited about this release I always love Kate's books and this one looks so good. I don't have to long to wait for this one. Oh, and you an pre-order for a really good deal right now. 

Goodreads | Amazon

The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

I didn't think that Brunsvold's book  The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip could live up to all the hype. Honestly, it was even better than I expected it to be, I was deeply affected by the book and it encouraged my heart. I was so grateful it didn't do anything typical but chose to show how God uses ordinary people living for him to accomplish His purpose. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Don't forget to enter the giveaway, check out the other blogs, and maybe even stumble across a fun freebie of the day HERE.

Top 5 Indie Discoveries

I still remember discovering the world of Indie Authors. While I have loved books put out by Christian publishers. I discovered some of my favorite books and authors among those who have independently published. I've picked five authors I have found and buy anything they write, and have sharired their works.





One of the earliest books I found was Just Like You by Elisabeth Allen. I fell in love with the characters and the style. While out of print at the moment, I have high hopes these stories will be returning to the world of published books before long. If you can find a copy, do so.

These stories are a slice of real life, wrapped in beautiful writing and with endearing characters. I found this series not only relatable but impactful in my early twenties when I first read them.Goodreads | Amazon

While I love everything written by J. Grace Pennington , my favorite is her Firmament series which starts with Radialloy .
I love Start Trek, and this series feels a little like it, yet it is clean and God-honoring. Not to mention, it has characters that will wedge themselves into your heart.Goodreads | Amazon
One of my earliest indie author discoveries has remained a favorite. While I love everything by this author, I love to suggest people start with Suit and Suitability by Kelsey Bryant . While this book resets the Jane Austen novel Sence and Sensibility in 1930's America, you can enjoy it even if you either haven't read or didn't like the novel of origin. I loved the history, the deep characters, and the faith element.Goodreads | Amazon

While fantasy has never been my go-to genre, I will occasionally read it. Resistance by Jaye L. Knight is the best of the best when it comes to fantasy. This book and the series is an emotional roller-coaster you won't want to miss.
She recently released the last book in the series and I have to say it was one of the most satisfying endings to a series I've ever read.Goodreads | Amazon

Another series I adore and am always recommending starts with The Heart of Arcrea by Nicole Sager . I love this non-magical kingdom fantasy novel. It is not only a fun adventure, but full of Christian faith and values.
I love the covers she recently had made for this series. I think these would make perfect read-aloud books. All of this author's books are so good.Goodreads | Amazon

Don't forget to check out the other authors, the daily deal, and the giveaway HERE

Top 5 Buddy-Read Books

 Buddy reads are some of the best, aren't they? You read a book and then you can talk about it deeply with the person you read it with. I have been very blessed these last few years to read a classic every month with my dear friend Kelsey . In fact, we even made some YouTube videos with some of our thoughts about the books from our first two years of reading.

One of the most surprising books I ended up loving was Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon.

If you have seen the popular play...this book is nothing like that. This was a rich book about a woman persevering through all kinds of trials, prejudice, and injustice to build a better future for the country of Siam. She came as a teacher and persevered where so many would have given up, all for the hope she could make the next generation see there were better ways. I found this book deeply encouraging and loved reading it with Kelsey (we talked about it in a video HERE)Goodreads | Amazon

Another book that surprised me with how deeply it affected me was Confessions by Augustine.

This work by an early church father felt like what an autobiography of a Christian should be: an honest look at one's life through the lens of the gospel. I didn't agree with all that Augustine did, but I came away deeply respecting his faith, testimony, and wanting to live more for the God I love. And yes, Kelsey and I spent a ton of time talking about this one. 

Goodreads | Amazon

While one of the Wilkester Mysteries, I stumbled upon a reference to the works of Charlotte Yonge. I told Kesley about it and we both decided we wanted to read her most popular book The Heir of Redclyffe.

Not only was this book well-written, I also found the Christian virtues displayed and valued, especially humility, to be encouraging. I am slowly making my way through her other works and I hope to one day release my own annotated version. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Sometimes, it takes reading something during the right time in your life to really appreciate it. When Kelsey and I started wading into reading classics together we started with Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, a book I had often said I didn't like. But my opinion changed. 

Because of some events that had happened in my life, the book was cathartic read and helped me process some things that had happened in my own life. I came away with a deeper appreciation for this work, even though it is still not my favorite Austen book. You can watch the video Kelsey and I did about it HERE.

Goodreads | Amazon

Strong in Battle by Susie Larson is not a classic, nor did I read it with Kelsey. This was a book I read with my Mom. This book is on dealing with spiritual battles we face every day. It was just what I needed and so did my Mom. I was so blessed to work through this with her. 

This book reminded me of where my focus should be during the stroms of life.

Goodreads | Amazon

Have you read a book with a friend? What was your favorite part of the expraiance?

I also have a fun surprise for you. You can get As Long as I Belong free today. Make sure to stop by Kate's blog to and check out all the blogs taking part in Five Fall Favorites. 

Top 5 Second Hand Favorites

 

I absolutely love thrift stores and bargain bins. And I am very happy to report that I have found some amazing books and authors by snagging a book on at a thrift store. Oh, and if you are ever in Georgetown Texas, check out The Caring Place. I have found so many awesome things there. Here are my top five

I love when you hear about an author and are able to find a copy of one of their books to try at the thrift store. Just Jane by Nancy Moser was one such book

This book is well-researched, well-written, and deeply satisfying. I loved this book not only as a history and Jane Austen lover, but as a writer.Goodreads | Amazon

Sometimes, God prompts you to pick up a book for a later time. That was what happened with Stumbling Into Grace by Lisa Harper.

I got it deeply discounted, knowing nothing about the author. But it encouraged me at a time when I needed it. This author has such a love for God even with some of the horrible things she has been through. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Joseph is my favorite Old Testament character, so when I found a fictional book about his life at the thrift store, I grabbed it.

Dreamers by Angela Elwell Hunt might not be my favorite book ever, but I loved all the research and got a fun glimpse into what might have happened. 

Goodreads | Amazon

I found a couple of books by indie authors at a thrift store a few years back and snagged What Dreams May Come by Alana Terry right away because I had heard some good things about her. I loved this book so much! I devoted it in one afternoon.

I really do need to read more by her. Don't you think?

Goodreads | Amazon
I was excited to find I Don't Wait Anymore by Grace Thornton as I was on a quest to find good books for singles. But what I found in the pages was a message both singles and married need. This book was about finding a satisfying relationship in God. 
While yes, this book has some wonderful advice for singles, I think everyone could benefit from it. Goodreads | Amazon

What is your favorite book you've found at the thrift store?

Don't forget to head over to Kate's blog and check out the giveaway and the other blogs taking part. 

Top 5 Library Finds

 

Welcome to Five Fall Favorites! I'm so excited to be doing this again. Make sure to check out our hostess' post and all the other great blogs taking place.

Today, we are talking about library finds and I love it! Libraries have been such a wonderful part of my life since childhood.

This is the Georgetown Texas Public Library. It was the one I went to from when I was eight until when I got married. Well, technically, I went to the old building for those first few years, but this place has a special place in my heart. 
Now, I'm blessed to live in a city with a great library system.  This is the local branch of the Austin Library where I get all my books. It isn't big, but they will deliver books from other branches to it. It is perfect! Now, onto the recommendations.

You know how you get a craving for something new and different in your reading. I still clearly remember walking around the Georgetown library, having that craving, and pulling this book off the shelf. I read the back of Back Home Again by Melody Carlson and thought it looked sweet. I started reading and felt like I had slipped into the perfect temperature bubble bath. This book was sweet, and cozy. I enjoyed the sisters and the settings. The series feels like an old TV show. Not much changes in the books, but each is so fun.Goodreads | Amazon


I found Made to Last by Melissa Tagg in a section of debut authors and I thought the cover looked cute. I got worried not too far in, but ended up adoring the book and have enjoyed many of Tagg's works since  It sounds like a cheesy book, but it has so much depth and I highly recommend it. You can read my review HEREGoodreads | Amazon


You know how an author or book is so highly praised you know it can't meet the expectations? That was why I checked out  Lady Jayne Disappears from the library instead of getting a copy.  I knew this author, Joanna Davidson Politano, couldn't live up the the hype.But she did.
I ended up devouring all of her books in the space of a couple of months and she is an automatic pre-order author now. My favorite of her books so far has been The Love Note.
Goodreads | Amazon
Of course, one of the places I love to go searching for innocent reads is in the youth section. Some friends of mine suggested I seek out The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I was caught up in the story, taken by surprise by the plot twists, and enjoyed every second of the book.
And the nice thing? This book is still easily found in libraries!Goodreads | Amazon

I love history and if you let me lose in a library, I will usually browse in the history section. I found Dear Abigail by Diane Jacobs while researching for my book about the American Revolution. I loved not only how much I learned about Abigail Adams's family, but also how the author really kept her opinions out of the book.
Now I have my own copy so I can underline and make notes for my history-loving heart
Goodreads | Amazon
What was your favorite library find?
Remember, today is only the first day of a huge event going on all week. You won't want to miss the other blogs or the giveaway so head over to Kate's blog!

4th of July Sale!

Happy 4th of July! I’m happy to be part of a sale going on today only with some other awesome authors. All the books are free or $0.99 today only. All these books are patriotic or summer-themed. Perfect for loading up your Kindle for a road trip, staycation, beach read, or by the pool.

Across the Land I Love by Sarah Holman (Contemporary)

Cookies by Rebekah A. Morris (Historical)

England Adventure by Kelsey Bryant (Contemporary)

Enjoy the Poodle Skirt by Kate Willis (Contemporary)

Gather ‘Round the Fables by Erika Mathews (Short fable retelling)

A Good Summer by Rebekah A. Morris (Contemporary)

Honor All Men by Rebekah A. Morris (Contemporary)

Lessons from Liberty by Rebekah A. Morris (Contemporary)

Mystery at Random by Rebekah A. Morris (Contemporary/Mystery)

Oh, The Fallen by Abigail Kay Harris (Contemporary)

Overrun By Your Love by Erika Mathews (Inspirational poetry including 2 patriotic poems)

Prairie Independence Day by Kelsey Bryant (Contemporary)

Summer Light by Rebekah A. Morris (Contemporary)

The Treasure Hunt by Kate Willis (Contemporary)

Treasures from Taerna by Erika Mathews (Kingdom Fantasy/Non-Magical Fantasy)

Waltz into the Waves by Sarah Holman (Kingdom Fantasy/Non-Magical Fantasy/Fairytale)

Wherever He Leads by Rebekah A. Morris (Contemporary)

I hope you found some awesome treasures among these. Happy 4th of July!

Weddings, Easter, and Joy

 

It's been a while, hasn't it? Sometimes, I struggle to prioritize writing blog posts. I'm still working out where they fit into my schedule. But let's dive into the photos because first up we have my sister's wedding! She's been married a whole month now!

I was very honored to be Rose's Matron-of-Honor. She was my Maid-of-Honor. Besties for life!
All the sisters together.
The whole wedding party. 
Their first kiss. I just love that Rose and I both waited for our first kiss until the wedding day. We both agreed, we were glad we did. 
Rose and Stewart. They are so cute.


We were all really excited for them!
All the bridesmaids and Rose.
And they left in a shower of pink rose petals and bubbles. 

Of course, Easter is a big deal for my family. It was fun to publish A Very Bookish Easter to celebrate. 
We attended a sunrise service near my family's house...

as well as our one church's service.
It was raining, so we didn't get a bluebonnet picture this year, but we were still happy. 
In April, we went to the zoo with my parents-in-love, Mom, and youngest sister. It was a whole lot of fun. Scott and I went to a State Park for a hike in April also
It felt good after a month of not doing much hiking.
May started off with celebrations of my Mom's birthday. 
We visited Dallas and the ICR Discovery Center for her celebration
I enjoyed returning to this amazing creation after our visit last year.
Life has been so full of late: full of joy and hundreds of wonderful little moments. These pictures just capture a few. What have you been up to?

Recharge the Creative Life

The creative life is one of pouring yourself into your art. It's rewarding in so many ways. I'm privileged to write pretty much full-time at the moment. Living a creative life, and pouring your heart onto the page (or any other art form) means you need to refill what you're pouring out. How do you do that? Well, I'm sharing my top tips with you today.
Whenever I feel like I'm running on empty in any area of life, I go back to the basics. I ask myself how much of Jesus I'm pouring INTO my life. This is everything from my devotional time (am I making space for it daily?), to church (I'm I making connections as well as attendance a priority?), to what I have going on in the background (do I have worship music, scripture, or edifying materials on in the background?). I know this can sound like an obligatory item for a Christian creative post, but it isn't for me. You cannot pour out what you haven't poured in. If you aren't feeding your soul, you cannot expect to pour out art from your soul.
Of course, even if you are filling your soul, you cannot pour out all the time. I frequently have to remind myself of a very important truth: I have to rest in order to be at my creative best. This means sleeping, taking time to take walks outside, and even just enjoying a few minutes looking at Instagram between periods or writing. Rest is an important component of creativity. One of the best ways I've found taking a day of rest. On Sunday, I often shut my electronics off and do nothing all day after church.
What inspires you to create? For me, often it's by enjoying the stories around me both real and fictional. So, for me, an important part of recharging my creativity is enjoying other people's creative endeavors. I read books, watch films, read books, listen to others tell stories, and did I mention reading? Find out what creative endeavors inspire you and make sure to take time to recharge.
For an introvert like me, this last tip took me a long time to learn. Meaningfully connecting with others is a vital part of recharging my creative life. For me, this means making time for my husband, family, and my close friends. My people. As introverts, it's easy to underestimate the importance of meaningfully connecting with others as part of our process. However, we were designed, by God, to be fellowship with others.
Well, there you have it, some of my best tips to recharge the creative life. What are your best tips?

My week in pictures

 It was a good week. Here is a peek at it. 

Rose and I spent a day together and made all her bridesmaid's bouquets. 
My copies of A Very Bookish Easter came!
My husband and I took a long hike at a local park
I did a lot of editing (the next Kate's Case Files is in the hands of my editor!)
I had a lovely day where I got to hang out with Kelsey, a fellow author, and dear friend.

Friend-ish: A Book Review

 

Find it on: Goodreads | Kindle | Paperback | Audiobook

Age Appropriate For:16 and up although younger teens might really benefit from this book with some input from their parents (honest discussion about inappropriate relationships and mentions of dealing with same sex attraction)

Best for Ages:16 and up

I’ve started a quest to read a bunch of books on friendship and this was my first one. I’m wanting to learn how to be a better friend and reading books on the subject seemed like a good way to do it. This was a great book for starting my quest.

Unlike a lot of books that are about how to make and keep friends, this book is a book about defining what godly relationships are and aren’t. Needham dove into the subject with so much love and grace that I felt like I was having a really good conversation with a friend on the subject. Her tone was so loving and honest. I hope she keeps writing.

This book debunks a lot of cultural ideas about healthy friendships. While I pretty much knew everything she talked about, I really appreciated revisiting the subject and felt like I now can better explain some things to others, as well as reminded me of some important truths.

Needham not only debunked some cultural ideas of friendship, but she also showed how often we in the church have Christianized those ideas and used them. She did a wonderful job of bringing all the lies and half-truths into the light of Scripture and what God has called us to.

One of the things that Needham addressed briefly, but very well was same-sex attraction and when you may have crossed boundaries in your friendship of a sexual nature. Sure, I would like it if these sections weren’t needed, but all of us have struggles. While she spent most of the book talking about how most of us are looking to friends to be only what God is supposed to be in our lives, she didn’t ignore that these struggles are real, present, and can be addressed. She handled it with gentleness and grace that I love.

I came away from this book wanting to spend a lot of time on my knees before Jesus, making sure that my heart was right before Him and that I wasn’t depending on the people around me for things only He can provide. I know I will be rereading this book, to help keep my heart grounded in the truth of what is godly friendship and what is just friend-ish.

I highly recommend this to every Christian woman who wants to have healthy, godly friendships.