Sarah Holman's Blog, page 98

Learning to Manage my time Well

I didn't make a list of resolutions this year, however I did decide that something had to change. Too many projects were being over looked; too many articles were being turned in late. I had emails that had been sitting in my inbox, unanswered for over a month. So I decided a change in scheduled was needed.
So, I sat down with a list of things that I needed to do on a daily and weekly basis in order of priority. Then, I set out and made a schedule for myself I am happy to report I have been working within my new scheduled for a month and it has been working wonderfully.
Every morning I wake up at 7:00AM. For me, making sure that I get up at the same time really helps get things started. After having some time with God, I open up my computer and start work for the day.For the first half hour I am on, I only open up my email. No Facebook, Goodreads. I sometimes open up blogger if I have an interview in my inbox that I need to post, but other than that, I remain only in my email. Most of the rest of the morning I am working on guest posts, blogging, and I check my social media sights. If I have a book review to write, this is when I do it.
After taking a break for lunch, I spend the afternoon and early evening writing and/or editing. This takes up most of my day. I may be interrupted a few times, but I get right back to work. This has been the most important time for me as a writer. I see how quickly my stories can develop when I am spending time on the everyday.
At about 6 or 7:00PM, I am ready to relax. However, I don’t want to waste a lot of time before bed either. I have been pulling out sewing or other projects and working on them while I watch movies. In fact, I just finished a quilt for my bed while doing this.
Often, at around nine or ten, I will get ready for bed and curl up with a good book until I am ready to go to sleep.
How is your schedule working for you? Do you have any tips for getting things done?

Adventure Between the Pages: A December Bride

Buy it HereAge Appropriate For: Ages 15 and up for romanceBest for Ages: Ages 18 and up
Description: What started as a whim turned into an accidental - and very public - engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the facade in Chapel Springs this holiday season - for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy, the best friend of Layla O'Reilly's ex-fiancé would be the last person she'd marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency, a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map. Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she'll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she's landed her client. For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.
Sometimes, I get tired of reading heavy books: good books that are full of intricate plots, deep characters, and challenging messages. Sometimes, I just want to read a syrupy sweet romance that is almost pure fluff. One evening, that is what I was in the mood for, and this book qualified.
This book was not only a light read, it was very funny. I laughed a lot as the story unfolded. Who can help but laugh when a guy tries to come to the defense of a girl and ends up making the entire room believe that they are engaged to be married in two weeks?
Layla has had a rough time of it, as her cousin stole her fiancé, and she has to attend the wedding. She used to be friends with Seth but she feels he helped get her cousin and fiancé together. I thought the author did a great job developing Layla’s problems and solving them in the short pages of the novella without making it feel rushed.
The only scene I didn’t like in the book was when Layla walked in and Seth has his shirt off. That might have been okay if he had rushed to put one on, but he remains shirtless giving Layla plenty of time to admire him. It wasn’t awful; it just felt uncomfortable to me. However, it did not ruin the story.
The ending was sweet, albeit predictable. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author and in this series.
I recommend this book as a light, fluffy read.
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I received this book from Zondervan through BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Adventure Between the Pages: The Healer's Apprentice

Buy it HereAge Appropriate For: 15 and up for scary scenes, mild romance, and violenceBest for Ages: 15 and up
Description: Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill. When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.
Yet another brilliant tale from Melanie Dickerson! I have yet to be disappointed by her books. I only have one book of hers that I haven’t read and I look forward to it.
I was very curious as to how Melanie was going to pull off a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I was very impressed with the creativity of this tale. Although there are many things that are not a surprise (after all, this is a well-known fairy tale), there were many points in the story that I was on the edge of my seat.
Rose was a sweet character. I loved the struggle within her between becoming a healer, and her revolution at the sight on blood. I also really loved that she makes some mistakes when it comes to love, without doing the wrong thing. I think that their need to be more stories like this to encourage young girls that you can make mistakes, but you can always start to make the right ones.
Lord Hamlin was another honorable hero that I just loved. I really love his tug between his feelings for Rose, but his resolution to remain faithful to his betrothed that he has never met. The contrast between Lord Hamlin and his brother was wonderful.
I must admit, some of the scenes with Moncore and dealing with demons were a little creepy at times. However, I loved that God was stronger than anything that the villain can do. Parents of younger readers might want to read the book first and discuss these scenes with their children.

I highly recommend this book for those who love good morals, fairy tales, and characters you can really cheer for.
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An Awesome Day

Yesterday was amazing. It was the funnest day I have had in a long time. Why is that you ask? I got to hang out with these amazing girls.

All of us were writers, all of us are Christians, and we all had a great time getting to meet for the first time. Kelsey Bryant arranged this meet-up of homeschool authors and writers in Waco, Texas. I drove two hours but it was so worth it. It was so much fun talking to girls that have many of my same values and the same passion for writing.
I pray that this is the first of many of many meetings. Maybe we can even include some more Texas writers if they are interested.
Are any of you part of a writers group?

Fly Away Home Cover Reveal!

I have the honor today of helping to unvail the cover of my friend Rachel Heffington's book, Fly Away Home! I am very honored not only to be sharing the cover with my readers, but also to have formatted this book so that Kindle readers can read it as well.




Fly Away Home, 1952 New York City: Callie Harper is a woman set to make it big in the world of journalism. Liberated from all but her buried and troubled past, Callie craves glamour and the satisfaction she knows it will bring. When one of America's most celebrated journalists, Wade Barnett, calls on Callie to help him with a revolutionary project, Callie finds herself co-pilot to a Christian man whose life and ideas of true greatness run noisily counter to hers on every point. But when the secrets of Callie's past are hung over her head as a threat, there is space for only one love, one answer: betray Wade Barnett to save her reputation, or sacrifice everything for the sake of the man she loved and the God she fled. The consequences of either decision will define the rest of her life. Self-preservation has never looked more tempting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rachel Heffington is a Christian, a novelist, and a people-lover. Encouraged by her mother to treasure books, Rachel's favorite pastime was (and still is) reading. When her own library and her cousin's ran out of interesting novels, twelve-year old Rachel decided she would write her own; thus began a love-affair with word-crafting that has carried her past her teen years and into adulthood. Outside of the realm of words, Rachel enjoys the Arts, traveling, mucking about in the kitchen, listening for accents, and making people laugh. She dwells in rural Virginia with her boisterous family and her black cat, Cricket. Visit Rachel online at www.inkpenauthoress.blogspot.com

Adventure between the Pages:The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd

Buy it HereAge Appropriate For: 15 and up for romance, mild violence, and some situationsBest for Ages: 15 and up
Description: Patience Creighton will finally find the peace she lost years ago--if she can open her heart and forgive the man who loves her. Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she finds contentment teaching at her father's school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to keep her father's dream alive. Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin's edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of land but possesses little money to manage the upkeep. He is desperate to find a new source of income, including the sacrifice of land connected to Rosemere. When her brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience is heartbroken to no longer be responsible for her beloved school and is forced to reassess God's purpose for her life. After her sister-in-law's matchmaking brings Patience and William together, they both learn new truths about their character and find a common goal in restoring Eastmore's legacy.
After having had the privilege of Sarah Ladd’s début The Heiress of Winterwood: I was even more excited to see what the second book in the series would be about. I have to say that I thought The Headmistress of Rosemerewas even better than then Sarah Ladd’s first book.
This story was far deeper then I first thought it was going to be. I really thought I had it all figured out toward the beginning and even as I edged toward the middle. However, as soon as her brother returns the story began to take twists I never saw coming. It was a wonderful story that kept me turning pages.My only complaint for the entire book was a revelation about William’s character. I don’t want to give away any part of the book. However, I felt like one huge revelation of William’s past was too late in the book. William had a troubled, even sinful past that he is working hard to get away from. You are starting to see the change in him when you find out another secret about him. This is my own and only complaint about the entire story.
Patience was amazing. I have read few books where I felt a character was so well developed. It reminded me very much of a Jane Austen book character. At the beginning I felt as if everyone was making her like hard, and then I began to understand that she didn’t see everything correctly. To me, that is something only a master character creator can do.
The setting like the last book was delightful. It was the feeling of your favorite Jane Austin. The dresses, the customs, and the houses are all so fun. The historical daily life details are woven into the story flawlessly.
The faith element in this book was so nice. It wasn’t over powering, but it was strong. It was woven into the tale very well and didn’t seemed forced at all. It was stronger and better then Ladd’s last book.
I highly recommend this book to those who like Jane Austen, well developed characters, and well told tales.Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Monday, Busy day

Book reviews I am writing  
Books I am reading 
I am Scrapbooking
I am writing
A Different Kind of Courage

Adventure Between the Pages: The Captive Maiden

Buy it Here Age Appropriate For: 13 + for mild romance and mild violenceBest for Ages: 15 and up
Description: Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father's death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her stepmother. So when Gisela meets the duke's son, Valten--the boy she has daydreamed about for years--and learns he is throwing a ball, she vows to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.
After reading The Merchant's Daughter, I have been eager to read more of Melanie Dickerson’s books. Cinderella having been my favorite fairy tale growing up, I couldn’t have been more excited about reading Melanie’s retelling of it: The Captive Maiden.
The beginning of the book was what you would expect from a Cinderella retelling: Gisela (Cinderella) enters into her fatherless state and is left with uncaring stepmother and step-sisters. That however, is really the only thing typical about this retelling. All though the story is very clearly the same basic story, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
Whether or not Gisela will go to the ball is not where the tension lies in the story. Instead the tension is whether she and Valten will escape the clutches of the villain. I for one loved this change. Not only did it keep me on the edge of my seat, it added a whole wonderful layer to the story, like extra icing on the cake.
Valten was awesome from the moment he entered the story. I just loved how, even before he has fallen in love, he wants to protect Gisela. I am always so happy to see swoon-worthy heroes that are also men of great character. Valten was someone you could cheer, for both because he was good looking and because he had godly character.
Gisela is one of the best Cinderella characters I have read or watched. She wasn’t so sweet that she made you want to gag, nor was she bitter from her life experience. She was very real in that she tried to protect herself from caring for others, because that had caused her so much pain. She also had a bit of sweetness to her despite her harsh circumstances.
I loved the tournament! As a lover of all things Medieval, the tournament captured my imagination. I was very impressed how long Melanie was able to draw it out without getting boring. The ball was wonderful. I wished that I could slip into a ball gown and join in.
I highly recommend this book for those who love fairy tales, romance, and characters that are inspiring.
Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.
I received this book from Zonderven through BookSneezein exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

News!

I thought I would share some big (and small) news with you today.First off I was very honored to be invited to join Word Painters! I will now be posting there three times a month


Do you have a book you need formatted? Come February, you will be able to hire me to do it.If you already know you are going to need my services, shoot me an email so that I can save you a spot.

One a fun note, my Google Plus page now has a custom link!plus.google.com/u/0/+SarahHolman/That looks much better then a string of numbers

Do you have any news you want to share?

Welcome 2014!

Well, my year has been off to a rough start to my year. I and some of my siblings have been passing around a stomach bug. I am getting better, but still not feeling great.

On the brighter side, I am offering my newest book for free on Kindle through the 4th! Pick it up while you can.