Fanny's Hope Chest Scavenger Hunt

 

Welcome to the Hope Chest Scavenger Hunt! Today, I’m taking part in this fun event and giveaway to celebrate the release of Sarah Holman’s new book Fanny’s Hope Chest.

Here’s how to play:

1.     Go to Tangled up in Writing or The Destiny of One and get the full list of items to search for and the blogs taking part.

2.     Find the hidden item on each blog.

3.     Go to Tangled up in Writing or The Destiny of One and enter the giveaway with your completed list.

4.     Tell your friends about the scavenger hunt.

5.     Watch to see if your name is drawn on February 16th for 1 of 5 prizes.

 

Okay, see if you can find the item I’ve hidden:

 

Did you find it? Don’t forget to enter the giveaway. There will be five winners!

Interested in Fanny’s Hope Chest? Grab it for $0.99 through the 14th. (Price will go up to $2.99 after.) 

 

How old is too old for a hope chest?

When Ellie starts a new job as a home health aide, she doesn't expect to meet a woman in her eighties looking for her hope chest, nor a house as messy as Ellie's own emotional state. But as she cleans up Fanny's house, she begins to wonder if Fanny's hope chest might hold the answers to her questions about disappointed dreams and holding on to hope.

That is, if she can face both the mess and her own heart.

Find it on Amazon.

Journey Through Taelis

Welcome to Kelsey's Notebook! Today I’m taking part in Sarah Holman’s Choose Your Own Story event. This is to celebrate the release of her latest book, Escape and Endurance. In this event, you get to pick the outcome of the story by making choices. A lot of different things can happen. What are you waiting for? Start your adventure by clicking the image below.

Andrew blinked and then sat up straight. What was he doing on the ground? He felt dizzy. Why was he dizzy?

He forced himself to stand, using a tree to steady himself. Something poked into his foot, and he saw that his boots had been removed. It was then he remembered! Thieves had attacked him and taken his horse and shoes. This would make things more difficult.

He looked around, and there didn’t seem to be any choice in the matter. Despite his aching head, he started walking.

He soon was faced with a choice. He looked at the two paths and decided to head…

Are you interested in reading about a knight, a tower, a princess, and a servant? Pick up a copy of Escape and Endurance! Haven’t read the other books in the Tales of Taelis series? Not to worry. Each book can stand alone.

About Sarah

Sarah Holman is a not-so-typical girl, a homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and lives in the great state of Texas. If there’s anything adventuresome about her life, it’s because she serves a God with a destiny greater than anything she could have imagined. You can find out more about her at her website: www.thedestinyofone.com

You can join the Adventurers (her newsletter) by going here: http://eepurl.com/bitBIf

There Was Always Laughter Blog Tour

Today I'm very happy to be taking part in the blog tour of a homeschooling memoir by one of my favorite authors, Sarah Holman. Make you sure you read all the way to the end to find my review and the exclusive eBook giveaway!

 About the Book:

What do you get when you mix two parents who grew up in the city, six kids who have always lived in the country, and add homeschooling? You get a whole lot of laughter!

Homeschool graduate and author Sarah Holman shares stories about her family that range from thought-provoking to side-splitting. She shares both hilarious mistakes and heartbreaking moments in her family. In this collection of stories, she endeavors to capture some of the answers to the questions people have often asked her about growing up in a conservative homeschool family as well as some of the wisdom she has gleaned along the way. Sarah invites you to open up this scrapbook of memories. She hopes that you come away encouraged, inspired…and laughing.

This book officially launches on November 24, so pre-order your eBook copy today for only $2.99!

About the Author:

Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined. You can find out more about her at her website www.thedestinyofone.com.

My Review:

I always feel a special delight in reading real homeschool stories. I enjoy finding the similarities in my growing-up years, and it’s certainly fun to read about something you can relate to. So I was eager for Sarah Holman’s memoir, particularly since I know her wonderful family in person.

This book was lovely! From the very beginning, some of the chapter titles had me chuckling: “It Was All Michael’s Fault”; “And That’s Why You Don’t Let Sarah in Sunday School”; “The Rubber Duck War.” Although I’ve met all the Holmans, many of these stories were new to me, so it was great to become better acquainted. They have so much godly wisdom, good advice, and authentic love, it’s inspiring. But that’s not to say that the members of this family aren’t down-to-earth with fully human personalities, quirks, and struggles like the rest of us. That’s what makes this book such a delightful read.

As Sarah says in the beginning, it’s not a book that will have you laughing on every page, but there are plenty of moments that will make you smile or chuckle, not to mention leave you feeling thoughtful, sober, or encouraged. I really like how each sibling has a chapter just about them. My favorite story was probably the one about when the Holmans became an unsuspecting Texas attraction in Washington, DC. You can’t make that stuff up!

In addition to the lighthearted or serious family stories, I appreciated how Sarah explains her convictions with grace and clarity. It really feels like you’re sitting down with her and talking about life. That’s what I value most about this book: it reaches out to conservative Christian families and lets us know we’re not alone.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

November 16

Reachel – What stories are you going to include, Sarah?

J. Grace Pennington – An interview

Esther Filbrun – A review

Tarissa Graves – A review

November 17

Leona Ruth – A review

Chloe – A review

November 18

Kaylee – A review

Alexa - A Thanksgiving Story

November 19

Liv K. Fisher – Short Girl Jokes

Kelsey Bryant – A review

Emmeline: The Vintage Jane Austen

You may remember me talking about my upcoming novel, Suit and Suitability, and the series it belongs to, the Vintage Jane Austen. Well, this weekend marked an exciting event for the series: the publication of the first novel of the series, Emmeline, by Sarah Holman!

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?

My review:
I highly enjoyed this remarkable retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. Ms. Holman did a wonderful job of transferring the story to 1930 America, when the differences between social classes still mattered so much. The Great Depression setting added a special tension to the story that’s not in the original, but combined with the original’s entertaining, character-driven plot to create an un-put-down-able novel. The cast were delightful; Ms. Holman’s appreciation for Jane Austen’s characters really shines through, making this Austenite love their 1930s counterparts.

This book has humor, realism, and Christian life lessons. I loved how Emmeline’s spiritual life developed; it fit so naturally with the plot. I’m reminded of Grace Livingston Hill novels, which is yet another plus to this book!

Quotes:

Check it out on Amazon HERE.
Go to Sarah Holman's website HERE.

Sarah Holman's Newsletter

Hey everyone! This is just a quick note to let you know about Sarah Holman’s newsletter:

Click here to sign up! I've read several of Sarah's books and enjoyed them all. Check them out!

Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of five published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.

Kate's Innocence Blog Tour!

Today my blog has the privilege of being one of the final stops on the Kate’s Innocence blog tour. Kate’s Innocence is the first book of a brand new series by Sarah Holman, Kate’s Case Files. 

goodreads

What would you do if you were accused of a crime you didn’t commit?

Kate watched as her campus was torn apart by bombs and now is being accused of perpetrating the crime. As the evidence quickly stacks up against her, she begins to lose hope that the truth will come to light. Even though the handsome FBI Agent, Patrick, has taken up her cause, will they be able to prove her innocence? Will God, who she neglected for so long, listen to her prayers for help?

Patrick is an agent with a very special team of agents. He wants to help Kate prove she is innocent, but as each new piece of evidence is revealed, that goal seems harder. He wonders why he feels so compelled to help her and so sure she is innocent despite the evidence. Will he be willing to put his job on the line to help her? Can he trust in God to make sure the truth will come out in the end?

My review: The book is as intriguing as it sounds! I love a good mystery, and Kate’s Innocence really delivered—it kept me guessing until the very end, and I do mean the very end (as in the last page or two!). The ending was one of my favorite parts, actually, because of the brilliant manner in which it opened the way for more books.

But I’m getting ahead of myself (obviously, because I’m already talking about the ending!). What captured my attention even more than the mystery were the characters. The whole FBI team was made up of well-drawn and interesting people. No-nonsense head agent Thomas, humorous Brian, quirky Logan, steady Kim, and chivalrous Patrick were all young, energetic, fun (well, Thomas could use a little help in that department!), and very serious about their job. Patrick had a good character arc (as the second paragraph of the synopsis explains).

Kate, though, was probably my favorite character. Though she was rude and tough at times, it was realistic given how much pressure she was under and the kind of background she had. She intrigued me, because segments of her life are actually left a mystery to us for now. I felt sorry for what she was going through, yet I did identify with her commitment to neatness, healthy eating, and staying in shape, and I also appreciated the struggle she went through about wondering where God is, and her guilt over neglecting Him. That, too, is very realistic, and I look forward to seeing where Kate goes next with the lessons she’s learning.

Believe it or not, another of my favorite parts was the note from the author at the end. It gives quite a bit to chew on!

In the end (speaking of endings), I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series. There aren’t a whole lot of clean, Christian crime-fighting books out there that young people can get into. Ms. Holman has done an excellent job coming up with this storyline, with adventures that Kate and the FBI agents go through and the way they have to rely on God!

To view previous stops on the blog tour and learn more about the author, visit The Destiny of One (Sarah Holman’s blog). You’ll find book reviews and articles from the author about the story and the characters. 

And finally…a giveaway! Click on the image to enter. 

Brothers and Betrayal Blog Tour

Today I am pleased to be participating in the blog tour for author Sarah Holman’s latest release, Brothers and Betrayal, book 2 of the Tales of Taelis series. It’s coming out March 28! I interviewed Sarah, and at the end of this post, you’ll see a giveaway for an e-book copy of Brothers and Betrayal. I've had the privilege of meeting Sarah Holman in person, and she is a wonderful person as well as a talented writer!

Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of three published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.

1) When did you first start writing, and what were your favorite things to write about?
I first started writing because I couldn't find stories that I wanted to read. I wanted adventure stories with strong, yet feminine characters. Adventure and strong, yet feminine characters are still what I love to write about.

2) Who are your favorite authors and how do they inspire both your life and your writing? 
Grace Livingston Hill was my first inspiration as a writer. She was a strong Christian who wrote over one-hundred sweet stories of adversity and romance. Her books were contemporary for their time and they inspired me to start writing. I have also been inspired by the diversity and historical detail of Linda Lee Chaikin and Siri Mitchell, the style and overall perfectness of  Elizabeth Camden, and the timeless wit of Jane Austen. All of these women inspiring my writing and my life.

3) How did you learn about self-publishing, and what were your first books about?
I was praying a lot about direction for my book. My dad suggested I look into self-publishing and so I did. The moment I did, I felt it was what I was supposed to do. I published my first book The Destiny of One, a science-fiction story of a nineteen year old who gets caught up in a grand adventure while she tries to discover what God wants her to do with her life. I loved being able to control my story from start to finish.

4) Is there a similar theme or message in all your books, or do they each say something very different? Or both?
Each of them has a different message, though I am sure you could come up with some similar themes. The Destiny Series is about finding your purpose and following it, no matter the cost. A Different Kind of Courage was about standing up for what is right. Adventure and Adversities is about finding God in the midst of our pain. Brothers and Betrayal is about the forgiveness. 

5) Brothers and Betrayal is a sequel to Adventures and Adversities. What led you to write a medieval series, and what can we learn from this time period?
When I was eleven I became fascinated by Robin Hood and the whole time in which he lived. I think what really drew me into the time is because it was a darker time in history. When things are at their darkest, the light shines the brightest. Good and bad, black and white are easier to see in a dark world. 

6) Tales of Taelis is set in a fictional land, but you've had to research the Middle Ages to create a convincing world. You've also written a novel about the American Revolution. So obviously you enjoy history! But what makes you want to do the hard (and rewarding!) work of writing historical fiction?
History is a passion of mine, but so many make history boring and lifeless. I wanted to spark an interest in history for others by showing that it isn't boring, it is exciting. So many of the issues we struggle with today have been struggled with throughout time. Many answers lie in the past as well as many lessons.

7) Now for a fun question about your personality: What is your favorite color, and how does it tie in with your personality?
My favorite color is sky blue. I think it reflects my love for the great outdoors and the Texas sky. I am also a very old-fashioned girl and soft colors reflect that.

8) Is there anything more you'd like to tell us, person to person or writer to writer?
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD not for men.

Thank you for joining us, Sarah! I really enjoyed the interview!

Check out the other stops on Sarah’s blog tour:

March 16~ The Destiny of One

March 17~ Thoughts and Rants

March 18~ Rachel Rossano’s Words

March 19~ Wildflower Acres

March 21~ God's Peculiar Treasure

March 22~Kelsey's Notebook

March 23~ In The Bookcase

March 24~ God's Peculiar Treasure

March 25~ Wildflower Acres

March 26 ~With a Joyful Noise 

March 27 ~ Author Jaye L. Knight 

March 28 ~ The Destiny of One

And ... here is the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway