Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Awake by Jessica Grey

Alexandra Martin didn’t believe in fairytales…
Alex has always been more interested in rocks and science than stories about princesses and magic. Now she’s far too busy with her summer internship at the Gem and Mineral Museum to think about children’s stories. Between avoiding her former best friend and high school baseball star, Luke Reed, and trying to hide her unrequited crush on her mentor at the museum, the real world is occupying all of her time.
…Until she walked into one.
It turns out fairytales aren’t all fun and games. A curse has turned her neat and orderly world upside down, and to break it, she bands together with a fellow intern and a recently awakened princess who’s been asleep for 900 years. Can this trio of unlikely heroines put an end to an ominous enchantment, discover true love, and keep an ancient and evil magic from being unleashed on modern-day Los Angeles?


Monday, May 28, 2012

Give a Warm Welcome to...

Jessica Grey!


Hello Jessica! Tell the readers a little bit about yourself.

Hi! I am a wife, a mom, a homeschool graduate (and now second-generation homeschooler), a baseball fanatic, and an author of Young Adult fiction. I have been married to my husband, Ed, a Worship Pastor, for a little bit over ten years and we have two children. Maddie is almost four, and James is almost three. I was homeschooled from third grade through high school. I graduated from high school in 1996. I have a degree in English with a minor in History from Vanguard University of Southern California. I am a life-long Californian, but recently moved to Montana and am still adjusting to the change in weather and pace of life!


What was your favorite part of being homeschooled?

My favorite part of being homeschooled was the freedom to pursue my interests. Not many kids in traditional school take Library Science as an elective, or get to design their own Shakespeare course. Both of my parents are extremely dedicated and smart, as well as incredibly encouraging and supportive.

What made you start writing?

I started making up stories before I could write. I was raised with amazing literature being read to me and/or being given to me to read. I grew up on C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, L.M. Montgomery, Austen, and so many others. My parents guided us in good directions, but also allowed us to make our own reading choices. Writing was a huge part of my early education, both in the traditional school I attended through the second grade, and in our homeschool.

What is Awake about?

Awake: A Fairytale is a Young Adult fantasy / retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It explores the idea that Sleeping Beauty was awakened in modern day Los Angeles 850 plus years after she was first cursed. However, instead of breaking the curse, the kiss instead just transferred the sleeping spell to the kisser. The heroine Alexandra (Alex) and her best friend, Becca, are now stuck with a twelfth century princess and an enchanted sleeping man who just so happens to be Alex's childhood friend.

Where can people get your book?

Awake: A Fairytale is currently available as an ebook for Kindle or Kindle apps on Amazon. The paperback will also be available shortly on Amazon.

What is the best piece of writing advice you have been given?

The best piece of writing advice I have been given is to write what you love and learn what you don’t know. I know a lot of people say write what you know, but if all authors only did that we would be reading very dull books. My book is about a fairy tale. There are, by default of the original story, fairies and magic in it. Obviously, because these things don't exist, I cannot “know” them. If you write what you love, though, you won't ever get tired of it. Even though the writing (and editing) process can be tedious.


Do you have any final thoughts?

Thank you for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to share about my writing here and appreciate that you are supporting homeschooled authors. I've been doing a lot of writing and speaking about fairy tales recently as part of telling people about Awake. One of my favorite quotes is from C.S. Lewis (he has several about fairy tales, actually, all of which are stellar) which I would like to leave you with.

When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.
- C.S. Lewis

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Moody Family Series

Summer with the Moodys is the first book in the Moody Family Series. This book celebrates the adventures of everyday life in a Christian family!
Come along with the Moodys as they help a widowed neighbor, start small businesses for the children, enjoy a family fun night, live normal life, and wrap up the book with two special surprises! Woven throughout the book is the Moodys' love for the Lord and their enjoyment of time together. Children (parents too!) will love Mr. and Mrs. Moody, Max, Mollie, Mitch, and Maddie—they'll come away challenged and encouraged.


Starting where Summer with the Moodys ended, the Moodys begin their new homeschool year. Not only is Mom experiencing morning sickness, but Maple, the eleven-week-old puppy, adds her twist of excitement. Packed into the book, you'll find the Moodys helping their grandparents move nearby, an emergency trip to the doctor's office, puppy training, birthday excitement, blessing neighbors, homeschooling--and to wrap the book up--a special Thanksgiving surprise!

Winter with the Moodys begins with midnight excitement. Then, early in December, Miss Carolyn, the midwife, comes to the house to check on Mom and her baby. Throughout the book, friendly but slightly eccentric Mr. Delome pops over for a few unexpected visits. As Christmas approaches, the Moodys are busy preparing to bless others.
Readers may remember Mrs. Bagwell from the two previous books. She invites Mrs. Moody and the children over to visit her one afternoon. Grandpa's life transformation is woven throughout the story. The heart-stopping conclusion contains a surprise ending that will thrill and delight you.
Come join the Moodys for the winter!

Spring with the Moodys is the fourth book in the Moody Family Series. As the twins' birth nears, the children want to bless Mom, and their surprising idea for how to do that is a huge success. In the midst of waiting for the twins, a pet-sitting job is unexpectedly given to them and brings its own excitement. There is incredible joy when the Moody twins arrive! Mr. Delome, the neighbor across the street, continues to be part of the Moodys' lives along with other familiar characters from the first three books. Come join the Moody family for the spring.


Summer Days with the Moodys, the fifth book in the series, continues to follow the lives of the Moody family whom many across the world have grown to love. Although this family is fictional, the everyday adventures and down-to-earth situations make them seem real to readers.
Will Max, Mollie, Mitch, and Maddie start summer businesses? What about Mr. Delome across the street—what is he like now that he's saved? Will Mr. Gibson (also know as Big Red) be in this book? Are Grandpa and Grandma going to move next door? Find out the answers in this long-awaited sequel!
The book begins with an unexpected twist and a heart-pulling event occurs near the end. Packed in between is helping an elderly couple, moving the twins into the children's room, testing time at Grandma's, celebrating the 4th of July in Moody style, developing more of a friendship with Mrs. Bagwell, and much more!


Autumn Days, the sixth book in the Moody Family Series, picks up where Summer Days left off. Now that Mrs. Bagwell is saved, what will she be like? Will the Moodys have a “normal” few months? What will the bank and Mitch have in common? What excitement will happen to the Moodys in this book?
The book starts with an unexpected event, and then guests are scheduled to come. Their visit leaves the Moodys with a surprise challenge. Mr. Gibson’s wife is a key part of this story line, and a trip to the apple orchard becomes a special family time. Come join the Moodys as they delight in serving the Lord Jesus!

The seventh book in the series continues to follow the Moody family as they experience life, serve the Lord Jesus, love each other, and work as a team.
How do the Moodys deal with a challenging, yet not uncommon, situation? What will the holiday season hold? How will the Moodys share Jesus with others? What is Maddie's special birthday gift?
s is often the case with a Moody book, the story begins with excitement, but the excitement doesn't stop there. A surprising event happens after a simple excursion to the grocery store. Then, follow the family as they make their Christmas season special. Later the girls and Mom go on a shopping trip, and Mitch pays a visit to the eye doctor. The weekly neighborhood Bible study continues, and while preparing, Mom encounters the vacuum. Two chances to bless others through I-J-N (In Jesus' Name) are woven into the story line. The book ends with two, well, you'll have to find out!

Monday, May 21, 2012

It is out Pleasure to Present...

Sarah Maxwell!




Summer with the Moodys (Moody Family Series #1)First, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I recently turned thirty, and I am so grateful to the Lord Jesus for all He has done and is doing in my life. At the age of five, I realized I was a sinner and accepted Jesus to be my Savior. Our family started the homeschooling journey in 1985, so I was homeschooled from preschool through high school. About a year before I graduated, our family’s ministry, Titus2.com, began, and I have enjoyed helping in many different facets of the ministry. I have been blessed with wonderful parents, five brothers, two sisters, two sister-in-laws, and two nieces. We love to travel and minister together as a family when the Lord brings along opportunities.
 
What was your most memorable homeschool project?
To be honest, I don’t remember one in particular that stood out. But, I do fondly remember the beginning of the school year: how excited I was for a new school schedule and textbooks. I remember teaching my younger brother and sister math. I remember learning to sew. I remember the excitement I felt over a good grade on a test I had studied hard for. Those are all sweet memories. 
Autumn with the Moodys (Moody Family Series #2)
What made you start writing?
My parents were the ones who encouraged me to write. They saw a need for godly, children’s reading material and wondered if I would write a book. I happily agreed. A solid outline was formed, with help from the family, and the Moody Family Series was birthed. After the first book was finished, it seemed only natural to write a sequel. Then, a third book was written, and I continued writing. The Lord led me every step of the way, and I couldn’t write without His help.

What inspired the Moody books?
Again, it was my parents’ encouragement. Since the Moody books are written about a fictional family, I wanted a name that wasn’t ordinary such as Smith or Johnson. Those who know our family can see similarities between the Moodys and the Maxwells. Things that have happened to us or I have observed in others often are woven into the story line. My favorite part is incorporating characters accepting the Lord Jesus. The desire of my heart is that children would be encouraged in the Lord, spurred on to love their families more, and yes, even come to accept Jesus into their heart, as a result of reading the Moody books. We have heard all the above to be true.
 
Which was your favorite to write?
Picking a favorite would be difficult, but if I were to, I suppose it might be the third book,
Winter. But again, that’s a hard call. I enjoy the writing part, editing the least, and the outline in the middle. All are crucial elements.
 
Are you going to write any more books?
Lord willing, yes!
Summer Days with the Moodys (Moody Family Series #5)
What is the best piece of writing advice you have been given?
One thing I either read about writing or received as advice from a well-known author is the importance of being willing to let others edit and critique my writing. So, in my case, my family is my best editors. They know me better than anyone else. They point out flaws in the story line, things that don’t make sense, items that aren’t interesting, situations to add a spark of life into an ordinary section, and more. My brother John, 21, is my reality editor. If you want to write, make sure to allow your family opportunities to critique. Don’t become defensive and unhappy but rather thank them for the help! It will only make you a better writer. 

Do you have any final thoughts to share?
If you desire to write, pray, and ask the Lord for what He would have you write. Start with a solid outline. This will give you a good guideline for your story, while still allowing creativity to be added. Again, be grateful to others who are willing to critique your work and give you feedback. Finally, be willing to work hard. The writing stage is the easiest and most enjoyable. Editing is the hardest. Put your mind to the task and press on!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Announcement Saturday: Destiny Winner

Authors Added
Tracy Leininger Craven
Cara Putman

Books Added
Canteen Dreams by Cara Putman
Sandhill Dreamsby Cara Putman
Captive Dreamsby Cara Putman
Cornhusker Dreams  by Cara Putman
A Promise Kept by Cara Putman
A Promise Born by Cara Putman
A Promise Forged by Cara Putman
Ohio Brides  by Cara Putman
Stars in the Night by Cara Putman
Cherry Blossom Capers by Cara Putman
A Wedding Transpires  by Cara Putman
Rainbows End by Cara Putman
Deadly Exposure by Cara Putman
Trial by Fire  by Cara Putman
Timeless Treasures by Cara Putman
Alone, Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven
Land Beyond the Setting Sun by Tracy Leininger Craven
Unfading Beauty by Tracy Leininger Craven
A Kindled Light by Tracy Leininger Craven
Nothing Can Separate us by Tracy Leininger Craven
Kathleen's Shaken Dreams by Tracy Leininger Craven
Kathleen's Unforgettable Winter by Tracy Leininger Craven
Kathleen's Abiding Hope by Tracy Leininger Craven
Kathleen's Enduring Faith by Tracy Leininger Craven


Featured Book

The Abolitionist

Giveaway Winner

And the Winner is... Brian McBride!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Books by Sarah Holman



Destiny – it's a word that plagues Maria Morris. What does God want her to do with her life? Should she go to college or does God have other plans for her? When her parents go missing during a business trip, Maria embarks on a quest that will change her life forever. Trying to fight against an overbearing Milky Way Government, Maria travels to earth in search of a lost prince and some crown jewels. Her faith is tested, however, when a new law is passed. Will Maria be able to find her parents and the crown jewels before it's too late? Is she strong enough to stand up for her faith even if it means never seeing her family again? Most of all, will Maria discover her true Destiny?



On her quest to find the crown prince, Maria Morris faces an abundance of obstacles. Now a marked Christian, it will be difficult and dangerous for her to travel. The USF follows her every move. (as the vibrating chip in her arm irritatingly reminds her.) Yet knowing all of this, Maria puts her trust in God and, with the help of a few new friends, refuses to give up her mission. She must find the crown prince. The Destiny Of A Few depends on it.

The Destiny of a Galaxy (coming soon)
Cover coming soon...

 One Girl, One Galaxy, One God…
 
“I’m just an ordinary girl, thrown into some extraordinary circumstances.”
 
Time Has Passed…
 
Three years have come and gone since Maria Morris found the crown jewels and the farmer-boy-prince. The Followers are now going strong. Wyndemere’s empire is cracking at the seams as unrest rises and the Legatee orchestrates the planning of the Rebellion.
 
Danger Has Not Disappeared...
 
The overthrow of the tyrannical regime seems imminent, but Maria’s role as the “woman who started it all” is not widely known. So why is she plagued by an ominous foreboding of approaching danger?
 
Neither Has Hope…
 
Promise floats in the air, the promise of better lives, of breathing in freedom. Many around her seem to find happiness, even as the tension starts to spiral toward a breaking point. But Maria flounders, feeling unneeded, out of place. She returns to the question: What does Maria Morris want to do with her life? What is her destiny…now?
 
Rendered Powerless, Maria Must Make A Painful Choice…
One That Will Alter the Future of The Galaxy Forever.
 
When James invites her to headquarters and Maria starts to take seriously her role among The Followers, tragedy strikes and her worst nightmares come true. The enemies she had thought long gone are capable of far more than she imagined. Will she have the courage to stand for what she believes in, no matter the cost to her and those she loves? Will she have the strength to surrender her dreams when all seems lost and she can do nothing at all?

Monday, May 14, 2012

Introducing me

Hi!  Welcome to Homeschool Authors.  I thought that it was about time for me to introduce myself.  My name is Sarah Holman, the girl behind the blog.  I live deep in the heart of Texas with my amazing parents, five of my six awesome siblings, and a variable number of animals.

Writing is my passion in life.  I spend, on average, between five and eight hours a day writing or editing blog posts, articles, and books. However, when I am not writing, I can often be found walking on our five beautiful acres of land, reading, hanging out with my siblings, or at my job at the Texas State Capitol.

Many people ask how I started writing.  I remember the day perfectly.  I had started Medieval kick.  I was watching and reading everything I could about this fascinating time during history. After watching The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn, I was inspired to write my own tale of Robin Hood.  My mother found out an encouraged me not to adapt someone else’s story but write my own.

So that is how it all started.  For the next three years I wrote a story called Shieham.  No, don’t be looking for it on my website.  Although I loved writing that book, and the two others in the series, they are not good enough to show the world.  However, writing those books taught more about writing a book then any book on writing ever has.

In 2007, I was inspired by a movie I saw to write a Sci-Fi book. The Destiny of One (which had a different title at the time) was the first book I started writing without really knowing where the story was going.  As Maria’s story unfolded over three books I knew I finally had a story that was worth sharing with the world.
Last year, in May, I released my first and second book in The Destiny Trilogy.  I have been so pleased with the response to my books!  Although I know I still have a lot to learn as a writer, people seem to think I did pretty well with these books.

Later this month, I will be releasing the last book in the trilogy.  I am excited and sad at the same time.  I can’t wait to share the last part of the story with my readers, but I will miss my main character Maria a lot.

If you want to learn more about me, visit my blog.  You can also visit my Amazon page to buy my books

Would you like to read The Destiny of One for free?  Enter to win a copy!

Please note that I do check to make sure you did the action for the entry.  If you didn’t do it, I delete the entry. 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Book by Luke


 
My name is Lucy Satin, and I’m seventeen years old. I grew up in a prison for crazy people because I can see things, phantoms that nobody believes are there. But I know they’re real. I’ve always been able to see them, as long as I can remember.
That’s why my parents abandoned me.
The people here do horrible things to me, and seems like all my friends die before me. But no, not all of them. I have my true friends, who understand me. People call them the Unseen.

What would it be like to be a twelve-inch-tall girl among normal humans? To make things worse, what if you couldn’t remember who you are or where you’re from?
That’s Tierza Velvet’s problem. She woke up locked in a mailbox, and a young boy found her and took her home. Is she a faerie? She has no wings though. A freak created by science? With her new friends, Tierza has to find her past, and quickly, because an unknown poison is weakening her.
This book contains twenty fantastic illustrations by Stephen Lauser, who also did the cover art.


Warning: The recommended dose of these stories is four or five in one sitting. Overdosing may cause side effects such as dizziness, chest and abdominal pains, shortness of breath, watery eyes, and uncontrollable laughter. Reactions will vary depending on your sense of humor and possibly your body weight, though I can’t see how that would affect anything significantly.
From the humorist who unofficially dubbed himself an ‘emulator of the inimitable style of Patrick McManus’ comes a premier collection of short comical stories. Forty delightful and insightful anecdotes about life in general fill these pages, told through the eyes of a cynical, witty, and outdoors-loving country hick writer named Matt Lauser. His friends liven things up, a colorful bunch of characters ranging from the smart-alecky young Stretch Wheenie to the obtuse older Stretch Wheenie he becomes. You won’t forget Jesse Sawyer, an odorous mountain man who introduces the loveable hero to hunting, fishing, and camping. Matt’s rough country ways clash with the finer customs of city-dwellers in amusing conflicts, and his time in school is anything but boring, despite what he might tell you.
The contents of this book should be taken like aspirin…a few at a time to relieve the occasional stress-induced headache. Comic Relief should be instant.


We all have things in our past we would like to change.
A genius is near to unlocking the secrets of time travel…in his garage. If he succeeds, he will be able to undo a terrible tragedy. But he is not the only one who has a use for time travel. Soon he is embroiled in a lethal game of cat and mouse. He’s the mouse…there’s more than one cat…and everyone knows the game won’t end until somebody’s dead.
But who knows what awaits him in the past?

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Interpreted: A Life Beyond Words


Can love really heal all things? If Sam Carroll hadn't shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie's heart from hardening completely. But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Book Review; Interpreted: A Life Beyond Words

By Sarah Holman
Recommend for: Those who like YA fiction, well written book seekers, those looking for a thought provoking read, clean fiction lovers

From the back cover:
Can love really heal all things? If Sam Carroll hadn't shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie's heart from hardening completely. But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved.

I was very excited about receiving this book to do a review on.  This was my first ARC, my first review book, as well as my first traditionally published book by a homeschooler.  This book had a lot to live up to, and it did not disappoint.

Rachel Coker has an engaging style of writing, one that lets you feel what the character feels.  Even though Allie and I are nothing alike, Rachel made me feel what she was feeling.  Not only that, but I also knew what Allie was like as a person.  She was so real, her character was so deep, and she will go on my list of unforgettable characters.

I was challenged by this story in a way I hadn’t been since Sophia’s Heart.  I was challenged to look at the people around me in a new light.  Maybe the angry people I met were like Allie, dealing with a past that I could only begin to imagine.  This book made me want to reach out to hurting people, and show those who might be the love of Christ. Just about any book that challenges you to do that, in my opinion, is worth reading.

What I loved:
Although this book deals with some hard subjects such as mental illness, a parent leaving, Christians not acting as they should, the death of a parent, etc.; it was not depressing.  Rachel Coker manages to throw in humor where needed.

I loved the poetry at the beginning of each chapter.  For someone who has a hard time sitting down and just reading poetry, this was a wonderful way to be exposed to a great poet.

What I didn’t like:
That Rachel doesn’t have another book out yet.  After reading this book, I can’t wait to get my hands on her next work.  However, I might have to wait a while.  Look for my name toward the top of the pre-order list when she does come out with one.

I highly recommend this book as a thought provoking as well as an enjoyable read.


I received this book from Zondervan 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.