Book Review: A Year with the Potters

Age Appropriate For: All Ages

Best for Ages: 8-12

Description: In April they met new friends, in August they got a kitten, October they learned about Martin Luther, November brought a pet Black Widow, and January gave them a Biblical lesson in perseverance. What else is in store for the Potter family? For Amanda, Jackie, Emmy, Grace, and their parents, there's no such thing as an ordinary month! Not only that, they are always pulling their friends into their adventures too. Why is there a kitten creeping through shards of glass? What is he after? And why is there a jar hiding in the kitchen cupboard - with a spider living in it?

Okay, so I read this as a 22-year-old when probably it is best read from ages 8 to 12. However, as I read these stories about the Potter family, I couldn’t help but think to the future. When I think about books I want to be on the shelf for my kids, these kinds of stories are at the top of what I want.

Each chapter is like a short story with the same characters. Each story teaches an academic as well as a moral lesson that is refreshing to read. The style goes against many modern trends, which I found very appealing. It had an old-fashioned feel, yet obviously modern in many relevant ways.

The interaction between the parents and the children were wonderful. The parents are loving yet provide correction. The children make mistakes, get irritated with their parents, but underlying respect prevails in the book.

I can’t wait to read this aloud to a group of children, whether that is relatives, kids at church, or my own someday.

I highly recommend this book as a family read aloud, or wholesome reading for children ages 8 to 12 

Interview with Rebekah Jones

Rebekah, welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thank you! Let me see… I am a twenty-two year old, Bible believing, born again, Christian, as well as a homemaker-in-training. Besides writing of all kinds, in my free time I enjoy reading, singing, playing the piano, drawing, blogging, and spending time with family and friends. I also really enjoy studying – with a current focus on literature, history, herbology, and music.

What is your funniest homeschool memory?
Oh dear. I’m not sure. Maybe the time we had a science experiment go wrong. The experiment was going to demonstrate a chemical reaction using (among other things) baking soda, cabbage water, and vinegar, in a plastic bottle with a balloon. We certainly got the chemical reaction – but instead of simply inflating the balloon at the top of the bottle, the pressure cause the balloon to pop, giving the table (and everything on it, including us!) a shower of baking soda!

What was your favorite part of being homeschooled?
Hmm… I loved school, period. And I never knew any other way, other than being homeschooled. I loved all the books I got to read, the in-depth history studies… Those two might have been my favorite parts. I got to read as many books as we could buy and I was taught to read and re-read the good ones. As for history… We would pick a section of history, dive in and explore it; read history books about it, fictional books set in the time, make foods from the era/place, explore the fashion of the day – anything we could think of. Jamestown, 1800’s England, Ancient Egypt, The Plymouth Settlement… I loved it!

How did your education, prepare you to be a writer?
My Mom wanted me to develop my skills and style of writing from the reading of good books, so she made good reading materials available to me from a very young age. As I got older, I was given more variety. The books taught me different styles, different genres, and I learned good sentence structure, as well as grammar and punctuation. Later, I studied books devoted to the art of writing. I think this helped me develop my own style and ideas of writing, without copying the style of a specific writing teacher. :)

What caused you to start writing?
I started writing when I was seven or eight. Before that, I drew “books” of pictures that told stories. I don’t know what got me started. I always loved stories and when I was little, Daddy would make up stories to tell us. Sometimes they were spin-offs of classics, like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Other times, he would make something up completely. I also loved listening to Adventures in Odyssey and I loved books. My parents used to read to us, usually Daddy, when we were little and as soon as I knew how to read, I read everything I could get my hands on. I think I wanted to be able to create my own version, of what I so much enjoyed. :)

What inspired A Year with the Potters? 
A Year with the Potters was a writing assignment when I was seventeen. I had written a lot of things and had started several books/short stories, but nearly everything was set in “olden-times” and focused on things that I really knew nothing about. Mom assigned me to write a collection of short stories following a homeschool family in their adventures, using our own experiences for story material.

What is it about?
The everyday activities in the life of a homeschooling family as they learn lessons, study nature, and grow in their faith.

Who will enjoy it?
I think homeschoolers will probably enjoy this book the most. I was asked to give an age range and we came up with ages 8 – 12, but I think it might be good as a family read aloud. :)

Where can people get it?
The paperback version is available on Amazon. You can also get it from Barnes and Noble. The e-book is available for Kindle on Amazon as well.

Are there any books that you would recommend to people who love A Year with the Potters?
The Heavens Declare by Perry Kirkpatrick. Both of our books focus around homeschooling families, who get to learn in unconventional ways.

I’m also tentatively planning a few companion books to A Year with the Potters in the future. We’ll see how that goes. :)

How does your faith effect your writing?
My faith is the foundation of my writing. Without it, my books wouldn’t exist.

Do you have any final thoughts?
Pray often over your work and don’t try to rush to the finish line. The Lord’s timing is always perfect. Do your best and let Him be in charge of when things get finished.

Thank you so much for interviewing me, Sarah! It's been fun! :)

You are so welcome Rebekah!

Announcement Saturday

Authors Added

Melika Dannese Lux 

John J. Horn

Books Added

City of Lights: The Trials and Triumphs of Ilyse Charpentier by Melika Dannese Lux 

Corcitura by Melika Dannese Lux 

Brothers at Arms by John J. Horn

The Boy Colonel by John J. Horn

Book Review: Sew It's a Quest

Descriptions:  Robin and Robert are royal twins. They are the only two to have received a Fairy Godmother gift in nearly a century, an amazing honor. Soon it was clear that their gifts had been switched and a search began to find the Fairy Godmother to right the mistake. When she is finally sighted by a knight, the family learns that the pair must find her for themselves and they only have until their 18th birthday ... only 4 months away. Will they be able to find her in time?

Age Appropriate For: Ages 12 + (for magic)

Best for Ages: 12-18

Are you looking for a lighthearted tale of magic and adventure? Do you like fun retellings of fairytales? Then Sew, It’s a Quest is the perfect book for you!

One of the things that I enjoyed most about this story is when a new character was introduced. Each time one was introduced, I would try to match it with a fairytale. Sometimes I could right off, other times it took a while.

Robin and Robert were well developed and each endearing in their own way. Their relationship is wonderful and so like close siblings. They are friends but still have the ability to get on each other’s nerves.
I have to say I was very impressed when I found out that Kendra was only 15 when she wrote this story. It was very well written for someone so young.

I don’t tend to like stories with magic or fantasy, and this had both. Although there were some moments that there was too much magic for my taste, it never was so over the top that I wanted to put the book down. The magic had more of a Disney feel than a dark feel. However, parents should be advised that there is magic in the story, if that is something they try to avoid.

This is a light read with a nice blend of original story and well known fairytales. I recommend it to younger readers who enjoy mild fantasy books.

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.

Interview with Kendra Ardnek

Kendra, Welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Greetings and Salutations! I'm a eighteen-year-old homeschooler who likes to over-study and draw out research as long as possible (especially in history and science) and is thus not yet finished with highschool. I'm the eldest of four children (my sibs range from two to fourteen years my junior) and the official cook of my family.

I've been making up stories for as long as I can remember, but didn't start writing seriously until the Narnia Movies came out when I was ten and I was completely unsatisfied with them and was sure I could do much better, and I published my first book when I was sixteen and a half. When I'm not writting, you can usually find me knitting, crocheting, studying, cooking or cleaning the kitchen.

25% of the royalties from my books go to Compassion International's Water Program: http://water.compassion.com/

If you had to describe your homeschooling years in five words what would they be?
Crazy. Fun. Books. Computers. Learning.

How did your homeschooling years shape you as a writer?
Because I was homeschooled, I' have been able to spend a lot of time with my mom - who, as the dedication in Sew, it's a Quest states, ought to have been an author herself. She introduced me to literature from the cradle (literally - I took naps listening to the classics on book on tape, or so I'm told), and has instilled in me her love for the written word. She's my initial bounce-off for most of my new ideas (and the source of many) and my toughest editor.

What inspired your book, Sew, it's a Quest?
I'm a huge fan of fairy tales, so I've been rewriting them since I could hold a pencil. (And I was retelling them before that.) One day, when I was fifteen, I had a random idea of a girl who had accidently received the gift of "best swordsman in the world" from her Fairy Godmother. I then realized that my Sleeping Beauty retelling could use this new character ... and she soon took over the book.

What is it about?
I like my mom's summery best: (It's not the one on the back of the book, but I still like her summery best)
A twin prince and princess are gifted with talent from their fairy godmother. They have typical parents, who love them dearly, and want only the best for them. But something went wrong and now they have each others gift. How to fix it?
Just in the nick of time, a brave knight discovers the fairy godmother, but upon returning to court he reports that now the twins must go on a quest to find her themselves and explain the mistake and request it be righted, and before their 18th birthday in 4 months.
Adventures abound as they fight off horse theives, rescue a strange damsel in distress, find a fine castle hidden in the forest, a princess who cannot get her words straight but can talk to birds and work any math problem, captured by Robin Hood and taken to his camp, and then capture a rival prince .... many strange things happen to them as well - have you ever wondered about that silver lining in the clouds? or how to fix cubed roots for supper?
But the 4 months is running out.
Their 18th birthday is rapidly approaching - and they are still searching. Does the strange damsel hold the key as she claims? And what is happening to Sherwood Forest and Maid Marian's potatoes? What became of their missing great aunt and how does the rescued damsel know who she is - since their aunt has been missing for almost 100 years! And the biggest question of all ... if they find their fairy godmother - will they really want to change who they have grown up to become due to the influence of their talents?

Who will enjoy it?
It's written with preteen girls in mind, but it also makes a great read aloud for a younger audience.

Where can people buy it?
It's available paperback through createspace and on Kindle through Amazon:
You can find the links to my other works in a nice, organized list here: http://kendraeardnek.weebly.com/my-books.html
Someday I'll figure out a way to sell signed copies ... but I haven't stumbled on that secret yet.

What were your favorite books growing up?
Oh, wow, um ... that's quite the list

Most any Fairy Tale.
The Boxcar Children
The Hobbit and the Lord of the RingsÂ
The Chronicles of Narnia
Pretty much anything by Dr. Suess.
The Elsie Dinsmore Series
Most of the Raggedy Ann and Andy books
Most of the American Girls
The Wizard of Oz Series.
The Magic Tree House (After the first book.)
The Magic School Bus
The Madeline series
The Nutcracker. (I was actually more a fan of the ballet, but the book was good too.)
James and the Giant Peach
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Various other books by Roald DahlÂ
Charlotte's Web
Laura Ingalls Wilder's books.

.... And there were probably more ... I just can't remember them ... Maybe if I roam the shelves the next time I visit the library, I'll call more to mind ...

What are some of your favorite authors now?
C. S. Lewis is my absolute favorite because of Narnia and his Space Trilogy (as well as a few other works that are pure genius.) and Tolkien comes in second, followed by a list of pretty much any of the Fairy Tale writers/collectors (The Brothers Grimm, Anderson, Andrew Lang ...) I blame my writing career on these those three.

After them in no particular order:

Martha Finley
Jane Austin
Frank L. Baum
The guy who wrote The Princess Bride
Joni Erickson Tada
Charles Dickens
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
E. Nesbit
George MacDonald
G. A. HentyÂ
E. B. White
Madeleine L'Engle
Roald DahlÂ
Laura Ingalls WilderÂ
As well as a number of my fellow Homeschooled Authors, but I'm not saying who since I don't want anyone to feel left out. Oh, and my mom and aunt, though they have never really published anything.
I have many more favorite authors, but I can't remember who they are.

How does your faith affect your writing?
Almost all of my serious work has some sort of allegory in it somewhere. It's not very clear in Sew, It's a Quest, but in others it's pretty blatant. For instance The Ankulen, which I plan to release sometime this year, is my attempt at showing a picture of the complete inferiority man has to God - and yet He still sent His Son to die for sinful us.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
You might have the best story idea in the world, but if you don't actually take the time and energy (and brain juice) to actually write it, it isn't worth a dime. So get writing!
But don't forget to do your schoolwork and wash the dishes first.

Do You have any final thoughts?
I'd like to thank you for having me here. You have a wonderful blog and are doing a wonderful job of gathering us homeschooled authors together!

Book Review: The Fate of Arcrea by Nicole Sager

Age Appropriate For: Ages 12 + (some mild violence)

Best for Ages: 12-18

Description: Return to the kingdom of Arcrea, where the stage is set for an epic battle between good and evil. Trenton is a young Mizgalian caught up in the deadly beliefs inspired by a life in his father’s garrison. When a simple mission in Arcrea unearths the shocking truth of a mystery two decades in the making, he is left with a choice that may decide the fate of an entire kingdom. Join old friends and new on a journey of discovery, where battling vicious beasts and conquering a coast of dragons will test the mettle of men and set the pace for an adventure like no other.

After reading the first book in this series, I was eager to read the second. So I was ecstatic when they offered it free on Kindle. I got my copy and started reading it almost immediately.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the second book as much because I quickly found out that the main characters would not be Druet and Rany. At first I was disappointed but I quickly found that Trenton and the others did very well as the focus of this story.

I love Nicole’s writing style. She is very gifted. It is books like these that make you see the value of self-publishing. It is well written, but a story that doesn’t fit into the traditional publishing box.

The faith elements in this book were as good as the first one. It is not just a good story, but on that will build your faith. Parents, I think, will especially appreciate a story that will keep their children captivated and feed their souls as well.

My thirteen year old sister read the first two books and then begged me to get her the third one. I must admit she didn’t have to twist my arm. I wanted to read it as well. I can’t wait to dive into the third book.

I highly recommend this book to youth, mild fantasy lovers, non-magical fantasy lovers, and those looking for a wonderful adventure story.

Was this review helpful? Vote it up on Amazon

Book Review: The Heart of Arcrea

Age Appropriate For: Ages 12 + (some mild violence)

Best for Ages: 12-18

Some self-published books leave you wanting to toss the book in the trash and write a horrible review, no matter how well intentioned the book was. Some of them leave you apathetic. Some make you wonder why a publisher hasn’t picked it up. A few leave you amazed and thankful that the author stepped out in faith and published. The Heart of Arcrea was one of those few.

From the moment I opened this book I didn’t want to put it down. Not only was it well written and the story engaging, but the characters were well developed and I found myself loving them. Druet’s ever growing band of followers offered many moments of laughter, as well as some very profound ones.

One of the things I most loved about this story is that I could tell it came from Nicole’s heart. I have read many books that are well written and developed, but there are few that I have read that I feel like I connect to the author’s heart. This story made that connection.
The pictures that she painted with her words (as well as her illustrations) helped me to see this story unfold. If fact, at one point I really felt like I had been watching a movie she painted such a vivid picture. She has talent I wish I had.

I can’t say enough about this story. There is no magic. The only reason to classify it as a fantasy is that it takes place in a fictional country, and there are some fantastical creatures and dangerous plants. Some very young children may find parts of it a little scary, but it is perfect for a family to read aloud.

I highly recommend this for the non-magical fantasy lover, seeking a faith-building story of friendship, mystery, and adventure.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon and like it on Goodreads.

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.

Books by Nicole Sager

“He who discovers the heart of Arcrea and joins the hands of the seven regions will be king.” Hoping to free his father from an unjust imprisonment, Druet the blacksmith sets out on a quest that will solve an ancient riddle and crown a man as Arcrea’s first king. A host of memorable characters join Druet on his mission of justice, but opposition quickly rises to test their level of commitment and their faith in God. Will the dangerous wilds of Arcrea and her seven oppressive lords succeed in bringing an end to Druet’s quest and crush forever the kingdom’s hopes for a just king? What is this heart of Arcrea and where is it to be found? “You must discover it for yourself.”

Return to the kingdom of Arcrea, where the stage is set for an epic battle between good and evil. Trenton is a young Mizgalian caught up in the deadly beliefs inspired by a life in his father’s garrison. When a simple mission in Arcrea unearths the shocking truth of a mystery two decades in the making, he is left with a choice that may decide the fate of an entire kingdom. Join old friends and new on a journey of discovery, where battling vicious beasts and conquering a coast of dragons will test the mettle of men and set the pace for an adventure like no other.

Put Your Hands Together For....

Nicole Sager!

Nicole, welcome to the blog. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thanks Sarah! I am a homeschool graduate and am now in my early 20s. I currently serve as my 8-year-old sister's homeschool teacher and I love the rewarding (if challenging) job. Aside from writing, my hobbies include reading and theatre (my favorite roles to play have been Lina from "Singin in the Rain" & Yente from "Fiddler on the Roof"). I love to sing (especially with my siblings) and I also tap-dance!

What is your most cherished homeschool memory?

That would have to be the time my mom told us that we'd be making an ear for science. I was so excited as I pictured this big elaborate model that I was so sure would look like an actual ear. It turned out to be table, blankets, string, paper, and a hammer, and we crawled through to name the different parts of the ear. I was so disappointed it wasn't like I imagined, but now it makes me laugh to remember my expectations! A few weeks ago it was my younger siblings' turn, and I helped them make an "ear"!

What is your favorite part of being homeschooled?

I love that homeschooling parents have the freedom to teach their children more than just the typical subjects. They can teach character and introduce young ones to faith in Jesus Christ, better preparing the next generation for their adult lives. I also loved being able to go at my own pace in order to learn more efficiently.

What caused you to start writing?

My first book was an interactive picture book that I made out of a moment of inspiration :) After that, I learned that I loved trying to depict scenes so that others could share what I "saw" in my head.

What inspired you to write The Heart of Arcrea?

I wanted to write a book that would bring glory to God, and also be a source of wholesome reading material for all ages (whether as a read-aloud or simply one that a parent could hand to their child and know that it would prove safe & acceptable). My little brother, Caleb, came up with the name Arcrea and told me I could use it in my book if I wanted to. Now I have a trilogy finished and another series inspired by one of Arcrea's characters!

What is The Heart of Arcrea about?

How far would a young peasant go in search of justice? How far will his diverse companions go to follow him? And how far will his enemies go to stop him?

 “He who discovers the heart of Arcrea and joins the hands of the seven regions will be king.”

Set during a forgotten age of kings and queens, knights and nobles, wise-men and warlords, The Heart of Arcrea follows the story of Druet the blacksmith, who, hoping to free his father from an unjust imprisonment, sets out on a quest that will solve an ancient riddle and crown a man as Arcrea’s first king. A host of memorable characters join Druet on his mission of justice, but opposition quickly rises to test their level of commitment and their faith in God. Will the dangerous wilds of Arcrea and her seven oppressive lords succeed in bringing an end to Druet’s quest and crush forever the kingdom’s hopes for a just king?

What is this heart of Arcrea and where is it to be found?  “You must discover it for yourself.”

Who will enjoy this story?

Age-wise: The book is cataloged as a YA Christian Fantasy book. However, as I mentioned before, my hope & prayer is that it will be a blessing to all ages. I have a review on Amazon that supports this!

Genre-wise: The book has a definite Christian emphasis and is a non-magical fantasy. I have had the plot compared to "Narnia" & "Lord of the Rings". So I'd say anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction or Fantasy!

Where can people get it? There are a number of stores that carry it online, including: CreateSpace, Amazon (paperback or Kindle), B&N, BAM, Alibris, Paperback Swap, etc...

What writers have influenced you the most?

I have noticed that whatever I'm reading at the moment is sure to influence what I'm writing at the time. For influence in medieval writing, I like to try and read a book by G.A. Henty.

What is your favorite fantasy book of all time?

I actually haven't read very many fantasy books! But I did love Chuck Black's 2 series (The Kingdom Series & The Knights of Arrethtrae). While based on factual stories from the Bible, they are sold as fantasy allegories. Wonderful books!

What is the best writing advice you ever received?

Research. Whatever you're writing about, it can't hurt to know a little bit more about the topic. I must say that research is one thing I find tedious, but whenever I took the time to do it I was rewarded with details that made my story richer. Other advice: Write for the Lord, because He is the One that really matters!

Do you have any final thoughts?

I want to thank you so much for hosting these interviews and reviews for homeschool authors! What a wonderful ministry! Also, to those reading the blog, thanks for your support as well! Please continue to research homeschool authors! Contact them (or any of your favorite authors) and let them know you've read their book. Find them on Goodreads! Ask them questions! If they are like me, I know they would love to hear from you. Have a blessed day!

Announcement Saturday: 19 new books, 9 new authors

News.
The winner of Annabeth's War is...
Brian McBride

Authors Added

Elizabeth Ender

Ashley Schnarr

Cara Simmons

Dale J. Stephens

Katie Lynn Daniels

 John Notgrass

 Daniel J. Mount

Teresa Gaskins
Elian Lisette

Books Added

(Coming soon) Ransomed by Elizabeth Ender
Single Girl: The single woman's guide to life, liberty and the pursuit of godliness by Ashley Schnarr
A Purple and Gold Afghan and other stories by  Jordan Smith
The Haven (The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle Series Book 1) by Cara Simmons
The Haven Workbook by Cara Simmons
The Leviathan (The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle Series Book 2) by Cara Simmons
The Leviathan Workbook by Cara Simmons
The Champion (The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle Series Book 3) by Cara Simmons
Hacking Your Education by Dale J. Stephens
Supervillain of the Day (Supervillain of the Day, #1) by Katie Lynn Daniels
Fire and Ashes (Supervillain of the Day, #2) by Katie Lynn Daniels
The Tale of Pirate Shishkabob by Katie Lynn Daniels
Sanctity of Life by Katie Lynn Daniels
Make It Your Ambition by John Notgrass
The Faith of America's Presidents by Daniel J. Mount
Dianne Wilkinson: The Life and Times of a Gospel Songwriter by Daniel J. Mount
Banished: The Riddled Stone, Book One by Teresa Gaskins
Resistance by Elian Lisette
God of Her Fathers by Alicia A. Willis