I thought I would give you an update as to where I am with various projects. I am really hoping that I can make a lot of progress this week.

I am looking forward to sharing more about all of these projects with you. I wish I could work faster or at least not need as much sleep. However, everything will get done that God wants to get done.

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See my review on Amazon

Description: Finding Becky is the third novel in the Winds Across the Prairie series.  Becky Haynes returns to Barton Creek after college with a new independent spirit that baffles her longtime friend Rob Frankston. Her new attitude toward her faith, family, and friends confuses her family. When a stranger moves into Barton Creek, Becky is flattered and taken in by the attentions of Geoff Kensington. As Oklahoma approaches statehood, strange accidents befall the citizens of Barton Creek. Rob has his suspicions concerning Geoff, but will he be able to find proof and convince Becky to return to the faith of her childhood before the town of Barton Creek is destroyed?

I have loved the first two books in this series. I had the privilege of meeting Martha Rogers a few years ago and her faith shines not only in her books but in her life. I was excited when I found a discounted copy of this book to read.

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed in this story. I liked Becky, but between books she became an annoying know-it-all. However, Becky got a lot of silly ideas stuck in her head. That would have been okay, but the change in her fell a little flat. As the other two books in this series were very powerful that was disappointing.

Geoff was a confusing character, and he made me dizzy. Even at the end of the book I had no idea what kind of guy he was. As he is a big part of the story, this also made for a disappointing aspect of the story.

Rob was the best character. He loves Becky and doesn’t give up on her. With that said, he also doesn’t stand on his principles. Not giving up on someone should never mean ignoring your values.
The setting was great. Being back in Barton Springs and seeing Lucy, Dove, and the rest was great. I felt so at home and cozy. While most of the book was disappointing, just being back in the setting I love was worth it.

While not my favorite, if you love the first two books in the series, you ought to read this one.

The Holman Writing adventure continues… without a schedule. Most of you probably read my post about tearing up my schedule. It has been a challenge as well as a blessing for me. While I feel like I am making time for the important things, progress on some of my stories is going much slower. Dreams and Devotion has taken very little of my time the last two weeks. People and events seem to be conspiring against this story… which is oddly appropriate for the story.

I thrive on my schedules, so to be without one feels odd. Yet, I am not roaming around the house without purpose. I still spend most of the day behind my laptop, working away, but sometimes, things more important than my work go on. Such as:

I spent some time getting Homeschooled Authors in order.
I chatted online with some friends going through a rough time.
I finally dusted my shelves.
I have worked in the garden some.
I have been able to be more available to my family.
I have been less stressed.

I admit, it is a little hard sometimes because I know that things are not going according to my hoped for timetable. I also want to be spending more time on my writing. Yet, I know that I am exactly were God wants me to be. There is nowhere I would rather be.

Today I wanted to do something a little different. I want to invite you into my room. I cleaned it up recently so it is actually fit to be seen. I share this room with my sister Rose. As she works in town and I spend most of the day behind my computer it can get pretty messy.



This is my writing corner which you may have seen pictures of before.



This is where a lot of our stuff is stored.



And where our collection of miniature tea sets, my awesome books, and Rose’s crafting supplies are kept.



In case you thought I had taken over the room entirely with my books, this corner is all Roses.




This is the latest addition to our room, it is a nice place for us to do our hair and keep the bathroom open.


Thank you for visiting. Can you stay for tea?

There has been a great debate going around my circle of friends: Should they or shouldn’t they watch the new Beauty and the Beast? It has been thoughtful, insightful, and, yes, ugly at times. Some of my friends are signing onto a Disney boycott while others are rolling their eyes and saying that some Christians are making a big deal out of something small. This begs a question from all of us:

Why is what someone else chooses to watch, or not watch, so important to us?

I’m going to admit something here: I’ve watched some things that I regret. I went through a time where I was struggling from depression and watched some things that were not healthy or God honoring. Many, if not most, of my friends and blog readers probably still consider what I watched not that bad. While some of the content wasn’t great, it’s pretty clean by today’s standards. It was relatively fine.

One day, I was with a group of girls and they were talking about shows they had seen. These all were very sweet godly girls, but one of them said something to me that bugged me. She made a comment that, of course I hadn’t seen them because I would never think of watching that kind of thing.
I became defensive.

I flaunted a series I had watched with some content in it that wasn’t that great. The girls smiled and I felt I had gained some respect. For a few moments, I delighted in that respect. I was watching relatively cleaner things than they were watching, but I had showed them that I wasn’t the legalistic person they had thought I was. It didn’t take long for my delight to turn into pensiveness, and that pensiveness drove me to some unsettling conclusions.

#1 The only person I should worry about how they think about my choices is God.
#2 I was disturbed that I had been proud of the dirt in those shows.
#3 It was clear I had allowed some things into my life I shouldn’t have.

I liked the shows I had been watching. They were engaging and I found a lot of good in them. Yet, did they honor God? Since I felt that was a little too tough of a question (rolling eyes at self) I even gave myself an easier question: What did they make me think about? Did I come away thinking about themes of what was true, noble, right, and pure? I had to admit, I wasn’t coming away thinking about those things. I was upset with myself for allowing them in in the first place and upset at the conviction that I had to get rid of them.

Which brings me to the reasons I’ve chosen not to see the new Beauty and the Beast.
#1 By spending my money on something, I am giving my support. Just as I won’t buy or watch something that winks at intimacy outside of marriage, I won’t spend money on something that winks at the gay lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if it is a moment or a long scene.
#2 I was recently convicted (once again) that magic is never okay to God. Any time as it is treated as benign or good, it violates how God views it. This is hard for me as I have enjoyed Cinderella, Tangled, and myriads of other films that have “cute” magic.
#3 I want my entertainment to align with what I believe. My time is valuable and when I take the time off to watch or read something, I want to come away with profitable thoughts, not curse words, sensual ideas, or smiling at things God hates.

Now, if you are going to see Beauty and the Beast, can we still be friends? Of course! However, if you know someone who feels they shouldn’t go, honor their conviction.

Buy the book Here
See Review on Amazon

This book was emotion, heartbreaking, breathtaking, and encouraging. It reminded me of Christy or one of Tracy Higly’s books in that it dealt with very tough issues in such a way that didn’t glorify them, sugar-coat them, or feel crass. I was blessed by the powerful faith messages that were woven through the story by a master writer.

Bethan was my favorite character in the story. Her faith is strong yet she has some very real struggles when she is taken from her home. One of the things I loved…I had no idea who she was going to get with. She took interest in one guy, but then found out he already loved and girl and so on. It was so true to life that I loved it.

Deoradhan was a complex character and was well written. I was pulled along by his story and struggle. My heart pounded at times, I wanted to cry out in rage, or sob with sorry. He had so much emotion behind his character it truly pulled me in.

The setting was so amazing. Set in Arthur’s England, I was pulled into the place and didn’t want to leave. It felt so real. Ruggieri did an amazing job for capturing the land, structures, people, and atmosphere of the time.

This book deals with some very hard topics. Several side characters are very immoral people. One scene takes place at a druid festival and the tone is very dark. However, sin is show for what it is; sin. While a couple characters enjoy the momentary pleasures, the consequences for such actions are clearly shown.

I highly recommend this if you like grittier fiction, historical fiction, and vivid characters.