Mid-Year Book Freak-Out Tag

I've wanted to do this tag for yearrrrsss... and now I finally can. Because I have a blog now. Even if said blog refuses to send out notifications no matter WHAT I do. XP

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020:

A Tale of Two Cities. 

Because no book has made me cry so much hours after I read it. 

And no other book gave me the desperate longing for characters to be saved... 

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020: 

That was hard. But I'm going to go with Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright. It's book 3 in a series. but it's a sequel to book 2, so... it counts. XP And it's the best sequel I've read this year, for sure. I loved it so much!!

3. New release you haven’t read yet but want to: 

Ah, well, by the time this goes live... Let's say Ivy Introspective by Kellyn Roth! She has me very intrigued. But first I want to read the first book. 

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:

STOP THE RAIN. 

I cannot wait at all. 

It's gonna be so good. 

5. Biggest disappointment:

The Aztec Civilization by Henry Freeman.

All it discussed was the Aztec's religion. Nothing else about them. I expected more from Freeman. 

6. Biggest surprise:

Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of NIMH! It was totally not what I expected, but I loved it so, so much!

7. Favourite new author:

Lauren Compton!! I really, really loved Jayne's Endeavour and it was sooo clean. I cannot wait for book 2!

8. Newest fictional crush/ship:

Okay, first I want to preface: I don't recommend the Rose Years to everyone. And I plan to reread them next year to see what I think of them then. For now, though, my favourite ship is Paul Cooley & Rose Wilder. And I'm just gonna pretend that Rose stays the sweet, happy girl she was and marries Paul and has a bunch of children and is happy. <33 

9. Newest favorite character:

Sidney Carton. 

Because, Sidney Carton.

But an honourable mention goes to the Honourable Frederick (no pun intended, that's his name) from Rebecca's War. Because oh, I loved that man. What a true gentleman. <33

10. Book that made you cry: 

Can we say all the Elsie Dinsmore books? Because I'm fairly certain they all have. (Books 1-8). 

11. Book that made you happy:

Oh, so many. But let's just say Dusty Diamonds. Because that one I said so right up in the review. 

12. Favourite book-to-film adaptation you saw this year:

Babar TV Series. I haven't seen any others really.  

13. Favourite bookish post you’ve done so far this year: 

Bookstagram: 

Picture~ Happy National Best Friends’ Day.

Caption~ Think Before You Speak. Read Before You Think.  

Blog: I can't choose between the Me in Book Characters Tag and the Journaling My Favourite Novel post.

14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year: 

I... haven't bought any books this year really... I got most of them as gifts. *hides* So I'll have to say, cover-wise, Orphan at my Door, because I love the neat, natty covers of the Dear Canada books. Content-wise, Tattered Wings, by Kassie Angle. 

15. Books you need to read by the end of the year: 

Oh, my... many. Many. MANY. MANY MANY MANY. 

Not really. But there's so many books to read and so little time!!!

I don't tag anyone, but feel free to steal it! ;) I'd love to see your answers. 

P.S. Sign-ups are now open to beta-read The Colour Red! Ladies/girls only--sorry, gentlemen. 

Cover Reveal Tour: Promise's Prayer by Erika Matthews

Hi everyone! I know I've posted a lot this week--forgive me. XP There's so much excitement going on!!

Today I want to share a gorgeous cover for a lovely book by a wonderful lady. (Yes, I mean all those adjectives). I met the sweet Erika through the King's Daughters' Writing Camp and I'm so happy! She's such a blessing. <33

Erika's book Promise's Prayer (Truth from Taerna Book 1) is getting a second edition this fall, complete with new formatting, polish, and a brand-new cover! This is the first book in a clean Christian kingdom adventure series.

Synopsis:

He promised to save the land. She received a divine calling. But how can mere prayer quench his restlessness and her fears?

Walking behind a plow day in and day out gets boring for a nineteen-year-old who longs for nothing more than adventure. In the midst of the rampant lawlessness and love of pleasure that drive their country, Kaelan Ellith longs to make a difference. When a promise at his mother’s deathbed gives him the impetus to do just that, he’s off to the capital city to bring back the knowledge of Adon Olam. But despite his natural leadership skills, his schemes keep going awry, and lost people keep passing into eternity without hope. How can he ever keep such an impossible promise?

Shy and devoted Carita Kostan spends her days seeking Adon Olam, raising her bookish orphaned sister, and helping others. Carita knows the voice of Adon Olam, and she desires nothing more than to follow His calling: “Love. Serve. Pray. Persevere.” Yet how can she minister His love to her neighbors when her soul is simultaneously tormented by their unmet needs and handicapped by her own paralyzing fears?

When the true nature of the promise and the call begins to surface, Kaelan and Carita just might discover how saving the world is entirely different than they imagined. . . if they have the humility and the courage to receive it.

Doesn't it sound absolutely amazing?? I just can't wait to read it!!

About the Author:

Erika Mathews is an author and editor who lives in the farm country of Minnesota with her husband and children. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. When she’s not working with books, she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, piano and violin, organizing, and using the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.

And now.....

DA BEAUTY.

(Design credit goes to Megan Mccullough)

can we just squeal about this for a minute thank you 

Isn't absolutely stunning?!

And here are some quotes...

I just love it more and more! Seriously am so excited to read it. 

Thank you so much for attending this reveal party!! Watch Erika's Instagram this month for celebrations and release news, and hop over to restinglife.com/signup for all the updates plus a free short story.

Blessings, you all!!

One Year Ago

One year ago today, I won Camp NaNoWriMo & finished my first novel. It was all of 46,526 words long. It was the first time I stepped out of my usual genre of historical fiction and quaint, old-fashioned stories or silly contemporary ones and actually wrote something with a deep theme. It was the first time I persevered with something that was hard to write. It was the first time I had a fangirl team. It was the first time I was in a writers’ group. It was the first time I crafted a character that I knew I would love the best forever. It was the first time I created a cover that I was sure was just perfect.

Now, 12 months later... that book started a whole series with 10 books in it. I created real mood boards on Pinterest. I helped start a writing camp for Christian girls. I reached 50,435 words in my current story, which is my 3rd novel. I designed covers beyond anything I’d ever dreamed. I cried over my writing & made others emotional too. I have even more fangirls than before. I’ve tackled themes deeper than I ever imagined I would. I’ve pushed through hard and dry spells. I’ve created a character that will always be my “baby” character.

What happened in between? 

I wrote. I actually set time aside to write. Sometimes it was just 100 words a day. Sometimes it was 2,000. Sometimes it was more. But I wrote consistently. 

I’ve learned to accept critique. Oh, it’s still hard. But I’ve learned that it’s needed and useful. At the same time, I’ve learned that my book is my book and it’s okay not to do everything everyone says. 

I’ve learned that if God gives you a message He’ll show you how to write it.

I’ve learned that all glory & praise in my writing is His, and not to take pride in it. At least, I’m trying. 

I’ve learned that even if twelve months later you discover that a book is rubbish... it’s okay. 

I’ve learned that sometimes you don’t figure things out for months and then suddenly God just snaps the puzzle pieces together at the right time.

I’ve learned to be humble, because I’m not the best.

I’ve learned that rewriting isn’t a bad thing.

I’ve learned that no matter how good I think something is, I’ll always find later that it’s not as good as I thought... and it’s foolish and wrong to be proud of it. 

I’ve learned that you’ll always get better, but that can’t stop you from producing in the moment. You have to start somewhere. 

I’ve learned that God will bring along just the people you need at just the right time in ways that are simply astounding.

I’ve learned that if you have the courage to step up and speak the truth and say what is right, God will take care of you. And it is so freeing.

 

I’ve learned how to get along with people who are wildly different than me, and how to get along with people who are very similar to me.

I’ve learned that I don’t know it all. And I need to keep learning.

I’ve learned that when you surrender your dreams & plans to God, He gives you far more than you ever imagined or hoped for. 

I’ve learned there’s a reason for heartbreak and pain and uncertainty and fear. And that God can use it for His glory.

I’ve learned how beautiful redemption and love and mercy and hope and grace and justice are. 

I’ve learned that God does wonderful things in just 12 short months. He has worked on me and changed me so that I barely recognize the girl I was 12 months ago. Anything I am is all Him. I’m humbled and awed by what He has done. And I’m beyond grateful. 

God has blessed me so much & brought me so far since July 23, 2019. 

Praise be to His Name. 

And thank you to those of you who’ve stuck with me. You’ve put up with so much from me. You’ve been gracious and sweet. You’ve kept me going with all your encouragement & care. You’ve answered countless quotations and brainstormed innumerable ideas. I can’t say thank you enough to all of you for all you’ve done. 

We Know the Ending

I look around me right now, and what I see is worry and fear. 

Worry about the virus. Are people going to keep dying from it? Will we?  

Worry about police defunding. Are we all going to be left defenceless? 

Worry about police brutality or misuse of rights. 

Worry about the government stealing rights. How much longer will they lock us up and not allow us to do certain things?

Worry about masks. How much longer will we have to wear them? What will they do to us? 

Worry about the economy. Will it crash? What will all this inaction do to it? Will the stores be full again? 

Those worries are real and large, because we have no answers. If you dwell on them, you become filled with fear, dismay, anxiety. Not knowing the answers is a terrifying thing to us all. Hearing all sorts of theories and ideas and fears all around you frightens you, even if you don't believe in those things yourself. Everyone is unsettled and afraid.

But friends, lift your eyes above instead of looking at this world. Remember: this is not our home. 

"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." (Hebrews 13:14 KJV, emphasis mine). 

We know this earth is headed towards rebellion. 

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:" (2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV). 

We know the Antichrist is coming. 

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for [the day of Christ] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 6-7 KJV). 

We know this world will burn in the end. 

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10 KJV). 

We know the ending of the story, because our God knows and He told us. 

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;" (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 KJV). 

So what have we to fear? We already know what will happen. 

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV). 

We are headed for our Home, and that is our destination. Not any country or city here on earth. 

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelations 21:1-4 KJV). 

We’re just pilgrims passing through. 

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16 KJV). 

The world will do evil. 

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13 KJV). 

But Jesus will conquer, and Jesus shall reign for ever.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelations 19:11, 13-16 KVJ).

Our eternity is secure; what is this temporary tent on earth? 

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV). 

It’ll all turn out right in the end.

"Then cometh the end, when [Jesus] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." (1 Corinthians 15:24 KJV).  

Have peace. 

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13 KJV). 

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts," (Colossians 3:15 KJV).

God knows. 

"The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men." (Psalm 11:4 KJV). 

He reigns. 

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelations 11:15).

He will reward.

"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him." (Isaiah 3:10-11). 

And Heaven is approaching.

"And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." (1 John 2:25 KJV). 

Dear Waiting

Dear Waiting:

To you that is in a season of life where you don't seem to be going anywhere. To you who feel like you're not growing. To you who has great plans you want to do for God, but your plans aren't working out. To you, who are in a period of waiting.  

This isn't an easy place to be in. Maybe everyone around you seems to be going somewhere with their lives--college, jobs, careers, marriage, family, pursuing their dreams, you name it. But this is where God has placed you, and He will give you the grace to pass through it. 

I firmly believe that you are passing through this period for a reason. I believe God is making you wait and learn and grow right now. And it’s hard. It’s like working out. It’s painful and sweaty and no fun. But it’s oh-so-worth it after. It may last a while. It may be longer than you expect. But the more you fight Him the longer it’ll take for Him to mold you like He wants to. 

"But how can I grow if I just stay still?"

You grow anywhere. You’re growing right now. And you are doing something. You are learning life lessons. You are learning to lean on Him and wait and pray and trust even when you don't understand.You’re learning to care for the things of daily life. You’re not doing special stuff. You’re doing the everyday, needed stuff. But--

"God doth not need

Either man's work or his own gifts; who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed

And post o'er land and ocean without rest:

They also serve who only stand and wait."

You’re serving at home. You’re learning lessons. Maybe you’ll never do the special work that you want to do or you think you will. But the people who cook and clean and teach and raise kids and work hard—we need them too. Just like we need evangelists and pastors and missionaries and special workers. There has to be someone in the background doing the day-to-day, everyday work. We need them. And they’re serving too. Their job is just as important and for the Lord's glory. 

Maybe that’s what God's teaching you right now. You don’t need to go somewhere else or do something else. You just need to serve Him where you are. Doing what He asks and what you can do. "Do what you can with what you have where you are." 

"But what about my plans?"

Think about your plans. They're what you want. Maybe GOD doesn’t want them. You may want a good thing, but that doesn’t make it His will. 

You’re not content. Perhaps that’s your problem. Maybe you’re trying to reach something you shouldn’t. Those things that you want--learning a language, getting a job, learning a career--they're probably good things. But maybe God doesn’t intend for you to do that all your life. Maybe He only needs you to do it for a short time, later on. Can't you trust His timing?

Sometimes you want to do something big for God but He wants you to do the small things for Him.   

I firmly believe that just because it only touches one person doesn’t make an action small. If it saves one soul, or blesses one soul, or brings someone closer to the Lord, or anything like that—THEN IT IS WORTH IT AND IT IS A BIG THING.  How many years did the little boy learn to fish so he could give Jesus his little fish & breads? The widow only gave 2 small coins, but it was as big a gift as Mary’s priceless perfume. 

Don’t focus on what YOU must do to serve God. Focus on how HE wants you to serve Him. You might be doing a "works" thing here, trying to do things off your own strength to give Him. He wants you to do what He placed you to do. Perhaps you’re focusing too much on yourself. And what you “have to do.” Perhaps you’re trying too hard and trying to do what you’re not supposed to do. If He’s keeping you where you are it’s for a reason. God's voice is a still, small voice... maybe you can’t hear it in your hurry and worry. If you're always going, going, going, worrying, tired, frustrated--how can He reach you if you’re not quiet? 

You serve the Lord just as much washing the dishes for your family as a missionary does preaching the Gospel to jungle tribes in South America. He needs both workers. 

Just reflect on these things and pray about them. And keep trusting and waiting. God knows what He's doing and its all for your good.  <33