Winners!

And the Winners are:

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Symona ~ The Amazon gift card!

Connor ~ Six signed books

Bethany ~ One signed book and three ebooks

Bria ~ Three ebooks

Thank you to each person who took part!

Top 5 HA books : Part 2

Kyleigh Dunn ~ Top 5 HA Books I read this summer:

Heart of Arcrea

Forged Steel

Rose of Prophecy

A Knight on the Old North Shore

Gift from the Storm

To be honest, I started the summer only planning to read 5! But as I started reading them found that 1, I had more time to read on my phone than I thought I did (and it keeps me from wasting time on Facebook!), and 2, reading “peer” books was something I hadn’t done much before but I found that it’s a really good thing to do as well as being very enjoyable.

Nicole Sager ~ Reading & writing usually slow down for me this time of year, so I'm not sure I got 5 books total read this summer! I have, however, read some HA works this year, and you can read my reviews by clicking the titles below. Some of these are fairly new, so if you've never heard of them, do these authors a favor and check them out!

Honor, Rachel Rossano

The Making of A Man, Rachel Rossano

Waltz Into the Waves, Sarah Holman

Rainland, Sarah Allerding

Happy reading!

Kate Willis ~ My favorite HA books this summer have been...

Song of the Sword by Hope Ann
Water Princess, Fire Prince by Kendra Ardnek

A Different Kind of Courage by Sarah Holman

You'll Be Like Faye by J.C. Buchanan

Implant by J. Grace Pennington

Jenelle Schmidt ~ However... I do have favorite HA authors, whose books I own and have read. My favorites are: Kaycee Browning, author of Ember Flame and Esprit de la Rose (the first story in Five Enchanted Roses) I love this author not only because she writes exceptionally well, but also because she is a dear friend. Kendra E. Ardnek and her Bookania series - I really need to read her other books, too, because I really enjoy her style.  Anne Elisabeth Stengl - became a fan a few years back when I met her at her book signing for Dragonwitch and have enjoyed everything she's written so far. Gillian Adams - I have only read Orphan's Song so far, but I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the further adventures of Birdie and company.

And there are various others on the list whose blogs I read and love, and their books are most decidedly on my list of books to buy and read!

Top 5 HA Books of the Summer: Part 1

Morgan Huneke ~ Unfortunately, I haven’t read 5 Homeschooled Author books this summer. Adulting takes away from reading time, and my friends like to distract me with books I can get from the library or cheap on Kindle. ;) But I did read two fantastic books by homeschooled authors this summer. Both are highly recommended.

Lady Dragon, Tela Du by Kendra E. Ardnek

Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally

Kendra Ardnek ~ 1. Crannig Castle by Morgan Elizabeth Huneke. The last book of her Time Captives trilogy, I read it for betaing purposes, and it's not out yet ... but it's awesome. Tore out my heart.

2. Song of the Sword by Hope Ann. An allegorical retelling of Rapunzel focusing on Joy. It was amazing.

3. Twinpathy by C.B. Cook. A superhero novel about telepathic twins. There were some moments where the main character bugged me, but I loved the book nonetheless.

4. The Rose and the Baloon by Kirsten Fichter. A Beauty and the Beast story. I don't love it as much as I love her Cinderella retelling, but it was a lovely story that I do recommend.

If we want to round it off and make it an even five, I have been neck-deep in edits for Lady Dragon, Tela Du...

Rebekah Morris ~ My top 5 favorite HA books that I read this summer were pretty easy to choose since I really haven't had much time to read and only read 6 authors. The first two were my favorites while the last three all tie for the same place.

The Old River Road by Ivy Rose (Loved this book! It made me cry and that doesn't happen often!)

Money Making Mom by Crystal Paine (Yes, she was homeschooled.)

The Treasure Hunt by Kate Willis

Journey to Love by Amanda Tero

The Silent Blade by Jesseca Wheaton

And I feel that I should go ahead and mention the 6th HA book too.

Adventures and Adversities by Sarah Holman

Sarah Brown ~ The top 5 Homeschooled Authors books I read this summer are as follows (in no particular order): 1) Gift from the Storm by Rebekah Morris: This book was extremely unique in storyline, and, while not a masterpiece, I was very impressed with the author's ability to so vividly portray the main character's amnesia and distress.  2) The Master's Calling by Amber Schamel: If you want to taken back into Bible times and practically live out the experiences of the followers of Christ after His resurrection--so vividly told that you feel like you're there with them--then this is the book for you! 3) Ante Up by Chautona Havig: (I hope this counts as an HA book--Chautona is a homeschool mom, and this series is about a homeschooling family. This last book of the Aggie's Inheritance series--if you haven't read the first 4(?) books, do that before reading this one. Your faith will be challenged and strengthened! 4) Pajama School by Natalie Wickham: Wow! Want to be inspired to get out and use your talents for the Lord? Natalie's book will do that for you! 5) Past Forward, Volumes 1-3, by Chautona Havig: The best that Chautona has to offer, IMO!! I don't care as much for the later books in the series, though they're still good, but nothing can beat volumes 1-3--volume 1 is even available as an audiobook! Willow & Chad's story is... well, there's no way to even describe it--just read (or listen to) it!!!

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Have Books, Will Travel: Part 2

Rebekah Morris ~ We haven't done a lot of traveling this summer, so I haven't had a chance to take my HA books on many outings. But a shady front porch in a comfortable chair with stacks of good books to read sounds delightful to me, no matter where that porch is! I only grabbed a few of our many HA books to join me in this photo, but my kindle is holding many more than you can see!!!

Kyleigh Dunn ~ All but one of my Homeschooled Authors books are on my phone, and I kept forgetting to take a picture on our recent Japan adventures, but here’s a photo of us at the safari park at the base of Mount Fuji, taken with my phone, which I was using to read a HA book on the bus to the park! 

Have Books, Will Travel: Part 1

Our books with us as we travel around during the summer

Sarah Brown

Sarah Beth Brazytis ~ We haven’t done much traveling yet this year – we tend to enjoy the cooler fall weather for trips – but I did take along a copy of The Apprentices on a visit to Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield, Ohio in July. This beautiful formal garden is part of a 47-acre estate surrounding a manor house, and always reminds me of the scenes when George and Geoffrey are running about with Melbourne, Lady Luckley’s tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

Claire M. Banschbach ~ I have almost an entire bookshelf full of HA books, and most of my kindle app is filled with HA books as well, so I included as many as I could. And you can pretty much bet that if any of the books you see are in a series, then I have the rest of that series somewhere. :) (Also special thanks to my sisters who helped me cart around all the books. :P)

Morgan  Huneke

Nicole Sager ~ I took some books to the Sight & Sound theatre, "Where the Bible comes to life!" The current production in Branson is Moses, and it is absolutely incredible! #seaswillpart

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Your Turn: Just Like Me

Just Like Me: Part 3

Sarah Brown ~ This was a hard question.... I suppose the easy answer would be to choose the character from my own books that is most like me: The little girl in Learning Lessons From Furry Friends and the young lady from Cheeper named Sarah Brown! But that's too much like cheating. I'm trying to think of a character who actually isn't me, but whom I related to the most..... Hmmmm.... I've got it! That would be Virginia from Janette Oke's Prairie Legacy series. She has her struggles, she wants so badly to be accepted and popular, but ultimately it's most important to her surrender to Jesus, live for Him, and share Him with her closest friends (even if she never sees fruit from her labors). I related to Virginia, and I saw a lot of myself in her struggles, and her triumphs.

Kyleigh Dunn ~ I’m sure there’s someone better, but off the top of my head one of the characters I have identified with most in any book I’ve read is Eowyn from Lord of the Rings. I was a bit of a tomboy growing up and her struggles and desires and path to marriage to Faramir was something that I often thought “that’s me!” about while reading.

Just Like Me: Part 2

Aubrey Hansen ~ I think the somewhat alarming truth we authors eventually realize is that all of our characters are like us, in different ways.  Bits and pieces of ourselves get scattered across our stories as we subconsciously work through internal struggles and express our view of the world.  As such, I’ve come to realize in retrospect that all the main characters of my other novel Peter’s Angel contain facets of me—whether it’s how I perceive myself, how I perceive my weaknesses, or the kind of person I wish I was.

Sarah Brazytis ~ Well, there is just one book in particular that my sisters and I enjoy assigning characters from to each other…

I am Winnie-ther-Pooh! 

(“Don’t you know what ‘ther’ means?”)

I enjoy taking walks in the woods with my sister, Piglet.

“Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?”

“Supposing it didn’t,” said Pooh after careful thought.

Piglet was comforted by this…

I also like listening to my other sister, Rabbit.

“I listened, but I had a small piece of fluff in my ear. Could you say it again, please, Rabbit?”

Rabbit never minded saying things again, so he asked where he should begin from…

Whenever we’re in a puzzle, we run to our mother, Christopher Robin.

“Hush!” said Rabbit, holding up his paw. “What does Christopher Robin think about it all? That’s the point.”

Because somehow Christopher Robin always knows what to say…

“I have been Foolish and Deluded,” said [Pooh], “and I am a Bear of No Brain at All.”

“You’re the Best Bear in All the World,” said Christopher Robin soothingly.

“Am I?” said Pooh hopefully. And then he brightened up suddenly.

“Anyhow,” he said, “it is nearly Luncheon Time.”

So he went home for it.

J. Grace Pennington ~ Probably the book character most like me would be Katharine from Stepping Heavenward.  I relate so much with her emotions and her struggles and her passionate personality.  Another option would be Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables.  I share her imagination, idealism, and passionate emotions.

Rebekah Morris ~ As soon as someone asks what character I’m the most like in a book, I know what answer to give. Sara, in my book “Gift from the Storm,” is me with the wrong name. Yep, her personality is me all over again. She was very fun and easy to write about, by the way. So, if you want to know what I’m like, read Gift from the Storm and pay attention to Sara.

Kate Willis ~ The older sister Kate in my book is me, so that’s an easy one. ;) I'm also a mixture of the rusty, big-hearted Tinman; book hungry Liesel Meminger; awkward but loyal Molly Hooper; and practical adventurer Polly Plummer. (Though I most identify with the Swedish Chef Muppet.)

Just Like me: Part 1

We asked our authors: What is the book character that is most like you? (It can be from your own books).

Jenelle Leanne Schmidt ~ I think the book characters that are most like me (outside of my own creation: Kamarie) would be Princess Cimorene from Patricia C. Wrede’s “The Enchanted Forest Chronicles” or Anne Shirley from “Anne of Green Gables.” They are both true “kindred spirits.”
Cimorene is practical and no-nonsense. Like me, she has a lot of common sense and tends to approach problems logically. She also has a sense of adventure and an unquenchable spirit. She is not cowed or discouraged when things go awry, but lifts her chin and keeps trying.
Anne Shirley, on the other hand, is like me because of her vast and active imagination. She is also just a little socially awkward at times, but doesn’t care that she takes people aback with the things she says and does that are a little bit “off the wall,” so to speak.

Sarah Holman ~ Of my own books, it would be Maria Morris of the Destiny Trilogy. She is my own version of a self-portrait. Of other works, I would have to go with Emma from Jane Austen's work of the same title. I often think I am doing a good thing, but need to be corrected (now if only I could find my Mr. Knightly).

Nicole Sager ~ I relate a lot to Elinor Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility. I have [shamefully] not yet read the book, but I loved the films, took the quizzes (hehe, anyone else?!), and have a very dear friend who tells me reading the book is like reading a story about me. I take that as quite a compliment, because I think Elinor is a pretty neat lady ;)

Morgan Huneke ~ One of the characters I relate to the most is Emily Byrd Starr from L.M. Montgomery’s Emily of New Moon trilogy. I used to think I was Anne, but then I discovered Emily. Emily is imaginative just like Anne—just like me—but she’s more serious about writing. Her devotion to writing, even the period where she couldn’t write, her “flash,” so many aspects of her personality and story. I’ve been blessed with a much better family situation, a much more supportive family, but still, the similarities between me and Emily Starr are insane.

Claire Banschbach ~ I find pieces of myself in quite a few books and in most of the stories I write. But the character that I think is most like me is one of my own characters named Gregory. Yes, obviously there’s a gender difference, but we’re a lot alike. As I was writing him, I realized he was an introvert, highly loyal to his friends and family, occasionally struggling to find his place in the world and what his faith means to him. He’s a bit more snarky than I am and a lot braver because of the things I put him through, but out of all the characters I’ve written, he’s the one I identify most with.

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Your Turn: Writing Resources

We bet you have figured this out by now ;)

Writing Resources: Part 3

Kyleigh Dunn ~ I honestly don’t read as much as I should about writing. But I really like The Editor’s Blog, “Whose Grammar Book is this Anyway?”, “How to Read a Sentence (And How to Write One),” and then I love the community on www.apricotpie.com for early feedback on my writing. But my biggest and most favorite writing resource is my husband! He’s put a lot more thought and study into creative writing than I have and his comments and editing is always the most helpful to me.

Claire Banschbach ~ I think I’m a terrible writer since I won’t have a great answer for this one. I have several books about writing on my list of books to get, and one blog on writing advice that I frequent (K.M. Weiland’s blog). But other than that, most of what has developed me as a writer is critiques from beta readers and actually reading other stories and paying attention to the way a particular author writes.

Jenelle Schmidt ~ I love the Clean Indie Reads group on facebook, they are marvelous encouragers, as well as a treasure trove of helpful information.
Also highly helpful, and also entertaining, Lynne Trusse’s book “Eats, Shoots, and Leaves” on how to correctly use punctuation. One of my all-time favorite books.

Sarah Holman ~ Reading. Honestly, if I have a question about how to do something, I pick up books that I know do whatever it is I am struggling with well. However, if I need a pick-up-up, Month of the Novel is my go to source.

Writing Resources: Part 2

Aubrey Hansen ~ Other books and movies!  There’s nothing more inspirational (or instructional) than a well-written story.  After reading a good book or watching an entertaining movie, I want to duplicate the experience in my own work—and I have plenty of examples to analyze what worked and what didn’t.  Other than that, Elements of Style is a must-read.  But that’s about it.

Sarah Brown ~ I don't have too many writing resources.... But, as I am also an illustrator, I will share my favorite drawing/painting resource with you: The Art of Aaron Blaise. You can find tutorials of his on YouTube, you can look up his work on online galleries, and you can sign up for newsletters with drawing courses you can take, tips, and lots of free giveaways. I LOVE Aaron Blaise's artwork (especially his animal paintings)! My goal is to become at least as good as he is some day!

Kate Willis ~ Writing is a quest no good adventurer should embark on without brave companions and proper tools. I recommend packing K.M. Weiland's roadmap Structuring Your Novel, Strunk and White's manual The Elements of Style, a complete set of observation skills, and a blank journal.

Nicole Sager ~ I usually Google anything specific (the meaning of a name, tools used by medieval blacksmiths, how long you can stay in the dark before you go blind, how many inches around is the average man's neck...... I would hate for my search history to be discovered by the wrong person.). It's also very true that what you're reading influences what you're writing, so I enjoy reading other fictional books in a similar genre because it helps to give me a "feel" for the era I'm trying to get across in my own story.

Rebekah Morris ~ One resource I always have beside me when I write is The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi. Not only has this book been helpful and lots of fun, it’s a great help in creating real characters and giving little tips about using emotion in your story. I would highly recommend every writer get a copy of this book. Even if you don’t think you have trouble with this area.

Writing Resources: Part 1

Amber Schamel ~ There are so many, but I’ll name just a few. 

Seekerville Blog

Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon

Rivet Your Readers with Deep POV by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Books and Such Agency blog

Sarah Brazytis ~ The Doubleday Roget’s Thesaurus in Dictionary Form. Isn’t that the best book ever? Well, I admit it doesn’t have a very gripping story line, and the plot is somewhat loose, but I love that book! 

Next in line would be the World Book Encyclopedia (our 1957 edition is my favorite!) and, of course, Wikipedia. Where would a writer be without them?

Morgan Huneke ~ My favorite writing resource is HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com. I’ve learned a lot from K.M. Weiland. She has many different blog series on different aspects of writing, from character arcs to story structure to common writing mistakes. Her blog is extensive and well written. I highly recommend it. I also like The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, though I haven’t had it long enough to really know how great a resource it is yet. And I also love thesaurus.com. I have a paper thesaurus, but sometimes an online one helps a bit more.

J. Grace Pennington ~ I'd have to say my very favorite writing resource is the One Year Adventure Novel writing curriculum.  I've watched through all the videos multiple times and always find good reminders and inspiration in them.  I also like a book called The Emotion Thesaurus to help me find better ways to describe characters' emotions than simply saying “he was sad.”

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Your Turn: That's a Good Book

Write a blog post about what makes a good book for you then post the link in the comments below.

That's a Good Book: Part 3

Nicole Sager ~ Being a romantic, of course I love to find a sweet love story, but along the way I always hope for something that gives the story even a little bit of depth. I like for stories to make me think, and I always hope for a reason to laugh (witty dialogue is a major plus!).

Sarah Holman ~ I look for first and foremost a solid faith message that isn't preachy, but also cuts at the heart. I want real characters that struggle but choose what is right (at least most of the time). I like adventure stories that take me to far off places and show daring deeds. I like romance, not the fluffy-insta-love that most writers talk about, but the deep, real kind that is based on more than physical attraction.

Kate Willis ~ I want to be drawn into a storyline that encourages me in my daily walk leaving me forever changed. I’m looking for an understated, sweet romance; action--ordinary or swashbuckling; and definitely humor. ; ) I’m looking for something to write on my heart—something to quote—something to love.

Sarah Brown ~ hope to find very developed characters who are believable and real, whom I can relate to and can actually feel what they are feeling and going through. I like a little bit of God-honoring romance, but not anything passionate, gushy, or cheap. I am not big into sci-fi or action/adventure (like wars or secret agencies, etc.). I love when a book can depict everyday, normal life with new and interesting twists to it (like Chautona Havig does when she has a 22 year old girl suddenly inherit 8 children!). It's believable, it's set right here on planet earth (not on some made up planet or time period), I can relate to it because it depicts everyday life (eating, work, making meals, planning, painting the house, ...anything), but there's some new and unique twist added to the mix (like a woman who wakes up one day having completely forgotten her entire past, as in None So Blind). (Can you tell yet that I'm a big fan of Chautona's work?) It must also uphold Christian values and principles, but should also be real and tangible, not preachy and perfect. I'm pretty passionate and even a little picky about what I consider to be high-quality reading material. :-)

That's a Good Book: Part 1

Kendra Ardnek ~ I'd like to just read all day long, but sometimes I don't have the time or the gumption to read, at which times it takes a special book to break through my meh and keep me glued. Usually, these books have certain things in common, including:

High Concept World or Plot. I want to read stuff that's out of the box and different. I want to read a book and know that I can't get the same experience reading twelve other books. I don't mind a bit of cliche, though, as long as the cliche is handled properly.

Humor. I want to laugh - but it has to be tasteful humor. I don't like slapstick, preferring plays on words, irony, and friendly banter. 

A main character that I can care about. If I don't care, I don't read. 'Nuff said.

Aubrey Hansen ~ As an editor and publisher, I’m always on the lookout for quality.  I have my favorite plots and archetypes, of course,  but regardless of the genre I’m always searching for new talent.  Not only can I learn from their successes, but discovering a new gem gives me hope that a new generation of talented authors is about to rise, and there is a future for independent publishing.

Kyleigh Dunn ~ While I love adventure and description in books, what I look for most is something that will make me think or impact my life in some way. I don’t like finishing a book thinking “That was nice, but it didn’t change me/I didn’t learn anything/take anything away from it.” If I’m going to put the time into reading, I want to get more than relaxation in return.

J. Grace Pennington ~ I think I most hope to find characters that are real, that I can get to know and feel close with, live through their eyes, and be inspired by.  I want to find something in their choices and actions that impacts my mindset or how I live my life for the better.

Sarah Brazytis ~ What I desire most in a book is realism. For me, that takes in two major areas.
I love historical books – fiction and non-fiction. But I have serious problems with the modern ‘historical’ novel these days! Not many people seem to know the basics of life long ago, and proceed to either make it up or take it from their favorite movie. I am also turned off when the characters present ideas, thoughts and attitudes that would not be current to the times. Of course there have always been individualists, but researching for a historical book means more than just finding out what they wore or what they ate. It also includes what most people would have thought and believed.
Then there is just ordinary realism: I like characters to act ‘in character’. I want them to act like ‘real people’! When characters are unreliable and unrealistic, I simply can’t connect with them and find myself uninterested in their future.
And in general? I want a good story – one that leaves you feeling good, glad that right won over wrong, happy for your favorite characters…and wishing for just a little more. Because that’s what a good story is all about!

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Your Turn: Top 5 Favorite Authors

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