Review of Firmament: No Man

I am so excited to be sharing my review of J. Grace Pennington's newest book, Firmanment: No Man!

Warning: There may be mild spoilers if you have not read the previous books in the series!


I don't even know where to start with this book. I've been waiting for it for about two years and was beyond excited to be able to dive in.
These characters are just. so. stunning. I feel like if I met any of them, I would know them instantly.
The plot was so intense, I stayed up until midnight reading it one night. Thus continuing my tradition of always having Pennington's book steal my sleep. Also, I was crying at midnight. I can't say why, but I am not okay. At all.
This book had one of the most interesting for character interactions. Crash and Guilders were such a unique pair. They were so opposite that it was hilarious to watch them. Having Andi, August, and the Doctor all alone together was fun to see. I really felt for Andi and all the emotions she didn't know what to do with. I wanted to just give her a hug.
Book (yes that's a name) was a very interesting addition to the group, and I cannot wait to hear more about him.
This book so good I don't even know what to tell you. I laughed out loud (a rare thing for me while reading), I cried (also rare for me), I was on the edge of my seat. I haven't felt this many emotions reading a book in a long time. Sci-fi has been my favorite genre for a long time, and this series is the best I have ever read. I cannot wait for the next book.

Find it on Goodreads and on Amazon. 

Visit J. Grace Pennington's website.

Have you read any of Pennington's books? 

On The Edge of Tomorrow

This is a super short, kind of moody poem, but I love it and wanted to share it. 

I stood there and looked 

At the life I might have 

The people I might have known 

Childhood friends were unjaded 

Loved ones were back 

I met new people and loved them 

I laughed in delight 

And didn’t feel any pang of discontent

I held on to all those sights 

And clung to those people 

As long as I could 

In the place that felt like a dream 

On the edge of tomorrow

Sometimes Good Stories Scare You

I don't typically talk about my story ideas before I write them. I don't know why it just makes writing lose a little bit of its sparkle if I tell about it before I get it on the page. But with NaNo coming up, I've been trying my hand at basic outlining.

I was sitting at McDonald's while my mom working online, and I had an outlining workbook laid out in front of me. I didn't really know what I wanted to write about. I normally literally go into my writing with a vague idea of a character, maybe a mental image or two and go from there. I sat down and tried to convey the mental image in my head onto the paper.

After two hours of writing, I felt shaken. I had just put on paper the extremely basic outline of a book that scares me. Not like a ghost story or anything. It's about a topic very near and dear to my heart and is probably a little too autobiographical to make a good story. I got home and sat for a while, praying, really wondering if I actually had to write a story that made me mentally quake. The answer: Yes. Sometimes good stories scare you. I think they were meant to, to remind me that writing isn't just about what makes me happy, it's about what God wants to do through me.

I don't know how well this story will turn out, but I am excited and nervous to dive in. Last night I made a Pinterest board for it, so if you want to hop on there and see what I've got so far, go ahead.

>>Pinterest board<<

Have you ever written a story that scares you? How'd it turn out? 

Five Fall Favorites || Top Five of 2019 (So far)

Hey there! It's hard to believe it's the last day of Five Fall Favorites already! To end us off here on my blog, I've got my top five books from this year so far!

Note: All titles are linked to Goodreads.

Lord, Change my Attitude by James MacDonald. This book is one of the most convicting books I've read in years. It's about how our attitudes impact every part of our life, and how important it is to have a good one.

Left Turn to the Promised Land by Rachel Starr Thomson. This book was so incredibly encouraging to my faith and my writing career.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White. I've already talked some about this book, but it deserves a second slot. The romance was the sweetest, the characters were stunning, and it had a good look at history.

Plan to Fail by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick. This series. <3 It's about an accedentaly spy who happens to be super adorable. This is the second book in the series, but it was my favorite so far.

The Protector by Dee Henderson. This is the fourth book in the O'Malley series, and I read it for the first time this year. It was amazing.

Make sure to hop over to Rebekah Morris's blog (Read Another Page: linked below) to find the links to all the other posts and follow the link here to a giveaway for the books pictured above!

Five Fall Favorites || Childhood Favorites

Hey there! Today I've got Childhood favorite. I went back to when I was about 8-12. I can't pin it down for sure though. 

Note: All titles are linked to Goodreads.

In Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson. This whole series is a collection of real stories, and they are hilarious, sweet, and convicting. Definitely my favorite series as a kid. 

Rainbow Garden by Patricia St. John. This author's books really impacted me as a kid. They are about realistic kids and strong messages. 

Pollyanna by  Eleanor H. Porter. I was read this book so many times. Pollyanna encouraged me to find joy in everything and a bit of adventure too. 

Five Little Peppers by Margaret Sidney. I honestly could hug this book. This group of adorable little kids, making do with not much money really hit home with me as a kid.

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I cannot tell you how many times I read this series. The mysteries, fun sibling interactions, and cool settings were my favorite.

Make sure to hop over to Rebekah Morris's blog (Read Another Page: linked below) to find the links to all the other posts and follow the link here to a giveaway for the books pictured above!

Five Fall Favorites || Sibling Stories

Hey everyone! Today is one of my favorite categories: sibling stories!!! I love sibling stories and had trouble narrowing it down to these five.

Note: All titles are linked to Goodreads.

Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliott. This book has the strongest sibling relation I've ever read in a book. It's also got ice skating and no romance. It's awesome.

Through the Tunnel by Rebekah Morris. It's about foster kids, strong Christian families, and gorgeous descriptions.

The Negotiator by Dee Henderson. It's about a girl negotiator (I bet you guessed that. ;) ), a big family, and lots of action.

Resistance by Jaye L. Knight. This has an epic plot, brother-sister interaction, and an amazing theme.

Brothers at Arms by John J. Horn. I know, you've already seen this one on here. ;) But it's about two brothers, trekking across the world, and learning to love the differences in people.

Make sure to hop over to Rebekah Morris's blog (Read Another Page: linked below) to find the links to all the other posts and follow the link here to a giveaway for the books pictured above!

  

Five Fall Favorites || Historical Non-fiction

Hello! Today I've got Historical Non-fiction. I'm afraid I didn't do great with this category. But I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Note: All titles are linked to Goodreads.

A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot. This is a book about a great woman by a great woman. Seriously, it's the best biography I have ever read.

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew. This book was so incredibly encouraging for my faith. Brother Andrew is an amazing guy.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. If you haven't read this book, you should. It's amazing.

David Livingstone by Janet Benge & Geoff Benge. He's one of my heroes and I loved this book.

Patricia St. John by Irene Howat. Patricia St. John is one of my favorite authors, and I was really excited to find a book about her.

Make sure to hop over to Rebekah Morris's blog (Read Another Page: linked below) to find the links to all the other posts and follow the link here to a giveaway for the books pictured above!

Five Fall Favorites || World Fiction

Hello everyone! Today I'm sharing five books that take place around the world. Read to the end for info on a giveaway and a surprise!

Note: All titles are linked to Goodreads.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White takes place in England. It's also about a woman codebreaker and involves characters who bond over being odd together. It's awesome.

Left to Die by Hailey Rose takes place in China. It's got super strong pro-life themes, kids that melt your heart, and down to earth characters you can relate to.

From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia A. Willis takes place in Rome. It's got a story so powerful it left me crying, it's got incredibly rounded characters and a super light romance.

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas takes place in Rome. This book is about the soldier who crucified Jesus, really understanding your faith, and getting to see biblical events from a close-up perspective.

Brothers at Arms by John J. Horn is set in Peru. It's about brother relationships, trekking through the jungle, and adventure.

Make sure to hop over to Rebekah Morris's blog (Read Another Page: linked below) to find the links to all the other posts and follow the link here to a giveaway for the books pictured above!

And today there is a free e-book! Kates Innocence by Sarah Holman! Follow this link, or click on the Books image to get your free copy!