Prayers for Ordinary Life by Reclaim Today

Prayers for Ordinary Life

Meeting God in Everyday Moments

by Reclaim Today from Our Daily Bread Ministries

Rating: 5 star rating

I really enjoyed this book. It is a collection of prayers for everyday life. The prayers cover many situations that most people face, such as feeling worried, tired, lonely, discouraged, thankful, or overwhelmed. There are also prayers for family relationships, difficult days, and times when you just don't know what to say to God.

What I liked most was how easy it was to read. The prayers are short but meaningful. They feel honest and relatable, like they were written by someone who understands real-life struggles. I found several prayers that put my feelings into words better than I could myself.

The book reminds readers that God cares about ordinary moments, not just big events or emergencies. Whether you're having a good day or a difficult one, there is likely a prayer that fits your situation. I also liked that I could open the book to any page and read a prayer without having to start at the beginning.

This would be a wonderful book to keep on your bedside table for a few minutes of prayer before going to sleep or when starting your day. It would also work well alongside a Bible study, providing thoughtful closing prayers after your study time. If you enjoy journaling, the prayers can serve as a starting point for writing your own reflections and prayers. I can also see it being useful for small groups or personal devotional time.

If you're looking for a deep Bible study, this is probably not the book for you. But if you want encouragement, comfort, and help with your prayer life, this book is a great choice.

Overall, I found "Prayers for Ordinary Life" to be uplifting, practical, and easy to use. It helped me remember that God is with us in the small, everyday moments of life just as much as in the big ones.

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a simple, encouraging prayer book that can be picked up whenever a little extra guidance, comfort, or inspiration is needed.

Thank you, NetGalley, Our Daily Bread Publishing, and Reclaim Today for this book review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

#NetGalley 

#OurDailyBreadPublishing

#PrayersforOrdinaryLife

#ReclaimToday

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

The Keeper by Charles Martin

The Keeper

by Charles Martin

Rating: 5 star rating 

I really enjoyed The Keeper by Charles Martin. This book had plenty of action and suspense, but it was the characters that made it special for me.

Murphy Shepherd is still grieving the loss of Bones, his mentor, teacher, and father figure. Bones may be gone, but his wisdom and influence are present throughout the story as Murphy struggles to carry on the work they started together. Murphy is tough and skilled, but he is also hurting, which makes him feel very real to me.

The story centers on the kidnapping of the three daughters of Aaron Ashley, a presidential candidate who is desperate to get his girls back safely. As Murphy and his team try to find them, the danger keeps building, and the stakes become higher and higher.

I also enjoyed the members of Murphy's rescue team. They are loyal to one another and willing to risk their lives to save innocent people. Their friendship and teamwork add to the story. Murphy's dog, Gunner, was another favorite character of mine. He is more than just a pet; he is a constant companion who provides comfort and protection when Murphy needs it most.

What stood out most was the emotional side of the story. Murphy isn't a perfect hero. He struggles with grief and the pressure of trying to live up to Bones's example. Watching him grow and learn to trust what Bones taught him was as interesting as the rescue mission itself.

Charles Martin does an excellent job of making the characters feel like real people. I found myself caring about Murphy, the kidnapped girls, Aaron Ashley, and the entire rescue team. There were several emotional moments that touched my heart, along with enough suspense to keep me turning pages late into the evening.

If you enjoy Christian fiction with great characters, meaningful themes, suspense, and a message of hope, The Keeper is definitely worth reading. It is a powerful story about courage, faith, sacrifice, and the belief that every life is worth saving. I finished the book feeling satisfied, encouraged, and eager for the next Murphy Shepherd story.

Thanks to NetGalley,Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Charles Martin, author, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#ThomasNelsonFiction

#TheKeeper

#CharlesMartin

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

Whispers of Sea Glass by Wendy Lynn Decker

Whispers of Sea Glass

by Wendy Lynn Decker

Rating: 5 star rating

I really enjoyed Whispers of Sea Glass by Wendy Lynn Decker. Ivy Jean Munroe is a smart, curious teenager growing up in the 1950s with dreams of becoming a detective. After being transferred to a new Catholic school, she struggles to fit in and adjust to the strict rules and new surroundings. I felt for her as she tried to find her place while dealing with all the changes in her life.

One of my favorite parts of the story was Ivy's relationship with her grandfather. He is one of the few people who truly understands and encourages her curiosity. Their bond adds warmth to the story, and his support helps give Ivy the confidence to keep asking questions and searching for the truth. But her father deals with health issues, and mysteries of his own.

I also enjoyed Ivy's friendship with Stella. Stella may have a reputation as a troublemaker, but she is loyal and brave. Together, the girls investigate a secret connected to their school, and their friendship grows stronger along the way.

The mystery kept me interested, but what I loved most was watching Ivy grow. She learns that people are not always what they seem and that sometimes the truth is more complicated than expected. The 1950s setting, family connections, friendship, and mystery all came together beautifully.

This was a heartwarming story with characters I genuinely cared about. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong family bonds, memorable friendships, and a good mystery, I highly recommend this book. It stayed with me long after I finished reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Virtual Serenity, and Wendy Lynn Decker, author, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#VirtualSerenity

#WhispersofSeaGlass

#WendyLynnDecker

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

Prowl by Colleen Coble, author and Karen Peakes, narrator

Prowl 

by Colleen Coble, author

and Karen Peakes, narrator

Part of the Sanctuary series

Rating: 5 star rating

If you want a clean Christian mystery with a great message about trusting God, you need to listen to Prowl. It is the second book in Colleen Coble's Sanctuary series.

The audiobook starts with a crazy mystery. A worker named Ivy is found dead inside the tiger cage at a wild animal park. At first, the police think the tiger attacked her. But the autopsy proves someone actually shot her with a tranquilizer gun loaded with a deadly dose of animal medicine!

The local deputy, Creed Greene, immediately blames Blake Lawson. Blake co-owns the park with his mother. He has access to the tranquilizer guns. Blake is innocent, but he is stressed out trying to clear his name and keep the animal park from running out of money.

Someone is also trying to ruin the park. They are cutting down fences and letting animals loose. All because there is a secret soil test that showed there are valuable "rare earth elements" deep in the ground on the park land. The bad guys want to force Blake to go broke so they can buy the land cheap and dig it up.

In the mean time Blake’s girlfriend, Paradise Alden, who is a wildlife vet, is trying to find her biological brother and figure out who murdered her parents years ago. But a hacker keeps deleting her DNA test results from her computer, and someone even breaks into her apartment to scare her away.

I also loved how much faith is in this book. Blake, his mom Jenna, and his little brothers have a huge trust in God. When the police are pointing fingers and everything is falling apart, they turn to prayer. The big lesson in the story is that God gives second chances and that true freedom comes when we choose to forgive.

Karen Peakes does an amazing job narrating. She voices Blakes steady strength and perfectly captures Paradise's independent spirit, making it easy to keep track of all the small town characters.

Finally, the ending explains who killed Ivy and who was sabotaging the animal park. Plus, Blake and Paradise's romance gets super sweet! Know that the bigger mystery about Paradise's parents isn't solved yet, but more will be revealed in the next book. 

Listen to book one Ambush first so that you will know why Paradise and Blake are dating.

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, Colleen Coble author, and Karen Peakes narrator, for providing this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#ThomasNelsonandZondervanFictionAudio 

#Colleen Coble author

#Karen Peakes narrator

#Prowl

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

This is a review of the audiobook.

Ambush by Colleen Coble author and Karen Peakes narrator

Ambush

by Colleen Coble author

and Karen Peakes narrator

I love this audiobook Ambush, by Colleen Coble, which is an exciting Christian mystery mixed with a sweet, clean romance and a strong message of faith. The audiobook is narrated by Karen Peakes, and she is incredible at bringing the whole cast to life!

Paradise Alden is a vet who has had a really tough life. When she was a kid, her parents were murdered, and she grew up in an abusive foster care system. Lately, she has also been recovering from a terrifying jaguar attack that almost ended her career. To face her fears of big cats and try to remember what happened the night her parents died, she moves back to her hometown in Alabama to work at The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve.

Her first day is a total nightmare. An animal activist is found dead in a horse trailer on the property. Right after that, a mysterious villain starts trying to destroy the preserve by setting fires, shooting at the animals, and letting dangerous predators loose.

The local police blame Blake Lawson; the manager of the preserve and Paradise's first love, who broke her heart years ago. Paradise knows Blake is innocent, so they have to team up to find the real killer before the animals, or they get hurt.

Because of all her past trauma, Paradise starts the book angry at God. She feels like He abandoned her when she was a child. A big part of the story is about her journey to stop being so defensive, let go of her anxiety, and realize that God has been waiting for her with open arms all along. Blake’s steady faith also helps her see that she can trust again. It has a beautiful, inspiring message about forgiveness, grace, and finding peace in God when life gets scary.

The narrator, Karen Peakes, does an amazing job. She changes her voice perfectly for everyone—from little kids to tough guys—making it feel more like a movie than just one person reading a book.

The audiobook provides a great ending. The bad guy who is trying to ruin the sanctuary is caught, the animals are saved, and Paradise and Blake finally fix their relationship. It completely wraps up the main mystery while leaving a little hint about Paradise’s past to get you ready for book two. I highly recommend it! I can't wait to listen to the whole series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Colleen Coble author, and Karen Peakes narrator, for providing this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#HarperCollinsChristianPublishing #Colleen Coble author

#Karen Peakes narrator

#Ambush

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

This is a review of the audiobook.

Scent of Hope by Susan May Warren, author and Brian Hutchison, narrator

Scent of Hope

by Susan May Warren, author

and Brian Hutchison, narrator 

Rating: 5 star rating 

I really enjoyed Scent of Hope. This story takes readers back to the Alaskan wilderness, where Harley Tatum returns to Copper Mountain after years away. She's been carrying the weight of a tragedy from her past and wants nothing to do with the memories waiting for her there. But when a dangerous fugitive connected to those events escapes, Harley is pulled into a search that forces her to face everything she's tried to leave behind.

The situation becomes even more complicated when she has to work with Jericho Bowie, the search-and-rescue expert she once loved. As they follow clues through rugged mountains, harsh weather, and increasingly dangerous situations, they uncover secrets, confront old misunderstandings, and find themselves in more danger than they expected. Jericho's rescue dog, Orlando, was a wonderful addition to the story and often stole the scene.

I loved how Susan May Warren blended suspense, adventure, and romance with strong Christian themes. The story focuses on forgiveness, healing from past hurts, trusting God's plan, and finding hope when life seems broken. The faith elements felt natural and added depth to the characters' journeys.

Brian Hutchison's narration kept me engaged from beginning to end, bringing both the tension and emotional moments to life. The ending wrapped up the suspense well and gave the characters a satisfying, hope-filled conclusion.

If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, second-chance romance, wilderness survival, and stories about God's redemption and grace, this audiobook is definitely worth listening to.

Thanks to NetGalley, RBMedia, Susan May Warren author, and Brian Hutchison, narrator, for providing this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#RBMedia

#SusanMayWarren author

#BrianHutchison narrator

#ScentofHope

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

This is a review of the audiobook.

The Secret Dowry by K.C. Cowan

The Secret Dowry 

by K.C. Cowan

Ratings: 5 star ratings

I really enjoyed The Secret Dowry by K.C. Cowan. The main character, Charlotte Kendall, is the kind of heroine I love reading about. She is kind, modest, and a little unsure of herself after two unsuccessful seasons. She has pretty much accepted that she may never marry, so it comes as a surprise when several gentlemen suddenly begin showing an interest in her.

Charlotte's sister, Dorothea, plays a big role in the story. She loves her sister and wants the best for her, but her decision to secretly increase Charlotte's dowry ends up creating all kinds of complications. Even though Dorothea means well, her actions set the story into motion.

I also found Robert Morton to be an interesting character. At first, he seems charming, attentive, and everything Charlotte hopes for in a suitor. I could understand why she was drawn to him. As the story unfolds, however, Charlotte has to learn some difficult lessons about trust, appearances, and what truly matters in a relationship.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Charlotte's friendship with Frederick. He is Roberts' brother. Their drawing sessions were some of the sweetest scenes in the story. Through those quiet moments, Frederick's kindness, patience, and genuine concern for Charlotte shine through. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop naturally and seeing how comfortable Charlotte felt when she was with him.

What I liked most was watching Charlotte grow. She starts out believing she has little to offer, but by the end, she has gained confidence and learned her own worth. I found myself cheering for her and hoping she would find someone who appreciated her for who she was, not for the size of her dowry.

This is a sweet, clean Regency romance with family drama, lovable characters, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. If you enjoy historical romances with kind heroes, strong family relationships, and a heroine who discovers her own value while finding true love, this is a book I would definitely recommend. 

Thanks to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and K.C. Cowan for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#TheSecretDowry

#DragonbladePublishing

#KCCowan

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

Solid Ground by T. W. Lewis

Solid Ground 

by T. W. Lewis

Rating: 4 star rating

Audiobook Review:

I enjoyed listening to Solid Ground by T. W. Lewis. This is a nonfiction audiobook about building a successful and meaningful life through hard work, personal responsibility, strong character, and serving others. It almost comes across as an autobiography about himself and his work ethic. Lewis shares stories from his own life and business career to illustrate the lessons he has learned along the way. He uses examples from other famous people who have had successful careers and explains their stories and successes. 

What I liked most was the practical, down-to-earth advice. The author discusses goals and how to accomplish them in life, education, and work and how we need to adjust these goals to stay on track. You need to become aware of your values and strengths so that you can become more self aware, and accomplish your goals. 

Lewis has a conversational style that makes it easy to follow. He uses a clear business like voice throughout and uses his experiences to encourage listeners to pursue their goals with determination and integrity.  

Overall, this is a thoughtful and motivating listen for anyone interested in personal growth, leadership, and finding purpose in life. I would recommend it to listeners who enjoy inspirational nonfiction and practical life advice.

Thank you, NetGalley, Thomas W. Lewis audiobooks, and the author T. W. Lewis for the audiobook review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#SolidGround

#ThomasWLewis audiobooks

#TWLewis author

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

This is a review of the audiobook.

The Dragoneer Book 1 – The Bonding by Vickie Knestaut; Danny Knestaut Narrated by Stacy Gonzalez

The Dragoneer

Book 1 – The Bonding

by Vickie Knestaut; Danny Knestaut

Narrated by Stacy Gonzalez

Rating: 5 star rating

I really enjoyed The Bonding, the first audiobook in The Dragoneer series by Vickie Knestaut and Danny Knestaut. If you like dragon rider stories with a strong female lead, then this one is worth a listen.

The story takes place in the kingdom of Aerona, where dragons and humans have lived together for generations. The position of "Dragoneer" is one of the most respected roles in society because the Dragoneer leads the dragons and their riders during times of war.

Trysten, is the only child of the current Dragoneer. She has spent her life learning about dragons and developing a unique connection with them. However, tradition dictates that only men may inherit the title of Dragoneer. When her father is seriously injured and unable to continue leading, a successor must be chosen before the kingdom's enemies become a threat again.

Trysten struggles against centuries of tradition, she becomes involved in an important dragon-bonding process that could determine the future leadership of both dragons and humans. 

Elevera is a powerful dragon who becomes one of the most memorable characters in the book. Elevera is far more than a simple animal companion and has a strong personality of her own. 

Trysten's Father, the current Dragoneer, whose injury creates the succession crisis. He loves his daughter but must balance family loyalty with long-standing traditions.

Trysten's Childhood Friend, chosen as the potential successor despite Trysten's qualifications. His relationship with Trysten is complicated by friendship, duty, and expectations.

One of my favorite parts was the relationship between the dragons and their riders, especially Elevera, who felt like a real character rather than just a dragon and her connection with Trysten.

The book wraps up with them fighting a dragon hoard from a far different location. This leaves enough unanswered questions to make me interested in continuing the series.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, family-friendly fantasy with memorable characters, dragons, and a strong coming-of-age story. I look forward to seeing where the series goes next.

Thank you, NetGalley, Tantor Media, Vickie Knestaut, Danny Knestaut, and narrated by Stacy Gonzalez for the audiobook review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#TheDragoneer

#VickieKnestaut

#DannyKnestaut

#StacyGonzalez narrator

#TantorMedia

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

This is a review of the audiobook.

The Jewish Hospital by Jonathan Hammel

The Jewish Hospital

by Jonathan Hammel

Rating: 5 star rating

This was a great moving and thought-provoking historical holocaust novel set in Berlin during World War II. Lena Schild, a young nurse, takes a position at the Jewish Hospital with the help of her father. This hospital is one of the few places where Jewish people could still receive medical care under Nazi rule. Lena faces difficult choices about loyalty, courage, and doing what is right, as things become more dangerous.

The author, Jonathan Hammel, does a great job bringing this story with a little-known piece of history to life. 

The characters feel real, and the story has historical detail that offers emotional depth and feelings. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Lena and Sophie, Arthur, and Stefan. The novel shows ordinary people trying to maintain their humanity in extraordinary circumstances, but things don't always stay the same in hard circumstances. 

The book is not fast-paced, but it kept my interest because I cared about the characters and wanted to know what would happen to them. Readers who enjoy World War II historical fiction with strong themes of hope, compassion, and moral courage will likely appreciate this novel.

Overall, The Jewish Hospital is an engaging and heartfelt story that shines a light on a lesser-known chapter of Holocaust history. I enjoyed the way the author ended the story, with a lot of detail. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction and stories about resilience in difficult times. I thought this was great historical book.

Thank you, NetGalley, Skyhorse Publishing, and the author Jonathan Hammel for the eARC book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#The JewishHospital

#JonathanHammel

#SkyhorsePublishing

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com