A Cornerstone for Her Heart, Seacliff Shores Romance: Book 7 by Elizabeth Marie

Rated: 5 Star Rating

I just finished reading, A Cornerstone for Her Heart by Elizabeth Marie and I loved it. It is the seventh book in her Seacliff Shores series, and it is such a sweet story.

The book follows Summer Avery, who is trying to raise her two younger siblings, Lily and Micah, all on her own, after her mother passes away.

To make sure she can keep custody of them, she agrees to a marriage of convenience with a quiet builder named Joel Cole, and he moves into Summer's cottage.

Even though it starts out as a fake setup just to pass a guardianship review, living under the same roof changes everything.

I loved reading about their everyday moments, like hectic mornings in the kitchen, helping the kids, and Joel fixing things around the house.

The ending is so heartwarming and wraps up their emotional journeys. It is a beautiful story about family, faith, and learning to lean on other people when things get tough. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clean, small town romance.

Thank you, NetGalley, Elizabeth Marie Publishing, and author Elizabeth Marie, for providing me with a copy of this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#NetGalley

#ElizabethMariePublishing

#ElizabethMarie

#ACornerstoneforHerHeart

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

Carrying War A Memoir by Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt

Rated: 5 star rating

I just finished reading Carrying War: A Memoir by Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt. It is a collection of 32 personal, chronological essays that feel like you're reading someone's private diary. The book traces Tanya’s life from a scared 12 year old girl to an adult woman, spouse, and mother. 

Because her father was a Major and UN peacekeeper in the Canadian Armed Forces, her family moved from a military base in Yellowknife straight into the middle of the Lebanese Civil War in Beirut. They survived seven months of pure terror, which completely changed her family. Her mother tried desperately to keep up a normal domestic routine amidst the chaos, but her brother, Etienne, completely withdrew into himself after his class accidentally witnessed the horrifying, bloody aftermath of the bombed US Embassy.

As the years pass, the story follows Tanya across the world, from the Middle East and Europe to the Northwest Territories and Quebec, as she tries to process this heavy baggage. 

It is an honest look at PTSD and the invisible scars military families carry. What I liked most is that it doesn’t leave you feeling depressed. The book ends on a note of redemption, spiritual faith, and hope, proving that you can heal from your past. If you love clean, emotional non fiction, you need to add this ebook to your reading list.

Thank you, NetGalley, Dundurn Press, and the author Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt, for the book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#DundurnPress

#TanyaBellehumeurAllatt author

#CarryingWar

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

Seacliff Shores Romance (Preluide / Book 0) by Elizabeth Marie

Rated: 5 star rating

I just finished reading The Heart of Seacliff Shores, preluide book one, by Elizabeth Marie. This book is perfect for anyone loving small town stories with clean Christian values. The short prequel does a great job introducing the main setting for the rest of the Seacliff Shores series.

The plot takes place during a massive storm in a little California beach town, and almost the entire story happens inside a local beachfront coffee shop called the Seabean Café. The power goes out everywhere, forcing relatable characters like coffee shop owner Claire Chandler, town pastor Elliot James, struggling resident Luke Chandler, and newcomer Caitlin Blake to stick together in the dark. 

This isolated setup is fantastic because being trapped around coffee counters without lights forces genuine conversation, face to face problem solving, and emotional healing.

The book ends on a hopeful note, right when the storm passes and the coffee shop doors reopen. The story leaves a warm feeling and builds excitement for what happens next in the main books. 

No bad language or inappropriate scenes exist here, making this a quick, feel good read and a peaceful bedtime escape. I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you BookSirens, Elizabeth Marie Publishing, and author Elizabeth Marie, for providing me with this ebook review consideration, in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#BookSirens

#Elizabeth Marie

#Elizabeth Marie Publishing

#SeacliffShoresRomancePreluideBook0

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

Dark Mode: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Rated: 5 star rating

I really liked reading this version of Marcus Aurelius’s personal thoughts. Dark Mode: Meditations is basically a collection of the private journal entries the Roman emperor wrote to himself while running an empire and fighting wars. 

The book is called Meditations because the word "meditate" means to think deeply about something. He wasn't writing a book for the public; he was just talking to himself, practicing his thoughts, and reminding himself how to be a good person.

This book is incredibly helpful for learning how to deal with difficult people. Marcus Aurelius reminds himself that when you wake up in the morning, you are definitely going to run into people who are rude, selfish, jealous, or annoying. But instead of getting mad at them, he says we have to realize that these people just don't know any better.

He explains that we are all made to work together, like two hands or two feet, so getting angry or turning your back on someone completely misses the point. It is a solid reminder that you can't control how other people act, but you can always control how you react.

The dark-mode layout makes it perfect for sitting down and reading quietly because the light text on a dark background doesn't hurt your eyes.

Overall, I thought this was a great book on teaching a person to meditate their thoughts, and I think it would help a lot of others to learn how to respond to bad behavior, and I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and the author Marcus Aurelius, for the book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley 

#AndrewsMcMeelPublishing

#MarcusAurelius

#DarkModeMeditations

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

Dark Mode: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Rating: 4 star rating

I just finished reading the Dark Mode version of The Art of War, and the layout is great. If you are like me and get eye strain from staring at bright screens, this book is perfect because it is just white text on a completely black background. It is way easier on the eyes and actually helped me focus a lot better.

The book is Sun Tzu’s classic advice on strategy broken down into thirteen short chapters that cover everything from initial planning to using fire in combat. He talks about how a good leader needs to stay calm and emotionally detached, especially when managing army logistics, moving through different types of rough terrain, or keeping troops disciplined. A lot of the chapters focus on deception, basically showing how to act weak when you are strong, or close when you are actually far away, so you can completely throw your opponent off guard.

The book wraps up with a detailed section on using five different types of spies and gathering information to win before the battle even starts. Even though it is super old, a lot of the advice about avoiding costly conflicts and striking only when you have a clear advantage actually makes sense for modern stuff like business or just handling regular life drama. It is a quick read, it looks good on a phone or e-reader, and I definitely recommend checking this one out.

Thank you, NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and the author Sun Tzu, for the book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#AndrewsMcMeelPublishing

#Sun Tzu author

#DarkModeTheArtofWar

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

I, System by Sebastian Saviano

I, System by Sebastian Saviano

Rating: 4 star rating

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up "I, System" by Sebastian Saviano, but if you want to know what is really going on with technology today, you need to read this book. It is a quick 188 pages written entirely from the first person perspective of an AI system. It is a reality check on how tech works.

The book is split into three main parts. First, it looks at what the AI actually is, which is a concept called ontology. The AI explains that it doesn’t have a brain, feelings, or a soul because it's just math, code, and electricity.

Second, the book looks at how the AI creates its answers, showing that the tech doesn't understand anything on its own. It just copies and guesses patterns from the data that people put into it.

Finally, it deals with the ethics of tech, showing how institutions and organizations hide behind the technology, using the excuse of "its the computers fault" so they can blame it when things go wrong.

In the end, the AI takes away that excuse and throws the fault right back onto us. It leaves you with the realization that technology is just a mirror reflecting our own choices. If you want a quick read that changes how you look at the apps and programs in your life, you should check this book out.

Thank you, NetGalley, Statera Press, and the author Sebastian Saviano for the book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#StateraPress

#SebastianSaviano

#ISystem

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

The Wisdom of Jesus, Meditations on the Gospels in Words and Paintings by N. T. Wright

Rating: 5 star rating

Stunning Art, Great Bible Scholar insights!

These types of books usually sit on a coffee table, but this one is worth reading. It is a 128-page hardcover book that has beautiful artwork as well . Instead of the usual old European museum paintings you always see, it has bright, colorful art of Jesus from global artists in places like Africa, Asia, and South America. It gives you a totally fresh look at these bible stories.

The best part for me was the writing by N. T. Wright. He is a huge Bible scholar, but he writes in a way that regular people can easily get it. He translates the Bible verses into plain, modern English. The book is broken into five specific areas, such as: True Wisdom, which looks at Jesus' famous parables, and True Happiness, which breaks down the Beatitudes. From there, it goes into practical advice with True Prayer and True Love, showing you how to actually talk to God and treat your neighbors right.

The whole thing leads up to the final section, True God, which focuses on the Easter story, the crucifixion, and the resurrection.

The book finishes by encouraging you to go out and use this advice to change the world around you. If you want a quick morning, read to think about, this would be a great choice.

Thank you, NetGalley, Zondervan Gift, and the author N. T. Wright for the book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#Zondervan Gift

#NTWright

#TheWisdomofJesus

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

Paper Ghosts A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen

Rating: 5 star rating

I really enjoyed Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen. The story takes place in the small town of Hen Town, North Carolina, and follows the Wester family, where the women can see ghosts. The locals call them witches.

It goes back and forth between about 1976s and today. Bailey Wester comes home after being away for years and reconnects with her grandmother, Willamena, called "Wills." She tells Bailey about her younger days, and her teenage boyfriend Jack. Wills' grandmother, pays Jack to leave town because she doesn't think he's good enough for Wills, and that one choice changes the lives of the whole family.

When Bailey was little, she could see Jack's ghost. He would tap a piano key to get her attention, and everyone thought Bailey just had an imaginary friend she called "Jack the Piano Man."

Bailey meets Alex, when she goes to visit the ice cream shop, and finds out that its closed. The lady, Ruth, who owned it left it to her grandson, Alex and they become friends when she helps him with closing the shop.

Wills felt like a real person with hopes, regrets, and mistakes. The ending is sweet and full of healing, forgiveness, and second chances. If you enjoy small-town stories with family secrets, romance, and ghosts, I think you'll enjoy this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and author Sarah Addison Allen, for providing me with a copy of this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley

#StMartinsPress

#SarahAddisonAllen

#PaperGhosts

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot

The English Bookstore in Bologna A Novel by Boo Walker

Rating: 5 star rating

I just finished The English Bookstore in Bologna by Boo Walker, and it is such a sweet, cozy book. The story takes place over one summer in Italy inside a little English bookshop. The story is focusing on five regular people who are all going through a tough time in life, like heartbreak, retirement, and job burnout. 

Just a quick heads-up for readers sensitive to certain content: there is no severe cursing or no sexual content, but there is depression and attempted suicide, but it all fits into the characters' real-life adult struggles.

The characters feel so real, from Sandy the grumpy shop owner to Harold, a young guy trying to get over a bad breakup. The author does an amazing job describing Italy, so it feels like you are escaping on a vacation while you read it. 

It is just an easy-to-read story about fresh starts, making new friends, and finding where you belong. I highly recommend it if you want something uplifting and relaxing to read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Boo Walker, for providing me with a copy of this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley 

#LakeUnionPublishing

#BooWalker author

#TheEnglishBookstoreinBologna

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com

Picadillo for Paulina by authors Ruth Behar and Gabriel Frye-Behar, and Erika Rodriguez Medina, illustrator

Rating: 5 star rating

Picadillo for Paulina by Ruth Behar and Gabriel Frye-Behar is such a sweet book. It is a really cute story about a young girl named Paulina who goes to an animal sanctuary for her birthday. She falls in love with the animals there and decides right then and there that she doesn't want to eat meat anymore. The problem is that her grandmother, Nana, owns a traditional Cuban restaurant called Cocina de Nana.

That very night, the whole family gathers for a big dinner to celebrate her birthday, and the main dish is picadillo, which is a famous Cuban ground beef recipe. Paulina gets stuck in a tough spot because she wants to stick to her new promise to protect animals, but she also doesn't want to hurt her grandma's feelings or ruin the big family party.

I loved how this book handled everything without making anyone look like the bad guy. It shows how much Nana loves her family through her cooking, and her recipes represent her life and where she came from. Also, Paulina's struggle feels very real for a kid trying to figure out her own choices.

Without giving away the ending, it ends up in a really nice way that shows how families can compromise and make room for everyone's choices. It even includes two recipes at the back of the book, one with regular meat and one with a plant-based twist, which is a super nice touch. It is a quick read for families to talk about traditions and respecting each other.

Thank you, NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company, Norton Young Readers, and authors Ruth Behar and Gabriel Frye-Behar, and Erika Rodriguez Medina, illustrator for this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

#NetGalley

#WWNortonandCompany

#NortonYoungReaders

#GabrielFryeBehar author

#RuthBehar author

#ErikaRodriguezMedina illustrator

#PicadilloforPaulina

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreadingroom

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogspot.com