#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Prayer Warrior by Traci Wooden-Carlisle, D. Tina Batten

This is an engaging, positive Christian novel.

The Prayer Warrior
By: Traci Wooden-Carlisle, D. Tina Batten
Narrated by: Anita Faye Thomas

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
Publisher: TAWCarlisle
Genre: Christian Fantasy, Spiritual Realm
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
There is a thin line between the natural and the spiritual realm.
Ms. V., a humble servant of the Lord, has been placed on assignment at Center of Hope Christian Academy.
By day, she serves as a trusted counselor for students, giving them a safe haven to pour out their innermost feelings while providing professional and honest truth wrapped in a firm kindness and love that inevitably draws them closer to Jesus. Not to be outdone, the faculty also bends her ear from time to time.
By night, Ms. V. enters the spiritual realm and takes her place on the battlefield as one of God's faithful prayer warriors. She wields her whispering sword, slicing through the enemy's plans to bind the precious hearts under her charge.
Her assignment's burden on her physical body is taxing, but can she withstand the strain and remain victorious?
Saving souls is her true mission, but at what cost?
Listeners are in for a journey of spiritual intrigue and biblical insight as they experience the ramifications of each character's life-altering decision.
Note: The digital and paperback versions come with a reader's-choice alternate ending. We chose the ending for you in this audiobook for uninterrupted listening pleasure. Enjoy.
©2021 D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle (P)2022 D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle.

Review:
Ms. V is a devout Christian who serves as a counselor at the Center of Hope Christian Academy. She clearly cares about the teens she works with, listening to their problems, observing behaviors in classes and on campus, providing sound guidance, and covering all the situations with prayer.

At night, Ms. V steps into the spiritual realm with a warrior’s sword and the word of God to battle the enemy that wants to steal the hearts of her students. The spiritual battles are taxing on Ms. V, but she is willing to stand firm as long as God calls her to save souls.

The story opens with the images of the spiritual battles which caught my attention. Then the story moves into Ms. V’s interaction with the students and her co-workers. We meet a good handful of young people struggling with teenage issues including sexual pressures, predatory situations (even in the church), and bullying. There is also a co-worker who is dealing with bitterness and jealousy whose attitude is eventually changed. Ms. V shows consistent and unconditional love to everyone she is in touch with. Her behavior reveals a beautiful character and wonderful legacy all because she is willing to humbly serve her faithful God.

The story is very upbeat and endearing. The writing is direct and an easy read (and listen) for adults and teens. I am sort of curious about the alternate endings in the digital and print versions. I recommend this to any Christian who is looking for an inspirational story. I also recommend it to non-believers who are open minded to such inspiration.

Audio Notes: Anita Faye Thomas does a lovely job with the narration. She brings Ms. V alive and helps draw the listener into the spiritual and physical lives of the characters. I am glad I had the opportunity to listen to this.

Source: December 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023NetGalley goals.

Audio Book Review: Light of the Last by Chuck Black

I really enjoyed this conclusion to a Christian story with a threat of biochemical contamination.
Light of the Last
by Chuck Black
Narrated By: Katie Leigh, Michael Orenstein, Leanne Bell

Written By: Chuck Black
Narrated By: Katie Leigh, Michael Orenstein, Leanne Bell
Publisher: Christianaudio.com
Date: May 2016
Duration: 12 hours 5 minutes
Genre: Christian Action, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 3.75.

Summary:
To Fight What Others Can’t You Must See What Others Don’t
After an accident left him temporarily blind, Drew Carter didn’t just regain his sight. He now sees what others can’t imagine–an entire spiritual realm of mighty beings at war.
Forget the gift, Drew just wants his life back. Part of that involves Sydney Carlyle, a woman he is inexplicably drawn to. When he’s offered the chance to become a CIA agent, it seems the way to redeem his past. The only problem–his visions of the supernatural realm are increasing in frequency.
It’s up to the warrior angel Validus and his hand-picked team of heavenly agents to protect the unbelieving Drew. Validus now knows that the young man is at the epicenter of a global spiritual war, and the angels must use a millennia of battle experience keep Drew alive, for the Fallen want him dead.
Surrounded by spiritual warriors and targeted by demons, Drew’s faced with an impossible decision that will forever alter the destiny of America...and his own soul.

Review:
Drew Carter has a special gift that allows him to see ‘invaders’ in a spirit realm. He has figured out there are good forces fighting evil forces but he doesn’t understand them. He just knows that he would be thought crazy if he reveals the things he’s seen. Although he saved a warehouse full of students, Drew has been arrested for attacking the FBI in his determination to get into the building and rescue Sydney. Drew is looking at a lengthy prison sentence until a man in a black suit, Mr. Ross, offers him a career with the CIA rather than prison. Drew sees this as an opportunity to serve his country like his father did.

Drew trains at the farm and tries to hide his unusual strength and speed from the trainers. Ross suspects Drew is hiding something. Through a twisted series of circumstances, Ross isolates Drew making him an undercover agent responding only to Ross. As Drew carries out his secret assignments, the spiritual warriors continue to try to protect Drew. The angels are also trying to get Drew and Sydney’s paths to cross knowing it is important for Sydney to continue to share her faith with Drew.

I enjoyed the fast-paced tension and the heavenly battle portrayed in this story. I was a little frustrated that Drew didn’t figure out sooner who the ‘invaders’ were. I was rooting for Drew and Sydney and the angels of course. I recommend this trilogy to readers who enjoy Christian suspense.

Audio Notes: Katie Leigh, Michael Orenstein, and Leanne Bell did a good job with the narration. They provided good voices and emotions. There is music in the background chapter breaks that added to the suspense nature of the story. My only difficulty with the production was that there were portions that were so quiet I couldn’t hear or decipher them. Still, I enjoyed the listening experience.

Source: 5/4/2019 Audiobooks.com two credits. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

This is an entertaining, sweet action fantasy.
The Green Ember
By: S. D. Smith
Narrated by: Joel Clarkson

Series: The Green Ember, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-04-15
Language: English
Publisher: Story Warren Books
Genre: Children's Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world.
Kings fall, and kingdoms totter. Tyrants ascend, and terrors threaten. Betrayal beckons, and loyalty is a broken road with peril around every bend.
Where will Heather and Picket land? How will they make their stand?
©2015 S. D. Smith (P)2015 Story Warren

Review:
Heather and Picket are young rabbits enjoying friendly brother and sister competition in their ordinary lives. They are often enthralled by their father’s stories of kingdoms, kings, loyal warriors, battles and danger. One night their father begins to tell them a new tale about the “Rise and Fall of King Jupiter”. They have only heard the beginning of the story when their world erupts under attacks by wicked, frightening wolves.

Heather and Picket are able to escape with the help of some new friends. Heather and Picket have different attitudes as they travel to a place of refuge for displaced rabbits. Heather worries about her family but wants to make sure that Picket remains safe. Picket quickly becomes sullen, frustrated that he couldn’t protect his family and resenting the two skilled warrior rabbits who saved them and are guiding them.

The group struggles to escape from the wolves following them as they don’t want to lead them to the safe place. Along the way, there are other home and business sites that have been attacked. Once Heather and Picket are delivered to the safe warren, they don’t understand why many rabbits look at them with suspicion.

The pair begin to learn secrets their father never told them. The dangers continue and intensify as it becomes clear there are betrayals putting all of the rabbits at risk. Can Heather and Picket prepare for danger and learn to fit in?

The story started slowly but picks up especially when the attack occurs and the rabbits go on the run. There is plenty of daring-do and possible opportunities to become heroes. Picket’s attitude is very frustrating but offers a parent an opportunity for discussion with younger children who may listen to the story. I can appreciate the reviews that criticize the male and female stereotyping: males are warriors, females are nurses, storytellers or other artisans. Still, the female rabbits are shown with courage and gumption too.

The story is entertaining and has a sweet tone to it even with the enemy attacks. My son gifted himself with the print set which is very nice. The print/ebook has some really nice images to go along with the story, including introductory maps. I recommend this to adults as well as younger readers/listeners. I am glad that I have the next book in the reading order: The Black Star of Kingston.

Audio Notes: Joel Clarkson does a really good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters and gives good energy to the action. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: My Kindle library - free 2018. Audio Sharing with Son's Audible. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.