Author: Ann Cuddy-Sullivan

Prone To Love

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

“I know many who can hypothesize about Love.  I know many who can debate the theology, they can tell me the Greek definitions and Hebrew pronunciation, and there is nothing wrong with that.  There is beauty in loving God with all of our minds.  But infinitely more important is loving God with all of our heart.  Love’s not rote discipline:  it’s a response birthed from an encounter, from a revelation of our heavenly Father.” Prone To Love – pg, 50 

Those of you that follow this blog know that I read…. alot.  I make no secret that I receive books via several publishing companies and other sites at no charge to me, in exchange for my review of the book.  I am not required to give a positive review.

I have been blessed to read some amazing and insightful books.  I’ve also read a few that just didn’t do it for me.  And I’ve also discovered that I do enjoy reading good Christian fiction – from time to time.

That being said…  Of the nearly 40 books that I have read in the last 6 months, I have not encountered a book that has affected me like “Prone To Love” by Jason Clark. Continue reading →

A Starfish At A Time

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A Starfish at a TimeA Starfish at a Time by Dana Wynn Steele

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Join the Steele’s on the never ending roller coaster ride of their family life as they share the ups, twist and turns of an ever changing family which now numbers nineteen, with more anticipated. Dana Wynn Steele shares the stories of their special needs children and their adoptions including one during her battle with breast cancer.”

This book took me off guard just a bit. From it’s sweet colorful cover, and it’s precious title, I expected a totally different story that what came to life under the cover. This is a remarkable book with true tales of the lives of babies and children, most times born into drugs, abuse and chaos and being trapped in a system that was at it’s best, designed to preserve and protect them. Though at times, that system so completely failed them.

The author – Dana Steele and her husband, Alan, saw this travesty and opened their hearts and home to these children. From newborn babies to young adults – every one of them just wanting a forever family, a family to call their own, the Steele’s took each of them in and loved them. Yes… like saving one starfish at a time.

A warning to the reader, there are some passages and stories about the abuses and horrors these children endured that some may find disturbing. But, for better, for worse, they are the stories of these children.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads
View all my reviews
This book is available online at
Deeper Shopping Books and Bibles

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Stop Waiting… Start Winning – A Review

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Stop Waiting… Start WINNING!: 10 Steps to Living Your Vision NOW!Stop Waiting… Start WINNING!: 10 Steps to Living Your Vision NOW! by Teresa Hairston

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“God created you to be visionary! You may not feel like one. Or maybe you are completely burnt out on vision because you’re had so much of it – and nothing has happened… yet. In Stop Waiting… Start Winning! Dr. Teresa Hairston shares ten life-changing principles that you can apply to see your dreams become reality.”

When this book arrived, I thought… oh here we go, it looks like the cover for a 3AM infomercial! I read the back of the book… “Live Your Vision Now!” “God created you to be a visionary!” “ She ran with vision in sprite of the obstacles…” I am so pleased to report that I was sorely mistaken.

This book is a joy to read and is so enlightening. Ms. Hairston just breaks it all down and lays it all out… so profound. This book captured me from the first chapter. The essentials that she lays out chapter-by-chapter are not just ten principal spread out over four phases. They are nuggets of wisdom and knowledge, utilizing biblical truths, as well as processes and prayers that Ms. Hairston herself employed in fulfilling the destiny that God had planned for her life. Continue reading →

Clout – Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence – A Review

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Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given InfluenceClout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence by Jenni Catron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clout – Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence by Jenni Catron
“You have Clout. Have you discovered it yet? We all long for significance, even as we fear we will never be good enough. We listen for God, but hear only voices of doubt and practicality. Listen again. There is a call that only you can answer.”

Who are you? And who has God called you to be? These are the questions posed by this author, Jenni Catron. By was of her life story, we are introduced to Clout. First by walking the reader through what Clout is actually all about and unpack some false assumptions and perceptions about it. In addition, she goes on to say that we, you and I, have a specific purpose, a calling that only you are qualified to fulfill. And those once we define, understand and acknowledge the seven Clout killers that are holding us back, we can move on to discover what our God-given influence looks like. Continue reading →

Determination

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 2 Comments

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Determination — So this is week 2 of the Made To Crave Online Bible study.  I am so glad that this is the the Word of the Week.  Because it is taking everything inside me to stay focused.  It’s crazy how easily we can get side-tracked.  Oh I’ll read that chapter after I make the bed or do the dishes.  Oh Look…. there’s a movie on that I wanted to see.  There are nights, like last night, in fact for the entire day, that I was so focused… nothing could get me off track…  and then there was today.  Yikes!!!!  But I am determined.  Determined to do something with all of this.  Determined to recognize my weaknesses, and to recognize that where I am weak, HE is strong.  Determined to accept that it doesn’t matter what “they” say, I am made for more.  That where I am right now, is not all there is.  Scripture says that He came that we might have life, and life more adundantly. I don’t want just an abundant life.  I want all that He has planned for my life and I don’t want my life without HIS hand guiding it.  I want more of Him.   I want the blessing of God on my life and my family.   Continue reading →

The Road To Mercy – A Review

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The Road to MercyThe Road to Mercy by Kathy Harris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Tragedy, Love & Secrets meet on a journey of faith. Josh Harrison, a contemporary Christian singer, and his wife, Bethany, face a difficult decision that also tests their faith. A rupture in Beth’s carotid artery leavers her on the brink of death even as she’s pregnant with their first child. While Dr. Ben Abrams urges her to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life, she and Josh step out on faith and decide to carry the bay to full term. During the next few months, Josh struggles with his faith, and Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his life forever.”

I Loved This Book! Right from the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect, it clearly is a book that doesn’t fit the formula. Be warned, once you start this book, you will not want to put it down.

Love, forgiveness, sin, challenges, secrets, betrayals, redemption, mercy and most of all… a deep abiding faith in God and His Mercy. Don’t skip the prologue; it will all make sense at the end. The Road To Mercy… well there’s more than one meaning there for sure. This is a great read with a powerful message that you don’t want to miss.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads.

View all my reviews

This book is available online at
Deeper Shopping Books and Bibles

Avenged

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Avenged (Pacific Coast Justice, #3)Avenged by Janice Cantore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“When Officer Carly Edwards finds three young gangbangers shot execution style, she and her husband, Sergeant Nick Anderson, head of the gang unit, fear Las Playas may be on the verge of a gang war… As she prepares to testify at a major trial, Carly’s reputation is shredded by a reporter apparently trying to discredit her professionally. Facing pressure on all fronts, Carly must rely on faith and trust God in a deeper way during one of the biggest struggles of her career.”

Avenged is a great read packed with non-stop action and filled with significant twists and turns and just enough suspense that will certainly keep you turning the pages.

Though I did not read the first two books in this “Pacific Coast Justice Series”, I truly enjoyed this book. The author, a retired Long Beach police officer, brings great credibility and a sense of reality to the story often giving the reader small but significant tidbits of information about a particular scene that will draw the reader in.

With this particular subject matter and assortment of characters, this book could have become an “adult” read with very little effort. It could easily have been filled with foul language and seriously graphic descriptions of crime scenes. I was grateful that the author kept her audience in mind and allowed us, the readers, to fill in the blanks – if we chose.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book Tyndale House Publisher, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads

View all my reviews

This book is available online at
Deeper Shopping Books and Bibles

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Empowered

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 4 Comments

made to crave coverSo this week I started an online bible study through the Proverbs 31 Ministry website, called “Made to Crave“, based on the book by the  same name by Lysa TerKeurst.  This isn’t your typical Bible Study.  Nope, this one has challenged me from the first page.

It has asked me to confront some of my deepest emotional triggers when it comes to my food issues.  For example…  the author asks “Is it possible that I love and rely on food more than I love and rely on God?”  Yikes.  Now that’s a loaded question for sure.

When it comes to comfort, joy, happiness, sadness, reward, lonliness where on the spectrum do I turn?  Do I rely more on food?  Well, if the number on the scale represents anything… I would have to be honest and say yes.

Continue reading →

A Match Made In Texas – A Review

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A Match Made in TexasA Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“There’s a Secret Matchmaker at Work in Frontier Texas!” “In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can’t keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straights with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she’s also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?” Continue reading →

Experiencing God’s Presence – A Review

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Experiencing God's Presence: Learning to Listen While You PrayExperiencing God’s Presence: Learning to Listen While You Pray by Linda Evans Shepherd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“God wants to hear from you – but He also wants you to hear from Him.

What if every time you had a conversation, your best friend never got a word in edgewise? Your relationship would be less than fulfilling – for both of you! In the same way, a fulfilling prayer life is more than just regularly talking to God. And it’s more than checking items off a prayer list. God loves us so much that He wants us to draw close enough not only to talk but also to listen.” Continue reading →