Book Reviews

Castles of the Heart – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Castles of the HeartCastles of the Heart by Hale Meserow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“A Love story, a tale of immense personal courage, a gritty fight against entrenched racism, and a life lived in God’s care, all set in the beautiful back country of western North Carolina and the frenetic bustle of New York City…”

Castles of the Heart is a delightful book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. There were several strong female characters developed throughout the book, with the lead character as Starlight O’Bannion. The story follows the life – from the moment of conception – of Starlight. We are with her during her formative years, as she rises herself from the backwoods mountains of North Carolina to attend a most prestigious college to become a top ranked female attorney… something rarely heard of pre-world war 2. We are with Starlight at her marriage, her sudden young widowhood and the birth of her daughter.

As with most women of that era, Starlight is a strong and powerful woman, except when it comes to love. She again walks down the bridal aisle. We, the reader, can see where it is headed, but the young Starlight doesn’t.

With her professional life on a meteoric rise and her personal life in ruins, Starlight takes on the legal case of her life – to save the son of a lifelong family friend. I will stop this review there as much more will give away the entire ending.

I truly did take pleasure in reading this book. Though the length of the book did take me back a bit at first, I found the story to be an easy and enjoyable read. While there is clearly a Christian aspect to the entire story, I did not find it preachy or pushy.

*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

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Organizing Your Prayer Closet – A Review

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Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to PrayOrganizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray by Gina Duke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“A recent survey revealed that 48 percent of the Christians surveyed were unhappy with their prayer life, 34 percent admitted that they did not know how to pray, and 31 percent were not sure that God ever responded to their prayers. The truth is we all want to grow our prayer lives, to be closer to Christ, to see prayer change things, and to make a difference. This books help you begin.

Organizing Your Pray Closet is part organizer and part record-keeper; it’s a new approach to revitalizing your time alone with God. Using Scripture, inspirational quotes, and space for journaling, author Gina Duke highlights the importance and power of prayer as the best connection to the source of all strength.”

I was intrigued when I read the title of this book. I have kept a journal for many years; nothing fancy, mostly a spiral notebook where I drop my thoughts, prayers, problems and blessings. I’ve never really found a way to organize my thoughts, until now.

Ms. Duke has brought it all together for me in a clean, concise and organized manner. There are 10 sections that are covered in the book with each section/chapter building on the last, culminating in a wonderfully organized plan. As each section is defined and discussed, Ms. Duke offers suggestions and helpful advice to make the most out of your newly organized prayer closet and your one-on-one time with Jesus.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to take their precious alone time with Jesus to the next level; to really witness and understand His hand at work in their life and to see the real effects of their petitions and prayers.

*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.

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52 Reasons to Believe – A Review

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52 Reasons to Believe: Concise Thoughts on the Christian Faith52 Reasons to Believe: Concise Thoughts on the Christian Faith by Gregg Farah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Have doubts about the Christian faith? 52 Reasons to Believe is a devotional theology book, offering concise thoughts on the Christian faith. It will help you confront your questions and disarm your doubt. You’ll learn what the Bible says about itself and the character of God, and discover how they relate to contemporary life. Learn on your own or with a group, but expect to develop a stronger faith as you arm yourself with 52 Reasons to Believe.”

52 Reasons To Believe is divided into 4 sections. “The Bible is…” “ God is…” Jesus is…” “The Holy Spirit is…” Each section focuses, reveals, identifies and shares the characteristics, traits and descriptions and evidences of each particular topic. The author invites the reader to “dig in” and confront your questions, disarm your doubts and strengthen your spiritual life.

Within each of the 52 chapters, you will find: a reason to believe, a key quote, a “did you know” section, a “link to your life”, small group discussion questions, a Key verse and a short prayer.

Whether you decide to read this book all at once, or use it as a chapter a day or week, this book is a great resource for Christians of all spiritual levels, and would be perfect for groups focusing on new believers.

*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
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Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe – A Book Review

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Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based PrayerPraying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based Prayer by Sharon Jaynes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“In this much-needed book, Sharon Jaynes gives reader the whys, whats. And how-tos of praying for a husband.” Elizabeth George, Author of A Woman After God’s Own Heart

”As a wife, you have been given the privilege of serving as a mighty prayer warrior for your husband. Yet sometimes, even when poised with the best of intentions, you may find the task overwhelming. You wonder: What should I pray? How should I pray? What prayers does he need right now?

In Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe, Sharon Jaynes maps out sixteen landmarks to help you consistently and effectively cover your husband in prayer. From his mind and the thoughts he thinks, to his eyes and the images he sees, all the way down to his feet and the path he takes, Sharon teaches you how to pray for your husband in ways that are powerful, practical, and life-changing.”

I was so pleased to be able to review this book. It was truly touched by it. Before now, I guess that I hadn’t really given it too much thought… praying for my husband. Sure, I pray for him each day, but it wasn’t until I started reading this book that it struck me about how I should be praying for him. This book really opened my eyes to the struggles that our husbands encounter each day.

The author, Sharon Jaynes, has created for us a 30-day prayer and scripture guide to equip us to develop a habit of purposeful prayer for our husbands… prayers for all that he may encounter during his day. The book consists of two main parts – the power of prayers and the landmarks of prayer and the second part consisting of the 30 days’ of prayers for your husband from head to toe.

In addition, the author has added 3 great chapters in the Appendix. Praying for His Salvation, Praying for His Fatherhood and Praying for His Healing.

I am recommending this book to women everywhere. I don’t care if you’ve been married 1 year or 60 years, this is a valuable resource for all married women. Consider giving this book to the new brides in your lives.

*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
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A Melody for James – A Book Review

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A Melody for James (Christian Romantic Suspense) (Song of Suspense)A Melody for James (Christian Romantic Suspense) by Hallee Bridgeman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Solitary strangers meet during a stormy stopover. Hours later, their hearts hum a harmonious duet.

Melody Mason has the hottest female voice in the country music scene. But the cheers of throngs of adoring fans mean little in the absence of the handsome stranger who rescued her years before. Widower James Montgomery has never forgotten her. He prays God can bring her back.

Incredible events finally bring them face to face again. Together at last, they realize the bond between them has miraculously risen to a crescendo, melodiously marrying them like strong symphonic chords. Uncannily, they learn they share more in common than they could have ever imagined. They know God reunited them for a purpose.

Sinister forces threaten to destroy their newfound happiness. The couple must work in close concert, placing all their faith in God as they solve the deadly mystery that ties their lives inexplicably together.

Fire, loss, and bloodshed cannot shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that leaves hearts and lives forever changed.”

A Melody for James is a wonderful Christian suspense story of a chance-encounter, a new love, a broken heart, sweet romance, and repentant hearts along with dread, secrets, intrigue, unimaginable loss and bloodshed all wrapped up in an unshakable faith in God that guides and protects Melody and James and those they love.

This book is a great story that will get its hooks in you from the very beginning with its twists and turns and suspense. You do not want to miss this book.

*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

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Uniform Decisions – A Book Review

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Uniform Decisions: My Life in the LAPD and the North Hollywood ShootoutUniform Decisions: My Life in the LAPD and the North Hollywood Shootout by John Caprarelli

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“February 28, 1997, Los Angeles, California – After a botched robbery at a Bank of America branch in North Hollywood, two robbers, armed with fully automatic assault rifles and wearing full body armor, fired more than 1,100 rounds as they battled police.

Eleven officers and two civilians were wounded. The two robbers, Emil Matasareanu and Larry Eugene Phillips Jr., were killed by gunfire. Officer John Caprarelli was one of the first officers at the scene.

Before a national TV audience, he confronted one of the robbers, provoking a gun fight and exchanging numerous shots before the gunman fell. Officer Caprarelli was awarded the LAPD’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, as well as a National Top Cop Award.”

I have members of my family that serve as police officers, firemen and first responders. I have always admired them for their dedication to their chosen fields. It takes a certain type of person to do those jobs; they is not for everyone. And after reading this memoir, I now have more admiration for them. These are dangerous and thankless jobs. They are the ones that run towards the trouble, when we are running away from it. The stories and anecdotes written by the Author give us a small, yet rare, glimpse into the life of a 27-year career police officer – both his personal and professional life.

It is the last half of the book, though, that totally captivated me. Without divulging much of the story… It is the detailed minute-by-minute account of the infamous North Hollywood Bank Robbery. I was totally captivated by the retelling of the account and could hardly put the book down. If you are a fan of police crime drama shows, as I am you will enjoy this book.

“It is said that working the streets as a police officer is hours of boredome sprinkled with econds of terror.  I can vouch for that.  It was quite a ride.” –  John Caprarelli

*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, CBD, GoodReads and Deeper Shopping

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Forgotten Road – A Book Review

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forgotten road book cover

Forgotten Road by Randall Arthur

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Nashville music star and family man, Cole Michaels, is persuaded to embrace an “American Dream” Theology that promises comfort, happiness, and success. But when the unimaginable happens, Cole blames God and abandons his faith. More vulnerable than ever, he is clueless that an evil character with an unspeakable secret is using every available resource to find him.

Down every forgotten road is a new discovery. Sometimes pleasant. Sometimes frightening.

There’s no “fairy tale’ Christianity here. But there is a true –to-life drama that will captivate your heart and mind. And resonate in your soul.”

Forgotten Road by Randall Arthur is the first book that I have read by this author and it is unlikely that it will be the last. It is one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. It is at times sweet and other times rife with raw gut-wrenching emotion. This book will grab you on page one, touch your heart, jangle your emotions, and not let go of you until the last paragraph. It is filled with Cole Michaels’ personal road to really discovering the truth who God is and how to humble himself not only before God, but before man as well to let HIS light shine through.

I can’t say enough about this book… but to divulge too much would give away the story. You must unwrap this story yourself. I will warn that there are a few paragraphs/pages that are seriously graphic – so sensitive readers be aware.

*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, Books A Million,  and Goodreads
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A Marriage In Middlebury – A Book Review

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A Marriage in MiddleburyA Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Charlotte Rose Hill enjoys a comfortable life serving up comfortable delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky, devoted customers. The only thing lacking is some to share it with.”

This is a wonderful Christian romance book by author Anita Higman that I truly enjoyed reading. This is the first (but not the last) book that I have read by this author. Very quickly you are introduced to an exceptional blend of characters that make up the friends, loyal customers, townsfolk’s, and former love interest, of Charlotte Rose Hill who runs Rose Cottage Tearoom. The author has an exceptional talent of bringing these characters to life to the point that you want to become friends with them yourself. You will soon wish that you could find yourself sitting in the back of the Tea Room, as an eager observer to the goings-on… rooting for love – both old and new, for secrets revealed, broken hearts reconciled and above all for truths to come to the light. This is a sweet love story that will warm your heart.

*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, CBD, Deeper Shopping, Family Christian Stores, Books A Million, and Goodreads

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Daily Reflections on the Names of God – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 2 Comments

Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A DevotionalDaily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional by Ava Pennington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“What is your understand of who God is and how He works? Is it a biblical perspective, or have you been molding your understanding of God to fit your desires and expectations? If your perspective is not biblical, then it’s time to look at who God says He is and how God says He works.” (Daily Reflections On The Names Of God – Introduction – page 9)

Daily Reflections on the Names of God is a great devotional, that I have added to my quiet time. Unlike many devotionals, it is not dated and it has a great topical index to help you through whatever might be going on in your life.

In the introduction, there is a key for each devotion by a clever use of “arrows”. As we read a devotional, are we looking up, looking in or looking out to indicate where the devotion is focusing on? Each of the 366 days contains a bible reading, an explanation/study, a short prayer and thoughts to ponder for the day to learn who God is according to how He revealed Himself in His Word.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to dig deeper into God’s words and His promised for us.

I received this book through The Book Club Network (http://www.bookfun.org/) for my honest review, which I have given.

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The Harbinger & The Harbinger Decoded – Reviews

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harbinger1The Harbinger Decoded by Jonathan Cahn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read “The Harbinger” last year and loving it, I was excited to have the chance to review “The Harbinger Decoded” DVD. I will say that I was a bit disappointed during the first 5 – 7 minutes or so as it seemed that it was going to be a very long commercial for the Harbinger Book and there would be very little “decoding”. I was mistaken.

Rather quickly, the author, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, begins to unfold his story about the mystery’s of the Harbingers, or warnings, and how they relate to the United States of America starting in September 2001 – 9/11 to be exact.

He starts by showing us the ancient prophesy recorded Isaiah 9:10 and how it relates to Ancient Israel – specifically destruction of God’s chosen people and Israel and how that prophesy now relates to America. Through the series of the 9 Harbingers, we can clearly see how the ancient prophecies are signs that relate to the destruction and downfall of America. We are also given a glimpse of the impending judgments should America NOT choose to repent.

The information presented on the DVD is beautifully portrayed and narrated in a concise and logical way to lead the viewer through the revealing of the 9 Harbingers and beyond. The author does not just end the story and leave us wondering what can be done, if anything, to stop God’s judgment on America or is it too late. Rabbi Cahn invites the viewers to seek the truth in their own lives and recognize the wake up call that has been issued – that only a return to our Godly foundation on which this country was formed can save this nation. Continue reading →