Book Reviews

Forgotten Road – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

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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This book is available for purchase at:
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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 →

Jesus Calling – A Book Review

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Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His PresenceJesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I heard about this devotional in another book I was reading, so when I saw it, I picked it up. What a treasure this little devotional is!! Each day is just a couple of paragraphs with associated scripture references. What’s so unique is that it is written as though it is God speaking directly to me. I have been blessed on many days by the word I’ve read. Be it a blessing or a correction… somehow they are just what I need to hear when I need to hear it. Pick up this book yourself, you will be blessed as well.

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The Power Of Praying For Your Adult Children – A Book Review

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The Power of Praying? for Your Adult ChildrenThe Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie Omartian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my second time reading this book. It is a goto reference for me… not something that you read once, mark “done” and put away. The author spoke directly to my heart, as if she knew the pain and turmoil we were going through with an adult child.

Each chapeter. she guided us through some turbulent times and we are now seeing the results of many hours of prayer. I highly recommend this for parents and step parents, any one guiding a young adult into adulthood.

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Shenandoah Nights – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

Shenandoah Nights (Winds of Change, #1)Shenandoah Nights by Lisa Belcastro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am not a huge fan of fiction and I am definitely not a fan of “sci-fi” time travel. That is just my preference. I do read fiction, but they are typically summer beach reads. But I guess that when I read that the novel takes place off the coast of Massachusetts (my home state), that I decided I would read it. I LOVED IT!

This is a wonderful story of intrigue and romance and history and adventure and yes… time-travel. The research for this book is done so well and the writing is crisp and precise. The author paints a breathtaking picture of the Shenandoah under full sail while bringing the innocent and wide-eyed Rebecca O’Neil and the rugged and good-looking Captain Ben to life… and we are there witness to their tentative blossoming romance.

This is the first in the “Winds of Change” series. I am so looking forward to Ms. Belcasto’s next novel “Shenandoah Crossing”.

Disclaimer: I recieved a copy of this book through the “For readers IOnly” 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.

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When A Woman Says Yes To God – A Book Review

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What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary WaysWhat Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways by Lysa TerKeurst

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God is about surrendering your whole life to God. Through scripture and her own personal experience, the author is a guide to what can happen when you develop a complete relationship with God. From the beginning chapter the author uses examples of her own life, struggles and all, to bring the reader along her own journey of finally Saying Yes To God in a whole and complete way. This book is filled with simple wisdom and revelation to aid the reader in making that decision in their own life to Say Yes To God.
This is by far one of the best books I’ve read. Her ability to open up God’s desire for my life helped make me want to read some chapters over and over. I read this book in conjunction with the P31ministry.org online bible study. I would recommend this book to any woman (or man) who wants to take their life in Christ to the next level.

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The Long Awakening – A Book Review

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The Long Awakening, a memoirThe Long Awakening, a memoir by Lindsey O’Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The riveting true story of a life-threatening coma, a miraculous awakening, and the long quest to regain what was lost.

From the front flap: “The day our baby came into the world was the day I left. A day that began all smiles and excitement and anticipation and joy ended with running and panic and blood and tears. And then coma.I lay suspended in the deep, my newborn unknown. Nothingness. Layers where dark pulled from below, light called from above, and me, trapped in between, longing to break the surface. To live.
Forty-seven days later when I first saw my husband’s face leaning close to me, I knew where, and who, I was. But other things took much longer to know. Learning to restitch life–and love–when everything’s changed, and finding who we are afterward, can be the longest journey of all.

I’m Lindsey O’Connor, and this is the story of my long awakening.”

I just finished reading this book. This is, by far, one of the best written books that I have read in a very long time. It is a story of being alive just outside of deaths door. It is a story of love and despair. It is a story of returning back to life after being snatched back from the brink. Surviving the 47-day medically-induced coma is just the start to this beautifully written and brutally candid story.Be warned tho, The Long Awakening is no mere memoir…. if you pick up this book you will not soon put it down.

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Examine Your Faith! A Book Review

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Examine Your Faith!: Finding Truth in a World of LiesExamine Your Faith!: Finding Truth in a World of Lies by Pamela Christian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“If your faith were put to a test – if you encountered a faith challenging crisis today –would your faith sustain you?

“Are you confident about what you belive and why you believe it?

“If you are not sure that your faith is based on a solid foundation, then by all means, you should examine your faith.”

In her book, “Examine Your Faith – Finding Truth In A World Of Lies”, Ms. Christian answers these questions in her own life by bringing together a careful and consise commentary of the leading world faith – Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, humanism (including New Age), Islam, and Christianity, adding personal testimonies of people who practiced them. She provides the reader with a definition of sound faith and explores how truth is determinded and looks at evil and how the various faiths deal with it, in comparision to Christianity. The book ends with a case for Christ, where she encourages the reader to conclude with her that the Christian faith provides the best possible explanation for our world, the existence of God, the reality of pain and suffereing and the conclusion of evil (pg 194).

As readers we are priviledged to walk with Ms. Christian on her journey to examine what she believed and why she believed it as she was forced to examine her beliefs in order to find peace and have any hope at all.

While this book is not a “lite” read, it is both enlightening and educational in regards to the definitions, truths and falsehoods, and discussions of the basic tenents of the other world faiths descibed in this book ending with the discussion on Christianity. The book concludes with a case for Christ and Christianity as the only true faith… with no competitors.

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.

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This book is available online at:
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