Christian Story

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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This book is available online at
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A Melody for James – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

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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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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The Harbinger & The Harbinger Decoded – Reviews

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

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 →

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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This book is available online at:
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Jesus Is In The House

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Some years ago, I came across an article called, “What If Jesus Toured Your Business?” by Buck Jacobs.  The summary of the article poses the question to Christian Business owners, “If Jesus took a tour of the organization you run, would He see anything that would distinguish you from your secular counterparts?”  The article goes on to where the author invites the business owners through a spiritual audit of the business.

This article got me to thinking.  While I am no longer a small business owner, I am about the business of my family, my home, my work and my community.  If Jesus knocked on my door today and asked to spend the week with me — would I pass the “spiritual audit”? Continue reading →

The Gospel Of God’s Grace

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

confident heart

“Have you I let the gospel of God’s grace move from your my head to your  my heart, so that you I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are I am known intimately and loved completely by God?” “A Confident Heart” pg 41.

I grew up in a wonderful, complete, warm and loving family.  Mom and dad saw to it that we were in church every weekend, that we attended weekly religious instructions, and received all of the Sacrements of the Church.

I grew up knowing about God.  I knew OF Him… I just didn’t KNOW Him.  I knew that God loved me.  I just didn’t know how deeply and how He truly loved me and how much He longed for a relationship with me.  I didn’t know that He wanted a relationship with me that would last for all eternity.  All is knew at that time is that if I followed all the rules that that would be good enough to get me into Heaven. Continue reading →

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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Time To Stop Complaining

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Oct 9 jesus calling

From:  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young – page 296

“You have been on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent.  Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand.  I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me.  There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain.  You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following.  I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you.  You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another matter altogether.  It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage.  Whenever you are temped to grumble, come to Me and talk it out  As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.” Continue reading →