God’s Blessings

Turn Up The Volume, It’s Time To Live Life Out Loud

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Your Guide to Living Life Out LoudYour Guide to Living Life Out Loud by David Bell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Life can be frantic, fleeting and full of challenges. It can also be a wonderful discovery, packed with adventure. Whatever your experience, there’s no doubt that it doesn’t come equipped with a step-by-step manual or an instant answer to each daily question. That’s where this book comes in. Having faced some of life’s most daunting issues at an early age, Dave Bell reflects on his path so far and shares some practical insights that will help you plot your own course as you navigate your own uncharged territory. Focusing on the simple truth of God’s word. This real, honest life-story invites us to take a deep breath, look ahead and begin to live every day to the full.”

This book is an amazing story of a life. Specifically the life of Dave Bell… who at a young age was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. This book chronicles the story of that journey as the author reflects on it ten years later. Continue reading →

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

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

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 →

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

A Match Made In Texas – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

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

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

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 →

Let Me Fall: The Love Story Between God and His Dimwitted Daughter – A Review

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Let Me Fall: The Love Story Between God and His Dimwitted DaughterLet Me Fall: The Love Story Between God and His Dimwitted Daughter by Beth Pensinger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Anyone who’s struggled with an addiction of some sort would agree that finding lasting contentment from the actual addiction is much like a dog chasing its tail – only a lot less adorable.”

“Let Me Fall is the love story between God and His dimwitted daughter.  I’m the dimwit in case you were wondering.”

“Let Me Fall is where my literal world figuratively collides with God as He shows me once more of who I am and who He is. My story isn’t a formula for falling in love with God. But I would be thrilled if it is a catalyst for others to do the same.”

I won this book through a Goodreads.com giveaway. I was so excited for it to arrive, as I was intrigued just from the title alone. I have to say, I was not disappointed!! I loved this book. Though the author states that this book is her story through her addiction… this book spoke to me in a very different tone. It spoke to me in the words that God knew I needed to hear. What a blessing this book was to me. It is not a book that I will read one time and put up on the shelf.

Thank you Mrs. Pensinger for being dutiful to that heavenly nudge and putting pen to paper.

*Disclaimer: I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. 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

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The Prodigal – A Ragamuffin Story – A Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

The Prodigal: A Ragamuffin StoryThe Prodigal: A Ragamuffin Story by Brennan Manning

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Prodigal – A Ragamuffin Story by Brennan Manning and Greg Garrett
Zondervan Publishers

Jack Chisholm is “the people’s pastor.” He is the founder and leader of a growing mega-church. His slogan… “We have got to do better”. He can do it all. He knows how to preach, teach, write, and he knows how to chastise people into performing. What he doesn’t know is… grace. But after one night of reckless behavior that causes him to loose everything that is precious to him…. He learns the meaning of Grace.

I LOVE this book! It grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go until the last page. Nothing got done around here today. I thought that perhaps it was going to be one more “formula” story about the fall and redemption of a sinner where everything ends up totally restored and smelling like roses. This book is so much better than that. Continue reading →