So let’s see. This book has history, strong women, a potential haunting and its set in the South. Gee… is there any doubt I’d gravitate to it and love it?

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner is a carefully woven and well detailed story that bridges generations with suspense. The story starts with Marielle Bishop moving from Arizona to Virginia to live at Holly Oak with her new husband, his children from his first marriage, and his first wife’s grandmother, Adelaide. If that doesn’t intrigue you, keep in mind that the Civil War mansion where they live may be haunted by Susannah Page, a former resident who is considered by many to be a Civil War traitor.

However, what Marielle finds is that her new home is wrapped up in its past and the events of the lives of the women who have lived there. You get to meet these women through the pages of this book, each one carefully brought to life for the reader.

One of the coolest features of the book is a section of nothing but letters written by Susannah during the Civil War. What a wonderful way to tell her story in her own words and to give a good look at what her life was like as the war raged just outside her front door. The letters gave the whole story a new depth and perspective to the story!

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone. In fact, I plan to re-read it myself!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group book review bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

There are a handful of things I call my “guilty pleasures” in life. Those things would include vanilla lattes, high heels, a glass of wine, pedicures and CHOCOLATE. For that reason, The Chocolate Diaries by Karen Scalf Linamen seemed a no-brainer as my new must-read book through Blogging for Books book review program.

I’ll say first and foremost, I mistakenly chose the electronic edition of this book, making it cumbersome for me to read in the bathtub. (Not to mention deadly…) Luckily, this didn’t take away from the joy that this book brought as I read it.

This book is like sitting down with a dear girlfriend over chocolate treats and perhaps a big glass of wine. This book is full of personal stories and anecdotes of life. Its meant to help you find a “sweet” way through the “rocky road” of life… all with just the right amount of scripture references.

You’ll laugh out loud of some of the personal stories (some about the author, others about he friends and family) that help bring the lessons in this book to life. You’ll sit back and think over some of the “Food for Thought” segments. And then there’s that added bonus of yummy chocolate recipes and snacking tips.

Now, here’s the biggest thing I don’t like about an electronic book (uhm, electrocution aside)… I can’t hand it to a friend on a whim and go, “Read this. Now.” Because I seriously want to do that with this book. I have so many friends who will appreciate this book for all it is: a delightful self-help book drizzled with humor, warmth and a healthy dose of CHOCOLATE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group book review bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.