Musician's Widow

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.

No one ever said that life is fair. Things go wrong. Life throws you a curve ball. Suddenly you find yourself struggling to figure out what is next. Where Will You Go From Here? by Valorie Burton strives to help others deal with those times when “life doesn’t go as planned.”

When I sat down with this book, I was equal parts excited and apprehensive. I’ve read other self-help books, and I’ve always found them to be hit or miss. A little part of me asked myself why I’d gotten this book in the first place.

Then, I dug in, and I found myself fascinated and amazed. I found a book that not only helps guide someone through the rough patches in life, I found a book chocked full of good advice for every-day living, for every-day happiness. I put tabs on pages that had particularly profound quotes, scripture versus, and/or thoughts.

I think what amazed me more than anything about this book is how perfectly laid out it is. Every chapter has a specific focus and within that focus it sticks with a specific formula, ending with showing you that you have everything you need to cope: using the power of your thoughts, words, actions, relationships and prayers. As an added bonus each chapter includes with a real-life story bringing the focus of that chapter to life.

As I went through the book, I found myself giddy… I finally found the perfect “self help” book. It taught me a lesson. It walked me through applying that lesson to my own life. Then it showed me how that lesson helped others. All of it done with a personal touch, so it didn’t feel I was being lectured. It felt like talking to a friend.

I would definitely recommend this book, not just to someone dealing with a hard time in life, but to anyone who wants to arm themselves to deal with life’s little obstacles.

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.

We are all waiting for something or someone. Perhaps you are reading this review while you wait for dinner to finish cooking, or while you wait for inspiration to strike. The Waiting Place by Eileen Button is series of essays written about being in “The Waiting Place” and finding God within it.

Button carries the reader through her own life, from childhood to marriage to parenthood to her own struggles as a writer. Her candor about events of her own life shines a light on God’s love and gentle hand within her life, and she makes the waiting place a time to embrace versus a place to grumble about.

I absolutely loved this book. Ironically, I found myself reaching for it while in my own waiting places. On a plane. In the car. Waiting to get sleepy. And, most recently, waiting for writing inspiration. This book spoke to me in ways I couldn’t begin to put into words. I needed this book, and perhaps this was God’s own way of stepping into my own waiting place.

This book made me cry. This book made me laugh. This book made me think. More importantly, though, it made me reflect on my own life and my own various waiting places. The ones I’ve been in… and the ones I am in right now.

I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I will be reaching for it again and again myself.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Lucy Wiltshire is a strong, independent woman who runs a non-profit organization helping young women who have graduated out of “the system” and who are basically left on the streets. Alex Sinclair is a former NFL superstar who is now running for Congress. When unlikely pair find themselves needing each other — Lucy needing funds to help keep her organization open, and Alex needs something to make him more appealing to voters — a plan is hatched. If Lucy will pose as Alex’s fiancee, he will give her the money she needs.

Save the Date follows this duo through their fake engagement and the ups and downs it brings with it, everything from matters of the heart, matters of family and matters of faith.

I officially have a new book in my top ten favorite books of all time. This book made me laugh out loud. It made me cry at times. It made me think. And it sucked me into Lucy and Alex’s world. Whenever I would get a chance to sit down and read, I would easily read multiple chapters in one sitting… and I’d have to force myself to put it down.

As I said, it made me laugh with witty banter between the characters. I cried along with the characters as heartaches occurred. However, its in matters of faith and God that made me think about my own life and how I handled various situations. At the end of the book is a “Group Reading Guide,” that asks multiple thought-provoking questions based on the story. Its worth going through those questions and reflecting on each one. It takes the book from just being an entertaining piece of fiction to a wonderfully inspiring piece of literature.

Without a doubt, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone… heck, I can’t wait to read it again myself!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It’s rare that I pick up a book that I have a hard time really getting into, especially when its a daily devotional that only asks I read a couple pages a day. However, 31 Days of Power was a book I just had a hard time getting into following.

31 Days of Power is subtitled “Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory.”  Perhaps it was my own fault for not following that the book would be focused so heavily on spiritual warfare against Satan. I expected the book to be more uplifting, and feeding my spirit in a positive and empowering manner. However, what I found was regular references to Satan and evil in the world. There was praise and thanks, but it general focused on thanks for being saved from “my enemies.”

The book is based around Scripture, however it is scripture versus that have been paraphrase and interpreted. It does make for easier reading — each one a prayer and devotional — however, I wish there had been more straightforward bible passages included. I like a book to be either an original devotional, or I like bible passages. This seems to be a hybrid of the two, and it just made it difficult for me to really get into it.

Now, as I have said, the book asks  you only read a page or two every day for 31 days. Its not asking too much out of your day, and as you read you find yourself going into a place of worship and reflection. And it is in that fact that I DID like the book. I also enjoyed that each chapter had lines for you to add in your own intercessions, making the book even more personalized.

I do not regret reading this book, and I will probably come back to it in the future in times of spiritual need. However, on a whole, I was left disappointed.

NOTICE: I received this book as part of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers “Blogging for Books” program.