Sunday, November 6, 2011

Giveaway & Review ~ A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner




This is my first Susan Meissner book and I can honestly say it won't be my last! I closed the book impressed with this authors ability to weave so many characters into such an intriguing tale.

Marielle is marrying Carson, who lives in his deceased wife's family home, Holly Oak, with his two children and grandmother-in-law, Adelaide. This stately home has been in the family since the Civil War and has an aura of mystery and sadness surrounding it. Is it the house itself that wants to exact a portion of each Holly Oak woman for past wrongs or is it the ghost of Susannah Page, accused of being a spy for the Yankees, who haunts each woman who dwells within? Is there really something supernatural going on at all?



As interesting as the present day events in the story were, I was most captivated when the forgotten letters from Susannah Page to her cousin were introduced into the story. From that moment on, I didn't want to put the book down! I was totally drawn into the life of Susannah. Even though they are fictional letters, I went so far as to read some of them to my husband! The descriptive nature in them had me believing that what I was reading was detailing exact moments and events that took place at Holly Oak from 1860 to 1863. The people seemed so real. I could hear the conversations, the ramblings, the shot of the muskets and feel the ground and walls quiver with the roar of the cannons! The tension and fear that was felt when the yankee soldiers were coming and the townsfolk were running was palpable. My emotions were fully engaged throughout this novel.

I'll just say this. Adelaide has some eccentric friends and I hope that when I'm an elderly woman I have some friends like that who will gather around me and support me even if they think I'm nuts. Of course, I thought a couple of the friends were nuts but that's what made them so lovable.

Even though this novel is published as Christian Fiction, the spiritual thread is not overly obvious. This would probably appeal to many who read contemporary and some historical fiction. I do wish there had been more time spent in the historical time frame of the book but that's just my personal preference and does in no way detract from the wonderful story that is A Sound Among the Trees.

Get it. Read it. You won't regret it!

WaterBrook Multnomah provided me this book for free through their Blogging for Books program. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, just my opinion of the book.




Short Author Bio



Award-winning writer Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker and workshop leader with a background in  community journalism. Her novels include The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Books of 2008.  She is a pastor’s wife and a mother of four. When she's not writing, Susan directs the Small Groups and Connection Ministries  program at her San Diego church.





To purchase a copy of Susan's books, click here.

If you would like to enter to win my review copy, please leave a comment. Let me know if you've read any of Susan's books. Give me a recommendation if you have! Giveaway ends Nov 10th. US ONLY!!!

40 comments:

  1. I am not sure if in the past I have read on of Susan's books. I would love to read on of her books. My Birthday is Nov.10th so it would be a nice surprise to win.
    Thanks for the Review and Giveaway!

    Blessings,
    Patricia aka Mamaw

    plb1050 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have not read any of Susan's books. I would like to win this. Thanks for the chance to win this.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for your review on this book. I haven't read any of her books either but this sounds pretty good.

    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm not entering because I'm in Canada. :( I just wanted to say I love Susan Meissner's writing! My favorites, and I'd highly recommend, are Lady in Waiting and The Shape of Mercy. Both amazing and captivating novels. I couldn't put them down. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Patricia! i'm glad you came by and entered :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Rebecca! Thanks for entering. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Cathy! Thanks for coming by and giving us some recommendations! I'll be looking for those. I really did enjoy Susan's book and look forward to reading more!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey Wendy! Thank you so much for putting a link to the giveaway on your blog! That is so sweet

    ReplyDelete
  9. Would love to win. I have a couple of her books in my tbr pile. Thanks for the giveaway.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't read any of Susan's books yet but I would love to! :) Please enter me! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved "Shape of Mercy" and the Rachael Flynn books. Thanks for the chance to get a copy of Susan's new novel.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a huge fan of Susan's writing!!! I am currently reading her Rachel Flynn series. I have also read Lady in Waiting and The Shape of Mercy. These are both excellent books. All of Susan's books are so well written! Thanks for the opportunity to add A Sound Among The Trees to my library...it is already on my wishlist!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sorry I can't recommend any books since I haven't read any of Ms. Meissner's books. The blending of historical and contemporary storylines sounds intriguing --thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  14. i have all of susan's novels...thanks for the chance to read her latest :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey Sharon! I'll have to check out those books. They seem to be the most popular mentioned :) Thanks for coming by & entering!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Salena! Glad you entered. Looks like there's some good recommendations already.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey Karen! All of her novels, wow :) Which is your favorite?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi! It was very intriguing. Not the usual, for sure :) Thanks for stopping by and entering.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have read all of Susan's books ..(except Lady IW and it is in my cart!) and loved them all. It would be hard to pick a favorite one. When I first read her, I went back and ordered used copies of ALL her books....love them! Please enter me for this one! Thanks!!!
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  20. This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance. I don't think I've read any of her books.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've read three of Susan's books and enjoyed them all: "Lady in Waiting," "The Shape of Mercy," and "White Picket Fences." Her books are well written and unique. I would love to win a copy of her latest book, "A Sound Among the Trees." Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have been so very curious about this book. It sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the review and info, Anne!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've read a couple of Susan's books and would highly recommend The Shape of Mercy. Would love to win this one! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hey Jackie! I think I'm going to be looking for more of her books as well. Glad to know they are all "winners" :) Thanks for coming by & entering.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Rose, Nice to have you come by. There's lots of suggestions so far for other books by Susan to read. Hope you find another one, as well!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Anne! You wrote an excellent review! It's so good, that even if I'm not the lucky winner, I'm going to have to get this book. Thank you for your honest opinions and the chance to win.
    To answer your question, no, I haven't read anything by Susan yet. But if she gets a review like that from you, yep. She's on my list!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Pam! After your mention of Lady in Waiting I looked it up and think that will be my next Meissner book :) Thanks for entering.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Cheryl! Thanks for the recommendation :) That's one been mentioned a lot, too. Glad you entered!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hey, Hey Ronie :) Glad you stopped by and entered! There's a very appealing quality to this book for me. I loved the history.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hey Amanda! Thanks, I just really enjoyed the book :) I'm glad you came by to enter. Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Please enter me into the giveaway for this book! I'm always looking for new books to read! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Enter me in the giveaway. Do not believe I have ever read her books, but this one sounds good.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hey Sharonne! I've got you entered. It was an excellent combination of time frames.

    ReplyDelete
  34. It's always neat when the author blends a historical and contemporary story line together! I've not ready any of her books, but I have Lady in Waiting by her on my to-read list too. Heard it was quite good.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ive had alot of Susan Meisner's books in our church library for years. Her books are checked out quite frequently.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hey Beth! I think Lady in Waiting is going to be the next one of her books I read. Several have recommended it and it sort of sounds like it has the same principle going. Thanks for coming by!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Rick, There seems to be a waiting line at our public library as well! Thanks for commenting.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Great review, Anne! I think I made it here by the skin of my teeth, since drawing ends soon.:) I would love to win this and see what I think of Susan's writing since I haven't read any of her novels yet! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks, Diana! You made it with plenty of time to spare :) Good luck!

    ReplyDelete

I am so delighted that you've taken time to come by and comment. Blessings for a joy-filled day!

1 Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.