The Chocolate Diaries by Karen Linamen

"Everyday put eating chocolate on your to-do list. That way, you'll always get at least one thing done!"

"There's more to life than chocolate (sometimes there's chocolate with nuts)."

Recently I received a free review copy of "The Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life" from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. When I read the title, I knew this book was for me. A book that tells me that chocolate can solve almost any problem? You've got to be kidding......

But after reading the first page, I realized I was in for much more than I expected. The author Karen Linamen has experienced bumpy, rocky roads and she has found that chocolate can maybe cure some of life's problems, but the
secrets to really surviving and thriving are found in faith, family and friends.

This book has real life women sharing how they have survived rocky roads. The author uses personal experiences as well. I have laughed along with some of the situations and nodded agreement at other passages.

Each chapter has two special sections "Real Women Don't Need Cookbooks" and "Food for Thought". The first section lists an easy recipe that real women have used to fill their chocolate cravings. My favorite is the "Hot Fudge Sundae on a spoon". You've got to check it out! The Food for Thought is a list of talking points and questions to make you think.

Chocolate Diaries is not a devotional book. It is more of an inspirational, motivational series of chapters that give you tools for surviving those unexpected times in life. This is a great book for women experiencing the rocky roads of life. I really enjoyed it!

Posted in: nonfiction,review,self-help