Marriage is not easy.
353777
I was shocked when I called for a book  "on hold"  at the local library.  It was "Modern Lovers".
Surely it was a mistake this is not my kind of book. However I decided to give it a try.  And it was pretty good, Straub writes well and holds the readers attention from page one.  Four fifty year old college friends have remained close. Three of them were in a rock band during college.  They live close, in Brooklyn and are rearing teenagers. This is the up and down story of regular life. Only unusual aspect is that one of the couples is a lesbian union. The feelings and actions of each person is well done.  You will be aquatinted with these 4 people and their teenagers. The book was not filled with explicit sex and it was not a light plot.  There was more meat than I expected.  However this is not literature.
2033185
Marriage is suppose to begin the `happily ever after', well at least in the movies and fantasy it does.  The reality is that marriages can be a bumpy journey. Two come as one and the challenges begin from the start.
However way to make marriage last is to set and respect boundaries. In Boundaries in Marriage: Understanding the Choices that Make or Break Loving Relationships by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend, the authors use a series of case studies, examples and exercises to explain what is a boundary and how to apply them.
This book really talks about compromise and listening to what you partner is wants. Seems both can't get everything all the time but with good communication and working at the relationship you can have a smooth life together.
Often boundaries are not respected and they build up until it creates a break and conflict. The best means is to know the boundaries and stay within them. The book also address six type of conflicts: sin of one spouse, immaturity or brokenness of one person, hurt feelings that are no one's fault, conflicting desires, desires of one person versus the needs of the relationship, and known versus unknown problems.
This book is ideal for anyone who is single and wants to set the tone of a good relationship or even those who are in one and want to improve on what they have.
Keep the faith and read what the doctors have to say about this sacred institution of marriage.
3629415
After reading A Changing Marriage by Susan Kietzman, I can't stop myself from quoting Mignon McLaughlin's famous words about "marriage", who was an American journalist and author.

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

Hopefully if Karen Spears and Bob Parsons had followed this quote blindly, then their marriage wouldn't have been called A Changing Marriage in Susan Kietzman's new book.

Synopsis:
Karen Spears and Bob Parsons fell in love in the first time when they were in college and soon they become the most happening and most envious couple in the whole campus due to their honesty and true love for each other. Bob proposed on his very last year in the college and thus after Karen's graduation they get married in their hometown and began their new life together. However after the birth of their two children and Bob's constant urge to climb the corporate ladder made them drift apart from each other. And eventually they forgot about all the vows they had written down for each other on their marriage day, and finally they forgot to love each other at all. Read this book for sure to find out how they survive in their failing marriage or whether they survive it at all.

According to statistics, there is one divorce in every 10 minutes! Now I'll not start judging the whys and hows behind those divorces, since I'm no expert, moreover, I'm not even married, so I can't say a thing. But this is not about only marriage; it's mainly about any relationship. All, I can say that after reading this book what I learnt is that we need to trust and forgive each other more and more. And it's the sole responsibility of the wife/woman in that relationship to hold the gravity between her husband/man.

What I felt about the book is I'm sure that anyone whoever reads this book even for once will bound to see the goodness and the effects after reading this book. And that's probably is the reason why I love to read this kind of book which makes you see things with a changed perspective. The author has not only made us belief that how it's the responsibility of a couple to make things work in their marriage, but also shown us how to lead life with happiness, kindness, joy unless they are shared with the loved ones. This is a book about relationships of all kinds- between lovers, between parents, between children and parents, between friends.

This is not the first time I'm reading any Susan's book, I read The Good Life which was equally compelling like this book. From the very beginning I found myself feeling gripped to the very core of this tale, which is written compassionately. The flow of narration is smooth and perfect with the portrayal of realistic characters that will make you more connected to the story. The author has handled the fading chemistry between Karen and Bob with such brilliancy and moreover, while reading this tale you'll feel that this kind of stuff and this kind of negative thoughts often come into our mind. From falling in love to proposing to getting settled to having second thoughts to falling apart- every fold of a typical marriage is quite striking described by the author. Because of its realistic edge, the book is an instant page-turner with its engrossing plot.

It's a must-read book for everyone and in one word- simply heart-breaking and thoroughly charming.

Courtesy:
Thanks to the author, Susan Kietzman, for giving me this opportunity to read and review her book.
1876048
No marriage is easy, but some marriages build each partner up, while others tear each partner down; every marriage takes time and effort, but some marriages sap the spouses' strength, while others generate joy and enthusiasm and intimacy, according to Gary Thomas in this book. You are more likely to make a wise marriage choice if you settle the "why" question before considering the "who".

The author's advice includes:

* No matter who you marry, the feelings of romantic attraction are likely to wear off within 12 to 18 months
* If you seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, you will set yourself up for a more fulfilling, spiritually enriching and more satisfying marriage
* Infatuation leads far more people astray than into satisfying marriages
* While it can seem like a tremendous ego boost to have someone seem like they are desperate for you, ask yourself if you're willing to play the role of God in their life
* The Bible encourages us to use wisdom, not destiny, as our guide when choosing a marital partner
* Important factors to consider include scriptural mandates, wisdom, parental and pastoral advice, and prayer
* If you marry for money, health or looks, keep in mind that none of these are certain to remain
* You're not just choosing a life partner; you're choosing your kids' future parent
* The man or woman you're thinking of marrying should be someone whose character can survive major life challenges
* A relationship requires two people getting to know each other, and then every day they have to choose to keep relating to each other or risk drifting apart
* It takes from 9 to 14 years for two individuals to stop thinking of themselves as individuals and to start thinking of themselves as a couple
* It's hard to accept that we are going to hurt someone we love so much, but if we marry them, we will

The book certainly provides plenty to think about for anyone contemplating marriage. When the requirements of a suitable marriage partner are all added together, the field of potential candidates is seriously narrowed. Most people experience severe struggles in their marriages, and most people are far from being perfect marriage partners, for many of the reasons the author has outlined. It is an eye-opening and sobering, but very helpful, book.
1595486
Very few people ever think that the wedding vows that they make to stay together in sickness and health, will ever happen sooner than later and in most cases hopefully never at all. But such was not the case between Seana Howard and Barth McGrath. To say that things began well would be simply an understatement for them both. Each had lost loves in their earlier lives and both were struggling with the fact that they would grow old alone. Seems fate does that quite a bit, bringing people together during the difficult times as almost a reward for their prolonged perseverance in times of hardship. You would also think that Seana's grown children, Zoe and Tim, would be more than thrilled that their mother would find love again and marry, but again this would not be the case.

For Seana and Barth, theirs would be a whirlwind romance, not because they wanted to get on with life, but because after previous marriages and their age, they felt they knew what was right for each of them, without considering that Seana's children would hopefully come to accept their marriage given enough time. But for some reason, Zoe felt that Barth was hiding something. All the questions she asked Barth about his previous life, seemed to go unanswered or he simply steered the conversation in other directions. So it was no wonder when she discovers that Barth's previous wife was murdered and he was considered the suspect, that he may not be suitable for her mother.

But love is blind and soon Seana and Barth felt that they needed to elope and find a way to let the kids and neighbors know about their marriage after the fact. Everyone couldn't have been happier for Seana except for Zoe and Tim. Even her grandchildren had come to accept Barth. Yet when Seana begins to take Barth's advice to make healthier choices when it comes to the food she eats and later begins to grow ill, with a diagnosis that even baffles her doctors, Zoe begins to think Barth is up to no good. It seems that the more time passes, the worse Seana gets, even though Barth vows to care for her no matter how bad things will get. Will he take his marriage vows all the way to the end if need be, or will Zoe find the proof she needs to prove to everyone that her fears about Barth are valid after all?

I received Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey compliments of The Story Plant for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This book will ask the hard questions that most of us that are married hope will never happen. How far would you go to care for the person you marry? How much time would you spend caring for their needs 24/7? What if there was no answer to why someone simply gives up the will to live? Is there hope and light at the end of the tunnel when everyone simply gives up? This novel has a great message behind it all and one that shows how hard faith can be when facing the darkness day after day and seeing no results. One worth exploring to the end! I easily give this one a 4 out of 5 stars!
4666579
Marriage is tough enough without making it any harder.  I'm sure our parents meant well when they tried to set the best examples possible.  But, I don't know many people who's parents really laid out how money and marriage work.  This book is a great tool to easy the frustration and aggravation that can accompany financial issues in marriage.  It has worked wonders with my fiance and I.
3988238
Marriage is a great thing...but it can be hard sometimes.  My wife and I are currently in a place where we are trying to improve our marriage...not that it is bad, we just know it can be better.

Hearing the dreams, hopes, pain, and struggles of the people in these stories really touched me. This book reminded me that I need to continue to learn to serve and love my wife better because we never know how much time we are going to get to spend together. It humbled me a bit and made me want to enjoy life, enjoy my wife, and enjoy the people around me...because I too often take them for granted.

I 100% recommend this book to anyone that is getting married or anyone that is already married.  If you are willing to open up and let these stories touch your heart, I believe they will change you and your perspective towards your spouse for the good.

Til Death Do Us Part...we all say it when we get married, but I don't think many of us know what that actually means...thanks for giving those of us on the journey a glimpse into what that means and looks like.
775354
Most of us, whether they want to admit it or not, would like to marry for money. Marrying someone who is a nice peron or
well educated doesn't cut it any more. Times are tough and if you don't have financial security, you'll relationhip will end up in
divorce. This book goes into such details as how you shoud dress, act, talk, and be aware of your social surrounding. If you follow
the priciples in this book and if you are genuine in you search to marry rich, and not act like a phony, I highly recommed this book!
3581651
The reality of a poly-relationship is not all smiles and roses. It is a struggle, hard work, and requires an abundance of love and forgiveness. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the author captured these emotions even if I'm not a huge fan of the circumstances that have to come about to force the confrontation between the polys.
621882
It's a relief to read a story with strong but damaged characters who are willing to take the risk of love and relationship. This is not the average boy meets girl story and because of that it doesn't read like a fairy tale. This story is complicated with complex characters that are not exactly easy to love. It enough to give hope to the rest of us imperfect people.
762000
This is a very difficult topic to write about. No one can tell anyone what to do in extremly serious marital situations. There are so many different situations that would divide a couple today.  The world would tell you that you have every right to divorce your spouse if they haven't been treating you right. But what does God want you to do? God wants to repair and salvage marriages and broken hearts. The author has lived through just these circumstance. Joy choose to trust God no matter what. Through their three year seperation the McClains are now reunited.

Convicted, I have now choosen the same route. No matter what my spouse says, I will trust God to work in our marriage. This book helped me to decide to change my divorce filing to a legal seperation as I wait on God to change his heart and mine too.
1370183
When a domain's lady gets stuck in a bad marriage with a bad lord, that doesn't mean she's powerless to help her people. It just means she has to think a little harder....
920149
Things aren't easy for a pastor's wife. This was recommended to me after going through some very difficult times. I'm LOVING reading it each morning.
4485709
Interesting how the friends and family know the hearts of the couple better than they do. Sometimes the head does not listen to the heart.
86650
A story about two close friends who decide to have a baby together without all the constraints of marriage. Things get sticky, as with all relationships, and it proves to be harder than they thought.
1464419
This is a mail order bride with a twist. He is ordered to marry by the age of 30 or lose everything he has worked so hard for. She is not what he expected. Things didn't go so well at first. This is a very good story. I really enjoyed this one.
2025058
This is not your typical romance since it's about a couple who have been married for ten years and separated for one year. They badly want children but remain childless. This is devastating for the wife, Candice, making her feel like she was a failure to her husband because she could not give him the family she thought she should be able to provide. When their attempts to get pregnant weren't successful, they tried adoption. When that failed too, Candice believed she had to divorce her husband, Logan, so he could find someone who could give him children.

After being apart for a year, they decided to give their marriage another try. Logan especially wanted to make Candice see how much he loved her, with or without children.

This is a very emotional story that makes you think about relationships and how marriage can be so hard. It shows how important communication is between couples. It's much easier to go through hard times when you have someone you know you can rely on and talk to.

Logan is a very patient man and quite likable however Candice wasn't. I have enjoyed Kimberly Krey's books so I was surprised when I didn't understand why they separated until well into the book. Candice's aunt and uncle where great additions to the story. Their bowl filled with slips of paper each telling them to do something together was a unique idea. They said If the couple followed the instructions on the slips, their love would grow again.  There's always gotta be a bad guy and I was surprised to see who it was.

I received a copy of Mending Hearts from Inspired Kathy in exchange for an honest review.