A Marriage Made in--Somewhere (Somewhere Great, Really!)
589576
I love the Garret-Forrester Coven, and Gail Roughton is a good enough writer to keep a series fresh, so the reader stays engaged. "War-N-Wit, Inc. Mean Street, LLC" does not disappoint. When Staceys sister Ariel met Chads brother Spike, it was love at first site and they knew theyd have a marriage made in somewhere. They invite Stacey and Ariels parents to the wedding, knowing what a shock the whole thing will be for their gently-bred Southern mom. Grace Anson always envisioned either church or garden weddings for her daughters, with flowing white gowns, flowers, ribbons, and crystal flutes of champagne afterward either still in the garden or a very nice hotelnot a drive-thru wedding, and certainly not on the conveyances her daughters have in mind.

But, the girls are not the only ones having family problems. War n Wit, Inc. often works for a concern called Mean Street, LLC, a family-owned company run by a man named Gabe Smith. He calls Chad and asks him and Stacey to, Check out a magic act on the Strip. No big deal. Gabe and his brothers Mike and Raph are having problems with their brother Lucy (a childhood nickname he hates), and it turns out to be a very big deal. Good thing Staceys cat, Micah has managed to follow her to Vegasagain.

Gail Roughton is great at creating characters who are engaging. They keep you laughing, on the edge of your seat, rooting for them, and then laughing some more. While Ms. Roughton didn't exactly write this as a Christmas/Yule tale, I think it kind of fits this week. Like most of her War n Wit novellas, its way too short. Oh, its complete. It stands well on its own. But its only a little a hundred pages, so it goes really fast and leaves you wanting more.
1914484
Flowers, limousine, the cost of the wedding, the bride and the bridegroom have waited ten years for the marriage.  The grange hall is the bride's mother's connection to the village, a communal experience.  The new son-in-law, Beccas's husband, is John Tetherly.  Daniel and Iris Copaken, Becca's parents, teach law and comparative literature, respectively.  John used to run the yacht club rowing camp.  He is working on the restoration of a 1938 Alden schooner.  John's family is local, and Becca's summer residents.  John's mother has a house-cleaning business.

At the reception word is received that Becca and John are dead, an automobile accident.  The story is about afterwards and it is done wonderfully.  Iris's father, a violinist, has Parkinson's.  In his life he has survived many deaths.  Family members died at Terezin.  He reveres Bach, the counter-point, the patterns, the discipline.  He knows that the pain of grief is alleviated by time.

Subsequent Fourth of July celebrations move us, the readers, as we note the progression of the characters over four years.  Extreme circumstances breed harmony in the end for the individuals emerging from diverse backgrounds.  The effect is clever and sprightly.
1155054
This is a story of a marriage of convenience. Mutsuki is a handsome young doctor, successful in his career and deeply in love with his boyfriend, Kon. Shoko is appropriately pretty, but incredibly neurotic, insecure and moody but manages to cope, in a way, through regular doses of alcohol. Neither has the slightest interest in marriage and one has no skill at relationships of any sort, but both have parents that constantly pressured them to find a mate (of the opposite sex). From the parents' perspective, this is an ideal match. They know nothing of their child-in-laws' little secrets so they look at the match as if they're getting the best of the bargain. For the couple, it's not quite that simple. Shoko is so consumed by her inner turmoil that she can barely notice her husband's saintly patience. Mutsuki is learning that the only thing that is predictable about his wife is her utter unpredictability and even his nearly unlimited patience is becoming profoundly taxed.

Through the incredibly skillful pen of author Kaori Ekuni, what results is a sweet and beautiful story of love, friendship, borderline personality disorder and the difficulties of living life gay with an intolerant family and job. Ekuni refuses to sit in judgement of her characters and simply stands back and lets them tell their story; the chapters are alternating first person narratives by Shoko and Mutsuki. The result is a short, wonderful book that you hope will never end.
773558
Douglas and Connie, a British couple have planned a vacation through Europe, but its nearly called off when Connie wakes up and says I think I want to leave you.

Douglas forges ahead and cajoles his wife to enjoy one last hurrah with their teenage son, who is soon off to college.  And thus begins a bittersweet and awkward journey through Europe.

The past and present are told in many short chapters.  The family is on a forced march through Europe following Douglass precise itinerary, carefully laid out in numerous spread sheets.

Douglas and Connies past relationship is slowly revealed   how they met and fell in love, despite being complete opposites. Connie is an uninhibited artist, while Douglas is an introverted biochemist  they marry, inhabit a bohemian London apartment, have a child.  We see Douglas struggle with Connies artistic and unconventional upbringing of their son, and watch as Connie gives up her art and they move out of London to a larger house with a garden.  All seems to be going well  or is it?

These are real people  Douglas, well-meaning but suffering from a lack of spontaneity; Connie, beautiful, charming, and artistic  and their son, Albie, a typical teenager filled with scorn for adult conservatism.

The dynamic between Douglas and Connie is funny and genuinely touching.

I was looking forward to us growing old together. Me and you, growing old and dying together.

Douglas, who in their right mind would look forward to that?

So they're off to Europe. There are painful scenes when Douglas is trying desperately to ensure everyone is having a good time, but these are contrasted with laugh out loud funny incidents, such as when it turns out Douglas has mistakenly booked the three of them into a questionable hotel in Amsterdam

Dad, asked Albie have you booked us into a sex hotel? and they began to laugh.  Its not a sex hotel, its boutique, I insisted.  Douglas, said Connie, tapping the print of the bound Japanese lady, is that a half hitch or a bowline?  I did not answer, through it was a bowline.

What I most enjoyed about Us was the subtle, bittersweet, and unflinchingly honest writing.

I think our marriage has run its course.  I think I want to leave you.  It was like trying to go about my business with an axe embedded in my skull.

This is a cynical, bittersweet, yet loving portrait of a love  of a relationship. A reminder that not every couple can be happy, no matter how much they love each other.  These are real and familiar characters; especially the befuddled Douglas, certain he can fix something unfixable if only he applied enough logic, pragmatism, and unfailing optimism.

Mr. Nicholls does not give us a happily ever after ending, no perfect tying up of loose ends.  This is a civilized yet loving portrait of the slipping away of a marriage.  Like Nora Ephrons, Heartburn, this a funny and touching novel about a situation which, Im certain, living through would not be at all funny.
See more at BookbBarmy(dot)com
2966367
Kate OBrien has inherited her brothers run-down ranch in the Montana Territory, circa 1875. Unsavory neighbor Rafe Hamilton has long been after both Kate and her land. Thinking to help Kate, Bill Stricklin,owner of the mercantile, gives stranger Buck McKean a good recommendation to buy her land.

Buck rides out to the ranch, but can only convince Kate to hire him as foreman. Things become complicated when Buck is forced to stay overnight to protect Kate from marauders.

What a surprise awaits this couple when they ride into town. Suddenly, they are in a marriage of convenience. Can they trust God and each other and make a go of this unusual situation?

I enjoy reading about arranged marriages in our countrys past. It is interesting to see that the same faith that makes chosen marriages work today is the faith that made those marriages of the past successful. Funny how pride so often is a barrier between the key players. That is still a common problem today.

Thank you, Ms. Scott, for this complimentary copy that made me take a fresh look at how I am acting in my own marriage. I was not required to leave a positive review and all opinions are solely my own.
2172300
Elizabeth Berg's latest book, "Say When," is the story of a marriage that is going downhill. Griffin and Ellen seem to have it made. They live comfortably in a Chicago suburb, and they adore their precocious eight-year-old daughter, Zoe. Suddenly, Ellen reveals that her marriage is unsatisfying and she asks Griffin for a divorce. Ellen tells Griffin that she is in love with a younger man who truly understands her.
Berg tells this story mostly from Griffin's point of view. For the first time in their marriage, Griffin starts to contemplate some of the ways that he and Ellen are different from one another. Ellen is cerebral, creative and spontaneous. Griffin is grounded, organized and predictable.  Ellen and Griffin have always had their differences, but Griffin believes that their marriage is still worth saving.
Berg writes with a delicate touch and gentle humor. I love the character of Griffin. He is a great father and a man of deep feeling and devotion. Many female readers will claim that he is a complete fabrication, since there are no men like Griffin on this earth. If that is so, then there should be. Ellen is a cipher and not a particularly sympathetic character. She comes across as flighty and capricious, although her love for Zoe is unwavering.
In "Say When," Berg turns the cliche of the male having a midlife crisis on its ear. Here, it is the woman who needs to find herself, while the man wants his life to go on as it always has. Berg has written an entertaining contemporary novel that explores the theme of how difficult it is to sustain long-term relationships. After all, why stay married when divorce is such a quick solution to marital problems? Berg hits all the right notes in this touching, funny, wise and very satisfying novel.
4816284
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  The romance and people who inhabit the small town of  Happily inc and fun and quirky and friends.  What struck me more than anything, reading this book, were Susan Mallerys wonderful descriptions.  I wasn't sure if I was supposed to directly quote the novel so decided not to do so, but trust me her language in describing the people who are friends and family just fit so well.  I love the 3 brothers each of whom are artists who cant imagine doing anything else.  I felt for the towns people who create the magic that is Wedding In A Box and who each got excited and creative when confronted by the couple who wanted something way outside the boat box.  Which in turn led to the creation of Wedding Outside of the Box.  The changes and growth that most of the people went through appealed to me, as did the descriptions of the artists creative process.  Through the course of this story I could follow the jumps each person made which in turn led to their growth.

This was not a deep story, it is just a story of a small town whose main industry is being a site for destination weddings.  There are no larger than life millionaires, or large scale developments or world beaters.  There are average  people with hang ups and left-over emotional problems who love and help and grow.  I was more than satisfied with this story and this place.
1049797
Though some time has passed since I have read any of the Mitford books, this installment drew me right back into the little town with its charming citizens and stories, and I daresay this may be my favorite of the bunch. A little shorter and simpler than the other books, this brings forth all the magic and delight of a wedding--Mitford style.  It's a fresh, warm-hearted story that slows down and considers all the thoughts of those involved with Father Tim and Cynthia's big day.  There is humor and plenty of heart, and the story just hits all the right notes.
992206
My post title says it all. There is great love in this story but not the vulgar lovemaking so many have nowadays. Loved the read, I genuinely felt the place, the climate, and the people. And to find that it was based on real people made it even better! Thank you Ms Hedlund, for an entertaining week of visiting the Great Lakes!
4294402
Author Gerri Hill never disappoints!  Chasing a Brighter Blue has it all: great characters, a beautiful setting, humor, and some wonderful scenes in the Colorado Rockies.  (I'd love to see the gathering of the elk herds!)  The dialogue between Shelby and Stephanie's manic mother and Reagan is particularly amusing.  The premise, a two week wedding event at a resort hotel at Christmas is somewhat mind boggling.  Happily, it will take place at the resort hotel Shelby is in charge of, and she has an excellent relationship with the staff.  Stephanie is the bride, and Josh, Reagan's brother is the groom.  Reagen, a photojournalist, has just returned from Afghanistan and is haunted by the horrors she witnessed there.  Quiet, calm, and very attractive Shelby is just what she needs to help her handle the memories.
This is a wonderful love story complete with all of the above, and yes, some very nice bedroom scenes!
445874
A Marriage In Middlebury is a poignant Christian Romance story about choices made and second chances.

Charlotte Rose Hill is the owner of Rose Cottage Tearoom in the small town of Middlebury, Texas. Charlotte has been serving special blended tea and matchmaking advice to her beloved customers in this popular gathering place for the past ten years. While life has been good to Charlotte, marriage has been elusive and out of range since she rejected Sam Wilder's marriage proposal when she was eighteen. Two decades later, Charlotte's life gets complicated when Sam comes back to Middlebury to attend to his dying father with his fiancee Audrey on his arm. And to make matters worse, Sam and Audrey request that Charlotte cater their wedding reception. Hiding the pain and love she still feels for Sam, Charlotte agrees to cater the wedding reception, while Sam hides his own still lingering feelings for Charlotte. Can choices made in the past be made right with a second chance?

Author Anita Higman weaves a charming tale of long lost love, choices made, and second chances, that easily captivates the reader as they are transported to Charlotte Rose Hill's popular Rose Cottage Tearoom in the quaint town of Middlebury, Texas.

With a mixture of romance, secrets and betrayals interwoven within the storyline, the reader follows Charlotte and Sam's story as it unfolds with an abundance of twists and turns, and a dose of life lessons about forgiveness, acceptance and second chances. This is a finely crafted story with engaging characters who feel like friends, and dialogue / interactions that are interwoven with drama and humor.

The author brings the setting alive with the rich description of the lovely tearoom and quaint town. As you read the story, you can't help but feel like you are transported inside the popular tearoom where you listen in on the quirky townspeople's stories of love, losses, dreams and hardships. It's a comfortable setting that makes this delightful story even more enjoyable to read.

A Marriage in Middlebury is a truly heartwarming Christian romance story that could only be created in the signature style of the truly gifted author Anita Higman.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.
3751197
The institution of arranged marriage is based on the sensible idea that a marriage is also a social relationship, not just a personal one. Families are linked when a couple comes to be, and for a happy marriage, the respective families also have to get along. This novel deals with a modern Indian hero who finds he has to take a risk-- he can marry a woman he loves, but it might come at the cost of losing his mother. Set in Hyderabad area, filled with Atreya's trademark grasp of local Indian mores, this simply-told but many-layered tale is a pleasure to read. Strongly recommended.
4036751
A romantic comedy at its best, I thoroughly enjoyed Forever a Bridesmaid.  Erin and Matthew's serendipitous meeting at O'Hare Airport sets the tone for the rest of the story.  They find that they are both attending the same wedding, but with opposite goals:  Matthew's to stop the wedding and Erin's to ensure that nothing goes wrong.  In spite of this, they are immediately attracted to one another and in the mounting turmoil of wedding preparations, they both discover a need to be together, far more than they could have ever anticipated. A little manipulation by one determined mother helps the romance along, until they hit speed bumps along the way. As a non-American, I am appalled at all the pre-wedding events. Is this standard practise in the USA?  If so, most brides should approach the wedding ceremony in a state of total exhaustion! Eloping begins to sound good. I did enjoy a good chuckle, and even laughed aloud at time. An enjoyable read.
4093722
For six months Alexa Gordon mourned a broken engagement. As she stood in her kitchen following a recipe for scones, memories of a study term spent in Britain engulfed her. University friends, Peter and Vannie Colby had purchased the cookbook from Harrod's as a gift to her. Memories of a happier time sparked a sudden desire to revisit the UK and the friends she'd grown to love. Discovering Alexa's Facebook status of baking scones and counting down the days till the end of the year, Peter saw an opportunity to bring Alexa to revisit London. He responded with an offer of free accommodations in the apartment he shared with his twin sister, Vannie. Peter's enthusiasm and a pictorial description of a scene from the pages of Dickens prompted Alexa to an impulsive decision to return to London for the Christmas season. As Alexa and Peter revisited the wonderful places she held close to her heart her attraction for Peter intensified, something Alexa wasn't yet prepared to pursue. Peter was confused and frustrated by Alexa's hesitancy, but encouraged her to listen and follow God's lead as his love for her continued to heighten.

"Finding Home" is a delightful and heartwarming rendition of lovable and believable characters brought to life. I felt as though I had been transported to London, and was given the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of that historic city, to partake in high tea at Harrod's, spend an evening in an English pub, as well as visiting Trafalgar Square and the London Bridge. This tale of the struggles of two young people finding their places in life and love is serendipitous and charming. Following God's plan for their lives is pivotal in this story of a romantic holiday in London. I highly recommend this lovely novella!

A complimentary copy of Finding Home was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
920640
T author has done a wonderful job of using a conflicted dilemma that can occur in a marriage relationship to provide an interesting and fun read.  The characters were ones that are common yet special in a relationship.  Supportive friends, difficult family, interesting work relationships make this story a fun read. The ups and downs of the emotional aspects of distance when issues need to be resolved is something we can all relate to in our own lives.  Heather has done a wonderful job of keeping the story one where the reader is present and agonizing  over the same issues.  I know you will enjoy this read!
4068554
After taking my wife and 18-month-old baby for a long month to sweltering France last summer, I resolved to do better by them this year. And so, before the first snow had fallen, we drove out to the posh resort town of Southampton, New York, to rent a modest cottage with the promise of an ocean breeze. Right off, we found a simple little house with a bonus: a rear deck designed by an extremely tasteful architect named Kevin Bone.

 It turns out that, several decades ago, I had met --- and not repulsed --- the architect's wife. After we struck a real estate deal, we struck up an e-mail friendship. Only then did I learn that she would be publishing her first book. So I had the odd experience of reading Eugenia Bone's AT MESA'S EDGE: Cooking and Ranching in Colorado's North Fork Valley, in the house that she and her family abandons each summer. Confession: The Bone ranch sounds so beautiful and Eugenia's recipes are so enticing that, Hamptons be damned, I'd rather be on her porch in Colorado.

 Eugenia Bone may be the Peter Mayle of the American West, but she sure didn't start out with much enthusiasm for Colorado. Her husband came home from a fishing trip and said he'd found a 45-acre ranch. She understood why: "There was an empty place in him that was not being filled." And so she signed the mortgage papers "the same way I would sign a release for Kevin to have necessary surgery; it had to be done."

 Of course the place was a wreck. And Eugenia, a New York City-based food writer, was not a great candidate for assimilation. But as she comes to learn, the hard work of restoring the ranch is balanced by simple pleasures not available in Manhattan. The postmaster divides her mail into two piles: "important" and "not." The sign in front of a church reads: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SIGN FROM GOD, THIS IS IT. The woman at the gas station gives her credit: "I trust you." She cooks fish caught earlier that day. She discovers that no meat is more tender than elk.

 And, slowly, she learns, mostly about the relationship of water and land. She loves to cook; she comes to realize that the land too needs to be fed. That moment of revelation seals her love of this place. And she comes to see that living in the moment --- really, the only way to live in a place so dominated by Nature --- is magical. "Time passes slower; life seems to last longer, and death, because it is daily observable in nature, is not quite as frightening."

 It's a delicious life, and she shares it not only in her quiet, concise prose, but in the generous chunk of the book where she serves up recipes. Some of the dishes require ingredients not available in city markets, but anyone can master her Cold Zucchini Soup enlivened with chile powder and tortilla strips and an intensely flavored (thyme, rosemary, sage, lemon zest) Lamb Stew.

 Armchair travelers, dreamers and weekend cooks should find AT MESA'S EDGE as refreshing and soul-stirring as a Rocky Mountain breeze.

 --- Reviewed by Jesse Kornbluth
1601435
Can Christians make good movies?  Thus goes the debate.  This movie certainly does hit some of the movie themes, i.e. love, romance, suspence, temptation, lives changing, etc., but avoids many of the rest: violence, sex, murder. One's worldview will certainly dominate and color one's reaction and response to this fine effort to address marriage.

Bonus Features are nice with this DVD: especially enjoyed the story in "Behind Scenes" supplier of fork lift on train scene as well as "Wayne on Wayne."

God started marriage between man and woman.  He further prescribed that this marriage would revolve around their relationship with Him, Ephesians 5:21.  From this marriage moves together in beautiful picture of Christ and His church and the married couple are to live this relational picture out as husband and wife, each playing different parts and roles.  In this film, the human nature to take marriage in other, sinful, self-centered directions is wonderfully depicted.  Christ enters the picture as the reconciler that He is, and puts the marriage back on Ephesians 5 tracks.  Interested couples will want to check out Peter Kurkowski's book: Lifelines of Love.

Aid to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see.  Do not let your heart be hardened.  It is all about being invited to the wedding feast, Matthew 22:1-13.