Marriage Monday: Intelligent Couples

[Image Source]

Emotionally intelligent couples are intimately familiar with each other's world.

--John Gottman, Ph.D.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Everything You've Got!

I wish more people understood this deep down and put it into action. No keeping score. Just give it everything you have.

[Image Source]

"Marriage is not 50/50; divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100/100. It isn't dividing everything in half, but giving everything you've got!"

[Image Source]

Great marriages are not 50/50 but 100/100. 

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Blessings and Burdens

[Image Source]

Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your burdens.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Reading Report February 2014

Reading Report

What I read from

February 1-February 28

Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden

Regency, Romance

Carter leaves for his duties in London shortly after his marriage to Miranda so she's off to one of his estates. Three years pass until they see each other again and things are slightly awkward between the two. 

I jumped to the end of the mystery of this one quickly but it was a fun read. I love the characters Eden creates and she's good at writing swoon worthy men. I honestly dont read a lot of regency stuff but I just love Sarah M. Eden and will gobble up anything she publishes. 

Gullivers Travels by Gill Harvey

Classic

There's this guy, Gulliver. He travels.

So. I listened to this one on audio book because it came in a bundle of other books.  I was a bit bored out of my head. He was giant. He had a master. He was moved around. I really don't remember much because at one point I was just listening to get through. :/

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Historical, Fiction, New Adult, Mystery

Josie's mom has a pretty shady job and Josie knew just how dangerous it was from an early age. She wants something better for herself and her life so she's set out to make it happen. Only she's still got a ways to go and her mom has started causing trouble for her again.

There's no question this book jumps right into it. I was taken in after the first page and chapter and wanted to learn more about Josie and cheer her on. She's a strong character but I liked the way Sepetys portrayed and stayed true to both her age and what was available to her in the 1950s to portray her situation. I'd recommend this to others. 

The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen

Fantasy, Middle Grade

Sage, a young orphan, is recruited by Conner, a court nobleman, to train up with a few young boys. Sage makes a couple of friends among the other boys and learns that Conner has plans he doesn't agree with.

I had heard some good things about this one. I did enjoy this one and was pleasantly surprised the author kept my interest (which is sometimes tricky w/ middle grade reads) or at least was entertaining enough for me to enjoy what I was reading. My 10 y/o read this one too and liked it! I'm not in a hurry to read book #2 but I have added it to my tbr pile. 

Vain by Fisher Amelie

New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Sophie Price has a lot of things. The 'friends', the money, the big house, the freedom. However what she doesn't have she'll need to find.  And she'll be forced to do it.

Picked this one up on a friends recommendation and was blown away. It was like nothing I'd really read before. A bit of a rich girl learns her lesson formula and w/ a bit of a political message along for the ride. (Warning: It starts out pretty raw and rough so this isn't one for everyone. But if you choose to read it, that only lasts 1-3ish chapters.)

Working it Out by Rachael Anderson

Romance, Adult, Contemporary, Clean

Grace is organized and dependable and likes things predictable. Seth is adventurous and outgoing and full of risks. He makes her crazy. She drives him wild. 

A cute easy read. The characters were likable and the plot was fun. I found it a tad obnoxious that Grace was so stuck on Seths adventures (mainly that it was pointed out once a chapter) but I overlooked it easily and still enjoyed it.  And this is a clean romance. 

Bullets in the Washing Machine by Melissa Little

Non fiction

Stories were sent in to create a collaboration of a police family book. 

I was gifted this book and was excited to get a book that I could relate to on a level not many others can. However after the first few depressing chapters I quickly got a sinking feeling that the rest of the book was similar. I'd say 95% of this book deals with officer deaths. While I appreciate those who participated in this book, their commitment, courage, and sacrifice, I just don't know who this books market is. Who would want to read an entire book about law enforcement tragedy's (especially other LEO families)? Honestly I almost didn't' finish this one (which is RARE for me) because it bothered me so badly. (Not the fact that these things happen but that this book would be marketed to the very people that need the deep support and help and love and instead to sink you deeper.)

Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Harper has just turned18 and no longer able to stay in foster care. Callum has been on his own for a while. The two run into each other trying to find a place to sleep for the night and become inseparable. Now to figure out where to sleep each night.

An instant bond that builds rapid and strong. Callum and Harper both need and need to be needed and they fill it for each other. The last 1/3 of the book was a bit, I dont know another word, weird for me. While the plot point was set up, it almost seemed to be 'plugged in' earlier just so that there could be a conflict. Overall not as wonderful as I wanted it to be but I might still tell someone about it under the right circumstances.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult / Adult

15 year old Christopher finds his neighbors dog dead and sets off to solve the mystery so he can finish writing his book. However he has Autism and finds it difficult to interact and read others socially which makes interviewing his neighbors a bit of a task.

An interesting glimpse into what it might be like to live with Autism. You get some idea of how his parents, teachers and neighbors view him also. Entertaining and thoughtful. 

Marriage Monday: To Make A Relationship Last....

[Image Source]

"To make a relationship last, couples must become better friends, 

learn to manage conflict, and create ways to support each other's hopes and dreams." -John Gottman, Ph.D.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.