My Beloved and My Friend {A Giveaway}

I had the privilege of reading and reviewing the book My Beloved and My Friend by Hal & Melanie Young back in October.  It’s a practical book on how to stay friends with your spouse.  I think it would make a great gift for an engaged or newlywed couple.  It’s best to start out how you want to continue!  It’s also a good book for couples who have been married awhile, with advice on how to improve your relationship.

As part of the launch team for My Beloved and My Friend, I have been given a digital copy to give away to  my readers!  Along with the digital copy, the winner will also receive an Audio copy.  The combined value is $40.  You can enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you’re going to around on Facebook tonight (Monday, February 10, 2014), there’s going to be a Facebook party for the book.  There will be freebies and giveaways and some great people!  I hope you’ll join in the party!

My Beloved and My Friend {A Review}

I was provided with a complimentary copy of My Beloved and My Friend by Hal & Melanie Young for the purposes of this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Man & I have been married for four years.  When it comes to marriage, we’re still newbies.  We have great examples to follow, as both of our parents have been married 30 plus  years.    We’ve learned a lot four years but we both know there’s still a lot to learn.  We enjoy being married to each other and we both enjoy spending time with each other.  Even after adding a baby to the mix, we’re still enjoying this crazy ride.  There is great joy in spending everyday with your best friend.

When I saw the chance to review My Beloved and My Friend by Hal & Melanie Young, I thought it would be a good opportunity to see what other people have to say about being friends with your spouse.  The Young’s have been married for almost thirty years.  Hal was diagnosed with stage IV cancer a few years ago and they wrote their first book Raising Real Men.  This book, My Beloved and My Friend, is what they want their children to know about “how to lay a foundation for a successful marriage, or how to start resolving things if the relationship wandered off course or went sour, somehow” (page 4.)  I think they do a good job of providing this information for their kids and as a side benefit, for us. 

In My Beloved and My Friend, the Young’s share what has worked for them for a number of topics.  I like how they showed a scriptural basis for the points they are talking about.  There were no new huge insights for me as The Man and I are already doing most of what the Young’s write about.  I found the book to be an easy read, relatable and practical from a couple who truly enjoy being married to each other.  They cover topics such as communication, submission, sex, children, and fighting.  They offer sound, reasonable advice on how to become friends with your spouse.  Even though there was nothing new to me, many of the topics were good reminders and prompted me to pay attention to things I had let slide. 

One part I did not agree with was when they write about natural childbirth.  Now I’m all for natural, unmedicated childbirth and wanted one for myself.  I felt like they were saying this was the only and best way to have children.  While I can agree, there are so many factors in play during childbirth that and a mom doesn’t need this kind of pressure to try to have the PERFECT childbirth.  There are many ways to have a successful childbirth. 

I think the book would be excellent for those who are engaged or newly married.  This book is also a good resource for those who have been married awhile and want a better friendship with their spouse. I think the Young’s are right on when they say:

We can choose to enjoy one another.  Choose to see each other as our best friends.  This is really, seriously one of the most satisfying things you will ever do. Make your mate your best friend. (page 46)

 

My Beloved and My Friend is available for preorder for $12 and will be available for Christmas delivery, two months before it’s official release date of February 14, 2014.  If you wait until the book is released, the book will be $15.  If you’d like to read more reviews, you can go here.

 

Book Review: The Faith of Ronald Reagan

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Mary Beth Brown, in her book The Faith of Ronald Reagan, shares a side of President Reagan that many people have not known much about; his faith.  Brown shares how his faith influenced his life and his decisions.  We are shown a humble man with strong beliefs who did what was right because it was right, not for political gain.

Proverbs 22:6 says Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.  President Reagan is evidence of this.  What an encouragement to Mom's everywhere!  From a humble childhood to Hollywood and than on to the White House, President Reagan represents that anyone can be successful in the United States.  That for any child, anything is possible. 

I did not know much about President Reagan before picking up this book.  I now have a better understanding of our 40th president.  I have great respect for him, as he strove to do what was right, not what was easy.  I enjoyed reading about his childhood and how he became interested in politics.  I feel like a lot of time was spent on his childhood.  Some parts felt repetitive and may not have needed to be there.  It is a very easy to read book. If you are interested in learning more about Ronald Reagan, then this is a great choice!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”