wnew_bks

What Can I Do? By Barbara A. Glanz. As the subtitle says, this book offers “Ideas to Help Those Who Have Experienced Loss.” In this book the author, who has experienced numerous losses, tells exactly how to help someone we love survive a loss. She understands what people want and need from family and friends in their darkest hours. The book is filled with countless suggestions of immediate practical ideas as well as long term, specific ways to help someone move from grieving to growth, and eventually to cherishing good memories of the deceased loved one.
Some of the 16 chapter titles are: Choose Your Words Carefully, The Blessing of Tears, Anticipate the Person's Needs and Offer Practical Help, Remember the Children, Share Good Memories, Celebrate the Life of the Person, Do Little Things that Add Joy to Someone's Day, Create Traditions that Keep the Memory of a Loved One Alive. The book includes a listing of resources (publications, organizations, websites, etc.) to further help the person in pain.
From Augsburg Books (Minneapolis) in 2008, this 173-page book sold for $13.99 (trade cover).

Financial Relief for Single Parents by Brenda Armstrong. This book offers hope for those single parents facing financial hardship by showing them how to achieve financial freedom. It gives lots of tools to help you manage your financial resources. It includes valuable information on how to set up a spending plan, gain money-stretching ideas, and learn biblical principles of money management. It deals with virtually every aspect of our financial lives: taxes, giving, debt reduction, insurance, investments, entertainment, home decorating, clothing, and tithing.
Some of the nine chapter titles include: Necessities; Walls, Wheels & What's to Eat; Lightening Up; Walking on Thin Ice; and Reflecting God's Image. The book also includes some valuable worksheets to help outline the person's spending plan and debt reduction as well as several pages for the kids to use in developing their own budget based on their income (allowances, earnings, etc.) and expenses.
From Moody Publishers (Chicago) in 2007, this 183-page book sells for $13.99 (trade cover).

First Comes Love, Then What? by Kimberly Beair. This book is for anyone desiring a positive marital relationship. The author says that finding the right mate doesn't usually happy by chance or luck, you need to know and employ certain principles to guide you in the right selection of a lasting relationship. This book will teach you a lot about yourself as well as what to look for and avoid in a marriage. It will also deal with some common misconceptions and unrealistic expectations about marriage and offer sound, practical advice on how to avoid broken hearts and broken marriages.
Some of the ten chapter titles are: Challenging Your Assumptions, Know Thyself, I'm Still Interested---Now What?, Dealing with Problem Areas, Recognizing the Red Flags, Getting to “I Do,” Conflict and Communication and Making the Most of Every Stage. Each chapter concludes with a set of questions to help you reflect on that chapter's content and relate it to your own personal dating relationships.The author also sprinkles around lots of appropriate quotes or “words of wisdom” to further stimulate your thoughts on the content of that chapter.
From Tyndale House (Carol Stream, IL) in 2008, this 174-page book sells for $13.99 (trade cover).

With This Ring: Promises to Keep by Joanna Weaver. In this book the author looked at the history and meaning behind the phrases of the wedding vows and the significance of the wedding ceremony itself. The author includes many inspiring stories and meaningful quotes that illustrate the deeper meaning behind each aspect of the wedding ceremony. A perfect book for anyone preparing to exchange vows, celebrating a marital milestone or simply wanting tor capture the beauty of the promises they share as husband and wife. This would also make for a great gift by the officiating clergy to the wedding couple.
The 35 short chapters are divided into five parts: The Betrothal Pledge, The Ceremony, The Vows, The Tokens, and The Declaration. Each chapter includes space to record treasured memories, shared dreams and meaningful reflections.
From WaterBrook Press (Colorado Springs) in 2008, this gift book sells for $12.99 (hardback).

What Women Wish You Knew About DATING by Stephen W. Simpson, Ph.D. Subtitled, a Single Guy's Guide to Romantic Relationships, this book covers the waterfront on dating. While offering lots of very practical advice, it focuses on spiritual and emotional issues in a man's life and how they affect his dating life. Though written for men, there are sidebars throughout the book geared toward women to help them understand men, along with tips they can use to help the men in their life. In the end, the author challenges his readers to not neglect their walk with God as they look for love.
Some of the 17 chapter titles include: Living Before Dating, What Do You Want in a Girlfriend?, The Top Five Myths of Christian Dating, The Casual First Date,When Things Don't Work Out, The Romantic Third Date, You Have a Girlfriend, Now What?, Physical Intimacy, and Deeper Wounds That Need Healing.
From Baker Books (Grand Rapids, MI) in 2008, this 204-page book sells for $12.99 (trade cover).

Before You Plan Your Wedding...Plan Your Marriage by Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley. The Smalleys (Greg is the son of Gary) believe that the sooner a couple starts identifying and confronting the challenges that their marriage will face in the long run, the more likely their marriage will weather the storm. They openly and candidly discuss many of their own early conflicts surrounding in-laws, communication and finances and provide you with insights on how to deal with such issues. Their use of Scripture will encourage you to include God in every aspect of your relationship.
Some of the 11 chapter titles include If We Had Only Known, How to Have a “10” Engagement, God's Purpose for Marriage, Do You Want to Dance?, Personal Responsibility, Heart Talk, Will You Forgive Me?, Teamwork, Putting It All Together, Leaving and Cleaving. Each chapter ends with a some exercises and homework the couple can do to make the most out of the material in that chapter.
From Howard Books (div. of Simon & Schuster) in 2008, this 322-page book sells for $19.99 (hard cover).

Living Together: Myths, Risks & Answers by Mike and Harriet McManus. This book helps couples see the myths and dangers of LTA's (Living Together Arrangements) before marriage and provides suggestions for moving them into healthy, rewarding, long-term marriages. The authors provide lots of valuable statistics to back up their conclusions that couples in LTA's are in high risk situations on several levels. In addition to providing help for couples in LTAs, the book is also a tool for church leaders, a guide for parents of cohabiting adult children, and a call to couples of successful marriages to mentor those couples wanting to marry.
Some of the ten chapter titles include: Why Couples Live Together, Risks of Cohabitation, The Unpleasant Truth About Cohabitation, A Case for Marriage, The Church's Responsibility, The Right Way to Test a Relationship, Mentors and Mentoring, Teaching Relationship Skills and The Community Marriage Policy. The authors also include a Sample Community Marriage Policy and list 220 cities that have adopted the covenants.
From Howard Books (div. of Simon & Schuster, NY) in 2008, this 234-page book sells for $19.99 (hard cover).

Get Married by Candice Watters. This book is aptly subtitled, What Women Can Do To Help It Happen. It is the story of how one woman bought into her professor's philosophy of becoming pro-active in pursueing her dream of getting married. It worked. In her book she advises to live “like you're planning to marry.” This is done by esteeming marriage, encouraging men, and embracing a Christian community to help you reach your goal. In short, she demonstrates that if you wish to get married, there are things you can do to help it happen.
Some of the nine chapter titles are Believe Marriage Is a Worthwhile and Holy Pursuit, God's Still in the Business of Making Good Matches, You Need a Network, Pulling a Ruth, Praying Boldly, and Living Like You're Planning to Marry. In her appendix she provides some thoughtful answers to some hard questions about relationships and marriage.
From Moody Publishers (Chicago) in 2008, this 196-page book sells for $12.99 (trade cover).

He's Saved But Is He For Real? By Kimberly Brooks. This is a novel about the lives and loves of three friends, Michelle, Liz and Sandy, as they are learning that a good, saved man isn't always easy to find—but he's definitely worth waiting for. This is a story about friendship, forgiveness and trusting your heart.
The book was published in 2008 by Kimani Press (Detroit), the book contains 39 untitled chapters and 315 pages. It sells for $14.95 (trade cover).

When Love's in View by Dr. Conway and Jada Edwards. The subtitle says it all; this book is about “finding focus in dating and relationships.” The authors state their purpose is to encourage men and women to be content in their singleness and to be open to a God-inspired view of dating, love and relationships. They discuss courtship and dating from a biblical perspective and share their own story along the way. The result is an encouraging and thought-provoking guide to help you develop God-honoring relationships.
Some of the eight chapter titles include: The Journey Begins, The Man You Are Becoming, The Woman You Are Becoming, Who's Your Comforter?, Experiencing Healthy Relationships, and Got F.A.I.T.H.? The final chapter contains 11 frequently asked questions with the authors responses. The book concludes with a valuable Discussion Guide based upon the chapter topics.
Published in 2008 jointly by Moody Publishers (Chicago) and the Institute for Black Family Development (Detroit), this 147-page book sells for $12.99 (trade cover).

The Spark by Jay and Laura Laffoon. As the subtitle says, this book is about “Igniting the Passion, Mystery, and Romance in Your Marriage." The husband-wife team of authors tackle the biggest obstacles to intimacy in marriage with an irresistible combination of humor and wisdom. Together they identify five facets that are vital to a healthy marriage. They share their own experiences as well as the stories gleaned from their survey of more than 2000 married couples.
Some of the 12 chapter titles include: Social Intimacy, Mental Intimacy, Emotional Intimacy, Physical Intimacy, Spiritual Intimacy, Lose Yourself, Love Your Spouse and Lift the Marriage.The discussion questions at the end of each chapter help develop positive action steps to keep the flame burning.
From Baker Books (Grand Rapids, MI) in 2008, this 185-page book sells for $12.99 (trade cover).

Crazy Love: Dealing with Your Partner’s Problem Personality by W. Brad Johnson, PhD. and Kelly Murray, PhD. This book sheds light on the odd but surprising personality disorders. The authors, both psychologists, tell us why so many of us are attracted to personality disordered partners (PDPs) and offer strategies for detecting and avoiding such potential disasters. They also offer hope for readers already in committed relationships with personality-impaired partners, with healthy survival strategies and tips for making the relationship more livable.

Some of the 16 chapter topics include: The Doubting Partner, The Detached Partner, The Odd Partner, The Dangerous Partner, The Theatrical Partner, The Self-Absorbed Partner, The Undermining Partner, The Rigid Partner and the Glum Partner. The book concludes with a chapter for those already married to a PDP.

From Impact Publishers (Atascadero, CA) in 2007, this 233-page book sells for $17.95 (trade cover).