Sunday, February 28, 2021

Review: Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill

About:

She's following her instincts. They're following her every move.

After her rescue of nearly fifty kidnapped children made international headlines, Amara Alvarez gets what she's worked for: a transfer to San Antonio's Homicide Division. But reality sets in quickly when her first case, the suspicious death of a teenager at a crowded local water park, plunges her life into chaos.

As the investigation moves forward, Amara finds herself stalked online by cybercriminals who uncover her personal life in frightening detail. With few leads, she's forced to resort to unconventional methods to find the killer and prevent her first murder investigation from ending up in the cold case files.

Tom Threadgill is back with another riveting page-turner featuring the detective who is willing to put everything on the line to see justice served and lives protected.

My Thoughts:

Amara Alvarez is a homicide detective that has heart and feels the need for the truth of the victim to be revealed. Faced with a new job where she is not quite welcome, bullied by other detectives, and not even a permanent working space, her first case is a bit tricky.

A young seventeen year old male has been found dead floating on a ride at a fun water park. What happened to him everyone assumes is heatstroke and while waiting for the toxicology reports, Amara feels she needs to start investigating before the evidence grows cold. What she discovers in the evidence is that he most assuredly was murdered, but why? And can she prove enough evidence to this that her case can go forward? She works with both a tenacity to solve the crime and with empathy for the family.

On top of all of her work issues she is also kind of dating a fellow detective and trying to probe her feelings on whether she wants more. Also she has been hit with some devastating familial news. All of this is on this one woman's shoulders who is trying very hard to balance both her personal and career life. In this second in the Amara series, Amara proves herself to be a good detective against all that she must stand up against.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Tom Threadgill is a full-time author and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the International Thriller Writers (ITW). The author of Collision of Lies, Tom lives with his wife near Dallas, Texas. Learn more at www.tomthreadgill.com.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Alabama Days by Daphne Self

About the Book

Book: Alabama Days

Author: Daphne Self

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: June 16, 2020

How could a loving God hurt so many people?

Paramedic Scott Wilson believes he can chase death away, but his spirit is shattered when people he loves are taken from him. As a paramedic, Scott sees every day the pain that people suffer, and he wants no part of a God that would allow bad things to happen to good people. As a result, he hides behind his work and addiction to ease the pain within his soul.

But once newspaper reporter Angela Mabry and her son, Max, move into town, Scott can’t help but notice the feisty redhead. Angela is determined to uncover the town’s seedy underbelly and reveal the strange coincidences of so many car accidents at one location.

When a prominent city official dies in a car wreck, Scott and Angela find themselves tangled in intrigue and deception. Together they search for the truth and discover that not all is what it seems.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Angela Mabry has moved back to her small hometown with her young son. Wanting to get away from the big city and bad memories coming home seemed like the best thing to do. Angela is a reporter and has been hired at the small newspaper to cover whatever stories her boss gives her. However, Angela comes across some inconsistencies as she is researching a story. Something is not right and being a tenacious and a no nonsense woman, Angela does not back down.

Scott Wilson is a paramedic and he has seen his fair share of awful accidents. The beginning of this book gives quite a devastating scene that sets Scott down a path that is dark and he has many demons to fight as he turns from God to other 'medications'. Angela becomes a friend to him and the spiritual part of this book develops organically as she tries to help Scott turn back to God. Many people blame God for devastating circumstances and I think this story does well in showing Scott's mental and heart condition.

However, there is something sinister going on in the town that not only puts Angela and Scott in danger, but everyone that they care about as well. But one thing is for certain, they are bound and determined to uncover the truth.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Daphne Self, formerly published under the name D.M. Webb, resides in Iowa. As a Mississippian transplant, she spends her days in the Midwest state writing, editing, reading, antiquing, and planning adventures with her husband and sons. She pursues her dream as an editor and author with one goal in mind: To Glorify His Name. Daphne is also an avid reader who devours books in many genres.

More from Daphne

Why Did I Write What I Wrote?

One question that is always asked of me: “How did you come up with your book?”

Well, it is simple and complex. Like the helix shape of a DNA strand that holds four proteins in an infinite combination, my ideas are a lot like that. My first book, Mississippi Nights, started off as a book from my childhood. I wrote One Big Happy Family when I was about 16. It was buried and put aside for so many, many years. And after the line-of-duty death of my husband in 2005, the idea of resurrecting that novel percolated for some time. Finally in 2010, I took the story, revamped it, and drew from life to create a story about the prodigal son who returns home to family. It wasn’t just his story, but a story about his brother, a family friend, and a little girl. Mississippi Nights brought to life the story of alcoholism and how a person can fall into that addiction.

After that book was published, I started thinking: “What if someone saw death, hurt, and sorrow on a daily basis? What if that person didn’t have Jesus to lean upon? What would he do?”

And that’s how Alabama Days was born. While Mississippi Nights dealt with alcoholism, Alabama Days dealt with drug abuse, and in this case, prescription drug abuse.

Yet it was much deeper than that. What if the person was a really good guy? He was likable, generous, loving, yet he lacked that one relationship that would bring him peace. If he were someone who did what was right, no matter what, what would happen if he committed a wrong act only to find that his wrong act saved the life of another?

I had so many ethnical questions thrown at my characters. How would a Christian and a non-Christian react to certain circumstances. Because life isn’t always clear-cut, yet the Bible is, I wanted to show the messiness of being human.

We know that as Christians, we all fall short. We all sin at times. The difference is that when we sin, we know we can receive forgiveness and “Go and sin no more.” But how would a person who ran from God think? How would I react if I were like him?

Writers play around with what-ifs. We see the many facets of humanity. And that’s how our stories are born. And why we write what we do. For me, I want to show the many sides of human nature and behaviour and show that in all things, Jesus is the answer. Jesus is there for us all.

So, why do I write what I do? To bring glory to His Name and hope that through my words, people will come (or return) to Christ.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 17

lakesidelivingsite, February 17

Among the Reads, February 18

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 21

Older & Smarter?, February 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 22

Betti Mace, February 23

Texas Book-aholic, February 24

Blogging With Carol, February 24

Inklings and notions, February 25

For Him and My Family, February 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 26

deb’s Book Review, February 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 28

Pause for Tales, February 28

Artistic Nobody, March 1 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Daphne is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Mississippi Nights, a copy of Alabama Days, a floral mug, a leather Is. 40:31 bookmark, 2 mini notebooks, and a Paramedic Prayer keyring with velvet pouch!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10867/alabama-days-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review: When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

About:

Munich, 1938

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she does not report truthfully, she'll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

My Thoughts:

This is such a relevant read especially with everything going on today. The year is 1938 and this story takes place within that year and a frightening new world view is gaining power- Hitler's Germany.

We have two Americans who are living and working in Munich at the start of this story. Evelyn is a woman reporter who has enough struggles working her way up in a man's world. She also wants to write the truth about how the Nazi regime is dangerous, suffocating, and without many freedoms.

Peter is a graduate student who has a slightly different view than Evelyn. He sees the devastation the world has been through due to the Great Depression and workplace violence as men and women struggle to care and feed for their families. He likes the order that is in Germany.

Now this novel raises many questions and it chillingly reflects some of the atmosphere we are living in today. The way a group of people were painted as evil and how quickly others could turn on them. I felt author Sundin did a great job on showing through the year, before the World War 2 started, the attitudes of the people. And the frightening way they changed and turned on their neighbors.

I thought the title was excellent. Is the twilight before dusk or dawn? The light or the dark? Twilight is the time of in between and that is exactly where these two characters find themselves.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of several popular WWII series, including Sunrise at Normandy, Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. The Sky Above Us received the Carol Award, her bestselling The Sea Before Us received the FHL Reader's Choice Award, and both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years." Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Review and Guest Post: Be a Superhero in the Kitchen by Donna Glass

Join us for this tour from Feb 22 to Mar 5, 2021!

Book Details:

Book Title: BE A SUPERHERO IN THE KITCHEN by Donna Glass
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 6-10), 48 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Cook Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: March 2021
Tour dates: Feb 22 to Mar 5, 2021
Content Rating: G. This children's book is for everyone.

Book Description:

Every caregiver knows the trials of feeding a picky eater. Some nights are truly a battle. Nerves are frayed, and a pleasant, relaxing dinner can quickly be filled with tears, tantrums, and some nights, a battle of wills. Well, my goal with this book is to tip the scales in our favor. One surefire way I've discovered to get my picky eaters to eat is to let them help make the meal. After all, food tastes better when you've had a hand in fixing it. Let your child try their hand with the recipes in this book. A child who becomes the superhero of dinnertime is one who eats super well.

Buy the Book
Amazon
B&N ~ Mascot

My Thoughts:

I simply adore kids' books and find myself looking forward to reading them often, especially a fairy tale one with beautiful illustrations. This is a fun cookbook for kids that has an interesting twist- superheros. From the titles of the meals to the layout of the directions, ingredients, and the superhero tips you have a useful cookbook to get your kids interested in cooking.

These are very easy recipes that range from lunch, dinner, and dessert. My son who is 10 and a big reader looked this over for me as well. This has piqued his interest more in cooking (he already wants to learn) and these are simpler recipes for him to learn on. He also pointed out that he really liked that the apron became the kid's superhero capes.

Overall a great beginning kids cookbook to learn with mom or dad and gain confidence and create great tasting food. The illustrations are bright and fun as well.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and reviews are my own.

Meet the Author:

I am a wife, mother of two kids, a lover of comic books, and a home cook. I believe in making mealtime an enjoyable experience through joint cooking and kid-friendly meals. I also believe kids that help with the cooking process are more likely to eat their meals, which leads to a happy, peaceful dining experience. Be a Superhero in the Kitchen is my first children’s cookbook, but I strive to publish more.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Feb 22 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / guest post
Feb 23 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post
Feb 23 - A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / guest post
Feb 24 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / guest post
Feb 25 – Library of Clean Reads – book review / guest post
Feb 25 - Books, Tea, Healthy Me – book review / guest post
Feb 26 – Splashes of Joy – book review / guest post
Feb 26 - Pause for Tales – book review / guest post
Mar 2 – Cheryl's Book Nook – book review / guest post
Mar 3 – The Momma Spot – book review / author interview
Mar 5 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post

Guest Post

What is your next project?

The dream is to have at least five more cookbooks in the Super Chef series. As with Be a Superhero in the Kitchen, the recipes will be cost-efficient with minimal steps and ingredients. They'll be recipes with meat and vegetarian options.

Of course, there will be a dessert section because superheroes deserve a treat after working so hard to save dinnertime. My daughter, the Super Chef in our house, has created several delicious beverages that'll be divided up throughout the series.

And like with Be a Superhero in the Kitchen, you can expect diverse characters and bold, beautiful illustrations.

To stay updated on future works, follow me on any or all my social links.

Website: https://superherointhekitchen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/superchefseries

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superherointhekitchen/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/donna_glass

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperHeroInTheKitchen/

Amazon Author Account: amazon.com/author/donnaglass

Purchase Links

Amazon Hardcover: https://amzn.to/38Py6zx

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2TGrRaj

B&N: http://bit.ly/2TE7ESG

Signed copies: https://superherointhekitchen.com/purchasinginformation/

Target: https://bit.ly/39FDxjq

Walmart: https://bit.ly/2UC0TSS

Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2wu7iWI

Indigo: http://bit.ly/2xdqh8o

BAM!: http://bit.ly/2Ip2S6m

iBooks: https://apple.co/3cxwFHN

Mascot Books: bit.ly/3cxYboy

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Delia and the Drifter by Melody Carlson

About the Book

Book: Delia and the Drifter

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: Historical Romance (Western)

Release date: February 15, 2021

An arranged marriage to save the family from ruin?

Delia Blackstone knows what her mother is up to—she intends to marry her off to an older man who is all fortune and no future. And Delia’s having none of it.

When a mysterious visitor appears on the family doorstep and offers an opportunity for Delia to travel from Pennsylvania to Colorado, Delia knows it is time for her to strike out on her own and discover a new life. Along the way she encounters a handsome drifter who captures her heart. But is he interested in trading his exciting life of adventure for love?

Two murders, a missing will, and a number of puzzling relationships are enough to unsettle anyone—even smart, capable Delia. Who can she trust? And can she trust her heart in matters of love?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thouhgts:

It has been a long while since I have sat down and read a western adventure/romance story and this one was one full of surprises and adventure aplenty.

Delia is a young woman who is truly good at heart. She loves her family very much even if they don't seem to love her back. There is some big secrets that have been kept from her her entire life. And these secrets will affect the rest of her life. I don't want to say too much more, as this book has a lot to uncover and I personally like to be surprised. And I was surprised, pleasantly so most of the time. There was one story thread that really got to me and I really felt for Delia's character. I almost started with the water works myself. It was quite heartbreaking.

Wyatt is just the hero Delia needs. But Delia does pretty well on her own. Their romance is more of a love at first sight, but it does not play out that way. Delia and Wyatt both take time to develop and grow.

This was a western with family issues, romance, adventure, and mystery.

I received an eBook from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

More from Melody

I love historical stories about women. Particularly ones in the American frontier and old west. Probably because I grew up hearing pioneer stories from my grandparents, whose parents arrived in covered wagons. But contributions made by pioneering females is often overshadowed by their male counterparts. That’s why I enjoy researching and telling these fictional yet reality-based stories of women who lived and loved and did their part to settle the frontier. To me they are the unsung heroes of the West.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, February 24

lakesidelivingsite, February 24

For Him and My Family, February 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 25

Blogging With Carol, February 25

She Lives To Read, February 26

Texas Book-aholic, February 26

Pause for Tales, February 26

Inklings and notions, February 27

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, February 27

deb’s Book Review, February 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 28

CarpeDiem, February 28

Betti Mace, March 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 1

Artistic Nobody, March 2 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 2

Simple Harvest Reads, March 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 3

Older & Smarter?, March 4

Connie’s History Classroom, March 4

Christian Bookaholic, March 5

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 5

Sara Jane Jacobs, March 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 6

Labor Not in Vain, March 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 7

Connect in Fiction, March 7

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 8

Splashes of Joy, March 8

Hallie Reads, March 8

Batya’s Bits, March 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melody is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1089b/delia-and-the-drifter-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Review: A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

About:

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

My Thoughts:

I have never had the chance to go to Ireland but this beautiful book made me feel that I did have a little bit of a visit in 1920, without even leaving my own house. Moira has just suddenly lost her mother and her mother's dream for her was for Moira to go back to Ireland to the land her mother loved. The chance comes along with the job of the local schoolteacher.

Deciding to take this chance of a lifetime Moira steps onto the green hills of Ireland with adventure in her heart and the memories of her dear mother's blessings. Little does she know that this land has a way of hiding secrets and those secrets can be most deadly. And the people can be most stubborn.

This was a most enchanting read and the author did a great job immersing the reader in the culture, superstitions, and even the lyrical language. There was a slow burn romance and quite a few surprises along the way that absorbed this reader. There was a very strong spiritual thread throughout as well, and not at all in a preachy way.

This was my first Author Deibel story and I look forward to reading more of what she pens.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com.

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Bookers on the Rocks by Chautona Havig

About the Book

Book: Bookers on the Rocks

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

If it ain’t broke, why’s she so intent on fixing it?

Tessa Booker hates romance.

For twenty-five years, Tessa Booker has insisted that romance is something Hollywood cooked up to sell books and movies. Yes, she knows the word existed before movies. She doesn’t care. That’s her story, and she’s sticking to it.

So when Ross gets a gentle nudge from Mallory Barrows to look into what Tessa’s doing every day while he’s at work, he discovers a romance in the works–one that sounds a little too “ripped from the pages” of his life!

Who is this woman, and what has she done with his wife?

Armed with advice from 101 Ways to Romance Your Wife and a copy of the manuscript he printed while she was napping, he’s determined to figure out what’s up with his wife… and if maybe a little romance wouldn’t be a good thing after all.

In a twist of the “on the rocks trope,” this book introduces the next island in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

I really appreciated the subtle reminders within this story. This is a story about a married couple of some 20 plus years. They are very set in their routines so much that when something is a little bit changed they notice. They do love each other, and very much. This is not a story about straying or temptation, but what if the romance is just disappearing.

Tessa Booker is a woman who cannot stand reading romance novels of any kind. She thinks that they just set women up for some major let downs in life. I really could not connect with her and her reading preferences. I personally need romance in a book so I though she was being a little stubborn and if not childish in her thoughts of the stories.

Enter her husband Ross who seems to not be able to function when Tessa is around. What I mean is that he lets her take care of everything in the home and he doesn't know where anything is. I could definitely see why Tessa may tire of this and other deeper issues that were underlying things. But the story really gets going when Tessa decides to write her own romance and Ross doesn't know this.

He makes some pretty big blundering assumptions and a really big twist happens that throws all of them for a loop- for awhile.

The best way I can describe this book is it is about a heavy subject (one that many marriages go through) but told in a lighthearted way. At first I didn't get Tessa, then I realized Tessa could be me. This message really has made me look at my marriage just a little bit differently. It is not what romance novels always show, nor does it end once the wedding happens and the kids come and go. It is much more than those. Marriage is a covenant promise between a husband and a wife that needs to be tended and nurtured and taken care of for as long as they both shall live. It is very important. A bedrock.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Who Needs Romance? My Marriage Is Great as It Is!

Writing a book about a couple who are in love, devoted to each other, and don’t have marriage problems is… challenging. Let’s face it. Most books about married couples, especially ones “on the rocks,” are going to have fights, an affair (at least of the emotional variety), or some big thing threatening to send them straight to divorce court.

Mine doesn’t.

In fact, Bookers on the Rocks shows what happens when couples become too comfortable in their routines—so comfortable, in fact, that they become blind to each other’s needs. If you asked Tessa Booker if anything is wrong in her marriage, she’d say no. If you asked her if she wanted anything different, she’d say no. The age old, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality.

Still, if you look at stories in Scripture, you see deep love and even romance in some places. Elkanah, who loved his wife enough to say, “Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Jacob who worked fourteen years to marry the woman he loved. Solomon and his love for the Shulamite woman. While the first two do not make me squirm, Solomon does. That book… oh, that book.

What I think Song of Solomon does is remind us of the Lord’s wooing of His people and how invested the Shulamite woman was in being delighted in her beloved—in all of him. If that isn’t a picture of how we should devote ourselves to our Lord, I don’t know what is.

In Bookers on the Rocks, I explore the possibility that those of us who aren’t naturally romantic might just be missing a vital ingredient in our marriages. A body can look and feel perfectly healthy for years—even decades. But if some essential nutrient is missing in a person’s diet, eventually that body will show it in some way. A lack of calcium can create brittle bones. No one sees the problem until a slight stumble turns into a nasty break.

Did it change how I view my marriage? No… not yet. Then again, yes it did, too. I’m more… aware of what is going on in my marriage these days. I doubt candlelight and roses will ever become a thing in our relationship, but translating what romance might mean and look like to my husband has become something I do think about from time to time. That probably means more Wienerschnitzel and less broccoli, but hey. He did a lot of dishes, dinner, and diapers (my perfect three Ds of romance) when our kids were small. I can endure a hot dog or three thousand, right?