Love Is A Flame: Stories of What Happens When Love Is Rekindled

by James Stuart Bell, Gary Chapman (Foreword)

Couples will find entertainment, instruction, and application in these stories of couples who have restored vibrancy to their marriages; foreword by Gary Chapman.

Genres: Marriage, Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help, Amazon, Relationships, Love

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

James Stuart Bell is the owner of Whitestone Communications, a literary development agency. He consults with numerous publishers, represents various authors, and provides writing and editing services. He has previously served as executive editor at Moody Press, director of religious publishing at Doubleday, and publisher at Bridge Publishing. He also has more than one hundred books with cover credit. He coauthored the best-selling Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible (more than 300,000 sold) and numerous other Christian guides in that series for the Penguin Group. He has also contributed numerous Christian volumes to the best-selling Cup of Comfort series by Adams Media.

Reviews

[Erin Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 really. Good stories. The main take away I got was you can only change yourself. And hope that is enough.

[Amy Jayasuriya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories like these help us realize we are not alone in the challenges we face in marriage. These stories also help remind us that if there is hope for someone else there is hope for us too. They helped to renew the mind, the heart, and the hope in your spirit.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book that shows you that there isn't any problem that your marriage cannot overcome. Each chapter starts out with a personal story and then ways to motivate you to improve your marriage!

[Doris Bolaji-Dada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great inspirations from true life experiences.

[Yiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are used to thinking of a "happily ever after" deal when considering marriage; seldom do we realize that marriage vows also include words like "poor" or "sickness." Death, triumphs, financial difficulties, sacrifice, illnesses, addictions and affairs are just some of the circumstances that several couples have faced. This is a compilation of their stories and about love that endures despite anything; they share how their life had to change radically, and how a new purpose for marriage was found. Because of the depth, and even though the stories are short, I generally had to pause after each one. I laughed and cried more than once. After each story, the person who compiled the book gives a short insight about the situations exemplified, along with biblical principles to learn from.
There is nothing fancy about this book. It's just mere reality and an eye-opener. It's what any one of use might face one day but would never like to. And in that sincerity, it is also one of the best books I have read. Any couple, whether engaged, married or separated should read this book - it is an excellent counseling material. We will all learn about what the real deal is - true love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the advertising blurb: If you want to improve or revive your marriage, you need more than just theories of marriage from experts. You need shared experiences, to hear other couples say I've been there and to see the unique, creative, and practical solutions they have found to restore the vibrancy of their marriages.

Love Is a Flame is full of short stories of couples who turned their marriages around with God's help. Some of the stories made me laugh and others made me cry. It was a quick read, easy to cover just a couple of the short stories in one sitting. Each story included a one or two paragraph application by the compiler.

The downside of this book for me is that the stories are so short. I really felt that unless I only read one story and pondered on the application for awhile, I'm not going to get anything out of this book. It's like reading the Chicken Soup books - heartwarming stories that are easily forgotten.

I wanted to like this book, but I felt it wasn't something I'd ever come back to or even remember much of a month after finishing it.

Disclaimer - I did receive a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

[Victor Muthoka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rekindled Love Is The Most Tender

This book. How can I put my thoughts on it into words?

I went into this book enthusiastic & it didn't disappoint though along the way it felt corny at times with some of the stories that are included and their rather "tiny" scope. But everyone has a story to tell.

Basically this is a collection of different stories by different couples in different contexts on situations/times/seasons that tested and almost ended their marriage. Each story is brief and is told by the spouse in the couple and shows what the problem was, how it got resolved and how that opened their eyes and hearts towards their spouse a new. At the end of each story the authority offers brief two to three paragraphs in summary form on the lesson learnt. If found this format quite effective.

This book offers a lot of hope, not in gut wrenching, jaw dropping extreme stories of redemption, but in mostly simple, everyday relatable situations that stay with you once you're done with the book. As the quote goes "rekindled love is the most tender". Read it in search of hope for your marriage/relationship.

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gary Chapman's name is in big font at top of cover and blurb said something like... if you loved the five love languages by gary chapman then you'll love this. By no means was this a bad book. It just greatly disappointed me. Great little love stories, but some were a little too far-fetched for me and I struggled to complete this book. Not as wonderful as The five love languages for sure!

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for any married couple. This book provides first hand account about the struggles and joys of marriage. Its shows that even though no marriage is perfect, any marriage can be saved with enough time, love, and guidance from God. Filled with great advice and Scripture to fall back on, this book is a must for anyone who wants to rekindle their love.

[Shell Roush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories of marriages that were having problems and how they turned them around. I did like this, but it got repetitive after a while. Would have been better to read a little here and there, instead of trying to read it all at once.

[Dona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great book filled with about 43 different love stories. Stories where people have had to rekindle their love. The stories are very enduring. They will make you laugh, cry, and smile. Also, at the end of every story is a short little insight given by the author.

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this collection of short essays. Marriage is work, and its refreshing to read about the reality of it. Each story has the ability to inspire one to more thoughtful living and small ways each of us can be a better spouse.

[Larysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was very easy to read with real life stories that are by people from different walks of life--it covers so many topic makes you smile and cry and feel all kinds of emotions. Def a good read not your typical self help book.

[Amy Winkelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading all the stories from the couples who shared how the Lord has kept them together through all of life's hardships. Makes me very thankful for my marriage and gave me some ideas to keep our love growing.

[Marshan Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I enjoyed reading other couple's stories, their struggles, and their successes. It made me feel normal. They experienced some of the same struggles I do. Marriage is hard work, and you need Christ at the center of it. I would recommend this book to all married couples.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting marriage encounters

What interested me is the different marriage dilemmas. Reading this book brought about a few encounters that we all face in marriage. If you chose to read this book you will probably see yourself in a few of the situations entailed. In this book.

[Julia Reffner · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories, commentary lacking.

[Zelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book of short stories about married couples and how they overcame the rigors of marriage, Children, and jobs etc.

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it.

[Lauren Sipe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several stories smacked me over the head with conviction about my own marriage, but the pithiness of each one was enough to keep me from rating this book higher.

[Anjeli Crisanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. :)