Wedded Bliss?: Romance Needs Restored During Four Silver Wedding Anniversaries

by Susan K. Downs, Kristy Dykes, Sally Laity

When seasons change / Susan K. Downs
Reunited / Kristy Dykes
Love is a choice / Sally Laity
Wherever love takes us / Carrie Turansky

As four couples approach their 25th wedding anniversaries, it appears romance has been lost along the way. The Weavers receive news that halts their dreams. The Higginses are separating to re-evaluate their individual lives. The Wrights have a sudden void in their marriage when the last child gets married. And the Malones are playing tug-of-war between his and her dreams. Somewhere along the way these couples missed the lesson that they should pull together during adversity. Is there still time to learn--"for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'til death do us part?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance

Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

SUSAN K. DOWNS resides in Canton, Ohio, where her husband serves as a district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene. This mother of five and grandmother of one traded her career as an international adoption program coordinator for one as a writer and editor, but she still loves to visit Russia. . .if only by way of her imagination.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m shocked ANY of these couples got anywhere close to 25 years — none of them could communicate at all and it seemed like they should probably have divorced ages ago. I did like the overall message of having a God centered marriage, but basically all of the couples frustrated me.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another surprise to read. I almost didn't read it, but gave it a try and LOVED the first story. Really liked the second story, too - but it could have been a bit preachy for some. I really liked how they worked out their problems.
This is where I am - empty nester. It had some really good thoughts in it. I loved where one author (Reunited) said marriages need time, tenderness and talk. What a great tip.

[Margaret Chind]

Where Two Hearts Meet: Tea For Two / Wherever Love Takes Us also includes Wherever Love Takes Us.

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four short stories by four Christian writers. Each short story is based on a couple who are celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary but have lost the fire that they started their marriage with. Each couple have a crisis to overcome – and faith to re-light.

When Seasons Change by Susan K Downs - a couple face the prospect of an empty nest and start to plan life when their last child leaves home. But they have different ideas on what they want to do. A real feel good story.

Reunited by Kristy Dykes - Felicia orders her husband out of the house, she is tired of his lack of care for her – he is as romantic as a rock. But is this what she really wants? God doesn’t agree with her. Didn’t care for Felicia – she was very selfish and I didn’t understand her attitude.

Love is a Choice by Sally Laity – The couple in this story do have an empty nest. The last daughter gets married and Bess feels she no longer has a purpose. Bess discovers a new hobby, oil painting. Surely this is a harmless occupation? Again a good short story – believable plot.

Wherever Love Takes us by Carrie Turanski - Another woman I just wanted to smack!!! Tess’s husband makes a critical business mistake and they lose their comfortable lifestyle and have to downsize. She is still holding on to the anger three years later. Matt inherits a mountain lodge and sees this as an opportunity to start over – the kids fall in with the idea. Tess blows her stack and refuses to go. It takes a near tragedy for her to see sense.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books consists of 4 short novellas. Very simple story lines, but still a fun light read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being married almost 30 years these were stories that I could relate to and learn from

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about marriages. It is a good Christian romance book.