From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife: Practical Advice from a Girlfriend--What Marriage Is Really Like [Paperback]

Marla Taviano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Marla Taviano shares her no–holds–barred look at the first year of marriage with a sassy style that will keep readers captivated to the end.

Young brides will laugh out loud, sigh with relief, and nod in agreement as Marla takes a refreshing, biblical look at everything from impossible mothers–in–law to disappointing sex, from toilet seats left up to that confusing word “submission.” She provides important tips and truths about such important topics as...

• keeping expectations realistic
• fighting fairly
• communicating about money, sex, and in–laws

A young woman herself, Marla also includes time–tested advice from older godly women. This honest and compassionate manual encourages married women to see what God can do in and through them and their marriages.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Young mom Taviano is concerned that new Christian brides aren't getting the straight scoop on love, marriage, sex, in-laws and finances. Just name the topic and Taviano addresses it with a combination of quirky recollections from her own life and those of various interviewees, making the book fall somewhere between frivolous and functional. The first clue to the tone this book takes is best observed by its pirated subtitle: like other popular "girlfriend" books, Taviano's seeks to unveil the humorous, sometimes raucous, side to marital combat zones like dealing with an irksome mother-in-law, learning to live within a budget, discovering and disbanding the "my needs come first" syndrome and finding sexual satisfaction. Particularly entertaining is Taviano's take on hurdling past honeymoon sex expectations, noting that on her own honeymoon she would have given anything for a "Get Out of Sex Free Card." Taviano's candor and winsome style are sure to amuse women whose early marital experiences didn't match the bliss they expected, and who are renewing their commitment to discovering a marriage worth working for over the long haul.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736917578
• ISBN-13: 978-0736917575
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book on marriage!, August 3, 2006

By 

B. Peters (West Milton, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife: Practical Advice from a Girlfriend--What Marriage Is Really Like (Paperback)

I was so excited to read this book and when I finally received it in the mail I read the entire book that same day! Marla is an extremely gifted writer--her book reads like a novel (with all the humorous true stories and illustrations from her own marriage) and is also filled with biblical truths, insight and wisdom. I read the book twice--the second time more slowly because she has packed so much good stuff in here that every woman needs to understand. She did an excellent job tackling the entire submission issue. It's always easier hearing it from a woman's (as opposed to a man's) perspective.

In response to the negative review below about Marla advising wives not to share everything with their husbands (including your frustrations): I believe you misunderstood what she was actually saying. The only times she said not to say something to your husband were:

1) If it's not the right time (Proverbs speaks of timely spoken words). It is wise to be careful with when you say things and how you say them.
2) If you have been nagging about the same thing continually. Proverbs also speaks of how wives should not nag. Instead, Marla encourages us to pray about it and let God work in your husband's heart. He is more likely to change his mind if he thinks it was his idea.

Marla encourages openness and honesty with your husband. And her perspective on a woman's role in a marital relationship is completely in line with Scripture and demonstrates how freeing and rewarding following God's plan for a wife can be--even though our society is constantly telling us differently.

I recommend this book to every woman who is married, soon-to-be married, or hopes to be married someday in the future!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Husbands, buy this for your wife!, August 3, 2006

By 

A. Northern "I'm willing to risk getting it w... (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife: Practical Advice from a Girlfriend--What Marriage Is Really Like (Paperback)

I, being a guy, have never read this book. I'm writing a review because of what I've seen in my wife since she's read Marla's book. I have seen my wife grow in her confidence in herself. She is able to believe that we will be able to work things out during hard days. She is also able to keep perspective on how things aren't always perfect.

Guys, do yourself a favor and buy your wife (or fiancee) this book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So I'm not the only gal going through all this, August 4, 2006

By 

kwright (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife: Practical Advice from a Girlfriend--What Marriage Is Really Like (Paperback)

I thought this was a fantastic book. I have been married for almost 6 years and gained many helpful insights into my own marriage from experiences that Marla has shared from hers. It is helpful for us as Christian gals to know that most of the other woman we look at are going through the same struggles we are. I liked the fact that Marla had done her research and had scripture references to back up the points she made. This book is not simply her opinion, it is her opinion backed up by God's Word. There were points in the book where I laughed out loud. There were also points where I had to sit back and evaluate my attitude and my level of contentedness with my role and how that matches up with where I should be in the eyes of Christ. I have since passed this book on to 2 different people and I'm pretty selective about the books I will pass on.
One last thing....I read this book in 4 days. No big deal until you know that we painted and moved into a new house in those same 4 days. If it wasn't a good read, and didn't captivate my interest I would have let it sit till our move was over. Great book!