Customer Reviews

Every Woman's Marriage: Igniting the Joy and Passion You Both Desire (The Every Man Series)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bestselling author Shannon Ethridge has teamed up with her husband Greg in this newest installment of the Every Woman's series. In EVERY WOMAN'S MARRIAGE, the authors put in their two cents on a myriad of marital topics, all with a singular goal in mind: that of igniting (and sustaining) joy and passion in marriage. Shannon's plainspoken deliberateness allows female readers the opportunity to study their own spousal relationship with an "insider's" eye.

As the female half of the Ethridge writing duo, Shannon offers scenarios and suggestions for recognizing potential pitfalls, recurring mistakes, and short-circuited communication attempts. Then she presents biblically sound alternatives for wives to begin consistently implementing and focusing on repairing damage already done. On the heels of Shannon's comments, Greg interjects the male's take on the same topic. This alternating presentation is both smooth and effective. Women are not left wondering how men perceive identical scenarios; they are handed them on a platter.

In this five-part marriage handbook, the Ethridges discuss (and dissect) the hows and whys of marriages in which both partners' hearts grow cold, understanding the wisdom of honing a "big picture" view of lifelong relationships, reasons why a man's joy and passions die, specific ways to reignite a husband's flame, and finally, throwing fuel on that flame to keep the momentum going over the long haul of a lifetime commitment.

One reason for Shannon Ethridge's popular appeal to female readers is her willingness to admit candidly past and current struggles. She invites women to stop hiding behind facades and fears and take proper initiative to "grow" a passionate marriage. For those women interested in investing time, effort and concerted compassionate love toward developing strong marriages, she lays out the goods by reminding readers "that men aren't all that different from women when it comes to their basic needs. Men have emotional needs too, and they can feel a sense of desperation when those needs aren't being met."

Shannon also tells her female audience not to be fooled by transient emotional counterfeits to genuine intimacy. Sure, those intense feelings of excitement are great starting points, but they are also superficial and temporary. Said this way, "intimacy can best be understood by breaking the word down into syllables: in-to-me-see." Only through long-term, living-with-someone kind of history can both partners experience the depth of real intimate love that God intended.

Thus, Shannon's admonition to "guard one's heart" makes practical sense. She notes that far too many couples forfeit this stronger, richer love simply because they never learned to make the transition from the fiery emotions of early attraction to the enduring, focused and self-sacrificial love necessary to a marriage that lasts. Says the author: "Your love for your husband won't be based on butterflies or fireworks, but on familiarity, honesty, trust, safety, security, and commitment."

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

I liked this book alot but I would caution that it's for a more conservative Christian typr of person so if you consider yourself a little more liberal just skip this one. If you want to pursue a conservative Christian view of marriage this book couldn't be better. It does stress submission and that can be difficult for some to digest but you have to read it and make it work for you. The idea that working together and working to make your partner happy instead of making yourself happy is the basic idea...of couse its also the basic idea of Christianity so it was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. Of course I do realize it isnt for everyone.

This book is awesome! It is straightforward and has very applicable truths. If you are a woman committed to your marriage, this is a great book that lets you know what men really need and how we can give it to them. I immediately began implementing what I was learning into my marriage. Very helpful and an enjoyable read. I would have given 5 stars because the book was awesome, but the company selling it, bookssellbooks I was less than pleased with. They blamed it on the weather, then told me they would send me another book to compensate, but never did so I received the book over a MONTH after I ordered it with no compensation. Also, they rarely respond to emails. So be careful if you are thinking about dealing with them.

This is a straightforward book that will touch your heart and make you WANT to change your behavior and attitude towards your husband. It helps you understand how God wired your guy and what it means to him when you use sex or a lack of it to "punish" him. As a Christian woman, I loved the way personal circumstances were woven into this book making it easy to relate to. The author gives specific examples of things to do and say making it easy to understand exactly what can bring joy and passion into any marriage that wants to survive. This is a must read for any woman who wants to add more joy and passion to her marriage!

I have to say, i never thought i would review this book, but after reading it i just had to.
This just Helped me SO MUCH! This made me reflect on how a woman should behave with her husband at all times, when he is at work, or a trip or most importantly at home, i never thought i would open my mind to so many possibilities on how to make things better in my relationship with my husband, considering i have been a very jealous person for the last 5 years to the point it almost cost me my marriage. This helped me so much Spiritually and i learned that it doesn't make 2 to keep a marriage rolling but 3,, You, God and Your Spouse, i learned that if God isn't the center of your relationship, to get ready for a shipwreck + casualties!.
I'm so Thankful to this book, its Author and the Knowledge God gave them to help me and so many other marriages around the world that not only need some advice on how to make it work, but good insight on how to make you individually happy as well.
Thank You Shannon for being Part of Saving my Marriage!

A non-Christian would probably not like this book - though it is chalk full of great info the Jesus and God reference would likely be off-putting. That being said, as a Christian I found most of the biblical references astute and accurate. Marriage is a tough proposition... if we all only knew before we got into it just what we were promising! This book is helpful in recognizing some of the most common and harmful patterns married gals fall into... and giving some advice for getting back on track to a good marriage. [...]

This book should have been titled Shannon Etheridge's marriage. I found very little to which I could relate. It was not based on biblical themes, practical principles, but on personal experience. The information may be helpful to someone who possesses her same demeanor who is experiencing marital difficulties with a husband with the same character as Greg's. But for the rest of us it was a waste of time at worst, and a way to analyze my peers' marriages at best. I also found the writing style to be somewhat sophomoric.

I picked this book, Every Woman's Marriage, simply because I want my marriage to be better and so that I can increase my knowledge on how God wants me to be the best wife possible for the man I chose as my husband. Yes, I chose him with God's help. God didn't make me marry him; therefore, I believe that I have the responsibility to create a great home atmosphere and, yes, I believe I need to be a helpmeet for my husband. Shannon has many wise words for us wives but I really enjoyed the chapter "what men (really) want most." Your husband really wants YOUR smiling face . . ."Your husband's greatest desire doesn't revolve around sex, sports, sandwiches, sitcoms, or success, but around your smiling face." It helped me to put our lives in perspective. I've gained some of those unwanted, middle-of-the-mile-pounds so I'm not quite as thin as my wedding photo. I know my husband loves me because he shows me his love by keeping the bills paid, airing the tires on the van, helping me make our bed and putting the dishes away in the dishwasher.
In our society thin is in but does thin always make a great wife? I'm not so sure thin has anything to do with marriage. (shocker, I know!) I enjoyed reading Shannon's short clip of "Wresting the Body Bear Image." Our marriages are not just for us! As Shannon writes at the ending of the book "These principals are the best way to affair-proof and divorce-proof marriages, the best way for families to live in harmony with one another, and the best way for children to grow up in homes where they can learn to respect, love and cherish others, including, some day, their own spouses." I love my husband and now I love him even more! Okay....if you're on the edge of divorce this book may not be the "fix it" you crave BUT it will help you to love and understand that wonderful man YOU chose to marry!
This is a wonderful 5 star read for those who want to "help" their marriage with a workbook included at the back of the book.
**I would caution that this book is probably best for those who are married or going to be married in the very NEAR future (intimacy in marriage material---not bad---just not for young eyes).

I recommend this book to anyone who needs a boost for their marriage. I am very pleased with my purchase

I thought this book was pretty good. It gave me several new things to think about as far as my own marriage is concerned. I also put several suggestions into practice and can see positive results.