Customer Reviews

True Love: Engaging Stories of Real Life Proposals

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

 

 

What a joy it is to read this book filled with true stories of love and marriage. Poems and prose and scriptures enrich every page and bring a smile to the face and a lift the heart. In this constantly changing world it's refreshing to read of true love and marriage divine style. Eva Everson's lyrical prose has given us an intimate look into the hearts of very special people. This book is a classic look at true love.

Special Forces and Army Ranger training didn't prepare me for the most important battle of my life: overcoming years of military training and finding the art of appreciating the delicacy of the perfect moment for the perfect marriage proposal. True Love : Engaging Stories of Real-Life Proposals by Eva Marie Everson does just that. Guys don't pass this book up as a "chick flick" sort of thing! It's going to be you on the bent knee with your future, as you hope it will unfold from that moment on! For those bold souls, (and that goes for you women of action who decide to propose e.g. the author Eva Marie), read and learn. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail! This book's many stories about how men and women accomplished the perfect proposals (well, not always perfect!) but always conducted with the fine art of being at our most human; was great reading! I didn't realize this book was of the "Christian Bookstore" fare and like every great book the Bible and Shakespere are referred to. However, because this book has applicability to the most wonderful human condition of being in love and proposing marriage it deserves the widest possible readership. Fortunately, the author had that in mind. So go get it. This book is a whole lotta fun that encouraged me to ask all of my Army buddies about their proposal stories! HOOHAH!

True Love--how often do we dream of the perfection of true love without know what it really is? Eva Marie Everson is an author who understands the love that God would give us. All we have to do is turn to Him and ask. Then--in real life apply God's principles to our mortal love and marriage. All the guide lines are given in God's word, (the Bible), but, when that most important moment in a man and woman's life comes to unite--how much thought of God do we really give. This book, "True Love", "Engaging Stories of Real--Life Proposals", would be a wonderful read for anyone contemplating "popping" the question! Our own story, which appears on page 101, is a prime example of how well Eva Marie understands the joy and emotion involved when that moment comes to each couple. The sum of all the stories, as in ours, is that the marriage will work when there is a third member in that marriage. Jesus in the hearts of each couple will keep that spark of "True Love" in the life journey that two people choose to travel together. With a God centered life together, you are already a winner. Thank you, Eva Marie for including Cliff & Me in your lovely book. We are honored to be included in such good company.

I see that most people have given this book excellent ratings. For me, this book was not enjoyable. This book really does belong in a Christian bookstore, as this book is as much about God as it is about romance. (I am religious, but for me this was too much). The people depicted are often couples from Bible groups. There is mention of people who grew up in strict environments, where for example, dancing was not allowed, and the couples' stories often show their chastity. For example, the cab driver was surprised that one couple visiting New York from Florida was not going to stay in New York, and the couple tells them no, of course we would not stay the night together. Thus, it is only a day trip. The stories are also often of couples who indicate that God is their first love, above all else, including each other or stories where couples talk in great detail about how God brought them together.

I certainly do not wish to denigrate that view, but for me, it was too much. I would have preferred more stories from a different perspective, perhaps different religions. However, once you have the book in hand, you can definitely see from the back cover that the intent was to write a book about God and love. The front cover, of course, does not indicate in any way that the book is going to be so religious, and that is perhaps why I was surprised when I actually received the book.

On page 62, the author states, "There is an obvious difference (though the world may not see it) between the Christian proposal of marriage and the secular proposal of marriage. Yes, the words may be just as romantic...But the difference lies in the understanding of the magnitude of the union." Then she refers to the marriage proposals of two celebrities, one was John Tesh and Connie Seleca's and the other couple was not identified, and she states that the unidentified couple who had lived together's story lacked something.

If you wish to distinguish between Christian and secular relationships, then please do not use celebrities, particularly if you want to say that secular mariages do not contain the same magnitude. Even though, I am religious, I found this to be insulting. In fact, in reading the book, I did feel that the author would probably feel that I was inferior for being religious, but in her eyes, not religious enough. There is a lot of praise for people who devote their lives to their church, Bible groups, etc.

As I am obviously not the target audience for such a book, I am not giving it fewer stars for the fact that it did not suit my personal tastes. However, the items that I was most interested in were not fully explained and that disappointed me. For example, on page 52 of my copy, she discusses that African Americans would jump over a broom, but the author doesn't state what jumping the broom symbolized. On page 132, "German brides save their pennies to buy their wedding shoes." Okay, why are pennies significant? Some of the stories about other cultures do explain the significance, so it was even more baffling to me, why some did not. But it happened enough that I definitely questioned where the explanations were.

Secondly, the author's style grated on me a bit. "Randy...was in a dilemma of his own. He couldn't decide which of the twins to hang out with." Well, golly gee whiz.

For me, the author did a lot of cute writing, "joyous cheers rang out in celebration," telling us with exclamation points or words how we should feel about the story, instead of just letting the stories tell themselves. I just didn't feel the flowery language was necessary in stories that are romantic in themselves. But, I'm sure this would have bothered me less if the stories were more of my taste.

The stories are divided into chapters, such as proposals to make you laugh, romantic proposals, adventurous proposals. I didn't find that this division really meant anything to me, as the focus was often just as much about God than the "adventure" or the "humor." But it was probably just as good a way of dividing the stories as any other way. The book also contained quotes or letters from authors or other famous people throughout history.

Overall, if this is what you're looking for, then I'm sure you'll like it. But if you are just looking for a book of romantic proposals and do not necessarily want a book so tied to religion, you will probably prefer to look elsewhere. As for me, I guess I just didn't look closely enough at what this book is, so I'm glad I at least got it very cheaply.

This is a wonderful compilation of wedding tidbits, facts, and Bible verses sprinkled among stories of real couples and how God brought them together.

Remember when you first fell in love; that feeling which overpowers you and consumes your entire being? You HAVE to be with your lover or you'll die. Then came the marriage proposal; THEE question you waited for, prayed for, and almost died for.

True Love is filled all of these emotions that will take you back to your own wedding proposal. It is a great read and makes the perfect gift for a new bride (or even an old one!!!). The true stories in this book are engaging and easy to read through quickly since we're in the "micro wave" time frame. Some of the stories are humorus while others might solicate emotions of frustration and even anger. But they all leave you with that "ahhhhh" feeling when the "Will you marry me?" question is asked. These true-life couples will help any young couple plan their engagement and wedding.

The book also contains a section with a list of engagement rings that can be chosen and are proper to chose. For example: A bride born in October may choose an opal engagement ring because opals symbolize hope. At the end there are pages to fill in about your own wedding, such as: Our Wedding Day with names of the best man, groomsmen, maid of honor, bridesmaids etc; The Groom's Memoirs and the Bride's Memoirs; and a Certificate to be filled in on your wedding day.

The book is also sprinked with great quotes and fillers from various people and even celebrities such as John Tesh and Connie Selleca's proposal and the Rev. Billy and Ruth Graham among others. Poems and quotes from Shakespear, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Charles Dickens also fill the pages.

I highly recommend this wonderful, inspiring book filled with love stories.

...

Weddings are wonderful, magical affairs to remember, but have you ever wondered about the proposals that preceded them? Eva Marie Everson proves herself to be a master story-teller as she draws you irresistibly into each delightful real-life proposal. Scattered throughout like fragrant rose petals dropped by an enchanting flower girl are poems, traditions, snippets, and scripture quotes. An added bonus is Eva Marie's gentle guidance encouraging you to record your own story with appropriate questions and blanks at the end of the book. Future additions of this captivating book would be enhanced by the addition of a table of contents and/or an index. A must-read book for anyone who has ever received or comtemplated receiving a marriage proposal.

"True Love" is a heart-warming compilation of first love and engagement stories. There is classic humor, such as a quotation from Charles Dickens in which he writes, "...we're too old to be single. Why shouldn't we both be married..." to the proposal of singer John Tesh to actress Connie Selleca during a loud fireworks display. Dr. Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth, had a unique experience concerning a disguise. The book covers many areas of love. Interspersed are poignant quotations on love and unusual wedding customs from different cultures and times. For example, at one time in France, the bride's dress was considered lucky and guests tried to tear parts of the dress. Thus began a custom of tossing clothing items (garters or handkerchiefs) to the guests to keep the dress intact. At the end of the book are several pages for a couple to remember their wedding day and special thoughts. This coda to the book makes it a fine gift for weddings or anniversaries. You can't help but turn pages from the beginning to the end of "True Love." The book flows from one person's story to another with ease.