Lakeshore Press

Book Review  

---

“A Love Forever”
By Lauren Donahue   March 10, 2016  

---

A LOVE FOREVER
Creating An Amazing Marriage
By Lynne Thomas   172 pp.   Publication: February 29, 2016,   Lakeshore Press.   $16.99  

Our excitement and enchantment with love and marriage doesn’t stop with Hollywood movies. It resounds through magnificent voices like Michael Buble, Adele, and Frank Sinatra. Yet, as amorous films and love songs grant us a glimpse of romance and marriage from the inside, researchers provide a view from the outside. In 1972, polls predicted that 97% of men and women in America would marry in their lifetime. The concept of “Living happily ever after” or “until death do us part,” ignited excitement and exhilaration in couples in the seventies. Fast forward to 2013. The census report reveals that only 48% of adults in America were married. What happened? Time changed things. In 2013, society was drastically different from the seventies; couples wanted more value from their long-term relationships. The fascination with marriage was replaced by fear and frustration for many people. Those who were newly married scurried into the future together without a real road map. The journey was bumpy with unexpected turns and painful events. These experiences flung countless marriages off track. Couples faced challenges as they tried to blend two lives together with limited access to solutions.

Now, at last Lynne Thomas shines a bright attractive light on marriage in her outstanding newly released book “A Love Forever.” Elevating marriage to a rewarding position, with a crisp distinct style and keen skillful clarity, this work engages the reader ambitiously. Thomas invites couples to shift their point of view, and rethink their choices, as they prepare to transform their marriages. This work guides you straight ahead, showing you how to conquer the bumps in the road. Lynne Thomas has been writing about human behavior and marriage since her first marriage counseling sessions with couples. Her newspaper columns and newsletters attracted readers, fashioned new insights, activated thoughts, and kicked-off exhilarating discussions.

Over the years, these distinct experiences propelled this expert to author “A Love Forever.” Easy and comfortable, a book written for the reader, it delivers fresh inspiring wisdom for couples to digest and execute. As you turn the pages of this non- fiction work, the word “choice” captures your attention. Thomas writes, “Choices are the real change agents in a person’s marriage and life. ... Consider this incredible fact: At birth, every person is given time, space, and choices. With these three tools, each person designs their life, shapes experiences, forms relationships, cultivates their career, makes personal changes, and develops their marriage. Choices are remarkable invisible agents of change in every person’s life. An extremely valuable creative tool, that has the power to bring forth new experiences, successful progress, and incredible outcomes.”  

Before she presents readers with the golden key to an incredible future, Thomas prepares them. First, a new perspective is offered. Then, they’re helped to repair the past. Next, they’re shown how to enrich the present. She advises, “In an amazing marriage, couples create “win-win” solutions. A “win-win” solution is an inclusive decision. That’s right! An inclusive decision means that each spouse receives something of similar value when the decision is made. ... A process that couples love to participate in through out their marriage.”  

Another eye catching topic, “Feeling Like A Winner.” Thomas writes, “Imagine giving your spouse the gift of feeling like a winner, or a hero, or a success; then envision your spouse giving you the same special gift.” This choice inspires love! 

This invigorating approach is quite different from the first authors who advised the general public about marriage in the seventies. One such author comes to mind, the popular psychiatrist, David Viscott. His innovative work,"How To Live With Another Person" emphasized open and honest communication as one way to resolve issues. It was a time when spouses were encouraged to stop concealing true thoughts and feelings, which was an issue in the seventies.

Lynne Thomas has put a new and different spin on her work, pulling readers in with a new positive perspective. Guiding the reader through specific choices and solutions, this author presents a new ultimate goal for their marriage - “creating amazing experiences and terrific memories.” A unique offer by the author, encouraging couples to bring innovation to their marriage. Envision a couple eagerly pouring creativity and joy into their daily events, weekend plans, and shared goals - a true treasure. A great opportunity! Successful companies bring creativity to the work place, with the same innovative spirit married couples can bring creativity to their daily activities, and future plans.

Another surprising bonus within the pages of this book, the reader will discover a list of fantastic places, and magnificent events to experience. 

“A Love Forever”  is truly a captivating and fascinating book that will guide and inspire as couples transform their marriages. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                         

By Lauren Donahue a Freelance Writer and Marketing Consultant