I’m so happy to have my favorite editor, Andrea Merrell, with me. I’ve invited her back to share about her new book, Marriage: Make It or Break It. Andrea, this is your first venture into a book about marriage.

Tell us about your passion for writing this marriage book.

After the release of Praying for the Prodigal, my daughter asked if I’d ever considered writing a book about marriage. The thought had never crossed my mind. She said because her dad and I have such a great relationship and over forty years of experience—with the good, the bad, and even the ugly—she felt I had a lot of wisdom to share with other couples. After promising to think about the idea (and especially pray about it), it became the only thing I could think about. There was almost a compulsion, an urgency to put my thoughts on paper.

What is the take-away you hope to impart to your readers?

I want my readers to realize that marriage is a God-ordained institution and one of God’s greatest gifts. A good marriage is a process, not an event. It takes commitment and a lot of work, but it’s so worth the effort. We have to put away our selfish desires and love each other the way God intended. My husband and I have learned many lessons the hard way, and we want to help couples avoid some of those rocky places. Two of the biggest keys to a solid, successful marriage are respect and open, honest communication. And there is no greater blessing than having your spouse as your best friend.

How much research did you do and what resource was the most helpful?

There were several resources that were helpful. One was The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Every couple should invest in this book. I’ve done quite a bit of research (and even teaching) on the five basic temperaments. Two of my favorite books on the subject are Personality Plus by Florence Littauer and Personality Perspectives by Linda Gilden and Tama Westman. I also gained valuable insight from Men Are Like Waffles—Women Are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences by Bill and Pam Farrel. This book explains the differences between men and woman better than any I’ve read. I also interviewed several mothers who are part of a blended family and researched other facts on the Internet.

Can this book be used in a group study?

Absolutely. The book is written in a casual, conversational tone with lots of practical information such as the different types of love, the five love languages, the four basic temperaments, choosing your battles, blended families, and avoiding what I call marital mischief. There are prayers and Scriptures to pray and questions in the back of the book that can be used in a group or for personal study.

Your title is intriguing. How did you decide on it?

I actually had a hard time with the title. All I could think of was Marriage, but I knew it needed a tagline or subtitle. About halfway through the process, I realized there are so many things that can make or break a relationship, so that’s how the title was born—Marriage: Make It or Break It. It’s really up to us.

Share with my readers a writing tip that has been your guide throughout your writing journey.

I’ve learned that the more transparent we are, the more impact our words can have. Pulling from painful experiences and being willing to expose both our strengths and weaknesses will resonate with our readers because they can relate. Everyone is looking for hope and a better way to do life. God doesn’t waste a single moment. If we’ve been through tough times and survived, we can share what we learned along the way to help someone else.

Author Bio

Andrea Merrell is an associate editor with Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also a professional freelance editor and was a finalist for the 2016 Editor of the Year Award at BRMCWC. She teaches workshops at writers’ conferences and has been published in numerous anthologies and online venues. Andrea is a graduate of Christian Communicators and a finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards. She is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, Praying for the Prodigal, and Marriage: Make It or Break It. For more information visit www.AndreaMerrell.com or www.TheWriteEditing.com.

links to Andrea’s books

Amazon link for Marriage: Make It or Break It – http://amzn.to/2qxucJ7

Amazon link for Murder of a Manuscript – http://amzn.to/1HlRLmy

Amazon link for Praying for the Prodigal – http://amzn.to/1BFOhK9

Connect with Andrea

Twitter – https://www.Twitter.com/AndreaMerrell

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/andrea.s.merrell

Linkedin – http://linkd.in/1vSByxW

Goodreads – http://bit.ly/142LXjp

Google + — http://bit.ly/1Miy3dO

Here is the back cover blurb

Some say marriage is a dying institution. Others say, “Stop the bus and let me get off.” But Andrea Merrell—after forty-plus years of marriage—believes this God-ordained institution is one of His greatest gifts to men and women. Marriage: Make It or Break It is a result of a lifetime of trial and error, keen observation, and years of studying God’s Word. With her signature dash of humor, she takes a candid look at attitudes and behavior that can make or break a relationship, the difference in how men and women think and approach life, and the importance of honest communication. You’ll find danger signs, roadblocks to bypass, and Scriptures to personalize and pray on a daily basis.

This journey won’t be perfect, and the road is guaranteed to be full of potholes. But if you’re ready to learn a few truths that will make marriage strong—and a lot of things that will destroy it—buckle your seat belt and let’s get this bus moving.

Thank you for taking the time, Andrea. Definitely, a book worth checking out. It released June 25^th. Click here to order.

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