Category: book nook

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Do Ed and I Clash? {Clash of the Couples Cover Reveal}

Ed and I are happily married! Really, we are. Most of the time, I write about all the stuff that makes us happily married. He even was behind my surprise wedding shower, as I told you last Friday. One of my dear blogging buddies, Mara, has even told me she wants to clone Ed.

I always tell her he’s not that great.

Even the happiest of happy couples disagree from time to time. Ed and I certainly do. Back when we were first married, we had a huge argument. I can’t even remember what it was about. I called my mom and told her all about it. First, she told me about the first big argument she had with my dad. I believe he had burned a tablecloth with a cigar. Then she told me not to be too hard on Ed.

Ever since Mom gave me that advice, I do my best. After all, I’m not so easy to live with, either. Every once in a while, however, Ed does something that ticks me off. Every once in a while, I have to vent to my girlfriends.

ed and me
Ed and I at a costume party.

This summer, Crystal Ponti, the editor of The Mother of All Meltdowns, compiled a book about arguments couples have. I’m pleased to announce that I’m a part of it!

Crystal writes:

Coupledom. Fact or fable, Adam and Eve birthed the perpetual relationship drama as seen on TV today. Despite the serpents, this couple HAD IT MADE. Luxury real estate, lush gardens, and privacy out the yin-yang. Life was glorious until the bare-bottomed babe could no longer resist temptation. Despite her better half’s warnings and threats to sleep in a tree, she tasted the forbidden fruit. One bite of that seductive, juicy contraband and the stage was set for eternity— a nibble that has blossomed into an endless supply of tiny tidbits that divide lovers to this day!

Taking a cue from the naked explorers of authentic sin, Clash of the Couples is a new anthology featuring a collection of completely absurd lovers’ squabbles and relationship spats. Think couples fight over kids, sex, and money? Think again! Furniture, the last beer, and where to store the placenta are what genuinely ignite our feuds. And no argument is off limits. This book has it all! Inside you’ll find a gut-busting compilation of stories such as: “I Can’t Believe You Ate My Sandwich,” “Never Assume Anything,” “Only I Can Talk About Me,” and “You Want Some College Boobs?” from forty-three fearless writers. Prepare to laugh, roll your eyes, and shiver in suspense. While Eve may have had the first bite, we ate the whole tree. And made pies.

Anthology

Published by Blue Lobster Book Co., Clash of the Couples launches loudly and obnoxiously on November 3, 2014. You’ll hear us coming, but look for it on Amazon, B&N, Apple, and other places where you typically buy books. For instant updates, follow along on Facebook!

The lineup includes:

Andrew S. Delfino of Almost Coherent Parent

Crystal Ponti of MommiFried

Camille DeFer Thompson of Camille DeFer Thompson

Kimberly Morand of Anchor Magazine: Navigating Depression, Bipolar, and Anxiety

Meredith Napolitano of From Meredith to Mommy

Chris Dean of pixie.c.d.

Linda Roy of elleroy was here

Kevin Zelenka of Double Trouble Daddy

Sarah Cottrell of Housewife Plus

R.C. Liley of Going Dad

Mary Widdicks of Outmanned

Marie Bollman of Make Your Own Damn Dinner

Ginny Marie of Lemon Drop Pie

Mike Reynolds of Puzzling Posts

Leigh-Mary Hoffmann of Happily Ever Laughter Blog

Lisa Petty of Lisa R. Petty

Lynn Shattuck of The Light Will Find You

Jeff Bogle of Out With The Kids

Stacey Gustafson of Are You Kidding Me?

Angela Godbout of FRaPS

Courtney Conover of The Brown Girl with Long Hair

Jenny Hills of Express Bus Mama

Marcia Kester Doyle of Menopausal Mother

Julia Arnold of Frantic Mama

Jessica Azar of Herd Management

Susan A. Black of I Like That

Dave Lesser of Amateur Idiot Professional Dad

Sarah del Rio of est. 1975

m.nicole.r.wildhood of Naught Be All Else

Angela Keck of Writer Mom’s Blog

Alexa Bigwarfe of No Holding Back

Brian Sorrell of Dadding Full Time

Kathryn Leehane of Foxy Wine Pocket

April Grant of 100lb Countdown

Bev Feldman of Linkouture

Jodi Flaherty of The Noise of Boys

Scott Rigdon of Three Five Zero

Lydia Richmond of Cluttered Genius

Allie Burdick of VITA – Train for Life

Michelle Grewe of Crumpets and Bollocks

Barb Godshalk of Co-Author of Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey

Jonathon Floyd of One Funny Daddy

Amanda Mushro of Questionable Choices in Parenting

Chris Carter of The Mom Cafe

What a great line-up! I can’t wait to see what the rest of my co-authors wrote about in this book. Some of the writers also contributed to The Mother of All Meltdowns, so I know their stories are going to be good.

Be sure to look for Clash of the Couples on November 3!

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Then I Became a Mother {Book Review}

Robin Kramer’s book, Then I Became a Mother, is not your ordinary mothering book. She doesn’t write about the latest baby product that you have to buy. She doesn’t tell you to let Baby cry it out, or that crying it out will psychologically damage your baby. Robin doesn’t weigh the pros and cons of breastfeeding versus bottle feeding, or staying at home versus working after the baby is born.

Quite the opposite. Robin’s advice to new mothers is timeless. She writes about how all families are different and how to trust yourself as a mother. Robin comforts and consoles new mothers in her book, and also tells stories about her own mistakes and triumphs as a mother. Robin gives sage, motherly advice that you can turn to with your first baby, and then read again when you are expecting your second baby, and then your third baby!

Then I Became a Mother Cover

When I think back to when my oldest daughter was born, I remember a time of anxiety and worry, but also one of wonder and excitement. Having a baby really does change everything. All of a sudden, my husband and I were in charge of another little human being. It was so easy taking care of Lily when I was pregnant; and a much different task once we brought her home from the hospital and she cried and cried and cried! In the early hours of the morning, I threw myself on the couch in tears, covering my ears with pillows so I wouldn’t hear her cry. I didn’t know how I could be a mother.

family of three

Fortunately, Ed and I soon figured out that I wasn’t making enough milk for Lily. (I’m a breast cancer survivor and have only one breast.) I breastfed her when I could, and Ed supplemented her feeding with a bottle. Lily soon became a chunky, happy baby! By the time Emmy came along, the whole parenting thing was a little easier.

pregnant

Robin, the mother of three children, takes us back in time to when her oldest daughter is a baby. She writes about the same emotions I felt as a first time mother; the same fears and worries and changes that come along with that tiny little newborn in the baby carrier. Then I Became a Mother is a perfect companion to that little bundle, and every new mother should read it!

Then I Became a Mother is available at Amazon. As I read it I smiled often at the memories of becoming a mother myself. Robin sent me a copy to read and review, and I’m so glad she did! You can also connect with Robin on her website, Robin Kramer Writes. You’ll be glad you did!

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