Romance needs to be restored during silver wedding anniversaries

“When Seasons Change” by Susan K. Downs

When Debbie Weaver kisses her son goodbye at college, she contemplates what the next half of her life will be like. She'd like to go back to school and finish her undergraduate degree, but her husband Rick has his own ideas of how to conquer mid-life struggles—see the country on the back of a Harley. When Debbie and Rick’s ideas collide, will they be able to move past the obstacles? Will Debbie like Rick's unusual birthday gift? Or will she shock him with her own surprise?

“Reunited” by Kristy Dykes

Felicia Higgins has had enough. She's tired of her husband coming home each night and flopping in front of the TV. Jake is shocked when Felicia suggests their marriage isn't perfect and demands that he move out. Jake moves to a motel, but begins to woo back his wife. He only makes things worse. Felicia just wants to be left alone and to enjoy her beautiful garden. Can Jake and Felicia discover that both are to blame for their marriage problems? Or will the go their separate ways permanently?

“Love Is A Choice” by Sally Laity

When the last of her four daughters marries, and Bess returns home to an empty nest, she flounders. For so long she's been a mother, but what is she now? Husband Arthur is delighted to finally have a quiet home and sets about turning one of the girl's bedrooms into a gym. But as Bess sinks into a depression, Arthur encourages her to look beyond the home and find a hobby—and she does. But will the attention Bess receives at painting class cause problems in her marriage?

“Wherever Love Takes” by Carrie Turansky

After a business deal goes sour, Tessa Malone loses faith in her husband's ability to provide for their family. When Matt inherits a mountain lodge in Oregon, he sees this as God's provision and wants to move the family there. Tessa is stunned. She can't leave the tea shop she co-owns with her sister in New Jersey. After nearly twenty-five years of marriage, will Tessa and Matt work through their differences? Or will Matt choose Oregon and Tessa pick her tea shop?

Wedded Bliss? is a collection of the true-to-life stories of four couples on the verge of their twenty-fifth anniversary who have problems that at times seem too big to overcome. Just like real married couples, the couples in this anthology face difficulties and temptations and must choose what is best for themselves and their marriages.

As a reader who loves a good romance, I was skeptical about reading a book about long-time married folks, but I was pleasantly surprised. Each story held my interest and was engaging and heart-tugging. Having been married over thirty years, I could easily put myself in some of the situations covered in these novellas and could understand the depth of emotions and difficult choices facing these couples.

New author, Carrie Turansky, does an excellent job with her debut novella. Whether you're single, newly-wed, or have been married twenty-five years or more, you'll be encouraged and entertained by Wedded Bliss? and learn that a good marriage is worth fighting for. ($10.95, 350 pages)