Love Is A Flame

Real People. Real Stories. Real Love.

Happily ever after. Does it only happen in fairy tales, or in real life? Over the years love may burn strong and steady, but sometimes it grows cold. However, it can be rekindled–and these stories show how. Be inspired by true accounts of how love was revived and renewed.

You’ll discover that love can grow stronger and burn brighter through the years as you read more than forty stories from everyday people like

• Jan, whose marriage was restored despite adultery.
• Marsha, who fought pornography and won.
• Bryan, who realized his family, not his career, was his most important responsibility.
• Emily, who learned that real love overcomes unrealistic expectations.
• Jeff, who went from dissatisfaction and boredom to falling in love all over again.

The true stories in Love Is a Flame will warm your heart and show you how to create a new spark in your marriage and build it into a glowing flame.

James Stuart Bell is a Christian publishing veteran and the owner of Whitestone Communications, a literary development agency. He is the editor of many story collections, including the Cup of Comfort, Life Savors, and God Encounters series, and the coauthor of numerous books in the Complete Idiot’s Guide series. He and his family live in West Chicago, Illinois.

My Impressions:

Love Is A Flame is a compilation of stories from veterans of marriage. You’ll find humorous anecdotes featuring balloon bouquets and pink hoop skirts as well as heart-breaking and heart-healing tales of tragedy and pain. James Stuart Bell finishes each tale with a brief encouragement from God’s word.  The subtitle, Stories of What Happens When Love Is Rekindled, points to the hope that the reader can find in this book.

I read this book solo and shared only a few stories with my husband.  But I think this would be an excellent tool for couples to use as a nighttime devotional.  Communication is one of the underlying themes in the book, and reading this together could spark some meaningful discussions and prayer times. With over 40 stories, a couple could have a month’s worth and more opportunities to connect.  Not all the situations in the book will apply to all couples, but I think readers will be surprised at how many will resonate with them.  I saw myself in more than one of the stories.  And the lessons to be learned from those who have faced difficulties in their marriages are worth the time spent in its pages.

Pick up this book only if you want to make your marriage healthier, stronger and more intimate.  Love Is A Flame is for all married couples — those celebrating 5 months of wedded bliss or 50 years!

Highly Recommended.

(Thank you to Bethany House for making this book available for review. The comments expressed are mine alone.)