Many of you have been following this blog for some time and already know a bit about me. I got married at age 20 to Robert Sean Morley in 1995. I had my first child by age 21! We've been married now for 22 years. The photo above was taken about a year ago.
My husband did online theological studies last year and we watched some videos together on Sexual Intimacy by psychologist Kristine Koetje-Balder. Some of what she covered was for women who fear sexual intimacy because of past sexual traumas and how husbands can help them enjoy intimacy.
I never experienced anything awful like molestation or date rape, but these things still affect me when I hear about them. I feel terrible for those who have suffered in that way. Here's a poem that I wrote in 2006 and is one of the poems in my book, Happy Moms, Happy Homes.
There once was a girl on a sunny day
She was having fun in a carefree way
In a field of flowers with the honey bee
This is how life should always be
But growing up brought many hardships
As she jumped in and out of relationships
The flowers were exchanged for stolen kisses
Followed by the sting and shame she now nurses
She let life bounce like a ball at its own will
Each bounce a piece of heart would kill
Looking for love, but in the end she found none
Life without rules brought pain instead of fun
This is not how life should be
She was created with purpose and a destiny
Not to be left without direction or only to fate
For her to turn around now is never too late
Her heart may be torn into tiny shreds
And hope hanging merely by threads
But as she opens her heart to God’s ways
He’ll bring her back to sunshiny days
He is the Great Creator and Master Restorer
He can put anyone’s life back in order
Each person must follow His leading and call
And by Christ’s Spirit He’ll not let us fall
by Christina A. Morley
The book that I reviewed below sensitively handles the topic of life after rape. It shows that with the right approach a woman can experience intimacy in marriage and enjoy it. The novella has mature content and is not appropriate for young adults. It's presently for free on Amazon Kindle.
This prequel novella is
FREE on Amazon Kindle!
Book Description:
The start of a critically acclaimed historical romance series by New York Times bestselling author Courtney Milan...
Hugo Marshall earned the nickname "the Wolf of Clermont" for his ruthless ambition--a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner's son to the right hand man of a duke. When he's ordered to get rid of a pestering governess by fair means or foul, it's just another day at work.
But after everything Miss Serena Barton has been through at the hands of his employer, she is determined to make him pay. She won't let anyone stop her--not even the man that all of London fears. They might call Hugo Marshall the Wolf of Clermont, but even wolves can be brought to heel...
My Review:
The Governess Affair is an intriguing Victorian Romance with interesting characters. The competition between Hugo and Serena is witty and suspenseful. The contrasts between Hugo and the Duke and Serena and her older sister are well played out. One theme that is sensitively and creatively handled is Serena's ability to experience intimacy after what happened to her. This book has adult content with one sex scene within marriage, which I felt was pertinent to the story. The ending was abrupt and not satisfactory for a reader who enjoys romance!
Disclosure: I purchased this book on Amazon Kindle when it was offered for free and this is my honest review. Also, there are no affiliate links on this blog post.
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This is what my brother said about my book:
Happy Moms, Happy Homes is a super little book and Amazon also makes it easy to give Kindle books as gifts as well. If you know anyone who reads Kindle, consider giving those friends a copy each as gifts. I have the Kindle app for PC, which is even better than a Kindle reader since my pc has a detachable screen which makes reading a breeze. Friends who don't have Kindle, let them know about the Kindle apps for PC, Android etc.
And this is his review on Amazon:
Packs a Punch in 111 Pages
"Happy Moms, Happy Homes" is a super little book of wisdom for mothers. HMHM has a positive uplifting message built on cold reality and some bitter medicine. Relevant for both Christian and Non-Christian readers, mostly females obviously, but useful for the guys too. Nowadays people like short books, just look at "Who moved my Cheese?" That book was a hit and could have been written in one paragraph, but was drawn out to about 100+ pages. Well HMHM is a lot richer than "Who Moved My Cheese?" and worthy of its 100+ pages. I predict with enough publicity it'll be a POSITIVE hit. Amazon also makes it easy to give Kindle books as gifts. (Disclaimer: the author is my sister)
Please Note: All book prices mentioned on this blog post were correct at the time of posting.
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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #258!
Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.
Now on to my blog hop...
It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!
Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!
I would love for you to follow me on
Here are the easy rules:
- Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
- Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
- Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
- Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
- Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.
Weekend Linky
Visit my Blog Hops page to see
what link-ups I take part in.
![The Unwanted Assistant: A Clean Billionaire Romance by [Kelly, Evangeline]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51VgyNYJqeL.jpg)
![The Magestaff (The Seven Kingdoms Book 1) by [Castel, Cordelia]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/517yX%2B8sKIL.jpg)
![Dragon School: Dusk Covenant by [Wilson, Sarah K. L.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zbYqmV-sL.jpg)
![The Husband Mission (The Spy Matchmaker Book 1) by [Scott, Regina]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51slTMV84qL.jpg)
![Larken (Graceling Hall Book 1) by [Rogers, Suzanne G.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51d4m%2B3EHqL.jpg)
![Dragon School: Sworn by [Wilson, Sarah K. L.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nh6gjigBL.jpg)
![The Governess Affair (The Brothers Sinister) by [Milan, Courtney]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51z87p6ldfL.jpg)
