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Rating: 
Summary: Marriage Survival
Review: After the Vows is a wonderful love anthology by three wonderful
writers that we should truly watch for in whatever literary
writings they will be doing in the future. I enjoyed each story
and all three will give you much food for thought in reflecting
on what marriages are truly all about.The first story titled, Time Enough For Love by Leslie Esdaile,
had me truly relating in many aspects to what Alexandra was
feeling and the emptiness of her marriage. Alexandra and Edward
started off with a wonderful marriage; they loved each other
very much. They came together with children from previous
marriages and they both felt in the beginning, that this marriage
was what they both longed for. Unfortunately, the marriage,
to Alexandra was becoming too much and too routine. On top of
working each day, the children, the house cleaning, the cooking
was left up to Alexandra with no help from Edward or the children.
He felt his job was to make sure they saved as much money as possible and to waste not one penny on anything. To
Alexandra, this was not the life she longed for and she didn't
want to continue in it. Will Alexandra make a decision she
will regret? The second story titled, Something So Right by T.T. Henderson,
was truly a story that any reader could relate to and understand
Camille's determination to end her marriage and move on. However,
Devon, her husband, had other plans to ensure that did not happen.
He had yet to understand that what he was doing was causing
Camille to distance herself from him. Although Devon
loved Camille very much, he knew he had to do something major
to make her see his love and save their marriage. Now this is
where you want to yell at Devon and say "hey! don't you get it?
don't you see what you're doing to her?" Will Devon finally
see the "light" and will Camille stand firm to her decision? The third story titled, Skin Deep by Jacquelin Thomas, is a very
sensitive and wonderful story that needed to be told. I commend
Ms. Thomas on her beautifully crafted story of a woman who has
breast cancer and had to have her breasts removed. Because of this,
Reva now feels she is less then a woman to her husband and family.
Sometimes when suffering, we choose to go it alone and leave the
most important people in our lives out of it. Reva felt that
she would never be a beautiful woman again to her husband,
Edward. She remembered how he always told her how
beautiful she was and how he enjoyed looking at her body.
But when she had to have her breasts removed; everything changed,
at least that's how she felt. So she chooses the coward's way
out so he wouldn't have to look at her in disgust; by deciding
it would be best if she left him and the family. Reva doesn't
realize that appearances does not always make a person love you,
or not love you. If only she could look into Edward's mind
and heart to see what he is really thinking and feeling. Each author did a wonderful job of developing each character,
leaving the reader with some serious thoughts and reflections
on married life. I chose not to give much detail on each story
because I think it's important that you get the book and read
for yourself each story of how they all went about holding on
to the bonds of marriage, After the Vows. I truly enjoyed this
book. I give it a rating of 4. Reviewed by.....
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and Insightful Writing
Review: As a fan of romance novels, I love the thought of happily ever after. Sometimes I wonder what happens after the wedding and/or the birth of a baby. After the Vows is a wonderful collection of stories that look at when love meets real life.
Leslie Esdaile explores what happens when you blend two families together. Believe me there are more issues to the joining of the two than the Brady Bunch ever showed. As well the story shows how you have to heal before you can truly be free and move forward. T.T. Henderson deals with the issue all relationships fear -- infidelity. Can you and how do you heal from broken trust? This story shows "I'm sorry and I forgive you" are the beginning of the journey but not the destination. Jaquelin Thomas gives a moving story of a woman relearning to love herself so that she can accept her husband's love. She has survived breast cancer but at the cost of losing her breasts. How do you accept and give love when all you want to do is hide from everyone including yourself? These stories are wonderfully edited by Donna Hill. The stories have all been crafted to show that love is a choice not something you fall into. In order for love to survive, couples have to have the attitude that the vows are forever. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.
Rating:
Summary: When True Love Enters In.....
Review: This book proves "Happily Ever After" is deeper than a fairytale. I have only recently began to read the Indigo line and I am glad I did. Leslie Esdaile's "Time Enough for Love" gives us a glimpes into the second marriage of Alexandra and Edward as they seek to salvage the promises of love they made to one another before getting caught up in the cares of work, kids, and other outside influences. The added problems of past life's baggage also clouds the brightness of their future. To make their love survive for them and their children, Edward has to realize his love for the woman he married is stronger than any hurt he has suffered or pride he seeks to keep. Alexandra has to be the woman he fell in love with. T.T. Henderson's "Something So Right" talks about infidelity, career, and trust. Camille and Devon have been married enough years for the honeymoon to be over, but for true love to still linger. However, with twins ready for college, true love is not at the top of the agenda. Desperate at the thought of divorce, Devon hopes a hastily planned anniversary getaway can rekindle the love he and Camille have shared. Camille feels trapped by the remnants of what once was a marriage of promise, she loves Devon but no longer sees him as the man she lost her heart too. Devon has to sacrafice pride and fight to show Camille his love for her is greater than any trouble that has come between them. Camille, must truly search whether the security of her career can replace the surety from the love of a good man. "Skin Deep" by Jacquelin Thomas definitley proved to be the story with the most meaning for me. When Edward Anderson married Reva twenty years before, he meant his vows of for better for worse, in sickness or in health, so when the proof of the grave illness that could have taken Reva's life was merciful enough to just leave behind scars to her once perfect body, he still only saw his wife through the eyes of his love. Reva could not escape the casualty, the illness left her weak, frightened, unsure, and feeling less than a woman. Reva's demons were real, but she had a family that was more than supportive, even when she wanted to give up, when she tried to push them away. Edward is definitely a hero, he came through when she was in trouble and let his love rescue her from the dark place she was lost and dying in. Perfect love seeks no flaws. This story is wonderful, Bravo to Ms Thomas.
Rating:
Summary: When True Love Enters In.....
Review: This book proves "Happily Ever After" is deeper than a fairytale. I have only recently began to read the Indigo line and I am glad I did. Leslie Esdaile's "Time Enough for Love" gives us a glimpes into the second marriage of Alexandra and Edward as they seek to salvage the promises of love they made to one another before getting caught up in the cares of work, kids, and other outside influences. The added problems of past life's baggage also clouds the brightness of their future. To make their love survive for them and their children, Edward has to realize his love for the woman he married is stronger than any hurt he has suffered or pride he seeks to keep. Alexandra has to be the woman he fell in love with. T.T. Henderson's "Something So Right" talks about infidelity, career, and trust. Camille and Devon have been married enough years for the honeymoon to be over, but for true love to still linger. However, with twins ready for college, true love is not at the top of the agenda. Desperate at the thought of divorce, Devon hopes a hastily planned anniversary getaway can rekindle the love he and Camille have shared. Camille feels trapped by the remnants of what once was a marriage of promise, she loves Devon but no longer sees him as the man she lost her heart too. Devon has to sacrafice pride and fight to show Camille his love for her is greater than any trouble that has come between them. Camille, must truly search whether the security of her career can replace the surety from the love of a good man. "Skin Deep" by Jacquelin Thomas definitley proved to be the story with the most meaning for me. When Edward Anderson married Reva twenty years before, he meant his vows of for better for worse, in sickness or in health, so when the proof of the grave illness that could have taken Reva's life was merciful enough to just leave behind scars to her once perfect body, he still only saw his wife through the eyes of his love. Reva could not escape the casualty, the illness left her weak, frightened, unsure, and feeling less than a woman. Reva's demons were real, but she had a family that was more than supportive, even when she wanted to give up, when she tried to push them away. Edward is definitely a hero, he came through when she was in trouble and let his love rescue her from the dark place she was lost and dying in. Perfect love seeks no flaws. This story is wonderful, Bravo to Ms Thomas.
Rating:
Summary: When True Love Enters In.....
Review: This book proves "Happily Ever After" is deeper than a fairytale. I have only recently began to read the Indigo line and I am glad I did. Leslie Esdaile's "Time Enough for Love" gives us a glimpes into the second marriage of Alexandra and Edward as they seek to salvage the promises of love they made to one another before getting caught up in the cares of work, kids, and other outside influences. The added problems of past life's baggage also clouds the brightness of their future. To make their love survive for them and their children, Edward has to realize his love for the woman he married is stronger than any hurt he has suffered or pride he seeks to keep. Alexandra has to be the woman he fell in love with. T.T. Henderson's "Something So Right" talks about infidelity, career, and trust. Camille and Devon have been married enough years for the honeymoon to be over, but for true love to still linger. However, with twins ready for college, true love is not at the top of the agenda. Desperate at the thought of divorce, Devon hopes a hastily planned anniversary getaway can rekindle the love he and Camille have shared. Camille feels trapped by the remnants of what once was a marriage of promise, she loves Devon but no longer sees him as the man she lost her heart too. Devon has to sacrafice pride and fight to show Camille his love for her is greater than any trouble that has come between them. Camille, must truly search whether the security of her career can replace the surety from the love of a good man. "Skin Deep" by Jacquelin Thomas definitley proved to be the story with the most meaning for me. When Edward Anderson married Reva twenty years before, he meant his vows of for better for worse, in sickness or in health, so when the proof of the grave illness that could have taken Reva's life was merciful enough to just leave behind scars to her once perfect body, he still only saw his wife through the eyes of his love. Reva could not escape the casualty, the illness left her weak, frightened, unsure, and feeling less than a woman. Reva's demons were real, but she had a family that was more than supportive, even when she wanted to give up, when she tried to push them away. Edward is definitely a hero, he came through when she was in trouble and let his love rescue her from the dark place she was lost and dying in. Perfect love seeks no flaws. This story is wonderful, Bravo to Ms Thomas.
Rating:
Summary: So much love to conquer after the vows.....
Review: This is a supurb anthology by 3 highly talented authors. In all 3 stories, you find that the love you felt that took you to the alter, is the same love you have to feel to keep your marriage vows. Leslie Esdaile shows us with Alexander and Edward that marriage the second time around can bring obstacles and guidelines that are crumbs from your first marriage. Scared that you have made a second mistake in choosing your mate, and you don't want to go through another divorce, you hinder the relationship by not being honest. Alexander cannot hold back any longer her own needs to be happy and she has to find a way to tell Edward, at the same time Edward has not faced the turmoils of his first wife and his mother and all the rules and control, he has to realize will ruin his second marriage if he doesn't lighten up and see his wife for who she is. After some disturbing truths are brought to their attention by people who love them, they find there way back to the love that brought them together. Ms.Esdaile tells this story with reality of second marriages with children involved and also when a spouse does not work toward the future and forget the past. T.T. Henderson does a remarkable job of showing how two people strive and build to have a family and through lack of communication can lose it all. Camille and Devon have been married for 19 years, have 2 children and a relatively nice life style, but do to a mistake that took place 5 years ago, the lines of communication have been severed and they are on their way to destruction. Devon has sacrificed to prove to his wife his love for her, but she doesn't see his sacrifice or his pain, so he turns to his friends and drinking to dull the aches. Camille has silently been miserable and has made her career her life, so she is indulging in work to hide her pain. When she serves divorce papers to Devon, the anger escalates and they are on a down hill battle, especially when Handsome high powered business man Alexander Touissant comes into the picture. Camille and Devon are so out of touch, that they don't understand when the other person is trying to wave the white flag, they keep on digging the hole deeper. Through much heartache and pain, Camille realizes how much she really loves Devon and when she is put in a compromising position, she has time to think things through clearly and understand Devon. While Devon is sulking and alone and allows his temper to settle because he can now only be mad at hisself, he realizes that he has jumped to the wrong conclusions and he knows Camille better, they finally both realize that there are some give and takes in marriage and with 2 children approaching college, they have each other and there are no limits to what they can achieve together. Finally realizing each others point of view they are able to recapture the love that brought them to the alter the first time. (I really liked this story, but I hated Alexander from the very beginning). Jacquelin Thomas has brought the effects of a deadly disease and the destruction it can have on a marriage to light. she has shown that when love is the key element in the marriage, even a silent killer has no chance and destroying what God has put together. Reva has been plagued with Breast Cancer and it has comsumed her life, driving her away from Edward and their daughter. Edward has attempted to be understanding and consoling and wants very much to have things back to normal before the cancer. He still sees Reva as the beautiful woman that she was when he first married her, but his space and understanding is misinterpreted by Reva as rejection. Reva is suffering because she hasn't expressed her feeling to him or to herself, she has succumbed to hiding and running away. Jacquelin Thomas brings this story full circle, showing the reality of this situation and the devastation, but also shows us how love conquers all. Edward shows Reva through tough love that she has to face the future and not allow the cancer to stop her from living and she doesn't have to face the battles alone, that is why he is there. Through his strength, Reva gains courage and comfort and also relief. Realizing that love is not just skin deep, they are back on track. So many marriages fall apart when a spouse becomes ill and they don't fight together, so they end up in divorce, this story shows a strong man a couple that are truelly in love.
Rating:
Summary: So much love to conquer after the vows.....
Review: This is a supurb anthology by 3 highly talented authors. In all 3 stories, you find that the love you felt that took you to the alter, is the same love you have to feel to keep your marriage vows. Leslie Esdaile shows us with Alexander and Edward that marriage the second time around can bring obstacles and guidelines that are crumbs from your first marriage. Scared that you have made a second mistake in choosing your mate, and you don't want to go through another divorce, you hinder the relationship by not being honest. Alexander cannot hold back any longer her own needs to be happy and she has to find a way to tell Edward, at the same time Edward has not faced the turmoils of his first wife and his mother and all the rules and control, he has to realize will ruin his second marriage if he doesn't lighten up and see his wife for who she is. After some disturbing truths are brought to their attention by people who love them, they find there way back to the love that brought them together. Ms.Esdaile tells this story with reality of second marriages with children involved and also when a spouse does not work toward the future and forget the past. T.T. Henderson does a remarkable job of showing how two people strive and build to have a family and through lack of communication can lose it all. Camille and Devon have been married for 19 years, have 2 children and a relatively nice life style, but do to a mistake that took place 5 years ago, the lines of communication have been severed and they are on their way to destruction. Devon has sacrificed to prove to his wife his love for her, but she doesn't see his sacrifice or his pain, so he turns to his friends and drinking to dull the aches. Camille has silently been miserable and has made her career her life, so she is indulging in work to hide her pain. When she serves divorce papers to Devon, the anger escalates and they are on a down hill battle, especially when Handsome high powered business man Alexander Touissant comes into the picture. Camille and Devon are so out of touch, that they don't understand when the other person is trying to wave the white flag, they keep on digging the hole deeper. Through much heartache and pain, Camille realizes how much she really loves Devon and when she is put in a compromising position, she has time to think things through clearly and understand Devon. While Devon is sulking and alone and allows his temper to settle because he can now only be mad at hisself, he realizes that he has jumped to the wrong conclusions and he knows Camille better, they finally both realize that there are some give and takes in marriage and with 2 children approaching college, they have each other and there are no limits to what they can achieve together. Finally realizing each others point of view they are able to recapture the love that brought them to the alter the first time. (I really liked this story, but I hated Alexander from the very beginning). Jacquelin Thomas has brought the effects of a deadly disease and the destruction it can have on a marriage to light. she has shown that when love is the key element in the marriage, even a silent killer has no chance and destroying what God has put together. Reva has been plagued with Breast Cancer and it has comsumed her life, driving her away from Edward and their daughter. Edward has attempted to be understanding and consoling and wants very much to have things back to normal before the cancer. He still sees Reva as the beautiful woman that she was when he first married her, but his space and understanding is misinterpreted by Reva as rejection. Reva is suffering because she hasn't expressed her feeling to him or to herself, she has succumbed to hiding and running away. Jacquelin Thomas brings this story full circle, showing the reality of this situation and the devastation, but also shows us how love conquers all. Edward shows Reva through tough love that she has to face the future and not allow the cancer to stop her from living and she doesn't have to face the battles alone, that is why he is there. Through his strength, Reva gains courage and comfort and also relief. Realizing that love is not just skin deep, they are back on track. So many marriages fall apart when a spouse becomes ill and they don't fight together, so they end up in divorce, this story shows a strong man a couple that are truelly in love.
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