Deseret News loves Base Hits and Home Run Relationships book!

Wow!  Another great review about my newest book just hit Deseret News!

Book review: Mom-son duo offer advice in 'Base Hits and Home Run Relationships'

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By Rachel Chipman

For the Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Aug. 15 2015 5:00 a.m. MDT

Updated: 12 hours ago

   

"Base Hits and Home Run Relationships: What Women Wish Guys Knew" is by Trina Boice.

Cedar Fort Publishing & Media

    

Men and women of all relationship statuses can benefit from this practical and fun dating and marriage baseball-themed guide titled "Base Hits and Home Run Relationships."

"BASE HITS AND HOME RUN RELATIONSHIPS: What Women Wish Guys Knew," by Trina Boice, Cedar Fort, $18.99, 288 pages (nf)

When it comes to the game of love, everyone strikes out from time to time. And some people feel they can't even figure out the rules.

Luckily, author Trina Boice, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her oldest son, who she dubs, "Coach Cooper," a recent Brigham Young University graduate, are here to help with the book "Base Hits and Home Run Relationships: What Women Wish Guys Knew."

This baseball-themed book about dating and relationships, including marriage and pleasantly passes along solid advice and gentle humor, whether the reader just needs a few pointers on improving that batting average or relationship, or the opposite sex seems to be playing a whole different game.

Each chapter contains Trina Boice's introduction, a baseball comic, Coach Cooper's input, advice for women titled "A League of Their Own" and four activities at the end, with varying levels of difficulty noted by a single, a double, a triple and a home run. In one of the chapters, the double is talking to a woman the man previous doesn't know, the triple is talking to a woman who usually isn't the guy's type, and home run is asking a woman out who he feels is out of his league.

The baseball analogy gets a little cheesy, of course, but it shows that this book does not take itself too seriously, preventing the preachiness that pervades too many self-help books. It was also refreshing to get both young and old and male and female perspectives. The activities really set this book apart. The single, double, triple and home run options allow readers to progress at their own pace, but add specificity to what had to be a rather generic book.

Many, many dating books exist. However, the beauty of "Base Hits and Home Run Relationships" is that it does not become obsolete at any point of the dating process — even after marriage. The authors share reminders that the core of any home run relationship at any age is the right balance of selflessness and self-respect.

"Base Hits and Home Run Relationships" is primarily aimed at LDS men, but there are sections targeted at women. It would be a great resource for men or women looking to improve their interpersonal skills. Teenage boys and new husbands especially will find some valuable information in "Base Hits."

There is no sexual content, foul language or violence in this book.

Rachel Chipman graduated with a bachelor's degree in family life and human development. Her current goals are to read more, to write more and to learn to type while holding her infant daughter. Her email isracheldchipman@gmail.com

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865634599/Book-review-Mom-son-duo-offer-advice-in-Base-Hits-and-Home-Run-Relationships.html?pg=all

Deseret News

Fantastic advice for single guys

My editor just sent me the link to another fantastic review for my newest book! New Books: Love and Relationships by Laurie Williams Sowby The topic of relationships gets top billing in this week's two book selections, with high recommendations for both. I can't say enough good things about either. The first is for those in the dating stage. Relationship building is treated with humor, insight, and practical advice in Base Hits and Home Runs: What Women Wish Guys Knew (Cedar Fort Publishing 2015, 276 pages in soft cover, $18.99). The woman speaking from experience here is Trina Boice, who enlists sports metaphors and the aid of her twenty-something son, "Coach Cooper," in rallying eligible young LDS bachelors toward more meaningful relationships with the opposite sex. The topics are on-target as the book moves from simply playing ball to the minor leagues and then the majors. How to flirt, dress, compliment, plan dates, listen, score points with her friends, and work up to the first kiss are all covered, along with crucial aspects such as defining the relationship and continuing courtship after marriage and even after children. Boice's explanations (translations?) of what women are thinking in various situations and stages of a relationship could be a major revelation to male readers. Interesting stats, assignments to put the principles into practice, and quotes from sports figures round out the chapters. The author is careful to reference scriptures, quotes, and research without detracting from the lively conversation. For less than 20 bucks, this book is a great investment for any young man who wants to get serious about finding--and being--"the one." More serious in tone is Love is a Choice (Deseret Book 2015, 273 pages in hard cover, $24.99). Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy approaches the topic of maintaining relationships through modeling them on principles of the gospel and attributes of the Savior. In the first part, "Choosing Love," he speaks of "growing in love" as opposed to the more temporary "falling in love" and teaches about the Lord's way as opposed to "the wrong way," both obvious and less so. Elder Robbins presents it all in the context of families and the eternal perspective. Scriptures and gospel-centered explanations address couples at all stages, from newlyweds to parents and eventually empty-nesters. He goes into depth in chapters on agency and love in marriage, accepting the responsibility to repent and forgive that comes with agency, following the Savior's example and understanding how his Atonement can strengthen marriage and family, the interconnectedness of love and self-reliance, respecting children's agency, and choosinghappiness. Part II offers additional "Resources for Practicing Great Choices," with a look at financial unity in "One Heart, Mind, and Bank Account" and helps for family home evening in another chapter. Some 60 pages of appendix are devoted to "Christlike Virtues" which could individually be studied and discussed in relation to their role in creating strong, loving relationships. Both books are solid resources for readers who want to improve their relationships by improving themselves. Copyright © 2015 by Laurie Williams Sowby