Grace and Truth Books is an online Christian bookstore that doesn't focus on the latest trends or fanciest packaging. Instead they are built on a different approach: " what will glorify God, strengthen His people in their walk, and call all peoples to find joy in knowing His gospel and following Him." Recently we had an opportunity to read and review Of Knights and Fair Maidens by Jeff and Danielle Myers from Grace and Truth Books.
Of Knights and Fair Maidens is a hard cover 114 page book written for ages 14 and up and their parents. It was first printed in 1996 and since going out of print had been widely requested so it was reprinted in a hard cover version in 2012. Jeff and Danielle wanted a different kind of relationship than what is considered "normal." They interviewed married couples to find out the keys to a successful courtship and used those principles in their own relationship. Later they used those principles in this humorous heart warming book. From the back of the book, "Everybody thought Jeff and Danielle were odd. They didn't date. They communicated mostly through letters. The time they spent together was almost always in groups. Even though they were adults they asked their parents' permission to develop their relationship. And strangest of all, they didn't kiss until they were engaged. How can this possibly be a recipe for a great marriage?"
Contents
Rethinking Relationships
So You Want to Go Back to Medieval Times?
Rethinking a Very Old, But Very Cool Idea
How We Met and Committed to Marriage Before We Fell In Love
Important Steps to Great Relationships
Breaking the Lone Ranger Habit
No Masks
Waiting in the Wings
How to Fall in Love, Courtship Style
How to "Do" Courtship
Okay, Smart Guy!
Involving Others in Your Relationship
Just For Guys
Beyond Pizza and a Movie
Getting Ready, Part One
Getting Ready, Part Two
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Question Is
Happily Ever After
Appendices
The Article that Started it All
Of Knights and Fair Maidens shows you how to develop relationships the old fashioned way. Through a question/answer interview format you'll hear the story of their unique relationship, learn ideas about how to form the foundation of a solid relationship, and build exciting unique qualities in the guy/girl relationship part of your life. This book will challenge you to think about guy/girl relationships in a completely different way.
You can purchase Of Knights and Fair Maidens for $9.75 here.
I was interested in reading this book because our oldest daughter is 15 and I want something better for her than the world's "dating scene." Of Knights and Fair Maidens was very funny right from the opening chapter (and actually very true and quite sad through a humorous little story.) It is true and so sad how much our society has diminished the importance of marriage and commitment. The book is written in a conversational interview style where you get to "hear" both Jeff and Danielle talk about the whys and hows of their courtship. The book talks about a courtship model that teens and singles can use in a variety of circumstances that focuses on the principles of accountability, character, and preparation using their experience as examples. They also offer several ideas that they tried or heard from other people for putting these principles into practice.
It was a very quick read, but one that you really come away with thinking. Even if you are not 100 % sold on what you think is courtship (or your teen is not completely convinced) you will come away from this book with many ideas for a dating model that is so much better than most dating in the world today. I loved the book! I thought this said it very well, " Courtship does not guarantee a perfect relationship. It cannot promise freedom from trouble. But it does lay a strong foundation which will make things better than you imagined. Courtship allows you to develop a relationship leading to marriage while maintaining and even improving your relationship with your parents and family. If offers protection and the opportunity to really get to know the other person. The self control you develop will create trust in a relationship, leading to a marriage with no regrets. It passes a godly heritage of purity on to your children."
Oh and the knight in shining armor at the end was the one every fair maiden dreams of unlike that of the knight in the opening chapter!
To see what crew mates had to say about this book and several others from Grace and Truth Books click here.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Of Knights and Fair Maidens for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.
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