Quiz: Are You “A Little Bit Married”? We’ve been dating for more than a year. I talk on the phone with his parents. We go on vacations with each other’s families. We’re planning to live together (or already do). I often wonder, “Where is this going?” Do I just wait around? How can I be sure this person is really “The One”? If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. It’s the dawning of an age when we’re not in any hurry to reach the milestones—house, spouse, and kids—that once marked adulthood, although we’d like to get there . . . soon. In this practical, no-holds-barred guide, Hannah Seligson delivers an eye-opening look at why serial long-term relationships have become the new romantic rite of passage. From making life-changing sacrifices for your partner to dealing with doubts, Seligson explains how to make the most of this ambiguous state, including: • What are the signs s/he’s ready for long-term commitment? • How do you make decisions about careers, cohabitation, and religion when there isn’t a ring? • What’s the best way to mention the “M” word to a commitment-phobe? • How long should you stay A Little Bit Married before tying the knot . . . or moving on? Combining expert advice with compelling anecdotes, A Little Bit Married will provide you with the roadmap you need to survive the life stage post–“Let’s Do It!” and pre–“I Do.”

Even before college, Bitsy Lerner had her whole life figured out: marry, have kids, move to the suburbs, and spend heavenly days packing lunches and driving carpools. At age 43, things have gone exactly as planned. With a solid marriage, two great kids, and a darling house, so what if her husband is vague about his business dealings. Or her overbearing mother-in-law finds novel ways to torture her. And her parents radiate constant disapproval. And her friends are shallow. And her daughter’s clothes never cover her navel. And her son spends all his time playing sports. She’s living the charmed life she always wanted. Right? Then, one sunny morning, everything changes. As her husband lies unconscious, an empty bottle of pills on the nightstand, unable to recognize her or the children, Bitsy is forced to answer these questions and more. Why is the mail filled with bank notices and overdue bills? Where are her so-called friends? Why is her son’s school principal suddenly so attractive? And for the first time, instead of wondering when things will get back to normal, Bitsy wonders if things were ever normal in the first place. Come along for the hilarious and poignant ride as Bitsy gets help from the unlikeliest of sources and discovers that all the little “bits” of herself might actually be stronger than she, or anyone, knew.

Marriage.

A woman learns she’s still married to her millionaire husband and agrees to work for him while the divorce is finalized—until love conquers all her plans. The last time Rose Tucker saw her ex-husband, Lincoln Hart, he was fleeing their newly minted marriage. Now the man she fell in love with at first sight has returned to say those three little words: “we’re still married!” And while the lawyers fix the clerical glitch, the handsome millionaire offers a way to help his not-so-ex wife save her business. The pretty interior designer can hardly wait to say “I don’t.” But in the meantime, Rose can’t afford to turn down her husband’s job offer. So she agrees to decorate Linc’s new luxury condo. While Rose draws up plans for his home, he has designs on her heart. And if he gets his way, the new towels will say His and Hers.

HUSBAND FOR HIRE? The secluded beach house was the perfect honeymoon hideaway. And Dr. Sara Grace was there with her real-life fantasy man. Except that the man she called "husband" really wasn't her spouse. Dark, brooding Raz Rasmussin had a very strong interest in Sara's body—in a professional sense, of course. Raz had been hired to guard Sara from a ruthless killer. So to better protect her, they pretended to be married. But then the "newlyweds" began their honeymoon very seriously. Trouble was, the last time the confirmed bachelor had mixed business with pleasure, the consequences had been fatal. Now, more than Sara's heart was at stake….

Full of practical advice, this bestselling book by Nicky and Sila Lee is easy to read and designed to prepare, build, and even mend marriages. The Marriage Book is essential reading for any married or engaged couple. This resource addresses questions like: How can we be happily married to one person for our entire life? How do we resolve conflict? How can we discover and rediscover sexual intimacy? The Marriage Course is a series of seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. It serves as a bridge between the church and local community by recognizing the need to go beyond the social, as well as physical, walls of the church to help couples with their relationships. Marriage Course is easy to run; the talks are available on DVD (sold separately) and each guest and leader receives a manual. If you enjoy hosting people and have a passion for strengthening family life, you could run a course!

Dr. Natasha is on a Mission to Help You Get Sex and Intimacy Back into Your Life for Good! Does “getting kinky” make you blush? Does it sound dirty and maybe a little illegal? Well, it’s not, says Dr. Natasha. Kinky is just another way to have more fun in bed – and what couple who has been together for a few years couldn’t benefit from that? Dr. Natasha comes to the rescue by helping you both get in touch with your kinky side – with instructions that are as simple as they are sizzling. Whether it’s writing messages on your underwear, finding new uses for ice cubes or learning a little racy role play, you’ll push the limits of your inhibitions to sample and savor new sexual delights. The common denominator is that breathing new life into familiar sex will make your connection more loving and intense both inside and outside of the bedroom.