Book review of Trina Boice's newest book about dating and marriage

Participating in the blog tour of my newest book, is the following book review posted by Shauna Wheelwright!   Thanks Shauna!

A review copy was provided

BASE HITS AND HOME RUN

RELATIONSHIPS

by Trina Boice

What Women Wish Guys Knew

Love is like baseball, so hit a home run in your relationship! With Trina Boice's advice, any man can learn how to step up to the plate. Learn tips, stats, and skills to make a powerful and lasting romance whether you're in the “minor leagues” of dating or the “major leagues” of married life.

Learn to:

Translate women’s thoughts into a sports language men can actually understand

Track your dating stats and plan strategies to up your game

Avoid foul balls, bad calls, and getting stuck in a pickle

Support each other with the occasional bunt or sacrifice fly

Cover all your bases—even when you’ve got kids on your team

With the right tools, you and your sweetheart can pitch a perfect game together every time you play. This is the perfect playbook for rookies and hall-of-famers alike.

My Review
Trina Boice is AMAZING and this book is INCREDIBLE!
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. IT!

Just look at some of the VERY FUN chapters in this book:

* Batter UP! The Game
* The Playbook: The Rules of Romance and Love Language
* Heavy Hitter: Be. A. Man
* Eyes on the Ball: Flirting Your Way to a First Date
* The Uniform: How to Look like a Knight in Shining Armor
* Sports Medicine: Win Over Her Heart and Funny Bone
* Catcher: Courting and Date Ideas
* Peanuts and Cracker Jacks: Kindness in a Nutshell
* AND MORE

Her advice is SO. RIGHT. ON!

I absolutely LOVE the baseball theme. Want to get to know a girl? Learn her stats: favorite color, dessert, flower, etc.

And the end-of-chapter assignments are PHENOMENAL! Even the shyest of guys can accomplish the First Base assignment.

I LOVE that Trina doesn't just talk about these things...her son went out and "field-tested creative dating tips and has learned some really interesting things that he shares in each chapter." Cooper became the coach for the team (those reading this book.) I really appreciated his insight, for as he said "women talk about what they want, and guys talk about what women actually want."

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!
EVERYONE should read this book!
Put your relationship first and foremost...grab a copy today!

First Base assignment: ADD TO GOODREADS

Home Run assignment: PURCHASE A COPY HERE

Excerpt
In the words of legendary sports announcer Harry Caray, "Hello everybody! It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball!" You've bought this book and stepped up to the plate. That tells me you're really serious about improving your relationship with the woman in your life. Either that or she bought this book for you, and now you have to read it because you know she's going to ask you what you learned. Don't worry; it's not going to be that bad. After all, it's partly about baseball, and you love baseball! Romance and baseball are not all that different, actually. They're both skills that you can learn and enjoy for the rest of your life.

You could read an entire book about baseball statistics, but that wouldn't make you a better player out on the field, would it? You have to get out and practice! This book is designed to be read in small sections and put into practice. Read a little bit, and then try an idea or two to see what works for you and your sweetheart. I guarantee you're going to have a ball! (Terrible baseball puns will be included throughout this book in order to keep your eyes rolling and awake.)

Let me first state the obvious that women are different from men. And that's a good thing! A lot of men have a hard time trying to figure out what women want and how they think. It's not that difficult if you learn their language and appreciate the differences. To make it easier, we're going to use terms you might feel comfortable with: the language of baseball.

This book is written for both men who are still in the "minor league" (dating) and men who have been drafted into the "major league" (marriage). Getting a girl and keeping her are not all that different. Maybe you've been playing too much baseball and still don't have a woman in your life. This book can help you with that too! This book will help you find a quality woman you can marry and be with for eternity.

This book was conceived one day after my husband and I were discussing our relationship early in our marriage. He's going to get a lot of credit in this book for some of the really great things he does in our marriage. When I need to use him as an example of whatnot to do, I'll just tell you, "I have a friend whose husband..." so you'll never know if it's him or really a friend of mine. Hey, I don't want to get in trouble with my husband and end up sitting on the bench.

My husband, Tom, is really creative and has come up with some incredible gifts over the years. Early in our marriage, he really came through on big events such as anniversaries and birthdays, but then there were disappointing and somewhat alarming long dry spells with nothing. No flowers. No romance. Nada. Our conversations occurred during one of those dry spells and basically consisted of my pitiful complaints that I was feeling unloved and unappreciated. I suggested that maybe he could replace the few big efforts with more frequent, smaller ones. He thought about that for a few minutes and said, "Oh, it's just like baseball. Home runs are exciting but don't happen that often. It's the small, consistent base hits that win the game." In a baseball peanut shell, that's it!

*****

Each chapter will contain some ideas you can put into practice to improve your current relationship or help you figure out how to get one! Even the greatest guy and the best relationship can use some tweaking every now and then. The first-base challenges are to help you ease into The Game. Go for second or third base to up your game. When you're ready to really knock it out of the park, try the home-run assignments.

Now, I'm not talking about rounding the bases in the traditional sense the world talks about it. I'm referring to bases as increasing efforts and bigger payoffs. What I mean is that if you're a beginner in the game of romance or want to start with something easy, then begin with the first-base assignments. They're simple to do, and you'll have some success. If you really want your girl to feel loved and appreciated, go for the home-run assignments. They require more effort, but the payoff is bigger too. "Happy wife, happy life," as people say.

First Base: Set this book out on a table so your girl will see it. Yeah, your buddies will make fun of you. That's okay though; you don't want to kiss your buddies.

Second Base: Put a bookmark somewhere in the book so she'll think you're actually reading it. Be prepared for her to ask you questions about it. Let her know it is the most fantastic book ever written.

Third Base: Read the doggone book already!

Home Run: Read the book with your girl. Ask her questions. Talk about it.

To keep the fire going, you have to continue adding some fuel, right? 

So grab some popcorn, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks and let's play ball.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

This is a section that will be at the end of each chapter just for the ladies. Girls, you're not off the hook here. You have work to do too. A happy, healthy relationship includes two people.

About the Author

Trina Boice grew up in California, but currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. She worked as a Legislative Assistant for a Congressman in Washington D.C., and was given the “Points of Light” Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her domestic and international community service. She wrote a column called “The Boice Box” for a newspaper in Georgia, where she lived for 15 years. She taught Spanish at a private high school and ran an appraisal business with her husband for 20 years. She currently writes for several web sites and is the Entertainment News Editor for Bella Online. Trina was selected by KPBS in San Diego to be a political correspondent during the last presidential election.

Learn more at: www.TrinaBoice.com

Home is harmless fun

Movie:  Home   

PG, 1 hour 33 minutes

Grade: B

In a Nutshell:  Dreamworks is trying hard to keep up with Disney who has recently been pumping out hit after hit.  Home doesn’t have quite the magic that Disney films are known for, but it’s “safe” fun for kids.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Believe it or not, bubbles are a recurring theme...plain ole, fun bubbles, as well as the imaginary ones we put around us to protect ourselves. 

·         Oh says “The truth is I do not fit in; I fit out.”  Everyone wants to fit in and feel special.  Spend more time helping others feel wanted and you’ll fit in just fine.

·         Home is where the heart is.

Things I liked:

·         The film is filled with color and heart.  In fact, the Boovs change colors to reveal their quickly changing moods and emotions. (Pink = love, Blue = sad, red = angry, yellow = cowardly)

·         I want to get one of those cute turtle cell phone holders Tip has in her car.  (I have 2 pet water turtles.)

·         I really like Rihanna’s two new songs for the movie, which is saying a lot because some of her songs really drive me nuts.  She also voices Tip, who acts like a little girl, but is somehow old enough to drive a car.???

·         Who doesn’t love Steve Martin?  He plays Captain Smek, a goofy, cowardly leader who is “best at running away.”

·         I thought the twist at the end was very sweet.  No Spoiler Alert!

·         The animation for Tip’s hair is amazing.

·         Cute cell phone rolling credits at the end.

·         I liked the Boov’s luggage at the beginning of the movie.  Notice what items Oh packed.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Jim Parsons’ character, Oh, is similar to the character he plays in The Big Bang Theory: Season 1 .       Creepy facial hair on some of the Boovs.

·         You’ll think twice about eating ice cream after you hear Oh say “Enjoy frozen bovine secretions.”

·         While the Boov’s language is adorable, it’s not helpful for my international students who are learning English.  Just sayin...

Funny lines:

·         “I am saying the sorry to you.” – Oh

·         “Why is it called Super chip?” – Tip

“It is mostly marketing.” – Oh

·         Oh no!  My hands are in the air like I just do not care!” – Oh

·         “Okay, pee break.” – Tip

“Oh, I too has to break pee.” – Oh

·         You thinks you were scared?  I almost made a #3!”  (Tip hugs him)  “Not too hard!  It is still a possibility!”  - Oh 

·         “Parties are so much more fun when people come.” – Oh

·          

Tips for Parents:

·         Toilet humor

·         Kids love complicated booby traps and sequences, so they’ll get a kick out of the ones in the film.

      Lots of action should keep young kids entertained.  Older kids will see the plot a mile away.
*    You've never seen such adorable, benign aliens.

 

Furious 7 is playfully preposterous and a sweet tribute to Paul Walker

Movie:    Furious 7 

PG-13, 2 hours 20 minutes

Grade:  A for amazing stunts and action, C for cheese

In a Nutshell:  Paul Walker’s character says “Just when you didn’t think it could get any better, huh?” as if he were really talking about this film.   If you love this action franchise, you’ll love this new addition to the ongoing saga.  Like the others before it, this one has LOTS of action and testosterone, not to mention cheesy lines that you’ll be laughing at and quoting with your friends for a long time.  

You’ll think you’re watching one of The Terminator movies, because villains and heroes refuse to die, despite unbelievable crashes and over-the-top fights.  Don’t get me wrong, the body count is high and some of the deaths show pretty yucky endings.  

The absolute best/funniest moment of the movie is when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson bulges his massive muscles and bursts out of an arm cast, saying “Daddy’s gotta go to work.”   Haha  

Uplifting Theme:

·         Sadly and ironically, Paul Walker was tragically killed in a real life car accident about midway through the filming of this movie in 2014.  The characters in this film, as well as Paul Walker, lived their lives doing what they loved.  He will be missed.  The song See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth) plays in the movie and is a touching tribute to Paul. Vin Diesel even named his new baby daughter Pauline after his dear friend.

·         Dominic (Vin Diesel) affirms “Everyone’s always looking for the thrill, but what’s real is family.” Family is who you surround your life and love with.

Things I liked:

·         It’s always fun to see Kurt Russell in anything.  I was in love with him when I was a little girl.  I want a pair of his cool night-vision glasses.

·         Epic fight scenes between Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.

·         I love looking at Jordana Brewster.  She is such a beautiful porcelain doll.

·         Michelle Rodriguez looked beautiful in that red dress.  Note to girls: make sure there is a big slit in your gown so you can kick butt in case you get into a serious cat fight at your fancy event.

·          

Things I didn’t like:

·         Most of the stunts are so ridiculously awesome that they couldn’t possibly ever be done in real life.  I’d like to see Myth Busters try them.

·         If you haven’t seen any of the Fast & Furious (2009) movies before, you won’t appreciate the backstories that bring all of these characters together again, but you’ll still enjoy the fun ride.

·         Vin Diesel poses and stares off in contemplation a LOT.  There’s also a lot of slow-motion walking scenes so you can linger on the stars' awesomeness a bit longer.

Cheesy lines:

·         “They say an open road helps you think.” – Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel)

·         “You better start talking before I break that finger six different ways and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.” – Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson)

·         “He doesn’t miss the cars.  He doesn’t miss the girls.  He misses the bullets.” –Mia talking about her husband

·         “When you find the guy who killed Han, what are you going to do?” –

“Words haven’t been invented yet.” – Dominic

·         “Did you bring the calvalry?” – Letty (Michelle Rodriguez)

“Woman, I AM the cavalry!” – Luke (The Rock)

Funny lines:

·         “Don’t worry.  You’ll get use to this in no time.” – Preschool mom

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of .” – Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker)

·         “You risk your life to save the world and they give you Jello and a bad ‘70’s show.” – Dominic

·         “I’m just a guy.  I’m just a nobody.” – Petty

“That’s a pretty big entrance for a nobody.” – Dominic

·         “Your file’s not only detailed, it’s extremely entertaining.” - Petty

Tips for Parents:

·         What do guys like?  According to this movie...fast cars and scantily clad girls.  There are a lot of both, including close-ups of thongs, buns, and inappropriate jokes about women’s bodies.

·         I sat next to two different sets of teenage boys.  They all clapped, laughed and squealed with delight.  That’s entertainment.

The Woman in Gold has heart, humor and history

Movie:  The Woman in Gold

PG-13, 1 hour 50 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  This is a fascinating, true story about a woman’s and nation's journey toward justice and peace after the Holocaust.   The film has heart, humor, and history as the David vs. Goliath story unfolds.

Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds demonstrate a quirky chemistry as two Americans with unique and prestigious roots in Austria.

The value of art is not monetary, but about the feelings it evokes when we experience it.  Great art should stir our humanity, don't you think?  Film is art too and this one does just that very well.

Uplifting Theme:

·       “Your only enemy is fear.” – Adele

·         Maria wants restitution and defines it as: “to return something to its original state.”  She learns that we can never be the same after life’s experiences.
*  "Remember us."  - Maria's father.    We need to never remember what happened to the world during the horrific Holocaust so that we don't repeat it.  We also need to see some of the atrocity's that are still happening in the world today and stop them.

Things I liked:

·         The woman in gold may actually be the talented Helen Mirren, winner of the prestigious golden statue named Oscar.  She always brings grace, elegance and wise maturity to any role.  I simply adore her.  She’s believable as a moody Austrian who struggles with pain and pride.   

·         I loved that Casting found an actress (Antje Traue) who very closely resembles the real Adele Bloch-Bauer who was portrayed in Gustav Klimpt's famous painting “Woman in Gold.”  Maria learns that Adele’s name was removed from the title of the artwork by the Nazis to hide the fact that she was Jewish, exclaiming “Her identity was stolen as well.”

·         The plot may be simple, but it’s still a remarkable story.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Helen Mirren wears dark contact lenses to make her look more like the real Maria Altmann.  I wasn’t bothered by it, but some people say they were distracted.  Whatever.  If that’s the worst thing you can say about her performance…

·         The court scenes didn't quite reach the status and thrill of To Kill a Mockingbird , but they're still inspiring.

·         Katie Holmes is sleepy in bed during most of her scenes in the movie.  They could have cast me in that role. 

·         Sadly, there was no one in the audience under the age of 50 when I watched this movie.  All you young ones out there may feel the need for more speed, but you’re missing a little gem in this film.  Wow, that sentence made me sound so old.

Funny lines:

·         “Against my better judgement, I think I like you.” – Randy

·         “Smile Maria.  It’s good to exercise your facial muscles once a year.” – Maria’s father

·         “My sister finally decided to move in with me.  The only problem is she didn’t do it until she’s dead.” – Maria

·         “This is like a James Bond film and you’re Sean Connery.” – Maria to Randy

·         “I want to go to Austria with my daughter some day.  She loves kangaroos.” – Dumb clerk

Interesting lines:

·         “I have to keep these memories alive, you see, especially because the young forget.” – Maria

·         “What’s in it for you?” Randy

“Let’s just say it’s a very particular brand of patriotism.” – Austrian journalist

·         “It’s hard to believe Hitler applied to be an art student here.” – Randy

“I wish they had accepted him.” – Maria

Tips for Parents:

·         Children may be bored with the legalese in court scenes and the slow drama.  The subject matter of the Holocaust is dark, although the film doesn’t show some of the horrors of the time like other Holocaust movies do.

·         1 F-bomb, but very little “other” profanity.

Want to know more?

I studied abroad in Spain and traveled to Vienna back in the 80’s before the Judenplatz Holocaust memorial was built.  It is a somber, haunting structure that makes you feel uncomfortable intentionally.  It honors the 65,000 murdered Austrian Jews during WWII.
                               

If you’re fascinated by the history of artwork stolen by the Nazis during WWII, you’ll enjoy learning more in the film The Monuments Men   You can read my review of that movie here.   The Rape of Europa can be watched for free on Netflix right now!

       

To learn more about the artwork of Gustav Klimt, check out the following:

Meet the Mormons now on DVD

While the movie came out in the Fall at limited theaters, it is now on DVD TODAY for everyone to see. 


Movie:  Meet the Mormons

PG, 1 hour 18 minutes

Grade: A-

In a Nutshell:

Have you seen the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon ? While entertaining, it's not exactly accurate.  It's a perfect example of how the book is better than the show.

This is an uplifting film about REAL Mormons, people who have found faith to carry them through each day.  They said "We found something that helps us meet the daily challenges of life.  It's the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Meet the Mormons examines the very diverse lives of six devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Filmed on location and across the globe, Meet the Mormons takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day realities of individuals living in the United States, Costa Rica, Nepal, and beyond. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging the stereotypes that surround the Mormon faith.

Uplifting Theme:
 * The Berlin Candy Bomber shared that "Service is the bottom line for happiness and fulfillment."  He motivated me to look at the world's problems differently and find a way to make a positive difference.
 * Bishnu Adhikari in Nepal explains "There is no fear.  There is, rather, love."  I was so impressed with his 
    humility and service that I immediately "friended" him on Facebook.
 * The profile that brought tears to my eyes was the mother at the end of the movie who experienced true heartache and was saying good-bye to her missionary son.  I was so touched when she exclaimed "My love is real."  
* The Mormon church presented "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" two decades ago which teaches families how to be happy even still today.  Click on the video below to watch American Idol star (and Mormon) David Archuleta sing the theme song from the movie.



Things I Liked:
* The movie doesn't preach, but simply shows elements that enrich Mormon life.
*  If you're not Mormon, you'll learn that Mormons are normal, nice people who probably live in your neighborhood.  If you are Mormon, you'll want to be a better one.
*  There are a few funny moments that let you know Mormons and the church have a sense of humor.
*  It's about goodness, hope, service, faith, change.  People of any religion should be able to take away those
    uplifting messages.
*  There are millions of Mormons out there and millions of inspiring stories that could be told.  I left the movie inspired to live a better story of my own.

Things I Didn't Like:
* The film doesn't include the history of the church or some of its doctrine that a lot of people are curious about.  In fact,  the movie is less about the Mormon church, but more about the everyday people in it and how the gospel of Jesus Christ makes their lives better and more meaningful.
*  If you're not Mormon, it might feel a bit like an infomercial.  





Tips for Parents:  This is a safe movie for all ages.  Watching it together might result in an interesting family discussion about religion, but it will definitely inspire you to do more and be more.

If you want to learn more about the church, the end of the film invites you to talk to one of your Mormon neighbors or contact one of the 88,000 full-time missionaries.  One of them is my son!

       

Unlimited movies at AMC theaters coming soon

Do You Believe script is weak, but with a bold message

Movie:  Do You Believe?

PG-13, 1 hour 55 minutes

Grade: C

In a Nutshell:  If enough people support Christian movies at the box office, then maybe the films will improve.  The writing in this film is just not very good, but the message is still sweet.

Uplifting Theme:

The narrator explains, “I’m not sure any of us gets to see the whole picture…the God’s eye view…so to speak.”   God is the master weaver.  We only see the threads from underneath the tapestry, but one day we will see the genius of God’s handiwork in it all.  In that immense tapestry, we’ll get to see that one thread, our own life, is what makes the masterpiece complete.

Things I liked:

·         We often don’t realize the impact our lives have on each other.

·         The bold song at the end of the movie proclaimed “We believe!” and testified of Jesus Christ and resurrection.  I believe those things too.

Things I didn’t like:

·         All of these Christian movies seem to have the same ole cast with the same ole story: sappy believers who quote scriptures all the time while looking off in the distance, ridiculous non-believers who end up in the hospital and change their minds.

·         There are a lot of story lines that come together in the end, but until then, the script is pretty messy.

·         Cybill Shepherd isn’t aging very gracefully, but then again, neither am I.

·         With a cast full of decent actors like Sean Astin, Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd, and Mira Sorvino, you would think that the acting would be better.   

·         Some of the characters are just plain annoying and clichéd.

      Most of the inspiring lines in the movie came off of T-shirts and plaques you've probably already seen in Christian bookstores.
       I'm guessing cross sales are going to go up.  You know, not all Christians wear and use crosses to celebrate Christ's resurrection.  Speaking of resurrection, Happy Easter this week!

Interesting lines:

·         “The man whose death certificate you just signed is sitting right here, talking to you.  I’m just saying…you might want to reconsider believing in miracles.” – Joe

·         “What are you doing?” – EMT

“Praying…more like apologizing.” – Latina nurse

*  "If you believe, what are you going to DO about it?" - 

*  "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" - EMT

Tips for Parents:

·         This is a safe movie for all ages, although most children will be pretty bored.