Review of Rules - as seen on Amazon.com

Fun, Delightful and Upbeat!, November 6, 2004

Reviewer: Carmen Richardson Rutlen, Author, "Dancing Naked...in fuzzy red slippers" (California)

I had the grand privilege to meet Sherri this summer. She was a warm delightful woman. Consequently, it came as no surprise when I read " Rebel Housewife Rules..." to find it equally delightful and upbeat. (I get the sense that the other half of the dynamic duo, Vicki Todd, also ranks high on the delight-o-meter scale.)

The book is fun, warm and very real. It deals with women's core life issues of husbands, children, family, friends, sex, house repairs, and nurturing one's self. It talks about how to have an affair...with your husband. You get helpful advice for real women in the real world, i.e., when you find yourself near the breaking point with your husband, kids and chaos, put a little Kahlua in your coffee. (Yea!)

Although the book is chock full of funny moments and clever humor, there are creative practical suggestions on how to cope with being a woman, mother, wife, daughter-in-law, and yes, an actual person. One particular suggestion I love is that we pay our children to do their chores and if they fail to complete their chores, leaving us to do them, we take money out of their account. They pay us to do their chores! Great idea. (Dr. Phil would be proud.)

Each chapter exposes a myth, for example: The Myth, "Honesty is the best policy in marriage, family and life," then offers The Reality, "We all need `little white lies' to get by...." Then we get The Rule, "Learn to keep your mouth shut so your foot can't get in," and then the Rebel RX: "If you can't say something nice... make something up." (I love that line!)

There wasn't one of the thirty-eight busted myths that I couldn't relate to in a big way. It praises the human spirit and lets us chuckle at ourselves. The book exposes our human foibles and reinforces that all important wisdom we sometimes forget: to be perfect...well, just doesn't happen.

With tasty tidbits for women in their everyday lives, "Rebel Housewife Rules..." is a fun, upbeat book for fun, upbeat women.

Carmen Richardson Rutlen - Author, Dancing Naked...in fuzzy red slippers