When the author of a classic in stepfamily studies emails you out of the blue to praise your book, it's incredibly exciting and gratifying. When she's also an expert stepfamily therapist who has made a career of saving the most endangered marriages of all — well, even more so. And when she's the person who coined the term "stepcoupling," it's reason to crow. So pardon me if I crow, for just one second. In Susan's words:

"She's done it! Martin has told the TRUTH about being a stepmother, backed up with extensive research, interviews, and stories. With deep understanding and empathy for women with stepchildren, Stepmonster will inspire stepcouples, benefitting them and their kids.

I wholeheartedly endorse this surprising, honest, fascinating book and will recommend it to anyone on the journey of stepcoupling, stepparenting, and especially stepmothering."

My goodness, I have to lie down now. Meanwhile, check out Susan's book, Stepcoupling, available in bookstores and on-line, and as I have mentioned, a classic in stepfamily studies. The link to her website is on my blog list of resources: www.stepcoupling.com