Laura Petherbridge - 13 May

2014 by Laura Petherbridge

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

www . bakerpublishinggroup . com

Ebook edition created 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-6416-9

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version. NIrV. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations identified CEV are from the Contemporary English Version 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified ESV and the epigraph in chapter 3 are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

Scripture quotations identified The Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NIV 1984 are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NLT and the epigraph in chapter 6 are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Author is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency.

Cover design by Paul Higdon

Laura Petherbridge has hit a home run with 101 Tips for the Smart Stepmom ! As someone who has walked a mile in stepmom shoes, Laura accurately provides wisdom, help, and hope for any woman dating, engaged, or married to a man with kids. Theres a good reason why shes called The Smart Stepmom!

Brenda Ockun, publisher, StepMom Magazine

Across all families, a stepmoms role is among the most challenging. She is easily sabotaged, frequently confused, and often isolated. Like a warm blanket on a winter night, this book will wrap you in hope and provide practical tools for your survival toolbox. A seasoned, experienced stepmom, Laura Petherbridge is the best author and speaker I know for stepmoms; reading this book is like having her over for coffee and being mentored by her practical wisdom and insight. Buy it... read it... and share it with a friend.

Ron L. Deal, director, FamilyLife Blended and bestselling author of The Smart Stepfamily and The Smart Stepdad

101 Tips for the Smart Stepmom is packed full of experiences from a stepmom who knows the excruciating pain and the exhilarating joy of embracing the role of motherhood with children she did not birth, but longs to nurture. If you have questions, the answers are here! This extraordinary resource is also excellent for Christian leaders who minister to blended families. Laura Petherbridge has written a book that every stepmom should read. Dont miss it.

Carol Kent, speaker and author, Unquenchable: Grow a Wildfire Faith That Will Endure Anything (Zondervan)

The role of a stepmom is vitalbut sometimes difficult. Laura Petherbridge offers time-tested tips and words of wisdom and encouragement to help a stepmom walk with love through the maze of blended-family living.

Pam Farrel, coauthor of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti and author of Becoming a Brave New Woman

To my mother, Roberta :

Thank you for working so hard as a single-parent mom to provide for Mark and me, and for always loving and supporting me. I love you.

To my grandchildren , Colin and Erin:

You are the greatest perk to being a stepmom. Im so grateful that God has given me the gift ofyou! Always remember, Nana loves you .