I’m very excited about the publication of What’s a Mother (in-Law) To Do? This book began for me over four years ago, when my oldest son, Erik, announced his engagement to my now daughter-in-law, Amanda.

The great news began to travel far and wide as I called everyone I knew to share my joy. And that is also when IT started. After the congratulations came the warnings. I might as well enjoy it now, they told me, because eventually you will become the “monster-in-law.” Not me, I thought. They are all wrong.

The final blow came from a total stranger. I was sitting in the doctor’s office waiting for my annual physical to begin and decided to tell one of the young medical assistants my exciting news after she finished telling me about her recent wedding.

I thought I had tuned -in to an outtake of the Exorcist as she venomously spewed forth her mother-in-law stories. As I counted the seconds until the doctor would appear, and she would disappear, I knew that I had to find the successful mother-in-law/daughter-in-law duos and learn what they were doing to remain happy, loving in-laws.

And I did just that. With the assistance of weddingchannel.com, I was able to locate women across the country and ask them what made their relationships work well. I learned the secrets and now I can share them with you.