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Martha Emms
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Portrait of Our Marriage Memoirs of Love, Family, the Internet and Obsession: Relationships, online sex addiction, men– women & todays secrets behind closed doors, loss of intimacy & trust drama Kindle Edition

by Martha Emms (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
Fun • Intense • Hot • Compelling • Thought Provoking, and So Real you may find it Shocking, even Disturbing.
Inspired by an episode on Oprah from years ago that dealt with men addicted to porn, a dream, and information from 8 women's lives, Portrait of Our Marriage, is a story you don't want to miss. Nicky, embarks on a journey to find herself and become her own person despite the legacy of a domineering father and an emotionally—and often physically—distant husband.
Reminiscing events from her life, she looks at pictures and remembers romance, falling in love, marriage, and family.
This is the story of one woman's life as her husbands interest in pornography becomes an obsession that ultimately changes both of them.
Although this is a fictional memoir and only one woman's journey, many women today deal with this issue in silence, feeling ashamed and embarrassed.
What would you endure for love?

THE ROMANCE WILL SEDUCE YOU. THE STORY COULD BE YOURS!

Nicky led a sheltered life until she met Brett: An adventurous, handsome, smart, and exciting lover. She had never known this kind of love before, either emotionally or physically. She pictured her life with Brett as a partner, a friend, and a father to her future children. And when they married, Nicky knew she had found everything her heart and body desired.

But when Brett’s fantasy world of racy magazines, explicit videos, and disturbing internet porn becomes an obsession and affects their marriage, Nicky has to ask herself: What happened to the man I married?

Portrait of Our Marriage is the story of one woman’s journey.
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  1. Print length
    251 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    August 31, 2012
  5. File size
    623 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0094XQSR8
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 31, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 623 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 251 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Martha Emms

Martha Emms

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Growing up in a military family, Martha Emms traveled and lived in different states and countries. She's held various jobs that found her in fields ranging from: salesgirl, model, housecleaner, assembly worker, health food/vitamin sales, chip girl, tech writer in the aerospace industry, and graphic designer, all leading her to the job of her dreams, an author. In 1976, severally injured in an auto accident she suffered partial loss of her left lung, a severed aorta, many broken bones, and a brain injury which left her in a coma. She believes her belief in God, prayers from many, gifted doctors, and support from her family gave her the strength to come back for another chance at life. After a long process of healing, relearning to walk, and use her left arm she went on to live a fully active life, marry and have a family. Over the years, she continues to deal with health issues from that accident which eventually required a Total Knee Replacement.

Today no longer married, she looks forward to new adventures and new friends. Enjoying time with her family, which includes her cats, she is an avid reader who enjoys movies, wine, good food, nature, and writing. Causes close to her heart include- proper labeling of our food, the safety and care of our military and their families, child/adult literacy volunteer programs, spay/neuter pet projects, pet rescues, and women's issues.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
51 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a compelling and eye-opening read with well-developed characters and an engaging writing style. They appreciate its realistic portrayal of sex addiction, with one customer noting its extraordinary attention to detail. The pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer describing the ending as realistically dark. However, the readability receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as a boring read.

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17 customers mention "Storytelling"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the storytelling compelling and eye-opening, describing it as a pretty impressive first novel.

"...In all, it's a pretty impressive first novel, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a realistic, easy look at sex and porn addiction, or to..." Read more

"...Emm was brilliant with her pen, the story is written with the right balance of how they individually deal with the addiction, and its effect on..." Read more

"...The premise was fresh and most of the scenes were very detailed and imaginative leading to a variety of emotions for the reader...." Read more

"...The most important success is the author's poignant and deeply revealing portrayal of the main character's inner struggle and her reactions to the..." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"9 positive3 negative

Customers are impressed with the writing style of the book, finding it well-organized and down-to-earth, with one customer noting its beautifully crafted locations.

"...I especially enjoyed the main characters--they are well-drawn, complex, and rich portraits...." Read more

"...The ending did surprise me, but I support Nicky’s decision. Well done!" Read more

"I like Martha Emms' straightforward writing style...." Read more

"...This book was very well written, realistic, and could ultimately give someone the courage to seek help. Well done!" Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting how they evoke a range of emotions and another highlighting the deeply revealing portrayal.

"...THe supporting characters felt realistic, very much so, and the ending was realistically dark yet hopeful...." Read more

"...with guilt over her dad, but she grow up to be a very loving and thoughtful woman...." Read more

"...scenes were very detailed and imaginative leading to a variety of emotions for the reader...." Read more

"...The most important success is the author's poignant and deeply revealing portrayal of the main character's inner struggle and her reactions to the..." Read more

5 customers mention "Realistic portrayal"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the realistic portrayal of the book, with one customer highlighting its extraordinary attention to detail and another noting its no-holds-barred depiction of pornography addiction.

"...I would recommend it to anyone who wants a realistic, easy look at sex and porn addiction, or to someone looking for a more realistic alternative to..." Read more

"...The conflict is described with an extraordinary attention to detail and courtesy to all the points of view expressed by the various supporting..." Read more

"...This book was very well written, realistic, and could ultimately give someone the courage to seek help. Well done!" Read more

"...is an emotionally graphic, sexually explicit, no-holds-barred portrayal of addiction to pornography...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one noting its realistic dark ending.

"...characters felt realistic, very much so, and the ending was realistically dark yet hopeful...." Read more

"...say im really sad and had me thinking alot.. But i guess it was a great sad book" Read more

"Big let down..." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book difficult to read.

"...The writing is sophomoric, and lackluster with character dialogue flat. Finishing it was akin to viewing a train wreck...." Read more

"It grieves me to give this book one star because I did not enjoy it at all, thought it was going to be a cracker but sadly alas not!" Read more

"What a weak book . . ...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • SciFiMagpie
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and promising first novel
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This one was, as I said, very interesting. I desperately wish more romance novels were this complex and had interesting endings. I really, really don't understand the people who wanted the a different resolution--the ending felt very right. As a person with a degree in counselling and education on sex addiction, I found it a fairly moving and accurate portrait of sex addiction.

    I liked the honesty--the narrator is biased and admits to it, and adds competing perspectives to her own, without pretending the change her own ideas. I especially enjoyed the main characters--they are well-drawn, complex, and rich portraits. THe supporting characters felt realistic, very much so, and the ending was realistically dark yet hopeful. There are a few very nice descriptions, such as of a Maine Coon cat near the end.

    I didn't like some of the descriptions of the sex--there were very stilted moments, even though most were successful in conveying the passion of a couple still interested and involved in each other. Some of the language, too, was a little too distant for my taste. Still, I didn't see anything glaring that went beyond 'first novel' trial, and I really don't think these issues will be a problem for most people.

    In all, it's a pretty impressive first novel, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a realistic, easy look at sex and porn addiction, or to someone looking for a more realistic alternative to the glut of romance novels on the market.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Star
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartrending
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    When I bought this book I really did not know what to expect. Martha Emms’s Portrait of our Marriage read like a case study on porn addiction. I am very impressed by Emms’s portrayal of how porn addiction can effect a couple.

    Nicky and Brett’s romance blossomed to true love that is celebrated with a very beautiful wedding. The early years of their marriage mirrored any loving marriage as they raised their two children. Nicky had an oppressed upbringing and she struggled with guilt over her dad, but she grow up to be a very loving and thoughtful woman. Brett on the other hand did not seem to survive issues from his childhood. As the children were on the cusp of becoming adults, Brett seeking escape from stress and pressures in life turns to porn to escape. It was very poignant to see how desperately Nicky searched for answers while she embraced a support group. Brett’s addiction to porn started with an occasional magazine and movie then it escalated to an extreme hardcore daily habit. Brett, at first an ideal mate, turns into a nightmare as he rationalizes his addiction to porn. I found Brett’s rationalizing, porn as a common diversion, chilling.

    I feel that the author did her homework on this addiction. Emm was brilliant with her pen, the story is written with the right balance of how they individually deal with the addiction, and its effect on their marriage. The progression of events carry the story well. I found the rotating pictures of their marriage in contrast to porn images to be heartrending symbolic. The ending did surprise me, but I support Nicky’s decision. Well done!
    Helpful
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  • Anne W
    4.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of Our Marriage
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    As this was my first experience with a Kindle e-book it took some getting used to, but I finally got the hang of it about half way through. I liked the creativity of the beginning Chapters using a digital photo album to introduce the origins/memories of each photo. The premise was fresh and most of the scenes were very detailed and imaginative leading to a variety of emotions for the reader. Unlike other reviews I liked the ending and it could have gone either way, but I trusted the writer to make that call. The reason for 4 stars was due to some technical writing points but for a first novel it was well done.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding portrayal of a dream marriage that unravels
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book should be read by every woman who is struggling and in terrible pain because she cannot understand what has gone wrong in her marriage. The author zeros in on an exploding issue for women today, namely the impact on marriage when a spouse turns from his wife to the sensuality readily available online. Martha Emms does an outstanding job of tracking a relationship from a mutually satisfying and supportive team, into a slowly deteriorating and agonizing tragedy. The most important success is the author's poignant and deeply revealing portrayal of the main character's inner struggle and her reactions to the bombardment she is subject to that seem to cast her as the bad guy in her marriage. The conflict is described with an extraordinary attention to detail and courtesy to all the points of view expressed by the various supporting characters. Equally impressive is the manner in which the author develops the character of the husband. He interestingly at first comes across as a very sympathetic character who then becomes thoroughly entrenched in contemporary social norms to the extent that he is incapable of empathy and thus damaged - but his unequivocal refusal to face any demons ultimately transforms him into a rather pathetic and weak-willed fraud. The reader is left feeling as though there should be a sequel because the main character has just discovered her inner strength when we are forced to close the book as it ends. I hope the author will decide to tell us more. A brat read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Allison L Drummond
    3.0 out of 5 stars Straightforward style
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I like Martha Emms' straightforward writing style. Even though this was a fictionalized memoir, I felt like I was reading a real story of a marriage. My mother lived a similar story and it really hit home with me.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Patricia A. Romo
    2.0 out of 5 stars It was dissapointing
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I was really hoping this couple would pull through and resolve their differences. The ending left much to be desired.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • LeChanteur
    5.0 out of 5 stars The black and white reworked into a kaleidoscope of complex colour
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Portrait of Our Marriage very cleverly draws the line between what should be acceptable in a relationship and what shouldn’t be. The clever part, though, is how faintly the author traces that line. Let’s face it, don’t we all love to convince ourselves – particularly one another – every other day, in some form, that we have a strong handle on what we perceive to be a perversion? And, in some cases, sexual perversion. It may be the fella who lives down the street, what he’s been up to; it may be someone’s escapades in a soap opera – oh, they’re easy-meat, ’should be hanged, end of !

    But again, let’s face it, deep down, we all know that life isn’t so black and white, far from it, and that, were we not so insecure in ourselves, which we all are, we wouldn’t take this black and white view, but have to courage to affront life, for all its complexities. Well, the author of this novel has done just that – and I, personally, have yet to see it done elsewhere, books that approach the subject of porn addiction. She’s done it superbly.

    We know from the outset that the marriage has hit the rocks, so I’m giving nothing away there, but, suffice it to say, the wife has it all; Brett, the loving, understanding hunk; the kids et al… except the husband isn’t so understanding when it comes to that little bugbear: porn. Furthermore, he just may not understand that he has an addiction, “may” being the operative word – does he have selective hearing? Selective understanding?

    Or, to really throw the cards up in the air, might I suggest that Nicky, the narratorial wife, is a little too highly strung? I may just be playing devil’s advocate here, but my point is that anyone reading this novel, male and female, must, at some point at least, question themselves with regard to how they might behave in a similar situation at home – indeed, some might just be in a similar situation at home…

    Of course, it takes more than subject matter for a reader to be posing pertinent questions. The writer must draw that reader in first of all, which the author succeeds in doing with grace.

    And this, I might add, is her debut work. What a start. Bravo!
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  • 1D82 Many
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A thought provoking book and an enjoyable (if a bit sad) read.

    The way the lives of Nicky and Brett change from fairytale wedding/relationship to emotional torture through his addiction to pornography is really interesting but also a little depressing. (as it really would be) I loved the way the author pulled the reader into the story with a false sense of security when looking at all the photographs. It was a really nice touch that contrasted so well with what was actually happening in the character's lives.

    The emotional turmoil was brilliantly described and the differences in what you see and what you know about a relationship are so poignant that I felt touched by all the pain and deceit involved.

    I was so involved in the addiction side to this story and how Brett tried to turn things around and blame Nicky for his actions. It was just like knowing an alcoholic or a gambling addict. (Subjects that, sadly, I know a little more about) and even though this book was about porn addiction I could relate easily to how Nicky acted and reacted.

    A thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable read.
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  • Cindy
    2.0 out of 5 stars Read more like a novel
    Reviewed in Canada on March 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book was not what I expected it to be. Although Nicky was a very forbearing and strong woman , I could have done without the explicit sexual contact between Her and Brett.
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