His Way Works, by Lloyd Dennis

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Data News-weekly

 review of His Way Works
from DATA News-weekly of New Orleans, by Shearon Roberts

Women call your mothers and your girlfriends; men pass it on to the guys, wives sit down with your husbands on a quiet Sunday evening. One and all, its time to take a dose of the "Love Doctor's" potions and remedies for the illnesses that plague your love lives.

"His Way Works," a compilation book of the of New Orleans Data News-weekly's, "Love Doctor" column, Lloyd Dennis has medicinal words to heal every sickness out there in lover's land. It is enough to bring out the "Oohs" and "Aahs," raise many an eyebrow and send tele-phone lines ringing as readers pass on the witty advice of the New Orleans "Love Doctor".

The compilation book is not another long list of irrelevant advice to keep the sparkle in lovers' eyes. If it does nothing to change the way one behaves in a relationship, the book certainly puts the brain in overdrive thinking and better understanding the struggles of his or her relationship.

Dennis, who also airs a radio talk show on WODT 1280AM in New Orleans, selected some of what he considered his best columns of over 600 written for the last thirteen years. Faithful column readers can now toss aside crumbled clippings of their favorite columns for the keep-sake book and for those who missed some of the more riveting columns now have a chance to do some back reading.

With^, self-assured 100 percent effectiveness of his advice after basing all his conclusions on his own marital success of over 30 years, this confident "Love Doctor" who refers to himself in the third person, is positive that his wise words can save many a troubled relationship. One can also trace the columnist's growth from the more frank commentary of his early marriage and parental writing years, to the more rational expounding as a grandfather today.

The home-style delivery of Dennis' advice is where the appeal lies as he combines humor, unadulterated truths, logic and common sense as well as faith in God to break down relationships to the reader. There is something in his book for everyone regardless of relation-ship type. Dennis tackles issues on women, men, dating and courtship, friendship, children, marriage, success and happiness.

Dennis' ability to interest the reader, whether to infuriate or to enlighten comes from the fact that he presents himself as the average man. Through finding common ground with the reader, he is able to prove to them that soundness in relationships is not alien to the common man. He bares the soul of his marriage using his story of his "love affair" with is wife, and the trials and joys of raising children as a narrative tool for illustrating his messages.

Keeping his columns "real" have been simple for the "Love Doctor", who never passes up the opportunity to write on an issue brought to his attention by readers on the street. Using his life as a microscope, he then takes the situation and uses it as a tool for instruction to bring revelation to the reader about his or her particular plight.

Dennis reveals in the introduction about his open intimacy with his wife saying that his wife's consent allows him to share their .life experiences with the reader. "We would be failing the Master if we didn't share with others just how well truth and love work as the basis for treating one another," added Dennis.

The structure of the book takes the reader on a journey from finding that special someone, to keeping the passion alive, to issues with dating, to breaking the routine of marriage and keeping the love alive while raising children.

He goes back to the early days of courting his wife who he affectionately calls "Boo", teaching the young ladies and men how to make their relationships work with such columns like Choosing a Mate, Becoming a Couple and Courtship .:.or Let's Make a Deal. Dennis gives pointers for those who are looking for the right mate and for those who are not so sure if his or her current partner is compatible to them.

Dennis' takes no pains to sugar-coat what he thinks have been many of the reasons why relation-ships have dissolved. Taking such bold stands as cautioning women, who settle down after finding a partner, on being responsible for killing the passion in a relation-ship. Standing by the saying "whatever it took to catch a man, it will also take to keep him," Dennis points out that, "its hard to be romantic to curlers and flip flop slippers."

Dennis also doesn't shy away from telling women that they have to earn the right to be treat-ed as ladies and that by `drop-ping hints" men cannot read their minds and other commonly used tactics that bring about no change in the clueless partner. Not forgetting the men, Dennis instructs them on how to be tender and sensitive to the emotional and physical needs of their partners.

Seeing happiness as an investment, the "Love Doctor" admits' to having learned, along the way all the tools to make his life the joy it is today. Being in tune to his relationship, has allowed him to avoid many of the mistakes, happening today between couples and in homes. Dennis is ' adamant that what he shares with' his wife and children can be a reality for his readers once they-." heed to the needs and demands of their loved ones.

In his final selected column "Aging Gracefully", Dennis, who, considers himself a "contributing elder", prides himself in being in a position to impact his community through his opinons and experiences. Dennis, whose success is not only measured by his career but by his family life said, "I know that I am happy because I am loved, cared about and respected by the people that I have loved, cared about and respected."

 

New Orleans Tribune

The following review of "His Way Works! was written by Willmarine B. Hurst in  the New Orleans Tribune, October/November 2003

Timely Advice for a Happy Life

For years Lloyd Dennis has been known as the "Love Doctor," in print as well as on radio and television. His practical advice has long been sought by the masses in New Orleans. So, why not put some of these very relevant columns in a book for those who may not have saved the columns and for others who haven't had an opportunity to receive the sage witticism of the Love Doctor.

"His Way Works!" provides "faith-based common sense insight about marriage, family, community and career by a happily-married grandfather, columnist and businessman," says the sub-heading of Lloyd Dennis' book. And when asked about his credentials and/or degrees in the areas of counseling and advice giving, Dennis simply states that, "my successes in life as a husband, father, grandfather and business-man are my credentials. These are the things that make me qualified to give advice."

A keen observer of human nature and how people react to situations,

Dennis says that he observes life and studies people. "People say that I'm a philosopher," he tells. He has found out over the years that practical applications to life and living work. "All I have ever tried to do was to point out ways to make lives better by making decisions based on truth and love... obeying God, and doing things His way."

Getting it Right the first time Around

Dennis has been married to his high school sweetheart, Anne (his "Boo") for over 30 years. The happy couple successfully owns and operates their own business, have raised honor students and managed to create an environment based on mutual love and respect for each other and their fellow man. Dennis says he knows how to create a healthy marriage and a long-term relationship. "Instant gratification doesn't make you happy," he points out. Happiness is a personal thing-what your passion is, he tells. He advises people not to buy in to what the marketplace of television, radio and other mediums tell us about being happy and doing whatever pleases you. "Being able to look in the mirror at day's end is all that really counts," says Dennis.

The Dennises have created their own happiness. They are recreational sailors, who enjoy organic gardening and bee keeping in their backyard. Dennis says he tries to keep his relationship with his wife interesting so that it does not become boring or stagnant. In his book, he offers several areas of advice to keep the romance going.

Studying Life and How to Live

The advice that Dennis gives in his book is practical. He says it comes from years of studying people, "noticing and understanding things about people that most people don't see and rarely understand:" Some might say that his advice is arrogant or presumptuous. `What gives him the right to say

such things? Who does he think he is?' Well, in column number 359, titled "Aging Gracefully," he addresses some of these issues.

"I'm at an age and position in my community where my opinions and experiences are sought out by those who are beginning their independent adulthood. I have become a resource for others who see my life as a guide for achieving happiness in marriage and family living, and I have discovered that I can have a powerful influence over 15-, 16-, and 17-year-old men who have not had "good" men in their lives."

Dennis realizes his influence on others; however, he doesn't paint himself as the perfect person. On the contrary, in another column, aptly titled "Nobody's Perfect," Dennis points out that "None of us is perfect (not even your Love Doctor), and therein lies one reason for many bad moments in the love lives of even the most compatible of couples:"

And in a very honest, heart-warming piece titled "Pegs and Holes," Dennis tells of the mistakes he made with his son-admitting to his errors and even apologizing to his son for "having been blind to his talent and not having done a better job helping him to develop his skill."

Dennis hopes that his book will make you laugh at yourself and others and improve your personal outlook on life as you realize that "faith is nothing more than the patient expectation that His Way Works!"

"...Order your copy today and renew your faith in the positive things of life."