How to Get Married is a resource guide for women who are having trouble getting married. It is designed to combat the antics of men who are characterized as "women-slayers" who break unsuspecting hearts and move on. It explains how celibacy could be the key to your happiness as you are given tried an true methods that put you in the optimum position for success.

Ten case studies of girlfriends and their romantic circumstances give a closer look at decisions woman make. In addition to the case studies, is a critical and political analysis of William Shakespeare’s attitude toward women reflected in his characters of the second tetralogy. There is an interesting relationship between the problems of the woman of Shakespeare’s plays and women of today.

Marna Hale Leaks B.A., M.A. is a freelance writer, married to former NBA star Emanuel Leaks of the Philadelphia 76ers and the former Washington Bullets. They have three sons, Rick, Deante and Deandre. Her three previous books Confessions of a Sister Out of Time, Take Refuge Under the Halo, Princess Diana After Life and The Prequel to Confessions of a Sister Out of Time are also available.

When I first met my husband, he had never married, a confirmed bachelor, property owner, former NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Bullets. I was unemployed, over thirty, divorced mother of a young son. My mother, backed up by my friends, said "He’ll never marry you!" "That man has not waited all these years just for you! A leopard does not change his spots." We celebrate our 14^th Wedding Anniversary this year.

Talking to my friends, I realized that some women know how to get married and some women do not. Coached to share my approach with others I opened a Romance Management business, thus this book. I came upon much of this knowledge through a painful trial and error process, culminating in many mistakes and hard feelings. My hope is that my pain may help other women prevent making my mistakes to find true love before it’s too late.

You can marry the man of your dreams if you can initially attract him, and if you can control yourself enough to do what it requires to get him to propose. This book will suggest actions that you can initiate that work when other measures have failed. After you have explored the suggestions, you will be exposed to attitudes about women from the literary genius of William Shakespeare written in the 1500s. You will see that we have the same issues today that women in Shakespeare’s Second Tetrology, History, Comedies and Tragic plays faced. Included is an applicable portion of information taken from my own Master’s Essay to fulfill requirements for a Masters of Arts degree from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. I have also included three of my own poems of love from my earlier publications of Take Refuge Under the Halo and Confessions of a Sister Out of Time.

Love is not easy, and there are few things in the world that are more satisfying than a meaningful relationship with another person, be it romantic or platonic. Romance in the 21^st century needs management. When a relationship fails, there are many possible reasons for the failure. If you are on the losing end of relationships, or have little experience with relationships, this book will help you manage the things you say and do, analyze feedback, and assess your progress towards attaining a meaningful life circumstance for yourself.

There are best sellers on the shelves that provide The Rules for relationships that have proven successful for many women. I agree with most of the information contained in these books, however they do not provide a remedy for the struggles I have seen many African-American women endure with the self-professed "players" in the black community. It’s time to take the gloves off, ladies. This book is not written with Ward Cleaver (of Leave It To Beaver) in mind. This book has the "women-slayers" across America in mind, who are afraid of commitment. My remedy powerful. If you want to play hard ball, read on.

Someone is reading this book through tears of a failed relationship. Someone is reading because of curiosity. Whatever your reason for turning these pages, let me be clear that my purpose for putting these ideas on paper is to help you find a man and marry him. Nothing more, nothing less. This is discussed in greater detail in Chapter One, "Don’t Spill the Beans."

Many of the illustrations and examples used in this book are the result of my own Romance Management business that I ran from 1992 to 1993, then on the side for personal friends in the years following. Because I have outside employment and my own home and family, I have worked for Romance clients on a part time or as needed basis. I think I have gathered enough data in the ten years that I have been associated with the business, to write this guide that addresses the most critical issues confronting African-American women today.

This guide is written using a database of information from the black community. However, that does not mean those women of other races and nationalities cannot use it also. I have not studied various cultures of the world and do not want to generalize about ideas and customs that I am not familiar with. My work has given me a good understanding of the problems facing the black community, and this is where I hope to make a contribution.

This book contains a special section of actual Case Studies of Ten Girlfriends and their romantic circumstances. It is my hope that you will study their choices and learn from their success or mistakes.

In addition to the Case Studies is a Romance Management Bibliography. Use the Bibliography to strengthen your knowledge of relationships.

Chapter Eleven gives a critical and political analysis of the women in Shakespeare’s Second Tetrology, Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V. the principal women discussed are Queen Isabel, wife of Richard II, Lady Percy, Mistress Quickly, Princess Katharine, and Queen Isabel of France. Some consideration is given to the Duchess of York, Duchess of Gloucester, and Doll Tearsheet.

Why include an analysis of Shakespeare characters in How To Get Married? Because thinking towards women changed during Shakespeare’s time and I believe it is worthwhile to explore this master’s view of women through his characters. It is comedic relief to learn how Mistress Quickly, a lady of the night, complained to the Chief Justice that Falstaff broke his promise to marry her; and that Falstaff used her money, hospitality and kindness when he was really interested in Doll Tearsheet. The question of a woman’s sexuality is raised by Shakespeare with surprising frequency.

No matter who you are, or how many degrees you have earned, you could be a total failure at Romance. There is no particular appearance, educational attainment, employment, religion, or age that guarantees success at romance. However, there are tried and true methods that will put you in the optimum position for success. When you get to that point, my work is done.

marna hale leaks

The Prayer of Queen Isabel of France at the wedding of her daughter, Princess Katharine and Henry V.

God, the best maker of all marriage,
Combine your hearts in one, your realms in one!
As man and wife, being two, are one in love,
So be there be ‘twixt your kingdoms such a spousal
That never may ill office or fell jealousy,
Which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage,
Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms
To make divorce of their incorporate league;
That English may as French, French Englishmen,
Receive each other! God speak this Amen!

(Henry V.ii.359-369)