From her perspective as a Christian therapist with more than 20 years of experience in private practice, Mintle (Divorce-Proofing Your Marriage, etc.) examines the difficulties inherent in the mother-daughter relationship as conventionally defined within U.S. culture. Addressed to women of all ages who want to forge a more intimate connection with their female parent, the author provides useful tools for coping with emotions and situations (beyond anger at obviously dysfunctional parenting) that prevent closeness, including a daughter's extreme need for approval or an inability to detach emotionally from her mother (leading either to very distant or excessively close connections). Mintle's practical advice is always alloyed by spiritual guidance. Anger-management techniques, for example, such as avoiding "nonessential triggers," talking problems over with friends and learning how to be assertive are presented along with appropriate verses drawn from the Bible. In addition to more active strategies, Mintle consistently recommends prayer and acceptance as the road to deepening a mother-daughter bond. She is convinced that the spiritual act of forgiveness, for even the most abusive or dysfunctional mothers, is a worthy and self-healing goal for daughters. The book will be of most help to those who share the author's deep religious commitment, which fans of her books on marriage, eating disorders and infertility will recognize.