Smart military spouses can appreciate Lissa McGrath's latest book, in spite of its title. Lissa, a Navy wife, is the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Life as a Military Spouse." It's a reference guide for many of the issues faced by military spouses and families.

After eight deployments -- she wrote the book during one of them -- she knows her subject. For the March 1 Spouse Calls, i talked to Lissa about the book, which is her fourth. Click here to read more about the book and author.

Her previous books are about her other area of expertise, eBay. She also wrote "The Complete Idiot's Guide to eBay" "The Complete Idiot's Guide to eBay Motors" and "Twenty Questions to Ask Before Selling on eBay."

She said writing about the ever-changing world of online selling, was good preparation for writing about military life.

"Things don’t change quite as quickly in the military world as the eBay world," she said.

For the military spouse guide, Lissa said she was careful to give "go to" information regarding where to find out about each of the subjects she dealt with.

"People who are reading this next year or the year after, can go to that link and they will still get the same information," she said. "I only reference DOD sites. It is the official source." As much as possible, she said she also cites the physical places to go for help with certain issues, such as the family service center or the transportation office.

Lissa said she spent a lot of time on research for the book -- evident by the glossary alone -- and had technical editors from every branch of the military. She said making sure the book speaks the language of each individual service, as well as reservists and retirees, was important to her

Lissa also writes for both "Family" and "Salute" magazines, and has worked as an editor on several more books. She and her family live in Whidbey Island, Wash.