BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A MAZE OF GRACE--A Memoir of Second Chances
By Trish Ryan (Author of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not) 


OVERVIEW: In her first book, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, Trish Ryan chronicled the ways in which finding faith led her to the happily-ever after ending that had eluded her for so long. Only it wasn't an ending. It was a beginning. In A Maze Of Grace, Ryan picks up where she left off, sharing the early years of her marriage and the challenges that both shaped and startled her temptations regarding fidelity, the anxiety of shifting body image, the awkward nature of following Jesus in a decidedly secular family and city, and the struggles (depression, trying to conceive) that made her wonder if God had lost her file. With appealing candor, Ryan sweeps the reader into her life and ponders questions and issues that we all face, dropping nuggets of wisdom along the way that are sure to inspire, encourage, and help women in all walks of life.


AUTHOR: Trish Ryan was a veteran spiritual seeker who had tried everything from feng shui to astrology. It's an interesting story of of how she turned to Jesus. She was looking for love. Ryan was the quintessential successful thirty something, with a career as an attorney. She had a nice car and lots of dates. But her catalog of relationships horror stories reads like a chick-lit novel: men who cheated, men who left her, world-class bad dates, including one who walked himself out of the closet during dessert. She watched popular TV preacher Joyce Meyers and listened to Christian music CD's. She wanted what they had but she didn't want to tell anybody. Ultimately, Ryan responded to "the invitation to walk toward Jesus at whatever pace you are called." She says, "Jesus was there." Embracing his offer of salvation--her restless soul found peace. She now lives in Boston with her husband.


MY REVIEW: A Maze of Grace is a funny, well written memoir that sweeps you right into the author's heart. This is not a fairy tale. This is real life. Trish Ryan writes about her life in such a way that you feel like she's writing about you. She opens up her heart and lets it spill out on the page so you can see her life in the raw. I liked this book. I liked it a lot! This may well be one of the most "honest" books I have read in a long time. I especially like chapter 4, "Give That Man Some Sex" and chapter 10, "Cocktail Parties." However, I realize these may be the chapters you like the least. I think you need to read this book and find out. You will not be sorry. And since the generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to give away three copies, you should try for one.

WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK

The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for three (3) copies!

• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing address please. You do not have to be a blogger to win.

• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment.

• Some choose to omit the @ sign and the . dot by writing it in "code" like this: you (at) your email (dot)com.

• I'll close the comments June 30 and pick the three winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).