“Lord,” I said, swallowing past the tightness in my throat, “I know the Bible says You’ll take care of me. I guess now’s Your chance to prove it. And I sure would appreciate it if You don’t wait too long, okay?”
Will Mayla Strong’s life ever resemble normal? Just as she settles into a great place with God, everything else falls apart. In the course of a single week she loses her job, wrecks any chance at a relationship with Pastor Paul, gets the cold shoulder from her friend Stuart, and learns that Lindsey-the teenage sister of her late friend Alex-needs a place to stay. What good is being a control freak if nobody will do what you tell them?
Taking advantage of her newfound “vacation time,” Mayla flees to her grandmother’s house in Florida. But one by one, her problems follow . . . literally. In this touching sequel to Just As I Am, quirky Mayla Strong comes face-to-face with the responsibilities and joys of friends and family. As she tries to help her loved ones, Mayla begins to realize that God has all the answers-the trick is letting go long enough for Him to prove it.
Sincerely, Mayla is the latest release from one of my favorite authors Virginia Smith. This book tugs at your heartstrings from the first page and doesn’t need to be read after the first book. I still haven’t read Just As I Am, though I’ve heard great things about it, and was sucked into Mayla’s life from the first chapter in Sincerely, Mayla.
Read the first chapter here.
Sincerely, Mayla is an honest book touching many issues young adults face today. Smith writes vibrant characters and tackles taboo subjects with grace and intelligence. She helps readers understand the beauty and complexity of every human being, pierced or not.
Christy Nominee, Watching the Tree Limbs
“If Mayla stole your heart in Just As I Am, she’ll own it in Sincerely, Mayla. Juggling unemployment, unrequited love, and shepherding a runaway teen takes hilarious and poignant turns in Mayla’s quirky hands. Throw in a visit to the grandmother she hasn’t seen in thirteen years, and readers will savor a rich dish of laughter, tears, and life-lessons sure to leave a permanent mark.
Author of the To Catch a Thief series