Book Review: "Happily Even After" by Marilynn Griffith and BOOK GIVEAWAY!

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Wednesday, January 16. Good luck!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Happily Even After (#3 - Sassy Sistahood Series)
(Steeple Hill January 1, 2008)
by
Marilynn Griffith


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marilynn Griffith is mom to a tribe, wife to a deacon and proof that God gives second chances. While best known for her colorful novels about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn is also a speaker and nonfiction writer.

Her nonfiction has been included in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S SOUL and several other devotionals and magazines. Currently, Marilynn is editor of the SISTAHFAITH:BELIEVING BEYOND SHAME anthology. She is also the founder of Faithchick.com, a blog for faith fiction readers.

Marilynn is the author of six novels dealing with issues such as teen pregnancy, AIDS, abstinence, stress relief, single parenting and marriage. Her recent fiction titles include TANGERINE and IF THE SHOE FITS.

Marilynn has served as Vice President and Publicity Officer of American Christian Fiction Writers. She speaks to youth, women and writers about believing beyond boundaries and daring to reach dreams.

Marilynn lives in Florida with her husband and seven children whom she taught at home for seven years. When not chasing toddlers, helping with homework or trying to find her husband a clean shirt, she can be found scribbling furiously on her next novel.

To book Marilynn for media interviews, speaking engagements, Serious Fun fiction parties or book club call-ins, please contact her thru her WEBSITE.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Superwoman doesn't live here!

I marry a gorgeous executive, have a baby, lose all the weight (most of it), and move to a fine house in the suburbs with a welcoming new church. Wait...did I say welcoming?

One teeny waaah! and new mothers and their crying babies are exiled to a separate room. At least there's some enlightening conversation. Like about my husband and issues I didn't even know about!

And then there's my aptly named mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, who can't stand me.

I'm about to lose my mind! So it's high time for a visit to the Sassy Sistahood for some much-needed advice about men, marriage and motherhood!

The Sassy Sistahood: They get by with a little help from their friends.


Will the real Queen please stand up?

I had said before that I thought If the Shoe Fits was my favorite Marilynn Griffith book. Well I have now changed my mind. This was her best book yet. The story is great, the characters multi-dimensional, and a plot that will make you mull over about for days later. I really liked Tracey's character. She's a great mom and she keeps trying to be a good wife and daughter in law but no matter what she does it's not good enough. I would have been totally frustrated if I was her. I loved her scenes in her bathroom. It's nice to read there are others who like to escape reality every now and then to help themselves relax.

Ok I will not lie. I hated Queen Elizabeth's character at first. I know that there are some mother in laws that have difficulties with their only son marrying, but seriously she was way out of whack. It hurt every time she criticized Tracey especially about her weight. I wanted to applaud the doctor who told her to get out of the room because she was hurting the baby with her words. And I hated that Ryan would not stand up for Tracey. It really bugs me about guys who let their mothers control them and will not protect their wives. Why get married in the first place if you want your mom to keep taking care of you? But when you find out why everyone acts that way, it brings a whole new light to the story. I'm glad though that while Tracey does forgive, it doesn't end with her being the one that apologizes. I hate books that end where the character that gets abused is the one that has to "learn to love and forgive." This was way more realistic. I also enjoyed the tidbit about church politics. It's always interesting to see how people sometimes forget the real reason why they go to church. It shouldn't be about who's better than everyone and where everyone sits. I'm really sad the series is ending. I would have loved to read more about the Sassy Sisterhood. I wish there had been a bit more interaction with the other women, and in this book Austin barely got mentioned at all. I think it would have been fun to read her story as well. However, this is just a really great book to read. It's mom-lit that you can relate to. And even if you're not a mom, a wife or daughter in law you'll find something about this book to enjoy. HIGHLY recommended.

Happily Even After by Marilynn Griffith is published by Steeple Hill (2008)