A Maze of Grace *GIVEAWAY!!* Closed

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to Karenk, Nancye, and Glogirl for winning.

A Maze of Grace

by Trish Ryan

In her first book, Trish Ryan chronicled the ways in which finding faith lead 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 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 readers from all walks of life.

Trish Ryan lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Visit her online at trishryanonline.blogspot.com and trishryanonline.com.

Read an Excerpt of A Maze of Grace HERE.

Here is an interview I did with Trish Ryan:

- Tell me a little about yourself and your family?

I grew up in a small town in Maine--my Dad was a lobsterman, my Mom a homemaker--and I'm one of those people who didn't realize just how idyllic my childhood was until I was looking back at it as an adult. I spent three years as a civil litigation attorney, but now I'm much (much!) happier working as a writer and speaker.  I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts with my husband Steve (he works in biotech) and an adorable, weird dog.  I've had a fun, adventurous, quirky life so far.

-What do you do in your non-writing time?

Think about how I should be writing!  Or more specifically, wonder how what I'm doing/observing right now might fit into a project.  I think at some level, I'm always writing

-If you had access to a time machine where would you go? If you could live in another era when would it be? Why?

I should probably have a deep answer to this reflecting my appreciation for history, but... I'd go back to the 1970s as a twenty-something, so I could learn to disco dance. Embarrassing, but true :)

-What is the best book you've ever read (other than yours of course!) or best movie you've seen?

Again, my answer reflects my love of good entertainment more than a  "this changed my life" perspective:  The best book I've read recently is Ann Patchett's memoir, TRUTH AND BEAUTY.  The best movie is HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DATES OR LESS.  I'm a fan of stories where people figure out what they really want, and fight for happily ever after.

- If you could be any fictional character who would you be? 

When we were little, my sister and I loved to pretend we were the super heroes Electra Woman & Dyna Girl.  Given the opportunity, I'd happily jump back into those roles. I like the idea of making the world a better place, and of doing it as a team.

- If you could be a superhero what would your special powers be?

I'd be able to read minds...but only when it was relevant to a case I was working on.  I wouldn't want to end up like Mel Gibson in What Women Want, caught in a barrage of everyone's thoughts!

-When you were a little girl what did you want to be when you grew up?

A professional baton twirler.

- When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote an essay for English class about how I never learned Algebra because I was distracted by the wafts of Mennen Speed Stick coming from the boy in front of me. People laughed.  I was hooked.

- Who is your favourite writer and have you met them yet?

Anna Quindlen.  She writes so well across so many subjects and genres.  I haven't met her, which is probably a good thing--I'd just babble on about how wonderful she is, and then ask her how she allocates each moment of the day in terms of dividing up her many projects.  It would be awkward for all involved.

- What is the worst job you have ever had?

I was an R.A. for one year in college.  I went to 1001 meetings about gender issues, was on call (read: chained to the dorm) every third weekend, and charged with asking "ribbed or plain?" when folks knocked at my door at 2am looking for condoms.  I was paid $16, every two weeks.

Thanks for answering my questions Trish!!

I have not read this book yet but I think it looks great! Thanks so much to Trish Ryan and the Hachette Book Group for sponsoring this giveaway.


WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN THIS BOOK?

I have 3 copies to giveaway today.

Just leave me a comment here telling me if you have read Trish Ryan's first book He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not yet?

* BONUS ENTRIES*

For additional entries you can do any of the following- be sure to LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT for each thing that you do!

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11. publicize this giveaway in any way on any site and let me know that you did (ex. adding it to a Mr. Linky on a giveaway site etc.)

This giveaway is open to readers in Canada & the USA (no P.O. boxes please). I will choose a winner on July 22, 2010.

Winner will be chosen with random.org and notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to reply to my email or I will choose a new winner.