Thinking about three books that changed my life is nearly impossible. There are countless books that influenced me - like the first book I read and the first book read to me - that I don’t remember. There are more books than I could ever remember that I loved. But three books that changed me was a tough list to narrow down. I did it, but it was kind of painful!
It Is Well - Life In The Storm by Chris Faddis was the book that hit me the hardest of any book I’ve ever read in my life. Chris’s wife, Angela, was a close friend of mine in college. Angela was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer at 31, and the book is the story of their faith and life as she fought and lost her battle. When I read the book, I was days from my own Stage IV cancer diagnosis, but mine was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a highly treatable cancer. As I started treatment, I knew, without a doubt, that Angela was watching over me and was not going to allow my family to go through what hers went through. I cried through every word of that book and haven’t been able to pick it up since. Angela was a beautiful person and four years later I still feel the pain of losing her.
Oh my goodness, how awful and painful. I've never read a book about a person I know. That must have been so tough, and eerily poignant.
Life’s Golden Ticket by Brendan Bouchard was a novel that left me questioning my life. It made me want to live a better life, to be a better person. I knew the story behind the book when I read it, and it was that much more impactful. If you’re not sure where you’re going in your life, or need a reminder to do better, find this book. You will not be disappointed.
Sounds terrifying.
Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis was the first contemporary romance novel I read. I was in a place in my life where I was trying to figure out my path. Once I read that book, I knew where I was going. I knew writing contemporary romance was what I was meant to do. I felt like I’d found something that had been missing from my life forever.
It's great how we have that book that tips us over. I had one too, only mine was the reverse. I read one and didn't enjoy it and thought, I'm going to write the sort of story I want to read. Thanks for this, Mary.
Mary is a prolific romance writer and has her 23rd contemporary romance book out tomorrow!!! 23rd!
Brilliant. Do tell.
Abby was moving on with her life. After she caught her husband cheating, live and in person, she divorced him and started living for herself instead of doing everything for him. Abby opened her own bakery, changed her look, and was on her own for the first time ever. The only thing she wasn’t ready to do was date.
Graham helped Abby get her bakery up and running. As a carpenter he loved the challenge of turning the blank space into a bakery. Even more than that, he loved getting to know the beautiful new tenant.
When Abby’s ex learned she was moving on with her life and didn’t need him, he wanted to remind her of everything she gave up when she left him. Everything Abby was happy to leave behind.
Now Abby is stuck between the man who made her feel needed but never wanted, and a man who makes her feel wanted but not needed. Abby needs to figure out what she wants – the man from her past, the one who promises her a future, or the present she’s fallen in love with, alone.
Preorder now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Smashwords.
During release week (through Sunday, September 11), grab Puffy & Precious and email me (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) the 9th word in Chapter 9 to be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card to Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo. There will be one gift card for every 100 correct entries. For complete details, please see http://maryethompson.com/qa-sunday-precious-giveaway/.
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Excellent, can't wait. I hope your health is doing well now and all the best with number 23. I'm sure you won't need it.