On Second Thought...

So I've gotten some good feedback and some thinking. For those who didn't read Rhythms, they seem to be a bit lost. And THAT I can deal with. The whole culture shock, portraying black folks as immoral thing? Not so much. I guess it's because I get culture shock on the first page of most any book I read (the Bible included). I sort of like it like that. This was my first true sequel (the others have been more of spin offs) and I bypassed the hundreds of italic pages of back story from book 1. Lesson learned (and to stay away from my own reviews of course!)

Anyway, for those who still think I'm crazy or a heathen (or both) check out SistahFaith: True Stories of Pain, Hope and Healing for some of the nonfiction behind my fiction. Thanks to all of you for reading my books and giving your more feedback. It means so much!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review Songs of Deliverance and to the contributors of SistahFaith, congrats ladies! Thanks for believing.

:::peace:::

Mari

Comments

[Kassandra Nicole]

Marilynn,

You are speaking truth. In these last days we cannot sugar coat God or his plans for our lives. I believe Rhythms and Songs showed what having true relationship with God means. Your books have NEVER strayed away from the Word of God and yet they show how imperfect us humans can be. They also show what we can attain when we FIRST submit ourselves to the Lord and how he will bring us the desires of our heart. I love your books, I love the "love", I love that they aren't fake and you put out there real emotions; I am so tired of "religion". When I think of your books I think of me or my friends and how there is something out there that speaks to our situations. We love God and we are desiring to please Him yet things go wrong, we fall, we get hurt, we still love HIM, and yes we know that each day we receive new love HOWEVER HE chooses to send and give it.
Don't ever stop being UNCOMFORTABLE to people who can't handle reality. God never put us in a bubble we have to get out to the world to save it. You know I just think everyone needs to know, You don't pass a test if you avoid taking it all together. People must stop trying to avoid real life to say that they love God. When you are in the midst of hell, or lust, or hurt do you still choose God. We have to be a BOLD generation unashamed of who we are and where we came from. "TEST"IMONY. We have to shout about what God has brought us THROUGH.....not what we avoided... what he brought us through. And to be quite honest your books are KIND enough to give us happy endings WHICH we DON'T deserve.
Continue what you are doing and don't ever lean on or desire man's approval b/c you or I or anyone else will ever get enough. Rhythms and Songs were powerful soooo powerful and they hit on what comes with true RELATIONSHIP w/ God and man....I LOVED THEM AND THANK YOU. God used you FORREAL!

[Brittany]

I am upset, but not with you...I'm upset with these BOOKSTORES!!! I can not find your book Songs of Deliverance ANYWHERE :(. Where can I go? What must I do to get my hands on that book?!

[Cynthia Perry]

I loved both Rythms of Grace and Songs of Deliverance. Your books are all awesome! Keep them coming:)So far my favorite is -Happily Even After. I'm about to start If the Shoe Fits. My father is a Pastor and we still do foot washings. I thought it was cool that the book begins during a foot washing service because many church organizations no longer conduct these services. It's in the Bible and we try to use everything in the Bible as a guide. That's what I really love about your books- the way you include scriptures into the lives of your characters. Keep up the good work. I'm a Children's Librarian and I'm considering hosting a book club soon. Your books are first on my list. Keep up the good work! Be blessed :)

[Danyelle]

I loved both books. It was real. You are real. We are not perfect. We sin, we struggle, we overcome and God's grace is sufficient. His mercies are new every morning. His forgiveness is for all.

[Jennifer Dopp]

Marilyn! What a boost to "hear" your voice again! I took your awesome class a few years back at Sandy Cove Writers Conference and you know what my husband has said to me ever since? "Why can't you be more like Marilyn! You said she wrote 40 books with 18 kids hanging off her shoulders!" Thanks, by the way, for that!!!!! I am so excited to read Rhythms of Grace. The press reviews are outstanding, and your audience seems to grow by leaps and bounds, as well they should. You are a beautiful, eloquent, real, woman, both inside and out. Grace and Peace to you and your family. Jennifer Dopp

[Penny Hull]

I just finished Rythms of Grace and Songs of Deliverancee. WOW... I was kind of mad at you in SoD for so many twists and turns on the family trees...then after second thought, I would not at all be surprised to find out most of us, in the South especially, probably have those kinds of family trees...
It is probably secrets I will never uncover on this side of heaven.
Thanks so much for your honesty..
I work at Eatonville Branch Children's Library in Eatonville Fl. If you ever get to come to a Zora Festival, plaase stop by..we are always on our front proch at the Library and would love to meet you.
Penny
(I white..I think :)

[Jennifer Dopp]

This white German girl from Amish country Pa can't dance. But Diana can. Thank you for taking me with her, to a place of deep, layered wonder, rich with wafting scents I can actually smell, blooms and savory stews, breads to die for. The beat of the drum, the music which makes her soar, the bend forward, arch back. I am transported, and somehow, against all odds, dancing. Thank you for writing life as it is. This is a far cry from a shock value novel, as you say some critics have suggested. It it not a broad summation of an entire culture. It is a comment on one small town. You could change their color to mine, and the story, barring the sorrows of segregation, could remain roughly the same. We all hide similar secrets and imperfections, fighing for our children's minds, fighting against poverty, gangs, and ultimately, despair. Your pen touches an often unstrummed chord, for those of us who are weary of the mediocrity in believers and who long for honesty, as wonderfully sweet, and sometimes as bitter, as it often may be. I can't speak for your dancing skills, although I'm sure I can easily guess they are akin to Diana's, but as for God's hand on yours as you write, there is no doubt. Thank you for answering His calling in your life, and in so doing, gifting us with this truly breathtaking story. It will stay with me always. Grace and Peace, Jennifer Dopp

[Cynthia L. Smith]

Hello Marilynn,

I have just finished reading 'Rythms of Grace' and I just want to say thank you for the novel. Each character had their own set of circumstances and how they linked together throughtout the book just kept me on the edge. It took me a while to figure out what was happening and I had to remember who was liking who and 'in love' with whom! I see that in the end that Grace and Brian will end up togerther 'at last'! Now, Ron and Zeely or Jerry and Zeely, I just don't know who Zeely will end up with. I am happy to learn that you have a sequel of this book out and I need to find it. I like the fact that you continue the story because I was looking to read more at the end and was so disappointed. And it made me cry when Grace was attacked by Mal, who attacked her when she was younger right? I can't wait to read the sequel!! Thanks for your creativity in the characters and the Bible verses that were used throughout the book. Keep writing Lady!!! In Him,

[Katurah Ashby]

I just finished Rhythms of Grace and it blessed me so. There's are so many men and women who harbor pain and secrets and can't shake their past. Young or old pain is pain. I'm about to graduate from high school and this touched my heart. Honesty. Very real and genuine honesty. Its hard to find that with so many people trying to please others rather than God. I plan on purchasing Songs of Deliverance tomorrow. Mrs. Griffith I praise God for your words. Your ministry. I'm learning so much about myself through some of these characters. I'm glad that I found you. it has inspired my words and my song to be honest and true. I will always keep you in my prayers. And I will forever dance to the rhythms of grace.