Sincerely, Mayla (Just As I Am Series #2) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Aunt Louise, Pastor Paul, Reverend Thomas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Mayla Strong attempts to balance family, friends, love, and faith in this heartwarming sequel to Just As I Am.

From the Back Cover

“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 prove it.

“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.”

—Mary E. DeMuth
Author, Watching the Tree Limbs    

Virginia Smith is a writer of humorous novels, a speaker, and an avid scuba diver. She launched her career as a novelist with the release of Just As I Am in 2006, and has been cranking out God-honoring fiction ever since. Her other books include Stuck in the Middle and Murder by Mushroom. She and her husband, Ted, divide their time between Kentucky and Utah, and escape to the Caribbean as often as they can for diving trips.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (February 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825436923
• ISBN-13: 978-0825436925
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #583,884 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sincerely excellent!, March 22, 2008

By	Kathi Macias (Homeland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Mayla is at it again--capturing our hearts and captivating our thoughts with her humorous but meaningful life. In her polished but down-to-earth style, author Virginia Smith once again spins a tale to which we can all relate because she unfolds it through the eyes of delightful Mayla Strong and company. Mayla never travels light, even when she tries. She may think she's escaped the cold Kentucky winter for the warm Florida beaches, but her problems seem to trail right along behind her, multiplying by the mile. But love has a way of unraveling even the most complicated messes, and Sincerely, Mayla is a perfect example of that great truth.

5.0 out of 5 stars --, April 18, 2009

By	Christian Review of Books - See all my reviews

Sincerely, Mayla was a great follow up to Just As I Am. At the beginning of the story the author expresses her hesitance in writing book two hoping that it will be able to stand up to book one that everyone enjoyed so much. Well, Virginia, no fears....it did! Mayla is back and is jobless. After the boss's niece moves in on Mayla job, Mayla begins to question herself. She has regrets about not going to college after high school and is stuck in a rut. However, after an interview in wet, snow soaked clothes (from trying to rescue a pet rabbit off the road), Mayla decides to head to Florida to visit the aunt and grandmother that she has not seen in years.

Aunt Louise and Grandmother were introduced in book one. Her father's relatives, she has lacked correspondence with them, after her mother's decision to end life support on her father, which led to anger and feelings of betrayal from the in-laws. From the moment Mayla jumps on the plane, readers are in for an action packed read! Lindsey, Alex's sister from book one is having struggles of her own and ends up hitchhiking to Kentucky and then greyhounding to Florida to discuss her problems with Mayla. Mayla is later saddled with an angry homosexual after his partner leaves him for Christianity! Meanwhile, don't forget about Pastor Paul. After confessing feelings for Paul, Mayla is turned down by the Pastor. So Mayla decides to get even by fabricating a love story about the music pastor from her Aunt and Grandmother's church. This really sets Mama's Tuesday night group to gossip!

I really enjoyed this book and once again the book was able to tackle many serious issues while remaining upbeat. I am impressed by Virginia Smith's work and am dying to get a hold of book three! I think that Mayla handled the situation with Lindsey well. I really enjoyed the patience that she showed with her. She was able to get her opinions across and she did not do it in a pushy manner. The author showed several times how to handle Christian issues without being pushy. Many people label Christians this way so I thought that was important. I also enjoyed the scripture throughout the book. Mayla was also just such an amazing witness. It is so awesome how many people were lead to Christ. The author showed how it is just a chain event....once one was led the other's saw the positive pieces of their lives and wanted to be a part of it. It is so important to remember how life altering witnessing can be. It is such an important role of Christian, but one that is sometimes overlooked. I cannot wait to see Mayla in book three!

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this story, January 24, 2009

By	Cindy Bauer "Author-Reviewer-Writer-Editor" (Missouri) - See all my reviews

Sincerely, Mayla was a delight to read. Mayla, a bit quirky and headstrong, knows where she is going in life and doesn't mind telling people what they probably don't want to hear, but need to hear in order to know God and to grow.

She loses her job and moves in with her grandmother and aunt in Florida. But first, she needs to settle something with the pastor. Then she finds herself dealing with a troubled teenager who has gotten pregnant. And then there's the rabbit. Oh my!

Who else but God can help Mayla deal with life and the various circumstances we often find ourselves in? She's a headstrong Christian with a good heart, bent on straightening out a few things in her life. She's not one to "let things go".

Where else but in this book could you find a dysfunctional family, a pastor on the "rebound", a rabbit as stubborn as the person taking care of it, a teenager in trouble, a gay friend with a different point of view on Christianity, and then there's Mayla, with her hands full and right in the middle of everything!

I loved this story and wish now I had read Virginia Smith's first book about Mayla. Smith demonstrates her writing abilities to the fullest. Her story is smooth, her characters are real and she handles some of the toughest situations with ease and grace. I love it when a Christian book doesn't preach, but teaches the ways of God. Brilliantly and masterfully written, Smith has become another of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of her work.

I give Sincerely, Mayla 5 stars! A must read!