Gotta love Mayla....

I just finished the first two books in a series...Just As I am and Sincerely, Mayla....and I wish I had the third to read. (There better be a third!)
Readers fall in love with Mayla in book one Just As I Am. Purple haired, four piercings in each ear, and two on her face, friends with gays...Mayla is not a character you are easily introduced to in Christian Fiction. However, at the beginning of the book Mayla is baptized and continues to live her life for Christ throughout the story. She is a good example of what a beginning Christian should be. It is so easy to relate with Mayla as she experiences the ups and downs of becoming a new CHristian. Starting out with a bang and finding a way to continue that furvent faith of a beginning believer. She tackles many issues that are common in today's society but not always discussed.
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it introduced an amazing line of characters for a continued story for many books to come. Mayla struggles with non Christian friends adapting to her new Christian life. She is a wonderful testimony to many people throughout the story. Youg get to know Mayla non Christian roommate Sylvia, two gays living together in her apartment, Michael and Stuart, and Alex, a surprise friend she meets when visiting him in the hospital during his battle with HIV.
I did not know very much about living with HIV and it was sad to see the deteriating of the body that takes place.
You also are introduced to Alex's sister Lindsey and his parents and see the struggle that takes place when your parents have deserted you due to the decisions that you make.
There were so many serious issues throughout this book, however, Virginia was able to make the book fun and laughable and very humorous. I really enjoyed this book and was excited to learn more about Mayla in book two.
Last but not least we cannot forget her crush with the preacher and seeing how it will pan out!

On to book two.
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 a 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 opnions across and she did not do it in a pushy manner. I feel that this is very important. 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!