Made of Honor

What do an estranged brother, a backstabbing sister, and a childhood buddy have in common? In some way, they have all hurt Miss Dana Rose, the main character of Marilynn Griffith's novel, Made of Honor. A Christian woman, Dana has become embittered by life's circumstances. One of Dana's struggles is with relationships. For one, although Dana has been in numerous weddings as a bridesmaid, (but never a bride), the whole concept of marriage has left a bad taste in her mouth. Why? What is it about weddings, dresses, and men that enrage Dana so much? Not to mention, Dana's world comes crashing down when she loses her job. Where will she go? Who will help her get back on her feet? Meanwhile, Dana's brother, Jordan comes back after being away for years, and leaving behind a son whom Dana has helped to raise. Also, Dahlia, who is far from a beautiful flower, is Dana's confused and shady sister. She comes back to town with a surprise bombshell. What else could happen to Dana? One name, "Adrian." This man is Dana's past, present, and well... He decides to put his business near Dana's place of employment. "Why?" wonders Dana. Does Adrian still care for Dana after marrying another woman instead of Dana? How does Dana really feel about Adrian? There are so many questions in Dana's mind that need to be answered. Marilynn Griffith's writing style is comical and light-hearted, yet realistic. She brings serious issues to the surface such as betrayal, friendships, baby-mama drama, alcoholism, and ultimately the power of God's restoring love and grace. Made of Honor proves that God is able to correct problems and bring healing to every broken heart and relationship. Great job, Mrs. Griffith!

From the back cover: Once, twice, ten times a bridesmaid! I, Dana Rose, do solemnly swear to say "I won't" the next time someone asks me to be in their wedding party. My weak will has gained me a closet full of unflattering bridesmaids' dresses in various sizes to accommodate my ever-fluctuating waistline. As if that isn't enough, the past is paying me a most unwelcome visit (my prodigal brother, my back-stabbing sis). Then there's Mr. Practically Perfect, the ex who not only married someone else, but opened the business of our dreams -- right across from my new shop! It's no wonder I've got problems! I'm thankful I've got my friends, the Sassy Sisterhood, to rely on . . . The Sassy Sisterhood: They get by with a little help from their friends. Camy here: This is the first of my "terrific books" read in 2006. It's so rich, I'm having a hard time summing it up into words that make sense. This novel is drenched in forgiveness and redemption, but without the preaching and without making me feel like an inadequate Christian for hanging onto all my own baggage. Everyone in this novel has struggles and yet also somehow finds peace with their Maker. Nothing phony or cheesy. My favorite part of this book is that everyone is so incredibly REAL. Dana is me, hang-ups and all. It's kind of weird, seeing myself in print, but it's like Mary is telling me, "I know you, cuz you're my sistah." Although I don't have Dana's ability to concoct those yummy bath and body products--Gimme some of that Vanilla Smella! There were points in the story where I wanted to give Dana a hug, and other times I wanted to smack her silly (what's up with her giving away all her bath and body products to her uber-selfish cousins? No such thing as a free lunch, toots.) but Dana's self-depreciating and yet fired-up personality drove the book like she was on a Harley Davidson and I was hanging onto the back and screaming for my life cuz I couldn't drink in enough of the fun. I think that's why I like this book so much. The characters are really rich. The story opens with already a ton of past hurts and conflicts and broken relationships. I kept reading and being surprised: "She dated HIM? And he married HER? Whoa, momma!" I love it when a book does that. I don't know how she does it, but Mary has me laughing and snorting on one page and crying on the next, which is totally unfair because I'm not a sobby person. The book is a fragrant (haha) mix of chick-lit and women's fiction, and would appeal to both types of readers. Even though I'm not from the 'hood, the characters sucked me in like they were my neighbors, my church, my family. Although I'd really like to attend one of those "singing" church services like in the book--that sounded so cool. Bottom line--this is such a great book. Go out and buy this. Tell your church ladies to read it. Give it to your coworkers. We're all sistahs.

"I'm turning into a Chia Pet. With legs." Thus begins the wild ride with Dana Rose, perpetual bridesmade. But it's not just any old wild ride. We're talking a vintage pink Caddy, with a drop top, in the sunshine ride. Marilynn Griffith brings another much needed voice to Christian fiction, namely, the voice of a black women. Marilynn is not just sassy. She's black and sassy, and I loved this sparkling debut. Made of Honor not only rises to the top of my favorite books pile because of it's tough but vulnerable protagonist, laugh-out-loud dry wit, and web of spicy story lines, but Marilynn managed to shine the light on me about how I take care of myself. I was inspired to pamper and love the me that God fearfully, and wonderfully made. Rich imagery, seamless scripture integration, touching Spirit filled moments, and passion make this book, and Marilynn Griffith unforgettable. It's a veritable tour de force!

Marilynn G. is my pal. I say that right off, cause I hate those gushing reviews that you KNOW came from friends of the author, reviews that wouldn't dare or possibly know how to be honest if you smacked the gusher over the head with a sack of truth-serum. They gush and spew praise, but say nothing useful about the work at hand. I want to be useful to you here, because I do want you to buy this book...because IT IS GOOD. I'm gonna gush, but I'm also gonna get critical, and I hope you trust that, despite my (not close, but affectionate) connection with the author, I'm not yanking your chain so you spend a few bucks. I simple will recommend you READ THIS NOVEL, because it's terrific...if you get past the beginning. That's the kicker: The first chapter pretty much sucks. It's strained, it's crammed, it's confusing, and some of the humor falls really flat. It's trying too hard to capture the quintessential Chick Lit voice, the one we heard in other novels, notably THE Chick Lit novel, Bridget Jones' Diary. (Which is fabulous, and you should read it, too! And the sequel.) But Marilynn Griffith, in this work, fails at that tone and voice. That's not a bad thing, though. Trust me. Persist through the pages. Once you get past that bumpy opening, you get an astoundingly good ride, smooth, touching, with only minor setbacks to the strained humor, which, thankfully, is eventually forgotten well into the tale. This is primo Women's Fiction. If you can get into a story of several women--and the men in their lives--and how they are all transformed by love, anger, jealousy, betrayal, forgiveness and the grace of God, you are going to dive deep into this truly human, warm-hearted, generous-souled effort. Forget the beginning. Plow through it to the meat. The meat is well-spiced and you'll find nourishment. You may already have grasped the plot, but here goes: Dana/Dane is a single gal staring at 30, who opens the story as a bridesmaid (with weight issues, in a too tight, unappealing dress) at the wedding of one of ther two best friends (Tracey and Rochelle, the Sassy Sistahs, once in the hundreds of hundreds in email, now down to three in real life and email.) Dana has been betrayed and hurt by the men in her life--brother, beaus, notably her one true love. There are disappointments with her father, too, a gambler-drunkard. She's been betrayed by some of the women in her life, too. (Can we say skanky-ho sister?) But Dana's got God, and she's sure he ought to be enough. (One truly hilarious moment has her asking this question to a single's group.) While Tracey marries to a former boyfriend of Dana's (to find trouble from honeymoon's day one), and Rochelle, single mom of Jericho, has her world rocked by a reappearance of Jericho's papa, and while Dana's new business consumes her life and health, Dana's once-true-love reappears as knight in shining leather. Things get a mite complex. Temptations and trials abound. She starts to lose control of her busines

Dana has some pretty entertaining adventures in this wonderfully written novel. Some are pretty heartbreaking and all are life-changing. You will be hooked once you start reading this book. Most likely cheering for her and holding your breath as one disaster after another falls into her lap. Sadly, many of the betrayals she experienced are far too common, even in church settings. I found this witty novel refreshingly real and the subtle humor about ice cold showers made me smile. In the end, love won and she made the best choice and that's what makes for a fantastic story.