Breaking Bad meets Taken in this a searingly honest and unforgettable memoir that challenges readers to rethink everything they know about survival, resilience, and finding their voice.
At twenty-one, Brenda Coffee surrendered herself to her marriage and became a woman who would do almost anything her charismatic and powerful older husband, Philip Ray, wanted. Regardless of whether it was dangerous, adventurous, sexual, or illegal, she wanted to be the one woman he couldn’t live without.
Brenda and Philip’s life together was a fairy tale until it wasn’t. Until Philip, the founder of two high-profile, groundbreaking public companies, began making real cocaine in their basement and became addicted. Until the Big Six tobacco companies threatened their lives for creating the first smokeless cigarette—Brenda coined the terms vape and vaping—and brutal Guatemalan military commandos forced her into the jungle at gunpoint.
A suspenseful, fast-paced memoir that reads like a thriller, Maya Blue will strike a chord with those who’ve lost their voice or had trouble finding their power. It will resonate with those who live with an addict or have grieved the loss of a spouse. But above all, it is an inspiring reminder that as long as you never surrender your voice and always keep your wits about you, you can survive almost anything.
Industry Reviews
“Coffee demonstrates her considerable powers as a storyteller and a wordsmith…delivers suspense and action that rivals any thriller.”—Kirkus starred review
“Maya Blue reads like a Netflix series. Brenda Coffee’s compelling memoir reminds us of the importance of seizing our power.” —Lee Woodruff, coauthor of the New York Times best-seller In An Instant, A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing
“This riveting memoir reads like a thriller. Beautifully written with courageous self-reflection, Brenda Coffee’s harrowing story of survival took my breath away.” —Laura Munson, author of the New York Times best-seller This Is Not the Story You Think It Is, and the USA Today bestseller, Willa’s Grove
“A memoir of unusual strength, resilience, resonance, and purpose. . . . At times, astonished readers will do well to stop reading for a moment and remind themselves that the experiences of this remarkable woman and brilliant storyteller are distilled from real life rather than the sweeping imagination of a titan of fiction.”—Readers’ Favorite
“Five stars! I can’t wait to see this memoir on the screen.” —Linda Sivertsen, New York Times best-selling author and host of the acclaimed Beautiful Writers Podcast
“I’m an expert in tobacco and addiction, and Brenda survived a remarkable journey. She has my admiration.” —Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, Big Tobacco whistleblower, former VP of research, Brown & Williamson, focus of Academy Award-nominated film, The Insider
“Brenda Coffee is the embodiment of bravery, strength, and courage, a badass woman who teaches us to advocate for ourselves.” —Grace Kraaijvanger, Founder & CEO, The Hivery
“Coffee rises to show us what it means to be resilient, to fight for one’s survival. You won’t be able to put this one down.”—Laura Whitfield, author of Untethered: Faith, Failure, and Finding Solid Ground
