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Rhythms of Grace
Grace Okoye was a promising young dancer when her career was cut short by a brutal assault that left her scarred for life. Twenty years later, when her past gets in the way of her happiness, she heeds the invitation of her dance instructor and returns home to help hurting children and rediscover the rhythms of grace. What she doesn't expect is to meet a man who already seems to know her beat. But for all they share in common, the biggest thing in Grace's life is noticeably absent in his--faith. She's finally found the love of her life, but can she choose between him and God?
Real, raw emotion and the promise of redemption run through this soulful new book from Marilynn Griffith.
Real, raw emotion and the promise of redemption run through this soulful new book from Marilynn Griffith.
427 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
50 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Marilynn Griffith
13 books28 followersMarilynn Griffith is the author of eight novels, mother to seven children, wife to a deacon and proof of God's enduring mercy. She has served as national Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers and has served on faculty at several national writers conferences. When she's not writing about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn blogs and speaks to women and writers.
One of her novels, If the Shoe Fits, served as a prop in Tyler Perry's box office hit Why Did I Get Married? (The mistress has a book in her hand at the beginning of the scene where Jill Scott is forced off the plane. One blink and you'll miss it, but we're hyped about it anyway!)
She most recently took part in the Soul Expressions Book Tour with Angela Benson, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby and 11 other authors throughout Indiana and Illinois.
Though she lives in Florida now, Marilynn's muse often wanders the Midwest (especially her native Ohio) wearing a warm jacket and carrying a long stick, eavesdropping on the conversations of imaginary people.
One of her novels, If the Shoe Fits, served as a prop in Tyler Perry's box office hit Why Did I Get Married? (The mistress has a book in her hand at the beginning of the scene where Jill Scott is forced off the plane. One blink and you'll miss it, but we're hyped about it anyway!)
She most recently took part in the Soul Expressions Book Tour with Angela Benson, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby and 11 other authors throughout Indiana and Illinois.
Though she lives in Florida now, Marilynn's muse often wanders the Midwest (especially her native Ohio) wearing a warm jacket and carrying a long stick, eavesdropping on the conversations of imaginary people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 7, 2012
Pros:
1) great and innovative plot
2) endearing characters with depth and potential
3) great quotable sections
Cons:
1) the beginning is confusing and jumbling an skips across time without any notification- it read like a movie script at times
2) the tunnel vision of some of the characters can be a bit tiring
3) ending feels unfinished with lots of questions left unanswered
1) great and innovative plot
2) endearing characters with depth and potential
3) great quotable sections
Cons:
1) the beginning is confusing and jumbling an skips across time without any notification- it read like a movie script at times
2) the tunnel vision of some of the characters can be a bit tiring
3) ending feels unfinished with lots of questions left unanswered
April 17, 2009
Let me start out by saying that this is African-American fiction...I am white, and I really liked this book. No reason not to read it. One of the better books I've read in a long time. There is a sequel coming out in Fall of 2009, and I'll be waiting to read that one as well.
...about a young dancer named Grace who was assaulted on her way home from dance one night. Years later, she comes back "home" to teach at this school for teens at-risk. A lot of relationships, lots of secrets, and complications keep this book quite interesting. Each chapter is told from one of the many characters, which make the book stimulating and captivating.
This author has a wonderful way with words. I was struck by how well her words were chosen, how they gripped me inside, spoke to me personally. For her first novel, this was terrific and so well-written. "raw emotion" as the cover says. It's a book about faith, forbidden love, forgiveness, and redemption.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"We locked eyes again and I knew it must be true. The woman in my dreams. My Glinda on the road to Oz. This was her. She got it. She got me. Finally, somebody understood."
"Can you see the scar?" he'd said softly.
"From what?" I asked, as if I didn't know.
"From you," he said, tracing my face with his finger. "From where they cut us apart."
"Virtue is all a girl gets in this man's world. Spend it wisely. You can never get it back."
"We looked at each other, but neither of us spoke. The silence swirled around us, knocking off scabs neither of us wanted to acknowledge. Sometimes, the only way to clean a wound was to rip it open."
"What am I doing here? My answer wafted to the ground like a sleepy leaf. I'd come here for Joyce, there was some truth to that, but I'd come for myself, too. I'd come to find the weed still growing in my heart, the thing that was eating me---from the roots up."
"Everybody has a cross---a place where something died. Sometimes we run away before the resurrection. Sometimes we linger long after the body is gone."
" 'Sometimes we have to reopen wounds to clean out the infection. It hurts, but it's the only way to heal it for good.'
For good? I wondered. Every time I thought it was done, over, somebody came and ripped off my scabs, usually the woman who I was talking to now. This was one cup that I didn't look forward to drinking from. I prayed that God wouldn't make me have to."
...about a young dancer named Grace who was assaulted on her way home from dance one night. Years later, she comes back "home" to teach at this school for teens at-risk. A lot of relationships, lots of secrets, and complications keep this book quite interesting. Each chapter is told from one of the many characters, which make the book stimulating and captivating.
This author has a wonderful way with words. I was struck by how well her words were chosen, how they gripped me inside, spoke to me personally. For her first novel, this was terrific and so well-written. "raw emotion" as the cover says. It's a book about faith, forbidden love, forgiveness, and redemption.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"We locked eyes again and I knew it must be true. The woman in my dreams. My Glinda on the road to Oz. This was her. She got it. She got me. Finally, somebody understood."
"Can you see the scar?" he'd said softly.
"From what?" I asked, as if I didn't know.
"From you," he said, tracing my face with his finger. "From where they cut us apart."
"Virtue is all a girl gets in this man's world. Spend it wisely. You can never get it back."
"We looked at each other, but neither of us spoke. The silence swirled around us, knocking off scabs neither of us wanted to acknowledge. Sometimes, the only way to clean a wound was to rip it open."
"What am I doing here? My answer wafted to the ground like a sleepy leaf. I'd come here for Joyce, there was some truth to that, but I'd come for myself, too. I'd come to find the weed still growing in my heart, the thing that was eating me---from the roots up."
"Everybody has a cross---a place where something died. Sometimes we run away before the resurrection. Sometimes we linger long after the body is gone."
" 'Sometimes we have to reopen wounds to clean out the infection. It hurts, but it's the only way to heal it for good.'
For good? I wondered. Every time I thought it was done, over, somebody came and ripped off my scabs, usually the woman who I was talking to now. This was one cup that I didn't look forward to drinking from. I prayed that God wouldn't make me have to."
March 24, 2012
This is one book that I have to go back and re-read. The first couple chapters really drew me in... then a shocking tragedy strikes. I was left reeling. I skimmed a few more chapters, not really liking the idea of bouncing into so many points of view.
I ended up jumping to the end, but the last chapter made me want to read the one before and the one before that, etc etc. Plot is good. Characters are good; but that tragedy hit me hard. Too hard. I didn't want to keep reading but wanted to know how it ended. That's the sign of a good book, though. If I can read a few beginning and a few ending chapters then put the book away and forget about it, it really wasn't worth my time to begin with.
But this one haunts me. If I can get past my own hurt for the character, I'll pick it up and re-read.
I ended up jumping to the end, but the last chapter made me want to read the one before and the one before that, etc etc. Plot is good. Characters are good; but that tragedy hit me hard. Too hard. I didn't want to keep reading but wanted to know how it ended. That's the sign of a good book, though. If I can read a few beginning and a few ending chapters then put the book away and forget about it, it really wasn't worth my time to begin with.
But this one haunts me. If I can get past my own hurt for the character, I'll pick it up and re-read.
December 13, 2012
I found it really hard to get through this book mainly because of the following points:
1. It was very confusing to read. Every chapter was dedicated to a character, and there were six characters to keep track of, plus their side stories.
2. I felt like the author could've gotten through the story in half the time. You know where the characters are going and you know where they're going to end up, but the story just goes on and on.
3. The ending itself was very unsatisfactory, with a lot of questions left unanswered.
4. I didn't find myself caring what happened with the characters, nor did I find them particularly likable.
5. I found the Christian theme a bit monotonous after a while. I'm not a fan of Christian literature, but I have read some good books along this theme. This one wasn't one of them, unfortunately.
1. It was very confusing to read. Every chapter was dedicated to a character, and there were six characters to keep track of, plus their side stories.
2. I felt like the author could've gotten through the story in half the time. You know where the characters are going and you know where they're going to end up, but the story just goes on and on.
3. The ending itself was very unsatisfactory, with a lot of questions left unanswered.
4. I didn't find myself caring what happened with the characters, nor did I find them particularly likable.
5. I found the Christian theme a bit monotonous after a while. I'm not a fan of Christian literature, but I have read some good books along this theme. This one wasn't one of them, unfortunately.
December 2, 2008
RHYTHMS of GRACE By Marilynn Griffith
*****
I Give this novel two thumbs up, only because two is all I have. This book is like poetry, every line is Stimulating to your mind and soul. Miss Griffith takes the simplest of conversations and turns them into works of art. This Story takes you from the early 80s where five teens, Diana, Zeely, Brian, Ron and Jerry, were working up a strange friendship to their lives as adults and how they reconnect on many different levels. With this story in hand, you will suffer through every heartache and Rejoice in every tender moment, as if you witnessed it first hand. Marilynn Griffith is a master at her craft and it shows.
Shy Richardz AAMBC Reviewer
*****
I Give this novel two thumbs up, only because two is all I have. This book is like poetry, every line is Stimulating to your mind and soul. Miss Griffith takes the simplest of conversations and turns them into works of art. This Story takes you from the early 80s where five teens, Diana, Zeely, Brian, Ron and Jerry, were working up a strange friendship to their lives as adults and how they reconnect on many different levels. With this story in hand, you will suffer through every heartache and Rejoice in every tender moment, as if you witnessed it first hand. Marilynn Griffith is a master at her craft and it shows.
Shy Richardz AAMBC Reviewer
December 21, 2012
I enjoyed this book but I will admit that it read like a soap opera. There was tragedy in abundance: rape, abortions, adoptions, illegitemate children, lost loves, crazy men, poor familial relationships, race issues, deaths. There was so much heartbreak in this book, I thought my heart would give out when it finally gave me my less than satisfactory ending. There was so much hiding behind God for some of these characters that they never faced up to their issues. They still didn't although there was some resolution. I have never seen so many people talk around an issue or overreact around issues in one book. If you want your heart wrenched in five different directions, you would enjoy this book.
January 28, 2016
A Wonderful Ride
Awesomely amazed. This writer has woven into the fabrics of the pages of Rhythms of Grace a story that's sure to cause the average person to think upon the grace they've received in their life. Zeely life is remarkably challenging but often life will bring you back to the place where the process began in order for you to master your purpose. In Rhythms of Grace we find a group of adults coming back to where they began. Embraced by the one woman who refused to give up on them, they come back to help her and truths are revealed that causes them to evaluate their friendships, relationships, and family history. If you are an attentive reader who moves to the rhythm of your book....You will definitely enjoy Rhythms of Grace!
Awesomely amazed. This writer has woven into the fabrics of the pages of Rhythms of Grace a story that's sure to cause the average person to think upon the grace they've received in their life. Zeely life is remarkably challenging but often life will bring you back to the place where the process began in order for you to master your purpose. In Rhythms of Grace we find a group of adults coming back to where they began. Embraced by the one woman who refused to give up on them, they come back to help her and truths are revealed that causes them to evaluate their friendships, relationships, and family history. If you are an attentive reader who moves to the rhythm of your book....You will definitely enjoy Rhythms of Grace!
March 22, 2012
I had a hard time deciding if this should get 3 or 4 stars. The beginning was rough. It was difficult to follow, skipping months/years with no warning. I also found the imagery and writing style a bit grating. However as the book skipped forward it got more intriguing.
The characters are interesting and the secrets are revealed in stages. The individual stories of living with Christian principles even when life is not perfect and of people seeking redemption are fairly moving. Sometimes it reads a bit like a soap opera though. The writing style feels a bit forced at times as well. Despite a few eye rolls however I quite enjoyed the book
The characters are interesting and the secrets are revealed in stages. The individual stories of living with Christian principles even when life is not perfect and of people seeking redemption are fairly moving. Sometimes it reads a bit like a soap opera though. The writing style feels a bit forced at times as well. Despite a few eye rolls however I quite enjoyed the book
February 14, 2012
The book got off to a great start...I was drawn to the characters and Marilynn Griffith's writing style got my attention. RHYTHMS OF GRACE is very inspirational (but not overly religious,) it is a story of forgiveness, and acceptance. I would say the only negative thing about this book is that it was a very long book, but I was so caught up in the story I could not put it down. I flew through the story that I was so surprised I was already at the end. I would recommend this book to fans of Christian Fiction, and fiction.
June 23, 2014
This is a very moving story about relationships, secrets, and faith. The author has a lovely voice that's a pleasure to read. However, sometimes the change in point of view among so many characters got confusing, and occasionally I wanted to shake the characters and tell them to move on with their lives rather than letting their pasts shape their futures. I appreciated that most of the characters were flawed humans still trying to live their faith in difficult circumstances. They were very real and well-developed.
May 22, 2015
Didn't really enjoy this book. I picked it up and put it back down several times over a period of more than a year. The detail of the south and the presentation of her religious group as oppressing her dance and music was too heavy for the story-line. It did not attract me to continue reading. I finally finished it, but never got the sigh of satisfaction I was looking for when all the competing story-lines should have been tied up neatly.
August 19, 2015
I had a really difficult time making it through this book because of all of the different points-of-view, all in the first person, making it difficult to remember who was "speaking" and how they were connected to the plot. I also felt that there wasn't a good resolution for most of the characters, and I did not see the point of that. I am not interested in the sequel after struggling through this book.
August 30, 2013
This was a great story of love, faith and beliefs. The characters had there fair share of ups and downs. They shared in each others lives. They were friends and family. Through it all the love of God prevailed in their lives.
This was my first read by this author and it won't be my last. Looking forward to the sequel.
This was my first read by this author and it won't be my last. Looking forward to the sequel.
April 30, 2012
This book was enjoyable. Would suggest for anyone who is thinking of reading to just read the book you will be glad you did. The characters are pull at your heart string and you feel their pain but you also get to feel their love and happiness. Follow the four characters as they make there was through an often difficult life.
June 6, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It's Christian fiction that is not sugar coated. The characters are not perfect and don't presume to be. There are some deep issues. I loved the voice of Diana in the first chapter. It seemed so real. I was only disappointed as I neared the end and realized the issues would not be resolved in this book. Luckily for me there is a sequel, which I am reading right now.
April 6, 2015
Good story line and interesting characters. I like the theme of forgiveness of self and others. Deals with spirituality, culture and traditions on multiple levels. Ending was disappointing too many unanswered questions. First time reading this writer hope there is a sequel that answers them. Got it from BookBub
April 27, 2015
Very well written and believable. The characters were well developed and interesting in their own rights. Liked the way they were all connected to the plot line. Grace's story was traumatic. Each character had a tragedy of one sort or the other but by God's grace find redemption and forgiveness and strength to carry on. Enjoyed Zeely and Ron's love story more.
February 11, 2012
This book is about friendship, hope, and help for those who need a hand up in life. It is anchored in religion but with the devil lurking around the edges. The people are likable and deeply developed. There are flashes of beautiful prose that kept me coming back for more.
May 17, 2012
wonderfully written story with great characters and a riveting plot from start to finish. my only complaint is the constantly switching POVs. as this was Grace's story, it would have worked just fine told solely through her eyes.
April 14, 2009
Very slow start but builds to a worthwhile read.
April 6, 2014
Had this book for a couple of years but just read it and it was wonderful. Don't know why I waited so long
February 16, 2012
This book was really confusing for the first half, as each chapter was written from the perspective of a different main character and it was quite difficult to see how they fitted together.
August 4, 2012
this book was excellent. i hope there is a sequel in the works
May 17, 2013
This took me awhile to get into. But once I started getting into it I didn't want to put it down. I'm so glad I finally got to finish this book.
June 3, 2015
Really enjoyed the development of the characters although I prefer not to read character based chapters.
January 2, 2026
Interesting ReadI liked the reality of this story. If not personal, it is about someone familiar.
I recommend this book to young adults . Maybe it will help self confidence and knowing you can hear directly from God. Even if and when we miss it "If we seek HIM, we will find HIM, when we search for him with our whole heart.
I recommend this book to young adults . Maybe it will help self confidence and knowing you can hear directly from God. Even if and when we miss it "If we seek HIM, we will find HIM, when we search for him with our whole heart.
August 28, 2017
Pretty good
It was good. There were a lot of characters and I don't know if every story was completed now that I think about it. There was a surprise I didn't expect and I don't know if it's because the character kind of just popped up or what. Interesting.
It was good. There were a lot of characters and I don't know if every story was completed now that I think about it. There was a surprise I didn't expect and I don't know if it's because the character kind of just popped up or what. Interesting.
May 31, 2019
Not bad for Christian romance
Didn't realize this was Christian romance when I started reading this. But the storyline kept my interest. I thought the ending was lacking but hopefully the sequel will answer my questions.
Didn't realize this was Christian romance when I started reading this. But the storyline kept my interest. I thought the ending was lacking but hopefully the sequel will answer my questions.
August 25, 2017
Reading a more spiritual book puts me in a relative place. So many twist guuuuurl! i want to read more about where they left off.
March 29, 2021
This was GOOD
Superb Christian novel. I read through the night and into the mourning. Absolutely had to finish it.
This story satisfied my longing for a true Christian novel.
Superb Christian novel. I read through the night and into the mourning. Absolutely had to finish it.
This story satisfied my longing for a true Christian novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews