Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival
Feature and Contest

About the Book
Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival
At 21, 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.
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Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival
- Publication Date: May 20, 2025
- Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction
- Paperback: 280 pages
- Publisher: She Writes Press
- ISBN-10: 1647429064
- ISBN-13: 9781647429065
Enter to Win One of 25 Advance Copies of
MAYA BLUE: A Memoir of Survival by Brenda Coffee
and Share Your Comments on It
MAYA BLUE by Brenda Coffee is a searingly honest and unforgettable memoir that challenges women to rethink everything they know about survival, resilience and finding their voice.
We have 25 advance copies to give away to those who would like to read the book, which releases on May 20th, and share their comments on it. All winners must be prepared to provide their feedback by Monday, May 12th.
To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, March 21st at noon ET.
More about MAYA BLUE: A Memoir of Survival:
At 21, 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 have 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.