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Ray of Hope
"Vanessa is a superb storyteller." --ReShonda Tate Billingsley
"I absolutely love Vanessa's unique writing style. She is one of a kind." --Mary Monroe, New York Times bestselling author
Teen sisters Sahara and Crystal Nichols are acting up, and their risqué behavior is more than their mother can handle. Enter the girls' 75-year-old churchgoing grandmother, Ma Ray, who takes charge of the young women. She's determined to turn their lives around--and knows more about being a bad girl than either sister bargained for. And when they learn of their grandmother's former rebel antics, which were wild enough to rival their own, they begin to appreciate her present-day passion for leading a more productive life--via family, love, and faith. . .
"There are enough tears, hugs, and lessons learned to appease readers, young and adult, who like a good dose of faith with their fiction." --Publishers Weekly
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2013
22 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Davis Griggs
44 books250 followersVanessa Davis Griggs is the author of novels: DESTINY UNLIMITED, THE ROSE OF JERICHO, PROMISES BEYOND JORDAN, WINGS OF GRACE, BLESSED TRINITY, STRONGHOLDS, IF MEMORY SERVES and PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH, GOODNESS AND MERCY, THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT, RAY OF HOPE,, REDEEMING WATERS, FOREVER SOUL TIES, THE OTHER SIDE OF GOODNESS, THE OTHER SIDE OF DARE, THE OTHER SIDE OF DIVINE, STEELY GRAY and COUNTLESS BLESSINGS.
Visit my Web site at: www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com"
Visit my Web site at: www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 30, 2014
I truly enjoyed this book. Ma Ray was the stand out character for me. Her humoruous Mother Wit was delightful. The presence of God at work in this novel & Vanessa shows on every page.
September 25, 2020
Whether you believe or not, God loves you unconditionally. This was the main idea of this story that Ma Ray was trying to convey to her granddaughter, 17-yr old Sahara.
Everyone has sinned and fallen short of his glory. We need to read that statement every day & know that no sin holds more substance than the other; sin is sin. Through the eyes of a loving grandmother & what she's willing to admit to about her past, reveals that your life has a purpose & you'll need to stand strong & believe that God is in control.
Great story that a lot of young teenage girls needs to read.
Everyone has sinned and fallen short of his glory. We need to read that statement every day & know that no sin holds more substance than the other; sin is sin. Through the eyes of a loving grandmother & what she's willing to admit to about her past, reveals that your life has a purpose & you'll need to stand strong & believe that God is in control.
Great story that a lot of young teenage girls needs to read.
June 9, 2011
As many may know already, I am a devoted fan to this author's works since I read the first book, "Promises of Jordan" and feel deeply in love with reading again with "Wings of Grace" that is now costly to purchase on Amazon from other book sellers. I nearly have all her books except very first self-published book that I'll order online "Rose of Jericho" and have this one on my Amazon wishlist, also latest book on preorder on Amazon since May 2011. Only 3 left to purchase.
Halfway done, I believe this book makes my top list of her reads to be one of my favorites like "Wings of Grace." We need a stern, firm, Ma Ray in our lives--she's not as bossy and sassy as Madea but you can definitely relate to this woman. She's someone's grandma for sure. So far, I don't see Sahara's unruliness or Crystal badness but following her oldest sister's footsteps. Sometimes, the second child, has a hard time finding their own path since they may look up to their oldest sister whether they're a good or bad example. I know as the oldest too, my younger sisters (Sonya and Atria) at one time or another in their lives followed my footsteps or highly admired me to create their own. Yet, today, our kids do have sassy mouths and imagine the peer pressures they have to face--Vanessa tackles on a couple of them. She is a brilliant storyteller where you follow the story and feel like you are there--or one of them, and love these characters in some form or fashion.
For some reason, I'm leaning to Sahara's character but it can change momentarily and love me some Ma Ray (she reminds me of my grandmother of 75 or so too, Sarah, in NY). I had to live with her when I was 22 years old and my mother felt my sister and I was out of hands--with no focus (my sis was 19 going on 20, 2 1/2 years apart). Cheering Sahara on to get her life together and right with GOD like I did in my late twenties!
Halfway done, I believe this book makes my top list of her reads to be one of my favorites like "Wings of Grace." We need a stern, firm, Ma Ray in our lives--she's not as bossy and sassy as Madea but you can definitely relate to this woman. She's someone's grandma for sure. So far, I don't see Sahara's unruliness or Crystal badness but following her oldest sister's footsteps. Sometimes, the second child, has a hard time finding their own path since they may look up to their oldest sister whether they're a good or bad example. I know as the oldest too, my younger sisters (Sonya and Atria) at one time or another in their lives followed my footsteps or highly admired me to create their own. Yet, today, our kids do have sassy mouths and imagine the peer pressures they have to face--Vanessa tackles on a couple of them. She is a brilliant storyteller where you follow the story and feel like you are there--or one of them, and love these characters in some form or fashion.
For some reason, I'm leaning to Sahara's character but it can change momentarily and love me some Ma Ray (she reminds me of my grandmother of 75 or so too, Sarah, in NY). I had to live with her when I was 22 years old and my mother felt my sister and I was out of hands--with no focus (my sis was 19 going on 20, 2 1/2 years apart). Cheering Sahara on to get her life together and right with GOD like I did in my late twenties!
January 17, 2016
Author: Vanessa Davis Griggs
Published By: Dafina
Age Recommended: YA
Rating: 5
Reviewed by: Arlena Dean
Review:
"Ray of Hope" by Vanessa Davis Griggs was another wonderful novel.This
beautiful story of a seventy-five year old grandmother who kept her two
granddaughters during the summer who had some major issues she had to
deal with. This grandmother who was called Ma Ray was deeply rooted in memories of her own past and common sense and with all of this she was there to help her two granddaughters.
This novel was definitely one of those that once I started reading "Ray of Hope" I could not put it down until I finished...so 4 and 1/2 hours later...I finished a truly wonderful, beautiful well written book. This was truly a read that you you will see in the end that the granddaughters maturing and seeing things in life quite differently.
The characters are something...from Ma Ray, Sahara, Crystal, Lenora, Andre, June Bug, Tosie, Erin and a few others... making this novel simply off the chart a good read. If you have never read any of Ms. Vanessa Davis Griggs reads...be sure to pick this one up. You will not be sorry.
Ray of Hope is about a grandmother trying to give advice to her out of control granddaughters. "Each time the girls were in a predicament, Ma Ray always had a solution." Ma Ray wanted the girls to have a positive outlook on life and not move on only impulse and most of all the granddaughters learned that their grandmother was not a push over...being unable to pull crazy stuff with her. YES! What a grandmother.. that always had a good solution. Now, this is where I say you must pick up this read "Ray of Hope."
"Ray of Hope" is a story definitely that will benefit today's youth(teens) and I would highly recommend this for a excellent read for all.
Published By: Dafina
Age Recommended: YA
Rating: 5
Reviewed by: Arlena Dean
Review:
"Ray of Hope" by Vanessa Davis Griggs was another wonderful novel.This
beautiful story of a seventy-five year old grandmother who kept her two
granddaughters during the summer who had some major issues she had to
deal with. This grandmother who was called Ma Ray was deeply rooted in memories of her own past and common sense and with all of this she was there to help her two granddaughters.
This novel was definitely one of those that once I started reading "Ray of Hope" I could not put it down until I finished...so 4 and 1/2 hours later...I finished a truly wonderful, beautiful well written book. This was truly a read that you you will see in the end that the granddaughters maturing and seeing things in life quite differently.
The characters are something...from Ma Ray, Sahara, Crystal, Lenora, Andre, June Bug, Tosie, Erin and a few others... making this novel simply off the chart a good read. If you have never read any of Ms. Vanessa Davis Griggs reads...be sure to pick this one up. You will not be sorry.
Ray of Hope is about a grandmother trying to give advice to her out of control granddaughters. "Each time the girls were in a predicament, Ma Ray always had a solution." Ma Ray wanted the girls to have a positive outlook on life and not move on only impulse and most of all the granddaughters learned that their grandmother was not a push over...being unable to pull crazy stuff with her. YES! What a grandmother.. that always had a good solution. Now, this is where I say you must pick up this read "Ray of Hope."
"Ray of Hope" is a story definitely that will benefit today's youth(teens) and I would highly recommend this for a excellent read for all.
February 5, 2023
If I could give this a million stars I would! This book touched me on a soul level. It without question made it to my top 5 favs! The writing was 🤌🏻 It was relatable, funny, touching and 100% biblical. It gave christian Madea vibes and I was here for it. I already want to re-read it so I can annotate. Well done 👏🏻
May 28, 2018
Close to home
Ma Ray is my grandma heart and soul. I tell you this book could have been about my family with the names being changed to protect the innocent. Lol. I loved this story I hope there is a follow-up to see where Sahara life takes her.
Ma Ray is my grandma heart and soul. I tell you this book could have been about my family with the names being changed to protect the innocent. Lol. I loved this story I hope there is a follow-up to see where Sahara life takes her.
June 27, 2018
What do you do when your teen age daughters are going astray? Send them to faithful grandma. These girls learn to value Themselves, faith and others. Perhaps a little too much scripture quoting, but these girls needed it.
November 18, 2019
Great read
Expertly told. I loved the retelling of the bible story in modern day. I loved how Ma Ray went into prayer over everything and sought to understand today's youth and their language. Every child needs a Ma Ray in his/her life. Great read.
Expertly told. I loved the retelling of the bible story in modern day. I loved how Ma Ray went into prayer over everything and sought to understand today's youth and their language. Every child needs a Ma Ray in his/her life. Great read.
July 27, 2019
Awesome read. I would definitely recommend that teenage girls read this book.
August 1, 2019
I didn’t finish it, maybe I had too much going on in my life at the time.
July 21, 2021
This is my second read of this book and I still enjoy it and pick up other little nuggets.
April 27, 2022
Nice story but it really seemed to drag out the ending and was a little cheesy. But good message.
July 6, 2022
Great book of spiritual encouragement!!!!!
August 20, 2024
An entertaining and inspiring read about family love, implementing one’s own self-respect, and second chances for a better way of life. Great read!
January 20, 2025
Some scenes should have been left out but great storyline
August 10, 2025
absolutely one it was hard to put down!
November 1, 2012
It took me awhile to read this book because this is not your happy ending, easy reading book. This one has quite a punch in teen rebellion and serious issues. Mixed in some family dynamics and other misc. everyday issues like money. For some time I was not really liking the main character, since I was a teenager not so long ago myself and could not believe that this girl would do the opposite of what she really meant to say and do. However I do recall some of those things myself as well. The character was not the most stellar however was redeemed.
Overall it was a great book especially for the teenage girls or parents of teenage girls.
Overall it was a great book especially for the teenage girls or parents of teenage girls.
February 6, 2017
Love this book. It is a great YA read. I think every middle school girl needs to read this book.
July 22, 2015
This was a Christian novel, not my favorite genre, about a 75-year-old grandmother who took in her two rebellious teen granddaughters for the summer. Not fast enough moving, but there were qualities in the grandmother to admire as she successfully evangelized the girls and taught them some basic manners. She observes: "What's the point in having money if you can't exchange it for things that will make those we love happy." She knew that saying yes when she could did build relationships.
June 17, 2012
This book was so good I finished reading it in about 5 hours. I just couldn't put it down. The storyline was great, the characters loveable, Ma Ray is awesome. There are so many women who should read this book. We can learn a lot from it. This is probably one that I'll read again.
January 24, 2016
Once again the wonderful Vanessa Davis Griggs nails another great storyline. This book touched on issues that most people face today and I loved the way she incorporated the younger people or teens in this book. Vanessa is so talented and gifted.
August 14, 2016
This book was great. It showed how every generation goes through similar turmoils in their life as well as very different things. We just need to love each other and through our faith in God, we can help each other go through the bad things we face.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2012
Excellent book and you will be truly blessed when you read it. I'm going to recommend this book to my nieces. Can't wait to read the other ones. Thank you Mrs. Griggs truly a blessing.
August 2, 2012
very bible based. one of the messages is God's unconditional love and forgiveness. interesting fiction book with good morals. worth the read if you are willing to listen to the message.
February 21, 2013
A great testimony in this book for young teens. The prayer warriors in this series of books are very experienced and very wise. These books keep your attention.
June 24, 2014
This is my first book by the author. I truly enjoy the book. I would love to read more about this family. I cannot wait to read more by the author.
July 30, 2015
I love Ma Ray! Awesome grandmother. The grandmothers were the heros in this book. And I loved it!
December 4, 2015
One the best books I have read in a really long time! I wish I could pass this book on to bless another soul!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews