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Maya Blue

A Memoir of Survival

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

For fans of Breaking Bad and Narcos, a searingly honest and unforgettable memoir that challenges women 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.

About The Author

Brenda Coffee is a businesswoman, public speaker, and former board member and managing consultant to a public company she sold to Big Pharma. She is also the creator of two Top 10 websites, including 1010ParkPlace.com, home to her popular BRENDA’S BLOG, which has repeatedly been voted a Top 10 Blog/Site for Women Over 50 by FeedSpot. Brenda is the author of The Breast Cancer Sisterhood and Husbands and Heroes: – The Breast Cancer Caregiver, and was formerly a writer for Spirit, Southwest Airline’s magazine. A graduate of Trinity University with a degree in journalism, she lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (May 20, 2025)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781647429072

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Raves and Reviews

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 best-seller, Willa’s Grove

“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

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