Synopses & Reviews
The author of Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy dares all women who have had a stumble in life to harness their fighting spirit and stand back up with courage and optimism.
Twenty years ago, Geralyn Lucas put on red lipstick before entering the operating room to show everyone that she planned to come out the bold and daring woman she never thought she could be. At twenty-seven, she didn't realize how much her single act of courage would connect with women and endear her to breast cancer survivors across the globe.
In Then Came Life, Geralyn is back with the same fearless attitude, exploring what it means to survive cancer, only to face new challenges. When she was fighting cancer, Geralyn prayed she would live long enough to get wrinkles. Now in her mid-forties, shes the mother of two miracle babies, one whos grown into a mean tween with a fierce eye-roll and the other a tornado of little-boy energy who refuses to play by his preschools rules. Her storybook romance has become couples therapy with a grumpy prince, the job she loves moves across the country without her, and her hard-won wrinkles just make her long for Botox.
Then Came Life is a totally original response to lifes challenges that reminds readers to always find a way to turn the mundane in life into a miracle. With an infectious sense of empowerment and hilarious voice, Geralyn has crafted a playbook for women everywhere to fall back in love with life. All women will recognize themselves in Geralyn and her story about re-discovering the resilience, courage, and humor needed to reinvent yourself at every age.
Review
Praise for Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy:
"A bold memoir."
—People
"Outrageous and often hilarious. . . . This is a totally frank, inspiring and defiant account of undaunted courage."
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Read this book and youll never wear lipstick the same way again."
—Kim Cattrall, actress
Review
Advance Praise for Then Came Life
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage, determination, and confidence to rise up and reinvent your life after breast cancer treatment is over. Life feels fragile and frightening. Geralyn Lucas book is a fresh, smart, funny, open and honest account of the raw moments from low self-worth to new self-appreciation, mourning to celebration, marriage to motherhood, and from hiding to bold extroversion. Its a fascinating real life bumpy ride. Buckle your safety belt and read this book!”
—Marisa C. Weiss, MD, President and Founder of Breastcancer.org
"I love this honest, funny, and deeply emotional book. This story is about how any life crisis, not just health, reverberates for better and worse in all the years that follow, lurks and transforms marriage, children, career. Geralyn charmed her way into my heart and took up permanent residence."
—Delia Ephron, author of Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc.)
"The author of the original girl power cancer tome is back with a tour de force. Geralyn Lucas proves once again that it's not just what's in her cosmetic bag of tricks that gets her through, but her emotional makeup. Then Came Life isn't just for cancer survivors, but for anyone whos survived anything. I just love this book!"
—Marissa Marchetto, author of Cancer Vixen
"As the physical embodiment of aspiration and audacity, she has paved the way for our generation of young cancer survivors to become the change we wished to see."
—Matthew Zachary, cancer activist and CEO of Stupid Cancer
"l loved Geralyn's words of wisdom, wonder and whimsy. She is my pink soul sister!"
—Betsey Johnson, fashion designer
Review
Praise for Then Came Life
"The candid and perceptive author talks about motherhood...marriage, body image, self-worth, family, and the loss of loved ones as she ultimately seizes living over living in fear. ...Lucass sage commentary will bring a nod of recognition from fellow cancer travelers and a smile to everyones lips, even if they arent cherry red. Highly recommended.
-Library Journal "Lucas success in overcoming breast cancer would give nearly anybody the sense that other, more “manageable” obstacles can also be overcome. Different challenges—learning to parent, resolving marital difficulties—have called on her to tap into other inner resources, and she continues to handle them with a positive attitude. ...Women inspired by the way Lucas marshaled her resources for treatment will enjoy seeing how such strength can be channeled into other challenges."
-Kirkus Reviews Prone to self-criticism and with an affinity for Botox, Spanx, and antidepressants (as well as the red lipstick that gives her courage), Lucas doesnt hold back as she confronts aging, negativity, and living fearlessly. This forthright tale of a woman facing her future after cancer will resonate with survivors as well as others caught in the throes of midlife.
-Publishers Weekly “I love this honest, funny, and deeply emotional book. Geralyn charmed her way into my heart and took up permanent residence.”
-Delia Ephron, author of Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc.) “The author of the original girl power cancer tome is back with a tour de force. THEN CAME LIFE isnt just for cancer survivors, but for anyone whos survived anything. I just love this book!”
-Marissa Marchetto, author of Cancer Vixen “As the physical embodiment of aspiration and audacity, she has paved the way for our generation of young cancer survivors to become the change we wished to see.”
-Matthew Zachary, cancer activist and CEO of Stupid Cancer “l loved Geralyns words of wisdom, wonder and whimsy. She is my pink soul sister!”
-Betsey Johnson, fashion designer “It takes a tremendous amount of courage, determination, and confidence to rise up and reinvent your life after breast cancer treatment is over. Life feels fragile and frightening. Geralyn Lucas book is a fresh, smart, funny, open and honest account of the raw moments from low self-worth to new self-appreciation, mourning to celebration, marriage to motherhood, and from hiding to bold extroversion. Its a fascinating real life bumpy ride. Buckle your safety belt and read this book!”
-Marisa C. Weiss, MD, President and Founder, Breastcancer.org
About the Author
Geralyn Lucas is an award-winning TV producer, author, lecturer, and womens health advocate. She lives in New York City.