Lauren Larsen thought she had a wonderful life: loving marriage, good friends, successful career and her first child on the way.  Shortly after entering the ninth month of her pregnancy, Lauren's life took a perilous turn due to the rapid onset of preeclampsia.  After more than a month in intensive care and years of recovery work ahead of her, Lauren emerged from her trials with the desire to build a life full of purpose and meaning.  Zuzu's Petals: A True Story of Second Chances is Lauren's real-life memoir of her personal battle with preeclampsia and her drive to make her "second chance at life" count for more than the average person.
 
2010 Saving Grace co-chair Autumn Spear described Zuzu's Petals as one of the best books she has ever read.  "Obviously I have a personal connection to the book having shared severe preeclampsia, but it's also just a great story and written with humor and grace... Many time I found myself saying aloud 'Ah ha! See, that did happen, I knew it!' To have a book that so thoughtfully details such a tragic experience is a blessing and gift."
 
Lauren's book gives voice to the countless number of women who have survived preeclampsia and were left wondering, "Why did this happen to me?"  Her dry humor and stark honesty permeate the story, letting the reader feel that they are experiencing each increasingly devastating moment of her experience.  By the end, the reader triumphs with Lauren as she not only conquers the effects of her hospitalization, but chooses to make her existence count.

One of the most generous aspects of Zuzu's Petals is that each purchase from Lauren's website can be designated to benefit preeclampsia research.  To purchase a copy and enjoy an excellent, if not grimly realistic, story, please visit Lauren's website and select "preeclampsia research" for a portion of your purchase to benefit the Preeclampsia Foundation.  You can also find more information about the book in the Preeclampsia Foundation marketplace.