ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After Tamara Leigh earned a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology, she and her husband decided to start a family, with plans for Tamara to continue in her career once she became a mother.When the blessing of children proved elusive, Tamara became convicted to find a way to work out of her home in order to raise the children she and her husband longed to have. She turned to writing, at which she had only ever dreamed of being successful, and began attending church. Shortly thereafter, her agent called with news of Bantam Books’ offer of a four-book contract. That same day, Tamara’s pregnancy was confirmed. Within the next year, she gave up her speech pathology career, committed her life to Christ, her first child was born, and her first historical romance novel was released.
As Tamara continued to write for the secular market, publishing three more novels with HarperCollins and Dorchester, she infused her growing Christian beliefs into her writing. But it was not enough, and though her novels earned awards and were national bestsellers, she knew her stories were lacking. After struggling with the certainty that her writing was not honoring God as it should, she made the decision to write books that not only reveal Christianity to non-believers, but serve as an inspiration for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Her inspirational romances are peopled with characters in varying stages of Christian faith, from mature believers to new believers to non-believers on the threshold of awakening.
Tamara Leigh enjoys time with her family, volunteer work, faux painting, and reading. She lives near Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, David, and two sons, Skyler and Maxen.
Two of her latest books are Splitting Harriet and Perfecting Kate.
ABOUT THE BOOK
All she wants is a job. All she needs is religion. How hard can it be? Maizy Grace Stewart dreams of a career as an investigative journalist, but her last job ended in disaster when her compassion cost her employer a juicy headline. A part-time gig at a Nashville newspaper might be her big break.
A second job at Steeple Side Christian Resources could help pay the bills, but Steeple Side only hires committed Christians. Maizy is sure she can fake it with her Five-Step Program to Authentic Christian Faith–a plan of action that includes changing her first name to Grace, buying Jesus-themed accessories, and learning “Christian Speak.” If only Jack Prentiss, Steeple Side’s managing editor and two-day-stubbled, blue-jean-wearing British hottie wasn’t determined to prove her a fraud.
When Maizy’s boss at the newspaper decides that she should investigate–and expose–any skeletons in Steeple Side’s closet, she must decide whether to deliver the dirt and secure her career or lean on her newfound faith, change the direction of her life, and pray that her Steeple Side colleagues–and Jack–will show her grace.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Faking Grace, go HERE
“Tamara Leigh takes her experienced romance hand and delights readers with Chick-Lit that sparkles and characters who come alive.” - Kristin Billerbeck, author of The Trophy Wives Club
“A delightful, charming book! Faking Grace has romance, truth, and a dollop of insanity, making Tamara Leigh a permanent addition to my list of favorite authors. Enjoy!”
- Ginger Garrett, author of In the Shadow of Lions and Beauty Secrets of the Bible
“Tamara Leigh does a fabulous job looking at the faults, the love, the hypocrisy, and the grace of Christians in a way that’s entertaining and fun. Maizy Grace is a crazy character I couldn’t help but like. I loved this book and highly recommend it!”
- Camy Tang, author of Sushi for One? and Only Uni
MY REVIEW:
I read and really enjoyed Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh and was looking forward to reading Faking Grace. Well, let me tell you, it is a delightful book full of spiritual truths that are suggested at, dropped as hints and slapped in your face. It is fantastic. Tamara has a writing style that would be considered humorous chick lit but it really delves into topics that most of us deal with but don't want to address.
In this book Maizy Grace gets herself fired and has to restart in a different town. She is only hired for part time and has to get a 2nd job to make ends meet. This 2nd job is for a Christian publishing company that includes a requirement of being a Christian. Maizy Grace accepted Jesus at a summer camp 10 years ago and so figures its not a total lie, she just needs to brush up. So out comes - Dumb Blonde's Guide to Christianity and here is where the stereotypes come out flying and start falling fast. I don't want to reveal all the great humor in the book and steal Tamara's thunder but let's just say that she starts going by her middle name, Grace, so that no one will know who she is - and by the end of the book she learns a hefty lesson about forgiveness, mercy and grace.
I will be pondering this book for a long time and will most likely re-read it to absorb some more of the awesome tidbits in this book - in the meantime if you hear me humming "Amazing Grace" you'll know I'm thinking of this book!
1 comment:
I have had Splitting Harriet on my "to-read" list for a long time - I'll have to get a hold of copy for sure now. And now Faking Grace!
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