by Tamara Leigh
TOUR INFORMATION
Book: Splitting Harriet
Author: Tamara Leigh
Dates: November 12-16
Summary: Preacher’s kid and prodigal Harriet Bisset returned to her church and her family in Franklin, Tennessee, seven years ago. Once the proud owner of two tattoos and a nose ring, Harri is now addicted to Jelly Bellys in lieu of hangovers and Bible verses in lieu of foul language.
The good news is that she has everything under control: a part-time position as director of women’s ministry, a church family that adores her, a rent-free home in a senior mobile home park, and the possibility of owning the café where she waitresses. Nothing could tempt Harri to return to her old ways. Nothing but a 1298 cc, liquid-cooled, sixteen-valve, in-line four-cylinder motorcycle—and the church consultant riding it.
Reformed rebel Maddox McCray’s arrival at First Grace spells C-H-A-N-G-E for the dying church. And it just might mean change for Harri when Maddox sets out to convince her that even Christians are allowed to have fun.
The story of a prodigal daughter’s transformation, Splitting Harriet reminds readers of God’s delight in forgiving, loving, and enjoying the ride.
Author Bio: Tamara Leigh’s first novel, Warrior Bride, was published in 1994 and was followed by six more bestselling, award-winning historical romances for Bantam, HarperCollins, and Dorchester. Leigh’s inspirational chick lit debut, Stealing Adda, was published in 2006 to great critical acclaim. Leigh has also written for Romantic Times magazine and been a guest speaker for WaldenBooks’s corporate conference. Leigh lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two sons and enjoys time with her family, volunteer work, faux painting, and reading.
Author Photo:
My review:
Splitting Harriet not only has a catchy title, but it really fits the story. I am always impressed when an author comes up with a title that truly represents the book. And the cover captures the meat of the story as well. This is one awesome chick lit novel that has all of the ingredients you want to see in a Christian book. Romantic tension, first person internal dialog that flows naturally, tough decisions, and spiritual growth. Her fears were realistic given her past, but she needed to learn to trust in order to grow.
Watching Harriet grow in the Lord was a beautiful thing to experience as I read this novel. I loved Harri's personality, her quirks, her issues with cats, her imperfect past, her striving to do the right thing, and fearing that the "old man" would return if she gave in to her passions. She was a fabulous and lovable character. I'm sad the story had to end. I read the book in less than three days, so you know it was awesome. The humor was LOL funny, especially when she started noticing the hero's flaws more when she was irritated with him. Example: Why did his nose suddenly seem longer?
And Harri was never mean in her thoughts towards others. Honest, yes. But never mean. Even her own negative thoughts about herself were well done. Snappy, but not snippy. Great internal dialog. Harri is a lot like me. She wants to do the right thing, but sometimes selfishness blocks her progress. She's human after all. Wait, she's a fictional character. But she seemed so real! I highly recommend Splitting Harriet. Nothing forced or contrived in this story. NOT a thing!
Splitting Harriet was published by Multnomah and will be released on Nov. 20th, so pre-order your copy today!
Still not sure? This is what the back cover says...
Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.
Then there was the spiked hair–the shade of which changed monthly–“colorful” language that can’t be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.
Did I mention I’m also a preacher’s kid? That’s right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.
Today my life is all about “lead me not into temptation.” When I’m not serving as Women’s Ministry Director at my father’s church, I’m working at Gloria’s Morning Café. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the café, keep my Jelly Belly habit under control, and to never again hurt the people I love. No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You’d think I was finally on the right track.
But since my dad’s replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our “dying” church, things aren’t working out as planned. And now this “consultant” says I’m in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is anyway? With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants, the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that’s missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought… But if he thinks he’s going to take me for a ride on that 1298cc machine of his, he can think again. Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she’s going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!
Last but not least...the rest of the tour stops...
| Blog |
| anemulligan.blogspot.com |
| http://andtheniwokeup.blogspot.com/ |
| http://betsy-ann.blogspot.com/ |
| me--www.unseenworlds.blogspot.com |
| Curmudgeon's Rant |
| Inspire Me |
| http://booksandbairns.blogspot.com |
| NovelJourneys.blogspot.com |
| Yesterday's Hopes |
| Virginia at Virginia Smith Book Reviews. |
| www.survivingthechaos.blogspot.com |
| http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com |
| http://ajpr2.blogspot.com/ |
| http://www.ohamanda.com/ |
| http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com |
| http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com |
| http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/2007/09/yippee.html |
| http://booksplurge.blogspot.com/ |
| http://homemom3.blogspot.com |
| http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi |
| CWAHM.com; RadiantLit.com; Blogcritics.org |
| http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com |
| http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/ |
| http://www.takielabynum.com |
3 comments:
Michelle, you sold me! I'd love a copy of Tamara Leigh's Splitting Harriet. Please enter me in your drawing.
Becca
deepbluecitrus[at]yahoo[dot]com
Michelle, this one sounds like a laugh-out-loud book. Please enter me in your drawing.
PatriciaW
Michelle,
Thank you for the fabulous review--and for hosting my blog tour. I love your ACFW countdown!
Blessings!
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