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SPLITTING HARRIET MEDIA
REVIEWS
LIBRARY JOURNAL
Harriet Bisset, preacher's kid and former party girl, is living
a well-ordered, straight life in her hometown of Franklin, TN,
until the unorthodox and hunky Maddox McCray is hired by First
Grace Church to revive membership by introducing a less stodgy
service and lifestyle. What ensues is delightful, romantic chick
lit at its best, with a quirky protagonist addicted to Jelly
Bellys who needs the spark that Maddox puts back into her life.
Well-drawn supporting characters add to the fun in this novel
that will certainly appeal to twenty- and thirty-something
women.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
Romance author Leigh (Stealing Adda) mixes chick lit
with a treatise on the need for change in traditional churches
in her latest. Former wild child Harriet Bisset, 27, tries to
keep to the straight and narrow. Between living in a senior
citizens’ trailer park, her part-time job as a women’s ministry
director at First Grace in Franklin, Tenn., and waitressing at
Gloria’s Morning Cafe (which she’s saving to buy), she doesn’t
have time to get into trouble. But when the church hires hunky
30-something Maddox McCray, a former bad boy, as a consultant to
help attract new members (translation: bring in the guitars,
drum sets and programming), Harriet grapples with her own fears
about risk and change. Some readers will disagree with Maddox’s
breezy assertion that “today’s Christians have different needs
from past generations” and that programming and contemporary
music are the answer, especially when interest from young people
in more liturgical traditions is on the upswing. Church
marketing themes aside, Leigh crafts the expected romance, with
all the tensions and tingles, adding splashes of fun with
Harriet’s Jelly Belly addiction and cat-sitting dramas. The
novel’s elderly characters sparkle, and readers will hoot when
one “old biddy” takes out a no-good amorous lecher with a stun
gun.
ROMANTIC TIMES
-- 4 STARS
“In
this funny, feel-good book, gifted author Leigh weaves in good
lessons among the humorous parts: that you can change your life
to live the life God has planned for you, and that it’s OK to
have fun without developing bad habits.”
HARRIET KLAUSNER
“Harriet is terrific as she feels split between her rebellious
youth…and her prime and proper adult behavior that her dad
supports. SPLITTING HARRIET between the men in her life leads to
a humorous with a serious metaphoric geometric leap in her
addiction to jelly beans. With a deep look at this young woman
caught between traditionalism and modernization, Tamara Leigh
provides an enjoyable tale; of course her first name doesn’t
hurt her rating.
CBA
RETAILERS+MAGAZINE
“This Chick-Lit novel delivers deep spiritual truths between
chuckles. Female readers will find the tension between Harri and
Maddox provides a good read as they pursue God’s best for First
Grace and determine God’s plans for their future.”
COFFEE TIME ROMANCE -- 5 CUP RATING
This book surprised me. I found it so charming, funny and
engaging that I read it from front to back in one sitting. I am
not usually a fan of Christian fiction, but Ms. Leigh inserts
her character’s spirituality into the dialog so well it seems
natural rather than preachy. It took me the first half of the
book to warm up to Harriet, who is the most self-centered and
self absorbed character I think I have ever read. But, by that
second half, I was rooting for her to get a grip and get on with
her life. The romance between Harriet and Maddox, was touchingly
sweet, as were the secondary characters. I highly recommend this
book to all lovers of a good chick lit story whether they are
Christian or not!
SPLITTING HARRIET AUTHOR REVIEWS
"Tamara Leigh delights readers with Chick Lit that sparkles
and characters who come alive." ~Kristen Billerbeck, author
of The Trophy Wives Club
"A soul-satisfying read. Leigh's vibrant story of
forgiveness and grace is peopled with characters as colorful as
a club-sized container of Jelly Bellys." ~Siri L. Mitchell,
author of The Cubicle Next Door
SPLITTING HARRIET READER
REVIEWS
"Written with the same self-depreciating, conspiratorial
tone that made Bridget Jones' Diary such a hoot, Splitting
Harriet pulls off the difficult task of keeping the reader
firmly in the head of the narrator, while allowing the freedom
to see things from an outside perspective..." ~Mary
Grace, Reader, Writer, Homeschooler & Non-Profit Missions Partner
(website)
"I wasn't sure I'd like the book when I was offered a copy
for review as it's Christian Fiction. Since I'm not Christian, I
don't usually read Christian Fiction and so figured it wouldn't
be of interest to me. I'm glad I gave it a chance! I was
pleasantly surprised to find that not only did I enjoy the book,
I loved it!" Stars: ****1/2 (This review is part of the
Splitting Harriet Blog Tour.) ~ Callista, SMS Book Reviews,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada (website)
"If you asked me to list some of my favourite books, every
one of Tamara Leigh's would be on it! Stealing Adda, Perfecting
Kate and her newest release, Splitting Harriet have that
undeniable "something" that make a book stand out, even amongst
all the other great books available. It is no surprise to me
that Tamara's leading ladies are delightful and engaging as our
correspondence across continents, tells me that Tamara has those
qualities in spades!" ~ Rel Mollet, Australia, Relz
Reviewz (website)
"I've never had more fun with church politics and upheaval.
Did I say fun? Yes. Anyone looking for an entertaining and
possibly convicting story needs to look into Splitting Harriet.
This read contains a quirky grouping of characters, play dates
for cats, and internal angst centered around a church. Harriet,
a one woman crusade, attempts to keep her church family intact
while keeping her carefully controlled life under wraps.
A fair amount of romance, some inner generational girlfriend
fun, and loads of twists and confusion make Splitting Harriet a
quick and snappy read. The twist on the usual chick-lit is
realistic and the not so flattering revelation of the humanity
that explodes in church inner workings and leadership is too.
I ended up enjoying my time with Harri, and was glad that things
weren't so neatly sewn up that we don't have a reason to revisit
her life down the road. Chick-lit lovers, quirky character
collectors and those who take church politics a little too
seriously might want to look further into Harriet." ~
Kelly Klepfer
"I just finished this wonderful book today. It was the first
time I'd read anything by Tamara Leigh, and I was truly
impressed. She writes in a style that is whimsical and fun, but
she doesn't miss the truth behind God's amazing grace in the
life of the believer. Tamara touches on many true conflicts that
exist within the body of Christ, and the fact that most of the
time fear of change is the driving force behind that conflict.
She also does and AWESOME job of showing the transforming power
of God's love in our lives once we accept the gift of
forgiveness He has so freely given. A terrific read!! I
would highly recommend this book to everyone!" ~
Kimfurd, Alabama
"Harriet Josephine Bisset was a rebellious PK (Preacher's
Kid) and now struggles to find forgiveness for her scandalous
past. The cast of characters who parade through her present life
provide the seasoning for Harri's stew. Not the least of which
are two potential suitors vying for her attention, two grumpy
cats and a neighborhood of retirees who watch over her as if she
were a member of their own families.
Tamara Leigh provides a generous dose of romance, career
challenges and familial friction for her protagonist to navigate
throughout the tale. It's almost too much for twenty-seven year
old Harri, who is floundering to find her true self. In the end,
however, it's the real, if not predictable, Harri...who emerges
victor in her schizophrenic tussle for peace of mind.
If that sounds dangerous for a Christian fiction work, give
Splitting Harriet a spin around the block. You will be reminded
that forgiveness is by grace, servanthood can come from weakness
and, when it comes to God, our plans are subject to change - for
the better." ~ K. Harris
"SPLITTING HARRIET is a very entertaining, modern day
Prodigal "Daughter" tale of Harriet, a woman bound and
determined NOT to return to her rebellious ways. She is so
afraid of becoming weak that she has closed herself (and her
heart) to life (and love) . . . until she meets someone who has
faced his own addictions and knows all too well the pain that a
trip down the wild side can leave in its wake. The result is a
blossoming love story that truly begins when Harriet realizes
that she must first forgive herself and then trust herself
before she can really love herself . . . or anyone else! Another
great read from Tamara Leigh!" ~ Jennifer Stephens
"Splitting Harriet was a refreshing change for the genre of
chick lit, which usually focuses on high name fashion and
outlandish shopping. While I enjoy that for a light read, at
times, I loved that Leigh's "Splitting Harriet," created
characters that the common woman (and man) could relate to. As a
woman struggling with church issues, I appreciated Harriet's
struggles with change in the church...as well as her struggles
to not return to her "old life." She had rebelled, come back,
but was still trying to prove to herself (and her brother) that
she had changed...and that she wasn't going back. Real life
struggles like many of us have.
Leigh's sense of humor had me cracking up, between Jelly Belly
meltdowns and cat-caused chaos. The romantic tension between
Harriet and bad-boy-redeemed Maddox had me cheering them on.
But I also blame Leigh for my lack of sleep, as I couldn't turn
off the light until I had finished the last page." ~ Jill
Johnson
"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 gist of the story as well. This 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
dialogue. 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!" ~ Michelle
Sutton
"Overall a fantastic read. Ms. Leigh is a pro at suspenseful
chapter endings- anything that makes it very hard to stop
reading. I am looking forward to many more reads like this. The
way this one ends, though, there could be a sequel... Whatever
more, I wish there was more Christian fiction/romances that were
this entertaining and addictive. Don't miss out on Stealing
Harriet, she is an endearing heroine- you can't help but root
for her!" ~ C. Widman
Faking Grace Reviews (2008)
:::::
Perfecting
Kate Reviews (2007)
Stealing
Adda Reviews (2006)
:::::
Traditional
Romance Reviews & Awards
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