Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Faking Grace
Multnomah Books (August 19, 2008)
by
Tamara Leigh


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

Cut Here
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Posting Information

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529294

Author's picture is:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjkj2goMGiVPOvaOk1qGZoxguBddZpVJk1WAg9IyCua3dDlYIfqw9bJwk9kW-wKhXFuC0HXyONNIVbPR9BM_ehvA9vnKeLM6LCNFBxHZFQGcxe29j-VXuzbzBZ93407R3H5z/s1600-h/tammy08sml.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjkj2goMGiVPOvaOk1qGZoxguBddZpVJk1WAg9IyCua3dDlYIfqw9bJwk9kW-wKhXFuC0HXyONNIVbPR9BM_ehvA9vnKeLM6LCNFBxHZFQGcxe29j-VXuzbzBZ93407R3H5z/s200/tammy08sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248668168270775154" /></a><br />


The book cover photo is:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BJtiyhnfQLHcLLzrHdgUXy342Pbkd1UGwrSohwcCgNDXA0DicqPOsCP0HsOWjeLI20Y_RLFidkGBko-KX5ofgU7Gzs-Z7G5veLBdb-NcsR4BYTW0IQjHfS-zrXIfpM-TjiYX/s1600-h/fakinggrace.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BJtiyhnfQLHcLLzrHdgUXy342Pbkd1UGwrSohwcCgNDXA0DicqPOsCP0HsOWjeLI20Y_RLFidkGBko-KX5ofgU7Gzs-Z7G5veLBdb-NcsR4BYTW0IQjHfS-zrXIfpM-TjiYX/s200/fakinggrace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248666635487117282" /></a>

The code for this post is: <div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" border="0" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-size:130%;">This week, the</span></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size:100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></center><br /><center><span style="font-size:100%;">is introducing</span></center><br /><center><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529294">Faking Grace</a></span></center><br /><center>Multnomah Books (August 19, 2008) </center><br /><center>by</center><br /><center><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"><a href="http://www.tamaraleigh.com/">Tamara Leigh</a></span></center><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ff6600;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjkj2goMGiVPOvaOk1qGZoxguBddZpVJk1WAg9IyCua3dDlYIfqw9bJwk9kW-wKhXFuC0HXyONNIVbPR9BM_ehvA9vnKeLM6LCNFBxHZFQGcxe29j-VXuzbzBZ93407R3H5z/s1600-h/tammy08sml.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjkj2goMGiVPOvaOk1qGZoxguBddZpVJk1WAg9IyCua3dDlYIfqw9bJwk9kW-wKhXFuC0HXyONNIVbPR9BM_ehvA9vnKeLM6LCNFBxHZFQGcxe29j-VXuzbzBZ93407R3H5z/s200/tammy08sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248668168270775154" /></a>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Two of her latest books are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529286">Splitting Harriet</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529278">Perfecting Kate</a>. <br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffcc00;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BJtiyhnfQLHcLLzrHdgUXy342Pbkd1UGwrSohwcCgNDXA0DicqPOsCP0HsOWjeLI20Y_RLFidkGBko-KX5ofgU7Gzs-Z7G5veLBdb-NcsR4BYTW0IQjHfS-zrXIfpM-TjiYX/s1600-h/fakinggrace.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BJtiyhnfQLHcLLzrHdgUXy342Pbkd1UGwrSohwcCgNDXA0DicqPOsCP0HsOWjeLI20Y_RLFidkGBko-KX5ofgU7Gzs-Z7G5veLBdb-NcsR4BYTW0IQjHfS-zrXIfpM-TjiYX/s200/fakinggrace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248666635487117282" /></a><strong><em>All she wants is a job. All she needs is religion. How hard can it be? </em></strong><br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529294">Faking Grace</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2008/09/faking-grace-chapter-1.html">HERE</a> <br /><br /><blockquote>“Tamara Leigh takes her experienced romance hand and delights readers with Chick-Lit that sparkles and characters who come alive.” - <strong>Kristin Billerbeck</strong>, author of <em>The Trophy Wives Club</em></blockquote><br /><blockquote>“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!”<br />- <strong>Ginger Garrett</strong>, author of <em>In the Shadow of Lions </em>and <em>Beauty Secrets of the Bible</em></blockquote><br /><blockquote>“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!”<br />- <strong>Camy Tang</strong>, author of <em>Sushi for One?</em> and <em>Only Uni</em></blockquote>

Tamara can be reached through the Contact link on her Website

Come and visit some of those on this blog tour:

Alexis at Ramblings From Life
Amy at My Life
Amy at Peek a boo ICU
Andie at frommipov
Angela at Angela Benson.com
Angela at One Baby, Seven Dogs, and a Mommy
April at Projecting A
Betsy Ann at Betsy Ann "Writer at Large!"
Bonnie at Bonnie Writes
Brittanie at A Book Lover
Camille at There is a season
Camy at Camy Tang
Cara at the law, books, and life
Carolyn at Serenity
CeeCee at Book Splurge
Cheri at Kudzu and Koolaid
Cheryl at Writing Remnants
Christy at Christy's Book Blog
Dave at Dave Rhoades
Dave at Novel Spotlight
Dawn at Book Junkie Confessions
Deanna at Deannna's Corner
Deborah at books, movies and chinese food
Deborah at Comfort Joy Designs
Debra at Soul Reflections
Deena at A Peek At My Bookshelf
Delia at Gatorskunkz And Mudcats
Edyth at Great Reads by Jasmine
Erin at Life Around Here
Georgiana at Georgiana D
Gina at Upon Reflection
Gretchen at Inspire Me
Heidi at Reviews by Heidi
Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Janna at Cornhusker Academy
Jendi at Jendi's Journal
Jeni at Allen Family Circus
Jenn at Adventures At Walden's Pond
Jennifer at So Many Books…So Little Time
Jenny at Come Meet AusJenny
Jessica at Praise, Prayers and Observations
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
Jim B. at The Bedford Review
Jim T. at One Small Stone--CFBA Book Reviews
Karen at Mommy of Three
Karla at Ramblin' Roads To Everywhere
Kelly at A Disciple's Steps
Kim at Window To My World
Krista at Welcome To Married Life
Kristi at Stamped With Grace
Kristinia at Loving Heart Mommy
LaShaunda at See Ya On The Net
Leah at Ponderings From My Heart
Leslie at A Little Bit Of Sunlight
Linda at Mocha With Linda
Linda at Reading For His Glory
Lori at journey in grace
Mandy at Mommy Cracked
Marcia at Writer-lee
Margaret at Creative Madness
Marilynn at Rhythms of Grace
Melissa at Bibliophile's Retreat
Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
Michelle at Just A Minute
Nora at Finding Hope Through Christian Fiction
Pam at Pam's Private Reflections
Pam at Daysong Reflections
Pattie at FreshBrewedWriter
Peg at Sips 'n Cups Cafeteria
Rachelle at Stifled Squeal
Rel at Relz Reviewz
Rhonda at Whatever…
Rulan at Fiction Showcase
Ruth at Booktalk & more...
Ryan at loves to read
Sabrina at Hijinks From The Heartland
Shera at Froggy Reviews
Stephanie at Punkin' Press
Sunny at Life In The Estrogen Sea
Tabitha at 123pizza's Weblog
Takiela at Beauty 4 Ashes
Tami at Tree Swing Reading
Tiffany at Snapshots Of Life
Tracy at Pix-N-Pens
Victoria at Overlooked Orchid