Southern-Style Meet & Greet with Tamara Leigh

Thanks for stopping by for another great week with another Southern-Style Meet & Greet! We had a wonderful time last week with Carla Stewart's interview, and let me just say one more time how appreciative I am to her for participating (thanks, Carla!). 

We've got a fun interview planned for this week's Meet & Greet with none other than THE Tamara Leigh (if I'm not her #1 fan, I've gotta be darn close to the top)!  But before we can get to all that, I'm super happy to announce the winner of last week's giveaway of Broken Wings by Carla Stewart.  Thanks to random.org, the winner of that gorgeous book is...

Tracy (countrysunset40@...)

Tracy, I'll be in touch with you soon to get your mailing address.  :o)  Congrats on your win!

And now, it's time for Tamara!  Y'all just don't know how happy I am that she's here this week...y'all just don't know!  :o)  (Forgive me for repeating myself...I'm just deliriously happy about it!)  The icing on the cake is that she happens to be a Southern girl.  :o)  Tamara first won me over when I read Splitting Harriet, then won me over further when I read Leaving Carolina, and then made me a goner when I read Stealing Adda.  I hope if you're a newbie to Tamara's books that you'll find yourself a copy of one realllllllly soon, because they are some of the funniest, realistic, and just down-right-fun bunch of books I've ever had the pleasure of reading.  Stay tuned to the very end, and you may just find it easier than you thought to snag a copy of your own!

Welcome, Tamara!
__________________________________

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

My desire to be a writer was apparent from elementary school onward. But once I got my hands on my first Harlequin (not to date myself, but they were clean back then), I knew I had to turn the desire into reality. Still, I never quite believed I would write anything publishable. Some surprise! And talk about a blessing!


If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be and why? (This is, of course, assuming that writing IS your dream job!) :o)

Despite the enormous amount of paperwork and overwhelming number of clients, I enjoyed my years as a speech and language pathologist working with children. Not quite a “dream job” (Did I mention all that paperwork?), but it was lovely.


What genre do you most like to write?

Romance has always been the tug for me. Though I know there are bumps and jolts in every relationship and that “happily ever after” is an exaggeration, I strive to make the romance between my hero and heroine believable, which means the characters have to accept one another’s flaws and be willing to push through the difficult times to be a couple.

Do your own personal experiences, or those of family and friends, ever find their way into one your stories?

It does happen, though often unconsciously. However, on one occasion I made the conscious decision to include a personal experience of my own. In Stealing Adda, my first inspirational book, my heroine is a novelist of historical romances (ahem…that’s what I wrote for the secular market in the ‘90s). When Adda travels to New York following the publication of her first book, she is practically head over heels upon receiving a lunch invitation from her editor. Anticipating a posh restaurant and gourmet entrees she gets, instead, a dive and food so frightening she only orders soup in the hope that excessive heat will save her from food poisoning. Yep, that was me. And it was a very humbling experience.

I remember that "scene" in Stealing Adda...truly, one of the best books you've ever written, if I do say so myself.  ;o)


What do you hope readers “take away” with them after they read one of your books?

I hope when readers finish one of my stories they “glow”, not only with the satisfaction of joining my hero and heroine on their discovery of one another, but in drawing nearer God through my characters’ encounters with Him.

What is your latest book release?

Restless in Carolina was released July 19, 2011. Here’s a peek at what readers will find nestled between the covers:

Tree-huggin’, animal-lovin’ Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan is on a mission. Well, two. First she has to come to terms with being a widow at thirty-three. After all, it’s been four years and even her five-year-old niece and nephew think it’s time she shed her widow’s weeds. Second, she needs to find a buyer for her family’s estate—a Biltmore-inspired mansion surrounded by hundreds of acres of unspoiled forestland. With family obligations forcing the sale, Bridget is determined to find an eco-friendly developer to buy the land, someone who won’t turn it into single-family homes or a cheesy theme park.


Enter J. C. Dirk, a high-energy developer from Atlanta whose green property developments have earned him national acclaim. When he doesn’t return her calls, Bridget decides a personal visit is in order. Unfortunately, J. C. Dirk is neither amused nor interested when she interrupts his meeting—until she mentions her family name. In short order, he finds himself in North Carolina, and Bridget has her white knight—in more ways than one. But there are things Bridget doesn’t know about J. C., and it could mean the end of everything she’s worked for … and break her heart.

Are you currently working on another novel, and if so, can you give us a snippet about it?

I do have some ideas tickling my story generator and attempting to make it onto paper (and a couple have to some extent) but they’re not quite ready to go public.


Where can readers find you on the web?

I like to hang out at: www.tamaraleigh.com. Come see me!

What is your most favorite thing about the South?

There is so much I like about the South—its people, hospitality, and (YES!) food—but what stands out is its beauty. Of course, that might have something to do with having grown up in the Carson City, Nevada area. Nevada is beautiful in its own way—especially the Lake Tahoe way—but it’s hard to beat the lush greenery of the South.

You're right about that!  There's nothing quite like driving through places like East Tennessee, and being surrounded by its beautiful scenery.


Iced Tea—sweet or un-sweet?

When I’m not fretting over calories, I like half and half. Otherwise, I have to go with unsweetened. :)

I suppose we'll let you get by with half-and-half.  My dad takes it that way, too, so you're in good company.  :o)


BBQ Pork or BBQ Beef?

They’re both so good, but pork sure is tender.

There's nothing as good as a yummy, pulled pork sandwich!

Potluck dinner or restaurant dinner?

That depends on my mood and the restaurant, but you can never go wrong with potluck—tasty down home dishes and fabulous fellowship.


Summer or Winter? (There are only two seasons down here…really.)

Hard one. I don’t like either extreme, but I have to say winter since it’s mild in the Nashville area, especially compared to Northern Nevada winters. The humidity of Nashville summers can be hard to handle. Fortunately, we do get a decent helping of spring and fall in our corner of the South, so it’s not too bad.

I'm jealous of your spring and fall seasons because we're fortunate to get about 2 weeks of each, if we're lucky.  Unfortunately, most years it just goes straight to hot or straight to cold.  :o(


Country gal or city gal?

Country gal. The convenience and variety of a city is nice, but I prefer the pace of living in the country.


You, you all, or y’all?

“You” though “Y’all” does trip onto my tongue from time to time.

Nothin' wrong with that!
_____________________________________

Well, if no one else had fun this week, I know I sure did!  I can't wait to crack open this new book, and discover a new favorite by Tamara...she hasn't disappointed me yet.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tamara, for fulfilling a wish of mine to get to know you better this week...I've had a blast!

Remember that surprise I told you about earlier?  You could be fortunate enough to win one of Tamara's books for yourself!  She's giving away a copy of her brand new release, Restless in Carolina, to one person who lives in the US.  To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment with your email address before Sunday, August 14th.  No email address, no entry.  And as always, the winner will be announced at next week's Meet & Greet.

Thanks for stopping by my front porch this week!  But grab a glass of sweet tea and visit a spell before you go.  :o)

FIRST Wild Card Tour: Restless in Carolina by Tamara Leigh

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Tamara Leigh

and the book:

Restless in Carolina

Multnomah Books (July 19, 2011)

***Special thanks to Ashley Boyer, Publicist, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamara Leigh began her writing career in 1994 and is the best-selling author of fourteen novels, including Splitting Harriet (ACFW Book of the Year winner and RITA Award finalist), Faking Grace (RITA Award Finalist), and Leaving Carolina. A former speech and language pathologist, Tamara enjoys time with her family, faux painting, and reading. She lives with her husband and sons in Tennessee.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Tree-huggin’, animal-lovin’ Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan is on a mission. Well, two. First she has to come to terms with being a widow at thirty-three. After all, it’s been four years and even her five-year-old niece and nephew think it’s time she shed her widow’s weeds. Second, she needs to find a buyer for her family’s estate—a Biltmore-inspired mansion surrounded by hundreds of acres of unspoiled forestland. With family obligations forcing the sale, Bridget is determined to find an eco-friendly developer to buy the land, someone who won’t turn it into single-family homes or a cheesy theme park.

Enter J. C. Dirk, a high-energy developer from Atlanta whose green property developments have earned him national acclaim. When he doesn’t return her calls, Bridget decides a personal visit is in order. Unfortunately, J. C. Dirk is neither amused nor interested when she interrupts his meeting—until she mentions her family name. In short order, he finds himself in North Carolina, and Bridget has her white knight—in more ways than one. But there are things Bridget doesn’t know about J. C., and it could mean the end of everything she’s worked for…and break her heart.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books (July 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601421680
ISBN-13: 978-1601421685

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Deep breath. “…and they lived…”

I can do this. It’s not as if I didn’t sense it coming. After all, I can smell an H.E.A. (Happily Ever After) a mile away—or, in this case, twenty-four pages glued between cardboard covers that feature the requisite princess surrounded by cute woodland creatures. And there are the words, right where I knew the cliché of an author would slap them, on the last page in the same font as those preceding them. Deceptively nondescript. Recklessly hopeful. Heartbreakingly false.

“Aunt Bridge,” Birdie chirps, “finish it.”

I look up from the once-upon-a-time crisp page that has been softened, creased, and stained by the obsessive readings in which hermother indulges her.

Eyes wide, cheeks flushed, my niece nods. “Say the magic words.” Magic?

More nodding, and is she quivering? Oh no, I refuse to be a party to this. I smile big, say, “The end,” and close the book. “So, how about another piece of weddin’ cake?”

“No!” She jumps off the footstool she earlier dubbed her “princess throne,” snatches the book from my hand, and opens it to the back. “Wight here!”

I almost correct her initial r-turned-w but according tomy sister, it’s developmental and the sound is coming in fine on its own, just as her other r’s did.

Birdie jabs the H, E, and A. “It’s not the end until you say the magic words.”

And I thought this the lesser of two evils—entertaining my niece and nephew as opposed to standing around at the reception as the bride and groom are toasted by all the happy couples, among them, cousin Piper, soon to be wed to my friend Axel, and cousin Maggie, maybe soon to be engaged to her sculptor man, what’s-his-name.

“Yeah,” Birdie’s twin,Miles, calls from where he’s once more hanging upside down on the rolling ladder I’ve pulled him off twice. “You gotta say the magic words.”

Outrageous! Even my dirt-between-the-toes, scab-ridden, snot-on-the-sleeve nephew is buying into the fantasy.

I spring from the armchair, cross the library, and unhook his ankles from the rung. “You keep doin’ that and you’ll bust your head wide open.” I set him on his feet. “And your mama will—

”No, Bonnie won’t.

“Well, she’ll be tempted to give you a whoopin’.”

Face bright with upside-down color, he glowers.

I’d glower back if I weren’t so grateful for the distraction he provided. “All right, then.” I slap at the ridiculously stiff skirt of the dress Maggie loaned me for my brother’s wedding. “Let’s rejoin the party—”

“You don’t wanna say it.”Miles sets his little legs wide apart. “Do ya?” So much for my distraction.

“You don’t like Birdie’s stories ’cause they have happy endings. And you don’t.”

I clench my toes in the painfully snug high heels on loan from Piper.

“Yep.”Miles punches his fists to his hips. “Even Mama says so.”

My own sister? I shake my head, causing the blond dreads Maggie pulled away from my face with a headband to sweep my back. “That’s not true.”

“Then say it wight now!” Birdie demands.

I peer over my shoulder at where she stands like an angry tin soldier, an arm outthrust, the book extended.

“Admit it,”Miles singsongs.

I snap around and catch my breath at the superior, knowing look on his five-year-old face. He’s his father’s son, all right, a miniature Professor Claude de Feuilles, child development expert.

“You’re not happy.” The professor in training, who looks anything but with his spiked hair, nods.

I know better than to bristle with two cranky, nap-deprived children, but that’s what I’m doing. Feeling as if I’m watching myself from the other side of the room, I cross my arms over my chest. “I’ll admit no such thing.”

“That’s ’cause you’re afraid. Mama said so.” Miles peers past me.

“Didn’t she, Birdie?”

Why is Bonnie discussing my personal life with her barely-out-of-diapers kids?

“Uh-huh. She said so.”

Miles’s smile is smug. “On the drive here, Mama told Daddy this day would be hard on you. That you wouldn’t be happy for Uncle Bart ’cause you’re not happy.”

Not true! Not that I’m thrilled with our brother’s choice of bride, but…come on! Trinity Templeton? Nice enough, but she isn’t operating on a full charge, which wouldn’t be so bad if Bart made up for the difference. Far from it, his past history with illegal stimulants having stripped him of a few billion brain cells.

“She said your heart is”—Miles scrunches his nose, as if assailed by a terrible odor—“constipated.”

What?!

“That you need an M&M, and I don’t think she meant the chocolate kind you eat. Probably one of those—”

“I am not constipated.” Pull back. Nice and easy. I try to heed my inner voice but find myself leaning down and saying, “I’m realistic.”

Birdie stomps the hardwood floor. “Say the magic words!”

“Nope.”Miles shakes his head. “Constipated.”

I shift my cramped jaw. “Re-al-is-tic.”

“Con-sti-pa-ted.”

Pull back, I tell you! He’s five years old. “Just because I don’t believe in fooling a naive little girl into thinkin’ a prince is waiting for her at the other end of childhood and will save her from a fate worse than death and take her to his castle and they’ll live…” I flap a hand. “…you know, doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with me.”

Isn’t there? “It means I know better. There may be a prince, and he may have a castle, and they may be happy, but don’t count on it lasting. Oh no. He’ll get bored or caught up in work or start cheatin’—you know, decide to put that glass slipper on some other damsel’s foot or kiss another sleeping beauty—or he’ll just up and die like Easton—” No,
nothing at all wrong with you, Bridget Pickwick Buchanan, whose ugly widow’s weeds are showing.

“See!”Miles wags a finger.

Unfortunately, I do. And as I straighten, I hear sniffles.

“Now you done it!” Miles hustles past me. “Got Birdie upset.”

Sure enough, she’s staring at me with flooded eyes. “The prince dies? He dies and leaves the princess all alone?”The book falls from her hand, its meeting with the floor echoing around the library. Then she squeaks out a sob.

“No!” I spring forward, grimacing at the raspy sound the skirt makes as I attempt to reach Birdie before Miles.

He gets there first and puts an arm around her. A meltable moment, my mother would call it. After she gave me a dressing down. And I deserve one. My niece may be on the spoiled side and she may work my nerves, but I love her—even like her when that sweet streak of hers comes through. “It’s okay, Birdie,” Miles soothes. “The prince doesn’t die.”

Yes, he does, but what possessed me to say so? And what if I’ve scarred her for life?

Miles pats her head onto his shoulder. “Aunt Bridge is just”—he gives me the evil eye—“constipated.”

“Yes, Birdie.” I drop to my knees. “I am. My heart, that is. Constipated. I’m so sorry.”

She turns her head and, upper lip shiny with the stuff running out of her nose, says in a hiccupy voice, “The prince doesn’t die?” I grab the book from the floor and turn to the back. “Look. There they are, riding off into the sunset—er, to his castle. Happy. See, it says so.” I tap the H, E, and A.

She sniffs hard, causing that stuff to whoosh up her nose and my gag reflex to go on alert. “Weally happy, Aunt Bridge?”

“Yes.”

“Nope.” Barely-there eyebrows bunching, she lifts her head from Miles’s shoulder. “Not unless you say it.”

Oh dear Go—No, He and I are not talking. Well, He may be talking, but I’m not listening.

“I think you’d better.” Miles punctuates his advice with a sharp nod.

“Okay.” I look down at the page. “…and they lived…” It’s just a fairy tale—highly inflated, overstated fiction for tykes. “…they lived happily…ever…after.”

Birdie blinks in slow motion. “Happily…ever…after. That’s a nice way to say it, like you wanna hold on to it for always.”

Or unstick it from the roof of your mouth. “The end.” I close the book, and it’s all I can do not to toss it over my shoulder. “Here you go.”

She clasps it to her chest. “Happily…ever…after.”

Peachy. But I’ll take her dreamy murmuring over tears any day. Goodness, I can’t believe I made her cry. I stand and pat the skirt back down into its stand-alone shape. “More cake?”

“Yay!” Miles charges past me.

Next time— No, there won’t be a next time. I’m done with Little Golden Books.

Excerpted from Restless in Carolina by Tamara Leigh Copyright © 2011 by Tamara Leigh. Excerpted by permission of Multnomah Books, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Book Review: Stealing Adda by Tamara Leigh/5 Stars

About the book:

Life for Adda Sinclaire, New York Times best-selling author, Historical Romance Writer Extraordinaire, ironically reads more like a country song than a bodice-bursting, breathless affair. For starters, she has no actual romance in her life. That might have something to do with the fact that her husband--correction-EX husband--ran off with Stick Woman, whom everyone knew would never be more that a mid-list author anyway. To add insult to injury (and another verse to the country song), he not only took their dog but gave it to her. If this isn't enough, Adda's come down with a horrible case of writer's block and finds herself the unwitting target of a romance cover model's misdirected (and completely unreciprocated) amorous advances.

Just when she catches her breath--and quite possibly the eye of a certain fabulously good-looking man--her arch-nemesis gives the pot one final stir.

My thoughts:

Ok, it's time to officially add Tamara Leigh to my list of favorite authors!  I love her stories, her style, and her fabulous sense of humor.  Her books fall a little bit into the chick-lit genre and a little bit into the romance genre, but by the time I finish one, I'm a fan of the "I-don't-care-what-you-call-it-it's-so-good-I-wanna-read-it-again" genre.  (Wow, what a mouthful!)

I became a fan of Tamara's right after reading Splitting Harriet (which was just as great of a read as this one).  But before reading this book, I honestly had no clue that Tamara Leigh had once been a successful, mainstream romance author.  After I read Stealing Adda (along with a few book reviews of it, too), the light bulb went off in my head that this book very easily could've been her journey through the world of writing.  Everything was so spot on--the deadlines, the writing conferences, the agent phone calls, the best-seller lists, the red pen of death from the editor--that I felt like I was in the midst of all that drama right beside Adda.

But let me tell ya...that just barely scratches the surface about how great this book was!  I cannot believe how many times I could not stop laughing!  And I'm not talking about a little chuckle, either.  I'm talking about LOL funny!  Adda had these very "unique" names for people (mostly for people she didn't like) that summed them up to a T.  "Stick Woman" was a personal favorite of mine, as well as Adda's friend, "Puffer"...better known as Joyce.  "Prim" and "Improper" stole the show a few times, too.  :o)

As great as the humor was, the romance was enough to make me weak in the knees.  Goo.... (you'll know what I mean after you read it for yourself).  :o)  "Chocolates" was every girl's dream guy, even if he had a tendency to be non-committal a good portion of the time.  The chemistry between him and Adda was the kind that would have you imagining fireworks in the background...it was that good! 

But seriously....this book is the kind of book I would give to someone that wants a great story, but maybe they're not a Christian.  It showed the journey from non-believer to believer in a very real way that wasn't preachy or "church-ey."  Instead, the Christian characters that were featured had a genuine faith that was just part of their personality.  They weren't trying to witness every 5 minutes, or saying "I'll pray for you" all the time.  They lived their faith by example instead of trying to cram it down your throat.  What a refreshing change.  :o)

So, with all that said, I think there should be a Tamara Leigh Fan Club, and I very seriously doubt that I would be the only member!  Anyone else wanna join?  (Er....maybe we should ask Tamara what she thinks first.....)

5 Stars (as if you had to ask)  :o)

Southern?  No
Sass?  Oh, my!!  Heaping loads of it!

More favorites by Tamara.....

**Click here if you'd like to read my review of Splitting Harriet.
**Click here if you'd like to read my review of Leaving Carolina.

Blog Tour and Book Review: Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh

*A big thank you to Liz Johnson at Waterbrook Multnomah for sending me a copy to review!*

About the book:

Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.

Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s.

Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

My thoughts:

I have lived in the South my entire life, with most of it spent in Tennessee, and just couldn't imagine livin' anywhere else. Also, I absolutely love reading books that are set in the South, especially when a writer gets it right. Tamara Leigh is just flat out a great writer anyway, and Leaving Carolina is a great start to what I'm sure will be a fabulous Southern series of books.

Growing up with a last name like Pickwick is about as Southern as it gets...we actually have a Pickwick of our own in TN. :o) Just throw in some sweet tea and pickled corn, and then, you'll be Southern to the core. Tamara did a great job of describing what it's really like down here--good home cookin', down to earth people, and a love for family and friends. But listen, this book is not just all Southern stuff. There a great deal mentioned about forgiveness, first impressions, and making amends....certainly all things that could come across as preachy, but never do.

Personally, I cannot wait to read more about this family and the town of Pickwick. Tamara's style of writing is just plain fun to read, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

4 Stars

Southern?  Without a doubt!
Sass?  Yes, a staple with Tamara's books.  :o)

Book Review: Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh/5 Stars

About the book:

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!

My thoughts:

Meet Harriet Bisset….. prodigal daughter of a preacher and lover of Jelly Bellys. She also happens to be the director of women’s ministries at the church where her father was the former pastor, and she’s doing her best to keep things from changing too much. Who needs a contemporary worship service when you’ve got a beautiful organ and an organist that’s been faithful to play it for 30 years? Unfortunately for Harri, the church board members have hired a consultant to bring the church into the 21st century.

When consultant Maddox McCray arrives, Harri doesn’t care for him one bit. But when he starts revitalizing the women’s ministry activities, Harri has to admit that maybe he has a clue about what he’s doing. Oh, and how she doesn’t want to have feelings for him, but that’s easier said than done.

This book was so enjoyable, and right up my alley. I loved the occasional touches of humor, and the depth of Harri's character. She tries so hard to please God, and to keep herself above reproach, because Lord knows, she's already had enough of that in her life. Mix Harri's character with all the struggles going on at her church, and you've got a great book that really makes you think. Being a former PK myself, it's not an option to be away from prying eyes and gossip circulating about you and your family. Tamara Leigh did an excellent job of revealing Harri's conflicting emotions about what Harri would prefer to see happen versus what was best for the church as a whole.

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Yes, loaded with it!