Faking Grace [Paperback]

Tamara Leigh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“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 for Splitting Harriet

“Faking Grace is a delight! I loved this story with its fun, quirky characters, its outside-the-bubble look at the culture of Christianity, and a storyline that kept me turning pages. I could hardly put it down. Highly recommended!”
- Marlo Schalesky, award-winning author of Beyond the Night

“Tamara’s Leigh’s commentary on cultural Christianity in Faking Grace is incisive and thoughtful. Rather than force the topic in an overblown, preachy way, Leigh effectively delivers the message of pursuing authentic faith through a compelling story that hooks the reader from the first page. And my guess is that plenty of single girls are going to be crushing on that charming Brit Jack Prentiss.”
- Christa Ann Banister, author of Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers

“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

“Faking Grace is a witty, warmhearted lesson in how not to be a Christian. Maizy Grace made me think about my own faith journey and how we all sometimes fake it until we make it. What a delightful book!”
- Lenora Worth, author of Mountain Sanctuary and Secret Agent Minister

“I love this story of a real Christian struggling with real attacks of conscience and spiritual growth. As always, Tamara Leigh kept me entertained, laughing, and learning.”
- Rebeca Seitz, author of Sisters, Ink and Coming Unglued

“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

“Clever. Insightful. Faking Grace is a joy to read, and Maizy Stewart is hilarious. I couldn’t help but cheer for her along her bumpy journey to stop faking grace and start finding it.”
- Melanie Dobson, author of Going for Broke and The Black Cloister

About the Author

Tamara Leigh is the best-selling author of eleven novels, including Perfecting Kate, Splitting Harriet, and Stealing Adda. She began writing romance novels to “get the stories out her head.” Over the course of one providential year, she gave birth to her first child, committed her life to Christ, gave up a career in speech pathology, and released her first novel. Tamara and her husband, David, live with their two sons in Tennessee.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (August 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590529294
• ISBN-13: 978-1590529294
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #915,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maizy Grace is truly Amazing!, September 16, 2008

By 

Kimfurd "Kimfurd" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faking Grace (Paperback)

Tamara Leigh creates characters that I love! In her latest novel, Faking Grace, Maizy Grace begins as an insecure, immature people-pleaser who puts too much stock in what others think of her. When she re-creates herself in order to get a job with a Christian publisher, she quickly realizes that faking her faith is much more difficult than she realized it would be!

Maizy Grace also discovers that real faith in Christ, real grace, mercy and forgiveness truly exists among believers. She also discovers that the seed of faith and belief in Christ that was planted in her heart as a teen has begun to grow and blossom despite her false front. As Maizy Grace begins to learn more about God's word and His people, she comes to realize that she too is precious in God's sight and that His mercy, grace and forgiveness extend to her as well.

But will God's grace and mercy bear her up as she faces the deception and hurt she has caused in the lives of others? Will her co-workers extend to her the forgiveness and grace that they rely on to face their own personal trials? You really must read Faking Grace to find out! I promise, you will come to love Maizy, her grandmother, her dog, Woofer and many others as you make your way through the story. When you reach the final page, you will PURR with satisfaction!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God Fraud, July 6, 2009

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Faking Grace (Paperback)

This book made me both laugh and ponder at what the average person thinks it takes to become a Christian. I really liked how this book outed all the typical stereotypes of Christianity. All the material symbols that supposedly show how Christian one can be were portrayed in this book. From the fish symbol, to the cross jewelry, to the taped on bumper stickers, Maizy went all out to show others how Christian she was by the way she looked. I chuckled at her attempts to try to fake being a Christian, especially by the things she would say. At the same time though, it made me think about all the people out there who do act in this way. Are their feelings sincere or is it just a show? I would love to get a job working at Steeple Side. It sounds like a really great company to work for and I really enjoyed how it showed that Christians can have fun and be normal too. I really appreciated the scene when Maizy confronts her grandmother and her attitude towards Maizy's mother. Not that I enjoy it when elderly folks get told off, but it was one of those situations where the person is wrong is set right and in a forceful manner. I think that there are a bunch of people who actually do need to read parts of The Dumb Blonde Guide's to Christianity for refresher tips!

While I enjoyed the book, this was probably the least chick lit-ish out of Tamara's recent books. There just seemed to be more romance in this book. I also felt the storyline to be a bit predictable as I knew what was going to happen about halfway through the story. It didn't bother me because I was having fun reading Maizy's story but nevertheless I figured about the plot rather quickly. So while this book was a great read, Splitting Harriet is still probably my favorite of her books. However this was a great book to read and I highly recommend it. It's a really good book to quell all the rumors of Christian stereotypes and hopefully put them to rest one day.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Weekend Read, September 9, 2008

By 

L. Wing - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faking Grace (Paperback)

Wow, what a fun read. I was going away for the weekend and took the book, not planning to have the time to read it. After the first page I was hooked. By the end of the weekend I had finished the book and fallen in love with all the characters. Tarmera Leigh writes like I think - but would never be able to voice. The book was funny, fast moving, and recharged my beliefs.