Customer Reviews

Faking Grace

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

LOVED this book! I, as a rule, don't read a whole bunch of chick lit. I am more of a 3rd person romantic comedy kinda girl. But wow, Faking Grace hooked me on Tamara Leigh's books for life! It was funny (I seriously laughed till I cried), inspirational (Your's in Christ...*grin*), and most important to my uber sappy heart, had a good dose of clean romance.

A MUST read. These days we all need a healthy dose of humor and entertainment, and wow does this one deliver!

Maizy Grace Stewart's job at the Middle Tennessee Review hasn't become the full-time position she expected. After her last gig as an investigative reporter blew up on her in Seattle (along with her last relationship), she's stuck in the "Lifestyle" section writing quirky pieces about "Mule Day" and whatever other community events land on her desk. Struggling to pay her bills on a part-time salary, her search for a second job lands her at Steeple Side Christian Resources - a publisher who employs only dedicated Christians and requires them to abide by normative Christian behaviour both on and off the job.

As a nominal Christian who was `saved' at a Christian camp in her teens, Maizy hasn't had, well, anything to do with Jesus in the 10 years since. As a result she finds herself Faking Grace, trying to live a Christian life that looks good on the outside but is hollow inside. Going by her middle name Grace, dressing conservatively, and decking her vehicle with what she considers the requisite `Jesus junk', with her handy Dumb Blonde's Guide to Christianity by her side she might just be able to hang onto working as a lowly editorial assistant until she goes full time at the Review.

She can't fool everyone though, and when the good-looking Brit Jack Prentiss challenges her faith, she knows she could be in over her head. When the opportunity to go full-time at the Review comes along with the provision that she get the dirt on her colleagues at Steeple Side, her deceptions clash with her burgeoning faith as she draws closer to God and the Christians around her, each with their own challenges and failings.

Tamara Leigh excels at writing Christian chick-lit. She had me laughing by the third page, and kept me on tenterhooks during the gut-swirling miscommunications and conflict at the story's apex that lovers of the genre are familiar with. Maizy, Jack, Jem, and the many co-workers who Maizy comes to know during her time at Steeple Side are portrayed as real Christians - those who love Jesus but still struggle with the sin present in our fallen nature.

Maizy herself is confusing to me. As much as I want to see everything turn out right for her, I'm still not sure if we're expected to believe that she really did come to faith 10 years ago. With hardly any evidence of a transformed life and passionate love for God, that's hard for me to swallow. If Leigh is implying that the true beginning of her faith was borne of the desperate conundrum she finds herself in, it certainly isn't clearly pointed out in the novel.

Maizy's sketchy conversion aside, Faking Grace is thoroughly enjoyable, and has all of the requisite ingredients for a successful chick-lit novel: humour, caring friendships, conflict, entanglements, and a fledgling romance with a foreign bloke - what more do you need? Against this supporting structure Leigh tells a compassionate story of God's mercy, grace and goodness, and the struggles that Christians face in their daily lives as they grow in Godliness. Her writing style is charmingly breezy, fun-filled, and easy to digest. I gobbled it all up, and while satisfying, I'm looking forward to more from Leigh's pen.

I came across this book in the new releases section of my local library. I wasn't at all familiar with the author. But since this is another book I had looked at several times at the Christian bookstore, I decided to pick it up. I'm not sorry I did.

This book it awesome. Not only does it have a great message about forgiveness, but it also has quirky characters with real problems. These are sincere Christian people, but they are very far from perfect. That is one thing that really bugs me about some Christian novels. The characters seem too perfect with no struggles or problems. That is not real life. This book made me laugh all the way through.

In order to fake being a Christian Maizy "Grace" comes with her a list of how to live a successful Christian life. Then there is her trusty book a "A Dumb Blondes Guide To Christianity"

At first glance, the list of how to live a successful Christian life seems funny and humorous. But what's less humorous is this: How many Christians today believe this really is all it takes to live a successful Christian life. How many are "faking" Christian or being cultural Christians without even realizing it? That is an issue the reader is forced to think about when reading this novel.

At the beginning of the book, it is clear that Maizy has no idea what a Christian is really like and about Grace. But by the end, she has a deeper understanding of both grace and faith. This book clearly illustrates what grace is all about.

I think it is great that Grace does finally fess up to her deception and true motives. Even though Grace is clearly guilty and doesn't deserve to be forgiven or shown grace, her co-workers choose to give it her to anyway.

I definitely plan to read more of this author and keep my eye out for future releases.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, enjoyable read with a great lesson.

This was the first book I read by Tamara Leigh and I was very impressed. In many ways I could relate to Grace, well Maizy, but her journey has really encouraged me. I spent many hours in my room not able to pull myself away for a minute.
Grace and the other characters would make me laugh and sad all at the time. When things are just starting to move along with Jack, the hot Brit she works with, her cover is blown and ruins everyting (or so you think). This was a great read and I'm sure I'll read it again many times. If you are looking for a good laugh and a fun book that is also encouraging to your walk with Christ, this would be a good choice.

I can't remember when I've had so much fun being spiritually edified. Faking Grace is my new favorite Tamara Leigh novel (although Stealing Adda still comes in a close second).

Maizy Grace Stewart is a heartwarming "character," who works as hard at being someone she's not, as she does being the person she can be. Sound confusing? It's not. In fact, Maizy is just like the rest of us. Not perfect, but trying to keep her head about spiritual water.

Maizy may fake it for a while, but her nemesis/boyfriend Jack Prentiss is the real thing, a strong and attractive hero, like Leigh always creates so well. Jack appreciates Maizy for all she can be--a valuable reminder of God's confidence in each of us.

I read and really enjoyed Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh and was looking forward to reading Faking Grace. Well, let me tell you, it is a delightful book full of spiritual truths that are suggested at, dropped as hints and slapped in your face. It is fantastic. Tamara has a writing style that would be considered humorous chick lit but it really delves into topics that most of us deal with but don't want to address.

In this book Maizy Grace gets herself fired and has to restart in a different town. She is only hired for part time and has to get a 2nd job to make ends meet. This 2nd job is for a Christian publishing company that includes a requirement of being a Christian. Maizy Grace accepted Jesus at a summer camp 10 years ago and so figures its not a total lie, she just needs to brush up. So out comes - Dumb Blonde's Guide to Christianity and here is where the stereotypes come out flying and start falling fast. I don't want to reveal all the great humor in the book and steal Tamara's thunder but let's just say that she starts going by her middle name, Grace, so that no one will know who she is - and by the end of the book she learns a hefty lesson about forgiveness, mercy and grace.

I will be pondering this book for a long time and will most likely re-read it to absorb some more of the awesome tidbits in this book - in the meantime if you hear me humming "Amazing Grace" you'll know I'm thinking of this book!

Grace Stewart is in trouble. She's taken a job that has turned into an internal investigation. What is she willing to do to get her career back? And what will she discover in the process?

Tamera Leigh (who just one the ACFW Book of the Year for Splitting Harriet) is one of my favorite authors because she combines a wonderful writing style and humor with real issues. In this book cultural Christianity is in her computer screen's crosshairs. It's an honest look at saying we're Christians v. living it.

With this book, I found myself wondering if I was willing to do what it takes or do I fall back on "of course I'm a Christian." Anytime I'm challenged to examine my life (while laughing and grieving with characters) it's a good thing.

This book is a keeper!