Customer Reviews

Splitting Harriet

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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.

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!

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 - a motorcycle riding, high-flying, risk-taker - 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.

Harriet was a rebel. She's done everything that Pastor's Kids AREN'T supposed to do. But now she's repented of her ways and is the women's director of her church. To make sure she doesn't fall back to her old ways, she lives in a trailer park surrounded by elderly folks, doesn't hang out with anyone her age, and reads a different version of a Bible every year. With Jelly Bellys to keep her company, her dream is to own the cafe near the church after the owner retires. She's got her life planned out. But all that changes when Maddox, a church consultant, comes roaring into town on his motorcycle with plans to disrupt all of Harriet's neat plans. What will she do when the church stops being a safe haven and Maddox tries to change her life?

This book started off with a drunken PK throwing up in a bar. Not your typical opening for a Christian fiction book. Normally when you read about churches who face potential splits due to a younger pastor trying to change things, the ones against change are always older members. So it was a twist to have the lead protester be a 27 year old. Writing books about churches trying to modernize can be a touchy subject. The reader might not agree with the way the author is trying to make her main character side. Harriet seemed though only to want to stay with the older traditional church because it was safe and wouldn't tempt her back to her old ways. Never mind that her faith wasn't actually growing. I liked how she was portrayed as reading a Bible a year but never fully grasped what she was actually reading. I understand that she was scared of slipping back to being a rebel but at the same time she was hurting herself. I love Maddox's character because he was a wonderful portrayal of a Christian who is fully committed yet is ok with being outside of the box. The protesters' attempts to stop the church from changing drove me nuts at first especially a certain organ player. But when you read about why they're against the change, it makes you feel more sympathetically for them. I appreciated the mentions that we shouldn't put Pastor's Kids on a higher pedestal. It's hard for them to grow up in an atmosphere where everyone judges them for what they do and then criticize their parents for the way they act. I loved all the new ideas Maddox brought to the church, especially the Sabrina movie night - Audrey Hepburn with Harrison Ford would be a perfect combo! I also love all the Jelly Bellys in this book! Being a huge Jelly Belly fan myself, I envied Harriet and her big tub. And you know, I love mango so I'll take all the ones she doesn't want! I know I keep declaring books "best of the year" but this one definately deserves to be at the top of the list. It's a fun, fast, witty read with engaging characters, hilarious moments, and been there down that situations. Perfect chick lit read to enjoy during these cold winter months.

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!

"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.

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.

This book is a very good read. At first I got a little annoyed with Harriet's self doubt(probably because it reminds me me of myself)! and constant Jelly Belly addiction, but even with that, this book is delightful.
It's a book about a Preacher's daughter, who, like us all, have made some bad choices in the past.
After returning to her family and faith the demons of her past still seem to haunt her until change(which is inevitable) comes to her small traditional church and her life!
This book makes you laugh, cry and do a lot of self examination and that's why I like it.
What I love, is how it shows that even as Christians we are not perfect, and sometimes we forget that it is by "grace" that we are saved...not of ourselves.
I really appluad the author because most of the other Christian books I have read are so predicatable and so NOT related to the real Christian walk.
I will most definately read more from this author!!!!!

I really enjoyed this book, I even went out and bought jelly bellys, I don't think they are as good as Harri though.

Harriet Josephine Bisset--Harri--is a tattooed rebel, the preacher's kid, the ultimate prodigal son come home again from the dark side past of cigarettes, sex and alcohol. But now she's is back at her old church - First Grace. Totally clean and forgiven by her church and God, she cannot seem to forgive herself. She lives at the senior citizen mobile home park because it's safe. There is a new preacher at First Grace since her parents are on the mission field, and Harri has been at odds with him since he took over, fighting mainly for the rights of the seniors and demanding things stay status quo with no changes, especially contemporary music! But changes must be made if First Grace is to survive.

With all this you would think Harri was a senior citizen herself, but she's only twenty-eight! Then to top it off the new pastor brings in a consultant to move First Grace into the present and beyond. Enter gorgeous, motorcycle riding, long haired, tattooed Maddox McCray: everything Harri has tried to leave behind. She tries to resist for fear the old Harri will rise again, but as everyone keeps reminding her--including Maddox--she is forgiven and needs to live again. But can she?

An awesome read for teens and adults alike. Also included are discussion questions perfect for readers groups or Bible study groups, as this novel is an a fantastic teaching tool.

This is author Tamara Leigh's third Christian novel. This is chick-lit or God-lit at it's finest. Leigh does an amazing job of allowing us into Harri's life, not just giving us glimpses of her past but spelling it out and showing us God's grace and His total forgiveness. She shows us we can forgive ourselves and begin a new life. Reviewer's personal note from someone with a past like Harri's: this has taught me how I must forgive myself too. I'm sure everyone has things in their past they struggle with as well, and this book will help you let go and let God!

So grab a club sized container of Jelly Bellys and sit back and enjoy Splitting Harriet--you won't regret it!!