Leave It to Claire (Claire Everett Series, No. 1) (Paperback)

by Tracey Bateman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this lighthearted, inspirational "mom lit" offering, Bateman (The Color of the Soul) introduces readers to Claire, a single mom and relatively successful author of Christian romance novels, whose life is beginning to come apart. Claire's doctor tells her she needs wrist surgery, which will prevent her working for six weeks. One son is writing suggestive poetry about the secretary at school, while another has started wearing black and hanging out with the skateboarding crowd. Her 16-year-old daughter resents her, and her mother is moving away. On top of that, her ex-husband and his wife, Darcy, have become Christians and started regularly attending her church, and it appears that beautiful, thin Darcy would actually like to be Claire's friend. Claire puts together a to-do list with things like "Go to church more," "Reconnect with my children" and "Exercise—maybe" and sets out to change her life. But will she be able to forgive her ex? And what will become of her friendship with one son's good-looking male teacher? Bateman's writing is simple and at times clichéd, but she delves into difficult topics while managing to keep things light. Claire is far from an ideal Christian—she's a regular person who struggles and keeps trying. Readers will enjoy and relate to her, and the plot, if predictable, will pull them along. (Jan.)
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Product Description
Author and single mother Claire Everett is in for a rude awakening when she is forced to recuperate following an unexpected surgery and embarks on a six-step program designed to transform her life, her family, and her personal relationships, until she discovers that all she needs is God in her life

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (January 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446696080
• ISBN-13: 978-0446696081
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #629,427 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and thoughtful read, January 5, 2006

By	Megan Dimaria - See all my reviews

Reading Leave It to Claire by Tracey Bateman is as comfortable as putting on your jammies on a cool winter night and hanging out by the fireplace with your best friend. Claire leaps from the pages, a flesh-and-blood woman who has the endearing faults of your favorite cousin and is just as lovable.
The characters are believable and their circumstances are as common as the family's next door. Bateman draws you in and makes you care about the people who populate Claire's world.
Knocked for a loop by some unanticipated events, Claire draws up a plan to improve her life. Too bad life doesn't follow the script, but despite what comes her way, Claire faces her challenges with humor and determination. At times hilarious, and at times poignant, Leave It to Clair is an honest look at a "real" Christian woman faced with the challenge of being a single, divorced mom.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and insightful mom lit, February 13, 2006

By	Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews

I found the subject matter of this book intriguing, especially the emotional baggage Claire hauls around, and how it affects her relationship with her children. The anger she held against her 'toad sucking' ex-husband was realistic. I can't imagine the pain of shattered dreams that infidelity brings to the heart of the wounded spouse with children to raise. Sharing Christmas, then being alone while the other parent has the children for the holiday. Ugh! That type of gut-wrenching pain can only be healed through a relationship with Christ, and even then, an ongoing battle for peace would ensue. I found the inner dialogue Claire used to reassure and calm herself as totally hilarious. Some of the one-liners the author came up with were to-die-for funny. I wish I could come up with stuff like that. I found Claire's emotional distancing from her children through her work, and her subsequent honest desire to right things with them, especially emotionally gripping. I felt her pain when the kids either didn't believe she was sincere, or that she only wanted to 'connect' with them because she had nothing better to do. And God bless Darcy. If I were in her shoes I would have lost patience with Claire long ago. Rick is lucky to have someone like Darcy to keep him going. I just hope Rick truly had changed because if he cheated on Darcy I'd have to hurt him. :) I don't understand what Greg sees in Claire, but I suppose because he can't read her thoughts like we can (the readers) he isn't keyed into her true feelings on certain issues. Claire isn't the most likable character because she's bitter, but she does represent many women I know and therefore I want to see her happy. I'm glad there is a continuation of this series planned. We need more novels about divorced heroines trying to find a new life and peace after such a horrible split occurs in the family. Many people are going through the same thing, and honest stories like this can make a difference in lives of hurting women. They may see themselves through Claire's eyes and realize they need to forgive to truly heal. God bless Tracey for writing something any woman can enjoy. Oh, and the going to food for comfort thing and petty little jealousy issues are just classic!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and funny Christian book with lesson, May 24, 2006

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Leave it to Claire by Tracey Bateman is one of the most engaging, enjoyable Christian books I've read lately. Bateman writes with a strong voice for Claire Everett, almost reminiscent of Lisa Samson with her accuracy of a woman who fails more often than she succeeds but keeps trying. When writer Claire has to give up her writing for six weeks after surgery, she makes a list to try and get her life back in order, but it's going to take help from above and lots of prayer to get her life back on track. I loved Claire; I could identify with her so easily. Except for the pounds coming off fairly easily, that I've never been able to do. Claire is easy to empathize with and even better to laugh with. Her sarcastic wit made me laugh out loud several times, and her tears were just as affecting. Claire's most important lesson that change comes from the inside out and that holding on to anger hurts everyone around you are lessons we all need to take to heart, especially me. I look forward to Claire Knows Best being released next month.