Description:

Always the Wedding Coordinator, Never the Bride. Fifteen years after the mysterious disappearance of Ted, her childhood sweetheart, gutsy and daring Lillie Bauer–bungee-jumper, book addict, and delightfully offbeat coordinator of “extreme” high-concept weddings–is ready to find love again. Yet as she boldly but reluctantly braves a disastrous dating scene in her search for a husband, quirky Lillie is caught between two contrasting images of married life: the rich, lifelong partnership shared by her parents and the troubled marriage of her younger sister, Tacy. Faced with long-buried feelings, fears for Tacy, and concerns about her father’s failing health, Lillie finds strength in an unlikely and peculiar community of loved ones, including Cristoff, her epileptic, florist business partner; Pleasance, a sassy African American clothing designer; and Lillie’s strong Hungarian Grandma Erzsébet. But when Lillie stumbles across a danger that threatens those she loves most, she will need more than friends and family–she will need a miracle. *From the Trade Paperback edition.* ### From Publishers Weekly This is a breakthrough novel for the award-winning Samson, whose exuberant prose, zany characters and willingness to tinker with some cherished boundaries of Christian fiction make this story memorable. One of the most enjoyable characters is Cristoff, an epileptic, celibate gay man who loves Kay Arthur Bible studies and old movies with equal passion. He's best buddies with Lillie Bauer (think *My Best Friend's Wedding*), or "Tiger Lillie" as she's nicknamed, a big-bosomed, size-16 Hungarian Episcopalian asthmatic who celebrates her birthday each year by bungee jumping in an evening gown. Together, she and Cristoff run Baltimore's most offbeat business, Extreme Weddings and the Extremely Odd Occasion. The perspective snaps briskly back and forth between Lillie and her little sister, Tacy, married to the rather one-dimensional fundamentalist Rawlins McGovern, which adds intriguing tension to the plot—and some spiritually spooky moments. Samson pushes the boundaries of sexual innuendo and spirituality farther than in her earlier work, which gives her writing more authenticity. Those with weak stomachs will find a few short paragraphs about the crucifixion gruesome, and Samson's writing occasionally drifts over the top ("The humidity of the estuary coats my throat, wrapping my tongue in the taste of summer's end and the dark settling of the day"). However, this talented novelist isn't afraid to take risks, and she gets more inventive with each book. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ### Review “Reading *Tiger Lillie* is like bungee jumping in a prom dress–breathless, extreme, elegant, a mixture of freefall reflection and being jerked back to heart-stopping reality! I was completely captivated by Lisa Samson’s quirky and colorful characters, so tender and down-to-earth, but bold and dangerous when one they love is threatened. You’ll never forget *Tiger Lillie*.” –Neta Jackson, author of*** ****The Yada Yada Prayer Group* novels** ** “Lisa Samson has done it again! A superbly told story that immediately captivated me with its loveable and quirky characters. The intricacies of relationship between two completely different sisters provide an intriguing and captivating read–a story that becomes a real page-turner toward the end! Way to go, Lisa!” –Melody Carlson, award winning author of *Finding Alice*, *Crystal Lies* and Diary of a Teenage Girl series “Like sprinkles of paprika on a sea of sour cream, *Tiger Lillie’s* colorful characters catch the attention and tantalize the taste buds. I read this novel in one sitting, but I’ll not soon forget the cast of flavorful characters–Lillie and Tacy and Christoff and Gordon. Lisa Samson writes with surprising honesty, genuine love, and indefatigable hope. Make time for this one–you’ll love it!”    –Angela Hunt, author of *The Awakening* “Many writers in the genre of Christian fiction shy away from characters who stray too far outside ‘safe’ conservative lines. Thankfully, Lisa Samson seems to understand that to breathe life into wonderfully flawed characters is to paint a refreshingly honest and compelling picture of the foibles and follies of the human experience. In *Tiger Lillie*, she does just that. Brilliantly.” –Constance Rhodes, founder of FINDINGbalance.com and ed...