Balancing Act

Heidi Elliott #1

by Kimberly Stuart

The tightrope walk is getting trickier by the minute.

As maternity leave comes to an end for Heidi Elliott, so does virtually everything else she thought she knew. The substitute filling in for her high school Spanish classes has made a complete mess—not just with her students, but perhaps in a way more personal. Her husband is developing the disconcerting habit of going out of his way to help a beautiful and wealthy client who is all kinds of perky. And now, to further complicate matters, Heidi’s old boyfriend has moved back into the neighborhood.

Fiercely independent, Heidi has never been one to ask for help. But when she discovers unexpected camaraderie with a Moms’ Group, Heidi finds herself in a sea of shoulder pads, big hair, and surprisingly strong women who just might hold the lifeline she didn’t think she needed.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Christian, Christian Fiction, Womens Fiction

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2006

About the author

Kimberly Stuart wants you to know that authors write their own bios and are hardly reliable sources. Nevertheless, there are a few facts that stand out:

1. Stuart loves a good story, both written and lived.

2. Stuart loves imported chocolate and her children, though the order of her affections sometimes gets muddled.

3. Stuart writes both non-fiction and fiction, always with an infusion of faith. However, she seems to make Christians nervous. Read at your own risk, then, and e-mail her publisher if you must.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part about Kimberly Stuart's writing is that every word she writes is completely relatable. I could identify with main character Heidi Elliott more times than not and that really brought the story home for me. I like authentic characters!! Especially funny ones. :-)

This is a great read for Moms--brand new ones and those well-seasoned--because the message of this story is fantastic. Life is a balancing act and even someone we look at and think, man, so-and-so really has her life together, the truth is she's mostly likely struggling with that balance, too. Matthew 22:28-30, baby. That's the biggest takeaway from this story and one moms really need to hear!

[Timothy Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually do not read reviews on a book before I finish it and have written my own review. However after I started the book I did read some reviews and I almost let some of the reviews I read color my opinion of the book as I read it. However, I pushed the comments I had read; because as I progressed and finished the book I think that some of the readers prejudged the book without finishing it. Some people didn't like the book when both Heidi Elliott and her husband Jake began to have emotional affairs. Heidi with and old beau and Jake with one of his customers. They didn't go to the point of no return; but they did push envelope. However I felt the book was just trying to show how two people especially at the point they were in their marriage can find themselves in situations they didn't expect to find themselves in. It is real easy to judge; but this kind of thing happens all the time. I think the big thing here was the lack of communication. And, it is finally when the decide that something has to be done to fix their relationship before it goes to a point beyond repair. They finally begin to communicate. They both put it on the line and shared with each other their concerns and feelings. They also allowed themselves to take time for each other to take a break from the children. They also turned to the Bible and faith in God to help them through life. Heidi especially comes to the realization that she can't do it all. She and Jake also learn that there is no more important work they do outside of the home that is more important than the work they do within the 4 walls of there own home. This book really covers a serious topics; but does it in such a humorous way. The bottom line her in the story is forgiveness. Not only did Heidi and Jake need to forgive each other, they needed to forgive themselves as well. It was definitely a book work reading.

[Fluff Smut & Murder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was getting so low in my book stash that I started trolling Amazon for recommendations. This showed up and since it was absolutely free, I dove right in. I had read "Sugar" by this same author and liked it and people desperate for a book can't be picky.

Heidi is funny - the kid is funny, can't complain. Yes, its a little preachy-Christiany but I can live with that. Obviously there are no smutty sex scenes and the cursing (you know- everyday adjectives and adverbs) is non-existent.

Oh well. Right now, Heidi is still a heathen and her hubby is a beginning to be a bible beater so its pretty enjoyable. Since its a trilogy, I may check out book two and three...

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heidi Elliott's maternity comes to an end. She's independent, never asking anyone for help. The substitute filling in for her high school Spanish class is messing up, not only school but also in a personal way. Heidi's husband goes out of his way to help a beautiful and wealthy client. Heidi may have to turn for help at a Mom's group.

I picked up this book for a couple reasons. One, I love babies. Second, I want to understand the struggles of people. Heidi is funny. Favorite lines: Nora giggled at Dale Earnhardt speed. She was vibrating like a jackhammer in her bouncy seat. Would you mind changing her? You did donate half of her genetic pool.

I loved the author's clever writing style.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. It was a light read for me, which sometimes are great. I could identify with the mom a lot and I think any mom really could, especially about having their first child. I also could identify with the relationship with the husband as well. It was a good read, but wasn't amazing and left me waiting for more. I am not sure I will read the others as I usually don't read books that are in a series. (I usually never have the next one and by the time I remember it, it's been 6 months or more and then I'm just annoyed with the whole thing, but that is just me as I'm weird.)

[Taylor Segen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not know how to rate this book. It might be fairly good but I had to give up 1/3 through. I tried to ignore the religious aspects and enjoy the non-religious but it just got deeper and deeper into it and I had to put it down before screaming. I do wish there were great big warnings with these things so one knows not to buy it, or to buy it as the case may be.

[Barbara Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story and solo funny

I laughed loud and hard over and over again while reading this book. It's full of real life but done with such humor. The message of faith woven through it is subtle enough to not be preaching real enough to be relatable. I highly recommend this book.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of 3
*Wonderful! Loved it!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the story is one about how one woman who has been staying home with her six month old baby is having trouble adjusting

[Andrea Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and it was a quick read although I'm not sure I will read more of these because it was a bit bibley towards the end.

[Raewynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written storyline and characters.
Not my cup of tea unfortunately.

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, insightful, the beginning of a journey for all the characters. I could relate on so many levels.

[Lucille M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT

It was a slow go for me, but after reading several chapters, it became exciting and interesting, finally with a Happy Ending for all👍💚💜❤️❤️‍🔥

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were things I liked about this one (the funny aspects of being a mom, dealing with spit up and leaking diapers, etc) and things I didn't. Being somewhat Christian based I was really surprised that both of them had somewhat inappropriate relationships with other people. Not affairs really, though it could be argued that she had an emotional affair. I don't know. Just have a hard time with that.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Stuart does a fantastic job writing about the struggles a new mother faces. How do I know this? I know this, because I found myself praising God that I no longer identified with Heidi. I had my first child and thought I would go right back to work. After only a few days, and with my family taking care of my infant, I decided that I, in fact, did not want to work full time and let someone else take care of my baby. However, my sense of worth was tied directly to my work performance and I struggled with feelings of inadequacy. Reading Heidi's story took me right back to those memories. I could completely relate to her struggles even though not all of them mirrored my own. I am so incredibly happy that I have passed that phase of my life and am now more Willow than Heidi! If you are still in that phase, you are not alone. Read this book and know that these challenges will not always be as overwhelming.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy and fun read that is easily relatable to every mom out there that has to balance home life with an infant along with a career. I enjoyed the fact that she wasn't portrayed negatively for choosing to go back to work as the main character here shows that women like her have an important role to play in helping develop the future generation in a positive way. it's time teachers were recognized for the valuable role they play and in reading this book I gave kudos to her for making the hard choice to balance both home and work (I couldn't handle being apart from my son and chose the stay at home route). Although this,was fictional, I have had some amazing teachers growing up and had the women chosen to be stay at home moms I would have lost out on some wonderful mentors.

This book does great job highlighting the importance of women in general. Well done.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm about half way through this book and Stuart has nailed the new mommy life! I also love her narrative style and the main character (maybe because she's a high school teacher?)
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This is a great book! Any woman who has had an infant will understand, especially if they returned to work. I laughed because I could relate. It also was candid about the relationship "lag" that happens to a lot of couples after the birth of their first child. I highly recommend this to all my mommy friends or anyone who wants to take a peek into the life of a new mom.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, but not mindless. A good study of reactions and responses in relationships when the stresses of living life in 21st century America--marriage, career, motherhood, friendships, and of course, Christian faith--collide. Though I don't have exactly the same experiences as Heidi Elliott, I could relate to the crazy places The Enemy tries to take me in my experiences. This story also gives no excuses for choosing to reduce the stresses by choosing faith and family above all other experiences. It's given in a humorous, realistic (not smaltzy, idealistic) fashion. I'm on to book #2: BOTTOM LINE

[David Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and Irreverent

I very much enjoyed this book. It was funny and down-to-earth. It was irreverent, but God's Grace still shone through. And, for mothers of any age, it was highly relatable.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story

I enjoyed reading 'Balancing Act ' so much. Brought back memories of when I had my children was working full time, a housewife and wife. I remember feeling totally exhausted and stressed. Cute story with a wonderful message.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice cute easy read depicting heidi - a woman adjusting to new motherhood, work, marriage, etc.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud, real humor. Great vacation read!

[Shellie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute first novel by Kimberly Stuart.

[Mike Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

nicely written (and by my college roommate's wife) !

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel about a new mother who runs into her ex-boyfriend around town and indulges in emotional adultery to get back at her husband, whom she suspects of having an affair with a rich client.

[Carol Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

Good family story with lots of smiles about family life. Would read more books by author. Again good story. Good read

[Sharelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny. Stuart always makes me laugh. I pass her books around and they make my friends laugh too.

[Olivia]

I won this trilogy on an giveaway (it's exciting to win one book, but three!!! Really exciting). I love the style of writing and the down-to-earth attitude of Heidi, but sometimes she's just a bit too real in my opinion. Some of her thoughts aren't appropiate and while I realize we all think things we shouldn't at times and Heidi isn't that strong of a Christian, I just didn't find it worthwhile to read. Also, from what I gathered from other reviews the whole story-line just doesn't seem my type: Heidi's married, but she shows interest in an old boyfriend to spite her husband in his "interest" of a pretty woman...seriously!

So yeah, I'm going to try the other two because they sound better, but this one I don't feel I should finish.