SPLITTING HARRIET
TAMRA LEIGH
ISBN # (13)9781590529287/(10)1590529286
November 2007
Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. A Division of Random House, Inc
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80921
Trade Paperback
$12.00
389 Pages
Christian/ Contemporary Woman
Rating: 5 Cups

Harriet Bissette, ‘Resident Rebel” of First Grace, the church her father was pastor of until his retirement, has made some mistakes in her life. Being the daughter of a preacher is not a walk in the park and she strayed from the path in a big way. But that was eight years ago, she turned her life around and is now part time woman’s ministry director. But things are changing and if there is one thing Harriet hates, it is change.

Maddox McCray is a consultant for small churches in danger of failing, with his background in marketing he assesses the issues and helps bring them into a more contemporary form of worship. Harriet is going to be trouble from the get go, but they have more in common than she thinks.

Through all the many changes and upheavals the small much loved church goes through Harriet and Maddox grow closer. As Harriet resists the change, she comes to realize she is resisting for the wrong reasons, and sees her need to keep things small and safe stems from her fall from grace and her fears of a repeat fall. Maddox worms his way into her life, with his charming presence and thought provoking questions. Will Harriet be able to set the past aside, truly forgive herself and embrace change? Or will the old Harriet raise her ugly head once more?

This book surprised me. I found it so charming, funny and engaging that I read it from front to back in one sitting. I am not usually a fan of Christian fiction, but Ms. Leigh inserts her character’s spirituality into the dialog so well it seems natural rather than preachy. It took me the first half of the book to warm up to Harriet, who is the most self-centered and self absorbed character I think I have ever read. But, by that second half, I was rooting for her to get a grip and get on with her life. The romance between Harriet and Maddox, was touchingly sweet, as were the secondary characters. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of a good chick lit story whether they are Christian or not!

Meme
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books