Playing God: A Novel

by Michelle McKinney Hammond

Michelle McKinney Hammond, bestselling author of The Last Ten Percent, pens her second novel and explores the heartache that can come when women try to play God in their own lives. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” After seven years as a counselor, the once idealistic Tamara Roberts has absorbed so much of the loss, doubts, and trials of her clients that she begins to question how God can let so much hurt happen in the lives of good people. Corinne Collins’ husband, a respected religious leader, is unfaithful with another man; Lydia Deveraux tries to take matters into her own hands to settle the score between her and her famous but absent producer husband; Jamilah, Tamara’s best friend, is trying to save a young girl neglected by her mother. In contrast, Felicia Sample (featured in The Last Ten Percent ) is married, saved, and feeling blessed after a past of indecision and mistakes. This riveting novel with intersecting story lines will remind readers that God is loving, all–knowing, merciful, and the One completely in control—if only we’ll believe and wait for His victory.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

From her official website:

As a bestselling author, speaker, singer and television co-host, Michelle has authored over 30 books (selling over one million copies worldwide), including best-selling titles The Diva Principle, Sassy, Single and Satisfied, 101 Ways to Get and Keep His Attention, and Secrets of an Irresistible Woman. A gifted vocalist, Michelle has recorded two CD’s, It’s Amazing and Let’s Go In and co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning television talk show Aspiring Women.

She has appeared on countless television shows including Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect, E Channel’s “Soap Talk,” NBC’s The Other Half, The 700 Club, and BET’s Oh Drama! as well as a regular relationship segment on WGN Morning News. She has graced the cover of magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman Precious Times, The Plain Truth and Gospel Today. She has been a contributing writer for Spirit Led Woman, Discipleship Journal and has been featured in articles in Shine, Essence, Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The New York Times.

Following several successful years in an award-winning advertising career as an art director/writer/producer (her clients included Coca-Cola USA, McDonald’s, Procter and Gamble, GMC and Ford Motor Company), Michelle suffered a devastating leg injury after being hit by a car. For her the accident was a spiritual turning point, a wake up call to embrace her purpose and fulfill her destiny. These bedridden months gave birth to her first bestseller, “What to Do Until Love Finds You.” Since then Michelle has emerged as a highly-respected author, speaker and singer, reaching a diverse audience nationally and internationally. Crossing denominational lines, addressing secular audiences, as well as addressing men and women from every walk of life, Michelle is known for “keeping it real.” She addresses real-life issues with candor and wit, and the hard questions with sensitivity and empathy. This merits her reputation as a relationship and life empowerment coach, crossing the great divide and sharing keys that lead to reconciliation between the sexes.

Michelle’s underlying message is “get yourself in spiritual order and your natural life will come together.” Her passion is to give relevant and workable solutions to people’s questions based in timeless spiritual truths. Sharing solid, effective principles that will help her audience to navigate through the journey of life and reach the ultimate destination of living and loving to their fullest potential.

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 women struggle with life issues and their faith walks. When they begin to grow tired of leaning on the Lord they all have to make decisions on what they will do. In the end, each has to deal with how their situations turn out. McKinney-Hammond's book is even paced and an entertaining read. I was interested in how each woman dealt with her situation, the decisions she made, and how things turned out. The characters were very well developed and pulled me into their lives. It has the power to touch women's lives, especially if they find even a small part of themselves in any of the characters. This is why whether McKinney-Hammond is writing fiction or non-fiction her books are so good. She has a way of connecting to the reader that many others don't.

[Adrienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. There was so many inspirational and biblical concepts sprinkled throughout the read which encouraged me to move forward in my life as well. Tamara had to face a womanly procedure from having fibroids, waiting on the husband and children but didn't pan out as she expected. I can relate since I am undergoing fibroids and future surgery but refuse hysterectomy. So still waiting on the husband which in the book she said to stop playing God and allow him to do the matchmaking.

She puts real life situations in a fictional novel to keep women inspired, encouraged, and motivated that regardless the hardships to trust God.

Adrienna Turner
Author of God is in the Equation
adriennaturner.net

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all must fall to our knees and give it all over to God. Too often we take over the reigns of our lives and try to work things out the way we want. Tamara is a Christian counselor and she is "playing God" with her life and in a way with her friends and clients. The book chronicles the lives of Tamara's clients (Corrine and Lydia) and her friends (Jamilah and Felicia). I'm glad their stories started to connect about 1/3 into the book and the problems they brought on themselves sounded all too familiar. Five women, five very different issues with one solution...Trusting in God's plans not yours.

[Selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed reading this book, I did feel that the ending left me wondering what happened to many of the characters. I found myself following along closely to what was going on in many of the characters lives. The storyline was relatable as I, as well as many people I know, have struggled with wanting something to happen and wondering why God is taking so long to make it happen. To see the struggles and outcomes of what happened when one waits for God vs what happens when you try to do things against or ahead of God's timing was enough to keep me reading.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

(book, novel)
a. This is an interesting book about a Christian counselor with problems of her own, trying to counsel women with big problems – a mega-church pastor’s wife whose husband is unfaithful with another man; a woman who goes out with a younger man as she tries to get back at her producer husband (or is it ex-husband?); - probably 3 STARS

[Kianaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle McKinney Hammond has always been one of my favorite writers. She is most widely known for her self-help books. To my knowledge, "Playing God" was her first novel, and man it is a good one. It is contemporary christian fiction which is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. The book attests to the ramifications of us making our choices based on fleshly desires and playing god.

[Janackeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really good book! she definitely emotionally developed her characters and told a real honest story showing the struggle between being a Christian woman living in the world...this was a great read!!

[Sheila]

This was an awesome book

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book drew me in and left me in a mess. Lots of trauma in this book!! I love the way Michelle does fiction! I wait for the next book...

[Marshell McCrary]

I enjoyed it. It tied back to her prior book "The Last 10 Percent".